Find Idaho Homes

Click to view this email in a browser

Todd Wardle's...

Service For Life! ^®

Insider Tips for Healthy, Wealthy and Happy Living

Inside This Issue...

Spring Alert: 5 Seasonal Scams To Avoid...
How To Start A Family Blog To Stay Connected...
Fun Facts and Laughs: Wacky Instructions On Products,
A Helpful Site To Save For College, And More...
Trivia Challenge: Win Free Movie Tickets For Two or?
Real Estate Q&A: Where Do I Get Help If I'm In Trouble
With My Mortgage?

If you're not already a subscriber to my free e-newsletter email me to sign-up

Todd Wardle
Phone: (208) 322-8638
Email: Todd@FindIdahoHomes.com www.FindIdahoHomes.com

Dear {FIRST_NAME|Friend}...

Are you looking for a new way to stay connected with your family? You might want to create your own blog (short for web log). Learn how to get started in today's Service For Life! ^® Free consumer newsletter.

A little news on what is going on in the housing market.

March sales were 512 in Ada County, a decrease of 12% over March 2010.Historically, March sales increase by an average of 35% over February. This year is consistent with that as March sales are 34% higher than February 2011 sales. Of our total sales in March…slightly less than 58% were distressed….unchanged from February 2011. (Short sales 2% and REO’s 37%). Distressed sales continue to dominate the market. Median home price for existing homes continues to show large variances from month to month. We are used to gradual shifts, but swings of $10K to $15K makes it hard to see trends as clearly.

You'll also learn about some of the scams you should avoid this spring – plus funny jokes, a trivia challenge, and lots more.

To health, success and laughter in your life!
todd wardle sig

Todd Wardle
REALTOR^®

PS. Need information? I can help with my free conumers reports. My new one " Home Hazards" can give you information on lead paint, Radon gas and more. Pick up a copy by emailing me at Todd@FindIdahoHomes.com , or call me at: (208) 322-8638

Today's Brain Teaser . . .

In Tibet they call it Chomolungma, mother goddess of the universe. The Nepalese call it Sagarmatha, goddess of the sky.

What is it? (answer below)

5 Seasonal Scams To Avoid . . .

Ah Spring! When thoughts turn to vacation planning, home improvement and even spring cleaning. Unfortunately, it's also time for scammers to take advantage of those thoughts. You think you won't be a victim, but you'd be surprised how many people get caught off guard by these seasonal scams:

"You're eligible for a free vacation." You get a letter saying you could have a free vacation if you give a credit card number to pay for a deposit. It may look authentic (scammers copy company logos) but it may be a come-on for a bogus vacation club. Here's a tipoff: you're told to call a number that starts with 876, 868, 809, 758, 784, 664, 473, 441, 284 or 246. These are for Caribbean countries and Bermuda; chances are you'll be on hold a long time.

"This rental could be yours." Scammers write phony ads (using real pictures they've copied from other sites) to get you to sign up for luxurious rental properties. Don't do the wire transfer they ask for. Instead, contact a travel agent or local real estate agent or use a web site that you have verified is legitimate (try one like www.homeaway.com).

"We were in the neighborhood." You know those people who knock at your door and say they noticed your gutters need cleaning or your yard needs work? While that may be true, these people may not do the job properly. Check with the Better Business Bureau, go to a site like Angie's List or ask friends for references before you sign up for home improvement work.

"We're from the power company." These scammers may ask if you want a free energy audit. They may even have IDs (anyone can print their own now). Beware of pairs – one diverts your attention while the other steals your stuff. Utility companies usually tell you in advance; call them immediately.

"Your grandson needs help." AARP warns seniors about that call that says your grandchild has been arrested or hospitalized while on Spring break and needs money. Scammers get the names from social networking sites. The caller may claim to be a lawyer or police officer. Take the number and do an internet search. Better yet, call your grandchild directly.

Forward this article to a friend

Learn About Home Hazards!

Need information? I can help with my free conumers reports. My new one " Home Hazards" can give you information on lead paint, Radon gas and more. Pick up a copy by emailing me at Todd@FindIdahoHomes.com , or call me at: (208) 322-8638

How To Start A Family Blog . . .

You don't have time to send e-mails, much less cards, letters and photos to keep your family in the loop. You can use Facebook, but why not create your own blog? It's easy, fun and you can do it as an individual or a group.

To get started, check out some of the free blogging hosts, such as www.wordpress.com, www.livejournal.comg or www.blogger.com. Each one has templates, instructions and features like custom privacy settings and ability to post from your mobile phone. You can upgrade to a paid account later, if you need advanced features.

