Category Archives: Economy

C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund’s Mortgage Protection Program

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Mirjam

This program was developed to help address first-time home buyers’ concerns about potential job loss and how such a loss would impact their ability to make their mortgage payment. Through the Mortgage Protection Program, first-time home buyers who lose their … Continue reading →

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SBA Stimulates Small Businesses

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Denise

                                                          Mark Quinn provided a very informative presentation at the April 1 meeting of the Sonoma County Alliance held at the Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club. The Sonoma County Alliance is a county-wide coalition of business, agriculture, labor … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Financial news, RE Investing, SBA Funding, Sonoma County info | Leave a comment

Are we at the bottom?

Posted on March 8, 2009 by Mirjam

Earlier this week I had the privilege to be at a financial seminar organized by Wachovia Securities. Senior Portfolio Manager Margaret Patel was the first speaker and besides a lot of valuable information she expects the real estate market to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, RE by the numbers, Sonoma County info, Visit WineCountry, Wine, Wine Tasting | 3 Comments

Facts and numbers to keep perspective!

Posted on November 13, 2008 by Mirjam

Some people have compared the current financial turbulence to the 1930′s and other ‘black days’. Some facts to know: More than 1000 banks closed in 1930 – only 14 U.S. banks have been taken over in 2008 There are 76 … Continue reading →

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Golden State Venture Capital Network, Venture Communities

Posted on September 15, 2008 by Denise

Need Funding? Are you an investor? Need information about how ”funding” works for your company’s growth? See  www.goldencapital.net for the latest information about their virtual venture communities. There are 8 communities in the network: Central Coast Chico Monterey Bay North Bay … Continue reading →

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Bittersweet Windfall?

Posted on July 6, 2008 by Mirjam

The Press Democrat had a article about the “Bittersweet windfall”: when you bought you home at the height of the market, you can ask for an adjustment for your property taxes. Your Realtor can help you with the ‘comps’ by … Continue reading →

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Updates in underwriting

Posted on June 16, 2008 by Mirjam

Pete Phillippe from Indymac Bank was so kind to send an extensive overview with updates in underwriting as of June 1, 2008 Industry wide General Loan guidelines by the Secondary market (some variance with specific Lenders). With Foreclosures , reestablished … Continue reading →

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Better to buy than to rent

Posted on May 30, 2008 by Mirjam

David Leonhardt had an interesting thought in this morning’s NY times. After being a renter for all the good reasons, he finally decided to buy. The article did make sense, however he forgets the rules of inflation. How much was … Continue reading →

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You first home is free!

Posted on May 25, 2008 by Mirjam

George Houghton a CPA in town who is specialized in Real Estate gave a seminar this Friday. His concepts on Real Estate and Real Estate investing in the Bay area are profound and supported by numbers. Please remember, these are … Continue reading →

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Snapshot of our market

Posted on May 7, 2008 by Mirjam

I know the market fluctuates all the time but I have been noticing that a lot of homes have been going into escrow, it has been rising over the last 5 weeks. It started slow but then it picked up. … Continue reading →

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