element HOME Holiday Edition

Element HOME 2020 Holiday Edition Dress the table for the

HOLIDAYS EASY RECIPES to make at gatherings

MORTGAGE CHECK UP

Yearly planning saves thousands

Manage the

HOLIDAYS BUYING AN INVESTMENT PROPERTY? What type, cash flow, pitfalls

STRANGE ORIGINS of COMMON DEVICES

PREPAYING THE MORTGAGE

Effects and advantages 1 | Awww.elementfunding.com DIVISION OF PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE INC

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS The best dishes for holiday gatherings

Gingerbread Cheesecake dip......7 Raspberry Coffee Cake ................9 Christmas Monkey Bread...............9

Table of Contents Element HOME ............................................................................ 3 Manage the Holidays.................................................................. 4 Meeting James Bond.................................................................. 5 Shop ‘til You Drop......................................................................... 5 Origins of Common Objects....................................................... 6

White Chocolate Haystack.........13

Annual Review..........................................................................8-9

Fudgemallow Candy....................13

4 Types of Investment Properties.........................................10-13

Zucchini Casserole........................15

7 Ways to Reduce Your Mortgage......................................14-18

Baked Ham Cheese Sandwich....15

Dressing up a Holiday Table...................................................... 19

Pimento Cheese............................17 Pomegranate Margarita..............19

Contributing writers: Larry Sutton, Gus Pasquale, Brad Roche, Ray Evans.

Many thanks to family recipes from Element Funding.

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Element HOME I am fortunate enough to have been granted a front row seat in witnessing the amazing feats that Element Funding has accomplished over the last eleven years. None of which would have been possible without the hard work and commitment of our treasured associates, referral partners, and great customers. I’m proud to relay our biggest accomplishment to date, making the dreams of homeownership a reality for over 28,000 families.

At Element, we believe in the importance of family. We fully realize that buying a home is the singularly most emotional and greatest financial purchase that a family will ever make. To that extent, we place an incredible amount of emphasis on never missing a closing date.

This all leads back to our strong belief in the importance of keeping our promises.

We celebrate our associates, referral partners and customers with gatherings and consistent communication. We promote and embrace the concept of “lender for life� and want our customers and partners to think of Element Funding anytime they, or a family or friend of theirs, has a housing finance need. Element embraces technology that not only helps our valued customers but allows Element loan officers to keep our customers informed on the latest real estate finance trends.

I sincerely hope you enjoy the 2019 Family Edition of Element HOME. We look forward to continuing this fantastic journey with you.

Larry W. Sutton, Jr. Element Funding Division President

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Manage the holiday atmosphere with balance

December is a month of celebrations—Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s— and many distractions as well.

While you don’t want to squelch your employees’ enjoyment and enthusiasm for the holidays, you also don’t want to spend the month watching workplace productivity plummet. Here’s how to maintain the right balance: • Celebrate accomplishments. Let your workforce feel good about what they’ve achieved this year.

Remind them of successes, small and major—even if your most

substantial achievement is just surviving a tough year.

Emphasize the value of working together on common goals.

• Set the right example. If employees see you sticking to your job during December, they’ll be more likely to stay attentive to their own responsibilities.

At the same time, be a little flexible to show employees you understand the stress and excitement they’re feeling.

• Support the festive atmosphere.

If you try to suppress any holiday spirit, employees may go

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“under the radar” to celebrate.

Encourage people to decorate, bring treats, or set up a gift exchange so they can enjoy the season openly.

• Plan for the future. Looking ahead to new projects and goals can be more attractive when people are feeling excited and hopeful.

Get employees involved in strategic planning now, instead of waiting for the day after New Year’s, when everyone feels tired, let down, or possibly hung over.

Meeting James Bond Roger Moore was one of the many actors to play James Bond in the long-running movie series. The website for The Independent tells the story of one young fan who met his idol in an airport—and what happened afterward.

‘Roger Moore,’” he explained, “because otherwise Blofeld [Bond’s archnemesis] might know I was here.” He asked Haynes not to blow his cover, and the boy boarded the plane excited to be working with James Bond.

