Jack Mossman, The Nines Team in Stockton

"Keep Your California Home Programs." California homeowners who pulled money out of their homes are frequently confused about what, if any, options are available to them for assistance. The San Francisco Chronicle recently published a good primer of the possibilities. Since even the "Chron" had trouble keeping the pieces together, the California Association of Realtors® published a recent "Summary" of the article ... pointing out some of the resources that are available to California Homeowners falling into distress.

"Keep Your California Home" programs and eligibility requirements are shown in the overview. However, if a Homeowner still has a level of confusion after reading the summary and the full article, please contact a lending or real estate professional ... every case is individual and the results will vary from one homeowner to another.

Via the San Francisco Chronicle

Mortgage aid offered to those who cashed out equity

The California Housing Finance Agency announced this week that people who cashed out equity on their home now are eligible for three of the four "Keep Your Home California" programs.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY

 Keep Your Home California is a state-run program funded with $2 billion from the U.S. Treasury's Hardest Hit Fund. It is designed to help low- and moderate-income people who are unemployed or owe more than their home is worth pay their mortgage.

 There are four individual programs that fall under Keep Your Home California. Eligible homeowners can get up to $50,000 in assistance from one or more of the four programs combined.

 Under the new rules, people who took equity out of their homes will be eligible for the unemployment mortgage assistance, mortgage reinstatement assistance, and transition assistance programs if they meet all the other program requirements. Homeowners who cashed out equity will continue to be ineligible for the principal reduction program.

 When the program first started, homeowners who had tapped the equity in their homes were ineligiblefor the programs. CalHFA decided to include these homeowners due to the large number of homeowners who were being turned away for assistance.

 Under the program revisions, homeowners who originated mortgages after Jan. 1, 2009 also are eligible for the same three programs. Originally, these borrowers were excluded because they also are excluded under the federal Home Affordable Modification Program, so CalHFA wanted to be consistent with HAMP.

 To qualify for any of the four programs, homeowners must fall below certain income limits, must be living in the home, and cannot own a second home, among other criteria. For additional requirements, click here

Read the full story

Hopefully most of your questions may be answered by the preceding resources. If not, please do not hesitate to contact one of our Team members for additional information or other resources.

888-868-4398

If you may be considering relocation to the Central Valley of California considering adding Stockton and Lodi, California to your interest list. The folks at The Nines Team will be delighted to show you our town … and some of the best real estate buying opportunities in the valley. If you wish to search the local MLS please click here. Don’t hesitate to call us if we can answer questions or get additional information for you!

Perhaps a preview of coming attractions ... a personal paradise; located less than a 50 mile beautiful scenic drive northeast to historic Wallace, California hidden south of the Lake Comanche Recreational area is Southworth Estates. One of those "estates" has recently become available - and it may be found at 7535 Southwood Court.

Situated in Wallace California, the surrounding community continues to reflect the easy and relaxed life style typical of communities with large tourist activities. Lake Comanche Recreational Area is just a few miles north of the property. The "census-designated place" known to the local community as Wallace, has a population of several hundred people and encompasses an area of 4.3 square miles. The Post office was originally founded in 1883, was closed in 1945 and reopened in 1951.

The original map of the town site was signed by John Herbert Wallaceand for decades it was presumed that the town got its name from the surveyor. However, in the 2006 issue of the Calaveras Historical Society newsletter, local historian Sal Manna suggests that the town was actually named for the surveyor's father, John Wallace who was a well-known engineer of the founding period.

Go down your private gated drive to a beautifully upgraded home.Three well appointed bedrooms surround the inviting Great Room concept home ... reflected in the upgrades galore! Situated on just over seven acres that range from wooded to meadow environments, rural living will rarely be better presented. Popular equestrian properties are found throughout the area, but this property would be able to support its own mini-stable. The close-to-the-house spaces include a stone in-ground koi pond and a second water garden pool. Parking should be no problem with the four-car garage. Located between the Lake Comanche recreation area and Valley Springs ... this home has it all!

All of this could be yours for just:

$249,900.

This Bank Owned property also qualifies for special lending incentives from GMAC Mortgage.

(Call for Details - 888-868-4398)

Beautiful gleaming wood floors invite you into this home. Walls accented with field stone features and an easy open-living plan make it a delight to move from one living area to another. The views from the living room open onto the expansive mountain and meadow features of the country location.

Steps away from the main living area is the wonderfully arranged kitchen area with the immediate family-style nook - nestled into an East facing bay window and enriched with wood floors. Outdoor access is "just through the door..."

Vaulted ceiling and a stunning marble-faced fireplace are focal points of the master bedroom suite. French doors open onto the flagstone patio area of the backyard surrounded by the "domesticated" grounds. Arbor areas, planting areas and cultivated garden area are easily assessable from the backyard. Off the master bedroom is the well-organized walk-in closet and the master bath facilities featuring a dual-headed shower over an oval jetted tub enclosed in a glazed tile surround.

