TEAMBLOG

Dear Friends,

This past week has seen the passing of 3 celebrities, all accomplished entertainers in various roles. Ed McMahon at 86, Farrah Fawcett at 62 and Michael Jackson at 50. Ed, Farrah and Michael were well known  for their talented performances throughout long entertainment careers. By comparison, their personalities and details of their lives were known to many and reserved for a select few. 

We will miss Ed, Johnny Carson's sidekick for 30 years on the Tonight Show. Ed's trademark opening 'entrance' of Heeeee-ere's Johnny! and his deadpan expressions when Carnac The Magnificent appeared, were truly hysterical to watch! I also remember Ed when I bumped into him many years ago at a supermarket in Malibu near the fish aisle. He recommended the halibut!

I remember Farrah as the most beautiful woman on campus! You see, her sexy pose in her red swimsuit was plastered all over the dorms of MSU during my time as a student back in the 1970's. Incidentally, I was surprised to learn the other day Farrah appeared on 'Charlie's Angels' for only one season!

And of course, Michael Jackson. A truly tremendous talent with a soft and gentle voice with dance moves unimaginable nor seen when first viewed over 25 years ago! He was well loved by many devoted fans for his kindness, affection and for his philanthropy. His donations to charities all around the world were genuine and heartfelt. However, he lived a life full of controversy.

Michael for what we know at this hour, was a man unrecognizable from his public persona. Allegations of child abuse, uncontrolled drug use and the chronic financial problems in recent years, were the active stressful components that created a tragic and misunderstood existence which ultimately caused his sudden death last Thursday.

We have been made aware of additional insights which may explain the hidden challenges he confronted since his sad upbringing as a youngster. In adulthood we can surmise the thought processes which led to painful, perplexing and harmful decisions in order to mask an intense struggle for acceptance and for the love of his family and peers.

Attempts to disguise or alter his appearance by plastic surgery and his desire to garner control of his life at all costs, were seen as actions to escape from a past devoid of the innocence and frivolity of a childhood he was never to embrace. Demons of such magnitude can lie dormant or become active at times of anxiety and strain. Michael's aberrant behaviour can be seen as a window to his soul. The disturbing and horrific suspicions of child abuse tarnished his reputation and he was no longer viewed by many with respect nor benevolence. To harm a child in such a manner, is the most egregious and repugnant form of abuse one can ever perpetrate on the innocent.

Nevertheless, Michael will always be remembered. His life was a contradiction, a paradox you might say. While the shock of his death begins to dissipate, we will process in our minds and in our hearts on how best to remember him.

A tragic tale indeed. In Michael's death, we need to remind ourselves again, life is not about the pursuit of money, fame or possessions, but what we do here on Earth to attain the promise of riches waiting for us in Heaven.

One of my favorite songs is 'You Are Not Alone'. Let's pray Michael has found the Peace, Comfort, Love and Companionship he so desperately wanted for himself and for others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8rYl6K2STc&feature=fust

We truly extend our thoughts, prayers and condolences for all 3 families during this time of sorrow and reflection.

Summer Appreciation Sale Update

Our Sale continues until July 17th. Please read our previous TeamBlogs for more information. If you apply for a Purchase or Refinance loan from Wednesday July 1st until the 17th, MoneyTeam will pay 10% of your Title Insurance Fee - a savings of up to $150!

This will be the last promotion this Summer! Now is the best time to apply as mortgage rates are starting to come down again after a steep hike.

Please check our current Rates or call our office at 323-936-3232 for more details.

Thanks Again

Dear Friends,

Our Summer Appreciation Sale continues until July 17th.

If you apply for a mortgage loan from June 24th until next Wednesday, July 1st, you will receive 2 Theatre Tickets, a value of $100!

Also, please check our previous SUMMER SALE TeamBlog for additional information.

Thanks Again

Dear Friends,

Fathers are given a tremendous responsibility to provide wholesome guidance to their children by setting examples worthy of their love. Many boys look to their fathers for basic and simple instructions on how to hold and swing a bat, how to ride a bicycle, how to fish and pointers on how to scare the living daylights of a bully in school! Daughters look to their fathers for advice too!

