It's Leap Year - what does it mean to it's babies?

1.) Leap Year Day Babies born in 1884 had no birthday during their entire teen-age years. Why?Because 1900 was not a Leap Year.

In 1888 they were 4 at 1. In 1892 they were 8 at 2. In 1896 they were 12 at 3.

Since 1900 was nota Leap Year, there were 8 years before they could celebrate again on February 29. So, in 1904they were 20 at 5. Not one single teenage year was celebrated ON their birth date.

Another way to pose the question is:Leap Year Day Babies celebrate their birthday on their birth date every four years. But those bornin 1884 couldn't celebrate on their 4th birthday when they turned 16. Why?

2.) Leap Year Day Babies will never have a "Golden Birthday". A Golden Birthday is when your age matches the number of the day of the month you were bornon.

Leap Year Day Babies will have to be 116 before they turn 29 on the 29th!

Mortgage News

Everyone has seen the news that the Fed has cut interest rates several times recently. The general public naturally thinks mortgage rates have been going down. Unfortunately that is not the reality. The 30 year fixed rates are up over .5% since the last Fed cut. The big news that most people miss pertaining to the recent Fed cuts is how it affects the adjustable rate loans.

For example, all equity lines of credit loans are tied to the Prime rate. Prime is now at 6%. In the summer of 2007, Prime was at 8.25%. That means, if you owed $100,000 on your line of credit and you paid the rate of Prime plus zero margin, your payment was $687. Today your monthly payment is only $500. We've been conditioned over the past 5 years to think adjustable loans are bad because they only go up when they adjust. For the next 2-3 years, adjustable loans will be outperforming the fixed rate loans.

Many borrowers have adjustable rates that are scheduled to adjust this year. Everyone has been conditioned to be afraid of the "day of reckoning" when their loan makes its first adjustment. They are all going to be in for a pleasant surprise.

Quick update on the higher conforming loan limits - although the bill was signed by the President over two weeks ago, it may be many more weeks before we are able to offer the new higher loan limits. We do expect the higher FHA loan limits to go into affect in the next two to three weeks. I want to remind you that FHA is an awesome option for your clients that have less than 20% down payment or less than perfect credit or need help to qualify. If you are not completely comfortable with FHA, get hold of me and I'll give you an overview of the benefits of the program as well as what to watch out for when writing contracts. FHA is simple and you need to know it. I have put together a booklet that covers everything you need to know.

Rainbow Bridge

I received this today and it is a tribute to our four footed friends. Get your kleenix out.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown

Here is the link for the pretty version.

http://wandascountryhome.com/rainbowbridge/index.html

Audience with Hayward's Mayor

Today I have an audiance with Mike Sweeney, Hayward mayor at the Central County Marketing Meeting. Mr. Sweeney was there to educate us on some of the workings that are taking place in Hayward.

Here is some of the news:
New Downtown Theatre due to open in October/November 2008
They have a new City Manager that adds flavor to the City

Speaking honestly the City has four challenges to meet:
1. Schools
2. Crime
3. Clean up Hayward
4. After School Program

These issues all run together and the city wants to work together with school board to resolve.
People leaving communities for better schools.

They will be working on Academic Performance, Discipline and Crime Safety in the schools.
Hayward School Test Scores slightly better than Oakland
School Board Election in November

As always the key to values lie in the quality of the schools and that seems to be where they are directed.

Blue Jean Day - Trivia

Jeans was a blue twilled cotton cloth milled in Geneo, Italy. The French weavers called the town "Genes" - and that's how we got the word "jeans".

Blue jeans were invented by Levi Strauss during the Gold Rush of the 1850s. Selling canvas to the miners, he started stitching it into pants. In the 1860s, he replaced the canvas with denim. Worn as work pants for years, they became fashionable in 1935 when a model wore then in Vogue magazine.

Taken from Celebrate the Date