John Occhi's Real Estate Blog - The Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, CA

CAUTION: How To Scam a REALTOR® & Gain MLS Access is Circulating on the Internet

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:34:47 -0600

Hello fellow REALTORS® and Real Estate Agents. This is a post Urging EXTREME CAUTION. Please Re-Blog and Let as Many Know about this as Possible.

As an REO Listing Agent I belong to several different sites with resources for real estate investors and as a result, I receive numerous web based newsletters, sent to my email box almost daily. While most of the information is relevant and helps me with my real estate business as I work and sell my listings to real estate investors in the Hemet - San Jacinto, CA Valley...every now and then I get a good chuckle...and every now and then I get a good scare.

THIS IS THE GOOD SCARE

One such web based newsletter published an article, "How to Get MLS Access Without a License" that starts off by saying: "So here's one undeniable fact for anyone in the real estate biz: Access to the Realtor's MLS = Power."

In a nutshell, the plan is to find an agent to help with offer submission and allowing the investor to do the MLS work and the process is to become an unlicensed assistant and thereby gaining access to the MLS. This is FRAUD against your Association and the MLS - Against all the rules that can have your license yanked.

Please read the article - it is not long. The article is a detailed blueprint on how to get an agent to grant the investor access to the MLS through the Agents own account...even if access is controlled with a password generator FOB as it is throughout most of California.

The scary part is I could see this working all day long...but it will only work if we and our brokers allow it to work

Please be careful...this is my livelihood you are playing with.

John

PS - If you fall for this trickery, you are not only granting access to the search functions of the MLS but open and unchecked access to your listings...and the combo for every listing in the MLS. Don't Do It!

Until Next Time, Have a Blessed Day,

John Occhi, ePRO & Five Star Certified REO REALTOR®
www.JohnOcchi.Com
Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, CA
The Excellence in Real Estate Team @
Allison James Estates & Homes
2281 W. Esplande Ave, #102-B
Next to "Starbucks"
San Jacinto CA 92582
(951) 654-5550

This blog and the contents written here is the intellectual property of John Occhi, Hemet - San Jacinto Valley REALTOR® in the South West Riverside County region of the Inland Empire of Southern California. The views and opinions expressed are just that - views and opinions of John Occhi and those who comment. Please note that I am not an attorney or a tax professional and any time I discuss either topic, I suggest you consult with the proper professional for relevant assistance.

This blog is part of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, which is a social network highlighting the best of Web 2.0. Information is provided with the intent of educating and assisting home owners, home sellers, home buyers and real estate investors with information the can be used to make better real estate decisions.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Bathrooms You Won't Find in Grants Pass, Oregon!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:44:22 -0600

Real Estate, by its very nature will expose some very unusual quirks of the human mind.

I mean seriously, who sits down and figures this stuff out?

Just take a look at what my fellow blogger Melinda Peterson came up with...I find it all very surreal. Please tell me what you think...

Via Melinda Peterson Grants Pass Southern Oregon Real Estate Cafe (Real Estate Cafe):

Bathrooms You Won't Find in Grants Pass, Oregon!

Here is a picture of a public toilet in Houston, Texas.

Now that you've seen the outside view,

take a look at the inside view...

It's made entirely of one-way glass!
No one can see you from the outside,

but inside, it's like sitting in a clear glass box!
Now would you go? COULD YOU...?

Imagine you are at a party on the 10th floor of a hi-rise building...
You have to visit the bathroom... You open the door...

This is just a painted floor. But wouldn't this mess with your mind?

Would you be able to walk into this bathroom?

Bathrooms You Won't Find in Grants Pass, Oregon!
Melinda Peterson, Broker/Owner

Real Estate Cafe

Grants Pass, Oregon ~ Southern Oregon Real Estate

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

An Offering for Your Real Estate Marketing Toolkit: 45 Blog Directories

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:04:19 -0600

Rebecca D. Levinson is a real estate marketing consultant with 17 years of experience serving real estate industry professionals. I just recently found her blog and am amazed at the resources she shares with the REALTOR public...I can only imagine what she can do if anyone hires her.

My thought to any agents out there on the verge of taking their business to the next level should seriously consider a consultation with Rebecca...my guess is it will be well worth your time!

Via Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing Consultant (Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision):

An Offering For Your Real Estate Marketing Toolkit:

45 Blog Directories

blogarama.com

blogaz

blogcatalog.com

blogexplosion.com

blogfinds.com

blogflux.com

bloghop.com

blogio.net

blogged.com

bloggeries.com

bloggernity.com

bloggerschoiceawards.com

bloggingfusion.com

bloghub.com

blogion.com

bloglisting.net

blogs.botw.org

blogsbywomen

blogs2c.com

blogscanada

blogsearch

blog-search.com

blogsearchengine.com

blogtoplist.com

dmoz.org

EatonWeb Blog Directory

feedburner.com

getblogs.com

geoblogdirectory.com

iblogbusiness.com

icerocket.com

joeant.com

mkeonline.com

myblog2u.com

nycbloggers.com

poddop.com

real-estate-blogs.com

realtyfeedsearch.com

regator.com

search4blogs.com

spillbean.com

technorati.com

us.loadedweb.com

thevital.net

yahoo.com Directory

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

35 Places to List your Real Estate Business Online for Local Search

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:54:13 -0600

Rebecca D. Levinson is a real estate marketing consultant with 17 years of experience serving real estate industry professionals. So when she posted this list I sat up and paid attention.

Now I have my own list that my marketing manager posts all of our listings to and yes several of them are here...but there are more here that I don't recognize that will be added to our list and start receiving posts next week.

HINT

The real value of ALL these directories and locations to post listings on is not that I will get business from each one of them. Yes, I will accept all legitimate business that comes my way, but the real value is the links coming from all of these sites...all one way and highly desirable links. This is just good search engine optimization.

Via Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing Consultant (Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision):

35 Places to List your Real Estate Business Online for Local Search

BestofCitySearch- Nominate and vote for local businesses. Free

BestoftheWeb Local- Business Listing allows contact information, hours of operation, consumer reviews, about us. Free

CitySearch- Directory of local services. Can create ads and set a budget. Citysearch has a Mobile App for IPhone, a mobile app forBlackberry, and Palm Pre.- PAID Set a Budget.

CitySquares.com- List your Business profile. Free

Dex Knows- Local Search Listing- Paid

DiscoverourTown- Lists local businesses and city facts. Free

elocallisting-Optimized local business search marketing campaigns- Paid subscription fees. Need to register for information.

GenieKnows- Business Directory. Free

Geofollow-Location based twitter directory. Free

GetFave.com- Register your business listing, add maps, video, content. Free

Google Local Business Center- List your business on Google maps and add photos and video- Free

Hotfrog- U.S. Online Business Directory. Free

iBegin.com- Business listings for Canada and the U.S.; Geocoding.- Free

Insider Pages- Register your business listing. Free

Kudzu- Basic profile listing is free includes all contact information, link to website, hours of operation, and can respond to reviews.

Judy's Book- Contact to be part of Beta Group under Partners.

JustRealEstate.org- Contact for a business lising. Paid

Local.com- Local Directory of Businesses.-Free

Local Tweeps- Zipcode Level Twitter Directory. Free

Matchpoint.com- Submit your business listing and respond to RFP's. Receive Leads with Call Tracking and Management.-Free

Merchant Circle- List your business, add a blog, description, create coupons, network with local businesses, answer questions from consumers. Free

Metrobot- Submit a business listing. Free

Mojopages- Business listings for free with notification of user reviews and can also invite customers to review. Free

SeekOn- Submit site for a business listing. Free

Switchboard.com- Powered by Superpages.com. Business listings. Free

Topix- Single city business listings are free. Free

Trulia- Real Estate Listing Directory- List your real estate business, services, listings, local profile. Trulia pro accounts $19-$79/month

Twellowhood- Local Twitter Directory. Free

Tyloon- Business Listings for Free. Free

YellowBot- Local Search Site with user reviews. Free

Weblocal.ca- Canadian local search site with user reviews and video upload. $199 signup fee and $89monthly fee

Yelp- Reputation Management by user reviews. List your business. Recommend other local businesses. Free

Zillow- Register your local business. Free

ZoomInfo- Create your business profile and have people find you for new business opportunities. You can also register here to be notified when you can list your company...an upcoming ZoomInfo feature. Free

If you enjoyed this post then check out,

An Offering for Your Real Estate Marketing Toolkit: 45 Blog Directories

Subscribe to BloggingIn The Rain, A Real Estate Marketing Blog

****************************************************

Rebecca D. Levinson is a real estate marketing consultant with 17 years of experience serving real estate industry professionals.

If you need assistance with online marketing, offline marketing, social networking, or blogging contact Rebecca D. Levinson at #262-203-5231 or email rebecca@bloggingintherain.com.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Indicted San Jacinto Developer Just Listed His 30 Acre Estate

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:51:22 -0600

Indicted San Jacinto Developer Just Listed His 30 Acre Estate

San Jacinto, CA has been the hotbed of local political news with 4 of our 5 City Council Members under indictment for various campaign and money laundering issues. In addition to our politicians, 4 others were also indicted including local developer, Robert Osborne the president of Osborne Development Corp.

The 69 year old developer facing 90 different counts, including 25 felonies.

Osborne Development has built many local tracts of some of the better homes in the valley and also has extensive land holdings in the Hemet San- Jacinto Valley, CA. Currently, the company has homes available for sale in 2 neighborhoods in Hemet and two more in San Jacinto with a 5^th in nearby unincorporated Winchester with homes ranging in size from 1,251 sq ft to 3,366 square feet.

This story is about his 29.79 acre (per the Assessor records) ranch just up the street from my office at 805 N. Sanderson, known as Rancho De Milagro. When driving by it is hard to imagine the splendor on the other side of the walls. The local residents I spoke with were not even aware there was a private 5 acre lake there that is stocked with a variety of different species of fish.

