Broker Doug Aaserude's Blog

Are You Pulling the Proper Permits and Having Work Inspected?

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:38:45 -0700

An open letter to Joe the PLUMBER...or CARPENTER...of God forbid, Joe the ELECTRICIAN:

Let me begin by telling you that I think you have a lovely home

You have done much to increase its value since you purchased it so many years ago. I especially admire the work you did when you finished the basement, added the powder room and expanded the kitchen. You have an excellent eye for detail and really know what today's buyers want in their next home! There's only 1 problem...

you never got permits for the work you did.

Now please understand

...I know that you know what you're doing. The work looks pretty good to me. And trust me...I've been in a lot of homes! The problem is that nobody else knows how good you are! And our town enforces their building codes for one simple reason...to keep everybody safe. I understand that it was a pain in the butt to pull permits for a job that you could knock out in a weekend or two. Who needs the extra hassle? Besides... you probably do know more than that part time inspector does, right?! But here's the rub- my buyer doesn't know as much about this stuff as you do. They have 2 small kids and worry all the time about keeping them safe. The thought of moving into a house where the plumbing and electrical work wasn't properly inspected really scares them.

So let me tell you how I work.

When my buyers find a house that they like enough to place an offer on, I go to the town municipal office. It doesn't take that much time, really. I stop by the Tax Assessor's office and pull the property card. It's public information, so they let me see it. I can even copy it for 50 cents if I want to (which I always do for my files). The card shows me how many bedrooms, baths and finished rooms the town thinks you have. It tells me whether the basement is finished or unfinished. Sometimes, I can even find out how many people your septic system is designed to handle. Then I compare what the card says to what I saw when I showed your home to my buyers. If everything is the same, we're good! But sometimes... well sometimes, there are discrepancies. Then I have to go to the office that handles building permits. If I see things in the home that aren't accounted for on the property card, I find out if the proper permits were obtained and closed. You'd be surprised how many times they weren't.
So here's the deal.
My buyers really love your house...and they really want to buy it! But they need to know that they can sleep in it without being afraid. So you're going to need to get this permit thing resolved before closing. You'll need to have the town inspectors come out and check things over. They might need to open up the walls, pull apart the plumbing and even pull out some of the wiring. But they'll probably realize that you did really good work, so everything should be OK, right? I apologize for the inconvenience that this causes...but I have a fiduciary responsibility to my buyers to protect them through my diligence. Since all of this permit stuff is public information, I need to take the extra step and get it for my buyers. If I don't, I worry that I could be found liable in court if something really bad happened. And I hear that my negligence could even create a triple damages award. YIKES... I don't think my E&O would cover that!
Yes Joe, you're right
...you could probably tell us to take a hike and move on to the next buyer. But we live in a full disclosure state. Since I told you and your broker about the discrepancies I found, you're both now aware. That means that you're both going to be responsible for informing the next buyer that all this work was done without permits...or you'll be the ones on the hook. That would probably jam up your marketing plan, and we'd hate feel responsible for it.
It's probably best to get this handled with us still at the table, wouldn't you agree?

So please Joe
...don't just tell me that you did the work properly. Show me by getting the proper permits. My buyers are counting on me to find out...
and I'm going to check!

Carpenter Ants Part 4

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:52:01 -0700

Ant control

If you locate a nest, you can remove it with a vacuum cleaner, then dispose of the bag outdoors. Unfortunately, you can't always find the nest or nests. If this is the case, control is indirect. Place insecticides very carefully, to form chemical barriers that foraging ants must cross in their search for food.

The ant then contaminates its body with the insecticide and carries it back to the nest, where other ant stages are poisoned. Slow-acting, persistent insecticides are best suited for this approach.

Insecticidal dusts often are used between walls (in wall voids), in attics, and in other areas where water-based sprays might cause moisture problems and where emulsifiable sprays (with strong solvents) might harm fabric, wallpaper, or tile. Treat the line where your foundation meets the soil. Treat it inside, if you can reach it through a crawl space; treat it outside, along the walls and entries.

How to prevent infestation

A tightly constructed house with concrete foundation, good clearance, and a full basement with good ventilation is least subject to infestation.

Remove logs, stumps, and waste wood near and under the house.
Destroy all known colonies of carpenter ants within 100 yards or so of the house.
Do not bring fuel wood infested with carpenter ants into the house.
Do not build over stumps, logs, or sizeable pieces of wood.
Check for signs of ants annually since presently registered insecticides do not offer long-term protection. A structure may be reinfested.

Use insecticides safely!

Read the manufacturer's label carefully and follow the instructions.
Avoid contaminating food.
Do not use household sprays near an open flame.
If household emulsifiable sprays get on asphalt tile floors, wipe up immediately.
Store all insecticides out of reach of children and pets.
Empty insecticide containers completely. Rinse empty containers and use rinse water in spraying.

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit: UPDATE

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:15:38 -0700

This is an update to my previous post about the proposed $15,000 tax credit for home buyer. The outline of the latest $8,000 tax credit is far from the proposed $15,000. However, it is enhanced from the previous $7,500 tax credit that Congress enacted in July 2008.

The following points are based on National Association of Home Builder web site: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/home2.html

Please visit the link above for detail information.

Here are the key differences
1. $8,000 tax credit does not need to be repaid.
2. The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

The new $8,000 tax credit is similar to the $7,500 tax credit enacted in July 2008:
1. Only FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS are eligible for $8,000 tax credit.
2. Income restriction: Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with income up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
3. The tax credit is equal to 10% of the home's purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.

ITS A FANTASTIC TIME TO BUY A HOME!

Joke of the day!

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:56:20 -0700

A new sales assistant was hired at a large department store. On his first day, the sales manager took him around to show him the ropes. They were passing by the gardening section, when they heard a customer asking for grass seed. The sales manager stepped in.
Sales manager: Excuse me, but will you be needing a hose to water your lawn?
Customer : I guess so. I'll take one.
Sales manager: And how about some fertilizer and weed-killer?
Customer : Um, okay.
Sales manager: Here's a couple of bags. You'll also need a lawn mower to cut the grass when it starts growing too long.
Customer : I'll take one of those too.

After the customer left, the sales manager turned to the assistant. "You see?" he said, "that's the way to make a good sale. Always sell more than what the customer originally came in for."

Impressed, the assistant headed off for the pharmaceutical section, where he was to work. Soon, a man strolled in.
Man: I'd like to buy a pack of Tampax, please.
Sales assistant: Sure, and would you like to buy a lawn mower too?
Man: Why would I want to do that?
Sales assistant: Well, your weekend's shot to heck anyway, so you might as well mow the lawn.

OFF TOPIC FRIDAY!

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:15:19 -0800

IF You Were Born on April 7th, Check this Out!

7 April 1967

Your date of conception was on or about 15 July 1966 which was a Friday.

You were born on a Friday
under the astrological sign Aries.
Your Life path number is 7.

Your fortune cookie reads:
You will spend old age in comfort and material wealth.

Life Path Compatibility:
You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 1, 5 & 7.
You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 4 & 22.
You may or may not get along well with those with the Life Path number 9.
You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 2, 3, 6, 8 & 11.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2439587.5.
The golden number for 1967 is 11.
The epact number for 1967 is 19.
The year 1967 was not a leap year.

Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 2/9/1967 and ending 1/29/1968.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Goat.

Your Native American Zodiac sign is Hawk; your plant is Dandelion.

You were born in the Egyptian month of Paony, the second month of the season of Shomu (Harvest).

Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 26 AdarII 5727.
Or if you were born after sundown then the date is 27 AdarII 5727.

The Mayan Calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.17.13.11.3 which is
12 baktun 17 katun 13 tun 11 uinal 3 kin

The Hijra (Islamic Calendar) date of your birth is Friday, 26 Dhi'l-Hijjih 1386 (1386-12-26).

The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 26 March 1967.
The date of Orthodox Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 30 April 1967.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 8 February 1967.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 14 May 1967.
The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 21 May 1967.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Thursday, 5 October 1967.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Tuesday, 25 April 1967.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 7 February 1967.

As of 3/6/2009 1:13:27 AM EST
You are 41 years old.
You are 503 months old.
You are 2,187 weeks old.
You are 15,309 days old.
You are 367,417 hours old.
You are 22,045,033 minutes old.
You are 1,322,702,007 seconds old.

Celebrities who share your birthday:

Russell Crowe (1964)	Jackie Chan (1954)	Janis Ian (1951)
Francis Coppola (1939)	David Frost (1939)	Wayne Rogers (1933)
James Garner (1928)	Ravi Shankar (1920)	Billie Holiday (1915)
Walter Winchell (1897)

Top songs of 1967

To Sir with Love by Lulu	Daydream Believer by Monkees
Windy by Association	Ode to Billie Joe by Bobbie Gentry
Somethin' Stupid by Nancy & Frank Sinatra	Groovin' by Young Rascals
The Letter by Box Tops	Light My Fire by Doors
Happy Together by Turtles	Hello Goodbye by Beatles

Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 5.99178082191781 years old. (You're still chasing cats!)

