The Hogue Group is your local real estate expert team. Over 45 years experience in real estate. We are Louisville. Depend on us for your next Buy... Sell... or Investment... in Real Estate.
My good friend Jason shared with us on Friday that his company was named the number 1 mortgage company in Louisville Kentucky. The Hogue Group uses two primary vendors for our clients when they do not already have someone to use. Jason and his company have come through for us and our clients on a regular basis. Congratualations Jason Justice and First Commonwealth Mortgage for this honor.
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.
This video by home organizer Alejandra Costello demonstrates her system for organizing items you wish to donate, sell, return, or exchange. You designate an area in the home — preferably near an exit — for the stuff you don’t want to forget to take out the door with you. What we really liked best about this video is that she includes tips for keeping your downsizing efforts on track.
Hazardous household materials
Sure, we all know where to recycle stuff like soda cans and water bottles, but what about dicey items like medications, paint thinners, or asbestos?
Earth911.com, along with its free app iRecycle, is one of the best sources for finding acceptance centers that handle household hazardous waste. Just enter the type of junk you need to unload, like compact fluorescent light bulbs (did you know they have traces of mercury?), along with your ZIP code, and it provides the nearest recycling center to you.
Learn more about stuff that’s considered household hazardous waste, by watching this
hilarious Canadian video made for the city of Toronto.
Old technology
If you want to recycle appliances, cameras, computers, and TVs, Best Buy Recycle will take them, no matter where you bought them originally. The retailer charges $100 to pick up old appliances like TVs if you’re not also having a new Best Buy item delivered to you. It says it destroys CPUs to protect your data privacy. And the recycled bits and pieces become raw materials manufacturers can use to make everything from appliances to park benches. Check out the video:
Watch live streaming video from thebby at livestream.com
New-ish technology
If you want to sell your current smartphone or Mac gadget quickly, Gazelle.com will give you an instant estimate and a free shipping label. Plus, you can take comfort knowing that Gazelle believes in reusing products first before trying to recycle them.
FYI, while the company does protect your privacy by destroying SIM cards and erasing personal data found on devices they receive, Gazelle recommends you remove your SIM card and delete any personal information on your device before sending it in.
The best way to get rid of junk mail from accumulating at home is to stop it from being delivered in the first place. By creating a free account at Catalogchoice.org, you can banish catalogs and assorted marketing items from your home forever. Plus, their MailStop Browser extension for Firefox lets you opt out of mailing lists in real time when you shop online.
Lastly, if you’re willing to pay $35 a year, CatalogChoice will also prevent data brokers from selling your info to other direct marketers. You can check out the endorsement the National Wildlife Federation gave this service.
Kids’ stuff
We all know how quickly kids outgrow their stuff. Once Upon a Child buys gently used clothing, toys, and baby gear. It won’t accept items that have been recalled or don’t meet their safety standards. To find a store location near you so you can swap your items for cash or trade for things your kid currently needs, visit their website.
Books
Discover Books matches second-hand books with people who want them. It uses a proprietary software system to try to find a new owner for your old reads through an online retailer, or tries to donate it to an organization that supports literacy. Plus, if Discover Books can’t find a book a new home, it’s sent to a recycling center to begin a fresh life as something else. To see how this organization supports children’s literacy efforts, check out this video.
Places that buy books outright other than textbooks are becoming increasingly rare. Cash 4 Books pays you for books it wants, plus covers the cost of shipping to their distribution center. Just go to their site and type in the ISBN numbers of the books you plan to sell. Check out the video here to see how this process works.
FYI, if you really want to cut down on your carbon footprint, try donating your books to local libraries, schools, and hospitals. Or build your own free library in your front yard and let passersby help themselves.
Household linens, cleaning supplies, and old cars
If you have old towels, blankets, heating pads, cleaning supplies, and even a car you need to get rid of, consider donating to a local animal shelter like the ASPCA. Every shelter has different needs, from canned dog food to office supplies. But the items we listed are often animal rescue organizations’ top need. To find a local shelter near you, go to the ASPCA site.
Do you need a kick in the pants in order to donate? Check out this happy ending in this video:
Additional ways to part with your stuff
Donate, trade, or sell: Krrb.com is an alterative to sites like eBay, Craigslist, and Freecycle. Krrb makes it fairly simple to buy, sell, rent, trade, or even give your stuff away. Plus, the site offers a republish function that reposts your listings from Etsy, Craigslist, or eBay to Krrb with one click. They also have an iPhone app so you can find stuff for sale right in your neighborhood:
Krrbin’ On The Go – Our Editors Take A Spin On The Krrb iPhone App from Krrb on Vimeo.
Charity thrift shop locator: TheThriftShopper.com makes it a cinch to find charity thrift stores in your area by entering your ZIP code. Plus, many of the listings include the shop’s website, so you can learn more about each organization before deciding where to donate.
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
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
There’s lots of simple and easy ways to implement green energy into your home. We’ve written this article to provide you with many tips and tricks that can help you enjoy all the rewards green energy brings.
