3/29/07 Newsletter

In BOICE MAIL this week...

"Pic" of the week:

16 year old Chinese diver He Zi performing an "inward 2 1/2 somersault" at the FINA World Campionships in Melbourne, Australia. She took the world title away from Canada's Blythe Hartley at this competition.
http://english.cri.cn/2886/2007/03/23/272@208437.htm

Headline Mortgage News:

Beazer Homes being investigated by the Feds - CNN Money article:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/27/news/companies/beazer.reut/index.htm?postversion=2007032719

"Mortgage rates hold steady" CNN Money
http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/29/real_estate/mortgage_rates/index.htm?postversion=2007032910

Sale of H&R Block Mortage (to Option One) delayed:
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=OBR&Date=20070330&ID=6691174

Is New Century headed for bankruptcy?
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/bankruptcy-looming-new-century-financial/story.aspx?guid=%7B4CB670AA-8B60-4CB7-8F79-E24F57524044%7D

Re-Sales up, new home sales down - Mortgage News Daily
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/3272007_February_Existing_Home_Sales.asp

Another photo from the "Last Picture I Ever Took" contest
http://www.theinternetjournalist.com/?p=47

Thought for the Week:

“Always do right. This will gratify some and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain

How to keep more of your own paycheck

February 17, 2009 will be the last day TV stations can broadcast analog signals and must go entirely digital. For many people with older TVs, they will no longer be able to pick up signals over the air without a digital-to-analog converter. The government has been fussing around with the idea of converter rebates and coupons for people who want to keep using their old TVs. Now they have a plan -- to give each household a max of 2 coupons for $40 each (with a 3-month expiration date) starting next year. No one's saying yet how much each converter will cost. Here are the details: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/DTVconsumers.pdf

Banks are reducing the rewards you normally get for using their credit cards. So, it may be time to find a better card. Fidelity Investments used to offer a card that paid 2% of all your charge volume into a college savings plan. Well, that program is no longer available to people other than those who already have the card. Now, the company has reduced the benefit to 1.5%. And there is now a cap on how much you can earn each year for your child's education. Unfortunately, many other banks are following this trend. That doesn't mean you should close the accounts you have. Keeping them open helps your credit score. Just don't use that card anymore.

Saving for retirement has become so confusing these days that it's very possible for people to get scammed by con artists. The biggest targets are senior citizens and people who are close to retirement. Insurance companies and brokerage houses are duping older people out of their hard-earned money in trashy variable annuities. There are stories published about this all the time. The latest one is going on in Massachusetts, where "certified senior advisers" were putting older folks into garbage annuities. One 82-year-old got taken in an annuity sale and her money was locked up for two years. She had no money on which to live as a result. Annuities have massive commissions and horrible tax treatments. You are the only cop on the beat in this game because there are no laws preventing what these people do. Don't go to any free breakfasts, lunches or dinners where salespeople try to help you with your money, and don't let your loved ones go. 1.5% back into a Fidelity investment account. There is no limit on earning power. Capital One has a card that earns you 1% each month, plus an additional. .25% at the end of the year. Of course, that could change too. Always keep your options open.

And now, for this week's fun freebies!

Internet Security Suite 2007 from CA (Computer Associates) Home Protection Pack (3 user) – free after 2 $25 rebates:
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203166147&adid=17653&dcaid=17653

Domino's will give you some free MP3's at
http://www.dominos.com/home/dtPlayer.jsp

If you love to throw parties then check out this offer for a free Presidential Debate House Party Kit! (It includes coasters, cocktail napkins, stickers, and more)
http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/choice-action-center/take-action/house-party/

M.I.T. is offering now. You don't get college credit, but you get some great instruction.
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Writing-and-Humanistic-Studies/index.htm

Sea World and Busch Gardens are inviting active military and their families to enjoy their theme parks for free for one day.
http://commerce.4adventure.com/store/os_application.asp

And finally, Appraise That!


The "Hubcap House" in Peoria, Illinois is actually a business. For some reason, someone began decorating the exterior with the product about 50 years ago. Within the past two years, the hubcap exterior disappeared. Mayby they went out of business?
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/sights/sightstory.php?tip_AttrId=%3D14152


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BOICE APPRAISALS
885 Woodstock Road, Suite 430-305
Roswell, GA 30075
Office# 770-926-5284
Fax# 866-870-0930
order at: http://www.hotlynk.net/
http://www.highspeedhighstandards.com/

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3/23/07 Newsletter

"Pic" of the week:


Are you artistic? The U.S. Open Sandcastle Competion will take place this year on July 29, 2007. Top prize in the "Masters Category" will be $5000. See more sandcastle photos at the bottom of this newsletter.

