IN CASE YOU HADN'T NOTICED, WINTER IS HERE!

FLUFFY AND FIDO NEED HELP KEEPING WARM TOO!

Follow these guidelines to keep your family pets safe:

1. Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Be aware that their little ears can become frozen and snap off.

2. During the winter, cats sometimes sneak under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. Before starting the engine, bang loudly on the car hood, to give the cat a chance to escape. Of course not to the point of denting the vehicle!

3. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. Many dogs are lost during the winter, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.

3. Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

4. Never shave your dog or cat down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth.

5. When you bathe your pet in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him/her. Avoid using a hair dryer as this can scare your pet.

6. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.

7. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death. It would be horrible to get into your vehicle and find the family pet frozen solid.

8. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside.

9. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

10. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.

11. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.

12. Make sure your companion animal, as well as yourself, has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

Now that we have reminded you of proper cold weather pet care, you can show your unending gratitude by letting our specialized Real Estate team help you with any needs you may have!

Thank You, and as always, call Ramona at: 360-909-1540

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY GROUP

WHO KNEW THE CUCUMBER COULD BE SO USEFUL AND VERSATILE!!!

Just when you thought, "All we EVER talk about is Real Estate!"

We are not looking to confuse the millions of fans who read this blog. But, once in a while, a person stumbles across a tidbit of information, although obscure and off the subject, it compels the stumbler to pass it on!

This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeine saturated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the photochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explorers for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!!!

It is an amazing, and useful veggie, wouldn't you agree? We are not really that far off the subject, since a person can use this info to beautify their home, and, we can help you find a beautiful home!

It's simple! Use the money you save with cucumbers, and put it towards a down payment on your new home!


Ramona Kauhi

360-909-1540

Have A wonderful Day!

EXTENSION OF THE $8,000 TAX CREDIT

Just when you thought it was too late to get in on this deal!

You may have heard of the credit and it just wasn't the right time, or you just couldn't find a home quick enough to get in on the 8K. Whatever your circumstance may have been, your in luck, its not too late! This extension, along with the expertise and diligence of THE RAMONA KAUHI TEAM, will certainly put your worries to rest!

The tax credit is a stimulus incentive that was set to expire on December 1st 2009.
The tax credit allowed first time home buyers purchasing their primary residence to receive a tax credit of up to $8,000. With the expiration of the program many feared that home sales would decline and a market recovery would be further delayed.
Initial reports are that the Senate has not only approved an extension of the first time home buyer tax credit, but an expansion that would allow current home owners to also be eligible for a tax credit on a new home.
Sources within the Senate have indicated that there is a preliminary agreement to extend the so called “first time home buyer tax credit” until the end of April 2010. In addition, they intend to expand the program to include a tax credit of up to $6,500 for home buyers who already own a home. The senate sources indicated that one requirement on current homeowners looking to buy a new home and get the $6,500 credit is that they must have lived in their primary residence for the last five years.
It appears they will attempt to attach this new home buyer tax credit extension to the unemployment extension bill. It’s still unclear as to when the extension will come up for a vote, but this initial report is incredibly positive news for the housing market.
Thousands of families have already been able to purchase a home and take advantage of the first time home buyer tax credit. This five month extension and expansion will allow countless thousands more to take advantage of it as well.
One point of frustration for many buyers is not being able to access the tax credit early and use it as part of the down payment on their purchase. While HUD has approved the use of the tax credit as down payment, lenders, as we have seen all too often, have not gotten on board with it and widely ban the use of the tax credit for down payment. Third parties have been advancing borrower's money to use as down payment in some reported cases. This is still not widely accepted by lenders and borrowers have had to wait until tax time to receive their credit.
If you have been in the market to buy a home it looks like you will have until the end of April to get a Government check to do so!

For more information on this program please call Ramona, at your convenience. She would be happy to answer questions you may have.

If you are looking to purchase or sell a home, give us a call, we can help!

RAMONA KAUHI

360-909-1540

licensed in Oregon and Washington

HURRY! YOUR MISSING OUT ON $8,0000!

Could you use $8,000?

Who couldn't you say!

THIS HEAD SPINNING OFFER ENDS NOVEMBER 30TH!

SO...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

CALL RAMONA!

Maybe you've already heard, the Government is giving an $8,000 tax credit to anyone who qualifies. Bad news is you need to get a move on it to actually get it.

Admittedly, these Government programs can be confusing, and sometimes, they are not worth the hassle. This one is a no brainer! Basically, you, the new Homeowner, buys a house, and you get an $8k tax credit. Yes, you should be getting a little excited!

To help you understand a bit more clearly, here are a few facts you may find helpful.

1. The Difference Between a Tax Credit and a Tax Deduction
A tax credit is applied directly to taxes owed. If you owe $8,500 in taxes and apply the $8,000 tax credit, your tax bill is reduced to $500. If you have already paid $9,000 through payroll deductions or estimated tax payments, you will get a refund of $8,500.
A tax deduction is a reduction against earned income. If you made $100,000, an 8,000 tax deduction would simply reduce that income for tax purposes to $92,000, and you would pay taxes on that lower income.
2. How Does the $8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit Work?
Qualified home buyers can receive a true tax credit of 10% of the purchase price, with a maximum credit amount of $8,000. This means if you buy a home for $80,000 or more, you can deduct the full $8,000 tax credit from the amount owed to the I.R.S. If you usually get a refund on your taxes -- and you qualify for the maximum tax credit -- you can add another $8,000 to that refund for 2009.
You can also amend your 2008 return and take the deduction in 2008, if you so desire.
Qualifications for the $8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit
Only first-time home buyers are eligible. This is defined as not owning a home over the past 3 years. Here are other qualifications:
The home must be your principal residence.
Only homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009 qualify for the tax credit.
Limited to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of $75,000 as a single person or $150,000 filing jointly. There is a phase-out for single incomes between $75,000 and $95,000, and for couples filing jointly with incomes between $150,000 and $170,000.

3. More About the $8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit
Unlike the 2008 $7,500 home buyer tax credit, the $8,000 tax credit is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. It's like free money for buying a house during the specified time period and meeting certain requirements.
Also, unlike the 2008 $7,500 home buyer tax credit, you can use the credit if you financed your home purchase with state or local bond funding.
However, if you sell that home within the first 3 years of ownership, the entire amount of the tax credit is recaptured. This means you will be required to give that money back to the I.R.S. So, if you take advantage of the tax credit, plan to stay put for 3 years.

Now that you feel more comfortable with the program and what it actually entails, get off the computer, and let start looking for your dream home!

Do you already own your home but know of someone who could benefit from this program? Go ahead, give them our number, The Ramona Kauhi Team is on it!

REMEMBER...YOU ONLY HAVE UNTIL NOVEMBER 30TH!!!

WHO SHOULD SELL MY HOME?

Many a Homeowner has been sent into a panic when faced with the decision of choosing how to sell their home, and with good reason!

You have the For Sale By Owners, The Discount Agents, and of course the traditional full service Agent. Ahh the dilemma, take a deep breath and stop hyperventilating. It's YOUR lucky day! As usual its Ramona to the rescue!!! Compiled for your convenience and without bias, the pros and cons of each option available to you.

Traditional Brokers
The Pros:Brokers work. Despite the advent of the Internet, traditional agents continue to dominate the real-estate market. Indeed, 88% of all home sales were sold with the assistance of a realtor. Want exposure? Hire a broker. Traditional Realtors share their property listings in a database called the Multiple Listing Service. This database contains more than 95% of all properties that are for sale and is used by more than 1.3 million agents nationwide. It's a snap for an agent to find all of the homes in a client's price range. And since the listing broker is willing to split the 6% commission with any realtor who finds a buyer, there's plenty of incentive to show a competitor's inventory.

