Soup season warming up
By Carolyn O'Neil | Tuesday, October 10, 2006, 07:47 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As the weather gets cooler and the night comes sooner and the leaves start to turn, it seems to signal a change in our appetite. Menus feature heartier soups and stews, and the chilled dishes of summer go out of style like white shoes after Labor Day.
Soups are a year-round thing, of course. But falling temperatures often mean a rise in soup pots on the stove to help warm us from the inside out. Soups have long been associated with stick-to-your-ribs, good-for-what-ails-you nourishment. But if your top health concern is weight control and keeping your cholesterol in check, there are a few guidelines to follow when choosing what to ladle into your bowl.
Did you know that eating more of the right kinds of soup can help you lose weight? Dr. Barbara Rolls, a weight control researcher at Pennsylvania State University and author of “The Volumetrics Eating Plan,” found that eating soup as a first course helped study participants lose weight because they consumed fewer calories in the rest of the meal.
That doesn’t mean you can gorge on New England clam chowder made with heavy cream. The broth-based soups study participants consumed, even though they were lower in fat and calories than other food choices, helped to increase feelings of satiety. Rolls’ theory is that the more water a food contains, the fuller we feel. “If you don’t like soup, start your meal with a salad, a piece of fruit or a glass of vegetable juice,” she says.
And the lower the energy density of a food (its concentration of fat and calories), the more we can eat. Two hundred calories will buy you just 1 cup of cream of broccoli soup with cheese. The same number of calories will get you 2 1/2 cups of vegetable soup with beef broth.
Do soups make you eat less? What are some of your favorite soups?
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Thursday, November 02, 2006
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Home Prices stabilizing
Daily Real Estate News October 10, 2006Prices Coming Back to Earth, Economists Say Nariman Behravesh, chief economist for Global Insight, an economic and financial information company, says home prices are coming back to earth, coming down of their own weight. In a recent teleconference hosted by the National Association of Home Builders, he predicted that home prices could drop 5 percent nationally over the next year to a more regular level and that the housing solution's's spill over to the economy would be modest. That's similar to the recent outlook from Daleeryreah, chief economist for the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Unlike previous housing slowdowns, which have come on the heels of broader economic weakness accompanied by job losses and rising interest rates, today's slowdown comes amid an economy that continues to chug along at a respectable pace," he said in his October 2006 column in REALTOR® Magazine. "Continuing solid spending by consumers and businesses, steady government spending, a recovering stock market, and strong corporate profits are behind the steady growth.Orderly Retreat in Home Sales The key issue is whether the correction is orderly or disorderly. What I see is orderly,says Mike Moran, chief ecodayt for Daiwa Securities America Inc. The press tries to portray this as a catastrophe and I don't think that is the case. Certainly prices are high and need to be correted, but it isn't a desperate situation.Using a historic perspective, Moran says that prices actually are in line with the rate of appreciation in that we saw in 2003, which at the time was a record year for housing. The effect of flattening prices or declines in some markets has been to squeeze out the exuberance that was in place in 2004 and 2005, he notes.The rapid adjustment in prices and modifications that builders are making in production could be signs that the correction might proceed faster than expected and things could bottom out faster than you see in the numbers, suggests Jim Glassman, managing director for JP Morgan Chase.Still, all three back NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders assessment that the correction would continue through 2007, hitting bottom in mid-year. Hardest hit will be metros in the Northeast, Florida, and California, where home prices are overvalued by an average of 30 percent to 35 percent, Behravesh says, referring to a survey of housing prices in 300 metro areas that his company and National City Bank conduct quarterly.Safety NetsFor the economy overall, Behravesh anticipates the gross domestic product growing 3.4 percent for this year and 2.2 percent next year. Still, strong global economies, record corporate profits, a healthy stock market, falling interest rates, and strong exports were described as safety nets during the period of adjustment. By Camilla McLaughlin for REALTOR® Magazine Online
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Interest Rates are Climbing or are they?
As the refinance boom has come and gone the battlefields of the lenders are starting to calm down. Buyers are getting used to the thought of 6-8% interest rates. What buyers today don't realize is that not too long ago buyers were getting 14-17% interest rates for their home finance rates. Just a word about those rates is that there was a tremendous impact on affordability of homes then. Builders were forced to make anything outside of a basic home an option. To clarify the point, with interest rates where they are and the inventory of homes active on the market today the buyers are able to still find the home they want and have a payment that is affordable.
All in all for all those buyers out there sitting on the fence and waiting for something to happen, don't. Make your decisions on what is real today and by the way what is real is still very very good.
All in all for all those buyers out there sitting on the fence and waiting for something to happen, don't. Make your decisions on what is real today and by the way what is real is still very very good.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
House$mart program
Colorado has consistently ranked number one in foreclosures in the nation. Last week alone we had almost 700 foreclosures in the Denver metro area. The first quarter of this year we experienced a 34% increase in foreclosures when comparing the final quarter of 2005. Your employees are being impacted by this situation. A financial hardship is ranked as one or of the most distracting events for an employee. Your employees are either participating in the foreclosure of their own property or their property is deprecating in value due to foreclosures in their neighborhood. The average foreclosure will reduce the value of the rest of the homes in the area by $10,000. Existing homeowners don’t realize they have options other than foreclosure. First time home buyers don’t realize that their county and state programs can provide them up to $25,000 in down payment assistance when buying their first home, reducing the risk of foreclosure
To combat this crisis we have teamed with the housing authorities to create an easy to administer, educational benefit that employers can host at not cost to the employer. We will bring a highly ranked realtor, a preferred county lender and a subject expert to your facility during your employees lunch hour. In return for the opportunity to present at your organization we will provide your employees with a box lunch during the presentation and the opportunity to receive a 20% cash rebate at closing when they use our real estate and/or lending services. On a $200,000 purchase and sale your employees can receive up to $2800 in cash back at closing. When an employee uses the House$mart program to purchase, sell or refinance their home we can be assured that they have been educated on the process.
