The History of the fourth of July

Happy fourth of July everyone. Be Safe and God Bless America


Background
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is the annual celebration of nationhood. It commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

The Congress had voted in favor of independence from Great Britain on July 2 but did not actually complete the process of revising the Declaration of Independence, originally drafted by Thomas Jefferson in consultation with fellow committee members John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and William Livingston, until two days later. The celebration was initially modeled on that of the king's birthday, which had been marked annually by bell ringing, bonfires, solemn processions and oratory. Such festivals had long played a significant role in the Anglo-American political tradition. Especially in the 17th and 18th centuries, when dynastic and religious controversies racked the British Empire (and much of the rest of Europe), the choice of which anniversaries of historic events were celebrated and which were lamented had clear political meanings. The ritual of toasting the king and other patriot-heroes—or of criticizing them—became an informal kind of political speech, further formalized in mid-18th century when the toasts given at taverns and banquets began to be reprinted in newspapers.

Early Years
In the early stages of the revolutionary movement in the colonies during the 1760s and early 1770s, patriots used such celebrations to proclaim their resistance to Parliament's legislation while lauding the king as the real defender of English liberties. However, the marking of the first days of independence during the summer of 1776 actually took the form in many towns of a mock funeral for the king, whose “death” symbolized the end of monarchy and tyranny and the rebirth of liberty.

During the early years of the republic, Independence Day was commemorated with parades, oratory and toasting, in ceremonies that celebrated the existence of the new nation. These rites played an equally important role in the evolving federal political system. With the rise of informal political parties, they provided venues for leaders and constituents to tie local and national contests to independence and the issues facing the national polity. By the mid-1790s, the two nascent political parties held separate, partisan Independence Day festivals in most larger towns. Perhaps for this reason, Independence Day became the model for a series of (often short-lived) celebrations that sometimes contained more explicit political resonance, such as Washington's birthday and the anniversary of Jefferson's inauguration while he served as president (1801–09).

19th Century Celebrations
The bombastic torrent of words that characterized Independence Day during the 19th century made it both a serious occasion and one sometimes open to ridicule—like the increasingly popular and democratic political process itself in that period. With the growth and diversification of American society, the Fourth of July commemoration became a patriotic tradition which many groups—not just political parties—sought to claim. Abolitionists, women's rights advocates, the temperance movement, and opponents of immigration (nativists) all seized the day and its observance, in the process often declaring that they could not celebrate with the entire community while an un-American perversion of their rights prevailed.

A Modern Holiday
With the rise of leisure, the Fourth also emerged as a major midsummer holiday. The prevalence of heavy drinking and the many injuries caused by setting off fireworks prompted reformers of the late 19th and the early 20th century to mount a Safe and Sane Fourth of July movement. During the later 20th century, although it remained a national holiday marked by parades, concerts of patriotic music and fireworks displays, Independence Day declined in importance as a venue for politics. It remains a potent symbol of national power and of specifically American qualities—even the freedom to stay at home and barbecue.

June Newsletter

What Brewing in Real Estate?

Hi all,


Reports: Phoenix housing values improve - Two reports released Tuesday, one local and one national, appear to confirm that housing values are improving in the Phoenix market. ASU’s Repeat Sales Index shows that although prices are lower than one year ago, the declines are not as severe as they have been. “The March figures also show the first monthly increase in the median price of non-foreclosure homes since the end of 2007,” said ASU Professor Karl Guntermann, who is the Fred E. Taylor Professor of Real Estate. “This may signal the start of price stability throughout much of the housing market.” The S&P/Case Shiller Home Price Indices also indicate that housing value declines are beginning to slow in Phoenix with a one-year composite decline hovering at 1.6%. That was one of the smallest declines among 20 metropolitan areas surveyed.
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2010/04/26/daily22.html?s=industry&i=resi_real_estate

Real Estate Outlook: Signs of Recovery - Sales of existing single family homes jumped by 7.3% in March, according to the National Association of Realtors survey released last Thursday, and were 13% above year-earlier levels. Median single family prices were up by 9% year over year in the Northeast region, and by about 7% in the South, Midwest and the West. Meanwhile, unsold inventory dropped by two percent in March, and is now 22 percent below its peak in July 2008. March single family housing starts rose by 1.6% to their highest level since November of 2008. Bottom line this week: Think positive. Because that's where we're headed in real estate and the economy overall. Read full article:
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20100428_realestateoutlook.htm

Additional articles that you may find of interest:

Expert: Housing prices in Valley flat
http://www.azcentral.com/business/realestate/articles/2010/04/28/20100428phoenix-housing-prices.html

The Valley's priciest home sales
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2010/04/28/20100428biz-donedeals0428.html

Refi: FHA or conventional?
Does it make sense to refinance into a conventional mortgage? Or is an FHA refi better?
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/refinancing-into-a-conventional-mortgage.aspx

Blessings,
Patty

What's Brewing in Real estate?

