Country Connections

What is a FICO score?
Your FICO score is nothing more than a reference to a credit score
that was developed using the Fair Isaac credit scoring model.
Scores are published by each of the three major credit reporting agencies. The FICO model calculates credit scores based on
information along five dimensions:
Is Your Pet Ready for
Warm Weather Fun?
• Payment History (35% of FICO score) – account payment
information with such agencies as credit card companies, lenders of installment loans, mortgages and retailers. This part of
your credit score measures your ability to pay on time, and the
money you have past due.
• Amounts Owed (30% of FICO score) – information concerning the total amount of credit you have outstanding, number
of accounts, balances on account and how much credit you
have relative to the maximum amount creditors are willing to
extend to you.
• Length of Credit History (15% of FICO score) – this dimension measures how long your accounts have been open with
creditors and lenders. The longer your credit history, the easier
it is to accurately identify payment patterns.
• New Credit (10% of FICO score) – this information is used
to calculate your credit score, and reflects how much credit
you’ve applied for lately.
• Types of Credit (10% of FICO score) – this is the diversity of
credit you have in your portfolio. For example, do you have a
mortgage, car loan and credit cards? The more types of credit
you have, the more accurately your score can be determined.
To request your credit report online visit:
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
Please, allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
Table of FICO Credit Scores
% of Population Credit Score
27%
% OF POPULATION
25%
20%
15%
13%
12%
10%
5%
0%
4
18%
15%
8%
5%
2%
300
to
499
500
to
549
550
to
599
600 650 700
to
to
to
649 699 749
CREDIT SCORE
750
to
799
She suggests the following tips for pet parents looking to include
their canine companions in warm-weather activities:
Keep pets groomed.
A winter indoors often leaves pets with tangled fur and a thick
undercoat, which begins to shed when the weather warms. Take
your dog to a professional grooming salon, like those found in
PetSmart stores, to help keep them cool with services like a bath,
brush or hair cut to remove loose hair.
Keep pets hydrated.
Be sure to pack extra bottles of water for your dog when heading
outdoors for a long hike, walk, jog or trip to the park. “Remember,
if you’re feeling hot, tired and thirsty, your pet likely feels the same
way,” says Dr. Marshall.
To request your credit report by phone, call:
1-877-322-8228
30%
Dr. Kemba Marshall, PetSmart veterinarian and pet care expert,
knows it’s important to pay extra attention to your pet when
temperatures climb.
800
to
850
Keep pets sheltered.
Keep your pet indoors during the hottest part of the day to help
them avoid such conditions as dehydration and heatstroke.
Consider taking your dog to an indoor play center to keep them
happy, such as the Doggie Day Camp at PetSmart. They’ll spend
the day interacting and exercising with other dogs and trained
pet-loving professionals.
Keep pets pest-free.
Pets are susceptible to a variety of bugs and pests – especially
fleas and ticks. Purchase preventative collars and topical treatments to protect your pet. And after every outdoor trip, inspect
pets carefully.
For more pet parenting tips, products and services to care for your pet, visit
www.PetSmart.com.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Article courtesy of Family Features
Count��
Connections
SPRING 2012
by
Welcome to Country Connections,
a publication of Country Mortgages
by AgChoice FC. This newsletter was
designed to provide you with information and tips for your lifestyle. We appreciate the relationship we have with
you as a customer. If you, a friend or a
neighbor, are planning to buy a home,
land or a farmette, please give us a call
so we can help you achieve your goals.
Enjoy a Green Lawn All Season Long
1-800-998-5557
agchoice.com/country-livng
Mow tall – The correct mowing height is one of the most critical issues in keeping your lawn
healthy and lush. Make sure your mower’s blades are sharp and take no more than 1/3 the
length of the grass off each time.
Visit our Facebook pages:
Lovin’ Rural PA and
AgChoice Farm Credit
Knowing you makes
the difference.™
Homeowners use green solutions for their home,
but they may forget to extend those practices
beyond the brick and mortar. Using sustainable
practices can lead to a green lawn your family can
enjoy all season long.
