Friday, April 30 2010
EVANSVILLE, Ind.--Despite the current economic recession, businesses are optimistic about the volumes and budgets for future corporate relocations, according to Atlas Van Lines' 43rd annual Corporate Relocation Survey, released today. More than one in five firms surveyed expect relocation volumes to increase in 2010, a great improvement over last year, when more than half of surveyed firms predicted a decrease in relocations. Other positive signs include the majority of firms indicating they expect their overall financial performances to improve compared to 2009. With guarded optimism, most responding firms expect stability or even improvement in both the U.S. economy and real estate market. The Atlas survey--the only survey of its kind--has for 43 years explored trends in how corporations move existing employees or newly hired staff. Most survey respondents work in human resources/personnel or relocation services departments for service, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, financial or government organizations, and more than half work for international companies. Atlas, the Evansville-based corporate relocation, transportation and global logistics firm, announces its survey results to coincide with the annual Atlas Forum on Moving in April. "These survey results are a possible early sign of a recovery for the relocation industry, and they indicate that companies are finding ways to contain costs while retaining employee incentives," said Jack Griffin, president and COO of Atlas Van Lines. "But the best news is that firms are predicting a brighter future both for themselves and the overall economy." Here's a closer look at developing trends in corporate relocation: Employees more willing to relocate Employees appear to have been slightly more willing to relocate in 2009 than they were the previous year. More than half (56 percent) of responding firms saw employees decline relocations, compared to 65 percent in 2008. For the second year in a row, housing/mortgage concerns surpassed family issues/ties as the No. 1 reason for refusing relocation. Seventy-seven percent of respondents cited housing concerns, including worries about selling a home, as the reason for declining relocation. However, 66 percent of firms responding offered employees incentives to encourage relocations, with relocation bonuses, loss-on-sale protection, cost-of-living adjustments and extended duplicate/temporary housing benefits rounding out the top four methods used. In 2009, extending duplicate/temporary housing benefits jumped to the most popular perk, with 69 percent of firms offering this incentive. So successful were these incentives that 90 percent of companies said they "almost always" or "frequently" convinced an employee to relocate. Forty-five percent of companies also help an employee's spouse find work in a new location. Economy, not lack of local talent, impacting moves For the first time since 2003, a lack of qualified people locally was not the biggest influence on relocation. Instead, more than half (53 percent) of companies cited economic conditions as the biggest influence on relocations, with just 31 percent citing a lack of qualified people locally. And 37 percent say declining an opportunity that involves relocation can hinder an employee's career. A more encouraging outlook for 2010 Responding firms indicated the number of employees relocated and relocating budgets significantly decreased compared to 2008. Forty-two percent said they moved fewer employees last year, compared to just one-fourth experiencing declines in relocation volumes in 2008. Additionally, over a third saw decreases in relocation budgets last year (compared to 19 percent in 2008); while only 18 percent indicated budgets increased. The percentages of firms expecting increases in relocation volumes and budgets in 2010 are roughly twice that of last year. Internationally, relocation volume expectations improved slightly overall compared to the previous year. Nearly two-thirds of firms expect international relocation volumes to remain stable. Survey fast facts · Eighty-two percent of firms have a formal relocation policy. · Relocations were almost equally split between transferees and new hires in 2009. · Males age 36-40 were the most frequently relocated employee in 2009; only 17 percent of relocations involved female employees. · Forty-five percent of relocations involved employees with children; 60 percent of those relocated were homeowners. · One-quarter of responding firms give employees one week or less to accept a relocation offer. · More than three-fourths of companies reimburse moving companies to pack all items; 29 percent will even reimburse the cost of moving pets. · The Midwest was the top destination of transfers (36 percent) followed by the South (28 percent) and the Northeast (27 percent). · Among international relocations, the most frequent destinations were Europe (47 percent) followed by Asia/Pacific Rim (36 percent). · Over the past two years, the percentages of firms using full, lump sum (relocation allotment) or partial reimbursement for new hires have become nearly identical. Nearly 300 corporate relocation professionals completed the online survey between January 11 and February 26. Respondents must have relocation responsibility and work for a company that has either relocated employees within the past two years or plans to relocate employees this year. Half of the companies surveyed this year relocate employees between countries. For complete survey results, visit www.atlasworldgroup.com/survey. AAtlas Van Lines is the largest subsidiary of Atlas World Group, an Evansville, Ind.-based company. Atlas World Group companies employ nearly 700 people throughout North America. More than 500 Atlas interstate agents in the United States and Canada specialize in corporate relocation, household moving services and in the transportation of high-value items such as electronics, fine art, new fixtures and furniture. Visit www.atlasworldgroup.com for more information on the company and Atlas agents. Source: Atlas World Group Thursday, April 29 2010
Organizing Your Linen Closet Sort and Organize - Sort all your towels and sheets to determine which are worth keeping and which should go to charity. Try to limit yourself to three sets of sheets per bed and as few as three sets of bath sheets or towels, hand towels, and washcloths per person. Map the Closet - If you're short of space, think compact. Another good idea is to slip folded sheets into the matching pillowcases. And don't forget the closet door: It's a great place to hang robes or shallow baskets for soaps and toilet paper. Label Everything - Once everything is in order, label the shelves to help you keep the closet that way. Use adhesive labels or tape a slip of paper to the shelf front to indicate “Master Bath,” “King Fitted,” or “Summer Blankets.” The key is to use your closet¯however tiny¯for daily linens while moving the less needed items elsewhere. Whatever you do, aim at a system that works best for the person who's doing the laundry. Source: RealSimple.com Essential Spring-Cleaning Tools Microfiber Cloths - Woven from superfine synthetic fibers, these delicate cloths safely clean computer screens, stainless steel appliances, and other surfaces that are easily scratched. Fingerprints and other small smudges can be rubbed off with a dry cloth; a damp one will clear away even stubborn marks. Corn Broom - Corn brooms are best for rough surfaces, such as a garage floor, driveway, or sidewalk. They will scrape up debris such as leaves and gravel but won't pick up fine dirt. Look for a nonslip handle that is comfortable to hold -- thicker handles cause less strain. Bon Ami Polishing Cleanser - This gently abrasive powder leaves enamel stove tops and stainless steel pans spotless, without a scratch. It's also great for routine shower and tub cleaning and removing stains from outdoor furniture. The cleanser is nontoxic and biodegradable and contains no dye, fragrance, or bleach. Source: MarthaStewart.com
How to Save Money on Groceries Plan your meals and shopping lists around featured sale items - Use your store's weekly sales ad flier to plan your menus for the week. Write your shopping list around the items and brands that are on sale. Taking a few minutes to make a detailed plan will save you the time of making unplanned trips to the store during the week—which can ruin your budget. When is the best time to use grocery coupons? Use grocery coupons, ideally when the item is on sale. Buy the Sunday newspaper—75% of grocery coupons come from the newspaper. Buy two to three copies per week to save dramatically. Go online—grocery stores often have their best deals and printable coupons on their websites. When should you buy the store brand? Be flexible about brands and stores. Buy the brand that's on sale with a coupon, or get the store brand if it's less expensive. Shop at the store with the best prices for your items that week. Source: Oprah.com Asparagus Gruyere Tart Ingredients: Flour, for work surface 1 sheet frozen puff pastry 5 1/2 oz (2 cups) Gruyere cheese, shredded 1 1/2 pounds medium or thick asparagus 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and pepper Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a 16-by-10-inch rectangle. Trim uneven edges. Place pastry on a baking sheet. With a sharp knife, lightly score pastry dough 1 inch in from the edges to mark a rectangle. Using a fork, pierce dough inside the markings at 1/2-inch intervals. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Remove pastry shell from oven, and sprinkle with Gruyere. Trim the bottoms of the asparagus spears to fit crosswise inside the tart shell; arrange in a single layer over Gruyere, alternating ends and tips. Brush with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake until spears are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. EASY Repair Process: Warranty Wisdom A home service agreement can make your repair process easy. We make the call to arrange for a licensed and insured contractor to take care of your problem. With a home service agreement, you pay a small trade fee for your covered repairs…without it you could pay hundreds. A HomeTrust Warranty® home service agreement gives you the protection you need against breakdowns of covered appliances and major systems such as plumbing, heating, electrical and A/C. Ask your Realtor® about www.HomeTrustWarranty.com.
