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Mortgage News
With Values on the Rise, Pre-Approval is Wise |
 There's good news for homeowners, as home values are reaching their highest levels since the 2008 recession. According to figures from the National Association of REALTORS ®, prices are up 3.2 percent year over year in the northeast, over 12 percent in the west and nearly 7 percent in the south. The losses from the recession have already been, or are close to being erased in nearly 20 percent of metro housing markets studied by Zillow. Researchers there say prices in more than 1,000 U.S. cities could see their highest home values than ever within the next year. A main reason behind the higher home values nationwide is the lack of available inventory for homebuyers. As home builders are slowly getting back to speed with filing building permits for new home construction, many prospective homebuyers are clamoring for the properties currently available in their respective markets. In economic terms, the overwhelming demand for the limited supply is driving up prices. Prospective homebuyers should be preparing themselves to be as competitive as possible when making purchase offers during the busy spring and summer buying seasons. Being flexible with closing dates and negotiation terms, and ensuring that they have solid loan pre-approvals will help weed them out from the crowds of less serious and less qualified buyers. Speaking with a loan originator beforehand will also nail down the exact home purchase price that homebuyers will be comfortable with when it comes to making monthly home loan payments. Securing a seasoned real estate professional to assist in the search and buying process is also likely to make the process more efficient. The demand for housing and its impact on new and existing home values and sales will continue to influence the nation's economic health. Stay tuned for the next Homes & Money in August for another quarterly update.
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Finance News
Cheaper Options for Using Your Smart Phone While Traveling Abroad
Take your smart phone abroad without paying a fortune to use it.
By Miriam Cross, Kiplinger.com |
 Travelers are used to shutting off data connectivity and rationing voice minutes and texts when they take their smart phone abroad. Without a prepaid global plan, roaming charges of a few dollars per minute are common, and using a single megabyte of data can gouge you $20. Fortunately, more options are available for those on the go. T-Mobile's Simple Choice plan allows unlimited data over 2G connections (you can pay extra for higher speeds) and texting in more than 100 countries. Another option to avoid coming home to a gigantic bill is to buy an international data package from your carrier that will net you a certain amount of data–say, 100MB for $25, enough to send a handful of e-mails and sparingly surf the Web. (Check whether your phone will operate in your destination.) Or switch your device to airplane mode, which will block costly calls, texts and data but allow Wi-Fi, enabling you to call or text free (or cheaply) with voice apps such as MagicJack or Skype or texting apps such as WhatsApp (which recently announced that voice calling will be added this year). Alternatively, you can install a local SIM card in an unlocked phone, or rent a portable gadget that creates a personal wireless connection; XCom Global's mobile hot spot connects several devices for $15 per day.  Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2014 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. Kiplinger.com.
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Creative Cuisine
Finger Lickin' Barbecue Sauce |
 May is National Barbecue Month, so in honor of pit masters everywhere we offer this tasty sauce for basting, dipping or topping off your favorite outdoor dishes. Ingredients:Makes about 2 1/2 cups.
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- fresh ground pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup whiskey (optional)
In a blender, purée onion and water. Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add olive oil. When oil is warm, sauté onion purée until lightly browned. Add remaining ingredients, stir and simmer for 20 minutes.
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Home News
6 Things That Sell Like Hotcakes on eBay |
 You could hold a yard sale and unload these items fast, but collectors are willing to pay top-dollar for them on eBay. Stuffed Animals: Demand from collectors is high for these cuddly creatures, especially those related to popular movies, TV, or vintage themes. The cleaner and less wear the better, and if the price tags or packaging are still intact the price goes higher. Seasonal Items: Ski boots or bathing suits are good sellers to list just before their appropriate seasons. The closer to "new" the better, and take care to store clothing items in a clean, dry, smoke-free area. Made in Occupied Japan: Items made in Japan from 1945 to 1952 are identified by "Occupied Japan" or "Made in Occupied Japan." Items produced fall into a wide variety including cameras, toys, Zippo-inspired lighters, novelties and ceramics–all very rare and highly desirable to collectors. Clearance Items: T.J.Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods and other discount department stores often sell clearance items for pennies on the dollar. But consumers look to eBay when they can't find something locally. If you have the time to go through clearance racks, there's money to be made by reselling these items online. Just remember not to list anything out of season! Zippo Lighters: As with most collectibles, the older the better. Zippo began producing lighters back in 1932. Now, the lighters can be found at flea markets and estate auctions, and people are usually unaware of the value they hold for collectors. Disney, of course: Stuffed animals, pins, collector packs, statues, animation cells and almost any other trademarked items can be collectible gold, depending on rarity. Everyone loves Disney (and remember, it's easier to sell any item that has a large following.) Source: Stay At Home
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Street Smarts
8 Cheaper Cities for Summer Travel Abroad |
 If you're itching to go abroad this summer but can't afford the usual exorbitant prices, try visiting these alternatives to major cities. According to PriceofTravel.com, here are 8 great international destinations you can actually afford, based on its 3-Star Index, which includes a room in a 3-star hotel, a taxi ride, a cultural attraction, and three mid-range meals with beverages:
- Krakow, Poland: Cheaper than Amsterdam, Krakow also has a weaker currency, the zloty, which will stretch your travel budget.
- Cartagena, Columbia: Cheaper than Rio de Janeiro by half, with beaches and a beautiful, historic old town.
- The Himalayas: Cheaper than the Alps, and home to Earth's highest peaks. At $28 per day, Pokhara, Nepal, is the cheapest city on the 3-Star Index.
- Budapest, Hungary: A third of the cost to travel to Paris, and still a culturally rich European capital, with the 13th century Buda Castle and the Danube River.
- Bangkok, Thailand: Cheaper than Tokyo, a longtime backpacker favorite, and with many cultural and culinary tastes to suit, at roughly $56 per day.
- Barcelona, Spain: Cheaper than Nice, France, and a big coastal city with similar charms.
- Istanbul, Turkey: Cheaper than Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and where you can visit the Topkapi Palace for $12, and pamper yourself with full spa packages at Turkish Baths starting around $30.
- Nicaragua: Cheaper and less popular than Costa Rica, where you can still be outdoorsy and adventurous, and where you're likelier to have lakes and beaches all to yourself.
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Facts and Figures
May is National Barbecue Month |
 Here are all the mouth-watering details you need to get in the mood for everybody's favorite outdoor activity.
- Ellsworth B. A. Zwoyer of Pennsylvania patented his design for charcoal briquettes in 1897.
- The most popular foods for grilling are: burgers (85 percent), steak (80 percent), hot dogs (79 percent) and chicken (73 percent).
- The most popular sides for grilling are: corn (41 percent), potatoes (41 percent) and mixed vegetables (32 percent).
- Three out of four American households own a grill and use it on average of five times per month.
- In the U.S. the northeast claims the most frequent amount of barbecuers, followed by the north central, the south and then the west.
- It is uncertain where the word "barbecue" derives. Contenders include the French phrase "de barbe á queue" meaning from whiskers to tail; the Taino Indian word "barbacoa" meaning to cook meat over a pit of coals; and "barbec" which is a Romanian word for roast mutton.
- Pineapples, bananas, peaches, nectarines, plums, mangos, pears, and even papaya taste great grilled because their natural sugars are caramelized by the heat. Try basting with coconut milk, lime or orange juice to enhance the flavors. Fruit should be grilled over indirect heat.
- Sweet sauces should only be brushed on at the end of grilling because the sugar can burn quickly. Other marinades such as vinegar, citrus oil or yogurt can be brushed on grilled food throughout the cooking process.
Source: Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
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Table of Contents
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· Mortgage News
· Finance News
· Creative Cuisine
· Home News
· Street Smarts
· Facts and Figures
· Did You Know?
· Quote of the Day
· Trivia Challenge
· Book Review
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Did You Know?
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A cup of light roast coffee contains more caffeine than dark roast coffee. Coffee beans lose caffeine the longer they are roasted.
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Trivia Challenge
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Calling all geography nuts! The rivers below appear in order from longest to shortest. Can you match them to theirplaces of origin?(Note: Some rivers share their places of origin with others.)
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| River: |
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| 1. | Nile |
| 2. | Amazon |
| 3. | Mississippi |
| 4. | Yangtze |
| 5. | Ob |
| 6. | Yellow |
| 7. | Yenisei |
| 8. | Paraná |
| 9. | Irtysh |
| 10. | Congo
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| Place of Origin: |
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| A. | Peru |
| B. | Russia |
| C. | China |
| D. | Congo |
| E. | East Africa |
| F. | Mongolia |
| G. | Minnesota |
| H. | Brazil |
| I. | Central Africa |
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Scroll down to the bottom for answers.
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Quote of the Day
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"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing. That's why we recommend both daily."
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– Zig Ziglar
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Book Review
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Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-being, Wisdom, and Wonder
By Arianna Huffington
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"I had my personal wake-up call on April 6, 2007, when I found myself on the floor in a pool of blood. I had collapsed from exhaustion, breaking my cheekbone and cutting my eye," says Arianna Huffington. Up until then, she had been working eighteen-hour days to develop The Huffington Post, while being a mother to two teenage daughters. "What this wake-up call taught me," Huffington continues, "was that even though I was considered successful by our society's conventional measures of success, I was not living a successful life by any sane definition of success. Something had to radically change in my life." Thrive combines Arianna's personal journey and lessons on true success with the latest research, revealing the importance of slowing down, sleep, meditation, and disconnecting from technology. Plus, she includes recommended daily practices, tools and techniques that revolutionized her definition of success and happiness–and maybe yours. Find it here on Amazon.
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Thank You
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As always, we wish to thank our clients who have been kind enough to refer business to us. We appreciate the opportunity to provide excellent service to your family, friends and co–workers.
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Trivia Answers
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1-E, 2-A, 3-G, 4-C, 5-B, 6-C, 7-F, 8-H, 9-C, 10-I
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