The following article was written by Chuck Bentley, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries. I feel called to share this with you in its entirety. Please read it to its’ conclusion. I'd love to hear your thoughts, so please send me feedback via the blog or email.
233 years after the Declaration, our freedom is at risk
“As they penned their names in the summer of 1776, the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence noted their “firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence” and pledged to each other their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.
Their words illustrated the enormity of the sacrifices they might be required to make and their dependence on God’s help for the success of their cause. Victory would require nothing short of a miracle. America’s poorly trained Continental Army was outnumbered three to one by the British and their German mercenaries.
Years after America’s miraculous victory in that war, John Adams said that the “general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.” Adams was among the signers of the Declaration of Independence alon with men like Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush.
Franklin said that Jesus’ system of morals and religion is “the best the world ever saw or is likely to see.” And Rush noted that the U.S. Constitution was “as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament”
These are just a small sample of the statements confirming the Christian worldview of our founding fathers and their dependence on God. They understood the need for divine protection and provision – something we must never forget if we hope to experience God’s continued blessing on our nation.
Because our foundations were built upon honoring God, He made our nation great. Our prosperity was a gift. We made a practice of rewarding merit, and the practice helped fuel continued progress. And, we became one of the most well-ordered societies in history.
Instead of looking to God, many Americans are now looking to man and human wisdom for solutions to the ongoing financial crisis. The majority appears open to more government intervention and control, consequently limiting the freedom we have enjoyed, which has allowed our creativity and innovation to flourish.
Today, on many levels, we have shunned God. We have taken his blessings of prosperity and made them a higher priority than Him. Our drive to preserve our national and individual prosperity is leading us to bigger government with more controls over the private sector and dependence upon foreign credit.
The same events that would have led us to fall on our knees and ask for God’s help now cause us to seek help from Washington. This help is extremely costly, and as a result, we’ll be adding trillions of dollars to our national debt over the next 10 years.
These massive government deficits must be covered by taxing Americans, borrowing from other nations, or printing more money. Tax increases hurt the economy and cost jobs, borrowing makes us dependent on nations like China, and printing more money devalues our currency and causes inflation.
All of these tactics are misguided attempts to restore prosperity and good times, and they will all result in less freedom and potentially, future bondage. President Obama was recently quoted as saying that our federal debt is “unsustainable” and that we are “mortgaging our children’s future.”
I believe there is a great urgency for God’s people to turn back, to reset our dependence on God rather than on man and man’s wisdom. However, this won’t happen unless we are willing to live a life of obedience to our Lord. Our example is Christ, who gave up much in order to fulfill God’s purposes for this world. Paul examined our Lord’s unselfish attitudes in Philippians 2.
He then addressed us as believers, encouraging us to obey God “with deep reverence and fear” (verse 12 NLT) to be effective, we must “Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people” (verse 15 NLT)
This means we must order our lives according to the principles of God’s economy, not man’s. We must reset our dependence upon those principles and make God, not His blessings, the object of tour our in the life. I too say, let us pledge to God our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor and live in firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.
Considering the current course of events in our nation, we cannot afford to wait. We, and we alone, are the salt and light of America, and what we do in the next few ears could largely determine the course our nation follows for decades.*
We look forward to lending insight to your mortgage and financial needs. Please call us at 913-642-3334 or email us at michele@wantinsight.com or dickw@wantinsight.com Blessings
* Reprinted with permission from Money Matters, a monthly economic magazine published by Crown Financial Ministries, Gainesville, Georgia. July 2009, Issue 376
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Ethical Actions
Daily we are all faced with making ethical choices, some more obvious than others. And, as a business owner and manager, I must make on the job decisions that affect the success of the business, my staff and their careers. Success to me is defined by strong values and high integrity and not by dollar signs!
After many years as a mortgage consultant for other companies, (nationally known names) I became increasingly aware of the sometimes not- so- straightforward methods employed by these companies to obtain mortgage loan business. Clients weren’t individual with specific needs, they became a “transaction”, a number to add to the volume closed that month. So, we chose to put our client’s needs first and foremost. Thus, InSight Mortgage Group was founded on the principles of integrity, superior customer service, and biblical principles of stewardship. I am a qualified member, one of three mortgage professionals in the entire country, of Kingdom Advisors. Kingdom Advisors is an organization that equips the financial professional to walk out their faith and biblical principles in the marketplace and to pass along sound financial wisdom to their clients. You can learn more about them at www.kingdomadvisors.org.
We’ve promised to deliver the best possible solution to our clients needs even if that means losing the loan. It disturbs us to see what many mortgage companies are continuing to do these days: over promising and under delivering. And in this tough economic climate it’s happening a lot. Typically what happens is a lender quotes a lower rate than the competition, and is charging additional fees and not disclosing them, or hiding them under the guise of other charges. And what impact does this have? First, the client who has just experienced a closing with unexpectedly higher costs, feels trapped at the last minute without other choices and ends with a highly negative attitude and end result. Then, the bad experience reflects poorly back on the industry as a whole, possibly lumping all mortgage consultants together as crooks or liars.
Proverbs 11:18 teaches us: “The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
We believe in building relationships and have appreciated the repeat business of many clients, and the referral of business from their family, friends and associates. It’s a foundation of trust and the knowledge of being treated with respect and honesty. A mentor and friend, Rick Boxx, said it best, “Selling with integrity can be very difficult. It takes self control and a relational approach, rather than a self-serving transactional approach.”
"Michele is Believer who has based her Mortgage company, Insight Mortgage Group, on all the Christian principles from the Bible, and who does not believe in gouging the clients. In fact, her whole company is based on Christian love and care for each other and making sure that her clients are getting the best deal possible within the Mortgage industry. Of course, just like you, she needs to make a living along the way, but she does not make her living hi-jacking unsuspecting buyers. God rewards his trusted Christian believers for their service and for their honesty and caring of our fellow man." - V. Thomas
There will be daily temptations to give in to greed, take advantage of others, and cut some corners. Stand strong and do what you say you’re going to do, speak honestly, be responsible and accountable for your actions and make good ethical decisions. Let your actions show that you are a person of integrity. Talk is cheap. Do you want to work with someone who talks a good talk but then doesn’t deliver? Remember this one: Actions speak louder than words.
