Keep warm air INSIDE this winter!

Keep old man winter’s cold hands out of your pocketbook

  By TERRI BENNETT    McClatchy Newspapers

     The winter chill is preparing to take a bite from our bank accounts. We’ve all heard that “winterizing” our homes will help keep utility costs down and is easier on the environment.    

Here’s a short list of options that are simple to do, and which will yield the most immediate results.

   • Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans. This is one of the simplest ways to keep warm air moving inside your home.    In the colder months, your fan blades should turn in the clockwise direction to force warmer air collecting at the ceiling down toward the floor. You can tell that the blades are turning in the wrong direction for the colder months if you feel a breeze pushing down on you when standing directly under the fan.      
 
•Another smart place to check for leaks is in your attic. First, make sure the attic door itself is insulated and seals when shut. As for the actual attic space, if you can see the ceiling joists, you probably need more insulation. And, if your fireplace is more ornamental rather than functional, use a chimney plug to prevent warm air from escaping.     

• Windows and doors are the biggest places where warm air escapes. Use a match or lit candle to search for leaks. If the flame blows out when held next to windowsills or doorframes, there’s a problem. Replacing windows and doors with efficient new ones are your best bet, also costly.    One alternative is to put up insulating storm windows and doors. You can also use window insulating kits or heavy drapery   to help keep winter drafts from entering your home through windows.    And, weather-stripping is an inexpensive solution for filling gaps in doorframes. For high-traffic areas, rubber weather-stripping is your best bet because it is more durable than foam variety.    
 
• Don’t forget to keep up with the maintenance of central heating   units. Furnaces should be checked each year to make sure they are operating at maximum efficiency and with clean filters.    A clogged filter makes the unit work harder, costing more to operate and creating a fire hazard.    Another good idea is to check the ductwork in your home to make sure there aren’t any leaks. You   can easily fix any that you find with metal-backed tape found at any hardware store.     

• And finally, if your water heater is located in a cold garage or closet invest in a water heaterinsulating blanket. This keeps your unit from having to work so hard to heat the water.    These do-it-yourself jobs can be as big or as little as you want  and they all add up to energy and money savings. Do your part this winter to keep warm air inside your home and even more money in your pocket.    

Terri Bennett is a veteran TV meteorologist, syndicated columnist, and host of DoYourPart. com where you can find everyday green living ideas that are better for you and the planet.

The History of Thanksgiving

The Little Known – but true – History of Thanksgiving…

 

Despite the popular belief that Thanksgiving originated with the colony at Plymouth Plantation in 1621, researchers have actually pinpointed the actual first Thanksgiving to have been held a whopping 56 years earlier.

According to scholars, the first known Thanksgiving took place during September 1565, in Saint Augustine, Florida when Spanish settlers held a Mass of Thanksgiving after arriving safely in the new world. It wasn’t until 1619 when English settlers in the Virginia Colony held a similar day of thanks…and then two full years after that, the colonists at Plymouth Plantation celebrated the famed Thanksgiving of 1621.

 

But the story doesn’t end there.

Around 1789, President George Washington proclaimed “a day of thanks” to be observed. It was not an official national holiday, but it did become popular with many Americans, who would select their own state or city observance day, usually in the fall. But not everyone was in favor…there were people going through hardships who were actually against having a day dedicated for giving thanks. In fact, Thomas Jefferson himself scoffed at the idea of a thanksgiving day. 

SAFE Test and NMLS licensing: Consumer Benefits Outlined

As I have mentioned in a previous Blog post, I have successfully passed my SAFE Exam (July 2010) and am licensed within the NMLS system (NMLS #263702).

What I find interesting (and perplexing!) is that NOT all Mortgage Loan Originators (as we are now ALL called) are required to have an NMLS license, and take the National SAFE Exam.

Both regulatory systems were designed to protect the consumer. Some mortgage professionals are exempted from regulation and don't have to test and be licensed??????

This is definitely a time for the age old adage:  "Let the Buyer Beware!"

I am posting an excerpt from an article by Joffrey Long which underscores the importance of consumers working with Mortgage Loan Originators who are SAFE and NMLS compliant:

Still of concern, however, are the Act’s gaps.  Not all loan officers are required to complete pre-license training and to pass a comprehensive licensing exam, enabling the use of legislative loopholes.
Here’s how:
Loan officers who work for Federally chartered banks or credit unions DON’T have to take the exam or the pre-license training.  So unless your loan officer works for a certain type of company, you’re really no safer.  Lawmakers decided to trust the banks to properly screen and train their originators.  Hmmm, do you trust the banks?
To find out if your loan professional is really qualified,  has undergone required training and passed the exam - a little due diligence may be necessary.
First, ask for their license number and what agency they’re licensed by.  If they work for a bank or Federally chartered credit union, they might tell you they don’t have to be licensed.  If they tell you what license they work under, you can check on that licensing authority’s website for their license history.
But be careful.  Whether you’re buying foreclosed homes, looking for home refinancing, or you’re a first time homebuyer, you need to speak with a real financing expert.  

