Redneck Baby

Redneck baby seat and teething ring!

Backroads

When you live in the country, no matter where you are in the world, there is always a shorter way to get where you're going - on a backroad.

Backroads are never as well-maintained as the regular roads. In fact, some are not really roads - just trails made by people walking or driving on them - some are even animal trails. But all the locals know about them.

Where I was raised in what is now Zimbabwe, in Africa, my first home was in the suburbs of the capital city. Back in those days, suburban lots were bigger - we probably had an acre of ground, and my parents kept chickens in the back.

My friends and I found that there was an alleyway between the two properties that bordered the rear boundary of our property, and we used  it all the time as a short cut to one another's homes. That was my first backroad.

When we moved to a farm and I got my own horses, after a while I knew all the backroads because on horseback, it doesn't matter how good or bad, or wide or narrow or even how steep the road is - it's always traversable provided there isn't a fence with a locked gate in the way. 

After I got married, and we lived on 10 acres on the outskirts of a mining village, there was a well-worn trail through someone's farm that cut off about two miles to the village, and my husband used it to commute to work on his motorbike, which saved a lot of gas. This was in the seventies when gas was short, and we were rationed, so it had an added advantage. We used the same trail to get our horses to the polocrosse field, and our kids rode their bikes to the village on it.

When we lived on 22 acres in South Africa, there was an old trail across the road from us, which cut off about seven miles to the village. It was in really bad shape, but our teenage kids found out that they could drive our old pickup there, park it, and walk into the village. This was before they had driver's licenses, and it was a way of avoiding being stopped by the cops.

After moving to the U.S. more than 20 years ago, we lived in the suburbs in LaCosta in north San Diego county. We were able hike along a narrow trail directly from our property line, down the hill to a beautiful, unspoiled valley. Sadly, this has now all been developed into high density housing.

We moved to two and half acres in the hills, where the backroads wound through the avocado groves and down into the valley where there was a creek, and lots of wildlife, including mountain lions. Going this way meant we were able to cut off several miles to get into Valley Center.

The access roads that lead to the mountain town of Young, Arizona are backroads themselves - with no names, just Forest Road numbers. The town is located in the middle of the Tonto National Forest, and the roads are maintained by the Forest Service, but they are narrow, windy, and washboardy, with very steep dropoffs into the valleys below them. There is even a backroad alternative to the backroads, known as the Haigler Creek Road, which is narrower, steeper, and entails driving through the creek - as there is no bridge - but it cuts off about 10 miles of the journey to the nearest town. Wildlife abounds, and it was not unusual during our four year stay there, to have to wait for elk and deer to cross. Occasionally one was even lucky enough to see a bear or mountain lion.

Now I live in north Florida, where there are plenty of backroads that started as trails along the power lines. It is advisable to have 4-wheel drive when traversing them, because the sand is really deep in some parts.

The most annoying thing about backroads is that the people who program G.P.S. systems don't know which roads are backroads, and sometimes you can find yourself turning onto what is no more than a walking trail - or even being told to "Turn Here" and there is no road whatsoever.

One thing I know - backroads will always be an integral part of country life.

Redneck P.I.
Topic: Redneck News

I am very excited that my second novel, "Redneck P.I." has been accepted by Uncial Press, and will be on the market next summer. (2011).

The publishing process moves slowly, and there are all manor of things that have to be done before the book will be ready - including copyrighting, cover design, and edits and re-writes.

Details about the book, including the first chapter, can be seen on my website www.trishjackson.com .

The book is going to be pubished in electronic format, for download to your handheld device.

I have been asked why I don't just self-publish, as there are dozens of publishing houses that allow authors to publish their own books, and the process is not nearly as slow.

My answer is this - 

a) When you self-publish, there is no way of knowing whether your book is really good enough for publication; and b) You don't get editing and re-write advice from anyone.

I self-published my first novel, "Way Out of Line", and realized afterwards that I really would have preferred to know that it was as good as it could possibly be.

Recession!
Topic: Real Estate Market

I can't believe it was 2006 when I last updated this blog. The recession and all the heartache and upheaval it brought are things I do not want to dwell on.

I can only say that we have to find a way to deal with the things we cannot change. My other blog focuses on the power of positive thought. It really can help.

Since I last created an entry, property values have plummeted, and the mortgage industry almost ground to a halt. People have lost their homes, and those who have been able to hold onto them can't sell them.

It's hard to sell any real property at the moment, but people are finally beginning to buy again. The market is flooded with foreclosures at prices lower than their mortgage balances were  and there are some great opportunities for buyers.

