c OLLEGE

P ARK Neighborhood Association

FEBRUARY 2017

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.CollegePark-Richardson.com

CPNA Annual Meeting Will be in May

(Details & Date to come)

Any suggestions for Topics or

Speakers for the meeting?

Any suggestions for Time or

Weekday preferences?

Weekday — Earlier Evening

Weekend — Saturday or Sunday?

Morning or Afternoon?

Save the date for

Spring Celebration & Egg Hunt

on April 1 – details to come

Please send suggestions to Patti Glenn at 972-699-1615

pattiglenn@tx.rr.com 972-900-9188 cell

2

Notes from the President

Patti Glenn pattiglenn@tx.rr.com 972-900-9188 or 972-699-1615

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Spring Celebration—Glenville Park April 1st

I can’t believe the beautiful weather we are having. We have already broken the records for the most winter days in the 80’s. Believe me, I am not complaining, I just hope this does not mean a HOTTER than usual summer.

Calloway’s has changed their Yard of the Month Program – Due to the size of CPNA, we qualify for 2

monthly awards for $25 each. However, they will not be mailing out physical gift cards. Instead they

will be enrolling the winners in their Blooming Rewards Program and crediting the account for $25. It

takes about 5 days for the credit to show up. Once credited all the winner needs to do is go the store

and give their phone number to the cashier at checkout and they will see the $25 credit.

Richardson Named a Top Five “Best Place to Buy a Forever Home”

Richardson ranked #5 on the 2017 list of “Best Places to Buy a Forever Home,” announced earlier this

week by data analysts from personal finance website GoodCall.com. A total of 509 cities across the

U.S. were evaluated based on six criteria including affordability, home values, population, educational

values, unemployment and crime rates.

Cities in Texas dominated the list, while other places near large metro areas in states such as Colora-

do, California and North Dakota were ranked near the top as well. The higher ranked cities tended to

be smaller with populations between 70,000 and 155,000 residents. Following is a list of the top 10:

1. The Woodlands, Texas

2. Centennial, Colo.

3. Frisco, Texas

4. Allen, Texas

5. Richardson, Texas

6. Edmond, Okla.

7. Flower Mound, Texas

8. Sugar Land, Texas

9. Mountain View, Calif. 10. Fargo, N.D

https://www.goodcall.com/data-center/2017-best-places-buy-forever-home/ for details

Our neighborhood is using a private online network called NextDoor College Park, and I think you'll benefit from joining us. On our NextDoor site, neighbors share community events, recommendations, items for sale/free, crime/safety concerns, ideas about how to make our neighborhood better, and more. Please join us to build a better neighborhood! If you have not signed up for the Next Door website site, I highly recommend it. There are lots of good things showing up. You may get to know you neighbors a bit better & help send pets home or even find a cabinet to work on if you are inclined. Richardson Police & the City both post to it & keep us informed on city things going on. You can lurk or participate. Discussions include things about the wild critters who sometimes visit our backyards. Who to call for tile work? Cleaning the vents? Foundation repair? Selling your stuff? (I purchased by car from an ad on Next Door) Need a babysitter? Police updates? Stranger danger from the neighbors-crime alerts that can travel very fast! Things for sale or FREE Giveaways. If you are interested, please send me an email & I will send you an electronic invite.

3

CRIME TIPS

Crime Watch Patrol Stats

FOR JANUARY

Patrol Hours: 66.25

This includes both patrol and meeting hours

7 members of CWP attend the monthly

meeting with RPD

Types of Observations

Open Garage Doors 13 Suspicious Persons 2 Other Property Observations 3 Suspicious Vehicles 4 House Watches 10

The following people patrolled this month

YARDS OF THE MONTH

- Tom & Janis Jones

911 Dunbarton

Glen & Kathy Kneese 1202 Oakmont Place

Our thanks to Callaway's Nursery, located on

Plano Road, north of Campbell, for sponsoring

CPNA Yard of the Month

We will have two YOM winners each month

College Park’s Personal Officer

Ed Coleman cell 214.282.0843

Provided by the COR for our protection.