You could, however, save yourself thousands of dollars by selling your property on your own. But some would argue that the headache isn't worth it..
A good agent will do all the work for you. He or she will take control of the transaction and do everything from setting an accurate asking price and prescreening prospective buyers to showing your home and negotiating the final price. All you'll need to do is keep the place tidy. This should free you to spend your weekends looking for your new abode.
The Cons:Brokers are expensive. Most of them charge as much as a 6% commission for their services. So if your four-bedroom colonial sells for $350,000, you'll have to cut a check for $21,000 at closing. However, all fees are negotiable and many brokers are reporting they charge slightly lower fees.
A broker is in control of your transaction. So be prepared for strangers to traipse through your house for a "viewing" at practically any time of day. More important, your broker will be negotiating on your behalf, and you'll have to trust that he or she is providing you with all of the information you need to make a final decision. At its worst, you may find your agent encouraging you to reduce your price just to make a quick sale so he can move on to another property.

Discount Brokers
The Pros:Discount brokers are cheaper than traditional brokers. Some charge sellers between 2% and 5% for their services. (Typically, the higher the fee, the more service that's provided.) So the commission for that same four-bedroom colonial could cost you just $7,000, far less than the $21,000 a traditional broker would charge you.
Some discounters will prescreen for qualified buyers and weed out the riff raff. For example, some companies run credit checks on all potential buyers and makes sure they're preapproved for a sufficiently large mortgage.

The Cons:You get what you pay for. Some discounters merely list your property on their Web site. Or they'll field calls from prospective buyers, but you'll have to give the official home tour and deliver the hard sell. If this is all the service you're getting, some industry insiders argue you might as well run an ad in the local newspaper
You'll have to pay up to get your home in the Multiple Listing Service database. While discounters can offer you this service, you won't get it for 2%. Many discounters will charge you a higher fee, say 4% to 5%, for the listing.
Don't expect agents to bang down your door. Even if your home is listed in the Multiple Listing Service database, some agents may refuse to show your property. Why? The discounted commission. Rather than the traditional 3% buyer's commission, many discounters will offer agents just 2% or 2.5%. While that may seem like splitting hairs to you, the difference can really add up. If an agent can make $10,500 selling one $350,000 home vs. $7,000 on another comparable property, which one do you think he'll show first?

For Sale by Owner
The Pros:More money in your pocket. That's right, you get to keep whatever your home sells for. You can put that 6% commission toward the down payment on a larger home or toward more important expenses, such as your child's education.
No one knows your home better than you do. So doesn't it make sense that you could point out all of the amenities and sell it better than an agent? And consider this: Nine out of 10 agents showing a home are walking through it for the first time.
If you want something done right, do it yourself. Selling your own home gives you complete control over the transaction. You set the price, you set up convenient times to show the home and you get to negotiate with a buyer. This way, you'll know when it's time to cave and lower your price or stay firm because your house is attracting a lot of interest.
The Cons:Less exposure. If you try to sell your home without the assistance of a broker, you'll dramatically limit the number of potential buyers who'll view your property. First, your house won't be included in the Multiple Listing Service. Second, buyers feel more comfortable using a broker, since they want to see all of the available homes in a given neighborhood and have a professional on hand to help analyze the properties.
Expect your home to sell for less. According to the National Association of Realtors, homes that sold with a broker went for a higher median price than those sold by an owner. Many buyers believe they can negotiate more vigorously if they're buying directly from an owner who's avoiding a hefty broker's fee.
Selling your own home can be a hassle. You have to set a price, place ads in the paper, field calls from prospective buyers and then put on your best smile and sell that house like a pro. And don't forget about the negotiations. Some industry insiders even argue that buyers feel more comfortable talking money with a third party. Now try juggling all that's involved while holding down a full-time job and looking for a new home for your family to move into. Some argue that the headache is well worth the 6% commission.

So now that you have decided to go with the Ramona Kauhi team for all of your Real Estate needs, go ahead and give me a call!

Seriously, whatever route you choose to go with, we can offer good, honest advice. Acquired from being in the business and making it successful, through all the ups and downs the market has experienced.

