Cristine L Masson's Blog

The most overlooked space is the garage .....Did you buy a home with a 3 car garage and have no room for the cars in the garage ! ?  When you are moving in or out the garage ends up with all that stuff you don't know what to do with, this Valentine's is a great day to show your significant other how much you care by making room for their car in the garage. Think of the garage as another room in your home, and always remember when selling your home buyers look at everything and want to see the garage- if it is devoid of space they may feel the house is not big enough for your family and therefore won't be large enough for theirs either. Space sells and equals more money for your home.

Gather the family (or friends with promise of pizza and beer when done !) and start clearing out everything in the garage right now. Remember to find some great tunes to make time fly.

Step 1: Clean - the floors it is easier to envision the end goal if the space is clean.

Step 2: Group -  Donate - Trash - Recycle - Keep - Return (if borrowed)
The empty cardboard boxes and broken 'stuff' (you know the things you were going to 'fix' and never got to?) are the things that can quickly be gotten rid of . Really think about how donating something could help / be used by others this should make it easier giving away things you have been reluctant to part with. 

Step 3: Assess - Sort the Keep things by like items so you have a better overview of what kind of storage solution you will need. Sports equipment, Tools, Gardening tools , etc should be stored together making it so much easier to keep it tidier and accessible. 

Step 4: Store - Here too Green ideas can be implemented. Using glass jars with screw on lids - attach lids with a center screw to a piece of wood that you can nail between studs put all those little washers , screws, auto bulbs, auto fuses ,etc in the jar and screw to the lid that is now securely fastened to the wood.
Use as much of the vertical space as you can to maximize how best to store the Keep pile. Places like the Container Store, Home Depot , Lowes all sell great wire shelving and plastic bins and using a label maker you can quickly locate the bin you want later.

Once you've cleaned out the clutter in your garage, you'll feel a lot better both mentally and physically. Organizational experts say clearing out and organizing can even help you lose weight as the stress disorganization causes is removed and you feel energized.

Would you give a thief direct access to your checking account?  No?
Unfortunately that may be exactly what you are doing by using your debit card. Although it looks like a credit card you cannot simply decline charges as the money has been drawn directly from your checking account.
Through the use of skimmers the following are 4 of the riskiest places to swipe your debit card , they include outside ATM, Gas Stations, Online & Restaurants (anytime your card is out of sight it can be replicated simply by swiping through a handheld skimmer,see link above they are now attachable to a smart phone as a toggle version , the card is then returned to you and you are none the wiser until about 10 days later a duplicate card appears magnetic strip and all !  Don't allow the waitstaff to take your card outside your field of vision ...it is better to follow them to the point of sale computer and watch them run the card)

To get more details click here to go the actual BANKRATE.COM article !

Hope this is helpful. Remember to Always, always check your statements. Have fun, but be a safe and informed consumer when it comes to protecting your hard earned money and credit score.

Don't forget to check your personal credit report 1x annually for free (don't forget working children and spouses as well)  click here (don't worry about paying for the credit score , you just want to make sure there is nothing unknown occuring)

Please don't wait to contact a mortgage Loan Originator .....get in queue asap as this is available for all 50 states full release 17 Mar 2012 (act now to see , send to anyone you know as well) anywhere in Colorado I can help ...... cristine@milestonemtg.net 

Fannie or Freddie Mac Owned loans that closed prior to June 1st, 2009 are eligible for HARP II

HARP II is designed to help borrowers who may be underwater, or have little or no equity in their homes by making a refinance easier and more affordable.  More on this here (fannie) or here (freddie), but the changes will allow refinancing of loans that are more than 125% of the home’s value, ease or eliminate the appraisal requirements, and a number other factors that will make it easier and cheaper for homeowners to take advantage of today's ultra-low rates.

I am most happy to send to anyone who requests the full worddoc file I created email me if interested in the FAQs . Have a wonderful day and wish you all the best of luck in getting this help!

6 Easy Steps to a More Clutter-Free Life

"How we care for our home is a subtle but significant expression of self-esteem."
—Gunilla Norris

What are the messages your home is sending out to you? Are you receiving peaceful or chaotic vibes? You must realize that your home is revealing your life story and can either facilitate your growth or stunt it. As you know, clutter shrinks your personal and professional energy, binding you to "things" rather than allowing your energy to skyrocket. By the end of the first week you will find that all that ‘stuff’ has really been weighing you down and how little you will miss most of it.

