Gingerbread house remodeled as California bungalow Los Angeles Times

Table Of Content

• Friends of Residential Treasures: LA created a map leading to some of Southern California's most adorable abodes.
• Feds say he masterminded an epic California water heist. Some farmers say he’s their Robin Hood
• How Make Time Wellness Is Building a Women's Brain Health Platform
• Gingerbread builders, it's almost time to enter ‘Southern California's largest' competition
• JW Marriott L.A. LIVE
• Find Festive Holiday Events Around Southern California

This sweet version is not to be missed on your gingerbread festivities this year. Also, available for purchase are some sweet delights sold at the Holiday Pop Up Shop, including the new Lighthouse Fudge, which is a nod to this new offering. Now heading over to Walt Disney World Resort, we’re stopping by Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for their life-sized Gingerbread House! This beloved tradition is back again for its 24th year from Nov. 8 through Jan. 1, 2024, and is filled with plenty of sweet delights and decorations. All across this house, you’ll find white chocolate candy canes, edible snowflakes, sugar poinsettias, and over 10,000 pieces of gingerbread.

Friends of Residential Treasures: LA created a map leading to some of Southern California's most adorable abodes.

Flamingo Estate’s home-delivered produce boxes came out of efforts to support local farmers whose traditional revenue streams of supplying restaurants and hotels came to a standstill in March 2020. "Most of us are practicing structural engineers. We make sure that a building has all the components it needs to withstand various forces throughout its lifetime," said Maria Mohammad, a structural engineer and one of the organizers behind the challenge. This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links.

Feds say he masterminded an epic California water heist. Some farmers say he’s their Robin Hood

The pieces for each house come attached together in sheets, which means you'll have to detach them yourself, but it's nice because they won’t get mixed up or damaged like they would if they were bagged together. At publishing time, the home had dropped in price to $1.4 million after the Dawson's puppy ate the back half of the house. At the Mytheresa x Flamingo Estate holiday house entryway, there is a gingerbread fireplace whose bricks are held together with frosting. Behind the fireplace is a living room dominated by a lounge chair, coffee table and flowery print couch made of gingerbread that you can look at but can’t sit on. Christiansen’s ethos of bringing people back in touch with the beauty and bounty of nature couldn’t have arrived at a better time.

How Make Time Wellness Is Building a Women's Brain Health Platform

Susan Sarich, founder and owner of SusieCakes, did, and she decided that this year the gingerbread houses at her bakeries would fit the geography. That led to the California Christmas Gingerbread House, a beach bungalow with a sandy walkway and palm trees out front. Call this December-delightful outing a lovely complement to any storybook house tours you've taken around town (yes, storybook or witch houses are something rather different than the gingerbread house, though the fanciful forms have plenty in common, spirit-wise). But you'd need a truckload of candy to deck these adorable abodes, for several of LA's gingerbread houses stand at two stories or more. Outside of L.A., there’s also a life-size gingerbread houses in Madison Square Park in Manhattan, while Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco boasts the largest in the state with their two-story house, complete with a dining room that seats up to 12 guests. The record for the largest gingerbread house, however, was set in 2013 in Bryan, Texas, where it seems like I’ve heard everything is bigger.

A kit provides a great base to make an eye-catching gingerbread house, but don’t be afraid to go outside the box (literally). Yes, we know a lot of folks might choose not to nosh away on their gingerbread houses, but for those who do, a decent quality gingerbread base is a must. Look for a balance between a nicely spiced, lightly sweet cookie that’s still sturdy enough to handle heavy candy patterns with a little icing assist. And the icing that comes in the kit should be tacky enough to hold and almost concrete-like in consistency—an ideal texture would be similar to Royal icing. It’s also a plus when kits include useful extras like piping bags to give you the option to decorate with icing and not just use it as glue, since you have more control. Cook also reminds us of how important it is for these kits to include an ultra-supportive base upon which to build your creation, since you'll likely want to transport it from the building site.

The 2 Best Gingerbread House Kits of 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter - The New York Times

The 2 Best Gingerbread House Kits of 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter.

Posted: Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

First, there is Flamingo Estate’s inaugural cookbook, Fridays from The Garden, which compiles 150 recipes from chefs including Ella Murphy, Jo Ann Kim, and a foreword by Martha Stewart; the book essentially charts the arc of Flamingo Estate since its early days. Next, a limited-edition gingerbread house designed by Flamingo Estate’s close collaborator and comrade Kelly Wearstler. One of the big winners at last year's inaugural challenge was a gingerbread house version of Union Station, built by the structural engineering firm Structural Focus and the architecture firm Architectural Resources Group. Although people tend to make the gingerbread house a centerpiece, the California bungalow is edible, “the real deal” made from scratch, Sarich says. Ever wonder why the December holiday decorations in Southern California are as full of ‘snow’ and warm winter coats as those in Minneapolis?

JW Marriott L.A. LIVE

Chocolate Santa (yes, you heard that right), nutcrackers, toy soldiers, and snowmen that are all hand-painted by the Grand Floridian Bakery team led by Pastry Chef de Cuisine Kristine Farmer. The 500 hours spent baking gingerbread and 480 hours spent decorating are well worth it. Be on the lookout for the 24 hidden Mickeys found throughout the entire display to see if you can find them all. Pet lovers of all ages will enjoy putting together this festive gingerbread doghouse.

Beyond Southern California

Our design-minded colleagues over at Domino mag would definitely appreciate this well-designed gingerbread house. This sweet midcentury ranch is a fresh take on the classic gingerbread cottage, complete with period-appropriate details like the asymmetrical roof and support beams. And the quality design elements extend beyond the house itself—this kit includes some of the best variety of icings and embellishments we’ve seen. It includes standard white as well as a retro green icing option (with piping bags of course) and blue and pink icing pens to add extra details like roof shingles and stone texture to the walls. And with included confections like gummies, sprinkles, and peppermint wheels, going with this kit won’t be a roll of the dice.

It’s no surprise visiting these works of art has become a tradition for both guests and cast members alike. With plenty of hidden details, and maybe even some hidden Mickeys, you can easily come back again and again to experience these gingerbread creations. It’s much easier to decorate your gingerbread house after you assemble it, since you won’t risk ruining any artistic candy patterns and icing swirls you made trying to put everything together.

