jackson county: Oregon Home Rescue Program
- 08/27/13 02:01 AM
The State of Oregon applied and received U.S. Treasury Hardest Hit Funds due to the extent of unemployment and foreclosure this State's citizens have experienced. The latest program, the Home Rescue Program, has been opened up to applicants who are seeking financial assistance on their home due to a loss of income. If they have fallen behind on their payments, they may not only receive help catching up the arrearage, but also help with making their payments going forward. If you or someone you know is an Oregon Homeowner facing financial hardship, go to www.oregonhomeownerhelp.com for additional information and to apply. … (0 comments)
jackson county: Address Negative Equity AND Home Affordability in Oregon
- 05/03/13 04:49 AM
Homeowners in Southern Oregon have faced many challenges, one of which for some homeowners has been substantial negative equity. There are many options for homeowners who have experienced financial hardship – i.e. lost their job, closed their business, experienced a reduction in hours/income, facing loss of income as a result of death/divorce. Most of these options will not address negative equity, though. The State of Oregon recently expanded one of the programs funded by Hardest Hit Funds that assist homeowners dealing with financial hardship by reaching an affordable payment through refinancing to market value. Because this is logistically done as a … (0 comments)
jackson county: Principal Reduction Program for Eligible Oregon Homeowners
- 06/19/12 08:09 AM
The State of Oregon began accepting applications on June 18, 2012 for one of the Hardest Hit Fund Programs they rolled out as a pilot program in 2011. This is the Loan Refinance Assistance Program, which essentially is a short sale with home retention for eligible homeowners who have experienced a financial hardship which might be addressed with a lower loan amount which would also address negative equity. Eligible homeowners whose servicers/investors agree may sell their home to the State of Oregon’s representative, and then immediately buy it back for current market value as established by appraisal. They’ll have a new … (0 comments)
jackson county: Good News for Oregonian Homeowners Trying to Avoid Foreclosure
- 05/23/12 03:44 AM
There is good news for Oregon Homeowners who are trying to avoid foreclosure. The Oregon Senate and House passed Senate Bill 1552 on March 5, 2012, and forwarded this bill along to Govenor Kitzhaber to sign. Oregon Senate Bill 1552 ends the “dual tracking” of homeowners who were being foreclosed on while attempting to work out an alternative to foreclosure with their Servicer/Investor.
Want Layman’s terms on what this means for the homeowner?:
· Mandatory Meeting face-to-face with homeowner, lender and mediator to review foreclosure alternatives if homeowner elects this process when notification received · Notice of right to … (4 comments)
jackson county: The Ultimate Bad Day – The Day I Learned I May Lose Our Home
- 05/27/11 04:47 PM
Today was a bad day. A day generating results I really did not expect to have to face. Yeah, I know…”get over it Karen – we ALL have bad days”. I also know that there are many, MANY people out there facing the loss of their home due to circumstances beyond their control. I WORK with and FIGHT for these people every day, but I really did not ever envision finding myself where I am today.
Today was the day I learned that justice can be more blind than we could ever possibly envision – the day I learned … (11 comments)
jackson county: Oregon Homeowners Exercise Your Rights Under Senate Bill 628!
- 05/19/11 05:48 PM
I have almost 100 active cases in my role as housing counselor for homeowners seeking help with their financial hardship. Many of these cases are for Southern Oregon homeowners wanting to keep their home. Homeowners who have taken the time to investigate the options available to them, and homeowners who need help figuring out what their options are. Many of these homeowners applied for modification of their home loan. When I review the documentation we collect to verify their financial hardship, I see that many of these homeowners appear to be pretty darn good candidates for the mortgage modifications they are … (1 comments)
jackson county: Have You Been To Sunrise Café and Catering in Downtown Medford Oregon?
