Everett, WA

If I'm not sharing my vast wisdom (nudge nudge wink wink) I would be on a rant about the inept nature of government or particular individuals but today as another deal closes for a new home buyer knowing they will be celebrating their first Thanksgiving in their new home I pause to give thanks that I am still paddling up this creek we call an economy.

It has been a challenging year for our family on many fronts just like families across America. In the end we still have it better than most in the world we live in today. I am thankful for that.

Our community lost a couple great souls this year some way too premature. I am lucky to have been touched by their lives. I am thankful for that. I am lucky I have one of my parents still living. I am thankful for that. If I were to drop today I cannot complain. I have had every opportunity to do whatever I wanted to do in life - it is always there for me to grab. I am thankful for that. Of course like the idiot I am I decided to be a mortgage professional.

All this gratitude will be leaving me by the time Monday hits because my football team (Seattle Seahawks) will probably lose another game and all the usual political knuckleheads will be back on the air telling me how they plan to 'fix' things. I am not thankful for that. Until then I will meditate with my Turkey and family. I am thankful for both.

My family celebrates Thanksgiving. For those that do celebrate Thanksgiving I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.

I wish us all well.

Not surprising to me HUD is going to put a 120 day 'enforcement' delay for the new Good Faith Estimate and HUD-1 roll out scheduled for Jan. 01, 2010. What a mess. What a disaster. This photo depicts perfectly how our government (the big guy - Oliver Hardy) and HUD (the skinny -Stan Laurel) are managing this little thing we call a financial calamity. Recovery my (Fill in blank).

HUD always has a scandal each administration costing millions or billions (depending upon how many years you include). Inexplicably they eliminated the down payment assistance program thinking a down payment would solve this economic calamity. BIG thinking.

So here the nation of lenders wait to see what's next. How are the investors going to react. Some lenders may require us to use the new form. Others may not. How will the consumer navigate through this?

ME of course and my fellow mortgage professionals. As usual although always made out to be the villain it is up to us to interpret as best we can the mess handed down to us by the idiots, the knuckleheads, the "intellectuals" - congress & HUD.

We are the ones picking up the pieces to try and make sense of the non-sense. We are the receivers of funny looks from the consumer asking us - WHY DO WE HAVE TO DO THIS OR THAT - glaring at us like WE are the crazy ones!

AMERICA -WE did not make this up....this is Barney Frank, Chris Dodd - both sides of the political spectrum- brilliance is coming out from all corners.

The consumer is getting nothing. The consumer cost is increasing - will increase and continues to get more expensive. After getting reamed at the financing table because of the 'new' regulation the consumer will have to pay more taxes to cover the bureaucratic tape that goes with it.

I'm in a bad mood.

I wish us all well.

If you were one of the activists that mailed in the online petition supporting the elimination of HVCC the day in court is coming soon.

A group will be delivering the petitions to one of the enemies of the consumer and our industry - the attorney general of New York - Mr. Cuomo maybe as early as this week. His office has been contacted and we will see how they respond.

See previous blog about its history and BS that fly's around this issue.

You want government to do what? The failure of HVCC appraisal

It continues to baffle me why the Honrable Mr. Cuomo does not go after the real villian in this and that is Wall Street. Oops I forgot that's where he will be getting his campaign donations for future political asperations...what was I thinking!

I wish us all well.

Project Phoenix is focused on helping families in Snohomish County who are experiencing foreclosure to aviod homelessness and other devasting outcomes and to help create a recovery plan for each family.

Homes for Good has five new affordable rental homes that will soon be available in Maryville. Homes for Good, is a non profit organization providing assistance for families with children who have lost their homes to foreclosure and are at risk of being homeless.

Income Eligibility and Rent:

These homes are restricted to families in Snohomish County at or below 50% of the areas Median Income. For a family of 3, annual income would be $37,950 or below. Rent levels are set in compliance with HUD Home “Low Rent” levels, approximately $1,095 for a 3 bedroom homes. Rent includes utilities.

How it Works:

Home For Good's Equity First program offers participants the opportunity to live in the home of their choice now and then purchase the home for the same price as Home For Good originally paid for it, up to two years later, with a fixed, low interest rate assumable mortgage. Each participant accepted into the program works through an individualized Home Buyer Action Plan designed to enable the participant to qualify for the conventional mortgage at the earliest possible opportunity during a two-year period. All mortgages are placed in Fannie Mae approved conventional loans at 30 or 40 year terms with fixed interest rates.

What Happens to Families After Loosing Their Homes to Foreclosure?

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, the overwhelming majority (76.2% of those experiencing foreclosure…were staying with families or friends. More than half (54.5%) stated that people were going to emergency shelters. Even more alarming, 41.6% of families who lost their homes were already living on the streets.

How to Apply: Contact Homes For Good at 425-672-9098 Online Applications

About HomeSeeker Center

HomeSeeker Center (HSC) provides a stable platform for consumers to search for property that reflects the best values in the housing market today. The Company aggregates available Distressed Property Sales, New Construction Homes, and Banked Owned Property and Building Lots in one convenient location. HSC is designed to Assist Distressed Property Owners in understanding options available to them to avoid or prevent foreclosure. HSC specializes in these difficult home sale situations. HSC provides automated real-time market updates combined with its Puget Sound Real Estate Blog to keep savvy consumers informed. Media Contact Information: Donald Sieb Info@HomeSeekerCenter.com 425-931-4665

Talking to friends, colleagues or total strangers about their experiences in the military I am always impressed by their humble nature. What an all star group of people - men and women.

Not all serve in the battle of war. Often times they spend tireless hours supporting those engaged on the ground.

Then there are the families. The families are hero's too and in my opinion neglected way too often and need better support particularly today in the times we live.

To all I cannot thank you enough.

I wish us all well.