Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Don’t Be In the Dark During the Next Blackout


Surviving a blackout with your sanity intact can be a challenge, but the more prepared you are, the easier it will be to endure. Knowing these tips will help make your life easier during and after a blackout. To prepare:

• Make sure each member of the household has a flashlight and that they know where it’s located. Remember to keep extra batteries in a central location. Candles can potentially be very dangerous so don’t use them.


• Make sure you have a telephone that works without a power supply as cordless phones won’t work during an outage.


• Have a portable, battery-operated radio on hand to keep informed about the blackout.


• Keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least half full, but remember that electric garage doors won’t operate without power so make sure you know how to manually work them. Avoid driving if you can as traffic lights will be down making congestion (and drivers’ tempers) worse.


• Have a supply of water and non-perishable food items available.


During the blackout:


• Turn off all lights and appliances (for example, computers, air conditioners, heat producing appliances) to prevent power surges and fire hazards when service is restored. Leave on one light so you know when the electricity is restored.


• Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed to prevent food spoilage. Food in a closed freezer can stay frozen for up to two days.


So remember, properly preparing your home in the event of a blackout will help keep your family safer (and saner!), and ensure those hours you’re without electricity go more smoothly.

I pull out all the stops to sell your home.
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR ®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone:  206-406-2710   
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington's Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Cracking Up is No Laughing Matter

A serious foundation problem can quickly turn into an expensive nightmare.  Most buyers realize this and will simply walk away or at best, won't purchase the home until it's been properly repaired.

If you notice cracks, bowing or anything else that looks suspicious, you'll want to determine how serious it might be.  It's strongly recommended that you have the foundation inspected by a qualified professional.

Foundation cracks are caused by hydrostatic pressure as water soaks into the earth around the base of the house.  The foundation sinks as water from the gutters spills out and puddles around the house putting pressure against the foundation wall which causes cracks that make the house settle more than it should.

Indications of a house with possible foundation problems include unlevel floors, windows and doors that are hard to open/shut and diagonal cracks on the wall around the corners of doors and windows.  It's important to keep in mind though that most houses have cracks and defects which are purely cosmetic.

If you're selling a home with a foundation problem, it's best to get it fixed beforehand as a questionable foundation problem can often squash a sale.  If you don't plan on getting it fixed, at least get a quote so you're able to show potential buyers how much the repairs will cost.

I pull out all the stops to sell your home.
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR ®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone:  206-406-2710   
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington's Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Benefits of a 20 Percent Down Payment

While a 20 percent down payment was once the standard when purchasing real estate, it eventually fell out of favor. Because many new loans were available with minimal down payments, most homebuyers didn’t recognize a real need to save up that much. However, after the housing crisis, buyers are now reconsidering the appeal of a 20 percent down payment mortgage.

Many homebuyers can qualify for a conventional mortgage with as low as 5 percent to 10 percent down. However, if you put less than 20 percent down, you will usually have to pay for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). On FHA loans, mortgage insurance is required for five years.

FHA borrowers are required to put down 3.5 percent, and it can’t come as a gift from the seller (but can come from family/friends). VA loans are available with no down payment and no mortgage insurance. As mentioned earlier, there are conventional loans available with 5 percent to 10 percent down payments. These loans require mortgage insurance.

Whether you should put a full 20 percent down on your mortgage is up to you and dependent upon your financial situation. With home prices still low (extremely low in some areas), and with interest rates still at historic lows, it may not make sense for you to wait to save up 20 percent.

However, if you can make a 20 percent down payment, you may be able to afford a bigger house with the same total monthly payment than you might have had if you only put down 3.5 percent, for instance. This is because a 20 percent down payment eliminates the mortgage insurance requirement. You’re likely to score a better interest rate as well. (Depending on your credit scores and other requirements, of course.)
One could also make the argument that it would be financially beneficial to have money socked away in savings in case something untoward should happen, rather than using it all on a down payment. When the money is tied up in your house, it’s not easy to access it in case of an emergency. However, a 20 percent down payment yields that much more beginning equity in your home. If you need to sell, you’ll have more room to negotiate with potential buyers.

