People's Focus on Brevard

2012 Changes to HARP 2.0 - Coming in March!

2012-01-31T11:35:00.001-05:00

by JoAnn Young - People's First Financial Services

CHANGES EFFECTIVE FOR 2012
New Federal Regulations Eliminate Value Issues
for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans
beginning March 17, 2012

Removal of 125% LTV ceiling
+ No new property appraisals
+ Elimination of certain risk-based fees
+ Program extended thru Dec 31, 2013

More homes will qualify under the new changes due to the LTV ceiling being lifted for underwater homeowners. Call JoAnn Young to get your application ready by the end of February. Rates are LOW, now is the BEST time to refinance and save more money in 2012.

Wake up America!

2012-01-19T06:47:00.000-05:00

I'm posting this under "Money Saving Ideas". I do not usually watch Judge Judy but this one was a good one. Our government needs to wake up and something needs to change!

Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) 2.0

2012-01-13T21:54:00.010-05:00

By JoAnn Young - Owner / Principal Broker - People's First Financial Services.

Hello! Recently,I mailed my customers in my database a postcard with news about the new HARP 2.0 for homeowners that are currently underwater on their mortgages. Several have called and asked about the program guidelines so I decided to post a note here for more explanation.

HARP 2.0 provides much needed relief to underwater borrowers who have been making their payments but unable to refinance due to lack of equity in their homes. Note: This type of loan does not excuse any of your current balance. The current full balance is refinanced.
Please keep in mind that the HARP program is OPTIONAL for banks to participate. Not all banks are offering the program and the banks that do participate add to or restrict the guidelines that the government has laid out.
The primary changes to HARP are the reduction of pricing adjustments (points) on all HARP loans which allows borrowers to save more money than they could have before and the ability to not require appraisals on many loans.
The guidelines I am posting are from a mortgage lender that I currently have a wholesale lending realtionship with who has the closest HARP program to the government's program.
You do not have to go through your original bank or lender for this program!!!
1. First, you must find out if you current loan is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Go to this link and type in your information: Fannie Mae. or here Freddie Mac If you think your loan is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and you get a message that your loan is not eligible, call me.
2. Your current loan to value - excluding any second mortgages -they don't count anymore! This cap will be lifted in the third week of March of 2012, somewhere between the 20th and the 26th. So when the lid comes off, we will all be swamped! If you have a second mortgage, you must request the second mortgage lien holder to remain in second place (re-subordinate).

3. You cannot have any late payments on any mortgages in the last 12 months.
4. HARP 2.0 can be used for Primary Residence, Investment Properties and Second Homes. My wholesale lender will also accept CONDOS! But condos only up to 125%

5. You and a Co-Borrower (if applicable) must have a minimum credit score of 640. Out of the three credit bureaus, it is the middle score.
6. Income must be fully documented. W-2's tax returns, paystubs

7. If your current loan started with or now has mortgage insurance, your are not eligible to refinance with HARP 2.0

8. You cannot have been involved in a short sale or foreclosure for the last three years.
9. In some cases, FNMA will not ask for an appraisal for this product. Saves you even more money!
Interest rates are great for this program right now!

Now, who wants to refinance???
Contact JoAnn Young - direct line 321-253-0390 or email me JoAnn@PeopleComeFirst.net and let's get started on saving you more money before the mad rush starts!

50 Year Low on Mortgage Rates!

2012-01-05T14:12:00.000-05:00

01/05/2012
Unbelievable! Interest Rates hit a 50 year low!
30 year Conventional rate now 3.875% (apr 3.925%)
15 year rate 3.25% (apr 3.337%)
No points, No origination fee!
If you are buying a home or looking to refinance, NOW is the time!
Call JoAnn Young @ People's First Financial before they go the other way! 321-253-0390

Lots of Changes in 2012 for People's First Financial Services!

2012-01-03T17:15:00.002-05:00

First, let me say...HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here's to a brand new year and hoping it is filled with bountiful blessings for you and yours.

2011 was the 25th year of the company's existence. It was also quite a challenging year for People's First Financial with implementing all the changes from the new legislation and RESPA reform from the end of 2010. As I reflect on 2011, a have tagged it as a year to have gotten the "kinks" out of the changes. And so along with change comes new ideas of how to make services more convenient for my clients.

MOBILE SERVICES
This year I am pleased to announce that People's First Financial has chosen a new location for its primary place of business at 4865 Wickham Rd. Suite 104, Melbourne, FL 32941 and has also chosen to become a more user friendly and mobile office. Evening appointments will be made available to those who work regular business hours and do not wish to take off work or use a lunch break to make a mortgage appoinment. I am more than happy to accomodate an appointment in the comfort of your own home or a location of your choice.

REDUCED COSTS, BETTER RATES
The best news is that the new changes have reduced the overhead of the company greatly and I am passing those savings down to my clients providing even better wholesale interest rates and closing costs!

SAMPLE OF CURRENT INTEREST RATES
Interest rates have dipped once again providing more opportunies for homeowners to refinance and also for buyers to purchase more house for their money. Current 30 year rates as of today are at 3.99% ! APR 4.04% That is NO points, NO origination fee! 15 yr rates are even LOWER!
Current turn around times from application to closing are 30-45 days. Most larger banks are taking 60-90 days to close a mortgage loan.

If you are thinking for refinancing your home or purchasing a home in the near future, I'd be delighted to take your call and start working towards your financial goals today.

So without further ado, here's to the new and even better People's First Financial Services for 2012! I'm looking forward to a GREAT 2012 and better serving my clients!
Sincerely,

JoAnn Young, Principal Broker / Owner -People's First Financial Services
321-253-0390 Email: JoAnn@PeopleComeFirst.net

Five Things to Know When Visiting Walt Disney World During the Holidays

2011-11-05T21:53:00.000-04:00

A side tip from People's First Financial for visiting Central Florida's Walt Disney World during the holidays:

Walt Disney World is always a magical place. Around the holiday season, the parks and resorts also get a dose of holiday magic! If you are planning to visit during this festive time of year, there are a few things you need to know. Check out this Top 5 list to find out what you need to know for a holiday Disney vacation! Read more at Chip & Co.

"Overcoming Common Mortgage Financing Problems" Part 3 - Excess Debt

2011-10-25T20:24:00.000-04:00

By JoAnn Young - Owner & Principal Broker of People's First Financial Services, Melbourne, FL

Excess Debt
We've had a little break in this financing series and we are now ready to get back to "Overcoming Common Mortgage Financing Problems".
In this segment we will be discussing "Excess Debt". If you've been turned down for a mortgage loan because of excess debt or your debt-to-income ratio is too high, be grateful. The lender / bank has actually done you a favor! Over the long term, such debt is a serious pull on your ability to save money and live within your means with the income you have to work with. The end result is bankruptcy court for many who continue to climb into debt with the uncertainty that they will be able to repay it without the benefit of a "guideline."

Should you ever have the cash available to pay off your debt or at least some of your debt, I would encourage you to do so. Mortgage lenders sometimes make this a condition for funding the loan especially when you have significant debts or are at the borderline for qualifying for the loan. If you lack sufficient cash to pay down the debt and buy the type of home you desire, consider choosing among the following options:

1. Set your sights more realistically. Buy a less expensive home for which you can qualify.

2. Go on a financial diet. Your best bet for getting rid of consumer debt is to take a hard look at your spending and see where you can make cuts. Use your savings to pay downt he debt. Explore boosting your income somehow. Maybe pick up a part-time job until you can pay down your debt load.
3. Get family help. A potential option is to have your family help you with borrowing, either by co-signing your loan or by lending to pay down the high interest rate debt. Again, I go back to being able to live within your means and using your family only as a last resort. If you cannot afford the home, now is possibly not the best time to buy.

In part four of our series we will be discussing Credit Scores. I hope this series is informative and helpful. Please call me with any questions you may have regarding financing or if you would like to see if you pre-qualify for a mortgage. You can email me by clicking on my name. JoAnn Papsidero Young, People's First Financial Services, Melbourne, Florida 321-253-0390

Credit Myths That Can Trip You Up

2011-10-11T07:17:00.001-04:00

By JoAnn Young - Owner / Principal Broker - People's First Financial Services, Melbourne, FL

When it comes to credit, sometimes the biggest challenge is the most difficult to surmount: we simply don’t know what we don’t know, so our assumptions run wild through our mental real estate. Most of the time, there’s no harm; following finance fundamentals like paying every bill on time, every time, keep us out of credit danger zones.

But when it’s approaching the time to buy, refinance or even rent a home, small credit score differences can stop you from getting your dream home, and can cost (or save) you thousands of dollars in interest over the life of your loan.

If you’re at a time in your life where it makes sense to invest some time and effort into optimizing your credit score, then by all means read this:

Myth #1: Having lots of cash, a great income, or lots of equity, makes your FICO score less relevant. Fact: No matter how much cash you have, if you want a mortgage, you must meet the lender’s FICO score guidelines. Of course, if you’re flush with cash, it should be relatively easy to make your monthly payments on time. But if you have come into cash relatively recently or you’re coming off a rough financial patch, lenders don’t not look at your credit score on the theory that your other assets diminish your credit riskiness. Most lenders want nothing more than to avoid having to foreclose on a home, even if the homeowner has other assets.

And the best predictor of whether you’ll default on a loan in the future is how you’ve handled your credit in the past, so your credit score will drive whether you qualify for a home loan and what interest rate you’re charged, no matter how much you make.

Two exceptions: if you buy a home with all cash, or take a hard money loan, which usually requires a much larger-than-average down payment and interest rate, you might be able to bypass credit score scrutiny, but you’ll pay for it.

Myth #2: Having no debt or no late payments means you have great credit.

Fact: Financial responsibility and good credit are two different things. Your FICO score is meant to be a measure of your responsibility when it comes to managing debt, as proven by the fact that you have credit accounts, use them regularly and don’t abuse them.

Having no credit accounts or debts doesn’t give you good credit - it gives you no credit. And on the other end of the credit usage spectrum, being maxed out on various credit accounts all the time, submitting lots of credit applications and other credit moves that indicate you may abuse your credit can actually depress your score. Best practice is to have several credit accounts (student and car loans count!) that you actively and responsibly use on a monthly basis.

Tip: FICO gives a top score to accounts with balances that are 30 percent of the credit limit, so if you can keep your credit card or loan account balances at or around that mark, even better.

Myth #3: Checking your own credit score in advance prevents surprises when you apply for a mortgage.

Fact: Your mortgage originator (broker or banker) must pull their own version of your report from their own provider, and it might have a very different score, rating scale or even different line items than the free or paid report you pulled online. This is why it’s imperative to start working with a mortgage professional as early as possible - a year in advance is not overkill - so you can detect any errors or issues and get their recommended fix in the works with plenty of lead time.

Myth #4: If you’ve had a foreclosure or short sale, your credit report will be damaged for 7 years.
Fact: Derogatory credit items, like late mortgage payments, foreclosures and short sales, appear on your credit report for 7 years, but your credit score can be rehabilitated enough to buy a home or obtain other credit in less time, depending on your circumstances. Your post-short sale or foreclosure waiting period depends on a number of things, including what type of loan you’ll be seeking to buy your next home with, how much cash you’ll have to put down and whether there were any extenuating circumstances involved in losing your home in the first place; some loans allow for an immediate purchase, others require a waiting period of 2, 4 5 or even 7 years after the loss of a home.

Of course, your FICO score is also a key in a post-home loss “buy,” but interestingly, the length of time it takes to get your FICO score back up depends on how high it was beforehand. Earlier this year, the New York Times reported that it would take a consumer with a 680 FICO score three years after a foreclosure to bring their score back to that level, while it might take someone with a 780 FICO score (near-perfect) seven years for full score recovery.

And keep in mind that as your foreclosure or short sale ages, its impact on your score will decrease, too.

Myth #5: Short sales have much less impact on your credit score than foreclosures.

Fact: Hear ye, hear ye - short sales and foreclosures have the same impact on your credit score, according to the FICO folks . (The only exceptions are for short sales or deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure where the property was not upside down, which are few and far between, if they’re not just a real estate urban legend!)

Shopping for Homeowner's Insurance

2011-09-20T12:54:00.001-04:00

By JoAnn Young - Information complied from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has relaunched an online system that allows consumers to compare pricing on homeowner insurance.

The new system, called the Consumer HomeOwners Insurance Comparison Electronic System (CHOICES), allows consumers to select between two standard risks, and pick any of Florida’s 67 counties. The system generates a window with rankings for the rates of the leading insurers in that county.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said the system is designed to encourage Floridians to shop for a better rate; the system also illustrates the competitiveness of the homeowners’ insurance market in Florida and the benefits of shopping for insurance.”
CHOICES was originally released in 2007 as shopandcomparerates.com. At its peak, the website received nearly 10,000 hits a month.

Instructions When you get into the website:

Click on a county to view the average approved rates for insurers.

Click on the name of an insurance company for contact information.

Click on an insurance company’s average approved rates in one county to see that company’s average approved rates in every county.

The rate quotes reflect the most recent rate filings OIR accepted. The rates do not reflect surcharges or discounts, and OIR encourages consumers to contact their insurance agent, or the company directly to obtain an official premium quote, according to OIR’s statement about the relaunch of the program.
In the last few years, the state has instituted several policies that the OIR claims are designed to make property insurance more competitive. Critics claim the state is allowing companies that are not financially stable to claim policies currently managed through the state-run Citizen’s Insurance, so it can dilute the state’s risk in the event of a hurricane.
Several companies have failed in the last two years, requiring the state to absorb their policies.
OIR has allowed State Farm to raise rates significantly and drop a large number of policies, and is allowing other companies to raise rates in an effort to address criticisms that the state is keeping rates artificially low at levels that are not conducive to running financially healthy insurers.
Citizens has also increased rates and will continue to do so over several years to make rates more sound across the board.
JoAnn Young - People's First Financial Services, 321-253-0390 JoAnn@PeopleComeFirst.net

Owner of People's First Financial Marries 9-10-11

2011-09-19T19:38:00.005-04:00

Special announcement! JoAnn Papsidero, Pricipal Broker / Owner of People's First Financial Services of Melbourne, Florida married James Michael Young of Louisiana, Missouri on September 10, 2011. The ceremony was held on the Indian River in Melbourne, Florida on the most beautiful day! Even dolphins were in attendance! Jim and JoAnn go way back to college days in Northwest Indiana where they worked on the same Sunday School bus route bringing inner city Chicago children to church. They built a friendship in those days and never expected to cross paths again 26 years later. Jim is a certified property claims adjuster for Eberyl Claim Service and JoAnn continues to own and operate People's First Financial Services and also serves as a local Realtor. They will make their home in the Lake Washington area of Melbourne, Florida.

Congratulations Jim & JoAnn! May God bless your marriage and give you many happy and unforgetable memories together!

Overcoming Common Mortgage Problems Part 2, "Credit Problems"

2011-08-23T20:42:00.000-04:00

by JoAnn Papsidero, Principal Broker / Owner People's First Financial Services, Melbourne, FL

This article is the second in a series for overcoming common mortgage problems in a loan application. In this article I would like to address the subject of
Credit Problems
When you seek to take out a mortgage, lenders examine your credit history, which is detailed in your personal credit report. Your current debts and credit history can produce a number of red flags that may make lenders skittish about lending you money. Allow me share with you how to deal with the typical problems that concern lenders:

Credit report boo-boos
Remember the music or book club that joined way back when? Remember the barrage of letters that they sent reminding you that you were delinquent with your payments? That club may get its revenge in a very painful manner. Creditors can and WILL report your loan delinquencies and defaults and these blemishes show up on your personal credit report.
The following is a suggested plan of attack to cure the problem:
1. Be proactive. if you know that your credit report includes imperfections, write a letter to the0 creditor explaining why the problem exists. Maybe you were late on your loan payment because you were out of the country and did not get your bills processed on time. Maybe you lost your job unexpectedly and fell behind until you located new employment.
2, Shop around for understanding and flexible lenders. Some lenders are more sympathetic to the fact that you're human and have sometimes erred. As you speak with different lenders, inquire whether your previous credit blemishes may pose a problem,

3. Look to the property seller for a loan. Property sellers who are interested in being the lender can also play a role in your financing until you are able to secure a traditional loan. Those who check your credit report may be more willing than banks and lenders to forgive past problems, especially if you are financially stronger today.
4. Fight and correct errors. Credit reporting agencies and creditors who report information to the agencies make mistakes! Unlike our legal world, you are guilty until proven innocent. Start by identifying the incorrect information. If the information pertains to an account that you never had, it is possible that the account and any derogatory information belongs on someone else's report.
To get the errors corrected, you must be willing to be patient, persistent and be a bit of a pain. By law, the creditors only have a certain amount of days to respond to your inquiry.. Should you get the runaround, ask to speak to a supervisor or a manager until you receive satisfaction. If this technique does not work, call your better Business Bureau and file a complaint. You are also permitted to make a statement of contention on your credit report so that potential creditors may see your side of the story.
5. Save more and build a better track record. If you can continue to rent, build yourself some more time. Sometimes a little more time will do the trick. Spend a couple more years saving more money and keeping a clean credit record.
I will be writing another article on credit scoring and FICO at a later time. You will find several articles I have already written on credit scoring in the index of this website if you want more information.

In part three of our series I will be discussing Debt. I hope this series is informative and helpful. Please call me with any questions you may have or if you would like to see if you pre-qualify for a mortgage now. - or you can email me by clicking on my name. JoAnn Papsidero, People's First Financial Services, Melbourne, Florida 321-253-0390

Hurricane Irene Approaching Florida!

2011-08-22T16:50:00.000-04:00

As the first hurricane of the Atlantic storm season approaches Florida, I strongly encourage all Floridians to take the appropriate steps to prepare for hurricane-like conditions and create a disaster plan. It is vital to the safety of families of our state that we all are prepared in the event that a potentially dangerous storm affects our state.

For tips on creating a disaster plan for your family, please visit FloridaDisaster.org.

To get the latest updates on Hurricane Irene and other storms, including tracking information, please visit NOAA’s National Weather Service.

Click this link for a hurricane preparedness list: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/supply_kit.shtml Regardless of where you live-- hurricane prone area or not, you should have these items on hand, you never know when you might need them and it's never a bad idea to be prepared!

Overcoming Common Mortgage Problems

2011-08-21T09:19:00.000-04:00

by JoAnn Papsidero, Principal Broker / Owner, People's First Financial Services,

Understanding and selecting a mortgage is not all that hard to tackle after you cut through the jargon and know how to think about your overall situation and goals. Unfortunately, when you apply for a mortgage, obstacles may get in your way. I'd like to attempt to show you how to glide by these irritating and sometimes not-so-trivial challenges.
Few things in life are more frustrating than not being able to have something you really want. If you buy a home and you cannot finance the purchase of it, odds are that your dream will have to be put "on hold".
Don't despair if obstacles stand in your way. You may have to exhibit a little bit more patience than usual. I've not met in my 16 years in the business, a person who was determined to buy a home and was not able to overcome credit or other problems. My hope is to be able to show you how to get the financing you need and deserve!

The first topic in this series I would like to address is:

Insufficient Income
Your lender may be inclined to reject your loan application if you appear to be stretching yourself too thin financially. Although getting angry is a natural first reaction, you should actually be grateful. Why? Because the lender may be doing you a huge favor by keeping you from buying a home that will prevent you from saving money and achieving other financial goals that may be important to you over time.
If you know that you can afford the home that you have your sights set on, here are some keys to getting your loan approved:

1. Be patient. When you have a low income (for example, if you're self-employed and have been deducting everything but the kitchen sink as your business expense), you may need to wait a year or two so that you can demonstrate a higher income.

2. Put more money down. If you make a down payment of 25 to 30 percent or more, you avoid mortgage insurance and higher payments and in some cases get a better interest rate in return.

3. Get a cosigner. You always knew that you'd hit your parents up again someday for help. If your folks are in good financial shape, they may be able to cosign a loan to help you qualify. Be sure to consider the financial and nonfinancial ramifications of having a relative or a buddy to cosign a loan with you. Be advised, if you default on the loan or make payments late, you'll not only blacken your credit but also the credit of your cosignor's. Have a frank discussion about such issues before you enter into such an arrangement and be sure to write up a loan agreement.

This topic is the first in a small series I will be writing about. Hopefully, I can help you to avoid some stress in loan application process.

If you are in the process of looking for a home and are in need of a Florida mortgage or maybe you just have some unanswered questions before starting the process. Give me a call (321) 253-0390 or email me and I will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

JoAnn Papsidero, Principal Broker / Owner, People's First Financial Services, Melbourne, FL

Mortgage Funds Available to Lend!

2011-07-05T17:57:00.005-04:00

Did you know that there are government sponsored refinances for homeowners who have been "good" on their mortgages? It is part of the current administration's "Making Home Affordable" program. People's First can obtain financing for homeowners to to 105% of their home's current value. In some cases the appraisal has been waved with high credit scores and lower debt to income ratios.

The goal of the refinance initiative is to provide low-cost refinancing for responsible homeowners suffering from falling home values.
If your current mortgage is a Fannie Mae home loan and you think you might qualify for this program, give JoAnn Papsidero a call right away. Interest rates are low so take advantage while you can!
321-253-0390, or email me for more information and I will call you!

95% Financing is BACK!!!

2011-07-04T20:46:00.002-04:00

95% Purchase - Only 5% down Payment! NO Mortgage Insurance!
Want to purchase a home with great financing? People's First Financial has a new product! 95% financing on a home purchase with no mortgage insurance! The interest rate is slightly higher to offset insurance but rates are so good right now! Your minimum credit score needs to be 680 and your debt to income ratio will have a maximum of 50%. This product is to combat FHA's recent mortgage insurance increase. Call JoAnn Papsidero for more information. 321-253-0390 or email me and I'll call you!

What's So Special About Melbourne, Florida?

2011-06-18T17:17:00.000-04:00

What's so special about Melbourne, Florida? I'm glad you asked! Besides being a tropical, beachside paradise, there is much to do in this area! After visiting two states on two separate trips recently, I decided NOT to take a vacation to another state next year. There is so much right here in our own backyard to see and enjoy! So it gets a little hot in the summer but doesn't it everywhere? Our high has been 95 degrees for the most part of our season. I have seen other places particularly in the north hit near 100 or over this summer.
Here is my top 10 list of places to see and things to do right here in "my own backyard"

1. GO TO THE BEACH! Isn't that what Florida is about?! The full moon is beautiful coming up over the Atlantic Ocean as well as an early sunrise.

2. Visit the Brevard Zoo http://www.brevardzoo.org/

3. Watch a rocket launch or a space shuttle launch. (Last Shuttle Launch July 2011)

4. Watch the sun set over the Indian River.

5. Watch manatees swim at Crane Creek.

6. Have lunch at historic downtown Melbourne then go antiquing.

7. Watch a baseball spring training game at Space Coast Stadium. http://www.springtrainingonline.com/teams/washington.htm

8. Go turtle watching at night. From June to Oct. Sea Turtles come up on the beach and head for the dunes to lay their eggs. It is the most awesome thing to see! (just don't touch the eggs or the baby turtles when they finally hatch - huge fines imposed!)

9. Visit the King Center for Performing Arts. The King Center hosts Music groups, Bands, Comedians, Shows and all kinds of entertainment. http://www.kingcenter.com/

10. Just go for a drive on A1A at dusk in a convertible with the top down and take in the fresh, salty air. End up at Dell's Freeze for a Banana split. Enjoy it across the street at Ballard Park while viewing the Eau Gallie bridge that crosses the Indian River. What a site!

These are just a few of the things I like to do right here at home. Why wouldn't everyone want to move & live here? Life just doesn't get much better than this!

Coupons! What a Novel Idea!

2011-06-18T16:09:00.001-04:00

By JoAnn Papsidero, Broker / Owner People's First Financial Services, Inc. Melbourne, FL

I'm going to start a section on this site for money-savings tips. So many people that I talk to old and young are struggling in this economy. If I may share what has helped me in these hard times maybe someone else can benefit.

My first attempt to fight back at the economy was to plant a garden last year. I'm a farm-girl-wanna-be at heart but for the lack of water and rain and bugs on my plants & the Florida heat well...I just didn't produce a thing. So I switched gears and found another way to fight back at the economy. Coupons! I have always used coupons in my adult life but not to the extent that I am now.

While trying to find online coupons, I stumbled upon a few active bloggers who post store's advertised sales and matched the sales with internet coupons and Sunday paper coupons among several other sources. The bloggers for these sites are the "watchdogs" for deals.

I have tried many of their techniques and over the last year I have saved hundreds in groceries, dining out at restaurants and in gift buying. I'll share with you the sites I found particularly helpful and link you to each one. First I must tell you that I did not realize couponing had a whole language of it's own. Some of the authors are helpful in getting you started with abbreviatons and an introduction to using their sites. The list I have complied are the sites I find the most helpful coinciding with the stores in my local area.

http://www.iheartpublix.com/

http://www.wildforwags.com/
http://www.livefabulous.com/
http://www.smartcouponing.com/
http://www.simplycvsshopping.com/
http://www.passionforsavings.com/
http://www.momsview.com/
http://www.totallytarget.com/
http://www.couponmom.com/

http://www.thekrazycouponlady.com/

If you have the time, you could literally save hundreds of dollars but beware, you could get caught up in buying items you normally would not buy just because it's on sale or a great deal. Make sure your purchases are items that will be useful to you and your home.

Happy couponing! - JoAnn Papsidero

Email me If you need a mortgage or a real estate agent, I'm at your service! 321-243-4917

Budget Basics

2011-05-10T12:31:00.005-04:00

by JoAnn Papsidero People's First Financial Services, Owner / Principal Broker

The first step to getting yourself into financial shape to buy a home is to know what you make and what you can spend. Seems simple enough but there are items we spend on weekly, monthly, semi-annually & annually that some items may be left off the list of expenses.

First, sit down and write down all of your household income. This to include, Current take-home pay for all family members, child support or alimony, pension and/or social security, disability income, interest / dividend & any other income you are aware of.

Total up the monthly income and write it down.

Next, write down all of your expenses that you can think of. Most of us have the same expenses but there may be variations from household to household.

Here are a few to get you started: rent/mortgage, electric, water, gas, groceries, health insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, car insurance, homeowers / rental insurance, car payments, other loan payments, student loans, credit card payments, average maintenance on vehicles, clothing, personal care products, dining out, medical bills, household goods, recreation / entertainment, pool care, hair cuts / salon, child care, pet care & food, education, charitable donations & miscellaneous expenses.
Total up what each item cost you per month. You will have to average your annual expenses and divide by 12 months.

If you have money left over at the end of each month, you can allocate those funds to savings if you do plan to purchase a home in the future. If you do not have funds left over at the end of each month and you still have expenses to pay, you will need to trim your spending starting with the not-so-necessary items first.

This is also a great way to see how much money you can apply to credit card debt or car loans each month without worrying about paying down too much or too little.
It is always a good idea to get control of your money, manage it & manage it well!
For more infomation regarding obtaining a mortgage, buying a home or budget basics, call JoAnn Papsidero 321-243-4917 or email me.

5 Ways to Pay off Your Mortgage Faster

2011-05-03T14:42:00.002-04:00

by JoAnn Papsidero, Owner / Principal Broker of People's First Financial Services. Melbourne, FL

Pay your 30-year mortgage off early and live a debt free life before you’re too old to enjoy it!

Facing down a 30-year mortgage can be financially daunting. It’s depressing to think that most people will be in their 60’s or 70's before they finally pay off their mortgages.

Know what else is depressing? The fact that the interest on a 30-year loan is astronomically more than the interest on a 15-year loan. On a $200,000 mortgage, you’ll pay more than $100,000 extra for a 30-year mortgage versus a 15-year mortgage. That’s more than half of your total loan amount in extra interest payments!

One solution to solving these financial issues is to pay down your mortgage early thereby reducing the amount of time that you’ll be stuck with the monthly payments. It will end up costing you more each month, which may create even more psychological stress, but at least the end will be in sight.

Tax deductions are another benefit of paying your mortgage off early. The majority of your early payments go towards the interest on the loan, which is tax deductible. Pay more towards the mortgage in those early years and you might break even on taxes.

Here are a few popular strategies that homeowners use for paying down their mortgage early:

1) Refinancing: Refinance your mortgage for a shorter term at a lower rate. You will likely be paying more per month—how else would it be possible to pay off the same loan amount in half the time?—but the term will be much shorter. The one downside to this approach is that you will have to pay the closing costs, which means that it may take a few months to break even.

2) Large annual lump sum payments: Use your tax return, bonus, inheritance, or other big check to make one annual lump sum payment per year. If any of these amounts are unexpected yearly windfalls to you anyway, then you’re not going to miss them by paying off your mortgage with them. You’re also not going to waste that money on impulse buying.

3) Paying a little bit extra every month: Try to pay a set amount of extra cash every month on your mortgage. It can be something like 15% or perhaps just $100. One trick is to pay with a separate check and notify your lender that the payment is only to be used for the reduction of principal in order to build equity more quickly. Most lenders who allow on line payments have a section for adding additional principal.

