9 Ways to Add 5 Hours to Your Day

Do you ever feel like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything marked off your To-Do List? Here are some great tips that can add 5 hours of productivity to your work day!!

1. Never wait alone. Checkups, oil changes, long lines and hold times--all of these contribute to significant chunks of idle time. Rather than catching up on the latest celebrity gossip, bring something to work on. (30 minutes)
2. One-touch rule. Don't get back to it later--if a voicemail, email, or piece of paper takes one minute or less to handle, do it and move on. (20 minutes)
3. News Fast. Take a break from watching or listening to news first thing in the morning--it's more important to build a positive mood as you prepare for your day. (30 minutes)
4. News Faster. Get your news sources, blogs, and favorite daily content fed to a single location instead of clicking around willy-nilly. Bloglines is one resource. (20 minutes)
5. Write everything down. How many times have you gone to the grocery store with the list in your head, and still forgotten something? Write short lists on a sticky note, or simply text yourself. Same goes for the office: carrying a to-do list in your head is not just a recipe for forgetting all you have to do, it's a stress generator. (30 minutes)
6. Free your hands. Holding a phone in the crook of your neck limits your ability to do much else. Handle calls while cooking, cleaning, and driving with a headset. (30 minutes)
7. Call them all. Instead of making three or four calls to different people on the same action item, make a conference call. Freeconferencecall.com is both free and reliable--and even gives you your own line. (20 minutes)
8. Techno Freeze. Identify your most productive time during the day then turn off tech that distracts you. Setting aside email and phone for that period can easily double or triple your productivity. Turn off your TV early and save an average of 2.6 hours a day--11 days a year--according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (90 minutes)
9. Waffle check. Every minute you spend deciding what to do, buy, or wear is time you could use elsewhere. Knowing how much your time is worth per hour can help you avoid indecision. For example, "shopping around" for two hours to save $10 on shipping only makes sense if your time is worth $4 an hour. (30 minutes)

We would love the opportunity to help you manage your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Loan or refinance.  Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com with any questions you may have!!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

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Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2140 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite 303B

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

NMLS #: 493712

Positive Signs in the Current Economy

There continue to be some optimistic signs in parts of our economy, specifically with the housing sector last month. Here are some indicators that the Housing Market is in good shape and it is a good time to consider purchasing a Lake of the Ozarks Home!!

• Existing Home Sales rose in May to reach the highest rate since November 2009. Housing Starts also rose by 7 percent in May to come in a whopping 28 percent higher than May 2012. 
• In other housing news, RealtyTrac reported that foreclosures rose by 2 percent in May from April. But the good news is that foreclosures have fallen 28 percent from where they were just one year ago. 
• The economy as a whole also received some good news last month. Standard & Poor's, one of the big three credit-rating agencies, raised the credit outlook for the U.S. from negative to stable. The manufacturing sector also received a boost of good news, as both the Philadelphia Fed Index and the New York State Empire Manufacturing Index came in well above expectations. And, consumers felt confident enough to open their wallets in May, as Retail Sales rose at the fastest pace in three months, led by demand for groceries, autos and building materials. 
• Although inflation at the wholesale level rose unexpectedly in May, inflation at the consumer level remains tame and overall inflation pressures remain muted, which should help keep Bonds and Lake of the Ozarks Home Loan rates at attractive levels. 
• Another factor that has helped Bonds and home loan rates remain attractive is the Fed's Bond purchase program (known as Quantitative Easing). Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke did say the Fed may begin tapering the program later this year and to finish by mid-2014. So this will be an important story to keep an eye on as economic news comes in over the next several weeks and months. 

The bottom line is that home loan rates remain attractive and now is a great time to consider a home purchase or refinance. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or someone you know.

What Caused the Recent Home Price Increase?

Home prices continue to rise and even reached a record increase recently. That's the bottom line of a recent release of the S&P/Case-Shiller Index.

What happened? 

• The S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index rose in April to beat expectations with a record 12.1 percent increase over the past 12 months. All 20 cities showed positive year-over-year returns for at least the fourth consecutive month. In addition, the following cities continued to show double-digit annual gains: Atlanta, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Tampa. 

