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Housing Market Change

August 19th, 2009 10:34 AM

Today, the news on the economy seem much better than it has been in a long time for the housing market. Home builders have started building again with the rise in construction. This means putting people back to work. Unemployment numbers should come down since many of those that were laid off were union laborers.

When the housing market started to see more foreclosures than ever before the government economists started giving a "cry for wolf" syndrome. Why not? That is what they get paid to do. Wouldn't you do the same? I know if I was getting paid to forecast the future and could make the government money I would say "Hey the sky is falling" when it really isn't. What I am trying to get at is that it is a great time to purchase a home. Whether it be a newly built house or an existing home. Prices are low. Do not wait to see if the market will bear lower prices. Most likely they will start to climb again in 2010-2011. They won't climb as fast but they will go up in price. Do not miss the boat. Also, rates are still low. Don't forget about the $8,000 tax credit. It is going away after November 30th. Get into an agreement of sale and close the deal prior to November 30th to qualify for the tax credit. It is good for 1st time homebuyers only. Unlike the Cash for Clunkers program this will go away. One more thing, the $8,000 tax credit you do not have to pay back.

To qualify apply online at www.loansbyallied.com/Loan_application

To obtain your credit score www.loansbyallied.com/creditscore

The fee for this service is $17.96 for 1 report and $29.36 for joint report. An 18% savings!

Posted by Art Verbit on August 19th, 2009 10:34 AMPost a Comment (0)

The Common House Mouse

August 31st, 2009 10:47 AM

The house mouse is common in all parts of Canada and the U.S.A.. The house mouse is dusty grey in color and measures from 110 to 150 mm in length with large ears and small eyes. The tail is usually the same length as the mouse.

House Mouse Habitat

Mice are nibblers and thus tend to make small holes or other slight damage in many places rather than a lot of damage at one place. The house mouse has a keen sense of touch, smell, and hearing. They can run, climb, jump and swim very well.

The house mouse is considered one of the major structural pests, causing serious economic loss, health hazards and an unsanitary environment.
House mice eat about the same food as humans, including cereals, seeds, fruits and vegetables and are especially fond of sweet liquids. Because they nibble, they may feed as often as 15 to 20 times each day consuming only a small amount of food each time.

House Mouse Life Cycle

The average lifespan of a mouse is 12 months. The young are born about 19 days after breeding and mature rapidly. A single female may have as many as eight litters per year, averaging five to six young each. By three months the young are independent and capable of reproduction. Mice can survive outdoors during the winter under certain conditions, but generally invade buildings when the weather turns cold.

House Mouse Prevention

Since the contributing factor to a mouse infestation is the presence of food, good housekeeping is essential. This includes the proper storage of foods in sealed jars or tins. In addition all refuse should be stored in containers with tight fitting lids. Seal all openings to the outside. Especially around doors and windows.

House Mouse Questions & Answers

Do house mice cause damage?

Yes. Mice cause extensive damage to houses, granaries, restaurants, bakeries; any place food is handled or stored. They will gnaw through wood to gain entrance into buildings. In constructing their nests, mice will destroy fabrics and leather goods and can cause fires by chewing through the insulation on electrical wires.

Are house mice hazardous to humans?

Yes. Mice contaminate food with their droppings and urine. They spread such diseases as salmonella bacteria (food poisoning), lepospirae (jaundice) and typhus. As well, they carry parasites such as fleas, round worms and mites. Deer mice are known to transmit Hantavirus, a virus that affects the respiratory system of humans.

When are mice most common?

Mice are year-round pests. Activity and indoor migration increases, as weather gets cooler.

When am I most likely to see mice?

Mice become active primarily during the evening and remain so until the middle of the night. If food is scarce or the infestation is large, they will be active during daylight hours.

Where do mice build nests?

Mice become active primarily during the evening and remain so until the middle of the night. If food is scarce or the infestation is large, they will be active during daylight hours.
Mice nest in any safe location close to food, preferring the spaces in double walls, above ceilings and floors and closed-in areas around counters. Noises made by their running, gnawing and scratching will provide clues to their actual location

How can I tell if I have an infestation of mice?

There are several ways that mice make their presence known. Mouse droppings near available food are the most common indication. Gnawed holes in bags and boxes containing food or garbage are also a sign of mouse activity.

This blog was bought to you by Nolan Walters from Walters Exterminating Company. For exterminating services go to www.bugwalters.com

Posted by Art Verbit on August 31st, 2009 10:47 AMPost a Comment (0)

The importance of having a rental history

August 11th, 2009 8:54 AM

Every American teen dreams of the day he/she will leave their parents home and rent their first apartment. What a wonderful time it will be. Independence. There is no one to boss you around. Most people don’t plan for the future. Are you thinking of purchasing your first home? Are you currently renting an apartment? Is your apartment part of a development or a single person with few properties? How are you paying? Check, Cash, or Money order?

Today, the reality is that lenders for first time homebuyers would like to see 12 to 24 month rental history. If you are renting from an apartment complex, which has its own management onsite generally lenders will accept a written statement from them containing your payment history. What happens if you’re renting from the single person that owns a couple of properties and is managing it themselves? The lender wants to see canceled checks for the last 12 to 24 months. There are two reasons. The first reason is to see if you can pay the rent on time. The second reason is the single private owner does not report evictions, late payments, or rental history to a reporting company. If your checks were dated before the rent was due then you’re a good candidate to pay your mortgage on time. But if you have inconsistencies in your rent payments the underwriter will have to make a decision based on certain guidelines published by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These quasi-governmental agencies make the guidelines for lenders. They are the biggest companies that purchasing mortgage notes and selling them on the market.

Underwriters are paid by the lender to ensure that the borrower will have the ability to pay the mortgage. If you don’t fit into the guideline criteria, therefore, you will not be able to obtain a mortgage. Are all lenders guidelines the same? For the most part, yes. Otherwise, lenders have thir own criteria besides Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines.

Remember, when applying for a mortgage make sure you have canceled checks to prove your ability to pay rent on time. Cash and money orders will not be sufficient because those forms of payment can’t be proven like canceled checks. I have seen many people denied because of not having canceled checks when renting.

Posted by Art Verbit on August 11th, 2009 8:54 AMPost a Comment (0)