So I was previewing homes in my local market Downey, California and decided to snap a quick one with my Palm Treo........ hope you enjoy from the album cover of Now & Then And how it looked in the album Now and Then     01/19/2009

Remember this is only a prediction and nothing more, maybe we will look back at this and say ..... boy was that Benny Chavez guy off, or maybe boy was that Benny Chavez guy on the money! I will mention  that I have taken plenty of real facts into account when deciding what I would predict would happen so here it goes: 2009 Will bring double the amount of forclosures than 2008 The amount of forclosures will make some markets drop price by 10% Interest rates will remain within 5 and 6 % till 2010 Many markets will have a stimulated local economy due to various real estate transactions Lenders will continue to use high standards to qualify The high end markets will be experiencing fewer sales, hows 10% off of 1,000,000? People will lose homes this year but a positve look will be that the l... 01/13/2009

Another Stimulus Bill is about to take a trip around capital hill very soon.  Our political leaders have a grave responsibility in using the public tax dollars wisely, not just distributing wealth from one hand to the other.  Giving credits (money) to everyone doesn't do a dam_ thing unless, the tax credit can effectively generate jobs and support systems to maintain those jobs, but also create JOBS.  Be careful in what your legislators are doing.  Adding to the deficient without job creation can be long lasting, President Bush gave us 3 tax credits stimulus packages with Congressional support during the last 8 years, and did we not learn that this was a token gesture, that actually added to our grandchildren debt, they will be paying for. Let's get specific, we have approx. 180 million... 01/03/2009

Bank Owned properties or R.E.O (real estated owned by a corporate entity) sales are much easier than a short sale. The only problem with a reo is the conditions of the transaction. In most cases the bank will sell the property in as-is condition. Depending on the kind of financing you have in place, some lenders will not close the escrow if the home is not habitable. In the case of the price, the price is usually set low to attract a lot of attention. We have come up with the conclusion that on average it takes 22 showings to generate 1 offer on a property. By setting the price below market value, the reo usually will receive multiple offers depending on the condition and location. Thus driving the price closer to market value. Some drawbacks with reo's is the fact that you have no hist... 12/08/2008

When a homes value is less that the amount owed on a mortgage, and the home owner is late making payments on the mortgage, the bank will begin a forclosure process. If the home owner wishes to save his credit rating and avoid the forclosure, a real estate agent is hired to market the home for sale. Since the homes market value is less than the amount due on the mortgage, the agent begins a short sale process. Most often we need to stop the forclosure process so we price the home below market value to attract attention which in turn leads to offers on the property. Once an offer is accepted by the home owner the bank reviews the offer and either accepts the offer or sends a new approved price which is higher. In the event the approved price is higher the agent relists the home at the new... 12/08/2008

The Road to Recovery is upon us.  Most people believe it or not, are still listening to the doomssayers, yet if you look at the  underling events that are taking shape today, and analyze the momentum of activity on the market, you'll discover that multiple offers are being made on more and more property each day, even on November 18th 2008.  Typically October, November and December are slow months. Why you might ask?  We all know Convential Lenders are not lending ask brisk as they were in years past, however, having said that, capital markets had stopped lending because of the MBS's, CDO's, and SPV's that contaminated the commercial paper markets.  The climate at the Treasury Dept. clearly shows that banks are becoming healthier with bailout money.  Fresh capital, not tarnished capital... 11/18/2008

Economic Bailout for the Auto Industry If GM, Ford, and Chrysler are to survive this economic recession, they need to make a serious decision as to the future of their companies, as well as their workers, and other supporting services that provide parts and other related accessories to the auto industry.  GM, Ford, and Chrysler also employ a lot of related industries. The Steel industry, Aluminum, sheet metals, plastics, rubber, electrical components, paint industry and glass manufactures, and a whole host of inter-related supporting companies that provide valuable jobs to Americans.  If these automakers are allowed go under, so do a lot of other hard working folks that are inter-related.  That's one of the reasons why the economy is partially suffering in the real estate and mortgage m... 11/12/2008

