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My Love Affair With Real Estate Agents - Green Goes Red And It's Not Even Valentines Day

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:48:38 -0600

No one gets why I loved working with Realtors. I still can hear it everyday.

"Kate, why not go directly to the home buyer? It would be SO much easier."

Yet today, I feel the same way.

Realtors are the magic in every real estate transaction.

Take the agent out of real estate and who is left to pull the rabbit out of the hat?

The Green Valley Savvy published my article this week. Find the magic of using a real estate agent at Ask Kate About Real Estate on page 21.

Green goes red, be still my beating heart. :)

Your Active Rain Blogging Buddy, Kate Ford

My Way Of Giving Back To Real Estate Agents and Mortgage Lenders =>

Realtors advertise free at Real Estate Directory USA a directory for home buyers and sellers

Mortgage lenders advertise free at List of Mortgage Companies a directory for home buyers and home owners

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com

***PS Can anyone guess the subject of Ask Kate About Real Estate at The Green Valley Savvy in December's issue?***

That's Some Bad Fur Nutsy -- Kate Ford Alive And Well In Las Vegas

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:49:13 -0600

How bad has it gotten when you receive inquiries from a squirrel to your whereabouts. A pretend squirrel. Named Nutsy.

Wouldn't you agree the name says it all? Yep, that's some bad fur Nutsy!

Or maybe.... The squirrel is real and Steven Smith is the alter ego. For that matter maybe Charles Buell is Nutsy's alter ego #2. After all, I've never laid eyes on Seattle's Home Inspector or The King of The House.

And how about James Quarello? Alter ego #3 hiding in Connecticut?

Or have I been apart from Active Rain for too long? Man I got the flu a-g-a-i-n and then gave it to my husband who never gets sick. But that's the bad news. There's good news too.

Do you remember that three of our four daughters are pregnant. All boys. The one daughter having twins has made it to 35 weeks. The boys are each almost 6 pounds. How crazy is that. We are predicting a big Thanksgiving celebration!

And I'm in the middle of overhauling Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate my mortgage informational site. Are you familiar with cascade style sheets - CSS? This site will show off a new look on the outside and speak the language of CSS on the inside in a couple of months.

So I've begun stripping the outdated code (thank you W3 schools for deciding what stays and what has to go in the world of web pages, arghhhh) and preparing each and every of my 500 pages for the Big Switcheroo.

But I'm here. (In fact I had to take a quick flic with my phone -not easy to do you know- and post it here because of CB's comment on my appearance perhaps being altered by the flu, or not, or some such nonsense.)

Anyway... I'm reading your posts on AR even if you haven't heard from me. And thanks to those who have taken me up on free advertising at my mortgage directory and real estate directory. I'm getting those requests finished today!

Special thanks to Sue Therriault. I'm lucky to have an Active Rain buddy like Suesan to look in on me. Hi Sue!

Your Active Rain Friend, Kate Ford

OKAY! HAVE YOU SEEN THIS!

My Way Of Giving Back To Real Estate Agents and Mortgage Lenders =>

Realtors, what are you waiting for? Promote your profile 24 hours a day, 7 days a week => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage Lenders, take advantage of this today. Reaching homeowners around the clock => Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles

===

PS If That's Some Bad Fur Nutsy sound vaguely familiar, it's because you also laugh when you hear That's Some Bad Hat Harry like I do.

Throw Tomatoes At Me If You Must - FHA and Subprime

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:27:52 -0500

Go ahead! Throw tomatoes at me if you must. FHA is a subprime type program.

Recently I read "Subprime home loans are back - Las Vegas mortgage borrowers go FHA"*. Just so happens this favorite blogger of mine, Esko Kiuru, is from Las Vegas.

However I'm adding FHA never left the subprime type market. It just became less popular starting in the late 90's.

You see, before subprime as it's labeled today gained popularity, FHA was the program of choice for subprime type borrowers. That is, consumers with little cash and less than perfect credit.

Personally I'm not a big fan of government programs intended to fix business. But I can't argue a fact. FHA is the most successful government program of all time. The reason is because FHA is a program funded by consumers and FHA's insurance fund is there to cover losses.

