Key West

I have the best hair stylist.  She's not the best just because she's talented.  I like her.  I love her!  I have had 10 solid years of compliments on my hair to prove her value.  She's been there by my side through broken hearts and job changes.  We've sipped cocktails and been to baby showers.  I went to her baby's baby shower!  We have the same friends and I adore her, her daughter and her grand daughter. 

My stylist is STELLAR!  An old salon owner she worked with years ago let me come to a hair show with thousands of sylists in Orlando a few times.  I pretended to be the receptionist.  The smell of delicious hair products and 10 foot slick ads for hair products made me want everything that was there.  There were stages with incredible hair stylists cutting hair.  I raised my hand and volunteered to get a new do.  I bought $18 bottles of conditioner at cost.  I bought boxes of OPI nail polish at cost.  I got a $120 hair flat iron at cost.  It was SO exciting! 

My wonderful stylist didn't hate me... she still kept making me gorgeous...

My husband would cut his own hair if I let him.  I want him to have cool edgy hair so he goes to cool edgy hair guys.  This cool guy did such an incredible job with my husband that I let him do my hair.  It turned out beautiful.  I felt like a Victoria's Secret super model for the first 8 weeks.  I've gone to him a few times. 

The last time I got my hair done I went to a salon that my same smart chic client friend gets her hair done at.  Her hair is perfect.  That's not easy to achieve in Key West's 90% humidity and 90 degree weather.  I thought it must be her hair stylist that made her and her hair so pretty.  After I got my hair done I did not suddenly have perfect frizz-free hair.  My style was not suddenly super trendy.  WHY?  I don't get it!  My hair is anti-trendy.  It doesn't hold a cool style.  It always goes back to where it started.  It's thick and heavy.  Even when they thin it it's THICK.

Now I'm fixated on this male sylist that the same same pretty, fun. smart friend recommended.  I've seen him do his magic...  It's not the first time I've been unfaithful to my lovely hair sylist.  She has been there for me through thick and thin.  After the euphoria fades the itch for something new and cool comes back.  Later I go back to her and she gives me a new, dramatic, incredible sytle and I wonder why I ever went to anyone else. 

For 2 weeks I've been picking up the phone and hanging it up.  Yesteday I called Blown Away 2 times and got voice mail.  I called the salon again today.  MY stylist answered the phone.  They have caller ID.  I couldn't hang up.  I had to tell her I was calling to make an appointment with Hays.  She gave me an appointment on August 18th.  That's a long time from now.  I could hear her hurt on the other side of the phone.  I didn't know what to say to make it better because there was simply nothing I could say...  Will she take me back if Hays isn't everything my friend says he is? 

Maya Thomas
Realtor®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
MyRealPro@gmail.com
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

31079 Avenue E, Big Pine Key, FL  33043
$325,000
3/2
Built in 2003
5,000 sf lot
Sands Subdivision
Asphalt Shingle Roof
Vinyl Siding

This lovingly cared for home was built to be lived in by local builder for his family. This home is perfect for get togethers with friends and family. Warm, inviting interior paint colors put you at ease. Chefs kitchen has plenty of space, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and a 'must have' bar. You won't miss a minute of the movie when you go to fill up the pop corn bowl and will never feel left out when you are cooking in this lovely kitchen that connects to the living room in one great room. 1,200 square foot 2003 home on a 5,000 square foot corner lot in beautiful Sands Subdivision is tranquil Big Pine Key. This pristine immaculate home should be on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens magazine! This clearly cherished and well cared for home does not come with a "honey do" list inside or out. Shipping, dining, bars and all the character and fun that Big Pine Key has to offer are a bike ride away from this pretty home.

If you think you are being price gouged there is a hotline you can call to turn in the evil doer or cheater business.  Call the Attorney Generals hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226).

It is illegal to raise the price of gas, ice, water or other needed hurricane supplies when a storm is approaching.  The best thing that you can do is be prepared so that you don't need to buy these items at the last minute.

Make a list of the items that you will need for hurricane season and go buy them.  Then make a hurricane evacuation plan.  Exchange phone numbers and addresses with family members.  Come up with a method to communicate effectively such as Facebook or MySpace.

Your pets may not be welcome everywhere so if you are going to be staying in a hotel make sure you start making calls early and find a hotel on each side of Florida and in 2 or 3 central locations that fit your budget and allow pets. 

Be sure to take a moment to think about the people who live on your block.  Are there elderly people or people with ailments or injuries that need help?  Stop by and ask them what you can do to help them prepare.  Share your emergency plan and encourage them to make a plan and let them know that you would be honored to help them if you are needed.  Be a Good Samaritan.  It's so important that we all help each other in times of need.

If you are taken advantage be sure to make a complaint.  If enough people stand up for themselves then things are going to change and people will be punished and the world will be a better place and it will all be because of you!  Be safe!

Maya Thomas
Realtor®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
MyRealPro@gmail.com
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

MLS 109444
Price $384,000
Address 1797 Von Phister Street, Key West, FL  33040
Bed rooms 3
Bath rooms 3
Sf Home 1,900
SF Lot 4,862
Pool yes
Built 2007

http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?SK=13&T=1673945 TO SEE the VIRTUAL TOUR! 3/2.5 BRAND NEW (built 2007). P-O-O-L! $30,000 of beautifully polished vanilla swirl 24 X 24 dense limestone Travertine stone floors, bay window, grand lv rm, 2 central a/c units, crown molding, LG Stainless steel appliances, oak cabinets, double convection ovens, Sile Stone counters kitchen and baths, Jacuzzi bath tubs, 10 X 20 concrete pool, breakfast room, formal dining room.  Low E double pane insulated break away energy efficient windows, Chandelier, oak staircase, laundry room on 2nd floor, extra outlets in every room, pre-wired internet, Hardi Board siding. $220 electric per month!

MLS                  110390
Price                  $1,795,000
Bed/Bath           3/3
Square Feet       2,224
Lot Square Feet  4,596
Year Built           1943
Zoning                HHDR
Flood Zone          AE
Construction       Frame
Roof                 Hip / Gable
Roof Type          Metal
Floor                 Dade Co Pine
Interior Walls     Dade Co Pine
Ceiling              Dade Co Pine
Subdivision       Old Town Unlisted
Taxes,             $8,112, Year 2008
Pool                 In-ground
Central Air        3 Units
Off Street Parking Yes
Appliances Viking, Bosch, Kitchenaid
Area Old Town

SEE the Virtual Tour! http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?SK=13&T=1885118 2009 winner Old Island Restoration Foundation Tour of Homes, gas lamps, opulent turn of the century eyebrow home, Dade Co pine floors, ceiling, walls, Statuary Carrera marble slab countertops w/ Blanco sink, antique turn of the century push button light switches w/ dimmers, 6 burner Viking gas range w/ double ovens, dual refrigerators, ice machine, wine cooler, DW, WD, cherry wood cabinets. Carrera marble tile baths. Pre-wired wrap around covered porches. Heated pool, river rock waterfall, flagstone river rock deck, bamboo, Royal Cuban palms. Gated OSP with XL carport w/ storage. Rear storage bldgs. Sec. system, new 3 zone a/c system, zoned irrigation system.

MLS 110638
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Square Feet 1274
Lot Square Feet 3570
Virtual Tour go to:  tiny.cc/C44Tenth 

SEE the VIRTUAL TOUR at www.tiny.cc/C44Tenth or click the link to Virtual Media! 2004 1,200 sf 3 bedroom 2 bath home. Large living room, roomy deck for grilling dinner, enjoying soft breezes and shimmering gold sunsets and close to Bernstein Park. Lemon yellow hardi board siding, lovely landscaping with avocado, papaya, banana, lemon and lime trees. This may be the prettiest street on the island. Huge master bath, 2 walk in closets. Inexpensive insurance. Easy to use accordian hurricane shutters. Ample storage in the attic. Attractive and easy to maintain p-rock driveway. Well maintained and neat as can be. Proof of funds or pre-approval letter rqd. to submit offer. Washer and dryer do not convey.

