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UCLA: O.C. Home Prices to Rise 35%

by Jeff Collins / The Orange County Register

If you bought a home during housing’s price peak in 2006 or 2007, don’t expect to see its value to get back to what you paid for it by 2017.

But if you buy this year, you could see your home’s value rise around 34.6% within the next six years – a gain of about $149,000 on a median priced home...Click Here for the Entire Article 

Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) Changes

October 24, 2011...The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced enhancements to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), and extended the program until Dec. 31, 2013. The changes are designed to expand the number of borrowers with little or negative equity who can qualify for refinancing.

Key Points to the New Program:

The Home Affordable Refinance Program allows homeowners in good payment standing, whose loans are owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, to refinance and take advantage of today’s low interest rates.

1)  The program is especially helpful for customers who cannot obtain a standard refinance because their property value has declined.

2)  The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced enhancements to this program today that will allow more customers to qualify.

3)  Only borrowers with a loan sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac before May 31, 2009 are eligible to refinance through HARP. In addition, borrowers who already have refinanced through HARP are not eligible to refinance through the program again.

4)  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac plan to send the program guidelines required to offer this program to all lenders in mid-November.

5)  Borrowers must be current on their payments for the past six months with no more than one missed payment in the past 12 months.

To determine if your loan is owned by Freddie Mac...CLICK HERE

To determine if your loan is owned by Fannie Mae...CLICK HERE

To determine your potential eligibility for HARP...CLICK HERE

To download a PDF of this document...CLICK HERE

Please contact your lender or let us know if you would like us to connect you with a seasoned loan professional to help determine your eligibility for this program.

Keep Your Kids Safe with These Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure that they have a safe holiday, here are some tips to keep in mind throughout the season:

All Dressed Up:
• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he or she stumbles or trips.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

Home Safe Home:
• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, homeowners should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Homeowners should check outdoor lights and replace burnt-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

On the Trick-or-Treat Trail:
• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review an acceptable route. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Remind children to stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
• Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will.
• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

Healthy Halloween:
• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books, or pens and pencils.
• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

Source: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)