Timing is everything - Buy During the Spring

Increased Buying Power Due to recent aggressive action by the Federal Reserve, mortgage interest rates have dropped to near 40-year historic lows.

Recent rate reductions could help you afford a home afford a home worth $30,000 more in today's market, without a meaningful increase in your monthly payment.

Greater SelectionWith more houses on the market, the opportunity for you to find your dream home has never been better. And with more properties to select from, you will also be well positioned when it's time to make an offer.

Lots of Mortgage Options Many mortgage products are available to suit all types of buyers – from conventional fixed-rate products and ARMs, to FHA and VA loans for borrowers needing more flexible lending options.

Perfect Timing Traditionally the spring selling season is the busiest time of year in real estate. That means more competition in the market, potentially interested in purchasing your dream home. By starting the process now, right before the market heats up, you'll have a jump on the competition, which can certainly be to your advantage. Looks like the Joneses will have to fend for themselves.

I can offer advice, guidance and reassurance that can help every member of your family make a smooth transition. Contact me today to find out more.

Household Tips - THE MICROWAVE OVEN

1) Clean carefully around edge of door and door opening to prevent soil buildup, which would  prevent door closing tightly.
2) Dried on dirt: boil water in a glass cup in microwave a few minutes. Steam will loosen dried on spots.
3) Odors: Mix 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water in a glass cup and boil in oven 3-5 minutes. Let cool.
4) Never use abrasive pads or powders on oven.

April Showers

As the saying goes: April showers bring May flowers!  With more rain in the springtime months of April and May, now's the perfect opportunity to get your rain gutters in tip-top shape.  As a homeowner, you're probably wondering what the best way would be to maintain those gutters-and I've got the answer for you!  I've compiled a handy list of tips that will help you to save money by doing it yourself, so that you can simply enjoy the rain once it comes.

If you need any additional tips, please feel free to call me at (408) 386-0677  Also if you have friends or family who are in need of real estate service or advice, I hope you'll give them my name.  I'm always happy to help!

FIVE TIPS FOR SAFELY CLEANING YOUR RAIN GUTTERS

Maintenance means everything: Ideally, you should clean your gutters twice per year.  Maintaining clean gutters will help you to avoid drainage problems that could potentially lead to more costly repairs.

Climb on up: Borrowing (or investing in) a good, sturdy ladder is the key to ensuring your personal safety and to making the task as hassle-free as possible.  Make sure that the ladder is placed on a flat, steady surface, and follow the rule of two: never stand on the top two rungs of a ladder, as it becomes very difficult to maintain your balance.

Protect yourself: Thick, heavy gloves are a must when performing this kind of task.  Gutters may have sharp or jagged metal pieces as well as screws or nails that may pose a danger to your hands and fingers.  Want additional protection?  Safety glasses are also a good idea!

Up on the roof: Santa might find rooftops to be a walk in the park, but for the rest of us, they aren't generally ideal perches.  However, if you have a flat roof or a roof with a low slope, you may find it easier to accomplish the cleaning by situating yourself up top.  Always use extreme caution, wear non-slip shoes, and never opt for this choice in bad weather!

Scoop, blast and repair: Once you're ready to start cleaning, follow a simple three-step process to get the most out of the task.  Scoop out any debris, blast the drains clean with a high-powered hose, and repair any leaks you may find along the way.

Happy Easter to You and Your Family

Grandma's Easter Ham

I just want to wish you a very blessed Easter holiday.  I hope that you have time to draw close to family and friends and to reflect on the rich symbolism of this special time of year.  Easter means many things to many people.  To Christians the day celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and promises hope of a new life for believers.

Some historians place the holiday long before the birth of Christ and claim that the early church merely preempted an ancient pagan holiday that welcomed the new birth of spring and honored the goddess of the moon.  Go figure.

To our children Easter is the season of the Easter bunny and egg hunts.  But whatever view you take you can't escape the fact that Easter represents new beginnings and fresh starts.  I hope that this Easter you are filled with the hope of a new day and the promise of a new life.

nd what would Easter be without glazed ham?  Here is my favorite recipe.  I hope you enjoy it!

Grandma's Easter Ham

7-8 pound fully cooked smoked ham

1 cup genuine maple syrup
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard whole cloves

Combine syrup, vinegar, and mustard. Place ham, fat side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan. Pour about 1½ cup mixture over ham and bake, uncovered, in a preheated 325º oven for 1½ hours. Baste every 30 minutes with additional sauce. Remove ham from oven and score fat into diamond shapes. Insert a clove into each diamond. Bake ham an additional 30 minutes.