http://www.votehelp.org/

Here is a completely independent way to find out how you should be voting. I know that just about everyone already know how I am going to be voting and maybe I should be a little more impartial, but I guess it is just too hard for me to be impartial. The issues that are the most important for me, I know how my candidates are going to deal with them. Anyway, I thought I would get this website out there for all of those people that are still undecided as to how they are going to vote. I did try it and it does work. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you made any new revelations about how you are going to vote after taking the quiz. By the way, many thanks again to Wayne Cordiero from New Hope Christian Fellowship for passing this little gem in his newsletter. We all know how he is going to be voting, but he said he is supposed to stay impartial, yeah right...God Bless...Jason

I have been watching a lot of PBS lately, because even though it has a natural liberal bias, at least they are not afraid to ask the tough questions to both parties and present most of the whole story. I caught part of the interview that Charlie Rose did with Warren Buffett. I noticed that he had a great viewpoint on what is happening in the economy that is requiring this bailout and how the government could recover our money and even possibly make some money. OK, there is where his expertise ends. Unfortunately, he goes on to say that he supports the idea that he deserves to be taxed more and the policies of the Obama/Biden ticket are the way that he is in support of taking the country. You can find the video by googling Charlie Rose and Warren Buffett together, but I won't do them any favors by posting it here.

The point of this post is that I was ready to post this video as my rebuttal to my previous post about the way we could get the economy moving in the right direction. The reason that I have accepted Warren Buffett's position on the bailout, is that it looks like it passed the House already, which was pretty much a foregone conclusion as of last night, and I am looking for the silver lining whereever I can find it. That doesn't change the fact that we need to stay on our Congressmen and future Presidential administration

to make sure we hold their feet to the fire about making some changes to the way we operate on Wall Street. So that we don't end up right back here with more deflated mortgage backed securities that the government has to buy up to prop up our banking system again. God Bless you for reading this and God Bless America...Jason

I know it is probably not the Politically Correct way to say it, but I need to say that we need to urge our government to pull the trigger. The bailout is not what anyone wants, but it is necessary to move the market out of the quicksand that it is currently in. Put whatever language or legislation that you want to put in their about how the executives cannot benefit from the purchase of these loans, or maybe even legislate the profit margin that the banks can make on any new loans for the next three months to make sure they are not double dipping. Whatever the language says or whatever the legislation needs to hold them accountable for, it just needs to get done.

Concerning to me, is the fact that we just recieved a press release that said that an agreement had been made, but then went on to point out that the financial services committee came to an agreement on their own plan and it has yet to be read by the white house. Read the release here:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080925/financial_meltdown.html

Re-post this blog in an email, or write your own email to your congressman and somebody tell Senator Obama that nobody cares how he and McCain differ on issues until we get this serious problem figured out.

We need a real leader right now, not someone who is concerned about how he looks to the public. You don't think McCain's people told him that he would look chicken if he called to delay the debate. McCain doesn't care what you think of him. Personally I don't know if I might actually agree with some of what Obama says about some issues that are important to me. The problem is, does he really believe them or does he just know the right things to say to get me to believe in him?

The next few days are going to be a watershed moment in our history as a country, and it may very well be a signal to many of us what path we should take with our future. A leader will emerge and the future will look great, or nothing will happen and we need to start bracing ourselves for a serious melt-down. May God help our leaders make the right decision and may God truly Bless the United States of America...In God we Trust...Jason

OK, I may have asked a few times for people to check out my website and tell me what I could do to make it more user friendly, but I am really starting to market my area very hard right now and it is really important that I am putting my best foot forward. I would be willing to give you my advice on your website as well, in exchange for any helpful hints or criticism you may have for my site.

OK, here is the content from my home page:

Reverse Mortgages

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and invite you to learn about a reverse mortgage, an innovative financial tool many seniors are choosing to help them achieve their retirement goals.

A reverse mortgage may be an option if you:

• Are at least 62 years of age?
• Do you own your home?
• Are interested in accessing some of your equity, without having to make monthly mortgage payments? (In some cases this is possible, even if you have a mortgage currently.)
• Would like to be able to use your loan proceeds however you choose, whether for healthcare, home remodeling, debt relief, assisting your family members or just to supplement your monthly cash flow?

Reverse mortgage proceeds may be used however you would like, for example to pay for medical expenses, home modifications, or to increase your monthly cash flow. Reverse mortgages are non-recourse loans which means neither you, nor your heirs, will owe more than the appraised value of the home at the time the loan matures which does not occur until the last borrower no longer occupies the home as their primary residence.

If you would like to learn more about how a reverse mortgage may benefit you, I would be happy to discuss your personal situation with you, either over the phone or in person.

Thank you for your interest and please do not hesitate to call me with any questions or concerns. I can be reached at (541) 242-8077.