Wednesday, April 28 2010
The Indiana Association of REALTORS® (IAR) today released its "Indiana Real Estate Markets Report" for the month of March as a continuation of its "Indiana is Home" project.
The Report, found online at www.IndianaIsHome.com, was the first-ever county-by-county comparison of existing single-family home sales in Indiana. Last month, statistics on other types of existing, single-family home sales - condominiums, duplexes, townhomes, mobile homes, etc. - was added to the report. IAR obtains the data directly from 26 of the state's 27 Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), including the Broker Listing Cooperative® (BLC®) in central Indiana. To date, the Report represents 98% of the housing market statewide and 91 of 92 Indiana counties with Knox County being the latest addition. Statewide, March sales of all types of existing, single-family homes increased 17.9 % from the same month last year; median prices saw an increase of 8.2%. This is the sixth consecutive month that there has been an increase in median prices over the previous year. "Some of the large increase in sales can be contributed to the federal tax credit that will expire at the end of April," said Karl Berron, Chief Executive Officer. "But also the trajectory of the market is clearly positive. As we have seen from the reports over the last several months, prices have firmed and Indiana's real estate markets are on better footing than they have been in some time." Consumers should know that there are other incentives available to help achieve their dream of homeownership, namely the Market Stabilization Program created by the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA) to minimize the negative effects of foreclosures in many Hoosier communities. Find out more by watching the Reportisode (video) that accompanies the Report at www.IndianaIsHome.com. You should pause the video immediately after playing and allow it to load for a few seconds before pushing play again.
Monday, April 26 2010
It's not unusual for home improvement stores to host how-to workshops, but the one Saturday at Evansville's East Side Lowe's was a bit different. It was aimed at women, and it was about more than just home-improvement skills. The session was the first of two clinics held in conjunction with Women Build, a Habitat for Humanity program that encourages women to help construct homes for families in need. Another clinic will take place Saturday at Lowe's on the West Side. Habitat for Humanity joins with families worldwide to build affordable housing. Habitat homeowners pay for their homes through interest-free mortgages, and they must contribute 300 hours of volunteer labor, or "sweat equity," to build their homes and those of others. Women Build recognizes that 80 percent of Habitat homeowners are single mothers, said Sister Jane Michele McClure, development director for Habitat for Humanity of Evansville. Lowe's workshop targets Women Build volunteers
"As Habitat, we know the power that comes from building your own house. ... It's a way for women to take charge of their own life." Habitat's national Women Build week is May 1-9. The Evansville affiliate will mark the occasion with a ceremony and work session May 8 at a home under construction in the Glenwood neighborhood at 314 Ridgeway Drive. The official Women Build home project, also in Glenwood, takes place in September. This will be the sixth Women Build event in Evansville, but it's the first time local Lowe's stores have hosted Women Build clinics. Lowe's is a national sponsor of Women Build. Locally, the retailer is donating $5,000 to the effort. Susan Simon, manager of Evansville's East Side Lowe's, said her store was glad to host the clinic — especially because some of its employees were affected by the November 2005 tornado. "We've had the personal experience of someone losing their home," she said. One of those employees, Simon said, is now a Habitat homeowner. At Saturday's clinic, about 50 women learned about painting, window and door installation, tool use and landscaping. Among them was Harriet Burtt of Grayville, Ill., who came for two reasons. She's remodeling her own home, and she wants to become a Habitat volunteer. Burtt said she considers herself "fairly handy," but she did pick up some pointers at the clinic. Impressed with what she learned about Women Build, Burtt plans to join the Evansville project this fall. "To help women all over the world who are disenfranchised," she said. "I'm all for that." Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/apr/24/building-on-a-dream/ Sunday, April 25 2010
New Home Sales soared by 26.9% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 411,000. Relative to a year ago, sales were up 23.8%. In addition, the numbers for February were revised up to an annual rate of 324,000 rather than the original reported figure of 30.8%. So relative to where we thought sales were they climbed 33.4%. This is by far the most significant economic number of the week. Inventories of homes for sale fell by 2.1% to 228,000. That drop, combined with the faster sales pace, lowered the months of supply metric down to 6.7 months from 8.6 months in February. Over the last year, inventories are down 27.2%, and a year ago months of supply stood at 11.3. Read the rest of the story here: http://tinyurl.com/3326rov
Saturday, April 24 2010
Fair Isaac, which developed FICO scores, used a comparison between two people to explain how mortgage delinquencies affect credit scores.
Fair Isaac derived these numbers from a theoretical calculation based on hypothetical borrowers – one with an initial score of 680 and one with an initial score of 780. FICO scores range from 300 to 850. The hypothetical person behind the 680 score had six credit accounts, while the person with the 780 score had 10. The consumer with the 780 score had no missed payments other than the mortgage; the 680 example had two late payments before they failed to pay the mortgage. After a mortgage delinquency, the two scores would look like this: • After 30-day delinquency, 680 score drops to 620 to 640; 780 score declines to 670 to 690. • After 90-day delinquency, 680 score falls to 595 to 610; 780 score goes to 645 to 665. • After foreclosure, short sale, or deed-in-lieu, 680 goes to 575 to 595 and 780 drops to 620 to 640. • After bankruptcy, 680 drops to 530 to 550; 780 declines to 540 to 560. Source: CNN, Les Christie (04/22/2010) http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2010042204?OpenDocument Friday, April 23 2010
If you aren’t sure whether your property or business is at risk from disasters caused by natural hazards, check with your local building official, city engineer, or planning and zoning administrator. They can tell you whether you are in an area where hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, or tornadoes are likely to occur. Also, they usually can tell you how to protect yourself, your house, business and property from the different hazards.