In living a life of honor and respect, a father sets an example for the future temperament of a son or daughter. Discipline with a loving hand eventually instills one's children with the basis of right from wrong. Spare the rod and spoil the child is wisdom at its finest for the humility it affords. One's faith in the Almighty and the presence of prayer in the family replenishes the convictions of purpose and commitment to live a splendid life for a father's children.

For many fathers in America today, golf clubs, golf balls, handkerchiefs, wallets and ties were just a few of the gifts Dads received today from their loving sons, daughters and their spouse. Of all the gifts a son or daughter can give their Father comes in later years, when children understand a virtuous life is the life worth living. 

My father left us 9 years ago. I think of him often. I know he is watching over our family with the same outspoken affection he has always given with an intensity, passion and heartfelt integrity by the manner in which he lived. Of all the men I have ever known in my life, you always knew where he stood, what he meant and he was always honest. While we've had our disagreements as all fathers and sons do on occasion, his sacrifice in giving our family the tools for a better life through his uncompromising faith and peserverance, has given us the opportunities to live in America and pursue the 'American Dream'. Our beloved father, 'Pipo', is truly missed.

Thanks Again      

Summer Appreciation Sale

Dear Friends,

Beginning today, Wednesday June 17th until Friday July 17th, MoneyTeam is having its Summer Appreciation Sale!

On any Purchase or Refinance loan request, MoneyTeam will REBATE the cost of your APPRAISAL up to $375. We will also not charge you a CREDIT REPORT fee of $15 and not charge a PROCESSING fee of $375. You can save up to $765 if you accept our offer.

If you apply by Wednesday, June 24th, MoneyTeam will offer 2 free Dodger or Angel game tickets - a $75 Value!

Also, if you apply by the 17th of July, you will be entered in a raffle for a 3 Day Cruise - a value of $350!

Please check our TeamBlog every Wednesday for our weekly promotion until July 17th.

The minimum loan amount for all offers is $150,000.

We want to thank the numerous clients we've come to know in almost 20 years, by helping to fulfill one's financial dreams of purchasing a new home or by refinancing a mortgage to a lower rate and a lower monthly payment. We are blessed to have known many of you throughout the years as we've become good friends along the way. Our Summer Appreciation Sale is a small attempt to give back to those that have helped our mortgage company continue to thrive in hard times.

Our goal since we began in 1989, is to Meet or Beat any advertised Conforming Fixed Rate. Please call our office at 323-936-3232 for more details. We truly appreciate your support and patronage. 

A Million Thanks!

Dear Friends,

During our nation's 233 year history, we've come across crooks, liars and thieves creating havoc and disarray in the halls of Congress, the Oval Office and in the boardrooms of Wall Street. We've known for centuries the consequences of greed and its collaborative effects which engulf the population at large. However, we are in the throes of a major upheaval in the manner in which the theft of American treasures has occurred and has disrupted our lives.

Since the Autumn of 2008, the systematic attempts by powerful interests to borrow funds from the US Treasury to continue operating a country in financial freefall, has been a colossal success! Unwittingly, the American people have given the control of its future and their children to a hodgepodge trilogy of individuals intent on destroying the basis of democracy as envisioned by the Founding Fathers. The actions of those enthralled with failed economic concepts as we are currently witnessing, will end capitalism as we know it.

Perhaps, I do not portend to have the gift of prophecy, but I do portend to have the gift of common sense. The borrowing and spending mania our government representatives with the dull and anemic complicity of the media has allowed, will bankrupt this country and begin the impending Depression many of us see on the horizon.

In some respects, you are now beginning to notice displeasure with government initiatives as the cloud of invincibility of the new administration is losing its luster. The enormous suffering of our citizens with job losses in the millions, the rise in foreclosures, bankruptcies, homelessness and the misguided attempts by those in power to alleviate our fears has essentially failed. The flawed abusive plans of spending and borrowing at all costs in efforts to manufacture prosperity, has been debunked by any intelligent economist or by any American suffering the painful aftermath of this experimental approach.