The proprietor turns out to be an evil witch who lures them inside with the intention of eating them. Ultimately the children trick the witch, trap her in the oven she’d warmed for them, make off with her fortune, and return to their loving father. The mother, who died a mysterious death in the children’s absence, is now out of the picture for good. Joining this impressive lineup this year is the Lighthouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. This brand-new creation was created by Pastry Chef de Cuisine Michael Craig who used the actual blueprints from the real lighthouse located outside the resort along Crescent Lake.

Out of the box, the gingerbread pieces to make the house itself are sturdy and straight-edged, and also include a whimsical gingerbread chimney piece that adds more dimension to the house. The crisp edges of the gingerbread makes for a cleaner look and a solid foundation to hold ample sweet embellishments. And because it is a Candyland-themed house after all, you’ll want to go maximalist design here. Ahead of this holiday season, SAVEUR editors set out to find the best gingerbread house kits for you to assemble and decorate with your friends and family. But before we embarked on our gingerbread house journey, we chatted with John Cook—a judge at the renowned National Gingerbread House Competition and the executive pastry chef at the Omni Grove Park Inn, where the contest takes place.

Mooresville Festival of Food Trucks Mooresville, NC

Table Of Content

• Truck Schedule
• Best Restaurants in Charlotte: 2024
• Something Authentic
• Sandra Lee’s Country Kitchen

Feast on classic tacos, nachos, and loaded fries alongside your lager, or come on Saturday and Sunday mornings for some of his crazy-good breakfast tacos. A mobile dog treat truck, Yappy Hour Bakery is Charlotte’s first food truck dedicated to serving pup-forward snacks. Designed to mimic the style of an ambulance, Emergensweets is a family-owned dessert truck serving cheesecakes, ice cream, cobblers and more. Passion for high-quality vegan food and a love for local business are baked into every dish at Mac’D Vegan, serving a 100 percent vegan menu with no cross contamination. Known for serving the ultimate comfort food — chicken tenders and mac and cheese — Maria’s is a go-to spot for a big, hot bowl of gooey mac. This mobile coffee shop serves a variety of beverages made with Enderly Coffee, as well as teas, hot chocolate, and smoothies.

Truck Schedule

From cheese-forward dishes to authentic Thai and Mexican classics, Charlotte’s food trucks are serving up delicious, photo-worthy dishes on the go. “From the moment we read the MTAA’s request for proposals, the ideas for creating something special at Billard, focused on the local community, just started popping into our minds. They are joined in this venture by Bobby Santacroce, local caterer and owner of the popular food truck, Bobby’s Food Co. Sky assumes immediate control of the commercial kitchen in the new Billard terminal building and anticipates a grand opening shortly after the Fourth of July holiday.

Best Restaurants in Charlotte: 2024

That changed suddenly last month when police and Unified Government staff started showing up asking for licenses and telling them they have to be closed by 7 p.m. I want to say about 50% of our sales are going down because of this new schedule,” Mauro said. As a city with a large and vibrant Latino population, Kansas City, Kansas has developed a reputation for Latin American food. The tourism bureau has a “Taco Trail” competition with a checklist of 60 brick-and-mortar taquerias. This food cart at the corner of Trade and Tryon marries Pakistani and Dominican cuisines.

Something Authentic

A fleet of mobile food vendors roams this city’s streets, serving up tacos and empanadas, falafel and samosas, coffee and smoothies. Walk up to the kitchen, see (and smell) what’s cooking, and chat with the chefs. You can try something new and spend a lot less than you would seated. Join us in Fairview Plaza for a variety of Charlotte’s favorite food trucks. With plenty of FREE parking and easy walkability, SouthPark Eats is the perfect lunch break option.

A Guide to Charlotte's Popular Food Trucks - Charlotte magazine

A Guide to Charlotte's Popular Food Trucks.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The message to him and his mom was information now and enforcement soon to come. That sparked a flurry of impassioned comments from food truck owners at the last full commission meeting on April 4. Meanwhile, the area of 18th and Central has turned into a food truck mecca, with up to nine of them stationed in parking lots, many open until the wee hours. They also sell shaved ice that draws a crowd on hot summer nights.

“Some people don’t have all the permits, and because of that, we’re all going to pay for that? ” food truck owner Francisco Valencia said at Monday night’s meeting. This taco pop-up opened a permanent space inside Resident Culture South End in early 2022. Now, chef and owner Hector González-Mora has launched a food truck at Resident Culture’s Plaza Midwood location.

Track down this truck for its plant-based menu, which includes vegan burgers with vegan buns and plant-based cheese. Part grill, part creamery, this food truck slings hand-smashed patties, all-beef hot dogs, premium sausages and Italian gelato. Established in 2014, this food truck serves authentic banh mi with a side of welcoming service. Stewart remarked that the existing noise disturbance ordinance already limits music playing from a business. It cannot be heard by anyone except the operator inside the food truck. They also received complaints about one food truck improperly disposing of cooking oil.

Ace of Spuds

Initially founded by Charlottean Willie Walters as a catering company, Sandra Lee’s Country Kitchen is now a go-to spot for Southern eats, including shrimp and grits, chicken bog and banana pudding. “The team at Sky presented us with a dynamic, exciting vision for Billard,” said MTAA Board Chair, Brian Armstrong. We feel very confident that visiting aviators and diners from across Northeast Kansas will be delighted by what they see and taste at the new SKY Restaurant at Billard. She added taxes and licensing fees to the list of expenses.

If you’re craving a loaded baked potato with all the fixings, head to Ace of Spuds truck for a heaping dollop of whipped cream and mouthwatering toppings. Serving authentic Thai cuisine, Deejai Food Truck is a go-to spot for pad Thai, lo mein, yellow curry and more. Founded by Locke Mouton — son of a Lafayette native whose roots trace back to the Bayou — Bayou Betty brings authentic Cajun cuisine to Charlotte, from etouffee to gumbo and Cajun barbecue.

