Maruyama Realty, LLC would like to share this EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE: 'TRIANGLE OF LIFE'
My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries.
I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones.
They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't at the time know that the children were told to hide under something.
Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the 'triangle of life'. The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact.
The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the 'triangles' you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape you will see in a collapsed building.
TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
1) Most everyone who simply 'ducks and covers' WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.
2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.
3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on the back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the side of the bed during an earthquake.
5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to
a sofa, or large chair.
6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!
7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different 'moment of frequency' (they swing separately from the main part of the building).
The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.
8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked.
9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them.
10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.
Spread the word and save someone's life... The Entire world is experiencing natural calamities so be prepared!
'We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly' In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul , University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did 'duck and cover' and ten mannequins I used in my 'triangle of life' survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions, relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover.
There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the 'triangle of life.' This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe, and it was seen in the USA , Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
"Sales Strong for Oahu Residential Real Estate Market"- Honolulu Board of Realtors
Maruyama Realty LLC, would like to share the following release by HBR:
SALES STRONG FOR OAHU RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET
**Honolulu Board of REALTORS® Releases February Residential Resales Statistics**
Released: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
HONOLULU - Oahu's residential real estate market continue to enjoy strong sales during February, according to resale figures released today by the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. According to the analysis conducted by the Board, using data collected from its computerized Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system, the statistics are:
| February 2010 Residential Resales Statistics for Oahu | |||||||||
| Sales | Compared To | Sales Price | Compared To | ||||||
| February 2010 | | | |||||||
| January 2010 | | | | | | ||||
| February 2009 | | | | | |||||
| Condominium Resales | |||||||||
| Sales | Compared To | Sales Price | Compared To | ||||||
| February 2010 | | | |||||||
| January 2010 | | | | | | ||||
| February 2009 | | | | | |||||
| Click here to view February 2010 Resales Charts. | |||||||||
| *Median price means half the prices were above and half below the given price. | |||||||||
During February, sales of 157 single-family homes and 231 condominiums were reported through the Board's MLS, an increase of 21.7 percent for single-family homes and an increase of 44.4 percent for condominiums, compared to the same month last year. The median prices paid for island properties in the February was $570,000 for single-family homes and $298,000 for condominiums, a decrease of 3.6 percent for single-family homes and an increase of 0.33 percent for condominiums from February 2009. The year-to-date total dollar sales volume generated in the housing market through February was $ 390.5 million, an increase of 39.3 percent or $ 110.1 million, compared to the $ 280.4 million produced one year ago.
"The sales figures for February are very encouraging for Honolulu's real estate market," said Brian Benton, President of the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. "There's been a great deal of pent up demand from consumers and current market conditions are getting them to get back into the real estate market."
The public is encouraged to visit the Board's Internet web site at www.HiCentral.com to see what's happening in the housing market. The public has the ability to search through Oahu single-family home and condominium listings, available for sale and for rent, and to see a comprehensive guide of homes that will be open to visit this Sunday. All searches can be done by geographic location, price range or both. HiCentral.com provides useful information about buying and selling real estate in Hawaii.
Established in 1922, the Honolulu Board of REALTORS® is one of the largest of 1,600 boards of REALTORS® in the nation and, with over 5,500 members, the largest trade organization on Oahu. Membership is available to licensed real estate brokers, agents, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry pledged to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. For more information, call (808) 732-3000 or visit www.HiCentral.com.
(This report reflects information about resales of existing properties only and does not include new home sales. All of the MLS information is compiled from sales reported during the cited months; this data is known only after closing of escrow. The time delay between the signing of a sales contract and the closing of escrow is usually between one and three months.)
Do you Qualify for a Home Buyer Credit? Case 3
Maruyama Realty LLC would like to share the following article by Rodney Saito, CPA:
Case 3
Q. I am a long-time homeowner of a principal residence and my spouse is a long-time homeowner of a different principal residence. Can we qualify for the long-time resident homebuyer credit if we purchase a new principal residence?
A. No. Both spouses must have owned and used the same previous principal residence for five consecutive years out of the eight-year period ending on the date of purchase of the new
principal residence to be eligible for the credit. Since you and your spouse owned and used
different principal residences, neither of you qualify. (12/14/09)
(Disclaimer-The above cases are an excerpt from an IRS statement upgraded on
1/10/10 for general information only. Before making any decision regarding homebuyer credit,
you should consult with a qualified advisor. Rodney Saito is a Certified Public Accountant with
Freitas & Saito, LLP and he can be reached at 5640110 or at rodney.saito@fscpas.biz.)
Case 3
Q. I am a long-time homeowner of a principal residence and my spouse is a long-time homeowner of a different principal residence. Can we qualify for the long-time resident homebuyer credit if we purchase a new principal residence?
