A common activity among avid fishermen in Connecticut is ice fishing.  When our lakes, ponds, and streams freeze up the fishing diehards take to the ice with their power augers, and fishing poles. The ice on a pond or small lake can get pretty thick once the temperatures drop, and the best way to cut through it is with a gas powered auger.  Once a hole has been drilled these hardy souls will some times sit there for hours to catch what they hope to be that evenings dinner. I first drove by this young boy and his father about two hours before I returned with my camera to take their picture.  Who knows how long they were sitting out there, but the young boy seemed content to play around on the ice, and his father was sitting in the same spot, and in the same position both times I drove... 01/14/2010

2010 A credit look forward So what should I do in 2010 in order to position myself in the best place? You can find yourself almost completely exempt from the credit crunch by doing two things; getting out of credit card debt and increasing your credit scores. By getting yourself out of credit card debt it allows you to escape the abusive treatment by lenders. Remember, things like interest rate and minimum payment increases only matter if you carry a balance. Getting out of and staying out of credit card debt puts you in a very enviable position. This is old advice that has taken on a new level of importance. A second byproduct of getting out of credit card debt is the significant benefit to your credit scores. "Debt" makes up a whopping 30% of the points in your FICO® scores, which pla... 01/07/2010

An overweight blonde consulted her doctor for advice. The doctor advised that she run ten miles a day for thirty days. This, he promised, would help her lose as many as twenty pounds.The blonde followed the doctor's advice, and, after thirty days, she was pleased to find that she had indeed lost the pesky twenty pounds. She phoned the doctor and thanked him for the wonderful advice which produced such effective results.At the end of the conversation, however, she asked one last question: "How do I get home, since I am now 300 miles away?" ☺ MattToll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)Local: 860-282-6181330 Roberts Street 4th FloorEast Hartford, CT 06108 credit repair company  01/06/2010

A blonde decides to learn and try horse back riding unassisted without prior experience or lessons. She mounts the horse with great effort, and the tall, shiny horse springs into motion.It gallops along at a steady and rhythmic pace, but the blonde begins to slip from the saddle. Out of sheer terror, she grabs for the horse's mane but cannot seem to get a firm grip. She tries to throw her arms around the horse's neck, but she slides down the side of the horse anyway. The horse gallops along, seemingly oblivious to its slipping rider.Finally, giving up her frail grip, she leaps away from the horse to try and throw herself to safety.Unfortunately, her foot has become entangled in the stirrup. She is now at the mercy of the horse's pounding hooves as her head is struck against the ground a... 01/06/2010

My Post yesterday focused on the the three categories of costs that may or may not change once the New Good Faith Estimate 2010 Form is issued. These three categories are costs that Cannot Change, cost that Can Change by 10%, and costs that can Change at Settlement. The first category of Costs that Cannot Change on the New Good Faith Estimate 2010 Form is pretty self explanatory, but the other two categories can change so in this Post I want to go into what constitutes a reason for change, and some examples of what they might be. HUD’s Definition For Changed Circumstances Acts of God, war, disaster or other emergency When information particular to the borrower or transaction is found to be different or inaccurate When new information particular to the borrower or the transaction is prov... 01/06/2010

In my introductory Post to the New Good Faith Estimate 2010 Form, I left out a three important things that the New Good Faith Estimate 2010 Form does not include, they are: It includes the Principle & Interest, PMI, or FHA MI in the monthly payment, but it does not include the Taxes, and Homeowners Insurance in the monthly payment. It does not state the Loan Program being applied for. Even though the New Good Faith Estimate 2010 Form shows the total Costs, it does not give an estimate of how much money the Borrower is expected to bring to Closing.  Example of this is that Seller Paid Contributions are not included on this form, so they are not reduced from the Total Costs. Today what I want to do is to list the three categories of costs that may or may not change once the New Good Faith... 01/05/2010

