Looking Forward to 2011 (MacMost Now 497) http://ping.fm/sHnpa
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Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
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Just listed: 2322 Dawson Lane, Algonquin, IL 60102 for $139,900 http://ping.fm/wfx3p
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Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, December 09, 2010
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*$5,000 CLOSING COST CREDIT TO BUYER IF UNDERCONTRACT BY JAN 16TH2011. http://ping.fm/khWj1
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Monday, December 06, 2010
Friday, December 03, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
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The Thank You Economy: How Business Must Adapt to Social Media http://ping.fm/994wI
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MerchantCircle Featured on The Morning Blend (Milwaukee, WI) http://ping.fm/73wSW
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Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Monday, November 01, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
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Open House Today 10/16 2-4pm 2322 Dawson Lane, Algonquin, IL 60102 http://ping.fm/EMoYO
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Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
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OPEN HOUSE Saturday 10/16 2-4: 2322 Dawson Lane, Algonquin, IL 60102 http://ping.fm/uFkms
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Monday, October 11, 2010
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Friday, October 08, 2010
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Funny Real Estate Ad - This guy is NOT a good real estate agent... http://ping.fm/OFU2D
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Thursday, October 07, 2010
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
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SUPER CLEAN ***MOTIVATED SELLER**** 2322 Dawson Lane, Algonquin, IL 60102 http://ping.fm/9LF9h
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Untitled
SUPER CLEAN ***MOTIVATED SELLER**** 2322 Dawson Lane, Algonquin, IL 60102 http://ping.fm/9LF9h
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Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Monday, October 04, 2010
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Saturday, October 02, 2010
U.S., Europe final showdown set at Ryder Cup - Ryder Cup- NBC Sports
NEWPORT, Wales - The Americans stood behind the 18th green with smiles rarely seen on European soil as they watched yet another match go their way Saturday in the Ryder Cup.They won the opening two sessions. They had a 6-4 lead over Europe. They grabbed lunch and headed back out to the golf course. From: http://ping.fm/A7fax
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U.S., Europe final showdown set at Ryder Cup - Ryder Cup- NBC Sports http://ping.fm/zZx56
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Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Untitled
Edison Park | edisonparkchicago.com Night life, and Events in Edison Park, Chicago http://ping.fm/imOH6
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Edison Park | edisonparkchicago.com Night life, and Events in Edison Park, Chicago http://ping.fm/imOH6
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
MABAS27 University Park,IL Fire Multiple Animals Rescued From Nature Center Fire (Regal Farms) http://ping.fm/yPMyY
Sunday, September 26, 2010
NFL Flag Football Regional Tournament @ Waukegan Sports Park 3391 W Beach Rd., Waukegan IL… http://ping.fm/5AOAf | Beach Park, Illinois LocalSpur - News, Yellow Page Listings, Events and Local Tweets for Beach Park, IL. http://ping.fm/yciK8
This weeks radio show Tech Savvy Talk episode #4 was all about Blogging, SEO and Analytics.
Listen to internet radio with Tech Savvy Agent on Blog Talk Radio
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Existing-Home Sales Move Up in August
Existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 7.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million in August from an upwardly revised 3.84 million in July, but remain 19.0 percent below the 5.10 million-unit pace in August 2009.
@ National Association of Realtors |
Existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 7.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million in August from an upwardly revised 3.84 million in July, but remain 19.0 percent below the 5.10 million-unit pace in August 2009.
@ National Association of Realtors |
Illinois Home Sales in August Improve from July:
Year-to-Date Sales Up 9.2 Percent Statewide, 15.8 Percent Chicagoland. statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in August 2010 totaled 8,390, an increase of 2.6 percent from July’s 8,181 home sales; year-over-year home sales are down 21.9 percent compared to August 2009 sales of 10,740 homes. Year-to-date sales remain positive, up 9.2 percent January through August 2010 with 73,598 sales compared to 67,390 home sales for the same period in 2009.
@ Illinois Association of Realtors |
Year-to-Date Sales Up 9.2 Percent Statewide, 15.8 Percent Chicagoland. statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in August 2010 totaled 8,390, an increase of 2.6 percent from July’s 8,181 home sales; year-over-year home sales are down 21.9 percent compared to August 2009 sales of 10,740 homes. Year-to-date sales remain positive, up 9.2 percent January through August 2010 with 73,598 sales compared to 67,390 home sales for the same period in 2009.
@ Illinois Association of Realtors |
Florida’s existing home, condo sales up in August:
Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 1 percent in August, with a total of 13,997 homes sold statewide compared to 13,908 homes sold in August 2009. Statewide existing home sales in August increased 3 percent over statewide sales activity in July. In Florida’s year-to-year comparison for condos, 5,706 units sold statewide last month compared to 4,662 units in August 2009 for an increase of 22 percent. Statewide existing condo sales last month increased almost 2.7 percent over July’s condo sales.
@ Florida Association of Realtors | Posted
Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 1 percent in August, with a total of 13,997 homes sold statewide compared to 13,908 homes sold in August 2009. Statewide existing home sales in August increased 3 percent over statewide sales activity in July. In Florida’s year-to-year comparison for condos, 5,706 units sold statewide last month compared to 4,662 units in August 2009 for an increase of 22 percent. Statewide existing condo sales last month increased almost 2.7 percent over July’s condo sales.
@ Florida Association of Realtors | Posted
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it will modify a planned approach to its financial systems modernization effort and focus on a single core financial system. http://ping.fm/bIbpo
Thursday, September 23, 2010
AT&T Chief Has No Worries of Losing iPhone Customers | Mobile Technology | ITBusinessEdge.com http://ping.fm/sNEhX
Illinois Home Sales in August Improve from July
Year-to-Date Sales Up 9.2 Percent Statewide, 15.8 Percent Chicagoland.
http://ping.fm/5r9T3
Year-to-Date Sales Up 9.2 Percent Statewide, 15.8 Percent Chicagoland.
http://ping.fm/5r9T3
Illinois Home Sales in August Improve from July
Year-to-Date Sales Up 9.2 Percent Statewide, 15.8 Percent Chicagoland
http://ping.fm/fNyxa
Year-to-Date Sales Up 9.2 Percent Statewide, 15.8 Percent Chicagoland
http://ping.fm/fNyxa
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Chicago retail sales: Recovery slow for Chicago retail sales - chicagotribune.com http://ping.fm/LPgJW
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Benefit is to raise funds to help Waukegan Firefighter.