When Mark Haynes was 7 years old, he spotted the actor in the airport in Nice, France, and implored his grandfather to ask “James Bond” for an autograph.

There’s an epilogue: As an adult, Haynes, now a scriptwriter, met Moore when he was recording a video for UNICEF.

Even though he had no idea who the actor was, Grandpa dutifully obliged, and Moore signed the boy’s plane ticket with his name— Roger Moore.

Young Haynes was confused, and Grandpa, embarrassed, handed the ticket back, saying that Moore had signed the wrong name.

Moore beckoned the young boy over. “I have to sign my name as

Haynes told him the story, and Moore smiled and said, “Well, I don’t remember, but I’m glad you got to meet James Bond.”

Then, as he was heading out to his car, Moore motioned Haynes over. “Of course, I remember our meeting in Nice,” he whispered.

“But I didn’t say anything in there, because those cameramen—any one of them could be working for Blofeld.”

Shop ’til you drop? Just be careful You’re probably shopping a lot more during the holiday season, so pay attention to your safety: • Pick the right time. Shop during daylight hours, when the mall or store won’t be too crowded. Bring a friend or family member with you for added security.

• Don’t overload yourself. Carrying an armful of bags and packages limits your freedom of movement.

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Combine items in a single bag, and take packages to your car before you can’t carry anymore (and be sure to place them in your trunk, out of sight).

• Give yourself time. Know how long you’re going to spend on shopping, and stop well before you have to get home (or wherever you’re headed next). You’ll be less likely to rush and more likely to be careful.

The strange origins of common devices Some very common devices in our modern lives have surprising—even shocking—origins. The Cracked website shares a few:

THE TREADMILL The exercise machine was designed by Sir William Cubitt in 1818 as a means to torture convicts. Prisoners would climb 11,000 feet per day as the “tread-wheel” pumped water and crushed grain.

PIGGY BANKS The name has nothing to do with actual pigs.

In the Middle Ages, jars used to save cash were made of an orange clay called “pygg” because metal was too expensive.

MATCHES The first friction match was created by a 19th-century apothecary stirring a mixture of chemicals with a wooden stick. When he tried to scrape off a dried glob of the compound, it ignited.

ESCALATORS One of the first escalators in the world was set up at Harrods in London. The experience was so overwhelming to riders that the store offered smelling salts and brandy to help them calm down.

X-RAYS William Roentgen took the first X-ray in 1895, not fully understanding what he’d discovered.

The first X-ray he took of a human was his wife’s

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Gingerbread Cheesecake Dip This Gingerbread Cheesecake Dip is always a party favorite for the holidays. Make it for your next holiday get together and I guarantee you’ll be the most popular person in the room!

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese softened 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup powdered sugar sifted 3 Tablespoons molasses 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon dash nutmeg 4 oz Cool Whip or 1 1/2 cups freshly whipped cream Graham crackers for serving

Directions Beat the cream cheese until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour in the sugars and molasses and beat on medium speed until smooth and combined, about 1 minute.

Next add the ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix until combined.

Finally, add the Cool Whip and beat until combined, about 30 seconds.

Transfer dip to a serving bowl and chill until ready to serve. Serve with graham crackers.

Dip can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

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A check up can save you thousands…

M

ost homeowners miss the benefit of the lender who doesn’t provide a yearly service called an Annual Review. Let me explain, we visit the dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and a checkup. We take our car in for an oil change every 4-6 months….why wouldn’t our biggest investment have a similar check up? Well, that is simple! Most lenders

are focused on the purchase and only that. While we have learned things change, expenses change, and goals change for most homeowners.

So, at Element Funding we have designed a program that not only takes care of you on the purchase of a home but manages the debt on your home year after year.