"What I can testify is the fact that Michelle, after many tearful phone calls of desperation, took a clear and unbias look at our situation and clearly explained our options, sure we could refinance or try to move and solve the short term problem. We would have been stuck with a crazy interest rate and a larger monthly payment, and have lost some equity in our home, but in my eyes we would have skipped a house payment, stopped our late pays and late credit reporting, and avoided foreclosure. Michele also gave me some hard words to hear in terms of dealing with our financial situation, it would not be in our best interest, and the amazing part is she put our best interest first in turning our eyes upon the true inner nature of our situation. I know she could have made money off of our unfortunate situation, but she didn't. She gave us some wonderful contacts and advice to dig in and work with our mortgage company to resolve the issue, save our home, and face the bad habits that put us in that situation to begin with. Looking back I am so UNBELIEVABLY thankful we never refinanced and put that bandaid on a quite larger wound. We worked with our mortgage company, had our loan modified, became current with our mortgage, and we learned some hard but awesome life lessons along the way. She will always have our business. And because we learned(and still learning) how to manage and handle our finances, that in turn enables us to move in the near future" E. Hammond
A principle we strive to embody is from Philippians 2:4 "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others”.
At InSight Mortgage Group we want to help people make good sound choices, ones they can live with today and in the future. Please call us at 913-642-3334 or email us at michele@wantinsight.com or dickw@wantinsight.com for trusted, client-focused answers to your mortgage or financial questions. Blessings
After many years as a mortgage consultant for other companies, (nationally known names) I became increasingly aware of the sometimes not- so- straightforward methods employed by these companies to obtain mortgage loan business. Clients weren’t individual with specific needs, they became a “transaction”, a number to add to the volume closed that month. So, we chose to put our client’s needs first and foremost. Thus, InSight Mortgage Group was founded on the principles of integrity, superior customer service, and biblical principles of stewardship. I am a qualified member, one of three mortgage professionals in the entire country, of Kingdom Advisors. Kingdom Advisors is an organization that equips the financial professional to walk out their faith and biblical principles in the marketplace and to pass along sound financial wisdom to their clients. You can learn more about them at www.kingdomadvisors.org.
We’ve promised to deliver the best possible solution to our clients needs even if that means losing the loan. It disturbs us to see what many mortgage companies are continuing to do these days: over promising and under delivering. And in this tough economic climate it’s happening a lot. Typically what happens is a lender quotes a lower rate than the competition, and is charging additional fees and not disclosing them, or hiding them under the guise of other charges. And what impact does this have? First, the client who has just experienced a closing with unexpectedly higher costs, feels trapped at the last minute without other choices and ends with a highly negative attitude and end result. Then, the bad experience reflects poorly back on the industry as a whole, possibly lumping all mortgage consultants together as crooks or liars.
Proverbs 11:18 teaches us: “The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
We believe in building relationships and have appreciated the repeat business of many clients, and the referral of business from their family, friends and associates. It’s a foundation of trust and the knowledge of being treated with respect and honesty. A mentor and friend, Rick Boxx, said it best, “Selling with integrity can be very difficult. It takes self control and a relational approach, rather than a self-serving transactional approach.”
"Michele is Believer who has based her Mortgage company, Insight Mortgage Group, on all the Christian principles from the Bible, and who does not believe in gouging the clients. In fact, her whole company is based on Christian love and care for each other and making sure that her clients are getting the best deal possible within the Mortgage industry. Of course, just like you, she needs to make a living along the way, but she does not make her living hi-jacking unsuspecting buyers. God rewards his trusted Christian believers for their service and for their honesty and caring of our fellow man." - V. Thomas
There will be daily temptations to give in to greed, take advantage of others, and cut some corners. Stand strong and do what you say you’re going to do, speak honestly, be responsible and accountable for your actions and make good ethical decisions. Let your actions show that you are a person of integrity. Talk is cheap. Do you want to work with someone who talks a good talk but then doesn’t deliver? Remember this one: Actions speak louder than words.
"What I can testify is the fact that Michelle, after many tearful phone calls of desperation, took a clear and unbias look at our situation and clearly explained our options, sure we could refinance or try to move and solve the short term problem. We would have been stuck with a crazy interest rate and a larger monthly payment, and have lost some equity in our home, but in my eyes we would have skipped a house payment, stopped our late pays and late credit reporting, and avoided foreclosure. Michele also gave me some hard words to hear in terms of dealing with our financial situation, it would not be in our best interest, and the amazing part is she put our best interest first in turning our eyes upon the true inner nature of our situation. I know she could have made money off of our unfortunate situation, but she didn't. She gave us some wonderful contacts and advice to dig in and work with our mortgage company to resolve the issue, save our home, and face the bad habits that put us in that situation to begin with. Looking back I am so UNBELIEVABLY thankful we never refinanced and put that bandaid on a quite larger wound. We worked with our mortgage company, had our loan modified, became current with our mortgage, and we learned some hard but awesome life lessons along the way. She will always have our business. And because we learned(and still learning) how to manage and handle our finances, that in turn enables us to move in the near future" E. Hammond
A principle we strive to embody is from Philippians 2:4 "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others”.
At InSight Mortgage Group we want to help people make good sound choices, ones they can live with today and in the future. Please call us at 913-642-3334 or email us at michele@wantinsight.com or dickw@wantinsight.com for trusted, client-focused answers to your mortgage or financial questions. Blessings
Friday, June 12, 2009
READY FOR A LITTLE GOOD NEWS?
Aren’t we all ready for some good news about the economy, even if it’s a modest dot of light at the end of the tunnel?
Thursday (6/11) saw reports with better than expected results in the retail sales sector and jobless claims, which pushed stocks higher. As consumer spending accounts for about two thirds of our economic activity, investors watch retail sales numbers carefully. This piece of good news has lead to reports that “the recession may be easing” by those in the know on Wall Street.
