Without the wax

What Makes You Happy?

2012-02-05T20:51:00Z

Happiness is defined as a state of well-being or contentment, a pleasurable and satisfying experience (Merriam-Webster ). If you give of your time to help others—a family member, your neighbor, an elderly person, a child—you will feel contentment, it will probably be a satisfying experience and in the process you will feel happier.

Real happiness and meaning in life comes, not from material things or money, it comes from doing what will help and please another. Remember "there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving", famous last words don't you think. So stop and ask yourself, or in a conversation with someone else ask them—what makes you happy? Hmm-m??!!

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW...

2012-01-29T21:11:00Z

Living in California, the chances of being in an earthquake are highly likely. That’s why it’s important to prepare for emergencies, as much as possible.
When preparing for an earthquake, be sure to stock up at least a three-day supply of food, water, clothes, medical supplies, and other necessary equipment for everyone in the family. Make sure everyone in the house knows where to find the supplies.
Decide where and when to reunite the family, should you be apart when an earthquake happens.
Choose a person outside of the immediate area to contact if family members are separated. Long distance phone service probably will be restored sooner than local service. However, do not use the phone immediately after an earthquake.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

2012-01-22T20:25:00Z

In coming weeks, federal policy makers could roll out pilot programs to further test the concept of renting out single-family homes.
There are two different types of programs that officials are likely to consider. Under the first, the Federal Housing Administration could sell properties in bulk to investors who agree to rent them out.
A more likely option for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be to set up pools of properties in which third-party investors would take a stake. Investors could be responsible for handling maintenance and day-to-day operation of the rental pool, with Fannie and Freddie sharing in some of the returns.
Read more about the pilot programs at wsj.com

What you should know...

2012-01-15T19:35:00Z

When the new year arrives, promises and resolutions abound, but few include home improvement. Here are resolutions every homeowner should make.
Cut energy use: Sealing and insulating ductwork can improve the efficiency of a heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent, saving $200 per year or more, according to Energy Star.
Budget for home improvements: Creating a yearly budget for home improvement and maintenance helps prevent overspending, and encourages homeowners to put aside money for major replacements — such as new roofing or a kitchen appliance — that come up every few years.
Curb water use: The average household uses about 400 gallons of water each day, or almost $700 per year in water and sewer costs. Making a few simple changes, such as installing EPA-certified WaterSense products, could trim up to $200 annually from the water bill. Add to that energy savings from reduced costs to heat water, and the yearly savings could reach $300 or more per year.
For additional homeowner new year resolutions visit houselogic.com

What you should know...

2012-01-08T18:07:00Z

Fraud is the intentional use of deception, trickery,or perversion of truth for the purpose of inducing another to part with some valuable thing belonging to him or to give up a legal right. Quite a lengthy explanation but there you have it.

Fraud or should I say alleged fraud, is on the doorsteps of Countrywide. $335 million dollars is to be paid out to victims of fraud but there is a problem. To track down the number of people that are victims of Countrywide's alleged fraudulent lending practices is a difficult task. Why, because most of these people (minorities) are long gone after losing their homes to foreclosures.

It is alleged that some minorities were pushed tricked into costly loans, and some were charged higher fees. Countrywide, because of that debacle, (disaster) must pay out big bucks because of their discriminator practices against black and Hispanic borrowers, and this has been going on for a period of about four years. Allegedly.

Stored money is stagnant money so the banks put your money to use and make most of their profit through loans. How then can you tell if your bank is on the up and up? A few basic precautions will help although it is difficult to find out and judge the soundness of a bank. Only when the evidence has been discovered and given widespread attention can you really tell what is going on behind closed doors. If you are being rushed to make a decision or if the terms appear to good to be true when in doubt, leave it out. Shop around.

The Justice Department is trying to determine how to pay these folks back in light of the fair-lending settlement with Countrywide, to the tune of $335 million, and is making ever effort to track the borrowers down.

What you should know about the housing market

2011-12-31T22:03:00Z

C.A.R. recently released a consumer alert offering tips on avoiding mortgage fraud.
Con artists trying to take advantage of unknowing, financially troubled homeowners usually promise mortgage loan modifications or reduced monthly payments for upfront fees. In most cases, charging upfront fees or payments for these services is illegal.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, these offenders review foreclosure notices in newspapers, the Internet and public files to identify potential victims. Scammers who place ads online, on television, and in newspapers claiming to “stop foreclosure now” and offering “money back guarantees” are suspect and should be reviewed cautiously by the homeowner.
For tips to avoid mortgage modification scams, visit Consumer_Fraud_Alert.pdf

What you should know about the real estate market

2011-12-25T03:33:00Z

Homeowners can reduce their energy bills by lowering the thermostat setting on their water heater. Most manufacturers set water heater thermostats at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but most households don’t need water hotter than 120 degrees. Households with water heaters older than 12 years should consider replacing it with a new unit for energy savings and reduced utility bills.
To help lower the cost of heating a home this winter, homeowners can weatherstrip their homes. According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, there are many kinds of weatherstripping products on the market. Since each product is designed to work in a different area of the home, homeowners should read product packaging carefully to determine if it is best suited for windows or doors, as well as indoor or outdoor use.
Another tip for “winterizing” a home is to get a furnace or heating system inspection, which most professionals recommend homeowners do at least once a year. An inspection of the working parts can ensure that the house has heat when needed and can prevent costly repairs in the future.

What you should know

2011-12-18T18:29:00Z

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reports more than double the number of open-flame fires on Christmas Day than on an average day, and about twice as many on New Year’s Day.
Property loss during a holiday fire is 34 percent greater than in an average fire, and the number of fatalities per thousand fires is nearly 70 percent higher.
If the source of the fire is a highly flammable Christmas tree, the toll in property and lives is even greater.
It takes less than 30 seconds for a dry tree to engulf a room in flames, according to the Building and Fire Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Standards and Technology.
To minimize risk, buy a fresh tree with intact needles, get a fresh cut on the trunk, and water it every day. A well-watered tree is almost impossible to ignite. Keep the tree away from heat sources, such as a fireplace or radiator, and out of traffic patterns. If using live garlands and other greenery, keep them at least three feet away from heating sources. No matter how well the tree is watered, it will start to dry out after about four weeks.

What you should know about the housing maket

2011-12-11T03:03:00Z

Traditionally – and when they could afford to – parents have provided cash to their children for down payments on homes. But in these days of tightened credit guidelines, some parents take bigger steps to help their kids become homeowners at today’s low interest rates.
One of the primary factors parents should consider is their own financial picture.
One financial expert recommends that parents first ensure they are adequately prepared to address their own needs and pending retirement before thinking of helping their children. Pulling money out of a retirement account to give assistance is not recommended.

What you should know about the real estate market

2011-12-04T18:47:00Z

Installing home solar panels can cut your electric bill and shrink your carbon footprint. But the upfront costs of buying and installing a system can be considerable, even with government rebates. the cost and return from adding solar panels, and whether the home's roof is positioned to benefit from them, are some key factors to examine before making the move.
Those who have a section of roof that faces south with few obstructions, such as tall buildings or trees will benefit the most from installing solar panels.
Once the estimate for how big of a system is needed, an online calculator can be used at to help determine costs and how long it will take to make back the investment. The calculator takes into consideration equipment costs, loan interest rates, tax savings and more. One example of a calculator is consumerenergycenter.org
Government programs can provide significant financial breaks on the system, but these offers frequently change. The dsireusa.org site has information on what's currently available in the area. Homeowners also should check with their local utility company.
An average home solar-panel installation can cost $20,000 or more, even after incentives, according to the Department of Energy. An alternative is to have a leasing company, such as SolarCity, install the system at no cost to the homeowner, and bill for the system monthly. In many cases, the electricity cost will be lower, but the system won’t be owned.
Rebates and other incentives are generally available only if the homeowner uses a licensed contractor or does the job themselves. When hiring a contractor, ensure his or her state license is valid by doing an "instant license check" at cslb.ca.gov

What you should know about the real estate market

2011-11-26T03:38:00Z

Traditionally, the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is the slowest time of the year for home shopping. However, homeowners who must sell in the winter can use staging, the reduced competition and some seasonal opportunities to their advantage.
Remembering the basics is key. Taking care of needed maintenance and repairs is obligatory in any season. A thorough cleaning and decluttering are equally essential. Tidying up the yard and touching up the exterior appearance to improve curb appeal also can make the difference between deal or no deal.
Home staging takes on a new focus in winter. Rearranging the furniture and applying a fresh coat of paint to any room are just as important. But to convey a cozy impression in the winter, it may befit homeowners to turn up the thermostat and have a fire in the fireplace for open houses.

What you should know about the market

2011-11-20T18:25:00Z

Before starting the house hunt, there are a few things buyers need to consider.
Credit score: Lenders are generally looking for buyers to have credit scores of at least 620 nowadays. Although the Federal Housing Administration will extend loans to borrowers with credit scores as low as 580, most banks are imposing higher scores.
Reserves: Even when renting, financial advisers recommend saving four to five months’ worth of expenses in case of job loss or any other unforeseen event. Homeowners should add an additional two months’ worth to their savings.
Settling down: Buyers should think about if they see themselves living in the same place for five to seven years. Homeownership is not just a financial decision, it’s also a lifestyle choice.

Making sense of the story

2011-11-07T06:03:00Z

The New York Times

After a rejection
Some borrowers think that because their mortgage application is turned down the first time, they won’t ever be approved. In reality, some borrowers succeed on the second or third attempt, usually with a different mortgage professional, and often several months later, after they have saved more money for a larger down payment or improved their credit score.

Before reapplying for a mortgage, borrowers are advised to look at the reasons they were initially rejected.
The Equal Credit Opportunities Act requires lenders to give loan applicants specific reasons in writing within 30 days of their decision. If it’s based on a problem in the borrower’s credit report, the lender must tell the borrower the name and address of the credit agency that provided the information.
Talking to the loan officer who denied the application to see how close the borrower was to being approved also can be helpful. Sometimes the gap is small and could be bridged with a larger down payment or another home appraisal, for example.
It also may be worthwhile to shop around for other lenders. Borrowers can work with a mortgage broker or an online network like LendingTree or Zillow’s Mortgage Marketplace.
A credit union also might be a better bet for some applicants. Credit union loan committees may permit better deals for longtime members; they might also modify loan terms for borrowers they already know.
However, first-time buyers may need to scale back their aspirations. One reason people get turned down for a mortgage is because they try to buy more property than they can afford based on current incomes.
Applicants also should look at ways to strengthen their financial picture. If a borrower’s credit is poor, paying down credit-card balances can help to increase a FICO score.

Read the full story

What you should know about the real estate market

2011-10-30T06:00:00Z

As the traditional home-selling season comes to a close, some home sellers who were unable to sell their homes earlier this year may be willing to make better deals with home buyers.
Before submitting an offer, buyers should understand the market. A REALTOR® can do a full comparative market analysis of the property to determine its fair market value.
When presenting a low offer, it’s important to provide back up. Sellers want to know why an offer is coming in low, so including recent comps and any problems with the property will help to validate the offer.
If making a low offer, buyers should consider other elements of the offer that may be attractive to the seller. Having few or no contingencies, and having financials in order from the start are advised.

What you should know about the market

2011-10-23T04:14:00Z

As the warm summer days begin to turn into cool fall and winter nights, many homeowners see increases in their electricity bills as they try to keep their homes warm.
To help lower the cost of heating a home this winter, homeowners can weatherstrip their homes. According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, there are many kinds of weatherstripping products on the market. Since each product is designed to work in a different area of the home, homeowners should read product packaging carefully to determine if it is best suited for windows or doors, as well as indoor or outdoor use.
Another tip for “winterizing” a home is to get a furnace or heating system inspection, which most professionals recommend homeowners do at least once a year. An inspection of the working parts can ensure that the house has heat when needed and can prevent costly repairs in the future.