Many companies in Colorado are already making a difference by participating in the House$mart program. They have found it to be the most rewarding no cost benefit they can offer their employees. Please call Cheri Kalenian at (303) 241-2888 to schedule a House$mart lunch and learn presentation at your place of business. House$mart presentation reservations are taken in the order they are received. Due to the high demand for House$mart lunch and learn seminars we are currently limited to four presentations at year at each location.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Consumers say "No" to the Housing Bubble Theory!
Most consumers are confident about real estate prices, not concerned about mortgage rate increases RISMEDIA, June 6, 2006—While talk of a housing bubble triggered by higher interest rates is a topic of discussion and much news coverage, most consumer are confident about real estate prices and don't seem concerned by some increases in mortgage rates. Three quarters of the respondents said that they had very little concern about the prospective value of their homes. Respondents to ING DIRECT's fourth annual homeowners' study foresee continued increases in home mortgage rates in the year ahead but are not overly concerned. Seventy-one percent of those polled expect rates to increase, while 21 percent think they will remain the same, according to the national study conducted by Synovate, the global research firm. On average, homeowners who have owned a home for at least three years feel that new mortgage interest rates will increase 1.6 percentage points over the next 12 months, with 50 percent expecting an increase between one and two percentage points. Sixteen percent anticipate a jump between three and four percentage points. ING DIRECT found that the majority (85 percent) of those who own a home believe that their home increased in value during the last three years. While homeowners felt their home has increased in value by approximately 6% over the past 12 months, they only expect their home's value to increase by about 4% in the next 12 months. Homeowners in New England and Pacific states are the most likely to cite increases, while those in South Central states are the most likely to say their home's value did not change. And of those who have owned a home for at least three years, 74 percent said they were not very concerned that there might be a downturn in the housing market in the next year, which would lower the value of their home. Only 9 percent of those who experienced an increase in their home's value during the past three years say that the increase has allowed them to spend more than they earn annually. On the other hand, nearly two-thirds believe a 10% decrease in home value would have no impact on day-to-day spending. Homeowners are most likely to consider their home to be an investment or a place to live when they retire. One in four think of their home as a source of extra income to draw from when cash is needed. This is reinforced by the ING DIRECT finding that only 8 percent of homeowners say they refinanced in the past three years and received cash back. "We've long viewed buying a home as the most important long-term investment a person can make and that a home is the largest savings account one will ever have," says Arkadi Kuhlmann, president and CEO of ING DIRECT. "It is encouraging that most people do not consider the equity in their residences as piggy banks to be tapped for spending on vacations or furniture." The survey also looked at the borrowing experience and reinforces the need for lenders to be transparent in the total cost of a mortgage. Respondents who report that closing costs were higher than they originally expected say the closing costs they paid on their current mortgage were almost $600 more than anticipated. "It is important for borrowers to be educated and know the total cost of their mortgage, including any fees or closing costs," Kuhlmann added. "But it's really up to the industry to improve the mortgage experience by offering simple, straightforward products." In order to make its mortgage offer more transparent, ING DIRECT's Orange Mortgage offers zero closing costs, including standard title insurance, for mortgages up to $500,000. ING DIRECT does not charge points for a better rate, nor does it charge a different rate in order to quality for zero closing costs.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
TICs Can Be Shaky Deals for Investors(May 24, 2006) -- Investing in tenancy-in-common deals, or TICS, has become a popular way to avoid paying capital gains taxes. But experts say you should do your homework before putting up money.A TIC deal allows people to buy a fractional interest in properties. It also benefits sellers of greatly appreciated real estate who want to avoid paying hefty capital gains. By rolling their profits into a TIC, the deal qualifies as a 1031 tax deferred exchange.The sponsor assembling the TIC deal typically promises participants yearly payouts of around 6 percent of their capital, on par with a REIT's yield. But participants get more control over where they put their money.The riskiest thing about a TIC is its illiquidity – no established secondary market exists so selling your stake in the property can be a hassle. Also, there are big fees to get involved; TIC sponsors charge an acquisition fee, and broker-dealers collect a percentage of the amount invested. Combined state and federal capital gains taxes can be as high as 25 percent, which is a factor because taxes are merely deferred, not eliminated.Sources: Forbes, Matthew Swibel (06/05/2006)
Monday, May 22, 2006
First Lady to Visit Colorado
Laura Bush to visit Mesa Verde
By Mike SoraghanDenver Post Staff Writer
-->
First lady Laura Bush applauds during graduation ceremonies at Roger Williams University, on Saturday, May 20, 2006, in Bristol, R.I. She is coming to Colorado on Tuesday. (AP / Stew Milne)
Washington - First Lady Laura Bush will come to Colorado Tuesday to help Mesa Verde National Park celebrate its centennial.
The White House announced this morning that she will be delivering remarks at an event for the 100th anniversary of the park renowned for its ruins and cliff dwellings.