This dedicated police presence helps residents by deterring crime and providing another way to watch over the neighborhood.

Call Officer Coleman for:

• General Assistance

• To report Minor or Unusual Activities

• Cars on the Street

For Emergencies, continue to call 911.

Ben Parlapiano, Dale Klosterman, Gordon

Melton, Rick Skaggs, Len Foster, Dieter

Paul, Patti Glenn, John Thompson & Kathy

Hill

Crime Tip: Always acknowledge someone at your front door. You do not want to give the impression to a would-be burglar that your home is vacant. Never open your door to a stranger. Keep the door locked and speak through the door using phrases like “We can’t come to the door” to give the impression you are not alone.

CPNA OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE HEADS 2016-2017

President Patti Glenn 972-699-1615 pattiglenn@tx.rr.com 972-900-9188 cell Vice President John Pantzer 903 720 4795 john.pantzer@vanquint.com Secretary Sharlee Skaggs 972-690-3172 sharlee@mac.com Treasurer Lynne Patterson 972-890-1031 lynne.patterson@yahoo.com Parliamentarian Jerry Silverman 972-231-2300 ljstex@twc.com Welcome Comm. Kathy Hill 214-533-5295 kathyhill0878@yahoo.com Beautification/YOM Dale Klosterman 972-644-1583 daleklost@gmail.com Beautification/YOM Pam Young 214-415-4132 youngp99@att.net Newsletter Helene Levitan 972-519-0270 hdlevitan@gmail.com Crime Watch Patrol Kathy Hill 214-533-5295 kathyhill0878@yahoo.com AT LARGE Member Chris Xeros 972-740-4151 cxeros@tx.rr.com AT LARGE Member Chieu Mai 972-235-0028 maihennhouse@sbcglobal.net AT LARGE Member Peggy Williams 972-680-2863 pjwillia@sbcglobal.net AT LARGE Member Laura Koloc 972-235-6516 lkoloc@email.com

4

College Park Market Analysis Summary as of 2/22/17

Active Listings 11 (Includes 7 pending & 2 under option)

Avg list price $282.6K Avg price/sq ft $121.45

Sold past 6 months 13 Avg sold price $258.0K Avg price/sq ft $115.69

Please note this does not include “For Sale by Owner” Properties

The Market Analysis combines College Park, College Park North, College Park East (Glenville Park), and Town North Park subdivisions If you would like additional information or a market analysis of your property, please contact me at

972-900-9188 pattiglenn@tx.rr.com

CPNA - Dedicated to improving our neighborhood & community

Membership dues covers June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017

Our College Park Neighbors (All neighbors, not just homeowners) are invited to join CPNA!

Mail dues of $35.00 to Treasurer Lynne Patterson

PO Box 851021 Richardson, TX 75085

Questions? Lynne Patterson 972-890-1031

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

A Native Texan Serving the Metroplex

REALTOR®, Associate Broker GRI, ABR, SRS , SRES, PSA, BPOR

5

Ever stare at your energy bill & wonder what is costing you so much money? Is it your kids' TV habits, or the washer or the dryer that is running up your energy bills? While your initial guess might be right — yes, your furnace & air conditioners are the biggest culprits of energy usage — you might be surprised by the amount of energy some of your smaller, everyday appliances are using.

1. Your Cable Box While everyone has their never-ending list of must-binge TV shows, could you ever imagine that the cable box alone is one of the biggest energy hogs in your home? Whether or not you are watching TV, it is still using energy. A digital recorder estimates that the cable box in your home costs around $8 per month. Surprisingly enough, even if you have your box turned off, it's still using energy. TIP: Make a habit of unplugging your box particularly when you are leaving for a few days, just don't forget to plug it back in when you're trying to watch TV again.

