National Flood Insurance Plan Extends 6 months by Congress - 09/30/08 10:42 PM

The National Flood Insurance Program was developed by congress address both the need for flood insurance and the need to lessen the devastating consequences of flooding.
The program was set to expire today September 30th 2008 but was passed earlier this week for another 6 months by the House of Representatives and must still be signed by President George W. Bush.
This is a temporary measure due to the simple fact of not coming to a permanent agreement in whether we need to add wind coverages to flood insurance and finding a solution to the programs debt.
The National Flood Program … (3 comments)

Bloggers Unite. Blog For A Cause. Blog Action Day Oct 15 2008. - 09/28/08 11:53 PM

 
 
Blog Action Day October 15th 2008  (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 … (20 comments)

What is a #Hashtag? Is #Hashtags Dying? Twitter Search Wins? - 09/28/08 09:44 PM
What the heck is a #Hashtag?
Ever notice in Twitter World that people have been using "#" signs in front of "Keywords" or "Groups" or "Locations" ?
Well these so called # groups are called "Hashtags" what is a hash tag you may ask?
Hashtags are used to create real time track records of creating groups on twitter. Placing the # sign in front of keywords or targeted groups, makes it easier to track all conversations in the twitter timeline via search.
Hashtags were most notable during the San Diego forest fires in 2007 when Nate Ritter used the hashtag "#sandiegofire" … (37 comments)

APTURE: The New Tool for your Blogs just like Snapshots - 09/27/08 07:21 PM
What is Apture?
Apture is the latest pop-up preview that is rich in text and information.
Most people have been using Snapshots which you can view a demo ----> hover on this link <------
Apture can replace Embedded Videos, Documents and Images.  I love it! It makes your blog posts more Clean and Streamlined.  No more messing with embedded codes just insert a link and your done! :)
 
How to install Apture?
Apture is really easy to install.  If you ever added a script code to Activerain Settings you should be familiar with this.
Start by going to http://www.apture.com. Register your … (24 comments)

10 Tips National College Savings Month - 09/25/08 10:09 PM
September is National College Savings Month
 

To help families plan and prepare for the future, the U.S. Congress has declared the month of September National College Savings Month.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, college costs are increasing at a rate of 8 percent per year. Children today will face college costs that are three to four times what they cost now.
The goal is to promote the idea that it is never too early to start saving for college.
 
Keep the change savings - Check with your bank about special and unique savings programs.  I have … (9 comments)

Happy 10th Birthday Google You Rock My Socks! - 09/24/08 12:59 PM

 
 
 
 
Happy Birthday Dear Google!!! 
Google is turning 10 in the month of September but no one knows really which date they officially started according to their timeline. 
"Google opened its doors in September 1998. The exact date when we celebrate our birthday has moved around over the years, depending on when people feel like having cake."
Anywhoo I just want to say Congrats and Thank you!!
You were just born when I was a Senior in High school Thank you for providing me fast and quick answers on everything Thank you for helping me find solutions … (4 comments)

FHA Removes Rental Income Because Of "Buy and Bail" Scams - 09/23/08 10:38 PM

 
Effective for all FHA case numbers assigned on and after September 19th 2008 to further notice.
A Borrower cannot use rental income to offset the payment on their departure residence without very specific and narrow exceptions.
The old guidelines when someone wanted to rent their current residence out to buy a new home, FHA guidelines permitted the Rental Income being used to offset the mortgage payment used in Debt-to-Income ratios.
FHA has released the mortgagee letter nationwide found here HUD LETTER
This is due from the simple fact that many homeowners have been found guilty of the "Buy and … (11 comments)

Microsoft Helps Turn A Negative Into A Positive - 09/21/08 11:56 PM

 
For the past couple of years, Apple has been aggressively advertising Macintosh's Brand as young, hip and trendy with the famous Im a Mac vs Im a PC ads.
I don't know what happened with Microsoft over the years they just stood there taking a beating from Apple with the domination of the Ipod and Mac sales recently.
If anyting we thought Microsoft was done.....or are they?
Just recently Microsoft has been pushing back to the extreme with.....
* The mojave project ads (an experiment playing off that most people just have that vista sucks in their head … (58 comments)

