sacramento house remodeling: 2011

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Sacramento Real Estate Hit Bottom?

January 7th, 2011 categories: Sacramento Real Estate Videos

Sacramento home buyers and home sellers as well as investors often ask this question and by the time everyone has the answer, months will have been lost since that is a question that only is answered once real estate begins the upward swing.

As I stated in the video, I have never seen interest rates so low and I can honestly tell you that many homes have reached what they sold for in the year 2000. So, with that said it is prudent to purchase a home in my opinion before prices do escalate and definitely before interest rate rise.

What do you think? Do you think real estate has hit bottom?

Currently, I am working with First Time Home Buyers who realize today’s prices are fantastic and the home buyer can get more for their money now than they could have over the past 4 years.

When purchasing a home as an FHA home buyer it is necessary that you have 3.5% of the cost of the home you want to buy as your down payment. Obviously, the first step is to call a reputable Lender that your Realtor refers you to and get an idea of how much home you can afford. The Lender will be able to tell you what your payment would be per month based on the sales price and from there you as the home buyer can decide what you feel comfortable paying each month.

Not everyone should be a homeowner. If you have saved for your down payment and are responsible with your money, then buying a home to call your own might be for you. There is nothing like knowing that where you come home to each night is yours. You don’t have to worry about someone raising the rent or telling you to move out because they are selling.

I have compiled quite a few real estate videos fro Home Buyers that will help you through the process of buying a house and what to expect.

If you are ready, give me call and let’s get you PreApproved for a loan, find out what you feel comfortable paying for a house payment and the type of home you would like to live in…I can’t wait. I love working with First Home Buyers!

In the meantime, take a look at all the Sacramento homes for sale on Sacramento Real Estate Neighborhoods.

Other Sacramento Real Estate Videos:

Sacramento Homeowner Tip About Rain, Leaves and Gutters

Sacramento Home Buyers Can Save Money Tip

Tip for Sprucing Up Your Home

How Much Money Do Home Buyers Need to Buy A House?

This entry was posted on Friday, January 7th, 2011 at 5:30 am and is filed under Sacramento Real Estate Videos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Chimney Inspections - a must for older Sacramento homes!

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By Erin Attardi | Agent in Sacramento, CA
Chimney Inspections - a must for older Sacramento homes! Posted under: Home Buying in Sacramento County | April 6, 2009 11:42 PM | 204 views | 1 comment Email Alerts Send to a Friend Post to Facebook Post to Twitter RSS View RSS feed

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I spent about an hour today at a property in Carmichael with a Chimney inspector. You probably can't tell in any great detail unless you click on the photo, but this Chimney has sustained damage to the firewall. You might notice some broken bricks, and severe deterioration in the mortar. Just outside the field of view in this photo, is literally a gaping hole where a brick had broken out.

Most buyers would never think to inspect a chimney. I often suggest this inspection, especially when a home is older...highly unlikely that a seller would even be aware these conditions exist to disclose them. This particular property was built in 1952. The bid for corrective work (rebuilding the firewall, repairing the inner hearth brickwork, sealing the crown, and installing a weather cap spark arrestor) was over $1,000. The inspector deemed the fireplace "unsafe for use." Would you want to burn a fire in this fireplace?

The likely cause of this damage? According to the inspector, much of this sort of damage is caused by water intrusion into the chimney during periods of rain. The installation of a weather cap spark arrestor may have prevented much of this damage. previousnext Email Alerts Send to a Friend Post to Facebook Post to Twitter RSS View RSS feed

By Emmanuel Scanlan, Tue Apr 7 2009, 02:56 Hello Erin,

Excellent advice for any home buyer. The National Fire Protection Agency http://(www.nfpa.org) recommends under NFPA 211 that a Level II inspection be performed on all chimneys by a professional chimney sweep/Inspector prior to the transfer of a home to a new owner. This includes any chimney whether used, unused, full masonry or manufactured. The descriptions of the different inspection levels can be found at http://www.csia.org/PressRoom/PressReleases/003Levels/tabid/76/Default.aspx.

