Merlot Mortgage

JAN BATES REALTY

admin — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:13:56 +0000

Jan Bates of Jan Bates Realty … Your Personal Broker For Life!!!

Press Release Professional Women’s Roundtable

Professional Women’s Roundtable (PWR), is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting business women seek, create and achieve success. Jan Bates, owner/broker of Jan Bates Realty is being recognized as the Professional Women’s Roundtable Volunteer of the Quarter. Jan has been a Real Estate Specialist since 1989, serving as a Relocation Expert, Senior Real Estate Specialist and First Time Buyer Advocate. She is an outstanding community member and was selected because of her involvement to a variety of charity organizations including Toys for Tots, Treats for Troops, Camp Scholarships, Feed the Children, St Josephs Indian School, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors scholarship and canned food drive and most recently Hurricane Katrina Relief. Jan’s dedication to others and her strong desire to assist charity causes is her life’s passion. She easily expresses her heartfelt commitment with the sparkle in her eyes and the enthusiasm she shows for the many she helps. Jan has been active in PWR since 2002 and serves as a member of the leadership committee. Jan’s willingness to give is shared with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Please contact Jan for all your real estate needs with an added touch and personalized service. Bus: 760-723-4375Fax: 760-728-6269Cell: 760-470-0824 E-Mail: janbates@tfb.com … Your Personal Broker For Life! & Assisting Our Troops

Identity Theft

admin — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:23:02 +0000

Don’t Let The Stress Of Identity Theft Turn You Into Someone You Don’t Recognize

With Farmers Identity Shield^SM , you reduce the worry that accompanies getting your identity stolen.

Added to your homeowners policy, it’s what you need to help return your life to its picture-perfect status.

Call me, your local agent, and shield yourself today.

A personal fraud advocate helps reclaim your identity
Proactive monitoring of your credit/public records

Available for $65 or less per year

Need more information? Call me at (951) 672-3476 or email me at bwalker4@farmersagent.com

Expressive Body Movement

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:07:28 +0000

Experience the body’s inner being through the freedom of movement. A fun safe envirnoment to move and dance. We provide encouraging guidance to inspire your personal self-expression through the journey of world music. Dance ability not required — for everyone 16 yrs - up.

Brought to you by: Juanita, Lola & Tanya

DATE: Saturday, July 26, 2008 & Saturday, August 30, 2008

TIME: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. PROMPTLY PLEASE!

LOCATION: Tanya & Robert’s Barn; 30027 Wilkes Road, Valley Center, CA 92028; 15 FWY - Exit Golpher Canyon/Old Castle Road; Go East onto Old Castle Road, turn right onto Wilkes Road; immediate left then into the driveway on the right hand side.

Please contact Lola at (951) 675-6770 for questions.

FORECLOSURE WORKSHOP

admin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:13:59 +0000

WHAT: Foreclosure Prevention Workshop presented by the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, in cooperation with Murrieta, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs. The session will include information on preventing and avoiding foreclosure, renegotiating loans and identifying fraudulent mortgage schemes. Participants can receive case-specific assistance.

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Mandatory registraion deadline is Wednesday - July 9, 2008.

WHERE: Calvary Chapel, 24225 Monroe Ave., Murrieta.

COST: Free

DETAILS: Attendees should bring their loan and mortgage paperwork, default and other notices, as well as pay stubs and tax returns. A continental breakfast will be included.

To register today, call (951) 682-6581 or (800) 655-1812.

WHY BUY?

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:35:30 +0000

Why buy? Many friends ask me questions about the state of the Real Estate market today, some with sadness, some feel bad for me - after all - I am a Realtor. What is the state of the market? Well, let’s look at the numbers for starters. Prices in our area have dropped 35% since this time last year, that is a huge drop by any measure. However, the relevance to that drop in price is that the previous estimates were hovering around the market being roughly 30% overpriced. How does anyone decide when it is over priced - and how much? They look at the demographics of the area, how much does residents make and how much would that allow them to spend on housing. So, when the market drops 35% in an estimated 30% overpriced market, one might consider the possibility of the market being very close to corrected. At the same time, our local markets currently have a 16% drop in inventory along with a 17% increase in sales. We do know that the average time on market is still astronomical, but consider that correctly priced properties are selling in anywhere from 1 day to a month, those properties are currently the items to look for. Essentially, when demand changes, the market will follow. In our current market, demand is going up and it is expected to start driving prices over the summer. If you are considering a purchase, now would really be the time to start, since it takes a little time to get ready financially and then find your property, a good 90 days would be the timeframe for closing. That would at writing time put us in mid Sept. and in what is expected to be the end of the bottom of the market. When my friends feel bad for me, I tell them a few things about the current state of our market. Most of them ask how many they can have and how soon. As you know, the best investments are made at the bottom of the market - and that would be now. Terkel Sørensen Realtor®
Watch Terkel’s Commercial 41108 Royal Sunset Rd - Rosetta Canyon. 31507 Plum Way - Wolf Creek. 44857 Cosentino CT - Morgan Hill. 733 Torino Ave - San Jacinto. HouseValues.com Independent Agent
Justlisted.com Independent Agent
www.terkelsorensen.com

Century 21 Award - Redhawk
32401 Highway 79 South
Temecula, CA 92592

Office: 951-491-7000
Direct: 951-805-0773
Toll Free: 800-530-6536
Fax: 951-491-7001

PWR Meeting Luncheon

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:41:04 +0000

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Sizzler - Temecula on Jefferson

All are welcome to attend!

