New CHP Laws on cell phones
Going into
Effective July 1st 2008
DRIVER 18 AND OVER
- Drivers 18 and over will be allowed to use a hands- free device to talk on their wireless telephone while driving.
- The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving.
- It is legal to use a Blue Tooth or other earpiece so long as only one ear is uncovered.
- Speaker phone is acceptable to use while driving. The law does not specifically prohibit it its use, but an officer can pull over and issue a citation to drivers of any age if, in the officer’s opinion, the driver was distracted and not operating the vehicle safely. Text paging while driving is unsafe at any speed and strongly discouraged.
DRIVERS UNDER 18
- No drivers under the age of 18 may use a wireless telephone, pager, laptop, or any other electronic communication or mobile services device to speak or to text while driving in any manner, even hands free.
- The exception is in emergency situation to call police, fire or medical authorities.
- Statistics show that teen drivers are more likely than older drivers to be involved in crashes because they lack driving experience and tend to take greater risks. Teen drivers are vulnerable to driving distractions such as talking with passengers, eating, or drinking and talking or texting on wireless phones, which increase the change of getting involved in serious vehicle crashes.
- Parents cannot grant permission to allow the use wireless telephones while driving.
- For drivers under the age or 18, this considered a SECOND violation meaning that a law enforcement officer may cite you for using a hands- free wireless phone if you were pulled over for another violation. However, the prohibition against using a handheld telephone while driving is a PRIMARY violation for which a law enforcement officer can pull you over.
Fines
- First offence- $20
- Second Offence - $50
DRIVE SAFELY
Not goodbye, just see you soon.
So you are moving. Well try the following suggestions for a little peace of mind.
- Provide the post office with your forwarding address two to four weeks ahead of the move.
- Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of your change of address.
- Create a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified about your move.
- Arrange to disconnect utilities and have them connected at your new home.
- Cancel the newspaper, or change the address so it will arrive at your new home.
- Check insurance coverage for the items you’re moving. Usually movers only cover what they pack.
- Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable.
- Note the weight of the goods you’ll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed according to weight. Watch for movers that use excessive padding to add weight.
- Check with your condo or co-op about any restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits for moving.
- Have a “first open” box with the things you’ll need most, such as toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, and toothpaste.
Plus, if you’re moving out of town, be sure to:
- Get copies of medical and dental records and prescriptions for your family and your pets.
- Get copies of children’s school records for transfer.
- Ask friends for introductions to anyone they know in your new neighborhood.
- Consider special car needs for pets when traveling.
- Let a friend or relative know your route.
- Empty your safety deposit box.
- Put plants in boxes with holes for air circulation if you’re moving in cold weather.
Embrace change, Change is good.
No, No, No! Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Don’t sell my information. Tired of unsolicited sales, pitches? You can, “0pt Out” Having your credit checked is an important and necessary step in the home buying process. It is also beneficial in helping to safeguard your credit rating and protecting against any inaccuracies which may be used against you in securing credit. However, those checking their credit should be aware of a potential downside. Their inquiry with the credit bureaus Equifax, Trans Union, Experian and Innovis) could result in that information being sold by these credit bureaus to mortgage, insurance and other companies resulting in a flood of unsolicited fiancé offers, etc. Mortgage companies are consistently ask by their clients why they are receiving unsolicited mailings. This is the result in part, of their data being sold by the credit bureaus—Mortgage companies do not ever sell their client’s data to mailing houses or others.
How does this happen?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the consumers credit reporting companies are permitted to include these names on lists used by creditors or insurers to make the unsolicited “firm offer of credit” or insurance . The benefits of this structure are that consumers can be provided with product choices, learn about offers that my not be available to the general public, or receive information so they can “comparison shop.” What ends up frequently happening is a barrage of unsolicited mailings. The good news is that the FCRA also provides the right to “Opt-Out” which prevents Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your credit file information for firm offers of credit.