Imagine you are the driver in the front car of a train. You are going from New York to California to follow your dream of living by the beach. Your plan is to get to Los Angeles in three days, but at every stop, you pick up dozens of freight cars that attach onto your back. Your speed becomes slower and slower. You suddenly realize that you have accumulated five miles of cargo behind you. Do you think you'll get to California in the same amount of time as originally planned? Are you lagging and more likely to get bogged down with engine problems?

Here's the message. Keeping your clutter is like carrying miles of freight energy on your back. It blocks you from stretching your wings and flying towards your successful destiny.

Trying to figure out how to free up the clutter causing stress in your life?  Working one room at a time , set a timer (this gives you ‘permission’ to stop at the end of a predetermined time or reset to a new stopping point), and put on a great audio book or a friend with a good glass of wine will all make the job less daunting.

It’s important to begin clearing clutter today. Try to look beyond the clutter and visualize how you will feel when your home and mind are clean. Start with the baby steps listed below. If you find your momentum, don't stop. Clearing clutter is your ticket to happiness, success, productivity and a beautiful home!

1.      In general, quickly recycle junk mail as well as old newspapers and magazines. If there are articles you want to keep, cut them out and put them in a special box. When it is full take a few moments at the end of each week to reduce.

2.      In the bedroom, clear clutter from underneath your bed. Go through your closet and let go of old and unworn clothes, shoes, belts, hats and scarves. They can be given to a charitable organization or friends. Remove photos or mementos from people that drain your energy. Wash your drapes and bedding.

3.      In the living room, go through your bookcase and give away half-read books that you never intend to read again. You can keep books you love, refer to, have sentimental value and move you forward towards your goals. Let go of books that no longer serve you (i.e. books from a past career, from college or an outgrown hobby) and donate them to a local library. Clear your bookshelves to open the door for new interests. Buy a couple books that move you in your desired direction. Repeat this with your CDs, DVD's and photos. Excessive amounts of freebies, such as all those pens you’ve collected are great things to give away, and the ones you want to keep put in a silverware organizer so they are easy to get to and only the ones that will fit in are kept.

4.      Vertical surfaces attract piles, cleared surfaces attract smiles! De-clutter your coffee table and mantel. Take everything off and then only put back the objects you need, use or love. Beauty and organization is the key.  Get a decorative box to place your remote controls!  Instead, place a favorite book with a beautiful picture on the cover.  It’s a good conversation piece.

5.      Re-access your collections. Group like items together so you can truly see all of an item that you have (e.g. Vases).  Can you downsize? You may want to give a few away or sell them on the Internet. Making space and some money for new hobbies and interests. If parting with particular items is stressful, try putting them in a closed box for a trial separation. Label it and put the date on the bin; a year from now, if you haven’t used anything in the box, donate it without even opening it.

6.       Dust, vacuum and clean your windows. Open the windows and let fresh air inside. Invite the fresh energy of spring to flow into your life!

Maintaining a clutter-free life gets easier as you establish new habits. Avoid the urge to buy more stuff; as time goes on, you’ll find its second nature to ask, “Do I really need this?” Need to let go of some belongings? Here’s inspiration from architect Sarah Susanka, bestselling author of The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live (Taunton, 2001). “We are all hunting for more meaning in our lives. And the way that we do that is extremely ineffective. We buy more and more stuff, believing that the stuff is going to give us that feeling of satisfaction. There’s always this longing for something we don’t have. We end up in this cycle of accumulation of things that are supposed to make us feel better, but with multiplicity, we end up overwhelmed and incredibly dissatisfied––overwhelmed with what was supposed to be this life-enhancing thing that has become this albatross. And the more we have the more of an albatross it is.  What we really want is meaning. And we can’t get meaning with stuff. In the same way stuff is a surrogate for meaning, a bigger and bigger house is what we think is going to make us feel at home. In fact, it has the opposite effect. An awful lot of the stuff we have—and I’m not talking about one or two things, I’m talking about 50 percent—we literally never use and are never planning to use again, but can’t let go of. They are basically objects in which we’ve invested dreams that didn’t happen. It’s very difficult to let go of the dreams, even though we know that they didn’t actually bring us the satisfaction we were hoping for. What I recommend is: Get a self-storage unit. Give yourself a year. Take the things that you are not using right now and know that if you really miss something, you can go get it. And then after the end of that year, see if you actually even remember what is in that storage unit. If you don’t, that’s The Stuff—you need to have a big garage sale or estate sale.” 

