Just to debunk one of the popular rumors out there right now concerning Freddie Mac. Newt Gingrich never lobbied for Freddie Mac. He opened numerous successful small businesses after leaving office. One of these provided strategic advice as a consulting firm to a wide range of companies.   One of these companies was Freddie Mac. It has later been reported that neither Gingrich nor his consulting firm ever acted as an advocate to stop any regulation or legislation affecting Freddie Mac. 

Freddie Mac Basics, what is Freddie Mac and what is its purpose? Freddie Mac was chartered by Congress in 1970 to keep money flowing to mortgage lenders in support of homeownership and rental housing. Freddie Mac’s mission is to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the U.S. housing market. I will continue to add to this blog monthly in order to explain who what and why Freddie Mac is and why it is important to us as consumers.

Are you ready to buy a home?

Not everyone knows the steps to take in preparing yourself in becoming a homeowner. The first step is to go through the loan process and find out what you can afford and what you qualify to purchase. Buyers who have been preapproved for a home loan often have their offers taken more seriously according to the National Association of Realtors. The next step is to find a Realtor who you are comfortable with and you can trust to negotiate the best deal for you. There are many benefits to having a Realtor help you through the home buying process. Your Realtor will help you narrow the search in finding you your “Dream Home”. Your Realtor will also guide you through the offer and negotiation phases of purchasing your new home. Purchasing a home is the biggest financial investment most of us experience in our lifetime. A Realtor working for you through this process will insure you find the right house for the right price and most importantly protect your interest. A great Realtor follows a strict code of ethics that includes qualities such as being honest, putting your interest ahead of his or her own and disclosing all pertinent facts regarding the property and transaction. If you are ready to start the exciting process of purchasing a new home call Cooke Realty Partners and we will be happy to help you find your dream home!

There are numerous aspects to Freddie Mac, most of which are not widely known by the public. For example, Freddie Mac offers refinance options available to help borrowers that make timely mortgage payments but are unable to refinance due to declining property values. Freddie Mac offers two options, the Same Servicer option and the Open Access option.

Information regarding these programs can be found online and would be great options for borrowers that are doing all of the right things and making their mortgage payments on time but are having difficulty refinancing due to other issues.

Here are some of the positive things to consider.

If you have come here you read January 2010 Letter from the heart or visited our facebook site. Here is the list of notes Greg wrote in each card for the year

1. We can have fun just us
2. We can still laugh together
3. You are as beautiful inside as you are outside
4. You can rock a pair of jeans
5. You put your whole heart into everything you do
6. You care about others as much or more than you care about yourself
7. You always want to look your best
8. You understand that the greatest gift is giving
9. You always give me something to look forward to
10. You make me smile even when I don't want to
11. When you see "old couples" you see us
12. I'm lucky to have someone to share things in life with
13. You know I'm a goof and it's ok with you
14. You are an everyday reminder of my countless blessings
15. Together we are unbeatable
16. You may not be perfect but you are perfect for me
17. I can't imagine being with anyone else
18. You know how to make me feel special
19. I REALLY miss you when you are gone
20. When you are gone I don't feel at home in my own home
21. Because you are a terrific mother
22. You always support my passions
23. Trust and Loyalty are what attract me to you the most
24. You are a great training partner
25. You give me courage to try things outside my comfort zone
26. You are a great travel partner
27. I love your passion for our family
28. I might do things that piss you off but I would never do anything to hurt you
29. I love the hug I get when I get home from out of town
30. If we spend the day off together but aren't together the whole day it's ok
31. I never wish we were like any other couple
32. I can tell you anything
33. I will "clean " for you anytime (inside joke, don't ask)
34. Nobody works as hard as you at everything you do
35. You make the best of every situation
36. I love how excited you get when you reach a new goal
37. You get discouraged but never feel defeated
38. Your smile lights up a room
39. You never throw your success in my face but instead help me plan for mine
40. You are low maintenance
41. Because you have faith
42. God made you just for me
43. The things we do together are what is really important
44. Even though you know you can't do everything you still try
45. You are the light that gives our family direction
46. Because if I don't give you my best then I am not worthy of yours
47. Most of what I am thankful for bears your fingerprint
48. Because you will "guard and protect my heart" (cheesy Bachelorette reference)
49. We share the same vision for our future
50. You make me want to work on my marriage every day
51. You are the best gift I ever received
52. When I was making bad decisions for myself I'm glad I was wise enough to let God choose who to spend the rest of my life with

May was Marvelous!!! 

May was full of milestones and mileage for the Cooke’s!  We kicked off May Madness with Greg and I having a little overnight get-a-way downtown so we could celebrate our 15^th Wedding Anniversary. When everything around you seems like it is headed south but you have your best friend, partner for life and a great husband beside you…who cares!!!! I have said it before and I will say it again…my marriage gets better every year and I am so thankful! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us for the next 15!! 

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun sent the following response to the editor of The Washington Post in response to the January 1, 2011 article, “Trim the Excessive Tax Subsidy for Real Estate.”

Good News for the national housing market that you are going to want to know!

It's time to freshen up your home for Fall!!

As I thought about what to write for my Letter from the Heart this month I stopped to think about how a brand New Year can seem very exciting but also a little depressing.  What I mean by that is we work all year to hit our goals, whether it is a goal at your work, a savings goal or even a weight loss goal, and then when the New Year rolls around we reset them and start all over again with a new plan or goal.  

You decide!  Have you ever been in the middle of something and thought WOW what a coincidence?  I say that most of the time, however on this event, I truly believe it was a God