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Archive for the ‘rehabbing’ Category

Foreclosures to Persist

Tuesday, August 10, 2010
posted by Craig

Foreclosures to persist

According to authors at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, the nation’s high foreclosure rate is likely to persist.  The Fed article looks at the changes in foreclosure and unemployment rates across states, noting the differences in the timing of the movements.  The conjecture that the high foreclosure rate will persist is based in part on the observation that states that experienced boom-bust housing cycles in the past (Texas, Oklahoma, Massachusetts and California) had elevated foreclosure starts for years after the peak in foreclosure starts and inventory.  These previous boom-bust cycles “were small in comparison to the current cycle,” the article said.  While the recession has left deep scars in the housing and labor markets — with the unemployment rate doubling and the foreclosure start rate roughly tripling — the timing of the movements differs over the cycle, according to the abstract, written by the vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and K.F., a research assistant.

In So-Cal every Wednesday morning there is a short sale workshop open to the public, allowing homeowners, agents, brokers or investors the opportunity to see and participate in how and why this has been changing communities across our nation. Join us this week or any week for a fulfilling chance at making a difference in the lives of others.

BofA is Eqautor

Friday, June 11, 2010
posted by Craig

BofA Agrees to Pay $108 Million to Overcharged Countrywide

Borrowers Representing one of the largest judgments imposed in a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) case, two Countrywide mortgage servicing companies, now part of Bank of America Home Loans, have been ordered to pay $108 million to settle charges that they collected excessive fees from cash-strapped borrowers who were struggling to keep their homes. In a statement released Monday, the FTC said the $108 million settlement will be used to reimburse overcharged homeowners whose loans were serviced by Countrywide before it was acquired by North Carolina-based Bank of America in July 2008. Bank of America said it agreed to the settlement “to avoid the expense and distraction associated with litigating the case.” According to the FTC, Countrywide used unlawful practices in Servicing homeowners’ mortgages.

The company allegedly charged excessive fees for default-related services, made claims about amounts owed by homeowners in bankruptcy that were false or couldn’t be backed up, and didn’t tell people going through bankruptcy when new fees or charges were being added to their loans.  Going forward, borrowers in Chapter 13 bankruptcy must be sent a monthly notice with information about what amounts are owed – including any fees assessed during the prior month. Additionally, the defendants must implement a data integrity program to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the data they use to service loans in Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

How To Choose Kitchen Cabinets

Thursday, May 20, 2010
posted by Craig

Choosing kitchen cabinets doesn’t have to be confusing. With a little research on your part you’ll know what to ask for, what you want and need, and where to find it. All while saving the most money you possibly can.

First – Decide what you need, what you want, and what you can afford.kitchen cabinet remodel

  • What style are you looking for? Shaker, Country, Retro, Classic, New England, Cottage?
  • Are you open to suggestions and ideas?
  • Do you want wood, laminate, frame cabinets or frameless (Euro-style)?
  • What type of countertops are you going with? Laminate, solid surface, marble, granite, quartz, concrete, tile, glass?
  • Do you need an entirely new kitchen, just a bath vanity, or only a rollout fixed?
  • Do you need help with the entire process, which means you might need to hire or be your own contractor, or is your project small?
  • What is your budget? If you have $200 you can paint your cabinets for a fresh look or get new handles or knobs. If you have $5,000 or more you will be able to get an entirely new kitchen, depending on size. If you have $10,000 you might even begin thinking about remodeling (changing walls, plumbing, etc.). Kitchens really can run from a few thousand to several tens of thousands depending on where you live and what you want. You’ll pay much more for a kitchen in New England or Oregon than you will in Kentucky or Wisconsin.

Thinking about these questions will help get you going in the right direction.

Is Cash King?

Sunday, May 16, 2010
posted by Craig

* The 4 market cycles that all free market economies
go through, how to recognize when we are moving into a new
cycle, and most importantly, how to get rich in the cycle we
are in and the coming cycle.

* Discover the 3 real estate niches, and learn how to utilize
all 3 niches to create long term wealth in real estate

* Long term wealth in real estate is not made flipping every
house you short sale.  It is made owning real estate. And
owning real estate is simple and easy when you have the right
systems in place and learn how to do it. In fact, it is easier
than flipping a house to an end buyer.

* Why he believes Cash is not king, Cash Flow is. And he will
prove it to you.

