Real Estate n LA

HOUSING HIGH POINT

2012-03-05T09:50:00.000-08:00

Pending Sales of Existing Homes Up to Nearly Two-Year High!!!
Let's find your dream home...it's already out there...

http://rismedia.com/2012-03-04/housing-high-point-pending-sales-of-existing-homes-up-to-nearly-two-year-high/

California AG Requests "Good-Faith Pause" on GSE Foreclosures

2012-02-29T10:34:00.000-08:00

By: Krista Franks Brock

Insistent that principal reductions are the best line of defense in loss mitigation, California Attorney General Kamala Harris is calling on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to halt foreclosures in her state while the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) considers whether principal reductions are an appropriate strategy for the GSEs.

In a recent letter to FHFA Acting Director Edward DeMarco, Harris requested a “good-faith pause on foreclosure sales in California” while the FHFA continues to investigate the pros and cons of principal reductions.

California has been particularly hard hit by the housing crisis. About a half million homes in California have been foreclosed, and another half million are either in foreclosure or on the brink of foreclosure, according to Harris.

While the recent national settlement secured $12 billion for principal reductions and short sales, this will not help the 60 percent of California homeowners whose mortgages are owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
DeMarco has expressed hesitation toward principal reductions and consistently insisted that he does not have the power to demand the GSEs employ the strategy.

However, he did recently share FHFA’s analysis of the method, which did not determine that “principal reduction never serves the long-term interest of the taxpayer when compared to foreclosure.” DeMarco maintained that forbearance ensures better returns for investors.

Harris urges DeMarco to pursue further analysis and in the meantime to suspend foreclosures in California so GSE borrowers “will have an opportunity to reduce the principal on their homes should your analysis find – as I believe it must – that principal reductions by those enterprises are in the best interest of homeowners and taxpayers,” according to her letter.

DS News says...January Home Sales Up Again--LOW INVENTORY---GOOD TIME TO SELL!!!

2012-02-22T08:30:00.003-08:00

January Home Sales Up Again

Existing-home sales rose in January for the third time in the past four months, according to a release from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and inventory also fell the same month. Total existing-home sales increased 4.3 percent compared to the previous month of December and 0.7 percent compared a year ago in January 2011. Total housing inventory at the end of January fell 0.4 percent compared to the previous month and 20.6 percent compared to a year ago.

Housing crisis could play key role in election

2012-02-20T14:41:00.000-08:00

Voters are passionate about housing, surveys find

By Lew Sichelman

Realty Q&A is a weekly column in which Lew Sichelman, a nationally syndicated columnist who has been covering the housing market for more than 40 years, responds to readers’ questions on real estate. However, in this edition, rather than a Q&A, he reviews a series of new surveys on housing and the election.

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — At no time in memory has housing been a major issue in a presidential election. Sometimes, the topic has hardly garnered more than a passing mention by either political party.

But if the findings of several recent polls are any gauge, the eventual candidates and their political parties would be well served to address the nation’s housing crisis head on.

Read: Mortgage delinquencies, foreclosures fall.

Read: Mortgage rates hold at record low.

Right now, housing is not yet a front-and-center issue for President Obama or any of the Republican presidential hopefuls. But no less than five national surveys indicate that the issue is a top-of-mind topic among voters. Granted, the polls were undertaken by real-estate-centric organizations — Realtor.com, the National Association of Home Builders, HouseLogic, Yahoo Real Estate and Trulia. But the unanimity of their findings underscores just how worried current and future owners are about their homes.

“We were very surprised just how passionate people are” about housing issues, said Julia Reynolds of Move Inc., which operates Realtor.com, the official website of the National Association of Realtors.

Young voters key in on housing

Housing is a particularly strong voting issue for nearly three out of every four Millennials. Also sometimes known as the Internet generation, Millennials were born after 1982, meaning the oldest of them will be at prime home-buying age when November 2012 rolls around.

Millennials were key to President Obama’s victory in 2008, and they should play an even greater role in the coming election. Four years ago, when only 40% of Millennials were old enough to vote, their two-to-one support of Obama over John McCain accounted for 80% of his margin of victory. This year, well over half of the Millennials can vote.

In the Realtor.com survey, Millennials made it absolutely clear that a candidate’s position on housing will influence their votes. On a nearly three-to-one basis, they told pollsters that what the candidates had to say about housing will be either very or somewhat important to their voting decision.

In the poll by HouseLogic, the consumer website operated by the National Association of Realtors, housing came in a distant second to jobs as the issue that will have the greatest impact on respondents’ votes in November. But it was way above national security, health care, energy and the environment, the subjects Republicans tend to harp on the most.

That’s not to denigrate the GOP candidates. Housing isn’t often up there on the President’s list of talking points, either. Yet just over half the participants in the Yahoo study want Uncle Sam do more to save at-risk homeowners in danger of losing their homes. At the same time, a little over one in four said the federal government has gone as far as it should to help struggling owners, and the rest had no opinion on the matter one way or the other.

“Across party lines, people recognize that the importance of dealing with the mortgage and foreclosure crisis is the key to stabilizing the economy,” said Jonathan Voss of Lake Research Partners, the polling firm which surveyed 1,500 likely voters in early January on behalf of the builders association.

And on that score, more than half the respondents said neither party is doing a particularly good job. Thus, said Voss, “the playing field is wide open for either party” to saddle up the housing issue and ride it to the finish line.

Like the HouseLogic survey, the Trulia poll found that fixing the sagging economy comes first in the minds of voters. But nearly three out of four respondents agreed that government policies and programs should encourage ownership.

Asked about specific policies, respondents who identified themselves as Democrats or Republicans had a strong, bipartisan predilection toward helping people remain in their homes. Specifically, 78% think it should be easier for underwater borrowers to refinance, and 67% want policymakers to encourage lenders to reduce borrowers’ mortgage balances in an effort to save their homes.

In the Realtor.com survey, an overwhelming 82% consider housing to be critical to the national economic recovery. And they say helping current owners avoid foreclosure should be a top priority during the next president’s first 100 days in office. At the same time, though, views vary widely about what the government’s piece of the housing pie should be.

One in five want an increased role, 31% want it to remain the same, and 42% said its function should be curtailed. While Millennials want government to prioritize housing and support its recovery, the Realtor.com survey showed that only 25% of that key demographic — and the next generation of home buyers — think an increased government presence is the answer.

With 10 months to go before ballots are cast, anything can happen to sway voters. But right now, a majority on both sides of the aisle think housing could be President Obama’s Achilles’ heel come Nov. 6, according to the Trulia study.

Currently, 57% of Democrats and 73% of Republicans think housing will hurt Obama’s chances for re-election. At the same time, 31% of Democrats and 87% of Republicans think he can right the housing ship by the next election.

The president doesn’t fare too well in yet another recent survey, this one by HomeGain, another real-estate website. While he received enough homeowners’ votes to defeat any of the GOP candidates, real-estate agents favored Mitt Romney over Obama, 34% to 32%.

Nationally syndicated columnist Lew Sichelman has been covering the housing market for more than 40 years. MarketWatch readers are encouraged to send their real estate questions to him at lsichelman@aol.com . Answers will be presented in this column every Friday. However, because of the volume of e-mail he receives, he cannot answer every reader’s query.

Real Estate Outlook: New Home Sales and Prices Decline

2012-02-06T13:37:00.000-08:00

by Carla Hill

Pending existing-home sales may be up across the nation, but new home sales fell for the first the first time in three months in December. These latest figures come from the U.S. Commerce Department.

"December's small decline in new-home sales follows three consecutive months of gains and means the fourth quarter was still stronger than the third," noted Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Reno, Nev. "The bottom line is that, while 2011 was the worst year for new-home sales on record, signs of gradual improvement began to emerge near the end of the year across a growing number of markets. This nascent recovery should continue to gain strength in the year ahead as more buyers take advantage of the very good deals that out there for newly built homes."

The NAHB remains extremely optimistic about the forecast for new homes in the coming year. They predict a rise of 18 percent in the number of new-home sales for 2012. This comes after a 7.3 percent dip seen in 2011 and the 2.2 percent dip seen December.

The December dip is being blamed largely on the large 10.1 percent decline seen in the South. Both the West and Northeast saw substantial new home sale gains for the month.

Mortgage applications were also down 2.9 percent from last week as well. The refinance share of activity declined slightly to 80.0 percent of the market, while adjustable rate mortgages rose to 5.6 percent of total applications.

"The Federal Reserve surprised the market last week by indicating that short-term rates were likely to stay at their current low-levels until the end of 2014. Longer-term treasury rates dropped in response, and mortgage rates for the week were down slightly as a result," said Michael Fratantoni, MBA's Vice President of Research and Economics.

While new homes sales and mortgage applications might be down, some of those would-be buyers are instead putting money back into their own homes. Remodeling activity, according to the NAHB, has risen again, now for the fifth straight month.

Remodeling sentiment is now at the highest level in five years, sitting at a 46.6 on the RMI scale.

NAHB Remodelers Chairman Bob Peterson reported, "As more consumers remain in their homes rather than move in this economy, remodelers benefited from a gradual increase in home improvement activity, taking us to a five-year high. 2011 ended on a strong note for the remodeling industry."

The RMI reported higher market activity in two important categories: major additions 52.3 (from 45.2) and minor additions 50.1 (from 45.7). These remodeling homeowners may be waiting out a better time to sell when prices rebound.

