Free Google 411 Service for Cell Phones

Here’s a number worth putting in your cell phone or your home phone speed dial: 1-800-GOOG-411.  Yes free 411 service!

This is an awesome service from Google, and it’s free — great when you are on the road.  Don’t waste your money on information calls, and don’t waste your time manually dialing the number.  I am driving along in my car; I need to call the golf course and I don’t know the number.  I hit the speed dial for information that I have programmed.

The voice at the other end says, “City & State.”  I say, ” Garland , Texas .”  He says, “Business, Name or Type of Service.”  I say, Firewheel Golf Course.”  He says, “Connecting” and Firewheel answers the phone.  How great is that?  This is nationwide and it is absolutely free!

Click on the link below and watch the short clip for a quick demonstration.
http://www.google.com/goog411

 

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with Investment properties, Homes For Sale, Relocations, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer’s Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short Sale Specialist. We use the service of a certified  Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.

DISASTER ADVICE FOR VETERAN HOMEOWNERS

 This bulletin is an excerpt form the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide information during major disasters. The information given below is primarily for homeowners whose loans are guaranteed by VA.

 Contact Your Mortgage Company

Contact your lender as soon as possible regarding your loss. You are not excused from making your regular monthly loan payments even if your home is not habitable. You should discuss forbearance or possible extension or modification of your loan if you are unable to make your payments on time. You should also have your lender explain procedures regarding insurance loss checks and repairs to your property, payment to contractors, etc.

 

Contact Your Insurance Company or Agent

File insurance loss claims as soon as possible. However, do not make a hasty settlement on insurance. When the property is damaged but repairable, attempt to get the engineer’s office of your local government to make an inspection for structural damage. If possible, get at least two estimates from licensed contractors for cost of repairs or rebuilding. Insurance checks for personal property and living expenses should be made payable to you only. Checks for damage to your home should be made payable to you and your mortgage company.

 

Contact FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

You begin the disaster application process by calling FEMA’s toll free number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. In order to receive the maximum assistance, you must register with FEMA before their deadline expires. You cannot obtain assistance for uninsured losses or damages to your home from the Small Business Administration (SBA) or any other disaster recovery agency if you have not registered with FEMA. More information can be found at the FEMA website, www.fema.gov. Be sure to check every source for maximum assistance including the SBA. Do not pay your loan in full before checking with SBA on a loan for the uninsured portion of your loss. Low interest loans, cash grants, and housing assistance may be available from agencies associated with the disaster recovery effort.

 

Check Other Sources of Help

Veterans should contact local offices of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), or other veterans organizations to see if special assistance may be available, even to non-members of the organization.

 

Change your Address

If you are receiving a monthly benefit check from VA or another source, and you will not be able to receive mail at your regular address, notify your local post office and VA Regional Office of your change of address. For information on VA benefits other than home loans, call 1-877-827-3702. For more info Click Here

 

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with Investment properties, Homes For Sale, Relocations, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer’s Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short Sale Specialist. We use the service of a certified  Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.

 

 

 

 

 

VA Business Programs for Veterans

An estimated 3 million American veterans own their own businesses. Most could benefit from VA’s enterprising veteran support services.

 

Services

VA offers:

·     A toll-free call center (1-866-584-2344), where veterans, military personnel or their family members can talk one-on-one with a business coach about how to start or expand a business;

·     Information on business management, financing and marketing, as well as small-business conferences and business training opportunities;

·     Information about legislation affecting veteran-owned business, including existing laws that require federal agencies to increase business opportunities for veterans by setting aside a certain portion of their purchasing dollars for veterans and service-disabled veterans;

·     Inclusion in a veterans business database for exposure to both commercial and government business, plus recognition as a verified veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small business.

 

A Web site – www.VetBiz.gov – has information on starting a business and entering the federal marketplace.  This site is linked to Vendor Information Pages (VIP), a free, online database of veteran business owners.  The VIP is used by federal procurement employees and federal contractors to locate veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.  Another database lists local, state and national sources of assistance for businesses.

For more information Click Here.

 

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with First Time Buyers, Vets and Active Military, Investment properties, Homes For Sale, Relocations, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer’s Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short Sale Specialist. We use the service of a certified  Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.

 

 

VA Mortgage Options for those in Financial Distress

Enhanced VA Mortgage Options Now Available for Veterans Of Potential Benefit to Those in Financial Distress

 Veterans with conventional home loans now have new options for refinancing to a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guaranteed home loan. These new options are available as a result of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, which the President signed into law on October 10, 2008.

 

“These changes will allow VA to assist a substantial number of veterans with subprime mortgages refinance into a safer, more affordable, VA guaranteed loan,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “Veterans in financial distress due to high rate subprime mortgages are potentially the greatest beneficiaries.”

 VA has never guaranteed subprime loans. However, as a result of the new law VA can now help many more vets who currently have subprime loans.

The new law makes changes to VA’s home loan refinancing program. Veterans who wish to refinance their subprime or conventional mortgage may now do so for up to 100 percent of the value of the property. These types of loans were previously limited to 90 percent of the value.

