Orange County Real Estate Success

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    Orange County Foreclosure Help – TEN Dimensions Team

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Pull Yourself Out of Foreclosure Chaos

    The prospect of foreclosure typically whips up a whirlpool of financial and emotional woes for homeowners facing this very stressful scenario. More often than not, folks caught in the swirl of foreclosure chaos feel overwhelmed, out of control, and hopelessly trapped.  

    Fortunately, we at Weeks Team understand the excruciating trials and tribulations that those confronting the foreclosure beast experience. That’s why we’ve put together a powerful team of Orange County short sale specialists who can help you pull yourself out of foreclosure chaos. As you’ll see, each member of this carefully-selected team is an expert in his or her particular field. As such, they have the knowledge and skill to guide you to your best course of action, whether that means bankruptcy, loan consolidation, or short selling your home.

    Orange County’s Premier Foreclosure Help Team:


    Cindy Logan – Short Sale Investor
    949-433-7187
    www.reinvestorsolutions.com/clogan/
    Cindy@Investthebestway.com

    Shaun Smith – Foreclosure Delay Specialist
    Phone: 949-241-0218
    Fax: 866-798-4192
    www.mortgagecrisisremedies.com
    shaun@mortgagecrisisremedies.com

    John Harris – Debt Settlement
    Phone: 949-202-7305
    Fax: 949-270-7557
    www.usdebteliminators.com
    john@usdebteliminators.com

    Mike Langle – Title, Liens, and Related Issues
    Phone: 949-300-5373
    www.Title365.com
    Mike@Langgle.com

    Steve Fink – Real Estate Attorney
    Phone: 949- 637-0871
    www.falawyers.com
    sfink@falawyers.com

    The Weeks Team is Ready to Help

    If you or somebody you know is struggling with a mortgage or with house payments, call the Weeks Team at 888-281-7665 x2. We’ll be happy to direct you to the right TEN Dimensions team member who can provide a speedy solution to and welcome relief from your foreclosure woes. Or if you would like to receive our package of resources, feel free to email us your address or that of a friend or family member who can benefit from our services. We look forward to helping in any way we can.

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    Liven Up Your Living Space With a Special Home Improvement Loan

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    OK, I’ve told all you Orange County homebuyers, sellers, and agents about this fantastic home improvement loan before. Now you get a sneak peek of what’s possible.  But first, a recap – –

    Right now you can take advantage of a Home Improvement Loan program that combines the sale price of a home and the cost of home improvement into one convenient loan.

    These are the basics:

    • Basic Explanation:  the Home Sales Price plus all clients’ home improvements get wrapped into one, low fixed rate loan!
    • Loan Limits = same as FHA County Limit  (1 Units: $729K in Orange & LA County, $500K in Riverside.  2-4 Units higher)
    • Low Down Payment – only 3.5% required!  (plus normal closing costs carried by seller or buyer)
    • Possible Renovations to home include:  (Remodeled rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, etc.  Additions, alterations, or structural changes to home.  Repair or replace plumbing, heating, air, roof, foundations, etc!)
    • Also available for Refinances
    • [Gov’t Insured Loan, 1-4 Unit SFR (no condos), 620 Min FICO]

    Cori Hillis of Best Rate Financial has helped many individuals secure one of these dream loans.  With his assistance, great things like this happen:

    BEFORE HOME IMPROVEMENT LOAN                                     AFTER HOME IMPROVEMENT LOAN

    You can liven up that special living place, too. Learn more about how this new loan program can make your Orange County dream home happen. Or get started with a quick pre-approval.  Just contact Cory Hillis at 888-299-4484 or cory@bestratefinancial.com . He’ll be more than happy to assist you.

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    Living it Up Lake Mission Viejo Style

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    If you’re looking for one of the ideal places to live in Orange County, you don’t need to search any further than one of the Lake Mission Viejo communities.

    One major reason is the proximity to the lake itself.  Living in this idyllic area means you’re only a walk away from the full range of fun activities the Lake offers.  This includes swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, and just plain splashing up a great time.

    Two well-maintained beaches add to the allure of the lake. North Beach features a large stretch of sandy splendor, volleyball courts, and a clubhouse perfect for renting out for special events.  East Beach is smaller but just as inviting. Along with all the other great activities,  it offers bold adventurers kayaks as well as pedal boats for rent.  There also are a number of smaller private beaches for those seeking a bit of blissful seclusion. Remember, access to the lake is restricted to residents or their guests. Another great reason for hanging your hat here.

