Monday's bond market has opened fairly flat despite sizable stock market losses. The major stock indexes are showing early weakness with the Dow down 60 points and the Nasdaq down 10 points. The bond market is currently down 2/32, which will likely push this morning's mortgage rates higher by approximately .125 of a discount point.There is no relevant economic news scheduled for release today. The rest of the week brings us the release of five economic reports that are of interest to the mortgage market. This week also begins the rush of quarterly earnings releases for companies, which could cause significant movement in the stock markets. The earnings results could affect bond trading as investors move funds into stocks if the reports are good. The other possibility is that the earning... 10/15/2007

Many Sellers in today's market are insisting on listing their homes at a higher price than the home warrants....especially when their home is being compared to other homes within their imediate area/city.  This often leads to a home that does not sell, not only frustrating the Sellers, but costing the original listing agent both time and money.  What then happens more likely than not, the home Sellers end up listing within another agent and lowers the price to the fair market value the home most definitely should have been listed at previously!  All the many weeks/months could have resulted in a speedier sale, if only two thigs would have happened.  (1) the original listing agent would have professionally shown/provided proof and documentation that the home needed better pricing than in... 10/12/2007

Tuesday's bond market has opened slightly in positive territory as investors wait for today's Fed minutes. The stock markets are showing gains with the Dow up 32 points and the Nasdaq up 4 points. The bond market is currently up 3/32, which is not enough to improve this morning's mortgage rates.The first report of the week comes this afternoon when the Fed will release the minutes to the last FOMC meeting. These may be a major mover of the markets or could be a non-factor, depending on what they say. The key will be concerns over inflation and the Fed's next move. If the Fed members were concerned about inflationary pressures, we may see the bond market move lower and mortgage rates higher later today. However, if they indicate a likelihood of another rates cut in the coming months, we ... 10/12/2007

Our company's attitude and systems provide each and every Seller a proper and informed approach to getting their home sold.  Massive marketing as well as Full Service is delivered at American Homes Real Estate.....all for only a 1% listing fee.  Sellers need and want to receive every dollar they possibly can in today's market.  We're here to help....while handling all the many facets and details required to come to a successful close of escrow.  Additionally, Buyers are given a 1% rebate, (on any home of their choice), when represented by American Homes Real Estate.  Visit our website at www.simivalleyhomeaccess.com and view thousands of available home listings.  You may also reach us at (805) 306-1444.  Serving Ventura and Los Angeles counties....we're here to help! 10/11/2007

When selling a home, Sellers should remember that their home may be so similair to others nearby, (price, square footage, etc...), that getting prospective Buyers attention is extremely important.  "Staging" can help a Buyer to fall-in-love with a particular property that's offered for sale.  Adding fine details helps create a "mood" that others can and do appreciate.  In today's market, every advantage is needed to help make a home stand out from the competition!  (the cost of professional staging can run from just a few hundred dollars to several thousands of dollars).  Usually the process takes only a few days to complete.  Remember, staging goes beyond just casual decorating and a good cleaning....it's an illusion that can create a speedier sale!  We can assist home sellers in savin... 10/11/2007

Before you reach the closing day, you will want to make a decision as to how you will "hold title" to the property. This decision has legal, tax and estate planning ramifications. Therefore, it may be prudent to consult an attorney or certified public accountant (CPA).The following information is supplied for informational purposes and should not be relied upon as legal definitions. Buying AloneSole Ownership A single individual who has not been legally married. An unmarried individual who was married and is now legally divorced. A married individual who wishes to acquire title in his or her name alone. At the time of closing, the spouse of the buyer will be required to specifically disclaim or relinquish his or her right, title and interest to the property. Living TrustA living trust i... 10/05/2007

The holidays can put a dent in your savings especially if you're planning to buy a home. But there are several ways to cut costs so your finances aren't in the red by New Year's Day. Consider the following money saving tips:In lieu of buying presents for every family member, suggest a gift exchange and draw names out of a hat. Agree on a spending limit for gifts for friends and family and stick to it. Make your holiday meals a potluck and assign each guest an item to bring. To prevent the urge to overspend when shopping, use cash and leave your credit cards at home. Consider buying a joint gift rather than individual gifts for a family such as a zoo membership or movie tickets. Instead of holiday wrap, buy monochromatic wrap in holiday colors such as green, red, or gold that can be used... 10/03/2007

