DIY Lay Hardwood Flooring

I have remodeled many homes and lived with the process. I'm 65 days into this mess. Demolition is completed. Well I've gotten all the carpet, pad, wood strip and scraped the glue.  Next step is to remove the floor molding and scrub the concrete. It's a dusty project. Wet  mop twice a day...

Here towards the end you can see my progress. 

After shopping on State College at seven stores, Home Depot, Lumber Liquidators, and two local flooring showrooms I decided on six inch wide plank with a matte finish. A number of Realtors told me dark is "out." I opted for a conservative tone that is in between gunstock, red oak and medium warm. I purchased from Floorstoyourhome.com online. I am not certain this method is for everyone. after educating myself about all the brands, how they are made and prices I was careful to shop on their website waiting for a deal on the type of specs that I desired. It took me a couple weeks to actually execute the purchase as they have small lots and they come and go. Small company in Indiana that shipped for free. Price was vital as my budget for a 1100 square foot downstairs was $ 7000. I had bids for $12000 to $21000 including labor and all the parts.

I planned to order t-molding, transition strips and stair molding from them, but found they wanted to charge shipping and material was available at Ganahl Lumber.  

One problem about picking up the long strips of t-molding (one was 17 feet) I'm not certain I would

choose to do that again with my BMW X5 and the goofy flags hanging out the back. Might have been worthwhile to pay $33 in shipping to floors to your home as I worried about getting a ticket.

Here's the very first piece being "laid." Floor is clean enough to eat dinner off and wood is glued to my nice level floor. All my belongings are upstairs in boxes, and antiques scattered as best I could. My son Carson has been pretty ill, and I thought I was going to have my second pair of hands but all things you plan seem to go awry. 

Michael Graves Fire Sale!

Shiny new teapot

Some years back I bought several Michael Graves items for my home. If you are unaware Michael Graves is a brilliant architect and designer. Most of the items were not terribly expensive, but I wrongly assumed they were functional. I looked online and found a couple of my items for sale on ebay and they all seem to be like mine - non operational.

The singing teapot was such a cute item when we first bought it. My daughter loved to make tea but unfortunately it lasted about ten heat ups and the bird whistle actually melted. This was the first of the failures. I also bought the egg timer above which never seemed to keep time. Below is a photograph of my toaster- the plastic white front melted from the heating coil ( thank God it didn't burn the house down) and the handle that pops the toast down never seemed to remain intact or engaged. Also below is a garlic press note it is missing half of an arm. The metal used to create the handles was so brittle and soft it snapped off and is broken. We threw away the handle some time ago. Also the little battery powered clock is made of the same metal aggregate material- the hands of the clock fell off.

Target stopped making these cool housewares objects I believe in 2013. All of them were made in China. In retrospect I wonder does Michael Graves ever feel embarrassed that these items that he thought were bringing creative design to American homes were junk and maybe even dangerous? 

In my work I see this with homes. Buyers are still looking for deals in REO's but the danger is they have no idea what condition the home is in. The house might look nice from the curb, might even be polished up and painted over by some flipper but the bones inside are junk. 

I know of a couple people who bought a Flip house without knowing it was:

1. a meth house three years back

2. had leaks and mold

or 3. the plumbing froze and every pipe in the walls was brittle or removed

These houses all ended up needing major repairs to make them inhabitable

Like myself buying a new toaster, tea pot and housewares thinking they all looked

great - and enjoying the fun of the outside appearance- in the end quality is

what really lasts.

Buyer beware I guess.

Anyone want to buy six Micheal Graves things all soon to become museum pieces

that by the by don't work? Only $3.99 for all six. Fire sale!

my graveyard of Michael Graves home appliances

Broken house hold items that seemed nice on the outside

Raise Your FICO Score

Lead a horse to water, take a drink for them?

I am working on a number of refinances. Some are streamline

FHA refinances into lower rate, lower MI premium. Often

Borrowers choose a FHA loan product not just because of

the low down payment, but because their FICO score is

low or they have credit challenges.

For some reason credit habits are like any other habit-

drinking five glasses of water or closing your eyes to bills

when money is tight. Many of the customers who I fixed 

their credit now are back again in the same low score situation.

