Chance Gates' Blog

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By Steve Goldstein

RISMEDIA, October 28, 2010–(MCT)–Sales of new homes climbed 6.6 percent in September, figures released by the federal government on Wednesday showed, representing the second straight month of gains, but still well below the pace when a tax credit existed.

Sales of new single-family homes rose 6.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 307,000, which is stronger than the 300,000 that economists expected in a MarketWatch-compiled poll.

On Monday, a report showed sales of existing homes also were stronger than expected, rising 10 percent, and the two reports lend support to some economists who believe housing demand hit a bottom in late summer.

“After dropping precipitously following the expiration of the first-time homebuyer tax credit, it looks as though new home sales have stabilized,” said Nicholas Tenev, an economist at Barclays Capital. “We expect a gradual recovery over the coming months.”

Still, the pace of new-home sales is 21.5 percent below the same level of last year.

The pace of new-home sales also is considerably below the 414,000 rate in April, when the market was buoyed by a tax credit that has since expired.

There’s also still plenty of supply, with the government estimating supply of 8 months of unsold homes, though that’s down from 8.6 months in August. The stock of unsold houses fell 1 percent from August and dropped 19 percent from Sept. 2009.

“With little new construction going on, inventories of unsold new homes at least aren’t a problem even with sales at such a severely depressed level, with the number of new homes for sale extending a run of record lows,” said David Greenlaw, an economist at Morgan Stanley.

The median sales price rose 1.5 percent from August and 3.3 percent from Sept. 2009 to $223,800 — about 30 percent above the median price of an existing home.

The margin of error for new-home sales is a considerable plus or minus 16.9 percent.

September’s housing market was only partly affected by a foreclosure moratorium of some leading lenders, which gathered pace in October.

New-home sales, by definition, wouldn’t be affected by foreclosure disputes and in fact could benefit by virtue of purchasers getting “clean” title when buying new properties.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney. For a free copy of my blog titled  “5 Steps For Reno/Sparks Homeowners To Prevent Foreclosures” go to my about page http://chancegates.com/about and ask for more information on preventing foreclosures.

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Davey O’Brien Foundation announced the 16 semifinalists for the 2010 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O’Brien) today.
Narrowed down from all 120 quarterbacks from NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools, semifinalists were selected by The O’Brien National Selection Committee, with the Fan Vote accounting for five percent of the total vote. The committee was asked to consider the following criteria: quarterback sills, academics, character, leadership and sportsmanship.
The list highlights seven juniors, five sophomores, three seniors and one freshman. The Big Ten and Big 12 lead all conferences with four candidates. The Pac-10 is represented by three players. Matt Barkley (So., USC), Kellen Moore (Jr., Boise State) and Ricky Stanzi (Sr., Iowa) are the only returning semifinalists.

Matt Barkley SO USC Pac-10
Kirk Cousins JR Michigan State Big Ten
Andy Dalton SR TCU MWC
Blaine Gabbert JR Missouri Big 12
Robert Griffin III SO Baylor Big 12
Landry Jones SO Oklahoma Big 12
Colin Kaepernick SR Nevada WAC
Andrew Luck JR Stanford Pac-10
Ryan Mallett JR Arkansas SEC
Taylor Martinez FR Nebraska Big 12
Kellen Moore JR Boise State WAC
Cam Newton JR Auburn SEC
Terrelle Pryor JR Ohio State Big Ten
Denard Robinson SO Michigan Big Ten
Ricky Stanzi SR Iowa Big Ten
Darron Thomas SO Oregon Pac-10

Fans may now help determine which three quarterbacks will advance as finalists by voting as often as once daily at www.VoteOBrien.org. Fan voting will close at noon (CT) on Nov. 21. The Foundation and the Selection Committee will announce three finalists on Monday, Nov. 22. The 2010 winner will be announced on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 9 and will be honored at the 34th Annual O’Brien Awards Dinner on Feb. 21, 2011 at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.

