OPINIONS ARE LIKE NOSES,
WE ALL HAVE ONE

Some are more educated than others but not always right.

Below is what the local "Experts" have to say about a Double Dip Recession and
where San Diego area Real Estate prices will go in the next 6 months.

Each week the San Diego Union Tribune Newspaper Business section asks its panel of eight economists to weigh in on an economic issue of concern to San Diegans. They may say yes, no, up, down or decline to participate or remain neutral.

Question: With the stock market, employment, housing, consumer spending and the general economy in jittery condition, do you think San Diego County will fall into recession again in a so-called “double-dip”?

Yes — 0;
No —7;
not participating: 1

No 'double-dip' ahead for San Diego economists say, but it might feel like a slump.
http://ww.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/aug/29/no-double-dip-ahead-san-diego-economists-say/

Question: Do you think San Diego’s housing market – prices and sales – will fall between now and the year’s end in the wake of the end to federal and state tax rebates?

Yes - 3 (residential focus)

Yes - 1 (commercial focus)

No - 2 (residential focus)

Neutral - 1

Some of the comments:
"This is an exceptionally complicated call. "
"Now we are back to a more normal recovery pattern."

"Although there will be parts of San Diego’s housing market that will see prices and sales increases, the end of the tax rebates, continuing high unemployment and sluggish job growth, and inventory of foreclosed homes still to be released to the market, will cause overall prices and sales in San Diego to slump through the end of the year."

"There is ultimately an imbalance of supply and demand, which will have the impact of bidding up housing prices as the economy recovers, simply because we will add precious few new housing units relative to the demand that can be forecast with regional economic growth. However, this upward pattern in pricing will be very gradual."

"the good news is regular sales are up while the [banks'] real-estate-owned sales are declining as a percent of the total"
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/aug/21/housing-prices-and-sales-where-are-they-headed/


My thoughts: Interest rates are the lowest they have been in 50 years and have nowhere to go but up. Lock in these low rates NOW for 15 to 30 years and smile. If rates go from 4.5% to 6.5%, that is a 48% increase in the monthly payment! This probable increase in rates has a far greater cost increase than what you would save in the possible drop in property prices in San Diego area...if prices go down at all.

Please call me quickly to take advantage of these rates & prices today. 


Dennis Smith, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, CDPE, Realtor® DRE# 00476662
Certified Distressed Property Agent

Donna "Sunshine" Smith, SFR, Realtor® DRE# 01249837
Short Sale, Foreclosure Resource Certified

RE/MAX By-the-Sea
Formerly with Taylor Place Real Estate

Buy or Sell a Home with Me, Use my Moving Truck - F R E E for life.
dennis@SanDiegoHomes4u.com
760-436-0087, or cell at 760-212-8225
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/home.htm

See my Short Sale and Foreclosure Avoidance Web Site at
http://HAFAShortSaleConsultant.com/
for more information and free reports.

My Market Trends Report with graphs and charts for North Coastal San Diego will give you the Sales Statistics for the month and compare it with last year, by city!
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/RealEstateTrends.htm

You can view all available San Diego area homes for sale at
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/MLS_Search.htm
You can search by address, by MLS number or by general criteria.

Providing quality Real Estate services in the North Coastal San Diego area including Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas, Leucadia, Olivenhain, Carlsbad, La Costa, Aviara, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, San Elijo Hills, Escondido & San Diego County

Are you really ready to submit an offer?

Are you really ready to submit an offer?

You have found a great home. Decided on a price by looking at the comparables with your Realtor.

You have written the offer!!! YIKES, you really did it!!!

Now what?

Your Realtor will submit it to the other Realtor who will present it to the seller for their approval or counter.
Did you give your agent everything needed to submit a strong offer?

1 - PRE-APPROVAL LETTER. Best if it includes a statement that they have verified your assets and stating all 3 FICO scores.

2 - Your credit report. At least the front page with only the last 4 digits of the SSN showing
3 - A copy of your proof of funds showing liquid assets (many banks will not accept stock accounts). This must be dated within the last 30 days.  Sometimes a screen shot is acceptable, provided it shows the banks name, your name, the account number and the date of the document.

