Rachel Khoury's Blog

This Day in History: July 15th

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 08:22:24 -0700

This Day in History July 15th 1806 Zebulon Pike sets out on his famous expedition, on which he spotted a famous mountain peak in what would become Colorado, later named Pikes Peak, in his honor. 1903 The first order is taken by Ford Motor Company for a Model A, two-cylinder automobile priced at $850. 1986 Johnny Cash is dropped from his record label, Columbia Records after 26 years of working with them. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Help with Partitioned Pictures?

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 07:48:31 -0700

Can you believe I found this at Target? A Lockheed Electra. At Target. At first glance, I knew it belonged on our wall at the office. At second glance, I did not know how to hang it. The picture I have taken shows what I ultimately decided worked best, with each section of the picture in its right place, as if it was one continual image. Looking back at the box in came in, I see a preview of the three sections together; the two side pieces are swapped. Am I losing my mind, are theseparitioned pictures meant to be out of order, or did the person setting up the example image misunderstand the concept of wings? Help me out here interior designers, stagers, and real estate agents, in what order are these pictures supposed to be hung? Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

This Day in History: July 7th

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 04:18:09 -0700

This Day in History July 7th 1795 Thomas Paine attends the Constitutional Convention in Paris and promotes universal suffrage. 1941 United States troops are sent to Iceland in the midst of the neutrality to keep the country out of German hands. 1930 Construction of the Hoover Dam begins. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

This Day in History: July 2nd

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 09:08:08 -0700

This Day in History July 2nd 1776 The resolution is made by the Coninental Congress that the American colonies have the right to be free states. 1926 The Army Air Corps is established. 1964 The Civil Rights Act is signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. (Images Courtesy of Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net) Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Life after a mortgage? Maybe, but you can't take it with you.

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 08:39:13 -0700

This post from Amanda and Jared Christiansen seems to have struck a certain interest in many people here on ActiveRain. Upon briefly scrolling through its comments, one could easily determine that discrimination would be considered fair judgment for lenders who were to deny seniors a loan due to their age alone. But what happens to the loan? There is one fate every human being must face; and as mentioned in Genesis 6:3, will happen no later than reaching 120 years of age. The typical promissory note on a home includes a set of spouses and a 30-year term. Suppose that couple is in their 90's, according to Genesis 6:3, if they make their necessary payments for the typical term length, their note will not have been fulfilled in their lifetime. What happens to the home? In this case, the bank takes possession of it. Working chronologically, when the primary borrower passes on, the co-borrower would inherently take over payments; when the co-borrower perishes as well, there would be no responsible party left to carry out the note. Just as if a living borrower were to stop making payments, the bank which services the loan would be forced to take control; likely to lead in a foreclosure situation. However, in the case of FHA and VA mortgages, assumptions can be made by descendants or stakeholders of the original borrower's estate. The HUD Reform Act of 1989 stipulates that the applicants wishing to assume the loan may do so, but are subject to the same requirements which would be applied on an original mortgage. Naturally, those who succeed the original borrowers are under no obligation make such an assumption and would be unable to in any situation other than that of an FHA or VA loan. If the loan is paid off in the borrowers' lifetime, the title will belong to the homeowners, free and clear of any possibility of bank interception, and would then be exposed to usual inheritance rules or parameters set by the estate. Death can be a tender topic, understanding exactly what will happen to the subject mortgage upon the borrower's deceasing might help ease at least some financial uncertainty. I appreciate any questions or comments regarding this matter, please feel free to share. Genesis 6:3 reads: "And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years." (Image courtesy Craftyjoe / FreeDigitalPhotos.net) Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

This Day in History: July 1st

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:00:01 -0700

This Day in History July 1st 1903 English aviator, Amy Johnson is born. Johnson lived to become one of the world's greatest pioneers in aviation; she set numerous long distance records, married a Scottish pilot, and served in World War II. 1916 Roland Robert Stanford Tuck, a WWII British Ace is born. Tuck was know to have destroyed at least 29 aircraft and damaged many more. 1963 The United States postal system introduces ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) codes, along with two-letter state abbreviations. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Not-So-Private Facts of Private Money