2. Gaming System Second to the cable box comes the gaming system. While gaming systems are pretty energy-efficient these days, avid gamers spend approximately $40 extra per

year on energy bills. TIP: Cut back gaming time.

3. Washer & Dryer While some might think that paying $1.00 for a load of laundry at a Laundromat is expensive, the average homeowner spends around $400 per year just to keep their clothes clean & dry. A lot more than you thought, right? TIP: Since cutting back on the amount of laundry you do isn't the most efficient solution, try using energy-efficient appliances instead. While they may seem to present a pricey upfront cost, they will be well worth it in the long term. Upgrade your appliances to newer models for more savings in the long term. Also, try washing your clothes in cold water. To dry your clothes, add a dry towel to the load to absorb some of the moisture along the way & cut the drying time in half.

Hidden Ways You're Raising Your Energy Bills

4. Computers & Wi-Fi In the technologically advanced world of today, computers & internet access are pretty much essential to daily life. While you're mindlessly searching the internet, answering emails & shopping online, it might quickly slip your mind how much you are spending to keep that connection going.

The use of computers & the internet costs on average $50 to $70 per year, which greatly varies depending on the number of users & what they are doing. Heavy video use & increased time online can all greatly increase this number. For individuals whose work relies on a computer & a strong internet connection, this number is likely much higher. TIP: How many times do you really need to view that video of the baby panda bears?

These are only a few of the appliances that raise your monthly bill — some more surprising than others. It's good to be mindful of your energy usage & keep it in control to maintain your energy costs.

Please remember the importance of turning off lawn sprinklers when temperatures dip below freezing. Water that finds its way to the sidewalks & streets can freeze & create a hazardous condition for pedestrians & motorists.

To prevent a serious accident from occurring, please use caution & remember to turn off lawn sprinklers if there is even a chance of freezing temperatures. To report dangerous conditions, call the 24 hour response line at 972-744-4111.

Slippery

Situation

Humidifiers

Forced hot air may become very dry & you may wish to add some moisture to it. This is normally done with a humidifier. When placing a humidifier you should not place it directly over the furnace heat exchange.

If the humidifier is not kept clean or if water leaks, it can flow into the furnace causing a hole & the furnace will need to be replaced. It is preferred to put the humidifier on duct work away from the furnace. It is also preferred that you use the evaporation type of humidifier as opposed to the spray type, because the evaporator type is more easily maintained.

Remember, that all humidifiers need routine maintenance & checking. These are some of the most neglected appliances in your house.

6

People who experience a

property loss are usually

asked by their insurance

company for proof of

purchase which can

come in the form of a

receipt or current

inventory of their personal belongings.

Even the most organized people might find it

challenging to find receipts for all the valuables in

their home. If the inventory isn’t up-to-date, a

homeowner might forget to add some items to the

claim & may not recognize the omission for long

after the claim is settled.

The inventory can serve as a guide to make sure a homeowner gets compensated for all the loss.

Photographs & videos can be adequate proof that the items belonged to the insured. A series of pictures of the different rooms, closets, cabinets & drawers are helpful. When video is used, consider commenting as it is shot & be sure to go slow enough & close enough to things becoming recorded.

When your Home Inventory is complete, be sure to save a copy off premise. Good places for your inventory could be a safety deposit box or digitally, in the cloud if you have server-based storage available like Dropbox.

When a burglary or theft occurs, police rely on being able to identify stolen property using the item's serial number or unique identifier to recover it, which may also lead to an arrest. Many options are now available to record the serial numbers & information about your valuables. Consider home inventory software, available for smartphones & computers & also on the internet in the form of cloud services. Contact the RPD Crime Prevention Unit at 972-744-4955.

if you have questions about finding a property marking solution that can work for you, or visit RPD Property Inventory webpage at

http://www.cor.net/index.aspx?page=567

Tips for Buying

Kitchen Appliances

Whether an appliance is broken or you just want to give your kitchen a fresh update with new appliances, make sure you're prepared for the task that awaits you when looking for the most up-to-date kitchen hardware. Take a look at these four tips for buying kitchen appliances so that you are prepared to make the best decisions possible.

