Home and Wealth Newsletter - 4 points to ponder when buying a home PLUS –

5 tips for a healthy heart

SOME KEY HOME BUYING CONSIDERATIONS

Deciding to buy a home – and then choosing what type of home to buy and where – are not simply financial determinations, like picking a mutual fund to invest in. Home buying decisions can be heavily influenced by values, priorities and concerns that aren't primarily about money. Here are four factors beyond the financial arena that can enter into a home buying decision.

1. Family. There's no question that owning your home gives children a sense of stability about home, school and the wider community they live in. Family legacy can also be a consideration. Many people eventually own their home free and clear, giving them the option of passing it on to their children. Parents even buy homes as gifts for children.

2. Comfort. Owning your own home lets you customize your comfort to your own personal preferences. You can pick a location based on the noise level and on how close you like to be to your neighbors. Comfort concerns often drive people to buy rather than rent, since it's often hard to find rental homes that are large enough or in the right area.

3. Control. Owning a home gives you control over your future. You have the certainty of knowing what your housing costs are going to be for a very long period of time. Additionally, ownership gives you the power to stay put for as long as you want without having your plans change suddenly because your landlord decides to move in or sell the place.

4. Career. For many people, a large part of the home buying decision is based on the home's location in relation to their work. With the rise in telecommuting, more people today also need a home that will accommodate a well-organized office. 
What's still the #1 cause of death in the U.S.? It is coronary heart disease according to the American Heart Association.

But to lower your chances of getting heart disease, there are a number of risk factors, which are completely in your control. The American Heart Association suggests a few strategies that can greatly reduce your risk.

1. Eat Well. Healthy eating habits help you control your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and maintain a healthy weight. How to do it? Eat nutrient-rich foods packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber and low in calories. Focus on vegetables, fruits, whole-grain and high-fiber foods, fish, lean protein and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.

2. Cut the cholesterol. Pay special attention to your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. Fat can lodge in arteries, triggering a heart attack or stroke.

3. Get Moving. Being physically active helps keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and weight under control. Try to get to a level where you're doing 30 minutes of activity 5 days a week. Do 10-15 minutes to start and gradually increase your time. Walking is terrific exercise. 

4. Watch Your Weight. Forget the fad diets and "miracle" weight-loss pills. To lose weight that will stay off, focus on three things:

• Good nutrition: Foods with more vitamins and fiber and less saturated and no trans fats
• Cutting calories: Hey, even the right foods can be bad for you if you consume too much 
• Staying active: 30 minutes or more, at least 5 days a week

5. Stop Stress, Limit Alcohol. Eliminate sources of stress or find ways to deal with them calmly and with confidence. Curb your consumption of alcohol.
Always consult your doctor before beginning an exercise or diet program.
Would you like to know more about home financing, the housing market in your area or do you have any other related questions? Please call or email us – we're always here to help.... Have a great day!

P.S.  There are more and more reports that say the housing market appears to be turning around in many places. Mortgage rates remain near record lows and home prices are very affordable. So this could be a great time to upsize, downsize or refinance. Please call or email us now to discuss your situation.

This was sent to you because of your relationship with Dan Davidson. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in the newsletter is the property of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Lender. © 2012 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, IL Dept of Financial and Professional Regulation, - lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. NMLS# 10331

Power Tools Newsletter - 4 Guidelines for Successful Negotiations!

Pop quiz time! OK, how often are you involved in a negotiation?

If you answered, "almost daily," you already realize how much negotiating is involved in our everyday lives. Think about it. We negotiate with our kids over everything from homework to the car keys. We haggle over prices at a yard sale. We go back and forth over whose turn it is to do the dishes.

In business, negotiations are constantly in the picture -- with vendors, colleagues, employees and clients. We even negotiate for clients.

Some people believe negotiations are bound to be contentious. But they needn't be. It's clearly possible to negotiate with a cool head and reach an agreement that pretty much satisfies both parties. Here's how:

1. Start by listening
Don't reveal what you want right away. Let the other side go first, so you know what you're dealing with. If they're hesitant, be firm. Explain that you can't give them what they want without knowing what they need.

2. Stick to the process
Experts tell us there's a 3-step process to successful negotiations:

• Collect the opening positions
• Probe for more information
• Arrive at a compromise

Look for common ground in the step where you're asking for more info. Suppose you're buying a used piano. After the seller and you share opening positions, ask what's included -- the piano bench, a piano light, maybe some sheet music the seller no longer needs. These can be things on which you and the seller can compromise.

If the conversation stalls, but more could be done; talk about what each of you would be willing to give up for you to be able to move ahead. If you're really deadlocked in an important negotiation, you may have to bite the bullet and bring in a professional mediator.

3. Be ready with, "Under what circumstance...?"
This is the magic phrase that reveals what the other side feels they need. "Under what circumstance would you provide this financing for my business?" "Under what circumstance can you deliver this by the end of the month?" Until you know this, you can't reach a compromise.

4. Avoid round numbers
One office cleaning service quotes $40 a week, another says $38. Which one would you negotiate with? Always come to the negotiating table with an exact number, but don't use zeros. Not using a round number makes it look like you've done the math, which can intimidate the opposition. Make concessions the same way. If you have to come down, lead with an odd number amount.

Follow these guidelines and you should come out of every negotiation not necessarily with everything you want, but always with everything you need.... Enjoy a great month!

 

This e-mail is an advertisement for Dan Davidson. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice, or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in the newsletter is the property of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. It is designed for real estate and other financial professionals only. It is not intended for consumer distribution. The material does not represent the opinion of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. © 2012 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, IL Dept of Financial and Professional Regulation, - lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. NMLS# 10331