Saul Sanchez

Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region and even areas that normally experience mild winters can be hit with a major snowstorm or extreme cold conditions. You should familiarize yourself with the following terms to help identify winter/storm conditions.

Frost/Freeze Warning - Below freezing temperatures are expected.

Freezing Rain - Rain that freezes when it hits the ground creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees, and power lines.

Sleet - Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground and can also cause moisture on roads to freeze and become very slippery.

Winter Storm Watch - A winter storm is possible in the area.

Winter Storm Warning - A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in the area.

Blizzard Conditions/Warning - Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow which can reduce visibility to less than a quarter of a mile are expected to last for a period of three hours or longer. Deep snow drifts and dangerous wind chill factors are also probable.

Preparations Before a Storm

1. Keep heating fuel at sufficient levels in case regular fuel supplies are cut off or cannot be delivered.

2. Store a sufficient supply of dry, seasoned wood if you utilize a fireplace or wood-burning stove.

3. Be sure you have sufficient food and water supplies in case you are isolated in your home for any period of time.

4. Keep a supply of rock salt to melt ice on sidewalks and a supply of sand to improve traction.

5. Have snow shovels or other snow removal equipment available and ready for use.

6. Check your Disaster Supplies Kit especially with respect to your battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.

7. Winterize your home by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows and installing storm windows if necessary.

8. To winterize your car you should do the following:

   1. Make sure antifreeze levels are sufficient to avoid freezing.

   2. Battery and ignition systems should be in top condition and battery terminals kept clean.

   3. Ensure heater and defroster work properly.

   4. Check windshield wiper equipment and keep washer fluid at proper level.

   5. Check oil for level and weight. Heavier oils congeal more at low temperatures and do not lubricate as well.

   6. Consider snow tires or chains.

   7. Maintain a full tank of gas since gas stations may be out of fuel or closed and keep water out of the fuel system by using additives as necessary.

   8. Prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle to include a blanket, flashlight with extra batteries, first aid kit, water in an insulated container, sand to add traction for your tires, shovel, and windshield scraper

During A Storm

1. Dress for the weather by wearing several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Wear mittens which are warmer than gloves. Wear a hat since most body heat is lost through the top of the head.

2. Listen to your radio, television or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information.

3. Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow which can bring on heart attack - a major cause of death in winter.

4. Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.

5. Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms are detected, get the victim to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body first and give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the victim is conscious. Get medical help as soon as possible.

6. Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your residence cooler than normal and temporarily close off heat to unused rooms.

7. Be extremely careful if using any alternate sources, such as kerosene heaters, for heating purposes. Maintain proper ventilation to avoid build-up of toxic fumes, refuel heaters outside only when cooled off, and keep them at least tree feet from any flammable objects.

8. Drive only if it is absolutely necessary; Travel only in the day; don't travel alone; Stay on main roads and avoid back roads or shortcuts; Keep other informed of your plans and schedules.

If Trapped In Your Car in a Snowstorm/Blizzard

1. Pull of the roadway, turn on hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio antenna on window.

2. Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you. Do not set off on foot unless you can see a building close by where you know you can take shelter but be aware that distances are distorted by blowing snow and a building may seem close but be too far to walk to in deep snow.

3. Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open an up wind window slightly for ventilation to protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Periodically check and clear snow from exhaust pipe if necessary.

4. Take turns sleeping. One person should be awake at all times to look for rescue crews.

5. Drink fluids, if available, to avoid dehydration.

6. Be careful not to waste battery power. Balance electrical needs - use of lights, heat, and radio - with available power supply.

7. Leave the car and proceed on foot once the blizzard passes only as an
   extreme last resort. This is courtesy of The linden NJ Dept

The modern mortgage market offers a variety of mortgage loans catering to the needs of homebuyers. The titles and details of these plans can become confusing, especially as new types are introduced continuously. You can make sense of these loan types, however, if you understand the basic principles that govern all mortgage loans. Again, you can look to your real estate professional for assistance.

