Eye on the Community
September 20, 2010
Top Guns! - Wings Over Pittsburgh Air Show - 911th AirLift Wing
“I feel the need, the need for speed”!When Tom Cruise first uttered this famous line from the movie, Top Gun, many of us experienced modern military aviation for the first time as it moved across the silver screen at mach 4! Hollywood captured the seat time, power, and skilled determination of U.S. Naval aviators from the cockpits of F-14’s & F-16’s as they battled Russian migs at the speed of sound.
This past Saturday and Sunday over the Western Pennsylvania communities of Findlay, Moon, North Fayette, Robinson, and Clinton; modern military aviation and aviators displayed real life dives, flips, spins, and stalls as they crisscrossed the clear blue Western Pennsylvania sky at supersonic speeds!
This year, the KASH Mortgage Group was invited to attend The Wings Over Pittsburgh Air Show by members of the 903rd Air Wing of the National Guard stationed in Moon Township. As long time supporters of our military, and as the leading independent mortgage and refinancing company in Western Pennsylvania, we joined the crowd of more than 250,000 spectators watching aerial feats in absolute amazement. KASH Mortgage Group has proudly supported Veterans from World War II to Iraq with V.A., Conventional, and FHA purchase mortgages and refinancing loans for veterans and active military men and women of the United States military. This year’s Air Show featured the Fabulous Thunderbirds, FA – 18 F Super Hornets, C-130’s, British Sea Harrier, FA2(SHAR), B2 Bomber, Acc F15-E Strike Eagles. Proceeds from this event benefit 911 Air Wing Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs.
As visitors we could not have been more impressed with the 911th Wing or of the proud and long standing military heritage within Western Pennsylvania by past and present members of the Air guard, Dept of Defense, Navy, Marines, Army and Air Force. We proudly remembered all of the military personnel that boarded planes and left from Pittsburgh International Airport to serve and protect America during conflicts in World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan theaters of war. So for us at KASH, seeing was believing, across Moon, North Fayette, Findlay, Robinson, and Clinton Twps when witnessing the Marine Corp Harriers, Army Blackhawks , and Airforce Thunderbirds as they formed amazing patterns. Their fly over’s and maneuvers over the visitors gathering in Moon Twp who came from all over the Western Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh area were a magnificent sight. The crowd was well represented by folks from Cranberry, Zelienople, Mars, and Evans City areas of the northern suburbs where KASH Mortgage services as the oldest and most experienced independent Mortgage specialist since 1998.
Since 1998 KASH has closed more than 300,000,000.00 in mortgage purchases and refinances for Western Pennsylvania residents.KASH is fully licensed and secured by the Pa. Dept of Banking and at federal level with FHA and H.U.D & USDA.
The Veterans Administration offers exceptional mortgage products and loan services for the purchase and refinance for Veterans in the same type of residential homes that were flown over during the air show in Findlay, Moon, North Fayette, Robinson and Clinton.
Special Thanks to The 911th Air Wing and the staff of Wings Over Pittsburgh Air Show including official sponsors Chrysler, Jeep, Outback Steak House, WDVE, 102.5, KISS/FM, Dodge, Fox News and Radio Networks.
September 13, 2010
Autism Speaks! Sings! and Rides!
What do monkeys, socks, Harley Davidson, & Fat Boys have in common?All ABOARD! The Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders came together and demonstrated why Pittsburgh is the City of Champions and the most livable city anywhere! Three Rivers Harley Davidson, in Shaler, graciously served as the starting point for the “Ride to the River”. This 50 mile ride included stops for riders on a host of Harley Davidson Fat Boys, Vintage and current day Hogs.
While more than 40 riders cruised the open road, a wide variety of bands like Jumping Jack Flash, and booths with vendors like Kash Mortgage Group, and Pittsburghers were making the most of this event. So call us socially addicted in the finest tradition of Pittsburghers, the KASH Mortgage Group team joined the party and supported a great cause while celebrating with some pretty fine folks.
