VA Loan Information Center

Military Kids Can Apply for Free Summer Camps

Alan — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 13:59:59 +0000

Military Kids Can Apply for Free Summer Camps

With the temperature rising and the school year drawing to a close, parents across the nation are starting to think about summertime plans.

Military families can get a head start on their planning today by applying for the National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple Summer Camp program. The nonprofit organization launched this free program nine years ago to support military children, ages 7 to 17, dealing with the stress of war.

The weeklong camps are open to military children of all ranks and services, both active and reserve. Officials will give priority to children who meet the association’s deployment criteria and have never attended an Operation Purple camp. To find out more about the camps and to make application go to: 2013 Operation Purple Camps.

The goal of the Operation Purple camp program is to give military children tools to help deal with the stresses that result from a parent’s deployment, through a memorable camp experience in a “purple” environment.

At Operation Purple camps, military children experience an exciting week of outdoor fun and adventure.

This summer children will attend an Operation Purple camp at one of 15 locations in 14 states: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and West Virginia.

Operation Purple Family Retreats - Coming back together after a deployment can be difficult. Operation Purple Family Retreats provide military families with the opportunity to reconnect –as a family. We are using our popular ‘camp’ approach and bringing families to beautiful outdoor locations in order to provide fun family oriented activities, new memory making, and the ability to spend quality time together. Specially adapted communication activities developed by FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress ™) ensure families return home stronger. Families are able to connect in a “purple” environment that brings families from all ranks and services including National Guard and Reserve components together as a community. We are climbing, hiking, canoeing, bonding, eating s’mores, and more!

Operation Purple Healing Adventures - Due to the popularity of our Operation Purple Family Retreat program, we’ve tailored a special retreat program that is designed to support wounded service members and their families. The Operation Purple Healing Adventures program celebrates rediscovering family-fun and togetherness after an injury. We combine family-focused activities with outdoor exploration to encourage each family’s growth. Specially adapted communication activities developed by FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress™), ensure families return home stronger. Families are able to enjoy a ‘purple’ environment - active duty, National Guard and Reserve, and medically retired service members of any Service and their families are eligible for this program. We are climbing, hiking, canoeing, bonding, eating s’mores, and more!

Here's a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

The Operation Purple program was created in 2004 in response to the call from military parents to "help us help our kids." The mission of the Operation Purple program is to empower military children and their families to develop and maintain healthy and connected relationships, in spite of the current military environment. We do this through a variety of means, including the healing and holistic aspect of the natural world. The program is joint or "purple"— and open to children and families of active duty, National Guard or Reserve service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service and NOAA.

Since its creation in 2004, the Operation Purple program has grown to serve approximately 45,000 military children and teens. The Operation Purple program also includes family retreats at national parks and specialized family camps geared to address the needs of children and families of our nation’s wounded service members.

If your kids are into Ice Hockey you may want to look into Defending The Blue Line Keeping Military Kids On The Ice.

"Defending the Blue Line has experienced tremendous success by providing equipment for the kids, grants to help pay their association fees, summer hockey camps and NHL game tickets so the whole family can go enjoy a pro-game before or after a deployment," says President and Founder of Defending the Blue Line, Army Sgt. Shane Hudella.

Named after the line that marks the start of the defensive zone in hockey, "Defending The Blue Line" was created in 2009 by a group of active duty soldiers.

The program helps military families offset the expensive costs of having their children in a hockey program while their mom or dad is overseas.

Your source for Conventional, FHA and VA loan information.

My direct line is 240.813.0614. So let me hear from you! Remember...it doesn't cost a penny to talk...so call right now and I will answer all your questions.

Alan Gross

Senior Mortgage Consultant

PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company
704 Quince Orchard Rd., Suite 230
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Home Office: 240.813.0614
Email: agross@primelending.com
Web: www.mtg-info.net
Web: www.DCMilitaryVALoans.com
NMLS#217388

Where To Find Holiday Lights In The Maryland Suburban Area

Alan — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:33:06 +0000

Where To Find Holiday Lights In The Maryland Suburban Area

We have now gotten past Thanksgiving and it is time to celebrate the holidays. There are many options. Listed below are a few you may enjoy!

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival

Pretend your car is Sana's sleigh and ride through the Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival. You'll find 3.5 miles of more than 380 illuminated vignettes and 65 animated displays that transform Seneca Creek State Park into Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Victorian Village, the North Pole and Penguin Cove. This
16th annual show runs from December 2nd through December 31st. (closed December 25th) Sunday through Thursday: 6 - 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 6 -10 p.m. (Closing December 24th and December 31st at 9 p.m.
www.gaithersburgmd.gov/wingerlights

Symphony of Lights in Columbia, MD

At the Symphony of Lights in Columbia, MD you can chose the way that you experience Symphony Woods' 70 larger-than-life animated and stationary light creations, In addition to the traditional drive-through option (November 19th - January 6th 6 -10 p.m. - closed December 31st for the Midnight a 7 New Years Eve fireworks display and festivities), you can enjoy a Group Walk Through the Lights - Mondays & Wednesdays ONLY, November 26 - December 19 / 4:30 - 5:45 p.m. Perfect for youth groups, scout groups, school groups and more! Experience the Symphony of Lights in a group setting by taking a 1.4 mile stroll through the light displays and make this your group’s holiday tradition. *Registration Required!* Please call 410-740-7840 for reservations, the Blinkin Binkies 1.4 mile walk especially of the little ones (Thursday, December 6th 4:30 - 5:45 p.m.) or the Tail Lights - Back by popular demand! Treat yourself and your dog to a walk through the 1.4 mile Symphony of Lights. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the holiday season and to make this dog friendly walk your families new holiday tradition. (Tuesday, December 11th 4:30 - 5:45 p.m.)

ICE! at the National Harbor's Gaylord National Resort

This year's ICE! at the National Harbor's Garlord National Resost Dreamworks' "Merry Madagascar." Dozens of attisans have migrated from Harbin, China, to carve the elaborate dispaly of the Dreamworks' holiday TV special from two million pounds of ice. It takes them nearly a month of working 12-hour shifts to transform Gaylord National Resort's 15,000-square-foot refrigerated tent into an ice spectaci;ar. Open Friday, November 18th - Sunday,January 8th. See Events & Activities at Christmas on the Potomac

Brookside's Garden of Lights

The Garden of Lights. Visualize close to one million twinkling colorful lights shaped in imaginative displays throughout the gardens. Enjoy the four seasons illuminated as giant summer sunflowers, autumn leaves, winter snowflakes, spring flowers, rain showers, and more. Walk along the easily accessible paths and you’ll see what sets this light show apart from others; it’s the hundreds of wrapped trees and shrubs, beautifully lighted gazebos, cascading fountains, and the individually formed displays in the shapes of blooming flowers and wild animals. Look for moving displays such as a flock of geese, or an 11 foot giraffe covered with 9,000 lights. November 23rd through January 6th. Open every night except closed on December 24 & 25, and January 1-3. Open New Year’s Eve until 10 p.m. with last car admitted at 9:30pm. Hours: Weekdays: 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. with the last car admitted at 8:30 p.m Weekends (Friday – Sunday) 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. with the last car admitted at 9:30 p.m.

The Annual Festival of Lights

The Annual Festival of Lights is held on the grounds of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Washington. D.C.Temple from November 30th - January 1st. The display includes more than 500,000 lights 16 decorated Christmas trees, an international creche exhibit and a life size outdoor nativity scene. There are nightly musical performances. All events are free.