Statement on Rate Cut by the Federal Reserve

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:38:44 +0000

By BLOOMBERG NEWSPublished: May 1, 2008

Following is the full text of the statement released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve:

The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower its target for the federal funds rate 25 basis points, to 2 percent.Recent information indicates that economic activity remains weak. Household and business spending has been subdued and labor markets have softened further. Financial markets remain under considerable stress, and tight credit conditions and the deepening housing contraction are likely to weigh on economic growth over the next few quarters.Although readings on core inflation have improved somewhat, energy and other commodity prices have increased and some indicators of inflation expectations have risen in recent months. The committee expects inflation to moderate in coming quarters, reflecting a projected leveling-out of energy and other commodity prices and an easing of pressures on resource utilization. Still, uncertainty about the inflation outlook remains high. It will be necessary to continue to monitor inflation developments carefully.The substantial easing of monetary policy to date, combined with ongoing measures to foster market liquidity, should help to promote moderate growth over time and to mitigate the risks to economic activity. The committee will continue to monitor economic and financial developments and will act as needed to promote sustainable economic growth and price stability.Voting for the F.O.M.C. monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, vice chairman; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Frederic S. Mishkin; Sandra Pianalto; Gary H. Stern; and Kevin M. Warsh. Voting against were Richard W. Fisher and Charles I. Plosser, who preferred no change in the target for the federal funds rate at this meeting.In a related action, the board of governors unanimously approved a 25-basis-point decrease in the discount rate to 2.25 percent. In taking this action, the board approved the requests submitted by the boards of directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of New York, Cleveland, Atlanta and San Francisco.

Food & Wine Pairing

admin — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:06:28 +0000

Dinner Menu Paired with Recommended Wine: Merlot

Soup or Appetizer - Roasted Eggplant & Garlic Soup

Entree - Braised Veal with Portobello Mushrooms, Celery Root & Toasted Pecans

Side Dish - Wild Rice or Buttered Wide Egg Noodles

Dessert - Carrot Cake

Recipe for: Roasted Eggplant & Garlic Soup

1 large globe eggplant (about 1 lb.)

Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper

1 whole head garlic

Olive Oil

1 3/4 cups chopped red onions

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (1/4 cup dried)

1 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (1/2 tbsp. dried)

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

3 cups seeded, chopped tomatoes

4 1/2 cups chicken stock

Garnish: Basil sprigs, chopped red bell pepper

Preheat oven to 375 °F. Trim ends of eggplant; leave skin on. RInse, pat dry, and cut into 1/4-inch rounds. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Place on paper towels for 20 - 30 min. to remove excess water. Cut the top off of the garlic head and sprinkle lightly with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Wrap in foil, leaving it a little open at top. Please eggplant and garlic on a lightly oiled baking sheet and roast for 15 min. Remove eggplant and continue roasting garlic for 35 min. more. Chop eggplant into 1-inch pieces. In a large soup pot, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, basil, thyme, and pepper flakes and saute′ for 5 - 6 min., or until onions are translucent. Squeeze garlic out of head, making sure that teh flaky peel does not get mixed in, and add it to the pot. Add eggplant, tomatoes, and stock and bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from pot and transfer to a food processor or blender. Puree in batches. Soup can be refrigerated at this point. Heat thoroughly before serving. Season to taste. Top with basil sprigs and chopped red bell pepper. (Serves 8 as an appetizer or 4 as an entree)

The soft, supple quality of Merlot makes it an ideal choice for braised dishes that combine a lot of complimentary flavors, the softer tannins and medium weight of the wine blend well with the savory veal, earthy mushrooms and celery root, and the toasted nuts, as a white wine alternative. It’s surprising how well the richness of a full-bodied Chardonnay pairs with this dish.

Recipe for: Braised Veal with Portobello Mushrooms, Celery Root & Toasted Pecans

1 3/4 lbs. veal stew meat

1 tbsp all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

3 tbsp unsalted butter

1 1/2 ounces pancetta, chopped

2 cups sliced portobello mushrooms

2 cups peeled and diced celery root

1 cup chopped yellow onions

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tbsp sweet paprika

1 tsp caraway seed

1 tsp chevril herbs

1 3/4 cups veal or chicken stock

1/3 cup white wine

Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup toasted pecan halves

1/2 cup shredded soked mozarella cheese

Cut veal into 1-inch cubes. Sprinkle with flour, salt & pepper. In a large saute pan over medium heat, saute veal in butter and pancetta for 6 - 7 min., or until lightly browned. Add mushrooms, celery root, onions, garlic, paprika, caraway, and herbs and continue cooking for 8 min. Add stock and wine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 1/4 hours. Season to taste. Spoon veal stew onto plates while very hot. Top with pecans and mozzarella. Serve with wild rice or buttered wide egg noodles and sauteed spinach.

