http://mcarforum.com MCAR Blog & Forum Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:53:09 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Starting September 8, 2008, California has a special foreclosure timeline for loans originated between 2003 and 2007, which are secured by owner-occupied residences.  Loans involved in short sales are likely to be owner-occupied loans from the years 2003 to 2007, which was the heyday for sub-prime lending.  The special ... http://mcarforum.com/2008/12/the-foreclosure-timeline/ We are widening the scope of the special events task force to all events, fundraisers etc. for MCAR. So we need people, ideas, talent and enthusiasm. We want to do things for the community as well. So come to our first meeting Dec. 17th 3:000 at MCAR with your ideas. ... http://mcarforum.com/2008/11/special-events-task-force-wants-you/ Before this year, one conforming loan limit applied to the entire country. The amount was $417,000 for a single family unit (since 2006). When Congress allowed for the increase in February of this year, it was done so based on 125% of an areas median home price. The floor was ... http://mcarforum.com/2008/11/conforming-loan-limit-adjustment/ Landlords and tenants should strive to create a mutually beneficial relationship.  Like any other business relationship, the landlord and the tenant need each other.  Why not work to make it the best association possible? Most landlord-tenant disputes are a result of inadequate communication.  It is primarily the landlord’s responsibility to communicate ... http://mcarforum.com/2008/11/landlords-tenants-communication-is-the-key/ I am sure many of you have heard of the campaign to "Get Out The Vote" or GOTV - it is a reference to each political party's attempts to energize their voting base through various activities. Republican or Democrat, no doubt there was a GOTV effort in your city ... http://mcarforum.com/2008/11/voters-inspired/ I have been hearing more and more conversations lately of people struggling with a perception that finding and obtaining financing for real estate purchases is nearly impossible these days. Before giving up hope, I urge you to take the time to research the financing options available to you, despite ... http://mcarforum.com/2008/10/money-in-the-bank/ Housing facts and figures for Monterey County Monterey County home sales for the third quarter of 2008 increased by 42% over the second quarter of 2008. The majority of sales, 70%, occurred in Salinas, South and North County. The remaining 30% of sales occurred on the Peninsula, with the majority ... http://mcarforum.com/2008/10/housing-facts-and-figures-for-monterey-county/ By Sandy Haney CEO, MCAR Below is a letter written by one of our REALTOR® members and former MCAR Director, Eugene Ferris.  Eugene wrote of his concerns regarding the loose lending practices in January, 2005 and sent it to three of our local newspapers. His prediction was six months prior ... http://mcarforum.com/2008/09/was-anyone-listening/ The County, Cities and Water Management have failed to accurately keep track of permits.  I have spoken with several escrow officers to see if they would be agreeable to record documents and permits for properties in order to have a permanent, accurate record.   As Realtors, we so ... http://mcarforum.com/2008/09/recordswhat-records/   I read with great interest, an article in the New York Times yesterday, reviewing the government’s takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A little over a year after the credit crisis formally began, I was struck again by the enormity of the problem facing our country. Historically, from an ... http://mcarforum.com/2008/09/a-money-line/