6 sleazy home improvement scams

By Alana Klein • Bankrate.com

It's time for less talk and more action.

Like most homeowners, you probably spent the winter months talking about the various home improvements you'd like to make. Now that's spring is here, it's time to act on those remodeling impulses. After all, spring is a time of renewal, change, and new beginnings.
Unfortunately, it's also a time when crooked contractors come out of the woodwork to prey on innocent homeowners. "Some are actual scam artists, while others are just incompetent or unethical," says Ellis Levinson, a consumer reporter and author of the book "Hiring Contractors Without Going Through Hell."

The good news is that you can protect yourself against these scams. In fact, many scams are easy to detect if you take the time to become an educated, savvy consumer. "Compare prices, call references, and research the project you're undertaking in advance," says Bruce Johnson, author of "50 Simple Ways to Save your House." It seems simple but many people find this process overwhelming.

Levinson calls it emotional laziness. "It's amazing to me how much time people will put it into buying a TV because it's fun. But when it comes to remodeling a kitchen, people have no time. They see it as drudgery," Levinson says. Ultimately, he says, doing the research to protect yourself is much easier than paying for the consequences.

To help you differentiate a scam from the real deal, Bankrate has compiled a list of the most common remodeling scams. Beware of the following key phrases, and remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't.

Key phrases to beware of:
• "I just happen to be working in your neighborhood."
• "I have materials left over from another job."
• "I need the cash up front."
• "I have a special offer that's good for today only."
• "I can help you finance the project."
• "I want to use your home as a model."

"I just happen to be working in your neighborhood."This happens when contractors appear at your home unsolicited to inform you that they noticed some problems with your home's (insert: chimney, driveway, windows, plumbing, etc.) while working on a neighboring home.

For example, the contractor might say he or she was on the roof of your neighbor's home and noticed missing shingles on your roof. This may be the case -- but often no repair is needed.

Page 1 2 3 4

Home Appreciation Trends4-1-07

Build Equity & Net Worth

Build Equity & Net Worth Fast!
Buy a Second Home.
Secure Retirement Income!

It's official. Second homes are selling like
the proverbial hotcakes. According to a report
by the National Association of Realtors, 23%
of all homes purchased in 2004 were bought
as investments. Another 13% were vacation
homes. There was a record of 2,820,000
second home sales, up from 2,420,000 in 2003.

Investment property and vacation homes
account for more than one-third of residential
transactions. Each year it has been increasing!

People recognize that its nearly impossible to
use a cash saving plan anymore, no matter
what the purpose. Saving for the kids college,
for your retirement, or to merely pay down the
mortgage on your current home can best be done by owning a second income producing
property.

The idea is to buy low and of course sell high and when you rent it out,
you have the luxury of someone else paying your mortgage as the property
appreciates.

"Real estate has always been a solid, safe, tangible investment," declares Christine Hrib
Karpinski, author of How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner: The Complete Guide to
Buy, Manage, Furnish, Rent, Maintain and Advertise Your Vacation Rental Investment.
"First, it usually appreciates in value.

Also, there is a sense of control that doesn't exist with, say, the stock market. When you own
real estate, you can feel confident that someone else's unethical decision won't cause you to
lose everything. And, of course, the rental factor means that you can actually earn income
from your investment."

However, "buying a home for investment purposes is very different from buying a primary
residence," asserts Beryl Gosney of Preview Properties Inc., a well known real estate company
in the Pacific Northwest! "You have to understand property management and have a feel for
financial management (depreciation, income and expenses ratios, capital gains, 1031 exchange,
to name a few. An entirely different set of considerations when making your decisions!

The typical homeowner,
who has never owned a second property,
is not where you go for advice.
It's FREE by merely asking Beryl Gosney
(an experienced investor who works real estate for a living!)

So, the first thing I would suggest is research, research, research. Know why you want
to buy and what you want from the experience. Be realistic about both costs and expectations.
And find a great real estate agent to walk you through the process.

BERYL GOSNEY would love to work with you!

Important Note: Be sure to read the CNN article below. It proves that anyone can
build net worth and become a millionaire. It takes knowledge (which Beryl can
give you), it takes the ability to make a decision, and the fortitude to ACT on that decision!

Homeowners in Western Washington who have an investment property for sale,
or homeowners who merely want to invest in another property themselves, please call:

BERYL GOSNEY of Preview Properties 425-344-2222 .

