I believe, the advice of this coach should be essentially behavioral:

If you are thinking of about or are in the need of a fixed rate loan between $625,000 and $729,750 you need to act immediately. If you have any questions or if I can be of service please let me know.

Recognize the Signs

Much of the trouble that water causes often goes unseen until too late. Use your five senses as you try to find signs of potential trouble, such as:

• musty odors

• rusty stains around light fixtures

• damp, sticky floors

• mildew along ceiling, wall and baseboard edges

• dripping pipes

• condensation on windows and cold surfaces

• mold and mildew growth

If you discover interior water damage, make the repair yourself or hire a qualified repairperson. But do it immediately; don’t put it off.

Use preventive maintenance

When it comes to water damage, prevention is better than intervention. Preventive maintenance is cheaper and easier than repairing or replacing damaged floors, subfloors, walls, appliances and so on. Here are some tips:

• Avoid condensation. Use vents and fans to keep air circulating in your bathrooms and your laundry area. Make sure your dryer is vented to the outside. Use storm windows to keep condensation from forming on windows and to help conserve energy.

• Repair leaks. Look for and fix leaky faucets and dripping toilets. In cold climates, water flowing down the drain under your home may freeze causing water to back up through the drain lines into your home.

• Control humidity. Use a portable dehumidifier that shuts off automatically when the collector pan is full.

• Listen and look for any signs of leaks, such as unusual hissing sounds under floors or in walls; stains, dampness or discoloration in hard-to-reach spaces around water heaters, under sinks and behind clothes washers.

Again, if you discover interior water damage, find the source and correct the problem immediately. If you can’t make the repair yourself, hire a qualified repairperson.

Keep your home dry

When it comes to water damage, your energy and your money is best spent on prevention. If you’re not vigilant, water can do thousands of dollars of damage to your home — silently and quickly. Your home is your largest investment; insure it with coverage you can tailor to meet your needs.

To help resolve the issue of over paying for your home loan, get with an experienced loan officer 90 to 120 days before shopping for a home. During this time corrections can be made to erroneous credit blemishes and reporting. Sometimes it can be as little as moving 20% of a credit card balance to an empty credit card that can raise your score enough to put you over a pricing benchmark.

Most recently we helped a customer who we saved over $2600 in extra closing costs by opening a credit card and having him charge a $12.00 purchase and pay it off. His credit score jumped 5 points moving him from 739 to 744, or 4 points above the 740 cut off for additional pricing.

If I can be of assistance to you in your lending needs please call me.

 This is the time to go through everything in our closets, dressers, and drawers.

We need to look at every item to make sure we aren’t keeping anything that is too worn or not our style anymore. If we are not the same size anymore we have to take that into consideration as well.

 You will need:

1. A big plastic bag for garments that are to be discarded.

2. A pad and pen to make a list of items that you need, or need to replace.

 Let’s start in our underwear drawer, yes this matters too! We need to survey each piece to make sure they still fit well and are in perfect condition. Anything that is questionable throw in the plastic bag.

 Continue this procedure through all of your drawers. Remember – whatever is questionable you should put in the plastic bag. You are questioning these garments for a reason; something is telling you they are not quite right. That’s the signal to get rid of these items.

 Let’s move on to your shoes next. Look at one pair at a time. If they need repair, put them aside so you can take them to the shoe repairer. If they are out of style, put them in the plastic bag. If you haven’t worn them in a few years or don’t like them anymore, they go in the bag too.

 After your done with the shoes, let’s move on to your hanging clothes. This would include shirts, dresses, pants, suits, and coats. Go through each garment. You know whether or not you like the particular garment you are surveying. If you have to hem and haw about it, it isn’t right. That goes in the bag! You may need to try on some items to make sure they still fit. Maybe they could be altered. You keep doing this until you have looked at everything. This includes all sportswear, every single garment that you wear.

 Now you should have a bag of items to bring to the Good Will and also a list of items that you have made to replace or add to your wardrobe. Once you are done this it feels fabulous! By the way, closet analysis (cleaning) is one of my specialties!

 Happy Spring!

 Although it becomes second nature, driving is a skill that requires your full attention, and complex coordination between your mind and body. Anything that interrupts or precludes this focus is a distraction — and distracted driving increases your risk of crashing.*

 There are three primary types of distractions:

• Visual: You take your eyes off the road.

• Cognitive: You take your mind off the road.

• Manual: You take your hands off the steering wheel.

 Although any distraction can endanger your safety, the safety of your passengers, and those on the road around you, texting is probably the most alarming because it involves all three types of distractions.

 Other distracting activities include:

• Attending to children and pets

• Using a cell phone

• Eating and drinking

• Looking at an object or event outside of your vehicle

• Talking with passengers

• Grooming

• Reading or looking at a map, PDA or navigation system

• Changing the radio station, CD, or MP3 player

 What you can do to avoid being distracted: stay focused, pay attention and always expect the unexpected. And consider these tips:

• Limit interaction with passengers.