What is the S&P/Case-Shiller Index?

• The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index is the leading measure for the U.S. residential housing market. The report tracks changes in the value of residential real estate both nationally as well as in 20 metropolitan regions. 

What does it mean?

• The overall trend looks good for the housing market and the economy as a whole, as home prices have continued their rise. However, it's important to remember that all markets are unique, which means each local housing market may have its own trend.  If you have specific questions, we can help you understand the Lake of the Ozarks Housing Market. That means now is a good time to not only keep an eye on the national trend, but also to reach out to your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Lender to answer your questions and help you make an informed decision about purchasing a home at Lake of the Ozarks.

We would love the opportunity to work with you on your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Loan or refinance.  Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com with any questions you may have!!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2140 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite 303B

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

NMLS #: 493712

Is the Current Housing Market In Danger?

"Yet, through all the Gloom, I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory." Those words that John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail are appropriate as we just celebrated our nation's birthday--and as the employment picture brightens with the latest Jobs Report.

Non-farm payrolls surged by 195,000 in June, well above the 166,000 expected, while the data for April and May was revised higher by 70,000. The Unemployment Rate remained at 7.6 percent in June, but the U6 number, which includes people who can only find part-time work or have become too discouraged to look for a job, rose to 14.3 percent.

For the first half of 2013, employers have added an average of 201,000 jobs each month as the labor markets continue to improve. The Fed is watching this number very closely and it will be a determining factor in how long they continue their Bond purchase program known as Quantitative Easing.

The housing market is another key factor in this decision and the good news continues in that sector as well. Last week, research firm CoreLogic reported that home prices, including distressed sales, rose by 12.2 percent in May 2013 compared to May 2012. This is the biggest annual gain since February 2006. However, prices are 20.4 percent below the peak set back in April 2006. Tight inventories and historically attractive home loan rates have been the fuel behind the rise.

What does all of this mean for home loan rates?

Remember that the Fed's Bond purchase program has helped Bonds and Lake of the Ozarks home loan rates remain attractive. But if the housing and labor markets continue to improve, the Fed could consider tapering their purchases sooner rather than later. However, just the talk of potentially tapering these purchases has led to increased volatility in the markets, causing Mortgage Bonds and home loan rates to worsen recently. This is an important story to monitor in the weeks ahead.

The bottom line is that now remains a great time to consider a purchasing a Lake of the Ozarks Home or Lake of the Ozarks Refinance, as home loan rates remain attractive compared to historical levels.

We would love the opportunity to work with you on your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Loan or refinance.  Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com with any questions you may have!!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2140 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite 303B

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

NMLS #: 493712

How is your Credit Score Determined?

When it comes to getting a Lake of the Ozarks home loan, one of the biggest determining factors is your Credit Score.   There is a lot of confusion about what a credit score is and how it is determined.  Here are a few things that are considered when your credit score is determined.

Your credit score is usually based on the answers to these questions:

1. Do you pay your bills on time? The answer to this question is very important. If you have paid bills late, have had an account referred to a collection agency, or have ever declared bankruptcy, this history will negatively impact your score.
2. What is your outstanding debt? Many scoring models compare the amount of debt you have and your credit limits. If the amount you owe is close to your credit limit, it is likely to have a negative effect on your score.
3. How long is your credit history? A short credit history may have a negative effect on your score, but a short history can be offset by other factors, such as timely payments and low balances.
4. Have you applied for new credit recently? If you have applied for too many new accounts recently, that may negatively affect your score. However, if you request a copy of your own credit report, or if creditors are monitoring your account or looking at credit reports to make prescreened credit offers, these inquiries about your credit history are not counted as applications for credit.
5. How many and what types of credit accounts do you have? Many credit-scoring models consider the number and type of credit accounts you have. A mix of installment loans and credit cards may improve your score. However, too many finance company accounts or credit cards might hurt your score.

**Information taken from http://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/fivetips_creditscore.htm

We would love the opportunity to work with you to help determine your credit score and give you some ideas on how to improve your score.  Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com.

