Beware of Loan Modification Scams!

Certified HAFA Realtor

Times are tough and there are a lot of scammers out there promising loan modifications and lower monthly payments - for a fee. If these offers seem to good to be true - chances are it's a scam. In fact, it is illegal to charge homeowners upfront for a loan modification.   Your best bet to avoid getting ripped off is to make sure you are using a licensed Realtor. You can verify that a person is licensed by visiting The California Department of Real Estate. You can also see if the agent has any disciplinary action against them.   If you have been turned down for a loan modification, a short sale may … [Read more...]

We have a lot of buyers looking for homes!

Cindi Boat 2.17953

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American Horror House for Sale

American Horror House Past Life Homes

  If you're a fan of horror, you are most likely a fan of American Horror Story, a new drama that has currently wrapped up it's first season on the FX cable network. Rumor has it that the story was inspired by a home in Los Feliz, CA. with a lot of creepy history around it, however, the actual home that is being used for filming is not creepy at all. Located at 1120 Winchester Place in Los Angeles, 10,000+ square foot house with six bedrooms, and five baths sits on a well manicured 30,000 square foot lot. With Tiffany stained glass, deep, rich wood, and expansive rooms, the Los Angeles Cultural Monument … [Read more...]

Is This Truly a Distressed Home?

Hunsucker Canyon

In the fall of 2005, famed defense attorney and television personality Daniel Horowitz came home with his arms full of groceries to find his wife, Pam Vitale, murdered in the entry of their mobile home. The couple was living in the home while their new home, a grand estate with incredible views and a vineyard, was being built just steps away. This Lafayette home is currently on the market for $2.9 million and it's been on the market since August 2009. The real question, however, is this really a distressed home? In my personal opinion, as a Realtor and a potential home buyer (just not in this price range!) I … [Read more...]

Holiday Short Sales … [Read more...]

What is a Neighborhood Specialist?

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Dear Cindi;   I live off Crow Canyon, and a home just went up for sale in my neighborhood with a sign out front that says Neighborhood Specialist. The agent has a phone number in the 209 area code. How is this possible?   Drake in San Ramon     88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888     Dear Drake;   Let's start by giving the agent the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the agent has relocated from the 209 area code and kept the cell phone as their business number?   If you are thinking … [Read more...]

FHA Bridal Registry

bridal

Are you a lucky couple that has everything you've ever wanted - except a house? Do you hate the thought of lugging five of the six toasters you received as wedding gifts back to their respective stores to exchange them? If so, why not allow your family and friends to help you come up with a down payment for your new home? It's a simple, straight forward process.   All you need to do is contact your FHA lender (call me and I will set you up with one!) and tell them you want to set up a dedicated account to build your down payment. Your lender will set up a savings account and contact your family and friends for … [Read more...]