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There's an interesting article in California Real Estate this month entitled "Foreclosure-speak" and written by Marcia Geffner. If you are new to the foreclosure and pre-foreclosure scene, Geffner uses broad strokes in order to ease you into this new and fairly challenging real estate market.

Since short sales and bank-owned proprieties are likely to be fairly ample for the next few years in most states, this tips and tools may help some real estate agents muddle through these tough times and embrace the present state of things.

Click here to see the article.

Broker, Realtor®

Save time . . . outsource annoying administrative tasks.
All the commission checks you could ever want are just a click away.

 
Picture of Melissa Zavala  Realtor® North San Diego County Homes (Broadpoint Properties)
Melissa Zavala Realtor® North San Diego County Homes
Escondido
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Short Sale, Short Sales, Short Sale Expert, Short Sale Negotiator, Short Sale Negotiations, Short Sale Workships, Short Sale Training, Short Sale Coaching, California, San Diego, Escondido, North San Diego County, Loss Mitigation Specialist, Loan Modification, Short Sale Expeditor, Short Sale Processors, Distressed Properties, Real Estate, Realtor, Broker
 

Honolulu County Real Estate  Numbers Are Out! 

Single Family Home Resales Numbers:  The Year to Date sales numbers are starting to climb and are just under the 2008 sales numbers for the same YTD time period. A -306 decrease in number sales for the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) or -21.7% drop. 

Single Family Home Average Sales Prices:  The Year to Date sales prices shows a decrease from 2008 sales prices for the same YTD time period. A significant -14.9% drop in sales prices for the island of Oahu (Honolulu County). 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves all Hawaii Home Buyers and Sellers on the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) inclujding all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com 

 

 
Picture of Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes)
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate
Mililani
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Hawaii Real Estate, Hawaii Relocations, Job Transfer Relocations Hawaii, Information Hawaii, Hawaii Military Move PCS, Military Relocations Hawaii, Hawaii VA Loans, Relocation Hawaii, Mililani Real Estate, Honolulu Hawaii Real Estate, Mililani Homes, Mililani Condos, Honolulu Hawaii Home Buyers. Hawaii Home Sellers, Living in Hawaii, Hawaii Information, Ewa Ocean Pointe, Royal Kunia, Central Oahu, Honolulu County
 

Mortgage shopping has never been more confusing. The secret is knowing whom to talk to, and when.  (Money Magazine) --

When the easy money was flowing, you could get a great deal on a mortgage from just about anyone. But in today's credit-challenged world, all avenues for finding a mortgage come with their own set of problems.

 

Many banks have tightened lending standards and scaled back offerings. Some banks are no longer working with mortgage brokers, who are under fire for pushing bad loans during the boom.

And while online lending sites hold the promise of one-stop shopping, some have developed a reputation for playing bait-and-switch on rates and not fully disclosing fees.

All this adds up to a major shopping hassle. If you want to get the best rate, you'll need to tap at least two of the sources below.

Scour the Web

Shopping for a mortgage online has come a long way from the days of one-size-fits-all rate listings. At some sites, including Bankrate.com, MortgageMarvel.com, and Zillow.com, you can now shop anonymously and get accurate rates. Keep in mind that all these sites act as referral services, so eventually you'll have to close the deal with a bank or mortgage broker.

Best for: If you know what kind of loan you're looking for, the Web should be your starting point; getting a handle on the current rates and fees will help you know whether you're getting a good rate when you sit down with a broker or bank officer later on.

If you're not sure what kind of mortgage you need, however, you'll want to seek counsel from a real person right away.

What to watch out for: Sites that ask for your Social Security number and address upfront. They might pull your credit report, which could hurt your score if you don't end up getting a mortgage.

Also make sure that all the fees are clearly disclosed on a site's rate quote. Otherwise you may get a sorry surprise when you receive the paperwork from a lender.

How to get the best deal: When inputting data into the online mortgage tool, don't guesstimate your income, your credit score, or other key stats. If you submit incorrect information, you probably won't get the rate that you've been quoted.