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 14:34:37 -0700

With growing disbelief in the possible positive outcomes of private money, it may be necessary to debunk a few common misconceptions in the hope of providing for a better understanding of such loans.Hard money is a perfectly legal practice; because the investors on these loans are often individuals or companies with plenty of cash, they often do not need as much documentation to support the file. The loan-to-value ratio can often go up to 80%, in some cases, perhaps higher.Credit is not needed but if a history is available and scores are in good condition, they can contribute as "compensating factors" to loan qualification. Terms up to 30 years are available.Minimum loan amounts can stretch to $25,000 or sometimes, even less.Interest rates are typically higher than on conventional products; read here to see how the interest rate might not much effect the monthly payment.Debt-to-income rations are generally restricted to 43% but can often be expanded with compensating factors.Borrowers may submit 24 months of personal (or business, if self-employed) bank statements instead of tax returns if they are unable to qualify with such.Obtaining private money funding will not affect the borrower's ability to refinance into a conforming product at any time in the future. Closing times are often equal to that of a conventional product, if not shorter. Hard money loans are not to be feared; they are easier to obtain and generally easier to work with than conforming products. Private funding is a highly flexible alternative to traditional mortgages and can be tailored to everyday people; it is not just for cash-handy investors, regular borrowers are now able to finance the home of their dreams without cookie-cutter scenarios required for conventional loans. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Tailwinds Mortgage's Official Liquid Assets Manager

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 10:00:42 -0700

Meet Simon, officially the Liquid Assets Manager for Tailwinds Mortgage. (Get it? Because he lives in water?) He's a "Dumbo Betta" which is evidently quite rare; we picked him up from PetSmart a couple weeks ago, just in time for Betta Fish Awareness Day on June 22nd. So far, it seems like he is doing quite well and we are happy to have him on board! He is missing his right eye entirely but we love him even more because of it. Feel free to stop by and meet our new team member at anytime, his door is always open. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Manual Transmissions and My Love for Them

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 09:35:28 -0700

I love myself a standard transmission. Little is better than the overwhelming satisfaction of being at a red light when your favorite song comes on: your left foot is feathering ever so sensitively, your right foot is anxiously poised over the accelerator pedal. Oh! what a rush when that light turns green just as the chorus comes on with your windows rolled down and volume up. And is it not just darling how you can slow yourself down without even thinking about breaking? How you know you're the only person sitting in traffic who doesn't have their brake lights shining? How you can be perched up a hill, without any pressure from your right foot? Then there are those times when you hit that speed-shift ever so perfectly. You release the clutch with impeccable timing. Not a moment of power is lost. Ahh- manuals. Driving on winding roads in the mountains, you drop into 3rd gear and whip past ever bend, then you push into 4th and let the horses run on those straightaways, back down to 3rd as you approach a turn, then down again to 2nd in the hairpin. Standard transmissions: I highly recommend them. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Get to Know Our Supreme Court Justices

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 04:59:35 -0700

The United States Supreme Court is a group of highly powerful people; yet are also highly misunderstood. One point most often forgotten when discussing such a body is that there are no requirements to be part of it, other than a Presidential appointment. Each justice is expected to be apolitical, though historically have ridden closer to the bipartisan line. A list of the current justices is as follows. John G. Roberts, Chief Justice Appointed by George W. Bush In service since 2005 From Maryland Antonin Scalia Appointed by Ronald Reagan In service since 1986 From Virginia Anthony Kennedy Appointed by Ronald Reagan In service since 1986 From California Clarence Thomas Appointed by George H.W. Bush In service since 1991 From Georgia Ruth Bader Ginsburg Appointed by Bill Clinton In service since 1993 From New York Stephen Bryer Appointed by Bill Clinton In service since 1994 From Massachusetts Samuel Alito Appointed by George W. Bush In service since 2006 From New Jersey Sonya Sotomayor Appointed by Barack Obama In service since 2009 From New York Elena Kagen Appointed by Barack Obama In service since 2010 From Massachusetts (Images from: http://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographies.aspx) Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

United States Homeownership Rates

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 06:59:48 -0700

I recently read somewhere that the modern definition of a mortgage came along in the 1930's; evidently, when they were first introduced, it was quite difficult to achieve such a loan, so the homeownership rate during that time was low, at 40%, according to this article. While this may be true, I would like to take the time later, when I have more of it, to delve further into research of the nature of these mortgages and their first years in American financial culture. What I was able to find today, by briefly jumping onto census.gov, was that, at least since 1965, our homeownership rates have roughly been stagnate. Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau website, I have constructed the chart below to better illustrate those figures. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