Here are some keys to success from experienced bloggers:

Keep posts short and to the point (300 words or less).
Include lots of photos (make sure to size them correctly).
Don't use it to vent (unless it's entertaining).
Set a date in your calendar so it's updated monthly (or weekly).

Another plus: You can even publish your blog as a book once a year!

Forward this article to a friend

Here's A Free, Valuable Resource...

If you'd like to receive a Free List of gorgeous homes, personally researched to meet your individual requirements (with no obligation whatsoever), please call me at (208) 322-8638.

Fun Facts and Laughs . . .

Wacky Instructions On Products . . .

Optional modem required. (On a computer software package)
Do not drive with sunshield in place. (On a cardboard sunshield that keeps sun off the dashboard)
Do not look into laser with remaining eye. (On a laser pointer)
Watercraft riders may suffer injury due to the forceful injection of water into body cavities either by falling into the water or while mounting the craft. (In a jet ski manual)

A Helpful Site To Save For College . . .

Are you saving money for your kids' college education?

Learn everything you need to know by going to: www.savingforcollege.com

Have A Laugh – With Dave Barry . . .

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, gosh, you're right! I never would've thought of that!

Buying the right computer and getting it to work is no more complicated than building a nuclear reactor from wristwatch parts in a dark room using only your teeth.

Scientists tell us that the fastest animal on earth is a cow that has been dropped out of a helicopter.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Thank You! Thank You!

Thanks to all of my clients and friends who support my practice and graciously referred me to your friends and neighbors! Rather than pester people with unwanted calls and visits, I build my business based on the positive comments and referrals from people just like you. I couldn't do it without you!

Trivia Challenge for the Month...

"Who Else Wants To Win Movie Tickets For Two, or for local residents I have Two 30 Day Passes to Meridian KOKO FitClub (http://www.kokofitclub.com) ?"

Guess who won last month's Trivia Question? I'm pleased to announce the lucky winner of last month's quiz. And the winner is...drum roll please: Sandra Daffer of Boise .

Which of these countries does not currently have a female president or prime minister?

a) Australia b) Ireland
c) Switzerland d) the Philippines

The answer is d) the Philippines. The president is Benigno S. Aquino III. His mother, Corazon Aquino, was the first woman to hold that office in the Philippines. So, let's move on to this month's trivia question.
.

Which of these famous films did not win an Oscar for Best Picture?

a. West Side Story

b. Citizen Kane

c. Rocky

d. Casablanca

EMAIL ME AT: Todd@FindIdahoHomes.com OR Call Me At (208) 322-8638 And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!

Brain Teaser Answer:

Mount Everest! – the world's highest mountain above sea level at 29,035 ft (8,850 m) is located in the Himalayas on the Nepal-Tibet border.

Thanks For Thinking of Me!

Did you know I can help you or any of your friends or family save time and money when buying or selling a home? Thanks for keeping me in mind with your referrals...and spreading the word about my services.

Real Estate Q & A . . .

Q. I'm in trouble with my mortgage. How can I get help?

A. If you don't know where to turn for reliable answers or need to sort through your options, turn to these experts for advice:

Your REALTOR^® can determine the current value of your home and review your options if you owe more than the home is worth. Knowledgeable agents can also explain more about government programs available today.

A Foreclosure Counselor will help you evaluate your current financial situation by reviewing your monthly expenses and income. They can also identify assistance programs and serve as an advocate with your bank, free of charge.

A Tax Expert may be needed if you decide to do a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure as forgiveness of debt is sometimes considered taxable income.

A Credit Counselor can help develop a plan to avoid future financial difficulty and work to repair your credit score if you've already missed payments.

An Attorney can help if your lender has filed a foreclosure lawsuit. They can review the lender's paperwork and see if the loan servicing company made a mistake in applying payments or assessing fees.

If you have any questions, or need capable and trustworthy representation, please email me at Todd@FindIdahoHomes.com .

THANK YOU... for reading my Service For Life!^® personal newsletter. I wanted to produce a newsletter that has great content and is fun and valuable to you. Help your friends get more out of life by forwarding this email to them...

You received this email because you requested it, are on the mailing list as {EMAIL_ADDRESS}, or a friend forwarded it to you.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this email is intended for informational purposes. It should not substitute as legal, accounting, investment, medical and other professional services advice. Always seek a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. This email is not intended to solicit real estate properties currently for sale.

Click to view this email in a browser