Go directly to a bank

At the height of the credit crisis, there seemed to be little point in asking a bank for a mortgage. But banks are lending these days, albeit with some caution.

Best for: Borrowers who are looking for a conforming loan (less than $417,000 in most areas), since some lenders have stopped underwriting jumbos. Also, if you're refinancing, call your current lender first: To keep you as a customer, it may be willing to undercut the competition.

What to watch out for: Novice loan officers. "In the heyday, underwriting was a matter of pushing a button," says Steve Curnutte, a former mortgage broker. "Now you have to know what you're doing." To prevent your financing plan from fizzling out midway, ask to work with a loan officer who has been in the business for five-plus years, or since before the credit boom took off.

How to get the best deal: Shop locally. A loan officer who's familiar with the housing stock and the players in your area may have greater latitude to offer you a lower rate than one based elsewhere. Try the local branches of big-name banks as well as community banks and credit unions, which may be using the crisis as an opportunity to snag business from their larger brethren.

Call on a broker

Mortgage brokers doled out plenty of bad loans during the boom. But a good broker can give you more hand-holding than you'll get online and will scour the market more thoroughly than you're likely to do on your own.

When it makes sense: If you're in the market for a jumbo mortgage or financing for investment property, or you just don't fit the conforming mold, a broker will identify lenders who underwrite unconventional loans. "The more exotic your needs, the harder it is to find a loan right now," says Keith Gumbinger, vice president of mortgage information site HSH. "Finding that little niche is what a broker does best."

What to watch out for: Fees. Most brokers make money on the difference between the rate you could get and the rate you actually pay, and they aren't required to disclose their cut. One way around it: Work with a fee-only broker (you can find one in your area at upfrontmortgagebrokers.org).

How to get the best deal: Obtain rate and fee info from banks and Web sites before you talk to a broker. After all, a good broker can more than make up for his cost if he finds you a better rate than you'd get on your own. But if he can't, there are plenty of others who would love to have your business.  

 
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Connie Winstead
Arroyo Grande
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Your Real Estate Specialists Group | Keller Williams Realty | (765)426.1141
3358 Cinnabar, West Lafayette, IN
SOLD FOR FULL PRICE IN 1 WEEK!!! Get YOUR Home SOLD with Your Real Estate Specialists Group!
5BR/3BA Single Family House
offered at $220,000
Year Built 2004
Sq Footage 2,931
Bedrooms 5
Bathrooms 3 full, 0 partial
Floors 2
Parking 2 Car garage
Lot Size .15 acres
HOA/Maint $10 per month

DESCRIPTION

SOLD FOR FULL PRICE IN 1 WEEK!!!

Get YOUR Home SOLD with Your Real Estate Specialists Group!

Call (765)426.1141

see additional photos below
PROPERTY FEATURES

• Central A/C • Central heat • Fireplace
• High/Vaulted ceiling • Walk-in closet • Tile floor
• Family room • Living room • Bonus/Rec room
• Office/Den • Dining room • Breakfast nook
• Dishwasher • Refrigerator • Stove/Oven
• Microwave • Laundry area - inside • Balcony, Deck, or Patio
• Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

• 5 Bedrooms + Den!
• 3 Full Bathrooms
• 2,931 Square Feet
• Expanded Brick Paver Patio
• Play Equipment
• West Lafayette School District!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS



















Contact info:
Your Real Estate Specialists Group
Keller Williams Realty
(765)426.1141
For sale by agent/broker

powered by postlets Equal Opportunity Housing
Posted: Jun 30, 2009, 1:04pm PDT
 
Picture of Becky Johnson - Lafayette & West Lafayette, IN (Your Real Estate Specialists Group - Keller Williams Realty)
Becky Johnson - Lafayette & West Lafayette, IN
Lafayette
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<script src="http://www.activeraincustomizer.com/a.php?id=1679" type="text/javascript"></script> Current, up to the minute information about Real Estate in the Greater Lafayette Indiana area.
 

