"Even Me Daddy?"

One evening, as my daughter Megan Grace and I were watching Cinderella III for the gagillianth time, the movie came to a part where the King told the Red -Haired Wicked Step Sister that "Everybody deserves true love."

      Megan Grace looked back at me with her innocent 4-year-old brown eyes and asked, "Even me Daddy?"

I scooped her up in my arms with a tear in my eye and I told her, "God has chosen a very special boy for you that was born to be you husband. When you grow up and when it is God's perfect timing, He will introduce you to each other."

      She asked me, "Is that how it happened with you and Mommy?"

As I held her in my lap I replied, "Yes. I had been dating girls that were not the one God had made for me and I was tired of choosing the ones I thought I was going to marry because they were either pretty, or prettier, or prettiest of all the girls I knew. I got so mad at myself for wasting time on the wrong girls I told God that I was not going to go out with any other girl until he showed me The Girl He had made for me - I did not care if it took 2 months, 2 years, or 20 years - I was tired of doing it my way.

Thankfully, 2 weeks later God introduced me to your Mommy who was standing beside me at church one Sunday night worshipping God with her eyes closed while singing one of my favorite songs - God tapped me on the shoulder and said, 'She is the one I made for you to spend the rest of your life with'. Joy that I had not felt since I asked Jesus to live in my heart leapt inside of me like an uncaged tiger and I knew at that moment that God was right - I was going to spend the rest of my life with the girl He had made for me, who was not only beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside where it really matters. Three years later we were married and I became her husband." 

      Megan Grace asked me, "Where is the boy I will marry?"

I smiled and said, "Only God knows that, but we can pray for that boy to have parents who teach him about God and Jesus, who show him how to be very nice to girls, teach him as he is growing up to be a great husband for you, and show him how to guard his heart so he doesn't give it away until God introduces you to each other."

      Megan's little face lit up with a huge smile and she said, "Let's pray for him now Daddy." 

So we did. And we have been almost every night since.

I am dedicating this post to my beautiful brown-eyed wife who loves me even when she doesn't like me too much and gave birth to our brown-eyed Megan Grace to share these moments together.

                                                        HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY Sweetness!

                                                I Love You                                                                                                   

What does this post have to do with Real Estate? - Nothing

What does this post have to do with Christianity and Spiritual Rain?                        Everything.

The Meaning of Life

Do you remember the movie "City Slickers"? In the movie Billy Crystals character was asking Curley the trail boss what he thought the Meaning of Life was.

Curly replied by raising his index finger and saying, "One thing."

         Billy Crystal asked, "Your finger?!"

Curley said, "No -the Meaning of Life is just one thing."

         Billy Crystal asked, "What is that one thing?"

Curley replied, "It's different for everyone -that's what you have to figure out."

When I have a question I ask God for the answer - He is the Ultimate Trail Boss on this journey of life. Thinking about this I looked in my NIV Bible under the "Index of Subjects" and sure enough Meaning of Life was listed with some verses under it. Some of the verses did not make any sense to me - but one passage stuck out to me because it just hit home.

That passage was Psalm 27:4-6 when King David was saying boldly that the Meaning of Life -the ONE thing you are seeking is... (here in the Message Version)

 "4 I'm asking God for one thing,
      only one thing:
   To live with him in his house
      my whole life long.
   I'll contemplate his beauty;
      I'll study at his feet.

 5 That's the only quiet, secure place
      in a noisy world,
   The perfect getaway,
      far from the buzz of traffic.

 6 God holds me head and shoulders
      above all who try to pull me down.
   I'm headed for his place to offer anthems
      that will raise the roof!
   Already I'm singing God-songs;
      I'm making music to God. "

... is to be with God in His house to see His beauty where His Glory dwells. When this world of Real Estate gets so noisy - especially from the media - realize that seeking God is the True Meaning of Life.

I couldn't help but remenber a song I love that has that passage in it - "Better is One Day" here is an extended version of it with pics of God's creation -enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je-wFV4M9MU

What happened when I finally gave in to God

Have you ever had one of those days when you had a set agenda and God just laughed because you told Him your plans instead of waiting for His plan?

