Christopher Pagli - REALTOR/ABR

I think we have all been annoyed by tele-marketers and direct mail solicitation. Below are five ways to get your name off lists and finally get some peace and quiet!

1) The Do Not Call Registry - 1.888.382.1222, you must call from the number you want to register, or you can register online at www.DoNotCall.gov. Here you will need to provide an active email address.

You may register as many numbers as you want but if by phone you have to call from each phone, online you can register up to 3 numbers at once. If you have more then 3 numbers you will have to go through the registration process again. The registration expires after 5 years. If you need to file a complaint tyou can do so at the above number or web address.

2) Do Not Mail List - You can have your name placed on the "Do Not Mail" list maintained by the Direct Marketing Association. Registering will reduce the amount of direct mail you receive, this expires after 5 years. You will then have to re-register.

You can register by mail: Send a letter and $1 check or money order to: Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association, PO Box 282, Carmel NY 10512 or go online www.DmaConsumers.org/cgi/offmailing, the $1 fee can be then paid by credit card. Also Caretakers can remove people they are caring for at http://www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html

Deceased Relatives can be removed at http://www.DmaConsumers.org/ConsumerAssitance.html

3) Catalog Mailing List Removal - You can be removed from many catalog mailing lists by contacting Abacus Alliance - email: AbacusOptOut@epsilon.com or by mail Abacus Ince PO Box 1478, Broomfield, CO 80038

4) Sweepstakes Malings - To be removed contact 1) Publishers Clearing House, Consumer & Privacy Affairs, 382 Channel Drive, Port Washington, nY 11050 - Tel. 1.800.645.9242, email:privacychoices@pchmail.com 2) Readers Digest sweepstakes - 800.310.6261 or by mail - Readers Digest, PO Box 50005, Prescott AZ. 86301-5005.

5) Pre-Approved Credit Card Solicitations - The major credit reporting agencies offer a service that will take you off their mailing lists for pre-approved credit card solicitations...Call 1.888.5OPT.OUT or visit http://www.OptOutPreScreen.com.

As a Rotarian I felt the need to pass along the information below regarding Shelter Box. I was very impressed with the concept and feel it should be recognized by everyone.

Shelter Box is an international disaster relief charity, specializing in emergency shelter. The team instantly responds to hurricane, flood, volcano, earthquake, cyclone, tsunami, or conflict by delivering boxes of aid.

Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and quality survival equipment to use while they are displaced. Exact contents vary according to local needs and conditions. Typically, contents include a 10 person tent, blankets, mats, stove, cooking equipment, tools, water purification, netting, ponchos, and a childrens pack.

Highly trained Shelter Box disaster response teams work with local Rotarians to assess the need and distribute boxes on the ground.

The cost of a box is $1,000, including delivery direct to those who need it. Every box is uniquely numbered so as to allow a donor to track the box (or to make a donation) via www.shelterbox.org. Over 92% of funding goes to aid. Since 2001, Shelter Box has provided shelter, warmth, and dignity to over 750,000 people following 80 disaters in 50 countries!

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better Governer Paterson unveils a new New York State tax credit to help keep the housing market alive!

Governor David A. Paterson announced that New York will offer a federal income tax credit to first-time homebuyers to encourage home sales in the State. The New York State Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) will enable first-time homebuyers to claim a tax credit equal to 20% of their annual mortgage interest costs, potentially saving the average homebuyer about $1,500 each year. The program will effectively extend, and in some cases improve upon the federal government's $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Credit enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which expires on November 30th.

The New York State Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) can be used to reduce a homebuyer's tax burden for every year the mortgage loan remains outstanding. With an MCC, 20% of the amount paid in mortgage interest becomes a tax credit that can be deducted, dollar for dollar, from a homeowner's federal income tax liability. The remaining 80% of the mortgage interest continues to qualify as an itemized tax deduction, as long as there is sufficient federal tax liability. The MCC will be administered by the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA), a State agency that offers a variety of fixed-rate mortgages tailored to the needs of first-time homebuyers.


Please visit http://www.NYHomes.org for application guidelines and more information or speak to a mortgage professional and accountant.

Many of my customers and clients ask about crime rate, safety, and quality of the schools when assessing their needs. Unfortunately as an agent we are prohibited from steering a buyer towards or away from a particular neighborhood. By law we are supposed show you everything that meets your criteria and range of affordability and let you decide. We can however, be the source of the source and give you the tools you need to find the neighborhood that works for you.

Things to consider when evaluating a neighborhood are:

1) The Neighborhood Profile - Ask yourself what kind of neighborhood do I want to live in?". Research the underlying economic condition, population density, and level of development. Also consider whether you want to be in the suburbs, urban, city, or rural areas.

2) Household Data - Take into account family type, average household income, and homeowner education level and occupation. This information is easily obtained through websites like http://www.HomeFair.com.

3) Crime Rate - Crime is a reality we must all deal with. You can research local crime stats by calling the local police dept. and also the above mentioned website http://www.HomeFair.com. By researching the reported crimes in an area you can make an educated decision about where you live. I like to tell people to drive through at different times of the day and night.

4) Quality Of Schools - Base your evaluation on school performance as determined by average test scores, socio-economics, spending per student, and the percentage of college bound students. Feel free to visit the school unannounced to get a feel for what goes on and how you are treated. You can visit sites like http://www.SchoolMatters.com and http://www.GreatSchools.com for more in depth reviews and reports.

5) Amenities - Think about your lifestyle and also what features in a neighborhood will compliment it. Amenities to consider are proximity to the schools, train, shops, transportation, parks & recreation, restaurants and nightlife, cultural institutions, and natural resources. Check out http://www.Yelp.com And http://www.WalkScore.com for great reviews and proximity to all above mentioned amenities.

This Is a crucial first step when considering to purchase a home. Simply put you wouldn't go shopping without your wallet, nonetheless take a guess at what a bank is going to lend you. The criteria for lending changes daily and only a qualified mortgage professional can give you the guidance and direction you will need.

Even though a lender is going to check your credit you may want to do so before calling so you are aware of what is on the report. There may be blemishes in your credit history that you don't know about. If you catch them soon enough and work to remediate them you won't have that road block when ready to purchase your home. I have met customers that felt they would get pre-approved once they found a home and had a price range estimated in their mind. Soon after they found a home, fell in love, contacted the bank only to find out they weren't qualified because the taxes were out of their range and they didn't make enough to afford the home in general. I'm writing this post so that you can avoid that unnecessary stress and make an educated decision.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows consumers one free credit report from one of the three major reporting bureaus every 12 months. You can visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1.877.322.8228.

The three bureaus are:

1) Equifax - www.equifax.com - 1.800.685.1111

2) Experian (formerly TRW) - www.Experian.com - 1.888.397.3742

3) Trans Union Corporation - www.transunion.com - 1.800.888.4213

Once you have your report you can have a mortgage professional help you figure out where you stand. If all is clear then the next step is getting pre-approved for your mortgage. Avoid the pre-qualification, this and $2 will get you a ride on the bus. Any offers made on a property will need a pre-approval letter to accompany. Here's the difference:

1) Pre-Qualification - an INFORMAL determination by a lender or mortgage broker stating the amount of the mortgage you can afford.

2) Pre-Approval - A GUARANTEE in writing by a lender to grant you a loan up to a specified amount. Here your credit has been checked, assets verified, and an underwriter has signed off.