Now take a step back for just a moment and let's consider why the subprime industry created such a debacle. It was NOT the fault of loan programs. It was NOT the fault of homeowners. It was NOT the fault of mortgage brokers.

I resent the superiority-complex and finger pointing of the agencies, Fannie and her siblings, at the onset of the debacle as if it were the products, homeowners and mortgage brokers that caused the fall. Homeowners, mortgage brokers and loan products were only the scapegoat.

Had banks been required to maintain higher loan reserves, similar to the FHA insurance fund, they would have been able to ride out storms. Yet in some instances, banks were lending 20 times more than they had in reserves.

Excessive leveraging by banks brought the real estate market to its knees. Talk about living beyond your means.

Now back to today, FHA is again the program of choice for subprime type borrowers but FHA insurance funds have been reported lately as running low. Were any lessons learned?

Will there be enough funds to cover future losses or will the tax payer again be on the hook?

If so, who is the next scapegoat?

Discover why Fannie, Freddie and FHA began raising their skirt hems at Mini Skirts And Hope For Homeowners - Part One

Continue here to discover how a game of musical chairs affected mortgage affordability at Mini Skirts And Mortgage Affordability - Part Two

The intriguing saga of Joe The Homeowner preventing another mortgage debacle concludes at Mini Skirts And Affording A Mortgage - Part Three

*Here's Esko's post: Subprime home loans are back - Las Vegas mortgage borrowers go FHA

Saving Smart For The Future- My Story Of Losing Everything

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:09:14 -0500

Yesterday it happened. The unthinkable. I lost everything. And I could have easily avoided the loss.

But let me back up a couple of months ago when I was approached by my friends who own the website, Military Family Matters specializing in money matters for military families. They asked if I would write an article for them on the special needs of the military when considering renting vs buying a house.

But I would have done well to follow their advice about saving.

I have quite a few irons in the fire which probably contributed to losing everything yesterday. Anyway, I asked Military Family Matters if they could be patient with me as I freed myself from the projects I was in the middle of.

Then this week I saw some light at the end of the tunnel and began my article for them. (I'll let you know when it's published of course). It was coming together really nicely as I recalled my experiences over the years of working with active military and VA mortgages.

And then... It happened. Argh. I discovered sitting right here at my desk that I'd lost everything.

Now don't you think it's ironic that while I was working on an article for a website on money matters that I took a dive comparable to a bankruptcy?

Well, before I go any further, I confess the loss I sustained yesterday happened when my computer seized during a Microsoft update. And foolish me, I had not saved any of my work.

So my article was gone in a flash. My entire article, every cent word. My day's efforts were bankrupted. I couldn't recover one single dollar sentence.

But as we know, good can spring from bad. I ended up writing a very different article today and in my humble opinion, a much better one. And most of all, I re-learned a valuable lesson.

Save as you write!

Your companion in saving :) Kate Ford

My Way Of Giving Back To Real Estate Agents and Mortgage Lenders

Realtors, what are you waiting for? Promote your profile 24 hours a day, 7 days a week => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage Lenders, take advantage of this today. Reaching homeowners around the clock => Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles

Are You Kidding Me? Send Forrest Gump To Washington

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:36:45 -0500

I've asked before. I'll ask again. With Fannie, Freddie and FHA raising their skirts to qualify more home buyers, who is looking out for mortgage affordability?

"The subprime market had shrunk to virtually zero percent in the first quarter of 2008 after triggering the housing collapse following defaults by borrowers. The market share of subprime US home mortgages [thanks to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae] has returned to pre-crisis levels, a central bank report showed Monday." AFP 2009 **

Are you kidding me?

To quote my favorite movie, "And that's all I have to say about that." Forrest Gump 1994

Your companion in straw hats, Kate Ford

Mortgage Lenders, take advantage of this today. Reaching homeowners around the clock => Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles

**View the AFP article in entirety here

Warning! Do NOT Read This If Gunk Grosses You Out! However I still need your opinion PLEASE!

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:38:21 -0500

I like fresh avocado but yuck! I'm disgusted with opening the dishwasher only to find yesterday's dinner still stuck to the silverware.

Do I need to apologize that this has nothing to do with real estate?

Anyway I had a bright idea yesterday. Dig out a flashlight, get down on my hands and knees and check out the inside of my trusty dishwasher than is never supposed to need repairing. You know... courtesy of the folks who bring us the lonely Maytag guy.

