Hi Friends,
I changed the banner and the tagline for the site. My goal is to add more information on the site that will benefit home owners in South Jersey. Please let me know what you think of the new banner.
Here is the full photo which was taken by my wife Katrina at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge:
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge Sunset
Hurricane Irene is coming to NJ soon! Are you ready? I received this email from Mike Wrigley at Liberty Public Adjusters. I hope this information is helpful.
Best wishes and stay safe!
Matt
For more information about Liberty Public Adjuster, go to:
www.LibertyPublicAdjusters.com
Hurricanes are strong storms that cause life- and property threatening hazards such as flooding, storm surge, high winds and tornadoes. Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane.
Know the Difference
Hurricane Watch—Hurricane conditions are a threat within 48 hours. Review your hurricane plans, keep informed and be ready to act if a warning is issued.
Hurricane Warning—Hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. Complete your storm preparations and leave the area if directed to do so by authorities.
What should I do?
_ Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).
_ Check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed.
_ Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind (bicycles, lawn furniture).
_ Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If you do not have hurricane shutters, close and board up all windows and doors with plywood.
_ Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out.
_ Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
_ Fill your car’s gas tank.
_ Talk with members of your household and create an evacuation plan. Planning and practicing your evacuation plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.
_ Learn about your community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required and make plans for your pets to be cared for.
_ Evacuate if advised by authorities. Be careful to avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.
_ Because standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, it’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the U.S. For more information on flood insurance, please visit the National Flood
Insurance Program Web site at www.FloodSmart.gov.
What supplies do I need?
_ Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
_ Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
_ Flashlight
_ Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
_ Extra batteries
_ First aid kit
_ Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
_ Multi-purpose tool
_ Sanitation and personal hygiene items _ Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address,
deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
_ Cell phone with chargers
_ Family and emergency contact information
_ Extra cash
_ Emergency blanket
_ Map(s) of the area
_ Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
_ Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
_ Tools/supplies for securing your home
_ Extra set of car keys and house keys
_ Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
_ Rain gear
_ Insect repellent and sunscreen
_ Camera for photos of damage
What do I do after a hurricane?
_ Continue listening to a NOAA Weather Radio or the local news for the latest updates.
_ Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.
_ If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
_ Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
_ Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.
_ Stay out of any building that has water around it.
_ Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance purposes.
_ Use flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles.
_ Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it’s not contaminated.
_ Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
_ Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.
_ Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.
_ Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
Liberty Public Adjusters LLC
Phone: (609) 289-1169
FAX: (855) 246-8246
Email: MWrigley@LPAdjusters.com
www.LibertyPublicAdjusters.com
The adjuster and advocate for the property owner
Commercial or Residential
No fee consultation
No upfront costs
We get the property owner paid for their loss
Fire, Smoke, Wind & Water, we handle it ALL
Licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Available 24/7 to handle your claim
Call Us FIRST!
Michael H. Wrigley
Liberty Public Adjusters LLC
800.223.7010 Office
609.289.1169 Cell
855.246.8246 Fax
Did you know there is a grant program for military first time home buyers?
Active duty personnel, veterans, retired members of the military, and employees of the U.S. Department of Defense and Department Of Homeland Security are eligible to apply.
The grant will provide up t0 $5,000 toward down payment and closing costs to purchase a first home.
The program is run by the national non profit Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation and is called their Dream Makers Program.
For more information on the grant program go to: http://www.pentagonfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dream_index
In an article published in THE STREET, we learn that some of the largest lenders are taking more of a shine to short sales as an alternative to proceeding with foreclosure.
That is good news for distressed homeowners who have a lot to lose in a foreclosure, including a death-blow to their credit and the prospect of not qualifying for a mortgage in the next decade. A short sale will blunt some of the credit hit and a person will at least be eligible for government backed mortgage products in two years.
Banks are finding out the hard way in places like New Jersey that the courts are on to their many faceted games meant to reclaim homes quickly and efficiently through foreclosure. With the ghost of robosignings past haunting their current efforts the banks know that foreclosures will not come easy in the Garden State, though they will come eventually if homeowners bury their heads in the sand.
The question is, why would a bank prefer to short sell a house rather than just foreclosing and owning it outright. Simply there are a few reasons.
First, as I stated above, the courts in New Jersey are slow to move toward foreclosure. NJ has one of the strictest tenant anti-eviction laws in the country, how do you think the courts feel about people getting kicked out of houses they own?
Second, the Banks have no interest in owning a bunch of empty houses across the country. They know that these properties are invitations for squatters, damage, theft of copper pipes and wiring and well, general mayhem. The state law is a bank which owns a property must maintain that property and many of the towns I work in hold them to it. That is $$$ flying out the window.
Thirdly, a short sale provides some money to the lenders/investors so they can move on to better investments with at least something. In a world where I lost 10% of the value in my retirement account over the past three days I guess getting 80 cents on the dollar now instead of 50 cents later is still a good deal.
Why would a distressed homeowner short sell instead of riding it out until the bank finally takes the place?
Is that a day you want to live? The day the sheriff’s officer comes to tell you to get out or go to jail? Some days are just a disaster, when you want to go back to bed (and probably should to cut your losses) and read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible Very Bad day to compare your last few hours with old down-on-his-luck Alex.
If it were one day then maybe waiting around would be worth it. But this day from hell has friends who also want to crash at your place. There is “the day your boss and former boyfriends/girlfriends read that your house is up for Sheriffs sale”, which might happen a couple of times for good measure. Another day will be, “strange people snooping around your house day” to evaluate the investment or as representatives of the lender, great people to have around your kids, trust me. A bunch of other days will be “scam artist menagerie day” as every snake oil salesman within 50 miles comes to offer you illegal too good to be true plans to beat the banks at their game. Remember these lenders are playing with House (and Senate) money. If they can get bailed out by the Federal government they are not going to fall for unemployed used car salesman guy’s foolproof ideas.
Also consider what I wrote above, 2 years and you could be back in the game. Manage your money right, get some money together to put down. OK, maybe 2 years is a little too soon to get back on that horse. How about 3? 5? 7? With a short sale instead of a foreclosure you have that option.
In the end it pays to look at all of your options. I am a real estate attorney who thrives on helping distressed homeowners get out from under a weight that may crush them if they do not act and act decisively. My best days are helping people restart their lives. I encourage you to call me at 856-385-7081 for a free phone or in person consultation. So much to lose if you don’t act and quite a bit to gain if you are willing to face this chapter of your life with a little help.
Jim Schroeder
www.southjerseyshortsaleattorney.com