5 Ways to Protect Your Financial Health in a Divorce

Don’t Become a Financial Victim

Whether or not you anticipate a divorce you should understand your financial picture and keep copies of all important financial records such as account statements for all assets and statements from all creditors. Watch cash in joint checking, brokerage accounts or cash value of life insurance so you understand your position as all times.

Recognize Your Common Enemy….the I.R.S.

Work together with a divorce financial planner or tax accountant to minimize the total taxes you and your ex will pay during separation and after divorce and share the money you save. Both parties are liable for taxes due as a result of audits on joint returns. Tax consequences also need to be considered when analyzing any settlements.

Use Computer Models to Evaluate Settlement Proposals

If you are trying to decide whether a divorce settlement is equitable and workable, you certainly want to know how you will be doing financially 3, 5 or 10 years down the road. There are many interactive factors you must consider including assets, incomes, budgets, maintenance and child support, taxes, retirement plans, investments and educational expenses. Specialized divorce computer models produce comprehensive and realistic analyses of your post-divorce lifestyle. This model should also include tax implications of any settlement.

Don’t Use Your Divorce Lawyer as a Financial Planner, Real Estate Agent or Therapist

Attorneys generally charge $200 to $300 per hour and are not skilled therapists or certified financial planners. If you need emotional support, career counseling, financial analysis or real estate advice utilize qualified professionals and save big money in lawyer’s fees.

Develop a Post-Divorce Financial Plan

It is key to produce a realistic budget needed at the initial separation and through the divorce settlement. Many people start their post-divorce lives not fully understanding that their settlement must last a significant amount of time and in some cases the rest of their lives. Financial planning can help people transition from married to single lifestyle by prioritizing financial goals, developing realistic expectations and producing written plans for allocation of financial resources. Use experts in the area of financial and real estate planning to set up a plan that works for your individual situation.


Over the past 26 years, Realtor® Joan Rogliano has worked with many women going through the emotional and financial trauma of divorce and widowhood. Toward that end, she created the Wildflower Group, an organization that strives to empower women with practical information about real estate and home ownership. For more information contact joan@roglianorealestategroup.com or visit www.wildflowergroup.net.

Fannie Mae Changes its Long Time Investor Policy on Condominium Financing

Fannie Mae has changed its controversial policy on investor units in condominiums. In a memo to lenders last week, Fannie said that when new investors apply for financing to buy a condo unit, they won't have to deal with its former rule whereby vacant, bank foreclosed and REO units were counted as non-owner occupied.

That's important because Fannie's long-time policy has been to bar new investor loans in buildings where less than 51 percent of the units are owned and occupied as principal residences or second homes. The idea is that there's a greater risk of default in projects that have high numbers of investor units, with absentee owners renting out their units.

Under the revised policy, which was requested by the National Association of Realtors in November, Fannie says it will now count bank-owned REO units that are listed for sale, but are not rented, as if they are owner-occupied when computing the 51 percent ratio.
In buildings that still don't meet that baseline occupancy test, Fannie says it will allow lenders to ask for waivers by submitting financial information about the project for individual review by Fannie.

In the same memo last week, Fannie Mae also outlined a series of other policy changes that could potentially affect condo investors.

Here are the highlights:
· Fannie generally will not fund units in developments where more than 20 percent of the space is used for non-residential purposes. For example, if retail or office space exceeded one fifth of the total usable square footage in a project, the new rule would apply.

· Fannie will avoid projects where a "single entity" owns more than 10 percent of the total units. Examples of such owners include investor groups, partnerships, corporations, or individual investors.

· Fannie generally won't finance units in condo projects where it believes there are "excessive" sale or financing concessions being offered to buyers by developers or building owners completing conversions. These might include offers where developers pay purchasers' principal and interest payments for long periods of time, or refund condo fees, taxes or home owner association dues. Excessive concessions up front distort the underlying economics of projects, Fannie believes, and may attract buyers who can't really afford the full payments.

As our market shifts, Fannie is trying to shift as well to pave the wave for prudent financing while still allowing investor dollars to find their way into the real estate market. Their new approach may just be what the housing market needs for 2009.

