Modesto Real Estate – Luz Martinez

AN American bank is facing a lawsuit after one of its contractors confiscated a mortgage holder’s pet parrot and padlocked her house while she was away.

In a lawsuit filed this week, Angela Iannelli, 46, of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania, said that she was so distressed at being separated from her 10-year-old Blue Macaw, Luke, that she turned to prescription drugs for anxiety, The Wall Street Journal reports.

A spokesman for the Bank of America said the incident was due to inappropriate instructions as Ms Iannelli was not in default.

The bank would “quickly review the allegations in the lawsuit, the actual events that led to them and the causes of those events, and consider any hardship that resulted,” The Wall Street Journal reports.

In her civil law suit, Ms Iannelli said the contractor entered her house last October while she was away. The contractor then stopped her utility services, cut the water lines and took the parrot.

She accused bank representatives of being unhelpful and said she had to go to the office of the contractor to retrieve the bird herself.

The bird was initially nervous but is “doing very well now”, Ms Iannelli told the paper.

Ms Iannelli is seeking damages of more than US$50,000 in damages.

The National Association of Professional Women recently kicked off the NAPW/Urban League of Essex County “Open Doorways” Program.

Eight of our professional women members have volunteered to become a mentor to a middle school girl who is part of the Urban League after-school program in Newark, NJ.

During the kick-off event, the volunteers were paired with their 12-14 year-old mentees, and instant connections were made! For an entire school semester, each NAPW mentor will be in contact with her Urban League mentee, either during their once-a-month meeting, or at least once a week by phone or email.

Darrin Sharif, Director of Operations of the Urban League Essex County, noted, “the greatest gift someone can give is their time.” We are truly inspired by the eight, incredible NAPW women who are dedicating their time, with one even driving more than two hours to come to Newark to meet with the girls.

CLICK HERE to read the full story.

It’s good to be frugal, thrifty and un-wasteful. But there’s a fine line between being sparing and being stingy. No one wants to wear the title of cheap tightwad. So here are seven ways to become a more generous penny-pincher.

1. Give, give, give. This is finance 101. Charitable donations equal tax breaks. That means donating done throughout the year turns into an added bonus come April 15. This is not limited to just cash donations. Your old clothes, computer, even your car can be counted as a donation. Read up on the rules, but remember the charity isn’t the only one that cashes in when you give.

2. Leave a nice tip. Time for a pop quiz. You buy a coffee. The total is $2.59. You give the cashier $3. What do you do with the remaining $.41? If you responded, “put it in my pocket,” you may be on the verge of becoming a tightwad. Instead, try dropping that change into the coffee cup next to the cash register marked “thanks a latte.” If the service is good, if the food is tasty, if the waiter smiles, leave a reward. Fifteen to 20 percent is pretty standard at restaurants these days. Who knows, leaving a nice tip could get you on the barista’s good side. And maybe someday she’ll reward you with a free cup of joe.

3. It’s all about who you know. In a world where connections are often king, being faithful to the same businesses could equal rewards down the road. Being a friendly, loyal customer means a lot — especially to locally-owned businesses. Learn the employees’ names. Better yet, learn their kids’ names. To show customer appreciation they’ll pass along discounts and to those who are especially friendly- maybe even some freebies.

Read More at ‘The Bargainist’

THE SCAM: Roofing rip-offs

• HOW IT WORKS: When bad weather arrives, so do some bad folks posing as roofers. But the only thing professional- grade about their work is the effort they put into getting your money. They may promise to repair that leaky roof, but at best they’ll deliver a temporary fix that disappears as quickly as the sun behind those rain clouds.

• WHAT’S AT STAKE: Your money and any credit card or personal financial information you provide.

HOW TO BEAT IT: Resist the urge to hire someone right off the street. Take the time to check references and make sure the roofing firm you hire has appropriate licensing and insurance. Local firms that have operated for many years have a lengthy track record that can be verified through the Better Business Bureau, professional organizations and references. The key is to do your homework. It might take a little longer to get that leaky roof fixed properly, but the chances of staying dry are a lot better.