The announcement concludes a months-long selection process. TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The owners of The Beacon and Bobby’s Food Truck have teamed up for a new Billard Airport restaurant. Find this taco truck six days a week at Hoppin’ (1402 Winnifred St.) and feast on some of the best birria tacos in the city. Puerto Rico natives Matt and John Williams founded Rico’s Acai to bring vibrant, flavorful snacks and meal replacements to North Carolina. In addition to the truck, Rico’s has five brick-and-mortar locations in the Charlotte metro area.

Valencia elected gasps Monday night when he said he paid $42,000 in taxes and had to dismiss three of his five employees after instituting shorter hours. Angela’s Mexican Food sits isolated at the corner of 46th Terrace and Parallel Parkway. The owner’s son, Alan Jaimes, told KCTV5 they rarely stay open past midnight, but it doesn’t get busy until after the now-mandated 8 p.m. That schedule is only new because existing rules haven’t been enforced for years.

Initially opened in November 2020, this food truck has quickly gained popularity for its 100 percent plant-based vegan menu, including vegan burgers with vegan buns and plant-based cheese. Mayor Tyrone Garner called for city staff to research options after food truck owners voiced concerns about early closing times potentially putting an end to their existence. A Change.org petition in support of the food truck owners has gathered more than 2,500 signatures. Monday night, the Unified Government’s Neighborhood and Community Development Committee, heard a presentation about possible changes to the rules that would allow food trucks to stay open later. KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - The future of food trucks has caused an outcry after a recent effort to crack down on closing hours. This all-vegan food truck serves a variety of dishes using as many fresh, local ingredients as possible.

Puerto Rico natives Matt and John Williams have four trucks across the city serving açaí bowls with toppings like granola, banana, Nutella, and hemp seeds. There’s nothing dainty about Chef Anthony Denning’s street food—these burgers, tacos, and sandwiches require lots of napkins to sop up the drippings. Established in 2019 by a former bookstore barista, Detour Coffee Bar is a full-service mobile coffee shop offering locally roasted coffee, espresso and handcrafted beverages. Born out of a passion for making people happy through great food, Chickpeasy on Wheels serves dishes inspired by classic Mediterranean cuisine with a creative twist. This truck specializes in “smashing” together different dishes to create original eats, most of which are centered around the grilled cheese. Evening patrons will enjoy a selection of beers, wines and spirits to complement their meals.

Columbia House Record Club

Table Of Content

• Affiliated labels
• Alan Cross and A Journal of Musical Things Merch
• RIP Columbia House Record Club
• Which BMG Music Club Is Best For Me?
• Mail-order record clubs: Music categories (
• The big 1c steal: Take any 11 albums for a penny, then take a 12th one for free! (

As with RCA Victor, most of the early stereo recordings were of classical artists, including the New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Bruno Walter, Dimitri Mitropoulos, and Leonard Bernstein, and the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy, who also recorded an abridged Messiah for Columbia. Some sessions were made with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble drawn from leading New York musicians, which had first made recordings with Sir Thomas Beecham in 1949 in Columbia's New York City studios. George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra recorded mostly for Epic. When Epic dropped classical music, the roster and catalogue was moved to Columbia Masterworks Records. With 1954, Columbia U.S. decisively broke with its past when it introduced its new, modernist-style "Walking Eye" logo,[45] designed by Columbia's art director S. This logo actually depicts a stylus (the legs) on a record (the eye); however, the "eye" also subtly refers to CBS's main business in television, and that division's iconic Eye logo.

It's a Steal! How Columbia House Made Money Giving Away Music - Mentalfloss

It's a Steal! How Columbia House Made Money Giving Away Music.

Posted: Tue, 21 Jun 2011 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Affiliated labels

Record club records were not like the ones you bought in the store. And most artists had a clause in their recording contracts that stipulated that they received reduced royalties (often none at all) from sales of recordings through record clubs. In other words, record clubs were the Spotify complaints of their day. Joseph Parvin of Lawrenceville, NJ, was undoubtedly the patron saint of anyone who ever wanted to stick it to a music club for receiving an unwanted record. Music publishers didn’t love this arrangement, but for decades it was pretty tough to fight back against the mail-order clubs. As some of the biggest pre-Internet retailers, the clubs held enormous power over the music market.

Alan Cross and A Journal of Musical Things Merch

RCA Label Group, mainly dealing with Pop and R&B and Columbia Label Group, mainly dealing with Rock, Dance and Alternative music. Domestic artists include Calvin Harris, George Ezra, Central Cee and Robbie Williams. As of October 2012, there were 85 recording artists signed to Columbia Records,[87] making it the largest of the three flagship labels owned by Sony Music (followed by RCA Records with 78 artists and Epic Records with 43 artists). Asher became increasingly concerned about the huge and rapidly growing cost of hiring independent agents, who were paid to promote new singles to radio station program directors. "Indies" had been used by record labels for many years to promote new releases, but as he methodically delved into CBS Records' expenses, Asher was dismayed to discover that hiring these independent promoters was now costing CBS alone as much as $10 million per year. It distributed Philadelphia International Records, Blue Sky Records, the Isley Brothers' T-Neck Records and Monument Records (from 1971 to 1976).

RIP Columbia House Record Club

But there was something thrilling about those gaudy ads, an early glimpse into a world of music that seemed too good to be true. But one of my more illustrious turns involved one of these music clubs. In the case of Columbia House, the negative option involved the customer sending the company a postcard within 10 days of receiving the monthly catalog expressing they didn't want their "selection of the month," New York University music business professor Larry Miller tells Insider. Former Columbia House employee and filmmaker Chris Wilcha tells A.V. The idea was to get customers to sign up for free records, tapes, or CDs and agree to buy a few more later on, plus the cost of shipping. Former Columbia House employee and New Yorker pop critic Sasha Frere-Jones explains to A.V.

Which BMG Music Club Is Best For Me?

Here's When Bret Michaels Knew Poison Had 'Hit the Big Time' - Ultimate Classic Rock

Here's When Bret Michaels Knew Poison Had 'Hit the Big Time'.

