Janie's Juicy Tid Bits

For Sale: 4BR/2+1BA Single Family House in Daphne, AL, $199,900

2011-09-07T11:17:00.000-07:00

For Sale: 4BR/2+1BA Single Family House in Daphne, AL, $199,900

Most Home Buyers Favor Brick

2011-08-26T18:21:00.000-07:00

Colony Homes will build your next home with any brick you choose. Did you know according to a recent survey conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Boral Bricks, 59 percent of all home owners with a siding preference would choose brick for their homes. The study was commissioned by Boral Bricks, Inc. to determine current consumer preferences for siding.

The survey, conducted in October, asked participants which type of siding they prefer on a home. Possible answers included brick, vinyl, stucco, fiber cement/composite and other; participants were allowed to choose more than one option. For the 1,144 home owners with a siding preference, brick was the leading choice with nearly two of every three respondents selecting it. Vinyl came in second (37 percent), followed by stucco (19 percent), fiber cement/composite (14 percent), and other (11 percent).

“This research shows brick is still the overwhelming choice for home owners who have a say in their exterior cladding,” said Bob Kepford, president, Boral Bricks, Inc. “Coming out of the recession, home owners will likely be in their homes longer than in recent years, and they should insist their builders use the most sustainable siding option to ensure it holds up to the elements. Brick has also proven to help homes increase in value, which is important with slower real estate appreciation expected in the future.”

According to U.S. Census data on siding for new homes, builders have increasingly opted for lap siding products over the last ten years. These products may provide more ease of installation; however, they don’t offer the consumer benefits home owners appreciate with brick including the fact that it is virtually maintenance free, extremely durable, locally sourced and sustainable.

For a complete list of all of our brick choice visit me at our design center in our model home in French Settlement. I'm in Daphne, AL. Call for details or directions. Janie Masterson 251 424-5220

Importance of a Household Budget

2009-12-20T10:41:00.000-08:00

Spending to your Budget

Household finance is more about everyday money management and a lot less 'sexy' than some other types of high-flying financial advice available. It is because that much of it is common sense - things that we already know (but fail to put into practise!) - that it isn't headline material. But the truth is, poor household financial management can be at the core of a family's financial problems. I know from personal experience, It's hard to sit down and create a budget and to stick to it! It's hard not to pull out that debit card when you see something that you just "have to have."

Because people generally stay with the same employer over time, and their wages remain constant, it is possible to prepare a budget that is manageable. Most household finance expenses do not fluctuate very much from month to month. Of course, from time to time, we might need new tyres on the car or a new washing machine - by these larger expenses can be averaged over a 3-5 year period and be included in your budget.

With Realtors and other Independent Contractors it's quite different, you may receive a check for $2,000.00, but may not know when your next income check will come. That can be very frightening and cause a great deal of stress in your life. A budget will help to alleviate some of this stress.

The trouble is that most families just can't be bothered, or are afraid to, honestly analyse their income and expenditure. This can often result in, with the help of credit cards, more money going out than coming in. When this is the case, the ability to repay the debt diminishes and the household finance budget spirals out of control.

Importance Of A Budget for You and Your Family

When your household budget revolves around a family, it is even more important. Preparing it will take time - but consider it an investment in your future financial security. Because your decisions will impact your family's future, it is even more important to get it right. The larger the family, the more important it becomes to have funds on standby for emergencies. Without a good financial plan, living payday to payday will become a risky way of life.

Smart money management is much more than merely making sound spending decisions. It involves of course, planning a budget, limiting or cutting expenses, and, very importantly, putting a specific amount away each month to a dedicated savings plan.

Be mindful that simple errors on the part of a sales assistant or your bank can impact on your budget. Examine every transaction and receipt carefully.

Having your wages paid directly into your bank account, and withdrawing funds as they are needed (subject to bank charges for small withdrawals), and having a nominated amount moved to a untouchable savings account, is a good start.

Once you begin spending to your budget, you will be amazed at the things you would have previously opened your wallet for. Do you need to buy a newspaper everyday (read online!), or that cappuccino on the way to work (would 'instant' at work really affect your lifestyle??), and instead of fast food for lunch, why not take some leftovers from home? Small, steady changes in your spending habits will have a huge impact on your household financial budget - and there is no time like the present to start!

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2009-12-17T14:06:00.000-08:00

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Thinking Of Purchasing a Home of Your Own?

2009-10-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

Thinking about purchasing a home of your own?

Keep these critical considerations in mind:

How long you plan to live in the home.
If you purchase a home and get a job transfer or decide to move after only a short time, you may end up paying money in order to sell it. The value of your home may not have appreciated enough to cover the costs that you paid to buy the home and the costs that it would take you to sell your home.
The length of time that it will take to cover those costs depends on various economic factors in the area of the home. Most parts of the country have an average of 5% appreciation per year. In this case, you should plan to stay in your home at least 3-4 years to cover buying and selling costs. If the area you buy your home in experiences an economic up turn, the length of the time to cover these costs could be shortened, and the opposite is also true.

How long the home will meet your needs.
What features do you require in a home to satisfy your lifestyle now? Five years from now? Depending on how long you plan to stay in your home, you'll need to ensure that the home has the amenities that you'll need. For example, a two-bedroom dwelling may be perfect for a young couple with no children. However, if they start a family, they could quickly outgrow the space. Therefore, they should consider a home with room to grow. Could the basement be turned into a den and extra bedrooms? Could the attic be turned into a master suite? Having an idea of what you'll need will help you find a home that will satisfy you for years to come.

