Can a man who makes $92 a year really do any work.

In this day and age, who in their right mind work for  92 bucks a year. Amazingly I have had a bad plumbers who could ring up a bill for $92 in under 90 minutes who couldn’t weld a pipe together with his eyes open.

But you see, Jack Barnes is in his right mind—because he is in the mindset to really help his constituents in New Hampshire.  I had an issue with my treatment with bogus tenants from Hell who used the legal system to get away with not paying rent. So I appealed to every senator in the State in an email.

The next day, I got a call from Senator Barnes–the next day after that we met with a state attorney to write a change in legislation which I was then able to present to the senate directly.  All from an email.

One email lead to one Senator to make one phone call to make one big difference in a problem that not only helped one resident in his district, but thousands in the state. And Senator Jack Barnes happily did it all for 25¢ a  day—it cost more for me to park in an hour that I met him.

Of course if you are a Yankees Fan—well he may not respond quite as quickly. Most likely he will be wearing a Red Sox Tie or button. I was very diplomatic in my answer since I lived ib Both New York City and Boston. He will most likely ask you what you think of the “evil empire”  I saw his ask a room full of elementary kids if any liked the “evil empire”   a few raised their hands—though they thought he was referring to the one on “Star Wars”

Senator Barnes owned five McDonald’s restaurants before retiring—though he never really retired has he—he is now in the big bucks at $92 a year .

He is passionate about eliminating hunger in this country, He stated “I don’t think we should have people going hungry in this country, “This is not a Third World country.” He doesn’t plan on running for President anytime soon stating “If I had the money to campaign, I’d give it to the food kitchen,”

You can read all about Senanor Barnes at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/members/senate17.asp
Even his profile photo sports a Red Sox tie

Senator Jack Barnes

Life Without Parents for the First Time

College is where most of us first begin life without parents. We discover our first true loves without parents. We discover about having roommates without parents (I had a twin brother so I always had a roommate since the womb) We discover our first dates without parents. We discover parties and drinking without parents—We discover doing laundry without parents. We discover our first time sick with a cold without parents—no one to make you chicken soup.

What we really discover is what we are made of–without parents,  Actually we learn about our parents–their worries, their generosity, their care, their unconditional love, their trust in you– when we are away from them. As a Resident Advisor at Miami University in Ohio, I saw the changes in others from the position of a pseudo parent being away from their real parents–like when they got their first phone bill. When they slept with a person without having to sneek past their parents. When they had too many drinks without having anybody to face but themselves.   Some experiences good.  Some very bad.

We still use what we learn throughout life–even if it is the social skills learned at the frats or sororities. Yes we don’t have homework every night–but we use our skills of work to succeed in life. College is a part of our life forever–can’t take it back or change it–but it somehow has changed us all– As people—and if we are lucky—as parents—for the good I think–don’t you?

Author’s note: I was an art major at Miami of Ohio which lead me to advertising in New York City, then Boston which then lead me to Real Estate in New Hampshire at Coldwell Banker.  I use my talents from back then even today designing my own brochures and websites and marketing.

My parents are still married after a million years, have known each other since they were five. They have helped me through good times and bad with 2 marriages. I was one of five kids and have one incredibly wonderful daughter who teaches me everyday about being a parent as well—not sure how I will handle her being away from me in college for the first time.

My Favorite Words of Wisdom

“You can never win an argument with an idiot because an idiot will never know he is wrong.” —unknown

“You can’t argue with insanity.”—unknown

“This is not a rehearsal for another life” –My Uncle Jim–possibly my grandfather

“The difference between a “relationship resolved” and a “relationship evolved” is only a few letters”" –Michael Travis

“We are a subtotal of our mistakes.” —Sitaji Devi

“Don’t wait 30 years to tell someone you have a crush on them—in fact don’t even wait 30 seconds.” —Michael Travis after hearing from an elementary school crush after 30 years

“There is no such thing as a mistake—only experiences that make us wiser There is no such thing as a problem, only a challenge” —Michael Travis

