tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197259792011-11-29T18:49:56.419-08:00Welcome to the Orangecrest Riverside California Real Estate Blog, posted by Scott Chappell & Brian Bean, The Authority on Orangecrest Real Estate! Our mission is to keep you updated on the latest news and market information from Orangecrest. We will periodically provide market updates, neighborhood happenings and information about homes just listed and sold. In addition, we'll post national & regional news with a direct impact on homeowners in Orangecrest and the surrounding communities.DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comBlogger3221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-58985340382235605072011-11-29T18:49:00.001-08:002011-11-29T18:49:56.424-08:00

Obama's newly expanded HARP refi program for upside-down homeowners begins this week. Do you qualify? Check this out: http://ow.ly/7JiEq

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-42734666506204610592011-10-13T11:59:00.001-07:002011-10-13T11:59:11.422-07:00

http://ping.fm/6SJFj

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-73257318431746407402010-07-24T08:02:00.001-07:002010-07-27T14:35:50.763-07:00

I've been waiting for Bank of America to sign off in the 2nd position on a strong offer from Litton so we can close another short sale. The numbers are there -- BAC will receive just a little more than the 5% of 1st lienholder's net, which is right in line with the stated guidelines. But the negotiator called me this week to tell me that they can't allow the title to change hands to an LLC.Uhh,

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-39798010472472633852010-07-23T20:19:00.001-07:002010-07-27T14:53:20.153-07:00

Whenever there are people are distress, the vultures start to circle.Homeowners facing foreclosure, and looking desperately for help, are easy prey for unscrupulous foreclosure "experts" who care only about profiting from the misfortune of others. These homeowners with notices of default on a mortgage are targets for fraud, deception, harassment, and unfair dealings. Scammers may charge high fees

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-26132236127206273492010-07-18T12:12:00.001-07:002010-07-19T19:07:41.115-07:00

Foreclosure statistics released last week revealed some pretty hefty trends, with 1.65 million properties having experienced some sort of foreclosure filing in the first six months of 2010. But one fact was buried in the avalanche of numbers from online real estate tracker RealtyTrac:foreclosure short saleWe're on track for 3 million foreclosure filings this year.So many homeowners upside-down on

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-70126327295054897282010-07-16T16:14:00.000-07:002010-07-16T16:15:51.776-07:00

California again led the nation in foreclosure notices issued in the first six months of 2010, according to the Irvine-based online resource RealtyTrac, and Riverside and San Bernardino counties ranked in the top three areas statewide. But the foreclosure rate was down 15 percent from the previous six months and down nearly 13 percent from the first six months of 2009. A total of 340,740

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-20015257169894327272010-07-13T23:28:00.001-07:002010-07-14T07:38:50.368-07:00

Every time someone hires us to help them with a short sale on their home, we take them through a healthy stack of paperwork. It's an ever-growing list of contracts, disclosures and information-gathering forms.One of the most important documents is a disclosure advising sellers to seek the guidance of an attorney and tax professional -- because we aren't either of those. Yes, it's an important

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-20730924901838755352010-07-08T07:42:00.001-07:002010-07-14T07:46:09.273-07:00

I had a workshop last week for about a dozen agents in our area who wanted to know how we are having so much success closing short sales. I ran down what we do and why and how they can do the same thing. (For personal reasons, I'm on a mission to educate as many agents as possible so that we can all help as many distressed homeowners as possible.)I was amazed at the response. Nearly the half the

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-92102024545224813462010-07-08T06:50:00.000-07:002010-07-08T06:50:01.024-07:00

For Sale: 7BR/4BA Single Family House in Riverside, CA, $355,000Brian BeanReal Estate Brokerhttp://www.scott-brian.com/http://www.orangecrestriversidehomes.com/

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-35004107083555683142010-07-04T07:16:00.001-07:002010-07-04T07:17:48.683-07:00

When I was a kid, the Fourth of July was my favorite holiday. Not Christmas, though the family showered us with brightly wrapped presents. Not Thanksgiving, when we got together with all our cousins and had an excuse to gorge and play football in the side yard all day. Yes, the Fourth of July still holds magic for me. Great memories, with emotions fully attached. Firecrackers -- illegal as

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-23799913339933524232010-07-03T12:27:00.000-07:002010-07-03T12:50:54.890-07:00

President Obama on Friday signed into law the three-month extension of a federal tax credit for home buyers.Congress passed standalone extension bills on Tuesday and Wednesday in late-night wrangling to help home buyers in escrow on short sales and other transactions that routinely take longer than 2 months to close. Buyers who have had signed purchase agreements since at least April 30 are

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-81464026067162161532010-06-29T06:08:00.000-07:002010-06-29T06:13:10.249-07:00

OK, so we're less than 48 hours away from the federal-tax-credit deadline, and about 180,000 home buyers who have been in escrow for nearly two months are on the verge of watching that tax credit slip through their fingers. Why? Because, surprise, it might actually take more than 60 days to close a transaction.The House and Senate have each passed their own versions of an extension for those

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-85684058744380688282010-06-26T19:21:00.000-07:002010-06-26T19:28:26.276-07:00