The latest release from the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index indicates that home values are still on the decline. Prices fell 1.3 percent for both the 10- and 20-City Composites in November from the previous month.

"Despite continued low interest rates and better real GDP growth in the fourth quarter, home prices continue to fall. Weakness was seen as 19 of 20 cities saw average home prices decline in November over October," says David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Indices. "The only positive for the month was Phoenix, one of the hardest hit in recent years. Nationally, home prices are lower than a year ago."

As of November 2011, average home prices across the United States are back to the levels where they were in mid-2003.

Published: February 6, 2012

Kitchens Sell a House

2012-01-30T11:50:00.000-08:00

by Carla Hill

It's a tool used by house flippers all across the nation. Stagers know its power. Real estate agents push its importance. What is this not-so-well-kept secret of real estate? A kitchen can sell a house.

A kitchen is the heart of a home. This is true all across the globe. The old saying that the "stomach is the way to the heart" carries a lot of truth. Kitchens are where we spend much of our time and most of that is with our families. It's the room where we nourish our bodies and our spirits.

Kitchens are integral to entertaining and in today's age of open floor plans, they're a focal piece of many family rooms. It's because of this that kitchens play such an important role in the buying and selling process.

This one room is the showpiece of the house. You'll see it every day and your guests will see it during most visits. This means buyers want homes with up-to-date kitchens.

Kitchens, however, can be one of the most expensive rooms to renovate. These projects can also be the most labor and time intensive of all home renovations. It's not just a new layer of paint.

Instead you find a complicated array of flooring, tiling, cabinets, and counters. This means buyers may want a home with an up-to-date kitchen but they aren't willing to tackle this problem themselves. Most buyers want a kitchen that is ready to use the day they move in.

What do buyers look for in up-to-date kitchens? A lot of this depends on what price range your home is in.

The main thing to remember as a seller is to not price yourself out of your market. If homes in your neighborhood are selling for $100,000 with tidy, but not luxury kitchens, then this is no time to upgrade to granite, travertine, and marble at the price tag of $40,000+. You simply won't find a buyer.

Scope out the competition. Use open houses in your area or MLS listings to find out what your competitions' kitchens look like.

Do area homes have new solid wood cabinets and granite counters in today's designer colors? You'll be wise to consider making the same move. Are they including new stainless steel appliances and add-ons like dishwashers, wine-coolers, and trash compactors?

Are you in a higher-end neighborhood? It's time to think high-end. Your older home may have a highly functional kitchen, but a buyer will take one look at your formica counters and white appliances and become lost in the stress of how much money and time it would take to remodel. If you don't want to put in the time yourself to make upgrades then you'll have to make concessions in the price.

Don't become overwhelmed, though. Sometimes a kitchen update can mean doing just a few minor changes. Change the paint color to a warm, neutral tone. Get rid of any clutter. Update your appliances, paint your cabinets, change the pulls, or get a high-end looking counter for a fraction of the cost (faux-granite or lower end granite). You might even save a bundle by doing much of the work yourself.

The bottom line is a kitchen can sell a home. Do a little research and find out what your kitchen needs to make it competitive with area listings.

Published: January 24, 2012

Obama Administration expands foreclosure relief program

2012-01-27T14:57:00.000-08:00

For sale signs are posted on a foreclosed house in Glendale. The Obama Administration announced Friday an expansion of its foreclosure relief program. (Kevork Djansezian/
Getty Images)

By Alejandro Lazo

January 27, 2012, 12:16 p.m.

Struggling homeowners are set to get more help from the federal government as the Obama Administration extends its key foreclosure prevention plan for a year.

The administration will also add the number of people eligible for the program to include investors and will increase incentives for large banks to modify more troubled mortgages.

Originally set to expire in December 2012, the administration’s Home Affordable Modification Program will be extended for another year, government officials said Friday. The expansion is part of a renewed push by the Obama Administration to right the housing market as it enters its fifth year of malaise.

“We are still coming back from the worst financial recession since the Great Depression, in which the abuses in the housing sector were the most prominent and have left the deepest legacy,” National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling told reporters in a conference call. “It requires an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy.”

Officials would not say how many new borrowers the administration hoped to reach through the program expansion. The initiative was unveiled in 2009, with the goal of helping as many as 4 million borrowers receive modifications; it has helped only about 900,000 receive new mortgages to date.

The administration said it would expand the program by including a secondary evaluation for borrowers who might have hefty second mortgages or medical bills weighing down finances. It would also expand the program to include so-called income properties, where the people living in the homes are paying rent.

The plan would also triple the incentives for mortgage servicers participating in the program to do principal write-downs. It will also extend those incentives to loans owned or insured by mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which have been reticent to reduce mortgage principal given that they have received enormous bailouts from the American taxpayer.

RELATED:
Eric Schneiderman promises aggressive financial fraud probe
California describes $25-billion mortgage settlement as 'inadequate'
States are said to be considering a $25-billion settlement with big banks

Turning foreclosures into rentals

2012-01-18T12:17:00.000-08:00

By Tami Luhby @CNNMoney January 10, 2012: 11:36 AM ET

The government wants to turn foreclosures into rentals.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Federal officials hope to launch a pilot program in early 2012 to convert government-owned foreclosures into rental properties.

The program, which was cited by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke last week as one way to address the housing crisis, would sell foreclosed homes now owned by Fannie Mae (FNMA, Fortune 500) and Freddie Mac (FMCC, Fortune 500) to investors in bulk. The properties would then be converted into rentals.

The initiative began back in August, when the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Treasury Department and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced they were seeking suggestions on ways to dispose of repossessed homes now owned by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration.

In addition to getting the properties off the government's books, officials are hoping putting the homes back into productive use will stabilize neighborhoods and housing values. Also, it is looking to expand the supply of rentals, which are increasingly in demand.

The agency is not releasing details on how the rental program would work, instead saying it is "proceeding prudently but with a sense of urgency to lay the groundwork for the development of good initial transactions in early 2012."

Administration officials said they are continuing to work with the agency to develop the program.

Housing, stocks, gold and oil: Hot or not in 2012?

Until now, most foreclosed homes have been sold individually because investors have demanded bigger discounts to buy large numbers of properties.

But federal officials are warily eyeing the expected surge in foreclosures as banks ramp up their action against delinquent homeowners. The process had been stalled since late 2010 when banks' shoddy paperwork practices came to light.

There are close to 2 million homes in the late stages of delinquency, according to Lender Processing Services. Since foreclosed properties often sell below market value, they can wreak havoc on home prices.

Converting these homes to rentals can both help the neighborhood and minimize losses to Fannie, Freddie and the FHA, which hold about 250,000 properties, Bernanke told lawmakers last week.

He urged lawmakers to ramp up their efforts to fix the housing market, placing particular emphasis on the problem of vacant homes on the market.

"Restoring the health of the housing market is a necessary part of a broader strategy for economic recovery," he said.

Bernanke's comments launched a full-court press by Federal Reserve officials last week to raise awareness of the continuing problems plaguing the housing market.

His proposals were quickly followed by Fed Governors Sarah Bloom Raskin, who spoke on ramping up enforcement of mortgage servicers, and Elizabeth Duke, who said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could do more to help heal the housing market.

Meanwhile, New York Fed President William Dudley gave a speech that touched on a wide range of housing policies -- including principal reduction and mortgage refinancing -- that he believes will boost the economy.
The Fed has already tried to boost real estate sales by pushing mortgage rates down to record lows through massive bond-buying programs.

But the renewed push for housing help indicates that the Fed, which has basically run out of monetary policy ammunition to revive the real estate market, is urging the federal government to ramp up its efforts.

"The Federal Reserve is signaling in even stronger terms the need for the government to do more to help housing," said Jaret Seiberg, a policy analyst with the Washington Research Group.

First Published: January 9, 2012: 5:26 PM ET

Foreclosure Starts Decline on West Coast

2012-01-16T09:35:00.000-08:00

01/13/2012BY: KRISTA FRANKS

West coast states saw a decline in foreclosure starts in December, according to ForeclosureRadar. In fact four of the five states tracked by ForeclosureRadar’s monthly survey saw double-digit declines.

The exception was Oregon, where foreclosure starts rose by 5 percent.

Foreclosure sales in the West coast states were mixed but “down far less than we expected given lender announcements of holiday moratoriums,” ForeclosureRadar reported.

Foreclosure sales rose in California and Washington and fell in Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona.

Foreclosure timelines declined overall, which was “surprising,” according to California-based ForeclosureRadar.

The greatest drop in foreclosure timeline was seen in California, where the time to foreclose is now 250 days, a 16.9 percent drop from November.

After a 3.2 percent decline, Nevada’s 331 day foreclosure timeline was the greatest, while Washington’s 104-day timeline was the lowest. Washington also posted the lowest rate of change for the month – a 0.9 percent increase.

Arizona’s timeline also increased in December, rising to 145 days after a 2.1 percent increase.

With a 30.6 percent drop, California posted the greatest decline in foreclosure starts in December. Arizona followed with a 24.2 percent decline.

ForeclosureRadar reported a 45.8 percent rise in foreclosure cancellations in December, which it attributes to the closing of a trustee sale location in Norwalk.

Affecting foreclosures in Nevada, which declined 14 percent in December, is a new law requiring lenders to file an additional affidavit.