“The dumbest question is the one not asked.” —unknown

“The thing about lieing is that you have to remember what you said.” —Paul Martyn

“The sweetest sound a person can hear is their own name.” —Dale Carnegie

“As soon as you say the word “but” the preceding words vanish.” —Sitaji Devi

You have to believe it to see it.” —Sitaji Devi

“Being a twin isn’t half bad” —Michael Travis or was it his twin Tim

“Human bullshit only piles up into mountains of crap which is directly reflective of the quality of life for the person that is being flung at. The only shit that should ever be thrown is during the “cow chip throwing competition” –at least those cow chips will land somewhere and fertilize the ground below creating life.” —Michael Travis

“Sometimes the only thing we have in common with friends is our past. It will remind us of what a wonderful life we have had. Maybe even answer questions we always wanted to know.

“There is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey — not a destination.” —unknown

“Don’t be afraid for life to end—be afraid for life not to begin.”

“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to only be their option.”  —Mark Twain

“Age is like mind over matter—if you don’t mind, it don’t matter.”  —Mark Twain

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” —Dr Seuss

“Either you have patience–or you become a patient.”—Michael Travis

“Denial is a wonderful thing–until reality sets in” —Michael Travis

Identity theft can steal more than your dignity.

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION  REGARDING IDENTITY THEFT

I have compiled a bunch of information on how to prevent identity theft and what to do if you are a victim.
Here are some links to sites on the subject.
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
www.ncpc.org/cms/cms-upload/prevent/files/IDtheftrev.pdf
www.consumeraction.gov/caw_identity_preventing.shtml
www.learn.equifax.com/identity-theft/preventing-identity-theft
www.preventingidentitythefts.com
www.identitytheftbuzz.info

Companies that insure and prevent identity theft
www.Identity-Lock.net
www.LifeLock.com
www.ProtectMyID.com
www.securetactics.com
www.IdentityGuard.com
www.Identity-Aware.com
www.LifeLock-Promotion.com

. Below are some highlights to prevent identity theft as well as what to do the reduce the damage if it happens.

1. The next time you order checks have only your 
initials (instead of first name) and last name put on 
them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not 
know if you sign your checks with just your initials or 
your first name, but your bank will know how you sign 
your checks.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. 
Instead, put “PHOTO ID REQUIRED.”
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit 
card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number 
on the “For” line. Instead, just put the last four 
numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the 
number, and anyone who might be handling your check as 
it passes through all the check-processing channels 
will not have access to it.
4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your 
home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of 
your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use 
your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your 
checks, You can add it if it is necessary. 
However, if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy 
machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, 
etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all 
of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and 
cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry 
a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here 
or abroad. We have all heard horror stories about fraud 
that is committed on us in stealing a name, address, 
Social Security number, credit cards.
6. When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for 
keys (and they all seem to do that now), do not turn 
the “keys” in. Take them with you and destroy them. 
Those little cards have on them all of the information 
you gave the hotel, including address and credit card 
numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card 
reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that 
information with no problem whatsoever.
7. Don’t put outgoing mail, especially bill payments, in personal curbside mailboxes. Use United States Postal Service mailboxes instead, or, better yet, drop off your mail inside a post office.
8. Use a locked mailbox with a slot at home, if at all possible.
9. Don’t put outgoing mail in an unguarded “out box” at work.
10.  Don’t write your account number on the outside of envelopes containing bill payments.
11. When you’re out of town, have the post office hold your mail for you or have someone you trust pick it up every day.
12.Make sure nobody is standing right behind you when you’re using an ATM
machine. He or she may be trying to photograph your card number and password
with a camera cell phone. Always shield your hand and the screen, even if no
one’s right behind you.
13.  Pay your bills online using a secure site if that service is available.
14. Don’t give out your credit card number on the Internet unless it is encrypted on a secure site.

