Realty World Tri-Shasta

• Forebearance – lender may allow the borrower to skip a payment or make a partial payment if the borrower can suggest a reasonable plan to catch up on the amount in arrears.
• Reinstatement – borrower agrees to make a lump sum payment in the future to bring the mortgage current.
• Repayment Plan – lender may allow the borrower to catch up on what is owed by increasing the monthly payments until the missed payments are brought current.
• Loan Modification Plan – Modify a mortgage – converting it to a fixed rate mortgage at a lower interest rate and extending the years of the mortgage to reduce monthly payments. Giving more years to pay off – adding the missed payments to the balance of the mortgage.
• Forgiving Part of the Loan – makes payments affordable.
• Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure – it is a friendly foreclosure, the loan amount must be lower than the anticipated sales price.
• Cash for Keys – the lender and the homeowner agree to exchange cash from the lender for the keys to the property.
• Sell the Home – set a price that will attract many qualified buyers. Upside down property – the financial institution may be willing to forgive some of the mortgage to make a sale possibly in order to avoid foreclosure – Short Sale.

Distressed properties are foreclosed homes or homes in a Short Sale situation. We have both available in the Shasta County real estate market. Here are some tips to help buyers who are looking to purchase a distressed property.

1. Have the money before you shop.
2. Be mentally prepared for delays, aggravations, and red tape.
3. No contingencies.
4. Flexibility as to the condition of the property.
5. Be prepared to make an offer.
6. Motivation rules the day.
7. Buy at the bottom of the market.
8. Quick settlement.
9. Inspections.
10. Examination of title.

• Be proactive about the problem when the first warning signs appear.
• Contact your lender when you become aware that you have a problem.
• Read the mail.
• Contact HUD approved housing counselor or call a real estate agent for advice.
• Prioritize your spending by paying for the necessities of life first.
• Look for ways to generate cash.
• Do not get scammed by a private “foreclosure prevention specialist.”
• Make an appointment with a real estate agent to discuss the problem and to get their advice.

When it comes to owning real estate, may people want their homes to be just as attractive on the outside as they try to make it on the inside. The way to achieve that goal is plain and simply the right landscaping. Beautiful landscaping, even if one does not have the greenest of thumbs, is attainable no matter who you may be. Here are a few tips that will hopefully get you on your way:

• Select plants that thrive in your area but require little maintenance, this is especially important for you busy people here in Shasta County.
• Stick to a simple palette using different plants that have various textures and various shades in the same colors.
• Soften edges of walkways with low, mounding plants.
• Create interest between pavers with prostrate plants that tolerate both dry conditions and foot traffic.
• Accent vertical lines of your house with climbers, for points of interest.
• The yards that people tend to make the most fuss about are the ones with stone pathways, cozy gazebos, inviting gates, and pretty pots filled with colorful plants (When a pathway is desired but your budget is tight, which is understandable in this economy, using recycled materials is a great option).

If you are still unsure about what to do or still have questions about what is right for you, your home, your area, or even your pocket, here are some other ways to gain ideas for improving your homes curb appeal:

• Visit Botanical Gardens. Visit your local botanical garden, or even ones while you are traveling, to gain a wealth of ideas. Take a pencil and paper and write down any ideas you like or even sketch your ideas.
• Go to Nurseries. When wondering through your local nursery take note of the way trellises, sheds, and container gardens are situated. Borrow those ideas for your own yard.
• Go on a Tour. Many towns have garden club tours. It will not hurt to sign up and attend one of these tours. You will be able to gain a better understanding of what works the best for your area. Ask plenty of questions and take your camera along for pictures.
• Visit Your Library. Any library will have a plethora of gardening books. Spend an afternoon going through them and jotting down any ideas that catch your interest.
• Hire a Garden Designer. Certified garden designers can help to come up with different ideas that can be used within one season or over several years. They know what elements will work the best in your yard, and have the resources to get exactly what you want. You can ask any one of your local nurseries about why they would recommend.

House hunting can be a very stressful task, especially if you are unsure of what you are looking for. The first step is to figure out what you qualify for (if you are not planning on paying cash for the transaction), the second step is to simply shop around.