Last Thursday I had lunch with my Pastor on the other side of town from where my office is located. We had a very good lunch and talked about getting closer to God. I told my pastor about situations when I tell my daughter to do something in a nice way she does not listen - she waits until I am raising my voice before she does what I tell her to do. After she does what she was suppose to do and stops crying because I hurt her feelings - I sit her on my lap and give her a hug. I tell her I love her and explain that if she does not want me to raise my voice, then she needs to listen the first time when I ask nicely - so she never has to hear my voice raised. I explained to my pastor that after one of these episodes recently, I felt God telling me, "Why don't you listen to Me when I tell you to do something in my small still voice? Why do you wait until I am raising my voice, or worse yet- wait until there is pain associated with the disobedience?" - MAN THAT STINGS!

So I've been trying to listen for God's still small voice - pretty much a whisper. That Thursday after meeting my pastor, I decided to take advantage of being on that side of town and go talk to some Realtors at some Model Homes. I went thru a couple of new subdivisions and no agent was on duty. I came to a third subdivision  and drove in to find that they only had 1 home for sale and the whole subdivision was only a loop with no other roads branching from it - but the "Agent on Duty" sign was out in front of the Model Home. My first thought was -"I'm not gonna waste my time talking to them -they don't have anything they are selling anyway -it would be a waste of my valuable time."

As I was driving out of the subdivision I heard God whisper, "Go back and talk to that Realtor."

I replied, "God I don't have time just to talk to one Realtor about one home and they already have their own mortgage company anyway"

I drove a little further down the road and God said a little louder, "Turn around and go talk to that Realtor."

So I reluctantly obeyed, (keep in mind that I had just told my pastor in my most righteous tone that I was doing my best to listen to God's "still, small voice")  I turned around and pulled up to the Model home and walked in. One Realtor was on the phone and one was walking out with a client (who was probably going to buy the only home they had for sale and aleready had her financing done!) I walked thru the patio home and it was really nice inside. When the Realtor got off the phone I introduced myself and she said, "Brian you are already financing a home right now for one of my clients" - she handed me her card and I immedialtely recognized the name. Within minutes the converastion turned to how thankful we were that God was in control in this crazy market we are in and how most of our clients were believers.

It turns out that God had a plan already worked out for a Devine Appointment that I was not suppose to miss, because before I knew it 2 hours had passed by and we had already shared which church our families attend and she gave me a CD with some of my favorite artists on it as I was leaving. Before I left she admitted she was glad I stopped by. It was very encouraging to her that I saw this business like she did knowing that God was in Control. 

Will I see  business from it? Maybe

Did God get the glory from 1 Realtor being encouraged? You bet!

My Top 10 Things that Have NOT Changed in the World of Mortgages

Well. let's see...   

...I'm still thinking, ok?! ...

Give me a minute!....

... OK here we go.

My Top 10 9 Things that Have NOT Changed in the World of Mortgages

10. Borrowers with a Middle Credit Score OVER 680 can obtain a 97% Loan Compared to the Sales Price (LTV) on a Fannie or Freddie (Bankable Conforming) Mortgage Loan.

9. Borrowers with a Middle Score OVER 580 can obtain an FHA 97%LTV with the ability to have the 3% Down Payment paid thru The Down Payment Assistance Programs (DPA)

7. Borrowers with Middle Credit Scores BELOW 580 can still obtain an FHA 97% LTV with the ability to have the 3% Down Payment paid thru the DPA; however, your interest rate will be a little higher

6. The Good News is that FHA Interest Rates are still BETTER than Conforming Interets Rates (Today's Best 30 year Fixed rate paying NO Discount Points - Conforming: 5.99%  FHA: 5.75%)

5. FHA still allows the Borrower to use Alternative Credit (Credit that does not appear on your Credit Report like Insurance, Power Bills, Cell Phone Bills, Cable, other utilties, etc.) to compensate for not having more than 3 open accounts paid well for the past 12 months on your Credit Report

4. FHA still allows the Seller to pay for all of the Borrower's Closing Costs and Pre-Paid items up to 6% of the Sales Price

3. If any of the Borrower's income is from Self Employment or 1099 we still have to obtain their Full Federal Tax Returns for the last 2 years

2. Realtors are a Mortgage Loan Officers' Best Friend

1. Loan Officers' hair still turns gray faster than Realtors does (Just a personal observation - may not prove true in all states or provinces)

Well, there you have it , the Mortgage Industry is not all DOOM AND GLOOM like the Media dipicts.