Basic Principles of all Mortgage Loans

• The home is used as security to back up the loan. A lender can force sale of the home if the borrower defaults by failing to make scheduled payments.
• The larger the loan compared to the value of the home, the more risky for the lender and, often, the more expensive the loan will be.
• Interest earned by the lender always is equal to the periodic interest rate times the outstanding principle balance of the loan. The periodic interest rate is the annual interest rate divided by the number of payments in the year (usually one per month).
• The required payment usually is a bit larger than the interest due so that some of the loan principal is repaid with each payment. This process is called Amortization and is why most mortgage loans can be retired when all the monthly payments have been made.

All mortgage loans have one of the following features:

• Fixed payment and fixed interest rate - fixed rate mortgages
• Fixed rate but variable payment - graduated payment mortgages
• Variable rate and variable payment - adjustable rate mortgages

As you learn more about the types of financing available, you will notice that some loans appear to have more favorable terms. That may indicate that those loans are, indeed, bargains (and it does pay to shop around), but usually it means that those loans could have some feature that is less appealing to borrowers. For example, shorter-term loans often have slightly lower interest rates compared to longer-term loans. However, the monthly payment for the same amount of principal may be higher because of the shorter term. Variable rate loans usually have much lower interest rates to compensate for the risk the borrower accepts that interest rates will rise in the future.

If you are currently in the market for your first home, you probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, a great investment of both money and time. I have a wealth of experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful:

• Tip #1: Do Your Homework
  The perfect home won't find you by itself. The key step in buying a home is doing the proper research. Educate yourself on local schools, neighborhoods, and the kinds of homes available. By reading available materials and talking with experts, you can start to put together your idea of the perfect home.
  
• Tip #2: Start Planning
  Most decisions benefit greatly from proper planning, and home buying is certainly no exception. Start a filing system with sections such as home buying, home financing, and service providers. By forming a home buying plan you can more easily focus on the most important factors and help give structure to the entire process. My website is a great resource for property information.
  
• Tip #3: Get PreQualified
  Getting prequalified for a loan normally only requires a short phone conversation with a lender, and can greatly help your home search. Prequalification does not guarantee you a loan, but it does provide you with an estimated monthly payment and a price range to use as a guide when shopping for homes. Being prequalified can also often indicate to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer.
  
• Tip #4: Look for Value
  When shopping for homes, it's important to consider potential value. Even if you're not planning to sell the home some time down the line, it's a good idea to consider the future value of the home. Protect yourself against things like falling prices and gradual shifts in the nature of the neighborhood. You may not think of a new home as a means to make money, but it's an important investment that requires caution.
  
• Tip #5: Decide What You're Looking For
  Settle on the home features that are important to you (covered parking, hardwood floors, architectural style, etc.) and make an ordered list. Having well established guidelines will help narrow down your search and will prevent you from being shown properties that lack your key amenities. It can help you make the decision not to buy an attractive property that doesn't really fit your needs. My website has a search feature that allows you to filter thousands of listings based on attributes that you select. If you know you want a brick house with gas heat and a garage, you can get the results you're looking for.
  
• Tip #6: Relax
  You don't have to make an offer on the first home you see. Make sure to look at other listings in the area to get a feel for the marketplace. When you decide to make an offer on a house, consult with your real estate professional so that all of your questions are answered.
  
• Tip #7: Shop Around for Your Mortgage
  Deciding on the financing for your home can be as important as choosing a home itself. The first step is deciding what kind of loan best fits you: a fixed rate mortgage, or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). There are benefits to each form of loan, and your real estate professional can provide you with more information. Next you'll want to begin to shop around for different lenders.
  
• Tip #8: Protect Yourself
  Be careful when signing a contract on a home that allows you to find financing, have the home inspected, and work through any problem areas that may arise. Paying for a quality home inspection is absolutely crucial! You can save yourself thousands in repair costs by being sure of what you're getting into.

More information for first time buyers can be found on my website, or by giving me a call. I'm confident that I can provide the kind of exceptional service that will make this process an exciting one. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have, I would love to be of assistance to you.

Saul Sanchez

Broker of Record saulchez@aol.com 908 486 0005