Select a category below to view any of the resources listed here. Protect Your Business from All Natural Hazards
Source: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/howto/index.shtm Thursday, April 22 2010
Home sales rose more than expected in March, reversing three months of declines, as government incentives drew in buyers and kicked off what's expected to be a strong spring selling season. The National Association of Realtors says sales of previously occupied homes rose 6.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.35 million last month, the highest level since December. February's sales figures were revised downward slightly to 5.01 million. Sales had been expected to rise about 5.2 percent to 5.28 million, according to economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters. The results show the housing market may be stabilizing after a devastating bust. But the true test will be whether the market can stand on its own after federal tax credits expire at the end of this month. For more information, visit washingtonpost.com: Thursday, April 22 2010
Housing construction posted a better-than-expected performance in March, rising to the highest level in 16 months on the strength of multi-family homes. The Commerce Department report Friday showed that construction of single-family homes, the most important segment of the market, fell. It dropped 0.9 percent to an annual rate of 531,000 units, after a strong 5.7 percent gain in February. But permits for single-family construction, a barometer for future activity, were up. That raised some hopes that the recovery of the housing market will stay on track and help sustain the broader economic rebound. Overall, construction rose 1.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 626,000. That was higher than the 610,000 level that economists expected. In addition, the government revised February's numbers to show a 1.1 percent gain rather than the initially reported drop of 5.9 percent. Applications for building permits recorded a better-than-expected increase in March, rising 7.5 percent to an annual rate of 685,000. Analysts are looking for any rebound in housing to be modest at best given the severe problems facing the industry. These include record home foreclosures and high unemployment, which robs potential buyers of the income they need to support a home purchase. The weakness in single-family construction was offset by an 18.8 percent surge in the smaller multifamily sector, which rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 95,000 units. Analysts do not expect this strength to continue given a multitude of problems facing commercial real estate at the moment. That includes high apartment vacancy rates and rising foreclosures of commercial properties. Paul Ashworth, an economist at Capital Economics, noted that even with the March gain, the level of housing construction is still slightly more than one-fourth of where it was during the boom years in the middle of the decade. He said this burst of activity could well fade after home buyer tax credits expire at the end of this month. By section of the country, all the strength in March came in the South. Construction activity there jumped 18.2 percent, the best advance in 10 months. Building activity plunged 28.4 percent in the Midwest and was down 8.3 percent in the Northeast and 2.1 percent in the West. The National Association of Home Builders said Thursday its housing market index, which tracks industry confidence, jumped four points to a reading of 19 in April, the highest level since September. Builders are reporting a pickup in sales and customer traffic as homebuyers rush to qualify for expiring tax incentives. The tax credits — $8,000 for new buyers and $6,500 for current owners — expire at the end of this month. Many economists believe the tax incentives will boost the number of buyers now but lead to a drop in sales in the second half of the year. Home sellers are also having to cope with banks tightening up on lending standards and a sizable supply of unsold homes. The number of homes seized by banks jumped 35 percent in the first quarter from a year ago, RealtyTrac Inc. said Thursday. In addition, households facing foreclosure increased 16 percent in the same period and 7 percent from the last three months of 2009. More homes were taken over by banks and scheduled for a foreclosure sale than in any quarter going back to at least January 2005, when the foreclosure listings firm began reporting the data. Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/apr/16/march-housing-starts-gain-multifamily-building/ Wednesday, April 21 2010
WASHINGTON, DC — Housing is stabilizing but excess inventory and shadow supply are hindering recovery according to the April 2010 Economic Outlook released today by Fannie Mae's (FNM/NYSE) Economics & Mortgage Market Analysis Group. The outlook projects economic growth of 3.1 percent for all of 2010, notwithstanding the recent dip in growth for the first quarter.
"Financial conditions are improving as seen by the unwinding of various programs, most notably the MBS purchase program which ended in March. This is strong evidence that the Fed believes the financial sector can stand on its own," said Fannie Mae Chief Economist Doug Duncan. "We estimate that June 2009 was the end of the recession, a good sign that we're moving forward. Nevertheless, significant improvements in the labor market and consumer spending will be the big hurdles as we move toward recovery in the housing market and broader economy."
New home sales are at record lows and will be slow to recover until inventory of existing homes and the foreclosure overhang are worked off. However, we see key indicators for existing home sales, including pending home sales and purchase applications, are showing good signs of a pickup.
Jobs, a driving force for housing, are now moving in the right direction. Fundamentals of the labor market appear to be improving as layoffs have slowed and hiring is showing signs of life. March payroll employment increased by 162,000, the largest gain in three years; temp employment posted a sixth consecutive monthly gain; and the average workweek increased. On the downside, unemployment will remain elevated for some time, despite the peak unemployment rate of 10.1 percent likely having occurred in October 2009.
The Economic Outlook includes the Economic Developments commentary, Economic Forecast, and Housing Forecast — which detail movement of interest rates, the housing market, the mortgage market, and the overall economic climate. To read the full April 2010 Economic Outlook, visit the Economics & Mortgage Market Analysis site at http://www.fanniemae.com.
Monday, April 19 2010
A new national survey gauging attitudes toward housing finds that two-thirds of Americans (65 percent) still prefer owning a home, despite the challenging economic environment and the housing downturn. The Fannie Mae National Housing Survey, conducted between December 2009 and January 2010, polled homeowners and renters to assess their confidence in homeownership as an investment, the current state of their household finances, views on the U.S. housing finance system and overall confidence in the economy.
"Despite the recent downturn in the housing sector, Americans continue to value homeownership and think about their homes in ways that go much deeper than the financial investment," said Mike Williams, President and CEO, Fannie Mae. "The public also strongly believes in the importance of upholding the financial commitment involved in buying and owning a home, even during these challenging times when home values have fallen." Survey Shows More Cautious Approach among Consumers The survey revealed that homeowners and renters alike are taking a more cautious approach to homeownership. Nearly a quarter of renters polled (23 percent) say they will buy a home later than once planned. In addition, Americans with traditional, fixed-rate mortgages with predictable payments are significantly more satisfied than those with other types of mortgages. Respondents cited non-financial reasons such as safety (43 percent) and quality of local schools (33 percent) as driving factors in wanting to own a home, ahead of financial considerations. "Consumers are still committed to owning a home, but are showing increased cautiousness, regardless of whether they rent, own their homes outright or have a mortgage," said Doug Duncan, Vice President and Chief Economist, Fannie Mae. "They are rebalancing their attitudes toward housing and homeownership by adopting a more realistic, long-term approach, and are less willing to take risks. This focus on sustainable housing is better for the economy, better for the housing market and better for America's families." A majority of consumers (60 percent) believe that buying a home today is harder than it was for their parents, and nearly seven in ten (68 percent) think it will be even more difficult for their children. Most respondents (88 percent) also believe that walking away from an underwater mortgage is not acceptable, but those who know someone who has defaulted are more than twice as likely to have seriously considered stopping payments on their mortgage. Key Survey Findings The following key findings illustrate broad consumer perspectives on a range of related issues, including: current attitudes toward the economy and housing; present conditions for homeownership; owning versus renting; the present climate for borrowing; current mortgage satisfaction; the impact of being "underwater" on borrowers; and attitudes toward defaulting. In some instances, data are compared to a 2003 study on housing by Fannie Mae. Housing and the Economy
Desirability of Homeownership
Renters' Views on Renting and Homeownership
Challenges Facing Homeowners
Attitudes about Delinquency
Survey Methodology From December 12, 2009 — January 12, 2010, Penn Schoen Berland, in partnership with Oliver Wyman, conducted 3,451 telephone interviews with Americans age 18 and older. This included a random sample of 3,051 members of the general population, including 887 homeowners, 1,110 mortgage borrowers, 908 renters, and 338 underwater borrowers (those who report owing at least 5% more on their mortgage than their home is worth). The overall margin of error for the general population sample is +/- 1.77% and larger for subgroups. An additional oversample of 400 random national delinquent borrowers was also polled. The margin of error for the delinquent oversample is +/- 4.9% and larger for subgroups. Delinquency was defined as not having made a mortgage payment in the past 60 or more days. For more information about the survey, visit http://www.fanniemae.com/about/housing-survey.html Sunday, April 18 2010
Confusion reigned for Jack and Sue Schriber in the moments before they accepted the Rotary Club of Evansville's 2009 Rotary Civic Award on Tuesday.