Black & Decker® and Clean Air® Lawn Care – the
nation's leading full-service sustainable lawn care
company – have teamed up to help spread the
word about practical and affordable lawn care
methods. Use these tips to help care for your lawn
and garden this year – in more ways than one:
Go electric – Without the need for gas or oil to operate your outdoor equipment, you can
tend to your lawn, garden and landscaping using electric products. Electric tools also save you
money compared to using gas-powered outdoor equipment. Learn more about the convenience of electric products, like Black & Decker’s new 36V Lithium-ion Cordless String Trimmer/
Edger at http://blackanddecker.com/recharge.
Water slowly, deeply and less frequently – Proper watering will allow your grass to grow
deeper roots, making it less vulnerable to drought. Make sure to identify the type of grass in
your yard and be aware of the recommended frequency of watering for that variety. Also, water
early in the morning, so less moisture evaporates throughout the course of a hot day.
Be cautious when using pesticides – Remember, all pesticides are toxic to some degree and
may harm people, wildlife and pets. Pesticides can also kill beneficial organisms, such as worms,
disrupting the ecological balance in your yard.
Recycle your grass clippings – According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 27
percent of landfills were filled with grass clippings and yard waste in 2011. Help to eliminate
this waste by composting. Learn about composting techniques at www.epa.gov.
Choose lawn care services – If you prefer to leave your yard maintenance to the experts,
choose a lawn care service company like Clean Air® Lawn Care. Unlike some lawn care companies, this company utilizes electric tools, such as Black & Decker’s outdoor products, and
biodiesel-powered equipment for lawn mowing and landscape maintenance, and charges its
equipment during the day with solar panels mounted on its service trucks.
For more lawn care tips from Black & Decker and Clean Air Lawn Care, visit
http://blackanddecker.com/recharge and www.cleanairlawncare.com
Courtesy of Family Features
Champion Your Child
with a Wholesome
Breakfast
Getting children to eat a wellbalanced breakfast can be difficult.
Here are some tips to help turn
breakfast into a quick, delicious and
nutritious meal:
• Instead of the same tired toast
or bland bowl of cereal every
day, offer a variety of morning
meals. Empowering kids with
the choice of what they eat at breakfast will make them more
apt to cooperate.
• A good source of protein is key when it comes to breakfast.
Products such as Chobani Champions will help your child fuelup for the day ahead. The authentically strained Greek yogurt
made just for kids is not only nutritious, but delicious.
• Try packing a brown-bag the night before so your kids can eat
on the way to school. Fruit ranks at the top of the kid-friendly
foods list. Slice up some fresh fruits such as strawberries, bananas and apples that kids can easily eat at home or on the go.
• Try setting up a tasting for your kids so they can try a variety
of foods without the pressure of having to finish an entire portion. Encourage them to talk about what they like best, including taste and texture.
For more information on preparing meals for happy, healthy kids, visit www.
chobanichampions.com.
Courtesy of Family Features
Exclusive offer for Country
Connections recipients!
Join the conversation and share what you like
best about living in rural Pennsylvania.
“Like” Lovin’ Rural PA on Facebook for
a chance to win a Nook e-reader!
Act now! Drawing will be held on June 29, 2012.
facebook.com/lovinruralpa
2
Residential Loans –
A Package for Everyone
Learn about Government Home Loan Programs –
Now offered by Country Mortgages by AgChoice FC
Our goal is to help you achieve yours! Country Mortgages by
AgChoice FC has a variety of home loan products to fit most every
need. Our knowledgeable staff can guide you smoothly through
the loan process, answer your questions and help you choose the
package that suits you best. If you are considering purchasing
a home, call your loan officer to arrange a consultation to learn
about what we have to offer and how you can benefit from our
products and services.
We offer:
• Competitively priced long-term fixed, adjustable and variable
rate conventional home loans for properties in rural areas.
• Financing for varying types of investment properties.
• Second home loans with fixed and adjustable rates for oneunit properties only.
• Modular homes with financing available for modular and
some manufactured homes.
• Residence loans in a typical housing development.
• Residence loans with small land tracts (30 acres or less).
• Residence loans with land, but few or no out-buildings.