Posted: Sun, 21 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Columbia continued to use the "notes and mike" logo on record labels and even used a promo label showing both logos until the "notes and mike" was phased out (along with the 78 in the US) in 1958. In Canada, Columbia 78s were pressed with the "Walking Eye" logo in 1958. The original Walking Eye was tall and solid; it was modified in 1961[46] to the familiar one still used today (pictured on this page), despite the fact that the Walking Eye was used only sporadically during most of the 1990s. Many album covers put together by Columbia and the other major labels were put together using one piece of cardboard (folded in half) and two paper "slicks", one for the front and one for the back.

Mail-order record clubs: Music categories (

If you're a TRIO member, you also get two additional curated vinyl based on your music tastes. Or pick #CURATED to have your month completely hand-picked by our team.

At the same time, consumers plotted to sign up multiple accounts under assumed names, in order to keep getting those 12-for-a-penny deals as often as possible. Record clubs may have introduced several generations of America's youth to the concept of collection agencies — and the concept of stealing music, decades before the advent of the Internet. Columbia House and BMG had some fairly clever ways to save cash, though. Until 2006, the record companies had never actually secured written licenses to distribute the records they sent to club members. Instead, the clubs saved the hassle (and the expense) by paying most publishers 75% of the standard royalties set by copyright law.

Columbia House Record Club Resurrected as a Vinyl-Only Service

Of course, this change meant that Columbia House began losing even more money as it attempted to rebrand itself as a DVD club that year. Five years later in 2015, then-owner Filmed Entertainment filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Filmed Entertainment explained to NBC News that the loss of revenue was "driven by the advent of digital media and resulting declines in the recorded music business." That said, Columbia House has managed to hang around, offering members deals on movies.

New York University music business professor Larry Miller tells Business Insider that record clubs like Columbia House manufactured inferior recordings for around $1.50 each. The company made about $5 for every record they sold — including the free records. He explains that shipping and handling costs were central to the company's success, and it gave them "plenty of margin" to operate on. In the late 1950s, both RCA Victor and Capitol Records also launched record clubs. Initially, the three record clubs sold only their own labels' releases.

Frere-Jones worked at the company during the day while boning up his music-journalism chops at night, writing for various zines. If you want to get a better idea of what it was like to work at Columbia House, read the A.V. Club piece, and watch The Target Shoots First, a first-person documentary on the life of a Columbia House manager. It was a common sight in magazines of all shapes and sizes to see ads like the one above, which promoted extremely cheap collections of music in exchange for signing up for a membership.

Finally, in 1960, the pop stereo series jumped from 8300 to 8310 to match Lambert, Hendricks & Ross Sing Ellington, the Lambert, Hendricks & Ross album issued as CL-1510. From that point, the stereo numbers on pop albums were exactly 6800 higher than the mono; stereo classical albums were the mono number plus 600; and showtunes releases were the mono number MINUS 3600. Only the last two digits in the respective catalog series' matched. An "original cast recording" of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific with Ezio Pinza and Mary Martin was recorded in 1949. Both conventional metal masters and tape were used in the sessions in New York City.

The 8-track tape had mostly disappeared by 1982, yet Columbia continued to release new titles in the format until 1988 and finally after the major record labels abandoned the vinyl LP format in 1989, Columbia issued select new titles on vinyl until 1992. In all three cases, the new releases on the deleted formats were usually limited to the new Selection of the Month title (although the country music Selection of the Month had never been available on reel tape unless the album had possible crossover appeal to the Pop/Rock or Easy Listening club members). In spite of the building's inherent heritage status and its cultural significance, it was sold to developers in 1985, demolished, and replaced by a high-rise apartment complex. In September 1961, CBS A&R manager John Hammond was producing the first Columbia album by folk singer Carolyn Hester, who invited a friend to accompany her on one of the recording sessions.

His early folk songs were recorded by many acts and became hits for Peter, Paul & Mary and The Turtles.[62] Some of these cover versions became the foundation of the folk rock genre. The Byrds achieved their pop breakthrough with a version of Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man". In 1965, Dylan's controversial decision to 'go electric' and work with rock musicians divided his audience but catapulted him to greater commercial success with his 1965 hit single "Like a Rolling Stone". Following his withdrawal from touring in 1966, Dylan recorded a large group of songs with his backing group The Band which reached other artists as 'demo recordings'.

It is for this reason that music enthusiasts have come to love music clubs. That all feels like a lifetime and a world ago, and like the music clubs, a lot of those stores are gone, too. There’s a great new book called How Music Got Free by Stephen Witt, a history of music piracy in the Internet age full of names like Napster and Kazaa and Limewire, obsolete words themselves that were probably more responsible for slaying the phony dream of “12 CDs for a penny” than anything.

One agreement, allows customers access to any of Columbia House's products. However, Direct Brands continued to operate a DVD and Blu-ray Disc club under the Columbia House brand in both the U.S. and Canada.[13] The Columbia House name is still owned by Sony Music Entertainment, and is used under license. In 1961, Columbia Records renovated and repurposed CBS Radio Studio A at the company's Columbia Square complex at 6121 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Columbia utilized the studio for recording and mastering services until its closure in 1972. In 1997, Columbia made an affiliation with unsigned artist promotion label Aware Records to distribute Aware's artists' music.

DXL BIG + TALL Pineville, NC 28134 10610 Centrum Pkwy D

Table Of Content

• About DXL Big + Tall Pineville, NC
• An In-Store Experience That Caters to the Unique Needs of Big & Tall Shoppers
• Why DXL Should Be Your Go-To Place for Big & Tall Fashion
• Jeans
• Adjustable Tie-on Belly Beads for Women – 60 Inch No Stretch Waist Jewelry Set – Plus Size African Beaded Chain

But it’s not just about size – our experts handpick quality fabrics and flattering fits so you can look and feel your best. We have Business Casual button-downs, cozy Sweatshirts, stretchy Jeans that move with you, and much more. At DXL Clothing, we specialize in stylish and comfortable men’s big and tall apparel. As a taller or bigger guy myself, I got frustrated trying to find clothes that actually fit me properly. That’s why I started DXL – to provide better options for men like us.

About DXL Big + Tall Pineville, NC

For over 45 remarkable years, DXL has served as the premier fashion destination for big and tall men. This is thanks to our unmatched product selection, our focus on fit, our exceptional service, and our advocacy for the community. We remain the only specialty apparel retailer that caters specifically to the traditionally underserved audience of taller and bigger males who need extended sizes. DXL provides more choices, better availability, and easier shopping for men needing sizes far beyond the standard XL. Our welcoming stores offer personalized assistance and conveniences tailored for each customer.