Would you like more information on investor opportunities in the Colorado market? Contact Joan@roglianorealestategroup.com or visit her websites at www.wildflowergroup.net or www.roglianorealestategroup.com.

Start the New Year with Positive Chi!

In uncertain times such as these, many families find themselves frazzled by the stresses and pressures of everyday life. The one place where people should feel most at peace is in their home.

Home is where we retreat to after the days work to rest and recharge. But for many people, the home is less of a safe-haven and more of a mess, and that's where Feng Shui can help.

Feng Shui is an ancient Asian art that began in China with the Tang Dynasty and dates back at least 3000 years. The basic principles are intended to help people live more balanced and harmonious lives. It focuses on a balance between the Yin and Yang, which are masculine and feminine energy, and the five elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood. Basically it's an intuitive art, so as you're remodeling or redecorating really listen to your instincts as to what feels natural and comfortable to you.

The front door of the home is considered the "Mouth of the Chi." Chi is positive energy; keep that in mind as you choose your paint color or plant choices. Because this is the first place you and others will walk through to enter the home it's very important to give off a welcoming and calm air.

The living room is another important area because that's where families spend so much of their time. In this room it's all about promoting an easy flow of positive energy. First, de-clutter the room; when things are neat and tidy it's easier to feel at ease in the space. As far as furniture goes, less is more in Feng Shui. Arrange what is needed in a comfortable layout, preferably in a circular pattern rather than having most of the furniture against a wall or corner.

The kitchen isn't just the room where everybody ends up at parties and gatherings; it's also considered the heart of the home because that's where food is prepared which helps sustain life. According to Feng Shui principles, the kitchen should be light and bright with full spectrum bulbs. White is a preferable color to use in paint and décor as it stands for purity. Just like every other place in the home, Feng Shui dictates the kitchen to always be kept clean and tidy, free from clutter.

The bedroom is one of the most personal and private places in the home and therefore requires careful attention. To create a balanced and relaxed environment in your bedroom try painting it a pastel shade, put dimmers on the lights so that you can adjust the mood, and take out the TV. To achieve a restful nights sleep invest in a good mattress, use high-quality natural fiber sheets and balance the bed with nightstands on either side.

These simple suggestions just brush the surface of true Feng Shui design elements. But with just a few changes here and there you just might enhance your family's Chi.

Feel free to contact Joan@roglianorealestategroup.com or visit her websites, www.wildflowergroup.net, www.roglianorealestategroup.com.

It's Time To Get Organized!

If one of your New Years Resolution is to be more organized you may want to consider reorganizing your closets and storage spaces. One of the most popular trends in home design is the creation of custom closet spaces. Over the past few decades, closets have grown in new-home construction, but whether you have a newer home with a walk-in closet or an older home with a reach-in closet, everyone can use a little help getting organized.

If you're looking to revamp your closet there are a number of directions to go. First, you should consider all the choices out there for maximizing space and then decide whether you plan tackle the project on your own or if you'd rather hire a professional. These days there are countless businesses across the country that offers these services, such as California Closets and Easy Closets. The possibilities range from simple and structured, to lavish and luxurious. If you decide to take on this project yourself stores such as IKEA and The Container Store offer solutions in all shapes and sizes.

Of course each custom closet varies greatly by the particular layout of the closet and specific needs of the homeowner. Some of the more basic elements include pullout drawers to store folded clothes, shoe racks or shelves, wired or solid shelving for stacking things, and tiered hanging bars for clothing. But what make each closet truly "custom" are the stylish and even decorative elements that come next.

Custom closets are meant to reflect the décor and color scheme that is present in the larger room surrounding it. Wooden veneers in dark or light stains or finishes can be added to the drawer and cupboard faces. Or you can choose frosted or clear glass to showcase what lies inside. Shelves can be colored to match the room and islands or other shelving units can even be fitted with more luxurious materials such as marble or granite. Storage baskets or bins are often used to give a uniformed look and can come in plastic, metal or basket weaves. And to top it off, mirrors and specialty lighting can be incorporated to make the space more inviting and user-friendly.

