Freedom is essential to the American way of life. Today we celebrate those who dared to declare our independence and ensure our right to pursue happiness and the American dream. We wish you a happy and safe Independence Day, and we're truly honored that you've chosen us for all of your mortgage needs. Feel free to call us any time. 07/04/2008

Down Payment and Financing are a Part of the Offer You will want to base your offer on the contingency that you can get financing for the purchase of the home. As part of your offer, you inform the seller of the amount of your down payment. This gives the seller some information on the likelihood of your getting financing for your mortgage. In a volatile market, you may want to indicate the parameters of what interest rate is acceptable to you in for financing the loan. Your offer should also contain information on the type of loan you are applying for so they understand the genuineness of your offer. You will want to put a significant amount of money down as earnest, again, so that the seller knows you offer is meaningful and will accept it. Include Clause Regarding Condition and Discl... 06/20/2008

Even though the current housing market is unstable, the interest rates are still very low, so finding a great mortgage is likely with a little research. However, there are many variables, so finding the right mortgage for your circumstances will take some work. It is important that you understand the effects of each aspect of the mortgage. Mortgages often have fees, exceptions and contingencies that can catch buyers unaware. Make sure that you understand everything before you sign your name on the dotted line. For example, you need to look for things like the interest rate over the entire loan period (adjustable rate mortgages have a low interest rate during an introductory period), fees for paying ahead, interest rates if your loan goes into default and, if you have an adjustable rate ... 06/20/2008

Many reading this are old enough to remember home mortgage interest rates when they were above 15%. Compared to those days, today's rates are at historic lows. It is possible that sometime in the future many will look back wishing they took advantage while they can. However, one must be careful when scrutinizing the offered interest rate on any given mortgage. Some lenders can use tricks to make borrowers think that the rate is lower than it actually is. The devil is often in the details. Some mortgages are called adjustable rate mortgages, or ARM's for short. These loans come with an initial interest rate that adjusts along with the prevailing market rates. The adjustment formula usually dictates the rate, which tends to go only one way- up. These ARM's can have low initial interest ra... 06/20/2008

Many seniors often wonder, "how does a reverse mortgage work?"  As its name implies, a reverse mortgage is opposite of a typical one. In a regular mortgage, the borrower secures a loan and makes monthly payments toward it. In a reverse mortgage the lender gives either a lump sum or a stream of monthly payments to someone who already owns a home. Reverse mortgages have several requirements and stipulations. The first and most important being that one must be at least 62 years of age to qualify. These loans are specifically meant for seniors. The goal of a reverse mortgage is to allow a senior to cash out equity in their home without subjecting them to a risk of future foreclosure or having a loan payment to make. Most home equity loans require monthly payments. When you take out a second... 06/20/2008

Finishing up our series of Roseville Market snapshots (for now -- anyway -- we may have an aggregate market update for Roseville available soon), here is a snapshot of market data for West Roseville (95747) for May, 2008.  This snapshot reprinted by permission from the Roseville Real Estate Blog. Unit Volume Data Units Sold May, 2007 May, 2008 Change Foreclosures Sold 12 36 200.00% (% of total units) 18.75% 42.35%   Short Sales Sold 4 11 175.00% (% of total units) 6.25% 12.94%   Non-distressed Sold 48 38 -20.83% (% of total units) 75.00% 44.71%   Total 64 85 32.81%   Price Data Prices May, 2007 May, 2008 Change Sold Price / Square Foot $230.26 $172.48 -25.09% Average List Price $472,039 $400,729 -15.11% Average Sale Price $461,728 $387,516 -16.07% Inventory Sold Last 12 Months Active Mo... 06/12/2008

This Central Roseville real estate market snapshot is reprinted by permission of the Roseville Real Estate Blog.  It covers the period of May, 2008 with inventory figures as of June.  This report is based on MLS data and covers Roseville 95678. Unit Volume Data Units Sold May, 2007 May, 2008 Change Foreclosures Sold 7 32 357.14% (% of total units) 16.67% 56.14%   Short Sales Sold 2 6 200.00% (% of total units) 4.76% 10.53%   Non-distressed Sold 33 19 -42.42% (% of total units) 78.57% 33.33%   Total 42 57 35.71% Price Data Prices May, 2007 May, 2008 Change Sold Price / Square Foot $223.99 $162.71 -27.36% Average List Price $368,172 $295,658 -19.70% Average Sale Price $359,077 $288,693 -19.60% Inventory Sold Last 12 Months Active Months of Inventory 456 230 6.1 06/12/2008

