"May 1st was the deadline for U.S. financial institutions and creditors to comply with the "Red Flag" regulations adopted by the Federal Trade Commission - an extension from the previously announced November 2008 deadline.  Every business that furnishes goods or services on a delayed-payment basis is required to develop and implement programs designed to detect, prevent and mitigate the effects of identity theft. Written by Charles H. Kennedy, Of Counsel, Morrison and Foerster LLP, this white paper clarifies requirements of the Red Flag regulations and offers guidance for how impacted businesses can prepare," says Iron Mountain. For more information, go to Iron Mountain's web site at http://imknowledgecenter.com/detail.asp?cId=148&pid=1&tyId=4&hId= So Lenders, what's your game plan?  Ho... 06/04/2009

Hello and Welcome to Oceanside California Foreclosure Auction, Bank Owned REO, and Homes for Sale. Understanding the foreclosure property auction (also known as Trustee Sale) process takes time, due diligence, and understanding.  Saavy Real Estate investors can find some of the best deals around buying at these auctions, but is it right for everyone.   We would like to help explain further about these auctions and the benefits and downsides of buying Real Estate at them. Understanding the process is the key, and here is how the process goes as an overview: Pre-Foreclosure (Also known as Notice of Default).  Pre-Foreclosure is usually when the current homeowner is 90 days past due on their Mortgage.  The current lender files with the County Recorders office a Notice of Default.  When thi... 06/04/2009

I recently met a wonderful couple who have become clients of mine in the Short Sale process.Unlike so many others out there, they did not buy more house than they could afford, nor did the main bread winner lose his job. Their only down fall came from being in the US Military.The husband was going to retire from the military after more than 20 years, but because the job market in his field dried-up, he reenlisted.Having just recently returned from another tour in Iraq, they are being transfered to yet another location outside of the United States.Because they purchased their home after the 2007 cut off, they do not qualify for the military to purchase their home.This couple has tried everything for trying to sell it themselves to trying to lease out the property & of course the ever pop... 06/02/2009

The Oceanside real estate market, like other North County San Diego communities, has undergone dramatic changes in the housing prices in the last several years. Oceanside remains the most affordable coastal community with a wide range of housing available to buyers. Oceanside buyers seeking condos with a budget of under $400,000 have a number of options, although not many west of the 5 freeway and even fewer west of the coast road/Route 101.  Those interested in recently built condos within sight of the downtown area may find Windward to their liking.  The condos at Windward were built beginning around 2005 and lie just on the east side of the 5 freeway. Some condos offer views to the west of Oceanside downtown and the ocean while units to the rear of the complex have views of a canyon ... 05/29/2009

Oceanside California Auction, Foreclosures & Bank Owned REO Real Estate We have added a new Pre-Foreclosure and Foreclosure Auction Search feature to our website.  You can now search every Pre-Foreclosure, Foreclosure, and Auction property in San Diego County.  This new capability, along with the ability to search all active Foreclosure, Short Sale, and REO listings, along with the entire San Diego County MLS, makes the Four Seasons Realty Website one of the most up to date and informative websites in the region.           Click the Yellow Map Below to search Pre-Foreclosure, Foreclosure, and REO Properties.   April 2009 Foreclosure, REO, and Short Sale update. According to Foreclosure Radar (A service which tracks every single foreclosure daily in the state of California) in the month ... 05/29/2009

05/24/2009

Like other local market, the Oceanside real estate market has undergone many shifts in the last several years and continues to evolve, especially with the large number of distress sales. These data do not include any private sales nor manufactured housing; the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed. Media reports speak in general terms, rather than local, so that information may not represent the reality of the local Oceanside real estate market. Having data from a knowledgeable agent about the local market conditions benefits you as the buyer or seller.  In April 2009 there were 201 homes sold in Oceanside's 4 zip codes (92054, 92056, 92057, 92058), as compared to 188 in March (a 7% increase). Here's the breakdown of overall activity.  ... 05/17/2009

Hello and Welcome to Oceanside Foreclosure properties. During the recent down turn Oceanside home prices have experienced significant declines due to the overwhelming number of foreclosures and the tightening of credit. The region also faces pressure due to the recent rises in unemployment. So the question to ask, Is there opportunity to buy in this market? We believe the answer is Yes, but only with the right approach. The potential silver lining and opportunity here is the following: According to Dataquick, in the month of March, 2009 there were 3,020 sales in San Diego county which represents a 43% increase in sales volume over March of 2008. The median home prices in Oceanside for that same period have fallen by 27.6% to a median price for Oceanside of 290,000 making Oceanside as a... 05/08/2009

