What's New in Real Estate?
Placer, Sacramento, El Dorado Counties
July 2008 - Vol 3, Issue 7
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SF

Happy 4th of July!
Everyone knows about the new cell phone law in effect today. Did you know there are a number of other driving fines effective today? Read the article below for infractions.

On a more uplifting note - the Fountains in Roseville had their grand opening yesterday. I went last night and it looks fabulous. About half of the stores are open. Those of you anxiously awaiting Whole Foods still have a little longer to wait.

If you're looking for something fun to do after a day of shopping at the Fountains head across the street and watch a Sacramento Capitals match. The Capitals will be playing throughout the month of July. The Capitals are generously offering my clients a discount for the July 23rd match at 7:30PM. Buy one ticket and get one free. For a coupon email me and I will forward the coupon to you.

Getting back to real estate. There are a lot of opinions right now about the market and the economy. The good news for our area is sales are up for the 4th month in a row. Inventory is down 17% over the same time last year. The market under $300K is still hot. The bank owned homes have been selling quickly with multiple offers. There is a lot of speculation that we'll see another surge of bank owned homes toward the end of summer. For now the bank owned inventory is down significantly from the spring. In the upper end market, I'm starting to see more seller and creative financing due to the higher interest rates and loan restrictions for jumbo loans. It's not always necessary to borrow money directly from the banks. Call me for more information on seller financing.

If you're struggling with your mortgage payment, there's a great article at the bottom of this email you should read.

If you know anyone thinking of buying or selling real estate, I'd appreciate your referral!

Thanks,
Kia Kapci

Bridge Creek Pool
Incredible hilltop custom Estate with tree lined winding driveway! 2.3 acres with mature landscaping including a creek at the bottom of the property, multiple oak trees, vineyard and stunning rose bushes lining the path to the front courtyard. Beautiful views from every angle on the property. Backyard landscaping, fence, pool, spa, waterfalls, fountain, outdoor kitchen, bocce ball & fire pit finished spring 2008!!! Additional slab poured for boat or RV storage - possible to build two car detached garage with an upstairs guest suite or home office on current slab.

Charming Tudor style home creates a cozy atmosphere with 3 fireplaces and views from every room. Master suite on the 1st floor opens to patio, pool & spa. Master bath features two walk in closets with cedar floors and Jacuzzi tub. Well designed gourmet kitchen with granite, Viking Professional gas range and built-in fridge, island with sink and pull out cabinet drawers. Formal living & dining rooms overlook front courtyard and vineyard. Upstairs balcony loft complete with granite slab wet bar (finished 2008) for your game room or home office.
2.3 acres
3-4 bed/3 bath
2856 sq ft

Sinclair Living Room
Incredible investment!!!!!!!!!!

The average $/sq ft sold in all of West Rsvl (95747) since 6/1/08 is $171.24.

This is now listed at $159.07. Our list price is $12/sq ft under the average sold price!!!

This home is immaculate, in a gated community with a fabulous club house - pool/spa/bocce ball/tennis/gym/library and more!

1917 Oak Crest
This is the custom home you've been looking for! Secluded single story nestled by ravine on 2 sides. Gorgeous views and access to miles of bike paths from your yard. Builder didn't miss a beat in design, amenities, or quality from heated chiseled travertine floors to 16' ceilings w/ decorated beams. Gourmet kitchen is chef's dreams w/all top notch appl incl Miele built-in espresso machine. Stunning bathrooms w/great design elements including 1/2 bath w/mosaic glass tile, modern bowl sink, & vanity.

New Driving Fines for 2008 for State of California

1. Carpool lane - 1st time $1068.50 starting 7/1/08 (The $271 posted on the highway is old). Don't do it again because 2nd time is going to be double. 3rd time triple and 4th time license suspended.

2. Incorrect lane change - $380. Don't cross the lane on solid lines or intersections.

3. Block intersection - $485

4. Driving on the shoulder - $450

5. Cell phone use in the construction zone. - Double fine as of 07/01/08. Cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving.

6. Passengers over 18 not in their seatbelts - both passengers and drivers get tickets.

7. Speeders can only drive 3 miles above the limit.

8. DUI = JAIL (Stays on your driving record for 10 years!)

9. As of 07/01/08 cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving. Ticket is $285. They will be looking for this like crazy - easy money for police department.
Passing of Keys
In a tough economic climate, many Americans are choosing to just walk away from their mortgages. Is that a good idea?

