Prime loan products include loans exceeding FNMA/FHLMC loan limits, but they generally use traditional conforming credit guidelines.  Minimum FICO score would be 620 and greater, and a few mortgage lates would be allowed (zero or one within 12 months). Alta-A loan products require credit scores of 620 and greater. These products allow nontraditional earners who lack consistent verifiable income levels, and therefore, they offer an expanded range of documentation types (SIVA or NINA). Nonprime loan products (Subprime) include scores as low as 500 and mortgage lates of as much as 120 days.  To compensate for poor credit, the LTVs are generally lower, and most documentation types are limited to Full or Stated. Hard-Money products generally give more consideration to the value of the proper... 08/19/2008

Temple Terrace is a beautiful complex in Monterey Hills. It is very unique for the area since it consists of both condos and townhomes. It is located on Via Marisol, but the postal address is Temple Terrace. There are 75 condos and 47 townhomes in this complex. It is beautifully landscaped and has mature trees and lush foliage. As you walk around the complex, you almost get a resort-like, almost cottage-like feel. It is the only complex on the hill that has gas range/ovens. Everything else in Monterey Hills is electric. So if you like to cook with gas and live in Monterey Hills this complex is for you. Amenities include a pool and a spa and home owner association fees are some of the lowest in Monterey Hills. HOA dues include water, gardening, cable TV & trash service. There'... 08/16/2008

Investment real estate traditionally provides four major advantages: •1. Income from cash flow •2.Equity build-up from loan principal reduction •3.Equity build-up from appreciation •4. Tax savings Today I will address equity build-up from loan pay-down and appreciation. When a leveraged investment appreciates, equity in the property increase in two ways.  In addition to the increase in equity obtained by paying down the mortgage, equity also increases as a property appreciates in value. Predictable portion of equity build-up comes from the decrease in the loan principal. Assuming that the financing associated with the acquisition of the investment property has some form of amortization the rate of principal reduction over time will be based upon the term of the loan, and the interest ra... 08/14/2008

AUCTION PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, SANTA CLARITA VALLEY, ANTELOPE VALLEY. CONDOS/TOWNHOUSES, HOUSES, DUPLEX, MULTI-FAMILY INCOME PROPERTIES 2-4 UNITS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. Contact Lupe for more info. Request list area of your choice via email. CASAS EN VENTA EN ESPANOL    EASY HOME SEARCH - ANYTIME - ANYWHERE CONTACT LUPE TODAY!   Lupe responds emails daily, guaranteed!, Lupe responde emails diariamente, guarantizado! CASAS EN SUBASTA EN LOS ANGELES COUNTY:  Todo tipo de propiedades: Casas, condo, dos casas en un lote, unidades.  Solicite una lista con la ciudad que le interesa. Le enviare por correo electronico su pedido.  Lupe Soto se especializa en representar a primeros compradores, inversionistas que desean comprar casas en subasta.  Tener un agente que lo represe... 08/08/2008

What a great open house; what great people; what a great day! On Sunday I sat an open house at 4370 W. Kling St. in the Burbank section of Toluca Lake. I've always enjoyed hosting opens, as you never know who you are going to meet. Most everyone coming into the home was pleasant, met my eye and returned a hearty greeting. Also, I noticed that virtually everybody, even the elderly couple (and I do mean elderly) that attended, was in good spirits and in possession of a positive attitude. They were relaxed, asked valid questions and spoke openly of their plans. I began thinking to myself, that regardless of whether this particular property is the right one for anyone there, that many of these folks are READY AND WILLING TO BUY, are good people and will most likely be SERIOUS about moving f... 08/03/2008

 Do you know why anyone would want Obama to be Commander-in-chief of The United States of Amercia? I am not sure, but all I hear is all this fluff about Obama. People need to stop watching the news and dig into the real Obama and find out everything about this man before we even think about electing him for President.  As the years roll on in our United States of America, it seems Politics have become like a Heavy Weight Champion Fight- (FIXED).  Do our votes really count anymore? And if our votes count, is there real, sound proof that " We The People of The United States " are able to look at and decide if the votes are fare?  I want a President that we can trust! I want a President to do what he/ she says their going to do before! All these promises and broken lies!  If the people of ... 08/03/2008