Visit Beryl's websites at:
www.preview-property.com or www.previewpropertiesonline.com

As a leading agent on Internet, Beryl has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to guide you down
the appropriate path to make it happen. He will treat your transaction as though he was making
the purchase himself!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Generally (unless you intend to rent it out) buying a vacation property
will require the homeowner to pay the mortgage, taxes, and insurance entirely themselves.

Of course, if you rent it out for others
to vacation in, and run it as a business,
then the vacation property located in a
popular vacationing area, (Hawaii,
Orlando, or on or near popular
lake/ocean/bay/ misc water/golf course
/skiing resorts throughout the country)
would be a good investment.

The least financial risk would be
ownership of a "rental property" that is
within a few miles where you live.

Assuming there are not excessive maintenance issues with the property, not only would the
property build considerable equity, but the payoff of the mortgage would be accomplished
from the rental income you take in.

Based on todays (2005-2006) annual appreciate rates in the 8 counties of Western
Washington I serve, its conceivable a homes value could double in price in 7-10 years
or even less.

Regardless, the only cost out of your pocket for the second home should be just covering
the initial down payment and closing costs, typical annual maintenance, and maintaining
occupancy with creditable and reliable tenants.

Tycoon in the Making "This could be you or anyone you know... you just have to have the fortitude to have a plan, make a decision, and ACT!" ...Beryl Gosney Mary Buenavenura didn't start out to make a million on real estate -- it just worked out that way. By Les Christie, CNNMoney.com staff writer More Millionaires In the Making NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Call her "The Accidental Tycoon." When Philippine-born Mary Buenaventura first started buying second homes, she didn't intend to become a real estate millionaire -- it just worked out that way. "My prime goal in the beginning was simply to have a nice vacation home," she says. Maybe so, but now she owns three single-family homes and two condos, and has equity is the seven-figure range. When Buenaventura came to the United States in August, 1984, she brought excellent English skills and quickly got work as a clerk. That lasted a couple of months until she found a job as a legal secretary. She's worked in that field ever since. She bought her first home in 1987, a town-house condo in Norwalk, Calif. But that was the year she had her first child, son Charles, and as a single mother, Buenaventura says she wanted a real house. "I sold the condo after less than a year," she says. This was during the late 1980s housing frenzy, and the condo had appreciated 50 percent, to $120,000, during the short period she owned it. She applied the sale profits to a three-bedroom, two-bath nearby, where her family -- daughter Andrea arrived a few years later -- lived for 12 years. When she sold it in 2000, the price had appreciated much more modestly than the condo had, just $45,000 more than she paid. Catching the Wave By 2000, when Buenaventura moved her family into their current home in La Habra, in Orange County, real estate was flying again. She got in under the high-wire, paying just $237,000. The home value has increased to $750,000. Her first non-primary home purchase was a one-bedroom cabin near Big Bear, in the mountains out past San Bernardino. She bought it for family vacations in June 2001 and she paid $63,000. The family only used it for a year or so before her children rebelled. "You know how kids are," she says. "When they're younger, you can just tell them to pack up. But when they got older they wanted to stay home, close to their computers and their friends." Before that happened she had bought another cabin, intending to rent it out, not far away, for $75,000. In 2002 she refinanced the La Habra house and her bank offered her enough extra cash to pay off the Big Bear property. She then took out another mortgage on the cabin and used the money to buy a condo in Palm Springs. She has since sold both cabins, but still owns the condo, which she rents. Meanwhile, on the work front, Buenaventura flourished. She's now a paralegal and trustee administrator specializing in bankruptcies earning about $70,000 annually. Getting Serious The spark that really got her into serious real estate investing came with a pair of condo purchases in 2003, one on a golf course in Long Beach. It cost $219,000. That one, at least at first, did not work out well. "It was a one bedroom and I found I could only get about $1,000 to $1,100 in monthly rent. Condos that size on the golf course were not much in demand as rentals," she says. Fortunately, they were in demand to buy. She sold it for $280,000 and used a 1031 exchange to purchase another Long Beach condo, one closer to the commuter train line. She paid just $145,000 and rents it for $800 amonth. "Those condos were a good lesson for me," she says. "The one near the train line was in an area where everybody walks, takes the metro or the buses; it was much more rentable compared with the golf course. There, only people in the higher end lived and they wanted to buy, not rent." That experience caused her to really start thinking about real estate in bigger terms. "The Long Beach deals really stirred the pot," she says. "I began to think, 'If I can do this all the time, that'd be great.'" So she plowed back the surplus cash from the sale into another investment property in North Las Vegas. The $190,000 house has since gone up in value to about $270,000. Home Study Course Buenaventura intends to hold onto to most of her homes long-term, which makes positive cash flow from rentals an important aspect of her investment equation. She recognizes that she can't just count on real estate prices going up. "One of my prime concerns when I investigate a property is, 'How much can I rent it for.' Then I look at maintenance costs and taxes." If the numbers don't fall into the plus column after expenses, she looks elsewhere. She has added another single family home to her portfolio, in Utah. And she also bought a condo in Renton Washington, but she quickly sold out after experiencing trouble renting it. She still made $27,000 on that deal. Overall, Buenaventura has cleared more than $220,000 in gross profits on the properties she has bought and sold. And she figures current equity in her retained homes at more than a million. Meanwhile she has returned to her original interest -- vacation properties, only now she's buying time shares on the secondary market. She bought a week at a condo in San Diego for $2,300 recently and another in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for just $350. "I'm planning a trip down to Cabo in a few weeks," she says. Don't think she won't take a look at some properties while she's there. CLICK HERE (for a life changing event!)