Hello all,
I hope the following information is useful. If you are still looking to buy we have until April 30th to get a contract in. Get pre-approved and let's go shopping.



Proposal to slash business property taxes on the table - Large commercial property tax breaks are included in a tax-cut plan under consideration at the Arizona Legislature. Business property taxes, which currently are as high as 20%, could be cut to 1% for 10 years for developers, property owners or businesses making building renovations or doing new construction of $250 million or more. These entities also must hire at least 150 new workers for their projects and qualify under Arizona Department of Commerce rules aimed at attracting and retaining high-wage jobs with benefits. Capital investments and developments of $1 million to $250 million that create at least 15 jobs could result in a 5% property tax rate, down from 20%.
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2010/04/19/story2.html?b=1271649600^3199621&s=industry&i=commercial_real_estate

Real Estate Outlook: Faster Recovery? - It's been a long time since we've seen the Wall Street Journal run a front-page article suggesting that the national economy appears to be rebounding faster than most analysts forecast. But that happened last week. And over the past couple of years, we haven't seen retail sales -- a key barometer of consumer confidence -- jump by almost two% in a single month. But we saw that last week as well. Housing activity is also up in 11 of the 12 bank districts. Freddie Mac's economists expect to see total home sales this year at least 10% higher than last year, even with the possibility of higher mortgage interest rates.
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20100419_realestateoutlook.htm


Take Care,

Patty

Changes to FHA loan programs

Hello all,

If you are in the process of thinking of purchasing a home, this new information is of value. Please read. Thank you and once again I hope this information is a valuable tool.


Important Changes to FHA Loan Programs
What do they mean for home buyers?

Mortgage Insurance Premiums

In order to replenish its barren reserves, FHA will increase the upfront mortgage insurance premium it charges to home buyers for obtaining an FHA loan. The insurance protects the lender in case the homeowner defaults on the loan. Recently FHA has paid a lot of claims and its reserves have suffered the effects. Therefore they are increasing the amount of the upfront premium from 1.75% of the loan amount to 2.25% beginning April 5. [cid:image002.jpg@01CAA328.93320A70]

new things happening

Lots of new things happening. As new things come up I will post them.


Foreclosures, short sales bring tourists seeking cheap houses - In foreclosure tourism, out-of-towners take mini-vacations in the Valley to shop for foreclosure and short-sale bargains as investments, second homes and even primary residences. Jordan Rose, managing partner of Rose Law Group in Scottsdale has received dozens of calls from foreclosure tourists from New York, New Jersey and the Midwest who are looking at suburban markets that have seen home value declines and a substantial number of foreclosures and short sales. Rose said out-of-state investors and buyers comprise the bulk of her real estate business right now. “Nearly all the buyers we talk to — dozens over the last two weeks — have at least out-of-town financial backers. Money is trying to flow into Arizona right now,” she said.
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2010/01/18/story8.html?b=1263790800^2728141&s=industry&i=resi_real_estate

Government lifts rule discouraging flipping; homes can be bought and resold within 90 days - In a move that could make foreclosed properties more attractive to investors and increase the number of homes available to first-time buyers, the federal government is temporarily lifting a prohibition against providing FHA mortgage insurance for homes that are resold within 90 days. The waiver on the purchase of flipped houses with FHA mortgages, which begins February 1 and is effective for one year, “will give FHA borrowers access to a broader array of recently foreclosed properties,” HUD said Friday in announcing the change. Conditions attached to the waiver are expected to prevent what HUD called “predatory practices” by investors. For instance when a house is resold within 90 days of purchase at a price that is 20 percent higher, the seller would have to justify the increase, such as by showing how much was spent on repairs and renovation.
http://www.pe.com/business/local/stories/PE_Web_FHA.8f462821.html

I hope is information is valuable to you.

Take Care,
Patty

Best offer may not be the higest.

Hello all,
I hope your Christmas and New Years were great. Many blessing to you and your families for 2010.

If you are selling or buying this information below should shed some light on the contract you are receiving or if you are purchasing.


Daily Real Estate News | December 29, 2009 | Share
The Highest Offer May Not Be the Best
Sellers who get more than one offer should be aware that the highest offer isn’t necessarily the best offer, say experienced practitioners.

In this tough market, going with the buyer who has enough cash to pay a large down payment and who won’t be scared away if the inspection uncovers some needed repairs is often the wise choice.

Practitioners should encourage sellers to review all the terms and conditions of the sales contract. In some areas, the allocation of fees can take a big bite out of the net proceeds. While most contracts are written to reflect that, it isn’t always the case.

Also, the closing date in the offer should be considered carefully. A buyer who can close quickly can save a seller thousands. Offers contingent on the sale of another property are particularly suspect in this market.

Source: Inman News, Dian Hymer (12/28/2009)


All My Best,
Patty