Valoanspecialist.com

Vacancies declining reflect recession rebound

Elisa — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:57:38 +0000

Since the start of the year vacant warehouse space in excess of 245,000 square feet has been removed from local inventory due to being rented. This shows a trend that Clark County’s industrial market is moving, and that the economy is improving slowly. Bill Connelly, vice president for Eric Fuller and Associates Inc. in Vancouver, WA. goes on to say that industrial leasing is also beginning to move at the Port of Vancouver where a railroad project is under way. This new deal is projected to be $150 million construction project.

Kerry N. Greenwald

NMLS # 70269

Sr. VA Loan Specialist

Creekside Mortgage Inc.

360-571-LOAN 5626

www.VALoanWA.com

www.OregonVALoan.com

Why we think VA is the best way to go!!

Elisa — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:10:40 +0000

We have already told you about FHA’s plans to increase their up front mortgage insurance and monthly mortgage insurance. But wait….there’s more!!

FHA plans to also impose significant restrictions on the amount of money a seller can contribute to closing. FHA has always been good in the residential real estate market offering down payments of 3.5% despite the recession and growing its market share by more than 20%. The problem is while doing this the FHA’s insurance fund capital reserves have deteriorated well below congressional mandated levels. FHA delinquency has risen to 12.4% in that time, almost double that of VA which sits at 6.6%. With all of this happening at the same time FHA is under fire to get their books back in order and rebuild their reserves.

The changes may not be all they have in store for FHA but the initial changes will be painful enough. So, if you are active duty military or a veteran with an honorable discharge a VA loan is the way to go. It is still $0 down with no monthly mortgage insurance and the sellers can still help pay a good portion of your closing costs. With interest rates still historically low and housing prices at their lowest in years, now is the time to buy. If you can go VA you still holding the golden ticket so why wait?

Kerry N. Greenwald

NMLS # 70269

Sr. VA Loan Specialist

Creekside Mortgage Inc.

360-571-LOAN 5626

www.VALoanWA.com

www.OregonVALoan.com

Exercise to keep your brain healthy

Elisa — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:11:42 +0000

As we move past the New Years Resolutions and settle into our routines many people discount exercise as the item that needs to stay on the agenda. With March 12^th – 18^th being Brain Awareness Week it is a good time to think about ways to keep our brain alert and healthy.

“As we get older our cognitive functions slow down. Regular exercise helps prevent age and disease related brain deterioration. Physical fitness benefits the brain not only by boosting our cognitive abilities, but also by helping to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia. Exercise improves blood flow to the brain encouraging the formation of new brain cells and supplying those cells with oxygen and nutrients. When you exercise your body you exercise your brain! So, when your body is fit so it your brain.

The more regular your exercise program, the more long term benefits your body and brain will derive from it. So, if you feel your heart pumping in your chest and you are breaking a sweat you are doing your brain a huge favor”. For more information on how you can get active contact Stefanie Fisher, owner of Vancouver Adventure Boot Camp at 360-823-9636.

Kerry N. Greenwald

NMLS # 70269

Sr. VA Loan Specialist

Creekside Mortgage Inc.

360-571-LOAN 5626

www.VALoanWA.com

www.OregonVALoan.com

FHA to roll out new premium structure as of April 1st

Elisa — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 18:09:09 +0000

We receive regular updates about the changes happening in the market. These updates allow us to keep you as a consumer informed of changes which could affect you. As of April 1^st, the FHA is planning on making some changes which will have an impact on all future purchases and refinances through the FHA programs. Please see the updated information below about these changes.

“As part of ongoing efforts to encourage the return of private capital in the residential mortgage market and strengthen the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, Acting FHA Commissioner Carol Galante today announced a new premium structure for FHA-insured single family mortgage loans. FHA will increase its annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP) by 0.10 percent for loans under $625,500 and by 0.35 percent for loans above that amount. Upfront premiums (UFMIP) will also increase by 0.75 percent. These premium changes will impact new loans insured by FHA beginning in April l and June of 2012. Details will soon be published in a Mortgagee Letter to FHA-approved lenders.

The UFMIP will be increased from 1 percent to 1.75 percent of the base loan amount. This increase applies regardless of the amortization term or LTV ratio. FHA will continue to permit financing of this charge into the mortgage. This change is effective for case numbers assigned on or after April 1, 2012.

FHA estimates that the increase to the upfront premium will cost new borrowers an average of approximately $5 more per month. These marginal increases are affordable for nearly all homebuyers who would qualify for a new mortgage loan. Borrowers already in an FHA-insured mortgage, Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), and special loan programs outlined in FHA’s forthcoming Mortgagee Letter will not be impacted by the pricing changes announced today.

Taken together, these premium changes will enable FHA to increase revenues at a time that is critical to the ongoing stability of its Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund, contributing more than $1 billion to the Fund, based on current volume projections through Fiscal Year 2013.”

Kerry N. Greenwald

NMLS # 70269

Sr. VA Loan Specialist

Creekside Mortgage Inc.

360-571-LOAN 5626

www.VALoanWA.com

www.OregonVALoan.com

A new director for the Woodland Chamber of Commerce has been named!!

