The Hogue Group

FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium Changes

The FHA is an insurer of mortgage loans and, by law, it is required to maintain a 2% reserve in its Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) fund. Currently, because of bad loans made last decade, the FHA’s reserves are -1.44 percent.

In an effort to rebuild the MMI, therefore, the Federal Housing Administration has planned some changes — chief among them, an increase in annual mortgage insurance premiums on most FHA-backed mortgages.
New MIP Begins April 1, 2013

Beginning April 1, 2013, most FHA-backed mortgages will be subject to an MIP increase of 10 basis points annually, or 0.10 percentage points. The increase applies to all loan terms, including 15-year fixed-rate FHA loans.

In addition, insurance premiums for jumbo FHA loans will change, too.

Loans with terms of 15 years or less, and balances between $625,500 and $729,750, will be subject to an increase of 10 basis points annually, or 0.10 percentage points. These loans are only available in designated “high cost” areas which include Orange County, California; Montgomery County, Maryland; and Eagle County, Colorado, among others.

Loans with terms of between fifteen and 30 years will be adjusted higher by 5 basis points annually, or 0.05 percentage points, to a the maximum 1.55% annual MIP rate as allowed by law.

The MIP increase will not affect FHA Streamline Refinances which replace FHA loans from before June 1, 2009.
New FHA MIP Cancelation Policy Begins June 3, 2013

The Federal Housing Administration also made a second MIP-related announcement — the agency is reversing its policy which allows FHA-backed homeowners to cancel mortgage insurance premiums once the outstanding principal balance of an FHA loan reaches 78 percent of the original balance.

Going forward, the FHA will disallow the removal of MIP throughout the life of a loan, if the loan’s starting loan balance is higher than 90% of its appraise valued. This is true for purchases and refinances.

For loans in which the loan-to-value begins at 90 percent or less, mortgage insurance premiums must be paid for 11 years. This change goes into effect June 3, 2013.

Real estate is purchased for many reasons today. Some people purchase a house to make into a home, while others purchase buildings for rental purposes or to renovate and sell at a profit. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to buy real estate without getting scammed or losing money in the process. Time to start now. The following hints and tips can help you make a sound real estate purchase.

Determine which goals are important when you are under negotiations for a real estate contract. Identify all the issues on the table and set your expectations for each of them. Prioritize the issues that are most important to you and in the negotiations pay close attention to them. Your secondary goals offer you the opportunity to demonstrate a certain flexibility when you are negotiating.

If you are in the market for a home, it is important that you do not buy a home for its decor. You should only consider buying a home based on it’s construction and shape. Purchasing a home strictly for its design appeal may cause you to miss some potentially serious problems within the structure itself.

Don’t give up even if your offer is turned down, as many sellers will search for ways to make it work. Perhaps the seller will offer to cover the closing costs or pay for the some of the property’s needed repairs .

If you are looking to relocate, consider looking into the neighborhood that the house is located in online. There are several sites online that give statistics for even the smallest city. Think about the economy situation in the area prior to purchasing property in a town.

A realtor should keep in contact during the holiday season with those people that they have worked with in the past. Receiving correspondence from you is likely to prompt memories of the good experience they had when you assisted them with their real estate transaction. Remind them that all of your work comes from referrals, so you would appreciate their help.

Stay in contact with other property investors and swap information with them. Properties are always available, so not every piece of land will be the best fit for any investor. By doing this, you will stand a greater chance of discovering the rare find that has eluded other purchasers.

When you are looking into real estate, understand that this could be your home for a long time. If you plan on living in the home you purchase, then you might want to view the nearby schools even if you do not have kids. You might want them someday, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

When using real estate as an investment, you will want to be sure of your goals. Decide if you have short term goals or long term goals to be met. If the investment under consideration does not meet all of your most important goals, move on to a better opportunity. Many property owners fail to make sure their needs are met and end up with a losing investment.

When trying to make a good investment for your real estate, think about remodel or repair work. The value of the home will increase right away after doing this kind of work. You may actually increase the value so much that it doubles the property’s worth!

