Have You Been Pre-Approved For A Loan? - 04/30/11 06:43 PM
If you are looking at homes and call a realtor to show it to you, they will ask you if you have been pre-approved for a loan.  See, we are not in the business of showing houses, we are in the business of selling houses. 
PLEASE DO NOT BE OFFENDED WHEN WE ASK YOU THIS QUESTION! 
It is our job to ask all of the hard questions so that we can serve you in the best way.  It's kind of like your Dr.  if you don't tell him all the facts, he can't help you.
Many people who have never … (0 comments)

WANTED: 3 bed 2 Bath Home In Monterey County - 04/27/11 02:38 PM
Wanted: 3 Bed 2 Bath Home In Monterey County

OK, so you want to buy a home in Monterey County...you have saved some money, and are tired of renting.  You call a local real estate agent to show you some of the houses you have seen on-line or diven by. 
The first question any agent worth working with will ask you is: Have you been pre-approved for a loan?" and the second question is: "How much have you been approved for?"  I have worked with many first time buyers and I know most people have no clue as to what … (0 comments)

Monterey County Distress Property Owners BeWare SCAM ALERT! - 04/21/11 09:11 PM
Monterey County Distressed Property Owners Beware there is a scam out to trick you....
 
I have come across an organization in Monterey County that is preying on distressed property owners.  They offer to buy your house....get you to put it in a trust, thus signing it over to them, and then they negotiate with the bank for a short sale....they then turn around at the same time and list it for sale and get an end buyer for a higher price and then they pocket the excess money.
How is this happening?  Many people are upside down or unable to … (0 comments)

Great Reasons To Buy A Home In Monterey County - 04/20/11 06:29 PM
Great Reasons To Buy A Home In Monterey County!!!
Now is the time to take advantage of low mortgage interest rates and home prices as low as a decade ago.  Yes, you might be taking some risk of riding out another short-term dip in property values. 
The rewards are very well worth it.  The market has stabilized for the time being.  The economy is growing modestly according to the Federal Reserve.  The Labor Department announced that unemployment insurance claims fell for the third week to the lowest since July 2008.  All good news!!
With all that said, more jobs means higher … (0 comments)

Monterey County Real Estate..Great Investment Opportunities - 04/20/11 03:57 PM
Monterey County Real Estate Great Investment Opportunities
 Where Are Prices Now?
 
Where are home values now?  Well, they are about where they were in 1998.  What was your home worth in 1998? You can assume that is is right about at that point.  It is safe to assume that the bubble appreciation is all but wiped out.
 
Reasonable safe housing bets for buyers are on lower end homes...in Monterey County, that would be any home priced under $400,000.  One wants to look in areas with low crime rates, good school districts with rents that start at what your house payment would be. 
 Investors: … (0 comments)

Scam Artist Victimizes Monterey County Residents - 04/18/11 06:05 PM
Scam Artist Victimizes Monterey County Residents

Local residents who are looking for a rental property are being targeted by a scam artist who is posing as the owner of vacant properties.  He breaks in and poses as the owner.  Takes a credit report, application, seems legitimate, collects rent and deposits...then when the renter goes to move in, the keys do not work.
The man posts ads on Craigslist and goes by the name of Miguel Fernandez.  He is described as Hispanic, about 5 foot 7, and about 190 pounds.  He appears to be about 35 years old.   He has many tattoos … (2 comments)