The March/April edition of Realtor Magazine (yes, I read this, but don’t expect you to!) featured an article that I found to be quite entertaining and wanted to share it with you.
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1.  In an attempt to stem the problem of unwanted manure left in front of residential properties and businesses, Watertown NY is considering a law requiring horses to wear diapers.

2.  Residents of Illinois (excluding Chicago) are now permitted to pain their trees purple in order to keep trespassers off their property.

3.  Hedges that encroach on sidewalks must be kept trimmed in Plattsburgh, NY.  The new law allows the city to trim overgrown hedges and bill property owners.  Similar laws in Lockport, NY and Harlingen, TX allow the town to mow residents lawns when grass grows over one foot.

4.  Toy ranches in Pitkin County, CO, are no longer considered agricultural properties.  A property is considered a toy ranch if the property around the house is used for grazing but the house itself isn’t integral to the ranching operation.

5.  Home owners in South Carolina who want to recycle copper pipes must obtain a permit from their local sheriff’s office.  The goal is to curb illegal stripping of copper for cash sale to recyclers.

Here is a link to the original article, including sources for each law: http://realtormag.realtor.org/law-and-ethics/feature/article/2012/03/5-obscure-real-estate-laws

Regardless of who was at fault, this intersection is a dangerous one.  I should know, it is in my neighborhood and I cross at this crosswalk almost daily.  In the past six months I alone have caused 2 minor fender benders, all because someone stopped, but the car behind them did not stop in time.  This intersection is located on two blind curves, and at night it is nearly impossible to see who is crossing the street.

Tonight a vigil was held.  For a few hours, the southeast corner of this intersection was lit with candles, flashlights, and tears.  There had to be close to 75 people there by 8:30, most of them friends.  Despite the lights and the large number of people, many cars did not slow down or stop for pedestrians crossing the street.  I don’t think this was intentional, I just don’t think they were visible to the drivers.

Some have mentioned the need for more police handing out traffic tickets.  Others have mentioned it is a non-issue since it is not listed as one of Berkeley’s dangerous intersection and there are others that are worse.  Are you kidding?  A kid was killed and something needs to happen!  More lighting, flashing pedestrian lights…something!  My husband and I spoke to the Berkeley Police about this intersection last September and they said “Bring it up with the City Council.”  Seriously?

Do you know the dark spots in your neighborhood?  Do you know alternate routes to use when driving?  When crossing the street?  Do you use a flashlight or clothing with reflectors at night?  A life was taken much to early this week and I can guarantee that in my family, helmets will always be worn and flashlights will be used at night.  Life is much to precious not to.

1) Zoom in, you will see the wooden dinosaur sticking his head out of the window (spotted in North Oakland)

2) Mobile Offices at their best! (spotted outside of Whole Foods in Berkeley)

3) Talk about vintage! (spotted on Euclid in Berkeley)

He contacted me regarding a couple of items he received.  The first item went something like this:

“Our records indicate that you have not taken advantage of our low cost Mortgage Protection Insurance…”

To someone who doesn’t know, it looks official.  DON’T FILL IT OUT.

The second item was even better:

“Important Notice…Declaration of Homestead Request Form.”  This one included a copy of the recorded Grant Deed and was from “Title Concepts Plus.”  ARE YOU SERIOUS? 

I had no idea that these types of items were being sent out.  If you just purchased a home, be wary of ANYTHING you receive in the mail that doesn’t come from the title company you used to purchase the house, or from the bank who holds your loan.

30 Year Fixed Conforming: 5.375%/5.411%APR

30 Year Fixed Agency-Jumbo: 5.625%/5.742%APR

15 Year Fixed Agency-Jumbo: 5.000%/5.194%APR

5 Year Fixed Conforming (1 Point): 4.375%/4.483%APR

5 Year Fixed Int.Only Conforming (1 Point): 4.490%/4.502%APR

The graph of “Affordable and Actual Median Home Prices” illustrates a comparison of estimated affordable home prices and actual median home prices in the East Bay for the years 2002-2008. We used median family income from U.S. Census’ American Community Survey ⁵, a 30% ratio of mortgage interest and principle payments to income, an 80% loan-to-value ratio (which implies that the family has a 20% down-payment) and a conventional 30 year fixed mortgage rate from Federal Housing Finance Board survey to calculate hypothetical affordable home prices.

On the supply side, the market is in the process of burning off excess inventory. The latest home price estimates using the OFHEO Price Index for the 3rd Quarter show East Bay home prices have continued to fall and are down -26% from the peak of June 2006. Even more telling is the fact that the average increase in home prices in the East Bay over the last five years is only 14% percent. After adjusting for inflation, home values have not increased since the 3rd Quarter of 2003. Therefore, the excess appreciation of homes in the East Bay has for the most part been burned off and home prices are relatively close to their long run trend.

To read the entire report, and i recommend you do, click here:

http://www.eastbayeda.org/research_facts_figures/Newsletter/Quarterly/Q2009/Q12009/realestate.html