A Brief History of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is now a favorite American holiday...but did you know it took awhile to catch on as an annual tradition?
According to scholars, the first known Thanksgiving took place on September 8, 1565 in Saint Augustine, Florida when Spanish settlers held a Mass of Thanksgiving after arriving safely in the New World. English settlers in the Virginia Colony held a similar day of thanks in 1619. Two years after that, the colonists at Plymouth Plantation celebrated the most famous Thanksgiving, during 1621.
It wasn't until October 3, 1789, that it actually became a holiday, when then President George Washington proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving...but just for that year. In 1795, Washington again proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving, and President John Adams also declared Thanksgivings in 1798 and 1799.
After a decade and a half without the celebration taking place at all, President James Madison renewed the tradition in 1814, and even went so far as to declare the holiday twice in 1815!
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln finally proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of Thanksgiving that should take place every year. Years later, President Franklin Roosevelt stated that Thanksgiving should always be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month - as opposed to landing on the occasional fifth Thursday.
We wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!
Margie & Petra
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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Complain Less, Think Positive & Smile!!!
What you expect to happen – what you believe in your mind – can have a tremendous impact on what actually does happen. If you're going to try to accomplish something – if you make the decision to make the attempt – the best thing you can do for yourself is to expect a positive outcome. Anything else can only inhibit your efforts. Worst-case: If you fail, you get an education for your future efforts. Minimize your doubts and be positively expectant.
Be careful to keep your personal challenges to yourself and you will begin to see what a waste of energy a complaint (or whine) is even to yourself! Once you embrace this fact, complaining less should be fairly easy...until someone around you begins. At that point, smile at them and you will be less inclined to join the pity party.
When you recoginze that you are being used for a purpose then you have found the True Joy of Life. You are the only one who can stop being a selfish person full of ailments, grievance and complaints; thinking that the would should deote itself to making you happy. The world owes you nothing and you are the only person who can make you happy!
Hope you have a great day............Margie & Petra
Be careful to keep your personal challenges to yourself and you will begin to see what a waste of energy a complaint (or whine) is even to yourself! Once you embrace this fact, complaining less should be fairly easy...until someone around you begins. At that point, smile at them and you will be less inclined to join the pity party.
When you recoginze that you are being used for a purpose then you have found the True Joy of Life. You are the only one who can stop being a selfish person full of ailments, grievance and complaints; thinking that the would should deote itself to making you happy. The world owes you nothing and you are the only person who can make you happy!
Hope you have a great day............Margie & Petra
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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Saturday, October 3, 2009
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Interest Rates Dropped Below 5%
Source: Associated Press/AP OnlinePublication date: October 1, 2009
McLEAN, Va. - Rates on 30-year home loans dropped below 5 percent for the first time in four months, but still remained above this year's record low, Freddie Mac said Thursday.
The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was 4.94 percent, down from 5.04 percent last week, Freddie Mac said. The last time the 30-year home loan averaged less than 5 percent was the week ending May 28, when it was 4.91 percent.
Rates hit a record low of 4.78 percent hit in the spring, and remain appealing for people interested in buying a home or refinancing.
On Thursday, the National Association of Realtors said the number of signed sales contracts rose for the seventh straight month in August, as homebuyers rushed to take advantage of a tax credit for first-time owners that expires in November.
"Low mortgage rates are helping to stabilize home sales," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac's chief economist.
But borrowers may want to consider the Federal Reserve's announcement last week that it is slowing down a program intended to lower mortgage rates and boost the housing market. Analysts say mortgage rates should remain low for now but could eventually move higher, and homeowners who want to refinance mortgages shouldn't delay.
Freddie Mac collects mortgage rates on Monday through Wednesday of each week from lenders around the country. Rates often fluctuate significantly, even within a given day.
The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage fell to 4.36 percent from 4.46 percent last week, according to Freddie Mac. This week's rate on 15-year mortgages was the lowest since Freddie Mac started tracking it in 1991.
Rates on five-year, adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 4.42 percent, down from 4.51 percent a week earlier. Rates on one-year, adjustable-rate mortgages fell to 4.49 percent from 4.52 percent last week.
The rates do not include add-on fees known as points. The nationwide fee for loans in Freddie Mac's survey averaged 0.7 point for 30-year mortgages, and 0.6 point for 15-year and five-year loans. The fee averaged 0.5 point for one-year mortgages.
A service of YellowBrix, Inc.
McLEAN, Va. - Rates on 30-year home loans dropped below 5 percent for the first time in four months, but still remained above this year's record low, Freddie Mac said Thursday.
