There are a couple of provisions to this bill that particularly caught my eye.  First off let's talk about the bail-out.  In this bill they call it the FHA Foreclosure Rescue.    In this provision, anyone that is caught in a sub-prime mortgage and either is or may become in default will be rescued. 

Here's the way I understand it:  Anyone that falls into this category will be able to refinance their Sub-prime mortgage with a 30 year fixed rate mortgage from FHA.  The borrower's new mortgage would be written at 90% of their current appraised value.  That in itself has the potential to drastically cut down on the number of foreclosures throughout the country, especially in areas that have seen a drastic decline in property values over the past year or so. 

To pay back the Feds for bailing them out, homeowners that take advantage of this program will have to pay the Fed 50% of any appreciation they realize once they do sell.  When you consider that the average person only owns their home for 7 years, this isn't too bad.  On the other hand, someone that lives in their home long enough to actually pay off their mortgage may come out on the loosing end of this.

The question you may be asking yourself is; what do I care if those people's homes go into foreclosure?  The fact is that banks are seeing more foreclosures than ever.  As bank's inventory of homes increase they are dropping the asking prices on these homes in order to sell them.  The effect of that is that they are artificially dropping property values in some neighborhoods.  If the Feds can bail these people out, then that should help to keep property values going in the direction we all want to see!!

The second part of this bill (in importance to me) is the Homebuyer Tax Credit.  This is a $7,500 tax credit that is available to anyone that buys a home between April 8, 2008 and June 30, 2009.  This credit is in effect a loan.  Anyone taking advantage of this credit does have to pay it back, but they have 15 years to do it.  That's only $500 per year and there's no interest!!

This time I'd be surprised if you're asking why?  I think for a lot of buyers, especially first-time buyers, this is just the impetus they need to get off the fence.  I mean let's face it.  Every time you turn on the news, there's at least one story telling you how bad Real Estate is.  The reluctant buyer may think; "maybe Real Estate isn't so bad if my Uncle Sam is going to loan me the money for my down payment!!"

There are several other provisions to this bill that I'm sure are equally important.  To me though, these are to two that are going to help the general public the most.  Now, if you need help spending your tax credit, please go to my website or call me. 

...just kidding

You can check it out here.

-rsh

• BHG Real Estate

But now, I'm back on line, and through a rather convoluted series of events (searching for something to watch on television, finding "The Real Estate Pros" and the main man Richard helping out a couple of years ago in the rehabilitation of a guy named Josh Hamilton who just happens to have won the Home Run Contest at last week's All Star Game, looking to see if I could find anything about the relationship on the net) I found this really fun site: It's Lovely! I'll Take It!

I love looking at property on line (mostly focusing on cute little mews houses in London). But I must admit I've never seen anything quite so amusing on real estate sites as these dreadful examples of the way the marketing challenged have of presenting their houses. It's no wonder homes are losing value out there people!

Mayor of Yountville
Cynthia Saucerman
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Phone: 707-948-2636
e-mail: csaucerman@yville.com

Mayor of St. Helena
Del Britton
(707) 963-5635 (h)
City of St. Helena
1480 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574

Mayor Of Napa Jill Techel
c/o City Hall 955 School Street
PO Box 660 Napa, CA 94559-0660
Work Phone: 707-258-7876
E-mail: jtechel@cityofnapa.org

Mayor Of Napa Jill Techel - Home
1075 Round Hill Cir.
Napa, CA 94558-5320
Home Phone: 707-255-6054
E-mail: MayorJill@aol.com

Napa County District Attorney
Gary Allen Lieberstein
Duties as Public Prosecutor
931 Parkway Mall
Napa, CA 94559-2647
Office Phone
(707) 253-4211
Office Fax
(707) 253-4041
e-mail: District_Attorney_Office@co.napa.ca.us

Harry V. Martin
Napa Board Of Supervisors Candidate
1627 Lincoln Ave
Napa, CA 94558-4827
(707) 253-8186
e-mail: sentinel@napanet.net

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160
e-mail: governor@govmail.ca.gov

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 2050
Phone Numbers:
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
e-mail: president@whitehouse.gov

And the City and County of Napa, The State of California, United States et al:

Video Of Our Son

Updated: The True Story - Authentic Document

Parental Rights Documented: Proof

The Reason Custom Event Group Breaks The Law:

Original E-Mail To The Mayors

Note: Click On This Web Link Below And See How Close:

Mayor of Yountville - Home
Cynthia Saucerman
2011 Webber Ave
Yountville, CA 94599-1379
(707) 944-1852

Lives To The Perpetrators:

Criminal Behavior Profile

Alfred Richard Woodson III and
Rev. Carolyn Lorraine Strong Woodson
2004 Humboldt Street
Yountville, California 94559
Home Phone: 707-944-2038
e-mail: woodsonar@sbcglobal.net
e-mail: cswoodson@sbcglobal.net

Google Map

The Guardians, Alfred Richard Woodson III and
Carolyn Lorraine Strong Woodson,

Have Violated The California Penal Codes:

Neglect-Abandonment-Conspiracy-Concealment

Abduction- False Imprisonment- Kidnapping.

