Help! My mortgage is killing me...

Are you struggling with your mortgage payment? Many people are. The Treasury Department is offering a free online calculator that helps homeowners see if they qualify for the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). Since its launch, HAMP has helped more than 270,000 homeowners receive permanent loan modification. That number falls FAR short, however, of the millions of homeowners at risk of foreclosure — which is bad for homeowners and bad for the housing market. Every homeowner who modifies a loan and stays in a distressed property adds one less property to an already flooded market.

Take a look and see if you qualify… checkmynpv.com

If you don't qualify for HAMP and you want to learn your other options, I am here to help.

Aimee Klarich

Alain Pinel Realtor- Burlingame

aklarich@apr.com

www.AimeeKlarich.com

8 simple closet tips...

i am sure there could be a lot more tips to add for the cleaning of a closet...but...i say...since for some this task can be quite overwhelming...the simpler the better...

consider shelf life: if you never wear it...apply the twelve-month rule...and recycle (or consign)...if you must...allow yourself a few exceptions...

discern: be ruthless...or bring in a ruthless friend...preferably one whose style you admire...

document: borrow a camera and document outfits you come up with...

fill gaps: list what you need...and buy accordingly...

organize: redesign your closet so you can see everything...and group things...whether by size...color...or use...in a way that makes sense to you...

restore order: make your closet a haven of order and function...there can be method to the madness....you just have to impose it...try on outfits in front of a full-length mirror...weed out what no longer fits...determine what you reach for daily and give it prime real estate...

recycle: keep a box on the floor for thrift-shop donations...

party: when the purge is finished...invite friends over for a give-away...it may help to know that someone you like is wearing a beloved item...

and if this truly is something that is overwhelming...and you find yourself avoiding it at all costs...it may be well worth the money spent to bring in a consultant to help you make sense of your closet again...i can assure you going forward...you will be happy your closet is in order...

elena daciuk
fabulous finds
fabulous.finds@yahoo.com
415.577.6133
wardrobe consultant & personal shopper

Vacation Season is Fast Approaching

What's the scoop on car rental coverage?

You're at the car rental counter in a strange city and the rep behind the counter asks if you want to buy coverage for your rental vehicle. 
Do you need it?  It depends.

If you have comprehensive and collision coverages on your personal auto policy, you generally would be covered if your rental vehicle is stolen or damaged in a storm, fire or a collision with another vehicle (up to your policy limits minus your deductibles), And the liability coverage on your personal policy generally would apply if you are held liable for causing injury or damage to people or property (including other vehicles).  But what if you carry only collision coverage on your personal policy?  Then you might not be covered if the rental vehicle is stolen or damaged.  Please note that if you're traveling on company business, your personal auto policy may not apply.  Check with your employer regarding coverage.

What about the Collision Damage Waiver

(CDW) offered by the rental company? 



Enjoy your vacation!

CDW "Waives" your financial responsibility if the rental vehicle is damaged or stolen.  It DOES NOTcover damage to the other property or provide liability coverage. Your personal auto policy may provide the coverage you need.  You may also be responsible, for loss of rental income, if the car rental company cannot rent the vehicle to anyone else due to repairs that need to be done. 






For more information on this post or insurance questions please contact Virginia Trowbridge at 650-FARMERS
or virginia.ctrowbridge@farmersagency.com

Curb Appeal Made Easy

If you can only do one thing to improve the curb appeal of your home, what would it be? Before you answer that question take a stroll across the street and view your home as most people see it. What is the first thing you notice? What does your curb appeal say about you?

The easiest curb appeal transformation you can do is to paint your front door. In many countries the color of the front door is an important focal point.The use of bold color brings character to a home and defines it's occupants. Each of the doors to the right depict a certain feel. Even the most modest home can have great curb appeal with a brightly painted door. What kind of door are you?

 When I decided to paint my door from the blue that the builder had selected I used the trumpet vine as my inspiration. I took one of the blooms to the paint store and asked them to match the color. I am sure it was the first such request as there was some hesitation when I handed over the flower. However, I was very pleased with the vibrancy and pop it gave my curb appeal.

Don't be afraid of color. If you don't like it, it is easy to change. Use your imagination and go out there and improve your curb appeal.

Architectural Salvage in Your Garden

There probably isn't an easier place to go green, than in your garden. Re-purposing home decor and architecturally salvaged items such as furniture, old boots, area rugs, doors or shutters bring personality and uniqueness to any outdoor space. It is a great way to let your creativity and personality express itself in a fun and informal way.

