USDA Loan Expert

How To Create and Use iFrames and Tables on Your Blog

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:37:54 -0600

Via Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain):

How To Create and Use iFrames and Tables on Your Blog

Last week I promised to create a post explaining how to add iFrames and tables to your Blog posts. Instead of making this a long drawn out technical "How To" tutorial, I decided to make it really easy for those of you interested in using this feature. It is HTML based and does require a little HTML skill, but I think the way I'm about to show you will totally simplify the process and keep you from losing your sanity! lol~

The hardest thing you'll have to do is switch the tabs at the top of your New Blog Post from "WYSIWYG" to "HTML" then you'll just need to copy the code onto the HTML page where you want your iFrame to appear, then save it. Can't make it much easier than that. So let's start with the iFrame. The purpose of Adding an iFrame to a Blog post is so that you can share a large amount of information in a very small (customized) space. Maybe a website, or an interactive page, or even an entire Blog for example.

Here's an iframe of a site I'm sure you'll all recognize. :-)

The size, color, width, height, URL, etc. can all be customized. Now for all you advanced HTML users and Bloggers, this is probably easy stuff, but for many of our members and friends, learning this type of stuff has been known to cause overdoses of Tylenol and in some extreme cases, even alcohol. So here's a way for you to preserve your anxiety and stress for something a little more worthy.... I hope.

HTML Basics has setup what they call an iFrame generator. You just enter in the information, and it creates the iFrame for you, then just copy and paste the code into the HTML tab of your new Blog post. It looks like this:

Just enter the URL of ANY page you want to appear in your iFrame, never make it wider than 550pixels if you don't want to Blow Out your Blogs sidebar, select any height you want, give it a name, set the alignment, maybe add a border with some color, setup how you want it to scroll, and generate the code for your Blog post. This is much easier than trying to explain the HTML which you're about to see once you generate the code anyway. Once you become familiar with the iframe code, you won't need the generator anymore. Now try it yourself.
I added this iFrame to the Real Estate RainCamp SF so you can see who's coming

Suggestions: Try using your MLS page, your IDX page, your Website, one of your Blog posts, maybe your AR Outside Blog, any page that's on the internet will work as long as you have the URL or website address. You can use iFrames to add some additional value to your Blog if this is something you're interested in. Now just be creative and imagine all the ways your clients, visitors, and subscribers might benefit from your using custom iFrames in your Blog posts.

Are you ready for tables now? Here's a link to a table generator, you'll be a pro in no time at all! :-)

Some Table Scraps RE Video RETechWorld

Goal Planner ActiveBrads Blog iDomain

TechKnowBabble AR Manual The REBlogger

HTML Tables

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RainCamp™ - "Because The Way We Do Business Online Has Changed!"

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

Georgia Mortgage Rates for December 4th, 2009.

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:42:28 -0600

Georgia Mortgage Rates for December 4th, 2009.

Since November 9th, mortgage rates have continued to drop. November 25th mortgage rates hit an all time low at 4.375%. For the past 6 days straight, mortgage bonds have worsened and worsened causing mortgage rates to climb every single day. Did we see this coming? YES! Will rates continue to tick higher? YES! Will we see 4.375% again? Most likely not. Although, wouldn't it be nice to refinance your 5.5% (extremely high rate loan, HAHA) into another low 4.5% loan? YESSSS! Contact your local mortgage lender and check to see if refinancing is a good option for you. If the rates have ticked too high to benefit you, then go ahead and apply and if rates drop once again, then you will be ready to attack!

Rate Lock Advice and Mortgage Market Update.

Via Bill Ladewig Your FHA Guru - FHA and VA Loans Since 1970:

Rate Lock Advice and Mortgage Market Update

December 4, 2009, 11:45 PT

RATE LOCK ADVISORY

Lock Advice: LOCK
MBS prices are down -17/32. After the Employment data came in stronger than expected. The economy lost just -11K jobs in November, and the Unemployment Rate fell to 10.0% from 10.2%.

RATE NOTES:
When MBS prices are up, Rates are down.
Lock advice can change throughout the day .
Good economic news = Bad Rate News.

National Average Fixed Rate Mortgage
Unchanged at 4.87% on Dec.3

Fannie Mae Mortgage Backed Securities
MBS Opened at 4.544% Up 0.06%.

10 Year Treasury Currently 3.470% Up 0.08%

DJI Stocks $10,361.92, Down -4.23, -0.04%

European and Asian Markets Up 0.654%

Nymex Crude Oil Currently $75.40 Down $1.06

If you value your business then please watch this three minute video
See TBWS Video

Rates 12-04-09, 11:45 PT
30 Year Fixed to $417,000
Rate 4.75% Point 0.875, APR 4.884%
APR Based on $350,000 Loan at 80% LTV
Above Rate can be locked for 30 days.
Call for Quotes on FHA and VA loans With Detailed Good Faith Estimates.
No Application or Credit Report required

Education is the ONLY Effective Consumer Protection

How to Find Legitimate Rate Quotes

What is APR

What is Yield Spred Premium (YSP)

Avoid Closing Day Nightmares

President signs the First Time Buyer Tax Credit Extension Read Story

Bill Introduced to Increase FHA Down Payment to 5.00% from 3.50 Read Story.

Bill Ladewig

800.664.7283 (SAVE)

Bill@YourFhaGuru.com

Website

Bill Ladewig is a Mortgage Broker Licensed by the California Department of Real Estate 00968137

San Diego FHA and VA Home Loans Escondido Mortgages Escondido Localism San Diego FHA and VA Home Loans San Diego Localism San Diego UFMIP Escondido Mortgages Escondido Localism San Diego Mortgage What is APR

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

Georgia USDA Rural Development Loans

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:23:38 -0600

Georgia USDA Rural Development Loans are a fantastic avenue for to obtaining a mortgage in the United States. Georgia Guaranteed Rural Housing Loans allow a home buyer to finance up to 102% of the appraised value, pay NO Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), and have the lowest possible payment for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage!

USDA Rural Development Benefits:

Loan-to-Value: Can finance up to 102% of appraised value.
Guarantee Fee: One time fee of 2% of the loan amount. It is usually financed.
Cash to Close: Very little or zero cash needed to close in most cases, no minimum contributions.
Mortgage Insurance: NONE what so ever!
Term: 30 Year Fixed Rates only
Interest Rates: Rates are typically in line with conventional and FHA rates.
Property Location: Must be located in eligible "rural" areas. Go to USDA Property Eligibility to see if an address qualifies. If the site cannot find the location, then I can do a manual search for you. New construction usually do not show up, but they do qualify.
Household Income: Must verify all income of all household members. The adjusted total cannot exceed USDA Rural Development's Income Limits. You will be surprised by how much the limits are for your county. Generally, the Georgia income limits for USDA Rural Development range from $70,000 to $105,000!
Credit Scores: USDA Rural Development requires a borrower to have a middle credit score of 620. Credit qualifying is very linient and similar to that of FHA (Federal Housing Administration).
Derogatory Credit Items: Cannot not have any federal tax liens or judgments. Cannot have a foreclosure within 3 years, a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy with 3 years or a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy within 1 year. Also, applicant must not have any 30 day or more late payments on a mortgage within the most recent 12 months.

