Hello All!
Every once in a while art and life make that connection that just makes you take that reflective sigh and compels you to want to share your new-found wisdom in the hopes of bringing light and clarity to all. And so it happened in discovering the photography of Audrey Hotchkiss (www.aehotchkissphotography.com). In an industry that has changed so much in the last ten years, primarily with the advent of digital, Audrey has chosen to exclusively use a medium format camera, widely used in the 50's and 60's. Her choice is for several reasons: good eye contact with her subjects while taking the picture, great conversation starter, and the romance of reusing 'something old' for remembering perfectly romantic weddings. Decidedly, though, her favorite feature of the camera is this: the pictures it takes are square; perfectly proportioned photographs with totally equal sides.

Audrey has documented her fair share of weddings: young and old, shy and outgoing, funny and serious, religious and non-secular, straight and gay. At every one, she is struck by the uniqueness of the couples, their individual personalities and the way they change for the better when they come together. And her camera makes no exclusion, or discrimination, or compromise with any of the couples - the pictures it takes are all square; perfectly proportioned photographs with totally equal sides.

In her show "Equal Sides" (see attached) at The Gallery at Harmon's & Barton's this month with photographer/friend, Andrew Davis

(www.andrewdavisweddings.com), Audrey's photographs illustrate the similarities, not differences, on the sharing of life with a partner, no matter what preference a person has. Her old, traditional, twin-lens reflex camera with perfectly square pictures, gives voice to those who believe in and support rights for everyone in the hopes that the political and cultural picture will soon have equal sides, too.

We look forward to seeing you this Friday evening and throughout April for fine art, lively conversation and stunning spring flowers!

Cheers!
 
 

 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

East End Condo with fantastic views of Casco Bay!

"Best Views in association" overlooking Casco Bay, the islands & ships channel. New custom kitchen with granite, opens to Living Room & Dining Room. Large corner master with private bath & large closets, guest bedroom with views as well. Balcony & glassed 3 season room. Heated parking

View the visual tour here: http://tour.previsite.com/F4D487C0-BD4C-3D02-DEE2-C2FF8337AE3A

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Sweet Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED POUND CAKE


Servings: 16

Prep time: 20 minutes

Bake time: 1 to 1½ hours

1 pound butter

4 cups sifted powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting

6 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

4 cups sifted cake flour

½ teaspoon salt



Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a Bundt pan, a tube pan, or two loaf pans. Cream the butter with an electric mixer. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and beat until combined. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and salt.

Add to the butter mixture and mix until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 1 to 1½ hours, or until the cake springs back to the touch. Let stand in the pan for 15 minutes and then turn out on a wire rack to cool. Before serving, lightly dust the cake with powdered sugar.

Recipe by Laura Swayne. For more great recipes: http://www.yourhomeandlifestyle.com/pages/article/YHL_MAR_11_04/18979/index.html
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Portland Public Library Brown Bag lunch

Two Brown Bag Lectures this week!


12:00-1:00pm

Tuesday, March 29th: Jacques d'Amboise: I Was a Dancer

Wednesday, March 30th: James Nelson: With Fire and Sword


The Edible Book Festival!
PPL seeks submissions for our Edible Book Festival.

The Portland Public Library announces an Edible Book Festival where community members and library patrons are invited to create a piece of edible art referencing a book. Edible art submissions can look like a book, pun on a title of a book, resemble a character or scene or just have something to do with a book. The only major criteria are that all submissions must be edible and based on a book!

The Edible Book Festival will be held during the First Friday Art Walk in the Rines Auditorium at the Portland Public Library on April 1st from 5:00-7:00pm.

People can register for the Edible Book Festival by emailing weyand@portland.lib.me.us or by calling Sandy at 871-1700 ext. 758. Registration is free and participants are asked to drop off their work of art between 3:00pm-4:45pm on Friday, April 1, 2011.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Update from Michael Deraspe - Bank of America

At times of global uncertainty, such as the nuclear crisis in Japan and the ongoing situation in Libya, traders will park their money in “safe” investments like bonds. And since bonds such as mortgage backed securities (MBS) are tied to home loan rates, when bond pricing improves, home loan rates can improve which is what we saw last week.