Headline Mortgage News:

U.S. Housing Starts drop 28.6% in February. See this U.S. Census Bureau report:
http://www.census.gov/const/newresconst_200702.pdf

Builder Confidence Declines in March as subprime concerns fester:
http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?newsID=4258&print=false

Are Landlords back in the “driver’s seat”? Realty Times article says maybe so:
http://realtytimes.com/rtcpages/20070323_landlords.htm

Senator Dodd says FED was a “spectator for far too long” and should have seen the “perfect storm” coming in the subprime market – The Standard:
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=22&art_id=40780&sid=12796780&con_type=1

“America’s Most Dangerous States” – According to this CNN News article, Nevada is the most dangerous state in America. See this article for the complete list:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/22/real_estate/dangerous_states/index.htm?postversion=2007032212

Thought for the Week:

"We are each of us angels with only one wing, ans we can only fly by embracing each other"
Luciano de Crescenzo

Rare photo taken yesterday of a national SubPrime lender

How to keep more of your own paycheck

Best Buy is in some really hot water these days, you might have heard. There are now civil and criminal investigations going into practices at Best Buy, according to the Hartford Courant, which broke the story. It’s being reported that Best Buy had a fake Web site in its stores that was charging much higher prices than those found on the Web site accessed from a home computer. Both sites have the name bestbuy.com, but the in-store site was a bait and switch ploy, according to the Courant. When people came in and asked about the lower price they saw on their computer, they were told that the sale ended yesterday. At the worst, this was a criminal act. At the least, it was an extremely foolish move.

The Government Accountability Office has found out that 401k plans are ripping off workers investing in them by swiping massive fees from you each year. Some of them are taking as much as 5 percent a year off the top. Under law, there is no requirement that you be told what you’re being charged for “maintenance and fees.” So, it’s allowed insurance companies to take advantage of investors. If you own a business, you need to ask point blank exactly what you’re being charged. If you’re an employee and you think your account isn’t increasing as much as it should, you want to ask your human resources department what the fee schedule is. If it turns out that the plan is a rip off, you should consider moving your money into a Roth IRA. The best way for business owner to tell if they are getting taken is if your plan is from either an insurance company or stock brokerage company. You may want to consider setting up with Fidelity and Vanguard, the two biggest 401k administrators in the country. You can’t go wrong with either one, but Vanguard is definitely the least expensive. You should always save for your own retirement.

Citigroup, the country’s biggest credit card issuer, has initiated two customer-friendly initiatives. You may have heard about credit card companies raising rates whenever they want for any reason. It may have even happened to you personally. Credit card terms of service usually include a clause saying the bank can do that anytime. Well, Citigroup, which now goes by Citi, is doing away with that practice. Secondly, the company is no longer going to use what’s called “universal default” to boost your rate. Under a universal default clause, a company can jack up your interest rate significantly if your credit report shows any late payments. That means you could pay your electric bill a few days late and your credit card company increases your rate because that late payment is on your credit report. Citi is eliminating its universal default clause, which is great for the consumer. YAY!

And now, for this week's fun freebies!


No cost after rebate keyboard
http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-441747-10440897?

Free smoke alarms for seniors
http://www.ucan.org/forum/forums/san_diego_freebies/smoke_alarms_for_seniors

Free $5 Calling Card from DialBug.com
http://www.dialbug.com/couponcode.html

No cost after rebate Ipod case/cover/skin
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BV7ZPG/freelancebyuc/obidos/ASIN/B000BV7ZPG/freelancebyu

Free sample of BodiHead terapeutic self heating pads
http://www.beyondbodiheat.com/htmls/pre_free_sample_new.asp

And finally, Appraise That!

How much value does this exterior art work add

(or subtract)?

Brought to you by:

885 Woodstock Road, Suite 430-305
Roswell, GA 30075
Office# 770-926-5284
Fax# 866-870-0930
order at: http://www.hotlynk.net/
http://www.highspeedhighstandards.com/

Love our new "Boice Mail" more than life itself? Then sign up to be placed on our weekly newsletter distribution list at trinaboice@adelphia.net We'd love to hear from YOU too! We know you like being informed and even entertained a bit in between working all those big deals! See ya next week!

