Can Your Association Pull The Plug On Your Holiday Decorations?

You may love your 15-foot inflatable Santa but unfortunately, that doesn't mean you have a constitutional right to put them in your front yard when you live in a condominium, co-op or any other home ruled by a community association.

The rules your homeowners association makes about exterior décor apply during the holidays, too.

To see what your association allows, check the rules and bylaws you got when you purchased your home, or ask neighbors what was allowed last year.

If your community’s rules forbid holiday decorations or signs, but you want to decorate, you can check to see if state law (which overrides condo rules) allows you to display religious décor outside your home.

I can be of assistance.  Give me a call.

Ken
951-760-3833

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We Miss You, Erin

Yesterday would have been my Sister-in-Law's 43rd Birthday.  Erin was taken from us five years ago and we all miss her everyday.  I miss her smile.  I miss her giant laugh.

You're Invited ...

If you've never been to one of the Rancho Community Church's Christmas Eve Candlelight Services you are missing out!  It truly is a great experience.

Like many others, I tend to get caught up in the commercial side of Christmas.  Can't help it.  That's what the media is bombarding us with!  But the RCC Christmas Eve Candlelight service brings the importance of Christmas back into perspective in a powerful way.

If you plan to attend, let me know which time/service you'll be attending and maybe I'll see you there. I think my family will be attending the 3:15 pm service.  Rancho Community Church is located on the 79S/Temecula Pkwy (address: 31300 Rancho Community Way, Temecula).

Ken
951-760-3833
KenAHall@gmail.com

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Temecula Named Sixth Safest City in America

How safe do YOU feel when walking around town? Apparently, you should feel pretty comfortable.

That’s because Temecula has been dubbed the sixth safest city in America, according to a new report.

The people over at 24/7 Wall Street crunched the numbers provided in the most recent report on violent crimes by the FBI, which are for 2013.

“In addition to crime data, we also reviewed median household income, poverty rates, and educational attainment rates from the 2013 Census Bureau’s American Community Survey,” the authors state.

According to the report, the safest place of all in America is also in Southern California: Irvine. Neighboring Murrieta also scored top marks in the report, coming in at number two.

And here are the top 10 cities in order, as ranked by 24/7 Wall Street:

1.  Irvine
2.  Murrieta
3.  Cary, North Carolina
4.  Naperville, Illinois
5.  Frisco, Texas
6.  Temecula
7.  Gilbert, Arizona
8.  Amherst, New York
9.  Glendale
10.Sunnyvale

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5 Tech Gadgets You Need In Your Home Today ...

This is a very interesting article about new and affordable techie home gadgets.  I'm definitely going to consider a couple of them.  Just copy and paste this link into your browser:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/tech-products-to-make-your-home-smarter-2014-12-01?dist=countdown

Have you recently purchased something for your home that enhances your home life?  Let me know ...

Ken
951-760-3833
kenahall@gmail.com
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How To Stop Foreclosure ...

A real estate short sale can stop the banks foreclosure dead in its tracks and we can help.

I just wanted to make sure that you felt welcome to call us for a free over the phone consultation about how best to move forward in your particular situation.

I specialize in helping upside-down homeowners avoid foreclosure through real estate short sales. If your loan modification efforts aren't producing positive results within 30 days of submitting your financial statements and distress letter package to your lender(s), please call my office.

Too many unnecessary and expensive foreclosures occur around the country and our county only simply because homeowners don't exercise the short sale option early enough in the foreclosure process - please don't allow that to happen to you.

A world class team of experts is standing by to assist you right now and our services are 100% free to you.

In fact, why not call the number below right now to connect with us?

On your team,
Ken Hall
Allison James Estates & Homes
43015 Blackdeer Loop
Suite 104
Temecula, CA 92590
951-760-3833
KenAHall@gmail.com
www.KenHallProperties.com


PS. Save $37.00 and a trip to the book store and log onto www.KenHallProperties.com for a FREE copy of my book, The Homeowners Guide to Real Estate Short Sales.