* Learn how to safely and quickly remarket properties for
above market and have the buyer not even blink an eye… You’ll
even learn how to make the buyer completely ecstatic with the
deal and take care of the house like an owner would.

All this is possible in the real world once you understand how to leverage your tools for growth and nail down any future chances of getting an education in the market of a life time…….

DIY a DOOR a DAY

Wednesday, May 12, 2010
posted by Craig

HOME DEPOT AND EBAY HAVE ALL YOUR DOOR’S [GET ONE TODAY]

A fiberglass door is not wholly made of fiberglass. For example, for aesthetic purposes some sections of the door will really contain wood in elements like paneling, despite the fact that the door will be primarily composed fiberglass. Moreover, the core of the door may be made of insulating materials. Fiberglass, previously used as an insulating material in its fiber form, is already a fine choice for energy aware homeowners. Supplementation of insulation materials to the core magnifies the underlying insulating properties of fiberglass.

Some may find that the customization routine becomes a tad overwhelming because of the huge number of options. Upwards of twenty or so types of arrangements will have to be considered by the end buyer. Furthermore, the number increases if side lights are included. Additionally, not like a material such as metal where the choices of physical look are more limited, the hue of the fiberglass door also should be chosen. The wood finish of the fiberglass should also be selected by the homeowner consumer. The styles of finish, as in those for treating wood, are antique hickory’s and cherries. Additional customization is also possible. When the layout is fixed, the consumer may request individual customization such as carvings to make the door stand out from others on the street. Glass panels may be added in pieces to the center door, or on the side lights. The brands of glass and their patterns are also available in a preponderance of styles. If extra customization is needed, the process will be more difficult.

Real estate construction firms who build buildings or individuals who have bought a house find themselves in the position of having to pick the type of entry door to put in. As the entry door plays a huge role in dictating the style of the home, it is not expected that a choice can be made lightly. But as it is, there are several choices for the contemporary house owner. A door composed of fiberglass is a popular option. Fiberglass has an abundance of properties making it a superior option over the more normal wood material. It is superbly robust, a tad cheaper, invulnerable to water and sunlight, and can be forged to the aesthetics of those preferring the appearance of wood. The surface of fiberglass can even be stained to imitate the looks of trendy woods like hickory.

How about the installation process? The installation of a replacement door has for a long period implied putting a replacement into the frame after detaching the previous one from its hinges. The modern course of action is installation of an entry system. An entry system is a wise investment because the cost can be simply recovered as it enhances the look and sell ability of the house. An entry system is made up of the door, the jamb (or frame), the threshold.

Owing to the fact that the entry system is already made, substantial customization can be chosen without compromise on price or caliber. The house owner may add some real individualized touches, or to simplify the matter, select from a list of patterns or bits that can be added to the door. Tint of stain and finish can easily be chosen. including wood and steel, fiberglass is one of the most hardened materials with possibly the cheapest maintenance overhead, meaning homeowners will not have to think of price as the top worry. The consequence is that manufacturers of fiberglass doors can spare to give better warranties. Some makers will go to the point of ensuring the door for the time of house ownership, if the Entry System is too expensive.

Tools ONLINE

Monday, May 10, 2010
posted by Craig

Are you interested in buying construction tools? Do you have a plan of creating your own business which involves building and construction? Or would you like to own these tools and equipment for personal and future use. Whether you are planning to buy construction tools for a business or personal investment, it can prove to be very convenient on your part if you would choose to buy them using the Internet as a medium.

Below is a list of reasons that should explain why you should buy your tools for construction online:

1. When shopping conveniently would mean a great deal to you. If you don’t want to feel any less convenient on your shopping, the best way to do it is to shop for your tools online. Convenience and comfort are the best two words that you can really expect from online shopping.

2. You can have a variety of options when you do your shopping online. First of all, you can choose which construction tools web page you are going to buy from. That is your own prerogative and right as a buying customer. You can make your own decisions as to the kind of construction tools you will buy – the make and model, the sizes and prices available. Nobody can force you to buy directly from them except of course if we are talking about authorized outlets or sole distributors. Also, if you are looking for a product or item that is not found on the main construction tools page, usually you will have your own search section where customers can search directly for additional information.

3. Shopping for your construction tools can be done online without anyone noticing that you did. The previous statement is true except of course if someone would sit beside you to check on your online activities. You also have to remember though to do your purchase from a secure site so that none of your bank or other personal information gets hacked.

4. You can get good and better deals. If you shop from auction sites, you can really save more from your purchase especially if you are buying second hand items and you can win from your bid. There are many tools and equipments that are sold at auction sites which are in like new condition but are sold at a cheap or very reasonable price.

well laid plans

Saturday, May 8, 2010
posted by Craig

Building a new home is a process that begins way before the concrete is poured. There are several important steps you must take to avoid costly mistakes during the construction process. Planning and preparation is absolutely essential to a successful DIY home building project. The end result could very well be the home of your dreams.

The first step is to plan your budget. Start thinking about how much you can afford to spend and how much building your new home is likely to cost. Most people end up taking out a construction loan and a mortgage at this point. In the very beginning of your planning you should find out what size loan you qualify for. Also, knowing the approximate building costs will make it easier for you to modify your building plans to meet your budget.

The next step is to choose your lot. Before you build your new home, it’s wise to take the time to consider the ground on which it will stand. If you carefully think about what you most desire before choosing a lot then chances are you will want to lay roots there for a long time. Some of the major things that you should take into consideration before selecting a lot include your lifestyle, surrounding sounds, surrounding sites, and quality of the soil. You will also need to investigate factors such as drainage, zoning and building codes in the region.

It is now time to hire your team of professionals. When looking for a builder to consult or hire, there are four basic requirements the builder should fulfill. The more time you put into carefully selecting your builder, the better your chances are for getting the house of your dreams. Putting in a little extra time to review four major areas of hiring a builder could save you hours of distraught in the future. The four areas include financial security, variety in floor plans, buying power, and a good warranty program.

Before you build you must have a house plan. It is common for people to use stock plans from a catalog because they are the most affordable. The builder or a home designer that you hire can then make minor modifications in room size, window style or other details accordingly to what suits you best. A custom-designed home, on the other hand, is created specifically to the needs of those living in the home. Custom plans are obviously much more expensive and usually require the assistance of a licensed architect.

Lastly, you will want to make sure to negotiate a contract thoroughly. It is crucial that a thorough contract be made between you and your contractor to establish two important things. It should first specify who is responsible for what and secondly, it should determine what to do in the event of a disagreement. Put simply, a construction contract is the document that ties all the project agreements together by listing them and by setting forth rules that apply to each: plans, specifications, payment schedule, written change orders, subcontracts, production schedule, etc.

DIY TOOLS

Thursday, May 6, 2010
posted by Craig

Most people don’t buy several different types of chainsaws or four different drills. But there are a few power tools that are essential for common home repairs and quick fixes. You’ll never regret purchasing a good set of tools, and even the unrecognizable ones will be guaranteed to come in handy one day. For any homeowner (or even apartment dweller), having a small set of tools is important.

Too often people feel forced into buying new appliances or furniture when these items could be easily fixed with the right tools and a bit of effort. Power tools are especially useful as they can help you repair things quicker and more effectively than just by hand-powered methods.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to create a small arsenal of essential power tools. There are only a few that you really need to get the majority of tasks done. Others can always be borrowed or even rented for a few days at a local hardware store. Here are some of the main power tools you’ll want to invest in.

1. Drill

Hammers and nails will never be as efficient as the power of a drill. There are many different varieties of electric drills available, but if you’re just looking for something to fix loose screws, you can choose the most basic of models.

Look for drills with varying speeds and a reverse option (this will be invaluable when attempting to take apart furniture). It may also be in your best interest to choose a cordless model. You’ll have to make sure the batteries are charged, but you won’t have to worry about tangles and storing messy cords.

2. Circular Saw

If you ever plan on undertaking any woodwork, this tool will be necessary. They come in small sizes, so it won’t take up too much space or be too difficult to wield. Around the house, they are popular for such projects as deck building and door frame repair, but can be used for just about any other wood project. They can cut across or with the grain, making them very versatile.

3. Jigsaw

There are now smaller versions of the jigsaw, so you won’t need to buy a huge table setup. Jigsaws are also used for woodworking, but unlike the circular saw, they can be use with thin wood and for fine detail work like trimming thin edges or making curved cuts.

4. Reciprocating Saw

This is one of the more fun power tools a person can own. The reciprocating saw is an all-purpose cutting and destroying tool. It can tear down a variety of different materials, making it suitable for remodeling jobs or if you just need to replace some stubborn floorboards. It can also be use to make cuts in tough materials such as metal.

Having these essential power tools will help you get a good set started. Additional can always be added on later. With proper maintenance and care, power tools can last many years, so they will be well worth the initial investment.