Kids Teach Us So Much!

Friday, June 20th, 2008 | Money, Real Estate | No Comments

A couple of weeks ago my son-in-law went out of town and my daughter was scheduled to work odd hours at her job at Starbucks.

It was a real treat, if not a very tiring event, to have our granddaughter stay with us for a couple of days. Like so many young children, she was always thinking up new games. It amazed us as at just how creative she was. She never seemed to run short of new ideas and had the energy to back them up.

The longer she stayed with us the more often we would here her say “I want my  Mommy.” Then “I want my Daddy.” And finally she started saying “I want to go  home!” At  first I was a little taken aback! Although, my daughter has a nice home, mine is a little bigger with grass in the back yard and a park across the street.  Eventually I understood that this was her way of life she missed and wanted it back. Her Mommy , her Daddy, her toys and her bed were there. It didn’t matter if she was in a bigger, better or newer place to live, she wanted “Home!”

Much of the housing problems we are just starting to overcome were caused by our wanting bigger and better and not necessarily “Our Home!”

One really great thing about Kathryn’s visit is that I got lots of really great HUGS. There is something really special about a young child’s hug.

Tags: Grand children, home, our house

Some Buy a New Home to Bail on the Old

Thursday, June 12th, 2008 | Money, Real Estate, The Economy | No Comments

Phil send me this aarticle with the note that this has got to stop and I agree whole heartedly. The price of homes changes with the market. This is very short sighted!

Fannie Plans Rules To Avoid Practice Described as Fraud
By NICK TIMIRAOS
June 11, 2008; Page A3

Next month, Michelle Augustine plans to walk away from her four-bedroom house in a Sacramento, Calif., subdivision and let the property fall into foreclosure. But before doing so, she hopes to lock in the purchase of another home nearby.

More

Tags: foreclosure, mortgage, Phoenix real estate, Real Estate

Home from Work Program

Monday, June 2nd, 2008 | Money, Real Estate | No Comments

I attended a real estate class a few weeks ago. I was so impressed with this new program that I am flying to Texas later this month to become an instructor. Let me preface this by saying that the majority of people I speak with have significant misinformation on current down payment requirements, available programs, how to avoid foreclosure, and even the important benefits of home ownership.

The class was an introduction to an exciting program called “Home from Work.” HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) originally developed the program and the NAR (National Association of Realtors) has partnered with HUD to get the information to employers. It is an outreach program to bring current accurate information into the work place. Three huge issues are addressed.

* First time homebuyers – programs, advantages, the process, credit, qualifying, etc.
* Foreclosure and financial services designed to help with hardship situations.
* Employer involvement to the extent an employer will see benefit and assist their employees.

The program can be brought directly to the employees in the form of a workshop with one-on-one counseling to follow up.

It looks to be a great program that brings together non-profit organizations, Realtors®, employers and employees. A real win – win – win – win situation.

Tags: Home from work, investing, mortgage, Phoenix real estate, Real Estate

Banks miss an easy housing fix

Monday, June 2nd, 2008 | Money, Real Estate | No Comments

Lenders say they want to help troubled homeowners, but they are delaying deals that could save everyone – including the lenders themselves – a lot of time and money.

By Les Christie, CNNMoney.com staff writer
Last Updated: May 28, 2008: 11:16 AM EDT
Lenders foot the bill for abandoned homes
Housing rescue on the rise; so are foreclosures
Banks miss an easy housing fix
Home sales rise – still near 17-year low

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Banks say they want to help troubled homeowners, but they are delaying deals that could save everyone – including the lenders themselves – a lot of time and money.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/28/real_estate/short_sales_long_waits/index.htm?postversion=2008052811

Tags: banking, loans, Phoenix real estate, Real Estate, short sale