Marty Woomer

We all are victims of countless spam e-mails. Most are harmless, and some are extremely amusing. They however are a complete waste of time. More aggressive spam guard email filters will actually filter out the messages you want.

Do you want to do something about it? If so, read on....

Forward Fraudulent E-mails: to the FTC at spam@uce.gov and to reportphishing@antiphishing.org

If you think the con is trying to take advantage via tax-preparation or tax-refund fraud send the email to phishing@irs.gov

Thanks

Marty

"Interest Rates as low as 4.5%" was all over the evening news, CNBC, NPR, and the mass media networks last night. Of course, I am referring to the possibility of the Treasury buying mortgages at a rate that would allow lenders to offer buyers a 4.5% interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage. There is nothing official, and many DC insiders believe that this information was leaked by a lobbyist.

Would lower rates really help our local and national markets? Are potential buyers going to now sit there and wait for lower rates that may never come? Are sellers going to wait to list their house? If nothing happens, will speculation continue and for how long? What do you think?

I submit that the lower rates will merely help on the margin, if at all. Here's why: Current median home price in the US is $183,000. Most lenders are now requiring 20% down, therefore buyers are financing $146,700. Current monthly payment @ 5.5% is $832. If rates were at 4.5%, the payment would be $743. Of course it will be higher on more expensive homes, but I'm not sure the $89 difference is enough to drive people to the market.

What do you think?

Marty

Hello,

There has been much debate as to what exactly goes into the calculation of ones credit score. This is not exact, but pretty close as each score is an individual as the individual it represents.

Payment History (35%): Typically the most heavily weighed of the factors. Your score takes into account the number of late payments, the amount of the payment, and how late you were. If you have a high score, one or two late payments won't lower your score too much.

Debt-to-credit ratio (30%): This the measurement of outstanding balance against all available credit. For example, a card with a $2000 limit and $1000 balance will look worse than the same balance on a card with a $3000 limit. Experts recommend keeping the number less than 30%.

Length of Credit History (15%): The longer the credit history with a given account, the better. If you decide to close cards, it would be wise to close the ones with the shortest credit history. Also, be sure to use a card at least every 6 months or it is likely the card will show up as "inactive."

New Credit (10%): Adding new cards/accounts will probably not increase your score, in fact it will most likely lower it. It makes you appear as a bigger risk. Want to increase your debt-to-credit ratio? Instead of opening a new card, just increase your limit on cards you already have. It appears less risky.

Types of Credit (10%): The more diversified your credit is the better. It shows that you have the ability to manage multiple different types of accounts, and have knowledge of those accounts. Who would you rather give a car loan or mortgage to; first time buyer, or a third-time buyer?

In simple, it all boils down to basic fiscal and financial responsibility.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

Marty

Hello all,

Windermere has just launched our renovated website homepage and we're giving away a $1000 Home Depot Gift Card to one lucky Windermere.com visitor to use for their next home project!

To enter the drawing, consumers just go to Windermere.com, search for their favorite listing and email the listing to findhome@windermere.com <mailto:findhome@windermere.com> . One entry is allowed per person per day! The sweepstakes ends on December 19, 2008.

We encourage you to use the sweepstakes as an opportunity to reach out to clients. Please note that Windermere employees and immediate family members are not eligible to enter (see Windermere.com for official rules and eligibility).

Thanks,

Marty

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. RESIDENTS OF WASHINGTON, OREGON, IDAHO, MONTANA, WYOMING, UTAH, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, NEVADA AND HAWAII 18 YEARS AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes Dates: November 18, 2008 - December 19, 2008. See www.windermere.comfor official rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure. Sponsor: Windermere Services Company, 5424 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105.

Hello all,

I incorporated this year and am looking for feedback on what banks you like/dislike, or had issues with ICO small business accounts? I am an independent contractor for Windermere, and my company is a sub-chapter S corporation.

I'll go first. I had issues with using NFCU business accounts. Their non-business accounts are fantastic, but their business account customer service is very poor. It took me 3 weeks to get it set up, and then they sent all the info to the wrong address. I only know this because I called at the 2 month point and asked for a statement, or an ATM card, or better yet checks. Turns out they sent all the info to the wrong address. My PO Box is 413, and has been for the last 5 years, all of which I have been a NFCU customer. They sent all my info to PO Box 43. The woman on the phone was arguing with me over what my address was, her computer clearly said my address was PO Box 43, so that had to be it. I asked them to resend all of my documents, checks, and cards to no avail. Finally, I called 3 months ago to cancel my account. I called again last week when I got another statement, when I finally got through my account was canceled last month. Would have been nice to know.

I don't know who to use: WaMU, Wells Fargo, but I do know to not use NFCU.

Who do you guys use and why do you like them?

Marty

Update:

Kitsap federal credit union does not offer small business accounts. Wells Fargo trip was poor, at best. They wanted $3000 minimum deposit for business checking, and $50,000 for money market. That was by far the worst required deposits of all the banks I went too. The snotty sales man also scoffed at me when I questioned why they needed to have at least $3000.

The trip to WaMu was much better. Much better service, lower deposit requirements, and better account features. I opened not 1, but 2 business accounts there. WaMU is the way to go!!!