advice: Buyers - Get ready for a little more pain! - 07/05/10 05:50 AM
Home Buyers get ready to share a little more pain
Mortgage rates are again historically low, with 30 year fixed rates hovering between 4.50 - 5.00%.  This is fantastic news, considering we once heard rates would be inching closer to 6.00% by the end of 2010.  What happened?  Not being an economist, I can only summarize it by saying that the ills we visited upon international financial markets appear to have made our US 10 year notes look pretty attractive when contrasted with other now crippled global investments, buoying our domestic earnings, buying more sunny skies for mortgage applicants.  For now, … (0 comments)

advice: Orange County "First Timers" still have all the Fun! - 06/30/10 01:30 PM

There are some incredible purchase programs for First Time Home Buyers in Orange County, California.  At last count, First Timers accounted for 41% of all buyers here.   Per the CAR (California Association of Realtors) 2010 Buyers Survey, these newbies have an average of 23.1% down payment.   So they have the cash and they are out in force.  We can't dismiss this vital buyer group.
Perhaps the best kept secret for these First Timers is that there are several Orange County and California mortgage assistance programs designed just for them.   Unlike the State and Federal Tax Credits, these programs are well funded … (0 comments)

advice: Red Tape - What you need to know now... - 12/28/09 06:43 AM

They don't call California "The Land of the Lawsuit" for nothing.  There were 36 new laws passed in 2009 that impact California real estate sales in one manner or another, ranging from new property disclosures to agent licensing disclosure on all media intended for clients.
Here's a quick recap of new or newly amended laws most likely to impact a Buyer or Seller in our area.
AB 180 - Mortgage Foreclosure consultants Law - This law amends the existing law.  It contains the following provisions:.  Cancellation Right:  Permits an owner to cancel a foreclosure consultant contract until midnight of the … (0 comments)