ActiveRain Community

 I’ve been in Santa Clara Valley long enough to watch mortgage financing come full circle  more than once. Prices change, buyers change, but one thing always tells me where the market really is: how people are paying for homes.Here’s the financing timeline I’ve watched play out in real time.FHA ERA  (Post-War Years to Early Tech Boom)  Dominant loan: FHAWhen I first started working in this market, FHA wasn’t a special program or a backup plan. It was the loan. In many transactions, it was the only financing anyone talked about. My first home was a townhome that we purchased for $19,000 and our full loan (PITI and MI) payment was $166 each month with an FHA loan.Home prices fit within FHA limits, buyers didn’t have large down payments, and sellers expected FHA appraisals and condition re... 02/10/2026

The Guys Who Show UpOne of the things I love most about the ActiveRain community is the interaction.We write.We share.And when we’re lucky, someone takes the time to read and respond.For this month’s challenge, hosted by Patricia and Lew, I'm sharing appreciation for a member (or members) in good standing. I decided to look back not at one post, but at the last 2 dozen of my recent daily blog posts. I wasn’t looking for perfection or “every single day” participation. I was looking for consistency.What I noticed made me smile.The same group of names kept appearing, not on every post, but frequently enough that their presence stood out. These are the people who quietly, reliably show up.So today, I want to say thank you to this group of guys!  George Souto, Ed Silva, Lew, Brian, Roy, Wayn... 02/10/2026

 Join us for an open houseCome view this highly upgraded and updated 4-bedroom, 3-bath, two-story home, tucked away on a quiet street just east of downtown Gahanna.✨ Major Updates Already Done✔ New HVAC system✔ New roof✔ All new appliances✔ Updated radon system✔ New fence✔ New electrical panel✔ New hot water tank✔ Added topsoil & newly installed sodThe spacious first floor offers an ideal layout featuring a living room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, family room, first-floor den, and a convenient half bath—perfect for everyday living, working from home, and entertaining.🌿 Enjoy the rear deck and fenced backyard, perfect for relaxing, pets, or outdoor gatherings.👉 Open House: February 14th| 12:00–2:00 PM👤 Hosted by: Theresa Emch 02/10/2026

CHARLESTON, SC, UNITED STATES, February 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- As winter begins to wind down across the Lowcountry, February has become an ideal time for homeowners to prepare their spaces for the warmer months ahead. Local hauling professionals are observing a growing trend of residents using late winter to clear clutter, reset storage areas, and get ahead of spring before schedules become busy.According to Charleston junk removal crews, February offers a unique window for planning and preparation. After the holiday season and months of indoor living, garages, storage rooms, patios, and yards often become holding areas for unused items. Addressing these spaces before warmer weather arrives allows homeowners to transition smoothly into spring activities without feeling rushed.Lat... 02/10/2026

 Come tour this charming home at📍 885 Francis Avenue, Columbus, OH 43209🗓 Friday, Feb 13 | 5:00–7:00 PM👤 Hosted by Joshua Seemann🗓 Sunday, Feb 15 | 1:00–3:00 PM👤 Hosted by Ian UlrichThis inviting property is full of character and ready to welcome its next owner. Stop by, take a look, and imagine yourself at home!📞 Joseph C. Jackson📱 614-431-1220📧 rjoe@kw.com 02/10/2026

This charming home is hitting the market soon — and you won’t want to miss it! Classic curb appeal, a welcoming setting, and a great location make this one a must-see.🔑 Open House:🗓 February 15⏰ 1:00 – 3:00 PM👤 Hosted by Ian UlrichWhether you’re actively house hunting or just starting to explore your options, stop by and take a look!📞 Questions? Contact Joseph C. Jackson at 614-431-1220 02/10/2026

This month Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran  are challenging Active Rain members to share their appreciation of other members.  They listed these questions or criteria:Does the AR Member inspire you? – YesDoes the AR Member help you? – YesDoes the AR Member exude positivity? – A Big Whopping YesIs the AR Member kind, generous and courteous?  Yes, AbsolutelyDoes the AR Member leave positive feedback? – Yes, all the timesHas the AR Member done something extraordinary – YesSo you may be curious as to who this AR member is with the ever present infectious smile and laugh?  Drum roll… Carol Williams  of course as the feature photo shows.My first in person interaction with Carol was in June of 2022 when we had lunch here at the Cracker Barrel in Kingman, AZ. The feature photo is from that fir... 02/10/2026

