Video: http://youtu.be/CcsuvlEkWQo This article is also posted in the November - December 2013 issue of "The Pin Magazine", pages 27-28. What is great about America?  It’s the American Dream, of course!  The ability to control your own destiny, the freedom to make your own choices, the opportunity to have something that belongs to you.  And the cornerstone of the American Dream is home ownership. During my 25 year real estate career, I’ve been a strong advocate for homeownership.  My mission is to see every renter buy their own home.  Yes, that’s a big goal!  Last year, I decided that the best way to get this message out to millions would be to publish a book. So I did!  “Buy Your First Home” is a handy guide and today we’re going to take a page out of this book.  Let’s take a look at t... 10/11/2013

No dream home is complete without a luxury bathroom!  Today’s trendy home owners are adding extravagant spa-like bathrooms to enjoy a relaxing oasis and calming sanctuary.  But you don’t need an opulent million-dollar home to have a bathroom as posh as an affluent hotel spa.  Home owners can improve their house with sumptuous features and ambient glowing lighting without splurging their entire budget.  All they need is a bit of inspiration to create a rich, romantic look.  Follow our glossary guide below to discover some of the unique features you may find in a deluxe bathroom.Article as published in The San Diego Realtor® magazine.Bathroom Types: Ensuite bathroom A bathroom which is only accessed from a bedroom. Usually applies to a master bathroom attached to a master bedroom. AKA: en... 10/04/2013

Did you know that Hillary Clinton will be a featured speaker at N.A.R. conference November 8th – 11th in San Francisco? In case you missed it, there is an uprising amongst REALTOR® members who feel that hiring her to be a keynote speaker is wrong. They disagree with the selection of Hillary as a speaker, and they also disagree with paying her out of our REALTOR® funds. After reading the blogs and the comments on linkedin and activerain, here’s my take on it: The speakers selected for our N.A.R. convention should reflect our REALTOR® values of entrepreneurship, innovation, small business, making a profit, financial planning & budgeting, investing for the future, customer service, personal development, motivation & inspiration, overcoming business obstacles, and most importantly, REAL EST... 09/28/2013

Want to find a home or investment property in San Luis Obispo or the rest of San Luis Obispo County? www.myslohomefinder.com       Go to www.myslohomefinder.com to search the cities of San Luis Obispo County to find that special home.  We are known for our special treatment of people, and being able to help you find that special home.       - See more at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/4188106/san-luis-obispo-s-number-1-rated-real-estate-web-site#sthash.F1eCPkiw.dpuf 09/20/2013

Want to find a home or investment property in San Luis Obispo or the rest of San Luis Obispo County? www.myslohomefinder.com       Go to www.myslohomefinder.com to search the cities of San Luis Obispo County to find that special home.  We are known for our special treatment of people, and being able to help you find that special home.       09/09/2013

Want to find a home or investment property in San Luis Obispo or the rest of San Luis Obispo County? www.myslohomefinder.com       Go to www.myslohomefinder.com to search the cities of San Luis Obispo County to find that special home.  We are known for our special treatment of people, and being able to help you find that special home.       09/01/2013

The pending home sales are down 1.3% in July.  Is the slow down due to higher rates and higher home prices.  But also we have to consider the lack of inventory to blame for the lower sales.  Mortgage applications are down 2.5% for the week! Average 30 year mortgages are at 4.8% up 12 basis points. The Day Ahead: Pending Home Sales Index, Syria             Higher mortgage rates and higher prices are now cutting into sales of existing homes. The Pending Home Sales Index, which offers an early signal on final sales of existing homes, is down 1.3 % (109.5)from the July report of 110.9, which is a bit weaker than the Economist consensus for a 1.0 % decline. Pending sales also fell in the June report, down 0.4 percent. The Dow dropped 170 pts, yesterday, with the uncertainty in Syria, but so ... 08/28/2013