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Thanksgiving Is #1 Day For This Home Disaster

If you guessed that cooking fires peak at Thanksgiving, you’re right. What’s more, cooking fires have long been the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries.

Help make sure you’re not the victim of a holiday home fire with these tips:

Keep a fire extinguisher approved for cooking or grease fires nearby.
Check to make sure your smoke detectors are working.
Tell guests where your family has agreed to meet if everyone has to evacuate due to a fire.
When guests require your attention outside the kitchen, turn off the stovetop.
Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the stove and around other areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.

Switch to Flameless Candles

If you put up your holiday decorations this month, be especially careful with your candles. Better yet, use flameless candles, which now come with remote controls, scents, timers, rechargeable batteries, and in many different sizes.

You can find them at Home Depot and Target.

Candle fires increase during the winter holidays because people burn candles more and they burn them near decorations, the National Fire Protection Association says.

When you use real candles, follow these safety tips:

Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
Keep candles out of the reach of children.
Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle.
Don’t leave a lit candle in a room where a child sleeps.
Use sturdy candleholders that won’t easily tip over.
Put candles out before they burn down completely to the holder or container.
Never use a candle in a home where anyone uses an oxygen tank.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving
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Beware of These People ...

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Make the "notice of default" list and every Realtor in town is suddenly a short sale expert and knocking on your door or stuffing your mailbox full of notes, cards and letters about what makes them great.

Be careful.

If you'd like to discuss short sales then I'd suggest calling a real expert who won't try and talk you into doing anything. I'll answer all of your short sale questions and after listening to me, your own intuition and/or gut instincts will let you know whether I'm just the right pro for you or not and then you can let me know.

That's how I work.

On your team,
Ken Hall
Allison James Estates & Homes
951-760-3833
KenAHall@gmail.com
www.KenHallProperties.com

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Testimonial from Greg & Jessica Cowee ...

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It is with great pleasure that my husband and I recommend Ken Hall for your next real estate transaction.   We were referred to Ken who within the first phone call gave us hope that we could possibly be homeowners again, after a foreclosed home only 3.5 years ago and less than stellar credit.

Within 24 hours of giving Ken our financial paperwork, we had pre-approval to purchase a home.  After Ken showed us about 7 houses in the Temecula area we were pleased to find a home well below our pre-approved amount in a nice neighborhood less than 2 miles from my husband’s job and daughter’s school.

Ken is obviously a great negotiator because we were able to purchase the home for under list price and the appraisal actually came in $5,000 higher than our purchase price!  Our mortgage payment is $40 per month lower than the good faith estimate Ken gave us when we were trying to decide to offer on this home.  Ken’s mortgage and escrow companies were also tremendous; we were given a 1% lender credit to help with our closing costs.

There were no surprises throughout the escrow process.  We closed on the loan 10 days ago and are enjoying our new neighborhood.

Through the whole process, I was delighted with Ken’s approachability and his speed in returning phone calls, texts, and emails.  I never felt I was a burden to him though I had a lot of questions.  Communication between us, the escrow company, the lending company and the various property inspectors was transparent and speedy.

It wasn’t until I got the news we were clear to close on the deal that I realized how important home ownership is to me and how much I missed it.  It would have not been possible without Ken.  Thank you!


 Greg and Jessica Cowee, Temecula

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Expensive Home Seller Mistakes ...

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Overspending on big or small "fix ups" getting it ready for the market is a cash killer. There's lots of things you could purchase to make your place show better that you'll never get your money back on and it's one of the biggest mistakes many sellers make.

For example, could a pressure washer accomplish what you thought you needed paint for? Call me to discuss what you may or may not want to do in terms of preparing your home for the market. I can help!

On Your Team,

Ken
951-760-3833

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Quick Note to Temecula Valley Sellers ...

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Just a quick note to Temecula Valley Sellers: I'm standing by to help you sell your home for top dollar with the least amount of stress, in the shortest amount of time and in a way that makes you say, "Wow!"

