When someone close to you dies, it can be overwhelming and confusing. If you are in charge of making arrangements and notifying other family members of the passing, your life can be thrown into chaos as you handle funeral arrangements, public notifications, and sorting personal possessions. Then you must deal with the demands of everyone that loved the deceased. To help you through the challenging time, here are five things to do after someone dies.

1. Notification

There is no proper way to let family and friends know about the death, but all relatives should be told. You can call the children and ask them to let their individual family members know, or you can send out a mass email or phone alert notifying everyone on your list of the sad event. Be sure to ask each recipient of your message to pass the information on to their family members and the deceased’s friends.

2. Legality

You will need a legal document pronouncing the death of your loved one before you can notify anyone to whom the deceased owed money. A doctor, hospital staff, or hospice nurse can fill out the legal forms you will need before you can order the death certificate you required for notification most companies require.

3. Attorney

Contact the deceased’s New York probate attorney about the passing. This will allow the lawyer to gather necessary documents and prepare for the reading of the will, identification of trusts, and passing of estate issues. The attorney can also begin working on estate or probate taxes.

4. Funeral

The wishes of your loved one pertaining to the disposition of his or her body may take some time. Being an organ donor, asking for cremation, or having a plot at a local cemetery is information best found in the will. Check before you make burial arrangements to make sure the wishes stated in recent months are the same those as listed in the legally binding will.

5. Property

Make sure all personal property of the deceased is secure, including automobiles, homes, and recreational vehicles. If the deceased rented the property, notify the landlord and police that the apartment or house may be vacant for a few weeks, and ask them to keep an eye on the area if possible.

These are only a few of the many tasks associated with making arrangements for the dispersal of property and personal goods of someone that dies. Ask a family member to help you with the numerous tasks to get through them all quickly.

 

The process of purchasing a house is one of the most important steps you will make throughout your lifetime.  The numbers you’ll see on the paperwork will be large, and it’s important to fully understand what’s going on throughout.

Fortunately, there are federal laws in place which protect the rights of borrowers.  The contracts involved in the swap of such a large sum of money should be something you understand.  Take a moment to read up a bit on some mortgage laws that help protect homeowners as they embark upon the purchase of a lifetime.

Truth in the lending process

The federal government makes provisions for buyers in the way of transparency.  Lenders are legally required to provide you with your annual interest rate, the amount financed, how many payments you’re responsible for paying, and what the total cost of the loan will be in the end.

The Consumer Credit Protection Act, passed in 1968, also grants homebuyers the chance to back out of their loan within three days of finalizing the paperwork.  The Truth in Lending Act requires that lenders produce truthful advertisements for loans as well.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act

It’s wise to know what lies ahead when you go to get a home loan approval letter.  Don’t allow lenders to push you around and set forth unrealistic stipulations.  Dig into what the Equal Credit Opportunity Act offers homebuyers.

ECOA is the law that provides protection against discrimination.  Your prospective lender is not legally allowed to deny you the funds based on your race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or age.  Don’t ever follow through with a loan application that asks questions that are not truly relevant to your situation.

Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act provides legal protection for homebuyers by stating that lenders can’t decide to change the stipulations of your contract on a whim.  For instance, your bank can’t say you have to pay 10 percent interest just because you are African American.

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act was put into place on new year’s day of 2010.  RESPA provides legal protection throughout the process of buying a home.

More specifically, RESPA means that lenders have to fully disclose closing costs prior to the actual signing.  This, in turn, keeps lenders from hiking up closing costs at the last minute.

New Homeowners Protection Act

The Homeowners Protection Act was created to protect homeowners from excess interest on their loan.  After paying on your loan faithfully for a while, you can qualify for the cancellation of PMI.  You must first pay down the loan to 80 percent at a minimum to start looking for this benefit.

 

 

 

Probate is a shield and protects asset, properties and inheritance in any form. It is an official proving of a will.  When someone dies probate is a legal process that takes place.  A court will be responsible for proving a deceased will and to those who are entitled to receive the inheritance. It is much of a work that includes identification and inventories. When in debt properties are appraised and so as incorporating all the taxes enclosed with it.

Probate court issues appointment for a person to represent and to handle estate affairs. Thus includes paying estate debt, rising taxes, fees, and settlements. Gathering all decedent properties, assets, and collectibles and eventually issues to give out assets to descendant’s beneficiaries or heir according to the will.  It also ensures the inheritance goes to the right heirs and all the wishes of the decedent take place. If there is no will the probate court decides how to distribute the assets of the deceased estate to his loved ones or beneficiaries. A small estate can take a short time to complete, while a vast estate can take years. Anyone with a valid claim to any asset can file a petition but it will only drag the process out even longer.

