Cheryl Orr's Blog

Help Save Down Payment Assistance - 50 Days / 50 Ways

Cheryl Orr (Evergreen Home Loans) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:29:36 -0700

One Action Every Day To Help Save Down Payment Assistance!

8/13/2008

Download a web badge or button to use on your blog, website or email signature to help spread the word about saving down payment assistance programs.

Nehemiah has launched a web community to help fight the elimination of Down Payment Assistance. There's still time to help. Check out www.dpagroundswell.org and let our voices be heard.

Nehemiah Launches Web Community - Save down Payment Assistance!

Cheryl Orr (Evergreen Home Loans) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:55:57 -0700

Help Save Down Payment Assistance!

Today, Nehemiah Corporation of America announced the launch of www.dpagroundswell.org , a web-based community established to mobilize the growing industry opposition to the October 1st ban on seller-funded down payment assistance (SF-DPA).

The site will bring together families and individual homeowners as well as industry groups and local members of the real estate market including brokers, bankers, lenders, homebuilders and others to provide a central information and communication hub to fight the ban.

Do your part and Take Action NOW! Visit http://www.dpagroundswell.org/

50 Days / 50 Ways One action each day for the next 50 days. 5 - 15 minutes is all it takes.

A new law, H.R. 6694, has been proposed to fix the error and save DPA. To pass it, we need a groundswell of public support.

The time is now. Please act.

Support H.R. 6994! Contact your elected officials today!

19th Annual Stillaguamish Festival of The River

Cheryl Orr (Evergreen Home Loans) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:16:18 -0700

The Stillaguamish Festival of the River is a fun way to celebrate summer, learn about water quality, salmon habitat, and the watershed.

Saturday, August 9th - 10am to 10:30pm

Sunday, August 10th - 10am to 9:30pm

This is a free event with activities including live music by Kellie Pickler and Smashmouth!

Fun for the entire family!

This year they feature a giant storytelling tent, a 20' paintable mural, arts and craft vendors, a scrumptious salmon barbecue prepared by the Stillaguamish Tribe, and live music by a variety of local bands.

The mission of the festival is to help people who live and work in the Stillaguamish Watershed and surrounding regions understand how their actions can help make their environment cleaner for people, fish and wildlife. The Tribe recorded at least 8000 attendees at the 2007 Festival of the River.

Printable Map & Schedule of Events

Seating is first come first serve on the lawn. You may bring your own chairs, food & drink. (No Alcohol). There is no extra charge for the music. This is a Drug & Alcohol Free Event.

You're Invited to National Night Out

Cheryl Orr (Evergreen Home Loans) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:20:40 -0700

Join your Arlington Police Department for a National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday, August 5th from 6pm to 8pm in the parking lot on Olympic by the Police Department.

Stop by and visit with Police Officers, a Canine Officer, Support 46 Staff, and Your Local Firefighters. You can have your child seat checked for safety, try on some DUI goggles, view neighborhood map information and learn about Operation Lifesaver.

You will have an opportunity to tour vehicles and take part in activities designed to help make Arlington a safer place to live, work and play.

National Night Out is an annual event and this years marks it's 25th Anniversary. It is designed to strengthen communities by encouraging neighborhoods to engage in stronger relationships with each other and with their local law enforcement partners.

Granite Falls Show & Shine Car Show This Saturday August 2nd!

Cheryl Orr (Evergreen Home Loans) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:17:49 -0700

Come on all you car enthusiasts. This year the Granite Falls Show & Shine is celebrating 28 years and is expected to be the biggest ever.

The car show is free to browse and every year cars, trucks, motorcycles and car enthusiasts line the streets to enjoy the days festivities. Last year there were 108 prized cars on display. There are special door prizes and raffles with awards going to the vehicles selected best by the entrants.

There is a DJ starting at 10am and Awards and Trophies handed out at 2pm.

This years key sponsor for the 28th Annual Show & Shine Car Show will be Oberg Filters and Race Products from Lake Stevens.

400 Open Houses in Snohomish County This Weekend!

Cheryl Orr (Evergreen Home Loans) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:28:50 -0700

Snohomish County Realtorsare holding what is considered one of the largest open houses ever! Mike Benbow from the Everett Herald reported this event on Wednesday.

400 Open houses in Snohomish County This Weekend!

There will be open houses in every community. Now more than ever is a good time to get out there and buy a home. We are experiencing higher than normal inventory, seller concessions and great interest rates. Despite what the media is saying financing is available.

The following communities and many more currently have financing available through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Housing aka USDA Home Loan.

Arlington
Lake Stevens
Granite Falls
Monroe
Sultan
North Marysville
Snohomish

The USDA Home Loan is a great alternative for those who have NO Down Payment or less than 20% Down Payment. The USDA Home Loan offers lower competitive interest rates and NO Monthly Mortgage Insurance.

USDA Rural Home Loans make buying a home easier and more affordable than ever!

If you happen upon the home of your dreams this weekend feel free to contact me. I will be available all weekend to answer any questions, comments or concerns.

Cheryl Orr

USDA Home Loan Specialist

USDA Helps People Buy Homes in Washington State

Cheryl Orr (Evergreen Home Loans) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:46:43 -0700

Yes you can buy a home with the help of a USDA Home Loan.

This year in Washington State program usage is up 220%. In the last 12 months Rural Development has invested more than $57,887,371 to help over 319 families obtain affordable home loans.

As mortgage lenders are forced to limit available credit and tighten eligibility criteria, USDA wants you know they still have affordable options available if you want to own a home. The Loan-Guarantee allows lenders to offer zero-down fixed rate loans backed by the USDA.

There is still hope out there for people who do not have 20 percent to put down on a conventional loan. The mortgage industry is tightening its belt but USDA has not changed anything. They have funding available and they really want to help Rural Americans get into a home of their own.

