Roy Kelley, Montgomery County, MD Homes For Sale

Alert Montgomery

Montgomery County, Maryland Police Community Alert System

In a continuing effort to connect to the community via technology, the Montgomery County Department of Police has launched the Community Alert System. The Community Alert System is part of the County’s Alert Montgomery program. The Montgomery County Police will send messages via email and/or text messages to cell phones, pagers, smart phones in regards to a variety of police issues to include crime trends, critical incidents, missing persons and more.

The Alert Montgomery System has many selectable alert groups to include the Montgomery County Public Schools, Parks, Montgomery College, Municipalities, as well as traffic and weather alerts.

Anyone that works, lives or has an interest in Montgomery County is encouraged to sign up at www.alert.montgomerycountymd.gov . Users will be prompted to select particular geographical police areas known as beats, under MCPD Police District Alerts tab.

If users are not sure what beat they live or work in, please email the address or addresses you want to be alerted for, to mcpdalert@montgomerycountymd.gov and we will provide you the beat information you need. Please allow 72 hours for a response.

An example of a beat in Rockville would be “Adam 1”, the user would select Adam 1 Beat to receive alerts for that area. If users would like a more global approach they can sign up for an entire district (1st District – Rockville) to receive district wide messages. Users can sign up for multiple beats or districts (work, school, etc).

The Montgomery County Police offer several technologies to connect with the community such as:

· Citizen Online Reporting - http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/poltmpl.asp?url=/content/pol/coplogic/cologic.asp
· Vehicle Accident Report System - https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/VARPS/Home.aspx
· Crime Reports.com –
www.crimereports.com
· Crime Tips –
https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=758

Posted on ActiveRain as a community service. Character counts in Gaithersburg.

There is much to see and do in Maryland. Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture the special moments when you are out and about in your community or during your travels.

Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4031

Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Crocuses are blooming in Kentlands - Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

I like to take walks through Kentlands and Lakelands, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. With my camera in hand, I watch for the changing colors of the season. Taking a few photographs makes the walks more enjoyable. Sometimes, great beauty may be found in the smallest things that we pass every day.

We do not have too many flowers blooming at this time of the year, but the Crocuses are beautiful and the first Daffodils are now blooming. Spring is coming!

What is blooming in your home neighborhood?

Kentlands Crocuses IMG_4603

Kentlands Crocuses IMG_4601

Kentlands Crocuses IMG_4594

Kentlands Crocus IMG_4593

Kentlands Crocus IMG_4592

Kentlands Crocuses IMG_4605

First Daffodil, Kentlands IMG_4604

Photographs by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

FHA Takes Additional Steps To Bolster Capital Reserves;

New premium structure will help protect FHA’s MMI fund:

HUD No.12-037
HUD Public Affairs

WASHINGTON – As part of ongoing efforts to encourage the return of private capital in the residential mortgage market and strengthen the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, Acting FHA Commissioner Carol Galante today announced a new premium structure for FHA-insured single family mortgage loans. FHA will increase its annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP) by 0.10 percent for loans under $625,500 and by 0.35 percent for loans above that amount. Upfront premiums (UFMIP) will also increase by 0.75 percent.

These premium changes will impact new loans insured by FHA beginning in April and June of 2012. Details will soon be published in a Mortgagee Letter to FHA-approved lenders. (Please see: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/hudclips/letters/mortgagee )

“After careful analysis of the market and the health of the MMI fund, we have determined that it is appropriate to increase mortgage insurance premiums in order to help protect our capital reserves and to continue encouraging the return of private capital to the housing market,” said Galante. “These modest increases are one of several measures we are taking towards meeting the Congressionally mandated two percent reserve threshold, while allowing FHA to remain a valuable option for low- to moderate-income borrowers.”

The Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 requires FHA to increase the annual MIP it collects by 0.10 percent. This change is effective for case numbers assigned on or after April 1, 2012. FHA is also exercising its statutory authority to add an additional 0.25 percent to mortgages exceeding $625,500. This change is effective for case numbers assigned on or after June 1, 2012.

The UFMIP will be increased from 1 percent to 1.75 percent of the base loan amount. This increase applies regardless of the amortization term or LTV ratio. FHA will continue to permit financing of this charge into the mortgage. This change is effective for case numbers assigned on or after April 1, 2012.

FHA estimates that the increase to the upfront premium will cost new borrowers an average of approximately $5 more per month. These marginal increases are affordable for nearly all homebuyers who would qualify for a new mortgage loan. Borrowers already in an FHA-insured mortgage, Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), and special loan programs outlined in FHA’s forthcoming Mortgagee Letter will not be impacted by the pricing changes announced today.

Taken together, these premium changes will enable FHA to increase revenues at a time that is critical to the ongoing stability of its Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund, contributing more than $1 billion to the Fund, based on current volume projections through Fiscal Year 2013.

Posted on ActiveRain as a community service. Character counts in Gaithersburg.

Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture the special moments when you are out and about in your community and during your travels.

Longwood Gardens IMG_2226

Photographs by Roy Kelley. Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Colorful Orchids on a Rainy Day in Maryland

There are many things that most of us would like to accomplish on the extra day that we receive in Leap Year. Today is a very rainy day in Maryland and is not the greatest for outdoor activities. Many of us are staying in as we wish for an early spring.

Flowers are always good to brighten our days and we can always count on our visits to Longwood Gardens for photographs of beautiful flowers and plants. The current annual exhibit in the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens is Orchid Extravaganza. Take your family with cameras in hand for a most enjoyable experience.

Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4030

Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4031

Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4034

Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4027

Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4029

Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4032

Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4035

Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4038

Photographs by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Taking Over Aging Parents' Finances

As our parents age, there is an almost inevitable probability that they will require assistance with financial or health issues.

One or both parents may become ill or incapacitated and unable to keep up with their financial affairs as their mental and physical abilities decline. This can mean that bills don't get paid or they get paid twice and checks bounce. Even worse, parents can become susceptible to scams and fraud. Children usually will have to step in and take over the management of their parents' finances, often during a crisis, and often with little knowledge of their parents' financial affairs. This can cause stress, not only to the parents who feel that their independence is suddenly being taken away, but also for the children who are now in the position of having to navigate through years of financial documents to ascertain exactly what the parents' assets, liabilities, income, and expenses are. Taking over parents' finances can be tricky business, both emotionally and financially for all involved.

The best way to avoid problems later on is to plan ahead. Planning ahead helps to ensure that parents' wishes are carried out, and it can eliminate potential conflicts among siblings about how mom and dad's finances will be managed and by whom. Children should have a frank discussion with parents about their assets, liabilities, income, and expenses around the time parents retire, if not earlier. The problem is that many people are private about their finances, so parents may be reluctant to discuss their finances with their children. While bringing up the subject of finances with parents can be awkward, it is an important and necessary conversation to have so children can better assist their parents later on. At the very least, parents should let their children know where the parents keep their important financial documents in case these documents are needed in an emergency. Ideally, parents should have an estate plan in place that includes powers of attorney or revocable living trusts that dictate who will manage their finances and under what circumstances. Additionally, parents should maintain updated lists of income and assets.

An article on Forbes.com offers a few practical suggestions for actions that children can assist their parents in taking now that will ease the burden and transition for children later, if and when the children need to step in and take over the management of their parents' finances:

-- Put regular transactions on autopilot. Have Social Security and other monthly checks deposited directly into bank accounts and have bills automatically debited.

-- Simplify where possible. Consolidate bank and brokerage accounts and request that financial service companies send duplicate paper statements to parents and children.

-- Have one child in charge. When children do take over, have only one child handle everyday finances and regularly inform the other siblings in writing of what is going on. Such communication can prevent tension and potential problems down the road.

-- Locate insurance policies. Insurance policies can easily be overlooked. Ensure that copies of all policies are easily accessible.

In taking over the management of a parent's finances, it is important that children respect their parents' rights and wishes. Children should allow parents to maintain as much control as possible. Parents should be kept involved as much as possible and informed of all actions that their children are taking on their behalf. Children should always keep their parents' money separate from their own. Starting the conversation about finances with a parent now will go a long way to help ease the transition of finances to a child later.

The attorneys at The Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm can assist clients with their estate, financial, insurance, long-term care, veterans' benefits, and special needs planning issues.

Speakers

If you are interested in having an Elder Law attorney from The Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm, P.C. speak at an event, then please call us at:

Maryland (301) 214-2229
Virginia (703) 243-3200
Washington DC (202) 223-0270

The Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm, P.C.

The Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm, P.C. is an elder law firm. We represent older persons, disabled persons, their families, and their advocates. The practice of elder law includes estate planning, estate and trust administration, powers of attorney, advance medical directives, titling of assets and designations of beneficiaries, guardianships, conservatorships, and public entitlements such as Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and SSI, disability planning, income tax planning and preparation, care management, and fiduciary services. For more information about The Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm, P.C., please visit our website at http://www.lifecareplanning.com.

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This newsletter is not intended as a substitute for legal counsel. While every precaution has been taken to make this newsletter accurate, we assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or damages resulting from the use of the information in this newsletter. The Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm, P.C. thanks the law firm of Oast & Hook for their input to this newsletter.

Copyright © 2006-12 by The Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm, P.C.

Posted on ActiveRain as a community service. Character counts in Gaithersburg.

Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture the special moments when you are out and about in your community or during your travels.

Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4028

Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs