Twitter What? Twitter Why? Twitter How? - an Active Rain Twitorial - 02/29/08 07:21 AM
 Twitter is like the crack cocaine of social networking. It's fast, it's cheap, and it's addictive. Should you do it? YES.  (Not crack...Twitter)
Let me share the What, Why and How of Twitter and then I expect to hear the twitter patter of little tweets.
.................................................................................
                           WHAT IS TWITTER?
Twitter is a micro-blog.
What I mean by micro-blogging is this: on Twitter you post a short message, or a "tweet", of no more than 140 characters...like this sentence.
Your followers are the folks that subscribe to your Twitter microblog. Your tweets show up on their home page. And here's the sexy idea: they can also choose … (70 comments)

River Springs Charter School in Hemet - FKA Eagle's Peak - 02/29/08 02:25 AM

River Springs Charter School is a parent-choice school that my children are enrolled in. It's like having one foot in the public school system and two feet in homeschool. That's right...It's like having three feet!
I posted an original article about the school called Homeschooling in Hemet? River Springs Charter School Offers Alternative, but they've updated their website and so I thought I'd provide that.
If you're considering home schooling and live in Hemet, San Jacinto, or the surrounding areas, learn about this unique alternative by clicking on the school crest to the right.
Related Articles:
Things to do in Hemet: Wagon Wheel Ranch Things … (0 comments)

Mo' Money, Mo' Money, MO' MONEY...Mortgage Costs still Rising - 02/29/08 01:52 AM
In the immortal words of Shaggy...
"ZOINKS!"
Freddie Mac (or, to use their Westminster Dog Show name, The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) are raising their mortgage loan delivery fees effective June 1st, 2008.
Delivery Fees are the fees that mortgage loan originators, like the Hemet Home Loan Guy (that's me) and their companies pay to Investors. Most often, these costs are "risk-based pricing"...charging more in loan fees, points or a higher interest rate in order to offset the risks of lower credit, lower down-payment, declining market values or bad  breath.
Okay, maybe not bad breath.
Freddie Mac and his older sister Fannie Mae are the … (2 comments)

Ranch Style Home with Pool - 26025 Lisa Lane - 02/28/08 10:51 PM
Related Articles:
Get Daily Mortgage Loan Rates on Your Mobile Phone - via Twitter California and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Real Estate MarketInvesting in Hemet Real Estate...Good News and Bad News 7 Steps to Fix Your Credit Joey Aszterbaum is the Hemet Home Loan Guy and a member of the Active Rain social network of real estate professionals. To buy or refinance your home in Hemet, Riverside County, or California visit www.HemetHomeLoans.com or call 951.571.5751
… (0 comments)

Pre-Foreclosure Home in West Hemet Must Sell Now! 5 Beds, Large Lot - 02/27/08 04:16 AM
Related Articles:
Get Daily Mortgage Loan Rates on Your Mobile Phone - via Twitter California and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Real Estate MarketInvesting in Hemet Real Estate...Good News and Bad News 7 Steps to Fix Your Credit Joey Aszterbaum is the Hemet Home Loan Guy and a member of the Active Rain social network of real estate professionals. To buy or refinance your home in Hemet, Riverside County, or California visit www.HemetHomeLoans.com or call 951.571.5751
… (4 comments)

4 Bedrooms and Upgrades for Under $225,000 - 02/27/08 04:12 AM
Related Articles:
Get Daily Mortgage Loan Rates on Your Mobile Phone - via Twitter California and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Real Estate MarketInvesting in Hemet Real Estate...Good News and Bad News 7 Steps to Fix Your Credit Joey Aszterbaum is the Hemet Home Loan Guy and a member of the Active Rain social network of real estate professionals. To buy or refinance your home in Hemet, Riverside County, or California visit www.HemetHomeLoans.com or call 951.571.5751
… (0 comments)

Beautiful Home in Gated Community for Baby Boomers / Seniors - 02/25/08 09:37 PM
Related Articles:
Get Daily Mortgage Loan Rates on Your Mobile Phone - via Twitter California and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Real Estate MarketInvesting in Hemet Real Estate...Good News and Bad News 7 Steps to Fix Your Credit Joey Aszterbaum is the Hemet Home Loan Guy and a member of the Active Rain social network of real estate professionals. To buy or refinance your home in Hemet, Riverside County, or California visit www.HemetHomeLoans.com or call 951.571.5751
… (0 comments)

