About Outagamie County, WI

Have you ever been so afraid and pushed yourself right through it? Felt that sinking feeling and forced yourself forward? It is said that F.E.A.R. is an acronym for "False Emotions Appearing Real". I have heard that statement on numerous occasions, but it wasn't until I was faced head on with it that I truly understood.

I like to think of myself as an adventurous gal, so climbing up a pole and jumping off appeared to be a piece of cake... right? Well I climbed that pole like a little monkey and then I got to the top. Everything changed! That 20" pole appearedto be all of 50' and my legs began to shake. Oh my goodness, now what. I had to some how get my feet ON TOP of this tiny wobbly disk, LET GO, stand up, turn around and jump - NOT WITHOUT A NET!!!!!

The F.E.A.R. set in and I was shaking like a leaf. While trying to regain my composure, I heard the crowd below yelling "The Pole Doesn't Shake, You Do" - I some how mustered up enough will to get both feet on top of that pole, stand up, turn around and jump for the bar.

It was an amazing experience. Sure I have been in situations that I was fearful of and made it through, but this was different. In a matter of seconds, I had to decide to believe in myself and move. Not hours or days, . . . seconds.

This was a really cool experience. I hope that you too get an opportunity to experience your true abilities.

"With greater confidence in yourself and your abilities, you will set bigger goals, make bigger plans, and commit yourself to achieving objectives that today you only dream about."

- Brian Tracy: author and speaker.

This was previously inappropriately posted in Wordless Wednesday - Sorry for the error....

Photo taken at High Valley Ranch - Clearlake Oaks, CA - photo by Phyllis Frates, Big Lens Photography, San Rafael, CA -

http://www.biglenses.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAFFY -

Saffy is a 2 year old Australian Shepherd - The owner was living in an apartment and could no longer care for her. I got her when she was 4 months old.

She looks so much like my Neenah, who died a few years back. I just couldn't resist that face.

I don't know about you, but for me . . . It is absolutely necessary to spend a few moments each day filling my head with positive thoughts. I live in the boonies, approximately 45 minutes from my office. Although the commute is a pain in the rear, I am so grateful for it, as it provides me the opportunity to step away from the crazy schedule and get my dose of positive so I may carry it on throughout the day.

Here is a little something that I hope will carry you today - Make it an absolutely wonderful day!

"Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you
will never go any higher than you think."
- Benjamin Disraeli: Was a British statesman and author

"Most people get it wrong. Their thoughts reflect their life. When things are going badly, their thoughts are negative. And it's only when good is heaped upon them that they think positively. As difficult as it may be, find it within yourself to guide your life through your thoughts. The special people who can do just that can weather any storm and create the life of their thoughts - which is the life of their dreams."

MAKE IT GREAT!!!!

Each and every day, we here another story, an effected co-worker, your child's classmate, an old friend, and on and on...

With the number of foreclosures on the rise and a weakening real estate market pinning homeowners into homes they can't afford and can't sell, it's time to introduce a new way to prevent foreclosures. This tool, referred to as a loan modification, creates opportunity for lenders to modify a previous mortgage contract they hold with a borrower, and has the potential to seriously aide in the ending of the current mortgage crisis. Many borrowers are seeing their current mortgage interest rates dropping sometimes in half, thus making their new payments much more affordable. This is all done without actually refinancing the home.

People successfully obtaining a loan modification must be on the verge of being foreclosed upon and be able to show a hardship. The borrower must qualify for the program, and will likely be burdened to show that this modification will be in the bank's favor, as well as the borrower's. Furthermore, borrowers seeking a loan modification must be employed, must be able to prove their income, and will have to show exactly where a change in their circumstance created an inability to repay the debt they previously agreed upon.

Lenders are not blind to the fact that this process may potentially turn what would have been bad debt into a good loan which the bank will then profit from. And if the borrower eventually chooses to refinance or sell, the bank still comes out smelling like a rose because late charges, fees, outstanding payments, and other concessions must be part of the modification agreement. This helps make sure the bank does not lose out by temporarily absorbing outstanding funds.

