5/15/2019

Save Money: Refinance

The sky is falling?
No this is an opportunity to save some money

News, well negative news, makes mortgage rates go down. There’s been a great deal of yelling about the trade sanctions with China. I am personally glad we are finally facing off with a bully who steals all our intellectual property. I’ve had books pirated, and even rose patents. On this issue both Republicans and Democrats seem together. I’m not running out to buy a bunch of electronics or steel or a car or any other items that come in metal containers from China. Other news also stirred worry in the bond market. Brexit seems unsolvable. Europe struggles. Don’t bring up war with Iran in my house, we will also start yelling.
What does all this bad economic news mean when you thought we were on the happy train to higher wages and free medical insurance?
The Fed is not going to raise interest rates this year. My crystal ball says  the Fed is going to swing wild the short way and price in a seventy percent of a 32-basis point cut by October 2019. I love a Halloween Refinance Boom. We’ve had several Halloween Refi-manias in my thirty year career. Is a 32- basis point cut down too much? I don’t believe the American economy is doing that strong. Don’t you know three people who have to work two jobs to afford their house? I know fifteen or more.  My magic eight ball says:  save money!
Mortgage interest rates are at a twelve month low. IF you bought or refinanced in the past year I can save you money on your payment. Treasuries at 2.15 and the Ten year bond is 2.35, a fifteen month low.
More roller coaster volatility is ahead. Expect rates to swing up on a Friday when everyone is spooky or running off to the Hamptons.
Get your loan application in and approved and update as needed. I’m here to help save you money.

C G Caroline Gerardo Barbeau
NMLS 324982

(949)  784- 9699

This is not a commitment to lend Equal opportunity lender. Why would anyone not be an equal opportunity lender that makes no sense to me


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5/08/2019

Best Nurseries and Garden Supply Stores In Orange County California

to make the video play click both arrows

1. The Plant Depot
32413 San Juan Creek Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA
https://theplantdepot.com/


The number one Garden Supply, Gardener's Gift Store, and nursery store.
Family owned and loved. The staff will help you find what you dream about. Plant and orchard, build a pond, arrange a succulent garden, and English garden, just ask.
No question is considered silly, they are kind and caring. Prices are reasonable and all plant stock, water lilies, pots, and gifts are guaranteed to dazzle. They have it all: gifts for Mom for Mother's Day, door mats, bird houses, fertilizers, pots, annuals, a big selection of seeds, potted arrangements for fancy presents, bulbs, pond plants, gloves, pretty straw hats, tools, and free good advice.

The number one place to go for gardeners in Orange County



2. O C Succulents
3350 1/2 Warner Ave., Irvine, CA 92606
https://ocsucculents.com/

Wholesale prices for cactus, succulents, indoor plants, and everything drought tolerant. They have a free re-potting bench where you may decorate, add colored pebbles and custom a gift. Prices are the lowest around. They had a huge shade covered potting house- not a green house but a space with giant fans to keep the plants happy and cool in the summer.
The number two place for gardeners in OC. They don't carry annuals, vegetables and flowers.

3. Roger's Gardens
2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd.
Corona Del Mar, California
https://www.rogersgardens.com

Coming in at number three is Corona Del Mar's most luxurious garden center. Roger's offers just about everything: classes, outdoor furniture, deep variety of plants, containers,nice staff, full service do it all garden center; but, with the highest prices. They have a lovely restaurant. 

4. The Tree Of Life
Seven miles east of I-5 on Ortega Highway
33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Phone: 949.728.0685
https://californianativeplants.com/

Number four because they grow 99% of what they sell right on the property. Staff knows everything about native plants. IF you want to buy local and avoid green house gas of trucking flats of plants to stores drive out on Ortega Highway and enjoy a stroll around California's past before it is gone. They offer a few classes. The Spanish architecture adds to the charm of this great nursery and store. They offer advice on planting, watering and care. 

5. DM Color Express Wholesale
31461 Avenida De La Vista, 
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
http://dmcolorexpress.net/

This is wholesale only so bring cash and mum's the word. Act like you know what you are doing (call me if you need advice if you act dumb they won't sell to you). No prices are labelled. They load your truck if you go inside the trailers and ask. OR go pick up the flats you want and load them on top of the plastic or old sheet you brought with you. Prices are CHEAP. Cash only of you don't have a resale card. If you have a resale card and license they will set up an account and take a credit card. Plant supply changes with the whim, weather, and seasons. Don't bring children or a dog this is not handicapped set up and not safe for children to wander. Don't bring your helper pet or just buy one plant, they will make you into fertilizer.

6. Seaside Growers Nursery
33773 Camino Capistrano
Dana Point California
http://www.seasidegrowers.com/

A little hard to find. Off Camino Cap there is an old historic adobe house on the corner, one of the last few in all the county. The road entrance is right next to the newer Residence Inn. Follow the dirt road, cross rusty railroad tracks and there you find a shady grove of nursery plants. They grow about half of what they sell. They will order anything that makes you happy. Smile, they are kind and know everything about palms and cycads. No picture seed packs, no fountains, no rose cultivars here.

