Fraud Alert

There are so many scams out there. We need to think before we respond to emails we get. Look at the following and make sure you have not been involoved in a scam.


When buying things online...

Is the amount of the check more than the item's selling price?

Is the check drawn on a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item?

Emails you receive...

Have you been informed that you were the winner of a LATTERY, such as Canadian, Australia, El Gordo, or El Mundo, that you did not enter?

Have you been instructed to either "WIRE", "SEND", or "SHIP" money as soon as possible, to a large U.S. city or to another country, such as Canada, England, or Nigeria?

Have you been asked to PAY money to receive a deposit from another Country?

Are you receiving PAY or a COMMISSION for facilitating money transfers through your account?

Did you respond to an email requesting you to CONFIRM, UPDAT, or PROVIDE your account number?

There are so many scammers out there. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!

7 Reasons to Own Your Home

1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.
2. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through 2005, and increased 88.5 percent over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.
3. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.
4. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.
5. Predictability. Unlike rent, your fixed-mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will increase.
6. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.
7. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.

Online resources: To calculate whether buying is the best financial option for you, use the “Buy vs. Rent” calculator at www.GinnieMae.gov.