 Additionally, Congress raised VA’s maximum loan amount for these types of refinancing loans. Previously, these refinancing loans were capped at $144,000. With the new legislation, such loans may be made up to $729,750 depending on where the property is located.

 Increasing the loan-to-value ratio and raising the maximum loan amount will allow more qualified veterans to refinance through VA, allowing for savings on interest costs or even potentially avoiding foreclosure.

 For more information, or to obtain help from a VA Loan Specialist, veterans may call VA at 1-877-827-3702 or visit www.homeloans.va.gov.

 

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with First time home buyers, Vets and Active Military, Investment properties, Homes For Sale, Relocations, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer’s Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short Sale Specialist. We use the service of a certified  Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

VA Reaching Out to Vets with Mortgage Problems

 “VA is reaching out to veterans — both those who use the VA’s home-loan guaranty program and those who don’t take advantage of the guaranties — to keep people in their homes,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “I’m proud of our solid record of success in helping veterans and active-duty personnel deal with financial crises.”

 

According to the VA website, VA Counselors can assist other veterans with financial problems.  Counselors have helped about 74,000 veterans, active-duty members and survivors keep their homes since 2000, a savings to the government of nearly $1.5 billion.

 Depending on a veteran’s circumstances, VA can intercede with the borrower on the veteran’s behalf to pursue options — such as repayment plans, forbearance, and loan modifications — that would allow a veteran to keep a home.

 

To obtain help from a VA financial counselor, veterans can call VA toll-free at 1-877-827-3702.  Information about VA’s home loan guaranty program can be obtained at www.homeloans.va.gov.

 

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with Your First time Home, Investment properties, Homes For Sale, Relocations, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer’s Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short Sale Specialist. We use the service of a certified  Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.

 

 

 

 

Making home more afforable program

Act now to get the help you need through the Making Home Affordable Program. This part of the President’s Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan was created to help millions of homeowners refinance or modify their mortgages to a payment that is affordable, both now and in the future. 

If you can no longer afford to make your monthly loan payments, you may qualify for a loan modification to make your monthly mortgage payment more affordable.

 

Millions of borrowers who are current, but having difficulty making their payments and borrowers who have already missed one or more payments may be eligible.

 

Am I eligible for a Home Affordable Modification?

 

Answer these questions:

1. Is your home your primary residence?
2. Is the amount you owe on your first mortgage equal to or less than $729,750?
3. Are you having trouble paying your mortgage?

For example, have you had a significant increase in your   mortgage payment OR reduction in your income since you got your current loan OR have you suffered a hardship that has increased your expenses (like medical bills)?

1. Did you get your current mortgage before January 1, 2009?
2. Is your payment on your first mortgage (including principal, interest, taxes, insurance and homeowner’s association dues, if applicable) more than 31% of your current gross income?

                        Note: if you are uncertain, click here to determine

 

If you have answered yes to all of these questions, you may qualify for a loan modification program.  Only the servicer of your loan can tell you if you qualify. To qualify, you will generally need to show that you have adequate income to make the reduced payments on an ongoing basis and that modification is an appropriate option given the characteristics of your mortgage and the value of your home.

The next step is to gather the information you will need when you speak to a housing counselor or the servicer of your mortgage.  The number should be on your statement.

 

This includes:

 

CHECKLIST

 

1. Information about the monthly gross (before tax) income of your household, including recent pay stubs if you receive them or documentation of income you receive from other sources.
2. Your most recent income tax return.
3. Information about your savings and other assets
4. Information about your first mortgage, such as your monthly mortgage statement.
5. Information about any second mortgage or home equity line of credit on the house. 
6.  Account balances and minimum monthly payments due on all of your credit cards.
7. Account balances and monthly payments on all your other debts such as student loans and car loans.
8. A letter describing any circumstances that caused your income to be reduced or expenses to be increased (job loss, divorce, illness, etc.) if applicable. 

For more click here.

 

Helping homeowners in the Sacramento area with their Real Estate needs.

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with Investment properties, Homes For Sale, Relocations, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer’s Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short Sale Specialist. We use the service of a certified  Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.

 

 

 

Home ownership becoming more appealing than renting

Rent versus own- that is the question…

Declining home prices are helping to close the gap between the costs of renting versus the cost of owning a home, making homeownership more appealing and affordable in many metropolitan markets.

 

·      Historically, after-tax mortgage payments have averaged 26 percent more than rent payments, according to Greet Street Advisors.  At the peak of the current real estate cycle, mortgage payments reached as high as 66 percent more than rent payments.  However, by the end of 2008, mortgage payments averaged just 24 percent more than rent payments, the narrowest gap since 2001.

 

·      In Los Angeles, mortgage payments averaged 60 percent more than rent payments between 1990 and 2008, but have since fallen to only 30 percent more than rent payments.

 

·      Some economists predict mortgage rates could fall to 4.5 percent, which could push mortgage payments to an average of 14 percent more than rent payments, a level last reached in 1998.

 

·      In some markets, well-qualified home buyers are finding that they can pay less for a mortgage payment than they spend on rent.