“Nevada’s new foreclosure rules appear on track to bring a near complete halt to foreclosures in that state.” stated Sean O’Toole, Founder and CEO of ForeclosureRadar.

Housing looms as strong voting issue in presidential election

2012-01-11T16:38:00.000-08:00

Although fixing the sagging economy is the biggest concern for potential voters, four national surveys undertaken by real estate organizations indicate that housing is also a major issue.

By Lew Sichelman

January 8, 2012

Reporting from Washington—

At no time in memory has housing been a major issue in a presidential election. Some years, the topic garners hardly more than a passing mention in the planks of either political party.

Right now, housing is not a front-and-center issue for President Obama or any of the Republican presidential hopefuls. But no fewer than four recent national surveys indicate that the issue is a top-of-mind topic among potential voters.

Granted, all four were undertaken by real estate organizations — Realtor.com, HouseLogic, Yahoo Real Estate and Trulia. But the unanimity of their findings underscores just how worried current and future owners are about their homes.

"We were very surprised just how passionate people are" about housing issues, said Julia Reynolds of Move Inc., which operates Realtor.com, the official website of the National Assn. of Realtors.

In the Realtor.com survey, housing was a particularly strong voting issue for "millennials," also known as the Internet Generation. Millennials were born after 1982, meaning that the oldest will be of prime home-buying age when November rolls around.

On a nearly 3-1 basis, these young voters told the Realtor.com pollsters that what the candidates had to say about housing will be either very or somewhat important to their voting decisions.

In the poll by HouseLogic, a consumer website also operated by the politically powerful Realtors group, housing came in a distant second to jobs as the issue that will have the greatest effect on respondents' votes in November. But housing ranked way above national security, healthcare, energy or the environment.

Just over half the participants in the Yahoo study want Uncle Sam to do more to help owners who are at risk of losing their homes. A little more than 1 in 4 said the federal government has gone as far as it should to help struggling owners. The rest had no opinion on the matter.

Like the HouseLogic survey, the Trulia poll found that fixing the sagging economy comes first in the minds of voters. But nearly 3 out of 4 respondents agreed that government policies and programs should encourage homeownership.

Asked about specific policies, respondents who identified themselves as Democrats or Republicans had a strong, bipartisan predilection toward helping people remain in their homes. Specifically, 78% think it should be easier for underwater borrowers to refinance, and 67% want policymakers to encourage lenders to reduce borrowers' mortgage balances in an effort to save their homes.

In the Realtor.com survey, 82% consider housing to be crucial to the national economic recovery. And they say helping homeowners avoid foreclosure should be a top priority during the next president's first 100 days in office.

At the same time, though, views vary widely about what the government's piece of the housing pie should be. About 20% want an increased role, 31% want it to remain the same, and 42% said its function should be curtailed.

Although millennials want government to prioritize housing and support its recovery, the Realtor.com survey showed that only 25% of that key demographic — and the next generation of home buyers — think an increased government presence is the answer.

With 10 months to go before ballots are cast, anything can happen to sway voters. But right now a majority on both sides of the aisle think housing could be President Obama's Achilles' heel come Nov. 6, according to the Trulia study.

Of those polled, 57% of Democrats and 73% of Republicans think that housing will hurt Obama's chances for reelection.

lsichelman@aol.com
Distributed by Universal Uclick for United Feature Syndicate.

Aaroe Architectural 2012!

2012-01-06T16:15:00.000-08:00

Aaroe Architectural’s Next Lecture: January 16th

You are invited to join Aaroe Architectural for the January 16th 2012 presentation in our continuing educational series. Social raconteur & author Steven Price guides us through “Over the Top,” his dynamic new book profiling Trousdale Estates. Known as a haven of “Mid Century Modern excess,” Architectural Digest called living there “the ultimate trophy of the nouveau riche good life.” Often lampooned for its vulgar excess in films such as “The Party” and “Valley of The Dolls,” Trousdale Estates weaves A-list architecture (Cliff May, Paul Williams, Wallace Neff, Harold Levitt, Richard Dorman, A. Quincy Jones, Howard Baken, Marmol-Radziner & more) with celebrity stardust and scandal (think Frank Sinatra, Groucho Marx, Richard Nixon, Elvis Presley, Simon Cowell & Jennifer Aniston) like no other neighborhood in Los Angeles. Sit back and transport yourself to the 1950s & ‘60s and view the hottest homes at the coolest premier in 2012: Aaroe Architectural!

Speaker: Steven Price
Where: Pacific Design Center, Silver Screen Theater
Date: Monday, January 16th
Time: Doors open at 10:45. Presentation begins at 11:00, ends at 12:30.
Parking: Mention John Aaroe Group and get a discounted rate of $10!

Space is limited.
Please email: RSVP@JohnAaroeGroup.com by January 4th to reserve your seat.

from Marc and Angel Hack Life

2012-01-03T23:54:00.001-08:00

30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself

Remember today, for it is the beginning.
Today marks the start of a brave new future.

Our previous article, 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself, was well received by most of our readers, but several of you suggested that we follow it up with a list of things to start doing. In one reader’s words, “I would love to see you revisit each of these 30 principles, but instead of presenting us with a ‘to-don’t’ list, present us with a ‘to-do’ list that we all can start working on today, together.” Some folks, such as readers Danny Head and Satori Agape, actually took it one step further and emailed us their own revised ‘to-do’ versions of the list.

So I sat down last night with our original article and the two reader’s revisions as a guide, and a couple hours later finalized a new list of 30 things; which ended up being, I think, a perfect complement to the original.

Here it is, a positive ‘to-do’ list for the upcoming year – 30 things to start doing for yourself:

Start spending time with the right people. – These are the people you enjoy, who love and appreciate you, and who encourage you to improve in healthy and exciting ways. They are the ones who make you feel more alive, and not only embrace who you are now, but also embrace and embody who you want to be, unconditionally.
Start facing your problems head on. – It isn’t your problems that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them. Problems will not disappear unless you take action. Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge what you’ve done. It’s all about taking baby steps in the right direction, inch by inch. These inches count, they add up to yards and miles in the long run.
Start being honest with yourself about everything. – Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed. Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become. Be honest with every aspect of your life, always. Because you are the one person you can forever count on. Search your soul, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are. Once you do, you’ll have a better understanding of where you are now and how you got here, and you’ll be better equipped to identify where you want to go and how to get there. Read The Road Less Traveled.
Start making your own happiness a priority. – Your needs matter. If you don’t value yourself, look out for yourself, and stick up for yourself, you’re sabotaging yourself. Remember, it IS possible to take care of your own needs while simultaneously caring for those around you. And once your needs are met, you will likely be far more capable of helping those who need you most.
Start being yourself, genuinely and proudly. – Trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are. Be yourself. Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths and beauty like no one else. Be the person you know yourself to be – the best version of you – on your terms. Above all, be true to YOU, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.
Start noticing and living in the present. – Right now is a miracle. Right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. So stop thinking about how great things will be in the future. Stop dwelling on what did or didn’t happen in the past. Learn to be in the ‘here and now’ and experience life as it’s happening. Appreciate the world for the beauty that it holds, right now.
Start valuing the lessons your mistakes teach you. – Mistakes are okay; they’re the stepping stones of progress. If you’re not failing from time to time, you’re not trying hard enough and you’re not learning. Take risks, stumble, fall, and then get up and try again. Appreciate that you are pushing yourself, learning, growing and improving. Significant achievements are almost invariably realized at the end of a long road of failures. One of the ‘mistakes’ you fear might just be the link to your greatest achievement yet.
Start being more polite to yourself. – If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend? The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others. You must love who you are or no one else will.
Start enjoying the things you already have. – The problem with many of us is that we think we’ll be happy when we reach a certain level in life – a level we see others operating at – your boss with her corner office, that friend of a friend who owns a mansion on the beach, etc. Unfortunately, it takes awhile before you get there, and when you get there you’ll likely have a new destination in mind. You’ll end up spending your whole life working toward something new without ever stopping to enjoy the things you have now. So take a quiet moment every morning when you first awake to appreciate where you are and what you already have.
Start creating your own happiness. – If you are waiting for someone else to make you happy, you’re missing out. Smile because you can. Choose happiness. Be the change you want to see in the world. Be happy with who you are now, and let your positivity inspire your journey into tomorrow. Happiness is often found when and where you decide to seek it. If you look for happiness within the opportunities you have, you will eventually find it. But if you constantly look for something else, unfortunately, you’ll find that too. Read Stumbling on Happiness.
Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance. – In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance; it’s about taking a chance. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Most of the time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win.
Start believing that you’re ready for the next step. – You are ready! Think about it. You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow.
Start entering new relationships for the right reasons. – Enter new relationships with dependable, honest people who reflect the person you are and the person you want to be. Choose friends you are proud to know, people you admire, who show you love and respect – people who reciprocate your kindness and commitment. And pay attention to what people do, because a person’s actions are much more important than their words or how others represent them.
Start giving new people you meet a chance. – It sounds harsh, but you cannot keep every friend you’ve ever made. People and priorities change. As some relationships fade others will grow. Appreciate the possibility of new relationships as you naturally let go of old ones that no longer work. Trust your judgment. Embrace new relationships, knowing that you are entering into unfamiliar territory. Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge, and be ready to meet someone that might just change your life forever.
Start competing against an earlier version of yourself. – Be inspired by others, appreciate others, learn from others, but know that competing against them is a waste of time. You are in competition with one person and one person only – yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be. Aim to break your own personal records.
Start cheering for other people’s victories. – Start noticing what you like about others and tell them. Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around you are leads to good places – productive, fulfilling, peaceful places. So be happy for those who are making progress. Cheer for their victories. Be thankful for their blessings, openly. What goes around comes around, and sooner or later the people you’re cheering for will start cheering for you.
Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations. – When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will grow stronger from these hard times. And remain conscious of your blessings and victories – all the things in your life that are right. Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t.
Start forgiving yourself and others. – We’ve all been hurt by our own decisions and by others. And while the pain of these experiences is normal, sometimes it lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over and have a hard time letting go. Forgiveness is the remedy. It doesn’t mean you’re erasing the past, or forgetting what happened. It means you’re letting go of the resentment and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident and move on with your life.
Start helping those around you. – Care about people. Guide them if you know a better way. The more you help others, the more they will want to help you. Love and kindness begets love and kindness. And so on and so forth.
Start listening to your own inner voice. – If it helps, discuss your ideas with those closest to you, but give yourself enough room to follow your own intuition. Be true to yourself. Say what you need to say. Do what you know in your heart is right.
Start being attentive to your stress level and take short breaks.– Slow down. Breathe. Give yourself permission to pause, regroup and move forward with clarity and purpose. When you’re at your busiest, a brief recess can rejuvenate your mind and increase your productivity. These short breaks will help you regain your sanity and reflect on your recent actions so you can be sure they’re in line with your goals.
Start noticing the beauty of small moments. – Instead of waiting for the big things to happen – marriage, kids, big promotion, winning the lottery – find happiness in the small things that happen every day. Little things like having a quiet cup of coffee in the early morning, or the delicious taste and smell of a homemade meal, or the pleasure of sharing something you enjoy with someone else, or holding hands with your partner. Noticing these small pleasures on a daily basis makes a big difference in the quality of your life.
Start accepting things when they are less than perfect. – Remember, ‘perfect’ is the enemy of ‘good.’ One of the biggest challenges for people who want to improve themselves and improve the world is learning to accept things as they are. Sometimes it’s better to accept and appreciate the world as it is, and people as they are, rather than to trying to make everything and everyone conform to an impossible ideal. No, you shouldn’t accept a life of mediocrity, but learn to love and value things when they are less than perfect.
Start working toward your goals every single day. – Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Whatever it is you dream about, start taking small, logical steps every day to make it happen. Get out there and DO something! The harder you work the luckier you will become. While many of us decide at some point during the course of our lives that we want to answer our calling, only an astute few of us actually work on it. By ‘working on it,’ I mean consistently devoting oneself to the end result. Read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Start being more open about how you feel. – If you’re hurting, give yourself the necessary space and time to hurt, but be open about it. Talk to those closest to you. Tell them the truth about how you feel. Let them listen. The simple act of getting things off your chest and into the open is your first step toward feeling good again.
Start taking full accountability for your own life. – Own your choices and mistakes, and be willing to take the necessary steps to improve upon them. Either you take accountability for your life or someone else will. And when they do, you’ll become a slave to their ideas and dreams instead of a pioneer of your own. You are the only one who can directly control the outcome of your life. And no, it won’t always be easy. Every person has a stack of obstacles in front of them. But you must take accountability for your situation and overcome these obstacles. Choosing not to is choosing a lifetime of mere existence.
Start actively nurturing your most important relationships. – Bring real, honest joy into your life and the lives of those you love by simply telling them how much they mean to you on a regular basis. You can’t be everything to everyone, but you can be everything to a few people. Decide who these people are in your life and treat them like royalty. Remember, you don’t need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of.
Start concentrating on the things you can control. – You can’t change everything, but you can always change something. Wasting your time, talent and emotional energy on things that are beyond your control is a recipe for frustration, misery and stagnation. Invest your energy in the things you can control, and act on them now.
Start focusing on the possibility of positive outcomes. – The mind must believe it CAN do something before it is capable of actually doing it. The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful. Listen to your self-talk and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Regardless of how a situation seems, focus on what you DO WANT to happen, and then take the next positive step forward. No, you can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control how you react to things. Everyone’s life has positive and negative aspects – whether or not you’re happy and successful in the long run depends greatly on which aspects you focus on. Read The How of Happiness.
Start noticing how wealthy you are right now. – Henry David Thoreau once said, “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” Even when times are tough, it’s always important to keep things in perspective. You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night. You didn’t go to sleep outside. You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning. You hardly broke a sweat today. You didn’t spend a minute in fear. You have access to clean drinking water. You have access to medical care. You have access to the Internet. You can read. Some might say you are incredibly wealthy, so remember to be grateful for all the things you do have.

Refinancing Gets Even More Attractive--from Wall St Journal

2012-01-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

Refinancing Gets Even More Attractive

By ANNAMARIA ANDRIOTIS

Homeowners who have resisted the urge to refinance their mortgages until now could be rewarded for their willpower. Mortgage rates have fallen to new lows—and banks are rolling out incentives to win business.

Economic uncertainty in Europe and slow growth in the U.S. are prompting investors to pile into ultrasafe U.S. Treasurys. That, in turn, is pushing down mortgage rates, which are tied to Treasurys.

The average interest rate on a 30-year mortgage fell to 4.05% for the week ended Dec. 23, the lowest in 60 years, according to HSH Associates, a mortgage-data firm. And rates on jumbo mortgages—private loans that in most parts of the country are larger than $417,000—also have hit new lows, averaging 4.61%.

Enlarge Image

Associated Press

Despite the incentives, many would-be applicants remain sidelined because they can't meet the long list of qualifications.

"It's hard to argue rates will get much lower than they are today," says Stuart Gabriel, director of the Ziman Center for Real Estate at the University of California, Los Angeles.

That's good news for homeowners. A person who refinanced a $400,000 30-year mortgage in February would pay an interest rate of 5.04% on average, according to HSH Associates, and fork over $2,157 a month; at the current rate of 4.05%, he'd save $236 per month, or $2,830 per year.

What's more, demand for refinancing is declining, since many homeowners already took advantage of lower mortgage rates. Applications for refinancing are 17% below this year's peak in September, according to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

That and other factors have prompted some lenders to offer incentives to win new business—particularly regional and community banks, which are focusing more on jumbo mortgages, says Stu Feldstein, president at SMR Research, which tracks the mortgage market.

The discounts can be sizable. Regional bank Valley National Bank charges homeowners in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania a flat fee of $499 for closing costs on mortgages as large as $1 million. Since average closing costs on a refinance run about 2% of the total loan amount, a person with an $800,000 mortgage could save about $15,500.

A spokesman for the bank says it is aggressively marketing the discount in part to bring in more customers.

While many lenders don't refinance mortgages that are larger than about $2 million, Union Bank—which has branches in California, Oregon and Washington—refinances up to $4 million at no extra cost. (Many banks that refinance multimillion-dollar mortgages tack up to an extra quarter of a percentage point on the interest rate.)

Since November, Union Bank has also allowed borrowers to roll the costs of a refinance, like the appraisal fee and loan processing fee, into the mortgage. And borrowers whose original mortgage is from Union Bank don't have to provide all of the income documentation that other customers do in order to refinance.

In part, the bank's goal is to develop relationships with high-net-worth clients, says Stuart Bernstein, national production manager of residential lending at Union Bank.

Despite the incentives, many would-be applicants remain sidelined because they can't meet the long list of qualifications.

The home-equity requirement is one of the toughest hurdles, says Mr. Feldstein. Homeowners with at least 10% home equity make the cut, but people with less have a tougher time.

Borrowers with 10% to 19% equity in their home usually have to buy private mortgage insurance, whose cost varies based on many factors, including their credit score. A borrower with 15% equity and a FICO credit score above 720 could pay 0.44% of the total loan amount, says Keith Gumbinger, vice president at HSH Associates. On an $800,000 loan that would be $3,520 a year—eating into the potential savings of a refinance.

In December, the federal government rolled out a revamped version of the Home Affordable Refinance Program with relaxed home-equity requirements, to allow more borrowers to refinance. To qualify, the current mortgage must be owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, and borrowers need to be mostly current on payments.

Getty Images

For regular refinancing, applicants need a FICO credit score of at least 740 to get the best rates, says Mr. Gumbinger. And they must provide copious documentation, including at least two years' worth of tax returns and proof of income as well as recent statements for assets such as retirement and brokerage accounts.

After clearing those hurdles, you might wait about 60 days for refinancing to be completed, says Mr. Gumbinger—longer than the typical 45 days. While some lenders are offering 60-day rate locks for free, others charge a quarter of a percentage point of the total loan amount for the service. On an $800,000 mortgage, that's $2,000.

Or you could opt to take your chances with a free 45-day lock and hope rates don't spike between day 46 and the date your loan closes. With the euro zone still in economic crisis and global investors rushing to the safety of U.S. Treasurys, housing-market analysts say it could be at least six months before rates rise significantly.

Write to AnnaMaria Andriotis at AnnaMaria.Andriotis@dowjones.com

Administration Announces Refinance Program for Underwater Borrowers

2011-12-28T07:44:00.000-08:00

Administration Announces Refinance Program for Underwater Borrowers

10/24/2011BY: KRISTA FRANKS AND CARRIE BAY

It’s official. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) unveiled a new, revamped government mortgage refinancing program Monday.

