Archives

March 2006

Two of the Fastest Growing Counties in Nevada

Posted at 1:24 PM, Mar. 20, 2006

Lyon and Nye Counties in Nevada are on the list of Top 10 fastest growing counties in the United States. Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau reported that Lyon County (near Carson City) ranks #2 in growth. Nye County (near Las Vegas and the home of Pahrump) is listed at #6 in growth.

The complete list of fastest growing counties between 2004 and 2005 include:

1. Flagler County, Florida (north of Daytona Beach)
2. Lyon County, NV (near Carson City)
3. Kendall County, Ill (outside of Chicago)
4. Rockwell County, TX (near Dallas)
5. Washington County, Utah (120 miles north of Las Vegas)
6. Nye County, NV (100 miles north of Las Vegas)
7. Pinal County, AZ (near Phoenix)
8. Loudon County, VA (suburb of Washington, DC)
9. King George County, VA (suburb of Washington, DC)
10. Caroline County, VA (near Richmond)

Per the NV Association of Realtors (March 2006)

Safety Tip #3

Posted at 5:30 PM, Mar. 16, 2006

Skeptical of an e-mail request for information?.

Before you act on an e-mail request, check a list of the latest e-mail scams on the Federal Trade Commission's web site at www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-internet.htm, or on the Hoax Busters site at www.hoaxbusters.org .

Consider a Fixed Rate Mortgage

Posted at 7:30 PM, Mar. 15, 2006

The recent real estate boom was fueled by low interest rates. Many homebuyers took advantage of the Federal Reserve's aggressive monetary policy by getting variable rate mortgages at very low interest. These borrowers are now watching with dismay as the inflation worried Fed continues to raise its federal funds rate with no end in sight. However, an opportunity for mortgage holders is developing.

In 2005, the Dow Jones Average finished the year with a loss. As investors turned their backs on stocks and moved into bonds, securities yields dropped in the face of increased demand. This has led to an unusual situation. The interest on adjustable rate mortgages, dependent on the rate set by the Federal Reserve, has risen, while interest on fixed rate mortgages, backed by mortgage-backed securities, has fallen. This paradox is called an inverted yield curve. For many mortgage holders it makes sense to lock in a guaranteed payment on a fixed mortgage instead of coping with the uncertainty of an adjustable rate loan. Call (702-451-1040) or e-mail Mark Baker with Meridias Capital to discuss your options

What Is A Billion?

Posted at 10:22 AM, Mar. 14, 2006

Here's some thought provoking information¦

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

     a) A billion seconds ago it was 1959. 
     b) A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive. 
     c) A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age. 
     d) A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet. 
     e) A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

Founding Family Charitable Foundation

Posted at 9:04 AM, Mar. 13, 2006

One of my favorite charities is Founding Family.  Organized and incorporated in January of 2005 by fellow Realtor Sarah Rummage in Nashville TN, their goal is to help dedicated American families who serve their communities and country (by serving in the military, by teaching our children, by caring for our sick, by ministering to the spiritual needs of our people, etc.) to be able to afford to adopt.

The mission of Founding Family Charitable Foundation (FFCF) is to strengthen and preserve the American spirit and expand the American Dream to American families and international children in need. We will extend our outreach to any country in the world, including American orphans. We also request a commitment from adoptive parents to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Part of a recent e-mail from Sarah reads: "God is doing some exciting things.  We have been able to fund a good part of a school building at an orphanage in India, support the beds and nannies of a palliative care unit (for the very sick babies) at an orphanage in China, and we are helping a little family in Israel (commitment is for 12 months) whose mom has remained in a coma from a bomb attack in 2001."

A trip to Beijing is being planned for November of 2006.  Watch this blog to see what our final decision is regarding joining this trip!