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eric mcgowan: Hot Hoagie--Quick, Toasty, and Good
- 12/04/08 05:48 AM
This is yet another quick recipe to use this holiday season.
My mother picked this up working for a neighbor many years ago.
1 loaf french bread
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream (can be light)
1 small onion chopped or either 1/2 bottle of chopped dried onion
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp parsley
1 large can of meat of your choice (ham, chicken, or turkey). I prefer ham or chicken.
1 pack of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Black olives (optional)
Butter or vegetable spread
Mix mayo, onion, sour cream, and other dried ingredients, and meat in large … (11 comments)
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eric mcgowan: Green Bean Roll-ups
- 11/22/08 11:40 AM
An odd combination but well worth the wait. Green Beans rolled up in seared bacon-yum.
This has been a hit and can be quite versatile during the holidays or company gatherings.
GREEN BEAN ROLL-UPS
1 Can Green Beans
1 16 oz package bacon
1 small bottle french dressing
Open green beans and drain. Next open bacon package and split strips down the center. Take a half strip of bacon and roll up 3-5 green beans into that strip. Then take a toothpick and slide it through. Place each roll-up into a casserole dish. Bake at 350 to 375 degrees (depends on … (17 comments)
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eric mcgowan: A Parents Life Is A Child's Guidebook
- 11/20/08 09:16 AM
While driving in this morning I saw "A Parents Life Is a Child's Guidebook" on the billboard for a local church. With the holiday season upon us I thought what a timely topic.
Personally, while growing up I never gave much thought to what my mother sacrificed for us.
She basically stayed at home and took care of my grandmother--her mother. My grandmother, you see, had Parkinson's Disease and although she was a strong woman in earlier years she was quite the handful in the latter as one helped her with daily life. The handling was not an issue of personality, more so an issue of the disease and its' … (6 comments)
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eric mcgowan: The Real Victims of this Mess
- 11/19/08 09:53 AM
Look in the mirror! Now, What do you see?
Whether you want to admit it or not you can even see it in your child's face! 2008 can and most definitely will be one for the record books.
We have had
Gas prices at all time highs Layoffs Bank failures Stock Market rollercoaster rides Automakers reducing production The virtual death of home equity products Stores closing What kind of Christmas and Holiday season will this be for you? How are you and your family planning to celebrate?
This year I am personally cutting back. I won't be buying that "big family gift" as I normally … (15 comments)
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eric mcgowan: I May Not Be Able to Finance That!
- 11/11/08 05:14 AM
We all run into them---the dreaded unique property. This is One that Only One in a Million Loves and Will Ever Buy.
I basically ask some brief questions upon getting started with potential clients and figure out what may work best for them in their situation.
Signs that realtors and loan officers should beware of:
"It was once a bus.... we just put it up on pilings and it is home."
"I pulled it off the river, drained it out, and added a room."
"Yep, you can change the oil in the motor ..."
"It was once a single wide. We moved it … (8 comments)
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eric mcgowan: Financing Improvements on REO/Foreclosed Properties
- 11/07/08 08:31 AM
Today's potential new home owner's often have obstacles to financing "homes in need of repair". As guidelines have tightened underwriters review everything.
An option for foreclosed homes and for people looking to refinance is the FHA Limited Repair Streamline 203K Program. This program allows for either the purchase of or the refinance of properties in need of limited repairs--all in one loan. The loan is underwritten once and there is no need for anything to be re-reviewed and closed again upon completion.
As home equity lines are becoming a thing of the past, or severely limited in the loan … (3 comments)
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eric mcgowan: Points-they matter
- 11/03/08 07:08 AM
Points or "buying down" the rate is becoming more typical than before. Guidelines have constricted and the cost of borrowing money for even the best of customer's has increased.
Typically, one point is equivalent to 1% of the loan amount. Lets exemplify this and we will assume that a borrower is putting 10% down on a $200,000 home. Their credit falls into the average category now for a "conforming" loan with their respective score being a 661. The loan amount proposed then, assuming they are covering their own closing costs is now $180,000. They have a "pricing add-on" of .1% for the loan size (less than $200,000), they … (14 comments)
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eric mcgowan: What You Pay, Rates, and Election Years
- 10/31/08 09:19 AM
This week we are ending and about to begin a new era as a new president will be elected Tuesday, November 4, 2008. As talk continues about how bad the economy is one thing remains--people need money!
In 1976, the year of the Bicentennial Celebration, mortgage rates averaged a whopping 8.87% for the year for a thirty year fixed rate mortgage (www.freddiemac.com). It was an era of new optimism, a new point in history, and an election year.
As we move forward in time interest rates hit some of their highest points in history before 1984. In 1984 they averaged a … (2 comments)
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eric mcgowan: Attractions in Central Alabama
- 10/23/08 01:32 PM
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Attractions in Central Alabama Image by Southernpixel via Flickr Things to do in Central Alabama The central Alabama area is filled with many trees, roads, and windows of opportunity for visitors and residents alike. As I live in the Birmingham metro area I am writing some brief information about attractions in the area. Bass Pro Shops Leeds, Alabama (off exit 140 on Interstate 20 in Leeds, Alabama) Opening November, 2008 this will be a "destination" per Harley Willis, store manager. The company expects 20,000+ visitors on an average Saturday. This Bass Pro store is beside … (0 comments)
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eric mcgowan: Declining Values---Tax Reassessment?
- 10/13/08 04:08 AM
Local municipalities seem to want your money and just will not let it go.
With the shrinking economy how many people have considered property reassessments for their now "devalued properties"? Government officials will not automatically "write down" the assessed value for your home. As the economy continues to shift this is ever more apparent.
As a property owner or potential property owner one should contact the assessing authority and request a revaluation. Or, as a next step, pay for an appraisal and present it to the proper taxing authority. Many areas throughout the country are now experiencing these issues. For instance, after the hurricanes in 2004, Florida saw … (4 comments)
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eric mcgowan: Home Sellers--10 Tips to Help Survive Tough Times
- 10/06/08 09:19 AM
www.stclairlender.blogspot.com
Many of us have to move either by marriage, death, divorce, or job transfer. However, now is more often than not the right time to even consider having to doing so. Tides are still turning with lower values throughout the U.S. Further, most people are scared to think about tomorrow much less the thought of looking for a new home especially with the price of everyday necessities---gas, food, and just keeping the lights on.Should you be one of those facing these uncertain days and in need to sell their home here are a few helpful hints to get you by:1) … (7 comments)
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eric mcgowan: Credit Cards--The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
- 10/02/08 05:06 AM
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Credit Cards--"The Good, The Bad, The Ugly" Credit cards maybe about to become a better product for the average American consumer. Typically, if one paid even a day late guess what a consequential "rate hike" occurred. Also, should one carry a higher balance then "those good ole boy's" tended to jack our rates up even more while lowering the limits in the process. Credit card companies pushed for tighter bankruptcy regulations and made the new laws enacted in 2005 even harsher should one find themselves in the unfortunate position to need to file for bankruptcy protection.Most … (4 comments)
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