Your financial health - your credit and home affordability.
Is now the right time financially for you to buy a home? Would you rate your financial picture as healthy? Is your credit good? While you can always find a lender to lend you money, solid lenders are more skeptical if your credit history is not good. Generally, a couple of blemishes on a credit report will make you a good credit risk and could qualify you for the lowest interest rates. If you have more than a couple of blemishes on your report, lenders like Quicken Loans may still provide you with a loan, but you may just have to pay a higher interest rate and fees.

Some say that you should refrain from borrowing as much as you qualify for because it is wiser not to stretch your financial boundaries. The other school of thought says you should stretch to buy as much home as you can afford, because with regular pay raises and increased earning potential, the big payment today will seem like less of a payment tomorrow. This is a decision only you can make. Are you in a position where you expect to make more money soon? Would you rather be conservative and fairly certain that you can make your payment without stretching financially? Make sure that whatever you do, it's within your comfort zone.
To determine how much home you can afford, talk to a lender or go online and use a "home affordability" calculator. Good calculators will give you a range of what you may qualify for. Then call a lender. While some may say that the "28/36" rule applies, in today's home mortgage market, lenders are making loans customized to a particular person's situation. The "28/36" rule means that your monthly housing costs can't exceed 28 percent of your income and your total debt load can't exceed 36 percent of your total monthly income. Depending on your assets, credit history, job potential and other factors, lenders can push the ratios up to 40-60% or higher. While we're not advocating you purchase a home utilizing the higher ratios, its important for you to know your options.

Where the money for the transaction will come from.
Typically homebuyers will need some money for a down payment and closing costs. However, with today's broad range of loan options, having a lot of money saved for a down payment is not always necessary - if you can prove that you are a good financial risk to a lender. If your credit isn't stellar but you have managed to save 10-20% for a down payment, you will still appear to be a very good financial risk to a lender.

The ongoing costs of home ownership.
Maintenance, improvements, taxes and insurance are all costs that are added to a monthly house payment. If you buy a condominium, townhouse or in certain communities, a monthly homeowner's association fee might be required. If these additional costs are a concern, you can make choices to lower or avoid these fees. Be sure to make your realtor and your lender aware of your desire to limit these costs.

If you are still unsure if you should buy a home after making these considerations, you may want to give me a call help you assess how a home purchase fits into your overall financial goals.

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Interest Rates are at an ALL TIME LOW!!!

2009-10-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

Are you thinking of buying a new home? Now is the time, interest rates are near the all-time low (for rates tracked by Freddie Mac), if you have a solid credit rating and are able to put 20% dow. 30-year fixed rates last week were 4.94% with 0.7% upfront for points and fees. A POINT is equal to 1% of the loan, so 1 point on a $300,000 loan will cost the borrower $3000.
The lowest rate recorded by Freddie Mac was 4.78 with fees and points at 0.7%, recorded in April of 2009. By comparison, the same loan was 6% one year ago.

If you situation allows you to use a 15 year loan, rates were at 4.36% with 0.6% points, an all time loan.
Feel free to contact me for additional information or with any questions. To accurately access your ability to purchase a home, contact your preferred lender and ask to be pre-qualified.

I work with many local lenders here in Clarksville, TN that will be more than happy to work with you.

Call anytime or text me on 931 801-3348

Question 1 of 100 about Buying a Home

2009-09-29T15:11:00.000-07:00

Buying a New Home ARE You Ready?

This is question number 1. Hang on folks I've got plenty more for later posts!

A home is a financial asset and more: it's a place to live and raise children; it's a plan for the future; it's an investment in our community. That's why I want all eligible individuals to have an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of owning a home. I am especially proud of my work to help first-time homebuyers.

Knowledge is said to open doors. This statement is literally true when it comes to buying a home. To become a first-time homebuyer, you need to know where and how to begin the home buying process. The following questions and answers were carefully selected to give you a foundation of basic knowledge. The following information will help you navigate through the entire process - from deciding whether you're ready to buy, all the way to that final proud step of getting the keys to your new home.

You can use this information to determine if you are ready to buy a home. If you are ready; contact me and I'll work with you to see if you are qualified for a loan. Now let's get started with the questions and answers.

GETTING STARTED

1. How do I know if I am ready to buy a home?

Ask yourself these questions:

Do I have a steady source of income (usually a job)?

Have I been employed on a regular basis for the last 2-3 years?

Is my current income reliable?

Do I have a good record of paying my bills?

Do I have few outstanding long-term debts, like car payments?

Do I have money saved for a downpayment?

Do I have the ability to pay a mortgage every month plus additional costs?

If you can answer "yes" to these questions, you are probably ready to buy your own home. I will be happy to meet with you to discuss the process and to advise you in anyway. I will set your email in my system to receive automatic updates for new listings as they come on the market, so that we can get you into your new home as soon as possible. Visit my website for a FREE search engine to the MLS here in Clarksville and Ft. Campbell.

Email or text me with any questions you may have.

How to Organize a Kitchen - wikiHow

2009-09-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

How to Organize a Kitchen - wikiHow

How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain - wikiHow

2009-09-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain - wikiHow