Check out what an expired MLS Listing had to say about the place:

Welcome to Rancho De Milagro: A 30 acre luxury Horse Ranch Estate! Rounding the circular driveway, past the fountain and crossing the threshold, you'll enter this 3BR 2BA 2900 Sq ft Custom built Ranch Home, complete w/a gourmet kitchen housing custom cabinets, granite counters, stainless appliances & breakfast bar. An extended family room w/lake front viewing w/wall to wall custom windows. Detached office/lounge appx.1788 sq ft, outdoor kitchen w/bar & BBQ.3 RV hookups(elec, water, sewer, satellite TV),5 acre lake stocked w/a variety of fish in addition to several smaller ponds throughout the property, lighted show arena,5 stall custom barn w/tack room, covered/lighted 60~ round pen,3 large turn outs,9 stall covered Mare Motel,5 foaling stalls, hay barn has 24x72 concrete slab.3 irrigated pastures, Diverse ridding trails for even the most skillful rider. 3/4 Acre park w/patios, walk ways, horse shoe pit, and BBQ area. Property is fully fenced and landscaped beyond compare! Truly one of a kind, you MUST see!

The ranch has only been active in the MLS since this past Tuesday, the 17^th of November just a few days after last week's indictments were handed down in court on Thursday the 12^th. The seller has dropped their price by more than a million dollars - showing up in the MLS for $2,950,000 after it had been listed in the MLS and cancelled on June 16^th, 2009 by an out-of-area agent for the bargain price of $3,999,000. The current price still is a bit steep for me at $100,000 an acre and only has a 3 bedroom house.

ISSUES WITH THE TITLE

Now anyone who has investigated real estate at all knows very well that there are often errors posted. Remember the saying GIGO - Garbage In - Garbage Out. Well that definitely holds true with public records.

Now I'm not saying there is a problem here - only that questions are raised when I look at the basic information available to me, as a REALTOR® through a service provided by the MLS, known as ReaList.

When I click on the APN number in the MLS printout the RealList report opens in a new window. The first thing I notice is the RED FLAG that says "BANK OWNED SALE". This means the bank has already taken it back, yet the MLS Shows the property as a STANDARD SALE which means the owner is selling it and it is not under any distress, such as a Notice of Default or other proceeding.

The MLS says that the actual living space of the home is a 3 bedroom 2 bath home with an estimated 2,900 square feet, built in 2004. The ReaList report agrees with MOST of this, but says it is only 2,450 sq ft. So my question is did the builder/developer/owner commit some sort of other FRAUD in the plans and built it out larger than represented on all of the county and state paperwork in order to have the property taxes assessed for the lower square footage - it's lik3 17% difference. I'd like to pay 17% less property taxes...anyone else?

SO WHO IS THE OWNER

According to the MLS, again, in the spot for the owners name it just says OWNER...OK, I can accept that. Lets, however, look at the "sales history' as reported by the county assessor to ReaList.

The earliest record available on this report is dated 1/23/2003 when Robert E. Osborne purchased the property from Rancho Kasanka for $275,000 - which is the last recorded Market Sale...except in the Last Market Sale section of the reports it appears as if Rancho Kasanka sold the property to Randy Schwetzer. Remember this name, it comes up again.

The following June (2004) Robert did a "Quit Claim Deed" adding his wife (I presume) Patricia A. Osborne to the title followed by placing it in the Osborne Trust, on the same date with another Quit Claim Deed.

Then on January 27, 2005 the property once again was transferred with a Quit Claim Deed to an outfit known as REO Investments, LLC (I have not yet been able to find out anything about this organization).

Just over a month later another Quit Claim was recorded transferring interest from Robert E. Osborne JR (first time this shows up) and Kelly (could this be a son and daughter-in-law?). Once again multiple transfers on the same day then moved the title to the Osborne R&K Trust.

Now I am all confused because the REO Investment LLC recorded a GRANT DEED transferring their interest to the City of San Jacinto and another Grant Deed on February 17^th, 2009 back to Randy Schweitzer, who apparently is a local businessman.

There are several questions that beg for answers...

First, who is Randy Schweitzer and REO Investment, LLC?

Second, if the property was transferred to REO Investments, LLC in January 2005 how did it end up in the name of Robert E. Osborne Jr. 5 weeks later?

Third, if in the name of Junior, then how could REO Investment transfer the property to the City of San Jacinto in July 2008 and then again BACK to Randy Schweitzer in February of this year?

Fourth is the big question...what the heck happened in July of last year when the property was transferred to the City of San Jacinto...which coincidently is in the time frame that all of the voter fraud was allegedly taking place??? And Why Does the City NOT Show Up On Title Today?

Is anyone else confused? Well take a look at the short video and see what all the fuss is over.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Enough with the Milestones...Did I really reach another one this quick?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:51:40 -0600

It seem like just a couple of weeks ago that I spent hours into my 500th post, when I published 500 and Still Swinging... and wasn't it just a few days ago when I hit the 200,000 point plateau on ActiveRain when I published Another ActiveRain Milestone: Another ActiveRain Milestone: 200,000 Points.

And here I am at 600! Yikes, I need a life

ActiveRain has been good for me and to me - no doubt about it and yes, I feel as if I may have let my obsessive compulsive nature take over by blogging just a bit...but glad to be here and glad to have published such a body of work. Who knows, maybe there is a book in me waiting to get out.

I don't know about that...in the meantime I'll continue to blog about what is important to me, my readers and my community. When I realize that I am reaching a milestone I guess I'll add a blurb about it - not that this is a significant milestone but at some point it may allow me to track my progress...who knows.

Can anyone besides me remember the animated character from the '60's "Mr Natural" who coined the phrase "Keep on Truckin"...well, Mr Hemet is going to Keep on Bloggin!

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

New Video Program is for the DOGS!

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:07:45 -0600

There is a new video program that I tried out a couple of weeks ago for free. They allow you 30 second videos with about a dozen pictures...and of course the viedeo is branded Animoto.

There is a pretty incredible professional version available for aboutr $250. I did not want to commit to it until after I came back from NAR - as I wanted to see al of the new technology on the market.

Well, yesterday I took the plunge and signed up. It has been fun playing with. This will be very useful both for business as well as personal.

Here is a short video I put together of my puppies...A German Sheppard, a Dalmation and a Pair of Golden Retrievers.

This is not great - this was my fist video.

Next I put together a compiliation of numerous REO Bank Onwed Homes that I have sold in the last month or so...

All I can say is it got better.

Then today, my Marketing Manager played around to show me what we really bought into ...and with this I am finally impressed.

Looks like I have a new toy to play with befor Christmas gets here...lots of ideas going through my head to make the most of this modest investment.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

FHA 203K Streamline Renovation/Purchase

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:41:56 -0600

Ken Cook is one of those lenders that lives and works just a little too far to be convenient...yes, I know and understand the information age and that distance is only a concept...

With that being said, Ken does an excellent job of explaining the merits of an FHA 203K loan...which is a loan to rehab properties...an excellent vehicle for those looking to buy and own a bank owned fixer.

Although he does not cover this point, but the 203K, like any other FHA Loan is for owner occupied homes only...this is not a tool for investors

Via Ken Cook, FHA Home Loans 678-439-8683:

So you or your client have found a home in a great area in the client's price range. Only one problem: it's in bad shape. The HVAC system is 50 years old, the roof is 40 years old and the windows may as well not even be closed. Plus the kitchen has vinyl floors in 3 different patterns and the counters are all laminate with burns and holes and scars.

Not to fear! Meet the FHA 203K Streamlined renovation loan.

Eligible Improvements Virtually any kind of improvement is eligible provided it becomes a permanent part of the real property and adds value.

Additions to the structure

Kitchen or bath remodels

Finished basement or attic

Patios, decks or terraces

Roofing and landscaping

Safety, energy efficiency and electrical upgrades

Handicapped accessibility improvements

Luxuryitems are not eligible

Swimming pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, gazebos, barbecue pits, saunas or alterations to support commercial use

The maximum loan amount must be within the FHA loan amount maximum for the MSA where the home is located and must include the purchase price and the renovation amount. The maximum renovation amount is $35,000 and the minimum is $5,000. Under $5,000 we can do with an escrow of repair funds. A minimum of 10% contingency reserve is required and must also fit into the FHA loan maximums for the area where the property is located. (Any balance remaining on the contingency will be applied to the principal balance and may not be used for additional repairs.)

Yes, it takes a little longer to close an FHA203k Streamline loan than it does to close a standard FHA loan. If you are an agent and you are concerned about that extra couple of weeks just think of it this way: You may make a sale you would not have otherwise made. You may help a buyer get into a home in the area where they wanted to live instead of where they "had" to live. You can be a real hero for someone.

If you are in Georgia I can help you with the necessary paperwork and give you a short class in how to use the FHA 203K Streamline Rehab loan to purchase, sell or represent homes in today's economy. Never hesitate to call me at any time and I'll be happy to answer your questions.

Ken Cook - Georgia - FHA, USDA, VA and Conventional Home Loans (678) 439-8683

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Look Out San Jacinto CA – I see Vultures Circling

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:22:00 -0600

San Jacinto, CA may be having more than its fair share of problems with the recent indictments of 4 of the 5 City Council Members - to include our Mayor and five others. I am not here to condemn. Convict or even pardon the actions of the accused.

Let's remember, they are only accused. Have you never been wrongfully accused at some time in your life? I know I had. At one point in my life I took the attitude that if the accusation is made then there must be some thread of truth to the charges. All I'm going to say it is downright scary what vindictive people can cook up and how lies can turn to truths before you know it.

So yes, this is AMERICA where innocence is GUARANTEED to be PRESUMED until PROVEN GUILTY and I as a Proud American and Citizen of San Jacinto, CA will do my part to ensure that the accused benefit from this core belief of who we are, as a free and democratic nation.

Regardless of what anyone says, myself included, it is all an exercise in futility if the current Council members do not either step down or are convicted of a felony...remember they are presumed to be innocent until they are proven guilty.

It seems that as a sleepy little farm town in the midst of a transition to the suburbs that we should be able to figure out how we want our city to progress. The scary news is that there are some very aggressive individuals pushing self serving agendas in the public forums.

Most of what I have heard has been from outside the city...almost as vultures circling overhead getting ready to swoop in for the kill.