Image by jasoneppink via FlickrFirefighter/Paramedic Kevin Oldham, has recently been diagnosed with advanced and inoperable pancreatic cancer. He is at the young age of 33, a loving husband; father of two young girls (ages 3 years and 10 months).Currently, Kevin is unable to perform his dream job of fighting fires and saving lives, but instead must undergo aggressive and exhausting chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Additionally, he has lost the ability to work his side job and Katie, his wife,was a successful entrepreneur but is now able to work minimally due to the increased responsibilities at home.Unfortunately, treatments and cancer medications are extraordinarily expensive and, compounded with lost income,have become a financial burden for Kevin's family. This benefit is to raise funds to help support Kevin and his family through this difficult time.This event will host a variety of local band talent, opportunities to get your "Hawk" on, silent auction, raffle tickets, & t-shirts.
Euro zone inflation slows as firms hold back on hiring
Consumer prices in the 16 euro countries increased 1.6 per cent from a year earlier after rising 1.7 per cent in July. Companies may find it difficult to pass on higher costs as unemployment near a 12-year high discourages consumer spending and governments cut spending to plug budget deficits.
@ Irish Times
Consumer prices in the 16 euro countries increased 1.6 per cent from a year earlier after rising 1.7 per cent in July. Companies may find it difficult to pass on higher costs as unemployment near a 12-year high discourages consumer spending and governments cut spending to plug budget deficits.
@ Irish Times
Old Chicago Main Post office will soon be paying taxes:
The old Chicago Main Post Office, the empty hulk that spans the Eisenhower Expy., is finally hitting the tax rolls. It's never been taxable before because it was under federal ownership. That changed a year ago, when secretive British investor Bill Davies bought it from the U.S. Postal Service for $25 million.
@ Chicago Sun Times
The old Chicago Main Post Office, the empty hulk that spans the Eisenhower Expy., is finally hitting the tax rolls. It's never been taxable before because it was under federal ownership. That changed a year ago, when secretive British investor Bill Davies bought it from the U.S. Postal Service for $25 million.
@ Chicago Sun Times
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Attention BUYERS:
Beginning Sept. 17, 2010, Freddie Mac will offer homebuyers and select non-profits an exclusive opportunity to purchase HomeSteps homes without competition from investors through the Freddie Mac First Look Initiative.
This on-going initiative offers owner occupant homebuyers, Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grantees and non-profits engaged in community stabilization efforts the ability to purchase HomeSteps homes during their initial 15 days of listing, without competition from investors. The purchaser does not need to be a first time homebuyer to be eligible, however, they must be buying the home as their primary residence.
The Initiative supports Freddie Mac's mission to stabilize communities and support housing recovery through the creation of affordable homeownership opportunities.
Beginning Sept. 17, 2010, Freddie Mac will offer homebuyers and select non-profits an exclusive opportunity to purchase HomeSteps homes without competition from investors through the Freddie Mac First Look Initiative.
This on-going initiative offers owner occupant homebuyers, Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grantees and non-profits engaged in community stabilization efforts the ability to purchase HomeSteps homes during their initial 15 days of listing, without competition from investors. The purchaser does not need to be a first time homebuyer to be eligible, however, they must be buying the home as their primary residence.
The Initiative supports Freddie Mac's mission to stabilize communities and support housing recovery through the creation of affordable homeownership opportunities.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
...CHILD ABDUCTION EMERGENCY AT THE REQUEST OF THE SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT... THE ILLINOIS EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM IS BEING ACTIVATED FOR AN AMBER ALERT. TWO CHILDREN WERE ABDUCTED FROM PASFIELD AND ALLEN STREETS IN SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS AROUND 4:04 PM THIS AFTERNOON. THE VEHICLE IS A WHITE 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, LICENSE K 2 2 0 3 0 7. ANYONE WITH INFORMATIION SHOULD CALL 9 1 1
September 10, 2010—In an effort to help responsible homeowners who owe more on their mortgage than the value of their property, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today will begin providing an additional refinancing option for underwater borrowers.
The FHA Short Refinance option is targeted to help people who owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth—also known as being ‘underwater’—because their local markets saw large declines in home values. As announced earlier this year, this change as well as other programs that have been put in place will help the Obama Administration meet its goal of stabilizing housing markets by offering a second chance to up to 3-4 million struggling homeowners through the end of 2012.
Participation in FHA’s short refinance program is voluntary and requires the consent of all lien holders. To be eligible for a new loan, the homeowner must owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth and be current on their existing mortgage. The homeowner must qualify for the new loan under standard FHA underwriting requirements. The property must be the homeowner’s primary residence and the borrower’s existing first lien holder must agree to write off at least 10% of their unpaid principal balance. In addition, the existing loan to be refinanced must not be an FHA-insured loan, and the refinanced FHA-insured first mortgage must have a loan-to-value ratio of no more than 97.75% and a combined loan-to-value ratio no greater than 115%. Let Me If I Can Help.
The FHA Short Refinance option is targeted to help people who owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth—also known as being ‘underwater’—because their local markets saw large declines in home values. As announced earlier this year, this change as well as other programs that have been put in place will help the Obama Administration meet its goal of stabilizing housing markets by offering a second chance to up to 3-4 million struggling homeowners through the end of 2012.
