NAR finally helps the Homeowner

National Assoc. of Realtors' HouseLogic site offers the homeowner a web site for neighborhood issues, homeimprovement and first lok at political issues that will affect them--no listings or home selling informaiton.
Instead, the site offers a collection of tools, information and advice that's geared to helping consumers "maintain, protect and increase the value of their homes

The site also "empowers homeowners who want to get more actively engaged in shaping community life and advocate neighborhood and homeownership issues that matter most to them," NAR said.

To get access to all of the site's tools and obtain "customized recommendations," HouseLogic users must create an account for themselves, and provide the site with an e-mail address.

Users can opt to receive e-mails on specific topics, including HouseLogic newsletters, alerts about national issues related to housing," and "alerts regarding state and local political issues that are relevant.
To Create an acount in NAR's HouseLogic, click on the link:

Fannie Mae 3.5% assistance if home listed on homepath.com

Fannie Mae recently announced that people purchasing a Fannie Mae-owned HomePath® property will receive up to 3.5 percent of the final sales price to be used toward closing cost assistance or their choice of appliances. The offer is available to any owner-occupant who closes on the purchase of a property listed on HomePath.com before May 1.

Properties eligible for this incentive are listed on HomePath.com and most listings include detailed property descriptions; photographs; community and school information; and more. In addition, many Fannie Mae-owned properties are eligible for special HomePath Mortgage and HomePath Renovation Mortgage financing, which offers home buyers an opportunity to purchase with as little as 3 percent down.(CAR)

Home Buer Fair 3 13/14 Freddie Mac Biggest buy down

Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair: March 13-14
Los Angeles Convention Center for the FREE third annual Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair.
The Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 13, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 14, features more than 50 educational “how-to” seminars designed to help home buyers navigate today’s real estate market with confidence and peace of mind. Seminar topics range from understanding home prices and monitoring and fixing credit to applying for a mortgage and the importance of the home inspection. Several of the sessions also will be offered in Spanish.


Freddie Mac
Record share of borrowers reduced principal balance
In the fourth quarter of 2009, 33 percent of borrowers who refinanced their loan lowered their principal balance, resulting in the highest “cash-in” share since Freddie Mac began tracking the characteristics of refinance transactions in 1985, according to the company’s refinance report.

Consistent with the cash-in share, the report showed that the share of borrowers who increased their loan balance by 5 percent or more during the fourth quarter was at a record low of 27 percent.

“Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages set a new record low during the first week in December at 4.71 percent

Haiti Red Cross update

February 2, 2010
On January 12, a series of earthquakes ranging from magnitude 6.5 to 7.3 struck Haiti. Approximately 57 significant aftershocks have occurred. This is already the largest, single-country, relief operation in global Red Cross history in terms of number of Red Cross emergency relief teams deployed. While the relief operation continues to focus on meeting the immediate needs of survivors, the AmeTHE RED CROSS RESPONSE
More than 500 Red Cross Red Crescent workers from at least 30 countries have been deployed, including two ERUs from the American Red Cross as well as additional disaster specialists in logistics, communications, shelter and recovery. The American Red Cross has already spent or committed more than $67 million to meet the most urgent needs of earthquake survivors.

The growing Red Cross response is being guided by lessons learned during the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami which affected 14 countries. Recovery planning is beginning now, with a Red Cross cross-functional team that includes an American Red Cross recovery specialist. Recovery planning will occur with collaboration of the Government of Haiti and key development partners including the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and the UN. Because of the generosity of donors, people in Haiti will receive more than immediate relief—they will receive resources, support and training from the Red Cross that will help them recover and rebuild for years to come.

SUPPORT OF DONORS
The American Red Cross can accept gifts designated to the ongoing response to the earthquakes in Haiti,
but asks that donors consider making a gift to the International Response Fund. Donors can help the victims
of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross
International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies,
technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Donations to the International Response Fund
can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at
1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Internet users can make a secure online contribution
by visiting redcross.org.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS
• The Red Cross response is expanding into areas outside of Port-au-Prince to the heavily damaged cities of Jacmel and Leogane as three Relief Emergency Response Units (ERUs) distribute relief supplies in those communities.
• According to the UN, the port of Port-au-Prince has been declared unsafe for incoming ships following an in-depth assessment. Landing crafts are being used to offload boats, but these are operating with very limited capacity.

CURRENT SITUATION
Health – Approximately 1,200 patients are being seen per day at Red Cross health facilities, with around 4,000 patients seen to date. Epidemiological surveillance has begun as well as psychological support and hygiene promotion.
Water and Sanitation – The water and sanitation team is working to identify sewage pumping capacity within Port-au-Prince and in the Dominican Republic while investigating the purchase of additional trucks from the private sector.
Food – The World Food Programme reports that since January 12, it has delivered food aid to more than 580,000 people through the distribution of nearly 16 million meals. A gradual transition from general food distributions to food- and cash-for-work activities is planned, as relief gives way to recovery. The agricultural team is monitoring prices in areas receiving displaced urban populations, and there are indications of significant price increases for the main food items.
Shelter and Relief Items – The main challenges for addressing the needs for shelter are: scarcity of open space in Port-au-Prince; uncertainty regarding the security of remaining buildings; density of the population; difficulties with host families; and the approaching rainy season. The combination of immediate shelter assistance with more durable settlement solutions also remains a challenge. A 3,000 person planned settlement site at Tabarre in Port-au-Prince is almost completed and the first families are expected to arrive in the coming days.

Fun Events Westside Los Angeles February 2010

Fun Things on the Westside in February
Happy Valentine's Day, Year of Tiger, Mardi Gras
brought to you by Your Neighborhood Realtor, Maralee Grantham

