SEATTLE AVENUE

Michelle Kaufmann is an eco-minded architect living in Oakland who is designing beautiful upscale prefab homes.

Smart design, eco materials, energy efficiency, water conservation, healthy environment are the 5 ecoprinciples Michelle developed and follows in the design and construction of her homes.

Michelle currently has five prefab home designs, Glidehouse, mkLoft, mkLotus (shown above), mkSolaire, Sidebreeze, and Sunset Breezehouse.

Homes are built using off-site modular technology and several different floor plans are available. At Michelle’s Resources page find guideance for land selection and site requirements, steps to ownership and budget builder, and referrals to preferred landscape designers and lenders.

Michelle’s general design style appeals to my love of connecting indoors with outdoors, clean lines, warm earthy colors, generous use of large windows and open spaces, and simplicity. That her designs take into account sustainability and impact on the environment cinch the deal. I’ve always loved water so it’s only natural that I love living situated to water, on the water or with a water view. Michelle designs beautiful contemporary homes that blend perfectly with natural beauty of earth, air, fire, and water. Caveat: The fire element really ought be in a safe contained form of your choice.

Michelle’s Green Living aspects of the mkLotus home (shown above) include:

High Performance, Energy Efficient Building Systems

• Green “Living” Roof
• Solar Power: This Home Uses 100% Solar Generated Power
• Rain and Groundwater Catchment System: Collected Water is Used for Irrigation
• Gray Water System: Collected Water from Sinks and Shower is Recirculated to Toilets
• Exterior Siding: Low-maintenance, Long-lasting Integral Color Cement Board by Cembonit and FSC Certified Wood
• Sheathing and Floor + Ceiling Framing: FSC Certified Wood
• Wall Assembly is SIPS (Structural Insulated Panels)
• High Performance, Energy Efficient Spray-in Open Cell Foam Insulation by Icynene
• On-demand Water Heater Provided by Noritz
• Energy Efficient HVAC System
• Double Pane, Low-E, Wood Windows and Glass Doors with Aluminum Cladding by Sierra
• Double Pane, Low-E, Wood with Aluminum Cladding Folding Glass Door Walls by Nanawall

Interior Design Features

• Sustainable Layout for Maximum Cross Ventilation and Natural Lighting
• Rapidly Renewable Bamboo Flooring
• No-VOC Paint by Yolo throughout
• LED Lighting throughout
• Interior Sliding Door Panels by 3form: EcoResin comprised of 40% Post-Industrial Reclaimed Material

Eco-Friendly Kitchen Features

• FSC Certified Wood Cabinetry (over Roseburg Skyblend Particleboard)
• Countertops by Concreteworks: Fly Ash Concrete, Rice Hull, and Recycled Porcelain Aggregates
• Eco-friendly/Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures by Kohler
• LED Lighting
• EnergyStar Appliances

Eco-Friendly Bathroom Features

• FSC Certified Wood Cabinetry (over Roseburg Skyblend Particleboard)
• Countertops by Concreteworks: Fly Ash Concrete, Rice Hull, and Recycled Porcelain Aggregates
• Floor and Wall Tiles by Terra Green Contain 55% Recycled Glass
• Eco-friendly Plumbing Fixtures, Low-flow Shower Head, Mixer, and Dual-Flush Toilet by Kohler
• LED Lighting

Learn more about Michelle Kaufmann designs.

Every once in a while I am successful in negotiating with my family to have for dinner what I affectionately refer to as “LOs.”

By LOs I don’t mean Loan Originators, which is what/who the US Senate may be serving up with the current proposed bill S. 2452, Home Ownership Preservation and Protection Act of 2007. Please log on to http://mymortgageplan.blogspot.com and read the 12/18 posting for my blog entry on that subject. Not a pretty picture for you or for me.

What I mean is “leftovers.” It was a tradition when I was growing up that every few days we would put together the leftovers from the previous few evenings. It was a smorgasbord of differing tastes, sort of like the Buffet at the Tulalip Casino! Well, except we didn’t have the guy in the chef’s hat carving turkey - with my family of 8, however, not a lot of food makes it to the refrigerator.

So to re-live the good ol’ days of yore, I’ve decided to serve up a few leftovers for you — these are topics that don’t necessarily call for their own posting but nonetheless are tasty tidbits of information that should go down pretty smoothly. Enjoy!

