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Value of Your Home in 2012?
By Bambi
Published: July 2, 2009
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What Your Home Will Be Worth in 2012
By Prashant Gopal and Diana Holden, Business Week
Everyone would like a crystal ball to see into the future. What stocks should we buy? Who should we marry? Should we order the veal? Everyone from fortune tellers to stockbrokers act as though they know-and as though we should listen to them. When their predictions come true, we go back for more predictions. When they don't-well, some of us go back anyway. When we set out to determine what housing prices would be in the year 2012, we knew that there was no way to know for sure. But in working with Brookfield, Wisc.-based research firm Fiserv, we weighed historical data against current trends to get a bead on which way the markets might jump at one-year increments. By combining data, we were able to get a pretty good idea of what home prices would be in three years' time. Across the board, real estate prices will continue to drop before rising slightly by the fourth quarter of 2011. Why is that important? Given the wretched state of the real estate market today, both homeowners and potential buyers might be better able to make an informed decision about when, and whether, they should move or stay put. Obviously, we can't guarantee that our data will hold up-although we think it will-but what does become clear is that even the worst-hit markets will begin to see improvement by 2012. To find out what the median price of a home is forecasted to be in the 50 largest metro areas in the U.S. in 2012, read on. 1. New York Metro: New York-White Plains-Wayne (N.Y.-N.J.) What a Home Will Be Worth in 2012: $343,937 Q4 2008 price: $440,000 Projected price change by MSA: -21.8% Projected price change by state: -15.6% One of the metros with the highest housing prices in the nation, the New York-White Plains-Wayne area is projected to have the third-largest drop in the country, behind Los Angeles and Tampa. Analysts predict that 2009 and 2010 will be the worst years, and then home prices will stabilize. Of particular concern is the impact that the crisis in the financial industry, one of the area's largest employers, has had on the housing market. From banker to back-office staff, thousands lost their jobs or saw their incomes slashed. As Wall Street strengthens, so will real estate prices. 2. California Metro: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale What a Home Will Be Worth in 2012: $253,328 Q4 2008 price: $350,000 Projected price change by MSA: -27.6% Projected price change by state: -13.2% Los Angeles, best known as the home of Hollywood, is home to excellent universities such as the University of Southern California and large corporations such as aerospace contractor Northrop Grumman. Southern California has been particularly damaged by the downturn in the housing market and home values are expected to remain soft. 3. Illinois Metro: Chicago-Naperville-Joliet What a Home Will Be Worth in 2012: $248,136 Q4 2008 price: $247,000 Projected price change by MSA: +0.5% Projected price change by state: +0.6% Chicago, hometown of President Barack Obama, is the third-largest city in the U.S. and a financial center. The city is famous for its architecture, museums, nightlife, and deep-dish pizza. The area's top employers include Jewel-Osco supermarkets, United Airlines, and J.P. Morgan. 4. Pennsylvania Metro: Philadelphia What a Home Will Be Worth in 2012: $171,347 Q4 2008 price: $195,000 Projected price change by MSA: -12.1% Projected price change by state: -3.6% This year, prices in the nation's fifth-largest metropolitan area are projected to fall 11.6%. Housing prices in the suburbs remain expensive but have still dropped in price. Real estate in Center City also has seen significant declines but will begin to turn around in 2011. 5. Texas Metro: Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown What a Home Will Be Worth in 2012: $160,471 Q4 2008 price: $160,000 Projected price change by MSA: 0.3% Projected price change by state: -0.1% Texas in general and Houston in particular have been spared the worst of the downturn, thanks in large part to the energy industry. The sixth-largest metropolitan area in the country will hold steady over the next four years. Prices are expected to dip a bit in 2009 and 2010, but regain ground by 2012. 6. Georgia Metro: Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta What a Home Will Be Worth in 2012: $182,199 Q4 2008 price: $182,000 Projected price change by MSA*: +0.1% Projected price change by state: +0.3% Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, has seen its home price declines slow. Prices dropped about 1% in March from to the previous month but were down 16% from a year earlier. The Atlanta metro is home to many of the nation's largest companies including Delta Airlines, CNN, Coca-Cola, and Home Depot. 7. District of Columbia Metro: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria What a Home Will Be Worth in 2012: $306,398 Q4 2008 price: $330,000 Projected price change by MSA: -7.2% Projected price change by state: -11.5% The DC area is one of the nation's few economic bright spots and has been somewhat buffered from the recession because of its government and defense contractor jobs. Another bright spot is its popular tourist attractions, which bring in millions of visitors every year to fill its museums, hotels, and restaurants. However, home prices will remain down through 2010 and will come back in 2011. 