Hello and Welcome to Oceanside Foreclosure properties. During the recent down turn Oceanside home prices have experienced significant declines due to the overwhelming number of foreclosures and the tightening of credit. The region also faces pressure due to the recent rises in unemployment. So the question to ask, Is there opportunity to buy in this market? We believe the answer is Yes, but only with the right approach. The potential silver lining and opportunity here is the following: According to Dataquick, in the month of March, 2009 there were 3,020 sales in San Diego county which represents a 43% increase in sales volume over March of 2008. The median home prices in Oceanside for that same period have fallen by 27.6% to a median price for Oceanside of 290,000 making Oceanside as a... 05/08/2009

Hello and Welcome to Oceanside Homes For Sale. Oceanside is the third-largest city in San Diego County, California, United States. The city has a population of 173,303. Together with Vista and Carlsbad, it forms a "Tri-City area." The city is located just south of Camp Pendleton, the busiest military base in the United States[2]. Oceanside has experienced dramatic growth since 1970, when its population was 45,000. Much of the city's area was developed into single-family home tracts during the 1970s and 1980s. Since the 1990s, increased commercial and industrial development have diversified Oceanside's economic base. Oceanside is a top real estate choice for its location close to San Diego and the Pacific coast. The most recent median home price for the 3 zip codes of Oceanside includin... 04/29/2009

Why in the world would anyone want to start a real estate business in THIS market?, you may be asking.  Five great reasons WHY to START a new career as a real estate agent right NOW: 1. Lots of training available (and mentors who are not so busy any more) 2. New, affordable business models due to innovation (including 100% commission Virtual Office) 3. Get your license processed quicker (fewer people applying for licenses) 4. Learn techniques for coping with a downward-depreciating market (they only come along every 10+ years, so in another 10 years, you'll have experience most others won't) 5. Tenacity -- you are building a great future foundation (if you can make it in this market, you will prosper in any type of market) The problem is: where do you start?  And do you know if you will... 04/25/2009

After months, sometimes up to ONE YEAR of trying to negotiate their loan with their lender (to make their payments more affordable), some homeowners are giving up. CNN's article "Folks losing homes dial 1-800; no one answers" at http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/04/15/foreclosure.phones/index.html WAIT!  You have options.  Don't just throw in the towel and walk away. Yes, it's emotionally nerve-racking!  Yes it can be draining and depressing. But YES, your family's home is worth fighting for!! That's why I recommend hiring an attorney and other professionals who specializes in real estate law and has extensive experience in negotiating with lenders.  Here's some new things I found out: Your attorney can order an appraisal of your house, at LIQUIDATION value (which is lower than market valu... 04/16/2009

Oceanside is the northern-most community in San Diego County, bordering Camp Pendelton on the north, the ocean to the west, and the towns of Fallbrook, Bonsall and Vista to the east. Oceanside is also a study in contrasts - the housing, the people and the topography. Oceanside is also the home of a number of poplar and historic attractions - the Oceanside Pier, the California Surf Museum, and the Mission San Luis Rey. READ MORE: Oceanside - A Growing and Changing Community   The residential community of Jeffries Ranch, in the northeast corner of Oceanside, is an excellent example of the contrasts one finds in Oceanside. For driving through the community one is reminded of a world that exists elsewhere, away from Oceanside. It's the simple things really, that mark the difference - the wi... 04/10/2009

Who went to REO Mac's spring conference that just took place April 4-7, 2009 in Palm Desert, CA? Some of the booths included: ReoTrans.com AMS SellState CrestREO InstaClose Real Estate PropertyFIREsale.com Marshall & Swift Also some REO-specific escrow companies, trash-out (property field services) companies, a lockbox company, an auction company, and a few companies offering online REO software for agents! Great speakers, awesome training sessions, predictions galore, schmoozing with Asset Managers, and networking with fellow real estate industry pro's.... If you're on twitter, you can follow the #REOMAC to find what twitter-savvy attendees were saying, including Andy Kaufman and Bryan Knight! What did you learn?  Who did you meet?  Tell us, we're anxious to hear about your successes! ... 04/08/2009

