Maple Grove, MN

The Video that CNBC posted on You Tube explains part of the Subprime problem. How they sold subprime mortgage paper as Grade AAA. Easy to understand explanation. They have been doing the same thing with Alt A (stated income) paper as well. The video shows in a flip chart fashion that everybody can understand.

With summer weather, thefts from vehicles increase in parks, residential neighborhoods, and public parking areas. You have the ability to help prevent this crime from happening. Follow these tips to help avoid becoming a victim:

• Lock your doors and roll the windows up tight.

• Park in a well lit area if you expect to return to your car after dark.

• Never leave valuables such as wallets, purses, computers, cell phones or jewelry in plain view - even when the car is parked in the garage or driveway.

• Valuables in the trunk are at risk. If you must put valuables in the trunk, place them there before arriving at your parking destination.

• Close your garage door and lock the service door into the house. Many items are stolen from vehicles parked inside unsecured garages.

• Watch for suspicious acting people loitering or lurking in the area of parked vehicles. Call 911 and describe the person's:

- Gender, race, height, weight, clothing and age:

- License number (if available) and mode of transportation:

- Exact location:

• Keep a record of all your credit card numbers as well as the serial numbers, makes and models of your personal property.

Mr. Bernanke (Fed Chair) spoke to Congress today and walked very lightly, being afraid to negatively affect the market as his speech was on inflation (a bad thing for both stocks and bonds). In his speech he discussed his views that higher fuel and food prices have little effect on the market. He may be smarter than most BUT I have a hard time believing that $4 gas and $5 milk doesn't have an effect on the middle and lower markets.

You can read and view his speach at: http://www.cnbc.com/id/19695873

Well ARs what do you think?

In this short video I discuss the differences and similarities of Tax Value and the value as determined by an appraiser. Many people ask or compare these different numbers. This video was produced to clear up any confusion.