Your lucky day is Tuesday.
Your lucky number is 9.
Your ruling planet(s) is Mars & Pluto.
Your lucky dates are 9th, 18th, 27th.
Your opposition sign is Libra.
Your opposition number(s) is 6.

Today is not one of your lucky days!

There are 32 days till your next birthday
on which your cake will have 42 candles.

Those 42 candles produce 42 BTUs,
or 10,584 calories of heat (that's only 10.5840 food Calories!) .
You can boil 4.80 US ounces of water with that many candles.

In 1967 there were approximately 3.7 million births in the US.
In 1967 the US population was approximately 179,323,175 people, 50.6 persons per square mile.
In 1967 in the US there were approximately 1,800,000 marriages (9.3%) and 479,000 divorces (2.5%)
In 1967 in the US there were approximately 1,712,000 deaths (9.5 per 1000)
In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.
In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.

In 1967 the population of Australia was approximately 11,912,253.
In 1967 there were approximately 229,296 births in Australia.
In 1967 in Australia there were approximately 100,000 marriages and 9,688 divorces.
In 1967 in Australia there were approximately 102,703 deaths.

Your birthstone is Diamond

The Mystical properties of Diamond

Diamonds are said to increase personal clarity to help one see things clearly as well as be straight-forward and honest. Supposedly, the higher quality the diamond, the better it is supports these qualities.

Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)

Opal, Quartz, White Sapphire

Your birth tree is

Rowan, the Sensitivity
Full of charm, cheerful, gifted, without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

There are 294 days till Christmas 2009!
There are 307 days till Orthodox Christmas!

The moon's phase on the day you were
born was waning crescent.

Frustrated with your slow computer?

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:44:37 -0800

Make it Faster!

If you are like me then you probably spend quite a bit of time online. Whether it is working on your website, spending time blogging, or possibly doing some social networking at Twitter, Facebook, or Linkedin. I don't know about you but I am not a patient person. When my computer starts to get bogged down I want to SCREAM!!!

I am sure there are other out there like me so I am going to offer you a few tips on how to keep your machine running smoothly.

There are many that think it is time for a new computer when their PC starts to crawl. Most of the time you don't need to run out and buy a new computer.

Feel free to print this out and use the tips the next time you want your computer to run a little bit quicker.

Add Additional RAM

The one thing that you are probably lacking is what is know as RAM. RAM is the memory of what your computer uses to store data and programs that you are currently using. The more programs you add to your PC over time the slower it is going to get. Adding additional RAM is much cheaper than buying a new computer. The cost will depend on how much you need but it is relatively inexpensive. You can get RAM by taking it to any local computer store. I would recommend wherever you bought your machine.

Delete Unused Files

Deleting the "temporary" Internet files, Internet history, and cookies will speed up your performance. Here is how you do it: On the task bar of your computer click "Tools". Scroll down and select "Internet Options". From there you can easily select what you would like to delete.

Unused programs will take up a lot of your RAM. There is no need to have programs on your computer if you never use them. Some machines come with programs installed on them that you may not even realize you have. There are probably other programs that you may have installed at one point and don't use anymore as well. To delete the programs you are not using, click "Start" then click on the "Control Panel", Find the icon that says "Add or remove programs" and click on it. Scroll down to the program that you know you don't use and hit delete. Your computer will tell you how to complete this task.

De-fragment Your Hard Drive

This one is one of my favorites as it can make a big difference if you have not done it in a while or ever? The more programs you add to your computer, the more space is taken up. These programs align themselves in blocks. When one of them is deleted it leaves what is called a "white or blank space". When you have enough of these spaces it causes your machine to take a longer path to complete a task. By De-fragmenting you create a cleaner path which speeds up the performance. Here is how you De-frag your computer: Double click your "My Computer" icon then right click on the "C-Drive" option. Click on "Properties", "Tools" and then "De-fragment". Once you do this your computer will "De-frag" itself. Depending on how long it has been since you did this last it could take a while. Trust me this is well worth the wait!

Have a Spam filter, Anti-virus, & Spyware protection

This one probably goes without saying. You want to make certain you have protection from online threats. Not only will these programs slow down your computer or completely shut it down but they can also steel your vital information!

________________________________________________________________________

Remove Any Unused Programs

Carpenter Ants Part 3

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:39:01 -0800

What carpenter ants do

Carpenter ants commonly tunnel in building timbers. With a longstanding infestation, damage may require extensive repairs. Usually, only minor repairs are needed. If you find the infestations soon enough, all that may be needed is to get rid of the ants. New colonies are established either by a lone queen or by migration of an existing colony. The latter is common in houses. Colonies disturbed by the clearing and grading of building sites often migrate. Houses near woods are most likely to become infested.

Usually, carpenter ants enter a house through openings around the foundations. They seem to prefer moist, rotting timbers, but they will readily mine sound, dry wood any place in a house. Ants may enter through plumbing or wiring access points, or they may travel into the structure from trees hanging over the roof.

Among the commonly mined portions are porch pillars and supporting timbers, sills, girders, joists, studs, and casings. The ants often establish colonies in masses of fir needles or other refuse within walls, under floors, in attics, and in other undisturbed places.

Carpenter ants are destructive in several other ways. They occasionally damage telephone poles. They damage boxes and other wood products in storage. By mining in the heartwood of living cedar trees, they cause much of the "wormy" lumber that must be discarded. Similarly, they mine and weaken orchard and ornamental trees. They girdle and kill young conifers in forest plantations. By tending aphids for honeydew, they encourage these garden or ornamental pests.

Besides being destructive, carpenter ants in houses are a nuisance, crawling over things, getting into food, and periodically swarming in the living quarters.

Carpenter ants mine building timbers, causing serious damage if they're unchecked.

Motivated Sellers

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:42:50 -0800

There is no better Real Estate Investment deal than that of a motivated seller. We all want to find those motivated sellers. Those property owners who simply need to make a deal with an investor in order to unload their burden of a problem property.

The first thing we must do as a Real Estate Professional is understand what makes a seller motivated. What makes a seller so motivated that they are willing to make any deal possible in an effort to unload their problem property.

Here are some of the circumstances that make a motivated seller.

1. They desperately need to sell their property because of financial circumstances. The loss of a job, the death of a loved one etc... Something happened that changed their financial situation.

2. They are in an Adjustable Rate Mortgage and can no longer afford the payments.

3. They are in pre foreclosure and need to sell their property to avoid an inevitable foreclosure.

Your success as a Real Estate Investor or Wholesaler depends on your ability to distinguish between a motivated seller and a non motivated seller. You will never convince a non-motivated seller to turn into a motivated seller. You will be wasting valuable time trying to transform a seller who does not have current circumstances to make them motivated enough to make a deal.

Evidence of a motivated seller depends on the answer to two basic questions.

1. Would you sell your house for what you owe on it?
2. Would you let me buy your house by taking over the payments?

If the seller answers yes to these questions they are truly motivated and you should be able to lock in a great deal with owner financing "subject to".

If the sellers answer is no to these questions then they are evidently not motivated and you will be wasting valuable time trying to negotiate. Move on until you find that motivated seller that is willing to negotiate a great investment deal.

Short Sales

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:01:25 -0800

Short Sales

When you request a short sale from the bank, the will request a great deal of personal information to be submitted along with the offer the purchase, cma, authorization letter, and listing agreement. This is because the bank wants to know that you actually qualify for their short sale program. Here is an example of some of the items that you will need to send in the package.

Financial Information

Last 3 checking account statements for all borrowers

Last 3 savings account statements for all borrowers

Last 2 years of W2's for all borrowers

Income tax returns from the past 2 years for all borrowers

Last 3 paycheck stubs for all borrowers

IRS Form 4506

Self Employed: Profit and Loss statement

Credit Report - Get one actually for free from www.annualcreditreport.com

Summary of all monthly reoccurring debts for all borrowers. This will be used to compile a financial worksheet. Items to consider:

Auto loans

Alimony / Child support

All credit card bills

Electric bills

Gas bills

Water / Sewer bills

Heating fuel

Home telephone bills

Cell phone bills

Cable bills

Auto insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Doctor bills

Dentist bills

Pharmaceutical drug bills

Food / Groceries

Gasoline (auto)

Student Loans / Tuition

Other Loans

Other reoccurring bills

Hardship Information

A hardship letter that describes succinctly yet persuasively why you are now unable to make the mortgage payments. We cannot write this for you.

Documentation of hardship

Hospital bills

Doctor bills

Documentation of unemployment

Documentation of incarceration

Death certificate

Divorce decree

Sample Hardship Letter:

Re: Hardship Letter/Short Sale for 123 Main Street, City, State 12345

To Whom It May Concern:

I purchased the property at 123 Main Street in March 2006. At that time, I had just started my own antique resale business, which had great promise for generating profits capable of supporting my mortgage. Unfortunately, sales were slow, which I attribute to great declines in tourism after gas prices skyrocketed. I ran out of money, and began working as a waiter to make ends meet. At the same time I was redoubling my efforts in my own business, but to no avail. After struggling for months to make my expensive mortgage payments, I had no choice but to put my house on the market. In August of 2006, I put my home up for sale by owner at an original listing price of $210,000. The only people to look at the house ran when they saw the extensive damage to the pool and the severe water damage from a leaking roof that had long needed a replacement. I lowered the price, but still had no takers. Over the next couple of months I lowered the home price three times, finally settling at $170,000. This price was the lowest I could list the house at and still afford real estate agent commissions to be deducted, although it leaves me with no profit. The home still has no offers. I am working with a real estate agent now, who is listing my house and promises to push it to get it sold quickly. I believe that using an actual agent will ensure that the home sells promptly.

