The PIN Magazine February 2018

FEBRUARY 2018 Vol. 05 | Issue 2

1O REASONS YOU SHOULD HOST HOMEBUYER SEMINARS

Falling interest rates

THE IMPORTANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

MEET OPRAH WINFREY A BORN LEGEND

HAVE YOU READ OUR PAST ISSUES YET?

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magazine THE POWER IS NOW INC. Vol. 05 | Issue 2

Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA President and CEO Office: (800) 401-8994 Ext. 703 Direct: (714) 361-2105 Eric.Frazier@ThePowerIsNow.com www.thepowerisnow.com www.blogtalkradio.com/thepowerisnow

EDITORIAL TEAM Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA Editor in Chief (800) 401-8994 Ext. 703 Kim Collier Managing Editor Executive Director of Publishing (800) 401-8994 ext. 712 kim.collier@thepowerisnow.com Goldy Ponce Arratia Graphic Artist and Design Manager (800) 401-8994 ext. 711 goldy.ponce@thepowerisnow.com

CONTRIBUTORS The Power Is Now Research Team

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magazine CEO & Publisher Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA 3739 6th Street, Riverside, CA 921506 Ph: (800) 401-8994 ext. 703 EDITORIAL Editor in Chief: Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA Managing Editor: Kim Collier ONLINE Web Designer: Design Box DESIGN Art Director & Design Manager: Goldy Ponce ADMINISTRATIVE Administrative Assistant: Kendra Gedeon

SALES National Sales Manager: Christina Kimble National Relationship Manager: Success Money HEADQUATERS The Power Is Now Inc. 3739 6th Street Riverside, CA 92506 Ph: (800) 401-8994 Fax: (800) 401-8994 Email: info@thepowerisnow.com www.thepowerisnow.com www.thepinmagazine.com PUBLICATION AND SERVICES The PIN Magazine The Power Is Now Radio The Power Is Now Publications The Power Is Now Radio Guide The Power Is Now VIP Agent Program The Power Is Now Power Consulting/Coaching The Power Is Now Association Management The Power Is Now Event Management

STATEMENT OF COPYRIGHT: The PIN Magazine™ is owned and published electronically by The Power Is Now, Inc. Copyright 2013-2018 The Power Is Now Inc. All rights reserved.

“The PIN Magazine” and distinctive logo are trademarks owned by The Power Is Now, Inc. “ThePINMagazine.com”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “Magazine.thepowerisnow.com”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “Thepowerisnow.com”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power Is Now Event Management”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power Is Now Radio”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power Is Now Publications”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power Is Now Radio Guide”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power Is Now VIP Agent Program”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power IS Now Power Consulting/Coaching”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power Is Now Association Management”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. No part of this electronic magazine or website may be reproduced without the written consent of The Power Is Now, Inc. Requests for permission should be directed to: info@thepowerisnow.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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OUR COVER Oprah Winfrey A born Legend

The Difference Black Women Made in Elections Community

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The Importance of Black History Month Community

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Five Reasons to Buy In Vallejo, California Real Estate Focus

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Lake Elsinore Real Estate Focus

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Black Repertory Group Theatre in Berkeley Real Estate

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Renew ITINs Now to Avoid Refund Delays Financial

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How Trump’s Proposal Would Make Mortgage Deduction Useless For Most Homeowners Financial

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10 Reasons Pastors and Leaders Should Host Homebuyers Seminars

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How FHFA Is Working Hard to Broaden Access to Mortgages Mortgage

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Should Agents Utilize Youtube to Grow Their Business?

Technology

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50 Years of Legacy for The Fair Housing Act Legal

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Remembering the Heroes of The Civil Rights Movement Community

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What Tax Deductions Are Available for Eco-Friendly Businesses Green

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Mortgage Refinance Applications Surge Mortgage

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Lack of Ability for African American Homebuyers Community

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Editor’s Letter T

o our valued readers:

As we enter February and Black History month, It’s important that we spend time looking at black history in all of its forms. So from inventors to creators to thespians, everything is celebrated. What this accomplishes is it brings to a wider audience the knowledge of black people’s contribution not only to American Society but also to the whole world. It’s also very important to learn and celebrate Black History because it is an essential part of American history.

It has very much shaped the world we live in today.

Let’s not forget the legacies of our history have been multiculturalism. It is celebrated not just for black people but also for all races and people, because through the stories of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr, and Nelson Mandela, there is motivation for all people who are successful in their own career and country. No matter what the color of our skin is, we take a universal story on triumph, social justice, empowerment, achievement, and fighting racism.

At The Power Is Now, our mission for 2018 is to break through the housing discrimination that has been built to keep minorities from obtaining a home of their dreams, but to also inspire and encourage everyone to get educated about homeownership once and for all. This is our pledge to you.

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On the cover of this February issue of the TPIN Magazine we honor Oprah Winfrey, a woman will go down as a history maker. A woman who has not only broken glass ceilings, but created amazing opportunities in her career for herself and for people of color. Also in this issue we shine some light on the controversial subject of Gentrification in LA. We discuss the ups and down of Real Estate from Equity to the short sale. We also cover tax benefits of having an at home business. Of course we don’t want to give away all the goods - check out the February issue yourself for tons of great information.

Here at The Power Is Now we continue to grow by leaps and bounds by adding new agents and new programs for you. Please visit our site and check out our Power Agents that are here to answer any question and service all your homebuyer needs.

As always, I like to leave on a positive note and thank you for your continued support and readership. Our team is dedicated to you. We want to see you thrive in 2018.

Let’s make this year your best year yet. Please take a moment and share this magazine. Knowledge is power and The Power Is Now.

Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA CEO The Power Is Now Inc.

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OUR MISSION: The mission of the Orange County Realtist is to provide support and education for its members to grow and expand their businesses while assisting the community to achieve the American dream of homeownership.

OUR VISION: The vision of the OC Realtist is to become a center of influence and a chapter of successful realtists in Orange County whose businesses are thriving from the support they receive and the networking opportunities that exist by their affiliation with National Association of Real Estate Brokers.

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NAREB was founded in 1947 and is the Oldest African American Real Estate Trade Association in the United States. The Orange County Realtist Chapter was founded in October 4, 2009 by Eric Frazier in Orange County.

Email: info@ocareb.org Phone: 800-790-0941

IN REAL ESTATE

Five reasons to buy in VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA

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allejo, California is mostly infamous for being the location of most of the Zodiac Killer murders, the closed Mare Island Naval Shipyard, and declaring bankruptcy in 2008. However, this waterfront city has experienced an impressive turnaround, becoming one of the most talkedabout locations in the real estate world. Here are five reasons why you should buy property in Vallejo.

5.

Spared from wildfires

The 2017 wildfire season in California has been one the worst in the last ten years. Ironically, the rainy winter that the state experienced this year caused higher grass growth; this contributed to the spread of more than 250 wildfires in northern California, devastating Solano and Napa County.

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Despite being so close to the fires, Vallejo was largely spared. The city was affected by school shutdowns, and Netflix was forced to delay the shooting of the second season of 13 Reasons Why, but there were no long-term consequences of the fires. The city is an ideal location to start again.

4.

School system

While Vallejo’s school system has been criticized in the past, it has improved dramatically in the recent years. The Mare Island Technology Academy , for example, was named one of “America’s Best High Schools” by U.S. News and World Report, an award based on academic achievement, graduation rate, and college acceptance.

Likewise, California State University Maritime Academy received high rankings by the

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Washington Monthly publication. It placed fifth in colleges or universities that contribute the most to the common good, third in colleges that provide aid to low-income students, and first in highest-earning alumni.

3.

Jobs availability

The closure of Mare Island Naval Shipyard left Vallejo without its largest employer, forcing hundreds of families to leave the city.

This situation is changing as new startups and businesses are emerging from the ashes of the old naval base.

Mare Island Brewing Co., for example, has grown greatly since Kent Fortner and Ryan Gibbons opened a taproom at the Vallejo Ferry Building back in 2014. The success and demand for their beer help the co-owners expand the brewery by using old coal deposits in the base to increase production from 600 barrels in 2016 to 1,300 this year.

Likewise, Factory_OS, a company that produces modular home units, is expected to open their largest facility in Mare Island by 2018.

The company, which sees itself as the future of affordable housing, has already struck a $30 million deal with Alphabet – Google’s parent company – to build 300 homes for the tech giant’s employees.

The city has also become a new shooting location for Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why and Michael Bay’s Transformers franchise spin-off film Bumblebee.

2.

Location, location, location

It is one the most enduring real estate clichés, but that does not make it any less true. The main reason Vallejo has become such a hot market has to do with its proximity to the San Francisco Metro Area. The city sits in the North Bay Area, just 30 miles from San Francisco, 22 from Oakland and 56 from San Jose, and it is part of Solano County, making it the ideal place for tech-savvy individuals who are looking to buy property in more affordable areas.

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Vallejo also offers several options for commuters, such as the San Francisco Bay Ferry, which can take you across the bay in less than an hour. SolTrans buses, on the other hand, offer express routes to BART stations and state highways 29 and 37, as well as interstates 80 and 780, allowing commuters to reach San Francisco in less than 2 hours during peak times.

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Prices

Undoubtedly, Vallejo’s biggest attraction is its home prices. While in San Francisco the median home unit comes with a $1 million price tag, and in Palo Alto it is not surprising to find homes selling for $2 million, across the Bay it was possible to still find homes going for $345,000 as of July 2017.

In fact, the Californian housing affordability crisis and the high salaries earned by tech company’s employees made Vallejo the hottest real estate market in the U.S. for the first half of 2017; despite cooling down in September 2017, it still remains highly sought after.

From an upcoming school system to new job opportunities to affordable homes in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the U.S., Vallejo offers new homeowners an amazing opportunity that should not be missed out on!

References: http://www.pe.com/2017/04/05/how-will-rainywinter-affect-fire-season-more-summer-grass-firesofficials-predict/) http://www.sfgate.com/news/ar ticle/Vallejo-sreal-estate-market-in-middle-of-12285933.php http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Vallejoembraces-breweries-wineries-distilleries-12285891. php http://www.busin essinsider.com/photos-ofvallejo-california-what-its-like-2017-7/#everyonewants-something-different-for-vallejo-fortner-saidreferring-to-the-ongoing-efforts-to-revitalize-thedowntown-but-everyone-can-agree-beer-is-goodfor-the-island-21

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IN REAL ESTATE

Real Estate Focus

LAKE ELSINORE

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ake Elsinore is a city in western Riverside County, California. It lies on the shore of Lake Elsinore, a natural freshwater lake about 3,000 acres in size.

Lake Elsinore was a popular destination in the first half of the twentieth century for celebrities to escape the urban Hollywood scene. Many of their homes still stand on the hills surrounding the lake.

Charles Clark BRE # 01995015 Phone: 800-401-8994 x 746 charles.clark@thepowerisnow.com

Overview Situated between the cities of Corona and Temecula off the 15 freeway, Lake Elsinore offers easy access to Orange County and San Diego. As the lowest point in the basin and snuggled up against the Ortega mountains, it welcomes all four seasons of the year.

