Easy low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy.
• Install a programmable thermostat
to keep your house comfortably
warm in the winter and comfortably
cool in the summer.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs
with the ENERGY STAR® label.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your
dishwasher’s drying cycle.
• Turn off your computer and monitor
when not in use.
• Plug home electronics, such as TVs
and DVD players, into power strips;
turn the power strips off when the
equipment is not in use (TVs and
DVDs in standby mode still use
several watts of power).
• Lower the thermostat on your
hot water heater to 120°F.
• Take short showers instead of
baths.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and
clothes.
• Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving
(speeding, rapid acceleration and
braking) wastes gasoline.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR label
on home appliances and products.
ENERGY STAR products meet strict
efficiency guidelines set by the
U.S. Department of Energy and the
Environmental Protection Agency.
• Visit www.energysavers.gov for more energy-saving ideas
Source: National Association of Realtors
Monday, July 27, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Free Annual Credit Report Information
Did you know that according to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you are entitled to a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit agencies? I am finding out that some people are aware of this and others are not, so I thought this information would be helpful to post.
Some websites and advertisements indicate that the credit reports are free but they require you to purchase something else, take a survey, subscribe to a service, or participate in some other activity in order to get your free reports. You have to be careful of those kinds of gimmicks when sharing your personal information. However, there is only one website (that I am aware of) that doesn't require you to do anything or purchase anything in order to get your truly free annual credit reports. The nation's three credit reporting agencies have teamed up and built a website to provide you with your free annual credit reports. The site is recommended by the government and your reports are available immediately, if you have the ability to download them. The website is: http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ . I use this website nearly every year and I have never had any problems and I have always gotten my reports truly free with no gimmicks. Give the website a try.
If needed, below are the three main agencies and their united and individual contact information:
Main Phone number to request all three reports: 877-322-8228
Equifax Information Services, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, Ga. 30374, 800-685-1111, http://www.equifax.com/.
Experian, P.O. Box 2104, Allen, Texas 75013, 888-397-3642, http://www.experian.com/.
TransUnion Corp., P.O. Box 390, Springfield, Pa. 19064, 800-916-8800, http://www.transunion.com/.
Jennene Shanholtz, REALTOR®
Email: jennenes.vegasrealestate@yahoo.com
Some websites and advertisements indicate that the credit reports are free but they require you to purchase something else, take a survey, subscribe to a service, or participate in some other activity in order to get your free reports. You have to be careful of those kinds of gimmicks when sharing your personal information. However, there is only one website (that I am aware of) that doesn't require you to do anything or purchase anything in order to get your truly free annual credit reports. The nation's three credit reporting agencies have teamed up and built a website to provide you with your free annual credit reports. The site is recommended by the government and your reports are available immediately, if you have the ability to download them. The website is: http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ . I use this website nearly every year and I have never had any problems and I have always gotten my reports truly free with no gimmicks. Give the website a try.
If needed, below are the three main agencies and their united and individual contact information:
Main Phone number to request all three reports: 877-322-8228
Equifax Information Services, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, Ga. 30374, 800-685-1111, http://www.equifax.com/.
Experian, P.O. Box 2104, Allen, Texas 75013, 888-397-3642, http://www.experian.com/.
TransUnion Corp., P.O. Box 390, Springfield, Pa. 19064, 800-916-8800, http://www.transunion.com/.
Jennene Shanholtz, REALTOR®
Email: jennenes.vegasrealestate@yahoo.com
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Build-A-Bear Workshop ® Experience
I have had some really wonderful bonding experiences with my six year old granddaughter, Alexis at a place called Build-A-Bear Workshop ® and I wanted to share a little of them on my blog. I am sure that many of you have heard of Build-A-Bear Workshop ® since it has been around for nearly 12 years. I had been in the store before but never really lived through the experience of it until recently. My granddaughter and I love bears so much that we decided it was time to experience this fine establishment together.
Build-A-Bear Workshop ® is an innovative retail company and a family-friendly fun entertainment place. The stores are places where kids and adults have fun creating customized furry bears and other friends. To make their stuffed teddy bear or other furry friend, "guests" (i.e. kids and adults of any age) visit a round of bear-making stations.
