The song by CLASH, with the same name as this article, may have been a hit back in 1981, when they asked the question that seems to be the question of today, "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"
Today, however, the question takes on a more serious tone than the confused singer in his tumultuous love affair begging for confirmation as the chorus ends with the line...
If I go there will be trouble
An if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
(LISTEN HERE)
The tone of the question today, of course, if focused on the housing chrises, as more and more families are trying to figure out what to do. It's not like there is a single authority on the subject of what will happen to them - in either scenario. Should they stay or should they go?
This indecisions bugging me
Should I Pay or Should I Play? The Real Question of the Day
When asked by local residents in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley if they should pay their mortgage or should they play the game that seems to have gained in enormous popularity over the last year.
The game, of course, is the Strategic Default (my article). This is when the homeowner analizes their personal sitution and then decides to not pay their home loan but often continuing top keep all of their other credit in pristine condition. In many cases, homeowners today are reporting that they have been in their home for over a year without paying the mortgage or property taxes. If you are interested, the Wall Street Journal has an artilce that addresses the moral question of walking away from your home.
NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
So, when I am engaged in a conversation along these lines I first have to protect myself with an almost obligatory disclaimer that I sell real estate for a living and am not in the business of resolving anyones personal problems. However, as a trusted friend and/or colleague if they want to bounce ideas off of me, I'd be glad to lsiten and respond with what I know but I must emphasise that any decision they make has to be their own decision that is based on their very personal set of circumstances...that I will never fully understand. I'll also mention that if they need legal or tax advice theat they should consult a professional in those fields, as neither has anything to do with my skill at selling real estate in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, CA.
This point is so important, I make a point of repeating it, at the end of any converstaion that may follow.
The first point I will share on the topic is that when a short sale or lon modification is being negotiated that it is much easier to do when the payment is deliquent, althogh it is no lnoger mandatory, as it was last year.
The next point is every lender is different and every lender has different policies for how they treat different situations. For example, two borrowers may both be 60 days late. One may be eligible for a loan modification and the other may not. The income levels, the hardship and so many other facotrs are considered. Again, the rules change from lender to lender, as well.
SOOOOOOO MUCH INFO
There is so much conflicting information because there is no industry standard for either Short Sales or Loan Modifications. The market is full of scam artists right now, despite the fact that both State and Federal Authorities are cracking down on them, big time (Including the State Bar going after ATTORNEYS!).
The government is doing it's best to confuse the entire situation with more rules, regulations, moratoriums and mandates than anyone can keep up with.
Industry trade groups, such as the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) or the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) are pretty much powerless in regulating their members when it comes to this uncharted territory.
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So you gotta let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
Sorry, but this is not the place to come for easy answers or heavy questions...
Now please, go talk to your attorney or tax advisor and let me sell my real estate.
Looking through the online edition of REALTOR Magazine and there is a story posted this morning that references an article published on Forbes.Com by Zack O'Malley Greenburg that claims to have found the 10 Safest Places to Live, in the USA.
The criteria was reviewed with four factors in mind:
OK, so I can see why these issues are considered and will help define safty for the average family looking to find a place to call home and raise a family.
The problem I have with the results is that they are all cities of significant size. Take a look:
No where on this list do I see either Hemet or San Jacinto. Granted we may only have about 100,000 residents in the entire valley but I can almost guarantee that we have NOT had any Weather Catastrophes (OK, maybe a case or two of sun stroke or an occassional dehydration - but hey, this is Southern California and we are in a very arid valley...could be considered desert by some).
I'm quite positive that we have a very low WORKPLACE ACCIDENT rate here in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley. Since they quit building new homes about 2 years ago, there are hardley any jobs here for anyone to get hurt at. Most of our employers are either retail or service related and most are very low risk. Many of our residents commute to places like Temecula, San Diego, Riverside,m San Bernardion, Ontario and even Orange County. Hemet and San Jacinto is very safe when it comes to the workplace...I can practically guarantee it.
If it wasn't for TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. Granted our 'Blue Haird Ladies' and 'Old Men with Hat' population is rapidly declining as the average age (but it does seem that we have more senior involved traffic accidents than ever, as they continue to age) in the vally has dramitically lowered itself from the high 40's to the early 30's in just the last 5 years, we still do have a few crazy drivers around here. Heck, on July 11th of this year, I toateld my car on the Ramona Expressway when som yahoo ran a red light at 8:00 on a Sunday morning. So, I guess traffic accidents is our Archilles Heel when it comes to being a safe city.
I just can't imagine the 10 safest places to live are 10 major metropolitan areas. Heck, I moved out of the City in '92 becuse they tried to burn down LA - how safe is that?
American Home Shield Is GOLD in My Book
The home warranty company, American Home Shield has proven to me beyond any reasonable doubt that they are everything anyone could ever expect to receive from a home warranty company. 