Sue Schriber showed up at the Coliseum, unbeknownst to her husband, and ducked behind a door out of his line of sight. Tipped off that he would win the prestigious annual award, she was poised to make an entrance to help him celebrate when his name was called. When the Schribers' names, plural, were called, Sue Schriber wasn't sure what she'd heard. "(Rotary member) Mark Miller had me behind this door," she recalled afterward with a laugh. "Mark came over and said to me, 'Did you hear all of that, Sue?'" Jack Schriber recalls being locked in on Niel Ellerbrook, Vectren Corp. chief executive officer, convinced that Ellerbrook's name would be the one called. "His wife wasn't here, but the rest of his family was, and I felt, 'Well, she's probably said she couldn't be there, and she's hiding out there with the people and she's going to come in and surprise him,'" Jack Schriber said. Even when Rotary member Donna Leader came to his seat as everyone watched to see who would be tapped, Schriber still wasn't sure exactly what was going on. "When Donna said, 'Congratulations, Jack,' I looked behind me because there was another Jack there," he said, chuckling. Once it sunk in to the Schribers that they had won the award together, the Rotary Club's Tuesday luncheon became a full-scale celebration of their contributions to the local arts community. "Who could better light up the stage as Santa Claus in the Peppermint Pops concerts than Jack Schriber?" Rotary Past President Matt Volkman told the luncheon, "Who could better guide high school students through the process of presenting professional summer musicals than Sue Schriber? The answer to both questions is 'nobody.' "Jack and Sue have placed their imprint on practically every worthy arts endeavor in the community, whether the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Evansville Civic Theatre, Reitz Home Murder Mysteries or the Evansville Museum." The Rotary Civic Award publicly recognizes winners for their civic, charitable, humanitarian and cultural services to Evansville and its residents. Jack Schriber, a teacher of public speaking at the University of Southern Indiana, retired three years ago as the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp.'s supervisor of fine arts. He later returned to EVSC as a community outreach consultant. Sue Schriber is Oak Hill Middle School's counselor to students. She taught vocal music from 1973 until 2000 at Columbia Elementary School, then at Oak Hill Middle School. She is the drama director for the Public Education Foundation and EVSC's annual summer musical project, where she is directing her 17th production, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas." The Schribers called the Rotary award a high honor. "The real honor is looking at the list of people who won it in the past," Jack Schriber said of the annual Civic Award, first given to E. Mead Johnson Sr. in 1927. Sue Schriber said accepting the award with her husband made it especially sweet. "To be able to serve the community in any way that we can, and do it having a good time with each other, and then to be recognized for it, is just wonderful," she said. Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/apr/13/jack-sue-schriber-get-rotary-civic-award/ Saturday, April 17 2010
If you are shopping for home equity interest rates, there are a few things for you to consider. One of the most important decisions that you will have to make is whether to go with a fixed or variable rate. Here are a few things to think about when it comes to choosing between fixed or variable rates. Fixed Interest Rates One option that you will find when shopping for home equity loans is the fixed interest rate. With this type of rate, you will be able to lock in a particular payment over the life of the home equity loan. With this method, you will be locking in an interest rate based upon the prevailing rate in the market at the time that you close the loan. Variable Interest Rates Another type of loan that you will commonly find in the market is the variable interest rate home equity loan. With this type of loan, the interest rate will fluctuate based upon a market index such as the prime rate. When this happens, your monthly payment will fluctuate up and down with the interest rate as well. Forecasting Rates One of the most important things for you to consider when choosing between these two types of loans is what you think interest rates will do in the future. If you believe that interest rates are as low as they are going to get for many years, you would most likely be better off to get a fixed interest rate and lock it in. This way, if the interest rates in the market increase significantly in the coming years, you will not be negatively affected. However, if you expect interest rates to go down in the near future, you might be better off signing up for a variable interest rate. Security Many people wish to avoid any uncertainty in their home equity loan. In this case, you would be better off to utilize a fixed rate of interest. With a fixed interest rate, you will not have to worry about your payment changing from one month to the next. You will be able to plan exactly how much your mortgage payment will be over the long term. In some cases, those that sign up for variable interest rate loans find that their monthly payment will go up significantly when interest increases. In fact, many people have noticed that their payments have doubled in only a few years. Many people would not be able to afford doubling their current home equity loan payment. Therefore, if you do not feel like taking any risks, it would be to your advantage to go ahead and get a fixed home equity loan. Saving Money Initially Other people prefer to save money on the front end of a transaction. If interest rates for variable loans are currently lower, it could be enticing to go with that type of loan. This can allow you to save money on the front end and worry about changing interest rates later. Friday, April 16 2010
House insurance policy is about safeguarding the greatest investment the majority of us are likely to make – not just the structure of the house by itself but everything we’ve put in it. Quite simply, you can find inevitably many facets to the include that efficiently protects this kind of an expense. It may be helpful, consequently, to appear at a few of the numerous elements of home insurance policy cover:Two-in-one – the basic creating blocks of house insurance policy include are the twin elements of buildings insurance and contents insurance policy. The very first appears after the actual fabric or structure of your home – the creating by itself – whilst the latter, fairly self-explanatorily, safeguards all of the contents of your house. Since most homeowners want each kinds of insurance policy, the products are frequently marketed as a single package, but can still be purchased separately, such as a tenant who wants contents insurance only.
