Showing posts with label orange county. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orange county. Show all posts
5/26/2014
Orange County Garden
Red giant mustard in the dark blue pot.
All winter / spring we have been cutting
kale, spinach, arugula, and this red
giant mustard for salad greens. I planted a big mix
of edible salad greens - mesclun,
tyee F1 spinach, and another
thirty varieties all from seed.
I'm allowing this mustard to
go to seed to have more to share and trade seeds.
My side yard is small.
I don't use any fertilizers, no chemicals
- only compost and water.
Yes I have slugs and snails
(I'm constantly hunting them and putting
out yeast sugar water traps)
but we didn't buy much green produce
for the past six months.
Mind you, my daughter is vegan, greens
are her mainstay.
I'm adding romanesco, some heirloom broccoli's, dragon carrots,
squash and multi-colored heritage carrots today.
The ten varieties of tomatoes are already blooming. Of course
all the yellow and purple cherry ones have fruit. Yummy!
It was foggy yesterday morning- good for photos but you
can't see the ocean very well in this picture, but its there.
Left two pots with geraniums, impatiens and purple pole beans
that will be soon climbing and take over the impatiens. This makes
a nice tent on the pergola.
To the right is a spectacular epi.
When I planted this epi it had four colors,
but the orange variety is the heartiest and blooms first.
There are pink blossoms starting on the opposite side.
My plan was that all four epis would evenly mix in
the pot. So much for plans.
Below is a pot saucer with a number of seeds drying-
nasturtiums that are almost spent in the garden, sweet
peas and painted blankets that still are going strong.
This pot has a rose I haven't patented yet. In the 1990's
I had a house in the central valley. What started as a hobby-
hybridizing roses became a passion. Many extinct varieties
I found in graveyards around the world. Yes graveyards-
because varieties that were planted in the 1800's that survived
with little care were valuable as seed stock to me.
I ended up selling a number of patents after I moved to
Orange County, California.
The weather here did not suit the type of
roses I perfected- roses that required no spraying of any kind,
liked heat, repeat bloomed and have the ruffley peony look.
Now after living in moist Coastal Air I've been working on
roses that don't rust and are also disease resistant - totally
organic again same flower shapes... It's more difficult than
heat resistance- its taken about eight years to have four cultivars.
With my work as a mortgage banker - sometimes the roses
get neglected. Only the tough ones will make the cut.
Then of course I'm slowly editing my fourth novel.
My children are almost old enough to help, hmmm
wondering what wonderful things the next stages of
my life will unfold.
This jasmine has almost taken over the tree here.
Two years ago I almost cut the whole tree down.
This variety drops about forty leaves a day - year
round drip torture as it is planted down wind right by
the pool. Also in the photo hydrangea- I love them
white.
Close up of the epi you can see some snail damage
on the leaves.
5/25/2014
Mortgage Rates Blue Bird of Happiness
Laguna Beach bird houses, mail boxes and special treats.
Today Mortgage Rates dipped to the lowest in more than a year.
If you have mortgage insurance, values have increased. Call me
for a free review to save you money.
Perhaps it is the blue bird of happiness that things have
improved
Caroline Gerardo
NMLS 324982
Yes this is a real working mailbox in Laguna Beach
A funky example of a Laguna Beach mailbox.
Preview of my side garden. The epis are blooming!
I'm praying for no wind and squishing snails to be
able to enjoy the week or two of blooming glory,
Next post I will put up more of the West side of my
garden. Combining plants helps keep pests down.
I don't use fertilizers or any chemicals. I compost
and treat things with simple green solutions.
Why you say?
Most of my back yard is edible!
See the bowl below (blue dish with seeds) -
I collect seeds to use next year and to trade with
friends and family.
No GMO :)
Sun Casts Out June Gloom
The sky was cloudy this morning.
Do we have Orange County June gloom already?
Then at 11:15 the sun decides to come out.
Casting the fog aside, I feel that way too.
I'm taking the day off.
