Down Payment Dreams – Concord, CA 2008 May 30th The City of Concord in Contra Costa County , California is the center of the Diablo Valley. As the largest City in the Valley, Concord has a wide range of housing options to meet your needs. Plans have already begun for the redevelopment of the Concord Navel Weapons Base. The development will be the largest development site in the East Bay in over 40 years. There will be lots of New Homes and plenty of open space to explore. Take a look at some of these deals you can take advantage of today. View homes in other Contra Costa Cities Below are homes in Concord under $350,000 View homes in Concord over $350,000 or Call Nate 888-808-6283 Price City Bed Bath ½ Bath Psbl Ast 0 Down Mo Pmt Address Brokerage Listed By     $84,000 CONCORD 1 1   $3... 05/30/2008

LIBOR: "London InterBank Offered Rate" It's what one London based bank will lend money to another London based bank. To us, it's an index. This is all about London - why should we care? Remember how ARM's work An index is just something that we can all point to and agree upon. It's a factor that cannot be, or should not be manipulated. It is what it is. LIBOR is an index, so is COFI, MTA, or the 1 year Treasury. We generally all agree to use the same figure, as reported in the Wall Street Journal on such and such a day. That way we are all on the same page (pun intended). To create a Adjustable Rate Mortgage we then take an Index (any index) and add a Margin to it. The Margin is just a number that the Lender adds to create the Note Rate. It does not correlate directly to profit margin.... 05/13/2008

On the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, the "Circle of Friends" meet at the Walnut Country Clubhouse at 4498 Lawson Court (off of South Larwin) in Concord from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00.m.  We listen to a different speaker each month and then socialize.  In addition, we have many sub-groups that have formed from this main group.  Some of the things that we have organized are:  Bowling, Bunko, Bingo, Golfing, Tennis, Wine-tasting, Bocce Ball, Theater, Book Club, Card Games to name a few.  If interested in attending, call Lori Hagge at 925 998-8844 or email at lori@lorihagge.com.    This is a great way to meet other women and make new friends.  We are also listed at http://www.meetup.com/v/5355403/e3671f/0/  Go to this site for additional information.Lori Hagge, Realtor, GRI, CRS, ASP, SRES De... 05/06/2008

Mount Diablo Unified School District   If you are a parent you already know they have "issues".  Mt. Diablo schools admit budget errors Mt. Diablo benefits fall victim to budget If you've been to a board meeting (to voice your opinion) you probably came away disappointed.  So what's a Concerned Parent to do? If you read the Clayton Pioneer yesterday, the answer was Front Page News! Catherine Myers, a concerned parent (who also happens to also be a busy Real Estate Agent for Alain Pinel and a Blogger), somehow found the free time to organize an informal meeting.  She managed to bring together some of the Board Members and 50 or so Parents.  From the article: "On April 12, a group of almost 50 parents and teachers informally met with MDUSD board members Paul Strange and Gary Eberhart at ... 04/25/2008

Concord Disposal is Expanding our Service! Starting in May and lasting most of the summer, we will receive our new garbage cans.  We will have a set of three: Blue - All recycling (Put it all Together).  Include aluminum cans, tin cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic milk/water jugs (HDPE #2), loose newspaper, white paper, colored paper, computer paper, magazines, telephone books, junk mail, plastic soft drink bottles, plastic shampoo, bleach, detergent containers, cardboard (needs to be cut so it will fall out easily), construction paper, chipboard such as cereal and cracker boxes, milk cartons, juice containers.  PLEASE CLEAN AND RINSE CANS AND BOTTLES FIRST. Please DO NOT INCLUDE Pizza Boxes or any recyclable items with food residue. Brown - Garbage Only!  Include all garbage items ... 04/19/2008

Todos Santos Plaza CalendarWillow Pass Road and Grant StreetConcord Farmer's MarketTuesdays: Year-round, rain or shine10am - 2pmDuring Acoustic Tuesdays series (July 1-29), 10am - 8pmThursdays: May - October4pm - 8pmMusic & Market SeriesMay 8 - September 18Thursdays, 6:30pm - 8pmMOM Day in the Plaza:  Mother's DaySunday, May 11 from 2pm - 4pmCelebrate the day by dining at Todos Santos restaurants and enjoy a special concert in the Plaza.Bay Area KidFestMemorial Day Weekend, May 24-26, 11am - 6pmThree days of fun for the entire family!  KidFest Hotline:  925-671-3287DAD Day in the Plaza: Father's DaySunday, June 15, 2pm - 4pmThis event salutes fatehrs with a special free concert in the Plaza and NASCAR surprises.Music at NoonTuesdays, 12:00 noon, May 6 - June 24July 4th Parade and Festiv... 04/19/2008

