You are browsing the archive for January 2010.
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
Escrow-Who Does What in the process? Whether you are a Buyer or a Seller, the purchase or sale of a home in California goes through Escrow. Escrow is the process of transferring property from one party to 
another. In this process, each party will have items in which they are responsible for.
Escrow Company Responsibility:
Seller Responsibility:
Buyer Responsibility:
Lender Responsibility:
No matter what your role is in the process, make sure your responsibilities are completed in a timely manner. This will ensure the Escrow process can remain on track for your closing date. If you have questions about what you need to do, make sure you talk to your agent or Escrow Officer! Everyone is working toward the same goal; Closing the deal!
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
East County Job Fair 2010
It has been a tough few years for Californians. With the unemployment rate for San Diego County at 10.1% as of December 2009, many of our friends and family have felt these numbers first hand. Not only does someone we know need work, many are struggling to keep their heads above water. Salary cuts and 
work share programs have been felt throughout the county.
Whether you are looking for a new job or a 2nd job, check out the East County Job Fair. On February 19, 2010, Congressman Duncan Hunter will be hosting a Community Job Fair at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon. This event is sponsored by the East County Career Center and will be from 9 am to 12 pm.
At the Job Fair you will meet with many local companies that will be present taking applications, speaking to applicants and get hired! Here are some tips to prepare yourself for the Job Fair:
Some of the companies that will be attending the East County Job Fairare The City of San Diego, Coca Cola, Cox Communications, FBI, Hyatt Regency, Metlife, New Car Dealers Association, San Diego Police Department, Sears, UCSD, Viejas and XL Staffing and Security. You can see a complete list of employers that will be present here.
You will have the opportunity to complete applications, talk to company representatives and network! If you would like to participate in the East County Job Fair, you may register for the event at the Congressman’s Website. Don’t be afraid to ask for the job! Good Luck in your hunt for a new career at the East County Job Fair!
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
On January 21, 2010 FHA announced one of the many policy changes that will affect home buyers. How will these changes affect you? Let’s take a moment to review.
In the mortgagee letter released on January 21, the first change to be implemented will be the increase of the Upfront Mortgage Insurance premium from 1.75% to 2.25%. This will affect any loan application with an FHA Case Number issued on April 5, 2010 or after. This increase in mortgage insurance premiums has 
been set in place to cushion against rising defaults on FHA insured loans. This money will enable the department to increase their reserves while protecting taxpayers from another bailout of a failing agency.
The amount of the Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium will still be financed into the loan amount, however, it will increase the monthly payments as the amount borrowed will increase. This will have a small affect on qualifying. For example, on a $250,000 loan, currently the Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium would be $4375 and after April 5 would increase to $5625.
Additionally, FHA has announced there will be changes which will be implemented by summer on the following items. The mortgagee letter clarifying the changes has not yet been released, but is expected in February.
In addition to these changes, FHA has placed stricter requirements on Lenders making FHA loans to ensure that Lenders are making good credit decisions. FHA will monitor the default rates of loans originated by approved lenders and if the lender is exceeding default limits, their FHA approval will be revoked.
All in all, how will these changes affect you? The increase in Mortgage Insurance and proposed change in MMI will have a small impact on qualifying due to a minimal increase in payment. The seller concessions decreasing will affect the ability to negotiate the payment of closing costs by the seller, but in the big picture, it will also protect the consumer from inflated home values, as usually the concessions were worked into the purchase price of the home.
The good news is most of these changes are a bit in the future! In order to take advantage of the tax credit, you must be in contract before April 30th and close no later than June 30th 2010. So avoid all of the changes, take advantage of the tax credit and find your dream home today!
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
One of the first steps in the home buying process is chosing a lender and getting prequalified for a motgage loan. The lender will ask you for your family income, the money you have available for a down payment, closing costs and cash after closing. They will review your credit report and any outstanding debts you may have and they will help you determine the amount you can afford for a monthly payment of principal and interest along with taxes, insurance, and possibly mortgage insurance. By determining this upfront, you will be in a better position to chose the home of your dreams.
There are many options to consider when choosing a lender and choosing a loan.
