IMPROVEMENT DOLLARS ~ WHERE SHOULD THEY GO?

$$$$$$$$$ Hi Folks .... Something to think about $$$$$$$$$ Improvement Dollar: If you’re considering having some remodeling done, it pays to know what will add the most value to your house. Here are some of the best ways to spend your hard-earned home improvement dollars. INSTALL A STEEL DOOR : Replacing an existing wooden or fiberglass front door with a steel entry door is the number one project in Remodeling Magazine’s 2014 Cost vs. Value Report. Is it any wonder? It adds 96.6% of the cost of the job to the value of your home, improves security and increases energy efficiency. It also makes a strong first impression and adds curb appeal. UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN : The kitchen is considered the heart of every home. If yours is in need of an update, the changes are usually money well-spent. The average cost of a minor kitchen remodel nationwide is under $19,000, according to the Cost vs. Value report. By adding new cabinet doors, appliances, countertops, paint and fixtures, you can recoup about 83% of the cost in your home’s value, according to the same survey. If your kitchen is small, you can also consider opening up a wall or reconfiguring your counter space to make the room look bigger. CREATE A NEW BEDROOM : If you’ve got an attic in your house, don’t let it go to waste storing old clothes and trunks full of memories. Converting your attic into an extra bedroom is another smart way to get a good bang for your renovating buck. Adding a bedroom without the expense of a new addition is a cost-effective way to enhance the value of any home, especially with an average cost recouped of just under 85%, according to Remodeling Magazine’s report. ADD A DECK : Installing an outdoor deck adds value to any home because it gives you more living space to enjoy with family and friends. According to the Cost vs. Value report, composite decks add over $11,400 in resale value to your home and wooden decks add over $8,300. You can’t go wrong with either, because wooden decks recoup almost 87.4% of your cost compared to 74.3% for composites. Redo the Bath Although it doesn’t pay off as much as a new kitchen, updating your bathroom by getting rid of that tired, old sink and dated green tile from the '80s is a smart move for your home. On average, bathroom remodels returned 72.5% nationwide. If you have the space and are considering adding a bathroom to your home, it’s probably a good idea. It can add as much as 20% to your home’s value, according to experts at the National Association of Home Builders. Source: 2014 Cost vs. Value Report

It's 5 o'clock Somewhere

MAKING A HOUSE A HOME !!!

*** SOLD *** CONGRATULATIONS to my clients on their Brand New Home in Chino, Ca. *** They are busy working to make this House their Home filled with Laughter and Love. I am so very Happy for them and Wish them many years of great times in their new home. Need help with finding Your New Home???? Call Cj at 909.910.2481 *** LISTED AT $599,670 & SOLD AT $599,670 ***

**Top Questions to Ask When Hiring Professional Movers**

**Hi Folks ... I thought this information can help a Bunch & So can I ... Call me at 909.910.2481 ... That's Cj** ........... Help eliminate the stress of hiring movers by knowing the essential questions to ask to get the answers you need. Consider a family’s move from Washington, D.C., to Texas. There’s a pick-up window of 9PM to midnight, followed by a stopover at a holding center in New York before everything’s reloaded onto a truck for Texas. Not an easy or straightforward endeavor. This is a scenario requiring detailed logistical planning and an abundance of caution to ensure your belongings get from point A to point B without damage. There’s no reason to leave a situation like this one to chance. Knowing the right questions to ask when hiring movers can lead you to the best ones for the job. Where do I begin? ... A good place to start is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Here you’ll find moving assistance, hints for identifying suspect movers and general responses to common moving concerns. If your stuff is already in storage, don’t be surprised if you start receiving solicitations from moving companies. Though you should do your own research, many of these solicitations include coupons worth considering. Is your move interstate?... If the move is between different states, then it’s likely an interstate move governed by the FMCSA. When an interstate mover registers with the FMCSA you have access to their safety rating and insurance requirements. To see if a specific mover is registered, begin at the Household Goods Program, where you can search by company or by state. With some extra investigating, you can find phone numbers for your state and other information. Can you give me the basics? ... The basics are general questions any mover should be able to answer easily. The ability to answer these questions is one indication that the moving company is reliable. • Do they have references? ... References nowadays aren’t limited to someone you call on the phone. Search online, discarding glowing and glowering reviews, and come up with an average feeling of what people are saying. Referrals are even better. • Do they recommend doing an in-home estimate, why or why not? ... In-home estimates are a good way to assess your move, especially in a larger home. • Is there a ceiling that the move can cost above the in-home estimate? ... Don’t forget, the key word in an in-home estimate is “estimate.” It’s just a guess as to how much things might cost. It’s important to know if the movers institute a maximum so there’s a limit to costs or hours spent. • Does the company contract out their moving services? .... If there is an outside contract, it shouldn’t be an automatic deal-breaker. Rather, you’re better informed about your moving day and less likely to be surprised. It’s a good idea to ask the contracting party some of these questions, too. • Does the move include any transfers to other trucks? ... Again, not a deal-breaker, but the more times your things are moved, the more opportunities there are for your items to get lost or damaged. It’s important to know how the mover catalogs your belongings to avoid loss. • What happens if your belongings are lost or damaged? .... The FMCSA has a portal to address disputes and complaints. But hopefully you’re able to resolve any dispute with your mover without involving a third party. Knowing their policies beforehand can help you down the line. • Do they calculate cost by weight? .... It’s impossible to know how much your belongings weigh. Weighing your belongings provides an objective measure as to costs. • Do they charge extra for blankets or shrink wrap? ... Blankets and shrink wrap should be provided at no extra cost. It's in the moving company's best interest to take every precaution to protect your valuables. • Do they move in the rain or snow?... Will they contact you with plenty of lead time if the elements are bad enough to delay or cancel the move? If the weather prevents a move, you should ask about their rescheduling policy and make sure there are no extra fees for something out of your control. Most reputable moving companies will do everything within their power to make sure you are safely moved on the day you require. Do I need extra insurance? ... Can you imagine having to replace all your stuff at once? It’s definitely not the type of shopping spree you’re after. Be cautious, and contact your insurance agent to confirm what kind of protection you have. Generally, if you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy, your belongings are protected. Still, it’s always a good idea to move your most cherished possessions yourself. Should I tip the crew? ... You may or may not be comfortable asking this question, especially if there's a chance that the company's phone representative is helping with the move. However, it never hurts to ask if the crew will be expecting a tip. Just as in any other service-based situation, tipping is optional. If you feel that the moving crew has done a good job and deserves a tip, Moving.com suggests tipping $10 to $20 per mover. Moving isn’t fun, but when you’re comfortable with the crew transporting your most prized possessions, your move can be less stressful and a bit more pleasant. Getting answers to these question from potential movers should help you worry less and breathe easier.

