Fall Thermostat Check

Fall Thermostat Check

Old thermostats are fine as a simple on/off switch for your furnace but still a culprit for wasted energy and bigger heating bills. The good news is that replacing an older unit usually doesn't require professional help. You can purchase a replacement at your local hardware store and follow the enclosed instructions.

The Romans were the first society to invent the indoor heating system by running hot water underneath their marble floors. But the ability to control the temperature would have to wait until 1883 when Warren S. Johnson invented the first electric thermostat.

There were earlier attempts to create thermostats but none as precise as Johnson's, which was accurate to a single degree. And while your thermostat probably isn't that old, if you live in a home built before 1980, yours could still be costing you money.

Most modern thermostat troubles can be fixed simply by replacing the batteries. Turn off the heating system power and remove the cover according to your user manual. While you're in there, gently dust and remove corrosion from any visible parts.

You can also check to be sure the unit is level on the wall and located about five feet off the ground for the most accurate read. Consider relocating any thermostat placed where the temperature isn't consistent with rest of the house (this may require the help of a licensed HVAC contractor).

 

Kim Duclos

Wardley Real Estate

(702) 521-3939 

Stay Warm this Holiday Season 

Identity Theft

Identity Theft 
 

There are 6 ways to prevent identity theft 

 1.  Don't Grab WI-FI:  

We may be technology road warriors, but signing on to an insecure WI-FI, which includes any public-use networks, can leave you open to identity theft as well as other problems.  At a minimum, take steps to reduce your exposure, like only visiting sites that us https, or use a service that encrypts traffic like Hotspot Shield VPN.

2.  Be Careful and Original With Passwords:  

Don't use the same passwords on your social networking sites as your email, bank accounts, admin accounts etc...  Consider using a password wallet ap for keeping track of your passwords, but again, one that has the highest encryption standards.  

CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD OFTEN

3.  Keep Your Credit Cards Safe:  

Many credit and debit cards now contain RFID (radio frequency identification) strips which allows the convenience of "waving" them at registers.  The only problem is that thieves can purchase a machine on line that will do the same thing and steal your information by merely standing near you in public...YIKES!  

4.  Protect Your Mobile Devices 

Of course you keep your anti-virus program up to date and use a good firewall on your PC or Mac., but are you protecting your tablet computer and your smartphone too?  You should!

There are many option to choose from, so for a fee... try Kaspersky Mobile Security for an Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and Symbian devises.

5.  Get An Annual Credit Check Up:   

You can receive a free credit report once a year by requesting it from the AnnualCreditReport.com 

Do it then read the results to see if there are any inconsistencies.

6.  Be Careful Online:  Avoid phishing attempts by typing in the URL to the sites you want to access and logging in manually, rather than clicking on a link in an unrequested email from any banking, social networking, auction, financial or IT sites.

You can also visit the Federal Trade Commission's site at: ftc.gov

For your real estate needs, please give me a call 

(888) 949-2890 toll free

(702) 521-3939 direct cell

Smoke Free Housing in Las Vegas

Smoke Free Housing in Las Vegas Nevada......

 

Check it out!  Are you looking for or have a rental being offered as a smoke free home? 

Check this out...... @ TobaccoProgram@snhdmail.org

 

Get Healthy Clark County has a program for people to utilize if they are looking for an entire community or home that bans smoking.  Yes, here in Las Vegas, it is possible to find a smoke free environment.  

 

Through the website you can also find smoke free businesses as well as child care and many other useful tips.

 

Check out the link for smoke free living guides:  http://www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org/live-tobacco-free/nciaa-guides.php

For all your real estate needs, please call me at (702) 521-3939 or toll free at (888) 949-2890

Kim Duclos 

 Wardley Real Estate 

4 Things you Might not Know about Your Cell Phone

http://www.CallKim.net

 GOOD TO KNOW INFO!!