Read the Fine Print The most updated & new technology is what everyone dreams of having in their kitchen, but do you know how to operate these added features? Will you truly use them? These high-tech kitchen appliances don't come cheap, so you want to ensure that you will get your money's worth out of them. It's best to ensure quality without overdoing the high-tech add-ons if you don't think you'll get much use out of them.

Don't Fall for Looks Don't purchase appliances solely based on their looks. Even though the new stainless steel refrigerator has a beautiful handle & will look perfect in your kitchen, that doesn't mean it won't have a water leak a few months down the road. While you want your kitchen appliances to make your kitchen look beautiful, you need to make sure that the quality matches the looks; otherwise, you will be making an impulse buy you will eventually come to regret.

Choose the Right-Size Appliances Appliances come in all shapes & sizes. If you like to use your microwave as a second oven, you need to ensure it can hold your large baking pans & other baking dishes. A new stove-top range should be large enough to accommodate a large roasting pan. You want your kitchen to be able to function to fit your needs as a cook. And remember — appliances aren't like regular purchases; you can't just return them easily & get your money back.

Check On Accessories For example, you may purchase a stove top that produces large amounts of steam, sizzle & smoke, requiring a high-powered exhaust fan. Your new oven may not be a self-cleaning model, so you'll need to be prepared to know how to properly clean it & what products to use to do so. Don't wait until the new appliance has been installed to find that you need to make other adjustments in your kitchen for it to function properly.

Now that you know these tips, you'll be more prepared to spot the right appliances for your needs.

Proof of Purchase

7

Steps to Get Ready

for Your Refinance

There are many benefits to refinancing your home. Refinancing can decrease your monthly payments, lower your interest rate & shorten the length of your loan. Essentially, refinancing is getting a second mortgage to replace your first. If the terms & conditions are better than your original mortgage, it is a great way to save money & have your home paid off more quickly. Just as with your first mortgage, it is important to properly prepare before refinancing.

Check out the list below of eight steps to take to get ready for your refinance.

1. Compare Interest Rates. Before you refinance, it is important to be sure that it will benefit you financially. Compare the interest rate of your original mortgage with current interest rates. While it may seem that a lower rate automatically equals savings, it is important to keep in mind the costs of refinancing. The cost of application fees, loan origination fees, inspections, & legal fees can add up quickly.

2. Establish When You Will Begin to Save. Once you have figured out the interest rates & costs, establish a time line of when you will actually begin saving money. Use an easy online calculator (link shown at end of article) to figure out when you will see savings.

3. Calculate Your Total Savings. Determine how much you will save by shortening the length of your loan. Figure out the cost of your current loan & compare it with the new loan. This will help you calculate the total savings of refinancing.

4. Determine Your Home's Value. It is important to determine your home's value in order to determine whether a lender will be willing to refinance. By figuring out your home's value, you can determine your loan-to-value ratio. The higher the loan-to-value ratio, the higher the risk of the loan. Be sure to check tax assessor's information; price other, similar homes in the area; & check with local realtors .

5. Get Your Credit Score. Your credit score is a huge determining factor when it comes to financing. The higher the score, the more attractive you'll be to lenders. Know your score in order to better understand how you will be perceived by lenders.

6. Speak to Several Different Lenders. It is important to shop around for the right loan. Don't accept the first offer you receive. Be sure to take your time & speak to several different lenders to find the best loan for your specific situation.

Identity Theft Awareness

(Source: ID Shield)

On average, it takes more than 200 hours & 6 months for a victim of identity theft to restore their identity on their own. In 2015, there were more than 780 reported data breaches, compromising the identities of nearly 170 million people. The number of victims continues to rise each year. One key piece of personal information sought by ID thieves is your Social Security Number (Social Insurance Number in Canada).

Now is the time to familiarize yourself with the risk of ID Theft & take steps to protect your personal financial information.