A. No. Both spouses must have owned and used the same previous principal residence for five consecutive years out of the eight-year period ending on the date of purchase of the new
principal residence to be eligible for the credit. Since you and your spouse owned and used
different principal residences, neither of you qualify. (12/14/09)
(Disclaimer-The above cases are an excerpt from an IRS statement upgraded on
1/10/10 for general information only. Before making any decision regarding homebuyer credit,
you should consult with a qualified advisor. Rodney Saito is a Certified Public Accountant with
Freitas & Saito, LLP and he can be reached at 5640110 or at rodney.saito@fscpas.biz.)
Do you Qualify for a Home Buyer Credit? Case 2
Maruyama Realty LLC would like to share the following article by Rodney Saito, CPA:
Do you Qualify for the Home Buyer Credit?
Case 2:
Q. I am a long-time resident and current homeowner and my spouse is a first-time homebuyer (has had no ownership interest in a principal residence during the three-year period
ending on the date of purchase of a new principal residence) and we purchased a new principal residence. Can we qualify for either the first-time homebuyer credit or the long-time resident homebuyer credit if we purchase a new principal residence?
A. No. Both you and your spouse must be first-time homebuyers in order to qualify for the
first-time homebuyer tax credit. Since you had an ownership interest in a principal residence during the three-year period ending on the date of purchase, neither you nor your spouse qualifies for the credit. Similarly, both you and your spouse must be long-time homeowners of the same previous principal residence in order to qualify for the long-time resident homebuyer credit. Since your spouse is not a long-time homeowner of your current principal residence, neither of you qualify for the credit. (12/14/09)
(Disclaimer-The above cases are an excerpt from an IRS statement upgraded on
1/10/10 for general information only. Before making any decision regarding homebuyer credit,
you should consult with a qualified advisor. Rodney Saito is a Certified Public Accountant with
Freitas & Saito, LLP and he can be reached at 5640110 or at rodney.saito@fscpas.biz.)
Do you Qualify for the Home Buyer Credit?
Case 2:
Q. I am a long-time resident and current homeowner and my spouse is a first-time homebuyer (has had no ownership interest in a principal residence during the three-year period
ending on the date of purchase of a new principal residence) and we purchased a new principal residence. Can we qualify for either the first-time homebuyer credit or the long-time resident homebuyer credit if we purchase a new principal residence?
A. No. Both you and your spouse must be first-time homebuyers in order to qualify for the
first-time homebuyer tax credit. Since you had an ownership interest in a principal residence during the three-year period ending on the date of purchase, neither you nor your spouse qualifies for the credit. Similarly, both you and your spouse must be long-time homeowners of the same previous principal residence in order to qualify for the long-time resident homebuyer credit. Since your spouse is not a long-time homeowner of your current principal residence, neither of you qualify for the credit. (12/14/09)
(Disclaimer-The above cases are an excerpt from an IRS statement upgraded on
1/10/10 for general information only. Before making any decision regarding homebuyer credit,
you should consult with a qualified advisor. Rodney Saito is a Certified Public Accountant with
Freitas & Saito, LLP and he can be reached at 5640110 or at rodney.saito@fscpas.biz.)
Do you Qualify for a Home Buyer Credit? Case 1
Maruyama Realty, LLC would like to share this article written by Rodney Saito, CPA:
Do You Qualify for theHome Buyer Credit?
By Rodney Saito, CPA
Potential buyers should be aware of the following cases among others where buyers would not qualify for the homebuyer credit.
CASE 1:
Q. I am a long-time resident (have owned and used my current home as a principal residence for five consecutive years out of the eight-year period ending on the date of purchase of the new
residence) but my spouse has lived there for only three years. Can we qualify for the long-time resident homebuyer credit if we purchase a new principal residence?
A. No. Both spouses must have ownedand used the same previous principal residence for five consecutive years out of the 8-year period ending on the date of purchase of the new principal residence to qualify for the credit. (12/14/09)
(Disclaimer-The above cases are an excerpt from an IRS statement upgraded on
1/10/10 for general information only. Before making any decision regarding homebuyer credit,
you should consult with a qualified advisor. Rodney Saito is a Certified Public Accountant with
Freitas & Saito, LLP and he can be reached at 5640110 or at rodney.saito@fscpas.biz.)
Do You Qualify for theHome Buyer Credit?
By Rodney Saito, CPA
Potential buyers should be aware of the following cases among others where buyers would not qualify for the homebuyer credit.
CASE 1:
Q. I am a long-time resident (have owned and used my current home as a principal residence for five consecutive years out of the eight-year period ending on the date of purchase of the new
residence) but my spouse has lived there for only three years. Can we qualify for the long-time resident homebuyer credit if we purchase a new principal residence?
