I hope you managed the latest hurricane well. We had close to zero impact by us. My Mom down below Sarasota had no water in her house. The new 60 yr warranty roof was a champ. Building to current codes matters. I am at work if you need assistance or contact information for contractors. Most facilities are closed (state, federal, schools), but I bet WalMart is open. This is going to be kind of short as I'm pretty sure most activities are cancelled this weekend, but I'll see what I can scare up. Now that I and the rest of my family are over our head colds, I'm hoping to get back to my dinning room chair recovering. A good quiet time to work.
I found an interesting article on credit scores I have attached at the bottom of the email if you are interested. Call me if you need me. I'm here.
Given the storm, you may want to call to verify if events are still being held. Nothing was flagged on line that I could see.
There are the FUN THINGS GOING ON:
Event by HypsyGypsy Frosé Bar
309 Bedell Avenue, Woodbine, GA Sunday 12-3p
Hey, Barbie!
Leave your Ken at home…or don’t, come dressed in your best pink, and get ready to live your dreamhouse life while enjoying our Bingo Brunch that’s more fun than a Malibu beach day.
We’ll be serving up brunch classics, along with our signature frosé because let’s be honest, life in plastic is fantastic when there’s a drink in hand! Our bingo prizes will have you saying, “Come on Barbie, let’s go party!” See you there, dolls!
Event by Osborne Trading Station
1001 Osborne Street, 31558 Saturday 9am
Join us and meet our new owners, Pam and Delan. It will be a fun day of:
Mystery Bag Prizes
Vendor Discounts
In Store Scavenger Hunt
Bessies on the Move
Simply Snow Balls Sno Cones
Food Trucks & More
Event by Cal’s Sweets
Saint Marys, Georgia Friday 9-12p
I will be set up either up front by the entrance or in the back of the parking lot. Come by to grab some sweets by Cal to start your weekend off great
Event by Double Down Band
Northeast Florida Fair - Callahan, FL Saturday 7:30pm
Come enjoy the Northeast Florida Fair with lots of food, fun, rides, festivities and awesome music with the Double Down Band!
Event by Audrey Mauldin Key
Young Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Highway 40 Friday 6:30pm, Saturday 9:30am
Women your voice, talents, and identity should be seen, heard, and valued. God has graced you. No boundaries and limits, it’s time to step into your season and grow past the ceiling and walls that tried to contain you. Join other remnants of women to be strengthened and conquer what you alone thought was impossible. Walk out being an offering to pour into others!
Event by Camden County Public Library
1410 GA Highway 40 E, Kingsland, GA, United States, Georgia 31548
You asked and are making it happen. Back for it's 3rd year and as a two night event, Haunted Library!!!
Join us for an indoor maze that will feature creatures, ghouls, fog, strobe lights, scares, and more!
*This event is not recommended for young children. Don't worry, we will have our family night again for all ages
Event by Sweet Luncheonette and Kimberly Brock
101 E Weed Street Unit A, St. Marys, GA, United States, Georgia 31558
Tickets
www.sweet-luncheonette.com/event-details/book-signing-the-fabled-earth
About the Event:
Step into the evocative world of The Fabled Earth, a novel by Kimberly Brock that explores themes of identity, healing, and connection to the land.
Highlights:
Meet Kimberly Brock and have your book signed.
Enjoy wine and small bites provided by Sweet Luncheonette.
Participate in engaging discussions about the book.
Copies of The Fabled Earth will be available for purchase on-site, thanks to G.J. Ford Bookshop.
Event by Visit St. Marys GA
Orange Hall Saturday 10:30 - 2:30pm
The Build-A-Scarecrow Workshop is a day to bring out the family for fall fun!
Come build your scarecrow for home, for placement in the Scarecrow Stroll, or for placement along the Orange Hall fence.
For scarecrows, we provide a frame, clothing options, and hay. You have everything you need to complete a scarecrow masterpiece. $20 per scarecrow kit (includes frame, hay, clothing). Cash or check only to St. Marys CVB.
Can't make the workshop? Want to make a scarecrow at home? Pick up a TO-GO SCARECROW KIT for $20. Call the St. Marys Welcome Center at 912-882-4000 for information, to register as a vendor, or to reserve a To-Go Kit.
Event by Disco Witch Brewing
Disco Witch Brewing, Yulee
Where my witches at? Ladies, it's time for our Second Annual Witches Dance. Join us for a wicked good time on Saturday, October 12th from 7-10pm. It's a night of new friends, laughter and beverages. Prizes for Best Hat, Best Broom and Best Overall Costume. Costumes REQUIRED.
Event by HypsyGypsy Frosé Bar
309 Bedell Avenue, Woodbine, GA
Tickets
luxe-loco.square.site/product/hypsy-gypsy-s-fros-fest/34
Get ready for the ultimate Frosé experience at Hypsy Gypsy's first-ever Frosé Fest! For just $50, you'll indulge in a Frosé lover's dream with:
Fourteen 2-Ounce Pours: Taste your way through a carefully curated selection of Frosés, each one bursting with unique flavors and refreshing vibes.