8. Massachusetts Metro: Boston-Quincy What a Home Will Be Worth in 2012: $294,741 Q4 2008 price: $320,000 Projected price change by MSA: -7.9% Projected price change by state: -3.2% Boston is a historic city with large hospitals and world-class universities such as Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But while education and health services have been strong, the construction, leisure, financial, and transportation industries have all taken a hit. Home prices will begin to normalize in 2011 and be up more than 7% year-over-year in 2012. 9. Arizona Metro: Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale What a Home Will Be Worth in 2012: $141,859 Q4 2008 price: $169,000 Projected price change by MSA: -16.1% Projected price change by state: -17.2% Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale is one of the worst-hit housing markets in the country. Retirees, empty-nesters, and others flocked to the area during the boom for its warm weather, relative affordability, and recreational opportunities. And so did builders. Many of the new homes built during the boom have since been repossessed. 10. Washington Metro: Seattle-Bellevue-Everett What a Home Will Be Worth in 2012: $413,966 Q4 2008 price: $395,000 Projected price change by MSA: +4.8% Projected price change by state: +5.4% Relatively protected by the presence of tech giant Microsoft and airplane maker Boeing, after a nearly 10% drop in 2008, analysts project an 8.7% decrease this year, followed by gains.
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Pinal County Press Release
By Bambi
Published: July 2, 2009
Updated: July 2, 2009
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Pinal County Press Release
For Immediate Release Contact: Joe Pyritz
June 30, 2009 (520) 866-6226
Heather Murphy
(520) 866-6057
Channel Pinal Informs and Entertains County Residents YouTube Channel Increases Access to County Programs
FLORENCE – Residents who subscribe to Cox, Mediacom or Comcast cable can now receive Channel Pinal.
Channel Pinal is the governmental access channel for Pinal County. Funding to produce and air programming is paid for through subscriber fees that the cable operators are required to pay the County.
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Real Estate Graphs
By Bambi
Published: July 2, 2009
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Here are the graphs for July 1st . We are seeing a slight drop in Active listings over all. J Pendings and Closed have changed ever so slightly from last month.
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Michael Jackson
By Bambi
Published: July 2, 2009
Updated: July 2, 2009
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Michael Jackson's final performances released As speculation swirls about Jackson's health and drug use, concert promoters release video of a full dress rehearsal held just two days before his death.
Jackson funeral set for Tuesday in L.A.
Final decision is up to Katherine Jackson, but plans are underway
Video
Jackson public memorial date set July 2: Michael Jackson's public memorial service will take place at LA's Staples Center on July 7th. NBC's Michael Okwu reports preparations at the site are already underway.
MSNBC
Slideshow
Turmoil for Jackson children July 2: Legal analyst Ann Bremner talks with Countdown guest host David Shuster about how Debbie Rowe's new demands for custody of Michael Jackson's children complicates an already chaotic legal situation.
updated 10:11 a.m. MT, Thurs., July 2, 2009
An executive with a concert promoter says Michael Jackson’s memorial service will be Tuesday at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles — if that’s what his mother wants.
Randy Phillips, chief executive for AEG Live, which owns Staples and was Jackson’s promoter, says he met Thursday with Jackson’s brother Randy.
They discussed holding a public memorial Tuesday at Staples but Phillips says Jackson’s mother, Katherine, will have the final say. Phillips says he’s hopeful Katherine will make her decision Thursday. He says AEG already has been discussing logistics with city officials.
A Jackson memorial would attract tens of thousands. Phillips says AEG will issue tickets to Staples and provide a simulcast on big screens outside the arena.
He says entry to Staples would be free, but he’s not sure yet how tickets would be distributed.
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Military.com
By Bambi
Published: July 2, 2009
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Military News for the week of 29 JUNE 2009
With nearly $9 billion in revenues and over 585,000 clients, ADP is one of the world’s largest providers of business outsourcing solutions.
We offer over 60 online accredited programs. Our award winning student support can assist you with questions on your benefits and degree completion.
At AFI our mission is you. We provide superior property protection and a higher standard of personal service. Learn more.
Reduce your out-of-pocket medical expenses with MOAA's MEDIPLUS® TRICARE Supplement Plan. Flexible options for officers and their families. More.
Before you select your GI Bill, use the Military.com GI Bill Calculator to see which one offers more. Get a side-by-side comparison now.
