Michael Petruccelli asks; Here is another way to achieve normalcy..Family fun...How to can peaches?

Michael Petruccelli says;  I was going to do this piecemeal in a few blogs but decided it might be best to give the recipe & instructions all at once....INGREDIENTS - 6 one quart canning jars with rings and self seal lids, 11 pounds of ripe peaches, 1 package of ascorbic or citric acid, 2 quarts unsweetened apple or white grape juice. HOW TO - Step One- Sterilize canning jars and ring by simmering them in hot water for at least 10 minutes, until ready to use. Have the lids nearby. Step Two -I n another saucepan, dip fruit into boiling water for 30-60 seconds, until the skins loosen. Dip quickly into cold water and slip off skins. Cut peaches in half, remove the pits and slice. Mix the ascorbic or citric acid with water according the package directions & coat the peach slices to prevent darkening. Step Three - Pack peaches slices in jars, almost to the top. Step Four - Bring the apple or white grape juice to a boil and ladle it over the peaches, leaving 1/2 inch of head-space. Step Five - Adjust lids and process in a boiling - water canner, with jars covered by 2 inches of boiling water, for 20-25 minutes. Remove jars from canner and allow to cool for 12 hours. Step Six - Unscrew metal rings to make sure the lids are sealed. (Each lid should be indented in the center.) Store in a cool, dry, dark place for no longer than one year. Note- Write the date canned on a piece of masking tape or file folder label & adhere to jar or lid.

Michael Petruccelli asks; Can I become a home-buyer even if I have I've had bad credit, and don't have much for a down-payment?

Michael Petruccelli says; You may be a good candidate for one of the Federal mortgage programs Start by contacting one of the HUD-funded housing counseling agencies that can help you sort through your options. Also, contact your local government to see if there are any local home-buying programs that might work for you. Look in the blue pages of your phone directory for your local office of housing and community development or, if you can't find it, contact your mayor's office or your county executive's office.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What are "HUD homes," and are they a good deal?

Michael Petruccelli says;  HUD homes can be a very good deal. When someone with a HUD insured mortgage can't meet the payments, the lender forecloses on the home; HUD pays the lender what is owed; and HUD takes ownership of the home. Then we sell it at market value as quickly as possible. Read all about buying a HUD home. Check our listings of HUD homes and homes being sold by other federal agencies.

Michael Petruccelli asks; How long will it take after a hurricane to get back to normal?

Michael Petruccelli says; after the storm, it's time to assess the damage. keep your battery operated radio close for news reports about damage and road closures, power outages and emergency  instructions. With three to seven days of uncertainty, depending on the storm, you'll need to rely upon what you've stored for food, water & medications and entertainment. If the county is hit with a Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane, it could be weeks or months before life gets back to normal.

Michael Petruccelli asks; Can you share a few safety tips for after the storm & during the recovery phase.

Michael Petruccelli says; Generator safety 101...Home generators provide limited power during a prolonged power outage. Use them to keep a refrigerator cold, run a fan, recharge your cell phone(s) or operate a microwave oven. Generators can make storm recovery more comfortable, but they can also harm or kill if not used correctly. Some generator dangers are Carbon Monoxide (CO) Hazard. a colorless, odorless gas, produced from burning fuel, that is deadly even in small amounts. Always use generators outdoors, away from doors, windows or vents.

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you keep the children calm after the storm?

Michael Petruccelli says; Keep in mind - family is always the most important thing, always! Try to keep the routine & schedule you had before the storm. It helps give everyone a sense of normalcy. Always think before you speak about the damage or heart ship you are experiencing when with in a ears reach of the children. You don't want them to be any more traumatized by this event that what has already transpired. Play, laugh and have fun with what you have. Play tag to burn off some of that pent up anxiety & energy. Help others in the neighborhood, to help create a sense of community. This way they see that what has happened has happened to everybody, not just them. Always reassure them you are there for them.

Michael Petruccelli asks; Here is another way to achieve normalcy..Family fun...How to can peaches? (part 1)

Michael Petruccelli says; Here is a simple way to can peaches. You will need 6 one quart canning jars with rings and self seal lids, 11 pounds of ripe peaches, 1 package of ascorbic or citric acid, 2 quarts unsweetened apple or white grape juice.