An In-Store Experience That Caters to the Unique Needs of Big & Tall Shoppers

This includes sponsoring positive size diversity campaigns, partnering with influencers on body positivity projects, funding health programs for taller and bigger males, and much more. Our social channels spotlight real DXL customers, employees and brand ambassadors to authentically represent the diversity of our community. In-store events like meet-and-greets give customers opportunities to connect with each other. Choose from suits and suit separates, sport coats, blazers and vests, dress shirts, dress pants, formalwear and more. Plus, give your look a finishing touch with our selection of accessories like ties, bowties, pocket squares, cufflinks and belts. Don’t forget to complete your look with a great-fitting pair of dress shoes, too.

Why DXL Should Be Your Go-To Place for Big & Tall Fashion

So if you’re tired of boxy suits, baggy t-shirts, or pants that pinch at the waist, it’s time to shop DXL. We have the selections, we have the sizes, and we’ll treat you right. From spacious aisles to fittingrooms with loads of elbow room, ourDXL stores are built with our guysin mind. He can shop for cool stuffoff of a vintage pool table or takea stroll around the bend anddiscover even more great lookscurated just for him. From spacious aisles to fitting rooms with loads of elbow room, our DXL stores are built withour guys in mind.

Jeans

He can shop for cool stuff off of a vintage pool table or take a stroll aroundthe bend and discover even more great looks curated just for him. Everything in our 250+ stores is made withyou in mind...including the stores themselves.Larger aisles, more spacious fitting rooms…not to mention in-store pickup and free instorereturns on all purchases. Everything in our 250+ stores is made with you in mind...including the stores themselves. Larger aisles, more spaciousfitting rooms…not to mention in-store pickup andfree in-store returns on all purchases. Distinguished, expertly crafted with an attention to detail, and always fashionable, our men’s Big + Tall suits are designed to fit and flatter every body. More ofthe brands you love, the styles you want, theselection you deserve...and the sizes you need.At DXL, you’ll get more of everything you wantto help you always look + feel your absolutebest.

Big + Tall Men's Suits And Suit Separates

We carry clothing, shoes, and accessories from exclusive DXL labels and leading brands in a wide range of sizes, so there's something for every body and every budget. But DXL aims to provide more than just great clothing and omni-channel convenience to our customers. We actively support and engage with the entire big and tall community year-round through initiatives that help men feel confident and empowered.

Adjustable Tie-on Belly Beads for Women – 60 Inch No Stretch Waist Jewelry Set – Plus Size African Beaded Chain

More of the brands you love, the styles you want, the selection youdeserve...and the sizes you need. At DXL, you’ll get more of everything you want to help you alwayslook + feel your absolute best. At DXL, our clothes are made to fit YOU – not some one-size-fits-most standard. We work closely with our manufacturers to develop custom patterns with extra room where you need it most – through the chest, arms, thighs and middle.

How do I find the right size for my t-shirt?

Each local DXL location maintains a deep inventory across all categories, so most garments and sizes are readily available to try on and take home. Customers can easily browse our latest brand arrivals, explore curated lifestyle outfit collections, or just relax in our extra spacious XL dressing rooms while trying on clothes. We proudly offer complimentary tailoring services in-store, providing finishing touches like hemming pants, shortening sleeves, or other needed product adjustments. Made for guys with big and tall proportions, with many suit jackets and sport coats designed right here at DXL, we offer a variety of special features to fit your needs and ensure a flattering fit. We offer them in Regular, Long and Executive Cuts, which are designed to better fit and flatter those with fuller midsections or torsos.

Amazon Essentials Women’s Organic Cotton Fit and Flare Dress (Available in Plus Size)

For over 20 years now, we’ve also hosted an annual nationwide Big & Tall Poker Tournament to raise funds for non-profits serving the extended size population. And our nationwide Suit Drive collects donated professional attire to help unemployed big and tall men look sharp for job interviews. At DXL, advocating for the needs and interests of big and tall men goes far beyond just selling clothes. We aim to uplift and celebrate the unique big and tall lifestyle, as well as promote self-confidence in oneself.

We strive to take those pressures off you, so you can focus on what really matters – living life to its fullest. For any big and tall guy seeking an abundance of quality clothing, exceptional service, and a place to belong, DXL should be your first and only stop. For convenience, each DXL store has an in-house tailor and provides local delivery and nationwide shipping through our logistics network. Many loyal customers visit our stores not just to shop but also to seek fashion advice and enjoy genuine customer service. We aim for DXL to feel like a welcoming second home for the big and tall community.

As much as big and tall guys love our stores, we completely understand the growing preference for digital convenience through our website dxl-store.com and mobile app. These allow men to browse and shop our entire product selection anytime, from anywhere. Our e-commerce experience provides the same inspiration, curation and high-touch service that our stores do. The DXL site is designed for easy navigation, featuring lifestyle outfit collections, personalized recommendations, and virtual styling tools. Customers can easily filter search results by size, width, fit, color, price and other attributes when viewing products to simplify finding that perfect item.

We aim to provide more choices, better availability, and convenient one-stop shopping tailored to our customers’ needs. For those uneasy about guessing apparel sizing online, our innovative fit visualizer shows how the clothes will look on actual big and tall male models with diverse body types. We also provide free shipping & returns, live web chat assistance, and phone support from our knowledgeable team. Online purchases can be sent to your home or DXL stores for free pickup at your convenience. Our mobile app makes shopping the DXL collection on-the-go a breeze. With our omni-channel capabilities like buy online-pick up in store, ship to store, online returns accepted in store, and integrated order history, we give customers flexibility and convenience.

Our shirts and polos utilize performance fabrics that wick moisture and resist wrinkles all day. Even dressier looks incorporate athletic cuts and natural fibers like cotton and wool that make them more agile. For brands that are only available at DXL, like Oak Hill, Oak Hill Premium and Synrgy, we offer sizes between 2XL and 4XLT.