But the current economic situation is volatile. A "safe haven trade" is just that, a short –term trade. Should events around the world stabilize, this safe haven trade could unwind quickly with bond prices and home loan rates rising as a result.


Another item of note is that bonds and home loan rates are facing some additional headwinds that could hamper their improvement. First, if Japan sells some of their treasury holdings to help finance the recovery and reconstruction, like they did in 1995 after the Kobe earthquake, this could spur a sell-off in bonds overall, which would cause bonds and home loan rates to worsen.


Second is the impact of inflation both here and overseas. Not only is China struggling with inflation, even though they have raised rates and tightened lending requirements multiple times over the past few months, but last week both our Producer Price Index (which measures inflation at the wholesale level) and Consumer Price Index were rising more than expected.


The bottom line: If inflation is allowed to grow, it can be very difficult to rein in and control and this will hinder improvement in home loan rates. And, if the situations in Japan and the Middle East stabilize or improve, we could see further unwinding of the "safe-haven" buying of U.S. bonds which will also hinder improvement in home loan rates.
~ Michael Deraspe, Mortgage Loan Officer, Bank of America
Direct line: 207.838.6844

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Comfort Food Recipes

KOBE MEATLOAF

Servings: 4

Prep time: 25 minutes

Bake time: 20 minutes

1 tablespoon olive oil

¼ large onion, diced

1 clove garlic, diced

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped

2 teaspoons fresh sage, chopped

½ teaspoon dry mustard

¼ teaspoon black pepper

½ cup milk

1 egg

½ cup ketchup

2½ cups diced bread

2 pounds ground Kobe beef

¼ cup ketchup lightly watered down for basting

4 strips bacon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic with salt until tender. Add thyme and sage, then add remaining spices. Mix milk, egg, and ½ cup ketchup with bread.

Combine the spice mixture with the bread mixture, then fold into the meat. Weigh out 8-ounce portions, making a round baguette shape with each. Place on a tray covered with parchment paper. Brush with the watered-down ketchup. Wrap each loaf with a strip of bacon.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes in a convection oven, or a bit longer if you are not using a convection oven. Serve with mashed potatoes. Recipe by Robb Ittner, owner of Range Restaurant in Aspen, Colorado. Photography by Heath Anyan
 
Click here for more: http://www.yourhomeandlifestyle.com/pages/article/YHL_FEB_11_03/18979/index.html
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Feb Maine Homes Sales by the numbers

FEBRUARY HOME SALES:  The Maine Real Estate Information System reports the median sales price (MSP) of a single-family home in Maine rose 0.92% in February 2011 to $159,450 compared with February 2010.  The MSP indicates that half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less. In addition, 482 homes sold in February 2011, reflecting a decrease of 2.43% compared to February 2010. 
 John Hatcher
In that same time period, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports a 2.7 percent decrease for national sales of single-family existing homes and a national Median Sales Price of $157,000 – a decline of 4.2 percent. Regionally, sales in the Northeast decreased 8.3 percent in February; the regional MSP of $230,200 represents a 9.5 percent decrease

Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Composters Available in Time for Spring!

Composters Available in Time for Spring


This month, the City of Portland Public Services Department kicked-off its third annual composting promotion by offering compost bins, wing diggers, kitchen waste pails and rain barrels at discounted prices for purchase. Last year more than 500 compost bins, wing diggers, kitchen pails and rain barrels were sold through the program. In line with Portland's sustainability goals, the city endorses compost as an environmentally responsible alternative to fertilizing lawns and gardens and an efficient way to manage organic waste. Twenty-five percent of the average household's waste consists of yard trimmings and kitchen scraps, which can easily be composted. Home composting combined with recycling and yard waste programs can reduce household waste by up to eighty percent.

