What Matters Most in 2010?

This is a tough question to answer, isn’t it? I am sure if I asked you what mattered most to you in your life, you would be able to tell me very quickly. But, if I watched you throughout your days, weeks, months, would the way you prioritize your time truly reflect what matter’s most to you?

If you are like most people (including me) , there is so much competing for our attention that it is easy to get caught up in the “tyranny of the urgent” putting out fires and rushing from thing to thing. Then we are left with a feeling of disappointment or emptiness because we haven’t truly focused on our heart’s priorities.

I’d like to share a few ideas for helping you find your way to What Matter’s Most.

1 – Make a list of all the areas of your life: Family, Personal, Spiritual, Physical Health, Career, – general categories will do just fine.

2 – Write down one single personal, heartfelt priority in that area for you. For example, under Family, your singular priority may be to be to have a happy, cheerful home. A Physical Health priority might be to exercise in some form or fashion three times a week. Yes I know there’s lots to choose from, but for the purpose of this exercise, choose the one priority to speaks to your heart.

3 – Have your list of priorities? Great! Now for the next week, every time a choice must be made about how you spend your time, I want you to consult this list. If it does not fit under one of your priorities, I want you to take a minute to evaluate it. If you feel compelled to do it, are you willing to forfeit another priority on your list in order to do it? So often we “think” something is a necessity when it really isn’t.

4 – Now that you’ve developed a more conscious attitude toward your time commitments and how they reflect your priorities, use this new found knowledge to help you get to What Matters Most and leave the Urgent But Unimportant behind.

This is not a foolproof exercise. Really it is just a way to help you make choices (one of my favorite words!) about what matters most to you. It is also a way to help you become more conscious about how you spend your time. If you find that the way you spend your time is in conflict with what really matters to you then you have some decisions to make. You can either change what matters to you or change how you spend your time. That sounds simple I know, but those are really the only available options.

When I do this exercise – and I do it fairly regularly – I often find that what I am devoting the lion’s share of my time to has nothing at all to do with what matters to my heart. Then I face to challenging but doable task of re-aligning my time with my values. Sometimes the choices are difficult, but the reward is a happy spirit and a fulfilled heart. And that is what makes this life worth living!

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Q&A: Can You Get a Loan Today?

QUESTION: Changes in the housing and mortgage industries have prompted many people to wonder: "Can I get a loan today?"

ANSWER: The answer is simple: Yes!
Despite the negative headlines over the past year, there's actually plenty of money available for loans. In fact, reports indicate that over $2.7 Trillion in loans were originated in 2009. That's over $1 Trillion more than 2008.
However, mortgages must make sense in today's terms - not the looser standards permitted by lenders a few years ago.

What does this mean to borrowers today?
Lenders have returned to a pre-2000 mindset - a kind of "common-sense lending" that seeks long-term success versus short-term profits. That means lenders need documented evidence that a borrower is creditworthy and is likely to repay the loan. This creditworthiness is based on the four tenets of lending: the borrower's ability to pay, willingness to pay, equity in the transaction, and the property itself.
With interest rates still near all-time lows and home prices at extremely affordable, low levels, it's worth the time and effort to find out if you can benefit from common-sense lending in today's real estate market.

Home Remodeling...What's Your Best Return on Investment?

Do you remodel and stay....... or sell? How do you know if your remodeling dollars are well spent? How much can you expect to recoup from your investment?

According to the 2009 / 2010 survey published by Remodeling magazine, here's how it breaks down:
For a mid-range priced home, you can expect the average cost and recoup for the following projects:
Average Cost vs Expected Return on your investment
Bathroom Remodel $19,000
Recoup 60% of your costs

Bathroom Addition $48,000
Recoup 56% of your costs

Garage Addition $72,000
Recoup 63% of your costs

Convert a Bedroom to a Home Office $32,000
Recoup 47% of your costs

Major Kitchen Remodel $65,000
Recoup 72% of your costs

Minor Kitchen Remodel $24,000
Recoup 76% of your costs

Window Replacement (vinyl) $13,000
Recoup 74% of your costs

Backup Power Generator $17,000
Recoup 75% of your costs

2051 Serendipity Way -Open House Weekend!

The doors in Montgomery County are opening...
You’re invited to step inside and take a look!

I am proud to invite you to participate in the first ever REALTOR® Nationwide Open House on April 10-11. Don’t miss this opportunity to tour countless homes throughout Montgomery County to find the one that is just right for you.

Your ideal home is out there. Find it now while…

 There’s still time to get the Expanded Tax Credit, worth up to $8,000 for first time buyers and up to $6500 for repeat buyers.

 Interest rates are still at historic lows

 Home prices are more affordable than ever

 There are a variety of home choices available

 Numerous local properties will welcome your visit on April 10 - 11
Take advantage of these incentives before they disappear. Contact me for more information.