Judge Lee Haworth has seen a 600% increase in foreclosures in the 12th circuit court which covers Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.  500 families are having their homes taken away by foreclosure every month.  The 12^th circuit court has the 2^nd greatest number of foreclosure cases behind Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.

To slow the tsunami Judge Haworth made some changes in December that are just now beginning to sprout.  The new procedures require lenders to talk to homeowners and explore options to help them stay in their homes.  The judge is convinced that there are people abandoning their homes who can afford them.

Judge Haworth gave a 4 page memo to lenders outlining his plan to open communication and seek a solution to the flood of foreclosures.  Some lender law firms are on board and some aren't.  The law firms that are ignoring the Judge's memo are not getting a hearing date.

This ‘tough love' is designed to stabilize the Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties and stream line the foreclosure process.  All foreclosure filings are now electronic.  This increases efficiency and saves trees.

Maya Thomas
Realtor®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
MyRealPro@gmail.com
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

The Federal Reserve will buy 300 billion in bonds and 750 billion in mortgage backed securities by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to fund the liquidity.  The 1.2 trillion dollar surge available money will lower interest rates and credit card interest rates,  There has never in the history of our country been a better time to invest in real estate.  If you have reservations about buying now because you are worried about the price of real estate declining then you should read my article about EquityLock Financial.

Maya Thomas

Realtor

Exit Realty Old Island Key West

1511 Truman Avenue

Key West, FL  33040

(305) 522-1398

www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com 

This is from the incredible Sannon LeFavre in Naples.  It's such a useful article that I got Shannon's permission to re-blog it. 

THANKS SHANNON!

A class action law suit was filed against Bank of America for creating over draft situations with customers by debit card charges and deposits in a manner that encouraged over draft fees.  The class action suit is Closson vs Bank of America.  The plaintiff's were awarded $35 million dollars.

On the heels of the Bank of America news The Consumer Overdraft Protection Fair Practices Act H.R.1456 just passed.  Banks are no longer permitted to automatically enroll customers in fee based over draft protection.  Americans have paid $17.5 billion in overdraft fees.  If you paid Bank of America an overdraft fee between 2000 and 2007 you may be eligible to receive $78.

Maya Thomas
REALTOR®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com
MyRealPro@gmail.com

As if it weren't bad enough that we've already been through this.  I bought during the bubble and saw my insurance nearly doubled every year for the first 3 years.  That was back when I had a HORRENDOUS insurance agent and Citizens was trying to make everyone go bankrupt or force them into foreclosure.  Back before we all knew exactly what a short sale what and what to do with it.  I'm happy as peach pie with my current agent Sue Cherrybon with Johnson's Insurance on Big Pine Key.

If only I was a buyer today!  That's what everyone will be saying 5 years from now.  People will cry, "I could I have NOT known prices would go back up!?"

There are 1,066,304 Citizens insurance policies in effect.  If everyone paid $1,000 per policy that would be $1,066,304,000.  That is a billion dollars.  In Monroe County I don't think anyone pays less than $2,500 a policy.  There are people paying $17,000 annual policies.

Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe County (FIRM) fought hard to reduce insurance premiums in Monroe County.  Heather Carruthers and Teri Johnston are amazing women.  They keep us informed.

The state run Citizens Insurance is feeling needy and underpaid again.  This could cause a few more people into short sale or foreclosure.  Citizens is claiming that Wilma losses are the cause.  Citizens refused to pay on my hurricane damages and dozens of people I know.  What has happened to premiums homeowners paid for the multiple decades with virtually no big payouts in Monroe County?  Where did those billions go.  Uh O, I probably shouldn't have asked that question.