The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was 4.94 percent, down from 5.04 percent last week, Freddie Mac said. The last time the 30-year home loan averaged less than 5 percent was the week ending May 28, when it was 4.91 percent.
Rates hit a record low of 4.78 percent hit in the spring, and remain appealing for people interested in buying a home or refinancing.
On Thursday, the National Association of Realtors said the number of signed sales contracts rose for the seventh straight month in August, as homebuyers rushed to take advantage of a tax credit for first-time owners that expires in November.
"Low mortgage rates are helping to stabilize home sales," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac's chief economist.
But borrowers may want to consider the Federal Reserve's announcement last week that it is slowing down a program intended to lower mortgage rates and boost the housing market. Analysts say mortgage rates should remain low for now but could eventually move higher, and homeowners who want to refinance mortgages shouldn't delay.
Freddie Mac collects mortgage rates on Monday through Wednesday of each week from lenders around the country. Rates often fluctuate significantly, even within a given day.
The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage fell to 4.36 percent from 4.46 percent last week, according to Freddie Mac. This week's rate on 15-year mortgages was the lowest since Freddie Mac started tracking it in 1991.
Rates on five-year, adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 4.42 percent, down from 4.51 percent a week earlier. Rates on one-year, adjustable-rate mortgages fell to 4.49 percent from 4.52 percent last week.
The rates do not include add-on fees known as points. The nationwide fee for loans in Freddie Mac's survey averaged 0.7 point for 30-year mortgages, and 0.6 point for 15-year and five-year loans. The fee averaged 0.5 point for one-year mortgages.
A service of YellowBrix, Inc.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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Saturday, September 12, 2009
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Saturday, September 5, 2009
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Friday, September 4, 2009
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Monday, August 24, 2009
Good Article from Mark Pruet - Mortgage South
Existing homes selling fast - record fast The volume of home re-sales has been on the upswing for four consecutive months.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Sales of existing homes rose in July for the fourth consecutive month, lending support to economists who argue a recovery is near.
Sales of previously owned single-family homes were up 7.2% compared with June and 5% from July 2008, The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported Friday. The monthly gain was the largest on record for existing-home sales, which NAR has tracked since 1999.
"The housing market has decisively turned for the better," said Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist. "A combination of first-time buyers taking advantage of the housing stimulus tax credit and greatly improved affordability conditions are contributing to higher sales."
July home sales hit an annualized rate of 5.24 million proprieties, marking the first breach of the 5 million annualized rate mark since last September, when they hit 5.1 million. Since then, they have stayed in a very narrow range, bouncing between January's low of 4.49 million and October's high of 4.94 million.
The July performance far exceeded expectations: A consensus of real estate experts had forecast sales of 5 million.
Low prices Of course, homes should be selling. Prices have fallen more than 32% from their peaks, set in the summer of 2006. Plus, mortgage rates near historic lows makes the cost of purchasing a home lower than they've been in nearly 20 years.
0:00 /3:11Home Depot sees housing recovery "In some recovering markets like San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Orlando, the demand for foreclosed and lower priced homes has spiked, and a lack of inventory is becoming a common complaint," Yun said.
Overall though, the national inventory rose by more than 7% to 4.09 million units. That will continue to keep prices low, according to Mike Larson, a housing analyst with Weiss Research.
"There's a bifurcation of the market," he said. "There's excess supply putting downward pressure on prices and people respond to the lower prices by buying homes."
Housing is its most affordable in many years, he pointed out. "Falling prices is not part of the problem, they're part of the solution," he said.
Hurting home sales have been stubborn increases in job losses. More than 6.7 million jobs have been lost since the beginning of 2008.
That's one reason why Robert Dye, a senior economist for PNC Financial Services (PNC, Fortune 500), is keeping his optimism in check.
"I wouldn't go overboard on this number," he said. "The economy is still healing and will continue to run into some bumps. But it does bode very well for the future and shows buyer confidence is increasing."
There is one potential bump, however: The looming end of the first-time homebuyers credit. The credit gave first-time homebuyers an up to $8,000 refund on their taxes if they close on a deal before Dec. 1. That credit has been motivating buyers, and when it expires, demand could dry up.
"Just like with the cash-for-clunkers program, we run the risk of a letdown as the program runs its course," Dye said.
Where homes are selling Regionally, the strongest market was the Northeast, where sales soared by 13.4% to an annualized rate of 930,000. That was 3.3% higher than last July. The median price of homes sold during the month was $236,700, off 15% from last year.
Midwest sales rose 10.9% to a 1.22 million rate, 8% higher year-over-year. Prices there have sunk 5.9% over the past 12 months to a median of $157,200.
