Brought to you by

Filomena Thompson, CDPE

"I'm never too busy for your referrals."

Realtor
D 240-629-3105 / C 301-758-4617
FilomenaThompson@remax.net

www.FilomenaThompson.com

5300 Westview Drive, Suite 200

Frederick, MD  21703

APRIL 2010

TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

Tax Credits Provide Outstanding Opportunities for Home Buyers

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. It also authorized a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified repeat home buyers.

Bring the sunshine and backyard into your home this summer

(ARA) - Warm weather means it's an ideal time to redo or create a new outdoor living space that you can enjoy all summer.

"Homeowners want to create an outdoor space for their family, friends and neighbors to soak up the sunshine, the fresh air and relax as they enjoy their backyards," says Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella Windows and Doors spokesperson. "Now's the time to bring that outdoor feeling into your home year-round by installing a stylish, energy-efficient patio door."

When choosing a patio door to connect and help protect your home from the great outdoors, consider the amount of space available, climate conditions, y our home's style and your budget.

Consider a hinged patio door if you have ample space to allow the door to swing and want to make a grand entrance to your outdoor area. Consider installing French-style hinged patio doors with two movable doors that swing open from the sides, or single hinged doors that create simple elegance.

Another popular option is a sliding patio door. They don't swing, so they require less open floor space than a hinged door. A unique design from Pella puts the sliding panel on the outside - so when the wind blows against it, it creates a tighter seal, helping save energy. For added convenience and protection from insects, the self-storing retractable Rolscreen for sliding doors rolls out of sight when not in use.
 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

What that job ad is really asking for

(ARA) - In today's job market, beginning your career can feel overwhelming. Having the right education, experience and motivation is key - but too often, candidates may hurt their chances of getting that first job before they even submit their resume.

So how can you interpret job ads to determine what an employer is really looking for in a candidate? Career counseling experts at DeVry University routinely advise students on how to read job ads in order to have the best chance of securing the position. Here are some of their top tips:

* Entry-level means that the company is looking for someone with minimal experience, and will be paying based on that level of experience.

* Experienced could mean that the company is looking for candidates who typically have at least three years of experience in the field, or skills that can be utilized in their advertised position. "Undergraduate and graduate degrees can often be substituted for some of the expected experience," says Florence Herman, director of career services at DeVry University in New Jersey.

* Working knowledge or familiarity with usually means that you should be familiar with the qualifications and understand what they are, but don't necessarily need directly related experience, says Herman.
 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tips to protect your identity during the 2010 census

(ARA) - It's important to know that filling out the forms sent by the U.S. Census Bureau is safe -- but you need to be aware of potential scams.

Census workers will ask the same questions that are on the census forms that your receive in the mail, including things like your name, address and so on, but they will not ask for your full Social Security number, money or donations.

If you see something in your e-mail inbox that purports to be from the census, forward the e-mail to ITSO.Fraud.Reporting@census.gov. Don't click any links, open any attachments or reply with any information. The U.S. Census Bureau does not conduct the census through the Internet or e-mail.

The possibility of fraud during the census is a great reminder that ID theft is a year 'round possibility. The credit reporting agency Equifax offers services like ID Patrol, which allows subscribers to receive alerts if their Social Security number or credit card numbers are found on Internet trading sites, among other things.

Don't be afraid to ask workers for official identification and always report any suspicious activity related to the census to the Census Bureau. You can find your local office by going to www.census.gov/regions.
 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Put your cell phone away and keep your hands on the wheel

(ARA) - It's the new drinking and driving -- and for good reason. As Americans become more addicted to their cell phones, BlackBerry devices and other PDAs, lawmakers throughout the nation are taking action in the wake of a disturbing national trend linking cell phone use with car crashes.

As a result of the growing number of cell phone-related crashes, more states are pushing for legislation to ban cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle, according to FindLaw.com, the Internet's leading Web site for legal information. States that have banned the handheld use of cell phones by drivers include California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Utah and Washington as well as the District of Columbia.

The facts are especially alarming for teenagers, for whom driving-related incidents are the leading cause of death. According to a National Highway and Traffic Safety Agency report, more than 50 percent of teens admit to talking or texting on a cell phone while driving. At least 20 states, including Texas, currently ban any kind of cell phone use by teenage drivers, says FindLaw.com.