All credit can be repaired. It takes letter writing, juggling some

balances, making sure everything going forward is current and

some tips and tricks. I am again sharing with you tips on how to

get your FICO up:

Opt out - do a consumer credit opt out and stop all the

junk mail and soft credit pulls, also helps prevent fraud

Balances below 69% of available line

Ask me about a letter writing campaign for free

Get everyone current and pay on time.

DON'T close accounts

Do not ever give your social to CarMAx

Don't let people pull your credit file

Open a Bank Account Open a bank account and use it responsibly. This is the first step to establish a financial history. Secured Credit Card Apply for a credit card. Shop around & only apply for a card if you can meet the lender�s requirements. Responsible use will help build a good credit history. Get a Co-Signer A good way to establish credit is to piggy-back onto someone who already has a good credit history established and is willing to co-sign, but be aware that any default of credit on your part affects the credit of the co-signer. http://eaglehomemortgage.com/carolinegerardo C. G. Barbeau (949) 784- 9699 NMLS # 324982 Store & Gas Credit Cards Since some gasoline credit cards are not revolving they are sometimes easier to obtain than regular credit cards. Similarly department stores offer revolving credit for a specific purchase and this is sometimes easier to obtain. It is also a great way to establish credit.

Streamline FHA Spouse' Credit

Just a quick note to let you know we DO NOT have to pull credit on a non-borrowing spouse in a Community Property State on our Non-Credit-Qualifying FHA STREAMLINE REFINANCE loans.

Non borrowing spouse can have bad or weak credit

Mortgage After Short Sale

Conventional Loan after Short Sale

Fannie Mae is unlike FHA, VA, and USDA where they have different mortgage lending guidelines on getting a conventional loan after short sale and deed in lieu of foreclosure. The Federal Housing Administration, FHA, looks at foreclosure and short sale the same as a regular foreclosure and the waiting period after short sale, deed in lieu of foreclosure, foreclosure is all the same. FHA guidelines on waiting period after short sale, deed in lieu of foreclosure, foreclosure is all three years to qualify for a FHA Loan: Three year mandatory waiting period after the recorded date of a foreclosure and deed in lieu of foreclosure and three year waiting period after the date of the short sale. There is a two year waiting period to qualify for a FHA Loan after bankruptcy. The waiting period starts from the discharge date of the bankruptcy.

PRICKLY SUBJECT  - BUY A HOME AFTER THE CRASH

With Fannie Mae, there is a 7 year waiting period after foreclosure to qualify for a conventional loan. However, to qualify for a conventional loan after short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure, the waiting period drops to a 4 year waiting period and only a 5% down payment is required. Unlike FHA, VA, USDA, short sale and deed in lieu of foreclosure is treated much differently with Fannie Mae and those who have a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure are greatly rewarded than those who have a standard foreclosure.

What happened to 2 year waiting period after short sale with 20% down payment to qualify for Conventional Loan?

If you Google ” Waiting Period to qualify for conventional loan after short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure”, you will get dozens and dozens of articles the first few pages that highlights that there is a 2 year waiting period to qualify for a conventional loan with 20% down payment. Unfortunately, all of those articles are now not accurate because Google has not updated the correct information or updated blogs from mortgage writers and bloggers. Just this past August, 2014, Fannie Mae has eliminated the 2 year waiting period after short sale and/or deed in lieu of foreclosure to qualify for a conventional loan with 20% down. Many home buyers who were nearing the 2 year waiting period mark after short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure or trying to save the 20% down payment were just absolutely devastated since Fannie Mae came up with new mortgage lending guidelines on waiting periods after short sale and deed in lieu of foreclosure to qualify for a conventional loan.

FANNIE MAE Guidelines on waiting period after short sale, deed in lieu of foreclosure, foreclosure, bankruptcy

2015 FANNIE MAE guidelines with regards to waiting periods after short sale, deed in lieu of foreclosure, foreclosure, and bankruptcy to qualify for a conventional loan.

WAITING PERIOD AFTER SHORT SALE AND DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE TO QUALIFY FOR CONVENTIONAL LOAN: 

There is a 4 year mandatory waiting period after short sale and foreclosure to qualify for a conventional loan with 5% down payment and re-established credit after the short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure with no late payments in the past 12 months. Most mortgage lenders do not want to see any late payments after the short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure.

WAITING PERIOD AFTER FORECLOSURE: There is a mandatory waiting period of 7 years after foreclosure to qualify for a conventional loan from the recorded date of foreclosure with re-established credit after foreclosure and no late payments in the past 12 months. Most mortgage lenders have investor overlays that require no late payments after the foreclosure.

WAITING PERIOD AFTER BANKRUPTCY TO QUALIFY FOR CONVENTIONAL LOAN: There is a 4 year mandatory waiting period after bankruptcy to qualify for a conventional loan with re-established credit and no late payments in the past 12 months. Most mortgage lenders will have investor overlays where no late payments after bankruptcy will be necessary.

MORTGAGE PART OF BANKRUPTCY: If you had a mortgage part of your bankruptcy or foreclosure part of bankruptcy, there is a 4 year waiting period to qualify for a conventional loan with re-established credit and no late payments in the past 12 months. Many mortgage lenders will have internal mortgage lender overlays where they will require no late payments after your bankruptcy.

Laguna Niguel Home Market

• Median List Price
  $749,000
  1% ( $10,000) vs Nov 2013
• Median Sales Price
  $710,000
  3% ( $22,000) vs Nov 2013
• Median Foreclosure Sales Price
  $595,000
  5% ( $28,500) vs Nov 2013

• Foreclosures	158
  Homes for Sale	373
  Recently Sold	514

Market Summary Foreclosures for Laguna Niguel

 California

There are currently 158 properties in 92677 that are in some stage of foreclosure 

(default, auction or bank owned) while the number of homes listed for sale is 373.

In December 2014, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in 92677 was 31% higher than the previous month and 40% higher than the same time last year.

Home sales for November 2014 were down 61% compared with the previous month, and down 47% compared with a year ago. 

Median sales price of a non-distressed home was $710,000. The median sales price of a foreclosure home was $595,000, or 16% lower than non-distressed home sales.

Numbers of new listings for non foreclosures greatly slowed in December and January with buyers still looking for product, but little on the market. This is typical from Christmas until the Superbowl but we should be seeing increasing new listings in Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Dana Point and the surrounds - but not yet...

Sales Prices - 92677

Mortgage RATES hit historic lows

With rates in the high 3's we should

see the market increase in the spring

I expect the values to increase, sellers

again listing houses high but buyers

getting in where they can

Bath Remodel Loan

Bath remodel ideas

We have a new mortgage that allows a Borrower to 

buy a house and finance the construction improvements

they plan to complete.

Work should be completed in six months

This is a compromise between a 203k loan that only

gives you $30000 and a full new construction loan that

can go up to ten million dollars and take two years.

The remodel amount must be less than fifty percent of

the sale price.

Perfect for a beater house with an ugly bath or outdated

kitchen that needs a face lift

Homestyle Mortgage Loans Universal American Mortgage

Eagle Home mortgage

http://eaglehomemortgage.com/carolinegerardo

Caroline Gerardo Senior Loan Officer NMLS #324982 Cell 949-637-8190 Office 949-784-9699 eFax 855-883-4303 CarolineGerardo@eaglehm.com www.eaglehomemortgage.com/carolinegerardo Committed to Seeing You Home. Eagle Home Mortgage 8105 Irvine Center Drive Suite #500 Irvine CA 92618 NMLS #849059 CA #813I609 Universal American Mortgage Company of California, dba Eagle Home Mortgage of California. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. RMLA #4130383, NMLS #252392. Certain restrictions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Applicants must qualify.

Snacks

I'm serving snacks - most from my organic garden for

a real estate preview. I carved the butternut squash to act

as cups holding roasted nuts, olives and placed a big variety

of cheese on a wooden platter.

Aren't the colors just beautiful?

Someone took one of the butternut squash sculptured

cups and there was a big bite mark.

Did they not know what it was?

 

Next time I'm going to be really crazy and serve

boquerones, alici (white anchovies) with spicy sauce

hard boiled quail eggs, and olives

 

 

 

CHF Golden State Finance Authority

 CHF/ GSFA Lenders

Borrowers 

CHF is changing its name to Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA).

View E-News Bulletin here.

What Has Already Transitioned?

Our website www.chfloan.org now displays the Authority’s new name: Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA). A new logo is also displayed.

What You Can Expect Next

· Over the next couple of weeks, you will notice the CHF name on our Online Reservation System change to GSFA.

· The respective programs, CHF Platinum and CHF MCC will change to GSFA Platinum and GSFA MCC.

· The Program Documents available for download through the Online Reservation System will also reflect the Authority’s name change soon. (i.e. Grant letters and reservation confirmations will display GSFA as the sponsor.)

· NOTE: The EIN # for the Authority remains the same.

PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS INFORMATION to

Mortgage Lenders and Home Borrowers

We ask that you circulate this information to your branch offices and respective loan officers participating in our home ownership programs.

As always, if you have questions, let us know. We appreciate your patience during this transition.

Golden State Finance Authority

1215 K Street, Suite 1650

Sacramento, CA 95814

www.chfloan.org

Note: Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) was formerly known as CRHMFA Homebuyers Fund (CHF). A formal name change is pending.

FHA CHEAPER Streamline Refinance for Cheaper payment

FHA Reduces Single Family 

Annual Mortgage Insurance Premium 

(MIP) 

Rates for 

Most Title II Forward Mortgages

1/12/2015  Federal Housing Administration (FHA) published 

 Reduction of FHA Annual MIP Rates and Temporary Case Cancellation Authority.

 This Mortgagee Letter implements the 50 basis point (0.50%)
 reduction in FHA’s annual Mortgage Insurance Premium (annual MIP) rates for
 most Single Family Title II forward mortgages 
announced by the President Obama on January 8, 2015. 
 This rate reduction furthers the Administration’s and FHA’s 
ongoing goal to prudently expand access to 
mortgage credit for individuals and families across a range of incomes.

SAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
1/22/2015 FICO 700 30 year
rate 3.875% APR 3.989
costs for a $400000. loan :
streamline no appraisal
Escrow $510 title $510 recording $110
Underwriting and processing $1295
plus prepaid interest, taxes if due and
hazard if due
NEW MIP is lower RATE is lower
Call for a free quote - you might even
be able to go conventional.



SAVE MONEY


LOWER your monthly


payments!



Call me


(949) 637-8190

30 year rates in the 3's

15 year rates in the 2's

Rates change daily
http://eaglehomemortgage.com/carolinegerardo/

The annual MIP rate reduction is effective for FHA
Case Numbers assigned on and after January 26, 2015
for most Title II forward mortgages with amortization
terms greater than 15 years.


Today’s Mortgagee Letter includes a table which shows
the current and new annual MIP rates by amortization term,
base loan amount, and loan-to-value ratio.
The rate reductions have also been incorporated into FHA’s
Mortgage Insurance Premiums table for forward mortgages.
This updated Mortgage Insurance Premiums
table will be integrated into FHA’s
Single Family Housing Policy Handbook (HUD Handbook 4000.1)
 at the next available update.

Temporary Case Cancellation Authority

FHA will temporarily approve Case Number Cancellation Requests for loans with FHA Case Numbers assigned but not yet closed, to allow mortgagees to obtain the reduced annual MIP rates. Mortgagees must submit Case Number Cancellation Requests under this temporary authority using the submission instructions specific to this temporary authority posted today on FHA’s Case Processing Requirements web page.

Mortgagees may begin requesting Case Number cancellations on January 15, 2015, but must submit all Case Number Cancellation Requests under this temporary authority by 11:59 p.m., Eastern, on February 26, 2015. Mortgagees should not order new Case Numbers under this temporary authority until they have confirmed in FHA Connection that the previous Case Number has been cancelled.

What does this mean?

REFINANCE STREAMLINE ANY FHA loan 

started after the MI rates jumped in 2009
Save money monthly on your MIP premium also
mortgage rates are much lower. Reduce your monthly
payment by refinancing sometimes without an appraisal

Call me even if you already

streamlined you may be able to

refi free for lower monthly payment

(949) 784-9699

Loans in process at a bank?

