Change...not JUST the stuff jingling around in your pocket!!!

The definition of CHANGE varies from one context to another.

  The most comfortable use of the word used on a daily basis (more frequently up until the Debit Card) referred to the nickels, dimes, quarters everyone had jingling around in their pocket.

This particular post refers to the other type of CHANGE.  Here is the definition as posted online at http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/change:

transitive verb  1 a: to make different in some particular : alter <never bothered to change the will> b: to make radically different : transform <can't change human nature> c: to give a different position, course, or direction to 2 a: to replace with another <let's change the subject> b: to make a shift from one to another : switch <always changes sides in an argument> c: to exchange for an equivalent sum of money (as in smaller denominations or in a foreign currency) <change a 20-dollar bill> d: to undergo a modification of <foliage changing color> e: to put fresh clothes or covering on <change a bed>

I find the letter 'c' entry, "to give a different position, course, or direction to" a really positive and very necessary defintion that everyone should embrace.  Those that know me may think that I'm quite comfortable with change and react somewhat naturally to it...kind of a 'rubber ball' type person - I can BOUNCE BACK!  The truth is I am quite the opposite and have adapted to feeling uncomfortable thoughts, feelings and situations.  Because of my adaptability I have survived the Mortgage Credit Crunch so far, thrived in my marriage& excelled in Fatherhood each day!

My experiences lately have taught me that my ability to withstand change sets me apart from some Agents, many clients and fellow mortgage professionals.  

Here are some very relevant questions I think certain demographics should ask themselves before making a Financing Decision:

First Time Home 'Lookers':  Are you saving more today than other people your age or in your situation??? 

If you are paying $800/month on rent can you afford to put $200/month is savings for 6 months before thinking about buying a $100,000 home?  (Last question I actually read from a Suze Orman article in a magazine which begs the question - Do you know who Suze Orman is?  If not, start there & don't forget where you heard about her!)

Existing Home Owners wanting to refinance:  Is your current financial situation worse or better than when you bought your home?  Do you have 3-6 months of savings or liquid assets?

Existing Home Owners needing to refinance:  Why do you 'need' to refinance?  Is the payment based on the best rate available (today) going to offer enough savings per month to HELP? 

Down-sizers (Boomers):  Is your level of assets to insurance equal?  Is keeping your money liquid more important than making a sizable (25% or more) downpayment on your mortgage considering the current home market?  What happens if:  I get sick, my spouse gets sick, we both get sick, our kids move, our grandkids move, we want to go to Europe?

I just attended a seminar given by a Financial Planning firm and it was EYE OPENING! 

Twenty years ago the savings of the average person was 10% of their income.  2007 offered a negative savings index which means the average person went into debt last year and did not save a dime!  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Parents of little ones:  Did you know that if you start saving at age 5 for college your child will have TWICE the opportunity to pay for college than the parents that waited until age 10 for their kiddo?  What are you waiting for?????  Whether you waited to have kids or not - DO NOT wait to start saving for their college education!

Change.  Funny how one word can define two things that when combined can add up to the biggest things in our lives...HOME, EDUCATION, FAMILY & ultimately the combination of all these will lead to Happiness!!!  So, I hope that you can CHANGE by putting your CHANGE into a savings account, IRA, or other financial instrument that will help you build wealth for you and yours!

To all that read this entry I wish upon you this wisdom I received at my wedding day, "be smart and brave enough to Change the things you can & even smarter to recognize the things you cannot or should not Change!"

First Attempt at embedding a video into a blog...

My AR 'High Fives'!!!!

IF you are just getting started on Active Rain or just need a blog to check out, here is my 'High Five' LIST. 

These folks are great contributors, helpers and sources of information on the Rain...so here they are:

My First High Five goes out to:

  Dorene Shirley has been so helpful, kind and downright key to getting me on board with updating my blog's look and feel!  Thank you & HIGH FIVE!!!

