Guy Thomas

VA HOME LOANS IN MONUMENT, COLORADO, are an excellent way to purchase your home in the picturesque community of Monument, Colorado. These loans are available to current active duty and retired military personnel. The benefits of the VA HOME LOANS IN MONUMENT are worth your time and effort to research how this type of financing can make your next move so easy to accomplish.

Take advantage of the ZERO DOWN fixed rate loan aspect of this type of financing. You can choose between a 30 or 15 year loan to facilitate your personal financial plan, or you can even take advantage of an adjustable rate plan if that suits your needs better.

It is important to establish a relationship with a good lender to prequalify for the loan, and to explore the available options to assure you that this is a good decision for your family.

THIS COLORADO SPRINGS LENDER thought he had seen it all. That is until he was talking to a Realtor today who had uncovered a new and albeit creative scam.

This particular Realtor had been driving by one of his listings when he noticed a family out looking through the windows as if interested in the property. Sensing an opportunity to meet a new customer he stopped to chat. From here things take a turn for the worse.

The wife explained that they had seen this home listed for rent on Craig's list for the unbelievably low sum of $800.00. They had responded to the e-mail address in the ad, sent in an application,(thank God they didn't give any social security numbers), and were waiting to see where they needed to send their deposit and first months rent. The ad, to make things more interesting, had the seller's names listedby the seller's maiden name which is how she took title prior to getting married.

The Realtor, let the folks know that the home was for sale and not for rent. The husband reminded his wife he had told her this was too good to be true. Upon further questioning the Realtor discovered that the e-mail had originated from Nigeria. Where have we seen this before? Apparently, now that all the millions of dollars of inheritance money has been safely moved out of Nigeria (yeah right lol) to safe havens in the U.S., the new tactic is to track new listings and offer them for great rental rates to the unsuspecting.

Fortunately for the couple in our scenario, they had not sent any money or done anything else to compromise their money or identity.

This COLORADO SPRINGS LENDER reiterates the maxim, "if it is too good to be true" it probably is not.

The 3rd ANNUAL CRIPPLE CREEK ICE FESTIVAL is underway and will last through the end of February, weather willing. The Ice Sculptures are located outside on Historic Bennett Avenue in the famous old gold mining town of Cripple Creek Colorado. The scenery is gorgeous in this valley on the back side of Pikes Peak. So bring your cameras. There are activities for the adults and children while they watch the world famous sculptors work with chain saws and a plethora of cutting chisels to create their unbelievable art work.

Dress warm as the mountaiun air can be chilly this time of year. There are also a number of vendors with food and drink for everyone. Don't leave without visiting some of the gambling casinos and restaurants which line the streets throughout the town.

The real star of the show, though, are the gorgeous, intricate ice sculptures glistening in the sun. The creative work is really something to be seen and enjoyed this time of the year.

The misunderstood and beautiful Coyote has been sighted in even the most upscale neighborhoods. While looking harmless enough, one should not overlook the risk of wild animals amongst us. The reports of attacks are becoming more frequent as these animals become less and less fearful of people.

Along with the foxes, raccoons, prairie dogs and the occasional bear, Coyotes have discovered that life in the "city" is not all bad. With all the fast food scraps leftover in the dumpsters, and geese and ducks aplenty in city ponds and parks these wild creatures can find food with relative ease. They are even known to attack the family pets when the opportunity presents itself. In recent years, reports have surfaced of attacks on adults as well as children playing in back yards.

Keep an eye out and be aware that as we push into the wilderness surrounding our cities, the original inhabitants are finding ways to maintain their way of life in spite of our attempts to discourage them otherwise.

A wife was looking for her husband and couldn't find him. She finally went down stairs and found him sitting on an old apple crate sobbing and crying his eyes out. Concerned, she asked him what was wrong.

He said, "honey, do you remember when your daddy, the sheriff, said that he would throw me in jail for twenty years if I didn't marry you"?

Trying to calm him, she said "well I don't think he was serious. And after all this time, why does that make you cry?"

He replied, "well today I would be getting out!"