Participation in FHA’s short refinance program is voluntary and requires the consent of all lien holders. To be eligible for a new loan, the homeowner must owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth and be current on their existing mortgage. The homeowner must qualify for the new loan under standard FHA underwriting requirements. The property must be the homeowner’s primary residence and the borrower’s existing first lien holder must agree to write off at least 10% of their unpaid principal balance. In addition, the existing loan to be refinanced must not be an FHA-insured loan, and the refinanced FHA-insured first mortgage must have a loan-to-value ratio of no more than 97.75% and a combined loan-to-value ratio no greater than 115%. Let Me If I Can Help.
FBI Issues Scam Warning for Home Equity Conversion Loans:
FBI ISSUES HECM LOAN SCAM WARNING
The FBI has issued a scam warning for those interested in Home Equity Conversion Loans (or HECM loans for short). With increased interest in HECM loans, both conventional loans and FHA guaranteed loans, fraud activity has also increased. FHA HECM loans offer buyers the advantage and safety of stricter controls and licensing requirements for FHA approved lenders, but some scams operate outside the areas FHA rules can protect the borrower.
If you suspect you or your family have been targeted by a reverse mortgage scam artist, file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development by calling 1-800-347-3735.
FBI ISSUES HECM LOAN SCAM WARNING
The FBI has issued a scam warning for those interested in Home Equity Conversion Loans (or HECM loans for short). With increased interest in HECM loans, both conventional loans and FHA guaranteed loans, fraud activity has also increased. FHA HECM loans offer buyers the advantage and safety of stricter controls and licensing requirements for FHA approved lenders, but some scams operate outside the areas FHA rules can protect the borrower.
If you suspect you or your family have been targeted by a reverse mortgage scam artist, file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development by calling 1-800-347-3735.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Fiberoptic cable could boost businesses | wausaudailyherald.com | Wausau Daily Herald http://ping.fm/wxCxy
The Latest Real Estate Scam... Helping People Buy and Sell In The Chicago Land Area. http://ping.fm/A8cPB
Saturday, September 11, 2010
HUD Funding to Local Governments Looks to Curb Foreclosures | The Afro-American Newspapers | Your Community. Your History. Your News. http://ping.fm/jD2Gs
FDNY put together this tribute video to remember those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. 343 firefighters lost their lives as a result of the attacks. You can watch the video and find more FDNY 9/11 coverage at FDNY's website.
http://ping.fm/FEcbv
http://ping.fm/FEcbv
Thursday, September 09, 2010
The 13th Annual Paul Fabbri Memorial Golf Outing is September 18th in Grayslake - Triblocal - Voice of the town http://ping.fm/uxyjL
Federal Reserve Bank's Beige Book - August 2010
"Consumer spending appeared to increase on balance despite continued consumer caution that limited nonessential purchases, while activity in the travel and tourism sector picked up relative to seasonal norms. Activity was largely stable or up slightly for professional and other nonfinancial services. Reports on manufacturing activity pointed to further expansion, although the pace of growth eased according to several Districts."
@ Federa Reserve Bank
"Consumer spending appeared to increase on balance despite continued consumer caution that limited nonessential purchases, while activity in the travel and tourism sector picked up relative to seasonal norms. Activity was largely stable or up slightly for professional and other nonfinancial services. Reports on manufacturing activity pointed to further expansion, although the pace of growth eased according to several Districts."
@ Federa Reserve Bank
Daley era ends: How will plans for O'Hare, Midway define his legacy?:
History may judge expansion of O'Hare International Airport to be one of Mayor Richard M. Daley's biggest accomplishments, even as he hands off an uncertain completion to an unknown successor. What's less clear is what will become of plans to privatize Midway Airport, which could have been another capstone of his career.
@ Crain's Chicago Business
History may judge expansion of O'Hare International Airport to be one of Mayor Richard M. Daley's biggest accomplishments, even as he hands off an uncertain completion to an unknown successor. What's less clear is what will become of plans to privatize Midway Airport, which could have been another capstone of his career.
@ Crain's Chicago Business
Fla. gets biggest chunk of new federal aid for housing crisis:
Florida is receiving another $208.4 million in federal aid to help improve neighborhoods hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. The money, announced Wednesday by U.S. Housing and Urban Development, is part of $1 billion allocated nationally in a third round of Neighborhood Stabilization funding. Florida's share is the highest of all the states, followed by California, which is receiving $149.3 million
@ Miami Herald |
Florida is receiving another $208.4 million in federal aid to help improve neighborhoods hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. The money, announced Wednesday by U.S. Housing and Urban Development, is part of $1 billion allocated nationally in a third round of Neighborhood Stabilization funding. Florida's share is the highest of all the states, followed by California, which is receiving $149.3 million
@ Miami Herald |
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AWARDS ADDITIONAL $1 BILLION TO STABILIZE NEIGHBORHOODS HARD-HIT BY FORECLOSURE http://ping.fm/LKpI2
Chicago $15,996,360
Cook County $7,776,324
State Of Illinois $5,000,000
Lake County $1,370,421
Illinois Total $30,143,105
Chicago $15,996,360
Cook County $7,776,324
State Of Illinois $5,000,000
Lake County $1,370,421
Illinois Total $30,143,105
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AWARDS ADDITIONAL $1 BILLION TO STABILIZE NEIGHBORHOODS HARD-HIT BY FORECLOSURE http://ping.fm/LKpI2
FHA Commissioner: GSE's Considering Principal Forgiveness in Short Refi's - CNBC http://ping.fm/LPrF4
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Waukegan Illinois Series C : All Municipal Bonds : Municipal bond recent trades, bond rates, tax-free bonds for sale and news : MunicipalBonds.com http://ping.fm/hZ1Up
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Saturday, September 04, 2010
Friday, September 03, 2010
The NSP Resource Exchange just made finding what you're looking for a whole lot easier. Welcome To The Neighborhood Stabilization Program Resource Exchange http://ping.fm/QBs64
Modest Inflation Expectations Allow Mortgage Rates to Once Again Set New Record Lows http://ping.fm/ioE5N
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Check out RealBird. Real estate listing marketing & property search for your blogs and more http://ping.fm/EsvDw
What is a Short Sale?