The initiative involves a series of rule changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) to allow more underwater homeowners to reduce their mortgage debt by taking advantage of today’s rock-bottom interest rates.

Mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and originally sold to the GSEs on or before May 31, 2009 are eligible for the program.

Under the revised HARP guidelines, the 125 percent loan-to-value (LTV) ceiling has been eliminated. Previously, only borrowers who owed up to 25 percent more than their home was worth could participate in HARP. That limitation has now been removed. The program will continue to be available to borrowers with LTV ratios above 80 percent.

The new program enhancements address several other key aspects of HARP that industry participants say have restricted its impact, including eliminating certain risk-based fees for borrowers who refinance into shorter-term mortgages and lowering fees for other borrowers, as well as allowing mortgage insurers to automatically transfer coverage from the original loan to the new loan.

In addition, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have done away with the requirement for a new property appraisal where there is a reliable AVM (automated valuation model) estimate already provided by the GSEs, and they’ve agreed to waive certain representations and warranties on loans refinanced through the program.

Not only are loans eligible for HARP considered “seasoned loans,” but a refinance helps borrowers strengthen their household finances, reducing the risk they pose to the GSEs. Thus, FHFA feels reps and warranties are not necessary for some of these loans.

With Monday’s announcement, the end date for HARP has been extended from June 30, 2012 to December 31, 2013.

The GSEs will release program instructions to lenders by the middle of next month, and FHFA expects some lenders will be ready to accept applications by December 1.

Since HARP was rolled out in early 2009, approximately 1 million homeowners have refinanced their mortgage loans through the program. FHFA estimates that with the revised guidelines, another 1 million will be able to take advantage of the program.

To qualify, borrowers must be current on their mortgage payments, but government officials believe by openingHARP up to more homeowners with higher thresholds of negative equity, it will help to prevent foreclosures by erasing the primary motivation behind strategic defaults.

Economists at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business estimate that roughly 35 percent of mortgage defaults are strategic. Numerous industry studies have found that homeowners who owe significantly more than their home is worth are more likely to throw in the towel and walk away from their mortgage debt even if they have the ability to continue making their payments.

“We anticipate that the package of improvements being made to HARP will reduce the Enterprises credit risk, bring greater stability to mortgage markets, and reduce foreclosure risks,” FHFA stated in its announcement Monday.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also released statements in response to the announcement.

Michael J. Williams, Fannie Mae’s president and CEO, called the program a “welcome development.”

“By removing some of the impediments to refinance, lenders can more easily participate in the program allowing more eligible homeowners to take advantage of the low interest rates,” Williams stated.

Charles E. Haldeman, Jr., CEO of Freddie Mac said, “These changes mark another step on the road to recovery for the nation’s housing market.”

JAG helps our less fortunate furry friends

2011-12-23T23:13:00.001-08:00

JAG helps our less fortunate furry friends

December 23, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

What an AMAZING group of people I work with, I am truly beyond words! I was planning on picking up the shelter donation boxes Friday, but since Sherman Oaks and Sunset were completely overflowing, I made an earlier pick-up today, but will still be picking up items from Beverly Hills, tomorrow. I was completely floored by the amount of items collected from everyone, large dog beds in particular which I know are very expensive! The shelter staff could not believe how Realtors especially, in such a challenging economy, are still so generous and giving. After visiting both offices, my S.U.V. was packed to the gills with not an ounce of room to spare, nor a window to see out of….and this was my third trip so far this season, WOW!
I left the shelter in tears, as it’s always a bittersweet experience delivering the donations, knowing they won’t all make it out of there….but the one thing I do know is that as a group, we sure made a difference in making that hell hole a lot more tolerable for a lot of unfortunate animals, who probably don’t deserve to be there! Warm beds, toys, treats and good food go a long way, and it makes an unbelievable difference in an animal’s moral and temperament, making it much more adoptable! I know I’ll sleep better tonight, knowing that they undoubtedly are, as well. They may not have a voice, but J.A.G. spoke very loudly on their behalf today. So from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
I hope you all enjoy beautiful holidays with your families, I know your generosity and kind hearts will bring you lots of wonderful blessings in 2012, and I am humbled to work with such wonderful, giving people.
With love and gratitude,
Tina

Low housing inventory means more demand!

2011-12-20T10:15:00.000-08:00

Already Low, Housing Inventory Drops More

DEVELOPMENTS HOME PAGE »

By Nick Timiraos

: Click for interactive

The number of homes listed for sale in the U.S. fell for the sixth straight month in November to the lowest level since the housing bust began in 2006.

The 2.01 million homes listed for sale was down by 4.8% from October and by 21.3% from one year ago, according to data compiled by Realtor.com.

While visible inventories are down sharply in many markets from one year ago, it’s not clear whether that is helping housing markets because many buyers have been complaining for months about a lack of attractive supply. Moreover, inventories could rise in the coming year if banks begin to become more proactive in moving properties through the foreclosure process. Banks own hundreds of thousands of properties and millions more are in some stage of delinquency and foreclosure.

The Realtor.com figures include sale listings from more than 900 multiple-listing services across the country. They don’t cover all homes for sale, including those that are “for sale by owner” and other properties that aren’t marketed through multiple-listing services.

Inventories typically decline in November on a monthly basis as the holiday season begins, but this year’s late autumn drop-off was larger than usual. Over the past 28 years, listings have typically fallen by about 1.8% on a national basis from October to November, according to Zelman & Associates, a real-estate research firm.

Inventories were down in all but one of the 30 major metro areas during November, with an increase of 1.5% reported in New York. The largest declines were reported in Seattle (-10.7%), San Francisco (-9.4%) and Boston (-8.4%).

More In Realtor.com

Meanwhile, the median asking price has been unchanged over the past six months but was up by 4.1% from one year ago, when sales were depressed following the expiration of home-buyer tax credits.

For the year, median asking prices are down most sharply in Detroit (-12.5%), Chicago (-12.3%), and Atlanta (-7.7%). Median asking prices are up by 29.5% in Miami, by 10.5% in Phoenix, and by 10.3% in Washington, D.C. Median asking prices track the midpoint price of all homes listed for sale and can be skewed up and down by the types of properties being listed in any given month.

Of 146 markets tracked by Realtor.com, median asking prices are up over the past 12 months in 94 of them, flat in 21, and down in 31.

Follow Nick @NickTimiraos

Bookkeeper who specializes in helping manage your monthly bills!

2011-12-17T22:54:00.000-08:00

What a GREAT service! Kim is actually my business bookkeeper, but am going to utilize her managing monthly bill service to free up my time, so I can focus on helping Ken recover and SELLING more real estate! I highly recommend her!

Books by Kim

We are excited about 2012! Books by Kim specializes in bookkeeping services for seniors. We will come to you and help you manage your monthly bills. We will help you manage your monthly budget and make sure bills are prioritized and paid on time. We charge a flat monthly rate for this service. Call for further information - 626-392-7446. Ask for Kim.

Newest Listing | Stunning Views

2011-12-14T16:49:00.000-08:00

Meet your new vacation home in beautiful San Luis Obispo...

John Aaroe Group - Adopting Families for the Holidays

2011-12-12T15:04:00.001-08:00

We Are Adopting Families for the Holidays!

We have for the past few years at John Aaroe Group adopted families for the holidays. It is such a rewarding experience for us every year. We get just as much out of the experience as our wonderful families. Here are some details about the program sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services. For over 25 years they have provided families with this special program during the holiday season.

The Adopt-A-Family Program assists low income families serviced by the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). This longstanding tradition matches sponsors with families that are undergoing a hardship during the holiday season. The process is easy: DPSS will identify families receiving aid who are in need during the holiday season.
The families provide their consent for release of limited personal information to the sponsor. This information includes their name, telephone number, address, family size, and, most importantly, a “Wish List.” With this information in hand, sponsors assemble personally selected gifts that are within their means and that come from the heart. As a sponsor, you contact the family and make arrangements for delivery or pick up of items.

http://www.johnaaroerealestate.com/http:/www.johnaaroerealestate.com/uncategorized/we-are-adopting-families-for-the-holidays/

HUGELY REDUCED PRICE ON SPACIOUS VACANT SILVER LAKE LOT!!!

2011-11-21T10:38:00.000-08:00

Land is between 3255 & 3247 Descanso in hip & trendy Silver Lake--ample lot comes with plans to build 2 gorgeous contemporary units (~2800-300 sq. ft.)!!! Live in one and let the rent from the other pay your mortgage!!!

Don't Forget to Fall Back!

2011-11-05T20:54:00.001-07:00

it's no TRICK! we TREAT our clients right!

2011-10-29T15:18:00.001-07:00

this really DOES look like some of our listings.....

Haunted Listing

www.zingding.com

Five Eco, Easy + Cool Things to Do with Pumpkin Guts.

2011-10-23T22:47:00.000-07:00

Via Krystal Baugher

on Oct 23, 2010

Five Eco, Easy + Cool Things to Do with Pumpkin Guts.

It’s said that putting the insides of a pumpkin down your drain—whether you have a garbage disposal or not—is bad for your plumbing, as the stringy stuff gets caught and dries in your pipes, causing clogging.

Plus who wants to be wasteful?