Blech. Gunk, gunk and more gunk.

Ahhh, THAT'S WHY remnants of grapefruit pulp coat my glassware. And bits of cilantro redeposit on the pasta bowls.

Not only is the filter clogged, but the arm thingies barely spin and where there should be holes, I find three years of granite.

Back upstairs I'm sitting at my computer on a mission. After reading through mindless answers on Yahoo I revert to my cure for the world's ills. White vinegar.

Back downstairs I empty the dishwasher, all but three glasses filled with vinegar. I run it on the hottest longest cycle. (I never do anything half-way)

This morning I check it out. Gunk everywhere. Chunks of rock. Chalk. Black gravel. Sand. But I can see the heating element. Holes reopen and arms spin. Glassware sparkles. And the pink goo around the hinges disappeared.

Hmmm, I start to think. Could vinegar be a better choice for a rinse aid?

Now I'm no engineer. I'll be the first to admit I have broken several small appliances while "upgrading" them. So I thought I'd ask before I try this out. Do you think it's safe to fill the rinse aid reservoir with white vinegar?

Dishwashers are more expensive than the coffee maker I just killed so please can anyone advise? Who can help?

I'd ask the lonely Maytag guy but I'm thinking he's pretty busy these days.

Your companion in gunk control, Kate Ford

Mortgage Lenders, take advantage of this today. Reaching homeowners around the clock => Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles

Oh Please! Show Your Nose A Little Love!

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:42:32 -0500

A number of noses landed on the ground last week across America according to CNNMoney.com.

For the first time in a few weeks, mortgage rates rose above 5% and mortgage applications took a 14% dive. The result? Home buyers and homeowners by the droves cut off their nose to spite their face.

But let's consider this logically. By drawing the line at 4.99% and refusing to budge, you are merely cutting off your own nose.

Take these numbers for example. A 30 year monthly house payment for $200,000 at 4.99% is $1073. Now raise that rate to 5.04%. Your payment rose $6.

$6!

Yes, I know! One rate boasts the 4's compared to the unwelcome stigma of 5%. (a little sarcasm)

But PLEASE do your pretty face a favor. Keep your nose. $6 a month is not worth losing a mortgage rate lower than we've seen in many years because you determined you wouldn't go over 5%.

Let's prove my point with YOUR mortgage. Follow the link to my easy squeezy mortgage payment calculator. Insert the amount you owe on your house. Instead of drawing the line at a certain mortgage rate that you've been holding out for, calculate a payment using a few different interest rates. Try 5.01% or even (gasp) 5.25%.

Experiment! It's free! But considered yourself warned. Once you begin playing around with my easy to use calculator, you may never be able to stop!

Your friend, Kate Ford

My Way Of Giving Back - THE PAINLESS SIGN-UP - For Real Estate Agents and Mortgage Lenders

Realtors, what are you waiting for? Promote your profile 24 hours a day, 7 days a week => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage Lenders, take advantage of this today. Reaching homeowners around the clock => Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles

You can find the full article at CNNMoney.com

What Supports Realtors and Is Green and Read All Over? The Green Valley Savvy Of Course!

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:43:14 -0500

Cory Richardson, not one to hang around waiting for the economy to get stronger, is contributing to a better life for fellow Nevadans. That is why he is the editor of The Green Valley Savvy, a community magazine fresh off the press in Henderson, Nevada.

As well as distributing the magazine, The Green Valley Savvy is hosting up to six fund raising events per year. The proceeds from each event will be donated to local charities.

It might interest you to know The Green Valley Savvy has exclusive rights to a half-man, half-rabbit who jumps over anything and everything he can think of in Henderson. Local residents in the Las Vegas area can submit their request to see The Henderson Hopper in action, vaulting over their favorite object.

But don't let the presence of The Henderson Hopper fool you into thinking the magazine is anything but serious. In fact, it may be the most important thing you ever read. The next edition is coming out not only on the web but also in hard copy and will be distributed free.

Here is what you will absolutely love! November will feature a real estate section. Yours Truly is authoring the opening article. I'll give you one guess what it's about. But believe me, if you don't guess correctly I will be deeply disappointed.

