Dione Sage

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Citizen's Police Academy 10th Annual Golf Tournament

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The Gilbert Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association is holding their 10th annual golf tournament on Saturday, October 18th at 7:30 a.m. at the Western Skies Golf Club.

The format is a four-person scramble, 4 closest to the pin contests and longest drive contest with trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and last place.

If you have any questions about donations/raffles or would like to field a team and/or sponsor a hole, please contact (480) 507-8503. You may also send donations to 1065 S. Palomino Creek Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85296. Remember all donations and/or sponsorships are tax deductible.

Well this isn't about awarding you amazing neighbor next door or praise about my neighbors whom I think are awesome, however it is great information for People looking to Purchase a Home and happen to fall in to the eligible category listed below.

GNND= Good Neighbor Next Door (FYI, I will be using the abbreviation a lot in this blog)

The Neighbor Next Door initiativesare a collection of FHA's home sales programs designed to help communities and promote homewownership.One of those programs is the GNND. In an effort to strengthen America's communities, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, otherwise known as HUD offers HUD owned single family homes to eligible participants through the Good Neighbor Next Door Program. By using the GNND Program participants can get a 50% discount off the HUD appraised value. Example if the home is listed at $100,000 then it can be purchased for $50,000 through the program. Below is more information on this amazing program:

WHO IS ELIGIBLE ?

• LAW ENFORCEMENT (Employed Full-Time Federal, State, County, Tribal, Township or Municipal)
• TEACHERS(Employed Full-Time State-Accredited public/private school that directly services students grades Pre-K through 12^th Grade. The school in which the teacher is employed must serve students from the area that the home being purchased is located.)
• FIREFIGHTERS/EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS (Employed Full-Time as a Firefighter or Emergency medical tech. by a fire department or emergency medical service responder unit of the Federal/State Governments or Tribal Government serving the area the home to be purchased is located.)

*Some Agencies have other home buying programs. The GNND program can work in conjunction as long as you can meet all the GNND program rules while you take part in the other programs. No other residential property can be owned at the time or 1 yr previous to an offer being submitted.

*36 Months mandatory Occupancy Period(This must be your Primary Home) HUD can conduct spot checks to make sure the GNND home is your sole residence at any time during the 3 yrs. Failure to honor the 3 yr occupancy requirement will result in HUD demanding repayment of the discounted amount on a prorated basis. HUD also may initiate administrative sanctions including, but not limited to, barring the participant from partaking in any HUD/FHA programs, as well as other programs. In any case there is Fraud or Abuse of this program there is a possibility of criminal prosecution which can result in two yrs in federal prison and/or a fine up to $250,000. If the participant sells the GNND home after 3 yrs the appreciation/equity is the home owner's profit.

*Participants MUST use a Real Estate Broker or Agent to buy a GNND Home. Also 1% Earnest Money Deposit is required by the participant. It shall be no less than $500 and no more than $2,000. All offers are considered a commitment. HUD list price is not negotiable. HUD homes are located in designated Revitalization Areas. (See HUD website for map)

FINANCING

Cash or FHA, VA or Conventional mortgages may be used to purchase HUD home. HUD requires participants to sign a Second Mortgage and Note on the discounted amount (which is $50,000 in the example above). No interest or payments are required on this "silent second" mortgage if you occupy the home for the full 36 months.

HUD Homes are sold AS-IS so consider an FHA 203k, 203b or Streamlined 203k program if the home is in need of rehabilitation or repairs.

*MORE Information and can be found on the HUD website as well as a map of where the homes are located.

Please speak with your Loan Officer/Mortgage Consultant and Realtors for all other information on the GNND Program.

Great News for the Weekend

What could be better than a 3 day weekend? The Answer is: you will get a break from highway closures caused by new construction!!! All the way through Monday this holiday weekend the Phoenix areas and other highways across our beautiful state of Arizona should be good to travel on.

Although this does not mean there will be no delays due to heavy traffic. Everyone PLEASE remember to Drive Carefully. There were 10 people killed in car crashes last Labor Day weekend and Law Enforcement will be out to try and protect us but be cautious and buckle up:

Here are a few tips that are also found on the ADOT website:

• Allow extra travel time and be patient
• Observe speed limits, including lower speeds in work zones
• Check your vehicle before traveling, including tire pressure
• Be prepared for an unscheduled closure; bring extra supplies, including water
• Get a good night's rest before driving
• Think ahead, arrange for a designated driver and never drive impaired

*Also remember that even though there are no "scheduled closures" for the Labor Day Weekend there are still a few existing improvement project work zones around the state including I-10 west of Phoenix, I-10 in Tucson, State Route 179 to Sedona and I-17 north of Phoenix.

