Tangipahoa Homeowners should know that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is providing help for delinquent and non-delinquent homeowners. Last month, the Treasury Department announced its Making Home Affordable programs. Making Home Affordable provides two options for homeowners, refinancing and loan modifications. The programs are aimed at homeowners who are struggling to meet their mortgage obligations. The Home Affordable Refinance program is for homeowners who have been making their mortgage payments on time but are struggling to do so. The program allows qualifying homeowners to take advantage of today's historically low fixed interest rates. The program even allows homeowners who have seen a decline in values to participate. Because the lender already has much of the homeowners' information on file. the refinancing process should take less time and be less costly than conventional refinancing.
The Home Affordable Refinance program is only available for home loans which are backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Home Affordable Loan Modification program is aimed at the at-risk homeowner as well as homeowners currently in the foreclosure process. Loan modifications may reduce loan payments to 31% of the homeowner's gross monthly income. Loan modification includes reduction of payments, loan balance forgiveness and extension of the loan up to 40 years. The Home Affordable Loan Modification program has been designed to work in conjunction with the FHA Hope For Homeowners program as well. To apply for the Home Affordable Refinance or Loan Modification programs, homeowners must qualify under the guidelines of the Making Home Affordable program.
Tangipahoa homeowners should be aware that there are scams afoot which charge you for services in seeking loan modifications. Please do not be taken in by those who prey on others. Free help is available at HomeownerHope.org for homeowners seeking a loan modification. At this site, you will find a questionnaire which helps to determine what federal and/or local programs are available. The site also provides a free checklist and call log to assist you when you contact your lender. In addition you can sign up for a free newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on any changes to programs which may assist you.
The Making Home Affordable website offers a free online tool to determine your eligibility for both refinancing and loan modification options available to homeowners. Any Tangipahoa homeowner that has experienced a job loss, a reduction in their income, foresees their house payment increasing or is struggling with their current mortgage payment would be wise to check out the Making Home Affordable Refinance program. If you are a Tangipahoa "at-risk" homeowner or if you are behind in your mortgage, you should contact your lender regarding a loan modification. Lenders are receiving incentive funds from the government when they help you modify your loan.
It is still in the planning stages, but the proposed plan to increase educational opportunities in the Tangipahoa Parish are very attractive. The proposed plan would upgrade our current opportunities by creating a High Tech Career Education Center and specialized training classes in magnet schools. Classes would provide training in communication, construction, design, medical and performing arts fields. The proposal includes offering the International Baccalaureate program and the Montessori approach to learning in our Tangi schools.
The High Tech Career Education Center would allow students from all high schools to attend the center for specialized classes and then return to their regular high school for their standard scheduled classes. Hammond Westside Primary and Roseland Elementary would offer the Montessori learning approach and would be designated as magnet schools. Amite Elementary, Independence Middle School and Woodland Park would be designated as magnet schools offering communications with the latest technology. Hammond High School would offer a Medical Professions certified program in various areas of the medical field in conjunction with North Oaks Medical Center. Hammond Eastside and Kentwood High School would offer a performing arts curriculum. Hammond Eastside Elementary, Hammond Junior High and Hammond High School would participate in the International Baccalaureate program.
The proposed plan would bring a variety of learning opportunities to Tangipahoa Parish. As with any proposal, some think the innovative programs would improve the quality of education for our students, while others do not think implementing new programs is the answer. What do you think? Will the plan provide better education to Tangi students?
Yvonne Martin, Keller Williams Realty Services
Tangipahoa Parish School System (http://www.tangischools.org/board.html)
The Florida Parishes Bank received a $3.24 million in TARP funds in January. The TARP fund came to the bank through the Capital Purchasing Program. This allows banks with financial strength to participate in the program. The TARP funds are used to help banks free up monies for credit. The TARP funds were leveraged, which resulted in an additional $35 million for lending purposes. The extra funds will allow the bank to be more flexible in its lending guidelines. Florida Parishes Bank President, Ronnie Fugarino, stated that the last few months have been some of the best ever for mortgage loans.
Currently, Florida Parishes Bank is the only local bank to receive the funding. One of the reasons for this is that the bank is willing to accept the terms on which the money is lent to the bank. Some banks are reluctant to accept the funds because the rules and restrictions of the program have undergone several changes. All TARP funds must be eventually paid back to the US Treasury.
Please feed free to contact me if you have any questions or visit my website for more information about Tangi Properties.
Looking for something special to do this Valentine's Day in Hammond? Southeastern Louisiana University's Columbia Theatre For the Performing Arts is offering a Valentine treat on Saturday, February 14th. A special production of the Broadway musical Bye, Bye Birdie will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Bye, Bye Birdie is sure to delight your ears. The original production received eight Tony Awards, which included Best Musical. Following the performance, patrons will be served champagne and chocolates. Yum! Tickets are still available and may be purchased online or at the box office today and Friday between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The box office is located at 220 E. Thomas Street in Hammond, Louisiana. Enjoy a night of fun entertainment with your loved one this Valentine's Day in Hammond.
The City of Hammond will be the host site for the Tangi Home Show to be held this weekend, at the Old Hobby Lobby Building across from the Wal-Mart store (2704 West Thomas Street). The Tangi Home Show is organized and sponsored by the Tangipahoa Home Builders Association. More than 50 exhibitors will participate in the event, which will include live seminars and cooking demonstrations. On Saturday at 3 p.m., awards will be given to the winners of the Tangi Home Show Coloring Contest.
