10/14/2019

Fall Planter Succulent



Simple Autumn project.


















Purchase live pumpkin and scoop out the seeds
Add 1/4 inch gravel to the bottom, then half fill
with potting soil.
Place your cuttings of succulents in the "pot/"
With a spoon add some more soil to about
eight percent. Trim the top with sphagnum moss.

This won't last forever. IF you keep it cool and
don't overwater it will last until Thanksgiving.
By Thanksgiving you can repot the cuttings
which now will have roots and grow a bit larger

Succulents are eash to propagate. This makes a cute gift
or table decoration (place a papertowel under the bottom).

10/09/2019

Mortgage FAST


Close A Mortgage Loan in Twenty Days

Complete the application before the offer is made.
This can be accomplished a couple ways: Call me and I ask forty questions. Then I email forms to sign. A mortgage application is completed in-person, by telephone, online, by an online application, email and any combination of communication. Prepare all income, asset, and identification. It is important to open email daily and respond to phone calls in an hour. This transaction takes concentration and caring. Paperwork must be totally clear to read the account numbers, and the fine print. If the Borrower doesn’t have a scanner available. I will loan one. Taking a photograph with a phone is going to result in frustration as the image comes out blurry, dark or curled. Download bank statements, save as and give it the month and initials of the bank, and save to the desktop to email clear pdf copies. E
“Prepared” means having employment and address information for the past two years. Lenders need employer’s and landlord’s contact information; bank, retirement, and investment account statements- every page (including last one with nothing written) for the past 60 days; proof of income, which is past 30 days pay stubs and two years W-2 forms or is self-employed two years IRS tax returns.
With this information we may be able to provide a written “preliminary approval”, all supporting paperwork and documentation is verified and vetted.
After preliminary approval is issued, a mortgage banker may ask for other paperwork which proves the information shared as part of the application.
Additional paperwork may be needed such as: copies of business licenses, gift letters for down payments, student loan terms, bankruptcy docket summary, an perhaps letters explaining any name variety (often married and maiden or initials in the name differ), any money deposited larger than $500.00 or  “large, atypical deposits” in the bank account will need to be “sourced.”
Once the lender has reviewed and “signed off” on paperwork, it will issue a pre-approval letter.
A pre-approval letter is proof that the loan can be approved, so long as the property purchased meets lender guidelines, and so long as Borrowers don’t make any “material” changes to the application. Do not purchase or finance anything such as furniture or a new vehicle during this time. Borrowers should not quit employment during this time.
IF the loan is a purchase, Borrowers receive an email disclosure of all the costs. It is important that Borrowers open and e-sign the acknowledgement that they have read all the documents. The e- signature process is very important, it is a time clock that runs with calendar days of the transaction. Failing to e-sign causes delays. This first disclosure is called a Loan Estimate.
After Borrower e-signs the disclosures the lender collects credit card information to order the appraisal. Lenders cannot speak to appraisers. The Lender orders the appraisal through an outside company. This appraisal management system puts the property out for bid to locate a local appraiser willing to accept the work.
Locking the loan or changing any terms of the transaction cause for re- disclosing and repeat the e-signing.
Buyer agent and Listing agent should be notified by lender of contact person for the appraisal. Listing agent is responsible to provide comparable sales in the past three months of similar square footage in writing to the appraiser’s hands. Listing agent also must make certain all health and safety code violations are corrected BEFORE the appraiser sets the appointment. Lack of carbon monoxide detectors, improper water heater straps and broken windows are health and safety code violations. These must be fixed before appraiser appointment to avoid delays.
After the appraisal is completed, the buyer receives an email copy of the report then after, the report is emailed to the Lender.  The lender double-checks the information and may notify Buyer agent of any issues.
At this point hazard insurance policy should already be at escrow with the lender’s loss payee clause.
Lender communicates with escrow to complete the final numbers and issue a Closing Disclosure. This Closing Disclosure is emailed and must be e-signed as soon as possible. This will give the buyers the amount they need to wire to close.

Wiring funds must be taken with utmost care. There are bad actors out there who can email the incorrect account to wire to and they can steal funds. Triple check the account information by calling the escrow officer. The buyer goes to the bank to wire the total closing costs, (often with a pad of $300.00) into an escrow account with the title company.
An appointment with a notary is set up with Borrower personally for signing the final set of mortgage documents. These papers are the same set as the Closing Disclosure, plus those from escrow, and any from the contracts. A current driver’s license or passport, an hour, and Borrower’s thumb for thumb printing. Borrower must send proof that the wire cleared one of the accounts that the lender already reviewed. The online printout of the daily balance showing the wire left the account must have the URL of the bank at the bottom. This is accomplished by “save as” and giving a name then emailing to the lender.
After Borrower (and spouse if not on the transaction) have signed, and funds are cleared the lender reviews the documents to make certain everything is signed properly, and they balance with escrow.
After this the loan records at the county recorder and the deal is closed.

Caroline Gerardo Barbeau
C G
NMLS 324982
(949) 784-9699

Caroline Gerardo Barbeau's MySite - CMG Financial







10/08/2019

Cheap Drip Vacation Watering System

I live on a ranch. I have 188 potted plants in the greenhouse and surrounds. I know the number because before I went on my trip to Alaska I rigged a funky drip watering system for all the plants.
I had saved one gallon and a variety of water containers for a couple months. Poke two pin holes in the lid and check how fast the flow operates- this varies from bottle styles. You may need four holes to get a nice slow drip.
Water all the plants before you go on vacation. Check that they all have some type of bottom saucer to hold the run off.
All my plants and seedlings lived during 100 degree heat without water for fourteen days. Some were wilted and thirsty, but they made it. It's not pretty but very functional
One gallon Water Bottles will need sticks to prop them up

sticks holding the water bottle straight
The plastic mesh was added around the potted plants to keep my chickens out while I was on vacation for a couple weeks

9/26/2019

Mortgage Loans

Rainy day in NOLO by Caroline Gerardo ©


Is It Impossible to Get a Mortgage Loan? 
No it's POSSIBLE 
The Challenges:
Past credit crises, poor economies and resulting foreclosures caused mortgage loan guidelines to tighten. While some companies didn't survive, we're still here to continue helping those who can properly document their ability to qualify. And you might be surprised that it's not nearly as hard as some people would have you believe.
The Solutions:
Advance preparation and the right documentation will help streamline the process. 
Your Money: All necessary funds must be verified, and deposits must be documented.
Your Debts: Avoid delays. Don't open any new credit accounts. 
Your Income: We will confirm your income through pay stubs,  verification, tax returns, transcripts, etc. All new employment or variable income (such as bonus or commission) is subject to rules of history and continuance. Do not depend on this income until we discuss its acceptability.
Your Credit: If you're not already, you need to be extra mindful of managing your debts. To help protect your score:
  • Do not close old or unused accounts.
  • Do maintain high lines and low balance ratios.
  • Do not transfer balances to a brand new card (at least not before buying or refinancing).
  • Do not use your extra cash to pay off debt. Sometimes, it's better to have the cash than slightly lower balances. 
The most important thing to remember is that it's never too early to seek personalized advice. I work with mortgage loans every day, and I'm here to help you prepare so you can sail through the process when the opportunity is right. 
Financing is still abundantly available. It simply goes most easily to those who plan ahead.

Caroline Gerardo Barbeau please call me C. G.
phone: (949)784-9699
NMLS 324982