This has been a year of change. I have been going over the list of year end goals that I set this time last year and I was amazingly surprised.
In what way you ask? Pleasantly surprised. With the state of the Real Estate Market, the Credit Crunch and Gas Prices my optimism for this year was at an all time low for a super-optimistic person like me. I found myself looking two or three times before verifying that the glass was actually half full, "Yeah it is half full" whoosh!
The situation I am am at now is not to let the current mood place a negative effect on my goal setting for 2008.
Times of adversity give us the opportunity to really RISE to the occasion and challenge our possibilities. What a sense of accomplishment when you do what every one is saying CAN'T be done.
When sitting down to set your goals for the new year AIM HIGH and don't let the Dream-Stealers bury your vision.
There are many of us who have let others beat the OPTIMISM, HOPE and VISION out of us. The good thing is that you can reclaim that part of yourself and one of your first steps can be through goal setting for this New Year.
TIPS FOR GOAL SETTING
1.SET ASIDE TIME - You have to set aside some quality time that you can complete this process uninterrupted and when you are able to think clearly.
2.HAVE YOUR TOOLS READY - If you will be creating VISION BOOKS, have your pictures of your dream house and dream car ready.
3.AIM HIGH - Do not limit yourself.
4.SET TIME LINES- When setting your goals don't forget to set them in increments. 30 - 60 -90 dAY goals or just monthly and quarterly goals.
5. SET CLEAR, CONCISE GOALS - Be as clear as you can when setting your goals. If you are setting an income goal you need to set an exact amount. When you clearly define your goals you can better set up your plan to achieve them.
6. IDENTIFY ACTIVITIES - Have clear activities to use when setting your goals. If you live in a climate that has severe temperatures your activities should match the climate. Don't forget to factor in major Holidays in your activities, you can use them to develop special activities geared around them.
Once you set your goals it is time to go into ALL OUT MASSIVE ACTION. Annual Goal setting is just the start of the process. Your plan and activities should be adjusted and modified all of the time. When you are planning activities you need to measure their success and make adjustments when needed. Having a blueprint to work from helps you identify what you need to do.
NOW LET'S GO OUT SET THOSE GOALS AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Any extra goal setting tips will be appreciated in the comments.
TO MY ACTIVERAIN FAMILY;
Thank you all for making the last half of this year a great one for me. I am Blessed to be a part of this wonderful community and I owe a lot to so many of you who continue to inspire me, make me laugh, make me want to do more, make me think and helped me push through the rocky road. Who could ask for MORE. I am eternally THANKFUL to you all!
When I used to think of Wildfires I used to think of acres of dry grasslands and forest being burned to the ground. I never used to associate it with Homes and Families.
Then the 2003 Wildfires changed that for me. It was the first fire that affected someone I knew personally, a home that I had visited and enjoyed or so I thought. "Oh, Toni don't you remember such and such, we visited them back in '96, They lost their home and some horses".
My friend went on and on about how many people we knew that had been affected over the years. That was an Uh-oh moment for me... Wildfires were no longer solely about trees, vegetation and wildlife for me. My thinking was forever changed.
WHAT TO DO!
My next thought back in 2003 was what I could do to help. I then decided to help another long time friend (whose name I won't mention, til I clear it with her) and she in turn was able to help three other families, she had the space in her home and her heart. One family stayed on until their house was rebuilt, (they have had to run from the wildfires again.)
I think of Kathy & Corina McGraw and their family. I have never met them in person, but I formed a spiritual bond with them here on AR. I lived those moments when Kathy couldn't contact Corina with her. Stopping constantly during my day and Thanking God for keeping them safe and asking him to open the lines so that Kathy could have her faith confirmed by Corina herself. See these wildfires were no longer a news event for me. I was now worried about Kathy, Corina and the kids and many others in my extended family. Being here on the East coast feeling so helpless but empowered in my prayers and faith.
After Katrina, I also had a total .change of perspective on Charities. I already knew that it worked to help someone with the will and capability of helping others. So I knew that would serve those in need better. OK Red Cross, United Way? Nah! I thought back to long ago at the age of nine when we lost our home and how little support we received from the Red Cross. Things hadn't really changed in all these years had they? We always wonder when we donate if our dollars will reach those in need. Katrina proved to me that they usually don't, save for a few very hardworking charities filled with volunteers whose salaries are not a part of my donation.
