About Stanislaus County, CA

If you or someone you know is thinking about trying to get a mortgage modified be sure to read the linked article. If someone asks you for a big up front payment to help you modify run the other way. Seems like there is always someone ready to take advantage of people's troubles.

Read the Article here:

A friend of mine who is starting to sell house by owner asked me a question about escrow account and I decided to write this post as I think that there are some more people who don’t know what it is.

It doesn’t matter whether you sell a house or buy a house, you have to get through an escrow period.

An escrow account is a banking account established by the lender who wants to make sure all the bills are paid such as homeowner’s insurance, private mortgage insurance and some taxes. The lender doesn’t rust you so he wants to reinsure. Every month the credit receiver deposits money to the escrow account. The lender withdraws the necessary sum and pay the due bills and liabilities concerning the property.

According to the terms and conditions of some loans or lenders, the borrowers can be asked for additional sum of money in the account (the so-called ‘cushion’). This sum is necessary if the borrower fails to make timely monthly payments to the account.

I hope my post has helped newly-born home sellers, though there are many other important terms and notions they have to know and understand.

Century 21 M&M and Associates is teaming up this year with News 10 ABC and the Coats for Kids program. Our goal is to collect 2500 coats for area kids.

If you are in Stanislaus, or Merced counties call me at 209-633-2839 or email me at JPatton@c21mm.com so I can make arrangements to pick up your coat donations.

Read all about the program at our company blog http://c21mmblog.com/ I look forward to hearing from you.

I recently decided that I am tired...of being sick and tired. If change is going to come, I have to get up and be involved! Voice my opinion to those that are in position to make changes. I, for one, am in favor of the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. I believe that it has done a lot of good for Homebuyers, sellers, my business and the economy.

I came across a website where we all can go and write Congress a letter regarding different topics that pertain to our well-being. I set up a profile and whenever I want to write a letter to congress, I can do it and make sure it is sent to the correct lawmaker, who were voted in their seat to listen to the people. Real Estate Agents are at the forefront of hearing the complaints because we deal with the constituents and we know their struggles and pain. In addition, to dealing with their pain...we have a story or two of our own. This site gives a forum to make those issues known by using your own voice.

Agents can also go to National Association of Realtors website and quickly fill in the blanks to write a letter to Congress regarding this Home Tax Credit. I encourage all Realtors, homebuilders, homebuyers, homesellers, loan officers, etc... to write your Congress and request to extend the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit.

This credit has helped over 1 million homeowners thus far...we can not stop here! My letter to Congress to extend the $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit reads:

Dear Congress,

The $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit is set to end November 30, 2009. As a Real Estate Agent, I have been able to see first hand the benefit of waht the home credit has done to gain confidence in first-time homebuyer's. I have seen a rise in attendance to Open House, a larger and quicker response to newly listed properties. Combined with lower prices and interest rates that housing market will continue to heal. I do not believe we are at the point that we can rely on the lowered prices and interest rates alone. This part of the stimulus package has definitely started to help get the country back on track.

I believe that now is the time to extend the credit at least another year. Otherwise, we could see the housing market back track and that would not be good for your constituents nor the economy. With the expiration date coming up soon can cause a halt soon before the cut off time. Due to the homeowner having to purchase, receive acceptance, secure financing and successfully close on or before November 30, 2009. Currently, the time frame to close a home after acceptance is 45-60 days, which means a homeowner would have to have found a home and receive acceptance on that offer before mid-October.

Although, we have seen a rise in sales, the market has not fully recovered. I request to extend and expand the credit for an additional period of time, in order to continue the progress that has been made to date. Urgency is upon us to take care of our families in this great country. Act now to extend and expand the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit.

Sincerely,

D'Adrea Davie

If you are thinking of Avoiding Foreclosure, Short Sale or Buying a home in Northern California's Central Valley (San Joaquin, Alameda, Contra Costa and Stanislaus Counties - includes Stockton, Manteca, Tracy, Lathrop., Salida, Ripon, Modesto, Lodi, Hayward, Castro Valley, Union City, Fremont, Newark, Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin and all surrounding cities). Call us at 866-543-0461 or email us.

Just a short drive of around 2 hours, in the opposite direction of my last destination (Yosemite National Park) is another one of my favorite places, Monterey California.

This was the view from the window of the bed and breakfast I stayed in the last time I spent the weekend in Monterey.

It's always nice to get away for a day to the coast especially when it's 105° here and its a cool 70° in Monterey. Although I was there last January and it was in the 80's for several days in a row. That was a great change from the fog we were experiencing in the valley at the time.

Monterey also has the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, great restaurants, great golf, Fishermans Wharf, and an Awesome Farmers Market on Tuesdays.

The Awesome and world famous Seven Gables Inn Bed and Breakfast. Great views , great rooms, wonderfull breakfast. The afternoon wine reception is fantastic and the evening fresh baked cookies and milk should not be missed.

Monterey has some great beaches for strolling or sunning yourself. The water is a bit too cold for me to jump into though. I must be getting old.