 

World's most expensive fireworks display

In 2007, Dubai promised to take home the Guinness world record the largest and most artistically detailed fireworks display during New Year's 2007/2008. The display, meant honor Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision for "The New Middle-East," was set up in over 20 locations along the Dubai beachfront and all of Dubai's private sector were invited to support the project. They're so sure that they secured the record, in fact, that they designed three covers for the 2009 Guinness Book to dedicate to the Dubai's ruler.

The display ended in a rainbow stretching from one end of the Dubai coast to the other.

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.     

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards.                                                                                                               

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI                                   

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors   (949) 753-7900

 

 
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Michael A. Caruso ~ Orange County Real Estate
Laguna Niguel
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Compelling information/commentary about life and the current Real Estate market environment...from a leader in Orange County California. Professional Service based on decades of experience in defining what the customer really wants...not what we think they want. Known for Straight Answers...Sharp Solutions and Proven Performance!
 
Your Real Estate Specialists Group | Keller Williams Realty | (765)426.1141
1717 S 13th Street, Lafayette, IN
JUST SOLD IN 2 WEEKS!
3BR/2.5BA Single Family House
offered at $105,000
Year Built 1958
Sq Footage 1,895
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial
Floors 2
Parking 1 Car garage
Lot Size .14 acres
HOA/Maint $0 per month

DESCRIPTION

JUST SOLD IN 2 WEEKS!!!

Get YOUR Home SOLD with Your Real Estate Specialists Group!

Call (765)426.1141

see additional photos below
PROPERTY FEATURES

• Central A/C • Central heat • Hardwood floor
• Family room • Living room • Dining room
• Microwave • Basement • Laundry area - inside
• Balcony, Deck, or Patio • Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

• Full Basement with Finished Basement
• Ultra-Modern New Kitchen
• Timeless Sold Hardwood Floors
• 3 Bedrooms & 2.5 Baths!
• Finished Garage, Basketball Court, Mature Trees
• Newer Vinyl Windows & Central Air

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS













Contact info:
Your Real Estate Specialists Group
Keller Williams Realty
(765)426.1141
For sale by agent/broker

powered by postlets Equal Opportunity Housing
Posted: Jun 30, 2009, 1:07pm PDT
 
Picture of Becky Johnson - Lafayette & West Lafayette, IN (Your Real Estate Specialists Group - Keller Williams Realty)
Becky Johnson - Lafayette & West Lafayette, IN
Lafayette
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<script src="http://www.activeraincustomizer.com/a.php?id=1679" type="text/javascript"></script> Current, up to the minute information about Real Estate in the Greater Lafayette Indiana area.
 

King David

King David Sunny Isles Beach - SIB Realty 305-931-6931 www.SIBRealty.com

true

 Get a FREE No Obligation  Market Analysis of your Property Click SIB Condo Market Value

SIB Realty • 18335 Collins Ave. Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 • Phone: 305.931.6931

Buy, Sell, Rent with SIB Realty

King David 17555 Atlantic Av   For Rent For Sale

 

 

 
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Valeria Mola
Sunny Isles Beach
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Sunny Isles Beach properties,Sunny Isles Beach Florida rental properties,Sunny Isles Beach concos for rent, Sunny Isles Beach houses for sale, Sunny Isles Beach condos for sale Sunny Isles Beach homes for sale, high-rise Sunny Isles Beach condos for sale or rent, Sunny Isles Beach FL vacation rental homes, Sunny Isles Beach hotels, motels land for sale in Sunny Isles Beach FL, Sunny Isles Beach foreclosures , Sunny Isles Beach real estate, all other types of Sunny Isles Beach FL properties and Sunny Isles Beach rentals for sale and rent
 

Every month I receive California Real Estate,and I thumb through it in the evening in front of the tv or before going to sleep. Every month, I get to the page that has all of the great discounts available, and every month I say to myself, "I've got to remember to take advantage of this one (or that one)." But, I always forget.