***** YOUR THOUGHTS *****

>>>>>> Hi Folks <<<<<< What do you think of this ??? Is it a yes or no <<<<<< And if you are ready for the Big Move .... I am here for you at 909/ 910.2481 .... That's Cj <<<<<<

!!!!! SUMMER SOLDS !!!!!

***** HI FOLKS .... HELP IS WAITING FOR YOU WITH ANY SELLING OR BUYING .... CALL CJ AT 909.910.2481 *****

10 Inside Tips From a Designer Who Specializes in Small Baths

++++ Hi Folks ++++ Hope this information helps out and if I can help you with your Buying or Selling needs just call 909.910.2481 .... That's Cj ++++ Got a small bathroom to renovate? Go wild with texture and colors if it’s a rarely used guest bath, but stick to clean and simple in a master bath. That’s the word from designer Jamie Gibbs, who transforms incredibly small New York City bathrooms into beautiful spaces. “I liked being shocked by details in a little space, especially if it’s not going to be used much,” Gibbs says. His small-bath secrets: 1. Avoid textures in bathrooms that get daily use. In a heavily used bathroom, anything with texture becomes a collection spot for mold, mildew, and toothpaste. Say no to carved vessel sinks or floor tile with indentations. 2. Be careful with no-enclosure showers with drains right in the floor. These Euro showers allow for a feeling of openness, but the average American contractor doesn’t know how to waterproof the floor for them, Gibbs says. The tile seals can be compromised if not installed correctly, causing the materials to decompose, and water to leak underneath. 3. Use opaque windows and skylights to let light filter into all parts of the bath. A long skinny window with frosted glass means you don't have to burn high-wattage light bulbs. Make sure water condensation will roll off the window into an appropriate place (i.e. not the framing or the wall) to avoid future maintenance issues. 4. Look for fixtures that have a single handle rather than separate hot and cold taps. “Space-saving gearshift faucets are a very good choice in small bathrooms,” says Gibbs. You’ll also save money by not having to drill holes in the countertop for the hot and cold taps. 5. Save space with wall-mounted toilets and bidets, but be aware that the water tank goes into the wall. That’s fine if space is such a premium that you won’t mind going into the wall to make any repairs. But if you share a wall with a neighbor, that's a different issue. 6. Use a wall-mount faucet to make a reduced-depth vanity work in a small space. “I can get away with a 22” vanity instead of a 24” vanity with a wall mount faucet,” Gibbs says. 7. Check the space between the handles and the faucet of any space-saving fixtures. “If you can only get a toothbrush in it to clean, you'll save space, but it’s functionally stupid,” Gibbs says. Make sure the sink is functional, too. If you’re using a vessel sink, make sure it’s large enough and not too high. “If it’s too high, you'll knock it so many times that the fittings will come loose,” Gibbs says. 8. A pedestal sink is all form and no function. “It’s a great-looking sink, but there’s no place to [set] anything,” Gibbs says. 9. Wall-mounted vanities seem like they’re space savers, but they create dead space between the vanity and the floor — a space that often accumulates junk and never gets cleaned. 10. If you're comfortable with it, go European and put up a glass walls between the bathroom and bedroom to create the illusion of space. Or put bathroom fixtures in the bedroom just outside the bath. Dona DeZube

JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS

!~!~! HOWDY FOLKS !~!~! .. WELL TAKING A COUPLE OF DAYS AND HEADING OUT TO LAUGHLIN, NV. FOR SOME NEEDED R&R AND A LITTLE TIME IN THE SUN TOO .... EVERYONE HAVE A GREAT NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS !~!~!... I STILL CAN BE REACHED AT 909.910.2481 ~ CJ !~!~!

$$$ SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED IF YOUR MORTGAGE IS SOLD? $$$

$$$$ HI FOLKS ... AN FYI FOR YOU ....IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ... FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT 909.910.2481 CJ ... $$$$ Do you ever wonder why your mortgage statements sometimes come from different companies? There’s a reason for that, and it’s called the secondary mortgage market. The process of applying for and maintaining payments on a mortgage can be complex — primarily because of what happens behind the scenes. To make it even more confusing, the company that originally lent you the money to buy your new home will likely sell your mortgage in the secondary mortgage market to an investor. What’s the secondary mortgage market? This is where investors — such as Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, pension funds, hedge funds, other mortgage companies, and banks, for example — purchase assets or loans, including mortgages, as well as the bonds that finance these assets. While lenders tend to hold high-balance loans in their portfolio, they usually sell most mortgages because that’s the easiest way a lender can generate cash to make new mortgages. Without the secondary mortgage market, lenders wouldn’t be able to originate as many mortgages as they do. Investors like snapping up mortgages because they’re backed by a tangible asset that you can see and touch, and that builds value over time — your home. Generally, house values go up, but in the event that they don’t and a borrower defaults, the equity in the home, or your down payment, is intended to cover this loss. This is why most lenders restrict a mortgage’s loan-to-value ratio, or LTV, to 80% of the house value. Does this sale affect me, the borrower? Yes, and it starts at the application process. But you shouldn’t be worried; it’s nothing you haven’t probably already heard about, especially if you’re been doing your homework. (And law protects you from abuses by the new owner of your loan). For a lender to be able to sell in the secondary mortgage market, the loans need to meet the requirements of the investor buying them; it makes sense that investors are willing to pay more for higher-quality mortgages. In essence, mortgages are underwritten so that they can be sold for the best possible price. This is why underwriting guidelines can be strict and why lenders want to see proof of employment and income to make sure you can afford to repay the loan without stretching your budget. The interest rate you’re offered also reflects the price that investors will pay for your mortgage — and lenders use all kinds of info such as credit score and debt-to-income ratios to determine your overall mortgage-worthiness (read: likelihood of repayment). It’s easier to sell a mortgage in the secondary market when an investor is confident the borrower is unlikely to default. What happens to borrowers who can’t repay? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) works to protect someone who is struggling to pay the mortgage. Even though a new company now owns the loan, this company still has to follow standards to collect on a delinquent mortgage. To prevent servicer abuses, servicers are required to reach out to borrowers to help them solve the problem through options such as a loan modification or short sale before foreclosing on a loan. Servicers are also required to inform borrowers about interest rate changes and balances, for example, so that there are no surprises. Will the terms change once my mortgage is sold? Mortgages can be modified, but not unless the borrower and lender both agree on the new terms. The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, which also is enforced by the CFPB, prohibits lenders and servicers, as well as any subsequent companies that own your loan, from changing the terms of your mortgage without your consent. Unless you ask that the interest rate or another term on the note be changed and the lender or new owner agrees, or you agree to a change the lender or new owner proposes, the new owner of your mortgage can’t make any changes. ……………Andrea Murad (Andrea Murad is a New York-based writer.)

^^^^^ OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY ^^^^^

*** HI FOLKS *** COME AND SEE SUMMIT RANCH COMMUNITY IN CHINO HILLS AND WHILE YOU DRIVE AROUND TO SEE ALL SUMMIT RANCH CAN OFFER *** STOP BY AND CHECK OUT THIS 4BD/ 3 BATH HOME AT THE END OF A CUL-DE-SAC.** OPEN FROM 1:00 TO 3:30 PM, SUNDAY AUG.2nd ** LISTED AT ONLY $645,400 OR CALL CJ WITH ANY QUESTIONS AT 909.910.24891 ** 15628 OBSIDIAN CT., CHINO HILLS ** SEE YOU THERE~!***