How Does the U.S.A. Credit Rating Fair in Comparison to Other Countries...

Countries, like individuals have credit ratings. In a recent article from the New York Times - these ratings offer opinions about risk.  Will a country be able to pay back its debt in full and on time?

As noted in the article, ...credit worthiness of entire countries has become increasingly thorny as governments around the world face tough choices about how much money to borrow or print to secure their economies... click to read more and see how your country is rated from this report...More

New York Times
Op-Chart by Ben Shott published February 2, 2010

1493 North 4300 West, West Point, UT | Powered by Postlets

1493 North 4300 West, West Point, UT | Powered by Postlets

Existing Home Sales Rise in March

Existing-home sales, which are completed home sales that include single family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 3.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.10 million in March from an upwardly revised 4.92 million in February, but are 6.3 percent below the 5.44 million pace in March 2010. Sales were at elevated levels from March through June of 2010 in response to the home buyer tax credit.

 Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, expects the improving sales pattern to continue. “Existing-home sales have risen in six of the past eight months, so we’re clearly on a recovery path,” he said. “With rising jobs and excellent affordability conditions, we project moderate improvements into 2012, but not every month will show a gain – primarily because some buyers are finding it too difficult to obtain a mortgage. For those fortunate enough to qualify for financing, monthly mortgage payments as a percent of income have been at record lows.”

Speculation on the Lack of Birth Certificate...

Franklin Graham Curious About Obama Birth Certificate Issue...So is Every Concerned Citizen in the USA.

What is  so difficult for the President of the United States to simply produce the necessary documents that were needed before he ever ran for President and should have already been in place? Where did this part of the requirements birth documentation within the USA get shoved under the table or deliberately ignored?

...The Rev. Franklin Graham says he wonders why President Barack Obama has avoided producing his birth certificate, according to Politico. Graham also told Christiane Amanpour on ABC’s "This Week" that the president "has some issues to deal with" when it comes to proving he was born in the United States....

 

Graham, who has prayed with Obama, said the president has told him that he’s a Christian, but allowed that "there are many people that do wonder where he really stands on" his religion...Read More...

 

What is so difficult in producing a legal Birth Certificate from hospital records with proper documents, regardless of where you were born in the USA? Basically this is a standard procedure that most people who were born in the USA can produce within a few seconds or less. How has such an important proof of eligibility get lost in the process? 

 

Your post and thoughts on this hot topic are welcomed.

New Bill Introduced to Improve Short Sale Process

A 45-day Deadline for Lenders to Respond to Short Sale Request

A new bill to improve the process for approving short sales may soon bring relief to distressed home owners who are unable to keep their homes and hope to avoid foreclosure. The bill, introduced in the U.S. House yesterday and strongly supported by the National Association of Realtors®, would impose a deadline of 45 days on lenders to respond to short sale requests...MORE

Low-Cost Ways to Spruce Up Your Home's Exterior

QUICK AND EASY TIPS

Spruce up your Home's exterior to make your it more appealing to yourself and potential buyers
 

1. Trim bushes so they don't block windows or architectural details.

2. Mow your lawn, and turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes before the showing to make the lawn sparkle.

3. Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch.

4. Install new doorknobs on your front door.

5. Repair any cracks in the driveway.

6. Edge the grass around walkways and trees.

7. Keep your garden tools and hoses out of sight.

8. Clear toys from the lawn.

9. Buy a new mailbox.

10. Upgrade your outside lighting.

11. Buy a new doormat for the outside of your front door.

12. Clean your windows, inside and outside.

13. Polish or replace your house numbers.

14. Place a seasonal wreath on your door.

Take The Stress Out Of Homebuying

Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.

 1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.

2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer — you risk losing out on the home of your dreams. The housing market usually doesn’t change fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.

3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the people who will be living in the home.

4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. If it’s in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities and focus in on things that are most important to you. Let the minor ones go.

5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or by refusing to budge on your offer may cost you the home you love. Negotiation is give and take.

6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself — room size, kitchen, etc. — that you forget about important issues as noise level, location to amenities, and other aspects that also have a big impact on your quality of life.

7. Plan ahead. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate home insurance, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.

8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big financial commitment. But it also yields big benefits. Don’t lose sight of why you wanted to buy a home and what made you fall in love with the property you purchased.

10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. A home’s most important role is to serve as a comfortable, safe place to live.

Feng Shui Concepts to Help a Home Sell

To put the best face on a listing and appeal to buyers who follow feng shui principles, keep these tips in mind.

feng shui front door

1. Pay special attention to the front door, which is considered the ìmouth of chiî (chi is the ìlife forceî of all things) and one of the most powerful aspects of the entire property. Abundance, blessings, opportunities, and good fortune enter through the front door. Itís also the first impression buyers have of how well the sellers have taken care of the rest of the property. Make sure the area around the front door is swept clean, free of cobwebs and clutter. Make sure all lighting is straight and properly hung. Better yet, light the path leading up to the front door to create an inviting atmosphere.