We offer a way for anyone to honor our troops with Military Banking products. Have patriotic designs on your checks, debit card and credit card.
Wish you could find your buddy from BCT? Your old master chief? Try Military.com's updated Buddy Finder with improved search options and results.
Both GI Bills pay over $49,000 to get a college degree that will change your life. Take action on your future. Find Military Friendly Schools.
Need a quick break? Visit Military.com's "Upcoming Releases" to watch trailers, read reviews and shop for the latest films, books, games, music and more.
Featured Discount: Huge Military Deals There are more than 1,000 coupons and discounts exclusively for veterans listed on Military.com -- gear, hotels, games, movies, sports, theme parks, tools, groceries, and more. Browse deals now....More
Video: M1A1 Abrams Runs Over Car Bomb EOD said it was all clear so they ran it over...then boom!...More
Navy Uniform Authorized Off Base The Navy Working Uniform (NWU) is now authorized for wear off-base, during routine stops and at eating establishments during the prescribed workday....More
Get Credit for Your Military Experience Today, employers look for employees who hold a degree. Many schools give you college credit for your military service, making it faster and easier to graduate from college. Make sure you get the job you deserve by finishing your education. Find military-friendly schools who will give you credit for experience....More
Featured Job: Careers at CIA You became a doctor to serve mankind. You also wanted to serve your country. Do both with us on the world stage. For more information: www.cia.gov ....More
Slideshow: Fourth of July Tribute Watch this moving tribute to the men and women who sacrifice their lives for our country's freedom....More
How to Lay Old Glory to Rest Each year, Americans unfurl their flags on Independence Day , Memorial Day , and Flag Day . For some, the Stars and Stripes decorate their porches all year as a daily reminder of what it means to be an American. But what do we do when our flags become tattered and torn, and can fly no longer? Sponsored by Bank of America. ...More
GAO: Arms Sales Program Still Flawed In a new report, the U.S. Government Accountability Office says the departments of Defense, State and Homeland Security still haven't corrected weaknesses that the GAO identified -- as early as 2003 -- in the government's monitoring of articles shipped through the foreign military sales (FMS) program....More
COLA Legislation Sent to White House Following unanimous approval by the House and Senate, Congress is sending S. 407, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009, to the White House....More
Reminder to Celebrate Responsibly With more than 320,000 registered boaters in western Florida, the Coast Guard stresses to the boating public that Florida's waterways will be especially dangerous during this Independence Day celebration and reminds boaters to be safe while on the water. ...More
Pakistan Urges US to End Drone Attacks While President Obama's national security adviser reiterated the U.S.' strong support for Pakistan in its battle with Taliban militants , Islamabad called for an end to U.S. missile attacks on its soil, two days after a suspected drone strike killed 80 people in the country's northwest. ...More
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A Legend Remembered
By Bambi
Published: June 25, 2009
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Best known for her role on "Charlie's Angels," the former pinup dies after a long battle with cancer. » She was 62
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What to do in Queen Creek?
By Bambi
Published: June 25, 2009
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ART CLASSES (Davis-Cheney Art Gallery) spacer Buy Tickets
Saturday June 27, 2009 from 1:00pm -
4:00pm
Learn from the Masters : Art Classes ages 6 to 18. and Adults. We take special attention to all students. Now teaching four week Painting sessions.
Contact us.
33.1497670000 -111.5636470000
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Queen Creek/Pinal County News
By Bambi
Published: June 25, 2009
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News and observations compiled by the Tribune’s Queen Creek/Pinal County reporters and editors
June 24th, 2009, 5:01 pm by Amanda Keim
Phoenix Horse Auction is hosting the first horse sale to come to Queen Creek’s Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre this Saturday.
The group is expecting to host regular sales two Saturdays out of every month. Anyone looking to sell their horse or tack can call in advance or simply fill out registrations at the event.
The sale starts at 7 p.m. June 27 at Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre, 20464 E. Riggs Road, Queen Creek. Entry is free for customers and $45 plus 5 percent commission for anyone looking to sell horses or tack.
Call the Phoenix Horse Auction at (480) 361-1660 for more information
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June 18th, 2009, 5:07 pm by Amanda Keim
Queen Creek has posted the following traffic alerts for the week of June 18-25:
Ellsworth Loop and Maya roads: The northbound right lane will remain closed until repairs can be made to the curb and gutter just north of Maya Road.
