Fall Has arrived once again in Connecticut, which means it is time for me to begin my Progression Of Fall Colors series I started eleven years ago.  This is a series I hoped to continue for many years, and have been able to do so far, though this year may prove to be a little challenging. The first two years the pictures were of a farm which is only about a minute walk from my house.  Nine years ago I decided to change the location for the 2014 Progression Of Fall Color Series to a lake about 5 minutes from my house on RT17.  I tried that location for two years, but the colors were not as good as I expected them to be.  So seven years ago I decided to change locations again to a site at Lyman's Orchards in Middlefield, CT.  But once again that site did not produce the colors I had hope... 10/14/2023

Fall Has arrived once again in Connecticut, which means it is time for me to begin my Progression Of Fall Colors series I started eleven years ago.  This is a series I hoped to continue for many years, and have been able to do so far, though this year may prove to be a little challenging. The first two years the pictures were of a farm which is only about a minute walk from my house.  Nine years ago I decided to change the location for the 2014 Progression Of Fall Color Series to a lake about 5 minutes from my house on RT17.  I tried that location for two years, but the colors were not as good as I expected them to be.  So seven years ago I decided to change locations again to a site at Lyman's Orchards in Middlefield, CT.  But once again that site did not produce the colors I had hope... 10/07/2023

This month Dr. Paula McDonald and Kathy Streib are hosting the September ActiveRain Challenge titled "Let's Get Serious About Writing a Blog Series."  Through my 17 plus years of writing blogs on ActiveRain I have written many series of blogs.  My most notable series of blogs is one I write yearly on the progression of the Fall Colors here in Connecticut.  However, this months challenge only requires a series of 3 blogs, so I have decided to write about my three most favorite mortgage transactions as a Loan Originator.The Third favorite mortgage experience I have chosen is very special because of the Borrower and her family's situation.  It was not an easy loan, in fact it is one of the loans that I have worked the hardest on in order to get it approved. There was not only a lot of work... 09/30/2023

This month Dr. Paula McDonald and Kathy Streib are hosting the September ActiveRain Challenge titled "Let's Get Serious About Writing a Blog Series."  Through my 17 plus years of writing blogs on ActiveRain I have written many series of blogs.  My most notable series of blogs is one I write yearly on the progression of the Fall Colors here in Connecticut.  However, this months challenge only requires a series of 3 blogs, so I have decided to write about my three most favorite mortgage experiences as a Loan Originator.My Second favorite mortgage experience I have chosen is a loan I did for a young couple who went to school with my oldest son Matthew  from kindergarten through High School.  Just like the first blog in this challenge "My First Memorable Mortgage Experience", it will be ver... 09/30/2023

This month Dr. Paula McDonald and Kathy Streib are hosting the September ActiveRain Challenge titled "Let's Get Serious About Writing a Blog Series."  Through my 17 plus years of writing blogs on ActiveRain I have written many series of blogs.  My most notable series of blogs is one I write yearly on the progression of the Fall Colors here in Connecticut.  However, this months challenge only requires a series of 3 blogs, so I have decided to write about my three most favorite mortgage experiences as a Loan Originator.The first favorite mortgage experience I have chosen is the very first mortgage I did as a Loan Originator.  This transaction was a special experience for many reasons, and an experience I will never forget.  When I became a Loan Originator I had to go through an initial tr... 09/30/2023

I have shared what I remember most about 9/11 before, and have made a commitment to share this memory each and every year on September 11, so today once again I am fulfilling that commitment with this blog.September 11, 2001 is a day I will never forget!  It is a day forever imprinted on my heart and mind.   September 11, 2001 is a day each of us has a special reason why this day will forever be remembered.  September 11, 2001 is a day we will not only forever remember the vicious attack on our country, but also a day to honor those who lost there lives.  It is a day for us to reflect on the memories, and thoughts which went through our mines as the events of September 11, 2001 unfolded 20 years ago. Below is my special memory of that day, it is an event which hit close to home, and wil... 09/11/2023