I will be holding an open house tomorrow
with my friend Hillary Caston.
Looks like she already has offers on
the Egret listing.
5/10/2014
Spring
Spring is here with the first Epi blooming under the gazebo in my back yard.
These plants are such a joy when they bloom. In a few days I will have twenty basketball sized flowers in this pot.
They look like cactus and get gangly in the Fall but are easy to maintain.
Best is you hang them to play keep away from snails.
I don't use snail bait or poison in my garden.
I put out beer or yeast with sugar water to collect slugs and get some of the snails
drunk. Then it is easy to get rid of them.
Did you know that snail slime is very nutrient for skin?
Gross you say, just wait some salon in Newport Beach will be putting
snails on you for a facial. LOL
Some raised bed ideas- galvanized large animal troughs
A method to keep your poppies, delphinium and vegetables away
from the bunnies. We have a bad rabbit problem in Orange County
I believe the drought has brought them all out from the canyons.
I put some metal simple windmills and old CD's on strings to
have some flashy lights to scare them.
The shiny seems to have brought the crows back.
Sigh Just when I made friends with the crows to
stay away from the mourning doves nest.
I took this photo of bougainvillea being dumped. Thought you might
think it funny as I enjoyed it driving home from my office this week.
Mortgage rates are at amazing new lows. I have been busy.
Call for a quote you probably can get out of your FHA loan or Mortgage
Insurance with the increases in property values.
(949) 784-9699
Local Orange County Produce all Organic
If you want to trade seeds - I have:
nasturtiums, forget me nots, indian blanket, cerenthe, heirloom tomatoes, arugula, lavender, and thyme
2/21/2014
GRANTS to Buy a Home in California
Down Payment Grant Gift |
Orange County INCOME LIMITS GENERAL NUMBERS
FHA Max
$85,680 Riverside & San Bernardino
$102,360 Orange County
$85,680 Los Angeles County
$91,080 San Diego County
$102,360 Orange County
$85,680 Los Angeles County
$91,080 San Diego County
Compare CHDAP, CHFDAP ACCESS Down Payment Assistance Programs
– Which is Better?
Compare
CHDAP, CHFDAP, ACCESS Down Payment Assistance Programs – Which is Best?
Home buyer down payment assistance loan programs such as
CalHFA’s CHDAP, CHF DAP, and the CHF ACCESS
program are three of the most popular first time home buyer assistance programs
in California.
The CHDAP and ACCESS program all provide 3%
assistance that can be applied towards meeting FHA’s 3.5% minimum down
payment requirement.
CHF DAP gives grants gifts five percent
I offer all these mortgage loan programs but each is a little different
CalHFA’s CHDAP assistance, CHF’s DAP Grant, and the CHF ACCESS assistance program will help you make better home financing decision that impact you long after you move into the home.
CHDAP
|
CHFDAP
|
ACCESS
|
|
Assistance Amount
|
3% – sales price
|
5% – loan amount
|
3% – sale price
|
3% Assistance
|
Silent 2nd Loan
|
Grant
|
Loan Repaid
|
Qualifying Area
|
All California
|
All California
|
All California
|
Mandatory Origination fee?
|
0
|
1.5%
|
0
|
Credit to pay closing costs?
|
Up to 2%
|
Yes
|
Very Limited
|
DTI Ratio Max Limit
|
55%
|
50%
|
43% – 45%
|
Minimum Credit Score
|
640
|
620
|
580
|
First Time Buyer Only?
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Income Caps? (county)
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Income that Qualifies
|
Household
|
Borrower
|
Borrower
|
Max Loan Amount
|
$417+
|
$500
|
$417k+
|
90 Day Flips Allowed
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Prepayment Penalty?
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Max Seller Contribution?
|
3%
|
6%
|
6%
|
Gift Funds Allowed?
