This is being written not as a suggestion but to spark conversation. I have seen and heard several people talk about how they get first time buyers yet I am watching many of them struggle in a buyers market. My question, (if you are willing to share) is what do you find the most usefull ways to attract and keep first time buyers?

I received a call today from a very good friend that said "I need help, Dan can you help me get out of this loan?"

The situation is he thought he had a 5 year fixed then adjust..it began adjusting after 2 years. He thought he had a heloc 2nd it is a hard money second. He thought it would adjust a little... it adjusted four (4) points and that is out of reach. Now this friend of mine needs help and feels completely betrayed by somebody we both know.

I want to help him and have begun working with him to hopefully save his house through dealing with the lender because of hardship. He is behind and part is due to a severe hardship he recently encountered...a heart attack followed by heart surgery! I am in touch with people who hopefully will help him save his house and get him to a position to get his payment back where he can afford it.

I am afraid this story is going to become very normal in the near future and we as professionals need to have answers for those that will be asking the question "how can you help me save my house?" what is your plan? How will you answer this question? What can you do to help? any and all comments are welcome!

So often we hear blended families and how hard they are for all parties involved. I was thinking about my kids and came to this conclusion. I have two adopted children as well as three biological kids. The adopted two are milano (black father white mother) and at times the kids feel a little out of place but they know they are loved and completely accepted and part of this family! How is this different than the kingdom?

We all come from different backgrounds, different races and different cultures yet we are all part of one family. This is the kingdom and Gods will is to have his kingdom in and through our lives here so remember you are part of a blended family and your father, brothers and sisters love you!

A challenge to start a life with Christ. We all know we are suposed to take time every day to spend with our creator. I recently made a challenge to the youth group that I lead adn that challenge is 10-10-10.

I have challenged each young person to spend 10 minutes in the word, 10 minutes in prayer, and 10 minutes giving thanks to the Lord! It is amazing what happens to ones attitude and self perception when they start giving just 30 minutes a day to the Lord!

In todays economic situation there are several people struggling to make their monthly mortgage payment. According to a recent statement from C.A.R. mortgage lenders sent out 46,760 default notices in the first quarter of this year. What does this mean for the average home owner? If you are not directly effected by it you know somebody that is. Who is being effected the most and why? Those that have short term fixed mortgages that will adjust two to three years after receiving them will feel the largest strain on their lifestyle and finances. How can I help you if you have found yourself in this position? You don't have to ruin your credit before you consider what is called a short sale.

A short sale is when the lender recognizes the hardship of a home owner and agrees to settle the debt on a property for less than what is owed on that debt. There are several circumstances and steps to this process but it is more common than you might think. You are probably asking why would a lender allow a person to sale a house for less than what is owed on it? A lender is in business to make money by servicing loans not selling houses and when faced with the choice of foreclosure or short sale they will evaluate the pros and cons of both options very closely. If they feel they will lose less money buy doing a short sale they will be happy to assist in the process.

Do you have to be in the foreclosure process in order to qualify for a short sale? No, but there are certain things the lender looks for and I will walk you through each and every step of the process from the beginning to the end.

Where does your local Realtor come in to the equation? Not all Realtors know how nor do they understand the process of a short sale. It is very intense and very strategic in its entirety. If you think you need to or qualify for a short sale please contact me so I can evaluate with you and give you the insight you need to make an educated decision regarding your home.

In todays market it seems that everyone is a specialist in something, but what make a person a specialist? I want to look at what I believe a specialist is. A specialist according to websters dictionary is a person who devotes himself or herself to one subject or to one particular branch of a subject or pursuit.

Understanding this there are several things that I have studied in life and do not consider myself a specialist in however Real estate I have studied, practiced and been active in for years and do feel that most have general knowledge but few specialize in. You see the definition states one that devotes to not knows about or learns something about. I have focused on and am devoted to knowing the real estate market in Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Camarillo, Ventura, Ojai, Oak View, and parts of Oxnard. While Most of my business is focused in the Eastern Ventura County area I was raised in Ventura for over 21 years.

I am a specialist in the Ventura County Real Estate market and eager to help you buy or sell your next and every home.

Every link below will take you to a page that explains in detail the benefit of using Dan Allred as your agent for your next and every real estate transaction in Thousand Oaks, Conejo Valley, Simi Valley, Moorpark and all of Ventura County.

http://www.danallred.com/list_with_dan.htm for sellers

http://www.danallred.com/free_reports.htm  for buyers and sellers

http://www.danallred.com/concierge_service.htm for buyers

http://www.danallred.com/buy_with_dan.htm for buyers

I have an exclusive charity program that benefits the charity of your choice every time you purchase, sell, or refer a client to me. For the details of my exclusive Charity program call me direct or send me an email and I will contact you Dan@exitfamily.com

10. Home of the United States 2004 Little league World Series Champions.

9.   Only 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles

8.   Only 30 Minutes from Pacific Ocean

7.   Some of the best restaurants in the state.

6.   Economically sound anchored by companies like Amgen and County Wide

5.   Some of the best churches in the world

4.   One of the best School Districts in the state!

3.   One of the safest cities in America

2.   Some of the best weather in the world

1.   Family Centered Community

...some of the close runner up answers...

People are extremely friendly

Great neighborhoods for kids to play in

Close to lakes and mountains for outdoor activity and exercise

Part of a great county

Great place for retirement

I live here

The city of Thousand Oaks has so much to offer people of every generation. For the young there are youth sports that are world recognized, there are museums such as the Chumash heritage museum, there is one of the best school districts in the nation but all this is only perks to living in one of the safest cities in the country! If you are a teenager you have an excellent public High School, a nationally ranked private school and never have to leave the city except to go to the beach! If you are a young adult you have CLU and so much activity it is hard to sometimes choose what you really want to do. For young families there are all of those things just listed and then great community groups and great churches in the community. For the middle aged there are several groups as well as activities for both the single and married alike. For the elderly there are community and church run programs regardless of what you enjoy you will find it here!

Thousand Oaks is a a great place to make and call home for anybody that wants to live in a safe bedroom community that offers a little of everything!

To see listings in Thousand Oaks click here

To see more info on Thousand Oaks click here

This maybe the best deal in the community! A beautiful 2 bedroom (could easily be 3) 2.5 bathroom 1 story condominium and is the best floor-plan in the complex.

With wood shutters throughout, a large spacious floor-plan and enough storage to hide almost anything this unit feels much larger than it is. Offering a formal living-room, formal dining-room, a family room, large kitchen and a private balcony with views! You will not want to miss this Lindley Terace special! Owner is even leaving most furniture in unit. Nice leather couches and much more! ALL THIS FOR ONLY $609,000

To see more visit me