4 Maintenance To-Do's when Daylight Savings Ends

With Daylight Savings Time coming to an end, here are 4 easy tasks you should do every year!  

Test your smoke alarms.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends testing your smoke alarms each month and replacing the batteries at least once a year. They also recommend replacing all smoke alarms every 10 years.

Check outdoor lighting.
Inspect all the wiring and light bulbs on your outdoor lighting. With less daylight, proper lighting outside can help ensure safety and security. There are new, LED, outdoor lighting options that can help save energy.

Check your timers.
Outdoor lighting timers, pool pumps and yard sprinklers need to be seasonally adjusted. Pools in the cooler seasons only need to be on an hour or two to circulate chemicals.

Save energy.
According to the Department of Energy,  upgrading to energy-efficient light bulbs and motion-sensing light switches in places like walk-in closets, dim pantries and hallways consumes 25-80 percent less energy than traditional light bulbs, saving you money on your monthly utility bills.

Local Heroes save $$$ when buying or selling their home!

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The Dirks Family
Bryan Police Officer

Local program offered by Freedom Realty of Texas gives back to the heroes of the community that are looking to buy or sell their home.  Dawn Selix, owner & broker of Freedom Realty of Texas, has been giving a significant portion of her commission to local heroes since 2007 as a way to say "Thank You" to those that protect, serve, and many times lay their lives on the line for our community & our country.  In 2015, the Helping Heroes Home program was created!  

Heroes that sign up not only receive a portion of the commission paid to Freedom Realty of Texas, but they also receive discounts on other services needed throughout the home buying & selling process.  Several inspectors, surveyors, home repairmen, and others have agreed to offer discounts as well through the program.   Wanting to BUILD A HOME instead?  There are a handful of builders that Dawn works with that have agreed to offer her heroes a special gift, closing cost credit, or another type of incentive.

Maria Garcia & boys

Brazos County 9-1-1 Dispatcher

The only qualification to receive the discounts of the program is that you or your spouse is or was a "HERO".  There are NOT any income qualifications, special paperwork, or any other hidden requirements.  

The program is offered exclusively through Freedom Realty of Texas, so if you are already working with another REALTOR, unfortunately you cannot take advantage of these savings through this program.

Oh... there is one other request, and most heroes are excited to do so...  taking a picture with the Helping Heroes Home BIG CHECK.  

Paul Stearns & Gabriela Zambrano

Elementary Teacher @ Bryan ISD

So who qualifies, you may ask!  If you or your spouse are one of the following, YOU QUALIFY FOR HUGE SAVINGS!!!

• Law Enforcement
• Fire Fighters
• 1st Responders
• 9-1-1 Dispatchers
• EMT / Paramedics
• Medical Professionals 
• MILITARY PERSONNEL 
• Educators (including principals, school nurses, & other paid school employees)

      Active, retired, & veterans qualify.  

SIGNING UP FOR THE PROGRAM IS EASY!! 

  And signing up should be your 1st step when getting ready to buy or sell a home.  Dawn Selix will help you through the whole process, from getting pre-approved,  and/or credit repair to finding the perfect home.  She's there for you long after closing, and even has home repair & maintenance contacts that have agreed to offer you discounts EVEN AFTER CLOSING!!  

Fill out the form at www.TexasHeroSavings.com or on the Freedom Realty of Texas website.  You will be contacted within 24 hours by Dawn herself and/or by her preferred lender if you are ready to get pre-approved.    NOT QUITE READY YET?  Sign up to receive updates or visit the facebook page to meet other heroes who have already been through the program!

Gather these documents when getting ready to apply for a MORTGAGE!

When applying for a home loan, your lender will ask you for more than just an application.   Being prepared with the items listed below will help ensure a hassle-free and on-time closing.  With today's mortgage regulations, your lender is required to verify all the information you have provided on the loan application including, but not limited to, your income, assets, credit, and other real estate you may own.  Depending on the type of loan you are applying for, your lender may need some or all of the following paperwork for each borrower on the loan.

Income Documents

• Most recent pay stubs covering the last 30 days of earnings with YTD totals
• If you own 25% or more of any company or have rental property, Personal Federal Income Tax Returns for the past two years
• All W-2s, K-1s or 1099s for the past two years
• If self-employed and/or you own 25% or more of any company, all pages of business federal tax returns for the past two years
• YTD Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet for each company you own
• Awards Letter from Social Security Administration for all social security
• Income
• Letter regarding pension/retirement income amount to be received for the year 

Asset Documents

• All pages of checking and savings account statements for the past two months (All pages even if they are blank.)
• For any large, unidentified deposits, a letter of explanation for the deposit and a copy of the item(s) that were deposited (we will let you know the threshold on this)
• If the money transferred from another account, all pages of the statements for that account as well
• All pages of the most recent statement for any other assets, such as bonds, stocks, cash value life insurance or money saved in retirement programs that will be used for cash to close or reserve funds
• If using retirement account funds for the loan, the generic “terms of withdrawal” for the account along with the loan or withdrawal documentation
• Copy of current mortgage statement(s) for all real estate you already own: current home, rental properties or vacation home. If these mortgages are not escrowed for taxes and insurance, provide the most recent annual tax bill and insurance declaration page with premium as well. Also, if the property has HOA dues, a copy of the most recent HOA dues bill.
• If any part of the down payment or closing costs are coming from a gift from an eligible source, a Gift Letter along with proof of receipt of gift funds

Personal

• Driver’s license(s) or passport
• All pages of separation agreement, divorce decree or court order, if applicable
• Name and phone number of your current landlord, if applicable
• Most recent student loan statement(s) listing the minimum monthly payment amount. If you are currently in deferment (no payments due), proof of the payment amount(s) once they come out of deferment.
• All pages of bankruptcy, foreclosure, short sale or deed in lieu of paperwork 

Home Purchase -- your Realtor will help you with these items! 

• Sales Contract for the purchase of a new home
• Homeowners insurance agent’s name and contact info
• Homeowners’ association information with contact information if property is a condo or part of a homeowners’ association
• Purchase Contract for current home being sold

Home Refinance

• Copy of first mortgage statement on current home
• If you have a second mortgage or equity line, copy of statement, note/equity line agreement
• Copy of title insurance policy from previous closing or HUD-1 Settlement Statement
• Copy of your homeowners insurance declarations page

Because every file is a little different, this is not an all inclusive list of items.  Upon review of your file, your lender may ask for additional documentation.  It's completely normal to be asked for items up to the day you receive the CLEAR TO CLOSE.    A good lender will explain the steps of the loan process with you and keep you updated on the loan progress.   Their job is to guide you through the lending experience for the best possible result.  

Ready to get pre-approved, find out what you qualify for, see if you qualify for any down payment assistance programs, grants, etc, contact Realtor/Broker  Dawn Selix with Freedom Realty of Texas at 979-575-6174 for a list of preferred lenders. 

Law enforcement, fire fighters, military personnel, dispatchers, 1st responders, medical professionals, educators, and other local heroes qualify for the HELPING HEROES HOME Program in the Bryan/College Station, TX and surrounding areas.  To claim your discount, sign up at www.TexasHeroSavings.com if you are not currently in a buyer's rep agreement with another Realtor.  Helping Heroes Home program is offered exclusively by Freedom Realty of Texas Realtors.