Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday Statistic Update!
Monday Statistics
Good morning South County! Here are your weekly updates on what is happening in your neighborhoods. Feel free to contact me if you want more specific information. As of this week:
Morgan Hill has 276 active listings and 56 sale pendings
Gilroy has 344 active listings and 154 sale pendings
San Martin has 44 active listings and 10 sale pendings
Area 1 (all of the above) has 642 active listings and 219 sale pendings
Inventory is going down (maybe for the holidays and hibernation time) but sales are actually holding steady and up a little. We’ll see what happens this winter. Traditionally we slow down but I’ll keep you posted.
Stay tuned for regular updates!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
How to Get Rid of E-Waste
E-Waste Options
Where to drop off those electronic devices that no long serve us? Keep reading!
Cell Phones
· Best Buy and Office Depot in-store recycling kiosks
· Drop off old phones at AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile stores
· Free mail-back programs: Motorola (www.racetorecycle.com), Sprint (www.sprint.com/recycle), Nokia (www.nokiausa.com/recycle), LG (us.lge.com/recycle)
· Wireless Foundation’s Call to Protect donation program (www.wirelessfoundation.org)
Computers and peripherals
· Dell recycling (www.dell.com/recycle), Hewlett-Packard recycling (www.hp.com)
· The National Cristina Foundation donation (www.cristina.org)
iPods and MP3 players
· Apple in-store recycling (iPods only)
· Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation donation program (www.cellphonetradeins.com, iPods only; cell phones also accepted)
· eBay Giving Works, donation to a variety of local charities (givingworks.ebay.com, all MP3 players)
TV, DVD players and stereos
· My Green Electronics, to find local electronics recyclers as well as a data base for environmentally friendly products (www.mygreenelectronics.org)
· Freecycle, to find a local reuse group (www.freecycle.org)
Besides e-waste, you can go to earth911.org and enter the type of “trash” as well as your zip code to find places nearby that either recycle the material or dispose of it safely.
The above information is thanks to an article in this week’s Morgan Hill Times. I thought it was good information and worth spreading the news. Maybe if we make it very easy to recycle, it can become a life style out of choice (while we still have a choice).
Where to drop off those electronic devices that no long serve us? Keep reading!
Cell Phones
· Best Buy and Office Depot in-store recycling kiosks
· Drop off old phones at AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile stores
· Free mail-back programs: Motorola (www.racetorecycle.com), Sprint (www.sprint.com/recycle), Nokia (www.nokiausa.com/recycle), LG (us.lge.com/recycle)
· Wireless Foundation’s Call to Protect donation program (www.wirelessfoundation.org)
Computers and peripherals
· Dell recycling (www.dell.com/recycle), Hewlett-Packard recycling (www.hp.com)
· The National Cristina Foundation donation (www.cristina.org)
iPods and MP3 players
· Apple in-store recycling (iPods only)
· Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation donation program (www.cellphonetradeins.com, iPods only; cell phones also accepted)
· eBay Giving Works, donation to a variety of local charities (givingworks.ebay.com, all MP3 players)
TV, DVD players and stereos
· My Green Electronics, to find local electronics recyclers as well as a data base for environmentally friendly products (www.mygreenelectronics.org)
· Freecycle, to find a local reuse group (www.freecycle.org)
Besides e-waste, you can go to earth911.org and enter the type of “trash” as well as your zip code to find places nearby that either recycle the material or dispose of it safely.
The above information is thanks to an article in this week’s Morgan Hill Times. I thought it was good information and worth spreading the news. Maybe if we make it very easy to recycle, it can become a life style out of choice (while we still have a choice).
Friday, November 21, 2008
Chain Emails and Snopes.com
Chain Emails and Good Intentions!
The following information was sent to me by my good friend, Gretchen Merrick. I am often the recipient of chain emails and have looked for a gracious way to let folks know this isn’t something I want to participate in. Aside from the time element, I have never felt comfortable with the computer safety element in this day and age of computer viruses. So I was very happy to have the following information:
Advice from Snopes.com -
1) Any time you see an E-Mail that says forward this on to '10' of your friends, sign this petition, or you'll get bad luck, good luck, or whatever, it almost always has an E-Mail tracker program attached that tracks the cookies and E-Mails of those folks you forward to. The host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of 'active' E-Mails to use in SPAM E-Mails, or sell to other s pam mers.
2) Almost all E-Mails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are similar to that mass letter years ago that asked people to send business cards to the little kid in Florida who wanted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most cards. All it was, and all any of this type of E-Mail is, is a way to get names and 'cookie' tracking information for telemarketers and spam mers - - to validate active E-Mail accounts for their own profitable purposes.
You can do your friends and family members a GREAT favor by sending this information to them; you will be providing a service to your friends, and will be rewarded by not getting thousands of spam E-Mails in the future!
If you have been sending out (FORWARDING) the above kinds of E-Mail, now you know why you get so much SPAM! Do yourself a favor and STOP adding your name(s) to those types of listings regardless how inviting they might sound!You may think you are supporting a GREAT cause, but you are NOT in the long run. Instead, you will be getting tons of junk mail later! Plus, we are helping the spam mers get rich! Let's don't make it easy for them!
Also: E-Mail petitions are NOT acceptable to Congress or any other organization. To be acceptable, petitions must have a signed signature and full address of the person signing the petition. Read the full story here: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.asp
Let me know if you appreciated this information and any comments you might have!
The following information was sent to me by my good friend, Gretchen Merrick. I am often the recipient of chain emails and have looked for a gracious way to let folks know this isn’t something I want to participate in. Aside from the time element, I have never felt comfortable with the computer safety element in this day and age of computer viruses. So I was very happy to have the following information:
Advice from Snopes.com -
1) Any time you see an E-Mail that says forward this on to '10' of your friends, sign this petition, or you'll get bad luck, good luck, or whatever, it almost always has an E-Mail tracker program attached that tracks the cookies and E-Mails of those folks you forward to. The host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of 'active' E-Mails to use in SPAM E-Mails, or sell to other s pam mers.
2) Almost all E-Mails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are similar to that mass letter years ago that asked people to send business cards to the little kid in Florida who wanted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most cards. All it was, and all any of this type of E-Mail is, is a way to get names and 'cookie' tracking information for telemarketers and spam mers - - to validate active E-Mail accounts for their own profitable purposes.
You can do your friends and family members a GREAT favor by sending this information to them; you will be providing a service to your friends, and will be rewarded by not getting thousands of spam E-Mails in the future!
If you have been sending out (FORWARDING) the above kinds of E-Mail, now you know why you get so much SPAM! Do yourself a favor and STOP adding your name(s) to those types of listings regardless how inviting they might sound!You may think you are supporting a GREAT cause, but you are NOT in the long run. Instead, you will be getting tons of junk mail later! Plus, we are helping the spam mers get rich! Let's don't make it easy for them!
Also: E-Mail petitions are NOT acceptable to Congress or any other organization. To be acceptable, petitions must have a signed signature and full address of the person signing the petition. Read the full story here: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.asp
Let me know if you appreciated this information and any comments you might have!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Good Faith Estimates
Final RESPA Reform Rule -
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has published its final RESPA reform rule. Included is a new standard Good Faith Estimate (GFE) that lenders and mortgage brokers will be required to provide to consumers. The purpose of the standard GFE is to provide homeowners with clear loan terms and costs from different lenders that can be easily understood and compared. HUD also has created a new page on the HUD-1 Settlement Statement to help homebuyers better understand what they are being charged at closing and how these charges compare to the GFE issued by their lender. Unfortunately, this will not go into effect until the beginning of 2010.
My 2 cents - I understand loan charges and I have often been mystified by some of the good faith estimates I have seen in the past. I like the idea of a uniform estimate so consumers can easily compare different lenders. Also, ask your realtor to work up an estimated net sheet of your own for all your closing costs. This will reinforce the information you are getting from your lender as well as put perspective on all the costs involved.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has published its final RESPA reform rule. Included is a new standard Good Faith Estimate (GFE) that lenders and mortgage brokers will be required to provide to consumers. The purpose of the standard GFE is to provide homeowners with clear loan terms and costs from different lenders that can be easily understood and compared. HUD also has created a new page on the HUD-1 Settlement Statement to help homebuyers better understand what they are being charged at closing and how these charges compare to the GFE issued by their lender. Unfortunately, this will not go into effect until the beginning of 2010.
My 2 cents - I understand loan charges and I have often been mystified by some of the good faith estimates I have seen in the past. I like the idea of a uniform estimate so consumers can easily compare different lenders. Also, ask your realtor to work up an estimated net sheet of your own for all your closing costs. This will reinforce the information you are getting from your lender as well as put perspective on all the costs involved.
Mortgage Workout Programs!
The California Association of Realtors has created several new resources for homeowners seeking information on existing mortgage workout programs. The main lenders that CAR has general guidelines for are the following:
1) HOPE for Homeowners
2) Countrywide Financial (Bank of America)
3) Citigroup, CitiMortgage
4) JP Morgan Chase & Co
5) IndyMac Federal Bank, FDIC
6) Federal Government Loan Modification (Participants include: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Home Loan Banks, Hope Now participants, U.S. Dept. of the Treasury, Federal Housing Administration and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Wells Fargo.)
Consumer information sheets are available containing detailed information on specific programs. In general, the loan modification programs are intended for primary residences only.
It’s important to understand that mortgage loan modifications typically are handled on a case-by-case basis. Prior to calling a lender, homeowners should have the following information available:
1) Loan number
2) Income information and documentation
3) Most recent mortgage statement
4) Bank statements
5) Letter demonstrating financial hardship
If a lender is not listed above, homeowners may wish to contact their lender to determine if a workout program is available.