4) Bi-monthly mortgage payments: Work it out with your lender to pay your mortgage bi-weekly instead of monthly. The way that the weeks work out, you’ll end up getting in an extra mortgage payment per year.

5) Paying whatever whenever: If your finances aren’t settled enough to pay down extra money regularly, just pay what you can when you have it. No matter how small, it all helps to lessen the length of your mortgage.

Some financial experts caution that there are times when it doesn’t make sense to pay off your loan early. This is mainly when you have debts that charge more interest than your mortgage rate.

Whatever your choice, there is a strategy that will likely work for you. Anything that you can pay ahead of time will result in a shorter mortgage loan period—which will help you to achieve the dream of a debt free life just a little bit earlier.

If you want to talk to someone about refinancing while interest rates are SO LOW! Call JoAnn Papsidero, 321-253-0390 or email me.
People's First Financial Services, Melbourne, FL

8 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order to Buy a Home!

2011-04-23T14:06:00.006-04:00

by JoAnn Papsidero, Owner / Principal Broker of People's First Financial Servcies, Melbourne, FL

Many times people believe that good credit is enough to get a home loan. The following are so helpful steps to get you on track to buying your Florida Dream Home!

1. DEVELOP A FAMILY BUDGET. Instead of budgeting what you'd like to spend , use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of this appraoah is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such a car repairs, illnesses, etc., as well as predictable costs such a rent.

2. REDUCE YOUR DEBT. Generally speaking, lenders look for atotlal debt load of no more than 36% of your income. Since this figure includes your new mortgage payment, which typically ranges between 25% to 28% of your income, you need to get the rest of installment debt, credit card debt, student loans down to between 8% - 10% of your total income.

3. GET A HANDLE ON EXPENSES. You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expenses add up. Try writing down everything you spend for one month. You'll probably see some great ways to save.

4. INCREASE YOUR INCOME. It may be necessary to take on a second, part time job to get your income at a high enough level to qualify for the home you want. In order to use this income, you must have been on the part-time job at least two years.

5. SAVE FOR A DOWN PAYMENT. You can get a better interest rate and avoid mortgage insurance if you put at least 20% down on a home.

6. CREATE A HOUSE FUND. Don't just plan on saving whatever is left toward a downpayment. Instead decide on a certain amount per month you want to save, then put it away as you pay your monthly bills.Advice I give to my customers is to pay their savings account monthly just like another bill. Or put away the difference between their rent and what a new mortgage payment would be each month for a year to see if they can handle making larger payments.

7. KEEP YOUR JOB. While you don't need to be in the same job forever to qualify, having a job for less than two years may mean you have to wait until after that two year mark to apply.

8. ESTABLISH A GOOD CREDIT HISTORY. Get a credit card and make payments by the due date. Do the same for all your other bills. Pay off the entire balance promptly. Another word of advice is do NOT let others use your credit aside from a spouse. You are responsible for your credit & making your payments, not someone that you let use your credit card to "borrow" and pay you back. Remember the person who signs the agreement with the creditor is YOU. this applies to car loans, credit cards, utilities, rental companies and leases.

Homeownership is a big step. Getting your finances in order and preparing NOW will help you avoid problems & roadblocks later.

Compiled by JoAnn Papsidero - Realtor & Mortgage Broker Brevard - 321-243-4917 or St. Lucie 772-237-6218 Email JoAnn for more information!

Some information used from National Association of Realtors

Credit Scoring Today

2011-03-03T15:53:00.002-05:00

by JoAnn Papsidero, Owner / Principal Broker of People's First Financial Services, Melbourne, FL

A local Realtor recently approached me to pre-qualify a borrower for FHA financing. In the course of the conversation I discovered the borrower's credit score was below the minimum requirement for FHA financing. In which case I immediately offered to help the borrower improve his credit score in just a few short steps. I'm going to share with my readers those same steps I shared with my recent borrower who will now be ready to buy his dream home in just a few months instead of many indefinite months.

First, one needs to know what makes up a credit score. Credit scoring is a computer model that takes into account several areas of how a consumer uses his credit.

35% Timely payments & payment history

30% Amount & type of outstanding debt

15% Length of credit history

10% Mix of credit accounts such as credit cards, department store cards, finance company loans, bank loans

10% Number & type of accounts recently opened

If you've been told to CLOSE accounts you are not using, that is incorrect information. 15% of your score is derived from the length of the credit account. If you've had an account for 30 years & it is your longest running credit item, that would not be a wise choice. The computer model takes into account ALL your existing open lines against your current balances as a ratio. The more lines you close, the higher that ratio becomes thus lowering your credit score. Just make sure you are using that account a few times a year to keep it open. The creditor has the right to close any inactive accounts.

If your balance to line of credit ratio is too high, your score can decrease. You can call the creditor and ask for a credit line increase to lower that ratio thus raising your score if you are in a position that you need to increase your credit score.

A sure fire way to lower your credit score is to continually apply for different types of credit accounts. Each type can lower your score 3-5 points for each inquiry!

Do not increase debt! Keep your balances low in respect to their credit limits. It is better to spread out balances on two different cards than to borrow the same amount against one credit card.

If you are applying for a mortgage and you have a family member who has offered to give you a "gift" to help with your down payment, you would be better off to use those funds to pay off or reduce your debt. This will increase your buying power enabling you to afford more in mortgage payments as well as increase your credit score. Make sure you do this about 45-60 days before applying for the loan in order to give the credit reporting system time to adjust and having to provide less paperwork to underwriters on where those funds came from.

TIP: If you pay off a collection or charge off, ALWAYS keep a paper trail and receipts. If this item is discovered later to still be on your report, which often happens and you have no "proof" that you paid it off, you will more than likely not be able to have it removed should there be a dispute later.

If you have had a bankruptcy or a foreclosure recently, you will need to begin to re-establish your credit. Start with a secured credit card with your bank. Put up $500 and begin using the card & pay on time or pay off the balance in full each month. Eventually your credit will be extended by other credit card companies as well. I am not advocating going into debt. However, I am advocating you becoming a good-standing, credit using consumer once again enabling you to obtain the best rates and programs available for financing in the future.

There are finance companies that will lend you money but at a much higher interest rate due to the risk it imposes to THEM. The higher the interest rate, the higher the payment. This would make it more difficult to qualify for other loans such as a mortgage or it could mean buying less house due to income versus outgo restrictions in your budget.

If you would like to find out how much you can qualify for a home I'd be more than happy to assist.

If you would like more information about credeit and credit scoring call JoAnn Papsidero Owner & Principal Broker of People's First Financial Services, Melbourne, FL 321-253-0390 direct or email at JoAnn.PeopleComeFirst@gmail.com

We're Not All That Bad!

2011-01-18T15:03:00.006-05:00

“Loan brokers are one of the least expensive ways to bring a loan to market,” said David H. Stevens, commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) during his presentation to the National Association of Mortgage Brokers 2010 Legislative & Regulatory Conference in Washington, D.C.

Brokers, in their purest form, are an extension of the lenders they represent and a borrower’s best friend. Without sacrificing professionalism or ethics, professional mortgage brokers find the very best lending programs at the best rates, fees and terms. They, in fact, do the shopping for the consumer and this is why we believe that not only will brokers remain a viable source of loan originations for the industry, but will dominate once again in the future. Bottom line, consumer demand will dictate it.

Call an experienced Mortgage Broker today. People's First Financial Services Serving it's customers since 1986 - over 25 years! 321-253-0390 or email JoAnn.PeopleComeFirst@gmail.com

2010-10-28T12:32:00.003-04:00

Source Credit RISMEDIA: Fannie Mae Announces New Incentives for HomePath Properties
--Fannie Mae announced a seller assistance incentive on Fannie Mae-owned properties listed on the company’s REO website, http://www.homepath.com/, and expands the initiative to offer an incentive to real estate agents and brokers. Qualified homebuyers who will be owner-occupants can receive up to 3.5 percent of the final sales price that can be used toward closing cost assistance, including a home warranty, if desired and available. In addition, selling agents representing owner-occupants will receive a $1,500 bonus. Eligible offers must be submitted on or after September 23, 2010, and must close by December 31, 2010. The sale must close within 60 days of the offer being accepted.“More than eighty-seven thousand families have purchased HomePath® properties in the first half of 2010—nearly double the number of Fannie Mae foreclosed properties sold in the first half of 2009,” said Terry Edwards, Executive Vice President of Fannie Mae’s Credit Portfolio Management. “We continue to look for ways to stabilize neighborhoods and offer incentives to qualified buyers who will occupy these properties over the long-term and help support their communities."HomePath properties are owned by Fannie Mae and include a wide selection of homes, including single-family homes, condominiums, and town houses. HomePath properties may also be eligible for special HomePath Mortgage and HomePath Renovation Mortgage financing.

For more information: contact JoAnn Papsidero 321-253-0390 or email JoAnn@PeopleComeFirst.net

A Twist on Credit Card Scams

2010-09-06T11:07:00.005-04:00

A Twist on Credit Card Scams - Hotel Scams

The below scam will probably not work in decent hotels as they would not divulge details unless the scammer could give the name of the occupant of the room. However, it's worth remembering that a naive hotel receptionist may be conned into passing your name to the caller.

"This is kinda scary if only because of how simple it is. I'll bet this works all too often. You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. When checking in, you go to your room and settle in. Someone from outside calls the front desk and asks for (example) Room 620 (which happens to be your room). Your phone rings in your room. You answer and the person on the other end says the following, 'This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge card information. Please reread me your credit card number and verify the last 3 digit numbers on the reverse side of your charge card. Not thinking anything is amiss, you might give this person your information, since the call seems to come from the front desk. But actually, it is a scam of someone calling from outside the hotel/front desk. They ask for a random room number. Then, ask you for credit card information and address information, sounding so professional that you do think you are talking to the front desk."

"If you ever encounter this problem when traveling, tell the caller that you will be down to the front desk to clear up any problems... Then, go to the front desk and ask if there was a problem. If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone called to scam you of your credit card information impersonating a front desk employee." This was sent by someone who has been duped.......and is still clearing up the mess....

"P.S. Please everyone, help spread the word by forwarding this email to everyone you know.. Who knows, you might just help someone avoid a nasty experience. " http://trifter.com/practical-travel/going-on-vacation-watch-out-for-the-hotel-and-motel-scam/

Air Force Reserve rescue wing deploys for naval exercise

2010-08-03T16:57:00.001-04:00

Air Force Reserve rescue wing deploys for naval exercise

Take Advantage of the Lowest Interest Rates in 30 Years!

2010-07-27T14:29:00.005-04:00

Interest Rates on 30 and 15 year fixed rate mortgages are STILL at their lowest levels in 30+ years. What's keeping you on the fence from buying a home or refinancing your existing higher rate loan?

For Refinancing:
As a rule...it's usually more cost effective if you reduce your interest rate on a refinance by as little as 2%. However, it has been our experience, a borrower can save as little as $6500 over the life of an account by reducing the interest rate by as little as 1% on a 100k mortgage. This can vary depending on the loan size, existing loan balance, time remainng on present loan, etc.

For Purchasing a home:
What will the difference in .375% on the interest rate cost you, over 7 years of the loan?
Let's take a 100k mortgage and compare interest rates of 4.375% to 4.75%. These are presently both very attractive interest rates!

The higher rate will usually carry less closing costs, however, over the next 7 years of the loan, you could be paying $5300 more than the loan at 4.375%.

Economic and other factors:
The question once again is: Whats keeping you on the fence from buying a home refinaning your existing higher interest rate loan?

In today's times, we know there are economic and other factors that play into this answer and we would like to hear from you and tell us what you think.

You can email your thoughts to info@peoplecomefirst.net or post your comments to this blog.

Let Steve or JoAnn see what they can do to help you save more. We have been helping people save more money for over 30 years. Give us a call at (321) 242-8240 or (321) 253-0390.

Qualify for a home mortgage

2010-07-13T14:17:00.005-04:00

Qualify for a home mortgage

In my 35 years in the mortgage and financial services business, we are seeing our industry go back to the basics of qualify for mortgage loans.

In order to qualify for a mortgage in the present, Home Buyers or those who want to refinance must show the ability or credit worthiness before a lender will approve their mortgage application. The process can seem difficult at times, but borrowers can increase their chances of success by being familiar with the guidelines. Here's what most borrowers need to know:

Down payment or sufficient equity.

Credit history and Credit scores.

Debt-to-income ratio. - How much can you afford to pay based on your current debts vs your verified income.

The proof of all of this is in the Documentation - typically you will need current paycheck stubs, bank account statements and complete tax returns

A great article to read for more information is this attached link http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/qualify-for-a-home-mortgage.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20100713

Interesting Info About Florida & Brevard County

2010-06-15T13:04:00.009-04:00

Florida is a state in the extreme SE United States. A long, low peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Florida is bordered by Georgia and Alabama.

Area, 58,560 sq mi (151,670 sq km).
Pop. (2000) 15,982,378, a 23.5% increase since the 1990 census.
Capital, Tallahassee.
Largest city, Jacksonville.
Nickname, Sunshine State.
Motto, In God We Trust.
State bird, mockingbird.
State flower, orange blossom.
State tree, Sabal palmetto palm.

Tourism plays a primary role in the state's economy; in 1996 visitors to Florida spent over $48 billion. Walt Disney World, a massive cluster of theme parks near Orlando that is one of the world's leading tourist attractions; Universal Studios, a combination theme park and film and television production facility, also near Orlando; and other attractions draw millions yearly.
Famed beaches, such as those at Miami Beach , Daytona Beach , and Fort Lauderdale , attract hordes of vacationers. With more than 4,000 sq mi (10,360 sq km) of inland water and with the sea readily accessible from almost anywhere in the state, Florida is a fishing paradise. Other attractions include Everglades National Park, with its unusual plant and animal life; Palm Beach , with its palatial estates; and Sanibel Island's picturesque resorts. Famous for its citrus fruits, Florida leads the nation in the production of oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and market-ready corn and tomatoes. Other important crops include sugarcane and many varieties of winter vegetables. Cattle and dairy products are important, as is commercial fishing, with the catch including crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.

Our Brevard coast is home to the Kennedy Space Center and NASA where you can view a rocket or shuttle launch clearly from almost anywhere in the county. Due to the space industry there are many engineering firms and technical jobs available for those desiring to transfer to this area. If you like to cruise to the tropics, Port Canaveral docks several cruise lines to take you to your next adventure. You are just a hop, skip and a jump to sailing into the sunset! We are within an hour's drive to Orlando. If you enjoy warm, tropical weather and beautiful, undiscovered beaches, the Space Coast is the place to be!
*Information from Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

House OKs plan for higher FHA mortgage fees

2010-06-11T13:58:00.005-04:00

WASHINGTON – June 11, 2010 – Higher monthly fees may be in the works for consumers who take out home loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the primary source of mortgages for first-time homebuyers.

