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Kanawha Valley Kanawha & Putnam Counties

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Home & Living V6:I7

Published in cooperation with The Home Builders Association of Greater Charleston

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Local Events

BUILDING

Ten Tips to Secure a Home Mortgage

By J.D. Koontz

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14

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& REMODELING warehouse

304-727-5035 866-805-5035

Office 304-720-1239 Cell 304-437-0658 nadhardy104@aol.com REALTOR

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Kanawha Valley Kanawha & Putnam Counties

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Home & Living V6:I8

Published in cooperation with The Home Builders Association of Greater Charleston

see page

14

Ten Tips to Secure a Home Mortgage

By J.D. Koontz

Local Events

see page

6

Nestled in the wooded hills of South Charleston

• Spacious wooded lots w/ breathtaking views of the city & mountains • Just minutes from downtown shops, restaurants, & Thomas Hospital Lots starting at 74k ( .5 - 1.5 acre lots)

Call TODAY! 304-744-3622

304.7 27.50 35

Visit our website at mybrw.com

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Kanawha Valley Home & Living Presents:

Local Events

June 6 – WV RAVE - Bike Tour

Habitat for Humanity hosts the 6th Annual Ridge and Valley Excursion Bike Tour along the Scenic Williams River and through the Monongahela National Forest with breathtaking views and astounding climbs! 5 routes are offered, from the beginner to the most avid cyclist will be challenged. Details 304-720-7636

June 6 – Live on the Levee OPENER: WV Special Olympics Opening Ceremony

 HEADLINE: Mother's Nature

June 6 – 8 Special Olympics June 13 – Live on the Levee OPENER: Cat Daddy’s Capitol City Biker Bash

 HEADLINE: Midnight Special

June 20 – Live on the Levee OPENER: Farnsworth

 HEADLINE: USFLOYD

June 26 – Free Gospel Sing

OPENER: The Praysman 1401 W. Washington St. Charleston Love Offering Will Be Taken

 HEADLINE: The Hoppers

June 27 – Live on the Levee OPENER: Autumn Blair

 HEADLINE: Coulton Pack

July 4 – Live on the Levee

OPENER: Stonetreet - Fireworks Night

 HEADLINE: Black Diamond Experience

July 11 – Live on the Levee OPENER: Tofujitzu

 HEADLINE: Oiet

July 18 – Live on the Levee

OPENER: Marshall and the Groove

 HEADLINE: The Bob Thompson Unit

July 25 – Live on the Levee OPENER: Fletcher's Groove

 HEADLINE: Donna the Buffalo

August 1 – Live on the Levee OPENER: The Band Wagon

 HEADLINE: Johnny Staats and the Delivery Boys Email your event to: dan@livingwestvirgina.com Events.indd 1

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1/2 HP Garage Door Opener, 2 Remotes and Key Pad All Installed For Only

$388

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Home Access, Incorporated • Custom Made Stairlifs • Residential Elevators • Dumbwaiters • Wheel Chair Lifts indoor/o • Commercial/Residential • Other Accessibility Items HOME ACCESS INCORPORATED is a local company, offering West Virginia residents a better quality of life by providing ease of access to the homes they love. With greater than 40 years in the industry and a strong commitment to service excellence, we welcome the opportunity to share the benefit of our experience with you. Personal accessibility equipment is an important purchase, so it makes sense to choose HOME ACCESS INCORPORATED, a name you can trust, a company that cares. We will give you personalized assistance and service guaranteed.

HOME ACCESS, INC Residential and Commercial Accessibility Specialists Qualified Technicians and Certified Installers of home stairlifts and residential elevators.

Members of the National Association of Elevator Contractors.

Licensed and Insured. WV 030658

Home Access, Incorporated P.O. Box 826 • Cabin Creek, WV 25305 (304) 595-5671 • fax: (304) 595-5800 email: joe@myhomeaccess.com web: www.myhomeaccess.com Owner: Joe Ferrell

Area(s): Most of West Virginia

Specialty: Personal Accessibility Equipment

Established: 1999

Brands: Stannah, Thyssen Krupp, Wauaca, Savaria Concord License #: WV030658

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St. Albans Windows Manufacturing & Siding Company has been serving the tri-state area for 55 years and has been voted “Best in the Valley” for 12 years running. The company prides itself knowing that tens of thousands of satisfied residential and commercial customers have called on them over the years, and that they have earned an excellent reputation for quality products and service.

St. Albans Windows not only manufactures top quality window products, but they have their own staff that installs them, no sub-contractors. St. Albans Windows invites you to call for free in home estimate or stop by their factory and showroom. You will be happy you did. They are a great company to do business with.

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Auto

Home

Group Health

Business

Worker’s Comp

Tired of Paying too much for your Insurance?

“Call Today & Save” Philip Garlow

Garlow Insurance Agency, Inc

Tim Maddox

1217 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV

304-347-8972 Payne & Garlow Insurance Agency

3774 Teays Valley Rd. Suite 101, Hurricane, WV

304-707-6880 Harold Payne

Kaltenecker, Payne & Garlow Insurance Agency

Stephen Grimm

5316 MacCorkle Ave. SW, S. Charleston, WV

304-766-7890 Grimm, Kellermeyer, Garlow & Assoc. Insurance Agency

1217 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV

304-347-8972 Jennifer Hines

Tony Lucas

Maddox, Garlow & Assoc. Insurance Agency

1217 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV

304-347-8972 Glasgow Insurance Agency

Route 60, Glasgow, WV Debra Roark

304-595-3155

Jane Pack

Lewis Garlow & Assoc. Insurance Agency, Inc

5286 Big Tyler Rd. Cross Lanes, WV

304-776-6410 Garlow of Point Pleasant

501 Main Street, Point Pleasant, WV Dan Bowen

304-675-7036

Jarred Hurley

www.GarlowInsurance.com AUTO • HOME • BUSINESS • COMMERCIAL • LIFE • ANNUITIES • HEALTH

LOCAL PEOPLE. NATIONAL PERSPECTIVES.

