URGENT!!
Dont let the media spook you!!
You do not have to have 20% down to obtain a home loan, we are financing people with a minimum of 3% down and even 0% down on special programs and areas. Right now is the perfect time to buy a home, it is the largest investment you and your family will make. If you do not own a home or are interested in moving to a new one please call us. We can find a program that will best suit your needs.
by:
Silver Oak Mortgage
Lisa Warren
Branch Manager
751 E Southlake Blvd Ste 100
Southlake, TX 76092
office 817-410-2518
fax 817-410-2519
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
What You Should Know
We've all heard that using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is one very simple thing we can do to have a big impact on the amount of energy we use. In fact, if every American home replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
While we at YOU Magazine support the use of energy-efficient light bulbs, we want to make sure you know some facts about them – specifically how to dispose of them once they have burned out or if they happen to break.
Most CFLs contain some elemental mercury. It is a necessary component of energy efficient light bulbs, allowing them to use up to 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than regular bulbs. The amount of mercury used depends on a few factors, but the average is between 3.5 and 15 milligrams. Compare that to older fever thermometers, which contain about 500 milligrams, and you see it's a relatively small amount.
No mercury is released as long as the bulbs remain intact – exposure is only possible when one has been broken. Still, there are definite precautions you should exercise when using CFLs, particularly with their disposal.
Disposing of Burned-Out Bulbs
Simply throwing your old bulbs in the garbage will result in breakage and the release of mercury into the environment. Although most states do not have recycling requirements for CFLs, the EPA strongly encourages the recycling of all mercury-containing bulbs when they burn out, regardless of their mercury content - almost all parts of compact fluorescent light bulbs can be recycled.
To locate a hazardous waste collection and recycling center in your area visit the EPA's bulb recycling page or Earth911.org. Your local electric company may also have recycling information on its website.
Cleaning Up Broken Bulbs
Now, what to do if one of your fluorescent bulbs breaks? Well, here's where you need to take a little extra care – for your safety and the environment's. In addition to the steps below, which are recommended by the EPA, it is recommended that you first put on a pair of rubber, latex or nitrile gloves.
Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room
Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area.
Open a window and leave the room for at least 15 minutes.
Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system.
Clean-Up for Hard Surfaces
1. Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid or in a sealed plastic bag.
2. Use adhesive tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
3. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
4. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
Clean-up for Carpeting or a Rug
1. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid or in a sealed plastic bag.
2. Use adhesive tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
3. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
4. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials
1. If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
2. You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
3. If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.
Disposal of Clean-up Materials
1. Immediately place all clean-up materials outside in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
2. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
3. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area.
Future Cleaning of Carpeting or a Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming
1. The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.
2. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.
Additionally, you may read about what never to do with a mercury spill on the EPA's website.
Health Effects of Mercury Exposure
Elemental mercury usually causes health effects when it is breathed in as a vapor and absorbed by the body through the lungs. Some symptoms of mercury poisoning can include tremors, mood swings, muscle weakness, and headaches. With higher exposure there may be serious effects, including death. To read more about the health effects of exposure to mercury, please click here. If you are worried about your exposure to mercury, please consult your doctor.
Something as easy as replacing your light bulbs can make a significant difference in the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by power plants, not to mention the savings you'll see on your electric bill. Just make sure you're taking the necessary steps to ensure your safety – and the environment's.
We've all heard that using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is one very simple thing we can do to have a big impact on the amount of energy we use. In fact, if every American home replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
While we at YOU Magazine support the use of energy-efficient light bulbs, we want to make sure you know some facts about them – specifically how to dispose of them once they have burned out or if they happen to break.
Most CFLs contain some elemental mercury. It is a necessary component of energy efficient light bulbs, allowing them to use up to 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than regular bulbs. The amount of mercury used depends on a few factors, but the average is between 3.5 and 15 milligrams. Compare that to older fever thermometers, which contain about 500 milligrams, and you see it's a relatively small amount.
No mercury is released as long as the bulbs remain intact – exposure is only possible when one has been broken. Still, there are definite precautions you should exercise when using CFLs, particularly with their disposal.
Disposing of Burned-Out Bulbs
Simply throwing your old bulbs in the garbage will result in breakage and the release of mercury into the environment. Although most states do not have recycling requirements for CFLs, the EPA strongly encourages the recycling of all mercury-containing bulbs when they burn out, regardless of their mercury content - almost all parts of compact fluorescent light bulbs can be recycled.