Georgia USDA Rural Development is a division of the US Government that was established to help families achieve home ownership. Georgia USDA home loans are fully backed and insured by the government and are the absolute best way to obtain a no down payment loan. These Georgia Guaranteed Rural Development loans are cut and dry. They are fixed rate loan programs with no fine print or deceiving terms.

APPLY NOW for a USDA Rural Development Home loan.

You may also visit USDA Loans for more information!

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

USDA Rural Development

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:51:58 -0600

USDA Rural Development is a fantastic avenue for to obtaining a mortgage in the United States. Guaranteed Rural Housing Loans allow a home buyer to finance up to 102% of the appraised value, pay NO Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), and have the lowest possible payment for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage!

USDA Rural Development Benefits:

Loan-to-Value: Can finance up to 102% of appraised value.
Guarantee Fee: One time fee of 2% of the loan amount. It is usually financed.
Cash to Close: Very little or zero cash needed to close in most cases, no minimum contributions.
Mortgage Insurance: NONE what so ever!
Term: 30 Year Fixed Rates only
Interest Rates: Rates are typically in line with conventional and FHA rates.
Property Location: Must be located in eligible "rural" areas. Go to USDA Property Eligibility to see if an address qualifies. If the site cannot find the location, then I can do a manual search for you. New construction usually do not show up, but they do qualify.
Household Income: Must verify all income of all household members. The adjusted total cannot exceed USDA Rural Development's Income Limits. You will be surprised by how much the limits are for your county. Generally, the income limits for USDA Rural Development range from $70,000 to $105,000!
Credit Scores: USDA Rural Development requires a borrower to have a middle credit score of 620. Credit qualifying is very linient and similar to that of FHA (Federal Housing Administration).
Derogatory Credit Items: Cannot not have any federal tax liens or judgments. Cannot have a foreclosure within 3 years, a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy with 3 years or a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy within 1 year. Also, applicant must not have any 30 day or more late payments on a mortgage within the most recent 12 months.

USDA Rural Development is a division of the US Government that was established to help families achieve home ownership. USDA home loans are fully backed and insured by the government and are the absolute best way to obtain a no down payment loan. These Guaranteed Rural Development loans are cut and dry. They are fixed rate loan programs with no fine print or deceiving terms.

APPLY NOW for a USDA Rural Development Home loan.

You may also visit USDA Loans for more information!

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

Lowest Mortgage Rates this year! 30 Year Fixed at 4.375%

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:39:19 -0600

Lowest Mortgage Rates this year! 30 Year Fixed rate at 4.375%

Today, the mortgage bond market improved once again and continues to climb. The higher the bonds go, the lower rates fall. The Fed expects rates to remain low for sometime but certain anticipate them to begin slowly climbing over time.

At 1pm ET today, the Treasury auctioned a record $42B in 5-year Notes. This follows yesterday’s good auction results of 2-Years, which helped push Bond prices higher. Then at 2pm ET, the Fed Minutes from the November 4th meeting were released. And looking ahead, next Thursday December 3rd, is the day the Senate decides to either approve or disapprove Obama's nomination of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to a second term. There has been chatter from some, including Chris Dodd, suggesting that Bernanke's nomination is in jeopardy – but we think it will go through.

It seems fitting that in advance of Thanksgiving, tomorrow's economic calendar is packed like a stuffed turkey. We are expecting Personal Income and Spending, Initial Claims, Durable Goods Orders, Michigan Consumer Sentiment and New Home Sales. It will be interesting to see how the market digests this enormous helping of news, with the market being closed on Thursday and having a shortened trading day with a 2pm closing on Friday.

Courtesy of Mortgage Market Guide

If you, or a friend, or a family member, or a co-worker could possibly take advantage of these rates, then please feel free to contact me anytime. This truly might be the absolute best time to refinance your current mortgage and save tons of money each month. Rates dropped this low back in February and then shot up to the mid to high 5's. Please do not waste this opportunity tobetter your financial position or to buy a house with the cheapest money in history!

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

Lowest Mortgage Rates this year! 30 Year Fixed at 4.375%

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:34:36 -0600

Lowest Mortgage Rates this year! 30 Year Fixed rate at 4.375%

Courtesy of Mortgage Market Guide

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

This week in the Economy 11-17-2009

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:26:43 -0600

This week is loaded with high-impact economic reports.

Reports to Watch

The information below is a highlight of the reports due out this week. For more detailed information and insight, view the Economic Calendar, the Daily Market Update, and our exclusive Market News. And don’t forget, you can easily download the Economic Calendar to your Outlook Calendar to make sure you don’t miss important economic releases. Just click here to read instructions for downloading to Outlook.

On Monday, we'll get a glimpse of consumer spending patterns as we head into the crucial holiday shopping season when the Retail Sales report is released. In last month's report, Retail Sales for September were reported at -1.5%. The drop was due in part to a slump in auto sales after the Cash for Clunkers program ended, but the overall number was better than the -2.1% that was expected. When stripping out autos, sales rose 0.5%, which was higher than the 0.2% anticipated. The report due out this week is expected to come in at 0.9% (and 0.4% when auto sales are stripped out).

Inflation news is also on tap this week. The Producer Price Index (PPI), which provides information about inflation at the wholesale level, will be released on Tuesday. Remember, inflation is harmful to Bonds and interest rates. Last month, PPI unexpectedly came in at -0.6% for September, mostly due to a drop in energy prices. When stripping out food and energy, the Core PPI came in at -0.1%, versus the 0.1% rise that was anticipated. This week, PPI is expected to come in at 0.5% and Core PPI is expected to be reported at 0.1%.

More inflation news comes in on Wednesday when the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is released. In last month's report, CPI rose 0.2% in September--despite "creative" accounting of the Cash for Clunkers program, which dramatically lowered that number. Imagine how much higher CPI would have been had this "creativity" not been used. Overall, the report indicated that inflationary forces may be underway. We'll see if that thinking continues this week, when CPI is expected to be reported at 0.2% and Core CPI is expected to be reported at 0.1%.

Wednesday also brings us a look at the health of the housing industry with reports on Housing Starts and Building Permits. In last month's report, 590,000 Housing Starts were reported for September, which was lower than expectations of 610,000. Building Permits, which are an indicator of future construction, fell to 573,000, below the 595,000 expected. This week, Housing Starts are expected to be reported at 600,000 and Building Permits are expected to be reported at 580,000.

Finally, the Philadelphia Fed Index is due out on Friday. This is one of the most-watched manufacturing reports because industry experts use it to help forecast the upcoming national ISM Index. Last month, the index came in below expectations at 11.5 for October, which was down from September's reading of 14.1. The report this week is expected to come in at 12.0.

The X Factor

Thursday we could see some volatility in the markets when the Treasury Department announces next week's auctions, which include auctions of 2-year, 5-year, and 7-year Notes. Remember, these auctions may move the markets more and more as the Fed scales back its purchases of Mortgage Backed Securities.

The Bottom Line

After hitting multi-year highs back on October 2, Mortgage Bonds hit a two-month low on October 26. Since that time, however, they have been pushed higher by continued Fed buying. While that has been good news for Bond prices and interest rates, now's a good time to remember that the Fed is winding down that type of buying support. As they do, we'll likely see two things happen. First, we'll probably see higher levels of volatility, especially when the Treasury Department announces upcoming auctions and auction results. Second, since Mortgage Backed Securities will have less support from the Fed, rates are likely to gradually rise over time. So while rates are still near all-time lows now, they may not be for long.

