Modesto Real Estate – Luz Martinez

If you follow these tips, your credit should start to improve over time. Be sure to check with your employer to see if it offers tuition reimbursement for employees. If so, working and taking classes over time may get you started while your credit improves.  GOOD LUCK!

With a short sale, the bank or mortgage lender agrees to discount a loan balance because of an economic or financial hardship on the part of the borrower. The home owner/debtor sells the mortgaged property for less than the outstanding balance of the loan, and turns over the proceeds of the sale to the lender. Neither side is “doing the other a favor;” a short sale is simply the most economical solution to a problem. Banks will incur a smaller financial loss than foreclosure or continued non-payment would entail. Borrowers are able to mitigate damage to theircredit history, and partially control the debt. A short sale is typically faster and less expensive than a foreclosure. It does not extinguish the remaining balance unless settlement is clearly indicated on the acceptance of offer.

Here are a few commonly asked questions:

Q: Which is better, a foreclosure or a short sale?
Both affect your credit scores, but a short sale quite often has less of an impact.

Q: Why would a lender agree to a short sale?
Lenders typically lose less money when compared to a foreclosure and the additional costs involved:

• Legal fees
• Twice the title transfer fees
• Maintenance of the property prior to sale
• Utilities, HOA fees, vandalism
• Commission & marketing fees

Q: Why would a seller agree to a short sale?
Potential Seller Benefits.

1. Your lender may agree to stop reporting missed payments to the credit agencies.
2. After a short sale you’re able to buy a home sooner than you would with a foreclosure.
3. It typically has less of an impact on your credit rating when compared to a foreclosure.

Contact your bank today and find out if a short sale is the option for you!

For More information contact us today!

www.teammartinez.com

209-571-1122           3421 Tully Rd. #H

Former Vice Presidential Candidate and Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin will serve as the guest of honor at California State University, Stanislaus’ 50th Anniversary Gala on Friday, June 25.

This is a black-tie fundraising event, hosted by the CSU Stanislaus Foundation. The evening will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by a five-course dinner and then dancing.

Limited Individual tickets are $500 and can be purchased by calling (209) 667-3131. Sponsorships are also available.

Proceeds from this black-tie event will benefit the University.

The gala is one of a series of programs this year celebrating the 50th Anniversary of CSU Stanislaus, which held its first classes in 1960. In addition to the gala, the University will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a spring reunion on May 15 and host Founders Week Sept. 15-18.  The events and programs are open to the public.

More @ TurlockCityNews.com

Los Lobos broke into the mainstream music scene with its stirring rendition of the Richie Valens classic “La Bamba” for the big-screen movie, but began in 1973 as Los Lobos Del Este Los Angeles. The band has evolved into a respected artistic entity searching for themes and topics that are an interpretive pulse of our times. Using musical molds built on the blues, rockabilly, jazz, Latin and the group’s own Mexican-American heritage, Los Lobos has never beat fans over the head with politics or agendas. Instead, the band subtly challenges them with conscienceness-raising songs and thought-provoking lyrics.

Los Lobos will perform at the Gallo center for arts on March 31st at 7 p.m.

Get tickets starting at $22!

Read more @ Gallo Arts

Sales of new homes fell unexpectedly to the lowest level on record in February as stormy winter weather kept buyers on the sidelines. The weak results make clear the difficulties facing the housing industry as it tries to recover from the worst slump in decades.

The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that new home sales fell 2.2 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual sales pace of 308,000.

It was the fourth consecutive month of declines and the worst showing on records dating to 1963. January’s results, meanwhile, were revised upward slightly to a pace of 315,000.

Read more: http://www.modbee.com/2010/03/24/1100257/new-home-sales-drop-22-percent.html#ixzz0j7KEbEm5

It wasn’t so long ago that panic rooms were thought of as little more than a plot line for a Jodi Foster film or an expensive eccentricity of the paranoid. No more.

Nowadays, increasing numbers of homeowners are spending big bucks to have panic rooms, safe cores and other sorts of high-tech security systems installed in their home to ensure their family and possessions are kept safe from intrepid intruders and other calamitous events.

One residence, located high in the hills above Los Angeles, goes several steps further than a simple but effective panic room. The lavish and luxurious appointments of the sky-high mansion discreetly hide and disguise a security system so tight that it just may be the safest house in the world.