With the countless options out there, it's easy to see why custom closets are an ever popular remodeling project. Not only does it make it easier to find what to wear in the morning, but it adds a creative and more personal touch to a place that in the past was overlooked.

Would you like more information about how home improvements may impact your property values? Contact Joan@RoglianoRealEstateGroup.com or visit her websites: www.roglianorealestategroup.com, www.wildflowergroup.net.

Should You Wait To Refinance?

What happened to the Treasury Department's plan to cut mortgage rates to four and a half percent to stimulate home buying? Under the plan, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would buy loans at four and a half percent and the Treasury would subsidize the difference between that and market rates.

But last Tuesday, in an interview on the CNBC cable network, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson basically said no such plan was ever announced. It got leaked prematurely. Paulson also hinted that he would be reluctant to launch such an ambitious and potentially costly program without having the full support of the incoming Obama administration's Treasury team.

The National Association of Realtors, which had proposed the rate buydown concept to Treasury weeks ago, again called for the federal government to find a way to lower rates to four and half percent.

Meanwhile, new reports surfaced that a second plan was being considered: Under this alternative, the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks around the country would offer cut-rate mortgages using money raised by bond issuance’s at 3 percent by the Treasury. This concept is being pushed aggressively by the president of one of the banks and is under active consideration by the bank system's top regulator, James Lockhart, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

The net effect of either plan would be the same to consumers: Sharply lower monthly mortgage costs. For example, here's what a four and a half percent rate does to principal and interest payments compared with a note rate of five and half percent: On a $200,000 mortgage, the one point difference would reduce payments by $122 a month.

On a $300,000 loan, the savings would go to $183 a month. And on a $400,000 mortgage, costs would be lowered by $244 a month.

Meanwhile, with market rates tumbling to five percent and below, a half point rate buydown could cost the government much less than originally estimated.

Then again -- there's always the possibility that to stimulate a really big round of home buying, rates could be cut to 4 percent.

With all these possibilities floating out there one may want to wait to refinance to see how the rest of this story unfolds.

Would you like more information about the Colorado Real Estate Market? Contact Joan@roglianorealestategroup.com or visit her websites: http://www.roglianorealestategroup.com/, http://www.wildflowergroup.net/.

Unusual Holiday Traditions

An upside-down Christmas tree! Who has ever heard of anything so ridiculous?

Well, you may be surprised to hear that an upside-down Christmas tree is one of the hottest fads of the season. But it's actually not so new. In fact, it goes back to the Middle Ages. In that religious time, the upside down tree was intended to represent the Trinity. Bringing back this forgotten custom does have commercial overtones as it allows for more merchandise under the tree but some like the cutting edge aspect to it!

This is not only unusual custom out there. Here are few others that are sure to raise your eyebrow:

In Italy they have no Christmas trees. Instead they decorate
small wooden pyramids with fruit.

Ukrainians decorate their trees with an artificial spider and
matching web. A spider web found on Christmas morning is
believed to bring good luck.

The citizens of Caracas, Venezuela block off the streets on
Christmas eve so that people can roller-skate to God's house.

It is a British Christmas tradition that a wish made while
mixing the Christmas pudding will come true only if the
ingredients are stirred in a clockwise direction.

A traditional Christmas dinner in early England was the head
of a pig prepared with mustard.

Sending red Christmas cards to anyone in Japan constitutes
bad etiquette, since funeral notices there are customarily
printed in red.

In Norway on Christmas Eve, all the brooms in the house
are hidden because long ago it was believed that witches
and mischievous spirits came out on Christmas Eve and would
steal their brooms for riding.

No matter what tradition you observe in your family be sure to enjoy the holidays with those you love and appreciate the time together.

Feel free to contact joan@roglianorealestategroup.com or vist her websites at www.roglianorealestategroup.com or www.wildflowergroup.net.

How You Can Make Your Holiday Eco-Friendly

Did you know that between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, Americans throw away a million extra tons of garbage each week?

During the season of giving, it sure seems like we're taking a lot from Mother Nature.

Here are some suggestions of ways to go green this holiday season, and you just might save some green as well.