Another piece needed to put the economy on the road to well being is the recovery in the housing market. And we do have some good signs in that direction as well.
Purchase and refinance applications are remaining steady following a burst of activity the past several months, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, despite a small uptick in fixed-rate mortgage rates. As of Thursday, the average weekly Freddie Mac rate for a fixed rate 30 year mortgage was 5.59%, which was up from the previous weeks 5.29%, BUT down from a year ago, which was 6.32% .
According to the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, which reports on real estate transactions,many Federal Reserve districts are seeing an increase in home sales. It's reported that new home construction “appeared to be stabilizing at very low levels”. This increase can be attributed to low interest rates, declining home prices, seasonal factors, and the tax credit now available for many first-time home buyers. (Also noted is a weakening of the commercial real estate market.)
The national media has tended to overlook some recent reports that indicate the housing market could be turning upwards finally. Instead, the focus in on foreclosures and increased delinquency rates. Trying to keep up with all the data and reports available to brokers on rates, activity on loan generation, and real estate sales keeps me hoppin’. We all know we need to focus on what happening in our local marketplace. But, by looking at the overall trend nationally, and at some specific areas, we can get a look at what’s happening on a deeper level than reported on the evening news. Remember, bad news sells more than good news, or gathers more viewers.
Clear Capital just released its Home Data Index report. It shows that within larger troubled markets small pockets of price stabilization are occurring; Cleveland and Sacramento – which are among the hardest hit markets in the US – as examples.It also reports that price declines are continuing, but appear to be slowing down, and especially in the Midwest and South.
The most encouraging signs are coming from the nation’s hardest hit markets, where a turnaround has started. The past three months in the San Francisco-Bay area, American and foreign investors, as well as first time buyers, are snapping up bank-owned properties as soon as they’re listed. And, amazingly, agents are witnessing bidding wars even on short sales according to a recent RISMEDIA report. In February 2008, California’s statewide inventory of unsold homes was a 15.2 months supply, compared to March 2009’s number of 5.8! Historically, a six month supply of unsold homes indicates a stable market; neither a buyers market nor a seller’s market.
Per RISMEDIA, Las Vegas, one of the worst markets in the country, has just seen March set the fourth best month for closed sales. The record months, set back in the "boom period", is predicted to be broken during this summer. A board member of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, Forrest Barbee, said “Things have been looking up but it’s going unnoticed. It’s going to take the data a little longer to catch up to the reality.”
The National Association of Realtors reported a rise of 6.7% in the number of pending sales of existing homes in April. It’s the biggest jump in more than seven years.
By looking at how the market is improving in the most depressed markets, we can evaluate the overall strength of the national market. The markets of Florida, California, Arizona, and Nevada comprise nearly half of the national foreclosures, so an upturn in those markets will be critical. I’ll be watching those numbers and sharing this data with you.
So, cautious optimism is the phrase of the day!
We want to thank you all for your continued business, and for sending InSight Mortgage Group, the referrals from your family, friends, and business associates. Please call us at the office, 913-642-3334 with any questions or comments. Regarding purchase loans or refinancing, email me at michele@wantinsight.com or dickw@wantinsight.com. We always look forward to providing you with the best customer care. Blessings.
Thursday (6/11) saw reports with better than expected results in the retail sales sector and jobless claims, which pushed stocks higher. As consumer spending accounts for about two thirds of our economic activity, investors watch retail sales numbers carefully. This piece of good news has lead to reports that “the recession may be easing” by those in the know on Wall Street.
Another piece needed to put the economy on the road to well being is the recovery in the housing market. And we do have some good signs in that direction as well.
Purchase and refinance applications are remaining steady following a burst of activity the past several months, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, despite a small uptick in fixed-rate mortgage rates. As of Thursday, the average weekly Freddie Mac rate for a fixed rate 30 year mortgage was 5.59%, which was up from the previous weeks 5.29%, BUT down from a year ago, which was 6.32% .
According to the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, which reports on real estate transactions,many Federal Reserve districts are seeing an increase in home sales. It's reported that new home construction “appeared to be stabilizing at very low levels”. This increase can be attributed to low interest rates, declining home prices, seasonal factors, and the tax credit now available for many first-time home buyers. (Also noted is a weakening of the commercial real estate market.)
The national media has tended to overlook some recent reports that indicate the housing market could be turning upwards finally. Instead, the focus in on foreclosures and increased delinquency rates. Trying to keep up with all the data and reports available to brokers on rates, activity on loan generation, and real estate sales keeps me hoppin’. We all know we need to focus on what happening in our local marketplace. But, by looking at the overall trend nationally, and at some specific areas, we can get a look at what’s happening on a deeper level than reported on the evening news. Remember, bad news sells more than good news, or gathers more viewers.
Clear Capital just released its Home Data Index report. It shows that within larger troubled markets small pockets of price stabilization are occurring; Cleveland and Sacramento – which are among the hardest hit markets in the US – as examples.It also reports that price declines are continuing, but appear to be slowing down, and especially in the Midwest and South.
The most encouraging signs are coming from the nation’s hardest hit markets, where a turnaround has started. The past three months in the San Francisco-Bay area, American and foreign investors, as well as first time buyers, are snapping up bank-owned properties as soon as they’re listed. And, amazingly, agents are witnessing bidding wars even on short sales according to a recent RISMEDIA report. In February 2008, California’s statewide inventory of unsold homes was a 15.2 months supply, compared to March 2009’s number of 5.8! Historically, a six month supply of unsold homes indicates a stable market; neither a buyers market nor a seller’s market.
Per RISMEDIA, Las Vegas, one of the worst markets in the country, has just seen March set the fourth best month for closed sales. The record months, set back in the "boom period", is predicted to be broken during this summer. A board member of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, Forrest Barbee, said “Things have been looking up but it’s going unnoticed. It’s going to take the data a little longer to catch up to the reality.”
The National Association of Realtors reported a rise of 6.7% in the number of pending sales of existing homes in April. It’s the biggest jump in more than seven years.