• Refinancing tools and information to help you determine
the right time to refinance your home.
• Government loan programs (new for AgChoice) such as FHA,
USDA and VA loans.
• Construction loans to finance the building of a single-family
home.
• Lot/homesite loans to finance the property, then build your
dream home.
• Recreational property offerings that go beyond the loan
products we offer for recreational land. For example, if you
purchase land that includes timber and forest land, we have
forest products staff to help you make wise timber management decisions for the future.
• Government sponsored Home Affordable Refinance
Program for those borrowers whose equity has been affected
by the fall of the housing market.
• Amish and Mennonite programs.
• HomePath Mortgage Program, an incentive to purchase
Fannie Mae owned homes, obtained through foreclosure or
deed in lieu of foreclosure.
• Jumbo loans – those over the Fannie Mae limit of $417,000.00.
Do a friend a favor! If you know someone who is
shopping for a new home, share this newsletter.
FHA Home Loan Program
VA Home Loan Program
USDA Rural Development Program
Wanda Vasquez has been renting an apartment and working full-time for three years.
She has managed her finances carefully,
saving what money she could with the goal
of buying a house. She has no other assets.
Her debt includes a car loan and a balance of
$600.00 combined on two credit cards. Since
she is young and doesn’t have a long credit
history, her credit score is lower than she
would have liked. While she was frugal and
managed to save some money to achieve her
goal, she does not have a large sum accumulated. Wanda is excited that she found a loan
package that is a great fit for her circumstances. She was approved for an FHA home
loan and will be moving into a townhouse
next month.
Bob Morgan recently returned from serving
with the U.S. Army in Iraq. He and his wife,
Laurie, have two children and another on
the way. They have been renting a small
two-bedroom condominium for several years
but they need more space for their expanding
family and want to buy a home. They would
like to stay in the same suburban community
where they currently live and where Laurie
works part-time and their boys attend school.
While Bob and Laurie don’t have money
saved for a down payment, they have done
their homework and established that they
can afford the monthly costs associated with
home ownership. Their loan officer introduced them to the VA home loan program
and all agreed it is the best option for their
situation. Bob and Laurie are thrilled that
they will be closing on a four-bedroom house
near their current home next week.
With the second of their two children graduating from college this year, Jeff and Miriam
Hanson are looking forward to downsizing
and simplifying their lifestyles. They retired
four years ago with a dream of living in the
country and they found an older farm house
on three acres that would suit them perfectly.
Most of their savings was depleted as a
result of medical expenses they paid during
a lengthy illness suffered by Bob’s mother, so
they do not have funds available for a down
payment. While their income is reduced
due to retirement, it is sufficient to support
the necessary monthly payments. Jeff and
Miriam were happy to learn about the USDA
home loan program, as the package offers
exactly what they need. They easily navigated the loan process and are now ready to
move into their country home.
Highlights:
• Residential property with no more than
35% of the value coming from the land
alone
• Low down payment of 3.5% and it can
be a gift
• Some Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) homes offered with
only $100 down
• Flexibility with qualification
requirements
• No income limits
• Non-occupant co-borrower is permitted
• Seller concession up to 6% is allowable
• May be assumable
Highlights:
• Residential property with no more than
35% of the value coming from the land
alone
• Modular homes are acceptable but
manufactured homes are not
• No down payment in most situations
• Negotiable interest rate – competitive
with conventional mortgage rates
• No monthly mortgage insurance
• Able to finance VA-approved energy
efficient items on a purchase or
refinance
• Non-occupant co-borrower is not
permitted
• Seller concession up to 4% is allowable
• Borrower is required to pay very little
closings costs. Most costs are paid by
the seller.
Highlights:
• Property must be in an eligible rural
area – parts of some Pennsylvania
counties are excluded
• Farm buildings, farm fencing or
buildings not essential to residential
purpose are not permitted
• 100% financing available
• No private mortgage insurance
• Flexibility with qualifying requirements
• Income limits apply
• No maximum gift amounts or seller’s
concessions - this is typically a generous
6%
• Non-occupant co-borrower is not
permitted
3
Champion Your Child
with a Wholesome
Breakfast
Getting children to eat a wellbalanced breakfast can be difficult.