The 2011 home compost bin and how-to guide are available at a reduced cost of $45.00 (original price $100). The bin has a 10 year warranty, made of 100% recycled plastic and is large enough for a family of five. Kitchen Waste Pails, for kitchen food scraps, are available for $10.00 each and the wing digger compost turner can be purchased for a discounted price of $20.00. People can also purchase a 55 gallon capacity Rain Barrel for $60.00 (visit online for more information http://publicworks.portlandmaine.gov/rainbarrel.pdf). Orders will be taken in person or via mail at the Department of Public Services, 55 Portland Street, Portland ME 04101 until April 25, 2011. Order forms are available online at http://publicworks.portlandmaine.gov/compostform.pdf. Payment in the form of check or money order should be made payable to MRRA (Maine Resource Recovery Association) and must be made when placing your order. All orders will be available for pick-up on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at the Solid Waste Division on District Road (Entrance at 2360 Congress Street) from 7:00 AM -3:00 PM.

Last year, Portland residents delivered over 2,000 tons of yard waste to Riverside Recycling Center, which cost nearly $100,000 to manage. Composting yard waste and non-meat food scraps at home instead of disposing of them reduces waste management costs and provides homeowners with a valuable soil amendment. Sustainable lawn care practices such as yardscaping (which includes reduced mowing and aerating along with the use of compost) help the environment by growing lawns that are less dependent on chemicals, fertilizers and watering.
In addition to composting organics, residents are encouraged to "mow high," generating shorter grass clippings that compost better. It is estimated that the average American spends forty hours a year mowing their lawn, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and causing air pollution. In fact, a lawnmower pollutes as much in one hour as an automobile driving 350 miles.

In 2004, 3 million pounds of yard care pesticides were purchased in Maine, more than three times the amount purchased ten years before. The use of pesticides and fertilizers pose a health risk to Portland's water ways. Excess nitrogen, a component of most fertilizers, can cause nuisance algae growth in Casco Bay.

Contact the Department of Public Services at 874-8801 for more information about the composting program. For more information about yardscaping, visit the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District online http://www.cumberlandswcd.org/

ORDER FORM http://publicworks.portlandmaine.gov/compostform.pdf

RAIN BARREL INFORMATION http://publicworks.portlandmaine.gov/rainbarrel.pdf
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Classic West End Condo

West End classic condo with hardwood floors, high ceilings, bright & light living room with bay window opening to formal dining room with bay window, fireplace & built-in china closet adds to the appeal of this 2-3 bedroom condo with separate utilities, low cost gas heat.

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Public Input Sought for City Manager Search

Public Input Sought for City Manager Search
From: Cheryl Leeman, City Council City Manager Search, Chair

------------------------------------------

Last month, the Portland City Council, began its search for the next City Manager. To help us identify the best candidate for the job, we will be hosting a series of meetings with community groups and city stakeholders, like yourself, so that we can hear directly from you on what you think are the most important qualifications our next City Manager needs to best serve the city.

Please join us March 23rd at 7:30 PM in the City Council Chambers at City Hall for this discussion. Your input will help us make sure that this search leads us to the right person. RSVP to Sonia Bean, stb@portlandmaine.gov or 874-8689 by March 21st. Light refreshments will be served.

If you are unable to join us but would like to share your thoughts, you can provide us feedback via email at citymanagersearch@portlandmaine.gov. You can also visit the city’s website at www.portlandmaine.gov to learn more about the search process.

We look forward to seeing you later this month and getting your insight.
----------------------------------
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

East End Condo

Gorgeous views from every room of this 5th floor unit! See Casco Bay, the ships channel, New Hampshire mountains.Open floor plan, built in's, covered parking, strong association. Association has made great improvements to bulding. DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

West End 2 Family Home

Well maintained 2 family with many updates such as 3yr old roof, newer siding & windows. Large yard with nice gardens, parking. Owners unit has private entrance with original staircase that winds all the way to the 3rd floor, new custom kitchen with SS & granite.

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Get Ready for Summer - March Into May

Get Ready for Summer - March Into May


Next Monday, March into May (MIM) will kick-off its thirteenth year of helping Maine community members “Get more out of life.” MIM is a free ten week physical activity program open to all ages and sponsored by the City of Portland HHS, Public Health Division, Healthy Portland & Healthy Casco Bay. From March 14 to May 20, MIM will support communities, businesses, families, and individuals as they take steps to improve their health through increased physical activity. Last year, nearly two thousand people participated statewide.