The USDA Home Loan offers:

No Down Payment
No Monthly Mortgage Insurance
Lower Monthly Payments
Cash Reserves Not Required
Closing Costs Can Be Financed
or Paid By Seller
Flexible Credit Guidelines

Cheryl Orr is a Loan Consultant with Evergreen Home Loans in Washington State and has been offering USDA Home Loans since 1996. For more information you can visit: USDAhomeloaninfo.com

USDA Home Loans - Experience Rural

Cheryl Orr (Evergreen Home Loans) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:53:13 -0700

Thinking of Buying a Home?

Have you heard of the USDA Home Loan aka Guaranteed Rural Housing?

This is a great opportunity to take advantage of this market and get into a home.

The USDA Home Loan offers:

No Down Payment!
No Monthly Mortgage Insurance!
Lower Monthly Payments!
Cash Reserves not required!
Closing costs can be financed or paid by the seller!
Flexible Credit Guidelines!

For more information you can visit USDAhomeloaninfo.com.

Not sure if the "Rural" life is for you. Summer time is a great time to get out and enjoy our Beautiful State. Take a day and go for a drive, experience the rural life. Visit some of the areas designated as rural. There are always festivals and celebrations that you can attend in our small cities and towns. This is a great way to get to know a community and the residents who live there.

Street Fairs, Parades, BBQ's, Car Shows, Live Music, Ice Cream Socials and Fireworks!

Here are some great events happening this weekend.

Mountain Loop Experience Granite Falls, Darrington, and Arlington Washington come together to celebrate the Grand Re-opening of the Mountain Loop Highway.

Mountain to Sound Greenway Days Greenway Days is celebrated in more than 10 communities with over 20 events along the 100 mile Mountains to Sound Greenway. Choose your destination!

By the way, this is exactly how I found my home - that happens to be in a "Rural" area. We went for a Sunday Drive and ended up at a small festival, had a great time and found the "Home of our Dreams".

Go ahead, get out there, Experience Rural.

Are You An Expert with USDA Home Loans?

Cheryl Orr (Evergreen Home Loans) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:10:10 -0700

I have created a blog separate from Active Rain. It is specifically taylored to USDA Home Loans. I am fairly new at this blogging/social media avenue but it appears that it is attracting a bit of traffic. I would like to add a page to my site that would allow the visitors to contact a USDA Specialist in there area.

I am looking for Loan Officers who have experience in this product. Not everyone out there screaming that they have found a new loan. This is not a new loan. I have been doing USDA Home Loans since 1996 - Guaranteed and Direct. We no longer offer Direct in Washington State as they have to go directly to USDA for this program.

If you would like to be considered please let me know. You must be passionate about your job and helping consumers with affordable loan programs. I am not looking for the Loan Officer that thinks they have to make 3 points on every deal. I have spent years working with USDA and promoting the benefits of this program to Realtors and Home-buyers alike.

People are landing on my site so we might as well band together and direct them to the expert in their area.

Where's The Beef?

Cheryl Orr (Evergreen Home Loans) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:16:18 -0700

Guaranteed Rural Housing aka USDA Home Loan

USDA Home Loan?

Not interested in purchasing a farm?

No problem....

When most people think of USDA they think of farms and cows and meat inspectors. Few people are aware that USDA also provides home loans. That's right the United States Department of Agriculture has a home loan program!

Here are the highlights.

No Down Payment Required!
No Monthly Mortgage Insurance!
Cash Reserves not required!
Closing costs can be financed into the loan or paid by the seller!
Flexible Credit Guidelines!

Here are the details.

Moderate Income. Family income must not exceed the moderate income limits established by RHS for the area in which the property is located. You can check the income limits for your area here: USDA Income Eligibility

Rural Property. The property must be in an area designated as "rural" by the RHS. You might be surprised what is considered rural. Designated areas may include small towns and cities as well as more obviously rural areas. You can check property eligibility here: USDA Property Eligibility

As more and more mortgage lenders are forced to tighten and limit their credit guidelines the availability of the USDA Home Loan makes the reality of owning a home available to a much larger percentage of Americans. I have been helping families and individuals with the USDA Home Loan since 1996. This is not a new loan program, there are no prepayment penalties or subsidy recapture. In Washington State GRH - Guaranteed Rural Housing has never run out of funds and currently there is still funding available.

USDA does not lend money - USDA Guarantees the loan. Evergreen Home Loans is a direct USDA Lender. We underwrite and approve all USDA files in house and we are the #1 USDA Lender in Washington State.

I Did It!

Cheryl Orr (Evergreen Home Loans) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:30:39 -0700

Whoo Hoo!!!

No this isn't Washington Mutual - But look at me now!

This is my entrance into the world of blogging. How the heck did I end up here?

As we all know the mortgage and housing industry has been in a state of chaos for quite some time now and as a "need to know" kind of gal I am constantly researching and educating myself on the changes in our industry. I want to know whats happening in my market and your market and the market over there. I want to know inside and out whats working and what isn't in this crazy environment. I want to give my clients and referral partners the absolute best options available to them at all times.

Thru this research I happened upon the world of blogging. It started with a google search that ended up on active rain and as my research over the past several months continued it spread like wildfire. Somehow I was silently addicted to this blogging taking place all over the web. I was intrigued by the conversations, camaraderie and professionalism taking place on these social blogging sites. After awhile I wanted to join in. I had something to say. I wanted to contribute my two cents along with all of the others.

SEO Who? Tag What? I haven't played tag since I was 10.

So, here I am - my Big Splash into the world of blogging.

Thank you to everyone out there who has helped introduce me into this new world. So many of you whether you know it or not are doing a great service by sharing your knowledge, challenges, experiences and successes!