Exclusive Frosé Fest T-Shirt: Take home a stylish memento of your day.
Small Charcuterie Board: Enjoy a delicious array of cheeses, meats, and accompaniments perfectly paired with your Frosé tastings. (Serves 1-2)
But the fun doesn’t stop there! We’ve got exciting add-ons available for purchase to enhance your Frosé Fest experience. Whether it’s an extra charcuterie board, a full-size Frosé pour, or some Hypsy Gypsy merch, you can customize your day to your heart’s content.
This is a 21+ event, so gather your friends and come sip, savor, and celebrate the joy of Frosé. Tickets are only available through September 20, 2024.
While tickets may be available for purchase on the day of the event, they will be limited and do not include a t-shirt. Additionally, same-day ticket holders are not guaranteed a table or the full selection of Frosé tastings, as supplies may run out. To ensure the best experience, we recommend getting your tickets in advance!
Get your tickets now!
October 8, 2024
Credit Scores Matter
By Libby Wells
Unless you’re a cash buyer, credit scores are the most important factor lenders consider in a mortgage application. It shows the ability to repay,
NEW YORK – Strictly speaking, you don't need a credit score to buy a house. If you're paying cash, for example, no one necessarily cares whether you have good credit. However, if – like most aspiring American homeowners – you'll need financing, then your credit score is crucial.
Your credit score is one of the most important factors lenders consider when you apply for a mortgage. Not just to qualify for the loan itself, but for the conditions: Typically, the higher your score, the lower the interest rates and better terms you'll qualify for.
So, what is a good score if you want to buy a house? It depends on the type of mortgage you're seeking: Many loans vary when it comes to the credit score needed to qualify. Generally speaking, you'll likely need a score of at least 620 – what's classified as a "fair" rating – to qualify with most lenders. With a Federal Housing Administration loan, though, you might be able to get approved with a score as low as 500.
Why your credit score matters to lenders
Your credit score helps lenders determine your ability to repay the mortgage – and, subsequently, their risk in extending you the loan. The higher your score, the less risk you present.
Another number that mortgage lenders examine carefully is your debt-to-income ratio, or your percentage of monthly debt obligations relative to how much income you bring in. To illustrate, if you earn $4,000 per month and have $1,250 in credit-card bills, loan payments, housing costs and other debts, your debt-to-income ratio would be 31%. The ideal ratio is typically less than 36%, though some lenders will accept more with a higher down payment.
Credit score by mortgage type
There's no single, specific credit score that will automatically qualify you for a mortgage, but lenders often have minimum credit-score requirements. The minimum credit score to be eligible for a mortgage depends on both the lender and the type of loan.
Conventional loans: Conventional loans are mortgages offered by commercial banks and savings-and-loan associations. Generally, the higher your credit score, the more likely you'll qualify for a mortgage loan with these lenders. Many will accept a credit score as low as 620, but they may have other requirements, such as a higher income or a larger down payment.
FHA loans: The Federal Housing Administration insures loans geared toward borrowers with lower credit scores and down payments, especially first-time homebuyers. You might qualify for an FHA loan with a credit score of 500 to 579 with a 10% down payment or with a 3.5% down payment if your score is 580 or higher.
USDA loans: The U.S. Department of Agriculture guarantees this loan program for low to moderate-income borrowers purchasing a home in a qualifying rural area. Borrowers generally need a minimum score of 640 to qualify for a USDA loan. In some cases, USDA lenders may consider a lower score with additional analysis of a borrower's credit.
VA loans: Guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA loans are offered to active and veteran military personnel and their families. The government doesn't have a minimum credit-score requirement to qualify for VA loans, though many lenders – who actually extend the financing – require a minimum score of 620.
Jumbo loans: Jumbo loans are larger-than-normal-size mortgages that exceed the conforming loan limits established by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae – $766,550 in most markets, as of 2024. Many jumbo lenders require a credit score of 700 or higher to qualify because of the increased risk that comes with borrowing such a large amount.
How your credit score affects your mortgage rate
Although it's up to specific lenders to determine what score borrowers need to receive the lowest mortgage interest rates, a difference of just a few points on your credit score can sometimes affect your monthly payments substantially. For example, on a $300,000 mortgage, the difference in principal and interest payments between a 7% interest rate and a 6.5% rate is $99 per month. That comes out to more than $35,000 over the course of a 30-year mortgage term.
"A low credit score can make it less likely that you would qualify for the most affordable rates and could even lead to rejection of your mortgage application," says Bruce McClary, senior VP of communications for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
What is a good credit score?
When considering the best credit score to buy a house, many lenders use the FICO model. It grades consumers on a 300-to-850-point range, with a higher score indicating less risk to the lender. FICO scores range as follows:
800 or higher: Exceptional
740-799: Very good
670-739: Good
580-669: Fair
579 or lower: Poor
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