It should now be obvious to you why so many people are purchasing real estate, and building careers around it. There are many different ways to go about doing it, which is very helpful. There is also a ton of information on how to research and purchase effectively. These tips are a great place to start, and hopefully they have put you on the path toward making great investment decisions.

For more information contact your Eco-Broker below.

Rick Hogue REALTOR, CDPE, Eco-Broker
The Hogue Group
A Place to Hang Your Hat and Call Home
502-554-9428

http://www.louisvillekyhomefinder.com

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” – Meister Eckhart

That being said, when was the last time that you said words of gratitude to someone. It is not just about the season we are in but about all seasons, all times, all faiths, all personalities, and in one word “all.”

I talked to a friend of mine the other day and he was stating that he did not have time to meditate. I thanked him for sharing and stated that I find a time each day to give thanks. Giving thanks and honoring gratitude even for those items that do not go your way. There are things to learn from every moment of your life so embrace them and move forward.

OK, so now for the reasons I give gratitude.

• I am reminded of the positive things in your life. I get a smile considering the people in my life, past, present, and future.
• I can turn bad things into good things. I look at less fortunate people than myself and realize just how great I have it and thank them for reminding of just that.
• I am reminded of what’s important. My family, my extended family, both home and business and those who will interact with me at times in my life.
• I am reminded to thank others. The simple act of saying “thank you” to someone can make a big difference in that person’s life. Call, email, text or stop by to say thank you … just taking that minute out of my life to tell them why I am grateful toward them is important to them. People like being appreciated for who they are and what they do. It costs me little, but makes someone else happy. And making someone else happy will make me happy.

Here is a short meditation piece to consider and use when you want to show you

Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
~ Author Unknown ~

 

For more information contact your Eco-Broker below.

Rick Hogue REALTOR, CDPE, Eco-Broker
The Hogue Group
A Place to Hang Your Hat and Call Home
502-554-9428

http://www.louisvillekyhomefinder.com

You should be thoughtful and realistic regarding any new weight loss plans or strategies. If you hear something that sounds like it can’t really be true, then usually, it’s not. The information below will provide you with feasible, effective methods of losing weight.

Try chewing sugar-free gum to lose weight. These gums can suppress your appetite. On the other hand, do not employ this tactic too often, lest it wind up a new unhealthy habit.

Don’t deny yourself certain foods when losing weight. If you take a food out of your diet completely, you might see that you want it more and then eat too much of it. As a result, you’ll just be consuming a greater number of calories. Instead, you should eat in moderation.

If you are trying to lose weight through dieting, it is important to pay attention to the times that you eat. If you don’t take the time to eat a decent sized meal for dinner, you are going to find yourself starving by morning, which may cause you to eat more than you should for breakfast. It is advised to get most of your daily calorie intake at breakfast and lunch.

If you work, bring a healthy lunch and snacks with you. This is very important especially when working long shift, as you would not want to binge when you finally get home. This will lead to you resorting to junk food, which can set you back in your weight loss program.

Reward yourself. If you are experiencing success with your diet program, it is okay to enjoy a special treat from time to time. Don’t think that doing this means you’ve failed to follow your diet. This gives your body the sweets that it needs so that you do not have temptations later. That being said, try not to give constant rewards. Your diet is a new lifestyle, not a punishment.

After breakfast, stick mostly to drinking water. Water does not have any calories; it keeps you hydrated and fills you up without causing you to gain weight. Consuming water post will help you knock off the pounds with less difficulty.

Don’t drown your hot dogs or sandwiches in ketchup and mustard. A lot of condiments are high in sugar and loaded with empty calories. If you feel you need to use them, just use small amounts.

You can get some exercise while you are chatting on the phone. Rather than staying seated, walk around while you chat. You don’t have to engage in heavy exercise. Simply circle the house or complete a few menial tasks, and you will start to burn real calories.

When you start to feel unmotivated, it is time to change your way of thinking. You must stay positive to have even a modicum of success. Instead, focus on building yourself up and adopting encouraging mantras.