To gain a better understanding of what you are looking for view as many homes as possible within your price range. There are many great homes out there for a great price, especially here in Shasta County. Have your agent show you homes or check your local newspaper for open houses and attend those on your own. By viewing homes you will gain a better understanding of what you are looking for.

When viewing homes bring along paper and pen. While walking through the homes take notes on what you like the most about that home, what was simply ok but livable, and what you disliked. Later on when you go over those notes you will start to get the picture of the certain features you are looking for in your home.

It is important to remember that no piece of real estate is perfect and no two are exactly the same. Do not be overly picky, but do focus on the one feature you find the most desirable and important to you and go from there. This will also make it easier for your agent to find homes to show you.

The most important thing to remember when viewing homes is simply feel. How do you feel upon first walking through the door? Can you see yourself living here comfortably for the next several years? If you are able to answer those two questions with an affirmative then it may be possible – just possible – that you have found the home you are looking for.

I know I tend to try and focus on Shasta County real estate, but once in a while I can’t help but find something else of interest I want to share – for example my post on Cinnamon.

Well,  I received an email from a friend of mine regarding the benefits of, yes again, cinnamon and honey. Instead of curing problems around the house, though, this focuses on personal healthy. I found this email to be very interesting and enjoyable to read.

It is important to note that I am not a doctor, nor have I yet verified all of this information. But, in truth, with these two items being what they are I have no qualms in trying some of these remedies myself to see if they will actually work.

Cinnamon and Honey

Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar…In reality honey is always honey…However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will “crystallize.” When this happens loosen the lid, boil some water, sit the honey container in the hot water, turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.

It is found that a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world…Scientists of today also accept honey as a ‘Ram Ban’ (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of disease.

Even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January, 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists.

Heart Disease. Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries. Regular use of this process relieves loos of breath and strengthens the heart beat. Honey and cinnamon revitalizes the arteries and veins.

Arthritis. Arthritis patients take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon honey and half teaspoon cinnamon before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of 200 people, 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, almost all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

Bladder Infections. Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

Cholesterol. Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon mixed in 16 ounces of tea water. Was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by ten percent within two hours.

Colds. Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.

Upset Stomach. Honey taken with cinnamon cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

Gas. According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon the stomach is relieved of gas.

Immune System. Daily use of honey and cinnamon strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

Indigestion. Cinnamon sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

Influenza. A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ‘ingredient’ that kills the influenza germs.

Longevity. Tea made with honey and cinnamon, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon, and three cups of water and boil to make a tea like drink. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft, and arrests old age. Life spans also increase.

Pimples. Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon mixed into a paste. Apply paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it in the morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

Skin Infections. Applying honey and cinnamon in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm, and all types of skin infections.

Weight Loss. Daily in the morning, one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon boiled in one cup of water. Drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

Cancer. Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon for one month three times a day.

Fatigue. Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton says that a half teaspoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

Bad Breath. People of South America, first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

Hearing Loss. Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon take in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!

Burglaries and thefts are on the rise. In Shasta County, there are a couple of reasons for this. One of the reasons for this is because of the loss of jobs. Areas that suffer job losses often see an increase in these types of crimes. Another reason is because of the loss of the Neighborhood Police Unit. The NPU team regularly reviewed crime statistics and when a problem area was spotted, they took a proactive approach to stopping it. This included educating the community, enforcing applicable laws through saturation patrols, and changing the environment, which included recommendations like extra lighting and blight removal. The NPU Officers were usually able to get an area under control in a short amount of time because they could dedicate their shift to a specific problem. Patrol Officers have to respond to calls for service first which is reactive policing. When they have a lull in the action, they can switch over to proactive policing which includes cruising through the neighborhoods, field interviews, etc. Here are some tips to keep your home safer from thieves and help free up officers so they can do more proactive police work:

1. Check all exterior locks for proper operation.
2. Check all exterior lighting and replace burned out bulbs.
3. Keep your garage doors closed as much as possible.
4. Close and lock all windows and doors when you leave.
5. Install motion sensor lights in strategic locations.
6. Keep your bushes trimmed to decrease hiding spaces.
7. Have someone pick up your newspapers when you’re gone.
8. Communicate with your neighbors.
9. Report suspicious persons in your neighborhood.
10. Conduct frequent security checks of your property.

