Foreclosed Voter Information

In OHIO 324,000 people have been foreclosed out of their homes. In order to vote in the upcoming Election, these foreclosed home-owners must re-register by October 6th at their County Board of Elections.

In OHIO , If your home has been foreclosed, you must re-register in order to be able to vote in the Presidential Election. If you have not re-registered you have lost your vote! The good news: You can re-register and vote this week and it is an easy one-step process.

Your County Board of Elections Office (address provided below) will ask for your name and Social Security number or your Drivers License with your former address. Tell the registrars that you have moved and provide the new address where you are currently living. You do not need proof of the new address. They will re-register you on the spot.
This week only, Sept 30th - Oct. 6th at the same time that you are re-registering at your County Board of Elections Office, you are able cast your Election vote by filing an Absentee Ballot.

Just validated by the Ohio Supreme Court, this one-stop approach is an effort to reach out to those whose homes have been foreclosed and who are at risk of being disenfranchised at the polls. The Court recognized that many former home owners might face challenges and delays at the polls, and therefore have agreed to the so-called Golden Week (September 30th through October 6th) in which voters are encouraged to re-register and vote on the same day.
For the convenience of your readers, we have attached Your County Board of Election Office location.


MONTGOMERY COUNTY
451 W. Third St.
P.O. Box 8705
Dayton, OH 45481
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(Monday - Friday)
Telephone: (937) 225-5656
Fax: (937) 496-7798
E-mail: montgome@sos.state.oh.us
Web site: www.mcboe.org/
FULL LIST OF OHIO COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTION OFFICES FOUND HERE:

Mortgage & Title Insurance Fraud Help

Ohio Senate Bill 185 which became effective 1/1/07, giving Buyers and Sellers the opportunity to purchase Closing Protection Coverage when title insurance is involved. Additionally the law also requires Title Agents to offer those Buyers and Sellers where title insurance is not involved an opportunity to purchase title insurance and obtain Closing Protection Coverage (CPC). Had this been in effect back in 2002 when Barbara Grey and Sandy Hamlin dealt with Equity land title they would have had an opportunity to protect themselves against the loss of their funds.

I'm on your side with some help in this matter. Read Senate Bill 185 below. I warn you...its long but it could help you in the future.



Sec. 3953.23. (A) Every title insurance agent shall keep
3031
books of account and record and vouchers pertaining to the
3032
business of title insurance in such manner that the title
3033
insurance company may readily ascertain from time to time whether
3034
the agent has complied with this chapter.
3035

(B) A title insurance agent may engage in the business of
3036
handling escrows of real property transactions directly connected
3037
with the business of title insurance, provided that the agent
3038
shall maintain a separate record of all receipts and disbursements
3039
of escrow funds and shall not commingle any such funds with the
3040
agent's own funds or with funds held by the agent in any other
3041
capacity; and if at any time the superintendent of insurance
3042
determines that an agent has failed to comply with any of the
3043
provisions of this section, the superintendent may revoke the
3044
license of the agent pursuant to section 3905.14 of the Revised
3045
Code, subject to review as provided for in Chapter 119. of the
3046
Revised Code. All agents shall be covered by a fidelity bond in an
3047
amount and with a company satisfactory to the principal.
3048

(C) All title insurance agents or agencies that handle
3049
escrows in real property transactions not involving the issuance
3050
of title insurance shall have coverage that protects the parties
3051
to such transactions against theft, misappropriation, fraud, or
3052
any other failure to properly disburse settlement, closing, or
3053
escrow funds. The superintendent shall adopt rules under Chapter
3054
119. of the Revised Code setting forth the minimum requirements
3055
for such coverage, including, but not limited to, the minimum
3056
amounts, terms, and conditions of such coverage.
3057

(D) The superintendent shall require every title insurance
3058
agent or agency and any subcontractors to maintain an errors and
3059
omissions policy, in any amount exceeding minimum limits
3060
established by the superintendent, that includes but is not
3061
limited to coverage for the agent's or agency's delegation of any
3062
agent or agency function. The superintendent shall adopt rules
3063
under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code setting forth the minimum
3064
requirements for that coverage, including but not limited to the
3065
minimum amounts, terms, and conditions of the coverage.
3066

Sec. 3953.30. (A) As used in this section:
3067

(1) "Residential mortgage loan" means an obligation to pay a
3068
sum of money evidenced by a note and secured by a lien upon real
3069
property located within this state containing two or fewer
3070
residential units or on which two or fewer residential units are
3071
to be constructed and includes such an obligation on a residential
3072
condominium or cooperative unit.
3073

