Eva Bradley's Blog

The following article is worth to pay a little attention.   It is interesting how the economic turmoil affecting not only those, who are just a couple of years from retirement, but younger generations as well:

“No Rest for the Weary: 75% of Americans Plan on Working as Long as They Can

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RISMEDIA, October 7, 2009—A new study released by Bankrate, Inc. shows that the vast majority of working Americans plan to work as long as they can during retirement age, showing a redefinition of how Americans view traditional retirement plans. The poll, conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, is included in the new Bankrate Financial Literacy series on Retirement Income. 

Among the findings:

-75% of Americans plan to work as long as they can during retirement age. 39% plan to work because they enjoy work while almost one-third plan to work because they’ll need the money;

-Although so many Americans plan on working through retirement age, only 15% of retirees polled are currently employed compared to 84% who are not;

-55% of retirees worry about money and wish they had saved more compared to only 38% who think they have enough money to retire without worry;

-The financial crisis has affected many people’s plans to retire with only 31% expecting to retire on time as planned while 40% plan on postponing their retirement plans;

-53% of Americans made no changes to their investments due to the financial crisis compared to 14% who went with a more conservative investment approach;

-Almost 40% of Americans are investing for retirement on their own with 16% using an asset allocation plan, 15% picking mutual funds based upon performance, and 8% with a target date fund. Twenty-seven percent use a financial adviser for decisions while 18% don’t invest in a retirement plan and 9% don’t utilize any strategies;

-Due to a lack of pension plans like today’s workforce, 26% of retirees polled are relying solely on Social Security for their income. 

“This poll offers an interesting insight into Americans’ views of employment and retirement,” said Julie Bandy, editor in chief at Bankrate.com. “Seventy-five percent of today’s generation plan to work as long as possible, a far cry from that of previous generations. Falling home values and losses in retirement accounts are forcing many Americans to re-evaluate their retirement needs. “

Please, ckeck out this monthly publication; it contains relevant information not only about mortgages and real estate in general, but good house keeping tips and other useful information as well. Please check out my October Newsletter.

If you have something in mind that could be included in the next month’s publication, please feel free to let me know about it.  I would be glad to insert it for you.

Once again, on September 10th of this year, Dennis Stewart with Realty World NCA gathered the agents who signed up for the prestiges Eagle course. The first week was all about getting used to each other and to Dennis’ rules.   Our assignments for the fourth week were to write an article about the Eagles. Instead of writing about the course, I decided that maybe it would be a good idea to introduce the group members individually as I see them.

 Meet the “Magnificent ourteen”:

Sue Langdon, she has to be the first not only because she is my broker, but also because Sue is one of the nicest people you can ever hope to meet.  Sue has her challenges to keep up with the ever evolving technology, but giving an extra effort to learn it.

Jennifer West: Jennifer is a very busy lady, her phone never stops ringing and she takes care of fifteen different things all at the same time, but you would never notice, because she always has a minute to listen to us. I don’t know how she does it…

Sharon Camilleri: Sharon always keeps a cool head and looking at things in a most logical way.

Susan Wilson: Susan never seems to run out of questions, which is a good thing, because that is how one can learn.

Debbie Rouhtier:  Although, Debbie’s challenge is to get up early in the morning, she almost always manages to come to the meetings on time.

Chiquita Redmond:  Chiquita looks, speaks and behaves as professional as one can be

Tony Sanchez: Tony has the most colorful personality; he makes jokes about everybody and everything

Sandy Frits: Sandy is the helping hand for Tony…..but she doesn’t seem to mind.  Sandy is always smiling, always friendly – great attitude.

Steve Davis: Steve is an admirable person with an admirable family…sends out emails to everybody.

Randy Elliott: Randy’s jokes and funny remarks are coming to him so naturally and easy, along with many good ideas.

Cameron Riegel: Cameron is the tallest man in the room, friendly and very professional.

Darryl Manson: the quite guy…Darryl knows more than what he makes us believe he does.

Yulanda Ong: she has a really nice personality. Yulanda brings goodies for everybody, which is very much appreciated  

Oh, and me, Eva Bradley: eager to apply all the new technology that Realty World provides, to differentiate us and helps us rise above all the other real estate companies.

