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July 2012
Santa Clara
County
Market Update
Adding Value to Your Life with News, Tips and Entertainment
Roxanne Sierra
Realtor®
00973725
Cell: 408.410.7816
[email protected]
www.roxannesierra.com
What you might not know about the Stars and Stripes
While it’s widely thought that Betsy Ross made
the first American flag, few historians believe
this legend to be true. The Stars and Stripes
originated with a resolution of the Second
Continental Congress at Philadelphia on June 14,
1777. The Betsy Ross legend claims she sewed
the first flag a full year earlier.
Here’s what the resolution said about the flag’s
design: "Resolved, that the flag of the United
States
States be
be thirteen
thirteen stripes,
stripes, alternate
alternate red
red and
and white;
white; that the union be thirteen stars, white
that
the
union
be
thirteen
stars,
white
in
a
blue
in a blue field representing a new constellation."
field representing a new constellation."
David Lawver
Mortgage Advisor
01789249
Kal Financial
O: 408-834-4571
F: 408-228-0539
[email protected]
Inside This Issue…
Improve your Credit Score! ...... 1
Listings of the Month… ............ 2
Real Estate Investment Trusts . 3
Tips for Curing Insomnia .......... 3
Quiz of the Month.. .................. 4
Free Renovation Guide ............ 4
There’s strong evidence that Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of
Independence, suggested putting stars on the flag, and he may also have been
responsible for the overall design.
Because the original resolution wasn’t specific about how many points the stars should
have or how they should be arranged, some early flags had six- or eight-point stars in
rows, a circle or scattered randomly. Adding to the confusion was a 1794 Act that
required there to be fifteen stripes and fifteen stars, and an 1818 Act that called for
thirteen stripes with one extra star added for each new state.
Finally, President Taft signed an Executive Order in 1912 that set out the exact design
of the flag, with five-point stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, with a point of
each star directed upward. This was amended in January 1959 by President
Eisenhower to be seven rows of seven stars. Then later the same year, he amended it a
final time to be five rows of six stars staggered with four rows of five stars.
However, it’s possible that Betsy Ross may have still played a role in the design of the
flag. As a Philadelphia flag maker, she was probably called upon to sew one of the
early flags. And she may be the person who suggested switching to five-point stars
since they were easier to cut out.
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Come one, come all... It's that time of year again when we take
time to enjoy the weather and friends!
Please join me in celebration of my Client Appreciation
Program. We will have a smashing bar-b-que picnic at
Vasona Park on July 21st from 1 to 4pm where there
will be games and prizes and tremendous fun for
the entire family. Please email your RSVP to
[email protected] before July 15th so I will know who
to expect. I look forward to seeing you all again
and having a great time!!
Warmest Regards,
Roxanne Sierra
Realtor®
00973725
Cell: 408.410.7816
[email protected]
www.roxannesierra.com
Financial Freedom Tip of the Month
Pros and Cons of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
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A Real Estate Investment Trust or REIT is a company that lets investors pool
funds to invest in real estate. There are two types of REITs. Equity REITs
invest in residential and commercial property, while mortgage REITs invest
in mortgages. Here’s how to determine if a REIT is right for you.
Pros:
 Earn ongoing dividend income (from rent) AND long-term capital
gains (from rising property values).
 Unlike when you buy real property, you can buy into a REIT with
only a few thousand dollars.
 Earn income from rental properties without the hassles of tenants,
evictions, etc.
 REITs must pay out at least 90% of their income in dividends, so their dividends are generally higher.
 Cashing out of a REIT is as quick as selling your shares.
Cons:
 Since only 10% of income goes back into the REIT, growth can be slow.
 Paying someone to manage the properties in your REIT eats into your profits.
 Like mutual funds, you don’t control the investment decisions of your REIT.
 If property values drop, your REIT may not make a profit or pay a dividend.
 As we’ve seen, investing in pooled mortgage investments can be risky.
If you’d like help evaluating the potential of REITs, I can introduce you to one of my trusted REIT specialists.
Talk to me today!
Holistic Health Tip of the Month
Relaxation Tips for Curing Insomnia
We all have difficulty falling asleep some nights. But if you’re regularly bothered by
insomnia, here are some tips to help you deal with the tension and anxiety that may
be preventing you from getting a good night's sleep.
 Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Lie down on a soft, carpeted surface with
arms slightly apart and palms up. Starting with your feet and working
upward, slowly tighten each muscle briefly, then completely relax it.
 Deep Abdominal Breathing. Lie down in a similar manner. Gently rest one
hand on your chest and the other hand on your abdomen. Inhale slowly and
deeply. Make sure your stomach rises, not your chest. Then exhale slowly
and completely, again making sure your stomach falls, not your chest. Repeat for ten breaths.
 Take a Warm Bath. Lying in warm water is very relaxing.
 Have a Massage. Ask your spouse to do a slow, gentle massage of your muscles.
 Listen to Relaxing Music or a Relaxation CD.
 Drink Warm Milk. Thanks to the calcium in milk, drinking a glass 15 minutes before bed will soothe
your nervous system.
 Drink Herbal Tea. Sip a hot cup of soothing varieties, like chamomile, catnip, anise or fennel.
Quiz
Question of the Month
 Aromatherapy. Put a few drops of essential oil of lemon, valerian or lavender in a saucer near your bed.
Answers to Last Month's Quiz
Who was first named Father of His Country?
a) George Washington
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July Trivia
Which astrological sign does NOT appear in
July?
a) Cancer
b) Gemini
c) Leo
How does this contest work?
The first person to respond with the correct answer will
win a FREE Dinner for themselves and another guest
couple of their choice!
How do I submit my answer?
To respond with your answer, email:
[email protected] and include quiz code RS7012.
The contest deadline is 8/1/2012.
ANNOUNCING LAST MONTH’S WINNERS!
Congratulations to Sarah and Dan Penner of
Santa Clara for winning last month’s quiz
contest! They have won a FREE dinner for two at
the Maggiano’s. Enjoy!
Resource of the Month
FREE Guide Reveals Nine Secrets to Make
Your Home Reno Pay for Itself!
Whether your goal is to get a fixer upper ready to sell, increase the
market value of your home or just make your home more comfortable,
this free guide will show you nine home renovation secrets you need to
know before you get started. Here’s just a portion of what you’ll learn:
 What types of renovations provide the highest return on your
investment?
 Renovating vs. buying a new home: How to determine which option
is best.
 Insider secrets on how to maximize the value of your kitchen and bathroom renovations.
 Unique and innovative ways to enhance the comfort, beauty, enjoyment and resale value of your home.
 How to finance the entire project, eliminate credit card debts, and boost your equity – without any
out of pocket costs or increased monthly payments.
 And much, much more!
To get your free, no obligation copy of this informative Renovation Guide, call us today!