High Five to:

  Jennifer Castillo for taking the time to educate me on Widgets and give me some very valuable information during the middle of the day!  Thank you & HIGH FIVE!!!

High Five to:

  Jason Crouch for being nice enough to put up with pestering and nagging him for days about the subscribe button - you rock & HIGH FIVE!!!  Thank you for the information...& inspiration to blog well!

High Five to:

  Loreena Yeo for witnessing her faith and blogging about everything from her little Boomer (watch him grow up to be a Longhorn Fan - just kidding) to Frisco, TX Real Estate with class & expertise - I say this as an informed source since I read her blog almost everyday...HIGH FIVE!!!

My Final High Five goes out to two people:

 Liz Carter and  Marchel Peterson have both taken the time and effort to not only advise me but recognize me (& my blog)...even though it pales in comparison to theirs in more ways than I want to mention!!!  Great Bloggers & nice people = HIGH FIVE's!!!

Thank you to everyone listed above and to my other many friends and associates I have on Active Rain - HIGH FIVE!!!

Coyotes in McKinney, TX - Watch Out!!!

For those living in the Stonebridge Ranch, Craig Ranch, Stone Brooke Crossing and basically all other McKinney neighborhoods - THERE could be COYOTES in your neighborhood!

FIRST SIGHTING:  Three weeks ago while standing by the teller line at First United Bank's Craig Ranch location - our main two tellers, Leigh & Amanda, and I noticed a pretty big 'dog' trotting across the field where homes are being built...then at second glance - that is a Coyote!!!  He/she was just casually walking across the field about 3 pm - no worries about the traffic zooming down Custer Road...

SECOND SIGHTING:  This past weekend I took part in a great neighborhood event sponsored and created by Kim Daugherty of The Barron-Daugherty Team, you can see her blog here --> COLLINCOUNTYBUYERAGENT - genius idea and execution was fabulous!  Over 250 flyers passed out and guesstimated 300+ cars passed through the neighborhood taking advantage of all the Garage Sales (severalreported to have sold out by 11 am)!  OK, now down to the Coyote sighting - another nonchalant 'howler' just wandering through Stone Brooke Crossing in the middle of the morning - wonder if anyone is missing a kitty or small dog - if so, chances are...uhm, not pretty!!!  (picture courtesy of Kim Daugherty & Laura Barron - the two young ladies in the picture)

So, if you live in McKinney and come across one of these Coyotes - do not dispair - most of these animals are shy and will run away from any signs of humans!  They are classified as opportunistic carnivores and will readily eat fish, rabbits, rodents, deer, and carrion, as well as birds, plants, insects, and even small domestic animals.

  YORKIE OWNERS BEWARE!!!

For Positve and Exciting News and up to date Mortgage Information, Please contact me:

Wylie Real Estate Professional Group: Come CHECK US OUT!!! (

Please visit the Wylie Real Estate Pro's Group - for you Wylie, TX questions, market updates and mortgage programs that specifically apply to Wylie and the surrounding communities. Once you are on the Group's Main Page you need to check out our members!!!

Here is a brief bio and information regarding our members:

Cindy Roerschen, Agent with Keller Williams - The Trinity Group, one of the first to begin blogging about Collin County and Wylie real estate - we are proud to have her among our members! From Cindy's profile, "The foundation of our business is SERVICE, built on strong market knowledge, time proven skills, and a passion to do things right. We are a results-oriented team; driven by a strong work ethic, highly organized, and dedicated to building your trust through anticipating and meeting your needs."

Cori Sharp of The Sharpsells team joined Keller Williams in 2004. KC and Cori were formerly RE/MAX agents in Plano Tx & Wylie Tx . Both Mother and daughter work together as a team. The Sharpsells team has over 40 years combined experience and specializes in Wylie, Plano, Rowlett, Rockwall, Sachse, Garland and North Dallas. Cori Sharp has been a Top agent for the area for 15 years.

