8/08/2013

Save Money - Free Refinance Review



 
 
Easy project for home gardens and Cheap! Galvanized Wash tub  recycled into planter. Poke holes in the bottom with a hammer and nail, add six inches of gravel then compost and save cuttings of a variety of succulents. Keep adding new pieces as you see which ones survive- rarely or never water

 
Reduce your payments or

increase your home’s value

Traditionally, homeowners resort to refinancing whenever they believe they can

reduce their monthly mortgage payment by a lower rate or by debt consolidation.

Let’s say refinancing will save you $150 a month due to a common reason today, paying off

other high interest rate debt. That’s good news, but you have to weigh these savings against

other factors such as having less to write-off in taxes, and in recouping refinancing costs.

An additional reason to refinance is to make home improvements. Rather than move up to a

larger home with higher property taxes, many Americans have elected to stay put.
 
I will review if we can get you out of expensive mortgage insurance
 
- I am seeing many clients reduce their monthly nut by $300 to $400 by refinancing
 
 from FHA to conventional with the raise in values. We can arrange for a free property profile,
 

So, knowing your primary goal — whether to reduce your overall monthly payments or to make

your home even more valuable with improvements — will tell you when to refinance.

If you would like more information about refinancing, call me today.

 

Caroline Gerardo

Mortgage Banker

W.J. Bradley Mortgage Capital, LLC

20341 SW Birch St., Suite 330

Newport Beach, CA 92660

Office: 949.637.8190

Cell: 949.784.9699

caroline.gerardo@wjbradley.com



 
NMLS: 324982
Another easy and cheap/ free home garden project. This table was discarded road side. Distressed finish was already prepared. move an arrangement of white blue and green for a cool and soothing corner of your yard or patio.

8/07/2013

Zucchini Flower Recipe



Thyme, garlic, rosemary and nasturtiums in my garden

A recipe straight from my garden
Thyme, rosemary, garlic and zucchini flowers
Need: 10 flowers, sea salt, 1/2 cup whole wheat flower, plain olive oil, spices as you like,  3 eggs, 1/2 cup non fat milk
Zucchini Flowers being Dredged
It is finally August and my zucchini plants aren't as happy as last year (we have had fog most every morning and zucchini prefers full sun). However, I finally have enough flowers to spare for this old fashioned recipe. 
Ingredients:
10 Flowers
3 eggs
1/2 cup skim milk organic
2 garlic cloves
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 sprig rosemary
1/2 teaspoon black ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup olive oil make sure is fresh dated and no need for EVOO

Prepare one bowl with three egg whites and one yolk,  half cup skim milk, two whole garlic cloves finely smashed, thyme pulled off the stems, finely chopped rosemary and salt and pepper. Prepare second plate with half cup whole wheat flour, coarse sea salt, pepper, thyme and the chopped rosemary. Rinse flowers, pat dry, dunk  in egg mixture, then roll in flour. In high edge sauté pan heat on high  1/2 cup olive oil (don't need to waste on virgin oil). 
When you drop a tiny bit of water and it spits, gently place 5 of the flowers in the oil. Cook each side until golden brown- watch and flip. Remove and cool on a paper towel. Sprinkle with sea salt right away. Cook the other half of the flowers (you may need to add a little more oil) so they  aren't touching.


Gently roll the flowers in the flour


Zucchini blooming in my garden

Egg mixture beaten and ready to dip
Prep time 4 minutes
Cook time 3 minutes
Author: Caroline Gerardo
Serving Size 3
Calories for 3 cooked flowers 75
Nutrition Facts:
5 grams protein, 1 gram fat, 10 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber
Calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium

Here are my flowers shyly closing- you can see the zucchini squash forming.

Sauces for dipping:
1. your favorite mayonnaise plus a sprinkle of curry
or
2. squeeze 1 whole lemon, tablespoon cider vinegar, tablespoon best virgin olive oil, chopped tablespoon of parsley and chopped tablespoon of basil plus just a little splash of hot sauce of your choice

Zucchini flowers are an Italian tradition and I credit my Noni. Ready in 5 minutes, pretty to serve as an exotic side dish, my children fight over them.

A little summer fun from Orange County

Dump Your MI Premium


If you recently purchased your home with a FHA loan the real estate market has increased and you may be able to dump your MI. I am seeing clients save three hundred to four hundred dollars a month in  refinancing to conventional. Imagine either paying down the loan faster and gaining even more equity or just feeling the breathing room to make a lower payment

If you would like a FREE market analysis of the value of your home or condominium and review of exactly how much you could save Call Now

Caroline Gerardo
(949) 637-8190

 
 

8/05/2013

55 Via Abruzzi Aliso Viejo

Condo Fixer investment in Aliso Viejo, California, Orange County

55 Via Abruzzi Aliso Viejo, California
Condominium Complex Altisse
 
Total payment owner occupied with 10% down and FICO of 720  $ 1500
that includes HOA both fees, Mello Roos, tax and walls in insurance, 30 year fixed rate loan
Two bedroom two baths $370000. sales price.
I sat open house with my buddy Darlene Kelly of CFL Real Estate in this condo this past weekend.
 
Here is my skinny on this property:
Needs new carpeting cost to cure: $ 2200
Put new IKEA Adel kitchen cabinets, counters, back splash in for $2100.
Remove laminate on the stairs and replace with commercial grade carpet. $1200
Replace kitchen flooring with new laminate $ 1100
Repair door handle hole in downstairs - I  can do that for $6.00
Home owner Association is covering the leak behind water heater and drywall in garage - caused from neighbor's shower pan. no cost
Use bleach on all shower and tub enclosures with windows open
Then solution of 2 cups dawn 2 cups vinegar on showers tubs and sinks
 
May later require bath upgrades, bath fixtures, painted wooden frames on mirrors to update, new bath fixtures (second stage remodel to be done one bath at a time) Cost $ 8000.
 
Clean all windows, behind washer and dryer clean garage and after leak is fixed paint garage floor and walls ( do it self cost $55)
 
Paint the entire unit vanilla white and dove white trim - call me got a guy whose bid is $1000
The unit is now valued at $410000 with the upgrades  
Normally condos are not a great investment but this fixer upper could be worth more with some simple clean upgrades.
Condominium will now look brand new.