chrystina tovani: Would you remember phone numbers if you were stranded without your cell phone? - 04/16/11 08:33 PM
Have you ever had a recurring nightmare?
I’m not talking Freddy Kruger. I’m referring to those dreams of going over a bridge and it just keeps getting steeper and steeper until finally you’re heading straight up and you feel yourself being pulled by gravity, afraid of falling backwards. That’s one I have from time to time.
There is also the dream of driving across a bridge and all of a sudden the water has risen and I can no longer see the road. It’s a vast ocean and I’m in the middle. I usually wake up at that point. Just writing … (4 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Off Beat Friday in Carmichael - 08/27/10 07:53 PM
This week in Carmichael has been hot but finally the delta breezes are blowing and it's cool enough to take a stroll in the neighborhood. What I really want to do is go for a bike ride along the American river. Ancil Hoffman park is just up the street from me.
What is it that makes me procrastinate? Just do it! Right?
We took this photo just minutes after the firetrucks arrived at the Twin Oaks Apartments fire in Carmichael on Wednesday. We were sitting in our living room about half a mile away and heard a loud explosion and … (0 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Don't look back! The IRS could be on your heels. - 05/05/10 03:01 PM
While I am staying on topic of assisting qualified Sacramento area home buyers to get approved for a home loan so that they can enjoy the benefits of home ownership....
I came across this article, written by Deb Brooks, and thought it was something worth sharing. So here goes...
Via Lake Livingston Real Estate by Deb Brooks:
So you gave up to Foreclosure? The IRS may be on your heels!If you are one of the thousands of homeowners that felt relief by allowing their homes tobecome foreclosed on your relief may be short lived. Many of us became wrapped up … (0 comments)
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chrystina tovani: My Life by Design You Gotta Play to Win - 04/22/10 05:37 PM
Do you live by design or by default?
I recently read a chapter from Tom Ferry's upcoming book, Life By Design, and did the exercises.
Wow! The questions were uncomfortable and I could see the truth even though I wanted to answer otherwise. It's worth a visit to the book site to read it. You'll learn something about yourself.
"For people ready to grab the brass ring, the book serves as a vivid blueprint for positive change in both their business and personal lives. As I point out, 1 out of 3 Americans is dissatisfied with his or her life. They … (0 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Our company made it on the six o'clock news because of my blog! - 03/03/10 06:44 PM
I wrote an article, titled, "Home loan modification, is it possible?" It expressed my disappointment about the home loan modification process and it was a little scary to put out there because it was opinionated. I continue to get calls and emails from people looking for help. I followed that article with a series of resources to get help for home loan modifications in Sacramento, CA.
Yesterday, I recieved a phone call from Walt Gray, of KCRA channel 3 News station here in Sacramento, CA.
It was a complete shock and surprise. As soon as he said, "Hi Chrystina, this … (64 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Two things you can do before you decide to walk away. - 02/08/10 03:09 PM
Saving Your Home From Foreclosure - Home Loan Modification or Short Sale Well, it has been a couple of months since I wrote my article, Home Loan Modification - Is it possible?
At the time I was terribly frustrated with what I was hearing from those seeking assistance and getting no where. I wonder if there have been any significant changes to the system that is supposed to help people who desperately want to remain in their homes. I say, don't give up.
Whatever your situation may be, don't just walk away. The first place I would visit is:
… (2 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Re-thinking our vision... - 01/31/10 05:44 PM
Buying a home in today's market? It takes patience and tenacity and wishing on a star.
Buying a new home is a source of anxiety, frustration -- and a huge sense of accomplishment. You may have to put in several offers and get rejected a few times but your house is out there waiting for you and you will get an accepted offer if you keep moving forward. The first step is to get pre-approved for your mortgage. I like to quote Walt Disney. He said, "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because … (1 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Disclosure, disclosure, disclosure! Everything is to be disclosed. No secrets, no surprises. - 01/15/10 03:23 PM
I just finished reading an insightful article on the CNBC blog about Big Banks Accused of Short Sale Fraud. You can read about it by following the link.
The article is discussing how second lien holders have been taking cash on the side from the real estate agents or the buyers outside of the escrow so that the first lien holder would not know that they were getting paid in order to drop the lien.
That is not legal.
Disclosure, disclosure, disclosure! Everything is to be disclosed. No secrets, no surprises.
Under no circumstances is there to be any compensation … (9 comments)
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chrystina tovani: The skinniest house in New York City! - 01/14/10 07:16 PM
Built in 1873, the building is squeezed between 75 and 77 Bedford Street. The space between the buildings was used as a carriage passage. The address is 75 1/2 Bedford St. It has been home to a few famous people including, Cary Grant, John Barrymore, Margaret Mead, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Clark Gable.
Want to live in the skinniest house in New York City? The rent on this 990 square foot townhouse will cost you $10,000 per month. Yes! That's right! $10,000!
The skinniest house in New York City was purchased in 1994 for $270,000 and $200,000 was invested in … (9 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Internet Lead Conversion - Being Present in the Here and Now! - 01/07/10 05:01 AM
The Bribe Reward: 1200 points. Okay. I'm in on this one. =) For my readers, I'm being rewarded 1200 Active Rain points for writing this article. See the article under this one.
There has been a great deal of discussion and debate going on at the Active Rain Real Estate Network lately about the pros and cons of paying companies for leads. Bob Stewart believes we could all get better at turning leads, no matter where we get them, into clients. So, together, the Active Rain community is discussing what works best for us.
