dave kosmecki: How to Make fun Holiday Cookies - 12/13/13 03:51 AM

Here is a great idea for making cookies and exchanging them as
Gifts for the Holidays
Click on the Link to read the article by Pilsbury.How to Host a Holiday Cookie Exchange
 
… (3 comments)

dave kosmecki: Santa's Landing Pad, Tips For Winter Roof Maintenance - 12/13/13 01:52 AM
It's that time of year again when the weather outside gets frightful but the holiday cheer is delightful. You've probably got a lot on your mind during these busy winter months, but make sure that you don't neglect the roof of your home.
Taking care of your roof is an important part of home maintenance and you don't want to suffer a leak or any other problem during the cold months.
So how can you make sure that Santa and his sleigh have a solid and well-maintained landing pad when they touch down at your house this year? Here are some … (1 comments)

dave kosmecki: Why Should My Clients Lock In Their Interest Rates - 12/12/13 08:43 AM
Interest rates fluctuate frequently, often depending on the news. If you are considering refinancing your home, your loan officer may suggest locking in the interest rate on your loan.
There are some valid reasons why this is a good idea including:
Saving Money For The Long-term:
Over the life of a loan, an increase of as little as one-quarter of a percent can cost thousands of extra dollars. Spending a small amount of money now to lock in a rate can save money over the life of the loan.
Your loan officer will explain the difference in rate increases initially, over … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: The Pros And Cons Of Making Biweekly Mortgage Payments - 12/11/13 08:18 AM
Have you ever considered paying off the mortgage on your home in two biweekly payments rather than one monthly payment? It might seem like this wouldn't make a difference, but the truth is that biweekly payments really do add up more quickly.
Since there are 52 weeks in a year you will end up making 26 payments in total – which is equal to 13 months rather than 12. This means that your mortgage will be paid off more quickly and you will save money on interest payments in the long run.
This arrangement might be the best for you when … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: The Low Down On The HUD-1 Settlement Statement - 12/11/13 08:12 AM
When preparing for a closing on your refinance or home purchase, one of the documents you will be provided with a few days before closing is a HUD-1 Form. This form provides you with valuable information about your loan.
While at first, this three page document may seem intimidating, if you understand what you see in each section, it is not as confusing as you might think. Let's break down the various parts of the HUD-1 and talk about what they mean.
Loan Information:
On the first page of your HUD1, you will see your loan information at the top. This … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: Ensure Your Fireplace Is Up To Snuff - 12/06/13 04:29 AM
When it's cold outside, there's nothing quite as cozy as curling up on the sofa with a good book in front of a roaring fire. A fireplace evokes the idea of a warm and pleasant atmosphere.
However, if it isn't properly maintained, your living room could be filled with a cloud of soot, or worse, fire. A fireplace not only creates a snug setting, but most are actually functional and can help heat your home.
Harness their heat and generate the ambiance of a softly lit living space by following the tips below to ensure yours is properly maintained and working … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: 10 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Applying For A Mortgage: Part 2 - 12/05/13 08:55 AM
Yesterday you may have read the blog post on questions to ask yourself before applying for a mortgage. Here are 5 additional that you may want to think about before you go into your meeting with your loan officer.
Here are questions 6-10 that you may need to get answers to before completing your application:
6. How Long Until We Can Close Our Loan?
Loan closing times are based on a number of factors. Closing dates may be delayed if there are missing documents or other underwriting delays. Speak with the loan officer to get an estimate on the time from … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: 10 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Applying For A Mortgage: Part 1 - 12/05/13 08:49 AM
If you are considering applying for a refinance, it is important to understand the mechanics of your mortgage loan. Before you sit down to speak with your loan officer, you should consider preparing a list of questions you feel may need to be answered.
Typically, your loan officer will be available to assist through the entire mortgage process. Here are some questions that you may need to get answers to before completing your application:
1. What Type Of Loan Is Best For Me?
Your loan officer can discuss the various loan programs available to help you refinance. Some borrowers will benefit greatly … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: Case Shiller Price Index Shows A Spike In Home Prices In The West - 12/03/13 03:53 AM
According to the S&P Case-Shiller 10-and 20-City Housing Market Indices for September, home prices grew at an average of 13.30 percent year-over-year and achieved the highest growth rate for home prices since February 2006.
On a month-to month basis, home prices are slowing in most areas with 19 cities included in the S&P 20-City Housing Market Index showing lower rates of growth in home prices. September's average month-to-month growth rate was 1.0 percent for the 20-City HMI as compared to 0.90 percent in August, and 1.90 percent posted earlier in 2013.
Home prices increased by 0.70 percent in September for the … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: Quick Tips To Prepare Your Home For The Winter - 11/29/13 05:39 AM
The calendar has turned and with that we receive less sunlight, colder temperatures, and shorter days ahead, it's an opportune time to cross those last-minute maintenance items off your homeowner to-do list.
Practicing preventive care - both inside and outside your home - can save thousands of dollars in repairs come later this winter. What follows is a brief checklist to get you started.
For Outside The Home:
Inspect exterior lights and outlets. Be sure that none of the outlets are cracked or broken, or have exposed wires. Clean gutters and clear all blockages. If leaves are falling, redo after leaves … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: Savoring The Good Things In Life - 11/27/13 04:39 AM
"There's always something to be thankful for. If you can't pay your bills, you can be thankful you're not one of your creditors" – Author Unknown
With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, I find myself thinking about everything I have to be thankful for. For instance, I've been a real estate agent for some time, which is a position that I enjoy and love. 
What Am I Grateful For?
I'm also grateful to be able to share the knowledge that I've learned throughout the years with my clients and those of you who read my blog. It's a wonderful and rare thing to … (1 comments)