    The lake communities offer almost as much as the lake itself. Spectacular views of both the lake and surrounding mountains, a safe living environment, and proximity to an array of fine restaurants and stores make this resort-like vicinity irresistible. Among the popular lakeside communities are Mallorca, Finisterra, San Marino, Tres Vistas, and Madrid Del Lago , each with a charm and character all it’s own.

    If you’d like to learn more about living in high style in one of the  Lake Mission Viejo communities, I’m ready to help.  You can reach me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. And be sure to follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

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    Orange County Charity Event Brings Hope to Homeless

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Be a Part of Project Playhouse

    Hey, people. Wanted to tell you about a great cause, which is co-chaired by someone I’ve known  for a while – Newport Beach Realtor, Brad Colemen.  The cause is  Project Playhouse.  This 6 week-long charity event will raise money to build and renovate homeless shelters throughout Orange County. So far the project has helped HomeAid Orange County construct 44 local shelters.

    Project Playhouse works like this. Various members of the building industry are creating a selection of amazing playhouses.  These architectural masterpieces will be on display at the Irvine Spectrum for 6 weeks, beginning July 30th. Then on September 10, the playhouses will be auctioned off at a party taking place at an enchanting Crystal Cove estate. The proceeds will help fund the building and renovation of homeless shelters in Orange County. Tickets to the party are $250.00 each, with only a limited number available.

    Brad is asking for your help in acquiring sponsors and donors for this high-profile event.  I assure you, it’ll be great exposure for your company or business.  The event draws thousands of guests, including many of OC’s elite. It even will receive a substantial amount of TV, print, radio, and Internet advertising.  Sponsorships start at $1,000.  For smaller companies wanting exposure, tax-deducible silent auction donations are welcome.

    Please visit www.ProjectPlayhouse.org for more event details. And, if you or anyone you know is interested in a sponsorship, donation, tickets to party, or buying a playhouse, be sure to contact Brad Coleman.

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    More Good Tax News For Orange County Home Buyers

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    The Weeks Team has great news they recently received from a local tax specialist – home buyers DON’T have to wait until next year to get their tax credit! In fact, qualified buyers can get a check this year. All they need to do is amend last year’s Federal tax return.

    Patricia Yeckel, an Enrolled Agent with Canyon Tax and Bookkeeping in Rancho Santa Margarita, offers this helpful information for anyone wishing to learn more about this very generous credit:

    • Any first-time homebuyers who entered into a binding contract to purchase a principal residence by April 30, 2010 and have or will be closing escrow before October 1, 2010, may be eligible for a tax credit up to $8000.
    • There is a limit on purchase price of home: no credit available if home price exceeds $800,000.
    • Long-time resident of same principal residence may qualify for reduced homebuyer credit up to $6,500 if taxpayer has lived in same home as principal residence for 5 out of last 8 years; new home purchased must be between 11/7/09 and 4/30/10.
    • Credit phases out at Adjusted Gross Income in year of purchase between $125,000 and $145,000 for single taxpayers; $225,000 and $245,000 for married filing joint.
    • Final settlement statement must be attached to correct form and to tax return.
    • Credit may be claimed on the 2010 tax return filed after January, 2011 OR ON 2009 AMENDED RETURN FILED AS SOON AS ESCROW CLOSES IN 2010.  THIS IS THE BEST NEWS OF ALL!!!

    If you’re ready to get your tax credit or simply want to know more about this exciting benefit, Patricia will be delighted to help. You can contact her at Canyon Tax and Bookkeeping (949) 888.2829 or pyeckel@canyontax.com.


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    Bring Your Orange County Home to Life the Easy Way

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    So Long Ho-Hum Home

    Whether you’re buying, selling, or staying put in your amazing Orange County home, one thing’s for sure – you want it looking its best, inside and out.  Alright, before visions of major makeovers start dancing in your heads, know something right from the start – no major action is required.  In fact, taking your residence from ho-hum to ooh-wow! is simply a matter of following a few basic steps.

    Alisa Moffet, home staging, designing, and color specialist with Domani Designs, offers these insider tips and tricks guaranteed to work wonders for that place you call home sweet home.