Fireplaces are beautiful additions to a home but are inherently dangerous and if improperly built/installed and/or maintained. Additionally many chimney installations are at risk of improper operation due to the nature or design of the home. Many people, Inspectors included, do not understand the large volume of air, and correct conditions, required for proper combustion, draft and make-up air in a chimney operation. Additionally many people do not realize the Carbon Monoxide hazards present with any fuel burning appliance (not just fireplaces but stoves and heaters as well) and as such never think to make sure they have CO detectors installed.

Emmanuel J. Scanlan
PS Inspection & Property Services LLC
http://www.psinspection.com
214-418-4366 (cell)
TREC License # 7593
International Code Council, Residential Combination Inspector #5247015-R5 (Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing and Building)
Certified Level I Thermographer (ASNT-TC1A Standards)
Texas Residential Construction Commission, Third Party Warranty Inspector #1593
Texas Residential Construction Commission, Inspector, County Inspection Program
Texas Department Of Insurance, VIP Inspector # 08507061016
Hayman Residential Engineering Services, Field Technician
CMC Energy - Certified Energy Auditor

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close [x] Contact Erin Attardi Your name: Your email: Your phone: Message Erin Attardi, I am looking for a real estate professional to work with and came upon your blog on Trulia. Please reply to this email if you are interested in scheduling a time for us to talk. Thank you Contact me Erin Attardi&8217s Blog » Categories General Area (9) Quality of Life (2) Entertainment & Nightlife (1) Shopping & Local Amenities (1) Parks & Recreation (1) Market Conditions (8) Home Buying (33) Home Selling (33) Financing (10) Curb Appeal (1) Foreclosure (12) Remodel & Renovate (5) Going Green (3) In My Neighborhood (19) Property Q&A (3) Rentals (1)
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Erin Attardi's Sacramento Short Sale Experiment...Installment 6

Yes, it is for my sixth installment of Erin's Sacramento Short Sale Experiment! I am sure ya'll are just on the edge of your seats to find out just what has transpired in the world of short sales in our Sacramento metro area since the last time? I am anxious to see if 2010 continues to bring a high volume of active short sale listings, and more importantly, more closed short sales. For those of you not following along at home, or perhaps if you are reading this for the first time, my short sale experiment is tracking a few different Sacramento zip codes to see what how the short sale activity increases or decreases over time as compared with traditional resale listings (where there is a seller with equity in a "normal transaction") and to bank-owned resale transactions. My hypothesis at the start of this experiment: the number of short sales will grow over time, as will their dominance in our greater Sacramento marketplace (overall percentage of listings). I have continued to list more short sale properties, and thus far I think my hypothesis has been proven to be true. Let's see how this new data compares to the "control data" for the experiment and also to last installment...

95624 is the section of Elk Grove closest to Hwy 99. As of right this second according to MLS, there are a total of 342 active listings there. 246/342 listings are short sales. The median price in that zip code in February 2010 was $235,000 according to Trendgraphix (a decrease over last installment). The result vs. the control data? Control data was 68.6% of all active listings in 95624 were short sales, vs. 75.1% last installment, vs. 71.9% this month. INCREASE over the control data, and a decrease over last installment. Number of 2009 closed short sales - 245. YTD closed in 2010 - 56.

95610 is a section of Citrus Heights. As of right this second according to MLS, there are a total of 175 active listings there. 112/175 listings are short sales. The median price in that zip code in February 2010 was $171,000 according to Trendgraphix (a significant decrease over last installment). The result vs. the control data? Control data was 60.3% of all active listings in 95610 were short sales, vs. 68.2% last installment, vs. 64.0% this month. INCREASE over the control data, and a decrease over last installment. Number of 2009 closed short sales - 85. YTD closed in 2010 - 16.

95826 is a section of Rosemont and College Greens. As of right this second according to MLS, there are a total of 136 active listings there. 70/136 listings are short sales. The median price in that zip code in February 2009 was also $170,000 according to Trendgraphix (a decrease from last installment). The result vs. the control data? Control data was 62.2% of all active listings in 95826 were short sales, vs. 59.5% last installment, vs. 51.5% this month = BIG DECREASE over the control data. Number of 2009 closed short sales - 65. YTD closed in 2010 - 20.

