Category Archives: Myths

Equity Requirement to Refinance?

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) wants to expedite the stabilization of the real estate market. The hope is that if they let upside down home owners take advantage of today’s low interest rates, fewer homeowners will walk away. The goal is to lower the interest rate and monthly payment. The Home Affordable Refinance Program

History of the Southern California Building Boom

Those of my readers who were ever in the real estate industry or those of you who wonder how Southern California became the subdivision capital of the world, can enjoy a look back into the industries history in a recently published novel “Boom Builder” Boom Builder was written by Gold Country Medias former “Placer Pundit”

Doesn’t the Highest Offer Have Right to Meet a Later Offer?

Your situation is not uncommon in today’s real estate market. Multiple offers on well priced bank owned properties aka REO’s. has become the norm and there can only be one “winning” offer. It looks like a cash offer beat out your “contingent” offer. The cash offer didn’t have to be as high as your offer

What Are The Obligations of a Foreclosure Auction Buyer?

The absolute best home buys are on the courthouse steps. If you go to the auction and successfully  purchase the home that you have your eye on you will not be required to assume the second.  All loans subordinate to the first are considered to be “junior” liens and are wiped out during the foreclosure

What in an Offer Can ‘Kill’ a Deal?

The listing agent should know more about the sellers motivation than anyone.However, a sellers motivation can change from moment to moment. It’s the listing agents duty to write your offer the way that you have instructed. It’s also his duty to present it to the seller. Agents themselves unwittingly become the “deal Killers” in a

When the Escrow Fails Does the Deposit Go to the Seller?

What happens to the deposit when an escrow falls apart?

Do You Have to Be Behind in Your Payments to Get a Short Sale?

Getting behind in payments makes no sense if you want a short sale approved!

Can The Lender Go After My Retirement Funds?

Retirement accounts are protected in California. Talk to your tax or real estate attorney. They can write a letter addressed to your lender stating that your savings is in a protected retirement account. This should be adequate. Lenders are doing everything they can to minimize their losses.

Why Lower My Price When the Median Price is Going Up?

Leslie Appleton Young, Chief economist for the California Association of Realtors, recently reported that the May [2010] sales in California were down by a whopping 25% while the median price of a home was up 4.8%! This does not mean that existing home prices are going up. It does mean however, that home sales are

Is It Always a Lot of Work Maintaining Rentals?

Investors purchase properties expecting a return on their investment. The return can be from rents, appreciation or adding value like you did by fixing up the property. The value added to a property through rehabilitation is generally more immediate and over time can have a much higher rate of return. I don’t understand why you