    1. Remove all family photos.
    2. Add simple, single-panel drapery to warm a space instantly. Hang em’ high to make the room feel larger.
    3. Remove as many nick-knacks as possible. Less is more!
    4. Replace bathroom mirrors with framed mirrors. This is the least expensive way to update your bathroom — without remodeling.
    5. Add plants. These will create an inviting atmosphere.

    If you’d like to learn more about making your home the best it can be, Alisa will be happy to help. You can reach her at 949.293.3858 or amoffett@domanidesigns.com .

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    Great Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July in Orange County

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Light Up Your 4th of July Orange County Style

    Gray, gray, go away. Let’s be hopeful, folks. June is almost through, and with it the gloomy gray skies that have become a yearly tradition. That means the 4th of July is upon us. No doubt, you’ll want to celebrate Independence Day with gusto and style. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to do that right here in Orange County. Here are some major events to check out:

    Plus there’s the beaches, picnics, sports, and of course, major loafing. If you’d like to learn more about great things to do in Orange County for the 4th, by all means get in touch with me. You can reach me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. And be sure to follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

    Happy Fourth of July!

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    Orange County CA Economic Update – Gary Watts says…..

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Hi everyone,

    Just got back from OCAR’s annual meeting held at the beautiful Aliso Viejo golf course.   I thought I would record a video update for you 🙂

    I know you have comments, let ’em fly!!

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    Understanding B of A’s Short Sale Process

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    B of A  Short Sales – What every party needs to know!

    Today I’m taking a few hours out of the busy day to listen to Allen Seelenbinder, a VP with Bank of America, tell Realtors how to work better with B of A to get our short sales closed quicker.  Definitely good use of time, because short sales take waaaaay too long!!!  For Realtors looking for Equator tips, check this post.

    Allen said the goal of the bank is to help preserve homeownership, they WILL attempt to modify your loan & help you stay in your house if you want to.  It’s part of being on the HAFA program, and you can even try multiple times if you get denied on your first loan mod request!  Good news if you’re late on the mortgage & want to keep your home, but you have to keep communicating & trying.

    BUT…Did you know 60 percent of all loan modifications fail in the first 9 months?  Yikes, make sure you are working with a professional modification specialist so you are not a statistic!   Most times if you default on your modification, you’re not going to get another one, and its time to short sale.

    For those who can’t afford the mortgage, & don’t see light at the end of the tunnel soon, you have options…

    1.  Deed in lieu – leaving your home and giving the deed back to the bank willingly
    2.  Foreclosure – defaulting on payments until the bank is forced to take your property back
    3.  Short sale – selling your property for less than it is worth

    Short selling your property will allow you to buy again sooner than if you get a foreclosure, so its a good option.  BUT, its complicated, so you need a good Realtor who knows what they are doing to help.

    If you’re drained on the process, please keep trying.  If you allow foreclosure, your credit will have a huge hit, and you know how important your credit is!  Allen warned many times employers are looking at your credit as a gage on your responsibility, fight to keep it in tact as best you can!!

    Short sales are the new normal!  Buyers, sellers, investors, Realtors, & banks need to work together 🙂  There are over 6 million homeowners late on their mortgage right now, and many more projected in the upcoming months.  Short sale will continue to be a household term for the next few years, unfortunately.

    Why is the short sale process so long?  Well…theres a lot of hoops to jump through:

    • the process doesn’t begin until an offer is received, you could have a sign in the yard for months.
    • an appraisal & bpo must be done
    • the offer must reasonably meet current market value
    • the buyer must qualify
    • the seller must demonstrate hardship & provide documentation
    • arms-length has to be proved (that means sellers aren’t in cahoots w buyers)
    • the mortgage investor must approve the offer
    • 3rd party approvals (mortgage insurance, helocs, second liens.)

    Unfortunately, there is a lot of red tape to untangle.  Buyers need to be prepared for at least 60-120 days for close, and agents from both sides need to constantly keep communication lines clear and all parties in the transaction updated.

    What is financial hardship? Its better to say what it is not.  Financial hardship is NOT that you are under water on the property, that is simply a bad investement.  Its also not hardship if you can’t get a renter.  If you are widowed, but have assets, death is not financial hardship, its emotional hardship 😦  there are a lot of people now trying to claim hardship when they do not have truely have one.  You need to be able to show your hardship on paper.