To locate a hazardous waste collection and recycling center in your area visit the EPA's bulb recycling page or Earth911.org. Your local electric company may also have recycling information on its website.
Cleaning Up Broken Bulbs
Now, what to do if one of your fluorescent bulbs breaks? Well, here's where you need to take a little extra care – for your safety and the environment's. In addition to the steps below, which are recommended by the EPA, it is recommended that you first put on a pair of rubber, latex or nitrile gloves.
Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room
Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area.
Open a window and leave the room for at least 15 minutes.
Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system.
Clean-Up for Hard Surfaces
1. Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid or in a sealed plastic bag.
2. Use adhesive tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
3. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
4. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
Clean-up for Carpeting or a Rug
1. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid or in a sealed plastic bag.
2. Use adhesive tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
3. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
4. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials
1. If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
2. You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
3. If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.
Disposal of Clean-up Materials
1. Immediately place all clean-up materials outside in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
2. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
3. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area.
Future Cleaning of Carpeting or a Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming
1. The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.
2. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.
Additionally, you may read about what never to do with a mercury spill on the EPA's website.
Health Effects of Mercury Exposure
Elemental mercury usually causes health effects when it is breathed in as a vapor and absorbed by the body through the lungs. Some symptoms of mercury poisoning can include tremors, mood swings, muscle weakness, and headaches. With higher exposure there may be serious effects, including death. To read more about the health effects of exposure to mercury, please click here. If you are worried about your exposure to mercury, please consult your doctor.
Something as easy as replacing your light bulbs can make a significant difference in the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by power plants, not to mention the savings you'll see on your electric bill. Just make sure you're taking the necessary steps to ensure your safety – and the environment's.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Real Estate Update
Rates Tick Up
In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.09% for the week ending September 25, 2008, up from the previous week when it averaged 5.78%. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.42%.
"Mortgage rates followed Treasury bond yields higher this week amid market uncertainty over the current state of the economy," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist.
Mortgage Rates
Source: Realty Times
U.S. averages as of September 25, 2008:
30 yr. fixed: 6.09%
15 yr. fixed: 5.77%
1 yr. adj: 5.16%
And while up, interest rates for 30-year FRMs are still more than 0.5 percentage points below this year's peak of 6.63 percent set the week of July 24th.
Where Are Lenders Getting Credit Scores?
Consumers often mistakenly believe that mortgage lenders use only credit scores from Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, and Fair Isaac's myfico.com to gauge creditworthiness. However, Consumer Reports recently found that lenders also use NextGen FICO scores, FICO Expansion Scores, and Industry Option FICO scores — which take car loans into consideration — as well as custom formulas. Given that these scoring models are not available to consumers, experts say that consumers should not rely solely on available credit scores to determine their likelihood of getting a loan. They would be wise to make timely bill payments, make more than the minimum payment, and hold down credit card balances.
Buyers Crave Green More Than Extra Space
Buyers of custom homes are increasingly interested in money-saving features like extra insulation and energy-efficient furnaces, rather than game rooms and space for in-laws, according to a Home Design Trend Survey by the American Institute of Architects. Sixty-eight percent of the survey's respondents said customers were requesting extra insulation in the attic compared with 56% a year ago. Two-thirds of respondents said green products such as tankless water heaters, double or triple-glazed windows, and sustainable flooring products such as bamboo or cork were gaining in popularity.
Only 8% of the survey's respondents said game rooms were increasingly popular among their customers, down from 23% last year.
Eight Ways To Help a Home Sell Faster
Simple fixes and staging practices can focus buyers' attention in the right places and keep them from getting sidetracked by personal items in the home.
Here are some staging suggestions from Deborah Ehrlich-Layne of Staging Plus in Tampa, Fla., Handyman Matters, and HGTV's The Stagers.
Eliminate countertop clutter. A countertop covered with small appliances and utensils looks crowded, not spacious.
Pack up the too-personal. Don't leave toiletries on the counter. Stash family photos.
Be prepared for snoops. Prospective buyers pull open drawers, look in closets and peek behind the shower curtain.
Make sure things work. Dripping faucets, burned-out light bulbs, and squeaking hinges detract from the home's appeal.
Think "white-glove clean." Mop, dust, vacuum, clean baseboards, wash windows. Make sure the house looks fresh and smells neutral.
Make sure the front door is clean and the hardware polished. Power-wash walkways.
Store furniture that makes rooms feel crowded.
Show every room for the kind of room it is. Maybe you've turned your formal dining room into a home office. Get rid of the desk and computer, and bring back the dining table and chairs.
Copyright 2008 Realty Times
All Rights Reserved
In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.09% for the week ending September 25, 2008, up from the previous week when it averaged 5.78%. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.42%.
"Mortgage rates followed Treasury bond yields higher this week amid market uncertainty over the current state of the economy," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist.
Mortgage Rates
Source: Realty Times
U.S. averages as of September 25, 2008:
30 yr. fixed: 6.09%
15 yr. fixed: 5.77%
1 yr. adj: 5.16%
And while up, interest rates for 30-year FRMs are still more than 0.5 percentage points below this year's peak of 6.63 percent set the week of July 24th.
Where Are Lenders Getting Credit Scores?
Consumers often mistakenly believe that mortgage lenders use only credit scores from Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, and Fair Isaac's myfico.com to gauge creditworthiness. However, Consumer Reports recently found that lenders also use NextGen FICO scores, FICO Expansion Scores, and Industry Option FICO scores — which take car loans into consideration — as well as custom formulas. Given that these scoring models are not available to consumers, experts say that consumers should not rely solely on available credit scores to determine their likelihood of getting a loan. They would be wise to make timely bill payments, make more than the minimum payment, and hold down credit card balances.
Buyers Crave Green More Than Extra Space
Buyers of custom homes are increasingly interested in money-saving features like extra insulation and energy-efficient furnaces, rather than game rooms and space for in-laws, according to a Home Design Trend Survey by the American Institute of Architects. Sixty-eight percent of the survey's respondents said customers were requesting extra insulation in the attic compared with 56% a year ago. Two-thirds of respondents said green products such as tankless water heaters, double or triple-glazed windows, and sustainable flooring products such as bamboo or cork were gaining in popularity.
Only 8% of the survey's respondents said game rooms were increasingly popular among their customers, down from 23% last year.
Eight Ways To Help a Home Sell Faster
Simple fixes and staging practices can focus buyers' attention in the right places and keep them from getting sidetracked by personal items in the home.
Here are some staging suggestions from Deborah Ehrlich-Layne of Staging Plus in Tampa, Fla., Handyman Matters, and HGTV's The Stagers.
Eliminate countertop clutter. A countertop covered with small appliances and utensils looks crowded, not spacious.
Pack up the too-personal. Don't leave toiletries on the counter. Stash family photos.
Be prepared for snoops. Prospective buyers pull open drawers, look in closets and peek behind the shower curtain.
Make sure things work. Dripping faucets, burned-out light bulbs, and squeaking hinges detract from the home's appeal.
Think "white-glove clean." Mop, dust, vacuum, clean baseboards, wash windows. Make sure the house looks fresh and smells neutral.
Make sure the front door is clean and the hardware polished. Power-wash walkways.
Store furniture that makes rooms feel crowded.
Show every room for the kind of room it is. Maybe you've turned your formal dining room into a home office. Get rid of the desk and computer, and bring back the dining table and chairs.
Copyright 2008 Realty Times
All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
What's At Stake?
Pass the Emergency Economic Stability Act
A SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED ECONOMIC STABILIZATION ACT
Click here:
http://takeaction.realtoractioncenter.com/campaign/eesa/explanation
A SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED ECONOMIC STABILIZATION ACT
Click here:
http://takeaction.realtoractioncenter.com/campaign/eesa/explanation
TO might be talking, but Cowboys not shaken
Texas NFL Central: TO might be talking, but Cowboys not shaken
09/30/2008
Texas NFL Central -- your source for football stories on Texas' pro franchises, as well as news on former Texas players.
NFL ARCHIVES
-- September's NFL Central
-- August's NFL Central
-- April-July's NFL Central
-- March's NFL Central
-- Feb.'s NFL Central
-- Jan./Dec.'s NFL Central TODAY'S TOP STORIES
Cowboys' confidence unshaken
Sports radio talk shows crackled with criticism. Fewer people sported blue-and-white gear. Reporters from national outlets remained in town hoping for a juicy fallout story.
And so it went Monday in the land of high expectations. One day after sustaining a shocking 26-24 loss to Washington that knocked them from the ranks of the NFL's unbeaten, the Dallas Cowboys gathered at Valley Ranch to begin the process of trying to get back on a track they hope will take them all the way to the Super Bowl.
Related: Cowboys' Tank Johnson defends confrontation
Related: Schedule gives Dallas Cowboys chance to recover
Related: Dallas Cowboys' Owens complained to Romo
Related: Dallas Cowboys offense acted run-shy in loss
Texans strong safety out for season
The last thing an 0-3 team needs entering a game against Indianapolis is to be shorthanded at defensive back, but that is exactly the situation with the Texans.