Karen Otto, one of the first people to catch my attention on AR, with Home Star Staging is a Professional Home Stager in Plano, TX specializing in resale properties in the Collin County, Texas real estate market. I work with my clients as a team to get their house sold quickly and for top dollar.

Mariah Rushing, Owner of Liquid Fly Designs, started her company from a fiery desire to create printed product that would be reflective of the vision of both the designer and the client. Viewing this as a collaborative endeavor creates a unique mindset here at LiquidFly that is tuned toward making your personal vision into a printed reality. If you like my signature & subscription button --> contact Mariah, this is her creation!!!

Tobias Griffin, Agent with Keller Williams, specializes in listing and selling homes in Collin County and Dallas County and Rockwall counties. Tobias is experienced in helping the first time buyer and the move up buyer and seller all over the North Texas Area. From Tobias' profile, "As a hard working, ambitious and tech-savvy real estate professional, I won't accept anything less than the best for my clients and customers."

Valerie Gomer, Agent with REMAX By The Lakes, has lived in the Wylie area for over 10 years and knows how to introduce the Right Home to the Right Person each and every time!

Nathan Scott, Mortgage Loan Consultant with First United Bank Mortgage, has worked in the Wholesale and Alternative lending areas of Residential lending. "My experiences with all types of loans and scenarios is a value to my clients, my referral partners and leads to savings and stress free mortgage process everytime."

Please join our group as a Collin County Agent or Service provider - your membership, input and news is welcome and greatly appreciated!

Wylie Real Estate Professional Group: Come CHECK US OUT!!!

Please visit the Wylie Real Estate Pro's Group - for you Wylie, TX questions, market updates and mortgage programs that specifically apply to Wylie and the surrounding communities. 

Once you are on the Group's Main Page you need to check out our members!!!  Here is a brief bio and information regarding our members:

Cindy Roerschen, Agent with Keller Williams - The Trinity Group, one of the first to begin blogging about Collin County and Wylie real estate - we are proud to have her among our members!  From Cindy's profile, "The foundation of our business is SERVICE, built on strong market knowledge, time proven skills, and a passion to do things right. We are a results-oriented team; driven by a strong work ethic, highly organized, and dedicated to building your trust through anticipating and meeting your needs."

Cori Sharp of The Sharpsells team joined Keller Williams in 2004.  KC and Cori were formerly RE/MAX agents in Plano Tx  & Wylie Tx . Both Mother and daughter work together as a team.  The Sharpsells team has over 40 years combined experience and specializes in Wylie, Plano, Rowlett, Rockwall, Sachse, Garland and North Dallas.  Cori Sharp has been a Top agent for the area for 15 years.

Karen Otto, one of the first people to catch my attention on AR, with Home Star Staging is a Professional Home Stager in Plano, TX specializing in resale properties in the Collin County, Texas real estate market.  I work with my clients as a team to get their house sold quickly and for top dollar. 

Mariah Rushing, Owner of Liquid Fly Designs, started her company from a fiery desire to create printed product that would be reflective of the vision of both the designer and the client. Viewing this as a collaborative endeavor creates a unique mindset here at LiquidFly that is tuned toward making your personal vision into a printed reality.  If you like my signature & subscription button --> contact Mariah, this is her creation!!!

Tobias Griffin, Agent with Keller Williams, specializes in listing and selling homes in Collin County and Dallas County and Rockwall counties.  Tobias is experienced in helping the first time buyer and the move up buyer and seller all over the North Texas Area.  From Tobias' profile, "As a hard working, ambitious and tech-savvy real estate professional, I won't accept anything less than the best for my clients and customers."

Valerie Gomer, Agent with REMAX By The Lakes, has lived in the Wylie area for over 10 years and knows how to introduce the Right Home to the Right Person each and every time! 

Nathan Scott, Mortgage Loan Consultant with First United Bank Mortgage, has worked in the Wholesale and Alternative lending areas of Residential lending.  "My experiences with all types of loans and scenarios is a value to my clients, my referral partners and leads to savings and stress free mortgage process everytime."

Please join our group as a Collin County Agent or Service provider - your membership, input and news is welcome and greatly appreciated!

Market & Mortgage News - Monday, April 7th, 2008

Tax Deadline - Right Around the Corner...

Here is some good information to help you avoid making common mistakes:

• File electronically. If you choose to e-file, many common errors are avoided or corrected by the computer software. If your income is under $54,000 you may be able to e-file for free using IRS Free File.
• Use the peel-off label if you choose to mail a paper return. You may line through and make necessary corrections right on the label. Be sure to fill in your Social Security number in the box provided on the return. If you do not have a peel-off label, fill in all requested information clearly, including the Social Security numbers.
• Check only one filing status on the tax return and check the appropriate exemption boxes. Enter the correct Social Security numbers for each of those exemptions.
• Use the correct Tax Table column for your filing status.
• Double check all figures on the return. Math errors are common mistakes.
• Make sure that the financial institution routing and account numbers you have entered on the return for a direct deposit of your refund are accurate. Incorrect numbers can cause the refund to be delayed or misdirected.
• Sign and date the return. If filing a joint return, both spouses must sign and date the return.
• Attach all Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, and other forms that reflect tax withheld to the front of the return. Attach all other necessary forms and schedules.
• Do you owe tax? If so, enclose a check or money order made payable to the "United States Treasury" and Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher, if used. Or, you may choose to pay by credit card by contacting one of the credit card service providers

SELF EMPLOYED PEOPLE:  my BEST, solid & fool proof method for doing your taxes yourself...READY???

HIRE A CPA!!!  Quite being cheap or frugal or whatever term or excuse you want to use.  I bet most of you do not change your own oil - why not?  Pretty simple, right?  Ok, that is your oil in your car that takes 20 minutes.  Enjoy your day - drop your doc's off and put on your Croc's and enjoy the sun while someone else helps you save money!!! 

Your taxes and your income should not keep you from living your LIFE, so I always recommend that my SE clients hire a CPA (obtaining financing is made simple when tax returns are done professionally) and it helps you avoid headaches down the road!!!

Thanks for stopping by & reading my BLOG!  Good luck in 2008 & keep me in mind for ALL your mortgage related needs!!!

Mortgage News & Information

Hello Rainers & Localism, uh, -ers -

The Labor Department's weekly report on jobless claims has impacted the market (flat) today as 407,000 jobless claims roared over the expectations of 365,000.  The Labor Dept's MONTHLY report is due out tomorrow which should also stear the market down.

The Beat Stearns bail out is coming under scrutiny - how shocking (!) - as testimony continues on the Hill...

We have the following coming out tomorrow in Economic news:

• Unemployment Report (Mar)  (exp. 5.0%, prev. 4.8%)
• Change in Nonfarm Payrolls (Mar) (exp. -50k, prev. -63k) 
• Change in Manufacturing Payrolls (Mar) (exp. -35k, prev. -52k)
• Avg. Hourly Earnings M/M (Mar) (exp. 0.3%, prev. 0.3%)
• Avg. Weekly Hours (Mar) (exp. 33.7, prev. 33.7)

If you are closing in the next 7-21 days - consider floating until you hit your mark!~!~!

For DAILY mortgage news & advise please contact me &                       

Thanks for stopping by & reading my blog!!!

Stock Market Climbing!!!

I was on Marketwatch.com and reading some other articles when I popped back to the main screen to see the DOW up by 321 pts!!!  WOW, now is that good news or what!???

The Headline is 2nd Quarter 2nd Chance - amen, hallelujah!  I dont care if you are Republican, Democrat, Liberal, Conservative, Ralph Nader or anyone in between - I have had it with the bad news and doom and gloom...

Great to see some stimulus in the economy and Bernanke deserves some credit - nice job, buddy!  Thanks for pulling one in for the team so far - lets see if it is enough or if April holds another cut!!!???