95864 is a section of Sierra Oaks, Arden Park, and Arden Manor. As of right this second according to MLS, there are a total of 165 active listings there. 49/165 listings are short sales. The median price in that zip code in February 2010 was $214,000 according to Trendgraphix (a big decrease over last installment). The result vs. the control data? Control data was 17.0% of all active listings in 95864 were short sales, vs. 29.3% last installment, vs. 29.7% this month. INCREASE over the control data and last month. Number of 2009 closed short sales - 18. YTD closed in 2010 - 5.

95818 is a section of Midtown, Land Park, and Curtis Park. As of right this second according to MLS, there are a total of 77 active listings there. 13/77 listings are short sales. The median price in that zip code in February 2010 was $330,000 according to Trendgraphix (big decrease over last installment). The result vs. the control data? Control data was 16.0% of all active listings in 95818 were short sales, vs. 25.9% last installment, vs. 16.9% this month. INCREASE over the control data, and a slight increase over the last installment. Number of 2009 closed short sales - 15. YTD closed in 2010 - 4.

95819 is a section of East Sacramento. As of right this second according to MLS, there are a total of 71 active listings there. 15/71 listings are short sales. The median price in that zip code in February 2010 was $339,000 according to Trendgraphix (a increase over last installment). The result vs. the control data? Control data was 19.7% of all active listings in 95819 were short sales, vs. 21.1% last month, vs. 21.1 this month. INCREASE over the control data, but a no change over last installment. Number of 2009 closed short sales - 11. YTD closed in 2010 - 0.

So in summary - of the six Sacramento area zip codes I am tracking for my experiment, 5 of them experienced a decrease in the number of active short sale listings from last installment, while 5 experienced an increase over the control data...interesting. Unfortunately, I do not think that this incremental decrease from last installment will continue as a ongoing trend. My phone definitely keeps ringing and I continue to receive emails - I am fielding lots of inquiries from homeowners looking for more information and insight from my short sale experience...buyers too are really curious about the short sale process since they are encountering so many short sale listings in our marketplace. Also (you will be aware of this if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook), I closed many of my own short sale listings since the last installment of Erin's Sacramento Short Sale Experiment....and I have been the top listing agent in my office for two months in a row (January & February). Until next time!

Erin's Sacramento Short Sale Experiment, Part I
Erin's Sacramento Short Sale Experiment, Part II
Erin's Sacramento Short Sale Experiment, Part III
Erin's Sacramento Short Sale Experiment, Part IV
Erin's Sacramento Short Sale Experiment, Part V

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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Last Chance to Enter Holiday Give Away!

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Ask Erin: What happens to unpaid utility bills on bank owned REO properties in Sacramento?

With so many REO properties on the market for sale in the greater Sacramento area, I feel it is my moral obligation to warn buyers about the ramifications and potential consequences of previously unpaid utility bills.

When a property owner goes into default, along with not making the monthly mortgage payment, many owners stop paying their property taxes, and they also stop paying their utilities - like their water, gas, and electric bills.

When property taxes go unpaid, the county that collects the property taxes will record a lien against the property. When a title company later does a title search to see if there are any liens or other encumbrances, property tax liens pop up and are detailed on the preliminary title report. Easy. It's out there for all to see. Title to the new owner will not be transferred until these liens are paid - usually cleared by the selling entity / bank.

When utilities go unpaid, sometimes liens are recorded. More often, unfortunately, liens are not recorded. This means that unpaid balanaces to the local water district, power company, or gas provider will not show up as liens on the preliminary title report.

What does this mean to a buyer of a foreclosure property?

It means that if you do not take the time to investigate the status of the utility billing to determine if there is a past due amount, and there is a balance due by a previous owner (or even the previous bank owner) - once you take ownership of your new house the utility company may refuse you service until the amount is PAID IN FULL, or they may attempt to collect the entire past due amount FROM YOU.

Buyers - be SURE to investigate this during your escrow. Call the local water district, call the local power company, call the local gas company. Make sure that the bank owner is current on these bills. You will have to call these utility companies anyway to set up your service. If there is a past due balance, be sure to submit documentation to the bank seller prior to the end of the transaction - this way you can be sure the bank seller pays these bills current. Be sure to have your agent ask to see the seller's settlement statement prior to the close of escrow so that paying off these invoices does not get overlooked. After the close of escrow, if a utility company denies you service or bills YOU for this unpaid debt, it is likely you will have no real recourse with the former seller.

