rattlesnake vaccine

This memo is not real estate related.  But, for anyone who has dogs and lives or visits anywhere with rattlesnakes.  GET THE RATTLESNAKE VACCINE!  We have had 2 other dogs bitten on our street in the last couple months.  They were hospitalized for a day and a half with a vet bill in the thousands each.  We came home today after being gone all day to discover our dog with a swollen neck and face.  First thought-snake bite.  Yip!  Rushed her to the vet at 5:45 (they close at 6).  The vet said, I’ve never seen a dog this stable after getting bit, but, we’ve never seen one who has had the vaccine and gotten bit.  You can take her home (with antiobiotics and something else).  Not that the cost really matters when it’s a loved one, but our total bill was $116.  My husband and I were amazed and shocked that we were taking her home-and believe me, we asked lots of questions.  She looks pretty funny, but still gets up and wants to chase the squirrels and deer she can see through the door.  She is eating and drinking, but we are keeping our eye on her.  (I tend to be a little paranoid so I run and get a couple cheerios every hour just to make sure she still wants to eat).

credit card crisis?

I just heard from someone that their credit card company sent a letter saying that they were reducing her credit limit due to high balances on other cards.  Does that sound fair? This person did not have any late payments with the card company or any of her accounts for that matter.  And her credit score is good.  The decision was based solely on credit card balances.  Why does this matter one might ask.  It matters for several reasons.  There are different tiers of credit scores which impact the interest rate you receive on a loan.  One’s credit score is based in part on amount of debt used and your overall credit availability (or credit limit).  So, when you stay below 30% of overall credit allowed, your score is much higher.  As you might see, this will impact her overall credit score significantly because they lowered her credit limit down to her current balance-meaning that she is using 100% of her credit on this line.  I am sure this is happening because of everything that is happening in the lending industry right now.  It is one way to reduce the creditors amount of liability and I would expect that we will be hearing more about this issue.  Also, another reason to stay on top of your credit score, this could take months to fix.

Annual Eco-Broker Conference

I recently attended the annual eco-broker conference in Denver, Colorado on July 16 & 17.  There were a variety of panels and discussions featuring government officials and industry leaders.  This conference was attended by certified eco-brokers from all over the United States and Canada.  It was eye-opening to see, hear, and talk to a variety of people from all over and to hear what is happening in different parts of the country.  One thing that I learned is that Colorado has a lot of great incentives as well as an open minded community in which to support the “green movement” no matter how you define green.

Prelisting Inspection Part 2

Okay, so I had the prelisting inspection.  Everything was great!  Well, until the next day when my husband called to say we had water dripping from the ceiling in the garage.  HMMM.  All I can say is that inspections serve as a point in time analysis of what is going on in a home.  Things can change, and if you are a homeowner, you know that there is always something that needs to be done when you own a home.  So, now I am sitting here waiting on the plumber.  Bottom line.  Get an inspection done no matter what when you buy a home.  But, also realize that there is no possible way to predict the future.

Public Transportation

This morning on the news was a segment on the number of people using public transportation to commute to and from work is going up.  Before this can happen, there has to be a reliable alternative source of transportation.  What kind of public transportation systems are available where you live?  Have you used them?  Why/Why not?

Drill! Drill! Drill!

A couple of weeks ago, a fellow co-worker, who I recently learned has an interest in windpower, shocked me.  he informed me that he had signed up for an online campaign to encourage increased domestic oil drilling.  His reasoning.  It will help with increasing gas prices.  Is he wrong?  yes and no.  It may help with short term gas prices.  But, is it the solution?  NOOOOOOOOOOO.  (let me tell you how I really feel)  No, honestly, how did this happen.  Two days before he was telling me he found this site that instructs you on how to build a small windmill on your house for $40.  My rationalization.  We, society, want to do something, but we don’t know where to begin.  I sincerely feel that the solution is not in finding more oil, but in finding alternatives to oil.  The rising gas prices and overall consumer dissatisfaction is ultimately going to force the issue of alternative fuel solutions.    But, without the rising prices, the motivation has by and large not been there.

Prelisting Inspection

I have been considering putting my house up for sale.  As part of this process, I have begun the typical “decluttering” that NEEDS to take place.  However, I also made a call to schedule a prelisting inspection.  Why?  My goal was to determine and fix any potential problems that may exist before they become an inspection issue.  While on the phone, the potential inspector informed me that 70% of the time buyers don’t have another inspection.  WHAT?  Unbelievable.  But, not my goal.  So, my inspection is scheduled so that I can see where I need to spend my money on preparing my house for sale.  Anyone else have experience with this?