The other two sleeping areas share a bathroom, wood floors and beautiful country views. Both bedrooms boast of over-sized closets with hinged panel doors. Far from the noises of the city, all the bedrooms invite the sights and sounds of country-living into the home.

Wallace is located in the extreme western part of Calaveras County, one of California original counties upon entering the Union in 1850. Calaveras County is one of the "gold country" counties of California with much of its history beginning in the gold rush period of 1849. However the county takes its name from the Calaveras River - named in the 1830's by Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga after his discovery of the remains of Native Americans along the river banks. Calaveras is the Spanish word for "skulls."

One of the more well-known residents of the County was the author Mark Twain, whose story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" is still celebrated today in the annual County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee.

Special homes are available throughout the Central Valley of California. If you are considering relocation to the Central Valley Counties of Amador, Calaveras or San Joaquin … call the team that can show you the way:

THE NINES TEAM REALTY

888-868-4398

Bring them on board - one at a time! Another ActiveRain Lunch

Susan Goulding, Christina O'Neal and Ishared our "second" ActiveRain lunch ... and had as much fun as the one last month. I did notice one thing ... we barely sat down and we started talking about the ActiveRain blogosphere! No time for gossip ... we were on an ActiveRain mission .... giving and getting as much as we could in the 90 minutes we planned on sharing!

Christina engineered the location this timein the beautiful and historic town on Ripon, California. We lunched at the Ripon Roadhouse ... but I'll let Christina share with you the joys of that location. From my perspective .... The Cobb Salad was so great ... that I passed on the shared double-fudge sin brownie ... and opted to finish the salad!

We did decide that we just couldn't keep this pleasure to ourselves ... and starting next month we are pledging to each invite one more person to join us for our next ActiveRain lunch. Our goal - to evolve slowly and to reflect the personality of those that chose to become part of this Lunch Bunch!

Hmmm... I'm thinking there's a group in there somewhere .... Sometime! AND about that last picture .... guess you'll just have to ask Christina!

History in the Sunset – Mount Diablo from the Central Valley of California

Sometimes just taking a few moments to actually “see” that which is around us have a “pleasure moment” of their own. Countless times this “mount” is seen by travelers moving north and south on two major highways of Central California - Interstate Route 5 and Highway 99. Mount Diablo may be seen from a major portion of Northern California … and the view is different from the vantage point of the looker.

This view is from the Central Valley of California – on the side of the frontage road next to Highway 99 in North Stockton. Unlike many of the other “mounts” in California (Mt. Whitney, Mt. Shasta) this mount has a real estate history unique to the California scene.

Today, the 3864 feet high Mt. Diablo is the site of a 20,000 acre state park. The preserved lands around the park total over 90,000 acres and include watersheds, regional parks and over 38 preserves. Viewed from the Central Valley, the more common “double-pyramid” outline is hidden … but it is more clearly seen from the “Bay Area.” So today, the influence of Mt. Diablo is a pretty significant piece of real estate.

The Real Estate History of Mount Diablo started 160 years ago in 1851 when Leander Ransom identified it as the initial point where the Mount Diablo Base and Meridian lines intersect. Cadestral surveys based on metes-and-bounds of real properties find one of their reference points at Mount Diablo.

If you are considering moving to the Central Valley of California … you could see this iconic site every day (weather permitting) across the playground of the Delta. In fact, there are numerous homes that the view can be captured from your living room or decks. Let the members of The Nines Team help you to find that picture perfect spot … and see the “center” of the local real estate Universe …. Mount Diablo …. California!

Call today - toll free at: 888-686-4398

The central attraction of the Tapestry Collection at the Tuscany Villas in Stockton, California is the Parma Park. Parma, Italy is one of the Sister Cities of Stockton, California and is the namesake of the park.

Bordered on the north by Chianti Circle, west and south by Dolcetto Lane and on the east by Vernaccia Lane Parma Park offers multi-use activities for all ages. The "age-restricted" playground is reserved for those folks between ages of 2 to 5, accompanied by a supervising adult. Lighted tennis courts are all-age available. The field area is open for field sports from soccer, field hockey and even weekend football warriors. Several pavilions are available with picnic tables and in-ground barbeque stands.

Living in the Tapestry neighborhood offers a retreat from the rest of the world for its residents. Homes are available for sale and are priced in the upper $100s to the mid-$200s for these Mediterranean inspired homes built in 2004 to 2005.

The diversity of the neighborhood is assured by buildings with single-story 1600 square foot 3 bedrrom-2 bath homes to much larger two-story 2,600 square foot properties, some with 5 bedroom options.

If you may be considering relocation to the Central Valley of California considering adding Stockton, California to your interest list. The folks at The Nines Team will be delighted to show you our town … and some of the best real estate buying opportunities in the valley. If you wish to search the local MLS please click here. Don’t hesitate to call us if we can answer questions or get additional information for you:

888-868-4398