Belinda Buchanan

Recently, I had an opportunity to work with NACA (The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America). I knew about the wonderful programs they have to assist with loan modifications, I had new clue on the great programs for home ownership. The programs rocks. If you are interested in buying a home anywhere in the US check them out. The web address is www.naca.com . I am a preferred agent within this program. I am currently sending about 10 clients a month to this sight as I believe in their program 100%. Oh by the way they pay ALL your closing cost, the program is income based versus just looking solely at your credit report. Face it, most folks now a days have some credit concerns that make purchasing a home via traditional lenders not possible or just down right difficult. Never fear NACA is here. Check it out!!!!  Or you can call/email or text me and I will help.

The UW Huskies look good after the needed bye week. The dawgs came out today with a mindset to win.

The Huskies are looking good. Next week willl be a great game here in the bay. UW vs Stanford.

I am alive!!!  After a long hibernation the best time of year is here again, College Football Season.The huskies pulled it out today in a nail bitter again EWU. Way to go DAWGS!!!. 

There are so many changes that happened in the off season that I am still confused. I thought we were playing amature sports and getting a college education. Oops that is only in dreamland.

At anyrate we are now the PAC-12. Welcome new schools. I am grateful that we changed the name of the new conference to reflect the number of schools; unlike the Big-10 (really Big 11, unless I missed another mega merger of conferences or trades for financial gain).

Go PAC -12 GO HUSKIES!!!! Bow down to WASHINGTON!!!!

The University of  Washington Huskies Football Team (aka MY DAWGS) finished the year in STYLE. I am so very happy about the out come of the football season. Currently, I am reflecting on two other post that I wrote, Holiday Bowl Season and the Remaining Grateful blog.  The DAWGS are back in the saddle again as we won our bowl game.

As the PAC-TEN changes to the PAC-12, I wonder if anyone knows where we can buy out dated PAC-TEN  items? If you know plesae respond with this information.

Oh, the Husky BBALL team is really solid!!!

 Hello, as we head into the Holiday Season (aka Collge Football Bowl Season)”Remain Grateful”.  Often, once the holidays get close, I am reminded of ALL the “things” that have changed, I don’t have nor like.

 For example, my beloved Huskies are not favored this week against the well oiled team of the Oregon Ducks. However, I Remain Grateful that we are doing better than last year.  I am seeing my dawgs (aka Huskies) play on TV more than last year. The PAC 10 remains a strong conference with academic prowess.

I don’t have any realistic hopes the dawgs will journey to a bowl game. I could be wrong as there are all kinds of bowl games availabe that I probably forgot about or never acknowledged.

 I do relish the likely reality we (the Dawgs) will win the Apple Cup (annual rivalry game  between The University of  WA vs. Washington State University).

 Remember there is always something to remain grateful about during this Holiday (aka Collge Football Bowl Season) Season.

I am so excited to be from the PAC TEN. I have decided to make sure that I declare my pride now while we are still TEN.  What an exciting weekend for the PAC. I celebrate the teams of Pacific Northwest most in the PAC TEN as I am a die hard DAWG!!.  Who would have ever thought OR would be #3 and Boise State #4 (I know Boise is not in the PAC TEN, they are just from the Northwest) or that the new comer (to the PAC for 2011) Utah would be #10.  I digress, look at the how awesome the PAC TEN is Arizona #9, Stanford #16.

I hope the remainder of the season is as fun and exciting as the past weekend. Go HUSKIES!!!!

I am a confused College Sports FAN!!!. Can someone tell me what is going on?  Based on the new comments by the BIG-10 conference’s MR. GEE, it would seem that money is the only consideration these days.  For example, his  colleague in the PAC-10 (of which I am a life time alumna, of a member school) has already declared that academics and tradition have no place when profits are lingering. I am just confused by the hypocrisy involved in these decisions to make super conferences ; or  do I dare say NFL Developmental Leagues. (okay that is a topic for another time).