The lake offers many public campgrounds, beaches, and launch docks for your enjoyment. Development of the resort aspect of the community has brought many new improvements to this great city over the past few years. With this constant development and growth to now over 60,000 residents it is an exciting city, but with its high community

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and family involvement, residents also get that small-town feel.

With this development and the great pride of ownership from the many families here, property values will most certainly continue to rise.

Real estate trends in Lake Elsinore and the surrounding area With 61,981 people, 15,462 houses and apartments, and a median home cost of $327,861, real estate costs in Lake Elsinore are among the highest in the nation, although house prices still do not begin to compare to real estate prices in the most expensive California communities.

Single-family detached homes are the most common housing type in Lake Elsinore, accounting for 74.21% of the city’s housing units. Other types of housing that are prevalent in Lake Elsinore include large apartment complexes or high rise apartments (10.63%), duplexes, homes converted to apartments or other small apartment buildings (7.65%), and a few mobile homes or trailers (3.68%).

According to Neighborhood Scout report, “Lake Elsinore homes and real estate are some of the newest in America. 46.06% of Lake Elsinore’s housing was built since 2000,

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making the city have a very new look and feel.

If you like the amenities of newer homes and subdivisions, then you will probably like what the Lake Elsinore real estate market has to offer. Quite a bit of the housing here was also built between 1970-1999 (44.47%), and between 1940-1969 (7.33%). There’s also some housing in Lake Elsinore built before 1939 (2.14%).”

Statistics from Zillow show that appreciation rates are so strong in Lake Elsinore that despite a nationwide downturn in the housing market, Lake Elsinore real estate has continued to appreciate in value faster than most communities have.

Looking at just the latest twelve months, Lake Elsinore appreciation rates continue to be some of the highest in the U.S. – at 9.04% – which is higher than appreciation rates in 88.33% of the cities and towns in the nation. Based on the last twelve months, short-term real estate investors have found good fortune in Lake Elsinore. Lake Elsinore appreciation rates in the latest quarter were at 2.30%, which equates to an annual appreciation rate of 9.53%.

Whether your taste is single-story ranch style, large lots of house improvements or multi-level hillside homes with lake views, this city has it all.

To view the many great neighborhoods of Lake Elsinore, contact The Power Is Now’s Realtor Charles Clark today.

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IN REAL ESTATE

Black Repertory Group THEATRE IN BERKELEY

Port Chicago 50

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he Black Repertory Group Theatre was born in a time in which African Americans were persecuted and were unable to freely express themselves.

Among its purposes in its original incarnation as the Black Theatre was to educate Black people and to instill a sense of Black pride.

History Sylvia Young BRE # 01039092 Phone: 800-401-8994 x 734

Sixty-one years ago in the southern town of Vicksburg, Mississippi, two high school teachers envisioned a purpose and mission to educate the people about their culture and history, through the Arts.

sylvia.young@thepowerisnow.com

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Cabin In The Sky

Cabin In The Sky

In an era of Jim Crow, such a notion was unheard of. The pursuit by the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) of Birel L., and his wife, Nora B. Vaughn, began. The Vaughn family was harassed by the KKK to “...cease sharing Black theater and stop teaching Black people awareness and Black pride, or be dealt with harshly.” Birel and Nora walked on faith and kept pushing forward. With a bounty on Birel’s head by the KKK, they were forced to migrate from Mississippi to Berkeley, California. They established the Black Repertory Group (BRG) Theater in 1964. It exists as the forebearing theatrical griot group of its kind in the nation.

civic organizations and the community at large, the BRG has a history of providing access to the dramatic arts for underprivileged and underserved minority populations. Their #1 goal, as “Keepers of the Culture,” nicknames bestowed upon Birel and Nora, by actors Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis, is to utilize their theater stage and its related functions to provide a platform to build self-esteem & pride, within their participants, audience and community by promoting & preserving theatrical arts.

Humbly beginning in a converted storefront as the South Berkeley Playhouse, BRG opened their 1st Season in the early 1970’s with a production of Ossie Davis’ Purlie Victorious.

They moved to their present Cultural Arts Center, that houses the Birel L. Vaughn 250seat Theater, state of the art technical center, dance studio and community room, in 1987. It is located just a few blocks from the original storefront.

The BRG has a number of missions. One is to showcase and perform a number of works by African American playwrights in order to launch those artists into the limelight. They aim to help educate and raise levels of self-esteem in youth, using the arts as a platform to do so. They also aim to revitalize the community through revitalizing and empowering individuals.

As a non-profit 501(c)(3), BRG utilizes amateur members of the community as actors, actresses, directors and technicians in a variety of stage productions. These volunteers receive no stipends or monetary awards for their participation. Along with the BRG Board and staff, they work diligently to provide quality presentations that embrace, uplift & showcase evolving African American culture.

Drawing crowds from local churches, schools,

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Mission

Social work Their programming focuses on bringing awareness and understanding to social issues facing African Americans – and really, all people – in a very real and relatable way.

From humble beginnings, and born out of a time in which African Americans were not able to as freely and easily publicly express themselves, the Black Repertory Theatre Group granted them an avenue of expression that had

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previously not been available to them.

has something to offer for everyone.

From there, the theatre has evolved to its current, much grander status. Now, the venue is available to the public be rented out for private events as well. There is a summer camp offered for children as well as various fundraising opportunities.

Sean Vaughn Scott, the third generation and “Keeper of the Culture,” so to speak, wants to be able to help the Black Repertory Theatre Group evolve even further. He wants to be able to help evolve Black plays into film projects. By the end of 2018, he has the full intention of launching the Black Repertory Group Films, allowing the community and the theatre to be launched further into the 21st century and furthering the advancement of African Americans in the arts.

Located in the Lorin District of South Berkeley, the theatre is in the heart of an area that is considered a virtual paradise for those who enjoy walking and biking as a pastime. Easily accessible by the BART system, it provides a variety of public transit options for patrons.

Housing in the area Housing in this area is not what one would expect based on stereotype for a theatre that caters to the African American community.

There is a variety of housing available, everything from single family bungalows to stand-alone apartment buildings. Much of the area’s housing was built between 1905 and 1923.

As in other ethnic groups in which the arts have enhanced and furthered their status and pride in themselves, the BRG aims to do the same for the African American community. The BRG has transformed the arts as a way for the community to learn to take pride in themselves, as well as to provide a means of expression that will help launch them into the future.

During 2017, there were quite a number of homes that sold for nearly $1 million. So you could say that there has been quite an evolution from the theatre’s humble beginnings to being a part of a large and affluent community that

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february 2018

Black Repertory Group Theater, 3201 Adeline Street, Berkeley, Ca 94703, (510) 652-2120 www.blackrepertorygroup.com

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The Power Is Now Mortgage Services is a Mortgage Brokerage licensed by the State of California Bureau of Real Estate (license #1980407) and the National Mortgage License System and Registry (license #1435243), and is a division of The Power Is Now Inc. (license # 01980407). The Power Is Now Inc. is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. The Power Is Now Real Estate Services is also licensed by the State of California Bureau of Real Estate (licensed #01980407), and is a division of The Power Is Now Inc. The Power Is Now Inc., is an equal housing lender. Our corporate office is located at 3739 6th Street Riverside, CA 92501. Our Telephone and Fax number is 800-401-8994. Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA, is a California licensed Loan Originator (NMLS license # 461807), and a licensed Real Estate Broker (CA Bureau of Real Estate license #01143484). Restrictions may apply to all loan programs. The Information and/or data is subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to credit approval. The information presented is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Not all loans or products are available in all states. The Power Is Now Mortgage Services and Real Estate Services are A Division of The Power Is Now Inc., and are only licensed to conduct business in the State of California.

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OUR COVER

Oprah Winfrey O

prah Winfrey was born to Vernita Lee & Vernon Winfrey on a farm in Kosciusko, Mississippi, on January 29, 1954. Her name was supposed to be Orpah, from the Bible, but because of the trouble of spelling and pronunciation, she became known as Oprah.

Winfrey’s divorced parents separated soon after she was born, leaving her in the care of her maternal grandmother on the farm.

At six years old, Winfrey was sent north to meet her mother and two half-brothers in a Milwaukee ghetto, a poor and highly dangerous community. At twelve years old, she was taken to stay with her father in Nashville, Tennessee. Feeling protected and happy for a brief period, she began making speeches at social assemblies and churches; after a period, she was earning $500 per speech. She knew then that she desired to be “paid to talk.”

Winfrey was sent for by her mother, and she had to leave the care of her father’s home. The poor, citified lifestyle had a negative outcome on Winfrey as a young teenager, and her problems were exacerbated by continual sexual abuse, starting at age nine, by men who were trusted by others in her family. Her mother worked some odd jobs and did not have enough time for mothering. After years of bad conduct, Winfrey’s mother sent her back to her father in Nashville. Winfrey said her father redeemed her life. He was very strict and supplied her with guidance, structure, regulations, and books. He required his daughter to complete weekly book reports, and she went without a meal until she learned five new words each day.

Winfrey became Miss Black Nashville and Miss Tennessee during her first year at Tennessee State. The Nashville Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) affiliate offered her a job; Winfrey turned it down twice, but eventually took the advice of a speech teacher, who educated her with the advice that job offers from CBS were “the rational motive people go to college.” The show was seen each evening on WTVF-TV, and Winfrey was Nashville’s first African American female co-anchor of the evening news. She was 19 years old and still a second-year in college.

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the program in one hundred thirty eight cities, a record for first-time marketing. That year, although Donahue was being aired on two hundred stations, Winfrey won her time slot by 31 percent, drew twice the Chicago hearing as Donahue, and carried the top ten markets in the United States.

After Winfrey graduated, WJZ-TV in Baltimore, Maryland, scheduled her to do the local news updates (cut-ins) during Good Morning America, and soon she was transferred to the morning talk show Baltimore Is Talking with co-host Richard Sher. After seven years on the TV show, the general manager of WLSTV, American Broadcasting Company’s (ABC) Chicago affiliate, saw Winfrey in a trial tape sent in by her producer, Debra DiMaio. At the time, her evaluations in Baltimore were better than Phil Donahue’s, a national talk-show host, and she and DiMaio were employed.

Winfrey created her own production company, Harpo, Inc., in August 1986 to produce the content that she wanted to see produced, including the television drama miniseries based on Gloria Naylor’s The Women of Brewster Place, in which Winfrey was depicted along with Cicely Tyson, Robin Givens, Olivia Cole, Jackee, Paula Kelly, and Lynn Whitfield. The episodes aired in March 1989 and a regular series called Brewster Place, also starring Winfrey, debuted on ABC in May 1990. Winfrey also owned the screen rights to Kaffir Boy, Mark Mathabane’s autobiographical book about thriving under the social policy in South Africa, as well as Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved.

Winfrey moved to Chicago, Illinois, in January 1984 and took over as the television reporter on A.M. Chicago, a morning talk show that was systematically last in the ratings. She changed the focus of the show from traditional women’s issues to current, debatable topics, and after one month the show was even with Donahue’s program. Three months later, it was ahead. In September 1985, the program – renamed the Oprah Winfrey Show – was elongated to one hour. As a result, Donahue moved to New York City.

