San Joaquin Homes Community Blog

Residents can also go Earth-Friendly
December 1st, 2008 5:36 PM
Apartment Residents Can Also Go Earth-Friendly
Digested From "Renters, Condo Owners Can Take Advantage of Many Earth-Friendly Ideas"
Detroit Free Press (MI) (11/23/08) by Alex Veiga

Environmentally conscious apartment residents can take advantage of a number of products now on the market to minimize their carbon footprint, eradicate airborne toxins and increase the use of recyclables. Russell Albanese, president of the Albanese Organization, notes that among the first things apartment residents can do to slash their energy costs is to discard their incandescent light bulbs and replace them with compact fluorescent bulbs or LEDs, light-emitting diodes. Albanese's company has developed several green residential high-rises throughout New York City. Indoor air quality can be a big problem in apartment communities, especially for residents whose apartments have carpeting. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified filters for air conditioners can help trap small particles of dust and other allergens not caught by conventional filters. Also effective is a medical-grade Hepa air-filtration unit, which can absorb chemicals and odors and wipe out nearly all airborne particles. Another way to make the air inside an apartment cleaner is to request that the walls be repainted with low volatile organic compounds paints. Finally, to help save water, apartment owners can install dual-flush toilets that give users a couple of options on how much water to use per flush.
Posted by Norbert Huston on December 1st, 2008 5:36 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Talking Points; FHA Loan Program
November 28th, 2008 1:36 PM

As credit underwriting guidelines tighten and down payment requirements increase, some home buyers – especially first-time home buyers – are finding it more difficult to qualify for a mortgage loan offered by a traditional financial institution. One viable option for some first-time home buyers, or those with challenged credit, is to apply for a home loan with the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). These loans are mortgages issued by a private lender but insured by the FHA. They often require smaller down payments and offer fixed-rate or adjustable-rate loans. However, not all home buyers will qualify. The FHA requires verification of income and assets along with a full home appraisal. While consumers with credit scores a low as 580 may qualify, home buyers should contact an FHA lender for an accurate assessment of their situation and ability to qualify.

Norbert G. Huston

www.SanJoaquinHomes.info

Posted by Norbert Huston on November 28th, 2008 1:36 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Increase in Applicants from Foreclosures
November 26th, 2008 11:01 AM
Calif. Apartment Survey Finds Increase in Applicants From Foreclosures
Digested From "Rental Survey Finds Increase in Applicants From Foreclosures"
Vacaville Reporter (11/19/08)

According to the annual Apartment Rent Survey conducted by the city of Fairfield, Calif., the number of rental applicants coming from foreclosed homes has increased locally in the last year. The survey queried apartment managers in such markets as Fairfield, Suisun and Vacaville to determine median rents for studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, along with the area vacancy rate. Median rents decreased slightly between November 2007 and November 2008 for studios and three-bedroom apartments. However, rents for one- and two-bedroom units rose. As of this November, median monthly rents in the Fairfield area are $698 for studios, $880 for one-bedroom units, $985 for two-bedrooms and $1,348 for three-bedrooms. The overall vacancy rate, meanwhile, has increased from 4.73 percent in 2007 to 6.39 currently. In order to entice potential residents to move into vacant apartments, such incentives as discounted first month's rent and free credit checks are being offered. Besides families of foreclosed homes moving into apartments, owners and managers have said that the increased number of vacancies recently can also be attributed to residents moving from apartments to single-family homes for rent.
Posted by Norbert Huston on November 26th, 2008 11:01 AMPost a Comment (0)

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Landlords and REO Lenders Must Take Charge of Abandoned Animals:
November 24th, 2008 12:25 PM

Effective January 1, 2009, any person or private entity with whom a live animal has been "involuntarily deposited" must take charge of it, if able to do so, and immediately notify animal control officials to retrieve the animal. An "involuntary deposit" includes the abandonment of a live animal on a property that has been vacated upon, or immediately preceding, the termination of a lease or foreclosure of the property. The animal control officers who respond can secure a lien to recover the rescue cost, but this law imposes no other liability upon a depositary who complies with these rules. Assembly Bill 2949.

Norbert G. Huston

www.SanJoaquinHomes.info

 

Posted by Norbert Huston on November 24th, 2008 12:25 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Fast Facts; Nov.20th, 2008
November 22nd, 2008 9:29 AM
Fast Facts  
 
Calif. median home price - September 08: $316,480(Source: C.A.R.)  
Calif. highest median home price by C.A.R. region September 08: Santa Barbara So. Coast $935,000 (Source: C.A.R.)  
Calif. lowest median home price by C.A.R. region September 08: High Desert $159,720 (Source: C.A.R.)  
Calif. First-time Buyer Affordability Index - Second Quarter 08: 48 percent (Source: C.A.R.)  
Mortgage rates - week ending 11/13/08 30-yr. fixed: 6.14% Fees/points: 0.7% 15-yr. fixed: 5.81% Fees/points: 0.7% 1-yr. adjustable: 5.33% Fees/points: 0.5%(Source: Freddie Mac)

 

Norbert G. Huston

www.SanJoaquinHomes.info

Posted by Norbert Huston on November 22nd, 2008 9:29 AMPost a Comment (0)

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