Adding that extra layer of security is easier and more affordable now than ever before!
Take advantage of the stablizing prices, great interest rates to lock in your dream home today.
Did you know that there are currently 1,588 homes ranging in price from $42,000 to $24,500,000 in Scottsdale with gated communities? 
Whether this is your year-round home or just a winter retreat, many gated communities provide onsite amenities, golf courses, pools, parks or playgrounds, security guards and piece of mind protecting your biggest single investment when you can't be there.
Some of the benefits of these gated communities with HOA covenants typically include -
Criminal activity is reduced in gated communities, and solicitors will have a more difficult time bothering residents.  Traffic and speeding cars are also reduced behind the gates, making it quieter and safer for children to play and ride bicycles within these neighborhoods. Less likely that others will be using your street as a shortcut for their morning commute. Another positive aspect of gated communities is a higher standard of home quality, and stricter building codes that promote uniformity in design. That typically translates to better value for all the homeowners within the community. Homeowners in these neighborhoods also generally have a higher pride of ownership, and keep their homes in good condition. Along with that, gated communities create a scarcity effect, with few homes within these neighborhoods typically available for sale at the same time, adding more to the value. Social benefits can include things such as a community center or events that promote group activities for families to get to know each other.
Whether it is family security, a golf enthusiast or just down sizing; there is sure to be the perfect community here that will meet your expectations (or exceed them) don't hesitate contacting me to help your family find that perfect home !  I do speak English and German, and have over 24 years in real estate. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012
This year why not add a little Green living to your resolutions.....
Have you thought about remodeling that home you are thinking of buying or selling? What can be done with the materials that you are not in love with in the home?  Can they be reused / recycled or even sold through venues like Craigslist? 

1. RECYCLE / REPURPOSE / REUSE - You would be surprised at how easy it is to implement.  The kitchen cupboards you are replacing would work great as garage storage or can be donated to architectural recycle places like habitat for humanity where they can repurpose them and you get a tax write off! Same holds true for most of the 'stuff' that you are replacing in your own home. Flooring , fixtures and lighting are all great things to carefully demo so that they can stay out of the landfill. 

2. CFLs - Remember each compact flourescent you replace adds up to hundreds each year in savings to you (look at prior blog for disposal of CFLs!) The payoff is well worth it!

3. IRRIGATION - Make sure your irrigation is regulated with a timer and that the timer is working! Cap any unused drip lines (did you lose a plant to frost damage or it simply did not thrive?) those 'empty' spots may still have open drip lines which should be capped (can be bought cheaply at hardware / sprinkler supply stores)

4. DECORATOR ITEMS - Things like curtains, shutters, bedding etc can be either sold (craigslist , ebay or yardsale ) or donated (goodwill, local resale shops that aide animals or other nonprofit organizations)

5. MATERIALS - If you are taking out / relocating studs or windows don't forget these are materials that can be reused if not be you (recutting the wood or making something completely new out of it if you have the skill) then put a FREE ad on craigslist someone will come to remove for you and they can reuse it.

6. MOVING BOXES / PACKING MATERIALS -  If you have them place a FREE ad or charge a small amt for the boxes / packaging that you are done with . Also if moving don't forget to look at craigslist for others moving boxes they no longer need. Don't forget to use paper plates between your real dishware ..not only will this prevent breakage it is recyclable!

Have fun this coming year with your DIY (or hired out LOL) projects but do remember if any of the items are reusable vs. refuse!

Don't be a victim ~ deter crime before it  happens to you!

Top 10 Items Stolen from Inside Cars
Most Stolen Items Approximate Value
1 Navigation Aid-GPS $100
2 Laptop Computer $500
3 IPOD/MP3 Player $150
4 Purse $25
5 Wallet $20
6 Camera $150
7 Cellular Phone $200
8 Hand Tools $100
9 Sun Glasses $75
10 Compact Disc $50
Total $1,370

As Cave Creek and N Scottsdale are teeming with motorcyclists thought this might be a good refresher:

Tips to Help You Avoid Becoming a Victim of Motorcycle Theft