simi valley ca real estate: CALHFA Returns As Option For First Time Buyers - 09/19/10 03:30 PM
Post by Ken Grech, a top Simi Valley real estate agent. Search Simi Valley real estate listings. Here's some highlights from an interesting article that was in today's Sunday Ventura County Star paper written by Elizabeth Alvarez.
The California Housing Finance Agency recently announced updated programs to help first-time home-buyers. While this agency cannot offer a cure-all for the real estate market, this is a welcome bit of good news for consumers who are considering buying a home. First, to clear up a common confusion regarding mortgage lingo: First-time home-buyer is a technical term for ANY person who has not owned … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: 29 Essential Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast (And For Top Dollar) Part 4 - 08/25/10 04:16 PM
Post by Ken Grech, a top Real Estate Agent. Search Simi Valley Real Estate listings.
Tip #24: Don't give yourself a deadline. Forcing yourself to sell by a certain date adds unnecessary pressure and puts you at a serious disadvantage in negotiations.
Tip #25: Don’t take a low offer personally. Make sure it spells out the offering price, adequate earnest money, amount of down payment, mortgage amount, a closing date and any special requests.
Tip #26: A really low offer may mean the buyer is not qualified. Ask how they arrived at their figure, then suggest their agent use comparables to … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: 29 Essential Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast (And For Top Dollar) Part 3 - 08/25/10 04:12 PM
Post by Ken Grech, a top Real Estate Agent. Search Simi Valley Real Estate listings.
Tip #16: Disclose everything. Smart sellers proactively go above and beyond the laws to disclose all known defects to their buyers-in writing. If the buyer knows about a problem, he cant some back with a lawsuit later on.
Tip #17: The more prospects, the better. By maximizing your home's marketability, you'll increase your chances of attracting more than one prospective buyer.
Tip #18: Don't get emotional during negotiations. If you can just let go of the emotion you've invested in your home and approach negotiations in … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Home Buyers: How To Avoid Paying Too Much Part 3 - 08/16/10 07:43 PM
Post by Ken Grech, a top Simi Valley Real Estate Agent. Search Simi Valley Real Estate listings.
Tip #19: Check your emotions at the door during negotiations. One of the costliest mistakes you can make is letting the seller's know how much you love their home.
Tip #20: Don't be pressure into a quick deal if it doesn't feel right. It may be a sign that there's something you should know but don't.
Tip #21: Don't be afraid to negotiate. Negotiation is the key to getting a good deal.
Tip #22: Stay out of bidding wars. If there is another buyer, … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Home Buyers: How To Avoid Paying Too Much Part 2 - 08/16/10 07:41 PM
Post by Ken Grech, a top Simi Valley Real Estate Agent. Search Simi Valley Real Estate listings.
Tip #8: Shop with your head, not your heart. Don't forget the purpose of your "needs" and "desires" lists. Your heart will cost you money; using your hearts will save it.
Tip #9: Don't ignore red flags when evaluating a home's pluses and minuses. When evaluating the advantages and drawbacks of a particular property, be sure you know the difference between acceptable and unacceptable problems.
Tip #10: Hire a professional home inspector. Spending a few hundred dollars on a professional home inspection is the … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: More Households Benefit From Loan-Mod Program - 02/21/10 05:15 PM
Post by Ken Grech, a top Simi Valley real estate agent. Search Simi Valley real estate listings. From the Wall Street Journal, By James R. Hagerty:
The U.S. Treasury said its foreclosure-prevention program has cut mortgage payments for about 947,000 households, at least temporarily.
That was the number of households benefiting from easier loan terms at the end of January through the Obama administration's Home Affordable Modification Program, known as HAMP. The total was up about 11% from a month earlier. The administration estimates that 1.7 million households—about 3% of those with mortgages—are eligible for the program.
