Typically, we copped out by referring clients to our lenders and to our escrow managers. Or we say "Let me work out some figures and I'll get back with you."

We never have the answers on the spot. Well, with Fidelity Agent, we can! Info on Fidelity Agent is not on every Fidelity Title Company site, but here's a link to Fidelity Agent comparisons to other calculation programs.

After raving about using Fidelity Agent (or Palm Agent as it is sometimes known), here's info that you may want to check out.

What is it, and how does it work?

Here's a nice video that will give you a really good idea of how it works, and how you can use it in different scenarios.

http://pc3.fntg.com/UploadedDocuments/demos/fidelityagent/index.html

How to contact Fidelity Agent

The best way for an agent to acquire Fidelity Agent is to contact their Fidelity Title Representative for installation and training of the software.

Corporate 757-271-1287
Toll free 1-866-629-5091
FidelityAgent Inc.
639 N Coalter Street
Staunton, VA 24401.

Or email support@FidelityAgent.com

iPhone/iTouch Installation Instructions

It is now readily available through Apple's App Store, see the ‘how to' for more info on that.) it has to be downloaded directly from the App Store for $6.99.

To clarify: If you have an i-Phone and you also want Fidelity Agent on your laptop or desktop you will need to pay the $6.99 through the App Store and the $27.00 for the laptop or desktop load. Keep in mind you have TWO loads coming to you for the $27.00 so you could also install it on your home office computer or secondary laptop, etc.

1. Locate the "App Store" icon on the iPhone/iTouch device, and click on it
2. Tap on the "Search" function at the bottom of the screen, and begin typing. Various programs will be displayed as you type. Remember that the name of the program is Fidelity Agent, and it will come up for different states.
3. Select the appropriate version of the software for your state
4. Verify the correct state is selected, and tap on the Application

RELATED POSTS

Fidelity Agent: A WOW tool for quick answers for real estate calculations --- for your computer and your PDA!

First Time Buyers need CMA and PITI calculations ---and good photos for a good first impression

Past contestants have sculpted replicas of the Posey Tube, a Mayan temple and even Godzilla. Still others have opted for traditional castles with towering turrets, crenelated walls and saltwater moats.

What can be entered during the 43rd annual Sand Castle and Sand Sculpture Contest today is limited just by the imagination - and judging by past years, contestants will have plenty of it on display.

The free event at Robert Crown Memorial State Beach is an Alameda tradition. But it also attracts participants from throughout the Bay Area.

The rules are simple: Only material found naturally on the beach can be used, such as shells, stones and driftwood - and sand, of course.

Contestants can use shovels, hoes and spatulas to sculpt their work. They also can use buckets, milk cartons and other items to help shape forms.

Registration will be 9 to 11 a.m., and the deadline to finish sculpting is noon, when judging will begin. Entries will be based on design, detail, neatness and technique. Awards will be presented at 1 p.m.

The three contestant categories are ages 12 and under, ages 13 and older, and family.

The Alameda Recreation and Park Department, the East Bay Regional Park District, the Bayview Women's Club and the Alameda Youth Committee are sponsoring the contest.

The beach is located at Westline and Otis drives.

Part of my outreach and Client Appreciation Program (CAP) per Working by Referral (Brian Buffini) to clients and associates is to send them an Item of Value.

This time, I digressed from the original and proposed letter, and created one that I felt was pertinent today. Here's what I am getting ready to mail. The difference is that on Active Rain, I am providing links.

CAP Item of Value

This real estate market continues to surprise us: rates are very low, and home prices are finally near "the bottom." The opportunities are still very much right there. And conditions are evolving. There are now several new programs to help both Buyers and Sellers.

Owning a home is a privilege and a dream for many of us. To achieve that dream now, we must strive not only to protect, but also to improve our credit rating simply to qualify for a home loan. This is the subject of this month's Client Appreciation Item of Value enclosed.

Effects of Short Sales Versus Foreclosures

There are various blogs and articles about the effects of short sales versus foreclosure. But the best one I've seen is a matrix produced by Distressed Property Institute and I've seen that matrix reproduced in so many places. If you google specific phrases or sentences from that matrix, you'll see a ton of sites that feature this matrix.

For example, google "A homeowner who successfully negotiates and closes a short sale will be eligible for a Fannie Mae backed mortgage only after 2 years" and count how many sites have this matrix.

RELATED POSTS

Who/Where/How/What/When to use the $8,000 first time buyer tax credit with an FHA loan

TAX CREDITS for ENERGY EFFICIENCY. More good news for home buyers and home owners!

BULLET POINTS for homewners contemplating a short sale

When is it too late to save a home from foreclosure? What NOT to do if owner wants to keep the house

KEY TO EARNING ENERGY-EFFICIENCY TAX CREDITS

Homeowners now can claim up to $1,500 in expanded energy-efficiency tax credits for remodeling their principal residence to reduce energy consumption. Available until the end of 2010, the revamped Existing Home Retrofit (25C) Tax Credit helps consumers save two ways: on their costs and on their utility bill

WHAT QUALIFIES?

