Archive for March, 2010
HUD Website Allows Consumers To Report Mortgage Scams
HOME LOANS, INDUSTRY NEWS, TIPS FOR SELLERS
The California Association of Realtors announced a new HUD website where consumers can turn in loan modification scam artists. Numerous scams have become prevalent as more and more Americans find themselves facing foreclosure. Laws have been enacted making the collection of advance fees for promised loan modification services illegal. The latest twist is companies promising to do a “forensic audit” of the homeowner’s mortgage in attempts to uncover fraud. The typical fee to conduct such an audit usually exceeds $3,000. However there is no guarantee of success and some borrowers have reported getting nothing in return for the large advance fee tendered.
To access this website, click here: http://www.preventloanscams.org/
Anyone considering a loan modification should first contact their lender at the customer service department listed on their mortgage statement. If you need assistance negotiating with your lender, contact a non-profit credit counseling agency. The HUD website has links to approved free and low-cost credit counseling agencies.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL LIVING REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
MORE THAN 25 YEARS LOCAL REAL ESTATE SALES EXPERIENCE
Why Is SoCal Wasting Our Water?
According to a recent AP article, the City of Orange in Southern California is pursuing legal action against a city resident for replacing his lawn with drought-tolerant plants. City code requires 40% of the yard be covered with live plants.
Quan Ha replaced his grass with wood chips in 2008. He and his wife contend they are saving hundreds of thousands of gallons of water by replacing their lawn. They also point out other city residents are being fined for over-watering their lawns. The Has have pleaded not guilty.
This should be a very interesting court case. Many Redding subdivisions have similar requirements but the city does not impose or enforce these rules. Developers, intent on controlling the curb appeal of their developments, place landscaping requirements in the C,C&R’s (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions).
The West Redding sudivision where I live specifies every front yard must have a minimum of 1000 square feet of grass. Many of my neighbors have removed their lawns in favor of bark, shrubs and/or rocks. My home has never had a blade of grass planted since it was built 24 years ago. Imagine all the water, fertilizer, weed killer and air pollution from mowers and edgers not wasted maintaining a patch of green. Thankfully, nobody has forced the issue for my neighbors or myself to comply with the C,C&R’s.
California should consider sweeping legislation banning any mandates for lawn or plant cover installation for any homes. Replace these laws with requirements for drought tolerant xeric plants adapted to the local climate. This would go a long way toward reaching our goals of water conservation, reducing air and water pollution and freeing up finite water supplies to irrigate farmland in the Central Valley where half of this nation’s produce is grown.
In stark contrast to the City of Orange, Roseville started a cash for grass program a couple years back that paid homeowners $1 for every square foot of lawn replaced with drought tolerant plants. This is the direction the entire state should go unless those opposed to dam building or fish preservation want to abandon their agendas so Californians can continue to water their thirsty lawns.
Is it asking too much of our neighbors to the south to use water imported from the Northstate prudently? Does it make sense to deny farmers water so the LA basin can look green? I think not!
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL LIVING REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
MORE THAN 25 YEARS LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
PREMIER SERVICE® is the focus of Real Estate Professionals/GMAC. We are located in Redding, CA (at the North end of the Sacramento River Valley) in the midst of river, lake, ranch and mountain terrain.
Our Customer Satisfaction Rating, based on an independent survey, exceeds 97%. This is reflected in our 2008 "QUIE" Award recognizing the TOP 10 REAL ESTATE COMPANIES in NORTH AMERICA! REP/GMAC in #2.