Most developers don’t lose money because they overpaid to build.They lose money because they waited too long to get paid.Time is the silent risk factor baked into every development deal, and it’s the one most pro formas underestimate. While projects sit in motionless phases, capital is locked up, interest keeps compounding, crews remobilize, markets shift, and revenue remains theoretical instead of real. By the time the building is finished, the return profile has already taken a hit.In the current market, delay is no longer a nuisance. It’s a threat to viability.This is where modular construction rewrites the economics of development.Modular replaces the traditional start-stop sequence with concurrency. Foundations move forward on site while entire buildings are being produced in the f... 02/10/2026

Bob "RealMan" Timm seems to be such a good man, and I am really excited about his mention of the possibility of meeting in person this year!  I feel so honored and blessed that he chose to feature me with one of his posts, and I truly appreciate all of the kind comments that people have left on the post.  Thank you!!! Short and sweet, that describes Brian England 's blog posts. I'm not sure if Brian ever meets the 50 word minimum for posting points but I give him kudos on getting his point across without his posts running on and on and on like many bloggers do. While his posts are the definition of brevity I appreciate that between his posts and comments on my and other posts his dedication to his faith and his love of others come through crystal clear. Brian's dedication to his faith i... 02/10/2026

February Challenge:  Let's Showcase Barbara TodaroThe Challenge for February has members posting blogs about ActiveRain members that have left their mark on the platform.The challenge is hosted by Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran.As a member that has been here a while I do have fond memories of the posts and meetings had with Barbara Todaro.Barbara was a wealth of information on marketing and was known for her work in matching the right expanse of land with the right builder and then allowing them to let her sell the tracts.She was also keen on marketing here subdivisions in her Franklin, MA area using print advertising.She had skills with getting her name in front of buyers and this also led to her getting the sales as well.Each of her posts was full of knowledge and for those of us th... 02/10/2026

February Challenge…A Steady Light Many members shine quietly. While I’ve never met Liz and Bill Spear I feel as if I’ve known him for many years. BLiz, as he and his wife, Liz, were called, does not post nearly as much as he used to. In fact, these days, the only day we get to see him is Tuesdays when he writes his Ask An Ambassador post. And yet, Bill continues to be an ACTIVE part of ActiveRain.  His first posts were very typical of our own…mixing in local events, such as my favorites, the rubber ducky challenges and other local posts, with another favorite…the Miss Manners posts.  Bill has worked a triple career…engineer, real estate agent, and on-call butler to a menagerie that includes cats, dogs, and bees.  Why Bill deserves the spotlight is that he gives this community his time w... 02/10/2026

 The 10-Year Treasury isn’t the only thing that drives mortgage rates but it’s a big one. If the Fed signals that inflation is under control, lenders might tighten the spread over the 10-Year Treasury, which could mean lower rates for homebuyers.Where We Are Today (Feb 9, 2026): 10-Year Treasury: 4.203% 30-Year Treasury: 4.853% 30-Year Fixed Mortgage: ~6.16% That puts the bank mortgage–10-Year spread at roughly 1.95–2.00% pretty normal lately. (It can spike to 2.2–2.5% when markets get stressed.)The Mortgage spread is the difference between the interest rate a lender charges on a mortgage and the yield on a benchmark, usually the 10-Year Treasury bond.If lenders keep mortgages priced about 2% over the 10-Year Treasury the 10-Year Treasury would need to drop to ~3.95–4.00%. That would ty... 02/09/2026

This past year has been great for stocks, with markets climbing higher and investor confidence staying strong. While that kind of momentum is welcome news for portfolios and retirement accounts, it can have unintended consequences in other areas of the economy  including mortgage rates.When the stock market is on fire, it feels like good news everywhere but mortgage rates usually don’t agree.Mortgage rates are closely tied to the bond market. When stocks are booming, investors often move their money out of bonds and into stocks to chase higher returns. As demand for bonds drops, bond yields rise  and higher bond yields mean higher mortgage rates.On the flip side, when the stock market gets shaky, investors look for safety. They buy bonds, bond yields fall, and mortgage rates tend to com... 02/09/2026

Good post by Yoni today, and worthy of our daily Re-Blog.BillGILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV / HelpingArizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor, sell my house, 2026Market, Chandler We enter into the teens having no clue what is going on besides fun, having no point, going out & repeating it as much as we can while it makes no short- or long-term sense & goes nowhere yet we do it & want it, nevertheless. That road is predictable & well-traveled but take note: it doesn't stop or stay the same because as we grow up & out, plus in, what is to come or came, we age. Parents, school, other adults, peers at some point remind us to get educated, skilled, degreed or a good job. Why? Just for fun? NO! You are going to need it.  WORTHY NOTE: Harder or smarter guarant... 02/09/2026