This whole loan-modification thing is getting out of hand.Are we really so easy to manipulate, or are desperate people just clutching at anything to keep from falling?So many homeowners on the verge of losing their homes will do anything, listen to anyone, take any advice, as long as it's authoritative and the answer satisfies their wants. Why? Because even a flicker of hope can renew the

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-88923130356817548942010-06-22T15:39:00.000-07:002010-06-22T16:03:06.315-07:00

Here's an interesting story from CNNMoney.com. Not a big surprise when you look a little closer. Lawmakers, in an effort to get re-elected, push for solutions that treat the symptom, not the disease. In this case, poor money habits fueled by disinformation spread by banks and credit-card companies have lulled society into thinking that debt is good, that credit scores are more important than

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-1453082763086299042010-06-17T06:30:00.000-07:002010-06-17T06:36:33.624-07:00

Here's an update on the federal tax credit, in which buyers who opened escrow on their purchase by April 30 were required to close on or before June 30. Looks like we may be closer to an extension ...Inman NewsThe Senate has amended a bill to give homebuyers who were under contract on a home purchase by April 30 an additional three months to close the deal and claim the federal homebuyer tax

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-66627695311365494502010-06-04T05:54:00.000-07:002010-06-04T06:07:18.347-07:00

Great news out of Sacto this week! What many people don't realize is that the banks can -- and will -- try to pursue a deficiency against a homeowner ... if the homeowner signs off on it during a short sale. In California, it's a four-year statute of limitations. Think you won't be back on your feet in four years? The banks think you will, and they are licking their chops! Don't make any

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-68370423677475078222010-05-28T10:12:00.000-07:002010-05-28T10:14:10.430-07:00

The near-record low mortgage rates seen during the past few weeks may not be around much longer. Signs of improving economic conditions could lead Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke to raise key interest rates, driving up mortgage rates, says Stephen Stanley, chief economist at Pierpont Securities LLC. The evidence includes more consumers are paying their bills on time. Past-due accounts

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-23651687814434769132010-05-24T09:52:00.000-07:002010-05-24T09:55:58.289-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsMore than 16 percent of homeowners say their houses increased in value during the past year, the highest percentage in nearly two years, according to a Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan survey. While 75 percent of homeowners viewed current home-buying conditions as good, citing attractive prices and low mortgage rates, about 89 percent thought market conditions

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-74312208744680869432010-05-20T13:37:00.000-07:002010-05-20T13:39:11.727-07:00

Daily Real Estate News The confidence of U.S. home owners in the value of their homes increased in the first quarter, online home site Zillow says based on a survey it conducted. About 50 percent of home owners surveyed by the Web site think their home's value declined in the past year, according to Zillow.com’s first quarter survey of home owner confidence. In contrast, Zillow thinks that

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-8753438304636518872010-05-20T13:35:00.000-07:002010-05-20T13:37:00.499-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsWhen you compare the real estate downturn to the real estate market in the 1980s, Blumberg Capital Partners, which provides real estate investment management, finds similarities that lead the company to think now is an optimal time to buy. Its analysts point out that the recession of the 1980s lasted 16 months, running from July 1981 to November 1982. Unemployment

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-26400687254926800042010-05-19T10:05:00.000-07:002010-05-19T10:10:34.098-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsHousing prices are expected to increase 12.4 percent between 2010 and the end of 2014, predicts MacroMarkets, which surveyed more than 100 analysts and market strategists. Those interviewed didn’t all see the housing market in the same light. Joseph LaVorgna, a economist at Deutsche Bank predicts that home prices will rise 37 percent by the end of 2014. On the most

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-2315002312714913522010-04-21T09:35:00.000-07:002010-04-21T09:41:22.501-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsNearly half the homes sold in March – 48.2 percent – were purchased by first-time buyers, according to a survey of more than 1,500 real estate practitioners by Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance."Many observers had felt that the pool of first time home buyers had been depleted last fall," Thomas Popik, research director for Campbell Surveys, said in a statement. "Instead,

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-1425870549236356352010-04-15T15:45:00.000-07:002010-04-15T15:57:12.709-07:00

Closing your escrow in May? Better make it early, experts sayCalifornia Association of RealtorsThe $100 million allocated for California's first-time homebuyer tax credits may be depleted in about 10 to 20 days or sooner, according to C.A.R.'s Economics team. California's Franchise Tax Board (FTB) plans to begin accepting applications on May 1, 2010 for tax credits up to $10,000 for first-time

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-84566523107235288112010-04-09T13:25:00.000-07:002010-04-09T13:39:02.251-07:00

Freddie Mac-owned homes reserved for buyers with special financingDozens of Inland Empire properties will be auctioned in April to owner-occupant buyers, using special Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding.Investor buyers will not be allowed to purchase any of these homes, clearing a major hurdle for first-time buyers who have become accustomed to losing out to cash buyers. Winning bids

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-4043182454138984882010-04-09T13:22:00.000-07:002010-04-09T13:24:51.339-07:00