HAMP, announced a year ago by President Barack … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Not that Cheap - 05/05/09 07:14 PM
Posted by Ken Grech, a top Simi Valley real estate agent. Search Simi Valley real estate listings. In the Los Angeles Times dated May 3, 2009 in the Business Section, there is an article written by Chip Jacobs ( to read more of this informative article please go to (www.latimes/business.com ) Our market has changed so much within recent months and we as Realtors need to educate our buyers with submitting offers on low priced homes. Yes, some homes are priced low, however, we need to inform our Buyers, that due to the fantastic pricing you more than likely will not be able to purchase that home … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Spring Home Maintenance Tips - 03/29/09 11:57 AM
Posted by Ken Grech, a top Simi Valley real estate agent: You know the old saying, "April showers bring May flowers", so check your roof for leaks and get a head start on summer! Have your A/C unit checked and cleaned. Here is a checklist of to-do items:
Replace your furnace filter Clean kitchen exhaust hood and air filter Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible. Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are correct wattage. Review fire escape plan with your family members Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer. Check for … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Higher Loan Amounts & Additional Housing Related Provisions - 03/21/09 03:28 PM
Posted by Ken Grech, a top Simi Valley real estateagent: I wanted to share more good news! There is an extension on the additional tier of conforming loan amounts which had been first established in 2008. This tier of home loans are those greater than $417,000 and with a maximum that depends on the area, but is not greater than $729,750. These loans will again be eligible for rates that are slightly higher than conforming loan rates, but less expensive than the standard "jumbo" loan rates.
Additional Housing-Related Provisions
Tax Incentives to Spur Energy Savings and Green Jobs- This provision is designed … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Tax Credit for Homebuyers - 03/21/09 01:28 PM
Posted by Ken Grech, a top Simi Valley real estateagent in Simi Valley: I wanted to share some information that I learned about for the first-time home buyers who are out there. First-time home buyers who purchase homes from the start of the year until the end of November 2009 may be eligible for the lower of an $8,000 or 10% of the value of the home tax credit. Remember a tax credit is verydifferent than a tax deduction. A tax credit is equivalent to money in your hand, as opposed to a tax deduction which only reduces your taxable income.
… (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Hardship Letter Sample - 03/05/09 11:36 AM
Post by Ken Grech, a top Simi Valley real estateagent: Loan modifications and short sales are words that are hanging over everyones head right now, (you know like a cartoon with the verbiage bubble over the character's head). Many frustrating phone calls have been made to banks, where no is able to answer a question or you've been transferred to other departments or placed on perpetual hold. You are doing your best to find out how to help you and the Bank come to a amicable agreement, you want to keep your home, and stopping a foreclosure process is your main priority. Banks are inundated … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Now is Great Time to Buy - 03/04/09 03:55 PM
Posted by Ken Grech, a top Simi Valley real estate agent: Everyday, there are news stories regarding our current housing market and/or trend. Words, like "foreclosure", "short sales", "loan modifications" seem to be floating around and many people I believe are being guided by some misconceptions especially here in Ventura County. (to get more information on foreclosures, please click on this link: http://www.simiishome.com/custom19.aspx )
With daily reports on the national housing averages, it understandable to see prospective home buyers and sellers get discouraged, however; for those of us who are located in Southern California, and Ventura County in particular, please keep … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Simple Solutions for Saving Hundreds at the (Toilet) Tank - 02/25/09 12:42 PM
Here are some cost saving tips that I read about in a newsletter. I want to share any tips I come across with to all homeowners! Water conservation is becoming a household necessity due to more states declaring drought emergencies each year. Plus, not only does water conservation help the environment, but it also puts less strain on the pocketbook. Repairing a leaky toilet can save up to 200 gallons of water a day or more than $365 a year on your water bill, depending on the varying cost of water in your area and the severity of the leak. One … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Everyday Home Products Getting a High-Tech Upgrade - 02/25/09 12:40 PM
I'm happy to supply you with any tips for your home. This is great information that I read about from a newsletter that I received, I'd like to share. You may not have noticed it because of larger technological breakthroughs such as hybrid cars and solar energy, but a new class of home conveniences is emerging to make day-to-day activities easier and more time efficient. Every day new products are developed and old ones are given high-tech makeovers.
Luxe Laundries
Sophisticated new washers allow users to select their settings with digital displays that can be programmed for specific washing needs -- … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Three Ways to Save Energy on Hot Water - 12/20/08 01:13 PM
Heater Jackets: These insulation "jackets" are especially made to fit a hot water heater and are secured with special ties. Pipe Insulation: By wrapping hot water pipes with pipe insulation made for this purpose, you can keep hot water hot longer, and therefore, save fuel. A big advantage is that hot water will flow at the faucet faster-so there also is some savings on water. There are several styles of pipe insulation available. Lower thermostats:Keep the water thermostat between 110 to 140 degrees. If you run out of hot water often, the problem isn't temperature but the small capacity of the … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Southern California Sales Soar 65% - 10/27/08 02:51 PM
Southern California home sales soared a record of 65 percent in September from the record lows during the same month last year, according to real estate data company MDA DataQuick, with resales of foreclosure properties accounting for half of all transactions. The median home price, meanwhile, plunged 33.2 percent year-over-year in September.
DataQuick reported 20,497 that new and resale homesclosed escrow in September, compared to 12,455 in September 2007, when the credit crunch bit heavily into the jumbo loans market. The monthly sales total was the highest since December 2006 and represents the largest year-over-year gain in the history of DataQuick's statistics, … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: TAX CREDIT - 10/24/08 01:02 PM
Available to First Time Homebuyers who purchased a home from 04/09/2008 through 06/30/2009.
$7,500 tax credit to be paid back at $500 per year for 15 years interest free.
There are income limitations that will adjust the amount of the credit. Over $75,000 for single person and $150,000 for a married couple and the amount will go down. If the borrower moves out of the house but keeps as a rental, the entire remaining balance is due in full that year. If the home is sold and the appreciation is not greater than the outstanding balance of the remaining tax credit … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: FHA MODERNIZATION - 10/24/08 12:56 PM
New FHA and VA loan amount will be $625,000 as of 01/01/2009 (depending on the medium homeprice in each respective area), locally Ventura County will be at this figure.
Reverse Mortgages will also be able to go $625,000.
HUD will be reevaluating the median home prices in November.
Down Payment Assistanceis basically no more if it is Seller Assisted. Must have credit approval and locked prior to September 30, 2008. If the loan has be to be rerun for any reason, underwriting will not allow the Down Payment Assistance (DPA) to be included. However, a new bill (HR69694) has already been introduced … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: FIREPLACE SAFETY - 10/23/08 06:43 PM
Fireplaces and wood stoves can be cozy and warm heating supplements, but in order to keep the air healthy and reduce the risk of fire, you need to be aware of the risks they pose. Here are some simple tips on staying safe and healthy each winter.
Bad Wood
Burning wood improperly can produce dangerous emissions such as carbon monoxide, organic gas, and heavy smoke. To avoid this danger:
Burn only seasoned hardwoods such as oak, maple, and hickory. Avoid burning softwoods, and never burn newly cut or wet wood. Burn only wood that has been aged for at least a … (0 comments)
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simi valley ca real estate: Holiday Gift Giving Tips - 10/23/08 01:55 PM
The holidays are a time for exchanging gifts but this year, give more, waste less and lighten the load for Santa's clean up crew! Some suggestions for a less-wasteful holiday season:
Give homemade gifts, such as cookies, handcrafts, or framed photos. Give entertainment, such as museum memberships; tickets to movies, theater, concerts, or sporting events; gift certificates to a favorite restaurant. Give learning, such as language or music lessons; classes in cooking, photography, or other favorite hobbies. Give your time or talent, such as baby-sitting, pet-sitting, computer help, or home repairs. Give fitness, such as gym memberships, personal training sessions, or … (0 comments)
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