Courtesy of Mortgage Market Guide

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

The Georgia Shrimp Company

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:24:29 -0600

The Georgia Shrimp Company is one of the very few restaurants in Peachtree City, Georgia that actually understands how to successfully create an enjoyable atmosphere while providing fantastic meals on a very consistent basis.

I have lived in Peachtree City, Georgia for over 27 years and can arguably say that The Georgia Shrimp Company is one of the best restaurants that Peachtree City and Fayette county have ever hosted. The owners, Ant and Dee Murphy, are extremely friendly and welcoming to every visitor that walk through the door regardless if you are a first time visitor or weekly regular.

At The Georgia Shrimp Company, they offer a wide variety of lunch and dinner items along with many fantastic daily specials.

Ant and Dee are true connoisseurs of great wine. They provide a wide variety of tastes from all over the world ranging South Africa, to Australia, to California. The Georgia Shrimp Company carries white wine, medium white wine, semi-sweet wine, sweet wine, light red wine, medium to full bodied reds, and superior blended red wines. If you have questions about any, then do not hesitate to ask the owner's or the highly educated staff about certain selections.

Every month, The Georgia Shrimp Company and their fantastic chefs create an incredible menu for customer to experience worldly cuisines. The five course Wine Dinner includes 5 different wines that are exceptionally paired with each course. October, the Wine Dinner consisted of a German theme in honor of celebrating Oktoberfest! Here is last month's Wine Dinner menu for you to view.

German Oktoberfest

Featuring Wine or Beer Pairings or Both

Course 1:

Kassler Pork Chop

Served braised with red cabbage and apple.

Clean Slate Riesling - Ripe peach flavors balanced with lively acidity, hints of lime and good minerality.

Urthel Hibernus Quentum Belgian Triple Ale - This 9% offering is full bodied with a honeyed nose and beautiful hop bitterness.

Course 2:

Leatherneck Soup

A hearty country style German soup made with lean bacon, carrots, onions and broad white beans.

Zaca Mesa Shiraz – Rich blackberry, cassis and espresso, mocha and spicy sage aromas. The silky finish lingers following the ripe tannins & smoky oak.

Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse Dunkel - This beer is dark, rich, amber and cloudy from the yeast. The aroma has a slight banana and fruit smell from the unfiltered yeast balanced with sweet roasted malt and toffee from the dark wheat malt. You immediately taste yeast and citrus with a hint of bananas and spice up front. The Dunkel finishes clean with a hint of hops.

Course 3:

Poached Cod in White Wine Cream

Poached in Spatlese Riesling with garlic, herbs and lightly creamed. Served with German potato dumplings.

Karl Erbes Riesling Spatlese – A powerful wine with a noble sweet character accompanied by ripe peach and subtle spice accented with nice acidity and a strong bright finish.

Weihenstephan's Festbier – Rich and full bodied, hoppy beer truly representative of the Bavarian way of celebrating. Deep gold color and a great mouth-feel with big flavor. Prost!

Course 4:

Wiener Schnitzel

The original chicken fried steak! Tender Veal, flattened, breaded and pan sautéed; served with a traditional garnish of lemon, egg, anchovy and warm potato salad. Exquisite!

Way Kuhl Riesling – Semi-dry offering floral aromas accompanied by bright citrus fruit. Crisp flavors of lime zest, honey and slate with bright acidity and a lingering finish of fruit and stone.

Spaten Oktoberfest Beer –This medium bodied beer, amber in color, has achieved impeccable taste by balancing roasted malt flavor with the perfect amount of hops. Rich textured palate with traditional underlying sweetness.

Course 5:

Bavarian Chocolate Éclairs

A delicious dessert that melts in your mouth. Piped with Naghtmuziek cream.

Covey Run Gewutztraminer - Floral aromatic & lemony on the nose with clean spiciness and lychee flavors on the palette.

Amadeus Biere Blanche – Unfiltered seasoned wheat beer with pineapple and lemon overtures.

$49.95 per person (Wine or Beer only)

$ 59.95 (Beer & Wine)

This month, the Wine Dinner will either consist of a South African theme or a Russian theme. Be sure to check the website weekly for updates and specials! For December, check out the upcoming events that are taking place at the Georgia Shrimp Company!

All in all, everyone should visit The Georgia Shrimp Company as soon as you can. I promise, you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

THE GEORGIA SHRIMP CO

100 NORTH PEACHTREE PARKWAY

General Information: Murph@georgiashrimpco.com

Telephone & Reservations: 770-631-9114B 770-631-9115F

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

Northstar Mortgage Group

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:16:38 -0600

Northstar Mortgage Group provides home loans to borrowers that are looking to purchase residential property in the southeastern United States. Justin Messer is a Xinnix certified Loan Officer with Northstar Mortgage Group. He has also been designated the ActiveRain Georgia Confirmed Loan Officer.

At Northstar Mortgage Group, we provide all sorts of residential mortgages. Peachtree City, Georgia real estate financing includes

USDA Rural Housing Loans (up to 102%)
FHA 3.5% down Loans
Conforming Loans (High credit scores)
30 year fixed rate loans
15 year fixed rate loans
Fixed rate ARM's (currently in the 3's)
Vacation home loans
Jumbo home loans

Northstar Mortgage Group has office locations in

Peachtree City, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Charlotte, North Carolina
Destin, Florida

If you are looking to purchase a home, please contact me so that I can provide you with exact information on qualifying for a mortgage. If you do not currently have a real estate agent, then please give me call at 770-631-5750 so that I can recommend a great agent that is well known in the community.

For more information, please visit my website at www.JustinMesser.com or you can view my blog for great information. Or to get started, click on my secure loan application page.

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

Peachtree City, Georgia Real Estate Agents

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:23:53 -0600

Peachtree City, Georgia real estate agents are a fantastic way to find the right home at the right price. Homes for sale in Peachtree City, GA have begun to see a turnaround. The turnaround has not necessarily taken off, but listings have started to move. If you are thinking about listing your home or if you are simply new to the area and are in need of a great agent, then take a moment to review a few of the local offices. We have many fantastic real estate offices located in Peachtree City, Georgia. These realtor offices are located all throughout the area. A few brokerages that I highly recommend are

Obviously, there are many wonderful agents in Peachtree City, Georgia that can help you find the perfect home. If you are looking to purchase, then there is no reason you should not have a real estate agent. They can help you find the right property at the right price. If you are a first time home buyer, then I highly recommend having an agent. Agents will help you make sure you are protected with the proper contract contingencies such as a financing contingency and the appraisal contingency. These contingencies allow you to receive a refund for your earnest money deposit if you are denied approval for a loan from your mortgage company or if the appraisal on the property comes in lower than the anticipated sales price. Peachtree City, Georgia real estate agents will also help you negotiate a sales price so that you are getting the deal that best meets your needs. In today's market, the majority of seller's are more than willing to pay a portion of, if not all, closing costs. So, if you are able to have your Peachtree City, Georgia real estate agent negotiate all the cloisng cost, then you will be in a fantastic position.

To see how you can purchase a home with no down payment, no money out of pocket, and obtaining the first time home buyer tax credit, then visit my wealth creation blog to see how.