She is to make remarks at Long House, the park's second-largest ruin.
The official anniversary will be June 29, when according to the official anniversary web site Mesa Verde "will celebrate 100 years as the first national
By Mike SoraghanDenver Post Staff Writer
-->
First lady Laura Bush applauds during graduation ceremonies at Roger Williams University, on Saturday, May 20, 2006, in Bristol, R.I. She is coming to Colorado on Tuesday. (AP / Stew Milne)
Washington - First Lady Laura Bush will come to Colorado Tuesday to help Mesa Verde National Park celebrate its centennial.
The White House announced this morning that she will be delivering remarks at an event for the 100th anniversary of the park renowned for its ruins and cliff dwellings.
She is to make remarks at Long House, the park's second-largest ruin.
The official anniversary will be June 29, when according to the official anniversary web site Mesa Verde "will celebrate 100 years as the first national
Invest in Denver Real Estate
Advice to Investors: Look to Affordable "Linear" Real Estate Markets
A new statistical study classifies major U.S. MAY 22, 2006 Realty Times
A new statistical study on real estate cycles suggests that smart investors in 2006 should consider markets that were bypassed by the housing price boom of 2000-2005, and that have affordable home costs but are experiencing solid employment growth.
The study, conducted by Dr. Christopher Cagan, research and analytics director for First American Real Estate Solutions, an affiliate of giant First American Corp., classifies metropolitan housing markets into several types:
"Linear" markets, where prices over time tend to move up slowly -- a few percentage points a year -- and have slow, steady economic growth. Examples include Atlanta, Nashville, Wichita, St. Louis and Indianapolis.
"Cyclic" markets that run through boom and correction cycles of 10 to 15 year durations, where prices rise rapidly, and then cool or even retreat. Most of these are located along the coasts and have little land available for new construction. Examples include San Francisco Bay, southern California in general, Miami, Houston and New York City.
"Hybrid" markets that sometimes behave in a slow-but-steady growth "linear" pattern, but occasionally go into faster growth cyclical behavior. Cagan considers Chicago, Seattle and Dallas to be in this category.
"Catch on" markets that traditionally behaved in a slow-growth linear manner, but that more recently have "experienced a strong move in prices up or down, in a departure from their long-term character." Cagan includes Las Vegas, Phoenix and Detroit in this category.
The study used publicly-available housing price data from 1988 to 2005, and applied proprietary analytical modeling techniques to classify metropolitan areas. The study offers no specific investment advice, but in an executive summary, Cagan comments that "markets in areas where prices have not yet risen rapidly," and where "affordability and job availability are high and economic conditions are strong may offer the best opportunities for investment during 2006."
By implication, "cyclic" markets that have peaked out may offer few opportunities -- at least for the short term. Those markets are easy to spot, even from daily headlines: Most of the coastal California areas, along with Washington D.C., Florida, New York and New England are in slowdown mode at the moment. And according to Dr. Cagan's analysis, are poised for further slowdowns.
Cagan focuses on Texas metro areas -- Amarillo, Austin, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio -- as "linear" markets that may well be poised for growth in real estate values. Texas is benefiting economically from high energy costs, and with its moderate house prices and generally attractive business climate, could well attract investors who see their opportunities restricted in some of the high-cost, highly-cyclical East and West coast markets.
Cagan lists "linear" markets beyond Texas and notes that they have not yet "tested their affordability limits" -- that is, home prices still have plenty of room to grow if local economies expand -- and are "not likely to be vulnerable to a downturn of magnitude."
Besides the major moderate-cost, moderate-risk areas mentioned above, Cagan also lists following among linear markets where investors might take a look this year: Denver, Davenport, DesMoines, Baton Rouge, Kansas City, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, Memphis and Milwaukee.
A new statistical study classifies major U.S. MAY 22, 2006 Realty Times
A new statistical study on real estate cycles suggests that smart investors in 2006 should consider markets that were bypassed by the housing price boom of 2000-2005, and that have affordable home costs but are experiencing solid employment growth.
The study, conducted by Dr. Christopher Cagan, research and analytics director for First American Real Estate Solutions, an affiliate of giant First American Corp., classifies metropolitan housing markets into several types:
"Linear" markets, where prices over time tend to move up slowly -- a few percentage points a year -- and have slow, steady economic growth. Examples include Atlanta, Nashville, Wichita, St. Louis and Indianapolis.
"Cyclic" markets that run through boom and correction cycles of 10 to 15 year durations, where prices rise rapidly, and then cool or even retreat. Most of these are located along the coasts and have little land available for new construction. Examples include San Francisco Bay, southern California in general, Miami, Houston and New York City.
"Hybrid" markets that sometimes behave in a slow-but-steady growth "linear" pattern, but occasionally go into faster growth cyclical behavior. Cagan considers Chicago, Seattle and Dallas to be in this category.
"Catch on" markets that traditionally behaved in a slow-growth linear manner, but that more recently have "experienced a strong move in prices up or down, in a departure from their long-term character." Cagan includes Las Vegas, Phoenix and Detroit in this category.
The study used publicly-available housing price data from 1988 to 2005, and applied proprietary analytical modeling techniques to classify metropolitan areas. The study offers no specific investment advice, but in an executive summary, Cagan comments that "markets in areas where prices have not yet risen rapidly," and where "affordability and job availability are high and economic conditions are strong may offer the best opportunities for investment during 2006."
By implication, "cyclic" markets that have peaked out may offer few opportunities -- at least for the short term. Those markets are easy to spot, even from daily headlines: Most of the coastal California areas, along with Washington D.C., Florida, New York and New England are in slowdown mode at the moment. And according to Dr. Cagan's analysis, are poised for further slowdowns.
Cagan focuses on Texas metro areas -- Amarillo, Austin, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio -- as "linear" markets that may well be poised for growth in real estate values. Texas is benefiting economically from high energy costs, and with its moderate house prices and generally attractive business climate, could well attract investors who see their opportunities restricted in some of the high-cost, highly-cyclical East and West coast markets.
Cagan lists "linear" markets beyond Texas and notes that they have not yet "tested their affordability limits" -- that is, home prices still have plenty of room to grow if local economies expand -- and are "not likely to be vulnerable to a downturn of magnitude."
Besides the major moderate-cost, moderate-risk areas mentioned above, Cagan also lists following among linear markets where investors might take a look this year: Denver, Davenport, DesMoines, Baton Rouge, Kansas City, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, Memphis and Milwaukee.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Protect your home when you Travel
This information is good for all of us:
RISMEDIA, March 13 — Is spring fever prompting you to head for the beaches or some other vacation getaway? If you're planning to travel this year, you can help protect your home while you're away by following these tips from the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR): * Make it look like you're home. Install timers on interior lights so they turn on and off periodically. Many timers cost less than $25. Some more costly products are capable of varying the time that your lights turn on. Also consider leaving your radio on and tuned to an all-news or talk-show station. * Disconnect and remove all exterior electrical decorations before you leave to reduce the chance of fire and theft. Install exterior lights that are controlled by motion sensors to make your home a more difficult target for prowlers. * Discontinue your newspaper delivery temporarily. Be sure to give several days' notice so your order can be processed in time. * Ask someone to collect any free papers or sales materials left near your house. When fliers and papers are left on a driveway day after day, it's a sure sign that no one is home. * Have the post office hold your mail. This can be initiated by calling the U.S. Postal Service at 800-275-8777 and listening to the option for putting a vacation hold on your mail. You can make arrangements up to 30 days in advance of your vacation; at minimum, two days will be needed to process your request. Or you can go to the Postal Service Web site at https://dunsapp.usps.gov/HoldMail.jsp and follow the instructions. * Ask a friend or neighbor to park a car in your driveway occasionally and keep an eye on your place. If your neighborhood is patrolled by police, give the police your schedule so they'll watch for suspicious activity; if there's a crime-watch program, notify the person in charge of your travel plans. * If you have an alarm that is monitored, tell the alarm company you will be away. If possible, provide a phone number where you can be reached. * If you're going to be away for two weeks or more, have a friend or lawn service mow the lawn. Before traveling for spring break, take these simple steps to help protect your property.
RISMEDIA, March 13 — Is spring fever prompting you to head for the beaches or some other vacation getaway? If you're planning to travel this year, you can help protect your home while you're away by following these tips from the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR): * Make it look like you're home. Install timers on interior lights so they turn on and off periodically. Many timers cost less than $25. Some more costly products are capable of varying the time that your lights turn on. Also consider leaving your radio on and tuned to an all-news or talk-show station. * Disconnect and remove all exterior electrical decorations before you leave to reduce the chance of fire and theft. Install exterior lights that are controlled by motion sensors to make your home a more difficult target for prowlers. * Discontinue your newspaper delivery temporarily. Be sure to give several days' notice so your order can be processed in time. * Ask someone to collect any free papers or sales materials left near your house. When fliers and papers are left on a driveway day after day, it's a sure sign that no one is home. * Have the post office hold your mail. This can be initiated by calling the U.S. Postal Service at 800-275-8777 and listening to the option for putting a vacation hold on your mail. You can make arrangements up to 30 days in advance of your vacation; at minimum, two days will be needed to process your request. Or you can go to the Postal Service Web site at https://dunsapp.usps.gov/HoldMail.jsp and follow the instructions. * Ask a friend or neighbor to park a car in your driveway occasionally and keep an eye on your place. If your neighborhood is patrolled by police, give the police your schedule so they'll watch for suspicious activity; if there's a crime-watch program, notify the person in charge of your travel plans. * If you have an alarm that is monitored, tell the alarm company you will be away. If possible, provide a phone number where you can be reached. * If you're going to be away for two weeks or more, have a friend or lawn service mow the lawn. Before traveling for spring break, take these simple steps to help protect your property.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Meth House Nightmare
This article was quite the eye opener and the information is important for us to all be aware of.
Meth House Nightmare
Copyright Carl Brahe - Inspection Perfection Inc. www.inspection-perfection.com 2005 all rights reserved.
A common misconception about meth labs is that a meth lab is a place where methamphetamine is manufactured. Colorado Statutes defines a meth lab so liberally that it includes places where meth has been used or manufacturing equipment, wastes or chemicals have been stored. Making things more risky is the fact that a house may receive the meth lab designation on the word of a trash collector, or other untrained person. Current Regulations
When a house is designated a meth house, law enforcement officers may arrive unannounced, evict the residents with no belongings and close the building to all but law enforcement personnel and industrial hygienists (IH).
The owners may have the property tested by an IH and released after proper remediation. At this time, a Decision Statement is issued. If the IH issuing the statement is properly credentialed, the owner is then protected from future lawsuits. This must be done within 120 days. The catch is that every item in the building must be tested and cleared by an IH. Because the expense usually prohibits this, all the contents of the home are often destroyed.
If remediation requirements are not met, the governing body will seize the property, rehab it and sell it to pay their expenses. The owner usually receives nothing except debt, even if the property was purchased from a person who covered up the evidence of meth manufacturing. Unless it can proven that he/she knew about the meth and purposely hid the evidence, you probably have no recourse.
There is new legislation in process that will require disclosure if it is known that a property has ever been a meth house. It has even been suggested that every house sold in Colorado be inspected for meth. This provision is not likely to pass since it would add about $5000 to each sale in the form of industrial hygienist fees.
It’s estimated that there are about 2400 meth labs in residential buildings in Colorado. Legislation could affect all home sales in order to identify and regulate the approximately .1% of properties that have been used as meth labs. The bill, (SB-02), will be discussed starting March 6, 2006. It is sponsored by Senator Brandon Shaffer Phone: 303-866-5291 Email:brandon.shaffer.senate@state.co.us.
The dangers that go along with meth houses include exposure to cancer causing chemicals that can saturate walls, carpets and other building materials as well as all contents. Lead and mercury are common byproducts. Chemicals, such as solvents, may be disposed of in plumbing or simple poured on the ground. If not removed properly these can cause various health problems.
The most immediate danger is the meth manufacturer. Meth causes extreme paranoia and symptoms similar to OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder. Howard Hughes had OCD. In the movie, The Aviator, there were scenes where Hughes locked himself in a dark room out of fear (paranoia). He collected junk and bottles of urine. He lived amongst the growing clutter. This is similar to meth houses that have been raided. Meth users called “Tinkle Tweekers” even save their urine in bottles stored in living areas to reclaim the unmetabolized meth from the urine.
Most people with OCD are pretty harmless except to themselves. The paranoid meth user can be very dangerous according to police reports. They are often reported to have large, sometimes bizarre, weapon collections that may be heavy on knives. Booby traps are reportedly set to protect the person’s meth stash. If you encounter a property where the residents appear to have OCD, and the residents act strangely, leave immediately. You could be in danger.
Meth users and manufacturers include people from all lifestyles. Doctors, lawyers and dentists are no more immune than factory workers or roofers. Meth labs are found in neighborhoods from affluent to poor.
When you enter a property take a deep breath. A cat urine smell is often associated with meth. Other odors to be aware of are ammonia, vanilla, solvents or metallic smells. These are warning signs.
Meth users sometimes become obsessive about objects. They may dismantle things like remote controls, watches or electronic devices. The objects can sometimes be found in a pile dismantled down to the smallest part.
Large amounts of household products are a tip off. Common products are used to manufacture meth that can found in an average home, except in a meth lab large quantities of common items may be in odd places. If you see multiple packages of lye, Heet, Coleman fuel, peroxide, pseudo-ephedrine or coffee filters in odd places, like stored in a bathroom, closet or kitchen, this is an indication that it may be wise to forget any involvement in the property. The occupant may be a warehouse club shopper with no sense of organization, but he/she may not be.
Propane bottles, or fire extinguishers, that have been altered, or have a blue stain on the connector, may indicate that anhydrous ammonia has been stored in the container. Anhydrous ammonia can be explosive in the right circumstances. It reacts with the metal leaving the connector corroded.
Iodine may be used in meth manufacturing. Iodine is a substance that goes from solid to gas state without becoming liquid. It sticks to everything and spreads on contact. Iodine stains walls and everything else. The stain may be red or yellow. It may be very noticeable if a photo, or other wall hanging is moved, revealing the contrast between stained and unstained.
Meth labs may be hidden behind false walls or other building alterations. Alterations that make no sense should be suspect, such as: exhaust fans mounted where they have no logical use; bootlegged power supply; rooms that are unexplainably small.
Inspection Perfection provides a quick, inexpensive test kit to detect minute residue from the use or manufacture of amphetamine or methamphetamine. A sterile swab is rubbed over a surface where residue may be left from smoking or handling meth. The swab is immersed in a reagent that turns purple or blue if amphetamine or methamphetamine residue is present.
A positive test may happen in places where meth has been used, as well as manufactured. This test is for the actual residue of the drug only. It doesn’t test for chemicals used in the manufacture or those that are produced in the process. A positive test tells you to proceed with caution.
The following list by: Chemist Lynn Riemer Of The North Metro Drug Task Force
Meth lab signs
• Yellow discoloration on walls, drains, sinks and showers
• Blue discoloration on valves of propane tanks and fire extinguishers
• Fire detectors that are removed or taped off
• Experiencing physical symptoms while inside the house, such as burning in your eyes or throat, itching, a metallic taste in your mouth and breathing problems
• Unusual strong odors that smell like materials from a garage, such as solvent and paint thinner, cat urine or ammonia
• The use of security cameras and surveillance equipment
Signs that property owners should look for with their homes and tenants:
• Tenants who behave oddly and are extremely thin, have open sores, bad teeth or dilated pupils
• Large amounts of trash with items such as lithium batteries, torn-apart matchbooks, water bottles, cold medicine packs and antifreeze containers
• Discolored coffee filters that are not brown
• Plexiglas or other dark-colored cookware
• Glass containers with two layered liquids and chemistry sets
Meth House Nightmare
Copyright Carl Brahe - Inspection Perfection Inc. www.inspection-perfection.com 2005 all rights reserved.
