The real deal about real estate.....really....

Interest Rate Update 03/07/10

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:53:54 -0600

Interest rates were slightly volatile again week, yet they are still terrific!

There was mixed economic news throughout the week.

These rates are typical for the PURCHASE borrower will excellent credit and a sizable down payment, exclusive of FHA for the down payment.

Take a look at FHA 5/1 ARM rates below, as those rates are at 3.5% for all loans up to $729,750-this is amazing! This can be a very attractive alternative for FHA buyers.

Conventional Loans:

30 Year Fixed Conforming---$417,000 and Below: 4.875% with 1 Point

30 Year Fixed High Balance Conforming---$417,001 to $729,750: 5.0% with 1 Point

30 Year Fixed Jumbo---$729,751 to $1,000,000: 5.5% with 1 Point-great pricing

5/1 ARM Jumbo---5.0% with 1 Point-amazing for Jumbo product

FHA Loans:

FHA 30 Year Fixed---$417,000 and Below: 4.875% with 1 Point

FHA 5/1 ARM---$417,000 and Below: 3.5% with 1 Point

FHA 30 Year Fixed High Balance---$417,001 to $729,750: 5.0% with 1 Point

FHA 5/1 ARM High Balance---$417,001 to $729,750: 3.5% with 1 Point

New WestSide Condo Listing - Century City / Westwood area - $399,000

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:57:22 -0600

Cute, clean 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom top story, single level condo for sale with nice galley kitchen.

Nice floorplan - each bedroom with it's own bathroom on opposite sides of the unit.

Great view from living room balcony of downtown West Hollywood / Century City.

Prime area in a wonderful, well maintained residential neighborhood.

Short sale.

Another celebrity found dead from a drug-related death..........I'm pissed off!!

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:41:48 -0600

I was just reading online this morning about the death of yet another celebrity (Cory Haim) from what appears to be related to a substance abuse problem.

I think I have just about had it with this! I do not blame the users of the drugs half as much as the pushers of the drugs.

People who are suppliers or traffickers of drugs are the LOWEST form of species, and need to be exterminated. How can you possibly make a profit by getting people hooked on drugs to the point where their body just deteriorates away until they die?

If I had one person in front of me right now who is related in any way to soliciting drugs, I would shoot them in the head!!

And quite frankly, I'm not sure what the difference is between a doctor writing prescriptions for unnecessary drugs and some piece of dirt who is pushing cocaine on the street.

This makes me SO angry!

The CRAZIEST thing happened to me yesterday when I was showing property.....

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:15:30 -0600

My client and I really covered some ground yesterday looking at townhomes in many cities. I've really liked working with her so far, and actually have alot of fun while looking at properties with her.

During the course of finishing up taking a look at one of the properties, we were standing next to my car talking about the plusses and minuses of the property when about 30 yards away on a street corner we saw an auto accident take place. It was not anything too serious and no one was hurt.

But what happened is one of the cars pulled over to the curb to meet with the other car, but the other car just took off! It was a hit and run.

We felt so bad for the girl that got hit. And my client noticed there was what appeared to be a piece of a bumper or something left in the street. So my client yelled over to the girl "don't you want the piece to your car?"

So I ran over to the street where the piece was and brought it over to the poor girl thinking at least she could put it back on her car or something.

When I picked up the piece and started walking over to the girl to give it to her, I noticed it was not a piece to HER car after all.

It was a section of the front bumper to the car that hit her - WITH THE LICENSE PLATE STILL STUCK TO IT!!!

My client and I started laughing.

I guess that hit and run vehicle has quite a bit in store for them!!

Interest Rate Update 02-27-10

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:59:57 -0600

These rates are typical for the PURCHASE SFR borrower with excellent credit and a sizable down payment, exclusive of FHA for the down payment.

Take a look at FHA 5/1 ARM rates below, as those rates are at 3.375% for all loans up to $729,750-this is amazing! This can be a very attractive alternative for FHA buyers. I do not recall ever seeing FHA ARM rates that low.