Ever stop to wonder what a water bill amounts to if unpaid for 11 months? What about SMUD or PG&E. It can be in the hundreds of dollars. Unfortunately logic does not rule here. Logically speaking, a buyer should be able to provide documentation as to when the transfer of ownership occured, and that should satisfy the utility company to turn service on, or try to collect the unpaid amount from someone else. This is not the case. These companies want to collect - and will do so at your expense. Several agents in my office have learned this lesson the hard way - don't let it happen to you...

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100% Financing in Sacramento...is it feasible once again?

Well...perhaps happy days are here again if you are a buyer looking for 100% (zero down) financing in Sacramento, and basically most of the state of California, for that matter.

A downpayment assistance program resurfaced roughly a month ago. This is not a seller-funded downpayment assistance program a la Nehemiah or Ameridream - those are still banned per provisions in HR 3221, and it does not look like they will be coming back any time soon (no sooner than when HR 6694 passes, if it ever does).

I am pleased to introduce the National Homebuyer's Fund Program. I briefly mentioned this in a blog about first time buyer programs a couple weeks ago...

I am not a loan officer and do not know every in and out of this program, but I do know how some current clients of mine are using it to purchase a home in Fair Oaks. They are using an FHA loan for 92% of their purchase, and are getting a small second loan for 8% of their purchase. The seller is paying $11,000 toward recurring and non-recurring closing costs. The buyer is only going to come out of pocket about $500 when it is all said and done.

I attended the Real Estate Finance Forum this morning at the Sacramento Association of Realtors, and the CalPERS Program Home Loan representative from CitiMortgage mentioned this program as well! It apparently can be used for both purchase and refinance transactions. It is a "risk" based program and does not run out of money, like other bond-financed programs.

Contact me if you would like more info, and I can put you in touch with an approved loan officer who can evaluate your situation and see if this program is a fit.

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How much air do you think can pass through this Central Heat & Air filter???

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By Erin Attardi | Agent in Sacramento, CA
How much air do you think can pass through this Central Heat & Air filter??? Posted under: Home Buying in Sacramento, Foreclosure in Sacramento, Property Q&A in Sacramento | January 19, 2011 9:05 PM | 31 views | No comments Email Alerts Send to a Friend Post to Facebook Post to Twitter RSS View RSS feed

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I spent this afternoon at a home inspection at a Natomas property I have in contract. As a part of the home inspector's test the central heat and air conditioning system, he popped open the air return grill...and discovered this. Kinda gross!! It would seem to me that this air filter has not been changed in at least a few years? It's a really good idea to change these every couple of months. A dirty filter will slow down the flow of air and ultimately make your HVAC unit work harder (and use more energy) to heat or cool the house. AND they are inexpensive. You can pick up a filter for a few dollars at your local Sacramento hardware store. previousnext Email Alerts Send to a Friend Post to Facebook Post to Twitter RSS View RSS feed

close [x] Report Subscribe! Yes! Send me email alerts when others comment on this blog post! Frequency: As it happens Daily summary Yes! Send me email alerts when any post in Sacramento is added! Frequency: As it happens Daily summary Concerned about privacy? Read our no-spam policy. Sorry! We found a few errors. Please scroll down for details. Leave a comment Write your comment here ... Create an account to post your comment. Already have an account? Log in! Email: Confirm email: function populate_p_container() { var l1 = 'P' + 'assw' + 'ord:'; var l2 = ''; var l3 = ''; var container = xb_get_element('p_container'); container.innerHTML = l1 + l2 + l22 + l23 + l3; } function get_p_container2_l2() { return 'rd" typ' + 'e="p' + 'as'; } Screen Name: You can use your real name or an alias. Location: Are you a ... -- Please select --Home BuyerHome SellerBoth Buyer and SellerRenterReal Estate ProOther/Just LookingHome Owner Pro type: -- Please select --AgentBrokerMortgage Broker or LenderAppraiserHome InspectorContractorBuilder/DeveloperStagerProperty ManagerLandlordOther Pro Company: Yes! Send me occasional Trulia news and tips

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Monday, January 31, 2011

Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

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City of Sacramento Rental Housing Inspections - THEY MEAN BUSINESS!!

