New Report Released by Congress Reveals African Americans Hardest Hit by Foreclosures

The latest numbers about foreclosure are out. The findings- 28% of all homeowners who received foreclosure prevention counseling through the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) program were African American. This number is pretty astonishing when according to NeighborWorks America, "African American homeowners make up only 9% of the nation’s homeowners. 24% of the nation’s homeowners are racial/ethnic minorities, with Hispanic homeowners accounting for 11%, and Asian/Pacific Islanders accounting for 4%."

To read the entire NFMC report, click here.

Is There a Carbon Monoxide Leak in Your Home? Know the Symptoms

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

If you have a gas furnace, gas water heater, gas cooking range and oven, gas dryer, gas or kerosene space heater, fireplace, or wood stove in your home, there is always a chance that one may leak carbon monoxide if not functioning properly. Knowing the symptoms and what to do in the event of poisoning could save you and your family's life.

The Symptoms: according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the following symptoms are tell-tale signs you have carbon monoxide poisoning.

1. severe headaches
2. dizziness
3. mental confusion
4. nausea
5. fainting
6. shortness of breath

Noticeably, many of these symptoms resemble that of the flu. However, if symptoms decrease or go away once you are outside your home, you may have CO poisoning. If you believe there is a CO leak in your home you should get all family and pets out of your house immediately and go to the emergency room. A simple blood test can determine if you have been poisoned.

If CO poisoning happens to you in your sleep, you could die. It is always advised that you install a CO detector in every room of the home for added protection.

What You Should Know About Fire Safety and Your Home

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

Unless you’re a firefighter, fire safety probably doesn’t cross your mind all that often. You might think about it a little more if you live in a row house or apartment complex. Either way, it is important to have at least basic knowledge about fire prevention and how you can equip your home to make it safer for you and your family.

If you’re like me, you probably try to exercise the utmost caution when engaging in activities that could obviously start a fire; such as lighting candles and stringing holiday lights. What you probably don’t know is that the three most common causes of household fires are actually things we take for granted and think less about- cooking, using woodstoves/ space heaters and smoking.

Fires can catch you off guard and happen when you least expect. By being more vigilant and aware of the causes of household fires, you will be able to avoid them and know what to do if one starts. BeFireSmart.com offers these simple tips to preventing a fire. For a complete checklist of fire hazards in every room of the house, click here.

1. Never walk away from your stove or oven when in use
2. Keep the area around your space heater free and clear of debris and turn it
off while your sleeping
3. Never smoke in bed
4. Never use candles in your bedroom
5. Do not overload electrical outlets

If you live in a row house, fireproofing your home is key. Most row houses are made of brick, which acts as a firewall by nature. However, most roves are still made of wood, and because of this, fires spread most quickly across row houses by their roves. The best way to keep the fire from moving to your roof and down into your home is to install fireproof insulation. Most homes built before the 1970’s do not have fireproof insulation. If you do not know whether your home has it, NHS of Baltimore recommends you get in touch with a local inspector to find out.

While there is no fail safe way to protect your home from fire, there are many things you can do to slow the spread of it. In the words of Smokey the Bear, “Only you can prevent fire!”

Making the Home More Livable for Your Elderly Parents

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

If you have parents in their 70’s, 80’s or 90’s you’ve probably thought a lot about their living arrangements. You might worry about their safety in their current home and may consider placing them in an assisted living or nursing home. Even if your parents are still relatively self-sustaining, they may have trouble getting around, cleaning, cooking or bathing in a home that isn’t properly retrofitted to meet their needs.

A recent article in the New York Times discusses why it may not be necessary to put your parent into assisted living and why retrofitting their current home can be an affordable and preferable alternative. According to the article, you could spend between 34 and 70 thousand dollars a year on assisted living. However, you can spend just a fraction of that by installing handrails, a walk-in bathtub/ shower, ramps, stair lifts and removing household hazards, while making the home safer and more comfortable for your elderly parents to live in.

If your parent is a resident of Baltimore city, NHS of Baltimore offers a low interest, fully deferred (in some cases) housing rehab loan that covers home retrofitting. 35% of all our rehab loan clients are elderly, and safety and livability are our main concerns in housing renovation. We have rehab specialists on site that will walk you through the entire process from start to finish, ensuring you get what you’re looking for. If you are interested in retrofitting your parents’ home and need access to affordable and responsible help, contact NHS of Baltimore. For more information on simple safety checks in every room of the house, click here.

FREE Charm City Circulator Could Help You Save Money

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

If you haven’t heard yet, Baltimore city is set to launch a brand new bus system in August, equipped with a fleet of Eco friendly buses that will accent the public rail and bus system already offered by the city. It's the Charm City Circulator and IT’S FREE!

Regardless if you live, work, play or attend school in the city, use of this free service could help you save money, even in this tough economy. The Circulator’s three routes and 18 buses will make it cheaper and more convenient for you to reach your destination by offering access to Mount Vernon, Hollins Market, Fells Point, Middle East, and the downtown/ inner harbor area. Furthermore, it will directly connect you with several light rail, subway and bus stops as well as the water taxi.

By taking the Circulator instead of driving, the potential money you could save may be astounding. According to a poll conducted in 2007 by Daily Fuel Economy Tip.com, the average American family spends between one and two hundred dollars on gasoline each month, totaling between $1,200 and $2,400 a year. Imagine the money you could save if you cut your gasoline consumption by just half. That's a nice start for a down payment on a home. Additionally, by using the Circulator to get to work or nighttime entertainment, you can avoid the cost of lofty parking and ticket fees, further saving you money.

If you are a first time homebuyer in this market, you have a lot of options and programs available to you right now. However, you still need to be able to save money for your down payment, which is becoming increasingly difficult with the rise of unemployment, as well as the rising cost of services and goods. The Circulator is one option that may help you save- so look into it! Checkout the route map here.

HUD Expands Terms of Eligibility for the Home Affordable Refinance Program

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

Earlier this month U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced they are expanding the guidelines under which homeowners may qualify to refinance their mortgages with the Obama Administration’s Home Affordable Refinance Program. Struggling homeowners may now be eligible for refinancing before they are actually delinquent on their mortgages. However, homeowners must be upside down in their mortgage, meaning they owe more than the home is worth, and they must have a loan owned or backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

The program’s guidelines have changed significantly from its original stipulations, which required homeowners to be at or below 105% loan to value on their homes. Under the recent changes, homeowners who are as much as 125% underwater will have the option to refinance. According to a press release published on makinghomeaffordable.gov, Shaun Donovan, HUD Secretary, hopes that the changes will make the program more accessible to so many struggling homeowners.

Baltimore residents should take heed to the program’s changes. According to Baltimore Sun Blogger and Reporter, Jamie Smith Hopkins, 29% of Baltimore homeowners currently qualify for the refinancing options under the new guidelines because they owe between 80-125% of their homes’ value. NHS of Baltimore recommends that residents consult with a non-profit housing counselor in order to understand their best options. Read HUD press release.

Before You Make the Decision to Buy a Home, Perform Your Own Informal Inspection

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

As a first-time homebuyer, it is easy to get caught up the excitement of finding our “dream home”, because all we can think about is what its going to take to make it ours. However, you should remember when doing your first walk-thru that it will be up to you to maintain this home once you buy it, and you want to make sure current problems are addressed or that you can afford to address them yourself. Therefore, you should inspect the home with a critical eye and do not be afraid to ask questions!

Live Baltimore offers a great checklist that you can take with you to the walk-thru and use as a reference. It is very comprehensive and covers heating/air conditioning, plumbing, electric, flooring, roofing, walls/ceilings, windows, doors, kitchens, bathrooms, basement/ foundation, siding, porches and gutters. CLICK HERE TO PRINT THE CHECKLSIT.

NHS of Baltimore Offering Green Options to Its Housing Rehab Clients

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

As you may or may not already know, NHS of Baltimore has been a long time player in housing rehabilitation and lending for low to moderate income folks in Baltimore city. We have offered these services since our inception and we pride ourselves on it. In our continuous effort to be green in every aspect of what we do, we are happy to announce that we have incorporated Green options into the program.

Homeowners who receive rehab lending and services from us will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of green options when considering the work that needs to be done on their home. Some examples include; energy efficient windows, low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, tankless water heaters, energy star appliances, compact florescent lighting and low flush toilets.

We understand that these options are typically more expensive than traditional options and we do not require homeowners to opt in. However, we definitely encourage them to do so because we believe the long term benefits provided to both the homeowner and the environment, outweigh the initial up-front cost. Furthermore, investing in Green appliances now will cut down on their cost of their energy bills in the future, ultimately making their home more affordable.

Middle Class Homeowners With Good Credit Seeking Foreclosure Help

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

As we all know, 2008 and 2009 have been particularly hard years for homeowners. Families and individuals alike are finding it difficult to make ends meet and are struggling to make their mortgage payments.

NHS of Baltimore has experienced such a high demand for foreclosure and delinquency counseling, that we've had to book appointments as much as two weeks out. So far this year, we have counseled 204 households that are either behind on their payments or have received a notice of intent to foreclose from their bank.

The more astonishing detail is that our counselors are now seeing an influx of middle income people looking for assistance. "In the beginning, I mostly counseled lower income people who were facing foreclosure due to re-adjustable interest rates that they couldn't afford," said Homeownership Counselor, Michelle McKiver. "Now I am seeing more middle income people who can't pay their mortgage due to loss of or reduction in income. Their financial situation has changed, and they just don't have the money."

