Emergency Alert System Test November 9 at 12PM AZ Time

On Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.(EST), the federal government will be conducting the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The test will last up to three and a half minutes. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. Please inform your staff and visitors that this event will be just a test, and not a real emergency alert.

The national Emergency Alert System is an alert and warning system that can be activated by the president, if needed, to provide information to the American public during emergencies. NOAA's National Weather Service, governors, and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. The test is an important exercise in ensuring that the system is effective in communicating critical information to the public in the event of a real national emergency.

Under the FCC's rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wire line video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system, as well as its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers both nationally and regionally. The test will also provide the FCC and FEMA a chance to identify improvements that need to be made to build a modernized and fully accessible Emergency Alert System.

Visit the FCC website for more information about the test, including additional answers to some frequently asked questions.

Additional links:

http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm

http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm

FHA Limits Lowered as of October 1

FHA loan limits for Maricopa County have gone down from $346,250 to $271,050 as of Oct. 1st . Congress raised the conforming loan limits in 2008 and has extended them annually through 2011, but no action was made to meet the Sept. 30 deadline, therefore, the limits have decreased.

The effect on the marketplace began in August when major lenders stopped approving jumbo loans in anticipation of the decrease in loan limits. With the lower limits, many buyers will now have to put down at least 20 percent compared to the 3.5 percent previously available to them.

Despite the drop in conforming loan limits it is still a good time to purchase a home as rates are still extremely low. According to Freddie Mac, the average on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 4.01 percent from 4.09 percent this week.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give me a call! 602-318-5341

Classic Car Sightings in Scottsdale, AZ

Recently I have noticed an increase in classic cars on the roads here in Scottsdale, Arizona. It must be due to the Barrett Jackson Auction coming soon. Our great city of Scottsdale will be hosting the 40th Anniversary of the world’s greatest collector car auction from January 17th to January 23. If you have not been to the auction, I highly recommend it! The minute you enter the gates you will be drawn in to the excitement of the venue. Not only are there over 1000 exotic and collector cars from around the world but there are many activities for people of all ages, including over 350 exhibitor and sponsor booths, including some excellent food too. A great experience for the entire family! Check out their website for more information on all that the Barrett Jackson Auction has to offer.

Count Your Blessings!

We have much to be thankful for:

If you woke up this morning healthy ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the fear and loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pain of starvation ... you are better off than 500 million people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are more comfortable than 75% of the people in this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you can read this, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

If you have friends and family who love and care for you, there is no comparison.

Let's be THANKFUL this day and every day!