Forclosure Relief for Seattle?

Here is an article by Aubrey Cohen of the Seattle P.I. regarding Mayor Nickels' forclosure relief package.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/349343_foreclosure31.html

My question is, is $5000 really going to keep a home owner out of foreclosure or just delay the innevitable?

I'm sure there are a few households that could benefit from this. I just hope the households are screened well so the money goes to people whom it can truely help and not just get thrown into the "foreclosure fire".

A Couple of New & Very Handy Websites

I was recently introduced to walkscore.com and zipskinny.com by another agent.

Each of these sites is loaded with great information!

zipskinny.com gives you a ton of statistical information about a zip code. You can get a decent snap-shot of a particular zip code's educational, marital, racial, gender, and age diversity.

(I should note here that Fair Housing Law expressly forbids discrimination based on many of these categories)

The information was taken from the 2000 census so it might be slightly outdated. But it still might provide with a taste of what a particular zip code is like.

walkscore.com allows you to take any address (your own or a property you're interested in), plug it in to their system, and let them provide you with the amenities that surround that property. From movie theaters, to libraries, to schools and restaurants you will receive all sorts of listings of available services! They also rate the property based on what type and how many services are available to it.

Give the sites a look when you get a chance and let me know what you think.