Daily Real Estate News Interest rates are likely to remain low into 2011, Federal Reserve policymakers hinted this week in at least two presentations. These indications came one week after the Fed shut down its program to buy mortgage-backed securities, which had kept rates at or near record lows in recent months. In a speech Thursday, Fed Governor Daniel Tarullo said, "The relatively

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-62223655264228824282010-04-01T05:48:00.000-07:002010-04-01T06:42:20.825-07:00

Today is the true deadline to submit loan applications before new requirements kick inTo shore up its balance sheet and dwindling capital reserves, the Federal Housing Authority is rolling out sweeping financial changes. Starting next week, FHA borrowers must look better on paper and be better credit risks.Mortgage insurance premiums are rising, too.In its official announcement, the FHA said

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-780237526867085902010-03-31T12:00:00.000-07:002010-03-31T12:12:20.754-07:00

California Association of RealtorsCalifornians have a brief window of opportunity to receive up to $18,000 in combined federal and state homebuyer tax credits. To take advantage of both tax credits, a first-time homebuyer must enter into a purchase contract for a principal residence before May 1 and close escrow between May 1 and June 30, inclusive. Buyers who are not first-time homebuyers may

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-53864173505978859812010-03-29T17:22:00.000-07:002010-03-29T17:29:40.899-07:00

CNNMoney.comNEW YORK -- Short sales are the hottest thing going in the distressed-property market, and the trend is expected to get even hotter in coming weeks, when the government starts handing out cash to encourage lenders to close these deals."Banks have ramped up short-sale approvals," said Duane Legate of House Buyer Network, which connects short sellers with buyers. "They're hiring a

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-84454352860976689042010-03-25T21:40:00.000-07:002010-03-25T21:47:16.292-07:00

California Association of RealtorsGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday signed Assembly Bill 183, the Homebuyer Tax Credit legislation, into law.AB 183 will provide $200 million for home buyer tax credits, allocating $100 million for qualified first-time home buyers of existing homes and $100 million for purchasers of new, or previously unoccupied, homes. The eligible taxpayer who purchases a

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-69527343869510240592010-03-24T14:48:00.000-07:002010-03-24T15:11:48.111-07:00

As the number of short sales continues to increase, we're seeing more and more instances of creative methods to close complex and difficult transactions. Dealing with two, three, four or sometimes more lienholders who must sign off on the terms of a deal can be daunting. Those challenges sometimes prompt under-the-table payments to make a deal happen.But agents, buyers and sellers beware:

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-85901067779991844162010-03-24T14:40:00.000-07:002010-03-24T14:48:15.659-07:00

CAR NewslineThe California legislature on Monday passed AB 183, providing $200 million for home buyer tax credits. The Governor is expected to sign the bill into law this week. C.A.R. supported this important legislation since its inception. Part of a package of four bills passed at the request of the Governor, AB 183 is designed to help stimulate the economy and create jobs. It allocates $100

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-11927371717131002642010-03-22T11:52:00.000-07:002010-03-22T12:05:05.447-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsPotential buyers of short-sale homes may have heard that it will be easier to get a short-sale offer accepted after April 5. Before deciding to wait to make your offer, check with a seasoned Certified Short Sale Specialist familiar with your area. On April 5, the federal government begins offering lenders financial incentives to hasten the short-sale process. According to

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-42143871906575178992010-03-18T18:16:00.000-07:002010-03-18T18:25:07.868-07:00

The Wall Street JournalThe Federal Reserve has been purchasing mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac since early last year. The purchase program has helped maintain low interest rates for borrowers. As planned, the Fed this week announced it will stop purchasing these securities at the end of this month. Many analysts anticipate this will result in a slight rise

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-55439041831233466382010-03-18T10:31:00.000-07:002010-03-18T10:32:56.163-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsWells Fargo & Co. has joined Bank of America Corp. as the first two banks to sign onto the federal government’s program to modify second mortgages. Under the government’s plan, borrowers who have been extended loan modifications on first mortgages can now apply to reduce their second mortgages. Analysts say banks have been reluctant to adopt this part of the

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-12182684519704058312010-03-16T18:21:00.000-07:002010-03-16T20:08:57.213-07:00

Real Estate Industry NewsCalifornia Real Estate Broker Brian Bean this month earned the coveted Five Star Institute Short Sale Specialist designation and is now one of just a few hundred agents nationwide and only a handful in California to complete the training program.Bean, who focuses on helping homeowners in Southern California navigate through the complexities of foreclosures and short sales

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-11458361801995253832010-03-08T10:38:00.000-08:002010-03-08T10:41:06.568-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsBeginning April 5, the Obama administration will encourage delinquent borrowers to avoid foreclosure and instead give up their homes in short sales by streamlining the process. The program will offer a cash payment to the homeowner, as well as to the servicer and second-lien holder; and protect borrowers from future lender lawsuits for the unpaid mortgage balance.