Here are 5 cool things to do with leftover pumpkin carving scraps:

photo courtesy Ian Burt

1) Roast the Seeds.

Separate the seeds from the other junk and rinse. Place on an oiled baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and bake in a preheated 325 degree oven until toasted (about 25 minutes), stir after ten minutes.

Flavor your own way:
*chili powder and cumin
*Italian seasoning
*garlic salt
*cinnamon and sugar
*Worcestershire sauce

2) Kid’s Toys.

Kids love slime and what’s better than organic slime? Mix it with some fake blood to create guts that can be used as part of a costume or just to play with.

Need red dye for your fake blood recipe? Try beet powder + water.

3) Bird Food or Compost.

If you really aren’t in the mood to mess with the insides you can feed the goo to the birds and/or add it to your compost pile. Bigger birds should be able to handle the seeds, but if you want to be super nice, roast them all up for them (do not add salt). The “meat” of the pumpkin can also be fed to the birds, for added nutritional value.

4) Puree.

For baking pie, cakes, cookies; for cooking soups; for making punch.

Most websites suggest not to use a regular jack-o-lantern pumpkin to make puree but to buy a sweet pumpkin instead (smaller and harder to find). I say there is no harm in trying it out if you already got it—but be forewarned.

To cook fresh pulp, remove the seeds and strings from a pumpkin shell and cut it into chunks. Bake the pieces, covered with foil, on a greased cookie sheet at 425 degrees for about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven, peel off the skin and puree the pumpkin meat in a food processor.

5) Decorations.

Use the goo to add slime and scary stuff to your Halloween décor. Can be used in haunted houses or to make the ever popular puking pumpkin.

Photo Credit: Tom Nardone

Also check out these badass pumpkin carving ideas at Extreme Pumpkins.com

are you in DTLA--or nearby--with kids? here's an event for you!

2011-10-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

A wonderful community event for Downtown L.A. families!

When:	Monday, October 31, 2011 • 5-8pm	This party is intended for children from Downtown LA ZIP Codes: 90012, 90013, 90014, 90015, 90017, 90021, and 90071.
Where:	Grand Hope Park at FIDM (map) Please note: The party entrance is at Hope Street & 9th Street
Cost:	$5 for adults and children over 2 FREE for children 2 and under Buy tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line!
Includes:	Trick-or-treat doors Inflatable bounce house Video game truck Hot dogs & water Cotton candy & popcorn machines Fun face painting and crafts Balloon animals and jugglers Scott Land Marionettes
Remember:	Bring a candy bucket or bag! Costumes are required for children and suggested for adults. Sorry, no pets are allowed in the park.
Parking:	$3 flat-rate parking, 5-8pm Unified Parking Lot, 1024 S. Grand Ave. (map) Please note: To reach the party entrance at Grand Hope Park, please make your way northwest to 9th and Hope Streets.
Share:	Facebook Twitter

RSVP Today!

Photos from our 2010 event.

take a quiz to see your architectural style--or explore various styles & learn more!

2011-10-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

FrontDoor.com
Homes aren't one-size-fits-all. Learn about 24 popular architectural styles, including their unique features and maintenance issues. Plus, check out classic examples and current listings for each style. We'll help you find the style that's right for you by clicking here: http://bit.ly/pPy7Uw

Wall Photos

Call me when you want to find YOUR home!

Natalie Neith

Architectural Agent

The John Aaroe Group

I live in a cool Craftsman!

2011-10-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

It's hotter than all get out!...however, our solidly built 100 year old Craftsman house feels almost like it's air conditioned! Welcome to West Adams! At the top of the 10 freeway, catching the breezes--when there are any....Hooray for historic houses!

House Prices expected to Fall Over Next Six Months--if you're thinking of selling, better sell now!

2011-10-11T08:16:00.000-07:00

House Prices to Fall Over Next Six Months

by THE KCM CREW on OCTOBER 11, 2011 · 0 COMMENTS

in FOR SELLERS, PRICING

In a normal real estate market, it may make sense to wait for the spring buyers’ to appear before placing your house up for sale. The current real estate market is anything but normal however. The increase in supply of distressed properties will overshadow any increase in demand for housing over the next 6 months. This is reflected in the findings of two groups: Clear Capital andJPMorgan Chase.

Dr. Alex Villacorta, Director of Research and Analytics atClear Capital explained last week:

“The housing market has yet to demonstrate the fundamentals necessary to overcome a seasonal slowdown over the next six months, which drives our projected 3.2 percent drop in national home prices through the first quarter of 2012.”

HousingWire quotes analysts at JPMorgan Chase:

“Home prices could dip another 6% to 7%, before hitting rock bottom in early 2012.”

Bottom Line

If you are thinking of selling, it would be wise to put your house on the market before prices fall again.

John Aaroe Group agents say these are this week's BEST BUYS-- -Beverly Hills to La Canada!

2011-10-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

1012 Hillcrest- Bev Hills…. $5,995,000- 6000 sq ft mid century estate

1088 Hillcrest- Bev Hills…. $2,995,000- 4 bed 6 bath in Trousdale

1559 Clubview- Westwood- $1,595,000 …3 bed 4 bath nice area 2 story Trad.

10122 Empyrean Way # 104- $895,000- Westwood- LE PARC- 2 bd 2 bath- 2000 sq ft

891 Chattanooga- Pac Pal- $899,000 …. Nice house 3 bedroom 2 bath

838 Doheny- Starting in the low $400,000--- West Holly- building has lrg assessment- could be good deals!

9015 Keith- We Ho- $599,000- Craftsman fixer- 2 bedroom house plus guest house

823 Hauser- LA- $899,000- Mir Mile area- 3 bd 2 bath- done!!!!

740 Kings Rd- We Ho- $235,000- 1 bd 1 ba condo- short sale approved

452 Westmore- LA $395,000- Echo Park- totally done- 3 bedroom, 2 bath Spanish- investor owned

69000 Bellingham- No Ho- $264,900- FIXER 4 bedroom 2 bath

5735 Beck- No Ho- $389,000- Cute 1940’s- 3 bd 2 ba

13331 Moorpark #331- Sherm Oaks- $249,000- Sherman Village- 2 bd plus loft- 1600 sq ft

8209 Allott- Van Nuys- $329,000- restored 1957 – 3 bedroom, 2 bath

9800 Vesper #139- Panor City- $149,000- townhouse 3 bed 2 bath- garage

256-258 Grace- So Pas - $899,000- totally charming duplex

1023 Oxford- La Canada- $1,495,000- 3000 sq ft- 4 bd on 1 acre

Amazingly LOW interest rates!!! Buy or Re-Fi!

2011-10-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

Thirty-Year Mortgage Rate Falls Below 4%

10/06/2011BY: CARRIE BAY

The average rate for the conventional 30-year fixed mortgage has dropped below the 4 percent mark for the first time in history, according to numbers released Thursday by Freddie Mac.

The GSE’s market analysis also shows that the 15-year fixed rate – which has become a popular refinancing option among existing homeowners – fell to its lowest level on record for the sixth consecutive week.

Freddie Mac’s regular weekly survey of mortgage rates is based on data collected from about 125 lenders across the country.

The GSE puts the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage at 3.94 percent (0.8 point) for the week ending October 6, 2011. That’s down 7 basis points from its average of 4.01 percent last week. As a point of comparison, last year at this time, the 30-year rate was 4.27 percent.

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage came in at 3.26 percent (0.8 point) this week, dropping 2 basis points from 3.28 percent last week. A year ago at this time, the 15-year rate was averaging 3.72 percent.

Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, attributed the decline in fixed mortgage rates to a sharp drop in 10-year Treasuries earlier in the week as concerns over a global recession grew.

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) were mixed this week in Freddie’s study. The 5-year ARM dropped from 3.02 percent to 2.96 percent (0.6 point), while the 1-year ARMrose from 2.83 percent to 2.95 percent (0.5 point).

At this time last year, the 5-year ARM was averaging 3.47 percent, and the 1-year ARM was 3.40 percent.

Nothaft tied the rise for 1-year ARMs to shorter-term Treasuries, noting that the Federal Reserve began replacing $400 billion in short-term Treasury securities with longer-term bonds this week.

It's official!

2011-10-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

It's official!

I am a designated Aaroe Architectural Agent!

(meaning I have completed necessary classes and created my Architectural Properties business plan!!!)

Yahoo!!!

Do YOU have an architectural or historic property you'd like for me to list?

Understanding mold risks in real estate purchase by Barry Stone

2011-10-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

Understanding mold risks
in real estate purchase

Likelihood of health risks lower than many think

BY BARRY STONE, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011.

Inman News™

Flickr/seishin17

DEAR BARRY: My home was in escrow until the buyers found mold under the kitchen sink -- just one black stain from an old plumbing leak. They didn't even ask us to fix it. They just canceled the deal and walked away. I don't get it. Mold has been on the earth forever.

How did it suddenly become so toxic that people are tearing apart their houses, pulling out their hair, and spending fortunes on mold removal? People used to just clean it up with bleach, slap on some primer, and apply a fresh coat of paint. Now people act like it's an invasion of space aliens. How did mold become such a major panic? --Martin

DEAR MARTIN: One does wonder how a naturally occurring substance, present almost everywhere, came to be seen as a life-threatening scourge. Actually, it's just the latest in a series of indoor air quality "crises" to sweep the nation. To begin, let's define the problem.