Here's a hint. Who is the most important person in the life of a home buyer? Well now for sure you guessed and it wasn't even a challenge.

The real estate agent!

What else will you find in The Green Valley Savvy?

Fun and Games:

Activities
Sudoku
Jokes and Cartoons
Famous Birthdays
Strange News
Shout Outs
What Say You?
Car Corner
Live Healthy
This Month in History
Delicious Recipes

Local Interest:

Featured Business
Restaurant Review
Local Art
Calendar of Events
Important Places

Words on Paper:

Spirit of an Independent Film
Extreme Makeover: DMV Edition

Up and coming: Focus on a local high school student!

The Green Valley Savvy understands for the community and by the community. Let's give Cory Richardson a warm welcome!

Your friend, Kate Ford

Mortgage Lenders, take advantage of this today. Reaching homeowners around the clock => Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles

There is more to life than increasing its speed - Gandi

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:32:40 -0500

Really! I think it's silly to dream of simpler days. Simple or relaxing is what we make of our time, today.

Yesterday afternoon, I picked up one of my granddaughters and took her to a nearby canyon full of chipmunks and bunnies. Armed with a baggie of oyster crackers, we set off in pursuit of new friends. We named them Alvin, Simon and Theodore even though there were too many to keep track of pouring out of the rocks.

I watched as my granddaughter sat very still with cracker crumbs around her, whispering that she was their friend. But patience is not a virtue learned by 5 and the desire to pet them would overcome her. Back under the rocks they'd scatter.

The dance would continue until the cracker crumbs were gone. It was our turn for dinner and we had to leave.

Next time we are going back to visit the bunnies. They like cooler evenings and longer shadows.

Your friend, Kate Ford

Mortgage Lenders, take advantage of this today. Reaching homeowners around the clock => Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles

Small Affordable Changes Make Big Differences - How To Get A Kitchen Tune-Up

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:20:46 -0500

Has normal wear and tear caught up with your kitchen cabinets? Are your cabinet drawers looking worn or grimy?

Scott and Cindy Miller, owners of Pro Cabinets, a local Kitchen Tune-Up franchise know how to tune up and re-face your existing kitchen cabinets.

That's right! You don't have to buy a whole new kitchen to have a kitchen that looks and feels like new. Scott and Cindy are making cabinets look new at a fraction of the cost with Kitchen Tune-Up!

As a homeowner, I appreciate their eight trustpoints. Scott and Cindy...

guarantee their estimates
guarantee their work
arrive on time
clean work areas daily
return messages within 24 hours
strive to be in harmony with the homeowner's routine
tell the customer what they're going to do BEFORE they do it
listen carefully, tell it straight and keep their promises

Holidays are coming up. Wouldn't it be nice to show off a gorgeous kitchen? Call Scott and Cindy at 702.270.4390. You'll be surprised at how affordable a kitchen tune-up is!

Recently featured in the daily news section of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nevada's largest newspaper, here's Scott in action refacing kitchen cabinets in Summerlin.

You can also visit Kitchen Tune-Up on iShopNevada where local Nevada businesses are supporting one other to restore our economy.

Find out which three signs mean your cabinets might need reconditioning in this video:

Mortgage Lenders, take advantage of this today. Reaching homeowners around the clock => Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles

The Perfect Wedding - The Perfect Dress

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:39:11 -0500

The business of fulfilling dreams... Cathie France creates custom wedding gowns. And owns her own business!

With 35 years of tailoring and sewing experience, Cathie also specializes in mother of the bride, flower girl dresses, prom dresses and any other kind of gown or outfit for women and girls. She even recreates designer gowns and tailors men's suits.

Guess what else! In addition, Cathie makes Halloween costumes. I'd say she's got us covered.

Cathie is friendly. "Las Vegas is a wonderful city to work in and I have met a lot of nice people here. Please let me know how I can be of any help to you, Kate," she told me when we first met.

Hear what one bride says, "Cathie hemmed my wedding gown in time for my wedding. Her professionalism and outstanding workmanship are commendable. Her service fees are very affordable and reasonable."

You can reach Cathie France at her website, Custom Wedding Designs by Cathie

1350 N. Town Center Dr., #1080
Las Vegas, NV 89144

Phone: (702) 339-8190

Remember, she's in the business of fulfilling dreams. We could all use a little bit of that right now!