Cancel and come over to lock at today's rates

old MIP rates

assigned on or after January 26, 2015.
Term 15 Years
New MIP
80b s
85b s 100b s
105b s
45b s
70b s
70b
95b s
Base Loan Amt. $625,500
$625,500

LTV
95.00%

Previous MIP
130b s 135b s
150b s
155b s
Term 15 Years
90.00%

45b s 70b s
70b s 95


NMLS #324982

Home Made Bath Fizzie Recipe

lovely soaking tub

Home made bath salt steamer simple cheap and easy
Here is the recipe (recipes)

Rubber ice cube tray works best
Mine I bought in the dollar rack at Target or Daiso
Old cookie sheet
one box  baking soda (1 LB baking soda = sodium bicarbonate)
1 tablespoon corn starch
fresh herbs 20 leaves
1/2 cup water

Choice of oils see #1 #2 or #3

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl
break up any lumps with your fingers

In a small pot boil some fresh mint or rosemary (whatever
herb you have growing and enjoy with about 1/2 cup water
Allow the water to cool and toss the plant material
Rosemary awakens vitality, mint makes happy
keep the green water aside for the end


For the smell you have a couple choices:
#1 the easy cold and cough remedy
Vick's Vapor Rub a tablespoon the
eucalyptus is great for cold or sinus
congestion
Camphor is a cough suppressant and analgesic
menthol is also a cough suppressant and analgesic
Vick's Vapor Rub has petroleum that's a little messy
Blend slowly into the baking soda mix

OR #2 you can make your own cough and cold mix:
1/8 cup coconut oil
10 drops of Eucalyptus Oil
10 drops of Peppermint oil
5 drops of Rosemary oil
Blend slowly into the baking soda mix

Or #3 for a relaxing soothing shower:
1/8 cup coconut oil
10 drops lavender oil or
15 drops of Kneipp lavender bath oil
2 drops of rose oil

I prefer to use organic -
Mountain Rose also has great products

You are mixing one of the three batches
of oils into the dry mix with your fingers

Add drops of the mint water (you may
only need 2 tablespoons it depends on
how humid it is.

The paste should be sticky
It is thick like pastry dough

Press tightly into the ice cube trays
(you can also use tiny cupcake tins
or roll in a ball)

the rubber ice cube trays work well
because you can press out the shapes

If any are messy just push them back
into the ice cube trays and do them over

Place shapes on old cookie tray

Put in oven set to 200 degrees for
five minutes
Turn off heat, let them cool and
dry in the oven

Place in recycled jars (clean jelly
jar, clean olive jar)

Keep lid off to dry thoroughly
for a day. Then close the lid

Paint the lids with nail polish to
label or add a paper note

The shower steamers can be
placed anywhere in the shower.
They melt and the aromatherapy
opens your sinus and makes you
oh so happy.

I decorate mine with a few
dried flowers on the ribbon
for gifts

Prep time: 5 minutes
Nutrition: not edible I have a friend I gave menthol ones to when he had a cold
and he didn't read the instructions and thought they were cookies. EEEWW ucky

Author: Caroline Gerardo
Category: Bath Soaking Herbs

the steamer can be put in the corner of the shower where hot water will hit it

bath relaxation

ice cube molds for my heart love bath steamers

Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, cholagogue, deodorant, , insecticide, sedative,

natural oils, relaxing bath, amazing home made, cheap

Baking soda is a natural cleanser for the shower floor.

You may find the oil a bit slippery, you can wipe the floor dry with an

microfiber towel. The multi surface towels plus the steamers will keep the

shower floor clean.