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-77502927453483833502010-03-05T13:40:00.000-08:002010-03-05T13:41:18.265-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsFreddie Mac documented a decline in mortgage rates during the week ended March 4, with 30-year fixed home loans slipping to 4.97 percent from 5.05 percent and 15-year interest averaging 4.33 percent. Also, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported that its index of home loan applications jumped 15 percent during the week ended Feb. 26. Refinancing activity was up 17

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-35318906355102186792010-03-05T13:37:00.000-08:002010-03-05T13:38:55.927-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsWill people who currently face foreclosure or short sales or who walk away from their underwater properties ever be able to get financing to buy another home down the road? Banks haven’t been very forthcoming on this issue. However, knowledgeable observers of the situation say that while it may take some time, the situation will right itself for most people. Because

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-315151824824070362010-03-04T16:03:00.000-08:002010-03-04T16:13:11.957-08:00

By Kathleen M. HowleyBloomberg.comU.S. home prices fell 1.2 percent in the fourth quarter from a year earlier, the smallest loss in two years, as a federal tax credit for homebuyers boosted demand. Prices were down 0.1 percent from the third quarter, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said today in a report. The year-over-year drop was the smallest since a 1.1 percent decline in 2007’s

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-72053402541613592842010-03-03T10:49:00.000-08:002010-03-03T10:50:34.662-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsThe jumbo loan market is starting to thaw, making it easier for move-up buyers to borrow. Rates on jumbo loans of more than $729,750 in highest-priced markets rose during the financial crisis and lending standards tightened to the point where borrowers couldn’t refinance or get a new loan. In the last couple of weeks, the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-43736965065821387022010-03-01T12:20:00.000-08:002010-03-01T12:21:28.129-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsSo far, Congress is ignoring President Barack Obama’s budget proposal to reduce deductions for mortgage interest and real-estate taxes. The president proposed that taxpayers would save 28 cents of tax liability for every $1 of mortgage interest or taxes, down from the current 35 cents. Congressional representatives on both sides of the aisle have concerns about how

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-11619480143817519872010-02-25T11:43:00.000-08:002010-02-25T11:49:47.404-08:00

California Association of RealtorsLOS ANGELES – Home sales decreased 10.6 percent in January in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home rose 15 percent, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported this week. “Many sales that closed escrow in January were on homes with offers accepted during the holiday

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-36151694390528360902010-02-25T11:17:00.000-08:002010-02-25T11:18:54.905-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsInvestors breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday when Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke told Congress that interest rates are likely to remain low for an extended period. The economy, he said, "still requires support for recovery." Investors see these low rates as a boon to a recovery of employment and business. Bernanke’s announcement also took the edge off the news

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-58547624575966423862010-02-22T10:35:00.000-08:002010-02-22T10:36:35.446-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsThe pressure is increasing on Congress to renew the home-buyer tax credits for a third time. The first $7,500 tax credit was passed in 2008 and required first-time buyers to repay the credit over 15 years. A few months later in 2009, Congress expanded the credit to a maximum of $8,000 that didn’t have to be paid back. At the end of last year, Congress extended the benefit

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-25803813282943754952010-02-22T10:31:00.000-08:002010-02-22T10:33:47.529-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsThe Internal Revenue Service has clarified which documentation taxpayers need to submit to claim the first-time and move-up homebuyer tax credit. While the IRS is still requiring the filing of Form 5405, it is not demanding that all parties’ signatures be on the HUD-1 settlement document in areas where requiring both the buyer and the seller to sign the document isn’t

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-1405988647203616652010-02-19T15:57:00.000-08:002010-02-19T15:59:30.226-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsAccording to the Chinese calendar, 2010 is the Year of the Tiger. But in real estate, 2010 may come to be known as the “Year of the First-Time Home Buyer.” Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com, says there will be 1.84 million homes sold to first-time home buyers in 2010, compared with 1.73 million in 2009. These buyers will invariably make some mistakes that

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-45758917456081817002010-02-17T09:23:00.000-08:002010-02-17T09:26:03.280-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsThe National Association of Realtors® this week launched HouseLogic, a new, comprehensive consumer website designed to help home owners make smart decisions to maintain, protect, and increase the value of their homes. HouseLogic will help consumers take responsible actions pertaining to what is likely the largest investment of their lives. “Backed by the resources and

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-45578802715085563312010-02-16T13:35:00.000-08:002010-02-16T13:38:32.521-08:00

Daily Real Estate News Nearly 5 million houses and condos, of which the mortgages are delinquent, will go through foreclosure during the next few years, a new study by John Burns Real Estate Consulting Inc. concludes. This represents more than half of the 7.7 million households now behind on their mortgage payments. The situation is worst in Arizona, California, Florida, and Nevada. Burns

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-60989614793965665072010-02-12T14:24:00.000-08:002010-02-16T13:46:01.580-08:00

RealegelCalifornia Association of RealtorsAn agreement for a "nonrefundable" escrow deposit is invalid and unenforceable, according to the recent California case of Kuish v. Smith (2010 WL 373225). This case serves as a good reminder for Realtors® that inserting a "nonrefundable deposit" provision into a real property purchase contract may be legally ineffective.The Kuish case involved a $620,000

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-43758048599407212052010-02-11T11:41:00.001-08:002010-02-11T11:48:41.420-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsStrong gains in existing-home sales were the predominant pattern in most states during the fourth quarter, with many more metro areas seeing prices rise from a year earlier, according to the latest survey by the National Association of Realtors®. Sales increased from the third quarter in 48 states and the District of Columbia; 32 states saw double-digit gains.