Here are some tips to help turn
breakfast into a quick, delicious and
nutritious meal:
• Instead of the same tired toast
or bland bowl of cereal every
day, offer a variety of morning
meals. Empowering kids with
the choice of what they eat at breakfast will make them more
apt to cooperate.
• A good source of protein is key when it comes to breakfast.
Products such as Chobani Champions will help your child fuelup for the day ahead. The authentically strained Greek yogurt
made just for kids is not only nutritious, but delicious.
• Try packing a brown-bag the night before so your kids can eat
on the way to school. Fruit ranks at the top of the kid-friendly
foods list. Slice up some fresh fruits such as strawberries, bananas and apples that kids can easily eat at home or on the go.
• Try setting up a tasting for your kids so they can try a variety
of foods without the pressure of having to finish an entire portion. Encourage them to talk about what they like best, including taste and texture.
For more information on preparing meals for happy, healthy kids, visit www.
chobanichampions.com.
Courtesy of Family Features
Exclusive offer for Country
Connections recipients!
Join the conversation and share what you like
best about living in rural Pennsylvania.
“Like” Lovin’ Rural PA on Facebook for
a chance to win a Nook e-reader!
Act now! Drawing will be held on June 29, 2012.
facebook.com/lovinruralpa
2
Residential Loans –
A Package for Everyone
Learn about Government Home Loan Programs –
Now offered by Country Mortgages by AgChoice FC
Our goal is to help you achieve yours! Country Mortgages by
AgChoice FC has a variety of home loan products to fit most every
need. Our knowledgeable staff can guide you smoothly through
the loan process, answer your questions and help you choose the
package that suits you best. If you are considering purchasing
a home, call your loan officer to arrange a consultation to learn
about what we have to offer and how you can benefit from our
products and services.
We offer:
• Competitively priced long-term fixed, adjustable and variable
rate conventional home loans for properties in rural areas.
• Financing for varying types of investment properties.
• Second home loans with fixed and adjustable rates for oneunit properties only.
• Modular homes with financing available for modular and
some manufactured homes.
• Residence loans in a typical housing development.
• Residence loans with small land tracts (30 acres or less).
• Residence loans with land, but few or no out-buildings.
• Refinancing tools and information to help you determine
the right time to refinance your home.
• Government loan programs (new for AgChoice) such as FHA,
USDA and VA loans.
• Construction loans to finance the building of a single-family
home.
• Lot/homesite loans to finance the property, then build your
dream home.
• Recreational property offerings that go beyond the loan
products we offer for recreational land. For example, if you
purchase land that includes timber and forest land, we have
forest products staff to help you make wise timber management decisions for the future.
• Government sponsored Home Affordable Refinance
Program for those borrowers whose equity has been affected
by the fall of the housing market.
• Amish and Mennonite programs.
• HomePath Mortgage Program, an incentive to purchase
Fannie Mae owned homes, obtained through foreclosure or
deed in lieu of foreclosure.
• Jumbo loans – those over the Fannie Mae limit of $417,000.00.
Do a friend a favor! If you know someone who is
shopping for a new home, share this newsletter.
FHA Home Loan Program
VA Home Loan Program
USDA Rural Development Program
Wanda Vasquez has been renting an apartment and working full-time for three years.
She has managed her finances carefully,
saving what money she could with the goal
of buying a house. She has no other assets.
Her debt includes a car loan and a balance of
$600.00 combined on two credit cards. Since
she is young and doesn’t have a long credit
history, her credit score is lower than she
would have liked. While she was frugal and
managed to save some money to achieve her
goal, she does not have a large sum accumulated. Wanda is excited that she found a loan
package that is a great fit for her circumstances. She was approved for an FHA home
loan and will be moving into a townhouse
next month.
Bob Morgan recently returned from serving
with the U.S. Army in Iraq. He and his wife,
Laurie, have two children and another on
the way. They have been renting a small
two-bedroom condominium for several years
but they need more space for their expanding
family and want to buy a home. They would
like to stay in the same suburban community
where they currently live and where Laurie
works part-time and their boys attend school.