By looking at how the market is improving in the most depressed markets, we can evaluate the overall strength of the national market. The markets of Florida, California, Arizona, and Nevada comprise nearly half of the national foreclosures, so an upturn in those markets will be critical. I’ll be watching those numbers and sharing this data with you.
So, cautious optimism is the phrase of the day!
We want to thank you all for your continued business, and for sending InSight Mortgage Group, the referrals from your family, friends, and business associates. Please call us at the office, 913-642-3334 with any questions or comments. Regarding purchase loans or refinancing, email me at michele@wantinsight.com or dickw@wantinsight.com. We always look forward to providing you with the best customer care. Blessings.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Facing Pressure with God's Help
Being under pressure is a subject I seem to be hearing a lot about these days, whether in the news or in daily conversations with friends and clients. In the mortgage business I regularly interact with people who have a wide variety of financial needs, and I’m asked about ways to achieve financial good health. I like to consider both emotional well-being (making good decisions) as well as the bottom line.
Our success or failures can be related to how we react to pressure. Do you have a general pattern for reacting to pressure? Maybe you become cranky (or worse), play the avoidance game, or even fall apart entirely?
In our general day to day life we may feel the pressures pushed down on us, even as we believe and walk with the Lord. If life seems to be treating us well and the devil isn’t putting too much pressure on us, then we’re ok. But how do we react when the big problems crop up? Do we take our tension or anxiety out on our loved ones, co-workers or the boss at work, or even on strangers?
The best way to live more stress free is to “cast all of (our) cares on the Lord”, Peter 5:7. We may struggle with this at times, but when faced with adversity or pressure, this is the only way to become free of the anxieties and not feel overwhelmed by them. “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” Psalm 34:4,6
Kenneth Hagin gives some great advice on how to handle pressure by listening to the voice of God, focusing on Him and asking Him for direction. I’ve paraphrased his major points and hope you find these words helpful:
Maintain focus on God: Instead of seeing only the negative and what’s going wrong in our life, and having a feeling of hopelessness, we need to focus on God and believe that our situation CAN have a positive result. Replace worry and doubt with faith. As in ISAIAH 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Have you had a minor challenge grow into a major problem because you focused solely on it, and soon it grew bigger and worse than at the start? We need to look to God and His Word to give us peace through these turbulent times. “Whatever is impossible with man, is possible with God” (Matt. 19:26) No one can control your thoughts other than you; your success and how you react to different situations is controlled by you. But with the focus on God, and not on the negatives we’re dealing with, we shall rise above these pressures.
Our own potential in God: We can focus on the potential we have in God, and not on any weaknesses we have. We can’t accomplish many things in our own strength alone. But we can accomplish anything with God’s help, “…let the weak say, I am strong.” Joel 3:10 Let’s make “I am strong” a daily affirmation. This belief of “us in God” will see us through adversity or crisis. We can overcome circumstances with our potential in God. Hebrews 12 can shed some more light.
What is God Saying: I’m sure we’ve all experienced the situation where we were talking to someone and realized that the person was not hearing a word we were saying, even though the person was standing right in front of us. His mind was wandering and not paying attention to what we had to say. Well, God talks all the time, but, are we listening while He speaks? The main way God speaks is through His Word. But do we take the time to find and read His Word while under pressure? We can find strength and peace in His Word. And with prayer and focused thinking on the Word, God will show us the path to take to walk through the difficult time. “…and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live …” Isaiah 55:3
Talk about God: “…talk ye of all his wondrous works.” Psalm 105:2 The Book of Psalms is filled with many different writers talking about the vastness of God, His goodness, and more. When under pressure, or experiencing adversity, it’s the perfect time for us to talk about who He is and how big He is. This talking about God being bigger than anything else puts the devil in his place. As we talk we will be refreshed anew and the pressure will be relieved.
No matter how dim the future may look, God is bigger. No matter what other negative comments people may make, God can bring you through. With Him all is possible.
So as this summer begins, and our busy lives go full throttle; we may get bogged down with the negative daily news reports, maybe even experience the pain of a lost job. Whatever causes the pressure, remain steadfast in your faith and remember:
“You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” Psalm 18:28-29
At InSight Mortgage Group, we strive to bring integrity to the mortgage loan business and treat all our customers according to the Golden Rule. Whatever your financial situation may be, we will work to find you the best solution. Please call us at 913-642-3334, or email us at michele@wantinsight.com or dickw@wantinsight.com . Blessings.
Our success or failures can be related to how we react to pressure. Do you have a general pattern for reacting to pressure? Maybe you become cranky (or worse), play the avoidance game, or even fall apart entirely?
In our general day to day life we may feel the pressures pushed down on us, even as we believe and walk with the Lord. If life seems to be treating us well and the devil isn’t putting too much pressure on us, then we’re ok. But how do we react when the big problems crop up? Do we take our tension or anxiety out on our loved ones, co-workers or the boss at work, or even on strangers?
The best way to live more stress free is to “cast all of (our) cares on the Lord”, Peter 5:7. We may struggle with this at times, but when faced with adversity or pressure, this is the only way to become free of the anxieties and not feel overwhelmed by them. “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” Psalm 34:4,6
Kenneth Hagin gives some great advice on how to handle pressure by listening to the voice of God, focusing on Him and asking Him for direction. I’ve paraphrased his major points and hope you find these words helpful:
Maintain focus on God: Instead of seeing only the negative and what’s going wrong in our life, and having a feeling of hopelessness, we need to focus on God and believe that our situation CAN have a positive result. Replace worry and doubt with faith. As in ISAIAH 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Have you had a minor challenge grow into a major problem because you focused solely on it, and soon it grew bigger and worse than at the start? We need to look to God and His Word to give us peace through these turbulent times. “Whatever is impossible with man, is possible with God” (Matt. 19:26) No one can control your thoughts other than you; your success and how you react to different situations is controlled by you. But with the focus on God, and not on the negatives we’re dealing with, we shall rise above these pressures.
