Summertime Grilling Tips

Whether you want to barbeque or grill, these little golden rules for healthy eating and grill safety apply either way:

• Before using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes before grilling. This prevents them from burning.
• Keep a shaker of seasoning next to your grill. Don't forget to season your grilled food well to create flavorful meals.
• Choose long-handled cooking tools to avoid burns and splatters. A basic grill kit should include long tongs for turning the foods, a stiff-wire brush for cleaning the grill, a mop brush for saucing foods, a large offset spatula for moving delicate items, and a pair of elbow-length grill gloves for protection. Apron, optional.

In addition, you should follow these tips for keeping your grilled food healthy:

• Trim the fat.
• Choose lean meats to grill. Less fat means less dripping down into the flames, which cuts down on flare-ups. Remove the skin from poultry.
• Grill veggies. Try marinated vegetables on a skewer, on the grilling tray or wrapped in foil. Grilled fruit also makes a sweet, healthful dessert.
• Wrap it up. Cooking in foil seals in juices so you can cook leaner cuts until they are both tender and done. Wrap fish with vegetables and a little low-fat marinade for an easy meal, all in one packet.

Enjoy the summer, and happy grilling!

Real Estate News - July 2009

Our July 2009 Newsletter is now online for you…

From the right Nav Menu, Find "PAGES AND NEWSLETTERS" and Select "July 2009 below "Our Monthly Newsletters".

Death of the Mortgage Broker?

If you're in the market for a mortgage these days, one thing to be aware of that is a growing trend these days, and that is: Many banks are cutting out mortgage brokers altogether.  This video explains: (Runs 1:34)

If you need or want to find a mortgage broker, contact us. We'll be glad to help you locate a broker to assist you with your next mortgage.

Homeowner Insurance: What's Covered?

The fastest way to learn what’s covered by your homeowner insurance is by reading the declarations page of your policy. What’s below is a rough guide to typical policies.

What's covered under a typical homeowners policy:

Your home and any detached structures on the property.

Most furniture, appliances, electronics and tools.

Liability and medical expenses for injuries and property damage for which you are responsible, up to your policy limits.

Limited living expenses if you are forced to vacate your home because of a loss.

 
What may not be covered:

The replacement cost of your home and personal property, vs. its actual cash value.

Jewelry, collectibles, firearms and other expensive items in excess of certain limits, typically $1,000 to $2,500.

Business equipment, including computers used for work, in excess of certain limits, typically $2,500.

Sewer or drain backups.

Liability coverage for pools, trampolines and other high-risk items.

Mold.

 
What's not covered:

Cracks or settling in the foundation.

Neglect, wear and tear or intentional damage.

Flood or earthquake damage. Coverage for either is available separately.

Landslide or other earth movement.

War or nuclear explosion.

Pest damage.

Pet damage.

 
10 discounts to ask for:

Multi-policy (home, car or more with the same company).

Smoke detectors.

Fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems.

Burglar and fire alarms that ring at an outside service.

Deadbolt locks and fire-safe window grates.

55 years old and retired.

Longtime policyholder.

Upgrades to plumbing, heating and electrical systems.

Earthquake retrofitting.

Wind-resistant shutters.

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Housing Starts Up in May

The nation's builders boosted their production in May, starting new housing units at an annualized rate of 532,000, up 17.2% from the revised estimate of 454,000 in April.

The data release, a monthly report from the Census Bureau, also revealed that building permits jumped by 4% to a rate of 518,000 from 498,000 in April.

As we reported to you earlier in another post, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that existing home sales ticked up 2.9% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.68 million units compared to the revised rate of 4.55 million in March.

Much of the rise in starts during May can be attributed to the 61.7% spike in multi-family housing starts. That compared with a nearly 50% drop in multi-family starts during April. Also noteworthy about the May report was the rise in single-family starts, which posted the biggest jump since January 2006 at 401,000 from 373,000.

Every region gained housing starts in May. The Northeast was up 2%, the Midwest 11.1%, the South 16.8% and in the West a whopping 28.6%. Permits grew 5.7% in the Northeast, 8.9% in the Midwest, 2.3% in the South and 3.8% in the West.

This news should serve as more warning to those sitting on the sidelines just waiting for a bottom… you may already be too late to the "bottom dance."