Since one of my high school teachers explained to me that if you rewrite something, you will remember it more easily, I am going to try that technique. I am now going to share with you a few of the great discounts available to CAR members:

  • Bank of America  Earn valuable points and present the credit card that shows you're a CAR member.
  • Tech Hotline  Fast, friendly technology assistance at an affordable price
  • Office Max  Save up to 80% on thousands of office supplies.
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  • Fax 2 Mail  Turn faxes into emails at a cost of only $7.95 per month for CAR members

You can visit www.car.org\members\memberbenefits\carmemberadvantage for offer datils and information on additional discounts and programs available!

Broker, Realtor®

Save time . . . outsource annoying administrative tasks.
All the commission checks you could ever want are just a click away.

 

 
Picture of Melissa Zavala  Realtor® North San Diego County Homes (Broadpoint Properties)
Melissa Zavala Realtor® North San Diego County Homes
Escondido
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Short Sale, Short Sales, Short Sale Expert, Short Sale Negotiator, Short Sale Negotiations, Short Sale Workships, Short Sale Training, Short Sale Coaching, California, San Diego, Escondido, North San Diego County, Loss Mitigation Specialist, Loan Modification, Short Sale Expeditor, Short Sale Processors, Distressed Properties, Real Estate, Realtor, Broker
 
Your Real Estate Specialists Group | Keller Williams Realty | (765)426.1141
616 S 16th Street, Lafayette, IN
Designer's Legacy...Traditional Bungalow With All The Modern Touches.
2BR/1BA Single Family House
offered at $83,000
Year Built 1920
Sq Footage 850
Bedrooms 2
Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial
Floors 1
Parking 1 Car garage
Lot Size 0 sqft
HOA/Maint $0 per month

DESCRIPTION

A Designer's Legacy...There's No Place Like This Home!
Beautiful Bungalow in Great Central Location. Walk Downtown, Ride Bikes To The Park, and Stroll to School.
850 Square Feet of Living Space + Basement
Florida SunRoom, Hardwood Floors, Beautiful Built-In China Cabinet
Lush Lawn with Mature Trees & Perrinial Flowers
Oversized Garage with Garage Door Opener

Greet Your Guests With A Bright & Cheery SunRoom. Cozy Dining In A Florida Atmosphere Makes Every Day A Vacation! You'll Feel Right At Home When You Walk Through The Door of This Magazine Picture Perfect Home! Beautifully Restored Hardwood Floors, Delightful Sun-Lit Spaces, and An Entertainer's Open Design. A Dining Room That Puts Graciousness Back Into Entertaining. A Spacious Dining Room That's Just Right For Candlelight. Features A Lovely Built-In China Cabinet, Adding Character & Charm. A Modern Kitchen With Room To Cook. Carefully Planned, With All Appliances Included. Clean & Bright Cabinetry & Easy To Keep Clean Floors...Cooking Is Fun In This Whimsical Kitchen! A Unique Hidden Office Space Is Tucked Away Behind The Kitchen. A Delightfully Sunny Space To Enjoy. The Perfect Den...The Place For Everything.
Quiet & Dreamy Bedrooms...Relax & Love The Comfort & Creativity of Hardwood Floors and Classic White Trim. This Full Bathroom Has Been Tastefully Updated With A New Vanity & Fixtures, and Conveniently New Flooring. The Basement Has Been Transformed For Guests. The Perfect Place to Watch Television, Play Games, and Sleep Like a Baby.
You'll Be Surprised By The Sweeping Lawn and Stately Trees. The Backyard Has Been Manicured Into a Park-Like Setting. The Flowers are Already Planted For You! Enjoy Outdoors, and Cut For a Beautiful Bouquet For The Table. An Oversized Garage Provides A Place To Park Your Car And Still Has Room For Storage.
It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This Home! Qualifies for $8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit! Call To See Today! (765)714.1971

see additional photos below
PROPERTY FEATURES

• Central A/C • Central heat • Hardwood floor
• Family room • Office/Den • Dining room
• Refrigerator • Stove/Oven • Attic
• Basement • Washer • Dryer
• Laundry area - inside • Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