7. The Pottery Shed By Carlisle
401 W. Chapman Ave
Orange, CA 92866
714.468.5154
http://www.tpshomeandgarden.com/

Jack has built a unique garden supply store. There are rusty antiques to add charm to your home. Not the largest selection of plants but wonderful for ideas. Some cool rusty gates, pottery made to look like the 1950's and sculptural not antiques but kind of...


8. Moon Valley Nursery
6500 Alton Parkway
Irvine California right along the freeway you see the giraffe and metal dinosaur every day

https://www.moonvalleynurseries.com/

They have a number of locations in California, also in Arizona and Nevada with their own wholesale grow locations. The place to buy mature trees at good prices. They create some good fertilizer mixes, which I have not tried as I don't use chemicals, but others swear by them. 

Other mentions:

9. Green Thumb Nursery
23782 Bridger Rd, 
Lake Forest, CA 92630
https://www.greenthumb.com/
Sales staff is surly in Lake Forest This is a chain, many locations 

10. Armstrong
lots of locations

11. OC Farm Supply 
worthy of footnote if you need feed and some wilted tomatoes priced cheap.


Indoor Plants



















Mortgage for a Fixer 203(k)


Renovation Loans
Purchase a home fixer which needs repairs.
So you bought this house and it needs a new kitchen

203(k) FHA Loan May Be the Fixer
You are able to borrow up to $31000 for repairs

What do you need?

  Identity of Interest Form
  203(K) Borrower Acknowledgement
  Work Explanation Letter 
  Correct Estimate to be signed by borrower and contractor
  Homeowner Contractor Agreement signed by contractor and borrower for every contractor 
  Contractor Resume for every contractor
  W-9 for every contractor 
  Business/State Licenses from contractor and subs as required by state 
  Liability insurance/bond/workman’s comp- Obtained from Contractor and Subs (if General Contractor does not have workman’s comp)
  Contractor Attestation Letter
  Contractor Identity of Interest
  Contractor Deposit Acknowledgment
  Permit Certification – Reno Specialist to Complete
  As Completed Appraisal with Estimate in the appraisal

FHA 203K Limited Renovation‐ Steps to Success  

  •  Identify the Property! Let’s get it renovated and perfect!  
  •  Review what renovations are necessary or desired.  You need to select a contractor.  Ask friends who have completed renovations for suggestions. Your marriage with the Contractor is an important relationship.  
  • The Contractor fills out a Contractor Profile Form  This is an important part of reviewing their qualifications to do the work.  
  • Are they licensed if required?  
  • You and the contractor(s) sign a Homeowner/ Contractor Agreement. Spell out costs, time frame, and expectations in a notebook. Keep records in the notebook of progress
  • Look for comparable homes that have sold in your tract that were upgraded in similar items that you plan to complete. as if all the renovations were completed Have all the proposals in writing given to your appraiser before the appraisal process begins. Provide all the details you can as to finish and upgrades.
  • Appraisers may find other issues with the property that were not a part of the original inspection.  In these cases, those items must be added to the contractor proposals.  Health and safety code violations must be addressed. Install a carbon monoxide smoke detector before the appraiser arrives, as this is required in California code. If you know electrical is ancient, plan on bringing it Into this century. If the water heater is not properly strapped, purchase the kit to make it safe.
  • Because renovation loans are a combination of purchase or refinance loans and construction loans, they take time to close.    
  • Aside from the normal credit and property information, we must also gather and analyze the construction/ rehab part of the loan as well.  
  •  Normally a renovation loan takes thirty days to close.  The process stops if we are waiting for the contractor proposals.  They are key.  
  • A renovation loan is powerful product that allows a Buyer to move into a home and then watch it become their Dream Home.  Our commitment and expertise can help a Buyer realize that dream.  
  • FHA and Lead Based Paint 
  • If the home you are renovating was built before 1978, you may need to use a contractor or painter who is Lead Based Paint Certified.
  • Lead dust or chips can be very harmful and toxic, especially to children, and FHA therefore requires that the contractor understands how to keep you and others safe.



Here are some things that may trigger the need for a lead paint certified contractor:
1. If you are breaking through walls and doing demolition.
2. If you are repainting rooms that have chipped or peeling paint of if you are sanding painted surfaces.
3. Doing an addition which requires you to expose any painted surface or break through it.
4. You are doing replacement windows or doors.
5. Bathrooms or other room renovations requiring the disturbance of painted surfaces.
6. Exterior painting which also includes chipping, scraping, sanding or pressure cleaning.
When in doubt, let us know so we can discuss it with you and your contractor.
We want to keep you and your family safe.

CMG Financial is a registered trade name of CMG Mortgage, Inc., NMLS# 1820 in most, but not all states. 
Caroline Gerardo Barbeau   C G Barbeau NMLS 324982   (949) 784 - 9699