Real Estate Information

In a day and age when technology seems to rule a big part of our lives, it is important to make sure that our “identity” is protected. As we have all read the horror stories of the victims of identity theft, there are steps we can take to protect ourselves and our personal information.

 

For starters we should be clear about what identify is and how we are identified as individuals in this high tech world we live in. Identity theft occurs when our personal information is collected without our permission and utilized, most of the time, for criminal activity. What personal information do these people target?

 

1.      Your Name

2.      Address

3.      Birth Date

4.      Social Security Number (SSN)

5.      Credit Card Numbers

6.      and Other Personal Identification Numbers

 

This is the type of information someone would need to open credit card or bank accounts, apply for cellular phone service, purchase vacations packages, forward your mail, etc. So how can you protect yourself from this information getting into the wrong hands?

 

1. If asked to provide personal information, ask why is it needed, how will it used, if it will be shared and with whom.
2. Carry the least amount of personal information with you as possible.
3. When asked for your credit number over the phone or internet, make sure that you know who you are dealing with and the communication line is secure.
4. It’s always a good idea to take extra security measures when dealing over the internet (i.e. digital signatures and data encryption).
5. Knowing your billing cycles can prove to be very useful should you not receive your bills in the mail. This could help in determining if you mail has been illicitly redirected.
6. Order your credit report at least once a year and review for any inaccuracies or any unusual activity.
7. Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
8. You can also request that your accounts require passwords before any inquiries or changes can be made
9. Choosing the right password is extremely important. You don’t want anything obvious and you DON’T want to write them down.
10. Always protect your pin number when using debit machines, bank machines or telephones.
11. Review your credit card cardholder agreement. A number of companies offer protection from credit card fraud.
12. Lastly, be aware of your garbage. Anything with the above mentioned personal information on it should not just be thrown out. Shredding this type of documentation (especially financial statements, receipts, etc.) is an effective step in preventing identity theft.

Taking the necessary steps above to protect your identity is not difficult. It’s as simple as being aware of what these identity thieves are looking for and arming yourself with the knowledge on how to properly protect your personal information.

 

 

 

Gas prices are no where near the prices a year ago, but they are on the rise again.  Stay informed and find the best gas prices in the area by visiting the link below.

San Mateo, California Gas Prices

Improving and maintaining good indoor air quality is key in asthma management and limiting the presence of irritants in the air in your home. Below are a few steps you can take to improve air quality in your home as found in the article Creating an Asthma-Safe Home by KidsHealth.

Improving Air Quality

• Don’t allow smoking in your home. Quit or smoke outside.
• Use unscented or non-aerosol varieties of household cleaning products.
• Verify that all your gas appliances are properly vented outside.
• Run air conditioning when pollen or mold counts are high or when there are ozone or pollution warnings.
• Change air conditioning filter regularly.
• Reducing the Presence of Dust Mites
• Vacuum and dust regularly.
• Avoid the use of feather or down pillows or comforters.
• Wash your children’s bedding in hot water and also dry it on a high setting.
• Cover mattresses, pillows and box springs with mite-proof covers. Regularly wipe down covers.
• Remove carpeting in your child’s room.
• Window coverings in your child’s room should be easily washed or cleaned. Horizontal blinds are not recommended as they accumulate dust on their multiple surfaces.
• Store children’s books in a room other than his or her bedroom
• Keep stuffed animals to a minimum. Favorite plush toys should be washed and dried regularly on the hot settings. Placing plush toys in a plastic bag in the freezer for a minimum of 5 hours will also kill any dust mites present.
• Avoid using a humidifier particularly in your child’s room.

Reducing Moisture and Mold

• Fix leaky pipes, faucets, or roofs. Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
• Make sure your bathrooms and basement are well ventilated. Install and use exhaust fans to help lower moisture in these areas.
• If you have any damp closets, clean them thoroughly and leave a 100-watt bulb on all the time to increase the temperature and dry out the air.
• Run a dehumidifier in the basement or other damp areas. It's important to empty and clean the water pan often.
• Remove wallpaper and wall-to-wall carpeting from bathrooms and basement rooms.
• Run the air conditioning (this is especially helpful if you have central air), making sure to change the filter monthly.
• Avoid houseplants, which may harbor mold in their soil.
• Clean any visible mold or mildew with a solution that's one part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water. Don't paint or caulk over moldy surfaces without cleaning them first.
• When painting bathrooms or other damp areas of your house, use anti-mildew paint.
• If there's visible mold on ceiling tiles, remove and replace them. Also check to see if there's a leaky pipe that may be causing the problem.
• Replace or wash moldy shower curtains.

Pets in the Home

• Keep pets outside. If you can't, at least keep them out of your child's bedroom and playroom.
• Wash and brush your pet every week.
• Make sure your child doesn't play with or touch your pet and keep him or her away from the litter box if you have a cat.
• Wash your hands every time you touch your pet.
• If you have a pet that lives in a cage, keep it in a room that your child doesn't spend time in regularly. Also, have someone other than your child clean the cage daily.

For more detail information and tips how to create an asthma-safe home visit the KidsHealth website and talk with your child’s doctor about their specific triggers.