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2140 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite 303B

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

NMLS #: 493712

Understanding the Terms Associated with Closing on your Lake of the Ozarks Home

For the past two weeks we have been covering some terms that we think will be helpful to you as your go through the process of getting a Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Loan.  Understanding the following terms will not only build your confidence, but it will also create a smoother process for you and your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Lender!  

• Appraisal - A written analysis prepared by a qualified appraiser and estimating the value of a property.
• Appraised Value - An opinion of a property's fair market value, based on an appraiser's knowledge, experience, and analysis of the property.
• Closing - A meeting held to finalize the sale of a property. The buyer signs the mortgage documents and pays closing costs. Also called "settlement."
• Closing Costs - These are expenses - over and above the price of the property- that are incurred by buyers and sellers when transferring ownership of a property. Closing costs normally include an origination fee, property taxes, charges for title insurance and escrow costs, appraisal fees, etc. Closing costs will vary according to the area country and the lenders used.
• Down Payment - Part of the purchase price of a property that is paid in cash and not financed with a mortgage.
• Equity - The amount of financial interest in a property. Equity is the difference between the fair market value of the property and the amount still owed on the mortgage.
• Interest - The fee charged for borrowing money.
• Lock-In Period - The guarantee of an interest rate for a specified period of time by a lender, including loan term and points, if any, to be paid at closing. Short term locks (under 21 days), are usually available after lender loan approval only. However, many lenders may permit a borrower to lock a loan for 30 days or more prior to submission of the loan application.
• Origination Fee - A fee paid to a lender for processing a loan application. The origination fee is stated in the form of points. One point is 1 percent of the mortgage amount.
• Points - A point is equal to one percent of the principal amount of your mortgage. For example, if you get a mortgage for $165,000 one point means $1,650 to the lender.Points usually are collected at closing and may be paid by the borrower or the home seller, or may be split between them.
• Pre-Approval - The process of determining how much money you will be eligible to borrow before you apply for a loan.
• Principal - The amount borrowed or remaining unpaid. The part of the monthly payment that reduces the remaining balance of a mortgage.
• Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) - Mortgage insurance provided by a private mortgage insurance company to protect lenders against loss if a borrower defaults. Most lenders generally require MI for a loan with a loan-to-value (LTV) percentage in excess of 80 percent.

We realize that you may need additional information and we would love to help you understand the process of getting a Loan for you Lake of the Ozarks Home!  Please give us a call and we can set up a time to speak with you!  You can call me direct at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com.

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2140 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite 303B

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

NMLS #: 493712

Understanding the Terms Related to Your Current Financial Status

This is our second blog in a series about Understanding the Mortgage Terms when buying a home.   If you are currently in the process of getting a Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage, you will be introduced to a whole new world of financial terms that you may or may not understand.

This week we are going to focus on terms that are directly related to your current financial status.  

• Asset - Anything owned of monetary value including real property, personal property, and enforceable claims against others (including bank accounts, stocks, mutual funds, etc.).
• Balance Sheet - A financial statement that shows assets, liabilities, and net worth as of a specific date.
• Before-tax Income - Income before taxes are deducted.
• Credit Report - A report detailing an individual's credit history that is prepared by a credit bureau and used by a lender to determine a loan applicant's creditworthiness.
• Credit Risk Score - A credit score measures a consumer's credit risk relative to the rest of the U.S. population, based on the individual's credit usage history. The credit score most widely used by lenders is the FICO® score, developed by Fair, Issac and Company. This 3-digit number, ranging from 300 to 850, is calculated by a mathematical equation that evaluates many types of information that are on your credit report. Higher FICO® scores represents lower credit risks, which typically equate to better loan terms. In general, credit scores are critical in the mortgage loan underwriting process.
• Liquid Asset - A cash asset or an asset that is easily converted into cash.
• Net Worth - The value of all of a person's assets, including cash.
• Non Liquid Asset - An asset that cannot easily be converted into cash.
• Total Expense Ratio - Total obligations as a percentage of gross monthly income including monthly housing expenses plus other monthly debts.

We realize that you may need additional information and we would love to help you understand the process of getting a Loan for you Lake of the Ozarks Home!  Please give us a call and we can set up a time to speak with you!  You can call me direct at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com.

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2140 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite 303B

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

NMLS #: 493712