Some lenders still offer what are known as piggyback loans. This includes the 80-10-10 loan, where your first mortgage is 80 percent of the home’s price, then your next mortgage is 10 percent (to cover part of the down payment), and the remaining 10 percent is what you put in as cash to add up to a 20 percent down payment. With an 80-10-10, you don’t have any Private Mortgage Insurance, but you do have a second loan on the house. 

The bottom line: Discuss your down payment and mortgage options with your mortgage professional before you determine how much you need to save. 

I pull out all the stops to sell your home.
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR ®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone:  206-406-2710   
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington's Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Why Men Should Stay Home.

 After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out.
 Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women - she loves to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Wal-Mart.

 Dear Mrs. Snyder,
   Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Snyder, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.

 1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
 
3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
 
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money.

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on
layaway.

6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.
 
 8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying
and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were
called.

9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a
mirror while he picked his nose.

10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he
asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly
humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.

12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look'
by using different sizes of funnels.

13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through,
yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'

14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he
assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'


My wife has threaten me with my life if I start pulling pranks like this. lol

Have a good day.

www.CallSnyder.com

Sunday, February 12, 2012

How Relationships Boost Health

We all love our friends and family. However, did you know that having these healthy relationships in our lives is as important to our overall health as exercise, good nutrition and stress management?
Face to Face – Don’t let texting and social media interaction take precedence over actually being with a person one on one. Although Facebook and Twitter are great ways to keep in touch between meetings, they do not offer the benefits of spending time in person. Touch does amazing things to a person’s psyche. It slows down production of the stress hormone cortisol as well as slows your heart rate.
Girl's or Guy's Night Out – Having regular gatherings with your pals will make you feel calmer and happier all around, giving you an overall sense of well-being.
From Child to Adult – Forming healthy attachments during childhood increases your chances of developing healthy relationships as an adult. Positive family connections lead to improved mental health as well as social interpersonal functioning.
Healthy Lifestyle – Leading a life void of social interaction can result in unhealthy decisions. These include a sedentary lifestyle, smoking or prescription drug abuse. Feelings of loneliness can stimulate the flight or fight reflex, creating adrenalin and suppressing your immune system.
Long-Term Relationships – These are great for your head and your heart. Having a relationship that lasts more than five years actually lowers your risk for drug abuse, depression and anxiety disorder. Being married may also increase your longevity.
Hungry for Relationships – Lack of supportive relationships can push a person into self-destructive habits such as drinking, overeating, smoking or being a couch potato. This stress can also show up as insomnia, chronic headaches or backaches.
For tips on how to achieve a healthier relationship, visit http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20340365,00.html.

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Inexpensive Ways to Show Your Family Some Love

Contrary to popular opinion, showing your loved ones how much you care does not have to be expensive. In fact, in many cases, it really is the thought that counts. Here are a few inexpensive ways to show your family some love. They’re not just for Valentine’s Day either!
Send your loved one a thoughtful and unexpected text that says something like, “Thinking of you always makes me smile.”
Make a special dinner. Decorate the table while you’re at it.
Give them a book you enjoyed reading. Write a special inscription inside.
Look on Craigslist, eBay, or at your local thrift store for something you know they would enjoy –an inexpensive collectible, a book, poster, painting or other fun knick-knack.
Enjoy a family movie night complete with popcorn, s’mores and hot chocolate. Watch their favorite movie, not yours.
Do a chore that your loved one would normally have to do, such as taking out the trash, cleaning the litter box or washing the car.
Think of 365 reasons why your person is special. These may be reasons why you love them, what you love about them, compliments, poems or inspirational quotes. Write each on a separate slip of paper and place in a jar. Your loved one then gets to take one out to read each day.
Let the family sleep and make them a special breakfast when they get up.

Stop doing that thing you know annoys your spouse or kids. Admit it, there is something that you do that bugs them, and you know it but you aren’t quite willing to give it up. Give it up for their sake. It might be as big as smoking or as small as leaving dirty socks on the bathroom floor.
Fill your spouse’s gas tank and wash the car just for the heck of it.
Hide love notes where your family members will come across them unexpectedly –in a shoe, a backpack, the car or the refrigerator, for example.