It is important to chose a lender that understands your needs, will listen to your concerns and treat your money as you would. You have worked long and hard to get to this important time in your life and your lender must respect and honor your hard work and dedication in achieving your goals. With the recent turmoil in the housing market, it may seem as though there is no one left, or no one to trust. Not so! So where do you start? I can provide you with many referrals as well may your friends and family. You may also want to consider where you have your checking or savings accounts; which may be a bank or credit union.
There are a few different options you have available to you in the way of financing. There are low down payment loans, no down payment loans and loans that will require you to put money down. Chosing a lender to advise you as to the best loan available for your situation will start you on the road to your new home!
Chosing a lender is an important part of the home buying process. Take a look at my post on The Importance of A Good Lender to help you in making an informed decision. Make the Home of Your Dreams a Reality today! Chosing a lender is good first step!
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
Looking for money? Well of COURSE Stephanie, who ISN’T looking for money? Well, if you are a California Home Buyer looking for money to assist with down payment or closing costs, you are in luck! There is money available for you!
The National Homebuyer’s Fund Inc. has put together a program for California residents to assist buyers in purchasing a home by providing money that may be used for a down payment and closing costs. This 
program is called ACCESS.
Check out the highlights:
Here you thought you could not own a home because you have no money! Well, stop looking for money! The ACCESS program may be just the thing you have been looking for if you have been looking for money!
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
Owning property in Mexico may be something you have considered. With all of the beauty, fishing, golf and surfing we Southern Californians enjoy in Mexico, the idea of owning property in Mexico just makes sense.
Thanks to Thomas Lloyd we are being given many opportunities to learn the requirements and nuances that owning property in Mexico bring about.
U.S. taxpayers are required to file certain reports with the U.S. government if they own property in Mexico, have a business in the country, or are shareholders in Mexican corporations Uncle Sam, U.S. tax watchdog, has instituted a voluntary disclosure program for those people who may have omitted reporting in the past. This program is designed to limit penalties that may be imposed on those U.S. taxpayers who have failed to make the required declarations previously.
A tax specialist, familiar with the law and reporting requirements in both the U.S. and Mexico can provide details. However, the most common issues that need to be addressed are the following:
Property owned in a Mexico Bank trust (fideicomiso): Under Mexican law, any residential property located in therestricted zone when foreigners are involved, must be placed in a Mexican bank trust, fideicomiso. Therestricted zone is an area 50 kilometers (approximately 30 miles) wide along all the Mexico real estate coastlines and 100 kilometers (approximately 60 miles) from the Mexico U.S. and Mexico-Belize borders
Under the U.S. regulation section 6048 (b) Taxpayers must report ownership interest on Form 3520-A yearly and on form 3520 initially and if there are any changes The penalty for failing to file these information returns is five percent of the gross value of trust assets determined to be owned by the U.S. taxpayer.
Bank and Financial Accounts: U.S. taxpayers must annually report direct or indirect financial interest in a financial account that is maintained with a financial institution located in a foreign country if, for any calendar year, the aggregate value of all foreign accounts exceeded $10,000.00 USD at any time during the year. This report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts is commonly known as an FBAR, and the penalty can be as high as the greater of $100,000. USD or 50% of the total balance of the foreign account if the failure is deliberate omission (Sec.31 U.S.C. 5321(a)(5) Nonwillful violations are subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000.00 USD.
Shares of Stock or Interests in Mexican Corporations and/or partnerships: Generally shareholders or partners with a 10% or greater interest in the partnership or corporation must inform the IRS of same through Forms 5471 or 8865 Failure to file can be quite costly.
As in most countries the U.S. tax regulations are complicated, especially when dealing with properties or assets located outside the United States. Accountants, tax advisors and tax preparers do not always know the rules regarding filings for international assets nor the ramifications of failure to file. For this reason it is highly important that the US taxpayer consult with experts in these bi-national transactions.
TAX OBLIGATIONS IN MEXICO:
Any foreigner with real property or business income in Mexico must also plan to pay taxes in Mexico. The good news! When paid with the proper receipts, certain of these taxes can become a CREDIT or a DEDUCTION in the country of tax residence!
For example:
Mexico Property Taxes: Whether in the La Paz real estate market, in Cancun, or in Huatulco, taxes are due and payable every two months, or can be paid in one annual payment, usually with a substantial discount, during the first two months of each calendar year Property taxes are based upon the value declared by the property tax office where the property is located and are generally relatively low in comparison with rates in the U.S. and Canada.
On-going taxes on business income: If you have a Mexican corporation or partnership, no matter what the activity, a monthly declaration must be filed for IVA taxes (Added Value Taxes) and for Impuesto Sobre La Renta which, in this case, is more like an income tax. A local Mexican accountant should be hired to review the accounting procedures and to prepare and file the monthly declarations. The monthly tax payments are generally considered as provisional and an annual declaration will show either a refund or a payment due These taxes can also be a credit or a deductible expense in a home country, depending upon how the companies are established. An attorney-accountant with international expertise in this will be an important advisor to help avoid double taxation on profits.
Impuesto Sobre La Renta when a property is sold: is a capital gains type of tax. For foreigners who are tax residents of another country, the tax is calculated in two ways:
1. It is a flat amount of the total selling price; without deductions, or
2. It is a percentage of the difference between selling price and the tax basis shown in the seller s deed, less allowable deductions.
The Notary Public should also provide the seller with a copy of the tax payment for use with the tax authorities in seller s tax residence country.
Impuesto Sobre La Renta when income is received from a rental of Mexican property:
All income received from Mexican property is taxable in Mexico, regardless of the nationality of the owner Thus, the US or Canadian citizen who rents a condominium or home regularly, or occasionally, through a property manager or via internet, is obligated to file declarations MONTHLY. Failure to declare income can cause very high penalties. The good news taxes paid are credits or deductions in taxpayer s home country.
“Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely!”
Thomas Lloyd, graduated from Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a degree in Management/Financial Option Investments. He has been living, investing, and working professionally in Mexico for over 15 years. Mexico
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
Last year I worked with a military family that really struggled to get an offer accepted. With every offer we made, they were just not the offer sellers were looking for. Too many cash buyers or conventional financing were a little more desirable than 100% financing on a VA loan. Even though we wrote offers 
above asking price (when value allowed) and closing costs to be covered by the lender. It was quite a struggle.
We looked at everything. From dumps to beauties, some in areas they did not really want to live. I really went to bat for them on every deal. I loved these guys and wanted them in a home! As did they! FINALLY we found a corporate owned home, the day it went on the market and we made a really good offer! IT WAS ACCEPTED! We closed in less than 30 days and voila! They had their new home!
They were so excited and immediately went to work on making it home. It needed a little work, but they were both willing to put their hands, their friends hands and their families hands to work for them! New paint inside (although it had just been painted!) new appliances, new couch and all! (Hey, one of the 
benefits of being in the military is the commisarry!)
Throughout the process, I have been kept in the loop. Updates regularly of what they have done, what they were going to do next. It is soooo rewarding to have helped this family find this house and be a part of the transformation from house to home.
I received a call yesterday from The Happy Homeowners asking me to come see the (mostly) completed transormation. Of course, I drove over, pulled in front of a totally different, beautiful home! From the new exterior paint, new window trim, new garage door and opener to the amazing interior changes, I was so excited for them! The joy and pride of showing me their home reminded me why I do this! I love my job! 
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
Storm Watch San Diego. Not something we are used to hearing in America’s Finest City. When our average temperature is 70 and Sunny, hearing that we are in for the worst weather in years takes us by surprise!
This morning the National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Watch for Southwestern California. Beginning Monday, we are expected to see up to 15 to 25 inches of rain and snow in the 
mountain areas and wind gusts up to 60 mph in our inland valleys. The snow level will drop from 7000 feet Monday to as low as 5500 feet by Thursday.
With this type of downpour expected, please watch for hazards throughout the county. With the areas struck by wild fires being the most dangerous. We are likely to see flash floods and dangerous mud flows during this time.
Remember to drive safely in this weather and to avoid driving through the flooding streets, especially in Mission Valley! It never fails someone gets stuck 
there! Prepare your property for the storm by taking advantage of the county’s free sand bagsthat will help prevent damage to your property from the erosion and excess water.