Keep in mind that you do have to complete the necessary counseling to qualify for this type of loan, and the counseling is not at all connected to my office. You do not need to contact my office for referral to necessary counseling to qualify for this product. Click on the preceding hyperlink or see the following websites for more information:

http://www.aarp.org/money/revmort/

http://www.hud.gov/buying/rvrsmort.cfm

First Time Homebuyers

When asked if it is possible to buy a house with no down payment. The answer is that it depends. However, my advice, especially in this market and even in a very strong market, is to put as much as you can comfortably put as a down payment.

The amount you have available for a down payment will affect what types of loans for which you can qualify. Down payments typically range from 3 to 20% of the sales price for the property.

Tips for Accumulating a Down Payment

Save Look for ways to reduce your monthly expenditures to save toward a down-payment. You could enroll for an automatic savings plan at your bank to have a portion of your payroll automatically transferred into savings. Most people save a couple of years for their down payment. Borrow the down payment from your retirement plan Check the provisions of your retirement plan. You can borrow funds from a 401(k) plan for a down payment or make a withdrawal from an Individual Retirement Account. Be sure you understand the tax consequences, repayment terms and/or possible early withdrawal penalties. Move You may be able to save additional funds if you can move into less expensive housing. Reduce other higher interest rate debt Paying off credit cards will initially reduce your savings, but the money you will save from higher interest rates will pay-off in the long run. Sell some investments Get a second job and save your earnings Skip a year's vacation Gift from Family Parents and other family members are often anxious to help children buy their first home and may have the means to give you a gift of money for a portion or all of your down payment.

Down payment funding alternatives

For many buyers, especially first-time buyers, saving up the funds for the down payment can be a seemingly insurmountable hurdle to home ownership. This doesn't have to be the case. As your mortgage broker, I can help you find creative ways to come up with your down payment.

Using a gift for your down payment

100% Financing mortgage loans

There is a rural development loan that most areas of lane county do qualify for. You can check the following website to see if the area that you are interested in buying would qualify:

Rural Housing Eligibility

Service persons and veterans can qualify for a VA Loan that requires no down payment. VA Loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition to no down payment, these loans usually offer a competitive fixed interest rate and limited closing costs. While the VA does not issue the loans, it does issue a certificate of eligibility required to apply for a VA loan.

If you are ready to buy a home, because you are tired of paying rent and not building any equity in a home, but you don't have a big down payment saved. Please let me help you find the down payment and mortgage alternative that's right for you.

FHA

FHA loans will allow gift funds to be used as downpayment as well. First Time Homebuyers see the following page for more info: (VA loans explained as well)

Government Loan Programs

Real Estate Agents see the following flyer for more detailed information about the new and improved FHA loans:

My FLYER

One way to fund a down payment is by using a gift. For many loan programs, a gift may be used for a portion or all of the required down payment. Money given as a gift for a down payment can't come from anyone. Family members are the usual source. And sometimes an employer may also be acceptable. If this is an option open to you, please let me know. I can help you determine which loan programs accept gift funds for down payments and who may give the gift. The person giving the gift is required to sign a gift letter. The gift letter states that the funds are a gift and will not be paid back.

You can find great local Springfield, Oregon real estate information on Localism.com Jason Roebuck is a proud member of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, a free online community to help real estate professionals grow their business.

My concern is that I am trying to say too much. Please let me know what you think and I promise to help you out with yours as well, or just tell you how great your website is if it is perfect already. Thanks, in advance for any help you can give me...

www.jasonmroebuck.com

I will not tout myself as an expert on economic policy. However, if you have read any of my previous posts, I do have an opinion. MR Bernanke used the dreaded "I" word again in his statement this morning in front of the Congressional committee. However, for the first time in my recent memory, it did not immediately send the interest rates soaring upward. The fact that he mentioned the "I" word does cause some concern for those of us that were hoping that the Fed would lower the discount rate and thereby signal all of the banks to get back to reality in terms of the 30 year fixed rate that they were offering to the public. It appears that since the Fed chairman still has his inflationary concerns, and maybe they are well founded. Please read where I said earlier that I am not an expert.

However, it is my opinion that we will most likely see rates lower over the next few months as the banks see how the government is going to be helping out their portfolios by holding on to some of their less desirable paper. Although, yesterday I was hoping for a Fed cut to discount rate to allow the banks to be able to save face and lower the rates quickly and jump start the housing market by bringing a deluge of new buyers into the market. All of us who have seen the rates that were offered when the discount rate was at 4-5%, know that the banks are gouging the public with the spread between what they get the money for and what they are selling it back to us for.

Ok, now to the important news, rates are probably going to slowly get better, but most experts are still recommending that you lock if you are closing this month. Of course, check with your loan consultant to get advice on your own situation. There are going to be more buyers slowly coming into the market, but the market should see an uptick in the number of qualified buyers, and the really good news is that there is plenty of inventory for buyers to look at right now. Again, my opinion, but if you see rates get more in line with the market, your more well informed and intelligent buyers will get into the game.