A few years back we purchased the KnowYourOptions.org domain and developed a website to help struggling San Diego North Valley homeowners to literally “know their options.” Our goal was to help our California neighbors to make informed decisions about homeownership.

Should you short sell? Foreclose? Get a loan mod?

It’s never an easy decision, but once you have all the facts (and the right counselor) that difficult decision becomes simpler. Fannie Mae recognizes this as well, which is why the organization purchased KnowYourOptions.org from us and redirected the site to KnowYourOptions.com™.

The new Fannie Mae site has the same intention that our original site had and continues to do an excellent job of informing the consumer how to stay in their home or how to leave their home. We fully endorse Fannie Mae’s current use of the site.

San Diego homeowners can certainly benefit. Here’s how.

• Find out if you have a Fannie Mae backed mortgage.

Fannie Mae backed loans could mean you have more options in dealing with your home loan. All this will be discussed when you meet with a housing counselor or broker, but it’s best to get as many of the facts as you can first. Use the Fannie Mae Loan Lookup form to find out for sure.

• View the local foreclosure prevention events calendar.

Find foreclosure education events in and around Southern California. These are in-person discussions that explain how foreclosure works and what you need to do.

• Watch videos from the video library.

You could search YouTube for hours to find the video with the information you need. KnowYourOptions.com has 20 videos covering short sales, died in lieu, forbearance, and more.

• Download the Fannie Mae financial documents checklist.

As you go through the process you’ll need to collect copies of documents to share with your mortgage company. Start now to prevent stress later. This checklist will help.

• Find your mortgage company.

The contact information of your mortgage company should be on your monthly statements, but you can also use Know Your Options and search the site for a web address and a phone number.

• Get the facts.

Read the frequently asked questions, learn the mortgage industry terminology, and know what it means to stay in your home or leave your home. WhatsMyOptions.com is also a great resource for this kind of information.

• Self-guided options finder.

By answering a few simple questions you can receive a personalized set of options.

What else would you like to know? Tell us what San Diego homeowners need.

“You can either complain that rosebushes have thorns – or rejoice that thorn bushes have roses!”

~ Anonymous

Whether or not you have a green thumb, you probably know that gardens may contain either annual or perennial flower varieties. Annuals are fun to grow for several reasons: 1) they sprout quickly from seeds, 2) they flower the first year, and 3) their colors can be brilliant and most pleasing. They are also less hardy and die out at the first sign of frost. Each spring, new seeds must be planted.

Perennials are another story. Growing from seeds, they take longer to sprout and rarely flower the first year. Their colors are more subtle hues, and they require more attention in the early stages. They must be cut back in the winter and covered with mulch, and may require fertilizer in the spring. They also come back year after year, returning with stronger roots, greater beauty and abundant growth. With time, they require less and less attention, yet continue to prosper. No matter how cold the winter, they always return with renewed vigor.

Friendships and business relationships are a lot like flowers, and may also be either annual or perennial in nature. They may be quick to bloom and most enjoyable to experience, yet fade quickly at the first hint of trouble.

Others grow more gradually through trust-building and respect. They may not dazzle the senses or leave us breathless, yet they are consistent, trusting, and produce a warm glow that hardly fades when tested by adversity. These relationships grow over time, and produce an abundance of lasting beauty.

In business, as in personal relationships, the best things in life come with time and caring. When planning your life’s garden this spring, why not devote your attention to the perennials? With an added touch of patience, you can look forward to the sweet fragrances to come.

It has been a rough three years, with buyers and sellers battered by a wave of foreclosures, tight credit and uncertain job prospects. Government support — in the form of tax credits and federal backing for mortgages — has helped keep sales moving. But now those supports are ending, making this spring a key test of whether the housing market can walk on its own again.

The next 60 days, should tell us where we’re going

But some of that strength comes from supports that are soon to be pulled out.

Homes must be in contract by April 30 to qualify for the $8,000 tax credit; and unlike last fall, when it was first set to expire, there is little momentum in Congress for another extension.

Meanwhile, interest rates are widely expected to rise after the Federal Reserve stopped buying mortgage-backed securities at the end of March.

So far, rate increases haven’t happened — Freddie Mac’s average 30-year fixed rate mortgage climbed from 5.08 percent to 5.21 before falling back to 5.07 a week later — but many experts think they will creep up over the next few months if the economy improves. Some predict six percent by year’s end.

That’s still low by historic standards, but over 30 years every 1 percentage point increase adds roughly 10 percent to the cost of the loan.

That, as much as anything, may push more people to buy this spring, Abbott said, even if they don’t hit the tax credit’s timeline.

“What does your total cost of ownership look like if rates go above 6 percent?” he asked. “It’s really not about the $18,000 credit; it’s about what you’re going to spend to own the thing.”

But the recovery is still tentative, and nobody is expecting the market to roar back, especially in the area that most interests sellers: price.