Participants in MIM will be able to set their own physical activity goals, come up with ways to change or reinvigorate workout routines, receive weekly health tips with information about physical activity and nutrition, and get tips on how to train for the March into May 5K utilizing the Couch to 5K model. Businesses are also encouraged to sign up as a way to incorporate wellness programs in the workplace and encourage employees to take simple steps that can lead to a healthier workforce.

MIM is excited to announce the second annual MIM 5K walk/run as a wrap up to the 2011 program. The event will take place on Sunday, May 22 at 9:00 a.m. around Back Bay in Portland. Last year, more than two hundred people ran, walked the Back Cove, and approximately 65% were first time 5K participants.

To register, visit www.marchintomay.org or email Marice Reyes Tran at mtran@portlandmaine.gov.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

It's That (Taxing) Time of Year

Have you filed your taxes yet? The deadline is one month away :)

It's That (Taxing) Time of Year - Put Your Mortgage to Work for You

It's that time of year again. Not college basketball season, but income tax filing season. If you own a home, make sure you take the time to proactively organize your documents to maximize your tax deductions. Proper planning and organization will help minimize your taxable income.

There are many tax benefits to home ownership. The three main deductable items are:

Mortgage interest

Property taxes

Mortgage insurance

Here are some important documents that you'll need handy for preparing your tax returns...and maximizing those deductions! First, make sure to have the Form 1098 that was sent to you by your mortgage company. This will list the mortgage interest and mortgage insurance you paid during the past year. Remember if you refinanced during the past year you will then see multiple Form 1098s, one for each loan.

If you bought or refinanced your home in the past year, you'll also need your Settlement Statement (HUD-1) from your closing. This is important because IRS rules only make a mortgage company send a 1098 for $600 or greater. So if you have interest or deductible fees on your HUD-1 totaling less than $600 you will not be sent a 1098 and will need your HUD-1 as your proof. Finally, don't forget to reference your property tax bills from the past year so you can include the correct amount on your tax returns.

It is estimated that the IRS tax code is currently over 67,000 pages in length – and if you're worried about making a mistake, you're not alone! In fact, in a recent interview on C-SPAN the IRS commissioner Douglas Shulman himself admitted he uses a professional tax preparer. He said, "I use a preparer. I have used one for years. I find it convenient and I find the tax code complex." Yes, that is coming directly from the commissioner of the IRS!

If preparing your return by yourself feels daunting, be sure to contact a professional tax preparer for any help you need. And if I can answer any questions for you, please don't hesitate to call or email me.

If you know anyone who is looking to buy, sell or refinance a home, please forward their name and telephone number to us. We will happily provide the same high level of service that we have provided to you. The greatest compliment you could possibly give us is the referral of your friends and family.

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Portland Police Department Sponsors Self-Defense Class for Women

Police Department Sponsors Self-Defense Class for Women


This April, the Portland Police Department will offer its Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Training class. R.A.D. provides women with the tools they need to both avoid dangerous situations and escape them. The course is specifically designed to help women survive situations in which their lives are in jeopardy.

This class is open to all women, ages 13 and older, in the Greater Portland area who would like to develop real life defensive tools and tactics. The Basic Self-Defense Course consists of a series of four classes and one scenario day. The class is scheduled for April 5, 7, 12, and 14, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and April 16 from 8:00 AM to noon (registration deadline March 29). All classes must be attended to complete the course. The classes will be held at the Portland Police Department, 109 Middle Street, Portland, Maine.

A donation of $25.00 for the course is suggested. All donations support the Amy St. Laurent Fund, which sponsors the R.A.D. trainings. Due to attendance issues, all donations must be paid prior to the first class (send checks to ASLF/PPD RAD Program, Portland Police Department, 109 Middle Street, Portland ME 04101). To sign up for the class or receive more information about Portland R.A.D., e-mail ppdrad@portlandmaine.gov or call 874-8643.

When: April 5, 7, 12, 14, and 16, 2011

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (4/16 class 8:00 AM – noon)

Where: Portland Police Department

109 Middle Street, Portland
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Portland Maine leads the best 25 housing markets

Hey Portland Maine,

Have you seen this? Look who is #1!

