Happy Holidays

Thank You!!!

Our sincere Thanks and Appreciation on this Veterans Day!

We got our boots on!

Recently, the FAIRWAY Independent Mortgage team in Lancaster, PA joined the Suits in Boots campaign, and put our boots on, in support of our troops!  


"The Boot Campaign is a grassroots initiative started by five women from Texas known as the Boot Girls. The campaign provides an easy and tangible way for Americans to show appreciation for troops (both past and present), raise awareness of the challenges they face upon return and donate funds to charities supporting their transition home. Proceeds from boot sales are donated to partner charities, who assist returning veterans and active troops dealing with emotional, mental and physical issues. 

When They Come Back, We Give Back!

What better way to say thank you to our troops than sporting a pair of boots just like theirs? So join in the growing chorus of musicians, entertainers, athletes and other celebrities and get YOUR boots on!"

What's a Veteran Home Loan, you ask??

Questions about Veteran Home Loans and how to qualify? Come and visit my website and sign up for your free newsletter.

http://www.myfairwayva.com/

Suzanne Harman
Veteran Home Loan Specialist
FAIRWAY Independent Mortgage Corp.
suzanneh@fairwaymc.com

Our Fairway tribute to our Heroes

Protect This House

www.youtube.com

In honor of Memorial Day, our Heroes and Wounded Warrior. Honored by FAIRWAY Independent Mortgage in PA.

Silent Heroes: Honoring War Dogs This Memorial Day

05/27/2011

In honor of Memorial Day, my esteemed colleagues Lulu Schmoo, Zazou & Kiki here at The Daily Treat would like to recognize all the incredibly brave, selfless men, women and service & military dogs that have given their lives for our country.

No Longer Left Behind

War dogs have been silently fighting for on our behalf for decades and up until around the year 2000, most of these brave and dedicated souls were actually left behind, literally abandoned -- by the military despite having loyally loved and protected their soldiers in battle. In fact, after the Vietnam War, only 204 of an estimated 4,900 war dogs returned to the United States, according to military dog organizations.

Thankfully, this practice changed in the year 2000 when President Clinton signed a law allowing the dogs to be adopted. Last year, 338 dogs were adopted, including 34 that were given to police departments or other government agencies.

Military Dog Adoptions on the Rise

In fact, just this week MSNBC released a story indicating that life after the military is looking brighter than ever for America's four-legged veterans since one of their own helped in the mission to kill Osama bin Laden. War dog organizations say the number of people asking about adopting retired military canines has risen dramatically since the mission involving Cairo, the Navy SEALs dog tasked with tracking anyone who tried to escape from bin Laden's compound and alerting the special operations forces to anyone approaching.

To learn more about these incredible heroes and their stories or to learn about how to adopt and/or support retired war dogs, visit USWarDogs.org or Military Working Dog Adoptions.

Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone. We are having a cookout at Fairway Independent Mortgage today and paying tribute to our Fallen Heroes. Check out the very cool Under Armour Shirt I have on. Do you know that they are one of the largest supporters of the Wounded Warrior Project?

Thanks to all of you who serve our country. Have a safe and happy weekend but let us not forget.



Suzanne Harman
VA Mortgage Specialist
FAIRWAY Independent Mortgage Corp.
suzanneh@fairwaymc.com
http://myfairwayhome.com/va_home.htm

Mental Health Month

Write something...

Wounded Warrior Project

Did you know...

* 1 in 5 service members from the current conflicts will experience PTSD.
* More than 300,000 who served in the current conflicts are believed to suffer from PTSD.
* In addition to its well-known symptoms of hyper-vigilance and sleeplessness, PTSD can also cause memory loss and trouble concentrating.
* PTSD is not simply a psychological phenomenon- it can also cause structural changes in the brain.
* Research hasn’t yet determined why some individuals get PTSD and others don’t, but we do know it is NOT caused by any mental weakness.
* Friends, family members, and caregivers of individuals with PTSD can also experience PTSD symptoms.
* Many service members are afraid to seek help. Among those who do, only half receive care considered “minimally adequate” by researchers.

Honor Mental Health Awareness Month (bit.ly/iluqpI) by helping to share facts about PTSD!

Thank you.............