(2) "Residential mortgage lender" means any person,
3074
including, but not limited to, banks, savings and loan
3075
associations, mortgage brokers, credit unions, or savings banks,
3076
that lends money or extends or grants credit and obtains a
3077
residential mortgage to assure payment of the debt.
3078

(B) A title insurance agent issuing a lender's title
3079
insurance policy in conjunction with a residential mortgage loan
3080
made simultaneously with the purchase of all or part of the real
3081
property securing the loan, where no owner's title insurance
3082
policy has been requested, shall give written notice, on a form
3083
prescribed or approved by the superintendent of insurance, to the
3084
mortgagor at the time the commitment is prepared. The notice shall
3085
explain that a lender's title insurance policy is to be issued
3086
protecting the residential mortgage lender, and that the policy
3087
does not provide title insurance protection to the mortgagor as
3088
the owner of the property being purchased. The notice shall
3089
explain what an owner's title insurance policy insures against and
3090
what possible exposures exist for the mortgagor that could be
3091
insured against through the purchase of an owner's title insurance
3092
policy. The notice shall state that the mortgagor may obtain an
3093
owner's title insurance policy protecting the mortgagor as the
3094
owner of the property, either at a specified cost or at an
3095
approximate cost if the proposed coverages or amount of insurance
3096
is not then known. The title insurance agent shall maintain a copy
3097
of the notice, signed by the mortgagor, in the relevant
3098
underwriting file for at least ten years after the effective date
3099
of the lender's title insurance policy.
3100

Sec. 3953.32. (A) At the time of close with a title insurance
3101
company for issuance of a title insurance policy, the title
3102
insurance company or the title insurance agent shall offer closing
3103
or settlement protection to the lender, borrower, and seller of
3104
the property, and to any applicant for title insurance.
3105

(B) The closing or settlement protection offered pursuant to
3106
this section shall indemnify any lender, borrower, seller, and
3107
applicant that has requested the protection, both individually and
3108
collectively, against the loss of settlement funds resulting from
3109
any of the following acts of the title insurance company's named
3110
title insurance agent or anyone acting on the agent's behalf:
3111

(1) Theft, misappropriation, fraud, or any other failure to
3112
properly disburse settlement, closing, or escrow funds;
3113

(2) Failure to comply with any applicable written closing
3114
instructions, when agreed to by the title insurance agent.
3115

(C) The issuance of closing or settlement protection by a
3116
title insurance company pursuant to division (A) of this section
3117
is part of the business of title insurance for purposes of Chapter
3118
3953. of the Revised Code.
3119

(D) Except as provided in division (A) of this section, a
3120
title insurance company shall not offer or issue any coverage
3121
purporting to indemnify against a person's improper acts or
3122
omissions in connection with escrow, settlement, or closing
3123
services.
3124

(E) The superintendent of insurance may adopt rules in
3125
accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as the
3126
superintendent considers necessary to carry out the purposes of
3127
this section, including, but not limited to, rules that detail the
3128
specific language that must be included in the written document
3129
offering closing or settlement protection as provided for in
3130
division (A) of this section.
3131

Sec. 3953.33. (A) Every title insurance agent or agency that
3132
handles escrow, settlement, closing, or security deposit accounts
3133
shall have an annual independent review made of its escrow,
3134
settlement, closing, and security deposit accounts on a
3135
calendar-year basis within ninety days after the close of the
3136
previous fiscal year. The title insurance agent or agency shall
3137
provide proof of the annual review to each title insurance company
3138
that it represents. The superintendent of insurance shall
3139
promulgate rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code setting
3140
forth the minimum threshold level at which a review is required,
3141
the standards of the review, the minimum qualifications of the
3142
independent party conducting the review, and the form of the
3143
report that is required. The superintendent may also require title
3144
insurance agents or agencies to provide a copy of their annual
3145
review reports to the superintendent. The annual review required
3146
by this division does not apply to interest on lawyer's trust
3147
accounts established and maintained by an attorney pursuant to
3148
sections 4705.09 and 4705.10 of the Revised Code.
3149

(B) Title insurance agents and agencies shall allow the
3150
superintendent and each and every title insurer that they
3151
represent reasonable access to all of their escrow, settlement,
3152
closing, and security deposit accounts and any and all supporting
3153
account information in order to ascertain the safety and security
3154
of the funds held by the title insurance agent or agency.
3155