Step one- Sterilize canning jars and ring by simmering them in hot water for at least 10 minutes, until ready to use. Have the lids nearby. Step two-In another saucepan, dip fruit into boiling water for 30-60 seconds, until the skins loosen. Dip quickly into cold water and slip off skins. Cut peaches in half, remove the pits and slice. Mix the ascorbic or citric acid with water according the package directions & coat the peach slices to prevent darkening......Look for the next steps in my next blog.

Michael Petruccelli asks; If I were to stay at home during a hurricane, what items should I consider keeping in my "stay kit" (survival kit).

Michael Petruccelli says; Here is a list of items to consider for your stay kit; One weeks supply of fluids to drink and food that requires no cooking. ready to eat canned meats, fruits & vegetables. Nuts, beef jerky & trail mix. Raisins, peanut butter and granola bars. Formula & or baby food. Canned or boxed fruit juices & sport drinks. One gallon of water per person per day. Non electric can opener. Utility knife. Cups, plates and plastic utensils. Cooler & ice. Pet food.

Michael Petruccelli asks; If I were to stay at home during a hurricane, what first aid supplies should I consider keeping in my "stay kit".

Michael Petruccelli says; Adhesive bandages, gauze pads & tape. Soap & antibacterial hand gel. Antiseptic, Latex gloves, scissors & tweezers. Thermometer, Sunscreen. Over the counter pain reliever & fever reducer. Anti-diarrhea medicine/laxative, Anti-itch cream.

Michael Petruccelli asks; If I were to stay at home during a hurricane, what tools & emergency supplies should I consider keeping in my "stay kit" (survival kit).

Michael Petruccelli says; Flashlights & lanterns. Battery operated radio. Extra batteries. Matches/ lighter in a waterproof container. Compass and local maps with shelter locations ( just in case). A shut off wrench and other tools. Paper & pencils. Plastic tarps & sheeting. Elastic cords or rope. Insect repellent. Battery operated cell phone quick charger.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What is the new family circle?

Michael Petruccelli says; A recent AARP study of householders 50 or older showed than in just 2 years - from 2008 to 2010 the percentage of multigenerational households in the US increased more than in the previous 8 years. This change coincided with the downturn in the national economy, and these households now include almost 10% of the American population.

Michael Petruccelli asks; Who's in the new family circle?

Michael Petruccelli says; According to the AARP study of Householder 50+: 2,500,000 have child & grandchild living with them. 2,200,000 have parent living with them. 1,200,000 have parent and a child living with them. 1,100,000 have grandchild living with them. 68,000 have parent, child & grandchild living with them. 25,000 have parent and a grandchild living with them.

Michael Petruccelli asks; Who has the new family circle?

Michael Petruccelli says; This means about 7 million U.S. households are now multigenerational. According to the AARP study of householders 50 or older the results are as follows by race/ethnicity; 25.9% Hispanic, 23.7% Black, 17.7% other & 8.7% White.  

Michael Petruccelli asks; With this new family dynamic also comes a fuller house, (and of course the generation gap still exists) but how did the numbers grow over the past 8 -10 years?

Michael Petruccelli says; According to the AARP study- in 2000 there were 20.9 million Americans living in multigenerational households, 2002 there were 22 million Americans living in multigenerational households, 2004 there were 23.2 million Americans living in multigenerational households, 2006 there were 23.3 million Americans living in multigenerational households, 2008 there were 25.1 million Americans living in multigenerational households & in 2010 there were 29.2 million Americans living in multigenerational households.

Michael Petruccelli asks; Are there special home-ownership grants or programs for single parents?

Michael Petruccelli says; There is help available. Start by becoming familiar with the home buying process and pick a good real estate broker. Although as a single parent, you won't have the benefit of two incomes on which to qualify for a loan, consider getting pre-qualified, so that when you find a house you like in your price range you won't have the delay of trying to get qualified. Contact one of the HUD-funded housing counseling agency in your area to talk through other options for help that might be available to you. Research buying a HUD home, as they can be very good deals. Also, contact your local government to see if there are any local housing programs that could help you. Look in the blue pages of your phone directory for your local office of housing and community development or, if you can't find it, contact your mayor's office or your county executive's office.

Michael Petruccelli asks; Do you need a realtor to purchase a HUD home.