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Annual Check Up

Each year, on the mortgage anniversary we want to review the mortgage and goals. Our clients simply provide our team the most recent mortgage statement on the home. It also doesn’t matter where you are making your payment (they are called the servicer) we are still your Lender for Life. Once we receive the mortgage statement we have a quick

checklist to complete. We discuss any monthly cash flow changes, upcoming expenses, investments into the home since the last review and some other factors. We then review the potential equity position you were at a year ago and what you are at today. Next, we look to better the terms of the financing. Sometimes we can make it better but other times we are able to save in other areas like home insurance or PMI (private mortgage insurance). These and other factors such as the loan to value ratio (CLTV) and credit score ratings. If all is good, we roll on and check back again next year…but if we can save or assist in additional services we complete a comparison for your review before and after. Please also be aware that some loans when you return for your purchase can be obtained with no closing costs. If you would like your review completed ahead of schedule please just let us know, we would be happy to assist. Furthermore, because most lenders don’t offer this important checkup, we would be happy to extend the service to any friend or family member.

Lynn’s Raspberry Holiday Coffee Cake

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 3 oz. package cream cheese • 4 tablespoons of butter • 2 cups Bisquick • 1/3 cup milk • 1/2 cup raspberry preserves • 1 cup sifted confectioners sugar • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Directions:

ter into Bisquick. Mix Cut cream cheese and but 1/3 cup of milk. Turn on until crumbly. Blend in the 10 stokes. On wax paper floured surface. Knead 8 to tangle. Turn on greased roll down to 12 x 8 inch rec ves down center. Make baking sheet. Spread preser rvals. Fold strips over 2.5 inch cuts at one inch inte filling.

425° F for 12 - 15 minutes n drizzle over cake.

Combine sugar and milk the

Steve Kinzler | NC

Christmas Monkey Bread

Recipe Ingredients

Directions:

• 24 oz frozen dinner roll dough The night or several hours before, grease and flour a 9 • 1 cup packed brown sugar or 10 inch tube pan. Mix brown sugar & pudd ing mix • 1 (3.4 oz) package of instant together. Mix white sugar and cinnamon together. Place butterscotch pudding (I used sugar the frozen rolls in pan, a layer at a time.

Sprin kle brown free) sugar & pudding mix over the first layer of rolls . Sprinkle • 1/4 cup white sugar sugar and cinnamon mixture over the brow n suga r& • 2 tsp of ground cinnamon pudding mix. Spread half of the nuts and melted butter • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans over the first layer. Repeat with the next layer.

• 1/2 cup melted butter

Angela Roche | NC 9 | www.elementfunding.com

Place on counter overnight. Do not cover. Next morning bake in a preheated 350 degrees oven for 30 minutes. Let stand a few minutes and turn pan over onto serving platter.

Mastering Investment Property To Increase Your Net Worth 4 Types of Residential Real Estate Investments

offers residual income but has low appreciation.

1. Purchasing a property to have as a long term rental that offers monthly cash flow for retirement and good to fair appreciation.

3. Purchase a home with excellent appreciation, but no monthly cash flow or less than $200 per month.

2. Purchasing a property for short term or long rental that

4. Purchasing a property that is a “fixer upper� for immediate resale or to keep as a rental.

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Selection details...

Type 1 This property is suggested for someone who wants to keep their day job and retire with security. It is important that you look for a property that has an average to above average appreciation rate of return.

This property will normally have a cash flow of $100 - $200 per

month, but increase in value 4% to 5% per year. The ideal property is an SFR (single family residence).

Type 2 This property is suggested for someone who wants to keep their day job and retire with security. It is important that you look for a property that has an average to above average appreciation rate of return.

This property will normally have a cash flow of $100 - $200 per month, but increase in value 4% to 5% per year. The ideal property is an SFR (single family residence).

Type 3 This type of property is only suggested for someone with substantial savings because the mortgage payment is typically high ranging from $900 and up.

Remember this property will take longer to rent but the quality of tenants will be impeccable. This is suggested for short term holding for approximately 5 years.

“when done” value. Have an appraisal completed during the first 10 days of the purchase agreement, submit your written plans for improvements to the appraiser or lender and request the appraiser to compete a “when done” appraisal or subject to your repairs appraised value.

To be an effective project, the minimum net to you as the sell should be 15-25% with the work completed within 6-8 weeks.

When this home is completed it will fit into TYPE 1 or TYPE 2 property to sell for a profit.

What kind of property should I get?