When these recent Wildfires came about our church collected funds and we sought a resource to donate our efforts to. Sadly, the two charities that were being mentioned were the last choices on our list. So our church found a group that asked us to not send money but specific items that were needed by families. Our wonderful committee made it happen, we had the shipping fees donated, what a blessing! (dang it I don't have the name of the Charity here with me)
When looking to make a difference for those in need. (I refuse to call them victims, but Victors, for they are still here) take a little time.
Try choosing a specific community or area to support
Identify a need and help fill it
Look to Grassroots organizations, churches and synagogues that know the people in their community and have identified specific needs.
Offer your support, no donation is too little.
Ask! Some people are too proud or overwhelmed to ask for help, but will accept it when offered.
A lot of people doing a little will go very far. $1 from a million people is 1 million dollars. Just try and make sure it is truly going to help someone.
I am not blasting the Big Charities, they serve their purpose. I don't want emails from them please! But when we were burned out of our home when I was a little girl, the Red Cross put us in a hotel for the first two nights. It was great having shelter but I would've jumped for joy to have a toothbrush when I woke up that morning. My panties hadn't dried yet from washing them late that night and I cried. I had no books, no clothes save the nightie I had on when I ran out and slippers. My mother had to leave me in the hotel room to go buy me and my brother some clothes and pick up necessities. My brother went to get us something to eat and they wouldn't let him back up to the room. So I was homeless, half naked and hungry (he had the food).
God sent us Angels during those times, not the many people that my Mom had helped over the years. We always had extra seats at our dinner table, or she was sending one of us to give someone something. The help we received was from wonderful strangers, that made some of those times the most vivid memories of my childhood. I'll never forget the lady at the clothing store (Ms Anna) who picked up the phone and asked her boss if she could donate some clothing for a family (she had overheard a conversation that my Mom was having with another customer) or the bus driver (Mr William) who used to wait for me to cross the street to catch the City Bus if I was running late as I had to travel 7 miles on the city bus to school every day at the age of nine for about four months. (The looks of the other passengers on their way to work, priceless). Nothing you do to help others is too small.
If you know of anyone who is doing the real work in these communities, the ANGELS, Please BLOG ABOUT THEM! We won't hear about them on the news, but we know that the real help comes from average folks doing extraordinary things, not from the huge charities. How can we help them if we don't know they exist?
If you know someone who is housing families, (there are some who have two or three families sharing their homes) Drop them off a care package. Fill up the gas tank of someone who is donating the use of their pickup to help others salvage the ruins of their homes.
Most importantly, if you are able donate your time.
Ask and you shall receive. I have been asking God to please put words of positivity into mouths and minds of the media.
It is no surprise that this report came from an actual Real Estate expert, not a journalist or economist.
National news coverage is not giving a totally accurate depiction of the Real Estate Market and is not creating an environment that is conducive to any remedy of current issues.
They are missing the fact is this is the time to buy a home. Lots of inventory, great interest rates and price reductions. Banks and lending institutions are still in business aren't they? This is not the time to go into the home buying process without the assistance of a real estate professional who can skillfully guide you through this process. Lenders are just being prudent as they should have been in the past couple of years.
GOOD NEWS
On Saturday, October 6th, Kendra Todd, winner of season 3 of "The Apprentice", managing broker of the Kendra Todd Group, a Realty Investment Consultation firm and host of HGTV's "My House Is Worth What?"appeared on CNN's "Open House" and spoke about certain real estate markets that are showing growth.
Ms. Todd reported on some small to large cities, and used a formula that included job growth, affordability, appreciation of homes and relocation.
Kendra Todd's Top 5
Salt Lake City, UT - Salt Lake City, UT is stated to have a boom in home appreciation at 22%. It is known as a city that has a small town feel and "The Crossroads to the West". The economy is sound with many jobs in the industrial sector including transportation, trade, mining and utilities, as well as being the hub for Utah government. A growth in tourism spurred by it's sports and recreation activities and the many who discovered the city while attending the Winter Olympics back in 2002 has helped Salt Lake's growth.
Wenatchee, WA - is stated to have a 25% home appreciation. Relocation of many Californians and residents from Seattle is believed to be a factor. With the influx of new residents there has been a growth in new construction and development bringing in more jobs and fueling their local economy.
Austin, TX- Austin, TX is known as a great place to live for families and a good investment for landlords. Many of the real estate professionals on ActiveRain a top-notch real estate network of professionals across the country (my unbiased opinion) who are serving Austin and the surrounding areas have been testifying to the strength of their local market. The Lone Star State's Capitol has the best of both world's.