TOLUCA LAKE HOME SALES REPORT Beginning Date: 7/1/2008 Board Number: All Ending Date: 7/31/2008 City:Toluca Lake Area: All Price Range: $0 - ALL Single Family Sales - Residential   Other Statistics Price Class Bedrooms     2 OR Less 3 4 Or More   Condo Sold Residential Active Condo Active $0 - $99,999 0 0 0   0 0 0 $100,000 - $149,999 0 0 0   0 0 0 $150,000 - $199,999 0 0 0   0 0 0 $200,000 - $249,999 0 0 0   0 0 0 $250,000 - $299,999 0 0 0   0 0 3 $300,000 - $324,999 0 0 0   0 0 0 $325,000 - $349,999 0 0 0   0 0 2 $350,000 - $374,999 0 0 0   0 0 0 $375,000 - $399,999 0 0 0   1 0 3 $400,000 - $424,999 0 0 0   0 0 0 $425,000 - $449,999 0 0 0   0 0 3 $450,000 - $474,999 0 0 0   0 0 3 $475,000 - $499,999 0 0 0   1 0 7 $500,000 - $549,999 0 0 0   0 0 5 $550,000 - $599,999 0 0 0   0 1 12 $6... 08/02/2008

We've all heard the "tip" that when searching for a real estate professional to list your home for sale, look for signs: lawn signs. This implies that the more listings a particular agent currently has, the better qualified they will be to sell your property. The reality is, the only thing these multiple lawn signs indicate is that the agent in question is capable of getting listings. Period. It does NOT necessarily make them the best choice to list and SELL your home and, certainly, the intention of a listing is ALL ABOUT THE SALE. When driving through the area recently, I made note of properties which have been on the market for an extended period of time. It pains me to think that, for those who MUST sell, their lives are on hold. Each day the home sits on the market brings potential... 08/02/2008

Hello everyone,  As you know I am not a very political person.  I just wanted to pass along that Senator Obama came to Bagram Afghanistan for about an hour on his visit to 'The War Zone'. I wanted to share with you what happened:  He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof vehicle, got to the area to meet with the Major General (2 Star) who is the commander here at Bagram. As the Soldiers where lined up to shake his hand he blew them off and didn't say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the General.  As he finished, the vehicles took him to the ClamShell (pretty much a big top tent that military personnel can play basketball or work out in with weights) so he could take his publicity pictures playing basketball. He again shunned the opportunity to talk to Soldiers ... 08/02/2008

Casanao (kass-a-nay-o) provides free, nationwide residential real estate advertising services to over 24,000 cities in all 50 states.  Real estate brokers and agents in smaller cities and towns not served by a regional MLS will find our free, nationwide website to be an incredible resource.  FSBOs can also list their homes for sale on our free website. Our ads are not watered-down listings containing only an address, price, and maybe one picture. Our free real estate ads are comprehensive and contain much of the same information that you'd find in your local MLS (multiple listing service).  Entering an ad on Casanao is quick and easy.  Most of the entry is checkbox or drop-down menu driven.  Our free ads contain maps and you can upload up to six photos of your property. You can also pla... 08/02/2008

First off, you have to realize that L.A. is Blogger Heaven, we have everyone from LAist, to El Chavo Mouthing Off to Mayor Sam's Sister City and everything inbetween. I was introduced to My Favorite Bus Driver by Militant Angeleno in a post a few days ago here. I don't think I can control myself much longer.  :-)  I just have to find a reason to ride Line 204 on Vermont Avenue!   08/01/2008

 Sometimes happiness comes in very strange ways.  These Burmese women had never seen an American in their life's and wanted to have a photograph taken with one, of course that was me. Please forgive me because I gained a some weight on my trip to South East Asia.  The reason that I am posting this story and photo is because it's sometimes the simple things in life that can make others happy. Burmese people are very, very simple and for these women and children to pose in the photograph with me made their day and they were so excited. By looking at the pic it may not look like it, but they have never had a photograph taken of them. These are simple village people with no cars, televisions and no widows or floors in their homes.  I know that times in America are very hard with the gas pri... 07/31/2008

Relax, all homes will show problems. Even new construction homes will have problems noted on an inspection report. The reports purpose is to inform you of the condition of your home. Armed with the knowledge of the existence of condition concerns, you can now evaluate the costs, and determine which combinations of options are best for you. Opinions vary greatly as to which conditions noted are acceptable "As Is", or could cost you a lot of money now, or down the road. I will assist you in determining pros and cons of each situation, but urge that you get a second opinion on any area you have concerns. No house is perfect Minor problems are to be expected. All houses age. They need lots of maintenance over the years, and seldom do we expect that they are in the condition, or apply the sa... 07/29/2008

With the demise of "The River Bottom" bar, many Toluca Lake and Burbank residents have been wondering what type of business, if any, would move into the quaint wooden structure on Olive Avenue directly across from Warner Brothers Studios. As of late, the building has been a beehive of construction activity and preliminary signage reveals that a more upscale pizzeria and bar is taking shape. It appears that the new owners are working to keep much of the original space while taking a section of the back of the building down to the studs. Apparently they have a clear vision of what their new business is supposed to be. Hopefully that vision will fit nicely into the quiet Toluca Lake neighborhood it sits within. We are excited to find out and look forward to the opportunity to get good pizz... 07/28/2008