What Can I do?
The consumer credit reporting industries has provided a way to “Opt-Out” pm “firm offer of credit” and removes your name from these lists. You can contact them by phone at 888 567-8688 or online at www.optoutprescreen.com via this means consumers can opt out for either a 5 year period or permanently (requires a printed form submission which can be obtained from the web site). Opting out will not impact a borrower’s ability to secure credit or insurance. By opting out, you can help to reduce the amount of unsolicited mailing you receive substantially. If you are interest in protecting your privacy, “opt out” TODAY.
An save some trees while you are at it. “Keep it Green”
Getting Organized at Tax Time May Save Time and Money
For many people, the approach of April 15 means a mad scramble to gather receipts, bank records and other papers needed to prepare their tax returns. Then, with the returns safely in the mail, they store their important papers in drawers, shoe boxes and other spots—until the next tax season, when they scramble once again. This year, why not break the habit of disorganization, and use tax time as an opportunity to permanently give order to your personal and financial affairs? In the case of papers and belongings that are valuable or irreplaceable, the best storage is in the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) classified fire-resistant storage container.
What should you put in your fire-protective container—and how long should it stay there? Here are the guidelines for some of the most common documents:
Documents Suggested Storage Time
Birth & Death Certificates
Indefinitely
Contracts
7 years after contract expires
Deeds _____________________________
Indefinitely
Tax Records
At least 6 years
Bank & Credit Card Records
6 years
Health Records
Indefinitely
Mortgage, Loan Papers
3 years after loan is paid off
Insurance Policies
4 years from expiration date
Home & Property Inventory
Indefinitely (update)(Purchase dates, serial numbers, details of heirlooms, etc…)
Marriage Cert., Divorce, Custody, Adoption Papers
Indefinitely
Passport _
Indefinitely
Stock & Bond Certificates
4 years after sold
Owner’s Manuals, Warranties
As long as you own item
Wills
Indefinitely
Welcome to our Blog!!!
Is this a good time to buy? Owning is always better than Renting . Yes, believe me. I have over a decade of experience but this is the one question that I have heard over and over again. The answer is No for landlords who collect your money, get their property mortgage paid, and enjoy a bling bling life style paid by your hard earned dollars. Yes, this too can be your life style, if you follow a few simple steps in Real Estate. The first step is being in the game with a place for you and your family. After that other steps become closer to leading you to the bling bling you deserve.
Just visit us at WeSpeakRealEstate.com let me, Linda Castellanos and my husband Hector Gutierrez guide you to become a home owner. Yes, you can. Someone you know did it! WeSpeakRealEstate.com and that is all we do, even our 4 year old daughter Madeline and our 2 year old Katherine have picked up some real estate lingo. We predict our little alpha girls will be ready for their own investing soon. Hector’s focus is improving your real estate portfolio:
- Create Cash Flow
- Build Wealth
- Protect Assets
- Plan Retirement
Hector Gutierrez follows all the steps to plan the life you have always pictured. Since becoming an entrepreneur, he has been focused on helping people through his knowledge and own experiences. “When people find out what life can offer them, it can empower them to excel in whatever they do”. Hector has always set numbers to which progress can be measured. “Numbers don’t lie and aren’t always pretty, but it is most effective method towards improvement”. The use of this concept has been invaluable towards putting together multiple projects and making them efficient and profitable.
My priority is selling or listing various types of real estate.
I earned my reputation as a leader in my former career in the legal field, for me, strengthening the relationships with clients “It is always been extremely important to me to make others feel comfortable.” I truly believe in the power of having a well informed client make a well informed decision. Pair that with, my strong negotiation skills, unwavering dedication, solid commitment, over a decade of experience and you have me, Linda Castellanos a professional who sets her sights on achieving real estate results. My assertive style makes it obvious that my client’s goals become my first priority.
The only thing to say is,
WELCOME to the best real estate experience.