The House on Thursday approved a bill giving the FHA power to hike monthly premiums it charges to consumers. The vote was 406-4, but it was unclear whether the Senate would follow.

Officials say the agency needs to do so to stabilize its finances, which have deteriorated because of the foreclosure crisis.

The agency does not make loans, but offers insurance against default. Borrowers pay extra fees because FHA-backed loans require down payments of only 3.5 percent of the purchase price.

Under changes being considered by FHA officials, a borrower with a mortgage of $170,000 would pay an extra $42 a month. The fees would bring in $5.8 billion in new revenue for the agency next year.

“It’s going to cost everybody a little more money,” said David Stevens, the agency’s commissioner. The agency, he said, “was never meant to be, nor should it be a bailout program. It should stand on its own two feet.”

The changes are expected to reduce the number of mortgages the agency backs annually by about 7 percent from the current level of around 1.8 million loans a year, Stevens said.

The potential changes, however, are likely to make it harder for marginal borrowers to qualify for loans, said Rhonda Porter, a loan officer with Mortgage Master Service Corp. in Seattle.

“It’s going to impact the person who might want to buy a little bit more than they were originally approved for,” she said. “There’s going to be less wiggle room.”

After the housing market went bust, the FHA became the major source of funding for first-time homebuyers. The agency insured roughly 24 percent of new loans in the first quarter of this year, according to Inside Mortgage Finance, a trade publication.

While the agency has avoided a taxpayer rescue so far, its reserves have sunk below the minimum level required by Congress.

Earlier this year, the FHA raised the fee paid by borrowers at the start of a loan to 2.25 percent of the total mortgage amount. Agency officials want to lower the upfront fee to 1 percent but raise monthly fees.

Borrowers currently pay 0.55 percent of the total loan amount every year, divided into monthly installments. FHA officials want to raise that fee to 0.9 percent, though the bill would give them the power to hike it as high as 1.5 percent.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press, Alan Zibel (AP Real Estate Writer). All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

Memorial Day - Remembering the Sacrifices That Were and Are Still Being Made

2010-05-27T22:11:00.011-04:00

MEMORIAL DAY - Let us not forget...

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag,
It is the VETERAN, who serves under the Flag.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. God Bless them all!!!

My hero. My son, Jacob P. Zink - Soon to deploy to Afghanistan...

Be Safe. Your Mom is so very proud of you.

FICO Score Estimator

2010-05-20T15:33:00.001-04:00

FICO Score Estimator.
It's online here @ MyFico.com
A very useful tool to help determine your credit score without the cost of paying for a credit bureau. Still one of the best kept secrets.

How To Price Your Home

2010-05-17T20:31:00.004-04:00

How to Price Your Home
For more information contact JoAnn Papsidero – S&D Realty Exchange 321-243-4917
Sponsored People’s First Financial Services 321-253-0390, Melbourne, FL

Setting the “right” price to attract buyers, while maximizing your profits, is both an art and a science.

THE SCIENCE of home pricing begins by gathering details about the property – Lot size and zoning, year the home was built, square footage, number of rooms, mechanical equipment, appliances, flooring, features, condition and other factual information.

The competition and nearby properties of similar age, construction, size, condition and features that recently sold and settled also come into play. These properties are often referred to as comparables.

THE ART of home pricing involves an analysis of those details gathered to determine exactly how your property relates to the competition and the market.

An objective and outspoken viewpoint regarding property condition is essential so that you can make changes to your property before putting it on the market - changes that will maximize your property value.

Some points to consider when setting your price:

Price it to sell - Everyone wants to sell their home quickly, but to achieve this in today's market, you must price your home accurately. A home should be priced based on a recent market analysis on homes that have sold in your neighborhood. Comparable sales should never be older than six months and you should always give the most weight to homes that have actually sold more recently. Don't try to "test the market" with a higher price, which will simply increase your time on market. Be honest and analytical in your approach, and don't set your price based on the proceeds you would like to receive at the end of the process.

Don't price your home based upon the highest quote from a Realtor you interviewed. Often they are just trying to get a listing

Price your home based on comps that are within 90 days old – In this market, Appraisers are using this guideline for the banks.

Don't price your home based upon "Active" listings in the area - this is what seller's would like to get for their home, not what they sold for.

If your home is on the market for 30 days and you’ve had no showings, offer incentives, such as: "will contribute 3% towards closing costs" to help with less cash to close.

Be willing to change the price - If no one is showing your property or if you have had no offers after a long time on the market, you need to lower your price. Price is the single largest motivator to change the behavior of buyers, and no amount of advertising or open houses will be as effective as a lower price. Make your price decrease a substantial, meaningful amount and be sure to give them time to take hold in the market (4-6 weeks, typically).

Common Seller Arguments:
Sellers sometimes have unrealistic ideas about what their homes are worth in today's market. Here are a few common seller arguments and our response as to why they're not always valid.

The house across the street just sold for... There are many reasons this argument is most often inaccurate. Just because homes are in the same neighborhood doesn't mean they have the same market value. Many factors come into play, such as square footage, house style (ranch, colonial, etc.), updates, and amenities.

My "Zestimate" on Zillow says my house is worth... Zillow may have access to public tax records about a home, but all they base their estimates on is the basics, such as square footage and number of beds and baths. There's much more to a home than its shell. Zillow doesn't know anything about updates or square footage not mentioned in tax records.

I spent more than that on updates! Unfortunately, what you put into your home isn't automatically what you're going to get out of it. People make updates based on their own personal preferences, and they enjoy them while living in their homes. That's the way it should be. Updates make a home much more saleable, but they don't always amount to a dollar-for-dollar gain.

The best way to find out how much your home is worth is to speak with a professional who's experienced in making sense of all your market data.

The art of pricing can be compared to tuning a violin – a small adjustment up or down will make a difference! Set your price too high and your home may languish on the market; too low and you may get thousands less than your property is worth. While there are no guarantees, the odds of pricing your home “right” improve when you work with an experienced real estate agent.

Tips For Sprucing Up your House to Sell

2010-05-14T20:06:00.004-04:00

Dressed For Success – Tips for Sprucing Up
Contact JoAnn Papsidero – S&D Realty Exchange 321-243-4917 or for financing call People’s First Financial Services 321-253-0390, Melbourne, FL

In preparing your house to sell, ask yourself if your house looks like someone else's dream house. Before you put your home on the market, take the time to look at it through the eyes of prospective buyers. They may be "turned-off" by flaws that you have learned to live with - flaws that are not expensive or time-consuming to correct. Houses in move-in condition tend to be inviting to buyers. Houses that are like new typically sell the fastest and sell for the best price.

De-Clutter
Getting rid of clutter makes every room look larger and feel neater. If a house is cluttered, buyers have trouble imagining themselves living in it. By removing or storing things you don't need, you create a roomy, comfortable feeling that will be inviting to prospective buyers. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out, sell it, or give it away! Take those things to Goodwill that you'll have to discard anyway when you move. Organize your kitchen cabinets. Make your kitchen as BIG in appearance as possible. You should only have a maximum of two items on your counter tops. Maximize your counter top square footage and also cabinetry if possible.
Too much furniture and too many knick-knacks make rooms look cluttered and small. One or two decorative items per surface are plenty, so pack the rest away. Rearrange or remove furniture to make your rooms look more spacious. Some sectional couches are better served in storage while the selling process is taking place. If you have some tough traffic areas where walking through is kind of tough, try moving around your furniture to maximize the space. Maybe you need to remove a chair, loveseat, or the huge T.V. set up that you have to free up a room's true potential. Get some boxes and go from room to room. If there is something there that isn't a necessity, pack it up. Go to your bookshelves and remove 1/2 of everything on them. Go through your entire house and you will be surprised how much "stuff" you can pack in advance.

Clean, Clean, Clean
Step back for a moment and look at your home as if you were seeing it for the first time. Every room should be spotlessly clean. Steam clean the carpets and clean the wood floors or tile. Wash the walls, windows and clean all the light fixtures in your home. Clean the dust off of the ceiling fans and polish the chrome. Clean all the woodwork. Dust your picture frames. Vacuum all of the cobwebs around the top of your cabinets, at the top of your vaulted ceiling, and any of those other hard to reach places. Clean your oven, refrigerator, and the microwave. ) Put those scrubbing bubbles to work in the bathroom. Clean behind the toilet. Make the beds every morning. You never know when you might get a showing. Do the dishes as needed. Clean them as you use them. Make sure your vents, window sills, walls, artwork all sparkle. Make sure everything in your home is simply beyond clean. Cleaning makes your house easy for buyers to explore and gives the impression that it has been well cared for. Be sure every room smells as good as it looks. Make your house look like new!

Repair
If there is anything in the house that is in need of repair, now is the time to put those handyman skills of yours to work. Everything from the loose cabinet handle to the leaky faucet needs to be addressed. Repairs, both large and small, eliminate buyers' objections before they arise. If you think something is too much trouble to fix, chances are that buyers will, too. Buyers tend to think that repairs will cost more than they actually do. They may not realize that a dripping faucet may be easily corrected with a part that costs less than a dollar. Replace the carpet if it's worn. Your house will shine with new carpets. If your carpets aren't that old and are in decent shape you can just have them shampooed. If they are torn or tattered, get them replaced. You will recoup the cost of flooring in your main living spaces 99% of the time. Just remember that potential buyers will find these little defects and judge how you maintain a home by them. Nail down creaking boards and stair treads. Lubricate any sticking or squeaking doors. Be sure that sliding doors operate smoothly and knobs on drawers are secure. Re-caulk tubs and showers. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to the look and feel of a home. A home with too much "personality" is harder to sell. Things to consider when picking out your paint colors: Lighter colors tend to brighten up a room and give it a larger feel. Bold colors can be very pleasing to your eye, but will they please the potential buyer? Help the buyer to visualize the home as theirs. Patch cracks and nail holes in the walls, and repaint walls in neutral colors, such as white or ivory. Neutralizing helps buyers picture their own things in your house and see themselves living there. Neutral paint, decor and carpet create a canvas for any lifestyle. Eliminating distracting colors and accessories lets buyers concentrate on important factors such as the room size and function.

Light and Bright
Do everything you can to brighten the interior. Open the curtains or blinds during the day to maximize the natural light. Use bright light bulbs in the foyer and throughout the house. Add lamps and lighting if the house is dark. Turn on the lights at night to create a welcoming environment for prospective buyers. Always maintain a comfortable temperature inside the house, even if you are away for an extended period of time.

Aroma
Your home should smell clean and fresh. Avoid cooking anything with a strong odor such as fish or cabbage while your house is on the market. If you are a smoker, do NOT smoke in your house. You may not smell the lingering odor of cigarettes, but non-smokers certainly will and it can be a real turn-off to a potential buyer. Fill the house with a pleasant aroma, such as berries in the summer or cinnamon in the winter. Take the time to add some fresh flowers to your foyer or entryway.

Exterior
Do the shrubs need pruning? Do you need to repaint? What's normal for you may be unacceptable to the buyer. Mow the lawn, rake leaves, trim trees and shrubs that keep light out of the house and remove dead plants. Pick up tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys, and building materials and store them neatly in a storage area. Replace broken or missing roof shingles and straighten and clean the gutters and downspouts. Clean all windows and mend torn screens. Painting your house helps improve curb appeal more than any other fix-up! If you decide against painting the entire house, consider painting the front door, window frames and shutters. Seal or resurface the driveway and repair broken steps and walkways. Paint or replace your mailbox and post. Dress up the front yard with some simple landscaping.

One thing is certain - property condition is a major factor in selling your home quickly and at the highest possible price! It is one of the few things that you DO control in your home sale.

Factors That Impact Your Home Sale

2010-05-13T15:43:00.005-04:00

Factors That Impact Your Home Sale
Contact JoAnn Papsidero – S&D Realty Exchange 321-243-4917 or for financing People's First Financial Services 321-253-0390, Melbourne, FL

A few examples of factors that impact your home sale could be the weather, your competition, war or peace, and economy on a local, state, national and international level . Since these factors and others are beyond your control, it is critical for you to make wise choices regarding those that you can control:

Price
Once you have decided to sell, the next big step is to determine what the fair asking price should be for your home. Try to avoid overpricing your property; this may cause your home to remain on the market for an extended period of time. Instead, you should price your home so that you get a fair return on your investment and in a reasonable time period. You must actually sell your property twice: first to a buyer and then to a lender's appraiser. The buyer is more subjective and compares amenities of your home to those of other homes in the same price range. The appraiser is more objective and compares age, size, and cost-identifiable features in your home against other properties that have sold. Determining the "right" price and terms is another key step in selling your home or residential investment property. For an estimate of your property's market value, simply contact us today and tell us about your current home.

Condition
Know the condition of your house, the age of the mechanical systems (heat, plumbing, air conditioning), the amount of necessary house repairs or replacements, the builder, and date the house was built. Buyers should be able to imagine themselves living in your home. For that reason, it must be clean, uncluttered, neutral, and staged for showing.

Exposure
Today's highly motivated and well-qualified buyers are busy people. They have jobs, families,
Community activities, and other responsibilities to handle, and they usually hire a buyer's agent to help with their home search. When you list your home with us we use several techniques such as signage in the yard for drive-bys, open houses, garage sales, internet, web exposure and networking. We will enter the data into the MLS and make it available to over 2000 real estate agents in Brevard county.

Access
One of the best ways to get your home sold is to make it accessible. You must make your home accessible for prospective buyers to inspect all day, every day, until it is sold. Be sure that it's always ready to show. We are in a time of high inventory. Agents, as well as their buyers, don't have the patience to jump through too many hoops to see your home; there are just too many choices to move on to. Many agents won't show a house that takes 24 hours notice. Leave when home buyers are present.

Flexibility
Market conditions can change from week to week, and even day to day. It could be necessary for you to adjust your pricing, terms, access, condition, and exposure to stay competitive. You can still sell your home despite the current marketing conditions: all it takes is a little creativity, some clever strategies - and a whole lot of patience! Be willing to adjust and come to an agreement throughout the transaction process.

Your Listing Agent
You will rely upon your agent for professional advice on every aspect of your home sale, so your results depend in large part on the agent you choose to represent you. It could mean the difference between success and disappointment. Find an agent who knows and understands the current market and can provide specific data. (comparables, trends, actual sales, current listings, market rejections) to support their position. Who is your competition? What is your target market? You need someone with a strong understanding and use of technology. The majority of buyers these days use the Internet to search for homes first before hiring an agent. A good listing agent is not the agent who promises a particular price or the highest list price. A good agent is someone who asks lots of open ended questions and listens to the answers, and who can provide options as well as solutions to problems.

