Do I REALLY NEED A Mortgage Pre-Approval To Make An Offer On A Home?A mortgage pre-approval is the first step in your journey to purchasing a home, giving you a competitive edge when you make an offer on a house. Being intentional and competitive are musts when buying a home.  That's why pre-approval is so important today. Pre-approval from a lender is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you can borrow for your loan.     Why Does A Mortgage Pre-approval Matter So Much Today? Today, there are many more buyers looking for homes today than there are homes available for sale. That's creating some serious competition. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average home is getting 4.8 offers per sale. As a result, bidding wars are still common.... 05/17/2022

 Armed Forces Day: May 21 - 2022 The third Saturday of each May is Armed Forces Day.  Although Armed Forces Day is not an official federal holiday, this day honors everyone currently serving in all six of the United States military branches -- Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, U.S. Space Force. "History has taught us over and over again that freedom is not free. When push comes to shove, the ultimate protectors of freedom and liberty are the brave men and women of our Armed Forces. Throughout our history, they've answered the call in bravery and sacrifice."... Tim Pawlenty President John F. Kennedy established Armed Forces Day as an official holiday in 1962. However, it was President Harry S. Truman, who began the effort to set aside a day to recognize the service of our arme... 05/21/2022

CHARLOTTE, NC RANKED A BEST PLACE TO RETIRE IN 2022 BY FORBESForbes' "Best Places To Retire 2022" list has listed Charlotte as one of the top 25 cities to retire in. Just one other city in North Carolina (Winston Salem) made the top 25 list. Selection of best places to retire was based on a comparison by Forbes of more than 800 cities in America on everything from housing costs, taxes, healthcare, air quality, crime and climate change and natural hazard risks. Here are some of the reasons, Forbes is "high on Charlotte:" High number of health care professionals in the area Warm weather climate High level of air quality Thriving economic, financial, transportation hub No state estate tax No income tax on Social Security   BUT THERE'S MORE...... CHARLOTTE, NC ALSO NAMED A TOP 10 CITY WHERE... 05/18/2022

What Have I Done,  To Improve My Life?  What have you done to improve your life?I was talking to a friend of mine, who has recently challenged me to write, about what have I done to improve my life?  I have been thinking and thinking about this and given it much thought, so here goes.I am also writing this to be totally open about what I have changed in my life for the good.  Eating healthy. I care about what I eat and what I drink now.  I am finding out that your health and my health is very important or at least, it should be. I cook every day.  I cook homemade meals.  I rarely eat out, unless I have to.  I cook food from scratch and things that are healthy for me.  No more fast food for me.  I only eat out if I am away from home and I have to eat out and I am on the go.Drink healthy ... 05/20/2022