May is national Military Appreciation Month. I am asking you: What would you say to our nation's military personnel and veterans to express your appreciation?

Riding for Fallen Heroes

http://www.bikerdoggie.com/

Chewy (Biker Dog)

In March 2004, I was on doggie death row at the SPCA. On my third day at the SPCA, Butch (my chauffeur and dad) found a picture of me on the internet and decided to drive two hours to see me. Read the rest of my story here and how my daddy and I are riding across America for our Fallen Heroes.

Paws and Stripes

Thanks to my friend Kathy for sharing this info on this wonderful organization.



http://pawsandstripes.org/home.html

A guide to approaching troops at the airport

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/04/08/military.airport.etiquette/index.html

Wow, did you know?

Special Financing for Home Buyers on select homes in most Central PA counties. 3% Down Payment and NO PMI and the Seller has already agreed to pay 3.5% of your closing costs… Contact me now for more details!

Suzanne Harman
VA Mortgage Specialist
FAIRWAY Independent Mortgage Corp.
suzanneh@fairwaymc.com
http://myfairwayhome.com/va_home.htm

Norberto Lara was serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq. ..........

Wounded Warrior Profile:

Norberto Lara In 2004, Staff Sgt. Norberto Lara was serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq. A rocket-propelled grenade hit his vehicle, causing extensive injuries and amputating his right arm. In this video, he tells his amazing story of survival and thanks the medical teams who helped make it possible for him to recover and thrive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3yFnkaEgFM

Did you ever meet someone for the first time, walk away and say.....WOW!

I did today.

I had the great privilege of meeting retired police officer, Don Erb. Of course I wanted to hear about his time on the Force and how he got to where he is now. I could have sat for hours and chatted with him.

His business is Tactical Wear Online.com, www.tacticalwearonline.com. Do you know that Under Armour is a huge sponsor of the Wounder Warrior Project? YEAH!!

Next time you're in Lititz, PA, visit Don.............stop in and say hello. I appreciate what Don is doing for our Country's heroes. Thanks Don!

Suzanne Harman
VA Mortgage Specialist
FAIRWAY Independent Mortgage Corp.
suzanneh@fairwaymc.com
http://myfairwayhome.com/va_home.htm

Let it be Friday, what are your plans?

Happy Friday everyone. What kind of fun weekend plans do you have? In case you are out house hunting, did you know that VA Loans are easier to qualify for than most conventional loans? In fact, 80 percent of VA borrowers could not have obtained a conventional loan.

Would you like to know more? Give me a ring, I'd be happy to answer your questions.

Suzanne Harman
VA Mortgage Specialist
FAIRWAY Independent Mortgage Corp.
suzanneh@fairwaymc.com
http://myfairwayhome.com/va_home.htm

Heroes come in all Shapes and Sizes

Please come and visit my friend Nicole Arbelo's website "K9 Heroes" and read about how she supports our K9 Heroes and our Troops overseas. She has been an inspiration to me.

http://www.k9heroes.us/index.html

Thanks Nicole for letting me share.

Suzanne

Benefits of Home Ownership

Buying a home provides a place where you can say, “This is
mine.” A home lets you put down roots and build equity in
a place of your own.

If you have a growing family, you may be ready to get into a
home that accommodates a different lifestyle. Even if you are
an empty nester, you may want to experience a different lifestyle
in the country or move back to an urban environment.

Ask me how!!!


Suzanne Harman
VA Mortgage Specialist
FAIRWAY Independent Mortgage Corp.
suzanneh@fairwaymc.com
http://myfairwayhome.com/va_home.htm

Wounded Warrior Project

What a great organization! Please go to their website for more information. For all VA mortgages referred to me, I will be making a donation to WWP at the time of mortgage closing.

How would you like to be in that new house in less than 30 days?

Thought VA Home loans used to take forever to close??? Those days are over. I can get your VA Home Loan closed in 30 days or less!!

Ask me how....