Citizens wants to adjust the replacement values on homes.  The amount my home was insured for doubled the 2^nd year and then went up at a good clip every year after that.  I had my builder give me a replacement estimate and my value was far less than I had been paying for during the last 4 years.  If you bought your home more than 5 years ago you may need to get a replacement value appraisal if you think you are being over charge for insurance to dispute the bill. You could consider talking to a builder in your area and paying them for an hour of their time to write you an estimate for your insurance agent.

Maya Thomas
REALTOR®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com
MyRealPro@gmail.com

It's easy to get wound up and in a big hurry when a homeowner needs our help.  We can't be any good to any of our clients if we don't have a system and a schedule to manage our day.  The phone rings all day.  The computer work piles up quick.  The daily To Do list needs attention!  Get the new listings in the MLS, change the status on the deals that went under contract or fell out of contract, get the buyer to the bank, web site updates and new listings, checking and returning emails, contacting new clients, fielding calls from new clients, making brochures and listing packages and printing listing agreements, writing contracts and delivering contracts, checking the HUD for tomorrows closing, sending the title commitment to the listing agent for our buyer.  Our days are slammed start to finish.

We take the best care of all of our clients by having good systems in place.  When a homeowner calls and has decided to let go of a house that is killing them and giving them sleepless nights the first reaction for many of us is to drop everything and run out the door.

When you call a Realtor® this is an example of what you can expect to hear.

"Hello Michelle! 

There will be a few papers you'll need to gather before we meet.  Do you have a pen handy or would you prefer that I e-mail you the 5 things?"

The Realtor® will then go step by step on the phone over the short list:   "We'll need...

•    A Hardship Letter

•    2 pay stubs from each borrower

•    2 months bank statements, all pages, for every borrower

•    2 years of W2's for all of the people on the mortgage

•    An authorization letter so that their lender can talk to me. 

When you have all the papers ready call your Realtor®. 

She'll say, "Hi Michelle, That was fast.  I thought it would take you a day or two!"

I ask whether the morning or afternoon is usually easier for you to meet for an appointment and if you know where my office is.  Then we'll make an appointment to meet.

It could take 90 days or 9 months to get to the closing table.  Depending upon the situation you may decide to move out of the home, stay in the home and make the payments or stay in the home and not make the payments.  I'll ask what you intend to do and answer your questions.  I'll recommend that you talk to an attorney and an accountant and explain the over all idea of what will happen in the process so you understand.

Be prepared to set some money aside if you have a 2^nd mortgage.  Many 1^st mortgages ask for money too.  The lender will call it a "cash contribution" and may attempt to refuse to close the transaction if you won't kick in some cash.  The cash can come from you, the buyer, a family member or a combination.  This will depend upon your circumstances and your ability.  We'll talk about what's going on in your life that brought you to this spot.

If you are considering a short sale call a Realtor® and find out what your options are.  The longer you wait the fewer options you will have and the less likely that the Realtor will be able to help you.  After you take that first step you'll feel so light and free like the world has been lifted off of your shoulders.

Maya Thomas
REALTOR®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com
MyRealPro@gmail.com

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 gives single first time home buyers who make less than $75,000 and married first time home buyers who make less than $150,000 a tax credit of 10% of the value of a new home purchase up to $8,000.  If you buy a home for $80,000 or more you get the full $8,000 credit.  If you are married, but file separately you share the credit 50-50.

The first time home buyer credit is retroactive to a purchases beginning January 1, 2009.  You can choose to take the credit on your 2008 or your 2009 taxes. 

You can get up to $8,000 back from the IRS even if you haven't paid any taxes because it's a tax credit based upon the price you pay for a home.

"The new credit can get money in the pockets of first-time homebuyers quickly," said IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman. "For people who recently purchased a home or are considering buying in the next few months, there are several different ways that they can get this tax credit even if they've already filed their tax return."