Yours in rebuilding Nevada's economy and furthering the dream of homeownership, Kate Ford

My Way Of Giving Back - aka The Painless Sign Up

Realtors: Promote your profile 24 hours a day, 7 days a week => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage professionals: Promote yourself to homeowners => Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles

What's That? Health Insurance For The Self-Employed?

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:39:06 -0500

Self-employment, an all-American dream until trying to find health insurance! I know this all too well. So Scott Marczynski's ad captured my attention on iShopNevada.

You'll find Scott at Health Markets, the company who insures the self-employed with personalized plans. The plans cover the insured nationwide and Canada or 30 days or less out of the country. Being portable, if an insured leaves Nevada, they can take their policy with them.

He is able to provide their association to anyone anywhere which has discounts and benefits but can only provide insurance policies in Nevada.

Scott moved here from Denver, Colorado ten years ago. He is an avid reader, hiker and for fun, attends singles events with his church.

When I asked Scott what attracted him to the insurance industry, he told me, "I enjoy helping people in any way I can. My mission is to do my best to help all those who come to me or refer them to someone who can."

If you are in the market for a health insurance plan in Nevada or want to compare policies, call Scott Marczynski.

His phone number is 702-773-8607 or go to his website to email him.

Yours in rebuilding our economy and preserving the dream of homeownership, Kate Ford

My Way Of Giving Back - aka The Painless Sign Up

Realtors: Promote your profile 24 hours a day, 7 days a week => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage professionals: Promote yourself to homeowners => Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles

Las Vegas, Nevada Little Miss Efficiency "She'll dot your I's and cross your T's"

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:36:54 -0500

I love organization! So it is no surprise that Wendy Miller's Little Miss Efficiency as seen on iShopNevada.com drew my attention.

Overwhelmed by overflowing drawers, overstuffed closets, unable to find what you need, or embarrassed to have people over? Say no more. You are not alone!

Wendy Miller of Little Miss Efficiency Organising Services and Consulting helps homes, small businesses and seniors get organised.

So if you live in the Las Vegas and Henderson area, give Wendy a call at 702-673-0624 or visit her website at Little Miss Efficiency Organising Services and Consulting She'll dot your I's and cross your T's!

Yours in rebuilding Nevada's economy, Kate Ford

My Way Of Giving Back - THE PAINLESS SIGN-UP

Realtors: Promote your profile 24 hours a day, 7 days a week => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage professionals: Reaching homeowners around the clock => Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com

Las Vegas - Henderson, Nevada - Cartridge World USA Thinks Green

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:28:10 -0500

I must have been thinking green when the Cartridge World advertisement on iShopNevada.com caught my eye. I've heard of refilling my printer cartridges before but I didn't know it was so easy.

Do you also hesitate to print photos at home because you think it is too expensive? Are you concerned about protecting the future of our environment by reducing the number of cartridges that end up in landfills?

Nancy Mehta of Cartridge World has the solution. Refill your printer cartridge!

Nancy provides customers with cost effective, environmentally friendly alternatives to continually purchasing new printer consumables. So if you live in the Las Vegas / Henderson area, take your cartridges to Nancy Mehta. You'll be doing your budget and the environment a favor.

Visit Nancy Mehta at Cartridge World - 9550 S. Eastern Avenue, Suite 190, Henderson, NV 89123 - 702-586-0634

Yours in rebuilding our economy, Kate Ford

My Way Of Giving Back - aka The Painless Sign Up

Realtors: Promote your profile 24 hours a day, 7 days a week => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage professionals: Promote yourself to homeowners => Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

I'm Excited! I'm Flattered! I'm Blown Away! Ask Kate Goes Nevada! What An Opportunity To Support Homeownership!

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:55:56 -0500

There is no place like Nevada. Breath taking scenery. Healthy climate. Friendly neighborhoods. The fact that my family lives here seals the deal! But Nevada is in the heart of the recession. Homeowners and businesses alike are suffering.

However business owners are banding together and I am thrilled to say I'm getting to do my part to support homeownership!

When my husband, Steve, ran across Tim Sypowicz of Nevada on Facebook, he recognized a business person on a mission.