I wrote a post about the City of Sacramento's Rental Housing Inspection Ordinance back in February of this year. Since then, I had only heard a few random comments about these inspections from some other agents who own rental property within the city limits.

Well...last week, my husband (an electrical contractor in Sacramento), got a very panicked telephone call from a woman who owns a rental duplex in Land Park. She explained that a city inspector had visited her property, and had determined that the main electrical panel was not up to par, there were no GFCI receptacles, there were not enough smoke detectors, there were not enough circuits to accommodate everything, and there were ungrounded 3-pronged receptacles throughout...there were also other non-electrical items. The inspector issued a correction notice, and these repairs had to be completed by a certain date, or she faced a stiff fine. YIKES!

So, my husband spent a week doing the corrective work...the bill for just the electrical was about $5,000 including all labor, materials, permits, and coordination with SMUD and the City of Sacramento.

Landlords within the Sacramento city limits - THIS ORDINANCE IS VERY REAL!

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Short Sales Sellers - proceed with caution before you list your home with a Realtor who is a family member...

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you will already know that I am experiencing a little frustration regarding a short sale I am negotiating for another agent. Because I am so well-versed in short sales and they require a special expertise, there are several other Lyon Real Estate agents who engage me to negotiate their short sale listings...our arrangement usually is that I am paid a percentage of the listing agent's commission from the transaction, and just deal with the lender loss mitigation reps. The other agent is responsible for all other pieces of the transaction like dealing directly with the seller, buyer's agent, etc.

Well for the last couple months or so, I had been negotiating a short sale with this type of arrangement for another Lyon agent. This agent listed his son's property. Fine...seemed like no big deal - just any old short sale.

The loss mitigation rep from the lender contacted me yesterday. "Erin, I have some good news, and I have some bad news. The good news is that the short sale has been approved! The bad news is because the listing agent and the seller are related, we are reducing the listing agent's commission to $0." WHAT!?

The loss mitigation rep explained that it is their policy that ALL short sale transactions must be at "Arm's Length."

Well no kidding! I have dealt with Arm's Length transactions before and have blogged about them...in fact most lenders will require buyer and seller to sign an affidavit swearing that they are not related, and not business associates. The agents are not principles to the transaction...

I got my managing broker involved...basically Lyon Real Estate must still facilitate the transaction, but receive zero compensation, but accept all of the liability for the legal ramifications of the transaction. My managing broker suggested we switch listing agents...so we tried to convince the short sale lender to accept a substitute listing agreement, naming me as the sole listing agent rather than the seller's father. The short sale lender said no and they would cancel the approval if another listing agreement was presented.

So.....corporate legal counsel is now getting involved, and without going into more detail - the transaction is moving forward with no compensation to the listing side. Coincidentally, the buyer's agent commission was actually not reduced at all. The listing agent and his son (the seller) are just happy this short sale transaction was approved, and have assured me that my efforts will be compensated in some way...frankly, they are fortunate that Lyon Real Estate is still willing to facilitate the transaction.

So.....just be aware that this may happen if you list your short sale with a family member who is a Realtor. It looks like this transaction will have a happy ending, but I can see where this situation may cause problems for others.

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Governor Schwarzenegger Approves Legislation to Protect California Home Buyers & Sellers

For Professionals Hi ! My Listings My Leads Profile Account Settings Log out Sign up (FREE!) | Log in | Trulia Mobile | Help Buy My Homes My Email Alerts My Searches More Search Options FREE List a property Rent More Search Options FREE List a property Advice Trulia Voices Home Q&A Home Blogs Home Guides Home Agent2Agent Using Trulia My Profile My Questions & Answers Ask a Question Write a Blog Post Mortgage Home Loans Mortgage Refinance Mortgage Trends Mortgage Advice Mortgage Calculators Credit Score Estimator Stats & Trends Foreclosure Center Find a Pro Real Estate Agents Brokers Mortgage Brokers or Lenders Builders/Developers Property Managers My Trulia My Listings My Voices Activity Q&A Start a Blog Saved Searches Email Alerts Favorites Profile Account Settings Checklist Search Advice Search HomesSearch RentalsSearch Stats & TrendsSearch AdviceSearch ProfessionalsSearch Mortgages SEARCH More search
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By Erin Attardi | Agent in Sacramento, CA
Governor Schwarzenegger Approves Legislation to Protect California Home Buyers & Sellers Posted under: General Area in Sacramento | October 15, 2009 5:59 PM | 218 views | No comments Email Alerts Send to a Friend Post to Facebook Post to Twitter RSS View RSS feed

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This week Governor Schwarzenegger signed several pieces of legislation into law that will affect real estate transactions in the state of California - all for the better!