Portland, Maine leads the best 25 annual markets in 2011, followed by Kansas City, Kansas, two areas of the country that are suffering through less foreclosures than much of the rest of the U.S. Home prices also didn’t hit the stratosphere like they did in especially hard hit markets. http://www.housingpredictor.com/2011/best-markets.html

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Three Strategies to Help Protect Retirement Income

Three Strategies to Help Protect Retirement Income

Economic uncertainty and market volatility is disconcerting for all investors—particularly so for those saving for retirement. And the recent global recession hasn’t made things any easier. Now investors at or approaching retirement face a new challenge: How do they rebuild retirement assets while mitigating the impact of market volatility on their retirement income? The reality is that many investors will face a retirement income shortfall.

However, if you’re like most Americans, having enough income throughout retirement is a critical financial goal that must be met, despite ongoing market volatility. Now is the time to meet with your Financial Advisor and discuss strategies that may help you manage your retirement income in this uncertain environment.



Consider the following three scenarios1 and work with your Financial Advisor to determine whether any of the strategies discussed—Lock In the Gains, Statement Review or Move Cash off the Sidelines—are suitable for your situation.



Lock In the Gains



The opportunity: Since dropping to its lowest point of this market cycle on March 9, 2009, the S&P 500 has gained +93.1% (total return) through December 31, 2010.2 If you have experienced some appreciation in your portfolio since that time, purchasing an annuity with a guaranteed living benefit can help you lock in those gains and help protect your retirement income should the market experience another downturn.



Client profile: Joseph Walker is 61 years old. He opened an account on March 14, 2007 (IRA rollover), and experienced significant market volatility, including the bottom of the market on March 9, 2009. But Joseph remained invested, and since then he has experienced a 65% appreciation in his account. Although he has other liquid assets that he can use for emergencies, Joseph wants to make sure he doesn’t lose the gains in his account in the event the market experiences another downturn.



Joseph meets with his Financial Advisor, who recommends investing in a variable annuity with a living benefit rider, since he does not need access to the account for several years.



The result: Joseph’s retirement assets are protected from future market downturns, since he has “locked in” the 65% appreciation he has experienced in his account since March 9, 2009. If the market declines or stays flat, he will receive at least the annuity’s income base.3 If the market appreciates, he will receive the appreciated income base.



A Statement Review



The opportunity: If you own an annuity with a guaranteed living benefit, a statement review can illustrate how your annuity helped to manage the impact of market volatility on your retirement income.



Client profile: Joanne Sullivan is 62 years old and owns one variable annuity, which she purchased in an IRA on January 9, 2007. Since then, her annuity’s account value has fluctuated with ongoing market volatility.



Howard, Joanne’s Financial Advisor, asks her to bring in her latest statement from the annuity company so they can review it together. Upon review of Joanne’s statement, Howard notices that although the cash value in her annuity is down 20% from when she purchased it in 2007, her income base from which she will draw her retirement income has actually increased due to the annuity’s living benefit guarantee.



The result: Since the statement review, Joanne has made additional contributions to her variable annuity contract. By doing so, she is maximizing—and protecting—her guaranteed retirement income, and now has the potential to earn higher returns (versus cash).



Move Cash off the Sidelines



The opportunity: The total return for the S&P 500 was +15.1% in calendar year 2010. If you missed the three best percentage gain days last year, your total return gain falls to +3.4%.4 Since no one can predict when the best percentage gain days will occur, it is wise to remain invested to potentially maximize your retirement income.



Client profile: Elaine Peterson is 62 years old. She’s a long-time investor who has had a brokerage account since 1995. During that time, Elaine has experienced her share of market volatility, but in October 2008, after an especially volatile month, she panicked and moved most of her money into cash (where it remains). As a result, she missed most of the market rebound that happened after March 2009 and has had less than 8% appreciation in her account.



When Robert, Elaine’s Financial Advisor, discovered Elaine’s large cash position, he was easily able to identify her as a client who could potentially benefit from getting back into the market—especially since she does not anticipate needing the cash for at least 10 years (Elaine has other liquid assets she can use for emergencies).



The result: Elaine took Robert’s advice and purchased a variable annuity with a living benefit rider. The annuity allows her to participate in the market, which has the potential to produce higher returns (versus sitting in cash), and her retirement income base can be protected from future downturns. If the market declines or stays flat, Elaine will receive income based on at least the annuity contract’s “locked in” value. If the market appreciates, she will receive income based on the appreciated amount.