1531 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1,093 sq. ft. $299,950 1535 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1,093 sq. ft. $229,900 1584 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1,093 sq. ft. $320,000 TERRYLYNN FISHER, Diablo Realty, Realtor, Staging Specialist - CSP/Realtor (Certified Staging Professional), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist). Terrylynn is in her 30th+ year in real estate, works in ALL kinds of markets and has a referral directory of Realtors who use similar marketing in your hometown too. She can be reached at 925 876-0966 for referrals or questions. 04/01/2008

Condos 5425 Concord Blvd. 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 762 sq. ft. $255,000 5460 Concord Blvd. 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 902 sq. ft. $189,950 5450 Concord Blvd. 2 bedrooms, 1 bath,902 sq. ft. $250,000 Single Family Sepulveda Court 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2,041 sq. ft. $477,900 Packard Court 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2,049 sq. ft. $525,000 Preston Court 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2,603 sq. ft. $674,900 Gonzalez Court 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,657 sq. ft. $340,000 Alicante Court 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2,041 sq. ft. $499,000 TERRYLYNN FISHER, Diablo Realty, Realtor, Staging Specialist - CSP/Realtor (Certified Staging Professional), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist). Terrylynn is in her 30th+ year in real estate, works in ALL kinds of markets and has a referral directory of Realtor... 04/01/2008

 Still looking - can anyone help?  We have rented to them before (we have a property management company), but we currently have nothing available.  They have 4 very nice kids, so at least 3 bedrooms would be best and they would love to be in an area where their son can attend Ayers Elementary.  They are quiet, clean and responsible and will take great care of your rental.  They are hoping for $1,400/month but can possibly go a bit higher.  Please let us know if you have anything that might work for them!  Thanks so much!  Chris 925.212.7249 03/27/2008

I've been on LinkedIn for a while but never really attempted to use it anywhere near it's full potential. I had a profile, and that was about it. Todd Carpenter started me thinking the other day when he launched his Lenderama group in Linkedin. I joined right away (I think I was the third to join). Then I sat back and wondered "Now What?" Now that we have a group, what are we going to do with it. The truth is, nobody really knows. Todd will decide what he wants to do with his LinkedIn group as he sees fit.I had an idea though. It stems from my other blog, The Foreclosure Report... You see, when someone (typically a homeowner) has a question, problem or issue that deals with their fighting foreclosure, they call me or email me. My contact information is right at the top of every page. I ... 03/24/2008

This is the 9th of 17 entries I've written for the "Mortgage Creative Writing Challenge".  The traditional Japanese Haiku format follows the syllable pattern of 5 - 7 - 5.  The writer might bring in a word or concept (kiga) that evokes memories of a particular season.  The last line is usually in sharp contrast (caesura) to the body of the poem. I chose to backdrop each poem with a traditional Japanese watercolor or photograph.  Some in contrast, others not. To the Haiku purist the following might not be proper in the strict sense.  Your latitude is appreciated. Mortgage Haiku # 9   Why 17?  It is the total number of syllables in a Haiku, no other reason.Why separate them?  Each one should be read and engaged individually.  You can find my whole series here:  Mortgage Haiku   03/23/2008

This is the 7th of 17 entries I've written for the "Mortgage Creative Writing Challenge".  The traditional Japanese Haiku format follows the syllable pattern of 5 - 7 - 5.  The writer might bring in a word or concept (kiga) that evokes memories of a particular season.  The last line is usually in sharp contrast (caesura) to the body of the poem. I chose to backdrop each poem with a traditional Japanese watercolor or photograph.  Some in contrast, others not. To the Haiku purist the following might not be proper in the strict sense.  Your latitude is appreciated. Mortgage Haiku # 7   Why 17?  It is the total number of syllables in a Haiku, no other reason.Why separate them?  Each one should be read and engaged individually.  You can find my whole series here:  Mortgage Haiku   03/21/2008

This is the first of 17 entries I've written for the "Mortgage Creative Writing Challenge". The traditional Japanese Haiku format follows the syllable pattern of 5 - 7 - 5. The writer might bring in a word or concept (kiga) that evokes memories of a particular season. The last line is usually in sharp contrast (caesura) to the body of the poem. I chose to backdrop each poem with a traditional Japanese watercolor or photograph. Some in contrast, others not. To the Haiku purist the following might not be proper in the strict sense. Your latitude is appreciated. Mortgage Haiku #1 Why 17? It is the total number of syllables in a Haiku, no other reason.Why separate them? Each one should be read and engaged individually. You can find my whole series here: Mortgage Haiku 03/18/2008