Rebuilding – in most instances, the element of creating insurance is likely to represent the greater level of cover, since it usually needs to cover the most detrimental situation imaginable, in which the house is totally destroyed (by fire, earthquake, subsidence or flooding, for instance) and needs to become completely rebuilt. An up to date estimation of the current rebuilding costs (rather than a valuation of the property if it were to be marketed about the open marketplace) is really a required element of home insurance policy include, consequently;Choose ‘n’ mix – with numerous different insurance policies on the marketplace, it is hardly amazing that every 1 is likely to cover a various range of dangers. Some may cover sheds along with other outbuildings in addition towards the main property, others may cover a swimming pool. If your house has none of those facilities, of course, then you may want to consider other, a lot more basic policies on provide and prevent paying for home insurance policy cover that you don’t need; What might it cost you to definitely replace each item in your home when the worst happened and it all went up in smoke one day? More than this, nevertheless, your option of policy also extends to regardless of whether claims for just about any loss or damage to the contents of your house are settled on a “new for old” or “wear and tear” basis. The former assures that settlement of any claim allows you to replace even aged items on the cost they price today; while the latter offer a settlement following the deduction for that estimated depreciation based on the age of any claimed items. Source: http://insurance.zxq.net/673/forex-profit-accelerator-what-precisely-you-must-notice-about-house-insurance-policy/ Thursday, April 15 2010
Auditor Distinctions: Exclusive Auditor or Integrated Contractor? An energy auditor by any other name? Maybe: Here we discuss the pros and cons of two distinct types of energy auditors: those who will conduct an audit only, and those willing to conduct an audit and do the follow-up work themselves. We're fine with both. We'd love to know what you think. There is an important distinction to be drawn among and within the auditor community - those who conduct an audit and may recommend contractors to do the needed work, and integrated auditor/contractors who combine contractor and auditor skills with the expectation that they will be hired to do some of the work themselves that their audit indicates needs doing. There are benefits to hiring each type of professional. This article is designed to help you evaluate whether an audit only or "integrated" approach will work best for you and your home. This list is not comprehensive by any means, and it is our hope that readers will jump in with insights based on professional or personal experience or pure passion. We welcome your contributions to this discussion. In fact, we rely on them. Here are some of the potential benefits and disadvantages of each. Please add your thoughts. 1. The Integrated Home Energy Auditor/Contractor: An integrated home performance contractor will conduct an audit and have the skills to address many or all of the issues that arise. Potential Benefits: House as a System Approach. Every certified auditor will view your house as a system. It may be a comfort to know that the contractor who does the work following the audit will approach the work from that point of view as well. In other words, unlike a specialized contractor (an HVAC contractor, say, or an insulation specialist), a home performance contractor will be able to assess when a new boiler needs to be accompanied by increased ventilation, or when beefed up insulation needs to be preceded by beefed up air sealing. A HP contractor is a big-picture kind of guy, a sort of Dostoevsky for the house. Continuity. You will be saved the trouble of translating your audit report for a contractor, as your home performance contractor will have familiarized herself with the totality of energy issues in your house. Given the complexity and subtly of some audit findings (and the variability of audit reports) this can be a significant challenge. Values Air Sealing. An integrated contractor recognizes the importance of air sealing, rather than looking at it as grunt work or a low-paying job - in fact, it is sometimes difficult to find a qualified contractor willing to do air sealing work. An energy-first approach to renovation/retrofits. An integrated contractor recognizes the importance of capitalizing on opportunities to improve energy efficiency, which means that essential but unglamorous steps such as air sealing may get higher priority. A contractor hired after the audit may have little interest in such tasks. Bird in Hand. For some homeowners, having skilled labor in the house is a giant leap closer to getting the work done.
Potential Disadvantages: Objectivity. The audit report may reflect what the contractor likes to do/sell as a contractor (if, say, your auditor's first passion happens to be boilers), rather than provide an objective assessment of the house. Commitment. You might not want to hire the contractor who does your audit to do retrofit work. Just because you've had an audit doesn't mean you are ready to do the work or have it done. For some homeowners, it's a nuisance to have to explain to a contractor that you think he's a great guy (or gal) but you're going to hold off on the windows, or look for a differently skilled contractor, or someone whose hair doesn't stick out that way. 2. The Home Energy Auditor-Only Many home energy auditors are trained specifically to conduct audits. They may have been motivated to enter the field because of their passion for energy and efficiency issues, to increase the safety of dwellings, or a host of other reasons. They are not contractors, and do not expect or intend to do the work that a home energy audit may reveal necessary for your house. Potential Benefits: Purity. Your certified Home Energy Auditor is not trying to sell you insulation or convince you to replace your furnace. She wants your house to be safe, efficient and healthy. Her primary interest will be in energy savings, not in any specific product or service (you won't need to worry about being talked into re-insulating your entire house unless you actually need to do it, because she isn't going to profit from the job if you hire it out). The Whole Picture. An auditor will point out all areas of concern, and won't be tempted to shy away from identifying an issue (say, roofing) that's not within his realm of expertise. Since the pure auditor's primary expertise is the audit itself. No Conflicts. An auditor who doesn't plan on making any of the improvements himself may be able to point you in the direction of someone who does have expertise in whatever needs to be done (i.e. "You really need some insulation in the attic. I know the best insulation guy in town, he worked on my house and my mom's house, here's his number.) You are the ROI focus. An auditor will prioritize work that needs to be done based on your needs, and the return on your investment based on energy savings, without regard to his or her desired construction schedule. Potential Disadvantages. Lack of continuity. There is a lot of information (and a lot of very specific information) that comes out of an audit ("some caulking here," "some foam over there"). If the person who performs the audit is not performing the work, then the homeowner must act as translator of that information. This is true of higher level outcomes, as well. An auditor's expertise may be difficult to adequately convey to a contractor unfamiliar with energy issues.
Increased dependence on a high quality actionable report. The best translation of the audit is the Audit Report. If a homeowner is looking for a contractor to do the work stemming from an audit report, the report has to be thorough and instructive.
Increased burden on homeowner. If an auditor is not performing the retrofit work, then the homeowner will need to find an appropriate contractor or go the DIY route. Either way, this adds a step (or several).
3. A Winning Proposition either way. We are bullish about home energy audits and certified home energy auditors. While there are no doubt exceptions, in our experience they are an exceedingly competent lot. Before choosing an auditor, figure out what kind of audit customer you are. Do you intend to do some or all of the work flowing from the audit on your own? Do you already have a contractor lined up? Once you know what you want, place that call. We're betting you'll be glad you did. And please chime in. Let's get the conversation started. Source: http://www.energycircle.com/learn/home-energy-audits/exclusive-auditor-or-integrated-contractor Wednesday, April 14 2010
The best deals on homes these days are often on properties that aren’t perfect.