This market snapshot covers the period May, 2008 for East Roseville, California (95661).  Reprinted by permission from http://www.rosevillehomesandland.com. Price Data Prices May, 2007 May, 2008 Change Sold Price / Square Foot $229.39 $190.22 -17.08% Average List Price $421,297 $405,650 -3.71% Average Sale Price $407,416 $395,374 -2.96% Inventory Sold Last 12 Months Active Months of Inventory 247 152 7.4 Unit Volume Data Units Sold May, 2007 May, 2008 Change Foreclosures Sold 2 11 450.00% (% of total units) 9.09% 37.93%   Short Sales Sold 2 0 -100.00% (% of total units) 9.09% 0.00%   Non-distressed Sold 18 18 0.00% (% of total units) 81.82% 62.07%   Total 22 29 31.82%   06/12/2008

06/07/2008

The architecture of this home was a craftsman style contemporary, we were given the task of staging this home to suit it's style and level of sophistication. We stage each home according to it's price point, size, style, and budget. Find a stager that knows the market and knows how to make a home stand out. Staging Pointer: Develop a color theme to carry through-out the home. Accessories are chosen to compliment the homes colors and architectural features. This home is a contemporary craftsman style home, it's furnishings needed to compliment that styling.           One Step Staging is a premier full service home staging company in Roseville, serving Placer County, Rocklin, Lincoln, Granite Bay Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Sacramento and surrounding areas.  View our web site at One Step Stagi... 05/16/2008

Attention Real Estate ProfessionalsAccording to Economics Focus, Volume 12, Issue 12, "Location, Condition, and Price" Today's new mantra for real estate...It's time to find out everything you wanted to know about the Home Staging Industry...Essential Home Staging, LLC is holding an Informational Mixer.Date:       Thursday, May 15, 2008Where:    Welcome Home Furniture Rental                  7311 Galilee Road, Suite 170, Roseville CaliforniaWho:       Real Estate Professionals that want to get an edge on the competitionTime:      2-4 pmCost:       FREE***  Beverages and Hors d'oeuvers will be provided  ***PLUS great GIVEAWAYS from our sponsors:Welcome Home Furniture Rental Too-Organized, Professional Organizer Bubble Boys Window Washing Service Wendy Baker Photography, Real Estate Photo... 05/05/2008

Attention Real Estate ProfessionalsAccording to Economics Focus, Volume 12, Issue 12, "Location, Condition, and Price" Today's new mantra for real estate...It's time to find out everything you wanted to know about the Home Staging Industry...Essential Home Staging, LLC is holding an Informational Mixer.Date:       Thursday, May 15, 2008Where:    Welcome Home Furniture Rental                  7311 Galilee Road, Suite 170, Roseville CaliforniaWho:       Real Estate Professionals that want to get an edge on the competitionTime:      2-4 pmCost:       FREE***  Beverages and Hors d'oeuvers will be provided  ***PLUS great GIVEAWAYS from our sponsors:Welcome Home Furniture RentalToo-Organized, Professional OrganizerBubble Boys Window Washing ServiceWendy Baker Photography, Real Estate Photogra... 05/05/2008

  On weekends, I tend to hold open houses for REO properties, and I am surprised how many buyers are not working with an agent. They hope to find their home by searching through the newest  REO Properties in the Sacramento Area. After they find the right house, then they choose their Realtor. This seems backward.  That process may have worked before, but not now. These buyers are missing out on a lot of services that Realtors bring to the table. In a way, dealing with REO properties is like being in a seller's market again. The good homes go fast, some times in 1 day, and most of the time with multiple offers. In this case the early bird gets the worm. So how does a buyer better position themselves to buy an REO property and get their offer accepted by the bank. 1.     WORK WITH A REALT... 05/05/2008

Q1.  What is an REO? A. An  "REO" is an acronym for "real estate owned" by banks.  A bank owns the property instead of individuals.  Once a property is foreclosed upon, the bank typically acquires title to its REO properties.  Q 2.  What is the difference between an REO sale and bank foreclosure sale? A. Once a homeowner neglected to pay a mortgage loan, the bank sells that property at a foreclosure sale, usually at an auction.  An REO sale, on the other hand, is the sale of property owned by a bank. An Example: Let's say, Suzie Homeowner has a mortgage loan secured by his home.  If she defaults on her mortgage loan, the lender may initiate the foreclosure process and eventually acquire the property at a foreclosure sale.  Upon the lender's acquisition, the property becomes part of the ... 05/05/2008

