Alexa Blog

How many can rmember all their classmates?  I can.  There is Raymond, David, Bob, Brian, Barbara and me, George!  Wow...six members and all still in touch with one another.

Today I talked to Raymond.  Briefly, what happend to a little boy who grew up on a farm in the UP?  Well, he defended our Country, serving as a Corpman during the Vietnam war.  Not only spent four years in the Navy...but twenty years and four more on top of that! 

He met is wife of 44 years who also served in the Navy for four years.  It is so nice to be a member of a small class!  And to still be in touch.  God bless us all!

A much younger appraiser said he uses Excel to help with paired sales?  What?  That's what I said.  He then went on to show how easy it is to abstract from the marketplace just about anything you wanted!  Where was he ten ..or fifteen years ago.  Oh, he wasn't even in appraising...I said he was young.  And so, who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?  I'm a good example of it.  Although it was a struggle, it sure helps in this market today.

Whoever is reading this, I'm told most people don't even bother with Excel.  If you are one of them, why not try it.  Go to the library and get a book.  Spend just alittle time and surely you will see the benefits that will help you in whtever business you are in! 

How many medals does he have now?  I know one thing, he won't have to worry about making money!  His life after swimming will be swimming in financial rewards.

But what about you?  We didn't make the Olympics.  No gold here.  At least, not the gold of the Olympic kind.  But what about the other gold medals!  The ones you get and you don't know it, when you help a person...when you say a kind thing about someone and the many more things you do throughout the day!  Take stock, you might have more gold than you realize.  Look at yourself in the mirror and say...yes.  Smile...you're a winner.

Without googling this person, can you tell me what you know?  If you honestly know, then take $25 off your next appraisal for your client! 

If you are reading this on this day August 8, 2008, may something special bring you the joy you desire.  Just heard that today is 08/08/08!  Nice numbers.

Reduced utility expenses can permit you to pay a higher mortgage to cover the cost of the energy improvements on top of the approved mortage.  FHA EEMs provide mortgage insurance for a person to purchase or refinance a principal residence and incorporate the cost of energy-efficient improvements into the mortgage.  Find out if this would help you at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/eem/eem_prog.cfm

If you are a homebuyer, I would recommend this site http://www.hud.gov/buying/loans.cfm

Whether you are buying your first home, want a fixer-upper, are 62 years or older, want to make your home more energy efficient and more.... you will be pleased with the above site.  If you don't have the time to search, write this number down (800) 569-4287 - you will be contacting a HUD-approved housing counselor.

If you're looking for an appraiser, I can help you.

Just went out with wife who was doing an FHA appraisal on a foreclosed home.  We were told that the water and electricity were on!  Water was not on and so it will require another trip.  Some minor issues will need to be done.  The railing going to the basement must have been ripped off. 

It appears that mold was present.  I got to find out if there is something I can get from Home Depot that will give me an instant answer to whether or not there is mold that I am looking at!  If you know, please email me.

Happy Holiday...

The cost of gas is keeping relatives afar!  The annual get together is put on hold until the gas prices drop!  Where are those smart youngsters who can do just about anything on a computer?  Can they come up with the magic formula to make gas?  Build a battery that never dies! 

We own a Prius...actually we own two of them.  When we got them gas was only $2 a gallon...and so, when it went up to $4 a gallon, I, too am hurt by it.  Oh, I get 50 per gallon...but if gas doubled...then I should look for a car that gets 100 miles per gallon. 

It's expensive, but what private school isn't!  Saint Anslem Abbey in Northeast Washington, DC is a fantastic school for boys.  Actually you can start there in the 6th grade. 

I promise you, your student will get in the top schools.  The classes are small and the teachers are brilliant.  You can find the school on the web. 

Do you have to be Catholic to attend?  No.  If you send your son to school at Saint Anslem, let me know.