Data Provider Black Knight reported purchase loan locks went up 64% from the first to last week of January, the largest jump in five years, as well as a growing trend of homebuyers paying points upfront to permanently reduce their mortgage rate.

The Mortgage Bankers Association saw mortgage applications increase 7.4% last week, noting: “Purchase activity that was put on hold last year…is gradually coming back as rates ease and housing demand remains strong.”

Freddie Mac’s chief economist observed that with the recent rate drop for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, “interested homebuyers are easing their way back to the market just in time for the spring homebuying season.”

"Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness." ~ Napoleon Hill

During a mining accident, no one worked harder, no one worked longer, no one was more passionate about saving those who were trapped and injured. He tirelessly nursed the wounded, fed the hungry and clothed the poor. He even scraped the slag heaps to give his people fuel.

His selflessness was what really drew the people in this little Belgian mining town to respect and love him and embrace him as their spiritual leader.

Their attendance overflowed his services each week to listen to this unassuming man share the Word of God. Willem was passionate about devoting himself to his fellow man and to the Word of God, and the people could feel his passion and his devotion. 

Then lightning struck. A visiting Church official was stunned to find Willem living in a simple hut, wearing a soldier's coat and trousers made of sack cloth. He looked more miserable than the people he served observed the Church official. What had he done with his salary?

Willem simply answered that he had given it to the miners to help them.... wasn't this what was intended in the service of God's people?

The Church official disagreed and felt it would take years to rebuild this Church and ministry, and he dismissed Willem.

Willem was in despair, and spent weeks mourning the loss of his position with the Church. Then one day he noticed a miner, bent over under the burden of a heavy sack of coal. That's when it hit him... their lives, their desperation would always be his.

He fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a tattered envelope and a pencil and sketched the weary figure who had so moved him.

Denied the chance to preach and teach, from that day forward he shared the torment, the triumph and the dignity of the people he loved. 

He used the same passion and purpose to immortalize them to the world through his art, because the clergyman who was not to be was none other than Vincent Willem Van Gogh. (From Paul Harvey)

Cindy Glynn
Coldwell Banker American Home
479-586-6262
agentcindyg@gmail.com