Before you speak with a real estate agent in Peachtree City, Georgia, its wise to be proactive and speak with a licensed mortgage professional from the local area.

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

Top 40 Resources for Information and Education

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:23:05 -0600

Here is a GREAT source of valuable information!!!

Via Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain):

These are my Top 40 Resources for Real Estate Industry Information and Education

Most of my reading hours are spent right here on ActiveRain. Your Blogs and Posts. Let's face it, one could sit at their computer ALL DAY everyday, and never run out of great material to read and learn from AR members. There is more information, education, inspiration, and entertainment here than you could consume in a lifetime. However, from time to time, I like to head out onto the Blogosphere SUPER-HIGHWAY and explore what else is out there.

When I first started working here at AR, I was reading folks like Seth Godin, The Scobelizer, Chris Brogan, and Guy Kawasaki. Then I discovered other great sites and resources like GeekEstateBlog, where I soon became a contributing author. The list kept growing over time. Now it has grown so large that I barely have enough hours in the day (or night) to try and keep up with all the great content that's available out there. I still try, but my efforts seem futile.

In the spirit of "Paying It Forward" I'm sharing some of these great writers, Blogs, and sites with all of you. The information and education available out there is very powerful and useful if you know where to find it, learn how to use it, and then apply it.

Here are my TOP 40 Favorite Blogs, Sites, Writers and Resources:

ActiveRain - TechCrunch - Mashable - Social Media Today - ProBlogger Blog Tips - ChrisBrogan - Blog World Expo - Social Media Marketing Strategy, Tactics, and Tools - Social Media Marketing - Daily Blog Tips - RE Tech Source - SEOmoz Daily SEO - SEO Book - Learn. Rank. Dominate - Matt Cutts - Transparent Real Estate - Google Official Blog - GeekEstate Blog - 1000Watt Consulting - The Real Estate Bloggers - Rain City Guide - Sellsius Real Estate Marketing - The Real Estate Tomato - RE Tech World - MyTechOpinion - 360Digest - Real Estate Opinion MAG - AgentGenius - About.com Real Estate Business - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy - Future of Real Estate Marketing - Inman News Blog - Realty Times - Copyblogger - Guy Kawasaki - Seth Godin - BloggingTips - BloggingPro - TechKnowBabble - The Scobleizer - Buzz Networker - OnLine Marketing - Realtor.com Blog - SEO Scoop

I'd be thrilled to make this a "Top 100" list, so if I missed any you think should be added, just let me know.

Top 40 Resources For Information & Education

I'm sharing this to try and "Pay it forward" to these sites and writers for all the information and education they've continued to provide me over the years. And to "you" for all that you have shared and contributed here as well. That's what it's all about, people Paying-It-Forward, so thank you. I've created my ALLTOP, where these sites and authors can be accessed from a single page. You can also create your own ALLTOP FAVS page to be shared.

So for those of you who ask me all the time, "Brad, Do You ever sleep" and "Where do you come up with all this stuff?" Well now my secrets have been revealed. Yes I do, and now you know. :-) The key is time management...and of course... a little speed reading. lol~

Hope you Enjoy, I sure have!

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Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

Obama's extended first time home buyer tax credit

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:54:18 -0600

Obama's extended first time home buyer tax credit was passed just moments ago!!! There have been a few enhancements to the first time home buyer incentive program. The Home buyers Tax Credit jumped its last hurdle yesterday, as the both the House and the Senate have passed the bill and it now has received the official signature President Obama! The House voted 403-12 after the Senate unanimously approved the measure Wednesday night. The president also signed the bill that will extend unemployment benefits.

And while we have been expecting this to happen for some time and have given you many details, let’s go over them one more time. For First Time Home-buyers or those who have not owned a home within 3 years, the tax credit remains at $8000, with income restrictions maxing out at $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for couples. Current homeowners – those defined as having owned a home for five of the previous eight years – can now also take advantage of a credit, with the slightly lesser amount of $6500, with the income restrictions the same as described above. To qualify for the new program, purchase agreements need to be signed by April 30^th and close by June 30^th. For those in our armed forces, persons stationed outside the United States on official duty for 90 days during the period from January 1^st 2009 and before May 1^st 2010 will have eligibility extended for binding contracts signed before May 1^st, 2011 and closed before July 1^st, 2011.

This legislation is significant, and will give the housing industry the additional support we need to keep the real estate recovery going.

There are still many great loan programs out there for first time home buyers. USDA rural housing loans and FHA loans are an excellent and extremely affordable way to take advantage of the home buyer tax credit regardless if you are a first time home buyer or if you are looking to purchase a primary residence.

If you or a friend missed out on the first tax credit, then you have been given one last chance to take advantage of a fantastic opportunity to put a little extra cash in your pocket, purchase a home at an incredible discount, and obtain a mortgage with interest rates at some of the lowest levels in history. If you would like to see if you qualify for Obama's extended first time home buyer tax credit, then APPLY NOW or give me a call.

Jusitn Messer | Northstar Mortgage Group

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

USDA Rural Housing History

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:11:54 -0500

USDA Rural Housing History shows this government insured home loan program has had great success over the last 60 years and is gaining in popularity.

In 1949, USDA's telecommunications loan program was established to provide telephone service to rural America. At the time, only one in three farms had access to telephone service. As it did with the rural electrification program, the Telephone Loan Program revolutionized the lives of millions of rural families and businesses by providing connectivity, access to emergency services and business activities that fueled economic growth. Today, Rural Utilities Service (formerly REA), provides loans and grants for telecommunication, electricity and water and environmental services. It is also administering a program, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to provide broadband service to under-served communities.

Also in 1949, passage of the Housing Act marked a turning point the nation's history by establishing the Farmer's Home Administration. To date, three million rural Americans have benefited by receiving housing loans, grants and guarantees totaling $124.6 billion.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in home ownership, finances business development and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting www.USDALoanExpert.com!

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
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This week in the Economy: October 26th - 30th

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:51:01 -0500

This week in the Economy: October 26th - 30th

Massive Treasury auctions and a big day of economic reports on Friday could combine for market-moving news throughout the week. Currently, we are in a floating status for rate locks while mortgage bonds are trading sideways with potential to move higher. If we can break through resistance, then mortgage rates should improve from their current levels.

Reports to Watch

Consumer Confidence for October kicks off the week on Tuesday. Last month, confidence was reported at 53.1. This month’s report is expected to climb up slightly to 54.0.

Coming after last week’s better-than-expected Existing Home Sales, New Home Sales for September will be reported on Wednesday. New Home Sales for August were reported at 429,000, slightly lower than expectations of 441,000. The inventory of unsold homes dropped to a 7.3-month supply--down from the previous reading of 7.5% and the lowest since January 2007. The report due out this week is expected to show an increase in New Home Sales to 440,000 for September.

Durable Goods Orders will also be reported on Wednesday. Durable Goods Orders are considered a leading indicator of manufacturing activity, and the market often moves on this report despite the fact that its headline number is a less-than-perfect indicator of activity. Last month, Durable Goods Orders for August unexpectedly fell 2.4% for the largest decline since January. The report for September is expected to be reported at 0.7%.

On Thursday, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and GDP Chain Deflator for the third quarter will be reported. The Chain Deflator is a key inflation measure included in the GDP Report. And since inflation is the archenemy of Bonds and home loan rates, this report could be a market mover. Unlike the Consumer Price Index--which is a more closely watched inflation indicator--the Chain Deflator has the advantage of not being a fixed basket of goods and services, so changes in consumption patterns or the introduction of new goods and services will be reflected in the Chain Deflator. GDP is expected to be reported at 3.1% compared to last quarter’s -0.7%, while the Chain Deflator is expected to come in at 1.3% from 0.0% last quarter.

The all-important Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) and Year-Over-Year PCE will also be released this Friday. This is the Fed's favorite gauge of inflation so the markets will be playing close attention to this report.

Friday also brings another look at Personal Income and Personal Spending. Personal Spending is expected to be reported at -0.4%, which would be down from last month’s reading of 1.3%. Personal Income is also expected to be down to 0.0% from last month’s reading of 0.2%.

The Chicago PMI will be released on Friday as well. This is a big report for the markets because many industry experts use it to help predict the upcoming ISM report. Last month’s reading was reported at 46.1, and this month’s is expected to come in at 48.5 when it’s released.

The Employment Cost Index (ECI) caps off the week of heavy hitters. This index is a comprehensive measure of labor costs and represents the price of labor as compensation per employee-hour worked, during the previous quarter. As such, the ECI is one way to evaluate wage trends and the risk of wage inflation, as well as possible price pressures. If wage inflation threatens, it is possible interest rates will rise through Bond prices dropping or Fed intervention.

The X Factor

This week, the Treasury Department auctions off a massive $123 Billion worth of Securities. That’s even more than anyone expected last week when the Treasury announced the amounts of this week auctions. Here’s how the auctions break down this week:

$7 Billion in TIPS on Monday
$44 Billion in 2-yr Notes on Tuesday
$41 Billion in 5-yr Notes on Wednesday
$31 Billion in 7-yr Notes on Thursday

This massive amount is enough to shake up the market all by itself if it isn’t received well. Then, when you combine that with the fact that the Fed’s purchase program of MBS is slowing and coming to an end, you can see how the X Factor has the potential to move the market this week as much as the heavy-hitting reports on tap.

The Bottom Line

Mortgage Bonds were able to stabilize last week but still closed below a key floor of support at the 200-Day Moving Average. The battle begins again this week.

Courtesy of Mortgage Market Guide

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
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4 Bed 2.5 Bath home in Peachtree City, Georgia

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:55:32 -0500

4 Bed 2.5 Bath home in Peachtree, Georgia is located in the Albemarle subdivision right behind the Kedron shopping center. This is a fantastic Peachtree City, Georgia property. This home sits on a corner lot with great landscaping and a perfect sized yard. The master suite is on the main level. The master bath includes a large garden tub with a separate tiled shower and double vanity with granite counter tops. Throughout the home, there is brand new paint, carpet, ceramic tile in both kitchen and baths, new fixtures through out home, new stainless steel appliances, and new granite counter tops. There is mudroom with washer and dryer along with a 2 car garage.

The property address of this 4 bed 2.5 bath home in Peachtree City, Georgia is 206 Albemarle Lane.

This property is available for Sale @ $279,900 or for Lease Purchase. Owner Financing is available on 206 Albemarle Lane. If you would like to purchase this home and have poor credit, then a lease purchase option or owner financing will be the way to go. If you would like to see if you are approved first, call Justin Messer at Northstar Mortgage Group at 770-631-5750.

Monthly Payment Scenarios:
20% down = $1168 payment
15% down = $1241 payment
10% down = $1314 payment
FHA 3.5% down = 1433 payment

Please call Brian at 678.618.2803 for information regarding this 4 Bed 2.5 Bath home in Peachtree City, Georgia or payment and purchase options.

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No Property Tax Increase In Peachtree City for FY 2010!!

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:13:19 -0500

No Property Tax increase in Peachtree City, GA for 2010!

Via Greg Saunders (RE/MAX Around Atlanta):

Hey Peachtree City & AR...City Council recently voted by a margin of 3 to 2 not to increase property taxes for fiscal year 2010! However, Council did agree to increase the millage rate to 5.711 mils. The increase in the millage rate would prevent the usage of cash reserves for the FY 2010 budget. Just in case you are wondering were the money is going....approximately 16.5% is headed to Peachtree City, 67.2% goes to Fayette County School Board, 15.5% goes to Fayette County and 0.7% goes to the State. Three public hearing were scheduled (as required by law) to advertise the increases.

Peachtree City's Finance Director, Paul Salvatore and City Manager Bernie McMullen recommended the increase which would have raised the average resident's taxes an additional $27.00 and brought a total of $474,000 in revenues to the City's coffers. According to City officials, without the raise in millage the City would have been forced to use almost a half million dollars out of the current $9 million in surplus monies.

There is much speculation surrounding the decision as concerns for a continuing downturn in the economy may pose a risk to current budget reserves. Some officials believe that uncertain and unstable economic conditions could lead to a more substantial tax increase down the road. Pundits have indicated that realistically not raising property taxes could result in property tax increases of $300 next year.

Peachtree City mayor Harold Logsdon has been outspoken on his objection to a tax increase based on the 35% excess in cash reserves. Logsdon feels that the City can use a portion of their cash reserves to eliviate a tax increase and still keep a 33% reserve. The City's policy is to keep 20% to 25% in reserves.

Should taxes have been increase? Well...Salvatore further stated that the survey results from residents and businesses who responded indicated a 70% and 74% support of the increase.

Okay Peachtree City, of course the looming question in your mind is.....what is the percent of responses received from the survey sent to businesses and residents? Great question! May I suggest a call to your local councilperson or to Mr. Salvatore's office to get an appropriate response.

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
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USDA Rural Housing Loans are running out of money! Now what?

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:25:04 -0500

USDA Rural Housing Loans are running out of money! Now what?

The President has signed the Agriculture Appropriations Act for fiscal year (FY) 2010. Since October 1, 2009 we have operated under a Continuing Resolution (CR) with carryover funds from FY 2009 and funds allocated under the CR. Once the bill is signed into law a lapse of three to four weeks occurs before program levels receive funds under the bill from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Due to a high demand for purchase funds, it is anticipated CR and FY 2009 carryover funds for PURCHASE transactions will be exhausted by October 27, 2009, if not sooner. Refinance funds under the CR and carryover from FY 2009 remain available. During the lapse of funding for purchase transactions, Rural Development will continue to process and issue Conditional Commitments “Subject to receipt of Congressionally appropriated funds.” Business will be conducted as usual.

As you can see from the following, USDA Rural Housing is currently using carryover funds from 2009 and expect to have all of those exhausted by next Wednesday, October 27. There will be lenders who will not be able to close and fund USDA Rural Housing mortgages for a few weeks.

NORTHSTAR MORTGAGE GROUP IS NOT ONE OF THOSE LENDERS! I want to make sure that you understand that we will still be able to close and fund mortgages for purchases under the USDA Rural Housing Program even when they are issuing conditional commitments and waiting for the funds to be released. This is huge due to the timing with the expiration of the First Time Home Buyer’s Credit!

