Recent content by Cares

It's not always the case that you have to be $1 above the conforming limit. There are jumbo lenders that lend at the conforming rate as I have lost business because the agency rates are no where close to jumbo at the moment.

It's very hard for a broker to compete with a big bank for Jumbo especially in a rising rate environment.

Didn't think I would see a Leeroy Jenkins reference here.

Realtors should be giving 50% rebate for new construction...Redfin is maybe more understandable to be less but if it's a self-employed realtor then they are ripping you off. I give all my clients 50%.

Usually the builder purchase contracts are pretty iron glad in regards to your deposit. Sometimes they will work with you though if, for example, you can find a replacement buyer.

It's too late now but Redfin really "gouges" any rebates they give you for new construction purchase. Some people I know only got maybe $5000 on a $50k commission with a Redfin agent.

Yep exactly what Soylent said. It involved providing strong comps to support a different opinion of value and persuasive letters to indicate why the comps used by the appraiser were poor choices (ex. subject property is in a gated community vs. comps not in a gated community and geographically...

I have successfully helped clients get an appraiser revised whether it be home value or rental value. Takes a lot of work but usually it is unsuccessful. The alternative is the client can opt to pay for a second appraisal and we use the higher value of the 2.

The specific appraiser is not chosen and is "randomly assigned".

I can't even opt out online. What a hassle.

Anyone know if SCE or OCPA is better for solar customers?

Siam Station is my favorite Thai restaurant in the area. Never had an experience like yours though so not sure what to make of it.

I'm still salty about this neighborhood. I was probably top 3 on the priority list but they didn't give me a shot to purchase early because they were prioritizing non-investor purchases first. I was going to make some huge equity gains if I got in on Phase 1-3.

The loan balance does not matter when it come to calculating capital gains. You just need to know your cost basis, improvements, and depreciation amount for depreciation recapture.

I don't know why builders don't just build new homes with 3 car garages. I bet they can sell it for a pretty big premium even with a smaller sized home.