Click On This Link: California Penal Code

Mayors Of The Napa Valley Attention: Abduction
Jeffrey Feeney’s Criminal Background Attached and
Case Lookup Web Link And Contact Information Listed Below:

Click On Link Below And Type In The Name Jeffrey Feeney And Click Submit:

Napa County Case Lookup

Prima Facie On This Day Of June 12th 2008

On Sunday, June 8, 2008, it was reported to my fiancé,
James A. Sablan Sr., and myself, Sarah Lorraine Matlock,
that our infant son, James Matlock Funes, was abducted/illegally
adopted by the individuals listed below, and is presently in imminent
danger. I am enclosing attaching Jeffrey Feeney’s criminal background:

Jeffrey and Rebecca Feeney
Unlawful Custodians Detaining And Concealing “Child”

The Reason Custom Event Group Breaks The Law:

1094 Valley View St.
Saint Helena, CA 94574-2346
Phone: (707) 968-9445
Cell Number: (707) 580-5678
Fax number (707) 968-9437

with the assistance of:

James Vaughn Jones
Attorney At Law
State Bar Number: 40883
1564 First Street
Napa, CA, 94559
Work Phone: (707) 252-8644
E-mail: onecal1@saber.net

Our parental rights have not been terminated,
and there is no California jurisdiction over our child.
We are seeking the immediate return of our son.

This was reported to us directly by Sarah Matlock’s
older son, Jeffrey Alexander Funes, who has been
living in this house from which he was abducted.
We also have evidence in writingthat this was
premeditated by the perpetrators,

Alfred Richard Woodson III and
Rev. Carolyn Lorraine Strong Woodson
2004 Humboldt Street
Yountville, California 94559
Home Phone: 707-944-2038
e-mail: woodsonar@sbcglobal.net
e-mail: cswoodson@sbcglobal.net

who are Montana-appointed guardians of our baby.
They have no paperwork filed in the State of California
and no legal adoption papers filed in the Napa Courthouse.
Prior to this, the baby had also been maliciously concealed
by the perpetrators forapproximately eight months, for
whichwe also have proof.

We have evidence in writing and by eyewitnesses that this
adoption had already beenin process, and this fact was
also confirmed by:

Investigator: William Jabin
Napa County District Attorney’s Office Child Abduction Unit
931 Parkway Mall
Napa, CA 94559-2647

Work: (707) 253-4356
e-mail: WJABIN@co.napa.ca.us

Amazingly, Napa County is not concerned about this crime
whatsoever. After confirming the facts of the carrying-out
of the adoption to Bill Jabin and Yountville law enforcement
on Monday, June 9th, we have been ignored and even blamed
for the crime.

Sergeant Berg of Yountville indicated that the criminal
abduction and illegal conspiracy was our fault because we are
bad people and that he was going to do nothing about it. Bill
Jabin has ignored our concerned phone calls for four days.

Harry Martin has been informed, and Neil Bowman Davis, the
Family Law Facilitator at the Self Help Center in the Napa
Courthouse,was informed. Regarding concealment alone,the
District Attorney should have picked up charges on this months
ago, since Napa County authorities were aware of the crime
months ago.

We know for a fact that if this crime was perpetrated by low
income people, the system would have completed a child
welfare check the first day that such a report came in. But the
conscientious Napa County authorities did nothing. This is due
to the corruption and favoritism of the rich in Napa County.

There has been not so much as one simple child welfare check at
the Feeney’s house to verify Jeffrey Funes report that our child is
there. In fact, there has not even been a single police report taken
with a number assigned to it by Sergeant Berg or theNapa Police,
who were also called on June 9, 2008. It is illegal not to take a
police report and assign a number to it when a crime is reported.

We are going to expose this matter. We have many ways of doing
this which include the use of the Internet. The information we have
includes all correspondence made with authorities, non-confidential
paperwork, and incriminating e-mail evidence.

Obviously, upon the report of an abduction, a police report should
have been taken the first day, and a welfare check completed
immediately. Upon finding the child where he reported to be living
at this time, the parties should also have been arrested and require
to show any and all paperwork they have concerning any legal tie to
the child (which of course would be fraudulent).

We are, quite frankly, appalled by the irresponsible, uncouth
behaviors and attitudes of the Napa authorities, their haughtiness
and evident favoritism toward the wealthy, and the lawlessness
that they are endorsing through their negligence. Apparently they
have some type of strange agenda given the fact that if our facts
were incorrect, Jabin should have already called and verified this.

There is no need for a lengthy investigation to resolve this.

We are requesting your assistance in bringing an end to the
perpetuation of this serious crime since you have the power
and influence as Mayor of Napa, Mayor of St. Helena and
Mayor of Yountville,Napa County District Attorney Gary
Allen Lieberstein, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and
President George W. Bush to make this happen.

We have already informed the guardians of their violations of
the U.S. Statues which are:

U.S. CODE TITLE 42–THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 21–CIVIL RIGHTS SUB CHAPTER–GENERALLY

Sec. 1983. Civil action for deprivation of rights.

Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance,
regulation,custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or
the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected,
any citizen of the United States orother person within the
jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of anyrights, privileges,
or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws,
shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in
equity, or other proper proceeding for redress, except that in
any action brought against a judicial officer for an act or
omission taken in such officer’s judicial capacity, injunctive
relief shall not be granted unless a declaratory decree was
violated or declaratory relief was unavailable. For the purposes
of this section, any Act of Congress applicable exclusively to the
District of Columbiashall be considered to be a statute of the District
of Columbia.

(R.S. Sec. 1979; Pub. L. 96-170, Sec.1, Dec. 29, 1979, 93 Stat. 1284;
Pub. L. 104-317, title III, Sec.309(c), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3853.)

Codification
R.S. Sec. 1979 derived from act Apr.20, 1871, ch. 22, Sec. 1, 17
Stat. 13.
Section was formerly classified to section 43 of Title 8, Aliens and
Nationality.

Amendments

1996-Pub. L. 104-317 inserted before period at end of first
sentence “, except that in any action brought against a judicial
officer for an act or omission taken in such officer’s judicial
capacity, injunctive relief shall not be granted unless a declaratory
decree was violated or declaratory relief was unavailable”.
1979–Pub. L. 96-170 inserted “or the District of Columbia” after
“Territory”, and provisions relating to Acts of Congress applicable
solely to the District of Columbia.

Effective Date of 1979 Amendment
Amendment for deprivation of rights, privileges, or immunities
secured by the Constitution and laws occurring after Dec. 29, 1979,
see section 3 of Pub. L. 96-170, set out as a note under section 1343
of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

U.S. CODE TITLE 42–THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 21–CIVIL RIGHTS SUB CHAPTER I–GENERALLY

Sec. 1985. Conspiracy to interfere with civil rights.

(1) Preventing officer from performing duties

If two or more persons in any State or Territory conspire to
prevent, by force, intimidation, or threat, any person from accepting
or holding any office, trust, or place of confidence under the United
States, or from discharging any duties thereof; or to induce by like
means any officer of the United States to leave any State, district, or
place, where his duties as an officer are required to be performed, or
to injure him in his person or property on account of his lawful
discharge of the duties of his office, or while engaged in the lawful
discharge thereof, or to injure his property so as to molest, interrupt,
hinder, or impede him in the discharge of his official duties;

(2) Obstructing justice; intimidating party, witness, or juror

If by force, intimidation, or threat, any party or witness in any court of
the United States from attending such court, or from testifying to any
matter pending therein, freely, fully, and truthfully, or to injure such
party or witness in his person or property on account of his having so
attended or testified, or to influence the verdict, presentment, or
indictment of any grand or petit juror in any such court, or to injure
such juror in his person or property on account of any verdict,
presentment, or indictment lawfully assented to by him, or of his being
or having been such juror; or if two or more persons conspire for the
purpose of impeding, hindering, obstructing, or defeating, in any
manner, the due course of justice in any State or Territory, with intent
to deny to any citizen the equal protection of the laws, or to injure
him or his property for lawfully enforcing, or attempting to enforce,
the right of any person, or class of persons, to the equal protection of
the laws;

(3) Depriving persons of rights or privileges

If two or more persons in any State or Territory conspire or go in
disguise on the highway or on the premises of another, for the purpose
of depriving, either directly or indirectly, any person or class of
persons of the equal protection of the laws, or of equal privileges and
immunities under the laws; or for the purpose of preventing or hindering
the constituted authorities of any State or Territory from giving or
securing to all persons within such State or Territory the equal
protection of the laws; or if two or more persons conspire to prevent by
force, intimidation, or threat, any citizen who is lawfully entitled to
vote, from giving his support or advocacy in a legal manner, toward or
in favor of the election of any lawfully qualified person as an elector
for President or Vice President, or as a Member of Congress of the
United States; or to injure any citizen in person or property on account
of such support or advocacy; in any case of conspiracy set forth in this
section, if one or more persons engaged therein do, or cause to be done,
any act in furtherance of the object of such conspiracy, whereby another
is injured in his person or property, or deprived of having and
exercising any right or privilege of a citizen of the United States, the
party so injured or deprived may have an action for the recovery of
damages occasioned by such injury or deprivation, against any one or
more of the conspirators.

(R.S. Sec. 1980.)

Codification
R.S. Sec. 1980 derived from acts July 31, 1861, ch. 33, 12 Stat.
284; Apr. 20, 1871, ch. 22, Sec. 2, 17 Stat. 13.
Section was formerly classified to section 47 of Title 8, Aliens and
Nationality.