Large volumes of meat can be pounded with a mallet prior to being packaged for freezing. Divide the meat into smaller portions for cooking and eating. Pounding meat also makes it more tender and palatable without using salt or high-sodium marinades.

By taking a dance class, you will be able to learn something new, interact with people, and burn calories at the same time. Many different types of dance exist, and your local Parks & Recreation department might offer free or discounted classes.

Don’t eat when you feel sad or angry, as this can have dangerous results. Exercise is a great way to get rid of sadness. The endorphins that are released during a workout help to boost your mood; so you shed some calories and get rid of the blues!

Now that you’ve read this article, you should now have some knowledge that will help you succeed in your weight loss goals. All that is left for you to do is to apply this information into your daily lifestyle.

For more information contact your Eco-Broker below.

Rick Hogue REALTOR, CDPE, Eco-Broker
The Hogue Group
A Place to Hang Your Hat and Call Home
502-554-9428

http://www.louisvillekyhomefinder.com

IF you find out you have pests, it can be upsetting. There are dozens of different pests that will quickly exploit any opening into your home. No matter how clean your home is, pests can still get inside. Read the article below for some advice on simple methods of eliminating common pests from your home.

It is very important that you put up any food that is not being eaten. A lot of species of pests are drawn to the smell of food, so control food scents. When the trash is full, take it out immediately. Garbage is also known to attract insects.

Bedbugs are sneaky little creatures that are hard to kill. All holes should be sealed before beginning any type of extermination. This will ensure that bugs cannot hide in the holes during the extermination process, only to emerge later.

Both centipedes and silverfish need damp, humid environments in which to thrive. Dehumidify your home and decrease the dampness in order to discourage centipedes. Ensure you clean damp closets and basements. Centipedes don’t like to live in a home that is not humid.

No one enjoys the thought of tiny bugs living in their bedding. Whether you have a dust mite allergy or not, it is wise to take measures to eliminate them from your bedding. Launder sheets and pillowcases in very hot water once per week and use solid pillow covers.

When battling mice and rats, bear in mind that they usually eat pretty much anything. You should put food of all kinds in the trap. You can also use spoiled foods in traps.

Homes that have been vacant for some time should be checked by an exterminator, preferably one who works with environmentally safe chemicals to insure there are no mice in the home. find homes in Louisville, KY your local real estate experts

Keep water from pooling and standing stagnant around your home. Standing water is one of the biggest attractants for pests. Check thoroughly regarding any leaky pipes, and make sure you clean house plant trays. Just like humans, insects and other pests require water to live. If you eliminate the water source, you eliminate the pests.

Use hairspray on flying insects. Perfume may work also, but avoid getting it in your open eyes. Both of these things are flammable, so keep away from an open flame when you use them. If you do not have bug spray on hand, this is a quick and effective solution.

People that are experiencing trouble with pests that fly need to fix up every screen where they live. Not only do screens on windows and doors keep out flying pests, they also do a good job of keeping out crawling bugs as well. Fix or replace any holes or tears in your screens to seal off pests.

Make certain to check local ordinances and codes to find out which types of pest control are allowed in your area. Make sure that you do not use anything that is illegal. Although this doesn’t happen often, this should motivate you to do some research on which methods of pest control have been approved in your area.

These tips should help you eliminate common pests. As you can tell, you’re not the only one with pest issues! Regardless of your location, you are sure to have a few pests around. Use the things you have gone over here, and you’ll be sure that you won’t be housing any more pests.

For more information contact your Eco-Broker below.

Rick Hogue REALTOR, CDPE, Eco-Broker
The Hogue Group
A Place to Hang Your Hat and Call Home
502-554-9428

http://www.louisvillekyhomefinder.com

For the year 2012 in Louisville Kentucky you can find some goulish deals on homes. Go to http://www.louisvillekyhomefinder.com for your best picks.

This Halloween you will want to check out the following places.

