Looking Glass

After my chat with the real estate broker, I traveled the three and half miles to "Clearwood." I figured I wouldn't get far into the development as it was a gated community. I was right, the arm at the entry post was down with a large sign that read, "Pass Key Needed." Interestingly enough, there was a small grocery store right at the entrance. For chills and thrills, I went inside the old store and asked the clerk if there was any way to go inside just for a drive. Expectantly, the answer was, "No". Must have a pass key to enter. It is a secured place." I thanked the gentleman and with a nod of, "I figured", I left with spirit still soaring as other listings, according to the map, were a bare mile away. So, into my little Honda I hopped and to the main road I skirted. I turned onto one of the roads sited on a listing. I drove up a long, sloping hill, and at the crest, I immediately knew this was a future development with mostly land f...

After my hour plus drive to the ends of the county, I headed back to this little, hick town. I had a mindset to pay attention to my surroundings this time while in the actual town. There were a few very, new, "strip" malls, with well known businesses intact. A new looking Wal-Mart Super Store and other new businesses lined many of the streets. I learned long ago that the Wal Mart Corporation does a lot of research prior to a build, and their specialists research growth prospectus, and such. I am sure their strategists are smarter than I. (smile here). When a Wal Mart builds, other businesses follow. I know the town has a library, several schools passed my line of vision, even in the outskirts of where I had just driven. New banks and old, dotted the streets. A large grocery store as well as some small, quick stop types, were conveniently located on the main street. New Cinemas, a new looking car lot, etc... I also noticed a large, commercial property being excavated and fen...

In researching my qualifications for a home loan, I have learned I am a medium risk candidate with a credit score of fair, given my divorce of last year and my debt to income ratio changing. (frown here). I have been researching a USDA Rural Program loan, and a State Bond loan as well as a newly, learned program called, Fanny Mae's Home Path Mortgage. The first two do not require a down payment, which is a #1 criteria for me at this time. I am still researching the Home Path Mortgage qualifications. Since I owned my old house for 29 years, First Time Home Buyer Programs are void, at least for another year. (I did not know I would EVER be a "first time home buyer", again.) I have been thinking of a specific drive needed for a couple of weeks now. On Sunday afternoon, I decided to go for this drive to check out a neighboring community. There was a method to my madness. This community, situated 20 miles away, has newer, nicer homes qualifying for the USDA Rural Program. W...