Archive for April, 2009

“Retro” Look for Tomorrow’s Homescape?

By Alicia Lanier, REALTOR

Is the foreclosure crisis reshaping the American landscape, perhaps forming tomorrow’s real estate landscape into cities and towns reminiscent of the pre-World War II era?

Urban and community planners predict a definite “retro” flavor for America’s Tomorrowland, says Inman News’ Gilbert Mohtes-Chan in a 3-part series beginning with Suburbia looks inward for answers on www.inman.com

Says Mohtes-Chan:

“Picture bustling downtowns with twentysomethings and empty-nesters living in high-rise condos, suburban villages with light-rail lines, quaint shopping districts and scaled-down McMansions and rural towns with public transit stops and high-density mixed-use complexes designed for shopkeepers, homebuyers and renters.

“Some might call it ‘The making of surburbia in rewind’ — a tale written by government and civic leaders, planners and scholars who are grappling with the nation’s worst housing crisis since the Great Depression. Suburbs and exurbs may never be the same as officials reinvent planning models to guide future growth in the coming decades.

“More importantly, officials will be forced to consider economics and finances as much as they do land use and environmental issues in their policy decisions. Consumers, too, will look beyond interest rates and monthly mortgage payments and factor in the true cost of suburban life, including gasoline prices, insurance premiums, congested roadways and commute times. Suburbia may no longer be a bargain.”

Don’t miss the buying opportunity presented by declining prices, rising inventory and historic low home loan interest rates in the Silicon Valley. Ask me to send you, free, a list of bank-owned properties currently being offered for sale - or photos and pics of other homes for sale in your preferred area: Call 408-491-1634 or e-mail me at Alicia@AliciaLanier.com

C.A.R. Offers New Mortgage Protection Program for First-time Home Buyers in California

By Alicia Lanier, REALTOR

First-time homebuyers who have been debating whether to buy now may get off the fence after hearing about the new mortgage protection program being offered by the California Association of Realtors (CAR).

Here’s their press release about this innovative new program:

“To help provide first-time home buyers with peace of mind when purchasing a home, the C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund (C.A.R.H.A.F.) is offering a new mortgage protection program to first-time home buyers.

Through the Housing Affordability Fund’s Mortgage Protection Program, first-time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs may be eligible to receive up to $1,500 per month for up to six months to help make their mortgage payments. A qualified co-buyer also can participate in the program, for a monthly benefit of $750 per month for up to six months. Program benefits also include coverage for accidental disability and a $10,000 death benefit. C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund is dedicating $1 million toward its Mortgage Protection Program this year, and estimates that up to 3,000 families will benefit from the program throughout 2009.

To qualify for the Mortgage Protection Program, applicants must:
. Be a first-time home buyer – someone who has not owned a home in the last three years
. Open escrow April 2, 2009, or later, and close on or before Dec. 31, 2009
. Use a California REALTOR® in the transaction
. Purchase the property in California
. Be a W-2 employee (cannot be self-employed or military personnel)

First-time home buyers must request an application for the H.A.F. Mortgage Protection Program from their REALTOR®. For applications and other information on this exciting new program, go to www.car.org/aboutus/hafmainpage/ or contact Monica Rodriguez at (213) 739-8380 or monicar@car.org”

Don’t miss the buying opportunity presented by declining prices, rising inventory and historic low home loan interest rates in the Silicon Valley. Ask me to send you, free, a list of bank-owned properties currently being offered for sale - or photos and pics of other homes for sale in your preferred area: Call 408-491-1634 or e-mail me at Alicia@AliciaLanier.com