If you find yourself in a bad situation during this storm and do not know where to turn, don’t forget about the great resource of 211 San Diego. Just dial 211 from any phone and you will speak to a specialist trained to assess your situation and connect you with the correct agency to help your specific situation. During a disaster, 211 San Diego is a great resource for San Diegans in need. They work directly with the County of San Diego’s Office of Emergency Services to provide information to our community. You can also see them on the web at www.211sandiego.org
Stay dry, but more importantly, Stay Safe!
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
January 14, 2010. A very sad day in the Reynolds household. Our dear friend Shadow who has been with us for 14 years passed away this morning. She was surrounded by her family who loved her dearly. Knowing she was about to take her last breath I hoped in my heart that she knew how much I loved her.
The love of a good dog is an amazing gift. I am honored to have had the friendship of this “Poochie Momma” for as long as I have. She loved us all unconditionally. She appreciated the quiet times and reveled in the good! She loved to camp and chase the pool cleaner. She always listened when I talked and most times agreed that I was right. (Now if everyone in my household could take a lesson from this queen!) Wherever I was, so was my Poochie Momma. She followed me like my Shadow. She really was the best friend a girl could ask for. She will be deeply, deeply, deeply missed.
Be nice to those kitties in heaven girl. Give Biz a kiss for me too. Please know that I loved you with all of my heart. 
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
As the days go by since the tradgedy in Haiti, it is evident they are in need of a great deal of assistance. Marti Garaughty has put together a great list of quick, easy ways to donate. Thanks Marti.
Hi guys, this morning I received an email from a friend who wanted to organize something to help out with the awful earthquake disaster in Haiti.
Rather than doing something small and on our own, I decided to check out the news feeds, Twitter, etc. and sure enough there were a ton of great ideas already put together so I thought my time would be better spent and hopefully more effective contributing $ and spreading the word.
I know most of you have blogs, websites & social media profiles so if you’d like to help out, here are a few links & resources that you can share with your own readers & community.
The CBS News website has a huge list of reputable organizations and charities that are offering aid to Haiti.
Or… you can make a donation of $5 by texting YELE to 501501 and on their website http://Yele.org
The Red Cross
You can also donate $10 to the Red Cross by texting “HAITI” to 90999. There is more info on the Red Cross website here
I know there are a ton of people & organizations putting relief efforts together to help so feel free to add your ideas, links and resources below. Thx guys…
To save you time, here are some of my favorite resources that I found on the web this week. Unless otherwise indicated, these are all freebies!
This seems timely & appropriate. Browse For A Cause is a FireFox add-on that donates to charity when you shop online.
Voice-enable your blog and boost your audience with Odiogo
Vidrollr is a slick new way to share thoughts and get people talking within your branded environment.
What Matters Now… a new, free ebook by Seth Godin & friends…
Now, more than ever, we need to shake things up. Download Here
Is this the web’s most beautiful To Do list??? TeuxDeux.com
Finding all the cool, useful stuff on the web can be a major pain. Here are some of my favorite reads from the past few days/weeks.
If I Were a Realtor by Chris Brogan
If I were a realtor looking to use social media for my business I’d… read
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Agent or No Agent? by Harvey Araton
Are real estate brokers — like travel agents and other middlemen coping with the increasingly digital culture — in danger of becoming expensive anachronisms? It is only logical that as people feel more empowered based on their access to information and their ability to connect without help, they are at least questioning the wisdom of the conventional way of buying and selling a home. read…
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The Pervasiveness Of Google by Alex Wilhelm
There it was, my little plane, stuck on the At least we got free waters. But as I glanced up to the corner of the map, what did I spy? Why a small Google logo, as if that was a surprise.
And then it came to me, Google owns me. Between Wave, Gmail, Search, Calendars, Docs, Reader, News, Trends Adsense, Adwords, and a dozen other services, I am their, well, bitch. read…
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Nobody Has A Million Twitter Followers by Anil Dash
I had about 18,000 followers of my own back in October, when I got added to the suggested user list. If I’d have continued my normal rate of growth, i’d have about 25,000 followers today, but thanks to being on the list, I’ve got close to 300,000 followers. Surprisingly though, I only get as many retweets and replies as I’d get with my organic number of followers. read…
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Facebook is the new Compuserve by Matt Asay
People rightly fret about Facebook’s twisting, turning approach to privacy, but perhaps a far greater concern is that so much great content is locked up at all. read…
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If you have ??? about marketing YOU, blog design/graphics or building web presence, let me know and I’ll try to answer them in a future post!