On 7-1-09 a homeowner, owner-occupied residents in Nevada, will be allowed to request for mediation in attempts to keeps his house and negotiate a loan modification.
Here the site for more information http://www.leg.state.nv.us/75th2009/Bill…

4  steps for a homeowner to keep his house and get a loan modification,  1 step if all else fails:

1.) Talk to the bank and request a loan modification.   Start step 2 with in the week.

2.)  Go to www.makinghomesaffordable.org and request a loan modification

3.)  Contact a senator/congressman and ask for his help getting a loan modification.

A.)    If you live in the Reno/Sparks Greater area and would like a list of house that haves sold in your neighborhood to take to your elected official goto http://chancegates.com/about and request more information.

4.)  Request Mediation

5.)  Contact you local real estate professional and ask about a short sale.

Understand I’m not a lawyer and will not give legal advice, however I have been told if you are still living in the house and meet all the HAFA requirements that, there is no deficiency judgment against the homeowner for a short sale.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.  .

Don’t come home a failure.

Every great batter works on the theory that the pitcher is more afraid of him than he is of the pitcher.

I had to fight all my life to survive. They were all against me… but I beat the bastards and left them in the ditch.

I have observed that baseball is not unlike a war, and when you come right down to it, we batters are the heavy artillery.

I may have been fierce, but never low or underhand.

I never could stand losing. Second place didn’t interest me. I had a fire in my belly.

I regret to this day that I never went to college. I feel I should have been a doctor.

Speed is a great asset; but it’s greater when it’s combined with quickness – and there’s a big difference.

The crowd makes the ballgame.

The great American game should be an unrelenting war of nerves.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.

RISMEDIA, October 25, 2010–Most people have one: that room in the house that they wish was just a little larger. What many don’t realize is that with a little work and some TLC, they could have exactly what they’re looking for.

1. For the illusion of a larger room, use a color scheme that is light rather than bright or dark. Pastels, neutrals and white are all color possibilities.

2. Use a monochromatic color scheme on the furniture, rugs and walls. Select different shades and textures of your single color.

3. Lighting is a key element in opening up a space. Recessed spot lighting is visually appealing and is perfect for a small space. A torchiere light is great for bouncing light off of the ceiling and back down on the room.Skylights and solar tubes are natural alternatives for adding light to a room.

4. Limit the number of accessories to avoid the cluttered feeling.

5. The floor and the ceiling are the fifth and sixth walls of every room. A light-colored flooring such as light oak or a light-colored carpet will make the room appear brighter and more open. The same applies to the ceiling—use a light color or white to “open up” the space above.

6. Increase the appearance of the size of the room by adding wall mirrors. They not only reflect images, they reflect light and color. Be a little daring! Use mirror tiles to mirror an entire wall. Your room will appear to double in size.

7. Don’t place too many pieces of furniture in a small space. A love seat may work better than a full-size sofa depending on the size and shape of the room. Add two medium-sized chairs or two small wood chairs. Place the chairs closer to the wall and then pull them into the area when additional seating is needed.

8. Add paintings or prints to the walls. One large painting works better than a group of small paintings.

9. The visual balance of a room is also important. A large, brightly colored element can overwhelm a room and decrease the appearance of space.

10. A glass table, whether it is a dining, coffee or end table, will keep the appearance of an open and free space.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.

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RISMEDIA, October 25, 2010–Flu is a serious, contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death.

In 2009-2010, H1N1 spread worldwide causing the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years. Flu is unpredictable, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects the 2009 H1N1 virus to spread this upcoming season along with other seasonal flu viruses.

CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu):

Take time to get a flu vaccine.
* CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
* While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common.
* The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season.
* Everyone six months of age and older should get vaccinated against the flu as soon as the 2010-2011 season vaccine is available.
* People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
* Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
* Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people.
* Children younger than six months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should be vaccinated instead.

Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.*
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
* While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.
* If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can treat your illness.
* Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) and are not available over-the-counter.
* Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
* It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early (within the first two days of symptoms) to treat people who are very sick (such as those who are hospitalized) or people who are sick with flu symptoms and who are at increased risk of severe flu illness, such as pregnant women, young children, people 65 and older and people with certain chronic health conditions.
* Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.

By Greta Guest

RISMEDIA, October 15, 2010–(MCT)–Jodie Mekled is looking forward to cheap utility bills this winter.

The retail worker from Sterling Heights, Mich., could pay as little as $40 a month for natural gas thanks to energy-efficient home improvements made through Habitat for Humanity.

The nonprofit group recently completed a rehab on a foreclosed home in Sterling Heights that Mekled will close on and move into this month with her two sons. She was living with her parents when she found out about the city’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program and applied.

The 900-square-foot home has achieved LEED certification, which measures how well a house performs in eight areas including water efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality and innovation. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

It’s the first LEED-certified home the Macomb County, Mich., Habitat for Humanity has built.

The home features bamboo flooring on the first floor, spray cellulose to insulate the walls, recycled paper countertops, bamboo cabinets in the kitchen, a solar tube in the kitchen ceiling that reflects light from the sun and moon into the home and low-flow plumbing.

“I love the bathroom. I love my kitchen,” said Mekled, 41, who helped retrofit the home through hundreds of volunteer hours. The bathroom features recycled glass tile and porcelain tiles.

Brandon McCullough, field operations manager for Macomb County Habitat for Humanity, said less-expensive energy upgrades are becoming more common. Such improvements include added insulation, rain barrels and compact fluorescent light bulbs.

McCullough said the three-bedroom, one-bath home was in bad shape. It had to be stripped down to the studs.

“It’s cool because you take a blighted house in the neighborhood and make it into something cool,” McCullough said.

Features such as the solar tube installed in the kitchen ceiling help reduce the electric bill without costing much. The tube retails for $160. A tankless hot water heater cost about $565 for the unit and $500 to $1,000 to install. It reduces energy use by not having to constantly heat a tank of water.

The rain barrels collect about 300 gallons of water from the roof that is then used to water the landscaping. The 55-gallon drums were purchased online and then fitted with spigots from Lowe’s, McCullough said.

While new homebuilding has slowed, some builders continue to have success in green building, said Rich Kogelschatz, owner of Heartland Builders in Rockford, Mich. He has been building energy-efficient homes since 2002 and builds six to nine a year.

“I can tell you that my customers want it and are coming to me for it,” he said.

Using an energy-efficient feature like an insulated foundation costs about $1,000 to $1,500, he said. Adding an energy recovery ventilator is about $1,500. It brings fresh air into a house, which is important when it is sealed tightly.

He said energy-efficient windows and appliances are almost standard today for most builders. But features such as a geothermal system are more expensive, ranging from $6,000 to $10,000 and are in just half of the homes Kogelschatz builds.

Geothermal heat pumps collect natural heat from the earth through a series of pipes called a loop. Fluid circulates through the loop and carries the heat to the house.

The system pays for itself within five years based on average utility bills.

“Our customers ask for it, so it isn’t a tough sale,” Kogelschatz said.

WHAT QUALIFIES
Federal tax credits for buying an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your home are available. Here are some examples of what’s covered by the various credits. For more information, go to www.energystar.gov.

The tax credit gives you 30% of the cost up to $1,500 for:

• biomass stoves
• heating, ventilating, air-conditioning
• insulation
• roofs (metal and asphalt)
• water heaters (non solar)
• windows and doors

The credit expires Dec. 31 and applies only to existing homes and principal residences.

A tax credit of 30% with no upper limit is for:

• geothermal heat pumps
• small wind turbines
• solar energy systems

The credit expires Dec. 31, 2016, and applies to new and existing homes. Principal residences and second homes qualify, but not rental properties.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.