    One of the biggest challenges right now is getting 2nd loans, liens, and MI to reasonably come in line with the short sale loss.  Sellers, be prepared for agents to ask questions about ALL loans & liens on the property, and please offer up front and honest answers.  There’s going to be some back & forth necessary between the parties you owe $$ to.

    Want to know if you are eligible for HAFA?  Check bankofamerica.reo.com/hafa to make sure you qualify!  B of A is also working on a program similiar to HAFA, but with better guidelines, called the Cooperative Short Sale.

    B of A Cooperative short sale

    Yes, its still in the works, but its pretty good!!  It will:

    • proactively outreach to customers
    • offer preapproved short sale pricing
    • promise offers reviewed/approved within 2 weeks
    • be similiar to hafa, but wider scope
    • rollout hopefully August 1st

    Banks including B of A are all trying to make the best of our current market, and short sales are a huge percentage of it.  Look for more posts (and videos!) soon to help you through the short sale process.  If you or someone you know is late on their mortgage, The Weeks Team keeps everything confidential and we will be happy to discuss options!  877-230-3211 or info@successinweeks.com

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    Tips for Realtors to use Bank of America’s Equator

    Published by

    angieweeks

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    Allen Seelenbinder answers Realtor's questionsI went to a seminar today on using Equator, here are some tips for all!

    Equator has 5 stages:

    1.  Initiation – seller calls & signs up to initiate
    2.  Document collection – seller uploads hardship docs & Realtors upload offers
    3.  Valuations – BPO & appraisal is done
    4.  Negotiations – counter offers & 3rd party investor approvals
    5.  Closing – handling escrow & title transfer

    To better step (um, jump) through through them, check out bankofamerica.reo.com/shortsaletraining

    Realtors, make your short sale process shorter:

    – have the seller contact the loan servicer asap to advise s/he is trying to sell
    – ensure your customer financials are in pdf format
    – confirm all requested documents & tasks are accurate & completed asap
    – double check purchase offer is legitimate & @ fully executed
    – make sure the purchase offer is the best possible at fair market value
    – include listing information & comparables to support price w/your purchase offer

    Success Secrets

    In Equator you can add attachments when you email negotiators..  Listing agents, email your COMPS; they WILL be reviewed.  Help the bank help you.  Show them you’ve done everything possible to get the best value.  Tell the bank how many offers you had, your open houses, your marketing, so they know you’ve minimized their loss.  Remember, the bank is losing $$ here so offers need to be reasonable.

    NEVER, ever, for the love of God, use the reject button in Equator.  It closes your file!!!! There is a button to submit with changes, use THAT instead 🙂

    Itemize your escrow items, too.  Don’t forget to include buyer credits, this happens too much & causes deals to blow up!!

    When you submit your counter offer in equator, push the close date out 60 days. If you pass approval date, then a new BPO & approval usually need to be done, and that can set you back 3 whole weeks!  This can make any deal crumble, so just get the extra padding upfront.  *note* if property is going to auction, that won’t work, so set the closing to be the day before scheduled sale.

    Stop clogging up the phones, B of A has a rule ‘if its not in Equator, it didn’t happen’…so use  Equator to give you the paper trail you need.  You can escalate right there through the system, copy a manager if necessary.  ***ANGIE TIP*** if a conversation is necessary, and you’ve tried 3 emails through the system, tweet @bofa_help .  I always get a call back within 48 hrs 🙂

    Say ‘actionable item’ in the subject, not urgent. Everyone says urgent.  What many consider urgent is truly not urgent, but actionable items=urgent to B of A, ok?

    Today a VP at Bank of America, Allen Seelenbinder, advised us cash offers mean nothing.  B of A doesn’t care about your quick close, they care about minimizing their loss. Present your highest & best offers as opposed to lowball quick close cash.

    Also, write your repairs into the contract, the bank doesn’t play well with new terms after appraisals!  How will you know?  Bring your trusty B of A local lender to the property, they can help advise you on standard repairs B of A is willing to do.

    Realtors Pelt Bank of America with questions

    What if the buyer walks?  Why do you automatically close my file? Unfortunately, we have to completely start over including submitting the sellers info again into equator.  Its for privacy purposes, so its not gonna change.  There is a 5 percent chance you can pull a switcheroo:  upload a NEW, better offer FIRST.  Then the next day, email the negotiator the cancellation of the first offer and request the switch out for the better offer.  In some cases this is allowed.

    Will B of A pay a negotiation fee? NO, agents or buyers need to absorb.

