James R. Gill's (jamesrgill) Blog

I just helped a client reduce his VA loan to 5% (zero points) with an "IRRRL" loan!  No appraisal necessary, no income verification necessary, and no asset verification necessary!  Leave all 3 blank on the application! The loan must be VA to VA must result in a lower rate (unless going from adjus...

Leadership Manhattan Beach Now Recruiting Class of 2011!! Leadership Manhattan Beach Now Recruiting Class of 2011! Leadership Manhattan Beach is the premier leadership training program in the region for mid-level and high-level professionals. It provides comprehensive training through interaction...

Misleading Mailers Offer Lower Property Taxes For Homeowners   Los Angeles County Assessor Rick Auerbach and County Consumer Affairs Director Pastor Herrera, Jr. recently warned homeowners to be wary of solicitations from private companies offering to file property assessment reduction forms for ...

  I am just wrapping up yet another wonderful 100% financing VA LOAN!!!!! The way a VA Loan works is you pay a "Funding Fee" to the government up front.  This Funding Fee is basically a mortgage insurance you pay for up front and then the government insures the loan against forclosure.  The VA al...

Another great program to go through!  Includes police ride-alongs, 911 training, police training, firearm simulation training etc.  This was a nine week course to understand what the police go through in your own neighborhood on a daily basis.  They teach you how you can help them do their jobs b...

Yesterday I attended a California Association of Mortgage Brokers Panel of Experts meeting.  On the  panel were:Sergio Barajas, Expanding Markets Manager, Freddie MacLouisa Broudy, Deputy Commisioner, Financial Services Division, Dept of CorporationsTed Grose, Director and CAMB advisorTim Le Bas,...

Last night I celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary at a restaurant I had not yet tried.  A risk, but I had a friend give it a big recommendation.  I was hoping for an adventure, because that is always what we look for on special occasions. La Sosta Enoteca did not disappoint! When I go out for a...

It seems you have two choices - point to a url or upload to AR, but once uploaded, its gone!  HELP!  I tried uploading to AR and it said it went ok, but I don't know how to point to it and place it on a blog.  Everyone seems to know how to do it but me!  Thanks!

They are back in Los Angeles and with a fabulous show!http://www.20angels.com/index.asp?bid=4&l=1033  My whole family enjoyed the show - including my 6 yr old and 7 yr old girls.  Go see it!  The best part was when they floated a woman over the crow with helium balloons!  People in the audience w...

It is a box on your APPRAISAL - "Property Values: Increasing, Stable or Declining."  Be very aware, if your appraisal gets the box checked "Declining," you are in for a 5% reduction in what your loan to value ratio is on your loan! It will force you to put 5% more down on the purchase.We are star...