Reaching Your 7-Figure Dream?

How Does An Ordinary Person
With An Ordinary Income,
Reach Their Seven-Figure Dreams?

First, They Own Their Own Home!

by Beryl Gosney,
Preview Properties Inc.

Do you know, 69% of Americans in this
country already have met the prerequisite
to becoming a millionaire! YOU
have what it takes to be eligible! Yes YOU!

Amazing as it may sound, your town, your
district, has ordinary folk from all walks of
life who are millionaires! Everyday people
you live and work with. Some you know
and most you don't.

Perhaps the biggest difference between
them and anyone else; they had a plan,
they had the knowledge, they could
make a decision, and they knew how
and when to ACT!

Anyone else, on the other hand, mostly likely have the first two factors in place, but when
it comes time to make a decision and ACT, that is where most of us fall short.

Look at the steps again:

...Plan
...Knowledge
...Decision
...Act

As a real estate agent, I have spent over a decade reading all the books about
getting results, building wealth, enjoying success...perhaps you've read them also!

Folks, this phenominal topic sounds far reaching for most of us. But we sure can
dream, can't we?

Just like dieting, we try them all, but, do we get results?

Oh yes we say, "we tried"...but I ask, did we really, or did we try to alter the rules,
did we fudge, did we try to do it our own way?

Being the creatures that we are, we are all in denial and will never admit, it was our
fault for not reaching the goals we set for ourselves. Again, we are in denial folks!

Those of us who get over the hump, be it dieting or building financial wealth, both
have something in common. We become students and later experts on the subject!

We dream -- but do we often fail to make
the final decision and then ACT on it?

But you know what --- when it comes to the subject of becoming a millionaire, we've
made it too hard on ourselves! We fail to see ourselves with this lifestyle. We are
masters at finding why something cannot be done, than we are positive
thinkers, and say, "why not".

"The Keys to Success
are merely repetitive steps
someone else has already taken!"
--Beryl Gosney

So where do we go from here...?

Well, an associate lender friend of mine in Skagit County made mention of a guy who wrote a book that
he said, sounds much like what I have been advocating on my websites over the years.

So I bought his book. And you know what. I was absolutely shocked how much this guy and I thought
alike. The difference is, he wrote a book and told the world about it. He was at the right place at the
right time. He made the right decisions and he ACTED. Sound familiar?

Well rather than re-inventing the wheel and writing another HOW TO BOOK, I decided to go on this
campaign and share the works of this author, David Bach, with as many of my friends and clients as
I could.

Without further to do,
take a few minutes more and
review something that has
changed my life forever
and can for you as well!

CLICK HERE

---

AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

Huge Changes Coming To North Everett in Next 3-4 Years

We're in extremely exciting times of change for what seemed a forgotten North Everett community!

If you drive North down Broadway the past several years, you couldn't help from becoming aware of how run down the area looked, how depressed this area of the city looks to visitors and residents alike.

It was back in the early 90's (1993 I believe) when Everett's Mayor at that time, Pete Kinch, despite opposition, committed funds to an invisoned Riverfront project on the east side of the city was born. However, a new mayor was voted in and the idea sat dormant for many years.

