Excellent Time To Buy Vacation Property!

This last weekend we were with family at a vacation home on a lake near Olympia. It was so relaxing and peaceful to just sit back and watch the lake water be perfectly still. There was no internet access, I left my cell phone in the car, and didn’t watch any TV. The kids were outside playing in the dirt,the trees, it was perfect.

The vacation home is owned by my sister in law’s family. Yes, it’s expensive to keep up on two homes but boy is it worth it! Every time we visit they are updating some feature of the old cabin but a lot of times they are sitting back and enjoying their investment.

This is a family cabin that will stay in the family, they have very stern rules about who goes and how it is taken care of. There is a long laundry list of things that must be completed every time you leave, including washing and making the beds each and every time! But you have to be that way, vacation homes aren’t cheap and it’s hard to keep them without everyone contributing.

This is a hard time financially for everyone but if owning a vacation home is on your list of things to have then this is the perfect time to be looking. The McFarland Group can help you look for ski cabins, houses on the beach, vacant land to camp on or build later, fishing property, anything! Just let us know what you are looking for and we’d be glad to help.

Prices are very good right now and you might just find a deal you can’t resist!

What? The White House is up for sale?

If something is too good to be true, it probably is. I saw a news posting that said The White House was up for sale. That’s right, The White House is up for sale and it only costs 9.8 million dollars. Here’s the catch though, the house that is for sale is The ATLANTA White House.

A guy in Atlanta built a house that replicates The White House. I love my country but I don’t know that I love it enough to have my house look like The White House. For more information on this mini White House and interior details click here.

Mt Rainier Puts On A Show

Mt Rainier, photo by Tim Thomspon

Those of us that live in the NorthWest know we are lucky to have the scenic views that we do. But every now and then we are still amazed by nature’s beauty. Back in December Mt Rainier put on a show that captivated many with it’s amazing cloud formations. To check out more photos and learn about how these formations came about check out KATU’s blog.

Well, you know it was bound to be!

Well, you know it was bound to be! You have heard of Short Sales, but Short Refis? Yes siree bob! I just received an e-mail from a lender that they are now accepting “short refis”. Your lender has to agree to reduce your balance of course! I am not sure how they work yet, so I’ll have to get back to you.

Loan mods are already being done whereby you contact your lender and ask/beg them to modify the terms of your current loan. Usually, the balance remains the same though.  I’ll fill you in as things become clearer. Interest rates are hitting lows that even Baby Boomers and Boom-lets haven’t seen, so I’m sure there will be many questions.
Contact me if you have thoughts, comments, or observations!

Blowing Your Nose May Cause Damage

It’s that time of year! Everyone knows some one who has a cold right now. Your nose is plugged up and you blow your nose thinking you are helping the congestion along. WRONG! Yep, that’s right, new research shows this is the wrong thing to do. There was an article just posted on The New York Times of all places claiming that blowing your nose causes further damage. Makes sense I guess. They claim it’s not harmful but it could ”shoot viruses or bacteria into the sinuses, and possibly cause further infection.”

Read the whole story here.

Loan Modification – What You Need To Know

Many of the junk in my “in-box” these days relates to offering “loan modification” services. As five people what that means, and you’ll get five different answers. Most people really have no idea what it is.

Let me define it and then explain how it works. A loan modification as defined by the US Department of HUD website is “a permanent change in one or more of the terms of a mortgagor’s loan, allows the loan to be reinstated, and results in a payment the mortgagor can afford.”

The loan modification process is a direct result of banks trying to stay out of the property management and real estate business. If you are behind on your mortgage payments, you are not alone.

However, one of he WORST things you can do is avoid the bank. Here’s the deal. The bank does not want your house. They want you in the house, making your payments on time per your contract.

They will usually work with you if you talk to them and let them know your situation. They can “modify” the loan terms, defer payments to the end, and offer other forms of assistance so you can make good on your commitment without losing your home.

Beware of the newly immerging industry of “loan modification negotiators out there who are offering to negotiate for you against your bank while charging you a fee or a percentage of savings to do so. Some of these companies are not all they appear to be, so be careful and do your research.

Most lenders required you to already be behind on your mortgage to obtain any loan modification assistance. This is a quick overview of Loan Modification process. There is much more for you to be aware of. If you think you might need to consider loan modification, call me today.

We can provide the resources you need to make informed decisions.

The Homes They Left Behind

I find it interesting to see how people live. Maybe that’s why I love my job in Real Estate! I enjoy seeing what type of houses fit their needs, what their taste in furniture, etc. I think it shows a side of people we don’t get to see too often. Let’s take a look at our new President and Vice President and where they came from.

Obama's Chicago Home

Now that President Obama is living in the White House for the next 4 years what is he going to do with his Chicago house? The Obama’s bought the house in 2005 and Obama has said it was a “boneheaded move.” Check out the details on the Zillow Blog.

 

 

Biden's Delaware Home

 

 

Vice President Joe Biden found his house the old fashion way, by driving around! Here’s his Delaware Home.

 

  

I know he isn’t our president but I wonder what Cindy McCain would have done to the White House if they were elected. Take a look at their Phoenix, AZ houseand how it looked in this 2005 photo spread (they have since sold it). It shows a different side to the McCain’s.  And Sarah Palin’s home in Alaska had a hydroplane in the yard (she lives on a lake and her husband is a pilot).