The DXL story begins back in 1976 when two friends noticed a lack of stylish, well-fitting clothing options for taller and huskier men. Seeing a need in the market, they opened the very first Destination XL store in Cambridge, MA specifically to provide quality apparel sized for big and tall body types. The original store was a huge success, and over the next decade we continued expanding across the United States. By the 1990s, our company began operating under the name Casual Male XL to reflect our primary focus on casual clothing for bigger guys. In the 2000s, we acquired other major big and tall retail chains to enhance our national store footprint while also launching our e-commerce site. This strategic growth enabled us to better reach and serve customers all over the country.

Wherever, whenever, and however you prefer to shop DXL, our physical and digital environments work together to provide a streamlined experience. We source our diverse product assortment from quality vendors across the globe to deliver stylish, well-constructed apparel using comfortable, breathable natural fabrics like cotton, wool, and linen. Our talented in-house design team works tirelessly to create exclusive DXL clothing labels specifically engineered to fit and flatter the shapes and proportions of big and tall men. And we collaborate closely with our brand partners to produce extended sizes of their most current and popular fits, fabrics, and fashion designs. The result is the most extensive, on-trend selection of clothing for bigger and taller men available anywhere.

Mecklenburg County 1762

Table Of Content

• Delinquent Taxpayer List
• Public Safety & Law Enforcement
• Set map title & display options
• Transit Services
• North Carolina County Map
• Public Records Requests
• City
• Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

As an alternative, if you don’t have your ID when you vote, you can still vote and then bring your valid photo ID to your county board of elections by 5 p.m. On the ninth day after Election Day (or the sixth day after Election Day for September or October local elections). See a county map of North Carolina on Google Maps with this free, interactive map tool. This North Carolina county map shows county borders and alsohas options to show county name labels, overlay city limits and townships and more. Mint Hill is a suburban town in southeastern Mecklenburg and northwestern Union counties.

Delinquent Taxpayer List

Matthews is a town in southeastern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States. It is a suburb of Charlotte and is home to the Matthews Sportsplex. Mecklenburg County will be a community of pride and choice for people to live, learn, work and recreate. Mecklenburg County was formed in 1762 from the western part of Anson County and the first official governmental action took place in February 1763. The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners is the governing body of Mecklenburg County, consisting of nine commissioners - six representing districts and three elected at-large. Throughout the development of the plan, we will enlist feedback from the steering committee, community partners, and County residents.

Deceased suspect identified in fatal shooting of four officers in N.C. - NBC News

Deceased suspect identified in fatal shooting of four officers in N.C..

Posted: Tue, 30 Apr 2024 20:29:51 GMT [source]

Public Safety & Law Enforcement

"These men and women who all responded to this incident yesterday were courageous, because they knew what they were getting into and still showed up anyway," Redford said. "[The suspect is] where he belongs. I quite frankly don't have anything to say about him other than he deserves everything he got." Court records show many, but not all, of the charges out of Mecklenburg County were dismissed. There are three pending orders for arrest tied to the remaining charges, including possession of marijuana, fleeing and eluding arrest and possession with the intent to sell or deliver marijuana. Those arrest orders, generally, suggest Hughes failed to appear for a court date.

Set map title & display options

Each year, The Charlotte County Tax Collector's financial records are audited by an independent auditor. The information you are seeking may be available by searching our database. Contributions will be directed either to the family or as specified. Please indicate in the PayPal comment section how you would like your donations to be allocated. Many roads, including parts of Interstate 77 and 277, were closed for faster ambulance transports. Charlotte Area Transit System notified those on the Gold Line that emergency vehicles blocked the tracks from Elizabeth and Hawthorn to Sunnyside Station.

Out of the total population, 13.8% of those under the age of 18 and 9.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. Accuracy of the information provided on this web site is not guaranteed for legal purposes. Changes may occur daily and to get the most current information you need to contact The Tax Collector's Office. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. We also extend our support to the officers’ families, loved ones, and teammates.

Obama's 100,100-vote margin in the county helped him become the first Democrat to carry North Carolina since 1976. At the same time, John McCain became the first Republican to win less than 40 percent of the county's vote since 1948. Members of the Mecklenburg County Commission are required by North Carolina State law to choose a chair and vice-chair once a year (at the first meeting of December). Historically, the individual elected was the 'top-vote-getter', typically one of three at-large members. In 2014 this unofficial rule was changed by the Board to allow any member to serve as Chair or vice-chair as long as they received support from 4 members plus their own vote. Some groups still pan for gold occasionally in local streams and creeks.

Public Records Requests

North Carolina suspect had criminal history before killing Charlotte officers - WXII12 Winston-Salem

North Carolina suspect had criminal history before killing Charlotte officers.

Posted: Wed, 01 May 2024 01:33:00 GMT [source]

Concord Officer Thiago DeSouza, stationed outside the gray-paneled house, walked past three cars sitting in the driveway to knock on the grieving family’s door. In 1799 a 17-pound gold nugget was unearthed in Mecklenburg County (in what is now Cabarrus County)-the first such discovery in the new nation-prompting a gold rush and the establishment of a branch of the U.S. Today Charlotte is one of the most populous metropolises in the southeastern United States. The city is home to the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association, the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League, and NASCAR's Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Weeks, a husband and the father of four children, was a 13-year veteran of the Marshals Service. Police then began negotiations with other people in the home before authorities eventually sieged the house with armored vehicles. A semi-automatic AR-15 rifle, a .40-caliber handgun and additional magazines and ammunition for the weapons were found at the scene. "I have to say I make no apologies for my tears," Lyles said during Tuesday's vigil.

"We mourn for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recoveries of the courageous officers who were wounded." Two of the slain task force members, Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott, were employed by the the state's Department of Adult Correction for 14 years, a statement from the department said. Poloche is survived by his wife and two children, according to the state's correction department.

In these trying times, Gaston County stands in unity with our local and federal law enforcement families. We are committed to providing support and assistance in any way we can. Live on WBTV, Tyler Wilson described officers streaming into his home, including one officer who appeared to be a sniper using his window during an active shootout Monday afternoon. At one point, Wilson said he saw one officer dragged through his home by his shoulders.