A short sale is the sale of real property which falls short of the amount due on that property’s mortgage(s). Since it means that the lender(s) will discount their debt(s) and take a loss on their investment, the sale must be approved by the lender(s) on all mortgages and liens on the property. A short sale is generally approved only as an alternative to foreclosure.
A short sale is the sale of real property which falls short of the amount due on that property’s mortgage(s). Since it means that the lender(s) will discount their debt(s) and take a loss on their investment, the sale must be approved by the lender(s) on all mortgages and liens on the property. A short sale is generally approved only as an alternative to foreclosure.
Bank Are Suppressing the Real Estate Market & Here is the darn Countrywide story! | Helping People Buy and Sell In The Chicago Land Area. http://ping.fm/dvvEM
6 steps to a better credit score:
A FICO score of 700 (FHA)/740 (Conventional) or better qualifies you for the lowest rates. In fact, it qualifies you just as well as a higher score, so if you’re at or over 700/740, there’s no loan qualification rationale for investing effort into boosting it. But these are firm breaking points. The difference between a score of 698 and a score of 700 (in an FHA loan scenario) can cost you a quarter of a point in interest, or thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage.
I’ve found that people asking about how to boost their credit to qualify for the best interest rates is similar to people asking me how to lose weight: I tell them the truth, then their eyes glaze over when I give them the straight dope, no magic bullets. No one wants to hear: eat vegetables, cut the sugar, and exercise; similarly, they don’t want to hear pay your bills on time, every time.
But I’ve been asked this question a lot recently, so here goes, anyway!
1. Pull your reports online – get them for free, no strings attached, at the government authorized website AnnualCreditReport.com. This doesn’t get you your actual FICO scores, but it does get you the content of your report. Look for errors that could be depressing your score, like accounts that don’t belong to you, balances that are actually lower than reported, old debts that are paid off that should have been removed entirely (7 years for credit cards, 10 for bankruptcies).
2. Consider reopening accounts you thought were open but have been closed because you haven’t used them in so long - it will help boost your utilization ratio, one element of your credit score that is dependent on how much available credit you have.
3. Pay down some debt. This both decreases your debt-to-income ratio (36% is the goal, including the proposed mortgage payment) and increases your credit score, if you do it right (see the next tip).
4. Don’t close any accounts. Instead, spread your debt out. The ideal utilization ratio is about 20-30% of your available credit overall, and on any given account. Closing accounts reduces the amount of credit that is available to you, so it makes it look like you’re closer to being maxed out.
So if you have one card that’s near its max and several others that have zero balances and you’re trying boost your score a bit, quickly, consider balance transfers to spread our your debt more evenly, aiming for 20-30% of the available credit on each card.
5. Use your credit regularly – and pay it on time, every time: Having a good FICO score doesn't happen because you have sound personal finances, including no debt. FICO scores are a measure that shows that you have a history of responsibly using and managing and repaying your debt on an ongoing basis.
6. Finally, check in with your mortgage broker. Have them pull your report and score, as the report they pull is the one they’ll have to go by in the final analysis. If you’re really close to a score level higher, that would empower you to qualify for a lower rate, they can actually run a credit diagnostic on your score and generate some recommendations for which actions you could take to raise your score by the needed few points. Then many of them can do what’s called a ‘Rapid Rescore’ – once you’ve paid that bill off, they can actually submit a request directly to the credit bureaus to update that information and your score in just a few days.
None of these tips will get someone with a 500 credit score to a 700 (other than a massive debt reduction program). But if you’re trying to get a little boost to get you over a credit score hump, these can be potent, and save you beaucoup bucks in interest.
A FICO score of 700 (FHA)/740 (Conventional) or better qualifies you for the lowest rates. In fact, it qualifies you just as well as a higher score, so if you’re at or over 700/740, there’s no loan qualification rationale for investing effort into boosting it. But these are firm breaking points. The difference between a score of 698 and a score of 700 (in an FHA loan scenario) can cost you a quarter of a point in interest, or thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage.
I’ve found that people asking about how to boost their credit to qualify for the best interest rates is similar to people asking me how to lose weight: I tell them the truth, then their eyes glaze over when I give them the straight dope, no magic bullets. No one wants to hear: eat vegetables, cut the sugar, and exercise; similarly, they don’t want to hear pay your bills on time, every time.
But I’ve been asked this question a lot recently, so here goes, anyway!
1. Pull your reports online – get them for free, no strings attached, at the government authorized website AnnualCreditReport.com. This doesn’t get you your actual FICO scores, but it does get you the content of your report. Look for errors that could be depressing your score, like accounts that don’t belong to you, balances that are actually lower than reported, old debts that are paid off that should have been removed entirely (7 years for credit cards, 10 for bankruptcies).
2. Consider reopening accounts you thought were open but have been closed because you haven’t used them in so long - it will help boost your utilization ratio, one element of your credit score that is dependent on how much available credit you have.
3. Pay down some debt. This both decreases your debt-to-income ratio (36% is the goal, including the proposed mortgage payment) and increases your credit score, if you do it right (see the next tip).
4. Don’t close any accounts. Instead, spread your debt out. The ideal utilization ratio is about 20-30% of your available credit overall, and on any given account. Closing accounts reduces the amount of credit that is available to you, so it makes it look like you’re closer to being maxed out.
So if you have one card that’s near its max and several others that have zero balances and you’re trying boost your score a bit, quickly, consider balance transfers to spread our your debt more evenly, aiming for 20-30% of the available credit on each card.
5. Use your credit regularly – and pay it on time, every time: Having a good FICO score doesn't happen because you have sound personal finances, including no debt. FICO scores are a measure that shows that you have a history of responsibly using and managing and repaying your debt on an ongoing basis.