(C) Title insurance agents and agencies shall maintain
3156
sufficient records of their affairs, including their escrow
3157
operations and escrow trust accounts, so that the superintendent
3158
may adequately ensure that the title insurance agent or agency is
3159
in compliance of this chapter. Records kept pursuant to this
3160
section shall be kept for a period of not less than ten years
3161
following the transactions to which the records relate. The
3162
superintendent may prescribe the specific records and documents to
3163
be kept.
3164

Sec. 3953.35. (A) No title insurance agent shall do any of
3165
the following in connection with a mortgage loan of seventy-five
3166
thousand dollars or less:
3167

(1) Knowingly coerce or wrongfully instruct the consumer to
3168
enter into the loan;
3169

(2) Knowingly fail to disclose to the consumer that the
3170
consumer does not have to close on the loan;
3171

(3) Knowingly make a material misrepresentation to the
3172
consumer regarding the terms of the loan.
3173

(B) A violation of this section is deemed an unfair and
3174
deceptive act or practice in violation of section 1345.02 of the
3175
Revised Code.
3176

10 Tips To Being a Better Customer

10 tips to being a better customer:
· Keep it real: Don't expect to add extras to a job and not pay more or change expectations midway through the project and not be flexible with the budget.
· Ask questions: Don't make assumptions. If you're unfamiliar with the service being provided, learn more by asking.
· Communicate and return phone calls: Be honest and upfront about what you want and expect. Service companies also want to know where they stand on a project and why customers decide to give work to someone else.
· Act professionally: If you want your service provider to do a good job, show him or her respect. If you have to cancel an appointment, give enough time (at least 1 hour) so you're not wasting the company's time.
· Keep an open mind: You're not going to get a castle for the price of a shack. Never base your hiring decision only on the cheapest option or you will likely get what you paid for. Also compare apples to apples - while one option may be cheaper, how does the quality of materials compare?
· Don't be irrational: If something negative happens during the job or service, don't become irate or obscene. Be civil. If you're dealing with a good service company, they will want to fix the problem.
· Pay on time: You hired the company for a service; if they've delivered - pay them. Always pay with a credit card so you have recourse in case something goes wrong
· Follow the Golden Rule: Treat the company with respect, even in the way you explain your complaint. For example, if it appears a repair has not worked, rather than accusing the company of doing the job "wrong," let them know you're still having the same problem and are in need of their help. If a bill turns out to be higher than expected, ask for a detailed breakdown of the bill before you accuse them of "price-gouging."
· Reward good behavior: If you are a satisfied customer, let the company know. Write a letter thanking that employee who went out of their way and include it in the report you file on Angie's List.
· Offer constructive criticism: Is there a way the company can improve a service or product? Even great companies can use improvement. If a company asks for your input in a survey or questionnaire, give it to them. Take the time to share your opinion, the good and the bad.

Photo Radar Camera Flap

I've gotten a lot of response from viewers about this story. It seems most of you think Barry Coleman is being unfairly targeted. You may be right. The picture that was snapped was that of a Honda SUV. If you look real closely at the Ohio license plate, you can't make out the letters.

Now, what I think happened is the Washington D.C. Traffic Enforcement Division couldn't make out the plate either. They called Ohio's Bureau of Motor Vehicles to see if they could come up with a match. I'm trying to confirm right now with the BMV is they sent D.C. Police a bunch of records that could possibly be the driver. Or, did they try to make an educated guess and singled out Barry Coleman. Here's the strange thing, Barry got a letter from the BMV stating what kind of vehicle he has registered with the state of Ohio. The letter says it's a Ford Ranger. The picture clearly shows something different.

I've also contacted the Washington D.C. P.D. I have not heard one word from them. It's beyond me why Barry Coleman is stuck between a rock and a hard place. He either has to pay the ticket or spend more money to travel to our nation's capital and fight the ticket.

Coleman did tell me that no points will be placed on his license and his insurance will not go up. But isn't it a pain in the rear to be put in that kind of situation??

Appraiser Help

Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested in what amount the house sells for. Seeking a professional appraisal can often help homeowners make the best decisions on investing in their homes and setting a fair sales price. An appraisal is not the same as a home inspection. A home inspector determines the condition of the home and its major components and reports those findings.

During an appraisal, the appraiser will tour the inside/outside of your home and measure it. An appraiser must actually see features, such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, locations, etc. - likely taking photos along the way.
The appraisal is legally owned by the lender, unless the lender "releases its interest" in the document. However, consumers must be given a copy of the appraisal report, upon written request, under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

The cost of an appraisal will be determined by the property being appraised, the local real estate market, and the scope of work. The most common type of appraisal is the residential form report required by lenders and in most areas runs $300-$400. In 2007, Angie's List members nationwide reported spending on average $360 in the real estate appraisal category.

