VL5 - The VA Lady

V.A. LOAN LADY

VOL. 5 | JUNE 2022

CONTENTS

17 BUILDING A CULTURE OF CARING

4 LEARN ABOUT WHAT I DO

21 MOVEMENT MORTGAGE OUTREACH

2 MEET DENISE 3 MOVEMENT MORTGAGE 5 HOW TO KEEP YOUR NEW DOG SAFE IN YOUR NEW HOME 9 MOVING EXPENSES TO KEEP IN MIND

11 CASH-OUT REFINANCE 15 MOVEMENT MILITARY

19 WHAT ANOTHER WHITE-HOT INFLATION REPORT MEANS FOR HOUSING

24 STATE LICENSING POLL

25 SUMMER HOME MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

27 SUMMER FUN THINGS TO DO

29 FEATURE NON-PROFIT

MEET DENISE In 2017, I was an Air Force spouse of 14 years, trying to make a few pennies crocheting and selling my wares. We were purchasing our second home near Ft. Gordon, GA, and our Loan Officer happened to be a fan of the same football team as my husband and I. We became friends, and when he decided to open up his own Mortgage branch, he pitched the idea of me becoming a loan officer. I had no experience originating loans but had experience in sales. I also had a passion for helping my own military community. From that random meeting in 2017, The VA Loan Lady was born. My passion is to help borrowers, especially those in the military community, buy homes with the knowledge of knowing what is actually happening during the transaction. I pride myself on communication and will explain something 100 times if it helps the borrower feel more comfortable during the process I am highly experienced in VA loans, as well as educating my borrowers. I have videos that help break down the process of obtaining a home loan and what to expect. I’m known for excellent communication and my empathy towards my borrowers. I’m proud that I can say my passion for helping others, especially my own military community.

Movement was created to be different. Founded in 2008, amidst one of the biggest financial meltdowns in American history, Movement set forth on a mission to create a Movement of Change in our industry, in corporate cultures and in communities. First, we pioneered a unique approach to home loans centered around helping homebuyers, quickly and easily. Then, we created a model so that our profit creates a long-term positive impact in communities both close to home and around the globe. For our borrowers, we commit to building relationships based on communication. We get it home loans can be confusing and stressful – But they don’t have to be. And we work to make sure they aren’t. It all comes back to our mission, to love and value people in everything we do.

LEARN ABOUT WHAT I DO

Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, you have a lot riding on your Loan Officer. Since market conditions and mortgage programs change frequently, you need to make sure you’re dealing with a top professional who is able to give you quick and accurate financial advice. As a seasoned loan officer I have the knowledge and experience you need to explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal, and I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. I hope you’ll browse my website, check out the different loan programs Movement Mortgage has available, use my decision-making tools and calculators, and use our secure online application to get started. After you’ve applied, I’ll call you to discuss the details of your loan, or you may choose to set up an appointment with me using my online form. As always, you may contact me anytime by phone, fax, or email for personalized service and professional advice. I look forward to working with you.

Did you adopt a furry family member during Covid? If so, you’re not alone. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), over 23 million American households, nearly 1 in 5 nationwide, adopted a pet during the pandemic. That includes the White House which welcomed a german shepherd puppy named Commander just a few months ago. Like every new dog owner, the joy of having a dog can be tempered by the trouble they can get into. And if you’re simultaneously a new pet owner and a new homeowner, keeping your dog happy and safe — while keeping the house from becoming a warzone — is simple to do as long as you follow these tips. Let’s get started. Pet-proof your home, room by room. In your eyes, your new home is your dream house — designed and furnished just the way you like it. Your dog sees it differently. It’s a playground of things to chew, tear apart and drool on. The coffee table you love could become a chew toy. The new rug makes for a great place to vomit. And those drapes are perfect for a great game of tug of war. So let’s go room by room with some pet-proofing ideas. The kitchen is way too tempting! The smell of meals being prepared and the chance you (or your kids) will drop food on the floor will make the kitchen a favorite destination for your pooch. But the kitchen is also filled with super-hot oven surfaces, foods that could be poisonous to dogs and — occasionally — broken dishes and glassware. It’s best to keep dogs out of the kitchen when you’re cooking and allow them in only when it’s time for them to eat or drink. That’s not easy to do if you live in a home with an open floorplan, but think of it as baby-proofing your home. You’ve probably already outfitted your home with baby-proofing paraphernalia if you have small kids. For the uninitiated, try to gate off the area that poses the most risk and keep lids tight on garbage and recycling bins. The most effective solution is an under-the- counter pull-out trashcan, but a sturdy metal trashcan with a step-on top works just as well. Keep dishwasher doors closed and use childproof locks to shut cabinets tight. Never leave dangerous kitchen supplies like food processor blades where dogs can get at them (big dogs can easily reach countertops) and store cleaning supplies on a high shelf. How to keep your new dog safe in your new home

