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Oxnard Homes, Oxnard Beach and Marina Broker Associate/Constina M. Baylor

Chase offers qualifying distressed homeowners up to $30,000 for going the short-sale route.

Really? Chase offers qualifying distressed homeowners up to $30,000.00 for going the short-sale route? I read about it online. As a Real Estate Professional I was intrigued by this because I know there are a lot of distressed homeowners who would like to know what the qualifications are for this short-sale incentive. Imagine being able to use this in a conversation with my clients, Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner:

Me: “Hello Mr. and Mrs. Distressed Homeowner with a Chase loan, you might qualify for a program being offered by your lender, Chase, who is offering up to $30,000.00 for going the short-sale route.

Client: Up to $30,000.00, this is a miracle! They’re actually going to help me by giving me money to do a short sale? How much money are we eligible for?

Me: Well, you have to qualify for the program first?

Client: What do we do to qualify?

Me: Well, it says you have to be a qualified distressed homeowner first.short sale house

Client: We are. How much do we qualify for?

Me: Well, it says they offer up to $30,000.00

Client: How much of that do we qualify for?

Me: Well, it says they will contact you if you qualify for this program.

Client: We haven’t heard from them.

Me: Well, don’t hold your breath, I can’t find anything about it on their website. Let me see what else I can find out and I’ll get back to you.

Is any body else intrigued by the Chase offer to qualifying distressed homeowners for up to $30,000.00 for going the short-sale route? Does anybody have more information about it? What are the qualification guidelines? Where is the money coming from? Why isn't there more information about it?

You Shoud Do A Happy Dance!

Life can be tough at times. Every once in a while there are things that happen that make you want to do a happy dance. They are simple things that come from unexpected places. They bring joy and put a smile on your face. They remind us of the good things in life.

I’ve watched this video about ten times like this little girl could have been one of my own children. It makes me laugh and smile. I’m still smiling. It’s a little nugget of gold in a sometimes cruel world. I’m reminded of the simple things and extra surprises that made my children smile. I remember their own “Disneyland Surprise” which came at a time when they needed to do a happy dance, being raised by a divorced, stressed out, and financially struggling but determined young mother.

That was so many hard years ago. So much has changed since then. I’m no longer a struggling single parent. My four children are adults now and I’ve been gifted with amazing grandchildren. My husband and I so enjoy them (and enjoy that they go home to their parents after we enjoy them). And my grandchildren remind me that parenting, although challenging can make you want to do a happy dance somewhere down the road.

I look back at those years of struggle and how difficult they were…always feeling like I was running behind trying to catch up. But I also remember the things that gave us hope and the people around us who believed in me, and reminded me that life could, would get better for us. And it has!

I find a reason to do a happy dance on a regular basis. It’s part of my life’s formula for success. The “stuff” in my life doesn’t matter much to me. It’s the joy I can bring into other people’s lives that fuels my engine. I can’t take everyone to Disneyland but I can say or do something that encourages them to do a happy dance. I’m looking for some dancing partners today. Care to join me?

Orange, Mouse, Gorilla!

orangemousegorilla

My niece is teaching her children not to use the name of the Lord in vain. As a result her six year old son was alarmed to hear another child she cares for say "Oh My God!" He ran to his mother and said "Mom" he just said Orange, Mouse, Gorilla! His mother, not hearing the child and not knowing what her son was talking about replied and asked, "What's wrong with saying orange, mouse, gorilla He responded..."the first letters, mom, he said the first letters." Even in reporting this incident he refused to use the name of the Lord in vain.

Orange, Mouse, Gorilla! I'm going to start using that one!

Oxnard, California Annual Strawberry Festival, May 21-22, 2011

strawberries

Calling all strawberry lovers, family outing coordinators, people watchers, Oxnardians, Californians, Out of Area-dians (Okay, so I'm making words up)!  You’re invited to the Oxnard, California Annual Strawberry Festival and you can bring as many guests as you would like.  Bring your family, friends, camera, diaper wipes, hand sanitizer, appetite and expect a berry-licious time!  Don’t forget to check the Oxnard weather forecast AND bring your wallet for the admissions fee, parking fee, and other food, beverage and fun purchases.

 

Strawberry pizza anyone?  With over 70,000 visitors and counting this annual festival offers an eclectic assortment of strawberry concoctions as well as live entertainment, arts and crafts booths, rides for children and sticky, gooey contests.  Located at Strawberry Meadows of College Park, this nationally top-ranked celebration is an event you won’t want to miss.  Find for more information about admissions fees, parking fees, and free shuttle service to the event by using this Oxnard, California Annual Strawberry Festival link.

 

 

 

Strawberries are the number one crop in Ventura, County and the first California Strawberry Festival premiered in 1984 at Channel Islands Harbor.  After eight years it outgrew its original location and moved to Strawberry Meadows of College Park in 1992.  Proceeds from the food booths run by local Southland non-profit organizations reap 100 percent of revenues and more than 3.5 million dollars has been raised since the Festival began.  So not only are you having a good time, you’re also supporting non-profit organizations that rely on donations to service the needs of others.

 

     I’m looking forward to the Strawberry Festival this year.  My two grandkids are looking forward to it, too.  Oh Boy…what wouldn’t a Nana do for her grandkids?  I’ll just let their mommy deal with their tummy ache.  Hope to see you there!

Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification to Assist Oxnard Home Owners

SFR logoConstina M. Baylor Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification

Buyers and Sellers Benefit from REALTOR® Expertise in Distressed Sales

Oxnard, CA, May 10, 2011 — Constina M. Baylor with RE/MAX Gold Coast Realtors has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.

According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures. For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction. REALTORS® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.

“As leading advocates for homeownership, REALTORS® believe that any family that loses its home to foreclosure is one family too many, but unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes, and a foreclosure or a short sale results,” said 2009 NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. “Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community, as well, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a REALTOR® who has earned the SFR certification for these kinds of purchases.”

The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk, and provides resources to help REALTORS® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves. To earn the SFR certification, REALTORSÒ are required to take one core course and three Webinars.

If you're a buyer or seller let my SFR certification work for you! Call today for more information.