It's amazing how the banks are finally coming around to our way thinking.  I just closed a short sale and have one in escrow and received 3 offers on the others over the weekend after the BANK gave me APPROVAL on them.  I gotta tell ya it's about time.  Short sales are NOT going away and we as real estate agents had better get a handle on how to do them and get them approved fast and get the banks to work with us.  I also want to say I agree with Jason Grams on all the GURUS coming out of the woodworks that are all of a sudden EXPERTS on short sales.  I learned how to do them by trial and error and getting up at 4:30 in the morning and making phone calls to the banks that were not in California.  There is no doubt they are hard work, but they can be well worth it.  I hope this helps som... 04/14/2008

Here is a place worth visiting in Roseville, CA.  If you ever want to experience a true afternoon tea setting, then you have come to the right place.  A Dash of Panache is located in Old Downtown Roseville.  This is Roseville's only true Tea Parlor (a French-Deco design with excellent food and great reviews). This tea parlor is used to focus on Women's Events like interactive lunches, and tea sittings (reservations only). The upscale parlor also provides fun events like mystery parties, Ladies Nights Outs, game nights, Mother-Daughter Teas, etc. as well as a place to host full-featured Bridal Showers and Baby Showers. The Vanity Closet allows guests to borrow and dress up in wild hats, glasses, boas, scarves, and other fun accessories that enhance the fun. My first experience here was a... 04/02/2008

Want to know how many homes were for sale in Roseville and in Granite Bay, CA in February 2008?Are you interested in knowing what the average price of a house in Roseville and Granite Bay would be?More importantly, how many homes actually sold in Roseville and Granite Bay in the month of February 2008 and what was he average price of the sold homes that sold.Below are the real estate market statistics for Roseville and Granite Bay, CACity CommunityHomes For SaleAverage PricePending HomesHomes SoldAverage Sold PriceDays on the MarketRoseville 95661123$531,3981932$416,55357Roseville 95678226$332,2554453$291,51569Roseville 95757281$487,18298101$393,20770Granite Bay 95746153$1,338,7311519$996,97486If you are a home buyer looking to buy a house, this is one of several steps you will need to ... 03/23/2008

Well here A couple of location!  A majority of Easter Egg Hunting has begun today. So if you missed those, here are a couple more where you can do some serious egg hunting!ROCKLIN, CARocklin Firefighters Annual Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, March 23rdThe Rocklin Firefighters will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, March 23rd, 2008. The event will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Johnson-Springview Park, 5480 Fifth St., Rocklin. This event happens on Easter Sunday of each year, in Johnson-Springview Park. This event is for children ages 10 and under.What: Rocklin Firefighters' Annual Easter Egg HuntWhen: Sunday, March 23rd, 2008Time: 1:00 p.m.Where: Johnson-Springview Park, 5480 Fifth St., RocklinROSEVILLE, CAFilipino Association of Greater Roseville Easter Egg Hunt Picnic, Sunday March 23rdT... 03/22/2008

Have you ever heard of St Baldrick, he is a friend to St Patrick. On a serious note, St Baldrick is a huge volunteer foundation geared to raise money for children strickened with cancer.  They raise money through volunteers raising money to shave their heads in support of the children with cancer.  The money raised is used towards childhood cancer research.  The event that is happening in Roseville Galleria will support the Keaton Rafael Memorial.  This memorial was set up by Keaton family.  He succumb to Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that took his life at age six.  If you would like to volunteer or give your support to this event you can visit the St Baldrick's Foundation for more information.Below are the information for this event which will be held in the center court of the mall:... 03/13/2008

Are you upside down in this market? Can't sell. Investor turns a spec home into a VIP furnished rental property. I was called to furnish this multimillion dollar property to use as an executive rental.  Many families are trying to relocate and have trouble selling their home in order to move. Many times one parent moves to relocate while the other partner stays to hold down the fort. There is a market for high end furnished rentals. Sometimes you have to think outside of the box to make things happen in this market. This client wanted this property to have a tropical oasis feel, here is the result. If you have a challenge trying to sell a unique home, give a profesional stager a call and see if they have any ideas for you.  It's never a problem- only an idea problem.        One Step Sta... 03/11/2008