Author Archive
Dec
How do I snag an extra $35k for my new home? Go to rehab!
It’s important to know when shopping for a home the options that are available in the way of FHA financing. In my real estate practice, I have found that many buyers are unaware that there are a couple of great rehabilitation (also known as renovation) programs offered by the Federal Housing Administration, and these work [...]
Dec
Could 4% interest in the Central Valley soon disappear?
If consumer spending is a key to economic recovery, the nation is on its way. On November 15, the Census Bureau released national Retail Sales figures for October and, for the second straight month, the data surged past expectation. Last month’s retail figures jumped 1.2 percent — the largest monthly jump since March — as [...]
Dec
10 Reasons to List Your Home for Sale During the Holidays
A lot of people wonder if listing their home for sale during the holiday season is actually a good idea. In this post I want to talk to you about some good reasons to list your home during the holiday season. If you are doing a short sale in the Central Valley these reasons definitely [...]
Dec
Study warns of dangers in reverse mortgages
With demand rising for reverse mortgages, senior citizens are particularly at risk of being misled and should be protected by greater government oversight of the industry, according to a report by Consumers Union and two California advocacy groups. Read source
Dec
Developments shrink as buyers seek sense of community
Kristy Paul grew up on a quiet suburban cul-de-sac where on warm summer nights the kids could stay out late while the parents grilled in their back yards and kept watch. Read source
Dec
Stanislaus property tax payments due
Property tax bills are due today for all California landowners. Read source
Dec
Court upholds valley air district rule
A federal appeals court ruled this week that air quality regulators in the smog-laden San Joaquin Valley have the right to charge home builders a fee to control their pollution emissions. Read source
Dec
Fewer U.S. homeowners are underwater
The number of homeowners in the U.S. who owe more on their properties than what those homes are worth has declined steadily for most of 2010, according to statistics released Monday. Read source
Dec
Confessions of a Recessionista
Lately keeping up with the Jones’ has gone from the standard “Guess what I bought?” to “Guess how much I saved buying this?” Yes, it’s now hip to save. This trend has created the world of Groupons and in-store sales price slashing across the board. Some companies even created buzz through scavenger-type hunts. Tis’ season [...]
Dec
Mortgage Shopping 101
Consumers will research on average 3 different models of computers before purchasing one. Why does the real estate correspondent care about computers? I don’t. I’m just throwing out some important background information to make my point, like that 96 percent of American consumers compare prices when shopping for anything. Read source