Other examples where the powers of incredulity mask their benevolence, is demonstrated by demands in forcing bankruptcy or liquidation of American industries by powerful forces desirous of control. The 'driving efforts' are well noted as the auto industry has now become a ward of the state. The intervention of government in the affairs of Chrysler and General Motors has  usurped the machinations of the free market system by its involvement. The public is reminded that our government has no long term interest in running a car company of the newly labeled 'Government Motors'. We will know soon enough if bureaucrats begin to enjoy delegating design standards and color choices of the newest vehicles to roll out on government assembly lines.   

Socialism never works. Just mentioning the obvious brings chills up my spine. It is a failure for Americans and its elected officials to foster this method of ideology to solve temporary financial problems. History is repeat with disgraced and inept regimes incapable of promoting prosperity for its citizens, as redistribution of wealth creates a society devoid of optimism, creativity and purpose.

During the past year we are understanding the major players in their desire to get their hands on Trillions of our tax dollars. The orderly theft of these funds by our government by packaged legislation approving bail outs and stimulus bills will be no match when the debate for health care reform begins this Summer. One can only surmise where such recklessness is headed.

Once made public, I can recall many years ago during the height of the Watergate scandal when "Deep Throat' suggested to newspaper reporters Woodward and Bernstein to 'follow the money'. In so doing, President Nixon eventually resigned in disgrace in August of 1974. While there might be conflicting parallels to a past event, we too must 'follow the money' as our taxes have been misappropriated in a mastery of incompetence, greed and corruption. Americans face the largest deficit spending ever attempted to subdue special interests in attempts to barter the health of the American economy and the sovereignty of its citizens.

In retrospect it is sad to say, we no longer have in our midst men of integrity and character in government today. The Kennedy brothers, John and Robert come to mind. We also miss the oratory of Martin Luther King to guide and inspire us. As I mentioned in a previous TeamBlog, I pray for a time when genuine and sincere voices are heard in an attempt to end the tumult of disgrace and avarice in government and in business. When the underlining focus of one's life is to 'follow the money' to gain favor wherever it leads, we as a nation will no longer be rewarded with the fruits of our labors. 

MoneyTeam Summer Appreciation Sale

Please check our TeamBlog next week for rewards and rebates on all loan requests over $100,000. If you require a discount on your loan request, read our next entry for major savings! You'll be glad you did! Check the TeamBlog scheduled for Monday, June 15th. Thank You.

Rising Interest Rates

If you were one of the lucky borrowers able to refinance their mortgage at a 30 year fixed rate of 4.50% or a 15 year fixed rate at 4.25%, my deepest congratulations!For those that have waited for rates to be lower still, the boat has sailed out of the harbor. Unfortunately, we are now seeing gyrations in the bond market where the 10 Year Treasury is experiencing tremendous activity.

The bond market is wary of the rise in deficit spending, gas prices and the upcoming debate of government mandated health reform. These are just a few of the factors which will increase mortgage rates. There is anxiety building among investors that out of control government spending in the Trillions will trigger hyper-inflation. We strongly suggest it best to submit your Refinance or Purchase loan request as quickly as you can, before rates go up again. We are able to lock your loan for 60 days. Remember to check our rates periodically. Please call our office at 323-936-3232 if you have any questions or concerns. 

Susan Is Loved Again!

We were disappointed Susan Boyle came in 2nd place on the television show, 'Britain's Got Talent' last week. Nevertheless, we were overjoyed in Susan's amazing delivery throughout the competition. Her voice is a gift from above and we are truly grateful to be inspired by her countenance. Our prayers are for her ability to overcome the stress of her new found fame. We hope Susan is able to perform her best under the newest strains and pressures of stardom and a career ordained by the Almighty. Susan continues to be an inspiration for us all!

You can view Susan's latest performances on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BvBkTmDWBA & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjb8eop-Do4

Thanks Again