And Happy Labor Day To Everyone - Be Safe

WHAT A NIGHT

When you think of Phoenix Arizona, you may think nice and sunny (maybe even hotter than Hatties) Our average seasons contain a 6-7 months of Summer followed by a quick Fall and brief Spring and we still cant find Winter. However that is not entirely true anymore. Two Winters (ah found it) ago we had a lot of freezing throughout the Valley of the Sun. Headlines this morning read "Hurricane-force winds pound East Valley" "Strong Storm Hits the Valley" and so on. Well had I not been sitting in my home in Gilbert last night to see for my self I would not have believed it. My kids and dog were trying to all sit on my lap last night. When I opened my patio door early before the bulk of the storm hit I knew something was coming. The winds were so strong that we quickly moved all the chairs away from the pool so they would not blow in, turned down and locked the patio umbrella and ect... But that was not stopping this storm from causing havoc. The sky quickly turned in to what looked like grey & black cotton balls with lightening dancing in every section that I could see. The lightening was literally weaving in and out of the sky, EVERYWHERE. The rain started pouring down (which come on I live in Arizona, Rain is ALWAYS welcomed) and it went on like that for hours. Even when I went to bed last night my hubby and I were looking at the blinds that were closed in our room, all the lights in the house were off and it looked like someone had set an extremely bright TV outside our window and the flickering of the light kept showing through the blinds.

IT WAS AMAZING - However not everyone probably saw it as a thing of beauty like I did. For example the travelers stranded overnight at Sky Harbor Airport, Or the ASU Facilities Director who went to work to find the practice bubble was well not a bubble, or the people effected by the roads and other areas flooded (we don't have the best drainage systems here for when it rains but hey it doesn't do it that often). To those people who were affected by the storm last night my Heart goes out to you. As for me, I was thankful my kids were asleep in their beds, the roof was still over our heads and my brave dog Lucy was still cowering at my feet.

I thought I would share this with you all because it is a rare thing to have a storm that massive here where I live.

The "American Dream" of Homeownership is bound to cross every individuals thought sooner or later. Some spend a lot of time imagining their wants, calculating their needs and envisioning the key in hand. All too often people make the mistake of coming up with their own financial approval (The price they do not want to exceed because they know how much they can afford). You can save yourself from headache and heartache if you take the proper first step, that step is to get thoroughly Pre-Approved. Nothing is more disheartening then to be denied the dream home that you have Pre-Selected.

Do Not mistake the Pre-Approval with the Pre-Qualification....You may get a great offer in the mail saying that you are Pre-Qualified but ask yourself this...what is it based on? Here is a brief explanation on the differences in the two letters -

• a PRE-QUALIFICATION is not based on hard facts most of the time, sometimes your credit has not even been pulled. A Pre-Qualification can be based on the basic information that you have provided for your lender. This is more of an invitation and you are at this point you are under no obligation to pursue a mortgage with that bank or lender. Some institutions will show you what is called a teaser rate to get you to choose their services so please be careful and ask questions.
• a PRE-APPROVAL is however more factual in order to cut down some risks of being denied financing after you find the perfect home. The bank or lender will need your social security numbers to check credit history, last 2 yrs. of residence, birthdates and other personal info including but not limited to employment history (2 yrs), exact income, checking/savings info, assets/liabilities, history of previously owned real estate and ect...Some documents may be required for proof so be prepared.

What is best for you? Well first ask yourself this question, how serious are you about purchasing a home? If your dream is to find a perfect home that fits your needs and budget, then I suggest talk to a professional and get Pre-Approved. You can shop around for a lender/bank that YOU feel comfortable dealing with but don't be fooled by some of the smoke & light shows that are out their, Go with your gut and don't be afraid to Ask questions. For some purchasing a home is the biggest financial venture they will make in their lifetime....From the beginning to the end of the transaction, everything should be treated with the highest of importance.

Good Luck To All & God Bless.