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-19133899880371916132010-02-09T14:46:00.000-08:002010-02-10T13:16:37.994-08:00

Bank of America has named Inland Empire Real Estate Broker Brian Bean a Preferred Alliance Partner to help distressed Bank of America and Countrywide mortgage customers with expedited short sales of their homes.California homeowners with Bank of America or Countrywide home loans who are thinking about a loan modification, refinance or even a short sale, are being urged to contact Brian Bean to

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-54074904297962070232010-01-22T11:18:00.000-08:002010-01-22T11:21:53.602-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsThe homebuyer tax credit is not as simple or straightforward as you might think. Here are some nuances that will affect homebuyers who plan to use it. To qualify for the move-up tax credit, a home owner must have occupied the same principal residence for five of the last eight years consecutively. Buyers can elect to claim the credit on either their 2009 or their 2010 tax

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-69160519971389477092010-01-22T11:15:00.000-08:002010-01-22T11:17:36.980-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsLong-term mortgage rates fell for the third straight week, pushing the average rate on 30-year fixed home loans below 5 percent again, according to Freddie Mac.This week, average interest on 30-year mortgages was 4.99 percent, compared to 5.06 percent last week and 5.16 percent a year ago.Rates on 15-year fixed loans also followed bond yields lower, averaging 4.40 percent,

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-49058108927333872882010-01-16T12:21:00.000-08:002010-01-16T12:29:21.007-08:00

HUD Press Release Jan. 15, 2010HUD TAKES ACTION TO SPEED RESALE OF FORECLOSED PROPERTIES TO NEW OWNERSMeasure to help bring stability to home values and accelerate sale of vacant properties WASHINGTON - In an effort to stabilize home values and improve conditions in communities where foreclosure activity is high, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced a temporary policy that will expand

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-71934913697256548412010-01-06T09:56:00.000-08:002010-01-06T09:57:11.637-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsJan. 6, 2010Selling a home in the dead of winter might seem ill-advised, particularly considering the state of the economy, but some experts think that making the decision to wait until spring to list the property could be a mistake. Government incentives will likely have a big impact in 2010, with many buyers determined to sign a contract before the April 30 tax credit

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-35888374799513033932009-12-29T12:54:00.000-08:002009-12-29T12:55:55.223-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsDecember 29, 2009Sellers who get more than one offer should be aware that the highest offer isn’t necessarily the best offer, say experienced practitioners. In this tough market, going with the buyer who has enough cash to pay a large down payment and who won’t be scared away if the inspection uncovers some needed repairs is often the wise choice. Practitioners should

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-7329911084438023872009-12-29T11:19:00.000-08:002009-12-29T12:53:36.790-08:00

CNNMoneyApplying for a mortgage modification and being in a months-long trial period can devastate a homeowner’s credit score. Under the government plan, troubled borrowers can have their mortgage payments reduced to 31 percent of their pre-tax income. They are first put in a trial modification for several months to test whether they can meet the requirements of the new mortgage. Borrowers who

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-40849029697391780062009-10-04T16:51:00.000-07:002009-10-04T16:57:45.688-07:00

Ran across this amazing site -- check it out. It's going to be a Home Page for the World. The global launch is scheduled for 10 p.m. PT Oct. 11. Preview here:www.HaveABlastoff.netWhy just log on when you can Blastoff? Blastoff Network is your launch pad to the internet which can be customized with your favorite news, music, videos, blogs, social networks and shopping, all in one place! Blastoff

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-15851667717705487732009-07-09T11:33:00.000-07:002009-07-09T11:35:27.274-07:00

Daily Real Estate News Bank attitudes toward risky lending are making it very difficult for the self-employed, even those with high incomes, to secure mortgages.No-doc loans are particularly hard to get, locking out people whose incomes are derived from investments or who are able to tax-shelter significant dollars.California Mortgage Bankers Association spokesman Dustin Hobbs says the industry

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-56375202225206171162009-06-05T09:52:00.000-07:002009-06-05T09:54:37.304-07:00

National Association of RealtorsHelp is on the way for many homeowners who are facing foreclosure, thanks to new details under the Making Home Affordable Program announced today by the U.S. Treasury and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.The Making Home Affordable Program is designed to help homeowners obtain modifications to their loan so they can afford to stay in their home.

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-70947272403008691752009-06-05T09:47:00.000-07:002009-06-05T09:51:00.036-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsFHA-approved lenders received the go-ahead to develop bridge-loan products that enable first-time buyers to use the benefits of the federal tax credit upfront, according to eagerly awaited guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on so-called home buyer tax credit loans that was released today.Under the guidance, FHA-approved lenders can develop

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-23922990456931561652009-06-05T09:13:00.000-07:002009-06-05T09:15:40.901-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsHere’s more evidence that the housing market is recovering.Two major home builders, Toll Brothers Inc. and Hovnanian Enterprises Inc., say their losses were shrinking compared to last year because buyers are coming back to the market.Other encouraging news came from HIS Global Insight, a research firm, which said home prices fell on average at an annual rate of 2.2 percent

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-60580761165966708582009-05-19T13:00:00.000-07:002009-05-19T13:02:56.672-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsThe Obama administration’s foreclosure prevention plan is struggling even with $75 billion to spend.The program has been mired in legal and administrative glitches:The biggest problem so far is the confusing paperwork that has flummoxed and overwhelmed loan servicers. Many servicers are only now able to roll out their version of the program. That has limited the number of

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-72488403872624924872009-05-19T12:56:00.000-07:002009-05-19T12:58:01.449-07:00

Daily Real Estate News Real estate professionals are optimistic that home prices will hit bottom in the next six months, according to a survey from listing and home-pricing site HomeGain.com.About half of practitioners surveyed expect home prices to stay the same in the next six months, 29 percent expect them to drop, and 22 percent believe they will increase. More than 84 percent of

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-92132065511771505692009-05-15T14:58:00.000-07:002009-05-15T14:59:55.526-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsFreddie Mac reports a slight rise this week in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 4.86 percent from 4.84 percent in the previous week.Rates have been below 5 percent for nine weeks in a row. Last year at this time, the average 30-year rate was 6.01 percent.The 15-year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 4.52 percent from 4.51 percent. Meanwhile, the five-year adjustable mortgage

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-82793782215435901372009-05-15T14:55:00.000-07:002009-05-15T14:58:20.445-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsAfter dropping for two years, home prices appear to be bottoming out, and any further declines would be an overcorrection, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun told thousands of practitioners at the REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.The median national home price today is about $169,000, down almost 14 percent from a year ago and an

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-75363611182252199482009-05-11T15:49:00.000-07:002009-05-11T15:52:49.118-07:00

Bringing the Dream of Homeownership Within ReachNational Association of RealtorsAs part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed legislation that grants a tax credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers.Here is more information about how the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit can help prospective home

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-32854873927095778532009-05-11T15:47:00.000-07:002009-05-11T15:49:03.949-07:00

Daily Real Estate News Bank stress tests, which assess how banks would handle it if the economy were to sour further, may make some banks more prone to lend if the results were good, analysts say.But don’t expect a miracle turnaround."In reality, it is still a weak economy out there," said analyst Joe Morford of RBC Capital Markets. "Whether they have the capital or not, banks are going to be

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-25098609368030237752009-05-11T15:45:00.000-07:002009-05-11T15:47:15.707-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsBank of America has debuted www.BankOfAmerica.com/HomeLoans, a new Website for borrowers that includes a calculator that determines not just what size loan people can qualify for, but how much they can spend without being stretched too thin.“We wanted to change the conversation to ‘How much house can I comfortably afford?’ rather than ‘What’s the maximum I can buy?’ ” said

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-18939379065791691552009-05-08T13:15:00.000-07:002009-05-08T13:16:59.882-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsPotential home buyers in search of a mortgage are wary of all kinds of adjustable rate loans these days, but hybrid ARMs can be really good deals even in these times of historically low interest rates, some lending experts insist.Hybrids are "a great product at a great rate," says Christopher Cruise, a mortgage broker in Silver Spring, Md.Currently, starting rates are under

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-86739296176084121202009-05-08T13:12:00.000-07:002009-05-08T13:14:51.084-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsA bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday requires mortgage lenders to take borrowers' repayment ability into account. It also makes it possible for borrowers to take legal action against entities that pool mortgages and sell them as securities on the secondary market.The bill also will force lenders to retain a 5 percent interest in mortgages other than

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-36360084411405407982009-05-07T12:28:00.000-07:002009-05-07T12:29:49.803-07:00

Daily Real Estate News Julie Holt of Tarpon Springs, Fla.-based Anclote Title Services says 10 percent of the homes for sale are generating more than one bid. Experts say markets hit hard by foreclosure are seeing more multiple offers, as residential price declines make homes more affordable and banks low-ball asking prices on distressed properties. "If a house is in a good neighborhood, is

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-51262791030915656572009-05-07T12:26:00.000-07:002009-05-07T12:28:10.245-07:00

Daily Real Estate News The U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved a version of the latest foreclosure-prevention plan.The bill shields mortgage servicers from lawsuits if they participate in federal loan modification programs, making it potentially easier for home owners with a second lien to refinance.The bill also gives renters of foreclosed properties at least a 90-day grace period before they have

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-8190684296889150772009-05-06T11:48:00.000-07:002009-05-06T11:51:57.737-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsConsumer Reports magazine advises home owners not to put off important maintenance projects, noting that waiting until the economy rebounds could end up making the repairs more costly while putting a family's health at risk.The magazine identifies five crucial maintenance issues: Check the gutters: Clogged gutters, broken fasteners and separations where the gutters meet the

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-62470014494963487492009-05-06T11:43:00.000-07:002009-05-06T11:48:09.346-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsFederal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Tuesday that the economy appeared to be stabilizing, but warned that a real recovery is still months away.“We continue to expect economic activity to bottom out, then to turn up later this year,” Bernanke told the congressional Joint Economic Committee, according to a prepared statement.Bernanke cited improved sales of existing