Ellsworth and Rittenhouse roads: The northbound shoulder just south of Rittenhouse Road will be closed while crews complete installation of utilities for the commercial development on the southeast corner. This work will necessitate the restricting of right turns from northbound Ellsworth Road to eastbound Rittenhouse Road.
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June 18th, 2009, 10:37 am by Amanda Keim
Queen Creek’s Town Council approved a $20.1 million General Fund budget Wednesday.
The council approved the budget on a 6-0 vote. Vice Mayor Gordon Mortensen was absent.
The budget package represents a $3.1 million cut to the General Fund for the new fiscal year, which starts July 1. The total budget, which includes money from various funds for water, sewer, capital funds and emergency services, totals $98.1 million.
Budget cuts were made to accommodate an average $3.1 million deficit projected for each of the next five years.
Town staff will shoulder most of the cuts. Twenty positions are slated for elimination, which will be achieved through a voluntary severance package, layoffs and cutting empty positions.
Queen Creek also plans to keep four-day workweeks and keep previously instituted pay freezes.
Other measures to balance the budget include raising fees for business and liquor license applications and moving some town publications to online only.
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June 15th, 2009, 5:43 pm by Amanda Keim
Salt River Project has submitted an application with the state to build a 230-kilovolt power line along a controversial path in Queen Creek.
Now that SRP has applied for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility for the Abel-Moody line, it will be up to an Arizona Corporation Commission line siting committee to recommend the final path of the line.
The 20-mile project is planned to connect the future Abel Substation, located near the intersection of Judd and Attaway roads southeast of Queen Creek, with the Schrader-to-Santan 230kV transmission line near the Moody Substation, located near Recker and Pecos roads in Gilbert. As part of the project, a new substation will be built near the intersection of Combs and Meridian roads in Queen Creek.
SRP’s preferred route runs southeast along the Rittenhouse railroad corridor, then cuts east on Ryan Road and south on Signal Butte before meeting up with Rittenhouse again. Several residents in the area have started a petition against that route, concerned about proximity to existing homes. Those residents would prefer a route along Germann Road, which is the same route Queen Creek’s Town Council has endorsed.
SRP officials have said the nearby Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport makes the Germann option difficult.
The Corporation Commissions Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee will review the application at a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 5 at the ASU Polytechnic Campus, Student Union Cooley Ballrooms, 7001 E. Williams Field Road, Mesa. There will also be a special public comment session that evening at 6 p.m. at the same location. Following the hearings, the siting committee will decide whether to issue or deny the certificate, which requires final approval at an open meeting of the ACC.
If the application is granted, SRP expects to begin construction in 2011 with completion of the first circuit planned for 2012.
For more information about the project or for a map of proposed routes, visit www.azpower.org/abelmoody .
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June 9th, 2009, 5:22 pm by Amanda Keim
Queen Creek’s Transportation Advisory Committee is looking for several new members, with spots open to both residents and non-residents. The Town Council is eager to appoint several qualified members before the July 15 meeting.
The Transportation Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Town Council regarding overall transportation planning. The committee looks for methods of improving traffic flow in and through the Town; reviews the Town’s budget and Capital Improvement Program; and studies any other relevant transportation issues.
The committee meets monthly on the first Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Development Services Building behind Town Hall. Appointed members must meet attendance requirements in order to remain on the committee and be willing to tackle issues in a cooperative manner.
If you are interested in joining, contact Norma Hernandez at (480) 358-3142.
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June 9th, 2009, 5:22 pm by Amanda Keim
The closure of Ocotillo Road for repaving between Power and Hawes roads has been extended through June 12.
The closure is scheduled to take place between 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily. The closure time may be extended up to 7 p.m. on June 9.
The segment between Power and Sossaman roads is scheduled to be closed on June 10 and the segment between Sossaman and Hawes roads is scheduled to be closed June 10 through 12 . Both segments will not be closed at the same time. Additionally, drivers should expect turn restrictions and delays at the intersection of Ocotillo and Sossaman roads on June 10 and 11.
Exact timing of the closures may fluctuate depending upon many factors. Motorists are advised to watch for news releases and electronic message boards that are posted in the area that will advise of any change in dates or times.
Access to local residents will be maintained during the closure, and through traffic will be detoured. Motorists are asked to obey all speed limit and warning signs, as well as directions from flaggers and law enforcement.
If you have questions regarding this closure, contact the Queen Creek Traffic Hotline at 480-358-3132 or
traffic@queencreek.org .
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June 5th, 2009, 12:07 pm by Amanda Keim
Pinal County’s Board of Supervisors approved eliminating 160.5 positions this week to cope with falling revenues.