In the meantime, in the budget, the city was slowing chipping away at obstacles that stood in the way of developing the east side into something more respectable than the history it had lead ---

The city has cleaned up the toxic soils with federal money, and they paved the way for what is about to come in the way of a huge retail, residential and civic project like the Northwest has never seen before. This is going to be huge for Snohomish County!

Does this have your curiosity? Well click on and bookmark the Riverfront Website you're about to enter. You'll want to visit the site several times over the next 2-3 years.

Major things are happening and it will enhance our community, our lifestyle and everything positive that you could imagine for our Everett community!

North Everett and its Snohomish Riverfront as well as its Port Gardener Waterfront Wharf projects will become the centerpiece and major attraction for the city, for the country, as well as the tri-county area.

Finally, North Everett will see more restaurants, more things to do, and businesses and visitors to our community will turn our bedroom community into a bussling city of activity every weekend and hopefull the sidewalks will stay rolled down until midnight for the first time in decades!

Snohomish Riverfront in Everett to be Developed

City, developer to get rollin' on the river

By Diane Brooks

A stream runs through property where the city and developer OliverMcMillan have big plans for the riverfront.

The pedestrian overpass taking shape in the Lowell area marks the south end of housing and commercial development planned for about 2 miles along the Everett riverfront.

Never mind the fancy talk about Everett's renaissance, its need for a classy "front porch," the decades of hard work and million-dollar planning that have carried the city to the brink of a 216-acre land deal expected to transform its regional identity.

A simple word seems to suffice: Wow.

"It is a wow. It really is," longtime City Councilman Bob Overstreet said of a public-private plan to create an upscale urban village, cushioned by nearly 100 acres of wetlands and trails, along a 2-mile stretch of the Snohomish River.

Another councilman, Paul Roberts, seems equally awestruck when he envisions what future motorists might see as they cruise through Everett on Interstate 5, overlooking now-vacant properties best known for a 1984 tire fire and a long-gone paper mill.

"There's maybe a quarter-million trips a day on I-5, and a lot of people view Everett only from what they see from the freeway. It's what defines the city," he said. "I think they're going to see a riverfront village that says, 'Wow.' "

The council is close to approving an $8 million deal with OliverMcMillan, an award-winning San Diego firm known for developing creative, mixed-use urban spaces.

Promoting Everett

See Everett and its riverfront through the eyes of San Diego-based developer OliverMcMillan, which is buying 216 acres of former industrial land for $8 million, with plans to create an urban village with public spaces, residential areas and retail surrounded by nature.

The cover of its 59-page promotional brochure says it all: Something unexpected Something special that brings identity to a place filled with pride Incorporating the delicacy of nature, an understanding of history, and the future of Everett Washington
Dreamy photos of the site, the Snohomish River and downtown Everett are mixed with demographic data to create a mood of intriguing potential.

www.olivermcmillan.com

The complex purchase agreement would require the company to build at least 400,000 square feet of retail space — comparable in volume to the Tulalips' Seattle Premium Outlets — while adhering to cutting-edge environmental standards.

That's just the minimum. The company says it intends to build 500,000 to 800,000 square feet of retail space, along with 800 to 1,000 housing units that may include single-family cottages, condos, townhouses, apartments and hotel rooms. Public spaces could include a riverside amphitheater, a kayak launch, playgrounds, art, fountains and historic displays.

OliverMcMillan's private investment in the project could reach $400 million, said Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson.

The city in turn promises to invest an estimated $30 million to $45 million in wetlands and infrastructure projects, including moving a set of BNSF Railway tracks closer to I-5; relocating the city's animal shelter; building roads, 2 ½ miles of trails and a 3-acre park; and continuing its cleanup of the old tire-fire site by helping pay for a methane-recovery system and related measures.

The city could recoup its costs within nine years if the project generates anticipated levels of sales, occupation and property taxes, Stephanson said. Market conditions will control how quickly the site plan is completed, he said. Optimistically, it could be built out within five years, but if the market softens, it could take a decade, he said.
Everett riverfront properties


Simpson mill site

• 1891: Construction begins on the Puget Sound Pulp and Paper mill on the Snohomish River, giving rise to the adjacent town of Lowell.
• 1951: The mill, now known as Everett Pulp and Paper, is sold to the Simpson Logging Co.
• 1972: Mill closes.
• 1974: Crowds gather on the Lowell hillside to watch the dynamiting of the landmark smokestack. In "The Lowell Story," Don Berry writes that a heavy fog cloaked the riverfront — onlookers heard the blast's thud, felt the ground shudder and saw "a ghostly shadow slowly sinking."
• 1992: City of Everett buys 156-acre mill property for $3 million.
• 1993-1995: City cleans up land and removes homeless camps.
• 1995: City opens the Lowell Riverfront Trail, extending 1.6 miles north from Rotary Park.