Autism and the associated disorders in this family of challenges, had some pretty impressive supporters including Autism speaks, a national organization and another great supporter of families afflicted by Autism. More importantly, Autism rose to the forefront of our hearts and minds when folks like Don Imus of MSNBC’s “Imus in the Morning” radio and cable show picked up the cause. Don is a cross between a New Yorker and a New Mexico cowboy embracing the cause of autism like an old dog with a bone targeting the pharmaceutical industry and early age vaccinations.
Now in the week or so since I have been sensitized and educated having seen the faces and heard the voices of Autism, every article in the Tribune Review , Pittsburgh Post Gazette or any television/cable show on KDKA, WTAE or WPXI mentioning Autism, grabs my attention. This week, news at UPMC Children’s Hospital and the research at University of Pittsburgh uncovering causes and environmental possibilities seemed to catch my eye.
I have chatted with folks and for the first time, I recognized and learned the faces of autism in our business. The customers we have helped with mortgages and refinancing are affected by this epidemic through their children or grandchildren, along with fellow colleagues, and employees of the banks, lending institutions, closing companies that we work with on a daily basis at KMG.
This Sunday amid the roar of the big block Harley Davidson Fat Boys, the laughter of kids, the big bad bikers and the hundreds of other folks, Autism Spoke, Sang and Road! We at KASH Mortgage like so many others who attended listened, learned, and were humbled!
ABOARD, Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders is a world class support system for folks here in Pittsburgh with Autism
August 15, 2010
Ribs, Mortgages and the County Fairs
Growing up in western Pennsylvania meant two things every year: Every fall brought Pittsburgh Steelers, Piit Panthers, Penn State’s Nittany Lions, local football games, bonfires from Waynesburg to Erie, and of course, our beloved Pittsburgh Penguins. But during the dog days of summer from July to September, it’s the time for county fairs, carnivals, church fetes, community events and festivals.Some county fairs have been around for more than a century and are named for their counties of origin such as Big Butler, Mercer, Saxonburg volunteer firemen, Lawrence, Beaver, Big Knob, Washington, Greene, Allegheny, Erie, Armstrong, Indiana, Crawford, Westmoreland, and Venango. There are many church festivals like St. Simon & St. Jude in Scott Twp., St. Bernadette in Monroeville, and St. Gregory in Zelienople. Cranberry Twp.’s Community Days, Zelienople Horse Trading Days, and Waynesburg Rain Day are just a few of the legendary community events.
Many fairs tie back to the days when they meant farm revenue through selling crops, meats and winning awards for canning, preserving and stocking up for the winter. Today, many folks come for the crafts, 4H contests, or to see the biggest pig, the largest tomato, or the best quilt or see the demolition derby and tractor pulls and laugh at Shiners & clowns!
But for the tens of thousands of attendees (including all of us at KASH Mortgage)at fairs, these events and shows mean food of almost every kind. Fairs are known for their easy-to-eat dirty burgers, dirty fries, kettle corn, hot dogs, pierogies, corn on the cob, fried dough, cotton candy and deep fried Oreos. Some community events & fairs in Western Pennsylvania have the best barbeque, including Venango County’s fair this past week. They had the best ribs we’ve ever tried!
Just for a minute, hold off the cardiologist and the Lipitor, put down the fork, and step away from the greasy food, the sugar highs and fat laden caloric insanity. KASH Mortgage, Cranberry township’s oldest and most experienced home mortgage travels thousands of miles over 160 days to fair, event and show circuits to set up a booth and raise the American flag We offer over a world-class lender network with 50 Conventional, FHA, USDA and V.A. mortgage and refinance products and services with 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 year terms and rates as low as 3.75%.
Some fairs are small & quaint with attendance numbers at 25,000 while some draw big crowds of more than 200,000 people in a week in places like Kennywood and Cedar Point. So it’s a fun and social time for the western Pennsylvania folks who love what’s best and special about this country and rural land. For folks like us at KASH Mortgage it’s also time for all kinds of Barbecued Ribs. You see ribs are the official metaphoric food product of the Home Refinance and Mortgage business! And like many of the mortgages we refinance at fairs, some barbeque ribs are just tough, sticky, messy and not necessarily what’s best for ya’.
