"Back to School" and You

Newsletter    

Friend ...

The extremely hot weather we've been experiencing makes it hard to believe ... but kids will be heading back to school soon.

It's a time of preparation, as a result of this fact. Whether you're moving to a new home in a new school district, shopping for school supplies and school clothes, updating immunizations, or simply helping kids back in the routine and mindset of school days, "back to school" effects many of us.

Below you'll find some info and suggestions to help you make this year's "back to school" time a successful one for you and your family. Hope you enjoy reading through them and find some tips that makes the transition back into school and Fall easier and fun.

As always, if I can be of any assistance or answer any questions, please reach out. I'm always glad to help where and when I can.

Best of Luck throughout the upcoming new school year!

Gene

You have brains in your head. 

You have feet in your shoes. 

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. 

                                                                                                    ... Dr. Seuss

Do It Now!  Tips To Get Ready For Back-To-School ...

Move over, summer -- a new school year is coming! Get organized now for the best school year ever use these ideas to prepare your home and family for the busy days ahead.  (MORE ...)

Why You Need to Research School Districts When Buying a Home ...

Whether you have children or not, researching school districts is a crucial step when buying a new home.  (MORE ...)

9 Tips for Parents If Your Child is Changing Schools ...

Whether your family is moving — or your child is changing schools for any number of other reasons — there are steps you can take now to ease the transition for your child.  (MORE ...)

5 Tips for   Packing Cheap (& Healthy) School Lunches ...

     Cut the cost of your child's lunchbox with these hacks.  (MORE ...)

Pinterest Inspiring Educational Boards ... click HERE

Please:  Feel free to share this newsletter and its contents with anyone you think would benefit from it ... thank you!

I’d appreciate your Review of my services  on any of the following:

Yelp  

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Facebook  

www.genemundt.com
gmundt@goapmc.com

 

Gene Mundt, Mortgage Originator, an Originator with 40+ years of mortgage experience, will offer you exemplary mortgage service and advice when seeking:  Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, USDA, and Portfolio Loans in Chicago and the greater Chicagoland region, including:  
The Lincoln-Way Area, Will County, (New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena, Manhattan, Joliet, Shorewood, Crest Hill, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Naperville, etc.), DuPage County, the City of Chicago, 
Cook County, and elsewhere within IL & WI. 

Referrals are Welcomed!

      

Manhattan School District 114 Back in Session August 24, 2016

  Manhattan School District 114 

Back in Session August 24, 2016 

     School will soon be back in session for children attending Manhattan School District 114 schools (Manhattan, IL) ... my hometown.  

     The first day of the 2016-2017 school year is slated for August 24, 2016.  (For a full school year/downloadable calendar, click HERE.)

     There are multiple schools located within Manhattan School District 114.  They are:

• Wilson Creek School

    *  Contact:  25440 S. Gougar Rd, Manhattan, IL
                          Phone:  815.478.4527 
                          Website:  Click HERE 

• Anna McDonald School  

    *  Contact:  200 Second Street, Manhattan, IL
                          Phone:  815.478.3310
                          Website:  Click HERE 

• Manhattan Junior High

    *  Contact:  15606 W. Smith Road, Manhattan, IL
                          Phone:  815.478.6090
                          Website:  Click HERE       
  
     If you're considering a move into Manhattan School District 114, the school boundary map can be viewed HERE.  A Handbook for Manhattan School District 114, school year 2016-2017, is available and can be downloaded HERE.     
     

     
     School Supply lists for the 2016-2017 school year are available.  Just click on the listings below:

 Kindergarten thru 8th 

EC School Supply List 

     Registration, Fee,and Payment information and methods are available and can be viewed for Current Families HERE.

And for new families in the District HERE.

     Manhattan School District 114 utilizes "Virtual Backpack" as a part of their "green" initiative and communication system with parents, the community, and businesses.  

     Lunches are available to students through the cafeterias in Manhattan School District 114 schools.  

• Wilson Creek School
• Anna McDonald School
• Manhattan Jr. High

     

     Manhattan School District has an active Athletic Boosters Club for parents and fans of student athletes.  The Booster Club promotes and supports the athletes, athletic teams, coaches, and sports department throughout the year.

     Music education is very important at Manhattan School District 114.  The District offers:  Beginners Band, Concert Band, Marching Band, Summer Band, Symphonic Band, Choir, and Orchestra. 

     Both Band Boosters and Orchestra Boosters  promote, boost, and support the activities and music education of student musicians within the District.

     The Manhattan School District 114 also has active PTO's that support the teachers in promoting the act of learning and helps make that learning fun for the students.

     For further info and assistance regarding your child's attendance at a Manhattan School District 114, call the District Office at:  

815.478.6093 

Visit their website at: 

www.manhattan114.org 

or the main office located at:  

25440 S. Gougar Road, Manhattan, IL 

in the Wilson Creek School.

     I hope you and your children have a successful, educational, and fun school year at Manhattan School District 114 schools ...

     *  Hoping to Buy or Refinance a home  within the Village of Manhattan, Will County, or elsewhere in the Chicagoland area?  Contact me  today!  I'll put my mortgage experience and expertise hard to work on your behalf!