2. Chi energy can be flushed away wherever there are drains in the home. To keep the good forces of a home in, always keep the toilet seats down and close the doors to bathrooms.

3. The master bed should be in a place of honor, power, and protection, which is farthest from and facing toward the entryway of the room. Itís even better if you can place the bed diagonally in the farthest corner. Paint the room in colors that promote serenity, relaxation, and romance, such as soft tones of green, blue, and lavender.

feng shui dinging room

4. The dining room symbolizes the energy and power of family togetherness. Make sure the table is clear and uncluttered during showings. Use an attractive tablecloth to enhance the look of the table while also softening sharp corners.

5. The windows are considered to be the eyes of the home. Getting the windows professionally cleaned will make the home sparkle and ensure that the view will be optimally displayed.

Real Estate Investors...Collaborate with Hard Money Lenders

Hard Money Lenders are Doing Great Job in Collaboration with Real Estate Investors

Houses have been in human use from time immemorial, as providing shelter for oneself and to the loved ones is always a prior instinct of every human in every civilization. If you feel a desire to buy your own dream house then you are thinking exactly what your forefathers used to think and perform. Similarly if you are planning to buy a house for the sake of investing in for future benefits then still you are doing a very good thing. 

Real Estate Investment has become very practical and profitable business and the emergence of different Hard Money Lenders has made it quite easy for everyone to enter for prosperity into this business. You need to have that flare for selling different categories of properties and especially houses, and you will get much profit.

Hard Money Lenders are making great differences in people’s lives. They have given new directions to those who were stressed out due to unemployment or low paying job. The modern day’s life is full of so many gadgets and luxurious items that we keep on striving for more and more and it never ends. 

So, in order to spend a balanced and honest life, you can become a real estate investor as it involves no fraud or cheating at any level. If you are fair then things are definitely the same for you. You have every right to check the credibility of the Hard Money Lender that you are going to deal with. These lenders are operating in business with their own money and they are doing it for greater goods of themselves and their clients.

Everyone can become a very successful...as a real estate investor... only if a desire is very high plus you are able to select some of the good properties in your own neighborhood. There is no need for you to go to other towns and state for investment, especially in the starting days of your career. 

You have to make a thorough research and get some good advices that are relevant with property dealings, by visiting the local real estate clubs. Here you would be able to listen to the good and bad experiences of different realtors and then you can understand many things, even before getting loan funds from your desired Hard Money Lenders. You need to be all active and work before time if you are going to make a sound career in this field.

When you apply for loan funds to any Hard Money Lenders then they are going to send their independent evaluators to the place. These evaluators would judge the actual worth of the property and the change in market price after doing necessary repairs over it. If things are not going to benefit you or your lender then they won’t recommend that property for purchase. It is really beneficial as you are not going to spend your acquired money on something that is going to pay nothing at end. Your success is also very important for your lenders and they are not going to compromise on it.

Author: veronikahudson  About the Author:
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_2164571_33.html
photos: fotosearch.com

Redwood Rd Intersection Improvement Updates from UDOT

Redwood Road Intersection Improvements

4700 South and 5400 South Redwood Road CFI

Construction Update 4.1.11

5400 South Redwood Road CFI

4700 South and Redwood Road

UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Construction of the North-South Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI)

at 5400 South and Redwood Road resumed in early March. Crews will be excavating trenches for utility re-location and installation on the NW side of 5400 South, between Redwood Road and 1900 West.

Traffic Impacts:

Drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions during off-peak hours.

Sidewalks will be closed on the northwest side of 5400 South, west of Redwood Road through mid-April. Pedestrians are reminded to stay out of the construction zone and use the sidewalks on the south side of 5400 South.

4700 South and Redwood Road

UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Utility pole relocation and vault installation on the SW side of

4700 South and the NE side of Redwood Road.

Traffic Impacts:

Drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions.

Traffic Impacts:

Motorists and pedestrians should use care and watch for large trucks and heavy equipment entering and exiting work areas. Intermittent lane closures may be required to accommodate construction vehicles.

Please slow down and pay attention when driving through the work zone.

Other Information:

When complete, these two projects at the intersections of 4700 South and 5400 South on Redwood Road will reduce traffic congestion and improve west/east traffic flow. Both intersections will be widened and improved with new curb, gutter, and sidewalk, as well as adjusted traffic signal timing.

The intersection of 5400 South and Redwood Road will be converted into a new North-South CFI. (See illustration below)

Dual left and single right-turn lanes will be added to all sides of the intersection of 4700 South and Redwood Road.

Construction at both projects is anticipated to be complete by early fall.

5400 South & Redwood Road Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI)

Useful links

Redwood Road, 4700 South widening and 5400 South CFI Project Website

5400 South Flex Lanes Project Website 

 

Contact the Public Information Team

Toll free hotline: 1-888-556-0232

Email: 47-54redwood@utah.gov

Visit the Redwood Road Intersections project at www.udot.utah.gov/go/47-54redwood or click on "Useful links" for additional information.

Activities are subject to change due to weather, supply, or equipment problems