File an Extension
If you are House Hunting Don't File Your Taxes Yet!  Don't let your money sit in limbo with the IRS until March or April 2009 when you can get it back right away.  If you are house hunting and haven't found the perfect one there is no need to worry.  If you haven't filed your taxes you can choose to file a 6 month extension so that you can take the credit in 2008. want to take the credit in 2008 you'll need to file an extension.  You can file your taxes electronically whether you do them now or you file for an extension.  If you direct deposit you can have your money in less than 2 weeks.

File and then Amend
There is no reason to wait until 2009 for your $8,000 tax credit.  You can file your taxes now, get your tax return and use the money as a down payment to buy a home.  You file a 1040X to amend your taxes.  Then you amend your 2008 tax return so you can get the $8,000 tax credit in 2008.  File your taxes just like you normally do.  Turbo tax is easy.  H&R Block Tax Cut is more complicated.

Maya Thomas
Realtor®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com
MyRealPro@gmail.com

Seaside Resort Condominium is a lovely private community 10 miles from Key West that feels more like a fishing village.  The quiet, idyllic setting has rows and rows of neat and clean modular homes and mobile homes nestled on the Atlantic Ocean.  There is a meanering canal that flows through the property.  When you drive around every person you see waves and has a big smile on their face.  Nearly everyone is on a bike although there are a few golf carts.  They have a pancake breakfast once a week, an art group, a bible study group and boats everywhere!  There are 199 lots and 2 common area laundry areas.  It's a lovely community with a guard gate to screen your visitors.  There are 17 properties available as of March 17, 2009 ranging in price from $140,000 to $550,000.  There are ocean front lots in the mid-$200's!  You have got to see what a nice community this is.

Maya Thomas, Realtor
Exit Realty Old Island Key West

1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040

(305) 5221398

www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

MyRealPro@gmail.com

906 Southard Street, Key West, FL  33040
MLS #110390
$1,895,000
3 bedrooms, 3 baths
2,224 square feet
4,596 square foot lot

Grand turn of the century eyebrow home with original detail and every amenity you would expect in Historic Old Town Key West. Chefs dream kitchen has 2 built in refrigeraters, built in ice macinne, wine cooler, 48 viking gas range and cherry cabinets. Thick carrera marble slab countertops. Master suite features huge closets and extensive storage. Floor to ceiling tile in baths. Wrap around covered porches in back yard over look the heated pool and river rock waterfall. Flagstone decking and professional landscaping create a peaceful oasis. Gated off street parking with carport fits 2+ large vehicles. Seperate laundry/storage room off kitchen/family room area. Seperate rear storage building which is rare in Key West.

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Maya Thomas
Exit Realty Old Island Key West

1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040

(305) 5221398

www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

MyRealPro@gmail.com

Have you seen Watchmen?  Do NOT bring the kids to this one.  It's an inside out alternative story about outlawed super heros and vigilantes.  One of the super heros, the Comedian, gets murdered so Rorscharch (yeah, just like Rorscharch ink blots) sets out on a mission as a super cop vigilante to make the world right, find the killer and punish the evil do-er.  Roscharch gets the name from his face mask that changes shapes depending upon his state of anger.  Roscharch is able to get the rest of the super heros involved in his good vs evil quest.

I didn't pay close enough attention in my literature class to know if there is only 1 protagonist or if there can be more than one.  If there can be more than 1 then Mr. Rorschach is the main protagonist, and Mr. Manhattan is also one.

Mr. Manhattan an 'other than human' scientist that's been changed by a terrible accident into a blue glow stick subatomic super power who is able to change his size and has many forms of unimaginable strength.  Mr. Manhattan walks around naked throughout the movie.  Actually, he's naked the WHOLE time except for a few scenes in a suit.  There's even one scene where he is naked sitting Indian-style floating above the ground on Mars.  Yes, the plant Mars.  It's a unique story line.  There a scenes of people doing things that you should not watch with 150 other people.  And between some of the crazy stuff was some exciting super hero action fighter stuff. 

Maya Thomas
Exit Realty Old Island Key West

1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040

(305) 5221398

www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

MyRealPro@gmail.com

Great article that's too good to read once and forget about it!  I'm re-blogging you!  