    Will B of A allow closing cost credits?     YES, but submit everything correctly in equator.

    How can we escalate a file in equator? CC the manager or team leader on an actionable item!!  (for our technically clueless that means CTRL+click all titles you want to copy)  OR, worst case, you can call your local B of A loan offer and they can talk to the OC approval head.  There is such a person, however, Allen would not release his/her name to the ‘dogs’ 🙂

    Will B of A reduce Realtor commissions?  Tax us for dual agency? Contrary to popular belief they try not to…commission can be 6 percent for properties up to 250k, 5 percent for 500k, higher than that your commissions can be reduced more.  Allen jokes…You can always ask the seller to pay the rest…the bank is taking a loss too.   Now Angie must joke…sure, how about we charge per phone call, email, and walked buyer then, cool?  Seriously, this process is a B for all of us.

    Allen, way to let yourself get on the hot seat.  I’ve done customer service for Realtors before… they can be a mean, loud, unhappy bunch.  You handled yourself with class, and taught us how to work with B of A better.

    Hopefully this post will help some struggling agents – tweet @angieweeks or @weeksteam your Equator tips, or comment them below!!

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    Orange County Real Estate in a Virtual World

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    To Be There or Not to Be There

    How can you be someplace and not someplace at the same time?… By entering a virtual world. But you won’t find these realms on a conventional map. Virtual worlds are available only in cyberspace. They are simulated, 3-D worlds, much like video game environments. The big difference is you can use your computer to actually enter a virtual world, just as easily as you’d access any other website. There you’ll be in the form of a 3-D representation called an avatar, which you’ll control – actions, conversations, etc. And you’ll be able to interact with other users, who are also represented as avatars. You can design your avatar to look any way you want.  You could look like a walking carrot stick if you preferred. People from all over the world can be brought together in a shared space, interacting in their chosen virtual community. It’s the chat room concept taken to the next level.

    Alright, so what are the implications for real estate in Orange County and beyond?  Well, taken to the limit, you could literally go house hunting, transact a purchase, and send everything to the local escrow office all from the comfort of your favorite sofa. Here’s how it would work. You arrange for your avatar to meet your Realtor’s avatar in the virtual neighborhood of your choice. Maybe a virtual Mission Viejo. Once you connect, you get in virtual transportation of some type, cruise through the local communities, and explore perfect 3-D simulations of homes that exist in the real Mission Viejo. You could walk through the houses, turn on the faucets, draw the shades, tap the woodwork —  the whole ball of wax. Once you find the home of your choice, you just sign on the electronic dotted line.

    This is an oversimplification, of course. But it’s basically what happens in a virtual world.  Sooner or later, most people probably will want to get off their comfy sofas and actually go inside of the very real place where they intend to hang their very real hats. Nevertheless, a virtual real estate hunt would save time, and let’s face it, could prove to be a very fascinating experience.

    I’d like to hear your thoughts on this. Would you like to go on a real estate hunt in a virtual world? Or would you prefer cruising around chosen communities in real metal and walking around in real brick, stucco, and wood structures?  You can reach me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. And be sure to follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

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    Summer Activities in Mission Viejo

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    Mission Viejo is the Place for Summer Fun

    It’s that time of year folks. Sunshine, barbecues, swimming, and kids released from the captivity of academia for three months.  With the arrival of summer, our attention naturally turns to our favorite summertime activities.

    Mission Viejo is a world champion in this department. The city offers residents and visitors alike a million and one things to do during the season of sunshine. Here are some of the biggies:

    If you’d like to learn more about the ton of summer fun awaiting you in Mission Viejo, I’m ready to help. You can reach me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. And be sure to follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

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    Orange County Live-Work Homes Offer Convenience and Comfort

    Published by

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    Buyers Can Choose From a Diversity of Orange County Live-Work Homes

    Many of us live to work. We absolutely luv our jobs and all the rewards, perks, and opportunities that come with the territory. Thanks to the rising prominence of telecommuting, more folks than ever are not only living to work but working where they live. To accommodate the increasing numbers of at-home workers, developers are busy stepping up their output of residences known as a live-work properties. These are home specifically designed to serve both a residential and business purpose.

    Orange County is one of the many locales experiencing a spike in live-work residences as developers rush to address the growing legions of at-home workers in this area.

