Steve Jobs’ yacht was unveiled in a Dutch shipyard on Sunday, where the unusual boat designed by Jobs and famed minimalist designer Philippe Starckwas christened “Venus,” after the Roman goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility, prosperity and victory.
According to Dutch website OneMoreThing, the finished ship was launched at shipbuilder Koninklijke De Vries in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. Jobs’ widow Laurene and three of their children, Reed, Erin and Eve, were at the ceremony.
Source: CNN Tech News
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Learn how to comply with defensible space laws in California and ensure properties will be insurable in the wild land Urban Interface (most of Nevada County.)
Friday, November 15 & 16, 2012 10am-3:00pm
What is the law regarding defensible space?
California Public Resources Code 4291 requires every landowner to “maintain around and adjacent to the building or structure a firebreak made by removing and clearing away, for a distance of not less than 100’ on each side of the building or structure or to the property line, whichever is nearer, all flammable vegetation or other combustible growth”. In addition, this code allows insurance companies to require landowners to maintain the firebreaks.
What may landowners do to protect their homes from wildfire?
Building Materials
How To Manage The Vegetation On Your Property
Plant Species Considered “High Fire Risk”
Firewise Landscaping Techniques
Proper Clearance From Structures
Proper Signage For Your Property
Thursday & Friday, November 15 & 16, 2012 10am-3:00pm
How does Defensible Space affect the ability to obtain Homeowner’s Insurance?
Most of Nevada County is in a wild land urban interface area which has the potential for catastrophic wildfire. Learn more about:
Defensible Space & Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
Currently, any debt forgiven by a lender in a short sale, loan modification, or foreclosure is exempt from federal taxation. However, that exemption is scheduled to expire Jan. 1, 2013.
Making sense of the story
Borrowers will have to count mortgage relief from lenders as income on their federal tax returns, if the exemption is allowed to expire. That means, for example, a borrower would have to pay taxes on a $100,000 reduction in principal owed on a loan, or a $20,000 write-off in the amount owed after a short sale.
An extension of the tax exemption – established under the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 – is a strong possibility. But given that Congress will have to grapple with serious fiscal issues after the November elections, there is no guarantee the exemption will emerge from those negotiations intact.
The Debt Relief Act exemption applies only to canceled mortgage debt used to buy, build, or improve a primary residence, not a second home. The maximum exemption is $2 million.
Reinstating the tax would undercut the the effect of the National Mortgage Settlement reached earlier this year in the federal government’s investigation into banks’ mishandling of foreclosure documents.
Under the terms of the settlement, five of the biggest mortgage lenders must put some $17 billion toward debt relief that enables borrowers to stay in their homes. Smaller portions are reserved for short sales and refinancing.
A couple in Warren, Texas, has listed their home for sale in order to be able to offer $50,000 as a reward to find their missing dog.
Charlie Parker says his missing chocolate Lab, named Sir, means everything to the family and they’re willing to give up the roof over their heads in order to find him.
“He plays such a great role in our lives,” says Parker, who has had the dog for five years. “Whatever it takes, just bring me the animal and I’ll pay you.”
The chocolate Lab disappeared Sept. 15 while Parker was mowing the lawn. The family is offering a $50,000 reward to anyone who returns the dog safely. In order to offer the $50,000 award, the family put their home on the market.
Parker told reporters that he’s willing to do anything to find the missing dog, except give up his wife and horse.
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Email jodell@nevadacounty.comDRE#00669941
Inventories of for-sale homes aren’t the only thing that is dropping. The amount of time homes are staying on the market is growing shorter as well—down 11 percent in the last year—according to the latest Realtor.com data.
Homes were listed on average 95 days, according to September housing data. That is down from 107 days a year earlier.
Homes are selling the fastest in Oakland, Calif., in which the median age of the inventory averages 21 days, which is 57 percent below what it was a year ago. Denver, Colo. boasts a median age of inventory of only 38 days, followed by fast-selling markets of Stockton-Lodi, Calif., with 43 days, and San Francisco with 44 days.
As the median age of the inventory is falling, inventories of for-sale homes continue to hover at record lows too, dropping 18 percent last month compared to a year ago.
“There’s a recovery,” Curt Beardsley, vice president of Realtor.com, told BusinessWeek. “Our market times are low and there’s actually a compression of inventory.”
Home buyer demand is increasing, with housing affordability still high and ultra low mortgage rates that have pushed home buyers’ purchasing power higher. The rise in demand has caused asking prices to also rise. Last month, the median asking price was $191,500, which is up 0.8 percent compared to a year earlier, Realtor.com reports.
The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation is hosting a costume contest at its Halloween event on Saturday, October 27, from 1 – 4 pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The costume parade and contest will take place at 2 pm at the Main Exhibit Building, with prizes awarded following the contest.
There will also be games and treats for kids, face painting, and even a cupcake walk! Hot dogs and all the fixins’ will be served and DJs Bobby ‘G’ and Tonni ‘T’ will provide family-friendly music for all to enjoy. The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Model Railroad will be open for tours, and, weather permitting, Empire Carriage Company will provide carriage rides around the Fairgrounds.
Additionally, the Rotary Club of Grass Valley will host its annual “Ball Drop,” with a chance to win $1,000, at 3:30 at the Fairgrounds. Tickets will be available at the event. The local Grass Valley Fire Department ladder truck that will do the golf ball drop will be on the grounds at 1:30 and will provide treats and welcome children to tour the fire truck.
It’s all happening, rain or shine, on Saturday, October 27 from 1 – 4 pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The cost is only $5 per person and includes food, treats, games and entertainment! Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event at the Fairgrounds.
The Halloween Fun at the Fairgrounds event is sponsored by Cirino’s at Main Street/Cirino’s Bar and Grill. Click here for information or call
(530) 273-6217.
For all your real estate needs
Email or call today:
John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com
Captured on four cameras, a nice black marlin off Cairns, Australia jumps and lands aboard the “Little Audrey.” The crew was lucky to escape with only minor injuries and the feisty marlin was released. Little Audrey Game fishing Charters www.littleaudrey.com.au
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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
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(530) 263-1091
Email <a href=”mailto:jodell@nevadacounty.com”>jodell@nevadacounty.com</a>
A continued shortage of available homes for sale lowered California home sales in September, while the median price reached the highest level in more than four years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported this week.
“Sales in the inland and coastal markets continue to move in different directions. Low inventory – especially in distressed areas – is dampening sales activity,” said C.A.R. President LeFrancis Arnold. “In many of these areas, there is a one- to two-month supply of REO homes on the market. “The Inland Empire and the Central Valley have experienced double-digit sales declines compared with last year. Meanwhile, sales were higher in San Diego and most Bay Area counties, where the economies appear to be growing faster than the rest of the state.”
Sales in September were down 5.2 percent compared with August and down 1.2 percent from September 2011.
The statewide median price of an existing, single-family detached home inched up 0.3 percent from August’s $343,820 median price to $345,000 in September.
California’s housing inventory eased slightly in September, with the Unsold Inventory Index for existing, single-family detached homes edging up to 3.7 months, up from a revised 3.2 months in August and 5.3 months in September 2011. The index indicates the number of months needed to sell the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate. A six- to seven-month supply is considered normal.
Homes sold faster in September, with the median number of days it took to sell a single-family home falling to 39.3 days in September 2012 from 41.1 days in August and down from a revised 54.2 days for the same period a year ago.
John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email <a href=”mailto:jodell@nevadacounty.com”>jodell@nevadacounty.com</a>
Join us for a ghoulishly good time at the Graveyard Ghoul-a at the Nevada County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 27, from 8 pm to midnight. As part of the fun, there will be numerous costume contests, including one for the most original costume, one for the scariest/goriest costume, one for the best costumed couple, and one for the most humorous costume. Contestants will have a chance to win cash, as well as carnival tickets and tickets to the annual Nevada County Fair and the Draft Horse Classic.
The event will feature dancing, and DJsBobby ‘G’ and Tonni ‘T’ playing dance hits and crowd-favorites that will keep the crowd moving all night! They’ll also be taking requests at the event, so be prepared to dance to your favorite song!
A bar will be available for beer and booooze; hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, and sweets will be available; and fantastic door prizes will be given away.
Tickets to the Graveyard Ghoul-a are $10 if purchased in advance, and $15 at the door. Parking is free. For your convenience, camping will be available for only $10. Must be 21 years or older to attend.
To purchase your tickets in advance, visit the Fair Office on McCourtney Road or call the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217. Details can be found at click here.
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Email or call today:
John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email <a href=”mailto:jodell@nevadacounty.com”>jodell@nevadacounty.com</a>
in costume prepare to enjoy the games, activities, and treats at the Halloween Fun at the Fairgrounds, taking place this year on Saturday, October 27.
Fun at the Fairgrounds: 1 – 4 pm – Graveyard Ghoul-a: 8 pm – midnight
Join in the fall festivities and Halloween fun at the Nevada County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 27. This year, there are two events to choose from – “Halloween Fun at the Fairgrounds” during the day for children and families, and a “Graveyard Ghoul-a” at night for those 21 years and older. Rain or shine, in costume or in street clothes, don’t miss out on the fun!
Halloween Fun at the Fairgrounds: A Treat for the Kids
Bring your family and friends for some Halloween Fun at the Fairgrounds, from 1- 4 pm on Saturday, October 27. Hot dogs will be served, and there will be treats for the kids, a cupcake walk, and lots of games. Plus, you don’t want to miss the costume contests and a chance to win some great prizes!
The cost for the Halloween event at the Fairgrounds is only $5 per person and includes food, treats, games, and entertainment! Tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event. This family-friendly Halloween event is hosted by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation.
Graveyard Ghoul-a: A Treat for Adults
Adults have fun at a costume contest at last year’s Graveyard Ghoul-a at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. This year’s event is October 27 from 8 pm – midnight.
In the evening, for those over 21 years of age, we’ve got some ghoulish goings-on at the Graveyard Ghoul-a, which takes place on Saturday, October 27, from 8 pm to midnight. Join us for a ghoulishly good time, including dancing, a rockin’ DJ, beer and booooze, food and a costume contest. And you don’t want to miss out on some great door prizes. Tickets to the Graveyard Ghoul-a are $10 if purchased in advance, and $15 at the door. Parking is free, and, for your convenience, camping will be available at a special rate of $10.
For advance tickets for the Graveyard Ghoul-a event, call the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217, or for details about the Halloween events, visit the fairgrounds website.
For all your real estate needs
Email or call today:
John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com