The Tangi Home Show will be held on Saturday, February 7th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday's event opens at 11 a.m., with the show closing its doors at 4 p.m. Admission for the Tangi Home Show is only $5 for adults. The Daily Star is offering a a nice savings for those attending the event. There will be a $2 discount coupon on its front page all this week.
Tangi Home Show Schedule
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Saturday Seminars |
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Saturday Cooking Demonstrations |
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Organize and Simplify |
12 P.M. |
Gary Fonseca, Executive Chef
Carter Plantation |
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Tank vs Tankless Water Heaters |
1 P.M. |
Phil O’Donnell, Owner/Chef
O’Donnell’s Restaurant |
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Making Sense of Today's Real Estate Market |
2 P.M. |
Callun Sinclair, Chef
LA Grill Catering/N.O. Live Café |
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Sunday Seminars |
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Sunday Cooking Demonstrations |
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Taming the Dragon - Know Your HVAC Equipment and Zoning Option |
12 P.M. |
Frances Chauvin “The Pie Lady”
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Do-It-Yourself Energy Efficiency Improvements |
1 P.M. |
Jamene Dahmer,
Executive Director, United Way |
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How To Protect Yourself and Your Home From Predators |
2 P.M. |
State Representative Steve Pugh
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Hammond Real Estate
Hammond Homes for Sale
Yvonne Martin, your Hammond Realtor
Yvonne Martin, providing real estate services for buyers and sellers. Areas servedL Hammond, Ponchatolua, Tickfaw, Loranger, Amite, Robert, Kentwood, Albany, Covington, Springfield, and Livingston.
Free Relocation Package Ask the Experts Special Report
I once heard a saying that "People don't care what you know until they know you care." That saying has become my standard in real estate. I want each and every client to know that I do care.
With my focus on Technology and my tremendous investments in marketing programs and my constant increases in advertising venues I strive to be the best real estate agent in the market, never losing focus on what is important, you, the client.
If you want an agent, who displays dedication and competence; someone who knows the area, and someone who cares about you and your family, then call me. When you are ready to buy or sell, I make this pledge to you: That I will be the hardest working, most trustworthy and simply the right person for you to hire.
This is the business that I have chosen. This is the business that feeds, clothes and shelters my family. I tell you this to let you know that if you want quality service, a name you can trust and a person working hard for you, then hire me. You'll see that I am different from most. I rely completely on this business and so I treat each and every client as if they were a true friend and most are.
If you are moving into the area or if you have been here for years and are ready to step up or down. I am here to help you "come home". I specialize in the Hammond, Ponchatoula, Covington and surrounding areas' real estate market. I strive for excellence to ensure quality service and a real estate team you can trust.
My family has been in the area since the 1850's. I have been a Realtor in the area for several years. I understand the unique niche that the Hammond, Covington, Ponchatoula, Springfield, Albany, Amite, and surrounding communities have to offer. I have been here a while and I understand the complexities of the region and the people that I serve.
Here's What They're Saying:
Thank you Yvonne, I have never been happier. I was looking for a nice home and surroundings to retire in and very happy with our choice. We couldn't have done it without you and I will always remember that and I will continue to spread yyour name. A lot of people know about you but aren't ready to make a move yet, but I still feel that they will....sooner or later. Thx much!! - Mike Lutz
~~~ I wanted to take a m-nute to thank you again for all the hard work you did in assisting my husband and me in purchasing our first home. Without your help we would have been totally lost. I was awed by your knowledge and expertise. You guided us through the entire process with professionalism and dedication. I'm sure ours was a small purchase compared to other clients'; however, you made us feel just as important. You were readily available to answer questions, you returned calls promptly, and you went out of your way to complete and deliver paper work in a timely fashion. I was amazed at how well the entire purchasing process flowed. I remember first seeing the house on June 11, and we had the closing on June 27. We could not have had such a quick and problem free transaction without your guidance.
It's been three months now, and we are completely satisfied with our decision. We were well-informed buyers due to our wonderful agent.
Thanks again for your hard work. We will definitely recommend you to anyone we know. _ Ora Lynn Anderson Smith
~~~ Yvonne Martin was my agent three years ago. Prior to my meeting her, I had been looking for the right house for one year, to no avail. I was exhausted and frustrated when we met. She was amazing. After my first meeting with Yvonne, she got a firm grasp on the type of house I was looking for. Within days, I had a purchase agreement on my dream home. She was a pleasure to work with, and extremely effective in carrying out her duties. She later sold a property for me, which again, she did an exceptional job. All I had to do was show up to sign the paperwork at closing. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a new home. - Jennifer V. Daigle
~~~ Yvonne is a great agent! She sold our house quickly despite difficult market conditions. Through Keller Williams, she has access to current market data, which she used to help us price our home and develop strategies for marketing it. She was prompt in getting our house featured in their on-line sites and also in returning phone calls. She was diligent about contacting potential buyers, and showed our home often while it was on the market. She advised us well throughout the process. Working with Yvonne was a very good experience, and we would certainly use her services again in the future. - Carl and Toni Phillips
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