- 03/05/11 04:12 PM
We finally made it to the Sunrise Café & Catering at 130 E. Main Street in Downtown Medford tonight, getting to this popular lunchtime destination – but for dinner. This family owned business run by brother and sister, Ed Chun and Carol Hendricks was worth the wait. Having experienced the delectable Kalbi Tri Tip Special and a sampler platter, with some of the most tender, flavorful meats we’ve tasted (pulled pork, teriyaki beef AND chicken - YUM!), we’ll be back to see the friendly, personable Ed and Carol again very soon. Dinner for two with drinks came to just over … (3 comments)
jackson county: Time is Running Out to Apply for Oregon's Mortgage Payment Assistance Program
- 01/08/11 04:34 AM
Oregon was one of the states awarded money to help its communitites suffering from high foreclosure and unemployment rates. One of the programs Oregon designed was to help eligible families pay their mortgage payments - up to $20,000 or 12 months, whichever is less. Jackson County Oregon was given 276 slots for this program by the State of Oregon and Josephine County was given 216 slots. Once the deadline passes on January 14th for online applications (January 15th for in person ones), the State will hold a random drawing for each County that was awarded slots for this funding. In Jackson … (2 comments)
jackson county: Where Are Home Prices Going?
- 08/22/10 10:15 AM
I believe John Mulkey hit the nails on the head making his points in this article. What we are facing today in our local markets and economies did not happen overnight. Nor will the recovery...
We’ve all heard the news reports about the potential for a double-dip in housing, and perhaps, the overall economy. Unemployment seems out of control; debt levels are becoming unmanageable; and many are wondering what the future holds for the housing market. Where home prices going and what is the potential for prices to recover to the levels of 2005/2006?
There are lots of … (1 comments)
jackson county: The Reality of the Hunt
- 07/31/10 08:39 AM
We look at this trophy we now have. It wasn’t long ago we were filled with trepidation, determined to make a go of reaching our goal. We spent time preparing, educating ourselves, readying for this new, big adventure. Then the hunt was on. It was a tough hunt, an endless search for just the right prize to bring home. We were so nervous…so determined. Hours and hours we looked for you. Once, we had our prize in our sights only to lose you to fellow hunters, hunters who entered the hunt earlier, who were quicker and more prepared than us. Patience … (0 comments)
jackson county: Hidden "Costs" - Refinancing from a 30 Year to a 15 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage
- 07/22/10 07:07 PM
Are you thinking about refinancing from your 30 year mortgage in to a 15 year fixed at today's REALLY AMAZINGLY LOW INTEREST RATES? You aren't alone if you are. Most people pick up the phone when they are headed down this path and ask "what's your rate?". In today's world, you very well may find many inexperienced loan officers who will spout off an answer to that question without going in the myriad of other variables that might need to be explored. What's your rate? Isn't going to cut it! Even adding "how much are the closing costs?" to the equation … (6 comments)
jackson county: 15 yr vs 30 yr mortgage
- 07/22/10 06:55 PM
With all the focus on declining equity we are seeing in many housing markets, it brings up the focus on considering a shorter term mortgage than homeowners typically choose. In my 27 years, a LOT of my clients have chosen the 15 year mortgage, often times through refinancing. They may have needed the lower payments in order to be able to afford/qualify for the pricing they were finding in the real estate markets they bought in, so they got in to the home and qualified on a 30 year mortgage, waiting for great interest rate opportunities like we are seeing … (9 comments)
jackson county: Have You Been To Pomodori Ristaurante in Medford Oregon?
- 07/20/10 06:08 PM
Mamma Mia, what a meal we had tonight at Pomodori Ristaurante in Medford Oregon! If you haven’t been to this wonderfully fresh and invitingly unique Italian restaurant right here in our little corner of the world, you are so missing out.
We started off with the Caesar Salad that has of very generous proportions with a great flavor. From there, we went straight to the Seafood Pomodori for my husband and I ordered the Ratatouille Ravioli from the special menu. The sauces on these two dishes were fresh, flavorful and very unique – a great heat in the Pomodori from … (2 comments)
jackson county: So Much For Transparency, FHA!
