During the Holiday Season, one man and only one is the centre of attention. Flying in the sky on his magic sleigh, distributing presents all over the world and bringing joy in each home, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa Claus. Ever wonder what Santa is called in different countries?

Here’s your answer (with the literal translation in brackets afterwards if needed).

 Brazil – Papai Noel

 Chile – Viejo Pascuero (Old Man Christmas)

 China – Dun Che Lao Ren (Christmas Old Man)

 Denmark – Julemanden

 Finland – Joulupukki

France – Père Noël

 Germany – Weihnachtsmann (Christmas Man)

Greek – Άγιος Βασίλης

 Hungary – Mikulas (St. Nicholas)

 Italy – Babbo Natale

 Japan – Hoteiosho (A god or priest bearing gifts)

 Norway – Julenissen (Christmas gnome)

Polish –  Święty Mikołaj

 Portugal – Pai Natal

 Spain – Papa Noel

 Romania – Mos Craciun

 Russia – Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost)

 Turkey – Noel Baba

Tracking Santa Around the World

For the last couple of years you can track Santa around the world using Google, more accurately using the Google Santa Tracker. Its a handy little tool to help the kids (and big kids) watch were he’s been on the big night and the estimated time of arrival at your location (obviously you have to be asleep when he actually comes down your chimney or the magic won’t happen).

Getting Your Home Ready For Winter

Prepping Your Home for Winter Weather November 2015 As winter approaches, the weather changes across the country. Whether your winter season consists of frigid temperatures or the start of the wet season, we’ve got some ideas for getting your home ready for the change of seasons. Keep out the wet and cold. Weatherstripping is a fast and easy place to start. Check seals around outside doors and windows. Purchase foam insulation made specifically to fit behind the plates of light switches and outlets. Check with your local power company to see if they offer a free energy-efficiency checkup — most do, and you can learn exactly where your energy dollars are being wasted. Set the thermostat. Investing in a programmable thermostat is a smart move. You’ll never forget to turn down the temperature at night or while you’re away — and even nicer, you can have the house warmed up for your arrival back home. The Nest is the most well-known example of this technology. It’s pretty and it’s smart—it can learn your preferences, and your daily schedule, and adjust the temperature in your home accordingly. Switch out that smoke alarm. Instead of just changing the batteries twice a year, do one better: throw out that old alarm and get yourself one of the new smoke detectors with a 10-year lithium battery. While you're at it, check the expiration date on your fire extinguishers and review your fire escape plan with your family as well. Then you’ll just need to remember when 10 years have passed … Wetter is warmer. Heaters deplete the moisture in the air, which can actually make you feel colder. Add it back with a humidifier — like the new smart humidifiers, which can be controlled with an app and which will notify you when it’s low on water or needs a new filter. Yup, soon even the dog bowl will be talking to us through our phones. Maintain the equipment. Insulated blankets made especially for your water heater help it to keep the water warm while working a little less. Better still, invest in a new, self-insulated water heater that will also be more energy-efficient. Now is also the time to check the furnace, change the filters, and get it cleaned and inspected, ready for the drop in temperature. Pack up summer. It’s time to bring in the lawn chairs, umbrellas, and beach toys and switch them out for snow shovels, bird seed, and winter sports equipment. Put away lawn furniture so it’s ready for use next year. Take advantage of nature’s heater. Let in the sun as much as you can by leaving blinds and curtains open on the south side of your home. This will warm your home throughout the day. At night, close it back up to retain as much warmth as possible. Create your own heat. Your kids have probably already put Sno Stompers on the holiday wish lists; get started early with these hot snow shoes that leave animal paw prints behind, and get a workout at the same time! Not in a snowy climate? The Stomp Rocket is still tops in outdoor fun!

SACRAMENTO REAL ESTATE MARKET HOT BUT STABLE Closed listings have averaged no less than 97 percent of original list price since January November 12, 2015

Closed listings have averaged no less than 97 percent of original list price since January November 12, 2015