Baffled by all the political posturing?  If I were running for public office, here is what I would do since having Mastered Real Estate and Economics 101;                    1.  Reduce the Capital Gains tax to 5%, what this will do is encourage those that are holding long term capital gains to sell.  First of all, what is considered  a capital gain?     Some people think this is only for the rich, think again.  A sale of stock, mutual funds or bonds fall in that category, as well as other long term gains, such as a real estate investment, apartment building containing 1 to 4 units, is also considered a capital gain.   Most people don't realize it, your home could be a capital gain if you made more than the allowable profit, as an example; you bought a home for $85,000 and you sold it fo... 11/10/2008

If GM,Ford, and Chrysler are to survive this economic recession, they need to make serious decissions as to the future of their companies, as well as their workers.  they also provide jobs to other supporting services that provide parts and other related accessories.  GM, Ford, and Crysler also employ a lot of related industries.  Steel, Alluminum, sheet metals, plastics, molding and a whole host of supporting companies that provide jobs to America.  If these automakers go under, so do a lot of other hard working folks.  What these automakers need to do is conscentrate on is what seems to be everyone's problem, not enough sales to support itself. So what do you do?  You cut expenses.  That's an enivetable fact of life.   The trade unions have made it vertually difficult to keep these au... 11/07/2008

1.  Eliminate taxable income from Passbook and Certificate of deposits held  in banks and credit unions and other federal and state chartered banks up to the $100,000 in tax free income per year.  Make it mandatory that banks raise the minimum interest earned to at least 2% for regular passbook savings accounts.  Banks can then increase the Certificate of Deposits interest rates according to the their profit margins.  The free market then would allow cash flow, that provides for mortgages, consumer loans. 2. Increase the FDIC Max Guaranty currently at $100,000.  obviously raise fees for the cost of FDIC coverage. 3. Reduce the Federal Capital Gains Tax to .05%, this would generate cash flow into the treasury by encouraging those who have long term capital gains to cash in their gain an... 09/25/2008

Necesito un agente de habla español para que me asista en la compra de mi casa.  ¿Adonde puedo encortar un agente de bienes raíces?  Necesito vender mi casa y quiero un agente de habla español.  ¿Adonde puedo encontrar un agente de bienes raíces que hable español?  Se ha hecho estas preguntas?  Yo le puedo asistir!  Por favor llame al 562-916-3237 pregunte por Aida Pinto.  Si usted handa buscado en las ciudades el Condado de Los Ángeles, yo le puede ayudar. Para la Venta or Compra de su casa, yo le puedo ayudar.   09/07/2008

I'm new here at active rain, but what I hear everyone here loves this place. My name is Veronica with  Pro-Active Escrow, Inc. and we are located in Downey. I would love to going everyones group, well if possible. I hope I hear from someone soon.   www.ProActiveEscrow.com Veronica Bayona 08/08/2008

As a property investor, it sickens me to hear of some of the unfortunate circumstances that occur in the name of property investing.  It has become apparent to me that I should speak out against those unscrupulous characters who claim to be a part of this industry.  Especially since they claim to be, like myself, "Property Investors".   In these perilous times of Real Estate panic and uncertainty, the last thing one needs is to be kicked when they’re down.  That is by being offered lots of  hope, only to be shot down with candy coated lies, and all at a nominal fee!  The fee being, your home, cash, credit, trust... only to find that you have been fed nothing but  deception and broken promises.    Most Property Investors are hard working individuals, who choose to operate their businesse... 07/06/2008

May 31, 2008 What can be done to help California and Nations Budget Crisis?  Our nation has been facing serious budget issues, and because California is one of the largest economies in the nation, our state is experiencing an exceptionally hard time.  For many of us, it has become a delicate task to make ends meet.  Even the everyday things, such as driving our cars to work and making sure there's enough food on the table, have become a bit of a juggling act.  Many of the problems have been caused by our very own state and national governments paying too much attention to special interest groups instead of the taking care of the important issues.  The three biggest problems facing the United States government and California in particular: 1.  Over-spending.  Government spending is out o... 05/31/2008