Shadracks's Christmas Wonderland as Adventure Park

Christmas Wonderland at Adventure Park in New Market presents the world’s largest drive-through and fully synchronized LED Christmas light and music show. Hundreds of thousands of lights have been programmed to perform in sync with a selection of Christmas music. No less than 1600 channels simultaneously direct What Shadrack calls “an orchestra of lights.” After driving through the show, get your photo taken with Santa (weekends) and enjoy hot chocolate, s’mores, kettle corn and other holiday treats inside Adventure Park’s main building. Nov. 19th through Jan. 3rd dusk to 10 p.m., including holidays.

Your source for Conventional, FHA and VA loan information.

My direct line is 240.813.0614. So let me hear from you! Remember...it doesn't cost a penny to talk...so call right now and I will answer all your questions.

Alan Gross

Senior Mortgage Consultant

PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company
704 Quince Orchard Rd., Suite 230
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Home Office: 240.813.0614
Email: agross@primelending.com
Web: www.mtg-info.net
Web: www.DCMilitaryVALoans.com
NMLS#217388

How To Easily Create A Custom Video From Santa Claus!

Alan — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:54:32 +0000

How To Easily Create A Custom Video From Santa Claus!

Christmas is just around the corner. So what can you do that is fun and unusual for both kids and adults?

How about a custom video from Santa Claus.

It takes just a few minutes to create a personalized video from Santa Claus for your children, family members, friends or colleagues.

It's easy to do and only takes a few minutes. Be sure to have some pictures you would like to use in the video ready to upload/

Other custom items such as letters from Santa, customized books and customized puzzles are available.

It's all new for 2012. Just go to: Portable North Pole

Here's a sample done by my good friend in Michigan Scott Hudsbeth using last years video.

Have a Great Holiday Season

Your source for Conventional, FHA and VA loan information.

My direct line is 240.813.0614. So let me hear from you! Remember...it doesn't cost a penny to talk...so call right now and I will answer all your questions.

Alan Gross

Senior Mortgage Consultant

PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company
704 Quince Orchard Rd., Suite 230
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Home Office: 240.813.0614
Email: agross@primelending.com
Web: www.mtg-info.net
Web: www.DCMilitaryVALoans.com
NMLS#217388

Upside Down On Your Home? Here Is The Help You Need!

Alan — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:07:07 +0000

Upside Down On Your Home? Here Is The Help You Need!

The new Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP 2.0) has been in operation for about 9 months. Thousands of underwater homeowners have taken advantage of the program. If you haven't been able to take advantage of the low mortgage interest rates because you home had dropped in value this program may be for you.

To find out more information and to get a FREE Guide To Lowering Your Monthly Payments click the link below. There is also a short video answering many of the questions you may have.

The HARP loan program allows homeowners having a hard time refinancing their mortgages due to a drop in their home values to take advantage of the low mortgage interest rates. The loan must be owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. (Note - this will not be who you are making your payments to.)

If you would like more information go to: HARP 2.0 Home Affordable Refinance Program

We can help you with your loan in all 50 states.

Your source for Conventional, FHA and VA loan information.

My direct line is 240.813.0614. So let me hear from you! Remember...it doesn't cost a penny to talk...so call right now and I will answer all your questions.

Alan Gross

Senior Mortgage Consultant

PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company
704 Quince Orchard Rd., Suite 230
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Home Office: 240.813.0614
Email: agross@primelending.com
Web: www.mtg-info.net
Web: www.DCMilitaryVALoans.com
NMLS#217388

Remembering The Twinkie

Alan — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 16:19:00 +0000

Remembering The Twinkie

It happened this week - The Twinkie died.

Invented in 1933 by James A Dewar, the Hostess Twinkie became an American iconic snack food. Dewar worked at the Continental Baking Company whose products included "Wonder Bread" and a creamed filled strawberry shortcake.

The strawberry shortcake was seasonal and the equipment sat idle the rest of the year. Dewar came up with the idea to use the equipment to make a snack cake filled with a banana filling and only charge a nickel for a package of 2.