Suzanne Harman
VA Mortgage Specialist
FAIRWAY Independent Mortgage Corp.
suzanneh@fairwaymc.com
http://myfairwayhome.com/va_home.htm

Operation Heroes And Hounds Matches War Veterans With Death Row Dogs

Operation Heroes & Hounds' presents injured members of the United States military with the unique opportunity of coaching and living with shelter dogs. The focus of the program is on personal transformation through The Loved Dog™ method, a playful and nonaggressive approach to canine coaching. Both service members and shelter dogs learn a new set of skills that will make a positive impact on their future. Operation Heroes & Hounds participants include "the walking wounded" of the United States military suffering from non-visible ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Shelter dogs selected for the program are in need of behavior modification through the kind, nonaggressive teaching of The Loved Dog method. Together, they can heal their emotional wounds while gaining new life skills. Check out Tamar Geller's Site. http://www.tamargeller.com/outreach-heroes.php

Need a lower interest rate?

If you currently have a VA loan on your home, you can refinance
for a lower rate using a VA Interest Rate Reduction Loan, or IRRL.

A VA IRRL allows you to get a lower interest rate on a current VA
loan with no out-of-pocket closing costs.

Benefits of a Streamline Refinance,

> No out-of-pocket costs
> No monthly mortgage insurance
> No income or credit check to qualify
> Only .5% funding fee on all interest reductions

Contact me, I can show you how!

Suzanne Harman
VA Mortgage Specialist
FAIRWAY Independent Mortgage Corp.
suzanneh@fairwaymc.com
http://myfairwayhome.com/va_home.htm

Are You Eligible for a VA Home Loan?

Generally speaking almost all active duty and honorably discharged service members are eligible for a VA Home Loan. Here are just a few criteria for eligibility:

- Served during wartime (as defined by the VA) for at least 90 consecutive days

- Currently on active duty after 90 days of active service

- Served 6 years in the Reserves or National Guard

- Spouse of a deceased veteran who died as a result of their active service, or
a service related injury and are Not Remarried.

- U.S. Citizen who served with an allied country during WWII

If you can say "yes" to any of the above, then you may be eligible for a VA Loan! Still not sure? Contact me!

Until Next Time,

Suzanne Harman
VA Mortgage Specialist
FAIRWAY Independent Mortgage Corp.
suzanneh@fairwaymc.com
http://myfairwayhome.com/va_home.htm

ATTENTION FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS THAT SERVE OUR COUNTRY

If any military first time home buyer that has been deployed outside of the from Dec. 2008 to May 1st 2010 and have served 90 days or more. You are eligible for the first time home buyer credit. That means you are eligible to receive up $8,000 home buyer credit that doesn't need paid back!!!! With really low home prices and very low mortgages rates this a great opportunity to spread the word. You would need to be under contract by March 31st 2011 and settle by June 30th 2011..

Please pass this along to our heroes that serve this great country and let them know that this is available to them as well!!!

Home Ownership Benefits for our Veterans

Check out some of the fabulous advantages of obtaining a Veteran Administration Home Loan! Advantages of VA Home Loans

Buying or refinancing a home is a very important decision. Almost as important as selecting the right home is making sure you are selecting the right loan. There are distinct differences between VA and Conventional loans as well as significant advantages for buyers who qualify for a VA Loan.

Down Payment - VA Offers $0 Down

Conventional loans require a minimum down payment of 3% but in many cases, particularly in today's market banks are asking for as much as 10-20% down. Down payments help to mitigate the bank's risk should the loan go into default. Because a VA Loan is backed by the federal government, banks do not require a down payment making a VA Loan one of very few loan programs that can still offer 100% financing.

Monthly Payment - Save Big Every Month with VA

Because the loan is backed by the government, banks do not require PMI (private mortgage insurance), an added monthly expense required for conventional loans where the borrower finances more than 80% of the home's value.

Lenders will also offer a slightly lower interest rate to a VA borrower (typically 0.5%-1.0% reduction vs. conventional). Interest rates are based on the banks capital risk should the loan go into default, but because a VA Loan is backed by the government the bank takes less risk and is able to offer a lower interest rate to you. A lower rate combined and no PMI can substantially lower your monthly payment, which means more cash in your pocket every month.

Qualification Standards - VA is More Lenient

The credit score and qualification standards for each loan type are very different. Once again, because the loan is backed by the government, banks assume less risk and have less stringent qualification standards for VA Loans making them easier to obtain especially in this market.

Live Almost for Free

If you are active duty you can live almost for free because many times your allotted BAH can cover the mortgage payment. So you live almost for free while enjoying the tax benefits of homeownership.