 4 Things you might not have known about your Cell Phone 

For all the folks with cell phones. (This should be printed and kept in your car, purse, and wallet. Good information to have with you.)
There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies.
Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival.

Check out the things that you can do with it:

FIRST (Emergency)
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

SECOND (Hidden Battery Power)

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time.

THIRD (How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone? )
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following Digits on your phone:
*#06# .   A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset Write it down and keep it somewhere safe.  If your phone is stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

And Finally....

FORTH (Free Directory Service for Cells)

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial:
(800) FREE411 or (800) 373-3411
without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

Kim Duclos

Wardley Real Estate

(702) 521-3939

(888) 949-2890

Change is Never Easy

Change is never easy to accept.  We like things just the way they have always been.  It is important to remember that if change is not embraced, the future will not be positive.  It was not easy for people to give up their horses for cars, but imagine our lives without cars.  Phones were at one time in history a luxury, and now the phone travels with us.  If houses do not keep pace with the needs of people today, the neighborhood will soon be put out to pasture just like the horse.

We face such ever changing times in real estate.  Here in Las Vegas,  Assembly Bill 284 has practically halted the foreclosure process, but has forced banks into a more cooperative stance with short sales.  The process can be a nightmare and uncertain.  When we do reach a successful close, it is a positive, whether the buyer be an investor, first time home buyer, vacation home buyer etc...

Real Estate is "Real" and now is a good time to buy.  We are fortunate here in the United States to have the opportunities available to us in Real Estate.  Forget the naysayers....... think ahead and buy now.

Kim Duclos
Wardley Real Estate
(888) 949-2890

(702) 521-3939
www.CallKim.net

FORECLOSURES AND SHORT SALES, HOW THEY WORK

FORECLOSURES AND SHORT SALES, HOW THEY WORK

By Sue Saunders, NVAR General Counsel

As we all know, the real estate market has taken another extreme twist, that of
“short sales” and/or foreclosures. Dealing with transactions which involve short
sales and/or foreclosures is filled with new challenges and the need for special
knowledge. Because of the extraordinary know-how necessary to represent
clients in a short sale, agents are compelled to become educated in this field.
Pre-foreclosure Period
Initially, it is necessary to know Nevada’s foreclosure laws. Nevada foreclosures
are primarily accomplished out of court. An out-of-court foreclosure in Nevada
can be completed in about four months.
In Nevada, most mortgages allow lenders to sell a property once an owner
defaults without having to file a lawsuit. A lender begins the foreclosure process
by recording a notice of default with the county recorder and mailing the notice to
the borrower. A borrower or any secondary lender has 35 days from the date the
default notice is recorded to pay off the default and stop the foreclosure.
At least three months after recording the notice of default, the lender can
schedule a foreclosure sale if the borrower has not paid off the default amount.
Notice of Sale/Auction
A trustee (third party named in the deed of trust) carries out the foreclosure sale
(also referred to as a public sale). A notice of sale is posted at least 20 days
before the trustee sale date in three public places and published in a local
newspaper once a week for three weeks. The notice of sale is also mailed to the
affected parties.
The sale may be at the trustee’s office and anyone may bid. The winning bidder
has to pay the full bid amount in cash or cashier’s check to the trustee. If the
sale is postponed, a public announcement is made at the time and place of the
sale. After the sale, the trustee transfers ownership to the winning bidder.
An out-of-court foreclosure provides the winning bidder with clear title, and there
is no redemption period for the borrower after an out-of-court foreclosure sale.
Although court foreclosures are uncommon in Nevada, they are possible under
certain circumstances.
Short Sales
If the borrower is faced with foreclosure, he/she may try a last-ditch effort to
avoid foreclosure by the short sale. If the borrower is unable to pay the
mortgage, he/she may negotiate with the lender to accept a discounted payoff on
the loan. This is called a “short sale” or “short payoff”. A short sale occurs when
the value of the property is less than the amount owed to the lender, and the
lender agrees to write off the difference. It allows the borrower to avoid a
foreclosure action, and may offer the lender an expedited and less costly
resolution to the situation.
Most lenders have specific criteria to consider a short sale that relate to the
borrower’s ability to repay the debt.
An agent representing a seller in a short sale has several more steps to complete
the transaction than in the ordinary sale of a home. These extra steps involve
working with the lender.
! Each lender will have its own set of rules, so the agent needs to be sure to
talk with the appropriate department for its list of requirements.
! Inquire about the time frames for all processing, and send everything requested as soon as possible.
! Be aware of the foreclosure date (if any) and ask for a postponement if  possible.
! Discuss the benefits of a short sale with the lender.
! Confirm everything in writing.
! Collect all the contact information (including physical address and/or
delivery options) of the appropriate person or department at the bank or
lending institution.
Negotiate a purchase price with the lender including:
" Commission
" Repair costs
" Escrow
" Title insurance
" Recording fees
Once the lender has agreed to the short sale and the terms, the agent can begin
marketing the property. The agent must be sure to inform prospective buyers
that any contract entered into between the seller and the buyer is “subject to” the
lender’s approval and will not become binding on the seller until the lender has
approved all the terms of the contract.
MLS Co-op
Frequently advertising the property in the MLS has its own set of problems
because MLS requires the listing agent to offer a specific co-op commission for
the cooperating agent. The lender must approve the contract before it becomes
binding and frequently the lender will not approve the co-op offered by the listing
agent. Of course to make matters more difficult, the lender usually will not tell
the listing agent in advance what commission rate it will accept. It is possible
that the lender will agree to all the terms of the short sale contract, but will reduce
the listing broker’s commission.

