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I am Connor MacIVOR with Paris MacIVOR at REMAX of Santa Clarita and REMAX of Valencia with The Paris911 Team - We are your subject matter experts and the Full Disclosure Realtors.

I had never had the pleasure.  But some of our Clients turned Friends wanted to do something nice for Connor’s Birthday.  So one of the Lenders, Augusta Financial and Mike Meena, who has a Limousine, set it up to have it pick us up, another couple in Saugus and finally a friend outside of the Burbank Court House.

Those of you that know us, that is kind of funny - But I think you can imagine that the man outside of the Court House was a Deputy for the Los Angeles County :Sheriff’s Department.  I am not sure if I will ever forget the look on the limo driver’s face when we told him that we were picking someone up.  Connor in true Connor fashion, told the driver that we are picking up a man that was just released after serving his time and to look for someone in an orange jumpsuit.  I am not so sure if he got it, but the gentleman that we picked up was not wearing an orange jumpsuit.

Connor and I had heard of Morton’s Steakhouse in Burbank California, but have not had the opportunity to see what all of the hubbub was about.  We walked in and were struck first of all by the location, in the heart of the Media Center of Burbank, this seemed to almost be a Black Tie only place.  The greeters were nice, the manager introduced himself to us personally and we were seated.

Everything on the menu was ala-cart, so I had the fillet Mignon - Connor did as well, the others at the table had various items, from Lobster, to the New York Strip.  However, I had to start with Raw Oysters on the 1/2 shell.  With the right amount of cocktail sauce, Tabasco, lemon and down the hatch.  These Oysters were very good, they are exactly the same we enjoy when we go to San Francisco, check in at the Hilton in the Financial District then onto the Franciscan Restaurant, there was no difference.  Very high quality and extremely fresh.  The Oysters were the highlight.  Some of our friends had never had the pleasure and seemed to start to develop the palate to enjoy Oysters.

After some good food, drinks, and great conversation, I could tell that Connor had a great time.  It was a very enjoyable evening and we are blessed to have such friends in which to celebrate these occasions.

If you are out and about, please give Morton’s Restaurant a Try.  It is right off of the 5 freeway and a very nice upscale steak and seafood establishment. 

Paris MacIVOR - REMAX of Santa Clarita and REMAX of Valencia - The Paris911 Team

You are interested in purchasing a home, condo, town-home, or investment property in the Real Estate market.  You call Connor and or Paris and we set up one of our "more than famous" buyer or seller meetings.  Our first few steps are what you might consider very small.  We want to start with imparting to you knowledge.  Past market conditions compared with current and projected future Real Estate market results.  This is extremely important, because being informed will help you not to become a "victim of the market".

After our presentation, it is very important for you to find a lender.  We are advocates of you bringing your own to the table.  But we are going to want to interview them.  We want to know where their focus is and how they model their business and practices.  There is a lot riding on something that takes 30 years to pay off.  That is nothing that we would ever take lightly.  Our $100,000 clients are just as important to us as our 5 Million dollar ones.  You never know what tomorrow will bring into a person’s life, win-fall - lotto - go ahead and fill in the blank.  But more importantly, it is just plainly the right thing to do.

We have worked with several lenders since the 1990’s when we built Paris911 and The 911 Team.  We are very careful to whom we hitch our trailer.  We make for certain before we endorse we investigate.  We also know what to look for.  You might have sold 2 to 5 homes in your life time and consider yourself an expert.  We do that many sales on a weekly basis.  Because Real Estate is a very dynamic business and always has new "dangers" to look out for, we want you to be given the best information so you can have all of the facts.

Now that I have said this - We were introduced to Mike Meena(click to e-mail) with Augusta Financial some time ago.  He has been tested under fire, with short escrows, long escrows, 100% financing programs, having clients he could of taken advantage of - But did not when no one was looking.  Truthfully, isn’t it how a person is when no one is watching the farm?  When there is no way someone would ever find out - When there is nothing to lose - That person still does the right thing at that moment?  That is truly what we have found with Mike Meena and Augusta Financial.  Located in the Santa Clarita Valley and with the ability to write loans all across the United States of America, Mike Meena is a true blessing in a not so "honest" industry.  Augusta Financial - 24018 Lyons Avenue - Newhall, California 91321 - Phone: 661-260-2970 | Fax: 661-260-2979.