Bank Of America Gets Even Bigger With Merrill Lynch - 09/15/08 12:53 AM

 
September 15 2008 Bank of America Announced buyout of Merrill Lynch & Co., inc. for $50 Billion Dollars! [Article]
Merrill Lynch a 94 year old company seemed strong for a long time until recently of talk of the company losing money and ground in Wall Street.
The buyout deal was negotiated in a 48 hour frenzy with the two boards that got approved late Sunday.  Originally Merrill wanted Morgan Stanley to buy out them but didn't have enough time for Morgan Stanley to review the specs.
My 2 cents
Talk about a quick buyout, I wonder if Bank of … (11 comments)

Oct 1st Flat Fee for Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premiums - 09/13/08 11:48 PM

As a reminder the new change from Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the upfront mortgage insurance premiums (UFMIP) on Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans will revert back to a flat fee, effective with case numbers assigned on or after Oct. 1 2008.Upfront MIP factors effective with case numbers assigned on or after Oct. 1, 2008, are as follows:
           Purchases and Full Credit Qualifying Refinances = 1.75%            Streamline Refinances = 1.50%            FHASecure transactions = 3.00% Sections of the Act NOT impacted:
          223(e) Declining Markets           238(c) Military Impacted Areas           255 Home Equity Conversion Mortgages … (2 comments)

Facebook for your business is on the move - 09/11/08 12:00 AM

 
Social Networking has played a major role in Business Networking in 2008.  Network Giants Myspace, Facebook and LinkedIN have all been contending for the #1 Spot.
June 2008 Comscore reported that Facebook has officially dethroned Myspace with 132 million unique visitors compared to Myspace 117 million.  Facebook had tripled its visitor count from last year with only 52 million visitors.
Facebook has been on the prowl for the #1 spot for the longest time slowly gaining momentum over the years and attacking the competition at their strong points.
Previously I didn't focus too much in Facebook because at the … (20 comments)

First Time Home Buyer Overview and Quick Tips - 09/10/08 02:01 AM
 

 
There are some great benefits in being a First Time Home buyer but what exactly defines a First Time Home Buyer and what are the benefits you may ask?
A First Time Home Buyer is considered an applicant who has not have held an ownership interest in a principal residence within the past three years.
 
Benefits of being a First Time Home Buyer:
On FHA Loans the MIP Cap of 2.25% can be lowered to 2.0% if the client is a First Time Home Buyer Eligible to qualify for State Specific Finance Companies like VHDA for Virginia … (6 comments)

VHDA 103% Financing FHA Plus Loan - 09/10/08 12:58 AM

 
VHDA is Virginia's State Finance Company which more can be found here in my previous blog.
With the Down Payment Assistance programs being eliminated here shortly, there are very few true 100% loan programs out there.
There is hope though, VHDA has a loan program called FHA PLUS which is VHDA financed and FHA insured designed to help First Time Home-buyers gain home-ownership.
Contact your local mortgage professional who is licensed for VHDA loans. (I am in the Virginia Beach Area and fully licensed)
Here is a quick overview of the loan
This is a piggyback Combo loan with … (8 comments)

VA Mortgage Quick Tip: BAH and BAS Income - 09/05/08 11:34 PM

 
Military Mortgage Progam - VA Loan Quick Tip
When calculating income used to qualify for a VA Mortgage, make sure you are working with a Mortgage Expert that can analyze your income correctly.
Many mortgage professionals fail to calculate the correct income on LES Statements.
A LES statement is a Leave and Earnings statement.  This is the best summary of all income.
The 3 main entitlements on the LES are Base Pay, BAS and BAH.
Your Base Pay should NOT BE THE ONLY income to qualify for a house. If just your base pay is used you could lose … (13 comments)

Young and Inexperienced Can Spell Success - 09/01/08 11:25 PM
Blog-o-sphere proclaimed Condo King and Rising Real Estate Rock star is named Jared Seligman of Corcoran Properties.
Who is Jared Seligman?
Currently at just only the age of 21, he is becoming widely known as the young powerhouse in Manhattan Real Estate.  Most Notable for his famous clients from the Olsen Twins, Tommy Hilfiger Family and almost all runway models in the city Jared is a rising superstar.
At age 20 in 2007 he became Real Estate Rookie of the year selling more than $40 million dollars worth of property.
With his success also came criticism placing him in 3 categories … (21 comments)