If you have a client that is doing a USDA Rural Housing mortgage and closing in November, make SURE you ask the lender TODAY if they can fund with a conditional commitment while USDA is securing the 2010 funds; if not, you need to have your client move their mortgage so that they do not lose the opportunity to receive the first time home buyer’s credit, as it expires on November 30 and with the Thanksgiving holiday right there at the end, they should be closed on or before November 23 to make sure that they get it!

I hope that you remember us if your clients’ current lender is unable to do their mortgage!
Visit the USDA Loan Expert website to get started!

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
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This Week in the Economy

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:14:44 -0500

This week in the economy, we’ll get a look at the health of the housing industry. But the real market mover could be the Stock market again.

Reports to Watch

On Tuesday, the Producer Price Index (PPI) will be released. This report provides information about inflation at the wholesale level. Last month, the Labor Department reported that the Producer Price Index rose 1.7%, which was more than double expectations. This week, the index is expected to be reported at 0.1% for September.

Also on Tuesday, we’ll get a read on the housing market with a report on Housing Starts and Building Permits. In last month’s report, Housing Starts rose to 598,000, which was the highest level since last November. Building Permits, on the other hand, came in a bit shy of expectations at 579,000. All in all, it was a decent report and suggested that the worst in the housing market may have passed. We’ll see if that line of thinking continues this week when Housing Starts are expected to be reported at 607,000 and Building Permits are anticipated to hit 590,000.

The Fed’s Beige Book--officially known as the Survey on Current Economic Conditions--will be reported on Wednesday. This report is published eight times per year and contains anecdotal information on the current economic and business conditions. It reflects data from bank reports, as well as interviews with key business contacts, economists, market experts, and other sources. Although some people consider the Beige Book to be a lagging report, it can serve as a helpful indicator of the Fed’s policy decisions.

Thursday will bring another Initial Jobless Claims report at 8:30 a.m. (ET). This weekly report continues to be important to watch as the job market plays a key role in our economic recovery. In last week’s report, Initial Claims fell 10,000 to come in lower than expected at 514,000. But that number still represents an enormously high amount of new people filing for jobless benefits in what continues to be a weak labor market.

The week ends with a look at Existing Home Sales on Friday. Last month, Existing Home Sales were reported at 5.10 Million, which was less than expectations of 5.35 million and the first decline in five months. However, there was some good news in the report, as inventories of unsold homes fell to an 8.5-month level…the lowest inventory level seen since April 2007. This week’s report is expected to climb back up to 5.38 Million.

The X Factor

There are no Treasury auctions this week, except for the regularly scheduled T-bill auctions. However, on Thursday, the Treasury Department will announce next week’s auctions. Depending on the size of the auctions and how the announcement is received, this could add volatility to the market later this week.

In addition, corporate earnings could play a big role in the markets this week. The earnings report season ramps up even more this week with perhaps the biggest week of reports due out. These reports will determine the fate of Stock prices, which could in turn move Bonds. So keep an eye on the earnings reports and market reactions as we go through the week.

The Bottom Line

Last week, the Core Consumer Price Index was reported higher than expected, indicating that inflationary forces may be underway. In addition, Capacity Utilization was reported well below the 80-85% range, which would present inflationary pressures from the manufacturing sector.

We’ll see more news this week on inflation. But the bottom line is that even if it appears to be low now, inflation will likely grow in the weeks and months ahead--which means, we’re probably looking at the lowest rates for the foreseeable future.

Courtesy of Mortgage Market Guide.

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
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President Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize.....What Does This Say To Our Children? A Discussion

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:57:12 -0500

President Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize.

How did this happen?

Via Karen Parsons-Fiddler Broker/Realtor (Great Western Realty Group):

I don't want this to turn into a pro-Obama, anti-Obama post! I just wonder if his Presidency is giving our children a good message or a bad one. Two different ideas occur to me.

1: Good Message: President Obama is clearly a triumph for race relations. Most of us are old enough to live during a time this would have been out of the question. He campaigned on ideas and was not openly a member of an old boys club, nor did he have family connections. He was a fresh face and had his own ideas to promote. In this sense.....is it a good message?

If you want to achieve something, you can.....you can promote your ideas and succeed.

2: Bad Message: President Obama has just won a Nobel Peace Prize which is a high honor for working hard and making a difference. By virtue of his youth and inexperience....he hasn't achieved anything. Yet....he's being awarded an extreme honor based on the hope that he will. Is this a bad message?

You don't need to accomplish anything to get the same awards and accolades as others....ie, you'll get an A for effort or intention.

Your thoughts?

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
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First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - So Many Opinions: What To Do About It?

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:14:24 -0500

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit:

www.USDALoanExpert.com

Via Matt Stigliano (RE/MAX Access):

photo courtesy of aimeesblog

Like a ticking time bomb.

The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit is set to expire on November 30, 2009. If you haven't closed on your new home by then, you're out of luck and will miss out on the (up to) $8,000 tax credit. People are beginning to panic a bit and the government has floated a few ideas about extension and even possibly expansion of the program.

We've all been watching the news, opinions, rumors, and thoughts on the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit with baited breath. From agents to lenders to consumers to concerned citizens; we all want to know what's going to happen next. Some are for an extension, some are against it. Some have even floated ideas about a modification to the theory of the tax credit. So what to do about it?

"Death to the Tax Credit!"

Recently, a growing number of agents have said "let's kill it now." Of course, some people immediately paint those real estate agents as uncaring and unkind. Who doesn't like the idea of buying a home and getting a little help? I for one would love to be a first time home buyer and receive a check in the mail. The question becomes "at what cost?" Obviously, the money comes from somewhere and we all know that (like it or not) we are currently spending a lot of money to get our economy back on track (even though the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit is but a small part of it, it all adds up).

My views tend to lean towards this idea. We've given buyers a chance to get into these homes. Some have, some have not. We still can't change the fact that many have lost their jobs or had other issues affect their credit in such a way that they can not qualify for loans. No one dares float the idea of loosening credit standards (a huge part of what got us here), but in reality - that is the big stumbling block we face. We can give money out like candy, but if people can't qualify for a loan it doesn't matter. Offer me a million dollars to buy a new home and I still will sit on the sidelines if my credit score is too low.

Over at AgentGenius, Greg Cooper made a video about his thoughts on the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and I asked his permission to repost the video, instead, I decided to send you straight to AgentGenius, because you should be there anyway - to read the article and watch the video, head over to "First Time Homebuyer’s Credit- Should It Stay Or Should It Go? AG Politics."

"We need to extend and expand the Tax Credit!"

This idea has been out there since the original $7,500 tax credit - as you can see by the current First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, this was extended, modified, and expanded. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that the tax credit has helped clear up some of the inventory we had as well as get people back into the housing market. I love the tax credit for what it does, don't get me wrong. Incentives are always a good thing for the people receiving them.

I love the theory of the tax credit, I'm just not so sure on its long term effects. Right now, agents and buyers are having a great time. Sellers too. We're doing what we need to buy: agents are working, buyers are getting new homes, and sellers are moving out (and let's not forget the consequences of buyers with a pocket filled with $8,000 that they didn't have yesterday). This is the way we like to see things. If you watched Greg Cooper's video though, in the back of your mind you must wonder - what happens when the end finally comes?

I fear we may be pushing ourselves towards a new artificially created housing market. What happens when the push behind it does finally go away? I'm not an economist, so don't quote me, but the fact is I fear the long term consequences of pushing it out further than it has already run.