The fist disturbing suggestion published in the local newspaper was for the city and Riverside County to defer to the governor to appoint any board seats, as they open up. I think this is so wrong because it takes us right back to the problem of political influence. I doubt if the Governor has ever actually been in San Jacinto let alone have any real understanding of our local issues...nor does he really care as a lame duck Governor.

The argument for this thinking was presented as a purely economical one, considering the cost of a special election. The election process could be compounded if each of the four Council Members decided to step down independently with weeks or even months between the announcements.

Even more frightening is the talk of combining Hemet with San Jacinto as a single city and eliminates the duplicate costs of running dual municipalities. The talk of a merger is seen as a good thing for those in Hemet who, in my opinion, have done a pretty good job of running their city into near bankruptcy and squandering their land use opportunities.

So in essence, the City of Hemet is near broke and has very little land left to develop once the market turns and opens up again. Meanwhile, the City of San Jacinto, who has been very progressive and well planned thanks mostly due to our current and previous City Council Members, stands on the threshold of major development and improvements. The City has the money to do what it both wants and needs to do...and the best part there is an abundance of undeveloped land that does not need to be annexed.

So I would like the local press to do their job and report what it is suppose to report and not use its resources to stir the hornets' nest and make more trouble than we already have. Let us, the people who live and work in San Jacinto take care of our own house...we are more than capable and don't need the old school Hemet political machine stepping in looking for a meal to devour.

I wrote an earlier article on this topic you may find interesting.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

NEW REO Listing - 41408 Thornton Ave, Hemet CA 92544

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:29:28 -0600

Have a new listing for a bank owned REO home for sale that just went on the market - it has been very popular with agents wanting to see it...

Home is located just a block away from Hemet High School

Here are the comments I put in the MLS:

Well taken care of East Hemet Ranch Style Home located only 1 block from California Distinguished School, Hemet High School in a very desirable area of the local valley. This home is actually in the unincorporated area of Riverside County. You will be impressed from the curb with the low maintenance rock-scape which is continued throughout the backyard. When entering the front door, you ll be delighted with the custom stained glass sidelight as you make your way into the foyer, illuminated with its overhead skylight. To the left is the passage to the 3 spacious bedrooms and to the right you ll enter the oversized living room which will flow and carry you back to the family room, and gourmet galley kitchen with its gas cooktop and double oven set-up. When going outside to enjoy the views, you ll relax on your concrete patio with the overhead cover. This really is one of those rare finds that will not last in this current market. Please hurry before this one is gone too...

Enjoy this short 26 second video...

This is a 3 Bedroom 2 Bath home with a 2 car attached garage, offering direct garage access and 1,427 square feet of living space on a lot with 7,405 sq ft. (0.17 acres) This ranch style home was built in 1985. According to the MLS the last time it was sold, it had a new roof, new air conditioner, furnace and a new hot water heater installed.

The back yard has a nice covered patio. Both the front and back yard have low-maintenance rock-scape.

The real estate market has seen lots of sales almost as quick as they come on the market - for more information on the Hemet Real Estate market, please see the subscription widget for AltosResearch and have a free analysis of the market sent to you every week.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Political Corruption in My Town; or... San Jacinto, CA...what have we done?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:38:38 -0600

Last week San Jacinto CA was thrust into the national headlines as a hotbed of political corruption when 80% of the standing City Council - including our mayor, three local prominent business leaders, an elected official of the school district and a pastor from a Northern California church where charged hundreds of times with both felony and misdemeanor indictments.

The charges have mostly to do with a failed attempt of one of the council members desire to seek higher office in the State Assembly. The charges cover a wide assortment of accusations which include but may not be limited to conspiracy, bribes, money laundry, tax fraud, perjury and last but not least filing false government documents. Some of these guys are looking at up to 26 years in prison.

If you want the juicy details, this is not the place - follow the link above for a Google Search that will keep you informed with the blow-by-blow, as this story continues to unfold.

Lets Not Condemn...

I'd like to start by saying that until July of this year, when I moved to San Jacinto I have had a Hemet mailing address but lived in Valle Vista, an unincorporated community at the far east end of the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley. I opened my local real estate branch office in May of this year and moved into a new home in the city, July of this year. So I know San Jacinto as a neighbor looking in and now as a full time business owner and resident. If there is a slant in my opinion it is of love for this community.

As Americans, we all know that we are presumed innocent until proven guilty and that is why we here words like ‘alleged' and ‘accused' whenever we watch ‘Law & Order' or ‘CSI' on TV. Well, these people are not to be condemned just because they have been accused. I myself have been wrongly accused in the past and the implications can be very stressful when considering the possibilities of a final outcome that may well be beyond your control.

Actually, I have the utmost respect for what they have accomplished as a group. I do not know any of them personally other than having had breakfast with Jim Potts at a Chamber breakfast a couple of months back. Mr. Potts is a retired real estate broker and we certainly had a lot in common. I enjoyed the conversation. I even had some questions answered about road developments and future construction projects pending to take place in the city.

I also know, on a very low key level, one of the other accused - Nancy Ayres the wife of accused City Council Member Jim Ayres. Aside from being the San Jacinto Unified School District board member she is also the Executive Director of the San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce of which I am a member of the past 2 months.

I was talking about respect for the accomplishments that this group of civic leaders has accomplished by transforming this sleepy farm town that I first saw when I moved to the valley in 1998 to the robust suburban community it is today. These men had vision and were able to get some really great things done. For this, I respect every one of them.

WHAT NOW?

There is one City Council member who apparently always felt like an outsider and had little idea of what the other four were up to, according to his interviews I've read in the news. Councilman Steve De Memmo is the only member of the San Jacinto City Council that is NOT under indictment. The Councilman is a retired U.S. Department of the Treasury law enforcement agent.

Councilman De Memmo met with Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone to discuss options over the weekend, as reported again in the local news. Apparently there is nothing to do until either a standing Councilmember either resigns or is convicted - either by trial or plea agreement. One a vacancy opens up then there are two choices - the city calls for a special election or the governor can appoint a replacement to serve the remaining term. It is my understanding that two seats are currently scheduled to be voted on by the public in November 2010 and the other two in November 2012.

According to the news release, both Councilman De Memmo and Supervisor Stone would recommend that Governor Schwarzenegger make the necessary appointments when the time is appropriate.

SHOULD THEY STAY OR SHOULD THEY GO?

This is a tough call to make. As I said early on I do not think of them as guilty and certainly I will not condemn any of the accused here in my blog.

With that being said I do believe they need to resign - collectively. They have a whole bucket of trouble they are dealing with and whatever they do from this point forward will be done under a cloud of suspicion - at best. Working under this type of cloud cannot be good for the city

The legal troubles they have will undoubtedly consume much of their internal fortitude and be a distraction to the business of running the City of San Jacinto. It is my personal opinion that they should do the right thing and step down.

The other issue the accused should consider is their overall public posture. Most of us can remember when OJ Simpson led the authorities on a slow speed chase down the 405 Freeway when he was apprehended and there were not many who thought he was guilty...even though he was arrested at that point.

Then as the trial unfolded, most of us remember when the defense attorney had OJ try on the glove that did not fit and shout out, "If it don't fit, you must acquit". Well as it turns out, by that point nearly everyone I knew had already convicted OJ - even though he was finally acquitted and found ‘not guilty' of all the charges against him. Because OJ was such a public figure, we were all enthralled with what was taking place. On the other hand if he had not been such a public figure, none of us would have really cared very much about that trial or any of his subsequent legal problems.

My point is that as long as the Council Members remain in office they will be in the public spotlight and under very close scrutiny and opinions will form at every turn of events. Should they take the high road and resign their positions I am certain that they will have a much clearer head that will allow them to focus on their legal troubles...and if acquitted then by all means come back and claim their positions in the Council if the people of San Jacinto want them back. After all, they are here to serve the people and not their own needs.

APPOINTMENT vs. ELECTION

I suppose both alternatives have their pluses and minuses

The reasoning for supporting the political appointee is purely fiscal - both the Councilman and Supervisor say it will be too expensive for the city to run a special elections.

I say the City of San Jacinto needs to lick its own wounds and not be governed with a Council that could potentially include four political appointees from a lame duck Governor that already has more than his share of problems that he is facing in his own Sacramento arena with the State Legislature.

The residents of the City of San Jacinto need to demand an election and find new Council Members that can put the interest of the city before their own.

If those accused insist on remaining in office, then I believe there should be a grass roots movement to recall the four accused Council Member as well as the School Board member. San Jacinto should not rely on the best interests of our lame duck governor to decide our future.

I've said my piece...now it's your turn San Jacinto...speak out...

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

If There Are More Appraiser Members Of NAR Than Of Appraisal Institute or All Appraisal Organizations, Then What Does This Mean?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:01:34 -0600

Here is a blog I found that first alerted me to something that I had no idea of...that NAR has more appraisers as members that all of the appraisal organizations combined.

That is mind boggeling.

So then, what does this really mean? Is this even ethical for NAR to accept these members? What influence does this sub-set of membership in MY national association have on the policies of MY association.

Will Appraisal Associations allow agent members? Why would we want to join? Why do so many appraisals want to belong to NAR - after all, for the most part the relationship that should be pursued by an apappraiser is with lenders, right? The only appraisals I have EVER ordered were 'pre-listing' appraisals and those I can count on one hand.

There are more questions, I'm sure when I sleep on it, I'll have a totally different perspective but right now I am a bit confused.

Via William D. Cobb FHA Home Appraiser (Accurate Valuations Group):

http://www.realestateappraisertips.info/ - If There Are More Appraiser Members Of NAR Than Of Appraisal Institute or All Appraisal Organizations, Then What Does This Mean?

First, Please follow Bud Hunsucker @uspap on Twitter. Bud also runs the CompuTaught in Atlanta providing Online Appraisal Education Nationally. I plan on enrolling in CompuTaught for my last class needed in 2009.

This morning I found this interesting tweet from Bud, "More Appraisers members of NAR than of the App Institute, or all the other appraisal organizations combined!" There is no link to click within the tweet to find out more.

My question is this: What's the relevance of this statement? Please don't take me wrong as I am not criticizing Bud at all as he's going somewhere with this statement and so am I. First, is there more appraiser members of NAR because our local MLS Boards force appraisers to join both them and NAR for MLS Access, thereby making us pay NAR approx. $400/year for membership and the local board about $35/month for MLS Access? Or is it that the NAR's "Appraisal Section" has more members than all combined? I think not. I did a quick search for "RAAs" with NAR's Appraisal Section and found that there are only 6 in AL, 7 in LA and 27 in TX. For Appraisal Institute (A.I.) SRAs, there are 56 in AL, 70 in LA and 338 in TX. So, the answer would be no, there isn't more NAR Appraisal Section appraisers than A.I. appraisers.

Should we as appraisers be looking to NAR as our "Appraisal Organization"? Especially since we're already paying them $400/year for membership, about the same dues A.I. members pay.....except A.I. members have to pay $400 twice to A.I. and NAR. After all, NAR is the lobby on Capital Hill helping to keep the appraisal orders flowing in the appaiser's direction.

But, would it be a conflict of interest for the NAR to be our appraisal organization? Isn't that kind of like letting the fox in the appraiser's hen house? Bye Bye Appraiser Independence! After all, the purpose of HVCC was to create a buffer between Appraisers and Realtors® and Appraisers and Lenders.

Organization...or the lack thereof. I think what Bud is trying to accomplish is to get appraisers thinking more about organizing, especially since their lack of organization and infighting amongst themselves, as a whole, has led to them to having very little representation....not near the representation as the NAR. No, I am not saying that the our Organizations and States have just sat on the rear-ends on representation. R. Wayne Pugh, MAI, in Baton Rouge and past President of A.I., did help residential appraisers during his term as President and also helped author and pass the Louisiana AMC Regulation Bill. During his Presidency, he also held a monthly breakfast with the Louisiana Chapter of A.I. to keep them updated. I know this because my dad, William F. Cobb, MAI, attended those breakfasts.

Valuation 2009's Message To Appraisers: Organize, Period! Part of the message at Valuation 2009 was that appraisers must organize to survive, PERIOD! How do we accomplish this? Do we merge all organizations into One or Two Major Appraisal Organizations? Your Thoughts and/or Opinions?

So, what the "Real Estate Appraiser Tip", Bill? Find A Way To Organize! Get Involved in directing your appraisal future! Join A Respected and influential Appraisal Organization!

So, I am applauding Bud Hunsucker for helping us to think about this topic! Be sure to follow @uspap on Twitter.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Virtual RE BarCamp, Tuesday November 17> See You There!

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:52:16 -0600

I just signed up for the VIRTUAL reBar Camp coming up in a couple of days. I followed the links in the article below and saw a pretty amazing line-up of speakers.

The downside for me is that I have a pretty heavy day of commitments already and won't be able to tune in until the last couple of sessions - but that is going to be cool.

I've asked the question, without yet receiving the answer if it will be available for replay after the fact.

Hope you can makes it...

Via Diane Richardson (Macdonald Realty Victoria Inc.):

Educating Real Estate Agents On How To Use Modern Technologies To Better Their Business Will Never Be The Same!

On November 17th, 2009 dozens of the most respected educators in the real estate industry converge to host the first of its kind, Virtual Real Estate BarCamp.

Virtual Real Estate BarCamp is a 1-Day Learning Extravaganza.
From 9am until 4pm PST, three concurrent webinar "rooms" will each host 9 different sessions, for a total of 27 different presentations.
There is something for everyone and everything for someone, and best of all, IT IS FREE and attendance is unlimited!

Click below to:
Register.
Learn more.
See who is coming.
Check out the Session Calendar.
Get sponsorship info.

Attendance is projected to be at least 1000 agents, nationwide.
Do not miss out on being part of this ground-breaking event.

Session topics include:

Social Media Risk Management

Flickr for Real Estate

Developing Your Brand

Online Advertising Secrets

Facebook for Real Estate

WordPress Training

Daily Goal Tracking

Starting a Real Estate Blog

...and much more, with new sessions being added every day.

And if that wasn\'t cool enough, individuals from around the country are volunteering to host In-Real-Life MeetUps for after the event.
Learn all day, and then meet to have a beer with local participants. This is going to be a blast!

We hope to see you there!

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Why Does the Law Care What Escrow Company I Use...and Does it Really Matter?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:16:04 -0600

I just received an email from ReaLegal®, brought to me by the California Association of REALTORS® that an announcement of a form revision.

This post really did start off as a simple review of the form and changes that are now in effect. Read the whole blog and find out that it is much more than that...

The REO Advisory (CAR form REO) has been updated to include the notice that Buyers of REO properties in the State of California (which include the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, CA by default) that they are not required to purchase escrow services or title insurance from any particular company...let alone the company that the seller has previously mandated.

The new law is called the "Buyer's Choice Act" that became effective on October 11^th, 2009 - the day Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed it into law. This new California law is for the convenience of buyers of residential property - up to four units. Personally, I do not think it offers the buyers any type of protection and if anything will actually cause more harm.

From an economic point of view, if the seller is contracting with escrow and title companies for services and insurance - they are doing so on a wholesale level, which in turn reduces the closing costs for the buyers.

The real concern I have is if consumers start insisting on a any they may be dealing with one that has not developed an expertise in this very narrow niche. I say this, because 2 years ago most of the escrow companies that helped me close my REO listings were relatively inexperienced when it came to working with REO's. Today, without exception every REO Escrow we open is like a well oiled machine - it works like clock-work. So "why fix what ain't broken?" My Grandma used to ask me and it's a darn good question right now!

AGENTS EXCLUDED TOO

The other provision the buyers are informed of is that their AGENTS cannot require that a buyer use a particular escrow or title company...even if they have one in-house, as many do.

By using an in-house escrow or title company you can be assured that the needs of the broker are met first and foremost and that this additional service is a huge profit center for them. Hey, there is nothing wrong with profit. In my opinion though, if a Broker is making money on the transaction and then possibly the loan, the escrow and maybe even an ownership interest in the title company than they need to cut some of their fees for the use of the full all-inclusive list of broker services.

CLOSING THOUGHT

I'm not saying this is right and I'm not saying it's wrong and I'm certainly not saying it has been done or that it will be done...but think about this...

A new bank-owned reo listing for a home for sale in San Jacinto is just listed in the MLS and it generates lots of excitement and multiple offers.

The bank considers all of the offers on all aspects of the offers, including price, length of escrow, down-payment, seller contributions, seller concessions and all of the other proposed terms...and narrows it down to two offers that stack up very evenly when looked at side by side...

EXCEPT one wants to use a local escrow affiliated with the buyer's broker that the seller has never done business with in the past and has no idea what their level of REO experience or their efficiency at processing and closing escrows on time and the other asks the seller to pick a company of their choice.

Remember now, the banks and asset managers, who are real people that put their pants on the same way you and I do, have formed relationships...even friendships with escrow officers and title reps that have gone above and beyond through the thick and thin of the last several years and now they get to decide on which offer to accept (remember all is equal). Does it not make sense that the PERSON who makes this decision to ACCEPT YOUR OFFER may lean towards a PERSONAL BIAS and allow them to use the vendors of their choice?

So, for me and my team...when we represent a buyer in an REO transaction for a Hemet - San Jacinto Valley home for sale we will always defer to the sellers choice and be glad when we get our offers accepted.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

FHA Appraisal Expiration ........... Change

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:37:57 -0600

George Souto is one of the foremost experts on all things FHA. He recently posted on his ActiveRain blog about a very significant change with FHA Appraisals that anyone who sells real estate...especially bank owned, or REO, real estate needs to be aware of.

I have a property right now that is falling apart, here in San Jacinto, CA. It was listed at $150,000 and a full price offer was accepted. The FHA Appraisal came back at $122,000. Needless to say, we now need to either reduce the price or limit ourselves to selling cash - and $150K is a high price for this property - not out of line, but the top of what it is worth in the current market.

So read, and understand the significance of this short report...

Via George Souto (McCue Mortgage) FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages CT.:

The third and last change that we have been notified of this week is a change to FHA Appraisal Expiration. FHA Appraisals use to be good for six month, this was both good and bad. Good because if an appraisal was done on a property, and the deal fell apart, the appraisal would still be applicable for a six month period, and the new Buyers/Borrowers would continue to use the same appraisal, because it was attached to the FHA Case Number. Therefore, they were able to save money on an appraisal. The Bad part is that if the reason for the deal falling apart was because of appraisal issues, or the house under appraised, those issues would continue to be a problem for six months, and you could not get away from them by doing a new appraisal.

With this change FHA has reduced the appraisal expiration to 120 days for all existing and new construction properties effective with case numbers assigned on or after Jan 1, 2010. This change aligns FHA with current industry practices.

This again is both good and bad. Good because you are able to replace an appraisal that had issues or under appraised sooner. But likewise it is bad because an appraisal that did not have any issues will now be good for only 120 days in stead of the previous six month.

This concludes the changes that I have to report on for now, but keep in mind that these three changes that I have blogged about, are all Program Changes, there are other changes that have also been made that are Investor Changes. Investor Changes are an additional layer of qualifying requirements that are imposed on by Investor which are over and above those made by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, and USDA. Those changes will differ from Lender to Lender depending on whom the Lender is selling their loans to. The best way to keep up with these changes is by having a good working relationship with a Loan Officer that will keep you up to date on them.

******************************************************************************************************************

Info about the author:

George Souto is a Loan Officer who can assist you with all your FHA, CHFA, and Conventional mortgage needs in Connecticut. George resides in Middlesex County which includes Middletown, Middlefield, Durham, Cromwell, Portland, Higganum, Haddam, East Haddam, Chester, Deep River, and Essex. George can be contacted at (860) 573-1308 or gsouto@mccuemortgage.com

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

It's Called Christmas!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:05:17 -0600

Christmas is a lot of things to a lot of people. I know I usually get really stressed over the holidays trying to juggle family expectations and my own.

Christmas is a time when business slows down in real estate, so there is always the stress of the lack of business.

Christmas is the time when real estate professionals are expected to reach out to their sphere of influence and thank them for past business and referrals with the expectations of future business and referrals.