I love my home, but I also understand that, at this point, I cannot afford it. I am a single parent, now working as a waiter to survive. My financial situation cannot sustain a home mortgage of nearly $2,000 per month. I would like nothing more than to sell my home, avoid foreclosure, and salvage my credit. This is my main concern. I know that a foreclosure on my record will affect me for years to come. I would ask that you please assist me in avoiding this.

Please accept this offer as payment in full. My attorney has advised me to file bankruptcy, but I prefer to avoid further destruction of my credit. I just want to move on and start over.

I deeply appreciate your help and understanding in this matter. If you have any questions, or need anything further from me, please contact me personally.

Carpenter Ants Part 2

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:35 -0800

Signs of infestation

Ants foraging around or in the home
Piles of sawdust-like borings visible under porches, in basements, or emerging from cracks or crevices between walls and partitions
Slit-like holes in woodwork, especially window and door casings
Large winged ants in the house in late winter and spring
Faint rustling sounds in walls, floors, or woodwork

How to recognize them

Carpenter ants are large black or red-and-black ants. The size varies in workers from 1/4 to 1/2 inch; queens are larger, up to 3/4 inch. Ants have a constriction (thin waist) between their thorax (where legs originate) and abdomen. If winged, there are two pairs of membranous wings that extend beyond the tip of the abdomen. The front wings are much larger than the rear wings.

Carpenter ants frequently are confused with dampwood termites. Both insects live in colonies and mine wood. Since they are controlled in different ways, it is important to distinguish between them.

Termite workers are yellowish to grayish white, up to 3/4 inch long, short-legged, rather slow-moving insects that spend their lives hidden from view, unless their mines are broken open.

Reproductive termites are brown, thick-waisted, and have long wings, approximately equal in length. The antennae of termites are short and straight (those of ants are angled). Termites fly during warm, humid evenings in the fall.

Doug's 2009 Oscar Prediction Follow Up.

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:12:05 -0800

Good morning everyone. Well the 81st Annual Oscar show is now in the books and in typical fashion it was as exciting as watching paint dry or grass grow.

I successfully predicted 4 out of the 6 main categories. That's a .667 batting average folks. Not bad.

Hits: Heath Ledger, Best Supporting Actor     Misses: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
        Kate Winslet, Best Actress                              Marisa Tomei, Best Sup. Actress
        Slumdog Millionaire, Best Picture
        Slumdog Millionaire, Best Directing

I was really hoping Mickey Rourke would win Best Actor, as I think he really was. The Wrestler movie mirrored his life and he was so ingrained into the character. Plus who doesn't love the underdog, the comeback, overcoming all odds. After seeing Sean Penn, who is also a phenomenal Actor, win and give his speech, I have to think that he ( Sean Penn ) was kinda hoping Mickey would win as well.

Penelope Cruise Winning an Oscar. Come on be honest, did anyone see this coming. If Meryl Streep would have one, that would be okay. But Penelope, wow, that was just surprising.

I am so happy that Heath Ledger won for Best Supporting Actor. It would have been doubly tragic if he had not.

Kate Winslet was classy as usual except for the good humor jab at Meryl Streep. " That she would have to suck up the loss"- funny.

Slumdog Milionaire as I predicted would dominate the lesser categories, plus win the Best Picture and Best Directing. I still don't get the movie, but the Academy sure seemed to.

In typical fashion there was some PC grandstanding by Sean Penn, but that can be expected.

To wrap up, it was again, surprising to see how many had passed on throughout the year. Bernie Mac, so talented so young. RIP.

OFF TOPIC FRIDAY!

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:02:14 -0800

Doug's 2009 Oscar Winners Prediction

Actor, Leading: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Actor Supporting: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Actress Leading: Kate Winslet The Reader

Actress Supporting: Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Directing: Slumdog Millionaire

There are many other categories, but who really cares, other than the ones being nominated.

Mickey Rourke, what a comeback. He has always been an excellent actor made in the same mould as James Dean, with nearly the same tragic ending.

Heath Ledger would have won this Oscar even if he had not tragically passed away. He is indeed a sentimental favorite, but that is not why he will win. His performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight was captivating, totally making the character his own. What a great upcoming actor, whose life ended way too soon.