"Our challenge to this community is take make sure that 3-year-old son grows up knowing his dad," Lyles said. "His dad was a law enforcement officer, he was a hero, he was someone that we should be proud to know and speak of." The new Main Library will be a major destination in Uptown Charlotte; a free, open, and accessible information hub for Mecklenburg County long timers, newcomers, and those just stopping through. As Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s flagship location, it will be an architecturally distinctive, state-of-the-art, technologically advanced knowledge center, where everyone in the community can access the resources of a 21st century library. Official County websites use MeckNC.govMeckNC.gov websites belong to official departments or programs of the Mecklenburg County government.

"What makes me whole is to be a genuine leader in this community, who’s not afraid to show vulnerability when it’s necessary and needed." Voters will now be asked to present a valid photo identification when voting in person. If you do not have a valid photo ID card, you may obtain one from your county board of elections prior to the election, through the end of the early voting period.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police sergeant was on the task force but was not struck by gunfire, Jennings said. The sergeant called for backup, and that's when the four responding Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers were shot, Jennings said. Marshals task force was serving a warrant at a home Monday in Charlotte, North Carolina, officials said. A manned Concord Police Department cruiser idled outside a two story home early Tuesday afternoon at an address in Monroe listed for Eyer.

Mortgage Pre-Qualification: How It Differs From Preapproval

Table Of Content

• Minimum Borrower Requirements
• Save for a down payment
• How To Get Preapproved For A Mortgage
• Home Loan Preapproval Vs. Prequalification
• Is there a cost associated with getting preapproved for a mortgage?

Prequalifications offer a rough estimate of how much mortgage you may qualify for without requiring a credit check or extensive review of your financial situation. Preapprovals give you a firmer estimate and outline the possible interest rates and loan amounts you’ll qualify for based on your credit score and finances. Mortgage pre-approval is an evaluation conducted by a lender to determine how much money they are willing to lend you for buying a home. During this process, you provide the lender with your financial information, including income, assets, debts, and credit history. The lender reviews these details and assesses your creditworthiness and ability to repay the home loan.

Minimum Borrower Requirements

Her writing focuses on reporting the best places to live in the U.S. based on certain interests and lifestyles. In Communications from Alma College and has worked as a writer and editor for various publications in Philadelphia, Chicago and Metro Detroit. Prequalification gives you a ballpark figure to work with and makes certain that you search for homes in a realistic price range and avoid potential disappointments. Now that you know how to prequalify for a home loan, here are some key advantages to going through this initial step of the homeownership process. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. This can be completed easily and conveniently online, in person, or over the phone in just a few minutes with basic information like your income and expected down payment.

How to Get Preapproved for a Mortgage, and Why It's So Important - CNET

How to Get Preapproved for a Mortgage, and Why It's So Important.

Posted: Thu, 16 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Save for a down payment

For further help in evaluating loan options, read up on how to compare personal loan offers. Additionally, you may need to specify the purpose of your loan, which could be to pay down credit card debt, fund home improvements, pay medical expenses or purchase a car. It is the intent of Century to sell its residential homes pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act (15 U.S.C. 1701, et seq.).

How To Get Preapproved For A Mortgage

When you prequalify for a home loan, you’re getting a general estimate of how much a lender will allow you to borrow. When you prequalify for a home loan, you’re getting an estimate of what you might be able to borrow, based on information you provide about your finances, as well as a credit check. Preapproval is not a guarantee you will receive a loan, and the mortgage can still be denied. A home appraisal must be completed before a loan can close to ensure you aren’t paying more for the home than it’s worth.

First-Time Home Buyer

She has also been featured by Investopedia, Los Angeles Times, Money.com and other financial publications. Preapproval can be extremely valuable when it comes time to make an offer on a house, especially in a competitive market where you might want to stand out among other potential buyers. Again, a seller will be more likely to consider you a serious buyer because you have had your finances and creditworthiness verified. If you’re ready to make your dream of owning a home a reality, you’ve probably already heard that you should consider getting prequalified adatext or preapproved adatext for a mortgage.

It gives you a rough estimate of how much you might be able to borrow. On the other hand, pre-approval is a more comprehensive evaluation, where the lender verifies the information you provide and assesses your creditworthiness in detail. Pre-approval holds more weight and is a stronger indication of your eligibility for a mortgage.

It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. But if your offer is accepted (despite a lack of pre-approval), and it turns out you can't actually get a mortgage, you'll have wasted a busy professional's time -- plus your own. If you’re ready to buy a home within the next few months, taking the extra step to get preapproved can be well worth your time. If you’re a first-time home buyer, you’ll want to be prepared throughout the home buying process. Starting with preapproval is ideal if you know you’re ready to buy a home and want to make a qualified offer immediately.

Mortgage Pre-Qualification Calculator - NerdWallet

Mortgage Pre-Qualification Calculator.

Posted: Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Preapproval lets you make an offer

Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) helps lenders decide whether or not you’re able to take on more debt. It shows how much money you have going out versus what you have coming in. There are maximum DTIs for mortgage approval, depending on the type of loan.

A real estate agent may not want to work with you otherwise

It will help you narrow in on your dream house and stand out to sellers. After you’ve been prequalified for a mortgage, you can pursue mortgage preapproval. You’ll need to speak to a home loan expert and provide documentation to verify your income and assets. In order to preapprove your mortgage application, the lender will need certain documents to verify your income, job stability and other factors.

Getting prequalified is a great way to figure out your home buying budget, but it’s not a requirement. You should be able to look at homes without going through the prequalification process. Here are some answers to a few frequently asked questions to help you decide between a mortgage prequalification and a mortgage preapproval. Getting preapproved for a mortgage will be the best option for most serious home buyers.

Based on this overall financial picture, the lender estimates how much you may be able to borrow. Mortgage pre-approvals usually have a minimal and temporary impact on your credit score. While the credit check involved in the pre-approval process is considered a hard inquiry, it typically results in only a slight decrease of a few points or less.

If you don’t and find a home you love, it’ll likely be too late to start the preapproval process if you want a chance to make an offer on the home. If you start the mortgage preapproval process early, stay organized and keep abreast of your application, your preapproval is likely to go faster. And the sooner you get it, the sooner you can begin serious house-hunting. In addition to providing documentation, you’ll also have to agree to a hard credit check by the lender. It needs to make sure you have a high enough credit score to buy a home.

