THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“We have always found that people are most productive in small teams with tight budgets, time lines and the freedom to solve their own problems.” – John Rollwagen

FACT OF THE DAY:

FACT OF THE DAY:

Archaeologists found grape pips (seeds), usually considered evidence of winemaking, dating from 8000 B.C. in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. The oldest pips of cultivated vines were found in (then Soviet) Georgia from 7000-5000 B.C. – Provided by RandomHistory.com
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SITE OF THE DAY:

SITE OF THE DAY:

Recalls.gov

“To provide better service in alerting the American people to unsafe, hazardous or defective products, six federal agencies with vastly different jurisdictions have joined together to create http://www.recalls.gov – a ‘one stop shop’ for U.S. Government recalls.”

Economists Far More Optimistic on Future of Housing Prices: Survey

http://www.dsnews.com

BY: TORY BARRINGER

A strengthening housing market in the past few months has economists making more bullish predictions about the recovery, Zillow revealed Thursday.

The company released the results of its most recent Home Price Expectations Survey, showing that economists surveyed expect home prices to rise by a total of 2.3 percent during 2012. This change in sentiment is a major turnaround from June, when respondents predicted home prices would experience a net decline this year.

Predictions were varied, but respondents seemed to agree on a positive trend: The most optimistic quartile of panelists predicted a 4.4 percent increase in 2012 prices, while the most pessimistic panel predicted an average increase of 0.3 percent.

Economists surveyed also revised their forecasts for 2013-2016, predicting steady price growth in each year.

“This is further evidence that we’re seeing a true recovery in the housing market,” said Dr. Stan Humphries, chief economist for Zillow. “Not since mid-2010 – in the midst of the homebuyer tax credits – have we seen this group so bullish on housing. It’s refreshing to see this optimism at a time when the market seems to be making an organic recovery, in the absence of an artificial stimulant like the tax credits.”

In addition, the survey showed that more than half of respondents want to eliminate the mortgage interest tax deduction, with 50 percent saying it should be phased out gradually and 10 percent wanting it cut as soon as possible. Thirty percent said the deduction should have more eligibility restrictions placed on it, while 11 percent believe it should remain as-is.

“Although the mortgage interest deduction remains enormously popular with existing and aspiring homeowners, it costs the federal government about $90 billion a year,” said Terry Loebs, founder of PulsenomicsLLC, the company that conducted the survey for Zillow.

“Time will tell whether the unprecedented fiscal challenges facing the U.S., coupled with a housing market now on the mend, will embolden more policymakers to touch this lightning rod,” Loebs continued.

The survey panel also gave input on government policies and the election. When asked about the use of eminent domain to seize selected underwater (but current) mortgages, an overwhelming 91 percent said they oppose the idea. Some county governments are evaluating such a proposal, and the fight has even gone to Capitol Hill.

As far as November’s presidential election goes, Mitt Romney has more support from those surveyed, with 45 percent saying they will vote for him over President Obama’s 34 percent. Regardless of who they would vote for, 47 percent of respondents said they believe Obama would promote more significant housing policy changes, while 32 percent said they don’t think there would be any real difference with either candidate.

Fixed Mortgage Rates Find New Lows in Wake of QE3 Announcement

http://www.dsnews.com

BY: TORY BARRINGER

The Federal Reserve’s announcement confirming a third round of quantitative easing sent long-term mortgage rates tumbling to all-new record lows this week.

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed a drop in both the 30-year and 15-year fixed. According to the survey, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.49 percent (0.6 point) for the week ending September 20, down from 3.55 percent the week before.

The 15-year FRM also fell this week, averaging 2.77 percent (0.6 point). The previous survey showed an average of 2.85 percent.

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) saw so slippage, however. The 1-year ARM saw no change from last week, averaging 2.61 percent (0.4 point). The 5-year ARMactually increased, rising to 2.76 percent (0.6 point) from 2.72 percent before.

The Fed’s announcement adds to the other good news the housing market has been seeing, said Frank Nothaft, VP and chief economist at Freddie Mac.

“Following the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a new bond purchase plan, yields on mortgage-backed securities fell, bringing average fixed-mortgage rates to their all-time record lows, which should aid in the ongoing housing recovery,” Nothaft said. “New construction on one-family homes rebounded in August, rising by 5.5 percent to the fastest pace since April 2010. In addition, existing home sales increased by 7.8 percent in August to its strongest pace since May 2010.”

Bankrate’s weekly survey showed drops in all categories. The 30-year fixed plummeted to 3.70 percent from 3.81 percent last week, while the 15-year fixed fell to 2.95 percent from 3.04 percent. Meanwhile, the 5/1 ARMdropped to 2.69 percent from 2.75 percent.

While the new stimulus may be good for housing, Bankrate wondered if the Fed’s plan will be able to achieve its intended goal.