• Don’t take your eyes off the road.

• Keep both hands on the wheel.

• Avoid driver fatigue.

• Don’t drive when angry or upset.

• Avoid “gawking,” “rubbernecking” or slowing down to look at a crash or other activity.

•If you need to use your cell phone, pull off the road and stop in a safe place.

 Next time you’re driving and you reach for your coffee or cell phone, or turn to talk with your child or adjust your radio or GPS unit, think about this: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving-related crashes killed 5,474 people and injured another 448,000 across the United States in 2009. Don’t add to these statistics.

 To find out more information about distracted driving visit: Department of Transportation – Distracted Driving. And give me a call so we can review your auto policy. Then you can decide if you have the coverage you want.

 *Source: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811379.pdf

There is another way to approach the situation that begins to put people in charge of their lives. They can leave the rat race and begin to build a home-based business of their own. They can become their own boss! As people begin to see the value of a part-time, home-based business, they open to reinventing themselves. Network Marketing provides a powerful vehicle for entrepreneurs in a time of great need. During economic downturns, Network, or Multi-level Marketing flourishes.

There are many benefits. Start-up costs are low, especially when compared to franchises or starting a brand-new business on your own. Training and support are readily available, the quality depending on the company joined. If a person is coach-able, they can learn a proven system of duplication. They do not have to reinvent the wheel. There are no employees and the bookkeeping is done by their company. The minimal personal bookkeeping that is needed pays off in generous tax benefits.

Network Marketing is open to all ages, races and does not discriminate based on gender. There is no “glass ceiling.” You are paid on what you produce. You have a choice to be full-time or part-time. You can set your own financial goals, from a few hundred dollars a month to thousands of dollars per month if you treat it like a business and have big dreams. You might want to be a stay-at-home parent, secure your retirement, travel, buy a new car or home, or just ease up on the stress of living paycheck-to-paycheck, always falling further behind.

Before committing to a network marketing company, do your homework on both the products and the company. Find a company that you can believe in — that has products you can stand behind and has a corporate structure of support that will stand behind you. Review their requirements to begin – and end – an association. Thoroughly examine their support structure to make sure you will have the tools and training to grow your business. And finally, carefully choose your mentor – he or she will be the key to your success.

One thing for sure; with your own success, you will be helping others to achieve their dreams and goals as well. This is a business for people who like helping people. There is a team spirit. Coaching and personal growth go with the territory. Network Marketing is an idea whose time has come, AND it has evolved into an elegant system of relationship building. You join with a person you respect and admire, someone who is sincerely interested in your well-being. You only invite people that you respect and admire to join you. Talk about taking control of your life! This is it! Check it out.

 Susie Bottomley

Are you thinking that now is a great time to find bargains on a new home? Consider making an offer on a short sale.

If a home is being sold for below what the current seller owes on the property—and the seller does not have other funds to make up the difference at closing—the sale is considered a short sale.

You’re a good candidate for a short-sale purchase if:

• You’re very patient. When there is only one mortgage, short-sale experts say lender approval typically takes about two months. But, it can take four months or longer for the lenders to approve the sale.

• Your financing is in order. Lenders like cash offers. But If you’re preapproved, have a large down payment, and can close at any time, your offer will be viewed more favorably than that of a buyer whose financing is less secure.

• You don’t have any contingencies. If you have a home to sell before you can close on the purchase of the short-sale property—or you need to be in your new home by a certain time—a short sale may not be for you.

If you’re serious about purchasing a short-sale property, it’s important for you to have expert assistance. Here are some people you want to work with:

• Experienced real estate attorney. Only about two out of five short sales are approved by lenders. But a good real estate attorney who’s knowledgeable about the short-sale process will increase your chances.

• A qualified real estate professional.* You may have a close friend or relative in real estate, but if that person doesn’t know anything about short sales, working with him or her may hurt your chances of a successful closing

• Title officer. Have a title officer do an initial title search on a short-sale property. If there are multiple lien holders it’s much tougher to get that short sale contract to the closing table.

Some of the other risks faced by buyers of short-sale properties include:

• Potential for rejection. If you make an offer tremendously lower than the fair market value of the home, chances are that your offer will be rejected and you’ll have wasted months.

• Bad terms. Even when a lender approves a short sale, it could require unacceptable terms for either you or the seller. Lenders also can change any of the terms of the contract that you’ve already negotiated.

• No repairs or repair credits. You will most likely be asked to take the property “as is.” Lenders are already taking a loss on the property and may not agree to requests for repair credits.

The risks of a short sale are considerable. But if you have the time, patience, and iron will to see it through, a short sale can be a win-win for you and the sellers.

* Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. A REALTOR® is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and is bound by NAR’s strict code of ethics.

Note: This article provides general information only. Information is not provided as advice for a specific matter. Laws vary from state to state. For advice on a specific matter, consult your attorney or CPA. 

• Step 1: Define your landscape needs

Clearly identify what purposes the landscape must serve.

• Step 2: Consider your budget

What is the amount of money available to meet your needs?

• Step 3: Consider who will design your landscape

Your choices include: A landscape architect; (licensed) by the state of California who can develop plans; (C-27 licensed) landscape contractor; a retail nursery. Landscape designers (unlicensed) are not legally allowed to charge for landscape designs.

• Step 4: Hire the right professional

There are no guarantees when it comes to hiring a professional but here are a few steps to take to ensure your landscaping experience fulfills your desires: Get referrals from friends and neighbors who have landscaping you admire; contact the California Landscape Contractors Association at (916) 448-2522 for a list of landscape professionals in your area; visit the landscape contractor search engine at CLCA.org for the brochure “How To Hire A Landscape Contractor”.

Hiring a Licensed Contractor:

State law requires anyone who contracts to do landscape work to be licensed by the Contractors State License Board, if the total price of the job is $500 or more. Unlicensed persons, typically, are not bonded and may not have liability or workers’ compensation insurance. If you hire an unlicensed person, you may be financially responsible if injuries, fire, or other property damage result.

Planning and Preparing:

Producing a finished job that looks good and will endure requires skill and knowledge of landscape and irrigation materials, and proper installation methods. Ask any contractor you consider hiring for advice on types of irrigation controllers, plant sizes, and grounds preparation that will enhance your property for years to come.

Choosing Your Contractor:

Regardless of recommendations, before hiring a contractor, you should: Ask for the contractor’s state license number and call the Contractors State License Board to verify that it is issued for landscaping, and is current and in good standing; Request a list of similar jobs the contractor has recently completed in your area; Look at the work and talk to the owners, if possible; Obtain at least three written bids to compare pricing and work offered; Make sure each bid lists all the preparatory and finish work that the contractor has suggested as well as the amounts and types of soil amendments and brand of sprinkler equipment.

Your Contract:

The law requires that home improvements over $500 must be in writing. However, even if your job is less than this amount, you should insist on a written contract for your own protection. The contract should contain: The name, address, license number and telephone number of the contractor; a complete description of the work to be done and materials to be used; a “Notice to Owner” explaining the state’s mechanics’ lien laws and the ways to protect you and your property.

When your vehicle is damaged, either on the road or in the driveway, you look to your insurance company to get you back on the road again. Their support will depend on the type of accident and your degree of coverage.

 Collision

Collision coverage applies to an accident on the road. The accident can involve one or more other vehicles, or your car alone. Collision losses are paid regardless of fault. Sometimes an insured will prefer to have collision damages repaired by their own insurer, even though another party was at fault for the damages. The insurer will then pay for the damages, less the insured’s deductible, then will “subrogate” against the at-fault other party to recoup its payment for the damages.

 Comprehensive or Other Than Collision Loss

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision (OTC) coverage covers auto physical damage losses that are not caused by collision and are not specifically excluded in the policy. This could include missiles or falling objects, malicious mischief or fire, vandalism, theft or larceny, riot or civil commotion, explosion or earthquake, contact with a bird or animal, windstorm, breakage of glass, hail, water or flood, to name a few. Any “direct and accidental loss” that is not due to collision and is not specifically excluded would be covered as a Comprehensive loss.

 Deductible

Typically the insurance company only pays losses over some minimum amount. This minimum is the Deductible, which is used to reduce small claims, hold down premiums, and encourage the insured to be more careful in protecting his or her car from damage or theft. Different deductibles usually apply to collision coverage and comprehensive, and these deductibles apply per occurrence. It is very important to carefully define which losses are collision and which are other than collision. If there is a collision loss to more than one covered auto in the same accident, only the highest applicable deductible will apply.

How does a claim get evaluated?

The limit of liability for physical damage coverage is the Actual Cash Value (ACV) minus a deductible. ACV generally means replacement cost minus depreciation. The insurer has two options: repair or replace. They may elect to repair the vehicle with materials of like kind and quality (which may mean using used or substitute parts) if this costs less than the ACV. The insured pays the deductible, and the insurer pays the balance. If the cost of repairs exceeds the auto’s value, the auto may be declared a total loss. In this case, the insured receives a cash payment of the ACV minus the deductible. Since most cars depreciate in value over the years, the ACV should allow the insured to purchase another car of the same (or similar) make, model and age. Note: “Total Loss” just means it has sustained damage that exceeds its actual cash value – it may actually still be drivable.

If you have maintained your car in better condition than the average owner, your vehicle may be worth more than the Actual Cash Value. “Classic Car” restorations fall into this category, but you may have just chosen to reupholster and replace the engine, adding years of service and value to the car. Although no standard endorsement is available, check with your insurer to see if they offer endorsements replacing the ACV settlement provisions above with “replacement cost” coverage.

Bernhard Hoehle

Farmers^® Insurance Agent

310-831-4000