We have all heard that it is never a great idea to have all your eggs in one basket right?

That is the same case in real estate. If you think about it, if you ask a financial advisor, “Where should I invest?” the response is “Let’s look into a few

funds.” So the best plan is to get a mix of all types of property into your portfolio for a balance of appreciation and cash flow.

Invest in type two first by purchasing one or two properties, then move to type one for two to three more purchases. Starting with type two and type one at the beginning will establish a strong foundation to your new business. Now you have about five properties that some have good cash flow and some have low cash to decent cash flow

The Credit Mortgage Experts Use

Type 4 Many homes are found at a “deal” price because of the quality in which the previous homeowner left it. If these properties interest you, the first suggestion is to start and complete your first one without attempting a second, stay focused! The most important thing to look for is the 11 | www.elementfunding.com

but are increasing in value for a potential sale in the future.

At this point, you can implement the system of “the snowball effect” and can achieve success by having your first home paid in full in the first five years. Now we can grow into type 3 and 4 the more expensive rentals and rehab properties. Some look into upgrading their primary residence and turning it into a type 3 as well, or begin to search for the perfect “fixer upper” (type 4).

Purchase Money Most lenders and brokers will require you as a non-owner purchaser to invest 10% down payment for each home. If you

are capable or are just getting started, your first purchase could hopefully be owner occupied to capture a lower down payment requirement and a lower interest rate.

Maximize your cash and have a clear plan of action from the beginning. The Mortgage Planner consultant will walk you through your 15-year plan to maximize your cash flow by customizing the home loan programs to meet your goals.

Don’t just accept a 30-year fixed as other options may accelerate your plan differently.

At The Mortgage Planner each loan is customized, even if we decide on a 30-year fixed, but knowing the program advantages is half the battle.

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Before you begin, know your SURVIVAL NUMBER! This is such a vital key to any businesses success. You are a business owner! You must know what it costs your family to survive per month and include your rental mortgage payments in that figure.

For example, if you take into account all of your personal debt like your house payment, car, phone, credit cards, gas, electric, cable etc. and don’t forget your rental mortgage payments that you must pay. The minimum payment totals multiplied by three, will give you your SURVIVAL NUMBER. This does not include speeding tickets, vacations or other once in awhile expenses.

Let’s say your survival number is $3,000 per month including spending money, then your survival account (money market suggested) should have $9,000 in it. Remember the rule of thumb is 3 X’s your monthly survival should be backing your rental business for vacancies and repairs.

Many investors don’t take the time or the discipline to save the cash flow from their investments nor commit to the system. When your debt is paid in full and you have 3 times your monthly survival in a money market for reserve or that next great deal, life becomes much easier to profit and play the game of life by implementing structure to your rental property business.

As the snowball effect pays your properties off one at a time in an accelerated fashion, your net worth rises and your cash flow becomes passive income that plans your retirement for you.

Maintaining a survival account is the first step to starting the snowball process, it makes it easy to purchase the next “great deal” when it comes. It also prevents any glitches in the snowball effect system when a tenet moves or you need to complete repairs.

White Chocolate Haystacks

Recipe Ingredients

• 12 oz. (340 grams) good quality white chocolate, coarsely chopped • 1/2 cup (75 grams) roasted peanuts • 1 1/2 cups thin pretzel sticks, broken into 1 1/2 inch pieces

Directions:

chment paper.

Line a baking sheet with par over a a stainless steel bowl placed Melt the white chocolate in creamy. ter, stirring until smooth and saucepan of simmering wa colate burns easily.)

(Watch carefully as white cho g until the nuts and pretzels, stirrin Remove from heat and add ing sheet. ture onto the prepared bak well coated. Spoon the mix to form run colate mixture is too ny (If you find that the white cho utes.) refrigerator for about 10 min into haystacks, place in the be airtight container. They can Store the haystacks in an eks. refrigerated for several we s.

Preparation time 25 minute

Greg Downs | FL

Fudgemallow Candy

Recipe Ingredients

• 1-12 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate morsels • 8-12 oz. Crunch Peanut Butter • 4 cups Mini Marshmallows (all 3 ingredients are Publix Brand)

Directions:

Melt morsels & peanut butter in microwave. Take out of microwave and fold marshmallows in to chocolate/peanut butt er mixture. Do NOT mix marshmallows.