In many ways, Christmas is just a tough time.

But then we have to remember the "Reason for the Season".

Christ should always come first and foremost...but there are times when he gets lost in my life, I'll admit it now as I will have to admit it on my judgment day.

What I can share is that I will never take the politically correct approach - with anyone - and wish them a 'Happy Holiday' or use the abbreviated spelling with a big fat "X".

So American, God has Blessed this land long enough...now it the time for America to Bless God and remember it's Christmas with a Capital "C"!

God Bless and Merry Christmas!!!

Via Jane Penttinen (Sunstreet Mortgage, LLC - Sr. Loan Officer):

I love this song! A friend sent this to me over the weekend and I just LOVE it! It's Called Christmas with a capital C!!!
I hope every radio station in the country plays this a lot for the next six weeks. It's okay to say "Merry Christmas" and I for one, will not be giving it up.

Jane Penttinen, Sr. Loan Officer

Sunstreet Mortgage, LLC

520-547-4150

If you, your friends or family require the services of a mortgage professional, please don't hesitate to call me. I am never too busy for any of your referrals.

BK090736

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

What Flavor is Your Investor Kool-Aid?

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:03:20 -0600

I met with an investor client for the first time yesterday afternoon after spending a short time on the phone with him, after he found me through my Internet presence (can't be sure, but I think it was from here- ActiveRain).

The REO property he had definitely wanted to see was a newer 4 bedroom home listed in the mid $140's. Unfortunately for him it went into escrow on Friday. Good for me, because it just reinforced what I told him during the week - that good house sell very quickly in this market.

Once we got together, we went over 7 homes that I had picked out, researched and mapped a tour of. As we sat in the office, I realized that he has been going through an hands-on training program presented by a popular TV personality that is making a lot of money flipping homes.

It seems there is a formula for the homes the students are bird-dogging to find that will allow them to pick up homes for 50% to 60% of market value. Of course for it to be a good deal, a popular website that focuses on foreclosures must give it and the area all ‘green arrow'.

I explained it's not that we don't get an occasional deal or two like that in Hemet - San Jacinto. The problem he will find is when they happen, usually the agent of agents close friend/client will have first shot at it and rarely will it ever hit the MLS, as all REO Listing agents are doing good business with Investor Clients.

I then had my conversation about flipping equals cash flow and holding generates true wealth. Now this gentleman has some cash and he has excellent credit - so these issues should not pose a problem. Heck he even already has 3 investment properties including a duplex and a four-plex...so he has some good sense of what is going on in the world of real estate investing.

Because my new client and soon to be new friend (we got along great) had been drinking the guru kool-aid he know about ‘hard money' but thought it was only for flipping. Well this opened up a great discussion that ended with me referring him to my client/friend/hard-money lender Colleen Bigler of Loan Solutions, Inc. who provides hard money loans for longer term strategies - up to 5 years.

The conclusion of this little tale is that my new friend still likes bird-dogging but he also realizes the upside potential of acquiring more property and leveraging his cash with hard money. When we get together next week, we will have a whole new profile of properties to look at and consider.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

SAN JACINTO Announces 6% Grant for FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:34:26 -0600

SAN JACINTO Announces 6% Grant for FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS

This is EXCITING NEWS: San Jacinto, CA. The Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Jacinto just released the final details of the Down Payment Assistance Program which offers a 6% Grant for first time homebuyers.

That's right - 6% which can be used for a combination of down payment assistance and closing costs. The best news is it works in conjunction with the benefits available through the recently enacted bill known as "The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009" and is commonly referred to as the $8,000 First Time Buyer Tax Credit.

HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH

Like any government sponsored program, they can't just give it to everyone - there have to be certain qualifications that have to be met - but let's just say these hoops we have to jump through are big and close to the ground making it very easy for many to pass through without much of a struggle at all.

Perhaps the most difficult will be providing three (yes 3) years of federal tax returns or an Income Tax Affidavit for each year. These forms must be signed with the statement, "This is a true and exact copy of the return submitted to the IRS."

INCOME

The San Jacinto Down Payment Assistance program is designed for those who do not exceed the Median Income for the Inland Empire Region, consisting of both San Bernardino and Riverside Counties by 120%. Here is the breakdown, by family size:

1 Person Household $45,100
2 Person Household $51,600
3 Person Household $58,050
4 Person Household $64,500
5 Person Household $69,650
6 Person Household $74,800
7 Person Household $80,000
8 Person Household $85,150

HOUSING RATIOS

Unlike the Riverside County Down Payment Assistance Program that has very narrow ‘housing ratios' the City of San Jacinto CA program does not have these ratios and therefore will be much easier for most to access.

‘Housing Ratios' are very confusing, but I'll do my best to offer the simple explanation as I understand the program to work. Riverside County had both an upper and a lower income limit where the City of San Jacinto First Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance program only has the upper limits.

EDUCATION

The buyer is required to attend a Home Buyer Education Class prior to the close of escrow. For the time being, most of these classed are held in Riverside although I am in the process of investigating to see if I would be able to host the classes here in San Jacinto. My guess, unless they consider it to be a conflict of interest, that I am more than qualified to teach their course.

At this point I have no additional information on the course - I do not know how many hours they are scheduled for or if there is a moderate fee for the course. I am looking into this and will add the information as soon as I find out more.

THE HOME

The decision as to what home the buyer decides to buy is strictly up to the buyer. The City of San Jacinto is not limiting the program to certain areas of town. It is up for the buyer to do all of their own due diligence and inspections just as they would buy any other home. By the City of San Jacinto making grant money available they are not providing any sort of warranty on the homes purchased.

So, to get the best home possible it is always recommended that you work with a LOCAL REALTOR®, like myself. Not only is my office in the City of San Jacinto, I live here as well. (Shameless plug)

THE LOAN

The City of San Jacinto Down Payment Assistance Program is used for the purchase of a home in San Jacinto, CA. The financing obtained must be through an approved lender. As of right now there is a loan guy in Riverside and our local Hilary Wilkinson with Patrion Mortgage that are approved to provide loans for this program.

Now is a good time for my endorsement of Hilary. Let me start by saying she is a student of our industry and always seeking to learn and be the very best at what she does...which is why she has become the lender of choice for The Excellence in Real Estate Team at Allison James Estates and Homes. Hilary gets most of her FHA loans closed in 30 days or less. What really makes her special in the world of loan officers is her knowledge and expertise in every local program available to buyers in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley.

Although the City of San Jacinto had their down payment assistance program on the books for some time, it wasn't until Hilary caught wind of the program and helped the City of San Jacinto define what they were trying to accomplish...because before her involvement they really were all over the board. As a result, Hilary is working with a buyer helping them buy one of my listings. This transaction will be the very first deal the Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Jacinto has processed. We are all proud of making this a reality....for ourselves yes, but for our buyer and our City that we want to help improve every way we can!

LOAN TYPE

I guess it makes sense if a buyer is coming in with CASH to buy their first home, they don't need the City money. The same would be true with Conventional Financing that requires a sizable down payment - usually 20 to 25% of the purchase price for a new home.

The City of San Jacinto Down Payment Assistance Program requires that the buyer obtain a FHA type loan. An FHA Loan is by far the most common financing for first time homebuyers in the current market.

By definition, a "first-time homebuyer" is anyone who has not claimed a residential mortgage deduction from their taxes in the last three years.

What is not clear is if a buyer can use VA or CalVet financing and still take advantage - please check with your approved lender.

OCCUPANCY

While it may seem obvious, let me just go ahead and cover this provision that is referenced in the program documentation.

The home purchased must be the buyers ‘principal' place of residence within 60 days of the close of escrow. The home cannot be used as a business or a vacation (second) home. All applicants for the loan must use the home as their primary residence...in other words, no co-signor.

I SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST

This program does not even have to be disclosed to the seller. That's right. Every other program that I have ever seen has required that the seller sign off on some document or another acknowledging participation in the program.

I have to tell you, there are times when it it tough to get these signed documents back from the seller in a timely manner and the delay has been known to extend escrows which in turn generate expensive per diem charges for the buyer. There have even been times when the seller refused to sign off on the program, even with a verbal approval.

The other good news is that the City of San Jacinto Redevelopment Department promises to work quickly and have funds ready to wire into escrow within 10 days of receipt of a complete package (which is the only kind Hilary ever submits). Bear in mind that the city, like many government agencies in California only work 4 days a week, these days - so 10 working days is closer to 3 weeks than it is 2.

So there you have it. The Excellence in Real Estate Team at Allison James Estates and Homes is working with the only approved local lender to help clients obtain a 6% grant for the purchase of a home in San Jacinto, CA...please don't delay as there is only so much money to go around and we want to make sure you get your share!

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Did You REALLY Say That? Uh Oh!!

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:48:01 -0600

Blogging is an incredible platform to allow the writer to express opinions and share information with those the writer has connected to, or hopes to connect with.

In America, we are blessed with Free Speech - but Free Speech comes with a price and 'free' does not give anyone a license to steel. Unfortunately, much of what is published on the Internet is siphoned off by unscrupulous individuals with the intent of taking the easy way. Even more unfortunate there are those who steel someone else's work, not knowing it is wrong.

I was raised that if I had to quesiton if something is right or wrong, then just consider it wrong...because in my heart, I knew it was wrong and it was only my mind trying to justify or skirt the issue that my heart was convicted of. So, when you cut and paste an article or click and save a photo...you are wrong...you are stealing.

Beyond these issues, there are new FTC Regulations about disclosing reviews that the writer has been compensated for - for this I say..."It's About Time".

I came across the excellent post by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate that covers these issues and more...please read on...

Via Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 (RE/MAX Moonlight Beach (CA DRE Lic. # 01490977)):

You've likely done it yourself, or heard someone else do it. And thought to yourself...did you REALLY say that? Uh Oh.

Saying the wrong thing can be embarrassing or hurtful, or get you into hot water.

Saying the wrong thing on-line can get you into big trouble as well...legally. It happens frequently, and more and more commonly we are seeing issues being tested in the court room.

