We have all seen those commercials on television about helping children, and they are certainly stories that tear at our heartstrings. I know they do at mine. And all programs to help children are worthy IMO. Children are the part of our world that truly holds our future. ALL children.
Mothers Fighting for Others does a wonderful job of helping young girls in Kenya to realize their potential and to grow and learn in an atmosphere that is not normally available to them. But, sadly, MFFO cannot do that on their own. They need OUR help. Yes, OUR help.
Can you imagine ... going to school, learning new things, growing as a person ... and then told NO. You're a girl and you cannot finish school? Can you imagine how disheartening that would be?
My friend Mike Jones issued a challenge to post a photo from the 1980s era. It took some digginig to find a couple, but thought I would play along.
These were taken in May of 1986 when I had 200 acres in central Florida. My passion was (and still is) horses ... well, any animal really.
This fine looking fella is Chub. Chub was an AQHA registered gelding and was the absolute best horse I ever owned. Or better yet ... he was the best owner I ever had. He was kind, patient, attentive, quick, well mannered and could work cows like no other animal I've ever seen. Chub also enjoyed his turn at a set of barrels from time to time. ;)
I miss this guy. He was 24 years old when he passed away from a stomach cancer, yet he never had a foul day. We should all be so lucky.
My friend in Charlottesville, VA shared an amazing little tool regarding Google and I wanted to make sure it reached as many people as possible. Hope this will help make the techie end of your business a little easier! Enjoy!
You can call 1-800-goog-411 and for free you can get information on businesses including addresses, phone and even get them to email you a map. This is a great service.
Carol Smith | Concept Builders, LLC | csmith@conceptbuilders.net | 919-418-6549
Mckenna Dr, Graham, NC
Welcome to The Addison! The perfect home for a first time buyer!
3BR/2.5BA Single Family House
offered at $159,900
Year Built
2006
Sq Footage
1,598
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
2 full, 1 partial
Floors
2
Parking
2 Car garage
Lot Size
.28 acres
HOA/Maint
$0 per month
DESCRIPTION
Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home on corner lot in new Alamance County community. The light and bright design of this home lets the sun shine in, and the wonderful open floor plan lets the family stay connected! If you like to entertain then you will love this home! The open kitchen/family room concept is inviting and classic.
Don't miss your opportunity to own this beautiful home!
see additional photos below
PROPERTY FEATURES
- Central A/C
- Central heat
- Fireplace
- Walk-in closet
- Hardwood floor
- Family room
- Dining room
- Dishwasher
- Stove/Oven
- Microwave
- Attic
- Laundry area - inside
- Balcony, Deck, or Patio
- Yard
COMMUNITY FEATURES
- Garage parking
OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES
- Marble Fireplace Surround
- Lots of beautiful maple cabinets
- Double paned insulated windows
- Low property taxes! $940.90 ANNUAL tax for 2009!
This beautiful home has it all! From the inviting fireplace with the entertainment alcove above it to the comfortable formal dining room to the open and airy kitchen that allows for service to a sunny breakfast area ... you won't be disappointed in the style and grace of this home. Enjoy the front 'sitting' porch or relax on the rear patio ... there's something for everyone. So ... come on in ... check it out! You're going to like what you see!
I first must apologize to all my friends here on AR. I have been remiss in my participation and I feel terrible about it!
Between moving, putting all this junk away, starting a new job, starting a new business and just trying to stay afloat ... well, I've had to let some things slide for a while. Unfortunately ... AR was one of those unintended lapses.
But on the up side ... the new house is wonderful! I can see the floor in all 3 bedrooms, the kitchen actually has countertops that are visible to the naked eye, the closets are more organized than my closets have been in several years, many of the boxes of 'treasures' that I've carted around for the last 20+ years have found new homes, and I am finally able to spend more than 10 minutes at the computer.
My new position ... Sales Associate for Concept Builders at Shamrock Valley ... is phenomenal. The company is great, the builder is the most down to earth person I've met in a long time. My sales manager is a real treat. She has a quirky sense of humor that fits so well with mine that we spend a lot of time laughing.
New home sales are solid and we are set to start a fresh build on a new model any day now. We have a closing today and another in 3 weeks. Showings are increasing and interest is returning to the new construction market. And now with the extension of the tax credit ... well, it's all good in my world!
I have been reading some of the posts here on AR but just have not had the energy or focus to make an intelligent comment. So I chose to keep quiet till I could get my act together. I certainly didn't want my readers to think I had taken leave of my senses!
But I'm here. I'm reading, learning and appreciating ALL of you for your sharing. Keep up the good work! I hope to be back in full swing very very soon.
Till then ... enjoy a few photos of the colors that surround me daily ...
And, lastly, there is this little stinker that can only say ... Life is GOOD!
As always, my friend Jason Sardi has done an outstanding job of outlining the lending process. If you've suffered confusion about the mortgage process or the importance of having a lender you can trust ... then read on. Jason nails it in fine fashion!
Easy answer, 60 days. But I guess that depends on what kind of Pre-Approval you received or want for that matter. Actually, the answer to such a question depends upon three factors:
- You, as the consumer.
- The Buyer's Agent who is helping you find a home.
- And the quality of the Pre-Approval you receive in the first place.
Ten Seconds, GO - You're interested in buying a home. You even find a few that tickle your family bone. But you need financing because you probably don't have the cash to buy it outright. Which leads to...
Nine Seconds - You're smart and seek out a Buyer's Agent to represent you. This will provide protection in your favor. They represent you and only you.
Eight Seconds - That agent may turn you onto a few folks like me who can help you out from the financing end. And that doesn't mean you shouldn't shop on your own. But buying a home isn't just about getting the lowest rate with no fees (an oxymoron if I've ever encountered one), it's about trust. Interview those who express interest in earning your business and keeping it. If they have the lowest rate with no fees, I can only hope they are in business when you need to do business again.
Seven Seconds- The Pre-Approval is more than just an application and credit check. There's some serious competency going on. They ask for your most recent pay-stubs, W-2's, bank statements, and the last time you had a wet dream about Richard Gere.
Six Seconds - You find a house that you want to call home and a Sales Agreement has been signed and accepted by all parties. And there you are.
Five Seconds- You're hopefully just padding the documentation that you've already given to the Mortgage Company you choose. I recommend Sardi Mortgage Inc, who isn't licensed just yet ... but when you hear Sardi, that should mean something. I'm not sure what, but it means something. Maybe it just means that there is an individual who is all over your particular file like white on puss.
Four Seconds - Appraisal is ordered and done. The rest of your file is pretty complete because everyone got along and did what needed to be done.
Three Seconds - The complete transaction goes into Underwriting, those dastardly folks we think of who hate closing loans. I'll give you a bit of info here, and I usually don't stick up for Underwriters. They only get paid when folks close loans. Without us, there is no them. So, that's that. In business, there's more to it than that, but that is a pretty accurate description.
Two Seconds - You are CLEAR TO CLOSE. If there were three words that were magical in this industry, those are they.
One Second Left - It's a proclamation of your destination. You hit home!
And when there's no time left, that's the perfect time to be imperfect. And that's the perfect way NOT to close.
Carol Smith | Concept Builders, LLC | 919-418-6549
Cullens Drive, Graham, NC
The Haywood ::: Spacious, elegant, affordable.
4BR/2BA Single Family House
offered at $209,900
Year Built
2007
Sq Footage
2,245
Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
2 full, 0 partial
Floors
1
Parking
2 Car garage
Lot Size
.31 acres
HOA/Maint
$10 per month
DESCRIPTION
The Haywood ::: the beautiful front porch will welcome you home. One level living with a huge bonus room upstairs (could be 4th bedroom). Open kitchen and great room, split bedroom plan with spacious bedrooms and very generous closets.
Conveniently located, just minutes from I85-40. Shopping and schools nearby.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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