Mortgage rates are skyrocketing. Credit is locked up. Economic pressures are rising. Time to bail on that McMansion?

Some homeowners who are three months to a year behind on their mortgages have chosen to leave their homes altogether. Anyone can walk away from a house-even a retired baseball great, Jose Canseco, who abandoned his Encino (Calif.) property earlier this year.

But attractive as "just walking away" may seem to a homeowner at the end of his or her financial tether, leaving a property to the mortgage-holder or other interested parties carries a serious credit risk and significant legal responsibility.

"The first thing you should think about is where you are going to live," says Benjamin Bradley, a partner at law firm Cohen Milstein Hausfeld & Toll. "You can always move back in with your parents, but it is better to just make an arrangement with a lender."

Forbearance Vs. Forgiveness

It is a good idea to call the person you may least want to talk to: The lender. Cash-strapped homeowners can get forbearance from their lender if they act early. This agreement reduces or suspends the mortgage payment for a limited time, giving homeowners a temporary reprieve.

A forbearance is not the same as loan forgiveness. Ultimately the mortgage payments have to be reinstated, and anywhere from three to six months of missed payments have to be accounted for. The very lucky-and reasonably well-off-can pay off the amount accumulated during forbearance in one lump sum. But for those who still find themselves in short- term financial trouble, most lenders offer specialized payment plans in which the borrower agrees to add a portion of the missed payments to the mortgage until the account is current.

"Lenders want to have borrowers tell them what is going on," says Traci Rollins, partner at law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey. "It is cheaper to work with borrowers than it is to foreclose."

Speaking directly to a lender seems logical enough. But surprisingly, homeowners who struggle and fail to meet their mortgage payments month after month rarely contact their lenders. And the further they fall behind, the less likely they are to reach out for help. "Some people ignore their lenders if they cannot make their payments," says Brian Sullivan, a spokesman for the Housing & Urban Development Dept. (HUD). "They do not answer their phone. They throw the notices away. And then the house is in foreclosure."

By then, just walking away becomes much more attractive than trying to pay a loan for more than a house is worth.

A Drastic Step

Walking away has not reached epidemic proportions yet. A survey released in June by You Walk Away, a Los Angeles company that advises people whose homes are in foreclosure, shows that fewer than 1% of homeowners nationwide have abandoned their foreclosed properties rather than make arrangements to pay off the mortgages. While Jon Maddux, principal and co-founder of the company, acknowledges that abandoning a home is not always in the best interest of cash-strapped homeowners, he argues the long- term rewards for doing so far exceed the risk.

"Walking away from a mortgage severely damages your credit," Maddux says. "But if you pay off your credit cards, get debt-free, and rebuild your credit that way, the foreclosure is gone after seven years. We've seen some of our clients' credit scores improve by 100 points after foreclosure."

Perhaps such a drastic step may help some homeowners. But even in the current housing market, those cases are few and far between.

"We are seeing more and more people who blame the market," says Anthony Casareale, an attorney with Akerman Senterfitt's distressed property practice. "There are those who abandon their homes and think 'I'll live to fight another day.'" But chances are, the people who are desperate enough to walk away from a house will never be financially secure enough for that brighter day to come."

Preventive Measures

Tighter lending practices and new legislation directed toward mortgage lenders could help revitalize the flagging market. But in the meantime, there are some quick and easy ways for homeowners to prevent mortgage difficulties from ruining their financial future:

· Contact either an FHA-sponsored or independent loan counselor to help you negotiate with your lender.

· Ask your lender about loan modification or changing the terms of the home loan.

· Find out if you are eligible for a partial claim, a one- time interest-free loan that will allow you to bring your account current.

Homeowners across the country are struggling to hold onto their investments amid a weakening labor market, rising inflation, and a sluggish economy. They may not always succeed, but by maintaining contact with lenders-and seeking out assistance from private and government entities-at least they have a chance.

"There are always options for homeowners," says Meg Byrne, director of HUD's Office of Single Family Program Development. "Nobody wants to see a neighborhood made up of boarded-up houses. And nobody wants to see anybody thrown out of their home."
by Carl Winfield, Business Week - June 27,08

FOR A FREE MARKET ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOME AND ESTIMATE OF VALUE CALL OR EMAIL ME! I WILL GET YOU THE INFO WITHIN 24 HOURS OF YOUR REQUEST. Please contact me with all of your real estate needs and questions. I am always available to you, your family and friends!

Happy 4th of July,


Kia Kapci
Lyon Real Estate

phone: 916-782-0558
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