The new Good Faith Estimate 2010 Form is now officially in effect.  This new form became affective on January 1, 2010, and will in many ways change the way Lenders have been doing things.  The new Good Faith Estimate 2010 Form will have both a positive and negative impact on both the Borrower and the Lender. The positive is that the new Good Faith Estimate 2010 Form will now require ALL Lenders to use the same format.  In the past it was some times difficult for a Borrower to compare loan costs between Lenders, because the costs were disclosed and broken down differently from one Lender to another.  Now everyone will have to do it the same way and use the same form.  The new Good Faith Estimate 2010 Form also will prevent Lenders from changing certain costs that are originally listed on... 01/04/2010

  Happy New Year to everyone.  May 2010 be a Blessed and Prosperous, and a year that we all accomplish all our goals.   ****************************************************************************************************************** Info about the author: George Souto is a Loan Officer who can assist you with all your FHA, CHFA, and Conventional mortgage needs in Connecticut. George resides in Middlesex County which includes Middletown, Middlefield, Durham, Cromwell, Portland, Higganum, Haddam, East Haddam, Chester, Deep River, and Essex. George can be contacted at (860) 573-1308 or gsouto@mccuemortgage.com 12/31/2009

I am the top ActiveRainer for 2009!!! How did I get here you ask? First I started here:         Then I added a little consistency here: It helped that people came to read:   And then I became #1 for the year!   Here is the link to that page: http://activerain.com/roster/2009   230,000 points for me in under 11 months - CHEERS! ☺ MattToll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)Local: 860-282-6181330 Roberts Street 4th FloorEast Hartford, CT 06108 credit repair company    12/31/2009

If you are looking for something to get you back on track and help you set your 2010 goals, you need to check out "SHIFT - How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times" by Gary Keller.   In Gary Keller's, SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times, he explains that the market changes, therefore we must change with it.  I have found in recent months that several of the things I am doing to promote my business are not working.  Whether marketing or prospecting, if it's not working, you must change it or let it go all the way around. By reading SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times, you can become motivated to make the changes necessary to Succeed.  If you feel your Real Estate business is dragging or just want some extra pep then I prescribe this book as "just wh... 12/27/2009

  A Week ago today we had almost a foot of snow on the ground here in Middletown, Connecticut.  You might recall see pictures that many of us here in Connecticut posted last weekend.  It was cold and every thing was covered in white fluffy snow. Well today, just sevendays later, this is what it looks like outside.  You would think that it was an early Spring day.  The sun was shining, the grass was green, and the temperature was a warm 50 degrees. This is Connecticut, one day we are in the middle of a blizzard, and a few days latter you would never have known that you had been knee deep in snow.  Go figure .......... LOL   ****************************************************************************************************************** Info about the author: George Souto is a Loan Offi... 12/27/2009

If you are looking for something to get you back on track and help you set your 2010 goals, you need to check out "SHIFT - How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times" by Gary Keller.  If you feel your Real Estate business is dragging or just want some extra pep then I prescribe this book as "just what the doctor ordered". The book looks like this:    If you are interested in purchasing shift you may do so here: http://giftofshift.com/activerain Go check it out and come back and let me know what you think! ☺ MattToll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)Local: 860-282-6181330 Roberts Street 4th FloorEast Hartford, CT 06108 credit repair company 12/26/2009

As you may have noticed, I have been blogging about a real estate book called SHIFT.  The author is Gary Keller.  Here are Gary's 12 tactics for tough times: Get real, get right Re-Margin your business Do more with less Find the motivated Get to the table that matters Catch people in your web Price ahead of the market Stand out from the competition Create Urgency Expand the options Master the market of the moment Bulletproof the transactions The book looks like this:    If you are interested in purchasing shift you may do so here: http://giftofshift.com/activerain Go check it out and come back and let me know what you think! ☺ MattToll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)Local: 860-282-6181330 Roberts Street 4th FloorEast Hartford, CT 06108 credit repair co... 12/25/2009

