As we gear up for the launch of the HAFA program and its April 5, 2010 launch there is growing concern as to the potential of shot sale fraud. “The US Treasury Department is taking the necessary steps to prevent short sale fraud under the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) program, officials tell HousingWire today.”   HAFA is Buffer Enough Against Short Sale Fraud: Treasury By JON PRIOR Original Article Link: Thursday, March 11th, 2010, 12:15 pm The US Treasury Department is taking the necessary steps to prevent short sale fraud under the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) program, officials tell HousingWire today. The announcement is in response to coverage yesterday that reported lenders are already building buffers to protect themselves from an anticipated ... 03/12/2010

As a Pre-Foreclosure Specialist my job is to not only assist sellers in dealing with their property which is facing foreclosure, but to also help them re-locate after closing. I believe that once the property is successfully closed that my job is only half way complete. I need to also help them re-locate the sellers family to a new home where they can start fresh and begin to rebuild. An interesting thing occurred to me this evening as a seller called to inform me that they had found an amazing rental on Craigslist. It was in an area they had always wanted to live and that the rental price was well below the current rents for the area (Red Flag #1). My first thought is that the property was in foreclosure and that the seller was trying to get a few last dollars before the property was ... 03/10/2010

Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee sent a letter last week to the heads of 4 of the nations largest banks. J.P. Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all received the letter from Rep. Franks. In his letter he informed the CEO's that their banks are the major players in holding notes of second liens and that "Failure to modify these debts has become a major and unnecessary obstacle to thousands of Americans being able to stay in their homes. I urge you in the strongest possible terms to take immediate steps to write down these second mortgages and allow principal reduction modifications of the underlying first liens to take place." Rep. Franks also added "If there are legal obstacles to your doing so, we will work with you to remove ... 03/10/2010

Rancho Cucamonga - Alta Loma zip code 91737 single-family home inventory showed continued signs of price stability in February 2010 with sales remaining consistent month-over-month and up compared to February 2009.  February 2010 Summary Results:  Sold prices ranged from a low of $265,000 to a high of $1,170,000 Price per square foot ranged from a low of $178.24 to a high of $246.43 Days on market ranged from a low of 6 days to a high of 143 days Sale-price to list-price ratio ranged from a low of 0.92 to a high of 1.03 Total sales were 16 single-family homes Average selling price in February 2010 was $512,025.  The lowest priced sale was located at 9754 Balaton Street which sold at $265,000 vs. the listed price of $259,900 and was an investor-owned standard sale listed by a Riverside b... 03/07/2010

   Rancho Cucamonga of the Past - Digital Storytelling Rancho Cucamonga Library was awarded a "California of the Past - Digital Storytelling" grant from the California State Library. As the name implies, Digital Storytelling refers to ordinary people using digital tools to tell their own real-life stories in a new and different way . . . through visual arts - a mixture of computer-based images, text, recorded audio narration, video clips and/or music. As with traditional storytelling, most digital storytelling focuses on a specific topic and contains a particular point of view. Each unique story becomes a part of the larger shared history of the community.    Daniel Meadows describes digital storytelling  as "multimedia sonnets from the people" in which "photographs discover the talkies... 03/04/2010

RE/MAX Homes & Estates Pre-Foreclosure Division  (714) 588 -7676 ∙  www.remaxann.com   If you are in a situation where: • You lost your job • Your Medical Expenses are too high • Just went through/going through a divorce • You are behind on your payments • You have no equity • You can't afford the cost of selling your home • Your income has been reduced • You are in foreclosure   WE CAN HELP YOU! It's easy and doesn't cost you any MONEY! Our services are Free!!! WHEN THE DEBT EXCEEDS YOUR HOME'S VALUE... we can help is with a SHORT SALE.   Benefits of a Short Sale: • Avoid Foreclosure • Avoid Bankruptcy • Reduced damage to your credit • Postpone your foreclosure sale date • A short sale will stay on your credit approx 3 years • BE FREE of financial and emotional burdens!     We are lice... 03/03/2010

