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Home Safety Tips

Your home is your haven and, as such, it should be a place where you feel safe. If you want to protect yourself and your family, home safety should be a priority in your life. Here are some ideas on how to deal with some of the most common concerns facing homeowners today.

Do Some Detective Work On Your Detectors

Make sure that your smoke detectors are working and have fresh batteries. It’s important to clean them regularly to avoid a buildup of dust and dirt, which may cause them to malfunction or stop working altogether.

Make Sure That Your Security System Is Secure

If your home has a security system, make sure that nobody else has the code. If you purchased your home with the security system in place, have the code changed as a precaution. Just as you would change the locks to prevent friends, acquaintances or family members of the previous owner from entering the house without your permission or knowledge, it’s equally important to change the code on your security system.

Obstacles & Falls

Many people die or get injured each year as a result of a fall in their home. Make sure that the way you arrange your furniture and possessions makes it easy for you to move around your home. Be especially careful about where you put low items that you may trip over.

Trailing electric and phone wires can also be hazardous—try to connect appliances to a socket nearby. If trailing wires are unavoidable, arrange them as far out of the way as possible and tape them down with strong electrical tape or something similar.

Keep staircases and passageways clear, and never place a loose rug at the top of the stairs.

Try to organize your storage so that you can reach items you use regularly without having to climb. Don’t be tempted to balance on chairs or boxes if you do need to reach something high—use a proper step ladder with non-slip steps, or wait until someone else can help.

Re/Max Connection Realtors disclaimer:
Re/Max Connection Realtors are not licensed financial advisors, and are not providing any financial advice, you should consult with a licensed financial advisor prior to making any financial decisions. Re/Max Connection Realtors are only providing this economic statement from Naroff Economic Advisors, Inc. for informational purposes.
Our company accepts no liability for the content of this email/blog, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Any views or opinions presented in this email/blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.
Re/Max Connection Realtors, 1000 East Lincoln Drive, Suite 2, Marlton, NJ 08053 www.goconnectionnj.com

Avoiding Mortgage Fraud

Unfortunately, fraud and identity theft are increasing at an alarming rate every year, and mortgage fraud is one of the most important types of fraud from which you will want to protect yourself. So what constitutes mortgage fraud, and how can you prevent this from happening to you?

What Is Mortgage Fraud?

Essentially, mortgage fraud is defined by the FBI as any material misstatement, misrepresentation, or omission relied upon by an underwriter or lender to fund, purchase, or insure a loan. There are several different types of mortgage fraud, and each is a serious offense that can have a huge impact on you and your credit. Here is a basic list of the most common types of mortgage fraud.

Undisclosed Kickbacks—This includes any financial deals between a buyer and seller that are not included in the mortgage documents.

Falsifying Income—Inflating your income is a serious offense on any loan document, especially a mortgage.

Undocumented Non-Owner Occupancy—Rates and other fees can be higher for income and rental properties, but resist the temptation to hide this fact in order to save money.

Inflated Purchase Price—In some cases this method is used to obtain a higher appraisal of a property, but it is illegal and may cost you your home.

How To Protect Yourself

The purchase of your home will probably be the greatest financial investment you will ever make. Ensuring that you know what constitutes mortgage fraud is half the job, but it is also important to know how to protect yourself from professionals who may not have your best interests in mind. In general the best method is to ensure that your real estate agent and mortgage lenders are professionals with considerable experience, professional credentials, and good references. It is also important to keep in mind that if an offer seems too good to be true, or if you feel that your REALTOR® or lender has given you advice that sounds as if it might fall under the category of mortgage fraud, you seek the advice of another professional. In this way you can avoid getting yourself into what may be a potential financial disaster.

Your property is not only your home, but also your greatest asset, and losing it to mortgage fraud can be avoided when you are armed with these facts.