Microscopic mold spores are present in the air in nearly all homes. Mold infection on walls and other surfaces occurs where there are excessive or persistent moisture conditions, such as unresolved plumbing leaks, ground moisture under a building, or areas with insufficient ventilation.

Article continues below

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In newer homes, mold infection has become common because of airtight construction to conserve energy. When there is little air exchange with the outside, mold spores and moisture can increase within a building, causing mold to grow on some materials.

In many instances, visible stains or musty odors can alert homeowners to the presence of mold. But some mold cases can be detected only by professional testing, and the cost of a mold survey is often prohibitive.

Since the 1970s, there has been a parade of indoor environmental hazards, including asbestos, radon gas, urea formaldehyde, lead, electromagnetic fields, microwaves, etc. In each case, public hysteria was induced by exaggerated media coverage. In the late 1980s and early '90s, homebuyers routinely canceled escrows at the mere mention of asbestos or radon gas. In the mid-1990s, lead paint sent buyers running for the hills.

This is not to say that there are no related health risks, but the risks were limited to specific circumstances. For example, acoustic ceilings often contain asbestos, but asbestos fibers are not released into the air if the material is left alone. The same is true of lead paint: keep small children from teething on woodwork involving lead paint, and use appropriate safety methods when stripping paint.

But then came mold, the environmental/economic bombshell of them all. The excitement began when some extreme cases of mold infection were given high-profile media treatment on network news shows. This was accompanied by a rash of mold-related lawsuits and insurance claims, causing major insurance carriers to withdraw their business from some states.

In reaction to this, the real estate, pest inspection, and home inspection industries began scrambling for secure ground, searching for safe verbiage -- what to say and what not to say amid this new liability environment. Meanwhile, trial attorneys were sharpening their teeth and chanting the new mantra, "mold is gold."

Some may read this article and conclude that it whitewashes a significant environmental health hazard. To avert this misunderstanding, a few points should be clarified:

1. Toxic forms of mold definitely do exist and can have harmful health effects.

2. Some homes have become so seriously infected with mold that mitigation is not possible, short of total demolition.

3. The statistical likelihood of serious mold infection does not warrant dire levels of anxiety, mitigation, litigation and expense. There was a time when a mold stain could be cleaned, primed and painted. Now we invest in costly analysis by a certified industrial hygienist, followed by removal and replacement of all affected materials.

A more rational approach would be to balance the costs and risks of mold infection. The risks, of course, are real. Mold might someday invade your home, just as a drunk driver might someday cross the double line in your path of travel.

But how much must we spend to affect a sense of safety? The panic over mold will eventually subside, as it did with previous environmental concerns. Then, barring the discovery of some new and unforeseen health hazard, we may return to the relative composure of sensible problem-solving, to a place where mold, toenail fungus and the common cold occupy their customary positions among the adversities of everyday life.

To write to Barry Stone, please visit him on the Web atwww.housedetective.com.

it's time for the Annual Cemetery Tour--this Saturday!

2011-09-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

Hey, this is always a really interesting & fun event!

Y'all Come this Saturday!

(I'll be leading a tour...)

Celebrating L.A.'s 230th Birthday

Living History Tour 2011
Pushing the Boundaries: Adventurers, Pioneers and Unconventional Heroes

Angelus Rosedale Cemetery
Saturday, September 24

WAHA presents the 21st annual Living History Tour, with costumed actors, at graveside, portraying historic personages in one of the city's oldest cemeteries. This year, we honor bold adventurers and unlikely heroes:

William T. Glassell, Confederate Naval Captain of the submarine that torpedoed the Union frigate New Ironsides
Fanny Stenhouse, famed Suffragette who exposed Mormon polygamy to the world in 1872
Miriam Matthews, California's first African American credentialed librarian and well-known historian who helped launch Black History Month
Harvey K. S. O'Melveny, pioneer Los Angeles lawyer, judge, and politician who helped bring transcontinental rail service to Los Angeles in 1876
Nina Vitagliano Torre, Italian-born female racecar driver who raced with fellow women Speederettes during World War I
Portus Baxter Weare, whose self-named ship brought tons of gold down the Yukon River, leading to the Klondike Stampede of 1897
Francisca Dominguez Alexander, whose family owned the great Rancho San Pedro

Tickets by advance reservation only: $25 general admission (children under 10 free)
At the door, if available, all tickets are $30

Angelus Rosedale Cemetery is located at 1831 West Washington Blvd. in Historic West Adams.
This is a 2-3 hour walking tour over uneven terrain; please dress accordingly.

For more information call 323-732-4223 or email tours@westadamsheritage.org.

Tickets may be purchased below:

9 am - 10 am Timeslot (Sorry -- this timeslot is sold out.)

10 am - 11 am Timeslot (Sorry -- this timeslot is sold out.)

11 am - 12 am Timeslot

Mortgage Rates at Record Low, Freddie Mac Says

2011-09-15T18:42:00.000-07:00

U.S. Mortgage Rates Fall to Lowest on Record, Freddie Mac Says

By Prashant Gopal and Brian Louis - Sep 8, 2011 8:15 AM PT

Enlarge image

The previous low for a 30-year fixed mortgage was 4.15 percent for the week that ended Aug. 18. Data from the National Bureau of Economic Research measuring Federal Housing Administration loans indicate that long-term borrowing costs are the lowest since the 1950s, according to Chad Wandler, a spokesman for Freddie Mac. Photographer: Jin Lee/Bloomberg

U.S. mortgage rates tumbled to the lowest in at least four decades as stagnant job growth and concern that Europe’s debt crisis is deepening drove investors to the relative safety of government bonds.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed loan dropped to 4.12 percent in the week ended today from 4.22 percent, Freddie Mac said in a statement today. That’s the lowest in the McLean, Virginia-based company’s records dating back to 1971. The average 15-year rate fell to 3.33 percent from 3.39 percent.

Yields on 10-year Treasury bonds, a benchmark for consumer loans including mortgages, touched an all-time low Sept. 6 on signs that the U.S. economic recovery has stalled and the euro region is struggling to contain its debt burden. Low borrowing costs have done little to lift the housing market as the unemployment rate sticks above 9 percent. No new jobs were added in August, the Labor Department said last week.

“Homebuyers are not responding to these record-low interest rates,” said Patrick Newport, an economist at IHS Global Insight in Lexington,Massachusetts. “The reason interest rates are dropping recently is that the outlook for the economy has gotten weaker. A smart person would be very careful about buying a home unless he thinks his job is very secure.”

Applications Decline

Mortgage applications dropped 4.9 percent in the week ended Sept. 2, the Mortgage Bankers Association said yesterday. The Washington-based group’s refinancing index fell 6.3 percent while the purchase gauge rose 0.2 percent, a second straight gain after falling to the lowest level since December 1996.

The number of contracts to purchase previously owned homes in July fell 1.3 percent, the first decline in three months, the National Association of Realtors said Aug. 29.

“The housing market remains challenging primarily due to uncertainty caused by general domestic economic and political concerns, stock market volatility and turbulent international economic conditions,” Ara K. Hovnanian, chairman and chief executive officer of homebuilder Hovnanian Enterprises Inc., said in a statement yesterday. “We see very few indicators that any recovery in the housing market has begun.”

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac’s larger rival, found in a survey that 78 percent of Americans said the economy is on the wrong track in August, up from 70 percent the previous month. Twenty- two percent of respondents said they expect their financial condition to worsen in the next year, up from 20 percent in July, according to a report released today by the mortgage- finance company.

Twenty-seven percent of respondents expect home prices to decline in the next year, the largest share in the monthly survey since August 2010. While 69 percent said it was a good time to buy a home, only 9 percent said it was a good time to sell.

Fannie Mae polled 1,001 Americans in telephone interviews from Aug. 2 to Aug. 25.

To contact the reporters on this story: Prashant Gopal in New York at pgopal2@bloomberg.net; Brian Louis in Chicago at blouis1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Kara Wetzel at kwetzel@bloomberg.net

Obama Jobs Plan Includes Real Estate Effort By Robert Freedman, Senior Editor, REALTOR® Magazine

2011-09-15T11:54:00.001-07:00

Obama Jobs Plan Includes Real Estate Effort

September 9, 2011 by Robert Freedman · 33 Comments
Filed under: Breaking News, Politics & Government

By Robert Freedman, Senior Editor, REALTOR® Magazine

The $447 billion jobs initiative President Obama introduced last night, called “The American Jobs Act,” contains some pieces that aim to boost home mortgage refinancing, rehab homes, cut taxes for small businesses, boost road, bridges, and other public-works spending, in part through an infrastructure bank, and otherwise inject momentum into the stalled economic recovery. Many of the specifics are still to come. Here’s a thumbnail summary of the key provisions provided by the White House:

President Obama

1. Cut in half the taxes paid by businesses on their first $5 million in payroll, targeting the benefit to the 98 percent of firms that have payroll below this threshold.
2. Give a payroll tax holiday for adding workers or increasing wages. The benefit is capped at the first $50 million in payroll increases.
3. Extend 100-percent expensing into 2012.
4. Institute regulatory reforms to help entrepreneurs and small businesses access capital.
5. Offer tax credits from $5,600 to $9,600 to encourage the hiring of unemployed veterans.
6. Institute reforms to prevent up to 280,000 teacher layoffs and “to keep police and firefighters on the job.”
7. Modernize at least 35,000 public schools and supporting new science labs and Internet-ready classrooms.
8. Invest in infrastructure, in part through a National Infrastructure Bank.
9. Launch “Project Rebuild” for rehabilitating homes, in part by leveraging private capital, “scaling land banks,” and encouraging other public-private collaborations.
10. Expand access to high-speed wireless.
11. Institute reforms to prevent layoffs and give states greater flexibility to use unemployment insurance funds for work-sharing and other programs, including programs in which displaced workers take temporary, voluntary work or pursue on-the-job training.
12. Offer a $4,000 tax credit to employers for hiring long-term unemployed workers; prohibit employers from discriminating against unemployed workers in hiring and training programs.
13. Cut payroll taxes by 50 percent, for an average tax cut of $1,500 per worker.
14. Increase home mortgage refinancing.

