Wells Fargo Lowers FHA FICO Score to 580
In late January two big players in the lending industry loosened up their FICO requirements. According to one consumer group a third of Americans currently have a FICO score less than 620. Most lenders currently require 620 or higher to qualify a buyer for a loan which is why Wells Fargo and Quicken’s decision to lower this by 40 points has caused such a buzz. Like most Realtors, I had clients who stood to benefit from this program so I picked up the phone and called Tammy Mazza at our local Wells Fargo to find out the details.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
The last time I made this was during Snowmageddon and the stores were out of eggs. I subbed 1 mashed banana for 2 of the eggs and 5 teaspoons of flax meal mixed with 6 tablespoons of warm water for the other two eggs. I was really pleased with the results and the fact that I could serve this to my vegan friends so I have permanently altered my recipe. If you want to go the easy route, eliminate the banana, flax and water and replace it with 4 eggs.
I also like that this recipe makes two large loaves so you can share with friends and neighbors or freeze it if you feel like being stingy. 
The 3/50 Project
In November, I received an email about “Small Business Saturday” which occurred the day after Black Friday. I thought it was a really fabulous concept but it wasn’t until early this morning that I discovered the foundation behind that campaign. Here is a little info on how YOU can help your local economy. There is a link in my side bar that takes you to the 3/50 Project so spread the word!
Veggie Chili
My daughter, Fiona, asks me to make chili about once a week. This is my basic recipe which often gets changed up a bit depending on what we have on hand. Sometimes I add corn, bell peppers or other veggies that are about to pass the peak of freshness. It is also a great way to sneak vegetables in if you have a family member who thinks they don’t like them. This may have a lot of ingredients but it is very simple and goes together quickly.
Homebuyer Assistance Programs
In a recent poll of “American Attitudes About Homeownership” by the National Association of Realtors, 95% of owners and 72% of renters said they believed that it makes more sense to buy than rent. So, why is it so hard to make the switch? If you have ever purchased a home, you know that there are some significant upfront fees involved with buying. Most first time buyers look to an FHA loan because it has the lowest required down payment at 3.5% of the sales price compared to the 5% required by a conventional loan. In addition to the down payment, there are lender fees, title fees, inspection and appraisal fees, etc. The good news is that there is help available to low to moderate income families.
Eastern Flyer Passenger Rail – OKC to Tulsa
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RE: EASTERN FLYER PASSENGER RAIL DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE
DATE: FEBRUARY 8, 2011
We are Ready to Make an Offer!
When a client tells me they are really interested in a property and ready to make an offer, there are a few things I do to prepare for writing the offer. As an informed consumer, I am sure that you want to know all of the aspects you should consider rather than randomly choosing a number and going for it….probably not the best choice! You want to go to the negotiating table fully armed with any and all of the information to help you write a good offer, while trusting your gut at the same time.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Seeing as how you are probably snowed in and the kids have cabin fever, I thought I would post a recipe that everyone will enjoy and the whole family can participate in preparing. I first prepared this recipe about 5 years ago when I purchased the Williams Sonoma: Essentials of Baking Cookbook. There are some fabulous recipes in this book and this one is definitely a keeper. Enjoy!
How Walkable is Your Neighborhood?
It’s not often that I see people commuting by bike or foot in Oklahoma City, though I believe this will become more commonplace as our city increases bike lanes and sidewalks. According to Walkscore.com, Oklahoma City has an average walk score of 42 with zip codes 73102, 73103, 73106, 73118, 73104, 73139, 73112, 73107 and 73109 with an average score of 50 or higher.
Looking for a Local Lender
When looking for a loan, there are some things you should consider before settling on a lender. Are they are mortgage lender or mortgage broker? Do they offer a product that will best fit your needs and save you the most money? Can you actually get in a car and drive to them if problems arise or would you have to hop on a plane to New York to track them down?
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