Life is Good! Don't let Anyone tell you otherwise.

New FHA Program Offers Help For Deliquent Non-FHA ARM Borrowers

Are you or someone you know having a hard time with your new Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) payments? You are not alone - millions of Americans are in the same predicament. If your property is in South Carolina or Tenessee, I may be able to help you.

The new FHASecure Program offers a way out for homeowners struggling with higher mortgage payments as the result of an interest rate increase on their existing NON-FHA ARM. Borrowers who were current on their mortgage for the 6 months PRIOR TO the interest rate reset date on their ARM, but who have become deliquent may be eligible for this new FHA refinance loan. We must be able to determine that the increased interest rate and subsequent higher payment caused the deliquency.

You must meet all of these Eligibility Requirements:

• Have a NON-FHA insured ARM that has reset
• 6 months on-time mortgage payments before the new interest rate reset
• Existing mortgage MUST BE DELIQUENT!
• Property value must be supported by a new appraisal
• All homeowners must occupy the home
• At least one homeowner on the FHASecure loan must be on the original ARM loan being refinanced.
• Sufficent Income to make the mortgage payment on the new FHASecure refinance loan

Who is NOT Eligible:

• All fixed-rate mortgages
• Mortgages with buy-down features incorporated into the interest rate or payment options
• Option ARMS
• FHA ARMS

FHA Secure Highlights:

• If there is sufficient equity in the home, the new loan amount can include the existing first lien mortgage balance, deliquent mortgage payments, closing costs, prepaid expenses, discount points, prepayment penalties, late charges, and arrearages (taxes and insurance coming due)
• If you are currently in Foreclosure, the loan decision will be considered on a case-by case basis.
• Copy of note and all addendums are required to determine your current mortgage type and reset date
• New FHASecure loan may be an FHA 30-year fixed, 3/1 ARM, or a 5/1 ARM. Loan-to Value (LTV) ratios are the same as the standard FHA guidelines; however, any subordinated financing (2nd mortgages) may not exceed the standard LTV limit.
• Property eligibility: 1 to 4-family properties, condos, PUD's, and modular homes are eligible. However, spot-condos, manufactured homes, cooperatiive  properties, and working farms, ranches, and orchards are not eligible.
• Standard FHA county loan limits apply.
• Rate and Term refinances only - NO CASH OUT REFINANCES ALLOWED

So there you have it - give me a call or email me today to see if I can help you. I have no application fees or upfront costs.

We hope to be adding states other than SC and TN soon. I will update this blog as other states become available.

The Secret to a Happy Marriage

I received this by email and I have no idea who the  author is - my wife thought it was too good not to share - I'm still wishing she would have seen this when we first got married -you'll see why when you read this post.

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared
everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets
from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the
top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or
ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day
the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not
recover.

In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the
shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time
that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two
crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000.

He asked her about the contents. "When we were to be married," she said,
" my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never
argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep
quiet and crochet a doll."

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two
precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two
times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with
happiness.

"Honey," he said,  " that explains the dolls, but what about all of this
money?  Where did it come from?"

"Oh," she said, "that's the money I made from selling the dolls."

Now for the Prayer...

Dear Lord, I pray for Wisdom to understand my man; Love to forgive him;
And
Patience for his moods;

Because Lord, if I pray for Strength,

I'll beat him to death because I don't know how to crochet.

To Dream the Impossible Dream ...

 Sleep disorders are becoming more and more common in America. Research suggests that some 100 million Americans currently suffer from some form of insomnia. Add to these numbers the fact that sleep disorders have been linked to serious health issues, including diabetes, and maybe it's time to take a closer look at our own sleeping patterns and see how we might improve.

Beyond eliminating the usual suspects - caffeine, alcohol, smoking, napping during the day, etc. - there are a number of things we can do to promote good sleeping habits. The following are easy, drug-free ways to finally get a good night's sleep.