Date	Opponent	Location	Time (PST)	Results	Media
Sat, Nov 06	Seattle Pacific (exhibition)	Reno, Nev.	7:05 p.m.
Sat, Nov 13	Montana	Reno, Nev.	2:05 p.m.
Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off
Mon, Nov 15	Pacific	at Los Angeles, Calif.	5:30 p.m.
Tue, Nov 16	UCLA or Pepperdine	at Los Angeles, Calif.	TBA
Mon, Nov 22 - Tue, Nov 23	Consolation Rounds	at TBA	TBA
Wed, Nov 24	Semifinals	at New York, N.Y.	TBA
Fri, Nov 26	Championship	at New York, N.Y.	TBA
Tue, Nov 30	South Dakota State	at Brookings, S.D.	5:00 p.m.
Sat, Dec 04	UNLV	Reno, Nev.	8:00 p.m.
Mon, Dec 06	Houston	at Houston, Texas	5:00 p.m.
Sat, Dec 11	San Francisco State	Reno, Nev.	5:00 p.m.
Fri, Dec 17	Arizona State	Reno, Nev.	6:00 p.m.		ESPNU
Mon, Dec 20	Portland State	Reno, Nev.	7:30 p.m.
Wed, Dec 22	Washington	at Seattle, Wash.	6:00 p.m.
Mon, Dec 27	Portland	at Portland, Ore.	7:00 p.m.
Fri, Dec 31	Hawai’i *	Reno, Nev.	5:05 p.m.		ESPNU
Mon, Jan 03	Fresno State *	at Fresno, Calif.	8:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 08	Utah State *	Reno, Nev.	1:00 p.m.		ESPNU
Wed, Jan 12	Idaho *	at Moscow, Idaho	8:00 p.m.		ESPN2
Sat, Jan 15	Boise State *	at Boise, Idaho	6:05 p.m.
Thu, Jan 20	New Mexico State *	Reno, Nev.	7:30 p.m.
Sat, Jan 22	Louisiana Tech *	Reno, Nev.	7:30 p.m.
Thu, Jan 27	Fresno State *	Reno, Nev.	7:30 p.m.
Wed, Feb 02	Utah State *	at Logan, Utah	8:00 p.m.		ESPN2
Sat, Feb 05	San Jose State *	Reno, Nev.	7:30 p.m.
Sat, Feb 12	San Jose State *	at San Jose, Calif.	7:00 p.m.
Mon, Feb 14	Hawai’i *	at Honolulu, Hawaii	9:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb 19	ESPNU BracketBusters	Reno, Nev.	TBA
Thu, Feb 24	Idaho *	Reno, Nev.	7:30 p.m.		ESPN Regional
Sat, Feb 26	Boise State *	Reno, Nev.	7:30 p.m.
Thu, Mar 03	Louisiana Tech *	at Ruston, La.	6:00 p.m.
Sat, Mar 05	New Mexico State *	at Las Cruces, N.M.	8:00 p.m.
WAC Tournament
Wed, Mar 09	Quarterfinals	at Las Vegas, Nev.	TBA
Fri, Mar 11	Semifinals	at Las Vegas, Nev.	TBA
Sat, Mar 12	Championship	at Las Vegas, Nev.	TBA
NCAA Championship
Thu, Mar 17 - Sun, Mar 20	First & Second Rounds	at TBA	TBA		CBS
Thu, Mar 24 - Sun, Mar 27	Regionals	at TBA	TBA		CBS
Sat, Apr 02 - Mon, Apr 04	Final Four	at Houston, Texas (Reliant Stadium)	TBA		CBS

* Conference Games

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.

RISMEDIA, October 18, 2010–There are so many things to understand as you embark on purchasing a home, especially if it’s your first purchase. Learn the basics as you get started and understand everything you need to know as it relates to financing.

Here are 10 tips about financing:

1. Before you start looking for a home, get pre-qualified for a loan. Banks, credit unions and mortgage bankers make home loans; mortgage brokers process them. The lenders will take an application, process the loan documents, and see the loan through to the funding stage.

