phxsoul.com

A+ for President Obama's ASU Graduation Speech!!

President Barack Obama taught Arizona State University a lesson on May 13, 2009. Your Body of Work Is Never Done!

He encouraged graduates to measure their success in a different way. It's not the material things that signify your achievements.

It's how you impact others, it's the community service you perform, it's what you do to make the United States a better nation. The Class of 2009 and all Americans have a duty to put aside their material aspirations. Instead, we all need to become emotionally wealthier by figuring out how we can help others who are in need.

If Arizona State University doesn't think that Barack Obama hasn't positively impacted millions of people, that he hasn't or won't perform impressive feats for communities across America or hasn't helped our country become better by encouraging us all do our best ... maybe President Michael Crowe and his staff don't understand what success is all about.

In a clever, thought-provoking, inspirational manner, President Obama's speech hopefully helped ASU officials to reconsider how they evaluate those who should be deserving of an honorary degree. It's not the number of bullet points on the resume, it's number of people you can impact for the rest of your days!

I can't even imagine how everyone at Sun Devil Stadium felt, but I watched Obama's commencement speech from home and I am fired up to continuing doing what I can to make the world a better place! How can you not love this President? Could George W. Bush and John McCain motivate you the way President Obama has?

How do you feel PhxSoul.com readers - what's your take on President Obama's speech at Arizona State University's graduation ceremony?

Please click on the Comments link below to share your thoughts!

The Mortgage Man: SafeHouse Mortgage Protection Plan

Editor's Note: "The Mortgage Man" is a new column on PhxSoul.com that will provide useful, professional mortgage and home ownership advice.

Submitted by Arthur Brison

"The Mortgage Man" Arthur Brison

As a valued partner, I wanted to be the first to let you know of an incredible program that NOVA has just unveiled. NOVA is now offering the SafeHouse Mortgage Protection Plan which is a program that will pay mortgage expenses on time should the participant lose his/her job or experience an economic misfortune. 

In this economy, many of your clients may be hesitant to purchase a home because they are worried about the stability of their jobs. With the SafeHouse program, your clients will know that their home, usually their largest investment and source of greatest security, will be protected from the decisions that an employer may face. This should give your clients great comfort as they continue to plan for their future.
 
As you know, this is an ideal time to buy a home. I do not want to see anyone else miss out on low interest rates and bargain home values because they are concerned about the stability of their employment. NOVA’s SafeHouse Mortgage Protection Plan makes the decision to buy a much easier one. Below is some important information about the program:

Eligibility

• Homeowners 18 – 66 years of age
• Must reside in the US
• Cannot be self-employed, contract employee, seasonal worker or Active Military
• Employed full-time (minimum 30 hours per week) at time for mortgage closing

Coverage

• 24 months from the closing date of the mortgage on purchase transactions
• 12 months from the closing date of the mortgage on refinance transactions

Benefit

• The lesser of the actual payment (PITI) or $1800 per month
• Emergency mortgage grants for eligible participants

Benefit Period

• Up to a maximum of 6 months during each coverage period

Waiting Period

• 30 days from commencement of unemployment

Conditions

• Unemployment must commence during the coverage period
• Coverage is limited to payments due 30 days after unemployment begins (waiting period)
• Claimant must qualify for state unemployment benefits
• Claims payment cease immediately upon re-employment
• In the event of subsequent unemployment, a new 30-day waiting period applies

Should you or any of your clients be interested in discussing the SafeHouse Mortgage Protection Plan in more detail, please don’t hesitate to call me.

Arthur Brison is a Senior Loan Officer for Nova Home Loans/Nova Commercial in Scottsdale, Arizona where he provides innovative financing solutions for First-time Home Buyers, Real Estate Investors, Commercial, and Small Business Owners. As an 11-year veteran of the real estate and mortgage industries, Brison leverages his proven experience in mortgage underwriting, fraud investigation, sales, and management. Prior to joining the mortgage industry, Brison served his country as a Crytologic Petty Officer in the United States Navy. 

A mentor and entrepreneur at heart, Brison is passionate about the future state of the youth and developing African-American and other minority small businesses. Currently he serves as a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona as well as a member of its Professional Leadership Council. He also serves his community as a member and Treasurer of the Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals.

Brison can be reached at 480-614-6430 or by e-mail at arthurb@novahomeloans.com.

Weatherization Program Offers Grants to Improve Home Energy Efficiency

The city of Phoenix Neighborhood Service Department is offering grants to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households, through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program. A household of four can earn up to $44,100 annually, and qualify for the program.

Last year, Neighborhood Services completed 180 weatherizations on Phoenix homes and recently received $7.2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to complete approximately 1000 more, during the next three years.
 
“These additional funds will allow the department to continue our vision of building vibrant neighborhoods,” said Jerome Miller, director, Neighborhood Services. 

Professionally trained weatherization crews perform on-site home energy audits using state-of-the-art equipment to determine ways to increase a home’s energy efficiency. 

Grant funds may be used for a variety of projects, including insulation, duct sealing, weather stripping and caulking, repair or replacement of heating and cooling systems, among other projects.  These weatherization measures create an average annual savings of $300 per home. 

The city of Phoenix offers additional loans and grants designed to improve the safety, appearance and value of homes – available to Phoenix residents that meet income requirements.

For more information, contact the Neighborhood Services Department at 602-495-0700.

Southwest Green Magazine Podcast Discusses How Stimulus Package Helps Arizona Small Businesses

Southwest Green Magazine posted a podcast on its Website to help Arizonans more clearly understand the benefits from the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - The Stimulus Package."

Dr. George Brooks, Publisher of Southwest Green Magazine, interviewed Robert Blaney, Arizona Small Business Administration District Director, State Of Arizona to learn more about the $15 Billion in 90-percent and 100-percent guaranteed loans for small and green businesses, $255 million in interest-free loans, billions of dollars for green projects that will need small business contractors and much much more.

If you are small business owner like myself, this podcast should interest you.

Please click on the link below to listen to the podcast:

http://www.sw-green.com (go to Featured Podcasts)