RE/MAX Homes & Estates Pre-Foreclosure Division  (714) 588 -7676 ∙  www.remaxann.com   If you are in a situation where: • You lost your job • Your Medical Expenses are too high • Just went through/going through a divorce • You are behind on your payments • You have no equity • You can't afford the cost of selling your home • Your income has been reduced • You are in foreclosure   WE CAN HELP YOU! It's easy and doesn't cost you any MONEY! Our services are Free!!! WHEN THE DEBT EXCEEDS YOUR HOME'S VALUE... we can help is with a SHORT SALE.   Benefits of a Short Sale: • Avoid Foreclosure • Avoid Bankruptcy • Reduced damage to your credit • Postpone your foreclosure sale date • A short sale will stay on your credit approx 3 years • BE FREE of financial and emotional burdens!     We are lice... 03/03/2010

Coyotes are no strangers to the surrounding foothill communities of Rancho Cucamonga.    We've always warned our kids not to panic if they found a coyote wandering in the neighborhood. But to definitely stay clear. Coyotes are a part of our natural environment and have coexisted peacefully with humans for thousands of years. They are normally fearful of humans, but tend to come into our environment in search of food, water and shelter since they are having a harder time finding food in their natural habitat. As we come closer to spring and began to spend more time outdoors, coyote sightings are on the increase. My Daughter came close up and personal with a not so wily coyote as she jogged down Wilson just North of Chaffey College early this morning.  I don't know who was panicked more -... 03/01/2010

Troubled Rancho Cucamonga homeowners seeking a mortgage loan modification are going to have to prove upfront that they qualify for one, rather than getting it first and verifying it later. Requiring the paperwork upfront is a dramatic program shift from current practices. The Obama administration announced the revised documentation requirements Thursday as it counters criticism that its $75 billion Home Affordable Modification Program is not working quickly enough to save delinquent homeowners from foreclosure. Beginning June 1, homeowners seeking a trial modification must provide their lender with two pay stubs, an application form that includes a hardship affidavit and a form that allows the mortgage servicer to electronically access the homeowner's tax returns. For more information, ... 02/28/2010

After a 15 year hiatus, the Historical Preservation Association of Rancho Cucamonga is planning a historic home tour for May 23, 2010!  The tour is set to coincide with the National Historic Preservation month of May.  The homes which are scheduled for the tour cover the post-Civil War period up through 1911 and many are furnished with period pieces.  Homes which will be featured include the Christmas House (circa 1911), the Albert House (circa 1908), the Issac Lord House (circa 1885) and the Thorpe House (circa 1910). For sponsorship information or for ticket purchases, contact Mr. Ed Dietl at (909) 985-2231 or HistoricalSoc_RC@verizon.net or visit their website at http://www.hpaofrc.org/index.php   02/28/2010

As many of you know I help people in the Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto area all of the time who are behind in the mortgage, facing foreclosure and need help.  Many times when I meet with Sellers they tell me of loan modification companies and Consultants who have contacted them saying they can help them, but instead charge upfront fees, take their hard earned money and then either disappear or become a nightmare to deal with. I just came across this video that gives helpful advice about what you should and should not do if you see yourself starting to fall behind in your mortgage payments.  It also warns of what you need to look for when approached by people who may be scammers.  If you, or anyone you know of, needs help please help them get the real facts about what options are ava... 02/27/2010

  According to HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives) program slated to take effect April 5, 2010, lenders MUST first evaluate/advise homeowners on HAMP (Home Affordable Modification Program) loan modification programs prior to any consideration of eligibility of the HAFA short sale option.  One of the goals of the new HAFA program is to simplify and streamline the use of the short sale option by incorporating the following unique features: Uses borrower financial and hardship information already collected in connection with consideration of loan modification. Allows borrowers to receive pre-approved short sales terms before listing the property (including the minimum acceptable net proceeds). Disallows foreclosure sales during the marketing period specified in the SSA short sa... 02/27/2010

Short Sales are nearly impossible to get approved.  FALSE:  Short Sales are nearly impossible if you have an Agent that is not educated to the process; They're not impossible!  While there are no guarantees in any transaction, there are short sales are being approved every day.  Most banks are trying to do everything they can, within reason, to avoid foreclosing on a property.  It's much more cost effective for the bank to short sell instead of foreclose. You must be behind on your mortgage in order to negotiate a short sale.  FALSE:  That might have been true at one time, but not today. Today's lenders are looking for verifiable hardships, monthly cash flow shortfall or pending shortfall and insolvency.  If you meet any of these requirements and you see yourself heading in the directio... 02/26/2010