Bad debt will never reflect well upon a banks appeal to their investors nor the FDIC, and pending foreclosures are viewed as bad debt. The opportunity to turn a potential foreclosure into a profitable investment opportunity will certainly pique the bank's interest to at least try a loan modification. In addition, banks prefer foregoing foreclosure duwe to the simple fact that a property in the midst of a foreclosure can sustain heavy losses during the process,

Vacant homes are often victims of vandalism, so banks make the effort to get them sold before they are forced to auction. However, regardless of how hard they try, properties simply aren't selling like they used to. Damages a property sustains take away from the overall funds that a bank would claim in a foreclosure, Now, add in all the other costs involved in the foreclosure process (attorney fees, late fees, agent fees, carrying costs, etc.), And you can see how it becomes clear that banks would rather practice loan modification than the see a home through the foreclosure process.

In Wisconsin we have not had the direct impact as have many in other parts of the country, however I am now getting calls each and every week from distressed individuals looking for advice.

Please stay tuned for PART 2 - I will be discussing "Why The Banks Will Lower Your Rate Without Refinancing....

Locking in a mortgage rate with a lender is a great way to ensure that the rate quoted will be available when you close your loan. Rate locks are essential in mortgage planning.

This year has been highly chaotic in the mortgage and financial sectors. For the most part, mortgage rates have remained above the historic lows of 2003. However, this year we've seen several instances where rates dropped dramatically without warning-The information below illustrates the small windows of opportunity we have experienced over the past 12 months.

Date	Event	Window of Opportunity
January 23, 2008	Emergency Fed Rate Cut of .75%	10:00 am to 1:30 pm (only 3.5 hours!)
March 17, 2008	Market Fluctuation	4:00 pm to market open the next morning
September 8, 2008	Fannie/Freddie Bailout	10:00 am through market close on Sept. 9th
September 15, 2008	Lehman Brothers Bankruptcy	10:00 am though market close - same day
November 25, 2008	Fed announces purchase of securities	10:00 am through 11:45am rates increased 4 times through market close

Fortunately, these ultra-brief windows allowed us to help several of our clients save money on their mortgage and secure a solid plan for the future.

A rate-lock, or lock-in, is a lender's promise to hold a specified interest rate for you for a pre-determined period of time while your loan appli­cation is processed. Due to the volatility of the market, many lenders are also offering a rate renegotiation policy to assure that the borrowers have an opportunity to renegotiate their rate should the market improve and lower interest rates become available.

Knowledge is Power -be sure to ask your mortgage professional BEFORE YOU COMMIT about their lock policy and more importantly, renegotiation policy. Interest rates change daily and in these volatile times several times per day.

What Happens If the Lock-in Period Expires?
If you don't settle within the lock-­in period, you might lose the interest rate This could happen if there are delays in processing whether they are caused by you, others involved in the settlement process, or the lender. For example, your loan approval could be delayed if the lender has to wait for any documents from you or from others such as employers, appraisers, inspectors, builders, and individuals selling the home. If your lock expires, most lenders will offer an extension of the lock for a small fee. To protect yourself ask questions of your mortgage professional as to lender turn times, etc. We have experienced lenders offering a great interest rate only to find that their processing departments are so bogged down with new guideline requirements, that the closings are being delayed requiring extensions.

Knowledge is Power - Ask your mortgage professional BEFORE YOU COMMIT about lender turn times.

How Can You Speed Up the Approval of the Loan?
Much of the information required by your lender can be brought with you when you apply for a loan. This may help to get your application moving more quickly through the process. Be sure to respond promptly to your lender's requests for information while your loan is being processed.

Now is a great time purchase or to refinance. However, it's sometimes difficult to decide whether or not to refinance or purchase now because there are so many things to consider. Each person has different financial situations and particular financial goals that should be considered.

If you are considering purchasing, refinancing, or would simply like to sit down with a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialists for a mortgage review or pre-qualification consultation, give my office a call. We work with numerous local and national lenders and are located right here in Wisconsin. Having offices in Appleton, Oshkosh, Green Bay and Grafton, you can be assured the very best of service on a local level. We were here yesterday, we are here today, and we will be here tomorrow to assist you in your mortgage planning needs.

If you are not quite ready to personally meet me, that's ok! Simply visit my websites and get to know me!

http://www.WisconsinLoanTips.com and http://www.MortgageProsofWisconsin.com Here you will find great tips, mortgage calculators, information on FHA, VA, Rural, Refinance, Purchase loans, general mortgage information and much more!