Gift Giving: Try giving an experience rather than a gift. Tickets to a ballgame, theater or an art exhibit create much less waste than complicated toys and gadgets. Some of the best gifts can even be homemade like cookies and cakes, or having guests over for a special home cooked meal or giving the gift of a service you can provide to someone.

Wrapping: Recycle your gift wrap. You can easily reuse gift bags, tissue paper, bows and even wrapping paper. If you just look around the house you'll probably find old posters, maps, sheet music, wallpaper scraps, magazine and newspaper cutouts, and comic pages which all work very well as wrapping paper. Homemade wrapping paper is also a great winter afternoon activity for the kids as well.

Shipping: Avoid Styrofoam packing peanuts and try the biodegradable kind instead. You can also use crumpled up newspaper, or even dry, popped popcorn, with a note inserted inside the box letting the receiver know that they can later treat birds to it.

Christmas Lights: Be sure to purchase lights made with light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. These lights are ninety percent more efficient than traditional Christmas lights and last about 200,000 hours. According to one U.S. Department of Energy study, if all families replaced their conventional holiday light strings with LEDs, at least two billion kilowatt-hours of electricity could be saved in a month. The savings alone would be enough to power 200,000 homes for a year.

The Christmas Tree: As you search for that perfect tree, keep in mind that if you purchase a tree from a tree farm you're not damaging forests. Another option is purchasing a potted plant that can be enjoyed year round. Artificial trees are also a good choice since they are reused every year and that saves on the gas you would spend driving to the tree farms.

My favorite for those that don’t want a big tree or are looking for an additional table top tree is the potted rosemary bush. These fragrant plants can be purchased shaped like Christmas trees and are perfect for the cooks in your family. Not only does it serve as a Christmas tree but you will have an endless supply of this wonderful herb as you make your favorite recipes.

Treecycling: Don’t forget to start off the New Years on the right foot by treecycling. Instead of ending up in a landfill, Christmas trees can be ground into wood chips and be reused as mulch gardens, or to prevent erosion. If you visit Earth911.com, you can search your zip code to find the nearest Christmas tree recycling center near you.

Decorations: Give it your family's personal touch by decorating it with memorabilia such as a child's first shoe or grandma's hankie scented with perfume. There's no need to go out and purchase pricey ornaments when cookie cutters, pinecones, stuffed animals and toys, and miniature toy cars work just as well. As you pull these ornaments year after year they will be sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.

The most important thing to remember is that the holiday time is meant to share with those that matter to you most. By taking time to sit back and enjoy each others company you are creating memories that money can not buy.

Who are Today's Homebuyers and How Are They Finding their Dream Homes?

One of the most useful research projects of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) is the annual survey of homebuyers and sellers. The information is based on answers to an eight-page questionnaire mailed to 133,000 consumers who purchased a home between July 2007 and June 2008.


Here are some highlights of this years finding:

· 41% of the market constituted First-time homebuyers.
· 6% percent of buyers purchased a home that had been foreclosed or that was in the process of foreclosure.
· 69% of buyers said that they used the internet frequently during their home search.
· 33% of buyers went to the internet as the first step in the home search.
· 17% contacted a real estate agent first.
· 9% began by driving through neighborhoods looking for homes for sale.


Buyers use multiple sources of information in the process of looking for a home. The top three sources were:

· 87% used the internet
· 85% used real estate agents
· 62% used yard signs


Of the 87% who used the internet in their search process they visited the following sites:

· 60% of those buyers went to MLS sites.
· 48% percent used Realtor®.com
· 46% went to real estate company websites
· 43% went to sites hosted by individual agents.


While there is a lot of intriguing information about the sources of information used by prospective homebuyers, certainly the most relevant has to do with where they actually found the home that they ultimately purchased.

· 34% of buyers found their home from information provided by their real estate agent.
· 32% found their home on the internet.
· 15% found their home via a yard sign.



If you would like more information on listing your home please contact joan@roglianorealestategroup or visit www.roglianorealestategroup.com or www.wildflowergroup.net.

Santa is Coming to Littleton!

This Sunday, December 14th, from 9:00 am - noon, Santa will be waiting at the Manor house to hear all your Christmas wishes!

