So, I recently received a chain email entitled, "Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You". I thought it had some valid points and wanted to share. I've added a few tips and please feel free to comment if you have any as well!
Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You: (Keep in mind these are written from the burglars perspective.)
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. Helpful Hint: If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy...
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom and your jewelry.
8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Helpful Hint: Burglar's almost never go into children’s rooms.
12. You’re right, I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at www.faketv.com.)
14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
16. I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.
17. Helpful Hint: If you just bought a new TV, computer, some expensive electronic, etc. Don’t put the box to the road! It’s a dead giveaway that you have that product in your house.
18. I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.
20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.
21. If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
22. I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
23. We love large or unclipped hedges near windows and doors; it gives us excellent hiding places.
24. Keep a can of wasp spray near the door or bed. The spray typically shoots 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, spray the culprit in the eyes. The wasp spray temporarily blinds the attacker and buys you time to run or call the police. It is inexpensive, easy to find, more accurate, and more effective than mace or pepper spray.
Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , Kentucky , security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs www.crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
FHA Loan Requirements Changing
So its looks as though FHA is planning to increase their upfront mortgage insurance premium (will affect borrowers buying power) and decrease allowable seller concessions from 6% to 3% (which is going to require in most cases that you, the buyer, will have to pay out of pocket for both downpayment and potentially some closing costs. Read the article for more:
http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/19/real_estate/fha_loan_requirements/index.htm?hpt=T2
I will keep you posted as I hear more, specifically time frame for changes. In the meantime take advantage of the tax credit and this is just another reason to act fast.
http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/19/real_estate/fha_loan_requirements/index.htm?hpt=T2
I will keep you posted as I hear more, specifically time frame for changes. In the meantime take advantage of the tax credit and this is just another reason to act fast.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Did you know that you can use the tax credit as down payment???
What does that mean?
It means that HUD allows buyers using FHA-insured mortgages to apply their anticipated tax credit toward their home purchase immediately rather than waiting until they file their 2009 or 2010 income taxes to receive a refund. These funds may be used for certain downpayment and closing cost expenses.
More information here.
It means that HUD allows buyers using FHA-insured mortgages to apply their anticipated tax credit toward their home purchase immediately rather than waiting until they file their 2009 or 2010 income taxes to receive a refund. These funds may be used for certain downpayment and closing cost expenses.
More information here.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Senators agree to extend tax credit deadline!
Popular tax credit for first-time homebuyers extended and reduced credit to some repeat buyers is to be offered.
Originally the tax credit provided up to $8,000 to first-time homebuyers but was set to expire at the end of November.
As Regan Lachapelle, spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) said, senators agreed to extend the existing tax credit for first-time homebuyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years.
The tax credits would be available to homebuyers who sign sales agreements by the end of April and they would have until the end of June to close on their new homes.
More infomation at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33522046/ns/business-real_estate/
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Still have time to get that $8,000!
The deadline for the $8,000 tax credit is approaching us quickly must close on or before November 30,2009.
I just wanted to make you aware that banks are still turning files around quickly. Especially Monarch Bank... & more specifically Steven Byrd)
Example of one of his deals:
Application date of September 9, 2009
Underwriting approval with cleared to close on Thursday September 18th. Purchase is closing September 29th (but they could have closed as early as Monday September 21st.
Please let me know if I can assist in any way! The first step in buying a home is getting pre-approved for a loan.
757-390-2214 (Office) or 757-613-2875 (Cell)
sbyrd@monarchmtg.com
Once you are pre-approved we can go out and find you your dream home. Give me a call or check out my website if you have any questions.www.Samantha-Jenkins.com
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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