Friday, November 20, 2009

Economic Troubles - There is a way to turn this around!

Do you believe that you can change the country's economic situation? Galatians 6:7 says: "God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap".

If a corn farmer sows seeds in his field he expects to reap a harvest of corn, what he has planted, right? I would find it odd if he sowed seeds of corn and the harvest came up tomatoes? Wouldn't you?

Just as the farmer sows seed, our country and us consumers have been sowing into materialism, paying for things on credit and buying bigger homes. Check out this article written by Margot Adler with NPR dated 11/20/09. "The average American house size has more than doubled since the 1950s; it now stands at 2,349 square feet. The move toward large homes has been accelerating for years.

Consider: Back in the 1950s and '60s, people thought it was normal for a family to have one bathroom, or for two or three growing boys to share a bedroom. Well-off people summered in tiny beach cottages on Cape Cod or off the coast of California. Now, many of those cottages have been replaced with bigger houses. Six-room apartments in cities like New York or Chicago have been combined, because upper-middle-class people now think a six-room apartment is too small".

When our countries leaders are adding to the nation's debt, why would we do any differently? A dog trainer I once knew said that "intelligence runs down the leash". So we are prone to follow our country's leadership.

However, YOU can make a difference. You can start sowing good seeds and begin to stop spending and start working on paying off debt and downsizing your home. Jesus said it like this, "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them" (Matthew 7:17-20).

If we are hoping for change in this country, we need to examine our own lives first and start planting a seed for change without compromise.

If you don't know where to begin or you just would like additional guidance, please feel free to email me. I have several connections depending on your situation that can help you start this process! It's never too late!

Let the InSight Team, lend insight into your home financing needs.
Jewel Callahan - jewel@wantinsight.com
or Michele Cole - michele@wantinsight.com

Blessings to you!
Michele "MAC" A. Cole
Business Development Rep
The InSight Team
Mid-America Mortgage

Monday, November 9, 2009

Great News!! Tax Credit Extended and Expanded!!

President Obama signed into law legislation extending and expanding the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit. This a victory for consumers and the housing industry.

Under the legislation, home buyers will qualify for the tax credit until April 30, 2010* (as long as they have entered a binding contract), and have an additional 2 months (until June 30, 2010*) to close the transaction. Borrower income limits have also been increased to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for couples (up from $75,000 and $150,000 respectively under the current program). The legislation also includes a tax credit not exceeding $6,500 for move up buyers who have owned their current homes for at least 5 years.

If you are considering a move and buying a new home, NOW is the time to act. Not only for first time buyers but for buyers wanting to downsize, or up size who have owned their homes for 5 years or more, you qualify for some credit as well!

Interest rates have been staying stable and are still at record lows!!! There are still no downpayment loans available thru VA or USDA loans. Contact us to see how you may qualify!

You probably know someone who has been hurt greatly by the economic times. The InSight Team's heart is to help point you towards the right product for your home financing. One that even with economic uncertainity, you can have peace.

Pleaes feel free to give us a call at 816-510-1399 or visit us at www.wantinsight.com

Michele "MAC". A Cole
Business Development
Jewel Callahan
Mortgage Consultant
www.wantinsight.com

Monday, November 2, 2009

What are you thankful for?

This weekend at church, my pastor taught on how to be content. Phil 4 - says that we are to be content in all circumstances. What does that really mean? My pastor shared a story of a lady who was ready to commit suicide because she had lost all hope. Her husband had lost his job, they had kids and wasn't sure how they could pay their mortgage and it seemed very doom and gloom for her and she felt there was no way out. The husband had called their pastor to come over and pray for her. When her pastor got there, he told her to start listing 100 things that she was thankful for. Her immediate reply was - I have nothing to be thankful for. The pastor then replied and said, what about your kids? She said yes, I'm thankful for my kids... and the story continued, she was thankful for her husband, her parents, her church,the rest of her family, her friends, the house she lives in, the food that they have to eat each day.... and so on and so on. With that, she came out of the closet and didn't feel hopeless anymore.

The Lord has been showing me how to be thankful and content in all circumstances. I am very thankful for many things. I sat down and just started giving thanks for everything I'm thankful for and wow the things I take for granted amazed me... such as how beautiful the sky was yesterday, the warm weather, the beautiful fall foliage, my dogs, the house I live in, the wonderful husband I have, the fact we have running water, hot too for showers, the ability to wash our clothes, makeup we get to wear, the hairdryer I use each day, shampoo and soap. The fact is we have so much more than folks in other countries and we are still wanting more more more!

I saw a quote by Zig Ziglar not long ago. He said this "The more you recognize and express gratitude for the things you have, the more things you will have to express gratitude for."

So, how does this relate to being content? Give gratitude and thanks to God for all you do have. Focus on what you have and not on what you don't. As you do, you will see it's very easy to be content. What are you thankful for?

If you are hurting or in need of prayer, please email me.

Michele "MAC" A. Cole
michele@wantinsight.com
The InSight Team

www.wantinsight.com - for more information on home loans