Simon Smart's (simonsmart) Blog

By
Mortgage and Lending - Sunstreet Mortgage, Arizona
RECENT BLOG POSTS
    With so many new homeowners looking to enter the market because of low rates and low home prices, I know there is often some confusion about loan options. I have tried to give a brief summary of what is available, along with the basic benefits of the program. As always, feel free to contact m...
11/02/2009
Refinance Options for Underwater Homeowners We all know people who are having trouble keeping up with their payments but could not refinance because they are underwater (or close to it) on their loan. Many were not willing to refinance because it would push them above the magic 80% Loan-to-Value...
10/11/2009
Coming back from hunting in Willcox, AZ last weekend, I drove through Redington Pass. It was the first time for me to come through this area. One of the interesting things for me about Tucson is that, as the city is abutted by mountains on two sides, some of the major roads actually become dirt t...
10/10/2009
As a transplanted Scotsman, I was reading the BBC news this morning when I came across an article about a beautiful, rural fisherman's cottage which was recently put up for sale in Kent, on the English coast. Think rustic, think peaceful, think fresh air and the sound of gulls. If you are having ...
09/30/2009
I just got back from a training session for volunteer Crisis Intervention Officers with the Pima County District Attorney Victim Witness Unit. One of the most essential skills for dealing with crime victims who are in crisis is being a good listener - part of the job is to bring those victims out...
09/29/2009
I recently had the pleasure of attending a great presentation from a senior person at HUD's outreach program at the Tucson Association of Realtors. The goal of the program is to educate realtors and lenders about how the FHA works, and how it benefits the community. There was a lot of great infor...
09/28/2009
Recently a number of realtors and home builders I have been talking with have told me that they did not know there was a such thing as a VA Jumbo Loan. In fact, there may be some loan officers who don't know about it, and tell their borrowers that they have to take a straight jumbo loan if they a...
09/10/2009
This was such a valuable and important point from my colleague Jane Pettinnen here at Sunstreet Mortgage that I wanted to reblog it. Jane has been in the industry for 30 years (should I tell her I just turned thirty?) and is a font of knowledge on lending.     You need to monitor your credit thre...
09/10/2009
Back when I lived in London, and before that Japan, people didn't keep a lot of pets. The normal dog in a Japanese home fits conventiently in a handbag. Not here in Arizona I guess, where lots of space, both inside and out, is perfect for large families and their pet collections which sometimes b...
09/08/2009
Hello everyone! This is my first blog entry on Active Rain, which I have been introduced to recently by Mike Jones here at Sunstreet Mortgage. Thanks Mike! To introduce myself a little bit - I moved here to Tucson (Vail actually) a little over a year ago to get married to my wonderful wife Michel...
08/24/2009
Rainer
15,203

Simon Smart

local_phone(520) 344-6940
smartphone(520) 954-3757
Contact The Author