Shari Roberts-Osojnak

Head-up Chelsea!

The Chelsea Chamber just received a call from one of Chelsea's retail members, The New Chelsea Market, to inform them that a counterfeit $20.00 bill was discovered by the bank in their daily deposit.The bill was of such high quality it was not detected by the person at the register. This information came from Bob Pierce, Executive Director, Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce. There may be other bills out there circulating, and even elsewhere in Washtenaw County. Be careful, and be on the lookout for bogus bills.

What if I already have one??

If you believe that you have a counterfeit bill or have any questions related to such matters, please contact the Chelsea Police Department at 475-9122.

While I'm passing on Chelsea information, I also want to make sure you see this notice from the Chamber: (I quote)

Re: Chelsea Cash Reimbursement Program

As you know, Certifichecks, Inc, the company who administered our Chelsea Cash program, ceased operations on February 26, 2009. Liability for all outstanding certificates remains with Certifichecks, Inc.

On March 19, 2009, The Board of Directors of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce took action to protect our members and certificate holders. A reimbursement program was presented for their review and it was unanimously endorsed by the board. The program is detailed below.

1. Chelsea Cash certificates with issue dates from:

January 1, 2008 - February 26, 2009

will be honored at the full face value of the certificate.

2. DO NOT deposit your certificate in your bank deposit.

3. Please collect the certificates and on a bi weekly basis send them to the Chamber office at 310 N. Main Street, Suite 120. The Chamber will issue you a check in an amount equal to the face value of the certificates.

4. If you are the holder of a certificate, we encourage you to use it at any participating Chamber member location. You may also contact the Chamber office for a direct reimbursement.

5. The reimbursement program WILL END on June 30, 2009.

Since the program was introduced in December, 2005, more than $35,000 in Chelsea Cash certificates have been purchased for use in our member locations. The Chamber has not received any monetary remuneration for this program. While this reimbursement program represents a significant expense to our chamber, the Board of Directors believe it is more important than ever to encourage residents to support our local membership.

Please feel free to contact our Bob Pierce, Executive Director at 475-1145 or info@chelseamichamber .org with any questions. www.chelseamichamber.org

Well, it's almost April 1. It will be interesting to see what the new Conflicker worm threat does. I ran my McAfee program, and hope all is well.

Shari Roberts-Osojnak * REAL ESTATE ONE - Chelsea, Dexter & Ann Arbor, MI * 734-475-3200

The RotaryClubs of Washtenaw County, MI, proudly present THREE MEN AND A TENOR.

This is a benefit concert in support of Rotary International's Polio Eradication Program.

Friday, 24 April 2009

7:30 PM. Doors open at 6:30 PM.

Skyline High School, 2552 N Maple Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.

$30 General Admission. $50 Preferred Seating.

Contact any Washtenaw County Rotarian for tickets. (while the supply lasts) Going, going, GONE! Don't miss this event. I have tickets if you need them.

Call me at 734 475-3200. -Shari

Sure hate to lose my feline companion. Yesterday our five year old house cat, Miss Lucy, was diagnosed with cancer. The vet recommends surgery, chemo, and the works. She seems to feel fine, except can't always keep food down. Fellow bloggers -- is there hope? What have you tried that worked?

SHARING MEMORIES - March 5, 1968. I remember that day as if it was yesterday.

THE BIRTH: After what seemed to be a very-long nine months it was time for our first child to be born. His father had heard so many tales from other fathers-to-be about spending hours in a waiting room, that he didn't take me seriously when told it was time to go to the hospital. He showered. He ate cereal. He drove 50 miles per hour. After all, his friends had told him there is no rush! I tried to be brave... and patient, while he attempted to be a level-headed first-time "Dad."

THE INNOCENCE: We parked in front of the hospital, and walked in. When asked how we could be helped I casually said, "we are here to have our baby." After responding that the pains were three (3) minutes apart I was whisked into a wheelchair and headed to the delivery room.

