John Beckett's Real Estate Blog

Elvis Presley is running for Arkansas governor. No, not that Elvis. Elvis D. Presley, of Star City, filed papers with the secretary of state’s office Wednesday to run as a write-in candidate for governor. Presley indicated in the paperwork that he wants to “supply the people with a broader array of employment and newer chain of state government.”  He declined to tell The Associated Press how he got his name but says he is an Elvis impersonator in his spare time. “People will find out I’m for real,” Presley told the Arkansas News Bureau. “I hope to debate the governor on TV.” Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe is seeking re-election in November. He faces Republican Jim Keet and Green Party nominee Jim Lendall in November. Two other candidates have filed to run as write-ins for governor. Presley must still file with each of the state’s 75 counties.

Read at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38570173/ns/politics-decision_2010/?GT1=43001

This weeks quotes are from the great Actor, Governor and President Ronald Reagan:

A people free to choose will always choose peace.

Approximately 80% of our air pollution stems from hydrocarbons released by vegetation, so let’s not go overboard in setting and enforcing tough emission standards from man-made sources.

Democracy is worth dying for, because it’s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man.

Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States.

Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets.

Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/r/ronald_reagan.html

Today’s Real Estate terms come from the word “Zone or Zoning”

Zone:  The area set off by the proper authorities for a specific use or in an area subject to certain restrictions or restraints.

Zoning:  The regulation of land by local government under its police powers in controlling things such as height, size and use of buildings and the use of land.

Zoning Map: A map showing the various sections of the community and the division of the sections into zones of permitted land uses under the zoning ordinance in specific areas.

Zoning Ordinance:  An act by city or county authorities to regulate and control the use of real estate for the health, morals, safety and welfare of the general public.

Spot Zoning:  An allowance of a non-conforming use in an area zoned for a another specific purpose.

Inclusionary Zoning:  An ordinance that requires a builder of new housing to set aside a designated number of units for low and moderate-income people.

The government is giving homeowners another year to refinance their loans under a little-used program designed to help borrowers whose homes have plummeted in value. The Obama administration effort, known as Home Affordable Refinance Program, had been scheduled to end on June 10 but will now run out on June 30, 2011. The program allows borrowers who owe up to 25 percent more than their homes are worth to refinance to lower interest rates. It was originally projected to help 4 million to 5 million homeowners with loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. So far, it has helped around 220,000, according to the Treasury Department.

Read entire story at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35648488/ns/business-real_estate/