4 - A personal letter to the homeowner stating why you like the home, how much you like everything they did to it. Be specific if possible - shutters, counter tops, paint, floor coverings, landscaping, flowers, etc), how it will make you and your family's lives better. Things you have in common with the seller - kids, sports, hobbies, schools, etc. Anything that is truthful and relevant. People like to deal with those who are similar to them in some way.

5 - Anything else the seller's Realtor requests to be privided by the buyer or buyer's Realtor.

6 - If the offer is contingent on another property closing, provide the Escrow or Closing agent's complete contact information along with the escrow/file number. Include the contract. Note the closing date and what contingencies still need to be met.

Must all these items be submitted to the Listing Agent? NO. However, the more of these you can provide to your Realtor, the better chance your offer has of being accepted, especially if your offer is not at asking price or there are multiple offers. I have been in multiple offer situations where the highest price AND best terms did not get the home...one or more of the above made the difference.

Please note my other related posts:

Are you really ready to buy a home?
http://sandiegohomes4ucom.blogspot.com/2010/03/are-you-really-ready-to-buy-home.html

The differences in buying Bank Owned homes, Short Sales & Traditional sales.
http://sandiegohomes4ucom.blogspot.com/2009/08/foreclosedbank-owned-homes-short-sales.html



Dennis Smith, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, CDPE, Realtor® DRE# 00476662
Certified Distressed Property Agent

Donna "Sunshine" Smith, SFR, Realtor® DRE# 01249837
Short Sale, Foreclosure Resource Certified
RE/MAX By-the-Sea
Formerly with Taylor Place Real Estate
Buy or Sell a Home with Me, Use my Moving Truck - F R E E for life.
dennis@SanDiegoHomes4u.com
760-436-0087, or cell at 760-212-8225
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/home.htm

See my Short Sale and Foreclosure Avoidance Web Site at
http://HAFAShortSaleConsultant.com/
for more information & free reports.

My Market Trends Report with graphs and charts for North Coastal San Diego will give you the Sales Statistics for the month and compare it with last year, by city!
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/RealEstateTrends.htm
You can view all available San Diego area homes for sale at
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/MLS_Search.htm
You can search by address, by MLS number or by general criteria.

Providing quality Real Estate services in the North Coastal San Diego area including Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas, Leucadia, Olivenhain, Carlsbad, La Costa, Aviara, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, San Elijo Hills, Escondido & San Diego County

New CA Homebuyer Tax Credit up to $10,000. AB 183

New CA Homebuyer Tax Credit up to $10,000. AB 183
Assembly Bill No. 183 passed the Assembly and Senate on 3/22/2010
The governor signed it the next day.

AB 183 picks up when the $8000 Federal Tax Credit leaves off - May 1, 2010.
If you are under contract by 4/30/2010 and close by 6/30/2010, you could get $18,000.

1. The purchase of a qualified principal residence on or after May 1, 2010 and before August 1, 2011, pursuant to a contract executed on or before December 31, 2010, and before August 1, 2011, pursuant to an enforceable contract executed on or before December 31, 2010, until the $200,000,000 is gone.
Some say in 2-3 weeks!!!
(Under contract on or after 5/1/2010 and by 12/31/2010, and closed before 7/1/2010)

2. The amount of the tax credit is the lesser of 5% of the purchase price or $10,000, which means any home over $200,000 in price will be limited to the $10,000 credit.

3. The total allocation of $200,000,000 in tax credits is divided between first time home buyers and purchasers of homes that have never been lived in (new homes), $100,000,000 being allocated to each type of purchaser.

4. Only one credit will be issued to a first time homebuyer that buys a new home.

5. A “qualified principal residence” is an attached or detached home that will be used as the principal residence of the purchaser, and has either never been occupied, or is purchased by a first time home buyer.

6. A “first time home buyer” is and individual, or individual's spouse, who has no present ownership interest in a principal residence now or over the three previous year period, ending on the date of purchase.

7. The tax credit is non-refundable, meaning it is a use it or lose it credit. NOTE...You would need to have $3,333 of state tax liability each of the next three years to utilize the maximum amount of the credit available. It will be allocated over three years, beginning with the year the escrow closes on the new home.

8. You must apply for the credit within 2 weeks of closing or lose it.

9. Buyer must live in the home for 2 years or return the money.

If you are under contract by 4/30/2010 with a qualifying home, and close by 6/30/2010,
you should be able to double dip!!!  You can get both the State and the Federal Tax credits but you must hurry.  competition is high and inventory under $500K is low, therefore we are getting multiple offers on most properties under $500K.

AB 183  is the New CA Homebuyer Tax Credit for up to $10,000.




Dennis Smith, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, CDPE, Realtor® DRE# 00476662
Certified Distressed Property Expert
RE/MAX By-the-Sea
Formerly with Taylor Place Real Estate
Buy or Sell a Home with Me, Use my Moving Truck - F R E E for life.

dennis@SanDiegoHomes4u.com
760-436-0087, or cell at 760-212-8225
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/home.htm

See my Short Sale and Foreclosure Avoidance Web Site at
http://HAFAShortSaleConsultant.com/

My Market Trends Report with graphs and charts for North Coastal San Diego will give you the Sales Statistics for the month and compare it with last year, by city!
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/RealEstateTrends.htm
You can view all available San Diego area homes for sale at
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/MLS_Search.htm
You can search by address, by MLS number or by general criteria.

Providing quality Real Estate services in the North Coastal San Diego area including Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas, Leucadia, Olivenhain, Carlsbad, La Costa, Aviara, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, San Elijo Hills, Escondido & San Diego County.

Are you REALLY ready to buy a home?

Are you REALLY ready to buy a home?

Scenario...
We are out looking at homes and we see a for sale sign being installed. We call and the agent says it will be in the MLS tomorrow. The agent states that you MUST Pre-qualify with THEIR preferred lender. We have the chance to beat everybody to the property.

Are you ready to supply the following information to their preferred lender?

Is it all packaged in one place where it can be sent within the next 5 minutes?

1 - Last 2 to 3 years of Tax Returns
2 - Recent pay stubs proving year to date earnings
3 - A photocopy of the driver's license
4 - Copy of all recent bank statements
5 - Copy of all investment accounts
6 - Front page of your Credit Report with FICO score (may require their own)
7 - Copy of a completed loan application (may require their own but now easy to complete)
This is the basic for most lenders but they may have other requirements.
These will be needed for each person on the loan.

If you are not ready to provide this info ASAP, you may end up in the middle of a competitive bidding situation instead of the first offer.

Which is your choice? Are you REALLY ready to buy a home?
PS, bring your checkbook for a good faith deposit.

Of course, all this assumes that I have already received your Pre-Approval from a Direct Lender. If not, that is your first step. I can provide you with a referral to a top lender here or almost anywhere in the US or Canada.

If you are buying with ALL cash, you will need:
Recent copies of bank statements (dated within 30 days, including your name, institution & the account numbers with enough money for the purchase & closing costs. Some banks will not allow stock accounts.)


Dennis Smith, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, CDPE, Realtor® DRE# 00476662
Certified Distressed Property Agent

RE/MAX By-the-Sea
Formerly with Taylor Place Real Estate
Buy or Sell a Home with Me, Use my Moving Truck - F R E E for life.
dennis@SanDiegoHomes4u.com
760-436-0087, or cell at 760-212-8225
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/home.htm 

My Market Trends Report with graphs and charts for North Coastal San Diego will give you the Sales Statistics for the month and compare it with last year, by city!
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/RealEstateTrends.htm 

You can view all available San Diego area homes for sale at
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/MLS_Search.htm
You can search by address, by MLS number or by general criteria.

Providing quality Real Estate services in the North Coastal San Diego area including Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas, Leucadia, Olivenhain, Carlsbad, La Costa, Aviara, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, San Elijo Hills, Escondido & San Diego County.

What is “Value Range Marketing, VRM, price range marketing

What is “Value Range Marketing, VRM, price range marketing
I brought the first buyer that successfully closed a “price range” listing on 8/16/1995.

Range Pricing started in San Diego and San Diego has remained the stronghold. Some other MLS’s do not allow it.