You may also want to contact a U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved counselor. For a list of HUD-approved counselors in California, visit the HUD Web site at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=CA.
Hope this helps! I will continue to provide updated information as it comes my way. Also, feel free to contact me if you want any additional information concerning these programs.
1) HOPE for Homeowners
2) Countrywide Financial (Bank of America)
3) Citigroup, CitiMortgage
4) JP Morgan Chase & Co
5) IndyMac Federal Bank, FDIC
6) Federal Government Loan Modification (Participants include: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Home Loan Banks, Hope Now participants, U.S. Dept. of the Treasury, Federal Housing Administration and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Wells Fargo.)
Consumer information sheets are available containing detailed information on specific programs. In general, the loan modification programs are intended for primary residences only.
It’s important to understand that mortgage loan modifications typically are handled on a case-by-case basis. Prior to calling a lender, homeowners should have the following information available:
1) Loan number
2) Income information and documentation
3) Most recent mortgage statement
4) Bank statements
5) Letter demonstrating financial hardship
If a lender is not listed above, homeowners may wish to contact their lender to determine if a workout program is available.
You may also want to contact a U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved counselor. For a list of HUD-approved counselors in California, visit the HUD Web site at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=CA.
Hope this helps! I will continue to provide updated information as it comes my way. Also, feel free to contact me if you want any additional information concerning these programs.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
More Statistics
Chicago Title Statistic Update –
There are currently 281 single family homes actively on the market in Morgan Hill. 58 homes are pending sale (currently in contract) equaling 17% of the market. Out of those totals, there are 54 Short Sale properties with 26 pending sales. REOs have an inventory of 33 listings with 17 pending sales.
Also, 3 transactions closed this past week in Morgan Hill. Out of those 3, 1 was a Short Sale and 1 was a REO.
There are currently 351 single family homes actively on the market in Gilroy. 145 homes are pending sale equaling 29% of the market. Out of those totals, there are 131 Short Sales with 62 pending sales. REOs have an inventory of 91 listings with 57 pending sales.
In Gilroy, 20 transactions closed this past week including 7 Short Sales and 8 REO properties.
Chicago Title has been my title company of choice for many years. They have provided me with the above statistics regarding the percentage of homes selling, including breaking it down amongst Short Sales (transactions where the loan amount is greater than the current value of a home) and REOs (bank owned property). These statistics are from this current week.
My 2 Cents once again – There really isn’t that much different in the numbers from a couple of weeks ago. Inventory is down a little but sales are up a little, at least in Morgan Hill. Traditionally, the market will slow down over the holidays.
I’ll keep you posted!
There are currently 281 single family homes actively on the market in Morgan Hill. 58 homes are pending sale (currently in contract) equaling 17% of the market. Out of those totals, there are 54 Short Sale properties with 26 pending sales. REOs have an inventory of 33 listings with 17 pending sales.
Also, 3 transactions closed this past week in Morgan Hill. Out of those 3, 1 was a Short Sale and 1 was a REO.
There are currently 351 single family homes actively on the market in Gilroy. 145 homes are pending sale equaling 29% of the market. Out of those totals, there are 131 Short Sales with 62 pending sales. REOs have an inventory of 91 listings with 57 pending sales.
In Gilroy, 20 transactions closed this past week including 7 Short Sales and 8 REO properties.
Chicago Title has been my title company of choice for many years. They have provided me with the above statistics regarding the percentage of homes selling, including breaking it down amongst Short Sales (transactions where the loan amount is greater than the current value of a home) and REOs (bank owned property). These statistics are from this current week.
My 2 Cents once again – There really isn’t that much different in the numbers from a couple of weeks ago. Inventory is down a little but sales are up a little, at least in Morgan Hill. Traditionally, the market will slow down over the holidays.
I’ll keep you posted!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday Update!
Monday Statistics
Good morning South County! Here are your weekly updates on what is happening in your neighborhoods. Feel free to contact me if you want more specific information. As of this week:
Morgan Hill has 286 active listings and 58 sale pendings
Gilroy has 355 active listings and 139 sale pendings
San Martin has 45 active listings and 10 sale pendings
Area 1 (all of the above) has 664 active listings and 206 sale pendings
We are down a little in inventory but up a little in sales compared to last week.
Stay tuned for regular updates!
Good morning South County! Here are your weekly updates on what is happening in your neighborhoods. Feel free to contact me if you want more specific information. As of this week:
Morgan Hill has 286 active listings and 58 sale pendings
Gilroy has 355 active listings and 139 sale pendings
San Martin has 45 active listings and 10 sale pendings
Area 1 (all of the above) has 664 active listings and 206 sale pendings
We are down a little in inventory but up a little in sales compared to last week.
Stay tuned for regular updates!
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