Pour this mixture into aluminum lined 9” square dish.

Chill till firm. Pull foiled block from dish . You can freeze whole block or cut to desired size

.

Gus Pasquale | FL

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Pay off Your Mortgage Early...Yes or No? There are smart people that argue both sides of this question. Who is right depends on your financial goals and perspective. Before looking at their positions, let’s take a reality check and look at societies push to program us, (consumers), to purchase things, including homes.

It begins with a philosophy that we deserve what we want.

Unfortunately, not everyone deserves to be a homeowner.

Sounds harsh, but buyers need to demonstrate the ability and responsibility of managing debt before taking on a mortgage.

Ability simply refers to a regular monthly cash flow. This can be from a job, annuity, pension, social security, or another source that is regular and expected to continue in the future. Responsibility refers to paying debts timely. We are told that the amount of the debt is not important, but

rather the monthly payment is your measuring stick. In other words, if you can “afford” the payment, then you can buy it.

With home purchases, buyers often stretch to a higher price than they can comfortably afford, and then package it in a 30-year mortgage. There’s no thought of paying the debt off.

In fact, if a 50-year mortgage was available, I’m sure it would be preferred. We’ve seen this in auto sales. What was norm to payoff in three years, today, the average new car loan is more than five-and-a-half years. There is little thought of future ramifications of today’s purchases and the concept of delayed gratification is framed as “old-school thinking.” This is witnessed with first home buyers.

They often move out of their parents’ home with their sites on homes, at or above their parent’s lifestyle. Too often, people purchase emotionally from an illogical framework.

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You ask, who are those that suggest this philosophy? It’s the very people that benefit from the purchases...the sales and marketing arms of companies.

They want you to purchase high and finance. Most of us have bought into this view– why? Because it’s empowering, it’s fun, and after all, we deserve it! Too often, we over leverage tomorrow with today’s temporary pleasures; but, isn’t a home an asset? Not if it doesn’t fit within a budgeted financial plan. Ask the thousands of people that over-extend each year on home purchases, only to find themselves facing foreclosure. It’s said that we spend money we don’t have, to impress people that we don’t know...which is true. Even more true, is that we simply don’t understand basic financing and money management.

We take our lead from others that are preying on our lack of understanding or knowledge.

I speak like I know these consumers and I have been until recently. Debt, credit, leveraging, and fairy dust... these are the pillars that hold up this philosophy. It’s a house of cards.

So, what should you do when you want to purchase a home?

1) Identify a financial budgeting program that dumbs down the hocus pocus of the financial options into simple truths. I like Dave Ramsey’s Financial Freedom course because it includes the spiritual aspect; but no matter your beliefs, the principles are solid. There are many programs available, but please beware and check them out. A good place to start would be a reputable church. Most can provide several programs to consider.

2) All good finance programs will help you understand how to develop a budget that is driven by your cash flow. Your determined budget will help you identify your monthly housing payment goal.

3) Choose a trusted mortgage professional that will guide you through the process with your interest in mind.

All lenders are not created equally! In fact, let me toot our horn for a moment. We have access to more loan structures than most lenders.

Zucchini Casserole

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 lbs zucchini • 8 oz. sour cream • 1 cup shredded carrots • 1 cup water • 1/4 cup onion • 1 can cream of chicken soup • 1 package (12 oz.) Pepperidge Farm herb seasoned cubes) • 1/2 cup melted margarine (1 stick)

Directions:

Cook peeled/cut up zucchini with carrots, water and onion in microwave until soft. stir.

Approx 5 min total. Do in intervals and Drain extra liquid from above.

Mix cubes, margarine, sour cream, soup and zucchini mixture together.

Heat in 350° F oven or in microwave for 30-45 minutes.