Home shoppers looking for a great deal should keep these factors in mind when they are looking for a place with potential: · Location, location, location. It’s still true that you get a better deal when you buy the worst house in a great neighborhood than you do when you buy a fancy house in a not-so terrific neighborhood. · Less than 50 years old. Properties older than a half decade are likely to have more fundamental problems — like aging wiring, inadequate plumbing and sagging foundations. · Livable floor plan. Buyers should select a home with a basic design they can live with. Once they start moving walls, they’re into big money. · Light. Houses with the most potential have plenty of natural light. · Good storage. Adding storage isn’t cheap, so it’s smart to choose a property that already has it. Source: MSN.com, Marilyn Lewis (04/12/2010) http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010041206?OpenDocument Tuesday, April 13 2010
The Evansville Arena Project Committee has revamped its Web site and logo for the new downtown arena. The site contains the latest news on the project, reports on economic impact and financing and a webcam. The arena will be the region's center for sports and entertainment and is set to open in fall 2011. A revamped website and logo for the new Evansville Arena Project were unveiled Thursday evening at a public meeting of the Evansville Arena Project Committee. The changes are meant to make the website more user-friendly and provide complete, up-to-date information on the project. The website, www.EvansvilleArenaProject.com, includes reports on economic impact, financing and the public process that resulted in the development of the new arena. The site also contains the latest news on the project, answers to frequently asked questions, information for vendors, and a webcam that provides images of arena construction progress. In addition, citizens can subscribe to email alerts about construction, traffic and other arena-related subjects. “Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel appointed our Committee in part to make sure that the public was kept fully informed about this crucial step forward in the City’s future,” Committee Chair Kathy Kleindorfer said. “This site will make information about the arena project available 24 hours a day and provide a way to ask questions and express concerns.” The website, as well as the revamped logo for the arena project, was developed by McCool Media, Inc. of Evansville. The logo combines the profile of the arena with images of celebrating fans to express excitement about the arena and the impact that it will make on downtown Evansville and the rest of our community. “The design of the arena has brought cheers from the community,” Kleindorfer said, “and we know that the real thrills will start when the new facility opens.” The new Evansville Arena will be the region’s center for sports and entertainment, designed to host basketball, hockey, concerts, exhibitions, and shows for audiences as large as 11,000. It is set to open in fall 2011. Source: Inside INdiana Business http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=41074 Monday, April 12 2010
What a difference a year, and maybe a little sunshine can make. Real estate sales in March were significantly better; by practically any measure, than they were just a year ago. January and February of 2010 from a local real estate perspective were virtually identical to the same two months in 2009, but everything changed for the better in March. Last month, in our area, we closed 391 home sales, compared to 307 a year ago, a 27.4% increase. The average sale price this March, on those closed sales was $123,980 compared to $114,002 last March, an 8.8% increase. Finally the supply of homes on the market, measured by month’s supply, declined to 7.45 months compared to 9.7 month’s supply last March. The 7.45 month supply was the second lowest monthly total in the past two years. Only June of 2009 with 7.37 month’s supply was better. National surveys suggested that March was going to be a good month in many parts of the country. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) is a forward looking indicator based on contracts signed, but not yet closed, increased in February. The PHSI in February of 2010 was 17.3% above the corresponding month in 2009. Since contracts typically take 1-2 months to close increased March closings were inevitable. So what does this mean going forward? I am confident that closed sales in April will be significantly higher than last April. (OK I cheated on this one because I know that pending transactions were higher this March than last March) I am also confident that closed transactions will stay strong in May. The unknown is the degree to which the expiration of The Home Buyer’s Tax Credit will affect sales this summer. The credit expires if contracts are not signed by April 30. I believe that sales this summer will be similar to last summer’s putting our market on a more steady and sustainable level. I know we all want to avoid the significant price and sales declines of 2008 and 2009, and I believe we will; Great news for both buyers and sellers. Monday, April 12 2010
Home sales in Middle Tennessee are up for the sixth straight month compared to a year ago. And the number of homes for sale jumped dramatically in March, which officials say shows growing confidence in the economy. And GNAR president Lucy Smith says more houses are on the market. She says many people have been wanting to move, but were holding off, out of worry for the economy –
Smith notes spring is typically an up time for home sales, and tax credits have also helped the market. But she says the first-time home buyer’s tax credit expires this month, and probably won’t be renewed. Source: http://wpln.org/?p=16440 Sunday, April 11 2010
The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Parenting magazine give some startling statistics on the financial shape of most Americans: about 70 percent live paycheck to paycheck, about half couldn’t cover one month’s expenses if they were laid off, and 44 percent systematically prepare for retirement by investing. According to USA Today, 3 of 100 people age 65 are financially secure; 97 of them can’t write a check for $600 and 54 are still working. With the federal government now needing to pay back the Social Security System for the $2.3 trillion surplus it borrowed over the years, it’s time to rely on your own ability to save for retirement and not rely on the federal government to take care of you. One of the best ways to become financially self-reliant is to set up and consistently invest in an Individual Retirement Account. The term IRA refers to Individual Retirement Arrangements established in 1974 by Congress, but everyone uses the term interchangeably with Individual Retirement Account. Today, the federal government lets you contribute up to $5,000 each in separate accounts for you and your wife. If you’re over 50, you can contribute an additional $1,000, making it $6,000 apiece. For 2009, the contributions must be made by April 15, 2010, so you don’t have much time before the deadline passes. Since you can make a contribution for 2010 beginning Jan. 1, 2010, you could even make your 2010 contribution, if you wanted to. Most people are familiar with the traditional IRA, which is administered by a bank or stock broker and allows you to invest in money market accounts, certificates of deposit, bonds, mutual funds and individual stocks. Rather than putting your money in a traditional IRA, you might consider setting up a self-directed IRA, which gives you the flexibility to invest in what is classified as non-traditional investments such as real estate, trust deed notes, equipment leasing and numerous other qualified investments. Since your IRA is a separate type of trust account, it should be administered by an entity that is qualified to handle these types of accounts. There are several national custodian/administrators who are authorized to handle such accounts. The type of IRA account you should consider setting up is a Roth IRA, named after William Roth, the Senator from Delaware who initiated the legislation as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. A Roth IRA differs from a traditional IRA in how the contributions and earnings are treated from a tax standpoint. A traditional IRA allows you to deduct the contribution in the year it is made, but then requires you to pay ordinary income taxes on the accumulated earnings in the year you begin taking distributions. Without being penalized, you can begin taking distributions as early as age 59 ½ , but must begin taking distributions no later than age 70 ½. With a Roth IRA, the contributions are not tax deductible, but the accumulated earnings come out tax free. Also, there is no mandate that distributions begin at age 70 ½. If you haven’t set up a Roth IRA, you should consider doing it this year before April 15, if possible. Setting up a Roth IRA doesn’t affect your existing traditional IRA, however, you can only make the allowed contribution of $5,000 or $6,000, depending on your age. The contributions can be allocated to any or all IRA accounts at your discretion. The beauty of a Roth IRA is that it allows you to invest in real estate. With real estate prices being at their lowest in years, now is a good time to invest and your Roth IRA can be part of the acquisition. There are some rules, so check with the custodian/administrator you select to make sure you do things right. Here are the names, contact information and Web sites of two custodian/administrators. The first, Mountain West Entrust, has offices in Idaho and Utah, but operates in 44 states. Their Web address is www.TheEntrustGroup.com. My contact there is John Galane. The second, Equity Trust Company, has offices in Ohio, but operates in all 50 states. Their Web address is www.TrustEtc.com. My contact there is John Bowens. Setting up a Self-Directed Roth IRA is relatively easy. 1. Go to the custodian Web site; 2. Download the forms; 3. Complete and submit the required information; and 4. Pay the minimal fees and fund the account/s. Email your questions to info@overlandcorp.com. We’ll include your questions and answers in upcoming articles on building wealth through real estate investing. Source: http://tinyurl.com/ylxb53e Saturday, April 10 2010