U.S. CODE TITLE 42–THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 21–CIVIL RIGHTS SUBCHAPTER I–GENERALLY

Sec. 1986. Action for neglect to prevent

Every person who, having knowledge that any of the wrongs conspired
to be done, and mentioned in section 1985 of this title, are about to
be committed, and having power to prevent or aid in preventing the
commission of the same, neglects or refuses so to do, if such wrongful
act be committed, shall be liable to the party injured, or his legal
representatives, for all damages caused by such wrongful act, which such
person by reasonable diligence could have prevented; and such damages
may be recovered in an action on the case; and any number of persons
guilty of such wrongful neglect or refusal may be joined as defendants
in the action; and if the death of any party be caused by any such
wrongful act and neglect, the legal representatives of the deceased
shall have such action there for, and may recover not exceeding $5,000
damages therein, for the benefit of the widow of the deceased, if there
be one, and if there be no widow, then for the benefit of the next of
kin of the deceased. But no action under the provisions of this section
shall be sustained which is not commenced within one year after the
cause of action has accrued.

(R.S. Sec. 1981.)

Codification
R.S. Sec. 1981 derived from act Apr.20, 1871, ch. 22, Sec. 6, 17
Stat. 15.
Section was formerly classified to section 48 of Title 8, Aliens and
Nationality.

Furthermore, we are informing you of the following U.S. Statues
that apply to you upon any possible failure to comply with U. S.
Statutes listed above and below, this becomes a U.S. Code Title
18 Violation, as also listed below after Title 42 listed below. Please see the following:

U.S. CODE TITLE 42–THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 21–CIVIL RIGHTS SUB CHAPTER I–GENERALLY

Sec. 1986. Action for neglect to prevent

1) United States Code Title 18, Part-1Chapter-13 Section 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights).
2) United States Code Title 18, Part-1Chapter-13 Section 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law).

Thank you for your valuable time,
and we wish to hear from you soon.
Please us e-mail us back at your
earliest convenience. Pursuant To:

Uniform Commercial Code - Article1-General Provisions Part 2 §1-207
Performance or Acceptance Under Reservation of Rights.

(1) A party who with explicit reservation of rights performs or promises performance
or assents to performance in a manner demanded or offered by the other party does not
thereby prejudice the rights reserved. Such words as “without prejudice”, “under protest”
or the like are sufficient.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an accord and satisfaction.

Signed,

James A. Sablan Sr. and Sarah L. Matlock
e-mail: jamessablan@yahoo.com
e-mail: woodsonsarah@yahoo.com

This used to be a bank.  It was then gutted and converted into loft condominiums, but the facade of the bank remains.  Also, from what I gathered, a number of the lofts are not occupied.  So, what was once a bank is now merely the facade of a bank held up by condos...

Background:

• SF Chron
• Roost Blog
• SocialNotes on RCG

3 Bedroom

2.5 Bath

Priced at $798,500

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIRTUAL TOUR

Be that as it may, everybody wants to take their best guess at what's coming next, and recent developments are making us think it may be time to update our projections.

The Housing Relief Bill

A big reason for our increasing optimism is President Bush's pragmatic decision this week to accept $3.9 billion for cities to buy up and fix foreclosed properties as a trade-off for federal guarantees for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac which should calm both the stock market and stabilize lending.

Although the additional deficit spending the bill may create will put some more upward pressure on interest rates, we do think it will go a long ways to reducing the glut of foreclosures. On the whole it seems to be a surprisingly good example of well-crafted, bipartisan legislation.

Besides the money to buy up foreclosures, other features in the bill that we like include:

1. A permanent increase in loan limits for Fannie, Freddie, and FHA to $625,000 in the highest cost areas like much of Southern California.

2. A tax credit of up to $7,500 for first time buyers who close escrow between 4/9/08 and 7/1/09. (We think this will increase demand, and recommend first time buyers contact us now so we can set them up with a personalized "web portal" which allows them to search, save, and categorize properties on the SoCal Multiple Listing Service. 562.822.SOLD.)

3. $11 billion in tax free municipal bond authority for states to set up low interest loans to first time buyers.

4. It tightens regulations to avoid future repeats of the recent mortgage meltdown.

5. Making FHA mortgages more available, especially for "work outs" of over encumbered ("upside down") borrowers who qualify and whose lenders will participate by writing down the loan to 90% of the home's current market value (details in the article below).

6. The complex but intriguing arrangement that encourages loan workouts instead of foreclosures or "short sales." The lender reduces the loan amount to 10% below current market value in exchange for getting the loan off their books. The borrower agrees to share that 10% and future equity with the taxpayers. And we the taxpayers (also known as the government) guarantee the new loan through FHA, provided the buyer can qualify.

The total revised package is expected to sail through the Senate and Bush has now promised to sign it. While dangers of inflation and unemployment still threaten, we think the housing bill will have a more positive impact than we originally thought. Combine that with the fact that the market seems to be finding a bottom in terms of price, and we're hopeful the positives will outweigh or at least neutralize the negatives of the normal summer slowdown, foreclosures, and shaky employment.

With that in mind, we're now revising our projections as follows:

Our Current Best "Guestimate"

40% chance: Bottom sometime between now and the end of winter:

We think the limited time offer of $7,000 tax credits for first time buyers will provide a significant stimulus to a market where we're already seeing multiple competing offers on well-priced bank REOs. At the same time, cities will begin bidding for some foreclosures, and others will see favorable workouts with the lenders which the bill makes possible.

Some of the bills provisions don't kick in until October, but the tax relief is retroactive. We think the bottom will most likely coincide closely with our normal seasonal cycle, which bottoms in December or January. (We're talking about escrows that open in December or January, which would close in February or March be reported by DataQuick a couple weeks later. See "Predictions 101: Our 2 market cycles" and "Two big problems with DataQuick's monthly median price reports.") However, it's possible that the bottom may actually come earlier.

Of course, nobody will know for sure it's a bottom until prices start rising in the months following. Then we'll be wondering if it's a false bottom through the following winter.

Which So Cal County will bottom first? All real estate is local, and we think Southern California's Coastal Plane will hit the bottom first, followed by the desert and Inland Empire areas possibly a year later. This is due to the impact of gas prices on outlying areas plus overbuilding and more foreclosures there. Of the larger So Cal counties, we expect Orange County home prices to bottom first because it's the most built-out and has the lowest percentage of starter homes. We expect either Los Angeles or San Diego County home prices to hit bottom next, followed by Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

Of the smaller counties, Santa Barbara looks like it's already bottomed, with June foreclosures there hitting a 14 month low. Ventura County homes may be nearing a price bottom, while the smaller inland counties are largely in the same boat as the Inland Empire.

The other 60%: There are at least three challenges to a bottom this winter:

1. Inflation pushing interest rates up and reducing affordability.
2. The economic slowdown that we seem to be entering, with major job losses in automotive, construction, finance and real estate.
3. The continuing onslaught of foreclosures and resulting REOs.

40% chance: Bottom next winter. If the economy stabilizes and foreclosures slow down by year's end, we could hit a bottom this winter. This is still the most common pick by most economists--recovery sometime in 2010, and has been consistently for the past year. We think the recent sharp decline in prices may speed things up. What would help even more would be a resumption of safe oil drilling offshore and in Alaska, with an excess profits tax being used to spur energy alternatives industries.

Again, we're talking about the Coastal Plane areas of L.A. Orange and possibly San Diego Counties, with the Inland Empire and desert regions bottoming sometime in the following 14 months.

20% chance: Bottom later than next winter. Either a lengthy recession, or a bottom late winter of 2010-2011.

What to Do?

We still think market timing shouldn't be as important as your personal situation in making housing or maybe even investing decisions. (See "What to do when nobody knows what's next.")

Sellers: Act now or be prepared to wait--maybe several years.

Buyers: There's a significant chance that what we're seeing now is as low as prices are going to go. But we're saying there's an equal chance that the bottom won't hit until a year from this winter. And we're also saying nobody can know for sure.

If you're in a position to buy, start looking now & if you see something that works for you, make an offer at a price you can afford. You can use the MLS links in the right hand column to directly access any MLS in Southern California.

As a minimum, buyers should start saving your down payment (new concept, I know--check out wikipedia or google it) and get your credit in order (another new concept for some of us, but necessary now.) Do your Christmas shopping & card writing now, & see how the economy's doing in November--it may be time to start writing lowball offers. Or to wait another year.

Although predicting a 40% chance of a bottom in the next five months hardly echos NAR's "buy now!" theme, it's dramatically more optimistic than we were just a few weeks ago. Of course, new developments could reduce or encourage our optimism. Stay tuned, & we'll keep giving you our best projections based on what we're reading, what we're seeing on the front lines, & our experience of over 30 years in this amazing, interesting, and unpredictable business.

What Would Really Help

The "Housing Bailout Bill" seems like a pretty good example of Congressional give-and-take for the common good. We think there are two logical but somewhat radical additional steps our politicians need to take now to protect our economy and our way of life:

1. Modest steps to federal deficit reduction, specifically, reducing “pork.” I’m thinking of wasteful spending to get Legislators re-elected, like Alaska’s famous “Bridge to Nowhere.” Passing a bill eliminating such Congressional “earmarks” and also giving the next president a line-item veto would be a very simple step in the right direction. I'd also favor a mandatory deficit reduction bill that would impose across-the-board spending cuts and tax increases if our politicians couldn't come up with budgets that meet a long term schedule to reduce the federal deficit. Taxing our great grandkids is the ultimate in "taxation without representation," which our forefathers rightly considered tyranny.

2. Reduce the trade deficit by allowing careful new drilling for oil, but with a catch. The U.S. is sitting on more untapped oil reserves than any country in the world. I say use the revenue from that oil to create the best clean, renewable energy industries in the world. Open up more areas for safe drilling but dramatically increasing leasing fees on federal lands. Then split the billions in increased federal revenue between federal deficit reduction and renewable energy innovations.

That would undoubtedly strengthen the dollar, stimulate the economy, reduce the trade deficit, and lead to a cleaner environment. In the case of Alaska’s Arctic refuge, drilling would sacrifice less than .01% of ANWR to actual exploration in return for a $137 - $327 billion reduction in our trade balance (see Wikipedia, “Artic Refuge drilling controversy.”) We can keep sending our the money to the Saudis, or keep it here and use it for high paying jobs, deficit reduction, and energy innovations. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but I am a Realtor. . . .