Cuddles happen in the family room! If your living room is where the family hangs most, your dog will probably think of it as her room, which she graciously allows you to use if you cuddle or play with her. But it’s also a minefield of trouble to get into. Dogs love to chew, so if they destroy stuff — like TV remotes and PlayStation gaming controls — it’s your fault for giving them access to it in the first place. Put those things (like in a box on the coffee table), try to place electrical cords behind furniture to make them inaccessible and get covers for unused electrical outlets. Another tip is to ensure all indoor plants are non-toxic. And get rid of knick- knacks that could be choking hazards, like stuffed animals, those ubiquitous rattan-woven decorative balls, even books and magazines. Make the bathroom off-limits! Letting your dog follow you everywhere you go, including the bathroom, is more than just invading your privacy: it’s opening your pup’s eyes to a whole new world of things to destroy. Some dogs cannot control the impulse to ruin toilet paper rolls or show a wet towel who’s the boss. So it’s best to keep bathroom doors locked when not in use. If that’s not always possible, remember to put toilet lids down to keep pups from discovering the cold water that’s always available. Place the TP on top of the toilet tank and move cleaning supplies and sponges from behind the toilet to somewhere out of reach.

Bedrooms are for sleeping, not chewing! If this is your first time being a pet parent, you’ll soon learn that it pays to be tidy. The cost of replacing a cashmere sweater, leather purse, or pair of running shoes quickly adds up. Clutter is your enemy, so keep your cherished items from being destroyed by picking up after yourself. Your dog loves you and your smell, so take the dirty clothes scattered on the bedroom floor and place them in a hamper with a tight lid. And keep the doors to the clothes closet firmly shut. There are too many enticing things to get into in there. If you’re like us and go to sleep after one last look on your mobile device, remember to place it on a nightstand before turning out the light. Leaving it on the floor is an open invitation to be mistaken for a chew toy. The same holds true for designer eyeglasses and expensive skin lotions which might be devoured by morning and could leave you with hefty vet bills by afternoon. Most importantly, consider getting a crate if your dog sleeps in the bedroom. Crate training is the best and easiest way to keep your pup out of trouble overnight and when you aren’t home. It may feel mean at first — your dog’s puppy eyes will attest to that — but you’ll appreciate returning home without finding the furniture destroyed. Fill your dog crate with a comfy dog bed and a dirty t-shirt or socks that smell like you. It’ll be home to them in no time.

Never leave your meds out; move them to a high shelf or tucked away safely in the medicine cabinet. And remove bathroom rugs until your pet is housetrained. Dogs aren’t dumb. If they see you peeing there, they’re apt to follow suit. Garages can be dangerous. If you use your garage to store things like paint, mouse traps, fertilizer, car oil, wiper fluid and other toxic substances, it’s probably not the best place for your pet to hang out. But if you do use it as a time-out location, or if that’s the main entrance and exit to the house, be sure to have proper ventilation and keep the garage door shut when not in use so they can’t escape. And if your garage performs double duty with a workbench area, be sure that sharp objects like nails, screws, saw blades and heavy machinery are up and off the floor. Outside is just as important. If your pup spends time in the backyard, double-check that it’s safe. Block access to outdoor electrical outlets and cordon off exposed HVAC units. Keep pets (and kids!) inside when using weed or pest control chemicals. Ensure that everything planted in the garden is non-toxic to dogs. And patch holes in the fence to keep your pup from venturing out. Some dog owners let their pups into the backyard to relieve themselves. If that’s you, make sure you pick up the waste carefully and consistently; otherwise, that stuff could be tracked throughout your home when your pup gets called back inside. Finally, give them a shady and rainproof area to get out of the elements and, if your pet is outside for extended periods, make sure they have plenty of water available (out of the sun). Dog-proofing is home-proofing While it’s you who took out the mortgage and pay the monthly bills, it’s your dog’s home, too. Follow the tips above and you’re sure to make it a safe place for all of your pets, filled with plenty of walks, playtime, toys and cuddles.Keep these tips in mind if you’re househunting and are looking for a home that’s perfect for your pet. To get approved, contact a Movement Mortgage Loan Officer in your area. Or start your application online with the Movement Mortgage Easy App.