About Joffrey Long
Joffrey Long provides mortgage lending and real estate advice and insight for homebuyers, real estate investors and investors in mortgage loans.  He’s a mortgage lender and real estate investor himself, and has been in the industry for 34 years.  He’s also called upon to testify as an expert witness in mortgage related litigation matters.

Remodeling your home? Return on your investment dollars!

These numbers are courtesy of the National Board of Realtors and will give you a good idea of where to put your remodeling dollars when you begin thinking of starting your next project. :)


% Return of $ Spent                Remodeling Project
102%                                         Kitchen (By far, the best return of money in value given!)
77                                              Bathroom
73                                              Deck (enjoy those summer days more with this % return!)
71                                              Siding
69                                              Home Office (my personal favorite remodeling project!)
68                                              Windows (Federal Tax Rebates end soon!)

If you would like to explore refinance options to cash out some of your equity to finance a remodeling project, call or e-mail me.  :)

Marty, thanks for the excellent experience! Closing November 3, 2010

We were introduced to Marty about three years ago when we bought our current home. 
The experience was wonderful and we have referred colleagues and family to Marty since then. 

Marty takes the time and care to review several scenarios to determine what would work best for a mortgage or a refinance. A year or so ago, I reached out to Marty to see if it made sense to refinance at that point. He ran numbers for me and said that a refinance did not make sense unless we planned to stay in our house long term. 
I am pleased with his integrity - he could have easily processed a refinance for us and earned money on the refinance. 

Marty spends time to build long term relationships with clients. We had heard nightmares from others that it was nearly impossible to get a mortgage or a refinance in the current market. 
We had an excellent experience and are so thankful to Marty and his team for making it so easy to refinance.
 
Niels and Tara Hansen

Marty, your follow-up and knowledge was greatly appreciated! Closing October 22, 2010

Marty,

Thanks for keeping me updated during this process, and getting it done quickly and smoothly. I appreciate your call and follow-up, letting me know the option was available to me, and would be helpful, and recommended for me to complete. As I have mentioned, I lack knowledge when it comes to mortgages, lending, and rates- Marty, your follow up and knowledge was greatly appreciated!

All the best,

Scott

Scott Ingraham, ATP

Sales Manager

I Recommend Marty Without Reservation: Closing September 24. 2010

 Marty helped me about 15 months ago when I bought a home.  I was very pleased and impressed with all he did at that time.  With interest rates falling, I was considering a refinance.  Before I acted on my instinct, Marty sent me an e-mail saying that he recalled my rate and he would love to help me take advantage of the lower rates.  HE got in touch with ME.  THAT’S invaluable service!  Marty worked the numbers and ironed out any possible problems and I was able to lower my interest rate.  I highly recommend Marty to all my friends and associates without reservation.  Doug Paskett

Thank you for the Speed, Ease and Professionalism: Closing October 7, 2010

Marty.

It has been a very busy week since we closed, but I did not want to let anymore time pass without telling you how much we enjoyed working with you and you staff. I can not say enough about the speed, professionalism and how easy you made this process of refinancing our home. The manner which things were handled made us feel comfortable from the beginning that you had our best interest as a priority. Thanks again.  Pat and Clara Lynch

Why Mortgage Lenders Want Tax Returns

Why mortgage lenders want tax returns
By Marcie Geffner • Bankrate.com


Shopping for a home mortgage loan? Prepare to hand over real proof of your taxable income.
During the housing boom, lenders rarely required borrowers to provide copies of federal tax returns.
But today, lenders often ask borrowers to turn over entire tax returns, according to Brad Blackwell, national sales manager for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.
"Often, people will think they can bring in the first two pages of the tax return, and what they need to bring is the full tax return and all schedules because a person's full income picture is contained in the entire set of documents, not just the first two pages," he says.

Higher Loan Amounts Approved through 2011!

President Obama has signed HR 3081, the bill that extends the higher loan amounts for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) multifamily programs to $729,750. These higher loan amounts will continue through 2011.

I whole-heartedly refer Marty Qualls-Closing August 30, 2010

I've been referring borrowers and Real Estate Agents to Marty Qualls for over 6 years because of his professional demeanor and seniority and expertise in the mortgage industry. 

I have now had the pleasure of working with him on my personal loan for the purchase of a new home.  

I have always been impressed by Marty's ability to communicate effectively throughout the transaction, but especially noticed the difference it makes when you are the actual borrower.

I would whole-heartedly refer Marty Qualls to anyone who needs help with their purchase or refinance mortgage!

Melissa and Justin Miller, Layton, UT:  Loan closing August 30, 2010