A common misconception about meth labs is that a meth lab is a place where methamphetamine is manufactured. Colorado Statutes defines a meth lab so liberally that it includes places where meth has been used or manufacturing equipment, wastes or chemicals have been stored. Making things more risky is the fact that a house may receive the meth lab designation on the word of a trash collector, or other untrained person. Current Regulations
When a house is designated a meth house, law enforcement officers may arrive unannounced, evict the residents with no belongings and close the building to all but law enforcement personnel and industrial hygienists (IH).
The owners may have the property tested by an IH and released after proper remediation. At this time, a Decision Statement is issued. If the IH issuing the statement is properly credentialed, the owner is then protected from future lawsuits. This must be done within 120 days. The catch is that every item in the building must be tested and cleared by an IH. Because the expense usually prohibits this, all the contents of the home are often destroyed.
If remediation requirements are not met, the governing body will seize the property, rehab it and sell it to pay their expenses. The owner usually receives nothing except debt, even if the property was purchased from a person who covered up the evidence of meth manufacturing. Unless it can proven that he/she knew about the meth and purposely hid the evidence, you probably have no recourse.
There is new legislation in process that will require disclosure if it is known that a property has ever been a meth house. It has even been suggested that every house sold in Colorado be inspected for meth. This provision is not likely to pass since it would add about $5000 to each sale in the form of industrial hygienist fees.
It’s estimated that there are about 2400 meth labs in residential buildings in Colorado. Legislation could affect all home sales in order to identify and regulate the approximately .1% of properties that have been used as meth labs. The bill, (SB-02), will be discussed starting March 6, 2006. It is sponsored by Senator Brandon Shaffer Phone: 303-866-5291 Email:brandon.shaffer.senate@state.co.us.
The dangers that go along with meth houses include exposure to cancer causing chemicals that can saturate walls, carpets and other building materials as well as all contents. Lead and mercury are common byproducts. Chemicals, such as solvents, may be disposed of in plumbing or simple poured on the ground. If not removed properly these can cause various health problems.
The most immediate danger is the meth manufacturer. Meth causes extreme paranoia and symptoms similar to OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder. Howard Hughes had OCD. In the movie, The Aviator, there were scenes where Hughes locked himself in a dark room out of fear (paranoia). He collected junk and bottles of urine. He lived amongst the growing clutter. This is similar to meth houses that have been raided. Meth users called “Tinkle Tweekers” even save their urine in bottles stored in living areas to reclaim the unmetabolized meth from the urine.
Most people with OCD are pretty harmless except to themselves. The paranoid meth user can be very dangerous according to police reports. They are often reported to have large, sometimes bizarre, weapon collections that may be heavy on knives. Booby traps are reportedly set to protect the person’s meth stash. If you encounter a property where the residents appear to have OCD, and the residents act strangely, leave immediately. You could be in danger.
Meth users and manufacturers include people from all lifestyles. Doctors, lawyers and dentists are no more immune than factory workers or roofers. Meth labs are found in neighborhoods from affluent to poor.
When you enter a property take a deep breath. A cat urine smell is often associated with meth. Other odors to be aware of are ammonia, vanilla, solvents or metallic smells. These are warning signs.
Meth users sometimes become obsessive about objects. They may dismantle things like remote controls, watches or electronic devices. The objects can sometimes be found in a pile dismantled down to the smallest part.
Large amounts of household products are a tip off. Common products are used to manufacture meth that can found in an average home, except in a meth lab large quantities of common items may be in odd places. If you see multiple packages of lye, Heet, Coleman fuel, peroxide, pseudo-ephedrine or coffee filters in odd places, like stored in a bathroom, closet or kitchen, this is an indication that it may be wise to forget any involvement in the property. The occupant may be a warehouse club shopper with no sense of organization, but he/she may not be.
Propane bottles, or fire extinguishers, that have been altered, or have a blue stain on the connector, may indicate that anhydrous ammonia has been stored in the container. Anhydrous ammonia can be explosive in the right circumstances. It reacts with the metal leaving the connector corroded.
Iodine may be used in meth manufacturing. Iodine is a substance that goes from solid to gas state without becoming liquid. It sticks to everything and spreads on contact. Iodine stains walls and everything else. The stain may be red or yellow. It may be very noticeable if a photo, or other wall hanging is moved, revealing the contrast between stained and unstained.
Meth labs may be hidden behind false walls or other building alterations. Alterations that make no sense should be suspect, such as: exhaust fans mounted where they have no logical use; bootlegged power supply; rooms that are unexplainably small.
Inspection Perfection provides a quick, inexpensive test kit to detect minute residue from the use or manufacture of amphetamine or methamphetamine. A sterile swab is rubbed over a surface where residue may be left from smoking or handling meth. The swab is immersed in a reagent that turns purple or blue if amphetamine or methamphetamine residue is present.
A positive test may happen in places where meth has been used, as well as manufactured. This test is for the actual residue of the drug only. It doesn’t test for chemicals used in the manufacture or those that are produced in the process. A positive test tells you to proceed with caution.
