Posts Tagged ‘real estate’

Arizona Attorney General on Loan Modification

AZ Attorney General Terry Goddard had the following to say regarding mortgages and loan modification.  This quote shows that he has a better picture of what is happening in our economy than most, and it makes me hope that he’ll try a run for governor soon.  On his Facebook page, Goddard says:

“It is in the best interests of all concerned parties – borrowers, investors in mortgage-backed securities, servicers, communities and the nation’s economy – to, whenever possible, avoid foreclosures by modifying loan terms to make them affordable for borrowers”

Thank you Mr. Goddard!

Edited: December 16th, 2009

Short Sales Can Benefit Everyone

Short Sales and foreclosures made up over 40% of sales in the third quarter of 2008 making short sales commonplace in the Phoenix area.  Without experience and persistence a short sale can be very challenging to close.  But before we get into the details of short sale challenges let’s answer a very basic question, What is a Short Sale? 

A short sale is when a mortgage holder accepts less for the property than what is owed.  It’s that simple, but seeing the sale through to the finish can be a long and arduous process.  Each financial institution is different, I’ve seen Short Sales take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to close, the average usually falling somewhere in the middle.

The first step is to call your lender, discuss your situation and the possibility of a short sale.  Request information on their short sale process and a ”Short Sale Packet.”  Next, talk to your REALTOR about listing your property.  You may need an offer on the table to get the lender to look at your packet, so be sure to discuss the offer and approval processes with your lender.   And as with all major financial decisions you should consult your Accountant and/or Attorney to discuss the financial implications.

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Edited: February 3rd, 2009

Gambel Quail

This post, I decided to profile of one of our most common neighbors out here in the Superstition Mountains, the Gambel’s Quail. 

These little guys swarm all over the foothills, running in gangs called coveys.

Quail are mostly monogamous, and the male will raise the brood if the female is killed.  The flocks usually consist of up to 20 birds, mostly sisters and children of the original pair.

They have a regular cycle in their reproduction, and some years (mostly wetter years) have much higher populations than others. 

The Gambel’s quail is food for just about every predator out in these deserts, so a good year for the quail is a good year for all the other wildlife.  Coyotes, bobcats, hawks and owls, and even Roadrunners have been seen preying on these little guys.

They seem to prefer running on the ground to flying, but they can fly explosively fast and as high as they need to when they are startled.

Many people put out food for the birds here, but it pays to remember that a birdfeeder is a snake-feeder as well.  If you have a lot of quail, you have a lot of predators.

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Edited: January 20th, 2009

Three Steps to Safety – When you go away

A little prep before your vacation can help make it easier to relax while you’re away.  These three things will help to keep your home from looking vacant and help ensure you find things as you left them.

1. Ask a neighbor to collect your mail and newspaper, and offer to return the favor.
   
2. Put an automatic timer on at least two lights and a radio (an oscillating fan can also give the appearance of movement in the home). Consider photoelectric sensors to turn outside lights on and off automatically.
   
3. Tell a trusted neighbor when you’re leaving and when you’ll return. Include an itinerary and phone numbers where you can be reached in an emergency.

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Edited: January 17th, 2009