Adopt a Pet: It's Worth It!  Perhaps you are considering putting down a $500 deposit for a Labradoodle or a yet to be born Jack Russell Terrier. Dogs are great, and lots of fun. But, why buy from a breeder when there are so many wonderful dogs available for adoption throughout the nation? The Escondido Humane Society cares for stray, surrendered, abused, neglected and abandoned companion animals of North San Diego County, providing a safe haven and placement into permanent, loving homes. They advocate for the prevention of animal abuse, neglect and homelessness by teaching compassion, respect, responsible ownership and caring treatment for all living creatures and for the importance of spay/neuter in the prevention of pet overpopulation. Over the course of the next month, the Escondido ... 08/21/2009

VA Home Loans in Escondido Bill Ladewig: My Experience is Your Advantage FHA and VA Specialist since 1970 FHA and VA Lender Consultant FHA and VA Mortgage Trainer FHA 203k Rehabilitation Loan Expert Certified CalVet Loan Officer Bill has been in the mortgage industry since 1970 as a loan originator, branch manager, Mortgage Company Owner, Mortgage Consultant and Instructor. During this time he has originated and closed several thousand home loans and Hundreds of loan officers and real estate agents have attended his mortgage classes. Bill also publishes a free Rate Lock Advisory every morning. The Adviser arrives before 7:00 AM PT and also provides a brief Rate Lock Advisory and market update designed for real estate agents and loan officers. If you wish to receive the morning market br... 08/20/2009

RATE LOCK ADVISORYAugust 17 , 2009,  9:00 AM PST Rate Lock Advice:  FLOAT MBS prices are up +8/32. The Empire State index was stronger than expected. When MBS prices are up yields (rates) are down. NOTE: Lock advice can change throughout the day . National Average Fixed Rate Mortgage Down 0.05% at 5.24% on Aug.17 Fannie Mae Mortgage Backed SecuritiesMBS Opened at 4.832% Down 0.107%. 10 Year Treasury currently 3.480% Down -0.07% DJI stocks 9,163.75, Down -157.65, -1.69% European and Asian Markets Down -2.794% Nymex Crude Oil currently $68.89 Down $1.82 This morning's stock market decline has boosted MBS prices this morning. The Empire State regional manufacturing index rose to 12.1, well above the consensus forecast of 3.0, and MBS prices fell a little from their +11/32 highs after the n... 08/17/2009

RATE LOCK ADVISORY August 14 , 2009,  6:30 AM PST Rate Lock Advice:  FLOATFrom unchanged levels, MBS prices are up +5/32 after the CPI inflation data matched expectations When MBS prices are up yields (rates) are down. NOTE: Lock advice can change throughout the day . National Average Fixed Rate Mortgage UP 0.02% at 5.37% on Aug.13 Fannie Mae Mortgage Backed SecuritiesMBS Opened at 4.939% Down 0.145%. 10 Year Treasury currently 3.570% Down -0.02% DJI stocks 9,367.58, Down -30.61, -0.33% European and Asian Markets Up 0.19% Nymex Crude Oil currently $73.55 Up $0.29 Today's economic data all came in very close to the consensus forecasts, but MBS prices moved higher after the release of the CPI report. July CPI was unchanged from June, and CPI declined by -2.1% from one year ago, which was ... 08/14/2009

RATE LOCK ADVISORY August 13 , 2009,  6:30  AM PST Rate Lock Advice:  FLOATMBS prices are now up +5/32, from down -6/32 before the release of today's weaker than expected economic data. When MBS prices are up yields (rates) are down. NOTE: Lock advice can change throughout the day . National Average Fixed Rate Mortgage UP 0.05% at 5.35% on Aug.12 Fannie Mae Mortgage Backed SecuritiesMBS Opened at 5.084% Up 0.067%. 10 Year Treasury currently 3.680% Down -0.04% DJI stocks 9,371.74, Up 10.13, 0.11% European and Asian Markets Up 1.28% Nymex Crude Oil currently $73.54 Up $0.47  Today, Retail Sales, Import Prices, and Jobless Claims will be released at 8:30 AM ET. There will be a 30-yr Treasury auction at 1:00 AM ET. WORRIED ABOUT AN OUT OF TOWN APPRAISER?  If you are concerned about the valu... 08/13/2009

The Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens in Escondido California is a fabulous place for lunch (and dinner, too, I imagine). I had my first meal there today - what a cool place, both inside and out.  Stone Brewing Company is celebrating their 13th year (more on that in a moment) and is located at 1999 Citracado Parkway in Escondido, not far from the 78 freeway and the Nordahl Road exit. It's rather a surprise, given the industrial location, but consider that it IS a brewery that happens to have terrific gardens, 2 great bars (one inside, one outside) and both indoor and outdoor dining with fabulous views of the lush gardens, koi pond, and, from the inside, views of the brewery itself through 2-story glass walls.  They have a great menu - I enjoyed their Bruschetta BLT Sandwich ("Organ... 08/12/2009