For a look at past scams, go to :
Read more: http://www.modbee.com/2010/02/06/1038699/scam-alert-roofers-nail-rainy.html#ixzz0hzLalAOF

Read more: http://www.modbee.com/2010/03/04/1074733/fha-program-helps-home-buyers.html#ixzz0hKdOJxCy

You never know what you’ll get when it comes to neighbors.

They can be messy, throw noisy parties, or use your property without permission. But they might also be supportive, respectful, and there for you when you really need someone. So, what makes a good neighbor? And how can you improve upon our neighborliness?

First, we should note  the very definition of neighbor is flexible. If you live in the country, your nearest neighbor could be a mile away. In town you might live so close to your neighbor you can see in their living room window (whether you want to or not). For John and Kathy Johnson of rural Milaca, they were grateful when their neighbors, Lisa and Eric Lommen, built next door.Sitting at the Johnson’s dining room table, cookies and coffee at hand, Lisa told how the Lommens initiated contact by “checking out” their future neighbors the year before they built.

The Lommens were pleasantly surprised when John, who has planted nearly 1,000 evergreens on their 10 acres, took them for a walk, showed them around and told them all he could about the neighborhood.

Their neighboring friendship began before the Lommens even moved in. Three years later, the Lommens can’t say enough about the Johnsons. “Every time I call and ask for help, and you know I don’t like to ask for help, he’s always there,” Lisa said of John.

One time Lisa locked her keys in her car, so she called the Johnsons. Less than a half hour later, after locating spare keys in the Lommen’s home, John was there to save the day.

“It’s being able to trust, count on, and communicate with them,” Lisa said of her neighbors. “Even my kids want to hang out with them. “To have a person pay that much attention to you, it makes you feel very special.”

“That’s all part of being a good neighbor,” John said humbly. “You can extend that neighborliness to others – some will accept that and others won’t.” The neighbors relayed stories of bringing each other homemade meals, hunting together, driving each other to places at the last minute.

Lisa told how John once drove her husband Eric to the emergency room because she was a half hour away in the opposite direction. “They’re always willing to lend a hand,” Lisa said. “In a world where we meet each other coming and going, it’s so reassuring to know there are people that are still willing to lend a helping hand.”

John, a retired police officer and commercial pilot, said, “I could go back to my Sunday school days and quote the two big commandants.”

He was referring to Matthew 22:37, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

“It doesn’t just take a parent to raise your kid,” Lisa said, “it takes neighbors, coaches, pastors, friends.” And the Johnsons have become like grandparents to the Lommen’s sons.

Meet your neighbors There has been talk of a neighborhood block party and during the interview it was decided that’s just what the neighbors need. “That’s our goal Lisa,” Kathy, a retired homecare worker, said.

So John graciously appointed Lisa as chairman of the block party committee, while saying the party could be held at the Johnson’s home. They encourage other neighborhoods to have a block party to get to know each other. Find out who lives in that pretty yellow house, or who owns the horses. You might find out you’ve got a neighbor who could use a little help now and then, or maybe they could help you.

“I’ll trade you a fajita mix for a taco mix,” Lisa said of an easy exchange. You might even make a new friend. For the Lommens and the Johnsons, their neighbor-status is so much more now, as they’ve clearly become friends. Sure some neighbors may not be the ones you’d pick, if you had a choice. But John says the best thing you can do is try to resolve any issues. There’s a feeling of accomplishment when that happens, he said.

Of course, you don’t have to host a block party. Simply stop over and meet that neighbor you’ve never talked with before. If you can’t do that, at least wave and smile at your neighbor.

As Lisa said, “It’s the simple things.”

Of course, there’s also the ripple effect.