I attended the RE Bar Camp San Diego last Thursday with roughly 400 other folks from around the country. It was a stellar event - you can read some other people's impressions and check out photos and such - Lisa Heindel, William Johnson, Christine Donovan, and Jane Peters.

I was, as always impressed with the amount of learning and sharing that takes place at these events, and I always come away with a head full of ideas and questions, and wanting to implement all sorts of new techniques.

I was especially impressed with the session with Eric Byrn on the legal aspects of blogging and social media and thought I'd pass along some pearls of wisdom.

THE NEW FTC REGULATIONS

These require folks to disclose alliances with vendors, endorsements (hmm, you write a post about a terrific product, and don't disclose that you were given it for free to use, or are getting paid to endorse), and such. This is a biggie. You can read about these new regulations here. I recommend it.

COPYRIGHT

This has certainly been a hot topic off and on here in AR with regard to stealing others' articles, photos, videos, and graphics. Lenn Harley is probably our most knowledgeable person on this issue and has published a fabulous series of articles. You can ead more about Copyrights on Wikipedia as well. But still it continues with people stealing others' work, and using photos without attribution or for commercial purposes when the TOS prohibits that. More and more copyright violations are getting testing in the courts.

DEFAMATION

You see in it people's tweets, their blog posts, comments and responses to comments. Things are said about companies, colleagues and clients that probably should be said. You probably heard about the big FedEx scandal in Tennessee with the VP of Marketing. Here's just one article on the Ketchum-FedEx-Twitter Saga to get you thinking about saying the wrong thing on-line.

FAIR HOUSING ISSUES

Saying the wrong thing that violates hair housing laws can land you in deep doo doo.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Sharing information about clients, transactions, communications and so on can be a big problem. Don't do it. Emails and voice mails are not becoming a bigger part of discovery in the legal process. Is that email you sent to that client really confidential? Probably not.

Of course what makes the legal issues of social media and blogging so important to bear in mind is the ease of discovery as Eric said. The Internet has along memory and it's pretty easy to make copies of blog articles, get hold of email communications and text recorded voice mail and similar documentation. I'm not an attorney but even I can tell this stuff poses a big risk, and as more cases are tested, well you can guess what will happen.

Did you REALLY say that? Uh Oh.

Yep, you did...and I can prove it.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

We Received Your Payments On Time but are Foreclosing Anyway!

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:36:00 -0600

I came across a blog article by, Larry Bettag Illinois FHA Specialist who is also an attorney. After reading his post he just confirmed for me that the banks really are pretty clueless with what is going on.

When I was active in the Short Sale arena I always said that "the banks never introduced the left hand to the right hand". It is more than obvious from the story, as it unfolds, that this is clearly the case here.

Take a few minutes and offer your thoughts...

Via Larry Bettag - Cherry Creek Mortgage:

I'm really seeing something wierd going on here:

Mortgage Compaines blowing up.

Mortgage companies thriving.

Clients are making the shift. Big box lenders are so big that they're collapsing on top of their own clients.

I'm dealing with a top three lender rignt now...

As an Attorney!

I've been contacted by the client. The lender had been accepting the mortgage payments, cashing them in and, oh yes.....reporting to the credit bureaus that they hadn't made a payment for nine months and therefore the big box lender began the foreclosure process.

I've spent hours upon hours with the client getting disconnected repeatedly. I'm an attorney looking to help my client, but many disconnections....we called again and again and the bank representative gave us their name and number. Each time we'd call back and invariably each extension was invalid, or surprisingly enough, "Crystal doesn't work at this extension."....can you say....

C'mon now!!!!

I call the president of our company and told him of the fiasco. He found a high up contact in that top three fortune 500 mortgage company to investigate the my client's allegations. What's such an paradox is that they're suing a client for foreclosure claiming that she's failed to make payments. In the mean time she's provided all the statements and cancelled checks to prove that she's never been late with them. As an attorney, I've told her that she has a cause of action against this mortgage company since they they're destroying her credit by reporting he not only as late, but also in foreclosure when the proof is contrary.

But Now??? How about an Update!!!!!

The latest as of this week???? This big box today agreed....to an extent and said the following...

We acknowledge that you've made your payments and made the payments on time. We just don't know where the money is within our company.

Are You Friggin Kidding Me!!!!! That's one caring mortgage company.

"We acknowledge that you've paid on time, but we're not ready to clear your credit or stop the mortgage foreclosure until we can figure out what we did with your money?"

There's a Major Shift Gooing on with Consumers now!!!!

Mortgage Companies are shooting up the list of the top 100 even in a market when big box lenders are collapsing and more are poised to collapse, great companies are rising to the top. Why? Because consumers are begging for someone to care about them.

It used to be that consumers wanted the lowest rate on the block. Now they want a good rate, a really good rate, but for the biggest financial transaction of their lives, they'll trade a little rate to have qualified people investing in their families. They want a relationship. They don't want crappy service for a lower rate.

There are a lot of great companies out there that offer great rates and exceptional service. They might not be the lowest rate in town, but they're fair and they will create a relationship with the client that will inevitably end up with a client for life. Big box???? Transactional, not relational. I'm sorry, I'll take relational over transactional any day. It may not be the cheapest rate in town, but to the client, it's a lot more cost effective. And with the biggest investment in your life isn't it good to have a relationship as well as a point of contact?
Larry Bettag - Regional Vice President, Midwest Region

Illinois FHA Specialist

630-417-7172

An Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Repeat and Reep the Benefits - Tax Credit Bonanza for Repeat Buyers

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:31:11 -0600

The President of the United States signed legislation on November 6^th, 2009 that became effective immediately, allowing current homeowners, or ‘repeat buyers' to claim a tax credit of up to $6,500 for the purchase of a replacement home.

This is the same law that extended the current $8,000 tax credit to first time homebuyers and raised household income levels. This article will focus on the repeat buyer aspect of the bill.

THE BASICS

Before we get into how it works, lets figure out who it works for. It should be pointed out right now that there is no requirement to ‘move-up' at all and I suspect by the time this is over and done with most of these credits will be awarded to those who are actually downsizing...more on this later.

The first criteria are that the repeat buyer MUST have resided in their current home for five of the last 8 years. Second qualifier is that your adjusted household income does not exceed the limits imposed of $125,000 for the single filing taxpayer or $225,000 for those who are married and filing jointly. If your income is higher than this, please consult with your tax professional because there are some very complicated formulas that allow for some taxpayers to obtain partial credits.

The time frame for this Tax Credit starts with homes that closed escrow on November 6^th, 2010 - the day President Obama signed the legislation and runs through next spring with two very significant dates. The first is April 30^th, 2010. The implication of this date is that a binding contract (signed by all parties) must have been reached. The law allows the repeat buyer until June 30^th, 2010 to actually close escrow.

Just because the current tax credit was extended and revised by Congress, I would not count on a further extension. This was a much debated topic in Washington and across the country. While it is a good deal for those who take advantage of the opportunity there are many that feel the stimulus that it encourages does not justify the ultimate price tag to the American Taxpayer. So as my grandma used to say, "You Better Get While the Getting is Good!".

The good news is the tax credit can be claimed as soon as you close escrow. So, if you close this year you can claim the credit on your 2009 tax returns or amend the ones you filed for 2008. If escrow closes in 2010, you will have a similar option of claiming the tax credit for your 2009 taxes or file with your 2010 return. This is one of those times I MUST ADVISE YOU to talk with your tax professional and see how this applies to YOU! There may be beneficial strategies to pursue regarding your income for both years - so if you anticipate buying a home and taking advantage of this program, I strongly suggest you do so before you make the purchase.

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW

When looking for your new home, the purchase price cannot exceed $800,000. The good news in the Hemet-San Jacinto, CA Valley is that real estate averages round $150,000 for a nice newer home in a good neighborhood...almost anywhere in the valley!

The actual tax credit is computed based on the purchase price of the new home. The tax credit for the repeat buyer is computed at 10% of the purchase price with a maximum credit of $6,500. So, a home bought for $150,000 would cap out at the $6,500 limit - short of the $15,000 10% rule. On the other hand a buyer who might be downsizing and possibly buying an existing mobile home for say, $40,000 would only be able to claim 10% of the purchase price or $4,000.

As mentioned earlier, the requirement to sell your current home does not exist; however, your new home MUST become your primary residence. This is great news because it will allow for current homeowners to rent out their current home, keeping it as a nest egg while allowing them to buy near the bottom of the market and take advantage of the current market conditions.

I strongly recommend that if you are keeping you old home that you plan on moving THE DAY escrow closes. With the original tax bill, there have been countless abuses of fraud and you don't want the IRS taking a look at your claim - just do it right and there should not be any questions asked.

WHAT CAN YOU BUY?

The good news is that just about anyplace you want to call home qualifies (again, so long as the price tag does not exceed $800,000). Both new construction and existing inventory of homes qualify and it does not matter if it is a single-family home, a condo, a townhouse, a mobile or manufactured home...or even a boat that becomes your principal residence. I have nothing solid on this, but my guess is even RVs that are principal residences will count for the credit.

The tax credit can even be applied for custom-built homes, so long as they receive their ‘certificate of occupancy' and the home becomes occupied within the specified timeframe and the custom built home does not cost more than the $800,000 limit. If the taxpayer, prior to the specified tax periods, owned the land it is my understanding that the value of the land is not computed in the value of the home. Again, check with your personal tax advisor.

WHAT YOU CANNOT BUY

Second homes, which are popular in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley with the ‘Snowbirds' are not eligible.

Real Estate Investors have been a significant part of the market over the last couple of years and unfortunate for them, investment properties don't qualify, either.

RED FLAG - CAUTION - RED FLAG

Just like anything with the government you need to be careful that you play by their rules. Don't try and second guess with words like ‘intentions' and ‘good faith' to defend your actions. I figure if you have to ask if something is wrong, then you know in your heart that it is wrong - so avoid it. Don't try to figure out how to make it work for you and DON'T suck me into your schemes - that's called CONSPIRACY.

While some will get away with stepping to close to the line, or even over the line it just is not worth it. Once the government thinks you are not playing by their rules they can get very anal in their pursuit. Any false representation on any federal document is a federal crime - they call it fraud for starters and may find some other very creative ways of redefining it...each adding their own penalties and possible jail time.

