I called my buyers -- YEAH - your short sale offer has been approved by the bank... now what..... 1) Get your deposit into escrow if you haven't already.  How do I do that?  You can mail the check directly to title, you can give it to me and I'll deliver it to title or you can take it there personally.  Bottom line you have 72 hours to get the check to the title company. 2) We need to schedule any inspections that you want.  Yes Inspections, Yes I have people who I use all the time -- I have a whole team.  You need to decide what inspections you want to do. 3) If you want to do a pest inspection or roof inspection I will be happy to schedule those for you.  The house is 2 years old and occupied, it's your call.   I strongly encourage you to do a Home Inspection - at the very minimum. I ... 07/27/2010

Today as I was waiting to hear from the title company that one of my short sale listings was on RECORD -- yes that means that title has transferred-- I get the call...... My listing in Mountain House NOW has an approval.  The approval letter does say "Please close this by Septemeber 10." The buyers are SOOOO excited, they have been trying to buy a house for months.  Finally this short sale came up that was worth waiting for.  Have we kept looking, sure, but nothing compared to this house. The Sellers are so excited, they will owe nothing, the deficiency will be waived, no payment is being requested of the seller.  Chase took a while, but now that it's hear, it was worth the wait. There are lot of home owners in Mountain House that wonder if a short sale is right for them.  I can't/won't... 07/27/2010

Interpreting The Data Inventory was at 12 month high in June of 2010. The inventory has been decreasing at a steady rate indicating that the buyers are outnumbering the sellers. If inventory continues at this pace, you can expect to see a stabilization or even increase in sales prices. The median home price declined about $20,000 from the previous 12 months, but appears to have stabilized. Price volatility appears to be different depending on home size and price. Additional data is available upon request. Is Now The Right Time To Buy? Interest Rates are the lowest they have been in a very long time. Inventory is declining. You have less homes to choose from right now. The market is still a sellers market as the number of buyers is higher than the number of available homes. Mountain Hou... 07/21/2010

INVENTORY IS TRENDING DOWN OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS PRICES ARE ALSO MOVING DOWNARD TIME ON THE MARKET IS DECREASING. AVERAGE TIME IN ESCROW IS TRENDING LOWER 07/12/2010

Low to Moderate households are eligible for some of the new TARP money.  For full guidelines, applications and FAQ’s check out the website at www.keepyourhomecalifornia.com Help to include principal reductions, funds for relocation and even money to bring your delinquent mortgage current. 07/02/2010

Short Sale Success Story in Mountain House, CA  Listing to close was 11 months, 3 days, 2 buyers There were 2 banks Union Bank and National City. Union Bank told us they wanted to move quickly on this - and 9 months later we were still waiting.  National City - 2nd was very quick. The seller was very involved.  Union Bank originally asked for $20,000 from the seller.  When we closed this transaction the seller paid NOTHING. The property had a renter in it, the new buyer an investor was thrilled that there was a tenant, and paid a small amount MORE once the tenant signed the agreement to stay in the property. This is one of many success stories we have.  If you are a seller who is comtemplating a short sale, call us. Short Sale Seller pay ZERO in real estate commissions- the bank will pa... 06/26/2010

The 4th Annual Mountain House Kite and Multi-Cultural Festival will take off this Saturday   Join us for a full day of family fun this Saturday starting at 10 a.m. at the Central Community Park! Come join the fun as we celebrate and embrace the many cultures of our world and our community. In addition to the kite flying performances by first place professionals of the American Kitefliers Association Grand National in Rochester, MN there will be entertainment and music. Watch cultural dance performances by Kalaikoil, dance and arts of India and Renee Ah Yoa's Polynesian Dancers on the main stage.  Ah Yoa's Polynesian Dancers feature Hula and Tahitian dance and Maori/Haka and Tahitian Drumming.  Kalaikoil will be preformance will feature Bharantanatyan dances, one of the oldest classical ... 06/12/2010