Beaumont Bank Owned REO - Fantastic Value! - 02/25/08 09:01 PM
Related Articles:
Get Daily Mortgage Loan Rates on Your Mobile Phone - via Twitter California and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Real Estate MarketInvesting in Hemet Real Estate...Good News and Bad News 7 Steps to Fix Your Credit Joey Aszterbaum is the Hemet Home Loan Guy and a member of the Active Rain social network of real estate professionals. To buy or refinance your home in Hemet, Riverside County, or California visit www.HemetHomeLoans.com or call 951.571.5751
… (0 comments)

Commercials for Altura Credit Union with the Hemet Home Loan Guy in Them - 02/24/08 09:01 PM
Altura Credit Union (formerly known as Riverside County's Credit Union) is the parent company for Patrion Mortgage. When the Hemet Home Loan Guy heard they were going to film some commercials and they were looking for handsome and talented volunteers he signed up.
Okay, just volunteers.
Here's the first commercial. If you pause it at 0:18 you'll see me playing the role of my life..."Wedding Guest 23." I'm the out-of-focus bearded guy just to the left of the Altura Credit Union employee that's crashing the Bride/Groom dance. I'm also back there grinning stupidly at the end.
 
In this spot, I display my incredible … (8 comments)

Yucaipa Real Estate Spotlight: Graham Holmes, Mission Grove Realty - 02/23/08 05:08 PM
As your local mortgage lender, I work closely with the best real estate professionals in Yucaipa, Hemet, Murrieta, Temecula and the surrounding areas. I like to turn the Real Estate Spotlight on great Realtors and other folks so that when you decide to buy or sell real estate in the Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside County), you know who you can trust and turn to.
Graham Holmes is an awesome Realtor and deserves the Real Estate Spotlight.
Graham and his long-time friend and business partner, Christopher Walker, founded Mission Grove Realty. Their office is in Hemet and they serve buyers and sellers in Yucaipa, Hemet, Banning, Beaumont, San … (6 comments)

Moon Over My Hemet - Clouds Prevent Lunar Eclipse Watching in Hemet - 02/20/08 08:15 PM
Bummer! Cloudy weather in the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley is preventing a good view of tonight's lunar eclipse.
This is the third time in the least year that there has been a total lunar eclipse, when the moon passes through the shadow of planet Earth.
Nearly everyone in North America and Western Europe will have a great view of tonights eclipse...that is, unless clouds get in the way!
This would have been a very unique eclipse, forming a triangle with the planet Saturn and the star Regulus. Having the eclipse so close to Saturn is a very rare event. Apparently it will only happen this … (33 comments)

Adjustable Rate Mortgages in Riverside County? - 02/18/08 08:55 PM
Adjustable Rate Mortgages, or ARMs, are one option when you finance a home. But, in a time of declining home prices, is it a good option? It's been a while since I wrote ARMed and Dangerous? and it's time for a quick update.
First...today's interest rates** for Patrion Mortgage's portfolio Hybrid ARMs:
3/1 ARM - 4.250%5/1 ARM - 4.375%7/1 ARM - 4.500%
Those are tempting numbers. So should you ARM yourself? When you're considering an ARM, here are some things you might want to consider:
Equity Position
If you live in Riverside County (Hemet, San Jacinto, Temecula, Murietta and the surrounding areas), then there's a good chance … (7 comments)

President's Day, Fragile Democracy, and a Good Book - 02/18/08 01:20 PM

Democracy is more fragile than we often suppose. Look at the troubles in Iraq, Afghanistan and Russia. And it wasn't long after the French Revolution that Napolean reigned unchecked. What about in our own country?
Today is President's Day. Just about the only way we celebrate this holiday is by kicking off of work. But it's also an election year, and there are many challenges in our country and around the world to democracy and freedom. May I suggest some reading?
Washington: The Indispensable Man
Following the Revolutionary War, what had happened in France could very well have happened in the newborn United States of America. … (9 comments)

Snowy Valentines Day in Hemet and San Jacinto - 02/16/08 04:09 PM
So I guess the weather man is just about as good as the chief economists at predicting the future.
There was actually SNOW in parts of Hemet and San Jacinto. It's common to see the snow on Idyllwild and the San Jacinto mountains, but it's very rare to see them on the hills on the north side of the valley. It snowed close to my office, but my wife had the camera.
It wasn't cold enough for it to stay on the ground, but at least my wife caught some of it on the hills before it melted. You can even glimpse part … (9 comments)