While Bob and Laurie don’t have money
saved for a down payment, they have done
their homework and established that they
can afford the monthly costs associated with
home ownership. Their loan officer introduced them to the VA home loan program
and all agreed it is the best option for their
situation. Bob and Laurie are thrilled that
they will be closing on a four-bedroom house
near their current home next week.
With the second of their two children graduating from college this year, Jeff and Miriam
Hanson are looking forward to downsizing
and simplifying their lifestyles. They retired
four years ago with a dream of living in the
country and they found an older farm house
on three acres that would suit them perfectly.
Most of their savings was depleted as a
result of medical expenses they paid during
a lengthy illness suffered by Bob’s mother, so
they do not have funds available for a down
payment. While their income is reduced
due to retirement, it is sufficient to support
the necessary monthly payments. Jeff and
Miriam were happy to learn about the USDA
home loan program, as the package offers
exactly what they need. They easily navigated the loan process and are now ready to
move into their country home.
Highlights:
• Residential property with no more than
35% of the value coming from the land
alone
• Low down payment of 3.5% and it can
be a gift
• Some Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) homes offered with
only $100 down
• Flexibility with qualification
requirements
• No income limits
• Non-occupant co-borrower is permitted
• Seller concession up to 6% is allowable
• May be assumable
Highlights:
• Residential property with no more than
35% of the value coming from the land
alone
• Modular homes are acceptable but
manufactured homes are not
• No down payment in most situations
• Negotiable interest rate – competitive
with conventional mortgage rates
• No monthly mortgage insurance
• Able to finance VA-approved energy
efficient items on a purchase or
refinance
• Non-occupant co-borrower is not
permitted
• Seller concession up to 4% is allowable
• Borrower is required to pay very little
closings costs. Most costs are paid by
the seller.
Highlights:
• Property must be in an eligible rural
area – parts of some Pennsylvania
counties are excluded
• Farm buildings, farm fencing or
buildings not essential to residential
purpose are not permitted
• 100% financing available
• No private mortgage insurance
• Flexibility with qualifying requirements
• Income limits apply
• No maximum gift amounts or seller’s
concessions - this is typically a generous
6%
• Non-occupant co-borrower is not
permitted
3
What is a FICO score?
Your FICO score is nothing more than a reference to a credit score
that was developed using the Fair Isaac credit scoring model.
Scores are published by each of the three major credit reporting agencies. The FICO model calculates credit scores based on
information along five dimensions:
Is Your Pet Ready for
Warm Weather Fun?
• Payment History (35% of FICO score) – account payment
information with such agencies as credit card companies, lenders of installment loans, mortgages and retailers. This part of
your credit score measures your ability to pay on time, and the
money you have past due.
• Amounts Owed (30% of FICO score) – information concerning the total amount of credit you have outstanding, number
of accounts, balances on account and how much credit you
have relative to the maximum amount creditors are willing to
extend to you.
• Length of Credit History (15% of FICO score) – this dimension measures how long your accounts have been open with
creditors and lenders. The longer your credit history, the easier
it is to accurately identify payment patterns.
• New Credit (10% of FICO score) – this information is used
to calculate your credit score, and reflects how much credit
you’ve applied for lately.
• Types of Credit (10% of FICO score) – this is the diversity of
credit you have in your portfolio. For example, do you have a
mortgage, car loan and credit cards? The more types of credit
you have, the more accurately your score can be determined.
To request your credit report online visit:
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
Please, allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
Table of FICO Credit Scores
% of Population Credit Score
27%
% OF POPULATION
25%
20%
15%
13%
12%
10%
5%
0%
4
18%
15%
8%
5%
2%
300
to
499
500
to
549
550
to
599
600 650 700
to
to
to
649 699 749
CREDIT SCORE
750
to
799
She suggests the following tips for pet parents looking to include
their canine companions in warm-weather activities:
Keep pets groomed.