To learn more about cell phone use and driving laws, visit www.findlaw.com.
 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Selling your home in tough times

(ARA) - A few years ago, it seemed like you could stake a "for sale" sign outside your home and within a few hours you would have multiple offers. Not anymore.

The following steps offered by FindLaw.com, one of the nation's leading online sources for real estate law, can pay dividends in helping you achieve a quick sale to obtain a price that reaches your desired goal.

* Assemble your team. Take the time to get referrals from friends, and meet with a few prospects before you hire anyone.

* Conduct a pre-inspection. A pre-inspection is a non-binding report to help you address any issues with your home that may not meet local or state codes and ordinances.

* Conduct a comp. A "comp" is shorthand among real estate agents for comparing your home to similar types of homes in your area.

* Price aggressively, but not too aggressively.

* Fill out the disclosure forms.

* Make it easy to say "yes." Offer other information about the neighborhood and community, such as information about schools, places to shop and dine, commuting to and from a downtown city center and nearby recreational opportunities such as bike and running paths, parks, etc.

To learn more about real estate law, visit www.findlaw.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tech toys taking over youths' interests

(ARA) - It's chic to be a geek if you're a kid today. Technology has become the status quo for kids, something they expect to see incorporated across all facets of life: at school, home and especially at play. Video games, mobile devices and electronic gadgets dominate the lives of young people, and have become largely the products of choice among today's geek chic kids.

Industry analyst research confirms a decline in sales for traditional toys, and a steady rise in adoption of electronics and video games. The result is a trend of more and more kids playing alone with a machine, lacking in social interaction and the fun of classic play with their peers.

Products like Nanovor, a digital battling monster game, are merging the best of both worlds to give kids what experts are calling a "connected play experience." This provides online digital play as well as an electronic offline component that encourages play with friends. Integration between the online Nanovor game and a connected toy called the Nanoscope, delivers a play experience that allows the players' activity online to enhance what they do offline, and what they do offline to enhance online play in an unbroken circle. Further, the connected play experience provides the benefits of social interaction with friends and promotes a healthy love for exploration.
 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

In this issue

  - Tax Credits Provide Outstanding Opportunities for Home Buyers

  - Bring the sunshine and backyard into your home this summer

  - What that job ad is really asking for

  - Tips to protect your identity during the 2010 census

  - Put your cell phone away and keep your hands on the wheel

  - Selling your home in tough times

  - Tech toys taking over youths' interests
 

  - Recipe of the month - Shrimp Curry with Pineapple-Ginger Rice

  - Stop Foreclosure

RESOURCE CENTER

LENDERS

Dawn R. Cameron
Home Mortgage Consultant
Renovation Specialist
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

O: 631-382-2248

C: 631-860-4845

dawn.r.cameron@wellsfargo.com

dferlisi@mlend.com 

O: 301-694-7235

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Shrimp Curry with Pineapple-Ginger Rice

Makes: four servings

Ingredients:
1-1/4 cups long grain rice
1-2/3 cups water
1-1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 can (8 ounces) DOLE Crushed Pineapple, drained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint
1 large onion, quartered
1 (2-inch long) piece fresh ginger, peeled
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1-1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1 to 2 fresh serrano chiles, halved lengthwise
1 cup chicken broth
1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 pound medium to large shrimp, peeled and de-veined

Directions:
Rinse rice several times in cold water, in large bowl until water is clear. Drain in colander. Combine water, rice, ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt in large sauce pan over medium-high heat to boiling. Reduce heat, cook, covered for 15 minutes or until rice is tender. Remove from heat; let stand covered for five minutes. Stir in crushed pineapple, basil and mint. Keep warm.

Place onion and ginger in food processor container; cover and pulse until finely chopped. Cook onion mixture, remaining salt and sugar in hot oil in large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until onion begins to brown, about five minutes. Stir in curry powder and chiles, cook, stirring frequently about two minutes. Stir in broth, coconut milk and lime juice, simmer for five to eight minutes stirring occasionally until thickened. Stir in shrimp and simmer, stirring occasionally, about three minutes or until shrimp turns pink. Serve shrimp curry with a scoop of rice. Garnish rice with broiled or grilled pineapple slice, if desired.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

If you or someone you know needs help with a property, I am a distressed property expert and I’d be happy to help your friends and family.  I'm never too busy for your referrals!