Kate Winslet will finally win an Oscar after being nominated 5 previous times. I loved her in Titanic and she should have won then, along with Leo. She will win this time, once again being opposite of Leo, who coincidently was snubbed once again. Can anyone say Aviator!

This one I will probably get wrong. But I so want Marisa Tomei to win another Oscar. She is an incredible actress with width and range in her abilities. Loved her in Cousin Vinney. I absolutely loved her in The Wrestler. In the end, Taraji P. Henson will most likely win for her performance in Benjamin Button.

" Slumdog Millionaire will dominate the lesser categories and will win both Best Picture, and Best Directing as well. I didn't really get this movie, but million's maybe billions did, if you count India's immense population.

Enjoy the 2009 Oscar Award Show Everyone

Oregon Carpenter Ants - Part 1

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:37:43 -0800

Carpenter ants are serious pests of buildings in Oregon, particularly west of the Cascade Mountains. Although they normally excavate in logs, stumps, and hollow trees, these ants become pests when they move indoors.

Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood, and so they kick out the sawdust-like chewings during nest building.

This is a sure sign of carpenter ant infestation; termites do not make sawdust.

Carpenter ants do not restrict their nesting activities to wood. They can establish nests in any material they can bite into--insulation, paper, bark, and wood product mulches are just a few examples.

Nests even have been found in stored clothing and sleeping bags. In some instances, these ants will carry nest-building material, such as fir needles, into a wall space or attic.

Congratulations to Oregon First

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:43:24 -0800

Oregon First in The Top Five

According to the Oregon Real Estate Agency records as of July 2008, Oregon First is the fourth largest real estate agency in the State of Oregon. Over the past year, we've continued with strong growth compared to the national franchise chains.

Oregon First is locally owned and operated. With more than 500 licensed agents in our 7 main branch offices and surrounding satellite branches.

Inspections v.s. Appraisals. Whats the Dif?

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:21:33 -0800

Inspections vs. Appraisals

Inspections are paid for by the buyer, generally running around $300. They help the buyer learn as much about the property as possible. The inspection report is the property of the buyer & the inspector works for the buyer.

The appraisal, on the other hand, is to protect the lender. When a lender agrees to loan 95% on the value of a property, for example, they mean 95% of the agreed upon sales price or 95% of the appraised value, whichever is less. The buyer does end up paying for the appraisal with all their other loan costs, so laws now require lenders to give buyers the results of the appraisals they pay for.

If you are buying, your Realtor® can help you find a licensed, bonded, & insured inspector (the lender will hire their own appraiser). A real estate agent can also help you understand your options should an inspection uncover defects in the property you are buying or should the appraisal come in at less then your agreed upon purchase price.

If you are selling, your Realtor® will help you understand your options when a buyer requests repairs from an inspection or when the appraised value of your home falls under the agreed upon sales price.

Geting Your Home Ready to Sell!

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:47:10 -0800

How do I get my home ready to sell?

Clean- The most important thing you can do to ensure your home sells fast and for top market dollar is to clean, clean, clean. Clean your house 'till you think there's nothing left to clean and then clean some more! Clean the baseboards, clean the windows, dust every piece of furniture, every picture on the wall.

Declutter- if it doesn't need to be there and isn't pretty, pack it up. What does your home say about the people who live there? Are they stressed out, overworked and cramped? Try to make it look like you spend your days leisurely gardening, sipping herbal teas, writing letters to your great Aunt in Provence and cooking delicious, gourmet pastries. Remember, when people buy your house, they are also buying a vision of what their life will be like in that house.

Mow & Trim- Get the yard in tip-top shape. This is where the first impression is formed and once buyers form an impression, it's very hard to sway them from it. You don't need to spend a lot of money - just add some color, keep the weeds out, add some fresh barkdust, and keep it neatly mowed and edged.

Repaint- If the house is going to be shown when it's vacant, it's a good idea to re-paint. Once all the furniture is moved out, every scuff mark will show, making your home look dingy. Also, keep drapes open to make the house feel light and bright and air it out as often as possible. This is true even if you're still living in the home. And be sure to keep the temperature comfortable so folks don't want to leave as quickly as possible!

Scents- Natural essential oils are a great idea--particularly lavender and vanilla. People respond strongly to odors whether they are conscious of them or not, but steer clear of synthetic scents since they can cause headaches and other reactions in sensitive individuals. Don't forget vases of fresh cut flowers!

OFF TOPIC FRIDAY!

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:19:09 -0800

He Reigns

My Lord Jesus Christ reigns

He is the Lord of Lords and the King of kings

He reigns

My Lord Jesus Christ reigns

He is the one that gives me my everything

He reigns

My Lord Jesus Christ reigns

Over my heart, body, and soul

He reigns

So Lord I give you

My everything

You reign

Hope you enjoy. A worship poem by Doug Aaserude.