Charlotte, NC - Charlotte, NC known as the second largest banking community in the US and the 5th fastest growing large city in the US. Relocation has become key for Charlotte as their growth in the financial industry and their affordability has made it a spot for retirees and professionals looking for change. This has helped it become the fastest growing city on the East Coast.
Farmington, NM- Farmington, NM located in the beautiful San Juan River Valley has been experiencing a growth in home appreciation of 14%. Small business and commerce is exploding in this city which is the largest in the Four Corners area. Touted for having a great year round climate and spectacular views of the Arizona and Utah desert highlands and Colorado's San Juan Mountains we understand why this area is known as the Four Corners and a year round destination for many.
Congratulations to the real estate professionals serving these cities and those looking to relocate or purchase there. Real Estate investors are no longer investing primarily in their local areas. Savvy ones are looking in other states and looking for areas of sustained growth.
Hearing this positive Real Estate report pushed me to do further research on favorable markets around the country.
It has been suggested by Money Magazine that the areas that showed the least amount of gains during the real estate boom are the areas that are holding steady and continuing to experience growth.
Historically slow steady gains have been more sustainable in many industries. So it is practical to come to the conclusion that areas that didn't experience a huge appreciation are not feeling the correction in the market.
I came across the list of Fiserv Lending Solutions growth forecast from April 2007 - April 2008.
These cities were rated top 10 in their forecast with their projected growth.
1. McAllen, TX - 12-month forecast: 9.8% 2. Tulsa, OK - 12-month forecast: 4.3% 3. El Paso, TX - 12-month forecast: 4.3% 4. Scranton, PA - 12-month forecast: 3.9% 5. Rochester, NY - 12-month forecast: 3.7% 6. Buffalo/Niagra Falls, NY - 12-month forecast: 3.7% 7. Fort Worth/Arlington, TX - 12-month forecast: 3.6% 8. Baton Rouge, LA - 12-month forecast: 3.6% 9. Dallas, TX - 12-month forecast: 3.6% 10. Birmingham, AL - 12-month forecast: 3.6%
They are forecasting 56 major US cities with positive growth between April 2007 and April 2008. That's more than half of the top 100. Many others are fore-casted to have minute drops of less than 2%.
Now that's Good News to me. So why aren't these projections being reported? Financing is not AS easy for ANYONE to get, but there are still great loan programs for those that have done their financial homework.
I guess the media believes that Good News doesn't sell papers or entice people to tune in. Personally, I am longing for the days when the media found the diamonds in the sand and I didn't have to find positive news buried in the back of my newspaper amongst the advertisements.
South Ozone Park, New York is located in the southern part of Queens. It's boundaries are as follows; from the east, the Van Wyck Expressway, the west boundary is the Aqueduct Race Track, the North is Liberty Avenue and the south is The Conduit. However many parts of the surrounding area have either attached itself or detached itself from the area for various reasons.
South Ozone Park History
South Ozone Park's first inhabitants were Native Americans of the Jameco (where Jamaica got it's name) and Reckowacky (where we derived the name Rockaway) tribes.
South Ozone Park was once farmland that was first developed back in 1907, when David Leahy began building homes in farm fields. The area to the west known as Ozone Park had been developed back in 1880's by Benjamin Hitchcock had become a success and South Ozone Park which is actually located East of Ozone Park was to be a community of smaller more moderately priced homes. With the expansion of the railroad into the area Leahy anticipated the need for more housing and marketed his homes for a reasonable price.
South Ozone Park's Residents
The boundaries and the demographics of the community have changed through the years. Today it is the home of over 45,000 people who live mostly in one-family or two-family dwellings. Once it's main inhabitants were of Italian-American descent. Today the community is the picture of diversity with a mixture of Whites, Blacks or African-Americans, Hispanics and a steady growth of people of Indian-descent from Trinidad/Tobago and Guyana.
Rockaway Boulevard it's main thorughfare is now a bustling center of commerce with many small businesses as well as major franchises popping up all along it's streets. Liberty Avenue once the sole center of commerce was not as close a trip for many residents. This has given many residents the ability to spend their dollars closer to home.