The following list by: Chemist Lynn Riemer Of The North Metro Drug Task Force
Meth lab signs
• Yellow discoloration on walls, drains, sinks and showers
• Blue discoloration on valves of propane tanks and fire extinguishers
• Fire detectors that are removed or taped off
• Experiencing physical symptoms while inside the house, such as burning in your eyes or throat, itching, a metallic taste in your mouth and breathing problems
• Unusual strong odors that smell like materials from a garage, such as solvent and paint thinner, cat urine or ammonia
• The use of security cameras and surveillance equipment
Signs that property owners should look for with their homes and tenants:
• Tenants who behave oddly and are extremely thin, have open sores, bad teeth or dilated pupils
• Large amounts of trash with items such as lithium batteries, torn-apart matchbooks, water bottles, cold medicine packs and antifreeze containers
• Discolored coffee filters that are not brown
• Plexiglas or other dark-colored cookware
• Glass containers with two layered liquids and chemistry sets
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Denver announces a new Teen Kayaking club
Denver Area Gets New Affordable Teen Kayaking Club
This spring will bring the creation of a new unique and affordable opportunity for teens in the Denver Metro Area! Confluence Teen Kayaking Club is creating a not-for-profit club that will provide a safe, encouraging environment for teens to learn the fun sport of kayaking at a very low shared cost.
This Club will be a volunteer-run and safe opportunity for teens ages 12 to 18 to get together at least once a week to learn and practice kayaking. The sport of kayaking is a highly enjoyable and relatively easy to learn for beginners, and it provides avenues for greater fitness and health, building self confidence, positive individual and team interaction, along with an inherent ethic of water conservation and environmental education. Colorado teens typically love it! The Club will also help the teens learn more about Denver’s public transportation system (envisioning that a lot of the teens will take the bus and/or light rail to the Market Street Station, thereby reducing the need for dependence on parents for transportation), along with teaching them club organizational and fund raising skills with mentorship from responsible adults. Parent involvement is encouraged but not mandatory.
The Club is sponsored by Confluence Kayaks, a retail and instructional boating store on Platte Street in Denver that will help provide meeting space and club insurance, get the word out to their clientele, and identify experienced instructors. They have also offered to provide some equipment for instruction and use by teens that are interested in starting this sport but may not have their own equipment. Their shop is located just across the way from the kayaking area on the Platte River in Confluence Park, providing an ideal location for this Club’s base.
An informational and organizational meeting will be held at Confluence Kayaks, 1615 Platte St., 303-433-3676, on February 22nd, and the Club will meet on Wednesday nights at Confluence Park from 4:30 to 7 pm, April to October. Volunteer experienced kayak instructors are also needed. For more information call Teresa Penbrooke, Volunteer Club Coordinator at 303-870-3884 or email tgrafts@mindspring.com.
This spring will bring the creation of a new unique and affordable opportunity for teens in the Denver Metro Area! Confluence Teen Kayaking Club is creating a not-for-profit club that will provide a safe, encouraging environment for teens to learn the fun sport of kayaking at a very low shared cost.
This Club will be a volunteer-run and safe opportunity for teens ages 12 to 18 to get together at least once a week to learn and practice kayaking. The sport of kayaking is a highly enjoyable and relatively easy to learn for beginners, and it provides avenues for greater fitness and health, building self confidence, positive individual and team interaction, along with an inherent ethic of water conservation and environmental education. Colorado teens typically love it! The Club will also help the teens learn more about Denver’s public transportation system (envisioning that a lot of the teens will take the bus and/or light rail to the Market Street Station, thereby reducing the need for dependence on parents for transportation), along with teaching them club organizational and fund raising skills with mentorship from responsible adults. Parent involvement is encouraged but not mandatory.
The Club is sponsored by Confluence Kayaks, a retail and instructional boating store on Platte Street in Denver that will help provide meeting space and club insurance, get the word out to their clientele, and identify experienced instructors. They have also offered to provide some equipment for instruction and use by teens that are interested in starting this sport but may not have their own equipment. Their shop is located just across the way from the kayaking area on the Platte River in Confluence Park, providing an ideal location for this Club’s base.
An informational and organizational meeting will be held at Confluence Kayaks, 1615 Platte St., 303-433-3676, on February 22nd, and the Club will meet on Wednesday nights at Confluence Park from 4:30 to 7 pm, April to October. Volunteer experienced kayak instructors are also needed. For more information call Teresa Penbrooke, Volunteer Club Coordinator at 303-870-3884 or email tgrafts@mindspring.com.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Foreclosures on the Rise
Foreclosures Rise 24.5 Percent Nationwide
02/16/2006 12:30 AM FEB 16, 2006 Realty Times
A nearly 25 percent increase in foreclosures last year, combined with slowing sales, softer home prices and higher mortgage rates reveal a housing market in the throes of change away from favoring sellers.
Foreclosure monitor RealtyTrac said the number of foreclosures nationwide was up 24.5 percent from the first quarter of 2005 to the fourth quarter.
"Over the past few years, we've seen historically low mortgage rates, consistently escalating home prices and steady, strong employment," said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac.
"This has translated into relatively low levels of foreclosure properties -- particularly bank-owned properties. With interest rates rising and an apparent slowing of property valuations in most markets, we'll be watching closely to see if there's a material effect on the number of foreclosures in 2006," he added.
Along with higher foreclosures, existing-home sales set an annual record, but declined in December falling 3.1 percent compared to December 2004, according to the National Association of Realtors.
The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $211,000 in December, up 10.5 percent from December 2004, but down from November's $215,000 median, NAR also reported.
And the average of fixed mortgage rates for conforming 30-year mortgages rose for the fourth consecutive week to an average 6.24 percent by Feb. 9, according to Freddie Mac. A year ago the average was 5.57 percent.
Hardest hit by rising foreclosure rates during 2005 were Massachusetts, up nearly 200 percent; Connecticut, up 188 percent; Michigan up 170 percent; Virginia up 151 percent and Maryland, up 117 percent.