2. If you have marginal or bad credit, consult your lender. You may be able to qualify for a loan depending on how long ago and what reason(s) caused the bad credit. A lender should be able to advise you on whether your credit history will prevent you from qualifying for a home loan.

3. You will need a down payment. Down payment requirements vary depending on the type of loan. Many down payment assistance programs exist. These programs may loan or grant you the funds necessary for the down payment. Consult with a lender about programs available in your area.

4. You will need funds for closing costs Closing costs are charges for services related to the closing of your real estate transaction. They include, but are not limited to:

* Escrow fees charged by the company handling the transaction
* Title policy issuance fees charged by the title insurance company
* Mortgage insurance fees
* Fire and homeowners insurance
* County Recorder fees for recording your deed
* Loan origination fees

Consult your lender for an actual estimate of these costs, as well as information about loan programs which can assist in financing your closing costs

5. Some loans have “points” and some do not. A point is a loan origination fee equivalent to 1% of the loan amount. Together with the interest rate they constitute the yield on your loan for the lender. Some lenders charge a higher interest rate to compensate for charging no points. It is important to comparison shop lenders to make sure your loan is at a competitive yield.

6. Should you select a mortgage with a fixed rate or an adjustable rate? The answer to this question depends on whether mortgage rates are at a high or a low point when you purchase, and on how long you plan to live in the home. If rates are high, an adjustable rate might be attractive since subsequent rate drops could reduce your monthly payments. Additionally, lenders may offer a low rate during the first few years of an adjustable mortgage to make it appealing to you. If interest rates are low you might want to take a fixed rate to protect yourself against the possibility of rising interest rates.

7. Be aware of the two main types of loan categories.

* Conventional Loans. Conventional mortgage loans are available with fixed or adjustable interest rates. Some loans may require mortgage insurance.
* Government Loans. These include Federal Housing Administration (FHA) fixed and adjustable rate mortgage loans, and Veterans Administration (VA) fixed rate mortgage loan

8. If you are a low or moderate income home buyer, there are special programs designed to help you. These loans are available through private lenders, as well as local and state housing agencies, like the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA). Most lenders specializing in real estate mortgage loans are aware of these types of loan programs.

9. Why might I have to pay mortgage insurance? Mortgage insurance protects the lender from potential loss if you should default on your mortgage loan payment. Generally, conventional loans that require larger down payments do not require mortgage insurance. Mortgage insurance is always required on FHA mortgage loans.

10. Many organizations offer home loan counseling to prospective home buyers. These organizations provide classes for homebuyers to cover the steps to homeownership. They will cover home selection, realtor services, lenders, loan programs, homeownership responsibilities, saving for a down payment, and other important pieces of information. Many first-time home buyer programs require homebuyers to attend this type of class to be eligible for selected programs

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.

As you get older, you look at things differently.

Because after my first year I had a lot of success, took everybody by storm, came back the next year thought it was easy and didn’t have near the season I had the previous year. It was kind of a wake-up call. And so, life goes on.

But when you lose a family member or something tragic happens, that stays with you forever. You never get over it. Knowing that you have to deal with that for the rest of your life… Football is important, but not as important as you once thought it was.

God, he deals you blows that at sometimes you think you can’t handle and in the last year there have been things that we thought we couldn’t handle but we’ve dealt with it up until this point.

I consider adversity being good sometimes you know.

I consider myself more of a loner now and I think when you get older, especially in this game, and just talking with other players who have come and gone, I see what they were saying when I was a young guy in the locker room.

I know it’s not a one man team win or lose.

I, most talented players don’t always succeed. Some don’t even make the team. It’s more what’s inside.

I’m pretty boring really.

I’m thankful for all the things that this job has given me and my family. But probably the thing that I am most proud of throughout my career is that, not only myself, but my family and the people around me have just been regular people, which we are.

If I can change than anyone can change. I promise you that.

Initially, I know that I handled it worse than she did and I think partly because I’ve always been… every bit of adversity I’ve faced up until the last year and a half is adversity I brought upon myself – or the opposing teams have given me.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.