3/14/07 Newsletter

"Pic" of the week:


The mythical “Last Photo I ever Took” contest has sent several photos bouncing around the internet, lately. Most are “photo-shopped”, but this one is actually real. “What happened to the photographer”, you ask? Reuters photographer Desmond Boylan took this shot at the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain on July 7, 2002. Apparently he wrapped the camera in bubble wrap with the lens exposed and slid the camera under the barrier. Using a remote control, he snapped two photos as the enraged animal came charging. In case you are wondering, since 1924 13 runners have been killed and hundreds injured during this annual event.
http://www.glennbeck.com/archives/07-11-02.shtml

Headline Mortgage News:

Is the sub-prime “lending crisis” spilling into the broader U.S. economy? In this LA Times article, the comparison is made to a game of Jenga, in which the wooden pieces are being pulled out one by one:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fi-subprime14mar14,1,1253577.story?coll=la-headlines-frontpage

“Housing Recovery Likely This Year” according to the ever optimistic NAR:
http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2007/forecast_feb307_housing_recovery_likely.html

D.R. Horton has a backlog of 16,694 homes as of Feb 13. CEO says “’07 is going to suck”. – See CNN News article:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/07/real_estate/dr_horton.reut/index.htm?postversion=2007030717

The FBI is putting lenders and borrowers on notice – CNN article:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/08/real_estate/fbi_mortgage.reut/index.htm?postversion=2007030818

Your next new neighbor may be from Michigan. Businesses “flee the Wolverine State” according to this Wall Street Journal article:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009763

Is it really that bad out there? This URL takes you to the “Implode-O-Meter”, which chronicles, with gusto, the current hard times for sub-prime lenders:
http://www.lenderimplode.com/

Thought for the Week:

"Patience is also a form of action."
Auguste Rodin


Another one from the "Last Picture I Ever Took" contest
http://www.worth1000.com/

How to keep more of your own paycheck:

The cruise industry is struggling these days. The industry just wants to cover the most basic expenses in what they charge you for the room. That’s because the real money is made once you get on board. Shore excursions, drinking and gambling are just a few of the activities that will cost you much more on a cruise. But, with all the bad press of late, people aren’t cruising. As a result, companies are heavily discounting cabin costs. Ten-night Caribbean cruises are as cheap as $75 a night, according to the Miami Herald. Ocean-view rooms are minimally more for ten-day and weeklong cruises. So, if you’ve never been on a cruise, this could be your chance. If you’ve never gone on a cruise and have minimal knowledge of the industry, you may want to pay a bit more and sit down with a cruise travel agent. If you’ve been before, have at it. To hear the good, bad and ugly about different cruise lines go to cruisecritic.com. To book travel and save money check out www.trinastravel.globaltravel.com

There is a new website ( www.CustomerServiceArmy.com) whose mission is to stop the advance of bad customer service. Anyone can “enlist and fight” to improve the customer experience. Customers can go to the website to write reviews about their customer service experience for any business, organization or government agency within the United States whether it was in person, over the phone, or online. Businesses can also use the website to measure their real-time customer satisfaction for free. Currently, there are 1,173 "soldiers" on active duty. Yay!

And now, the fun freebies! (This week, it's all about your pets)

Free Desktop Kitty from Meow Mix:
http://www.meowmix.com/getfunstuff/meowpal.asp

Free Doggie Bag Belt Clip:
http://www.noworms.com/giveaway_form/index.cfm

Free sampl of wagging dog treats:
http://www.waggingd.com/frill%20sample%20form%201.htm

Free sample of Yappy dog treats:
http://www.yappytreats.com/free_gift.htm

Free feline greenies cat treats sample
http://www.felinegreenies.com/en_us/2k6sampling/feline.asp

Free nature zone reptile snacks:
http://www.naturezonepet.com/samples.html

Benny Bully's dog or cat treat sample:
http://www.bennybullys.com/samples.php

Gourmet cat food sample:
http://petitecuisine.com/~freesample

And finally, Appraise That!

