I have been to the Bull Run Public Library countless times.

 

I have been to the Bull Run Public Library countless times.  Normally I just go on line search for the book I want.  It is held for me until I pick it up.  Long gone are the days of physically searching through the card catalog for your book of choice.  I happened to let myself step outside of my formatted schedule and browsed the library.  I came across a neon lighted children’s area, a quiet study room, a young adult area that was something from the Jetson’s, (Did I just date myself?), and a genealogy assistance room.

 

The genealogy assistance room is called The Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center (RELIC).  There is staff professionally trained to assist customers to research and trace their family history.  So, who was Ruth E. LLOYD? She was a Prince William County civic leader, who led the development of the Prince William Public Library System.

 

It was a wonderful experience to have assisted help viewing documents from the National Archives and other related organizations.  Don’t forget to view the calendar of events.  Saturday August 6 is Storytime for all ages at 11:00 AM.  Thanks for listening to my two cents on the Bull Run Public Library.

Originially posted at http://actvra.in/g7t

If you live in Prince William County of Virginia be prepared for the power outages.

If you live in Prince William County of Virginia be prepared for the power outages.

NOVEC has a great new system to record power outages. When you call from the phone number that is registered with NOVEC the system determines the outage location immediately. Your registered phone number with NOVEC can be either a landline or a cell number. If you do not have an updated phone number registered with NOVEC and want to report an outage the process is longer because it done manually.


Update or add your phone number with NOVEC by calling 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500, and follow the menu directions. Be sure to have your NOVEC account number handy when you call.

All real estate professionals are saying now is the time to buy a home.

All real estate professionals are saying now is the time to buy a home. “Top ten, top five, and top three reasons to buy a home now list” are popping up everywhere. But why are we being told to buy a home now. The ANSWER is the lowest mortgage interest rates in 50 YEARS.

I will use my childhood home as an example. My parents purchased this home in April 1980 their mortgage rate was 16.4% and purchase price was $36,000 with a down payment of $7,000 (20%). My parents’ monthly payment was $397.

A home today, priced at $250,000 with a 20% down payment and a mortgage rate at 4.36% the monthly payment would be $997. The price of a home in 2011 is 7 times more expensive than 1980; however, with current low mortgage rates the monthly payment is only 2.5 times more a month.

Let’s take the today priced home and add a few “What If’s”.

The home price stays the same at $250,000, with a 20% down payment but the mortgage rate goes up to 6.36% monthly payment is now $1246. Buy at lower rate monthly savings of $249.

Home price drops to $225,000, with a 20% down payment and the mortgage rate stays up at 6.36% monthly payment is now $1121. Buy at lower rate monthly savings of $124.

Both scenarios show lower mortgage rates equal lower monthly payments. Not to mention these monthly payments compare nicely to rentals in my region. No one has a crystal ball and can forecast the future. So we don’t know when the rates will go back up. I just don’t want anyone to miss this great opportunity. I feel like the low mortgage rates is the Return of “Halley's Comet”.

All monthly payments are the amount borrowed plus interest only.

What every buyer should know.

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  5 Tips for Deciphering Your Home Loan’s Good-faith Estimate

  Knowing how to read your good-faith estimate can help you save money on your home loan. Read
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  Understanding Real Estate Representation

  Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s important to choose representation that meets your needs in the transaction. Read
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  7 Steps to Take Before You Buy a Home

  By doing your homework before you buy, you’ll feel more content about your new home. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2011 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

TRENDS IN KITCHEN DESIGN

TRENDS IN KITCHEN DESIGN

You can say we are expanding on what we already know. The traditional "work triangle" has transformed into "work zones". There are zones for food prepration, cooking, clean up, and eating.

Surface areas are being upgraded natural materials that are durable, seamless, and nearly germ-free.

Organization is key. Creating the best use of space requires organizational systems placed inside cabinets and drawers.

Having a double door refrigerator does not make the cut any more. Kitchens have freezer drawers, wine coolers, two wall ovens, and wood burning brick ovens to name a few.

The finishing touches cannot be overlooked. Knobs, pulls, and handles for cabinets and drawers allow the homeowner a place to express their character. These accessories now take up large aisles in the large home improvement stores.

Spend plenty of time researching, planning, and screening professionals before diving into the next kitchen remodel. The remodel will be well worth the effort. You and your family will benefit from the new look and functionality. Plus a great Return on Investment.

10 TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY IN THE GARDEN

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  10 Tips for Saving Money in the Garden

  Carefully plan and plot your garden to add value to your home and make the most of your time and money. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2011 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

What is a foreclosure?

What is a foreclosure?  

Properties that have been acquired by mortgage lenders because the owners have defaulted on the loan payments. The lender takes the property when the payments are behind. Lenders must follow the state laws where the property is located.

 

Homeowners stop making their loan payments.  Lenders try to work out some kind of resolution with the owners to make up the payments in a process called "loss mitigation." This period is referred to as "pre-foreclosure."

If efforts to work out a payment plan are not successful, the lender will generally start foreclosure procedures after three months of non-payment.

Another party may offer to solve the problem by buying the property from the owner during pre-foreclosure, or from the lender at time of the public foreclosure sale, or afterwards. This presents an opportunity for prospective home owners looking for bargains.

Foreclosure properties represent an exciting way to buy real estate because they can be purchased at discount prices. These discount prices are possible because the sellers, which can be the borrowers, the mortgage lender, or one of several government agencies, are motivated to sell as quickly as possible to avoid further losses. As an owner-occupant buyer, you can purchase a foreclosure as your residence and enjoy instant equity.