We began our experience at the "choose me" station by having Alexis pick out her bear, well she chose a puppy to be exact. Next we visited the sound station where she was able to choose a sound or tune for her furry puppy friend. Then she proceeded to the "stuff me" station where the store associate or master bear associate as they call them, stuffs the furry friend but with the guest's foot assistance. Then the associate inserts a heart but only after a wish is made on it by Alexis. The associate then inserts a barcode so that if the animal is lost it can be returned to any Build-A-Bear Workshop ® and its owner (Alexis) can be identified. Then the associate inserts the sound in the animal's paw and stitches the animal up. Then Alexis proceeds to the "fluff me" station or spa where she brushes and fluffs her puppy. Then she heads to the "dress me" station where she can pick out an outfit for her new furry friend. There is a mirror and vanity for us to sit and try clothes on her new furry friend. Once we found just the right outfit, we then headed to the "name me" station. It is there that Alexis sat at a computer and decided on a name for her new furry puppy friend. She names her 1st new furry puppy friend "Angel" and later her second puppy friend "Abby". She then begins to type the name and other information on the computer for its birth certificate. Once completed, the birth certificate is printed and we head to the "take me home" station. This is where we pay for her new friend and all its trimmings. She also receives a stuff club member card, some matching bows for her furry friend and a cub condo carrying case for her new furry friend. We also learned all about buildabearville.com, an amazing and educational virtual experience for the guest and their furry new friend. That is a whole other wonderful and exciting thing to blog about! Build-A-Bear Workshop ® is truly a special treat or unique gift for any child of any age. During our visits we saw girls and boys of all ages having fun with this educational and fun experience. They have so much to offer and do. What a joy!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Las Vegas Breaks Record For Monthly Home Sales
Now here is a positive Las Vegas housing article to post on my blog!
Las Vegas breaks record for monthly homes sales
By Brian Wargo (contact) Wednesday, July 8, 2009 11:27 a.m.
What housing slowdown?
Las Vegas set a record in June with more existing homes sold than any other month in history, according to the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors. The group reported 4,702 single-family homes, town houses and condominiums were sold in June, topping the previous record of 4,414 sales in June 2004. Most of last month’s sales were existing homes, but the Realtors also handle some new homes.
In addition to the record number of sales, the median price of homes held its own for the first time in nearly two years. The median price of single-family homes sold in June was $140,000 — the same as May. That’s the first time there wasn’t a decrease in prices since August 2007 when they rose 1.7 percent. Prices have fallen 38 percent since June 2008 and 55 percent since the peak of $315,000 in June 2006. “I think it’s significant that we sold a record number of homes last month. We’ve been closing in on this mark for a few months,” Sue Naumann, president of the Realtors’ group, said in a statement. Naumann said it’s positive for the economy to have housing prices stabilize, especially when bank-owned properties are still dominating the market.
There is a strong demand from first-time buyers and investors, Naumann said.
In June, 3,785 single-family homes sold, a 16 percent increase over May and a 70 percent jump from June 2008. Also, 917 condominiums and town houses sold last month, a 24 percent increase over May and a 212 percent increase from June 2008. The median price of town houses and condos sold in June was $66,000, a 1.5 percent increase over May. The price is 52 percent below where it was a year ago.
Las Vegas breaks record for monthly homes sales
By Brian Wargo (contact) Wednesday, July 8, 2009 11:27 a.m.
What housing slowdown?
Las Vegas set a record in June with more existing homes sold than any other month in history, according to the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors. The group reported 4,702 single-family homes, town houses and condominiums were sold in June, topping the previous record of 4,414 sales in June 2004. Most of last month’s sales were existing homes, but the Realtors also handle some new homes.
In addition to the record number of sales, the median price of homes held its own for the first time in nearly two years. The median price of single-family homes sold in June was $140,000 — the same as May. That’s the first time there wasn’t a decrease in prices since August 2007 when they rose 1.7 percent. Prices have fallen 38 percent since June 2008 and 55 percent since the peak of $315,000 in June 2006. “I think it’s significant that we sold a record number of homes last month. We’ve been closing in on this mark for a few months,” Sue Naumann, president of the Realtors’ group, said in a statement. Naumann said it’s positive for the economy to have housing prices stabilize, especially when bank-owned properties are still dominating the market.
There is a strong demand from first-time buyers and investors, Naumann said.
