| Welcome
The purpose of these monthly newslettes are to inform, motivate, educate and offer a little humor into our hectic lives.
If you have a favorite subject or article you would like to share with others, please let me hear from you for a future month's newsletter opportunity. |
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Genealogy is Addictive |
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Believe me when I tell you that documenting your family genealogy is addicitive.
About 12 months ago, I got serious about researching my STILES family history. As recently as July, Linda and I attended the "international" STILES family renunion at the George Ranch.
As addictive as the genealogy research was, the international meeting heightened my genealogy interest in that I found sources that filled in gaps of my family.
Through multiple sources, I have been able to trace my family lines back to the mid-1600s in Yorkshire, England.
My next quest is to learn more about each individual and what they did for a living. One of my genealogy goals is to visit each historical site (Caruthersville, MO, Louisville, KY; Saratoga, NY; Yorkshire, England) for further research.
In Houston, we are fortunate to have a really great genealogy resource in the Clayton Library.
If you have the slightest interest in researching your family history, that is a really great place to learn the basics of your research. |
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Show Me The $$$ |
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The two single most asked questions I receive of late are...I bet you can guess...
- How has the sub-prime "mess" affected my business.
- Is there mortgage money available to homebuyers today.
The answer to question #1 is:
When you don't fish in a certain market, your business is not affected if the market goes away.
My personal lending focus was never on the sub-prime market. I did see many of my mortgage-lending peers specialize in the sub-prime market, to the exclusion of the prime market home buyers.
These mortgage lending peers claimed they were making sooooo much more money in the sub-prime market. My personal focus was to stay true to my business model of the A and A- conforming markets. We fail to learn valuable economic lessons from the past; e.g. the economic downturn of the mid 1980s in Houston, the RTC bailout of the S&L industry, etc.
The answer to question #2 is:
Today's tighter credit requirements is a full 360 degree return to the credit requirements when I first entered the mortgage banking industry...several years ago.
The "new" (and "old") common sense underwriting requirements are (and were):
- Job stability
- Steady income
- Money in the bank
- Consistent good payment history of debts
- Management of family debt
This the irony of all ironies...the more things change, the more things stay the same.
There is plenty of mortgage money today(emphasis added for affect), IF (a BIG word) a buyer can meet the above common-sense requirements.
What a "unique" credit concept!
Now we have to get the word out to the home buying public of these very real requirements of today's credit market. |
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24 Things to Remember |
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From my family's personal experience with Hurricane IKE, we have come to realize what is important in our lives; our faith, our families and our health. It is easy to get caught up in the status of our roof, our trees, etc. All of these issues are superficial. Consider these 24 things to help put things in perspective.
Here are 24 Things to Remember to use in your personal life:
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Your presence is a present to the world.
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You're unique and one of a kind.
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Your life can be what you want it to be.
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Take the days just one at a time.
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Count your blessings, not your troubles.
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You'll make it through whatever comes along.
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Within you are so many answers.
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Understand, have courage, be strong.
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Don't put limits on yourself.
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So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
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Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
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Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.
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Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
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The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.
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Don't take things too seriously.
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Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.
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Remember that a little love goes a long way.
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Remember that a lot . . . goes forever.
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Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
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Life's treasures are people . . . together.
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Realize that it's never too late.
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Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
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Have health and hope and happiness.
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Take the time to wish upon a star.
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Netweaving @ HWCOC
"Presenting your DREAM BOARD" |
Please join me as my personal guest at the HWCOC's Business Over Breakfast meeting on the THIRD WEDNESDAY of each month.
Our breakfast meeting is held in the 3rd floor conference room at the LeTourneau University - 10730 Richmond Ave.
We begin our meeting at 07:15 A.M. and we are out the door at 08:30 A.M. The breakfast is provided by King Insurance Services. Be sure to thank those responsible for the breakfast.
The next meeting is OCTOBER 15TH
The theme for this month's program for chamber members is:
"Presenting your DREAM BOARD"
Please call me at 281/381-1414 for directions OR go to www.hwcoc.org for more information and the monthly calendar of events. |
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A Good Night's Sleep |
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Do you struggle to get a good night's sleep? According to sleep doctors, try these simple steps for 6 weeks:
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Stay on a daily sleep schedule; go to bed and get up at the same times.
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Because body temperature rises at night, be sure to dress with loose fitting cloths - do not layer your clothing.
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Rotate (or replace) your mattress on a monthly basis. If the mattress is too old and begins to sag, replace it ASAP.
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Schedule your daily exercise at least 2 or 3 hours before your scheduled bedtime.
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Take the TV out of your bedroom. Research has shown that people who use the TV to fall asleep have the most sleep distubances.
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Avoid caffeine and alcohol beverages at least 4-6 hours before your scheduled bedtime.
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Eliminate from your bedroom the disturbing lights, sounds and clutter. Consider using a type of "white noise" sound for deeper and more comfortable sleep. Decorate your bedroom in soothing shades of green and blue.
Have a GREAT night's sleep! |
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I AM GLAD YOU ASKED... |
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Frank Sinatra was frustrated with his record company in 1960, so he formed his own label, Reprise Records. Many of his buddies (Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr.) released records on Reprise, which is why they often referred to Frank as the Chairman of the Board.
Sam Houston is the only person in United States history who: Was a governor of two states, (Texas and Tennessee), a U.S. Senator, (Texas), a chief military commander for another country, (Republic of Texas), and a President of another country, (Republic of Texas).
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were the only two men who signed the Declaration of Independence and went on to become President of the United States.
The distance from the eastern tip to the western tip of the state of Texas is greater than the distance from New York City to Chicago.
Thanks to www.mentalfloss.com for these amazing facts. |
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Who Said It... |
Who said it...
"Everything is about what's winnable, not about the morality of the issues. In politics, as in racing cars, you can do anything if you are prepared to deal with the consequences."
JOE STILES
281/381-1414
Looking for a speaker for your organization or firm?
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THINK ON THESE THINGS:
If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito...Unknown Author
If you want to look young and thin, hang around old fat people...Jim Eason
If you wish to live wisely, ignore sayings including this one...Anonymous
If you wish to make a man your enemy, tell him simply, "You are wrong." This method works every time...Henry Link
If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns...Unknown Author
JOE STILES
281/381-1414
Does your business have a coupon that you would like to offer to my readers?
This is a great opportunity to share your expertise with many others. |
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| OCTOBER 2008 |
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I invite you to take a moment to be inspired, motivated, informed and entertained by this month's newsletter. Please take a moment to share your comments and suggestions for furture articles and/or topics.
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| America's Veterans |
America's military veterans have a very special place in my heart.
As my personal "THANK YOU" for every veteran who finances their VA loan through JOE STILES, I am offering a FREE appraisal (a value of $400).
I am honored to serve our country's veterans in this small way as my personal gratitude of your service to the United States of America.
NO TIME LIMIT
Joe Stiles
(USAF Veteran)
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Visit our Strategic Partners |
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