U.S. Treasuries were little changed after a private report showed companies in the U.S. added fewer jobs than forecast last month. Ten-year yields earlier dropped to near the lowest in two weeks on speculation the slump in housing is spreading to the wider economy. The spread, or difference in yields, between two- and 10-year notes has widened more than 40 basis points in the past three months as investors bought shorter-dated notes on speculation the Federal Reserve will keep cutting interest rates. The yield on the two-year note fell 2 basis points, or 0.02 percentage point, to 3.95 percent at 8:20 a.m. in New York, according to bond broker Cantor Fitzgerald LP. The price of the 4 percent security due September 2009 gained 1/32, or 31 cents per $1,000 face amount, to 100 3/32. The yie... 10/03/2007

  Many new homebuyers make the mistake of rushing out to buy things to fill their home with as soon as the seller accepts their purchase offer and the lender pre-approves their loan. But there are still a few major hurdles to overcome before the keys are handed out. Here are some things to avoid during the home buying process to assure your transaction goes as smoothly as possible:Don't make an expensive purchase. It may be tempting to order that new sofa for your soon-to-be living room, but its best to avoid making major purchases like furniture, cars, appliances, electronic equipment, jewelry, or vacations until after the closing. Financing that furniture with a store credit card or even one of your own credit cards could jeopardize your credit worthiness during the time it means the ... 10/02/2007

 Call Us For A Free List Of Homes In Foreclosure Simi Valley, Ca Real Estate Homes For Sale   As Ana Zepeda and Associates we continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends. Below you will find Simi Valley real estate statistics for the week of 6/20/10 thru 6/27/10.   New homes on the market: 39 Number of homes back on the market: 15 Number of homes entering escrow:  52 Number of homes closing escrow (sold): 26 Number of homes expiring: 6     To receive free valuable information about the value of your home or if you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area, please visit: http://www.anazepeda.com/   If you would like more information about Simi Valley or a specific neighborhood in Simi Valley, then give us ... 10/02/2007

Prospective home buyers have always gravitated toward living in beautiful Simi Valley.  Positioned in the eastern section of Ventura county, Simi Valley is only minutes from the Los Angeles county line, allowing feasible commutes to and from the Los Angeles regions.  Simi Valley offers top rated schools, gorgeous mountain views, moderate temperatures and affordable home prices.  Search active home listings by visiting www.simivalleyhomeaccess.com   American Homes Real Estate offers home buyers represented by them, a 1% rebate on the purchase price of the home of their choice.  Call (805) 306-1444 today!  (Oh yes, home sellers can receive full service for listing their homes for just 1%).  Helping home buyers and home sellers with professional results is the American Homes Real Estate way! 10/01/2007

 Whether you are buying or selling a home, you should have a professional home inspection performed.A home inspection will look at the systems that make up the building such as:Structural elements, foundation, framing etc Plumbing systems Roofing Electrical systems Cosmetic condition, paint, siding etc If you are buying a home, you need to know exactly what you are getting. A home inspection, performed by a professional home inspector, will reveal any hidden problems with the home so that they may be addressed BEFORE the deal is closed. You should require an inspection at the time you make a formal offer. Make sure the contract has an inspection contingency. Then, hire your own inspector and pay close attention to the inspection report. If you aren't comfortable with what he finds, you ... 10/01/2007

Monday's bond market has opened in positive territory following a weaker than expected manufacturing related report. The stock markets are also showing gains with the Dow up 114 points and the Nasdaq up 22 points. The bond market is currently up 12/32, but we will likely still see an increase in this morning's mortgage rates of approximately .250 of a discount point due to weakness late Friday. Today's news came from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) who said that their manufacturing index for September fell to 52.0. This was lower than expected, indicating that manufacturer sentiment is waning. This is good news for bonds and mortgage rates because it could mean slowing manufacturing activity. That could ease inflation concerns and make mortgage-related bonds more attractive to... 10/01/2007

