Carjacking - Watch Out For New Way!

You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car, get inside, start the engine and shift into reverse.

You look into the rear view mirror to back out of your parking space and you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window.

You shift into park, unlock the doors and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or what ever it is) that is obstructing your view.

When you get to the back of your car, the car jackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. Your engine was running and they practically mow you down as they speed off in your car. If your purse or briefcase is still in the car, the car jackers have your home address, all your keys, your credit cards, your Social Security number, medical insurance card ID, etc.

If you see something blocking your view, drive off and remove it some place where you are safe.

Source: Lieutenant Tony Bartolome, Bureau of Investigations, Florida Highway Patrol

Do You Still Pay Private Mortgage Insurance?

Would you like to save $50 - $100 or more each month on your mortgage?

If you have owned your home for more than five years, here is a tip that might save you thousands of dollars. Homes purchased with less than a 20% downpayment, often times, require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). The premium is typically one to two percent of the mortgage at closing and approximately 1/4% to 1/2% per month for renewals.

When the equity in your home has increased to 20%, in most cases, you are no longer required to have the PMI, but you will have to petition your lender to have it removed. One way for your equity to increase is to reduce the principal amount down to 80% of the original purchase price. However, this can usually take 12 or more years unless you are making additional principal contributions. Also, your lender is required to remove PMI once your principal balance is 78% of the original purchase price. If you have ever been late making payments or gotten way behind, the lender may still keep the PMI active, but if that's the case, you may want to look into re-financing with a new mortgage and pay off the old one with the PMI. (If you get that route, PLEASE call me first with the details, so that no one tries to take advantage of you.)

The most common way for your equity to increase is for the value of your property to increase. The difference between the unpaid balance and what it is worth is equity. Your lender may require a new appraisal to prove the current worth, but before you spend the money, ask me for a printout of recent MLS home sales in your area. I can send it to you by e-mail and that will help you determine if it's worth ordering an appraisal from an appraiser approved by your lender.

Remember, PMI can be a valuable tool towards getting a home, but you shouldn't pay it for the rest of your life. If you're paying PMI, check the principal balance of your mortgage and determine the current value of your home and if the difference is more than 20%, it's time to see how you can remove the PMI.

Dan
dan@DanWeis.com
http://www.HomeBuyingClass.com
http://www.CincinnatiRealEstateHelp.com

How Close Are Sex Offenders Living To You?

Source: guest column by Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro, Ohio Realtor magazine

This topic really hit close to home, because our neighborhood, although not identified in the evening news, had a homeowner recently get caught allegedly trying to pick up an under-age girl from the internet, who was really a decoy by the police. The accused works at P & G, so you never know who a sexual predator may be. Don't think it can't happen in your neighborhood. Always, keep an eye out for your children or grandchildren.

Awareness is the most valuable tool we have in protecting our loved ones from sexual predators. Stories like that of Jessica Lunsford - the 9-year old girl murdered by a known sex offender in Florida - remind me that we must do all that we can to reaise aweareness here in Ohio. Now, thanks to a strong partnership between Ohio's 88 county sheriffs and my office, you can take steps to protect your loved ones by simply accessing the internet.

While it is impossible to predict when a sex offender may strike, you have the ability to safeguard your family from those with past offenses. By logging on to the electronic Sex Offender Registration and Notification (eSORN) page at www.esorn.ag.state.oh.us, you have access to pictures, addresses and descriptions of every registered sex offender in Ohio, all contained in a searchable database. Furthermore, you can view a map displaying every registered sex offender who lives or works within a mile radius of your home. I am very grateful to our county sheriffs, who work hard to ensure that this information remains current and accurate.

I believe the most helpful component of the eSORN site is the form that allows you to sign-up to receive an e-mail whenever a registered sex offender moves within a mile of any address you specify. You can enter your home address, work address, the address of your child's daycare facility - any address - so that you can always remain informed. As soon as you address(s) are on file, you will receive an e-mail each time a registered sex offender moves into that neighborhood.

Nearly 13,000 registered sex offenders live in neighborhoods throughout Ohio. All of them are required to report their whereabouts to our county sheriffs. Each year, sheriffs send out more than one million postcards to Ohio residents to notify them that a sex offender has moved into their neighborhood.