Conventional Loans:

30 Year Fixed Conforming---$417,000 and Below: 4.875% with 1 Point

30 Year Fixed High Balance Conforming---$417,001 to $729,750: 5.0% with 1 Point

30 Year Fixed Jumbo---$729,751 to $1,000,000: 5.5% with 1 Point

5/1 ARM Jumbo---4.75% with 1 Point-amazing for Jumbo product

FHA Loans:

FHA 30 Year Fixed---$417,000 and Below: 4.875% with 1 Point

FHA 5/1 ARM---$417,000 and Below: 3.375% with 1 Point

FHA 30 Year Fixed High Balance---$417,001 to $729,750: 5.0% with 1 Point

FHA 5/1 ARM High Balance---$417,001 to $729,750: 3.375% with 1 Point

They save horses don't they... URGENT PLEA...

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:09:33 -0600

Via John MacArthur (ReMax Realty Centre):

My niece saves horses. She is an artist. She and her husband bought a farm and now, they save horses. The farm is Rosemary Farm. It has become a haven for castaway horses and chickens, an occasional cat or two and friends and colleagues that need a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

They pour all their resources into care, feeding and creating a good environment for horses they rescue.

This is a snap shot

for better viewing go here

Today, two horses are on their radar.

I don't know much about horses. These seem to be like a nice pair that deserve to live out their life. The horses will become dog food if they can not raise around $1,000. I sent $100. If you can help, follow the link, send what you can. I know that the world has been rocked by natural disasters. I know many of us have reached in our pocket and donated money. I know it probably is not a good time to ask.

The horses don't have time. The deadline is tonight at 8pm. Deadline is an appropriate term. Any money raised will go to the pay off of the slaughter house, transportation to the farm and care of these two and the other horses that have already been saved. I told my niece you can't save them all. She answered, I know, but I can save these two now and worry about the rest tomorrow.

I love my niece and I am very proud that she has set aside personal goals and made this farm her personal statement. I am not begging, but I am begging.

Thanks.

Oh, if you missed the link above....here is again DONATE

www.williampaid.com - Very cool site for renters

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 06:10:35 -0600

I heard of this site through a friend of mine.

It is a really great site for renters, and also for students who are paying a student loan.

It actually gives renters credit history for paying their rent, and allows them to either build credit or improve their credit simply by paying their rent.

You set up your payment online with a credit, debit, or checking account, and your good payment history gets reported to the credit bureaus. Even if your landlord doesn't accept credit cards, it can still get paid to them via check.

If you have a roommate or split the rent between roommates, you can set it up so that each person pays online, and the landlord gets one check.

You also earn cash back on all of your payments that you make for your normal household expenses.

I thought this was a great idea.

Check it out: www.williampaid.com

$8000 Tax Credit still available for contracts signed prior to April 30th!!

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:08:50 -0600

The April 30, 2010 deadline is almost here. This will be your final opportunity to take advantage of the Federal Homebuyer Tax Credit.

First-time buyers can qualify for an $8,000 tax credit!
Move-up buyers can qualify for a $6,500 tax credit as long as you have lived in your home for five consecutive years out of the past eight years
Income limits have increased to $125,000 per individual and $225,000 per married couple
Buyers must enter into contracts written on or before April 30, 2010 and will have until June 30, 2010 to close escrow

Any questions, give me a call!

Ralph Gorgoglione
John Aaroe Group, Inc.
(800) 591-6121
ralph@laagent.biz

Interest Rate Update 02/20/10

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 07:29:44 -0600

Conforming and FHA Fixed Rates increased this week, while Jumbo Rates decreased. That is quite unusual. The rate increase occurred primarily as a result of inflationary fears. The Fed raised the Discount Rate - ie: the rate which eligible banks are charged to borrow short-term funds from a Federal Reserve Bank - from .50% to .75%. They cited continued improvement in financial market conditions warranted the move. The Fed also went on to say the raise is not expected to lead to tighter financial conditions for households or businesses, and does not signal any change in the outlook for the economy or for monetary policy.

Rates are still terrific, and below are some rates for the weekend. These rates are typical for the PURCHASE SFR borrower with excellent credit and a sizable down payment, exclusive of FHA for the down payment.

