Santa Clarita's Real Estate Lender: January 2012

Picking the right upgrades can help set your home apart and above the competition in a hotly contested real estate market. Moreover, kitchen upgrades are the sorts of improvements that you and your family will benefit from and enjoy, given that the kitchen serves as the nexus for many families. You cook in your kitchen, you eat there, you talk there, and you even play there, so why not make it the best it can be?
 
When you pencil things out, the numbers of a kitchen upgrade are quite compelling in terms of adding value to a home while giving you upgrades that you will enjoy throughout the use of your kitchen. A major kitchen upgrade with a budget of $57,500 can recoup 66 percent of its cost when the home is sold, according to Remodeling magazine's "2011-12 Cost vs. Value Report." If you want to give your home a competitive edge while adding to its enjoyment, here are some great kitchen improvements to consider:

• A professional-style sink that helps you prepare food in addition to cleaning dishes. Many options offer features such as removable trays for cutting food and racks for knives and other cutlery so that you can chop veggies and quickly clean up.
  
• A hands-free faucet you operate by tapping it with your arm or elbow. This is a great way to prevent cross-contamination by keeping hands that have been cutting food from spreading germs to your faucet.
  
• A pot-filler above your stovetop. This lets you fill up cooking pots while they sit on your range, which obviates the need to toddle back and forth across the kitchen balancing full pots while trying not to suffer a major spill.
  
• A kitchen island that incorporates both a sink and electrical outlets along with the extra countertop, drawers and cupboards. This gives you additional workspace that you can truly use for food preparation.
  
• A kitchen wine cooler to properly store your wine collection so that it is at the right temperature and well preserved. This will motivate you to collect and reserve unique bottles to highlight special occasions.
  
• New countertops that buck the dominant trend. Sure, granite has been the trendy counter material, but there are some new options, such as recycled wood, bamboo, recycled glass, and unique tiles, that not only give your kitchen a custom look, but are also friendly to Mother Earth.
  
• Kitchen cabinet replacements that focus on functionality. Don't just go for looks. Add kitchen cabinets that deliver storage and organization features that emphasize efficient use of space and that truly improve your kitchen efficiency.

What is identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identifying information, like your name, Social Security number or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.
 
How can you find out if your identity was stolen?

The best way to find out is to monitor your accounts and bank statements each month, and check your credit report at least once per year from each of the three major credit bureaus. You can request a free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com.
 
You can minimize your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft by making it more difficult for identity thieves to access your personal information. Here are some tips from the Federal Trade Commission to help protect you from becoming a victim.

• Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information, before you discard them.
  
• Protect your Social Security number. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Ask to use another identifier, if possible.
  
• Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet, unless you know whom you are dealing with.
  
• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails. Use firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date.
  
• Don't use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  
• Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help or are having work done in your house.
  
• Purchase an identity theft insurance policy to recover stolen funds or to pay for legal and/or other fees associated with recovering your identity.

By using these simple tips as a precaution you can greatly reduce the chances of having your identity stolen. Be sure to share them with your friends and family!