Rick Cignoli - Sr. Mortgage Advisor

HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FRIEND

I wish you Health...
So you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the Love of friends and family...
And Peace within your heart.

I wish you the Beauty of nature...
That you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities...
For those things that really matter in life.

I wish you Generosity so you may share...
All good things that come to you.

I wish you Happiness and Joy...
And Blessings for the New Year.

I wish you the best of everything...
That you so well deserve.

HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FRIEND

Merry Christmas To All

May you and your family enjoy the gifts of Peace, Joy, Hope and Happiness

during this Christmas Season and throughout the New Year.

The Perfect Eat, Drink and Be Merry Holiday Diet Plan

Here are some tips on how to really enjoy the holiday festivities. Eat, Drink and be Merry! It's Christmas!

1.) Avoid carrot sticks. Carrots are for rabbits. Anyone who puts carrots on a Holiday Buffet Table in Litchfield County, CT knows nothing of the Holiday Spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2.) Drink as much Eggnog as you can... and quickly. Eggnog is rare! You cannot find it any other time of year. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an Eggnog-aloholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. Hey it's Christmas!

3.) If something comes with Gravy, use it. That's the whole point of Gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your Mashed Potatoes. Fill it with Gravy! Eat!

4.) As for Mashed Potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5.) Do Not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday Party is to eat other people's food for FREE. And lots of it!

6.) Under no circumstances should you Exercise between Christmas and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the Holiday Buffet Table carrying a 10-pound plate of food and consuming that vat of Eggnog.

7.) If you come across something really good at the buffet table, like frosted Christmas Cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8.) Same for Pies. Apple, pumpkin, mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9.) Did someone mention Fruitcake? Granted, Fruitcake is loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10.) ONE FINAL TIP: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the Holiday Buffet Table, you haven't been paying attention. Start over and re-read these tips. But hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember This Motto To Live By During the Holidays: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving at the pearly gates in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, "WAH HOO! What a Ride!"

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

"Milk and Cookies with Santa" in Watertown CT December 4, 2010

The Junior Woman's Club of Watertown, CT is sponsoring "Milk and Cookies with Santa" on Saturday December 4 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Jonathan Trumbull School in Watertown, CT.

This fun, holiday event is always well received by the Watertown CT community. The event features Santa's Adventure Hunt, face painting, a visit to Candy Land, raffles, "Make and Take" Craft projects hosted by the Watertown Parks & Rec Department and, of course a visit by Santa himself.

This All children and adults are welcome! Children under one are admitted free. The price of admission is $3:00 which includes cookies and a beverage; or $1.00 per person for admission only. Children under one are admitted free. Tickets are available at the door.

The Junior Woman's Club of Watertown, Inc. is a nonprofit organization comprised of women interested in improving the quality of life in the Watertown Community. All women in Watertown, CT are invited to join the Club to exchange ideas, skills and friendships.

Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval. Strengthen your mortgage bargaining power in CT by knowing the difference between these two homebuyer tools.

"What size house can I buy;" How big of a mortgage can we afford; and "How do I make sure my offer is accepted?" These are three of the most common questions asked by First-Time Home Buyers, Move-Up Buyers and Downsizers.

Getting Pre-Qualified for a mortgage is a good start. This will give you a general idea on how your financial situation affects your buying power It can also help you determine which Loan Officer going to select to assist you with financing the largest investment you may ever make. Usually, there are no commitments attached to getting pre-qualified by a loan officer... you are investing a little of your time and the risk of pulling a credit report.

The Best Place to start is to get Pre-Approved for a mortgage loan upfront in the process by a Direct Lender. Not only does Pre-Approval give you the peace of mind knowing your price range has been approved by the lender, it strengthens your position at the negotiating table especially if you are asking for seller concessions.

There's a Big Difference between being Pre-Qualified for a loan and being Pre-Approved for a mortgage. Some brokers offer Pre-Qualifications, only direct lenders can extend a conditional Pre-Approval. Here's the difference:

Pre-Qualification:

• Provides only a "ballpark" estimate of your buying power
• Is based solely on the verbal summary of information you provide on your income, assets and down payment availability
• Requires receipt of a satisfactory appraisal of the property
• Requires receipt of a formal mortgage application and receipt all supporting documents, financial information and review of program requirements prior to issue of final approval.

Being Prequalified essentially means that a verbal interview has been conducted without providing any of the necessary supporting and based on your say-so, it appears you can afford a specified mortgage amount sufficient to purchase a home selling in a particular price range.

Pre-Approval:

• Means that you have supplied all of the documentation documents (pay stubs, W2s, bank statements) that is required to support your loan scenario.
• Is based on a formal verification of your income, assets and credit history
• Your application has been reviewed and signed-off on by an direct-endorsed underwriter for compliance with the appropriate mortgage program
• Provides proof to real estate agents and sellers that you are a serious buyer and by accepting an offer from this buyer, there should not be any financing issues with the buyer.
• Requires only a satisfactory appraisal, a title review and no change in your financial condition for final approval
• Is offered FREE by Envoy Mortgage www.envoymortgagect.com as a service to you before you begin shopping for your new home.

Pre-Approval signifies that the loan application has been through a formal underwriting procedure. A strong preapproval letter can be the difference between having your offer accepted on your next home when competing with other buyers.

Understanding my clients' needs with a focus on honest answers to their concerns has earned me the reputation as a mortgage advisor you can trust.