Our own potential in God: We can focus on the potential we have in God, and not on any weaknesses we have. We can’t accomplish many things in our own strength alone. But we can accomplish anything with God’s help, “…let the weak say, I am strong.” Joel 3:10 Let’s make “I am strong” a daily affirmation. This belief of “us in God” will see us through adversity or crisis. We can overcome circumstances with our potential in God. Hebrews 12 can shed some more light.
What is God Saying: I’m sure we’ve all experienced the situation where we were talking to someone and realized that the person was not hearing a word we were saying, even though the person was standing right in front of us. His mind was wandering and not paying attention to what we had to say. Well, God talks all the time, but, are we listening while He speaks? The main way God speaks is through His Word. But do we take the time to find and read His Word while under pressure? We can find strength and peace in His Word. And with prayer and focused thinking on the Word, God will show us the path to take to walk through the difficult time. “…and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live …” Isaiah 55:3
Talk about God: “…talk ye of all his wondrous works.” Psalm 105:2 The Book of Psalms is filled with many different writers talking about the vastness of God, His goodness, and more. When under pressure, or experiencing adversity, it’s the perfect time for us to talk about who He is and how big He is. This talking about God being bigger than anything else puts the devil in his place. As we talk we will be refreshed anew and the pressure will be relieved.
No matter how dim the future may look, God is bigger. No matter what other negative comments people may make, God can bring you through. With Him all is possible.
So as this summer begins, and our busy lives go full throttle; we may get bogged down with the negative daily news reports, maybe even experience the pain of a lost job. Whatever causes the pressure, remain steadfast in your faith and remember:
“You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” Psalm 18:28-29
At InSight Mortgage Group, we strive to bring integrity to the mortgage loan business and treat all our customers according to the Golden Rule. Whatever your financial situation may be, we will work to find you the best solution. Please call us at 913-642-3334, or email us at michele@wantinsight.com or dickw@wantinsight.com . Blessings.
Monday, June 1, 2009
NEW RULES FOR THE CREDIT CARD COMPANIES
A new national bill has just been signed which addresses the credit card companies seemingly endless ways of making arbitrary changes. We have all read or watched the news covering the issues of unexpected account closures, sneaky rate increases, big late fee charges and other nasty credit card related practices. And maybe you’ve even experienced one or two of these unexpected changes yourself?
So, does this new law provide actual relief for us as consumers and will it make an impact on our struggling economy? No easy answer to that, sorry. We’ll all have to take a “wait and see” approach. But, let’s review the highlights of the bill and think about what this means for us as borrowers.
* No overnight change: The bill allows nine months for the credit-card companies to implement the changes. Many consumers would be happier with a faster turnaround time in this tough economy; the good news is that these changes take place sooner than the new Federal Reserve regulations which become effective in July 2010.
* Free and easy bill payment: Credit card companies must now accept telephone and internet payments, and best of all, these services are to be free! This is a big change from current practices, where most credit card companies collect extra revenue from charges for online and telephone payments.
* New on-time policy: Did you realize that some companies required our payment to arrive by 9am or noon on the due date to be considered on-time? If it arrived in the afternoon mail delivery on the due date, it could be considered LATE. Now, if our payment arrives by 5 pm on the due date, it is to be considered an on-time payment.
* Be forewarned: We will get a notification 45 days in advance of an interest rate increase, according to the new rules. Meaning: we’ll see this coming and be able to make adjustments to our budgets or plans.
* Grace period: Once the bill is implemented, we will no longer be immediately charged a higher interest rate for being late on a payment. The lender has to give a 60 day grace period to us before they retroactively charge a higher rate to existing balances.
* Restoration: According to the new bill, if a borrower falls more than 60 days behind, we’ll be able to get back the earlier, lower rate after six consecutives months of on time payments.
* Promotional rates: The special promotional rates are allowed, but must be a minimum of six months and card companies won’t be able to raise rates during the first year an account is open.
Other provisions include making credit cards harder to acquire for college students under 21 years old, and eliminating tiny print in the applications and disclosures.
There seems to be a “but …” following the good news, right? Well, there is speculation that the issuing banks will add new types of fees and find ways to get around the new rules. After all, they profit from the fees they charge as well as the rates on balances carried month to month.
As with all things financial, use good common sense, ask questions, be responsible for your actions. Another resolve would be to just pay off all credit card debt. Prov. 22:7 says ”Just as the rich rule over the poor, so is the borrower servant to the lender.”
Avoid the financial stress by working on getting out of debt. Insight Mortgage Group has folks who can help you achieve financial freedom. Please give us a call at 913-642-3334 or email me at michele@wantinsight.com.
So, does this new law provide actual relief for us as consumers and will it make an impact on our struggling economy? No easy answer to that, sorry. We’ll all have to take a “wait and see” approach. But, let’s review the highlights of the bill and think about what this means for us as borrowers.
* No overnight change: The bill allows nine months for the credit-card companies to implement the changes. Many consumers would be happier with a faster turnaround time in this tough economy; the good news is that these changes take place sooner than the new Federal Reserve regulations which become effective in July 2010.
* Free and easy bill payment: Credit card companies must now accept telephone and internet payments, and best of all, these services are to be free! This is a big change from current practices, where most credit card companies collect extra revenue from charges for online and telephone payments.
* New on-time policy: Did you realize that some companies required our payment to arrive by 9am or noon on the due date to be considered on-time? If it arrived in the afternoon mail delivery on the due date, it could be considered LATE. Now, if our payment arrives by 5 pm on the due date, it is to be considered an on-time payment.
* Be forewarned: We will get a notification 45 days in advance of an interest rate increase, according to the new rules. Meaning: we’ll see this coming and be able to make adjustments to our budgets or plans.
* Grace period: Once the bill is implemented, we will no longer be immediately charged a higher interest rate for being late on a payment. The lender has to give a 60 day grace period to us before they retroactively charge a higher rate to existing balances.
* Restoration: According to the new bill, if a borrower falls more than 60 days behind, we’ll be able to get back the earlier, lower rate after six consecutives months of on time payments.
