- Real Estate Update
- Buyers & Seller's Corner
- Home Improvement
- Trivia Challenge
- Health & Fitness
New Movie Releases
Recipe of the Month
- Travel Tips
- Forward to a Friend

October 2011

Oct. 10 -- Columbus Day
Oct. 11 -- Full Moon
Oct. 31 -- Halloween

Visit my website

September Listing Updates

REDUCED - $109,000 Under Assessed Value Waterfront Home

FIRST TIME HOME BUYER - Move in Condition Waretown

+55 ADULT COMMUNITY - Leisure Village East $39,900!

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL - Large Gorgeous Home

BEACH BLOCK - Private Ocean Beach Community

LOTS AND LAND - Waterfront lot with Spectacular Views

NEW CONSTRUCTION - Forest Ridge Estates

 

 

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

August Existing-Home Sales Up Strongly from a Year Ago

According to the National Association of Realtors®, existing-home sales increased and monthly gains were seen in all regions during August, despite ongoing tight credit, appraisal problems, and regional disruptions created by Hurricane Irene.

Total existing-home sales rose 7.7 percent to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 5.03 million in August from an upwardly revised 4.67 million in July, and are 18.6 percent higher than the 4.24 million unit level in August 2010.

“Some of the improvement in August may result from sales that were delayed in preceding months, but favorable affordability conditions and rising rents are underlying motivations,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Investors were more active in absorbing foreclosed properties. In addition to bargain hunting, some investors are in the market to hedge against higher inflation.” 

Investors accounted for 22 percent of purchase activity in August, up from 18 percent in July and 21 percent in August 2010. First-time buyers purchased 32 percent of homes in August, unchanged from July; they were 31 percent in August 2010.

“We had some disruptions from Hurricane Irene in the closing weekend of August, when many sales normally are finalized, along the Eastern seaboard and in New England,” said Yun. “As a result, the Northeast saw the smallest sales gain in August, and some general impact is expected in September with widespread flooding from Tropical Storm Lee. Aberrations in housing data are possible over the next couple months as markets recover from disrupted closings and storm damage.”

The national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.27 percent in August, down from 4.55 percent in July; the rate was 4.43 percent in August 2010, according to Freddie Mac.

TOP

What matters is not the idea a man holds, but the depth at which he holds it.
~ Ezra Pound

Understanding Loan Discount Points

Loan discount points are a one-time fee charged by the lender at closing in order to give you a lower interest rate on your loan. Each point is 1 percent of the mortgage amount; for example, one discount point on a $100,000 loan equals $1,000.

Each discount point paid on a 30-year loan typically lowers the interest rate by 0.125 percent. That means a 7.5 percent rate would be lowered to 7.375 percent if you purchase one point. Paying for points lowers your interest rate because the lender receives the income in a lump sum at closing rather than collecting the interest as you make payments.

Paying points to lower your interest rate is not always a good idea. While paying points is sometimes a good decision, many times the purchase costs you more than it saves. It's very important that you analyze the costs to figure out how many years you need to keep the loan to break-even on paying points. Sometimes it takes 10+ years to reach the break-even point. Do you plan to live there that long?

TOP

Polished brass will pass upon more people than rough gold.
~ Lord Chesterfield

Clean Your Screens Before Winter Hits

Many home owners remove and clean their window screens before storing them for the winter. This can prolong the life of the screen, and -- if you clean the windows too -- will make your winter view crystal clear. Here are a few tips to make the task easier:

  • Remove the screens from the window frame, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Be careful not to bend or damage the screen.
  • Put the screens on a flat surface, such as the driveway or lawn, and wet the screens thoroughly with water.
  • Dip a scrub brush into a solution of 3 parts water to 1 part ammonia and apply to the screen using a very light scrubbing motion. Be sure you don't scrub too hard or push the fabric which can stretch or cause damage to the screen.
  • Lightly brush both sides of the screen using overlapping, rotating strokes. In addition, clean the interior and exterior of the frame.
  • Rinse the screens thoroughly with fresh water (preferably lukewarm) to make sure all cleaning solution is removed.
  • Shake or tap the screen gently against the ground to remove excess water. Let the screens dry naturally, or give a quick wipe with an absorbent towel to speed up the drying process.
  • Never pressure wash screens because the force will likely damage them.
  • Cover the screens in plastic and store in an out-of-the-way place in an upright or flat position.

By cleaning your screens in the fall, you'll appreciate looking through clean windows all winter, and you'll have clean, ready-to-install screens next spring.

TOP

Never ruin an apology with an excuse.
~ Kimberly Johnson

Trivia Challenge

Question 1.) In what state can you find a city named "Last Chance"?
a.) Alaska
b.) Colorado
c.) Las Vegas
d.) New Mexico

Question 2.) What is the name of the famous horse in George Orwell's "Animal farm"?
a.) Boxer
b.) Major
c.) Napoleon
d.) Snowball

Question 3.) Who sings the song, "Basket Case"?
a.) Backstreet Boys
b.) Green Day
c.) Hole
d.) Less Than Jake

Question 4.) What is the name of producer Morgan Spurlock's shocking documentary about the McDonald's fast food chain?
a.) Big Mac Attack
b.) Fast Food Nation
c.) Super Size Me
d.) Want Some Fries With That?

Question 5.) Which city was founded more than 2,000 years ago and is commonly known as the Eternal City?
a.) Athens
b.) Jakarta
c.) Paris
d.) Rome

TOP | ANSWERS

Water, air, and cleanliness are the chief articles in my pharmacopoeia.
~ Napoleon I

Hospital Remotes Carry Bacteria

According to a review published in the the New England Journal of Medicine, infections acquired by patients while they're in the hospital are estimated to affect nearly 2 million people resulting in 90,000 deaths a year and costing $9.5 billion in medical bills.

The biggest culprit? The room's TV remote control!

Researchers from the University of Arizona recently found that the remote control in a hospital room carries more disease-causing bacteria than the toilet, faucet handles, bathroom door, call buttons, and other more obvious suspects. The study recommends the widespread use of disposable remote controls to protect patients during their hospital stays.

TOP

What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.
~ Eleanor Powell

October Movie Releases

  • Oct. 7
    • Real Steel
    • The Ides of March
    • Blackthorn
    • Dirty Girl
    • The Human Centipede 2
    • The Way
    • The Women on the 6th Floor
  • Oct. 14
    • The Big Year
    • Footloose
    • The Thing
    • Chalet Girl
    • Father of Invention
    • The Skin I Live In
    • Texas Killing Fields
    • Trespass
    Oct. 21
    • Paranormal Activity 3
    • The Three Musketeers
    • Margin Call
    • Martha Marcy May Marlene
    • Oranges and Sunshine
    • Snowmen
    Oct. 28
    • Anonymous
    • In Time
    • Johnny English Reborn
    • The Rum Diary
    • 13
    • Janie Jones
    • Like Crazy
    • Outrage

*Opening dates may vary depending on where you live.

TOP

I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.
~ Claude Monet

Chicken Capellini Caprese

Ingredients - Serves 4+

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts -- cubed
  • 1/2 lb. capellini or angel hair pasta -- uncooked
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing -- Tuscan or sun-dried tomato
  • 3 cups halved grape or cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil -- finely sliced
  • 1 onion -- finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic -- minced
  • 1 tb. sp. olive oil

Directions

  1. Cook pasta per instructions. Brown chicken cubes with a drop of olive oil in a separate pan.
  2. Heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and chicken cubes; cook 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
  3. Drain pasta. Add to tomato mixture; mix lightly. Sprinkle with cheese and basil.

Wine Pairing

  • Selva del Moro Chianti Classico 2005
TOP

Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.
~ Seneca

Look for Off-Peak Travel Deals in October

The summer weather is gone and the kids are back in school -- making October an affordable month to travel to many destinations. For example, lake resorts have cooled down, the mountains still don't have snow, and most amusement parks have really slowed down.

Most popular travel spots experience highs and lows in the flow of visitors. During the low periods, airlines, hotels, tour operators, and other travel companies are eager to attract paying customers by offering deals. Price-cutting, freebies, two-for-ones and special packages suddenly become common in places that wouldn't dream of offering discounts just a few weeks ago.

Keep in mind that destinations have a slow periods for a reason, such as weather, available activities, staffing or repairs/remodeling. Check with your local travel agent for the best deals on off-peak travel -- or visit an area's local tourist bureau online. Airfares tend to increase once the holidays close in, so do your traveling now and have some great pictures to share with your family on Thanksgiving Day.

TOP

 

Trivia Answers
#1. b.) Colorado; #2. a.) Boxer; #3. b.) Green Day; #4. c.) Super Size Me; #5. d.) Rome


Click here to unsubscribe

Robert McLaughlin & Julie A. Willis
221 Lacey Road
Forked River, NJ 08731

This eNewsletter contains information, facts and opinions from various individuals and organizations. This eNewsletter is provided on an "as-is" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. I/We are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Consult with your doctor, fitness consultant, attorney, accountant, or other professional advisor when necessary. © 2011 eNewsletterSolutions.

email newsletter service, email newsletter marketing