Attending some functions today and tommorrow and need a joke at the ready? Let me help:   A little girl wrote to Santa Claus, saying the only thing she wanted for Christmas was a sister. Santa, touched by the girl's letter, responded instantly, saying "I would love to send you a sister, but first you must send me your mother."   A little girl is in line to see Santa. When it's her turn, she climbs up on Santa's lap. Santa asks, "What would you like Santa to bring you for Christmas?" The little girl replies, "I want a Barbie and G.I. Jo." Santa looks at the little girl for a moment and says, "I thought Barbie comes with Ken." "No," said the little girl. "She comes with G.I. Joe, she fakes it with Ken."   Bonus: What is the difference between Tiger Woods and Santa Claus?  Santa only has t... 12/24/2009

Ok most of us will be going to many celebrations today and tomorrow - so here's a little Christmas joke.  Feel free to share it at your events! Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates. "In honor of this holy season," Saint Peter said, "You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven." The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. "It represents a candle," he said. "You may pass through the pearly gates," Saint Peter said. The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook them and said, "They're bells." Saint Peter said, "You may pass through the pearly gates." The third man started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a pair... 12/24/2009

Looking for better Realtor Lead generation in 2010 --> Think SHIFT.  SHIFT is the new book out by Gary Keller.  It will help you focus on your lead generation (among other things) and help drive traffic to your Real Estate Door! The book looks like this:    If you are interested in purchasing shift you may do so here: http://giftofshift.com/activerain Go check it out and come back and let me know what you think! ☺ MattToll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)Local: 860-282-6181330 Roberts Street 4th FloorEast Hartford, CT 06108 credit repair company 12/24/2009

GARY KELLER, founder of KELLER WILLIAMS is releasing a limited eition Hardcover copy of SHIFT.SHIFT explores 12 proven strategies for achieving success in any real estate market including: Master The Market Of The Moment: Short Sales, Foreclosures, & REOs Create Urgency: Overcoming Buyer Reluctance Re-margin Your Business: Expense Management Find the Motivated: Effective Lead Generation Expand The Options: Creative Financing   Act now to purchase this amazing offering;  4 books for the price of one, $19.99                       Use this link; http://giftofshift.com/activerain ☺ MattToll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)Local: 860-282-6181330 Roberts Street 4th FloorEast Hartford, CT 06108 credit repair company  12/23/2009

The limited edition hardcover edition of "SHIFT" by Gary Keller can be pre-ordered . . . anyone interested in purchasing this book may do so by visiting http://giftofshift.com/activerain. About the author: Gary Keller is Chairman of the Board of Keller Williams Realty, Inc., an Austin-based real estate franchise. Some of his awards include: 2003 - 2nd most influential person in the real estate industry (REALTOR Magazine) 2004 - Finalist for Entreprenuer of the Year (Inc. Magazine) 2006 - Top 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders (Inman News) Other books authored by Gary Keller (and co-authored by Dave Jenks and Jay Papasan) include the national best-sellers: The Millionaire Real Estate Agent The Millionaire Real Estate Investor  ☺ MattToll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)Toll Free Fax: 8... 12/22/2009

 Credit Repair in Alasaka National Credit Fixers: 330 Roberts Street Suite 402 East Hartford CT 06108 phone: 860-282-6181. National Credit Fixers boasts of 13 years experience repairing low FICO scores. Whether your credit has been damaged by a foreclosure, bankruptcy, slow credit, collections, judgments, repossessions, etc. we can help. We are the experts in credit restoration and credit repair. We have helped numerous residents of Alaska. We are experts in Alaska Credit Repair. Don't wait any longer to get that new car or house, call us today to speak with your own credit repair specialist and start on your way to better credit!! ☺ MattToll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)Local: 860-282-6181330 Roberts Street 4th FloorEast Hartford, CT 06108 credit re... 12/22/2009

There is a new real estate book out.  It is called SHIFT.  It looks like this:    If you are interested in purchasing shift you may do so here: http://giftofshift.com/activerain Go check it out and come back and let me know what you think! ☺ MattToll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)Local: 860-282-6181330 Roberts Street 4th FloorEast Hartford, CT 06108 credit repair company 12/21/2009