A “Green” Mortgage?
Seems to be the new buzz-word and honestly it probably started around here! Some builders use environmentally friendly building supplies and energy-efficient appliances that qualify them for “Green” status (visit http://www.buildinggreen.com/, http://www.usgbc.org/ or google building green for a plethora of Web sites); some car manufacturers have jumped on board and even the oil companies have allegedly spent millions of dollars in pursuit of sustainable energy (though I don’t know if they’ve gone as far as claiming to be ‘green’).

The “Green” mortgage follows suit by allowing for a higher amount to be financed in order to use funds to purchase energy-efficient appliances, windows, et al. There is some buzz about this; however, not a lot of lenders have jumped on board so we may be a ways out before this hits the main stream. Your local PUD probably has a separate program for this as well.

The “No Cost” Mortgage
This has been cropping up more and more in marketing campaigns, presented as the new best thing in the mortgage market and often claim it to be an “exclusive” program. Not so much, really.

Any Loan Originator can structure the loan this way, and regardless of the crafty word-crafting often used to carefully balance on the line of truth (notice I didn’t say which side of that line), the trade-off is that you have a higher interest rate (please see comments on the blog entry I mentioned above for a ‘how do they do that?’).

The real question you want to ask is this: “when would paying a higher rate and having no fees be in my best interest?” Ahhh, there’s the rub! Think of it as ‘the scale of justice’ type of old fashioned scale. When one side goes up, the other goes down, right? Which side is best down (weighted) depends on how long you plan on being in the home and the answer to that can tip the scale one way or the other.

Have your Loan Originator work out the ‘break-even point’ for you — if you plan on being in the loan longer than that point, it makes sense to pay more upfront; if however you plan on being in the home (or loan) for less time than it takes to break even, consider rolling more of the cost into the rate.

Clear as mud pie? Speaking of dessert…

Cut Your Mortgage Payment IN HALF!
This one really chaps my hide - I get calls from past clients probably weekly, asking for clarification on this ‘offer’ that I apparently sent them - not the same past client of course, and I don’t mind the phone calls, that’s what I’m here for. But I didn’t send them the offer! There’s a fungus amungus (fungus among us).

Especially for mortgages that have originated in the previous 6-12 months, snappy offers promising to cut your mortgage payment or interest rate in half, appearing to be from your current mortgage company seem to be arriving by the truck full! But there’s some eensy-weensy print down at the bottom of the letter (or on the back, or possibly on a separate page) that very discreetly says “this is a solicitation and that the soliciting company has no affiliation with your current lender.”

“But how do they get away with that?!?!” …you demand? Well, some details of a home purchase become part of public county records, so they snoop through and mail off a rather convincing letter that looks just like it came from your lender. I suppose we can contact our government officials (http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml), and filing a complaint (http://www.atg.wa.gov/FileAComplaint.aspx) with the state Attorney General (http://www.atg.wa.gov/) wouldn’t be a bad idea. How is Rob McKenna these days anyway?

And here in Washington State, we have the Department of Financial Institutions (http://www.dfi.wa.gov/), they’d love to hear from you and get a copy of that letter. At the moment, DFI is also up in arms about the local lender promising– but not delivering– the 1% mortgage (see the DFI front-page). Don’t even get me started on that one.

By the way, I’m James Wirth, WA DFI License #510-LO-34536, and if anyone is asking, the comments in this post are the sole opinion of the author.

_______________________________________________________________

James Wirth is a Mortgage Planner licensed by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions under Loan Officer License Number 510-LO-34536. His Blog can be found at http://mymortgageplan.blogspot.com and he can be reached directly at:
James Wirth
Landover Mortgage

Cell/Direct: (425) 501-4749
Office: (425) 977-2244 Ext. 1002
Fax: (866) 215-1749Email: Jameswirth@landovermortgage.com
Web: http://www.landovermortgage.com/jameswirth/

1. Accounting fees for tax preparation services and IRS audits
2. Amortization of premium on taxable bonds
3. Appraisal fees for charitable donations or casualty losses
4. Appreciation on property donated to a charity
5. Cellular telephones
6. Cleaning and laundering services when traveling
7. Commissions and closing costs on sale of property
8. Contact lenses, eye glasses and hearing devices
9. Depreciation of home computers
10. Employee’s moving expenses
11. Federal estate tax on income with respect to a descendant
12. Fees for a safe-deposit box to hold investments
13. Improvements to your home
14. Investment advisory fees
15. Lead paint removal
16. Legal fees incurred in connection with obtaining or collecting alimony
17. Margin account interest expense
18. Mortgage prepayment penalties and late fees
19. Points on a home mortgage and certain refinancing
20. Real estate taxes associated with the purchase or sale of property
21. 50% of self-employment tax
22. Seller paid points on the purchase of a home
23. State personal property taxes on cars and boats
24. Subscriptions to professional journals
25. Worthless stock or securities

Ratcheting Hex Wrench

A breakthrough in in hex wrenches. This complete set folds to pocket size. A pivot built into the hinge provides one-way torque to make tightening or loosening bolts easy squeezy. Great for bikes and car engines. Metric and standard available. The promo price is only $16.99 so grab one for yourself and one for a buddy.