If you’d like to participate in any of our upcoming marketing partnerships or to stay on top of all the new graphic goodies we’ll be giving away . . .
You can also connect with me at…
For more info about how we can help you stand out from the crowd, contact GiselleStCyr@garaughty.com
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
“If you feel that Life isn’t giving you what you want in your world, then it’s certain that you will never have the goodies that Life gives to others. A positive affirmation opens the door.”- Louise L. Hay
“I am in the process of positive change. I am unfolding in fulfilling ways. Only good can come to me. I now express health, happiness, prosperity, and peace of mind.” – Louise L. Hay
Take the time every morning or evening to affirm your goodness! You will be surprised at the changes you will begin to see with onlky a few minutes every day!
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
Loan Modification is not always as it Appears! I was so surprised last week when I received a call from a friend of mine regarding her mother’s trying times. As a senior who is self employed, the economy, health and family issues have created a difficult financial situation.
Mom has been living in this home for over 30 years. She has raised her children, started a business and is now helping raise her grandchildren in this home. Unfortunately, with the market changes, she has 
negative equity in the home. Recently Mom has had to have surgery which has caused her to be unable to work. One of her children has moved into to help with the monthly bills and her recovery but is still struggling to make the mortgage payments. Sounds like Mom is a perfect candidate for a Loan Modification!
For many months Mom has been making partial payments and the lender has been accepting them! Mom received a call from the lender last week stating don’t bother to make any more payments, we are starting the foreclosure process. WHAT? No Loan Modification attempt? They asked about Loan Modification and were told they do not qualify. But why? You do not meet the guidelines. With more prodding and pushing this is the only answer they were able to get.
Confused, they called to find out what more they can do. We determined that the loan on the property is not currently serviced by FNMA or FHLMC which are the servicers that are required to participate in the Home Affordable Modification Program. (HAMP) Most other servicers are participating, however, see the Making Home Affordable Website for numbers to call to find out if the servicer is currently participating.
With that information in hand, Mom contacted a free HUD-approved housing counselor to see if she would still be able to qualify for the HAMP. After meeting with the HUD counselor, Mom found out the 2nd that she has on the property is not showing on her credit report and the debt is not being counted against her 
income! So it currently looks like she has $100,000 of equity in the property that is not really there, and a hefty payment that is not currently being counted as part of her debts!
The counselor says there is hope! Mom still may be able to get a Loan Modification! The counselor referred Mom to an elder advocate that will be able to negotiate more than the HUD counselor can! By not giving up and not taking “NO” for an answer may help Mom keep her home!
Loan Modification is not always what it appears! If you have been told by your lender that you do not qualify for a Loan Modification, be sure you take the time to explore all of the options before giving up!
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
NOT A SHORT SALE OR REO! This spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo off of Point Loma Blvd. in San Diego is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit! With many recent upgrades, stainless steel appliances, washer and dryer in unit included in sale, you will be quick to call this place “home”. With 2 spacious bedrooms, a great living area with fireplace, balcony, eating area and tons of storage, you, your family and your pets have plenty of room to settle in.
Walk to Dusty Rhodes Park and Ocean Beach Athletic Fields. Not much further and you are at Dog Beach! Head the other direction and you have some great shopping, food, nightlife and the Sports Arena! Just over the bridge to the North, you are within 5 minutes of Mission Beach. Watch the fireworks from Sea World off your balcony and enjoy America’s Finest City!
Listed at $310,000, this one is waiting for you! Call today and schedule your showing!
Please visit our website for additional information and pictures! We are your Agents of Possibility!
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
Earthquake Preparedness. Since San Diego has recently experienced a wave of small earthquakes from Baja California and Mexicali, it got me thinking about my earthquake kit and what I may need add or replace. I thought this would be a good time to share with you some tips on being prepared in the event of a large earthquake.
