Sure-Fire Technique to Create Safe, Memorable Passwords Passwords are crucial to accessing your personal accounts and information. But they're only really useful if they're easy for you to remember...and tough for others to break. The following steps can help you achieve both! 1. Think up a phrase. Instead of a common word or family member name, think up a unique phrase that only you know. For example, you may think up something off the wall such as "I Like Short Hair Too." 2. Make it an acronym. In our example, "I Like Short Hair Too" would become ILSHT. 3. Add Complexity. Substitute symbols and numbers to add complexity to your acronym. For example, "I Like Short Hair Too" can become "1 Like $hort Hair 2" which makes: 1L$H2. You can also use uppercase and lowercase letters to make it... 07/02/2009

  There is an old adage in the mortgage business that states that if you can improve your interest rate by at least two percentage points, then it is a good time to refinance. While that may work as a general rule of thumb, the truth is that there are many reasons to refinance. Here are a few:Lower your interest rate.Securing a lower interest rate is one of the top reasons for refinancing. This can make a big difference in your monthly out-of-pocket costs for housing and save money on financing fees.Build equity faster.If you are in a position to make higher monthly payments due to an increase in salary or other good fortune, you may want to switch from a 30-year loan program into a 15- or 20-year loan structure. This enables you to build equity faster and save a tremendous amount of m... 07/01/2009

  Summer marks both the end and the beginning of a cycle. It's a perfect time to reflect on what we've accomplished so far and to plan for what we're hoping to do next. This summer, give us a call. Let's review our successes and prepare for even greater triumphs in the coming years!     Karl PeidlSenior Mortgage ConsultantSuperior Mortgage CorpPhone: (800)706-6671 x4349Fax: (609)294-4186kpeidl@supmort.comwww.karlpeidlsmc.com   Superior Home Mortgage Corp. licensed in DE, FL, GA: Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee #14511, MD, MI, NY: Licensed Mortgage Banker - NY State Banking Department, NC, PA, SC, VA: Virginia State Corporation Commission License # MLB-566, & DC. Superior Mortgage Corp. licensed in CT, MA: Mortgage Lender License # MC3208, NJ: Licensed Mortgage Banker - NJ Departm... 06/27/2009

Mileage Rates for 2009 If you drive a car, truck or van for work, you'll want to make sure you know the standard mileage rates that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set for 2009.These mileage rates are used to calculate deductible costs for driving an automobile for business, charitable, medical and moving purposes. As of January 1, 2009, the standard mileage rates for 2009 are as follows:· Businesses = 55 cents per mile driven· Medical or moving = 24 cents per mile driven· Charitable organizations = 14 cents per mile drivenBut before you calculate your deduction, make sure you qualify. The IRS reminds taxpayers that they cannot use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or a... 06/26/2009

Streamline Your Workspace As the saying goes, "A cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind." How can prospects or clients have any faith in your ability to work on their behalf, if they see a desk overflowing with paper? Or, in this computer age, if they visit your office and watch you spend valuable time sifting through emails and folders, trying to locate pertinent information regarding their account?To the client, a lack of organization projects a negative image. It symbolically waves a distress flag, which could cause them to run in the opposite direction. Take some basic steps to alter the appearance of an overcrowded, unorganized work environment and help fend off clutter.If you have an assistant, delegate some of your responsibilities to free up some of your time. Remember,... 06/25/2009

  Consumers are often baffled by the home appraisal process. They may feel their home is worth a certain dollar amount, and therefore, the appraised value doesn't make sense to them. It is important to know that appraisal guidelines are dictated by the lenders. In many states, the lenders must disclose the purpose of the appraisal, as each situation carries its own set of rules.In essence, lender guidelines force appraisers to put a fair market value on a home based upon comparable sales in the area where the home is located, as the home must be bracketed according to size and value. For example, there is no set amount associated with a great view, pool, spa, bathroom upgrades, etc. If a homeowner installs a custom pool that cost them $30,000, and the local marketplace supports the val... 06/24/2009