Today at At&t  Park The San Francisco Giants will be honoring those who serve and have served our country. Barry Zito started "Strike out for the Troops" 5 years ago.  Barry Zito donates $500 a strike out to Strike out for the Troops. Strike out for the Troops has raised over 2 Million Dollars and 100% of that money goes to the soldiers and families in need.  Strike out for Troops provides the comforts of home to those in the hospital.  Stike Out for the Troops also brings wounded vets to major league baseball games.  WOW what a great program. Pre-game at the Giant's Game -- Would all active and retired military in attendance PLEASE STAND!   Goose Bumps... Find a Veteran - Find an Active Duty Serviceman and Tell them thank you today! Memorial Rock - painted by Bubba Sorenson -- Rural Id... 05/31/2010

A Smooth Transaction is everyone's goal.  You may not know this, but your REALTOR® is working very diligently behind the scenes to get your bank to approve your short sale.  They are faxing and re-faxing the same documents to the same departments because the bank has lost the paperwork.  They are waiting 40 minutes on the phone just to speak to a representative that is now answering questions about foreclosure dates and HAFA guidelines that last week was processing insurance payments for the Auto Division.  They are keeping all these plates spinning and here’s a little checklist of things that you can be doing to minimize problems when your approval letter comes in. Open your mail and read it. The bank may have something important to say and they may be do that by mail.  If you receive ... 05/18/2010

Mountain House Fun In The Sun, 2010 One of the best things about Mountain House is the commitment to providing families with community activities and local parks.  Spring and Summer are always filled with activities to keep you active and connected to your Mountain House Neighbors. Central Park Fountain Hours The interactive fountain in Central Park is now open on a daily basis. The fountain has been the focal point in Central Park for several years now and is the source of entertainment for many visitors. Pack a picnic and a towel for the kids! The fountain hours are as follows:   April 1 – May 31…………….Noon to 5 pm Daily June 1 – August 31…………10 am to 7 pm Daily September 1 – October 31…Noon to 5 pm Daily November 1 – March 31…….Fountain is off fo the winter season   YOUTH SPORTS Mount... 05/16/2010

Where have all the properties gone? Mountain House, CA is experiencing a different market this spring.   I ran a search for one of my buyers today.  Currently in Mountain House there are only 47 properties for sale.  Of these available homes 18 are tagged as a traditional sale, flipped sale or bank owned property.  These homes are very desirable for families that need to close on a new home quickly.  The other 29 properties are available as short sales.   This is a huge decline in available properties when compared to spring of 2008 and 2009. Great News For Home Owners, But Tough Times For Home Buyers. Most of the homes in Mountain House were built before the market decline.  The majority of homes in Mountain House are underwater.   In 2008/2009 before the HAMP and HAFA programs, banks ... 05/16/2010

What would you do?  This is becoming more the norm in Mountain House, CA 6 or the 17 new listings in Mountain House, were occupied by tenants.  The MLS instructions are very clear.  "No Showings, write offer subject to viewing".  Of these 6 properties, 4 are "flips" and 2 are REO's.  Yes, really.  This is a new phenomenum that the housing market in Mountain House appears to be bearing.  Banks and investors sellers are putting their Mountain House Homes for Sale on the market before it is vacant or available. One such home in Mountain House had previous tenants turn down "cash for keys" and tell the seller "evict us".  If a new buyer purchases this Mountain House home, will the current court proceedings be transferred with the sale of the property?  The bank wants to close prior to the ... 05/06/2010

"So far so good".  (knocking on my wooden desk) I have two short sale listings with Bank of America in Mountain House, CA.  Both of these homeowners have fallen under the new HAFA program released on April 5th, 2010.  One of the listings was previously a loan modification that was denied by Bank of America.  The other listing is a short sale.  Always the optomist, I am expecting these transactions to move along smoothly.   When asked before my opinion of the program I have said "Only time will tell...the proof is in the pudding."  Could it be we finally have a bank that put together a process that works in a timely manner and can help homeowners? What Do They Have In Common? Bank of America issued a counter approval within 21 days of notification. Counters were given for some part of th... 05/05/2010

Mountain House utilities do you have questions, here are some answers. Mountain House CA - Homes for Sale Recently a first time home buyer looking to purchase in Mountain House, CA  asked me some question about the  Mountain House Community, specifically the utility costs and schools.  (Schools will be the next post.) First off.... PG & E handles the GAS part of the utilitiesin Mountain House, CA.  If you purchase a home in Mountain House you will need gas to heat the water, potentially cook, have a fire in the fireplace, etc. Second - Electricity is provided by Modesto Irrigation District, otherwise knows as MID for residence of Mountain House, CA. Third- WATER - this is where Mountain House utility fees start to climb more than average.  Mountain House residents pay a FLAT Fee plus u... 04/27/2010