Why avoid probate? The work is a long process, the more the assets are, the longer proceedings occur.  Because it is a court process and the malady alongside are court hearings.  Just to gather complete information on the asset and the obligation to paying off the debt of an estate will take time.  It is not always easy, it takes months or it takes even years to finally receive the clearance and claims.

There are some advantages to avoiding probate.

1. Rising cost. If your resources are limited and the remaining assets went through a probate court. You can expect probate cost including attorney’s fees, which can be quite costly.
2. Efficiency. You are dealing with time. The probate process can be complicated and disruptive in receiving claims. There are cases proceedings that take several years to completion upon resolving opposition or legalities. If you avoid the probate it can help you fasten the process of your estate.
3. Protect your privacy. If you will be under a probate process. You cannot secure the information for yourself. Will and probate proceedings will be a matter of public documents meaning anyone can access. Most likely people will know how your estate has been distributed.
4. Flexibility. To minimize your estate taxes you can use Trusts, depending on your request. It is better because the execution of trust is less formal than a will it can easily change accordingly.

Avoiding the probate process may be attractive to some people, many consider and make it an option. The house, car, bank account, investment account, or asset under one person’s name. It can be given to a beneficiary and secure a will to ensure assets management.

For an heir, it always matters.  If a probate process takes place the will of a person and its provision is being contested, and if opposed it will take a longer time and amount.

Added cost for settling estate, using probate fees and probate attorneys if gets involved.  There is more of a cut on the heir inheritance and unlikely pleasing.

So if you want to avoid the probate and to cut the chase and the long process on which your beneficiaries will endure.  You might consider planning on getting rid of all your properties. You can contact a local cash buyer if you want a speedy process.

If you have plenty of assets that might be a candidate for probate estate, you may think considering selling your house fast and having fast cash too.  To keep them from all the hassles and tiring proceedings.

Each financial status of a person or a family differs on their approach on how to deal with unwanted occurrence. Securing a future or by living a life.  If you want to enjoy the things you have and having peace of mind, there are a lot of techniques to take.  Organizing your data, selling your house fast at a good price, and no worries you will leave behind.

It is regretful, leaving your beneficiaries uncertain.  It will be time-consuming and expensive especially on delayed proceedings.  For some states, the delays and costs of the old probate process remain.  Not only pricey but giving your beneficiaries a hard time managing your assets.  It’s also a question of when to receive and how much left to receive.

Although property management can be exhausting, a strategized viewpoint can protect you from a loss.  Acquiring all the necessary information on taking care of your asset can minimize the struggle you will leave behind.  You have to decide, what action to consider.  You will benefit from your wise decision, while you are still with them.

You can still earn, invest, buy, and sell properties. Choose wisely! Make sure that you will be working with a legitimate and trustworthy “cash for houses Los Angeles” company. We recommend Candid Property solutions. They are an expert in these kinds of situation and can definitely help you with it.

 

Spring was always the buying season partly because after winter, homes don’t look their best. This year, however, is going to be much different.

As soon as the spread of the novel coronavirus around the globe was declared a pandemic on March 11 by the World Health Organization, things have been altered drastically. In the U.S. alone, the virus has claimed more than 44,000 lives of Americans. Stay-at-home orders were imposed and many workers were laid off from their jobs and about 26 million Americans were unemployed as unessential businesses were forced to close.

Looking back at the previous pandemics that the world has experienced—SARS, MERS, H1N1, and others—home sales did drop dramatically but prices stayed the same or only had a slight decrease. In other words, the previous pandemics had only put the housing activities on pause.

Now, with the recent pandemic happening again, the signs have shown things are going to the same path —home listings have dropped, and mortgage applications have also gone down.

Depending on local conditions—since the virus seems more prevalent in places with heavy concentration of population—the effects the health crisis on the housing market could vary.

Moreover, the Fed has imposed moratorium on foreclosures and ordered mortgage companies to provide consumers with discounted payments and forbearance on mortgages backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA.

These precautionary measures are paramount to prevent massive foreclosures and a housing crash such as that in 2008. However, its downside could be the bankruptcy of mortgage servicers. For now, the amount of damage it may bring to the mortgage industry and in the process, to the housing market is still inconclusive.

Coronavirus has caused mortgage rates to drop even further.

