ONLY 10 PERCENT

The Contractors State License Board is alerting California consumers who are considering hiring a painter, landscaper, or any other type of construction contractor that it is illegal to ask for or accept a down payment of more than 10 percent of the total home improvement contract price or $1,000 whichever is less. 

A person should never pay for work before it is completed, or pay for materials before they are delivered to the property.  Make sure the written contract contains a progress payment schedule that outlines project phases, with all costs and estimated completion dates.

More helpful tips on hiring contractors can be found on the CSLB website: cslb.cagov.

For referrals go to Angies List

California  Homeowner  Bill of Rights  (SB 900)

The California Homeowner Bill of Rights (CHBR) is designed to protect homeowners who are trying to modify their  mortgages or sell their homes as a Short Sale. The CHBR, effective January 1, 2013, creates guidelines for most  mortgage servicers who start a foreclosure following a default on a:

• First Deed of Trust,

• Owner-occupied,

• 1 to 4 unit residential property.
Prohibits Dual-Tracking

A lender is prohibited from continuing with the foreclosure process:

• While a completed first lien loan modification application is pending, or

• A short sale has been approved.

Provides a Single Point of Contact

When a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, a mortgage servicer must:

• Establish a single point of contact, and

• Provide the borrower with one or more direct means of communication with them.

Notice of Postponement of Trustee Sales

If a Trustee Sale has been postponed, a lender must give the borrower:

• Written notice of the new sale date and time.

Approvals Binding on Successors

If a loan modification or short sale has been approved and the loan is sold to another lender:

• The subsequent mortgage servicer is required to honor any previously approved foreclosure

prevention alternative.

No Fees Allowed

While a foreclosure prevention alternative is being considered lenders may not collect :

• Application fees, or

• Late fees.

Disclosures Required

Prior to recording a Notice of Default (NOD) and within 5 days after recording a NOD, lenders must:

• Give the borrower a notice that explains their alternatives to foreclosure.

Violations of the California Homeowner Bill of Rights

Homeowners may:

• Seek an injunction and damages for violations of the CHBR

• File a complaint with the California Department of Real Estate if the violator holds a real estate license.

For more detailed information about the California Homeowner Bill

of Rights consult a real estate attorney or California’s Office of the

Attorney General’s web site: oag.ca.gov

Avarie's Birthday and Baptism

Avarie's turn to be eight years old and ready to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She's all dressed up in the dress I made for her. She picked out her pattern and material. She's growing up so fast. They don't seem to stay little very long. Her baptism was wonderful. Many of the family were present. Her Grandpa and Grandma Hardy gave the opening and closing prayer and her Grandma Kraus gave the talk on baptism. Even her great Grandpa Don was there.

2010 Christmas

Here we are, Christmas again. We have a couple of additions. James was married in November to Monique. She and her daughter, Natalia, joined our family. Of course, the family has grown older and hopefully wiser. It was a tough year. Wishing everyone a great 2011.

Winter Garden

Our winter garden of broccoli, cauliflower and onions. It will be a couple more weeks before we can pick and enjoy our crop. This is the first winter garden we have had.

Time to Graduate

Jarom with his teacher at Yokomi.

Here he is...the big 6th grade graduate ready to move on to
middle school. Jarom will be attending Edison Computec in
the fall. But for now he gets to relax for the summer.

His principal is leaving this year. He has done a great job at the school and he will be missed. Jarom has attended Yokomi for 5 years.

Blueberries

I recently discovered that blueberries are grown in the Central Valley. My dad says I use to eat them when we lived in northern Michigan. They would set me by a bush and I would help myself.

I love blueberries and usually have very little because of how expensive they are...well no more...there is a place to buy them in Kingsburg at Paul & Gayle Willems Farms. They have blueberries, boysenberries, and blackberries from mid-May until the end of June (I believe). You can get information by calling 897-0903. They sell them at the Fresno Kaiser Hospital Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 8 am-1:30 pm.

They grow 12 varieties through the season. I've just tried one and that's good enough for me. I have eaten quite a few already and have made two batches of jam. It is the best. I use the low sweetener Sure-Jel which makes for a lot of flavor.