Why of O why did I work 60 hours a week when I was 12 years old for a dollar an hour? I want you to know I was way under market rate. I was going for market share. I was a discount babysitter offering luxury babysitting services. My core client was a family that worked nights with 4 kids.  If only someone had told me to study more and work less I'd be rich! 

I would go to school, come home and sit at my sewing table and do my homework then go over to the house. The parents slept all day since they worked nights. All of the kids were under 5 years old. I started by washing the dishes and starting dinner. Then I cleaned up the living room. Next came dinner, bath time and reading stories. I slept on the couch and went home at 7 am. I took a shower, got my sister up, walked her to school and then did it all over again. That was my full time job.

How in the world I got the job as a 12 year old I’ll never know. They must have been really desperate and cash strapped. My supplemental income was my weekend gigs. I walked 2 sets of twins, Nora and Nathan and Kim and Lisa, in their baby carriages. I watched kids while their parents went to the grocery store or when they went out on dates. In between jobs I sold lemonade at puppet shows in my back yard, washed cars mowed lawns and cleaned houses. If only my mom had told me to study more and work less.

I worked through grammar school, middle school and high school. I was housekeeper at a resort, a resort pool towel girl, a waitress, an activities concierge, I sold t-shirts in a gift shop. I saved money during high school working for around 6 bucks an hour. One summer I was a secretary at a title insurance company which led to me getting my real estate license. Another summer I worked 3 jobs.

I graduated from Florida State University, Magna Cum Laude, with a degree in Communication owing more than I paid for new BMW I bought in 2007. All these years later all I can think of when I see a kid in high school is how much easier their lives can be than mine was.

There are ways to make college affordable. With so many scholarships, grants and loans it’s hard to believe, and sad, that 2 million kids who have the desire, talent, ability and the grades to go to college won’t be able to go because they don’t have the money to achieve their American Dream.

We can make a difference if we all make a promise to ourselves to start a conversation about college with every kid we make eye contact with between the ages of 10 and 17 years old.

Most kids will have a plan that they are eager to tell you about. It’s a great conversation starter, will boost the kids self esteem and help you get to know them better. It will be fun! For the kids who pause and look away you can show kindness and the qualities of a leader by gently letting them know that they matter and that our country needs someone just like them. Everyone has unique Tinkerbelle dust that they can sprinkle around them to make the world a better place. Let them know that no matter what their background is they can go to college if they will do a little research on the internet. You can give them these links.

As a real estate agent I can’t help notice that houses are 50% off right now. Of course I think that now is a great time to buy a house in your kid’s college town and have the roommates cover the mortgage. Not everyone can take advantage of this opportunity, but everyone is looking ways to save money since tuition costs have increased 40% since 2004. Finding ways to make college affordable is top priority.

We all want our kids to achieve the American Dream. It would also be nice if the United States can stay a super power because we’ll have the best educated people in the world. We need our kids to go to college.

83 billion dollars of tax money will be invested in financial aid. It’s one of the most important things that HELP is doing. HELP is the committee that is in charge of Health, Education, Labor and Pensions that Senator Edward Kennedy sits on that oversees programs like No Child Left Behind, educational funding and trying to solve important education issues our country is facing. To find ways to make college affordable go to http://www.college.gov/wps/portal

There are better ways to afford college than child labor.
1. Saving money
2. Scholarships
3. Grants
4. Loans
5. Work Study

Save Money. Benjamin Franklin said, "A penny saved is a penny earned." The best way to save money is take AP (advanced placement) classes in high school so you earn college credits free. You can graduate from high school 2 years ahead of kids your age and use the 2 years of tuition money to invest in an advanced degree. Another good way to save money is to go to a local junior college. Going to college in your home state is also a big money saver. Many students don’t want to live at home and go to a local junior college to save money. Consider taking classes locally during the summer break to get ahead and save money.