Danger Run – Including 2 Haunts – only 6 days left

The Danger Run is a LEGENDARY haunted attraction in Louisville. It is one of the most well known events in the city because it is a one of a kind event unlike any other in the world, right here in Louisville! The Danger Run is a game played in your car with your friends. Essentially, you go to one of three starting locations located in the Metro Louisville area and you will get a book of clues. You and your friends have to solve those clues to find your way to 2 haunted houses included with your admission (a $38 value!). In a way the Danger Run is like a scavenger hunt, but you are looking for haunted houses! A very cool concept and unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

Not only do you get the game and two haunts included with your admission, but Danger Run also gives you free food offer from DQ Grill & Chill, free fangs, and if you have 4 or more people in your car they will also throw in $10 in free gas from Speedway. So not only is it an entire night of fun haunted entertainment it is also the best deal in the Louisville area. Valued at over $50, admission is ONLY $18.95 per person. It would be hard to find a better deal if you tried. PLUS, if you are one of the TOP 25 to come closest to the exact mileage of the course you are invited back to an exclusive Danger Run Finals Party at which you will be competing for HUGE prizes. How cool is that?

If you haven’t tried the Danger Run and you are looking for a completely unique experience, this is the event for you. An entire night of fun and frights and it is the most affordable, yet highest quality, Halloween season event in town. It really is The Most Fun You’ll EVER Have In Your Car!

Location: Lowes Hurstbourne Pkwy, Dixe Hwy, & Veterans Pkwy

Dates: Fri & Sat nights Sept 21 – Oct 27, 2012

Admission: $18.95 for Danger Run + TWO Haunts

The Devil’s Attic - through October 31

The Devil’s Attic haunted house is a new haunted house to Louisville for 2010. Since the dawn of time the Devil has been collecting evil souls….souls that have brought terror to us all. The Attic is where he has chosen to keep them locked away for centuries. They have been waiting…..waiting to unleash their hellish fury! Go prepared to face pure evil as they welcome you……to The Devils Attic!

The Devils Attic haunted house is a collection of the true elements that make up many classic horror films. They have taken these elements and integrated them into a VERY interactive and detailed environment within the walls of this haunted attraction. Within the realms of The Devils Attic you will encounter many of your childhood demons as well as a slight horrific twist on some of the classic monsters of Hallows Eve. The result of many years of planning and passion is sure to frighten even the bravest of souls.

Can you withstand the terror of The Devils Attic?

Location: 647 West Hill St Louisville, KY

Dates: Fri-Sat Sept 21-Oct 6, Fri-Sun Oct 12-21, Thurs-Sun Oct 25-28, Oct 31, 2012

Admission: $17

Zombie City

Zombie City was a new haunted attraction in 2011. The entire event is themed around a zombie apocalypse. It is a completely different style of haunted attraction that is not only scary, but entertaining! You will begin your trip through Blackwood City by entering a military quarantine of a city raging with zombies. They give you the run down of what you should and shouldn’t do inside the city. You will then venture into the city overtaken by a zombie apocalypse. It is an attraction you should check out. It is a zombie experience like you’ve never seen! This haunt is located at the Asylum Haunted Scream Park which is home of Darkness Falls and the ALL NEW Xterminate: Zalien Attack. It can only be found at the Asylum Haunted Scream Park.

Location: 3101 Pond Station Rd Louisville, KY

Dates: Fri & Sat, Sept 21-Oct 27, 2012

Admission: $20

Xterminate: Zalien Attack

Think you can stop an invasion of killer zombie aliens? Get your adrenaline pumping in this brand new, interactive attraction in this first person shooting haunt. Navigate 9,000 square feet of winding hallways and destroy all of the alien zombies. It is an interesting all new attraction located at the Asylum Haunted Scream Park who is notorious for producing some of the BEST haunts in the Louisville area. Don’t miss it in 2012!