What can the listing agent do? MLS Policies allow a change in the commission,  but it must be negotiated by separate agreement. Only the seller’s broker and the buyer’s broker can agree to change the co-op. If the buyer’s broker does not agree to reduce his commission, the matter is arbitrable under Article 17 of the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics also provides that the listing broker’s obligation to compensate any cooperating broker may be excused if through no

fault of the listing broker it is impossible or financially unfeasible for the listing
broker to collect a commission pursuant to the listing agreement.
A short sale may be the answer for assisting a borrower in a tight situation. A
short sale allows the borrower to maintain a better overall credit record. It can
help the lender in avoiding the expense of foreclosure. But short sale may not be
the solution to all borrower-in-distress situations.
Statements made by the NVAR Information Line attorneys on the telephone, in emails,
or in legal e-news articles are for informational purposes only. NVAR’s staff
attorneys provide general legal information, not legal representation or advice regarding
your real estate related questions. No attorney-client relationship is created by your use
of the Legal Information Line and any information you receive You should not act upon
this information without seeking independent legal counsel. Information given over the
Legal Information Line or in these articles is for your benefit only. Do not practice law!
Inform your clients they must seek their own legal advice.

Please call with questions.
Kim Duclos
Wardley Real Estate                                 (702) 521-3939
                                                                (888) 949-2890

Last November I blogged about HARP 2.0 and we are seeing some movement.  I spoke with a friend of mine this morning (Larry L) and he is actively working with a lender to try and benefit from the HARP 2.0 program...we shall see what transpires with his efforts.  He originally went to Bank of America and they were offering him an interest rate around 5%, so he went to a mortgage broker here in town and she thought perhaps an interest rate is doable in the low 4's - I told him to keep me posted.

Larry meets the criteria for the HARP 2.0 refinance program and it is in the process of becoming widely available to homeowners under water with their mortgage.  There is hope for some relief to those who are current on their home loan, but have been unable 
to refinance into today's historically low mortgage rates because of their negative equity status.

The full implementation of the revamped HARP 2.0 program, which was initially announced by President Obama in late October 2011, has taken several months to come to fruition. What we have seen in recent months is that it is available on a manual basis and limited to just the homeowner's current servicer, but as we see with Larry, a series of changes have taken place and he was able to shop for his refi provider, one that is offering him what he wants. The computerized version of the program has undergone a dramatic increase to accommodate the volume and provide speed to get the applications processed.