Here is some 
critical information to limit the damage in case this 
happens to you or someone you know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards 
immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers 
and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. 
Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction 
where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves 
to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a 
first step toward an investigation (if there ever is 
one). However, here is what is perhaps most important 
of all (I never even thought to do this.)
3. Call the three national credit reporting 
organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on 
your name and Social Security number. I
Here are the numbers you always need to contact 
about your wallet and contents being stolen: 

1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 
1-800-269-0271

My life with Miss GPS

From the time man invented the wheel, man needed directions.
When I first got my drivers license I would just go anywhere—getting lost was an adventure. Everyone had a car in my native town of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and all roads are marked with legible signs.
Within 48 hours of graduating from college, I moved to New York City where my only need for transportation came with a loud whistle to hail a cab with bad brakes and lousy suspension and repeated screams of addresses or landmarks to a driver whose third or forth language was broken English at best —in the city you only needed to know how to count– 23rd Street followed 24th Street then 25th.  Queens was a challenge since it would be 23rd Street followed by 23rd Road, then Avenue then Boulevard then Drive—then 24th Street, then Road, then Avenue —yadahyadah.
Then I got a weekend house in East Haddam, Connecticut only 3 turns and 3 hours away from my apartment in the city. To my friends in the Hamptons, it was only 5 turns. To my friends in the Hamptons, it was only 5 turns — half the distance and twice the traffic.
Then I moved to Boston, I had to use a few more synopses to know where the roads were—which were designed by cows in the pre-horseless carriage days.

Then I moved to Northwood, New Hampshire where not only did I not know where I was—but nobody did.  But then again, all I needed to know was  I-93, Rt 4, and a couple of roads past the refrigerators in someone’s yard where you buy your eggs by putting your money in a tin box inside.
Then I got into Real Estate—just when Mapquest became really ok –Thank God.
I had to focus on waterfront properties which meant I went on every unmarked road in the state—my first sale was in Newton, NH where the map I paid a buck for had the road in the wrong location—along with every other retail map I found—How I sold a house I couldn’t find on a map is beyond me.
By the way where are the frick’n signs for the roads here? And whatever happened to those people who work at gas stations who could actually give you directions?
My first year with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, I put 45,000 miles on my car pushing it past the car warranty that was suppose to last 3 years.
But you see, when I took a client on showings—I had the secret weapon in my possession—sheets and sheets of Mapquest printouts—I could master holding 3 sheets, one steering wheel and a Vendi Shmende Café Mocha Frappe Machiaotte Latte Grande from Starbucks.
Then the agent I was suppose to meet with calls my cell phone to change the appointment so I continue to drive with the fearful watchful eyes of the clients in my car as I handle all this chaos, using my left knee to steer while I try and figure out how to get to destination B from destination E. Then I drop the Mapquest sheets with the important page landing on the floor by my client’s right shoe in the passenger side.
Thank another God for introducing the GPS that talks to you. I call her Miss GPS. What a marvel she is. She can find me a restaurant, a hotel, an attraction, a gas station, has a dictionary and an MP3 player– and most importantly –she gives me directions on a huge 3.5 inch screen.
I can even choose her voice—so naturally, as a red blooded American Male I chose the British Woman’s voice—always a sucker for the accent. (Southern Belle accent not available)
Sometimes Miss GPS would say MAAAAplewood Avenue, and sometimes Maaaplewood Avenue—but she never says “zed” for “zero”.  And when I make a wrong turn, she politely tells me to make a u-turn—or gives me another direction that only adds 2 and half hours to the trip.
One time I had a 2 million dollar client with me, and Miss GPS took me around a big 15 mile circle as she had a pothole induced hiccup that made her want to go back to where she came from. It was so good to be able to blame technology versus my own incompetence. Not sure my client bought into that story—did sell them the house.
Isn’t technology great that allows me to take direction from a British voice in a box–though it might be a nice change of pace if Miss GPS would occasionally strike up a conversation. Say “you idiot you missed your turn” or “there is a speed trap up ahead” As long as she doesn’t ask “how do I fee?”  or  “what are you thinking?” .