 It is still particularly hard to sell country properties for two reasons -

If there is a large amount of acreage the property will still be too expensive for the "average Joe".

Most affordable country homes are mobile homes. Financing was hard to get on old mobile homes before the recession. It's even harder now.

Newer mobiles are okay, and there are some good new financing programs to help get people into lower priced homes.

When it comes to financing the older mobile homes - you just have to get creative. A good real estate professional will be able to help you with that.

It's good to be back.

Surprise - Home Sales Up
Topic: Real Estate Market
Sales of existing homes rose in February following five months of decline. David Lereah, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, said mild weather appears to be responsible for some of the gain.

Total existing-home sales -- including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops -- increased 5.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.91 million units in February from an upwardly revised pace of 6.57 million in January, but were 0.3 percent below a 6.93 million-unit level in February 2005.

"Weather conditions across much of the country were unseasonably mild in January and likely were a factor in higher levels of buyer activity, which boosted sales that closed in February," Lereah said.

"Higher interest rates had been tapping the brakes, notably in higher-cost housing markets since mortgage interest rates trended up last fall, but we're seeing signs of stabilization in the market now with the sales rebound. Home sales should level-out in the months ahead."

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage was 6.25 percent in February, up from 6.15 percent in January; the rate was 5.63 percent in February 2005.

NAR President Thomas M. Stevens said comparisons with market performance over the last five years distort what people should expect from housing as an investment.

"Housing is simply returning to a normal market, where annual home prices will rise a little faster than the overall rate of inflation," said Stevens.

"However, in looking at total returns, you need to consider that the typical buyer is making only a modest down payment but enjoys a return on the full value of the home, which is many times the actual cash investment. In other words, normal is pretty good for the typical homeowner, and that's what we expect for the foreseeable future."

Stevens noted that price appreciation has yet to cool significantly. "We're still seeing double-digit annual price gains, but we should get down to single-digit appreciation fairly soon," he said.

The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $209,000 in February, up 10.6 percent from February 2005 when the median was $189,000. The median is a typical market price where half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less.

Total housing inventory levels rose 5.2 percent at the end of February to 3.03 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 5.3-month supply at the current sales pace -- the same as in January.

Single-family home sales increased 4.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.06 million in February from 5.79 million in January, and were 0.2 percent below the 6.07 million- unit pace in February 2005. The median existing single-family home price was $208,500 in February, up 11.6 percent from a year ago.

Existing condominium and cooperative housing sales rose 8.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 850,000 units in February from a level of 781,000 in January. Last month's sales pace was 1.5 percent below the 863,000-unit pace a year ago. The median existing condo price was $214,300 in February, up 3.5 percent from February 2005.

Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast jumped 19.2 percent to an annual sales rate of 1.18 million units in February, and were 2.6 percent higher than February 2005. The median price in the Northeast was $263,000, which is 5.2 percent higher than a year ago.

Total existing-home sales in the Midwest rose 11.1 percent to a pace of 1.60 million in February, and were 1.9 percent above a year earlier. The median existing-home price in the Midwest was $160,000, up 3.9 percent from February 2005.

In the West, existing-home sales increased 5.1 percent to an annual pace of 1.44 million in February, but were 10.6 percent below February 2005. The median price in the West was $306,000, up 12.1 percent from a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the South fell 2.5 percent in February to a level of 2.69 million, but were 3.1 percent higher than a year ago. The median price in the South was $182,000, up 11.7 percent from February 2005.

Decline in pending home sales eases
Topic: Real Estate Market
WASHINGTON -- March 7, 2006 -- A slide in pending home sales is beginning to level out, an indication of a more sustainable level of home sales in the months ahead, according to the National Association of Realtors? (NAR).

The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), based on contracts signed in January, slipped 1.1 percent to a level of 116.3 from an upwardly revised index of 117.6 in December, and is 4.8 percent below January 2005. After hitting a record of 128.2 last August, the index declined at a more rapid pace through December, averaging nearly 3 percentage points per month.

The index is derived from pending sales of existing homes. A sale is listed as pending

when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed; pending home sales typically are finalized within one or two months of signing.

An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, the first year to be examined, and was the first of five consecutive record years for existing-home sales.

David Lereah, NAR’s chief economist, had foreseen a flattening in the index. "This looks like we’re touching down for the soft landing we’ve been expecting," he said. "We are at a much more sustainable level of home sales now -- a welcome cooling from the super-heated conditions that were driving exceptional price gains. This will give people the time to be more thoughtful about a process that is the biggest single investment most of us make in our lifetime."

