One of the things I admire about Google is that for holidays they decorate their Logo. I also wonder how long does it take them to do the artwork and enjoy what they come up with. Today's logo has me stumped. It sort of looks like a moon scape but I don't know.
Can anyone out there enlighten me?
3 comments • Leslie Bloss, Seattle Real Estate Professional • March 14 2009 03:55PM
On Thursday, I was invited by my financial advisor, Mike Dukes (with BECU), to go on a Royal Argosy Cruise (leaving Pier 56) to listen to Jeffrey Kleintop, CFA, Chief Market Strategist at LPL Financial. If you "google" his name you can see different interviews he has had.
First of all, it was a beautiful day and Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Mountians were glorious.
Mr. Kleintop spoke about:
He did say there are some leading indication of some improved signs of growth. Metal prices are rising and the Port traffic is rising.
I asked him "What keeps you awake at night? And, what do you think we should think about investing in?" He said "Inflation is his biggest worry and that he feels techology, industrials and retail should be the first to recover."
He feels dollar cost averaging is the way to go and feels that by "around midyear we'll begin to see a sustainable move higher."
I enjoyed his talk and the luncheon cruise. If you haven't taken a cruise of Seattle's waterfront it is well worth it.
0 comments • Leslie Bloss, Seattle Real Estate Professional • March 14 2009 03:42PMUnder the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, eligible borrowers who stay current on their mortgages but have been unable to refinance to lower their interest rates because their homes have decreased in value, may now have the opportunity to refinance into a 30 or 15 year, fixed rate loan. Through the program, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will allow the refinancing of mortgage loans that they hold in their portfolios or that they placed in mortgage backed securities.
Eligible loans will now include those where the new first mortgage (including any refinancing costs) will not exceed 105% of the current market value of the property. For example, if your property is worth $200,000 but you owe $210,000 (or less) you may qualify. The current value of your property will be determined after you apply to refinance.
This program is limited to loans held or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Check with your lender as they may have sold the loan to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac but they are still managing the loan.
There is much more information available on: www.whitehouse.gov go to the blog and scroll down to Feb. 18th.
0 comments • Leslie Bloss, Seattle Real Estate Professional • March 10 2009 03:07PM
Our sales meeting this morning gave loads of information regarding Foreclosures vs short sales.
The following are a few reasons sellers should seriously consider a short sale rather than go through a foreclosure:
FORECLOSURE
A homeowner who loses a home (primary residence) to foreclosure is ineligible for a Fannie Mae backed mortgage for a period of 5 years.
Future loan with any mortgage company on any future 1003 application (standard loan appication), a prospective borrower will have to answer YES to question C, in Section VIII, that asks, "Have you had property foreclosed upon, or given title or deed in lieu thereof?" This will affect all future rates.
Credit score may be lowered anywhere from 150 to over 300 points. Typically, this will affect the score for over 3 years.
SHORT SALE
A homeowner (on primary residence) who successfully negotiates and closes a short sale will be eligible for a Fannie Mae backed mortgage after only 2 years.
There is no declaration of whether or not you have had a property foreclosed on.
On a short sale, only late payments on mortgage will show, and after sale, mortgage will be reported as paid or negotiated. This will lower the score as little as 50 points, if all other payments are being made. A short sale's effect can be as brief as 12 to 18 months.
If you are at risk of losing your home and would like more information about a short sale, please let me know.
2 comments • Leslie Bloss, Seattle Real Estate Professional • March 10 2009 02:42PMContent © 2009 'Frequent Contributors'. Design © 2009 ActiveRain Corp.
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