The Right Real Estate Agent

People don't talk about it a lot. But finding the right real estate agent can be the difference between a happy, stress-free home buying or selling experience, and an unhappy, stressful experience.

First, you'll want an agent ready and able to make a full-time commitment to you. I can and will do that.

Second, you'll want an agent with the experience needed to know the local neighborhoods, schools, market conditions, ordinances, etc. With my years of experience in the local market - I have the expertise and track record of success you need.

Third, you'll want an agent who embraces the convenience of technology without losing the personal touch. You'll love the resources available on my website and the e-mail alerts that I send, but these will never replace the time I spend with you, serving as your personal guide through this exciting process.

Last but certainly not least, I am the agent that delivers the benefits and values you want and need. I want to be a Realtor you remember long after I have helped you achieve your real estate goals. I certainly want and will keep in touch with you after you have bought or sold your home. And, I want to be the one you trust to refer all of your relatives and friends to so I can provide them the same high level service you have come to know I have.

NEWS, NEWS, NEWS

10/28/2008

Hope For Homeowners

The Hope For Homeowners (H4H) initiative that was part of the July stimulus package began to be implemented Oct. 1.The H4H program allows troubled homeowners to keep their home, while enabling lenders to receive a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) guarantee on the loans.  Under terms of the voluntary program, lenders agree to refinance the existing mortgage at 90 percent of the current appraised value and assume the loss on the remaining balance; the new loan is an FHA guaranteed 30 year, fixed-rate, fully amortized, fully documented loan; and the homeowner must forego a portion of the home’s future appreciation to the FHA when it is sold.

The FHA has posted a list of lenders participating in the HOPE for Homeowners program. When contacting the lenders, the FHA is strongly encouraging consumers to also contact their servicing lender and any subordinate lien holders as their participation is vital in order to refinance into a H4H mortgage. The program is voluntary and servicing lenders may offer different solutions for avoiding foreclosure. The FHA plans to update the list weekly on Fridays. The list is available at http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page?_pageid=73,7605762&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL.

*Information provided by California Association of Realtors

10/1/08

SENATE APPROVES PLAN TO HELP STABILIZE NATION'S FINANCIAL MARKETS
The Senate this evening approved a revised version of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 in a 74 to 25 vote, clearing the way for full consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. The House voted down an earlier version of the plan on Monday.

The revised plan, which is designed to shore up the nation's financial markets, includes a temporary one-year increase in Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) caps for bank and credit union accounts. The cap increases are critical because they increase the funding backstop the public relies upon should their banks fail. The plan also includes extensions on several business tax breaks and adjustments to the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individual taxpayers. These, as well as the FDIC cap changes, are amendments lawmakers believe will help bolster a smooth approval by the House.