The name "Twinkie" was thought of when Dewar was driving by a billboard that had an ad for shoes from the "Twinkle Toe Shoe Company". He shortened the name to "Twinkies".

The Twinkie rose to popularity in the 1950's in in great part due to Hostess sponsoring the Howdy Doody show, featuring the "Twinkie".

If you're old enough you may remember this ad from the show.

Hopefully another company will buy the "Twinkie" brand and "Twinkie" will live again!

Have a joyous holiday with those around you, and please let me know if you need anything.

Your source for Conventional, FHA and VA loan information.

My direct line is 240.813.0614. So let me hear from you! Remember...it doesn't cost a penny to talk...so call right now and I will answer all your questions.

Alan Gross

Senior Mortgage Consultant

PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company
704 Quince Orchard Rd., Suite 230
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Home Office: 240.813.0614
Email: agross@primelending.com
Web: www.mtg-info.net
Web: www.DCMilitaryVALoans.com
NMLS#217388

A Thank You To All Who Serve and Have Served – Veterans Day

Alan — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 20:51:08 +0000

A Thank You To All Who Serve and Have Served - Veterans Day

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."
- George Washington

"I ...... do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God."

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot."
- Mark Twain, Notebook, 1935

It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.
- Unknown

Thank you for the sacrifices you and your family's make every day of every year so the rest of use can enjoy our freedom.

God Bless You!

Lemonade Stand Raises $80,000 To Aid In Cancer Research

Alan — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 18:41:33 +0000

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The month is is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

Most people are aware of the Susan B. Kolmen For The Cure Campaign.

But did you know about Max Igoe and his Lemonade Stand in California?

When Max was 5 years old Elizabeth Rorman, his mothers best friend and a friend to Max who he called "Auntie Beth", died form breast cancer. He missed her greatly and decided to use a Lemonade Stand to raise money for cancer research. Since the inception of the Lemonade Stand he has raised over $80,000. His goal is to raise $1,000,000.

To get more information and to donate go to: Max's Lemonade Stand

Your source for VA loan information.

My direct line is 240.813.0614. So let me hear from you! Remember...it doesn't cost a penny to talk...so call right now and I will answer all your questions.

Alan Gross

Senior Mortgage Consultant

PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company
704 Quince Orchard Rd., Suite 230
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Home Office: 240.813.0614
Email: agross@primelending.com
Web: www.mtg-info.net
Web: www.DCMilitaryVALoans.com
NMLS#217388

VA Loan Limits Rise In High Cost Areas – New Rules Help Veterans And Their Families

Alan — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 16:09:03 +0000

The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 was recently signed into law. The act provides for the needs of veterans, their families, and survivors through improved healthcare, housing, education, and memorial services.

For Veterans who own a home or are considering buying a home the act has several benefits.

A major change has been made to the VA Loan Limits in high cost areas. Late last year the were reduced by significant amounts in some areas.

In parts of California the maximum loan dropped from $1,000,000 to $625,000. In Nantucket, MA the loan limit dropped from $1,094,625 to $625,000. In the Washington, DC and some surrounding Maryland and Virginia counties the VA Loan Limit fell from from $818,750 to $625,500. Baltimore City and some Baltimore area counties didn't see as large a drop falling from $500,000 to $494.500.

These VA maximum loan limits have now risen in areas where they were reduced. Parts of California now have maximum loans of $1,000,000. In Nantucket, MA the limit has returned to $1,094,065.

In the Washington, DC area and some Maryland and Virginia surrounding counties the limit has been raised to $838,750. Baltimore City and some Baltimore area counties now have a loan limit of $520,000.

The is also help for Veterans who have received a pre-discharge VA disability exam. In the past they had to wait a long tome for their disability rating to come down and during that time period they had to pay the VA Funding Fee associated with VA loans. The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 would waive the VA Funding Fee for service members eligible to receive benefits from the new pre-discharge program.