Wilbur E. Colyer Square- Located at Rockaway Boulevard and 120th Avenue/133rd Street. Coyler Square was named after Wilbur E. Colyer a resident of South Ozone Park who volunteered at the age of 17 to fight in WWI. He was killed during battle and received the Congressional Medal of Honor for Valor at Verdun. He was the youngest and first Queens resident to receive this honor.
Edward R. Byrne Place- Located at N. Conduit Avenue between 130th Place and 134th Street. This location was named to honor the memory of rookie Police Officer Edward R. Byrne. He was killed in his patrol car while protecting a witness to a drug crime. His death spurned the inception of the TNT (Tactical Narcotics Team) that has changed the way the NYPD and many police departments across the world fight drugs and drug related crimes.
Aqueduct Race Track- Located on Rockaway Blvd. The Aqueduct Race Track holds the distinction of being the largest thoroughbred racing track in the USA with it's 80,000 seat capacity. It is also the border between Ozone Park and South Ozone Park. Aqueduct has also been the site where many famous horses won championship races like Seabiscuit and Man O'War.
To All Queens and Long Island Agents be there or be square.
Queens Real Estate Expo September 30, 2007 York College 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard Jamaica, New York Hours.10am - 5 pm www.queensrealestateexpo.com
I know that Sunday is a busy day for all of us. But it is important for us to come together.
I will be looking forward to meeting colleagues and taking the time to establish new contacts and build relationships with other Realtors and Mortgage professionals.
In between showings, church and a Pastor's dinner, I will still find time to be there so what is your excuse?
This is a summary for the Residential Real Estate Market for Richmond Hill, N. Richmond Hill and S. Richmond Hill, New York.
There are currently 485 residential homes on the market in Richmond Hill, North Richmond Hill and South Richmond Hill, New York.
The average listed home price is $646,836 in Richmond Hill, N. Richmond Hill and S. Richmond Hill
The average amount of days on market (DOM) in Richmond Hill, N. Richmond Hill and S. Richmond Hill, New York is 127.
August 2007 Statistics for Richmond Hill, North Richmond Hill and South Richmond Hill, New York
458 Residential homes were listed in Richmond Hill, N. Richmond Hill and S. Richmond Hill as of August, 2007.
232 Residential homes were in contract in Richmond Hill, N. Richmond Hill and S. Richmond Hill as of August 2007.
26 Residential homes closed in Richmond Hill, N. Richmond Hill and S. Richmond Hill in August, 2007.
The average sale price was $551,500 for homes sold in Richmond Hill, N. Richmond Hill and S. Richmond Hill, New York.
If you are interested in selling or purchasing a home or want to be informed of new listings in Richmond Hill, North Richmond Hill or South Richmond Hill feel free to contact me at 718-322-5677 or visit my website Richmond Hill, North Richmond Hill and South Richmond Hill Real Estate.
Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home it is important to know the market for your area of interest. As a real estate professional it's important to stay on top of the market and pass that information along to consumers. This is a summary for the Residential Real Estate Market for South Ozone Park and Wakefield.
There are currently 351 residential homes on the market.
The average listed home price is $564,279
The average amount of days on market (Avg. DOM) is 86 days
August 2007 Statistics in South Ozone Park
351 Residential homes were listed in South Ozone Park as of August, 2007.
158 Residential homes were in contract in South Ozone Park as of August, 2007.
26 Residential homes closed in South Ozone Park in August, 2007.
The average sale price was $462,750 for homes sold in South Ozone Park during August, 2007.
If you are interested in selling or purchasing a home or want to be informed of new listings in South Ozone Park, please feel free to contact me at 718-322-5677 or visit my website South Ozone Park Real Estate.
I read an article today that made my face literally hit the floor.
Mortgage data links higher-priced loans with delinquencies Racial disparities persist in analysis of loan denials and rates Thursday, September 13, 2007 By Matt Carter Inman News
It stated the obvious that " A new Federal Reserve Board analysis of millions of home loans made in 2006 shows a correlation between higher-priced loans that carry heftier interest rates and the rate of serious delinquencies." NO KIDDING!
I didn't want to disclose this but I had a family member that was approved for a mortgage refi In 2006 whose payment was 60% of her gross income. She was counting on a second job that she didn't have at the time, the kindness of friends and family and overtime to cover the rest of her expenses. She had another family member accompany her to the closing (Thank God) and after the closing the family member called me crying. " They are trying to steal her house!, come over quick! She can't afford her new mortgage, She won't listen!" It took me five hours to crunch the numbers with her, before she faxed in a refusal. I then found her a professional that not only gave her a loan at 4 ENTIRE POINTS lower than the previous one (imagine the rate) But brought her payments down over $300 after paying off a couple of bills and taking some out for home improvement. Family always wait til things go bad to give you their business. That is another story.
It is no secret that there were many people given loans for mortgages that they were financially unable to carry. So this revelation by the Fed was no surprise to me.
They gathered information from 8,886 lending institutions, which included 2,036 credit unions, 2,004 mortgage companies, 946 savings institutions and 3,900 commercial banks. Together these institutions reported information on 6.2 million loans they purchased from other institutions and made 14 million mortgage loans. The Federal Government created the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act which mandated the collection of data from these institutions.
The part of the article that had me dusting off my face was the part that Blacks and Hispanics were more likely to get stuck with a higher-cost loan. Ever been to a closing where people try to pay themselves twice? They've tried it with me as a buyer and two others that I know of. It makes me wonder how many others they were getting away with this practice with. They were not oversights, just attempted larceny. So I was not suprised at this finding either.
The article stated that "Blacks got higher-cost loans 53.7 percent of the time and Hispanics 46.6 percent of the time in 2006, compared with 17.7 percent of the time for whites. Asians were the least likely of any racial or ethnic group to take out higher-priced loans, at 16.8 percent of the time." They however were not able to definitively determine that these disparities in lending practices were due to discrimination, even after putting the differences through a number of variables like, location, income, loan-to-value, debt-to-income ratios and loan product. According to the article "The adjusted denial rate on purchase loans was 21.5 percent for blacks, 17.5 percent for Hispanics and 14.8 percent for Asians, compared with 13.1 percent for whites. After adjusting for borrower- and lender-related factors, the incidence of higher-cost loans was 30.3 percent for blacks, 24 percent for Hispanics, and unchanged for Asians and whites.
Many agencies are using the data collected from the HDMA to investigate alleged abuses. Many studies have found discrimination in lending for minorities. Why hasn't the Federal Reserve conceded to the practice of discrimination and do something about it. The real point is the abusive lending. That is why there is an increase in the amount of consumers suing financial institutions for granting loans that they knew were impossible for the consumer to pay.
What was most interesting is that these practices were found to more or less pronounced depending on geographic location. I am not going to mention these areas so as to not gain unneeded attention from loan professionals here. Wherever these higher-priced lending practices were found to be elevated also had a marked elevation in foreclosures, with a few exceptions. YOU THINK!
But we are all aware of the abuses by some of our fly-by-night colleagues. Many who are now out of business, thanks to Karma and all that.
Articles like these remind me to do the best for consumers and why it's important for me to stay on top of my game. There is no reason for two individuals with similar incomes, savings and credit score should have such a difference in their interest rate. I evaluate mortgage professionals like I would a babysitter, with a microscope. Luckily I have found some great mortgage brokers and loan officers that do the best for EVERYBODY regardless of their skin color.
New York City Council District #32 Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr District Office Address 159-53 102 Street Howard Beach, NY 11414 Phone: (718) 738-1111 Fax: (718) 322-5760
Legislative Office Address 250 Broadway, 18th Floor New York, NY 10007 Phone: (212) 788-7069 Email: addabbo@council.nyc.ny.us
New York State Assembly District #25 Rory I. Lancman DISTRICT OFFICE 77-40 170th Street Fresh Meadows, NY 11366 Phone: (718) 820-0241
ALBANY OFFICE LOB 704 Albany, NY 12248 Phone: (518) 455-5172
New York State Senate District #10 Shirley Huntley 808 Legislative Office Building Albany, NY 12247 Phone: (518) 455-3531 Fax:
116-43 Sutphin Boulevard Jamaica, NY 11434 Phone: (718) 322-2537
U.S. Congressional District #6 District 6 Gregory Meeks 1710 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-3461 Fax: (202) 226-4169
153-01 Jamaica Ave Jamaica, NY 11432 Phone: 718-725-6000 Fax: 718-725-9868
Community Organizations & Services
Kew Gardens Civic Association 105 82nd Street Kew Gardens, NY 11415
Information about buying a home, selling a home or renting a home in New York City. Financing resources available and links to information and resources for those looking to buy, rent or sell property in New York City.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
When I used to think of Wildfires I used to think of acres of dry grasslands and forest being burned to the ground. I never used to associate it with Homes and Families.
Ask and you shall receive.
;)
;)