San Diego FHA and VA Home Loans Escondido Mortgages Escondido Localism San Diego FHA and VA Home Loans San Diego Localism San Diego UFMIP Escondido Mortgages Escondido Localism San Diego Mortgage RATE LOCK ADVISORY August 11 , 2009,  8:00  AM PST Rate Lock Advice:  FLOATMBS AM prices are up +10/32. This AM, 2 Qtr Productivity showed an increase of 6.4%, above the consensus forecast of 5.5% but there was little immediate impact. When MBS prices are up yields (rates) are down. NOTE: Lock advice can change throughout the day.  click for updates. National Average Fixed Rate Mortgage UP 0.04% at 5.35% on Aug.10 Fannie Mae Mortgage Backed SecuritiesMBS Opened at 5.071% Down 0.099%. 10 Year Treasury currently 3.70% Down -0.1% DJI stocks 9,243.64,Down -94.31, -1.01% European and Asian Markets ... 08/11/2009

The Escondido Children's Museum and Brecht BMW present "Diamonds are Forever" This exciting event to be held on October 3rd will benefit the Escondido Children's Museum.  The $125 ticket includes a gourmet dinner, unique opportunity drawings and auctions, casino games and of course, "James Bond" trivia.  Formal "Bond" attire is requested but not required.  This spectacular event will be held at Brecht BMW and the Bond theme is "A Night in Monte Carlo" The science based Escondido Children's Museum hosts over 10,000 eager learners every year and truly makes a difference in our community. Please share this information with all of your friends and neighbors.  Order tickets on line at www.escondidochildrensmuseum.org or call 760-233-7755   08/03/2009

July 31 , 2009, 1:00 PM PST National Average Fixed Rate Mortgage  Unchanged today at 5.29% Fannie Mae Mortgage Backed Securities MBS Opened Down 0.066% at 4.915% 10 Year Treasury currently 3.480% Down -0.19%  Lock Advice: FLOAT. MBS yields were down today. GDP fell -1.0%, compared to a consensus of -1.5%.   Yesterday's successful 7-yr auction eased the concerns of investors, and MBS Yields have continued improving this morning and closed at the lowest levels of the week.     DJI stocks 9,171.61, Up 17.15, 0.19% European and Asian Markets Up 0.295% Nymex Crude Oil currently $70.88 Up $2.02 WORRIED ABOUT AN OUT OF TOWN APPRAISER?  If you are concerned about the value of your listing and need a local appraiser consider FHA financing where we can still control the appraiser selection Where ... 07/31/2009

July 30 , 2009, 1:00 PM PST National Average Fixed Rate Mortgage  Unchanged today at 5.29% Fannie Mae Mortgage Backed Securities MBS Up 0.026% at 4.982% 10 Year Treasury currently 3.640% Down -0.05%  Lock Advice: FLOAT. MBS were up and down today with a 12/32 price swing, ending on the upside.  Relief that the 7-Year Treasury auction went well helped MBS markets. DJI stocks closed today at 9,154.46  +83.74  +0.92% European and Asian Markets Up 1.68% Nymex Crude Oil currently $68.90 Up $3.57 WORRIED ABOUT AN OUT OF TOWN APPRAISER?  If you are concerned about the value of your listing and need a local appraiser consider FHA financing where we can still control the appraiser selection Where are the best rates: Mortgage Brokers or Direct Lenders?  Rate Survey The dreaded Stealth Rate Shoppe... 07/30/2009

Over the past few months I've been talking with clients about the recovery in our San Diego housing market....and how things are getting better in a lot of other areas like Arizona...Well, the mainstream media has finally picked up the scent....it only took them four months...that's pretty good!! Here's an article from the AP that talks about bidding wars for foreclosed homes in Phoenix... Low-priced foreclosures incite bidding wars  Jul 20 01:14 PM US/Eastern  By JONATHAN J. COOPER Associated Press Writer    http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D99IABTO3&show_article=1 There is a quote in this artivcle that says the clients were making three offers a day on properties they haven't even seen!!!! That reminds me of the old saying..."The definition of insanity is performing the same ac... 07/29/2009