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Cancellation Fee?
|
No
|
$400
|
No
|
$250,000 Purchase
|
Comparison
|
===========
|
========
|
Assistance Amount
|
$7,500
|
$12,500
|
$7,500
|
Down Payment Needed
|
.5% = $1,250
|
0
|
.5% = $1,250
|
Est. % Rate /apr (call for actual current rate)
|
3.875 / 4.962
|
4.5 / 5.413
|
4.5 / 5.183
|
Rate on 2nd lien
|
3.25% (deferred)
|
NA
|
8.25%
|
Mtg P&I Payments + MI
|
$1,405
|
$1,208
|
$1,567
|
Interest Rate: The interest rate comparison is
for a 30 year fixed, 660 FICO score, from a time when CHF published their
Platinum rate of 4.5%. Rates can vary, but for the most part, the Platinum and
ACCESS mortgage rate is .5% to .625% higher than a regular FHA loan. Rates change a couple times a day. This is not a rate quote. This is not a commitment to lend. These programs may be cancelled at any day at will. APR is listed above as second number
All assistance programs are subject to funding availability
CalHFA CHDAP Down Payment
Assistance Program
As you can see, the CalHFA CHDAP home buyer assistance program
typically offers you a much lower interest rate, payment, and is the least
expensive option between the three assistance programs. Some people say the
CalHFA’s CHDAP is the BEST down payment assistance program in all of
California.
CHFDAP Down Payment Assistance
Program
The CHF DAP program seems like it should be the
better program because the 5% grant never has to be repaid, right? CHF Platinum
charges an additional 1.5% up. Plus, the interest rate, on average, is .5%
higher than CHDAP assistance program.
CHF ACCESS Down Payment
Assistance Program
The CHF ACCESS program offers the highest interest rate, reduces
how much you can qualify for but does cater to borrowers with lower credit
scores. However, since the assistance in the form of a 2nd loan (15 yr fxd)
that is actually a fully amortizing payment, you’re paying that 3% loan off and
building equity faster.
Can I Refinance Out of My Higher
Rate Platinum or ACCESS Loan in the future?
To qualify for an FHA streamline refinance, FHA has a 5% net
tangible benefit requirement test.
In five years (after having built enough equity to 80% assuming 3% gain in value per year - or if you have additional funds to pay the
loan down sooner) you may be able to refinance out of this this FHA assistance
loan and into a conventional loan. Of course your value could go down rather than up. There is no guarantee you will have income or credit to refinance at a later date.
If you can’t get your credit score to 640, or make more than the
CHDAP program income cap, you don’t have many options. That’s when Platinum and
ACCESS fill a void. I can help you raise your FICO score for free. Don't be urgent to buy with a low score. Call me to get some action paln to raise the score as it will affect your rate and long term payment.
THE
CONVENTIONAL LOAN PROGRAM IS MUCH BETTER BUT YOU NEED HIGHER FICO
5% Grant combined with Conventional loan
Income limit Orange County = $ 93,750 or $7793 monthly
FICO score needed 660
Using 43% debt to income ratio as a target
Individuals will have a variety of parameters, FICO, debts, =
many factors to
count into qualifying but these are some general numbers
$7793 X 43% = $3351 PITI target
$480000 sales price
$456000 loan
p and I $ 2310
Mi 380
Tax 490
Insur. 80
Total $3260 They could not have any bills with a $
480000 loan
Seller pays some of closing costs? OR buyer needs about $4000 to
close
***
$7000 month income X 43% = $3010 target
$400000 sales price
$380000 loan
P and I $1925
Tax 416
MI 310
Insur 79
TOTAL $
2730 - 3010 they could have $280 in
monthly other bills
Seller pays some closing costs or Buyer needs about $ 3800 to
close
***
$6500 month income X 43% = $2795
$375000 sales price
$ 356250 loan
P and I $ 1805
Tax 390
MI 290
Insur 77
TOTAL $ 2562 - $2795 the
could have $ 233 in monthly other bills
O.K you made it through all those numbers. I know it sounds confusing. Just call me and we can talk about your scenario. Everyone is unique.
Below are some fun pictures I took with my iphone at MIT with my son as your reward for reading.
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