Wouldn’t it be great if parents had a resource that would review media and provide parents with a thoughtful analysis of what’s “out there”?

Well, that’s exactly what CommonSenseMedia.org does. From their mission statement:

“Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.

We exist because our nation’s children spend more time with media and digital activities than they do with their families or in school, which profoundly impacts their social, emotional, and physical development . As a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization, we provide trustworthy information and tools, as well as an independent forum, so that families can have a choice and a voice about the media they consume.”

Share this resource with your clients and contacts and let them know that you’re concerned about how our communities are raised in the digital age. It’s a great way to show you’re thinking about them, and they’ll probably appreciate the tip.

Late in the morning of the Tuesday that changed everything, Lt. Heather “Lucky” Penney was on a runway at Andrews Air Force Base and ready to fly. She had her hand on the throttle of an F-16 and she had her orders: Bring down United Airlines Flight 93. The day’s fourth hijacked airliner seemed to be hurtling toward Washington. Penney, one of the first of two combat pilots in the air that morning, was told to stop it.

“I genuinely believed that was going to be the last time I took off,” says Maj. Heather “Lucky” Penney, remembering the Sept. 11 attacks and the initial U.S. reaction.
The one thing she didn’t have as she roared Except her own plane. So that was the plan.
Because the surprise attacks were unfolding, in that innocent age, faster than they could arm war planes, Penney and her commanding officer went up to fly their jets straight into a Boeing 757.“We wouldn’t be shooting it down. We’d be ramming the aircraft,” Penney recalls of her charge that day. “I would essentially be a kamikaze pilot.”For years, Penney, one of the first generation of female combat pilots in the country, gave no interviews about her experiences on Sept. 11 (which included, eventually, escorting Air Force One back into Washington’s suddenly highly restricted airspace).
But 10 years later, she is reflecting on one of the lesser-told tales of that endlessly examined morning: how the first counterpunch the U.S. military prepared to throw at the attackers was effectively a suicide mission.“We had to protect the airspace any way we could,” she said last week in her office at Lockheed Martin, where she is a director in the F-35 program.
Penney, now a major but still a petite blonde with a Colgate grin, is no longer a combat flier. She flew two tours in Iraq and she serves as a part-time National Guard pilot, mostly hauling VIPs around in a military Gulfstream. She takes the stick of her own vintage 1941 Taylorcraft tail-dragger whenever she can. But none of her thousands of hours in the air quite compare with the urgent rush of launching on what was supposed to be a one-way flight to a midair collision.
First of her kind
She was a rookie in the autumn of 2001, the first female F-16 pilot they’d ever had at the 121st Fighter Squadron of the D.C. Air National Guard. She had grown up smelling jet fuel. Her father flew jets in Vietnam and still races them. Penney got her pilot’s license when she was a literature major at Purdue. She planned to be a teacher. But during a graduate program in American studies, Congress opened up combat aviation to women and Penney was nearly first in line.
“I signed up immediately,” she says. “I wanted to be a fighter pilot like my dad.”On that Tuesday, they had just finished two weeks of air combat training in Nevada. They were sitting around a briefing table when someone looked in to say a plane had hit the World Trade Center in New York. When it happened once, they assumed it was some yahoo in a Cesna. When it happened again, they knew it was war. But the surprise was complete. In the monumental confusion of those first hours, it was impossible to get clear orders. Nothing was ready. The jets were still equipped with dummy bullets from the training mission.
