FHA Loans in Louisiana

A New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA loan for a client who lost his house in Hurricane Katrina and wanted to rebuild. He was told the loan could be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to the parcel of property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated back to 1803, which took the Lawyer three months to track down. After sending the information to the FHA, he received the following reply: (Actual letter): "Upon review of your letter adjoining your client's loan application, we note that the request is supported by an Abstract of Title. While we compliment the able manner in which you have prepared and presented the application, we must point out that you have only cleared title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803. Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to clear the title back to its origin." Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows: (Actual Letter): "Your letter regarding title in Case No. 189156 has been received. I note that you wish to have title extended further than the 194 years covered by the present application. I was unaware that any educated person in this country, particularly those working in the property area, would not know that Louisiana was purchased, by the U.S., from France in 1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S. ownership was obtained from France, which had acquired it by Right of Conquest from Spain. The land came into the possession of Spain by Right of Discovery made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the Spanish monarch, Isabella. The good queen, Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as careful about titles as the FHA, took the precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus' expedition. Now the Pope, as I'm sure you may know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and God, it is commonly accepted, created this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that God also made that part of the world called Louisiana. God, therefore, would be the owner of origin and His origins date back to before the beginning of time, the world as we know it AND the FHA. I hope you find God's original claim to be satisfactory. Now, may we have our loan?" The loan was approved.

It's Time to Rethink the Definition of "Home"

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, the older population, those persons 65 years or older, numbered 37.3 million in 2006. They represented 12.4 percent of the U.S. population, about one in every eight Americans. By 2030, there will be about 71.5 million older persons, more than twice their number in 2000, or 20 percent of the population. As Bob Dylan's 1964 anthem so aptly noted, "The Times They Are a-Changin," but are builders changing with these times? Are they taking advantage of this social and demographic shift? Or, are they conducting business as usual? Progressive builders understand that for older Americans, a home is much more than a place to live. It is increasingly becoming a smaller part of a larger community of like-minded individuals who seek easy access to products, services and other life-enhancing features that meet their needs and desires as older adults. By creating a community of people and businesses to rally around, particularly when it consists of individuals who may not otherwise interact, older adults flourish; a win-win scenario for builders who had the vision to enhance their bottom lines by filling market space capacity created by the demands coming from a dynamic older American demographic. "We serve our residents with respect and dignity in a comfortable, enjoyable and safe community with opportunities to choose additional services according to need and personal preference," said Bill Kaplan, Co-founder and CEO, Senior Lifestyle Corporation. "To their families we provide a support system and peace of mind in the confident knowledge that their loved ones will be cared for with sensitivity, expertise and compassion." Senior Lifestyle Corporation, creators of premier residential communities and the nation's sixth-largest senior living specialist, help older adults enjoy healthier, more fulfilling lives, and offer independent living for every economic level, from luxury to mid-market to affordable. "Each Senior Lifestyle community serves a unique group of people, and we tailor every aspect -- from menus to activities to wellness programs -- to meet their particular needs," added Kaplan. If the statistics above are not convincing enough for builders to consider adding "senior living services specialist" as an ancillary product, perhaps these numbers will. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the federal government will face a fiscal crisis as the cost of entitlement programs for Older Adults is expected to exceed revenues with the retirement of the baby boomers. From the consumer perspective, AARP data consistently shows 9-in-10 older adults want to, or by necessity, will "age in place" or stay in a home with living services and other like-minded individuals for the remainder of their lives. Furthermore, AARP surveys of younger adults (age 45 and older) also indicate the vast majority of adults (better than 80 percent) want to age in place and expect to receive the services needed to do so. From this vantage point, it only makes sense that builders place greater attention and resources on increasing opportunities for and improved quality of community-based services, in step with consumer trends and demographic shifts. With 71.5 million older adults coming online in 2030, builders need to rethink what the definition of home and what that means to their bottom lines. by Peter Mosca -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2007 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.

NEW Drugs for Women !

DAMNITOL Take 2 and the rest of the world can go to hell for up to 8 full hours. EMPTYNESTROGEN Suppository that eliminates melancholy and loneliness by reminding you of how awful they were as teenagers and how you couldn't wait till they moved out. ST. MOMMA'S WORT Plant extract that treats mom's depression by rendering preschoolers unconscious for up to two days. PEPTOBIMBO Liquid silicone drink for single women. Two full cups swallowed before an evening out increases breast size, decreases intelligence, and prevents conception. DUMBEROL When taken with Peptobimbo, can cause dangerously low IQ, resulting in enjoyment of country music and pickup trucks. FLIPITOR Increases life expectancy of commuters by controlling road rage and the urge to flip off other drivers. MENICILLIN Potent anti-boy-otic for older women. Increases resistance to such lethal lines as, "You make me want to be a better person." BUYAGRA Injectable stimulant taken prior to shopping. Increases potency, duration, and credit limit of spending spree. JACKASSPIRIN Relieves headache caused by a man who can't remember your birthday, anniversary, phone number, or to lift the toilet seat. ANTI-TALKSIDENT A spray carried in a purse or wallet to be used on anyone too eager to share their life stories with total strangers in elevators. NAGAMENT When administered to a boyfriend or husband, provides the same irritation level as nagging him. Now, send these to any woman who needs a good laugh, and any man who can handle it.