Shari Roberts-Osojnak

I hear that Applebee's is giving away a free meal to Veterans on Veteran's Day. Check it out!

-Shari

Wow! Hubby and I have been reviewing our will, which was carefully drawn up in 2005. Evidently I had questions, because it has never been fully executed. Sooo the good news is that I worked with a lawyer, and drew up a will. The bad news is that I still haven't signed it! (is anyone smiling yet?) Sure hope the rest of you don't do things this way. I have the ability to over-think things to the point that they don't get done at all. Lots of things in my life are 99% complete. They are "perfectly incomplete," though. You have to give me credit for that! (lol) Well, thankfully, we haven't needed our wills. I will make an appointment with Patrick Conlin soon! Next time you see me ask if I kept this promise.

Did you know this? The other thing I discovered today, and want to share with you, is regarding social security. Here is how it works: The Social Security Administration allows seniors who have started taking their monthly benefit to stop their benefits and start again later. You simply repay the full amount in benefits received to date with NO interest, then you "re-start" your benefit at a later date (and probably a higher amount) as though you had deferred taking their benefits in the first place! For example ... if you began receiving benefits at age 62, but then changed your mind and wanted to wait until age 70 to begin collecting benefits. Using this strategy, you could increase your Social Security payments by more than 70%! This comes from a good source, so I take it to be true. If it applies to you, or your loved ones check it out. I'm definitely passing this on to one friend in particular, who has waited until age 70.

Hope your day is going well. I need to be out of the house early tomorrow for a Foreclosure Sales class in Troy.

Cheers!

Shari Roberts-Osojnak, Assoc. Broker * REAL ESTATE ONE * Chelsea/Dexter/Scio/Ann Arbor, MI * 734 475-3200

FREE FINANCIAL LITERACY SEMINAR - please share the information!

I wish to openly thank the Senator, and share a letter I received from Senator Carl Levin. (I will abbreviate and paraphrase.) This is good information. Please pass it on to anyone you know who may be able to use it.

Senator Levin thought I might be interested in knowing about Save Your Savings: A Free Financial Advice and Counseling Session that will take place on Monday, April 13, 2009 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Social Sciences Building on the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus located at 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, Michigan. Congressman John D. Dingell and Levin are co-hosting this workshop in collaboration with a group of federal government agencies and local consumer advocacy organizations.


Many Michigander's have been taken advantage of by confusing or crooked financial schemes. Information will help them make sound decisions when it comes to their future finances. This is a free seminar. There will be financial counselors on site to provide free one-on-one advice when the event is over.

The seminar is open to the public; there is no charge for parking in the structure located on Monteith Boulevard on the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus. Campus maps and directions can be found at: http://www.umd.umich.edu/maps_directions/ .

If you want more information on this financial literacy seminar, please call Senator Levin's Detroit office at 313-226-6020 or Congressman Dingell's Dearborn office at 313-278-2936.

Shari Roberts-Osojnak, Associate Broker, REAL ESTATE ONE.

Chelsea * Dexter * Scio * Ann Arbor, MI.

734-475-3200 * 734-426-14887 * Toll Free: 888-865-2635

FORECLOSURE-PROOF STRATEGY (SHARING): I expect mortgage rates to go down as low as 4%, and then begin to climb indefinitely. (Just a guess, but a pretty educated one, based on years past.) It may be a good idea to poise yourselves for one last refinance when it gets to 4%. Planning ahead will help you take advantage of the opportunity. Make sure your new mortgage is stretched out for a minimum of fifteen (and preferably 30-40) years. Try to get a new mortgage that will allow one interest rate reduction during the life of the loan, upon your request. (just in case) This is pretty common place. Why? A strategy like this gives you an option to regularly pay down the principal BI-WEEKLY, if you are able, but not be in jeopardy when/if there are tough times ahead with sickness or job-loss. The beauty of this strategy is a very low "required" payment, and lots of options for early payoff. Because I care, -mom Shari Roberts-Osojnak, REALTOR®/Associate Broker, GRI, ABR, SHS REAL ESTATE ONE. Chelsea * Dexter * Scio * Ann Arbor, MI Shari@ISellChelsea.com

Buy a house?

New homebuyers are so crucial to our recovery in America. Do people know that they will get up to $8,000 in an immediate tax credit for buying their first house? I don't think the word is out. Either that or those who qualify have been told "there's no such thing as a free lunch" -- and are skeptical. This is real folks. FREE MONEY! You do need to close on your home before the end of November to qualify, however, so don't wait. If your income taxes are already done for 2008, you can go back and amend them, and get the money you have coming. (Those who haven't owned a home in the previous three years, are also considered first-time buyers, by the way.) If you want more details as to how this works please send me an email. I have an article I would be happy to forward to you. Shari@ISellChelsea.com

Governor Granholm, how about sweetening the pot? Since Michigan started with the downturn long before the other states, and continues to stay ahead of the pack, why don't we do what California is doing, and add a $10,000 tax credit for our residents who buy a home in MI? Maybe $10,000 is a lot of money. $5,000. $1,000?

I used to think a 7% mortgage was a real steal. 8-9% wasn't too bad. I sold houses when interest rates were as high as 17%. At that point people needed homes, and we just collectively watched the market until a good rate was available. They refinanced when the rates came down to 10%. Sounds strange now, doesn't it? With rates hovering around 5% today WHY ARE YOU WAITING???

The low prices offered for homes today is a huge incentive. In 2009 we have to be very close to the bottom in Michigan.You have to live somewhere. Why rent? Take advantage of these wonderful prices.

Buy a car?

A similar effort for car sales would help Detroit, and at the same time the full Michigan economy. Hubby and I would buy a car if government incentives became big enough. Meantime we stay conservative like most other folks. Something needs to be done to sell the inventory. Who wouldn't love a new car?

Can first-time homebuyers and automobile buyers save our U.S. economy? I don't know, but it is worth a try!

Shari Roberts-Osojnak, REAL ESTATE ONE. Chelsea * Dexter * Ann Arbor, MI. www.AskShari.com