The Federal Reserve has already cut the interest rates twice this year bringing the return on investments to almost 0%. Also, the stock market crash has impacted the interest rates as well.

Investors are pulling out their money from the vulnerable stock market and putting it on bonds. This increases the demand and in turn causes the bond prices to go high. The higher the price of bonds, the lower the yield. With lower bond yields, the lower the mortgage rates are too.

However, this stocks and bonds relationship may not be as evident as it was previously because the rates right now are already so low at 3.8%. The question is, how low will mortgage lenders be willing to go if the Fed cuts rate again?

What is the housing market’s current standing?

Right now, the market is suffering from low supply versus high demand which pushed home prices higher and home sales to drop.

The spike of supply in mid-2019 also contributed to the shortages of houses this year. This made the decrease more severe than it was supposed to be.

The demand on the other hand looked promising before the start of the pandemic. The wage growth, low unemployment, and low mortgage rates caused the buyers’ demand to go high. But the COVID-19 caused the unemployment to plummet suddenly. Employees working in service industries and hourly jobs had cuts on their pay. Mortgage applications and web traffic in real estate websites have dropped which is translated to low buying demand.

However, housing is not just an investment but a need and people’s circumstances remain the same even during pandemic. This makes the housing market resilient compared to the stocks market. It is just a matter of time and people will be back selling, buying, and moving to new homes.

And as the stock market drops, investors will look for a more durable market, so it’s likely that they will divert their money to the real estate industry.

How will the home buying season this spring be affected?

Judging from how positive 2019 has ended, and how excellent the home buying activities were during the first months of 2020, we were actually looking forward to a great home buying season this spring.

But with the coming of the coronavirus that was declared by the World Health Organization on March 11, things have drastically changed. Buyer interest has dropped significantly and although, basing it from the previous pandemics, we could be positive about the drop of prices to be not as devastating, but still, the economic fallout brought about by Covid-19 could be sweeping.

Mortgage payment suspension if prolonged could seriously cause chaos in the industry as lenders may lose capital to lend to interested homebuyers. Unless that damage will be dealt with and limited, the mortgage industry can quickly recover and bring the housing market back on track.

How long can the housing market start to recover?

The timeline of the virus is hard to determine, so is with the timeline of the housing market’s start of recovery. As long as the virus is not diminished, the housing cannot start functioning as it was.

The data shows that at the start of imposed stay-at-home orders, home listings have dropped significantly. But after a month or so, it has started to gradually rise up in some cities. This could signal that people are adapting to the new normal and doing work-around to continue the business because as was already pointed out, buying a home, selling, and moving to a new one, is a life necessity and not just merely an investment.

This is a really optimistic sign that the housing market is going to spring back as soon as the virus is out of the picture because regardless, people are moving on. All the other factors like supplies, constructions, inventory, home viewings, and others, just have to come by. It may be gradual, but it surely will cope up.

Although we are not certain when the housing market will recover, one thing is for sure. There are real estate investors that are still in business. They still offer cash for houses Los Angeles even at this time of crisis. Say for example, Mrs. Property Solutions. They are a home buying company that takes this opportunity to help out others by buying properties for a fair price.

Cooking is one of those skills that you can show off any chance you get, and people will appreciate you for it every time.

Nonetheless, to be a good cook, you will need to put in the time. This can even mean taking an online cooking course taught by professionals to master your skills in the kitchen.

In the meantime, we will share some basics with you.

Kitchen Staples: What Should I Have on Hand?

You will need the following cookware for the majority of your cooking:

• Paring Knife

Needed for peeling, carving, and coring.

• 10-inch Chef’s Knife

You will do nearly all your slicing and cutting using this knife.

• Serrated Bread Knife

The best knife to use for cutting fresh bread as it prevents you from crushing the bread. Use it for other crushable foods as well, such as soft fruits and tomatoes.

• 10-inch Nonstick Skillet

You will be using this skillet for all your sautéing or frying needs.

• 3-quart Saucepan

Used to cook rice, pasta, sauces, soups, and vegetables.

• 10-quart Stockpot with Lid

This pot will also come in handy when making stocks, vegetables, soups, and vegetables.

• Liquid and Dry Measuring Spoons and Cups

Being a master chef is all about using the right quantities. These materials will ensure that you do not mess up your measurements.

• Heavy-Duty Roasting Pan

When looking to go big, such as on Thanksgiving, you will need this bad boy to cook up that bird. Its high sides ensure that you do not lose the juices from your meal.

