Terrific Thursday to all, Today's 30yr auction will move us either up or down, be careful. Initial un-employment filing are slightly up, Foreclosure filings are down (short sales). Choppy trading is likely today with both stocks and bonds. We opened lower than we closed yesterday however there is room to improve. Carefully float but be ready to lock........ MBS are down and not looking pretty at the present. Today" s charts Charting detailed is below http://mortgagecoach.utipu.com/app/invited/id/a17d20 Have a great day! 12/10/2009

Wonderful Weds Morning to all, Wholesale inventories were up slightly. The FED announced they would extend TARP for 10 months with target towards small business and foreclosure mitigation......we will see what the details are later. Carefully float we might see some gains today. Sideways trading is most likely. Today's charts Charts in detail below.   http://mortgagecoach.utipu.com/app/invited/id/a17d20 Have a great day! 12/09/2009

Terrific Tuesday to all, Yesterday the Fed dispelled fears of raising rates for the near future. We opened with a gap up........and we are back in the danger zone again. Stocks have retreated for now but after the President's speech stocks might rally putting pressure on bonds. Lock with the gap up. Today's update is here Charting in detail below http://mortgagecoach.utipu.com/app/invited/id/a17d20 Have a great day! 12/08/2009

Marvelous Monday Morning to all, Today a flight to safety -bonds. The current rally might close the gap we opened Friday............but be careful consumer credit when released may cause us to give back some gains later today. Whispers of the FED possibly raising rates 1st quarter of 2010.... Today's update is here. Charting information http://mortgagecoach.utipu.com/app/invited/id/a17d20 Have a great day 12/07/2009

There's nothing to kick off the holidays quite like Benicia's annual Holiday Open House, which always takes place in the evening on the first Friday in December. Last night's 2009 edition was a rousing success. As you'll see in this video, people were lined up outside our office all night long for free popcorn, cotton candy and visits with Santa, To see several more videos I took last night click here.   12/05/2009

You just received seven offers, live in California and listed your home for 400k. One cash offer, two conventional, three FHA, one VA offer. Cash offer is low by 15k but can close quickly, no appraisal. One conventional offer was 10k over listing price 10% down (mid-score for buyer 680 your Realtor discovers after calling the lender). The 2nd conventional offer was 20% down 8k over listing price. Two of the three FHA offers were over listing price by 8k, not asking for closing costs, the third FHA was 12k over listing price asking 3% for buyers closing costs. The VA offer was 12k over listing price, 5% down-payment. You the seller (who didn't like surprise's) pulled pest before it was listed and section 1&2 repairs=$975.00. On the advice of your fantastic Realtor you listed your home ju... 12/05/2009

Fabulous Friday to all, MBS (mortgage backed securities) opened up with another gap down. We have gone from ignoring economic news (Thanksgiving Week) to being hypersensitive to any news. Be very cautious today. Currently we have a rally but it might be very short lived. Short term grab and lock with the rally. If we can bridge the huge gap....we might settle into yesterday's trading range. The market is very choppy! Another sell off is possible... depends on the speeches from the FED. Today's charts are here. Information on charts is here. Positive thoughts for a solid rally to bridge the gap we opened with this morning! Have a great weekend! 12/04/2009

I have been really excited about the news regarding the improvement for the short sale process the government has been putting in place.  There has been much ado in the news about what this process and what it means to us as Real Estate Professionals.  My partner and I have been doing short sales for over three years now.  Three years ago the words "short sale" were barely breathed and the next breath Realtors would give you a look of pure disbelief.  Yet we tackled it head on. This past January I told my partner, mark my words, short sales is where it will be.  Foreclosures are not what they were earlier this year.  There are many potential sellers out there who are scared or donot understand the process.  We have become more adept at navigating the whims and ways of our sellers' banks... 12/03/2009

December 2009 Realtor of the Month December brings us Christmas. A very special holiday and it is my pleasure to announce Irma Ward with Prudential California Realty Benicia as the REALTOR of the month. Irma is your go to person if you are looking to sell or purchase a home in either Solano or Contra Costa counties. Irma is a Short Sale Expert, REO specialist and the head of the Prudential Benicia Marketing Department. Thinking of selling your home? You need to call Irma 707-373-8160. Irma isn't looking to just list your home she will SELL and market your home quickly. If you have driven around Benicia during the weekend most likely you will find one of Irma's many signs leading you to one of her open houses. Take a minute and follow the signs. Meet with Irma who will quickly bring you ... 12/03/2009

Terrific Thursday to all, Today will bring choppy trading with Mortgage Backed Securities be very careful. A new trading range is yet to be defined. The Beige Book reported recovery and a rosy outlook for the economy in most parts of the country. Current inventory in Contra Costa and Solano counties is very limited, especially Walnut Creek, Benicia and neighboring cities. Be creative with your offers so they stand out. Information on MBS today is available here Charting explained is available here Have a great day! 12/03/2009

It only happens twice a year -- an event so large and so popular that lierally the entire town of Benicia comes downtown for a feel-good experience that words and even pictures can't describe.  The first is the annual July 3rd Torchlight Parade. The other takes place this Friday night in downtown Benicia. I'm talking about the annual Holiday Open House, which is organized by the hard-working people from the Benicia Main Street Program (the same folks who put on the always-popular Farmer's Market and a host of other events throughout the year). From 6-9 pm this Friday (Dec. 4th), First Street will be closed to traffic as townsfolk descend on the downtown area to stop by the various business for a cup of apple cider, a bag of popcorn, some holiday cookies or maybe even a visit with Santa.... 12/03/2009

OPERATION RECOVERY is Launched The wonderful rally with interest rates we had with Thanksgiving Week has given back some gains. Early word from the FED was things were looking better and possibly hiking up rates due to signs of recovery being seen. MBS (mortgage backed securities) doesn't like even whispers of the FED hiking rates. Thus the drop from the current rally with MBS which we just experienced during Thanksgiving Week. Ok we have high en-employment, commercial real estate has been heading for MASSIVE issues, and pretty much just green shoots are being seen after a long COLD WINTER. Simply meaning it is great residential real estate is being seen as stabilizing in some areas for the nation..............but commercial real estate is a volcano overdue to BLOW. En-employment is a m... 12/02/2009

Terrific Tuesday to all, Did we reach the peak yesterday? We opened lower than we closed yesterday and currently are down 22bps with MBS (mortgage backed securities) Pending home sales were way up, new construction spending was up. AIG is repaying some of their loans, Dubai concerns have been eased. Wall ST is enjoying the news and up at the present time. We might be settling into a new trading range, float very carefully. We are still way above the 30 day moving average. Morning market snapshot click here More information on the charts click here Have a great day! 12/01/2009

  Let's GO! The power lies inside you! Un-lock it! Empower yourself! Go for a drive, bike ride, walk, and breakout of your routine- the answers will quickly appear........  WHAT can I do? I am just a..............look inside, don't hold back! LET"S GO! Become the warrior of self improvement in your personal, family, and business lives! YOU MUST LEAD BY EXAMPLE! Tomorrow is TOO LATE! You must ACT NOW while it is fresh! Ask yourself what are committed to changing for the better in your life, your family and business! Sorry! I don't see three things yet for each category. STOP and write them down NOW! Take a DEEP BREATH what is your commitment level for what you wrote down? 10% or 100%+?  Revise quickly if you need to! Next go give someone a smile, hug or just lend a helping hand............. 11/27/2009

Let's Speed up our Recovery as a Nation We have seen green shoot's of signs of improvement in our economy lately. One of our biggest challenges will be with improving un-employment. This will help save more homes, and homeowners, stabilize neighborhood home values and increase consumer confidence. Great sounds easy...............but there many more job applicants than jobs. We need to start from the ground up! #1 Small business can change to moving markets much faster than corporations (FYI THIS IS A CHALLENGE BIG GUYS) #2 It takes the involvement of the entire company and 100% commitment from the entire company to discover new untapped markets and product lines lying at your finger tips #3 Business owners and managers get in the trenches with your company/ team, for they see day to day... 11/27/2009

Fabulous Friday to all, Once again we have opened up higher with MBS (mortgage backed securities) than we closed on Weds.  The Dow is down due to news that Dubai might default on bonds due to real estate values...............HUMM like we all haven't experienced the same.  Bonds are up at all time highs. Monday we might be settling into a new trading range for bonds, so lock in the great rates before they are gone. Bonds are currently passing through the 1st line of resistance and are at 102.54, incredible! This great rally with bonds won't last forever, so positive thoughts for at least sideways trading through the end of the year. While everyone else is off shopping today...................grab your REALTOR go look at homes. Everyone else is distracted with shopping so your chances of ... 11/27/2009

We have zoomed way up with MBS (Mortgage Backed Securities) today. My advice is taking the gains and lock your position. We are at the second line of resistance............be careful. This great rally will not last forever. MBS are 25bp for the day! Have a great day!   11/23/2009

When our kids were growing up, they never wanted to leave town for the 4th of July. It wasn't because they were homebodies or didn't like to have fun. Rather it was because nobody does the 4th like Benicia. Just ask anyone who's visited Benicia over the 4th of July. And actually, when I say the 4th of July, I REALLY mean the 3rd and 4th -- for Benicia's Independence Day activities begin on the 3rd and run straight through fireworks on the 4th. MORE THAN JUST ONE DAY OF FUN The party actually begins early on the 3rd, when the townspeople start lining First Street with lawn chairs and placing their blankets out on the lawn on at the City Park in anticipation of the annual Torchlight Parade. This year's parade begins at 6:30 pm on the Third of July. It's a bit hokey, a bit folksy, and ever... 07/01/2009

Today's weather is predicted to be beautiful.  Why not bring your blanket, low beach chairs, and picnic baskets for delightful evening watching the popular movie "Kung Fu Panda" outside in our wonderful downtown City park. The Blues Defenders,  a Sonoma County music group will start the festivities by playing their brand of "gritty roadhouse style West Coast Blues" from 6:30-8PM. This event is sponsored by Benicia Parks and Community Services Department along with Benicia Performing Arts.  Movie night downtown has been going on for quite some years.  I can remember taking a blanket and sitting on the lawn watching movies played against the side of the historic Capitol Building at least 7 years ago with my twin daughters. It is an opportunity to connect with friends and neighbors and mee... 06/26/2009

With summer starting full tilt and people deciding what can we do this summer for a "staycation", think of visiting Benicia, CA June 13th.  Experience a French Theme Event along our famous promenade next to the Carquinez Straits.  Sponsored by our wonderful Benicia Street Program this will start at 10AM and run til 4PM.  Come browse the vendor booths filled with delicious treats, arts and crafts, jewelry....plenty to keep your interest piqued! Listen to the sounds of Paris by several local musicians. "Marche Benicia" is a new event for our lovely city.  Sip wines imported from France staffed by our local Soroptimist International of Benicia in the wine garden.  Add some Champagne and mimosas and OH LA LA!! C'est Bon!!   06/10/2009