I first met our local Rep, Judee Edgerton (ActiveRain Link) back in 2005 as I was getting started in the local Hemet - San Jacinto Real Estate market. Judee is just one of those people that you can't help but like. I had already established a strong relationship with a rep from another company, when I was working 30 miles to the south, in the more lucrative Temecula, CA market. Yes, my contact did work the Hemet San Jacinto Valley, just as Judee also works the Temecula - Murrieta market area.
Truth is that Temecula - Murrieta is a much larger market, with over 5,000 agents as board members compared to the 300 we have in the Hemet San Jacinto Association of REALTORS® (HSJAOR). The only real reason I had previously established the relationship I had was because my mega-broker had established it for me. After I left the mega-broker, I rarely ever heard from the rep that I had given over 20 orders to in my first year in the real estate business.
Judee, on the other hand was everywhere I turned. Not only is she one of the most active affiliates in the HSJAOR but she is involved in all sorts of community activities. It is not uncommon to see Judee's smiling face at any event in town - real estate related or not.
You can see, how natural it is for anyone to want to do business with this amazing lady.
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD DELIVERS
I don't have the exact count in front of me, but I can almost guarantee that my team has been responsible for no less than 50 home warranty policies in the last year and a half. Probably more.
There is always the nagging feeling though, are my clients getting the best policy. Sure, I love my local rep and she is locally involved in the local community...but what about the company that needs to deliver on the promises that Judee makes?
Occasionally, I'll get an email from American Home Shield; alerting me that one of my prior clients had filed a claim and utilized the Home Warranty policy. I make a point to call the client - after all, what better excuse is there to call and ask for referrals, then right after something that went wrong ends up going right?
THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING
Not sure how much pudding has to do with this, but my grandmother used to say that all the time, and it just kind of came to me right now as the perfect time to use that and spend a moment reflecting back on the love my grandmother had for me...and I her.
So, in July of this year, I bought a bank owned home. All in all it was in pretty good condition but it did need a few things to bring it up to my wife's standards. Fresh paint, new carpets, a gizmo here and a thingy there and on it went.
Most minor deficiencies, I went ahead and repaired on my own, as we transitioned into calling and making the new place home. However, there were a few minor problems with different aspects of the plumbing. In addition, the new place has a pool. I did the acid wash thing, replaced all the filters and other maintenance items that needed to be taken care of and done right. I actually spent about $1500 getting the swamp cleaned up and working properly. Money well spent.
However, the heater went out a couple of weeks ago. At first my regular pool guy checked it out and said that the limited diagnostics available from the ‘idiot lights' on the control panel were not very specific and in could be one of about a dozen things and that he would have to allocated a couple of hours towards diagnoses. I told him to hold up, that I would get American Home Warranty out to fix the problem - after all, I did pay the extra premium for the pool service, so I might as well start taking advantage of it.
PROBLEMS PROVE HOW GOOD A COMPANY REALLY IS
So, I made the necessary arrangements with American Home Shield to have both a plumber and a pool guy come out and fix what needed fixing. This was Friday afternoon.
Monday afternoon I received calls from both the plumber and the pool repair guy. The plumber is a local tradesman - I recognized his truck from around town when he showed up the next day. The pool guy is another story.
Apparently vendors sign up to service American Home Shield clients based on zip codes that the vendors feel they can provide service to. Well, this particular vendor is from Palm Desert about 60 miles east of me, located in the Coachella Valley - east of Palm Springs. - on the other side of the mountain (Mt. San Jacinto, CA). I was told they only service ‘my area' twice a week and that they had already been ‘out here' that day and would not be able to return until Thursday. I explained that I had commitments Thursday morning and a regular lunch (LeTip) that I attend and could not possibly be back home until 2:00 p.m. It was agreed, I would be the last call at the end of the day.
Late Wednesday afternoon I received a call telling me that they can't be here for me as they have nothing else going on in the area and they can't send a truck, just for me. OK, so I got a little hot and tried to have a discussion about being local and biting off more than they could chew. I brought my own business into the mix and explained that I may be licensed to sell real estate throughout the entire State of California but rarely do I stray from my local market because SERVICE is more important than potential PROFIT by tarnishing my reputation with BAD SERVICE.
In the end, this fabulous vendor told me that he doesn't need my business and that he is not worried about his account with American Home Shield as he has been in business since 1968 and blah, blah blah before he hung up the phone on me.
BLOOD PRESSURE IS CLIMBING
I immediately sat down and sent Judee Edgerton, my American Home Shield rep a very sharp email pointing out how I had been treated by a vendor who is too busy for me. I came short of threatening (Judee is just too nice to threaten) to move my home warranty to another company if this is the way MY clients are treated when they use HER service.