American architectural styles reflect our vibrant cultures, vast geographic areas, and time-forgotten eras.  Discover the rich heritage of the most popular home types you may encounter in your real estate career.  Designs and colors were influenced by local building materials available, and adapted to regional landscapes.Ever wonder how to distinguish a Cape Cod from a Colonial?  A Mission from a Mediterranean?  A Prairie from a Pueblo?  Unravel the mysteries of house architecture designs with Part 1 of our handy guide below.  Part 2 was just published and quickly became an AR feature!Architectural Styles of American Homes A-Frame This contemporary style is characterized by its easy-to-recognize pointed triangle roof which resembles an “A”.  This all-seasons house is designed to capture... 08/23/2013

Moody's announced today that they were reviewing the credit worthyness of large U.S. banks.   Moody's is concerned that there is not the will in the best U.S. Gevernment, or the U.S. people, to bail them out again if they get in trouble, like was done in 2008.    The mood of the American people is that no one is "too big" to fail.  iI they are in the same situation as 2008, then true capitalism should take its course, and the banks should fail.  There should be no double standards.  There shouldn't be socialism for the "big guys" and capitalism for the masses.    08/23/2013

The view, the vista, the vision… that’s what it’s all about in California, isn’t it.  “Our listing has a view of the valley and hills!”  View of the vineyard.  Breathtaking view of the ocean and seascape.  So let’s shine up those windows on our listings while we learn the window lingo.  When our clients ask us, “Which window frames that fabulous view?” we can answer with confidence and certainty.Our “terms” topic this month features various types of windows and their related accessories.  What window affords a panoramic view of the scenery?  Wonder which types of windows are which?  Below are some phrases you may see in an MLS listing or hear at an open house.  Become familiar with these buzz words and position yourself as the industry expert!WINDOW TYPES Awning Window A horizontally-sh... 08/21/2013

Want to find a home or investment property in San Luis Obispo or the rest of San Luis Obispo County? www.myslohomefinder.com       Go to www.myslohomefinder.com to search the cities of San Luis Obispo County to find that special home.  We are known for our special treatment of people, and being able to help you find that special home.     08/14/2013

Use www.myslohomefinder.com to help you find that perfect home in San Luis Obispo County.  We can help you find a home in San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, Avila Beach, Nipomo, Oceano, Morro Bay, Los Osos, Cayucos, Cambria, Atascadero, Templeton, and Paso Robles. At www.myslohomefinder.com you can search using the same tools that a real estate agent uses.  The MLS! We are state of the art, and we don't sell your information like so many others do. Give Mike a call at 805-459-0074 to help you find that super property.   08/03/2013

Are you looking to buy in San Luis Obispo County.  Do you want to live in San Luis Obispo, or have an ocean view home in Pismo Beach Ca.  Like Morro Bay and want to live there?  Let us help you find that special home.  Do you want property in the North County with acreage in Atascadero, Templeton, Paso Robles, Shandon, Creston, Arroyo Grande or Nipomo?  Go to www.myslohomefinder.com for your search! Use my powerful web page at www.myslohomefinder.com to help you.  My search engine is tied to the MLS and lets you see what a real estate agent sees. We don't save your data and don't sell it.  We offer the best service in the county. Call us at 805-459-0074 to talk with us.   08/01/2013

   See our web site at www.myslohomefinder.com for all your SLO County real estate needs!           Rising mortgage rates together with rising home prices are cutting into sales of existing homes, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) whose Pending Home Sales index for June is down 0.4 percent.           Tuesday: FOMC meeting begins,   Wednesday: GDP. Prior, 1.8% Consensus 1.1%. FOMC Meeting Announcement   Thursday:Jobless Claims, Prior, 343K Consensus, 345K. ISM Mfg Index,  Prior, 50.9 Consensus, 53.1   Friday:Nonfarm Payrolls, Prior, 195,000 Consensus, 175,000. Unemployment Rate, Prior, 7.6% Consensus 7.5%. Personal Income, Prior, 0.5% Consensus 0.4%. Consumer Spending, Prior, 0.3% Consensus 0.4%.Factory Orders, Prior, 2.1% Consensus 2.3%.           Dow is trading a... 07/30/2013