Michael Petruccelli says; If you want to buy a HUD home you will be required to use a real estate broker to submit your bid. To find a broker who sells HUD homes, check your local yellow pages or the classified section of your local newspaper.

Michael Petruccelli asks; Should I use a real estate broker? How do I find one?

Michael Petruccelli says; Using a real estate broker is a very good idea. All the details involved in home buying, particularly the financial ones, can be mind-boggling. A good real estate professional can guide you through the entire process and make the experience much easier. A real estate broker will be well-acquainted with all the important things you'll want to know about a neighborhood you may be considering...the quality of schools, the number of children in the area, the safety of the neighborhood, traffic volume, and more. He or she will help you figure the price range you can afford and search the classified ads and multiple listing services for homes you'll want to see. With immediate access to homes as soon as they're put on the market, the broker can save you hours of wasted driving-around time. When it's time to make an offer on a home, the broker can point out ways to structure your deal to save you money. He or she will explain the advantages and disadvantages of different types of mortgages, guide you through the paperwork, and be there to hold your hand and answer last-minute questions when you sign the final papers at closing. And you don't have to pay the broker anything! The payment comes from the home seller - not from the buyer.

Michael Petruccelli asks; Are you using your IRA monies to purchase Real Estate? (Part 1)

Michael Petruccelli says; If you are here are some things to know.. According to Investment Company Institute Research, "There are approximately 2 trillion dollars invested in IRAs" Baby boomers and other wealthy people own a big bulk of this money. Most of these people have large estates, therefore have other assets to live on, and they will end up passing their IRAs to their family members down the road. Their family members will pay as much as 70 cents on each dollar they inherit between the estate tax and income tax on these IRAs-can this happen to you?

Michael Petruccelli asks; Are you using your IRA monies to purchase Real Estate? (Part 3)

Michael Petruccelli says; You can buy a commercial building, land, second home, condominium, an office, rental property, a ranch, etc. This approach takes a design (blueprint) that can save you thousands upon thousands of dollars in taxes and/or depreciation and other write-off's throughout your lifetime.

Michael Petruccelli asks; How much money will I have to come up with to buy a home?

Michael Petruccelli says; Well it depends on a number of factors, including the cost of the house and type of mortgage you get. In general, you need to come up with enough money to cover three costs: earnest money- the deposit you make on the home when you submit your offer, to prove to the seller that you are serious about wanting to buy the house; the down payment. a percentage of the cost of the home that you must pay when you go to settlement; and closing costs, the cost associated with processing the paperwork to buy the house.

Michael Petruccelli asks; When you make an offer on a home where does the earnest money go and does it get applied to the price of the home?

Michael Petruccelli says; Your real estate broker will put your earnest money into an escrow account. If the offer is accepted, your earnest money will be applied to the down payment or closing costs. If your offer is not accepted, your money will be returned to you.  The amount of earnest money varies. If you buy a HUD home for example, your deposit generally will range from $500 - $2,000.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What if you can put more than that into a down payment?

Michael Petruccelli says; The more money you can put into your down payment, the lower your mortgage will be. Some types of loans require 10 - 20% of the purchase price for the down payment. That's why many first-time home-buyers turn to HUD's or FHA for help. FHA loans require 3% down - and sometimes less.

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do I know if I can get a loan?

Michael Petruccelli says;  Use our simple mortgage calculator to see how much mortgage you could pay - that's a good start. If the amount you can afford is significantly less than the cost of homes that interest you, then you might want to wait awhile longer. But before you give up, why don't you contact a real estate broker or a HUD-funded house counseling agency? They will help you evaluate your loan potential. A broker will know what kinds of mortgages the lenders are offering and can help you choose a lender with a program that might be right for you. Another good idea is to get pre-qualified for a loan. That means you go to a lender and apply for a mortgage before you actually start looking for a home. Then you'll know exactly how much you can afford to spend, and it will speed the process once you do find the home of your dreams.

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do I find a lender?