At the 2018 Golden Globes, Oprah Winfrey was presented with the Cecil B. DeMille award.

She gave a political speech at what was already a political event. She talked about the power of seeing Sidney Poitier win an Oscar, as she watched as a child, and paid tribute to Recy Taylor, the African-American woman who died less than two weeks ago and bravely spoke out after she was abducted and raped by six white men in 1944 (the men were never brought to justice). “She lived, as we all have lived, too many years in a culture broken by brutally powerful men,” said Winfrey. “For too long women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak their truth to the power of those men. But their time is up,” she said. “Their time is up.” “I want all the girls watching,” she said, voice rising, to know “that a new day is on the horizon”.

The popularity of Winfrey’s program skyrocketed after the success of The Color Purple, and in September 1985 the distributor King World bought the marketing rights to air

Her Golden Globes speech has reignited calls for Winfrey to run for the presidency. It would be a remarkable move from moral to political leadership for a figure such as herself.

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IN REAL ESTATE

In LA, Gentrification Does Not Mean Integration

B

lockbusting was a common practice during the final years of forced segregation. In essence, it consisted of selling properties to black families in predominantly white neighborhoods and encouraging white homeowners to sell their properties at low prices. In turn, the homes would be sold to African Americans, often at outrageously high prices. This practice, along with mortgage discrimination, contributed highly to the creation of ghettos in big cities, spawning racially segregated neighborhoods such as South Central, Compton and Leimert Park in the city of LA .

Gentrification, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. With gentrification, middle class families and individuals become priced out of their own neighborhoods, so they must move on while upper middle class families move in. Gentrification may seem to some to be a solution to poor neighborhood problems.

While it undoubtedly does have its benefits, such as crime reduction, it can also affect the

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communities by contributing to the loss of identity and character.

Those who view gentrification in a positive light see it from the perspective of development and improvement. It takes place in areas once riddled with crime, drug traffic, and poverty.

South LA once exemplified these woes. Pop culture is filled with images of the Larry King riots, gang violence, and poverty. It is no coincidence that the most well-known gangster rap artists came from Compton. These artists’ shocking lyrics were just drawn from their everyday lives .

As these places become gentrified and employment surges, so does their image.

Higher income and tax revenues provide betterfunded institutions such as the school system and police agencies . It generates wealth as homeowners see their equity rise and sell their homes to move to better areas. As the status of gentrified locations increases, more investors appear and so on.

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But gentrification does have a dark side. The improvement of these locations rarely benefits the locals. For them, it generally does not mean that they were able to raise their status or were able to find better jobs or become investors on their own.

On the contrary, it usually means outside investors, people who are professional and well-educated, cannot afford homes in more affluent locations and are forced to buy in these areas. In turn, as the demand rises, so does rent and leases, while home affordability decreases.

The poor people in these areas who are not homeowners have no option but to move to look for more affordable areas. Gentrification causes displacement and it usually hits minorities the hardest, in particular African Americans.

Due to years of mortgage discrimination, many African Americans have not been able to purchase homes and build wealth of their own.

Now they are priced out, displaced from the neighborhoods where they grew up as other families move in.

As Erin Aubry Kaplan points out, gentrification is closely associated with race. In a sense, it is the opposite of block busting. While in the past it was the blacks kicking out the whites, now it is the whites kicking out the blacks from their own communities. It seems that blacks moving is interpreted as busting the neighborhood, while white people moving in is seen as an improvement.

As gentrification expands in Los Angeles, African American communities now face a loss of identity. To some of them, it is seen as a familiar old story, as once again what was theirs – a piece of home – is taken away. This threat is especially highlighted when the newcomers do not appreciate the past and the history of the area, opting instead to transform its character.

Integration seems to be the key word in this debate. As America becomes more diverse, and the prospect of mixed neighborhoods becomes pivotal, gentrification may seem as a way to achieve it. However, it does not always work this

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way. In fact, it could be argued that a new form of segregation emerges due to displacement.

It is white people that move into minorityma jority neighborhoods, not the contrary .

While it true that gentrification does come with its benefits, the displacement it causes usually means that few people who lived in the area before can actually reap its benefits. True integration comes from mixing, discarding the idea that everyone should live in their own assigned areas . It arises from a blend of communities, individuals, and cultures in such a way as to create something new and unique.

References: http://www.l atim es.com/opinion/op-ed/l a-oebader-resegregation-los-angeles-20160401-story. html https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-gangstarap-2857307 h tt p s : //w w w. pl an e ti z en .c om /n o d e /9 2 8 3 1 / gentrification-better-and-worse h t t p s : // w w w. th e a tl a n ti c . c o m / b us i n e s s / archive/2014/05/the-racist-housing-policy-thatmade-your-neighborhood/371439/ http://www.l atim es.com/opinion/op-ed/l a-oekaplan-inglewood-gentrification-20171126-story.html http://www.l atim es.com/opinion/op-ed/l a-oebader-resegregation-los-angeles-20160401-story. html http://www.l atim es.com/local/l anow/l a-m eleimert-park-20170208-story.html

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CHARLENE NEELY City Manager / Broker Associate CALBRE # 01235710 Phone: 800-401-8994 x 740 Direct: 510-435-0648 Email:charlene.neely@thepowerisnow.com Website: www.thepowerisnow.com www.applytobuynow.com

WANT TO BUY OR SELL?

TRUST A PROFESSIONAL ADVICE! Classye James BRE # 01991620

800-401-8994 x 743 650-804-8326 classye.james@thepowerisnow.com

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IN FINANCIAL

Renew Expiring ITINs Now TO AVOID REFUND DELAYS

D

o you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number? Do you pay your taxes via an ITIN? People with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number that will expire in the course of this year need to submit a PIN renewal request. This will help you avoid and prevent tax refund delays in the coming year at no cost.

• In order for one to renew his/her ITIN number, one has to fill out Form W-7 and submit all the documentation with valid certificates and identification details.

The following methods are suggested to submit or file a renewal of an ITIN: • Send the package through an email address of the IRS listed on the form W-7 set of instructions. The IRS staff will review the form and they will respond within 60 days.

However, it is not only those people who have their PINs expiring this year who need to renew.

The following are stated situations in which one should renew his/her number before heading into the New Year.

• People with their ITINs number which have the following central numbers: 70, 71, 72, or 80 should ensure they file a PIN renewal request, especially if they have to file returns in the coming year.

• Individuals who have had their PINs expire due to dormancy and want to file returns in the coming years should file a PIN renewal request.

• Taxpayers who have an ITIN PIN that is already expired and need to file returns in the coming year should also ensure they file a renewal request.

• Work with a certified acceptance agent to help you renew your PIN. • Make an appointment with the IRS taxpayers’ agents’ assistance centers.

The IRS will be receiving and accepting renewal requests throughout the year. ITIN renewal applicants who need help can visit IRS. gov/ITIN. Please do not wait until the last minute and then discover your tax return has been rejected and your refund is delayed because of an expired ITIN. Do it early to avoid any unnecessary delays. If you need further assistance, leave a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

• Individuals with a Social Security Number should not renew their ITIN, but should instead inform the IRS.

The power is now Magazine

february 2018

Happy Holidays!

30

MOVING ON TO YOUR IDEAL PROPERTY?

CALL ME !

U O Y P L E H N A IC DAVID ELLIS Realtor BRE # 01970680 Office: 800-401-8994 x 744 Direct: 909-560-1091 Email: david.ellis@thepowerisnow.com Website: www.thepowerisnow.com

IN FINANCIAL The Ups and Downs of Real Estate

FROM EQUITY TO SHORT SALE

T

hanks largely to a sustained rise in home values, the epidemic of negative equity among American homeowners brought about by the last housing crisis is on the wane. What’s even more encouraging is that some U.S. metros, a few in California included, are almost healed from this malaise wherein the homes’ values fall below the outstanding balance on the mortgage used to buy those properties.

In California, the share of homes with negative equity dropped to 3.6 percent in the second quarter of 2017, down from 5.2 percent a year earlier. Regions inland have the ma jority of negative equity homes, hence that is where there is still a significant number of distressed properties likely to be subject to short sales or foreclosures.

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Underwater homes drop sharply All told, an estimated 3.2 percent of California homeowners as of the second quarter of last year were underwater, meaning these folks owe more on their mortgages than the value of their property. This level notably represents a dramatic drop since the record high of about 37.5 percent underwater homeowners registered in 2010.

Significantly, California’s current percentage of homeowners underwater is also well below that of the national level, which was estimated at 8.7 percent during the third quarter of 2017. What’s encouraging, though, is that this represents a decline from 9.5 percent in the previous quarter and from 10.8 percent in the third quarter of 2016.

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Where the fully recovered neighborhoods are The negative equity situation among California homeowners varies, with the market in some neighborhood pockets already fully recovered from the last housing crisis.

Many of these communities are in the San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco metropolitan area, where negative equity in the second quarter of 2017 was estimated at just 0.6 percent. In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale metropolitan area, homes with negative equity are down to a 2.3 percent share of all homes with mortgages, which compares with 3.6 percent for all of California.

In terms of home equity build up, California ranked highly across the U.S. by this measure, as estimated by the research firm ATTOM Data Solutions for the third quarter of 2017. The Irvine, California-based data cruncher reported that in the third quarter of 2017, California ranked second among states having the highest share of equity-rich properties. Our state posted 41.5 percent share of equity-rich homes, just marginally behind top-ranking Hawaii, which had a 41.9 percent slice during that quarter.

Velocity of price gains is key Significant gains in home prices sustained since 2013 have been credited for pulling more homes to positive equity. This markedly differs from the prior years, when declines in underwater homes were mainly traced to market absorption via short sales and foreclosure sales.

As per industry estimates, the recent spike in home prices resulted in an average $30,000 gain in equity for California homeowners for the period from mid-2016 to mid-2017. With the expected levelling off of home prices moving forward in 2018, the number of underwater homes or those with negative equity is bound to flatten before hitting bottom at the height of an anticipated real estate boom in 2020-2021.

Metros with equity-rich communities Judging by metropolitan areas having a population of greater than 500,000, our cities received good grades in home equity build-up.

By percentage of equity-rich homes, ATTOM’s top U.S. metros are the following: San Jose, California (61.0 percent); San Francisco, California (56.4 percent); Los Angeles, California (45.3 percent); Honolulu, Hawaii (43.9 percent); and Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California (38.7 percent).

References: http://journal.firsttuesday.us/underwater-homesdecrease-in-california/1 http://www.worldpropertyjournal.com/real-estatenews/united-states/irvine/attom-data-solutions-q32017-us-home-equity-underwater-report-negativeequity-homes-data-2017-equity-rich-homes-datadaren-blomquist-10638.php https://www.attomdata.com/news/home-pricesand-sales/2016-year-end-home-sales-report/ https://www.attomdata.com/news/foreclosuretrends/2017-year-end-u-s-foreclosure-marketreport/

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IN FINANCIAL

How Trump’s Tax Proposal Would Make Mortgage Deduction

Useless for Most Homeowners

H

omeownership is a big part of the America that Donald Trump has proposed. After all, his campaign mantra was to “Make America Great Again.” This has morphed into a rewriting of the existing tax code with the aim of raising the bar for the standard federal deductions available to married couples.