Housing Chartbook April 2010 (Wells Fargo Securities)

Prices have bounced back a bit in the past six months but are still well off their mid-decade peaks. Median prices in San Diego have dropped 48.5 percent over the past three years, said David Stiff, chief economist for Fiserv, a financial data firm. He said he expected a roughly 1 percent decline in both 2010 and 2011. It’ll be 2017 before prices fully rebound here, he said.

This analysis is for San Marcos, CA residential standard sales, short sales, and bank owned, REO sales, and was generated by the real estate short sale professionals of the SD Short Sales ASAP Group.

234 Active Listings (on the market for sale)

167 Contingent Listings (under contract waiting for approval short sale, Bank owned)

195 Pending Listings (In escrow)

21 Homes Sold April 12 – April 18, 2010

The average price for active homes for sale is $464,133 and the average price per square foot is $231.23.

Of the total homes on the market for sale 153 are detached homes Of these detached homes 45 are short sales and 12 are bank owned REO’s for a total of 57 distress single family homes in San Marcos, CA The distressed home represent 37% of the total inventory of detached homes for sale in San Marcos, CA . The average price of these distressed properties is $463,260 and the average price per square foot is $191.51

Furthermore the attached condominiums, there are 81 attached homes currently on the market for sale in San Marcos, CA The average sale price is for these home is $263,377 and the average price per square foot is $213.87. Of this total 36 are short sale and 7 are bank owned foreclosed condos on the market in San Marcos, CA for a total of 43 financially distressed condos. The percentage of distressed attached homes on the market is 58%. The median price of distressed condo is $250,991, and the average price per square foot is $196.69

If you would like more information about San Marcos, CA real estate market feel free to drop us a line. 760-576-4357 or Contact us. If you or someone who you know could use are help give us a call

Thanks for reading

Durrell K Thomas Oak Tree Realty Group San Diego DRE Lic #01371856 (760) 576-4357 durrell@oaktreerg.com http://KnowYourOptions.org

See more San Marcos, CA real estate for sale

This analysis is for San Marcos, CA residential standard sales, short sales, and bank owned, REO sales, and was generated by the real estate short sale professionals of the SD Short Sales ASAP Group.

231 Active Listings (on the market for sale)

169 Contingent Listings (under contract waiting for approval short sale, Bank owned)

186 Pending Listings (In escrow)

11 Homes Sold April 5 – April 12, 2010

The average price for active homes for sale is $438,241 and the average price per square foot is $226.49.

Of the total homes on the market for sale 151 are detached homes Of these detached homes 49 are short sales and 12 are bank owned REO’s for a total of 61 distress single family homes in San Marcos, CA The distressed home represent 40.5% of the total inventory of detached homes for sale in San Marcos, CA . The average price of these distressed properties is $447,247 and the average price per square foot is $196.14

Furthermore the attached condominiums, there are 73 attached homes currently on the market for sale in San Marcos, CA The average sale price is for these home is $263,767 and the average price per square foot is $215.28. Of this total 37 are short sale and 7 are bank owned foreclosed condos on the market in San Marcos, CA for a total of 42 financially distressed condos. The percentage of distressed attached homes on the market is 58%. The median price of distressed condo is $271,861, and the average price per square foot is $209.62

If you would like more information about San Marcos, CA real estate market feel free to drop us a line. 760-576-4357 or Contact us. If you or someone who you know could use are help give us a call

Thanks for reading

Durrell K Thomas Oak Tree Realty Group San Diego DRE Lic #01371856 (760) 576-4357 durrell@oaktreerg.com http://KnowYourOptions.org

See more San Marcos, CA real estate for sale

“Always remember the distinction between contribution and commitment.

Take the matter of bacon and eggs.

The chicken makes a contribution. The pig makes a commitment.”

~ John Mack Carter

OK, sure – you prepare the meals, maintain the yard, balance the checkbook, take the kids to soccer, wash and iron the clothes, tune-up the car. You take care of all the daily needs of the family. So – is that your contribution to them, or a contribution to your commitment to them?

Our world today is frantic. As adults, our responsibilities are awesome. Our careers require long and odd hours away from family. Our children are lured by television towards needs and desires for more and more material possessions, i.e. logo clothing, “gaming” accessories, makeup, or cool vehicles. Our spouse wonders why there’s never enough time for “us.” Where will it all end? How can we slow down?

If your family is moving at the speed of life, and there seems to be no end in sight, maybe it’s time to take a look at your commitment to all involved. A great place to start is time alone with your spouse – away from home. If possible, that means an overnight or weekend trip. It’s a time to re-examine your values, your goals in life, and the direction you would like your family to take. Finally, it’s a time to re-commit to the health of your marriage.

You may quickly realize that it’s a time to simplify your life – and that of your family. That’s easy to say – more difficult to accomplish – yet attainable with a firm commitment. If you like the idea of simplification, there are three excellent books that can move you in that direction.