A common complaint we've seen with real estate appraisals is the turnaround time with the report after the appraisal is done. The time frame may depend on how much work there is and how many appraisers serve your area so ask your appraisal on what you should expect. Also, be sure to protect yourself - go through a reputable bank or other lending institution that use only licensed appraisers as well.

How to prepare for an appraisal:
· Use a licensed, certified, professional appraiser to provide the most accurate estimate of the true value of a property. By law, an appraiser must be state licensed to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions. Also by law, you are entitled to receive a copy of the completed appraisal report from your lender. Once an appraiser is licensed, he/she is required to take continuing education courses in order to keep the license current.
· Have a sheet handy that lists major home improvements and upgrades (include the date of installation and the costs.)
· You do not need to accompany the appraiser along on the entire site inspection, but the homeowner can add valuable information such as upgrades, repairs, etc.
· Make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially the attic and crawl space. Trim any bushes and move any items aside that would make it difficult to measure the structure.
Repair minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles, etc.

Back To School Tips

Angie's 10 Questions to ask prospective child care providers:
1. What is the relationship between the childcare center and the schools in the district?
2. Can you speak with other families who use the center to ask about their experiences?
3. What accreditations does the center have?
4. What is the staff-to-child ratio? Ratio regulations vary by state, but generally are 15-to-20 elementary age children for every one staff member and 10-to-12 to one for preschool and kindergarten programs.
5. Who are the staff members? Quality programs should have highly competent staff members who understand child development and can plan age-appropriate activities.
6. Are activities recreationally or educationally based? Experts say activities should be engaging and offer opportunities to gain a variety of skills in problem solving and critical thinking.
7. What's the cost? Some programs charge for just the days your child attends, while others charge by the week. Some provide scholarships or discounts based on need.
8. If the program isn't in your child's school, what are the transportation arrangements? Find out the driver's background, the type of vehicle used and if pick-up and drop-off sites are supervised.
9. What is the sign-in/sign-out procedure? It's important that the program spell out who is responsible for delivering your child to the program and who is allowed to pick him or her up - and whether a photo ID is required. Also, ask about playground supervision and bathroom trips.
10. Is breakfast available before school? Are snacks available after? Some programs offer food for the children; others allow or require parents to bring their own.

Content: Computers
Angie's List recently polled its members on their child's computer usage. According to the results of the nationwide poll, 63 percent of respondents say their child will require a home computer for school use.
Only seven percent of respondents plan to buy a brand new computer for their child this year. That means more families will be looking to get the most mileage possible out of their current computer. If your computer needs service or repair work, call now. It's better to find out before the homework starts than after a serious issue that could derail your straight "A" student.
In 2007, Angie's List members reported spending on average about $253.00 per job on computer repair. But if the repair will cost more than half the cost of a new computer, you're probably better off replacing it altogether.

· In need of repair? Call several shops and ask them about their diagnostic and repair fees. Get an estimate of what repairs will cost before you authorize any work done. Get all guarantees in writing.
· Save yourself: Before you bring in your computer for repair or service, back up your data and delete any sensitive information.
· Get up-to-date: Update all of your virus and spyware software and install all other necessary updates. It's not always the best choice to buy spyware and antivirus software from where you bought your computer. Usually those programs can be very expensive while free programs are available online.
If you're in the market for a new computer, take into consideration your child's needs. Some computers are better suited than others depending upon factors such as grade level, subject matter, and wear and tear.
· Don't wait until the last minute to buy a computer for school. Give yourself at least a month before school starts, if possible, so you can install everything that you need, download your old files, and get comfortable with the new computer.
· Desktop or laptop? It really depends on your child. While a laptop is more convenient than a desktop, laptops are also more expensive and fragile.
· Back up, back up, back up. An external hard drive is relatively inexpensive considering your child won't be scrambling to rewrite that 20 page term paper when the computer crashes.