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-67835988036218542552009-05-05T12:59:00.000-07:002009-05-05T13:00:56.010-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsDemand for prime mortgages was up substantially in the first quarter of this year for the first time since early 2007, according to a Federal Reserve survey of loan officers released Monday. The rise in demand comes at a time when rates are low, but about 50 percent of banks say they are tightening lending standards.More than 65 percent of the banks tightened standards on

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-59659412935194470602009-05-05T12:56:00.000-07:002009-05-05T12:58:30.362-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsPotential buyers in areas that were hard hit by the housing downturn have read about bargains, but only find it disappointing when they go shopping."Every open house I've been to has been a zoo," says first-time homebuyer Sam Rivero, who has looked at 35 properties during the last three months. "If you follow what the media say, you'd think sellers are desperate to sell a

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-66981983467709007772009-05-01T22:38:00.000-07:002009-05-01T22:40:36.183-07:00

Daily Real Estate News The housing bust is hitting entrepreneurs the hardest.During the boom times, many small business owners pulled money out of their homes to start or expand their enterprises. Today, many are scrambling because it is next to impossible to get a small business loan, and the loans they took out on their homes are resetting and triggering higher payments.California is

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-69963749674704960822009-05-01T22:33:00.000-07:002009-05-01T22:41:25.546-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsThe proposed law allowing bankruptcy judges to modify mortgages, known as the cramdown bill, was voted down Thursday by the U.S. Senate.The financial industry opposed the bill, arguing that the change would drive up interest rates and make the market less stable. Some senators also were concerned that their constituents who pay their bills on time would resent this

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-84526551779133229772009-04-30T13:09:00.000-07:002009-05-01T22:41:50.628-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsThe National Association of Realtors® says more than 50 percent of March's home sales were tied to first-time buyers, many of whom snapped up foreclosed homes and other distressed properties.Experts believe getting first-time buyers off the sidelines to take advantage of historically low interest rates and federal tax credits will reduce the glut of homes on the market and

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-60190370506737820722009-04-30T13:07:00.000-07:002009-05-01T22:42:09.739-07:00

Daily Real Estate News The housing market is looking healthier, but U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan said Wednesday that it is too early to tell if the recovery has taken hold."We do have some early signs, I think, that the market is stabilizing. Since January, what we've seen is both prices and sales volumes moving up and down around a relatively stable number," Donovan

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-76978051757350591672009-04-28T13:31:00.000-07:002009-05-01T22:42:28.520-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsThe Obama administration is announcing incentives today for mortgages servicers to modify home equity loans and other second mortgages.Servicers must agree to modify second mortgages when the first mortgage has been modified. They must extend the term of the second mortgage and match the rate of the first mortgage. Then the government will share the cost with the servicer of

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-15360707205841793242009-04-28T13:27:00.002-07:002009-04-28T13:30:12.453-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsThe bottom of the housing decline is near, predicted analysts and home builders attending the National Association of Home Builders’ semiannual Construction Forecast Conference last week.Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Economy.com, facetiously picked a date when home prices would stop falling: Dec. 15, 2009. Other observers weren’t so precise, but they did generally

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-2540075531402622892009-04-23T14:52:00.000-07:002009-04-23T14:54:02.094-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsBidding wars are back – at least in some parts of the country where falling prices are pitting investors against homebuyers looking for a good deal.The parts of the country most likely to see warring bids are parts of California and Arizona, Washington D.C., and Minneapolis-St. Paul, according to real estate practitioners and other observers.Having cash in hand can be

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-58208888290211802432009-04-23T14:43:00.000-07:002009-04-23T14:50:12.678-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsExisting-home sales eased in March but first-time buyers are responding to low mortgage interest rates and tax credits, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – declined 3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.57 million units in March from a downwardly revised level of

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-75800200169970850822009-04-21T14:20:00.000-07:002009-04-21T14:22:46.549-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsSenior real estate executives believe market conditions are getting better, despite constricted credit conditions in the commercial market, according to the Real Estate Roundtable Sentiment Survey for the second quarter.Nearly 60 percent of the 120 survey respondents say that they expect conditions in the real estate market will get better within a year. This view is

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-26033706984642900452009-04-20T16:29:00.000-07:002009-04-20T16:30:49.822-07:00

Daily Real Estate News The worst of the economic crisis is over, according to U.S. officials speaking at a financial conference Friday at Vanderbilt University.Frank Nothaft, the chief economist for Freddie Mac, said housing sales have just about hit bottom and a third of home sales are now foreclosed properties.Dennis Lockhart, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, warned that the

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-82447295349400337462009-04-15T07:46:00.000-07:002009-04-15T07:52:51.195-07:00

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER and ANN SANNERThe Associated PressWASHINGTON - Most people say they plan to use this year's tax refund to pay bills, deciding in this sour economy to be more frugal with their annual windfall.Fifty-four percent of those receiving refunds said they intend to pay off credit card, utility, housing and other bills, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll released Monday. That

