Archives for January 2008

Inman News (01/31/08)Unlike the economic stimulus package passed by the House, the version approved by the Senate Finance Committee does not include provisions that would boost the limit of mortgages Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) can purchase or guarantee. Under the House bill, the government-sponsored enterprises can buy or guarantee loans up to 125 percent Continue Reading

Hot on the heels of its surprise inter-session rate cut of 75 basis points last week, the Federal Reserve cut key interest rates again, the fifth straight cut since September 2007. In its statement last week, the Fed said it had decided to cut the federal funds rate "in view of a weakening of the economic outlook and increasing downside risks to growth." In other words, economic data suggests the Continue Reading

8 Home Organization Tips 1. Start with a plan. Make a list of projects you want to complete during the year and prioritize them. You don’t have to do everything in February and March; pace yourself so you won’t feel overwhelmed. 2. Take three simple steps. Every organization project starts with three basic steps: purge the items you no longer want or need, analyze what’s left to determine how Continue Reading

I've been talking with several of our lenders over the last few days who we've worked with closely over the last several years. They are all full time professionals who have been in the industry for a long time. They have watched the trends and know the historic significance of market shifts. Much has been said and printed about the current mortgage crisis in our country. While much of this news Continue Reading

One of the fallouts or the current mortgage crisis has been minimally reported at best. Get this....people are walking away from their homes and leaving their pets at the house. They have no place to put them and so they just leave them. Dogs have been found at many vacant homes around the Phoenix area. What would possess a person to just leave a pet? Most people's pets really become a part of the Continue Reading

Find out where your seat is for the BIG game!University of Phoenix Stadium Seating Charthttp://static.nfl.com/static/content//public/static/img/superbowl/features/stadiums_seatingchart_az.gifPosted by: Katie Halle Continue Reading

Associated PressAZCentral, Jan. 28, 2008 08:11 AM (posted by Leah Hamman)WASHINGTON - Sales of new homes plunged by a record amount in 2007 while prices posted the weakest showing in 16 years, demonstrating the troubles builders are facing with a huge backlog of unsold homes.The Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. Department reported Monday that sales of new homes dropped by 26.4 percent last Continue Reading

I ran across this quote the other day and thought that it may just lift someone’s spirits. Have a great week!"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." - Carl Bard Continue Reading

What will you do with your tax-rebate check?(Feds plan to mail up to $600 per person)Save, spend, invest or pay down debt?Taxpayers in Arizona and other states have some decisions to make now that Congress and the White House have announced a deal to stimulate the economy with a special $150 billion package of tax rebates and incentives.Many details remain sketchy, and the plan still must be Continue Reading

The Federal Reserve surprised everyone Tuesday with an emergency intersession rate cut of .75%, the deepest cut in the Fed Funds Rate since 1984. The Fed Governors are acting in direct response to recent reports that the country is on the brink of recession. If you have credit cards, auto loans, HELOCs, or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage, the Fed's decision to cut this key interest rate is great Continue Reading