Read what Tim says on iShopNevada.com:
"We aren't creating just a website, we are creating a movement in Nevada. Shopping local companies creates jobs, stimulates the economy, sells houses, gets people into restaurants and shows."

A few days later, we were meeting with Tim. I like his motto: Shop local and everyone wins. He likes my websites with their real estate and mortgage columns, Ask Kate.

Short story shorter, Tim opened the door for me to set up a home away from home on his website, iShopNevada.

The result? Within a couple of weeks, Ask Kate has gone live right here in Nevada where homeowners and home buyers now have the opportunity to ask a question and receive a personal answer regarding matters related to buying, financing and owning a home.

Who says nothing of value can come from an economic downturn? Good things are happening here in Nevada where business are pulling for each other and homeowners are receiving a fresh perspective.

Yours in furthering the dream of homeownership across America, Kate Ford

Ask Kate at Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate
Ask Kate at Prime-Real-Estate-Articles

Who Says So? 8400 Mortgage Lenders Are Saying It!

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:42:12 -0500

Almost one of every three mortgage applications were denied in 2008. That 3% worse than 2006.

To intensify matters, mortgage applications were down 33% over 2007 and 50% the year before.

Piggy-back mortgages where borrowers borrowed the down payment are off the table for all practical purposes. Only 98,000 were funded in 2009. That's down from 1,300,000 in 2006.

I'd like to believe that investors scaled back the availability of 80/20 combo loans because they learned how unaffordable the mortgages eventually became for many homeowners when combined with declining real estate values. Sad to say, I doubt that's the reason.

But there's still good news for borrowers thinking of using loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA mortgage approvals accounted for 21% of all loans made in 2008. In 2005, only 5% were FHA home loans.

When it comes to low down payments, the FHA loan program outshines its competition. Learn more about FHA mortgage loans here.

A PAINLESS SIGN-UP

Realtors: promote yourself here => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage professionals: here is your opportunity to promote yourself =>Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com

Read the full article here by Alan Zibel (Associated Press)

Mini Skirts and Straw Hats - Part 9 On Mortgage Affordability

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:29:30 -0500

The wrap-up on raising skirts...

Who wears straw hats with mini skirts? No, I haven't lost my mind. And I'm not starting a new fashion trend either. But I do have mortgage affordability on my mind.

Lesson One: The bank says I can afford HOW much?

We can't rely on the bank for mortgage affordability

The bank hasn't a clue when it comes to how much we can afford in monthly house payments. Mortgage institutions qualify a borrower based on corporate and investor criteria. This might happen to line up with the amount of mortgage we can afford but don't count on it. We are each in charge of determining how much we can afford.

Lesson Two: Don't rely on the banks to remember

I've been asked recently if the banks have learned any lessons from the collapse of the system. I hope so but I'm not holding my breath.

After all, who has suffered most? Joe the homeowner. And that means you and me. So it is up to us to make sure we chart a different course for the future of homeownership by considering mortgage affordability.

Lesson Three: Resist the temptation of extremes

First, mini skirts, raising the skirt hems. Flappers. Excitement and abundance. Legs!

Next, doom and gloom. Pessimism. No legs

Joe the homeowner deserves better!

Lesson Four: Consider straw hats

J. Paul Getty got it right. Even though he was one of the wealthiest individuals in America, he focused on straw hats.

More here on mini skirts and straw hats. Common sense versus the extremes. A strong tomorrow for homeowners. Mortgage affordability.

Go Joe!

Get 'em all: Part One Part Two Part Three

A PAINLESS SIGN-UP

Realtors: promote yourself here => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage professionals: here is your opportunity to promote yourself =>Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com

Internet Explorer 8 and Compatibility View

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:43:44 -0500

Now that Internet Explorer 8 is available, how many have upgraded their browser to the current version?

I use Firefox but I have to remind myself that the majority are still using Internet Explorer, and IE 7 at that. A challenge with marketing via the web is that we have no control over the browsers our viewers use. And for Viewers, some websites are designed for specific versions.

I posted recently about using Browser Shots to see what your web page looks like to others. Well, IE 8 is available and besides more closely resembling Firefox, it comes with a nifty feature called Compatibility View.