I use price ranges for sellers when, and how, it makes sense. It works well in the right circumstance but it can be confusing for the inexperienced agent or the homebuyer.

Conventional thinking for many buyers is “Why would I offer more than the low end of the range?” That is a valid question. I always recommend that buyers use the range pricing as a search guideline only. Then place their offer according to the comparable prices I provide. Same thing with the bank owned properties. Some banks are pricing properties 10-20% below the comparable sold prices and letting the buyers bid them up to market value or above.

Bank owned listings almost never use a range (only 23 of 7078 in the last 6 months). Since much of the lower end inventory was bank owned, we did not see ranges as much. Now that prices are going up, and bank inventory is dropping significantly (only 696 active bank owned house or condo listings as of today in all of San Diego County out of 7456), we see more regular sellers entering the market, along with investors selling their flippers. Both groups are more likely to use price ranges.

The Value Range Marketing good: More buyers will see the listing.
If the property is worth at, or a little above, a big round number such as $300,000, the seller is in a quandary. If it is priced $10K above that round number, say $320K, most buyers who only want to spend $300K will not see it. If they price it lower, they are afraid they will not get offers over asking, to where the actual value is.

The Value Range Marketing bad: Not understanding how it works.
1 - Agents that have too big a range…20% or more on each side. $240K to $360K. Get real! Are you a professional or not?
2 – Too small a range. $10,000 spread on the range. $270K to $280K
3 - Range pricing top just under the big round number: $270K to $299K
4 - Weak agents that can not convince sellers of the real value of their property. The agent knows the home will sell for no more than $400K but the seller thinks it is worth (or seller needs to get) $500K. Therefore, $400K to $500K range.
5 - Ineffective pricing: having the bottom price range just above the big round number such as $305K to $330K. The low price probably should have been $299K.
6 – Agents who do not know how to properly explain how range pricing works.


Where you ultimately end up closing in relation to the high and low price with a range listing is dependant on what the range pricing is, compared to the market value of a home and how the range is used.

In the “hot” market, I would call the listing agent and ask, “Do we have to be over the high range?” Often the answer was yes because the market was moving up so fast.

From 2007 to Feb of 2009, as prices dropped, more offers were accepted under the low range price. That is changing now with the low amount of inventory under $500K

I just checked 100 range price listings of the 362 sales within the last quarter over $500K and they sold as follows: 27 under, 61 within & 14 at or above the high range.
The under $500K was similar: 14 under, 64 within and 23 at or above the high range.

Ultimately, every situation is different for the buyer and for the seller in what their goals and negotiation strategies are.

The MLS states “The seller will entertain offers between low price and high price”.
If you offer near or under the low price, the sellers says ”That is entertaining, now lets start negotiating”.

Call me so we can meet your Real Estate Goals for 2010.  The opportunities are there!





Dennis Smith, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, CDPE, Realtor® DRE# 00476662
Certified Distressed Property Expert
RE/MAX By-the-Sea
Formerly with Taylor Place Real Estate
Buy or Sell a Home with Me, Use my Moving Truck - F R E E for life.
dennis@SanDiegoHomes4u.com
760-436-0087, or cell at 760-212-8225
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/home.htm

My Market Trends Report with graphs and charts for North Coastal San Diego will give you the Sales Statistics for the month and compare it with last year, by city!
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/RealEstateTrends.htm

You can view all available San Diego area homes for sale at http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/MLS_Search.htm
You can search by address, by MLS number or by general criteria.

San Diego Area Home Buyers Alert

San Diego Area Home Buyers Alert

The first quarter of 2010 is going to be a challenging time but worth the effort for the greater San Diego area home buyers,
especially for the under $500,000 houses and condos.
(This is good news for sellers.  Call me for the sellers plan.)

The available total inventory is down from the peak 14,709 on 2/6/09
    to 11,317 on 1/4/2010.
Only 3726 homes under $500,000 are available which is a 50 day supply.
1407 of the homes under $500,000 are Short Sales.
The number of bank owned properties is 70% lower than it was a year ago. There is only a 3 week supply (734 on 1/4/2010).
Each quarter we hear that the banks will start dumping homes on the market but not yet and probably not ever…see my Blog article at http://sandiegohomes4ucom.blogspot.com/2009/10/where-are-all-foreclosures-san-diego.html

Short Sales are still taking 3 to 9 months to close, despite a push from Obama. They keep telling us they will get quicker but that is what we have heard all last year.