Content: Music Instruction
Music tutors usually finding themselves turning away parents who waited too long to enroll their kids in fall music classes, but the economic slump has many tutors singing a different tune this year.
Normally, it's best to secure a music instructor well before school gets back in session, but this year, our highly rated music instructors are telling us they still have openings. That means you have the unusual opportunity of still having time to enroll your child, but you also may find it more affordable as tutors try to fill their schedules.
Forty percent of Angie's List members responding to a recent nationwide poll said their child or children would be involved in a music program this year, while another 21 percent said their's might be involved in music or choir. Of those who are expecting their child to be in some form of music study, more than one-third said their child would take private lessons, and almost another quarter of the respondents are considering lessons.
Of course, music instruction is not just for school-aged kids. Many instructors offer a variety of classes for infants, toddlers and adults, proving you're never too young - or too old - to learn something new.
A lot of music instructors are branching out their services to bring in new clients. One of the latest trends is adult recreational music making classes, which are designed to help promote stress relief. Others offer interactive music play for infants and toddlers, acting on the premise that early introduction to music can enhance vocabulary skills.
Here are some tips on finding the right private instructor for your little musical prodigies as they head into to the back-to-school season:

· Credentials are Key: Many music instructors have a professional accreditation or hold a degree in music education, but not all do. Ask for the instructor's credentials.
· Avoid a Chorus of "Boos": Ask the prospective instructor for references from current students and their families. Also, word-of-mouth references from friends, family and Angie's List could help you avoid hiring an instructor who might not be the right fit.
· Strike the right Chord: Consider bringing along the child to the initial interview with the prospective teacher so you both understand the teacher's philosophy and policies and to get a feel for how their personalities fit. If the interaction between the student and teacher is less than harmonic, that could be reflected in the end result of the lessons.
· A duet could sweeten the deal: Many music teachers offer discounts to families with multiple children enrolled.
· Everyone Sing along now: Just like with schoolwork, children in music lessons need plenty of study and practice time. Often, children need motivation to practice. Be willing to supervise, enforce and even participate in practice. If your child is starting new lessons at the beginning of the school year, agree on a firm practice schedule and stick to it. "Sometimes, it takes time for them to catch on," offered one music instructor. "But once they do, it's awesome!"

Content: Hiring a Tutor
While it might be difficult for some parents to accept that their child is struggling academically and requires additional resources, those struggles aren't uncommon.
According to the results of a recent poll of Angie's List members, more than 1 in 4 kids have used a tutor in the past and another one-in-three might require one this year.
Kids sometimes struggle at the beginning of the school year with getting back into the groove of things. We talked to our highly rated tutors and they recommend staying ahead of potential problems by hiring a tutor before school begins to help your child brush up in the areas they struggle most. That way, when school begins, they're ready to hit the ground running.
Angie's highly rated tutors offer some A-rated advice to help your scholars excel in school:

Make the environment in which a child learns one where he or she can focus and feel supported. Oftentimes a student will fear failure, but if help is available immediately and the child knows this, he or she is much less likely to allow emotional aspects of school affect their cognitive ability.
It is important to tailor a tutoring session to the individual student. If that student feels more comfortable in a group of students and thrives off competition, then a group session is best. If a student is shy about her or his academic prowess, then individual tutoring is probably in order.

· Put your child on a school schedule, including bedtime, wake-up time, mealtime and study time, prior to the first day of school to help ease him or her back into a routine.
· Make sure your child studies or is tutored in between semesters so he or she doesn't lose the knowledge they've gained. Read books that are appropriate grade level, do something with math like multiplication tables, counting money or word problems.
· Go over school skills with your kids whenever you get a chance. Have them do math in their heads at the checkout counter of the grocery store, read billboards aloud when you're driving in the car, or help you measure out ingredients in the kitchen. They'll love the attention and it will keep their skills sharp.
· Have an older sibling read aloud to a younger sibling. It creates a sense of accomplishment and maturity. Also, have a family reading time when the children can read aloud.
Angie's List recommends parents check the tutor's credentials, contact references or check Angie's List for reports on the tutor, and read the fine print on any contract before entering into a hiring agreement with a tutor. Also, interview the tutor in advance with your child present to get a feel for how their personalities would mesh.

Medic-Alert Tips

Here are a few key things that each medical alert subscriber should do to make sure they are getting what they expect from the service.

1. Keep the responder list up to date
2. Test the device regularly, at least monthly, from different areas of the home
3. Know the protocols of the monitoring center in regards to the call list
4. Make sure the responders know what is expected of them
5. Have the company service it and check it if you have any concerns


Here are a few key items that people should look for when choosing a quality medical alert provider.

1. Member in good standing with the BBB
2. Monitoring center is dedicated to medical alert monitoring only (not a side activity of something like an ambulance, security, or nursing center)
3. Are the monitoring agents independently trained and certified such as CSAA
4. Don’t sign long term contracts (most companies rent the service allowing you to try different services and allowing you to cancel at anytime)
5. Make sure the phone service you are using will accommodate the medical alert

This last item is one of the big issues we see now that people are using alternative phone services such as VOIP, etc.. People who have medical alerts are switching to these services and don’t realize the medical alert may not work once they make they change because they are not testing the device.