I Can Fly, I'm a Pilot

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 08:57:36 -0700

"I can fly. I'm a pilot." Many may recognize these famous words from the movie, Independence Day, but how often to they get to be heard, every day? Yes. I toss them around all day, every day. I even spouted the quote to the vending machine repaire guy. Most receipients of such words simply look towards me quizicly, but someone today asked me if I am actually a pilot. Yes. See this little plastic card? "Certified Pilot." That's P-I-L-O-T, Pilot. Please, if there are any questions in circulation about becoming a pilot, direct them towards me, it is not as hard as it looks! Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Rhetorical Appeals: Are You Using Them?

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 04:50:21 -0700

One simple (yet immensely important) English lesson from school has stuck with me throughout my entire career and constantly plays in the back of my mind in speaking and in writing, Rhetorical Appeals. Understand the three basic points and you will find your writing to be of much greater value to yourself and to your readers. LogosFrom the Greek word for "thinking"/"rationale" An application of logic in writing Include logos by using rational arguments with factual information and legitamate reasoning PathosFrom the Greek word for "sensation" An application of emotionEffectively use pathos by determining what emotion you intend to instil in the audience, e.g.:If you are writing about charitible donations to animal shelters, try to evoke sympathy in your readers through wordchoice/sentence structure with sorrowful connotations. If the piece is given to promote a new, exciting product or promotion, use trigger words with very positive annotations like "ideal," "astonishing," etc. EthosDerived from the Greek word meaning "character" An application of credibility Bring ethos into each piece by writing about what you know best and using your own experience to prove to the audience you are worth listenting to. You wouldn't buy a car from a 10-year old, would you? If you are using information from others, be sure to cite each and every source. That way, the reader will know you aren't simply taking another person's work and calling it your own. Each and every writing piece will contain all three of Logos, Pathos, and Ethos, it is how much of each you use that will set the stage for it. Use more logos and pathos and you will likely find yourself writing something persuasive. Take on more ethos in the works and one could guess your work as being something instructive or constructive. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Rocky Mountain High

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 02:00:00 -0700

I have been fortunate enough to see incredible parts of this world including most of the US, Hawaii, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Scotland, and Ireland. They have each left their unique stamp on what beauty means to me though not one is even worthy of comparison to what I have in my own backyard: Colorado. I am a big fan of getting off the beaten path (or at least getting out of the car and getting on the paved path). Independence Pass is a stop I hope to never forget. At 12,096 feet, it's easy to see why the early settlers here were willing to suffer through the harsh winters: the crisp mountain air, hypnotic spans of mountains, the quiet solitude...these mountains are a timeless treasure. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Chasing Your Tail: the Reality of Interest Rates

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 11:07:23 -0700

Rates are seen advertised everywhere from TV commercials to city buses; the average person will likely encounter more interest rate scenarios in one day than they can count on both hands. Total immersion in this environment could easily be blamed for the trend which seems to be most prevalent in borrowers: rate-chasing. Searching for a low rate is not- and never will be -a negative intention, but it could blind borrowers from their true costs and hinder them from achieving ownership in a home they sincerely appreciate. In a recent post, I examined the many factors attributed to the waxing and waning of interest rates, but one I chose not to touch on was "points." Points, or "discount points," are fees paid by the borrower at closing to decrease their interest rate and monthly payments, in layman's terms. Typically, one point (1% of the loan amount) might reduce the interest rate about 1/8th of 1%. To put this into perspective, lets consider what 1/8th would do for a monthly payment on a typical loan amount of $200,000 here in Colorado. (Since I am unable to "quote" rates, bear with me here through these allusions). Given Rate A, monthly principal and interest would result in a payment of $966. Given Rate B, which is .125% lower than Rate A, the monthly principal and interest payment would sit at $953. Over the course of 30 years, that difference of $13 will add up to be $4,680, a clear savings from the $2,000 which would have been due initially as a discount point to reduce the rate. The prospect of paying down that rate up front would surely be worthwhile for the borrowers if they intend to keep that loan for its entire term. The catch is this: the vast majority of mortgages are either sold or refinanced within 4 years. The difference of .125% on the interest rates above would equate to a savings of only $624 in those 4 years, which would not even approach half of what would have been paid upfront via discount points for said rate. The moral of the story is, modern-day borrowers are constantly under the influence of advertisements teaching them to chase rates, when reality proves it more efficient to look at the big picture and determine the borrower's actual needs. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

198 Years Later, it's Still True

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 09:15:08 -0700

It was 198 years ago President Thomas Jefferson penned the following words. 198 years and the ideas still rings true, if not truer today than when written. "The system of banking we have both equally and ever reprobated. I contemplate it as a blot left in all our constitutions, which, if not covered, will end in their destruction, which is already hit by the gamblers in corruption, and is sweeping away in its progress the fortunes and morals of our citizens." -Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, June 20th, 1816 "Funding I consider as limited, rightfully to a redemption of the debt within the lives of a majority of the generation contracting it; every generation coming equally, by the laws of the Creator of the world, to the free possession of the earth he made for their subsistence, unencumbered by their predecessors, who, like them, were but tenants for life." -Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, June 20th, 1816 Regardless of political, social, or religious viewpoint, Jefferson was right. I read a post earlier today by Nestor and Katerina Gasset pointing out the lack of punishment for banks credited to the crash of the housing industry in 2008. Many were bailed out at the expense of the taxpayers; an act which has continuously been debated for justification and will surely still be for years to come. The important part is: those debts will not be paid by the generation which entered into them, they will be carried down the ancestral line until the due is satisfied. It was not our childrens' doing, and it was certainly not our grandchildrens' doing that lead us here; those who still today walk within the banking world did, and their "blot" has still not been adequately "covered," as Jefferson said. Take a few moments to digest these priceless words, you will find that today's banking industry bears a striking resemblance to that which existed exactly 198 years ago today. Read Thomas Jefferson's entire letter to John Taylor and more here. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Swindling Futurity on a Large Scale

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 05:03:22 -0700

"And I sincerely believe, with you, that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies; and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale." -Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, June 20th, 1816 Oh! the profoundness. Such a statement today, especially that which were to come from the mouth of a mortgage broker, would face brutal denunciation. Simply put, the method of borrowing with the intent to make purchases, hugely victimizes the future. Analyze the very word "mortgage" and out will pour findings one might think irrational; that which perhaps nears intermediate moral indecency. From the Latin word, 'mortuus, meaning 'dead;' and the French word, 'gage,' meaning 'pledge;' literally, 'dead pledge.' The word surfaced in 14th century English and was likely descriptive of a loan the borrower would not payoff in their lifetime: it was a debt until death. Today's annotations to the word foremost evoke stability, though it is still the practice that when a homeowner passes away and has no cosigners left to make mortgage payments, the bank which holds the note is free to execute foreclosure. Debt until death; "swindling futurity" at its utmost intensity. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Charity Car Show in Parker, CO

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 08:21:53 -0700

For the sixth year in a row, the Kitchens family will be hosting a memorial car show for their son, Jesse. They have been great family friends of mine for years and I hope to be able to support them in this venture as much as possible. When: June 29th, 2014 Where: Hobby Lobby parking lot in Parker, CO (10901 S Parker Rd.) Who: Everyone! Why: To celebrate Jesse's love of cars and to help raise funds for a scholarship in his memory For everyone who can make it, I promise you will have fun! They have a huge variety of classic, exotic, vintage, and rare cars that enter every year and this year will be bigger than ever! There is free food, a silent auction, live music, and incredible cars. This year, I am happy to partner with Tailwinds Mortgage in a simple donation to the silent auction. We will be doing a few bottles of wine (from Airfield Estates which I was ECSTATIC to find) and I am in the works of brainstorming some more items to add. This will be a great opportunity for anyone to put together an auction item and attach some business cards/mingle with area residents. I highly encourage any type of participation; stop by the show, enter your car, donate an auction item, or simply wish the Kitchens family a warm hello. Let me know if you have any ideas for me to add into this basket, I sincerely appreciate the input. Hope to see you all there! For more information about the car show, visit TSAcarshow.com. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Fixed on Finding the Foundation of Interest Rates

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 07:28:23 -0700

Interest rates are a delicate subject for some industry professionals; not due in any part to the wavering nature of such figures. The troubling qualities stem from simple misjudgments of the logic behind what sets interest rates, mixed with neglect of a search for a better understanding. The 10-year Treasury bond is, in common place, assumed to be the driving force behind mortgage rates, which it is. The bond varies directly with mortgage rates meaning when the bond goes up, so follow rates. The principal thought behind why figures for a 30-year loan would be determined by a 10-year bond is that most homeowners will either move or refinance within the first ten years of their mortgage. Withal, several more factors can be held accountable for contribution to the rise and fall of interest rates; one being economic activity elsewhere. Jobs reports, gross domestic product, home sales, and the like are all indicative of the current economic state of the nation. Essentially, suggestions toward economic growth have an adverse affect on mortgages: they encourage rates to climb. Such circumstances can be attributed to investor movement. Upon positive economic outlook, investors will tend to focus their efforts on stocks, rather than bonds like the 10-year Treasury bond. When buyers flee from bonds, the yields thereof are inflated to attract investment. A reversed trend is often seen with negative economic outlook. Primary mortgage terms are also factored into interest rates: that much, most industry professionals presumably already know. Borrowers with lower credit scores are considered to be at more risk of defaulting on payments, explaining their being straddled with higher costs. Those who choose shorter terms (i.e. a 15-year over a 30-year) will derive better pricing because they substantially shorten the length of the lender's exposure to such risk. Take all of these factors into count, add a couple adjustments to comply with state regulation (in Colorado, that is 0.125), tack on any extra adjustments (i.e. lower loan amounts, high balances, condos, mortgage insurance, etc.) and out will come an interest rate. Many other components hold weight when brokers and bankers present a rate, namely "points;" however, or the purpose of ending on a clean note, points be left on the table. While there is no definitive prophetic source for determining mortgage interest rates, supervision of the 10-year Treasury bond will be of the best authority to give approximations toward the trend of such rates. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Bowling Alley Dream Home: More Realistic than One Might Think

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:03:55 -0700

Sure, it can be refreshing to see a new homeowner decorate their house to make it unique to them, but how much more refreshing would it be to see someone with a bowling alley in their basement? That's where I'm at with custom homes: make them to suit your needs, not just the status quo. I have always dreamed of incredibly unique features in a home, despite my aspirations being commonly referred to as outlandish and preposterous. A bowling alley is not a bad idea anyway; it can be done and one or two lanes is all one would need. I have done more research than was probably necessary for this idea and found that used lanes can easily be bought online for little more than the cost of tile or hardwood floors. I will admit to lacking any kind of polished bowling skills, but there is no good reason why I should not hone them, especially if I were to have my very own alley! The fact of the matter is: swapping that extra bedroom for a den will presumably do little for the homes value, it will simply preserve the room count and land you smack-dab in the middle of a plethora of comps. Go for it, build that big house on a hill and save yourself the stress of traditional sales comparison appraisals. Buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders alike feel the pressure of waiting on appraisals primarily because a typical house will only ever be valued at what those in the surrounding area are, foreclosures and all. A house with a bowling alley will have the opportunity to be appraised based on its absolute value, a cookie-cutter house will surely never be so lucky. It might sound crazy now, but when it comes time to sell, time to buy, time to lend, and time to appraise, that house will stand out. Buyers should not be bound by what builders think they want, they should have the resolve to purchase a home they actually want. Ultimately, a house is strapped to the appraisal-philosophy that it is only worth what someone will pay for it. Buyers are too often taught to believe straying from the norm is expensive. In a time when a home is the biggest financial investment the average American consumer will make in their lifetime, more attention should be paid to the details which make their house a home they truly want to be in. Buyers: go out there and get your dream home. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