ARM Indexes: A 10-Year Comparison Licensed Mortgage Banker, NJ Department of Banking and Insurance. Licensed Mortgage Banker NYS Banking Department. Licensed by the PA Department of Banking and pursuant to the Secondary Mortgage Loan Act. Not an offer to enter an interest rate lock-in agreement under MN law. MA Licensed Lender #MC3208. GA Residential Mortgage License #14511. Corporation also operates as Superior Home Mortgage Corp. and services CO, CT, DE, FL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NC, SC, TN, VA, WI. Karl PeidlSuperior Mortgage CorpAugusta Professional Center 854 S White Horse PikeHammonton, NJ 08037 800-706-6671 ext 4349 kpeidl@supmort.com www.karlpeidlsmc.com © Copyright 2009. All About News, Inc. 06/20/2009

Making Home Affordable. The Saga Continues! In an effort to fill in some of the gaps exposed in the initial Making Home Affordable (MHA) program, Washington has stepped up its efforts to assist more distressed homeowners. In a press release in April 2009, the U.S. Treasury announced an update to the program designed to assist nearly 50% of those homeowners seeking relief from the MHA program. What's New?By some estimates, nearly 50% of all struggling homeowners actually have two mortgages. This is because many borrowers chose to split their mortgage in two to avoid an additional Private Mortgage Insurance monthly payment. The problem is, having two mortgages complicates attempts to refinance or modify home loans. To minimize these complications, the new legislation is intended to assis... 06/19/2009

  If you're lucky enough to own an iPod, or any mp3 player for that matter, then you know just how fun they can be. The idea of converting your CDs into mp3 files and being able to listen to them wherever you go is exciting to say the least.The fun doesn't have to stop there though. The development of the iPod has opened up a world of other interesting opportunities, podcasts among them. Podcasts, by definition, have actually been around for a while; but the name, which is a combination of "iPod" and "broadcast", came about due to its perfect fit with the iPod. A podcast is an audio or video program that lives on the Internet and can be downloaded to your computer as an mp3 file. This could include everything from your favorite radio show to a recording of a garage band's latest gig. N... 06/19/2009

Once your loan package has been sent to the lender, there are a number of things you should avoid doing that will change your financial picture. Remember, the lender is looking for stability and consistency. If you want the best interest rate, keep that in mind. Here are a few things to consider:The lender is looking to see what your source of down payment is.Your lender will most likely ask you to provide proof of your liquid assets. This includes bank statements for checking and savings accounts, verification of investments, and any other liquid assets. Some of the things they ask for may seem trivial, but keep in mind, if you are planning a move to a new home, it's important to have all documentation readily available. If the lender asks for cancelled checks or deposit receipts to m... 06/18/2009

Did you know that all residents of the US have the right to obtain one free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus per year? Since your credit score is more important than ever due to today's tightening credit standards, it's the perfect opportunity to take advantage of this benefit. But Beware...Although you see commercials offering free credit reports, many companies actually charge a fee or require enrollment to qualify for the free report. That's why one of your best resources is www.annualcreditreport.com for a free report of your credit history. This report of your credit history can help you check the accuracy of the information in your report. However, it does NOT include your credit score. If you want to know your number, you can pay an add-on fee from the service... 06/12/2009

  Once your loan application is filled out and sent to the underwriter for review, the first thing they will look for is your ability to payback the loan you are requesting. My team and I have a streamlined loan process to help you get your ducks in a row prior to this review. A grand slam loan package is in perfect order and answers all the important questions up front. We know what the underwriters are looking for, based on extensive knowledge of guidelines for a multitude of loan programs that are available today.What is the underwriter looking for when they review the loan application?The underwriter wants to know about your personal financial picture, including savings and credit history and your employment stability. The co-borrower's history is also taken into consideration. The... 06/10/2009

The headline story is that values for the country as a whole have continued to decline. However, looking at the market on a state by state basis reveals a different story as there are many exceptions. Following are a few points to keep in mind when you listen to the news.1. For the first quarter of 2009, there are 30 states that show an increase in home prices. This evidences that many states that had declined over the last year are beginning to stabilize (Q1 2009 Column).2. Double digit drops in value over the last 12 months are limited to just 4 states. 17 states are showing increases and the remainder have predominantly small declines (Last Year Column).3. Despite recent volatility, all but one state has grown in value over the last 5 years with 14 averaging over 7% per year (Last 5... 06/08/2009

When it comes to buying a home, consumers can no longer shop for a mortgage based simply on lowest interest rate quotes. Today's home buyer needs good advice from an experienced, educated mortgage professional who has the consumer's best interest in mind. For consumers, this means beware of anyone who quotes you an interest rate over the phone or the Internet without asking anything about you, your family, your finances or your lifestyle. Besides market conditions, your mortgage rate is based on a long list of criteria that are unique to your individual financial situation. Look at the list below of 26 different criteria that affect your mortgage rate. How can anyone quote you an interest rate you can trust without a thorough knowledge of your unique financial situation? 1. Loan Amount... 06/05/2009