At the end of October, 4,894 homes remained active and available for sale throughout the 4-county Greater Sacramento region. This marked a 6 percent drop in inventory since September 30th and a 17 percent reduction compared to last year at this time. Based upon an unrelenting rate of sales, a meager 2.2 months of inventory remained at month end. This market information was provided by Trendgraphix Inc., a Sacramento-based reporting company, and reported by Lyon Real Estate. “Newly opened escrows or pending sales totaling 2,665 in October indicate our region is not yet ready for a seasonal slowdown,” says Pat Shea, president of Lyon Real Estate. “That number represented an 8 percent increase over a busy September and a 25 percent increase over October of 2014.” Sold and closed numbers fell off 9 percent compared to September but remained very similar to last year. According to Shea, “there are more cancellations occurring compared to last year as buyers believe they can nd alternative properties when transactions experience challenges.” Another factor extending escrow closing periods started in October as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) integrated the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and Truth in Lending Act (TILA) disclosures and regulations. This impacted buyers, sellers, agents, lenders, title companies, etc. on almost all transactions involving a mortgage. All price points however, remained on the pending sale bandwagon in October. The move-up market between $350,000 and $750,000 experienced an 11 percent increase in sales compared to September and a 50 percent improvement over October of 2014. The upper-end, speci cally $750,000 and above, enjoyed a 23 percent increase versus September and a 50 percent improvement compared to last year. Below the $350,000 price point the region has a sparse 1.5 months of available inventory which is 32 percent less than one year ago. Shea added that the market is hot but stable. “The median price remained in the $325,000 to $330,000 range for the past 6 months and nished October approximately 7 percent higher than one year ago. The average price per square foot uctuated between $193 and $195 for the past 7 months. Lastly, closed listings have averaged no less than 97 percent of original list price since January. Interest rates remain fabulous so now sure looks like a great time for a move.” About Lyon Real Estate Lyon Real Estate is ranked the number one brokerage in annual home sales in the greater Sacramento region and has served the area for more than 65 years. In 2014, the company closed 7,553 transactions worth a total of $2.61 billion in sales volume. Lyon Real Estate has 961 agents in 17 of ces located throughout the region. The company is a member of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LRE), the largest network of premier locally-branded rms, as well as LRE’s Luxury Portfolio International program. In addition to its real estate services, Lyon Real Estate offers RELO Direct, a global relocation program. For more information about Lyon Real Estate, click to www.GoLyon.com and follow us on Facebook/Lyon. About TrendGraphix, Inc. TrendGraphix, Inc. is a real estate reporting company based in Sacramento that uses local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data to provide highly-visual market statistical graphs to real estate brokers, agents, and MLS/Realtor associations across the country. TrendGraphix’s programs are currently used by tens of thousands of agents in more than 100 brokerages in 18 states. For more information about TrendGraphix, visit www.trendgraphix.com

Stop Common Kitchen Aggravations

Stop These Common Kitchen Aggravations

Tired of bread, cookies or cake going stale? Have an avalanche of plastic grocery bags you can't seem to contain? Then you'll enjoy these fixes for common kitchen annoyances!

Keep cling wrap unstuck by storing your roll in the refrigerator. It will still stick to whatever you put it on, but not to itself.

Squeeze fresh citrus for weeks. Place lemons in a glass jar filled with water and sealed with a lid. Seal limes in a glass jar and store in the fridge.

Make corn shucking easy. First microwave the ear (leaves and all) for 3-4 minutes. It will be hot, so wear gloves or use a potholder as you cut about an inch above the stem end. Hold onto the silk and top leaves and simply shake out the corn.

Prevent stale cookies and cake with fresh slices of bread. For cake: place a slice against each cut-side of the cake and secure it with a toothpick. For cookies: place a slice or two in the container. The bread will get stale, but the desserts will stay fresh.

Tame messy supermarket bags by stuffing them into an empty tissue box. A cube-style box will hold about 15 plastic bags, a rectangular box about 25.

Rehydrate wilted vegetables by soaking them in a bowl of ice water for about 15 minutes.

Slice soft, fresh bread perfectly with a warm knife dipped in just-boiled water. Dry the knife before you cut.

Give stale rolls that freshly baked taste when you place them in a moistened paper bag. Twist the bag closed and place it in a 300 degrees Fahrenheit oven for a few minutes until the bag is dry.

Distribute pancake batter evenly by placing batter in a clean ketchup bottle and squeezing the desired amount out of the top. This cuts down on lumps, too.

Soften hard brown sugar in a microwavable dish with a moist paper towel on top. Cover with a microwavable plate and then microwave for 20-second increments until soft. Prevent brown sugar from hardening again by adding two or three marshmallows in the container.

Extend berry life with a bath of three parts water to one part distilled white vinegar. Simply soak the berries for 30 seconds, rinse in cold water, dry them thoroughly and refrigerate.

Ripen a pineapple more evenly by twisting the leaves off and standing it upside down on a plate. When the outside turns a toasty golden brown, the pineapple is ready to enjoy.

Source: Bottom Line Reports

Fraud (Protect Yourself During the Holidays

Travel:

Booking holiday accommodations:

• Booking Directly with Owners: Can leave you with no place to stay.  

• Book all reservations with a travel agent, Trivago:    http://www.trivago.com/?sem_keyword=trivago&sem_creativeid=81874670086&sem_matchtype=e&sem_network=g&sem_device=c&sem_placement=&sem_or Travelocity:  //www.travelocity.com

• Beware of Craigslist, rental websites, etc.:  You may pay a little less but the chances of it being fraud are much greater.

• How long has the property been listed on the web-site?  The longer the better
• Look at reviews ( Remember reviews can be fake)
• Use Maps Google.com   https://maps.google.com/  Confirm location (address) Look at street map view do the pictures match the web-site?  Fraudsters list properties that don't exist.
• Talk to the owner:  If this is a owner owned property (beach house/condo etc.) look up the property by address and see if there is a phone number for the owner.  Call the owner. (use a landline for best protection)
• Ask for details of the property:  Do they match the details of the property on the web site?
• Postal Address:  Make sure you get the postal address of the property.  No postal address, no contract.
• Trust your instincts:  If you feel uncomfortable with something back away.  (saving a few dollars is not worth the risk)
• Don't pay a dime until you check the contract:  Read the small print always
• Security Deposits:  Usually 10% of rental cost  (Higher deposits can be a cause for concern)
• Use Pay Pal:  (If connected to a credit card you are usually protected by the bank)
• Check Property for Damage:  Upon arrival check property for damage and report it to owner right away.
• Security Deposit:  If there are any deductions ask for proof of the problem.  Best to get it back when leaving. 

Foreign Homebuying Losing Momentum in Market Recovery

California has always been a hot spot for foreign investors and foreign homebuyers - demand has been high in coastal areas and an influx of foreign money has contributed to soaring real estate prices in the state. The median price of a California home is expected to climb 6.5% this year to $476,300 and the housing market is forecasted to improve with sales to increase 6.3% next year. Despite this predicted improvement, the global economic slowdown may have an effect on the California housing market.

International buyers are accounting for the smallest share of California home sales in eight years as prices continue to rise and foreign investors slow buying. The share of international buyers peaked at 8% in 2013, but is now down to less than 4%. Buyers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan made up 43% of international purchases in California this year, followed by 8% each from Mexico and South Korea.  Read the rest of the story here:   http://re-insider.com/2015/11/05/foreign-homebuying-losing-momentum-in-market-recovery/

Preparing the Fire Place for Action

It won’t be long before we’re switching the thermostat from AC to heat and getting ready to stoke the fire. But before we break down the kindling and create that cozy setting, there are a few steps to take to ensure safety and efficiency.

Have all fireplaces and stoves (wood, gas, or pellet burning) professionally inspected and cleaned every year (no less than every other year).  The leading cause of residential fires from wood-burning appliances is the result of unburned fuel (creosote).

Cleanings should be sure to include chimneys, gaskets, and blowers. Stoves and fireplaces, unlike furnaces, are not equipped with filters. This is also a good time to replace batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors (if you don’t follow the age-old and reliable rule of changing them annually at daylight savings time).

Also check to make sure the damper or flue opens and closes smoothly and that there are no cracks in the chimney’s bricks and mortar. Be sure to remove all flammable or sensitive materials that may have accumulated near the fireplace over the summer (newspapers, magazine, craft projects, chargers, décor).

Protecting Buyers Even If You Pay Cash (Title Insurance)

Title Insurance: Protecting Homebuyer and Lender Interests  (This is important even if you pay cash)

The purchase of a home is one of the most expensive and important purchases a homebuyer will ever make. The buyer and mortgage lender will want to make sure that no one else has any lien, claim or encumbrance on your property. Title insurance protects the buyer’s interests and the interests of the lender, should a claim be made against your property.

What is title insurance?

Title insurance offers protection against claims resulting from various defects (as set out in the policy) that may exist in the title to a specific parcel of real property, effective on the issue date of the policy.

What is a “defect?”

A defect can include a prior claim of ownership from someone other than the person selling you the property, for instance an ex-spouse, a former partner or a co-inheritor. Another claim could result from a court judgment against the former owner that resulted in a lien placed on the property.

As an example, property and casualty insurance insures against possible losses in the future, such as automobile insurance that protects you against future accidents. Title insurance protects against things that happened in the past, and insurers seek to minimize that risk prior to the purchase of a home by disclosing these prior matters. In fact, according to the American Land Title Association, more than 1/3 of all title searches reveal a title problem that title professionals correct before buyers go to closing.

How can title insurers protect against the risk of a claim prior to my purchase?

Before the lender finalizes a mortgage on the property, a search of all public records is conducted by a title agent. County clerks or recorders maintain records on each property within the nearly 3,600 counties in the United States. These records include legal descriptions of the property; a list of all past owners; current mortgages held by lenders, including home equity lines of credit; liens or judgments placed against the property; and tax records associated with the property. After gathering all of the data on the property, a title agent prepares a preliminary report for the buyer and lender. Prior to lending against the property, the lender must be assured all claims of mortgages, taxes and liens against the former owner are cleared up so the lender has first claim against the property. 

How can the lender assure all existing claims are paid and the property is free and clear?

At the time of your closing, the lender provides the closing or escrow agent with a detailed list of instructions, authorizing the agent to pay off all claims at the time the property changes hands.

Who pays for the title search, title report and title insurance?

In California, regional traditions usually determine who pays for the title and escrow services involved in the sale of real property. Discuss with your real estate agent the practice in your area. In refinance transactions, the borrower typically pays for title and escrow services. 

What is the difference between the owner’s policy and the lender’s policy of title insurance?

Title companies routinely issue two types of policies: An “owner’s” policy that insures you, the homebuyer, for as long as you and your heirs own the home; and a “lender’s” policy that insures the priority of the lender’s security interest over the claims that others may have in the property.

How long is my title policy in effect?

The title insurance policy is in effect as long as you hold title to the property. If at any time the property changes hands from one owner to another, a new title policy must be purchased to continue protection.

How often will I have to pay a title premium?

ONCE! The fee is due when you purchase the home, and you never pay it again


Article from North American Title