Take note of the little things that your loved ones like or have always wanted. What is their favorite candy bar, cereal, comic book or movie? 


Buy it for them just because.

 

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Welcome to Meridian Highlands

This elegant split level home in the Meridian Highlands sits on a large lot that backs to Lake Meridian Park. The interior of the home is in good condition and is ready for you to call home. 4 bedrooms and 2 bath. 2 car garage.  You can't beat the price. $164,900.


Click here for more home photos.

I pull out all the stops to sell your home.
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR ®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone:  206-406-2710           
 

Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington's Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Your Small Space Home Office

Whether you use your home office to work remotely or just as a place to keep track of bills and family schedules, it can be a wonderful addition to your home. It’s even possible to create a fully functional home office in a small space, if you follow these tips.
Hide-away office – Do you have a spare closet or empty pantry? These are actually great spaces for your home office. Just add a small desk, and then affix shelving or wall cubbies above it. When not in use, just shut the door and your office is out of sight.
Divvy it up – If you don’t have a spare closet or pantry, consider using a screen or room divider to carve a small office out of a larger room.
Jazz it up – Your home office does not need to be boring. Paint the walls your favorite color, and add decorative pieces that are functional as well. Keep you desk clear, and add pizzazz to your wall, with attractive storage for pens, pencils and other office supplies. A bulletin board with bins is a great way to keep important papers and notes at hand.
Let there be light – Natural light that is. If you are going to be spending quite a bit of time in this office, consider adding a skylight or window to the space so it doesn’t feel shut in or dark.
Draw the curtains – Give yourself a little more space by removing the door to the closet and using curtains to close it off.
Small wall real estate – If you don’t have a closet you can convert or a room to be partitioned off, but do have another small area available, consider an armoire or secretary desk. They can house most of your home office accessories and come in different sizes and styles. For extra storage, add shelving above the piece.

I pull out all the stops to sell your home.
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR ®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone:  206-406-2710           
 

Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington's Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Monday, February 06, 2012

The Best Beginner Pets for Children

Pets are a great way to help children learn about responsibility, compassion, and even about friendship. Of course, the amount of time you, as the parent, are willing to put into caring for the pet is also important. While you can insist that your child be responsible, ensuring the animal's well being ultimately falls to you. Here are a few suggestions of good “beginner pets” for children.
Rodents
Rats and mice are actually good pets for children because they are small and don’t need a ton of space. Their care is also inexpensive. Because they are quite social and intelligent, they can be trained to do tricks. They enjoy being around people and, even through they are nocturnal in the wild, they have been known to adjust their schedules in anticipation of spending time with their people.
Rodent pets need something to chew on to keep their teeth worn down. If you do not give them things to chew on, they will chew on things they aren’t supposed to. They rarely bite –generally only when scared or possibly when a mother is looking out for her babies. They may nibble if they smell food on your hands.
Rodent pets can live for several years. There is some evidence that rats and mice allowed out of their cages (while carefully supervised, or course) live longer.
Your local animal shelter may have rats and mice available for adoption.
Check out the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association for more information on caring for rodent pets. You can find them at www.afrma.org.
Fish
When properly cared for, fish can be long-lasting pets. Many are relatively easy and inexpensive to nurture. Goldfish are some of the easiest fish to have as pets. They can live as long as 20 years. Tropical fish are very colorful, but you should keep them in groups of five or more. Some tropical fish are aggressive and should only be housed with fish of the same size.
Some varieties of fish require elaborate set ups with aquariums, filters, heaters, lights, gravel, etc. However, most actually require very little other than a bowl, gravel, clean water and food. There are 100 different varieties of goldfish, and most just need a tank with a good filtration system.
Learn more about caring for fish as pets at www.howtocareforfish.com.
Leopard Gecko
These geckos often make good starter pets for children. They’re quiet and clean, don’t need a lot of attention, and can even be left alone for several days. They require a 10-gallon tank, a lamp for light, a heating pad and a box to hide under.
They eat crickets, mealworms, and wax worms. They require vitamins, supplements and, of course, plenty of water.
Find more information about caring for a Leopard Gecko visit www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Leopard-Gecko.