If a large earthquake is to occur, depending upon where you are will determine where you should be! If you are outside, stay away from trees, electrical poles, buildings and signs. If you find yourself next to 
buildings in a downtown area, duck into a doorway to avoid falling glass and debris. If you are in a public place, do not rush for exits and stay away from display shelves and other items that may have the potential of falling. In the home you should avoid being around large furniture ittems, the refrigerator, cupboards and stove. If you are driving, stop you car, stay in the vehicle and wait until the shaking stops. Try to avoid over passes, trees and power lines. It sounds like commons sense, but people tend to panic in scary situations and it is good to have a refresher course! It has been a while since I have been in grade school and learned to crawl under my desk!
Earthquakes last for very short periods of time. It may seem like an eternity while they are happening, but normally, the shaking only lasts for 40-50 seconds. There may be aftershocks felt after a large earthquake, which are normally smaller in magnitude and the ground shaking for a shorter period of time.
Once a large earthquake has occurred will be the time when things are confusing and there may be a lot of damage. It is important to assess your surroundings and remain calm. Check for any injuries and get first aid to anyone who may be in need. Check for fires. Turn off gas to your home, it is possible for the 
lines to have broken or cracked which may cause a fire. Remember not to use matches, candles or the fireplace in case of a gas leak. Check both power and water lines and if there is damage, turn both off as well.
There are items you will want to have for your earthquake preparedness kit. You will find these items to come in handy if power, gas and water lines are damaged. It could take a while for things to get back to normal, and having the necessities in a place where every member of your family knows where to get the necessities in case of emergency!
After an earthquake everyone will feel the stress of the experience. Especially your children. They may be afraid of being left alone or have trouble sleeping. They may not want to go to school and you may notice 
behavioral changes. Make sure you sit down with everyone in your family and talk about the situation. Assure everyone they are safe and together. Be sure and share your feelings as well. Give lots of hugs and kisses and reassure them of their safety. It was a scary experience for everyone!
Take the time to be prepared. Create a family earthquake plan. Discuss the different scenarios of where each family member may be if an earthquake hits. If your family is separated, make sure there is one person out of the area that each member of the family can contact to check in safe and know the other family members are safe as well. Have a specific location the family can reunite if you are separated.
It may take a little bit of time to put this all together. It is better to start today and not need any of it than not have anything together if an earthquake does occur.
Earthquake preparedness. A little preparation may save a lot of stress in the event of an emergency! Take the time. Be prepared!
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
Here are some great tips for buying property in Mexico! Thanks to Thomas Lloyd buying property in Mexico has become a little better to understand!
The thought of buying a property in a foreign country can feel like an overwhelming task, but there are ways to ensure the entire process goes smoothly. Here are five tips from my 17 years experience working in the Cancun real estate market to help make your search more efficient.
5 Top tips for buying real estate in Mexico
1. Start your search on the web. The web is a wonderful tool to start comparing areas, properties and prices. However, remember to use it as a guide to get you started. Many properties never make it online, so it is possible the property you end up buying is not even listed there.
The web is also a source of valuable information about areas, trends, legalities, etc. A good real estate web site will help you become an educated buyer. Take the time to learn everything you can and learn tips and tricks from the experts when ever possible, check out Mexico Real Estate Blog For example.
And one of the most important aspects is your ability to start establishing a relationship with a Mexico real estate broker. Start corresponding with several until you find one you are comfortable with and feel will do the best job for you. A good buyer s broker can be invaluable to help you find the property you are looking for.
2. Choose your broker. Once you find a broker you feel comfortable with, let that broker go to work for you. Many buyers make the mistake of contacting various brokers and make appointments to see properties. Usually what happens is they end up seeing the same properties more than once since many brokers handle the same listings. If you have chosen a good buyer s broker, your broker can show you any listed property and will work hard to find just the right one for you. Here is how you can help out ..
3. Be specific about your needs. When you are ready to plan your trip to see properties, you should send your broker a detailed description of what you are looking for and price range. Remember your broker is not a mind reader, so the more specific you can be, the more helpful that information is. With this information your broker can search out appropriate options for you to see and avoid wasting your time as well as theirs.
4. Be realistic. That beach front house for $100,000 USD does not exist. If you are serious about buying real estate in Mexico, stop wasting your time looking for properties with price tags from 20 years ago.