Michael Travis is an agent with Prudential Spencer-Hughes in the Lakes Region at 22 South Main Street, Wolfeboro at (603) 515-9459 and can be found traveling the state looking at properties. Visit www.WaterfrontAgent.net and see why he puts on 45,000 miles a year on his car—sharing every mile with Miss GPS.

Technical Notes: Michael drives a Toyota 2007 Camry from Toyota of Portsmouth that goes on forever and Miss GPS is Garmin NUVI 350 that goes forever in his Camry.

Michael Travis is a REALTOR

Prudential Spencer-Hughes

22 South Main Street

Wolfeboro, NH 03894

A resident of Northwood.

Michael.Travis@me.com

www.WaterfrontAgent.net

603-515-9459

For easy searches, visit my web site at
www.WaterfrontAgent.net

Great Homes by design in a Bad Market are Good Choices

I have, like all real estate agents, been cursed trying to sell horribly designed homes or handyman specials which in many cases would be considered an overstatement–a tear down would be an improvement. I have as a result had to come up with all kinds of real estate terms. One of my favorites is a “Vertical Split Level” for a house that was literally splitting in half vertically

 In a time of McHouses and McMansions in McNeighborhoods or McDevelopments, to me it is a shame that there is so much sameness out there. Even when you could buy a house through the Sears catalog—it wasn’t a cookie cutter home–you got was something interesting—cookie cutters were only sold in the cooking section.    

 On the other side I have the pleasure of showing homes that are spectacular in design here in New Hampshire. I would like to share some of the works of art some call home. I believe people starve for quality and individuality. And I believe it interprets into a better outlook and quality of life–and better value.

 

 

Mountain Estate has views inside as beautiful as outside

 

         

 

 In real estate they say location, location, location.  Well the views are unsupassed. * minutes from Wolfeboro and Lake Winnipesaukee, Privacy and surounded by blueberries. 

The first spectacular home is on top of a mountain at 41 Copple Crown in New Durham. Actually it is the entire mountain with spectacular views from every room every window is a framed picture of natural beauty. And the detail throughout the house is museum quality and exquisite. Custom wood mantel, custom marble sink,  Even the bathroom is a lew with a view. The fireplace is worthy of an award for craftsmanship. If you want to check out the quality of a home, just look at the details.

       

 

The owner is James O’Reilly, a native of Ireland, who spent 20 years transforming very high end properties in New York City. One unit he added over 7000 pounds of granite so he had to reinforce the unit below with steel beams. He has a website that not only features his home, but also his workmanship. I like to say he adds a wonderful accent to your home–and his accent is unmistakable.

Click here for more information on this property

James O’Reilly’s website is www.FineHomeDesign.net

 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

 Prior to becoming a Realtor, Michael Travis was an art director in Advertiisng in both New York City and Boston. Currently he is taking all the wonderful ideas he sees in the many homes he shows and putting them into his little lake house on a lake in Northwood . It is no surprise he has a great focus on waterfronts.

 Some of Michael’s stories will be featured in a book called 

All in a Day’s Work for Real Estate Agentss  

 

 

Michael Travis Your Waterfront Agent

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 

25 Maplewood Avenue

Portsmouth, NH 03801 

(603) 942-8505 (NH Cell)

(617) 756-9869 (MA Cell)

 

 See my listings at http://NewHampshireHomesForSale.postlets.com/

 For easy searches, visit my web site at www.WaterfrontAgent.net

We live in the “Live Free or Die State”—there are tenants from Hell who think they should “Live Free” while the landlord “Dies”

Tenants from Hell treated like angels by the courts

while good landlords are treated like Hell.

A tenant it seems has so many protections from bad landlords This is good.

But the system doesn’t seem to protect the landlord from tenants from Hell.

In these days of homes and Condos not selling, many owners are reluctantly becoming landlords out of necessity. Watch out! There are terrible tenants who enjoy playing the game of not paying rent – living for free every month in the home you have to pay a mortgage every month. To makes things worse, some vindictive tenants play the system. In the end they lose but during the course of action the landlord could lose his home.