Call me to discuss.

Sincerely,
Ken Hall
Allison James Estates & Homes
43015 Blackdeer Loop
Suite 104
Temecula, CA 92590
951-760-3833
KenAHall@gmail.com
www.KenHallProperties.com

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10 Things You Should Know Before Buying a Home ...

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1.  Before you start looking for a home, get pre-qualified for a loan.  Banks, credit unions, and mortgage bankers make home loans; mortgage brokers process loans through a variety of lenders. The lenders will take an application, process the loan documents, and see the loan through to the funding stage.

2.  If you have marginal or bad credit, consult your lender.  You may be able to qualify for a loan depending on how long ago and what reason(s) caused the bad credit.

3.  You will need a down-payment.  Down-payment requirements vary depending on the type of loan. Many down-payment assistance programs exist. These programs may loan or grant you the funds necessary for the down-payment. Consult with a lender about programs available in your area.

4.  You will need funds for closing costs.  Closing costs are charges for services related to the closing of your real estate transaction. They include, but are not limited to: Escrow fees, title policy issuance fees, mortgage insurance fees, fire, flood, and homeowners insurance, county recorder fees, & loan origination fees. Consult your lender for an actual estimate of these costs.

5.  Some loans have "points" and some do not.  A point is a loan origination fee equivalent to 1% of the loan amount. Together with the interest rate, they constitute the yield on your loan for the lender.

6.  Signature Mortgage rates can be fixed or adjustable.  Which one is right for you depends on whether mortgage rates are at a high or a low point when you purchase, and on how long you plan to live in the home.

7.  There are two main types of loan categories.  Conventional Loans. Conventional mortgage loans are available with fixed or adjustable interest rates. Government Loans. These include FHA fixed and adjustable rate mortgage loans, and VA fixed rate mortgage loans.

8.  If you are a low-to-moderate-income homebuyer, there are special programs designed to help you.  These loans are available through private lenders, as well as local and state housing agencies.

9.  You may have to pay mortgage insurance.  Mortgage insurance protects the lender from potential loss if you should default on your mortgage loan payment. Mortgage insurance is always required on FHA mortgage loans.

10.  Many organizations offer home loan counseling to prospective homebuyers.  They will cover home selection, realtor services, lenders, loan programs, homeownership responsibilities, saving for a down-payment, and other important pieces of information.

If you have any questions at all, give me a call.

Ken
951-760-3833

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Down Payment Got You Down?

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For many Americans, "coming up" with a down-payment for their first home purchase can be a major roadblock -- and quite often the reason for renting, rather than owning, a home.

A "down-payment" is the difference between the home's purchase price and its mortgage amount. This percentage of the sale price must be paid up-front and can vary by lender, location, and loan program. A higher down-payment generally translates into lower loan interest rate requirements.

Typically, a down-payment comes from personal cash savings, but it can also be a gift that is not to be repaid, or a borrowed amount secured by assets.

While conventional loan down-payments may be close to 20% of the sale price, government loans, such as FHA and VA, typically have lower down-payment requirements. This allows potential homebuyers who normally cannot meet down-payment requirements an opportunity to qualify for a mortgage.

Are you ready to get pre-approved for a mortgage?  Give me a call.  After a few questions, I'll be able to tell you what your best options are.

Ken
www.KenHallProperties.com
PH 951-760-3833

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Are You Ready With A Plan B?

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Have you heard the saying, "hope for the best but plan for the worst"? Do you have a plan in place if your loan modification doesn't work? Who is on your team? How will you execute?

If your loan modification attempt unravels you'll need to move quickly in order to avoid foreclosure and possibly collect HAFA $$.

Give me a call and I'll help you develop a contingency plan that can keep the bank from foreclosing.

On your team,
Ken Hall
Allison James Estates & Homes
43015 Blackdeer Loop
Suite 104
Temecula, CA 92590
951-760-3833
KenAHall@gmail.com
www.KenHallProperties.com

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I'm Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is ...

