“The United States has never erred when it has made sustained new investments in higher education and job training – and its veterans,” said Webb. “I think we can all take pride in saying that we have been able to provide a proper investment in the future of those who, since 9/11, have given so much to this country.”  In the first year, more than 550,500 students have applied to receive their new benefits and more than 267,500 veterans are now attending classes on the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

 “Today marks the one year anniversary of the implementation of the Post-9/11 GI bill. I was privileged to introduce this landmark legislation on my first day in office.  The idea was to provide those who have served since 9/11 the most comprehensive educational benefits since World War II.  We did that. 

“We worked very hard in my office, at every level, pushing this legislation.  We eventually received the key cosponsorship of three initial senators: Senator John Warner of Virginia, my former senior senator; Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska; and Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey.  We approached this in a way that employed balance. We had two WWII veterans, two Vietnam veterans, two Republicans, two Democrats.  We wanted to strip all the politics out of this issue.Read more about the Post 9/11 GI bill at http://www.gibill.va.gov.

“Along with my Democratic and Republican colleagues in Congress, leading veterans’ service organizations, the higher education community, and, quite frankly, despite the continued opposition of the previous administration, which for some reason opposed this legislation all the way to the day before they signed it, we were able to get this bill passed.

“I take pride in saying that two years ago today, the Post-9/11 GI Bill was signed into law.  And, one year to this day, the new GI Bill went into effect for those who have served our nation honorably during a time of war.

“As of today, I can report to this body that in this first year of implementation, more than 550,500 students have applied to receive their new benefits and more than 267,500 veterans are now attending classes on the Post-9/11 GI Bill.  That’s over a quarter of a million young men and women who otherwise might not have had the opportunity for a truly first class future.

“As one who grew up in the military, was privileged to serve, and who remains proud of the service of my son who served as a Marine and my son-in-law who have served as a Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan, and so many other friends, I understand what it means to be proper stewards for those who have given this type of service.  For those of us in Washington, that is our duty.

“This GI Bill, I think, shows a sense of responsibility and the desire of the leadership of this country to see those who serve really be able to move forward in their lives after their service and continue to provide great contributions to our country.

“But, this GI Bill represents more than just honoring and rewarding those who served.

“When I ran for office, I spoke of the need to reclaim a measure of economic fairness in this country.  Particularly in such dire economic times, the health of our country and society is measured by how the working people are  able to make it through the different barriers—and achieve great things alongside those people who have had greater advantages.  And, this bill does that today.

“Today, we are supporting hundreds of thousands of our veterans with a college education.  But, our reward is going to be 20 years from now when we can look around and see the successes that have been able to happen to people who are serving now because of this GI Bill.

“The United States has never erred when it has made sustained new investments in higher education and job training – and its veterans.  Educated veterans not only have an easier transition and readjustment experience, but they boast higher income levels, which in the long run increases tax revenues.

“Our country has benefited greatly from its tradition of offering educational assistance to returning veterans.  We should remember what the GI Bill did for those who served in World War II. Very few serrvicemembers thought they would be able to have a college education once they went to the military during those dark and troubled times.  The World War II GI Bill, much like the Post-9/11 GI Bill today, was an investment in our economy: for every dollar invested in the GI Bill for WWII veterans, seven dollars were generated. This is what we’re doing now.

“This is not simply an advantage for this country, it’s an obligation that we have.

“So, on this day, I would like to remember the contributions of those who came together to help us pass this legislation.  I would like thank the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the American Council on Education, and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, among many others—and the nearly 60 U.S. Senators and over 300 U.S. Representatives signed on as cosponsors to this landmark effort to reward our veterans for their honorable service.  

“I think we can all take pride in saying that we have been able to provide a proper investment in the future of those who, since 9/11, have given so much to this country.”

For more information about the Post 9/11 GI Bill, go to http://www.gibill.va.gov.

Comprehensive Web site provides quick and easy access to thousands of resources nationwide

 Washington, DC – The U.S. Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, as part of their continued commitment to our Nation’s Service Members, Veterans, and their families, launched  a new and improved National Resource Directory (www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov).