First is a great primer, Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s “Gift From The Sea.” Next, for both men and women is “The Simplicity Reader” by Elaine St. James. Finally, and especially for women, is “Simple Abundance” by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Why not make a new commitment to your family, beginning today? Your contributions will be much more enjoyable!

Durrell K Thomas Oak Tree Realty Group San Diego DRE Lic #01371856 (760) 576-4357 durrell@oaktreerg.com http://KnowYourOptions.org

See more San Marcos, CA real estate for sale

As distress properties continue to dominate the Southern Californian real estate market, it’s easy for home buyers to find great bargains in the San Diego area. Basically, there are three ways for home buyers to acquire foreclosures, and these include buying presale, auction, or bank-owned properties.

Auction Properties

Most home buyers who choose to buy a foreclosure do so from a foreclosure auction, because they are able to get title to the property quickly. Also, property price at a foreclosure auction is generally lower than those that are offered in other types of sales.

One thing that may discourage you from buying a home at a foreclosure auction is that you cannot view the interior of the property. Still, you may be able to tell the condition by looking at the property from the outside. On top of that, San Diego County Short Sales will research the home to find out as much as possible.

Short Sale Properties

When buying Short sale  properties, you deal with the homeowner directly. The main advantage of buying a short sale  home is the discount, which can be as high as 30% off the market value of the property. However, there is also considerable risk involved, because title problems are common with purchases of  short sale homes. Also, buyers are required to pay for inspection costs. a

Bank Owned Properties

Properties not sold in foreclosure auction usually end up bank-owned.  Many home buyers prefer to buy from banks because they can get a traditional mortgage for bank-owned properties.

The agents at San Diego County Short Sales are seasoned in buying bank-owned properties. We understand that banks often sell foreclosed homes at market value when they would have rather sold the homes for much less at a foreclosure auction. When you come at it from this angle, it’s easier to get the best price possible on a bank-owned property.

“A man will find that as he alters his thoughts toward things and other people, things and other people will alter towards him…. Let a man radically alter his thoughts, and he will be astonished at the rapid transformation it will effect in the material conditions of his life. Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are…. The divinity that shapes our ends is in ourselves. It is our very self…. All that a man achieves is the direct result of his own thoughts…. A man can only rise, conquer and achieve by lifting up his thoughts. He can only remain weak and abject and miserable by refusing to lift up his thoughts.”

~ James Allen, “As A Man Thinketh”

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE!

It’s so simple . . . the advice given in the above quote . . . and so true. Each of us has the power to elevate the value and quality of our life, simply by “lifting up” our thoughts, by placing our hands firmly on the wheel of positive thinking. Earl Nightingale gave an example in one of his taped programs. He said imagine that you are the operator of a huge piece of earth-moving equipment. You are perched in a small cab, hands on the wheel, and have the ability to move vast amounts of earth. Would you take your hands off the wheel and let it run itself into a ditch?

Your mind, and hence your thoughts, mirror that steering wheel. Through positive thoughts, you guide your life in a direction that produces positive actions, resulting in positive re-actions from others. Refusing to keep your hands on the wheel will quickly deliver you into life’s ditches.

Life today is complex. It brings with it many opportunities for negative thinking. They range from the personal early morning “Hurry up, we’re going to be late!” to the mid-day business crisis of “The deal isn’t going to close!” Another quote goes like this: “Think you can, think you can’t, either way you’re right!” Again, it’s your choice, isn’t it?

The next time you feel frustration and doubt creeping into your vocabulary, think of a time when you felt really good about a similar situation . . . then replace the negative thought with a positive statement. As another wise individual once said, “Our lives are what our thoughts make of it.”

Thanks  for  reading

This analysis is for San Marcos, CA residential standard sales, short sales, and bank owned, REO sales, and was generated by the real estate short sale professionals of the SD Short Sales ASAP Group.

214 Active Listings (on the market for sale)

164 Contingent Listings (under contract waiting for approval short sale, Bank owned)

181 Pending Listings (In escrow)

32 Homes Sold March 29 – April 5, 2010

The average price for active homes for sale is $430,509 and the average price per square foot is $222.65.

Of the total homes on the market for sale 141 are detached homes Of these detached homes 47 are short sales and 15 are bank owned REO’s for a total of 62 distress single family homes in San Marcos, CA The distressed home represent 44% of the total inventory of detached homes for sale in San Marcos, CA . The average price of these distressed properties is $447,247 and the average price per square foot is $196.14

Furthermore the attached condominiums, there are 73 attached homes currently on the market for sale in San Marcos, CA The average sale price is for these home is $263,595 and the average price per square foot is $214.49. Of this total 34 are short sale and 8 are bank owned foreclosed condos on the market in San Marcos, CA for a total of 42 financially distressed condos. The percentage of distressed attached homes on the market is 58%. The median price of distressed condo is $271,861, and the average price per square foot is $209.62

If you would like more information about San Marcos, CA real estate market feel free to drop us a line. 760-576-4357 or Contact us. If you or someone who you know could use are help give us a call

Thanks for reading

DRE Lic 01788274