Google It!

It was a 2nd grade math question that I should know. What is the difference between a trapezoid and a rectangular prism? Something like that. Well, here's the thing, I didn't. I know, I'm 37 and have a MBA but I couldn't help my daughter with her 2nd grade math question. So, I said, "When you all else fails, you Google it!" I thought this was ingenius and what every techy youngster would agree to. My 8 year old said, "Mom, what happens when you don't have Google to help you." My daughter has always been very sharp with words it happens to be the one thing that stings between us but it also happens to be the one thing that teaches me daily. It is one thing that God sends me to put me in my place. I replied. "Then you, well...you have to use other resources." I didn't have a good answer really. Because in my head I knew she was right. I was becoming too dependent on this Google to solve my problems. As I have rolled this around in my brain the last few days I have decided that's not the only thing I have become dependent on this Google for. Instead of God, I turn to Google to help with other issues. Instead of God, I look at the internet for an answer to my health problem, to my family situation, to my financial downfall, to my career choice. Instead of turning to the one and only sovreign Lord I turn to fancy computers to look for answers. How sad. How lonely. How pothetic. What happens when you don't have Google. Then you turn to God. Then you get down on your knees because no one else is there to give you a quick fix. I fear this is what our society has come to. I fear this is what I do myself, I am not pointing fingers except to myself but I know that God and God alone can help. Not staring at a computer screen, not facebook, not twitter--now these are resources but how much do we trust them for our lives. Turn to God, then to Google. Put God first. How much of our lives are spent staring at a screen when they may be better spent staring up at heaven and praying for guidance and help from the one who really knows the answers. Following Jesus.

Where do I start?

Did the chicken or the egg come first?

Do I choose a Realtor or a banker first? Its a common question and it probably doesn't make much difference. If you have a banker you use often then go to them and get your lending questions answered and know where your limits are when you go looking for a house. All too many times people don't know where to start looking and once they see those much higher priced houses with all the amenities then they don't like what they can afford. So, don't let this happen to you. Know what you can afford, be prepared for that and this will help you and your Realtor in looking for your new home.

However, if you don't have a lender you are comfortable with, no worries. Realtors always have lenders they work with and can provide you with names of people that can give you the information and assistance that you need.

Before you begin seriously looking though do be prepared to go talk with a lender or two or three. I always recommend getting some good faith estimates from a few lenders to make sure you have the best rates and programs for you. Each institution has different programs that may meet your specific needs. That being said, I want to emphasize this. If you have a lender you are comfortable with use them. They will work harder for you and give you the service you need. It is imperative that you have a good relationship with this person because you will be giving them personal information and you want to feel comfortable in this relationship.

Get your limits, get your preapproval letter. All of this makes you more negotiable. We will discuss this tomorrow. Tune in...

Don't Cancel because of the Rain

Its a rainy day in Paducah and some would say it isn't a good day to go look at a house, but I beg to differ. I think a rainy day is an excellent day. For one thing you can see if there are drainage issues in the yard. You can see if gutters clog up. You can tell if there are leaks in the basement or the roof. Don't discount the rainy day showing.

The downfall, you probably don't want to be out walking around the lot on that day. So I would advise both a rainy and dry day showing.