     I can be easily found at:

Gene Mundt

Mortgage Originator  -  NMLS #216987  -  IL Lic. #031.0006220  -  WI Licensed

American Portfolio Mortgage Corp.

NMLS #175656

Direct:  815.524.2280

Cell/Text:  708.921.6331

 eFax:  815.524.2281

gmundt@goapmc.com

www.genemundt.com

 

              

             

Gene Mundt, Mortgage Originator, an Originator with 40+ years of mortgage experience, will offer you exemplary mortgage service and advice when seeking:  Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, USDA, and Portfolio Loans in Chicago and the greater Chicagoland region, including:  
The Lincoln-Way Area, Will County, (New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena, Manhattan, Joliet, Shorewood, Crest Hill, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Naperville, etc.), DuPage County, the City of Chicago, 
Cook County, and elsewhere within IL & WI. 

Referrals are Welcomed!

Clearing the Closing Costs Hurdle

Clearing the Closing Costs Hurdle      

     Down Payments, and their accumulation are often the     First-Time Homebuyer's primary focus once they decide to buy.  Monetarily and mentally, the down payment becomes the one goal they concentrate on ...  

     So when I raise questions regarding the availability(and source) of funds needed for their Mortgage Closing Costs, the question can be somewhat of a surprise.  

     In fact, I often find that many First-Time Buyers are either completely unaware that funds will be needed for these Costs, they've (incorrectly) assumed that their Down Payment covers them, or the costs can be "rolled into the loan" (not allowed, in MOST cases).

     But it's a fact:  There are (typically) Closing Costs to consider when borrowing money to buy or Refinance a home.  
     The following are the most common costs seen in Chicagoland transactions:

• Title Insurance
• Closing Services
• Lender Fees 
• Home Insurance Premium (also Escrow set-up)
• Attorney Fees (in Attorney States/if used) 
• Appraisal Costs
• Real Estate Taxes (Escrow set-up)
• Home Inspection Costs
• Recording Fees
• Transfer Taxes (where applicable)
• Credit Report Fees
• Flood Certifications (where applicable)
• Homeowners Association Documents (if applicable)

     ... and they can add up to thousands of extra dollars needed in order to close a loan.  
     

     But Closing Costs don't need to be a hurdle for Buyers to jump.  Options are available to assist Buyers with some of their Closing Costs.   

     One such option is to request that your Seller pay a portion of your Closing Costs.  It's important to point out that this request should be made at the time of your offer and become part of your Real Estate Contract. The payment of these fees is subject to guidelines.

     These Seller contributions are seen fairly often in Chicagoland home buying transactions.  They help facilitate real estate transactions, as they make it possible for Buyers and Sellers to initiate and complete deals that would not have been possible otherwise.  

     There are maximum contributions a Seller can make, however.  Different lending programs allow for different contributions.  Those contributions, expressed as percentages of the Sales Price, are provided below:  

     For Conventional Loans:

• Fannie Mae -  3% if Owner-Occupied  *
• Freddie Mac - 3% (2.5%in some cases) if Owner-Occupied
• Investment Property - 2%

    *  Can be greater, if Loan-To-Value is less than 90%
     
     For FHA:

• Up to 6%

     For VA:

• Up to 4% 

    Besides the obvious benefit of initiating or keeping a transaction together ... the Seller-paid Closing Costs option can also provide financial "flexibility" to a Buyer after their Closing.  The merits/disadvantages of using this option are something that I, as your Mortgage Originator, will analyze and discuss with you prior to your making an offer on a home.

     Closing Cost monies don't have to be an insurmountable hurdle to your buying a home or qualifying for a mortgage.  Many options exist that can help you buy.  

     The key to your success lies in finding and working with a Mortgage Originator that is aware of their availability, offers them as a part of their services, and is successful in putting them to work on the clients' behalf ...


     *  To learn more about the monies needed to buy a Chicagoland - IL - WI home, please read my article, "Think You Need a 20% Down Payment?", then contact me with your questions ...

  

  
     *  Hoping to Buy, Refinance, or Build a Home in Will County or elsewhere in the Chicagoland area?  
Contact me!  I'll put my 40+ years of Mortgage experience and expertise hard to work on your behalf.
     I'm easily found at:

Gene Mundt

Mortgage Originator  -  nmls #216987  -  IL Lic. 031.0006220  -  WI  #216987

American Portfolio Mortgage Corp.

nmls #175656

Direct:  815.524.2280

Cell or Text:  708.921.6331

eFax:  815.524.2281

www.genemundt.com

gmundt@goapmc.com

 

              

      

Gene Mundt, Mortgage Originator, an Originator with 40+ years of mortgage experience, will offer you exemplary mortgage service and advice when seeking:  Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, USDA, and Portfolio Loans in Chicago and the greater Chicagoland region, including:  

The Lincoln-Way Area, Will County, (New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena, Manhattan, Joliet, Lockport, Channahon, Shorewood, Crest Hill, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Naperville, etc.), DuPage County, the City of Chicago, 

Cook County, and elsewhere within IL & WI. 

Referrals are Appreciated and Welcomed!