Lost your User Manual?

  I don’t know where User Manuals go, but they never seem to be available when you need them.  Check out http://www.manualsonline.com/  to see if the one you need is available.

2010 Census Cautions

2010 Census Cautions
   by Susan Johnson – August 3, 2009 12:07 pm
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers
  With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice: ** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home. ** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations. Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home.  However, they will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau. For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org. ________________________________________

HVCC – An Explanation

The attached is a link to an article by appraiser Frank Gregoire – http://tinyurl.com/lt6ycg - which is the most accurate explanation that I have seen.  He has given the background along with suggestions in dealing with the issue of appraisals and mortgages.  Instead of helping to move inventory, it has effectively slowed down the time from contract to closing by approximately an additional 30 days.

I don’t want an appraiser and/or firm from a distant area appraising the properties in my location - South Hillsborough County.  What can they possibly know about the valuations in this area other than what they read on a profile sheet of the property and will they do the homework necessary to understand the HOA requirements which differ from subdivision to subdivision plus the intricacies of 55+ communities. 

It just won’t happen – the appraisal will most likely harm both the buyer and the seller and the seller stands to lose a sale and the buyer will be unable to purchase the home of their choosing.

At this rate, the housing market will take even longer to recover and the real estate industry will lose even more licensees because they can’t earn a living.