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9018 ValleyRoad Rd •• Scott ScottDepot, Depot, WV 25560 9018 Teays Teays Valley WV 25560

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Leasing Office 304-550-5663 eagleview@abcontractingwv.com www.wveagleview.com

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Contact us today to view Charleston’s newest gated community and take advantage of pre-leasing RENT SPECIALS.

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Ten Tips to Secure a Home Mortgage

By J.D. Koontz

More than four years have passed since the U.S. housing bubble burst. The loan approval process remains challenging. Mortgage financing, however, is available for those who have good credit and are prepared. If you are thinking about buying a new home or refinancing your existing mortgage, consider these ten tips:

1. Start by checking your credit report.

A low credit score can kill a mortgage loan request. It is one of the first things a lender consults. You can get a free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. This website is the only authorized source for consumers to access their credit report for free online. Clean up any items you can before approaching your lender.

2. Develop a monthly budget.

How much can you really afford to pay each month for a house payment? A lender will use a debt-to-income calculation to determine how much of a house payment you can handle along with all your other debts. With a quick Google search, you can find a debt-to-income calculator online. In general, the total monthly housing expense (mortgage loan payment, real estate taxes, and insurance) should not exceed 28%. The overall debt to income ratio which includes the housing costs and all other loan payments should not exceed 40%.

3. Calculate your down payment and fees.

Down payment requirements range from 3% to 20%. If you want a standard mortgage with the best interest rates, expect to put down 20%. Because closing costs vary from market to market, it is difficult to provide an exact amount. Three percent, however, is a good rule of thumb.

4. Get organized.

When you meet with your lender, they will need certain information to consider your request. Bring two years of tax returns with any K1s and W2s, two recent pay stubs, proof of any additional income, and evidence you can handle a down payment. Keep in mind that different lenders will likely have different requirements for information. When you schedule your first meeting, ask your lender what information he or she would like for you to bring to the meeting.

5. Learn the terms.

The mortgage business is replete with abbreviations: ARM, APR, PMI, and FHA are just a few. Spend a few minutes online learning the terms you might hear when meeting with your lender.

6. Shop around.

Different lenders offer different types of mortgage loans. Find a lender you can trust who offers the type of loan that is best for you. Most likely, buying a home will be the single largest investment you make. It’s important to do it right.

7. Set up a meeting with your lender.

Now that you know what the lender will need, schedule the meeting. Setting up a meeting versus stopping by will ensure that you and the lender are prepared to discuss details and options.

8. Ask questions.

There are many different types of mortgage loans. Ask your lender what types of loans they offer and which might be best for you. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Ask for a Good Faith Estimate and Fee Worksheet. This will help you to more easily compare fees and terms from other institutions. Remember, you are the one signing on the dotted line.

9. Understand the mechanics of the deal.

What happens after you sign a purchase contract? What fees and costs should you expect? How much should you expect to pay at closing in addition to your down payment? A good lender will give you straight answers so that you will understand the process.

10. Get prequalifed.

It’s free, and if you have completed steps 1 through 9, it will be an easy process. Don’t spend a lot of time looking at houses until you know what you can really afford.

With the right team, the home-buying process can be a memorable experience. Being prepared and knowing what to expect will go a long way toward making the process a pleasant one.

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Realtor, Premier Property Specialist

Phyllis Carpenter 304.546.1691 cell 304.984.0388 home

Josh McGrath, Broker 304-722-3338 400 Allen Drive Suite 400, Charleston, WV 25302

pjcarpenter59@aol.com

www.phylliscarpenter.com

If you are looking to Buy or Sell your home call me TODAY! I Make It Happen and You Make It Home!

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Darin Fisher Designer Kitchens

• Professional Design Services • Omega Custom and Dynasty Cabinetry • Licensed and Insured • Professional Installations

For over 10 years DFDK has been serving the Greater Charleston area with quality designs. With over 35 years combined experience, we will walk you from start to finish through the design and installation process. We offer a wide range of the finest products to meet any budget, such as Ogema Cabinetry which has a full custom and semi custom line. So call Darin Fisher Designer Kitchens for an appointment and visit at our convenient boulevard location to let one of our designers create your dream space!

Darin Fisher Designer Kitchens (304) 720-3451

1404 Kanawha Blvd. East • Charleston, WV 25301

email: darin@dfdkkitchens.com website: www.facebook.com/dfdkkitchens.com Hours: 9:00 to 5:00 Mon-Fri appointments appreciated Owner/Designer: Darin Fisher Designers: Liz Bonar, Cory Stout Year Established: 2003

Brands: *Omega Custom *Dynasty *Shrock *Ultracraft *Medallion Specialty: Kitchens, Master Bathrooms, Laundry Rooms, Mud Rooms and Cabinetry

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Americas Largest Concrete Leveling / Lifting Company, and in business for over 27 years; A-1 Concrete Leveling has 10's of thousands of satisfied customers nationwide.

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Call us today for your FREE estimate to savings.

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304-347-9700

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turn your dream kitchen into reality with professional granite solutions from Quarry

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