Remember, there are many factors that impact home sales. It is not necessarily your fault, or that of your agent, if your property doesn’t sell. But you will improve your odds by taking control of the factors that are within your control.
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero, 321-243-4917

10 Ways To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

2010-05-07T17:28:00.005-04:00

Here are 10 ways to make your home more energy efficient
from Home Depot.

1. Install a programmable thermostat.

Home Depot estimates that you could save up to $180 in energy costs by utilizing a programmable thermostat. While conventional thermostats are programmed manually, Energy Star thermostats offer a range of options for controlling your home’s temperature. According to your schedule and your temperature preferences you can set a program for your thermostat to follow so you won’t have to think about programming it manually. Automatically lowering your energy costs during the day if you work outside the home adds up to significant savings over the course of year. There are many options available depending on your needs, and the price ranges from around $40 to $100 dollars.

2. Change to CFL bulbs.

Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs are inexpensive and each bulb can save you $30 over its lifetime. CFLs use about 10 times less energy than regular bulbs and last much longer. My Home Depot advertises a 9-year warranty, and since Home Depot has not stocked these bulbs for nine years yet, my Home Depot guide told me I would not need to keep a receipt because they would replace any non-functioning bulb for free. I can’t guarantee that this is the case at every store.
CFLs are now available in soft white, bright white and daylight. The only downside of CFLs besides the slightly higher initial cost is that they take about 20 seconds to reach their full brightness.

3. Choose Energy Star qualified appliances.

Energy Star appliances use between 10-50% less energy and water than their conventional counterparts. These appliances have to meet certain criteria set by the EPA and DOE. You can purchase Energy Star qualified dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers and a few other appliances. However, buying a new appliance to replace an older appliance that is still functioning is rarely going to be a frugal or environmentally-friendly choice.

4. Update your exterior doors.

For energy efficiency, steel or fiberglass-clad doors are your best bet. Storm doors can also boost your home’s energy efficiency. Screen doors allow air to circulate during the warmer months while still keeping the bugs out. Home Depot has instructions for installation on their website here.

5. Update your windows.

Depending on whether your home currently has single- or double-pane windows, updating your windows with Energy Star qualified windows can save you between $100 and $500 a year in energy costs. However, replacing all the windows in your home is an expensive improvement, and it may take several years to recoup the cost.
A cheaper option that still allows for energy-savings in the summer is heat control window film. There are several varieties of window films available including glare-control, frosted or mirror for added privacy and decorative or tinted. You can watch a video about window film here.

6. Install dimmer switches and motion detectors.

Dimming your lights saves you money on energy costs. Dimming the lights 25% saves you an average of 20% on lighting costs. Adding a dimmer switch to your lights also allows you to control the ambiance of the room with the flick of a switch (or the slide of the lever, twist of the knob etc.)
Motion detector lights turn on when they detect any movement making them ideal for security and energy savings.

7. Install a ceiling fan.

In the summer, run the fan so the blades circulate counter-clockwise and circulate the air downwards. Although the movement of the air won’t affect the temperature, the wind chill effect makes your body perceive a cooler temperature allowing you to turn the air conditioning up or off and remain comfortable.
Ceiling fans are useful in the winter, too. When it’s cold outside, run the fan so the blades rotate clockwise and circulate the air upwards. There should be a switch on the side or top of the fan to reverse the direction of the blades.
Installing a ceiling fan may be easier than you think. Home Depot has instructional videos and tutorials with step-by-step instructions on their website here. Your best bet is to choose and Energy Star ceiling fan with a CFL light kit.

8. Regularly maintain your furnace and water heater.

I learned that water-heating is the third greatest energy expense in the home. Proper maintenance keeps energy costs down and increases the life of the furnace and/or water heater.

9. Seal your home from heat and cold.

Almost half a home’s energy expenses go toward heating and cooling so making sure the air doesn’t escape through cracks is essential. There are several inexpensive products and tools to seal cracks including caulk and weather-stripping. Check for daylight or drafts to find any potential leaks. Places to examine are around all windows and doors, folding attic stairs, the dryer vent and the fireplace.

10. Insulate your home.

Inadequate insulation and air leakage are the leading causes of energy waste in a home. Insulation is measure by an R-value, and the higher the R-value, the better the insulation will perform and the lower your energy costs will be. Many homes are constructed without enough insulation because builders often add only the minimum required. Home Depot offers a free evaluation and estimate of your home’s current insulation status. Insulating your home properly can save you up to 20% of your heating and cooling costs.

Great money-savings tips from Home Depot! - JoAnn Papsidero - People's First Financial Services, Inc. 321-253-0390

Identity Theft

2010-02-20T12:06:00.002-05:00

Has your identity ever been threatened or even stolen? I've recently had a charge appear on my credit card bill that was fradulent but that is as close as I've come to having my identity stolen.

We've met with a client who has had their identity stolen. Our client was applying for a mortgage refinance on their home. Their credit score was affected by derrogatory accounts that they never created. None of this they realized until they applied for credit themselves. Their mortgage process was "on hold" untuil they could get the accounts straightened out. This is why it is so important to check your own credit report once a year. The Federal Trade Commission has set up a way for you to check your own credit for free annually. Your credit score is also available if you want to pay a little extra. It is advisable to check all three credit reporting agencies as each might carry different information than the other agency or accounts that may show up on one bureau and not another. The website to navigate to is : http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ This is the website the government agency has set up for the consumer's use. Other sites may have a similar name and charge fees to obtain your credit report.

Visit the FTC's website for more information about identity theft and how thieves on the prowl retrieve your valuable information. http://www.ftc.gov/

For more information about credit issues and identity theft call our office 321-253-0390 - People's First Financial Services or email me, JoAnn Papsidero at JoAnn@PeopleComeFirst.net

A Bird's Eye View of Closing Costs

2009-08-10T17:54:00.018-04:00

CLOSING COSTS!
The amount you borrow to actually buy your house is one thing; the fees required to close the transaction are quite another, and they amount to from 3 to 5 percent of your loan amount depending on when you close on your home.
At the real estate closing, you will be given a stack of paperwork that shows the loan fees line-by-line. (You should already have seen these fees estimated in your "Good Faith Estimate", but they might vary.) The fees below are generally what will be required, but every buyer will not pay every fee listed. For example, maybe you worked a deal with the seller to pick up part of the closing costs. And there are many geographic differences. Finally, all lenders do not charge every fee shown.
Commissions: Payment for the work real estate agents have done. Traditionally it is 6% of the sales price split between buyer and seller agents; usually 3% to buyer's agent, 3% to seller's agent. The seller usually pays these. Note: These costs are not included in your lender's Good Faith Estimate.

General Loan Fees
Appraisal fee: The lender hires an independent appraiser to determine whether the property is worth the sales price you've offered for it. Expect $300-$400. It can be higher or lower, depending on the size of the property and appraisal fees in your area. Investment property appraisals run higher as more forms of information is required by the lender.
Credit report fee: Covers obtaining a credit report to determine whether you are an acceptable credit risk. It averages about $25 per credit report checked. This report also includes your credit scores.
Interest: Most lenders require the buyer to pay the interest that will accrue on their loan from the date of settlement to the first monthly mortgage payment due date.
Lender's inspection fee: If you are building a new home or buying a home that's under construction, the lender may charge an inspection fee, usually under $100. This pays for an inspection by the lender or outside inspector of your house or property.
Loan origination fee: Fee for establishing a new loan. It is paid to the lender for originating the loan. The fee usually varies from 0.5% (half a point) to 2% (two points) of the loan amount.
Loan discount points: Refers to a one-time charge imposed by the lender or mortgage broker to lower the interest rate and therefore the monthly mortgage payment. The more points paid up front, the lower the interest rate. The loan discount is also called "point" or "discount point."
Mortgage broker fee: Paid to a mortgage broker, typically in a commission based upon the amount borrowed. Same as Origination fee.
Mortgage insurance premium: Some lenders require borrowers to pay their first year's mortgage insurance premium up front. Other lenders ask for a lump sum insurance premium payment at closing that covers the life of the loan.
Processing fee: Charged by the lender to cover costs associated with the processing and closing of a mortgage loan.
Escrow Account set up / Reserve account funds: Your monthly mortgage payments are likely to include a pro-rated amount to cover payments for property taxes and homeowners insurance. This money is held in a "reserve" or "escrow" account by the lender who makes the payments for you. At closing, your lender may require you to advance just to be sure the reserve fund has enough money to pay the bills.
Tax-related service fee: Paid to set up a service which identifies the payment due date of local taxes for the servicer of the loan.
Underwriting fee: Covers the final analysis and approval of the mortgage; often the lender's cost to the investor that will subsequently purchase the loan.
Wire transfer fee: Covers the cost of wiring the money around, which is usually done by escrow.

Insurance and Taxes
Annual assessments: If you will have annual assessments made by your condominium or homeowners association, you will have to pay two months' up front.
Flood insurance premium: Lenders may require flood insurance, with the premium paid at closing, depending on the property location.
Homeowners insurance premium: A homeowners insurance policy protects the lender (as well as the owner) against loss of the house from fire, wind, or other natural disasters. Usually the buyer pays one year’s premium payment at closing.
Taxes: Buyers pay two months' worth of city property taxes and two months of county property taxes at closing. This depends on your area.

Title Charges

Attorney fees or closing fees: Varies, but could be $200 to $500 or more. In some parts of the country an attorney, not a title company, handles closing, and sometimes an attorney is hired by the lender to review certain documents.
Notary fees: Pays for the notary public who witnesses that the signatures on closing documents are made by the people named in them. Not typically used in Florida.
Title insurance fees: Average is $350, but could be as high as one percent of the loan. Title insurance is a policy that protects the owner and/or lender by guaranteeing the title to the property is clear.
Title search & Exam: About $50-$100. A search is done to make sure there aren't any unpaid mortgages or tax liens on the property.

Government Recording and Transfer Charges

Courier fee: Charged if a courier picks up and delivers documents.
Pest inspection: Depending on location, a termite or other pest inspection may be required.
Recording fees: Average for Florida is about $180. This covers getting the sale recorded in the public record.
Survey: About $300-$400 for a survey of the property boundaries. Depending on the size of the lot.
So you see, it's more than just the down payment. You will need additional funds for closing costs that add up if not negotiated in your sales contract with the seller.
Don't let the costs scare you out of buying a home...NOW is the best time to buy! Rates are low, home prices are the best since property values have come down. Don't miss out and stay on the fence. Your dream home could be waiting for you right now!
321-253-0390 People's First Financial Services, Melbourne, FL
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

Uh Oh! I Need More Money To Close on My House!!!

2009-07-23T10:09:00.017-04:00

What happened? You got an "estimate" of your closing costs to close on your new home. You go through all the motions of obtaining financing. You get to the closing table or maybe you were lucky enough to know a day ahead that you don't have enough money to close the transaction. Has this happened to you? What do you do? Many times borrowers are faced with the dilemma of where to find the money at the last minute. The most recent person to call us was $1500.00 short and we were not involved in the transaction! In 33 years in the mortgage business we've learned that there are others in the industry that are not as professional as they appear to the unknowing consumer.

An estimate is just that...an "estimate". In today's society we've all learned to look for bargains. When you are looking for a contractor to work for you, you will most likely want the lowest estimate. The low man usually gets the job. Consumers look for the same in financing. You "shop" for your mortgage gathering three or more estimates. How do you choose which mortgage company you are going to use?

Here's the problem...Consumers are often led astray by understated Good Faith Estimates and the fees change at a later time to something more objectionable. It is our experience that if a loan officer or mortgage broker has been in the business for any length of time, he should know how to "estimate" the expenses associated to closing on the home.

Where Estimates are Understated:
1. Taxes & Homeowner's Insurance - To accurately disclose he should know a little more about the property such as what the real estate taxes and the homeowner's insurance costs are. We do the homework on the property before we release an estimate. In Florida, we will often OVER estimate the homeowner's insurance for a worse case scenario. The buyer sometimes will find his insurance at a more reasonable cost and his expenses are lowered.

2. Escrow Accounts - If a professional has closed enough loans, he knows how many months of taxes and insurance need to go on the estimate!

3. Additional junk fees or higher fees than anticipated. This area seems to have the most abuse in underestimating. The loan discount fee, loan origination fee and mortgage broker fee should not change without the borrower's knowledge. If the loan amount has changed or the borrower chooses to pay an additional discount fee to lower his interest rate, a new estimate should be delivered and signed by the borrower to acknowledge the change. This procedure is required by HUD and federal law (RESPA)!

Why did your mortgage professional underestimate your costs? Simple! He either is new to the industry and just "didn't know" OR he just wanted the job. A poor salesman will tell you what you want to hear and worry about the consequences later. You won't know until the end. What will you do? Walk away from the table or fork over the additional funds? Neither is fair!

Make sure you are not the next victim of Bait and Switch. Better call JoAnn Papsidero - People's First Financial Services, Melbourne, FL 321-253-0390
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

I NEED MONEY!

2009-06-15T10:02:00.013-04:00

How Can I Get Money for a Down Payment to Purchase a Home in 2009?

IMPORTANT: Even if you use the IRS 2009 Tax credit, you will STILL need to have 3.5% of your own money for an upfront down payment according to HUD guidelines!!!

In regards to FHA loans, a borrower can only obtain monies for their actual down payment of 3.5% by the following :
– Your own funds in your bank account seasoned for two months.
– A 100% gift from a relative/family member.
– From an FHA approved non-profit Federal, state, and local governmental
– Monies from your employer in the form of employee contribution
– Monies from secured borrowed funds, i.e. borrowing equity from your home to buy another home or borrowing against your car that is free and clear or borrowing from your 401-k, etc.

Specifics on the $8,000 First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit -

First Time Homebuyers – Definition of a first time home buyer - someone who has not owned a home 3 years previous to January 1st, 2009. This tax credit is good for any first time homebuyer buying after December 31st, 2008 and up to November 31st, 2009. Per the irs.gov website, you may qualify to receive this credit if you meet the following:
"... qualifying taxpayers who buy a home before Dec. 1, 2009, can claim the credit on either their 2008 or 2009 tax returns. They do not have to repay the credit, provided the home remains their main home for 36 months after the purchase date. They can claim 10 percent of the purchase price up to $8,000, or $4,000 for married individuals filing separately.
The amount of the credit begins to phase out for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is more than $75,000, or $150,000 for joint filers.
For purposes of the credit, you are considered to be a first-time homebuyer if you, and your spouse if you are married, did not own any other main home during the three-year period ending on the date of purchase."
The $8,000 tax credit was revised in the 2009 stimulus bill.
Here’s what you need to know:

– The maximum tax credit is $8,000 for either a single taxpayer or a married couple filing jointly. It is 10% of the purchase price. So in order to get the maximum credit, the purchase price must be $80,000 or more.
– The $8,000.00 tax credit can’t be used if you are buying a home from a close relative, which is to include a spouse, a grandparent, child, or even a grandchild.
– You can only use this tax credit for your primary home, not for a second home or an investment property.
– Purchasers who utilize revenue bond financing can use this $8000 credit. – If you sell your home within 3 years of the purchase date, the entire credit is recaptured.

