Blog Action Day 2009 Topic: Climate Change (http://www.blogactionday.org/)

I am continuing my tradition in helping contribute to Global Awareness through the power of bloggers uniting and writing my blog post.

This years Topic is Climate Change.

What is Climate Change?

Climate is the long-term average of a region's weather events lumped together.  Climate change represents a change in these long-term weather patterns. They can become warmer or colder. Annual amounts of rainfall or snowfall can increase or decrease.

My 2cents on Climate Change

(Photo credit Associated Press)

Let's make this clear, regardless of what Political Side you are associated with, there is no need to make this years topic a Political Topic.  This is not Global Warming or some hidden experiment the government is doing, this my friends are real problems on how Weather can play a vital role in our lives.

Climate Change is a severe issue that has affected many people over the years.

Most recently is the Phillipine's Flooding that happened this year, affected over 300,000 people and caused the capital to be 80% underwater!

Lets Be Pro-Active in Climate Change

Not only were the Phillipines not prepared and ready for this type of natural disaster but too many countries including the United States which was shown in Hurricane Katrina shows that the world needs to be better prepared for the ongoing Climate Changes.

This is not a call to action to determine if there is Global Warming or using tax money to fund energy efficient products, this is a call to action to have more awareness in dealing with our Climate Changes regardless of Political Agenda.

These issues are real and instead of looking too deep into these issues lets focus on ways to improve our Earth:

• Help contribute to repairs of disasters
• Help volunteer
• Spread Awareness
• Be part of the solution and not the problem

Last year I participated in Blog Action Day call to action regarding poverty in my post here.

This year's topic is Climate Change and I think it's a good one because of all the horrible events that happened with the dangerous climate storms we had recently, especially with the flooding in Philippines.

Below is the run down on Blog Action Day and I hope you too can participate, I am participating in both my blogs.

Blog Action Day October 15th 2009  (http://blogactionday.org/)

Blog Action Day is an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world's bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. Their aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion.

The Purpose Of Blog Action Day ( video here )

The goal is to create a world wide awareness on a different topic each year through the power of blogging.  Blogs are a great promotion, communicator and resource of information.  What better way to help promote this years topic by contributing a blog to this cause.

No Excuses.  You don't have to donate money or even run in a marathon.  All you have to do to spread awareness is write a blog on the topic for that day.

If that's still not convincing enough, did I mention when you register your blog you get a free SEO Backlink from their site, showcasing you registered? :-)

Hope to see everyone's posts this Thursday!!

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As always thanks for checking out my blog, feel free to leave a comment and have a great day!

Just-In-Time's Word on the Good Cause

What is a Energy Efficient Mortgage? *FHA & VA Only*

In simple terms, An Energy Efficient Mortgage is financing improvements for your Home that is Energy Efficient.  Becoming Energy Efficient reduces your monthly utility costs and can ultimately increase your home value.

Below are some examples of what to improve to become more Energy Efficient.

• Windows and Doors

• Insulation & Cooling

• Roofs

• Lighting
  

  

EEM increases to 5%

Previously, Energy Efficient Mortgages were capped at $4,000 or $8,000 in improvements, whichever was greater.

June 10 2009 HUD released the change to The maximum amount of the portion of the EEM for energy improvements is the lesser of 5% of:

• the value of the property, or

• 115% of the median area price of a single family dwelling, or

• 150% of the conforming Freddie Mac limit

So now you can make some great improvements to your home and go for a combo to get an additional tax credit on top of that!

Up to $1,500 Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency Improvements

Tax credits are now available for home improvements which must be "placed in service" from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.

Most all Energy Efficient Improvements (Please Check with your Tax Advisor) will allow 30% of cost, up to $1,500 to be claimed as a Tax Credit.

The Ultimate Combo Example

So realistically you could get the following:

1. Buy a home and repair all the windows by financing the repair cost in an Energy Efficient Mortgage.
2. Get the $8,000 tax credit as a first time home buyer
3. Get the $1,500 tax credit as an Energy Efficient Improvement

Total = $9,500 Tax Credit!!

How would you like that? 

So take advantage of this great offer as most people don't realize it's still out there!!

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Just-In-Time Loans - Mortgage Needs and Advice on Time. (757) 692-3464

My 2cents on REBarcamp

Well I recently had the honor to actually attend a REBarcamp event here locally in Virginia Beach. Thank you so much to Tina Meritt and the rest of the volunteers that has helped make this happen.

I have to admit I was a bit jealous witnessing all the Tweets, Blogs and buzz around the other REBarcamps across the country and I never would of thought of a major event like this will show up in little ole podunk Virginia Beach :-)

We really had some great support for Sponsorships, Volunteers and attendees to make this amazing event a huge success!!

I was honored to meet some of the Real Estate rockstars out there like Ben Martin, Bill Lubin, the Zebra, Brad Carroll and many others.  It really is a great event to hang out with all the people you normally chat with online on Twitter, Facebook or even here on Activerain.