6. Finally, check in with your mortgage broker. Have them pull your report and score, as the report they pull is the one they’ll have to go by in the final analysis. If you’re really close to a score level higher, that would empower you to qualify for a lower rate, they can actually run a credit diagnostic on your score and generate some recommendations for which actions you could take to raise your score by the needed few points. Then many of them can do what’s called a ‘Rapid Rescore’ – once you’ve paid that bill off, they can actually submit a request directly to the credit bureaus to update that information and your score in just a few days.
None of these tips will get someone with a 500 credit score to a 700 (other than a massive debt reduction program). But if you’re trying to get a little boost to get you over a credit score hump, these can be potent, and save you beaucoup bucks in interest.
Consumer confidence among Floridians inched up a point in August to 67.
Two of the five components of the index increased, while one decreased and two remained unchanged. Perceptions of personal finances now compared to a year ago rose four points to 52 from a record low in July while perceptions of personal finances a year from now rose three points to 78.
@ University of Florida Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies |
Two of the five components of the index increased, while one decreased and two remained unchanged. Perceptions of personal finances now compared to a year ago rose four points to 52 from a record low in July while perceptions of personal finances a year from now rose three points to 78.
@ University of Florida Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies |
Hurricane Earl on path toward U.S. East Coast:
"Interests from the Carolinas northward to New England should monitor the progress of Earl," the Miami-based hurricane center said in its 5 a.m. EDT advisory. Earl was a strong Category 4 storm with top sustained winds of 135 miles per hour and was 290 miles east-southeast of Grand Turk Island. It was moving west-northwest on a curving track the hurricane center said could take it near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on Thursday and Friday.
"Interests from the Carolinas northward to New England should monitor the progress of Earl," the Miami-based hurricane center said in its 5 a.m. EDT advisory. Earl was a strong Category 4 storm with top sustained winds of 135 miles per hour and was 290 miles east-southeast of Grand Turk Island. It was moving west-northwest on a curving track the hurricane center said could take it near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on Thursday and Friday.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Older Adults and Social Media
Image via WikipediaSocial networking use among those ages 50 and older nearly doubled over the past year from 22% to 42% over the past year. @ Pew Internet | 
'A great time' to buy: 6,000 South Florida homes on sale for $50,000 or less
Image by California Cthulhu (Will Hart) via FlickrThe collapse in home prices during the past five years has left plenty of bargains for the taking, but many of the properties are shoe-box tiny, need new roofs or have some other major flaw that doesn't make financial sense for buyers on a budget. 
Monday, August 30, 2010
Top 10 Nasdaq-traded stocks posting largest percentage increases | Washington Examiner http://ping.fm/5oBFN
Top 10 New York Stock Exchange-traded stocks posting largest percentage increases | Washington Examiner http://ping.fm/l0wK2
Waukegan Airport UGN Makes World Business TV
NBAA Vice President Mike Nichols appeared August 19 on “First Business,” a TV business news show produced in Chicago and broadcast on more than 150 television affiliates nationwide, including in the New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC media markets. The reporter for the story notes that “NBAA has been promoting a No Plane No Gain strategy," and cites data, provided by Nichols, showing that business aviation accounts $150 billion in economic development, supports 1.2 million jobs, improves company productivity, boosts access to small and medium-sized airports, and saves companies millions. The broadcast of the segment was seen by an estimated 263,000 viewers.
HUD ANNOUNCES $189 MILLION AVAILABLE TO REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES:
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it is making $189 million in grants available to transform public and assisted housing and to revitalize communities. Appearing in today's Federal Register are the Notices of Funding Availability, the federal application, for two revitalization initiatives: The Choice Neighborhoods FY 2010 and the HOPE VI FY 2010. Both applications can be accessed at www.grants.gov.
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it is making $189 million in grants available to transform public and assisted housing and to revitalize communities. Appearing in today's Federal Register are the Notices of Funding Availability, the federal application, for two revitalization initiatives: The Choice Neighborhoods FY 2010 and the HOPE VI FY 2010. Both applications can be accessed at www.grants.gov.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Tribune Co. has $1.6 billion in cash
Image via WikipediaThe company, which filed for bankruptcy protection in December 2008 with $13 billion in debt, said that during the first seven months of 2010 it generated $100 million more in operating cash flow than it did during the same period a year earlier. 
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Prices Holding Up Well Despite Everything:
One of the remarkable things about home sales today is the strength we’re seeing in the national median price. For July it was $182,600, up almost a percentage point from a year ago. That’s about what inflation is right now, according to the Consumer Price Index. When you consider the slowdown in sales volume now that the home buyer tax credit is ended, the resiliency in pricing is a bright spot. http://ping.fm/NFpMp
One of the remarkable things about home sales today is the strength we’re seeing in the national median price. For July it was $182,600, up almost a percentage point from a year ago. That’s about what inflation is right now, according to the Consumer Price Index. When you consider the slowdown in sales volume now that the home buyer tax credit is ended, the resiliency in pricing is a bright spot. http://ping.fm/NFpMp
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Gasoline prices hit eight-month low
Image via WikipediaThe sagging commodity market price for gasoline is good news for American motorists, promising a mild easing in pump prices. It also marks the end of a summer of relative stability for retail gasoline prices, which have fluctuated by about 20 cents per gallon since the beginning of the year and have stayed in an 8-cent range for the past 69 days. Prices have been stuck in neutral because of the continuing weak global economy and fundamental shifts in the U.S. gasoline market, the world's biggest. @ Washington Post | 
The Fed Can Create Money, Not Confidence:
The Fed has been fighting deflation for nearly two years. It began pumping new money into the economy after the September 2008 stock market crash to restore liquidity in the financial system. It has kept the pumps running by maintaining a near-zero interest rate target. Its net purchases—with newly created dollars—of government and government-agency bonds have totaled some $1.4 trillion, expanding its balance sheet to $2.3 trillion. As the Fed pumped out new money, member bank reserves ballooned and now exceed $1 trillion. That means a vast amount of money is on deposit in Fed accounts, ready to be flooded into the economy if loan demand increases.