There are a few ways to obtain this $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers. You can certainly file for your monies after you buy your dream house or you can file an amended return if you buy your home after April 15th.

NOW is the best times to buy a home. Here are a few reasons why.
– Home values are down in many areas
– So many foreclosures to choose from especially in our state
– Mortgage interest rates are low - interest rates fluctuating from 4.5% to 6.00%
– $8,000 first time homebuyers tax credit - Up to $8,000 depending on your purchase price

Call us if you have any further questions

321-253-0390 JoAnn Papsidero - Mortgage & Real Estate Professionals

New Loan Programs for Refinancing

2009-06-14T15:34:00.006-04:00

Want to get in on the low mortgage rates but don’t think you can refinance because you have little to no equity???
Think again!New loan programs just rolled out for homeowners who have been making their mortgage payments!
Do you have an interest only mortgage or an adjustable rate mortgage now? This program is for YOU!
You can refinance up to 105% If you have no mortgage insurance now you will NOT have it after the new loan! Even if you have a second mortgage you may still qualify for the refinance. (Call us for more details)
The new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan programs are designed to reward those homeowners who have been toughing it out making their payments on time in this market and who want to take advantage of the lower rates of today to lower their payments.
JoAnn Papsidero today for more information. 321-253-0390

posted by JoAnn Papsidero

Why Should I Get A Pre-Approval? I Have Excellent Credit And I Know I Will Qualify!

2009-03-26T11:25:00.019-04:00

In the last couple of weeks I have heard this so much! I cannot stress to a homebuyer enough that there is even more of a reason now to get a pre-approval than ever.
A gentleman telephoned this week in need of a mortgage for a second home in Florida. He is currently working with a Realtor and he has already obtained a home inspection - meaning he has already spent money out of his own pocket. He stated that he has excellent credit scores (over 800 and that is excellent) and that he won't have a problem getting a mortgage. That may be true - 2 years ago! What once was, is not true for today. He only has 10% to put down on his Second Home that he is under contract to buy. He needs 20% down. He has called all over the state of Florida trying to find a lender who will lend him 90%. Unfortunately, he most likely will not find one. Lending guidelines change so rapidly in our state as we are one of the states in the top 3 for foreclosures right now. RISK! The gentleman could have avoided spending money needlessly and wasting his time and the Realtor's time if he would have secured his financing first. Why shop for the largest ticket item you might ever purchase without knowing how you will pay for it and how much you can spend?

NOW...What is the difference between a Pre-Qualification and a Pre-Approval?

You may not know that there is a difference. Some real estate and mortgage professionals do not know that there is a difference!

A Pre-Qualification is based on simplified information that you tell a mortgage professional. Sometimes your credit report is obtained and other times it is not. The loan officer is going strictly off of what you have told them.

A Pre-Approval means that you have made application, you have given the loan officer your paystubs, bank statements and tax returns and your credit has been obtained by the lender. Your information has now been "verified".

We take it a step further and run the loan scenario through the FannieMae Desktop underwriting system since FannieMae is the actual investor supplying the funds for the purchase. FannieMae also provides the guidelines for which to obtain financing to the particular borrower. We supply the Realtor with the FannieMae Pre-Approval along with the pre-approval certificate. The loan is then subject to Appraisal and Title report on the property only. The buyer and his credentials are "good to go". That is what every Realtor and Home Seller wants to hear.

It may be a more conservative approach for the buyer, but you can bet he will not be embarrassed if he contracts on a house and cannot obtain financing afterwards. It's a great time to buy! Get a pre-approval before you start to look and call JoAnn Papsidero to make it happen! 321-253-0390
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

$8000 Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers!

2009-03-16T15:26:00.016-04:00

Great news for First-Time Home Buyers!
First Time Home Buyers can receive a tax credit of up to $8,000 for buying their first home. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorizes a tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers who purchase a home after December 31, 2008 and before December 1, 2009.
With home prices lower than they have been in a long time, this is a great opportunity to become a new homeowner!

What we want you to know:
•Participating in the tax credit program is easy. You claim the tax credit on your federal income tax return. The tax credit can be claimed on 2008 income tax forms even though the purchase took place in 2009. A buyer could close on a home the same day that the President signs it into law, fill out their income tax forms the next day, and receive the tax credit fairly quickly.

•To qualify as a first-time homebuyer, the purchaser cannot have owned a home within the previous three-year period. However, ownership of a vacation home or rental home does not disqualify the buyer.
•The tax credit is a straight dollar-for-dollar reduction of your tax bill
•For first-time home buyers purchasing a home, the credit is worth 10 percent of a home’s value up to $8,000, which means all homes worth more than $80,000 could qualify for the maximum amount.
•The credit begins to phase out for taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess of the limits. The income limit to qualify: A married couples’ modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) should be under $150,000 and single filers’ MAGI should be less than $75,000. Partial tax credits may be available for married couples with MAGI incomes over $150,000 but under $170,000, and single filers with incomes over $75,000but under $95,000. If married couples file separately, they can both claim 5% of the home purchase ($4,000 each for a home over $80,000) on their tax returns.
•It’s a tax credit, not a deduction. That means the entire amount goes back to the first-time homebuyer unlike deductions, such as mortgage interest, that are subtracted from gross income before tax is calculated. If qualified for $8,000, the buyer gets $8,000, even if they would not owe that much in taxes otherwise
•Within the first three years of the purchase date, if you either sell the home or it ceases to be your primary residence, the tax credit must be repaid to the Internal Revenue Service.
Also see http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/
Some Information compiled from the Florida Association of Realtors

JoAnn Papsidero
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

The most BEAUTIFUL weather, the most PERFECT place!

2009-03-16T14:29:00.012-04:00

I'm writing today from my back porch. There is a gentle breeze rustling the palms, the temperature is about 71 degrees, no humidity, the birds are chirping, the sun is shining brightly and it's MID-MARCH! Can you guess where I am? I am in beautiful , sunny, Brevard County Florida - where I also reside.
In my thoughts as I enjoy the afternoon comes the question, "Wouldn't it be fun to live on the beach?" So...out of curiosity, I checked the MLS listings for condos on the beach in Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach and Indialantic. I searched prices between $99,000-$200,000. I was amazed to find that 19 properties turned up in the results! These were direct OCEAN FRONT condos. The best deal that I saw was a property located in a condo appropriately called "Sand Castles" for only $97,000. WOW! Someone could actually live on the beach for that price. If I didn't have two big Golden Retrievers I would be packing my bags now! Most condos have a weight limit on pets and Sand Castles was no exception. My two girls definitely could not pass for 30 pounds!

The Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) experts say the best time to buy in Florida is right now. The time is right. Home sales volumes are rising again – a clear signal that today’s “buyers market” may be changing soon. In fourth quarter 2008, statewide sales of existing single-family homes were up 13 percent compared to the same period last year, according to FAR statistics.

If you live up north, wouldn't it be so cool to have a vacation home on the beach in sunny FLORIDA? ?! Our beaches are quiet and serene. Unlike the popularly crowded spring break hotspots of Daytona Beach and the South Beaches of Miami and Palm Beach. Come for a visit and check out Brevard County a/k/a "The Space Coast". Opportunity knocks! When you answer we'll be right here waiting to help you make your dreams come true! Call JoAnn Papsidero, 321-243-4917.
Post by JoAnn Papsidero

Southern Chicken Pie - Yum, Yum!

2009-03-12T17:07:00.006-04:00

Southern Chicken Pie - This is my family's favorite recipe!

6 med potatoes, pared & quartered
6 med carrots, pared & quartered
1 sm onion (about ¼ cup)
¼ cup of chopped green pepper (I omit)
4 Tablespoons butter or margarine
1 can cream of chicken soup
3 cups of cooked chicken or turkey
Biscuit Wedges (recipe follows)
Cook potatoes & carrots in boiling salted water for 15 minutes or until tender; drain but save 1 ½ cups of the cooking liquid
Saute the onion & green pepper in butter or margarine until soft in a medium saucepan; stir in canned chicken soup and the reserved liquid from potatoes & carrots.
Spoon vegetables & chicken into a 9X13 casserole dish; pour sauce over.
Bake in a hot oven - 425 degrees for 15 minutes while making biscuit wedges.
Arrange biscuit wedges on top of hot mixture and bake for 15 minutes longer, or until biscuits are golden.

Biscuit Wedges: Makes 6-12 depending on how thick
Sift 1 ½ cups of all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt into a med bowl. Cut in ¼ cup (1/2 stick of butter or margarine); add ½ cup of milk all at once. Stir just until blended. Turn dough onto a lightly floured board: knead lightly for 1 minute. Roll out and cut biscuits: Brush tops lightly with milk and sprinkle with sesame seeds. (optional)
This recipe takes a little more in the preparation department, but well worth it!
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

Brevard Places of Interest

2009-03-09T17:20:00.011-04:00

For those who ask "What is there to see and do in Brevard County, Florida?" I have just the link to our website that has a list with area links. We add to this list often so check back again. Just today I spoke with a friendly gentleman from Columbus, Ohio. He is looking for a FLORIDA home! There is so much to say about this beautiful area in which we live! I ended up giving him our websites and blog information so he could see for himself. I truly believe we live in an exquisite paradise! Here is the link to our website: Steve & JoAnn's links to places of interest (Just click on the link).
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

What Mortgage Lenders Are Looking For

2009-02-16T09:18:00.017-05:00

Recently an applicant contacted me who is a first time homebuyer. She had no idea where to begin on the loan process. Even if I believe the person will not qualify for a mortgage at this time, I try to educate the person in order to prepare for the future.
The following are a few tips I use to help you get started in your quest for a mortgage for your home purchase:

There are 5 criteria for mortgage underwriting: We call this E-CASA
1. Equity – How much money you will be putting down (down payment).
2. Credit – You will need a credit score of 620 or higher as well as anyone else who will be on the loan application. Bankruptcies need to be discharged 2 years ago for FHA and 4 years ago for Conventional. If you had a foreclosure, it will be extremely difficult at this time to obtain financing for a home.
3. Ability – The ability to pay the loan back – what your current debts and future debt (house payment) are compared to your income. This is called debt to income ratio.
4. Stability – How long you have been on your job or in your field of work – Generally a lender wants to see a two year work history in the same field with no gaps in employment.
5. Assets – How much money will you have left after the loan is closed? What is your net worth? The more assets you have shows your ability to save money. Do you have any overdrafts on your bank statement? Do you take your account down to the last cent every month? If you do, you will not be able to show that you can handle a larger payment each month.

If any of these basic 5 areas are weak, the loan has to have a compensating factor for the weak area.

A consumer may pull their own credit report once a year at http://www.annualcreditreport.com/. The Federal Trade Commission made it possible for you to do this to keep tabs on your own credit profile. Your credit score is not lowered if you pull your own credit report.
Start by getting your credit report to see what your profile looks like. That is the best place to start. If there is derogatory credit, you will need to start repairing it.

Let me know how you make out on the credit and remember you can always call us for some credit repairing advice.
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

How to Raise Your Credit Score

2008-11-20T08:19:00.014-05:00

Often we receive calls or emails from mortgage applicants whose scores don't quite make the mark for obtaining a mortgage. We prefer to coach our customers in how to raise their credit scores so that they would be more likely to call on us again in the future once they are closer to obtaining financing. Recently I received an email from a an applicant who had $25,000 for a down payment. That was great news! But the news turned quickly when the applicant informed me that his credit scores were in the low 500's. With credit being so tight in today's market, you might have 50% or more down payment but with a low credit score it could keep you from buying your dream home. The following are a few tips I was able to relay to this applicant in hopes of helping him achieve his goal:
Currently the FHA guideline is requiring a 620 and higher credit score. If your credit score falls below this benchmark, you will definitely need to work on your credit scores before officially applying. Some tips to help you improve your score:

If you have several student loans, there is a way to consolidate your student loans to get one, low payment. We've had customers able to do this for a one time deal with the creditor.

Pay off any collections if you have any. Try to make settlement with them. Some will accept less than the balance. You've got to ask. Keep receipts and good records of everything you pay off that is delinquent. My experience has been that some collection companies collect their money and then do not update your credit file. This is why you need to keep good receipts. Copies of cancelled checks stored with the offer/bill from the collector

It is better to have two credit cards with half the balance used than to have one credit card maxed out to the limit.

Try not to apply for any new credit cards whether they be store cards or major credit cards.

Do not shop for a new car. They inquire on your credit. If you move to a new place or make changes, electric companies, phone companies, cell phone companies, car insurance companies will put your credit as well.

If you have any lates on your report (30 days or more) it just takes time for those to get farther behind you. The best thing to do is not be late on anything in the future.

Start by getting a copy of your credit report for free. There are 3 bureaus that need to be obtained as they all report different accounts. Meaning, you could have one account that reports to Experian but not to the other two and vice-versa.
If you do not have a copy of your credit report, the government has made a website where you can pull your own for free once a year and it does not hurt your score if you pull it yourself. http://www.annualcreditreport.com/. If you get started on this now straightening out your credit and then look at your report a year from now - (normally how long it takes to improve). Check against your records to make sure they match all that you've done over the past year.

If have limited credit - not a lot of credit, FHA will use your rental records, car insurance payments, cell phone bill, utility bills, and any other items in your named to build your credit just for the purchase transaction...not for your official credit file.