REAL ESTATE LEGISLATION ALERT*** IMPORTANT ISSUE ***There is Bill before the State Assembly, AB 2678, (Nunez) that would be disastrous for all Californians, upon the sale of any residential home, including rental property, as well as any commercial property sold in the State of California.The provision of this Bill, AB 2678, would require that any property sold must have an Energy Audit at the cost of $400, this also establish a regulatory committee to monitor the point of sale audits and would also require a mandatory energy efficiency investment be made before escrow can close.  This will further hurt our already crippled real estate market.  The Audit will cost California property owners $400, plus the cost of mandatory required energy compliance that may run into the thousands of do... 04/24/2008

Comment and Perspective on the Real Estate MarketCarlos R. Arvizu Sr.Contributing WriterCommunication and Panicking in the Market PlaceRegardless what market your in, the stock market, real estate market or the Lending Market, sometimes we need to stop and rationalize what's going on. The problem in this day in age, is that too much communication that causes confusion.  Were bombarded with everyone's varying opinion   Radio, T.V. Newspapers, Magazines and the Internet, you name it, it's no wonder why we have so many indecisive decisions clouding up our vision.  Just this morning my wife had a panic attack about the money in her 401 k retirement fund.  She is getting mixed signals from every directions, and is in a panic, and doesn't know what she should do.On the lending side, I was tal... 03/17/2008

This morning, the Director of the Federal Government Sponsored Enterprise, Jame B. Lockhard, finally agreed to allow FannieMae and FreddieMac to set the Conforming Loan Limits higher than the current $417,000.  Unfortunately, it's taken 18 months of huges sacrafices for the real estate and mortgage industry to get to the brink of total disater.Why it takes so long for these people to make a decision is beyond me.  It's very frustrating for homeowners, who are trying to buy or refinance.  History teaches us valuable lessons, I not sure if politicians, short term economist, and the news media ever stop to rationalize the long term affects on their opinions, that affect our daily lives.Carlos Arvizu Sr.Prudential California RealtyTheMulhearn Group562-755-3856 02/27/2008

 How fragile is the real estate market in comparison to the rest of the world of economics, and what does it take to get us back on track to stabilility and eventually growth?To answer that, we must understand how all the componets work.The Federal Reserve System and the Secondary Market (FannieMae and FreddieMac)  which is operated under the Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE), these two entities have a direct influence on our economy. The Federal Reserve Systems controls the money supply that influences banks who borrow from them and other banks, short term interest rates, such as adjustable rate mortgages, hybrid type loans.  They also affect consumer loans, home equity lines of credit, construction loans, cars loans, and also has a direct influence on the prime rate charged to the... 02/18/2008

Tomarrow, is the election day.  This has been a long awaited time for Californians to finally have a real say in the decision who to elect someone in the party of their choice, whether you are Republican, Democrate or affliated with the other parties.  When Voting, distinquish hype and rederick to logic and reprocussion.  Remember when their is an Action, there is a Reaction.  Make it a productive day and week.  Lets hope and pray we made the right choice.Carlos Arvizu Sr.TheDon1950@aol.com 02/04/2008

According to the Chronicle Staff Writer James of the SFGATE.com GOP is flagging resistance to increasing the conforming Loan Limits that allow FannieMae, and FreddieMac to purchase loans above the $417,000 treshold.Unfortunately, a handful of Senators that don't realize that a combination of events have literally killed economic growth for Calirornia and the nation and it will get worst unless they raise the conforming loan limits now.  We don't have the luxury of time to wait.  How many people have to lose their homes, jobs and any kind of stability before actions is taken to get the country moving forward.What some government officials don't realize is that the laws they create or delay taking action on, ultimatly can and will affect us one way or another.  Most politicians don't seem... 01/26/2008