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Your Home Sold GUARANTEED
Or I'll Buy It*...
"Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living..."
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Dear Friend,
Do you want to pay off your home mortgage before the term is up? And should you? In today’s Service For Life! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn both the pros and cons to consider before making the decision.
You’ll also learn how to set up an ergonomically friendly workspace, tips for flying with the whole family, and how to get started with the de-cluttering process – plus fun facts, a trivia challenge, and lots more.
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Warmest regards,
Gary Evans
Broker - Owner
Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty
832-721-0442
[email protected]
P.S. When you notice people talking about real estate in the next few weeks, can you tell them about the free consumer information I provide? You can mention my Free Consumer Report: “8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Finding, Buying and Financing Your Next Home”. Please pass my number along to them. 832-721-0442
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Brain Teaser
Feed me and it gives me life. Give me a drink of water and I will die.
What am I?
(See page 4 for the answer.)
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Pros and Cons: Paying Your Mortgage Off Early
Is it better to pay off the mortgage on your home early so you can live free and clear of home ownership debt? Or is it better to make scheduled payments in full and on time, but not bother rushing through the payment process? Here are a few things to consider when making the decision.
Why would you want to pay off the mortgage early?
- Large debts can be emotionally draining.
- Mortgage lenders are making lots of money at your expense.
- There are other costs associated with having a mortgage, like private mortgage insurance, that can add up.
- Paying off a mortgage early offers financial security and flexibility to put money toward other expenses.
Okay, I’m interested! But how do I do it?
- Refinance to a lower interest rate, which can drop interest payments.
- Refinance to a shorter loan time frame. Your monthly payment may increase, but if you pay more each month for a shorter period of time, you’ll pay the loan off faster, build equity faster, and save on interest payments.
- Make a lump-sum payment toward the principal (such as with a tax refund) — but make sure you won’t be hit with a prepayment penalty before you do.
- Pay a little more each month. Consider rounding up your payments so you’re paying a bit extra on the principal.
Hold up! There are a few reasons not to pay your mortgage off early.
- Before paying off your mortgage, focus on other finances. You need a significant emergency fund (6-12 months of living expenses) and should pay into a retirement account. Also, pay down any high-interest debt before getting ahead on the mortgage: credit cards, student loans, and other sizable debt.
- Money spent paying down mortgage can’t be spent elsewhere. For example, done intelligently, investing in the stock market is likely to result in a higher financial return than paying off a home mortgage loan.
- You might lose a tax break. You might be able to deduct interest paid on your mortgage, which reduces your annual taxable income (review recent tax changes, as more people are now just claiming the standard deduction).
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How to Get Top Dollar Selling Your Home
If you’re thinking about selling your home soon, request my Free Consumer Guide, “7 Insider Tips To Net More Money Selling Your Own Home.” This report will be your secret weapon to maximize the net profits from the sale of your home. Get your free copy by calling me at…832-721-0442
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Get An Ergonomic Workspace
A sedentary lifestyle is bad for our health. Unfortunately, office jobs require we spend many of our waking hours sitting. Do the next best thing to a stand-up desk and support your body by creating an ergonomically friendly workspace.
At your workspace:
- Support your back. Adjust the back of your chair so it fits your body shape. Add extra lower back support if needed so your back rests comfortably against the chair.
- Properly position the keyboard. Elbows should be at the sides of the body when sitting properly in your chair and typing on the keyboard. Avoid leaning forward to reach the keyboard.
- Place the computer screen at eye level. Avoid strain on the neck by placing the top of the computer screen right at the level of your eyes. If you work on a laptop, this means you’ll need to boost the height of the laptop and get an external keyboard to type on.
- Rest your elbows at 90 degrees. The office chair should have arm supports so your elbows rest at a 90-degree angle. Without arm supports, you’ll likely end up hunching your shoulders.
If you have the ability to choose your own office chair, look for these ergonomic features:
- An adjustable seat. When sitting in the chair, feet should be flat on the floor. Thighs should be horizontal, and arms even with the desk height.
