Mortgage IQ Quiz Tests Basic Knowledge of Mortgage Process

First Home Buyers, take this Mortgage IQ Quiz to see if you have the Basic Know-How of the Mortgage Process.

Did You Pass or Fail? Call Me at 860.945.9284 to discuss the Right Mortgage option for your family and to take advantage of my FREE Mortgage Pre-Approval service. Then call your agent to schedule a showing and be ready to make an offer.

With today’s attractive rates, and my direct relationships with trusted lenders who offer a wide range of affordable mortgage programs, you just might be able to move in with a minimal down payment and low closing costs.

Source:  http://www.zillow.com/mortgage-rates/buyer-iq-quiz/

Only One Website Authorized By Law to Provide Free Annual Credit Report

Beware of Imposters!

There is Only One Website authorized by law to provide the Free Annual Credit Report you are entitled to under the Free Credit Reporting Act – annualcreditreport.com.

Other websites that claim to offer “free credit reports,” “free credit scores,” or “free credit monitoring” are not part of the legally mandated Free Annual Credit Report program.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The FCRA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s credit reporting companies.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the FCRA with respect to the information contained in your credit report.

Q: How do I order my Free Annual Credit Report?
Do not contact the three nationwide credit reporting companies individually. The three nationwide credit reporting companies have set up a central website, a toll-free telephone number, and a mailing address through which you can order your free annual report.
To order:
1.   Visit annualcreditreport.com,
2.   Call 1-877-322-8228.
3.   Mail the Annual Credit Report Request Form to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

For details and FAQ’s about your rights under the FCRA, which established the Free Annual Credit Report program, go to http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports

An applicant’s credit score is a major factor in obtaining the Right Mortgage at the Right Rate. It would seem prudent for any First Home Buyer to obtain a Free Annual Credit Report as part of their planning process.

10 Tips To Being A Smart Home Buyer

The demand for quality homes, low interest rates and a shortage of listings are combining to give sellers a slight edge in the Connecticut real estate market this spring. It’s a seller’s market … So, you will want to create some advantage for yourself in purchasing your new home. Here are some tips on being a “Smart Home Buyer”:

1.   Get “Pre-Approved” by a Mortgage Professional you trust and who will be there for you when you do find the right house. Have your paperwork ready when making an offer and be mentally prepared for the onslaught of requests for additional information to support your application

2.   Work with Realtor who knows the neighborhood you’d like to live in and who is familiar with the type of property you are looking for. Extensive market knowledge and having a good “ear to the ground” will give you an edge during your search.

3.   Develop a good working relationship with your agent. Talk candidly about your desires. Ask questions. Make they understand your needs and that they are communicating with you throughout the whole search process.  Also, having a sense of urgency to find the right home for you will open up options.

4.   Sign up on a real estate site for an email subscription service that delivers new market information (new listings and price reductions) to you as it happens.

5.   Be Smart Home Buyer. Educate yourself on the specifics of the homes in the market where you are looking including listing prices, sales prices, absorption rates, and inventory levels.

6.   Don’t be afraid to expand your search criteria. Don’t go overboard but you can add those houses that may be slightly above your price point. Sellers whose home has been on the market for awhile might be willing to a reduced price that may make the home a viable choice for you. Some buyers watch specific houses, and wait for reductions before making offers.

7.   Be ready to make an offer when you find a home that appeals to you. There aren’t a lot of quality homes on the market right now. “He who hesitates is lost.” Don’t give another buyer the chance to submit an offer ahead of you.

8.   Making an offer on a home is a give and take situation. Be available to keep the negotiations moving along. Try to take the emotion out of the process.

9.   Have your Attorney, Home inspector, and home owners Insurance Agent lined up. You will need them by your side as soon as you negotiate the terms of your offer.

10.   Keep the lines of communication open with everyone involved in the process. Challenges are inevitable during any real estate transition. Being able to work through problems in a positive fashion will make the whole process go smoother.

Homemade Remedies for Lawn Pests

It’s spring. Trees are blooming. Grass is growing. And the bugs and weeds are out again too!
Concern about the health effects of herbicides and pesticides is growing nationwide. Connecticut recently banned  some lawn pesticides on school grounds; other states and communities are considering similar moves.

Sparky loves to dig holes in our flower beds. Dealing with other pests in your lawn and garden can get expensive. Some experts say: Homemade Remedies for Lawn Pests often get the job done just as well as store-bought brands, are good for the ecology and save you money. Check them out!

1. Hot pepper/garlic spray
The target: Caterpillars, leaf hoppers, spider mites and whiteflies

2. Listerine
The target: Aphids and soft bugs

3. Tea tree oil
The target: General insects and fungus on leaves

4. Vinegar
The target: Lawn weeds

5. Vegetable oil
The target: Soft-bodied insects — aphids, spider mites and caterpillars

6. Salt
The target: Walkway weeds.
I tried this one! It really works! Sprinkle winter’s left over rock salt on garden paths and gravel driveways to keep weeds at bay in the spring, It forms a weed barrier that you can’t get at with your lawn mower.

7. Soap and cornmeal
The target: Ants

8. Compost ‘tea’
The target: Overall lawn health

One final note
It is not difficult to control pests naturally, so why bother with the risks and expense of synthetic pesticides? A little forethought, and some homework, will keep your spring chores to a minimum.

For details and more information on these homemade lawn and pest remedies:
http://realestate.msn.com/8-homemade-lawn-and-pest-remedies