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Top 5 reasons you should try running

5 Jul

While I am diligently unpacking my boxes and enjoying my new town in Florida (yay!!!!!), Amanda from There are 2 Sides graciously volunteered to write a guest post with some awesome reasons why you should start running! Thank you, Amanda!

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  1. Running is a cardio workout like no other.  It increases the amount of blood that is pumped around your body from your elevated heart rate.  This will help decrease your resting heart rate, strengthen your heart and can help you lose weight.
  2. Running does not require expensive equipment or a gym membership that you’ll only use twice.  If you have a sturdy pair of sneakers then you are ready to hit the pavement or treadmill. Once you have tested the running waters you can decide if it is something you want to pursue.  If the running bug has bitten you, then investing in a good pair of running sneakers is the way to go.  Head out to your local running store where they will measure how your foot falls when you run and fit you with a shoe that supplements what you are already doing.
  3. No matter your age, weight, race or gender you can run.  Starting slow is a good way to ease into it if you are uncertain of how your body will react.  There are some great beginners running programs that can work you from walking up to a 5K in only 9 weeks (c25k.com). There will be pain with your running gain though.  This is your body building lean muscle and blasting fat.
  4. You can meet new friends.  Running is a very social sport if you want it to be.  There are races, running clubs, running stores, group runs and more in most cities around the country, should you choose to be a part of them.  On the flip side, if you love to be alone and value that time to think, then running alone is just as rewarding!
  5. It is easy to fit running into your already busy schedule.  In order see results from running you should spend 3-4 days a week and 20 minutes or more on those days to running.   You don’t need to spend hours each day to see great results.  Try some speed work for 20 minutes or find a hill and incorporate that into your 20 minute workout.

Make simple steps towards running can make it a new hobby of yours that will make you feel amazing!

Now go head on over to Amanda’s blog!

Tuesday Tips: Credit Crunch Goes Back to Basics

5 Jul

As a prospective home-buyer or current homeowner, should you be considered about the current credit crunch? Yes!

The mortgage industry is in a “state of correction”. In other words, we are reverting back to the “basics”. Those potential buyers who have a good credit score will still be able to qualify in today’s market.

Even borrowers with great credit, however, are still being scrutinized. When you think you’ve submitted every document the lender has asked for, they will usually add more documents that they need. This is normal!

Current mortgage guidelines are established by the government agencies that purchase the loans from approved lenders. “Conforming” loans will continue to be a mainstay of the mortgage industry. “Conforming” loans consist of loans with full documentation and qualifying credit scores. On the other hand, “non-conforming” loans are the types of loans that have created the volatility in today’s market, such as no-doc, stated income/stated assets, negative amortization, and even stated credit.

Five years ago, the qualifying credit score was 720 for “non-conforming” loans. It eventually went down to 600. Countrywide offered “Fast & Easy” loans for those borrowers with a 600 score. “Fast and easy” meant that if you had a score of at least 600, you could “state” your income without verifying it and be able to obtain a mortgage approval. These loans obtained under false pretenses do not conform to government guidelines and therefore, are purchased by investors. The prelude to the credit crunch was the “sub-prime” meltdown. These loans were provided to consumers with low credit score, very little money for a down payment, and at a much higher interest rate.

Once the delinquency rates and foreclosures started to skyrocket on this segment of mortgages, the investors decided it was time to fold their tents and leave, taking with them numerous “bankrupt” sub-prime lenders.

In conclusion, the credit crunch will eventually subside and as we revert back to the basics, the mortgage industry will survive and become even stronger and as a result, the home buying consumer will be even better served in the future.

*I’m a licensed mortgage loan officer in the State of Delaware. Please email me or leave comments if you have any questions.*

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