As remarkable as it seems now, there were no armed aircraft standing by and no system in place to scramble them over Washington. Before that morning, all eyes were looking outward, still scanning the old Cold War threat paths for planes and missiles coming over the polar ice cap.“There was no perceived threat at the time, especially one coming from the homeland like that,” says Col. George Degnon, vice commander of the 113th Wing at Andrews. “It was a little bit of a helpless feeling, but we did everything humanly possible to get the aircraft armed and in the air. It was amazing to see people react.”
Things are different today, ¬Degnon says. At least two “hot-cocked” planes are ready at all times, their pilots never more than yards from the cockpit.
A third plane hit the Pentagon, and almost at once came word that a fourth plane could be on the way, maybe more. The jets would be armed within an hour, but somebody had to fly now, weapons or no weapons.“Lucky, you’re coming with me,” barked Col. Marc Sasseville. They were gearing up in the pre-flight life-support area when Sasseville, struggling into his flight suit, met her eye.“I’m going to go for the cockpit,” Sasseville said. She replied without hesitating.“I’ll take the tail.”It was a plan. And a pact.
‘Let’s go!’Penney had never scrambled a jet before. Normally the pre-flight is a half-hour or so of methodical checks. She automatically started going down the list.“Lucky, what are you doing? Get your butt up there and let’s go!” Sasseville shouted.
She climbed in, rushed to power up the engines, screamed for her ground crew to pull the chocks. The crew chief still had his headphones plugged into the fuselage as she nudged the throttle forward. He ran along pulling safety pins from the jet as it moved forward. She muttered a fighter pilot’s prayer — “God, don’t let me [expletive] up” — and followed Sasse¬ville into the sky.
They screamed over the smoldering Pentagon, heading northwest at more than 400 mph, flying low and scanning the clear horizon. Her commander had time to think about the best place to hit the enemy.“We don’t train to bring down airliners,” said Sasseville, now stationed at the Pentagon. “If you just hit the engine, it could still glide and you could guide it to a target. My thought was the cockpit or the wing.”
He also thought about his ejection seat. Would there be an instant just before impact?“I was hoping to do both at the same time,” he says. “It probably wasn’t going to work, but that’s what I was hoping.”Penney worried about missing the target if she tried to bail out.“If you eject and your jet soars through without impact . . .” she trails off, the thought of failing more dreadful than the thought of dying. But she didn’t have to die. She didn’t have to knock down an airliner full of kids and salesmen and girlfriends. They did that themselves.
It would be hours before Penney and Sasseville learned that United 93 had already gone down in Pennsylvania, an insurrection by hostages willing to do just what the two Guard pilots had been willing to do: Anything. And everything.“The real heroes are the passengers on Flight 93 who were willing to sacrifice themselves,” Penney says. “I was just an accidental witness to history.”
She and Sasseville flew the rest of the day, clearing the airspace, escorting the president, looking down onto a city that would soon be sending them to war. She’s a single mom of two girls now. She still loves to fly. And she still thinks often of that extraordinary ride down the runway a decade ago.“I genuinely believed that was going to be the last time I took off,” she says. “If we did it right, this would be it.”