One of the most important traits that I must mention in closing is his ability to give the client what he says he will.  If he tells you that you are going to get a 5.5% interest rate and rates shoot up, he makes good on his word.  In the loan industry to have that kind of integrity and honor with honesty - is something truly Rare Indeed! 

Check out any city in the Santa Clarita Valley and the Real Estate Market Snapshots that I have made famous.  Simply type in the www. followed by any of the cities in the Santa Clarita Valley, the put a 911.com at the end of it into your browser.  You will be transported to a Real-Time Market Search engine where as a buyer or seller you will be able to take time of true "source" data compiled utilizing the best technology that "top producer systems" has to offer.  The system then pulls that "source" data, organizes it and sends it to you within short order at an e-mail address you designate.

Santa Clarita Valley not your thing? - We are full members of four(4) total boards of Realtors.  Don’t ask me how I can remember all of the different rules and access user names and passwords - I am not sure myself.  But the point is that I have access to all of their source data.  You can find The 911 Team Market Snapshot resource page at www.HomeValue911.com.  We have been able to put them all together for your use.  Don’t forget if you are a do it yourself type, to use one of our unlocked search engines - www.SCV911.com or www.SearchRE911.com,  CONNOR with HONOR

I was meeting with clients in our Head Quarters at 25101 The Old Road, Santa Clarita CA, 91381.  We were discussing the home purchasing options and current market conditions in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Due to our four different Board of Realtors Memberships and all of the different "from the source" search engines that I have access too, I get quite a view and perspective of what is "really" going on in the Real Estate market.

As we were discussing their first experience in purchasing a home and I was telling them that if the deal depended 100% on just Paris and I, where we were the lenders (we don’t loan money), We were Escrow (we are not that either), We had title (that is also someone else), Paris911 Pest Control and Termite Inspection (nice ring - I hate bugs), Or the agent representing the Seller (I might - But only if our seller is in agreement)(fitting to discuss Dual Agency in another Blog and my experiences with that), then everything would go smooth as leaded crystal.

But the transaction does not only depend on Paris and I.  There are a lot of others in the mix - So we do our best to explain to you "who is who in the zoo".  We also do our best to keep a handle on all of them so your dealings go as smooth as possible.

It came up that we were not their first agent that they had interviewed.  The agent that they had interviewed had told them that the lender that they referred these people to was the only lender that could be used to purchase a home.  I thought I misunderstood - But I asked them to say it again, and it was just as the first time.  They had to use the agents Lender. 

I was a bit taken back and explained how it "really" was.  After Paris and I were finished we had built clients for life - We have also established ourselves as being ingrained in these nice people so when anyone talks about Real Estate, Pitch us they will - like a 110mph fast ball.  That is what is all about - I cannot believe that these games are still being played - That is why the prior agent struck out!!! -CONNOR with HONOR

Does Fraud for Housing and lying to get a home exist in the Santa Clarita Valley?  In any business you have people that are trying to take advantage of the system. You have agents that are taking advantage of their clients. You have clients that are taking advantage of their agents. You have predatory lenders and you have people that are trying to take advantage of the system by any means possible. I don’t think they are thinking of the ultimate results of where that will get all of us as a whole. In fact, I’m sure that they are not thinking about anyone other than themselves on all accounts.

It was quoted to me in a recent meeting by one of the other people in my field, which I was embarrassed for him, but I think I was the only one that thought that was arrogant and a bit off topic. He said, "How can you put more money in my pocket today, how can I use this to get more deals closing escrow today – What can you do for me today?!!" All in response to saying that it would be nice to offer some "time" and "elbow grease" to a local charity, not money. Money can be part of the equation also of course- But what about actually contributing time and effort to the cause. Maybe being found out to be a phony is too much for some. That is why I love blogging – you can only write so many of these posts before you reveal your true nature. I might be a bit rough around the edges – But I am transparent and have my own lines in the sand that correspond to my code.