New Mortgage Loan Limits: When and How Much? - 02/15/08 12:04 PM
On Wednesday the President signed the economic stimulus bill that I wrote about in No Mo' Jumbo? Higher Mortgage Loan Limits from Congress to President. So when do these changes take place? And what will the new home loan limits be?
When? The new loan limits legally became effective when the bill was signed, however the stimulus package gives HUD (Housing and Urban Development) 30 days to publish updated median house prices. HUD intends to publish these within the next two weeks.
How Much: The new loan limits will be 125% of the median house prices for the area...but not to exceed $729,750. Riverside County's … (14 comments)

Thoughtful Wife + Valentine's Day = Serenity Spa in Hemet - 02/15/08 11:13 AM
Jolynne is the best.
Yesterday was Valentine's Day, and we had plans to date at home (it's hard to find a babysitter on Valentine's Day). After returning to my office from some out of office appointments, I found on my desk a creative note from my wife. It's a huge 'to do' list with all sorts of crazy things on there. And tacked to the front of it is a note that says "Drop everything and go to Serenity Spa for a massage at 6pm."
The mortgage business has been crazy recently, with prices dropping, loan programs changing and interest rates going up and … (2 comments)

Rock Videos with The Hemet Home Loan Guy in Them... - 02/11/08 12:20 AM
Some of you might have read my blog post on my rock and roll past: Who were YOU before real estate? I was a rock musician.
What I didn't have back then was some old footage of my band, skypark.
It's funny...all the people that knew me back then can't believe that I shave and put on a tie nowadays. And all the people that know me because of my mortgage business can't believe that I used to rock (well, occasionally still do.)
This first video is the only produced music video we did. We were on Word records, which primarily dealt in Christian … (11 comments)

Jumbo Loans are Red Thingamahoozits...That's Why the Rates are Higher. - 02/10/08 08:01 PM
What's with the higher rates for jumbo loans? 
I posted an article called No Mo' Jumbo? Higher Mortgage Loan Limits from Congress to President. Scott Wall was kind enough to pay me a visit and add his comment. Here's what he had to say:
"I think the whole concept of jumbo loans is silly. I know that their is potential more risk, but loaning $300k or $800k, lenders look at the basic same things. I think lenders are just trying to justify the ridculously higher rates." 
Let's explore this a bit.
Let's say you owns a company that sells two thingamahoozits...one is red and the other is blue.
After … (3 comments)

No Mo' Jumbo? Higher Mortgage Loan Limits from Congress to President - 02/09/08 01:57 PM
On Thursday the Senate passed an economic stimulus package that included a provision to raise the mortgage loan limits for FHA and conventional mortgage loans. The House of Representatives passed the legistlation last week, and now it is headed toward the President, who is expected to sign it.
Presently, any loan over $417,00 is a jumbo loan (subject to higher mortgage rates) and ineligible for FHA for the Riverside County California (including Hemet, Murietta, Temecula and the surrounding areas).
The new loan limits would be 125% of the local median home price. This would be as high as $729,750 in high cost areas...and … (20 comments)

Free Appraisal and Underwriting Seminar for Riverside Real Estate Professionals - 02/09/08 02:00 AM
UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED 2/12/08
Patrion Mortgage and Cuna Mutual Group Mortgage Insurance (CMG) are hosting a training opportunity for the credit union mortgage lending community and real estate colleagues. Realtors, Brokers, Mortgage Brokers and other affiliates are invited to attend one or both of the seminars.
APPRAISAL REVIEW TECHNIQUES - Wednesday, February 20, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PMLearn the keys to reviewing appraisals. Explore how appraisers determine value and the guidelines they should follow. Review Appraisal Forms 1004 and 2055.
ASSESSING RISK: TRENDS AND TECHNIQUES - Wednesday, February 20, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PMLearn the "comprehensive risk assessment" approach to … (3 comments)