Most of those positions are already vacant, but 42 employees will be laid off June 12.
The full press release follows:
With falling revenues and the ever present need for service provision, the Board of Supervisors approved a budget resolution that will reduce the workforce for Pinal County in FY2010.
The Supervisors voted to eliminate 160.5 positions, the majority being positions that are already vacant and haven’t been filled. On Friday, June 12, 42 employees will be given a notice of lay-off.
“This is not a measure we take lightly,” said Chairman David Snider. “Many private sector companies have been dealing with these issues for the past 18 months. Our workforce was appropriately sized up to this point, but with the truly significant decline in revenues that we’ve seen since last October, we must enter the new budget year with a much leaner and more economical organization. These are good employees who are being let go at no fault of their own.”
District 2 Supervisor Bryan Martyn said that the vote to conduct the reduction in force is a hard choice to make.
“There simply is no easy way to do this,” Supervisor Martyn said. “We are committed to providing quality services. This appears to be the only way to scale our workforce to the workload anticipated in the upcoming months.”
Looking over the budget resolution, Vice-Chairman and District 1 Supervisor Pete Rios asked that there be an effort to bringing the laid-off employees back as soon as possible.
“I echo my colleagues when they say this is a tough decision to make.” Supervisor Rios said. “I would like to ask that when the economy improves, we look at hiring these people back, perhaps looking at them as a priority.”
Pinal County, along with other counties in Arizona, is still unsure to what extent the legislature will dip into their coffers to help balance the state’s budget. There are various budget proposals being bantered about by the legislature and Governor Brewer. The Supervisors are keeping an eye on the daily developments from Phoenix, hoping to have an answer sometime before the county budget comes before the board on June 27.
“The state legislators are exploring lots of strategies that balance the state budget by shipping the counties a truckload of pain with a price tag in the millions,” said Chairman Snider. “We believe the state’s elected leaders need to solve their problems, just as we are solving ours, but they need to do so in a manner that does not effectively and completely disrupt our ability to provide quality services to the residents of Pinal County. We are hoping Governor Brewer will call upon her past experience as a Maricopa County Supervisor to persuade leaders that sending an IOU to Arizona’s counties is not fiscally responsible.”
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June 5th, 2009, 11:54 am by Amanda Keim
Pinal County Public Health officials have received confirmation that a 64-year-old woman who died last week was positive for the H1N1 virus. The woman had underlying health conditions and was being treated for pneumonia at the time of her death.
This is the fifth death statewide related to the H1N1 virus and the second death involving a resident of Pinal County. The total number of confirmed cases in Arizona is 580 as of 2 PM on June 4.
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June 4th, 2009, 3:06 pm by Amanda Keim
Queen Creek has posted the following traffic alerts for the week of June 4 through 11:
Ocotillo Road - Power to Hawes roads: The contractor will be working in this area over the next couple of weeks. Ocotillo Road will be closed to thru traffic Monday, June 8 through Thursday, June 11 while the contractor replaces existing asphalt with new. Ocotillo Road will close starting at 4 a.m. each day, and will remain closed until 4 p.m.
Cloud Road east of Ellsworth Road: The contractor will be working on the south shoulder with no impacts to traffic.
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June 4th, 2009, 11:58 am by Amanda Keim
The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce is hosting its first Token Ride, which will benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital, this Saturday.
Riders will start at Queen Creek Marketplace, then head to River Bottom in Florence, Superstition Springs Harley Davidson and Uncle Bear’s on Rittenhouse and Ocotillo.
Participants have the chance to win tokens at each stop, with the top three token collectors winning between $75 and $200 at the end of the ride.
The MidFirst Bank Coin Van will be on site in the morning to collect donations of loose change.
Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the ride starts at 9 a.m. this Saturday, June 6 at Queen Creek Marketplace, southwest corner of Rittenhouse and Ellsworth Loop roads. Cost is $25 per rider or $35 per couple on the same bike.
For more information, check out the event listing at www.queencreekchamber.org or contact the chamber at(480) 888-1709 or president@queencreekchamber.org .
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Real Estate News
By Bambi
Published: June 24, 2009
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Harney: Will tough mortgage rules hurt real estate recovery?