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Your home can't sell for more that its appraised value unless a buyer is willing to pay you additional money outside of escrow. This is because no lender in their right mind would lend money for a house that a professional appraiser has determined isn't worth the sales price.

In other words, the highest price you can obtain for your home in today's market is whatever the appraiser says it's worth - max.

To be clear, while appraisers may arrive at different values they will certainly be close and the lender always has the option to order a "second opinion" from another appraiser. Call me today if you'd like to discuss getting top dollar for your home.


Ken
951-760-3833
KenAHall@gmail.com
www.KenHallProperties.com

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Second-Richest Man Says Mortgages Now a "No Brainer"

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Warren Buffett is the second-richest man in America today, behind Bill Gates. (He was the richest man in the world in 2008.)

He made his fortune through the financial markets. Buffett, to me, is the one of the greatest financial mind of our time – if not ever.

Right now, Mr. Buffett says to get a fixed mortgage… Specifically, he calls it a "no brainer." Mortgage rates have been falling again lately, and they're not far from all-time record lows.

"You would think that people would be lining up now to get mortgages to buy a home," he said at a Fortune magazine conference this week.

Buffett has been surprised about the speed of housing's recovery. He said it "has been slower than I anticipated." But he is not worried.

Buffett expects housing will recover, as it always does after recessions. He joked that inevitably "Hormones kick in, and in-laws get tiresome."

Buffett likes 30-year fixed mortgages best, calling them "incredibly attractive."

Here's why…

He says that if interest rates go up after you get your mortgage, you win – because you're locked in for 30 years at a great rate. And if interest rates go down, you win as well – because you can easily refinance at a lower rate.

If you have a long-term view that the dollar is going to weaken eventually, and that interest rates will rise eventually, then, according to Buffett, you really want to get that 30-year fixed-rate mortgage…

"It's a good way to go short the dollar, [and to] short interest rates. It's a no brainer," he says.

The greatest financial mind of our time says a 30-year mortgage today is a no brainer…

Are you going to listen to him?

Mortgage rates are near-record lows relative to history. And house prices are still affordable.

I suggest you take the advice of America's second-richest man… and (if it makes sense for you at all) consider getting yourself a fixed mortgage of some sort, right now!

Ken
951-760-3833

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You'll Believe This But No One Else Will ...

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If you've been working on your bank in an effort to get your loan modified you'll believe this story I'm about to share with you. If you have no experience dealing with banks "negotiators" whose sole purpose is to drive you crazy and make you go away then you might not believe me.

I recently had a client who was told by his lender that he would not qualify for a loan modification unless he became 60 days late.  Up to that point he'd never missed a payment and in all likelihood could have continued doing so even though it was a mighty struggle and the property was worth less than he owed. He nervously followed their advice in order to qualify for the loan modification.

After skipping his second mortgage payment he called his lender and was shocked to have the new negotiator assigned to his file promptly inform him that he would still not qualify for a loan modification because of his debt-to-income ratios.

Luckily for my client, he had consulted with me before starting the whole process and took my advice about taking copious, detailed notes about everything he was told on every phone conversation he had with his 'Negotiator.' After detailing all the conversations he'd had with the original negotiator for 30 minutes she finally agreed that he was in fact qualified and then actually whispered into the phone, "they make me say all that stuff."

Can you believe that?!  If you haven't figured it out yet, believe me when I say, the Wall Street power brokers who control the lending industry are corrupt.  Absolute scumbags.

Unfortunately, the new terms they offered (after 2 years of trying!) did nothing to fix his long term problem of being more than $75k upside down on the property.  

If you or anybody you know is in a similar situation, please don't keep me a secret! I can help.

Regards,
Ken Hall
Allison James Estates & Homes
43015 Blackdeer Loop
Suite 104
Temecula, CA 92590
951-760-3833
KenAHall@gmail.com
www.KenHallProperties.com

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Being Able to Fully Trust Your Agent is the Most Important Thing

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While many home sellers will list with an agent they know personally from their place of worship, health club or other association, things don't always work out so well. It's important to work with someone you trust and feel good about, but if it's a relationship you value or someone you'll have to continue to see even if things don't go so smoothly than it might make sense to interview others.