A winter indoors often leaves pets with tangled fur and a thick
undercoat, which begins to shed when the weather warms. Take
your dog to a professional grooming salon, like those found in
PetSmart stores, to help keep them cool with services like a bath,
brush or hair cut to remove loose hair.
Keep pets hydrated.
Be sure to pack extra bottles of water for your dog when heading
outdoors for a long hike, walk, jog or trip to the park. “Remember,
if you’re feeling hot, tired and thirsty, your pet likely feels the same
way,” says Dr. Marshall.
To request your credit report by phone, call:
1-877-322-8228
30%
Dr. Kemba Marshall, PetSmart veterinarian and pet care expert,
knows it’s important to pay extra attention to your pet when
temperatures climb.
800
to
850
Keep pets sheltered.
Keep your pet indoors during the hottest part of the day to help
them avoid such conditions as dehydration and heatstroke.
Consider taking your dog to an indoor play center to keep them
happy, such as the Doggie Day Camp at PetSmart. They’ll spend
the day interacting and exercising with other dogs and trained
pet-loving professionals.
Keep pets pest-free.
Pets are susceptible to a variety of bugs and pests – especially
fleas and ticks. Purchase preventative collars and topical treatments to protect your pet. And after every outdoor trip, inspect
pets carefully.
For more pet parenting tips, products and services to care for your pet, visit
www.PetSmart.com.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Article courtesy of Family Features
Count��
Connections
SPRING 2012
by
Welcome to Country Connections,
a publication of Country Mortgages
by AgChoice FC. This newsletter was
designed to provide you with information and tips for your lifestyle. We appreciate the relationship we have with
you as a customer. If you, a friend or a
neighbor, are planning to buy a home,
land or a farmette, please give us a call
so we can help you achieve your goals.
Enjoy a Green Lawn All Season Long
1-800-998-5557
agchoice.com/country-livng
Mow tall – The correct mowing height is one of the most critical issues in keeping your lawn
healthy and lush. Make sure your mower’s blades are sharp and take no more than 1/3 the
length of the grass off each time.
Visit our Facebook pages:
Lovin’ Rural PA and
AgChoice Farm Credit
Knowing you makes
the difference.™
Homeowners use green solutions for their home,
but they may forget to extend those practices
beyond the brick and mortar. Using sustainable
practices can lead to a green lawn your family can
enjoy all season long.
Black & Decker® and Clean Air® Lawn Care – the
nation's leading full-service sustainable lawn care
company – have teamed up to help spread the
word about practical and affordable lawn care
methods. Use these tips to help care for your lawn
and garden this year – in more ways than one:
Go electric – Without the need for gas or oil to operate your outdoor equipment, you can
tend to your lawn, garden and landscaping using electric products. Electric tools also save you
money compared to using gas-powered outdoor equipment. Learn more about the convenience of electric products, like Black & Decker’s new 36V Lithium-ion Cordless String Trimmer/
Edger at http://blackanddecker.com/recharge.
Water slowly, deeply and less frequently – Proper watering will allow your grass to grow
deeper roots, making it less vulnerable to drought. Make sure to identify the type of grass in
your yard and be aware of the recommended frequency of watering for that variety. Also, water
early in the morning, so less moisture evaporates throughout the course of a hot day.
Be cautious when using pesticides – Remember, all pesticides are toxic to some degree and
may harm people, wildlife and pets. Pesticides can also kill beneficial organisms, such as worms,
disrupting the ecological balance in your yard.
Recycle your grass clippings – According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 27
percent of landfills were filled with grass clippings and yard waste in 2011. Help to eliminate
this waste by composting. Learn about composting techniques at www.epa.gov.
Choose lawn care services – If you prefer to leave your yard maintenance to the experts,
choose a lawn care service company like Clean Air® Lawn Care. Unlike some lawn care companies, this company utilizes electric tools, such as Black & Decker’s outdoor products, and
biodiesel-powered equipment for lawn mowing and landscape maintenance, and charges its
equipment during the day with solar panels mounted on its service trucks.
For more lawn care tips from Black & Decker and Clean Air Lawn Care, visit
http://blackanddecker.com/recharge and www.cleanairlawncare.com
Courtesy of Family Features