    One of the high scorers on the live-work development chart is Harbor Lofts. Located in the heart of downtown Anaheim, Harbor Lofts offers a fantastic selection of one, two, and three bedroom lofts. This includes 18, two-story live-work spaces available in the comfortably affordable 340k range. Plus, there’s 14,000 square feet of ground floor retail space for business owners who prefer a very short walk to work. And when the work day is done, residents get to refresh, relax, and invigorate in the pool or gym.

    If you’d like to learn more about Harbor Lofts or any of the many other live-work properties in Orange County, I’m ready to help. You can reach me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. And be sure to follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

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    Search For Orange County Properties in Your PJ’s

    Published by

    angieweeks

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    Oh, What a Night Search!

    What do pj’s and properties have in common? … You can wear one while you do the other. It’s all thanks to the free nightly MLS Orange County property search we’re offering to anyone who’d rather lounge than look.

    It’s incredibly simple to sign up for search updates. First, you give us a list of criteria for your home – price range, location, number of Olympic-sized swimming pools, etc.  Next we plug all the vital facts into our automated MLS system. Finally, the big search engine kicks into high gear, scouring the data base for available homes that fit your criteria — day or night. This means, even while you’re sleeping the night away with visions of your dream home dancing in your head, our automated MLS is working hard on your behalf. Once the search locates a good fit, the system grabs the home info and fires it to your email inbox. And there it is waiting for you.

    The important thing to remember is that you may slip away into sleep land, but the system never does. Not even a nap. It hunts night and day, looking for a home or homes that fulfill your every wish. When it locates a possibility, straight to your inbox it flies.

    Here are the key benefits of this dynamic system:

    • Convenient  –  Now you can snooze but not lose a moment of time in your home search. I ask you, what could be easier?
    • Effective  -. The system is constantly on the hunt, covering miles and miles of territory so you don’t miss a single prop opp.
    • Budget-Friendly – The tireless, round the clock searches are 100% free.

    Well there you have it. High Technology doing it’s part to advance the cause better property hunting. Want to know more about taking advantage of nightly MLS searches to find your ideal Orange County home?  I’m ready to help. You can reach me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. And be sure to follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

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    New Loan Program Boon to Home Buyers and Sellers

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    Innovate Program Wraps Home Improvement Costs Into a Single Loan

    Good news for Orange County home buyers, sellers, and agents. There’s a great new Home Improvement Loan program that will make a large number of homes far more affordable. Basically, this nifty financial solution combines the sale price of a home and the cost of home improvements into one convenient loan.

    What a powerful incentive for a buyer who’s reluctant to commit to a home simply because it’s screaming for repairs. With this program, everything is covered in one simple package. No instant out-of-pocket expenses to discourage would-be buyers.

    Another great thing about the program is that the house being financed gets appraised on FUTURE value. In other words, after the improvements have been completed. So there’s never deal-stalling appraisal issues nagging at the parties involved.

    Here are the basics:

    • Basic Explanation:  the Home Sales Price plus all clients’ home improvements get wrapped into one, low fixed rate loan!
    • Loan Limits = same as FHA County Limit  (1 Units: $729K in Orange & LA County, $500K in Riverside.  2-4 Units higher)
    • Low Down Payment – only 3.5% required!  (plus normal closing costs carried by seller or buyer)
    • Possible Renovations to home include:  (Remodeled rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, etc.  Additions, alterations, or structural changes to home.  Repair or replace plumbing, heating, air, roof, foundations, etc!)
    • Also available for Refinances
    • [Gov’t Insured Loan, 1-4 Unit SFR (no condos), 620 Min FICO]

    But wait, there’s more! With this home improvement loan, you’re assured of a quick close. And there will be no more worries about buying a bank-owned property.

    Alright, so your dream home needs a few repairs. No problem. You’ve got the ideal solution. Learn more about how this new loan program can make your Orange County dream home happen. Or get a quick pre-approval. Just contact Cory Hillis at 888-299-4484 or cory@bestratefinancial.com

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    Short Sale Approval: Welcome to Big Top Banking

    Published by

    angieweeks

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    Want a Short Sale Approval? Join the Circus.

    After much frustrated hair pulling and gnashing of teeth, I’ve finally concluded that getting a short sale approved is basically a trip to the circus. Only in this case, the big top is the bank. It’s as if Barnum and Bailey merged with B of A.  And guess who’s jumping through all the flaming hoops. That’s right — the agents. Worse part is, there’s no applause at the end. If the Realtors are lucky, they emerge with their wits intact. 