You say something or do something kind for someone, they’re likely to pass that on to another. Not only is a neighbor defined as one in close proximity, it’s also defined as one’s fellow human being. It really comes down to the age-old saying, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

~From Mille Lacs County Times

by Robert Hunsberger, Sales Representative

Getting your home ready for sale can take anywhere from one to six months, depending on the condition, age of the house and how long you’ve lived there.

So before you list your house, go over the property to determine what needs to be repaired or possibly replaced. Make a list of both major and minor jobs. Tackle big projects first.

It’s tempting to wait until the home inspection and offer to adjust the price in lieu of repairs, but doing so may put the entire sale in jeopardy and may ultimately cost more. Buyers generally tack on extra dollars to any estimate. Most importantly, a major repair left undone creates the impression that the house has not been maintained.

So here is a timeline to help you prepare your home for sale:

6 Months

Besides looking at major systems, a home inspectors will test outlets, run appliances, and turn on faucets. Take this time to fix any obvious problems. You will have to make the repair eventually, so it’s in your interest to do it done ahead of time.

 For dated kitchens and baths consider a minor facelift such as re-facing or painting cabinets, replacing dated appliances and/or installing new countertops. Modernize lighting by replacing old fluorescent ceiling fixtures with recessed lights and/or pendants.

 Historically a minor kitchen renovation recoups a sizable portion, sometimes even all, of the dollars spent and makes a home more competitive. Still, it is important not to over improve compared to similar homes in the neighbourhood and price range.

 If cracked faux or cultured marble sinks and countertops in bathrooms can’t be repaired, replace them. Even inexpensive laminate is an improvement. Often this change, coupled with new accessories and paint, will neutralize dated tile.

 Whatever the season, be sure to take photos to show potential buyers landscaping or views at their best. And as early as possible, fertilize to give shrubs and the lawn a jump start. The payoff comes when the yard is greener than any nearby.

 3 Months

Begin to clean and de-clutter the home. Anything that may make a buyer feel uncomfortable such as grime in corners or grubby grout has to be eliminated.

 Clean out closets, cabinets and drawers so they appear spacious and well organized. If you appear cramped, buyers assume they will be too. Box the overflow and store off site if necessary.

 Don’t forget the garage. Make sure the door mechanism operates smoothly.

 Continue replacing inexpensive items that date a home. Exchange brass hardware for brushed nickel or oil rubbed bronze. While making this change, depending on the style of the house, consider replacing traditional knobs with levered handles which are more current.

 Nothing renews a house faster than paint. Some experts recommend painting the ceilings if it’s been more than 10 years since the last paint job since it immediately brightens a room.

 Tame colors that overwhelm or are passé. If you can’t part with them, leave the old color on one wall for an accent. The same holds true for wallpaper. You don’t have to remove every shred, but enough to ensure a feeling of continuity throughout the house.

 Traditional advice was to paint everything white; the new neutrals, warm beiges and taupes, cozy up rooms without closing them in. To really make a room pop, use white on the trim or as an accent.

 Begin your own market research as soon as possible. Pay attention to what’s newly listed and selling in your neighbourhood. Go to open houses; nothing will give you a better fix on what buyers will expect from your home.

1 Month

Fine tune everything. With major cleaning and de-cluttering completed, go back to see what you’ve overlooked. Make everything shine. Wash windows and even consider removing screens where it is practical to do so. Even the smallest detail like dusting the water heater lends to the impression that the house is well maintained.

 Have the carpets cleaned, especially if you have pets, just before you begin showing the house. If you have a cat, be vigilant about maintaining the litter box.

 To keep kitchen counters clear, plan for areas to store small appliances. Also stash mail and magazines.

All of this advance work makes it much easier to maintain the home while it’s being shown.

6 Things you Should Know

Scams aren’t always easy to spot – but it helps if you know the warning signs to look for. Here are six red flags to indicate that you may be dealing with a loan modification scammer:

 ~ original story from http://www.loanscamalert.org/