Dashing across Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday night, I saw a site that made me stop the car to take a closer look.  I was rushed for time because of back-to-back appointments but I was just too curious not to stop.  Walking along the side of our famous route 66 were two people in reflective vests marked 'Enjoy the Walk' and 'Walking Across America'.  What were they up to and why were they in Rancho Cucamonga - I just had to find out. Shay and George are participating in a coast-to-coast walk to raise awareness about exercise.  George's story is quite inspirational and he is walking in memory of his mom who passed away from cancer twenty five years ago.  Shay picked up the journey a relatively close distance from here - in Santa Monica - but George began his trip in Washington state and i... 02/25/2010

Google is planning to build, and test ultra-high speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the country. Google's networks will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. Google plans to offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000, and potentially up to 500,000 people. As a first step, Google put out a Request for Information (RFI) to help identify interested communities. Google welcomed responses from local government, as well as members of the public.  When another Agent here on Active Rain announced that Google was it about 14 days ago, I immediately nominated our City of Rancho Cucamonga.   Google is also looking for sites where it ca... 02/25/2010

CLICK TO VIEW LISTING WEBSITE Description and Features Fantastic Opportunity to LIve in Ranch Cucamonga at this price. Easy access to the 210 freeway and shopping.Wonderful schools. Oversized lot with mature trees and very close to newer developments.Upgraded interior. Each bedroom has its own bath. Master bath has a whirlpool style tub. Cellar and enclosed patio. Don't miss this opportunity. Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Parking Spaces: 1 Square Feet: 1670 Lot Size: 16956 Year Built: 1948 Floors: 1 Location Click to view map: 8401 w 19th St RANCHO CUCAMONGA CA 91701 Links www.teamsaunchez.com www.southerncafreehomeinfo.com Website 02/24/2010

We've had an unusually wet season this year here in Rancho Cucamonga, California.  With all the rain, it's important to inspect the roof when shopping for homes.  Look for signs of wear and tear, curled shingles or stained interior ceilings. Never underestimate how much a roof can impact a sale in today's FHA lending environment. A Roof Can Make or Break a Sale  If it's not up to par, the roof can turn into a major sticking point of negotiation. On the other hand, a beautiful roof can give Buyers all the reason they need to make an offer. That's precisely why you, as a potential Buyer, must become knowledgeable on this essential home feature. All Roofs Are Not Created Equal The material used for roofing can make an enormous impact on the look and style of a house. Let's take a look at t... 02/20/2010

Morning and Happy Valentine's Weekend!!   I was fortunate to hear about the Honda Crosstour a few short weeks ago from a friend and now I'm so glad I did.  I leased one this week.  It's amazing!! Have you seen it?  Well, maybe not amazing, but a definite value~added, luxury type, and sporty vehicle.... Very responsive to the road, the unique composition of it makes it ideal for carting clients around, storing long things like a surf board or tools and maybe even furniture ~ and the wheels are 18", and I could go on and on.  If you get it with Nav, you will surely enjoy the camera that turns on when you're in reverse.  It's the same as the new Acura one, which is cool, because it shows you exactly where you'll end up (yellow ramp) as you continue your backward motion. Penske Honda in Ont... 02/13/2010

Does everyone know what PMA is? POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE!! In these changing times, it's important to keep one....and I will go to just about any length to ensure the same.  Not only is it important to surround yourself with people who are positive in their outlook, thinking and speaking (and actions), but it's important to keep your (especially) Buyers' attitudes "Positive"! How do you do that? Any ideas? Well, return their phone calls.  It's important to be in contact with them and also to let them know how important they and their current and future business is to you.  This is one way you will survive these economic times and investing in future by treating your client the right way is only one way that things can keep getting better and better. Keep yourself on track!  If you need ... 02/11/2010

Rancho Cucamonga - Alta Loma zip code 91737 single-family home inventory showed continued signs of price stability in January 2010 with sales remaining consistent month-over-month and up compared to January 2009.  January 2010 Summary Results:  Sold prices ranged from a low of $340,000 to a high of $932,500 Price per square foot ranged from a low of $154.50 to a high of $231.36 Days on market ranged from a low of 8 days to a high of 142 days Sale-price to list-price ratio ranged from a low of 0.93 to a high of 1.08 Total sales were 13 single-family homes Average selling price in January 2010 was $543,269.  The lowest priced sale was located at 6105 Sherry Court which sold at $340,000 vs. the listed price of $349,000 and was a standard sale listed by a Los Angeles based broker.  The buye... 02/08/2010