“Unhappy with the pace of economic recovery or job growth, the Fed felt compelled to take additional measures, even if those measures will be more effective at boosting the stock market and reducing interest rates than the stated intentions of lifting economic output and aiding job growth,” Bankrate said in a release.

Warner Robins Fire Department Receives Golden Axe from MDA

Warner Robins, Ga. — The Muscular Dystrophy Association is awarding the Warner Robins Fire Department the coveted “Golden Axe” award for raising the most money for MDA in the state of Georgia for 2012, according to a Muscular Dystrophy Association news release.

The award will be presented to Chief Singletary and the Warner Robins Fire Department at Station 6

701 Osigian Blvd. Warner Robins, GA at 8:00 am.

The annual boot drive program directly helps local families affected by diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The donations help support the Association’s worldwide research program, as well as MDA’s national network of 225 hospital-affiliated clinics, including Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite and Emory University.

The Warner Robins Fire Department, along with the citizens of  Houston County raised $110,000 in 2012 bringing their total collected since 1989 to an amazing $2,413,633!!

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat muscular dystrophy through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.

Submitted by Jacqueline Harnevious, 13WMAZ Community Web Producer

Tuesday, September 18th, 2012, 12:01pm

Guardrail Repair to Close I-75 Lane, Shoulder

Guardrail repairs take place along I-75 through Houston County starting Thursday, September 20, according to a GDOT news release.

That’s between mile markers 132 and 140.

How this affects I-75:

•  I-75 southbound, beginning at 7 p.m., Thursday, September 20 until 2 a.m., Friday, September 21, left lane closure between mile markers 140 to 133
• I-75 northbound, 2 a.m. until 4 a.m., Friday, September 21, left lane closure at mile marker 132

Submitted by Jacqueline Harnevious, 13WMAZ Community Web Producer

Tuesday, September 18th, 2012, 2:43pm

Warner Robins Helps Stranded Soldier Get Home

It’s a saying often heard in Warner Robins: “Every day in Middle Georgia is Armed Forces Appreciation Day.”

But, some people may may question if the community lives up to its claim. In a recent instance, t most certainly did.

Lorra Lynch Jones explains how chance landed a stranded soldier in a patriotic town, leading him to some unexpected help and a ride home.

Fresh off of three years in the Army and Ft. Stewart, soldier Frank Vann packed his dog and truck and started the journey to Joplin Missouri on I-16 about two weeks ago.

He didn’t get far. Vann’s engine blew in the middle of the night.

Employee at Five Star Chevrolet in Warner Robins, Katie Dobbins, said, “Frank showed up here Saturday morning after sleeping the night in his car, along the interstate. His vehicle was towed here, because we were the closest Chevy dealership.”

Dobbins noticed the young man after he sat in the dealership’s lobby for hours.

She said, “He just didn’t have the money to pay the enormous bill to replace an engine in a vehicle.”

Realizing the 21-year-old soldier had few resources, Dobbins offered to take Vann and his dog into her home.

She said, “There’s always the unknown, but all of our men and women in the service, when they sign that contract, they’re facing the unknown from the start. They don’t know where their travels are going to be. I thought it was a very small risk to take, considering he’s risked his life for us.”

Frank got a little extra help during his stay. The towing company reduced his bill by half. The folks at Five Star cut the diagnostics bill on his truck in half. The employees also took up a collection, so he would have spending money while he was in town.

After 5 days, one problem remained. The soldier needed to get home.

Chamber of Commerce President Morgan Law said, “I received a call from Katie Dobbins a week ago Thursday.”

Law wanted to help.

He said, “This guy is 21-years-old, volunteered to go serve our country, in harms way in a very difficult position in Iraq during combat, and he was trying to get home.”

The folks at U-Haul on Watson Boulevard quickly agreed to discount a trailer rental to haul the truck.

Law made few calls about getting Vann a ride. Then, he decided it would be best to do the job himself.

He said, “15 hours, including stops for the dog and smoke breaks for him.”

Vann made it home around 1:15 a.m. on a Saturday morning, thanks to enormous efforts by strangers in an unknown place.

Law said, “I think God works in mysterious ways, and he did end up in the right community.”

It’s a town that always waves its stars and stripes, and in this case, proved its patriotism, too.

13WMAZ tried several times to reach Frank Vann. The calls went directly to voice mail.

We hope to hear back from him in the next few days and will let you know if we do.

Katie Dobbins showed us a message on her facebook page from him. It read, “I’m sending a shout out to Katie Dobbins. The nicest person I’ve ever met. Thank you so much for all your help.”
Submitted by 13WMAZ Web Staff

Tuesday, September 18th, 2012, 7:37pm

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” – Bible, 1st Timothy 6:10

FACT OF THE DAY:

FACT OF THE DAY:

Only about 5% of all U.S. caves have the right temperature and water conditions suitable for bats. – Provided by RandomHistory.com