Olde Timey cure for congestion and common cold

these "molds" are from tuna cans- wash them extra thoroughly 

SAVE money FHA CHEAP MIP and rate

Beach Cottage

SURF's up for FHA refinance

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

WASHINGTON, DC 20410-8000

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOUSING FEDERAL

HOUSING COMMISSIONER annouced today cheaper MIP premiums coupled with lower

interest rates can save you on your monthly payments

January 9, 2015

To: All Approved Mortgagees 

GREAT GOOD NEWS ABOUT 

FHA MIP REDUCTION

Reduction of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) annual Mortgage

Insurance Premium (MIP) rates and Temporary Case Cancellation Authority

This Mortgagee Letter (ML) communicates lower annual MIP rates for FHA

Title II forward mortgages and provides opportunity for cancellation of

existing case numbers in order to utilize the MIP rates contained in the ML.

Background Pursuant to its statutory mandate, FHA continuously strives to achieve the

appropriate balance between meeting the housing needs of the borrowers

FHA’s mortgage insurance programs were created to serve and minimizing

the level of risk undertaken relative to the insurance of those mortgages.

FHA has determined that the appropriate balance of its statutory operational

goals now requires a reduction of the rate of annual MIP charged pursuant to

Section 203(c)(2)(B) of the National Housing Act (NHA). As provided in

this ML, the total annual MIP charged pursuant to sections 203(c)(2)(B) and

(C) for most Title II Single Family forward mortgages has been revised as

provided in this ML.

Effective Date This ML is effective for case numbers assigned on or after January 26,

2015.Affected Topic This ML reduces the rate for annual MIP for all Title II forward mortgages,

with terms greater than 15 years, except;

 single family forward streamline refinance transactions that are

refinancing existing FHA loans that were endorsed on or before May

31, 2009; (before the rates were lower)

 Section 247 mortgages (Hawaiian Homelands)

This ML supersedes the annual MIP rates established in ML 2013-4. All

other sections of ML 2013-4 remain in effect.

STREAMLINE FHA REFINANCE 

IF YOUR LOAN WAS CLOSED 

AFTER May 31 2009

INTEREST RATES ARE LOWER 

AND MIP  REFUND/ lower premium

Call to see if you can 

take advantage of this today 

(949) 784-9699

______________________________________________________________

The following table shows the existing and the new annual MIP rates by

amortization term, base loan amount and Loan to Value (LTV) ratio. All

New MIP amounts set forth in this table are effective for case numbers

assigned on or after January 26, 2015.

Term > 15 Years

Base Loan Amt. LTV Previous MIP New MIP

≤ $625,500 ≤ 95.00% 130 bps 80 bps

≤ $625,500 > 95.00% 135 bps 85 bps

> $625,500 ≤ 95.00% 150 bps 100 bps

> $625,500 > 95.00% 155 bps 105 bps

Term ≤ 15 Years

≤ $625,500 ≤ 90.00% 45 bps 45 bps

≤ $625,500 > 90.00% 70 bps 70 bps

> $625,500 ≤ 90.00% 70 bps 70 bps

> $625,500 > 90.00% 95 bps 95 bps

Case

CALL NOW to refinance and save money (949) 784-9699

rates can touch the 3%' s now if your FICO is high

APR 3.99 for conforming FHA with middle FICO of 700

Take advantage of this drop now with cheap rates and

lower MIP

 http://eaglehomemortgage.com/carolinegerardo/ 

Cancellation

To allow mortgagees to obtain the reduced annual MIP rates contained in this

ML for loans in process with active FHA Case Numbers ie: loans not funded, 

FHA will temporarily approve cancellation requests for active FHA Case Numbers

within 30 days of the effective date of this ML.

FHA will provide operational details on case cancellations through FHA Info

notifications and on FHA’s lender information page available at

www.hud.gov/lenders.

Mortgage Rates Dip!

It has been a while since we talked   Mortgage rates have dipped! I am here to save you money, let's plan for 2015. Call me any time.       Caroline Gerardo Senior Loan Officer NMLS #324982 Cell 949-637-8190 Office 949-784-9699 CarolineGerardo@eaglehm.com www.eaglehomemortgage.com/carolinegerardo Committed to Seeing You Home. Eagle Home Mortgage 8105 Irvine Center Drive Suite #500 Irvine CA 92618 NMLS #849059 CA #813I609 Universal American Mortgage Company of California, dba Eagle Home Mortgage of California. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. RMLA #4130383, NMLS #252392. Certain restrictions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Applicants must qualify.