MUSEUMS: Museum of the American West, (also part of Autry in Griffith Park.). Western Art Show in" Masters of the American West". 323
667 2000, 2/6-3/7, then on 2/21 Sunday Western Music Jam, third Sunday of every month! 1-3 pm , also 2/21, Native Women in also, Autry
film series, "Edge of America 2- 5 pm film and discussion; LA County Mus. of Art, LACMA Renoir in the 20th Century: 2/ 11–13 members,
and 14th general public; American Stories: Paintings of Everyday Life, 1765–1915 2/ 25–27,members, public 2/28,call 877 522-6225. Also see
African American exhibit Ca. Science Center.
FILM: UCLA Dept. of Film –see calendar fro many free films: http://www.tft.ucla.edu/calendar/ example-- presenting director Melnitz movies,
free 2/2 "Red Riding" 1983, 2/4 is "The Most Dangerous Man in America", James Bridges Theatre, 2/9 "The Housekeeper 8:00 PM at Little
Theater, Macgowan Hall.(Trilogy of Yorkshire 70's and 80's) also UCLA Film School shows "Fire Island", free Feb 23-27, 8 pm + al a 2 pm on
Saturday.; Don't forget free preview club at Laemmle Theatres http://www.laemmle.com/mailinglists.php, also at Laemmle’s Royal Theatre,
West L.A, see LA Connection Comics, redub "The Blob", starring Steve McQueen 2/11Thurs. 10 p.m., , 310-477-5581, $10
laconnectioncomedy.com, see above in MUSEUMS-the Autry "Native Women in Film" series-films monthly. AAA offers discounted movie
tickets to members.
ENVIRONMENT: Celebrate Valentine's Day at the SM Pier-Aquarium they have a program to help you learn about and watch the
Gray Whales as they migrate from the Arctic to Baja, Ca-they are passing us! Just a heads up for those interested in sustainable
gardens, yes we missed the potluck, which was 2/1 , but the planting event is 4/17-18, join a crew, sponsor a crew or be crew
guru-100's of gardens are planted that weekend, www.gardensofgratitude.com; 2/6 , you have 2 choices: clean up Topanga
St.Bch, https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=16651; or restore Stone Canyon Creek, join the Santa Monica
Baykeeper/ Institute of the Environ, UCLA Sat. 10 am to 1 pm, meet at lot 4 s. of Sunset enter on Hilgard campus north entrance.
UCLA provides tool, training, and http://www.ioe.ucla.edu/calendar/showevent.asp?eventid=229
Green networking events: 2/4 www.lagreendrinks.org, check site 7-10 pm; also, 2/9 is meeting of interested environmentalists, Ambrose Hotel
on 20th St. SM, 6-9 pm, $10; Farmer's Market growers discuss the art of growing the fruit tree, SM Public Library 2/11 Wed. 7-9 pm. Autry
Museum of American West has" Ca. Native plants Workshop" 2/28 from 1-3.
DANCE: Salsa Wed. Weekly Dance Lessons, Salsa Rumba etc. at SM Bay Women's Club 1210 4th St. 310 487 0911 $10 lesson 7 pm to
7:40 pm; Great free dance lessons Michael Jackson style go to Flashmobusa, also put in Conroe on YouTube. Join Staci and Conroe to learn
the Thrill the World dance Thriller and now Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation etc. flashmobamerica@gmail.com. , Meringue etc. Joslyn Park
Aud. Wed. 1/13-3/3, 8:30-9:30 pm $48 reservations;
Events and Festivals: MARDI GRAS BEGINS 2/16, See LA version downtown at Olvera St.'s LA Historical Monument.
YEAR OF THE TIGER parade, in Chinatown on Broadway and Hill 2/13-14, lagoldendragonparade.com. MARATHON: see March
21finally finishing on Westside!! Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica. African American Art Festival, Culver City, 2/6, see
ecostation.org. Also check out the African American contribution to world at Ca. Science Center, downtown now.
LECTURES: 2/18 main Santa Monica Public Library Thursday Evenings with the LA Opera— The fifth of a free series of
presentations about five upcoming operas (before heading out to see them) is Introduction to the Ring Cycle & Gotterdammerung,
7 p.m. at the Main, (310) 458-8600 or www.smpl.org/
GOLFers: Riviera Country Club, Northern Trust Open, open to the public, Tuesday 2/2 to 2/7, 6 am, tickets $20 on line,
http://www.northerntrustopen.com/tournament/spectators_tickets.html, or $30 at gate, up for final rounds to $35 SKATING: Venice, 2/7,
Skate Clinic / Social skate, the first Sunday of the month; meet at the Venice Beach Pavilion, at the Skate Dancer’s circle at
11:00AM. That’s that lima bean shaped patch of cement just east of the new skate bowls. Friday Night Skate
[dan@fridaynightskate.org]DOG Training: SM Memorial Pk. $65 res.,$72 non-residents, Sessions start for 2/20, Sat 9-10:00 am for 5 wks.
. NETWORKING: Santa M. Chamber, has Red Cross fundraiser and mixer, 2/10 5:30 and Business Exposition 2/17, 5 pm at
Sheraton Delfina Hotel, Speed Networking, 2/23, 5 pm at the SM chamber offices.
THEATRE/CONCERTS: UCLA Royce Hall Randy Newman of "I love LA" fame 8 p m tickets $65, 50, and 40. Malibu Stage Co Feb 12-
March 7 new play "Three Tall Women" older woman looks back on life 310 589 1998, 29243 PCH. Malibu at Pepperdine has Play "Harry the
Dirty Dog 2/13 at Smother's Theatre, 310 506 4522
VOLUNTEER: Red Cross: join the WEST LA Chapter—call 866 548 8226, meetings are the 3rd Th. 6:30 each month-just go-it is on the
Ohio entrance to the Veteran's admin in West La, or join me on a Disaster Action Team call the Santa Monica office, Phone Number:
(310) 394-3773 PACT (positive alternative choices today) mentor young people 310 313 4119, www.pactla.org
Maralee Grantham and Associates In Pursuit of Your Dreams
Sotheby’s INTERNATIONAL REALTY maralee@maraleegrantham.com cell 310 570 6100

1/1/2010 new rules allow less room for changes to loan net charges when escrow closes , also FHA loan changes

The Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and HUD-1 disclosures are intended to give borrowers sufficient information to permit shopping for the best possible loan terms and closing costs. The Good Faith Estimate has been in for years, but it left too much wiggle room, now revised there are well defined tolerance limits.
The base of all this is what is your net loan cost when you close the loan, not when you begin escrow!!
Web site for facts: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/ramh/res/resparulefaqs.pdf
Also the FHA has revised rules on charges:

11. Elimination of FHA origination fee limitation

Effective Jan. 1, 2010, FHA-approved mortgagees may collect any fee to compensate them for expenses incurred in originating and closing a loan--not merely the 1 percent of the loan amount they were previously limited to. Of course, their fee is still subject to the overall RESPA rule against receiving unreasonable or unearned compensation
information from the Cal Asoc of Realtors legal dept.