Economist Says, Foreclosures Notwithstanding, Housing Inventory Isn't Keeping Up With Population Growth Privately owned housing starts in December 2009 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 557,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 4% less than where it was in November, which had 580,000 housing starts. Housing completion numbers also contribute to this dire picture, with December 2009 privately owned housing completions reaching a 768,000 seasonally adjusted annualized rate. That's down 11.2% from the 865,000 completions in November and down 25.3% from the 1,028,000 completions in December 2008. Some people might shrug these statistics off considering the number of foreclosures in the market. To them, Wesbury told Steve Forbes, "Yes there's foreclosures coming into the market, but we're only starting right now ... We're starting one-third of the houses we need just to keep up with population growth, and that can't last." There were 315,716 properties last month with foreclosure filings according to RealtyTrac. These filings include default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions. Though last month's filings were 15% more than a year ago, it was 10% less than December's. Privately owned housing starts in December 2009 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 557,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 4% less than where it was in November, which had 580,000 housing starts. Housing completion numbers also contribute to this dire picture, with December 2009 privately owned housing completions reaching a 768,000 seasonally adjusted annualized rate. That's down 11.2% from the 865,000 completions in November and down 25.3% from the 1,028,000 completions in December 2008. Some people might shrug these statistics off considering the number of foreclosures in the market. To them, Wesbury told Steve Forbes, "Yes there's foreclosures coming into the market, but we're only starting right now ... We're starting one-third of the houses we need just to keep up with population growth, and that can't last." There were 315,716 properties last month with foreclosure filings according to RealtyTrac. These filings include default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions. Though last month's filings were 15% more than a year ago, it was 10% less than December's. Aspiriant Chief Investment Officer Jason Thomas doesn't see the foreclosure situation getting better until the labor market picks up. "So many people are getting to a point where they just can't hold on anymore and we may see another wave of that if we don't see a pretty robust turnaround in the labor market," he says. Friday, April 09 2010
The Evansville Area Association of Realtors reports a 28.4 percent increase in area home sales this March over last March. The housing market in the Tri-State appears to have rebounded and continues on the upswing. The fact that the first-quarter sales of this year have outpaced last year confirms that to be the case, said Chris Dickson, president-elect of the Evansville Area Association of Realtors. "2010 is a good year for real estate in this area," he said. Dickson said the latest statistics from the association shows a 28.4 percent increase in the number of single-family homes sold in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey and Gibson counties this past March compared with the number of sales in March 2009. Pending home sales also appear on an upward surge nationally, likely in response to the homebuyer tax credit, said the National Association of Realtors. Its March index won't be released until May 4, but the national association reports sales showed a healthy gain in February. According to the Evansville Area Association of Realtors, a total of 307 homes were sold in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey and Gibson counties last month, compared with 239 sold in March 2009. The increased activity caps off a strong first quarter, which saw the number of homes sold increase by 11.4 percent over last year's first quarter. A total of 650 homes were sold in the four-county area this January through March, compared with 582 sold last year during the same period. Dickson attributed the increase to historic low interest rates and plenty of mortgage money available from local lenders, even though the requirements for approval are tighter. He said, "Buyers also are very active now because they need to be under contract by April 30 to qualify for the federal tax incentives. ... There are more buyers, looking to take advantage of the incentives. "Homes are receiving multiple offers. Sellers need to be on the market now." The only thing holding the market back from more expansion is the low number of homes on the market today, Dickson said. "Now is the time for sellers to get back into the market." The area association of Realtors also reports the average sale price increased 9.7 percent for the quarter, rising to $127,149 from $115,845 last year. The increase in number of sales and increase in average prices combined to generate a 22.5 percent increase in overall volume and contribution to the economy. More than $82.6 million homes were sold in the first three months of this year, compared with $67.4 million during the first three months of last year. Dickson said, "Topping off the good news is the fact that it takes two to three weeks less time to sell a home this year compared with last year. The average time to sell a home now is approximately 141/2 weeks compared with almost 17 weeks a year ago. Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/apr/09/housing-sales-make-upswing/ Thursday, April 08 2010
Fix fences, tighten your home’s energy efficiency, repair a screen door and make 8 cheap, fun improvements to give your home’s entrance some spring sparkle. Finally, it’s spring. To celebrate, do a few improvements indoors – tweaking your home’s energy efficiency and getting doors to operate smoothly – and then get outdoors to do some work that shows off your home’s exterior. Install a new screen door or repair an old one. Maintain fireplaces and gas appliances while avoiding the scammers who pop out of the woodwork like bugs this season. Repair fences. Remove stubborn stains from concrete garage floors, patios and sidewalks. And try one or all of our eight cheap and fun ways to give your home’s entrance some exciting spring sparkle. Read entire story here: http://tinyurl.com/yhg66ho Wednesday, April 07 2010
Pending home sales rose in February, potentially signaling a second surge of home sales in response to the homebuyer tax credit, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in February, rose 8.2% from January, and remains 17.3% above February 2009 levels. The PHSI data reflects contracts and not closings, which usually occur with a lag time of one or two months. NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said the improvement is a hopeful sign. “The rise in buyer contact activity may signal the early stages of a second surge of home sales this spring. The healthy gain hints home prices are continuing to flatten,” he said. “We need a second surge to meaningfully draw down inventory and definitively stabilize home values.” Regional dataThe PHSI in the Northeast rose 9.0% in February, up 18.9% from February 2009. In the Midwest, the index jumped 21.8% and is 18.7% above a year ago. Pending home sales in the South increased 9.2%, which is 17.5% higher than February 2009. In the West, the index fell 4.8%, but is 14.6% above a year ago. “Anecdotally, we’re hearing about a rise of activity in recent weeks with ongoing reports of multiple offers in more markets, so the March data could demonstrate additional improvement from buyers responding to the tax credit,” Yun said. Source: NAR Tuesday, April 06 2010
