This may help some to refi:

Acting Federal Housing (FHA) Commissioner Carol Galante announced price cuts to the "FHA’s Streamline Refinance Program" that could benefit borrowers whose mortgages are currently insured through the FHA. Beginning June 11, 2012, the FHA will lower its "Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP)" to just .01 percent and reduce its annual premium to .55 percent for certain types of FHA borrowers.

To qualify, borrowers must be current on their existing FHA-insured mortgages which were endorsed on or before May 31, 2009. Late last month, FHA also announced it will increase its upfront premiums on most other loans by 75 basis points to 1.75 percent. In addition, FHA will raise annual premiums 10 basis points and 35 basis points on mortgages higher than $625,500. Read the "FHA’s new Mortgagee Letter".

Currently, 3.4 million households with loans endorsed on or before May 31, 2009, pay more than a five percent annual interest rate on their FHA-insured mortgages. By refinancing through this streamlined process, it’s estimated that the average qualified FHA-insured borrower will save approximately $3,000 a year or $250 per month. The FHA’s new discounted prices assume no greater risk to its Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund and will allow many of these borrowers to refinance into a lower cost FHA-insured mortgage without requiring additional underwriting. FHA-insured homeowners should contact their existing lender to determine their eligibility.

Last month, the Obama Administration announced a broad package of actions and legislative proposals to help responsible homeowners save thousands of dollars through refinancing. This includes the changes announced today that will benefit current FHA borrowers – particularly those whose loan value may exceed the current value of their home. By lowering monthly mortgage costs for home-owners, FHA hopes to help more borrowers stay in their homes, thereby decreasing the potential for future default and reducing losses to the Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund.

Long Island New York Springtime Buying Season Is Here!

Spring will be arriving soon and we can say with certainty that there's a tremendous increase in buyer activity already.

We fully expect that the spring market will be a great one. While interest rates remain low we are seeing buyers and sellers taking action now!

That adds up to good news for both home buyers and sellers. Today's consumers realize their purchasing power is still strong. That means they have the advantage and ability to get more for their dollar. And for sellers, buyers are out and about so more showings.

We are optimistic and look forward to a brisk Long Island New York Springtime Buying Season!

And when you're ready to buy or sell Real Estate On The North Shore If Long Island, please call LARRY AND SHEILA, Realtors with Charles Rutenberg Realty at 631-805-4400.

I recently made a trip to The Phantom Gardiner in Rhinebeck NY. I did not go alone it was a trip organized by the Old Dutch Garden Club of Red Hook.

Purpose of the trip to the Phantom Gardener

We were attending a talk given by My. Lazar the owner of the Phantom Gardener, the topic was Organic vegetable gardening. This was the perfect place for such a discussion since organic gardening is a specialty of this garden center.

There was discussion of soil preparation, the importance of composting as well as the type of manure that should be incorporated into the soil. There was discussion on how to deal with different bugs and pests as well as our 4 footed friends like the deer. We also learned about various organic products that could help us to have a great season.

At the Phantom Gardener you will find the Bookstore where you can sit and read, workshops are also held in that space. There are lots of products available, seeds, plants, pest control items, ornamental garden items, pots and much more.

The Phantom Gardener is also popular with second home buyers in Rhinebeck and the rest of the Northern Dutchess and Southern Columbia areas because of the assistance they receive in setting up organic gardens, vegetable or flower.

Location of Phantom Gardener: 6837 Route 9, Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Hours of operation Monday- Saturday 9AM - 6PM | Sunday 10AM-5PM

Contact 845-876-8606

It will only take a moment......

Feng Shui L.I. and Manhattan Team In Training asks for your help.....

Feng Shui Long Island, Inc. and Feng Shui Manhattan, Inc. have always been involved with community projects and volunteering when able to. The love for motivating and inspiring others is a core key element to Feng Shui. This past year I have been consulting and personal training with many clients that have been recovering or going through treatments for Leukemia and Lymphoma. To honor them and their family members I have recently teamed up with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training for the Grand Canyon Hike for a cure in May of 2012.

I have a mission-to help find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers. To accomplish that mission, I’m participating in a sports endurance event as a member of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training. Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support; I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.

