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

For those tennis fans out there....

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:49:49 -0500

I've been an avid tennis player for over 25 years. Played varsity in high school and also played NCAA Collegiate tennis at my university.

Although this wasn't half as bad as the Serena Williams episode (don't get me going that), this is just another illustration of sports celebrities thinking they are larger than life enough to say anything they want without thinking twice about having a little respect for those around them.

Anyway, just though you would like to take a look for those that may not have seen the exchange between Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were sort of caught in the fire and didn't know quite what to do!

Interest Rate Update 03-14-10

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:18:22 -0500

Interest rates were stable this week, and are still excellent!

Below are some rates for the week end. 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

I know Great Americans who are fighting daily to save the US from the Liberal Left. Are YOU?

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:31:52 -0500

This post was originally titled "Save the U.S. from the Democrats", until the author of the post changed the title.

Then she constantly deleted my comments, and after I told her I would keep reposting my comments which I have a right to do in a public blog, she then disabled comments.

She told me to write my own blog, so that's what I've done. I've re-posted her blog so that my right to comment will not be censored by her.

ANYONE CAN FEEL FREE TO COMMENT ON THIS, NO MATTER IF YOU ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH ME OR NOT. THIS IS AMERICA, AND YOU'RE COMMENTS WILL STAND NO MATTER WHAT.

IF YOU ARE REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, CONSERVATIVE, LIBERAL, BLACK, WHITE, GREEN, BLUE, WHATEVER.

THIS IS AMERICA AND FREE SPEECH IS OUR BASIC CORE AND RIGHT AS A CITIZEN, SO NO MATTER HOW MUCH I AM IN DISAGREEMENT OR AGREEMENT WITH YOUR POST. IT WILL STAND.

THIS IS HOW WE WORK THINGS OUT IN AMERICA. WE DON'T CENSOR THINGS LIKE THEY DO IN TOTALITARIAN GOVERMENTS.

Via Alice Linahan (Keller Williams):

I know some Great Americans who are fighting daily to save America from the Liberal Left.

I have a question Are You????

Silence in Consent!

Action is what makes the difference.

There are some Great Americans who are taking action by Taking the Townhalls to Washington.

I would like to share with you some of what they saw and what they are asking us to do so hopefully you will be inspired to take action as well.

From a Team of Texans....

Here's what we saw: The halls teaming with lobbyists. There were no constituents. In fact, the staffers were so stunned with constituents visiting, they asked for our marketing brochure. The phones and faxes were not ringing. One democrat office told us they receive 50 calls in 3 hours, but only 2 were from constituents. They only log the constituents calls. Another Democrat office told us that 90% of the calls are against Obamacare - yet the congressman is still on the fence. Can you imagine? Make the call that can make the difference!! This week, we have another team of Texans going to DC to meet with Congressmen. If you live in a blue dog district, call the congressman's DC office and urge him to vote NO and that you are behind our team that wants to meet with him this week. If your congressman is a pro-life democrat, urge him to support Bart Stupak in voting NO to the healthcare bill. If you are not from a blue dog district or pro-life democrat district, then call any friend you know in these districts and urge them to call their congressmen at either the DC office or local office. It doesn't matter which office receives these calls. Remind your friends that if they start their dial with *67, then the caller ID is blocked. The next few days will be pivotal--particularly if your Congressman appears on the below list. The list below is from Family Research Council (www.frc.org). These are leaders who have voted pro-life at least once, so please be polite--but firm--that the Senate bill is NOT abortion-neutral.

Here is another great Texans who I happen to know.

Ray Myers, Forney Texas arrives in Wash DC and is using our Mobile War Room to set up coordination with Tea Party supporters in Texas to make phone calls to their congressman while Myers will be contacting him in person on Capitol Hill. TH2DC Washington Leader explains some critical info in regards to those congressmen say they don't want to spend time with Non-Constituents.

There is another amazing American Tom Whitmore from Virgina who is running the mobile war room who you also saw in the video above.

These are Americans who are sick and tired of what they are seeing from our elected officials and they are taking matters into their own hands. They are making a difference but they need back up and a larger army.

The powers in Washington as we have heard from Congressman Stupak who says Pelosi is trying to strong-arm the 12 pro-life Democrats aligned with Stupak. The pressure is extremely intense and Pelosi is willing to win at any cost.

"We can't stay silent. There's too much at stake. These men and women need our help!"

Stand with Stupak!

Here is one thing you can do right now.

6 House Members who are MUST-Call
Capitol Hill Switch Board:

(202) 224-3121 (This number is answered 24/7)

6 Votes that are now Yes.
We need to change to NO Click on the name for a link to their website for local and DC contact information.