In essence, a married couple would need to have a higher income of about $608,000 before they are eligible to list the interest they pay on their mortgage as a tax deduction. Experts believe that this decision is going to kill the mortgage interest deduction, and that it is intended to benefit the already wealthy population.

According to the proposal, the tax code will be rewritten to the level that it would make it difficult for over 25 million homeowners to take advantage of the break Americans have become accustomed to. The proposal triples the amount of money a married couple would need to have before they would be able to take the mortgage interest deduction on their taxes. The effect of this plan is that it will take away the incentives that encouraged home buying: meaning that home sales in most cities will decline, especially if such homes are found in areas where the prices are rising quickly.

It will also have a negative impact on buyers who are already feeling stretched by rising costs. The proposal will lead to reduced demand for houses, which will have a negative impact on the valuation of homes; the overall effect will lead to a further decrease in demand, which will cause the prices to decline even further.

The National Association of Realtors argued in a statement released shortly after the proposal was announced that increasing the standard deduction and erasing other deductions would “effectively nullify the current tax benefits of owning a home” for most people.

“The mortgage interest deduction and the state and local tax deduction make homeownership more affordable, while 1031 like-

The power is now Magazine

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kind exchanges help investors keep inventory on the market and money flowing to local communities,” said NAR President William Brown. “Those tax incentives are at risk in the tax plan released today. Current homeowners could very well see their home’s value plummet and their equity evaporate if tax reform nullifies or eliminates the tax incentives they depend upon, while prospective homebuyers will see that dream pushed further out of reach.”

Available Information According to the Trulia report, this move will negatively affect the residents of areas such as Seattle, where 56% of the household are already eligible for the deduction based on their income. If the proposal is implemented, it will reduce this population to just 26%, and over 40% of the home listings in the area would be affected.

The Impact of the Proposal One unfortunate thing about this proposal is that the White House believes that the proposals would make families better off and would guarantee low income and middle-income families a tax cut. Their belief is that it will put

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more money in the pockets of married couples and will allow them to invest in homes and cars, or to save for their children’s education.

Unfortunately, the one-page proposal does not give sufficient details regarding the provisions on how this might work.

The overwhelming belief by many who oppose the proposal is that it is going to eventually deal a blow to many Americans’ dream of owning a home. If the current data, where over 25 million people included homeownership and mortgage tax deductions on their tax returns this year, is considered to be an accurate estimate, these changes will significantly reduce the number of those people who will qualify for that deduction in the future. The estimate is that that figure will drop to about eight million households that will qualify for those deductions moving forward.

With this overwhelming conclusion in mind, it may be safe to assume that while the White House is claiming that this proposed tax change will benefit many, it is actually going to hinder those in the lower and middle income brackets, as this much-needed tax deduction is no longer going to be available to them.

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Experience you can trust!

Christina Kimble Director of Operations & Sales Realtor / OCRealtist CAL BRE # 01395886

Phone: 800-401-8994 x 705 Direct: 714-709-1394 christina.kimble@thepowerisnow.com www.thepowerisnow.com www.applytobuynow.com

Helping Families Make the Right Move!

Danon Burnside Cal BRE # 01835853

Real estate Agent

Realtor | San Bernardino O: 800-401-8994 x 724 D: 951-205-5796 danon.burnside@thepowerisnow.com www.thepowerisnow.com www.applytobuynow.com

IN MORTGAGE

Mortgage refinance applications surge as interest rates fall

A

n increasing number of homeowners appears to be queuing back to their mortgage lenders for refinancing as home loan interest rates now seem to be trending lower, reversing the rate uptick following last year’s U.S. presidential election.

According to a seasonally adjusted report of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) for the last week of November, there was a 9 percent weekly jump in applications to refinance. This surge in turn propelled a 4.7 percent increase in total mortgage applications compared with the prior week.

Refinances are now catching up from last year, when volume plummeted by half for most of 2016 because of election jitters. Refinance loans are now down by just 10 percent from a year ago, a recovery traceable to the current interest rate downswing.

Refinance sector drivers The chief economist of the MBA, Mike Fratantoni, observed that the refinance share of total mortgages is now at its highest level since September. A strengthening job market

The power is now Magazine

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38

continues to support purchase volume, he added.

The current attractive interest rate environment fueling refinancing activity is evident as well in commercial and multifamily mortgage loan originations. The MBA’s third quarter survey on these originations showed a year-over-year increase of 21 percent. This gain suggests a significant spike in refinance activity in this sector since refinancing, by dollar volumes, typically accounts for approximately half of the total originations of mortgage bankers.

Besides low interest rates, the abundance of debt capital in the marketplace is likewise contributory to pump-priming refinancing activity. This factor plus mortgage lenders’ appetite for high-quality assets in their loan portfolio has led to aggressive lender bids and tight competition to win refinancing business, one recent report said.

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Tempering factors for 2018 On home mortgages, applications increased 2 percent during the last week of November and are now 8 percent higher than a year ago.

Even as buyer demand continues to be strong, the supply of affordable homes for sale remains sluggish, and this holds back a full market breakout for home loan purchases.

Mortgage rates were largely static at a low level in October and November, but they grew slightly more volatile as the year closed in December. A reaction in rates could result from the final form of the Republican tax plan, which is soon due for a vote in Congress.

Industry analysts foresee rates rising in 2018, an expectation similarly forecast for 2017 but that did not materialize as interest rates tracked lower as the year closed. As we see it, the trend for 2018 will largely depend on how the market will eventually digest the December Fed interest rate hike and the final provisions of the Republican tax reform.

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JT BURNSIDE Realtor | Rialto

Phone: 800-401-8994 x 719 Direct: 909-745-4349 Email: jt.burnside@thepowerisnow.com Website: www.thepowerisnow.com www.applytobuynow.com

$768,000

3644 PARK RIDGE DR, RICHMOND, CA 94806 LANISE SPANN CALBRE # 01800507 PHONE: 800-401-8994 X 713 DIRECT: 707-297-0398

EMAIL: LANISE.SPANN@THEPOWERISNOW.COM WEBSITE: WWW.THEPOWERISNOW.COM

2,732 Sq Ft - 5 Bedrooms and 3 Bathrooms This 5BR 3BA BEAUTY! sits in the Sterling! Neighborhood of the Country Club Vista. A Cutting Edge Home with the largest floor plan in the division at 2,732 Sq Ft. A Back Yard Breath Taking water view of the Carquinez Bridge and Vallejo. Near by Richmond County Club Golf Course with Restaurants and Starbucks blocks away. Public transportation within waling distance and easy access to 80 and 580 freeways. A STELLAR HOME!

PREMIUM LISTING AVAILABLE TODAY!

IN MORTGAGE How FHFA Is Working Hard to Broaden Access to Mortgages

T

he Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which was created during the worst days of the 2008 crisis by thenPresident George W. Bush, has been giving new homeowners easy access to mortgage loans.

The subprime mortgage bubble of 2008 destroyed many homeowners’ dreams as millions of foreclosures and bankruptcies resulted in a financial crisis that spread globally. As a result, the U.S. government was forced to make one of the largest bailouts in history, among other measures, in order to avoid an even larger collapse.

Undoubtedly, one the most prominent moves was the creation of the FHFA and the conservatorship of Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae, described at the time as “one of the most sweeping government interventions in private financial markets in decades.”

While

risky,

the

bailout

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and subsequent takeover proved to be a daunting yet necessary task. During the heyday of the crisis, both GSEs accounted for more than 50 perfect mortgage-backed securities in the United States, and suffered greatly due to the burst. Although, at the time of the FHFA intervention, the stock price of the GSEs plummeted to less than $1, they have recovered since then.

Over the past few years, FHFA has continued working hard to increase mortgage accessibility for mid- to lowincome families.

In April 2017, the FHFA announced a new mortgage loan application that will allow borrowers with delinquent loans to solve their problems more quickly and avoid foreclosures. By consulting with Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac, the new Mortgage Assistance Application (MAAp) form will replace the Uniform Borrower Assistance Form (UBAF).

february 2018

The MAAp was designed taking into account the lessons learned during the crisis, and it seeks to balance the five principles of homeownership: accessibility, affordability, accountability, sustainability, and transparency. The MAAp will feature a cleaner and brighter look, questions to help borrowers choose their preferred contacted method, information for house counseling resources, and clarifications of previously confusing terms.

With the new form, borrowers falling behind on their payments need to fill in their application before reaching 90 days of delinquency, and they will gain assistance quickly.

The MAAp is expected to be implemented by July 2018.

Another ma jor step taken by the FHFA is to add a preferred language question on the new standard mortgage application form.

The question allows low English proficiency borrowers

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to choose if they would like to have their mortgage application process carried out in English or obtain assistance in Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese or another language of their preference. Although the FHFA does not guarantee that communication will be provided in the chosen languages, the inclusion of the question is seen as a positive step.

Considering most LEPs who apply for mortgage loans are Spanish speakers, the new form will be of great help for Latinos and other immigrants who, aside from facing other struggles when applying for loans, are forced to sign contracts that they do not fully understand, putting them at a disadvantage if they fall behind with their payments.

In another ma jor step towards increasing mortgage accessibility, the FHFA is also revising a new credit score system for the GSEs. The project, which began by assessing the costs and operational impacts of several credit score options on the GSEs, is now focusing on how competing credit scores can improve accuracy instead of contributing to more competition in finding costumers.

The FHFA is still evaluating how to implement the change, and it is also considering how it will affect other credit-scoring companies. As FHFA Director Mel Watt announced, the project will

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not be implemented until mid-2019 because it would be a “serious mistake.�

Since its creation, the FHFA has not only helped restore Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to profitability, but it has also put a tremendous effort into trying to broaden access to mortgage loans. Although there are several challenges ahead and much room for improvement, the impact of the Federal Housing Finance Agency has been largely positive, helping the housing market reach and surpass the level it was at prior to the 2008 crash.

References: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ article/2008/09/06/AR2008090602540.html h tt p s : //w w w.fh fa . gov// M e d i a / B l og / P ag es / Simplifying-the-Borrower-Mor tgage-AssistanceExperience.aspx http://blog.unidosus.org/2017/10/27/fhfa-updatedmortgage-application/ http://www.mp amag.com/news/fhfa-pushes-tobroaden-access-to-mortgage-credit-75086.aspx

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BUSINESS

Frazier Group Realty, Inc. As you venture into the World of Real Estate, we can help you put the pieces together and Naviagate you into Home Ownership

Ruby L. Frazier President License #01751773

Briana M. Frazier Broker License # 01751473

Jessica E. Frazier License # 01817312

Erica L. Frazier License# 01791095

Frazier Group Realty is the right place. Our Navigators are available to give you personalized service and answer any questions you may have. You can call, email or visit us and we will be there ready to help you every step of the way. Wether you are a first time home buyer or an experienced real estate investor, here at Frazier Group Realty you gain useful information about how to choose the “right” property, and everything involved in making an informed decision in today’s real estate market.