I am sad thinking that college football’s long tradition of AMATURE ATHLETICS IS NOW HISTORY!!! Oh, that’s correct these athletes don’t get paid, they are still being tucked away at night with the notion that the tradition of playing for XYZ and receving and  education and a chance to play professional sports was something to dream about; then I think  golly gee, aren’t they already earning millions….

To steer clear of loan modification scam artists, homeowners must know the signs of a loan modification scam, which include:

1. A company/person that asks for a fee in advance to work with your lender to modify, refinance or reinstate your mortgage. They may pocket your money and do little or nothing to help you save your home from foreclosure.
   
   
2. A company/person that guarantees they can stop a foreclosure or get your loan modified. Nobody can make this guarantee to stop foreclosure or modify your loan. Legitimate, trustworthy HUD-approved counseling agencies will only promise they will try their very best to help you.
3. A company/person that advises you to stop paying your mortgage company and pay them instead. Despite what a scammer will tell you, you should never send a mortgage payment to anyone other than your mortgage lender. The minute you have trouble making your monthly payment, contact your mortgage lender.

These and other signs can be found on the Loan Modification Scam Alert campaign web site – www.LoanScamAlert.org – along with information on how to report a loan modification scam activity and where homeowners can find real help, free of charge, from HUD-approved nonprofit housing counseling agencies.  

About the Campaign
NeighborWorks America is coordinating the “Loan Modification Scam Alert” campaign nationwide through its 235 community-based affiliates and other local, state and national partner organizations, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. For more information about the campaign, visit www.LoanScamAlert.org.   

All national campaign materials urge homeowners who are contacted or deceived by a scam artist to report it immediately by calling 1-888-995-HOPE(4673) or visiting www.LoanScamAlert.org. The hotline and Web site also connect homeowners to free guidance from a HUD-approved counseling agency.

I was asked this question recently by a friend who had commented on some of the recent trends in foreclosure homes and distressed properties that have come on the market.  She wanted to know, “is it better to act now or wait until later to find and buy a home?”

 I am passionate about educating buyers and sharing with them the inside information I receive from working with banks that quickly want to find owners for foreclosure homes. 

Home Sales Are Increasing

The National Association of Realtors reported the highest increase in home sales in more than 2 years during the month of September when home sales jumped by more than 9%. They reported another big increase in home sales in October 2009 when sales grew more than 10% compared to September 2009.  If you compare October 2009 versus October 2008, home sales grew more than 20% in the western region of the country including California

Extended And New Government Finance Programs

The $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers has just been extended past November 2009.  The government is incentivizing and encouraging people to buy homes and is offering financial savings.  On top of this the government has just added a new $6,500 credit even if you are not a first time home buyer.

Mortgage Rates Are Lower Than Ever Before But Won’t Last

The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank has helped push home loan costs down, boosting the affordability of housing.  30 year fixed mortgage rates are around 5.0% and adjustable rate mortgages can go as low as 4.6%.  Of course this is based on a person’s credit ratings.

Home Prices May Soon Start To Rise

Occurrences of several different people trying to buy the same house are happening more and more often.  This is called “Multiple Offers.”  I’ve heard this a lot from other brokers and agents at recent conferences that I’ve attended.  I’m also seeing this in the homes that I am selling for my clients.  When this occurs, buyers begin to attempt to “outbid” each other what they are offering to pay for a house, causing the price to rise.

Many people know that it can take at least several weeks to locate the right house for a client, manage the process of taking care of the paperwork required to purchase the home and finalize the transaction.  Houses that appear to be available today may not actually be available tomorrow.

I shared these observations and a few others with my friend and asked her the same question that she asked of me….Is Now A Good Time To Buy A Home?  She chuckled and said that based on these factors there are a lot of advantages to starting her search now. 

I agreed with her and pointed out that if she started now, it could very well be Feburary before everything is wrapped up and she is able move into her new home.  By then there could be many more people also looking to take advantage of the current state of the real estate market. 

 If any one has any questions similar to my friend, feel free to contact me at 510.684.5129.  I specialize in distressed home sales.

Happy Holidays, Belinda Buchanan, Realty World Complete Services

(author Derrick M Holt)