So far this year, NHS of Baltimore has successfully saved 53 families and individuals from foreclosure. We strongly recommend homeowners seek counseling the moment they think they might be late on their mortgage payment- and the sooner the better!

Make the Most Out of Your 4th of July House Party

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

Its that time of year again- when we celebrate our independence by taking a long weekend spent grilling outside, lounging with a cold drink and dazing at the fireworks as they light up the evening sky.

Here are some insider tips to making your home an enjoyable place to be for your 4th of July party.

Grilling: Ah, our favorite summer pass time- First, you want to make sure your grill is prepped and ready to go before you even think about lighting it up. Be sure to clean off any old debris and check to see that the propane tank (if applicable) is adequately full. Also remember that if you rent or own an apartment that has a wood deck in Baltimore city, you are prohibited from grilling on the deck due to fire danger. Place your grill somewhere safe, away from trees and the side of your home, to ensure that wind will not be able to carry the flame.

Creating adequate shade for your guests- Living in Maryland, most of you know how hot it can get in July. If you are hosting your party mainly outside, you want to be sure that people have a way to get out from under the hot sun. If you do not have a covered deck or patio on your home, you may want to consider putting lawn umbrellas over any place where people may congregate. Too much over-exposure to the sun earlier in the day may send them packing before the grand finale` that night.

Offer plenty of cool drinks- Cool drinks are a must for a successful outdoor, summer party, but be sure to vary them. While we all want to drink alcohol and have a good time and soda just tastes better in summer, make sure you offer water to supplement both. Soft drinks and alcohol tend to dehydrate people really fast, which can be compounded by the heat. Try to see to it that your guests drink a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage.

Citronella Candles- Make sure you have plenty of them around! July and August are the worst months for mosquitoes and other insects. To avoid being swarmed by tons of blood suckers, strategically place the citronella candles around the perimeter of the area where people will gather. I say strategically because you don’t want your guests to be put off by the smoke or smell of the candles either.

If you remember to adhere to these four simple tips, your 4th of July celebration will be full of fireworks and fun. Enjoy and Happy 4th!

A Portrait of Baltimore Neighborhoods for First Time Homebuyers

Baltimore is informally known as the city of neighborhoods. The city’s cultural, historical, entertainment and geographic character varies largely by neighborhood. According to Live Baltimore’s website, Baltimore is officially made up of 225 different neighborhoods, recognized by the Baltimore City Department of Planning- and believe me when I tell you, each one is unique. Whether you’re looking for quite, hip, artsy, eclectic, busy, diverse, historic, or walk-able, I promise there is a neighborhood to fit your taste.

While it is difficult for me to illustrate the feel and character of all 225 neighborhoods here, I thought it would be useful to offer descriptions of least one neighborhood from each area of the city in order to provide a quick snapshot.

Mount Vernon- Central Baltimore: Located extremely close to downtown, the neighborhood is extremely walk-able and in close proximity to the light rail, subway and bus systems. Consisting of mostly red brick and brown stone row homes, it is on the National Historic Registry. Mount Vernon is also home to the monument erected in honor of George Washington, which is surrounded by a beautiful park where you can eat lunch, walk your dog or just relax. Our offices are currently located in Mount Vernon and we love it!

Waverly- North Baltimore: This neighborhood is well known for its beautiful, single family, detached homes, which is less common within city limits. The area offers several shops and a Giant grocery store, and is located within walking distance of the Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus. According to Census Track data, Waverly mainly consists of homeowners and is very culturally diverse. It attracts people both young and old, from various backgrounds and is a safe place to live.

Patterson Park- East Baltimore: Our central office was formally located in Patterson Park for 34 years and our employees still talk about how much they loved working there. The neighborhood is a “melting pot” of cultures, backgrounds, class and orientation and has seen a resurgence of new restaurants and local hangouts. For those of you outdoors types, there is plenty of recreation offered by the park itself, including swimming, jogging and picnicking.

Fells Point- South Baltimore: It is the home of the Fell’s Point Ghost Tour for a reason; its rich history! Located at the eastern end of the Baltimore Inner Harbor, this neighborhood supported one of the largest ports for immigrants in the United States, second only to Ellis Island during the 18th and 19th ceneturies. Fell’s Point is popular for its wide variety of bars and pubs, as well as quaint novelty shops. The streets are lines with the oldest row homes in Baltimore and at night, as well as in the early morning, the scent of fresh baked bread fills the air.

Hollins Market- West Baltimore: Named after the well known market in west Baltimore, Hollins Market attracts young people, artists, working professionals and long-time Baltimore residents. The area is fast becoming a popular place to live, due to its proximity to the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus as well as the downtown area. Here you can find lots of locally owned shops and restaurants, as well lots of quirky urban art spackled on walls and sidewalks throughout. The locals call this neighborhood Sewebo.

To find out more about another neighborhood, try visiting Live Baltimore's website for a comprehensive look. Click Here.