The new home sales for December 2007 were reported below expectations.  The supply of new unsold homes rose to 9.6 months from November's reading of 9.3 months.   What 2008 will be like if you're looking for a real estate deal? Last year home prices dropped between 5 - 10%, but there was no "bubble". This new year will be another down year for housing with similar declines in prices - but will also mark a bottoming out. The thing of it is...you can't see a bottom until you are already past it, much like how we always see refinance activity pick up when rates start rising from their lowest levels! What makes 2008 such an attractive year to get a good deal?Rising incomes and lower home prices will make real estate more affordable, as some of the excesses of housing inventory are washed ou... 01/28/2008

Dear reader,The Federal Reserve surprised the market this morning with a 75 basis points rate cut... What Does This Mean For YOU?  In order to answer this question, it is helpful to understand the four major interest rates that are affected by the Fed:Discount Rate (currently 4%) - the interest rate that banks pay when they borrow money directly from the Fed. The rate has been largely symbolic in the past because hardly any banks take the Fed up on their offer these days!You see, banks prefer to get short term financing by:Issuing "commercial paper" - these are short term IOUs of typically one to ninety days that are sold on the open market to Wall Street investors. Interest rates on these short term loans are often better than the discount rate offered by the Fed Borrowing money from o... 01/22/2008

         Dear reader,Mortgage Bonds were in rally mode this morning after Retail Sales, showed its weakest growth in five years with an overall annual growth rate of 4.2%.The NY State Manufacturing Index , and the Producer Price Index(PPI) were reported lower than expectations.  When excluding volatile energy and food prices, the Core PPI matched the consensus forecast. With this economic data, I don't see why the Fed should not have reasons to cut rates by .50%, and in fact it seems like traders are now hoping the Federal Reserve may slash rates before its next two-day session ending on Jan. 30.Why do you need a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist™?Simply because we are...COMMITTED: to raising mortgage industry standards of practice, ethics and professionalism through individual mem... 01/15/2008

Do you know what's your credit score? If your answer is "no" this might be a perfect time to check it. The big majority of consumers are not concern with their credit worthiness until they have to fill out an application.The amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. Each reporting agency will give you a credit score, if you pay a fee (this investment is relatively small compared to your savings over time.) Keep in mind that your credit rating is a factor in several other areas as well, such as auto insurance premiums, changing employment, renting a new apartment, etc.Just about everyone h... 01/11/2008

Alive and Well and Still Hooping It Up!If you are looking for a stimulating physical activity in Orange County that will keep you fit as a fiddle, check out the Adult Basketball Leagues offered on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings.  The games are held at the Fountain Valley Recreational Center Gymnasium at 16400 Brookhurst (Near Heil and Brookhurst). Also, if you want a little daytime play, basketball courts are in the same area and they get a lot of action from the younger crowd as well.  For league info, contact Dan Anderson at (949) 443-9933 for a registration packet.   06/30/2007

Fountain Valley, population 55,171, is a bedroom community for many who work in the small manufacturing plants and service industries of Orange County. It is considered one of the county's best-planned municipalities, because of a master plan adopted before a residential development boom got under way in the early 1960's. It is home to the renouned Mile Square Park which has two golf courses and acres of picnic and nature trails. 01/31/2007