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It’s that time of year!  Hail storms and roof damage.  One interesting fact I just learned from a friend of mine – a roofing guy – is that the hail this time of year is usually too soft to actually cause damage to your roof.  Usually following on the heels of the storm are the roofing companies knocking on your door telling you that they’ll be happy to get up on your roof and inspect the damage.

BEWARE!!!

I’ve heard tell that some of those guys will get up on your roof and knock around with a ball pein hammer to simulate damage to your roof by hail in the hopes that you’ll hire them to do the repair work.  So you call your insurance company.  They send out an adjuster.  That adjuster knows the difference between hail damage and hammer damage!  No hail.  No insurance for repair and now you have damage to your roof!

Or the roof inspection door-knockers convince you that there is damage (again, in hopes that you’ll hire them to make the repairs), you call your insurance company, they send out an adjuster and don’t find any damage.  Filing a claim with your insurance company, in most cases, will go against your C.L.U.E. report (kind of a report card on your insurance policy for insurance companies).  This event can trigger rate hikes or even cancellation of your insurance!

So enjoy the rain.  Cringe when it hails and call me.  I have resources.  There are reliable, reputable roofing companies around that have been doing business in the area for years.  Don’t ever let anyone up on your roof who just happens to be going door to door in the neighborhood.  And don’t fall prey to the guy who will leave you blowing in the wind of the next storm!

My daughter pointed something out to me today that I want to share. I have been called in this life to reach out to young people. (I’m still 16 in my own head!)

One of my first buyers was a young first time home buyer and we had a blast working together. My daughter pointed out that my gift is making that young buyer feel like a “real person”. It never occurred to me to view him in any other way. He was serious about making a home investment and I was serious about helping him accomplish his goals.

I do have a gift for educating and I thoroughly enjoyed walking through the whole buying process with him and helping him understand what goes on through the transaction.

My focus is to help anyone (especially first time home buyers) feel more comfortable through the process of buying a home.  It can be scary.  It can be nerve wracking.  And it can be a breeze and it can be fun.  I’m here to make sure it goes smoothly and to make sure you get out of this what you want… A home… peace of mind… the best deal possible…  Name it.

Call me.  Let’s talk about your goals when it comes to finding that perfect home.  I can help you reach them.  I promise to take care of you like you would want your own mother to take care of you and to care for you.

Call your real estate mom, because maybe your mom isn’t a Realtor!

Warmer weather got you feeling like cleaning and sprucing up? Yeah… me neither. Don’t get me wrong! I love the feeling in my freshly cleaned house, but getting up the desire to actually tackle it… ugh! I do know that this long-standing cleaning tradition practiced by my grandmother and my mother and expected of me does make you feel like you have a NEW HOUSE… kind of…

Anyway… if you are anxious to get things spruced up a bit around your house, here are some very useful tips. Remember that these are very useful when getting ready to put your house on the market too. Call me in that case!

Complete Spring Cleaning Checklist

Max always knew!

In recent years, I’ve discovered a new meaning/interpretation of the Grinch and his experience.  Perhaps others of you have always known it, but the main focus of the story for me now is the actual realization that Christmas really isn’t about all the trappings and commercialism.

I’ve always known this, of course, but it was an easy thing of which to lose sight especially during the young years of my family.  For me, as a Christian, Christmas is about the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ, but I’ve also always been sucked into the trappings of the season.  We have to get the tree.  We have to get presents for everyone on our list.  We have to perform in church and all around the town at least half a dozen times during this month… There are concerts and services to attend, parties…  And then, if you still have kids in school, there are all the sporting events thrown in on top!

How easy is it to fill those little squares on the calendar of this month?  Do we allow this because we see it as preparation for the event?  Isn’t that what Advent is all about?  Whew!

A few years back now, I came to the same conclusion that the Grinch did…

“And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low.  Then it started to grow.

“But this sound wasn’t sad!
Why, this sound sounded glad!

“Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing without any presents at all!

“He hadn’t stopped Christmas from coming! It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!

“And the Grinch, with his grinch feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling. “How could it be so?

“It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
It came without packages, boxes, or bags!”

“He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.

“Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!”

I called a halt to the craziness (well… as best I could).  The only thing in this busy month over which I have any control, is my attitude.  I am still part of all the musical groups at my church by choice and we still go wild, performing this month.  I am willing to be part of that.  Sometimes, that stress still gets to me and I have been known to suffer a melt down with tears over the silliest of details.  :/

Again… back to my attitude…  I have decided!  Christmas is coming.  No matter what happens.  No matter how crazy the calendar looks.  No matter if there are decorations on the tree.  No matter if there are presents under it.  No matter if cookies have been baked.  No matter if I’ve attended every party to which I’m invited.  The Grinch was right.  The day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, will happen without preparation… without craziness… without stress…  It just happens.  We can choose to celebrate that fact whether we’re “ready” or not.  Really… the only place we’re asked to prepare, is in our hearts.

