You may have heard about the change in Daylight Savings starting this year: DST will start three weeks earlier on March 11, 2007, and end one week later on November 4, 2007.
This could affect machines & computer programs that are set to coordinate time/date using Daylight Savings.
The first step is to ensure that your computer is prepared. For Windows XP users, click the below link to download and install the Daylight Savings patch:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=66F1420C-DF2D-400B-A8A9-EF9061A9A3CA&displaylang=en
Scheduling software, such as Microsoft Outlook, could also be affected.
If you use the calendar feature in Outlook, and have version 2000, 2002, or 2003, you will want to download and install the Time Zone Data Update Tool by using the below link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=E343A233-B9C8-4652-9DD8-AE0F1AF62568&displaylang=en
You will also want to ensure that any fax machines that you use are changed to the correct time, as well as your digital phone at home, mobile phone, PDA, portable music player, programmable thermostat, digital camera, DVR, etc.
For other scheduling software, Smartphone's, & PDA's, check with the manufacturer to determine if you need to install updates to prepare for the new Daylight Savings rules.
To access accurate time and date information for anywhere in the world, add The World Clock to your list of "Favorites."
Monday, February 26, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
FORECLOSURES RISE IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
According to Jondi Gumz of the Santa Cruz Sentinel, foreclosures for 2007 have more than tripled from the same time period one year ago (from 11 to 41). Even local publications covering foreclosure activity have had to expand their page numbers in order to cover all the foreclosure-related activity! Training for real estate agents covering the handling of foreclosure transactions is a hot commodity in Santa Cruz now, too.
This new jump in foreclosure activity is not necessarily due to traditional causes such as personal, outside crises, however. Some investors who were planning to sell their homes have been caught in a cooling market unable to sell their property or cover the mortgage and taxes with rent payments. In other cases, people are involved in mortgages that require a rising income; and some bought houses they simply couldn't afford.
Whatever the cause, homeowners considering foreclosure are recommended to consult a tax professional; and County prosecutor William Atkinson warns people to watch out for foreclosure fraud operators.
To read the entire article, go to Foreclosures Jump In County
This new jump in foreclosure activity is not necessarily due to traditional causes such as personal, outside crises, however. Some investors who were planning to sell their homes have been caught in a cooling market unable to sell their property or cover the mortgage and taxes with rent payments. In other cases, people are involved in mortgages that require a rising income; and some bought houses they simply couldn't afford.
Whatever the cause, homeowners considering foreclosure are recommended to consult a tax professional; and County prosecutor William Atkinson warns people to watch out for foreclosure fraud operators.
To read the entire article, go to Foreclosures Jump In County
Friday, February 16, 2007
NATIONWIDE MARKET UPDATE: PRICES DROP AT THE END OF 2006
The last three months of 2006 saw home prices fall in over half of the country's biggest metropolitan areas, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In addition, the number of homes sold fell in 40 states plus the District of Colombia. As prices and sales drop, the number of homes on the market rises. Is there any hope for the market in the near future?
NAR believes so, saying that it expects sales and prices to rise in the Spring. David Lereah, NAR's chief economist, says that "home sales are leveling at historically high levels." Data from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight shows that prices were in fact rising overall in the third quarter of 2006.
To read the full article by Vikas Bajaj, go to Home Prices Fall In More Than Half of Nation's Biggest Markets
To find out more about specific market trends in Santa Cruz County and what you can do to get your home sold for the most money in the least amount of time, please contact me at 831-457-5550 or frank@frankmurphy.net
NAR believes so, saying that it expects sales and prices to rise in the Spring. David Lereah, NAR's chief economist, says that "home sales are leveling at historically high levels." Data from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight shows that prices were in fact rising overall in the third quarter of 2006.
To read the full article by Vikas Bajaj, go to Home Prices Fall In More Than Half of Nation's Biggest Markets
To find out more about specific market trends in Santa Cruz County and what you can do to get your home sold for the most money in the least amount of time, please contact me at 831-457-5550 or frank@frankmurphy.net
Monday, February 12, 2007
THE NEW FACE OF SURFING
Once the sport of "beach bums and bohemians," surfing has grown into as much of a venue for networking as golf or tennis. Surf schools worldwide are catering to the corporate elite. Even the real estate market has felt the effect of the surfing boom, with land that surrounds prime surf breaks quickly being bought up and developed.
Santa Cruz residents will remember well the days when being a surfer and having a career were incompatible. Now, surfing is not only a status symbol in the work place but an ideal sport for making business connections due to its long periods of downtime. Richard Schmidt used to give surf lessons in Santa Cruz on a part-time basis while he worked as a lifeguard. Now, his surf school takes trips to Costa Rica where his clients also enjoy yoga classes and an in-house masseuse. Surf Divas, a school based in La Jolla, hosts corporate clinics throughout the year; many of their clients are from Wall Street or the New York fashion industry.
To find out more about surfing's new image, international surf schools and vacation packages, read the full article by Matt Higgins: Surf's Up, and Upscale, as Sport Reverses Its Beach Bum Image
Santa Cruz residents will remember well the days when being a surfer and having a career were incompatible. Now, surfing is not only a status symbol in the work place but an ideal sport for making business connections due to its long periods of downtime. Richard Schmidt used to give surf lessons in Santa Cruz on a part-time basis while he worked as a lifeguard. Now, his surf school takes trips to Costa Rica where his clients also enjoy yoga classes and an in-house masseuse. Surf Divas, a school based in La Jolla, hosts corporate clinics throughout the year; many of their clients are from Wall Street or the New York fashion industry.
To find out more about surfing's new image, international surf schools and vacation packages, read the full article by Matt Higgins: Surf's Up, and Upscale, as Sport Reverses Its Beach Bum Image
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