In the past a military members serving abroad could meet the occupancy requirement test by having a spouse move into the home. This benefit was not available to single-parent military members and some married military couples. The new law allows a dependent child to meet the occupancy requirement.

The new legislation also helps military widows and widowers access the VA no-down-payment loan program. In the past widows and widowers would only have been eligible for the loan of their spouse had died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability. The new law extends the VA Mortgage Loan benefit to the spouses of veterans who had a permanent service-connected disability for at least the last 10 years prior to their death.

At the end of 2012 the VA Loan Guarantee would stop being applied to adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM's) and to hybrid ARM's. In the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 these loans have become permanent options.

Your source for VA loan information.

My direct line is 240.813.0614. So let me hear from you! Remember...it doesn't cost a penny to talk...so call right now and I will answer all your questions.

Alan Gross

Senior Mortgage Consultant

PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company
704 Quince Orchard Rd., Suite 230
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Home Office: 240.813.0614
Email: agross@primelending.com
Web: www.mtg-info.net
Web: www.DCMilitaryVALoans.com
NMLS#217388

Happy 4th of July

Alan — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 15:48:12 +0000

As we celebrate the Fourth Of July, with our Fireworks, may we remember what this day is all about..

Don't let us forget those brave men and women that fought and died so that we might have the freedom to speak up when things are not as they should be...

I don't know about you, but I still get "goose bumps" when I hear the song, "God Bless America", or when I stand and "Pledge Allegiance To The Flag".

So enjoy the holiday, but don't forget those that made it possible.

I hope you, your family and your friends have a wonderful Independence Day.

Alan Gross

New FHA Program Lowers The Cost of Refinancing!

Alan — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 23:32:06 +0000

New FHA Program Lowers The Cost of Refinancing!

Effective June 11, 2012 FHA has reduced the costs for Streamline Refinances for loans Endorsed before June 1, 2009.

Attention home owners in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and the other 48 states. Now may be the time to refinance if you have a mortgage guaranteed by FHA.

For the past year of so the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has been increasing the Mortgage Insurance Protection (MIP) premiums. The increase in premiums has made it unattractive for people who have loans guaranteed by FHA to refinance because the increase in the MIP has more than offset the lower interest rates.

Effective June 11, 2012 the rules have been changed and it will make sense to refinance your FHA loans to a lower interest rate.

To qualify for the new lower MIP premiums your loan must have been endorsed (guaranteed) prior to June 1, 2009. This is not the date you settled but the date your lender got the endorsement from FHA.

So, how do you know if your loan was endorsed prior to June 1, 2009. First you need to find you FHA Case number. This can usually be found on your HUD1 settlement statement or on the top right hand corner of the note you signed. Call (240.813.0614 or email me if you need help or have questions about this.

How can you find out if you loan was endorsed by FHA prior to June 1, 2009. Get the FHA Case number mentioned above and call 800-697-6967 from 8:30 a.m. till 8:30 p.m Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday or call 800-225-5342 from 8:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday. Or, if you like I will be happy to check for you. Give me a call at 240.813.0614 or complete the quick qualifier form by clicking here..

You can refinance your FHA loan with any lender. You are not restricted to the lender you currently make your payments to.

FHA Streamline refinances can be done quickly. In some cases no income documentation or appraisal are required. Investment Properties (even if you took out the loan while you were living there) and Second Homes are eligible for for this new program.

Don't miss the opportunity to save money by lowering your mortgage payment. Call me today at 240.813.0614 or complete the quick qualifier form by clicking here to get started.

Your source for VA loan information.

My direct line is 240.813.0614. So let me hear from you! Remember...it doesn't cost a penny to talk...so call right now and I will answer all your questions.

Alan Gross

Senior Mortgage Consultant

PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company
704 Quince Orchard Rd., Suite 230
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Home Office: 240.813.0614
Email: agross@primelending.com
Web: www.mtg-info.net
Web: www.DCMilitaryVALoans.com
NMLS#217388