According to Blogging, Palm Desert REALTORS® Judy and Nelson Horn , the home-sale process, which includes open houses, frequent showings, and an influx of strangers into your home, poses certain risks. However, by taking a few safeguards, says the Horns, you can put your mind at ease.

The easiest solution is to remove valuable jewelry, fine art or collectables beforehand, storing them with a friend or family member. If that’s not an option, the Horns suggest finding a place to hide valuables within the home—or, consider packing them in a suitcase you pop into the car whenever you leave for a showing. No notice, try placing them in the vegetable drawer of your fridge.

The same consideration should be taken for personal information and paperwork. Filing cabinets that contain documents with account or social security numbers should be securely locked. And, unfortunately, lock up your medicine cabinet as well, a place where people often steal from, says the Horns.

When you return to your home after a showing, make sure that all doors and windows are locked. Prospective buyers will often open windows or doors to make sure they work properly or to see another part of the home. Although it may seem far-fetched, the Horns report that there have been incidents where people unlock doors when looking at a home and then go back later to steal things.

One unsavory tactic involves two people coming into the home—one who explores rooms and one who distracts the agent. If you’re home is in a high-crime area, consider suggesting that your REALTOR® hire a security guard or off-duty police officer to keep an eye on your home during the showing.

If your home does not have a security system, now may be the time to install one, the Horns advise. Adding a security system will not only deter burglars but can also be a strong selling point of the house. Also, if you are selling a home in which you’re not currently living, consider installing motion sensors that will automatically turn on lights when it’s dark. You can also put a few lamps on a timer so it appears someone is home when you’re out.

Lastly, the Horns recommend that home sellers enlist their neighbors to help keep an eye on their home, and to introduce the neighbors to your REALTOR® so they are not alarmed when he or she is in your home.

In Illinois last year, siblings aged 20 and 23 sought more than $50,000 in damages from their mom for “bad mothering,” including setting a curfew for her then-teenage daughter, “haggling” over clothing prices, and failing to send college care packages.

Lawsuits like these are, unfortunately, more the rule than the exception, says Hillel L. Presser, a lawyer specializing in domestic and international asset protection planning and author of “Financial Self-Defense” (www.assetprotectionattorneys.com).

“Litigation is America’s fastest growing business, and why not? Plaintiffs have everything to gain and nothing but a few hours’ time to lose,” Presser says. “Even if a case seems utterly ridiculous, like the guy in prison suing his victims’ family, defendants are encouraged to settle just to avoid potentially astronomical legal fees.”

So where does a person begin? You’ll likely need the expertise of an asset protection planner, Presser says, but here are some steps you can take on your own.

• Take stock of your wealth. Inventory your assets – you probably own more than you think. Besides savings and retirement accounts, consider any money owed to you, anticipated inheritances and future assets. Property includes homes, vehicles, jewelry, and land. Don’t forget to consider intangible assets, those non-physical but valuable brands, trademarks, patents and intellectual property. Visit www.assetprotectionattorneys.com for an inventory worksheet.
• Put only assets that are exempt from seizure in your name. Federal and state laws protect some personal assets from lawsuits and creditors. Those assets typically include your primary residence; personal items such as furniture and clothing; pensions and retirement funds; and life insurance. State exemption laws vary; federal laws govern exemptions in bankruptcy.
• Protectively title non-exempt assets. Putting the title to valuable assets in the names of corporations, limited partnerships, domestic trusts and other entities offers some protection. You still get to use and enjoy the asset but legal ownership is with an entity that’s not subject to your personal creditors’ claims. Which entities best shield which assets depends on the asset, your state laws, taxation and your estate plan, to name a few considerations. You can also combine protective entities, for instance, giving ownership of your limited liability company to a limited partnership. It’s best to get professional advice when choosing the entity that will best protect an asset.

Whether you’re worth millions or a few hundred thousand, it’s important to not get caught with your assets showing, Presser says. The more you have exposed, the more enticing a target you become. And the less you have, the more catastrophic the outcome can be.

“If the average person with $200,000 is sued for $1 million, he’s wiped out,” Presser says. “It’s not so horrific for the person with $25 million who gets sued for $5 million.”

Hillel L. Presser’s firm, The Presser Law Firm, P.A., represents individuals and businesses in establishing comprehensive asset protection plans. He is a graduate of Syracuse University’s School of Management and Nova Southeastern University’s law school, and serves on Nova’s President’s Advisory Council.

Navigating the foreclosure market can be a tricky situation especially in today’s market. FrontDoor.com provides the following tricks and treats to help consumers save time and money navigating the foreclosure market. Foreclosure treats are readily available, but homeowners and buyers should also be wary of hazardous foreclosure tricks. HGTV’s FrontDoor.com offers a guide for avoiding the tricks and taking advantage of the treats in today’s burgeoning market.

Foreclosure Tricks to Avoid

1. Every foreclosure is a bargain
Just because a house has a cheap price tag, doesn’t mean that it will be a good investment. The true cost of the home should include any needed improvements and repairs.

2. Buying a foreclosure property is like buying any other property
Foreclosure deals usually involve multiple parties and specific laws. Don’t trust just any real estate agent; seek out a foreclosure expert.