Well, here we all are, learning to spread our wings, as young eagles do.  Hopefully, by the end of this course, we all will be soaring in the skies and looking at our business from a total different perspective.  We all owe a big thank you to Dennis Stewart and a big thanks to Realty World NCA to help us reach and supersede our performances as Realtors® and to provide the highest level of customer service our clients deserve.

Knitting as Stress-Therapy.…

I am not big on how to write posts, so I am just going to write about what first come to mind…. 

 When I go to Wal-Mart I always visit the fabric section to see if there are any newly arrived yarns, since my very favored hobby is knitting.   So, I checked the yarns and as I saw this beautiful, fall colored yarn, it was an instant inspiration: Hmmm…I could make a nice sweater for my grandson out of this!  This sort of thing happens to me all the time, ever since I got pregnant with my first child thirty six years ago. 

I am a knitting freak!   As soon as I see a ball of yarn that catches my eye, I can’t resist, have to have it.  I could talk about yarns and knitting for hours, it is my all time favored subject.    For me, knitting is the best stress relief therapy and, on top of that, I get the best ideas while knitting.  Especially this time of the year, when the weather is cooling off, and the foggy Tracy days and long, dark winter evening are just around the corner.  Like the squirrels stacking up on walnuts for the winter, I am stacking up on yarns to work with.  Nothing is gives me a better feeling like when, after I’m finished with the garment, which is more likely a sweater, a cap, or a jacket for one of my grand kids, and I give it to them, and their eyes lit up and they thank me for it with a big hug and next day my daughters tell me that the kid slept in it, wouldn’t want to take it off, not even for the night! It lets me forget all my troubles and puts a smile on my face!   

 Please, do not take this as bragging, but I have to share this story with you:  We have a group of Realtors in Tracy, who are involved in the Brighter Christmas Fundraiser event to raise money for the less fortunate.  I am a member of this group for the past six years.  I never was in a position to be able to contribute money, but instead, I knitted a sweater every year that was auctioned off on these events.  Every year, repeatedly, the same person was able to secure my knitted sweaters for his niece.  Before the fundraising event, he used to approach me and wanted to make sure that I will make a sweater again this year.   And when I asked why, he told me that his niece just can’t wait to wear those beautiful sweaters that no one else has.  It gave me such a nice feeling to know that my creations are being so much appreciated.

So far, the christening outfit for my grand daughter was the most labor extensive piece I have ever knitted: it took me 2 full years to make it.  As you can see it on this picture above, it was worth it: a lot of stitches, many, many hours….but it turned out so beautiful….:)

Eva Bradley

Dear Homeowners,

If you are a San Joaquin County homeowner in California, by now you should have received a letter from the County Assessor’s Office, stating the newly assessed value of your property. For the most of us it means that the value of our homes has declined and a new value has been determined and a new base for you property tax assessment has been set.

For those of you out there, who do not agree with the newly set value of your property: you can appeal to the Assessor’s Office and get your home revaluated. All you need to do is visit the Assessor’s Office website and fill out the appeal from. This form has to be mailed and received by the Assessor’s Office, no later then October 31^st and has to be accompanied by a list of comparable properties or an appraisal report.

Please feel free to contact me in case you think this applies to your situation, but don’t know where to start. (NO obligations).

 Kindest regards,

Eva Bradley

The annual, Tracy Dry Bean Festival is scheduled to start this weekend.  This is a two day event packed with good food and lots of entertainment.  We are expecting sunny wheather, with temperatures in the high 80′s, low 90′s.  Come and visit this fun festival on September 12th & 13th, opens both days at 9:00am. When you are there, please visit with us.  We are located on the corner of 10th Street and B Street.

You will find more information by visiting www.tracydrybeanfestival.com.

See you there…

Eva Bradley

I recently got an invitation to join a Tracy network.  It is a real good, local site, with lots of good information and many community related postings. I am very new to any kind social networking, so I thought I will try it and did my very first post ever on this local website.  I immidietly got several responces, which gave me a little boost and here I am……  The website is www.tracyislandonline.com. No need to wait for invitation, everyone can sign up, but please mention my name as a referring person when you do.

Eva Bradley

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