In this issue of my Monthly Item of Value, learn good financial habits that will help you throughout your lifetime.

By following this list of tips, you will be able to make the most of the money coming in and help your lower your debt and raise your savings and investments.

• Be mindful of spending.
• Create and stick to a budget.
• Pay off one debt at a time.
• Continue building your emergency savings.
• Keep contributing to your retirement.
• Create a budget.

For the full report click here.

Thinking of buying or selling your home? Contact Gigi today to set up an appointment.

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros about choosing firewood.

How to Choose the Right Firewood

While warm fires are the last thing you want burning in your house in the summer heat, fall and brisk winter nights are right around the corner. When cooler days come around, you should start by cleaning out your fireplace and getting a chimney inspection. Once your chimney has been prepped, you need to choose the right firewood.

Dry Firewood is the Best Firewood

As a general rule of thumb, remember that dry firewood is the best firewood. Wood is filled with small tubes that run water from the roots below the ground into the trunk and branches. When the wood is cut, those tubes will still have moisture in them...

August Calendar of Events

Lots of activities are happening in August around Baltimore. Exciting events are taking place including music, food and O’s games.

Image: Moonrise Festival

The Moonrise Festival is at Pimlico Racetrack August 10-11.

Image: Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney fans will be happy to see him with Old Dominion at Merriweather Post Pavilion on August 22.

Image: Fells Point Farmers’ Market

The Fells Point Farmers’ Market is every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m through November.

Image: Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

Bring your thirst to the Pints in the Park the second Friday of each month through October at Center Plaza located at N. Charles & Fayette Streets. Hosted by Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.

Port Discovery – Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice Exhibit...

In this Monthly Item of Value learn about how to stay organized and clutter-free.

We all have problems with accumulating clutter in our homes. Making sure everything has a place to be put away.

Not having more than we need seems to be a problem for many Americans. Try to donate or give away at least one thing for every new item you bring in the house to get a handle on clutter.

Taking these tips to heart, you will find that the amount of clutter in your home will be reduced. These tips are especially helpful if you are thinking about buying or selling your home. The less you move, the better. And if you are showing your home – the less clutter you have, the more attractive your home will look to others.

If you are interesting in buying or selling a home, please contact Gigi today to get...

3920 Wilke Avenue

Wow! The newly renovated kitchen at 3920 Wilke Avenue has rich cabinetry, gorgeous hardwood floor, neutral carpet and fresh paint. This home is an ideal pick for a budget minded first time home buyer or savvy investing looking to add to their rental portfolio...

Thanks to Mark Hines of Fidelity Bank for this episode of Tips from the Pros about mortgages.

Looks like FHLB (Federal Home Loan Bank) Grant has used all of its funds. There could be small amount come back as available but no more applications are to be taken for this valuable grant this year. Looks like 2019 in mid-January looks like the next window of opportunity.

The projection for the rates going into new week is to downright avoid floating any locks as news is mortgage rate un-friendly.

Don’t forget we have the FHA 203k full and streamline and Fannie Mae Homestyle rehab loans available.

As always feel free to use the rates below as a guideline for this weekend’s business.

Feel free to call with any borrower questions!

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros about moving.

Create a timeline

Me...

July Calendar of Events

Lots of activities are happening this month in and around Baltimore. Exciting events are taking place including the  and Orioles games.

Happy 4th of July!

Guide to July 4th celebration events in Baltimore.

Image: Cirque de Soliel

Lots of great events are happening at the Baltimore Arena including Cirque du Soleil Crystal from July 5-8.

Port Discovery – Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice Exhibit: Now through September 9.

Image: Orioles

Lots of dates in June: The Orioles are home July 9-11 vs. Yankees, July 12 vs. Phillies, July 13-15 vs. Rangers, July 23-25 vs. Red Sox and July 26-29 vs. Rays.

Thursday Night Gallery Drawing Series Baltimore Baltimore City The Walters Art Museum. Thursday evenings from now through August 9, 2018.

Image: Walters Art Museum

See what clients are saying

Meet the Alexanders

What do you love most about your new home? 

I really just love everything. The hardwood floors, the spacious kitchen, the nice bathrooms (having 2 and a half bathrooms!), having so much space, having a deck. And being able to call it mine! I can paint the walls and hang things up and know that it will stay that way for as long as I want it to – I no longer have to worry about moving from apartment to apartment.

If you could sum up your experience in one word what would that be? Why?

Doable. When I first considered buying a house, it seemed daunting and impossible. I had no knowledge of houses, or what to do, and where to start. But my loan agent and Gigi were there to help me though every step...

Hire a Professional for Best Results

In this Monthly Item of Value, we’re talking about hiring a professional. No matter what improvements you are doing to your home, it’s always a good idea to hire a pro. When the safety of your home and family is in play, it’s often more important to use a professional who knows what they are doing rather than finding the cheapest way to do it.

To read the full text “Why it Makes Sense to Hire a Pro” click or tap here.

I have a list of trusted individuals who can help with just about anything around the house. Feel free to contact me to discuss my list of preferred partners.