The real estate and mortgage fraud cases that dominate the headlines usually have to do with fraud for profit. A ringleader conspires with industry insiders – usually a real estate agent, appraiser, and loan officer – to obtain mortgage loans they have no intention of ever repaying.
Another form of mortgage fraud is also common – fraud for housing. According to an FBI source, "Fraud for housing represents illegal actions perpetrated solely by the borrower. The simple motive behind this fraud is to acquire and maintain ownership of a house under false pretenses. This type of fraud is typified by a borrower who makes misrepresentations regarding his income or employment history to qualify for a loan."
Fraud for housing may include any of the following attempts to deceive the lender into approving a mortgage loan
•    Claiming on a loan application that you earn more money than you actually earn. •    Presenting counterfeit paycheck stubs to verify employment or income. •    Intentionally overestimating the value of your assets on a loan application. •    Claiming on a loan application to work for a particular employer when you do not. •    Adding someone to the loan application as a co-borrower who does not intend to live in the home with you or assist you in making payments. •    Signing a loan application that contains blanks you know the loan officer will fill in for you later with false information that will help you qualify for the loan. •    Getting a friend or relative who owns a business to say that you work there. •    Fudging the numbers on a document, such as a tax return, to make it look like you earn more than you do. •    Applying for a loan in excess of the sale price paid to the seller, so you can obtain the surplus proceeds in cash back at closing.
Whenever you apply for a mortgage loan, you must sign the application – technically referred to as a 1003 (ten-oh-three) or Uniform Residential Loan Application. Just above the space for your signature is a statement worded something like this:
I/We fully understand that it is a federal crime punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, to knowingly make any false statements concerning any of the above facts as applicable under the provisions of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, et seq.
In other words, it is a felony to lie on a loan application, whether for profit or housing.
Some people argue that fraud for housing is a victimless crime. After all, the person applying for the mortgage loan really wants to keep the house and has every intention of making the monthly payments and paying off the debt. However, that’s beside the point. The real issue is that when people commit fraud for housing, they mislead the lender into approving a loan that is riskier than the lender would otherwise consider. It contributes to increases in foreclosures and the cost of mortgages to all consumers.
Knowing what constitutes fraud for housing can help you avoid committing it or becoming an accomplice if a loved one tries to make you complicit in their plans. Remain on the lookout for mortgage fraud of any type, and do your part to reduce fraud and make mortgage loans and housing more affordable for everyone, including your neighbors.
Ralph R. Roberts, GRI, CRS is a real estate and mortgage fraud forensics expert and author of Protect Yourself from Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud: Preserving the American Dream of Homeownership (Kaplan Publishing).

Ralph mentioned that some refer to Fraud for housing a victimless crime. I have heard others in my, now reserve position and past full-time position with the LAPD, that drug use is a victimless crime. I never understood that statement. I cannot tell you how many people that were under the influence of cocaine, meth, heroin, marijuana, and alcohol that I had taken off the streets. What was more sad were the ones that were not caught and ended up killing someone else or severely injuring some innocent person.

The blessing is now I can watch for these things on a different level. I still have my reserve duties that involved sworn law enforcement. But I have been and can continue to apply the ethics that I was raised with and had during 1990 to 2007 in my community approach to Law Enforcement within the Real Estate community. A blessing indeed – CONNOR with HONOR Why REMAX of Valencia and REMAX of Santa Clarita - Because there is not a REMAX of MacIVOR - LOL  Looking to search the Live MLS from the Source? - www.SearchRE911.com or www.SCV911.com

Paris and I are those that are on the fence when we speak about the following topics of having any kind of debt, in the Santa Clarita Valley. With Real Estate, good debt versus bad debt, and your wanting to purchase a home, we do say it is taboo to go out and purchase a vehicle or any other big ticket item during the home buying process. It kills your fico score. There is a time that you can get away with it but this would be on a case by case basis and we will advise you when you can have the green light.