3. Going into foreclosure is better than paying a mortgage you can’t afford
Foreclosure has major legal, tax and credit consequences and should be a last resort. Act quickly to contact the mortgage lender and attempt to work out an action plan if financial constraints are on the horizon.

Foreclosure Treats to Enjoy

1. Homeownership is affordable
There really are well-maintained foreclosure properties out there, some for as little as 50% below their market value. The flood of foreclosures is making homeownership an increasingly viable option.

2. Banks are motivated to get rid of their inventory
Banks want to get non-income-producing properties off their books as quickly as possible which translates to competitive pricing for consumers. Building relationships with a lender’s REO (real estate owned) department can help when the time comes to make a deal.

3. The right foreclosure can be a good investment
Whether a foreclosure purchase is destined for renting or flipping, the right property can be profitable. It’s important, however, to do all the necessary research just as if it were a traditional property.

For more information, visit www.frontdoor.com.

By Keith Loria

Today’s real estate market  pluses include low mortgage rates and attractive prices, but purchasing a home is still difficult for many Americans. Renting and buying both have their benefits and challenges depending on each person’s circumstances. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons.

According to a 2010 study of the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, over the last five years, the number of renter households rose nearly 10 percent (3.4 million).

A good rule of thumb when considering whether to rent or buy is to predict how long you will stay in the home. If you plan on moving and selling in less than five years, renting is probably a better option right now.

One of the main factors keeping people from buying is the difficulty in obtaining the mortgage they want to afford the property they desire, causing them to either shop for something smaller and less expensive, or rent for a while until they can improve their financial situation.

The main problem most people have with renting is that you won’t be gaining equity and it feels like you’re throwing your money away. Plus, there’s no tax advantage to renting and you are limited with what changes you can make to the home.

Still, there are many benefits to renting. For one, you don’t need to make a long-term commitment, and it gives a future homebuyer the flexibility and time to figure out the best course of action both personally and economically. Other positives include being able to move when the lease expires, there’s less maintenance work required, and you don’t need to have a large sum of money available up-front to live in a nice home.

For those that choose to buy, over time the mortgage balance decreases and equity builds. You also have the freedom to make any decisions you want—including tearing down walls, building decks and remodeling any room the way you have always dreamed.

While every situation is unique, there are a plethora of rent vs. buy calculators available on the Web that can also help make your decision easier.

To discuss whether renting or buying is right for you, contact our office today.

By Joe Cooke, RISMedia Columnist

Top 5 In Real Estate, May 4, 2009-Are you prepared for an earthquake?
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake rocked southern California on July 29, 2008.
Dr. Lucy Jones, of the U.S. Geological Survey, noted that the quake was “…a wake-up call – a reminder to us to make the important changes we need to survive the inevitable.”

Of course, southern California residents expect a quake or two each year.
In fact, that area has about 10,000 earthquakes per annum, but most of them are so small that they are not felt. Only several hundred are greater than magnitude 3.0, and only about 15-20 are greater than magnitude 4.0.
But California is not the only area subject to earthquakes.
In 2001, a major quake surprised Seattle residents, causing over $3.5 billion in damages and injuring over 400 people.

According to the United State Geological Survey, between 1975 and 1995, Florida, Iowa, North Dakota, and Wisconsin were the only states that did not have any earthquakes.
But quakes occur even in the central portion of the United States.
In fact, shaking from earthquakes there are felt at a much greater distance from the epicenters than similar size quakes in the Western states.

You can prepare your home to minimize earthquake damage by making sure your water heater is strapped to the wall studs.
You may also want to bolt large book cases, china cabinets and other tall and heavy furniture to wall studs.

You can also prepare your family: create a 72-hour kit that includes medications, clothing, a battery-powered radio, flashlights and three gallons of water for each person.

If you feel an earthquake, drop, cover and hold on.
Drop right where you are and then roll or crawl to protection, such as under a sturdy table.
If you are in bed, stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
If you are outdoors, find a safe spot away from trees, power lines and buildings, and then drop to the ground.
If you are in a car, slow down, drive to a safe spot and stay in the vehicle.