"Home sales at this level are historically strong and provide a solid foundation for the overall economy," he said. "Business spending will lead economic growth this year, and housing wealth will help to support consumer spending."

Regionally, the PHSI in the Midwest rose 6.0 percent in January to 114.3 but was 1.0 percent below January 2005. In the Northeast, the index increased 0.4 percent to 94.8 but was 12.0 percent below a year ago. The index in the West declined 1.9 percent to 115.8 in January and was 13.6 percent lower than January 2005. The index in the South dropped 5.1 percent to a level of 128.6 in January but was 2.0 higher than a year ago.

? 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Affordable Waterfront Properties
Topic: Real Estate Market
Waterfront properties in the Keystone Heights region are still among the most affordable in the state.
Known as north central Florida's Lake Region, there are muliple lakes with beautiful views, white sandy beaches and gorgeous rolling terrain.
Waterfront PropertiesContact Me for more info.

Florida real estate taxes remain the nation's highest
Topic: Money
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- March 7, 2006 -- While overall state and local taxes in Florida are reasonable compared to the other 49 states, the state's per capita documentary stamp and real estate transfer taxes -- already the nation’s highest -- rose another 28 percent in 2004, according to Florida TaxWatch'sannual report.Florida TaxWatch, a private, non-profit, non-partisan research institute, provides independent research and education on government revenues, expenditures, taxation, public policies and programs.

While the tax cost of buying and selling real estate remains high, per capita local property taxes collections compare reasonably well. Florida property owners pay an average of $918.81, and the state ranks No. 21 nationally. At No. 1, New Jersey residents pay an average of $1,870.85 in local property taxes while last-ranked Arkansas residents pay $190.85.

From 2000 to 2004, Florida’s total state tax collections grew 24 percent, third largest in the nation; nationally, growth averaged 10 percent.

Looking at the state tax burden, Florida ranked No. 35 per capita, which is five points higher than one year earlier. When combined with local taxes, the tax burden on Floridians ranks at No. 32 in the most recent study.

Other findings:

• State taxes take 6.0 percent of Floridians' personal income, and state and local taxes combined take out 9.4 percent. This compares to the national average of 6.5 percent and 10.5 percent, respectively.

• Transaction taxes (general and selective sales taxes) account for 77 percent of all Florida's state tax collections, compared to the national average of 49 percent. Sales tax revenue is the third-highest in the nation, though that cost is offset by the lack of a personal income tax.

• Florida is one of seven states without a personal income tax. Of the four largest states, Florida and Texas have no personal income tax.

• Businesses pay nearly half (48 percent) of all state and local taxes in Florida. This is the 13th highest percentage in the nation and higher than the national average of 43 percent.

To read the full report from Florida TaxWatch, visit their Web site (http://www.floridataxwatch.org) or download it directly in PDF format at http://www.floridataxwatch.org/resources/pdf/HFCfinal2706.pdf.

? 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS?

Mobile Home in Flagler County
Topic: Real Estate Market
1993 DWMH for sale in Flagler County, about 20 miles west of Flagler Beach and an easy commute to Palm Coast.
The home is on 2 1/2 parklike acres with lawn, trees, and a beautiful pond. for more info please go to: Home for Sale

Tips for selling a house that won't sell
Topic: Real Estate Market
MIAMI -- Jan. 24, 2006 -- Young buyers like a pretty house, so if a house won’t sell, Mark Nash, author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home, urges home sellers to make these simple cosmetic updates.

• Expose hardwood floors and buff them until they shine. Nash, who sells homes in the Chicago area, says an increasing number of younger buyers dislike homes with wall-to-wall carpeting. ''It's amazing how often I hear from young clients who won't even look at a place unless it has hardwood floors,'' he says.

• Remove antiquated furnishings. Many young buyers have eclectic tastes. Get rid of matched sets of look-alike furniture from the ’70s and ’80s then rearrange what’s left to make the house feel more contemporary.

• Take down your old draperies and light fixtures, including old-style track lightings. Nash says outdated lighting and heavy, elaborate draperies (the kind with swags and valances) turn off young buyers.

• Remove wallpaper. Young buyers are unwilling to purchase any home that needs wallpaper removal—it’s just too daunting.

• Repaint your walls. Nash encourages home sellers to stick with neutrals or calm earth tones, like a light sage green. Using bold tones can be very tricky, he cautions. “I call these ‘commitment colors.’ Chances are good that your buyers won't like them as much as you do,'' he says.

Source: The Miami Herald, Ellen James Martin (01/22/06)