Stanley FatMax Fubar

A 2.5 lbs crowbar hammer pry bar with serrated jaws that appears hungry even at rest. This compact demolition tool possesses your senses and makes you want to destroy something — anything. Load up the Stanley website, turn on your speakers, click on the Fubar, and let the fun begin! I guarantee you’ll LOL then probably buy one because they’re only $30.

LawnBott LB3200 Evolution

The lawn mower for people with more money than ambition. Also the only robotic lawn mower with Adaptive Programming Technology. Its learning computer actually reprograms itself to adapt to the cutting requirements of your yard and concentrates, by spiraling outwards, from any area where it senses higher grass. This feature helps to assure an evenly cut lawn. This gadget is able to cover areas up to 33,000 sq. ft. (¾ acre of lawn!) and it will navigate slopes of up to 27°. The sensor causes a directional shift whenever the mower bumps into an object at least 4″ high or detects a perimeter wire you’ve laid out. When the rechargeable lithium batteries start to run down, the little guy returns to its docking station to juice up. I’ve read it’s so quiet you can mow at the crack of dawn and uses like $10 of electricity per year — flex your cool, impress neighbors, and be Green for just $2499.

My husband won a 20 lb turkey in a drawing. Turkey isn’t traditional in Sweden and I’d never cooked my own. Thanksgiving Day dinner featured gumbo at my brother’s house so two days later we cooked a turkey dinner for friends. As we were shown how to cut the bird, rave reviews flowed between sips of 2003 Columbia Crest Walter Clore Private Reserve Red Wine. For these two days, I forgot about Real Estate and was all about Home. Most of the nation is experiencing declines in property values. With our strong economy, Seattle is fairing better but that doesn’t mean we’re insulated from the rest of the nation. We’re going through our own changes.

As the turkey and wine bottles were put away I started preparing for an open house the next afternoon and it hit me: I’m hearing buyers talking more about Home!

I know that may sound silly but it’s significant … read on.

The mortgage chaos caused a number of loan programs to virtually *poof* overnight; adjusting ARMs heave thousands into the grips of foreclosure; media reports struggle across the nation and possible recession; President and others comment about separating from certain securities and investments; home buyers here seem to put the collective brakes on purchasing, they look longer and compare with leisure; so inventory doubles what it was this time last year; sellers used to fast turnover with minimal investment become disappointed and disillusioned and have difficulty accepting the market did change in a flash; prices reduce but buyers don’t swarm; sellers react in a variety of ways, some in a financial bind hope for month-to-month tenants; some fire their Realtor, some feel they can do better FSBO; some financially able have taken the property off the market and will re-list after January 1; sellers who are financially able and steadfast ride the wave of change.

So comes the connection with buyers talking more in terms of Home than Real Estate.

In our steep market home buyers often looked at purchases through a cash filter. Showing properties it was usual to hear renovation plans and speculations for huge short-term returns and less about the quality of a long-term space to accommodate person or family and integrate with community.

In this changing market while showing buyers conversation is more about lifestyle, family, attraction to neighborhoods, what would make that place a great place to live and entertain. Sure, they’re talking to me about renovations and updates, too, but more in the context of liveability and longer-term investments.

This renewed perspective of a home for the sake of a Home influences the market — the way buyers buy, the way sellers sell. Don’t buyers really control every marketplace? If they refuse to buy, there is no economic commerce.

Representing sellers and buyers I empathize with each in their unique and individual quest for a fair deal and fast close.

Very curious I am to learn what 2008 will bring and how I can contribute to the best of it.

If you have questions about the current mortgage environment or products contact James Wirth at Landover Mortgage 425.501.4749.

Search current listings.

Wondering whether it’s a good time for you to sell or buy? Call or email me.

Denice Rochelle

Coldwell Banker Bain

DeniceRochelle@cbbain.com

206.769.1214

Featured non-profit for November|December: Best Little Rabbit, Rodent & Ferret House

Sandi Ackerman founded the Best Little Rabbit, Rodent and Ferret House in 1996. She had been doing rabbit rescue/adoptions out of her home since 1987 and after being laid off of a job she’d been at for 10 years, she decided to find another job where she’d be doing something she really wanted to do. This led to the idea of a rescue/shelter for rabbits, rodents & ferrets. Sandi’s desire to do work she loved manifested into the Best Little Rabbit, Rodent and Ferret House which cares for about 500 animals each year!