Making Clients for Life

3739 6th Street, Riverside, CA 92501 Office: (951) 686-5261 Fax: (951) 686-5264 www.fraziergrouprealty.com

IN MORTGAGE

Mortgage Interest Deduction

O

n September 27, 2017, President Trump vowed to bring us a simpler tax code that would cut taxes for the middle class, and to bring back the wealth that has left our country.

When that tax plan was revealed in October, the housing industry was shocked to see that the mortgage interest deduction was being eliminated. For years lauded as part of the path to homeownership, the deduction has been an essential part of the U.S. tax code for generations.

However, that’s all about to change. What does the repeal mean for real estate agents?

First, it is important to remind anyone who may be having second thoughts about buying a home that while the deduction is being eliminated, the standard deduction has been increased. For a home buyer or family with a combined income of $75,000 to $99,999, the cost increase from losing the mortgage interest deduction in favor of the standard deduction will be $210.

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While the press around this point of the tax code talks about how the middle class will be decimated, the reality is that the mortgage interest deduction encouraged homebuyers to spend more money; however, it did not encourage more people to buy homes. So while you may be selling smaller spaces, in different neighborhoods, or to different demographics, you will continue to see homes being bought and sold.

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The ma jority of people who benefitted from the mortgage interest deduction as it is currently written were people who owned real estate valued at more than $500,000; they will continue to see a benefit from the deduction in the new version of the tax code. In the short term, lead generation should focus on those who are looking for higher value pieces of property.

Current rental property owners stand to benefit the most from this change. Because their deductions are business expenses rather than homeowner expenses, they will not lose out on the deductions associated with homeownership. They may also find a higher demand for rental properties, especially those homes with dollar values just below $500,000; if people are hesitant to buy for a while, rental rates will increase.

Those who will suffer the most will be those who own multiple properties. With the reduction in the mortgage interest deduction, even with the increase in the standard deduction, tax rates will make owning two homes less costefficient. When these clients come to you in a panic wanting to sell, encourage them to consider turning their second home into a rental property; the write-offs associated with business expenses will help stabilize their tax burden.

differences, or meet with a tax professional yourself to put together a document that illustrates the changes to the current tax code.

A simple one-page brochure will be useful to both of you and your clients.

Finally, sellers may find themselves frustrated at the inevitable slowdown in housing sales.

While this is not an actual destabilization of the housing market, the change to the tax code will have a short-term impact on home sales (and new home construction). It is important to remember that as people become more knowledgeable about the change to the tax code, home sales will pick up again. Encourage frustrated sellers to either become renters or postpone a move for six to twelve months until people see the impact on their bottom line.

Once people realize that they are not hugely impacted by the change in the tax code, the market should rebound.

Trying to build your business around an inevitable slowdown can be difficult. However, with proper planning, honing of your sales pitch, and improvements in how you connect with leads, you should be able to weather this storm and move forward with your business.

First-time homebuyers may be scared to move forward on a purchase if they read the negative press surrounding this change to the tax code. Either encourage your clients to sit down with a tax professional and compare the

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IN TECHNOLOGY

Should Agents Utilize YouTube to Grow Their Business?

I

n order to grow any business, one should create awareness of the business constantly. A wider market niche will ultimately lead to faster business growth.

Today, we focus on YouTube and its impact on business growth. It is one of the leading online marketing tools, so agents should learn to market their products online through YouTube.

How can agents use YouTube videos in marketing?

Below are some ways through which agents can use YouTube to grow their business. If utilized well, agents can easily close property deals via YouTube.

Video blogging: If you are not good at writing blogs about properties, then you can try video blogging. It is easier than blogs and more appealing to the target market.

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Real estate market videos: This basically showcases your knowledge in the property market. This way, buyers and sellers of a property will easily trust you with their property.

The main content in the video should be the price of properties in various locations. You should post such updates regularly. You will get more leads, and with time, more clients.

Property tours, community and neighborhood videos: Uploading such videos on YouTube will attract more leads. Most property sellers or buyers want more info regarding the property.

They also want to know more info regarding the neighborhood. Uploading such videos regularly on YouTube will attract more customers.

Testimonials: Video testimonials from satisfied clients will attract more customers. Potential customers will appreciate testimonials from clients who have successfully bought or sold property with you as the agent. This can help to persuade clients to deal with you. Agents

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should, therefore, shoot videos of satisfied clients’ testimonials. They may upload such videos to YouTube. Ensure that you also include the videos on social media and on your website and all of your other marketing channels.

for interaction between the agent and the potential buyer or seller. If utilized well, it will lead to more deals.

Why agents should use YouTube videos to grow their business

Basic tips on using YouTube videos in real estate online marketing

Lead generation: YouTube has over a billion users on a daily basis, and at least five billion videos are watched on a daily basis. This makes YouTube the second most popular search engine in the world. People who use YouTube as a marketing tool can easily generate leads.

As such, agents uploading videos of their properties on YouTube are likely to generate more leads. The more leads you get, the higher the probability of selling a property. The main reason why agents should use YouTube in marketing is lead generation.

Consistency: You should be consistent in uploading property deals videos on YouTube.

This way, you will create a loyal following. If you have new properties for sale, then it will be easier to market and sell the property.

Branding: Branding is very important in any business. People usually connect with people they know, like, and trust. When you constantly upload videos to YouTube regarding your properties and any other information relevant to real estate, you create awareness of your business. People can then contact you now or even in the future for property deals. This will make you a successful agent. The title of your videos and description will play a big role in attracting more traffic. Tags also help to attract more leads. You should take care of these three important areas if you want to generate more leads to YouTube uploads.

Multiple calls to action: Link your YouTube channel to your website and vice versa; this is an effective way to easily direct potential clients to your website. This way, deals can be closed more easily. Another important reason why you should use YouTube videos in marketing is that it enables you to add multiple calls for action. This is one of the long-term benefits of using YouTube for marketing. Calls to action include subscription, emails, filling out forms or basically providing a response or feedback regarding the videos. This provides a platform

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Vary the video uploads on YouTube: A good agent should come up with different types of videos. You may upload interviews, listing videos or news and testimonials. From the reviews, you will then know what videos are more effective. If you use such videos, then you will easily get more leads, and this will lead to increased sales.

Ensure that the videos uploaded to YouTube are optimized for search engines and mobile: You should not underestimate the impact of search engine and mobile when marketing property. Use the right title tags and highquality videos. Such online videos should open easily on both PCs and mobile phones.

YouTube is an effective online marketing tool.

Real estate agents who use the marketing tool effectively can easily meet their targets. But one should be careful to analyze the market trends and follow through on these tips. This will ultimately lead to success in business.

Sources: h tt p s : // h on e y b ar m e d i a .com /you t ub e /the ultimate-guide-youtube-real-estate-marketing/ https://www.becomealocalleader.com/marketing/ youtube-video-marketing-guide-realtor/ https://national.wfgnationaltitle.com/2017/07/20/ how-to-grow-a-real-estate-youtube-audience-in-5easy-steps/

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Ready to buy or sell?

Let me help you!

LEON TOWNSEND III MBA, Green and Notary Public BRE # 01979416 Phone: 800-401-8994 x 733 Direct: 626-372-9374 Email: leon.townsend@thepowerisnow.com Website: www.thepowerisnow.com

Robin Davis Realtor | CalBRE # 01971982

Phone: 800-401-8994 x 706 Direct: 925-565-4848 robin.davis@thepowerisnow.com www.thepowerisnow.com

IN TECHNOLOGY

THIS SMART HOME TECH

can help you win clients

S

mart homes and the gadgets that go with them are game-changers which are increasingly shaping the ways and means of our modern-day living.

In one recent study, Forrester Research projected that the number of smart devices in U.S. homes would balloon to 244 million by 2022. Should this forecast hold true, it would be a whopping 480 percent five-year growth from the 42 million gadgets recorded in American homes in 2017.

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Realtors, brokers, and agents, of course, are savvy enough to recognize that the cuttingedge technologies finding their way into today’s home are potent platforms by which to win clients. So let’s take a look at some currently popular smart home devices which can very well serve as apt gifts to clients after a closed deal.

Many such gadgets are surprisingly affordable and could be complemented by some advice on other smart-home devices best-suited to the homes you’re selling.

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Mobile Yonomi app You don’t have to spend money gifting smart home devices to endear yourself to clients. Even a simple tip to them about the mobile app Yonomi could do the trick.

This freely available app makes smart home gadgets work together, enabling its user to control the devices from one place. It creates a personal routine for the user, such as a sequential turning on of music, the heater, and the coffeemaker in the morning.

This app has an Android and an iOS version as well as skills for Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

WeMo Switch Smart Plug

Connected Car Adapter Automatic Labs has a device to integrate smart home tech into cars through its Connected Car Adapter, which is available for just a shade under $100. This auto adapter not only provides diagnostics on engine issues and safety but also on such concerns as parking and gas station locations. This device can also link to your home appliances and remotely control them wherever you are.

these are no longer novelties or frivolous fads, but already part and parcel of the cutting-edge lifestyle of our 21st century.

Clearly, smart home technology still has a long way to go as we see the development of more and more interlinked consumer products able to communicate with each other via innovative systems and devices. All

Home automation becomes even more convenient and easy with the WeMo Switch Smart Plug. It does not even need a physical hub or subscription, as it simply connects via an existing home Wi-Fi network. Through WeMo, you can wirelessly and remotely control lights and such appliances as heaters, lamps, and fans.

This device is affordably priced at $35 and would make a great present as an upgrade to smart home devices your client may already have.

WeMo also notably works with Google and Amazon Alexa through voice commands.

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Alshaun Rodgers REAL ESTATE AGENT BRE # 01374164

800-401-8994 X 742 | 310-227-2247 ALSHAUN.RODGERS@THEPOWERISNOW.COM WWW.THEPOWERISNOW.COM

IN LEGAL

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Years of Legacy for the Fair Housing Act

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he creation of most inner-city ghettos can be traced back to active segregationist practices that were part of American society for the better part of the twentieth century. Motivated largely by the Great Migration of African-Americans due to the demand of labor during both World War I and World War II, many measures were put in place to retain racial separation.

As a consequence of Jim Crow laws, blockbusting and flat out discrimination, many black families were effectively barred from purchasing homes

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in affluent areas. This denial result in the lack of access to education, police enforcement, healthcare centers, and jobs, which led to ubiquitous poverty and crime.

In 1968, the Civil Rights Act of 1968 Title 8 – better known as the Fair Housing Act – was finally signed.

While it has been 50 years since it was passed, large portions of America are still segregated.

The road to the enactment of the Fair Housing Act was a long one. Even after the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act,

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there was still a lot of debating and opposition in Congress to pass the law. The turning point came after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, when former President Lyndon Johnson pushed Congress to approve the bill before King’s funeral as a tribute to the reverend’s work.

The FHA had immediate consequences.

Practices such as blockbusting became unlawful.

