Just a brief note to let you know that I’ll be on a bit of a hiatus.  We’ve got some exciting stuff going on at Real Estate Rebel HQ and I need to spend the next month or so focusing on that.  SO…

Look for new tips, tricks, rants and raves coming back at you after we get our properties and plans sorted out!

Until then,

STAY REBELLIOUS!!!!!

Larry

I know what’s important to me, tell me what’s important to YOU. Do you want more posts about options for sellers, like this one?  Buyer’s Tips, like these? More information on resources, like this stuff?

Tell me in the comments, check me on Twitter @RERebelCA, or drop me a message.

2011 is going to ROCK (rebelliously, of course!)

-Larry

It seems that a Mrs. Patsy Campbell in the Sunshine State has been fighting off foreclosure action on her home SINCE THE MID-80s.

According to the Yahoo! finance article:

The story of how Ms. Campbell has managed to avoid both paying her mortgage and losing her home, which is currently assessed at more than $203,000, is a cautionary tale for lenders that cut corners and followed sloppy practices when originating, processing and servicing mortgages.

Take a look at the full article here .  As always, read rebelliously and make up your own mind.

For now, all I can say is YOU GO PATSY!!!

Best,

Larry

As always, read rebelliously and make up your mind!

Best,

Larry

I keep reading the papers (silly, but there it is…) and I know I shouldn’t be surprised yet I continue to be when I hear real estate groups griping that mortgages are now too stringent and that’s why houses aren’t moving…and yet read that the Fed is stil forecasting weak job growth and unemployment figures in the 9% range in 2011.  So one group wants lending standards eased…the other says recovery will be slow and weak. 

What’s a buyer to do, especially when they’ve been turned down?

Remember the basics.  Only YOU know really know your budget.  Back in the old days we borrowed a bit from mom and dad and saved for awhile in order to have a down payment on a house.  Now, things may not be that simple any more-in the San Francisco Bay Area where yours truly hoists his rebel flag a 20% down payment on a condo is about the same amount you would pay for an entire house in other parts of the country.

But some things ARE the same.  If you perservere, if you take an honest look at your finances, if you’re willing to make some trade offs in terms of location, style, and amenities, you can still buy a home.  Just think back to when a starter home was a one story, 2-bedroom place with a postage stamp yard that was what mom and dad could afford, so that’s what they got.

And don’t ever take “no” as your final answer, take it as a sign that you need a sharper pencil, a harder look in the mirror, and then get back out there and keep hunting.  And maybe see if mom and dad have a few bucks they could lend you.

Rebelliously,

Larry

But here are a few bits about what I’m seeing in the short sale and foreclosure market recently:

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says that pending home sales have slipped…more here.

HAMP is continually its trend of NON-success…you can read a decent commentary and see video discussion here.

Actual job creation, a factor in whether or not the foreclosure mess will start to iron itself out, looks anemic in 2011…there’s a great Reuters article here.

Looks like we’ll be in this rebellion together for a good, long time!

-Larry

Open house: Saturday October 2, 2010

Time: 1pm-4pm

Address: 1259 Hale St, Vallejo CA  94591

Price: $214,950

MLS: 21027911

Nice 3 bedroom 3.5 bath home located in new area of Hercules.  Excellent communter location with easy access to the freeway.

Open House: Sunday, October 3rd 2010

Time: 1-3 pm

2129 Tsushima Street, Hercules, CA 94547

Price: $300,000

Time: 1pm – 3pm