The main item of business is to get your credit score higher. You can request to be added to our monthly e-mail newsletter so you can get updates from us on credit guidelines, industry changes, tips on purchasing, refinancing, etc. You can opt out at any time if you wish. the email address to request to be put on our free e-mail mailing list is info@PeopleComeFirst.net
Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing with improving your scores. You can always e-mail us or call us with any questions. 321-242-8240. We sincerely hope to hear from you again when you are ready to BUY!
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

Thrifty Seller Solutions for an Outdated Kitchen

2008-09-25T14:02:00.014-04:00

Adapted from an article in the October/November 2007 issue of Fine Homebuilding. To read the entire article as well as other stories about home repair and remodeling, go to http://www.finehomebuilding.com/. by Sarah Shideler

If a cramped, old kitchen is turning off buyers, follow the lead of these home owners and turn a liability into a showplace.
The challenge most homeowners face involve a key element in limited supply: money. You know that you’ll be doing a substantial amount of the work yourself or supervising subcontractors called in for selected jobs. If you know what your budget is then here are some of the lessons we learned that sellers can use in turning that old, tired kitchen into a showplace buyers will clamor to call their own.
1. Add space and light by removing a wall. Instead of shelling out thousands of dollars to build additional floor space for our cramped kitchen, we took a simpler, less invasive approach. We replaced the partition walls with a single supporting beam and extended the exterior wall to enclose an underused 8-by-9-foot deck. For more light we added a large skylight and enlarged the garden window.
2. Don’t move the plumbing. Although it was tempting to move the sink from the back wall to the new island, it would have cost us an additional $1,200. Relocating the stove was possible, but moving the gas and electricity would have run at least $500 plus the cost of a new stove to work with the island. We did relocate the fridge to make room for the island, which we use for both food prep and casual dining. However, keeping most of the appliances in the same place saved us an estimated $2,000.
3. Unclutter the countertops with special hardware. Limited counter space doesn’t have to mean limited workspace. Mounting a stand mixer and a food processor on heavy-duty appliance lifts from Rev-A-Shelf kept them out of the way but instantly accessible. The brackets are strong enough to support an appliance in use, so you can lift it up to create an instant workstation. The lifts average about $90 each.
4. Buy ready-to-assemble cabinets. We chose white melamine boxes for most of the kitchen and cherry for the hutch, all from CabParts. The drawer boxes were ordered from Drawer Box Specialties. Ordering parts by mail and installing them yourself requires careful planning and precise measurements, but the payoff is major savings (for us, about $15,000).
5. Consider a variety of countertop materials. We wanted granite for its look and durability, but our budget kept us from using it on the island as well as the countertop. By shopping around, we found a 3⁄4-inch-thick granite slab that cost 30 percent less than a 1 1⁄4-inch version. The granite’s true thickness is visible around the under mount sink, but a laminated edge makes it look like a thicker slab and hides the plywood backing, which adds structural support to the countertop. A maple butcher-block top on the island costs about $450.
6. Completing most of the demolition and general-carpentry work ourselves saved thousands of dollars. To save time, we hired laborers here and there, as well as electrical and plumbing contractors when necessary. Instead of renting an on-site Dumpster, we made multiple truck trips to the dump, which saved a little money but probably cost a good amount in time. I also cleaned up at the end of each day when a crew was on site to save at least a half-hour of labor, if not more. When all is said and done, our own kitchen makeover reinforced what we had learned from similar jobs: that savings can be maximized when you consider as many economical sources as possible.

Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

Foreclosure…Pre-Foreclosure…Short Sale… What’s the Difference?

2008-09-18T15:42:00.030-04:00

We would like to help educate you on the current real estate market so that you can easily understand market conditions starting with the terms “Foreclosure”, “Pre-Foreclosure” and “Short Sale”. All of the terms have one thing in common. The mortgage (debt) on the property is at risk to a lender or note holder.

First, Let’s talk about Foreclosures:
A home “in” foreclosure is a home where the seller has not been able to pay the mortgage and it has been scheduled for an actual foreclosure date. These dates are always the first Tuesday of every month. In Florida, it is not a court hearing. In Florida, the bank can actually file notice to foreclose, set a date, and the home is sold on the courthouse steps on that date. In most cases, the bank that you have your loan with will send a representative to actually purchase back the home. No matter what you hear on television, homes are not being sold for pennies on the dollar to whoever shows up with the money. These homes are now “foreclosed” properties and OWNED by the bank. The bank will turn these properties (sometimes called REO properties) over to a Realtor who will list the home for sale, and enter that listing in the multiple listing service (MLS). This service makes the home available to hundreds and thousands of agents, and thus to people searching to buy a home. If you have an agent representing you in your home search, your agent would prepare a normal purchase and sale offer and present it to the agent who listed the property, who in turn will present the offer to purchase to the bank that owns the property. The entire transaction is handled exactly like a “normal” purchase and sale would be, with the exception of a few requirements the bank may have to accept offers.

There are rumors that you can purchase these homes for pennies on the dollar. However, once the bank has taken back possession of the property they are even less likely to consider ‘low-ball’ offers to purchase. Why? Because they not only have the balance of the loan on the property, they have also spent thousands of dollars to hire attorneys and assumed all the costs of the legal proceeding to have the home foreclosed, and re-purchased. If you would like to purchase a home listed and owned by a bank, the best advice is to offer as close to the asking price as possible, assuring a more receptive response to your offer, and more serious consideration.

Now, let’s talk about Pre-Foreclosures:
You are searching the internet and you find a listing that says “pre-foreclosure”. What does this mean? It means that the home is still actually owned and may be occupied by someone who is in danger of foreclosure because they cannot pay their mortgage. The home has not yet been sold back to the bank at a foreclosure sale.
Offers to purchase will be presented by the agent representing you to the actual Listing Agent, who will present the offer to the actual seller/owner of the property. The bank is not involved in this negotiation. These properties could be the most likely candidates for the “good deal” because the sellers are desperate not to have a foreclosure on their credit. Assuming that there is enough equity to pay for the sale and pay off their mortgage note, they will most likely accept thousands less than in a normal market to avoid the loss of their home altogether.
In some cases however, sellers do not have enough equity to cover the expenses of selling and pay off the note. It could be that in their neighborhood prices have dropped, or they haven’t owned the home long enough to build up equity. What can a seller do when they owe more on the home than it can be sold for? The answer is a Short Sale.

Which is our last topic Short Sale Listings:
A short sale is one in which the bank having knowledge of the seller’s distress and the current market conditions of this particular property, will actually accept a lesser payoff so that the home can be sold and they can avoid the costly foreclosure process. It is an offer to purchase a home, BEFORE it is scheduled for foreclosure, for much LESS than the actual mortgage balance on the home. How does this work?

Imagine you are the bank. You already have thousands of homes and you do not want to foreclose on any more homes. The home in question is in a very slow market, or the value has dropped for whatever reason. The homeowner has not paid the mortgage note for several months. You now have to spend money to hire an attorney to proceed to legally foreclose on the property. Then you will have yet another home to put back on the market. You already know that the value has decreased. You already know that the market is slow. You realize it may take months to sell the home, and that it will have to be sold for far less than what you have spent on the home considering the mortgage balance, and the expenses of the foreclosure. In addition, you now have to pay an agency to market and sell the home, costing you even more money. To accept an offer to purchase this home, for even thousands below the mortgage balance owed, is a smart and acceptable deal for the bank. In doing so, they avoid the extra costs involved in the foreclosure process. These can also be attractive deals to the buyers looking for a “good deal”. However, we must warn you that this is a long and bumpy road that requires patience and flexibility. This is not the opportunity for the home buyer who needs to locate and close on a home in 30-45 days. In some cases, the deal can fall apart mid-stream and you would have to walk away and begin your search all over again. If you are determined, patient and flexible this could be worth the effort and the wait.

On a final note, don’t believe everything you hear. There are no “secret” listings that are only available to real estate agents, or those who are willing to pay for information on the internet. If there’s a property owned by a bank in our area it is LISTED and available for sale to any agent with a buyer.
Bottom Line…what is the BEST way to get a great deal?

You Should Be Pre-Approved. Before you begin your home search, find a lender and get a valid pre-approval letter. This is one step beyond being pre-qualified. This not only helps you decide the correct price range for your search, it assists your ability to have your offer seriously considered by a seller. An offer with a letter of pre-approval could very well be accepted over a higher offer which does not. A good lender or mortgage broker worth his salt will know what constitutes a VALID Pre-Approval. We recommend our company for this service as the owners of People's First Financial Services.

You Should Have A Buyers Agent. You need to have someone representing you in your search and to assist you in the negotiations. This agent would represent you and look out for your best interest. As a buyer’s agent, we sign all our clients up on the Innovia MLS listing cart. This is a service that will automatically email you with available listings that fit your criteria on a daily basis. It’s an immediate notification of a listing that fits your search criteria. This eliminates the problem of finding out about the listing too late to make an offer. You can also go to our website and search for sale by owner listings. http://www.peoplesavemore.net/

You shouldn't expect a good agent to write a LOW BALL offer for you. Do expect your agent to research the property you are interested in and make sure the home’s asking price is within an acceptable parameter. If the price is fair, expect to offer as close to the listing price as possible. Most of the time, a real low ball offer is an insult to a seller. Then, rather than sending a counter offer, they just reject the offer completely and refuse to negotiate.

You Shouldn't Expect People To Wait On You. While there may be some real desperate sellers out there, and some once in awhile “steals”, they are few and far between. The best deals are moved upon very quickly. So don’t expect the real “steal of a deal” to wait for you for a week while you decide if you want to make an offer or not. Too many times I have shown properties to buyers who wanted to “take the weekend and think about it”, only to be told on Monday morning that the seller accepted an offer over the weekend. It’s always hard to break that news to buyers who finally decided that this was the home for them, and then have to start all over again.

You Should Be Open-Minded. Any home for sale may be the best deal for you. Whether it’s a foreclosure, pre-foreclosure, short sale listing, or just a homeowner looking to relocate, if you find the home you love, the price is reasonable, and the terms are acceptable, make an offer!
**Information & Content compiled using excerpts from Kimberly Wilson, Realtor with Power Realty, Dawsonville, GA
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero Srein

It's A Zoo Out There!

2008-09-18T15:42:00.029-04:00

Have you seen the Brevard Zoo lately? It's another fun spot in Brevard County, Florida! It's right in the heart of Suntree/Viera in Brevard County, Florida just east of I-95 exit 191 at 8225 Wickham Road.
The mission of the Brevard Zoo is “Wildlife Conservation through Education and Participation.” The Zoo boasts "The World's Largest Volunteer Community Build." Over 16,000 people of all ages joined forces to help build the Zoo in the spring of 1992 and the Brevard Zoo opened it's doors to the public in 1994

The Brevard Zoo is currently divided into five different exhibits: Expedition Africa, La Selva, Austral/Asia, Wild Florida and Paws On Play which is an area of the zoo for children to have "paws on". A portion of Paws On Play is currently closed until February 2009 but to compensate, a new indoor play area has been created called Wildlife Detective Training Academy. Expedition Africa is the area where the giraffes are housed and you can view the giraffes anytime you wish by accessing one of Brevard's live web cams.(click here)
The Brevard Zoo also offers many events throughout each month of the year. A local favorite is "Boo At The Zoo" held in October every year. Families and enjoy games and crafts, trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and new for the older kids, the Scare Zone this year. This year’s Boo At The Zoo is scheduled for October 17-19 and 24-26.
Daily Events at the zoo include feeding the giraffes, lorikeets, river otters, vultures, the Cape to Cairo Express train ride, alligator and crocodile feeding, kayaking, behind the scenes tours and shopping in the Panther's Paws gift shop. You can also purchase meals, snacks and refreshments at the Flamingo Cafe.

Book a private party using the zoo's amenities and the Nyami Nyami River Lodge which can occupy up to 300 people. Space Coast Living Magazine June 2008 edition voted the Brevard Zoo as the best place to have a birthday.
You can become a member of the Brevard Zoo which will also include FREE OR REDUCED admission to over 140 zoos & aquariums nationwide.
Ticket prices for entrance to the zoo are located on the Brevard Zoo's website.
The Brevard Zoo...What a great way to spend a family day and learn more about Florida's wildlife and preservation!
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

The Avenue Mall in Viera, Florida

2008-09-17T14:37:00.020-04:00

What town would be a fun spot without a mall? Viera, Florida has a wonderful outdoor mall located just due west of I-95 in Brevard County.

It's called "THE AVENUE VIERA".
There are over 80 stores and restaurants to choose from for your shopping & dining experience. Anchor stores include Kohl's, Belk Department Store, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Sport's Authority, Books A Million, Old Navy, Michaels, Office Depot and World Market. Click here for store promotions.
For those less interested in shopping with you, they can be deposited at the Rave theatre in the same mall arena. There's also an array of restaurants and snack food stores such as Mimi's Cafe, Chili's, Longhorn Steakhouse, Cold Stone Creamery, Planet Smoothie, Shane's Rib Shack and much more!
The Avenue also has special events sponsored by the stores located in the mall.

Click on the link to go to The Avenue website to sign up for the "A-List", an exclusive membership rewards program. You'll receive a monthly newsletter with retailer promotions and Avenue events. You'll also get a free bottled water while you shop! Mall shopping hours are Monday - Saturday 10am - 9pm and Sunday 12pm - 6pm.

Click here for Mall events. The mall also has "Jazz in the Park" on Thursday nights from 6-8:30 pm. Until Aug 27th, 2009. Bring lawn chair and enjoy an evening of great music with the Ron Pirtle Band in Central Park.

Another great reason to come to Brevard! Happy Shopping!
AND... If while you are here and you decide you like the Viera area of Melbourne and you think it is a great place to live...why don't you call ahead and schedule an appointment with Steve & JoAnn Srein to look at area homes for sale?
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

Brevard Libraries Unveil new Visual Catalog System

2008-09-11T14:51:00.013-04:00

Brevard County, Florida is privileged to have 18 different Libraries! Many are within walking distance of a Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT) bus stop.

The Brevard County Library System unveiled a new visual Catalog system this month. You can search, discover and refine with the visiual library on MyLibraryWorld.com. Log on anywhere! Use the library's computers or go Wi-Fi at one of the local libraries.

Search both inside and outside the library;across electronic data bases, book reviews and much more.

Discover by clicking on an animated word cloud. The Visual Catalog uses the related words, synonyms, and even translations of the original search.

Refine will narrow results as customer's limit their search. You can refine to year, genre, DVD's or books only, or even a book character's name.

My favorite location is the Eau Gallie Public Library located at 1521 Pineapple Ave, Melbourne, Florida.
The Eau Gallie Public Library was founded in 1898, making it the the second oldest library in Brevard County, Florida. The founders initially established the library in the Eau Gallie Post Office. The library was moved to several different locations over the years. In 1962, the library was moved to its current location at 1521 Pineapple Avenue in Eau Gallie, where a new building was constructed in 1998. This location has been recently remodeled and has installed beautiful picture windows overlooking the Indian River. It is a relaxing evening to grab a book or magazine and sit in front of one of the windows facing the river. There is a newly built walking and fishing dock behind the library where you can literally take a walk on the river. My son, Jacob had a project needing a library trip. We drove thru Wendy's for a Frosty and then headed to the library but not without a quick walk on the dock that stretches over the river. Even though it was a somewhat windy walk - compliments of Hurricane Ike in the lower Gulf Atlantic, it was still a refreshing "time-out". Just another escape route from the everyday rat race of life!
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

Highwayman Artists

2008-09-11T11:59:00.011-04:00

The Highwaymen story started in 1950s, when a group of 26 unknown but talented young African-American artists from Fort Pierce in Florida decided that closed doors of art galleries and shows should not stop them from doing what they loved to do and they started selling their art works door-to-door and from the back of their trucks throughout all the south-eastern coast of Florida to support themselves and their families.
They painted mostly images of lush, Florida landscapes and their art was inspired by the work of well-known Florida artist Albert Ernest "Beanie" Backus. Alfred Hair, one of the Highwaymen, was one of the Backus' students. Yet most of the artists of the group were self-taught painters. It's not exactly clear how many paintings there are painted by the Highwaymen, but by one of the estimation is getting close to 200,000 pieces.

