Wednesday's Life Lesson

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, “I’ll give each of you just one wish” “Me first! Me first!” says the administration clerk. “I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.” Poof! She’s gone. “Me next! Me next!” says the sales rep. “I want to be in Hawaii,relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.” Poof! He’s gone. “OK, you’re up,” the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, “I want those two back in the office after lunch.”

Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say.

Closing Costs, what is really included?

What is included in closing costs and how much does it cost?

Usually closing costs are about 3% of the loan amount, give or take a little bit, depending on lender fees, origination, and third party fees.

Closing costs are made up of various items such as: attorney fees, title insurance, homeowner’s insurance, appraisal fees, interest charges, and lender charges.

Your lender should be able to provide you with a closing cost estimate or Good Faith Estimate to help break down the total cost.

Contact me today for more information and to get qualified for a home loan!

Danielle Hifko

New American Mortgage

910-581-6398

USDA Funding Fee Change!

Effective October 1, 2011, USDA is changing their funding fee from 3.5% to 2%!  In addition to this change, they will now charge an annual fee of 0.3% for all loans.  The annual fee is based on the scheduled average unpaid principal balance and will be escrowed into the payment.

Call me today for more information!

Danielle Hifko

New American Mortgage

910-581-6398

Are You VA Eligible?

Sounds like a simple question, but many people are unsure of VA home loan eligibility.

ELIGIBLE: Available to veterans, reservists, active-duty personnel, and surviving spouses of veterans that have not re-married.

VA home loan entitlement is not passed to children or family members like other VA benefits are.

Yes – you can use your VA eligibility more than once – it must be restored from your previous use.  Also, a VA home loan can only be done if it is your primary residence!

Contact me today for more information!

Danielle Hifko

New American Mortgagee

910-581-6398

Fundraiser at Southwest Plantation

You are all cordially invited to attend the Hole-In-One for Education fundraiser to benefit the Bright Ideas Educational Grant Program at Southwest Plantation this Thursday evening from 6:30-8:30pm in our Model Home. There will be plenty of wine, courtesy of Duplin Winery's, food catered by Class Act Catering, a 50/50 drawing and giveaways!

The 50/50 drawing will raise money for the Bright Ideas Educational Grant Program to help local Onslow County school teachers. 50/50 ticket prices are: 1-$1.00, 6-$5.00 & 12-$10 and will be available for purchase at the door.

This event is FREE and open to all Southwest Plantation Homeowners, Bear Trail Golf Club members and guests. The evening will be a lot of fun and is for a great cause. We look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday, September 8th from 6:30-8:30pm.

If anyone has any questions please do not hesitate to call (865)804-5901 or email SouthwestPlantation@gmail.com

Southwest Plantation
444 Harris Creek Rd,
Jacksonville, NC 28539
(910)346-1227

*Model Home is located in the Bungalows neighborhood across the street from the pro shop.

Mortgage Minute: Refinancing

What are some of the reasons you would refinance your home?

• -        A rising mortgage payment due to an ARM loan resetting
• -        Consolidating your first and second mortgage to reduce your overall payment
• -        Using home equity to fund an important purchase
• -        Consolidating credit card debt or other high interest debts
• -        Eliminating PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) payments

When was your last mortgage check-up?

We go to the doctor every year for check-ups…your mortgage should work the same way.  You need to check your mortgage every few years to see if there are better options out there for you.

Call me for a free mortgage check -up!

Danielle Hifko

910-581-6398

Mortgage Consultant

New American Mortgage

Sunday's Motivation

Have you ever had one of those days or weeks where everything feels like it crashes down all at once? The saying, "When it rains it pours" hits too close to home.

We have all had those days, weeks, months and years. We think nothing could possibly get any worse and nothing can make the situation better. You might start feeling sorry for yourself, loose your confidence and self worth.

I found this video today that I believe will have you looking at yourself and your life in a different light when you find the rain pouring down. It is a great video for you and your family to watch. The message in this video is very powerful!

 

 Please leave your thoughts below. Did this video make you think differently or is it just another motivational video?

Realtor Tip: 80% Rule

It is simple: If you find 80% of what your looking for in a home - That is the home for you!

You might be asking yourself, "Why should I settle for 80%?" Well the answer is you are not settling. It is very rare if not next to impossible to find 100% of what you want in one single home. There will always be a funny shaped closet or the bathroom could be six inches bigger or maybe a closet door would make more sense as a pocket door in your book.

Stop and think to yourself, "Is that six inches in the bathroom enough of a flaw for you to walk away from the house with the immaculate kitchen, large living room and the large bedrooms you dreamed of?" Chances are its not. So instead of walking away from your dream home because of the funny shaped linen closet, embrace it and welcome yourself home!

Stay tuned for more helpful Realtor Tips every Saturday from the Southwest Plantation expert Diane Castro. If you have any direct questions for Diane Castro please post them here or feel free to email her at: diane@castrorealestategroup.com

Builder Tip: Analyze Floor Plans

When you walk into a home for the first time, what do you see? The stunning hard wood floors, sparkling granite counter tops, huge walk-in closets and luxurious master bath. If those are what you see then you are missing the bigger picture.

Next time you walk into a home or view a floor plan take a look at the length of hallways, the positioning of coat closets and the location of cable hook-ups. Look at the natural traffic flow through the home and think about what rooms in your home now are used the most and what they are used for.

A home could be 1,800 square feet, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, living and dining rooms with an open kitchen and large walk-in closets. It sounds great, right? Well, when you walk into the home you notice the living room is only 10'x9' yet the walk-in closet in the master bedroom is 10'x10'. Stop and think to yourself, "Once I move-in what will fit my families needs more, a large walk-in closet for my clothes with a smaller living room or a larger living room that will fit my family of five with room to move around with a little less of a walk-in closet."

All of that brings up the point that instead of looking at a floor plan you need to analyze the floor plan. Look at how the square footage is utilized. Where is square footage being lost? Where could square footage be better utilized? Think of the traffic flow through the home, will a sofa have to break up the natural flow of the house just to see the TV? Will the kid's bedroom door hit into the closet door if the closet door is left open? Also think about the resale value. Will this floor plan help to sell your house or turn potential buyers away. All of this needs to be taken into consideration when analyzing floor plans.

Talk about all this with your agent or builder. Bring up all your concerns and make sure all questions are answered before deciding on a home or floor plan. Choose a floor plan or home that will enhance your families home life, and not because the hardwood floors where just finished.

Today's builder tip was brought to you by American Homesmith, one of Southwest Plantation's premiere builders.