Landlords could no longer refuse to rent homes to minorities. Redlining – a process in which agencies, seller and banks would blacklist people living in areas with a large percentage of minorities or crime, rendering them ineligible for financing and unable to purchase homes – became illegal as well. Thanks to enforcement of the FHA by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, homeownership has increased among minorities ever since.

Although the Fair Housing Act is considered to be the defining moment of the civil rights plight, in the 50 years that have passed since its enactment there has been little progress toward real integration. Vast swaths of the country remain largely segregated. Most whites live in the suburbs or other affluent areas, and there are neighborhoods in the cities with high racial overrepresentation.

In fact, a 2010 study by Brown University showed that with few exceptions, about 90% of Latinos and African-Americans would have to move in order to be in more integrated neighborhoods. It even seems that places such as L.A., which after the 1994 riots strived for integration, is re-segregating. The difference now is that Latinos are concentrating in areas where blacks used to be the ma jority.

There are several factors as to this. While the FHA protects people from discrimination, it is not enforced as should be. Latinos and African Americans tend to have mortgages denied more often than whites; if and when they are approved, they usually have to pay higher interest rates, forcing them to seek low-income areas. Moreover, research has revealed that minorities are given different treatment while

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looking for homes. On average, they are shown fewer properties than their white counterparts.

Although steps have been taken to improve the effectiveness of Fair Housing Act, the announcement made by President Trump’s administration to delay the new requirement that forced communities to study their residential segregation data and present plans to address it show that there is still plenty of debating and work necessary to achieve real integration.

In the 50 years since it was enacted, the Fair Housing Act has not met all of its goals; segregation is still is in some ways as much a part of American society as it was during the 1960s. However, its legacy cannot be understated. Half a century ago, even the most affluent and well-educated black person could not choose where to live. Nowadays, despite the obstacles, people of any race, color, sex, religion, nationality or with any disability have the right to buy the home of their dreams as long as they are able to.

References: https://www.finweb.com/real-estate/how-doesthe-federal-fair-housing-act-affect-you.html h t t p : // w w w . b b c . c o m / n e w s / wo r l d - u s canada-35255835 https://s4.ad.brown.edu/Projects/Diversity/Data/ Report/report0727.pdf http://www.l atim es.com/opinion/op-ed/l a-oebader-resegregation-los-angeles-20160401-story. html. h t t p : // w w w . p e w r e s e a r c h . o r g / f a c t tank/2017/01/10/bl acks-and-hisp anics-face-extrachallenges-in-getting-home-loans/ https://s4.ad.brown.edu/Projects/Diversity/Data/ Report/report0727.pdf https://www.nytim es.com/2018/01/04/upshot/ trump-delays-hud-fair-housing-obama-rule.html

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IN COMMUNITY

The Difference Black Women Made in Elections by Defeating Roy Moore

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he role of black women in society – a contentious topic, for sure – is often circumvented in order to be ignored than to be discussed. However, black women play a huge role in society, and it should be spoken of more often. They are a most reliable force in this increasingly frustrating country, and it is because of their strength and resilience in the face of systemic adversity that they are often ignored, or worse, temporarily utilized to redeem the future of America.

White progressives take their sanity and reason for granted when they no longer find a use for their ballots after election day.

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In fact, black women should be celebrated for continuously developing society and pushing for a better life. The past few days have been memorable for the black women of Alabama, as the votes that were pushed by them ensured that Democrat Doug Jones won at the polls.

The actions of black women in Alabama Every election brings up new questions as to why an individual should vote and who people will vote for. There is a constant battle between the Republicans, championing the cause of only certain groups,

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versus the Democrats, who want a better society for all.

For black women, and those in Alabama, it was crucial for a Democrat to win in order to have a hope of being listened to.

Interestingly, black women often urge the public to go out and vote. In Alabama, 17 percent of the voters in the most recent election were black women. Of this number, an astonishing 98 percent voted for Democrat Doug Jones. This shows that black women are a powerful group when it comes to election time.

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the norm and continue to bring society’s issues to the forefront. Unfortunately, both Republicans and Democrats often selfishly use black women to push their agendas. Politicians continue to mention that the issues of black people will be addressed. Yet time and again, this does not come to fruition once the elections have passed. Politicians use black women as a pawn to gather votes and then do not deliver as promised.

Alabama’s Senate race is only the latest election in which black women made the difference. If their high levels of turnout remain surprising, it’s because we aren’t looking to them in the first place. It is time for black women to stop being ignored.

In general, supporting black women is necessary across all sectors of life – not just politics. It is important to note that many of the people making comments with regard to black women needing resources and support work in environments outside of politics. Black

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women need to be recognized as powerful and strong individuals, especially when it comes to policy formation. The black women of Alabama have cast a spotlight on the issue. It is clear that black women nurture society, have grown nations and have helped in the development of countries. It is time for society to recognize the positive impact that these women have, not only in the community, but also nationally and on a global scale.

References: https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/dont-th ank-bl ack-wom en-roy-moore-s-loss-fightncna829681 h t t p s : // w w w . h u f f i n g t o n p o s t . c o m / e n tr y / d o u g - j o n e s - b l a c k - v o ter - t u r n o u t _ us_5a311f3be4b01bdd7658d464 https://www.truthrevolt.org/news/black-womencredited-defeating-roy-moore-now-they-demandbe-paid

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IN COMMUNITY

The Importance of

Black History Month

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or too long, black history has been relegated to white viewpoints and white understandings. The celebration of Black History Month is important because there was a time when black history was ignored.

It’s important that we spend time looking at black history in all of its forms. So from inventors to creators to thespians, everything is celebrated. What this accomplishes is it brings to a wider audience the knowledge of black people’s contribution not only to American Society but also to the whole world.

History and background The roots of Black History Month can be traced to the early part of the twentieth century. In 1925, Carter G. Woodson, an educator and historian, began campaigning among schools, journals, and black newspapers calling for a “Negro History Week” to be celebrated.

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This would honor the importance of black achievement and contribution in the United States. In 1926, he was able to institute this “Negro History Week” during the second week of February. This time was chosen because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays occurred then. Woodson was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP for his accomplishment. In 1976, “Negro History Week” turned into “Black History Month,” which we celebrate today.

still have a long way to go to reach true equality.

The racial wealth gap is growing, and that sets up a system in which minorities are at an unfair disadvantage in life from the outset. Being unable to financially invest in your children’s future sets up a systemic problem: Income inequality will always lead to volatility.

Conclusion

Some could argue that highlighting our differences further divides us. What purpose does Black History Month serve? Two things we do know: Racism still exists, and diverse companies do better over the long-term.

Black History Month is important not just for ourselves; it’s also important for our children.

It’s important that we teach our children as much as we can during Black History Month.

Because when they see African Americans as writers, as teachers, as doctors, as CEO, as inventors, as politicians, and as much more, it gives them hope. And when you have hope, you have a future.

It’s also very important to learn and celebrate Black History because it is an essential part of American history. It has very much shaped the world we live in today. And one of the legacies of the history has been multiculturalism. It is celebrated not just for black people but also for all races and people, because through the stories of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr, and Nelson Mandela, there is motivation for all people who are successful in their own career and country. No matter what the color of our skin is, we take a universal story on triumph, social justice, empowerment, achievement, and fighting racism.

An event like Black History Month, which raises awareness and creates a dialogue around delicate issues, helps to break down barriers and ultimately eliminate bias. It helps diverse teams interact better by understanding new points of view and supporting others’ thoughts and ideas. It helps to eliminate unconscious bias in recruiting and leads to a better talent pool. By confronting inequality and bias headon, we help to negate racism and inequality.

Last, it provides an opportunity for reflection.

Seeing where we are succeeding and where we could do better helps to keep us accountable and ultimately progress in the future.

Why does black history month matter?

Events like Black History Month create an opportunity to educate people about our history and culture, highlight problems that persist, celebrate those who have helped to move the needle and engage in a dialogue about how we can do better.

Racism is still an unfortunate part of society, and while there has been an improvement, we

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References: http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/ black-history-month https://www.ccaurora.edu/blogs/fox-call/ history/why-its-important-to-observe-blackhistory-month/

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IN COMMUNITY REMEMBERING THE HEROES OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

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uring his inaugural address in 2009, Barack Obama – fully aware of the significance of his historical election – remarked that he was “… a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant, but can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.”

For many, that pivotal moment marked an astonishing achievement. The culmination of decades of struggle, it evoked Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

In 1963, at the height of the Civil Rights movement, King and other prominent members led a March to Washington which would eventually draw a crowd of over 200,000 people. Since King, his supporters, and the organizers were mostly preoccupied with the logistics of the march, he left writing the speech he would use for almost the last minute. Worn thin and exhausted, he had to write several

drafts to finish the 17-minute piece. In the end, Wyatt Walker told him not to talk about the Dream: “It’s trite, it’s cliché. You’ve used it too many times already.”

On that faithful day, as the Baptist reverend delivered his speech and some of the crowd had already waned, he realized that his speech was not making the impact he had hoped for.

Suddenly, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson cried out, “Tell ‘em about the dream, Martin!” From that moment, King set aside his prepared notes and delivered one of the most iconic speeches in American history.

While being one of the most prominent members of society and an African American leader, Martin Luther King Jr. was just one of the many men and women who devoted their lives in their fight for an integrated society.

Rosa Parks (1993-2005) There is a belief that Rosa Parks was just a common woman who was tired that fateful day when she decided not to switch her seat and move to the colored section in the Montgomery Bus lines.

However, she had as a matter of fact been an active member of the Civil Rights movement years prior. She had worked for the NAACP and was one the few African Americans legally registered to vote in Alabama.

It was her decision to not give up her seat which sparked the Civil Rights movement and led to the year-long Montgomery bus boycott.

She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, and when she died she became the first woman to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda.

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Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993) Despite being rejected form the University of Maryland Law School because of his race, Thurgood continued on to graduate from Howard University in Washington, DC, in 1933.

In 1934, he became a member of the Baltimore branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, for which he argued many cases successfully in front the Supreme Court. The most important of these was Brown v. The Board of Education, in which he argued that segregation was detrimental to the education performance of children, thus leading to the integration of the school system.

In 1967, he was nominated to the Supreme Court by the administration of Lyndon Johnson, and he became the first African American justice of the Supreme Court.

Daisy Bates (1914-1999) Following the case of Brown V. The Board of Education, the NAACP pushed the enrollment of black students in segregated schools. As such, nine students were enrolled in Central High School in Little Rock Arkansas. At first, groups of whites, in association with Governor of Arkansas Orval Faubus, denied the students entrance to the school by using the National Guard. The situation escalated until the President Dwight Eisenhower called the 101 Airborne Division to protect the students.

Behind all of this was Daisy Bates. Bates and her husband were journalists and members of the NAACP. She became the spokesperson for the students’ plight and her house became the headquarters of The Little Rock Nine.

While some believe that Martin Luther King Jr’s dream has come true, the current rise of white supremacy movements, the 2014 Ferguson riots, and the NFL protests during the national anthem has shown that equality is still a present issue. This is why it is necessary to always look back and remember all the sacrifices of these heroes to continue their vision and push forward for equality.