Viewers using IE 8 can go to:

Tools and the drop down menu will give you the option of Compatibility View.

In the address bar, an icon appears next to refresh. (icon looks like a broken page)

Click on the icon to use Compatibility View.

IE claims says by using Compatibility View, "Websites designed for older browser will often look better, and problems such as out-of-place menus, images, or text will be corrected."

Relatively speaking, the web is a new entity. One day do you think we'll laugh at the hub-bub of inconsistencies among browsers?

Kate Ford

A PAINLESS SIGN-UP

Realtors: promote yourself here => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage professionals: here is your opportunity to promote yourself =>Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com

You Can't Find My Mortgage? Well Then, Maybe I Can't Find My Payment!

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:45:33 -0500

The devil's in the details? I don't know, the devil might be better at keeping track of his assets.

An article was in the news today about TARP's efforts at helping homeowners stay in a home and avoid foreclosure but getting derailed by inefficiencies.

Not that we are all that shocked. We know long waits over the phone abound for homeowners trying to tackle TARP. And processing times are delayed as we expect.

But my all-time favorite remains faxing the same document 7 times because the first 6 went where?

Oh well, it just had the homeowner's social security number and birth date on it.

When the B-I-G banks were asked to rate their performance which they claim is improving, one biggie rated itself with a B. However community groups also asked to grade the same bank plunked down a D.

Too bad they are not held to the same standard as the consumer because I'm guessing there are quite a few homeowners right now wanting to say, "If you can't find my mortgage, well then, maybe I can't find my payment."

ANOTHER PAINLESS SIGN-UP

Realtors: promote yourself here => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage professionals: here is your opportunity to promote yourself =>Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com

Raising Their Skirts - Part 8 On Mortgage Affordability

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:13:33 -0500

From mini skirts to raising skirts, home buyers have learned mortgage affordability should focus on more than getting a good deal. Indeed this message of mortgage affordability offers lasting hope to homeowners.

The prior decade resembled a game of musical chairs for home buyers. Investors greedy to make a buck, strike while the iron is hot or however you like to say it, took advantage of the booming US housing market to lure home buyers into products investors were not willing to support when homeowners eventually needed assistance the most.

Thus the last players left standing lost homes in a way-too-serious-game of musical chairs.

That is why it is up to mortgage and real estate professionals, those of us on the front lines, to make a difference now! What if consumers had cried foul on the 2 year products with prepayment penalties? What a difference we would see today in foreclosure statistics.

Would a "just say no" policy to bad mortgage products in itself charted a different course for the American housing industry? Maybe, maybe not... But the real point is how can we learn from the past to improve our future.

Two words! Mini skirts.

What does mortgage affordability have to do with mini skirts and for that matter, raising skirts? You can find out here at Mini Skirts And Mortgage Affordability - Part Two

A Painless Sign-Up

Realtors: promote yourself here => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage professionals: here is your opportunity to promote yourself =>Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com

Gone In 60 Seconds - How to Lose 5 Pounds Easy As Pie

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:28:31 -0500

Why struggle with weight loss when I can show you how to lose 5 pounds in 60 seconds? There is only one hitch. You have to sign up. But don't worry it is free and easy as pie.

We all like to put our best face forward but at first it can be dang hard taking a look at our own picture every time we sign onto our ActiveRain blog. It gets easier as time goes by but what if I told you besides ActiveRain's new offer for gaining 1080 points by uploading a new HR profile photo, your picture could lose 5 pounds?

That's right LOSE FIVE POUNDS!

Back to the hitch. The sign-up. I know we all get tired of signing up for things but this is pretty painless because you are going on a picnic errr picnik, I mean. And it's free.

Go to Picnik

Enter user name, email, password and click "Get Started"

Upload your new ActiveRain profile picture (browse to where you store images on your computer)

Click the "Create" tab

Click the "Touch-Up" tab

Scroll down the left side until you see [drum roll here please] "Insta-Thin" and click "Apply"

That's right ActiveRain bloggers, you have just lost 5 pounds. Or for those who want a little more meat on their bones, they can put on a few pounds. Don't hate them for it please.

And as Freb said in Gone in Sixty Seconds*,"Hey, man, that was as easy as pie!"

Yours in furthering homeownership (and instant weight loss), Kate Ford

ANOTHER PAINLESS SIGN-UP

Realtors: promote yourself here => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, it's free!

Mortgage professionals: here is your opportunity to promote yourself =>Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, it's free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com

*Touchstone Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Does Your Trash (or salsa) Runneth Over - My New Toy

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:12:46 -0500

So I don't know about you but I am never satisfied with the location of my kitchen trash can.

Next to the sink, it sticks out. And periodically smells like onion and garlic after I've created my famous salsa.

Stashed away in the pantry, I end up with drips across my tile and grout from sink to trash.

But I got lucky Saturday at my husband's company picnic where he I won a prize. A cool kitchen trash can.

Brushed stainless [no finger prints]
Thin design [fits anywhere]
Nice tight seal [won't share my salsa with the rest of the house]
Best of all, automatically opens and closes

This is more like a new toy. 4 D batteries slide the lid smoothly up and down with a push of a button.

If you can't find me at my websites, you'll know where I am. Opening and shutting my new toy. Now if it only played music...

Kate Ford

Realtors: promote yourself here => Kate's Real Estate Directory USA and yes, its free!

Mortgage professionals: the opportunity to promote yourself =>Kate's List of Mortgage Companies and yes, its free!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com

Homeownership - Part Seven On Mortgage Affordability

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:09:31 -0500

"We are seeing little correlation between debt ratios and foreclosure statistics." Hard to believe those were the words I heard from a government sponsored enterprise representative in the mid 90's. Do you think you'd hear Freddie or Fannie saying that today?

This is my post script to the past six days on mortgage affordability. If anything is clear to me, it is that mortgage affordability is more than going to the bank to see how much I can borrow.

I have read, heard and gnashed my teeth over many theories trying to explain what went wrong with the US housing market the last few years. Although I believe strongly in self responsibility, I still think Joe the homeowner was not represented fairly.

And I want to do my part to assure that the dream of owning a home remains a reality for generations to come.

Well of course Freddie Mac has the advantage of hind sight these days and I promise not to hold it over its head forever. But there is a lesson to learn. Who was addressing Joe's mortgage affordability?

For more on the dream of homeownership, visit Mini Skirts And Hope For Homeowners - Part One

Yours in furthering homeownership, Kate Ford

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com

Best Fixed Rate Mortgage - Peace of Mind - Part Six On Mortgage Affordability

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 09:58:14 -0500

What if I said you could have your cake and eat it too?

That's right, assure yourself of the lowest fixed rate payment possible, yet pay your mortgage down as quickly as you like. Although I advocate paying off mortgages, I am aware this is not always the foremost thought on the mind of home buyers stretching their budget to buy a house.

And just like a coin, affordability has two sides also. In addition to affording a house free and clear before retirement, there is the flip side of affording the payment today.

Enter the combo loan also known as peace of mind.

Most likely you can create this combo loan with the mortgage you already have. I can help with this! In fact, I'll show you how at Best Fixed Rate Mortgage Tips where you can learn about creating a safety net for your mortgage.

Why not? You deserve to have your cake and eat it too!

Yours in furthering the dream of homeownership, Kate Ford

PS Happy birthday to my husband today!

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com

15 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage - Part Five On Mortgage Affordability

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:58:40 -0500

What are you doing in September of 2024? Hint: That date is 15 years away!

On my website Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate I tell about this guy Tucker who keeps asking himself what he is doing wrong. Why is he still driving his old truck and not a Ferrari like he's always wanted. He works hard but sees younger guys driving the car of his dreams.

I won't repeat the rest of the story because you can read it for yourself. But don't forget to because whether or not you know someone named Tucker or someone named Donald, you will enjoy the rest of the story.

It tells the secret to saving nearly $128,000. [And that is not taking into account a 15 year fixed rate mortgage carries a lower interest rate typically than its 30 year counterpart.]

So! Are you a Donald or a Tucker or maybe a combination of both? Not sure? Read more at How To Use A 15 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage and decide for yourself.

Yours in the dream of home ownership, Kate Ford

Realtors can advertise FREE here on Kate's => Real Estate Directory USA

Mortgage professionals advertise FREE here on Kate's => List of Mortgage Companies

Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com and Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com