Stop Before You Share

If you are asked for sensitive information, such as a Social Security Number, ask why it is needed & what systems are in place to protect it.

Be wary of sharing personal information over the phone or email, especially if you’ve received an unsolicited communication (even if you do regular business with the organization).

Watch the Wi-Fi

A thief can sit at a popular Wi-Fi location such as a coffee shop & set up a fake hotspot. Any unprotected data sent over a fake Wi-Fi network can be saved to the thief's computer. Use a virtual private network (VPN) connection whenever possible.

Be Security Savvy on Social Media

Share personal information sparingly on social media sites.

Explore privacy settings for your profile & control who gets to see the information you post.

Safeguard Your Statements

Shred & dispose of any bank statements, tax documents or other mail that contains personal information.

If available, disable mailed statements & review statements through a secure network.

Secure a Service

Not all identity protection services are equal, so when selecting a protection service, consumers should look for services that offer web monitoring, credit monitoring & restoration.

Continued on pg 9

1. Maintain your property. Especially in the winter, many people stay indoors & neglect issues such as peeling trim or an overgrown yard. But if the home looks unkempt, thieves may think it’s abandoned & therefore, an easy target. Shoveling your walkways to clear them of snow & debris & removing holiday decorations & fallen tree branches in a timely manner will signal that the home is occupied.

2. Know your neighbors. Many people don’t really know their neighbors; it’s more than just saying hi & being friendly. Introduce them to the people they may see regularly stopping by. Then they’ll know who is & isn’t supposed to be at your home & can better assess when there may be a threat while you’re gone.

3. Assess your home’s vulnerability. Walk to the curb & face your house. Ask yourself, “How would I get in if I were locked out?” The first thing you think of, whether it’s the window with a broken lock or the door that won’t shut all the way, is exactly how a thief will get in. Think like a burglar & then address the issues that come to mind.

4. Respect the power of lighting. Criminals are cowards & they don’t want to be seen. The house that is well-lit at night provides a deterrent because thieves don’t want the attention & the potential to be caught by witnesses. It’s wise to invest in tools that make nighttime light automation easy. That includes dusk-to-dawn adapters that go into existing light fixtures & motion detectors. But beware of leaving your exterior lights on at all times, which signifies the occupant is gone for an extended period of time.

5. Use technology to make your home look occupied. In addition to lighting, smart-home technology has made it easier to make it appear like people are home, even when they’re not. Systems that remotely control lighting, music, & appliances such as a thermostat can help you achieve this. Though not considered smart-home tech, simple lamp timing devices available at hardware stores are also good for this purpose.

6. Yes, it has to be said: Lock your doors. It’s amaz-ing how many people think they live in a safe enough neighborhood not to have to lock their doors when they leave. In 30% of burglaries, the criminals access the home through an unlocked door or window; 34% of burglars use the front door to get inside; 22% use the back door, according to the FBI Uniform Crime Report.

Anti-Burglary Tips BY TRACEY HAWKINS

7. Reinforce your locks. A good door lock is nothing without a solid frame. Invest in a solid door jam & strike plate first & then invest in good locks. Know the difference between a single-cylinder & a double-cylinder deadbolt. Double-cylinder deadbolts are recommended because they require a key to get in & out. For safety & emergency escape purposes, you must leave the key in when you are home. But double-cylinder locks are against regulations in some places, so check with your local police department’s crime prevention office.

8. Blare the sirens. Burglars are usually in & out in less than five minutes & they know police can’t respond to an alarm that quickly. Their bigger concern is witnesses to their crime. For that reason, an external siren is invaluable, whether as part of a monitored security system or a DIY alarm. Even if you don’t have an alarm, it’s not a bad idea to invest in fake security signs & post them near doors.

