Sunday, June 3, 2012
Edmond Library Summer Reading Program
Summer fun is not limited to outdoor activities... Check out what is happening at the library!
http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x1647292959/Edmond-Library-s-Summer-Reading-Program-off-to-big-start"
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Edmond, OK - 2012 High School Graduation
Check out the amazing number of valedictorians and salutatorians from our 3 Edmond High Schools!
http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x1968163754/Edmond-graduates-95-valedictorians-25-salutatorians
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The city of Edmond is planning improvements to their parks and recreation system…
Jacobs Urban Design + Planning group will be developing the Parks Master Plan. Jacobs is a large, national multi-discipline firm providing comprehensive design, technical and construction services.
Jacobs seeks to integrate urban and natural systems, balanced with social and cultural characteristics, to create meaningful yet functionally responsive places for people that are economically and environmentally sustainable.
Meetings will be held May 7, 9, and 10 for residents to provide input.
• 6:30 p.m. May 7 at the Multi-Activity Center in Mitch Park.
• 6:30 p.m. May 9 at the Downtown Community Center, Main Street and Littler.
• 6:30 p.m. May 10 at the pavilion at Bickham-Rudkin Park
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
20th Anniversary for the “Round Barn”, Arcadia, OK.
Established in 1902, Arcadia is a small, peaceful town located just east of Edmond, OK. A cattle farmer by the name of William Odor donated 80 acres of land to be used for the town of Arcadia. His plan was for the town to also include a railway station which would allow him to be able to transport his cattle by train to market. Unfortunately, most of the town burned down and was never rebuilt. One of the main structures that survived was a giant round, red barn. The “round barn” remains standing today and is a focal point for the town of Arcadia. For more information, call 396-0824 or visit arcadiaroundbarn.com.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Oklahoma Architecture Tour
Check out the American Institute of Architects – Central Oklahoma Chapter’s Architecture Tour - April 14...
The event will run from noon to 6pm. Tickets are $15 on tour day or $12 in advance through Thursday at TAPARCHITECTURE; the AIA-Central Oklahoma Office; or online at www.aiacoc.org/tour/.
Homes that will be featured include: Emma Rolls and Lee Peoples at 824 NW 7; Brent Kliewer at 2801 NE 120; James and Jennifer Weinland at 6614 N Pennsylvania; The Oklahoma City Fire Station No. 6 at 21 N Lincoln Blvd.; The Nichols Law Firm at 104 E Main St. in Norman; and The Creek House at 2116 Covell Lane in Edmond.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Edmond, OK Middle School Receives Outdoor Classroom Grant
Cheyenne Middle School, (part of the Edmond School District), recently received a grant for $5,000 from the National Education Association. This grant will help fund an outdoor Exploratorium. The Exploratorium will enhance the learning experience for students by giving them hands on experience with long-term experiments. The Exploratorium will consist of a greenhouse, alluvial stream beds, raised gardens, and a compost bin, as well as many other key features.
Outside of the grant from the NEA, this project could not happen without the support of the community as well as the parents. Donations have been received from Lowes, McGuire's Plumbing, Edmond Rock and many other groups. Edmond Public Schools continue to support innovative thinking and high levels of learning.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Purchasing their first home is a dream for most people. Besides the intangible benefits, home ownership
lets you build equity, and is the single biggest tax break available to most
consumers. Below are some smart financial strategies to get you started on your journey to home ownership.
Pay Off Your Debt
Use extra cash to eliminate credit-card and other high-interest consumer debt even if that means you can put down less on your future home rather than saving first.
Credit-card debt is expensive and limits your ability to save. The average interest rate on credit cards is typically more than double the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Also, credit-card debt will limit how much you can borrow. Lenders often won't allow your total monthly debt service to exceed roughly 40% of your gross income.
How Much Can You Afford?
The answer to that is a function of two things: How much you can borrow and how much of a down payment you can muster. As a rule of thumb, your annual mortgage payment, taxes and home owner's insurance shouldn't exceed 28% of your gross income. Then determine how much cash you have for a down payment, leaving yourself enough left over to pay those pesky closing costs, which can add up to 3% to 5% of your total home's value (plus a little something extra for emergency repairs once you move into your new home).
Types of Loans
Now you're ready to start shopping around for the right loan. A first-time home buyer with a steady job and good credit can buy a home with less than a 20% down payment. But the more money you can muster for a down payment, the more options you will have. And, if you put down less than 20%, you will have to pay for private mortgage insurance. Your premiums will depend on a variety of factors, including how much you put down and the type of loan product you secure.
Questionable Credit
You may qualify for a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration, or FHA. These government-insured loans are issued with even more lenient credit criteria. You can also put down as little as 3.5% for an FHA loan. A portion of closing costs may be used to meet the 3.5% cash requirement. The seller may pay the closing costs for the borrower and the lender may also charge a premium interest rate, also known as rebate pricing, to fund the closing costs. Depending on the lender, interest rates are typically a quarter to half a point higher than those in the conventional market. To get a government-insured loan, make sure you find a HUD-approved lender or a mortgage broker who works with one.
Since these loans are geared toward helping first-time home buyers and low- to moderate-income families, there's a limit to how much you can borrow.
Getting Help
Finally, find a trained real estate professional. Real estate agents are trained in the laws for their state and have a good understanding of the market and what is available. They also typically work with other real estate professionals and thus have great net-working resources. A real estate agent can make the process much less scary and overwhelming as well as saving you time and money.
Pay Off Your Debt
Use extra cash to eliminate credit-card and other high-interest consumer debt even if that means you can put down less on your future home rather than saving first.
Credit-card debt is expensive and limits your ability to save. The average interest rate on credit cards is typically more than double the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Also, credit-card debt will limit how much you can borrow. Lenders often won't allow your total monthly debt service to exceed roughly 40% of your gross income.
How Much Can You Afford?
The answer to that is a function of two things: How much you can borrow and how much of a down payment you can muster. As a rule of thumb, your annual mortgage payment, taxes and home owner's insurance shouldn't exceed 28% of your gross income. Then determine how much cash you have for a down payment, leaving yourself enough left over to pay those pesky closing costs, which can add up to 3% to 5% of your total home's value (plus a little something extra for emergency repairs once you move into your new home).
Types of Loans
Now you're ready to start shopping around for the right loan. A first-time home buyer with a steady job and good credit can buy a home with less than a 20% down payment. But the more money you can muster for a down payment, the more options you will have. And, if you put down less than 20%, you will have to pay for private mortgage insurance. Your premiums will depend on a variety of factors, including how much you put down and the type of loan product you secure.
Questionable Credit
You may qualify for a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration, or FHA. These government-insured loans are issued with even more lenient credit criteria. You can also put down as little as 3.5% for an FHA loan. A portion of closing costs may be used to meet the 3.5% cash requirement. The seller may pay the closing costs for the borrower and the lender may also charge a premium interest rate, also known as rebate pricing, to fund the closing costs. Depending on the lender, interest rates are typically a quarter to half a point higher than those in the conventional market. To get a government-insured loan, make sure you find a HUD-approved lender or a mortgage broker who works with one.
Since these loans are geared toward helping first-time home buyers and low- to moderate-income families, there's a limit to how much you can borrow.
Getting Help
Finally, find a trained real estate professional. Real estate agents are trained in the laws for their state and have a good understanding of the market and what is available. They also typically work with other real estate professionals and thus have great net-working resources. A real estate agent can make the process much less scary and overwhelming as well as saving you time and money.
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