Many of us have allergies, and children with asthma, and we want to ensure family members live and play in surroundings that won’t aggravate this chronic disease, and this starts at home. When it comes to children, we want to keep them as safe as possible; however the reality is we have little control over conditions outside of our own homes. By beginning with your own home you can implement a few no-cost or low-cost lifestyle changes that will help turn your house into an asthma safe home, for family members suffering from this condition.

Identifying the Triggers Allergens
If you are unsure what triggers are specific to your child, or children, with asthma, please consult your physician, as they will be able to help identify these triggers and advise you in this regard. Some of the more common triggers, allergens, found in our homes include:

 

 When deciding to sell your home it is important to take the steps necessary to ensure that the rooms in your home are properly “staged” to appeal to prospective buyers. This may harder than expected as we all have rooms in our home that may be on the smaller side and hard to decorate. What can really be done with a small room?

 

Below is a list of ten tips to help you open up the small spaces in your home to appear larger and inviting to prospective buyers.

 

 

1. The use of light colors such as pastels, neutrals and white are a better alternative to “bright” or dark colors.

 

1. For your furniture, rugs, etc. you should select different shades and textures of the one color you select from above.

 

1. Lighting is critical when trying to create an illusion of a larger space. Recessed lighting is ideal for smaller spaces. In the event that this option is too costly, torchiere lighting is a viable alternative as the light bounces off the ceiling and back into the room.

 

1. Declutter the room.

 

1. A light colored floor and ceiling will open up the room and make it appear larger.

 

1. Mirrors are a must as they add dimension to the room by reflecting images, light and colors. Mirrors provide a “see through” feel to the room.

 

1. Remove large bulky furniture from the room. One or two smaller pieces placed closer to the walls are better than one large piece of furniture in the middle of the room.

 

1. Don’t clutter the walls with a collection of pictures. Replace the many pictures with one larger picture or painting.

 

1. Take advantage of the view of your yard and bring the outside in by allowing prospective buyers to see out into your flowerbeds or gardens.

 

1. Glass tables such as a dining table, end table or coffee table will maintain the “open” and airy feel in a small space.

A reverse mortgage provides a way for seniors to borrow against the equity in their home with no repayment due until the homeowner dies, moves or sells. Any remaining equity after repayment goes to the borrower or the estate.

A reverse mortgage may be of benefit if:

You need cash assets or income and have no other source available.

You are unable or unwilling to sell your house.

You do not care what the costs are to get the income or assets you need. (Recent law has helped limit the outrageous costs of reverse mortgages.)

You have no concern about which assets are left to your heirs.

Make sure you thoroughly scrutinize all costs and provisions.

Other possible solutions to increase income or get to assets are selling the home to family members or establishing a home-equity credit line on the house.

— Drew Tignanelli, president of the Financial Consulate in Lutherville, Md.

Yes, if your sources of retirement income (savings, investments, pensions, Social Security) no longer cover your spending. But using the equity in your home should be a last resort after all other resources have been exhausted.

The payments to the homeowner from a reverse mortgage can be received in the form of a monthly annuity, lump sum or revolving line of credit. Compared with a typical home-equity line of credit, establishing a reverse mortgage carries significant fees, so the decision to obtain one should be extensively evaluated.

You should make sure it is a reverse mortgage under the Federal Housing Administration Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program so that mortgage insurance will cover the lender if the proceeds from the eventual sale of the home are not sufficient to pay the amount owed.

In the news lately you may have heard of the new website launched by the federal government - Making Home Affordable.   This new website offers online tools that will help today's homeowner determine if they are eligible to participate in the “Making Home Affordable” loan modification and refinancing program.

This site shares information about how this program works and who is eligible for assistance. This is the same $75 billion program you may have heard of recently in the media. You should have the following available:

* Information about your first mortgage, such as your monthly mortgage statement.

* Information about any second mortgage or home equity line of credit on the house.

* Account balances and minimum monthly payments due on all of your credit cards.

* Account balances and monthly payments on all your other debts such as student loans and car loans.

* Your most recent income tax return.

* Information about your savings and other assets * Information about the monthly gross (before tax) income of your household, including recent pay stubs if you receive them or documentation of income you receive from other sources.

* It may also be helpful to have:A letter describing any circumstances that caused your income to be reduced or expenses to be increased (job loss, divorce, illness, etc.) if applicable.

There are several programs out there right now, new energy tax credit, $8000 tax credit for first time home buyers, and long term interest rates lower than 5%. There is something for everyone. Check out these opportunities and see if any of them can help you or call me to discuss your current situation.  Together we can find a solution to your real estate needs.

Though a little wobble is typical for ceiling fans, significant wobble can be dangerous. Begin by checking for the source of the wobble. In many cases, wobble happens when a fan has been hung from a regular ceiling electrical box instead of an electrical box that’s rated for fans. Because of its weight and constant movement, a fan exerts far more force on the electrical box than does a light. if a fan works its way loose, it could come crashing down.

1) Unscrew and lower the bracket housing at the ceiling. Check the electrical box for a label that designates it as a fan-rated box. Also check to see how it’s fastened. U-bolts or lag screws should connect the metal box to a bracket or solid wood block in the attic.

2) If the fan hangs from the wrong type of box or is clearly under-supported, call a fan-installation specialist, an electrician, or a home handyperson to solve the problem.

3) If you can’t determine the type of support from below, you may have to climb into the attic and check, but before you do, follow steps 4 through 7 to see if these easier steps solve the problem.

4) Wiggle the support bracket. If it isn’t firm, tighten it.

5) If your fan hangs from a drop rod, as most do, be sure the ball joint at the top of the drop rod is properly engaged with the fan support bracket.

6) Check and, if necessary, tighten all bolts and screws.

7) Measure to see if the blade tips hang an even distance from the ceiling. If they don’t, one or more of the blades may be bent or warped. Report this to the manufacturer; most offer replacements.

Over the past few months we have focused on what the media is reporting and taking the economy issues very seriously which has affected our outlook.  Now is the time to take control of our personal and business issues and start plan of recovery of our own. 

A good way to begin refocusing on how to improve our business is through networking.  The San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce offers just that.  The Business Referral Network (BRN) represents a broad-based coalition of businesses throughout the San Mateo area. The BRN Mission is to enhance our businesses by building strong relationships through weekly communication and the exchange of leads, referrals, and contact information.

The San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the BRN group. Their objectives serve to complement the additional services and programs of the Chamber. BRN provides a forum for cohesive and dynamic interaction among business professionals focused on networking opportunities that result in prospective customers for your business.

For more information on joining the group, please contact the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce at 650-401-2440. We do limit ourselves to one member per category. The Chamber currently has a waiting list to form additional groups.

Visit the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce Monthly Calendar to visit the next meeting to see if this is a a group that can offer you what you need to create a better network for you and your business.

 

It's not much of a secret anymore, but home staging is a growing trend that can expedite the sale of your home and attract potential buyers.

To prepare, or "stage" your home it is a good idea to start with your front yard. This is where first impressions are formed. Ideally you want your yard to be tidy and well groomed.

Some things you can do to spruce up your yard could be:

• A thorough wash of the siding or fresh stain
• Lawns, shrubs and tress should be trimmed
• Flower beds and pots should be weed free

Once you have created an inviting and clean front yard, potential buyers will want to enter the home for a closer look. There are a few basic home staging techniques that you can follow for the interior of your home that may help seal the deal.

• All rooms and hallways should be clutter free
• Try to rid your home of any strong odors that may turn off potential buyers (i.e. pet odors, cigarette smells, or strong candle scents)
• Keep you "personal" knick knacks, collections and family photos to a bare minimum
• You may have some smaller rooms in your home. To have these rooms appear bigger, try removing some of the unnecessary or extra furniture

First impressions can make or break the sale of your home, so don't miss out. A little clean up can go a long way.

In today's real estate market every homeowner is asking the same question - What is the value of my home?  Samia Morgan of Samia Realty Group says that this is probably the number 1 question a homeowner will ask.  Most homeowners are not sure how to determine the value is this unsettling real estate market, so Samia if offering every homeowner in the San Mateo real estate market a complimentary comparative market analysis of their home.  If you live outside the San Mateo area Samia can refer you to an agent in your market who will be happy to prepare a CMA on your home. 

Samia offers the following information on how your homes price is determined and the factors involved.

Being informed and know what your home will sell for today will should be the first step in preparing to sell your home.  A home is worth what someone will pay for it. Everything else is an estimate of value. To determine a property's value, most people turn to either an appraisal or a comparative market analysis.

An appraisal is a certified appraiser's estimate amenities, energy efficiency, the quality of the of the value of a home at a given point in time. To make their determination, appraisers consider square footage, construction quality, design, floor plan, neighborhood and availability of transportation, shopping and schools. Appraisers also take lot size, topography, view and landscaping into account.

The list price is the price tag put on a house in a real estate listing; it usually is only an estimate of what the seller would like to get for the property. The sales price is the amount a property actually sells for. It may be the same as the listing price, or higher or lower, depending on how accurately the property was originally priced and on market conditions.

A seller may need to adjust the listing price if there have been no offers within the first few months of the property's listing period.

The appraisal value is a certified appraiser's estimate of the worth of a property, and is based on comparable sales, the condition of the property and numerous other factors. Lenders require appraisals as part of the loan application process; fees range from $200 to $300. Appraisers use several factors when estimating value including historical records, property performance, condition of the home and indices that forecast future value.

Market value is what price the house will bring at a given point in time. A comparative market analysis is an informal estimate of market value, based on sales of comparable properties, performed by a real estate agent or broker. Because brokers and agents are not state-certified appraisers, they may not perform appraisals in most states. Instead, they estimate the value of a property using a CMA.

You can do your own cost comparison by looking up recent sales of comparable properties in public records. These records are available at local recorder's or assessor's offices, through private companies or on the Internet. Neither of these services produce official appraisals. They also don't factor in market nuances or other issues a certified appraiser or real estate professional might in assessing the value of your home.