- 07/20/10 05:34 PM
There have been several proposals on the agenda for the FHA loans. Some may call it a Hidden Agenda vs. the transparency most of us have so desperately been seeking in the mortgage industry. When FHA proposed an increased down payment to meet the wishes for those wishing buyers "have more skin in the game" to create a more stable housing market, I was happy to hear this idea had been shot down. It seemed it had been recognized that increasing down payment requirements for the target population, homeowners seeking affordable housing, would not be best served by this change. A … (4 comments)
Pretty, isn't it? It won't last. The same is true with the extraordinarily low interest rates available right now. They won't last. Don't be a spectator. Jump in and get that low-interest-rate nectar while the getting's good. Real world conditions The US has more than $8 trillion in Treasuries outstanding. That's nearly double the amount just three years ago. China, who holds much of our debt, is experiencing a real … (0 comments)
jackson county: Ten Commandments When Applying For A Real Estate Home Loan Are More Important Than Ever
- 06/05/10 06:58 AM
As of June 1, 2010, we are required to pull a refresher credit report prior to funding a loan. Funding will not take place until any inquiries, late payments, or new accounts are explained and the file will need to be re-underwritten to include the new debt and take in to consideration late payments and/or decreased credit scores. It’s a tough world out there in the mortgage | home loan process, making the following Ten Commandments to follow when applying for a home loan more important then ever:
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS When applying for a Real Estate Home Loan 1. … (2 comments)
jackson county: Have You Heard of Rogue Valley Local Foods?
- 05/18/10 05:11 PM
Facing time constraints and not getting your food garden in this season? I know I am! Thank God for a local resource about to go online June 12, 2010, the Rogue Valley Local Foods organization. June 11th, we’ll be able to go online at www.RogueValleyLocalFoods.org and place our order for fresh, in-season produce, meats, dairy and eggs online. I was so happy to hear about www.RogueValleyLocalFoods.org when the first of May rolled around and the only thing growing in our vegetable plots was three foot tall weeds and last year’s strawberries! Of course, if the deer mosey along and help themselves … (5 comments)
jackson county: Have You Heard of Buy Local Buy Rogue?
- 05/18/10 05:04 PM
There is a fast growing movement here in the Rogue Valley in beautiful Southern Oregon. Buy Local – Buy Rogue is a non-profit organization that is all about supporting local independent businesses here in the Rogue Valley. I first hear about them when my husband had a meeting with them about becoming a sponsor of this worthy cause. It seems like I just blinked, and all of a sudden, their membership is pushing 200 local Rogue Valley businesses wanting to help get the word out about supporting each other.
This initiative goes … (3 comments)
jackson county: It Ain't Over 'Til ... Tales of the $8,000 First Time Buyer Tax Credit 3
- 04/17/10 05:00 PM
Is the game up as far the $8,000 tax credit goes if an eligible first time home buyer isn't under contract on a home by April 30th and escrow closed by June 30th? Not if they are an eligible US servicemember like the many Southern Oregon Guardsmen and active military personnel bravely fighting for us in Iraq and Afganistan and are on active duty at least 90 days between 1/1/2009 - 4/30/2010 (or injured while on active duty). These brave souls will have an extra year to take advantage of the $8,000 first time buyer tax credit if they are eligible. … (6 comments)
jackson county: It Ain't Over 'Til ... Tales of the $8,000 First Time Buyer Tax Credit 2
- 04/17/10 04:46 PM
What does a home buyer do who was hoping to take the USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing loan when the USDA funding source dried up temporarily? Well, two of the Southern Oregon first time home buyers I am working with switched from the USDA program to an FHA loan. Thankfully, both were able to arrange for a gift from family members to help meet the current minimum FHA down payment requirement of 3.5%. If all goes well with their inspections, two more Rogue Valley families will be on the road to homeownership – AND have $8,000 to help them right out of … (2 comments)
Loving the challenge of a career in mortgage|real estate since 1983, keeping up with the progression of changes in this industry keeps one on their toes. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right? Here's to a few more decades of strength building!
The State of Oregon applied and received U.S. Treasury Hardest Hit Funds due to the extent of unemployment and foreclosure this State's citizens have experienced. The latest program, the Home Rescue Program, has been opened up to applicants who are seeking financial assistance on their home due to a loss of income. If they have fallen behind on their payments, they may not only receive help catching up the arrearage, but also help with making their payments going forward. If you or someone you know is an Oregon Homeowner facing financial hardship, go to www.oregonhomeownerhelp.com for additional information and to apply. … (0 comments)
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