The important services this organization provides include:

Education
Via Internet, Newsletters, E-mail, Classes.
Rescue
They work with public shelters to take animals when they run out of space. And then they have rabbits, guinea pigs & (some) rats spayed/neutered.
Adoption
They work with individuals interested in adopting to make sure they are realistic about the personalities, diet, daily care and amount of work involved with each different species. Once adopted, they follow-up with the adopter to head off any problems.

The most fulfilling part of Sandi’s work is when she gets to see rescued animals leave for their permanent homes. And, understandably, the most challenging is dealing with people who want to get rid of their animals.

Surprising to me is that Guinea Pigs and Rats are the easiest to find good homes for and Rabbits & Ferrets are the most difficult. I was curious which of these animals were the easiest and most difficult to care for. Her thoughtful response, “It depends upon individual expectations. If you love the animal then whichever animal you have is the easiest. If you’ve lost interest in the animal then it’s very difficult to care for him.” Amen! Isn’t this true on so many levels and with so many things?

Sandi can really use donations of paper towels, vinegar and bath towels and can always use the help of volunteers. If you can help the animals and organization in any of these ways, please contact Sandi right away.

I asked Sandi if she had any bizarre animal stories that she’d like to share. A Rabbit named Noah came to her mind. Noah had been dumped on a golf course and had obviously been deliberately beaten about his head by a golf club. Someone found and picked him up and took him to a vet. Most vets would have euthanized Noah to “put him out of his misery.” He had been blinded, his skull was fractured, and he was missing a lot of skin on his forehead. However, the vet he was taken to had worked with the House Rabbit Society previously and she decided to try to put Noah back together. After several weeks of surgeries and care, the vet contacted us and asked if we could take Noah to continue his care. Noah loved attention and continued to heal. He was eventually adopted and was introduced to a girlfriend of his own. At about 7 years of age, he continues to live the Life of Riley with his family who adores him.

To Adopt Skeeter

(Photo Above) This adorable snowy-looking bunny is a handsome fellow named Skeeter. Skeeter’s an active young rabbit who needs tons of exercise. He was born around December 2006 and was neutered on June 4, 2007. As with any young rabbit, Sandi wants us to know that Skeeter will need lots of supervising everyday when he’s out for exercise. Skeeter’s adoption fee $60. If you know anyone who is able to provide a good, committed, stable, loving home for Skeeter please give Sandi a call.

To donate, volunteer, or get involved with this organization:

Sandi Ackerman, Director

14317 Lake City Way NE

Seattle WA 98125

Telephone: (206) 365-9105
Email: Sandi@RabbitRodentFerret.org
Website: http://www.rabbitrodentferret.org

I learned about this book from my friend Judy. Judy’s best friend Hester Rumberg is the author of this remarkable true story. You won’t be able to put it down. Buy a copy for yourself and extras for special gifts.

Order from Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Powells.com, Amazon.ca.

Twelve years ago on Thanksgiving weekend, something happened to a family that altered their lives forever.  Hester knew this family intimately and has spent the last 3 years writing their story.  The day before Thanksgiving 2007, the printer sent her the very first copy of her book. 

Hester’s book, Ten Degrees of Reckoning is about “the courage, commitment, passion, and patience it takes to embrace life fully.  The Sleavin family, two adults and their two children, possessed those qualities, and realized their dream to sail around the world in a 47-foot boat. They experienced indescribable beauty, rewarding challenges, deep and meaningful encounters, and a wholly shared understanding of the world and of one another during their meticulously planned and crafted out-of-the ordinary family adventure. Three years into the circumnavigation, not far from the shores of New Zealand, a ship altered its course by a mere ten degrees, and everything changed.”

Hester’s goal in writing this book goes way beyond telling a gripping story.  She wants to touch your lives and help us see how to live the best we can amidst the hardships of life. The story embraces the power of the individual as well as the power we have to help each other. Forced to self publish this book as a novice writer, Hester is now faced with launching her own advertising campaign in hopes that enough demand for her book will bring it to the attention of a major publisher. If there is enough demand for the book within a short period of time, then a publishing company will pick up the book and take over the advertising, promoting and printing of the book.