Homes for sale in Mountain House, CA Mountain House CA Housing Market Statistics for 4.25.2010                 4/12/2010 4/19/2010 4/25/2010     Active Homes For Sale 92 109 87     Active 21 32 20     Act w Short Sale 23 30 14     Short Sale Con 49 57 53                 Pending 78 114 101     Sold - Past 30 days 20 25 26     Sold - Past 7 days     7                             Median Price List - mtd 323000 305000 315000     Median Price Sold - mtd 342500 325000 328500     Median Price Sold - wtd     327000     Median Days on Market   26 28           Prices of Sold Homes are shown in the chart below. PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait... wait... Rank: wait... Traffic: wait... Price: wait... C: wait... Statistics help home buyers and sellers navigate the real estate ma... 04/26/2010

Thinking Thursday - this was supposed to be Wordless Wednesday - but I missed it. A photo is worth a thousand words.  What does this say to you?????     Mountain House CA has great wide sidewalks for joggers, families with strollers, dog walkers, you name it htere is plenty of room to walk safetly.  The large trees make for shade in the summer, and block the wind in the spring and fall.  Wide sidewalks are throughout the City of Mountain House. 04/22/2010

Mountain House Weekly Home Stats Active are available to have offers Short Sales are usually available to have offers written Short Sale Contingent, the seller has written an offer and is waiting for bank approvalPending, escrow is openSold - Someone else owns the property Active Mt House  Including all Short Sales 109 Active Short Sale ONLY 30 Short Sale Contingents 57       Pending 114 SOLD in Last 30 days 25 Sold in Last 7 days 7       Median List Price $305,000 Median SOLD Price $325,000 Median Days on Market 26                       04/19/2010

  This is a series of posts - The Myths of a Short Sale.   Myth #1 YOU MUST BE BEHIND ON YOUR PAYMENTS IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR A SHORT SALE.  Not TRUE. -- This is a short sale myth.   It is not true that you must be behind on your mortgage to qualify for a short sale.  Lenders look for three things:  a “verifiable hardship,” such as a job loss, pay cut, job transfer, divorce or serious illness; a monthly cash-flow short-fall or pending shortfall and insolvency; or lack of liquid assets that would allow you to pay down your mortgage.  Frequently home owners have waited too long prior to reaching out for help.  Home owners burn through tier savings, use credit cards to cover mortgage payments, etc.  Don’t wait, if you think you are going to Last month we successfully negotiated a Short Sa... 04/19/2010

Chances are, you or someone you know that owns a home in Mountain House is facing the possibility of foreclosure. But you need to understand that you are not alone.  According to the article in the New York Times 90% of home owners in Mountain House are upside down, if not drowning in debt.  Some reports indicated that 1 in 6 of every homeowner is behind in their payment.  What are you options?  Do you know what they are?  Do you know who to ask?  Do you know who to trust?  Times are tough and the can be very frustrating.  Foreclosure can be avoided your credit back be saved, and your financial future may not be as bleak as you feel it is. Through my experience handling distressed properties for the past 6 years in Tracy and Mountain House I know most homeowners have more and more ques... 04/18/2010

Buying a home in Mountain House, CA  made easy from a distance for my buyers.  I did something unique yesterday in Mountain House, CA for clients/buyers that live in Oregon & want to buy owner occupied here in Mountain House, CA.  It was new territory for me, not the city but my choice of sharing what is for sale here in Mountain House, CA. Rewind... My husband buys me a cool tax write off for Christmas (sorry honey, I love you).  It is the coolest HD Flip video camera.  I didn't really know how I was going to use it, but technology can be fun.  So let the playing begin.  It has the ability to let me take a video & upload it straight to www.youtube.com .  hmmmmm, how will I use that? Super rewind.... I set up a youtube account a couple years ago & uploaded a walk thru video (self made,... 04/18/2010