David Ormonde's Homes for Sale

The best way to avoid foreclosure related scams is to get tough.  Scam artists intentionally seek out the weak and hope to take advantage of you when you are in a distressed situation, such as foreclosure or losing your home and worried you are not going to be able to handle the stress.  When you are down and out you will tend to believe anything, even if it sounds too good to be true.  This can make you a specific target for the unscrupulous scam artist. 

It is important to remember, outwardly scam artists tend to be clean cut, well spoken, and often seem to know a lot more about  your situation than you do.   They often attempt to lure people by belonging to, or pretending to belong to the same racial, religious, social, or other group as their victims.  They will often say or do whatever you want to hear or have them say in a very convincing manner, often agreeing with your plight and seem to empathize with you. 

With certain exceptions, someone who charges you a fee to negotiate with your lender on your behalf must be licensed with the California Department of REal Estate.  You can do a quick check, or “License Status Check” by going to www.dre.ca.gov.  You should also conduct further investigations before doing business with someone offering to help you by checking public records, the Better Business bureau. and the Internet, asking for and verifying references and going to the physical address to verify one actually exists. 

Another clue is when someone tries to push you into making a decision right now, or making false deadlines.  If they give you a deadline ask to see it in writing from a source you trust.  Taking time to ask friends, family, or just discuss the decision with someone else is always a good idea.   If and when you do finally sign a document, know what you are signing after you have had a chance to read it, and don’t allow the person to leave without giving you copies of what you signed.  Never believe anyone who tells you, “it doesn’t matter what it says in the contract, here is the truth”.   A written contract almost always trumps a verbal promise. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t ever allow someone to talk you into doing something illegal, or let them convince you it’s OK because everyone is doing it.  Do not comprmise your position by getting involved in anything underhanded.  Once you agree, you will be less likely to blow the whistle on the scam artist if you too are involved in the scheme.   The bottom line is the more you know about foreclosures, the less likely you will be duped.

Why a Real Estate and Dinner Blog?  Well, we all live in a house and we all have dinner there and that makes those two things very important to most of us.  In the real world most of us want updated information about our most valuable asset, and then, oh yes, What’s for dinner tonight and how are we going to fit that into our busy day?

About our most valuable asset:

Is that tax credit for homebuyers helping the economy?

According to the Realty Times the answer is yes.   Tax payers who use the tax credit, legislation signed by President Obama on November 6, 2009, are using the money to put back into the economy.  The vast majority are using the money to repay existing debts, home improvements, savings and investments, and household expenses.

Since spending is the real fuel for the economy, putting this money to work is the goal behind using the housing market to energize the whole economy in the short term, and then of course getting the housing industry back to health again in the long term.   By late in October of 2009, more than 1.2 million tax payers had claimed almost $8.5 billion in refundable tax credits, using both the new home purchase credit and the resale home purchase credit, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

In addition to the $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers, a new credit of up to $6,500 is available to qualifying existing homeowners who buy a new primary residence (new or used) by April 30, 2010 and close escrow by June 20, 2010, providing they owned their existing home for five consecutive years over the last eight years (second homes don’t qualify – maximum purchase price is $800,000).  See details Internal Revenue Service (IRS.

About dinner tonight:

How about Low Calorie Pasta in Cream Sauce and a Pear Torte you can make in minutes.

Pasta

Everyone likes pasta, but what about those calories; and then there’s the sauce!  Let’s try to cut the calories and fats while keeping the bulk and taste.  Cook your pasta as you normally like (be sure to salt the water).  Just before the pasta is done, add vegetables, such as zucchini, cauliflower, etc. cut into shapes similar to the pasta.  Bring to a boil again and cook for only an additional minute, then rinse with water and strain.  Put the pot with pasta back on the stove top with heat to simmer.  Add olive oil, (1) non-fat can milk, onion powder, touch of nutmeg, and then simmer until mixture thickens slightly.  Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan Cheese until you get a thick and rich consistency.  Serve in large bowl-type plates, garnish with lots of salted, chopped fresh tomatoes all over the top.  YUM………..

For the torte, slice pears (or whatever fresh fruit you have) and sauté in a large pan with ½ cup sugar, 1 whole lemon juice, ¼ cup water, light salt, and ¼ lb. butter until the juice turns slightly golden and thickens (don’t cook the fruit completely-you only want to glaze it)  Turn off heat and leave.  In a food processor, add 3 lbs. nuts, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup flour, 2 egg whites, and a shot of liqueur.  Processes until you have the mixture in a ball.  Remove the mixture with spatula and add to your favorite cooking pan.  Using water-wet fingers shape the mixture to mimic a pie crust.   Add the fruit by arranging as shown, and then pour the left over juice from the pan over the top.  Cook at 375 degrees for about 35 minutes (convection 350 degrees for 30 minutes).