Strong safety C.C. Brown will be placed on injured reserve today after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured forearm he suffered in Sunday’s 30-27 overtime loss to Jacksonville.
Related: FB Sapp replaces SS Brown on roster
MONDAY'S TOP STORIES (9/30/08)
Dallas Cowboys' defense hasn't earned label as one of league's best
Question: Can we now table the discussion for a few weeks on where the Cowboys' firepower ranks in military history? Better question: Can the Cowboys count?
Never mind that one of the NFL's most celebrated secondaries has gone four games without an interception, and for once we can't even blame it on Roy Williams.
Related: Dallas Cowboys lose hold of first place with 26-24 loss
Related: Dallas Cowboys have no excuse for abandoning running game
Related: Forgettable day for Dallas Cowboys' Newman
Related: Redskins steal league's spotlight
Related: Redskins blanket Dallas Cowboys' Owens
Related: Todd Archer's highs and lows of the Dallas Cowboys game
Related: Cowboys fall short against Redskins
Close loss doesn't mean progress for Texans
They got the offense fixed and came from behind three times. They showed heart and toughness. Matt Schaub had his best day as a Texan, Mario Williams was absolutely relentless and Kris Brown nailed a 47-yard field goal with a second left in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
This game felt completely different from those other two because the Texans did a good imitation of a respectable NFL team. They stayed in the ring for all 15 rounds, punching and counterpunching.
Related: Overtime loss denies Texans first win of season
Related: Texans effectively attack Jaguars
http://www.texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=35&url_article_id=1472&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2
09/30/2008
Texas NFL Central -- your source for football stories on Texas' pro franchises, as well as news on former Texas players.
NFL ARCHIVES
-- September's NFL Central
-- August's NFL Central
-- April-July's NFL Central
-- March's NFL Central
-- Feb.'s NFL Central
-- Jan./Dec.'s NFL Central TODAY'S TOP STORIES
Cowboys' confidence unshaken
Sports radio talk shows crackled with criticism. Fewer people sported blue-and-white gear. Reporters from national outlets remained in town hoping for a juicy fallout story.
And so it went Monday in the land of high expectations. One day after sustaining a shocking 26-24 loss to Washington that knocked them from the ranks of the NFL's unbeaten, the Dallas Cowboys gathered at Valley Ranch to begin the process of trying to get back on a track they hope will take them all the way to the Super Bowl.
Related: Cowboys' Tank Johnson defends confrontation
Related: Schedule gives Dallas Cowboys chance to recover
Related: Dallas Cowboys' Owens complained to Romo
Related: Dallas Cowboys offense acted run-shy in loss
Texans strong safety out for season
The last thing an 0-3 team needs entering a game against Indianapolis is to be shorthanded at defensive back, but that is exactly the situation with the Texans.
Strong safety C.C. Brown will be placed on injured reserve today after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured forearm he suffered in Sunday’s 30-27 overtime loss to Jacksonville.
Related: FB Sapp replaces SS Brown on roster
MONDAY'S TOP STORIES (9/30/08)
Dallas Cowboys' defense hasn't earned label as one of league's best
Question: Can we now table the discussion for a few weeks on where the Cowboys' firepower ranks in military history? Better question: Can the Cowboys count?
Never mind that one of the NFL's most celebrated secondaries has gone four games without an interception, and for once we can't even blame it on Roy Williams.
Related: Dallas Cowboys lose hold of first place with 26-24 loss
Related: Dallas Cowboys have no excuse for abandoning running game
Related: Forgettable day for Dallas Cowboys' Newman
Related: Redskins steal league's spotlight
Related: Redskins blanket Dallas Cowboys' Owens
Related: Todd Archer's highs and lows of the Dallas Cowboys game
Related: Cowboys fall short against Redskins
Close loss doesn't mean progress for Texans
They got the offense fixed and came from behind three times. They showed heart and toughness. Matt Schaub had his best day as a Texan, Mario Williams was absolutely relentless and Kris Brown nailed a 47-yard field goal with a second left in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
This game felt completely different from those other two because the Texans did a good imitation of a respectable NFL team. They stayed in the ring for all 15 rounds, punching and counterpunching.
Related: Overtime loss denies Texans first win of season
Related: Texans effectively attack Jaguars
http://www.texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=35&url_article_id=1472&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