Location: 3101 Pond Station Rd Louisville, KY

Dates: Fri & Sat Sept 21-Oct 27, 2012

Admission: $20 for a single attraction, Combo tickets available

Fear Fair

Awarded Indiana Haunt of the Year 2010 by City Blood Haunt Reviews and Ranked Best in Indiana 2010 by Ohio Valley Haunts, Fear Fair is Indiana’s Scariest Haunted House. 2012 Marks the twelfth season of this groundbreaking haunted attraction. Let’s get something straight about Fear Fair, this isn’t some haunted punkin patch that your grandpa put on every year for the kids on the street, this is weapons grade horror. The opening scene at Fear Fair was recently described as being air dropped into hell. Featuring movie scenes described as the most realistic the industry has to offer and one of the most intense adventures you will ever experience, Fear Fair is more than worth the drive. New for 2012 is an ALL NEW scene from the Walking Dead. This scene is over 6,000 square feet of Downtown Atlanta! It is a zombie scene unlike anything you have EVER seen! Drive a little, scream a lot at Fear Fair – Indiana’s Scariest Haunted House.

Location: 800 A Avenue East Seymour, IN

Dates: Fri & Sat Sept 21-Oct 6, Thurs-Sun Oct 11-28, Oct 31, 2012

Admission: $15, $10 for 12 and under

Haunted Hotel

The Haunted Hotel is a haunted house that has called Louisville, KY home for nearly 20 years. The Haunted Hotel starts out with an elevator that takes you on a nightmarish ride to the 13th floor. On your way, a ghoul comes out of the wall and scares you into the haunted house. The Haunted Hotel is known for its extreme scares, blood curdling effects, and detailed scenery. One year, The Haunted Hotel even featured a suicide room where a guy fired a shot gun into his mouth and splattered his brains on the wall! Definitely one of the goriest haunts in the Ville and one of the top haunted houses in the city. This year, the haunt is under new ownership with all new gruesome scenes! Can’t wait to see what Haunted Hotel has in-store this Halloween season!

Location: 3000 S Fourth St Louisville, KY

Dates: Thurs-Sun nights Sept 14-Oct 28, 2012

Admission: $18, VIP passes $27

The 7th Street Haunt

The 7th Street Haunt is an ALL NEW one of a kind attraction in Louisville. It is 13,000 sq feet of pure terror unlike any haunt in the area! With an in-door queue line and a state of the art casket ride, it is a haunt that you don’t want to miss this season. This attraction is going to one of the most talked about in the “Lou-Evil” area for its off the wall, unexpected scares and the revolutionary scenery. The scream team who created this haunt has over 15 years of combined haunted attraction experience and it was designed with it’s victims in mind. Don’t miss this horrifying attraction and your chance to get the life scared out of you!

Location: 2900 S. 7th Street Road Louisville, KY

Dates: Fri & Sat, 8PM-2AM, Sun 8-10:30PM, Sept 28-Oct 28, 2012

Admission: $20

For additional locations of haunted houses and reviews on all of the above locations, be sure to visit http://www.louisvillehalloween.com/haunted-houses/ . Thanks to them for the information on each of the haunted houses.

For more information contact your Eco-Broker below.

Rick Hogue REALTOR, CDPE, Eco-Broker
The Hogue Group
A Place to Hang Your Hat and Call Home
502-554-9428

http://www.louisvillekyhomefinder.com

One of the events is the “Empty Bowls Hunger Benefit” which will occur on Oct. 11th this year.

Helping “Highlands Community Ministries” feed the hungry.
A light, delicious meal of soup in a handcrafted potter’s bowl with bread, cheese and fruit.

Plus, a silent auction of varying gift baskets created by HCM member churches along with items from Highlands Businesses.

$25 for meal and potter’s bowl, $10 meal only, $5 children 12 and under.
Advanced RSVPs and payment are accepted to ensure you can obtain a Potter’s Bowl.

Come out and help the Highlands Community Ministries this year to support their efforts in feeding the hungry. You will not be sorry you did.

To find out more about properties in the Highlands area of Louisville, KY follow this link.

For more information contact your Eco-Broker below.

Rick Hogue REALTOR, CDPE, EcoBroker
The Hogue Group
A Place to Hang Your Hat and Call Home
502-554-9428

http://www.louisvillekyhomefinder.com

I just got it on my phone

For more information contact your Eco-Broker below.

Rick Hogue REALTOR, CDPE, EcoBroker
The Hogue Group
A Place to Hang Your Hat and Call Home
502-554-9428

http://www.louisvillekyhomefinder.com