This blog is a place for me to share random thoughts, photos, real estate info, community events and other fun stuff! It is kind of a playground for a geek that happens to enjoy posting stuff online. My "normal" blogging can be found at Nickbastian.com and at RailLife.com/blog - Please feel free to follow along. Remember, if you know someone in the market to buy or sell real estate (anywhere in the United States) tell them to "Just Call Nick!" at 602-803-NICK (6425) - Thanks!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Free Diamondbacks vs. Cubs tickets!
Our friends at Wilde Wealth Management have invited Lori and I to see the Diamondbacks play the Cub's on Wednesday, July 23rd. Unfortunately, I can not attend the game but Trevor was gracious enough to ask if I have a "favorite client" that might like to use the tickets. Since I have hundreds of "favorites," I decided to contact "club" members to see who would like the tickets. I have sent an email to most of you so, here's the deal. Leave a comment on the blog if you can go. I will draw from the list and notify the winner on Monday! Any questions? "Just Call Nick!"
* update.. I have had several people email this am, not familiar with blogs and comments. Sorry! :-) Just click on the little comment button right under these lines. (directly below here) This will take you to a screen where you can type a comment followed by a word verification box (to eliminate spammers) and then a box that will ask who you are. If you don't use Google or "G-Mail" you can just use the box that says "name/url." - it is very easy. Thanks!
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Some new "Buy and Bail" info
I have talked to many people recently about one area of major concern in the lending industry. The term is "Buy and Bail" and it can have an effect on all of us. On Wednesday of last week, I received an email from a friend at Wells Fargo that talked about some of the coming changes dealing with people that want to buy another home while keeping their current home. The problem, in case you are not aware, is where people that purchased a home at the top of the market and are now "upside down," go out and buy another home, at a lower price and then "give the keys" back to the lender for the original home, allowing it to be foreclosed instead of the owner fulfilling their obligation.
Part of the new guidelines are as follows.
The new Fannie Mae BUY & BAIL policy states that a buyer planning to retain and rent out their current residence must: 1) prove 30% equity in the property, 2) provide a copy of the new lease agreement, and 3) provide a copy of the renter's security account. If these criteria are not met, rental income may not be used to qualify and a reserve requirement is also added. Buyers who plan on keeping their current residence as a second home must qualify on both payments and show 6 months reserves for both house payments.
If this is "clear as mud" to you, please feel free to "Just Call Nick" for a better explanation. As always, I will be happy to discuss current market conditions and some of the "hot buttons" in the industry right now.
Part of the new guidelines are as follows.
The new Fannie Mae BUY & BAIL policy states that a buyer planning to retain and rent out their current residence must: 1) prove 30% equity in the property, 2) provide a copy of the new lease agreement, and 3) provide a copy of the renter's security account. If these criteria are not met, rental income may not be used to qualify and a reserve requirement is also added. Buyers who plan on keeping their current residence as a second home must qualify on both payments and show 6 months reserves for both house payments.
If this is "clear as mud" to you, please feel free to "Just Call Nick" for a better explanation. As always, I will be happy to discuss current market conditions and some of the "hot buttons" in the industry right now.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Say Thanks
Take a look at the video in this link..
http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shortmovie.php
I like the line.. It's not about politics, it's about service.. Thanks to my friend Irene for sharing..
http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shortmovie.php
I like the line.. It's not about politics, it's about service.. Thanks to my friend Irene for sharing..
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Hey guys... Happy Fathers Day!
Just a quick note to wish all of the dads out there a very Happy Father's Day! The boy's and I are going to hang out and have some fun today and that is a great gift in itself! Of course, I want to send an extra special Happy Father's Day wish to my dad.. Thanks for being the best dad and friend we could ever have hoped for! Glad you and mom could "sneak away" to the cabin.. See ya soon.


Friday, June 06, 2008
Nick's kids are going green!
Many of you, my friends, seem to enjoy the fact that I occasionally put pictures of the boys in our newsletter. I thought this little video of them showing grandma their garden was pretty cute. Kind of fitting since they are growing like weeds. Funny thing, they are even learning about trends in the real estate business. If you care to read about that, just click here. :-)
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