But at the Venango county Fairgrounds up above the KASH mortgage display and tent, behind the horses, cattle, chickens, pigs and goats; past the crafts and tractors and demolition derby arenas is a legendary Pitman and some unbelievable Ribs. Ribs are a lot like a KASH Mortgage or re-finance product specially made, affordable, sweet, juicy and easy to swallow! Metaphorically speaking of course! Cooked up and delivered using Grandma’s secret sauce recipe and delivered by hand by one hell of a nice guy, Deacon. Deacon is a humble master at the barbecue pit and his expertise is like a lot like ours in the mortgage business. We are humble masters at the Mortgage and keeping you out of the fire using our own recipe for your best mortgage and refinance options!
So if It’s time to BUY or time to refinance! First time home buyers, experienced home owners, the newly married or newly divorced, chronically single, upwardly mobile, educated, relocated anyone simply inspired by any combination of quality life, food and fun pick anyone of the summers best Fairs, Events and Shows and enjoy. Look for us amongst the tents and vendors, back behind the farm animals, right above the race track and show grounds. Stop by and see how KASH Mortgage can make your biggest family investment in your homes, more affordable with the best rates, terms and conditions anywhere! We mean ANYONE who has a credit score above 580, employed, and can pick out a house and tote a mortgage or write a monthly check, those who qualify, those who wish to qualify or in the best case scenario pre-qualify are welcome to APPLY ! Come and shop, eat and stay, ask us about USDA, 100% financing for country and rural homes!
In October, look for the Deacon and his legendary ribs next at Franklin, PA’s Apple Festival. Just bring your appetite and he’ll feed ya’ the best ribs and sauce in the state!
August 13, 2010
Mortgages and our futures … Our Best Nest Eggs
As a professional mortgage specialist we bring experience & knowledge to buyers and sellers in the real estate business and next to our commitment to our customers is our commitment to real world experience. What we know about Mortgages is the single most important factor to buying or selling a home in today’s real estate market… and it hurts you in the long run!Whether you are buying or selling, a Lister or Buyer, you are in the financing business…. You may never write a loan or submit a mortgage but you are in the financing business.
For me personally, I’ve forgotten more than I ever really knew about a Home Mortgage. I’ve bought and sold homes in and out of state and I’ve made and lost money as a direct result of financing and not necessarily from real estate values.
I know that sounds stupid but it’s a fact… and it’s just not me…understanding financial aspects of home ownership as an investment means mortgages and homes are living and breathing examples of how wealth is acquired in this country. How we invest in our home goes toward our nest egg.
Retirement accounts and 401K’s are arguably the single largest investment families & individuals will ever make and they’re operating as “silent” financial investments Historically, they outperform investments in the stock market because they multi task as investments, tax benefits, places to live, and retirement NEST EGG’s !
Most of us never treat our homes & mortgages as investments, although we see continued growth of 1-3 percent a year vs. the losses in the stock market, the losses in our 401k’s or the increasing costs of local taxes, food, education, car’s and everyday living expenses. Few of us rarely see our homes as the last Bastian of wealth and solid savings plans. We treat the concept of home ownership and mortgage financing as a cost rather than an investment the same way we see credit cards, lines of credit, anything that we spend every month to live, entertain and raise our families.
Ironically, banks and lending institutions see our homes and understand our mortgages, home equities and re-finances as investments. They measure, calculate, analyze, consider, adjust and forecast our futures on the continuing value of our homes. We need to take a page from their play book and consider a HOME as an investment and construct a meaningful management plan that starts with our first home purchase and continues to our last home owned. We should be using our homes as an investment and a retirement Nest Egg requiring regular review and consideration to maintain and maximize our investment value and tax savings and as a hedge against economic impacts and against the “ups and downs” of everyday life.
A home, its mortgage, continued equity and growth is a terrible thing to waste..
KASH Mortgage is fully licensed by the State of PA Dept of Banking as an Independent, Mortgage Investment Specialist, local, experienced and available by office visit, phone and email. Call us today for a free analysis of your home, mortgage and credit portfolio.
Call or email us at 724-625-5500
August 10, 2010
See Kash Mortage Group in your area!