If you hear a noise outside, stay inside and peek out your window. If you see someone in your yard or tampering with your property, call the police. Turning on the outdoor lights may scare them off and activating your car alarm will definitely do the trick! Also, if someone comes to your door in the middle of the night, don’t feel like you have to answer it, just politely tell them (through the door) that you are calling the police to come and assist them. If they are still there when the police arrive, you have done them a great service. In conclusion, do some pre-planning. Officers constantly go over scenarios in their heads on the way to calls. Spend time with your family and neighbors going over some “what if” scenarios and formulate action plans to use in case of a real situation. Walk around your house and pretend you’re a burglar. How would you get in? Be sure to do this during the day or your training might become too real!

There are definitely a lot of homes on the market right now here in Shasta County and the one question that is most likely keeps running through your head is how to make your home more appealing then all the rest in the same price range? The answer to that is simple presentation. Not only is it important to keep the house clean and free of visible damage for an appointments that potential buyers may schedule to view your home, it is also important to have an open house free of the same problems but with a little more effort.

If you read the paper you will notice that there is a section that advertises the times and dates an open house is going to be held, you will also notice that a majority of these open houses are held on the weekend during the afternoon. Why not schedule your open house and a completely different day? For example, old your open house on a Tuesday during the lunch hour or in the evening time when people are off of work.

Another tip is signage. Make your signs visible but also make them appealing to the eye. You will want something that is going to draw in any potential buyers.

When it comes to the home it is important to make sure every room within the home (even the garage and the yards) are clean. In the kitchen or dining room have drinks and snack readily available, this will cause the potential buyer to want to stay longer and talk about your home. If you have pets see if a friend or family member would be willing to watch them during your open house. And, get the family out of the house! You want a one-on-one basis with any person who walks through your door, and it is easier when you are the only person dealing with them.

So good luck on your next open house, I hope it goes great for you!

When it rains it pours, or so they say, and with all this rain – surprise, surprise - ants will start to show up in the house. Ants in the winter? Oh yeah, we tend to not see them very much during the winter but when we start to see a lot of rain (yes, even here is Shasta County of all places) ants will need to find some place to go, some where dry, and the best location is a house. Here is a helpful, inexpensive, and safe tip to help get those little demons out of the house – cinnamon. If you sprinkle cinnamon along the ants track, and the location they are entering into your home, you will get rid of them. What makes it even nicer is that you can find this repellent right on your spice rack and it wont harm either the animals or your children. So, the next time you start to have an infestation of ants go into your kitchen and find that cinnamon, it will solve that nasty little problem

Prices are down here in Shasta County and so are interest rates, if you are looking to buy a home this is the time to do it. There are some great homes out there that are available at a good price, and they are not lasting very long on the market. On a majority of the homes listed for under $200,000 it at times has been a bidding war, and we have seen properties go for mare than what they are listed for.

First time home buyers, now is the time to move. Go out and get you pre-qualification or pre-approval done with the lender of your choice. If you go and do that first you will be able to figure out how much money you may have to bring into the transaction and be able to figure out how much home you are going to be able to afford.

Also figure out what area you want to live in and start to look there, if you don’t find what you are looking for expand the area you want to look. And the most important thing is to just go out there and view homes, even attend Open Houses if necessary, to get the feel of what you are looking for. That way when you come across that “certain” home there will be no question as to whether or not this home is made for you.

The best way to decide what you are looking for in your first home is to write it down on a list. Sit down and discuss with your partner esactly what you guys are looking for, what is important, what is not important, and what would be a nice feature but you don’t have to have. When you then view homes keep that list in mind, or refer to it with each home.

Now, if it comes down to more that one home compare those homes to each other and that little list you carry around in your pocket. Compare and contrast, even work out a special numbering system. If worse comes to worse go back and view those homes again. Your agent should be more than willing to take you back to those homes as many times as necessary to help you make your decision.

So good luck and good hunting.