BARBARA GRUMME’S BLOG!

A large group of 4-year old children are led into a room. Each child is seated and given a marshmallow. “You can eat the marshmallow right now if you want. But if you wait until I come backto eat your marshmallow to go with it.” The giver of marshmallows then leaves the children alone in the room.

The 4-year old who eats the marhmallow is oriented towards the present.

The 4-year old who waits is oriented towards the future.

Yes, we can learn big things from small indicators.

“At the age of 40 the group that didn’t eat their marshmallows had more successful marriage, higher incomes, greater career satisfaction and better health than the marshmallow eaters.”

One third of the children ate the marshmallow immediately. One third help out for a short time, then ate the marshmallow. One third waited the 15 - 20 minutes until the giver of marshmallows returned with the promised, second marshmallow.

By Roy Williams, founder and president of The Wizardof Ads  

Periodically agents has askedfor information about “BRIDGE FINANCING” so I thought I would give you a brief outline for your informiton when dealing with general questions.

Bridge Financing in interim Financing used to bridge a purchase and sale when the closing dates do not coincide

General Conditions/ Requirements are as follows:

• Confirmation of Equity: accepted unconditional offer to purchase covering sale of existing property and verification of the amount owing against the property plus sales commission
• Maximum of funds available for interim financing is the lesser of the down payment plus 1.5% of purchase price OR 90% of net sale proceeds
• Max term - 90 days
• Admin or set up fee - $250
• Interest rate is Bank prime plus 2%
• Letter of Direction covering sale proceeds
• Assignment of sale proceeds and acknowledgement thereof, from vendors’ solicitor
• Mortgage for new purchase must be with the lender providing the bridge financing

If you have any questions or need clarification of the above please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Betty Talbot A.M.P

Centum Omni Mortgage Corp.

Taking control of personal safety as a real estate professional

Preventions Do’s

• check credit reports
• check spouse/child credit report
• lock mailbox
• shred all throwaway documnts
• Norton Password Manager
• Memorize PINs. Passwords, SIN#s
• Change passwords semi annually
• Photocopy all documents in your wallet/purse
• Secure all legal documents and account numbers; tax docs, cancelled checks
• Destroy pre-approved credit card offers
• Place mail in secure outgoing mailboxes or at the PO
• Call the post office if you go more than 4 days without mail
• Pay attention to delivery dates of all bills
• Bank Online
• Use automatic bill payment, auto payroll dep
• Eliminate paper statements
• Reconcile billsand statements diligently and timely
• Pay attention to the expiration date of credit cards and look for arrival of new cards
• sign all new cards immediately
• Destroy black carbon credit receits
• Avoid using SIN#s for accounts whenever possible
• Initiate passwords for all accounts, especially credit-cards
• Sign all new cards immediately
• Have bank ordered checks delivered to the bank and not your home
• Get removed from the Direct Marketing Associations lists
• Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers
• Be cautious ordering online and mail-order
• Ask all public and private entities about policies for disposal
• Be aware of people looking over your shoulder at an ATM shoulder surfing

Prevention Don’ts

• Don’t Leave your wallet/purse in your car
• Don’t carry SIN cards, birth certificates or passport unless necessary
• Don’t carry more than 1-2 credit cards
• Don’t keep PIN#s and passwords in wallet/purse
• Don’t use common passwords; Mothers maiden, birth date, last 4 of SIN or phone, Dogs, kids name, consec #s
• Don’t have SIN# or Driver’s license # printed on checks
• Don’t write account numbers on the outside of envelopes
• Don’t list name and numbers on the outside of envelopes
• Don’t list name and number in telephone book
• Don’t communicate personal information over the phone; SIN#, birth date, mothers maiden, CC#
• Don’t have bank ordered checks delivered o your mail box
• Don’t leave reciepts lying around

Using Technology - Computer

• Install virus protection and keep it updated
• Set up automatic security patches through Windows Update
• Use firewlals http://firewallguide.com/
• Use spy removal software http://ww.lavasoftusa.com
• Thoroughly erase data from discarded hard Drives www.killdisk.com or sledge hammer
• Back up Data
• Encrypt wireless connections

Using Technology - email

• Use throwaway email addresses
• Don’t reply to spam
• Don’t request to be taken off spam lists, just hit delete
• Don’t open attachments from those you don’t know
• Be cognizant of what information is contained in your email signature
• Nigerian email scams
• Beware of Phishing and lotteries

Victim Red Flags

• Denied credit for no reason
• Wrong information on credit report
• Mail stops arriving on certain bills or statements don’t arrive
• Bills from companies you’ve never done business with
• A collection agency calls ou for non payment
• You get arrested for something you didn’t do
• Denied employment as a result of a background check

Victim Impact and Effects

• Arrests, false convictions
• Hundreds of hours cleanup
• Financial expense
• Denied credit
• Refused employment
• Psychological trauma

Victims To-Do List

• Consult an attorney
• Document every conversation and contact
• Contact fraud departments of departments of the credit bureaus and initiate fraudulently
• File a police report and send it to all creditors and agencies involved
• contact the Postal Inspector
• If checks were used fraudulently contact check fraud services
• Check your criminal records to see if charges are filed
• Mark all mail correspondence RETURN RECIEPT REQUESTED

Resouces:

Niagara Association of Realtors

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Identity Theft clearing house - www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Credit Bureaus

EQUIFAX canada  & Trans union

• 57% of homes that are between 15 - 50 years old have been re-wired or had modifications done to their home’s electrical system.
• 68% of homeowners report they retain an electrician to do electrical work - 32% do not.
• 58% of homeowners who have done electrical modifications indicate they have little experience.
• 63% of homeowners report that an inspection was conducted.

Information by:

www.esasafe.com

Home Safety - Electrical Safety Authority

• Frayed or damaged extension cords or cord ends can expose wires, resulting in potential shock and fire hazards. Look for: Damaged cords, undersized cords, cords under carpet or furniture and interiorrated cords used outdoors.
• Ovrloading outlets can cause overheating and present potential fire hazards. Contact a license electrial contractor if youare uncertain of the load rating for your home’s wiring.
• Incorrect grounding presents a shock hazard. Look for missing 3rd prongs or 2-to-3 prong adapters. Consult with a licensed electrical contractor if your home’s wiring system requires updating.
• Look up! Always be aware of ovehead powerlines - remember to point these out to family, visitors and contract workers.

Information by:

www.esasafe.com

Home Safety - Electrical Safety Authority

Damaged wires or deterioration to exposed wire sheath - can present shock or fire hasard or possible concerns with your home’s electrical system.

Overheated plugs or outlets, fuses that blow, or circuits that frequently trip, indicate overloading of the circuit or possibly faulty electrical wiring or equipment.

Test GFCI outlets monthly, to ensure they are operating properly.

Dim or flickering lights can be a sign of a loose connection in alighting circuit, fixture, or your electrical service.

Powerline Safety - Look for powerlines running through or beside trees. D not Climb or trim trees that are near powerlines.

Information by:

www.esasafe.com

Home Safety - Electrical Safety Authority

I believe that there are three purposes to a business:

1. To provide the business owner with the financial resources necessary to live the life they desire and achieve their personal goals
2. To provide the business owner with the freedom necessary to live the life they desire and achieve their personal goals.
3. To provide a product or service that is valuable to another human being.

My belief is that all of us are earning exactly what we deserve based on our service to society. The better we serve, the more we earn. The less we serve, the less we earn. This is sometimes a hard belief to accept, but very true. I don’t Believe there i a short cut to financial success. If you want to earn a lot of monely, figure out a way to serve alot of people in a way that most others can’t or won’t do.

Stop focusing on the commission and start focusing on how you can help others. When you do this you will start geting more commission. Foremost in your mind should be the best interst of your customner.

I can promise you one thing, when you are working with a client, they know what you are focusing on. They can tell if you are trying to slam a deal together to get paid or if you are truly looking after their best interest. Once they know your mind is their best interest, you will get their business again and again, not to mention the referrals.

Information by:

Pillar To Post - Professional Home Inspection News and information

Volume 4 No 2

34 Old Coach Road, St. Catharines, 905-646-7678

Curb appeal is the initial impression that the exterior of a home has on potential buyers. It creates an emotional desire in buyers to purchase the home and its associated lifestyle. Not only does strong curn appeal increase the viewing traffic, if can also substantially add to the home’s value. Many buyers are not interested in viewing home’s value. Many buyers are not interested in viewing homes that need work, so curn appeal can make or break a deal.

“As a result, strong curb appeal is essential for a home to be competitive in this market.”

No Cos Improvements:

• Manicure the yard and clear it of clutter
• trim any greenery that covers windows and walkways
• Clean the front door, porch, and entrance way

Low Cost Improvements:

• Add flowers and colourful window boxes
• Replace the front door, mailbox and house numbers
• Install new windows and exterior lighting

Additional Improvement:

• Paint the exterior and add shutters
• Replace the roof and gutters
• Build fences, gates, and walkways

Information by:

Pillar To Post - Professional Home Inspection News and Information

34 Old Coach Road - St. Catharines, ON - 905-646-7678 - SSipos@ptphome.com

Roofing problems can develop at any time. Most asphalt/fiberglass shingles are make to last about 15 years but you should begin to expect some problems around 8 to 10 years.

Signs of attic leaks or moisture:

• Structural sagging, wavy roof fame and sheathing
• damaged, warn or missing shingles, moss growth
• corroded flashing
• Raised shingles along the botton of roof
• icicles haning fom gutter in the winter
• stained/discolored or delaminating sheathing, damp or discolored insulaion
• rusted nails and rust stains on sheathing
• water spots or black marks on the ceiling or at the juntion betwee ceiling and wall
• water marks around ceiling fixtures

Rain or wind: Some roof problems occur when wind forces the rain under the edges of the roof or shingles.

Ice Dam: is an accumulation of ice at the lower edge of a sloped roof. They form when there is a layer of snow on the roof, which melts due to heat loss from the house ino the attic.

Moss: Wood and built-up roofs are vulnerable to the deterioration by moss for its ability to retain muisture.

Water Vapor: Exfiltration of warm moist air to drier colder air results in condensation, mold and mildew and wood decay.

For more information visit:

Post Noes - Volume 5

Pillar To Post - Professional Home Inspection News and Information

34 Old Coach Road, St. Catharines, ON  L2N 2P5

905-646-7678   SSipos@ptphome.com

Put those tennis balls to good use at home with these smart ideas:

1. Inexpensive massage - place the tennis balls under the arches of your feet and roll them around
2. Strengthen your grip - place one in each hand and squeeze as hard as possible for 10 seconds
3. Get those hard to reach cobwebs - wrap a dust cloth around the tennis ball and throw
4. clean the pool - float a few tennis balls in the swimming pool to absorb dirt an oil. (change every few weeks)
5. Hide your valuables! - Cut a partial slit in a tennis ball and stash your jewelry in it, although make sure you remember which colour…

By:

Post Noes - Volume 5

Pillar To Post - Professional Home Inspection News and Information

34 Old Coach Road, St. Catharines, ON  L2N 2P5

905-646-7678   SSipos@ptphome.com