Caifornia has Money for Distressed Homeowners

For homeowners who need help, California wants to help. If you own or occupy your home and have suffered a hardship, Keep Your Home California can provide help.

For more info: http://keepyourhomecalifornia.org/

New Listing: Fantastic Van Ruiten Ranch Home

Welcome to the ultimate entertainment home that is truly move-in ready with over $100K in upgrades inside and out. Home features great room concept, birch wood floors, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, wine fridge, designer paint, wrought iron light fixtures and mirrors, custom built-in entertainment center and office desk, remodeled master bath with custom built-in walk-in closet. Backyard is fully landscaped with pool, built-in BBQ/fridge in granite, gas fire pit and covered patio.

For additonal info:  http://www.postlets.com/repb/6403256

Our website: http://www.ScottAndKimSellHomes.com

Could This Maybe, Kinda, Sorta Be the Bottom of the Market?

Looks like we could be at the bottom of the market. Experts are forecasting as slight 1% increase in home sales next year and a 1.7% increase in prices. It's small, but at least it's up. Of course, we'll never truly know we've hit the bottom of the market until about six months after it's passed.

Visit, for more info: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-20/california-home-sales-to-climb-1-next-year-realtors-forecast.html


For real estate info, visit: http://www.scottandkimsellhomes.com

CA Department of Real Estate Consumer Help

The California DRE has created booklets to help consumers navigate the real estate world. With topics that include:

"Finding the Right Real Estate Agents: What You Should Do"
"Preventing Real Estate Fraud: How to Protect Yourself and Your Home"
"Surviving the Escrow Process in California"
"Loan Modification Self-Help Guide"
"Financial Sense to White Picket Fence"

For more info and downloading booklets, visit: http://www.dre.ca.gov/cons_home.html

Also visit for additional housing market info: http://www.scottandkimsellhomes.com

Help for Vets Buying First Home

The Pentagon Federal Credit Union is providing financial assistance up to $5,000 to Veterans or active duty military members to buy their first home.

For more info: http://www.pentagonfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dream_index

Free Shade Trees

Doesn't a free shade tree sound good now that we are in the dog days of summer. Our local SMUD is celebrating 20 years of free shade trees.

For details, visit: savewithsmud.org

AHMS to Charge Buyer 1% Fee for Short Sale

 This is something new to me in the crazy world of short sales. I was just informed by a listing agent on a short sale where I represent the buyers that the loan servicer, AHMS, is charging my buyers a 1% short sale processing fee. This is a new way to stick it to buyers. Buyers of a short sale already get a raw deal: they wait months for an approval, the home typically has deferred maintenance, no repairs will be made, etc. These buyers are scraping every penny to buy this house, they don't have an extra 1% laying around.

AHMS should be ashamed ....karma will get them!