Feliz 28 de Julio, 2008, Dia de la Independencia del Peru, Viva el Peru a todos mis amigos y compatriotas del Peru. Soy peruana de nacimiento, corazon y de orgullo por ser un pais tan luchador.  Lupe Soto,Realtor en Espanol desde Burbank CA, Los Angeles, CA - USA Disfrutemos de un delicioso plato peruano como: Papa a la Huancaina, Lomo Saltado, Causa Rellena, y brindemos por nuestro hermoso pais. de corazon. Lupe Fotos/Imagenes cortesia desde Peru de mi amigo Eduardo Santillana.  Videos cortesia de varios autores de mi tube. Viva El Peru! - Leelo, Disfrutado y Pasalo. Feliz Dia! 09/28/08  SPLENDORS OF PERU 2008 - 09/27/08 EN ANAHEIM Music, dance, arts & crafts, peruvian food. No se lo pierda! PERIODICO MENSUAL AL SERVICIO DEL PERU EN LOS ANGELES, CA www.ActualidadNew.com PERUANOS EN LOS... 07/28/2008

I was recently interviewed by nationally syndicated real estate journalist Ellen James Martin for a column she was writing about home staging. Google Alerts let me know this morning that the article is appearing in the Chicago Tribune. The article, Getting the Most Out of Home Staging, will appear in about 100 newspapers across the country over the next few weeks. Please feel free to show some stager love by leaving a comment at the Chicago Tribune web site (just below the article). Just for the record, I am not the "Director of the Real Estate Staging Association" as quoted in the article. I sit on the Board of Directors, and I am the Regional VP for California, Hawaii and Nevada. The Director or President of the Real Estate Staging Association is the very capable Shell Brodnax;-)) ===... 07/25/2008

An experienced Real Estate Sales and Financing Consultant willing and ready to help you accomplish your goals. If you are looking to sale your current property, purchase your first or your second home, and/or if you are looking for mortgage financing, then I can help you attain both your short and long term mortgage needs.   First Nations Funding Inc., has assisted thousands of homeowners utilize their investments through lower payments, short term investment loans, construction, commercial and lot loans; to name a few. Our strong business partnership with lenders has made available loan products that fit every economic situation. We believe that customer satisfaction is of utmost importance. As such, our wide array of loan programs provides us flexibility in working loans from "perfect... 07/23/2008

Many Toluca Lake residents out for their early evening strolls have noticed a change: new street lights in many areas of the Burbank portion of the Village. The initial indications of the impending upgrade were small rectangles cut out of the grass adjacent to existing lighting units. This could have been cause for concern as many of the light poles, having been there for decades, were made in a style reminiscent of old gas lamps. Not to worry, as early as last week brand new units which seem very similar in style have been going in, one by one. In fact, these new lamps are quite beautiful. They feature a darker concrete mix with a slightly-polished sheen, graceful glass globes with ornamental detailing on top and significantly stronger illumination. In my opinion they look even better ... 07/23/2008

The hysteria of a sizzling hot real estate market can make some people do crazy things. A number of years back, without any perceivable warning, several close acquaintances began to display the unmistakable symptoms of "housing bubble fever". These normally rational peoples' language suddenly changed from the practical to, "If we don't buy now..." and  "If we cut back on expenses...", which for most seemed completely out of character. Still, for some, making a move was inevitable. If one could get a decent deal and it really was a lifestyle enhancer, it could be the right thing to do and the right time to do it. So the quest began... Even with so much competition from other potential buyers, friend "A" spied a property she liked on the MLS which was still available. It was a newish cond... 07/23/2008

Lupe Soto, Agente de Casas en venta North Hollywood CA (818)968-3718, sirviendo la comunidad hispana desde 1989 en todas las areas del Valle de San Fernando & Valle del Antelope en el Condado de Los Angeles CA. Lupe es miembro de NAHREP National Association of HISPANIC Real Estate Profesionals. Califique facilmente con Prestamos FHA para primeros compradores, la consulta es GRATIS! OBTENGA SU REPORTE DE CREDITO ANUAL GRATIS PROPIEDADES DISPONIBLES A LA VENTA Reviselo, Mejorelo & Califique para el prestamo de su casa RECOMENDACION:  Si desea calificar para el prestamo de una propiedad, es importante planificar y revisar su reporte de credito antes de ver casas, el puntaje ideal o fico score debera ser de 620 puntos o fico score, con este puntaje el banco le ofrecera una mejor tasa de int... 07/22/2008