Landfill site

• 1917: Site's first known use for trash disposal.
• 1949: Everett buys 5.8 acres from Snohomish County for $361.
• 1955: Everett buys another 14.5 acres from the county for $1,277.68.
• 1974: Landfill closes.
• 1977-1983 Land used for recycling operation, including tire storage.
• 1983-1984: Two separate tire fires erupt. The second one, involving 4 million tires, makes headlines as it burns for three months.
• 1991: City buys 33 acres on both sides of 36th Street, including the current site of the Everett Animal Shelter, from the Glacier Park Co. for $1.5 million.
• 1985 to 1994: City works with the state Department of Ecology and spends $15 million to clean and cap the site and install drainage and methane-collection systems.

Combined site

• 1997 to 2000: City conducts engineering studies funded with federal "brownfields" grants aimed at redeveloping industrial sites within urban areas.
• 2001: The city begins building a four-lane railroad overpass at 41st Street, essential for commercial development of the riverfront. Environmental groups and the Tulalip Tribes file a lawsuit related to chinook habitat, halting construction.
• 2002: City Council formally adopts a "vision" for the riverfront properties through the city's Shoreline Master Program.
• 2004: City settles lawsuit with Tulalips; railroad overpass construction resumes.
• 2005: City Council chooses San Diego-based OliverMcMillan to develop the riverfront.
• 2006: 41st Street railroad overpass complete. Total cost: $17.4 million, including nearly $10.2 million in federal funds. The state, which chipped in $3.5 million for the overpass, also is building an improved, $43.1 million 41st Street interchange for Interstate 5.
• 2007: City reaches an $8 million land-sale agreement with OliverMcMillan, which plans to build an environmentally sensitive urban village on 216 acres. Completion of a master plan is expected by year's end.
• 2008: Projected start of construction.
• 2009 or 2010: Anticipated grand opening.

Paul Buss, president of OliverMcMillan, said his company is talking with several "very promising tenants," including a theater group interested in building a 50,000-square-foot movie complex with perhaps eight to 12 screens. "Our typical kind of project has a 'main street' and people places and food and entertainment and upper-end retail," he said.

A roundabout planned at the base of 41st Street, near the property's midpoint, would be a signature grand entry, he said. A residential community surrounded by wetlands and trails would lie to the south, on the former Simpson mill property, while the retail developments — and additional residential space — would lie to north, on the capped landfill and land north of 36th Street.

Everett's character would be reflected in the architectural designs, Buss promised.

"We drive around the community and take pictures of everything that's there and say, 'How do we relate to this?' " he said.

That's especially important to residents of the historic Lowell neighborhood, which overlooks the old mill site. Single-family houses and low-rise townhomes are planned for that area, he said.

Even the retail district would have a relatively low profile, Buss said, with mostly two-story buildings. The tallest probably would be five stories, he said.

Buildings generally would be set back from the water, partly out of respect for the Snohomish River's power during flood season. That would create opportunities for more riverside public spaces, such the city's planned plaza or amphitheater.

"We're not going to have a marina," Buss said, but docks may be provided for visiting boats. "You could bring your boat around from Puget Sound, tie up and go into one of the restaurants. It would be a great experience."

Canoe rentals and other low-key water enterprises also are possible, he said.

"I don't have any doubt this is going to become a premiere location," Buss said. "We're making a huge investment in Everett. It's a great city to work with; it's an incredible site. I don't think I can emphasize enough the vision the city has shown. They've assembled the land; they've spent tons of money getting it ready. They've shown true leadership."

The respect is mutual. City officials speak proudly — and with a bit of awe — about OliverMcMillan's promise to earn a "silver" rating from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, which looks at energy and water efficiency, natural drainage, indoor air quality and innovative building materials.

Buildings would be designed to take advantage of natural light in winter, to conserve heating energy and to stay cool in summer, Stephanson said. Pavements would be "pervious" where possible, using modern materials that let rainwater soak through into the earth.

"It's a little more expensive to build, but it clearly is the wave of the future," the mayor said. "It will be a very attractive marketing tool."