I'd love to interview for the position of "selling agent" should you decide to put your home on the market.

Ken
951-760-3833

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Bankrupt Lender ... No More Mortgage Payments? ...

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One of the questions I'm asked often is, "What happens if the lender I got my mortgage from goes out of business?"

That is a great question! I think a lot of people are concerned that they'll somehow lose their home, or that the bank will ask for the loan to be paid back immediately. Well, neither of those things can happen.

Your debt is a valuable asset of the bankrupt lender and it will be sold and transferred to another lender. So all it means is that the firm receiving your payment will change.

You see the firm that receives your payment is called the loan servicer, and they may or may not own the actual mortgage itself. Most loans today are serviced by specialized servicing companies who don't own the loans but collect a fee from the owner to process all the payments and other paperwork, like collecting escrows.

Transfers of servicing occur quite a bit, occasionally because the servicing firm goes bankrupt, but more commonly because the servicing contracts get sold.

When a lender buys your mortgage they assume all the terms and conditions of your original loan. By law they cannot change anything other than where you mail the payment.

If you ever have questions and you want honest answers, don't hesitate to give me a call.

Thanks for not keeping me a secret!  I look forward to talking with you soon!


Sincerely,

Ken
951-760-3833

CA DRE License #01418440 
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How to Hack Your Electric Bill

Here's how to drastically hack your electric bill.  This is really great information.  It's a large image and doesn't paste very well into this blog's format but just email me and I'll send it to you as a more readable attachment.

KenAHall@gmail.com

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Sellers: Protect yourself and your home

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Never allow random house-hunters into your home unescorted. A serious buyer will be working with a real estate professional or should be willing to contact your agent to schedule an appointment.

Also, always lock your valuables away before an open house - the agent onsite will be monitoring traffic, but it's impossible to be everywhere at all times.

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Important Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Prospective Real Estate Agent

• Is the agent a good listener?
• Is the agent accessible?
• Is the agent part-time or full-time?
• Is the agent cooperative and enthusiastic, or rude and arrogant?
• Do you think you can have a good working relationship with the agent? 

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Very Nice Testimonial from Josh & Lisa Trees!!

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Just received a nice testimonial from my clients Josh & Lisa Trees.  Thanks guys!  I really appreciate you.

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When I made the decision to expand my Christmas Tree Lights business nationwide, I knew I would need to sell at least two of my investment properties to raise the money to do so.

My friend Dave Jaskulke referred me to Ken Hall to sell my properties for me. Ken had recently sold Dave's Wine Country estate home and Dave highly recommended that I look no further than Ken.

I'm glad I took Dave's advice!

I listed both my rental home on Festivo Street in Paseo Del Sol and my rental townhome on Courtney Place in the Rancho Del Mar community, both in Temecula.

Ken listed the Festivo Street property at $359,000 which was $10,000 above the most recent model match comparable sale. It sold for $360,000, cash sale, in less than 30 days.

For the Courtney Place Townhome, Ken listed it at $179,900 which was $6,000 higher than the most recent model match comparable sale. In only seven days, it sold for $193,000 to an investor who waived the appraisal contingency.

The investor put 30% down and took out a conventional loan for the balance. The appraisal came in at $175,000 and the buyer gladly put down the additional $18,000. Wow! Great job, Ken!

And one more thing about Ken that proves he knows far more than most real estate agents out there:

The buyer for the Courtney Place Townhome wanted to use a big radio advertising lender whose name starts with the letter 'Q' to handle his loan. Ken strongly advised him NOT to use them but instead to use a local mortgage bank Ken highly recommends.

The buyer chose to go with the radio advertising lender and it turned into a huge mess. Long story short, after 30 days the loan had not closed and the lender completely changed the terms of the loan, raising the buyers interest rate drastically. The buyer then canceled and went with Ken's recommendation and his loan closed quickly with zero problems.

