EntirelyHomes.com

Foreclosures, Job Loss, And Depression!

2009-04-07T08:46:00.003-04:00

Foreclosure filings are at record levels, then they level off, then news reports start talking about "ghost listings", and more foreclosures come to light, but then "new" figures are released and things look on the rise again. Jobless rates are rising, and economists debate whether the U.S. is in recession, depression, going through inflation or deflation. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that things are a mess! With the level of confidence that all these warm and fuzzy reports bring, millions of Americans are now just simply trying to weather the storm and wait it all out.

While millions of Americans wait it all out, try and notice something in the various "news" reports...they are very politically slanted, pretty much everyone of them these days! News outlets that lean toward the Democrats site improvements in the economy, while news outlets that lean toward the Rebulicans site declines in the economy, leaving millions of Americans smack in the middle without a job, and doing everything just to pay for day to day survival.

As powerless as many Americans may feel, there is a lot that Americans can do about the state of affairs here in the U.S. Finding work is always a priority, taking care of your health an even bigger priority...make your voice count! The opportunity that is here is in the U.S. is enormous regardless of what your politcal inclanation, just make your voice heard by taking on a more active role in your community. This is a lot harder than it sounds! If 10% of Americans just helped by getting involved local communities more confidence would quickly spread, and now imagine if 40% of Americans were involved in their local community!

If all the events in the U.S. and the various political debates leave you numb, jaded, and even more cynical, get over it! You can always have your voice heard, however, with freewill comes the freedom not to decide...What's your choice?

Apartment Overhaul

2009-03-26T13:27:00.002-04:00

For now, you have to simply stay put...you don't desire to stay in the apartment in your in perhaps, but times are tough, and you must. No matter how tough times may be, how you live is always within your control. A funny phenomenon occurs for many new home owners anyway, they end up with even more "stuff"/"possessions" as time moves on...just like apartment and condo dwellers. So perhaps these tough times overhauling your apartment space will further enhance your home owning experience when that time comes.

Let's say for the arguement sake, that your hypothetical apartment has two bedrooms, one bath, a small kitchen, and has four closets...there are two adults, and two children sharing this living space. Both adults are working very hard to keep the bills current for daily survival, and are not getting to thier savings goal for owning a home, while meagerly trying to save for the childrens education, also foregoing any retirement savings currently as there simply isn't enough income. Tough times...Clothes are stacked up in corners, closets packed...doom, gloom, and misery.

A huge component to any living space, is the occupant's schedule. A few fundemental questions to yourself concerning your schedule versus the needs of your living space should be raised...are you watching more than 10 hours of television per week? Is one day set aside every week for household chores? The occupant's schedule determines a lot of any living space. The occupant's use of their schedule defines an aweful lot of a living space.

With the doom, gloom, and misery presented with the hypothetical apartment, let's start in on tackling a project! well, begin the blog discussions about projects...*CAUTION* Every reality show, home rennovation show, Martha Stewart, etc...they all paint a fantasy of what you could be doing, or perhaps wish to be doing...even this very website can do a bit of the same, so please use *CAUTION*.

What room should go first?

Winging It In Fear Bubbles

2009-03-20T13:25:00.004-04:00

Running to the safety of government treasuries? Do you know what "government treasuries" are? Most likely you, like most of us, don't know where any safe place is these days...it's OK, there is enough fear going on in the U.S. not to mention the rest of the world.

Here in the U.S. new misery buzzwords like "stay cation", or even "nay cation" are getting to be the norm...well here at EntirelyHomes.com we plan on keeping a stiff upper lip, and keep the flag of American home ownership waving as proudly as possible.

After reading an article: http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20090312_invest.htm - I actually agree with a lot of this article's opinion. "Live where you want to live", well a whole lot of average home seekers would love to be able to apply that, but in an environment of little jobs, tough credit, plus the other myriad of bad news...the reality for most American home seekers should be, "Live as best as you can, where you can"...

Even in the best of times, the older I get, the more I realize how many of us are forced to "wing it". Now that times are tough to say the least, winging it has taken a new meaning for millions of Americans.