5. Once you find it ..ACT! If your broker has found the right property for you, don t expect it to wait for you. But when I say act, I don t mean act foolishly. Always do your due diligence quickly, then take action. If not, someone else may.
“Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely!”
Thomas Lloyd, graduated from Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a degree in Management/Financial Option Investments. He has been living, investing, and working professionally in Mexico for over 15 years. Mexico Real Estate Degree & Professional Identificacion Number S.E.P. #5978657. He is the current president of TOPmexicorealestate
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
Down Payment Options. Yes, there are options! Saving money for a down payment may seem like an impossible feat. You have bills to pay, the car breaks down at the most inopportune time, life happens! But I bet there are some options available for a down payment and closing costs that you may not be aware of!
Gift Funds~ Is there a relative that you can ask to help get you into your first home? Lenders will allow gift funds from a relative to cover both a down payment and closing costs! Depending upon the program you choose, all of the down payment and closing costs may be gift funds! The catch is the donor must be relatd. The relative must be able to show the ability to give the gift and the transfer of funds must be documented. You may also receive gift funds from a domestic partner or a non profit like your church. If you are considering getting a gift for down payment and closing costs, be sure and speak to your lender or agent to make sure the transfer is done in a way that will be acceptable to the lender.
Sell your stuff~ You may have items that haven’t been used for a long time like
your wave runner, boat or dirt bike. These items may bring in a decent amount of cash to help pay a down payment. This too will need to be documented correctly. Proof that you owned the item, fair market value of the item and evidence of the sale. Be sure you make copies of the title and bill of sale. Talk to your lender or agent to make sure it is done properly. You may have antiques or high priced items to sell. These are a little trickier to document. Talk about it with a professional prior to selling these types of items to make sure they are able to be documented properly.
401(k)~ Many 401(k) programs will allow you to borrow against them with no penalty in order to purchase a home. Check with your 401(k) holder to find out the requirements.
Pay off Debt~ Maybe you have some debt that if you were not making payments on it would create instant savings for a down payment. The money you would save in interest payments to a credit card is money in your pocket!
Bond/Grant Programs~ There are bond programs available that are set up specifically to assist first time home buyers with down payment and closing cost assistance. Your city may have one available. FHA has a 
program in California called CHF Access that is a second trust deed specifically for down payment and closing costs. There are specific lender requirements for this program, so be sure to speak with your loan officer or agent to find out more.
These are some great options for you if you have been unable to save money for a down payment. Combine any or all of these! Throw in a credit from the seller for closing costs and you are on your way to owning the home of your dreams! Now is a great time to buy a home with interest rates being at all time lows and housing prices at an affordable level. Don’t let a little thing like a down payment stand in the way of your owning your own home! Let’s figure out how to get you there!
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! From East County San Diego to the Extraterrestrial…….I hope everyone had a fun filled, safe and Happy New Year! 
With all of the festivities of the New Year, we were blessed to be surrounded by our wonderful friends and family for a delectable menu, exciting games and party atmosphere. A good time was had by young and old!
We eagerly awaited the countdown ’till midnight! A Blue Moon and Lunar eclipse set the perfect back drop for a crisp East County ring in to the New Year. As we counted down, FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR! We were surrounded by hoots and hollers, fireworks, car horns, pot and pans and howling dogs…..Yay! A great New Year was upon us……
But were we being watched? What were those three red lights in the perfect formation of a tirangle hovering in the sky above El Cajon? These lights did not move, did not flicker, did not blink….they just hung there, 
stationary watching the evening festivites. I do not know how long they were there before us walking out on the deck at 5 minutes before midnight. But they were there, watching, waiting and welcoming in the New Year. They stayed in this same location until at least 8 or 9 minutes after midnight. I tried to capture them with my camera, to no avail.
One light then disappeared, another 30 seconds the second light disappeared and poof. Gone was the third. We have no explanation, could not find any news on it other than these lights have been spotted over El Cajon for years……Now keep in mind, I don’t drink…..
Happy New Year Extraterrestrial?! We look forward to a fantastic New Year as well as the beginning to a new decade! Hope to see you all again (?) in the New Year!
These lisght were photographed over Phoenix March 1997. Looks similar to the lights we saw last night….
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.
Stephanie Reynolds 
Colleen Mitchell 