Take a look at FHA 5/1 ARM rates below, as those rates are at 3.5% for all loans up to $729,750-this is amazing! This can be a very attractive alternative for FHA buyers.

Conventional Loans:

30 Year Fixed Conforming---$417,000 and Below: 5.0% with 1 Point

30 Year Fixed High Balance Conforming---$417,001 to $729,750: 5.25% with 1 Point

30 Year Fixed Jumbo---$729,751 to $1,000,000: 5.5% with 1 Point

5/1 ARM Jumbo---4.875% with 1 Point-amazing for Jumbo product

FHA Loans:

FHA 30 Year Fixed---$417,000 and Below: 5.125% with 1 Point

FHA 5/1 ARM---$417,000 and Below: 3.5% with 1 Point

FHA 30 Year Fixed High Balance---$417,001 to $729,750: 5.25% with 1 Point

FHA 5/1 ARM High Balance---$417,001 to $729,750: 3.5% with 1 Point

Interest Rate Update 02/13/10

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:05:21 -0600

Interest rates were quite volatile this week, and did end the week up about 1/8 from last week for loans under $729,750. Jumbo rates did not change. Nevertheless, the rates are still terrific.

These rates are typical for the PURCHASE SFR borrower with excellent credit and a sizable down payment, exclusive of FHA for the down payment.

Take a look at FHA 5/1 ARM rates below, as those rates are at 3.5% for all loans up to $729,750-this is amazing! This can be a very attractive alternative for FHA buyers.

Conventional Loans:

30 Year Fixed Conforming---$417,000 and Below: 4.875% with 1 Point

30 Year Fixed High Balance Conforming---$417,001 to $729,750: 5.0% with 1 Point

30 Year Fixed Jumbo---$729,751 to $1,000,000: 5.75% with 1 Point

5/1 ARM Jumbo---5.0% with 1 Point-amazing for Jumbo product

FHA Loans:

FHA 30 Year Fixed---$417,000 and Below: 5.0% with 1 Point

FHA 5/1 ARM---$417,000 and Below: 3.5% with 1 Point

FHA 30 Year Fixed High Balance---$417,001 to $729,750: 5.125% with 1 Point

FHA 5/1 ARM High Balance---$417,001 to $729,750: 3.5% with 1 Point

Interest Rate Update 01-08-10

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:51:37 -0600

Interest rates dropped once again this week, so that is terrific news. The main reason was the unfortunate unemployment numbers.

The Labor Department reported today that there were 20,000 jobs lost in January, which was worse than expectations.

These rates are typical for the PURCHASE borrower with excellent credit and a sizable down payment, exclusive of FHA for the down payment. Take a look at FHA 5/1 ARM rates below, as those rates are at 3.5% for all loans up to $729,750-this is amazing! This can be a very attractive alternative for FHA buyers.

Conventional Loans:

30 Year Fixed Conforming---$417,000 and Below: 4.75% with 1 Point

30 Year Fixed High Balance Conforming---$417,001 to $729,750: 4.875% with 1 Point

30 Year Fixed Jumbo---$729,751 to $1,000,000: 5.75% with 1 Point

5/1 ARM Jumbo---5.0% with 1 Point-amazing for Jumbo product

FHA Loans:

FHA 30 Year Fixed---$417,000 and Below: 4.875% with 1 Point

FHA 5/1 ARM---$417,000 and Below: 3.5% with 1 Point

FHA 30 Year Fixed High Balance---$417,001 to $729,750: 5.0% with 1 Point

FHA 5/1 ARM High Balance---$417,001 to $729,750: 3.5% with 1 Point

Save some of that juice for me!

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 09:33:41 -0600

Via Jim & Maria Hart ~ Charleston, SC Real Estate (AgentOwned Realty):

Energy bills are high these days. And that's just the way things are. This is an extremely cold winter for so many of us, and unfortunately our heating bills are higher than we're used to.

Most of the talk, even from me, about saving energy focuses on CFL lightbulbs, solar power, adding insulation, caulking around leaky doors and windows, and things like that.