The state Department of Transportation (DOT) also is investing in the riverfront's natural health. The DOT's ongoing $262.6 million upgrade and widening of Interstate 5 through Everett will include creation of a series of stormwater-treatment ponds on a 13-acre site immediately south of the OliverMcMillan project.

The three ponds, which are to resemble natural wetlands, will be encircled with walking paths interlinked with the city's Lowell river trails planned for the OliverMcMillan wetlands.

Rainwater that falls on I-5 between Highway 2 and the Boeing Freeway will be piped through the Lowell neighborhood and delivered to the ponds through an aqueduct under construction at the foot of Main Street, said DOT spokesman Ryan Bianchi.

The aqueduct will be topped with a footbridge, providing an additional pedestrian access point to the river trails and new developments.

Councilman Roberts feels especially connected to the project. As Everett's former planning director, a post he left in 2003, Roberts oversaw many engineering and environmental analyses of the old industrial properties, as well as resulting cleanup projects required to make the land habitable.

"It should almost be called the Phoenix Project," he said. "Out of the ashes of the tire fire rises a village."

Over the years, Roberts heard city residents repeatedly stress their interest in protecting the riverfront site's vast wetlands. He said he's pleased that OliverMcMillan's concept honors that vision.

Residents are optimistic, too.

"Their intent seems to be to preserve the natural environment and trying to balance the growth," said Holly Gibson, a member of the city's Council of Neighborhoods. "I'm really excited."

The project's original visionary, however, has mixed feelings about the grand plan.

Many community leaders were dumbfounded in 1993 when then-Mayor Pete Kinch announced the city had purchased the 156-acre Simpson mill site for $3 million.

Kinch spoke of transforming Everett from a blue-collar city into a regional attraction by building a commercial and recreational center along the river. In his mind's eye, he saw a historic complex of relocated homes, a marina, soccer fields, perhaps a relocated Everett AquaSox ballpark and a plaza resembling a scaled-down Seattle Center.

He lost his mayor's job that November to Ed Hanson, whose campaign focused on Kinch's spending habits and city budget troubles.

"The people of Everett, the taxpayers, are the ones who paid for that property and made it possible," said Kinch, who wishes the city could retain ownership of the land. "I know there are a lot of plans for upscale retail and condos; I want to make sure that all the people who supported the idea don't get left out of the equation."

But he's pleased to see a variation of his dream coming to pass.

"I'm sure that once it's on its way, it will really add a spark of life to Everett that we've never seen before," Kinch said. "I'm really excited that it's finally starting to happen."

---

AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

SECURITY ALERT about Lock Bumping

I believe it is URGENT that you watch this video and pass it on to your clients just like I am doing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr23tpWX8lM&eurl=

The lock companies will make a l.ot of money, YES, but better safe then sorry!

This article was sent to me by a dear friend and past client of mine. Thanks Dan! Folks, join me in watching this video link above! It's called Lock Bumping. It allows a thief, or anyone, to open your door lock in seconds. It' a scary thought to know that someone can get into your locked home, where you are feeling safe, and can open your lock and come in.

I started researching a couple of their recommended high security lock companies like Medeco and Primus but haven't settled on one yet, but in the mean time on my search this site came up that actually had a 'Valentine special' for get this "bump key sets".

These site promoters are 'proud' of their products for being elevated to YouTube and news outlets. Crime really does pay.

State Farm: Choosing the Best Door Lock for Your Home
http://www.statefarm.com/learning/be_safe/home/burglary/learning_besafe_athome_doorlocks.asp#lock

a Silent Video Speaks Loudly of the Truth!

Please read this very sincere message below and view the video that follows. I hope it changes your life in a very positive way!

To our U.S. Military personnel and those of foreign countries who stood beside us in wars past and present.

We citizens of the United States of America, can never thank you enough for all the hardships and sacrifices you have been through, not only impacting you personally, but also your family and your loved ones.....

You'll never be forgotten, and you are the reason we enjoy the freedoms that we have and the blessing of liberty you've made possible will endure for centuries and generations to come ---

Please View this Quiet Commercial. It's very sobering!

Take Care & GOD Bless You & Your Families!