I invite you to take one evening during the next 10 days to turn off the lights, light a candle, get out a nativity set (call me if you need to borrow one), sit on the couch with a nice warm beverage, turn on the lights of the undecorated tree (if you’ve had the time to hang the lights or buy the tree!) and think about the lesson of the Grinch.  “Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!”

⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. — Luke 2:8-14

“And that’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown…”

By: G. M. Filisko

Published: February 10, 2010 by HouseLogic a resource by the National Association of Realtors

A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you.

1. Know thyself
Understand the type of home that suits your personality. Do you prefer a new or existing home? A ranch or a multistory home? If you’re leaning toward a fixer-upper, are you truly handy, or will you need to budget for contractors?

2. Research before you look
List the features you most want in a home and identify which are necessities and which are extras. Identify three to four neighborhoods you’d like to live in based on commute time, schools, recreation, crime, and price. Then hop onto REALTOR.com to get a feel for the homes available in your price range in your favorite neighborhoods. Use the results to prioritize your wants and needs so you can add in and weed out properties from the inventory you’d like to view.

3. Get your finances in order
Generally, lenders say you can afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. Create a budget so you know how much you’re comfortable spending each month on housing. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to investigate financing.

Gather your financial records and meet with a lender to get a prequalification letter spelling out how much you’re eligible to borrow. The lender won’t necessarily consider the extra fees you’ll pay when you purchase or your plans to begin a family or purchase a new car, so shop in a price range you’re comfortable with. Also, presenting an offer contingent on financing will make your bid less attractive to sellers.

4. Set a moving timeline
Do you have blemishes on your credit that will take time to clear up? If you already own, have you sold your current home? If not, you’ll need to factor in the time needed to sell. If you rent, when is your lease up? Do you expect interest rates to jump anytime soon? All these factors will affect your buying, closing, and moving timelines.

5. Think long term
Your future plans may dictate the type of home you’ll buy. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in the home for five to 10 years? With a starter, you may need to adjust your expectations. If you plan to nest, be sure your priority list helps you identify a home you’ll still love years from now.

6. Work with a REALTOR®
Ask people you trust for referrals to a real estate professional they trust. Interview agents to determine which have expertise in the neighborhoods and type of homes you’re interested in. Because homebuying triggers many emotions, consider whether an agent’s style meshes with your personality.

Also ask if the agent specializes in buyer representation. Unlike listing agents, whose first duty is to the seller, buyers’ reps work only for you even though they’re typically paid by the seller. Finally, check whether agents are REALTORS®, which means they’re members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. NAR has been a champion of homeownership rights for more than a century.

7. Be realistic
It’s OK to be picky about the home and neighborhood you want, but don’t be close-minded, unrealistic, or blinded by minor imperfections. If you insist on living in a cul-de-sac, you may miss out on great homes on streets that are just as quiet and secluded.

On the flip side, don’t be so swayed by a “wow” feature that you forget about other issues—like noise levels—that can have a big impact on your quality of life. Use your priority list to evaluate each property, remembering there’s no such thing as the perfect home.

8. Limit the opinions you solicit
It’s natural to seek reassurance when making a big financial decision. But you know that saying about too many cooks in the kitchen. If you need a second opinion, select one or two people. But remain true to your list of wants and needs so the final decision is based on criteria you’ve identified as important.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who has found happiness in a brownstone in a historic Chicago neighborhood. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

This morning at the Aurora Association of Realtors, our speakers committee organized a panel of insurance agents to give us some really valuable information about different types of coverage. I learned of a type of coverage that I had not know about before.

Assessment Loss Coverage is pretty important if you are a townhome owner or a condo owner. We all know that HOAs are insured against damage but did you know that if they suffer a major loss and must file a claim with their insurance company they may turn around and charge the residents a special assessment to recoup.

If you are a resident/member of this HOA and you carry Assessment Loss Coverage, you can file a claim to pay that special assessment! Pretty cool, huh?

Thanks, Dad for reminding me of this one.  I hadn’t seen it for awhile and it brought a chuckle!

your house as seen by you

your house as seen by your buyer

your house as seen by your lender

your house as seen by the appraiser

your house as seen by the county assessor

That’s how it feels sometimes.  Everyone has a unique perspective about things!

French Honor Society

On April 6th, the French Honor Society will induct 8 new members. Congratulations go out to Leonel F., Maheema H., Danait H., Andrew H., Bryce R., Chris R., Joshua W. and Audrey Z. In addition, Margarita A., John C., Dakotah M., Hyemin N., Da­vis R. and Lindsey W. continue to excel in French. As seniors, Julianne H., Sravya K. and Adrianna S. have been members of the French Honor Society for 4 years and will receive an Honor Cord at graduation. Congratulations!

Spanish Honor Society

The Spanish Honor Society sponsors, Mariví C. and Alejandra L., will honor 52 new inductees on April 14th. In addition, 15 students have maintained their standing in the Span­ish Honor Society for the 2nd year with 7 more students excelling into their 3rd year. At graduation, we will have 15 seniors, Mitch B., Haley B., Joseph C., Jacob D., Mackenzie F., Brad K., Hyun K., Sean K., Susie K., Maris R., Erica M., Karina R., Matt S., Jason W. and Alexis U. who will receive Honor Cords for completing the highest level possible of Spanish at Smoky Hill High School. Congratulations to ALL!

