Jeff's Blog

Hi Neighbors, Lots of things go into calculating the interest rate on your mortgage, so few people get the rates quoted in online or newspaper ads.  Factors that influence your interest rate include: The amount of your down payment also factors in the 'Loan to Value' ratio Points paid to 'buy dow...

Hi Neighbors, Came across this tidbit originally posted in the NY Times: Here are seven bits of wisdom from economists and financial planners for anyone contemplating a home purchase today: Old-fashioned basics are more important than ever. The safest way to purchase a home is to put down 20 perc...

Hi Neighbors, Zillow is reporting some interesting statistics on home sales.  In most market analysis I've done in the Placer county area homes are in general selling about 101% of list price.  They are reporting sales in Sacramento to be 100% of list price.  The key takeaway here is that in most...

 Hi Neighbors, Another note about mortgage relief.  If you are interested in a loan modification, feel free to contact me as Neighborly has relations with a local and reliable loan modification service. The Obama administration's $50 billion "Making Home Affordable" mortgage relief plan is pickin...

Hi Neighbors, The California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) has published a FAQ on legal issues on property loss during 'Acts of God' such as firestoms.  This informative article is available here. In the introduction, the article sums up it's goals: The seasonal firestorms we experience in Cal...

Hello Neighbors,This is very cool.At a time when employment is challenging - yet buying a home is absolutely the right thing to do (and timing couldn't be better), CAR is offering "First Time Buyer Insurance". I love it.Take a look:C.A.R.'s Housing Affordability Fund (C.A.R.H.A.F) has committed $...

Hi Neighobrs, Freddie Mac is offering clinics on avoiding foreclosure.  A number of the sessions will be in California.  Click here for a link to the California sessions. If you are facing foreclosure and would like to explore options, please call.  We are associated with local loan modification ...

Hi Neighbors, Relocation.com is reporting that more people are moving for positive reasons: People have gone back to moving in hopes it will improve their lives rather than moving to escape foreclosure or other aspects of the economic crisis, according to a survey of recent movers released this m...

Hi Neighbors, The USA Today reports FHA loans have made a dramatic comeback over the past year or so. About 25 percent of all new mortgages are backed by the Federal Housing Administration in what will probably be the busiest year yet for the federal agency.Applications for FHA mortgages rose 50 ...

With the recent fires close by in Auburn California that destroyed 63 homes a thought a word about wildfire would be in order.  What is eye-opening is that this is not a real rural area, but made up of suburban homes and businesses.  Many of the homes did back up to a preserve or natural area. He...