Posts

Understanding the Mortgage Process

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Mortgage 101 Let's face it, the mortgage is the most important item in buying a home. Without the mortgage there is no home. Mortgages can be very confusing . The most important part is getting your Pre-qualification letter and Pre-approval letter . Without these letters sellers are not going to take you seriously. I have also blogged about down payments in the past and have added a Mortgage page to my website that covers Types of Mortgages and Down Payments. One of the most crucial items that affect your mortgage is your credit score. Your credit score affects the rate you get with your mortgage. When filling out your loan application there is a lot to understand. You will find a Loan Application Checklist on my website to help you with the mortgage process. Be careful when looking online for a lender. There are a lot of scammers out there. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has a great brochure to help you look into your lender. The National Mortgage Licens...

Keep Summer Boating Safe in Michigan

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Summer is just around the corner. I know you and your boat are just waiting to have fun. Make this summer’s boating fun a safe one by keeping these boating and personal watercraft safety tips in mind: Don’t overload, observe weight limits Always wear a life jacket Know the waters you are navigating. Always carry a map Report accidents immediately Boating and alcohol do not mix Use your lights at sunset, before sunrise and when foggy Littering is illegal No harassing water birds Take a boat safety class

Home Safety 101 - Cooking

  Home Safety 101 - Cooking Cooking brings family and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity and can be relaxing. But did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has put together a list of safety tips.  By following a few safety tips you can prevent these fires. “Cook with Caution”  • Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.  • If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.  • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop. If you have a small (grease) cooki...

Home Safety 101 - Smoke Alarms

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  Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has a great flyer for you to download on Smoke Alarms that covers all this information on it.  SAFETY TIPS  Install smoke alarms in every bedroom. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement. Large homes may need extra smoke alarms. • It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound. Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working. Current alarms on the market employ different types of technology including multi-sensing, which could include smoke and carbon monoxide combined. Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate fal...