“If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” — Steve Jobs

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Put your address into these forms on Zillow, Realtor.com and Redfin. Use an average of the property values shown to get a rough idea of what your home is worth. Check how much you still owe on your mortgage. Subtract step 3 from step 2. That’s your estimated home equity! 1. 2. 3. 4. Do you mean I can borrow money I’ve already invested? Yes! How much you can borrow depends on how much equity you already have built up — meaning how much of the principal you’ve already paid down. But there are other factors to consider, like how much your home is actually worth. With home values increasing, the amount available through a Cash-Out Refinance may be more than you think! A Cash-Out Refi can provide you with any amount within your current home equity, which is the amount a home is worth minus what’s still owed on the mortgage. It’s a number you should know if home improvements or other large expenses are on the horizon. Home equity is easy to calculate in 4 simple steps. Interest rates are inching back up. And even though they are nowhere near the double-digit highs of the 1980s, they are nearly 2X higher than they were just two years ago. That means if you bought your home in the last decade or so and you hadn’t refinanced when rates were lower, you may have missed the boat for now. Why did so many homeowners recently close out their original loan and refinance? The same principal balance financed with a better rate at new terms typically results in lower monthly mortgage payments* or a loan that’s paid off faster. But, depending on your personal financial goals, there’s still a refinancing product that might be right for you. Keep reading to learn about the advantages of a Cash-Out Refinance. A Cash-Out Refi is different. A Cash-Out Refi allows qualified homeowners to use their home as collateral to borrow some money while simultaneously refinancing their mortgage. Look at it this way; you’ve been investing a little in your home with each monthly mortgage payment. And that money is there if you wish to borrow against it for a significant planned or emergency expense. It’s sort of like refinancing your home loan, adding a Home Equity Loan or HELOC line of credit and getting cash-in- hand at closing. To qualify for a Cash-Out Refi, you must have at least some home equity. If you’ve had a mortgage for only a year or so, you may not have that much home equity built up yet — your first few years of mortgage payments generally go more towards paying off the interest than the principal. But if you have a few years of mortgage payments behind, a Cash-Out Refi might be a viable option. Need cash? Look no further than a Cash-Out Refinance

A Cash-Out Refi is a cost-effective way to borrow money as interest rates for refinancing tend to be lower than for regular mortgages. A Cash-Out Refinance can help free up your budget to alleviate any financial strain. If you use the money borrowed to pay off debt with higher interest rates, the borrowed amount is stretched over an extended period, making payments more manageable. Cash-Out Refi advantages and disadvantages Because each payment you make against your mortgage adds a little to your equity, your home acts as an investment account. It might even be worth more now that home values across America have skyrocketed! Think of a Cash-Out Refinance as a different form of cash withdrawal. The Pros: Reasons to apply for a Cash-Out Refi? There are dozens of reasons homeowners might want to tap into their home’s equity. And with a Cash- Out Refi, you may be able to knock off several projects or other reasons all at once. Some projects may even be tax-deductible! Just remember, this is still a loan that must be repaid. Determine exactly how much you’ll be needing and resist borrowing anything additional. Do the math before moving forward! Tapping into home equity is great if you’re a homeowner facing expensive home upgrades or repairs or are looking to pay off some debt. But how do you know exactly how much money is available? When refinancing, most banks let you borrow no more than 80% of a home’s value. What will that look like for you? Let’s try this example: Imagine that you bought your home for $200,000. Because home values have increased so much, let’s imagine that it’s now worth $250,000. With a borrowing limit of up to 80%, you could feasibly close out your old mortgage and borrow a new total of $200,000. Now let’s say that you still owe $140K towards your mortgage principal. Subtract that from what you can borrow ($200,000-$140,000) and you get $60,000 still available as cash in your pocket! Keep in mind that you’ll still have closing costs to factor in, as you would with any mortgage refinancing. They can include lender origination fees and an appraisal fee to assess the home’s current value, and you might be able to roll them into the loan amount. Expect to pay about 3 to 5% of the total, depending on your loan size.

The Cons:

The balance owed on your refinanced loan will equal the amount you owed on your old mortgage plus the amount borrowed, so you’ll owe more overall. You’ll need to commit to a new time frame to pay your mortgage off. When your mortgage closes, your payment history stops being reported, so your credit score may dip for a short time.

Movement Military

WHY WE EXIST We exist to love and value people by leading a movement of change in our industry, corporate culture, and communities. Movement Foundation is the legal entity we work through to use our profits to uplift others – bringing life to our commitment to loving our neighbors as ourselves. HOW IT WORKS Like other companies, Movement Mortgage pays salaries, taxes, and operating expenses before seeing a profit. But with no investors to repay, the company has more resources for generous investment in communities. HOW WE INVEST Our projects are intentionally designed to be self-sustaining, which is why our schools, health clinics and housing projects can flourish without ongoing fundraising. We partner with other businesses and not-for-profit organizations because the challenges facing society are too big to face alone, but we believe that we can achieve great things when we work together.

What another white-hot Inflation Report means for Housing

The painful sting of inflation sticker shock hit especially hard in May with consumer prices rising by 8.6%—the highest year-over-year increase since December 1981. The consumer price index (CPI) >Page i Page ii Page iii Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31

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