One company I worked with … (4 comments)
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chrystina tovani: The Wage Earner Home Buyer with the Side Business (Self Employed) - Beware - 01/03/10 05:44 PM
Welcome to 2010! New guidelines for RESPA went into effect on January 1st.
PLUS!
Extra steps added in the process of obtaining a home loan. The "stated income" loan has gone bye bye... New guidelines for documenting income for borrowers are here. Now days even if you have a wage earning job, you will still need to produce two years tax returns.
You can read a copy of the guidelines here.
Even if you have a wage earning, full time, job. If you are self employed in anyway, shape of form, you will need to provide a cash flow analysis … (0 comments)
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chrystina tovani: The Little Tree That Could - Also Sacramento County Christmas Tree Recycle Event - 12/21/09 11:59 PM
It doesn't matter how big or small your home is. There's always a way to find room for your Christmas tree. Even a small tree, or plant. Anything. It can make you feel so good.
My sister lives in a small town house and she was talking herself out of getting a tree this year.
"No room," she said, "Can't do it."
But while she was out with friends getting their tree, she found this little tree stuck off to the side, and starting thinking, "Maybe."
As she walked around this little tree was on her mind. She thought about … (2 comments)
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chrystina tovani: This one's catchy. Happy Holidays! - 12/05/09 03:27 AM
A couple of years ago I started watching videos of Mia Rose singing songs and playing her guitar from her bedroom at home. She'd sit on her bed with her guitar and make videos for YouTube. Way back when.... =)
She is not signed to a record label and is pretty much producing her own music. She has had her ups and downs making it in the music industry.
This is her new song, "What Would Christmas Be Like."
I have been going about my day today humming and singing this song because it is just one of those fun, bouncy … (2 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Home Loan Modification - Is it possible? - 12/02/09 05:58 PM
In the real estate news today, it's everywhere, articles about home loan modification.
Ah, the elusive thing that we all know is out there but has anybody really seen it? I'm sure there are those who have successfully arranged and received a home loan modification but I don't know of many and nobody personally who has. All I hear about is the frustration and defeat of those who have tried to no avail and given up, walked away.
Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me that Mighty Mouse has come to save the day! LOL! I cannot, in good conscience write another … (0 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Stuffed to the gills - 11/28/09 04:12 AM
Thanksgiving "Day" is over but I am still feeling the effects of all that food. Wonderful, delicious, dishes that I don't care if I see again for another year! I'm turkey-ed out. Stuffed. Maybe tamales for Christmas, eh? Anything but a big bird and all that dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, etc. It is late and I should be in bed but I am too full from left overs to lay down just yet. Feels like I have lead in my gut.
This holiday has been extra special for me because it seems that more people in my life reconnected this … (5 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Almost Chicken and Dumpling Soup - 11/03/09 05:00 PM
One of the things I love about the "Fall" season is a good soup simmering on the stove. It really makes a house feel like a home.
My son, who is 19, is living two hours away while he's in school and now calls me to ask for recipes. It made me think about documenting some of them to pass along to him.
So tonight for dinner we had something I'm calling "Almost Chicken and Dumplings." I made soup but didn't want to stand there rolling dough for dumplings so I added a little bit of potato and rice and … (7 comments)
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chrystina tovani: The Kindness of Strangers - Is all some people have left. - 03/11/08 04:51 PM
I was at the gas station today. There was a man who was standing near the front door holding a gas can. He was dressed in nice casual clothes and looked as though he were waiting for someone inside the store. Slowly as if forcing himself, he began to walk out to the pumps one foot in front of the other.
Seemed more like he was about to step on stage in front of a huge audience. He appeared to be mortified.
He was probably wondering what the "blank" he was doing in this situation. He didn't look like he was used to … (0 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Tensions rise as market floods with listings, buyers feast, and sellers…well - 07/13/07 01:47 PM
Serious sellers are turning to real estate professionals because they don't want their home to just sit stagnant on the market that offers more choice and variety to buyers now than for a very long time.
This reminds me of a favorite saying of the legal profession that anyone who attempts to defend himself in a court of law "has a fool for a client."
According to the Sacramento Business Journal, the number of existing homes listed for sale in the Sacramento real estate market is at 22,000 and continues to rise. Home sales fell 42% and foreclosures are 10 times worse than … (4 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Are you a radiator or a drain? - 05/25/07 03:36 AM
What do I do to keep myself motivated?
Boosting Your Attitude staying motivated and looking for the positive when all you hear are bad things going on in the real estate market. Shouldn't we just give up? Well, some do but some keep afloat no matter what's going on around them.
How do they do it?
It often seems like the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. We all know people who seem to breeze through the room with confidence and contentment. You feel good around them. Their smile is contageous!
It doesn't come naturally. I … (5 comments)
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chrystina tovani: Living in Carmichael and Tips for finding the perfect neighborhood. - 04/26/07 02:06 PM
My mom married an air force man when I was six and that ended any chance of me getting to grow up in one place. We moved about every two years! Just as soon as I started to feel settled and at home in our new environment, it would be time to pack up and move thousands of miles away in another unknown destination.
When I was grown, I moved to San Francisco to be near my father and work in his real estate business. My father grew up in San Francisco so that was the closest thing I … (0 comments)
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