Mortgage prequalification guide What is it, and do I need one?

Table Of Content

• Establish your home-buying budget
• Can a non-resident buy a house in California?
• What if I don't pre-qualify for a mortgage?
• Why first-time home buyers should always prequalify for a home loan
• Step 3: Consent to a soft credit inquiry

Just like you should seek a second medical opinion for your physical wellbeing, you should also do so for your financial wellbeing. Don’t settle for the first prequalified loan offer you receive without checking elsewhere. Different lenders may provide more favorable options, including b better APRs, loan terms and potential discounts. If you’ve never owned a home before — or if you haven’t owned one within the last three years — the California Housing Finance Agency considers you to be a first-time homebuyer.

Establish your home-buying budget

It can take several days or longer to get preapproved for a mortgage. The timeline varies by lender and how quickly you are able to provide the lender with the information it needs, including proof of your income and assets. You must have completed a mortgage loan application for a rate lock.

Can a non-resident buy a house in California?

For example, let's say that three buyers all want the same house for different reasons. Buyer one offers the sales amount, while buyer two offers $275,000 and buyer three offers $300,000. In this case, it’s likely that buyer three will win the bidding war unless another buyer offers a higher amount.

What if I don't pre-qualify for a mortgage?

On the other hand, mortgage preapproval is based on a more comprehensive analysis of a prospective borrower’s financial health. Aside from their distinct roles in homebuying, prequalification and preapproval can take different amounts of time. Prequalifying at Bank of America is a quick process that can be done online, and you may get results within an hour. For mortgage preapproval, you’ll need to supply more information so the application is likely to take more time.

You don’t necessarily have to do all the work on your own, either — there are many down payment assistance programs available. Most of them are geared toward buyers who earn under a certain threshold of money each year, offering low- and moderate-income individuals a way to buy a home. For example, Redding and La Mesa are two of the cities with options to help buyers manage their upfront expenses. There are a few first-time homebuyer programs in California that can offer assistance.

Step 3: Consent to a soft credit inquiry

The expiration period can vary, but is commonly between 60 and 90 days. This means that your pre-approval is valid for a specific timeframe, usually a few months from the date of issuance. With an idea of the mortgage amount you might be eligible for, you can better focus your home search on properties within your budget. This can save time and help you set realistic expectations early in the home buying process.

Once the lender assesses your credit and financial profile, it’ll decide whether you’re preapproved for a mortgage. If you are, you’ll be issued a preapproval letter stating the loan amount and maximum home purchase price you were approved for, along with the preapproval expiration date. First, real estate agents typically want to see your preapproval letter before they show you houses. This ensures they don’t waste time showing you homes outside your budget. The final step in the homebuying process in California is closing on the house.

Mortgage Preapprovals Vs. Prequalifications: Which Should You Get?

The reason these conflicts don't occur is that the price is often fixed. A seller may hold out for more money, but in general a company operates on a first-come, first-served basis. When rates bounce around from week to week, a buyer looking into a house one day might not be able to afford the same property the next day, she said. “Lenders prefer borrowers with stable employment and income histories because they view them as less risky,” says Vernon.

Mortgage Prequalification Calculator – Forbes Advisor - Forbes

Mortgage Prequalification Calculator – Forbes Advisor.

Posted: Mon, 21 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Move to home loan preapproval (optional)

Home Loans For Bad Credit 7 Loan Options For 2024 - The Mortgage Reports

Home Loans For Bad Credit 7 Loan Options For 2024.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

In assessing your application, many lenders use the “28/36” qualifying ratio to figure out what monthly payment you can afford. A mortgage preapproval is a statement, usually a document or letter, of how much money a lender is willing to let you borrow to pay for a home. If you’re preapproved, you’ll receive an approval letter offer that lasts for 60 – 90 days, depending on the lender. After that, you’ll need to apply again with another credit pull and updated paperwork.

Savings and checking accounts aren’t the only places people keep their money – and your job may not be your only source of income. Lenders want to see all of your income and assets and, therefore, will also need to review your investment account statements. Provides a preliminary mortgage offer, but not a guarantee of full loan approval. You'll provide information in the form of W-2s, a current pay stub, a summary of your assets and your total monthly expenses, and, if you already own real estate, a copy of your mortgage statement. In today's competitive market, agents likely will require you to be preapproved before showing you properties.

Other loan types, such as VA loans and USDA loans, do not have government-mandated minimum credit scores, however, lenders often set their own minimum scores. Generally, the higher your credit score, the lower interest rate and better mortgage terms a lender will offer you. Each time you apply for a loan preapproval or approval, a lender checks your credit with a “hard pull.” This typically lowers your score by a few points. However, FICO® states your credit score generally won’t be negatively affected if you make all your inquiries on a home loan within 30 days. That means the best time to get preapproved is at the start of your home buying journey.

That said, getting pre-qualified is only the first step toward getting approved for a mortgage. To get preapproved—or approved—for a loan, your lender will ultimately run a hard credit inquiry to get a more comprehensive picture of your creditworthiness. Tax returns, W-2s and pay stubs will be needed to verify your employment and income for mortgage preapproval. Lenders will also need a list of your monthly debt payments, such as student loans and credit cards. Be prepared to provide bank, retirement and investment account statements to show proof of your assets as well.

Applying to multiple lenders helps home buyers compare interest rates and choose the deal with the most favorable terms. Shopping around for a mortgage that best fits your finances can save you a lot of money over the life of the loan. In addition to considering your credit score, lenders will want to verify your employment and income. This is a calculation of your total monthly debts divided by your monthly income. This ratio, expressed as a percentage, helps lenders make sure you have enough income to reasonably cover your debts. Check your expiration date and keep it in mind as you look at homes.

This can make your proposal more attractive compared to those from buyers who haven’t taken this step. After you’ve submitted the online prequalification form, the lender may carry out a soft credit check. These checks don’t affect your credit score and are a way for lenders to pre-screen applicants to see if they meet the basic qualifications for homeownership. Preapprovals make the house hunting process easier for you and your real estate agent. In fact, many real estate agents require you to get preapproved before you shop for a home.