• Avoid The ‘One-Ring’ Cell Phone Scam…
• Think Twice Before You Make These Home Renovations…
• Fun Facts and Laughs: Legal Information Websites, Trendy Social Media, And More…
• Real Estate Q&A: What Mistakes Should I Avoid When Selling My Home?…

P.S.  When you notice people talking about real estate in the next few weeks, can you tell them about the free consumer information I provide?

They may be people getting married soon and looking to buy their first home, and you can tell them about my Free Consumer Report: “Top 10 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes To Avoid.” You’ll be helping them start marriage off by avoiding costly mistakes when buying and financing their home. To request a copy for a friend, email me by clicking here.

When you miss a cell phone call, do you automatically call the number back to see who called? If you don’t recognize the number or it’s “unknown,” it may be a big mistake. If the phone rings once (or sometimes more than once) and you return the call, you may be charged a $19.95 international fee plus $9 a minute for the duration of the call on your next cell phone bill. Here’s how to avoid being a victim:

• Look at the area code. These calls are primarily coming from Antigua and Barbuda (268), the British Virgin Islands (284), the Dominican Republic (809), Grenada (473), Jamaica (876) and Turks & Caicos Islands (649). If you call back, you’ll be asked to “hold for the operator,” incurring more charges.
• There is also a New Jersey number in use as well.   Area Code (201). You can click this link to learn more about this scam. Who-is-calling-from-201-279-5861

• Search the number online to see if there are scam reports. But when in doubt, don’t call back.

• If you do return the call, notify your cell phone carrier immediately. Tell them you’ve been a scam victim, give them the details, request a refund, and ask if you can restrict “third-party billing” on your account. Verizon, for example, offers a free service called “Bill Block,” but you need to ask for it. Get it for both your cell phone and landline.

• Monitor your phone bills. These costs may show up as “premium services.” You should also check your mobile phone carrier’s policy on refunds for fraudulent charges. Some carriers may have a 60-day period for refund requests.

• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Go to www.ftc.gov/complaint and click on the FTC Complaint Assistant icon. While the FTC can’t resolve individual complaints, they use the information to crack down on scammers.

If you’re planning a home renovation, do it for your own enjoyment. But if you might move in a few years, know that some projects won’t generate the return you hoped for. Here are some do’s and don’ts.

Do consider these upgrades:

• Replace your kitchen countertops with stone or granite (check material cost calculators at www.homewyse.com). Paint your cabinets and add new handles.

• Modernize the bathrooms. A total renovation can cost thousands, but just replacing the vanity in one bathroom with a granite top and dark-wood cabinets will make a huge difference. For example, you can find one at Costco for about $600.

• Make your home more energy efficient. Buy energy-efficient appliances, insulate your attic, seal air leaks around the house, and install a programmable thermostat. While these upgrades may not be obvious, they will save you money and buyers will appreciate them.

Enjoy these, but you may not get a return on your investment:

• Installing a pool. A pool is entertaining, but it can be a liability when you sell. Buyers worry about safety and maintenance.

• Creating a dedicated home office. It’s appropriate if you work at home and use it everyday, but if you just use it to pay bills, make sure the room can also be used as a den or spare bedroom.

• Over-renovating for your neighborhood. If you spend $25,000+ on a new kitchen, you may price yourself out of the local market when it comes time to sell.

Legal Information Websites . . .

• www.nolo.com – Get answers to your business and legal questions.

• www.allLaw.com – Access legal articles, estate planning apps, legal forms and legal calculators.

• www.findLaw.com – Find a lawyer or watch videos on legal topics.

What’s Popular With Teens Besides Facebook? . . .

Teens aren’t using Facebook as much as they used to (probably because so many adults use it). These free mobile apps (for iPhone and Android devices) are what’s popular now:

• SnapChat – Send “snaps” (photos, videos and captions) that self-destruct a few seconds after they’ve been viewed.

• Vine – Create 6-second videos to share with friends. (Owned by Twitter)

• Instagram – Take a picture or video, add a filter to make it look cool, and post it instantly for others to see. (Owned by Facebook)

Create A Family Health History Online . . .

Your family health history can help your doctor take better care of you. Use the tool at: familyhistory.hhs.gov and share the results with your family members.

Have A Laugh . . .

Did you answer last month’s Trivia Question?

Who holds the record for the most consecutive victories on the PGA Tour?

Which weekly television series on NBC was the first to air completely in color in 1959?

EMAIL ME BY: Clicking Here OR Call Me At 916-240-9302 if you have the correct answer.