The unheralded artists painted swiftly and sold their works cheaply. Robert L. Lewis Jr. the nationally acclaimed Highwayman artist, remembers selling a small painting for $10 in the early 1960s. By the 1990s, Highwaymen art became popular and prices began to soar. Now a large Lewis work can bring up to $15,000.
The Highwaymen group was never an official association or a formal movement; they were all loosely connected by their style, purposes and intentions in life rather then by any kind of formal membership. Nevertheless in 2000, 26 artists were officially identified as the Highwaymen.
The Highwaymen have also earned honors. In 2004, Lewis and other surviving Highwaymen were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in Tallahassee.
Their paintings have presented Florida as it was before condos and concrete covered much of the land.
The Highwaymen story is not over; some of the Highwaymen are still painting and their works are getting a lot recognition and interest.
Lewis, now age 67,likes to use art to support good causes. He is set to volunteer his talents for Sunflower House, the Caregiver Resource Center at Merritt Square Mall in need of financial help.
Lewis believes in sharing his God-given talent and states it is very important to give his gifts. Lewis will be at Sunflower House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 9 for a painting demonstration. He’ll also sign and sell paintings, cards and calendars, with a portion of the proceeds going to Sunflower House.
For information about Lewis, go to www.rllewisartist.com or call 321-543-1919.
Call Sunflower House at 321-452-4341. It is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closes at 4 p.m. on Saturdays. It is located between JC Penney and Dillard’s in the Merritt Square Mall, 777 E. Merritt Island Causeway.
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

Focus on Brevard is "What We Do" - About Us

2008-09-04T21:23:00.017-04:00

"Focus on Brevard" is what we do!
Are you looking for a real estate agent in Brevard County, Florida?
After living and working in Brevard County, for over 15 years, thia Melbourne area REALTORs is passionate about helping home sellers and buyers in the Melbourne and Brevard County area.
Whether you are just relocating to the Space Coast area or a current resident of the communities in Brevard to include: Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Palm Bay, Titusville, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic, Satellite Beach, West Melbourne, Melbourne Beach, Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, Patrick Air Force Base, I welcome you to "Focus on Brevard" and invite you to visit this blog often for community news, events, people, businesses and an occasional random topic.

I chose the beautiful seascape to welcome you to my site for and about the Melbourne and Brevard County area. Seeing the ocean always makes me think of home. It is my hope you will think of Focus On Brevard, when you see a beautiful beach scene.
Melbourne, Florida has been home for me since 1995 when I relocated to the area from South Florida in 1995. I have raised my only son, Jacob here and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Focus On Brevard was created to provide informative and entertaining articles and lots of local pictures to Florida newcomers and Melbourne residents alike.

As a Florida REALTOR, I have shared the joy of purchasing a new home with many families moving to the Brevard County area. I hope you will also“Focus on Brevard” and enjoy getting to know the people, neighborhoods, schools and businesses in this friendly Brevard County community of Melbourne. It would please me to welcome you as a new neighbor and client for Melbourne and Brevard County real estate.
I look forward to working together with current Brevard-area homeowners to welcome new neighbors to our community. If you have any questions, please let me know. Again, welcome to Focus On Brevard. Enjoy!
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

Space Coast Dining Guide

2008-08-21T22:04:00.005-04:00

Brevard, Florida is home to some of the best restaurants one can visit. This link is an area dining guide to some of the tastiest places in the county. http://space.coast.diningguide.com/dl1me.htm
ENJOY!
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

Storm Tosses turtle hatchlings, thrashes nests

2008-08-21T21:54:00.005-04:00

BY JIM WAYMER • FLORIDA TODAY.COM • August 21, 2008

MELBOURNE BEACH -- Turtles washed back by the hundreds Wednesday, as Fay had her way with the newly hatched.
Volunteers and residents had rescued about 300 to 400 baby sea turtles on Brevard beaches Wednesday and brought them to a nonprofit group in Indialantic. Untold numbers of turtle nests were destroyed in the storm. Eggs spilled from the dunes at Coconut Point Park in Melbourne Beach. "We have lots of exposed nests," said Nancy Yates, stranding permit holder for the of the Sea Turtle Preservation Society, a nonprofit group in Indialantic. "When it's early in the season like this we tend to get a lot of the exposed nests and hatchlings."
Most of the hatchling turtles rescued were loggerheads from Cape Canaveral, Yates said, and a few from Cocoa Beach as well. Some were green sea turtles. "We've seen a few green," she said.
"Some of them perk up and some of them don't," she said of the rescued hatchlings.
The more energetic turtles will be released in south Brevard when the waves die down, Yates said. Others will be rehabilitated at a marine center in Ponce Inlet in Volusia County.
"If they won't swim, then we have to take them to the rehab center," Yates said.

posted by JoAnn Papsidero

Should I Sell or Buy First?

2008-08-21T12:36:00.007-04:00

Should you buy first or sell first? This is not an easy decision. There are a number of factors to consider before deciding which is best for you. Most people try to buy and sell simultaneously, which is the best way to go for many people - if the market cooperates. But ultimately you will probably have to decide whether to accept an offer on your home before you find a new one - or to buy a new property before your current home sells.
Can you carry both properties?
If you buy a new home before your old one is sold you'll be faced with carrying two mortgage payments for an undetermined period of time. Can you handle this financially? Will you be able to fund the down payment on your new home without the sale proceeds from the old one? If your income is sufficient to carry the payments, a bridge loan may help you get through this period.
Are you willing to rent or live with relatives?
If you accept an offer for your home before you've bought a new one you may have to move into a short-term rental until you find something to purchase, or move in with a relative. Are you prepared to move twice, with all the hassle?
Contingent contracts?The ideal situation is to make the first contract contingent upon the other. For example, you agree to purchase a home but not to close until you've sold yours. Unfortunately, few sellers will agree to this kind of condition (and few buyers will agree to wait until you find a new property). You may be able to negotiate the right to stretch out the closing date by a reasonable period, however. This gives you more time to try to match up the closing dates.
Buying new construction?
Purchasing a home that is under construction (or not yet started) gives you considerable time to sell your existing property. Don't forget, however, that you are committed to close on the new house when it is completed. Make sure you are able to do so even if you do not sell your present home - or if you have to cut the price to do so.
JoAnn Papsidero, email: info@PeopleComeFirst.net, http://www.peoplecomefirst.net/
S&D Realty Exchange & People's First Financial Services, 321-243-4917, direct line 321-253-0390
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero, FL REALTOR & Licensed FLMortgage Broker

2008/09 Season Schedule For Maxwell King Center

2008-08-21T11:30:00.005-04:00

Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts 08/09 Season Schedule

September 2008 Shows & Events

Classic Albums Live Series - Boston "Boston"
8pm Friday 09/19/08
John Prine
8pm Saturday 09/20/08

Sara Evans
7pm Sunday 09/21/08

October 2008 Shows & Events
Randy Owen: Legendary Lead Singer of Alabama
8pm Friday 10/03/08

Phantom Tollbooth
10am Tuesday10/14/08, 11:45am Tuesday10/14/08

Classic Albums Live Series - Led Zeppelin "1"
8pm Saturday10/18/08

Peter Frampton
7pm Sunday10/26/08

November 2008 Shows & Events

Vote?
10am Wednesday11/05/08

Rufus Wainwright
8pm Friday11/07/08

The Ant & the Elephant
10am Thursday11/13/08, 11:45am Thursday11/13/08

Larry the Cable Guy
5pm Saturday11/15/08, 8pm Saturday11/15/08

Vince Gill
7pm Sunday11/16/08

Sidiki Conde & Tokounou
10:30am Tuesday11/18/08

Mannheim Steamroller
8pm Wednesday11/19/08

December 2008 Shows & EventsDixie's Tupperware Party
7:30pm Tuesday12/02/08

Tillis Family Christmas
8pm Tuesday12/02/08

Dixie's Tupperware Party
7:30pm Wednesday12/03/08

Dixie's Tupperware Party
7:30pm Thursday12/04/08, 7:30pm Friday12/05/08, 4:00pm Saturday12/06/08
7:30pm Saturday12/06/08, 4pm Sunday12/07/08,

Seussical
10am Thursday12/11/08, 11:45am Thursday12/11/08

Oliver!
3pm Saturday12/20/08, 7:30pm Saturday12/20/08

A Christmas Carol - The Musical
3pm Sunday12/21/08

NBC's "Last Comic Standing" Live Tour
7pm Sunday12/28/08

January 2009 Shows & Events
Girl's Night: The Musical
7:30pm Tuesday01/06/09, 7:30pm Wednesday01/07/09, 7:30pm Thursday01/08/09,
7:30pm Friday01/09/09, 4pm Saturday01/10/09, 7:30pm Saturday01/10/09,

1pm Sunday01/11/09, 4pm Sunday01/11/09,

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
8pm Tuesday01/13/09, 2pm Wednesday01/14/09, 8pm Wednesday01/14/09,
8pm Thursday01/15/09, 8pm Friday01/16/09, 2pm Saturday01/17/09
8pm Saturday01/17/09, 2pm Sunday01/18/09

Gershwin Sings Gershwin
8pm Tuesday01/20/09

The Temptations & The Four Tops
8pm Thursday01/22/09

Juggling Across the Curriculum with Mark Nizer
10am Tuesday01/27/09, 11:45am Tuesday01/27/09

David Copperfield: An Intimate Evening Of Grand Illusion
5:30pm Wednesday01/28/09, 8:30pm Wednesday01/28/09

February 2009 Shows & Events
Black Violin
10:30am Monday02/02/09

Garrison Keillor
7:30pm Tuesday02/03/09

Drumline Live
8pm Wednesday02/04/09

Golda's Balcony
7:30pm Thursday02/12/09

The Pink Floyd Experience
8pm Friday02/13/09

Johnny Mathis
8pm Saturday02/14/09

Natalie Cole
8pm Tuesday02/17/09

A Kids Life - Goes To School!
10am Wednesday02/18/09, 11:45am Wednesday02/18/09

The Manhattan Transfer
8pm Thursday02/19/09

Monty Python's SPAMALOT
8pm Tuesday02/24/09, 2pm Wednesday02/25/09, 8pm Wednesday02/25/09
8pm Thursday02/26/09, 8pm Friday02/27/09, 2pm Saturday02/28/09,
8pm Saturday02/28/09

March 2009 Shows & Events
Monty Python's SPAMALOT
2pm Sunday03/01/09

Arlo Guthrie
8pm Thursday03/05/09

Michael Amante
8pm Friday03/06/09

KODO Drums One Earth Tour North America 2009
8pm Wednesday03/11/09

Neil Berg's 100 Years of Hollywood
8pm Thursday03/12/09

Jesus Christ Superstar
3pm Sunday03/29/09, 7pm Sunday03/29/09

April 2009 Shows & Events

National Acrobats of China
7:30pm Saturday04/11/09

The Crayon Court
10am Monday04/27/09, 11:45am Monday04/27/09

Happy Days!
8pm Tuesday04/28/09, 2pm Wednesday04/29/09, 8pm Wednesday04/29/09

May 2009 Shows & Events

Break! The Urban Funk Spectacular
10:30am Tuesday05/05/09

The Drowsy Chaperone
8pm Tuesday05/12/09, 2pm Wednesday05/13/09, 8pm Wednesday05/13/09

Go to http://www.kingcenter.com/shows for more information.
Posted by JoAnn Papsidero

Beautiful Brevard County, Florida

2008-08-17T16:23:00.004-04:00

It's a tropical beach paradise!When you live in Brevard County Florida you can play a round of golf in Viera, attend a concert or comedy show at the King Center for Performing Arts in Melbourne, go to a baseball spring training game at Space Coast Stadium and go turtle watching on almost any beach in the county. All in one day! Also, Disney's & Univeral Studio theme parks are only an hour away!

Welcome to Brevard County, Florida! Whether you are new to the area or a true, Florida native, we hope you enjoy your visit to our webpage at PeopleSaveMore.net and reading our blogs.

There are several topics to explore for those who are seeking information for a new home base or just real estate knowledge and expert advice from professionals in the real estate market.

Posted By JoAnn

What's so special about Melbourne, Florida???

2008-08-16T22:27:00.002-04:00

What's so special about Melbourne, Florida? I'm glad you asked! Besides being a tropical, beachside paradise, there is much to do in this area! After visiting two states on two separate trips recently, I decided NOT to take a vacation to another state next year. There is so much right here in our own backyard to see and enjoy! So it gets a little hot in the summer but doesn't it everywhere? Our high has been 95 degrees for the most part of our season. I have seen other places particularly in the north hit near 100 or over this summer.
Here is my top 10 list of places to see and things to do right here in "my own backyard"
1. GO TO THE BEACH! Isn't that what Florida is about?! The full moon is beautiful coming up over the Atlantic Ocean as well as an early sunrise.

2. Visit the Brevard Zoo http://www.brevardzoo.org/

3. Watch a rocket launch or a space shuttle launch.

4. Watch the sun set over the Indian River.
5. Watch manatees swim at Crane Creek.

6. Have lunch at historic downtown Melbourne then go antiquing.

7. Watch a baseball spring training game at Space Coast Stadium. http://www.springtrainingonline.com/teams/washington.htm

8. Go turtle watching at night. From June to Sept or Oct. Sea Turtles come up on the beach and head for the dunes to lay their eggs. It is the most awesome thing to see! (just don't touch the eggs or the baby turtles when they finally hatch - huge fines imposed)

9. Visit the King Center for Performing Arts. The King Center hosts Music groups, Bands, Comedians, Shows and all kinds of entertainment. http://www.kingcenter.com/

10. Just go for a drive on A1A at dusk in a convertible with the top down and take in the fresh, salty air. End up at Dell's Freeze for a Banana split http://www.insiderpages.com/b/12380285094. Enjoy it across the street at Ballard Park while viewing the Eau Gallie bridge that crosses the Indian River. What a site!

These are just a few of the things I like to do right here at home. Why wouldn't everyone want to move & live here? Life just doesn't get much better than this!