Live The Easy Life Home News July 2017

A Cheeky Way to Spoil That Perfect Summer Beach Read If you love to read, a beach holiday is the perfect time and place for indulging in a good book. Whether it’s a plot-driven page-turner, a touching memoir, or a tale of romance and intrigue that entices you, according to Jenni Avins in Quartz, “Vacation not only primes us for the pleasure of reading, it can also make the experience more beneficial.” On a sunny day at the water’s edge, book in hand, you can shut out the clamor and stress of everyday life and lose yourself in the words on the page. If relaxation is your goal, a book and a beach offer the ideal mix. Matthew Kassel disagrees, in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way. In an article in the Observer, he contends that reading is an overly strenuous beach activity, what with the sun in your eyes and the breeze blowing the pages and all that. And then there are those distracting waves breaking the silence and relentlessly lapping at the shore. It’s all too much for the serious reader, he suggests. In fact, in reality, serious readers think of a beach as the ultimate escape and believe a good book can add to it immeasurably. So forget Kassel. Plant your umbrella, choose a restful position on the sand or cushioned cot, and immerse yourself in a lovely read. Then, says Avins, “Layer on the calming monotony of crashing waves, and you’ve got literary magic.” It’s perfectly soothing to the mind, body, and spirit. Unless, of course, you don’t like sand between the pages.

Cities or Suburbia—Which Is Winning the Population Race? Common wisdom holds that there’s an urban revival in America’s cities, but the census shows otherwise: Americans are moving to the suburbs in record numbers. As economist Jed Kolko points out in FiveThirtyEight.com, “That revival is real, but it has mostly been for rich, educated people in particular hyperurban neighborhoods rather than a broad-based return to city living.” Is it the fresh air? The rolling green lawns? The bigger-square-foot bang for your buck? Nobody seems to know exactly why the swing to the suburbs is on the rise, especially when better-paying jobs are in the city. But the trend is gathering steam. Perhaps the wish to improve life balance is influencing the trend. Then, too, it’s possible that retiring boomers seek calm after their years of working in the eye of the storm. But that doesn’t account for all of it. Ask young parents, and they’ll tell you that while moving to the suburbs means giving up the kinetic energy of city life, raising kids in the city creates all kinds of stresses they’d happily avoid. Add to that the appeal of better schools, more space, and better air, and, even without great restaurants, the scales begin to tip. Indeed, it looks like a number of millennials may soon be joining their elders—after they pay off their student loans. As an article in Fortune notes, “Survey data shows that more millennials would like to be living in the suburbshan actually are.” Could we soon be talking about the myth of urban revival? Wondering How Much Your Home Is Worth? How has the price of your home changed in today’s market? How much are other homes in your neighborhood selling for? If you're wondering what's happening to prices in your area, or you're thinking about selling your house, We'll be able to help. Just give our office a call for a no-fuss, professional evaluation. We won't try to push you into listing with me or waste your time. We'll just give you the honest facts about your home and its value. And maybe we'll also give you the "inside scoop" on what's happening in the housing market near where you live! Just give our office a call at 703-929-3540 to arrange an appointment. Alternatively, stop by at the office. The address is 14526 Lee Road #100, Chantilly, VA 20151 Quick Quiz What color shirt does James Taylor wear on the cover of his Sweet Baby James album? Each month, we’ll give you a new question. Email us at tammy@livetheeasylife.com, or call 703-929-3540 for the answer. Are You Selling Your Home? Get Our Free Guide! First impressions count. So if your home isn’t looking its best, you could fail to get the best price for it. Put that problem right by requesting the free report, “Great Ideas for Quick, Easy Fixes That Will Help Your Home Sell.” Just call us at 703-929-3540 and we’ll send it right out to you. Great News For HomeBuyers! There is great news that relief is coming for many homebuyers.  The number 1 reason that mortgage applicants are rejected nationwide is that they have too much debt relative to their monthly income (or too high of a debt to income DTI ratio as it is known).   The DTI looks at a borrower's total monthly debt obligations including the new housing payment, auto loans, student loans, credit cards or any other debt obligations in relation to their monthly income.  The country’s largest source for mortgage money Fannie Mae is easing their DTI ceiling from 45% to 50% as of July 29.  Studies by Fannie Mae, the Federal Reserve and FICO have shown that the those with good credit are able to handle the higher debt load.  These expanded guidelines will enable many more potential homebuyers to purchase! Please let us at First Heritage know how we can help! Mike Filan Sr. Loan Officer/VP NMLS ID # 659409 (703) 899-8720 – cell mike@mikefilanmortgage.com Liz McElroy-Filan Sr. Loan Officer / VP NMLS ID # 659461 (703) 856-7247 – cell liz@mcelroymortgage.com Rob McElroy Sr. Loan Officer / VP NMLS ID # 20408 (703) 201-9393 – cell rob@mcelroymortgage.com

Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Summer’s Fave Game Is Back How did a stick, a ball, and a diamond capture the hearts of millions? For those who line the bleachers in big and small towns across North America, baseball’s not just a game; it’s everyone’s summer lifestyle. Baseball in North America traces its roots back to the late 18th century, when the first reference to the game was made in a Massachusetts law about playing it too close to the town meetinghouse. Since those early days, baseball has seen many changes that shaped it into the sport we love today. It hailed from two similar British sports: rounders and cricket, which eventually found their way across the pond and were played in schoolyards and college campuses in the 1800s. In the fall of 1845, the New York Knickerbockers Baseball Club was born. Knicks player Alexander Cartwright established the rules that form the basis for today’s game, including the use of a diamond-shaped field and the three-strike rule. Cartwright has been established as baseball’s true father, overturning a widely held, but deemed untrue, legend that a man named Abner Doubleday founded it. Once the game was standardized by the Knickerbockers, other clubs were established. Baseball’s popularity continued to grow, and eventually leagues formed. The baseball itself also underwent standardization, eventually morphing into the five-ounce, nine-inch sphere with 108 red stitches that we see in pitchers’ hands today. The sport continues to enthrall us. And best of all, nearly everyone is able to sing along when they hear, “Take me out to the ball game…” Ask The Agent: This Month's Question How do I know if downsizing is right for me? Downsizing has costs and rewards. You may have to give up things, but you’ll gain something as well. If you’re considering moving to an urban environment from the suburbs, you might miss your neighborhood, your neighbors, and your big workroom and garden. If you’re purchasing a condo or townhome, you may have to pay HOA fees, and you’ll likely sacrifice some privacy. On the other hand, you’ll probably save on utilities and maintenance costs. You can start fresh and redecorate just the way you want. And you’ll find you’re now able to take advantage of city life and enjoy the benefits of being close to all the urban amenities. Plan ahead. You’ll probably still want to host family celebrations. So think well-organized kitchen and sufficient entertaining space. Most importantly, keep an open mind. This may be the best move you’ve ever made.