Practicing Home Fire Drills

Nothnagle Realtors has partnered with the Prevention 1st Foundation to distribute safety materials to homeowners. Many accidents that occur in and around the home are preventable with some simple precautions and safety tips to follow.

Home Fire Drills

Does your family know what to do in the event of a fire? Lives can be saved if everyone in the household is prepared by planning and practicing your escape route. Here are some tips to help you get started:

* Think about how you will escape from every room, starting with bedrooms.

* If possible, plan two escape routes from each room. Your second route may be to go out a window, or stand at a window where firefighters can see you.

* Decide where you will meet outside.

* Plan everyone’s role. Who will make sure children get out? Plan for special needs. Do you have: Young children? Older adults? People with temporary or permanent disabilities? Do you ever have overnight guests?

* Share your plan with babysitters and frequent visitors.

* Keep your floors, hallways and stairs clear of clutter.

* Fire extinguishers require planning too.

* Practice your home fire drill.

You can make this fun for your kids! Prevention 1st offers an animated game for kids to play..."Help Mikey Make it Out." The foundation's web site also offers a 15-minute video to help you prepare and execute your plan.

Remember, regularly test your smoke detectors and always check your batteries. A good rule of thumb to follow if your smoke detector is battery-operated...change your clock, change your battery, and you will always be prepared.

Help Us Help the People of Haiti

Nothnagle Realtors is collaborating with Habitat for Humanity International to raise funds to address shelter solutions for families displaced by the recent earthquake in Haiti. Over the next four weeks, Nothnagle will be utilizing its advertising vehicles to raise awareness and ask the community for their financial support of Habitat’s initiatives in Haiti. Nothnagle will match a portion of the contributions raised for Habitat with a corporate donation.

Over 3 million people have been affected by the January 12 earthquake and estimates put the number of homeless as high as 2 million. Prior to this catastrophic event, 80% of Haitians were living in poverty, 54% in abject poverty.

“We were looking for a way to utilize our resources to help the people of Haiti and felt that partnering with Habitat to address housing needs made the most sense,” said Armand D’Alfonso, President and CEO of Nothnagle Realtors.

To donate on-line, please visit www.Nothnagle.com and click on the Habitat banner on the homepage. To donate by check, please make checks payable to Habitat for Humanity International and include “Haiti Earthquake” in the memo line. Mail checks directly to Habitat for Humanity International at 121 Habitat Street, Americus, GA 31709, or drop off checks at any Nothnagle branch office and we will forward to Habitat.


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About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. As a builder of decent, safe, affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity recognizes the need to provide long-term solutions to the housing needs of families who have been affected and displaced by the earthquake in Haiti but cannot qualify for a conventional mortgage. To help, please visit Habitat for Humanity's Web site at www.habitat.org.

Changes to FHA Program

On January 20, 2010, FHA announced major changes to ensure its long-term financial soundness. FHA is trying to balance three fundamental objectives: 1) financial soundness of the FHA insurance fund – ensuring that its capital ratio returns above 2 percent, 2) fulfilling its mission of serving borrowers not adequately served by the private sector and 3) facilitating the recovery of the housing industry and the over-all economy.

While the changes will result in some higher costs for home buyers, FHA mortgages remain one of the best options for many purchasers, especially first-time buyers who may not have stellar credit and/or a large cash reserve saved for a downpayment.

Changes include an increase to the upfront mortgage insurance premium, which is paid by the borrower when the loan is made, from 1.75 percent to 2.25 percent. For a loan of $100,000, the mortgage insurance premium would be $2,250, up from the current $1,750. The FHA also said it was cutting the amount of aid sellers could provide buyers (often referred to as "sellers concessions") from 6 percent to 3 percent of the purchase price.

The FHA is raising its minimum credit score for a 3.5 percent down payment to 580 while scores below that level would be required to have 10 percent down. But most FHA lenders won't lend to anyone below 620 so it's unclear how many borrowers would really be affected by the down payment change.

More info: FHA to Provide Early Relief to Struggling Homeowners

See the summary of changes from the National Association of REALTORS.

Ontario Branch Wins "Red Kettle Challenge" Trophy

Fifteen agents from the Ontario branch braved the cold temperatures to volunteer to collect money for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign in December. The project was in partnership with Boy Scout Troop 127, who hosted a local "Red Kettle Challenge" that Nothnagle Realtors, along with other area businesses and groups, participated in. Nothnagle is proud to announce that we captured the trophy this year! The winner is not selected by the amount of money they raise, but by the unique way manner in which they appeal to the public.

Nothnagle agents dressed up as Santa and his helper elves, handing out candy as shoppers entered the Ontario Tops market. It was a great experience for our agents, who raised over $1,000 in donations and had a fun time doing it! The Ontario branch is proud to participate with the local Boy Scout troop, to demonstrate to our local youth striving to do good deeds in their community. We're already thinking of ideas for 2010....

Nothnagle Announces Top 30 Agents of 2009

Nothnagle Realtors held our annual awards event and company meeting on Friday, January 29, 2010. At the event, we announced the "Top 30" agents based on 2009 sales. Some of the agents making the list have been a member of this prestigious groups for many years while others just made the list for the first time. This is a tremendous achievement for all of these professionals.

Introducing this year's Top 30....

Marcia Glenn (Penfield)
Sam Morreale (Irondequoit)
Richard Sarkis (Main)
Steve Wrobbel (Fairport)
Cathy McWilliams (Canandaigua)
Jaci Cannan (Pittsford)
Mike Drouin (Pittsford)
Vickie Howard (Pittsford)
Doug Logory (Greece)
Debbi Jacob (Pittsford)
Janis Reding (Fairport)
Brian Donovan (Pittsford)
John Masters (Greece)
Irene Bennett (Pittsford)
Mary Tubiolo (Penfield)
Pam Dickson (Gates)
Dan Patterson (Ontario)
Joy Sherry (Greece)
Kathy Keogh (Fairport)
Mary Lobene (Spencerport)
Carol Andrews (Henrietta)
Ginny Hronek (Pittsford)
Josie Licata (Penfield)
Geetha Vijay (Pittsford)
Beth Forester (Fairport)
Bob Finocchio (Fairport)
Annette Rotondo (Batavia)
Robin St. George (Fairport)
Kathy Walker (Brighton)
Sam Cretekos (Fairport)
Jim Peck (Fairport)