By Kenneth Harney - Washington Post
WASHINGTON - Real estate may be showing signs of a turnaround in many local markets but the nation's largest mortgage players continue to ratchet up their underwriting rules, making home purchases more difficult for some buyers. Mortgage giant Fannie Mae, for example, issued a laundry list of tougher policies June 8 that could directly affect thousands of buyers in the coming months, especially those involved in job-related transfers. Reversing a long-standing policy, Fannie no longer will permit mortgage applicants to count the income of so-called "trailing spouses" toward the household income needed to qualify for a loan. A trailing spouse is one who joins his or her spouse or partner in a job-related move, but who has yet to obtain employment in the new location. If the main breadwinner's income isn't sufficient to handle the mortgage, the loan application will be rejected; only when the trailing spouse has documented income in the new location will it be counted. Brian Faith, a spokesman for Fannie Mae, said "given the current economic and job market instability, the company has opted to discontinue consideration of trailing secondary wage-earner income in the interest of safer underwriting, since this income would only be anticipated and undocumented." Jan Hatfield-Goldman, a vice president for Worldwide ERC , the international trade association representing the employee relocation industry, said Fannie's decision "makes the current challenging relocation environment even more so. Some transfers will either have to qualify on the basis of one income" - forcing couples to "buy less house than they wanted" - or "they may be required to rent for an extended period of time until the spouse or couple is re-employed. If a couple must wait to purchase a new home until the spouse can find a new job, it could well cause some to reconsider" whether they want to make the job shift at all. Worldwide ERC estimates that about 800,000 households in the United States move in a typical year because of job transfers. Freddie Mac , which with Fannie Mae accounts for 70 percent-plus of all new mortgage volume, still counts trailing spouse or co-borrower income for loan applications, but under strict guidelines: ? The amount of the trailing co-borrower income cannot exceed 33 percent of the total qualifying income for the mortgage application. ? That income cannot be from self-employment. ? The trailing spouse must have been continuously employed in the same occupation for at least two years preceding the relocation. ? And the co-borrower must provide a statement of intent to find employment in the new location. The loan officer or lender must also analyze that local employment market and verify that there are adequate opportunities and earnings potential for the co-borrower. As part of its June 8 tightening of underwriting rules, Fannie Mae also announced that it plans to discount the values of all borrowers' stock, bond, mutual fund and retirement fund holdings that are claimed toward the applicants' financial reserves needed to qualify for a mortgage. While Fannie previously counted 100 percent of the claimed or documented value of stocks, bonds and mutual funds toward reserves, under its revised policy it will discount them by 30 percent.
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Pinal County Press Release
By Bambi
Published: June 9, 2009
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For Immediate Release Contact: Heather Murphy (520) 866-6057 June 9, 2009 or Joe Pyritz (520) 866-6226
Protect Your Home & Property by Becoming Firewise
FLORENCE – The coming monsoon season brings spectacular lightning storms that are a landscape photographer’s dream. For firefighters, those same storms bring long hours, high risks, hot work and time away from their families. High temperatures have dried the tumbleweeds and desert brush and what was formerly green and beautiful becomes fuel for fierce wildfires. By becoming Firewise,* you can protect your home and your community.
Firewise people create “defensible space ” around their homes meaning that you have a 30 foot perimeter of space around your home that is lean, clean and green. Lean means you prune back shrubs and tree branches within 15 feet of any structures. Clean means you clean out dead plant material from around your home. Green means you have planted fire-resistant vegetation and are keeping it healthy and green.
Also, make sure your home is properly marked for emergency access, an entryway clear from flammable material. Most of all, have a plan in case you need to evacuate due to fire.
Before you are confronted with an emergency, it’s a good idea to have the following emergency plans in place. Be sure to take into consideration specific family health as well as the needs of specific family members who may suffer from disabilities or medical conditions.
Post your local fire and police station numbers by your home phone and program them into your cell phone.
Decide where you will go in case of a fire and plan how you will get there.
Plan for your pets and their safety also.
In case of fire, have tools available such as a shovel, rake, axe, handsaw, chainsaw and a 2 gallon bucket.
Flashlights and extra batteries.
First aid kit .
Dust mask to help filter air.
Wrenches or pliers to turn off utilities.
Battery or hand crank radio , extra batteries.
Three day supply of non-perishable food.
Local maps.
Pinal County ’s website,
www.pinalcountyaz.gov , posts the latest wildfire advisories on the home page. Look for the slide entitled
Wildfire Prevention on the main page.
###
* Firewise Communities is part of the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Program, which is directed and sponsored by the Wildland/Urban Interface
Working Team of the National Wilfdfire Coordinating Group, a consortium of wildland fire organizations and federal agencies responsible for wildland fire management in the United States. Learn more at
www.firewise.org .
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