Call your Financial Advisor today to determine whether one of these three retirement income planning strategies is right for you.





1 Hypothetical examples. Any resemblance to real clients at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney is purely coincidental.

2 BTN Research, January 2011.

3 The income base is generally equal to the initial purchase payment, adjusted for withdrawals. It is not typically available as cash or a lump sum distribution and is separate from the contract value.

4 BTN Research, January 2011.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For clients whose account is carried by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Insurance Services, Inc. For clients whose account is carried by Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with SBHU Life Agency, Inc.

Variable annuities are sold by prospectus. Investors should carefully read the prospectus, which includes information on the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses along with other information before investing. To obtain a prospectus, please contact your Financial Advisor or visit www.morganstanleysmithbarney.com to locate a Financial Advisor near you. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.



Living benefits are optional and are available for an additional cost. When evaluating a living benefit there are several key factors that must be considered, such as: cost, investment limitations, holding period, liquidity, withdrawals, and the client’s age and risk tolerance. The cost for these optional living benefits typically ranges from 0.40% to 1.50% annually. You should review and discuss all of these general points with your Financial Advisor before you invest.



Variable annuities are long-term investments designed for retirement purposes and may be subject to market fluctuations, investment risk and possible loss of principal.



All guarantees are based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.



Exchanging annuities may result in surrender charges and a new surrender charge period. New surrender charges may be imposed with a new contract; and the new contract may be subject to additional insurance- and investment-related fees as well as increased risk. Taxable distributions (and certain deemed distributions) are subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken prior to age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty.



Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult with their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.



John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Let the Evening Unwind with a Plate of Pasta...

I adore the ease of an Italian supper. A plate of no-frills pasta, a generous pour of wine, and some sides for sharing create an utterly simple tableau that somehow becomes so much greater than the sum of its parts.




My favorite Italian dinner centers on a recipe that’s familiar and reliable but never dull. For me, spaghetti carbonara—that genius dish that made bacon and eggs forever appropriate to eat for supper—is precisely the pasta I crave on a blustery winter evening. I have made it with various twists more times than I care to count. Over the years, I’ve surrounded my pasta staple with new friends like a crunchy broccoli rabe salad dressed up with crisp prosciutto and shavings of sharp Pecorino Romano cheese, and a smooth white bean dip that curbs guests’ appetites when they arrive and catch me with my hands still in the kitchen.

Aided by a cocktail or two and a constant flow of robust red wine, a meal like this can unfold over many hours of conversation and laughter. As such, dessert must be something light and zesty, something of the invigorating sort to send guests on their way. A citrus salad brightened by lime zest and sweetened with honey is just the thing. It ends the meal on a showy note, but, like each part of this Italian supper, it is incredibly easy to make.
 
Finish reading the article and recipes here: http://www.homebydesign.com/pages/article/HBD_FEB_11_03/1148/index.html
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Good News! Mortgage Rates Improve

Mortgage Rates Improve

After rising for several weeks, mortgage rates improved a little this week. The news on inflation was not as negative as investors may have feared, and the economic growth data was mixed. The most significant reports on growth, Retail Sales and Industrial Production, both fell short of expectations, which helped mortgage rates.

While food and energy prices have been rising globally, overall inflation levels have generally stayed low. The big monthly US inflation reports released this week revealed that core inflation remained low in January, but that it has moved higher over recent months. January CPI was a tame 1.6% higher than one year ago. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, was only 1.0% higher than one year ago. During the week, we also received an early sign that inflation may be higher down the road. The Prices Paid component of the Philly Fed index jumped sharply, reflecting that raw material costs rose. The question is whether companies will be able to pass along higher costs to consumers.

The FOMC Minutes from the January 26 Fed meeting were released on Wednesday and contained no major surprises. The minutes revealed that disagreement was growing among Fed officials about the benefits of continuing the quantitative easing program which is scheduled to end in June. However, there was general agreement that the hurdle for altering the program remains very high, and investors continue to expect the Fed to complete the $600 billion in purchases of Treasury securities as originally planned. The Fed raised its forecast for 2011 GDP growth to 3.65% from their prior estimate of 3.30% in November. Perhaps the biggest surprise was that the Fed lowered its forecast for 2011 core PCE inflation levels. With all the recent evidence of rising prices, lower inflation predictions were not expected.