 This free online tool provides access to thousands of services, programs and resources at the national, state and community level.  The Web site has a fresh look with many key features that include an improved search engine, Really Simple Syndication (RSS) news feeds, subscriptions to e-mail updates, and new subject areas such as “Homeless Assistance.”

 The National Resource Directory is designed to serve a broad base of users including transitioning Service Members, Veterans, Wounded Warriors, and their families and caregivers.  In addition, it is a useful tool for service providers who support Veterans and Service Members, such as Department of Defense Recovery Care Coordinators and AW2 Advocates, Veterans Affairs Federal Recovery Coordinators, health care providers and case managers at Veterans Service Organizations.

“The National Resource Directory is wonderful,” says Cara Hammer, an Army Veteran who served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  “I’ve been using it pretty regularly.  It is very comprehensive and fool proof – I love it.”

The new features allow the Military and Veteran community to identify and stay informed about the thousands of resources that are available to them as well as browse for information they may not have known about in the past. Additionally, a faster, more accurate search engine provides the tools to sort results by subject area, audience and government or non-government resources to ensure users locate exactly what they want, without having to sort through thousands of links themselves.

For more than a year, the National Resource Directory has provided Wounded Warriors, transitioning Service Members and Veterans, and those who support them with quick and easy access to resources they need.  Resources on the National Resource Directory are vetted and must meet the participation policy standards before being added.  This ensures that all the posted resources are relevant and from reputable sources.

The new National Resource Directory is simple, easy-to-navigate and even more relevant to the needs of the Wounded Warrior, Veteran and caregiver communities.  It also contains “In the News” and “Spotlight” features to highlight important news and updates. To tell friends and family about the new National Resource Directory, use the “Bookmark and Share” function to post updates on more than 200 social media networks such as Facebook or Twitter.

To learn more about the National Resource Directory’s new features, and to explore the thousands of resources provided, visit the Web site at www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov.

For over ten years I have conducted Veteran Homebuyer Seminars and Expos and it never fails that men and women of the U.S. Military tell me they were discouraged from using their VA Home Loan benefit.   They were told that a conventional loan was better for them and many were encouraged to use subprime loans rather than this government-guaranteed mortgage.

What many lenders and loan officers did not say is that they were not approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs so they could not offer a product they did not have and rather than lose a customer, they steered the veteran to a mortgage product they offered and they could get paid a commission.

Particularly during the Gulf War era, more and more women veterans have enlisted and because of their combat duty they are entitled to 100% financing to own a one to 4 unit property in greater Ft. Lauderdale, up to $417,000 dollars in value.  Statistics show that nearly 15.7 percent of veterans who served from August, 1990 or later were women.

How do men and women of the military save thousands of dollars using their VA Home Loan Benefit?

Let me tell you one unique feature of the VA Home Loan benefit:  a veteran does not have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).   Private mortgage insurance is to protect the lender in case a borrower is unable to repay the loan.  The insurance is paid by the borrower when the loan to value is more than 80%. Borrowers who get 90%, 95% or 97% have to pay PMI because their loan is more than 80% of the purchase price.   A normal PMI premium on a $200,000 property might be $120 a month or $1440 per year.

The U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs guarantees a portion of every VA mortgage; therefore, PMI is not required by VA borrowers although they are getting 100% financing.  If you save $1,000 a year for ten years you have saved $10,000 dollars by not paying PMI.

VA Home Loan advantages include:

• Zero down payment required
• No prepayment penalties
• No private mortgage insurance required
• Competitive 30 year fixed interest rates
• Clear termite and Clear roof reports are required
• No funding fee with 10% or more service-connected disability
• Seller can contribute up to 6% in closing costs
• More flexible qualifying standards
• 100% maximum loan-to-value ratios on purchases
• Most counties allow $417,000 purchase price for 1-4 units
• Income from VA monthly payments is tax free and can be used to qualify for a mortgage

Male and female veterans are sitting on a gold mine with their Certificate of Eligibility (COE).   Property prices in Ft. Lauderdale are at an all time low as short sales and foreclosures flood the market seeking qualified buyers who are committed to realizing the Dream of Homeownership.

