Emergency Preparedness

During bad storms keep your self up on news reports.  We haven't seen flooding in the Sacramento/ Central Valley area for quite some time now, but  El Nino storms intensify which means more storms headed our way.  Here are a few things you should know to be prepared as you may have to leave in a hurry:
                                 Before Leaving Home Shut Off Gas and Water

     1.  You should have an emergency car pack in your car and ready to go.
       
               a.  First Aid Kit                                               l.  Duck Tape
               b.  Battery Operated Radio                             m Tow Strap
               c.  Rain Pancho's                                            n.  Drinking Water
               d.  Fire Extinguisher                                       o.  Non Perishable Snacks
               e.  Flashlight                                                   p.  Snow Shovel
               f.  3 reflective Warning Triangles                  q. Warm Blanket
               g. Tire Gage                                                    r.  Kitty Litter  (Use for traction)
               h.  Foam Tire Sealer                                       s.  Leatherman Tool
               i   Gloves                                                        t.  Windshield Ice Scrapper
               j.  Rags                                                           u.  Two Pair of Sterile Latex Gloves
               k. Matches in Waterproof Container              v.  Can Opner

     2.  Personal Emergency Bags: Prescription Medicine/Parents bag should have a call list for                       relatives and emergency services

              a. Change Of Cloths                                       f. Cards/Games (adults and kids)
              b. Warm Jacket                                               g. Water/Snacks
              c. Extra Pair of Shoes
              d. Hat and Gloves
              d. Tooth Brush/Tooth Paste
              e.  Sleeping Bag/Warm Blanket
             
  Things to Plan Ahead:

               a.  Call lists for relatives and emergency services
               b.  Take Pictures of Personal Property Store in Safe Place (Cloud)
               c.  List of Medications
               d.  Carrying Cases for Animals/ Pet Food  (Have it ready)
             

             

What Are The Best Renovations That Will Pay Off When Selling Your Home?

After talking to a slew of realtors, contractors and architects, the consensus was yes. "If the roof is leaking, buyers won't get beyond that," says Ron Phipps with Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. "I don't care how awesome the kitchen is."

According to Remodeling Magazine (http://www.remodeling.hw.net/) you're less likely to recoup your investment in a major kitchen or bathroom remodel than you are to get back what you spend on basic home maintenance such as new siding. Siding replacement recouped 92.8 percent of its cost, according to the study. The only home improvement likely to return more at resale was a minor (roughly $15,000) kitchen remodel, which returned 92.9 percent. Replacing roofs and windows were also high on the list, returning 80 percent or more at resale  

Read more of the article:

http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/clean-and-organize/which-home-improvements-pay-off

Great Places to Live in the Sacramento area

Great places to live in the Sacramento area.  Take a look for your self.

https://www.youtube.com/user/LyonRealEstate/videos

Home Buying Benefits for Veterans and Military Buyers

This article was written by Chris Birk (Author of: The Book on VA Loans)

Veterans, service members, and their families believe in homeownership. In fact, the homeownership rate among veterans far outpaces that of civilians.

But the financial toll of military service can make it tough for some veterans to get a financial foothold, let alone land a home loan.

The good news is those who serve have access to a host of home-buying benefits and protections, from what’s arguably the most powerful home loan on the market to financial safeguards and more.

Let’s take a closer look.

VA loan program

Since the VA loan program’s inception in 1944, the Department of Veterans Affairs has backed more than 21 million loans for veterans, active-duty military members, and their spouses. This program has made buying a home more accessible to those who most deserve the American dream they helped build and protect.

VA loans feature many benefits that help make home buying possible, including the following:

No down payment requirement
No mortgage insurance
Lower average interest rates
Limits on closing costs
More lenient credit requirements

VA home loans have boomed in recent years, attracting many veterans and military members who may not qualify for conventional loans, which have stricter credit requirements.

Still, many eligible buyers are unaware of the benefits of VA home loans and the protections they offer. Some buyers also make the mistake of assuming a government-backed loan comes with endless red tape and miss an opportunity to benefit.

Typically, veterans and active-duty service members are eligible for a VA home loan if they served in the following capacity:

90 consecutive days on active duty during wartime
181 consecutive days on active duty during peacetime
6 or more years in the National Guard or Reserves

Some spouses of military members who died in the line of duty or of a service-related disability may also be eligible for a VA loan.

Please, Mr. Postman
Send me news, tips, and promos from realtor.com® and Move.

Enter your email address
Sign Up
Talk with a VA lender about obtaining your Certificate of Eligibility and getting a sense of your purchasing power.

Occupancy & power of attorney

VA loans are focused on getting buyers into homes they’ll live in full time. But the program makes exceptions for some veterans and active-duty service members.

For example, a spouse or children may be able to fulfill the occupancy requirement on behalf of a VA buyer. Also, a VA buyer who is deployed or otherwise unable to manage the loan process can typically assign a power of attorney to a spouse or family member to manage the loan process and sign documents.

There are two types of power of attorney: general and specific. The type needed depends in part on what loan-related documents the VA buyer can sign.

The occupancy and power of attorney options mean an eligible VA buyer’s spouse and children could buy a home during a deployment or unaccompanied assignment, helping alleviate the emotional toll of multiple moves on military families.

Basic allowance for housing

Many active-duty military members who receive a monthly housing allowance are surprised to learn that they can use this money to qualify for a home loan. Lenders can count Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) as effective income. That can help service members make the leap from renting to owning, especially in higher-cost areas.

BAH is based on several factors, including the location of your duty station, your pay grade, and your family size. The housing allowance can change on an annual basis. To calculate your BAH, refer to the BAH calculator on the Defense Department’s website.

Financial protections

Even after becoming homeowners, active-duty service members can face unique financial challenges. Deployment and changes of station can strain a family emotionally and financially.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides active-duty military personnel and their families financial protection involving interest rates, income tax payments, eviction, foreclosure, and more.

For example, military personnel can ask creditors—including their mortgage lender—to cap their interest rate at 6% during their term of service. The SCRA also forces lenders and servicers to seek a court order to foreclose on active-duty military members during their time of service and up to nine months afterward.

Veterans Affairs also offers foreclosure avoidance protection assistance for homeowners. The VA has a team of experts who work with lenders and servicers on behalf of struggling homeowners to find alternatives to foreclosure. Their efforts have helped nearly 500,000 veterans and service members avoid foreclosure in the past six years alone.

Check with your local Armed Forces Legal Assistance office for more information regarding the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. VA homeowners in jeopardy of defaulting on their mortgage can contact the VA loan program at 877-827-3702.

10 Commandments Home Buyers Must Follow

There are a lot of emotions that go into buying a home excitement of course, disappointment (when an offer is not accepted), frustrating with all the paperwork needed, fear at the commitment, exhaustion while looking for the right one, and many other emotions that we don't expect.

The first thing is to be pre-qualified with a lender, then you know what you can afford and from there figure out what you are comfortable with as a house payment.  Once you have that knowledge you are now ready to start looking at homes that meet your needs and your financial goals.

During this process it is easy to forget all the things that your lender or realtor has told you and it is easy to make some very common mistakes.  These mistakes can be costly and even cause you to loose the ability to buy.  It is very important that if you decide to do anything that will change your financial situation always call your lender first. 

Here are the 10 Commandments of Home Buying:

1.  Thou shalt not change jobs, become self-employed or quit your job.  (You need to be able to show steady employment and steady income source)

2.  Thou shalt not buy any new vehicles.  (You must not alter your debt liability)

3.  Thou shalt not use your credit cards and run up debt beyond what you had when your lender first ran your credit for pre-qualification.  (Never use more than 30% of your line of credit and never fall behind on any payments) 

4.  Thou shalt not spend the money you have set aside for buying the home (down payment, closing costs, etc)  

5.  Thou shalt not omit debts or liabilities from your loan application.  (Remember your lender is your friend and the only way he/she can make sure you qualify for the loan is if he/she knows everything you owe.  Hiding things will only come up later in the underwriting process and by then it may be too late to fix it and could cost you a lot of money lost in the buying process) (Your lender and Realtor work together to protect your money but they can only do that if you are truthful with them)

6.  Thou shalt not buy furniture or any other major purchase.

7.  Thou shalt not originate any inquiries into your credit.  

8.  Thou shalt not make any large deposits without first checking with your loan officer.  (This includes any gifted money)

9.  Thou shalt not change any bank accounts or credit cards with out checking with your lender.  (Don't pay off, close, change or add to any of these accounts without checking with your lender.

10. Thou shalt not co-sign a loan for anyone.

Remember your credit, banking, and employment information must not change during the buying process. Wait until after closing on your new home to mak any changes.

Prepare your home for El Nino

By Property ID Corporation - Staff Writer | 12/8/2015 

Please download El Niño Preparedness Guide here.

Know Your Risks

El Niño continues to gain strength in the Pacific Ocean. The latest forecast increased the urgency for both government agencies and property owners to prepare for possible flooding.

Residents that live in low-lying beachfront homes should be aware of the flood risks.

Residents that live in drought-stricken or fire-ravaged canyons should be aware of the flood and mudslide risks.

Residents can locate a flood map by entering the addresses at www.msc.fema.gov/portal (Federal Emergency Management Agency website).

Checklist for Homeowners and Renters

House

1. Register your cell phone for emergency notifications and download the CodeRED Mobile Alert app from iTunes or Google Play.
2. Inspect your roof for any trouble areas.
3. Clean out your rain gutters and downspouts to ensure that there is no debris blocking or ice stopping the flow of your gutter.
4. Stock up on salt for your walkways to prevent ice from forming.
5. Store emergency repair materials (sandbags, heavy plastic sheeting) in a safe dry place.
6. Have materials on hand to divert water: sandbags, concrete edgers and straw-waddle tubing.
7. Invest in an emergency generator that turns on automatically when the power goes out.
8. If you live on or near a hill, talk to your neighbors. Drainage from your yard may cause water to damage your neighbor’s house below. Or your neighbor’s drainage may flood your home.

Garden

9. Have an arborist check your trees. Trees may look fine, but can be weak. Wet branches weigh more and they can break.
10. Find your water shut-off valve and familiarize with it to prevent burst pipes. Learn how to turn off your automatic sprinklers.
11. Check decks and balconies. Make sure water flows away from your walls and foundation. Store your outdoor patio furniture or securely cover it.

Car

12. If your crawl space, garage or basement could be flooded, think of installing a sump pump.
13. Put together preparedness and emergency supply kits for your home and car.
14. Replace your windshield wipers. Check your car battery, tires, brakes, lights in your car, headlights, brake lights, turn signals and emergency flashers.

Don’t forget the pets

15. Make sure your pets' tags are up-to-date. Storms can be disorienting for pets when they’re outside. If it’s too cold for you, it's too cold for your pet. Although most animals have fur coats, this alone does not provide adequate protection from the elements. Never leave a pet alone outside during a snowstorm. If they must go outside for relief. Stay with them the entire time.

What to Do Once a Flood Has Begun

1. Monitor radio and TV news closely for information about weather conditions, flooding in your area and safety precautions being advised.
2. Be prepared to leave immediately if an evacuation is ordered.
3. Stay away from flood channels and flowing rivers. Don’t try to cross flooded areas and never enter moving water.
4. Stay away from steep slopes that may become unstable when saturated.
5. Look for tilted trees, telephone poles, fences or walls, and for new holes or bare spots on hillsides.
6. Never touch a downed power line, which can cause serious injury or death. Call 9-1-1 to report it.
7. If trapped in your vehicle, stay with it. If possible, relocate to the hood if water continues to rise.
8. Be alert when driving. Roads may become blocked or closed due to hazards.
9. Floodwaters pick up sewage and chemicals from roads, farms and factories. If your home has been flooded, protect your family’s health by cleaning up right away. Throw out foods and medicines that may have been affected.

  

Understand Your Credit Score

Good credit is one of your most important assets.  Without good credit it is hard to get a loan or buy anything on credit, but did you know it can prevent you from getting the job you apply for or renting a house or apartment.  Before you hurt your credit from a lack of understanding how it all works there is a great web-site for you to learn a lot about how it all works. As we start the new year take sometime to understand your own credit score and how you can make it even better.
 https://www.bettermoneyhabits.com/credit/what-is-a-credit-score/how-credit-score-is-calculated.html