The credit companies pull the credit at various times during the escrow process. This is a bit on the normal side now due to all of those loans that people are defaulting on and the large fallout of the sub prime lender back in early 2007. It is a knee-jerk reaction by the banks – But that reaction is what I would have expected. People were qualifying for loans without needing to have anything but a breath inside of their body. So it is something that needed to happen to control the flow of "stated" loans and no-document origination and borrowing

When it comes to debt, most consumers fall into either of two camps – those who fear debt and those who embrace it. Let’s call the first group the debt-o-phobes. To these folks, debt is to be avoided at all costs. They don’t carry a credit card and refuse to buy anything, except a home perhaps, on credit. We’ll call the other group debt-thusiasts. As long as they can have whatever they want right now and can afford the monthly payments, they don’t care how much debt they are in or interest they will pay.
Neither extreme is healthy. The debt-thusiasts are constantly paying too much for goods and services, because in addition to the purchase price, they are usually paying a hefty amount in finance charges. They never get ahead and have little chance of building wealth.
The debt-o-phobes, on the other hand, can save a considerable amount of money in interest, but they have less money available to fund revenue-generating investments. Because they refuse to take on debt, the only money they have to invest is the money they have squirreled away.
Financially healthy, wealthy, and wise individuals are not opposed to taking on debt, but they are very proactive in limiting bad debt and maximizing the power of good debt.
Bad Debt What exactly is bad debt? Bad debt is money you owe on something that 1) does not increase your earning potential and 2) depreciates – decreases in value over time. Generally speaking, if you go on a spending spree with your credit card, you are taking on bad debt.
Some experts would claim that a loan taken out to purchase a new car is bad debt, because as soon as you drive the car off the lot it depreciates. While that may be true, financing the purchase of a nice car could increase your earnings potential, allowing you to drive to a workplace that offers a higher salary. A nice car could also improve the earnings potential of someone in sales who must drive clients around.
Good Debt Good debt is money you owe on something that either 1) increases your earnings potential sufficiently to pay back the debt, and then some, or 2) enables you to invest in an appreciable asset – an asset whose value increases over time sufficiently to cover the debt.
Experts generally agree that a mortgage loan used to purchase a home represents good debt, because while you are paying the interest on the mortgage, your home is appreciating in excess of the percentage interest you pay. In addition, your home mortgage is tax-deductible, assuming you can and do itemize your deductions.
Most people also consider education loans to be a form of good debt, because an education generally improves your earnings potential – although that may depend on what you study in school and how much debt you graduate with.
Exchanging Bad Debt for Better Debt Although you may not be able to trade bad debt for good debt, you may be able to decrease your amount of bad debt. If you have a large amount of credit card debt, for example, and some equity in your home, you may benefit by refinancing your mortgage loan to pay off your credit card debt. (Equity is the amount of money locked up in your home – if you sold your home today and paid off the mortgage, the amount of money you would have left represents the equity.)
Refinancing your home mortgage to pay off your credit card debt could benefit you in two ways: •    Decrease the amount of interest you’re paying. A mortgage loan usually carries a significantly lower interest rate than the rate charged on credit card debt.
•    Makes the interest you are paying tax-deductible. Home mortgage interest is tax-deductible. The interest you pay on your credit card balance is not.
Caution: Consult with a trusted and qualified accountant or loan specialist before refinancing your home to pay down your credit card debt. Refinancing too often can cost you a considerable amount of money in loan origination fees and other expenses related to taking out the loan.
Caution: Refinancing to pay off credit card debt converts the unsecured credit card debt into secured debt. The debt is now secured by your home, which allows the lender to foreclose if you are unable to make payments. Credit card companies cannot seize your home if you fail to make payments. In addition, if you file for bankruptcy, secured debts have priority over unsecured debts, so if you think you might have to file for bankruptcy later, converting unsecured debt into secured debt may not be a good idea.
Investing with Other People’s Money One of the secrets to maximizing the return on your investments is to use borrowed money (other people’s money) to finance your investments. For example, say you have $100,000 to invest in real estate, knowing that you can buy and fix up a home for $100,000 and then turn around and sell it for $120,000. If you could pull it off, you would earn a 20% profit, which isn’t bad.
But what if you took that $100,000 purchased and fixed up five properties? For each property, you would use $20,000 of your own money as a down payment and $80,000 of borrowed money – other people’s money. Now, you buy, fix, and sell five homes, earning $20,000 per home for a total of $100,000 in profits – a 100% profit!
That’s what you call leverage, and you gain leverage by using other people’s money.
When you are ready to begin building your own wealth in real estate, talk to your loan officer or mortgage broker about leveraging the power of other people’s money. He or she will know exactly what you’re talking about.
Ralph R. Roberts, GRI, CRS is an experienced real estate agent and investor and author of Mortgage Myths: 77 Secrets That Will Save You Thousands on Home Financing (John Wiley & Sons).