Use Energy Star rated appliances instead of your old appliances. This rating is given only to energy efficient appliances that are guaranteed to save energy over standard appliances like the ones you are replacing. Fridges and freezers with the rating use at least 20% less energy, dishwashers use 40% less, and washing machines use at least half the energy of non-rated models.
Clean or replace the filters on your furnace once each year, and check once a month to see if they need to be cleaned. Adding filters to warm-air registers is also beneficial. This will help ensure debris doesn’t enter heating ducts, thereby reducing your efficiency.
One green energy device you can use is a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can regulate temperature for you so you can control the temperature when you are asleep or not at home; this way, your units do not cool and heat for nothing. In order to conserve power, the newest models allow you to program them for various start and end times for different days of the week.
Air flow is better controlled in home that has stormed doors and windows installed. This will reduce drafts, make your home more comfortable, and reduce your energy usage. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase in energy efficiency of up to 45 percent.
In your high traffic rooms, place automatic light sensors that have motion detection to light the area. These sensors will automatically turn off the lights of rooms that are currently not in use, saving on energy and, in turn, a lot of money! Install these sensors on your outdoor lighting as well for more savings.
It is fairly simple to have solar panels installed to tap into solar energy to use in your home. However, before doing this, you need to consider a few things. One major factor to consider with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home receives. You can’t take as much advantage of solar energy if your house gets a lot of shade rather than sun.
Buy rechargeable batteries for all of your gadgets instead of using the disposable version. Traditional batteries can harm the environment after they’re thrown away. Save yourself some money and do the environment a favor when you recharge your batteries. Over their life span, rechargeable batteries can actually save you up to hundreds of dollars.
Putting the heat to 60 degrees in the middle of the night, or when you’re gone, is a great way to conserve energy. When your thermostat is set to 60 degrees, your system will use almost no energy. This helps greatly reduce your energy consumption and saves you money.
Replacing an old boiler can save energy. New boilers are more energy efficient than old ones. Not only do the newer ones emit less carbon dioxide and are healthier, they will greatly lower your energy bill costs as well.
If you want to have hot water, but at a lower cost, then check into solar energy. Purchase a hot water system that uses solar energy. It is possible to use either a direct or indirect circulation system. Indirect systems are the best option for those who have frozen pipes during the winter.
In conclusion, you have now been equipped with several easy-to-implement ways to start using green energy. Take the time to use green energy so you can see the changes!
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
You can dramatically improve your home’s worth by engaging in some home improvement tasks. What’s more, a certain amount of home improvement is necessary simply to meet your home’s maintenance needs. There are many things that you can do to enhance your living space, and some projects are more complex than others. Start with this article for a few excellent ideas.
Working out in hot weather can be an easy way to forget how long you’ve been working and not drink enough water. Hydration is vital to your safety on hot days. Be sure to take a break from the manual labor to drink some water and enjoy the work you have accomplished.
Clean your gutters if you want to save a lot of money and reduce stress. When your gutters are clogged with debris, the water is trapped and can cause leaks. This can make the exterior wood to deteriorate. Having clean gutters is always a good idea and cleaning them regularly is a home-improvement chore that is more than worthwhile.
Consider installing a shower in your home if none of your existing bathrooms currently have one. Showers are far easier to use and can cut water usage significantly. Five minute showers use less than a quarter the water that it takes to soak in the bath.
Although you may look to save money with the installation of CFL bulbs, you must be aware of the clean-up process should one break. Get people and pets away from there, so the air in the room can clear. Then clean up the glass fragments, using duct tape to carefully pick up the smallest pieces. Place the broken fragments into at least two bags for disposal, then vacuum the area well and immediately empty the canister or dispose of the bag.
Install new fixtures to the bathrooms in the home to make a quick improvement in the appearance. Attractive curtain rods, toilet paper holders, towel racks and cabinet knobs are available in various matching finishes and shapes. A lot of home improvement stores have these fixtures and they are easy to install in a short amout of time.
Even your walk needs to be updated from time to time. One home improvement job that is original and unique is to simply take out the walkway and replace it with brick pavers. Although it is labor intensive, the actual job is quite simple. A jackhammer can be rented in order to clear away old concrete walkways. After that, you should then have a smooth surface for laying down some your pavers.
If you have neighbors, you may want to let them know about your plans for home improvements before scheduling work. It can be irritating living right next to major construction. Your neighbors will be grateful to know when and how long your construction noises will last.
If you want an easy project that brings great returns, replace your old wood front door with a steel one. It’s been proven that steel doors increase the value of one’s home. New steel doors could boost your house’s curb appeal and it could also make your house more energy efficient.
A good tip for home improvement is to plan ahead of time. Leaving important decisions unmade until the day the work gets done is a recipe for disaster. You could make the wrong choices, or delay your project by not making any decisions at all. By planning what you want ahead of time, getting the work done will be much easier.
Keep things in the right perspective when you are doing home improvements. First, decide why you should do a home improvement; then think about how it will help improve your life. Before you invest your money and time into these changes, make sure that the changes are worthwhile.
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
“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
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