Needless to say, Judee instantly diffused the entire situation, skillfully getting to the bottom of what happened. I do believe she spoke with the vendor and got their side of the story as well.
The next day, a new LOCAL pool guy called and came out. Diagnosed my heater problems, inspected my system and gave me a few really good pointers (being the only guy in California who lived 55 years without ever owning a pool before) on maintaining it and avoiding potentially expensive repairs in the future. When the new pool guy came out to fix the problem the next day, I was not available to meet him, but we did talk several times on the phone. He was awesome. I actually now consider him a new friend and trusted vendor whom I will refer my clients to, who need the services of a pool guy. I liked this guy so much I invited him to my LeTip lunch meeting next Thursday, which he sys he will attend. Awesome.
PLUMBER IS COOL, TOO
When the Plumber came out he was wearing clean work clothes. (No plumbers crack - thank goodness) He was very professional and inspected each item I asked him too. He figured out what parts he needs for a broken drain, a toilet flange and the spa tub switch, which is cracked. He even took the time and cleaned out a couple of aerator filters to improve water pressure to my wife's sink (not sure why I didn't think of that? - But that is why we rely on trained professionals).
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD IS MY HOME WARRANTY COMPANY
When the dust settled, I was thanked first for expressing my concerns so that American Home Shield could manage their vendor pool and ensure that only vendors who provide the quality of service expected are allowed to interact with the clients of American Home Shield. . It turns out that after a week of checking into this particular vendor, American Home Shield terminated their relationship by removing him from their list of approved vendors. There is justice and I do feel good about American Home Shield interacting with my clients.
I was also thanked for my business - both as an end user and as a REALTOR® that puts my trust into their product I can tell you, there will never be another Home Warranty Company that I will ever use...ever.
Thank you Judee...
OK, so during my early morning wake up coffee hour of mindlessly surfing the Internet I came across a YouTube video about yet another free service that Google is providing. In this case it is for your cell phone.
Cell carriers have notoriously charged an expensive premium everytime a user called 411 for information on a business.
There have been free services, but they typically had you listen to 30 seconds (an eternity) or more of phone ads in order to access the information you were seeking.
It should be no surprise that Google has built the better mouse trap. Google, you know, recently got into the cell phone business - so I correctly guessed that they would be working on their own custom cell apps. Well, I have not been disappointed.
This 91 second video is not only fun to watch but tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about using the new free (and ad free) service.
The cool thing, when I checked it out for myself and I asked for REAL ESTATE in San Jacinto CA, my city,...I was the first name they gave me. Now I have no scientific proof...but I am guessing it has to do with the LOCAL SEARCH RESULTS that I have been working on.
So go ahead and watch the short video, then plan on adding 1-800-4664-411 to your Speed Dial List so that you can either TEXT or CALL, the next time you need info on a local business.
Oh, and more more thought, as I struggle to gather my organize thoughts at this hour...Google will even send you a map of the local area, if your phone will support the feature. Now how cool is that?
Just remember that it is not safe to drive and either talk or text on your cell phone...and may be against the law where you live.
I was frustrated because whenever I searched for may address on Google Maps it took me about a block east of where my office is located. Now, this might not seem like such a big deal...but it was, and let me tell you why.
The photos that went with the location showed a vacant field...yikes. I am in the newest and brightest and best neighborhood shopping center in the entire Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, CA. And when people look for directions, they find a vacant field...no way.
So, I stumbled and played around a bit...not exactly what happened, but it happened. I now have my pointer smack in the middle of the retail shopping center my business calls home...right where it belongs!
Unfortunately for me, I didn't have access to the video that Google has on YouTube explaining exactly how to correct this problem
Check it out...
So, if you home or place of business (or any point of interest to you) is off on Google Maps...even if it is just a little bit, like across the street. Watch this quick video (less than a minute) and see how easy it is to make the change.
I don't believe the change will be instant...if it is, it will probably be subject to verification. The Video says something about 200 yards...anything more will be verified, for sure. My move was about 2 blocks...so I'm guessing I exceeded the 200 yard rule, which is why it took some time. But, I have got to tell you, I am thankful and it helps with my LOCAL SEARCH results...which is where we all want to be found, isn't it?
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The market has changed and so have I. I am now in my 4th year of successfully working with banks and Asset Managers in the preservation and sale of REO Properties throughout the Inland Empire, CA
Thank You for Visiting! "The Best Compliment we can receive is when a freind tells another friend about us"
Allison James Estate and Homes is the only TRUE NATIONAL INTERNET BASED REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE in the country. The type of REALTORS® who join Allison James are those joining the ‘Virtual Culture" and tend to be a younger (at least at heart) than average with approximately 8 years in the Real Estate Industry. Allison James Agents are independent and we seem to be more detailed and professional.