But there are some other energy thieves, or energy vampires, that are usually undetected in our homes. And all I have to say to them is "Save some of that juice for me!"

There are several smart little changes that can stop energy from being wasted. Here are a few ideas to get you going.

Rearrange the fridge. When you buy frozen foods in bulk, you're not only saving money, but you're also saving energy. It takes less energy to keep stuff frozen than to keep the air below 32 degrees, so keep that freezer full. If you're talking about the refrigerator, though, it's more energy efficient if there's room for air to circulate. So make sure that you only buy what you would typically use between shopping trips. (This is a really hard tip for couponers to follow!)

Microwave more. When you compare the energy usage of your microwave to your oven, it uses only 20% as much energy. And you get to eat sooner!

Match pot to burner. There really is a reason that stoves have different-sized burners! You can cook more efficiently by matching the size of the pot and pan to the heat source. And you should also use the smallest burner and the smallest pot whenever possible.

Use power strips. TVs, computers, stereos, and even dishwashers all continue to draw energy even when they're not on. If you plug all neighboring devices into a power strip, then you can cut the juice to all of them with the flip of a switch. (Just be careful not to exceed the allowable number of devices. And never plug one power strip into another.)

Change your filter. If your heating system has an air filter, make sure that you change it at least every 3 months. If you have inside pets, then I would suggest changing it more often. The dirtier the filter, the harder your system has to work to heat (or cool) your house.

Sync your ceiling fan. Since hot air rises, a ceiling fan is only doing its job if it's pushing that air back down into the room. This means the blades should be turning clockwise in winter. (Reverse the motion in summer for a cooling effect.) I'm especially guilty of not even having the fans on this time of year, but it really does help keep the hot air to where it benefits you and not your ceiling.

Unadapt. Some of the biggest home energy-wasters are adapters for rechargeable phones, cameras, music players, power tools, etc. When these adapters are plugged in, they draw power even if they're not recharging anything. Just feel the plug and you'll see how hot it is with nothing being charged.

Drop a degree (or three). For every one degree lower you set your thermostat, you'll save up to 5% in heating costs. This is especially good if you're not going to be home for a set period of time. Turn it down while you're away, and then put it back to a comfortable temperature when you return. Or better yet, install a programmable thermostat, then set it and forget it.

Let the sun in. Open the drapes or blinds on the sunny side of the house to take advantage of solar heating. It's one of the few energy sources that's still free. I've been doing this more this winter than I have in the past and it really warms up that room fast.

Leave 'em on. Did you know that it actually wastes energy if you turn CFLs off and on? As a general rule, leave them on if you'll be back in the room within 15 minutes. Otherwise, flip the switch to fight another energy vampire.

*****************************************

We proudly serve and sell real estate in and around all of Charleston, SC. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in Charleston, Johns Island, James Island, Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Sullivans Island, North Charleston, Hanahan, Summerville, Goose Creek or other surrounding areas, and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact us at your earliest convenience.

Jim and Maria Hart
Realtors®/ AgentOwned Realty
(843) 364-9845
hart@agentowned.com

Copyright © 2010 by Jim and Maria Hart (AgentOwned Realty).

Interest Rate Update - 01-29-10

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:30:16 -0600

Conventional Loans:

30 Year Fixed Conforming---$417,000 and Below: 4.875% with 1 Point

30 Year Fixed High Balance Conforming---$417,001 to $729,750: 5.125% with 1 Point

30 Year Fixed Jumbo---$729,751 to $1,000,000: 5.75% with 1 Point

5/1 ARM Jumbo---5.0% with 1 Point-amazing for Jumbo product

FHA Loans:

FHA 30 Year Fixed---$417,000 and Below: 5.0% with 1 Point

FHA 5/1 ARM---$417,000 and Below: 3.625% with 1 Point

FHA 30 Year Fixed High Balance---$417,001 to $729,750: 5.125% with 1 Point

FHA 5/1 ARM High Balance---$417,001 to $729,750: 3.625% with 1 Point

Stopped eating animal products and I feel GREAT!! Need to share something VERY IMPORTANT with all of you......