What is very interesting by Ralph’s article is the way he has his warning within the advice. The most important thing you can do for yourself during your hunt for a home or any other Real Estate venture is to contact a Licensed Professional that has your needs at their center. In this world of misguidance for own self-advancement – It is paramount that you use your focused eye to disertain between truth and being mislead. We watch all aspects of the Real Estate Transaction – We want you to come back to us 4.7 years later so we can help you sell and move up. That is out goal and focus. We want your kids to use us. We want you to be so happy with what we provide for you and to feel so safe that you cannot help to tell everyone about Paris MacIVOR and Connor MacIVOR.

Any City in the Santa Clarita Valley Followed by a 911.com to see what we offer in exclusivity with regards to REMAX of Santa Clarita or REMAX of Valencia – Being the subject matter experts, www.valencia911.com is an example – CONNOR with HONOR

That is entirely too much time on someone’s hands!!!

On the 18th of March, year of our Lord 2008, Los Angeles Superior Court prosecutors formally filed charges against 6 Mortgage lending companies.  This was conducted by the Attorney General’s office because they had pushed homeowners into "illegal and unconscionable loans."

Due to the Mortgage and Real Estate crunch, these lenders are using whatever means necessary to put some of those elusive green-backs into their pockets, no matter what the cost.  Instead of preparing for the thinning of the flock, they are still hitting people from illegal and with totally unethical approaches. 

The Attorney General Brown commented, "The illegal sales practices of these companies… included psychological pressure, forgery and outright lies."

Brown had these companies and their assets frozen in the tracts.  Money, cars, real estate holdings and the like were held and will not able to be accessed until this thing is worked out properly.  There is also a $20 Million dollar price tag that Brown is pushing for with regard to penalties and restitution.

What does this mean.  People will sacrifice others to make a buck.  Be Careful with whom you choose to hitch your trailer.  Be weary of the fast talkers and people quick to have you sign.  Have us Run interference for you when it comes to all aspects of Real Estate.  Our reputation is viewed by us as being priceless.  I’m not about to loose all of the ground we have gained over the past 10 years by selling someone short or putting someone where they do not want to be!- CONNOR with HONOR - We are REMAX of Santa Clarita and REMAX of Valencia - I love this Place!!! 

With all of the interesting things going on with Real Estate these days, and the rates, and the requirements, it is enough to drive a person crazy.  Even more to the point, Paris and I do not do loans.  We don’t lend money, we are not processors or originators, we are just the feeders of (those folks).  No one want to say they are the middle man or person, but in some cases if that is what your role is then so be it.  By doing the feeding we have been able to find some very high-quality people that take care of our own.