SB 36, by Senator Ron Calderon (D-Montebello), creates licensing requirements for all residential loan originators. I feel this licensing requirement is long overdue and will hopefully create some additional accountability for mortgage lending professionals. SB 237, by Senator Ron Calderon (D-Montebello), creates a registration program for appraisal management firms. Also sorely needed...these AMC's have created some additional (and likely unintended) quality and timing issues for appraisals. SB 239, by Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), makes it a felony to commit fraud on a mortgage loan application. DUH - this is a no-brainer! AB 260, by Assemblyman Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), bans negative-amortization loans and limits mortgage prepayment penalties to no more than 2% of the loan balance. AB 329, by Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), requires lenders to give more and clearer information to those interested in reverse mortgages, which let seniors borrow against their homes' equity. AB 957, by Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton), allows buyers of foreclosed homes to choose local escrow officers, rather than being forced to use the escrow company chosen by the bank seller...I sure hope banks cooperate with this one. they may opt to accept the offer of another buyer that allows the bank seller to select its preferred escrow company. AB 1160, by Assemblyman Paul Fong (D-Cupertino), requires that mortgage loan documents be written in the same language the verbal negotiations were conducted in. previousnext Email Alerts Send to a Friend Post to Facebook Post to Twitter RSS View RSS feed

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Sunday, January 30, 2011

3106 Sumatra St. West Sacramento Home For Sale MLS#11003282

January 13th, 2011 categories: Homes For Sale

Tremendous home for sale in West Sacramento with 3 Bedrooms, 2 baths with 1640 square feet in a very livable floor plan.

This home is located in the Bridgeway Island subdivision just minutes from Downtown Sacramento just across the river in a neighborhood having its own elementary school and park within walking distance of the house for sale.

You can’t help but fall in love with this home and notice all the upgrades with expensive plantation shutters, designer colors and a luscious salt-water Lap pool.

What home buyers like so much about the floor plan this neighborhood is having the master bedroom on the north-side of the house and the other two bedrooms on the opposite side of the West Sacramento home for sale.

Let me know when you would like to have your own private showing of 3106 Sumatra St., West Sacramento home for sale. Be sure to check out the virtual tour on YOU TUBE of this spectacular home for sale by clicking on I want to see this home for sale.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 13th, 2011 at 11:35 am and is filed under Homes For Sale. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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I am now a Certified HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives) Short Sale Specialist!