See: Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency as outlined by Energy Star. Click HERE

Also see: National Association of Home Builders for the Facts on Energy Efficiency Tax Credit

The expanded federal tax credit refunds 30 percent of the product replacement cost up to a total of $1,500.

In some cases, installation costs may also be used to claim the tax credit. As long as the new products meet IRS qualifications.can be used for:

• HVAC systems
• insulation
• water heaters
• windows and doors
• insulation Home energy audits can cost as little as $500, which remodelers say is an expense that pays for itself - and more - with savings from efficiency upgrades. And homeowners may be able to combine federal tax credits with local and regional incentives to maximize savings.

Here's one example: Insulation improvements may be one of the easiest and most affordable ways to save on energy costs. Upgrading inefficient insulation (from R-19 to R-38) in the attic of a two-story, 2,000-square-foot Chicago home might cost around $1,000, but the tax credit brings that down to $700. Add that to Chicago's MidAmerican Energy residential energy efficiency rebate program, which can return up to $600 spent on insulation or other energy-efficiency upgrades, and the cost drops to $100 - meaning a two-year payback period for the $51 estimated annual utility savings for this project.

Inspecting the ductwork, caulking and heating and cooling systems for possible upgrades or enhancements also help to provide additional energy savings.

Homeowners also can use the tax credit for heating and cooling components.

For example, upgrading a standard 10-year-old air conditioner to today's federal minimum 13-SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) model may cost about $5,500 in Phoenix, but does not qualify for the tax credit. Spending as little as $2,000 more for a higher-efficiency air-conditioner (such as 16-SEER) earns the homeowner the $1,500 energy-efficiency federal tax credit. Plus, the local power company provides a rebate starting at $425. With the tax credit and utility rebate, the cost difference can be paid back in a couple of years, while the homeowner may enjoy utility bills savings for years to come.

With the credit, tankless water heaters are comparable in cost to traditional gas water heaters, but last as long as 20 years and are 30 percent more efficient. When the credit is included, homeowners can save $100 per year on their water heating expenses, he added.

In addition to expanding the 25C tax credit, the Wind, Solar, Geothermal and Fuel Cell (25D) Tax Credit for renewable energy products now provides larger incentives for installing

• geothermal heat pumps
• solar panels
• solar water heaters
• small wind energy systems
• fuel cells.

Although the upfront costs are high for these products, the tax credit is 30 percent and there is no cap on their cost through 2016.

Taxpayers can claim the credits on IRS Form 5695.

OTHER LINKS TO USEFUL SITES

• Homeowners can use an energy-savings simulation from the NAHB Research Center at http://energysim.toolbase.org/ to determine likely costs of upgrades and savings.
• Information on rebates from utility companies and other state and local government incentives is available at Database of state incentives for renewables and efficiency at http://www.dsireusa.org./
• Alliance to Save Energy at http://ase.org/content/article/detail/2654
• Home Channel News at http://www.homechannelnews.com/story.aspx?id=104655&menuid=305
• HGTVPro.com http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_trends/article/0,,HPRO_26519_5943221,00.html

Good luck!

Wondering What Your Home Is Worth? -- Let me show you.

It's was a busy week for Nancy and me. We have been wrapping up the work on the new townhome listing. The painting is done except for some touch up that will be needed after the hardwood floors are refinished which begins Tuesday. The rose garden is looking great. We are planning on it being open this coming Sunday from 2-4 pm. Come on by or send your friends by to see this clean "F" model in Casitas, located in Bay Farm Island area of Alameda.

Now for some fun, on Thursday 6/4 LaVal's Pizza in the Harbor Bay Landing Center will be hosting the first of two "Hot Rods at Harbor Bay" Car shows of the year. Admission is free to view the approximately 50 plus cherry cars owned mainly by Alameda residents although there are plenty of cars from neighboring cities too. There is also a raffle and if you get thirsty or hungry and need a break there's always LaVal's Pizza nearby.

With regards to the Brokers tour for Tuesday morning as of 9:30 pm Monday night it's looking like a quiet Tuesday morning for me. There are a total of 7 homes on tour Tuesday two which have been on tour before, all are single family homes three in Harbor Bay/ Bay Farm and the remainder on the main island. The most intriguing of the homes on tour has to be 7 Castlebar in Promontory, listed at $1,899,000 it has what the county assessor's office says is 4,953 living square feet including an elevator making it easier to get to the four bedrooms and five bathrooms spread over three floors. Unfortunately the listing agent has only one photo so I can't describe much more of the home until after I tour it tomorrow.

For a look at all 132 available homes click here.

Ciao for now, Chuck