This much photographed home is located in Hellam, Pennsylvania and was built in 1949 by Mahlon M. Haines, a millionaire who owned forty shoe stores in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Framed with wood, then covered with wire lath, it was then coated with cement stucco. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths on 5 levels.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/PAHALshoe.html

Brought to you by:
BOICE APPRAISALS
885 Woodstock Road, Suite 430-305
Roswell, GA 30075
Office# 770-926-5284
Fax# 866-870-0930
order at: www.hotlynk.net
www.highspeedhighstandards.com

Here is the Hellam, PA shoe house again. This 1950's post card is for sale on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Advertising-Postcard-Haines-Shoe-House-York-PA_W0QQitemZ200083494467QQihZ010QQcategoryZ20232QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

3/7/07 Newsletter

"Pic" of the week:

The Aquadom in Berlin, world’s largest cylindrical aquarium serves a centerpiece in the Radisson Hotel. It was completed in 2003 at a cost of approximately 12.8 million euros. http://fogonazos.blogspot.com/2007/01/aquadom-worlds-largest-cylindrical.html

Headline Mortgage News:


Worth the risk? Sub-prime experience today – CNN Money article:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/28/magazines/fortune/subprime.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2007030117

Has the residential market “hit bottom”? David Lareah thinks so – He is the NAR chief economist:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/01/magazines/fortune/nar.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2007030113

More appraisers pressured to inflate values – Kenneth Harney article in The Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/16614845.htm/mld/mercurynews/16614845.htm

Congress making broad use of the term “Predatory Lending”. If a borrower doesn’t make a payment, is it entirely the lenders fault? Bloomberg.com article:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aQKw_vL7cuLQ


Survey says…Men and Women are different (in work and life management skills) – See this RISMedia summary of a Day Timers survey:
http://www.rismedia.com/wp/2007-02-28/daytimers-survery-men-and-women-utilize-different-skills-to-achieve-success/

Buy vs Rent…for software? – No more installing; According to this CNET article, in the future, you may just pay for a license, then log on via the Web.
http://news.com.com/Adobe+to+take+Photoshop+online/2100-7345_3-6163015.html?tag=nefd.aof?tag=st.txt.caro

Thought for the Week:

“It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do for which we are accountable.”
MoliFre, 1622-1673, French Playwrite

Real or "PhotoShopped"?
"Walking the dog" has reached a new level.

How to keep more of your own paycheck

Last week we mentioned the vacuum rating done by Consumer Reports. They have just recently published their famous annual auto issue. The issue is considered one of the most reliable and thorough sources when reporting on which cars to buy and not to buy. Surprisingly, the least reliable of all cars this year is Mercedes. It has been moving slowly down the list, and this year the German automaker – with its 36 brands – is dead last. In fact, the report stated that a 10-year old Lexus is more reliable than a new Mercedes. Next to last was Land Rover, preceded by Hummer, Jaguar and Cadillac was fifth from the bottom. So, what are the most reliable brands? The top five are either Toyotas or Hondas. The No. 1 most reliable brand is Toyota, No. 2 is Honda, No. 3 is Scion, No. 4 is Acura and No. 5 is the Lexus. The cars that retain the most value over time are Toyotas and Hondas, so the cost is actually less than what it appears to be.

And now, for this week's fun freebies!

Free set of Gamma Asterisk 16 gauge tennis strings
http://www.asteriskstrings.com/registration.cfm

Optical Gaming Mouse – XG 2000dpi (red) – Free after Rebate
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203939976&adid=17070&dcaid=17070.asp?sku=203939976&adid=17070&dcaid=17070

Snail Mail Minute Maid Coupon
http://www.jjsnack.com/minutemaid/couponform.asp

FloorPlan 3D v.11 Remodel & Home Design software – Free after rebates
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=202791986&adid=17654&dcaid=17654

Free tire rotation and brake inspection at Big O Tires. Print this coupon:
www.bigo.com/coupons.asp

Ultra Downy Experientials Tahitian Waterfall or April Fresh Sample:
https://ultradowny.offerprocessingcenter.com/

ClipArt&More 3 Million – a collection of photos, fonts, sounds, animations, etc. – Free after rebate
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=202792069&adid=17653&dcaid=17653

And finally, Appraise That!

This home in Tacoma, WA, was listed for $360,000 and its owner calls the design “Constructivist Art”. The neighbors called it an “eye sore” and a county judge declared it to be a danger, ordering it to be repaired or torn down. It has since been demolished. See additional views of this “unique” home below.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://unusuallife.com/wp-content/uploads2006/Hobbithouse.jpg&imgrefurl=http://unusuallife.com/%3Fcat%3D7&h=266&w=370&sz=43&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=AeBt92uauhC-nM:&tbnh=88&tbnw=122&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dweird%2Bhouse%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26sa%3DG%3D7&h=266&w=370&sz=43&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=AeBt92uauhC-nM:&tbnh=88&tbnw=122&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dweird%2Bhouse%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26sa%3DGcontent/uploads2006/Hobbithouse.jpg&imgrefurl=http://unusuallife.com/%3Fcat%3D7&h=266&w=370&sz=43&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=AeBt92uauhC-nM:&tbnh=88&tbnw=122&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dweird%2Bhouse%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26sa%3DG66&w=370&sz=43&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=AeBt92uauhC-nM:&tbnh=88&tbnw=122&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dweird%2Bhouse%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26sa%3DG