You can use an old salvaged chair such as the one shown. Add a flowering plant and you have created a beautiful architectural salvage piece for your front porch. I once used an old chair that had a rotten rattan seat. I inserted a half round moss filled basket of overflowing plants into the seat and the ivy grew down the legs and up around the back of the chair. It looked beautifully whimsical and stood guard on my front porch for many years until it finally fell apart.

The Bay Area has several Architectural Salvage yards. Berkeley is home to

Ohmega Salvage and Urban Ore. Both places are great for architectural salvage. You can find fascinating items from old residential and commercial buildings. Stained glass windows from old churches to reclaimed wood and antique fixtures will inspire you to incorporate these beautiful items into your personal space. San Mateo is home to one architectural salvage business Whole House Building Supply and Salvage, also known as Driftwood Salvage. They have recently moved  here from East Palo Alto. I paid them a visit and brought home three extra tall solid wood doors with glass inserts to use as a pseudo fence between my new deck and the utility yard beyond. I applied a vinyl sheeting on the glass to give it an opaque appearance and now the light shines through but the view of my recycle bins does not. I spent a grand total of $15.00 per door. If I had selected the hollow paneled doors I would have gone home without paying a cent. They were giving them away free!

My all time favorite project was the architectural salvage door              

and  shutters I used to hide my neighbor's house. I live on a zero lot line thus the neighboring home is a mere 10 feet away from my dining room window. I built a lanai spanning the distance and placed a salvaged door and shutters between the lanai posts. The neighboring house disappeared and now we look out on our "secret garden" door. We have had guests to our home that have actually attempted to open the door, thinking it led elsewhere.  I couldn't have gotten a better compliment.

Understanding Your Credit Score

Your credit score is one of the biggest determining factors in your ability to get a quality loan, and it is far more complex than just a three-digit number.

Yahoo! Personal Finance recently wrote an in-depth piece about understanding the intricacies of your credit score and what it means.

According to the article, “consumer research conducted by the Consumer Federation of America and VantageScore Solutions shows that many Americans don’t really understand their credit scores.”

The lower your credit score, the higher interest you will pay on loans and any line of credit. Understanding the basics of credit scores can help you achieve your goals, including home ownership.

Click here to view the article and learn more about credit scores.

If you have any questions with credit and would like for me to analyze a full report, please contact me at eileenhoran@mortgagecalifornia.com

"may madness" savvy chic event...

well...the day is finally arrived...big may opening day for the savvy chic boutique in burlingame...i have to admit...i am always excited about opening up those huge fifty pound boxes...to see what each boutique decided to send us...this show...i think i have my longest wish list yet...

so what is the savvy chic event? basically...we are a pop-up boutique that opens up about every six weeks...with all new merchandise from boutiques around the u.s. - and we give it to you at 40-50% off...how fabulous is that...right?

so as i am sitting here...thinking what can i show you...little bits of the boutique that is all ready to go to the right homes...so here are some of my favorite pieces...it truly is hard to choose...as we have literally hundred's of items...











and so much more...you really just need to come on in...and don't keep it a secret...there is enough for everyone =) really...plus...you shouldn't keep a good thing a secret...especially from your girlfriends...


savvy chic event
may madness

may 5 - 7 & may 12 - 14
11 am to 5:30 pm
(open until 7pm on thursdays)

319 primrose road (upstairs)
burlingame, ca

if you would like to see more photo's - we have been posting albums daily at "the savvy chic event" on facebook...and you can follow us on twitter...or check out our website...but if you are local...you need to come in...it's just that simple...

Home Buying Class Saturday May 21st

2011 is a great year to buy a home on the San Francisco Peninsula. Learn the steps for success at an informative class.

Saturday May 21st
11am
1440 Chapin Ave Suite 200, Burlingame

RSVP HERE

Class Topics:
* Advantages of buying a home in 2011
* How the Stimulus Plan benefits first time homebuyers
* Tax Credits available for home ownership
* Owning vs renting comparison
* State of the San Mateo County real estate market
* Current mortgage interest rates and programs available
* Steps for a successful home or condo purchase
* Differences between owning a condo, townhome or single family home
* Steps to finance your home purchase
* Advantages of owning a home on the San Francisco Peninsula
* Survey of advice from other First Time Homebuyers
* How to select a good Realtor
* Real Estate Negotiations

Hosted by
Eileen Horan
Mortgage Broker
Mortgage California

Aimee Snodgrass Klarich
Realtor
Alain Pinel Realtors- Burlingame
http://www.AimeeKlaric...
DRE 01765417