Department Phone Number ADA (Americans' with Disabilities Act Coordinator) 671-3063 Animal Control 335-8300 BART 676-2278 Building, Engineering and Neighborhood Services 671-3361 Business Licenses 671-3313 Cable TV - Astound Broadband 459-1000 Cable TV - Comcast 800-945-2288 Camp Concord 671-3273 Centre Concord 671-3466 City Council 671-3158 Community and Recreation Services Class Registration 671-3404 Concord Community Pool 671-3480 Concord Naval Weapons Station Reuse Project 671-3001 Contra Costa Water District 688-8044 County Connection (bus info) 676-7500 Day Labor Program - Monument Futures 680-2844 Economic Development 671-3355 Flood Zone Inquiries 671-3425 Garbage Collection 682-9113 Graffiti Hotline 671-3080 Housing 671-3455 Mayor 671-3158 Neighborhood Services Hotline 671-3282... 03/03/2008

Neil Simon's autobiographical hit comedy is set in pre-World War II Brooklyn, where Eugene Jerome, an ambitious, somewhat starry-eyed teenager who wants to be a writer, lives with his extended Jewish family in a lower-middle-class home that is filled with tension, love, and plenty of laughs. Order your tickets today at WillowsTheatre.org or by calling (925) 798-1300.This play will be at the Willows Theatre (1975 Diamond Blvd.) from 3/17 - 4/20/08.Did you know that you can visit www.ConcordFirst.org for a complete list of Concord Events & activities?  I encourage you to check it out!     03/03/2008

Just when I was feeling jealous reading about these events elsewhere... I realized we are having one of our own!  The website is here.   It costs $10 and is from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday, March 9 at the Crown Plaza (45 John Glenn Drive, Concord.  There will be chocolate booths and wine booths for tasting, and also cooking demonstrations.  Sounds like a good time!Hope to see some of my neighbors there!Some Chocolate facts:1) The oldest known civilization of the Americas (1500 - 400 B.C.), The Olmecs, were probably the first users of cacao. Though few records survived, recent linguistic findings suggest the word "cacao" is derived from the word Kakawa in Mixe-Zoquean, believed to have been their language.2) In the 17th Century, the first recorded case of "Death by Chocolate" occurred. In San ... 03/03/2008

Concord is the first city in the SF Bay Area to offer free wireless Internet service at no cost to residents or to the city's General Fund.  Two-thirds of the city has now been connected through Metro-Fi.  For a network map and to sign up for updates, visit www.MetroFiBayArea.com.What great news & a great thing for our city to offer!  Unfortunately I am not in one of the service areas yet, but I did sign up for the updates. Since we're at the very edge of Concord city limits, it seems like we're last for most things.  : (If you have been using this free service, I'd love to hear what you think!     03/03/2008

Concord, CA Recreation is offering a Home Buyer Education class, presented by Angela Martinez and Wendy Cutrufelli  to teach you: How each type of purchase - Auction, Short-Sale or Foreclosure - differs The pros and cons of each for you as the buyer How to sue the current Buyers Market to purchase a home Under Market Value This class will be valuable whether you are a first-time buyer, a move-up buyer or are contemplating the purchase of investment property.  Tuesday, March 25th, 20086:30 - 8:00 pmCentre ConcordFee:  $19 Resident / $24 non-Resident 925-671-3404 or www.concordreg.org 02/26/2008

  Are you thinking of buying a home in today's real estate market?  Did you know that in East Contra Costa County nearly 80% of the homes listed for sale are listed as a "Short Sale" or "REO/Bank-Owned?"  Did you know that nearly 50% of the homes in Concord and Martinez are listed as a "Short Sale" or REO/Bank Owned? Are looking to buy a home under $550,000?  If so, chances are that you will come across a Short Sale, Foreclosure, REO/ Bank-Owned or Auction Property.  Auction, Short Sale, Foreclosure and Bank-Owned Properties are common terms uses to describe homes for sale in the current market.  The Concord Community Center is offering an education class specifically for the home buyer. You will learn: How each type of home for sale differs. The pros and cons of buying each. The impact... 02/26/2008

  There's a comedian on TV who's gig is "YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID".  Is it Ron White?  I think so. I've never seen him.  Not for any other reason than I don't get a chance to watch much TV. This has nothing about stupid.  It's about LTV.  Loan to Value.  It's a ratio of what the property you live in is worth by what you owe expressed as a percentage.  Zero % would mean you own your home outright.  100% would mean you have no equity. LTV has nothing to do with your intelligence.  A low LTV doesn't mean you are smart, and a high LTV doesn't mean you are stupid.  I prefer not to call anyone stupid anyway.  It must be the father in me. But high LTV can kill your ability to refinance or purchase.  On a purchase, the remedy to High LTV is simple.  Put more down.  or put the same down on a cheape... 02/21/2008