References: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1ljmtaibC4 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/09/martin-luther-king-dream-speech-history http://www.historyextra.com/period/modern/is-martin-luther-kings-i-have-a-dream-the-greatest-speechin-history/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S64zRnnn4Po http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/122/hill/marshall.htm http://blog.thehungersite.com/cs-black-leaders/ https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14563865

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IN COMMUNITY LACK OF ABILITY FOR African American Homebuyers

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ore than any other demographic, African Americans perceive homeownership as an integral component of the American Dream and as a way to build security and wealth for their families, according to a recent survey.

The poll by Ipsos Public Affairs, conducted on behalf of Wells Fargo, found that 90 percent of African Americans said homeownership would be a dream come true, and more than half were considering buying a home within the next two years. But despite this, homeownership for many African Americans is still a dream. Why?

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There are many factors, but the main reason is a lack of buying ability for African American homebuyers.

African Americans in the United States have a lower rate of homeownership than whites, despite a relatively affordable housing market.

According to research titled “Barriers to Home Purchase for African Americans and Hispanics in Syracuse� by Susan Hamilton, there is a lack of buying ability in the African-American community. The homes they have bought are through word-of-mouth rather than through Realtors, and many encounter failures in the

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course of finding, purchasing, and financing a home. Alternatives to conventional financing have become relatively common, especially since 1975.

African-Americans are expected to represent the third largest segment among new households (renters and owners) in the U.S. by 2024.

Portfolio lending is an increasingly important means of enabling African Americans to buy a house. Some of the barriers to homeownership that we identified are employment uncertainty, lack of understanding about the home buying process, strict credit requirements, and cultural misunderstandings between applicants and the lending community. This is why African American homeownership lags behind that of their white counterparts.

“Americans of every demographic aspire to homeownership, but this survey indicates African-Americans place a high value on the emotional and financial benefits of owning a home,” says Brad Blackwell, executive vice president and head of housing policy and homeownership growth strategies for Wells Fargo. “Unfortunately, myths about down payments and credit often deter people from inquiring about loan options.”

Homeownership dream for African Americans The idea of homeownership is something that everyone should be able to experience. For black couples, however, it remains elusive.

The nation’s homeownership rate has steadied since the 2008 recession, which sacked millions of jobs and burst the housing bubble, according to a recently released report by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

But the report noted that while other minority groups saw gains in purchasing homes, African Americans are not sharing in the rebound.

In fact, African American homeownership recently fell to below the 1994 level (42.2 percent), declining precipitously since 2004.

The gap between white and African American homeownership is at its largest since the 1940s (29.7 percent).

Barriers homebuyers are facing Like many Americans, African Americans want to own homes. But they are often challenged by many barriers, like lack of buying ability.

Other barriers include tight credit markets, lack of affordable inventory in many areas, and underemployment or unemployment.

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Conclusion A lack of education in the home buying process only makes the whole situation worse.

Mortgage approval is not contingent on fulltime employment. Homebuyers need only be able to demonstrate their ability to repay their mortgage loan, regardless of whether their income comes from a full-time or part-time job. However, 54 percent of African Americans believed home buyers must have full-time jobs in order to qualify for a mortgage. Homebuyer education and credit counseling could provide key information about the elements of a good credit score and how to develop a good credit profile. Lack of buying ability can be decreased by a proper education and homeownership programs which can benefit African American homebuyers.

References: http://www.brandpointcontent.com/article/23657/ sur vey-african-am ericans-p assion ate-abouthomeownership-but-fewer-own-homes https://www.huduser.gov/periodicals/cityscpe/ vol3num1/cs3-1_4.pdf

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The Power Is Now Inc., is a Mortgage Brokerage Licensed by the State of California CALBRE License #1980407 and is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. Go to www2.dre.ca.gov for verification. The Power Is Now Inc., is also licensed by the NMLS License #1435243. Go to www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org for verification. The Power Is Now Inc., is an equal housing lender. Our corporate office is located at: 379 6th Street Riverside, CA 92501. Telephone and Fax: 800-401-8994. Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA is a California Licensed Loan Originator NMLS# 461807. This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Restrictions may apply.

Information and/or data is subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to credit approval. Not all loans or products are available in all states.

IN COMMUNITY

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Reasons Pastors and Leaders Should host Homebuyers Seminars

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here are three places you can go to get help in your community on just about anything you need: the church, the barbershop, and your family. I will talk about the barbershop and the family in the next article. The church has tremendous influence and an ability to help you, because we trust our pastors and church leaders for the most part. We also all rely on God to help us and to guide us through these treacherous waters of life. Also, because of the financial support the church receives from its members, it is able to address many needs.

I have not visited every church in California, but the many I have visited are very busy. They have a class or frequent events for everything and everyone on every night of the week. But the one thing that most churches are missing is addressing the #1 issue facing their members: housing and building wealth for retirement and the future generation. Issue #2 is financial literacy and managing money, and issue #3 is personal and professional development to achieve great things in their career and community.

Homeownership is important, and it deserves time because rents are rising and renting

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ultimately leads to homelessness. Financial literacy is important, and it deserves time because it is the primary reason why many are renting now instead of buying. Many people do not save or live on a budget, and they are without mentors or good examples of how to manage their money. Personal and professional development is important, and it deserves time because everyone needs a coach to achieve important goals like obtaining a high school diploma and a college degree, or learning about real estate, the stock market and other financial products and services to improve their life.

Also learning what it means to be a professional in your chosen career, maximizing your income is very important and deserves time because it will make the difference in this very competitive world we live in. The world is getting smaller, and the competition for jobs is rising. Education and mentorship has never been more important than now. The stability that homeownership brings to family has never been more important than it is now.

It is time for the church to take ownership and see to it that these very important needs are being met. Here are ten reasons why:

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1

In the State of California, the homeownership rate for African Americans and Latinos is 35% and 43% respectively, according to a recent report by the California Association of Realtors. Fewer than 20% of the members of minority churches I have visited and conducted a seminar in are homeowners.

3

Rental rates are at an all-time high, and vacancy rates are at an all-time low according to a recent survey conducted Rent.com.

5

The wealth gap is currently $500,000 between whites and minorities (blacks and Latinos) as of 2013, according to the Institute on Assets and Social Policy. They are predicting that it will grow to $1.2 million by 2043 and state that the primary driver of the wealth gap is homeownership.

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2

Over 50% of the income in over 10 million households is used to pay for rent and housing expenses, according to the most recent study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.

4

Interest rates are rising from an all-time low of 3.25% APR to 4.25% APR, and are estimated to go even higher this year according to the history of interest rates reports published by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporations. Most first-time home buyer’s programs are ranging from 4.5% APR to 5.25% APR and are going higher making mortgage payments affordable.

6

Median income is lower for minorities, and it is requiring them to move further out from main centers of business in the city or forcing them to rent to stay close to work, according to the Pew Research Center.

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8

The Federal Reserve has raised the Federal Discount Rate for the third consecutive time. Their goal is to keep inflation in check at 2.0%. According to the most recent report inflation is now at 2.1% and growing. This is a clear signal that the cost of borrowing is going to get more expensive, making it even more difficult to buy.

7

Home prices have doubled in many areas of California since 2013 according to recent reports from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service.

This is making homeownership even more challenging, because wages have remained flat even though unemployment is at an alltime low according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

California has had a severe housing issue for both rental and homeownership in terms of both supply and affordability since the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis. There is a shortfall of more than one million rental homes affordable to extremely and very low income households, and California’s homeownership rate has declined to 62.3% – the lowest rate since the 1940s.

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The increased density in communities and lack of affordable housing is making it more challenging to buy. Most new developments are ranging from $400,000 to $700,000 for first-time homebuyers. The low housing inventory is increasing prices of resales to an all-time high.

Pastors and community leaders, if you are not talking about affordable housing and homeownership to your congregation or followers, you are not addressing the #1 issue faced by all families who are renting, regardless of their ethnicity. You are not addressing the expense of housing which represents 50% or more of most families’ income. Finally, you are not addressing the future of every renter, which is homelessness. The fastest growing demographic in California is the homeless. This is also because there are more people living below the poverty line in California than in any other state in the U.S.

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It’s time to address the issue of housing. If not now, then when? And if not the church, then who?

No one is coming to our rescue. The answers and solutions rest within the great institution of the church and her leaders who have always on the front line of social justice and economic disparities facing minorities. The church has been there for us since the beginning, and she has a long history of making a difference in the African American community.

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IN GREEN WHAT TAX DEDUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ECO-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES?

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s your business considering going solar?

Want to save money on your business power bills? You can be environmentally savvy and save on costs, and still get a tax credit off your business taxes for these projects. And you can have a more energyefficient business building and also get a tax deduction for your expenses.

You may be surprised to know that as a business owner, you are qualified to claim tax credits for all your business-related activities that promote a greener environment. Whether it’s procuring a fleet of electric vehicles for your business or installing energy efficient equipment in your office, you can claim a tax credit for all such eco-friendly initiatives. Let’s take a look at three ma jor tax breaks you can claim for running an eco-savvy business.

Charitable donations Did you know that businesses are eligible for claiming a tax deduction for donating electronic items and computers to charitable organizations? Businesses that donate in kind can take a tax deduction that is equal to the fair market value of the donated items. Let’s say if you make a non-cash contribution and the value of the items is less than $500, you can value the donation on your own. All you

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need to do is keep a note of the description and condition of the donated item. If the value of the donated items is more than $500, you must fill out Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions). Besides electronic goods and computers, businesses may also donate property to a charitable organization. If the value of the property is more than $5,000, businesses must engage an appraiser to get a written appraisal of the property’s value.

Energy efficiency improvements As a leaseholder or commercial property owner, you can claim an energy tax deduction for a greener office. While installing energysaving tools may seem like a big investment, the benefits you reap in the long run will easily outweigh the costs you incur. The deduction can save you around $1.80 per square foot of your office area, provided you can show that your office saves at least 50 percent energy and power costs as compared to ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007. These deductions are typically claimed in the following three areas: heating and cooling systems, lighting, or the building envelope. You can also claim partial deductions of up to $0.60 per square foot if your business has taken measures to curb energy waste in just one or two of these areas.

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Plug-in vehicles If you buy eco-friendly vehicles for your business, you are eligible for federal and state government tax credits. For example, the federal tax credit for purchasing a plug-in electric vehicle (also known as EV or electric car) is anywhere between $2,500 and $7,500.

The tax credit varies depending on the size of the vehicle and its battery capacity. You can claim the credit by filling out Form 8936, Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit. Note that these deductions are only available until the manufacturer sells 200,000 units, at which point the deductions will begin to phase out.

Across the United States, businesses are becoming more environmentally conscious and federal and state governments are working to encourage the change. Tax incentives in the form of deductions and credits exist to encourage business owners; however, many of these incentives relate to office practices such as waste disposal and recycling rather than to actual equipment, or to installing renewable energy sources to power the equipment.

Going green not only helps you save money, but it also gives you the satisfaction of contributing to society. So what are you waiting for? If you haven’t taken initiative already, take it now!