For Professionals Hi ! My Listings My Leads Profile Account Settings Log out Sign up (FREE!) | Log in | Trulia Mobile | Help Buy My Homes My Email Alerts My Searches More Search Options FREE List a property Rent More Search Options FREE List a property Advice Trulia Voices Home Q&A Home Blogs Home Guides Home Agent2Agent Using Trulia My Profile My Questions & Answers Ask a Question Write a Blog Post Mortgage Home Loans Mortgage Refinance Mortgage Trends Mortgage Advice Mortgage Calculators Credit Score Estimator Stats & Trends Foreclosure Center Find a Pro Real Estate Agents Brokers Mortgage Brokers or Lenders Builders/Developers Property Managers My Trulia My Listings My Voices Activity Q&A Start a Blog Saved Searches Email Alerts Favorites Profile Account Settings Checklist Search Advice Search HomesSearch RentalsSearch Stats & TrendsSearch AdviceSearch ProfessionalsSearch Mortgages SEARCH More search
options if ('yes' != 'yes'){ YUI.use('autocomplete', function() { add_class(document.body, 'yui-skin-sam'); var city = ''; var state = ''; var zip = ''; if (typeof(_MAIN_CITY) != 'undefined') city = encodeURIComponent(_MAIN_CITY); else if (typeof(the_city) != 'undefined') city = encodeURIComponent(the_city); if (typeof(_MAIN_STATE) != 'undefined') state = encodeURIComponent(_MAIN_STATE); else if (typeof(the_state_code) != 'undefined') state = encodeURIComponent(the_state_code); if (city == '') { if (typeof(_AD_TARGETING) != 'undefined' && _AD_TARGETING.zip != null) zip = encodeURIComponent(_AD_TARGETING.zip[0]); } var oDS = new YAHOO.util.XHRDataSource("/search_ac.php"); oDS.responseType = YAHOO.util.XHRDataSource.TYPE_JSON; oDS.responseSchema = { resultsList : "Results", fields : ["Name"] }; var oAC = new YAHOO.widget.AutoComplete("t_navsearch", "t_navsearch_ac", oDS); oAC.queryDelay = 0.2; oAC.minQueryLength = 3; oAC.autoHighlight = false; YUI.u.Event.addListener(YUI.getId('t_navsearch'), 'keypress', function(e) { if(e.keyCode == 13) { YUI.getId('t_navsearchbtnlink').onclick(); } }); oAC.generateRequest = function(sQuery) { var search_type = YUI.getId('t_search_type'); if (search_type != null) { if (search_type.value != '' && search_type.value != 'h') { return "?output=json&results=100&query=" + sQuery; } } if (!state || (!city && !zip)) return "?output=json&results=100&query=" + sQuery; else return "?output=json&city="+city+ "&state="+state+ "&zip="+zip+ "&results=100&query=" + sQuery; }; /* Patch to make YUI autocomplete always initialize */ oAC._elTextbox.setAttribute("autocomplete", "off"); oAC._bFocused = true; oAC._sInitInputValue = oAC._elTextbox.value; oAC.textboxFocusEvent.fire(oAC); YUI.getId("t_navsearch_ac").style.width = YUI.getId("t_navsearch").style.width; YUI.u.Dom.setStyle("t_navsearch", 'position', 'static'); });} Home > Blogs > California > Sacramento County > I am now a Certified HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives) Short Sale Specialist! Success! DONE 24,427 views Erin Attardi’s BlogSacramento Real Estate and other items of local interest

By Erin Attardi | Agent in Sacramento, CA
I am now a Certified HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives) Short Sale Specialist! Posted under: Home Selling in Sacramento County, Financing in Sacramento County, Foreclosure in Sacramento County | October 13, 2010 7:49 PM | 149 views | 1 comment Email Alerts Send to a Friend Post to Facebook Post to Twitter RSS View RSS feed

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Last month I attended a day-long training at the Sacramento Association of Realtors to augment my existing knowledge of the HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives) Short Sale Program. Overall, it was an informative course. Much of it was review of the history of HAFA, the procedural steps of the program, and a review of the timeframes and paperwork involved. So, I took the tests today, and I am officially a "Certified HAFA Specialist." I have successfully closed so many short sales in our Sacramento-area real estate market, I feel like having this certification is a bit of a formality, but perhaps it will provide my short sale sellers an additional level of assurance that I actually know what I am doing (aside from my numerous short sale seller client references, good track record, the mentoring I have given other agents, etc)! previousnext Email Alerts Send to a Friend Post to Facebook Post to Twitter RSS View RSS feed

By Monir Mamoun, Thu Oct 14 2010, 18:25 Hearty congratulations Erin. report Sorry! We found a few errors. Please scroll down for details. Leave a comment Write your comment here ... Create an account to post your comment. Already have an account? Log in! Email: Confirm email: function populate_p_container() { var l1 = 'P' + 'assw' + 'ord:'; var l2 = ''; var l3 = ''; var container = xb_get_element('p_container'); container.innerHTML = l1 + l2 + l22 + l23 + l3; } function get_p_container2_l2() { return 'rd" typ' + 'e="p' + 'as'; } Screen Name: You can use your real name or an alias. Location: Are you a ... -- Please select --Home BuyerHome SellerBoth Buyer and SellerRenterReal Estate ProOther/Just LookingHome Owner Pro type: -- Please select --AgentBrokerMortgage Broker or LenderAppraiserHome InspectorContractorBuilder/DeveloperStagerProperty ManagerLandlordOther Pro Company: Yes! Send me occasional Trulia news and tips

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