1. Rep. Jason Altmire, Pennsylvania 4th
2. Rep. John Boccieri, Ohio, 16th
3. Rep. Bart Gordon, Tennessee 6th
4. Rep. Brian Baird, Washington 3rd
5. Rep. Dennis Moore, Kansas 3rd
6. Henry Cuellar, Texas 24th

"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened." -Billy Graham

Join us and Take The Townhalls to Washington

Whether you can make it to Washington or not, PLEASE REGISTER. We need your help even if it is from your home district. It is key to have people in Washington for a personal meeting with their Congressmen as well as people calling in from home for live meetings. We just need you to register so we know how you can help us Stop Obamacare!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Copyright © 2010 By Alice Linahan All Rights Reserved.)

Remember the biggest compliment I can receive is a referral from you!

I would love the opportunity to earn your business!

Alice Linahan Keller Williams Realtor Argyle-DFW Cell 972-322-8313

You can find me where people, homes, opportunity and a bit of imagination intersect!

Note from Alice: This is my post and my opinion and may not be the opinion of Keller Williams Corp.

A reminder: This is my public blog. Posters who leave comments that are personal attacks against the blogger or other commentators will be deleted. Debate the issue!!!! Thank you

There is a Lender Making Loans to Buyers a Few Months After Selling on a Short Sale

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:12:30 -0500

Via Elizabeth Weintraub, Sacramento Short Sale Agent, 916.233.6759, Lyon RE (Lyon Real Estate):

I received an email yesterday from one of my short sale sellers who had closed an Elk Grove short sale on October 30th and bought a new home on December 30th, 2009. This was before FHA issued its new guidelines. The new FHA guidelines this year say FHA will approve a loan for a seller who sold on a short sale, providing the seller was not delinquent on the mortgage. I've been looking for a lender who will do this because none of my sources is funding such loans.

The client was excited to share the news, and added that he bought the home without an agent, using the help of a "sales associate." While I am not thrilled that the client was hoodwinked into believing he did not need to hire his own buyer's broker and therefore did not call me, I am super jazzed that he bought the home. His email made me realize that I need to be more diligent in letting my clients know that I can represent them if they want to buy a new home from a builder.

The last new home construction that I negotiated was a model home. Buying a model home from a builder is a bit complicated because those homes involve upgrades already in place. But builders in Sacramento are hurting financially and are willing to wheel and deal at the moment. Not only did this particular single woman home buyer get her model home at a terrific price, she also received all of the furniture for free. It pays to hire an agent, and it doesn't a buyer one thin dime.

The thing that struck a chord with me in my client's email was the fact a bank made him a loan 3 months after his short sale. This is what happened: Even though he was current on his payments to Wells Fargo, the bank made a notation on this client's credit report that the second loan was charged off. We tried to get that verbiage removed from the short sale approval letter, but Wells Fargo refused. After the short sale closed, Wells Fargo reported the loan as a charge off with a balance owing. The client called Wells Fargo and insisted that the loan should be reported with a zero balance because the debt was forgiven. So, Wells Fargo changed the reporting status to: Paid as Agreed Less Than Full with a zero balance. After that adjustment, the client's FICO score jumped from 651 to 740.

This is why it's a good idea for sellers who do short sales to check their credit reports after closing. Another not-so-lucky client had Bank of America file a foreclosure against her after the loan was paid off as a short sale. And she was current on her mortgage payments when it closed. That was a real mess to untangle.

However, if you are thinking about buying a home after a short sale, and if your payments are current, you might want to contact Flagstar Bank and ask about an FHA loan. Flagstar is funding loans for buyers after selling as a short sale. The minimum FICO score required by Flagstar is 650.

---

Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout Sacramento. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. DRE License # 00697006.

The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, available through bookstores everywhere and at Amazon.com.

Photo: Unless otherwise noted in this blog, the photo is copyrighted by Big Stock Photo and used with permission.

The views expressed herein are Weintraub's personal views and do not reflect the views of Lyon Real Estate.

I'm getting a better deal on my internet, cable TV and home phone.....you can too!

Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:15:49 -0600

We were paying about $130 a month from Time Warner for cable TV, high speed internet and a phone line with unlimited calls to Canada.

It just made me sick to be paying that much money each month.

So I researched the issue quite a bit and got quite a few quotes from many different providers.

At first I thought the best way to go is to get a "bundle" package from a provider to save money.

WRONG!!!

Believe it or not, those companies want you to think that, but they actually charge you more in the bigger picture.

So I ended up getting a much better deal by piecing it together from different providers:

AT&T high speed internet with one REGULAR phone line for my fax machine: $33.82 per month

DirecTV Choice package Satellite with 2 TV's and all free equipment and installation: $29.99 per month

Vonage World Mobile (this let's you call unlimited to 60 different countries on your cell phone!) - $25 per month

So my monthly outlay for these services went from $$130 per month to $89 per month with just a little legwork.

I highly recommend shopping around for these services, as some of these providers want you to think that they have a monopoly on the market, when in fact they really don't!

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