    So how does an agent get a short sale approved in the contemporary big top banking environment? The consensus among agents I talked with is that you’ve gotta do some major attention grabbing.  OK, so how do you do that without painting your hair all the colors of the rainbow and cartwheeling through the bank lobby?  Here’s what one agent did to secure an approval.  Bear in mind, this is totally 100% serious, unadulterated fact.

    • Called the bank prez.
    • Saturated bank inbox with emails, sending one ever minute for 60 days.
    • Made sure to call the negotiator first thing in the morning. The rationale here is that if you’re the first call of the day, you’ve got a far better chance of getting through.
    • Tweeted messages to customer service.
    • Asked for the supervisor.  And the supervisor’s supervisor.  And the supervisor’s supervisor’s supervisor.

    Whew!

    Just to put things in perspective, according to B of A, it takes a grand total of 88 days from entry into their equator system until close.

    Luckily, some banks are offering ‘fast track’ programs. Case in point is Wachovia. Here, a short sale can attain approval status in as few as 10 days. Nice. Let’s all hope that EVERY noble lending institution will offer similar programs very soon.  But until that that day dawns, we agents will just have to continue being fountains of creativity to get those short sales approved.  Just think how much better it would be if we focused all this attention on our clients instead of the banks.

    Have a short sale approval solution? Luv to hear what flaming hoops you (if you’re an agent) or your agent had to jump through to gain an approval.  Just connect with me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.  This is your chance to impress the world with your or your agent’s creative genius!

    And if you have any questions, feel free to call 949.338.7408 or email: angie@askangie.com

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    Fannie Mae Extends Assistance For Homebuyers

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    Orange County Homebuyers Have Added Incentive

    First the bad news. It’s official. The government’s popular 8k tax incentive is now history. But the good news is, you can dry those tears of regret, good people. Fannie Mae is offering up the perfect incentive to fill the gap. 

    What’s This All About?

    So glad you asked. Right now Fannie Mae is extending its very generous 3.5% Closing Cost Assistance and Appliance Incentive. This means, the marvelous offer is now good through June 30, 2010.  To qualify, you’ve gotta purchase and close on a Fannie Mae home by that date. If you’re buying one of the many properties listed on HomePath.com, you get a healthy incentive of up to 3.5% of the final sales price. You can apply it to any one of the following:

    • Closing costs
    • The purchase of new Whirlpool appliances
    • Any combination of closing costs and appliances as your heart desires, all the way up to the maximum of 3.5%.

    Who’s Eligible?

    • Anyone who purchases a Fannie Mae property whose sale closes on or before June 30, 2010.
    • Buyers who are owner-occupants. Purchasing a second home? No problem, as long as you’re taking up residence there. This means, if you’re buying the house simply as an investment and not a place to live, you’re plumb outta luck. Gotta live in the place to be eligible. So if you want to take advantage of the incentive, plan on planting yourself in the residence — at least for a while.

    This enticing offer is further proof of Fannie Mae’s dedication to buyers and communities. Want to know more about this incentive?  Visit HomePath.com or contact a Fannie Mae listing broker. And naturally, I’m always on hand to help. You can reach me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. And be sure to follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

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    Mission Viejo Schools Get an A

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    Mission Viejo Schools Pass the Excellence Test

    Lots of reason to move to Mission Viejo.  Great weather, communities, people, and of course, a highly-rated educational system.  From kindergarten to college, Mission Viejo schools rank sky high in student performance, test scores, and graduation rates. The long and short of it — this is one top-notch place to receive an education. 

    Case in point is Mission Viejo High School.  Here are a few noteworthy stats about this noble institution —

    • National Exemplary School 1989, National Blue Ribbon School 1996, 2002
    • Top 42 in the nation for Overall Excellence, 1992
    • California Distinguished High School 1988, 1994, 2001, 2008
    • Award winning visual and performing arts program

    For parents with children in the earlier stages of life, Mission Viejo elementary schools excel at  boosting the brainpower of the younger set. A good example is Marguerite M. O’Neill Elementary School.  Here you’ll discover one of the few elementary schools in California with a distinguished Great Schools Rating of 9 out of 10.