You must be in escrow by April 30, 2010 to get your Tax Rebate.
A big time pressure for buyers...but many will procrastinate...DON'T.
For best results, START LOOKING NOW! Plan to buy in Jan. or Feb.
There is some talk or extending it but, can you take that chance?
Many will wait till Mar or April and will loose out.

The Senate Finance Committee and Capitol Hill in general, are not inclined to extend this program again. The National Association of Realtors, the lobbyist for this program, were cautioned that any discussion regarding a further extension of the program was not likely, and would certainly be met with opposition..
Lenders have tightened up on the requirements again.
Interest rates will go up, possibly to 6% which is a 16% increase, over the current 5%.
See  the Washington Post article at http://tinyurl.com/ylpk9ag about how the Fed will not buy MBS - Mortgage Backed Securities after March 31st and how it will cause interest rates to rise.

What can the serious buyer do to get a home?
1 – Be totally ready with your financing. That means a fully documented loan package submitted to the lender before you start looking for a home. Banks & FHA continue to tighten up their requirements. They want to see higher credit scores (640+ FICO), at least 3 active credit lines (suggestion: pay your utilities on line or buy a tank of gas a few times a year so every card shows activity), no late payments or new collections in the last year. Keep all credit cards below 40% of your limit at all times.

2 – Be prepared to make several offers before you get one accepted. There is a lot of competition as many buyers are fighting for a limited pool of homes and they also need to buy before the Tax Rebate deadline of 4/30/2010. There is no perfect home so do not fall in love with the home until it closes. Remember what your goals are for this home. It probably will not be your last home so think 3-5 years or 5-7 years…whatever your time frame is.

3 – Be prepared to pre-qualify with several lenders along the way. You may still use any lender you chose. Each bank owned property wants you to qualify with them for 2 reasons…they want to find out if you are really qualified, and they want to have a chance of getting your loan. Strategy: keep a copy of your loan application from your first lender along with your credit report & FICO score, copies of pay stubs, bank statements, 2 years of tax returns and more.

4 – Make your first offer, your “Highest and Best” offer. Most of the time the banks will come back to some or all of the buyers in a multiple offer situation and give everybody a second chance. However, some banks will take the first good offer, or the best looking offer without a counter. Wouldn’t it be great if it were your offer that was accepted.

5 – Prices are going up (they have for 10 months in a row). So reasonably higher offers are OK. Todays appraisers often come in on the low side of the property value. If your offer is way too high, the bank will see through that ploy. However if you offer a reasonable amount over the comparable sales, the appraisal may help you bring the price down. Since prices are going up, even if you think your offer is high, you will look back and say “Remember when we bought this house for $X.XX and now it is worth much more than that…we could not afford to buy our own house today”. 

This first quarter will be a challenging time but worth the effort for the greater San Diego area home buyers.  I do not expect to see these prices again.

In the San Diego Union Tribune on 1/3/2010, the caption to the housing chart was "Median price 48.4% higher than January 2000".  Real Estate will always be a good long term investment and sometimes a good short term investment.  Now is the time to buy near the bottom and ride the prices up while you live in, and enjoy your home.

6 – Be on top of the listings and the market. Many of the San Diego area bank homes and regular homes are getting multiple offers and are going into escrow quickly, some in 1 or 2 days of being listed. If you know the market, you will see the value and be ready to make a decision right away without “sleeping on it”. A one day delay could be all it takes to loose the home.

7 - Keep looking, even after you have submitted an offer. If you do not get this one, you must be ready when the next one appears.

Buyers, we need to schedule an appointment to plot our strategy to get you into your San Diego area home. Call me to set an appointment to meet, review your needs and wants, then visit some homes. Call my cell at 760-212-8225 today!


Dennis Smith, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, CDPE, Realtor® DRE# 00476662
Certified Distressed Property Expert
Taylor Place Real Estate
Buy or Sell a Home with Me, Use my Moving Truck - F R E E for life.
dennis@SanDiegoHomes4u.com
760-436-0087, or cell at 760-212-8225
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/home.htm

My Market Trends Report with graphs and charts for North Coastal San Diego will give you the Sales Statistics for the month and compare it with last year, by city!
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/RealEstateTrends.htm

You can view all available San Diego area homes for sale at http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/MLS_Search.htm
You can search by address, by MLS number or by general criteria.

Providing quality Real Estate services in the North Coastal San Diego area including Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas, Leucadia, Olivenhain, Carlsbad, La Costa, Aviara, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, San Elijo Hills, Escondido and San Diego County.

Holiday Sale Pricing on Homes

Buy now to get Holiday Sale Pricing on Homes.

Nov., Dec. & Jan. are traditionally the best time for buyers to buy a home or an investment property. There are usually fewer buyers to compete
for the homes and some sellers need to sell without regard to the season.

Many of the banks want to clear out their inventory by the end of the year.
That means you need to be in escrow by December 1st to have a reasonable chance of closing by Dec. 31st, especially with the holiday season slowing down the process.

Some regular sellers will hold firm but many are willing to negotiate
instead of waiting till the Spring when the market heats up again.

The disadvantage of buying now is that you will have a
smaller inventory to choose from. Many sellers are aware that
the Spring time is the best time for the sellers,
so many of them wait until then to market their homes.

The other problem with buying now is that the inventory is low
and we have had 7 straight months of price increases in San Diego County.  We have almost 1/3 fewer listings than last year at this time. Foreclosure listings are almost 70% lower than they were a year ago. About 630 active at this time in the whole County.
There is increased competition as buyers realize that the
housing market is turning and is unlikely to go back down from here.

In San Diego, home buying and selling goes on all year as we do not have to contend with snow impeding our ability to get around and making it difficult to see what the yard looks like without 3 feet of snow.

Holiday Sale Pricing on Homes wont last long. 
These are bargain prices compared to where the prices were
and where they are heading.

Call me today to find out how you can get Holiday Sale Pricing.
Only 10 more home shopping days this year!



Dennis Smith, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, CDPE, Realtor® DRE# 00476662
Certified Distressed Property Expert
Taylor Place Real Estate
Buy or Sell a Home with Me, Use my Moving Truck - F R E E for life.
dennis@SanDiegoHomes4u.com
760-436-0087, or cell at 760-212-8225
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/home.htm

My Market Trends Report with graphs and charts for North Coastal San Diego will give you the Sales Statistics for the month and compare it with last year, by city!
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/RealEstateTrends.htm

You can view all available San Diego area homes for sale at http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/MLS_Search.htm
You can search by address, by MLS number or by general criteria.

Providing quality Real Estate services in the North Coastal San Diego area including Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas, Leucadia, Olivenhain, Carlsbad, La Costa, Aviara, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, San Elijo Hills, Escondido & San Diego County.

Rates - APR - Points - Fees: How the Playing Field is Still "Crooked"

Rates - APR - Points - Fees: How the Playing Field is Still "Crooked"

This is a re-blog with permission from Steve Kappre, a Mortgage Planner with Treasury Mortgage


I talked to a client today who was shopping me against some other lenders. I don't blame people, and frankly if I think someone else has a better offer and they are legit, I advise "my client" so and have no hard feelings.

In the scenario today, said client was offered 4.5% with no points. I told him it wasn't possible, but lest I be ignorant, I dropped by this other lender's website. Indeed, the lenders website quoted 4.5% with no points and an APR of 4.878%. The website gave the assumed loan amount and purchase price. So I went and did the math. What did I find out? To make the rate and APR accurate, I had to add 2.25% in points ON TOP OF all of the regular fees (title, appraisal, etc.).

In other words, even though the quote was 4.5% with zero points, the TRUE cost was 4.5%, plus typical closing costs, PLUS 2.25% in additional fees/costs.
Please send me your Goofy Good Fake Faith Estimate!

There are several issues with this scenario

APR is supposed to HELP consumers, not confuse them. Clearly this bank (a large bank at that) is charging hefty fees instead of points. This brings us to our next point ...