Elisa — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:57:14 +0000

We would like to welcome John “JJ” Burke to the Woodland Chamber of Commerce. Burke, a retired Coast Guard Officer originally from Massachusetts, was announced Wednesday as the new director for the Woodland Chamber of Commerce by Judy Bartlett, the board’s group president. Burke, a long time resident of Woodland and the owner of JJ’s Computer Repair, will report to his new job at the Chamber, which has nearly 200 members, starting Monday. JJ is also a member of the Woodland City Council and he ran for mayor in 2011.

Kerry N. Greenwald

NMLS # 70269

Sr. VA Loan Specialist

Creekside Mortgage Inc.

360-571-LOAN 5626

www.VALoanWA.com

www.OregonVALoan.com

Mapping Clark County

Elisa — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:00:21 +0000

A new exhibit at the Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St. Vancouver, WA, will open a new section called “Mapping Clark County” with a reception at 5 pm as part of its “First Thursday” series. Jerry Olson, President of Olson Engineering in Vancouver will discuss “Surveying and mapping North of the River”. As a history enthusiast, Mr. Olson will be talking about documents the surveyors associated with the Washington Surveyor Generals office from 1851 until 1910, when work was on a contract basis. Surveying instruments that were used to layout the Vancouver Barracks will be part of the display. The “Mapping Clark County” exhibit will be on display until June. Admission will be $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, $2 for children and $10 for families. Members are free.

Kerry N. Greenwald

NMLS # 70269

Sr. VA Loan Specialist

Creekside Mortgage Inc.

360-571-LOAN 5626

www.VALoanWA.com

www.OregonVALoan.com

VOW To Hire Hero’s Act

Elisa — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:39:10 +0000

Congress has passed, and the president has signed into law the VOW To Hire Hero’s Act of 2011. Included in the law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) for unemployed veterans. This new program is set to roll out on July 1^st, 2012 and will provide retraining for the veterans hardest hit with the current economic conditions.

The VRAP is offering 12 months of training assistance to unemployed veterans and limited to 45,000 participants during fiscal year 2012 and to 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012 through March 31, 2014. Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance at the full time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill – active duty program.

Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. To see the rules, regulations and guidelines for this Act please go to the US Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Labor.

Kerry N. Greenwald

NMLS # 70269

Sr. VA Loan Specialist

Creekside Mortgage Inc.

360-571-LOAN 5626

www.VALoanWA.com

www.OregonVALoan.com

C.A.R.O.L. Toy Drive 2011

Elisa — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:19:35 +0000

For over 50 years the C.A.R.O.L. program, Christmas Activities Relief Organization Limited, has helped families in our community keep the holiday spirit alive by assisting those less fortunate during the holidays. This year, our family here at Creekside Mortgage Inc, decided we wanted to help them do what they do best. In conjunction with our vendors, employees, the American Legion Post #27 and other companies we cooperate with, Creekside Mortgage was able to collect over $300 in toys and gift cards to help the CAROL program continue their amazing act of kindness. We hope that our efforts are able to assist the Camas Fire Department to bring more attention to their cause so that this program can continue to grow and give the members of our community a little stress relief during this holiday season.

Kerry N. Greenwald

NMLS # 70269

Sr. VA Loan Specialist

Creekside Mortgage Inc.

360-571-LOAN 5626

www.VALoanWA.com

www.OregonVALoan.com

Southwest buys $19 million in airplanes from Boeing

Elisa — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:58:54 +0000

Southwest Airlines Co. announced today that they ordered 208 new Boeing 737 aircraft with a value of nearly $19 billion. The airline, which operates an all-Boeing fleet, placed a firm order for 150 of the 737 Max, and 58 of the next-generation 737s.

Last month, Boeing said Indonesia’s Lion Air committed, but hasn’t finalized, a deal to buy 230 Boeing 737s. Lion Air also has options for 150 more planes,bringing the deal’s total potential value to $35 billion. Emirates Airlines also ordered $18 billion worth of 777s in November.

Both deals came shortly after Boeing finally began delivering its two newest planes, the next-generation 787 and the latest version of the iconic 747. Boeing produces about one 737 every day from its plant in Renton, Wash. It is raising that amount to 42 per month by 2014.

Boeing says Southwest is the first customer to finalize an order for the 737 Max. Including the order talked about above. Boeing now has orders or commitments from 13 customers for more than 900 of the new model.

Boeing shares rose 66 cents to $71.56 in premarket trading on the news of the new orders.

Kerry N. Greenwald

NMLS # 70269

Sr. VA Loan Specialist

Creekside Mortgage Inc.

360-571-LOAN 5626

www.VALoanWA.com

www.OregonVALoan.com

Christmas Concert for Vet’s

Elisa — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:38:42 +0000

Clark County Veterans Court Board , is holding a Christmas Concert for veterans December 8^th from 5:00 PM to 7:30PM. Doors open at 4:30 at the Dragonfly Café on 1300 W Franklin Street in Vancouver, WA. Tickets are available online at www.ClarkCountyVetsCourtBoard.org and are $15. There will be food and refreshments and the headliners are Ricky Lee Jackson and Grammy Award winner Doug Smith. There will also be special performances by Ragtime, Old Time Fiddlers, Fort Vancouver Pipe Band, Nikki Hubert with the Living Free Band, Siarra Edmundson and Jesse Wade as Sinatra. Come join us for the festivities and help raise money for the Clark County Washington Veteran’s Court Board.

Kerry N. Greenwald

NMLS # 70269

Sr. VA Loan Specialist

Creekside Mortgage Inc.

360-571-LOAN 5626