Kay, GA Mortgage Advisor - VA Specialist

Kay, 404-298-5500, Georgia Mortgage Consultant

Most mortgages today require a 3% to 5% down payment. Even if you qualify for a no-down payment mortgage, saving before you buy a home is a smart financial strategy.

Having a healthy savings account demonstrates financial maturity, and makes it easier for your mortgage to be approved. In addition, there are unforeseen costs associated with owning a home. Having a savings account cushions your transition from renter to home owner.

Accumulating savings doesn't have to be a difficult process. It is possible to make the easy, small changes that lead to big savings. Here are a few ideas.

1. Curb impulse spending by leaving your credit (and debit) cards at home.
   Studies show that those with credit cards are likely to spend 18-25% more. Having to take a trip home to pick up your credit card may just give you the time you need to change your mind.
   
   
2. Bag your lunch.
   In an era where even fast food lunches cost $7, eating out can easily add up to $200 per month. Instead of going to lunch with the group every day, try giving yourself a treat once a week instead.
   
   
3. Clip coupons to cut your grocery bill.
   Some supermarket chains will double or even triple the face value of coupons. To receive special coupons for your family's most popular grocery items, register on the manufacturer's site. Manufacturers will often send special offers or coupons via email.
   
   Here are some websites you can use to check grocery sales and specials in your local area. (Some of these websites require registration).
   
   MyGroceryDeals
   Coupon Mom
   Shop Local
   
   
4. Keep the change.
   How easy is this one? At the end of each day, put your spare change away and watch it accumulate to real money. What you call "spare change" depends on your income. Some people save anything less than a dollar, while others save anything that is less than 5 dollars.
   
   
5. Put your savings on auto-pilot.
   So, now that you are saving all of this money, how do you make sure it stays in a savings account? Set up an automatic withdrawal with a federally insured savings account or aFDIC-insured money market deposit account .
   
   
6. Check out what you can pick up for fr-ee.
   The Freecycle Network™ is an online community that is fr-ee and open to the public. Members from your local area will post items they are willing to give away. You can get everything from office supplies to electronic equipment to compost from this website.
   
   
7. Try the envelope method.
   With the envelope method, you create an envelope for each spending item (example, gas, food, etc.). Each pay period, you put the money you've allotted for an item in its envelope. Once the envelope is empty, that's it -- no more spending.
   
   
8. Rent a room or become a lodger.
   If you decide to become a lodger as a way to save on housing expenses, make sure you have a contract, and that all payments are made with a check. Once you decide to buy a home, your mortgage company will want to see copies of cancelled checks proving your rental payments. If you decide to rent a room in your home, it is critical that you conduct background and credit checks on your boarder and have a contract.
   
   
9. Sell your excess stuff.
   If you are like most Americans, you have accumulated a lot of stuff you are not using. Have a neighborhood yard sale. Put items you don't need on eBay or craigslist and deposit what you earn in your savings account.

Follow these simple steps and watch your savings accumulate.

For information about applying for a Georgia mortgage loan, feel free to email (anointedmi AT aol DOT com) or call me (404-298-5500).

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Posted by Kay, Georgia Mortgage Consultant and VA Loan Specialist.
404.298.5500
25+ years' banking and finance experience.

Helping residents of Dekalb County, and all of Georgia with their mortgage financing needs since 1998.
Specialties: VA Mortgages, GA Relocation Mortgages.

Not meant to be tax, financial or legal advice. Please consult a professional for information about your specific situation.

from the Clarkston Health Collaborative e-newsletter

Clarkston Business Association Kick-Off Event!!
Thursday, October 16th 6:30 p.m.

Pho Truc Vietnamese Restaurant
Thrift Town Plaza - Downtown Clarkston
926 Montreal Rd Ste
Clarkston, GA 30021

Busineses and merchants of Clarkston, Georgia are invited to attend the Clarkston Business Association Kick-off event. Please bring your business cards and information to this organizational meeting for Clarkston businesses.