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:40:50 -0600

It was about 15 years ago that I had given up eating red meat, and it was a great improvement in my health and well-being.

Since then, I had consumed quite a bit of poultry products, mostly chicken and fish, and also egg whites.

Then, in the middle of last year, I had read up alot on the subject, and due to what actually happens to process animals for food, and what it does to your body to have all of those hormones and antibiotics that the animals are injected and fed, I decided to give up poultry.

And then just 4 months ago, I decided to not eat any dairy products either.

During this time, soy products where a huge part of my diet, and I was feeling good about that because soy is a plant.

The only thing I have kept to this point is fish. I'll typically eat salmon, halibut, mahi, tuna, etc. And up until I learn more about sources of plant protein, I'll keep that as a small part of my diet.

BUT I HAVE TO SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE. VERY IMPORTANT.

About a year and a half ago, I started feeling kind of tired all the time, so I went to the doctor. They did all kinds of blood tests and everything was fine - except for one thing: My testosterone levels had dropped to an insanely low level, in fact a dangerously low level. And this was the reason for me feeling tired all the time.

So the doctor gave me a prescription for something that comes in a 30-day supply to bring my hormone levels up to a normal balanced level. So I said fine, I'll do that to correct the problem.

(And anti-health-care reform people please make note of this: The prescription costs $400 per month!!)

So I figured I would take it and get my levels going again, which I did. I then asked the doctor how long I have to keep taking the prescription before I can stop. And he tells me NEVER!! That I basically have to keep taking this prescription for the rest of my life and keep paying $400 a month for the rest of my life.

So I thought to myself - NO, I DON'T QUITE THINK SO!

It is at that point I started delving heavily into researching nutrition and processed foods.

I found out that certain processed soy products like certain tofu's, soy milks, soy protein powders, etc. contain genetically modified soy. And this genentically modified soy (GMO's) SCREWS UP YOUR HORMONE LEVELS!! And since I was eating so much of it, I attributed that to the source of my problem.

So I stopped eating any processed soy products. I only eat whole soy like edamame, tempeh, etc.

With all that being said, I AM NOW FEELING THE BEST I HAVE FELT IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!

With the elimination of animal products from my diet and the focus on whole foods and whole grains, I'm in a place with my health where I never thought possible. I had just thought that as you get older, it's just someting you have to come to bear with. NOT TRUE!!

I'm an avid tennis player and I have wheels now that I haven't had since I was in my 20's. The agility and speed that I have I am completely blown away with.

Didn't mean for this to be such a long-winded blog, but I just wanted to share this with everyone.

Almost all of our health problems stem from THE WRONG FOODS WE EAT THAT HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO US BY OUR PARENTS, AND THEIR PARENTS, AND THEIR PARENTS! We can't blame them because they were only doing what they thought was good and right.

AND DO NOT EVER PUT UP WITH ANYONE TELLING YOU THAT YOU NEED A PRESCRIPTION FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD. THAT IS JUST THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES INFLUENCE WANTING YOU PAYING THEM FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!

Educate yourself! Read up! Take good care of yourself and eat whole foods! If it's something your great grand parents would not recognize as food, then DON'T EAT IT! If the ingredients can't be read by a 3rd grader, then DON'T EAT IT!!

With much love and care to everyone,

The Ralphster-Mobile

Finished in the #5 Spot for 2009 at my brokerage!!

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:28:34 -0600

I'm sure that most of you will agree that 2009 was a VERY rough year.

I knew that it was tough for just about everybody, but tried to stay optimistic and take advantage of any and all opportunities that came along.

I was always positive about the opporutnities in the market and made sure I did not become one of those agents who are always complaining about the market.

It paid off as we still had a fairly decent year (relatively), and ended up in the #5 position for the year. We have about 72 agents in our office.

Our broker put a nice write-up in the LA Times which I thought was very cool. (And don't laugh at my hair, because I was trying to do this 70's retro thing and don't know WHAT I was thinking!!)