LaRita Stephens's (larita) Blog

Wow!  I think the City of Richardson has really out done itself with the 2009 Wildflower Festival!  There was a great lineup of bands again this year including Hoobastank, Kool & The Gang, Rick Springfield, Edgar Winters Band and the Toadies.  I became an instant fan of Robert Randoph & The Famil...

Thanks to all of you that have shown me so much love and support during my illness over the past year and a half!  After a couple of surgeries, way too much medication and an adventure at the Mayo Clinic, I think I'm almost my old self again.  I'm doing very well and am ready to get back to work!...

Okay, you've done your budget homework and you decided you are ready to buy a home.  How much money should you have for a downpayment?If your downpayment is less than 20%, you will be required to carry Mortgage Insurance.  This can add approximately $100 per month.  (This amount is based on your ...

What is a HUD home?These are homes that had Government backed loans that have gone into foreclosure.  These homes vary in price but generally are $30,000-$200,000. I have included a couple of webites for you to have a look at.  The first is http://www.southwestalliance.com/  This is the Federal G...

I'll be doing a series on Buying Your First Home but most of the information would benefit all of us in our home buying decisions.  Please bring any Questions you have and let's find the Answers!First things first!  That dreaded "B" word.  Let's talk BUDGET.  I'm sure you've all heard of the reco...

Yea!  It's that time of year again!  The hot days are cooling off (any second now), Football is in full swing, Texas State Fair opens, and one of my favorites - The Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson is on!Last year I saw so many wonderful artists from primitive folk art to Renaissance!  Handm...

My 10-step marketing plan is designed to get your home the maximum amount of exposure in the shortest period of time. Each step involves proven techniques that leverage the opportunities to showcase your home to key people that can either buy your home or help us find the right buyer: Prospective...

Top Ten Signs That It's Time To Own Your Own Home10. You're ready to stop paying your landlord's mortgage payment, and essentially financing his retirement. 9. You really need the tax deductions associated with property taxes and mortgage interest. 8. You want to have a vested interest in your co...

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone at the Deaf Action Center that taught me to play Chicken Foot this past Monday!  I had a really good time and you were all so sweet to me.  A special thanks to Iqbal for his kind, but firm hand on which domino should be played and when!Thanks to all of you ...

This is a good way to keep up with rates! http://www.freddiemac.com/dlink/html/PMMS/display/PMMSOutputYr.jspAbout the Primary Mortgage Market Survey®Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) surveys lenders each week on the rates and points for their most popular 30-year fixed-rate, 1...