Risk Based FHA UFMIP In 2008, FHA decided to change UFMIP from a fixed amount to a variable risked based UFMIP, an amount that would vary depending on the loan-to-value and credit score of the borrower.  Then, before risked based UFMIP was put into effect Housing Bill HR 3221 placed a moratorium on Risk Based Pricing Beginning October. 1, 2008 and ending September. 30, 2009.  The way it is presently structured, once it goes into effect, Risk Based UFMIP will vary from a low of 1.25% for borrowers with 680 or better credit scores to 2.25% for borrowers with credit scores below 600. FHA charges two types of Mortgage Insurance Premiums; Up Front Mortgage Insurance (UFMIP) and Monthly Insurance (MIP).  The borrower pays each and it protects the lender in the event of default. FHA UFMIP is a... 07/29/2009

Tips for Selling Your Home on Lake Hodges, Escondido If you are interested in selling your home on Lake Hodges in Escondido or anywhere else in San Diego County and beyond, you will have to be sure that your home is in "tip top" shape. This means that it has to be in great show condition: beds have to be made, dirty laundry needs to be tucked away in closed hampers, counters need to be clear, etc. It's a challenging job to prepare your home for sale either in Lake Hodges in Escondido, or anywhere else for that matter. Here are some helpful tips from Annie Pinsker-Brown, a home stager in Los Angeles, California about how to clean up and "stage" your bookshelves and built-in units: 1) Keep some shelves EMPTY! Remember the idea here is to show an abundance of storage space. So if you have ... 07/29/2009

Short Sales in Hidden Meadows: Common Seller Questions If you are thinking about selling your home in Hidden Meadows, Escondido or anywhere in San Diego County and you owe more on your loan then your home is worth, you may be participating in a short sale. Most homeowners who are considering a short sale have questions. And . . . rightly so! Participating in a short sale in Escondido, Hidden Meadows, or beyond is stressful and should not be treated lightly. Here are the answers to some common seller questions about short sales: How will a short sale affect my credit? Depending upon how the short sale is negotiated and the agreement made at the bank, it is possible that the short sale could have only a small impact on your credit score. However, the missed mortgage payments (if there are... 07/28/2009

Short Sales in the Escondido Country Club: Getting Familiar with the Process If you live in the Escondido Country Club and need to sell your home right now, you may need to participate in a short sale. A short sale occurs when you are "upside down" on your mortgage-when you owe more on your loan then your property is worth. That's where a Realtor® can help. A Realtor® experienced with short sales can negotiate with the bank that services your loan for them to accept the current market value and forgive the difference. If you live in or around the Escondido Country Club area of Escondido in the North San Diego County, then you probably are already familiar with the term, short sale. The process, however, can be tricky and time-consuming and it helps to be familiar with the short sale pro... 07/25/2009

Short Sales in Escondido, California are now a great way to buy a home! If you are considering purchasing property in Escondido, California, you should definitely thinking about buying a short sale. In North San Diego County, many property owners have found themselves "upside down" on their homes. Sadly, many more individuals have found themselves unable to make their mortgage payments. As a result of this, there are many wonderful properties listed for short sale not only in Escondido but throughout the North County. Buying a short sale is not for the faint of heart; it takes patience and a good understanding of the process. First off, a buyer must understand that the purchase price is ultimately decided by the bank. It does not matter whether you offer, say $100,000, and the seller ac... 07/23/2009

Hello and Welcome to Escondido California Foreclosure Auction, Bank Owned REO, Short Sales, and Homes for Sale. July 20th, 2009 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. Here are some of the latest statistics from Foreclosure Radar hot off the press for June 2009.  If you are unfamiliar with some of the following terms please read below for further explanations. Notice of Defaults for California rose by 11.8% to the second highest level on record at 45,691 f... 07/20/2009

Hello and welcome to Escondido Foreclosure Homes. During the recent down turn Escondido home prices have experienced 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 May, 2009 there were 3,094 sales in San Diego county which represents a 8% increase in sales volume over May of 2008. The median home price for San Diego has actually increased by 15,000 over the last 3 months to 295,000. The median home prices in Escondido for that same 1 year per... 07/13/2009

During the holiday weekend, in between writing offers and showing property, we took a little time to go on a short hike in Escondido at Daley Ranch.  Although there are over 20 miles of multi-purpose trails, we hiked only about 5.5 miles on a very easy trail.   For more information on Daley Ranch, the trails and the history, visit the City of Escondido website. 07/06/2009

It was almost a year ago we started working with Darren and Shona.  They were newlyweds looking to buy their first home.  At last count, we had shown them over 60 homes in North San Diego County.  I may have lost track on a few.  If I was out of town representing Women's Council of Realtors, my husband, Steve, would show them homes.  We wrote several offers along the way.  Sometimes with as many as 20 other buyers competing for the same home.  Their price point is a fast moving section of our market.  Finally, we found another house that would fit their needs.  It was a bank owned property built in 1971, complete with shaggy, smelly dirty green shag carpet, outdated wallpaper that looked like it could be Christmas wrapping paper, and linoleum that I'm sure is the same pattern that was i... 07/05/2009