Beryl Gosney

Real Estate Newsletter

 

Quarterly Archives    Rent vs. Own Foreclosures  CMA  Become a Millionaire     NewsletterArchive     Newsletter Archives   Each quarter of the year, clients in our database, receive our "Real Estate Newsletter" --- Whether you are a first time home buyer, currently renting, or someone who has made a purchase already, as a visitor to one of my  websites, you are a subscriber who will automatically receive the newsletter at the beginning of each quarter. The newsletter is Beryl's way of keeping his clients totally informed about homeownership.  He recognizes how much there is to maintaining a home and therefore thought the newsletter and his periodic email system would serve as a great reminder and an excellent resource for home maintenance and home improvement projects a homeowner may be interested in. Your feedback is greatly, and I mean GREATLY appreciated.  Beryl would love to hear from you about the information he passes on.  Here are links to current, past, and future newsletter editions: FALL 2006                   WINTER 2006                     SPRING 2007             SUMMER 2007             FALL 2007         WINTER 2007 SPRING 2008             SUMMER 2008             FALL 2008         WINTER 2008 SPRING 2009             SUMMER 2009             FALL 2009         WINTER 2009 SPRING 2010             SUMMER 2010             FALL 2010         WINTER 2010 Beryl Gosney Preview Properties Inc. P.S.   Buyers:  Access 40,000+ homes for sale online with our "new mapping system".  Visit my regional website at www.previewpropertiesinc.com Sellers:  www.Homesale-Guarantee.com  to see why my powerful "7-system marketing plan" has enjoyed so much success!                      Real Estate Tidbits   • A Second Home   • Building Equity   • Buying a Pre-Foreclosure   • City Guides   • Financial Freedom   • Preferred Lenders   • Sell in 20 Days!   • Visual Tours Other Featured Links!   • www.homesale-guarantee.com   • www.previewpropertiesonline.com   •  www.veterans-realestate.com   •  www.everettneighborhoods.com   •  www.seattle-wa.net   •  www.98201.net

Sponsored by: Beryl Gosney & Associates Preview Properties Inc. (c) 2006 All Rights Reserved

From Beryl Gosney - the Ultimate Home Search Website

Visit the ULTIMATE HOMESEARCH WEBSITE: http://www.PreviewPropertiesOnline.com Take Care & GOD BLESS! BERYL GOSNEY & ASSOCIATES http://www.Preview-Properties.com (425)-344-2222

Prices have not slowed, rising 4.1% in past 30 days!

Every homeowner in North Everett is making a remarkable Return on Investment (ROI). As you can see below, the sample North Everett home below went up in value 4.1% just in the past 30 days alone! As winter approaches that should dip down to about 1.5% at the most. But we've been wrong before. Have you looked at your 2007 statement? Mine went up 22%. And, that stands to reason since the property values went up nearly that much last year in the area. The biggest concern for all homeowners will be the 2007 Property Taxes! We've all got the same problem.   This home at $329,702 is valued higher than:
• 78 % of homes in 98201 ZIP code	$258,642
• 68 % of homes in EVERETT	$293,327
• 53 % of homes in Snohomish County	$321,684
• 58 % of homes in WA state	$294,131
• 60% of homes in United States	$266,063

 

Historical Value Trends display options

Historical Value Trends Show as:  %   $   % annualized

Past:	This home	98201	EVERETT	Snohomish	WA	US
30 days	4.1%	2.6%	3.2%	2.4%	1.9%	1.0%
1 year	15.8%	18.8%	19.2%	19.7%	18.2%	6.4%
5 years	62.8%	67.0%	63.3%	64.9%	70.3%	86.3%
10 years	131.0%	124.1%	127.8%	129.4%	130.9%	112.1%
Since last sale (09/16/1994)	--	--	--	--	--	--
30 days	$12,933	$6,475	$9,134	$7,618	$5,602	$2,720
1 year	$44,983	$40,907	$47,211	$52,835	$45,259	$15,960
5 years	$127,216	$103,769	$113,685	$126,607	$121,414	$123,214
10 years	$186,943	$143,231	$164,540	$181,438	$166,744	$140,606
Since last sale (09/16/1994)	--	--	--	--	--	--
30 days	62.7%	36.1%	46.9%	33.9%	26.4%	13.3%
1 year	15.8%	18.8%	19.2%	19.7%	18.2%	6.4%
5 years	10.2%	10.8%	10.3%	10.5%	11.2%	13.2%
10 years	8.7%	8.4%	8.6%	8.7%	8.7%	7.8%
Since last sale (09/16/1994)	--	--	--	--	--	--

About High-Tech Employment

According to the Puget Sound Regional Council, high-tech employment in the central Puget Sound region peaked in late 2000 – estimated at 154,000 jobs as of March 2001.