Will FHA Loan Costs Increase Because of Foreclosures? - 02/08/08 11:49 AM
The President's 2009 fiscal budget would require the Federal Housing Administration to raise its mortgage insurance premiums. The annual premium would raise from .50% to .52%, and the upfront premium would raise from 1.5% to 1.95%.
For example, on a $200,000 FHA loan, the annual fee would increase from $83 to $87 per month. The upfront mortgage insurance premium, which is financed (added to the loan balance) would increase from $3000 to $3960. The total effect on your house payment in this case adds up to about $10 per month.
Mortgage insurance protects the note-holder for mortgages so that if the buyer defaults or enters foreclosure, … (28 comments)

Get Mortgage Loan Updates On Your Mobile Phone - via Twitter - 02/07/08 01:11 AM

Curious what the 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate is today? The Hemet Home Loan Guy now has a Twitter page that will keep you updated...even on your mobile phone.
What is Twitter? It's like a condensed version of a social network site, like Active Rain, or a blog. Basically, it's used for short messages - 140 characters or less. If you connect it with your cell phone, you can get quick updates via txt messages from the people you 'follow'.
Some people use it to connect with friends. Some people use it for fun (check out Darth Vader's Twitter).
The Hemet Home Loan Guy's Twitter … (9 comments)

Riverside County First Time Buyers Program UPDATE - 02/06/08 08:01 PM
Two days ago I reported that the Riverside County's First Time Home Buyers Program is Out of Funds!
I ended the article with this statement: "The Riverside County Economic Development Association's fiscal year ends in June. I haven't received word whether or not the funds will be available in July. Stay tuned."
I have word from Bernadette Cruz from the Riverside County EDA that the program should be funded at the beginning of their fiscal year (July or August).
This is good news for first time home buyers with lower-than-average incomes in Riverside County (Hemet, San Jacinto, Murietta, Temecula, Idyllwild and the surrounding areas).
The program … (0 comments)

Riverside County's First Time Home Buyers Program Out of Funds! - 02/04/08 02:34 PM
The Riverside County First Time Home Buyers Program has run out of funds.
The program offers up to 20% (maximum $75,000) down payment assistance to first time buyers and has been well-funded in recent years due to the lack of affordable housing for people with limited incomes. The buyers are not required to make any payments on the down payment assistance, and if they kept the home for 15 years the second mortgage is forgiven.
With the drop in the prices of real estate in Riverside County (Hemet, San Jacinto, Murietta, Temecula, Idyllwild and the surrounding areas), more and more first time buyers were able to … (13 comments)

The Customer Profit Concept - Real Agent Help Breakfast - 02/03/08 10:11 PM
The Customer Profit Concept - Real Agent Help Monthly Breakfast
The Real Agent Help Monthly Breakfast is the premier real estate networking event in the Hemet region in Riverside County, California.  Join us for breakfast, an opportunity to share a need or a listing you have, great educational content and tools to grow your real estate business.
Thursday, Febraury 14 from 8:30-10:30am Mimi's Cafe in Hemet Seating is limited, cost $10 (donation goes to Community Pantry) RSVP at Real Agent Help.com This months' generous sponsor is Mike McKinlay (Fidelity National Title).
TOPIC: The Customer Profit Concept
The customer profit concept will make your presentations more powerful and result in hearing more prospects say 'Yes!' … (0 comments)

Investing in Hemet Real Estate...Good News and Bad News - 02/03/08 02:21 PM

What does investing in Hemet real estate look like in 2008? There have been a lot of changes in the last several months. Some of those changes are good and some are bad. Is it time to buy investment properties in Hemet and the surrounding areas? Let's look at some of those changes so you can make a decision that's right for you.
During the recent real estate boom, spurred on by their own increasing equity, television programming like "Flip this House", and the fear of missing out, many people who had no experience in investing in real estate bought homes in … (5 comments)

Funny Family Quotes - 02/01/08 09:28 PM
Tom Plant had a "Kids say the darnedest things" moment that he shared in Out Of The Mouths Of Babes - My Brother Has A "Situation"
That inspired me. You see, one of my favorite things to do is to 'collect' the funny things that my kids say. I keep them in my Outlook notes, which syncs with my Treo 755 so that I can take them with me. That way, when I'm visiting with people, I can just take out my phone and share the latest funny saying from the monkeys.
Why haven't I shared these with my Active Rain blog … (37 comments)

 

Joey Aszterbaum

Hemet, CA

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Jolynne Photography

Cell Phone: (951) 285-1012

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Retired from the Mortgage Business 6/09 Work for Jolynne Photography


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