Homes & Money Newsletter

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Christy FuentesLicense:218690 Loan Officer Union Home Mortgage Phone: (405)514-6401 NMLS#: 2229 OK MLO06196 christyfuentesloans@gmail.com www.christyfuentesloans.net Mortgage News Housing Market Highs and Lows Whether in the market for a new home or thinking about a refinance, homebuyers and homeowners have a lot to wade through. New and Existing Home Sales Up in Much of U.S. March Existing Home Sales were up 1.5 percent from a year prior, the National Association of REALTORS® reported. From February to March 2016, Existing Home Sales also jumped 5.1 percent after a decline in February. Sales rose in all four regions of the country. Meanwhile, a sharp decline in the West sent New Home Sales lower by 1.5 percent in March. Across the country, sales in the East were unchanged while sales rose in the Midwest and South. Year-over-year sales were up 5.4 percent from March 2015. The New Home Sales report measures the number of newly constructed homes with a committed sale during the month. Current sales inventory of existing and new homes is running lower than normal. That inventory gap might not be filled by new construction. Building Permits, which are a sign of future construction, declined 7.7 percent from February to March 2016, hitting a 12-month low. And Housing Starts (when excavation begins on a home) declined 8.8 percent in March from February. Despite the month-to-month decline, Housing Starts are up 14.2 percent in March 2016 from a year ago. Loan Rates Temper Rising Home Prices Home prices rose 6.8 percent from February 2015 to February 2016, according to housing analytics firm CoreLogic. The firm projects a 5.2 percent overall price increase for 2016. While home prices continue to rise, home loan rates have hovered near 52-week lows this spring, which is good news for homebuyers and homeowners considering a refinance. If you have any questions about home financing, please let me know. Be sure to watch for next quarter's issue of Homes & Money Newsletter coming to you in August. Did You Know? Honoring fallen soldiers is a long-standing tradition. One of the earliest known "Memorial Days" was in 431 B.C., where Athenian leaders honored the sacrifice and valor of soldiers who fell in the Peloponnesian War.   Finance News Understanding Promotions by Wireless Carriers By Lisa Gerstner, Kiplinger.com Lease a phone for a dollar a month! Switch carriers and slice your bill in half! The wireless companies push promotions to entice new customers to their plans or to encourage current customers to try something new. Here's what you need to know. If you're getting a temporary rate on a phone or service plan, find out what the terms will be once the deal expires. When the latest iPhone was released last fall, for example, Sprint let new or current customers trade in a phone and lease a 16GB iPhone 6s for a bargain $15 a month (or as little as $1 monthly for 21 months if you traded in an iPhone 6). But if customers trade up to the next iPhone, the rate rises to $22 a month for the remainder of the lease; after the lease expires, the rate stays at $22 on a month-to-month basis until the next phone upgrade or purchase. Carriers regularly offer to pay up to several hundred dollars to cover the remainder of your device payment plan (or an early-termination fee, if you still have a two-year contract) when you switch to their network. But such deals come with stipulations. To qualify, you typically have to trade in your current phone in good condition and lease or buy a phone from the new carrier. And you may be eligible only if you're moving from one of the major carriers. Before you switch to a new carrier, investigate its network coverage in your region; a discount isn't very satisfying if your service is spotty. Ask neighbors, coworkers and friends about their experiences, and check the map at www.rootmetrics.com to compare performance among carriers in your area. Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2016 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. Kiplinger.com. Quote of the Day The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it. – Chinese Proverb   Shrimp With White Beans and Couscous(Serves 4) 1 10-ounce box of couscous (1 1/2 cups) 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt 4 teaspoons unsalted butter 2 garlic gloves, chopped 4 scallions, chopped 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed, chopped 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 15.5-ounce can white beans, rinsed 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley 1/4 cup fresh cilantro 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon pepper Boil 2 cups of water in a pan, then add couscous and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. In a large skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic, scallions and jalapeno and cook 30 seconds. Add shrimp and cook, stirring until they begin to turn pink (approximately 3 minutes). Stir in beans, parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Serve with the