A. No. Both spouses must have ownedand used the same previous principal residence for five consecutive years out of the 8-year period ending on the date of purchase of the new principal residence to qualify for the credit. (12/14/09)
(Disclaimer-The above cases are an excerpt from an IRS statement upgraded on
1/10/10 for general information only. Before making any decision regarding homebuyer credit,
you should consult with a qualified advisor. Rodney Saito is a Certified Public Accountant with
Freitas & Saito, LLP and he can be reached at 5640110 or at rodney.saito@fscpas.biz.)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Defective Drywall Update from NARPM
Maruyama Realty, LLC would like to share this new Legislative update from the National Association of Residential Property Managers:
Defective Drywall Update:
Identification Guidelines Released
In April of last year, we sent you an update on the growing issue of defective Chinese-made drywall. This drywall has been found to emit volatile sulfur gases which produce a rotten egg smell, corrode metal and could possibly cause health problems. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still studying the effects of exposure to the drywall as well as what type of remediation is necessary for affected homes. In their January status report, the CPSC indicated that they had received 2,833 incident reports from 37 states.
HUD and the CPSC’s two-step guidance requires a visual inspection that must show blackening of copper electrical wiring and/or air conditioning evaporator coils; and the installation of new drywall (for new construction or renovations) between 2001 and 2008.
In a recent press release, HUD and the CPSC announced new guidelines on how to identify the presence of metal corrosion, as well as other indicators of problem drywall in homes. The guidance takes into account visual signs of metal corrosion, evidence of drywall installation in the relevant time period, and the identification of other corroborating evidence or characteristics.
omeowners who believe they may have problem drywall should immediately report to the CPSC by calling 800-638-2772 or logging on to www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/drywall.aspx. For further information on defective drywall please visit the CPSC’s Drywall Information Center. Your Governmental Affairs Committee will continue to monitor the situation and report back as new findings become available.
Defective Drywall Update:
Identification Guidelines Released
In April of last year, we sent you an update on the growing issue of defective Chinese-made drywall. This drywall has been found to emit volatile sulfur gases which produce a rotten egg smell, corrode metal and could possibly cause health problems. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still studying the effects of exposure to the drywall as well as what type of remediation is necessary for affected homes. In their January status report, the CPSC indicated that they had received 2,833 incident reports from 37 states.
HUD and the CPSC’s two-step guidance requires a visual inspection that must show blackening of copper electrical wiring and/or air conditioning evaporator coils; and the installation of new drywall (for new construction or renovations) between 2001 and 2008.
In a recent press release, HUD and the CPSC announced new guidelines on how to identify the presence of metal corrosion, as well as other indicators of problem drywall in homes. The guidance takes into account visual signs of metal corrosion, evidence of drywall installation in the relevant time period, and the identification of other corroborating evidence or characteristics.
omeowners who believe they may have problem drywall should immediately report to the CPSC by calling 800-638-2772 or logging on to www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/drywall.aspx. For further information on defective drywall please visit the CPSC’s Drywall Information Center. Your Governmental Affairs Committee will continue to monitor the situation and report back as new findings become available.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Top News from the National Association of Realtors
Maruyama Realty, LLC, would like to share top news from the National Association of Realtors:
This week, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® released the Existing Home Sales report for December. We saw a rising surge from September through November, as buyers rushed to complete sales before the original November deadline for the tax credit. Existing home sales fell as expected in December. However, something we didn’t expect to see — prices rose from December 2008 and annual sales improved in 2009.
This week, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® released the Existing Home Sales report for December. We saw a rising surge from September through November, as buyers rushed to complete sales before the original November deadline for the tax credit. Existing home sales fell as expected in December. However, something we didn’t expect to see — prices rose from December 2008 and annual sales improved in 2009.
Existing home sales, including single-family, town homes, condominiums and co-ops, fell 16.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.45 million units in December from 6.54 million in November, but remain 15 percent above the 4.74 million-unit level in December 2008.
And, as this is the last existing home sales report of 2009, we can tell you that for all of last year, there were 5,156,000 existing-home sales, which was 4.9 percent higher than the 4,913,000 transactions recorded in 2008 and that’s the first annual sales gain since 2005.
In other news this week, President Obama went to Capitol Hill to continue a Washington tradition - delivering his State of the Union address. In a difficult political and economic climate, the President focused on the needs of the middle class - quality education, affordable college tuition, responsible retirement planning, quality health care – and most important of all – protecting a family’s biggest investment - their home.
The President spent much of his address discussing ideas for generating more jobs, keeping the lines of credit open for more Americans and continuing the process of economic recovery - all crucial areas of interest for the American homeowner.
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