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-41949668951592995882009-04-14T14:55:00.000-07:002009-04-14T14:57:36.795-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsBuyers are much more likely to default on their mortgages because they don't have a job than they are because the mortgage terms are unaffordable, according to a study from the Boston Federal Reserve.Boston Fed economists said that in light of the study’s findings, it probably makes more sense to spend money to help people find jobs than it does to create programs that

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-79256105205168024122009-04-14T14:50:00.000-07:002009-04-14T14:58:49.611-07:00

Daily Real Estate NewsSelling a home that is vacant can be harder than selling a lived-in home, experts say. Here are some ideas from Pam and Dave Pettigrew, certified residential specialists with Prudential Rocky Mountain in Fort Collins, Colo., on what practitioners and sellers should consider to protect an empty property and get it sold.Give the house a lived-in look: Get a neighbor or family

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-89808049153676953802009-03-08T09:21:00.000-07:002009-03-08T09:23:55.805-07:00

Real Estate NewsFreddie Mac is launching a rental initiative that will give former owners and tenants of foreclosed property the opportunity to lease their recently foreclosed properties month to month.The REO rental initiative will be managed by HomeSteps, Freddie Mac’s national real estate unit, and implemented through several national property management firms. Freddie Mac has about 8,500

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-67524804707073134742009-03-06T15:19:00.000-08:002009-03-06T15:23:12.561-08:00

Here's an update on the "Cram-Down" BK bill:By Dawn KopeckiBloombergAt least 1 million Americans would be able to use bankruptcy to reduce mortgage payments under legislation approved by the House on Wednesday, part of Democratic efforts to stem a crisis that has erased more than $2.4 trillion in home values.The so-called cram-down bill would allow federal judges to lengthen terms, cut interest

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-9274026170877221362009-02-05T18:22:00.000-08:002009-04-14T14:59:18.486-07:00

This interesting alert comes from Los Angeles County, but the same holds true throughout California, including Riverside, Corona and the entire Inland Empire. Scam Alert – No Fee Necessary for Value Reduction.Los Angeles County Assessor's OfficeVarious private companies are sending mailings to property owners offering their services to pursue a reduction in their property taxes. These companies

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-77721685829910882872009-02-05T14:45:00.000-08:002009-04-14T14:59:38.669-07:00

Here's an interesting item for homebuyers, who will benefit from lawmakers' efforts to boost the housing marketBy DAVID M. HERSZENHORNThe New York TimesWASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday voted to expand the economic stimulus package with a tax credit for homebuyers of up to $15,000, a provision championed by Republicans as addressing a root cause of the recession. The vote to add the tax credit

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-89303948177040056262009-01-16T13:27:00.000-08:002009-04-14T14:59:56.520-07:00

California Association of RealtorsThe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced it will expedite its process of providing relief from federal tax liens for distressed homeowners. With more than 1 million current federal tax liens against real and personal property, the IRS announcement should help Corona, Riverside and other Inland Empire homeowners and their Realtors resolve federal tax

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-11821171297355575212009-01-15T11:48:00.000-08:002009-01-15T11:51:25.390-08:00

Daily Real Estate NewsNational Association of RealtorsIf all home buyers become eligible for a tax credit without a repayment feature, it could result in an additional 555,000 home sales, enough to meaningfully draw down excess housing inventory, the National Association of Realtors says. An evaluation of options for a home buyer tax credit by NAR shows wide ranging implications and benefits. A

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-16775180002213671222009-01-13T12:03:00.000-08:002009-04-14T15:00:35.463-07:00

Here's an interesting story -- worried about your identity being stolen? Read this article, and then give me a call for more information on how to make sure you're not a victim. (951-314-5402):By Mitch LipkaGlobe Newspaper CompanySeveral Internet complaint boards are filled with comments from credit card customers from coast to coast who have noticed a mysterious charge for about 25 cents on

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-84846022271576979302008-12-26T12:46:00.000-08:002008-12-26T12:53:44.519-08:00

News Release from Fannie MaeWASHINGTON, DC -- Fannie Mae said that the Streamlined Modification Program (SMP) announced by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) in November is now available to Fannie Mae servicers and borrowers as an option to help prevent foreclosures. Fannie Mae on Dec. 12, 2008, provided information and guidelines to its servicers regarding the implementation of the

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-41493537605039295472008-12-26T12:21:00.000-08:002009-01-15T11:53:47.306-08:00

California home sales up 83.2 percent in November, C.A.R. reportsCalif. Assoc. of RealtorsLOS ANGELES – Home sales increased 83.2 percent in November in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home fell 41.8 percent, the California Association of Realtors® (C.A.R.) reported this week. "Statewide sales registered a monthly decline for the first

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725979.post-23629991758414006392008-12-26T11:46:00.000-08:002009-01-15T11:53:47.307-08:00

Don't let the year get away without maximizing your tax writeoffsInternal Revenue ServiceWASHINGTON — Individuals and businesses making contributions to charity should keep in mind several important tax law provisions that have taken effect in recent years.One provision offers older owners of individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) a different way to give to charity. There are also rules

DreamBigRealEstatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03311552830956240960noreply@blogger.com