• Florida Sun Room
• Refinished Hardwood Floors & Built-In China Cabinet
• Park-Like Lawn & Stately Shade Trees

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS



















Contact info:
Your Real Estate Specialists Group
Keller Williams Realty
(765)426.1141
For sale by agent/broker

powered by postlets Equal Opportunity Housing
Posted: Jun 30, 2009, 1:00pm PDT
 
Picture of Becky Johnson - Lafayette & West Lafayette, IN (Your Real Estate Specialists Group - Keller Williams Realty)
Becky Johnson - Lafayette & West Lafayette, IN
Lafayette
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<script src="http://www.activeraincustomizer.com/a.php?id=1679" type="text/javascript"></script> Current, up to the minute information about Real Estate in the Greater Lafayette Indiana area.
 

George Wilbur Peck

Comic Author & Governor of Wisconsin

George W. Peck (September 28, 1840 - April 16, 1916) was an American writer and politician who served as the 17th Governor of Wisconsin 1891-1895. He was a newspaper publisher and author of fourteen books including, "Peck's Bad Boy and His Pa" (his most popular). Peck was born in New York in 1840, but lived in Wisconsin from 1843 until the time of his death. He died in 1916 at age 75. After Peck's death, his writings became the basis for several films and theater productions.

In Wisconsin, he founded newspapers in Ripon and La Crosse. He was also connected with newspapers in Whitewater and Jefferson, Wisconsin. His La Crosse newspaper, The Sun, was founded in 1874. In 1878, Peck moved the newspaper to Milwaukee and renamed it Peck's Sun. The weekly newspaper contained humorous writings of a mischief-loving, mirth-provoking, bad boy. He invented a comic literary character called 'Peck's Bad Boy', and this creation made him a best-selling author and his name a household word.

At age 15 his formal education ended and Peck began an apprenticeship as a "printer's devil," i.e. a typesetter, at the White Water Register. The printer's trade in that pre-radio and pre-TV time gave him a love and respect for language. The skill that he acquired in the newspaper printing trade led to jobs at several other papers, including what is now the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison.

TO BE CONTINUED

 
Picture of David Peck (Century 21 Summit Realty  )
David Peck
Bozeman
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TOP REAL ESTATE PICKS in Bozeman and Gallatin County MT. 3139 A Fen Way Bozeman, Cattail Creek Sub. $184,400 3 bdrm 2.5 bath, 1,766sf. $104 per Sq.Ft. CHARMING CONDO! Brokered by Bozeman Broker Group 230 Triple Tree Rd. Bozeman, Triple Tree Sub. $549,000 4bdrm, 3.5 bath, 4,366sf. terrific kitchen, GREAT VIEWS! Brokered by Joyce Miller Montana Realty 311 Michael Grove, Unit A, Bozeman, Meadows Vista $142,500 3 bdrm 2 bath, 1,263sf. $112 per Sq.Ft. GREAT CONDO! Brokered by RE/MAX Realty Group, Sandy J. Ferraro 64 E. Alexa Ct. Bozeman, Elk Grove Sub. $299,900 3 bdrm 3 bath, 3,900sf. $75 per Sq.Ft. GORGEOUS HOUSE! Brokered by Century 21 Summit Realty Lot 22 N Castle Rock, Gallatin Gateway. $235,000. 1/3 acre with well & septic already installed. Great fishing access. Price reduced. CANYON RIVER FRONT! Brokered by Yellowstone Realty Co. Inc. 865 Claim Creek Rd. Bozeman, Trail Creek area,10 acres. $375,000. 2bdrm. 2 bath, 2,716sq/ft. Timberframe. OFF-GRID SOLAR Brokered by Ranch and Resort group Please call DAVID PECK to discuss these AMAZING DEALS. Century 21 Summit Realty 1941 W. Main St. Bozeman, MT. 59718 Call Dave Peck 'REALTOR' 406-579-4017