Mortgage Process made simple and easy
by Lance Williams

This article is about to guide you before opting for a mortgage. Preparation includes knowing various terms and conditions, interest and other factors, shopping around for at least 2 different mortgage lenders so that you come up with a huge savings and don't face unexpected circumstances.
Mortgage loan provides a financing technique for most individuals intending to purchase a house of their own. But in most of the cases, first time home buyers commit a lot of mistakes, for example, not being aware of the terms and conditions of their mortgage deals, not getting the relevant documents in writing, not shopping around for the best lender. Some important guides to make your mortgage loan application process easier.Before you start shopping for a mortgage loan, prepare yourself with a preliminary knowledge on mortgage concepts. This will prevent you from being misled by lenders in the mortgage industry. Shop around for the mortgage lender who offers the lowest mortgage rate. Check out different types of lenders like banks, financial institutions, brokers and other mortgage companies. It may take some time before you can get the loan amount but in the end, you will be saving time as well as money.Merely checking the lowest interest rate is not enough to decide on the best deal. You should also consider the loan fees associated with the mortgage. These are the processing fee, origination fee etc. You should check other factors like the reputation and services of the lender.Get prepared with documents related to your income and credit history, that is, your credit report and proof of your income before you apply for a loan.You need to produce certain documents at the time of making the contract. These include information on your previous landlord, information about your bank account, income tax papers. You also need to prove your identity and for that, you have to keep with your Social Security Number or the driver's license.While you keep in mind the above factors, try to prevent yourself from making mistakes that borrowers often do-i) Do not make bigger credit purchases before applying for a mortgage loan because doing it will affect your credit score.ii) Make plans as to how you will be paying for closing costs.iii) Educate yourself on the process of getting a mortgage; otherwise, you may find yourself paying junk fees.iv) Take your time and shop around for the best possible deal.
Lance Williams is a financial expert and writer specializing in mortgage and real estate industry. She has written on mortgage, real estate, bankruptcy, insurance and other topics on personal finance. Visit her site http://www.mortgagefit.com/ for latest in industry news, articles and resources.

Helping Your Kid's Grow a Garden
by Rondi Hillstrom Davis

Start some gardening traditions with your kids. Give them their own garden patch and a spot to dig. Children love getting their hands dirty and watching things grow.
Start some gardening traditions with your kids. Give them their own garden patch and a spot to dig. Children love getting their hands dirty and watching things grow. Be sure to buy good quality, child sized gardening tools. Plastic toy versions just won't hold up to the task. You will also need children's gloves and a watering can. Mark off the garden area and turn the soil. Kids can help break up any lumps with their hands. Work in some organic compost. Choose seeds that will grow quickly. Small children get impatient if their plants take too long to sprout. Radishes, Snapdragons, Cosmos, and Sunflowers will all germinate quickly. Carrots and strawberries are also easy to grow-- and yummy to eat.Large seeds like beans and Morning Glories are easy for small fingers to push into the ground. You can start your seeds indoors in an eggshell carton. When the seedlings are an inch high, tear off the egg carton, and leaving the soil intact, transplant the seedlings outside. Or, try placing beans on a wet paper towel inside a zip top bag. Tape the bag to a sunny window and wait for the seeds to germinate. I can remember, as a child, checking my beans every morning before school. The first shoots appeared to my delight and we carefully transplanted the beans outdoors. Make garden markers by painting small rocks. This will help kids keep track of their selections. Make it fun! Grow a sunflower house by planting the sunflowers in a circle with a space in the middle big enough for your kids to hide. Be sure to leave room for a door. Grow a spaghetti garden. Plant herbs such as basil, oregano, rosemary, and parsley. My kids love to snip fresh herbs. They stuff their pockets full of scented "spaghetti" herbs.Share your garden with butterflies and hummingbirds. Zinnias, Verbena, and Cosmos are butterfly favorites. Hummingbirds love the nectar from Nasturtium and Lantana, and Hollyhocks. Children love to pick up bugs and worms. Poke holes in the top of an old jar. Add some dirt and a few, new found specimens. Be sure to release the critters back into nature after a few hours. Arm your kids with cameras to take photos throughout the summer. They will enjoy remembering the fruits of their labor. And, the pictures will help your budding gardener plan for next year. Happy planting. And, don't forget to pick a few bouquets for mom. You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in print, free of charge, provided that each article is: 1. Printed in its full form with no changes2. Includes an active link 3. A courtesy copy of your publication is sent to the above contact 4. And the following byline appears at the bottom of each article:About the Author: Rondi Hillstrom Davis is the co-author of the award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out her website that's jam packed with family ideas, visit To subscribe to her online newsletter, go to
Copyright Nine Twenty PressRondi Hillstrom Davis is the co-author of the award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out her website that's jam packed with family ideas, visit www.togetherparenting.com

Lender owned Properties

There are more lender owned properties for sale in our area now than at any time in recent memory. The way to make sure you have an acceptable offer is first to be pre-approved for your home loan. You must also be willing to close within 45 days of your offer. Also any repairs that you want to be paid for by the seller must be written into the purchase offer. Sometimes they will be willing to perform repairs and sometimes not, it all depends on the offer price.