Well I put together a small tribute video on here and I hope you get a taste on what we experienced down here, looking forward to see everyone in the future!!

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As always thanks for checking out my blog, feel free to leave a comment and have a great day!

Just-In-Time's Word on the Web

May is National High Blood Pressure Month

Almost one-third of people with high blood pressure don’t even realize they have this potentially dangerous condition.  In fact, most people have high blood pressure for years going unnoticed.

Having High Blood Pressure is often called the "Silent Killer" which can lead to:

• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Heart Failure
• Kidney Failure

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Just-In-Time Loans - Mortgage Needs and Advice on Time. (757) 692-3464

May Is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Not many people know about May being Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) even I didn't know until some one told me last week.

Well here's to being cultured and learning...

The whole month of May is to commemorate the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States.

Congress passed this even in 1978 to coincide with the anniversary dates of the first Japanese immigrants in America on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on May 10, 1869.

In 1990 Congress voted to expand it from a week to a month long celebration and in May 1992, the month of May was permanently designated as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

Culture

I have always been a firm believer of learning from all cultures of the world because we just make up a small portion of the world and there are many types of cultures out there to learn and enjoy.

I myself fall under the "Pacific Islander" category for my Mom is Filipino and my Dad is Caucasian.

So it's interesting to hear that many people around the U.S are celebrating this month.

http://news.google.com/nwshp?hl=en&tab=wn&q=Asian%20Pacific%20American%20Heritage%20Month

I hope some of you have learned something today and maybe take part in expanding awareness and culture, Cheers everyone and have a fantastic month!!

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Just-In-Time Loans - Mortgage Needs and Advice on Time. (757) 692-3464

Don't Be Quick To Turndown a Loan

Just last week a client was referred to me by reading one of my blog posts.  The reason he was searching for a local lender is because he tried to get approved in refinancing his mortgage from an 8% rate.  The lender he tried to go with did not even bother calling the client back after pulling his credit.  This is a sign that usually the client had qualifications lower than the minimum and the loan officer decided not to call the client back.

However, I work with the client till the end even if they don't qualify now, I will try to find a way to help them work on their credit or finances so they can be ready down the road.  Customer for life and not a customer for right now as I always say.  So when working with the client I have came to find out that he had scores under 550 but also had a FHA loan insured.  Under FHA Streamline guidelines I was able to refinance my client with...

1.) No Appraisal Necessary

2.) No Credit Check

3.) No Income/Assets Check

This is a great way to lower your rate and payment even if you are upside down in equity, having trouble verifying income or even having trouble with low fico scores.  Below are the guidelines for a FHA Streamline Refinance.  More information via HUD on the FHA streamline can be found here. 

• The mortgage to be refinanced must already be FHA insured. 
  
• The mortgage to be refinanced should be current (not delinquent). 
  
• The refinance is to result in a lowering of the borrower's monthly principal and interest payments. 
  
• No cash may be taken out on mortgages refinanced using the streamline refinance process.
  

Show Your Appreciation on Administrative Professionals' Day

Not to hinder off of Earth day today but today is the National Administrative Professionals' Day or formerly known as Secretary Day.

This day is to recognize the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals.  This includes your processors and loan closer guys!

These people are the backbone of our business and they work hard in keeping the process in line which in turns makes us more successful.  Without them, your team will not function.

Take this time to show your appreciation and recognition in the work these hard working professionals do that sometimes might get overlooked.

A simple e-card or a thank you can really make someones day.  I just sent out 3 e-cards today and I can't tell you how much they appreciated the simple gesture!

So Happy Administrative Professionals' Day Everyone!!!

Do you see a Old Woman or a Young Woman in this picture?

Many of you have seen this picture before and there is no right or wrong answer.  We see what we want to see or believe.  Both women are actually shown here and it's up to you whether you want it to be a Young Woman, Old Woman or both.

I think, Therefore I am........

I have done a couple presentations these past few weeks and when talking about Technology and Change, some recipients tend to speak like this

"I am too old for this kind of stuff"

"I am not just cut out for this kinds of stuff"

"I just don't have time for this stuff"

"This is useless because the market still sucks regardless if I do this or not"

The mind is a powerful motivator....

You know for the people who complain and become stubborn in their ways, that's fine, its not their fault.  They have embedded in their heads they are this way and they made the decision themselves not to embrace change.

If you think you will fail...then you will fail.

If you think you are old....then you are old.

If you think you have no time....then you have no time.

The Success relies on re-routing your Brain 

If you want to become successful then re-wire your brain to not just settle with failing results but to see yourself with AMAZING successful results, whether how far and how unlikely it may be at the time.

It doesn't matter if it seems far-fetched, the very FIRST step my friends is to picture yourself successful and success will surely follow.

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Thanks for checking out my blog! Feel free to leave a comment or subscribe, much appreciated!

Just-In-Time Loans - Mortgage Needs and Advice on Time. (757) 692-3464