couscous. Source: Health.com Home News Simple, Nontoxic Garden Defense If you'd like a happier, healthier garden, try these nontoxic tips for garden protection: Prevent root rot and white mold with raised beds. This will make weeding easy, too! Wither weeds with white vinegar. An undiluted spray will burn weeds, though roots will stay intact. Repeat the application on resprouting weeds. Mites and aphids dislike dishwashing liquid. Add a few drops in a spray bottle filled with water and give plants a spritz. Stop slugs with beer. Pour beer into a shallow dish and set level into the soil. Slugs will be enticed by the fermenting yeast. Upturned citrus shells lure snails and slugs, which like to hide underneath in dark spaces. Just before night fall, when they become active, relocate them outside your garden. Ward off wildlife with cayenne pepper. Apply directly to plants to deter squirrels, moles, gophers and deer from nibbling. Sources: This Old House, HGTV   Book Review "Triggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts" By Marshall Goldsmith Environment can influence behavior in surprising ways, making us do things we often end up regretting. For example, we inexplicably lose all resolve for a healthy diet once the smell of fresh donuts wafts through the office; or we lose our manners when an irritating co-worker gets under our skin once too often. These "triggers" can throw us off track, no matter how in control we think we may be. Marshall Goldsmith is an executive coach and best-selling author who received his Ph.D. from UCLA's Anderson School of Management. In "Triggers," Goldsmith gives us an inside look at the strategies he uses to coach the world's top executives to personal mastery, by detailing the six "engaging questions" that can help retain discipline in the face of personal triggers and regain control over growth. Now a New York Times and Wall St. Journal best seller, you can find "Triggers" on Amazon or by visiting your favorite local bookseller.   Street Smarts Save a Bit on Getting Fit Joining a gym is a great way to get in shape, but memberships can be expensive. Here are some great ways to save: Check the Web for online specials. Gyms often offer exclusive discounts if you sign up online. You may also be able to find some great deals on Groupon or LivingSocial. Negotiate your rate. Try to start in summer when sign-ups are slow. Or try the end of the month when gyms are trying to meet quotas. If membership includes services you don't intend to use (e.g., childcare, classes, pool), ask for a reduced rate. Refuse to pay "initiation fees" especially if you're signing a contract. If the salesperson is unable to grant the request, ask a manager. Be prepared to walk away. They will probably call you later and agree to your terms. (Just make sure they have your number!) Pay in advance, and you may be able to get a discount. And if you ever want to cancel, there's no credit card on file to charge. Join with a group. Gyms usually offer friends and family discounts. You can also ask your employer to help you secure a group rate. Call your health insurance member services number to see if your plan offers gym discounts. Sources: TODAY, Consumer Reports    Facts & Figures May Days An abundance of interesting facts and historical figures are associated with the final full month of spring: Minnesota, South Carolina, Rhode Island and Wisconsin all became states in May. In May 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began their trip westward up the Missouri River and reached the Pacific Ocean in November 1805. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Meriwether Lewis Clark, grandson of explorer William Clark, was instrumental in organizing the first Kentucky Derby, which took place on May 17, 1875. Mother's Day has been celebrated on the second Sunday of May ever since Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it a national holiday in 1914. Charles Lindbergh successfully piloted the Spirit of St. Louis on the first solo non-stop flight over the Atlantic Ocean, from New York to Paris in May 1927. In May 1931, the Empire State Building was officially opened. Amelia Earhart made the first solo flight by a woman across the Atlantic Ocean in May 1932. Memorial Day was observed on May 30 for many years. Then Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968, moving Memorial Day to the last Monday in May. The change became effective in 1971. Sources: History.com, CNN, KentuckyDerby.com Trivia Challenge Match these movie and television stars to the titles of their books. Bossypants Why Not Me? Troublemaker Seriously...I'm Kidding My Mother Was Nuts Oh Myyy! The Rose That Grew From Concrete Born Standing Up Stories I Only Tell My Friends So That Happened Ellen DeGeneres Jon Cryer Leah Remini Penny Marshall Steve Martin George Takei Tina Fey Tupac Shakur Mindy Kaling Rob Lowe For answers, see below. Thank You 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. Trivia Answers A-7, B-9, C-3, D-1, E-4, F-6, G-8, H-5, I-10, J-2

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Homes & Money Newsletter May 2015

Christy FuentesLoan Officer Citywide Mortgage Phone: (405)514-6401 Fax: (405)794-4263 License:218690 christyfuentesloans@gmail.com www.christyfuentesloans.net Mortgage News Spring Homebuying Season Under Way Low rates from early February into March lured prospective homebuyers to purchase homes. The difference in monthly housing payments offered homebuyers the extra incentive needed to lock in purchase contracts and home loan rates. In February, purchase applications were 3 percent higher than the same time a year ago, with most of the gains coming from FHA financing, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). Even existing homeowners submitted refinance applications to take advantage of low rates, resulting in combined purchase and refinance loan application volume at its highest in six years. Despite some volatility in mid- to late-March, rates stayed low enough to welcome what is anticipated to be a busy spring home buying season. Feeling Good About Housing Construction The warmer spring season is finding homebuilders in a sunnier mood, despite drops in housing construction starts in both February and March. Homebuilder sentiment rose four points in April to a level of 56, according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index. Any number over 50 indicates that more builders view housing conditions as good. Feeling Bad About Housing Inventory A continuing concern is the lack of homes available for purchase. Low inventory can drive up prices, with many competitive buyers out-bidding each other to secure the most desirable homes. Total housing inventory at the end of March was slightly lower than the same time a year ago, and new listings are not coming on at nearly the pace needed to meet demand, according to an April CNBC housing report. Stay tuned for the next quarterly Homes & Money Newsletter for an update on how housing fared in the prime summer months, coming in August 2015. Did You Know? Memorial Day was formerly known as Decoration Day, and started after the American Civil War to commemorate the soldiers who died in the war.   Finance News Retail Discount Offers: Bargain or Trap? Tips on how to determine if those retailer discounts are really worth it. By Carolyn Bigda, Kiplinger.com Move over, Sunday coupons: Retailers dangle discounts in other ways these days. But to get the deals, you have to give something in return. Here's our take on when the trade-off is worth it. Become an e-mail subscriber. Worth it, but wait until you're buying a big-ticket item, says online shopping expert Michelle Madhok. You get a discount of, say, 10% or more, but the coupon is good only once, and only for a limited time. Connect on social media. Worth it for retailers where you shop frequently. By "liking" stores on Facebook or following them on Twitter, you get early access to sales or special discounts. The same goes for downloading a store's mobile app. For example, Gilt.com, a flash-sale Web site, runs mobile-only sales. Get a store credit card. Not worth it, especially if you carry a balance. The average interest rate for retail cards is 23%, compared with 15% on general-purpose cards. The interest you pay will quickly wipe out the discount of 15% or more you get when you open the card. Instead, use sites such asGiftCardGranny.com to find discounted store gift cards. The savings can be as much as 20% or more. Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. Kiplinger.com. Quote of the Day Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. – Robert Louis Stevenson   Creative Cuisine Restaurant-style Mexican Rice This all-time favorite can now be enjoyed right at home. (Serves 6 to 8) 1/3 cup olive oil 2 cups long grain white rice 4-5 garlic cloves, pressed 1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce 1 medium onion, peeled and roughly chopped 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro Heat oil in a heavy-bottom pan over medium-high heat until sizzling, add rice and sauté, stirring frequently until lightly toasted (8 minutes). Add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Blend tomato sauce and onion in food processor, then add to pan with the salt, cumin and chicken or vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer until all liquid is absorbed. Let rest for 10 minutes. Add cilantro and fluff with fork before serving.  Home News Lighten Up! Windowless rooms feel dark, no matter what the weather is doing. So how do you make a windowless room feel inviting and bright, without punching a hole in the walls or ceilings? Here are seven simple design tricks: Satin, semi-gloss or high-gloss paints reflect light, while flat paints capture more light. But the glossier the paint, the harder it is to hide imperfections—prep walls accordingly. Translucent or shiny furniture lends a more airy feeling. Consider pieces of glass, dark reflective marble, polished nickel and translucent acrylic. Large mirrors act like faux windows, but with double effect: increasing light and making the room appear larger. Prop one against the wall on the floor, or behind a seating area or other focal point. Reflective picture frames made of mirrors or shiny metallic surfaces, and hung gallery-style across an entire wall can be captivating, as well as lightening. Hang lamps lower than normal to draw the eye into the center of a space, rather than highlight the walls. Create an inviting aura over a love seat, bed or sitting area. Replace solid doors with glass to let in more light. Fogged glass retains the ambience without sacrificing privacy. Create a single focal point such as a seating area, fireplace, large painting or oversized plant. Be careful about clutter; when it comes to accessories and furniture in windowless rooms, less is always more. Source: Trulia   Book Review "The Credit Cleanup Book: Improving Your Credit Score, Your Greatest Financial Asset" By Shindy Chen "The Credit Cleanup Book" is the first credit repair guide written after the credit crisis of 2008. Good credit is essential for making financial moves in the modern world, yet most consumers don't understand even the basics of reporting and scoring, let alone how they are approved for loans and services. This step-by-step guide will teach you about credit, ways to remove negative and inaccurate items from your report, pitfalls to avoid while dealing with credit bureaus, and great tech tools to help. If you're ready to clean up your credit—in many cases in as little as 30 days—but don't know where to start, this book is for you! Find it here on Amazon, and sign up for the free Credit Cleanup Newsletter at TCCBonline.com.   Money Smarts Beat Summer Gas Prices Fortune Magazine recently reported that summer gas prices are expected to be at their lowest levels since 2005! If you're traveling by car this summer, keep these easy to remember tips in mind for getting even more mileage out of the gas you buy. SHUT IT: If you want the best mileage, air conditioning won't help, and rolling the windows down creates drag (or wind resistance), which is a similar reduction of gas mileage. According to the Energy Department, the best strategy is to open windows while driving at lower speeds, and use the AC on low at higher speeds. APP IT: Use your smartphone to find the lowest prices at surrounding gas stations. The most popular apps are Waze, Gas Guru and GasBuddy. Find the best route and avoid traffic jams with route planners like Road Warrior and Route4Me to save even more. SLOW IT: Every 5 mph that you drive over 50 is equivalent to paying an additional 17 cents per gallon. And due to the unpredictability of traffic (not to mention the risk of a ticket), speeding rarely pays off. INFLATE IT: When tires aren't properly inflated you use more gas, plus your tires wear more quickly. Make sure to carry a good pressure gauge in your glove box. DUMP IT: Don't leave unnecessary weight in the trunk, or wind-resisting cargo containers on the roof—especially in smaller cars. PARK IT: Don't idle the engine when you're parked. It takes less gas to turn off and then restart your car once you're ready to leave. Source: Associated Press    Facts & Figures Have You Seen These? While there's no secret sauce for a video to go "viral," these popular viral classics offer a hint of the necessary ingredients, along with the latest number of views as of this writing: Charlie Bit Me: The reigning champ with over 800 million views, this classic was captured in 2007 by the boys' dad; Charlie is now 9 years old, his brother Harry is 11. Evolution of Dance: In 6 minutes comedian Judson Laipply takes us from the robot to the chicken dance to the twist—290 million views. Sneezing Baby Panda: Captured at China's Wolong Panda Breeding Center, it's a close contender for second place with over 216 million views. David After Dentist: As 7-year-old David's medication wears off he questions life as we know it. Now 14, David's video has been viewed over 128 million times. RickRoll'd: More of a practical joke than a viral video. Still, it launched singer Rick Astley into internet infamy, now with over 71 million views. Dramatic Chipmunk: Prairie dog, actually, but that hasn't stopped the shortest video (5 seconds) on our list from garnering 43 million views and counting. Zombie Kid Likes Turtles: Ask a 10-year old a random question, get a random answer—and over 47 million views. Keyboard Cat: We can only add "Long live the non sequitur!" At over 39 million views to date, it seems there's no sign of stopping this meme. Otters Holding Hands: Captured at the Vancouver Aquarium, these adorable sea otters float around, nap and hold hands. Over 20 million people agree this is too cute! Source: Time Trivia Challenge—My Famous Mom Match these kids to their famous mothers: Kate Hudson Rashida Jones Gwyneth Paltrow Melanie Griffith Carrie Fisher Laura Dern Georgia Jagger Sean Lennon Isabella Rossellini Jamie Lee Curtis Jerry Hall Blythe Danner Goldie Hawn Peggy Lipton Ingrid Bergman Janet Leigh Diane Ladd Tippi Hedren Debbie Reynolds Yoko Ono For answers, see below. Thank You 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. Trivia Answers A-3, B-4, C-2, D-8, E-9, F-7, G-1, H-10, I-5, J-6

© 2015 Vantage Production, LLC. All rights reserved.

Homes & Money Newsletter April 2015

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Christy FuentesLoan Officer Citywide Mortgage Phone: (405)514-6401 Fax: (405)794-4263 License: 218690 christyfuentesloans@gmail.com www.christyfuentesloans.net Mortgage News 2015: Housing's Comeback Year? As 2014 came to a close, the housing market appeared to be in better shape than the same period in 2013. Despite the inventory of homes for sale in November reaching an eight-month low, home sales were still up 2.1 percent from a year ago, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. As is the trend during the holiday season, home loan application volume slowed down in the last quarter of 2014. A mid-December report by the Mortgage Bankers Association showed figures down almost 12 percent compared to the same time one year ago. Home loan rates are still hovering near historic lows. A good sign for new home construction in early 2015: in early November, homebuilders were granted almost 5 percent more permits to break ground—the highest amount in six years. Permits usually have a three to four month lead on housing construction, and the number of approved permits for new builds portends an optimistic start to the new year. Housing starts dropped 1.6 percent in November after two back-to-back monthly increases, yet the annual pace of 1.028 million units was still up almost 8 percent when compared to the first 11 months of 2013, according to Reuters. A December Financial Times survey forecasted that the amount of existing homes for sale will increase, as will competition from new homes and homebuilders. Millennials were predicted to see more job stability and to create households. Indeed, with job gains and wage growth starting to accelerate, first-time buyers are heading back into the market. This group accounted for 31 percent ofhome purchase transactions in November, the biggest share since October 2012. Will this mean an increase in first-time home purchases as a trend for 2015? Tune in to May's Homes & MoneyNewsletter to find out. Did You Know? George Washington was almost 40 years old when Beethoven was born.   Finance News 3 Simple Steps to Create a Home Inventory If you ever have to file a homeowners insurance claim, here's what you should know. By the editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Kiplinger.com Step 1: If you file a homeowners insurance claim for the partial or total loss of your home, your insurer will require a home inventory to reimburse you for your possessions. To avoid drawing up a list of items from memory, take stock of your belongings now. Look for a worksheet at your home insurer's Web site or use the one atwww.insureuonline.org/home_inventory_checklist.pdf to help you organize the task. Or create and store your inventory online withKnowYourStuff.org, a free tool from the Insurance Information Institute that's also available as an app for iPhones and Android phones. Step 2: Work room by room or by category. At a minimum, take photos or video as you go. If you have time, describe each item, including the quantity and serial number. Add the purchase date and price, and gather receipts or credit card statements. If you don't have a record of the price, look for a comparable item for sale online. Have jewelry, antiques, art and other valuables appraised (seewww.appraisers.org/find-an-appraiser). Step 3: Keep a copy of the inventory that's accessible from anywhere, say, in the cloud or even in an e-mail to yourself. The inventory will also help you determine whether you have enough coverage for your home's contents and document for tax purposes losses that insurance doesn't reimburse. Update your inventory periodically, especially after making major purchases or receiving expensive gifts. The payoff: Insurance claims will be settled more quickly and with less hassle. Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. Kiplinger.com. Quote of the Day "I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn't know how to get along without it." – Walt Disney   Creative Cuisine Chicken Enchilada Bake for Two This favorite food now comes in an easy to make smaller portion. You'll need: Coconut oil, for greasing baking dish 1 pound cooked, shredded chicken (for example, from a rotisserie chicken) 1 (14 ounce) can El Paso enchilada sauce 1 (6 ounce) can diced green chilies 1 orange or green bell pepper (seeded, diced) 1/4 red onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano Salt Pepper 3 eggs, whisked Cilantro, for garnish Goat cheese, for garnish (optional) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch by 8-inch glass baking dish. In a large bowl, combine chicken, enchilada sauce, green chilies, peppers, onions, garlic, chili powder, oregano, and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Add eggs and mix well. Pour mixture into baking dish. Bake one hour, or until eggs have completely cooked through. Remove from oven and let rest five minutes. Garnish with cilantro and goat cheese (optional). Home News Winter Cleaning Tips and Tricks Clean fan blades by placing a pillowcase over the blade, this will catch any falling dust. Clean stove burners in a sealed Ziploc bag with 1/4 cup of ammonia, wipe free the following morning. Keep faucets, sinks and tiles shiny with car wax, which acts as a protective barrier preventing water and soap buildup. Also use wax on air vents to repel dust. Refresh your mattress with a few drops of essential oil mixed with one cup dry baking soda. Sprinkle mixture on mattress and let sit for an hour, then vacuum. Homemade orange cleaner is made by filling a large jar with citrus peels, covering with white vinegar for two weeks. Strain and dilute 1:1 with water. Source: DIY Home Sweet Home   Book Review "The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution" By Walter Isaacson On the heels of his blockbuster biography of Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson delves in to the story of the people and events that created both the computer and the Internet with "The Innovators." Covering well-known technological giants like Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs and Larry Page, "The Innovators" also covers the little known figures who broke ground ahead of them, and those whose ability to collaborate and master teamwork helped skyrocket the pace of innovation. "The Innovators" is now a New York Times and Amazon best seller; click here to find out more!   Money Smarts Save Money After the Holidays As the bills start to flood in after the hectic holiday season, finding ways to save extra money might be on your list of resolutions. Here are a few tips that can help: Buy off-season merchandise that is more likely to be on clearance or deeply discounted by merchandisers who want to move stock. Learn to cook five meals, one for each night of your work week; it's healthier, adds variety to your meals, and will save an incredible amount of money (especially if you've got a family). Then you can... Brown-bag leftovers for work, which can save between $5 to $10 per workday in lunch expenses. Be your own barista and learn to make your favorite coffee drink at home, which can easily save a daily coffee drinker $100 over the course of a month or two, depending on your habit! Switch gyms to take advantage of deep discounts offered to cater to those New Year's resolutions. Make sure to read the fine print to avoid long-term contracts or introductory periods, after which rates rise sharply. Return unwanted gifts and save the cash (if stores offer that option). Even if the return is only good for store credit, spend it on something you actually need or use it to buy a gift for the next holiday season.    Facts & Figures Marketplace Madness The craziest items ever sold on eBay...along with their crazy final bid prices. A ghost in a jar, which the seller claimed to have found in an abandoned cemetery and sold so the ghost would stop haunting him.Final bid: $55,922. The shooter's window and frame from which Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly shot President John F. Kennedy. Final bid: over $3 million. Ian Usher was fed up with his life and decided to sell it, including his car, his house and his job. Once the deal was finalized, he introduced the buyer to all his friends. Final bid: over $200,000. A Corn Flake shaped like Illinois, which makes sense since the state is second in the U.S. for corn production. Final bid: $1,350. The meaning of life sold by someone who thought they had it all figured out. Too bad marketing didn't figure in. Final bid: $3.15. A haunted rubber ducky said to have possessed the seller's toddler who continuously threw it across the room in anger. Final bid: $100. The original Hollywood sign first built in 1923. The proceeds were actually used to finance a project for the silver screen. Final bid: $450,400. Source: eBay Trivia Challenge Match these U.S. Presidents with their home states. George Washington John F. Kennedy Andrew Jackson Abraham Lincoln Franklin D. Roosevelt Ronald Reagan Gerald Ford George H. W. Bush Dwight D. Eisenhower Harry S. Truman Woodrow Wilson Michigan New Jersey Virginia Massachusetts Kansas Missouri California Illinois New York Texas Tennessee For answers, see below. Thank You 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. Trivia Answers A-3, B-4, C-11, D-8, E-9, F-7, G-1, H-10, I-5, J-6, K-2

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