Crazy things happen to realtors too!

2011-09-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

I was doing some research on properties in my own neighborhood, and happened to pull a property profile for my own house--lo & behold--I don't own my own house!!!!
The title was recorded in someone else's name and had transferred--unbeknownst to me--
almost 7 months ago!!!
I freaked out!
How could this be?
I got on the phone and called my title rep, Greg Lane, from Lawyer's Title--the John Aaroe Group affiliate. I'm sure he sensed my panic, and calmly said, don't worry--these mistakes happen all the time--I'll check on it and get back to you as soon as possible.
He called and emailed me a very short time later, explaining that the oil & mineral rights for my property (which I know I did not own--as is not uncommon) had transferred in March, and the mistakenly recorded the property--instead of just the oil & mineral rights!
He assured me he would get it resolved right away--so I can now breathe a sigh of relief!
A-- so glad I just happened to check on my own property...
B--so glad to have a knowledgeable professional like Greg (of Lawyer's Title)--wjo I could call on immediately--and have him allay my fears, and take care of the mistake!
Thank you, Greg!--and Lawyer's Title!

More Than One-Fifth of Mortgages Underwater: Report --BY: PHIL BRITT

2011-09-14T10:47:00.001-07:00

More Than One-Fifth of Mortgages Underwater: Report

09/13/2011BY: PHIL BRITT

Nearly 10.9 million, or 22.5 percent, of all residential mortgages had negative equity at the end of the second quarter of the year, according to a report released Tuesday by the analytics firm CoreLogic.

The figure is actually a slight improvement from the 22.7 percent of all mortgages with negative equity in the first quarter of 2011.

An additional 2.4 million borrowers had less than 5 percent equity in the second quarter, according to the report, which also shows that nearly three-quarters of homeowners in negative equity situations are also paying higher, above-market interest on their mortgages.

The states that had the most inflated property values before the housing bubble burst, and Michigan, which continues to suffer from the fall off of the automotive and manufacturing industries, had the highest negative equity percentages.

Nevada held the top position in terms of negative equity with 60 percent of all of its mortgaged properties underwater, followed by Arizona (49 percent), Florida (45 percent), Michigan (36 percent), and California (30 percent).

Yet there are some signs that the worst could be over in those states. According to the report, the average negative equity share for the top five states declined from 41 percent to 38 percent during the past year.

Nevada had the largest decline over the last year, with its negative equity share dropping from 68 percent to 60 percent. The reason for the Nevada decline is the high number of foreclosures that led to lower numbers of remaining negative equity borrowers.

“High negative equity is holding back refinancing and sales activity and is a major impediment to the housing market recovery,” said Mark Fleming, chief economist with CoreLogic in releasing the data.

Fleming added, “The hardest hit markets have improved over the last year, primarily as a result of foreclosures. But nationally, the level of mortgage debt remains high relative to home prices.”

According to CoreLogic, 8 million borrowers with negative equity, or nearly 75 percent of all underwater borrowers, have above market rates.

Since the 2005 sales peak, non-distressed sales in ZIP codes with low negative equity have fallen 61 percent, compared to an 83 percent sales decline in high negative equity zip codes.

Freddie Mac Rolls Out New Standard Modification 09/12/2011 BY: CARRIE BAY

2011-09-13T15:52:00.000-07:00

Freddie Mac Rolls Out New Standard Modification

09/12/2011BY: CARRIE BAY

Freddie Mac has rolled out a new standard for mortgage modifications. The new model was a key part of the discussion Monday during the Freddie Mac Update at the Five Star Default Servicing Conference and Expo in Dallas.

Dubbed the “Standard Modification,” the GSE says it will strengthen servicers’ ability to support positive outcomes for financially distressed borrowers. The Standard Modification replaces Freddie Mac’s classic modification, which is a debt coverage ratio mod, and is part of theServicing Alignment Initiative underway to bring the two GSEs’ protocol for handling defaulted loans in line with one another.

Freddie Mac says the new formula will help servicers simplify underwriting by using a standard set of modification terms, including a 5 percent interest rate, for all eligible borrowers.

The new Standard Modification is available to borrowers who don’t qualify for the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), and includes a trial period to help ensure borrowers can sustain their modified mortgage payments and reduce re-default rates in servicers’ Freddie Mac portfolios, the GSE explained.

Ty Miller, Freddie Mac’s VP of servicer relationships and performance management, told attendees at the Five Star that the GSE will begin accepting trial payments for Standard Modifications as early as next month. The new loss mitigation model officially goes into effect in January.

Freddie Mac is also implementing an incentive plan to pay servicers for “successfully settling Standard Modifications in a timely manner based on the term of delinquency when the trial period starts,” the GSE explained.

Additional details on Freddie’s new Standard Modificationare available online.

UPCOMING CHANGES TO FHA LOANS --Get that loan NOW!!!!

2011-09-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
UPCOMING CHANGES TO FHA LOANS

As you may know, unless Congress extends the expiration deadline, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan limits set in 2008 will drop significantly beginning October 1. Congress raised the loan limit amount in response to the housing crisis to help spur the homebuying market. FHA loans offer borrowers very competitive rates and terms, and they only require a 3.5% down payment. Allowable debt ratios are higher than the typical debt-ratio limits imposed for conventional loans, and there are no income limit qualifications, so more people can qualify for them.

If the loan limit drops on October 1, many California homebuyers will face higher down payments, higher mortgage rates and stricter loan qualification requirements. Borrowers seeking larger mortgages will have to apply for conventional loans or jumbo loans, which may be subject to higher interest rates and down payments. Here are four things you should know to help your clients now.

1. LOWER LOAN LIMITS. The conforming loan limit determines the maximum mortgage amount that FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can buy or guarantee. If your client wants to stay under the current loan limits, then encourage them to purchase now and close by September 30th.

2. DROPS BY COUNTY. Under the new FHA loan limits, some counties will see significant drops in their loan limits. San Diego County will experience a $151,250 drop, Sonoma County a $141,550 reduction, while Orange and Los Angeles Counties will drop by $104,250. To see a full, county-by-county list of changes, click here.

3. JUMBO LOANS. The current FHA loan limit is $729,750. After October 1, that limit may drop to $625,500. Mortgage loans higher than that amount will be considered non-conforming jumbo loans, which typically have rates that are 0.875% to 1.5% higher than conforming rates, depending on the loan product, and require higher down payments.

4. MORE STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS. FHA loan requirements may allow for lower credit scores. So an applicant with a lower FICO score can still qualify for an FHA loan, even if they can’t for a conventional loan. Your clients may be able to obtain an FHA loan three years after defaulting or having a loan foreclosed.

This Company Turns Plastic Bottles Back Into Crude Oil --from the Daily Good

2011-09-06T10:22:00.001-07:00

SEPTEMBER 6, 2011

From the Daily GOOD

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

This Company Turns Plastic Bottles Back Into Crude Oil

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But if life gives you plastic? Make crude oil. Vadxx, an Ohio-based energy company, is taking even plastics that can't be recycled and reverting them to the material state from whence they came: crude oil.
"Plastics are made from oil, and Vadxx has figured out how to create the lowest sulfur content crude oil in the world, from a commodity that might otherwise occupy space in landfills," Vadxx CEO Jim Garret said in a press statement. Vadxx will take the picked-over scraps of plastics that don't make the cut for recycling, including "auto fluff" (the non-metal parts of junked cars) and e-waste, and run it through its reactors. Out comes crude oil, which the company will sell. Vadxx says that each of its oil production units could shrink landfill deposits by 10 to 14,000 tons a year.
Last month, Vadxx won a piece of Akron, Ohio's recycling contract and will start helping process the city's waste into oil at a pilot plant. Residents of Akron who put their recycling on the curb will be providing the raw materials for fuel. And while we might hope that some day we won't need oil at all, for now, this is certainly a step up from drilling in the Arctic.
Know of other great ways that cities are putting plastics to use?
Let us know on GOOD.is

American Workers

2011-09-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

American Workers

Labor Day in Los Angeles 2011 on Citysearch

2011-09-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

Staycation this week-end?
You might want to check out Labor Day in Los Angeles 2011 on Citysearch--the go-to guide for everything you need to know about your city. Curious? Click the link below:

http://losangeles.citysearch.com/list/129561?brand=citysearch_sendfriend

Having trouble? Then copy and paste the link into your browser.

Our Stats....

2011-08-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

so....doing a little analysis, determined that our typical time to get one of our listings sold is just over a month!--not bad!...and, the average sales price is VERY close to asking! glad we're doing a good job for our sellers!