Model UN

Joey C., Zack F., James G., Austin K., Garrett P., Samara R., Raka R., Cath­erine S., Morgan V., and Josh W. all traveled to Washington DC over President’s weekend to compete at NAIMUN, a prestigious Model UN meet. The students were accompanied by their sponsors, Maïlys V. and Janice Z.. All of the students did an outstanding job on their position papers. In both their behavior and business attire, the students repre­sented Smoky Hill High School very well.

Japan Cup

In April, 9 Smoky Hill students (Elijah D., Alex H., Chelsea H., Blu M., Cameron M., Elyse M., Emma M., Major M. and Stephen R.) will visit University of Denver to participate in the 2011 JA­PAN CUP. This is an oral competition in Japanese culture, cur­rent events, pop culture, art, and the language itself. The Japan Cup aims to provide an enjoyable and stimulating experience for all students involved. Good Luck to All.

Leaders of Tomorrow Honored

Congratulations to Suzanna C. and Jason W., Smoky Hill’s representatives for the 17th Annual Cherry Creek Schools Foundation Leadership for Tomorrow Luncheon. These students were selected for their leadership, academic, and extracurricular excellence. They were honored at the Leadership for Tomorrow Luncheon on March 17, sponsored by the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation.

Chipotle’s February Students of the Month

Smoky Hill staff members nominated 15 students for February Student of the Month honors, sponsored by Chipotle. The goal of the award is to provide recogni­tion for individual students. Each student received a personal­ized letter with the staff member’s nomination and a coupon for a free burrito at Chipotle.

February Students of the Month: Daniel C.; Melissa C.; Jillian D.; Kyle G.; Jessie H.; Alexandria H.; Nakita J.; Chase L.; Mary N.; Heaven R.; Camden S.; O’Shaye T.; Rachel W; Victoria W.; and Joshua W.

From the Smoky Hill Signals April 2011

Please congratulate the following students and staff member on their accomplishments at the DECA State Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs. Over 3000 students attended this conference, and these SHHS students were among the top competitors. They have qualified for the International Career Development Conference in April in Orlando, FL. All students did a fantastic job!

• TJ H./Corinne B., 3rd place, Advertising Campaign
• Kyle G., 4th place, Automotive Services Marketing
• Hayden A., 4th place, Business Services Marketing
• Camden S./Tyler K., 4th place, Financial Services Marketing
• Catherine S., 3rd place, Principles of Business Management
• Julie W., 3rd place, Principles of Finance
• Susie K., 5th place, Retail Merchandising
• Zach R., Finalist, Accounting Applications
• Jenna K., Finalist, Apparel and Accessories Marketing
• James B., Finalist, Automotive Services Marketing
• Julie K./Lexie G., Finalist, Business Law and Ethics
• Sammie E./Karli J., Honorable Mention, Hospitality Services
• George K., Honorable Mention, Marketing Management
• Meredith W., Finalist, Marketing Management
• Kevin R., Finalist, Principles of Business Management
• Aric L., Honorable Mention, Principles of Finance
• Hannah K., Finalist, Retail Merchandising
• Kayla R./Britanny G., Honorable Mention, Sports and Entertainment Marketing
• Ashley L./Zach T., Honorable Mention, Travel and Tourism Marketing
• Hannah K./Jenna K./Danielle S., Finals, Entrepreneurship Written Event

from Smoky Hill High School Signals April 2011

Record Setting Year for Smoky Hill Girls’ Swimming
√
Caroline P. closed out her remarkable high school swimming career by being voted the Colorado High School Swimmer of the Year by the Colorado High Swim Coaches Association at the 5A State Swimming Meet on February 12. Caroline is a 17-time National All-American, a 10-event Smoky Hill team record holder, and established two Colorado state records. Caroline also won the Hoyt Brauner Award earlier this season as the Swimmer/Scholar of the Year. She is the only female in state history to win both awards. In addition to Caroline’s award, Scott Cohen was voted the Colorado High School Swimming Coach of the Year by the Swim Coaches Association at the state meet.
In the pool Smoky Hill broke four team records and had five girls qualify for National All-American status based on their performance at the state meet.
Caroline P., Kelse J., Courtney W., Elysia E., and Alyse M. all achieved National All-American times for the Buffs.
Smoky Hill swimmers also had seven seniors qualify for National Academic All-American status. Cory H., Anna K., Kiley M., Caroline P., Meghan P., Courntey W., and Mackenzie W. are all multiple year varsity letter winners and have a grade point average over 3.75. As a team the Lady Water Buffaloes held a combined team varsity grade point average of 3.948, qualifying them for gold medal National Team Academic All-American status.

Smoky Hill High School Signals Newsletter April 2011