Eveyn's blog

HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS

Homeowners are facing the biggest crisis in years. Home values have fallen drastically. 

More and more homeowners are struggling to make their payments. So, wise homeowners are seeking help.

But you may run into a wall with your mortgage lender. You may not be able to refinance if your home's value has declined.

There is a possible solution. The government has set up a program to help homeowners. You may be able to refinance your house. Or, you may be able to modify your loan terms.

There's only one way to find out: Visit today's Cool Site. Find out if you're eligible

http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/

Please share this if you know someone that needs help.

Thanks, Evelyn

Have a relative or friend that is a first time home buyer ??

$8,000 Tax Credit Can Be Used For Down Payment.

When Is It Time To Replace Your Roof?
Red flags that signal it's time to replace your roof may be over your head.
Sunlight permitting holes and bucket brigade-sized leaks are obvious signs it's time for a new topper for your home.
There are however, additional indicators that may not be so obvious.
"Certainly if your roof is approaching the end of its life cycle usually 20–25 years for asphalt shingle. it's time to think about a new roof.
The National Association of Homebuilders says decorative slate, metal, masonry and newer synthetic roofs can have a life expectancy of 50 years or more.
"However, a calendar shouldn't be the only way you determine if it's time to replace your roof.
Think about replacing your roof when:
• Your neighbors have new roofs and you want to maintain the value of your home. Also, given most homes in a neighborhood were built at the same time, your roof may reach the end of it's lifecycle at the time your neighbors' roofs are failing.
• Your neighbors have not added a new roof and you want to increase the resale value of your home. Hanley Wood's Cost vs. Value 2008-2009 report says a new roof can return an average 65.5 percent of the cost in the form of value added to the home. On a $18,825 roof, that's $12,336 added to the value of your home. That adds up to greater salability.
• Your geographic area has seen an increase in severe weather conditions, (including hurricanes, hail or tornados) that require a stronger roofing material to handle the dramatic weather changes. "With the changing weather patterns in our country, combined with the need for homeowners to add value to their properties, consumers should be vigilant about looking for signs of wear along with upgrading their roofs.
• Your existing roof is functional, but has staining that detracts from the look of your home. In a housing market laden with poorly-maintained foreclosed homes, it's a good idea to make yours standout from the eyesores.
• You want to shrink your carbon footprint and take advantage of more sustainable www.green roofing alternatives that are low maintenance and energy saving and can come with 50-year warranties.

Please cut & paste the underlined links into your internet browser.

An Unbelievable $75,000

January Home Maintenance

In the darkest part of the year for folks up north, when it´s tempting to try hibernating through the next couple months. If you can get a plan in place now though, you can get a jump on spring. The following home maintenance checklist provides a "to do" list for January, a list of seasonal sales, and a small kit to organize those items that you always seem to have to rummage for when decorating for Christmas next year.

For us folks that live in sunny Florida it is now Spring.  Time jump!

After the work and mania that accompanies the holiday season, January provides an opportunity to regroup and reorganize.

• Do end of the year accounting. Set up file folder for current year´s taxes. Organize receipts and paperwork.
• Take down, clean, and store ornaments, decorations, and exterior lights. Recycle or store tree.
• Declutter Christmas stuff. Give away or toss old, broken, or unused ornaments, decorations, lights, and those very sad ribbons.
• Declutter a closet. Pick just one. Empty it. Sort by things to save, donate or sell, toss. Take the garbage out and set donations aside the same day. Clean the closet thoroughly. Of the stuff to save, put everything that belongs somewhere else where it belongs. Organize the stuff that belongs in that closet and put it back. Pat yourself on the back and go have some fun. (If you have lots to declutter, pace yourself otherwise you´ll never be able to finish. Some experts suggest making decluttering appointments with yourself and making it a priority.)
• Replace drawer liners and shelf papers.
• Wander the house with a screwdriver and make a list of minor household repairs that can be done in a weekend. Tighten screws on drawers, doors, and furniture. Make a list of broken electrical face plates, missing pulls or knobs, locks that need lubrication, and spots that need caulking around sinks and tubs. Go to the home improvement store and buy everything you need to make all of your little repairs at once.
• Call the utility company to do an energy audit. By now you´ll have received your first big winter heating bill, and unless you live in Florida, you may be motivated to see how you can improve your home´s energy efficiency. While you´re at it, ask the utility if they can also test for radon gas—especially important if you don´t know if it´s ever been done.  I've received a big electric heating bill. How can I complain when we have a two week winter.
• Plan annuals if you intend to start plants from seed. Start shopping for seed.  Use 1/2 gallon milk or orange juice containers cut down their length and stapled at the ends for starting trays.

The real estate market is slowly getting back to normal.  I've been extremely busy.  Sales have been close to list price.  This is a great time to buy. Interest rates are at five percent for a fixed rate mortgage.

Thanks for reading.  Evelyn Murray

Have you been thinking of buying or refinancing? 

Dec. 5, 2008 – Rates on 30-year mortgages plunged this week to the lowest level since January after the government launched a sweeping new effort to aid the U.S. housing market.

Mortgage finance giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that average rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages dropped to 5.53 percent in the largest one-week drop in 27 years. That was down from 5.97 percent last week, and the lowest since the week of Jan. 24, when it was at 5.48 percent.

The Fed’s move caused rates to immediately drop by about a half-point, and many in the real estate industry hope rates will keep dropping as the government increases efforts to battle the credit crisis

To make sure it would be a savings for you to refinancing.

Call me for more details. 321-302-3445 / 772-664-3309

"PET RULES" (To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.)

Dear Dogs and Cats,
The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this inconvenience. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the door and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
A. Eat less
B. Don't ask for money all the time
C. Are easier to train
D. Normally come when called
E. Never ask to drive the car
F. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
G. Don't smoke or drink
H. Don't have to buy the latest fashions
I. Don't want to wear your clothes
J. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and...
K. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

We all know the sadness experienced when a lost pet can not be reunited with it's family.  The devastations during the recent tornadoes, forest fires, floods and hurricanes have taught us many lesson. Planning ahead may prevent a pet from becoming injured or lost.  Below is a list of suggestions to help you keep your pet safe. 

Please forward this to someone with a pet if you don't have one.

1. If evacuating never leave your pet home alone or outdoors.  The safest place is with you. After a storm you may not be allowed back to your home for days. Pets die from starvation and in being left in overheated homes.

2. If you are ordered out of your home due to an evacuation order.  Do you have family or friends that will welcome your pet? Some hotels and shelters  do accept crated pets.  Check on this before hand if possible.

3. Have a safe crate for each pet. Make the crate a fun place throughout the year.

4. Prepare a travel kit for your pet. Include food, water, bedding. medical supplies, vaccination history, leashes and toys.

5. Place several forms of identification on your pet as tags on their collar.  Pet may become lost during travel.  Many Humane Societies offer free pet tags with an emergency number monitored 24 hours a day.

6. Always carry a pet photo when traveling in case your pet becomes lost. Having the photo of yourself with your pet may help settle ownership disputes.

7.  Immediately Notify the Human Society and Police of your lost pet. Keep checking back with them.

Print these suggestions and keep in your emergency kit.

Miss Hollywood.JPG  My gal Suzie