We are having a great debate here on my blog about interest rates.  My point is that sales were way up due to historic, ridiculously low interest rates for the 30 year fixed rate mortgage.  Sam, an avid reader and outstanding real estate broker, thinks that we have so much demand that the Fed. will have to raise interest rates above the 6% level to choke off the demand.  I believe I have the facts to back up my claim. One is mortgage applications have dropped significantly, and you would think that we would see more people applying to get the present rate than higher in the future if the demand argument was right.  Also I have had two buyers recently drop their search for properties due to the higher rates and affordability.  With the hedge funds and investors out there buying in bulk, ... 07/26/2013

Happy Monday to all!  Rates have dipped slightly. What's up this week- Treasury Auctions and Housing Data vs Summertime             Prices are still firming and a little bit more supply is coming into the market, but the bad news is that Existing Homes Sales, held down by the big jump in mortgage rates, slowed to a 5.08 million annual rate in June which is sizably below the Economist consensus for a 5.27 million rate.     Tuesday: No Data Wednesday: New Home Sales, Prior 476K, Consensus 481K. Thursday:Durable Goods Orders, Prior 3.6%, Consensus 1.5%.Jobless Claims, Prior 334K, Consensus 341K. Friday: Consumer Sentiment, Prior 83.9, Consensus 84.0     Dow is trading at 15,555  +11  the 10 yr bond is at 2.48 from 2.49 Yesterday, . Currently point structure isslightly lowerfrom Yesterday  ... 07/22/2013

See my web site www.myslohomefinder.com for all your San Luis Obispo County home search needs!   Rates are down a bit!  Ben Beranke made statements that we would have cheap money until we see unemployment dip to the 6.5% level.  The market liked this news and rates for mortgages dropped slightly on his statements.   The Day Ahead: No Economic Data           Dow is trading at 15,525  -25  the 10 yr bond is at 2.49 from 2.53 Yesterday, . Currently point structure isunchangedfrom Yesterday       Conv. – 4.25%   FHA. _ 4.125%           Have a great weekend!  Don't worry! Be happy!   07/19/2013

With all the fireworks going up tonight, it reminds us of how much the home mortgage interest rates have gone up in the last month.  From the 3.35% range to the 4.25% area!  It went up like a "rocket", and one has to wonder how much more it will go up! Visit our web site at www.myslohomefinder.com for all your San Luis Obispo County home search or sales needs.  We specialize in San Luis Obispo winery property, Paso Robles Ca wineries, Templeton Ca wineries, Arroyo Grande wineries, Adalaide wineries, San Luis Obispo apartments and rental properties, Atascadero apartments and rentals, Paso Robles apartments and rentals, Templeton apartments and rentals, Arroyo Grande apartment and rentals, Grover Beach apartments and rentals, Nipomo apartments and rentals, Pismo Beach apartments and renta... 07/04/2013

We here at www.myslohomefinder.com wish everyone a great weekend!  We are busy going over the recent data to see where interest rates are going?  The vast opinion is that we are going up, and we will probably see rates by October in the 4.5% to 4.75% range!  Then in a 2 year time period over 5% and perhaps coming up to the 6% area.  That's why we are encouraging all our buyers to get those bids in now!   The past week: Payroll Jobs, Unemployment Rate               May Payroll Jobs came in a little higher than expected but modest downward revisions were offsetting. Total payroll jobs in May increased 175,000 after rising a revised 149,000 in April (originally up 165,000). Market expectations were for a 167,000 gain for May. The net revisions for March and April were down 12,000. April wa... 06/08/2013

I had a great conversation with a major bank's asset manager yesterday!  Can't mention names, but he said I could blog his statements.  During a coffee break, I sat down and talked to him about where he sees home mortgage interest rates going.  He said he thinks that in 6 months we would have a 30 year mortgage at around 4.75%, and his next prognostication took my breath away.  He stated  in 2 years we could see the 30 year mortgage at around 6%!  My first question to him was how would we get to those rates.  He fired back that when the Federal Reserve stops buying treasuries, and they slowly back out of underwriting loans, the free market in home mortgages underwritten and funding by the Federal Government would be passed on to private firms.  He anticipates that the major federally ba... 06/07/2013