RealtyTrac's report includes properties in all three phases of foreclosure: pre-foreclosures, Notice of Default (NOD) and Lis Pendens (LIS); foreclosures, Notice of Trustee Sale and Notice of Foreclosure Sale (NTS and NFS); and real estate owned, or REO properties (those that have been re-purchased by a bank).
It's not just the percentages. Numbers are growing too and that's statistically significant.
Nationwide, the number of foreclosures during the first quarter were 188,122. By the final quarter that number had risen to 234,278. In Massachusetts, the foreclosures jumped from 616 to 1,843; Connecticut, 1,456 to 4,202; Michigan, 4,411 to 11,937; Virginia, 380 to 956 and Maryland, 667 to 1,448.
Washington, D.C.'s foreclosures rose fastest, 300 percent, but the numbers remain relatively low, 10 foreclosures during the first quarter compared to only 155 during the fourth quarter.
Still, for some regions, the trend is obvious.
"Overall, U.S. foreclosure numbers climbed steadily over the course of the year, with more new foreclosures reported in every quarter," said Saccacio. "This trend appears to be moving the real estate foreclosure market back to its historic levels."
The percentage of foreclosure increases don't tell the whole story.
Florida experienced a 29 percent decrease in new foreclosures from the first quarter to the fourth quarter, but accounted for more than 14 percent of the nation's new foreclosures in 2005. Foreclosures in the Sunshine State represented 1.67 percent of the state's households, RealtyTrac reported.
"Even with almost 850,000 properties entering some stage of foreclosure across the country over the course of the year, this represents less than 1 percent of all U.S. households," Saccacio said.
Likewise, No. 2 Colorado saw foreclosure decreasing 4 percent during the survey period, but the 29,630 foreclosures in 2005 represent 1.62 percent of the state's households.
Utah was third with 1.5 percent of that state's households entering foreclosure in 2005.
Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio and Tennessee also revealed foreclosure rates of at least 1 percent of total households. Copyright © 2006 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.
02/16/2006 12:30 AM FEB 16, 2006 Realty Times
A nearly 25 percent increase in foreclosures last year, combined with slowing sales, softer home prices and higher mortgage rates reveal a housing market in the throes of change away from favoring sellers.
Foreclosure monitor RealtyTrac said the number of foreclosures nationwide was up 24.5 percent from the first quarter of 2005 to the fourth quarter.
"Over the past few years, we've seen historically low mortgage rates, consistently escalating home prices and steady, strong employment," said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac.
"This has translated into relatively low levels of foreclosure properties -- particularly bank-owned properties. With interest rates rising and an apparent slowing of property valuations in most markets, we'll be watching closely to see if there's a material effect on the number of foreclosures in 2006," he added.
Along with higher foreclosures, existing-home sales set an annual record, but declined in December falling 3.1 percent compared to December 2004, according to the National Association of Realtors.
The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $211,000 in December, up 10.5 percent from December 2004, but down from November's $215,000 median, NAR also reported.
And the average of fixed mortgage rates for conforming 30-year mortgages rose for the fourth consecutive week to an average 6.24 percent by Feb. 9, according to Freddie Mac. A year ago the average was 5.57 percent.
Hardest hit by rising foreclosure rates during 2005 were Massachusetts, up nearly 200 percent; Connecticut, up 188 percent; Michigan up 170 percent; Virginia up 151 percent and Maryland, up 117 percent.
RealtyTrac's report includes properties in all three phases of foreclosure: pre-foreclosures, Notice of Default (NOD) and Lis Pendens (LIS); foreclosures, Notice of Trustee Sale and Notice of Foreclosure Sale (NTS and NFS); and real estate owned, or REO properties (those that have been re-purchased by a bank).
It's not just the percentages. Numbers are growing too and that's statistically significant.
Nationwide, the number of foreclosures during the first quarter were 188,122. By the final quarter that number had risen to 234,278. In Massachusetts, the foreclosures jumped from 616 to 1,843; Connecticut, 1,456 to 4,202; Michigan, 4,411 to 11,937; Virginia, 380 to 956 and Maryland, 667 to 1,448.
Washington, D.C.'s foreclosures rose fastest, 300 percent, but the numbers remain relatively low, 10 foreclosures during the first quarter compared to only 155 during the fourth quarter.
Still, for some regions, the trend is obvious.
"Overall, U.S. foreclosure numbers climbed steadily over the course of the year, with more new foreclosures reported in every quarter," said Saccacio. "This trend appears to be moving the real estate foreclosure market back to its historic levels."
The percentage of foreclosure increases don't tell the whole story.
Florida experienced a 29 percent decrease in new foreclosures from the first quarter to the fourth quarter, but accounted for more than 14 percent of the nation's new foreclosures in 2005. Foreclosures in the Sunshine State represented 1.67 percent of the state's households, RealtyTrac reported.
"Even with almost 850,000 properties entering some stage of foreclosure across the country over the course of the year, this represents less than 1 percent of all U.S. households," Saccacio said.
Likewise, No. 2 Colorado saw foreclosure decreasing 4 percent during the survey period, but the 29,630 foreclosures in 2005 represent 1.62 percent of the state's households.
Utah was third with 1.5 percent of that state's households entering foreclosure in 2005.
Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio and Tennessee also revealed foreclosure rates of at least 1 percent of total households. Copyright © 2006 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.
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