Just paid my first mortgage payment…

I tell you what. I feel MUCH better paying on this mortgage than wasting $$$ on rent.

🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

YES!

Property Virgins

I think I could have been a wonderful episode (with tons of viewership) on Property Virgins….when it comes to being a first -time home buyer.  I worked hard to fix my credit, am dealing with a VA loan….have my student loans to be placed in forbearance since the VA has to show 12 months available for this loan.  Then there is an old issue that is being resolved right now and my file went back to the underwriter.

However, I have to say the individuals I am working with at Heartland Mortgage have gone beyond the call of duty to assist this possible 1st time home-buyer and I highly recommend them when it comes to buying a home and you are wanting to make your American Dream come true.

 

All I gotta say is OMG

VA Home Loan was approved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love America! The American Dream come true.  I am so grateful to God and for Uncle Sam giving me this wonderful benefit as an Army vet to buy a home of my own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VA Home Loans

One of things you can get when it comes to serving your country is the VA Home Loan.  I am so grateful for this benefit.  Many veterans write to my agency in order to obtain their seperation document for benefits (includes health care, education, and home buying).

Serve honorably (this the key) and you can find yourself with a low interest loan with NO downpayment.  You can go to any mortgage lender that participates in this program to find out more information.

You can also reuse your certificate for a variety of things such as rehabbing your home down the road….

There are many good reasons to use a VA loan to buy or refinance a home –

• No down payment.
• 100% financing.
• No monthly mortgage insurance payment.
• Limitation on buyer’s closing costs.
• Mortgage is assumable.
• No pre-payment penalty.
• Low interest rates
• Low fees

What can a VA loan be used for?

• Buy or refinance a home or a condominium.
  
• Build a home.
• Home improvements.
• Take cash out for almost any purpose.
• Buy a manufactured home and/or lot.

You can submit an Standard Form 180 and depending on when you were discharged you can send your information to my agency:

National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

……or click here and submit it online (faster)

Thinking…

that by the end of 2009 allot of changes will have taken place.  Good and bad…depending upon one’s perspective but needed they are.

Children are still on board about having parents moving closer to one of us.  It’s the only viable option.

• Excited about the possibility of moving.
• About starting my new career with the Army National Guard….
• About changes at work.
• About myself.

Thinking about change and change doesn’t always have to be bad.

It’s a step forward in the right direction.

Beyond Housing-Saint Louis

For those who live in the Saint Louis area this organization could be useful for buying a home or if you are simply looking for a place to volunteer your time:

Beyond Housing was established in 1980 to address the need for affordable rental housing for large, low-income families in the St. Louis region. In 2003, we recognized that we shared similar philosophies, approaches and target audiences with Neighborhood Housing Services of St. Louis. In January 2003, the two organizations merged under the name that encompassed both organizations’ former missions:  Beyond Housing.

Their Mission
….is to strengthen neighborhoods, one family at a time.  We do this by providing affordable housing and homeownership services; providing support services to families, children and seniors; being a catalyst for community-wide rebuilding efforts; empowering residents to be leaders of their own neighborhood revitalization efforts; and promoting individual and community asset building.  

NeighborWorks® Network
Beyond Housing is a member of the NeighborWorks® Network, a national network of community-based organizations that improves and strengthens communities through cooperative efforts with residents, business people, government officials, and other partners. 

Recognition and Awards
They have been recognized on a local, national, and international level for our unique and successful approach to meeting the needs of low-income families.  Awards have been presented by the United Nations, Metropolitan Life Foundation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, Mortgage Bankers Association, Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan, Missouri Bar Association, FOCUS St. Louis, East-West Gateway Coordinating Council, and the Ethical Society.

Rent to Own

Rent to Own – 21st Century Home Owning Idea

Author: Sal

Being a proud homeowner

Since I was a little girl (eonsago) and the giddy sensation of getting my first dollhouse..ok ok it was the Barbie Townhouse but still…. I knew what dollhouses were I craved for my very own home. I always pictured this nice suburban type home with the manicured lawn, neat fixtures, white picket fence with flowers blooming……. a safe haven where I could fix it up to my heart’s desire.

That all consuming passion of owning my home never dissipated and still to this day I ache to have a place to call my home…the American Dream…my American Dream.

And when I read such posts as this one from Pioneer Woman (LOVEher blog!) it makes me realize I am not alone in my homeownership craziness and gives me hope to look forward to the day when I can update my little nest and “zen it out” to fit my moods.

Big ouch

I was at the airport in Orlando waiting for my flight back to Saint Louis when I heard the breaking news on CNN.

 

And yes I was yelling at the television:

 

Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill immediately blamed each other today for the failure of a $700 billion bailout package in the House. The vote sent the Dow tumbling to its worst single-day point loss ever:  777 points………..

 

And with this saddest of days WHY the finger-pointing?

 

Makes me wonder about the two party system (Republicans and Democrats).  

Are they becoming an archaic elephant?

 

Time for change?

 

Where do we go from here????????

Saturday and hope………

Another oh so lovely rainy/cloudy day in St. Louis, Missouri. About to fix me some much needed coffee. I am still a little groggy but got a good 8 hours of sleep. I like to treat my weekends almost like a mini-vacation. No stresses, just relax and enjoy the ride………….

I am planning to open up a savings account at Choices Credit Union. It is a credit union which helps individuals take back their financial “life” and move forward which is my intended goal.

From their brochure:

“Credit Union” is the name for a financial institution owned entirely by the people it serves. Unlike banks, payday lenders, pawnshops and check-cashing services-which operate strictly under profit-a credit union works to advance the financial stability of everyone who belongs.

The people who belong to a credit union are called “members.” As a member and an owner, you’ll discover why membership makes all the difference.

At Choices Federal Credit Union, our job is to make loans available at affordable rates with fair terms, and promote healthy savings for the future. Our services include:

• Savings Accounts (called shares)
• New and Used Auto Loans
• Auto Loan Refinancing
• Other Secured Loans
• Unsecured Signature Loans
• Debt Consolidation Loans
• Direct Deposit
• Payroll Deduction

Who Can Join:

Choices Federal Credit Union is open to active and retired employees, volunteers and clients of the agencies listed on the back of this brochure, as well as their families. A minimum deposit of $10.00 is required to open a savings account and enjoy all credit union services. Once you become a Choices member, you remain a member for life even if you move, change jobs, or retire.

Agencies the Credit Union is Associated With:

1. Better Family Life
2. Beyond Housing/Neighborhood Housing
3. Catholic Charities Housing Resource Center
4. Good Samaritan Service Center
5. Habitat for Humanity St. Louis
6. Justine Petersen Housing
7. CAASTLC
8. Urban League of St. Louis

I am hoping to refinance my car through them so that the extra money I save will go towards paying off bills on my credit report thus bringing me that much closer to owning a home by next year.

I hope my guardian angel is watching because I really need that protection. :^)