Work from home? You are eligible too If you are using your home, or a part of it, as your office space, you can claim tax deductions for the energy efficiency improvements you make in that space. Typically, the tax credit one can claim is around 10 percent of the amount spent on those improvements. Some of the improvements that you can make include installing high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, opting for energy efficient exterior windows, and adding insulation.

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References: h tt p s : //w w w. us n e w s . c om /n e w s /en er g y/ slideshows/tax-incentives-for-going-green http://smallbusiness.chron.com/business-ownerstax-writeoffs-going-green-office-equipment-31688. html h t t p s : // w w w . c o m p u t e r w o r l d . c o m / article/2550457/data-center/get-tax-breaks-forgoing-green.html

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IN YOU

Ways Real Estate Investors Can Show More Love This

Valentine’s Day V

alentine’s Day is, of course, the most special day of the year for romantic lovebirds. It’s almost that time of the year again! How can real estate investors spread the love and have an even greater impact this Valentine’s Day? Real estate investors are among the best equipped to make someone’s day at this time of year. In fact, they are among the best positioned to be able to share the love with many others, and to make a big difference in the world around them, both now and for years to come. Below are thoughtful ways investors can express love this Valentine’s Day.

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There is no place like home What could be better than handing over those precious keys of the home that you have been waiting for years to get? You can finally fulfill the dream of living together in a spacious and wonderful home without the hassle of paying rent each month or tolerating the irritating homeowner. Think of a dream home, a home that is special, and the one you can identify with and gift to your loved one. I bet your partner’s feelings will be kindled just like the first time you ever presented them a gift. As it’s rightly said, “There is no place like home.” Go ahead and present a new home this Valentine’s Day and sweep her off her feet.

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Handy book on real estate Many people aspire to be a real estate investor, but they really do not know the intricacies of the business. Perhaps a book on real estate could be a life-changer for them. Think about giving a good book about real estate investing to your loved one. The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner falls in this category. If your beloved already owns a home, there are still ways you can make them feel happy with a book on home improvement.

They often feel left out of the house-shifting process. That is why one can be considerate of the needs of the children and meet them to ensure that they are occupied and in total comfort. It only makes things worse to know that all their toys are packed away out of reach.

The below things might ensure that kids do not feel helpless while you shift to your new home.

• Small gifts • Treats • An activity book

Custom home drawing Have you ever thought about making a custom drawing of your new home and presenting it to your loved ones? A beautiful sketch of your home on a sheet of paper with a nice frame attached to it will do the trick. Impress your partner with a stunning and beautiful sketch of your home sweet home in a nice frame, and blow them away with your creative skills.

• A new toy • Coloring books Take care of your kid’s interests as you plan on moving to your new home. Relationships are one of the finest of all things that go with you wherever you go, unlike other things in life. So, invest in your relationship by giving your significant other the best real estate gift, and celebrate your Valentine’s Day in an unforgettable way.

Quality time Shiny gifts, big gifts, heartfelt gifts: They are all great. But one of the very best gifts we can give others is time. It’s the most precious thing. If there’s no Valentine in your life this year, give yourself some quality time to think or travel. Find a family member, friend, sibling, or stranger to give some quality time to. If you do have a romantic partner, devote the day to them. There will still be real estate deals to do on the 15th.

References: http://marketingideasforagents.com/11-uniqueclosing-gift-ideas/ https://reww.com/6-Ways-Real-Estate-InvestorsShow-More-Love-This-Valentines-Day

Take care of the kids As an adult, we are busy with the houseshifting process. But seldom do we recognize the needs of small children during this time.

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IN YOU

Decluttering

TIPS C

Living room

lutter is anything that you keep around your home that doesn’t add value to your life.

Getting rid of junk that you don’t need will free up space and give you peace of mind. With less clutter, there will be more space for you and your family to live and breathe.

Decluttering your home is not tough.

The best way to deal with it is to focus on one space, room, or even a zone within a room. No fancy tools are needed to start the process. All that you need are bins or baskets or cardboard boxes to put away, recycle, mend, trash, and donate things.

Declutter each room before you move on to the next. Finish the process completely. Take the boxes or cardboard out to donate, recycle, or

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trash immediately. Keep things that you want to fix separately.

february 2018

The living room is hardest to clean and keep neat on a daily basis, as it is used a lot. Start with the console, book shelves and side tables. Assess each item and then return it to its proper storage space. If you have kids, you may have to tackle the toys. Store or recycle each toy.

Bedrooms Look around and start with the bed.

Remove everything that doesn’t belong on the bed and put it away in a bin. This can include books, mail, newspaper, pens or even broken eye glasses. Make the bed after you remove all these things. Throw away things that you can no longer use or that do not work.

The next step is to look at the bureaus, chests and dressers. Go through each drawer and take everything out.

Arrange everything and resist the

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temptation to put everything back. If you come across clothing that you no longer wear, donate it.

Closet Closets are often messy, and it takes a lot of time and effort to tackle them. Start with each type of clothing. Keep denim, dresses, jackets, shoes, and other items you have in the closet separately.

Go through each individual item to check whether it fits you. If anything is torn or damaged beyond repair, discard it immediately. Arrange everything back in a systematic manner.

Bathrooms Discard outdated skincare, makeup, and medication from the medicine cabinet. Next, move to the drawers and look at each item carefully. Do a quick evaluation of things you need and things you don’t need.

Put everything back carefully.

The 80/20 rule Most of us tend to use only 20% of the things we own. The other 80% are rarely used. The declutter mission is to get rid of things that you don’t use or never intend to use. Know what to keep and what to get rid of.

If you haven’t used a particular item for the past two years, it is unlikely that you will use it in the future. Identify such things and either donate or recycle them. Don’t feel guilty about throwing away things that are broken and cannot be fixed.

Getting rid of things is often difficult, and this can be the hardest part of decluttering. Most of us tend to associate sentiment with specific items. This can make it challenging to part with them. Accept the fact that you don’t need most items with which your memories are connected.

Mentally preparing yourself can help declutter your home in an effective manner.

Kitchen Keeping the kitchen free from clutter can be a challenge.

As most people spend a lot of time in the kitchen, they have different types of things stored there. Focus on one type of item at a time. Assess everything, then put everything back in the cabinet. Remove things that you don’t need in the kitchen so that you can free up space.

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RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS APRI L HARRIS BRE # 01988009 Office: 800-401-8994 x 717 Direct: 707-814-5457 Email: april.harris@thepowerisnow.com

3965 Oak Av , Clearlake 95422 $249,000

9276 Pebble Rd , Lower Lake 95457 $92,500

COMMERCIAL LISTINGS COMMERCIAL LISTINGS APRIL HARRIS BRE # 01988009 Office: 800-401-8994 x 717 Direct: 707-814-5457 Email: april.harris@thepowerisnow.com

9450 State Hwy 53 , Lower Lake 95457

$575,000

Once in a lifetime opportunity! Almost .75 acres, Community Commercial (C2) Zoned on State Highway 53 frontage near the intersection of Highway 28 in Lower Lake, California. Last on the market in the early 20th Century!

LOTS/LAND LISTINGS LOTS/LAND LISTINGS APRIL HARRIS BRE # 01988009 Office: 800-401-8994 x 717 Direct: 707-814-5457 Email: april.harris@thepowerisnow.com

5718 Ponca Wy , Kelseyville 95451 $55,000

2360 Spring Valley Rd , Clearlake Oaks 95423

$35,000

LOTS/LAND LISTINGS LOTS/LAND LISTINGS APRI L HARRIS BRE # 01988009 Office: 800-401-8994 x 717 Direct: 707-814-5457 Email: april.harris@thepowerisnow.com

3391 Boxwood St , Clearlake Park 95422 $5,000 A lot in one of the last under-developed in Clearlake. Lots of potential with few neighbors and within walking distance to the elementary school and a short distance to the lake, park, restaurants and shopping.

5,232 sqft lot, 0.12acres, $0.96/sqft, R1zoning

3730 Koloko St , Clearlake 95422 $9,500 Vacant lot in an established community not far from Austin Park and Clearlake PD. Close to shopping, restaurants and other amenities.

4,636 sqft lot, 0.11acres, $2.05/sqft, R1zoning

LOTS/LAND LISTINGS LOTS/LAND LISTINGS APRIL HARRIS BRE # 01988009 Office: 800-401-8994 x 717 Direct: 707-814-5457 Email: april.harris@thepowerisnow.com

3349 Mint St , Clearlake Park 95422

$7,500

Thinking about building a lake getaway? Great open space in an underdeveloped area of Clearlake Park, near Pomo Elementary School and only minutes from the lake. This area has been waiting for families to move in and make a nice community.

5,203 sqft lot, 0.12acres, $1.44/sqft, r1zoning

20458 E State Hwy 20 , Clearlake Oaks 95423

$475,000

LOTS/LAND LISTINGS LOTS/LAND LISTINGS APRI L HARRIS BRE # 01988009 Office: 800-401-8994 x 717 Direct: 707-814-5457 Email: april.harris@thepowerisnow.com

3810 Dexter Ln , Clearlake 95422 $49,000

9548 Timberline Ct , Kelseyville 95451

$25,000

Home Ownership Home ownership brings stability to individuals and families who have never had a dwelling place that they could call their own. There is something special about owning real estate that is unlike anything else on earth you can own.

Real Estate you own is not like cars that decay over time and you have to replace them.

Real Estate you own is not like clothes that go out of style and you have to buy new ones.

Real Estate you own is not like expensive vacations or experiences that only last a moment in time.

Real Estate you own is not like an apartment where the landlord may increase the rent until it’s no longer affordable.

Real Estate you own is not like staying at your parents house where you know can’t stay forever.

Home ownership is the beginning of wealth that increases over time and becomes your estate & legacy Home ownership is the pride of a mother nurturer and the kitchen her domain Home ownership is the pride of a father provider and protector of his territory and family.

Home ownership is the foundation of permanence and the place where life happens, birthdays celebrated, deaths mourned.

Home ownership is the place you build memories that can never be taken from you.

Memories etched in walls and concrete, experienced in rooms and floors, Memories living in trees and shrubs planted by your hand.

Howe ownership is the manifestation of you - your style, your colors, your smell, your stuff, your junk, your memories, your yard and your spaces, your life.

It’s the height markers on your first child’s bedroom wall.

It’s the hearts drawn in the concrete slabs when you pour your patio floor It’s the birthday parties, and anniversaries in the living room and kitchen.

It’s the back yard barbecue with friends, neighbors and family contentions it’s the high school and college graduation, and wedding receptions Its’ the family nights and block parties and the fellowship of family connections Home ownership It’s more than real estate. Land, brick and mortar, wood frame construction and chicken wire.

It’s more than money saved, gifts recieved and grants obtained It’s more than the debt you incur to buy it.

It’s more than the payments you make to own it.

It’s more than the appreciation that comes with keeping it over time.

It’s memories, it’s family, and it’s life that can happen in one place Until you say it’s time to move.

By Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA CA BRE 01143484 | NMLS 461807

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