THANK YOU!

USDA Rural Development Housing loans

MANY people are unaware of government funded programs that are available to those of us who qualify.

Washington, August 5, 2009 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced that 50,000 rural families have attained the dream of becoming homeowners with the help of funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These funds have been made available through a variety of programs administered by USDA Rural Development as part of President Obama's aggressive efforts to strengthen rural communities

In communities across the nation, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding is having positive effects for individuals, families, communities and local economies. USDA Rural Development offers guaranteed and direct single-family home loans to eligible rural residents who are unable to secure a conventional loan. Down payments are not required, and payments are based on the borrower's income

More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at http://www.recovery.gov/. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/.

There are some amazing stories of families who have been helped by these programs on the websites. It would be worth any ones time to investigate these opportunities, it could end up being another a success story!

We have three lots waiting to be built in Ridgefield, WA. A rare opportunity to build your dream home. Bring your own plan or builder, or use the sellers plans and they will build your house. Use MLS# 9050641, 9050643, 9050647

Ramona is here for you! Call 330-909-1540 TODAY!

Hot Weather and Pets

We at RAMONASOLDIT.COM absolutely love our little furry companions! Out of concern for all creatures big or small, we would like to post this reminder so none are harmed inadvertently.

THIS INFORMATION CAN HELP YOU CARE FOR YOUR CREATURE WHEN THE MERCURY RISES!

• Never leave an animal alone in a vehicle, since even with the windows open, a parked car, truck or van can quickly become a furnace. Parking in shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day. When traveling, carry a gallon thermos filled with fresh, cold water.
  
• Don't force your animal to exercise after a meal in hot,humid weather. Always exercise him or her in the cool of the early morning or evening.
  In extremely hot weather, don't leave your dog standing on the street, and keep walks to a minimum. He is much closer to the hot asphalt and his body can heat up quickly. His paws can burn since they are not protected by shoes.
  
• Never take an animal to the beach unless you can provide a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for her to drink. Rinse her off after she has been in salt water.
  Always provide plenty of shade for an animal staying outside the house. A properly constructed dog house serves best. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day and let her rest in a cool part of your house. Always provide plenty of cool, clean water for your animal.
  
• Please be sensitive to old and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs (especially bulldogs, Pekingese, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus) and those with heart or lung diseases should be kept indoors in air-conditioning as much as possible.
  
• Keep a current license and identification tag on your dog or cat and consider tattooing or microchipping as a means of permanent identification.
  
• Avoid walking your dog in areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals, as poisonings increase during the summer when gardens, lawns and trees are sprayed. These chemicals can sicken or kill an animal. Call your veterinarian or The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA/NAPCC) if you suspect your animal has been poisoned.
  
• Be alert for coolant leaking from your vehicle. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste of coolant and ingesting just a small amount can cause an animal's death. Consider using animal-friendly products that use propylene glycol rather than those containing ethylene glycol.
• 
  A clean coat can help to prevent summer skin problems, so keep your dog or cat well groomed. If he has a heavy coat, shaving your dog's hair to a 1-inch length will help prevent overheating. Don't shave a dog's hair down to the skin; this robs him of protection from the sun. A cat should be brushed frequently to keep his coat tangle-free.
• 
  Take your companion animal to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer checkup, including a test for heartworm if your dog isn't on year-round preventative medication. Have the doctor recommend a safe, effective flea and tick control program.
  
• Never tie an animal outside on a correction collar. He can choke to death. If you must tether him, use a buckle collar with identification tags instead. (This applies in any season.)
  Never let your animal run loose. This is how an animal can contract a fatal disease, including rabies, or be injured, killed or stolen.
• Be sure there are no open, unscreened windows or doors through which your animal can fall or jump.

Good luck in keeping you and yours cool and comfy during the heat. Remember, enjoy it, we don't get enough here in the Northwest!

As Always, call RAMONA if your thinking of selling or buying.

cell# 360-909-1540 call today!