Veterans, get on board and let Uncle Sam help you own a home and receive all the federal tax benefits allowed by the IRS.  Call the Home Lady© for more information.

Veterans living in the Ft. Lauderdale area of Sunny Florida received some good news lately when it was announced by the VA that they have expanded the list of Agent Orange-related illnesses.

VA is aware that 100,000 veterans were exposed to herbicides such as Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam and other areas in Southeast Asia, according to an article published by the Washington Times.  Sgt. Shaft, a writer for the Washington Times, states that Agent Orange was used to defoliate trees and remove concealment of the enemy.  The aftermath of this battle field procedure has caused serious pain and suffering for veterans over the past 40 years.  I have heard the stories of so many veterans experiencing critical organ failure, cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

The article goes on further to say that more than 80,000 veterans will have past claims reviewed and may be eligible for retroactive payment, and that all who are currently ineligible for enrollment in the VA health care system will become eligible.

Although the circumstances are not pretty for what a Veteran has had to endure in order for him or her  to receive compensation, it would be a crying shame for a Veteran and his spouse not to claim money due them for their pain and suffering.

The Washington Times article of July 20, 2010 said the new rule will bring the number of illnesses presumed to be associated with herbicide exposure to 14, and will significantly expand the VA’s  current definition of leukemia to include a broader range beyond lymphoncytic leukemia.

How does this help Veterans in Ft. Lauderdale become homeowners?

Veterans are receiving from $200 to over $2,000 in monthly payments that help them qualify for another VA benefit: the VA guaranteed Home Loan up to $417,000 dollars.

Added to earned income, pension income, spousal income and social security income, Veterans are now in a position in Ft. Lauderdale to buy a piece of the rock in Sunny Florida.   Imagine owning a home of your own with the resources provided by the government.

I work with VA-approved lenders who will qualify the veteran and their spouse based on their income and satisfactory credit for a mortgage based on their Certificate of Eligibility (COE).  Prices have become affordable for homes in Ft. Lauderdale and it has been proven that the warmer climate and the excellent access to good quality VA health care can add years to your life and life to your years.

Where there is life there is hope!

While many Vietnam-Era Veterans are still alive, I invite you to grab hold of life and utilize the resources available to get the help you need to file your legitimate claim or have your previous denial reviewed.

I am a Possibility Thinker and I have seen powerful transformations occur in the lives of Veterans once they get plugged into a network of support. It is too difficult to challenge the system by yourself so I encourage Veterans to utilize the help of Veteran Service Organizations and Veteran Service Officers.  You can also contact me, The Home Lady and I will be happy to sit with you and go over all of the possibilities of homeownership at your disposal as a Vietnam veteram.

Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki announced recently that Veterans who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and previous conflicts will no longer have to prove what caused their illness when claiming Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Veterans will only have to show that the conditions surrounding the time and place of their service could have contributed to their illness, according to the Associated Press article dated July 11, 2010.

The article went on to say that a study last year by the RAND Corp. Think Tank estimated that nearly 20% or 300,000 of returning veterans have symptoms of PTSD or major depression.

How does this announcement help veterans move toward homeownership?

I have worked with many veterans who are receiving anywhere from 10% to 100% service-connected disability. They are receiving checks anywhere from $200 to over $2,000 dollars a month.   This income is tax-free; therefore, the VA approved lender will increase the amount by 125% when qualifying a veteran for a VA Home Loan.   This service-connected disability payment is direct deposited monthly into the Veteran’s bank account and can be verified annually by the award letter sent by the VA.

The Veteran can now add that check to any other income, including salaried income or income his spouse may be receiving.   It can make the difference as to how much house you can afford to buy, what neighborhood you can move into and the quality of the schools.

Additionally, veterans who have had claims submitted before this announcement will be able to expedite those claims more quickly.  Veterans will usually get an initial check that is retroactive to the date the claim was first filed with VA. This provides an opportunity for a Veteran to have some resources to move into a home and make any possible necessary improvements that they would not have been able to do before.