Gus Pasquale | FL

Baked Ham Cheese Sandwiches

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 pkgs. party rolls (heat & server Parker Ho use) • 1 8 oz. pkg. sliced ham • 1 8 oz. pkg. Swiss cheese Melt & bring to boil: • 2 stks. Margarine • 2 tblsp. Worchestershire sauce • 2 tblsp. Poppy seeds • 2 tblsp. prepared mustard • 4 tblsp. brown sugar Set aside to cool

Kelly Waldo | GA

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Directions:

Slice sideways through roll s. Separate rolls.

Make sandwiches with ham & cheese (cut the meat & cheese into siz es to fit the rolls) Put into pan side by side. Sp oon sauce over rolls. Refrigerate 2 hou rs or overnight (covered).

Bake in 350° F for 25 min utes covered. 5 minutes uncovered.

once you invest money into your home, those funds are gone and cannot be used for other purposes, unless you take out a mortgage.

You need to know all options to choose the best plan for you.

The one that accomplishes your goals both short and long term.

Special care should be made, because an unwise structure with this large purchase, can cripple you financially.

5) Provide your lender with your payment goal, funds available to purchase, how long you plan to live in the new home, and your purchase timing. They will provide you loan structures that accomplish your goals. They should provide you different term options to pay off the mortgage sooner, showing the positives and negatives of doing so. Sometimes you will need to adjust your budget as your appetite may be bigger than what you can eat financially.

6) After identifying a realtor, give them your price range along with a list of things you require in your home purchase.

7) Let’s fast forward. You’ve found the perfect home within your budget, contracted, inspected, cleared underwriting conditions, received a good appraisal, closed, and now you are the proud owner of YOUR OWN HOME! Now the question is, do you pay off your mortgage early, or make the minimal monthly payments?

Camp NO, says you should not pay off your mortgage, because: 1) Your mortgage is your biggest tax write-off. You save money by having the write off. It is true that a mortgage in the front part of the loan term provides a lot of interest deduction, because that’s mostly what you are paying. However, you can get the same deduction by contributing to your favorite non-profit cause.

2) If you paid off your mortgage, you would experience a loss of opportunity. This means that 16 | www.elementfunding.com

3) They say it does not make sense financially to payoff the mortgage, because the interest rate is typically lower than what can be expected in investments earnings. This is one reason why most financial planners suggest putting your money into the market, that it is the quickest route to creating wealth. Don’t forget that that’s how they make commissions.

4) Lastly, it’s important to have access to reserve funds to protect your lifestyle from reduced income or unexpected expenses. Reserves become your lifestyle insurance.

Valid point, however, you can generate reserves no matter what mortgage strategy you choose.

Camp YES...says to payoff your mortgage ASAP. 1) They point to the security of owning your home. I once asked a friend who purchased a home with cash, why? This was because I once believed that having a mortgage was an advantage. He said, “Once it’s paid for, it’s ours and no one can take it away.” For this person, a home carries with it emotional ties and often, family roots. There is no price that can be placed on a home’s security, peace of mind, and stability. According

to ATTOM Researchers and the Urban Institute, 34% of American homeowners or nearly 30,000,000 people, do not have a mortgage. Many of them paid cash and never had a mortgage.

Pimento Cheese

2) Lack of stress. If you are a debtor, what you have is always in jeopardy, unless you have savings or investments that can be liquidated to pay off the debt.

3) Less debt provides more funds for other things, such as funding retirement, income generating investments, or lifestyle activities.

4) You still have the tax benefits of a mortgage, but instead of paying the mortgage company, you donate to your favorite non-profit cause.

Let’s assume you decide to payoff your mortgage. How do you do this?

• Lottery: Not a great return on your investment but isn’t it fun to think about...after all, someone does win. Let’s get back to reality...

• Biweekly Mortgage Payments: This concept teaches you to make half your mortgage payment every twoweeks. The result is that you make an extra payment each year which potentially, can remove 8-years off a 30-year mortgage. To setup, contact your mortgage service provider to verify they will accept half-payment.

If they do not, simply open a new bank account and deposit your half-payment every two weeks and use this account to pay your mortgage. In time, you will have enough for an extra payment.

• Extra Payment Each Quarter: This will reduce your 30-year mortgage approximately 11-years.

