The House of the Future: Then and Now

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You've come a long way, baby! Does the house of the future excite you or make you nostalgic for the simpler comforts of home??

Good news for home buyers (and even home sellers)~ Interest rates are dropping to 30 years lows- but don't just take my word on it!


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Wall Street Journal- Home Prices Expected to Slowly Rise

Hhhmmmmm......more experts making predictions for housing market.

What do you think?? Are the economists in the article correct, or, as indicated in the comments section of the post, more inclined to feel prices won't change significantly until the jobs market improves significantly?


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704912004575252530764637448.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsForth#dummy

Medium Priced Home Sales Dominate In Elko

http//www.nnbw.com/ArticleRead.aspx?storyID=15095


The Northern Nevada Business Weekly interviewed several Elko area real estate brokers (unfortunately not my broker, though he would have given simmilar comments)and all agree- Elko is better off than many other areas in the state for stability in the real estate market. However, the ecconomy in general is having an impact on the price buyers are willing to pay for a home, with the more moderate priced range of homes recieving the most activity.

Read the full details below:

Nevada REALTORS Care - Foreclosure Help For Nevadans

Nevada REALTORS Care - Foreclosure Help For Nevadans

Home sales expected to rise in March

Home sales expected to rise in March


Not surprising with the tax incentives deadline to have a contract in place looming, but good news none the less.

Elko and Employment

Well, this certainly isn't good news, but still much better than many other areas...

http://elkodaily.com/articles/2010/04/18/news/breaking_news/doc4bc941eb71f71980263795.txt

NAR Understanding HAMP and HAFA Program

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Please be patient while this video loads- it may take a minute or two, but gives concise information regarding the much anticipated HAMP and HAFA program.

My understanding is that during this intial "warming up" phase, while everyone is still getting up to speed on the implimentation of the program, it may still have some "bumps in the road", but goals are to smooth the transition for distressed sellers as well as agents trying to assist the distressed sellers and potential buyers, as well as giving financial incentives for lien holders.

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The Mortgage/Banking Bail Out Explained....

This was an education for me....It makes me mad, but wish it gave some alternative ideas of how to fix the current situation. What do you think?


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A Rather Blustery Day In Elko!!!

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Yesterday wind, today, snow! But at least it's not blowing today and the dust has settled under the snow.

Audio from NPR, March 30, 2010

Fed To Stop Purchase of Home Backed Securities- This creates the probability of increasing mortgage rates.

http://ping.fm/SXY9B

Give yourself an education on the process of foreclosure and what you might do to prevent it...

Foreclosure Information for distressed homeowners...give me a call- I am Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource certified with the National Association of Realtors!

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Wall Street Jouranl: Foreclosures On The Rise...

Tick tock ... time is running out! Only a month left until the federal First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit expires. You have until April 30, 2010, to contract the purchase of a home, and must close by June 30, 2010, to receive up to a $8,000 tax credit. Call me to learn more....

When Not To Pay Down A Mortgage- NY Times

From the March 20, 2010 New York Times:

http://http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/20/your-money/mortgages/20money.html?emc=eta1


So, if you have a low interest rate, it may now be in your best interest to not pay off early...what do you think??

Facing Foreclosure? Tips....

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Uncle Sam To Pay Incentives For Short Sales?

In this potential program, a home owner in danger of foreclosure may recieve financial incentives, along with their lenders, to grease the wheels of a sale at less than is owed on the loan.

Read about it and the hoped for benefits:


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/business/08short.html?pagewanted=all

Wall Street Journal: Nevada Part of Federal Home Owners Assistance Program

Help for the housing market? What do you think...


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703787304575074870587312804.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories

Financial Implications for Mortgages and Markets

The Wall Street Journal estimates that foreclosures will continue to impact recovery and market prices, especially in certain markets.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703562404575067452797224606.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

.....And in the banking world, the US is looking for investors to help fund the mortgage markets...

http://http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/15/AR2010021503143.html?hpid=topnews

LDS Humanitarian Services: Haiti Relief Widget

More Details on New FHA Requirements

http://www.realtor.org/wps/wcm/connect/05b059804e1a2fb5bd01ffec21680fb0/2010+FHA+Regulatory+Issue+Summary+0120+1615.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=05b059804e1a

Washington Post- Stakes are high as government plans exit from mortgage markets

It will be interesting to see how this impacts the mortgage markets. I tend to feel that although the overall intention is good, the timing for it is probably going to cause some negetive repercussions.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/24/AR2010012402996.html?hpid=topnews

FHA Loans Expected to Require More $ Downpayment

I can understand the reasoning, but this will make it more difficult for home buyers. Too bad this wasn't implimented a few years ago when all a person had to do was breathe to get a loan!


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/19/AR2010011904281.html

1- Free 3% down payment grant (no need to repay) and 5.375% 30 yr. mortgage OR
2- 4.875% 30 year mortgage rate (without a downpayment grant).

Wow! What a great time for 1st time home buyers!

https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:29357.2762497428/rid:c95c578cf205a89cda1432711faf198f

A Californian's Perspective of Elko

An article about Elko from the Modesto Bee (newspaper) blog: Yes, it warms the cackles of my heart :-)


Feeling great after spending three days in Elko’s warm embrace - Life - Modbee.com

Wish You Were Here! 26th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Jan. 23-30, 2010

It's almost here! Cowboy Poetry is such a fun time to be in Elko- to catch a glimpse, enjoy the link.

Today Show: Interview With Ron Insana: Now is THE time to buy real estate!

Over the weekend, I watched a segment on the Today Show highlighting a new book titled “How to Make a Fortune” by Ron Insana. Ron says this is one of the few times in history when you know you are buying at or near market lows, so now is the prime time to buy real estate.

Are YOU ready to buy? I am ready and excited to help you take advantage of today's favorable market (both in terms of number of homes available, price, and financing terms). This is not just me thinking this, but very smart people who study the financial markets who say so- see if you agree by viewing the interview below:

Sorry- they removed the video I had imbedded, but here is the link.

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=foxsports&vid=556863a1-4d29-4700-aaf3-5fb5bbdda8b8