As for the public, I wonder what this does to our collective psychology. Are we perhaps creating a nation of "waiters" - people who will wait out everything, because there may be a better deal tomorrow? This kind of thinking will do us no good at all. We see it everyday with people who wait for interest rates to drop, homes prices to come down, and homes to hit the foreclosure market. The worst is when they wait...and miss out on it. And when the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit truly ends (whenever it may be), what will the repercussions be on those that weren't able to get into a home because of job losses, credit, etc. Will they just be sent the bill for helping those who were able to take advantage of it? Seems a little lopsided when you think of it that way.

"Let's change the rules!"

Some have suggested expanding the tax credit to include everyone - not just first time home buyers. Now, I know this contradicts much of what I'm saying, but if we are to continue with the tax credit, I do think it should be offered to everyone. I also think the people who received the $7,500 tax credit should be given amnesty on the re-payment. Why do we punish the first batch of people to jump at the chance to get a new home and take advantage of this program? Instead we reward the latecomers? Just doesn't make sense to me to reward one and not the other.

Making the tax credit available to all, probably would have opened up the markets quicker the first time around. So if we are going to toy with the idea - let's give it a shot and see how it pans out. It will still cost us a fortune, which I'm not a huge fan of, but I'd rather see it on a wide scale than still limited to a select group to test the theory of how well it really works.

Over on Jeanna Martinez's post, "Fence riding the tax refund wave all the way to shore...," Jeanna talks about a slow degradation of the total amount of the tax credit over time. So the next one might be $5,000, then $4,000, then $2,500...you get the picture. This would allow us to wean ourselves off of the theory that we get something in return for buying a house. We always have received something in return - a home.

"It's not over yet!"

Congress currently has several proposals to extend and expand the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and obviously it will be a boom to buyers, sellers, and agents if they continue it. I still fear the long term effects of it, both in psychological terms and financial terms. I also worry for those that start the buying process now, but don't make it to the November 30th deadline - something needs to be done to deal with that. When a closing slows down by a day and someone loses that tax credit, expect the lawsuits to start popping up.

No matter what direction it goes, I will follow, but I do hope we consider the long term vs. the short term. Many people thought of their houses as ATMs during the run up to the housing market slow-to-a-crawl. Today, many people are viewing their houses as a tax credit. I worry about both mentalities. A house should be thought of as what it is - a home. First and foremost it is a place to hang your hat and live your life. A place to build memories and enjoy time with your family. It does have appreciation which builds equity as a great benefit, but once we start looking for that in the short term rather than the long term, we are dooming ourselves to another round down the road.

Check out the conversation between Will Ellis and I about the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit on Twitter.

Will is a local San Antonio follower, so it was great to speak with him about the issue. Are you from San Antonio and want to join the conversation? Come say hello to me on Twitter - @rerockstar.
All content ©2008-2009 by Matt Stigliano, Realtor® unless otherwise noted.

Matt Stigliano, Realtor®

RE/MAX Access

(210) 646-HOME

www.RErockstar.com

"Your all access pass to San Antonio real estate."

Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
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Columbus First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - income limits

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:08:42 -0500

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit is set to expire November 30. Currently, there are many bills that have been introduced and submitted in attempt to extend the credit. Thus far, the credit has been extended to military personnel only.

Is the first time buyer tax credit helping the economy. Right now, it is way to early to tell. However, pending home sales is continuing to increase and we are certainly getting a high volume of calls from potential first time home buyers.

Before you buy, it is important to know and understand the requirements and limits of the tax incentive.

Via Maureen McCabe Central OH Homes (Real Living HER Worthington MaureenMcCabe.com ):

Columbus First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - More Real Advice Tax Credit Income Limits

Who is eligible?

Single buyers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 are eligible to receive the maximum tax credit.

From the National Association of Realtors

"If the Buyer(s)’ Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?

Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.

The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $75,000 and $95,000 for single buyers and between $150,000 and $170,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income—over $95,000 for singles and over $170,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit."

More information on the first time home buyer tax credit for Columbus home buyers

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - the chart. Also from the National Association of Realtors.

New OHFA Incentive to lend Up to 3% of the Sales Price in Anticipation of the 8,000 Federal Stimulus

Buying a home in Central Ohio

Buying a home - It's about time

No Time To Waste On Short Sales Buy Something You Can Close in 30 Days

First Time Home Buyers Find Your Central Ohio Home

The image is an e-Card from Real Living.

Search Central Ohio Homes Maureen McCabe Real Living HER Worthington

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Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
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Wake Forest NC - USDA Home Loan Property Eligibility - Great Map Tool for You!

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:17:52 -0500

USDA Rural Housing Loan: This loan program is truly underused! There are so many opportunities for borrowers to save money. Unfortunately, many lenders and loan officers have never heard of the program nor have any idea how to originate it. It is actually one of the easiest home loans to obtain. You simply need to meet the property eligibility requirements (which is the majority of most states), meet the maximum household income requirements (which is usually between $70K to 108K) and have a credit scores of a 620 or greater. Sure, you still have to meet the normal requirements to obtain a loan. This USDA Rural Housing Loan program will save you money every single time if you compare it with FHA loans. So, if you are thinking about going FHA with 3.5% down, then you need to 100% take a look at USDA as well. You can still put the same 3.5% down if you wish, but with USDA, you will not pay mortgage insurance and you have the option to borrow 100% of the loan!

Please visit my blog at www.USDARuralHousingLoan.com or see if you qualify by visiting my website at USDALoanExpert.com.

Via Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR®/RE Strategist Wake Forest NC Real Estate and Area Info (CIRCA PROPERTIES - Your Wake Forest/North Raleigh Specialist):

I have been posting quite a bit lately about the USDA Home Loan Program. Why? Because I think it is a fantastic program that is not used enough and not too many people are aware of it! There are MANY properties in Wake Forest NC that are eligible for a USDA Home Loan! Next time you are out checking out homes on a Sunday afternoon you might want to use this great little tool to see if the property is eligible! Then, pick up that phone and give me a call! I can set up an appointment for us to preview the home and help you navigate the whole home buying process!

The Single Family Eligibility tool is super easy to use! First, enter the address of the property that you are researching and click the "Submit" button.

Once your query has been submitted you will taken to the next screen which will tell you whether or not the property is eligible! For my example the home IS ELIGIBLE!

The home that was used in this example is currently listed for sale and is a gorgeous home! If you combine both the $8000 Tax Credit (only available for a limited time) AND a USDA Home Loan you end up with an incredible deal! Check out all that 805 Vonkramer Court, Wake Forest NC has to offer!

Written by:
Leesa L. Finley, Broker, Realtor®
Circa Properties
919.649.6128 - direct and txt msg

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Circa Properties, and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Circa Properties. All
information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2009.

Learn more about Wake County, Johnston County, Granville County, and Franklin County, North Carolina Real Estate which includes Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Franklinton, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Fuquay Varina, Creedmoor, Clayton and more!

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
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H.R. 3590: Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009 Passes in House!

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:06:40 -0500

Via Greg Saunders (RE/MAX Around Atlanta):

    Hey Peachtree City...The House just passed the bill introduced by Rep. Charles   Rangel (D-NY) to extend the $8,000 First-Time Home Buyers credit to Members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees until November 30, 2010. The Bill passed unanimously and will now go to the Senate where it is also expected to pass with ease.