* Promotional rates: The special promotional rates are allowed, but must be a minimum of six months and card companies won’t be able to raise rates during the first year an account is open.
Other provisions include making credit cards harder to acquire for college students under 21 years old, and eliminating tiny print in the applications and disclosures.
There seems to be a “but …” following the good news, right? Well, there is speculation that the issuing banks will add new types of fees and find ways to get around the new rules. After all, they profit from the fees they charge as well as the rates on balances carried month to month.
As with all things financial, use good common sense, ask questions, be responsible for your actions. Another resolve would be to just pay off all credit card debt. Prov. 22:7 says ”Just as the rich rule over the poor, so is the borrower servant to the lender.”
Avoid the financial stress by working on getting out of debt. Insight Mortgage Group has folks who can help you achieve financial freedom. Please give us a call at 913-642-3334 or email me at michele@wantinsight.com.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A crop of fake credit histories emerges - Kansas City Star
A crop of fake credit histories emerges - Kansas City Star
Shared via AddThis
I just recently had Julia Jensen from the FBI speak at InSight Mortgage Group's monthly Lunch and Learn about this very topic, credit fraud. The information she shared is absolutely amazing and unbelievable. Desperate times bring even more desperate measures. If you don't want to fall victim or prey to this, please consider using a lender who cares about you and your future. If you are looking for a home loan and a lender who will give you sound biblical advice, contact InSight Mortgage Group. Our focus is not about making dollars and cents, it's about helping you make sound financial choices!! Please give us a call at 913-642-3334 or visit www.wantinsight.com.
Shared via AddThis
I just recently had Julia Jensen from the FBI speak at InSight Mortgage Group's monthly Lunch and Learn about this very topic, credit fraud. The information she shared is absolutely amazing and unbelievable. Desperate times bring even more desperate measures. If you don't want to fall victim or prey to this, please consider using a lender who cares about you and your future. If you are looking for a home loan and a lender who will give you sound biblical advice, contact InSight Mortgage Group. Our focus is not about making dollars and cents, it's about helping you make sound financial choices!! Please give us a call at 913-642-3334 or visit www.wantinsight.com.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
MANAGING MONEY WISELY
Do you think that finances can be a real aggravation at times. Doesn’t it seem especially true these days with the ups and downs on Wall Street and the unemployment numbers growing? If you haven’t already surrendered your finances to God, now is the time to do so.
The subject of money and possessions is found in over 2,000 verses in the Bible. God makes the point of wanting us to handle money wisely. Jesus often spoke of being a good steward of the resources He entrusted to us. And He wants us to avoid making money an idol in our lives. Ecclesiastes 5:10 says: “ He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income.”
First, we can manage money wisely by practicing diversification. It’s also a biblical principal: “Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.” (Ecclesiastes 11:2 NASB) There is no one perfect investment – bonds, real estate, stock market, precious metals; each can perform well or poorly, has it’s own advantages or disadvantages.
Secondly, pay attention to your financial investments. Don’t ignore your monthly statements, open them and review each. And not just quickly glancing at the bottom line. Solomon wrote “You should take good care of your sheep and goats, because wealth and honor don’t last forever. After the hay is cut and the new growth appears and the hevest is over, you can sell lambs and goats to buy clothes and land. From the milk of the goats, you can make enough cheese to feed your family and servants.” (Proverbs 27:23-27 CEV) This translates today to not take anything for granted and keep a good watch on your investments and your household finances in general. Don’t make careless mistakes, inviting more stress into your life.
Next, avoid taking on more debt. The stress from debt can induce health problems – from muscle tension and migraines, to severe depression. Proverbs 22:7 says "Just as the rich rule the poor so is the borrower servant to the lendee."
Money, and it’s use, can be a challenge to us. Maybe even a source of conflict. That’s why God has given us many basic principals to live by and incorporate into our lives.
We can lend insight to your home financing needs and personal financial situation. Call us at 913-642-3334 or email me at michele@wantinsight.com with questions or comments.
The subject of money and possessions is found in over 2,000 verses in the Bible. God makes the point of wanting us to handle money wisely. Jesus often spoke of being a good steward of the resources He entrusted to us. And He wants us to avoid making money an idol in our lives. Ecclesiastes 5:10 says: “ He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income.”
First, we can manage money wisely by practicing diversification. It’s also a biblical principal: “Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.” (Ecclesiastes 11:2 NASB) There is no one perfect investment – bonds, real estate, stock market, precious metals; each can perform well or poorly, has it’s own advantages or disadvantages.
Secondly, pay attention to your financial investments. Don’t ignore your monthly statements, open them and review each. And not just quickly glancing at the bottom line. Solomon wrote “You should take good care of your sheep and goats, because wealth and honor don’t last forever. After the hay is cut and the new growth appears and the hevest is over, you can sell lambs and goats to buy clothes and land. From the milk of the goats, you can make enough cheese to feed your family and servants.” (Proverbs 27:23-27 CEV) This translates today to not take anything for granted and keep a good watch on your investments and your household finances in general. Don’t make careless mistakes, inviting more stress into your life.
Next, avoid taking on more debt. The stress from debt can induce health problems – from muscle tension and migraines, to severe depression. Proverbs 22:7 says "Just as the rich rule the poor so is the borrower servant to the lendee."
Money, and it’s use, can be a challenge to us. Maybe even a source of conflict. That’s why God has given us many basic principals to live by and incorporate into our lives.
We can lend insight to your home financing needs and personal financial situation. Call us at 913-642-3334 or email me at michele@wantinsight.com with questions or comments.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
NEW REFI PLUS PROGRAM
Watch your savings add up quickly!
Even if you’ve experienced a property value decline as a result of the economic downturn and mortgage crisis, you may be able to refinance your home loan into a very low fixed rate mortgage!
The Mortgage Refinance Affordability Plan recently implemented by President Obama offers many homeowners the chance to refinance their current mortgages. Many homeowners who have seen their property values drop the past several years can see real help with this plan.