Although we'd like to believe the holidays bring out peace on earth and good will towards men (as the Christmas carol goes), the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day tend to be a prime season for criminals. During this busy time of year, you can take some easy precautions to prevent becoming a victim of theft. Consider the following safety tips:When holiday shopping:Don't park in unlit areas at night. Put your shopping bags in your trunk. Don't try to cover items on your seats with a blanket. Better yet, take your packages straight home after a shopping spree and then go back out. Don't carry large amounts of cash with you, or else, keep it in your front pocket not in your purse or wallet. Be extra careful when carrying a purse - they are the prime targets of criminals in crowd... 09/28/2007

 If the last time you looked at your mortgage was when you closed on your loan, it's time to take it out for an annual once over.New loan programs and opportunities to leverage your home equity can bring you lower mortgage payments and new investment opportunities.Is a fixed rate mortgage the best choice for you?Many of us opt for the certainty of a 20 year or 30 year fixed rate mortgage when we get our first mortgage.If you anticipate selling your home within the next 10 years, one of our new hybrid loans may be a better financial fit for you.Hybrid loans typically have a lower fixed rate than a traditional 20 or 30 year mortgage.The savings you receive can well be worth switching to a hybrid loan.Are you paying for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?There are a lot of new loan programs ... 09/28/2007

Friday's bond market has opened in positive territory despite stronger than expected economic news. The stock markets have fallen into negative territory with the Dow down 28 points and the Nasdaq down 7 points. The bond market is currently up 7/32, which with yesterday's late rally should improve this morning's mortgage rates by approximately .250 - .375 of a discount point.The first of today's two reports was August's Personal Income and Outlays data. It showed that personal income rose 0.4%, as expected. The negative news came from the outlays portion of the report that revealed a 0.6% rise in personal spending. This is important because consumer spending makes up two thirds of the U.S. economy. Strong levels of spending leads to inflation concerns and usually hurts bonds prices and ... 09/28/2007

Just go to www.simivalleyhomeaccess.com to view a multitude of available homes throughout Southern California.  Keeping "head and shoulders" ahead of other offices, American Homes Real Estate offers home Sellers complete and full services for only a 1% listing fee.  Additionally, home Buyers are given a 1% rebate on the home of their choice, when represented by American Homes Real Estate.  With over thirty years of full-time real estate experience, American Homes Real Estate located in Simi Valley is celebrating their 6th year of service at their Alamo Street location.  Helping people fulfill their real estate dreams is what providing real estate services is all about!  Professional and knowledgeable service is something you can count on with us.  You may also call: (805) 306-1444 09/27/2007

Many new homebuyers make the mistake of rushing out to buy things to fill their home with as soon as the seller accepts their purchase offer and the lender pre-approves their loan. But there are still a few major hurdles to overcome before the keys are handed out. Here are some things to avoid during the home buying process to assure your transaction goes as smoothly as possible:Don't make an expensive purchase. It may be tempting to order that new sofa for your soon-to-be living room, but its best to avoid making major purchases like furniture, cars, appliances, electronic equipment, jewelry, or vacations until after the closing. Financing that furniture with a store credit card or even one of your own credit cards could jeopardize your credit worthiness during the time it means the mo... 09/27/2007

   This was a great articl that I wanted to share with everyone. There are a lot of great tips. Newly divorced Britney Spears recently unloaded her seven-bedroom house in Malibu for $12 million -- $1.5 million less than the asking price -- after nine months on the market. On July 30, Paris Hilton put her Spanish-style house in Hollywood Hills, built in 1926, for $4.25 million. She paid close to $3 million for the house in November 2004. Will she get her asking price? If celebrities can't seem to get what they want for their houses, how are the rest of the country's home sellers supposed to cope? One solution: Home-staging. Beth Ann Shepherd is president of the luxury Los Angeles home staging company Dressed to Close, and bills herself as "home stager to the stars." She lists among her c... 09/27/2007

Here is a great article I ran across with a lot of great tips for buyers. Real estate agents can be your strongest allies in the biggest financial transaction of your life. How do you make sure to avoid any "bad apples?" Bad apples exist in every industry -- and real estate is not immune. But in an industry where commissions are earned by hard work and reputation, the bad apples don't keep for very long. Buying a home is the largest financial commitment a person will make. This isn't the time to worry about being swindled by the person who is supposed to be your main support. And that's just what a great real estate agent can be -- your best asset. So don't let the fear of a bad apple keep you from taking advantage of all that homeownership has to offer. Owning a home can be a wonderful... 09/26/2007