The IRS is the long arm of Congress responsible for monitoring this program. With the new legislation, the IRS is tasked with even closer scrutiny of the program due to the overwhelming fraud that was uncovered with the original program   According to the Wall Street Journal, the IRS is investigating over 100,000 suspicious first time homebuyer tax credits...that 10% of the million plus claims already filed. As of about a month ago, the IRS has opened investigations on 167 separate ‘criminal schemes' and has already obtained its first conviction.

The new rules now require the taxpayer to include copies of the closing statement, or HUD-1) issued by escrow at the close of escrow along with the IRS Form 5405, the form used for requesting tax credits.

Minors are not eligible or anyone being claimed as a dependent on another's tax return. So, say a college student being claimed by the parents on the parents tax return is not eligible if they want to take advantage of the tax credit. Believe it or not, but the IRS has uncovered claims filed in the name of a four year old.

Transactions between family members are also disallowed and will throw the red flag right into the face of the IRS

STRATEGIES

There are numerous strategies that can be implemented to maximize the benefit of this program - again each repeat buyer has their own unique set of circumstances and because this is an article on taxes and real estate, all I am only licensed to guide you on is your real estate game plan. If you need to talk to a good tax guy, I have a local one who is great and will probably uncover additional tax credits for you that   Of course reading this article should not be considered advise if I have never met you. This article is written for the public and not any one client...so please lets use this article as a place to open a dialogue and not a blueprint for your own real estate moves.

With that being said, I believe that what will open up in the Hemet - San Jacinto, CA Valley real estate market will be repeat homebuyers who will look at keeping their current homes and turning them into rental...perhaps to family members and then buying a much newer home in a newer neighborhood with modern amenities and features.

I'm sure we will see a significant number of both move-up repeat home buyers as well as buyers looking to downsize who had felt trapped in a larger home after the kids had left the nest starting their own homes but leaving mom and dad with the family castle. Of course with the hit to the economy, the castle may now be considered obsolete for their needs. Well, now there is an out. Rent the existing home, which should cash-flow (assuming it has not become over-indebted with refinances) nicely and then move into something more appropriate for the downsized family.

This scenario will allow for the current home to remain in the family and give it a chance to regain equity at a future point while also allowing for the purchase of a newer home near the bottom of the market that will also increase in value and thus being able to take advantage of the market for a future retirement.

In any event, there are many situations...just like everyone who reads this there are unique strategies that feet unique needs...so call and lets figure out how you can best capitalize on the current real estate boom market now...before it's too late.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Follow Me on Twitter: My Google Rank Drops. Why?

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:16:17 -0600

I found this blog that really covers some great information on Google, Search Engine Optimization and your blog on ActiveRain. Stuff I'm doing, stuff I need to do and stuff I need to look at and consider.

Thanks for the great info...here is my comment on the original post, so please tell us all what you can do with this info...

I have been working on my SEO for a couple of years now nd do OK - problem is I run hot and cold. I hired a young lady, more than half my age to keep everything going in a consistent direction and she is doing awesome...some really good tips here I think I am going to reblog this and send it tor her to make sure we are incorporating s much of this info as possible.

John

Via Bart Wilson (Voyager International):

For years now, we've been reading and seeing how to get our Websites ranking higher on a natural search results page on Google.

Two years ago, Twitter comes along and now the spirit of true, Herd Mentality, thousands of REALTORS have moooooved on over to copying what the other REALTORS are doing -- hoping and praying the technique will generate more leads and sales commissions.

We copy the same links; Follow Me on Twitter. And we make the mistake of putting too many Follow Me links on our home page despite the fact you've probably spent years trying to get people to COME to your website... you tell them to GO AWAY.

Weeks later, your visibility goes down and you are left wondering what the heck just happened?

Too many redirects from your home page is not only stupid, it's the fastest way to see your page one #1 Google rank drop to #2. Then, it drops to #3. And the slide just keeps on a-sliding down... down... down.

A former SEO client of mine has a website ranking page one #1 for seven years. Then a year ago, they added the Twitter Follow Me bug. And the Linked In Bug. And one from Christies Great Estates.

You spend thousand of dollars on a new site and SEO work. Then you spend MORE money with your offline marketing efforts telling next time home buyers to GO TO www.SantaFeProperties.com.

Then when you get people coming to your website, your home page tells them to GO AWAY. Find us on Twitter. Find us on LinkedIn. Find us on Facebook.

That might sound silly, but this is exactly what your website says to visitors you've tried to come to your website for months or even years of working to improve your Google ranking. Now that they find you, you tell them to find you someplace else.

Trust me, this can be leading up to; Lead sabotage. And thousands of REALTORS and brokers are just watching their leads drop, and they think by placing the Follow Me links on their website will increases leads... it can create the opposite effect.

People will click on things and links because you give them reason to do so. They are not immune to Herd Mentality either.

After a few clicks, is it any surprise why your visitor is now looking at properties from Amazing Realty instead of yours? For too many REALTOR websites, it's clear to me that too many of you are suffering from Mad Cow Disease, just like Denny Crane from Boston Legal.

It doesn't have to be that way. You can use Twitter and other links to your advantage, but you need to use them wisely and correctly.

There are SMARTER ways to use Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Below are Bartman's Top Ten SAFE Ways to Use Social Media effectively to keep people coming BACK to your website from other channels out there.

1.) Don't put offsite links on your home page.

If you have page one # 1 ranking on Google now, be careful how many links to offsite websites you ADD to your home page.

2.) Rule of thumb: Place your Follow Me on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn on your Contact Me pages and other pages inside. This is especially important if you are just now building links to your home page.

3.) One Way Link Bulding.

ActiveRain.com, Curbed.com and many other Real Estate blogs can be used to build one way, incoming links to your properties. Don't just link all links to your home page. This is not a smart idea. Build links to point to your properties and about the life style and communities you know about.

4.) 1888FreePressRelease.com.

A great place to post your FREE press releases with links pointing BACK to your website.

5.) PRWeb.com.

The BEST place to post your Press Releases. $100 - $200 cost each, but you get to go BACK and edit the links to make them SEO friendly and point them to your website pages.

6.) Get links from Title, Mortgage companies even Landscapers and custom home builders.

They might have a crappy looking website, but ask them for a one way link from their site to yours. NEVER give a link back to them as this will give you what is called Google PR Hemorrhage. Never give reciprocal links BACK to any website until AFTER one year AFTER you've held a page one position on Google.

7.) Social Media Pay per Post, Pay per Blog.

There is one firm out there that seems to have done it right. SocialSpark.com is the one to see. You can buy ads on this system to be inserted into popular blogs out there. This is a great way to build awareness of your website for geo-centric, local searches.

8.) StumbleUpon.com

It's a web site that says what id does and does what it says. It emails hundreds of thousands of people every week with suggested Websites they should visit. Visitors to the site indicate a few sites and topics they like. And weekly, StumbleUpon will deliver the user a cornucopia of Websites and some of them... NEED to be your real estate website.

9.) Sell LifeStyle. Don't sell just homes.

This is the big trap of conventional thinking. But next time home buyers today can get their house with or without a REALTOR. So when they come to your website, dazzle them with Life Style. We're just now completing a website for Jane Paulus of Edina Realty now. The website is here: www.TwinCitiesHomefinders.com -- See the emphasis on Live -- Work Play and the rich page content of living in Minneapolis. Google loves this stuff and so will your next time home buyers.

10.) Get your Banner Ads on the iPhone, BlackBerry and Mobile Devices.

Just because you're page one on Google doesn't mean you can't get more leads. Google now offers a Paid Search program that allows you to snag 50,000 banners for $18 bucks or thereabouts. Create Google Visual Ads that are shown on mobile devices. It's cheap and it's effective.

Lots more good stuff to come later. I'm trying to get our company moved to Colorado Springs, but if anyone needs more help on these items above, call me or email me.

I'm always glad to be of service.
Bart Wilson | Chief Marketing Officer | SEO Rockstar

Voyager International. The Real Estate Marketing Company

Tel: (505) 466-2483 iPhone: (505) 204-8097

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Do Big Box Stores have a Negative or Positive effect on Real Estate Values?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:27:36 -0600

The Hemet - San Jacinto. CA Valley has something going for it that most people don't easily recognize or understand why it has happened. We are a sleepy valley off the beaten path of Southern California - the closest freeway on ramp is about 15 miles - and that is hard to find in SoCal! Our population - for the entire valley is maybe 100,000 - not a big slice considering the millions who live in the Southland. We certainly are nor a rich or exclusive community - the average home sell for about $130,000 - far less than most other areas of California.

So then why...why does WalMart have not one but two Super WalMarts in our valley...one in Hemet and the other about 5 miles away in San Jacinto? OK, they both went up while the housing boom was going strong...so what did they know? What prompted them to invest the type of money they did into our little community?

Then there is the question that begs to be answered...what was the benefit of these two mega department and grocery store combos? Has it been good for the local economy or a drain? What type of ripple effect does Super Walmart have ... not only in the local community but across the State of California and the rest of the country.

AM I CONFUSED?

Now I don't know why I think what I did, but I thought when WalMart first came on the scene that they had this streak of red, white and blue running through their corporate veins and only sold American made products. I cold be wrong but I think I can remember human interest news stories about small companies that exploded with a WalMart contract. Maybe I'm confused...

I don't do a lot of shopping at WalMart - but they are the only store that carries multiple-flavors of Ensure - a diet supplement that has kept my wife alive as her primary source of nutrition for a couple of years now (my wife, Sherri, is a long term cancer patient). While I was there, I walked the aisles...I was amazed that everything is made in China. Now I don't know for certain, it's not like I went down aisle after isle looking at every product - but every product I picked up and looked at was made in China...

So, does anyone have any idea as to what happened...maybe the anser is in this short video...

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Don't Lose Your Head: How to Survive a Bidding War

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:16:41 -0600

I found this post that on the surface sounds like good advice...however if you follow it both buyers and agents I'm afraid are doing themselves a great injustice...