The Christmas Ship festival has been a Northwest tradition for 58 years. Its main purpose is to bring communities together to celebrate the holiday season. From our flotilla of ships to the crowds of people who gather onshore, this celebration is one of the gems of the holiday season.Each night, from December 1st through 23rd, the Christmas Ship sails to different Puget Sound waterfront communities, over 45 in total. Choirs onboard sing 20-minute performances to these communities, all broadcast via a state-of-the-art speaker system. Christmas Ship Schedule.

On shore, thousands of people gather around roaring bonfires (I’ll be at Alki) anticipating the arrival of the Christmas Ship. You can buy a ticket to sail board the Christmas Ship or one of the Parade ships that follow, or join with friends and neighbors to gather together for your own caroling tradition. If you own your own boat, feel welcome to join in the festival and help form the largest holiday floating parade in the world!!!

And yes, there is a charitable connection. In addition to good cheer, family and friends, a portion of all ticket sales benefits The Seattle Times Fund For The Needy.

At DNA 11 your body, your life, becomes your art. Visit their site to find out about DNA portraits (create artwork based on your genetic code); Fingerprint portraits (no two people have the same fingerprint, your unique touch is your art); Kiss portraits (your lips become fine art - you can even combine lips for a loved one or for the ultimate narcissist admire your own sexy self).

Inexpensive and 100% you. Gift certificates available.

And yes, there is a charitable connection! This year they’re donating a portion from every sale of their KISS portraits to the M·A·C AIDS Fund. Every KISS portrait sold helps to buy 1000 condoms in India or 14 HIV tests in Haiti.

While many recover from tryptophan-induced food comas over the next few weeks, the looming question is bound to return:

What’s going on with the mortgage market?

Realistically we may see a few more after-shocks but most analysts agree that the major changes to the home loan industry have likely run their course. For homeowners and buyers in the greater Seattle area, where does that leave us?

Now that the days of 100% financing without proving any income or assets are behind us for the foreseeable future (maybe ever), it’s time to get back to the basics. From the qualifying perspective, there are three areas to analyze: income/assets, credit, down payment. Below are some considerations for each (subject to change without notice of course).

Income/Assets: This is more of a priority than it has been for the past several years and revolves around the extent to which the borrower can document your income. The more income you can satisfactorily document, the more flexible the underwriting guidelines will be on credit score and down payment.

Especially if income is not easy to document, asset verification is playing a bigger role than in recent history. There are still programs that will allow for no down payment AND no money left over in the bank (which is known as ‘reserves’); however, income documentation will be required. In addition, if you want to qualify for more loans regardless of income, having at least 2 months worth of the mortgage payment (and in come cases more) will help. Plus it just makes sense to have something to fall back on before you finance hundreds of thousands of dollars…

Credit: This is now more significant than in recent years as well — in fact, one of the reasons why changes in the mortgage and banking markets have been referred to as a ‘credit crunch’ is because qualifying credit scores have gone up moderately. This impacts qualifying on multiple levels, and is the primary reason for reviewing your credit immediately, even if you are planning to buy some time in the future.

Down Payment: The biggest change to zero or low-down payment loans revolves around 2nd mortgages — the “80/20″ loan is no longer an option (with a few exceptions). Private Mortgage Insurance (or PMI) is still viable at this point and there are a number of different programs to consider. If a down payment is an option, even 3% makes a substantial difference in the number of loans available. 5% or 10% down are the next milestones from a qualifying perspective so if that’s an option or if you have a direct family member who is willing to provide a gift for the down payment, it’s worth considering.

A note for current homeowners: if your adjustable rate mortgage is not immediately up for its first (or next) adjustment, with fixed rates hovering around 6% it’s crucial to consider the timing of a potential refinance if that’s something that is going to be a priority in the next few years.

Final Note: If you haven’t taken a close look at the information on your credit report within the past 6-12 months, make it a priority to do so right away. The time to make positive changes to your credit profile is prior to qualifying for a home loan. Some changes take longer than others to result in a benefit.

You can request a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus online at www.annualcreditreport.com once per year. I’m also available for a free ‘mortgage check-up,’ which includes a copy and analysis of your credit report.

_______________________________________________________________

James Wirth is a Mortgage Planner licensed by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions under Loan Officer License Number 510-LO-34536. His Blog can be found at http://mymortgageplan.blogspot.com and he can be reached directly at:
James Wirth
Landover Mortgage

Cell/Direct: (425) 501-4749
Office: (425) 977-2244 Ext. 1002
Fax: (866) 215-1749Email: Jameswirth@landovermortgage.com
Web: http://www.landovermortgage.com/jameswirth/