Go to http://earthquake.usgs.gov/ for a map of current quake epicenters and more information on earthquake preparedness.

Tip 1: Understand the market. In strong markets, where demand outstrips supply, home sellers can old out for top dollar. In weak markets the reverse is true—there are many homes on the market and unless you price your home very competitively you’ll be very unlikely to attract any buyers. Whatever the current market conditions you will be most likely to get the highest possible price if you are willing to take the time to understand each of the components of a successful home sales campaign so you can assure that you, or a real estate service provider who may be assisting you, are doing everything possible to maximize the effectiveness of the home marketing effort.

Tip 2: Aim for low interest rates. A good time to sell is during a period of low mortgage interest rates, because with lower interest rates more buyers will be qualified to buy your home. Low rates benefit buyers and sellers alike, and if you plan to purchase another home after selling yours, you will be both a seller and a buyer. A “sellers market”, where there are more buyers than homes available for sale, is also helpful. However, if you plan to purchase another home in the same area after selling yours, this competitive advantage will work against you when you become a buyer. The same principle applies in reverse to buyers markets, so if you plan to purchase another home in the same area after selling yours, it really makes little difference in the end whether it’s a buyers or a sellers market.

Tip 3: Shine your apple. Make your home look as nice as it can. Have a presale yard sale and get rid of as much clutter as possible. Keep only a minimal amount of furniture in each room—it will make the room look bigger. Store any extra furniture. Clean up and repaint with neutral colors if necessary. Open blinds and replace light bulbs with brighter substitutes. If important parts of your home are outdated consider cost effective updates. If your kitchen or bath is old or in bad shape a prudent remodel can often return over 100 percent of the investment and help you sell the home faster. But don’t over improve. There’s not much point in adding a fourth bathroom to a home that is already worth more than most of the others in the neighborhood.

Tip 4: Study. More money hangs in the balance in the selling of your home than in most financial transactions in your life. It therefore makes sense to learn as much as you can about selling your home. No matter whether you’re a self seller, or have an agent, you need to learn enough to be in command of the process. There are many excellent books on the subject in libraries and bookstores. The real estate sections of local newspapers are great sources of information about your local marketplace. The difference between understanding the process as well as your local market, versus not understanding it, can be many thousands of dollars in the eventual selling price.

Tip 5: Price it right. Price your property realistically, especially in slow markets. When markets are slow buyers are psychologically unprepared to overpay—and they apply stringent standards of value. They will heavily discount many expensive and unusual improvements unless they appeal very strongly to their own personal tastes.

Tip 6: Get it in writing. Make sure you don’t prematurely give away any bargaining leverage. All home purchase agreements must be in writing to be binding. If someone asks if you would take a specific lower figure and you agree, that’s not an enforceable contract. All you have done is to lower your asking price. The correct response should be “I’ll consider all written offers.”

Courtesy of the American Homeowners Foundation and the American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.3 percent in March to 95.7 (2004 = 100), following a 0.7 percent increase in February, and a 0.2 percent increase in January.

Says Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at The Conference Board: “The LEI increased for the sixth consecutive month, pointing to a more positive outlook despite subdued consumer expectations and weakness in manufacturing new orders. Moreover, the six-month growth rate of the LEI continues to improve. The CEI, a measure of current economic conditions, has also increased in five of the last six months, with broad based gains in all components.”

Says Ken Goldstein, economist at The Conference Board: “Despite relatively weak data on jobs, home building and output in the past month or two, the indicators signal continued economic momentum. We expect a gradual improvement in growth past the summer months.”

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for the U.S. increased 0.2 percent in March to 104.2 (2004 = 100), following a 0.2 percent increase in February, and a 0.1 percent increase in January.
The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index® (LAG) increased 0.3 percent in March to 114.4 (2004 = 100), following a 0.1 percent increase in February, and a 0.6 percent increase in January.