As I'm sure you may have heard, both Countrywide and Paramount Equity, two very large lenders in the area, have been accused of predatory lending practices. It is important to remember that when dealing with large sums of money you should always use someone you know and trust. If you do not know of any lenders, I strongly recommend Amy O'Brien from Coulombe and Evered LLC. You can contact her at:
Amy O'Brien: 425-462-6572 (Direct) or amyo@cehomeloans.com
On a Personal Note
My family and I certainly wish that summer weather lasted all year. We simply can't get enough. Consequently we've tried to get as much sun in as possible this last month. First we purchased and installed a hammock for sun bathing on our bedroom balcony as an anniversary gift to each other (Bamboo fountain to follow). Then we took time to vacation in sunny Cannon Beach Oregon. That town is both great for the family and dog friendly as well. Believe it or not, we even purchased a kite. Great family fun and it was a blast for certain.
Rounding out the month, we spent the day at the park to take in the races. It at times felt more like an air show than a Hydro race but it was a good time for sure regardless. Something inside me wishes it could say that the right team won but I'd be lying. I just can't bring myself to root for Dave Villwock. Once a BUD driver, always a BUD driver and I simply can't root for the BUD. Oh well. That said, it was really good to see and HEAR the Unlimited Lights. More boats, more noise and stiffer competition. That's boat racing at its best.
As far as the baby goes... 31 weeks down and 9 to go. She's twisting and kicking all the time and we can't wait to see her. It's "crunch" time for sure. In the last 4 weeks we've toured the hospital, scheduled birthing classes, made substantial progress on the remodel and started a water aerobics class to get all tuned up and ready.
A Note from Carly
Hello everyone! August is my favorite month of the year. I have a month-and-a-half off from school, the weather is warm and sunny, and my birthday is on the 11th. This year I have decided to put my fears aside and belt out a few karaoke tunes. Feel free to call and wish me a happy birthday or send gifts in the form of cash or checks.
What's New In Real Estate
The current housing market has many people asking about purchasing homes that are in foreclosure. What most people don't know is that banks are friendlier towards short-sales in lieu of foreclosures, but they do require patience from both the buyers and the sellers:
When Persistance Pays Off:
Laurel Wittman and her husband, Eduardo Lopes, are examples of a rare species: successful short-sale buyers.
The unfortunate trio of nothing-down mortgages, sharp increases in adjustable-rate payments and shrinking home values has driven more strapped owners to ask their lenders to approve short sales as an alternative to foreclosure.
Eduardo Lopes and Laurel Wittman bought a five-bedroom house near Falls Church, Va., in a short sale. It took months. "If you had any urgency, you couldn't have done this," Wittman said.
Signs that a short sale will close
A NUMBER OF SIGNS indicate that a listing advertised as a short sale should make it to closing, said Glenn Kelman, chief executive of Seattle-based Redfin. Unless you see this signs, you might be wasting your time:
Seller has stopped paying the mortgage and received a notice of default: If the lender is still collecting monthly payments, it has no incentive to approve a short sale.
The bank is ready to deal: Someone at the bank has approved a short sale or at least confirmed receipt of the short-sale documents showing that the home is being sold for a reasonable price. "Ask the listing agent who his contact at the bank is, by name and title, and confirm that the paperwork is complete," Kelman said. "Many won't even know what you are talking about."
Listing agent is experienced with short sales: The agent needs to be able to answer your questions. "To make a deal happen, you need a listing agent pounding on the table with the bank," Kelman said.
Foreclosure is at least six weeks away: It takes at least that long to get a short sale approved. Foreclosure any sooner could sweep your deal away. Unfortunately, foreclosure dates aren't always easy to nail down. Several troubled borrowers have said they couldn't find out exactly when the foreclosure would happen. Some buyers who have succeeded at a short sale have said they could only guess at the date.
The home has only one mortgage: If there's more than one loan on the house, it is harder to get approval for a short sale. "If two banks have to approve the deal, one will get the short end of it, and approval is unlikely," Kelman said. You don't want to see that there are other lien holders, such as unpaid contractors.
In Other Local News
Tonight is the 25th Anniversary of "National Night Out", a community effort to fight against crime. Interested in how you can do your part?
National Night Out marks 25th year with Tuesday gatherings
By Sanjay Bhatt
Seattle Times staff reporter
On Tuesday, from Vancouver to Bellingham and Walla Walla to Seattle, residents will be meeting for potlucks, parades and other social events - part of the National Night Out against crime, now in its 25th year.
Organizers hope relationships formed that night will lead to greater cooperation in reporting suspicious people in the neighborhood.
"We need the community's help to prevent and solve crimes," says Jeffrey Kappel, a spokesman for the Seattle Police Department. "The Police Department can't do it alone."
Now for "the Joke of the Day":
Here are a few Chuck Norris facts:
Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table, because he only recognizes the element of surprise.
When Chuck Norris falls in water, Chuck Norris doesn't get wet. Water gets Chuck Norris.
Scientists have estimated that the energy given off during the Big Bang is roughly equal to 1CNRhK (Chuck Norris Roundhouse Kick)
Chuck Norris' house has no doors, only walls that he walks through.
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could Chuck Norris? ...All of it.
Chuck Norris doesn't actually write books, the words assemble themselves out of fear.
Chuck Norris CAN believe it's not butter.
If tapped, a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick could power the country of Australia for 44 minutes.
Chuck Norris can divide by zero.
Chuck Norris always knows the EXACT location of Carmen SanDiego.
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