Labor Day this year is a bright, sunny day, which means a great day for all the Labor Day plans that have been made.  For me the only thing I have planned for today is to just get some much needed extra sleep and rest, after a long drive back from my vacation. Normally we plan on having the family over and putting some food on the grill.  But this year is just my wife and I, so we are just going to put a couple of nice thick filet mignons on the grill and enjoy them together. I hope that each and everyone of you spend this Labor Day doing what you enjoy, you have earned it.  Whatever you do make sure this is a safe and happy Holiday for you and your family!!! Happy Labor Day 2023!!! 09/04/2023

Margaret Rome and John Meussner are hosting this months ActiveRain Challenge titled "What Makes You Exceptional?".  This should be an easy challenge, but for many reasons it is not an easy challenge for me.  Besides not liking to talk about myself, I do not know of anyone who does not think they do an exceptional job, even if they clearly do not.  For me, whether I am exceptional or not needs to be show in actions and not words, or at the very least stated by others.  I could post a blog with many of the great reviews I have received, but I do not think that would be worthy of an ActiveRain Monthly Challenge.  While I will not make glowing statements about myself in my submission to this challenge, I will state what I strive to do each and everyday for my clients.Several years ago I ask... 07/28/2023

This Family Fun Night on Main Street, Downtown Middletown, CT has something for everyone in the family regardless of their age. There is: The best Italian Ice anywhere which everyone will love. Performances by very talented young performers. Live music, and Who does not like unique toys. Anyone who is in or planning to be near Middletown, CT needs to make their calendar for July 25th, 5:00 - 8:00, and not miss this evening of great family fun.  07/14/2023

Happy 4th of July 2023 to all my ActiveRain friends.  Tomorrow is the 4th of July and my wife and I will be spending a quiet and relaxing.  No partying, no picnicking, just relaxing.  Normally we go to RI for a cookout with family.  But this year because the 4th of July falls on a Tuesday, we had our family 4th of July cookout in RI on Sunday.  So this 4th of July will just be my wife and myself, and we are just going to put some ribs on the grill, and enjoy a day of doing nothing.Hopefully all of you will have a happy 4th of July, and get to spend quality time with your family and friends, or just sit back and relax like my wife and I are doing this year.   Whatever you do, I hope you do it in a safe way.  We want the 4th of July to be a day of celebration, and not a day of regrets.Hap... 07/03/2023

The Middletown, CT Farmers Market are underway and will be held every Friday from now through October 27th. on the South Green which is located off of Main Street. One of my favorite things about Summer is all of the Farmers Markets in the area, and the Middletown Farmers Market is one of the better ones in my area.  The Middletown Farmers Market offers up a variety of local grown fruits and vegetables, as well as home made baked goods music, had-crafted items, and even a storytime. It is impossible to go to the Middletown Farmers Market and not purchase more than originally planned, because everything their just looks so good.I would encourage all those in the area to stop by the Middletown, CT Farmers Market, and to bring extra money, because you will most likely not be able to resist... 06/30/2023

 This month Kat Palmiotti is hosting the ActiveRain June Challenge titled "Artificial Intelligence at Home/Work".  Kat is asking us to not just mention how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is presently impacting our lives, but how additional AI or the improvement of the AI we already have could impact our future.I don't think of my self as a techie person, or even having much AI presently in my life.  However, when I stop and think about it AI is presently all over my life.  I have: Ring Doorbell iWatch iPone iPad Desktop Computer Laptop Smart TV Smart Water Heater Swing Caddie (Golf) GPS Scanner Multi Function Printer Internet E-mail And the list goes on and on, but I think this basic list shows my life is very much impacted and dependent on AI.  However, I can see in the near future even ... 06/27/2023

Tomorrow is Father's Day 2023 and it will be a good one.  It will start off with going to church, followed by going to lunch at one of my favorite sea food restaurants with my wife and youngest son.  Later tomorrow evening I will get to FaceTime with my oldest son, and gorgeous granddaughter.  It is not the same as being together, but it is the next best thing.I hope the rest of the fathers reading this blog get to spend their Father's Day 2023 in their own special way.  Enjoy it, and appreciate the blessings you are so fortunate to have.  06/17/2023