Points are tax deductible costs - most other fees are not. Charging high fees in lieu of points is an injustice to the consumer. We see rates quoted with NO POINTS to make them look better to consumers. However the total cost is ultimately higher than a lender that is straight forward, charging the same dollar amount but in the form of points. A loan with the same cost in points (versus fees) is a far better deal, saving a consumer hundreds or thousands in tax deductible costs.

APR is "pliable" - Certain fees are calculated into the APR calculation, others are not. Do not assume lenders don't play with the "names" of fees to artificially lower their APR's. That doesn't seem to be the case in the above example, nonetheless keep this in mind.

Lastly, said bank WOULD NOT give the buyer a good faith estimate without having him apply for a mortgage. OK, not so crazy, but the good faith estimate would not be given for 3 days. And if the bank charged an application fee? That would just be another deceptive way to lure a consumer in and tie them to the bank.

Any lender should be able to offer you a good faith estimate (GFE) in a fairly short amount of time, 24 hours or less, allowing some time for when a lender is very busy. Assuming the lender is honest and accurate with their fees, you should be able to see the true cost of their offered rate. You should be able to see, as in the above scenario, that their rate of 4.5% with no points really has a lender fee of $4,119 (Actual additional cost based on their APR). This same week I had another rate shopper send me a goof good faith estimate with 1% in points and $2,100 in application fees. THIS IS NOT NORMAL or fair to you as a consumer, especially on a purchase loan.
I am not angry for losing business, because I didn't lose business. I am however angry because of the lenders and loan officers that mislead and deceive consumers who are just looking out for themselves by rate shopping. What we often see, is that many consumers that search the world over for the lowest rate, actually end up paying much higher costs via deceptive lenders. Consumers can be blinded by a low rate, not allowing them to see the true cost.

Steve Kappre is a Mortgage Planner with Treasury Mortgage. Steve specializes in
• All areas concerning NJ First-Time Home Buyer Mortgages, grants, down payment assistance, tax credits, and more.
• Reverse Mortgages
• Equity Management strategies for high-end homes and high net worth individuals
Contact Steve Kappre directly at 856-419-3561 or at http://www.stevekappre.com/

End of his Blog at http://activerain.com/blogsview/1266423/rates-apr-points-fees-gfe-s-how-the-playing-field-is-still-crooked-

_________________________________

My comments:  I agree with Steve completely!

This deceit is not just with online lenders although they have a higher percentage of problems. You can even see it at your local bank. A point dressed up as a fee still costs you money and most fees are not deductible.

This is why I use 2 local lenders who I know and trust to get the loan done right and charge REASONABLE fees.  Everybody deserves to make a fair living but not by deceit.

I have worked with both of these local lenders for over 8 years each.  They have both done an outstanding job with my clients which is why I continue recommending them.  Please call me for their contact info.  760-436-0087

Dennis Smith, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, CDPE, Realtor® DRE# 00476662
Certified Distressed Property Expert
Taylor Place Real Estate
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/
dennis@SanDiegoHomes4u.com

15-30 days left for $8000? First Time Home Buyers Scramble!

First Time Home Buyers may be too late for $8000 tax credit. 


The $8000 tax credit expires Nov 30th however, it currently takes 30 to 45 days to close an escrow.  That means you only have 15 to 30 days to get an offer accepted.

(Update - Credit has been extended.  You must be under contract by 4/31/2010,  The Senate Finance Committee and Capitol Hill in general, are not inclined to extend this program again. The National Association of Realtors, the lobbyist for this program, were cautioned that any discussion regarding a further extension of the program was not likely, and would certainly be met with opposition.)

I would not count on the extension.  Bernanke said the recession is over and we have started back to recovery.  Therefore, he states, we need to cut back on some of the stimulus money.  Will it mean the $8000 is gone - maybe?

See my Blog below from Monday, September 7, 2009 for more information on how to get your $8000 share of the Stimulus Money.

Call me now to set up time to see property and get you into your new home. 
          Don't be left alone on the fence.

Dennis Smith, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, CDPE, Realtor® DRE# 00476662
Certified Distressed Property Expert
Taylor Place Real Estate
760-436-0087

Too late for $8000? First Time Home Buyers Scramble!

First Time Home Buyers
may be too late for $8000 
The Government Real Estate Stimulus Package, first time home buyers tax credit of $8000 is scheduled to be gone on Dec 1st, 2009. A first time home buyer is someone who has not owned a home in the last 3 years. See the details:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html

Will the government extend this program? Do you want to take this risk when many are saying we are past the worst in the Real Estate market?

December 1st seems like a long way away, and it is, except in home buying terms.

With the changes in lending and appraisal, getting an escrow completed in 30 days can be very difficult. Many are taking 45 days to fund and close. That means we should be in escrow by October 15th. Preferably earlier if we find any inspection or appraisal problems and have to find another home to buy.

Here are the 7 things you have to do to make this happen for you.

1 Loan Approval – The first step and one of the most important. If your offer is to be accepted above the others, you must present the best likelihood to close. You will have to have a strong approval letter from a lender and documentation to back it up like proof of liquid funds and a copy of your credit report.

2 Watch the clock. You have about 5 weeks from Sept., 8th 2009 to get your offer accepted and you may have to write 5 to 10 or more offers just to get one accepted.

3 Be aware of the competition. Finding a home can be a challenge in this marketplace. The homes that you are looking for are the same as most other first time buyers are looking for. Competition is very high and will be even higher as the deadline nears. We are seeing multiple offers on all reasonable priced homes and on many homes that are over priced. Five to ten offers is normal and I have been in competition with more than 30 offers on some homes.

4 Know the market. Be ready to look at the lists you receive and be ready to write an offer immediately. That means you need to know what you are willing to accept for your first home. We will need to meet, discuss your needs and wants then see how they match up to the properties and prices that are currently available.

5 Be flexible and be realistic. Remember, this is your first home, not your only one. Maybe you can remodel or add on later, or convert it to a rental sooner than you planned.

6 Keep your credit in top condition by not opening new accounts, not closing old ones and keeping ALL the balances below 40% of your credit limit on each account at all times. The lender usually pulls another credit report near the end of the transaction.

7 Avoid Short Sales that are not approved, unless they have been Pending or Contingent for at least a month and preferably much longer. Consider these only as a last resort. Banks have been known to change their minds or even foreclose while in escrow on a short sale.

Call me at 760-436-0087 if you are a first time home buyer and want to get the $8000 tax credit while it is still here.

Dennis Smith, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, CDPE, Realtor® DRE# 00476662
Certified Distressed Property Expert
Taylor Place Real Estate
Buy or Sell a Home with Me, Use my Moving Truck - F R E E for life.
dennis@SanDiegoHomes4u.com
760-436-0087, or cell at 760-212-8225

http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/home.htm

Money Saving Tip for Home Buyers at SDG&E

Money Saving Tip for Home Buyers at SDG&E

Buying a San Diego area home?  Save money buying a home whenever you can.

You could save money when you buy a home by timing the start of your gas and electric service within one week of the meter read. This works especially well if the home is vacant, like bank owned REO's.  If it is occupied, you may want to ask what the monthly useage is, then decide.
SDG&E charges $15.00 for new service for each meter, gas or electric. If you are within 7 days of the meter read date, they could charge you as little as $5.00 per meter. When you call to start service, ask SDG&E if the meter reading is close enough to get a discount. 
 
Dennis Smith, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, CDPE, Realtor® DRE# 00476662
Certified Distressed Property Expert
Taylor Place Real Estate
Buy or Sell a Home with Me, Use my Moving Truck - F R E E for life.
dennis@SanDiegoHomes4u.com
760-436-0087, or cell at 760-212-8225
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/home.htm

My Market Trends Report with graphs and charts for North Coastal San Diego will give you the Sales Statistics for the month and compare it with last year, by city!
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/RealEstateTrends.htm
 
You can view all available San Diego area homes for sale at http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/MLS_Search.htm
You can search by address, by MLS number or by general criteria.

Providing quality Real Estate services in the N Coastal San Diego area including Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas, Leucadia, Olivenhain, Carlsbad, La Costa, Aviara, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, San Elijo Hills, Escondido & San Diego County.