It is helpful to keep this current at least once a year, why not at New Year’s time.  We get things that need to be insured at that time of year and the camera is handy.  Record the info., snap a picture (you do need to print it) attach the receipt if you have it and put it all in the BIG envelope you keep IN THE SAFE DEPOSIT BOX, take the envelope to the safe deposit box and you are done.

The perfect time to begin a home inventory is when you are moving, you have to pack it, why not document it?

If you have older parents it is a good idea to help them do a complete inventory, a video camera is a big help too.  Hey it can be fun, spend some time together and get a good deed done.

http://insurance.lovetoknow.com/Home_Inventory_Forms

Interested in learning about how a foreclosure works and want to see a foreclosure auction?  Well if you live in Storm Lake or Alta this one might fit the bill.  The address of the property is:

Location of Property: 501 BUENA VISTA STREET ALTA IOWA 51002

The described property will be offered for sale at public auction for cash only as follows:

Date of Sale       11/04/2008        Time of Sale 10:00        

 Place of Sale BUENA VISTA COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE

411 EXPANSION BLVD                 STORM LAKE                    IA

This one will probably go to the bank that has the mortgage, that bank is the First National Bank of Omaha. The cost of this property (in my opinion as a Realtor) is significantly higher than it could sell for on the local market. 

Judgment Amount Accrued Costs                 Costs       Interest                 Sheriff’s Fee’s

$138,260.75                      PLUS                       $2,881.51                     $10,212.86    

Check it out if this is something you have thought about doing, it is an interesting process and the personnel in the sheriffs department are very helpful. 

Alta, Iowa has become famous over night; the reason is 79 year old Dale Davis.  Dale is blind, but man he can bowl, he bowled the first perfect game Century Lanes has ever seen - but I don’t think it will be the last.  Dale bowls at Century Lanes located on Main Street in Alta.  Dale is a slight man, a veteran and he is legally blind.  His nickname is “The Hammer” and he spends his time with his sister Thelma and his little dog. 

Clem LeDoux, the owner of Century Lanes, is expanding and adding 4 more lanes and Dale has a new pair of bowling shoes he plans on try out as soon as the work is done.  That work should be completed this weekend, Dale will most assuredly be one of the first bowlers to try the new lanes out. 

A little about Alta: Alta, Iowa is a small community, just 4 miles west of Storm Lake, it is a close knit community where everyone looks out for each other.  Unlike the bigger areas out real estate market is still going strong.  Kids can play outside safely and long walks hold only the threat of a sunburn.  Alta is my home, and if I had known there was a place like Alta I would have raised my boys here.  This is a place where people still worship in God’s house on Sunday, and God’s house is the place where the Word of God comes alive through all the inspired words of the Bible. 

1) It is included in the 2007 Mortgage Relief Act

2) The income forgiveness amount is insane, no income on debt forgiveness up to $2,000,000 - that’s 2

    Million

3) The loan can only be secured by the tax payer’s principal residence

4) This relief applies currently to debts discharged from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009

5) Second mortgages and equity loans are not included unless the money went towards home

    improvement, in most cases it applies to original purchase plus improvements

6) All debt forgiveness reduces the residence cost basis dollar for dollar.

How do you feel about this, I don’t like it - I don’t think this is going to help anyone especially taxpayers.  What is going to stop the foreclosed buyer from going out and doing it again?  Much in the same way there is nothing in place to make greedy irresponsible financial companies from taking advantage of financially uneducated buyers who trust them. 

Can I hear a AMEN to making all financial companies have a fiduciary duty to their clients?  The CEO’s and companies who have written the lion’s share of these defaulting loans should be held criminally and financially liable. What would that do; put a few of these predators (yes that’s what they are) in jail and I bet word will spread pretty fast that the American public is not going to just sit on their hands and let this happen again. If that doesn’t work maybe we need to bring back public flogging and stocks to all those greedy enough to risk the stability of our country!

Respectfully
Georgia A. Weaver BS Ed, GRI CRS
Broker/Associate

If you are as confused about insurance as I was, checkout this article from Bankrate.com.  It is excellent at explaining what insurances you don’t need, the ones that really aren’t much, if any, help to you but really help line the pockets of the insurance company. 

I don’t completely agree with the article on 1 type of insurance noted here: Flood insurance, I believe is vital if you are in the 100 year flood plain.  My belief in this is the result of being in a lot of floods and seeing the devastation the Mississippi caused along the eastern border of Iowa this year.

This article will help you get on a firmer footing with your insurance company, if they have you in one of the insurances noted in this article get them on the phone or better yet visit them in person, take this article, ask them to explain why you need the insurance in question and then decide for yourself. If you are trying to buy a home or trying to just make your mortgage and stay out of foreclosure  this information may help you get your budget under control.

Realtors, this is a good area to address when you have Sellers come in who are getting close to or who are already in foreclosure proceedings.  It is also a good idea to have your Buyer clients do a comprehensive review with their insurance agent and some checking on line prior to buying, they might just find a better and less expensive policy.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/insurance/20080909_useless_insurance_a1.asp

Are you looking for a family vacation spot that is peaceful, has great food, and entertainment for everyone? Storm Lake, Iowa and the surrounding area are  home to some very friendly people.  If you want a really special vacation, you  need to come to Storm Lake, Iowa.  Once you’re here, check out the great buys on homes and all the advantages that Storm Lake offers, you may never go home!  Additional community information and properties can be viewed at www.GeorgiaWeaver.com .  Stay at King’s Pointe and enjoy the water park and the lake or camp next to the lake. Maybe try your hand at windsurfing and don’t miss the wind turbine farms.

http://www.slrealtycheck.com/LocalAreaandPointsOfInterest.html

Thinking of visiting or moving to Storm Lake Iowa; check out the virtual tour of the town by clicking on the title of this blog. The site is a really cool tool for anyone looking for something in Storm Lake, Iowa. Check out the downtown, eateries, shops, stores, lake, AWAYSIS project, city buildings and a lot more. See if you can find me, I’m located at 106 W Railtroad Street in Storm Lake. This site can also be used to plan a home finding trip, decide what area you think you would like to live in and check it out on-line. Be sure to go to the lake,to King’s Pointe, and the water park. Any questions or think you may want a personal tour of the homes available for sale; give me a call at 712-574-5426 to set up a meeting.

REALonomics.net advocates that the industry open up the property information portals to consumers and upgrade its approach to how it is interacting with the consumer by implementing more social networking such as www.CityBlogUSA.com, a community blogging network for every city in the USA.

Visit www.REALonomics.net.