What is very important, is when you have a particular lender that performs a majority of the time.  (We have an open door for bring your own if you have one that has proven to have done you justice in the past)  We will still have a look-see at their hand.  When you find someone that has the same influences, code, spirit and has a staff that subscribes to the same rule book that Paris and I subscribe, then you have really found someone special  We have surrounded ourselves with several Lenders that have our tenants as their center.

Did we make them this way?  Probably not, but having a strong, honest, and positive influence can have a very "persona - modifying effect".

Where are we at this point?  If you are wanting to purchase any Real Estate in any area of Southern California, Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country, Stevenson Ranch, the Antelope Valley, Ventura County or Los Angeles and Vicinity - AND BEYOND!!!  Then you have come to the right place. 

Step 1, let us meet with you and see if we click.  I don’t want to hitch my trailer to someone that I don’t much care for.  I am sure you are the same way.  We are going to be in each others’ life for some time.  I want to make sure we gel and working with one another are like mixing Oil and Water.

Step 2 - Let us have you speak with a lender.  With all that is going on in the world of finance, with all of the loan requirements and programs changing on a moment by moment basis, then we have to have this necessary step.  Why second?  Because I don’t want you wasting your time.  Which lender, you pick, we have a few that we work with and there are some that are at the top of the list for a reason.  That reason is that they will take care of you.  They have proven track records and years after they had used us to buy or sell houses, they are still in a good place with their loan.  There was nothing surprising that popped up when the maturity point hit two years, three years, or somewhere that created a problem with their loan or mortgage.

Step 3 - Home Searching - We do that very well.  Give us your minimum criteria and we will do the searching.  You will be part of this equation, but we are the SME (subject matter expert) and should be working hard for you and work we will.  How many homes will you be able to view, if it takes us showing you all of the homes in your criteria, we are for that.  We don’t want you rushing to judgment and doing something too quickly that will create the bends in your person or family.  We want you to be happy and we understand as should you, you are not buying a car here.  You are investing a huge amount of money, probably the largest investment you will leverage with someone else’s money.  We want it to be right. 

Step 4 - Negotiation with the agent representing the seller or buyer.  (this is where the moxie comes in)

Where does that leave us.  You need to call.  661.400.1720 or 661.400.3680 or 800.760.6911. We will schedule an appointment and line up the Ducks and let the cards fall where they may! -CONNOR with HONOR - Hey are you interested in a particular neighborhood and wish to see what it has to offer by zip code?  Check this out!  You’ll love it.  REMAX of Santa Clarita and REMAX of Valencia - That is where we have hung our hat.   Even though the name implies a geographic dependency - That is not Paris911.  We are willing to go to any length to serve all of your Real Estate Needs.  Thats a promise. 

If you want to compare a neighborhood in Sherman Oaks with a neighborhood in Stevenson Ranch - Then have at it.  You will be happy you did!  Go Below the Hand - CONNOR with HONOR

So here is what is going on with the Revitalization plan that is going to be instituted April 1, 2008.  There are a few things that have not been released as of yet, but I will put these documents from Fannie Mae AT this LINK.

So, they have deemed April 1 as the date of the kick off - April Fools Day, I’m hoping that was coincidence.  But that is funny just the same.

They are going to call these Jumbo-Conforming loans.  On the link you will see which counties get what limit.  Through implication it is said HUD will publish an official list of areas and also limits prior to April 1, 2008.  If I were to be a betting man, I would guess that Los Angeles and Ventura County will be part of the counties that are going to be labeled the "high-cost" areas.

Here are how the numbers break down, the "high-cost" areas will get the top limit of $729,750, but that figure could change when those locations are released.  If you direct your attention to page 3 on the link, it is a 90% loan - CLTV - Combined Loan to Value Ratio.  This is for fixed loans and there will be credit score requirements.

Adjustable Rate Mortgages will only get to 80% Combined Loan To Value, CLTV.  It would also appear that these "Jumbo-Conforming" loans will get an origination increase of .250 points for the fixed product and .750 for the adjustable product.  This is pertaining to the Lender’s Fee not an increase of Rate.

Be Safe - CONNOR with HONOR