In the South, sales were up 7.1% from June and 5.4% from last July to a rate of 1.95 million. Price have dropped 7.1% to $164,500 over the past 12 months.
The only region reporting a slip in sales was the West, where they fell 1.7% to a rate of 1.13 million. That was ahead of last July, however, by 1.8%. The median price there was $202,300, a whopping 28% below what is was a year ago. \l "TOP" \l "TOP" First Published: August 21, 2009: 10:19 AM ET
Mark Pruet
Senior Mortgage Consultant
MortgageSouth
MAC M0130-041
2409 Acton Road, Suite 109
Birmingham, AL 35243
Office: 205-445-1435
Fax: 1-866-859-4857
Cell: 205-542-2695
mark.pruet@mortgagesouth.com
"Providing solutions for your mortgage financing needs!"
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Sales of existing homes rose in July for the fourth consecutive month, lending support to economists who argue a recovery is near.
Sales of previously owned single-family homes were up 7.2% compared with June and 5% from July 2008, The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported Friday. The monthly gain was the largest on record for existing-home sales, which NAR has tracked since 1999.
"The housing market has decisively turned for the better," said Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist. "A combination of first-time buyers taking advantage of the housing stimulus tax credit and greatly improved affordability conditions are contributing to higher sales."
July home sales hit an annualized rate of 5.24 million proprieties, marking the first breach of the 5 million annualized rate mark since last September, when they hit 5.1 million. Since then, they have stayed in a very narrow range, bouncing between January's low of 4.49 million and October's high of 4.94 million.
The July performance far exceeded expectations: A consensus of real estate experts had forecast sales of 5 million.
Low prices Of course, homes should be selling. Prices have fallen more than 32% from their peaks, set in the summer of 2006. Plus, mortgage rates near historic lows makes the cost of purchasing a home lower than they've been in nearly 20 years.
0:00 /3:11Home Depot sees housing recovery "In some recovering markets like San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Orlando, the demand for foreclosed and lower priced homes has spiked, and a lack of inventory is becoming a common complaint," Yun said.
Overall though, the national inventory rose by more than 7% to 4.09 million units. That will continue to keep prices low, according to Mike Larson, a housing analyst with Weiss Research.
"There's a bifurcation of the market," he said. "There's excess supply putting downward pressure on prices and people respond to the lower prices by buying homes."
Housing is its most affordable in many years, he pointed out. "Falling prices is not part of the problem, they're part of the solution," he said.
Hurting home sales have been stubborn increases in job losses. More than 6.7 million jobs have been lost since the beginning of 2008.
That's one reason why Robert Dye, a senior economist for PNC Financial Services (PNC, Fortune 500), is keeping his optimism in check.
"I wouldn't go overboard on this number," he said. "The economy is still healing and will continue to run into some bumps. But it does bode very well for the future and shows buyer confidence is increasing."
There is one potential bump, however: The looming end of the first-time homebuyers credit. The credit gave first-time homebuyers an up to $8,000 refund on their taxes if they close on a deal before Dec. 1. That credit has been motivating buyers, and when it expires, demand could dry up.
"Just like with the cash-for-clunkers program, we run the risk of a letdown as the program runs its course," Dye said.
Where homes are selling Regionally, the strongest market was the Northeast, where sales soared by 13.4% to an annualized rate of 930,000. That was 3.3% higher than last July. The median price of homes sold during the month was $236,700, off 15% from last year.
Midwest sales rose 10.9% to a 1.22 million rate, 8% higher year-over-year. Prices there have sunk 5.9% over the past 12 months to a median of $157,200.
In the South, sales were up 7.1% from June and 5.4% from last July to a rate of 1.95 million. Price have dropped 7.1% to $164,500 over the past 12 months.
The only region reporting a slip in sales was the West, where they fell 1.7% to a rate of 1.13 million. That was ahead of last July, however, by 1.8%. The median price there was $202,300, a whopping 28% below what is was a year ago. \l "TOP" \l "TOP" First Published: August 21, 2009: 10:19 AM ET
Mark Pruet
Senior Mortgage Consultant
MortgageSouth
MAC M0130-041
2409 Acton Road, Suite 109
Birmingham, AL 35243
Office: 205-445-1435
Fax: 1-866-859-4857
Cell: 205-542-2695
mark.pruet@mortgagesouth.com
"Providing solutions for your mortgage financing needs!"
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Great article on Ross Bridge
A great story about the start of Ross Bridge and where we are today. It has been a good trip so far and we look forward to the years to come!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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Wednesday, March 25, 2009
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Monday, February 9, 2009
Perks for living at Ross Bridge
Did you know that all Ross Bridge residents receive a "Priviledge" card which entitles them to discounts at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort and Spa?
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