Angie McGhee, ABR® e-Pro®

(Information below provided by Steve Holley, Holley Insurance - Boones Mill VA 540-334-4225)

FOR ALL OF YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS, CALL YOUR FRANKLIN COUNTY "DOUBLE AGENT" TEAM TODAY! 540-334-2020

Are you safe outside this summer?

Think about it: summertime usually revolves around things like grilling, fireworks, camping, and lazy afternoons in the hot sun.

What else does it mean?

Burns from those grills, firework explosions, tick bites…you see where we’re going here.

With the cost of health care steadily going up, it’s become ever more important to lower your risk for accidents and other health issues.

And don’t worry: this doesn’t mean you have to avoid all the good stuff this summer. Here are some easy ways to prevent these summer health issues…

Let’s think about grilling for a minute. There’s nothing better than burgers and hotdogs cooked on the grill, right?

But, grills are more dangerous than you might think. According to Consumer Reports, over 5,000 people went to the emergency room in 2007 because of grill related injuries (source: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2008/07/grilling-safety.html).

What can you do to avoid that costly trip?

• Never grill in an enclosed area like the garage. Always pull your grill into an open area.

• If you’re cooking with charcoal, never spray the grill with lighter fluid after the fire has been lit. Flames can often follow the fluid back to the container that’s in your hand.

• Keep the grease pan empty. Grease easily catches on fire, and can cause flare-ups.


Mosquitoes, ticks, horseflies, bees…now that it’s summer all of nature is out in full force.

And, don’t underestimate these little bugs; according to MSNBC, they send over 500,000 of us to the emergency room each year with potentially fatal allergic reactions (source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19979406/).

So, how can you have fun outside without getting eaten alive?

• Think bug spray. If you’re uncomfortable with the chemicals used in traditional bug spray (like OFF), there are several organic brands that use natural ingredients, like EcoSmart (link: http://www.ecosmart.com/).

• MSNBC suggests spreading a 3 ft. layer of wood chips between your yard and the woods. Ticks can’t cross the chips, so this will keep them out of your yard.

• Also, make sure there is no standing water in your yard. And, this includes your gutters. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.


Now let’s take a look at fireworks. Who doesn’t love fireworks?

They make all of us feel like kids again. But, fireworks are incredibly dangerous…

According to the Center for Disease Control (source: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/fworks.htm ), 2006 saw over 9,200 people in the emergency room over firework related injuries. There were 11 deaths.

Fireworks are a great addition to any celebration, but it’s vital that you use them safely. Here are some tips:

• The CDC reports that more injuries occur with sparklers than rockets. Surprised? We sure were. Watch children carefully when they’re using sparklers. And never light, or combine, more than one sparkler at a time.

• Never try and re-light a firework that didn’t go off. The National Council on Firework Safety (source: http://www.fireworksafety.com/) recommends waiting 20 minutes, and then soaking it in a bucket of water.

• Always have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water close by in case of an emergency.

FOR ALL OF YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS, CALL YOUR FRANKLIN COUNTY "DOUBLE AGENT" TEAM TODAY! 540-334-2020

30-Yr Fixed 5.000% 20-Yr Fixed 4.750% 15-Yr Fixed 4.625%

Thinking about BUYING or SELLING? Call Your Franklin County "Double Agent" Team today for all your real estate needs! (540)537-5918 or (540)814-1230. Visit www.SearchFranklinCountyHomes.com where you can conveniently search properties on our MLS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

$8,000 Tax Credit is a GREAT incentive to buy NOW! Do you qualify? Let's find out ~ call today! (540)334-2020

Quality Realty - serving Franklin County, Smith Mountain Lake & surrounding areas!

*** The rates above provided by Valley Team Mortgage in Salem, VA for informational purposes only. Please call to get pre-qualified to purchase today! (540)444-LOAN ***

Lock & Shop Loan Program ... An Ideal Option for Buyers!!! Here is how it works:

• · There is no cost & no risk to the home buyer
• · They are able to lock in a rate while they are searching for a property
• · Lock periods are from 45 days up to 270 days
• · There is one FREE interest rate float down option within 30 days of closing
• · The rate is protected

With this program, the homebuyer has a no risk way to hedge the market. They can lock in and search for their home – WORRY FREE!

If you would like more information on this unique program, please call Jonathan Sweat at (540)444-LOAN. Located in Salem, VA. Information stated above for informational purposes only, and provided by Valley Team Mortgage.

For all of your real estate needs, call Angie McGhee today at (540)537-5918.

Qualified Buyers Can Now Use the First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit for a Down Payment on a VHDA-FHA Mortgage!

VHDA has just announced a new first-time homebuyer program called the Homebuyer Tax Credit Plus program which has a built-in 2^nd mortgage to help cover the down payment and closing costs, with zero interest and no payments for the first 12 months. Recent economic recovery legislation has created a tax credit incentive of up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers. VHDA’s Homebuyer Tax Credit Plus loan lets borrowers take advantage of the federal First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit to finance the down payment and closing costs.

For more information, please visit: http://www.vhda.com/vhda_com/apps/DocumentLibrary/document_load.asp?docid=3153

Program Features:

· Affordable fixed-rate financing on both mortgages.

· Repayment of the second mortgage begins one year after the first mortgage payment.

· Interest rate of second mortgage: zero interest for the first year – beginning the 13th month, the same interest rate as the first mortgage.

· Maximum loan amount:

· First mortgage – maximum FHA mortgage

· Second mortgage – up to 5% of sales price (no cash back)

· Loan must close no later than November 30, 2009.

Contact me today to make the most of this unique opportunity!

Information above provided for informational purposes only. Please call Lisa Casazza with Southern Trust Mortgage to see if you qualify for this program (540)520-8488. Contact Angie McGhee & Lucinda Scruggs for all of your real estate needs today! (540) 537-5918

As we monitor mortgage rates every day, they certainly appear to be on the rise! If you are in the market to buy, now would be a good time to call your lender to lock into a rate (even if you have not found your new home yet). Call Your Franklin County "Double Agent" Team today for more information about the Lock & Shop mortgage program. This is a very creative way for you, as a buyer, to lock in to your mortgage rate NOW and then find your home!

We are here for you when you are ready to make your next move! www.SearchFranklinCountyHomes.com

Angie McGhee (540) 537-5918 and Lucinda Scruggs (540) 814-1230