Tag: 333333

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Keeping Your Car Safe From Electronic Thieves

I originally wrote this post in June of 2016. Over the years, I’ve continued to point people to this post as they continue to post on NextDoor that they can’t believe they left their car door unlocked….

Last week, I started keeping my car keys in the freezer, and I may be at the forefront of a new digital safety trend.

From Osage to Kentwood, our neighbors have been reporting that their cars are being broken into, even though there are no outward signs of the breakin.

Law enforcement’s response? “Surely you must have forgotten to lock your car.”

As usual, the bad guys are miles ahead of law enforcement.

Turns out that for less than $100, a creep on a bike can can pull your door handle and your car will obediently call out for its key. While generally your car will only call out for a couple of feet, there is a cheap device available that will amplify the call significantly further.

If you’re like me and your key is 50′ away on the kitchen counter, this is bad news for the expensive sneakers I keep in my trunk.

So, what to do? Apparently keeping your keys in the freezer is one answer. I bought one of these instead.

I eventually got tired of wrestling my fob in and out of that little bag and upgraded to a box I could slip my whole purse into.

Posted on

Keeping Your Car Safe From Electronic Thieves

Last week, I started keeping my car keys in the freezer, and I may be at the forefront of a new digital safety trend.

From Osage to Kentwood, our neighbors have been reporting that their cars are being broken into, even though there are no outward signs of the breakin.

Law enforcement’s response? “Surely you must have forgotten to lock your car.”

As usual, the bad guys are miles ahead of law enforcement.

Turns out that for less than $100, a creep on a bike can can pull your door handle and your car will obediently call out for its key. While generally your car will only call out for a couple of feet, there is a cheap device available that will amplify the call significantly further.

If you’re like me and your key is 50′ away on the kitchen counter, this is bad news for the expensive sneakers I keep in my trunk.

So, what to do? Apparently keeping your keys in the freezer is one answer. I think I’ll just buy one of these instead.

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Westchester’s 75th Birthday Is Here!

Westchester Celebrates 75 Years of Community!

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the first foundations being poured in the little piece of paradise we call Westchester. From bean fields and farmland, Westchester has grown into a thriving neighborhood with a world-class airport, prestigious universities and a sense of community unrivaled by even the smallest close-knit towns.

Westchester is having a birthday and it’s a big one! In honor of this milestone birthday, a Westchester 75th Birthday Committee made up of residents, local business owners and community leaders, has been created and is busy planning special events to celebrate the occasion.

Our Fourth of July Parade – or as I like to call it, “Our Annual Mayberry Moment” – will serve as the kick-off for a year of anniversary festivities.

The parade’s theme this year is “A Piece of Paradise: Celebrating 75 Years of Westchester.” This year’s theme was inspired by the submission of longtime Westchester resident, Dorothy Rose, who moved to Westchester with her husband in 1954.

The official commemorative event – a cocktail reception at LMU – will be hosted by the LAX Coastal Chamber later this year, and the HomeTown News will also publish a special 75th Anniversary edition of the paper, taking a look at Westchester’s past, present and future.

Feel like wearing some hometown pride? There’s special edition merch available online for your shopping pleasure.

Happy birthday, Westchester!!

Read more about the planned festivities at A Piece of Paradise – LAX Coastal.
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Mortgage Rates Move Lower for Second Consecutive Week

Mortgage Rates Plunge to 3-Year Lows

For the second consecutive week mortgage rates moved lower, and are currently the lowest since May 2013.

“The 10-year Treasury yield continued its free fall this week as global risks and expectations for the Fed’s June meeting drove investors to the safety of government bonds,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “The 30-year mortgage rate responded by falling 6 basis points for the second straight week to 3.54 percent — yet another low for 2016. Wednesday’s Fed decision to once again stand pat on rates, as well as growing anticipation of the U.K.’s upcoming European Union referendum will make it difficult for Treasury yields and — more importantly — mortgage rates to substantially rise in the upcoming weeks.”

Freddie Mac reports the following national averages with mortgage rates for the week ending June 16:

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.54 percent, with an average 0.5 point, falling from last week’s 3.60 percent average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 4 percent.
  • 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 2.81 percent, with an average 0.5 point, dropping from last week’s 2.87 percent average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 3.23 percent.
  • 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 2.74 percent, with an average 0.5 point, down from last week’s 2.82 percent average. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 3 percent.

While it’s nice to see mortgage rates staying low, we have to remember that low rates come only because the Fed feels like the economy still needs a prop. This has been going on since the Great Recession started in 2008. We can’t root for low rates (aka a “weak economy”) forever.

If you’ve been putting off refinancing or buying a new home, don’t wait. Ping me and I’ll put you in touch with my favorite mortgage broker. Want to buy a new home, but don’t know where to start? Schedule a time to chat and we’ll talk strategy! Nothing gets me revved up like helping a family build wealth through smart real estate decisions. 😀