dave kosmecki: Get The Low Down On Pending And Existing Home Sales This Month - 11/27/13 03:35 AM
The National Association of REALTORS reported Monday that pending home sales dropped by -0.60 percent in October after falling at a revised rate of -4.60 percent in September. According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR, 17 percent of real estate agents reported delays in loan closings due to the government shutdown in early October.
Lenders were unable to verify borrower income through the IRS, which was closed during the shutdown. October was the fifth consecutive month with fewer pending home sales reported.
Homeowners who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are waiting to sell, and recent spikes in … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas For Your Home - 11/25/13 06:46 AM
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if you're opening your home for the family get together, that usually means you'll be decorating. 
If you've racked your mind for ideas and none sound just right, here are a few decorating ideas that might help you along your way.
Fall Leaves:
Decorations don't have to be expensive, just look outside the door of your home. Brightly colored fall leaves, either randomly placed on the table or bunched in small arrangements, can really brighten up a table.
Turkey Napkins:
Folded turkey napkins is a simple way to spruce up your Thanksgiving table. Use … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: Fed Meeting Minutes Show Hope In Economic Growth - 11/22/13 04:30 AM
The minutes of the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee meeting held October 29 and 30 were released Wednesday. The meeting began with a report from the Manager of the System Open Market Account and included updates on developments within domestic and foreign financial markets.
According to the report, no intervention by the Federal Reserve was required on foreign currencies during the period between the last and current FOMC meetings.
FOMC: Key Data Delayed by Shutdown
The FOMC noted moderate economic growth in the period since its last meeting, but also noted that several federal agencies delayed release of key statistics … (1 comments)

dave kosmecki: 4 Tips To Save For That Down Payment - 11/22/13 04:19 AM
In order to save up a huge amount of cash for the down payment on your first mortgage, you need a solid savings plan!
When you take out a mortgage on your new home as a first time homebuyer, the more you can pay as a down payment the better. The down payment on a mortgage reduces the principle of the loan and means that you will be paying tens of thousands less in interest payments over the life of the loan.
Most financial experts recommend that you should save up at least 20% of the value of the home as … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: Housing Market Index Shows Builder Confidence Remains Above 50 - 11/22/13 04:13 AM
The National Association of Home Builders released its Housing Market Index  for November on Monday. This month's HMI reading was 54 against expectations of a reading of 55. October's reading was also 54 after being downwardly revised.
Readings over 50 generally indicate that a majority of builders surveyed are confident in current housing market conditions, but the current pause came after two months of decline in home builder confidence. While the short term index readings are lower than in past months, the HMI is currently 20 percent higher than last year.
David Crowe, chief economist for NAHB said that "the fact … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: 5 Great Questions To Ask At An Open House - 11/22/13 04:06 AM
An open house gives you a great opportunity to look more closely at real estate you might be interested in buying. It also affords you the chance to chat with the owner or real estate agent so you can bring up any issues or hesitations you have with the home.
Knowing what to ask can be difficult, so below are examples of questions to ask at the next open house you attend.
Why Has The Seller Decided To Sell Now?
If you ask why the seller is moving, you could learn valuable information to help determine your offer or possibly whether … (1 comments)

dave kosmecki: How To Be Energy Efficient This Fall - 11/15/13 05:38 AM
Summer has been over and Fall is really here, temperatures are beginning to drop, and you’re dreading having to turn the heat on for the first time. Firing up the furnace can burn a hole in your pocket, but there’s something you can do about it. Consider these tips to help lower your heating bill.
Replace Your Air Filters:
Get new air filters for your central heating and cooling. The filters get clogged and it takes more and more energy to keep your house warm. Be sure to clear out any dust bunnies or cobwebs from behind the filter. Use a … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: Reasons Why You Should Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage - 11/14/13 06:57 AM
Refinancing a mortgage is a golden opportunity to lock in today's low interest rate for the next 15 or 30 years. While interest rates now are still low, there's a good chance they will be heading up in the coming months.
The Fed won't maintain the current bond purchasing level forever, and just as rates spiked in September when the Fed hinted the bond purchasing would change, rates will spike even more when purchasing levels actually do change.
As interest rates remain very low for 30-year and 15-year mortgages, homeowners can benefit greatly from a refinance. Several types of people in … (0 comments)

dave kosmecki: 3 Tips To Sidestep These Common FHA Loan Hang-ups - 11/14/13 06:49 AM
FHA loans are becoming increasingly popular these days as potential homeowners are not able to qualify for mortgages from traditional lenders. The FHA insures these high-risk loans, in turn allowing borrowers with low down payments and less than perfect credit to purchase homes and bolster the housing market.
However, getting through the loan process with the FHA is more difficult than with a traditional lender, and you may need to cope with some of these common loan hang-ups.
Property Condition:
You can't buy just any property with a FHA loan. The appraiser must deem it to be livable, without any conditions … (1 comments)