Along with our delicious breakfast buffet, they will also have Story time with Mrs. Claus.

Please feel free to bring your cameras as Santa will happy to pose with you for pictures.

The Manor House in Ken Caryl Valley, Littleton, Colorado is a beautiful, historic Mansion decorated with Christmas cheer--the perfect place to welcome the Holidays!

Would you like more information about the community? Contact joan@roglianorealestategroup.com or visit www.roglianorealestategroup.com or www.wildflowergroup.com.

Is Colorado In a Recession?

Whether Colorado's economy has joined the rest of the country in recession is a question local economists can't agree on. The National Bureau of Economic Research declared earlier this week that the U.S. economy began contracting a year ago, but the bureau doesn't determine cycles for states.

Colorado Springs economist Tucker Hart Adams thinks Colorado slipped into a recession with the rest of the country 12 months ago.

Colorado probably succumbed to the national recession in October, said Ernie Goss, chief executive of the Denver-based Goss Institute, an economics research firm that publishes the Mountain States Business Conditions Index.

That survey of Colorado supply managers showed contracting conditions starting in October and deepening in November.

The National Bureau of Economic Research looks at several economic indicators to determine the start of a recession. This time around, it leaned heavily on payroll job reports to mark when the current decline began.

Although the U.S. has been shedding jobs all this year, Colorado continued to add jobs through October on a year-over-year basis.

That's why Patricia Silverstein, an economist with Development Research Partners in Littleton, contends the state has avoided a recession so far.

She is forecasting payroll job growth of 0.5 percent for the state next year. While meager compared with the 2.2 percent average growth rate the past 30 years, it still represents a gain. Colorado will continue to perform better next year than the rest of the country, and that will draw additional job seekers.

At the National level Denver is viewed as being in a strong economic position. According to the analysts at The Wall Street Journal, Denver is one of the top 3 cities to do business in for both 2007 and 2008. The Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch rated Denver as #3 in 2008 and #2 in 2007 in their Top Cities for Business study. Cities were ranked against each other in each of the eight categories -- Fortune 1000, S&P 500, Russell 2000, Forbes 400, small-business, unemployment, population growth and job growth.

That fact that there is a debate as to whether Colorado is in a recession is proof that this city is still thriving and strong enough to weather even tough economic times such as these.

Would you like more information about the Real Estate Market? Contact Joan@RoglianoRealEstateGroup.com or visit http://www.roglianorealestategroup.com/ or http://www.wildflowergroup.com/.

Treasury Eyeing 4.5% Mortgages?

News that the Treasury Department may use Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's influence on mortgage markets to push interest rates on home loans down to 4.5 percent has raised hopes for a boost in home sales but sparked debate on whether it's wise to prop up housing prices.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Treasury is considering using Fannie, Freddie and other government-sponsored entities to purchase securities backed by mortgages at a price equivalent to a rate of 4.5 percent.

Treasury officials have not commented, but the Federal Reserve announced a similar program on Nov. 25, saying it would spend $600 billion to buy mortgage-backed securities and debt issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae.

The announcement brought down interest rates on conforming loans by about 1 percent and sent mortgage applications soaring.

Each 1 percent reduction in mortgage interest rate gives home buyers about 10 percent more purchasing power. That can not only get buyers off the fence, but also prop up home prices.
This intiative, coupled with the $7,500 Homebuyer Tax Credit, could mean great news for buyers and sellers alike!

Would you like more information? Contact joan@roglianorealestate.com or visit http://www.wildflower.com/ or http://www.roglianorealestategroup.com/.

What Adds the Most Value to Your Home?

Exterior Improvements Add Most to Home’s ValueFor the second consecutive year, appraisers and REALTORS® report that exterior home remodeling projects bring the highest return on investment for homeowners, according to the 2008 - 09 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report.

Exterior improvements, including wood deck additions and all types of siding replacement, return more than 80 percent of project costs upon resale. Window replacements and kitchen remodels also fare well. All types of window replacements – upscale and midscale wood and vinyl – return more than 76 percent of cost, while a major-midrange kitchen remodel returns 76 percent and a minor midrange kitchen remodel returns 79.5 percent.