Brought to you by:
BOICE APPRAISALS
885 Woodstock Road, Suite 430-305
Roswell, GA 30075
Office# 770-926-5284
Fax# 866-870-0930
order at: http://www.hotlynk.net/
http://www.highspeedhighstandards.com/eedhighstandards.com/

2/28/07 Newsletter

"Pic" of the week:

Spoof or art? Ever hear of "cat painting"? There is actually a book about it...
A 1994 coffee table book entitled "Why Cats Paint" has recently been sequeled (2002) with a new book; "Why Paint Cats". If you go to http://www.whypaintcats.com/, you'll see how many people can't distiguish humor from a serious treatise.

Headline Mortgage News:

What is Home Depot's prediction for the residential housing market? – CNN Money article:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/28/news/companies/home_depot/index.htm?postversion=2007022808

Freddie Mac shuns the subprime market – CNN Money article:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/27/real_estate/freddie_mac.reut/index.htm?postversion=2007022711711

Market Watch (Dow Jones) article – Mortgage applications rise 3.2%
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/mortgage-applications-up-32-week-to-week/story.aspx?guid=%7BF0C814CF-D304-47BF-AB8B-85B9F7E999F7%7D

Mortgage Fraud Blog article - Leader of foreclosure bail-out scam pleads guilty
http://www.mortgagefraudblog.com/index.php/weblog/permalink/leader_of_foreclosure_bail_out_scam_pleads_guilty/

Realtors reporting a "year to year" home price slump – CNN Money article:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/27/news/economy/homesales/index.htm?postversion=2007022711

Thought for the Week:

“We are evaluated and classified by these four things:
what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it.” (Dale Carnegie)

Cat painting on the edge
No cat would sit still for this. This has to be done with Photoshop.

How to keep more of your own paycheck

Buying a vacuum cleaner these days can be confusing and overwhelming with so many brands and models to choose from. Three cheers for Consumer Reports who just made shopping for your next vacuum much easier. And they have good news for us too…the top vacuum out there costs just $150. It’s a Eureka and it’s CR’s “Best Buy.” People will pay up to $400 for a vacuum cleaner, but the affordable Eureka brands are the second most reliable out there. The Boss Smart Vac Ultra 4870 model had the highest rating for cleaning carpet and bare floors. It also got the highest rating for sucking up cat hair. It was one of only three that scored tops in all three categories, and it’s the least expensive at $150. So, what were the worst models? Some of the most expensive ones - $900 to $1,000 – were the least reliable. What about the Dyson, which has gotten so much press? It was in the middle of the pack. For a fairly expensive machine, it got mediocre ratings.

Fun freebies!

"Matt's Monday"; Every time Mat Kenseth wins a race, Arby's will give away free medium Curly Fries on the Monday following the race.
www.rtminc.com/about/news.php?yr=2007&sid=1320

Free 6 month membership to Sears Portrait Studio:
http://www.searsportrait.com/cpi/img.ashx?p=/Resources/cpi/en-US/email/07/0222/v8.htm

Free tire rotation and brake inspection at Big O Tires. Print this coupon:
www.bigo.com/coupons.asp

KOA - free night at participating campgrounds in May::
http://www.koa.com/

And finally, Appraise That!

Nicknamed "Fred & Ginger" after the famous dancers, Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers, these buildings are reported to be located in Prague http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/104489.htmlent/item/104489.html

Brought to you by:
BOICE & ASSOCIATES
885 Woodstock Road, Suite 430-305
Roswell, GA 30075
Office# 770-926-5284
Fax# 866-870-0930
order at: http://www.hotlynk.net/
http://www.highspeedhighstandards.com/

Love our new "Boice Mail" more than life itself? Then check our new Blog at http://www.boicemail.blogspot.com/blogspot.com/ where you can read past newsletters and other cool stuff. We'd love to hear from YOU too! We know you like being informed and even entertained, but if you would like to stop receiving "Boice Mail" just let us know by clicking "reply" and writing "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

"I think Cat Painting should be take seriously as an art form."