Mortgages and helping others - it all ties together

January 20th, 2010

We've all heard the saying, people buy from people. This is true, whether it's a product, service or a mortgage. We want to know the person we're dealing with. This develops a trust level that a company logo can't begin to create.

Therefore, along with mortgage knowledge, I will also share some of my personal life - topics that will help you get to know me. Yes, partly because (hopefully) you'll know me well enough to trust me with your next mortgage, and then I can get to know you as well. But also because my other life, outside of the business world, might also serve you through areas of interest or of assistance for you or someone you know.

In December I introduced you to Anna's House. A Community Service Center in Indianapolis, Anna's House was created to serve people in need. Lucious Newsom and Anna Molloy worked together for years to inspire people to care for the hungry and the needy. In this 2005 photo, Lucious, right, and Anna, second from right, pose during the groundbreaking ceremony for Anna’s House. Charlie Caito, left, and Leo Stenz, two loyal supporters of Anna’s House, participated in the groundbreaking ceremony. (Photo Source: The Criterion Online Edition)

One of the reasons I feel called to Anna's House is that our daughter has skeletal dysplasia, as Anna did. A different type of dysplasia that Anna had but in the same family of dwarfism. We have created a CaringBridge website and wanted to share this great organization. CaringBridge is a free, nonprofit web service that connects family and friends to share information, love and support during a serious health event, care and recovery. This site has been very helpful for us, as we keep friends and family up to date; their comments in the journal are a great source of comfort for us.

Cream of the crop

January 12th, 2010

According to a recent article in National Mortgage News, it would seem that "no one in his right mind would choose" to be in the mortgage business. They back this statement up by citing the upheaval that the mortgage industry, as a whole, has experienced.

We have all read and heard about some selling loans to consumers who cannot afford them, charging excessive fees, being scrutinized by the government and many loan companies going out of business.

Many mortgage brokers (or should I say "former" brokers) have moved on to other fields of interest. So, what does this say? We here at Grandview Lending believe this is a good thing. Most still in business today are those who are ethical, commited to serving their clients and have a passion for helping people own their piece of the American Dream.

The National Mortgage News article also stated that those who are "... left standing today are believed to be the cream of the crop — experienced, motivated and highly professional." I totally agree!

The time for resolutions

January 1st, 2010

As 2009 makes its exit, and 2010 knocks at the door, people throughout the world are creating their New Year's Resolutions. But all too often, these resolutions fall by the wayside all to quickly.

Rather than make New Year's Resolutions, we at Grandview Lending have every day resolutions. We live by them, conduct business by them and I'd like to share them with you now:

We listen to our customers.
We promise to communicate about your specific needs.
We educate so you can make the best possible decision for you and your family.
We deliver the most competitive loan programs available.
We make it our strict policy to make sure every customer is completely satisfied.
We strive to earn your business for life.

Happy New Year!

Santa isn't the only one who has lists to check

December 21st, 2009

The end of the year is a time when many people review their financial picture and begin to make plans for the future. With the mortgage interest rates at an amazingly low percentage, this is the perfect time to review your current loan.

At Grandview Lending, we specialize in finding what is best for you and your specific situation. There are a plethora of loan options, and just like Santa, we have a long list from which to choose:

Fixed Rate Loans
Adjustable Rate Loans
Sub-Prime, Non- Prime Credit Challenged Programs
FHA Loans
VA Loans
Rural Housing Loans
Zero Down Loans with up to Six Percent closing costs paid!
Interest-only LIBOR Loans
Balloon Loans
First-Time Homebuyer Loans (Zero Down & 3% Down)
No Documentation Loans
Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit
Cash-Out Refinancing
Debt Consolidation Loans
New Construction Loans
Remodeling Loans
Lot Loans
Bridge Loans

Not sure what's best - to keep what you have or apply for a new mortgage? We can help you make the right decision. And that will make your season bright!

Grandview lending knows that giving is a year-round opportunity

December 15th, 2009

We focus on serving our customers through the philosophy of family values. I believe that helping those in need is one way that a company can serve the individual. Last year we organized a food drive for The Lord's Pantry at Anna's House and this year Grandview Lending is adopting a family. But the staff doesn’t just give during the holiday season. Many (along with their family members) give their time on Saturdays throughout the year to distribute food.

In addition to weekly distribution of food, Anna’s House was created to serve the community of Stringtown/Haughville near the Indianapolis Zoo by providing a home for weekly community dinners, tutoring neighborhood children, a site for life skills training and job placement, and a house for an after-school healthy snack program.

What has attracted Grandview to help out in this ministry was the ease at which we can be involved. It is as simple as showing up on Saturday mornings around 8:30 in the morning. We have been able to take all of our kids and have found them each a job they can help with. Those jobs include opening of plastic bags, separating the over-riped produce with the ripe produce, or taking the guests around the different stations and helping them fill up their bags. As the late Lucious Newsome, founder of the Lord’s Pantry always said, you will meet Christ in the people that come through the lines. It is those encounters which keep us coming back.

Please join us during this holiday season, or any time throughout the year. For more information, please contact me.

An epidemic of financial elder abuse

December 9th, 2009

"There's an epidemic of financial elder abuse, but the chief perpetrators aren't lenders. It's family members," stated consultant at the San Francisco Consortium for Elder Abuse Prevention.

According to MetLife's Mature Market Institute, the elderly suffer $2.6 billion per year in fraud; but since only 1 in 25 cases are reported, this is a grossly understated figure. The saddest part of these numbers is that, according to MetLife, "Approximately 60% of the substantiated Adult Protective Services' cases of financial abuse involve an adult child, compared to 47% for all other forms of abuse." One would think that a scam artist, housekeeper or unethical service provider would be at the top of the list. Unfortunately, the sons of the elderly are those most likely to victimize their parents.

The best way to ensure that a reverse mortgage is handled professionally and ethically is to consult with a company you can trust. Grandview Lending is here to serve your needs. We will consider your financial situation and help you determine the loan that is right for you.

Market still too fragile for rate increase

November 17th, 2009

We all see evidence every day that the economy is still quite fragile. Therefore, mortgage rate hikes are a long way off. According to MBSQuoteline, "President Obama signed into law an expanded Homebuyer Tax Credit bill, which extended the deadlines and added a new $6,500 credit." Many provisions are effective immediately:

Homebuyers who owned their primary residence for five out of the last eight years can claim the $6,500 tax credit for purchases made after November 6th.

The extended income limits are now for both first-time homebuyers and repeat homebuyers.

The extended income limit for couples filing jointly is now $225,000, with the credit phased out over the next $20,000 in income.

These new limits cannot be applied retroactively to deals completed before November 7th.