Watch out for FORECLOSURE SCAMS

With the recent rise in foreclosures, foreclosure-related scams have exploded onto the real estate scene. These so-called “foreclosure rescue companies” claim they will help save your home, but in reality are out to make a profit -- at your expense.

Red Flags for Foreclosure Rescue Scams

If you are at risk of or in foreclosure, you should be on the lookout for foreclosure scams. Here are some of the red flags to watch out for:

• Asks for money upfront before providing any service
• Instructs you not to contact your lender, lawyer, housing counselor, family, friends, or others
• Asks for mortgage payments to be made directly to his or her company or a bank account set
up by that person, rather than your lender.
• Requires payment only in the form of cash, cashier’s check, or wire transfer
• Promises to stop the foreclosure process, no matter the circumstances
• Advises you to transfer your property deed or title to his or her company
• Offers to fill out paperwork for you
• Asks for something to be done immediately and without delay. This includes pressuring you
into signing paperwork that you have not had the chance to read thoroughly or do not fully
understand
• Encourages you to lease your house and buy it back over time
• Offers to buy your house for a fixed price that is not set by the housing market at the time of
sale
• Asks for you to give a power of attorney
• Asks for signatures on a grant deed or deed of trust
• Asks for signatures on a document that has lines left blank
• Fails to provide copies of signed documents
• Refuses or fails to put an oral promise in writing

Report Fraud
If you have been a victim of a foreclosure-related scam or approached by a scam artist, you may report the incident to the following organizations and government enforcement agencies:

• California Attorney General http://ag.ca.gov
• California Department of Real Estate www.dre.ca.gov
• Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) www.hud.gov

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) www.ftc.gov
• Your local Better Business Bureau www.bbb.org

Legitimate Resources

If you are at risk of foreclosure or have already received a foreclosure notice, you should contact your lender immediately. Homeowners also may seek the advice of a reputable housing, financial or credit counselor, attorney, or other qualified professional. Homeowners may visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Web site at http://www.hud.gov/ to view its Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure and its list of California HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. In addition, the non-profit Homeownership Preservation Foundation has a 24/7 toll-free Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline at (999) 995-HOPE.

(reprinted with permission from California Association of Realtors)

Should I Pay Down My Mortgage FASTER ???

Homeowners who find themselves with extra cash may be considering paying down their mortgage. While
this can help some people in certain situations, like seniors close to retirement age or those with adjustablerate
mortgages, it may not be the best choice for all homeowners. Paying down the mortgage more quickly
can save homeowners a significant amount in interest in the long run. However, some financial experts
advise clients, especially those with fixed-rate loans at favorable interest rates, to use extra money to pay
down high-interest debt and build up an emergency fund.

Attitude.... is Cause and Effect

You've heard the phrase "you are what you eat".... well in our business, you are what you think. What you think permeates to the surface... if you are negative & depressed guess what???? no one will want to deal with you. (and conversely)...
All events and data are neutral.... they become positive or negative by the way we CHOOSE to look at it.... and the way we look at it will become the way we relay it.
Years ago, I had a sales manager tell me to put a mirror in front of myself when I make phone calls... and look at myself as I talked... my goal was to get the smile on my face into my voice, have it travel down the phone line and elicit a smile back from whom ever I was speaking to... (I know, I shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition). That is still my goal
We live in a cause and effect world. With the way things are now, we are the cause that will affect and effect our economy.
So get a mantra and repeat after me....
EVERY THING IS FINE... IN TWENTY OH NINE....
EVERY THING IS FINE... IN TWENTY OH NINE....
EVERY THING IS FINE... IN TWENTY OH NINE....
EVERYTHING IS FINE IN 2009

Bill Clemente of Security Pacific Real Estate named CCRIM Realtor of the Year

Walnut Creek, California – December 18, 2008

Bill Clemente of Security Pacific Real Estate has been named The Contra Costa Realtors in Motion (CCRIM) 2008 Realtor of the Year. CCRIM is composed of real estate professionals focused on developing the real estate industry as well as giving back to the community. This distinction is given to a Realtor who shows outstanding involvement in both areas.

Security Pacific is honored to have Bill, plus 2007 award winner Rafael Quintero and 2006 winner Fred Weston as associates in their Walnut Creek branch office. Security Pacific is the last large independently owned and operated real estate agency in the East Bay.

Bill can be reached at 925-938-9200 or by e-mail at bclemente@securitypacific.com.

Short Sale Fiasco

It has been 12 months since I listed this short sale. (November '07) We closed escrow in May I believe. I am proud of the job I did. At that time I had 5 short sale listings and this was the first one that closed. My client owed $488,000 and the offer was for $305,000. I got the bank to forgive the difference ($183,000 in writting) as long as the money was in their office on such and such a date.
Knowing how things can get, I gave my client a date to vacate which was in truth one week early... JIC... (just in case)... I know it's tough facing a divorce, after losing one's job, and home; but there are limits. The funds had to be at the lender on a Friday, the new owner planned on doing their walk thru on the day before. The wife had packed and moved a week before, the sunday before closing I stopped by to give my client an out line of how the house should be left... He told me in no uncertain words that it wasn't his problem any longer and if I wanted it clean I should clean it myself.
After calming down, I pointed out to my client that if the new buyer did not accept the property in the condition it was in that all bets would be off. His retort was "you're making enough money - you pay to clean it." ....
I thought I got over this.... but I can feel my emotions coming to a boil....
In short... Boston Mike's "Haul n Clean" saved the day. This link will take you to a visual tour of the MESS that was left and the finished product after Boston Mike had worked his magic. It took him two days, $2000 that includes the dumpster... if you need a good guy... call me, I'll give you his number.


http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1604990&prt=10003

1055 Chippewa Court

A Great Opportunity...

Life is always full of surprises. A family acquired this home, and grew up in it. Children were born and raised... jobs and promotions... hobbies and interests... However, time and space changes everything-including the best laid plans. After rooms were remodeled, and everything arranged just so... the family must move on.



One mans ceiling is another mans floor...

One mans sushi is another mans bait...
&
One familys misfortune is another familys opportunity.


This beautiful, exquisite home is now available for a new owner. It offers 5 spacious bedrooms, with 3 full baths totaling a little over 2500 square feet of living space. This gorgous house is set on a 15,000 square foot lot, nestled in the Northgate Community of Walnut Creek.
Tree lined streets in a neighborhood where the people across the street wave hello. A community where people watch out for each other but still respect each others privacy. A perfect neighborhood to be a part of...
The backyard is perfect... perfect for entertaining, or perfect for getting away from it all and just communing with nature.
The schools that are offered are award winning... Walnut Acres Grammer School; Foothill Middle School; and Northgate High School.

If this has captured your immagination, here is a VISUAL TOUR of the property. And if thiscaptures your eye, call me for a personal viewing.

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