http://blog.winecounty-re.com Real Estate Sonoma County, Wine country living, Investing, Financing, Commercial loans Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:01:59 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Reporting from Washington - If you're thinking about applying for the new $6,500 home buyer federal tax credit or the extended $8,000 version, the Internal Revenue Service has just issued its first formal guidelines for you. A great article in the Los Angeles Times: it is an easy to read outline ... http://blog.winecounty-re.com/2009/12/13/changes-in-the-home-buyer-tax-credit-program/ I am copying a posting from Kevin deBoer from 3 Oceans Real Estate. The link didn't work but the info is interesting: We are continuing to see the benefits of the current government programs to spur home sales across the country. Recent news that the $729,750 limit on conforming loans in ... http://blog.winecounty-re.com/2009/12/04/reasons-to-buy-right-now/ For all of us in Sonoma County the name Clem Carinalli is a familiar name. Once a name of trust and reliability, now a name connected to scandal and swindle. This morning's Pressdemocrat has an interesting article about the shock of the investors. Interestingly, halfway in the articles, several investors did ... http://blog.winecounty-re.com/2009/10/25/due-diligence/ Just wanted to share this information... great info for buyers! Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are offering financing incentives for buyers of foreclosed homes owned by Fannie and Freddie.  Home buyers have until Oct. 30 to apply for Freddie Mac’s SmartBuy program, which started in July, and offers up to 3.5 ... http://blog.winecounty-re.com/2009/10/16/car-mortgage-update-from-this-morning/ This came in my email news feed today: Brought to you by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® The State Bar of California has recently launched numerous investigations against attorneys for misconduct related to loan modifications.  In a rare move, the State Bar has released the names of 16 attorneys under investigation, by ... http://blog.winecounty-re.com/2009/09/29/loan-modification-attorneys-under-investigation/ Yesterday we received a 'Red Alert' email from our local MLS board about the Rental Scam on Listed properties. The PressDemocrat had an interesting article about the subject earlier this week. There is a rental scam taking place in which listed properties are advertised on Craigslist and other online classified services ... http://blog.winecounty-re.com/2009/09/05/rental-scam-advisory-from-our-local-mls%c2%ae/ In talking to people I have come to realize that some people have an interesting view on banks. You might blame the bank for offering you the 'bad' loan, however you might ask yourself: who ultimately signed? Also, banks are not social security, they have obligations to their share holders. ... http://blog.winecounty-re.com/2009/08/29/would-you-work-with-you/ The Small Business Administration’s most popular “loan product” is the 7(a). Like the SBA 504, the 7(a) may be used for real estate transactions, but offers a variety of other options: • To acquire equipment, machinery, furniture, fixtures,supplies, or materials. For long-term working capital, including the payment of accounts payable and/or ... http://blog.winecounty-re.com/2009/08/29/sba%e2%80%99s-7a-loan-could-be-your-debt-solution/ The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has opened a wider door to the real estate market by increasing access to and lowering the cost of Small Business Administration financing to business owners. The act also temporarily waives borrower fees on SBA 504 Certified Development Company (CDC) loans, encouraging real ... http://blog.winecounty-re.com/2009/08/10/sba-504-7a-loans-for-small-businesses/ 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 jobs due to layoffs may be eligible to receive up ... http://blog.winecounty-re.com/2009/08/06/car-housing-affordability-funds-mortgage-protection-program/