Finding Your Nest!!

How do you find the house that you would like to call Home!  Most of us look on the internet for what is available, and then go and see what it looks like and what the neighborhood looks like.





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Finding your next Nest..

Spring Is Just Around The Corner!!

With Spring being just around the corner, it is time to take a look around us outside.  How and what do you need to do to get ready for Spring and Summer.  The Garden, Deck, Driveway, etc.  Here are some helpful hints for your Deck.




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Deck Repair

When Buying Check Out the HOA Rules..

Is your new home under an HOA?  Here is a brief guideline for your review of the HOA.

Vancouver, Washington.. Take a quick trip

For a quick trip to Vancouver, Washington head to this link.  If you are thinking of moving to the Pacific Northwest and would like to be close to water, skiing, hiking, and like the outdoors, welcome to SW Washington.

http://kamorin.realtyproweb.com/page.php?t=i&p=2&title=Vancouver%20Washington

Pay Yourself First!!

Have you ever wondered, "Just How Am I Going To Get Ahead?".  Well we all do, it is not easy or simple, just systematic...can you give up that coffee, and pay yourself first?  Give up the Manicure and pay yourself first?  Sometimes it is just the little things that we do.

Pay Yourself First

The principle to pay yourself first has been referred to as the Golden Rule of Personal Finance.

The concept is that one of the first checks you write each month is for your own savings. The rationale is that if there is no money left after a person pays their bills, there is nothing to contribute to savings or investments that month.

By establishing a priority to save, a person realizes that the balance of their monthly income must cover living expenses and other discretionary spending. This is a much different strategy than saving what is left over from monthly expenses and other spending.

Many financial experts have likened an amortizing mortgage to a forced savings account because a portion of each payment is applied to the reduction of the principal amount owed. Some homeowners have taken that concept further with a shorter term mortgage to build equity faster.

In the example below, a $250,000 mortgage at 4% interest is compared with two different terms. The 30 year mortgage would have payments of $1,193.54 each month with the first payment having $360.20 being applied to the principal. Each payment would have an increasingly larger amount applied to the principal.

The 15 year mortgage would have payments of $1,849.22 each month with the first payment having $1,015.89 being applied to the principal. The $665.68 difference in payments goes toward reducing the loan amount and acts like a forced savings.

A homeowner might opt for the longer term and intend to put the difference in the two payments in a bank savings account each month or make an additional principal contribution to pay the mortgage down. However, as any person responsible for paying household bills knows, there will always be something that comes up that could hijack your intentions.

By committing to the shorter term mortgage, a borrower is committing to make the higher payment each month and the benefit is that it will reduce your principal balance faster.

Here Comes Spring!!

Bring it on!!  I love Spring and new ideas for the Yard and Garden..

Traditional Landscape by Duvall Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Le jardinet

Click Link:

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/59862900

Have You Had The Value Of Your Nest Checked Recently?

The Wellness of Your Nest!!

Similar to an annual wellness physical, homeowners should consider an annual review of the financial elements of their home. It’s particularly valuable based on the fact that their home and its equity is generally, one of their largest assets.

• List of similar properties recently sold and currently available
• Information on challenging property tax assessment
• Refinance Analysis to:
  • lower your rate
  • shorten the term
  • make improvements
  • eliminate mortgage insurance
  • remove a person from the loan
  • eliminate credit card debt
  • combine loans
  • take cash out of the equity
• Equity Accelerator to retire the mortgage within a specific period of time
• Repairmen and contractors recommendations
• Information on rental property opportunities

We’d be happy to provide this information at no obligation as part of our on-going commitment to providing homeowner information, both in general and specifically, to our contacts. It is part of a long-term strategy whereby we hope to earn your loyalty and referrals when you do need our services to buy or sell.

Have you had a "Review" of your Homes Value Lately?

Is it time to take a new look at the Wellness of your Home?  Have you had time to look at the current Rates and Values of your home?

http://www.betterhomeowners.com/post.aspx?id=cLmbt1sgMUqNpOPkZ8AlNA&A=iDSP2r1zdEKPCsUHv6eNDw

Valentine's Weekend in the Couve!!

Take a little time this weekend to get out and enjoy!!  So many options!!

Dancing, Hiking, Yard and Garden Show, Music and so much more..

Click and go!!

http://eepurl.com/bQe7zL

You are in the BEST YEAR if you are looking to Buy or Sell a Home!!

Thinking of Buying or Selling, well you are in the Best Year for that decision...What is happening in your Nest in 2016?

Check out this Article:

http://www.freddiemac.com/blog/research_and_analysis/20160202_sales.html

How to Buy Healthy Trees and Plants..

Are you getting ready for Spring... Looking around at what you want to add to your Yard/Property. 
 Here are a few helpful hints..

Contemporary Landscape by New York Architects & Building Designers Billinkoff Architecture PLLC

Visit here for great information:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/58674829

How Do You Look At Your Investments?

When looking at an investment, what is your largest concern...For most of us, it is the return on the investment.  For a helpful guide, open the link below.



http://www.betterhomeowners.com/post.aspx?id=AWpVclhf6kqmRie067SDMQ&A=iDSP2r1zdEKPCsUHv6eNDw

How Long Should You Keep Your Records?

It is that time of the Year when we all look at our receipts and files and say, 

"How long do I need to keep these?" 

 Maybe this will give you some guidance.  

Have you checked your Insurance Policy Lately..

Some items that your Insurance Does NOT cover!!







Click:
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/what-does-homeowners-insurance-cover/#.VrP4X7IrJkh

Update: Interest Rates

A look at Today's Interest Rates:

15 year: 3.25%

30 year: 3.875%

FHA: 3.50%

USDA: 3.75%

VA: 3.875%

Call, Text or email me today if your have any questions, or if I can assist you with your New Home.

Is Understanding Costing You Money?

Have you taken a good look at the Cost of your Mortgage over 30 years?

http://www.betterhomeowners.com/post.aspx?id=40i3_1lk_kSh3OYRb6LMgQ&A=iDSP2r1zdEKPCsUHv6eNDw

Statistics for Year Ending 2015

Real Estate Statistics for them year ending December, 2015, Clark County/Vancouver, Washington.   Vancouver, Washington is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States.  Located just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon.