Courtney Cox, Realtor?

It's official. Courtney Cox has applied to get her Real Estate License in California. She is best known as Monica on friends, but she's a pretty amazing Real Estate Flipper in Los Angeles. She recently sold her blockbusting Malibu estate around 30 million...she paid around 10 million for it a few years back. I suppose Cox decided to apply for a real-estate license so that she can get more of the commission on properties that she buys and sells. Shrewd, indeed! I wish her the best of luck...


How Would You Describe Courteney's Efforts to Get a Real-Estate License?

Greedy

Smart

The Credit Card Companies Strike Again!

Hitting Consumers Where It Hurts

When it comes to developing innovative ways of burying consumers in debt, the credit card companies take the cake. According to MSNBC, credit card fees alone have skyrocketed from $2.6 billion to $21.5 billion since 1980. Plus, in addition to late charges, some credit card lenders add insult to injury by applying interest rates, in some cases as high as 31.99%, to an existing balance!

But, of all of the credit card companies' sneaky tricks, the most egregious by far has to be the "universal default clause", a provision that allows lenders to tack on an exorbitant "penalty" interest rate even when the borrower's account is paid on time. That's right. The default clause, a common practice among lenders today, allows for an increase to the ridiculous penalty interest rate if a consumer is late on any of his or her bills, including things like utilities. According to the advocacy group Consumer Action, while most default interest rates hover around 30%, it's not uncommon to see a penalty rate of up to 35%. Some analysts have even reported rates in excess of 40%!

Buried in the fine print, the default clause and other terms and conditions of a credit card account can be easily amended by the lender with a simple written notification that usually accompanies the monthly statement. Some reports suggest that many consumers end up trashing the notification, along with the usual pile of unwanted marketing material enclosed in the envelopes, without ever reading it.

If you have large credit card balances and don't think you can handle your monthly credit card payments doubling overnight, a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) could be less expensive than credit financing, depending on your situation, and it may even be tax deductible.

If you or someone you know has an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) or Hybrid ARM that's about to adjust to a higher rate, the universal default may be the last of your worries right now.

Did you know:

• Many ARMs holders are facing 50% or even 100% increases in their monthly mortgage payments once their ARMs reset?


• There is no cap on the first adjustment of most subprime loans?


• Credit standards are tightening and, with each passing day, you may no longer qualify to refinance?

Please call us right away for a free consultation. Together, we'll sit down, analyze your debt, and make sure you're taking full advantage of every opportunity available to you.

Time To Vacation . . .

But Where Does Your Mail Go When You Want To Get Away?

Think about what lands in your mailbox...bank statements, credit card bills, and maybe even DVD's. Where do they all go when you're gone? If you've been asking a nosy neighbor to pick up your mail - or worse, letting your mail pile up in the box-there's a better option and it's easier than ever!

Whether you're on vacation or an unexpected business trip, you can rest easy knowing your mail is safe and sound by asking the Post Office to suspend delivery while you're gone. They'll hold your mail from 3 to 30 days, and then resume normal delivery on the date you specify. It's convenient, easy to do, and most of all it’s SAFE!

Make It Even Easier with the Internet

Now you can notify the Post Office to hold your mail in two minutes flat without even leaving your house. Just hit this link, and you can quickly fill out the form online: USPS Mail Hold. If your area isn't served online, simply call 1 800 ASK USPS (1 800 275 8777) and a representative can assist you.

Then, have the time of your life...without worrying about your mail while you're gone!

Caution: Children Swimming This Summer

Protect Your Family from Summer Tragedy

Last summer, Jim Sahnger, a contributing editor for our newsletter, shared a very personal story. Jim almost lost his 13-month old son, Sterling, when he nearly drowned in their backyard pool. Jim and his family were lucky. Sterling survived, with no lingering effects.

The unfortunate truth is that this summer many families will not be as lucky as the Sahngers. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 14, surpassed only by car accidents. For children ages 1 to 4, it is the leading cause of accidental death.

If you are a parent, or know anyone who has children, we ask that you please read Jim’s account of that almost tragic day.

This request is not an attempt at sensationalism or the melodramatic. We believe that this topic is a highly important one. By reading and forwarding this article, you may just save a life and, at the same time, spare countless people from the pain that one family nearly experienced.

Here is Jim’s story...

While on the phone with my 10-year old son, Paul, I heard a scream and then nothing. Concerned for the safety of my family, I called back only to hear Paul answer the phone, crying inconsolably. The only words I could make out were "Sterling", "dead", and "pool". After a few moments, he said, "Dad, I have to call 911!" The line went dead.

My name is Jim Sahnger, and I am one of the contributing editors for your monthly newsletter. In March of 2006, my youngest son Sterling, 13-months old at the time, nearly drowned in my family's backyard swimming pool.

I had left my home not 30 minutes prior. Surely I had misunderstood Paul. Surely this was a mistake. The drive home was one of my longest ever. Thoughts ranging from "How could this happen?" to "I can't believe my son just died," went through my head.

While pulling up to the house, I began looking for confirmation that what I'd heard on the phone was a mistake. The pit that developed in my stomach was indescribable as I saw over ten emergency vehicles parked in front. They all had one purpose, to save my son's life.

Sterling had crawled through an open door to a pool deck where the barrier gate had been left opened. He inevitably made it to the pool and fell in.

I have a responsible, very attentive family and thought that we were always aware of Sterling's whereabouts. If this could happen to us, it could happen to you or someone you know and love.

We were lucky. Paul had seen Sterling floating in the pool after he'd been in an estimated two and a half minutes. In just 30 more seconds, Sterling could have experienced irreparable brain damage; and after a few more minutes, we could have lost him forever.

Sterling was released from the hospital after seven hours and multiple tests to determine if he'd suffered any harm from the lack of oxygen. To see Sterling today, you would never know what took place that day in March.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states that every year 300 children drown in a swimming pool, usually owned by their family. The commission also states that 2,000 children are treated annually for submersion injuries. Several things can be done to prevent those you care about from becoming a part of these statistics. The tips you're about to read apply to everyone with young children, but they're especially relevant to those who own a pool of any size.

• Install a self-closing pool gate. This is first and foremost for any pool owner. For a little one, it can act as a final barrier between the house and your pool. A rigid pool cover is also a great tool, but it should always be used in conjunction with the self-closing gate.


• Prepare yourself for emergencies by having every family member who's reached the appropriate age certified in CPR.


• Keep a phone by the pool in case someone needs to call 911. This will save a lot of time during a worst-case scenario.


• Clear the pool and surrounding area of any toys that may attract toddlers.


• Equip your home's back door and pool gate with a buzzer that sounds when opened. You can also buy alarms that float in the pool and sound any time the water is disturbed.


• Plastic or inflatable pools are often un-gated and carry a huge risk. The tendency is to keep them filled since it is rationalized that the child can stand up in the water and they'll be OK. It’s best to drain these types of pools after every use. It only takes several inches of water for a child to drown.

If your family does not own a pool, your child's water safety still requires due diligence. It's not enough to simply know where children are at all times. Whether you're at the beach, lake, or a pool, keep your child within arm's reach. Do not rely on babysitters or anyone else to do this. Keep your child close to you.

It is also a good idea to choose your swimming locations carefully. On-duty lifeguards are a plus but should not be relied upon completely. Keep a close eye on waves and current conditions as they can easily pull a child under water.

Swimming lessons are a good idea but can provide a false sense of security for those with younger children. Revisit lessons every summer until you are 100% sure your child is a competent swimmer.

While it's popular to forward jokes, funny videos, and other information to family and friends, we encourage you to forward this story for a different reason. The purpose is not to make someone laugh, but rather to potentially help save lives.

© Copyright 2007. All About News, Inc.

The Bond & Home Loan Markets Are In Turmoil

Is Your Financial Future Secure?

Interest rates, including those tied to home loans, soared sharply last week across several markets, alarming consumers and investors alike. Let's examine what caused rates to increase, how it could impact you, and what you should do about it.

The sharp rise we saw last week was the result of an economic shift in the global market. Two different foreign central banks, similar to the Federal Reserve in the US, increased their short-term interest rates in an effort to fend off inflation. The first increase took place in Europe, with New Zealand following soon after. The results, while dramatic worldwide, were particularly so here in the United States, where interest rates increased across the board.

This had an immediate impact on those seeking home financing, as rates rose to the highest levels seen since last summer. While interest rates are currently under 7.00% , they may not remain there for long. As past years have demonstrated, a rapid rise in interest rates sometimes serves as merely a pre-cursor to even higher rates in the coming months.

Could we see a repeat of 1993-1994, when 30-year fixed interest rates rose from 6.69% to 8.23% in just five months? (These figures are according to HSH Associates.)

If you are considering a new home purchase or a refinance, act now. Waiting could cost you significantly. If we were to experience a similar increase on a mortgage amount of $250,000, the monthly payment would increase by over $263 a month.

While no one can predict exactly what will happen, experts in the bond arena have expressed concerns that rates will continue to increase throughout the rest of the year. Some believe that the Federal Reserve will be forced to raise interest rates prior to year end. This would increase interest rates for existing Home Equity loans, credit card loans, and potentially existing ARMs.

Please contact us as soon as possible. We will provide you with a Free, No Cost Analysis of how we can improve your financial position today and save you from a potential increase in monthly payments.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2007!!

Seven graduating seniors from high schools around the Inland area express their thoughts and feelings to the Press-Enterprise. Click here to see more!

And if you’re a new graduate, feel free to post YOUR thoughts and feelings right here in the comments section!

Property Tax Facts

When you buy a house, lenders allow you the option of impounding your taxes and home owners insurance by including them in your monthly payment every month or paying them separately twice a year at specified times on your own. Either option you select, you'll still be paying the same amount in property taxes annually.

Most people don't impound their taxes and insurance because of money. When you choose to impound you pay up to 6 months of taxes up front in your down payment, depending on what time of year it is. By doing this, the money is already there when the upcoming tax bill comes to the lender. Each subsequent bill can be paid with the cumulative money that you send every month along with your mortgage payment specifically towards your impound account. When given the choice, most don't choose to part with the upfront money to set up an impound account.

The problem, especially for first time home buyers or buyers on a strict budget, is they don’t realize- and often experience financial difficulties when they find out- that in addition to their normal annual property tax bill, the first year they will be assessed a Supplemental Tax. That Supplemental Tax Bill can often total up to a few thousand dollars in addition to their normal tax bill. This can catch a borrower off guard and be enough to start that borrower on a downward spiral leading to late mortgage payments and worse. Some borrowers may never recover because they didn't know to plan ahead.

The moral of this story: Experience does not cost…it pays! Work with an experienced Realtor. Ask questions. Knowledge is Power. Know the ramification of your options so you can plan ahead. We believe that if we do a good job coaching our borrowers and following up with them, they will be in better shape to handle what's coming their way and our clients appreciate that. We want to keep our clients for life - both as their real estate and financial advisor.