City officials are looking to widen part of Oak Hill Road, making it safer for both walkers and drivers. But to do that, they need to close the stretch between U.S. 41 and Weinbach Avenue to most vehicles. Only local traffic will be able to go to businesses and homes there while the construction proceeds. Betty Phillips, who lives on Lake Drive north of the affected section, said she finds Oak Hill Road an easy route to take from her house to the Lloyd Expressway. The coming construction will "be an inconvenience," she said. "But I'll just find another way," Phillips said. "That's the way I go. But I could go straight on Weinbach to get to the Lloyd or on Boeke." The official detour established by the city will direct drivers to U.S. 41 and Morgan Avenue. Other parts of the same proposal will have Oak Hill Road closed to northbound traffic between Weinbach and Eichel avenues. Oak Hill will be reduced to single lanes conveying traffic in each direction in the stretch between Morgan Avenue and Pigeon Creek. The Evansville Safety Board plans to vote on the proposed road closing when it meets at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Room 301 of the Civic Center. If the plan is approved, the closings will start immediately after the meeting. Brad Mills, director of the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization, said the work will widen the affected parts of Oak Hill Road to three lanes from the existing two. One of the new lanes will be designated for turning. That change will prevent traffic from backing up behind drivers turning left. Bicycle lanes The widening also will allow officials to add bicycle lanes and sidewalks. Mills said those changes are meant to give residents more opportunities for exercising outdoors. As a result, the city will have to rebuild sewers, curbs and gutters along the stretch. The work is expected to last until the end of this year or early next year. It will cost about $6.9 million, nearly $400,000 of which is to come from the city. The federal government will provide the rest, both from stimulus money and transportation funds. A second phase will make similar changes to Oak Hill Road between Pigeon Creek and Lynch Road. That construction is scheduled to start in 2012. The project is similar to work done last year to make turning left on parts of Lincoln Avenue easier. Lincoln was widened between South Rotherwood Avenue and just west of South Green River Road, as well as between Martin Lane and Kirkwood Drive. Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/mar/22/evansville-looks-close-parts-oak-hill-road-improve/ Friday, April 02 2010
SANTA CLAUS, Ind. — Just like tiny Hickory in “Hoosiers” or the current crop of Butler Bulldogs, the Voyage roller coaster at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is trying to pull a David & Goliath upset. Only this single-elimination tournament — while patterned after this weekend’s NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis — isn’t being played on a basketball court but on the nation’s computers as theme park fans decide the “Best Attraction in America.” The Voyage has made the Final Four and voting continues through 6 p.m. today to see which two attractions meet for overall bragging rights Monday, according to Holiday World spokeswoman Paula Werne. You can vote today (just once) by going to www.themeparkinsider.com/tournament. “We’re the Cinderella,” Werne chuckled, “but I guess I better be careful using that term since we’re going up against the Big Mouse (Disney).” Theme Park Insider — a Pasadena, Calif., Web site popular among families and others planning vacations — began the contest March 18 with 64 attractions divided into four brackets: Roller Coasters, Best Themed Ride, Best Live Show and Best Movie or Animated Show. What was different for the Voyage — which has ruled the wooden coaster world — was in this contest it was pitted against the big steel coasters from major parks such as Cedar Point in Ohio, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va., and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. This week the Voyage defeated Cedar Point’s top-seeded Millennium Force (winning 63 percent of votes cast), then won a majority of the 2,000 votes cast Thursday to oust Apollo’s Chariot from Busch Gardens-Williamsburg to reach the Final Four. Just like Butler, the Voyage had been seeded fifth. Today’s Final Four voting — between the Voyage and Best Themed Ride winner Haunted Mansion of Disneyland — will determine the favorite theme park ride. The other two brackets (for live or animated shows) pit Fantasmic! from Disney’s Hollywood Studios against Mickey’s PhilharMagic from Walt Disney World. On Monday, the best ride and best show winners will face off in voting to determine the overall attraction champion. Earlier this morning, the Voyage was ahead of Haunted Mansion, with 55 percent of the vote. “It’s been an amazing couple of weeks for us,” said Werne, “as each matchup was with a steel coaster from a huge corporate park. When I took this job (public relations) 19 years ago, I would never have thought we’d be going head to head with a Disney park for bragging rights. We’re the smallest park in this competition.” Holiday World, which draws about 1 million customers a year, begins its 64th season in early May and will debut the world’s longest water coaster, the Wildebeest, on May 14. Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/apr/02/holiday-world-coaster-hoping-be-cinderella-against/ Thursday, April 01 2010
Improve Your Insurance Score Paying all of your bills on time is one good way to improve your insurance score—and, in turn, lower your homeowners insurance premiums. Most people expect the cost of homeowners insurance to go up after a claim is filed. But it may surprise you to know that how good you are at managing your finances can have just as big an effect on your premium as the tree that fell on your house. Insurers look to your credit history to calculate an insurance score that’s used to judge how much of a financial risk you are. The lower the score, the higher the risk—and the higher the premium you’ll likely pay on your homeowners insurance. Don’t despair. There are strategies, including paying bills on time, that can help improve your insurance score. Good credit pays off Wondering what too many credit cards has to do with the limb that landed on your roof? More than you’d think, it turns out. Several studies have found that your credit history is a good indicator of how often you’re likely to file an insurance claim. Because more claims translate into more expense for insurance companies, homeowners with low insurances scores tend to be charged higher premiums. Insurers claim the use of credit-based insurance scores is fair and actually works in favor of fiscally responsible consumers. A 2006 study found that 53% of Oregon policyholders paid lower premiums on homeowners insurance thanks to credit-based insurance scores. ECONorthwest, the group that conducted the research, estimated the average annual savings for policyholders nationwide at $60. How your insurance score is calculated Your insurance score starts with your credit report, a history of your credit use. What credit cards and loans do you have? What are the balances? How promptly do you pay? Your report also includes information gleaned from public records such as bankruptcies and liens. FICO is the best-known company that turns the information in credit reports into credit scores. FICO credit scores range from 300 to 850. Insurers are less concerned than lenders about your ability to pay back a specific amount than your overall ability to manage money, says Allstate spokesman Adam Shores, especially whether you make late payments and how long since delinquencies took place. Your insurance claims history, as recorded in your CLUE report, also affects your insurance score. So can your age, the construction of your house, and whether you’ve installed smoke detectors and other safety equipment. All of these data are crunched to come up with a numerical insurance score. This is where it gets tricky for homeowners. There isn’t a single source for insurance scores, and your insurer probably won’t tell you your score even if you ask. Some insurers employ proprietary formulas. Others use insurance scores calculated by companies like FICO and ChoicePoint, the latter of which will sell you your score for $12.95. ChoicePoint’s Attract insurance scores can range from 200 to 997, with a score over 776 considered good. Ways to raise your score The most effective way to raise your insurance score is to improve your credit score. You’re entitled to free copies of your credit reports annually from the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Order them and look for errors: Is your Social Security number correct? Are all the debts and credit cards yours? Do the balances jibe with your records? Errors can be disputed online. If the information on your credit report is correct, there are still things you can do to improve your score. Paring down balances on credit cards is a big plus. Paying bills by the due date is another major factor, accounting for 35% of a FICO credit score. Time is also on your side. Most late payments are removed from your credit report after seven years. A few major problems such as a bankruptcy may stay on for a decade or more. Mariwyn Evans has spent 25 years writing about commercial and residential real estate. She’s the author of several books, including “Opportunities in Real Estate Careers,” as well as too many magazine articles to count. Source: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/improve-your-insurance-score/ | |||||||
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The Trentini Team
PRIVACY POLICY
The Trentini Team is the sole owner of the information collected on this site. Neither The Trentini Team nor the team associates will sell, share, or rent this confidential information to others. Your privacy is the primary issue for The Trentini Team. CONTACT POLICY By submitting personal information such as name, address, phone number, email address and/or additional data, the real estate client/prospect consents that The Trentini Team or their authorized representative may contact client/prospect by phone, U.S. Postal System, or e-mail whether or not client/prospect is participating in a state, federal or other "do not contact" program of any type. Copyright© 2007 The Trentini Team, REALTOR®, All Rights Reserved.
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