Lesson: Listen to Ken Hall. He knows what he's doing.

Josh & Lisa Trees

Temecula

www.WeHangChristmasLights.com

Serving the Entire United States

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Need a Terrific Appliance Repairman ... or Plumber? ...

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These Gentlemen are awesome.  I speak from first-hand experience as they both have done work for me at my house.

Appliance Repair:  Charlie Asian.  Ph 951-440-3045

Plumber:  Jeff Cuny.  Ph 951-852-3802

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Shame On Me ... Again!!!

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A while back, I got away from the very beneficial practice (and discipline) of writing my blog.  Sometimes life can be pretty hectic; especially if you have kids.  The older they become the more activities they become involved in and before you know it, you're a full-time taxi driver (or so it seems).

Don't mean to sound like I'm complaining about my kids.  I'm not.  I believe my three sons (and my niece and two nephews who lost their mother) are the REAL reason I was put on this earth.

But the point is, when we commit to something, we have to strive very hard sometimes to have and to maintain the discipline to stick with it.  And taking time each week to write a few words is very important to me and I am re-committed to doing so consistently.

Why?

I believe I can HELP PEOPLE.  In my business, I meet people from all walks of life and never fail to learn something from everyone I meet.  Not just 'learn something,' but actually learn something that helps me in a myriad of ways.

So if I learn something that helps me, then what I've learned can probably help others.  It's not always big stuff.  Perhaps never anything world-changing.  But definitely things that can help others in ways both big and small.

Whether it's how to raise your credit scores, or recommending a plumber or appliance repairman who did a great job for me at an affordable price.  Whatever it may be, I can be of service to others by sharing what I know (note to self:  immediately write my next blog post recommending Jeff Cuny and Charlie Asian - a terrific plumber and a terrific appliance repairman).

And I'm not saying everything I write IS helpful.  Sometimes it's just me talking about (i.e., bragging about) my family or maybe just commiserating about something that bugs the s#!@ out of me.

But the point is, again, it's just good to put it 'out there.'  So put it 'out there' I shall.  And I'll do my best to do so consistently and always with the hope it will be helpful to someone in some way.

Sincerely,

Ken

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Can a Comparative Market Analysis Help You?

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Can a Comparative Market Analysis Help You?

To get the most accurate estimate of how much you should list your property for, your real estate agent can provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA).  A CMA is an informal estimate of market value, based on sales of comparable properties in your area. It generally takes into account various aspects of your home, including size, features and annual costs. Reviewing comparable homes that have sold within the past year, along with the listing or asking price on current homes for sale, should help you determine a fair sale price for your property.

CMAs can include homes that are currently for sale and those which have recently sold. They can cover areas as narrow as one or two streets surrounding your home, or as broad as an entire subdivision.

Most real estate agents will give you a CMA for free, hoping you'll list your home with them. Each CMA contains valuable information on several recent sales, including:

•How long each property stayed on the market
•How close the sale price was to the asking price
•Notes comparing each home to yours, i.e.; number of bedrooms and baths, approximate square footage, sizes of major rooms, amenities such as fireplaces and pools, age of the home, property taxes and more.

The CMA is an informative selling tool, but like any tool, it doesn't work by itself. For this reason, the CMA will always need to be interpreted by a professional or with complete objectivity by the seller or buyer.

Remember, too, that the CMA is also a buying tool; it is considered just as seriously by the buyer and his or her agent. As you and your agent are going to use the CMA to ask the highest possible price for your home, the buyer is going to use it to find reasons to either choose or eliminate your home, and to arrive at the lowest price possible.

You can take my ideas and strategies for selling your home and share them with the expert who best matches your personality and style. All I ask is that you give me a chance to explain what the others won't because they either 'don't know' or because they feel it's not in their personal best interest. Your best interests are my only interest when it comes to selling your home.

Ken Hall

951-760-3833
KenAHall@gmail.com

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