Geoffrey Davis

When I first began working as a mortgage broker the more lenders you were signed up with the more rate sheets you received. A rate sheet is a PDF document from the lender you signed up with - Chase, Wells Fargo or Bank of America, etc. These rate sheets used to be 8 or 10 pages long. There were a variety of transactions and way too many options and programs. To be honest, I don't think the loan officers or brokers even knew what some of the programs were. There was a day when account reps would come to your office about every two or three weeks or so to talk about new programs.

Again, I think that was - and it has been proven - the demise of some of our mortgage industry because with those programs, when their risk category got too aggressive some of those ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgages) programs were just not as attractive for anybody - the mortgage market or the homeowners. Now when I get rate sheets, they are between two and four pages long. I think it is great! It has gone back to the days of "would you like a 30 yr. fixed or a 20 yr fixed or a 15 yr fixed?' Rarely do I talk about ARMS unless I have a client who is buying a home for an investment property and might sell. Or perhaps my client is going to graduate school or they have a contracted job for only a 3 year term. Then that program might be a viable option.

To recap, the mortgage industry has become pretty boring! As Dave Ramsey says, he would much prefer that you come in with 20% down and do a 15 year fixed but some of us do not have that capability. We also are not certain that we will not be moving, so why get a 15 year fixed when you can spread those payments out and make it a little cheaper each month. If you look at the amortization of that loan over 15 and 30 years and see the difference in the finance charges over the life of the loan, the benefit of doing a 15 year fixed becomes pretty obvious.

I'd like to close with one of my favorite stories. When NASA first sent astronauts into space, they realized that a ball point pen would not work in zero gravity. A million dollar investment and two years of research resulted in a pen that could write in space on almost any surface and at temperatures ranging from well below freezing to over 300 degrees Celsius. When confronted with the same problem, the Russians used a pencil.

Sometimes we can make things just a little too complicated when the easy side is where we need to stay! My thanks to my former boss at Specialized Bicycle for the gift of a Russian space pen and the story! I had no idea you could buy the Russian Space Pencil.

FCC is participating in the Frisco Family Service Center's Back to School Program. We have adopted 2 children to provide clothing and school supplies for the upcoming school year. Frisco's Richardson Bike Mart will be the drop-off for your donations. Please have all donations turned in by August 6th. Below are the details of the 2 children we have adopted and below that, text from the FFSC web site about the program. General school supplies are also appreciated! Thank you in advance for all of your support!

Gender Age Grade Shirt Size Pants/Dress Size Shoe Size
Girl 10 5th Large 10-12 5.5

Girl 16 11th Medium 11 8


With the beginning of the school year quickly approaching, many families in Frisco will once again need to turn to Frisco Family Services Center for help. These families do not have the means to provide their children with the necessary supplies, clothing and shoes to start the new school year. Pre-qualified children will receive a new clothing outfit and shoes, a backpack filled with school supplies and hygiene items. During the distribution, children will be able to receive free haircuts courtesy of Jump, Jive & Wail Salon and The Salon Professional Academy. Several organizations will be on site to provide services such as immunizations, Medicaid and Food Stamp application assistance as well as health and dental screenings, sports physicals and much more. The agency anticipates serving over 300 children this year. FFSC is calling on the community to help provide the complete school supply list and a new outfit and a pair of shoes for these children. Individuals, groups, and businesses can help by donating school supplies, hosting a school supply drive, and/or providing new clothing and shoes. Items needed include: backpacks, wide ruled notebook paper, 70 page spiral notebooks, classic washable markers, pens, plastic zippered school bags, folders with brads, 2" 3 ring binders, sharp tip scissors, boxed Kleenex, and glue sticks. Teen hygiene items needed include: hair care products, deodorant, make-up, perfumes and colognes.


Geoffrey Davis FCC President FriscoCycling.com

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Please join FCC today- help us continue the path we are on, regardless of if you are a member of another team or club. As a club, the FCC is a member of Plano Cycling Association, BikeDFW, League of American Bicycles, Plus 3 Network and Texas Bicycle Coalition. This newsletter list is now over 460 names and we have 116 members!

I have been thinking a lot about Fatherhood recently. In just a few days we will have child numbers 3 and 4 when the twin girls get here. My wife is at 35 weeks now and our doc says be ready at any time. I searched Wikipedia to see what it had to say and confirmed my suspicion. Staying involved with our kids is the right way to go. "children who experience significant father involvement tend to exhibit higher scores on assessments of cognitive development, enhanced social skills and fewer behavior problems"

But what to do with our kids aside from all the sports or music events we take them to. How about a free bike ride around City Hall? Below is what is going on this Saturday from 10am till noon at Frisco Square. Load up the SUV with the bikes and come on over and join us. Stop by the Frisco Cycling Club booth for a great coupon that you can use that day at a nice place called Lochrann's right around the corner!

Don't miss the biggest family event of the year! Especially since it's FREE!!!!!!

The 3rd Annual Frisco Family Fun Ride is THIS Saturday!!! Bring your family and meet your friends and neighbors at Frisco Square on July 25, 2009, from 10am - Noon and ride your bike around a ½ mile loop that is closed to all vehicular traffic. As in years past, the Frisco Family Fun Ride is a FREE event. Register on-line for your free goody-bag and ride number. The event is for all skill levels - from trailers to tricycles and training wheels to advanced riders, the Frisco Family Fun Ride has something for everyone. Enjoy the expo which will feature local family friendly businesses and don't forget the silent auction that is always a huge hit and full of amazing items to bid on. We have everything from autographed sports memorabilia to art pieces to family outings. This year the event will also host a BMX demo that will feature local BMX talent. Don't miss out on all the fun and remember its FREE!

Every so often when speaking with Realtors or other Mortgage folks, the question gets asked to me, "How do you get your business?" Or a sales person from yellowbook.com or a person soliciting sponsorship from a Chamber of Commerce list, "Where do you spend your advertising dollars?"

My advertising model is fairly simple, fund the programs I am involved with or sponsor a business where I trust the owners. So when you ask me to sponsor a High School calendar, and I don't have a child at the school yet, you have little chance to get me involved. Bring up something aboutFrisco Family Service Center or Habitat for Humanity, and then I start to listen.

But I am most blessed by folks I have helped before, who take it upon themselves to have others phone me or send me their information with permission to contact them. Now that is greatness.

So where do you spend?

Julie has been working in the yard a fair amount and unfortunately, came across some cracks in our bricks. Though not huge, we thought better to have a Pro check them out. A friend from church works for Perma-Pier, a Foundation Repair Company. Shane came out and did a map of our home and then used that fancy measuring tool at certain parts in the inside of our home. It did show a small amount of movement and he knew why. What I learned is that each of my side yards sprinkle zones need to be reduced on the amount of time they water. With just a small space to cover, it is holding the water in that area and causing the soil to swell some, enough to move both sides a pinch. Great news! The better news was this home evaluation was free. I thought it must be because we go to church together at St. Philip's but he says they do that for everyone. Have you had your foundation checked recently, maybe time to call Shane Adams. You can call to schedule your appt @ 214-637-1444 and make sure to ask for Shane