Recently, I worked with the General Assembly to enact legislation giving county prosecutors the authority to seek the eviction of sex offenders who violate the law by living within 1,000 feet of school premises.

Please take the time to raise your awareness about registered sex offenders living in Ohio. Log on to: www.esorn.ag.state.oh.us and sign up for freee e-mail notification. It is my hope that more of you sign up to take advantage of this important service.

Please pass this information on to your family members, neighbors and friends. It's unfortunate that this topic has to be discussed, but the more you know, the safer your children will be.

Dan
dan@DanWeis.com
http://www.HomeBuyingClass.com
http://www.cincinnatirealestatehelp.com/

When Neighbors Aren't Neighborly

So the new neighbors moved in and while you were hoping for the best, you've discovered you have a serious problem with their non-stop, barking dog or they have done something that's against the neighborhood association rules.

Within neighborhoods of all price ranges, it is a sad, but true, fact that losing your cool with a neighbor can sometimes turn into a nasty, time-consuming and costly battle.

Let's suppose that you're a reasonable person and have talked to your neighbors, but their response brings a "so what" reaction. Do you secretly plot your revenge? Do you sue? Most likely, your blood boils as you search your mind for options to resolve the problem in your own back yard.

As a second step, after talking with your neighbor, it's recommended that you talk with a neighborhhood representative, if you live in a homeowners association. Depending on the issue, you may also decide to talk with a local government official in your city, village or township to find out what your options are.

If you find yourself at wit's end with a neighborhood dispute and can't seem to make headway, check the Yellow Pages under "Mediation Services". Also, some local police departments have an individual, who can serve as a mediator. There probably are fees associated with this service. Even if your neighbor has no interest in taking the problem to a mediator, this isn't unusual and these professionals generally have much success at getting both parties to sit down and resolve the dispute.

Just remember, the first contact with your neighbor about a "burning" issue in your mind needs to be expressed to them in a calm demeanor and then hopefully the issue will be taken care of quickly and without any problems.

Dan
dan@DanWeis.com
http://www.HomeBuyingClass.com
http://www.CincinnatiRealEstateHelp.com

Easy Ways To Lower Your Homeowners Insurance

Sometimes saving hundreds of dollars is as easy as picking up the phone and asking. For example, you may be able to get your home insurance premiums reduced instantly just by asking the right questions.

Many home insurance companies can discount your homeowners insurance premiums if your home is new, is claim-free, has smoke detectors, has deadbolt locks, has a security system that's being monitored by third-party company, is close to the fire department, etc. But you must ask for the discounts. Also, check with other insurance companies to see what discounts they have for their customers and see if your insurance company will also consider the discount. Never assume discounts are automatically given. Then check your renewal policy statement every year to make sure your discounts are still included.

Here are 3 other discounts that could save you up to 30% off your annual premium:

1. Multiple Policy Discount: If you already have a vehicle insured with one company, ask if they offer a discount if you also insure your home with them. That could save you up to 5% to 15%.
2. Senior Citizen Discount: If you're 55 years of age or older and retired, you can qualify for a discount sometimes of up to 10%.
3. Long-Time Policy Holder Discount: Paid those expensive premiums to the same company for years and never had to make a claim? Some companies will cut your premiums up to 5% if you've been with them for three to five years and by up to 10% if you've stuck around for six years or more.

You can also look into raising your deductible (for example, from $500 to $1,000) and determine if the premium savings is worth it and put the extra amount into a savings account, in the event you need to use it in the future.

Also, find out if your insurance company rates your policy based on your credit rating. Many companies will quote you insurance premiums based on how well you handle your credit. If you have reason to believe that your credit score will be increasing in the near future, you may want to check with your insurance agent to see if a higher credit score will lower your premiums.

So, take time to pull out your latest insurance bill and review everything on it and then call your insurance agent to see what, if any discounts, you may qualify for to save you money.

Dan
dan@DanWeis.com
http://www.HomeBuyingClass.com
http://www.CincinnatiRealEstateHelp.com