Do you want to play in the snow this week-end?  Brundage Mountain just got over five feet of snow and 100% of their runs are open.  This is a great ski mountain with wide runs and excellent snow.  Head North on Hwy 55 just 8 miles past McCall.

http://www.brundage.com/

If you decide to go North this week-end, you can ski/snowboard/cross country ski/snowshoe in some great snow PLUS enjoy the McCall Winter Carnival.  The carnival runs from January 27 to February 5, 2012.  It’s loaded with events to see and participate in. Whether you would like to see a parade, hear live music, snowshoe golf, snow tube, see plays or see hockey, there is something for everyone.  The sculptures are always incredible too.  Here is a schedule of events:

http://mccallchamber.org/carnival_events.html

This could be a fun day trip or head there for the week-end!

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac  to increase the guarantee fee charged for all new mortgages financed on or after April 1, 2012. What this mean is that rates on these agency loans will start to reflect higher costs in April.  The rate increase will affect only Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac products at this time.

In addition to this increase, FHA monthly mortgage insurance premium will be going from 1.15% to 1.25% to help offset the temporary tax extension of two months.

If you are looking at homes, now is a great time to put in an offer before some of these increases are put into place.   Contact your lender today to find out how these increases can affect you.

Let me know if you need a lender name.