So here we all are, smack dab in a massive bubble of fear and tough news...is now a time to "wing it"? of course not! So what can be done to stop winging it in these rough times? Use your head...don't lose your head.

Lists, and following up and through on them is really a great start. Need a job? Need a new living space? Maybe it's just a matter of organizing what you already have...The art of organizing yourself, keeping yourself organized, and following through for yourself is the ultimate key to breaking the cycle of winging it in these tough times - or even when times are good!

Times are tough, trying to forget about troubles won't make them go away...winging it can work here and there, but not for very long. I think it pretty helpful for myself to write this blog, as it reminds myself of what it is I need to do...I can get side-tracked very easily, and without lists, and milestone/goal related organization, well this thickheaded real estate fan would be in even worse shape.

The revamping of EntirelyHomes.com is going WAY slower than I would like...but following the few scribbles on my list has helped a lot...

The best flight to safety is yourself, your family, and your friends...investments come and go, living spaces can always be made better just by putting your heart into it.

Don't be afraid...and stop winging it!

Rearranging Closets

2009-03-19T14:05:00.000-04:00

How many closets does your home have? Before you answer not enough...having enough closets in a home is a rarity. Making the best of a closet is a true challenge. So, let's talk closets!

The Dreaded House Chores

2009-03-19T13:46:00.000-04:00

Pay as you go and you will never owe! So by putting off until tomorrow what can be done today, blah, blah, blah!!!

The hopes of this blog thread are to share house cleaning tips, share cynical views of jaded misery, and hopefully keep root'n for each other to turn what can be percieved as dread into progress. Doing laundry, washing windows, using that vaccume or mop, and for those with or without a dishwasher - washing dishes...

Let's start talking about house chores! EntireHomes.com

Finding A Home - Buying A House

2009-03-19T12:14:00.000-04:00

Finding a home and buying a house are far from being the same. Real Estate Investors buy houses, average home seekers should be looking for a home. Of course owning a home here in the U.S. is a core American Dream value or aspriration, however, finding a home does not always mean buying a house.

Houses are the largest purchase that most Americans will ever make in their lifetime. Owning a home can do a lot of good for anyone that's for sure, but here at EntirelyHomes.com we wish to discuss the realities. If renting a house, condominium, or apartment is what your current situation demands, how you live has a lot to do with your ability to change where you live. There are plenty of U.S. citizens having a hard time just to be able to rent a home or share an apartment, that topic will be discussed in future blogs...

There is a saying, "It's better to bare the shame, than to bare the pain...", but Americans work hard, and are very proud. This pride can lead to credit card debt, 2nd/3rd mortgages, and for some home owners, the dreaded foreclosure notice. So before you let the pride and glory of home ownership become too intoxicating, consider this: Are you doing everything you possibly can, with what you already have?

A better neighborhood, a better view, more space, fireplaces, pools, etc...these are all fine pursuits to upgrade one's living space with, and as boring as this might sound, is your sock drawer actually organized?

Here at EntirelyHomes.com we are not suggesting that by simply keeping your room clean all of your problems will be solved. Now for the long-winded point/question, how together is your life?

Home being where the heart is, a living space is what you make of it.

Let's say you live in a 2 bedroom apartment, have 2 children, are forced to work 2 jobs, plus be subjugated to 2 ultra-conservatives per week telling you that your circumstances are all your own doing. You're constantly tired, and your morale is very low from having low selfesteem...there still is and will always be, hope! (Example/Tip): Begin the daunting task of self reinvention by spending 20 minutes before bed each night drawing up a list of priorities for the next day, do this EVERY night before bed.

No matter how tough things are, there is always hope. Buying a house is not the same as finding a home. How you live is far more important than where you live. Your home is a sancturay, it's your headquarters, it's the foundation of your day from start til finish.

Real Estate Investors

2009-03-18T22:31:00.000-04:00

What has happened to real estate investors? Nothing has happened to real estate investors, what's happened are how many real estate investors have decided to sit on the side lines, or just can't get credit...

EntirelyHomes.com Blog

2009-03-18T21:08:00.000-04:00

EntirelyHomes.com blog area launch. Everything for a home, and great ways to live better.