• Meat Thermometer

It is all about accuracy. Do not rely on your senses to estimate the meat’s temperature when grilling.

• Strainer

Handy for straining your soups and sauces, or when rinsing pasta.

Get some pots and pans too while you’re at it. Ensure to always go for quality products.

Appliances and Tools to Make Your Cooking More Pleasant

The next on the list of kitchen essentials are your appliances. Ensure that you have the following:

• Refrigerator

A refrigerator is necessary for every household. Apart from keeping food fresh, it is also essential when marinating meat.

• Stovetop and Oven

These appliances come in different forms and sizes, and, as such, the one you go for will be a matter of preference.

• Gas

Some people prefer using gas for cooking since its flame is adjustable, which allows for a higher degree of control. Nonetheless, some homeowners prefer staying away from gas energy due to the risk it poses, especially if there are kids around.

To ensure that you do not run up a bill, look for the cheapest gas in Ohio. Check out the Apples to Apples gas rate comparisons of providers to find the right supplier.

• Electric Heat

Those who do not use gas alternatively use electricity for cooking. Electric heat appliances typically have sleek designs, which can enhance your kitchen’s décor. Again, the choice between gas and electric heat is all a matter of preference.

• Dishwasher

No one will blame you if the last thing you want to do after making a stellar meal is wash dishes. Consider having a dishwasher to do that work for you.

Tips and Tricks for the New Master Chef in Training

The following kitchen tips will ensure that you do not miss a beat on your journey to mastery:

• Ensure That You Have Everything Before You Begin

Before you start cooking, first confirm that you have everything the recipe requires available. This will prevent inconveniences.

• Start with Simple Recipes

As a beginner, you will need first to get the hang of it. Begin with simple recipes before working your way up.

• Keep Your Knife Sharp

The sharper the knife, the better the preparation experience.

• Taste as You Cook. Otherwise, how else will you tell that your food is panning out the way you want it?
• Be Creative

As you get better, you will eventually want to play around with different ingredients to see what you can create. Do not let anyone stop you. Have fun!

Remember to use all your senses when cooking. Do not be on autopilot as accidents do occur due to carelessness.

Closing Statement

You will undoubtedly have a lot of fun whipping up meals for yourself and your loved ones. However, mastery takes a long time. Therefore, you will need dedication to your craft to be a good chef. While at it, ensure that you also do some healthy cooking, not just your favorite cheat meals all the time.

 

 

 

 

Experiencing a collision in your vehicle will never be something your body is used to feeling.  The experience is always shocking and discombobulating, but having a good understanding of your legal rights and boundaries will help you keep your wits about you a little more efficiently.

Take a little pressure off of yourself, preemptively, and delve into the various laws and legal rights you must follow in the event of a car accident.  Here is a brief look at some of the specifics to get you started on your journey to enlightenment.

You can move your vehicle

Too often, drivers think moving their vehicle after an accident will somehow nullify their insurance claim or get them in trouble with local authorities.  However, you are well within your legal rights to move your vehicle to a safer place after an accident.

If your vehicle is operational, authorities would actually prefer you get it out of the way of traffic to avoid further injuries.  You will help clear up traffic by moving out of the way as well.

Never admit fault on the scene

It’s never a good idea to admit that you are at fault in an accident.  Even if you do believe the accident was your fault, it’s best to keep quiet.  Let the professionals decide fault, and let the insurance companies hash out the details.

If you admit fault on the scene, you could possibly undermine any chance you may have at future compensation for the damages and injuries you suffer.  Focus on everyone’s safety and collecting information on the scene instead.

Call a lawyer if you are injured

If you’re injured in a car accident that was not your fault, it’s wise to make contact with a car accident lawyer in your area.  Having legal representation gives you a better chance of having the bill covered for your injuries.

If someone hurts you, you are legally protected.  Don’t allow yourself to struggle, when you have a viable personal injury claim.

Gather detail info at the scene

There will be an investigation of your accident done for insurance purposes, and you can help the process along by collecting certain information while you’re still on the scene of your accident.

Use your smartphone to take quality pictures of the vehicles and individuals involved in the wreck.  Talk to everyone involved, and gather names, numbers, and insurance information, so there’s no snag in communication when you file an insurance claim.

Document everything possible

Start the documentation process while you’re still on the scene of the accident, but don’t stop there.  If you go to the hospital, make sure the professionals know the nature of your injuries.  Doctors have particular documentation regimens for patients who experienced a car accident.