- Appropriate width and depth. Make sure you can sit comfortably with your back against the backrest and 2-4 inches between the backs of the knees and seat of the chair.
- Comfortable, padded, breathable material.
- Lumbar support for the lower back.
- Adjustable armrests.
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Are You My Client of the Month?
Every month I choose a very special Client Of The Month. It’s my way of acknowledging good friends and saying “thanks” to those who support me and my business with referrals, word of mouth and repeat business.
This month’s Client Of The Month is:
Thomas Evans and Sarah Bailey
You might be my next Client Of The Month too! Watch for your name here in an upcoming month.
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Stress-Free Family Flying
Traveling is a great way to build memories with your family — if done thoughtfully. Last month we offered general family travel tips. This month we take to the skies. Buckle up!
- Board early. Most airlines invite families to board first, so take advantage to get settled in.
- Avoid busy airports and peak travel times. Mid-week, early and mid-mornings, and late at night are good options.
- Come prepared with entertainment. Pack coloring books, games, crayons, stuffed animals, movies on a portable DVD player, and anything else that might keep your kids busy.
- Pack your carry-on bag with an assumed 48-hour delay. This means you’ve got a change of clothes, diapers, and enough to entertain the whole family should your original travel plans be thrown off track. Bring your own snacks as well.
- Avoid unnecessary stops. If possible, fly straight to your destination.
- Choose seats that let you keep a bag within arm’s reach. This means avoiding the bulkhead seats, even if they have extra room.
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Here's a Free, Valuable Resource
Now You Can Search The Home Market, Get Helpful Community Information, AND Receive Important Resources For Saving Time And Money When Buying Or Selling At
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Get Ready to De-Clutter: Part 1
Who said spring cleaning should only happen once a year? Any time is a good time to declutter … but where to start and how to do it well? This month, get in the right frame of mind. Next month, we’ll tackle the bedroom!
Before you begin:
- Set aside time to focus on decluttering.
- Avoid buying anything new for your home during the decluttering process.
- Think about what you want the space to look like after decluttering. Throughout the process, revisit this vision.
Next:
- Choose an area that causes the most stress or an area that impacts your daily life.
- Start with visible surfaces like desktops and tables, then tackle hidden places like drawers and cabinets.
- Re-evaluate and reorganize large items like furniture.
- Deal with each item, and make sure there is a proper place for everything.
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“Who Else Wants To Win
Dinner and A Movie?”
Guess who won last month’s Trivia Question? I’m pleased to announce the lucky winner of last month’s quiz. And the winner is…drum roll please: Johnny McDaniel was the first person to correctly answer my quiz question.
The famous Brownie Box Camera from Eastman Kodak sold for how much when it first hit store shelves in 1900?
a) $2.50 b) $1.00 c) $10.00 d) $5.00
The answer is b) $1.00. This is the rough equivalent of $30.00 in today’s dollars. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.
The oldest ice skates found so far date back to 2000 BC.
In what country were they found?
a) Canada b) Sweden c) Finland d) Russia
Call Me At 832-721-0442 OR Email Me At [email protected]
And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!
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Brain Teaser Answer:
Fire
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Real Estate Corner…
Q. I’m seeking financing to purchase a home. What questions should I ask a mortgage lender to get the best deal on a home loan?
A. Before you meet with the lender, learn important financing terms such as origination fee, discount points, and lock period. This way you’ll be prepared to ask relevant questions. Here are some examples:
- Will I be charged an origination fee? If so, how much?
- Will I be charged separate discount points? If so, how much?
- Will I be charged any of these separate fees: processing, document preparation, underwriting, tax service, or flood certification?
- Will there be additional fees at closing?
- Is there a lock period with this loan? If so, how long?
- Are there any penalties if I pay off the note early?
- What is the interest rate I’ll be charged, and is it fixed or variable?
- What term (length) of loan provides the best payment for my budget?
For definitions of these terms and more financing tips, ask for my Free Consumer Report called “7 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Financing Your Home.” I’ll send a copy right to you.
Do you have a question related to real estate or home ownership? Please call me at 832-721-0442. Perhaps I’ll feature your question in my next issue!
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