Menomonee Falls, WI

Beware of shop at home scams. I received an e-mail with an offer to get paid for being a secret shopper. This scam used a well known established name and appeared to be sent by an Internet job search. The only problem is, I am not registered at the Internet job search which appeared to send the e-mail.

It was easy to see it was a scam because the reply e-mail address was not for the company on the offer but through a free e-mail server. Major companies do not use free e-mail servers.

To check out these offers, copy and paste the name of the company in a search engine. If the company lists the address and phone number on the contact page but not on the e-mail, it may be a scam. E-mail signatures from major companies will usually contain the contact information.

This particular company included a page on their web site warning about scams and how to avoid them. One of the suggestions listed is, never send money or share financial information via e-mail.

It is usually easy to find Blog sites warning about scams.

Facing foreclosure? Here is a collection of material I have been passing along to home owners looking for answers to many of the most asked questions.

One of the major concerns is having the ability to find reliable information from the correct sources. To avoid scams begin your Internet search on sites ending with the .gov suffix. The .gov shows the information is listed on a government site, such as www.irs.gov. Many government sites contain links to other sources and agencies.

You may also contact local Real Estate Agents for specific information in your area. Many Real Estate Agents have advanced training in the area of short sales and foreclosures. It may also be a good idea to consult an attorney before making a decision. Many local governments have grant and refinance programs available. Ask your local Real Estate Agent or search the Internet for web sites supported by your local city and county government agencies.

Local Real Estate Agents will be able to review currant market conditions, giving you an idea of a sale value for your property and an estimated time it may take to sell.

Contacting your lender may be the first step. Gather information on refinancing and restructuring loans. You can search the Internet using the key words, loan modification .gov. Again, look for sites ending with the .gov, such as HUD.gov.

Http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/nsc/faqlm.cfm


Http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/


The most important factor is, getting in touch with the right sources and beginning the process as soon as possible. The longer you wait the less time you will have to seek alternative solutions.

Following is a list of sites aimed at helping home owners facing the possibility of foreclosure.

Here is a portion of information from the IRS site concerning debt relief. Many home owners are looking for information concerning the liability of taxes in regards to a short sale or foreclosure.

Dec. 11, 2008 — The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, qualify for this relief.

This provision applies to debt forgiven in calendar years 2007 through 2012. Up to $2 million of forgiven debt is eligible for this exclusion ($1 million if married filing separately). The exclusion doesn't apply if the discharge is due to services performed for the lender or any other reason not directly related to a decline in the home's value or the taxpayer's financial condition.

Here is a link to the IRS site.

Http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=179414,00.html


Http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=174034,00.html


The following links provide information about foreclosure procedures from state to state. Each site provides a little information to answers some of the questions most home owners may have.

http://www.realtytrac.com/foreclosure-laws/foreclosure-laws-comparison.asp

Http://www.foreclosures.com/pages/state_laws.asp

Specific questions can be answered on web sites such as AllExperts.

Http://www.allexperts.com/cl2/2927/realestate/Foreclosure/

Make sure you do not pass along any personal information unless you know exactly who you are dealing with. When asked to share information, credit card companies and the IRS will ask a number of questions such as date of birth, address and phone number. They will never ask this information if they place a call to you. Know who you are calling. If you receive a letter, confirm the contact information, address and phone number on the Internet before calling. Never give charge card numbers or social security numbers over the phone unless you can verify who you are talking to.

Every community has a street like this....the one street that has the most beautiful homes, great neighbors and picturesque yards, the street that EVERYONE would love to live on! In Menomonee Falls, (WI), Kenwood Boulevard is just that location. And now, only if you act fast, you can be the new family on the block! You could be celebrating the Holidays in your new home.

This gorgeous Lannon Stone Tudor, http://tinyurl.com/yacdjr2

has room for even the largest of families. With 5 Bedrooms and 2 baths on the upper level, everyone has comfortable space. Mom & Dad even have their own luxury bath with ceramic tile, dramatic pedestal sink, and cabinetry with granite surface. The master bedroom has a tray ceiling, his and hers closets and gleaming hardwood floors. The family bath is new updated and nice sized with a skylight for natural lighting.

The main floor has large living room with exposed wood floors, natural fireplace with custom doors, hand troweled spanish plaster walls and open staircase with hand cast wrought iron railing. Formal dining room with built in china buffet. Family room with large bay window overlooking gardens and side yard, plus a built in desk and study area. The kitchen is gigantic and has room for a large island for added storage and dramatic appeal. First floor laundry with locker area to keep the kids organized, and a convenient and totally updated half bath for convenience. Large open basement for storage, kids play areas, even a small wine cellar.

All mechanicals updated in the past 3-8 years, roof, furnace, air, water heater, roof, and a new garage.

It's hard to pick the best features of this home, as there are soooo many, but the yard is at the top of the list! Outlined in perennial gardens, lots of stone walks and a bluestone slate patio. A stone staircase leads to the lower yard with a focal point of a waterfall and pond. A grassy play area with playset will keep the kids happy, the fence will keep pets secured.

This is YOUR chance to live on one of the best streets in the Falls...Hurry, this one won't last long! Stop in at the open house this Saturday November 7th from 12-1:30. Or call Pat Tasker for your private appointment 262-437-5853!

CREDIT: PAT TASKER October 2009

covering the suburbs of Greater Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Milwaukee Counties

Looking for a REaltor in the Milwaukee Metro Area? Call Pat Tasker at 414-588-4907

Pat Tasker is your Milwaukee area Real Estate specialist. Her knowledge of the Milwaukee area and surrounding communities allows her to thoroughly assist you in meeting all of your real estate needs and goals.

Contact Pat if you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area. Visit Pat's website - please consider it as your online source for local real estate information, and return often for the latest property listing updates

We have heard way too much about this H1N1 flu. The drug companies claim there is a shortage of shots. These are the same drug companies spending BILLIONS in advertising, most of which is during the news hour. I suspect these drug companies are threatening the media, telling them to create a scare so they can make more money. If they create a shortage, they raise th

http://www.kirotv.com/money/20975936/detail.html

Talk about CONTROL, this is only the beginning. After spending millions of dollars lobbying against any type of public health insurance plan, the same drug companies want the government to spent $18 BILLION dollars to publicly distribute the shot.

http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=10046

Let's gauge the scare tactic. How many people have died from the N1H1 virus this year?

4700 WORLD WIDE.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2009-10/17/content_8805678.htm

How many people have died in traffic accidents in the UNITED STATES?

Over 40,000.

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/safety/articles/120006/article.html

How many people are killed by drunk drivers in a year in the United States?

Over 13,000

http://www.duiattorneyhome.com/DUI/Drunk-Driving-Statistics

If these drug companies were really concerned about our health, shouldn't they be spending money to loby against drunk driving?

Take precautions against the flu, but look at it in a realistic manner.