Are banks any better to work with compared to last year? - 04/22/09 01:09 AM
I was hoping that banks had improved their attitudes and would start working with homeowners to keep them in their homes, but it doesn't seem to me like much has changed.  I still feel like either they or the loan servicers are more eager to foreclosure which only contributes to the problems in the housing and economic sector.   I am curious on how others are feeling.  Have things been better for those of you trying to negotiate a short sale?  I do hear some good stories occasionally, but the majority are bad where the banks or servicers are being total jerks … (0 comments)

Check out this one-sold - successful negotiation of short sale with 2 lenders and closing in one month - 04/22/09 12:55 AM

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Moving to Bend, Oregon - 04/17/09 01:22 AM
I moved to Oregon 24 years ago from Los Angeles.  I moved to Corvallis, then moved to Central Oregon in 2000.  If you are moving from California, I can tell you all the pros and cons of relocating here and will be very honest and helpful.  Please feel free to call on me with questions about relocating from California as I have experienced it first hand and helped others do the same thing.  My biggest adjustment was not that it was colder, but sunshine.  If you grew up in the sunshine, you will miss it if you move to the Willamette … (0 comments)

Loans for people who have lost homes-still at it - 04/16/09 10:32 PM
Thanks everyone for your comments.  I decided to write my Senator explaining my story and what I am observing, as well as the thoughts about creating a new order and rescuing homeowners instead of throwing money at the old order (banks) whose demise is inevitable.  The more I think about it, the more I feel it would be a stimulus to the economy as well as a good thing.  Everything is a chain reaction in economics, particularly when housing is involved and if the 30% of Bend's market in short sales and foreclosures could be occupied by people who have lost … (0 comments)

More on loans for people who have lost homes - 04/15/09 01:51 AM
Yeah, the more I think about it, the better it sounds.  And for proof of income, letters from landlords and copies of bank statements and the usual.  A lot of people are renting their homes to these people because they can't sell, so this would free up the existing owners as well who may need to sell because they have moved and then they can buy something and it keeps going on and on.   This would be real progress and a new order of things.  I think I am going to write to my congressman about this.  I am one of … (0 comments)

Loans for people who have lost their homes? - 04/15/09 01:05 AM
I was just thinking about a search I ran of homes under $150k and had a thought:  There are many people out there who have lost their homes and are paying much more in rent than that what these mortgage payments would be on homes under $150k.  If they are sitting around and 30% of our current market is foreclosures and short sales, wouldn't it be a good idea for the government to develop a financing program that allows these people to get home loans when their credit has been shot by a foreclosure, provided, of course, that they qualify income … (4 comments)

Wow, can't believe how Bend prices have dropped! - 04/15/09 12:56 AM
Today I ran a search of stick built homes priced $150k or less in zip code 97701 and there were 43 listings!  I remember looking hard to find one or two listings under $250k not so long ago.   I wish I had money to buy a few houses now.  At $150k, they would pencil as rentals.  MLS statistics for the past couple of months are showing a lot of activity in this price range.  I don't want to sound like a cheeseball, but now really is a good time to buy if you have money.   These times are really insane-I have … (0 comments)

Link to Home Buying and Selling Tips - 04/09/09 12:17 AM
This is pretty cool with links to short sales and foreclosures as well.  It gives you info on financing and the different types of loans, what to expect and watch out for in short sales and foreclosures.  It is good, useful information for these times.  It also has useful links to other information on about.com.
http://homebuying.about.com/od/financingadvice/qt/
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Should you rent or buy a home-an interesting calculator - 04/09/09 12:15 AM
I thought this was a pretty cool site.  It has you put in your data to determine whether it is more prudent to buy or rent.  Yes, even a good realtor will tell you if you should wait on buying a house.  I would not want someone to get into something they can't afford and it is best to go to some independent site like this that has no interest in selling you a home or loan to get good free advice.
http://www.ginniemae.gov/rent_vs_buy/rent_vs_buy_calc.asp?Section=YPTH
 
Enjoy
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Link to Deschutes County Tax Assessor records - 04/09/09 12:14 AM
This is a great site for searching the details on a property you might be interested in.  You can search by owner name, by street address, by subdivision name, to name just a few.  You can also see permit history to make sure additions or the house itself was built with permits-yes there are some additions and homes built without permits.  You can also see sales history which is very useful as well.
http://www.co.deschutes.or.us/index.cfm?objectid=1C6CA4A4-BDBD-57C1-91A76F3469866079
 
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Alternative economic and political news websites - 04/08/09 10:50 PM
I have watched some of the people from some alternative news sites on PBS and really enjoy seeing different perspectives on today's economic and political issues.  Things are so confusing and believe it or not, there are some independent journalists out there who write the truth.  The key is independence.  Thought I'd share some of my favorites:
http://dir.salon.com/topics/news/
http://bailoutsleuth.com/
http://www.democracynow.org/
 
 
 
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Check this out - 04/08/09 10:23 PM

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MARIA PEACE, M.B.A., G.R.I.

Bend, OR

More about me…

MORGAN & ASSOCIATES REALTY BEND

Address: 2955 N Hwy 97 Ste 200 , BEND, OR, 97701

Office Phone: (541) 350-2314

Cell Phone: (541) 350-2314

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