I am a little last minute with my entry into this month's ActiveRain challenge hosted by Debe Maxwell, CRS titled "May 2023 Challenge - Shower Power: Flaunt Your Fabulous Blooms Brought to Life by April Showers." The perennial  flowers my wife and I  plant are mainly early blooming plants.  They pop up late in March, and continue to grow through most of April, but then they are gone by the time May rolls around.  The front of our house is normally covered with various types of daffodils as you can see in the picture to the right.  You can also see the remnants of the daffodils in the feature photo above. Also at the same time the azalea bush I have in the back of the house is also in full bloom, and it tends to keep its flowers into early May.  This one will produce flowers again in the... 05/30/2023

Today is 2023 Memorial Day In Middletown, CT.  Memorial Day is a day our Country has set aside to honor the fallen men and women who have served in our Armed Forces, and put their lives on the line to ensure the freedoms we have.Memorial Day has also become a time where families get together for picnics and family fun.  Some may even attend a local parades or participate in one.  Whatever you do today I hope a part of the day is spent on reflecting upon the meaning of this day, and those who we honor.  For many today will involve traveling a fair distance to be with family and friends.  So my annual messages has become the one above, and hope today will be a day free of accidents and loss of lives.  I Hope Everyone Has A Safe AndEnjoyable 2023 Memorial Day!!!  05/29/2023

It is a special day anytime we get to honor our mother's and thank them for all they do.  My mother passed away 15 years ago, so I can no longer get to thank her personally for everything she did for me, but I do get to thank my wife today for everything she has done for our two sons.  This is a day she gets to be treated like the queen she is, and shown how special she is to us. Happy Mother's Day 2023 to all Mother's, and I hope this was a special day for every Mother everywhere.  05/14/2023

Hot off the press FHFA has rescinded their new UNFAIR Loan Level Price Adjustments (LLPA's).  This is proof that when we stick together and make our voice heard, even the most deaf administration has to take notice.This was a very unfair increase in the LLPA's by the present administration which penalized responsible borrowers with excellent credit scores, at the expense of irresponsible borrowers with bad credit scores.  This was really a smoke and mirror attempt by the present administration, because all it was going to do was exhort more money from responsible borrowers, and do noting for irresponsible borrowers who would not be able to qualify for financing.This rescinding of the LLPA's was not because the present administration all of the sudden realized this was unfair, but becaus... 05/10/2023

This month Kathy Streib and Carol Williams are hosting the April Challenge titled "Tell Us About Your First Home Buying Experience."  I have only purchased two homes in my lifetime, and I am presently living in my second home which I purchased in 1981.  While the two purchases were under very different circumstances, the two were very similar in that each one our offer was accepted right away and closed quickly.After 4 years in the Navy, I decided it was not the career choice for me, so on September 28, 1974 I received an honorable discharge, and began my civilian life once again.  My departure from the Navy was soon followed by marring my to be forever wife in October 19, 1974.  After a very short honeymoon, we I packed up a Ford, Pinto station wagon with our belonging, and began our t... 04/24/2023

This month Patricia Feager and Kathleen Daniels are hosting the March challenge titled  "March to a Solution | ActiveRain March 2023 Challenge"  Patricia and Kathleen are asking us to share issues we have encountered during our professional career in Real Estate, which may help others to avoid and hopefully resolve. My first submission into this challenge was "Easy-Peasy, Wrong!!! which was about a Borrower who made what should have been an easy loan very difficult. The second entry was about "Stupid Things Sellers Do That Cause Mortgage Loans To Fall Apart".  This third and final submission is about a Borrower who almost left me speechless.It Is Amazing The Questions We Are Asked.  The other day a Borrower I had given a pre-approval letter to about 6 months ago called me.  I had worked... 03/21/2023

This month Patricia Feager and Kathleen Daniels are hosting the March challenge titled  "March to a Solution | ActiveRain March 2023 Challenge"  Patricia and Kathleen are asking us to share issues we have encountered during our professional career in Real Estate, which may help others to avoid and hopefully resolve.  I have read several excellent blogs submitted so far in this challenge by Realtors/Agents, however, as a Loan Originator my job is to help Borrowers obtain the financing they need to purchase a home.  This involves: Qualify the Buyers/Borrowers  for the price range they can purchase in.  Provide a Pre-Approval Letter for Buyers/Borrowers to submit with their offer.   Help Buyers secure financing for a mortgage loan once their offer has been accepted Advise Buyers/Borrowers ... 03/17/2023