Should I Sell?

admin — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:47:31 +0000

With the real estate market, being the way it is, what are the options for selling today? As a Realtor® I am faced with this question, and the ensuing challenge, quite frequently. As you can imagine, selling a property today is not as simple as it may sound, the rules have not changed, they are just being enforced more firmly. Realtors® have always been in a position of finding the middle ground, a) getting the best possibly price got the client and b) sell the property in a reasonable amount of time. In the past few years, that was not a big challenge, as buyers would generally write offers, on any property they could get close to. Today, the buyer have far more properties to look at, and time to decide which one they like. This makes pricing the property right, so much more important, and unfortunately “Right” currently means a good deal lower than what any seller would like. If you are negotiating the listing of your property, have the agent show comps (comparable sales in the past 3 months), ask for an explanation about how the price was arrived at, and keep in mind that listing at a higher price than the market will bear is currently not a good idea – if an agent suggests this, consider if you wish to sell, or just to hang a sign in your yard? Recently I wrote a little about shell shock for sellers in today’s market, the other part of the shell shock, is increased amount of marketing an agent have to commit to. It used to be that a sign would sell a house, now, you must have a Virtual Tour at the very least. Tools such as property specific 800 numbers and web sites also help promote your property. Realtor.com just added an option for a Video Tour, so that is becoming a needed item, ask your agent if they have those capabilities and are willing to pay for it. In addition to the pricing, marketing exposure, there is the condition of the property, my general recommendation is to keep your property in showing condition (that is a nice place to live) and should you find yourself in need to sell, it will be much easier to get the property ready. Factors that sell a property:Price, price, price… It has to be priced right.Marketing of the property, the MLS is NOT enough.Condition of the property, make sure it looks great. Recap: The market is slow, but not dead. Selling is more difficult today, however, selling your property is very doable with the right Realtor®. If you have questions or want to know more about your options, call me, Terkel Sorensen, at (951) 805-773l; Century 21 Award, Temecula, CA or visit me at www.terkelsorensen.com.

Project Lifeline – So-Called Hope Now Plan

admin — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:11:32 +0000

Six major lenders have agreed to widen their efforts to help borrowers of all loans – not just subprime – and allow seriously overdue homeowners to suspend foreclosures for 30 days while affordable loans are worked out. The plan, Project Lifeline, has been announced by the Treasury Department and the Dept. of Housing & Urban Development. On a pilot basis, the plan will initially involve six of the largest mortgage lenders, in hopes that more lenders will sign on. The participants are Bank of America Corp., Citigroup, Inc., Countrywide Financial corp., JP Morgan Chase Co., Washington Mutual, inc. and Wells Fargo & Co. All six are involved in a deal that the Bush administration brokered late last year with the mortgage industry to freeze rates on some high-cost subprime mortgages for five years to aid borrowers whose introductory “teaser” rates are jumping sharply higher. Since then, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has urged lenders to expand that effort to cover struggling homeowners with conventional mortgages.The new plan applies to seriously delinquent homeowners, those whose mortgages are 90 days or more past due.It is not clear whether a separate announcement from Countrywide is part of the same effort. It’s latest initiative, brokered with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform now calls for Countrywide to try to manage payment plans for borrowers that are already behind in payments, regardless of which type of subprime loan they have.

I clearly have an answer that would work … Do You Want To Hear It??? Do You Thing The Feds Would Listen To Me?!?!?!

If the Feds would only reduce the indices, (plural for index) across the board, which affect Adjustable Rate Mortgages, also know as ARM loans, this would solve the problem at hand. ARM loans are comprised of an Index (ie: Libor, COFI, 1 Yr Treasury, MTA, CODI, COSI, etc.) plus a margin (the profit the bank earns) together this totals the current rate. With ongoing and rising Indices, this sharp rise in interest rates will continue to increase. Borrowers with ARM loans would be back to an affordable payment, if only the indices would decrease. An affordable house payment sets a pattern of consistent and timely payments. If we can afford our mortgage once again, we would also have more disposable income available. More money circulated into the economy is a very good thing and equates to more spending and more jobs.

I don’t get it … this is such a simple concept to incorporate, a no-brainer you could say. Why does our legal and banking system allow so much devastation to take place with the past and present foreclosure process? Why does this process have to be so complicated, costly, devastating. It seems that the system in place is not working and unfair to those losing their homes, not to mention the deterioration of the U.S. economy and job market? I just don’t get it … ??? Do you? Some information obtained from The Californian – Tuesday, 2/12/08