Real Estate Information

Special Olympics

Special Olympics is looking for coaches for the following fall/ winter sports: bowling, soccer, softball and Tennis.

The sport season runs August thru December. Special Olympics Tri-valley is a non-profit organization which provides sports and training programs for those with intellectual disabilities at no cost to the athlete or their families.

If you are interested in becoming a coach, volunteer or making a tax deductible donation - Please e-mail trivalley@sosc.org  or

call the office at 818-342-0017

Los Angeles had a new proposal to punish the state of Arizona for it's immigration law. The city Council voted to file a friend of the court brief in a lawsuit that seeks to overturn Arizona's immigration law, SB 1070. It passed 8-2.

For the record Greig Smith voted against the bill stating....

"I continue to oppose the City of Los Angeles Expending time and resources on a law passed in another State, especially at a time when we must focus our efforts on the City's fiscal crisis."

I have a very difficult time myself trying to understand why this would even be an issue in Los Angeles - when we are in financial turmoil and really should be focusing on our own issues.  

Teri Goldbaum

FREDDIE AND FANNIE WON'T PAY DOWN YOUR MORTGAGE.

Pressure is mounting on loan servicers and investors to reduce troubled homeowners' loan balances... but the two largest owners of mortgages aren't getting the message. 

Looking for a loan modification - hoping to reduce your principle?  Not if your loan is a Freddie or Fannie Mae. 

But their stance is out of line with the Obama administration - which is seeking to expand the use of principle writedowns. 

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are controlled by the federal government, do not lower the principle, instead they are opting for interest rate reductions and term extensions when modifying loans.

Housing experts, however say it's time for Fannie and Freddie to start reducing principle. The treasury have already set aside $75 billion for foreclosure prevention, which can be spent on interest-rate reductions or principle write downs. 

Meanwhile, a growing number of loans backed by Fannie and Freddie are falling into default, so advocates argue, lowering loan balances now can actually save the companies and taxpayers money later! 

For more information on this:  click here

Californians have a Brief window of opportunity to receive up to $18,000 in combined Federal and State homebuyer tax credit!

To take advantage of both tax credits, a first time home buyer must enter into a purchase contract for a principle residence before May 1st, 2010 and close escrow between May 1st, 2010 and June 30th, 2010. inclusive Buyers who are not first-time homebuyers may use the same timeframes to receive up to $16,500 in combined tax credits if they are long-time residents of their existing homes as permitted under federal law, and they purchase properties that have never been previously occupied as provided by California Law.

( according to the California Association of Realtors)

Under the federal law slated to soon to expire, a first time homebuyer may receive up to $8,000 in tax credits, and a long-time resident may receive up to $6,500 for certain purchase contracts entered into by April 30th that close escrow by Jun 30th, 2010. Additionally, under a newly enacted California law, a homebuyer may receive up to $10,000 in tax credits as a first-time homebuyer or buyer of a property that has never been occupied. The new california law applies to certain purchases that close escrow on or after May 1st, 2010 ( see Cal. Rev & Tax Code section 17059.1(a)(4). California law generally allows buyers of never-occupied properties to reserve their credits before closing escrow.

(see Cal. Rev & Tax Code Section 17059.1(c)(1)(A)

Other terms and conditions apply to both tax credits.

Granada High School Bid for New School on Balboa

If you're not already aware of Granada Hills Charter High School - Let me give you a brief summary. GHCHS started as a charter school in 2003. It is currently accredited by The Western Association of Schools and Colleges and has an API  (Academic Performance Index) of 843.  It has outperformed most of LAUSD schools and many Private schools. It is a high performing school in academics and athletics which is why it is highly sought after by many families in and out of the district.  

GHCHS is currently seeking to run the "Valley High School #4" - that is the building LAUSD has built on Balboa Blvd between Chatsworth and San Fernando Mission Blvd.  

Last month LAUSD voted to award certin new and existing underperforming LAUSD campuses to both LAUSD and non-LAUSD organizations beginning in the 2010-11 school year through the public choice resolution. Because many Charter operators with strong credentials and records were not selected in this first round - The board action was viewed as a set-back to school reform in many circles.  Please see links below of some press articles. 

As a resident of Granada Hills and a parent who has several children now and previously attending GHCHS, I am supporting their efforts to gain this facility to further strong education in Granada Hills.   

My understanding is that LAUSD high school drop out rate is about 30% and while their student enrollment is declining their budget ballooned, among other things...

GHCHS is looking at this facility to possibly have a 9th Grade academy and increase the attendance district - I see this as a great advancement for Granada Hills and our children. 

Here are a few articles regarding Recent decision by LAUSD

LA Times Article - Click here

Daily News Article -  Click Here

To find out what you can do to support GHCHS - you can contact the school directly at:  818-360-2361

Here's some exciting news...

California Lawmakers have voted to extend a $10,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers.

The credit will apply to first time buyers who purchase new or existing homes between May 1st and Dec 31st of this year.  ( the current buyer's tax credit ends 4/30/10)  

It is for 5% of the purchase price, or up to $10,000.

The bill received bipartisan support in the Assembly and Semate on Monday and will be sent to Gov. Schwarzenegger, who stopped in Salinas last monday to discuss extending the home buyer's tax credit.  Gov. said " We need to inspire people to buy home, the tax credit does that"

This should help the struggling housing market to stabilize and stem the downward slide of property values.

For more information you can go to :

http://www.kcra.com/money/22914818/detail.html  

WHAT IS A SHORT SALE OF A PROPERTY?

A homeowner is "short" when the amount owed on his/her property is higher than the current market value.

A homeowner pays NO fees or commissions to do a short sale.

A Real Estate Agent preferably one who is certified as a Short Sale Specialist - lists your home for sale at market value and negotiates on behalf on the homeowner with the lender to accept the difference. The Real Estate agent handles all phone calls and interventions with the lender.

The lender/bank pays all fees and commissions associated with the sale of the property and the homeowner walks away with zero proceeds. 

A short sale has far less consequences on your credit rating and future purchasing of a home than a foreclosure. 

The New HAFA program is promising homeowners $1,500 towards moving expenses if a short sale is completed. In addition to a lender receiving a bonus for accepting a short sale. 

We are certified Short Sale Specialists - Please call us today to discuss your options.

Teri & Steve Goldbaum         818-515-2006

BUYING FORECLOSED PROPERTIES

FREE SEMINAR ON BUYING REO'S - INVITE YOUR FRIENDS, REALTORS, LENDER...

This forum will focus on: 

!   How to best structure offers for consideration. 

!   Identifying the deal makers and deal breakers involved with every offer. 

!  Reviewing the state of the REO market. 

Hear from Prospect’s REO expert, SVP of Financing Ivan Choi and a panel of our top REO Listing Agents - Steve Goldbaum of The Gold Team will be one of the speakers for the agent / panel.

who will speak to BUYERS about the secrets of the deal.  Our speakers will teach you how to navigate the REO 

process and buy an REO property!  

Saturday, March 20 

8:00am – 9:30am 

9:30am - 11:00am 

Airtel Plaza Hotel     

7277 Valjean Avenue 

Van Nuys, California  91406 

(818) 997-7676   

Self-parking available 

Contact Delmis Flores at (818) 742-3200 ext. 4857 

check out the following links:

"Flaws Plague Foreclosure Relief Program" 

National Consumer Law Center - servicer report

         Why should you buy a home now?            

• US mortgage rates averaged 5.04% in 2009, an all-time low since

•  Freddie Mac started tracking in 1971

• The $8,000 tax credit goes away on April 30th

• Affordability of homes was 4th highest in US on record.

• Good Inventory for Los Angeles area

• Call The Gold Team today to help your find your dream home