You do "set the stage" for a productive morning when it starts out healthier.    I definitely have a morning routine, even with being retired now.   Great post Kelly wrote! The way you begin your morning can significantly influence your overall well-being, which is why many people credit their success to consistent morning rituals. Most of us reach for our phones first thing, but starting your day with social media isn’t ideal due to its negative effects on your mental health. To avoid temptation, keep devices off or in-flight mode until you’re ready to leave. Here are some habits some people practice during those valuable first 10 - 20 minutes of the day: Embrace a spiritual Interest or say some positive affirmations Sit in complete silence with your coffee, tea or water Take time to m... 02/09/2026

 Good morning and hello there again from Tim in Cottage Grove, Minnesota...where it has warmed up to 37 degrees above zero!  Having a heat wave here!  Hope all is well for you and had a great Super Bowl weekend.  Wanted to share Tim's Time Outs with you again. PRIORITIES: I VALUE LOVING FRIENDS(Could this be you or does this sound familiar?) Closeness with others is important to me.  In my efforts to get ahead and succeed, I postponed getting close to other human beings.  Perhaps in my role as a family hero or company hero, I view relationships as a luxury I can't afford. Today I am reminded that I am the one who sets my own priorities.  Money, wealth, and success are important...however I must also acknowledge the wealth that comes from having loving friends.  I realize today that I ne... 02/09/2026

For February’s ActiveRain contest, instead of choosing just one member to highlight, I’m choosing a small but mighty core group, the people who quietly and faithfully keep our Tuesday Zooms alive week after week. At the center is Debe Maxwell, CRS , who hosts, manages the tech, keeps us on schedule, lines up speakers, and somehow maintains order when it can feel a little like herding a room full of very smart, opinionated cats. Alongside Debe are Eileen Burns 954.483.3912  Carol Williams , Kat Palmiotti, and George Souto, who announces weekly highlights and presenters, plus  Kathy Streib, who reminds us in her column that Tuesday is coming (as if we could forget). But truly, there are many more who deserve mention, presenters, moderators, idea generators, topic creators, and consistent ... 02/09/2026

🌟 Honoring Dorie Dillard - A Heart That Serves, A Spirit That InspiresToday I want to shine a light on someone truly remarkable: Dorie Dillard, a fellow Realtor®, longtime ActiveRain member and an inspiration to all of us in the community.Many of you know Dorie for her decades of experience in real estate, her trusted guidance and the countless families she’s helped find home in the NW Austin and Canyon Creek area. She has devoted her career to serving clients with heart, professionalism and deep local expertise—qualities that her clients rave about in testimonials, time and time again. From guiding sellers through market prep to helping buyers find the perfect place, Dorie’s combination of experience and personal care really does set her apart.For five years, Dorie has faithfully joine... 02/08/2026

Sometimes I feel 'bummed' that I am not retired but last week my CPA and I were chatting and she made some interesting comments about her retired  clients. She knows I work part time and  she told me something she hears often from her clients: “They love retirement for the first three years… and then many of them wish they had never retired.”I was surprised to hear this. I know many retired people and most seem happy. Maybe certain professions are not built to retire ?. Retirement is supposed to be the reward of no alarms, no deadlines, and reduced stress. For a while, according to my CPA, it is exactly that. But over time, something changes. Work provides more than a paycheck. It provides structure, social connection, problem-solving, and a sense of being useful. When all of that disap... 02/08/2026

I wanted to kick off the February Challenge with my First Choice TestimonialI like the spirit of this challenge created by Lew Corcoran and Patricia Feager And Thank You For The Music My Friend 🎶 Remembering Lou❤️‍🔥I never knew I could shed real tears for someone I never met in person…never heard on the phone…yet somehow spoke with hundreds of times over the years.We got the news of our loss; our dear Active Rain friend Lou Ludwig  back on 12/23/2017Lou and I didn’t “DM.” We did something more public and oddly more intimate - we treated comment threads like texting. Back and forth. Sometimes multiple banters in the same evening. And here’s the part that still makes me smile …those exchanges were happening often between 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM California time…while Lou was in Boca Raton, Flori... 02/08/2026