For many people, the bedroom is more than just a place to sleep; it's a home office or a sort of entertainment center. They read, watch TV, pay bills, surf the net, and a million other things. However, by designating the bedroom specifically for sleeping, experts say that you can teach your body to recognize the bedroom as a zone reserved for restfulness and get more satisfying sleep.

If you have trouble sleeping, try to keep a regular schedule. This means going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. Create a sleeping "ritual" that you repeat each night: read a book, listen to music, drink tea, etc.

Experts recommend not eating anything heavy at least 2 to 3 hours prior to settling into bed. If you have to eat something, eat foods whose natural chemistry promotes sleep, like turkey, peanuts, or cereal and milk.

A great way to rid yourself of stress is to write it away. Jot down everything that's stressing you out on a piece of paper. Tell all of your problems that you don't have time to deal with them now, but that you promise to get back to them in the morning. This might seem silly, but research has shown this to be very effective for many people. Another great way to decrease stress is to turn your clock away from you. Some people can become more and more stressed with each hour as they focus on the clock and fail to fall  asleep. If you're feeling anxious or stressed out, a big, bright clock glaring at you, reminding you of how little sleep you're getting, is the last thing you need.

One of the toughest sleeping patterns to break is sleeping for a few hours, waking up, and not being able to fall back asleep. Experts suggest visualization as a tool to return to sleep, although that could trigger thoughts of work or other areas of your life that are hard to shut down. If you don't fall back asleep relatively quickly, get out of bed. Go into another room and relax. Don't watch TV or read anything that might be stimulating. Just relax, focus on an object, and think about peaceful things. If all else fails, have some warm milk.

To Sell or Not To Sell - That is the Question

Each year, millions of Americans move into the home of their dreams. As time goes by, families expand, kids grow older, and suddenly that home isn't quite so perfect anymore. Or perhaps you still love your home, but you really want a gourmet kitchen and a larger master bedroom. Should you start looking for a new house? Or would it be better to stay where you are and remodel instead?

Both options involve a significant investment of time and money, so it's important to take your time and make an informed decision. You'll also want to be sure to consider both the financial and the emotional sides of the equation. Let's begin by examining the financial factors involved.

Selling: A good local real estate agent should be able to assist you with estimates on these numbers.

•·   How much will it cost to purchase a home that will meet your needs?

•·   How much could you sell your existing home for? Don't forget to subtract the agent's commission from this total.

•·   What will it cost to move? According to real estate consultant and best-selling author of Remodel or Move, Dan Fritschen, a typical move costs 10% of the value of your home.

•·   How much will your property taxes increase as a result of the move?

Remodeling:

•·   What projects do you want to have done and how much will they cost? An architect or general contractor will be able to assist you with these figures.

•·   How much will the improvements add to the value of your home, also known as the "payback"? A local real estate agent can assist with this as well.

If the decision about whether to renovate or sell were purely a financial one, then it would be quite easy to look at the numbers and come to the right conclusion. However, there are also emotional factors that come into play, and they have a value as well. Let's consider some examples.

Reasons you may want to Sell:

•·   If you relocate to a new neighborhood, your children could attend superior schools.

•·   You would like to reduce your commute or have better access to local amenities, such as restaurants and shopping.

•·   You're not particularly fond of your current neighborhood.

•·   Your yard is too small, and you cannot expand it.

•·   You're happy with your location. It's convenient, you love your neighbors, and the schools are either excellent or are not a factor.

•·   You love the layout of your home.

•·   All you need is a little more space, and your home will be perfect.

Of course only you know what is truly important for your happiness, so try to use these questions as a starting point. Create a list of the pros and cons of each scenario and leave it someplace accessible, so that you and your spouse can add to it as you think of additional factors. You may also want to consider attending open houses and visiting new housing developments to see what is available and how your home compares.

Once you've completed your list and your financial assessment, it's time to draw some conclusions. Are the numbers and the emotional factors pointing you in a clear direction? If you're still feeling unsure and would like some additional assistance, you may want to read Dan Fritschen's book, Remodel or Move, or visit his website at http://www.remodelormove.com/. Both contain a calculator that will assist you with the difficult task of quantifying the ramifications of your decision. In addition, you can learn tips to assist you with the next step, after you've determined what it will be.