At no set amount, Ms. Cerrano asks for your help and if you can please make a donation in support of her efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures. You can donate $10, $15, $20 or up, it's what you feel comfortable with.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training asks to please have all donation in by March 28th, 2012.

*All Donations are tax deductible* If you would like to make a donation please click on: Feng Shui Team in Training with Laura Cerrano

It will only take a moment of your time to make help transform a life

Thank you and many Blessings,

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Long Island, Inc

Feng Shui Manhattan, Inc.

Feng Shui LI

*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since graduating from the Country's very first School for Feng Shui Studies that was licensed and accredited in 1997. Carole provides on site Feng Shui Consultations Long Island NY, Queens New York and New York City -Hamptons NY.

New York City Feng Shui Manhattan

New York Feng Shui Manhattan New York City Manhattan NYC Consultant Laura Cerrano is a Second Generation Certified Feng Shui Consultant who has trained with Feng Shui Long Island and Masters from across the Country including Shamans to incorporate Native American beliefs and Space Clearings into her Feng Shui Consulting Firm, Feng Shui Manhattan New York City NY. After co-consulting on site for many years Laura began her own business in 2000 and has a strong client base in New York City, New York, Long Island NY, Queens, Brooklyn, New Jersey and the rest of the New York Tri-State area.

Copyright © 2012 Feng Shui LI and Feng Shui Manhattan, All Rights Reserved

Visit Another Hidden Treasure of Long Island Shelter Island with New York Feng Shui consultant

What a beautiful day to hike the Shelter Island located between the North and South Fork of Long Island NY. This beautiful hidden treasure offers visitors a chance to see Long Island the way it used to be before development took over it's natural beauty.

Here is a brief history about Shelter Island NY:

"Shelter Island is 8,000 acres of land, marsh, and mist nestled between the North and South Forks of Long Island and surrounded by Gardinerís, Shelter Island, and Peconic Bays. Gardinerís Island to the east completes the sheltering effect. Shelter Island can be reached by shuttle ferries from both Greenport and North Haven, north of Sag Harbor. The County road through the island is Route 114."

For additional information please click on ShelterIsland.com

The Shelter Island Preserve is home to hundreds of animals, trees and plants. You have best of both worlds, woodlands and beach scenes. What helps to keep this location so pristine is that no one can occupy the beach, leaving it completely true to it's surroundings. It's really amazing the difference you can see and smell. The air was much crisper and fresh and the ocean water was so clear you can see the bottom. It was almost like you were on a tropical island.

Even tho this is the season for non lush greenery, there was still so much beauty to appreciate. Looking at the large fields of tall grass, random patches of darker areas helped to create interesting natural compositions of color and texture. When standing still and really taking in the sounds, Ms. Cerrano and her other hikers could hear the wind gently hitting these blades of tall grass. This was so peaceful, you could not help but get caught up in the moment.

The amount of birds in Shelter Island Preserve was amazing! North Fork Feng Shui consultant Laura Cerrano absolutely loved her 10 mile hike with her Team in Training on Shelter Island today. It's strongly recommended to those visiting or who already live on Long Island or simply the New York region to take advantage of this preserve. It's for you anyway ;)

Feng Shui LI

*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since graduating from the Country's very first School for Feng Shui Studies that was licensed and accredited in 1997. Carole provides on site Feng Shui Consultations Long Island NY, Queens New York and New York City -Hamptons NY.

New York City Feng Shui Manhattan

New York Feng Shui Manhattan New York City Manhattan NYC Consultant Laura Cerrano is a Second Generation Certified Feng Shui Consultant who has trained with Feng Shui Long Island and Masters from across the Country including Shamans to incorporate Native American beliefs and Space Clearings into her Feng Shui Consulting Firm, Feng Shui Manhattan New York City NY. After co-consulting on site for many years Laura began her own business in 2000 and has a strong client base in New York City, New York, Long Island NY, Queens, Brooklyn, New Jersey and the rest of the New York Tri-State area.

Copyright © 2012 Feng Shui LI and Feng Shui Manhattan, All Rights Reserved