Agoura Hills, CA (Grassroots Newswire) August 20, 2010 — CENTURY 21 Adobe Realty is announcing the launch of the 21st Century Child: Picture the Future photo-sharing contest. By participating, families throughout Agoura Hills can help raise money to benefit children and families living with autism.
Nationally, the CENTURY 21® System and its philanthropic partner, Easter Seals, are asking families in the United States – whether personally affected by autism or not – to visit 21centurychild.com and share a favorite photo of their child (ages five and younger) and an inspirational message. After the photo is uploaded, participants are encouraged to share their photo and fundraising campaign profile with family, friends and others through their social network. For every photo uploaded, the CENTURY 21 System will make a donation to the cause*.
Beginning August 1 and running through September 30, this innovative photo-sharing campaign unites families to support, inspire and empower those affected by autism. The contestant that generates the highest amount of financial contributions will win a $2,100 Apple gift card**. The next six highest fundraisers will win an Apple iPad***.
All money raised by the 21st Century Child: Picture the Future photo-sharing contest will help Easter Seals and Act for Autism provide families affected by autism with the assistance they so desperately need, including emotional support, equal access to treatment and innovative coping strategies.
“CENTURY 21 Adobe Realty is proud to support the Easter Seals’ Act for Autism campaign and we hope our local families will do the same,” said Michael Schaller. “By signing up at 21centurychild.com, sharing with your social network and driving donations, your child’s photo can do a world of good.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, autism now affects 1 in every 110 American children and the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism ranges from $3.5 million to $5 million****.
“As the fastest-growing developmental disability, autism is on the minds of many families across the nation,” said Dr. Patricia Wright, Easter Seals’ national director of autism services. “We want them to know that autism is treatable and with the proper therapy and support, these children can go on to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.”
Complete rules and regulations are available at www.21centurychild.com.
* Century 21 Real Estate LLC will donate $1 to the Easter Seals’ Act for Autism campaign for each uploaded photo in compliance with the rules of the 21st Century Child: Picture the Future campaign - up to $100,000
** In accordance with Apple gift card terms and conditions
*** 16GB Wi-Fi version – estimated value $499
**** American Society for Autism
About Easter Seals:
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For more than 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at www.easterseals.com or http://www.actforautism.org/.
About Century 21 Real Estate LLC
© 2010 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. CENTURY 21® Is A Registered Trademark owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each CENTURY 21 Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
Photo available for this release, please click on below link to download
http://www2.enewsrelease.com/ht/default.asp?releaseid=1119938
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Foreclosure hurts long after home's gone, so cut a deal while you can
Here is an old article from 2007 that is still relevant today.
By Sandra Block, USA TODAY
If you're lying awake at night, fretting about whether you'll lose your house to foreclosure, you may not be the only insomniac on your block.
More than 2.1 million Americans with home loans missed at least one payment last year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Even more troubling, the rate of new foreclosures hit a record.
The problem is likely to get worse. As adjustable-rate mortgages adjust to higher rates, many borrowers are finding they can't afford their payments. And the collapse of the subprime market has made it harder for those with tarnished credit to refinance.
But be aware: Even if your mortgage has become an intolerable burden, letting the bank foreclose could lead to a lifetime of hurt. Losing your home is just the beginning. A foreclosure will wreck your credit report for years, making it impossible — or at least extremely expensive — to buy another home, says David Jones, president of the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. If the proceeds from the sale of your home don't cover your loan, your lender might sue you to recover the unpaid balance.
Many borrowers who lose their homes to foreclosure haven't tried to negotiate with their lenders. That's unfortunate, because lenders are usually willing to work with borrowers to avoid foreclosure, says John Lamb, co-author of Solve Your Money Troubles. "With the number of foreclosures on the horizon, lenders are going to be more willing to work with people, because it doesn't do anybody good to have a glut of foreclosed houses on the market."
Ideally, you should call your lender before you miss your first payment, says Bob Walters, chief economist for Quicken Loans. If your payment is due on the first of the month, call before the 15th, which he says is usually when your lender will report the late payment to credit-reporting agencies. The longer you wait, the fewer options you'll have. Once your loan is declared in default, typically after you've missed three or four payments, you're "past the point of no return," Walters says. At that point, most lenders won't accept a partial payment of what you owe. Unless you can come up with the money to cover all your missed payments, plus any late fees, your lender will start foreclosure.
Avoiding default
If you're suffering a temporary financial setback, your lender may offer programs that will help you get back on track. They include:
• Forbearance. This is an agreement that lets borrowers make a reduced payment, or none, for a specific period. You might have to make larger payments once the crisis has passed. To qualify, you might need to show that you're expecting a bonus, a tax refund or other income that will let you catch up.
• Reinstatement. You agree to pay the full amount of your missed payments by a specific date. Reinstatement is sometimes combined with forbearance.
• Modification. Your lender agrees to change the terms of the loan to make payments more affordable. Your lender may agree to add missed payments to your loan balance or extend the term of your loan, reducing the size of your payments.
Before asking for forbearance or loan modification, be prepared to show that you are making a good-faith effort to pay your mortgage, says Jim Svinth, chief economist for LendingTree.com, a website that helps consumers shop for mortgages. If you can demonstrate that you've reduced other expenses, the lender will be more inclined to negotiate, he says.