If you choose to remodel, then you'll need to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish before finalizing any details with the contractor or architect. One of the most expensive things you can do is change the project midstream.

If you decide to sell, then there are low-cost improvements you can make to your existing home that will help it to sell more quickly. The kitchen and the bathrooms provide the biggest return on investment in this area.

Whether you decide to remodel or buy a new home, it's important to ensure that you have proper financing in place prior to moving forward. If you decide to purchase a home, a mortgage originator will help you to determine how much you can afford, as well as which loan package works best with your overall financial plan. In the case of remodeling, you should meet with a mortgage professional before any construction takes place. Otherwise you may severely limit the type of financing options available to you.

Additional Resources:

Remodel or Move?: Make the Right Decision, by Dan Fritschen

Brian Foxworth is affiliated with First Covenant Mortgage , a Licensed Broker,. If you would like to receive a FREE Consultation please contact Brian Foxworth at 877-975-0007 x25 or by email: Brian@FirstCovenantMortgage.com

The Truth About the Mortgage Market

Subprime mortgages have now been credited for bankrupting well over 110 lenders and seriously damaging operations at many major mortgage firms. They've reportedly wiped out 5 hedge funds, tens of thousands of jobs, and have led to millions of foreclosures with millions more on the way. And, as if that weren't enough, subprime mortgages are also blamed for massive volatility in the stock, bond, credit, futures, and real estate markets here in the US and around the globe. Some say losses in the mortgage securities market alone could reach hundreds of billions of dollars this year.

This means that, for any Americans looking to buy, sell, or refinance a home, they are confronting a very different market from the one that existed just 6-12 months ago.

 

How did this happen?
The recent real estate boom was fueled by a period of record home appreciation and historically low interest rates. Banks, in order to compete, loosened guidelines and began offering more funding to more borrowers through riskier, non-conforming or "exotic" mortgages.

These ideal lending conditions persisted for several years, supported by high demand, historical real estate data, home prices, and massive trading volume/profits on mortgage-backed securities and other financial instruments on Wall Street.

Then, in 2006, a slowdown in real estate led to a deterioration of home values, an increase in inventories, and ultimately to today's tightening of credit guidelines, leaving many investors unable to sell or refinance out of their existing positions. Many Americans who had tapped into their equity were suddenly tapped-out and overextended as home values fell. Foreclosures followed in record numbers and a re-valuation of mortgage bonds and other financial instruments created the credit/liquidity domino effect we're now experiencing.

Unfortunately, it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. According to the latest estimates, over 2 million subprime and Alt-A adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) holders will face payment increases of up to 30%-100% when their loans reset in the next 2 to 18 months. These loans make up less than 40% of the total mortgage market, but the negative effects, as we have seen, of increased foreclosure activity can have a ripple effect throughout the industry and around the globe.

What does this mean to you and your mortgage?

Sellers: If you're planning on selling your home, be prepared for an even smaller pool of qualified buyers. While some experts predict a settling of this credit crisis over the coming year, tightened credit guidelines and diminishing mortgage products could knock out as many as 15%-30% of potential qualified buyers. Now is not the time to sit and wait for the best possible price. Have a serious talk with your real estate agent. Having experienced buying/selling transactions in your area, he or she can help you price your home accordingly. He or she can also help ensure that your buyers are pre-approved and stay pre-approved throughout the entire transaction.

Buyers: Get pre-approved by your mortgage professional. While there are a lot of great deals out there, getting credit is becoming tougher and tougher, and it's taking longer and longer to complete a transaction. Remember, what you qualify for today could change tomorrow in a volatile market. For those looking to refinance, keep this in mind. There is no time to delay! Communicate with your lender. Don't do anything that could negatively affect your credit, and make sure you get all your documentation in on time.