The VA Home Loan benefit is 100% financing and the Veterans I work with are able to enter into a contract on a home with $500 dollars as an earnest money deposit.   They usually get the deposit back at closing. Many times, we are able to get a lender credit or seller contribution for closing costs.  However, if we are not able to do that, this claim check from the VA could help to get the Veteran into the home they really want.

Veterans, please, please, please take advantage of this opportunity to live in Sunny Florida using the money you can claim and receive for legitimate service-connected PTSD. Now is the time.  Interest rates for 30 year fixed VA Home Loans are at an all time low and houses in the Ft. Lauderdale area are absolutely affordable.

The VA Home Loan limit allows you to purchase from one to four units up to $417,000, and once you have a service-connected disability, you do not have to pay the VA funding fee which saves you thousands of dollars.

Help make your life more comfortable.  Check up on your claim or file a claim. We work with the Stone of Hope project in Ft. Lauderdale and they are able to assist veterans at no charge in successfully filing and receiving their service-connected disability checks.

Vietnam Era Veterans experienced the ravages of jungle warfare and came back to the United States and for a very long time were denied their rightful benefits for health care, including the treatment for PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).  Many veterans are experiencing the after-affects of Agent Orange which include Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

However, after many long battles with the VA and many denials, more and more veterans are receiving their money for their disability claims.

The good news is that I have Veterans who have used their monthly checks from their 100% Service-connected Disability to qualify for a home of their own.   Imagine the joy when I was able to give the keys to a retired Army Paratrooper for a home of his own using the No-No Loan!

After Mr. Anderson returned from Vietnam, he was able to secure a position working in county government where he served until he retired.  He put in a disability claim once he began to experience major discomfort directly related to his time in the service.   Year after year he kept pushing as his doctor visits increased and more and more documentation was proving he had serious ailments related to his time as a Paratrooper in Vietnam.

Finally, his claim came through and he received a lump sum, retroactive money payment from the date of his original claim and on-going payments of over $2,600 a month from the VA.  He added that to his county government pension and his social security pension and he qualified for a significant monthly housing payment.

Mr. Anderson will not be required to pay property taxes in Florida because he is 100% permanently and totaled disabled, which will reduce his monthly payment once he files with the property tax appraiser.

We were able to find a home that was recently renovated by an investor who was willing to pay all Mr. Anderson’s closing costs.   He did not have to pay the VA funding fee because he is 100% service-connected disabled veteran.  The insurance company waited to be paid for the homeowner’s insurance policy at the closing.

The house had been previously tented and treated for termites, so Mr. Anderson received a one year warranty just in case any evidence of live termites show up in the next 12 months.

The house inspection turned up a need for the screens on the back porch to be repaired, some rotted fascia to be replaced and the electricity seemed to be faulty.   The investor repaired the screens and the rotted wood and found that Florida Power and Light needed to upgrade the electricity coming from the main electric pole into the house.

We were able to close on the house in 30 days with Mr. Anderson’s No-No Loan, including brand new appliances: refrigerator, dishwasher, stove and microwave.

Imagine a Vietnam War veteran coming into his golden years finally able to realize the benefit of his combat duty for his country!  Contact The Home Lady for more information.

He is only in his mid 20’s but he is 100% disabled after he returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  He loves computers, and he is using his Montgomery GI Bill to go back to school.  He married his fiancé  just before we closed on the house and he has a darling little girl.

Iraq handed this young veteran lemons and he turned them into lemonade!

When we met to discuss his real estate needs, he was clear that he wanted to have an additional unit besides the main house to be able to rent to family for extra income.   Now, he earns $600 dollars a month from the rental unit.

VA allows veterans to use only the credit and salary of a spouse to qualify for a home.   This young veteran decided to marry his fiancé, the mother of his daughter, before they purchased the house so that they could use both his and her income.

Their combined income, his VA disability payment and his wife’s salary allowed them to find a lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom renovated home with over 1400 square feet and a detached studio apartment in the rear of the house in Greater Ft. Lauderdale using his No-No VA Home Loan.  He bought property with 100% financing–no down payment and no closing costs.

Owning a home of his own has helped stabilize his young life and the life of his young family.

He has decided to become actively involved in the Stone of Hope Project that works with other OIF veterans to help them adjust to civilian life.   He is actively involved in the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) in Ft. Lauderdale, providing a new generation of combat veterans to this service organization committed to building strong communities at home.

Imagine:  you go to Iraq and you experience war-war in the desert, IED’s and an enemy not easy to identify.  You see death and more death.  It works on your mind.  They say you have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).  They ask about the nightmares, the insomnia, the night sweats.   Finally, you go to support groups and like an onion, you begin to peel back the layers, one layer at a time.

We want all our OIF and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) to come home safely and know that they are eligible for their benefits, including 100% financing with their VA Home Loan benefit.

A large portion of the returning veterans are entitled to service-connected disabilities ranging from 10% to 100%.   We are encouraging all returning veterans to consider filing a disability claim even as they find employment in the civilian world.  Don’t be too proud to ask for help and get help.   No one will think less of you for getting what you need to heal, and whether you are male or female, to get what you need to live a healthy life in mind, body and spirit.

Call The Home Lady© for more information.

Russell Conwell in the early 1900’s gave the speech “Acres of Diamonds” over 6000 times, sharing with his audience how a farmer in the Middle East heard about diamonds and sold his farm in search of increasing his wealth by finding this precious gem.

Well, he traveled far and wide and spent all his resources, dying poor and homeless and never finding the diamonds he had heard so much about. The new farmer who bought his land was down by the stream one day and saw something glittering by the waterside.

He scooped up these curious entities and took them to a trusted advisor who informed him that he had found diamonds.  That’s right!  Right there on the land that the other farmer overlooked was what he was searching for literally right under his nose.

Russell Conwell told that story and the rest of the speech, which became one of America’s Most Famous speeches, so successfully that he was able to raise enough money to start Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The speech “Acres of Diamonds” allowed thousands of students from working class families to receive an education they would not have been able to attain.

Veterans, your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is your Acres of Diamonds. Your COE is worth up to $417,000 dollars.  Your COE allows you 100% financing  to purchase property with one to four units. one to four units.

There are a few veterans who accepted good advice when they returned from the Vietnam War and they bought a multi-family property.  They lived in one unit and rented the other units. When the value of the property went up they refinanced the building into a conventional loan and then used their COE again and purchased another multi-family property and lived in one side and rented out the other units.

Eventually, after doing that process a few times, they were ready to buy a single family home but now they had a real estate portfolio in addition to their single family home.

I am encouraging all Desert Storm / OIF and OEF veterans just starting out to consider this formula for creating wealth in their life.  Shelter is a necessity of life and with all the short sales and foreclosures, people will need to rent until they can get their credit restored to buy a home again.

If you are a Vietnam Veteran in your 50’s or 60’s buying a multi-family property in Ft. Lauderdale, using your COE to qualify for a NO-NO Loan (No down payment and No closing costs) could be a great way to downsize and supplement your retirement with rental income.

Veterans, some of you discarded your COE because it says $36,000 dollars. You didn’t realize your COE is worth up to $417,000.  You have been like the farmer who sold his land not knowing that right under his nose was his opportunity to attain his dream.

Here is the link to read the rest of the story by Russell Conwell.

Please contact me, The Home Lady©, for more information on using your COE to qualify for the 100% government-backed VA NO-NO Loan.

The loss of a loved one is hard. You find yourself alone even if you have children and want to move on with your life but don’t know how. Your husband enlisted and it seems so did you. You may feel like you are experiencing the post-traumatic stress of combat, grief and desolation.

I won’t tell you I know how you feel because I don’t. I will say that I have had some dark times in my life when my faith in God was challenged by horrific circumstances. But I am here to tell you that healing happens. By grace, the resiliency of the human spirit begins to soar again and we can use our woundedness to help others come out of the darkness into the light.

If you are a surviving spouse of a combat veteran, the VA provides benefits for you and your children.  The Ft. Lauderdale area is home to one of the finest comprehensive outpatient medical facilities in the country, located at 9800 Commercial  Blvd. The VA Outpatient Clinic opened in September 2008, and provides Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), and TRICARE (the medical program for civilian dependents provided by DoD).