• Accelerate Payments: Let’s assume you have a 30-year mortgage. Determine when you want to pay off the mortgage and contact your mortgage servicer.

Ask them to provide an amortization schedule with the payoff date you specify. You will see exactly how much extra you need to include with each payment to accomplish your goal.

• Invest Your Windfalls: When you receive a bonus, gift, or any unexpected windfall, simply direct it to the principle of your mortgage. You will be surprised just how quickly you can pay it off with regular effort.

• Refinance: The typical reasons to refinance include

Recipe Ingredients

ed • 4 oz. Goat Cheese, soften ted sharp cheddar cheese, gra rel • 1.5 cups of cracker bar ese • 4 oz. softened cream che jar) peppers (comes whole in red d ste roa ed • 1/4 cup dic ce sauce plus 1 tablespoon sau • 1 chipotle pepper in Adobo • 1 tsp. onion powder Directions: • 1 tsp. garlic powder te tas to per Serve with crackers and • Salt and pep peach preserves.

GA Ashley Rustom |

ROLL CREDIT CARD DEBT INTO

ONE LOW PAYMENT

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a shorter term, lower interest rate, or cash-out for personal or home updates. The shorter term, such as moving from a 30-year to a 15 or 10-year mortgage forces you into a new payment plan...there is no choice once you refinance, you must make the new payment.

Your mortgage professional can compare your current plan against shorter terms to make sure you are ready for that commitment, (often comes with a higher monthly payment). They may advise accelerated payments are easier and appropriate. A lower interest rate may be your bridge to a quicker payoff. With any refinance, do not ignore the expenses which are often discounted by lenders. There is a break-even date which is a good gage to determine

if refinancing is an option to consider.

• Downsize: Sounds drastic but that’s what many have done, including me. Once you develop your budget, you may find that you overextended yourself with your current mortgage. One option is to refinance, but often you need to re-set. For me, I simply wanted to get that big mortgage liability and the pressure off me! We sold our beautiful large home, which we loved, and purchased a home one-third the size, with half the debt. We then used accelerated payments to pay it off.

I’m sure there are other ideas and options, but these provide a starting point for your consideration. So which side do

ONE FAMILY AT A TIME...

you lean towards? The good news is there is not a right or wrong answer. If you have a financial plan and understand the impact a home purchase makes upon it, you’re on the right track. With prayerful consideration, I’m sure you will make the right choice for you!

s e i r o m e M g n i k a M

#makingmemories 18 | www.elementfunding.com

Persimmon Pomegranate Margarita

5 Ways to Dress the Holiday Table CREATE A THEME

On a Budget!

Pick something like ‘pumpkins’ or ‘a color scheme’ and stick with it!

BE CREATIVE Use new things but mix in some old such as antique candlesticks

USE A VARIETY OF GREENERY AND LEAVES

• 2 oz. good si lver (clear) tequila • 1 oz. triple se c • 1 oz. fresh lim e juice • 1 T. pomegra nate juice • 1 oz. agave nectar • 1 T. persimm on Puree (you can just pure yourself in a fo e this od processor with a little su gar)

Recipe

A lot of time you can see something you like, but wrong color scheme that may be an easy fix.

BE SURE TO CHANGE THE HEIGHT

Ingredients

To give the table a unique look and fill in blank spaces

DON’T BE AFRAID TO PAINT!

Recipe

Have multiple items that give the display height using different sized decor

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Directions:

, or shake with Add ice and blend for frozen ice and serve on the rocks. topped with Cheers! (I made a pitcher and service) whole cranberries for pretty

GA Ashley Rustom |

A DIVISION OF PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE INC

Element Funding 3480 Preston Ridge Road | Suite 150 Alpharetta, GA 30005 770.604.6021

A HIGH POWERED MORTGAGE COMPANY

with a hometown feel

www.ElementFunding.com Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc., DBA Element Funding, NMLS #3094. PRMI is an Equal Housing Lender. Some products and services may not be available in all states. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change and aare subject to borrower(s) qualification. This is not a commitment to lend. Florida Office of Financial Regulation MLD646. NMLS# 332466