 

ARMs Borrowers: If your ARM is scheduled to reset in the next 2-18 months, you need to schedule an appointment with a mortgage professional right away. Whether your ARM is subprime, Alt-A, or even if you have a pre-payment penalty, don't let a default or foreclosure situation sneak up on you. Did you know that your monthly payments can increase anywhere from 30% to 100% once your loan resets? At the very least, give yourself the peace of mind of knowing what your adjusted payment will be.

 

Borrowers with less-than-perfect credit: Each week it seems lenders are shedding more and more mortgage products. Many lenders have stopped offering No-Doc loans and are reducing all forms of Stated-Income loans. While it might be challenging, borrowers with credit issues need to see a loan expert. Often they have credit repair resources and other strategies to help you reach your financial goals.

Finally, there's an important concept to embrace: all markets, while cyclical in nature, are self-correcting, be it credit, real estate, stocks, or bonds. For the last 6 or 7 years, real estate was booming and riding high. The correction we're experiencing now - while it seems harsh and could get much worse - is, in a sense, "natural" and directly related to the extremely loose guidelines and perhaps overzealous lending and leveraging during the boom cycle.

Brian Foxworth is affiliated with First Covenant Mortgage, a Licensed Broker, For a free consultation contact Brian Foxworth at 877-975-0007 x25 or email: Brian@FirstCovenantMortgage.com.

"Daddy Loves You!"

A past coworker of mine told me the amazing story how his son came into this world. Every morning before leaving for work, arriving home from work, and before going to bed  - he would rub his wife's belly and say, "Daddy loves you" since the first day they realized they were pregnant. This went one and on up to the day his wife was to give birth.

Finally the day came and they were waiting for her to dialate and all of a sudden all the alarms go off on the baby's heart monitor. Their doctor and nurses came running in and said that the baby would have to come out now since it seamed as if the umbilical cord had wrapped around his neck. They were rushed to the operating room and they threw scrubs on my coworker so he could be with his wife. They opened her up and pulled out the baby and smacked his bottom - but he did not cry. They worked on him on the table for a few seconds -- but still no crying or breathing. He and his wife were getting visably upset at this point so the doctor ordered that my coworker be removed from the operating room. As the nurses were pushing him out the door he started screaming "Daddy Loves You! Daddy Loves You! DADDY LOVES YOU!!" at the top of his lungs -- and the baby started moving his head toward his Daddy's voice! The doctor told him to say it again and again and again until the baby started crying and breathing on his own!!! The nurses let him go and he ran over to his baby all the while crying and yelling, "Daddy Loves You!" over and over. His son is now 19 years old and has never had any health problems associated with his unusual trip into this world.

This story got me thinking about God, our Heavenly Daddy: Every morning we wake up He tells us,"Daddy Loves You" by rising the sun and nudging birds to sing - most of the time right outside our windows.

As we go about our day, He sends His angels to protect and watch over us and sometimes even gives us all green lights on the way to work, all the while saying, "Daddy Loves You."

As we settle in for the night, He paints the most beautiful sunsets, only to be replaced by breath-taking views of the moon and stars as he whispers, "Good night - Daddy Loves You."

Suddenly there comes a point in our lives - that you may or may not have expeirienced yet -  when you feel as tho this world is choking the very life out of you. All the things that used to nourish and sustain your life up to this point are showing their true colors and wrapping around you so tight that you feel like you could not go on living like this - all the alarms go off in your life and you realize that the way you have been living is not working anymore. It is at this point that God points to His Son Jesus hanging on a cross and says over and over and over and over again, "DADDY LOVES YOU! DADDY LOVES YOU!! DADDY LOVES YOU! DADDY LOVES YOU!! DADDY LOVES YOU!! DADDY LOVES YOU!!!" until you turn your head in the direction of His voice and see the evidence of how much He loves you -  and your realize what He is saying has changed to "Daddy Loves You THIS MUCH - so much that I gave you My One and Only Son, Jesus to die on a cross for your sins so that when THIS moment came in your life and you realized that you could no longer do this on your own - My Love and My Son would be there waiting to take your punishment - to take your place so that you could be 'born again' Spiritually into My Family!!"

When you accept that Love by asking God to forgive you for your sins and asking Jesus to live in your heart all of Heaven throws a party and celebrates you birth into the Family!!

Never forget - Daddy Loves You.