Escrow and Title Insurance

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:56:05 -0800

The collection, holding, and delivery of documents and monies by a neutral third party in accordance with dated, written instructions from the principals to a transaction.

Having a neutral third party allows all the principals to a transaction to handle the transaction in more convenient time frames. Many real estate sales and refinances handled in other areas of the country do not have escrow. It is then necessary for all the parties to be in one room at one time in order to protect their interests. With an escrow, however, the parties may execute their respective documents and instruct the escrow when the documents may be used.

The escrow becomes a central depository. Escrow agents are neutral. With the exception of certain statutes which require them to take specific actions, the escrow officers simply follow the directions of the principals to the transaction - the buyer, borrower, and seller. Escrow officers do not give legal advice. They do not determine if a transaction is "wise". They do not resolve disputes between the various parties. They simply follow the instructions of the principals: which instructions MUST be "consistent" (all parties must give the same instructions).

Escrow vs. Title Insurance

In this state, most escrow companies are also title insurance companies. However, escrow and title are not the same thing.

The title department or company issues a Preliminary Commitment for Title Insurance, which is a statement of the status of title (including vesting) and all the exceptions to title, such as monetary encumbrances (loans, judgments, taxes, liens); rights, title and interests (i.e. the life estate of Grandma); and covenants, conditions, restrictions and easements. The commitment (or "PTR", "prelim", "title report") also includes documents and items that the title company requires before they will record documents (i.e. trust deeds) or issue title insurance policies. Title insurance is not a casualty or risk-based insurance like homeowner's insurance or mortgage insurance. A title company works very hard to eliminate every possibility of risk prior to issuing a policy.

Escrow	Title
Handles loan documents and funds	Performs title search and title underwriting
Prepares escrow documents and obtains signatures	Records documents
Has primary customer contact	Maintains contact with escrow only
Handles transactions anywhere in U.S.	Handles title functions county by county
Is regulated by Real Estate Agency	Is regulated by Insurance Commissioner

Life of an Escrow

Receive and Review - Sale Contract and Instructions
Obtain Names of Attorneys
Order Title Report
Obtain Name of Lender for Seller and Purchaser and Loan Status
Obtain Instructions for Request Assumption Interest Bearing Deposits Statements(s)
Receive and Review
Title Report
Request Payoff Demands
Request Clarification of other Title Exceptions, If Any
Request Fire Insurance Coverage
Receive and Review All Documents
Finalize Statements, Escrow Instructions and Pertinent Documents
Obtain Signatures and Closing Funds from Purchaser/Seller
Forward Documents for Return Loan Documents
Recording and Recheck and Request Loan Funds
Receive Loan Funds on New Loans
Disburse Funds
Forward Final Documents to All Interested Parties
(Seller, Purchaser, Lender, Contract Vendor, etc.)

Joke of the day!

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:29:15 -0800

Sound Familiar? An Anology for what our new Government is asking from the taxpayers.

A big, burly man visited the pastor's home and asked to see the minister's wife, a woman well known for her charitable impulses.
"Madam," he said in a broken voice, "I wish to draw your attention to the terrible plight of a poor family in this district. The father is dead, the mother is too ill to work, and the nine children are starving. They are about to be turned into the cold, empty streets unless someone pays their rent, which amounts to $400."

"How terrible!" exclaimed the preacher's wife. "May I ask who you are?"

They sympathetic visitor applied his handkerchief to his eyes. "I'm the landlord," he sobbed.

What is meant by Closing?

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:53:39 -0800

What is Meant by Closing?

The technical meaning of closing is when the seller gets his or her money. This is the date the buyer legally owns the property. Folks often use the term "closing" to mean when parties go to escrow to sign final documents, but this isn't its legal meaning and it is important to understand this distinction.

Closing usually takes place within 3 days after signing. This gives escrow time to get all the paperwork to the lender, & the lender time to get money to escrow. This means if your Sales Agreement says closing needs to take place in 30 days, you should make sure you're ready to sign all documents within 27 days.

Real estate agents make sure that parties to a sale are aware of all the deadlines involved in a transaction - preliminary title approval, the inspection period, Disclosure / Disclaimer / Exemption windows, etc. They keep sales on track so no one loses their earnest money and no one loses the new house they bought with the proceeds from the sale of their current house!

