You will never have to pay to be listed as a top neighbor. Period. That important detail clarified, let's discuss how we arrive at two "top neighbors" for a given region:
Localism is a bustling collection of hyper-local communities, and the top neighbors should reflect those members who are most active. When ranking users in a given region, several factors are considered. To get your foot in the proverbial door, you need to have posted at least one "Localism" article or photo for the region.
The very best way to quickly rise to #1 is to post high-quality local content. Keeping a steady strem of incoming posts and photos will massively tilt the scales in your favor.
What doesn't count toward the top neighbor ranking? ActiveRain points and community sponsorships. The top neighbor spots will always go to the most active members in a region. We want to create a level playing field that encourages the growth of communities — talent and dedication are required to win the day.
Our church at Fellowship, Livermore has a fabulous idea on buying presents from very poor countries to help them. there is a shopping weekend a the church on December 5-6. Their websites are www. tradeasone.com or www.adventconspiracy.com. Trade as one has a fabulous video explaining how it all works but you are basically providing a livelihood to the poorest of the poor mostly in Africa, India and some parts of Asia. Well worth the present you will either give or what about giving a donation to your favorite charity in liue of a gift that the recipient may not even like?? Something different to do at a very opportune time in our lives when cost cutting is the norm don't you think? I hope you can help!
Can I Afford It? Suze Orman Would Yell: "DENIED, DENIED, DENIED!!!"
I love watching the "Can I Afford It?" segment on the Suze Orman Show and I think I've found the ultimate "DENIED, DENIED, DENIED!!!" story.
This is not a typical situation of "Can They Afford To Buy This House?" but these are people who are getting ready to move into a custom home they have been building for the past 2 1/2 years, so their construction loan will be converting to a permanent loan soon.
As Suze Orman would say..."Show me the MONEY!!!" so here it is:
Annual income: $350,000 - $400,000 before taxes (he works 7 days a week as a waterproofing contractor, his own business; she has no income and stays home with 3 girls under the age of 12 and is expecting their 4th child)
Expenses: contractor's insurance and waterproofing materials (he says both are pretty expensive), health insurance (2 adults, 4 kids), car payment (they bought a new SUV one year ago)
New home monthly costs: $20,000 - $25,000 monthly payment (~$3,500,000 loan amount), $3,000 - $4,000 monthly property taxes, utilities on a multi-level ~11,000 sq. ft. home (no solar)
Savings: used to cover going over-budget on the construction of the home
History: They have been living in a 3,500 sq. ft. home that they purchased new for $639,000 10 years ago (that is how we met; I referred them as buyers) and after several refi/cash-out loans, they owed ~$1,000,000 (1st mortgage + HELOC) with a monthly payment of ~$5,000.
They tried to sell their current home a couple of years ago, but they owe more than it's worth and another agent listed it ~125% over market value. Since they couldn't sell their current home and planned on moving into their new home, they stopped making the mortgage payments (strategic default) on their current home a year ago.
Originally, they planned on selling a couple of their investment properties (rentals in the Sacramento area) for a profit to pay down the $3,500,000 mortgage...but with the economic downturn, they stopped making the mortgage payments on those homes because they were worth less than their loan amounts.
I'm no financial guru, but to me this obviously looks like the next luxury home foreclosure. With $300,000 - $350,000 per year going towards mortgage interest and property taxes, his income would barely cover that plus their living expenses. He's also in his mid-40's and as a waterproofing contractor, how many more years can he continue to do that for a living, working 7 days a week? How can they save up for retirement with that kind of housing/income ratio? Well, all we can do is mention this to them. It's just too bad that they are in denial.
To them, they are moving into their dream home...to me, they are walking into a nightmare.
Suze Orman would yell: "DENIED, DENIED, DENIED!!!" on keeping this home. I am sure of it.
Unfortunately, the numbers don't pan out for selling this home either...and to agents that are chomping at the bit to solicit them for a short sale, my prediction is that you will get a door slammed in your face. :)
Livermore Downtown Halloween Carnival - Free Donuts at Donut Wheel - Livermore, CA
The Livermore Downtown Halloween Carnival took place on Wednesday, October 29, 2009 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. In previous years, Livermore Downtown Inc. hosted an annual Trick-Or-Treat Event that was open to the public, but due to its tremendous popularity (without the ability to support such numbers) and today's economic climate, they have decided to focus on the local children instead. Here is their press release announcing the new event:
"Due to the current economic climate, Livermore Downtown Inc. will no longer be hosting the annual downtown Trick-or-Treat event. In it's place, a Downtown Halloween Carnival is being planned for families with children 5th Grade and under.
"We are excited about this evolution to a local family, kid focused Carnival event." Says Board President Anthony McPeake. "The downtown Trick-or-Treat had grown over the years to an event huge in attendance and we can no longer afford to support it at the level needed to insure the safety of our attendees. Rather than cancel the tradition completely, we are reeling it back to an event that is focused on our Tri-Valley children in halloween costumes, enjoying a carnival designed just for them by our downtown merchants and Livermore business community."
This year's carnival will be made up of Carnival games and activity booths and take place on J Street and K Street between First and Second Street as well as the Livermore Valley Plaza and the Flag Pole Plaza. The Vine Center businesses will be hosting rides and activities in their back parking lot behind the Vine Cinema. Marcel Orthodontics will be recreating the Grease Carnival, complete with a mechanical fun house that will be located on K Street.
To participate, children will purchase a $5.00 fun pass that will give them access to all of the downtown activities. The fun passes may be purchased in advance at the Livermore Downtown Inc. office at 2060 Second Street. They will be available at fun pass booths in each activity location on the evening of the Carnival."
Donut Wheel, a Livermore icon located at 2017 First Street, is the mecca of Livermore for the Downtown Halloween Carnival and previous years' Trick-Or-Treat Events. Why? FREE DONUTS, that's why!
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
The Livermore Downtown Halloween Carnival took place on 