Editor's Comment: This is a good read
@ Wall Street Journal |
The Fed has been fighting deflation for nearly two years. It began pumping new money into the economy after the September 2008 stock market crash to restore liquidity in the financial system. It has kept the pumps running by maintaining a near-zero interest rate target. Its net purchases—with newly created dollars—of government and government-agency bonds have totaled some $1.4 trillion, expanding its balance sheet to $2.3 trillion. As the Fed pumped out new money, member bank reserves ballooned and now exceed $1 trillion. That means a vast amount of money is on deposit in Fed accounts, ready to be flooded into the economy if loan demand increases.
Editor's Comment: This is a good read
@ Wall Street Journal |
Yes, Mayor Sabonjian developed a plan which called for the State of Illinois to grant a casino license to the City of Waukegan as part of his Lake Michigan Riviera development plan. http://ping.fm/iurhp
Monday, August 23, 2010
Reminder! NSP Open Forum Q&A - Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 24, 2010 - 2 pm EDT - rigneyrealty@gmail.com - Gmail http://ping.fm/JWZpA
Illinois was ranked 31 with closing costs in 2010 averaging $3,505, lower than the national average of $3,741. In 2009, Illinois ranked 43. Closing costs: State by state http://ping.fm/UCOSh
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
The FHA's balancing act
The Federal Housing Administration lost relevance in the first half of the decade when home prices soared and borrowers turned to easy-to-get subprime loans with lower upfront costs. But as the mortgage market unraveled, borrowers flocked back to the FHA. The agency does not make loans. It insures qualified lenders against losses if borrowers default. Since its creation in 1934, it has collected fees from its borrowers to pay lenders for loans gone bad. In the past year and a half, FHA-insured loans made up roughly 30 percent of all new single-family home purchase mortgages — up from 3 percent in 2006 — and about 20 percent of new refinancing deals.
But as the agency's loan volume expanded, its default rate shot up. The cash reserves the FHA has set aside to pay for unexpected losses have eroded to dangerously low levels. If FHA funds are depleted, taxpayers would have to come to the rescue for the first time in the agency's history. The agency is now trying to protect itself against risk without undermining its key role in propping up the housing market. To that end, the FHA has tightened some standards while loosening others.
© 2010 The Washington Post Company
But as the agency's loan volume expanded, its default rate shot up. The cash reserves the FHA has set aside to pay for unexpected losses have eroded to dangerously low levels. If FHA funds are depleted, taxpayers would have to come to the rescue for the first time in the agency's history. The agency is now trying to protect itself against risk without undermining its key role in propping up the housing market. To that end, the FHA has tightened some standards while loosening others.
© 2010 The Washington Post Company
IRS Summertime Tax Tip 2010-20: Employee vs. Independent Contractor - Seven Tips for Business Owners - rigneyrealty@gmail.com - Gmail http://ping.fm/7FTA0
Cops probe if 2 kids hurt in Waukegan fire were home alone - Chicago Breaking News http://ping.fm/Bsfeh
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Chicago climbs global cities list
Chicago advanced two spots to land at No. 6 on a ranking of the best global cities. New York tops Foreign Policy magazine's list, followed by London and Tokyo. Paris and Hong Kong also beat Chicago. Foreign Policy examined 65 cities with a population of more than 1 million, rating business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience and political engagement.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Morris, a former state senator and mayor of Waukegan who now lives in Grayslake. says cutting perks part of tollway reforms.
http://ping.fm/SoHk3
http://ping.fm/SoHk3
Lake Michigan Kings are on north of Waukegan.
Cory Yarmuth of McHenry sent me a fishing report from early Sunday morning. He fished the Big Drink north of Waukeegan. Here is what he said...
Hit the launch at 4:15am and we started setting lines by 4:40am. We hadn't finished setting lines when the starboard power pro dipsey went off. The skunk was off the boat with a small 6lb king. The first hour we had some good flurries of hits and fish landed. We also had a few drive by's and a couple that came unbuttoned as soon as we grabbed the rod and cranked a couple cranks on the reel. The water was incredible out there as it was a beautiful calm morning. As the morning wore on the wind picked up a bit and the flies came out in full force. We fished hard and ended the day 9 for 11 with two of the nine being shakers that were released.
The water temp early was 65deg and when we pulled at 10:30 it was up to 68deg. We ran between 2.5 and 2.8mph SOG and worked the area between 60 and 95fow north of the harbor.
Our best baits were:
BlackFin Tuna magnum on free slider on rigger
Peppermint Moonshine on 10 colors of lead
Glow blueberry moonshine on braided dipsey back 125
Hog Wild stinger mag on braided dipsey back 125
Monkey Puke stinger on Braid dipsey back 145 (took the biggest king)
Black fin Tuna magnum back 25 down 60 on rigger
I did hear guys on the radio that were out in 200-250 fow and they were picking away at them, but there was nothing really hot and heavy. It sounded like we did a bit above average.
Cory Yarmuth of McHenry sent me a fishing report from early Sunday morning. He fished the Big Drink north of Waukeegan. Here is what he said...
Hit the launch at 4:15am and we started setting lines by 4:40am. We hadn't finished setting lines when the starboard power pro dipsey went off. The skunk was off the boat with a small 6lb king. The first hour we had some good flurries of hits and fish landed. We also had a few drive by's and a couple that came unbuttoned as soon as we grabbed the rod and cranked a couple cranks on the reel. The water was incredible out there as it was a beautiful calm morning. As the morning wore on the wind picked up a bit and the flies came out in full force. We fished hard and ended the day 9 for 11 with two of the nine being shakers that were released.
The water temp early was 65deg and when we pulled at 10:30 it was up to 68deg. We ran between 2.5 and 2.8mph SOG and worked the area between 60 and 95fow north of the harbor.