Currious about how Kash Mortgage Group can help you? Haven't had a chance to call? Feel free to stop by and talk to a Kash Mortgage Group representative at your local home town fair!
Wed Aug 11 All day Butler Farm Show
Thu Aug 12 All day Butler Farm Show
Fri Aug 13 All day Butler Farm Show
Sat Aug 14 All day Butler Farm Show
Sun Aug 15 All day Butler Farm Show
Thu Aug 19 All day Findlay Township Fair
Fri Aug 20 All day Findlay Township Fair
Sat Aug 21 All day Findlay Township Fair
Tue Aug 31 All day Big Knob fair
Wed Sep 1 All day Stoneboro Fair
All day Big Knob Fair
Thu Sep 2 All day Stone Boro Fair
All day Big Knob Fair
Fri Sep 3 All day Stone Boro fair
All day Big Knob Fair
Sat Sep 4 All day Big Knob Fair
All day Stone Boro fair
Sun Sep 5 All day Stone Boro fair
Mon Sep 6 All day Stone Boro fair
All day Labor Day
Sat Sep 11 All day Patriot Day
Sat Sep 18 All day Butler Fall festival
August 8, 2010
Cranberry, PA is truly a case for Owning vs. Renting.
For home owners searching for the Holy Grail of Affordability, Investment Value and Quality of Life the Cranberry Township area is Western Pennsylvania’s one of a kind home ownership opportunity. Join the thousands that found the jewel of Southern Butler county while searching for a better balance in life, employment and affordable home ownership that offers a long term value of a Golden Nest egg and not a Broken scrambled egg. Cranberry Township is the gateway to the North at the intersection of Interstate 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike simply one of the best places in the Greater Pittsburgh real estate market to buy your first or next home.Many of us grew up Black and Gold proud true Pittsburghers enjoying the quality of old neighborhoods in the glow of our legendary sports teams Steelers, Penguins and Pirates and the many special places like the Pittsburgh Zoo, Three Rivers Stadium, the Strip District, University of Pittsburgh and the Southside. Employed by U.S. Steel, UPMC, Heinz and the numerous small and mid sized businesses in the many Pittsburgh neighborhoods long known for with their ethnic flair and quaint, traditional charm with great folks and great bars that all have begun to pail against the harsher realities of life, violence and crime causing the many who live and work in our beloved Steel City to now search for new digs and surroundings.
While much of the Greater Pittsburgh area remains frozen in terms of a housing hell! Quality Rental units and rental prices are rising and probably face the longest projected upward increases that we’ve seen in the rental market n years. Rental property owners face a multitude of uphill socio, economic struggles to maintain home values and stability in terms of appraisal values.
In fact Cranberry Township and it’s sister towns of Mar’s, Zelienople, Evans City remain rare market values that continue to set new home sales records for Butler, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington and Beaver Counties driven by low cost, affordable and tax favorable selections of housing choices from condo’s, townhomes and traditional homes to green energy efficient homes, homes with acreage and farms at multiple entry price points all for the new and experienced home buyer.
The immediate, short term and long term positive outlook of home ownership in the Cranberry Township area is further augmented by a once in a lifetime opportunity to combine and save with the 1 - 2 Knock Out punch of a market replete with Value in steadily increasing home values and the benefit of the lowest interest rates for FHA, VA and Conventional mortgages in the history of banking and lending!
So it’s time to BUY! First time home buyers, experienced home owners, the newly married or newly divorced, chronically single, upwardly mobile, educated, relocated or anyone simply inspired by any combination of quality of life issues like lower crime, lower taxes, open spaces and a highway system that puts you in downtown Pittsburgh in 25 minutes or the Pittsburgh Airport in under 45 on most days! It’s time to Buy! Not rent…and for your first time Homebuyers and we mean anyone who has a credit score above 580, employed and can pick out a house and tote a mortgage or write a monthly check, those who qualify, those who wish to qualify or in the best case scenario pre-qualify are welcome to APPLY ! Come and shop, eat and stay because you stand to reap the Value of a Lifetime in the Cranberry Township area!