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Housing Affordability Rises to Highest Level in Two Decades

Nationwide housing affordability during the fourth quarter of 2010 rose to its highest level in the 20 years since it has been measured, according to National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) data. The HOI indicated that 73.9% of all new and existing homes sold in the fourth quarter of 2010 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,400. The record-setting index for the fourth quarter surpassed the previous high of 72.5% set during the first quarter of 2009 and marked the eighth consecutive quarter that the index has been above 70%. Until 2009, the HOI rarely topped 65% and never reached 70%.


“Today’s report shows that housing affordability at the end of 2010 was at its highest level since we started computing the HOI,” said Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Reno, Nev. “However, while this is good news for consumers, both home buyers and builders continue to confront extremely tight credit conditions, and this remains a significant obstacle to many potential home sales.”

When I searched the MLS today, there were 79 homes for sale under $100,000 in Cumberland County alone-
For a complete list of affordable homes in Southern Maine, email or call today!

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

New West End Listing from The Hatcher Group

Watch the visual tour here: http://tour.previsite.com/BCF52C0B-D65F-D7BF-CC63-2CB9B9454615

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Common Impediments to Selling a Home and How to Overcome Them

Common Impediments to Selling a Home and How to Overcome Them


Even with the economy improving overall, it would be false to say the real estate market is booming, especially for home sellers. Unfortunately, negative financial headlines are causing some potential sellers to needlessly hide in fear. For many, it truly is not the ideal time to put their home on the market. But, even in a less-than-robust economy, you might be in the right—perhaps even the ideal—situation to sell.

Unfortunately, some common impediments may make you run from doing so. Here are a few of those mental roadblocks, and how to overcome them:

I know my house is too big and expensive to maintain, but it’s filled with good memories. A lot of people, specifically in their 50s and 60s and beyond, are reticent to sell a home, because it’s where they raised their kids. At holiday time, that pull becomes even more powerful, when family comes back to visit. While memories are extremely important, they can keep people in a home that’s too expensive to maintain and too large for them, for too long. And, what’s worse, sometimes young adults pressure their parents to hold onto a home. If you’re one of those folks who have just left the nest and you suspect that your parents are hanging onto the home just for memory’s sake, a little conversation goes a long way. Let your parent or parents know that you want the best for them, and if that’s a newer, easier-to-maintain home, that’s OK by you. Often, giving a parent gentle encouragement to move on, frees them up to make the decision they know they should make: to sell and downsize.

There’s so much inventory out there. Who’s even going to stop to look at my house? It’s true: in this market, there are a lot of options out there for buyers. But sellers who lament a flurry of potential competition often use this as a bad excuse not to sell. Many real estate professionals these days know a lot about preparing a home for sale, including conducting a home inspection to clearly understand the condition—and value—of your home. Speaking with a real estate professional can give you inspiration and ideas that you never imagined regarding how to distinguish your property. That’s the thing about selling your house: you don’t have to go it alone. In the best case, you can enlist a team full of great ideas.

The housing market’s down. The Federal Reserve recently noted that after losing ground in the spring, Americans’ wealth grew 2.2% throughout July-September, and household net worth rose to nearly $55 trillion. But despite this, the value of real estate holdings sank 3.7%. It’s true, the real estate market truly hasn’t fully recovered, and it would be disingenuous to sugar-coat it and say that you’ll easily get your ideal asking price in a week if you sell. But still, too many people read the second statement above—home prices are down—without taking it in stride with the first: things are improving overall. A lot of us focus on bad news without looking at the good. Home values have not fully rebounded. But the increase in Americans’ wealth means there are more people with cash freed up to buy. Also, these figures don’t take geographical areas into account. Your area might be doing better than the national average; values aren’t depressed in every single market. The best way to know what’s best for you is to ask a trusted real estate professional. Communication is the key to success, rather than hiding when you see a negative headline.

Copyright© 2011 RISMedia, The Leader in Real Estate Information Systems and Real Estate News.
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us