I take pictures for the purpose of remembering fond times. I do not impose copyright restrictions on this photo, so you may feel free to use, or distribute as you wish. However, should you need a Real Estate Professional in the Greater Sacramento area, I hope that you will contact me by email or by visiting my website www.myrljeffcoat.com - Thank You!
As your family gathers to celebrate the birth of our great nation, take time to reflect on the meaning of this annual celebration to commemorate the strength, courage and faith of our founding fathers in pursuit of liberty.
Because of our forefathers, we are able to spend today in joy, celebration and happiness.
Here are a few facts about July 4th:
(1) Although, Independence Day commemorates the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, it was not declared a legal holiday until 1941.
(2) George Washington did not sign the Declaration of Independence. Washington was already in New York commanding troops when the Declaration was signed and adopted.
(3) During the Revolutionary War, things were going badly, that without French help, we would have lost the war and there would be no America. France provided a navy, troops and 90 percent of the gunpowder the Patriots used.
(4) It was during the War of 1812 that Uncle Sam first appeared on the scene. He appeared on supply containers. But our U. S. Congress didn't adopt him as a national symbol until 1961.
(5) There has been more than one Liberty Bell. The first two versions were defective and were melted down and recast. Our present version rang every Fourth of July from 1778 to 1835, when it cracked as it was being tolled to mark the death of a Chief Justice.
Several news media outlets are reporting the federal government will be refinancing mortgages up to 125% of value. This move should help some homeowners who desire refinancing in order to take advantage of the current lower interest rates, but find themselves upside-down on value.
U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Shaun Donovan announced Wednesday, July 1st, that the federal government's Home Affordable Refinance Program will serve people whose mortgages are up to 125 percent of the value of their homes.
This move would raise the "underwater" loan to value limit on the program from the current 105%.
HUD Secretary Donovan made the announcement wile on a neighborhood tour in Las Vegas, which has been exceptionally hard hit in the current foreclosure crisis, and where approximately 67% of current mortgage holders owe more than their homes are worth.
U.S. Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, weighed in on the plan and labeled the move "a crucial step in our broader efforts to get America's housing market and economy on the path to recovery."
HUD reports more than 200,000 borrowers have received offers for trial loan modifications, since February 18th, when the administration announced Making Home Affordable. This also includes tens of thousands of refinances and trial modifications have began and more than one million possibly eligible borrowers have been sent informational mailings.
I take pictures for the purpose of remembering fond times. I do not impose copyright restrictions on this photo, so you may feel free to use, or distribute as you wish. However, should you need a Real Estate Professional in the Greater Sacramento area, I hope that you will contact me by email or by visiting my website www.myrljeffcoat.com - Thank You!
There are reported signs by Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller index of 20 major cities, that indicate some stabilization of housing prices may be occurring. Home prices are continuing to drop, but not as sharply.
The 20 cities included in the index dropped 18.1%, but it marks the third straight month the decline wasn't a record. Thirteen of the cities managed to improve compared to March. And eight of the 20 major cities managed price increases from March. Dallas recorded the largest increase at 1.7 %.
With the exception of Charlotte, NC, every city demonstrated improvement month-over-month.
Compared to the housing price peak in the second quarter of 2006, the overall 20-city index is off nearly 33%, which means home values are now around 2003 price levels.
Las Vegas and Phoenix continue to remain the hardest hit areas, having lost more than half their value since their peaks.
My family has a tradition of getting together for 4th of July festivities each year. Because this year we plan to go on a raft trip down the American River on the day after the 4th, I went on a little scouting trip over to American River Raft Rentals, which sits adjacent to the American River Parkway, making it ground zero for most any kind of recreation you could think of - biking, canoeing, rafting, fishing and hiking.
The Parkway with its extensive bike trails stretches from Old Sacramento to Folsom, and enchants with stunning nature areas, and river scenes
After reserving the rafts for next weeks adventure, I walked around to view sites, existing within a few hundred feet. There's the Old Fair Oaks Bridge, wildflowers of all kinds. The smell of Sweet Anise wafts on the breeze. I'm really looking forward to next Sunday!
I take pictures for the purpose of remembering fond times. I do not impose copyright restrictions on this photo, so you may feel free to use, or distribute as you wish. However, should you need a Real Estate Professional in the Greater Sacramento area, I hope that you will contact me by email or by visiting my website www.myrljeffcoat.com - Thank You!
As reported by the California Association of Realtors, California median sale prices climbed on existing homes 4.2 percent in May. This increase marked the third straight month of rising prices for the state.
In Sacramento County median price increased to $180,940 vs. $167,340 in April. The California median sales price rose to $267,570 in May compared to April's $256,700.
California Association of Realtors states the rising prices are attributed to a declining number of the cheap bank repos, as well as higher-end market sales improvement.
Last evening I had friends over to share a dish I sometimes make. For those of you who enjoy Paella, this recipe may be of interest to you. It's a fun recipe for my family, because different members will sometimes bring an ingredient to throw into the pot. We've seen it all over the years - roasted peppers, capers, different kinds of fish and sea food, several kinds of olives, etc.
This recipe is an inspired from several recipes I have worked with. In traditional paellas, the rice is cooked with the remainder of the ingredients. In this recipe, I make the Saffron Rice separately, and then serve the other Paella ingredients, over a bed of rice.
You will also note that I do not give amounts for each ingredient - The amounts will vary depending on what I have.
Saffron Rice
Olives (3 kinds - Kalamata, Green, Black, etc.)
Marinated Artichoke hearts
Bell Peppers (all colors) - Sliced lengthwise
Large Shrimp, Scallops, Clams, and/or any desired Shell Fish
Chicken Breasts and/or Thighs (boneless and sliced into strips)
Sausage (sliced)
Peas
Stewed Tomatoes
Dried Roma Tomatoes (halves)
Garlic (minced or chopped)
Onions (halved and sliced)
Olive Oil
Spices - Bay Leaf, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Marjoram, etc.
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Fry up the Sausage, drain oil from pan, and set aside. In a very large skillet, put a little Olive Oil, and add Garlic and Chicken. Sauté the Garlic and Chicken a bit, until Chicken is slightly browned. Add in Bell Peppers, and Onions. And continue to sauté for a bit longer.
Then add in the Stewed Tomatoes, the Artichoke Hearts, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Olives.
Add the cooked Sausage back into the pan.
While Paella is continuing to cook (about 1/2 hour). Make the Saffron Rice (I use a Spanish style packaged Saffron Rice).
While Rice is cooking, add Peas, and Shrimp and any other desired Shell Fish to the pan with the Paella - Continue cooking.
Once Rice has finished cooking, place it on a large platter, creating a bed. Take Paella from the pan, and ladle over the rice. Sprinkle Shredded Parmesan over top.
Then serve.
[Note from Myrl]: During the cooking process, I sometimes notice more juice than I desire. I often drain some of the excess off. This is a very different step than what is generally found in traditional paellas.
I take pictures for the purpose of remembering fond times. I do not impose copyright restrictions on this photo, so you may feel free to use, or distribute as you wish. However, should you need a Real Estate Professional in the Greater Sacramento area, I hope that you will contact me by email or by visiting my website www.myrljeffcoat.com - Thank You!
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