Additionally, you can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and receive your spouse’s benefit for 100% financing guaranteed by the US Govt.  There are stipulations that apply:

• The death must have occurred while in combat.
• If after being in the service, the death has to be due to a service-connected disability.
• The widow or widower must not be remarried.
• Only the spouse can use the benefit, not adult children or other family members.
• The surviving spouse can be of a serviceperson missing in action or a prisoner of war.
• A surviving spouse who remarries on or after attaining age 57 and/or after December 16, 2003, may be eligible for the home loan benefits.  (Special criteria for applications apply).

The surviving spouse still must meet satisfactory income and credit guidelines for the VA approved lender to underwrite the loan but I think this is a terrific light at the end of the tunnel. Prices on homes have dropped considerably over the past two years and now more than ever this NO-NO loan benefit could be the opportunity to establish homeownership and own an appreciating asset that could be a roof over your head for years to come.

VA does not have a prepayment penalty. Therefore, if you want to accelerate the payments so that at retirement you have no mortgage, you are more than able to do that under VA guidelines.

Very few people are able to purchase with 100% financing guaranteed by the government, so if you are a surviving spouse living in Sunny Florida I recommend you take advantage of this benefit provided for you as a form of appreciation for the service rendered by your loved one.

Any surviving spouse should look thoroughly into all the possible help provided by the VA including monthly payments, lump sum payments, educational payments and job retraining assistance.

Ft. Lauderdale is an ideal place to be located to start one’s life again and create new beginnings.  I’m The Home Lady and care about surviving spouses and their children, and I want you to know you can make a good life with all the support provided by and for the Veteran community in Ft. Lauderdale.

Ms. Rita works for the Coast Guard in South Florida but is an honorably discharged Veteran who used her 100% VA Home Loan to purchase her second home.  The first time she used her No-No Loan was when she was married.

The home was sold in the divorce and the loan was paid off.  Years later and now a grandmother, she was ready to start again.

Ms. Rita came to me and wanted an income property that she could get a little help in later years when she retires from the Coast Guard.  We found a great home with a building in the back of the main house that had been converted into a studio apartment.

The house was great but full of drama!

The house was in a short sale and the owner had moved to Central Florida.  The owner’s son and his family were staying in the home and were not paying any expenses.  The owner and her husband signed the contract for Ms. Rita to buy the house and now the family had to be relocated.   The son panicked and refused to cooperate.

It took all my experience, knowledge and understanding to get him to go along with the program.  Slowly, we were able to help him see the reality of his situation and little by little he started packing.

Meanwhile, the house inspection revealed the house had termites, the 50 year old tile roof no longer had any life left and water damage had created wood rot around the door jams.  Normally, a bank will not fix anything in a short sale because they are already getting less money back than the seller owes them.

However, the bank agreed to pay for a whole new roof, paid to have the house tented and to repair the wood rot caused by the water damage.   We were able to close in time for Ms. Rita to receive the $8,000 tax credit.  Ms. Rita was able to buy hurricane shutters so when she goes up North to visit her family during her summer vacation, she can close the house up with her accordion shutters and not worry about storms damaging her windows and flooding her home.

Now Ms.Rita is working on helping her father, a Korean War Veteran, purchase a home using his No-No Loan in sunny Ft. Lauderdale.   Being a good mother and grandmother, she is also helping her daughter purchase a home using FHA financing.

Ms. Rita has experienced a lot of challenges in her life but she did not let that keep her from finding the internal fortitude to be strong for herself and her family.  She purchased a home of her own in Ft. Lauderdale as a single, divorced female Veteran using her No-No VA Home Loan benefit.

Veteran women need to know they are able to launch out and that Uncle Sam has provided this benefit for their dedicated service to our country: 100% financing guaranteed by the government. Ms. Rita received her $500 dollar earnest money deposit back at the closing and the seller, who was the bank in this case, paid all the closing costs.  The No-No Loan helped Ms. Rita become a landlord in sunny Ft. Lauderdale.