If a Landlord shuts off utilities even if they are shut off for not being able to pay them because the tenant is refusing to pay rent—the landlord could be fined $1000 per day. The courts ignore the direct relationship of rent paying for mortgagees and utilities.

By time a landlord goes through the process of giving tenants a “Demand for Payment”, “Eviction Notice”, and a court date in front of a Judge—3 months could have passed with no rent paid. Upon winning in court the writ of possession (eviction), a tenant still has 7 days to respond with “an intent to appeal” to the supreme court–30 days to actually write this appeal, and send a copy to the landlord (which they usually wait until the last minute to do) The landlord has only 10 days to respond to this appeal. The Supreme court can take up to 2 months just to review the case.

Upon filing the “intent to appeal”, the tenant is required to pay the district court the current rent on a weekly basis. Amazingly, the landlord doesn’t get the money—so you have tenants who have not paid rent for months, they were evicted for not paying the rent — and the court won’t pay the landlord the money being collected for the current rent during the entire appeal process, –Easily 6 months can pass before a landlord sees a dime he was contractually due in the first place—no mortgage company will agree to wait that long.

The courts can kill a landlord.

There is no incentive for a tenant from hell to be anything less than evil. The tenant who is blatantly “playing the system” is wasting taxpayers money and the courts time, and can force the landlord’s property into foreclosure. What role does our own court system play in protecting the landlord from the total financial destruction caused by these abusive tenants when the court itself is refusing to release the money collected for current rent. Can a landlord evict the court system for not paying the rent?

In the meantime, landlords can loose their shirts, their credit, and possibly their home. All the delays prevent the landlord from being able to advertise and arrange for a paying tenant to move into the unit since it is unclear when the landlord will have possession, even months after winning an eviction case.

A Fair Change in the law is needed.

Here is my suggestions regarding non paying tenants found guilty of –well not paying rent..

A) When district court finds tenant to be in violation for non payment, a writ of possession will be granted.

B) If tenant decides to appeal to the Supreme Court then tenant pays all money owed in the judgment into an escrow account with the court

C) Tenant also be required to pay into the court current rent on a weekly basis–as is required now

D) Landlord is paid for current rent for each week during the appeal period through the court- after all, the judgment was for the PREVIOUS months of unpaid rent, not the current rent.

E) Once the appeal process is complete, and landlord prevails, then he should have all moneys paid directly to him immediately

F) Tenant pays all court costs, all late fees as spelled out in their lease agreement, plus damages and attorney fees to the landlord—which in my opinion should be severe.

G) If tenant is found to be “playing the system” he should face paying all court costs Both the District and Supreme Court should have serious damages against the parties who waste the taxpayers time and money with frivolous and bogus accusations.

H) All tenants found guilty be placed in a state funded deadbeat tenant site assessable to everyone for free (like the sex offender list).

Other flaws in the system.

1) When a tenant appeals to the supreme court, he is required to pay the current rent on a weekly basis to the court.  What is never taken into consideration is that the late charges are not being paid to the landlord. This means that the landlord ends up paying late fees to their bank and not being compensated with the late fees. THis is a killer to the landlord.

2) If there is a tenant in default of paying his rent, then the landlord should not have to return the items left in the unit after the 28 day time frame a scollterol until the court has given final judgment/bench warrant for his arrest/ or satisfactory paying arrangement for all monies due. After the 28 days, the landlord should be allowed t charge for storage regardless.

3) If there are tenants who not only refuse to pay but are doing illegal activities, they should be kicked out immediately.

These changes will force abusive tenants to think twice about playing the system. It shouldn’t impact them financially since they were obligated to pay the rent money anyway. It will also help expedite the process of not wasting more months in courts chasing evil tenants for the money they were suppose to pay in the first place. The landlord is financially hurt the first month the tenant doesn’t pay.

I appeal to all the judges, attorneys and landlords to change the unfair system that rewards tenants from Hell. Otherwise, I believe the business of hiring guidos who like to rearrange knee caps will become prevalent. —

Maybe more judges should become landlords.

Click here for a link to a deadbeat tenant list