In June, 3,785 single-family homes sold, a 16 percent increase over May and a 70 percent jump from June 2008. Also, 917 condominiums and town houses sold last month, a 24 percent increase over May and a 212 percent increase from June 2008. The median price of town houses and condos sold in June was $66,000, a 1.5 percent increase over May. The price is 52 percent below where it was a year ago.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Nevada Foreclosure Process - Steps, Timeframes and Resources
I’ve been getting a lot of inquiries about the timelines and steps in the foreclosure process, so I thought I would post some information here on my blog. The following information is excerpted from a foreclosure course taught by Arthur Marvin of Business Seminars for Success. Visit his website for more information and his ebook entitled: "21 Ways to Stop Foreclosure"
The Foreclosure Process in the state of Nevada typically takes about 6 months from the time the Notice of Default is filed to the Eviction of the homeowner.
Notice of Default starts the foreclosure process - it is prepared, recorded, mailed, posted, published and a copy sent to all parties (owner, all lenders, IRS, local, state, and federal tax agencies) who have an interest in the property.
Reinstatement Period (month 1) - starts on the first day the notice of default is recorded. This is a 35 day period in which the homeowner can reinstate the loan by making any back payments, foreclosure fees and other allowable expenses.
Redemption Period (months 2-3) - starts on day 36 from the recorded date of the Notice of Default. Now the homeowner is now responsible for paying the remaining loan balance along with all foreclosure fees and other allowable expenses. It should also be noted that approximately 10 days before the end of the redemption period, the trustee will notify the lender for permission to prepare the Notice of Trustee Sale for publication.
Publication Period (month 4) means the Notice of Sale must be published once a week for three consecutive weeks (21 days) prior to the Trustee Sale.
Trustee Sale (month 5) is the final step in the foreclosure process and it is extremely important to remember the homeowner has no right of redemption after the sale is finalized. If there is a successful bidder at the sale, the new owner will purchase the property in "as is" condition with no warranties. If there are no bidders at the sale, the lender becomes the sole owner as an REO (Real Estate Owned).
Eviction (month 6) process starts after the Trustee Sale is finalized. The eviction process is initiated by posting a 3 day Notice to Quit on the property. If there is no response, the new owner will file a 5 day Eviction Notice with the court. If there is no response by 5pm on the 5th day, the Constable will evict the resident.
Additional Resources:
Nevada Foreclosure Help Useful resources and info from Nevada Department of Business & Industry
Nevada Revised Statutes - Chapter 107 - Deeds of Trust
Nevada Foreclosure Law Summary
Jennene Shanholtz, REALTOR®
Email: jennenes.vegasrealestate@yahoo.com
The Foreclosure Process in the state of Nevada typically takes about 6 months from the time the Notice of Default is filed to the Eviction of the homeowner.
Notice of Default starts the foreclosure process - it is prepared, recorded, mailed, posted, published and a copy sent to all parties (owner, all lenders, IRS, local, state, and federal tax agencies) who have an interest in the property.
Reinstatement Period (month 1) - starts on the first day the notice of default is recorded. This is a 35 day period in which the homeowner can reinstate the loan by making any back payments, foreclosure fees and other allowable expenses.
Redemption Period (months 2-3) - starts on day 36 from the recorded date of the Notice of Default. Now the homeowner is now responsible for paying the remaining loan balance along with all foreclosure fees and other allowable expenses. It should also be noted that approximately 10 days before the end of the redemption period, the trustee will notify the lender for permission to prepare the Notice of Trustee Sale for publication.
Publication Period (month 4) means the Notice of Sale must be published once a week for three consecutive weeks (21 days) prior to the Trustee Sale.
Trustee Sale (month 5) is the final step in the foreclosure process and it is extremely important to remember the homeowner has no right of redemption after the sale is finalized. If there is a successful bidder at the sale, the new owner will purchase the property in "as is" condition with no warranties. If there are no bidders at the sale, the lender becomes the sole owner as an REO (Real Estate Owned).
Eviction (month 6) process starts after the Trustee Sale is finalized. The eviction process is initiated by posting a 3 day Notice to Quit on the property. If there is no response, the new owner will file a 5 day Eviction Notice with the court. If there is no response by 5pm on the 5th day, the Constable will evict the resident.
Additional Resources:
Nevada Foreclosure Help Useful resources and info from Nevada Department of Business & Industry
Nevada Revised Statutes - Chapter 107 - Deeds of Trust
Nevada Foreclosure Law Summary
Jennene Shanholtz, REALTOR®
Email: jennenes.vegasrealestate@yahoo.com
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