    Jumping up a few grade levels, Saddleback College is renowned for its academic excellence.  The institution of higher learning scores particularly high marks in the science department, offering first-rate programs in nursing, physics, environmental studies, and chemistry.

    Whether you’re child is entering the hallowed halls of education for the first time or is primed to unleash major brainpower at the collegiate level, Mission Viejo schools offer a depth of excellent options. If you’d like to learn more about why Mission Viejo has one of the country’s most highly regarded school systems, I’m ready to help.  Just contact me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. Or follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

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    Ten Good Reasons For Relocating To Southern California

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    Relocating to Southern California is a Good Move

    It happens to the many of us. You’re seized by the burning desire to make the big move to an entirely new locale. Not surprisingly, one of the locales often selected by folks bitten by the relocation bug is Southern California. And with good reason. So Cal offers benefits galore. I myself came up with ten fantastic reasons for packing up and relocating to Southern California. Here they are in no particular order. 

    • No need to heat up your car before driving to work.
    • You can save gas by skateboarding to your place of employment.
    • T-shirts have replaced dress shirts as the #1 form of business attire.
    • The sun is switched on most of the time. Suntan, anyone?
    • You get to watch your heating bills plummet.
    • In case you need to crank up the heat even more, it’s only a four hour drive to a sizzling weekend in Las Vegas, baby! And with lower heating bills, you’ve got more dough to blow in casino land.
    • Pantyhose is totally optional.
    • Miles of beaches with miles of smokin’ hot, bikini-clad beach babes.
    • Have you ‘Laguna Beach’?
    • If you can afford a home here, you can afford it anywhere.

    If you’ve recently relocated to So Cal or even if you’re a well-entrenched long-timer, feel free to reply with a few reasons of your own. I’d love to hear from you. And if you’d like to learn more about living in the land of sun and fun, I’m ready to help answer your questions about relocating to Southern California.  Just contact me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. Or follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

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    Expecting a Tax Return? There’s No Place Like Your Own Home

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    There’s no place like home…

    The words are as true today as they were for a young girl prepping for a return trip back to her Kansas homeland. This is especially true when the residence is your own – lock, stock, and barrel. True, achieving home ownership requires a bit more than focused heal clicking. But the benefits are well worth the effort you’ll put into securing a precious piece of property that has YOU all over it. 

    Anyone who has ever plunked down a wad of hard-earned greenery each month to fulfill legal obligations to a landlord knows the pain of money going down the drain. The cash is being put to good use, of course. For the landlord. Do you really want to finance Mr. or Mrs. Landlord’s vacation in Maui with the fruit of your labor? Obviously not. Fortunately, home ownership provides a financially sensible alternative. That’s because monthly house payments build equity over the duration of the mortgage. Once a mortgage is paid off, the property is legally and completely yours. At that point, you can bid a fond farewell to house payments. You are now living free of charge in a place of your own!

    Aside from getting their hands on your monthly cash disbursement, landlords typically require compliance with a set rules and regulations governing what you can and can’t do in their place. Owners are known to be pretty difficult beasts should you dare to violate one of their sacred laws. No, they don’t all belong on broomsticks or in cages. But rules are rules, good people. And when you’re a paying guest, you’re obliged to follow all those carefully considered do’s and dont’s. Should you take it upon yourself to enlarge your landlord’s kitchen, you can count on some pretty serious intervention sooner or later.

    No such restrictions with a home of your own. Unless you’re violating some sort of municipal code, you pretty much can do as you please – paint the walls in dazzling fluorescent rainbow colors, shape the hedges to resemble your favorite zoo animals, put in shag carpeting so high it will give you a nose bleed. Whatever your heart desires. The choice is all yours.

    Once you move into your dream home, you’ll no doubt be inundated with house warming gifts from friends and relatives. One of your favorite relatives has a very special gift for you. Except in very rare instances, your present from Uncle Sam doesn’t come wrapped in colorful paper. But you’ll appreciate it just the same. It’s called a tax incentive. In the vast majority of cases, homeowners can save thousands of dollars a year in taxes.

    If you’re contemplating your first home purchase now or in the future, you’re definitely on the right track. Ensuring a solid financial future, personal independence, and boundless gratification, home ownership offers a number of irresistible incentives guaranteed to leave even the most diehard procrastinators wondering why they waited so long. Don’t be one of them.

    If you’d like to learn more about buying a home in Orange County, I’m ready to help.  Just contact me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. Or follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

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