RE Bar Camp in LA.  After driving 2.25 hrs through LA traffic, we arrived.  My first time.  Nervous but excited.  No agenda... What to expect? I checked in.  My name tag was @GoldenPen, my Twitter name.  Found a seat up near the front (for the laptop plug).  Went up and met a few fellow RE techies. Who did I meet? Roberta Murphy from www.LuxuryHomeDigest.com in Carlsbad. Bobby Carroll from www.Dakno.com.  His business card simply says "google me".  No address, phone, email, or web site.  He must be very confident that he's at the top of Google, eh! Pamela Smith from www.StageitinaDay.com, she's a virtual office worker and experienced as a technical writer. Artin Babayan from www.TheOCDGroup.com , who gave me a FREE t-shirt (THANKS Artin!) Diana Ortiz from www.EquityisPower.com -- her co... 04/02/2009

Homes in good neighborhoods, priced right and in decent condition are getting multiple offers. Why is that? The number of homes being sold is definitely higher year over year, and from February to about June is the most activity each year on a seasonal basis, so that accounts for some of the competition among buyers right now. I saw the same thing last year at this time...properties with 10, 15, or 20 offers.   The statistics will still show that home prices are decreasing. What is misleading is they are decreasing because the volume of sales are happening now in the lower price ranges. The homes above $600,000 or 700,000 are pretty stagnant because of high interest rates on jumbo loans.   Another factor is the way the banks are handling the short sales and foreclosures...they don't tak... 03/30/2009

The 3rd Annul Oceanside Jazz Festival is being held at the MiraCosta College Theatre in Oceanside on Saturday March 28th. MiraCosta offers a substantial series of music and dance events and 150 performing and visual arts courses during the year. There will be two concerts as part of this two day jazz festival, plus an open rehearsal with guest artists and the MiraCosta College Jazz Ensembe (3:30 - 5:30 on Saturday),  and a clinic + Q/A with Reggie Hamilton, Dan Forneo and Carmen Grillo from 2 - 3:15 on Saturday.  Friday evening at 7:30 m-pact will perform in the MiraCosta College Theatre. General admission: $15; students/seniors, $10  Saturday evening at 7:30 you will have the opportunity to see Carmen Grillo, Reggie Hamilton and Dan Fornero perform. General admission is $15, students $... 03/27/2009

When one thinks of Southern California one likely thinks of beaches and, of course, surfing.  Surfing in Southern California has played a significant role in the development of the sport, and of the growth in many coastal towns. It is, indeed, for many a lifestyle, with a culture and even a language all its own. Consider how surfing spawned movies (remember Gidget?) and songs (hey, where would be Beach Boys be without surfing?).  It is likely a rare beach along the coast that does not appeal to surfers for different reasons, and some areas have become downright famous...such as Swami's Beach in south Encinitas. Towns like Leucadia (part of Encinitas) and Cardiff retain much of the feel of the old surfing community, and surf shops can be found in abundance along the coast.  READ MORE:  S... 03/26/2009

Even for a single-person buisness, managing bank accounts can be overwhelming at times.  So many expenses, how to keep track of them all?  Recently a small business person asked me -- what is a good SYSTEM? Remember what a SYSTEM does for you: Save Your Self Time Energy Money So I suggested to her the following formula: 3 Business accounts Primary Business account (BIZ MAIN) Secondary Business account (BIZ AUTO) Business Savings (BIZ SAVE) 3 Personal accounts Primary Personal account (PER MAIN) Secondary Personal account (PER AUTO) Personal Savings (PER SAVE) The purpose of separating BUSINESS and PERSONAL accounts is that it saves you headache when trying to figure out your taxes.  You can quickly tell what your business is doing.  It's also helpful when you have to show account balanc... 03/16/2009

NOTE that this law went into effect March 1st and applies ONLY to loans backed by Fannie Mae.  From the C.A.R. Newsline issue emailed on 04 March 2009: "NO MORE COMMISSION REDUCTIONS FOR FANNIE MAE SHORT SALESFannie Mae loan servicers no longer can require real estate brokers to reduce their commissions as a condition to a short sale approval. The new policy was effective March 1. According to Fannie Mae, the closing of a pre-foreclosure sale cannot be conditioned upon a reduction of the real estate commission to a level below what the listing agent and borrower negotiated. An exception applies if the total commission is more than 6 percent of the sales price. "This good news may be tempered by the difficulty for REALTORS® to ascertain whether the underlying loan in a short sale transac... 03/08/2009