Our best baits were:
BlackFin Tuna magnum on free slider on rigger
Peppermint Moonshine on 10 colors of lead
Glow blueberry moonshine on braided dipsey back 125
Hog Wild stinger mag on braided dipsey back 125
Monkey Puke stinger on Braid dipsey back 145 (took the biggest king)
Black fin Tuna magnum back 25 down 60 on rigger
I did hear guys on the radio that were out in 200-250 fow and they were picking away at them, but there was nothing really hot and heavy. It sounded like we did a bit above average.
As 401(k) Matches Disappear, Savers Must Take Up Slack:
Although you can save as much as $16,500 a year ($22,000 if you're age 50 or older) in a 401(k), a Roth IRA limits you to just $5,000 a person — or $6,000 if you're older than 50. Many people need to save more than $5,000 a year, especially if they are trying to catch up after neglecting saving when young. If you are married, each spouse can put as much as $5,000 into a Roth IRA if one is working, but even $10,000 a year might not be enough. (Try the "ballpark estimate" at http://ping.fm/10Fyv and check income limits for contributions at http://ping.fm/S6AKo)
Consequently, Stevens said people who need to do significant saving could use Roth IRAs to the max, as well as a 401(k). This provides an additional benefit. Anything you put into a 401(k) gives you an immediate tax break, so you don't have to dip as deeply into your pocket to come up with money to save. The Roth IRA doesn't give you that benefit. But a Roth offers a benefit in retirement that is better than a 401(k): Anything you remove from a Roth IRA during retirement is yours, free and clear. On the other hand, when retirees remove money from a 401(k), the withdrawals will be taxed.
Still, beware of the inclination to procrastinate if you are considering a Roth IRA. Sheryl Garrett, a financial planner and founder of the Garrett Planning Network, suggests opening the IRA immediately at a low-cost mutual fund company such as Vanguard or T. Rowe Price. She advises savers to set it up so money is removed automatically from each paycheck and deposited in mutual funds. Funds to consider, she said, if you want to make small monthly contributions are T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund or T. Rowe Price Standard & Poor's 500. The fund is invested 100 percent in stocks. More conservative funds suggested by Stevens are Pimco All Asset or Permanent Portfolio.
(c) 2010, Chicago Tribune.
Although you can save as much as $16,500 a year ($22,000 if you're age 50 or older) in a 401(k), a Roth IRA limits you to just $5,000 a person — or $6,000 if you're older than 50. Many people need to save more than $5,000 a year, especially if they are trying to catch up after neglecting saving when young. If you are married, each spouse can put as much as $5,000 into a Roth IRA if one is working, but even $10,000 a year might not be enough. (Try the "ballpark estimate" at http://ping.fm/10Fyv and check income limits for contributions at http://ping.fm/S6AKo)
Consequently, Stevens said people who need to do significant saving could use Roth IRAs to the max, as well as a 401(k). This provides an additional benefit. Anything you put into a 401(k) gives you an immediate tax break, so you don't have to dip as deeply into your pocket to come up with money to save. The Roth IRA doesn't give you that benefit. But a Roth offers a benefit in retirement that is better than a 401(k): Anything you remove from a Roth IRA during retirement is yours, free and clear. On the other hand, when retirees remove money from a 401(k), the withdrawals will be taxed.
Still, beware of the inclination to procrastinate if you are considering a Roth IRA. Sheryl Garrett, a financial planner and founder of the Garrett Planning Network, suggests opening the IRA immediately at a low-cost mutual fund company such as Vanguard or T. Rowe Price. She advises savers to set it up so money is removed automatically from each paycheck and deposited in mutual funds. Funds to consider, she said, if you want to make small monthly contributions are T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund or T. Rowe Price Standard & Poor's 500. The fund is invested 100 percent in stocks. More conservative funds suggested by Stevens are Pimco All Asset or Permanent Portfolio.
(c) 2010, Chicago Tribune.
Monday, August 16, 2010
New Homebuyer Tax Starts September 2010 Helping People Buy and Sell In The Chicago Land Area. http://ping.fm/o4AmC
Call for Careful Overhaul of US Mortgage Lending
Image by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com via FlickrThe US does not intend to wind down completely Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the large government-sponsored mortgage companies that are eating up billions of taxpayer dollars, given the fragile state of the housing market. |
Peter Gridley | Photographer's Choice | Getty Images |
Administration officials say that any credible proposal to overhaul the government-sponsored enterprises, as Fannie and Freddie are called, would need to include a “thoughtful approach” to prevent house prices from dipping lower.
Fannie [FNMA 0.371 
-0.004 (-1.07%) 
] and Freddie [FMCC 0.4 --- UNCH (0) ] buy or guarantee more than 90 percent of loans currently being issued.
-0.004 (-1.07%) ] and Freddie [FMCC 0.4 --- UNCH (0) ] buy or guarantee more than 90 percent of loans currently being issued. Without government backing, some large investors have said they would stop buying mortgage bonds, a development that would be catastrophic both for the housing market and the broader economy.
The overhaul of Fannie and Freddie remains one of the most challenging problems of the financial crisis, and one that was noticeably absent from the reform regulation signed into law earlier this summer.
Pressure is building on the Obama administration, which has promised to submit a proposal to Congress by January, to find a solution.
Since being taken over by the government in 2008, Fannie and Freddie have absorbed nearly $150 billion in aid, making them by far the costliest part of a bail-out that rescued carmakers and financial institutions.
The Treasury has been canvassing a wide array of private sector bankers and public policy experts, many of whom are listed to speak at a conference tomorrow, which will be chaired by Tim Geithner, Treasury secretary, and Shaun Donovan, the secretary for housing and urban development.
Treasury officials have been reading more than 300 comments received in response to seven questions posted earlier this year in a public forum.
No one wants to see the GSEs survive in their current form, but neither do they want to upset the mortgage market at such a crucial time. Beyond that there is little agreement on how to proceed.
Conservatives argue that the private markets, not the government, should provide financing for home loans. But liberals say the government should have some role. They point out that the private markets seized up during the credit crisis.
“It’s clear there is no good short-term solution,” said Rajiv Setia, of Barclays Capital.
Last month Mr Geithner promised that an overhaul of Fannie and Freddie would bring “fundamental change” and that they would not survive “in anything like their current form”.
But he added: “I think there’s going to be a good case for taking a look at preserving or putting in place a carefully designed guarantee so, again, homeowners have the ability to borrow to finance a home, even in a very difficult recession.”
Bigger Bailout for Unemployed Borrowers
Obama Administration announced it would be sending another $1 billion to unemployed borrowers to help them pay their mortgages.
Here's part of the release:
"This new program will complement Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund [a now $4 billion fund established last February, going to states with above-average unemployment rates] by providing assistance to homeowners in hard hit local areas that may not be included in the hardest hit target states. Those areas are still being determined.The program will work through a variety of state and non-profit entities and will offer a declining balance, deferred payment “bridge loan” (zero percent interest, non-recourse, subordinate loan) for up to $50,000 to assist eligible borrowers with payments on their mortgage principal, interest, mortgage insurance, taxes and hazard insurance for up to 24 months."
 |
AP |
To be eligible, borrowers have to be at least three months behind on payments and, "have a reasonable likelihood of being able to resume repayment of their mortgage payments and related housing expenses within two years."
I'm not sure what that means, but that's just me.
They have to be owner-occupants and not own a second home.
They also have to have had a good payment record prior to unemployment.
At face value it seems pretty basic…the government will lend the borrowers up to $50,000 each for up to 2 years to pay their mortgages.
The loan is 0% interest.
Keeping Good Records Reduces Stress at Tax Time
Image via WikipediaYou may not be thinking about your tax return right now, but summer is a great time to start planning for next year and to make sure your records are organized. Maintaining good records now can make filing your return a lot easier and it will help you remember transactions you made during the year. Here are a few things the IRS wants you to know about recordkeeping.
Keeping well-organized records also ensures you can answer questions if your return is selected for examination or prepare a response if you receive an IRS notice. In most cases, the IRS does not require you to keep records in any special manner. Generally speaking, you should keep any and all documents that may have an impact on your federal tax return.
Individual taxpayers should usually keep the following records supporting items on their tax returns for at least three years:
- Bills
- Credit card and other receipts
- Invoices
- Mileage logs
- Canceled, imaged or substitute checks or any other proof of payment
- Any other records to support deductions or credits you claim on your return
- A home purchase or improvement
- Stocks and other investments
- Individual Retirement Arrangement transactions
- Rental property records
- Gross receipts: Cash register tapes, bank deposit slips, receipt books, invoices, credit card charge slips and Forms 1099-MISC
- Proof of purchases: Canceled checks, cash register tape receipts, credit card sales slips and invoices
- Expense documents: Canceled checks, cash register tapes, account statements, credit card sales slips, invoices and petty cash slips for small cash payments
- Documents to verify your assets: Purchase and sales invoices, real estate closing statements and canceled checks
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Waukegan Firefighter Paul Rice collects donations in his boot
Image via WikipediaIf you see a firefighter with a boot in hand remember that by helping "Fill the Boot" you are helping to fund research on the 43 different diseases being fought by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.The International Association of Firefighters Waukegan Firefighters Local 473 manned the intersection of Grand Avenue and Green Bay Road in the scorching heat Friday to collect money for MDA.
Waukegan Firefighter Paul Rice collects donations in his boot during a Fill the Boot drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association at Grand Avenue and Green Bay Road in Waukegan.
(Ryan Pagelow / News-Sun)
(Ryan Pagelow / News-Sun)
Waukegan firefighters Greg Zahn and Beth Moss collect donatons during a Fill the Boot drive at Green Bay Road and Grand Avenue in Waukegan.
Last year, Waukegan had three intersections as collection points, and they netted $19,000 for MDA. This year they were hoping to collect $10,000 to $15,000, said Meg Krancic, fund-raising coordinator for MDA Chicago District.
"We've been partnered with the International Association of Firefighters for 56 years," she said.
"They are our largest sponsor nationally," providing over $28 million over the last year for research and programs, she said.
"They are integral to all the things we do as an organization," said Krancic. The boot collections are timed to lead up to the 'Jerry's Kids' telethon over Labor Day weekend on WGN-TV.
Kerry and Marty McNicholas of Lindenhurst make a point of visiting the Greater Round Lake Area Fire Protection District boot drive to show their appreciation. Their son, Liam, 6, was diagnosed at age 4 with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
"We are very thankful," said Kerry McNicholas. "It's great to see the firefighters out there. This disease is pretty devastating to the families, and any community support is wonderful," she said.
Her son will be able to go to a special summer camp in the near future that is funded by donations made during the boot collections.
More boots
Besides Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, and the Greater Round Lake Area Fire Protection District were filling boots for MDA on Friday. Fire departments that participate in Fill the Boot campaigns in the coming weeks include Zion, which will collect donations during the annual Jubilee Days parade on Labor Day, Gurnee, Highland Park, Highwood, and North Chicago.
Rescuing a boy and his dog from a house fire in Queens
Image via WikipediaOff-Duty FDNY Firefighter Saves Boy, Dog fdnntv.com
An off-duty firefighter with the City of New York Fire Department (FDNY) is being hailed a hero after rescuing a boy and his dog from a house fire in Queens, New York. Robert Moore from Ladder 167 was at the front desk of a gym when an employee ran in to call 9-1-1, saying there was a fire down the street, according to the FDNY.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Library Throws 90th Birthday Party for Ray Bradbury - Triblocal - Voice of the town http://ping.fm/8fHkC
Aid coming to homeowners without jobs
Image via WikipediaThe Treasury Department will add $2 billion to its existing “Hardest Hit Fund,” assisting the 17 states that have unemployment rates higher than the national average. In addition, a new $1 billion program led by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will give loans to homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure because of involuntary unemployment, underemployment or a medical condition. The loans, for as much as $50,000, will be interest-free for up to two years. @ Bradenton Herald | Posted: 08/12/10