The Bill also amends the Internal Revenue Code and exempts those service personnel from having to pay back the credit should they be deployed for extended duty service.

So what about the extension of the First-Time Home Buyers credit? Well so far there has been heavy duty lobbying for the extension of this credit into 2010. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has sited that this incentive has been an important stimulus and participation is expected to result in around 1.8 million new home-owners.

There are currently about 6 Bills in the House related to extending the tax credit.  Georgia's own Senator Johnny Isakson has been a outspoken proponent of extending the credit and introduced his own Bill about a month ago. Sen. Isakson's proposal would not only extend the tax credit through 2010 but would increase the amount to as much as $15,000 and allow all home-buyers to claim the tax credit just as long as the home is used as the buyer's principle residence.

First-Time Home Buyers....the perverbial clock is ticking it's way toward the November 30th deadline. Already there has been $1.5 million folks to take advantage of the credit.   however, there are some rumblings from a number of pundits of this proposal that are opposed to adding on the the $15 billion that has already been allocated to this program.

So if you are considering purchasing a home and you meet the First Time Home-Buyer criteria.....don't wait and assume that the extension will happen. Take this opportunity to start the process now!!! Oh, gotta go...my phone is ringing now!

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
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USDA Rural Housing Loan

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:43:29 -0500

USDA Rural Housing Loans are the best way for an individual or family to build wealth, earn the first-home buyer tax credit, and have affordable payments! Obviously, the real estate market has many great deals. For those that have the money, there are so many opportunities. So, are the wealthy the only ones that can afford to take advantage of all the fantastic deals out there. NO! Typically, for an investor to purchase a property at a foreclosure sale, or at the court house steps, they must have cash on hand to purchase the foreclosed property. Or, if an investor plans to purchase a home to flip or to create cash-flow as a rental, then they typically need 20-25% down to get a loan. For the general public that is interested in real estate investing but does not have the cash on hand to pursue it, then what can you do?

For those that are looking to get their feet wet in real estate, then now is the time. There are tons and tons of reasons to buy today. Add up all of those reasons and add one more thing to it. USDA rural housing loans in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina are taking off.

With a USDA Rural Housing Loan, a buyer of a primary residence can buy a new home or foreclosure with zero investment. So, buyers and Realtors need to search for properties that have lots of equity in them. Believe me, they are everywhere. Once you find this particular property, I, Justin Messer, can help the buyer obtain mortgage financing for a 100% loan. With this type of loan, the buyer can finance 102% of the "appraised" value. They are not limited to the sales price. They can also finance all of the closing costs, all of the pre-paid items, and any necessary repairs.

EXAMPLE:

You and your real estate agent find a home that is for sale at $100,000. Well, this property has been for sale for over a year and has been marked down 4 times. The appraised value is currently $150,000. I can give you a loan for the full $100,000 to buy the house. USDA charges a 2% funding fee. This is 99% of the time financed. So, now you are up to $102,000. Say closing costs are $3500 and pre-paids are $1000. Lets also say that you would like to add a few touch-ups. The touch-up costs are $5,000. So, you are going to finance the full sales price, the 2% funding fee($2000), the closing costs ($3500), the pre-paid items ($1000), and the repairs ($5000). You, the buyer, are financing $111,500. Once you close on the home, you have instantly picked up $38,500 in equity for absolutely NOTHING. You have merely found a house you would like to live in, signed your name, and receive tons of equity.

This is only the beginning. For this loan, the current USDA mortgage rates are at 5%. The monthly payment via the mortgage calculators from www.JustinMesser.com are $565. If taxes are $150 and home owner's insurance is $35, then the total monthly payment is $750. It is extremely hard to rent a home for as cheap as $750. Also, there is ZERO MORTGAGE INSURANCE! In this market, sellers are usually willing to contribute something. The seller can buy your rate down for the first two years. So, the first year, your rate could be 2.5% with a payment of $625. The second year, your rate would be 3.5% with a payment of $685. The 3rd year through 30 would come back to the original $750.

Last, the real estate market is on the verge of bouncing back. History will prove that immediately after any downturn in housing, it always explodes higher. So, to make your ZERO investment even better, I would suggest keeping the home for a couple years. Now, you will be able to take advantage of yearly real estate appreciation and TAX FREE profits.

This is a fantastic way for a person that is looking to buy their first home or their primary residence to enter the real estate investment market and contribute nothing. My advice would be to follow this scenario, build wealth, and save your money and invest it somewhere. Live in the home for at least two years. Sell the home and collect your TAX FREE profits. Do it again. If you did this every 2 years, with the same numbers in the example, then you would earn around $115,500 in 6 years. This is approximately $19,250 a year. These profits would actually be much greater because I am not including any appreciation, any principle reduction from making your mortgage payments, or any tax write-offs.

I almost forgot, if you purchase a home as a first time home buyer by November 30, 2009, then you will get a $8,000 tax credit next tax season.

For more information on the USDA Rural Housing Loan, please contact me at www.JustinMesser.com/contactus. You may also contact me to see about refinance mortgage rates. Email me at JustinMesser@Northstarmg.com. This post may be viewed on www.Wordpress.com, or www.JustinMesser.com/myblog.

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

3 Bedroom with 3.5 bathroom townhome located in John Wieland's Centennial in Peachtree City, GA

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:07:06 -0500

3 Bedroom with 3.5 bathroom townhome located in John Wieland's Centennial in Peachtree City, GA is a Peachtree City, GA one of a kind. This property is currently for sale at $249,900 and is also available for lease at $1750 per month.

26 American Walk is a 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom town home located in beautiful Peachtree City, Georgia. This home provides a clean, warm and cozy feel to anyone that enters. Take advantage of a great opportunity that still has that fabulous new home feeling and smell. With 2650 sq. feet, This home has two master suites with one on the lower level. This home has all new hardwoods throughout the main floor. Magnificent kitchen with 54 inch custom cabinets with solid surface counter tops. Brand new carpet and paint throughout the entire home. Amenities include huge community swimming pool with water park style slide, tennis courts, club house, exterior grounds maintenance and more. John Wieland Homes has done it again. These townhomes are unique Preachtree City and offer a completely different lifestyle than the normal property type.

With this fantastic Peachtree City townhome, you can enjoy the benefits of the #8 ranked best city to live in without having the hassels of monthly yard maintainence! Peachtree City and John Wieland Home's Centennial offers fantastic amenities such as a beautiful club house, enormous swimming pool with slide, tennis courts, basketball courts, and many more.

The school system in Fayette County, Georgia is top notch in the state. For 26 American Walk, the local schools include McIntosh High school, Booth Middle school, and Peachtree City Elementary!

Amazing shopping and restaurants are located with minutes of the home and is certainly golf cart and golf cart path accessable.

MONTHLY PAYMENT

SCENERIOS

20% Down = $1,400

15% Down = $1,525

10% Down = $1,639

5% Down = $1,725

FHA 3% Down = $1,725

Please call Justin Messer for further details on this outstanding Peachtree City townhome!
Call Northstar Mortgage Group at 770.631.5750 and mention this flyer for a free consultation.

Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Apply Now - My Outside Blog - ActiveRain - USDA Loans

Search for homes in your area by entering your city and state into the search bar from my blog page or profile page.

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