The Clarkston Business Association Kick-Off is co-sponsored by Northlake Veterinary Surgery, Allstate Insurance, andThe Clarkston Health Collaborative

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More Clarkston BUSINESS RESOURCE Guides Available.
A new order of Clarkston’s brand new Business Resource Guide are in and available now. To get your copy (or copies), please e-mail your request to csholliday AT dhr DOT state DOT ga DOT us or call the Clarkston Community Center at 404-508-1050.

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For information about applying for a mortgage loan in Clarkston or any part of Georgia, feel free to contact me at 404-298-5500.


Posted by Kay, Georgia Mortgage Consultant and VA Loan Specialist.
404.298.5500
25+ years' banking and finance experience.

Helping residents of Clarkston, Dekalb County, and all of Georgia with their mortgage financing needs since 1998.
Specialties: FHA Mortgages, VA Mortgages, GA Relocation Mortgages.

Not meant to be tax, financial or legal advice. Please consult a professional for information about your specific situation.

Kay, 404-298-5500, Georgia Mortgage Consultant

Celebrate the start of Fall by getting your home schoolers out of the house. Join in the fun during Home School Day at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia. According to weather.com, Friday should be a beautiful mild, sunny day, with temperatures in ranging from the 50s to the mid 70s.

Enjoy a day of "edutainment", and use Stone Mountain Park as an outdoor classroom.
Activities include:

• The Sky Hike,
• Programs on local history,
• Live craft demonstrations of life in the 1870's.

For additional information about Home School Day at Stone Mountain Park, visit the site here.

Do you have questions about applying for a Georgia FHA, VA or conventional mortgage? Contact me at 404-298-5500.

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Posted by Kay, Georgia Mortgage Consultant and VA Loan Specialist.
404.298.5500
25+ years' banking and finance experience.

Helping residents of Georgia with their mortgage financing needs since 1998. Specialties: VA Mortgages, GA Relocation Mortgages.


Not meant to be tax, financial or legal advice. Please consult a professional for information about your specific situation.

Kay, 404-298-5500, Georgia Mortgage Consultant

The HUD $100 Down program significantly reduces the cash you would have to pay out of pocket for your home. This makes it a great program for Georgia first time home buyers, provided you can find the right property.

This program, which has been open since November of 2007, allows you to buy a HUD foreclosure with $100 down (instead of the traditional 3% down). It can only be used for property you plan to occupy - investors are not eligible.

The program ends on September 30, 2008, and I have not received any information about it being renewed.

If you have any questions about this program, feel free to contact me at 404.298.5500.

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Posted by Kay, Georgia Mortgage Consultant and VA Loan Specialist.
404.298.5500
25+ years' banking and finance experience.

Helping residents of Georgia with their mortgage financing needs since 1998.
Specialties: FHA Mortgages, VA Mortgages, GA Relocation Mortgages.

Not meant to be tax, financial or legal advice. Please consult a professional for information about your specific situation.

Community announcement posted by Kay, 404-298-5500, Georgia Mortgage Consultant

The Dekalb County Transportation Division is evaluating improvement options for the Rockbridge Road corridor from Memorial Drive to State Road 124.

Please come by the Public Information Open House to give us your input.

Date: Thursday, August 14, 2008

Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Place: Pine Lake Baptist Church
4528 Rockbridge Road
Stone Mountain, GA 30083

For information contact: Jan Price (404) 377-9147

What is your vision for Rockbridge Road?

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Posted by Kay, Georgia Mortgage Consultant and VA Loan Specialist.
404.298.5500
25+ years' banking and finance experience.

Helping residents of Lithonia, Dekalb County, and all of Georgia with their mortgage financing needs since 1998.
Specialties: VA Mortgages, GA Relocation Mortgages.

Not meant to be tax, financial or legal advice. Please consult a professional for information about your specific situation.