To be eligible for a HARP refinance, you can either use this HARP eligibility calculator with detailed eligibility explanations or follow the general guidelines below:

1. Your loan must be owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. If you are unsure, you can check both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's websites or you can call their toll-free numbers for confirmation.

Fannie Mae: http://www.fanniemae.com/loanlookup/ 1-800-7FANNIE (8 am to 8 pm ET)
Freddie Mac: https://ww3.freddiemac.com/corporate/ 1-800-FREDDIE (8 am to 8 pm ET)

2. You must have closed your current loan on or before May 31, 2009.

3. You must not have made a late payment within the past six months and have had no more than one late payment within the past 12 months.

4. Your loan must fall under the current conforming loan limits. If you are unsure, you can find out here: http://themortgagereports.com/loan-limits/

If you meet the guidelines, what's next?

Give Sandra Arrington of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage a call, she is knowledgeable in the process and is active with the HARP 2.0 program.  Tel (702) 868-3925  |  Cell (702) 379-485

Sandy Arrington -
Mortgage Consultant
NMLS ID 404784
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
MAC S3734-021
Tel (702) 868-3925  |  Cell (702) 379-4856  |  Fax (866) 619-5513
Sandra.Arrington@wellsfargo.com
www.wfhm.com/loans/sandra-arrington1

Your current servicer should be able to tell you if your loan qualifies for a HARP refinance and can help you apply for it. However, just like a regular mortgage program, it makes sense to shop around and compare rates, fees and lender service levels.

HARP Program-specific contact information for major mortgage servicers with whom you already have a mortgage. (Not for new loans or shopping for a new servicer):

Bank of America: 1-800-846-2222
Wells Fargo: 1-877-937-9357
Chase: 1-800-848-9136
Citi: 1-800-283-7918
US Bank: 1-866-932-0462

Kim Duclos CRS ABR GRI

Wardley Real Estate

(702) 521-3939 Direct

(888) 949-2890 Toll Free

 

search for your next home:

CallKim.net

Burns

THIS IS SOMETHING GOOD TO KNOW, 

IF YOU HAVEN’T HEARD ABOUT THIS ALREADY.

 

BURNS

A young man sprinkling his lawn and bushes with pesticides wanted to check the contents of the barrel to see how much pesticide remained in it.

He raised the cover and lit his lighter; the vapors ignited and engulfed him. He jumped from his truck, screaming.

His neighbor came out of her house with a dozen eggs and a bowl yelling: "bring me some more eggs!"

She broke them, separating the whites from the yolks.

The neighbor woman helped her to apply the whites onto the young man's face.

When the ambulance arrived and the EMTs saw the young man, 

they asked who had done this.

Everyone pointed to the lady in charge.

They congratulated her and said: "You have saved his face."

By the end of the summer, 

the young man brought the lady a bouquet of roses to thank her.

His face was like a baby's skin.

A Healing Miracle for Burns:

Keep in mind this treatment of burns is being included in teaching beginner fireman. First Aid consists of first spraying cold water on the affected area until the heat is reduced which stops the continued burning of all layers of the skin. Then, spread the egg whites onto the affected area.

One woman burned a large part of her hand with boiling water. In spite of the pain, she ran cold faucet water on her hand, separated 2 egg whites from the yolks, beat them slightly and dipped her hand in the solution. The whites then dried and formed a protective layer.

She later learned that the egg white is a natural collagen and continued during at least one hour to apply layer upon layer of beaten egg white. By afternoon she no longer felt any pain and the next day there was hardly a trace of the burn. 10 days later, no trace was left at all and her skin had regained its normal color. The burned area was totally regenerated thanks to the collagen in the egg whites, a placenta full of vitamins.

 

Remember....for your real estate needs, Call Kim!

www.callkim.net

(702) 521-3939 cell

(888) 949-2890 toll free