The ins and outs of Real Estate

30 Year Fixed Mortgage Rates

30 Year Fixed Mortgage Rates are at
5.81% up from last weeks

5.63!

Interestingly enough, The Fed has

reduced the Federal Funds rate

and is asking banks to help out

borrowers, yet, they raise the rate!

Go figure!  

Reachelle Marie Smith ~ Amber Alert

 

30 Year Fixed Mortgage Rates

30 Year Fixed Mortgage Rates are at
5.62%

Save on Gas Now!

Gas prices in San Diego. OMG!, originally uploaded by slworking2.

What can we do about these ridiculously high Gas prices?  I heard one idea floating around recently.  Someone was saying that we could........

1. Boycott all other Gas stations except for one for two weeks!
2. Fill up at one Gas station only and then preferably once a week.
3. After two weeks, Gas companies should feel pressured to compete against each other and lower prices!
4. Start over after prices come down by using cheapest station/brand, and boycotting all others.

Maybe this could work?  What do you think?  Feel free to send your comments as your name and e-mail address will not be posted or shared. 

In the meantime...........these two sites let you check the lowest prices of Gasoline in your area, by State, City, and even zip code.

http://www.Gasbuddy.com

http://www.Gaspricewatch.com

Two Cats up for adoption!

Pets are casualties of the mortgage crisis as well as their owners.  As sellers loose their homes to foreclosure and move into apartments, their pets often end up in Shelters.

Today, most shelters are filled to capacity and can't take any more pets in!  Many of these lovable pets will end up euthanized, as most shelters have time limits on how long a pet can remain there without being adopted............usually a few weeks!

With that said.  I am helping a friend to place two beautiful female cats.  [Yes, my Real Estate blog is eclectic!]

"Mya" Silver Tabby, 3 years old, fluffy and medium length Hair.  She is friendly, quiet and super clean.  She loves looking out of the window on sunny days, lounging around on the sofa, and sleeping with her owner(s).

"Peanut" Silver & Red Tabby, 2 years old, fluffy and medium length Hair.  She is shy and reserved, quiet and also super clean.  She loves looking out of the window on sunny days, lounging around under the sofa or bed, and sometimes enjoys sleeping with her owner(s). 

Both cats have updated shots, are spayed and are available for adoption.

Requirements

1. Must gross a minimum of $10,000 per year.
2. Everyone living in the household must agree with the adoption. 
3. Can not currently own more than one cat.                                                               
4. Can not own a pit bull.
5. Must have an e-mail address, Internet access, and a home or cell phone.
6. $45.00 per cat adoption fee applies.

Call me at 773-653-6597 and leave a message.  All calls will be returned within 24 hours.

Kelvin

The Economic Cost of the War in Iraq!

"...A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on
military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching
spiritual death."

                                                Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.  April 1967

CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE CENTER OF THE VIDEO CLIPS.

Halliburton stock has soared since the war, as the economy continues to head south!  Of course Bush and Cheany want us to stay in Iraq for at least another 5 years, as they rape and pillage the economy, and indirectly cause the losses of many American lives (our souldiers), for their own personal gain!  Don't take my word for it, watch the CNN and other news videos.   

Always disclose your race on Loan Documents!

Countrywide Banner, originally uploaded by Countrywide Home Loans.

I have been writing about recent and upcoming investigations and litigation against banks that have discriminated against African Americans and Hispanics by placing them in high cost loans even when they qualified for better lower cost loan products, and even when they earned more than White borrowers!

Attorney General Lisa Madigan is focusing her investigation on Countrywide Home Loans, and Wells Fargo Financial Illinois, because she found them to be the most abusive.

The only way to stop the abuse is for government agencies to go after the predatory and abusive lenders to the maximum extent the law allows!  Since disclosing your race on mortgage loan applications is optional and not obligatory, the only way for investigators and law makers to track abuse, or even prove abuse is taking place is for borrowers to disclose their race.

The actual numbers of African American and Hispanic borrowers abused is almost certainly substantially higher than estimated! 

With that said, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS disclose your race on Mortgage loan applications.

http://www.chicagoreporter.com/index.php/c/Web_Extras/d/The_High_Price_of_Home_Ownership

http://www.responsiblelending.org/

   

Utila....Awesome Island vacation at a fraction of the typical cost!

Playa de Utila, originally uploaded by Marcio Barrios.

I'm relatively well traveled.  I've been to half of the states in the union, and to Mexico and Puerto Rico so many times that I've lost count!  Yet, there is something especially appealing about vacationing off the beaten path.

                           

                           
                           Casa de Utila, originally uploaded by Marcio Barrios.

Given the current recession, housing depression, rising grocery prices and inflation, and weak dollar, economizing is on most of our minds!  That's why the Island of Utila is so ....beckoning. 

It's considered a scuba diver's haven.  But that's not to say that you have to Scuba dive to enjoy this beautiful Island.  Especially if you simply want to relax and unwind, without being trampled on by tourists.

    

Playa, originally uploaded by Marcio Barrios.

And it is still a hidden gem, with extremely comfortable lodging at very low prices, inexpensive food, and the US dollar still goes a long way there!

Small population, no crowds, chart a course!

Awareness Test. Are you being taken advantage of?

On April 5, 2008, I wrote (and posted a video) of Jiffy Lube being caught on tape by hidden cameras charging customers for services that they didn't perform!   

http://cbrkelvinrealestate.typepad.com/the_ins_and_outs_of_real_/2008/03/test.html

On March 18, 2008 I posted that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is investigating both Countrywide Home Loans and Wells Fargo Financial Illinois for illegally steering Blacks and Hispanics into high priced mortgage loans, in violation of civil rights and equal lending laws!

Several national studies have proven that just because a lender is large, reputable, has a huge staff, luxurious building and lots of money to lend, and just because you may not be aware of it, and even though racial discrimination in lending is illegal, that doesn't mean that banks and lenders both large and small aren't illegally discriminating against African Americans and Hispanics, or any other racial or ethnic group!

http://cbrkelvinrealestate.typepad.com/the_ins_and_outs_of_real_/2008/03/blacks-hispanic.html

It's physically and emotionally draining to think that everyone we come into contact with, in a business situation, wants to take advantage of us!  Still, this awareness test could be a metaphor for doing business in general, Caveat Emptor".... Let the buyer beware....because "it's easy to miss something you're not looking for!"

Brad Pit and George Cloony spoof Senator Craig (R)

Talking with Sen. Larry Craig, originally uploaded by Buddy Stone.

By now you've probably heard about the arrest of Senator Larry Craig (R), in an airport bathroom.  Craig was arrested on June 11, 2007 in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for lewd conduct, but pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a lesser charge. 

Craig said that he pleaded guilty in order to avoid a trial and a scandal, yet scandal has followed.  Craig has also explained that the police officer in the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport misinterprited his "wide stance", which, I don't understand what a stance has to do with one's posture while sitting on a toilet, as Craig was doing? 

Anyway, in a tribute to Julia Roberts, Clooney and Pitt reinacted Craig's Airport bathroom incident.