This may seem obvious, but sometimes it's not! Here are 5 short ways you can protect yourself from identity theft:
1. Don't carry your social security card - duh - obvious, memorize it and leave it in a safety deposit box along with your passport, or somewhere extremely safe at home!
2. Don't talk about personal financial stuff on your cell in public - you never know who is eavesdropping!
3. If you put your full name, date of birth and place of birth on anything online, Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, anywhere - someone could possibly use just that to get a duplicate birth certificate, social security card, passport, and become YOU!
4. If you ever fill out a resume online for a company position, OMIT your social security number if asked for it, it is not necessary and they can get this information in person from you, there are too many scams out there for that number to be anywhere public!
5. Finally - every had the temptation to apply for something and get something free in return - an application for a grocery store card? membership to somewhere? And get a T-shirt or like back for doing so? Don't put anything too personal - read above - you never know!
Not all doom and gloom but be aware of scammers, they are smart and for a good reason!
Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
Friday, August 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Interest rates and Mortgage Payments - boring? Read on ....
As you may have heard interest rates for mortgages are at an all time LOW! We haven't seen them this low for at least 30 years if not longer. So how low are they?
4.25% right now, have been for a few weeks. Can they go back up - definitely - that's one reason to keep your eye on them if you are thinking of buying instead of renting and paying your Landlord's mortgage for him.
Back in the mid 90's interest rates actually went up to around 18%! Not anticipating that again though, just an FYI!
So if you are thinking of buying, and you are looking at a purchase price say, $250,000, your monthly payment would be around $1,230 a month, with approximate property taxes of $260 (you can include those in your mortgage or pay twice yearly to the City) and insurance is approximately $40 for a condo, $75 for a house.
If the interest rate starts to rise, and you are pre-qualified for $250,000, the amount you would then be pre-qualified for would go DOWN - that's because it would cost you more for your mortgage! If you have questions, let me know, I am here to help!
Love your Home, Love your Realtor!
Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent Lic # 01439083 619-519-1615 Cell http://janeloveday.com http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
4.25% right now, have been for a few weeks. Can they go back up - definitely - that's one reason to keep your eye on them if you are thinking of buying instead of renting and paying your Landlord's mortgage for him.
Back in the mid 90's interest rates actually went up to around 18%! Not anticipating that again though, just an FYI!
So if you are thinking of buying, and you are looking at a purchase price say, $250,000, your monthly payment would be around $1,230 a month, with approximate property taxes of $260 (you can include those in your mortgage or pay twice yearly to the City) and insurance is approximately $40 for a condo, $75 for a house.
If the interest rate starts to rise, and you are pre-qualified for $250,000, the amount you would then be pre-qualified for would go DOWN - that's because it would cost you more for your mortgage! If you have questions, let me know, I am here to help!
Love your Home, Love your Realtor!
Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent Lic # 01439083 619-519-1615 Cell http://janeloveday.com http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
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