In preparation for buying a home, it's a good idea to understand credit scores. Credit scores range between 200 and 850, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:
Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card bills on time? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also affect your history.
How much you owe and where. If you owe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, spreading debt among several accounts can help you avoid approaching the maximum on any individual credit line.
The length of your credit history. In general, the longer an account has been open, the better.
How much new credit you have. New credit—whether in the form of installment plans or new credit cards—is considered more risky, even if you pay down the debt promptly.
The types of credit you use. Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit—such as installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage.
There I was fully stocked refrigerator; triple bacon cheeseburgers in my belly, Netflix twilight zone a few episodes deep, and I thought it's awesome being a home owner! To take pride in ownership, shoveling my driveway and my sidewalk, going back inside to warmth and a bath after a hard days relaxed work. Ain't it nice having all my belongings and possessions accounted for and my dog just ate a pig ear from Petco, purchased in advance might I add. It's so very nice to own my own place and have nothing to worry about. Putting together a outlined puzzle and stopping, the dog getting let out throughout the day. Many things to do to enjoy my mortgage. DVDs, roku, vintage electronics, tabletop geomorph, laying on the couch I own, guitar, listening to Mick Jaggar and Keith Richards and that Jones dude I think was on it too, of the Rolling stones for free on Pandora; I even painted some Games Workshop Miniatures. . . Not to mention I could keep going with eating my triple bacon cheeseburgers, tater tots, chicken fettuccini, haagen daz ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, cheez its, doritos, Cheetos, tea, most of it from Costco or the grocery store, that reminds me I managed to get some much needed items from Walmart the day of snow storm 2016 starting. Wait that was day two. By my count It's been 6 days of blizzard and it was easy. The end, by Aubrey Nesbitt.
Ford
snow day
some snow
snow
blizzard
Cavalier after snow fall
winter
driven
Cavalier
parents
Grover in the backyard with a soccer ball
Grover in the backyard with a soccer ball
winter
winter
Cavalier Drive just before the big blizzard of 2016
Last week all anyone could talk about was the winter storm of the millennium. In Northern Virginia the estimates of projected snowfall were almost cartoonish. The storm coming into the area was to have an impact on several states and this usually means shutting down function of the streets or highways.
On Friday the 22nd of January things in the office were quiet and people ended up leaving early to get home before the beginning of the ultimate snow storm. It was to begin about noon time and came almost exactly and hour later. The snowfall began then and continued until midnight on Saturday.
The interesting thing about this snow is that it was combined with an intense wind that didn't subside until the end of the snowfall. Only for about an hour was the snow thick and fluffy. For the most part it was just light and airy. It was consistent, though. It didn't stop falling for that whole time of a day and a half. It seemed interesting that it piled up as it did, being so light and seemingly tame. The worst thing about the storm during that period was the intense wind (23-43mph) that howled and whistled endlessly.
Snow in Alexandria
When it all stopped, totals of snowfall in Virginia were reported to be between 13-33inches. Some variations will be seen in other areas, but it was difficult to measure with the drifts everywhere.
The point of all of this is that truly I expected things to be much worse. On Sunday morning all of the roads were plowed here in Alexandria and driving was no problem. On Monday morning more salt was put down and some streets are now completely cleared down to the asphalt.
Hats off to the workers who put in their time to make things safe for us. This city of Alexandria truly knows how to handle this weather.
If you're looking to come here and find out for yourself, follow my guide below and check out the listings as well.
Real Estate and Neighborhoods of Alexandria, VA
Alexandria dates back to the colonial era and many of the neighborhoods of Alexandria reflect that heritage. However, Alexandria is also home to newer and relatively new neighborhoods like the Carlyle District and Kingstowne. To learn more about these or other neighborhoods in Alexandria VA, surf through the tabs here.
Alexandria is a highly livable city with enviable amenities, culture and attractions. The Commonwealth of Virginia considers Alexandria an "independent city" which means that Alexandria is not in any county. However, parts of Northern Virginia have an Alexandria postal address, but are actually in Fairfax County. All this can be confusing for newcomers to the area, but we try to simplify this in our guide by organizing things so they make sense for the home buyer.
You won't have to be a Virginia jurisdictional authority to find the home you want to buy, but start here for a primer on Alexandria.
The possibility of losing their down payment is one of the biggest fears of potential home owners.
Read More: Down Payment Insurance
More than three in five renters — 63 percent — said they would be more likely to purchase a home sooner if they had the option to buy down payment protection, the survey showed. More than three in 10 home owners and more than half of millennial home owners said they also would be more likely to buy a new home if they had an option to buy down payment protection.
“While consumer morale continues to rise, there is still a crisis of confidence in the housing market for both home owners and home buyers due to the financial events of 2007 through 2008,” says Cleve Bellar, chief marketing officer of ValueInsured. “It is encouraging that Americans want to own a home, but in order to take that step, they want assurance that their nest egg is protected.”
The survey showed that 70 percent of renters say it’s important to one day own a home or to become a home owner again. Millennials were found to be the most upbeat about home ownership, with nine out of 10 renters between the ages of 18 to 34 saying it is important to one day own a home or become a home owner again.
Source: ValueInsured Inc.
Looking to find your next rental unit? Follow the guide below and look at the listings as well.
Have you always been wanting to learn a bit more about the after life? Do you have a story from your past that keeps your curiosity peeked? Would you want to experience some paranormal activity close to your home, if you could?
As far as the world of the paranormal goes, it seems to be more likely to experience some activity if you consistently visit certain locations. Keeping this in mind, I'm going to give you a few that just may be up your alley.
courtesy of Pinterest.com
If you're still reading, you must be thirsty for more about the paranormal. I understand this completely. It just so happens that here in Alexandria, Virginia, much has happened as far as the paranormal is concerned and a lot has been documented. Many sites are dedicated on the internet to this kind of thrill seeking. The more I read, the more I want to read.
In this first part of the paranormal blogs that I will bring to you, I will simply show you where to go. Later, detail will follow. Here is one suggested site (http://www.ghostsofamerica.com/2/Virginia_Alexandria_ghost_sightings2.html)and if you read in depth, you will be able to take notes for your trip. Knowing where to go and what to watch and listen out for will help. Another site to look into is this (http://blog.visitalexandriava.com/haunted-alexandria-va-female-stranger/).
If you are looking for your next place to live in the Alexandria, Virginia area, use the guide below and look at the listings included.
Click Alexandria to search homes and condos for sale in Alexandria VA. Or check out one of these neighborhoods in Alexandria VA:
Have you ever been curious about the history of modern architecture? If so, one sight in particular may satisfy at least part of this thirst for knowledge.
courtesy of Pinterest.com
In Alexandria, Virginia, just off Route 1 (Richmond Highway), is architect Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House (https://savingplaces.org/places/pope-leighey#.VqEnb1Jun4s) Closed for tours until March 2016, this destination will open your eyes to many architectural innovations. Many of these firsts of design were quickly adapted throughout the country upon its construction in 1939.
"Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union." - Frank Lloyd Wright.
If you're looking to re-locate to this area, follow the guide below and look at the listings included as well.
Click Alexandria to search homes and condos for sale in Alexandria VA. Or check out one of these neighborhoods in Alexandria VA:
