Neighbor to Neighbor
Thank you to everyone that participated in the Soup for Seniors Make a Difference Day.

We will be installing Carbon Monoxide Detectors in all apartments and central laundry rooms.  Each apartment home will have a Carbon Monoxide Detector in the same room as the furnace closet.  The carbon monoxide detector in your apartment home will be plugged into an outlet receptacle and will have a battery back-up.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors are installed to provide early warning against carbon monoxide leaks. An alarm will sound if carbon monoxide is detected.  You, the resident(s), are responsible to maintain your carbon monoxide detector.  If your detector is removed or tampered with, you, the resident(s) could be held liable for any damages that result.  Furthermore, you will be fined a minimum of $50 for replacement and labor to re-install the unit.  This includes removing or tampering with the batteries. Complete information that has been sent to each apartment.  The packet also included a letter that must be signed by all residents and returned to the Welcome Center by November 15th. 

If you have any problems or concerns with your carbon monoxide detector, please call the Welcome Center.

Parents Night Out
The WestWind Staff will be hosting a “Parents Night Out” on Friday, November 9, 2007. Let your children join the West Wind Team for snacks, pizza, games, and music at the Clubhouse from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. Please call the Welcome Center (366-2400) to resister your child. It will be a fun night!
 
Thanksgiving Dinner
We want to take this opportunity and invite our resident to our annual Thanksgiving Dinner. The dinner will be held in our clubhouse on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Turkey and all the trimmings will be catered. If you are interested in donating and sharing your favorite dessert, please contact the Welcome Center.

We are asking all residents to please call the Welcome Center and let us know how many will be attending to ensure we have enough food for everyone to enjoy. We will be giving the caterer a final count on Friday, November 9, so please call prior to that date. Hope to see you there.

The WestWind staff would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Congratulations To. . .
Birthday Winner…….17-C Happy Birthday to you, and many more…

Resident of the month Winner…….02-J Thank you for being a great resident… We really do appreciate you being part of our community, Thank you…..
 
If you have a birthday in November please register at the Welcome Center for the monthly birthday drawing. Register prior to the 15th of the month to be included in the drawing.
 
Rent vs. Home Buying
How many times have you said (or heard), "paying rent is throwing away money. I could be building equity!"

Don’t be quick to make that assumption! During the first 5 years of a mort-gage more than 80% of your mortgage is interest. It is also very important to remember that married couples are already getting the standard deduction of $10,300 (singles getting $5150). Your mortgage interest needs to exceed that standard deduction to see any tax benefit and then you only get an average of 25 cents for every dollar spent. Nearly 1/3 of all homeowners move within 5 years, before they start building any equity. Add in closing costs, money spent on higher maintenance expenses including utilities, paying taxes and insurance, additional decorating expenses, and costs to buy and sell the house, many of us would SAVE money by renting.

Real life example: Assume you purchase a $200,000 home with a 5% down payment and a 6% interest rate. After 5 years of mortgage payments, you will have paid $55,152 in interest and only $13,196 in principal. Add in a 1% origination fee at closing ($1900), another $1500 in closing costs, maintenance and repair that you would not have in an apartment (approximately $8500 over 5 years). Decorating and landscaping expenses (approximately $5000 over 5 years). Taxes and insurance (approximately $10,000 over 5 years), and a 6% real estate commission fee to sell in 5 years (approximately $14,000, the equity that is built up through appreciation and principal payments quickly diminishes!