We welcome your questions or comments

With the rising knowledge about internet technology and the other ways to invest on it, I think it is a bit understatement that the information superhighway has made a name for itself simply by being one of the most useful tools for business. Internet marketing for Miami real estate can be both an effective real estate marketing endeavor or it can be the worst idea you have ever tried out to build your Miami real estate business. Internet marketing for Miami real estate is a whole new ballgame in itself, so be prepared to be an astute learner to gain the most from the experience. Well, we all know that the main purpose of any internet marketing for Miami real estate campaign is to help you get the leads you need to be able to make a prospects list. This prospect list is composed of people you believe have the potential to become customers for you eventually.

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Note that, internet marketing for Miami real estate websites has to be useful somehow to visitors. Visitors who get disappointed by your website will never return and since you know how hard it is to get a person to visit in the first place, your internet marketing website has to offer as much information pertaining to the real estate biz as you can fit in without making your site look cluttered or disorganized. Often a fine strategy to make your business be known and have more exposure in the market of course. It is a common though that investing to it can also be rewarding. The right internet marketing for Miami real estate campaign will work if you snare the attention of visitors as soon as they enter your site. I can say that it is a good way to get more visitors for your website in order to gain more exposure.

I know for a fact that to produce follow-through, try examining your internet marketing website as if you were yourself just a visitor: what do you see? Do you just see a website like any other, or do you see a website that would attract people interested in real estate, that provides information that is actually usable for them, remember that you can always be your business’ best critic always sight for improvement and always look for potential. When visitors drop by and leave a note, what is your internet marketing follow-through? If you are a true follower of internet marketing follow-through techniques, you should follow through by sending them a message at whatever contact address they may have left. I think that interaction is always a valuable point when it comes to this kind of business strategy.

Always know that internet marketing for Miami real estate may be misused in one way though, and that is by using too much data that visitors get glassy-eyed and click on the mouse to find a less burdensome site to visit. It is tricky, but for your strategy to work, you need to have a good sense of when you are overdoing the content. Investing into internet marketing for Miami real estate is a good thing to do because for sure it can help you a lot.

Jron Magcale

http://cervera.com

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Also, a neat video of the train in action from the folks at RailLife.com:

I read an interesting  post today  that talked about " Fast Leadership - Stop Thinking and Start Deciding ." He basicallly advocates a Gladwellesque "Blink" style of decision making, which I think has merit in the right time and place. It's a good post, but one thing I thought was missing was some kind of feedback mechanism that allows you to take stock of how your decisions worked out over time. .." Also "..see this nice roundup of decision making links over on Lifehack.org..."See resource- Decision roundup Tuesday, August 29 2006 , quoted on AllBusiness.com,  (Ethan Willis and Steve Gross are  great example of  great leadership)

I also read a post on the  LeadershipNow Blog and  I came across  4 rules of influence from the book The Art of Influence written by Chris Widner-see below-

1. Living a Life of Undivided Integrity. Notwithstanding that integrity is in fact being undivided, he writes that while leaders do make mistakes, followers "do expect their leaders to admit and correct their mistakes, mend the cracks in their integrity, if you will. Left unchecked, eventually a lack of integrity erodes the trust that is needed between a leader and a follower."

2. Always Demonstrate a Positive Attitude. People respond to optimism. Bad things happen. And when they do, you need to ask not "Why did this happen to me?" but "What's next?" or "What good can come from this?" "You are choosing to believe that something good can come from negative circumstances and that the future will be better than the present."

3. Consider Other People's Interests as More Important Than Your Own. "Even more important than being interesting, is being interested."

4. Don't Settle For Anything Less Than Excellence. Widner encourages us to grow our influence by improving ourselves around seven areas of excellence: physical appearance, emotional health, intellectual growth, spiritual depth, relationships, financial success, and charitable giving. Excellence is in the details..."

The bottom line is influence is not "about manipulation and slick fast-talking"; true Influence  and leadership teaches that your ability to influence others begins from within. These is our culture at Prosper. Although we are not perfect, we strive to become better everyday as we can to serve our people and help them gain success. Also see Prosper Learning Star Fish Story

Any thoughts?

Devin Willis

http://www.linkedin.com/in/devinwillis

The key to obtaining financing for your new home is to be organized and prepared to provide your lender with all the information they need.  A few simple steps can help ease the stress and speed up the process and help get you into your new home.

1. Give your credit a check-up.Monitor your credit report to make sure there are no discrepancies or derogatory items that would prevent you from getting a loan. If you do find something that doesn't belong dispute the item with the appropriate credit bureau.

2. Boost your credit score. Try to keep your credit card balances below 30% of your credit limit. This will reduce your credit risk and increase your FICO score.

3. Save for a down payment. Start stashing away some extra money to help cover closing costs and down payment.

4. Get your paperwork in order. Most lenders are going to want to see proof of income and assets. Make sure you have your last 2 months bank statements, your last two pay stubs and your last 2 years tax returns readily available.

5. Plan a realistic budget. Lenders want to know that you are going to be able to make the payments on your loan. Your mortgage payment ideally should only be about 25% of your monthly household income. Any more than that and you might be putting a financial strain on yourself.

6. Don't make any major purchases. One of the biggest mistakes people make is going out and making a major purchase right before closing on their home. Wait until after your loan has funded to make any major purchases such as appliances, furniture, new car, etc.

7. Get pre-qualified.Before you even start looking for a home, talk to a lender and get pre-qualified. They will let you know up front just how much home you can afford to finance. They can also help you make sure you have all the necessary documentation ready when it comes time to finance.

• Does the home have good street appeal?
• Is the house well situated on the lot?  Does it have a yard that works for you?
• What does the house look out to?
• Does the home back up to a busy road?  What else is behind it?
• What are the homes around the subject property like?  Are they well maintained?  Are their lawns cut?

Interested in the home? Now get out of your car. Go talk to the neighbors. 

• Find out how the neighbors like living on the street. 
• Is it noisy in the area? 
• Are their neighborhood activities going on?  Annual picnics?  Barbecues?
• Are there neighborhood CCR's?
• Are their neighborhood amenities?

I had one buyer talk with a neighbor only to find out the slope opposite the house had already partially slid. Pretty wonderful information that convinced the buyers to "run" from the home.  These buyers ultimately found a much better home to buy without any slide issues.

Whom else should you talk with?  Figure out what's important to you and what you would like to learn about, then target people who can give you the answers.

• Questions about schools?  Visit or call the school administrators.
• Safety?  Contact the police and get their opinion. 
• Check out the location of the nearest fire station and hospital.
• Who are the first responders in the community?  Is the house under city or county jurisdiction?
• Public transportation? Check out the King County website for information about public transportation.
• Noise?  Check the neighborhood out during various times of the day.  See what's going on.

Do you need to ask all these questions and do the research before you make an offer?  No, you still have time after an offer is written.  Obviously, if you have the time to check things out before-hand, it's always best.  But if you can't, there's a clause every buyer can exercise in a contract called "Neighborhood Review".  Exercising this option gives you 3 business days to review any and everything about the area.  You can talk to anyone you want to determine whether the home or neighborhood is the right fit.  If it's not right, you as the buyer have the right to terminate the contract and get your earnest money back.

Ate there other questions buyers should ask?  Are there other sources of information or people buyers should contact?

Mr. Rogers had it right when he said "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood."  Make sure you know, as much as you possibly can, if buying a particular home will make it a beautiful day in the neighborhood for you.

Texas has the strongest economy in the United States with all the major metro areas reporting job growth and lower unemployment rates. Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Anotonio (in that order) were named in the top 10 cities to resist a recession a few months ago by Forbes.com. Since that time the economic reports for these metro areas has remained stable or imporved. Dallas alone has experienced the highest job growth of any city in the nation.

The Austin real estate market experiened a slower market in 2007 and the beginning of 2008 over the blockbuster year of 2006 but home values did not decrease. Austin Texas home values have remained stable or increased. Home sales began rebounding in April 2008, although it is still a buyers market because there is a large inventory of homes.

There is so much positive news (nationwide) that is not widely reported and there is an upside to every downside report, especially here in Texas . 90% of the members of the National Association of Business Economics are reporting that there will not be a recession and the economy will experience growth, albeit a slow growth. “Corporate America” may not be making the same profits as last year but corporations reported profits in excess of 1.5 trillion dollars in the last quarter.

Do not let the media or the fear of “things to come” rob you of the opportunity to own your own home. Austin home prices are still affordable and mortgage interest rates are still lower than last year’s rates.

If you do not have perfect credit or have a 20% down payment, there is still a loan option for you, FHA. FHA offers fixed interest rates (some of the lowest on the mortgage market). FHA also offers flexible guidelines in regards to credit. FHA has recently increased their loan limits (expires 12/31/2008 ) which could increase your purchasing ability. FHA also offers home loans with only 3% down required; part of these funds can be in the form of a gift from a family member, a down payment assistance program or the seller.

Get a step ahead of the inevitable inflation that will come into play in the years ahead. Now, is the time to determine what your housing budget will be for the next 15–30 years. When you choose a fixed mortgage rate your house payment will not change. Inflation has not yet affected the real estate market. Once your home is paid off (a 30 year loan can be paid off in as little as 15 years without a major blow to the budget) you will be living rent free in a home that has more than doubled in value.

According to the experts as the U.S. housing market improves so will consumer confidence and the weakening dollar. Be part of the national economy recovery become a home owner. One of the best markets to invest in, is the Austin real estate market.

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Over the last few days, I've had some profound insight into the importance of releasing fears. I've known that releasing fears is an important task for some time now, but I've recently hit a whole new level of realization with it.

I started working on  releasing my fears a few days ago, and I have learned so much about myself. I was wondering why my plans on moving weren't easily unfolding, and I've found the answer.

Whenever we've shown our house to potential buyers, I think we held on to "I sure hope they don't want to buy it" because this house is our anchor. It's been the constant in our lives since I was 19 years old. Just look at the ad I put on Craig's List:

We're moving out of state and selling our family home of nearly 15 years. While we are excited about our new adventure, we are sad to be leaving this lovely home.

Our beautiful brick home has three bedroom and 1.5 baths. The garage is converted into a utility room/den combo (separated from the living room by french doors). New carpet (neutral "straw hat color" and laminate floors (rich wood) are throughout the house. CH&A with gas heat and gas hot water and cooking. We are having a brand new roof put on next week (hopefully), so if you buy the house before we pay the contractor, you could give us your opinion on shingle colors. Afterall, you would be the one enjoying the new roof for years to come.

We have a very large fenced back yard with a partially covered deck with railing. It's beautiful. Last summer, we planted two weeping willow trees. One is in the front yard and the other is in the back. We also planted a gorgeous Bradford Pear in the front yard seven years ago - to commemorate the birth of our first child. (If I could only figure out a way to take that tree with me, I would! Just kidding, but the tree definitely has sentimental value.)

The front of our home has custom made cedar shudders and cedar railing on the porch. The top trim in front is also matching cedar. There are two storage buildings in the back yard - one is covered in the same cedar wood and the other is a very close match. We have custom cedar arched gates on both sides of the house. The gates can only be opened from the inside, which provided us extra security for when our children were playing in the back yard. Even though I have always felt safe in our neighborhood, I found extra security in knowing that no one could get into our back yard without going through the house (or somehow getting over the very tall gates).

Our home is located in a quiet, friendly, small neighborhood. Our neighborhood is compromised of five streets and the neighbors are caring and watch out for each other. We will really miss our neighbors. We do have a small, informal neighborhood watch program and in past years, we have organized neighborhood yard sales and other activities.

Tecumseh is a wonderful little town. We have one stoplight, but lots of character and history. Our schools are excellent and we do have shopping avenues locally. We have a small grocery store, several gas stations, a Subway, Taco Mayo, Sonic, Pizza Hut, and Mazzios. There are several restaurants as well: Boomarang, Jewels, Zocalos, Stafford Smoke House, and Gioris. If you worry about more shopping options, well, don't. Shawnee has a mall, super walmart, lowes, staples and tons of shopping, and it's less than ten minutes away. Plus, you're only about forty five minutes east of OKC. 

This house has been our home for fifteen years. All three of our children came home from the hospital to this home. And the walls of our home have been place for love, family, laughter, and hope.

If you're looking for a home with lots of love, laughter, and family history, then our home may be just what you're looking for.
HOW TO CONTACT ME: You may simply respond to this Craig's list advertisement with your interest. I will be notified and contact you to set up a time for you to view our home.

Clearly, I wasn't ready to let go of this house. I talked about the Bradford pear tree in the front yard that we planted the year our first child was born. I wrote about bringing home all three of our children from the hospital to this house. This house was my anchor. It was my place of refuge and comfort from the world. I found sickness (MS, RA, and lupus) in this house. . and then I found wellness in this house. We bought this home in 1994, when I was barely 19 and hubby and I had been married a little over a year. It almost feels like we grew up in this house. No matter how crazy things seemed "out there" in the world, I could always come home. When my depression spiraled, I stayed for weeks inside these walls, which offered protection from the outside world. This house was my foundation - my anchor. . . but I now know I am achored to source energy, which allows me to create anything I want for my life.

And to symbolize my "letting go" of my attachment to this house, I fill it with love and let it go. I have symbolically let go of each room. I know that my memories will stay with me, and it's the LOVE and GROWTH that I've found in this house that made me fear moving on. But I now know that love and growth will remain with me - no matter where I live. This house is walls and floors and ceiling. It's US that made it a home. And that means we can make our new house a home too.

So I lovingly let go of this house - to the new family who will fill it with love and memories. I let go of clinging to these walls - and am ready to embrace my new life and house in Texas.

I saved a leaf off the bradford pear in the front yard to take a piece of it with me - no matter where I go. And I take lots of memories. And even though I am now ready to let go, I know that in the universal sense, I take this house and memories with me because they will always exist in my heart. I am merely letting go of the boards, sheet rock, floors, and ceiling that exist. In no way are these physical pieces "my home." My home is in my heart and soul, and I take all of the parts I want.

The second part of my fear was finding another place to live. Houses are more expensive in Texas than they are here. If I let go of my home and anchor, would I have a place for us to live? Would I end up homeless with three children? I cannot imagine a bigger fear than not being able to  provide for your children. I let this fear take hold too. Will I be able to provide for my children? If I lose this home, will we end up homeless?

I have reconnected myself to God/source energy, and I know that I am always safe. . as I am an extension of that source energy. I have the ability to create by realizing my connection to the source, and I can find my anchor in that infinite and all empowering source energy. I am making decisions to better our lives and experiences. . .and with that knowledge, I release the fears that were stopping me from moving forward.