 

Between 1995 and 2001, the region gained over 60,000 high-tech jobs at a rate of 8.8 percent.

 

Between 2001 and 2003, however, the region experienced a decline of about 22,000 jobs or 7.5 percent.

 

The most recent information shows that high-tech employment stabilized from 2003 to 2004, with a slight net addition of over 1,000 jobs.

 

Overall, the region gained 40,000 high-tech jobs (or 4.1 percent) since 1995, and is beginning to recapture the jobs lost between 2001 and 2003.

 

Software had the largest gains in employment between 1995 and 2004, with an increase of more than 22,000. The Software sector has consistently held the largest share of high-tech employment in the region.

 

More information about high-tech jobs is available online at psrc.org. Detailed employment estimates for the central Puget Sound region are available at psrc.org/datapubs/data/index.htm.

 

Take Care & GOD Bless!
BerylGosney
BERYL GOSNEY
"a leading agent on Internet"
425-344-2222
www.preview-property.com
www.previewpropertiesinc.com
www.preview-property.blogspot.com
www.veterans-realestate.com
www.wa-foreclosures.com
www.homesale-guarantee.com
www.unlimited-opportunities.com

Serving 8 Western Washington counties.
From Olympia to Bellingham and all cities in between.

Single Family Homes rise 48% in 2 years in King County

Since January 2004, the median price for single-family homes in King County has increased 48.4%, and condominiums have risen 35.1%.  

 

Snohomish County saw 19.7% increase in 2005 and right now we are sitting at 19.4% so far this year --- If the year continues in this way, Snohomish County will record a 39.1% increase in 2 years!

 

Something to think about, it won't be long before Flyers start showing up in our mailboxes, showing us how we all can refinance to pay our taxes!

 

Take Care & GOD Bless!
BerylGosney
BERYL GOSNEY
"a leading agent on Internet"
425-344-2222
www.preview-property.com
www.previewpropertiesinc.com
www.preview-property.blogspot.com
www.veterans-realestate.com
www.wa-foreclosures.com
www.homesale-guarantee.com
www.unlimited-opportunities.com

Serving 8 Western Washington counties.
From Olympia to Bellingham and all cities in between.

The Value Of Your Home Has Increased Dramatically The Past 18 Months!

A property valued at $225,000 during the summer of 2005, is now approaching $275,000 --- a $300,000 property in summer 2005 is close to $370,000 today! Folks, this in less than one year!

As the resident real estate specialist who lives and works in Zipcode 98201, I would be happy to provide you an evaluation so you can see for yourself.

My Home Evaluations are FREE. Click Here, fill out the form, and I'll get you the results in 24-48 hours.

In the meantime, visit my website at www.Preview-Property.com

If you are a VETERAN and/or an active duty member of the military, pay a visit to my military website at www.Veterans-RealEstate.com

Take Care & GOD Bless!

BERYL GOSNEY
"a leading agent on Internet"
425-344-2222
www.preview-property.com/
www.previewpropertiesinc.com
www.preview-property.blogspot.com
www.veterans-realestate.com
www.wa-foreclosures.com/
www.homesale-guarantee.com
www.unlimited-opportunities.com

Serving 8 Western Washington counties.
From Olympia to Bellingham and all cities in between.

Congratulations to the Riverside Neighborhood Association!

A huge thank you to the outgoing board members of the Riverside Neigboirhood Association for all your hard work, tireless effort, loyalty, and dedication to your non-stop tenure.

We're sure the average citizen of this community has no idea of the time you folks have put in to make the Riverside District one the most, if not the most pro-active neighborhood districts in the City of Everett.

Folks, with the new board having just been elected in June, some exciting things have come down the pike, and there are more things to address on the horizon.

Are you aware, what the association addresses generally has a large impact on such things as your property taxes, on the value of your individual residence, the safety of your community, the astetic appearance of our neighboorhood and how others view it, and certainly our lifestyles are affected by the results of the associations work.

See Democracy at work; as we liaison with the State, with the City of Everett, the County --- to enrich all our lives and the community in which we live!

General Meetings
7:00 PM
Second Tuesday of the Month

School Library
North Middle School
Locared on Rainier Ave

(behind the QFC Store)

Be sure to visit the associations website at:
www.riversideneighborhood.org