When To Hire an Architect or Engineer

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:02:03 -0800

For single-family residential dwellings or accessory buildings, an architect or engineer is usually not required unless the design or methods used in the construction, alteration, or repair of the structure are non-prescriptive. That is, it does not follow the prescribed methods stated in the most current Oregon Residential Specialty Code. Also, an architect or engineer is not required for permit-exempt farm-agricultural buildings and non-farm agricultural buildings. All permit-exempt buildings must still meet minimum code requirements. For all commercial construction, alteration, or repair, an architect or engineer is usually not required if the structure has a ground area of 4,000 square feet or less and/or is less than 20 feet in height, does not undergo a change of occupancy, and/or is not considered by the building official as work of a highly technical nature. For all commercial construction, alteration, or repair of buildings more than 4,000 square feet and/or 20 feet or more in height, a registered design professional must prepare the construction documents. Also, the architect or engineer must sign off on any portion of a structure that has been engineered, no matter the size of the building.

Source: Oregon.gov

Home Buyers Tax Credit Update

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:33:40 -0800

Congress is actively considering an expanded home buyer tax credit, and the Senate has approved the following improvements:

The tax credit amount increases to $15,000.
The tax credit is extended to anyone buying a principal residence.
The tax credit will apply to all purchases occuring within a year after the bill is signed into law.
It is a true tax credit; it does not have to be repaid.

Please call your Senators and urge support for the expanded home buyer tax credit. To reach your Senators, call 1-866-924-NAHB (6242).

Realtors v.s. the Internet

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 02:13:33 -0800

Realtors vs. the Internet

The National Association of Realtors recently did a study to find out how much Realtors are going to be hurt by the new information technologies. What they found is that buyers, in particular, are definitely able to do a lot more research before they even talk to a Realtor, but Realtors continue to be the number one source of information for both buyers and sellers.

In fact, the study found that folks who use the Internet are MORE likely to use a Realtor when buying or selling a home - 87% - compared to 76% for non-Internet users.

As anyone who has ever accessed the World Wide Web can attest to, having more information doesn't necessarily mean having more knowledge. It can still be a daunting task to sort through it all. 80% of buyers who scope out properties on-line ultimately purchase a home introduced to them by their Realtor. Only 4% end up making an offer on a home they found themselves via the net (see below for what happened with the other 16%).

The Internet is doubtless changing the WAY Realtors should go about marketing homes - open houses, for example, are greatly decreasing in importance as casual lookers do their looking on-line. In 1995, 41% of buyers went to open houses. Today, that number is 28%.

Sellers are also continuing to list with Realtors. The number of For Sale By Owners (also called "fisboes" by Realtors for FSBO) increased only 1% from 1995 to today, to 16%. And almost half of those FSBOs are undertaken by sellers who already know their buyers - often they are related

OFF TOPIC FRIDAY!

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:34:15 -0800

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xZp-GLMMJ0

THE NEW PET ROCK

Here it is folks, the next American craze that has sold millions. The Snuggie which is really a robe that you put on backwards. Now I don't know about you, but if I wore my robe backwards, especially to a sporting event, people would look at me with disbelief. My girlfriend would think I was stupid, and would refuse to be seen with me. But yet this craze is gaining momentum. Pretty soon every man, woman and child will be walking around with these backward robes on. Jeff Foxworthy will be saying, you know you are a redneck when............... you go to a football game wearing your grandmas robe on backwards. Didn't monks of Tibet originally come up with this idea? To Snuggie or not to Snuggie is the question....... and it is being answered with all the millions being sold.

Oregon Home Care Tips

Broker Doug Aaserude (Inactive until May. 2009) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 01:47:44 -0800

Home Care Tips

Please note that Oregon Law requires use of licensed, bonded and insured contractor if you are doing work on a home in preparation for a sale. Shocked to learn that? This is why having a knowledgeable Realtor involved in your transaction is so important. The days of "buyer beware" are over. Hire a professional to help you when dealing with what is, for most people, the most important material investment in their lives.

Fire Safety including current smoke alarm requirements

Considering remodeling? Click here to see data for the Portland area on how much of the cost of various remodeling projects is typically recouped when the home is later sold.

Permits: When You Need & How To Get

Check out your Remodeling Contractor in advance at the State of Oregon Construction Contractors Board

Call the Oregon Utility Notification Center at 1-800-332-2344 at least two days before you or your contractor digs. They will come out to mark the location of all underground utilities. It's FREE & it's THE LAW.

Installation and care of Hardwood Floors

Installation and care of Carpeting & Rugs

Bathrooms and Kitchens

Controlling Carpenter Ants

Preventing and Controlling Powderpost Beetles

Old House Web ideas, advice & community for old home enthusiasts

Gutter Repair

Decorating & Painting

DIY Gardening and Lawn Care

Planting on Your Septic Drain Field

DIY Decks