Michael Petruccelli says;  You can finance a home with a loan from a bank, a savings and loan, a credit union, a private mortgage company, or various state government lenders. Shopping for a loan is like shopping for any other large purchase: you can save money if you take some time to look around for the best prices. Different lenders can offer quite different interest rates and loan fees; and as you know, a lower interest rate can make a big difference in how much home you can afford. Talk with several lenders before you decide. Most lenders need 3-6 weeks for the whole loan approval process. Your real estate broker will be familiar with lenders in the area and what they're offering. Or you can look in your local newspaper's real estate section - most papers list interest rates being offered by local lenders. You can find FHA-approved lenders in the Yellow Pages of your phone book. HUD does not make loans directly - you must use a HUD-approved lender if you're interested in an FHA loan.

Michael Petruccelli asks; In addition to the mortgage payment, what other costs do I need to consider?

Michael Petruccelli says;  Well, of course you'll have your monthly utilities. If your utilities have been covered in your rent, this may be new for you. Your real estate broker will be able to help you get information from the seller on how much utilities normally cost. In addition, you might have homeowner association or condo association dues. You'll definitely have property taxes, and you also may have city or county taxes. Taxes normally are rolled into your mortgage payment. Again, your broker will be able to help you anticipate these costs.

Michael Petruccelli asks; When they say a "go bag" or Evacuation Kit what do they mean?

Michael Petruccelli says; This is the bag you will take with you to when you evacuate. If you are going to a public shelter: Pack your essentials, but pack light as space is limited. It is possible may only have space that measures 5 ft x 2 ft. Remember, a public shelter is not a cruise ship, it is a life boat with the mission to save lives. If you go to a relatives or friends home in a non-evacuation area you may have more room but also ask if you can help out by bringing food from home. Stores will close, bottled water & canned goods with be thin pickings. 

Michael Petruccelli asks; When they say a "go bag" or Evacuation Kit what should I pack?

Michael Petruccelli says; Here are some suggested items for a "go bag" (as stated in the Hurricane guide for Pinellas County):

1) medications and copies of prescriptions 2) Non perishable food 3) Special non perishable dietary food 4) Several gallons of drinking water to keep in your vehicle. A minimum of 1 gallon per person per day. 5) Bedding for a small space 6) Infant or child necessities ( wipes, diapers, bottles, formula) 7) Personal hygiene items 8) Change of clothes 9) eye glasses ( if you wear them & as a replacement for contacts) 10) Quiet games, toys or reading materials 11) Important papers & valid ID 12) Cash 13) Phone list 14) Battery operated radio (if the electric goes out) 15) Hand crank can opener for your non perishable foods

 

Michael Petruccelli asks; What steps should I take to prepare my home before I evacuate?

Michael Petruccelli says; Regardless of where you are evacuating, before you leave your home, be sure to do the following (as stated in the Hurricane guide for Pinellas County): 1) Take your valuables and important papers 2) Turn off all utilities (water, electricity, gas) at the main switch 3) Lock windows & doors 4) Fill your gas tank 5) Advise friend or relatives of where you are going.

Michael Petruccelli asks: When can the weather conditions begin to deteriorate, and driving conditions worsen?

Michael Petruccelli says; Even when the storm is a hundred or more miles away the weather conditions begin to deteriorate, and driving conditions will worsen. The most important thing to remember is to do as much as you can before the Warning is issued. Waiting until then will only give you about 24 Hours to complete preparations and evacuate if you are required. If you are registered for transportation to a public shelter, you will only have s few hours after the Evacuation Order before your ride will arrive. Also, waiting until the Warning to drive hundreds of miles increases your risk of being caught in the storm on the road. Remember there are safe options within Pinellas County.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What actions should you take after an evacuation order has been issued?

Michael Petruccelli says; 1) Determine if your residence is affected by the evacuation order (does it include your evacuation zone or do you live in a mobile or manufactured home?) 2) If you are evacuation locally, get to your shelter location within a few hours of evacuation order. Be sure to check which public shelters are open. 3) If you are traveling out of the local area, leave ass quickly as possible to avoid traffic jams. 4) If you are not required to evacuate, prepare a safe room in your home and stay off the roads to enable evacuation traffic to clear the area.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What actions should you take after a Hurricane Warning has been issued?

Michael Petruccelli says; 1) Stay tuned to local news and get your weather radio ready. 2) Complete any final preparations to evacuate or to shelter in your home. 3) If your plan is to travel out of the local area and you can leave at this point, do so. 4) If you are registered for transportation to a public shelter, have your "go bag" ready. Rescue workers will begin pick-ups shortly after the evacuation order has been issued.