USDA: Not Just for Steaks

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 12:44:07 -0700

The United States Department of Agriculture has, since 1862, been regarded as the party responsibly for developing and executing government policy on agricultural facets like food and farming. What slips the minds of most when thinking of the USDA is that the agency is also in the mortgage business. Mortgages. Yes, mortgages. Over rural Colorado somewhere between Limon and Lamar last Winter. Two types of loans are currently available, both of which might be of particular interest to buyers looking for rural properties: Direct Loans, and Guaranteed Loans. The two carry many similarities, below is a synopsis of each. Direct LoansNo down payment required 102% financing Buyers may not have incomes above 80% of the area median income Buyers must be without adequate housing Housing must be of modest design, size, and cost for the area Guaranteed LoansNo down payment required 102% Financing Buyers may not have incomes above 115% of the area median income Housing must be of modest design size, and cost for the area "Rural" might not be as rural as one might think. I lived in Elizabeth, Colorado for many years, which might not ring any bells for anyone beyond Elbert County, but for those of us who know the land, Elizabeth has been turning into quite the little metropolitan: it can now be found on maps and even has its very own Wal-Mart. There, USDA loans are incredibly common and surprisingly common in many other cities nationwide. The USDA website has an easy-to-use map for determining an area's eligibility for coverage, I highly recommend at least a glance. Feel free to contact us with any question regarding USDA loans, especially in Colorado! Happy rural home hunting! Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Pomp and Circumstance

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 12:50:30 -0700

It's incredible the posts one can stumble accross. This post in particular stuck my attention especially. I am a huge, huge fan of Thomas Jefferson, who attended the College of William and Mary, I love seeing historical grounds mentioned in modern media. Many years ago today I graduated from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. The day before I had been commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. That was quite a time to be in college. Instead of being jeered like on most campuses, our ROTC unit was cheered as it marched around campus. Our SDS chapter had only about five members. Gasoline was 26 cents a gallon and a six pack of beer could be bought for only 69 cents. The full year's tuition was $2,200. My how things have changed! Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

Finally, a Face for Tailwinds

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 12:32:53 -0700

Today, I was sturck suddenly with the urge to make a logo for Tailwinds. To my disadvantage, I have and have never had any artistic ability; why this urge came over me, I still do not know. But determined to satisfy my itch, I scoured the web looking for "free logo builders." There are plenty of great tools out there if the goal is to find something generic and easy. But my the logo I so longed for was not so. Eventually, I stumbled upton a handy drawing tool which I fiddled around with for a while. A discovery was thus made: this site it incredible! ...and the rest is history. I drew up some mountains, an F4U Corsair, and tacked up "Tailwinds Mortgage" later on in Paint. Feast your eyes on the final product. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

The Value-Added Benefits of Being Yourself

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:36:05 -0700

The days of conforming are upon us, it is seen everywhere from fashion trends to business practices. But is it ever really noticed? If you ask me, not hardly, conformity is simply sloughed off with a sigh and an expression of, "it is what it is." Originality: now there's something to take note of. I have had the luck of being taken with the interest of many things on polar opposite ends of the hobby spectrum. For one, there's flying. For two, we've got mortgages. If one were to look at my previous blog posts, they would find that they are all quite similar to this one. I suppose I should take some time to reevaluate my strategy on being unique relative to myself, but my goal is not to keep reinventing myself; it is to simply be myself. Thankfully, "myself" allows for some great business opportunities. In my most recent post, I simply added the following flyer which I now have in circulation. You read it correctly, $500 towards flight training. From a mortgage company? Absolutely. Maybe I am just tooting my own horn, maybe someone has done this before me, maybe I am not as original as I think I am. Or maybe my resolve to look within for ideas, instead of searching the web has paved for me an avenue to be unique. Truth be told, seeing pens with company names grinds my gears. Seeing the typical real estate website with a happy couple pictured in front of a house with a white picket fence, holding a set of keys has the same effect. Hearing about a real estate agent specializing in horse properties, who takes his/her clients on trail rides after closing...music to my ears. Being yourself is the best thing you can do to set yourself apart; I encourage myself with the same philosophy every day. If you are happy in what you do (because you embrace your originality through your business practices), you will inevitably give your clients a better experience, they will undoubtedly note of it. Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com

$500 Towards Flight Training

Rachel Khoury, Your Wingwoman for Colorado Mortgages (Tailwinds Mortgage) — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:54:05 -0700

Rachel Khoury Colorado Mortgage Broker rachel@tailwindsmortgage.com (720) 270-4324 NMLS 1105200 | NMLS 1185934 TailwindsMortgage.com