Here are the comments I posted on the original post, please read this and share your opinions.

I have a little different take on it...

When you see a near brand new house being sold in the $50 a sq ft range that originally sold closer to $200 a sq ft - you can't get hurt, You can't.

So, if you see a listing on the market at $50 a ft and you bid it up to $60 a ft -where is the harm. When the dust settles you got a great home and when looking back you got a great price...now maybe you didn't scrape the bottom of the jar...but you got in low - so where is the harm? Why is there the mentality that the only good deals are the ones below list price?

I don't understand why more agents and buyers alike can't grasp this theory...of course you still have appraisal issues, but that is an entirely different mindset and different topic of conversation - I say bidding wars are heathy for our economy - sell them for what we can.

John

Via Sean Jordan (Keller Williams Elite Realty):

It's crazy out there. This fall real estate season is well underway and as a result hundreds of Lowermainlanders are suffering from PBWS (Post Bidding War Syndrome). Common symptoms include dizziness, lack of sleep, and a major case of the shoulda woulda couldas.

For the uninitiated, bidding wars occur when properties are listed at a price that is below their actual market value, and multiple buyers submit offers at the same time. In a hot market like we've been witnessing in the Lowermainland for the past few years, multiple offers have become commonplace.

We have been involved in a few bidding war situations with our clients over the past several weeks, and I thought now might be a good time to share some tips on how to survive these situations with your head intact.

1. Know the property's value. Having a firm grasp on a property's actual market value is essential in any real estate transaction. This is where your agent earns their lunch. Providing you with the best possible information on value is not a nice-to-have, it's something you should demand from your agent.

2. Know your comfort zone. With my clients I always make a point of distinguishing between the maximum amount they can afford and the maximum amount they are comfortable with. The two are almost always not the same. Know your comfort zone and make a commitment to stick to it.

3. Have a strategy. This one seems obvious, but again, this is where your agent comes in. You have to anticipate how the bidding war will play out and formulate a negotiating strategy accordingly. No two bidding wars are the same and every listing agent handles them differently.

4. Wait for the next one. Paying more for a house than it is worth doesn't make sense in any market. A common side effect of bidding wars is that other home owners on the street see what has just happened and put their property on the market shortly after. The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse always gets the cheese.

5. Keep your head on and have an EXIT strategy. Buying a house is an emotional experience. Being in a bidding war situation takes those naturally occurring emotions and cranks them up by a factor of ten. A lot of heads are lost and poor decisions are made as a result. Sit down with your agent beforehand and figure out what your breaking point is and what is going to make you run for the Exits-and stick to it!

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Are you sure your house is safe? Find out here.

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:17:19 -0600

We often here of product recalls only after there has been some sort of tragedy...you know a house fire caused by faulty wiring in an electrical appliance that claims lives. This is what we hear about...sometimes...

Here is a resource I found that will teach you how to research products and companies to see what types of recalls happen every year...and there are thousands. If you take the time to follow the simple steps outlined in this informative post you just may save a families life...maybe even your own!

Read and Heed...

Via Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector (Russel Ray, Property Consultant):

With Halloween behind us but Thanksgiving and Christmas knocking on our doors, it's time for a reminder about recalled products, safety, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Be the most knowledgeable Realtor, home inspector, mortgage lender, etc., in your service area and impress your family, friends, and business associates by knowing about recalls and safety concerns before they hear it on the news. I'll teach you how.

For those who are not familiar with the CPSC, they are the ones charged with protecting the public from lead paint, hazardous toys, unsafe appliances, and the like.

There are literally thousands of recalls and safety concerns that have been released since the Consumer Product Safety Commission began operating in 1973, and they all are listed. I recommend that you subscribe to all CPSC press releases. This will alert you to all recalls and safety concerns in all categories. Simply

Remember that not every recall makes the news or your local paper. But you'll think it is pretty substantial when you or a loved one suffers property damage, personal injury, or death.

Following is a detailed tutorial on how you can check on recalled products for your home and then sign up for the CPSC notices of recalled products. You can get notices before your neighbors hear about them on the nightly news.

First, make a list of your appliances: refrigerator, dishwasher, water heater, range, washer, dryer, etc. Then write down the manufacturer name, the model number, and the serial number. You should already have it for insurance purposes, but if you don't, well, we're getting two things done at once. We're multitasking!

Remember, though, that the very nature of numbers and letters means that numbers or letters might not have been read correctly. For example, the letter “O” and the number “0” can look the same, as can the letter “l” and the number “1.” Also remember to record spaces and dashes and any preprinted letters and numbers. It is possible to conduct research with only partial information, such as the manufacturer’s name and the type of appliance, but further evaluation might be required by a manufacturer’s representative or other specialist familiar with the equipment involved.

Now just follow the steps below.

Connect your Internet browser to the CPSC web site: http://www.cpsc.gov and then click on “Recalls and Product Safety News.”

Up pops a new window, “Recalls and Product Safety News,” where you can find recent recalls or recalls by month and year, product type, company, product description, or product category, such as toys, household products, outdoor products, etc. Product type, for example, will show you all the dishwashers.

Let’s do it. Click on “Product Type.”

Up pops a screen “Find Recalled Products by Product Type.” Over at the right you’ll see “Optional.”

Let’s do a search on Kenmore dishwashers since I know there was a recall issued on February 25, 2005. In the “Optional” box, type the first three letters of dishwasher, “dis,” and click on “Simplify search.”

The left side of the window is refreshed to show you all the product types that include the three letters “dis.” There are six categories shown. Click on “Dishwashers” and then click on “Find.”

Up pops a window “Results of Your Search.” You should see thirteen lines (as of 11/11/09); the eleventh line is Kenmore (yellow arrow). However, look at the date of the recall: February 15, 1993. Remember in Step #5 that I told you I knew there was a Kenmore recall on February 25, 2005? This is why I don’t use the “Product Type” category. In using the “Product Type” category, you will have to read all twelve of those dishwasher recall documents to make sure you haven’t missed any Kenmore recalls. Kenmore currently is manufactured by Whirlpool corporation, so the fifth line (as of 11/11/09), “Whirlpool Corporation Recall of Dishwashers (February 25, 2005; Revised April 8, 2005)” is the one we want (blue arrow).

Click on that line, and a new screen pops up, “NEWS from CPSC.” Scroll down and you’ll see that Whirlpool and Kenmore brands are involved. So you can see that if you just rely on headlines, your search could be faulty. Same thing with your local newspaper headlines. It’s important that you know that brand names are not necessarily manufacturer names.

Let me show you a better way that will give you all the information you need even if you don't know the manufactured. Click on your browser’s “back” button once and then click on "Conduct a New Search."

Now click on "Back to Recalls Page" at the bottom of your screen.

Now click on “Find Recalls by:” “Company.”

Up pops the “Find Recalled Products by Company” page; looks very similar to the screen shot in Step 6.

Under “Optional”, type the first three letters of Kenmore, “ken,” click on “Simplify Search.”

The screen is refreshed to show you all the companies that include the three letters “ken” in their names.

Click on “Kenmore” and then click on “FIND”.

The screen is refreshed to show “Results of Your Search.” You should see 30 lines (as of 11/11/09) of products that Kenmore has recalled. Note that the headlines show “Kenmore” in only eight of them yet you know that all 30 have the word “Kenmore” somewhere in the text of the recall notice. Therefore, just look for the ones that have “dishwasher” in the headline since you know that our search on “Kenmore,” coupled with “dishwasher” gives you what you want.

The list is in reverse chronological order, and you'll see that there are only four dishwasher headlines: May 16, 2007; February 25, 2005; May 29, 1996; and February 15, 1993. Now you can check your dishwasher's model and serial numbers to see if it was involved in one of the recalls.

Now, to complete our task, let’s go back to the CPSC home page. Click on your browser's "back" button once and then click on "Conduct a New Search," just like in Step 9. Then click on "Back to Recalls Page" like we did in Step 10.

Now click on “Join our recall notification list.”

Type your email address in the box.

There are many subscription choices, including subscribing to recalls involving only selected products, e.g., infant/child products, sports and recreation products, outdoor products, household products, and specialty products. I recommend subscribing to “All CPSC press releases, including recalls (list name: releases),” which is the second choice (red arrow). Click on the radio button (yellow arrow) and then click on subscribe (green arrow).

By subscribing to all press releases, you’ll get not only recall notices but great safety information, too. You'll never miss anything, regardless of how insignificant it might seem and regardless of whether or not the recall makes the evening news or the pages of your local newspaper.

As long as your email address is active, you’ll never miss a recall or safety concern notice, and the nice thing is that the CPSC encourages you to spread their recall notices and safety information far and wide, so you can use them to keep in touch with your prospects and clients, and even use them in your marketing campaigns. What coule be better than FREE marketing materials?

Lastly, go back and check on your own appliances from that list you made at the very beginning.

If you have any questions about anything, feel free to contact me.

Please feel free to re-blog this to give it as wide a distribution as possible and help save lives and property.

♫♫☼☼♪♪☼☼♫♫

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San Diego home inspection FAQs: After the home inspection is done, what's the best way to get repairs done?

The ActiveRain Nature Station: Nature's accupuncturist

Please help welcome my 98th Invitee to ActiveRain - Featured

My memories of Fort Hood

Why didn't you inspect the refrigerator?

The ActiveRain Nature Station: Finding your oasis

Have you programmed your ActiveRain TV stations?

The ActiveRain Nature Channel: The Jumping Cholla

Turning a competitor's bad home inspection into an education

The ActiveRain Nature Channel: The Joshua Tree

It must be lottery time!

Speechless Sunday: Somewhere in a National Park

It's a "Hunt for Red October." But where's Sean?

Mornings with Mother and Father Nature: Have you visited your Grandparents recently?

Good things happen when you are persistent and consistent

Anyone need something to read and review from one of our own?

Create a blog database for you and your Clients - Featured

My Favorite ActiveRain TV Stations

ActiveRan Travel Station

ActiveRain Convention Station

ActiveRain Guerrilla Marketing Station

ActiveRain Library Station

ActiveRain History Station

ActiveRain Nature Station

ActiveRain Symphony Station

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.