The Excellence in Real Estate Team is a local branch office of Allison James Estates and Homes of California located at the border between Hemet and San Jacinto in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley in South West Riverside County in the Inland Empire Region of southern California. We are located in a new modern community shopping center anchored by ‘Fresh and Easy" and "Jack in the Box". Our Office is right nest door to "Starbucks".
The comprehensive services we provide rival any other real estate office in Riverside County. Our staff of full team professional REALTORS® can help you buy or sell your home anywhere in Riverside County or throughout Southern California.
Excellence in Real Estate is not just some catchy phrase we came up with to market our team - but rather an ideal that we strive to achieve every day with every transaction, whether you are looking to buy or sell a home. If you are looking for Bank Repo's, Bank Owned Homes, REO's, Foreclosure or Foreclosed homes in the Hemet San Jacinto Valley or anywhere else in South West Riverside County including Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Sun City, Wildomar, Home Land, Romoland, Winchester, Banning, Beaumont or any of the other surrounding cities then there is no need to look any further
Allison James Estates & Homes
John Occhi, ePRO, Five Star Certified REO REALTOR®
Specializing in the Listing and Sales of Bank Owned REO Properties
(961) 654-5550 / (951) 443-6259
On a More Personal Note...
My life is often an open book here in this blog where I have shared many of my trials and tribulations in the quest for my real estate success while struggling at home with my wife, Sherri and her health.
In 1995, Sherri was diagnosed with a fairly rare form of cancer - CLL and given 5 years. Despite the odds, and six rounds of Chemo she is still here and still defying the odds.
In April 2007 she stopped her Chemo, feeling as if the cure would kill her. Sherri was then put on home hospice and given another sentence of 6 months...and here she is (this is written October 2009) refusing to go anywhere.
So, life is a struggle and never what you want it to be. God has his own plan for all of us and we have to be grateful for what we are given...and that includes our 4 dogs: A Pair of Golden Retrievers, a German Sheppard and the princess of the house, our Dalmatian.
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My expertise is in the south West Riverside County, focusing outward from the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, California in the residential and land marketplace. I like to work with both Buyers & Sellers. My real passion in this industry is the marketing and especially the part I can do on the Internet!
We are DEDICATED to LIVING and WORKING by these CORE VALUES:
To Always:
Live by the GET BY GIVING Philosophy
_____________________________________________________________________
The best Testimonial I can post is from me just proclaiming how Great GOD is and what a blessing He has been in my life MY PEERS You should also check out John Occhi - http://activerain.com/mrhemet John was new himself not too long ago. However, he has applied a tremendous amount of effort into learning, researching, and experimenting. He has documented his experiences on his blog. It provides a lot of insight from someone who was in your shoes, but was determined to learn the essentials. >>>>>>>>>>>>> John, >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hello John, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> John, YOU DID IT AGAIN! I keep following you around AR b/c I learn something from each of your post. Thank you for the email and keep up the good work here in AR. You continue to inspire me to offer more to our community. Ray Nellum, GRI
David Kyle, Realtor, e-Pro, SEO/SEM
Thank you for a very well written educational post! We wanted you to know that we have included this Blog Post in the Suggested Reading Guide for the Fraiche Aire RendezVous in Black & White.
Lola Audu
I've had the recent pleasure of watching some of your real estate investing videos through Google. As someone who has relatively little knowledge of real estate investing, I found your videos to be very helpful and hopefully practical in the near future. I'm a recent college grad who is looking to begin investing in real estate in the near future. At the end of your videos, you make reference to the reports that have inspired the videos. At your discretion, I would be pleased to have a copy of the written reports that you have available; the importance of your credit score, the finding the right mortgage broker, the loan, and the hard money lending reports in particular. Once again, thank you for the content you've posted. Keep up the good work. Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Michael H.
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MY CLIENTS
...We needed to hire not only a professional but the best there is out there. We decided to hire the John Occhi and the Excellence in Real Estate Team! We were amazed with their work: very professional, organized, knowledgeable, and honest! George and Samantha G. ~ San Jacinto CA
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John helped my as a first time homebuyer find my perfect home. He walked me through each process and was able to close on the home quickly. John has always been available for any questions I have. If I ever decide to sell, I would not even consider anyone but John to be my Realtor. ~ Gail R. San Jacinto CA
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My husband and I were going to be relocating to the Hemet area from Wyoming. We found John online. After contacting him and telling him what we were looking for, he was on it to say the least. After two months of looking by way of emails, pictures, phone, we put a house under contract without ever walking through it. Yes it was a bit scary, but the amount of confidence Shaun and I have had in John, made all of the difference. We closed on our house from Wyoming, and rolled into town two weeks later. The house was beautiful and all ready for us. I can say that having John and his Excellence in Real Estate Team handling this for us made this process and experience a truly Excellent one - thank you one and all. ~ Traci M. Hemet CA
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