Svinth warns, though, that your ability to negotiate will also depend on which institution owns your loan. If your bank still has your loan in its portfolio, it can modify the terms or offer forbearance. But many lenders sell loans into the secondary market, where they're repackaged as mortgage-backed securities. In that case, Svinth says, the company that's servicing your loan might be unable to change the terms.
Read the rest of the article here.
Contact Century 21 Adobe Realty if you have questions or want help with foreclosure. (818)338-1117
By Sandra Block, USA TODAY
If you're lying awake at night, fretting about whether you'll lose your house to foreclosure, you may not be the only insomniac on your block.
More than 2.1 million Americans with home loans missed at least one payment last year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Even more troubling, the rate of new foreclosures hit a record.
The problem is likely to get worse. As adjustable-rate mortgages adjust to higher rates, many borrowers are finding they can't afford their payments. And the collapse of the subprime market has made it harder for those with tarnished credit to refinance.
But be aware: Even if your mortgage has become an intolerable burden, letting the bank foreclose could lead to a lifetime of hurt. Losing your home is just the beginning. A foreclosure will wreck your credit report for years, making it impossible — or at least extremely expensive — to buy another home, says David Jones, president of the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. If the proceeds from the sale of your home don't cover your loan, your lender might sue you to recover the unpaid balance.
Many borrowers who lose their homes to foreclosure haven't tried to negotiate with their lenders. That's unfortunate, because lenders are usually willing to work with borrowers to avoid foreclosure, says John Lamb, co-author of Solve Your Money Troubles. "With the number of foreclosures on the horizon, lenders are going to be more willing to work with people, because it doesn't do anybody good to have a glut of foreclosed houses on the market."
Ideally, you should call your lender before you miss your first payment, says Bob Walters, chief economist for Quicken Loans. If your payment is due on the first of the month, call before the 15th, which he says is usually when your lender will report the late payment to credit-reporting agencies. The longer you wait, the fewer options you'll have. Once your loan is declared in default, typically after you've missed three or four payments, you're "past the point of no return," Walters says. At that point, most lenders won't accept a partial payment of what you owe. Unless you can come up with the money to cover all your missed payments, plus any late fees, your lender will start foreclosure.
Avoiding default
If you're suffering a temporary financial setback, your lender may offer programs that will help you get back on track. They include:
• Forbearance. This is an agreement that lets borrowers make a reduced payment, or none, for a specific period. You might have to make larger payments once the crisis has passed. To qualify, you might need to show that you're expecting a bonus, a tax refund or other income that will let you catch up.
• Reinstatement. You agree to pay the full amount of your missed payments by a specific date. Reinstatement is sometimes combined with forbearance.
• Modification. Your lender agrees to change the terms of the loan to make payments more affordable. Your lender may agree to add missed payments to your loan balance or extend the term of your loan, reducing the size of your payments.
Before asking for forbearance or loan modification, be prepared to show that you are making a good-faith effort to pay your mortgage, says Jim Svinth, chief economist for LendingTree.com, a website that helps consumers shop for mortgages. If you can demonstrate that you've reduced other expenses, the lender will be more inclined to negotiate, he says.
Svinth warns, though, that your ability to negotiate will also depend on which institution owns your loan. If your bank still has your loan in its portfolio, it can modify the terms or offer forbearance. But many lenders sell loans into the secondary market, where they're repackaged as mortgage-backed securities. In that case, Svinth says, the company that's servicing your loan might be unable to change the terms.
Read the rest of the article here.
Contact Century 21 Adobe Realty if you have questions or want help with foreclosure. (818)338-1117
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Condos that cost less than cars
The housing bust has made owning a home a lot more affordable -- but in some places, prices are extraordinary; you can buy a nice condo for less than the cost of a new family car.
Some cities have dozens of attractive condominium listings selling for $50,000 or $25,000. There are some selling for less than a new Toyota Corolla. And these are not derelict hovels in crime-ridden communities: These homes are often in move-in condition and located in nice neighborhoods.
"Not to sound like a salesman, but there are some real bargains out there," said Kevin Berman, a broker with Bankers Realty Services in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The housing bust has taken down the national median home price by about 23% since 2007, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). But condo have fallen even further, down about 25%.
In Sacramento, Calif., condo prices have fallen 59% from what they averaged in 2007, according to NAR. Miami condo prices have plunged 65%, and in Las Vegas they are off 66%.
Prices of individual units are down even more. One condo in Deerfield Beach, Fla., that sold for $115,000 five years ago now lists for $25,000. That's a drop of nearly 80%.
Read the full article here.
Some cities have dozens of attractive condominium listings selling for $50,000 or $25,000. There are some selling for less than a new Toyota Corolla. And these are not derelict hovels in crime-ridden communities: These homes are often in move-in condition and located in nice neighborhoods.
"Not to sound like a salesman, but there are some real bargains out there," said Kevin Berman, a broker with Bankers Realty Services in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The housing bust has taken down the national median home price by about 23% since 2007, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). But condo have fallen even further, down about 25%.
In Sacramento, Calif., condo prices have fallen 59% from what they averaged in 2007, according to NAR. Miami condo prices have plunged 65%, and in Las Vegas they are off 66%.
Prices of individual units are down even more. One condo in Deerfield Beach, Fla., that sold for $115,000 five years ago now lists for $25,000. That's a drop of nearly 80%.
Read the full article here.
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