 

·      Although mortgage payments in some areas may be slightly higher than rent payments, the long-term benefits of homeownership outweigh the costs.  Homeowners can deduct the interest they pay annually on their mortgage.

 

·      Additionally, homeowners can build up equity in their homes over the long term. Historically, homeowners who remain in their homes for at least five years have an average annual rate of return of nearly 12 percent.

 

·      Unlike rent payments, a mortgage can be paid off, enabling the homeowner to live in a house free and clear.

 

To read the full story, please click here

 For more articles:

New Home Buyer Fence Sitters may Lose out to Market

Snag a Deal on a Short Sale

Questions on the 8,000 Federal Tax Credit

 

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with Investment properties, Homes For Sale, Relocations, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer’s Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short Sale Specialist. We use the service of a certified  Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.

 

 

 

 

 

Qualifications tightend as mortgage interest rates lower

Mortgage rates are near historic lows, spurring an increase in mortgage applications and applications to refinance.  However, most financial institutions have tightened their loan underwriting standards, making it more difficult for home buyers to qualify for the best rates.  In many cases, borrowers must issue a down payment of at least 20 percent; borrow $729,750 or less; have a credit score of at least 720; carry low debt relative to reliable income; buy in an area where home prices are relatively stable; and use a community bank rather than a national bank, to qualify for the best rates.
 

·      Most of the risky loan packages, such as “stated income” loans, where borrowers were not required to document their income, and option adjustable-rate mortgages, where consumers could choose to pay less than the interest due, are no longer available.  Some financial institutions offer interest-only loans, but they can be quite costly.

 

·      The majority of today’s mortgage loans are through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).  Combined, the government sector accounts for 87 percent of mortgages.  Purely private financing is rare.

 

·      The government entities purchase and/or guarantee loans up to a certain limit.  In high-cost areas, such as most areas of California, the conforming loan limit is $729,750.  The best interest rates are offered on conforming loans.  Jumbo loans – those that exceed $729,750 – are more expensive and can cost a quarter-point to a full percentage point more.

 

·      Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also have added a quarter-point “adverse market delivery charge” due to declining home prices.  They also have instituted “risk-based pricing,” which raises fees on borrowers with credit scores of less than 720.  Borrowers purchasing a condominium and putting down less than 15 percent also will pay more for a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan.

 

·      Borrowers with a down payment of less than 20 percent also are required to take out private mortgage insurance.  Premiums have increased in most parts of the country, including California.

 

·      Consumers without a 20 percent down payment may be eligible for a mortgage loan through the FHA, which accepts down payments as low as 3.5 percent.  The FHA charges an upfront mortgage insurance premium of 1.75 percent, which can be added to the loan, in addition to a monthly premium.

 

·      Although rare, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture offer loans in rural areas with no down payment or mortgage insurance requirements.

 

To read the full story, please click here

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with Investment properties, Homes For Sale, Relocations, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer’s Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short Sale Specialist. We use the service of a certified  Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.

 

 

Questions on the $8000 Fed Tax Credit?

Confused about tax credits

Confused about the qualifications for the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time home buyers?  Need help understanding the differences between the $7,500 tax credit signed into law last year, and the $8,000 tax credit added this year?

 

Well here’s the scoop plain and simple~

 First-time home buyers – those who have not owned a principal residence for three or more years – received two tax credits over the last two years.  One was passed and signed into law in 2008, the other in 2009.

 ·      The 2008 credit is a tax credit for first-time home buyers who purchased a house between April 8 and Dec. 31, 2008.  The home buyer may claim 10 percent of the home’s purchase price, as a credit, capped at $7,500.  Although called a “tax credit,” this homeowner benefit actually is a 15-year interest-free loan, which must be paid back in equal installments over a 15-year period.

 ·      The 2009 credit is for 10 percent of the home’s purchase price, capped at $8,000.  This credit is for first-time home buyers who purchase a house between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30 of this year.  The $8,000 tax credit does not have to be repaid.

 

·      In both cases, the home buyer may choose to claim the tax credit on either the 2008 or 2009 federal tax return.

 

·      The tax credits are offered on a sliding scale, based on income.  Individuals with annual incomes of $75,000 or less may be eligible for the full amount of the tax credit.  Married couples filing jointly must earn less than $150,000 to qualify for the full amount.  Individuals earning between $75,000 and $95,000, and married couples filing jointly who earn between $150,000 and $170,000, may be eligible for a smaller portion of the tax credit, but not the full amount.  The tax credit is not available to individuals who earn more than $95,000 or married couples filing jointing who earn more than $170,000.

 

·      Nonresident aliens, homes outside of the United States, and homes inherited, gifted, or acquired from a relative are exempt from the tax credits.

 

To read the full story, please click here

 

The Home Team Girls Realtors® Real Estate Team helping you with Investment properties, Homes For Sale, Relocations, Seller Strategies, Certified Buyer’s Agent, Bank Foreclosure Specialist, Short Sale Specialist. We use the service of a certified  Home Stager on all of our listings. For Roseville and Sacramento Realtor Services call on the Home Team Girls.