READ More @ http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/108875/is-this-the-safest-house-in-the-world;_ylt=AkeyZ7EVD9L1kVD2MEycxoBfo9IF;_ylu=X3oDMTE1YWpiaW1rBHBvcwM0BHNlYwNyZV9zZWN0aW9uBHNsawNpc3RoaXN0aGVzYWY-

With the average home size declining, owners are cleverly doing more with the square footage they have.

 Years before house staging came into vogue as a sales tool, Howard Hoffman was helping sellers rearrange their furniture to maximize floor space and enhance a home’s beauty. Hoffman, GRI, SRES®, now owns Stage & $ell, a home staging and redesign company in Indianapolis.

 Chances are he’ll have a lot more business in the years ahead from people needing to resize their lives. With baby boomers entering retirement, young adults delaying marriage, and the economy improving by fits and starts, Americans are starting to embrace the idea that less is more when it comes to their square footage. The average size of a new house decreased last year for the first time in nearly three decades. 

 ”Home buyers have been changing,” says Fran Litton, a planner with Evans Group, an architectural firm in Orlando, Fla. “They still want the luxury and toys, but they’re putting them into a smaller space.”

Read More

Home staging has become more regularly used as homes are sitting on the real estate market longer and longer and homeowners are needing to get their properties sold. Home staging is a business where a person certified in staging services gets your place ready to look better by either rearranging the things that are in yoru home or filling up an empty home to make it look more appealing to prospective buyers. With the real estate market at a near stand still having your home look better than others in the neighborhood at a similar price point is imperative. Some of the tips in this article will include getting rid of personal things and extra furniture and storing them in mini storage buildings with roll up doors for later use in your new home.

One of the first suggestions a home stager will have you do to get your home ready is to have you remove anything of a personal nature in your house. This would include personal photographs that may be on many tables and the mantel on your fireplace or even hanging on your walls. Family photos or portraits can be a large distraction to the prospective buyer and they may spend the entire time looking at those rather than your home when going through your home. Any other personal items should also be packed up and put in storage.

Are you looking for some fun this weekend?! Here’s a list of event’s taking place in the central valley.

Kids Fun Night -March 19, 2010 – 5:00-9:00pm
The Brenda Athletic Club, Modesto Kids play games, dodgeball, dance freeze, pizza and more! Drop your kids off for 3 hours of fun while you do the same.  $10.00 fee prior registration 209.571.2582

The Galleria – Special Events Showcase – March 21st, 2010
1 :00  pm Lexington Plaza Waterfront Hotel 110 W. Fremont Stockton Enjoy champagne & appetizers while obtaining resources to plan your next special event. You’ll be inspired by specialized décor & floral designs. Get pampered in the beauty bar, cartooned by a Caricature Artist & enjoy the fine art of Henna all for FREE! Win Prizes & Tour the hotel’s finest suites. 
(209) 944-1140 www.heirloomevents.com 
 

APPLEGATE PARK ZOO -  1045 West 25th Street Merced
Monday-Sunday, weather permitting)
Winter Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Spring-Fall Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
ADMISSION Under 3 FREE, Ages 3 – 10 $1.25, Ages 11 – 59 $1.75, Ages 60+- $0.75

Indie Fest 2010 Hero’s Sports Lounge & Pizza Co. Modesto -March 20th 2010
9:00pm Over 20 Indie local artist performing under 1 roof, all ages welcome! Admission is $10 at the door. 209-524-2337

Here is a list of St. Patricks Day events, please note that
this list is subject to change so check back often or call 209-526-5588

Firkin’ & Fox St. Patricks Day Street Party
1111 I Street, Modesto 209-575-2369
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Gervasoni’s Live Band
712 9th Street, Modesto 209-523-1961
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Hero’s St. Patricks Day Party
821 L Street, Modesto 209-524-2337
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P. Wexford’s Pub St. Patrick’s Day Blast!
3313 McHenry Ave, Modesto 209-576-7939
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The Barkin’ Dog
940 11th Street, Modesto 209-572-2341
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Mike’s Roadhouse
3250 Dale Road, Modesto 209-529-6453
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The Fat Cat
930 11th Street, Modesto 209-524-1400
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Copper Rhino
927 10th Street, Modesto