9. Consider surveillance cameras. The LA Police Dept started a program encouraging homeowners to install a device called Ring, a doorbell with video surveillance capability that allows homeowners to view what’s outside their door on their smartphone, in a neighborhood that was a target for burglaries. After Ring was installed in hundreds of homes, the burglary rate dropped by 55%, according to reports. Most state & local regulations require posting a warning that people are being recorded. (But again, this can be effective even if you don’t actually have the cameras installed!)

10. Mark your valuables & record details. Use invisible-ink pens or engravers to mark identifying information (driver’s license or state ID numbers) on items. Log serial numbers & take photos of your belongings. Check with your police dept on programs. They may have stickers for you to place on doors or windows warning would-be thieves that your items are marked. These steps may prevent them from pawning or selling stolen items & can help you reclaim recovered belongings.

8

National Snapshot of Burglaries A burglary is committed every 20 seconds, with

nearly 1.6M such crimes nationwide annually,

according to the FBI’s 2015 Crime in the United

States report. That’s down 7.8% from 2014. Total

property crime, which includes arson, larceny theft,

& motor vehicle theft, reached nearly 8M instances

in 2015, down 2.6% from 2014.

9

Home improvement tips for your car that can save you money

Placing your tires on your "home improvement check list" can save you cash in the long run. Keating offers some other tire tips that will help you this winter season:

* Check your tread depth by placing a penny upside down into a tread groove. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, your tire's tread has worn down to the legal limit & you need to buy new tires.

* Tires must be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch (the lowest legal limit). It's best to replace them before they reach 2/32 depending on your drive (geographically & type of streets).

* Rotating your tires regularly promotes even wearing of tread. Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.

* Checking your alignment at least once a year or sooner, especially if the vehicle is pulling to one side. This will help avoid uneven wear on tire tread. Tire balance should also be monitored. For more tire care & safety tips visit

www.rma.org

Do you tend to put off some tasks, especially mundane ones like those pesky home improvement chores? While procrastination is not uncommon, staying on top of the chores not only can help keep you organized, it can save you money.

Take cleaning your garage, for example. With the winter season here, now is a good time to take stock on just how cluttered it is. More than likely you'll see there's too much stuff around & possibly not even enough space for one of the most important items in your garage: your car.

Start cleaning - you really don't want to keep your car or truck outside during the rainy/snowy season. In short, winter/summer (in Texas) can wreak havoc on your vehicle, including the tires. "The colder climate definitely can alter your tire pressure," says Pat Keating, senior manager, technical engineering for Yokohama Tire Corporation, manufacturer of everything from ultra-high performance tires to passenger car & SUV tires, including the GEOLAN-DAR G015 that's built for any weather condition, including snow.

"Maintaining your tire pressure is extremely important because tires affect everything from braking to steering to fuel efficiency," Keating says. "As the season turns to winter, tires can lose up to 10% of their pressure. A tire that is under-inflated by only 8 psi can reduce fuel economy up to 2%, which will affect your drive & can cost you money at the gas pump."

Five minutes a month to check your tire's air pressure is all it takes to maintain proper inflation & save money, according to Keating.

And who couldn't use extra money these days? The cash can come handy when everyone's driving more & spending more.

"The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) recommends checking the tires when they are cold - at least four hours since the vehicle was last driven." Keating added. "Always use an accurate tire gauge & make sure the valve is free of debris & water."

The correct tire pressure is specified by the manufacturer of the vehicle, not the tire manufacturer. The proper inflation levels can be found on a placard on the inside of the car door and/or in the owner's manual.

Refinancing, cont’d

7. Decide Whether It Is the Right Time to Move Forward. After reviewing all the factors mentioned in steps 1 through 6, you can determine whether refinancing is the best option for you.

8. Get Your Financial Information Together. If after reviewing all factors you have decided to move forward with refinancing, it is time to gather your financial information. Collect pay stubs & tax documents. Write up a list of your assets & your outstanding debts. Hav-ing all this information together will help the financing process to move more quickly & easily Mortgage Refinancing Breakeven Calculator http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/mortgages/mortgage-refinance-break-even-calculator.aspx

Continued on next page

10

11

12