BEES AND HONEY!!!

I have a very good friend who recently purchased a home in the Western San Fernando Valley. At the inspection, it was determined that a large bee hive was present on the outside of the home. The owner removed the bee hive, and my friend thought that would be the end of the bees. Not so fast!....It turns out the bee hive was removed but the honey that the bees made was still present and the hole that the bees were using for their entrance and exit remained. The bees continued to go to the honey and began to enter the house through light fixtures etc. A second bee company had to go to the property and secure the hole and remove the honey as well. It is important to know that just because a bee hive is removed does not remove the bees...A good bee company would know that all parts must be removed to erradicate the problem. It was a lesson for me because I always thought that once the bee hive is removed the problem is gone....FYI

READY, SET GO....Prepare Yourself and Your Home Against Wildfires

Ready, Set, Go! is a program offered by the fire department to ensure that a homeowner living in a wildland fire area is familiar with the threat of wildfires and how to go about protecting your home against this threat..The homes that are in these areas must clear weeds by June 1, 2011. READY- teaches homeowners howe to make their home safe (defensible space, fire resistant landscaping, fire safe construction etc) and how to assemble emergency supplies and prepare evacuation routes. SET- teaches homeowners awareness during fire weather(back car into the driveway, assemble the things to take if evacuated, monitor property for embers, monitor the media for fire updates). GO - explains to homeowners why it is important to leave early and not wait for an evacuation order and therefore allowing firefighters room to do their job in protecting your home. Please visit www.vcreadysetgo.com for further valuable information

LOAN CHANGES AFFECTING ALL BUYERS

The loan limit which has been in place by FHA and conventional Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac at $729,950.00 is going down to $625,500.00 around September 2011. What does this mean for home buyers? A loan being obtained will be considered JUMBO if it is higher than $625,500.00. For qualified buyers obtaining a jumbo loan will be more challenging, but there are loans out there if you have good lenders who will shop for the best financing possible. The reduction by the government will hopefully make buyers realize that it is still such a good time to buy a home due to the low interest rates and the buyers ability to borrow. Further, lenders have lowered the requirement on FICO scores on FHA loans to 580, which will allow a new pool of buyers into the real estate market. Purchasing power has never been better, and when the changes do take place with the lowering of the conforming amount, buyers will ask why did I not know this was happening and take advantage by buying a property prior to the change in September 2011.

OPEN HOUSE - BE SMART AND SAFE

I was informed recently that a realtor was holding an Open House on a Sunday afternoon when a stranger entered the property and took the realtors' life! Although we all try to avoid situations that can be harmful to us, do we ever really stop to think about the danger of holding an Open House?

Think about it..No one would ever let a complete stranger walk through their own residence. Yet, we allow perfect strangers into our Open Houses. We do not know most of the people who attend an Open House, yet we freely open up a property to anyone who may be "our next buyer".

I have always made it a rule to never sit an Open House alone for many reasons. First and foremost, for my own personal safety. Secondly, I have been entrusted with a person's residence. I do not know what valuables are in the property, and if there are two pairs of eyes watching people, the chance of any issues arising is reduced. Third, no one knows what the personal circumstances are with a particular property owner and it is best to not be along in the event that someone enters the house to do harm to the residence.

We all need to take a moment and realize that our own personal safety is first and foremost. No amount of money on a sale can be worth our lives. Please take a friend, spouse or neighbor with you on your next Open House and be smart and safe.

Title Insurance - Real or a Myth?

The purchase of a home is one of the most expensive and important purchases you will ever make. You and your mortgage lender will want to make sure the property is indeed yours and that no one else has any lien, claim or encumbrance on your property.

Title insurers work to identify and eliminate risk before issuing a title insurance policy. Title insurance will indemnify a property against loss under the terms of your policy. Title companies work in advance of issuing your policy to identify and eliminate potential risks and therefore prevent losses caused by title defects that may have been created in the past.

Buyers and lenders in real estate transactions need title insurance. Both want to know that the property they are involved with is insured against certain title defects. These defects could be liens, lot line adjustments or a person could claim ownership that they have a lien across your land etc.

In essence, by acquiring your policy, you derive the important knowledge that recorded matters have been searched and examined so that title insurance covering your property can be issued. Because a title policy is a risk eliminator, the probability of exercising your right to make a claim is very low.

WHAT IS A HOME WARRANTY?

A home warranty is a one year service contract that covers repairs and or replacement of a home's major mechanical systems and appliances.

Benefits of a home warranty include peace of mind, and cash flow protection. The cost of a repair or replacement of a covered system or appliance is the home warranty company's responsibility not the homeowner. There is a low trade call fee of approximately $55.00 and this only requires a phone call. Coverage is renewable year after year. In most instances, the home warranty policy pays for itself after the one or two calls.

Did you know that anyone can purchse a home warranty. Whether it is for a main residence or rental property. You do not have have to buying a home. It can be purchased at any time.

Think about the cost of a roof repair? Speaking from experience, a good roof warranty which can be obtained separate from the regular policy will more than pay for itself if you have a leak....In certain cases, a new roof can be obtained with very little cost to the homeowner who is protected under a roof policy.

We all know the costs to maintain a home, it is just some food for thought.

Earthquake Preparedness, Helping Japan and Enjoying Springtime with Hummingbirds.

http://ewingsir.com/author/lorieinhorn/

KINDNESS OF A STRANGER

I just recently returned from traveling to London, England. My observation of the people and their genuine kindness was so powerful that I wanted to share my experience. Whether I was asking for directions, a good place to dine, or just saying a friendly hello, everyone took the time to help. My impression was that the people were mostly warm and very friendly. It is so important to everyone to try and make a kind gesture each day, not only to help out someone with a simple act of kindness, but it makes us feel really good as well. We are always in such a hurry that we forget how easy it is to be nice to others...