Bathroom remodels also continue to be a good investment, although they do not return as high a percentage as in previous years. A midrange bathroom remodel recoups an estimated 74.4 percent at resale. The least profitable remodeling projects are home offices, sunroom additions and back-up power generators.

For more information contact Joan@roglianorealestate.com.

Top 11 Reasons to List Your Home During the Holidays

11. By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer
during the spring, when many more houses are on the market for less money!

10. You can sell now for more money and we will provide for a delayed closing or
extended occupancy until early next year!

9. Even though your house will be on the market, you still have the option to restrict
showings during the six or seven days around the Holidays!

8. January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Since
transferees cannot wait until spring to buy, you need to be on the market during
the Holidays to capture the market!

7. Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons!

6. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays than they do
during a working week!

5. Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays, so they are more likely to
pay your price!

4. Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays!

3. Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be less
demand for your particular home! Less demand means less money for you!

2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less
competition means more money for you!

And the number ONE reason why your Seller should list during the Holidays...

1. People who look for homes during the Holidays are more serious buyers!

Would you like information about listing your home? Contact Joan@RoglianoRealEstateGroup.com.

Save On Your Credit Score This Holiday Season

With the economy slowing and holidays just around the corner, many consumers may be looking to credit cards to help them get through the heavy shopping season. While that may be a good short-term solution, you want to make sure you don't overlook the long-term impact on your credit rating. After all, the actions you take today could hang over your head for years to come--and may make it tough for you to get the home loan or car loan you want in the future.

To help you make sure you manage your credit cards--and your credit score--during the upcoming holiday spending season, follow these steps:

Double-check your card limits. Many credit card companies today have started lowering credit limits. That means you have less credit available, but it also may mean that your credit score is about to take a hit. That's because approximately 30% of your credit score is based on the amount you owe in relation to your available credit. So, if a credit card company cuts back your limit, you may find that you're suddenly almost maxed out. That's not a good sign for your long-term credit score rating.

Ask, pay down, or move around. If some of your credit limits have changed or are nearly maxed out, you can take a few steps to help alleviate the problem. First, consider simply asking for a higher limit to your card...not necessarily to use up with spending, but to allow more unused credit line to be available and therefore boost your credit score. You can also pay more money to the cards that are near the credit limit, if you can. Or, if you have cards with little to no remaining credit line, transfer some of the larger balances onto the cards with lower balances. That'll give you a more... well... balanced financial picture.

Leave home without it. One of the best tips for the holiday season is to: make a budget, identify specific items, and then leave home without your credit card. Instead, bring just enough cash to purchase the items on your list. That will help you resist the urge to impulse buy, and keep your credit card balances lower.

Pick a card... not just any card. If you can't bring cash, make a credit card plan. Identify specific items that you'll pay for on specific cards. By making a plan and spreading your purchases to different cards, you won't overspend and you won't risk running up one or two cards that are near the credit limit, which will hurt your credit rating.

Resist card offers at the counter. Retailers are famous for offering "savings" when you open a credit card. But those savings often don't outweigh the long- and short-term negatives. For one thing, opening a new account--or multiple accounts in a short period of time--can negatively impact your credit score. In addition, consumers often spend more than planned when a new card is suddenly available. So this holiday season, resist the temptation.

Stay active. If you have older cards that you don't use, make sure you keep them active. For one thing, some of those older cards help establish a longer history of positive credit. For another, the available credit on those older cards can help keep your credit score higher because it improves your overall debt-to-credit ratio. To keep those cards active, make sure you charge one or two items on them throughout the year... like, say, when you go shopping for the holidays. Then, pay them off when the bill comes in.

Always pay on time. Your payment record is a very large part of your credit score, so it's crucial that you have an idea how your holiday shopping will impact your credit card bills and that you make a plan to pay those bills on time. If you have trouble for any reason, contact your card companies right away to work out a plan that helps you pay down your debt... and save your credit rating from a huge hit.

Would you like more information? Contact joan@roglianorealestategroup.com or visit www.roglianorealestategroup.com, www.wildflowergroup.com.