FHA’s 203k Loan is Great for Consumer’s

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Real estate News

Dealing with today’s Real Estate inventory can be challenging what with quite a few more bank repo’s out there. Some of these properties are in dire need of remodeling but are great deals. Most consumers do not have extra cash though to “rehab” these properties and some will not even finance at the state they are in. This is where the 203k loan comes into play. You can purchase a home close on it then get the money needed to fix it up all from the original loan. There are basically a couple of different kinds of 203k loans one for “minor’ or non-structural  repairs and one for more “heavier” repairs like fixing foundations, moving wall, etc.

With the “minor” repair loan you can receive up to $35,000.00 above the purchase price to improve the property which in some cases gets the house up to a “livable” state. We are seeing more and more properties that are in need of these types of repairs and is really the only way to get these properties sold.

The process is fairly simple but you will want to find a lender that knows what they are doing. After you locate a property and go through the paperwork process between you and the bank you then go through the loan application process beginning that process. Then you will need to get your contractor out to the property to go over the items that need fixing and get an estimate for these repairs. Then submit that to your lender which in tune will review and use that list to get the appraiser to review and inspect for the bank. After that is complete the loan package can be submitted, approved (hopefully) and then onto closing. After the property is in your name the repairs can begin and you will get the additional funds from the lender to pay for them. After that move in!

To take advantage of this lending product give me  a call and we can review your goals and look for that special property that fits your needs. I look forward to talking with you soon. Bob

Toyota CEO “I am Deeply Sorry”

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National News

Can you believe this one? It is estimated that the Toyota recall has risen to nine million vehicles world-wide, WOW! The once known for quality automobile maker is now struggling to save any resemblance of that label. Akio Toyoda, grandson of the founder was interviewed by the Japanese   network NHT as he was coming out of his hotel in Davos Switzerland and he apologized to their customers for this huge problem. After the interview he was seen leaving in a black Audi, which is always the case it seems isn’t it?

The issue now is that Toyota is getting back press from both customers and dealers for them not getting parts to those dealers so that they can fix the cars that customers are flooding the dealerships with. I imagine that is creating quite a problem for everyone! Toyota wants to get them to the factory that makes the gas pedal systems so that they can get new cars off the line with the safe pedal systems and then I guess get the parts to the dealers.

The company is awaiting federal government approval of a redesigned accelerator pedal that is being produced by its supplier, CTS, and has already been shipped to some of its factories, according to CTS.

I can also imagine that for Toyota it is an extremely complex issue to solve not to mention a costly one! For those of you who own the vehicles in question please be careful out there!!

Economy May be Humming, But Can it Last?

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National News, National Politics

Despite Predicted 4.5% Growth at End of 2009, Analysts Worry Forward Momentum May Fade with Gov’t Stimulus

 In a CBS news article they are saying that the economy may have grown at the end of last year for maybe the second straight quarter and possibly at the fastest pace in nearly four years?

 They ask the question has the recession ended. Some economists are saying yes but the ones that count officially are staying quiet.

We know that the economy has been “juiced” by the stimulus money so when that dries up where will we be? In fact will we even fell the effects of that when it happens or a few months later when we are behind the curve yet again?

They say that the housing market is creeping back and that was the cause of the recession in the first place. I have heard from some new home sales leaders in the Northwest that sales have picked up. Is that due to the spring market springing early this year or the fact that people are really out there ready to buy? I think a little of both which is easy to say but I have seen this type of behavior before. The buying cycles are real and affect the market and the economy.

In addition some markets like the Columbia River Gorge have too many home sites developed for the market to adequately absorb them in a timely manner. That creates stalling in the minds of buyers as they have no urgency to purchase, no fear of losing that “home site” to another.

It will take quite some time for this economy to crawl out of the hole it is in and that may be a few years? We need to be prepared for that and if you are in the market to buy  most anything you may find many compelling “deals” out there that you just can’t  pass up!

JD Salinger’s secret safe: Still safe

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National News

I heard that JD Salinger passed away the other day at the age of 91. I only recognize the name from hearing it over the years and of course being the creator of the novel “The Catcher in the Rye”. I came across a piece on a Fox News web site that interested me so I thought that I would share.

This article told of a secret safe and that got me to read on… I discovered that the famous writer was quite a recluse and had not published anything since 1965. He must have made quite a bundle on “Catcher” because it sounds like he lived on an Estate in New Hampshire which sounds ritzy to me?

Anyway the story was about the safe and whether he had stowed away writings or maybe a novel masterpiece that got the literary world buzzing. They interviewed cronies and the son and daughter about the safe’s contents but you get different answers from each. So nobody seems to know what is in there and won’t until they open it.

“There is a marvelous peace in not publishing,” J.D. Salinger told The New York Times in 1974. “Publishing is a terrible invasion of my privacy. I like to write. I love to write. But I write just for myself and my own pleasure.”

I guess that having enough money enables one to be able to live that statement?

Obama’s State of the Union Address

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National Politics

The Economy
President Obama began his address talking about jobs. He said that jobs must be our number one priority in 2010. He proposed using the $30 Billion paid back by the bank bailouts to give to community banks so that they in turn can loan to small business to help them weather this economic storm. 

The President also stated that the Recovery Act saved 2 million Americans from unemployment by the creation of jobs in the new construction and clean energy fields and by the end of 2010 we would be adding another one and one half million jobs.

Another point was that he cut taxes in 2009 for 95% of working families.

Also Obama announced a goal of doubling exports over the next 5 years which should equate to about 2 million jobs.

Education
With this statement – “because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they chose to go to college” Obama said that we need to invest “in the skills and education of our people” and to back that up he proposed a $10,000 tax credit to families paying for four years of college. Obama also wants to increase Pell Grants that assist lower income college students.

In addition, the president proposed requiring graduating students to pay only 10% of their income on student loans, and forgiving their debt after 20 years – 10 years if they chose a career in public service.

Clean Energy
Obama challenged congress to provide incentives for energy efficiency and clean energy by saying – “the nation that leads the clean energy economy will lead the global economy”.

He wants a new generation “safe” clean nuclear power plants, opening offshore areas for oil and gas exploration, continued investments in biofuels and clean coal technologies.

Health Care
Obama said that his administration’s proposal would protect Americans from the insurance industry, provide small business and uninsured Americans with affordable plans and cover preventative care. He urged congress to not walk away from reform and further joked that “by now it should be fairly obvious that I didn’t take on health care because it was good politics”.

Trust
The president stated that there was a “deficit of trust” on both side of Pennsylvania Avenue and we need an action to reduce the influence of lobbyist in Washington. He also announced that he would begin monthly meetings with both Democrat and Republican leadership to keep the communication flowing on the hill.

Security
Obama spoke of having all our combat troops out f Iraq by the end of August. On Afghanistan he stated his hope that the transition of duties to the Afghan Security Forces will begin by July 2011, allowing US troops to begin coming home.

Obama also warned Iran it would face “growing consequences” if it continues to violate international agreements in pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Don’t ask, don’t tell
The president said that he will work with Congress and the military to repeal “the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are.