Points are up-front fees paid by the borrower to obtain a better interest rate on a loan. One point equals one percent of the loan amount. And while a lower interest rate may result in a lower monthly payment, it is important to consider how long you intend to be in the loan and to compare current interest rates to historical market trends. This will help you to determine whether paying points is a worthwhile investment. Let's look at a sample scenario. If you take out a $300,000 mortgage and decide to pay one point in order to lower your interest rate, this would translate into an up-front cost of $3,000. To keep things simple, we'll assume that paying this one point will save you $50 a month. This means it will take you 60 months to recoup the cost of that point. If you decide to ref... 06/03/2009

  When shopping for a home, the natural tendency of any buyer is to want to pay the lowest price possible. It's important to keep in mind, however, that the sales price is not the only factor that determines what the monthly payment will be. In fact, the impact of higher interest rates can easily nullify any benefit of waiting for a lower price. Why Should I Rush to Buy?While you may have heard discussions in the media about the decline of property values in many markets, the rate of decline appears to be stabilizing. That being said, it would not be unreasonable for buyers to want to hold out for an additional decline of 10%, hoping to capture the best possible price. However, as property values have declined in many areas to 2003 levels or lower, waiting longer to pull the trigger co... 06/02/2009

Mortgage Backed Securities...What the Fed's Purchases Mean to You You've probably heard that the Fed is buying up billions of dollars worth of Mortgage-Backed Securities. But how does this really impact home loan rates and your mortgage? Basically, the Fed's actions provide a demand for Mortgage-Backed Securities, which should help keep the ceiling on home loan rates from moving much higher in the foreseeable future. That's good news for home buyers who are looking to purchase a home at a bargain price, as well as those who can benefit from a refinance. However...the Fed's actions do not necessarily mean home loan rates will move significantly lower. It all depends on which Bond coupons the Fed purchases. If they purchase higher rate coupons-as they have been doing-their continued purc... 05/29/2009

As the next high school graduating class gets ready for college, tuition has never been a more important issue because of today's tough economy. If you're looking for ways to offset tuition for your kids, private scholarships are still available that don't require perfect grades, a musical genius, or a great 3-point shot. For example, FastWeb.com lists more than 1.5 million scholarships worth more than $3.4 billion, matching opportunities to your child's unique profile. It's important to note that you should never pay any application fees for scholarships. Begin your search with your child's guidance counselor. The financial-aid representative at the schools you're applying to can also lead to you to other legitimate scholarship opportunities. Karl PeidlSuperior Mortgage CorpAugusta Pro... 05/26/2009

  New $8,000 Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers Great news for first time home buyers in 2009! Qualified first time home buyers are eligible for an $8,000 tax credit when buying a primary residence. If you haven't owned a home in the three years prior to closing, congratulations! You are also eligible. Remember, a tax credit is much more valuable than a tax deduction. A tax credit reduces dollar for dollar the amount of tax you owe. A deduction merely reduces the amount of your income that is taxable. Here are two examples of how the tax credit works. You paid $4,000 in taxes. Qualify for the full credit and you get that $4,000 back, plus another $4,000. If you paid no taxes, you get the full $8,000 back in cash - and you don't have to pay it back! Eligible buyers may qualify for a ... 05/22/2009

    In remembering our heroes, we honor the great sacrifices made for the dreams of every American. May we never forget their strength, courage, and profound willingness to stand up and defend our way of life. We hope this important holiday finds you and your family well and inspires you to reach for your dreams.     Karl PeidlSenior Mortgage ConsultantSuperior Mortgage CorpPhone: (800)706-6671 x4349Fax: (609)294-4186kpeidl@supmort.comwww.karlpeidlsmc.com   Superior Home Mortgage Corp. licensed in DE, FL, GA: Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee #14511, MD, MI, NY: Licensed Mortgage Banker - NY State Banking Department, NC, PA, SC, VA: Virginia State Corporation Commission License # MLB-566, & DC. Superior Mortgage Corp. licensed in CT, MA: Mortgage Lender License # MC3208, NJ: License... 05/22/2009