And we at InSight Mortgage Group can answer your questions and see if you qualify for this or other refinancing programs. If you have a current 80/20, 80/15/5 or 80/10 loan, where you did a 1st/2nd combo in order to avoid PMI, we may be able to get you into a 105% LTV first mortgage.
Save thousands of dollars over the life of your loan by locking into a low interest fixed rate loan. Maybe a refinance could save your home from foreclosure.
Whatever your personal home loan needs may be, take advantage now and see your savings add up. Call Dick or Michele at InSight Mortgage Group, 913-642-3334. Email us at dickw@wantinsight.com or michele@wantinsight.com or start your application online at wantinsight.com.
Even if you’ve experienced a property value decline as a result of the economic downturn and mortgage crisis, you may be able to refinance your home loan into a very low fixed rate mortgage!
The Mortgage Refinance Affordability Plan recently implemented by President Obama offers many homeowners the chance to refinance their current mortgages. Many homeowners who have seen their property values drop the past several years can see real help with this plan.
And we at InSight Mortgage Group can answer your questions and see if you qualify for this or other refinancing programs. If you have a current 80/20, 80/15/5 or 80/10 loan, where you did a 1st/2nd combo in order to avoid PMI, we may be able to get you into a 105% LTV first mortgage.
Save thousands of dollars over the life of your loan by locking into a low interest fixed rate loan. Maybe a refinance could save your home from foreclosure.
Whatever your personal home loan needs may be, take advantage now and see your savings add up. Call Dick or Michele at InSight Mortgage Group, 913-642-3334. Email us at dickw@wantinsight.com or michele@wantinsight.com or start your application online at wantinsight.com.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
FACT or FICTON: NO COST LOANS
Aren't there a lot of ads these days promoting "a great loan program that no one else has, so call immediately"? One of the most consistently promoted programs these days is the No Cost Home Loan.
It’s everywhere – radio, TV, the web, even in the shopping malls these days. “Refinance now with us and have no closing costs”. And you might think, “gee, with money being tight right now, that sounds good to me.” A free loan, save lots of money!
Didn’t Mom once say, “nothing in life is free”? And isn’t Mom usually right! Now, you actually can get a loan with little or no closing costs. But, what you’re not told is that you actually end up paying a higher interest rate than you really qualify for! This in turn means that you might save $3,000-4,000 in closing costs upfront, but the monthly payment could be $100-300 higher than it would have been if you had paid the closing costs.
Let’s walk through the process with the following example. Loan amount is $200,000. You will pay the closing costs on this loan, you qualify for a 6% rate. (not so perfect credit) Monthly payment (P&I) is $1,199. Banker ABC says “no closing costs, and 7%.” He may tell you, “the rate may seem just a little bit high, but you’ll save $3,000.” You think that sounds great!
What is not explained is the difference in the 6% rate you qualify for, and the 7% rate you choose to take for the “free” loan. Borrowing $200,000 at 7%, the payment is $1,330. So, that’s $131.00 more a month than the loan at 6%.
Now, if you choose the loan where you pay the closing costs and save $131 monthly, it will take you about 22 months to get your $3,000 back for the closing costs. And, if you stay in the house another five years beyond the “payback” time (22 months), you’ll save about $7,900 at the 6% rate. BUT, if you decide on the “no cost loan”, you’ll see about
$8,000 blow out the patio door into the wind.
Always ask what the difference in the rates is, and exactly what the closing costs will be. Figure the difference between the two programs – the loan with closing costs and the one without. Rule of thumb says that if in two years or less you’ll have paid back the closing costs, and you’ll be in the house for at least 5 years, then take the loan with the lower rate and pay the closing costs.
It’s our mission at InSight Mortgage Group to find the best loan program to meet your needs and to counsel you throughout the entire process. We specialize in making you, our client, our first priority. Please call us at 913-642-3334 or email me at michele@wantinsight.com with questions regarding refinance or purchase loans.
It’s everywhere – radio, TV, the web, even in the shopping malls these days. “Refinance now with us and have no closing costs”. And you might think, “gee, with money being tight right now, that sounds good to me.” A free loan, save lots of money!
Didn’t Mom once say, “nothing in life is free”? And isn’t Mom usually right! Now, you actually can get a loan with little or no closing costs. But, what you’re not told is that you actually end up paying a higher interest rate than you really qualify for! This in turn means that you might save $3,000-4,000 in closing costs upfront, but the monthly payment could be $100-300 higher than it would have been if you had paid the closing costs.
Let’s walk through the process with the following example. Loan amount is $200,000. You will pay the closing costs on this loan, you qualify for a 6% rate. (not so perfect credit) Monthly payment (P&I) is $1,199. Banker ABC says “no closing costs, and 7%.” He may tell you, “the rate may seem just a little bit high, but you’ll save $3,000.” You think that sounds great!
What is not explained is the difference in the 6% rate you qualify for, and the 7% rate you choose to take for the “free” loan. Borrowing $200,000 at 7%, the payment is $1,330. So, that’s $131.00 more a month than the loan at 6%.
Now, if you choose the loan where you pay the closing costs and save $131 monthly, it will take you about 22 months to get your $3,000 back for the closing costs. And, if you stay in the house another five years beyond the “payback” time (22 months), you’ll save about $7,900 at the 6% rate. BUT, if you decide on the “no cost loan”, you’ll see about
$8,000 blow out the patio door into the wind.
Always ask what the difference in the rates is, and exactly what the closing costs will be. Figure the difference between the two programs – the loan with closing costs and the one without. Rule of thumb says that if in two years or less you’ll have paid back the closing costs, and you’ll be in the house for at least 5 years, then take the loan with the lower rate and pay the closing costs.
It’s our mission at InSight Mortgage Group to find the best loan program to meet your needs and to counsel you throughout the entire process. We specialize in making you, our client, our first priority. Please call us at 913-642-3334 or email me at michele@wantinsight.com with questions regarding refinance or purchase loans.
Friday, April 24, 2009
STRENGTH IN FIRST-TIME BUYER SALES
Although March saw a slowing in existing home sales, low mortgage rates and tax credits are drawing first time buyers into the market according the National Association of Realtors.
NAR chief economist, Lawrence Yun, indicated that with the modest ups and downs recently seen in the market, it appears to be stabilizing. “The share of lower priced home sales has trended up, indicating a return of many first-time home buyers, which we also see in a parallel member survey”, he said. “Sales in the upper price ranges have stalled because of higher interest rates on jumbo loans.”
March ’09 saw a rise in home prices, with the national median existing-home price for all types of properties at $175,000, although it is down 12.4% from March 2008. But, the increase in March was 4.2%, which is more than double the 1.8% seasonal increase usually seen at this time. Over half the March transactions were distressed properties which typically sell for 20% less than traditional homes.
The March survey conducted by NAR of its practioners indicated 53% of transactions were first-time buyers. Yun said “buyer traffic has been rising, and real estate offices are getting phone inquires about the tax credit.” “By early summer we should be seeing a positive impact on home sales from record low mortgage rates in addition to the stimulus provisions.”
The Midwest region has fared better than the other regions in the country. March’s median price was $141,300, a drop of 6.1% from a year ago, compared to an 18.4% drop in the Northeast, 12.2% in the South, and 11.1% in the West.
At InSight Mortgage Group we can provide you with clear, concise information on the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit, in addition to finding you the right loan program to fit your specific needs. Call us at 913-642-3334 or email me at michele@wantinsight.com. We look forward to working with you. Blessings.
NAR chief economist, Lawrence Yun, indicated that with the modest ups and downs recently seen in the market, it appears to be stabilizing. “The share of lower priced home sales has trended up, indicating a return of many first-time home buyers, which we also see in a parallel member survey”, he said. “Sales in the upper price ranges have stalled because of higher interest rates on jumbo loans.”
March ’09 saw a rise in home prices, with the national median existing-home price for all types of properties at $175,000, although it is down 12.4% from March 2008. But, the increase in March was 4.2%, which is more than double the 1.8% seasonal increase usually seen at this time. Over half the March transactions were distressed properties which typically sell for 20% less than traditional homes.
The March survey conducted by NAR of its practioners indicated 53% of transactions were first-time buyers. Yun said “buyer traffic has been rising, and real estate offices are getting phone inquires about the tax credit.” “By early summer we should be seeing a positive impact on home sales from record low mortgage rates in addition to the stimulus provisions.”
The Midwest region has fared better than the other regions in the country. March’s median price was $141,300, a drop of 6.1% from a year ago, compared to an 18.4% drop in the Northeast, 12.2% in the South, and 11.1% in the West.
At InSight Mortgage Group we can provide you with clear, concise information on the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit, in addition to finding you the right loan program to fit your specific needs. Call us at 913-642-3334 or email me at michele@wantinsight.com. We look forward to working with you. Blessings.
Monday, April 20, 2009
REFINANCING HELPFUL HINTS
Even with low, low interest rates and new government recovery programs, it can be a tough road to walk to get to the closing table on refinancing your home loan. At InSight Mortgage Group, we work to smooth out the few bumps you may encounter along the way – it’s our specialty.
Strangely, the tough part isn’t the “approval” process for borrowers, it’s keeping the approval!
I’ve recently blogged about the mortgage industry in general, starting in 2005, being understaffed. With these wonderful low rates, lenders are getting slammed with requests and are having a difficult time handling the volume. An underwriting logjam has been created.
These days taking a mortgage application from start to finish with some lenders can be as long as 2 months! That’s double the time it took about 6 months ago, when the average was 20 days to closing.
You know, a lot can happen in 60 days. More so than in 20 days. And while there are things outside your control which may affect the loan process, there are a number of things you can control.
Mortgage approvals are delicate things and nothing’s complete until it’s complete! Please keep in mind the following “rules” for the period of time when your loan is in underwriting and before it closes.
A. DON’T buy a new car, trade up to a bigger lease, etc. (incur more debt)
B. DON’T start a new company or quit your job
C. DON’T move to a commissioned job from a salaried job
D. DON’T transfer large sums of money between bank accounts
E. DON’T be late on paying your bills
F. DON’T open any new credit accounts -- even if it’s 0% interest for the next year
G. DON’T take a cash gift unless you have all the proper “gift” paperwork filled out
H. DON”T make random, undocumented deposits into your bank account
The above are red flags to an underwriter and only one is enough to slow or even derail the process. Situations arise, and it doesn’t mean that you can’t get a cash gift or buy a new car, it means talk to your loan officer first. We’re here to guide you each step of the way, so call us at 913-642-3334 or email me at michele@wantinsight.com to get started on your refinance.
Strangely, the tough part isn’t the “approval” process for borrowers, it’s keeping the approval!
I’ve recently blogged about the mortgage industry in general, starting in 2005, being understaffed. With these wonderful low rates, lenders are getting slammed with requests and are having a difficult time handling the volume. An underwriting logjam has been created.
These days taking a mortgage application from start to finish with some lenders can be as long as 2 months! That’s double the time it took about 6 months ago, when the average was 20 days to closing.
You know, a lot can happen in 60 days. More so than in 20 days. And while there are things outside your control which may affect the loan process, there are a number of things you can control.
Mortgage approvals are delicate things and nothing’s complete until it’s complete! Please keep in mind the following “rules” for the period of time when your loan is in underwriting and before it closes.
A. DON’T buy a new car, trade up to a bigger lease, etc. (incur more debt)
B. DON’T start a new company or quit your job
C. DON’T move to a commissioned job from a salaried job
D. DON’T transfer large sums of money between bank accounts
E. DON’T be late on paying your bills
F. DON’T open any new credit accounts -- even if it’s 0% interest for the next year
G. DON’T take a cash gift unless you have all the proper “gift” paperwork filled out
H. DON”T make random, undocumented deposits into your bank account
The above are red flags to an underwriter and only one is enough to slow or even derail the process. Situations arise, and it doesn’t mean that you can’t get a cash gift or buy a new car, it means talk to your loan officer first. We’re here to guide you each step of the way, so call us at 913-642-3334 or email me at michele@wantinsight.com to get started on your refinance.
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