For more money saving ideas click here https://studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/pay_for_college/cost_35.html

Scholarships. These are gifts based on different criteria. Scholarships can be merit based or need based. Scholarships can come from individuals, employers, charity groups, schools, companies, churches and church affiliated organizations, professional associations, social organizations. To find scholarships go to

https://studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/scholarship/v3browse.asp

Grants. Grants are usually need based. This is the United States Department of Education web site where you search for grants

http://www.ed.gov/fund/grants-apply.html?src=rt

Pell Grants. These are need based. Pell grants just jumped $691 to $5,350 and a $150 increase has been approved for 2009.

ACG. (Academic Competitiveness Grant). To qualify you must have taken AP (advanced placement) classes in high school and be a freshman or sophomore in college.

FSEOG Grant. (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant). Need based grant.

SMART Grant. (Science and Mathematics Assistance to Retain Talent). You must major in science, mathematics, technology, engineering, foreign language. 3.0 GPA minium.

TEACH Grant. (Teacher Education Assistance for Higher Education). For future teachers who are willing to work in low-income schools.

Work Study. Part time jobs on campus.

Student Loans. Loans that you pay back after graduation.

Tuition Tax Credits. This credit just jumped $700 to $2,500. Go to http://www.irs.gov to learn about the Hope and Lifetime Learning Credit. Look for IRS publication 970 Tax Benefits for Higher Education.

I hope you will take a few minutes to make a difference in a kids life.

Maya Thomas
Exit Realty Old Island Key West

1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040

(305) 5221398

www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

MyRealPro@gmail.com

With a 15 year old, 13 year old and 11 year old we think about college everyday.  We were lucky for a long time when the kids were all getting A’s and B’s all by themselves.  I took it for granted.  Then one day the grades went bad like sour milk.  What in the world happened?  I thought the kids were just blessed with natural intelligence.  Did they just have easy teachers for the last few years?

This is how I fixed things…

First, I sold them on not having to work while they are in school, getting to join sports teams and clubs.  We talked about how fun traveling to football games and wrestling games would be.  And how many friends they would make if they knew all the kids in your classes and all the kids on their teams and the kids who volunteer for other organizations.  The extra time with some of the kids doing the same things would make their friendships stronger and that would make being at school more fun.  It would also give them more friends to do things with when they weren’t in school.

Then I sold them on how fun it would be to be in college with their own house and a bunch of friends living with them.  We talked about sports and fraternities.  We talked about dates and parties.

Then I gave them an exercise…

I handed each one a newspaper.  They were instructed to find a job that they could get hired to do if they dropped out of school or didn’t go to college.

Then I handed each kid a paper, a pen and a piece of paper.  They calculated how much money they would make every week with the newspaper job.

Then they looked for an apartment to rent.  They subtracted the cost of rent from their income.

Then they turned to the car section.  They picked out cars.  I printed an amortization schedule for them.  We estimated the cost of insurance.  They decided they couldn’t afford the cards.  We looked up on line the cost of a bus pass and then looked at the bus schedule.

Then they wrote grocery lists.  We went to the grocery store and they brought a piece of paper and wrote down the price of everything they wanted to buy.

The final project was to calculate how many hours they would have to work at minimum wage each week to survive. 

I asked each one how they would take a pretty girl on a date.  I had them calculate the cost of their date ideas.  I asked them if they thought the girls would want to ride the bus to their date.

I asked them where they would go on vacation. 

We then looked up houses and calculated the cost.  They realized that they would not have a car or a house and all they would do is work.

I explained to them that if they got straight A’s that they would be able to college.  I showed them on line the different programs to help them.  I explained scholarships to them and grants.

Then I asked, “Would you rather live in a cool house with a bunch of fun friends, go to fun parties and on dates with pretty fun girls or live the other life?”

By the end of the semester they both had all A’s and B’s and their attitudes improved too!

 Maya Thomas
Exit Realty Old Island Key West

1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040

(305) 5221398

www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

MyRealPro@gmail.com