THE DECISION: Hubby had a choice to make: 1) miss his son's delivery or 2) go back down and put money into the parking meter, which in the excitement he had forgotten to feed. Needless to say, our son's baby book includes his baby picture...AND a parking ticket with his birth date on it! Will this someday become an historical artifact?

THE QUESTION: Why do I call this my Annual Purple Socks Day? I still have the 41 year old lavender knee socks I was wearing during the delivery. The room was COLD. I wouldn't let the nurse take my kneesocks off! (Remember this was the late 60's. Colored kneesocks were all the rage. They matched my sweater.)

THE LEGACY: I sent my son an email this morning to remind him that I would be wearing my "purple" socks today in honor of his birthday. Last year I purchased a lavender blouse to complete the outfit. Am I sentimental, or what? :) When I am gone, I will bequeath them to him for ever and ever. What a hoot!

WHY DR. SEUSS: Now I'm reading in one of our Active Rain member's Blog that March 5 is Dr. Seuss's anniversary/birthday too. I will have to let my son know that he shares an important day in history with a favorite literary character from his childhood.

THE FUTURE PLAN: It appears that I need to add Green Eggs & Ham to my annual March 5th memorial celebrations. Are you coming for breakfast, Sam? I AM.

(Love you lots KGR. Happy Birthday! - mom)

I thought this was worth passing on. This is an article today through RISMEDIA titled "Economic Stimulus Bill Raises Reverse Mortgage Loan Limit, More Older Americans Served." Worth a read...

RISMEDIA, February 26, 2009-The Economic Stimulus Bill signed recently by President Obama expands the opportunity to benefit from a reverse mortgage to even more American seniors. The new bill will raise the HECM loan limits to 150% of the Freddie Mac loan limit. Currently, that would create a HECM loan limit of $625,500, helping older Americans access even more of the equity available in their homes to augment retirement incomes or offset investment losses.

"The past six months have been very important ones for the reverse mortgage industry and seniors in particular," said Bart Johnson, a reverse mortgage pioneer and current co-chair of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association. "During that time, the federal government has raised lending limits twice and reduced and capped origination fees."

Online financial resource Golden Gateway Financial shared the average home values of individuals using its online reverse mortgage calculator to research reverse mortgages in the fourth quarter of 2008. This data demonstrates which areas could benefit the most from this new lending limit. According to Golden Gateway Financial, seniors in five states have a self-reported average home value between the most recent HECM loan limit of $417,000 and the new limit of $625,500. Those states include California, Massachusetts, New York, Washington and South Carolina.

Unfortunately, the data also reveals that many states with large populations of seniors have experienced significant self-reported drops in home values over the past year. This means that many seniors who previously stood to benefit from these new limits, no longer can realize the full potential of their home's equity. For example, seniors in Oregon, a relatively stable real estate market, reported a decrease of nearly five percent over the course of 2008 to finish at $410,765 for the fourth quarter - just under the previous loan limit of $417,000.

"It is encouraging that the government is moving quickly to provide seniors with even greater access to the equity that exists in their homes," continued Bachman. "But this data shows that falling home values are quickly outrunning new lending limits."

State Q4 Average Home Value*

New York - $550,065
Massachusetts - $535,620
California - $506,850
Washington - $482,518
South Carolina - $418,533
Colorado - $416,803 **
Oregon - $410,765 **
New Mexico - $366,348 **
Florida - $377,879

* Self-reported home values by seniors, 62+ in Golden Gateway Financial's reverse mortgage cash calculator for Q4 ‘08
** Indicates states that were previously above prior lending limit of $417,000 during 2008 but declined in Q4 ‘08

For more information, visit www.goldengateway.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

Shari Roberts-Osojnak, Associate Broker * REAL ESTATE ONE * Chelsea * Dexter * Ann Arbor, MI * * www.AskShari.net * Toll Free: 1-888-865-2635