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Friday, 08.21.2015 The Daily Herald
Muhlstein: Sorry, no fetching
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Retirement in Reverse: Better read this if you are 62 or older and still making mortgage payments. More than 1 million seniors have taken advantage of this “retirement secret.” American’s are living longer. Home values are up. And for many senior citizens, their home is their single biggest asset, often accounting for “It has been 3 months and now I have the peace of mind knowing that the money is more than 50% of their net worth. here when I need it. I was able to pay down With the cost of basic necessities my credit card debt, get my car repaired, and such as food on the rise, it’s no make home improvements...” Ann, E. VA wonder why more and more seniors improved to provide greater are using HECM reverse mortgages protection for homeowners, there to turn their home equity into extra are still a lot of misconceptions. For cash for retirement. However, there example, many people mistakenly are still millions of homeowners who could benefit from this FHA- believe the home must be paid insured loan program but may off in full in order to qualify for a simply not be aware of this so-called reverse mortgage, which is not the “retirement secret,” notes Former case. One key benefit of a reverse mortgage is that it automatically U.S. Senator Fred Thompson. pays off your existing mortgage, NO MONTHLY MORTGAGE which frees up cash flow, a huge PAYMENTS?* TAX-FREE CASH? blessing for those on a fixed WHAT’S THE CATCH? income. “You know, some people have told Unfortunately, many homeowners me that reverse mortgages sound too who could actually benefit from a good to be true. You get cash out of reverse mortgage don’t even bother your home, no monthly payments, to get more information due to and you still own your home. There rumors they’ve heard. That’s a has to be a catch, right? Well there shame because reverse mortgages isn’t,” says Senator Thompson. are helping many seniors live a In fact, reverse better life. mortgages took A recent survey by American hold when president Ronald Advisors Group (AAG), the nation’s Reagan signed the number one reverse mortgage FHA mortgage lender, found that 97% of their bill into law over clients were satisfied with their 25 years ago reverse mortgages. In 1988, President to help senior If you’re a homeowner age 62 or Reagan signed the FHA Reverse Mortcitizens remain older, you owe it to yourself to gage bill into law. in their homes. learn more. You may be pleasantly “They’re simply an effective way for surprised by what you discover. folks 62 and older to get the cash they need to enjoy their retirement,” Request a FREE Info Kit notes Thompson. Although today’s HECM reverse mortgages have been greatly
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going out to places. At school, they sit in class and sleep. In restaurants, having them with us gets them used to being a working dog,” she said. Both mother and daughter learned about Guide Dogs for the Blind through the Girl Scouts. Chandler was in middle school when she attended a Girl Scouts event called Discoveries, where she took part in a puppy-raising workshop. Through an Everett area Guide Dogs for the Blind puppy-raising club, she learned more. Chandler and her mom remember seeing a guide dog with its owner in a restaurant. Tina Chandler at last agreed to let her daughter raise a puppy. Chandler has since learned that the young woman who spoke at that Girl Scout event helped start a puppyraising club at WSU. Tina Fish, who works for Volunteers of America Western Washington, leads a Daisy troop of firstgraders. Her Daisies were delighted to meet her latest trainee, Jane. While her
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surgery, according to information posted on the rockstar couple’s Facebook page and website. He is expected to make a full recovery. Fair manager Hal Gausman said they were unable to find a performer with a style similar to Benatar so they decided to go in a different direction. “Queensrÿche has a great local following,” he said. “These guys are more
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*Consult your tax advisor. **Borrowers are responsible for paying taxes and insurance. We do not establish an escrow account for disbursements of these payments. NMLS# 9392 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). American Advisors Group (AAG) is headquartered at 3800 W. Chapman Ave., 3rd &7th Floors, Orange CA, 92868. WA (Consumer Loan # CL-9392). Reverse mortgages are first and second mortgage loans. A reverse mortgage increases the principal mortgage loan amount and decreases home equity (it is a negative amortization loan). Fred Thompson is a paid AAG spokesperson. AAG works with other lenders and financial institutions that offer reverse mortgages. To process your request for a reverse mortgage, AAG may forward your contact information to such lenders for your consideration of reverse mortgage programs that they offer. These materials are not from HUD or FHA and were not approved by HUD or a government agency.
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Former er U U.S. Senator, Fred Thompson
daughter was in Pullman with Apricot, Tina Fish raised another pup, Fancy. That dog is now in training with Dogs for the Deaf. Anne Tyson, a community field representative with Guide Dogs for the Blind in Washington, said WSU is very supportive of the program. “We like the puppies to experience a lot of things as they mature. We like raisers to take them to a few new places each week, to experience sights, smells and other dogs,” Tyson said. She listed three Cs that are good traits in a guide dog: “calm, cooperative and confident.” The organization has about 850 dogs in training, Tyson said. Guide Dogs for the Blind delivers puppies to trainers at a regional site, in this area usually Tacoma Mall, and pays for routine veterinary care. Trainers pay for dog food and other incidental expenses — but not tennis balls. Guide dogs are never taught to fetch, Tina Fish said. In New Westminster, Rathwell is thrilled with Apricot. She was delivered June 9, and a Guide Dog
for the Blind trainer spent 10 days with Rathwell in Canada. Rathwell, who has been blind since very early childhood, works in an electronics store. “Apricot goes everywhere with me. She’s sitting in the break room at work right now, lying here sleeping,” she said Thursday. Apricot helps her get around, inside and outside. “More than that, it seems like she’s almost reading your mind sometimes,” Rathwell said. “It’s definitely a strong bond.” Apricot has her own Facebook page. The lab puppies — Jane and Jalina — do, too. The Everett women miss the first dog they helped raised but are glad their efforts are appreciated by someone needing a guide dog. Tina Fish shared a thought on Apricot’s Facebook page: “Dear Apricot ... It sounds like you are just loving working and playing with your new mama. We knew you would.”
of a hard rock” band. The black-clad band has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide since the 1980s with hit songs, such as “Silent Lucidity,” “Jet City Woman,” “Queen of the Reich” and “Eyes of a Stranger.” Queensrÿche brings heavy metal to the fair concert lineup, which includes the Christian group Casting Crowns and country music artists Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann and Vince Gill. “It’s going to be a wild mix,” Gausman said. “It should be a great time out at the fair.” The Evergreen State Fair
starts Thursday and runs through Labor Day. Queensrÿche tickets cost $15 to $25 and include gate admission. They can be purchased at evergreenfair. org or at the fair box office. Information about the band can be found at queensrycheofficial.com. People who paid for Benatar tickets with a credit or debit card will be automatically refunded. Those who paid cash can come to the fair box office or call 360-805-6710 for a refund.
Julie Muhlstein: 425339-3460; jmuhlstein@ heraldnet.com.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports