I have had numerous calls this week from members regarding a solicitation letter they’ve received with their Property Tax bill. I received the same letter! It states that for a small fee of $189 they can get your property taxes reduced saving hundreds of dollars!

Here’s what you need to know

If you bought your home within the last 2 or 4 years, it is likely that your current assessed property value – the basis for your property taxes – is higher than the current market value of your home. (more…)

THE CHANGING FIREGROUND ENVIRONMENT

Now, let’s turn our attention to 2009. Today, attack personnel are exposed to two significant considerations (and hazards) that attack personnel of the pre-1960 era never encountered.

First, the increased use of synthetic materials that began to increase during the 1970′s and 1980′s are now common as applied to carpets, furniture, wall coverings, plants, electronic appliances, and the list goes on. When these products burn, they produce smoke and fire gases that are more susceptible to flashover-type conditions. (more…)

Loan modifications have been described as the great savior of our current crisis. Whether this is true or not is a matter of debate. However there appears to be considerable confusion regarding loan modifications.

There is a ton of information whirling around the media and internet. But what exactly is a loan modification? Hopefully the information below will add clarity! It’s really important that a homeowner understands their options. (more…)

By Paul Stein

I write this month’s article with a heavy heart. I just learned that two Los Angeles County Firefighters died while fighting the Station Fire. The Station Fire is currently the largest of at least eight burning across California after days of triple-digit temperatures and low humidity.

So far the fire has scorched 104,960 acres of brush, destroyed 53 homes and threatened more than 12,000 others. (more…)

Gordon Graham here and hello again. Thank you for visiting this great site, and as you know I have a monthly opportunity to give you some thoughts on your business – from the eyes of someone outside your business and because of my “outside” status I tend to look at things that go on inside your business just a bit differently. (more…)