Finding the Right Loan for You...

It's an abomination. Wasn't the Internet supposed to make life easier, less work, and more money? Now, we suffer from information overload, scams and far too many websites with their mortgage lending shenanigans. As a California Mortgage Advisor, I offer real world loans. There are many lenders with many scenarios. One is right for you right now as we all know that rates are going UP. I offer 15, 20, 30 and 40 year amortization loans with fixed rates. The infamous 3, 5 , 7 and 10-year fixed rate ARMs, plus the lowest rate on the planet right now, the "LIBOR" interest only loan at 3.9% with no negative amortization. Now is also the time to jump like trout on to the government stimulus package "Agency" loan where you can really get a tremendous rate on a higher balance loan. Stated Income loans are also available as are FHA loans. So, quit burning daylight on the computer. Talk to you local home loan expert for your Purchase or Refinance loan: Pat Townsley, Mortgage Broker. 415-485-1776. http://www.excellenceinrealestatefinancing.com/

Summertime...Hammer Time: 3 Ways to Pay

In my neighborhood, I'd say there is as much construction going on as there are homes for sale; A surprising amount or work going on, given the economy. Rather than moving out, many are adding on, fixing up and remodeling, spending their investment and vacation money on their homes rather than other risky or gas eating activities. Construction takes many things. The top Two: Money and Planning. You've got to have the money to get the plan, and the plan will show you how much money you need to spend, and it ain't cheap. At California Mortgage Advisors, I offer many New Construction loans as well as Cash-Out loans prior to construction on your existing home. Always make sure you have a nice buffer (cost over-run) as you'll need it. The Third financing option is Post-sign-off inspection. Once you're done with the construction, you might want to refinance to consolidate debts or take out invested cash based on your new value. I've got your construction Lending Trifecta: Pat Townsley, Mortgage Broker.
415-485-1776. www.ptre.net

Body Count, Greenspan, Fourth Turning, Dead Pool

I just look at "Greenspan's Body Count" blog from a post to my site "Buy California" which someone recommended I should call "Short California." Indeed, but it's also a good time to buy. The old model; Buy low, sell high. So, at Greenspan's Body Count, my take is that the entire blame for today's US economic wreck is due to Greenspan's impact over the years. I believe it goes far beyond Greenspan. His policies are only one piece of the pie. The "body count" is the increase in suicides, O.D.s, heart attacks and human stress as a result of Alan's impact on the market. I subscribe to the models and theories of the Fourth Turning and subsets of the Kondratieff Wave which, in general, show four sets of 20 year generational cycles, equalling eighty years, and then the pattern repeats. There is similar overlaying wave of the life of a country. So, the Country and the People have these waves overlapping, roughly every so many years, and history repeats itself economically. Tony Robbins did an AMAZING interview in 1999 with the authors of the Fourth Turning (William Strauss and Neil Howe) and a follow up after 9/11. So, before we put all the blame on Grenspan or a president, or a policy, Check out the Fourth Turning. You don't know what you don't know. Grab that Anthony Robbins interview from his Power Talk series, probably available on Amazon or a download. It's fun, enlightening, and bone-chillingly DEAD ON. There's your Body Count. All of this has happened before, and it will all happen again.

Going Under, Walking Away, Foreclosure

I try to focus on the positive in my Blog, but I also don't want to bury my head in the sand to the negatives and realities facing homeowners. Yes. One comment posted my blog says "Why keep paying on a house that's going under?" Another says "Walk Away"... which means either Going Short or Foreclosure. That's the rub for many homeowners; Creating the disconnect between Ego and Emotional attachment to their home versus a pure analytical evaluation. It can be very difficult to face the sinking ship. For many, this is your home, your identity, your life, the place where your kids are growing up, your neighborhood, your friends. It's an emotional tie that you just don't want to give up regardless of the cost, and the optimist says that values will rebound...some day. ON THE OTHER HAND; Screw it. I'm upside down by $400,000 and my adjustable loan just doubled my payment. I'm negative, in the hole, no equity and paying two to three times the mortgage payment versus walking away and renting. And that's what many are doing: Walk away, rent, know that your credit is history, and start saving. Reality is relative. My reason to pay the mortgage over credit card payments is because "mortgage lates" are far more damaging than credit card "lates." But, if you're going to go BK and get foreclosed on, your hosed on your credit anyway and you lose a piece of your soul. Wanna talk about it? 415-485-1776. http://www.ptre.net/, Pat Townsley, Broker with heart.

Bankruptcy versus Credit Counseling versus Suicide

So what do you do? Your home has lost 1/4 of its value, your income has been cut in half, gas prices, food prices, kids, camps, costs all leading to the additonal costs of family counseling, personal counseling, visits to the doctor for Ambien, Valium and Alazopram. Wash all those down with a stiff cocktail and in the morning, should you be able to sleep, the bill still haven't been paid; They're going late. The calls begin; Random 800 numbers and Unavailable caller IDs. When all else fails, Don't do any more Ping-Ponging. Don't borrow from direct relatives, don't draft more cash from accounts. Do EVERYTHING to keep the mortgage payments current and give me a call. You may be polishing brass on the Titanic, but you may stay afloat a while longer. I'm and advisor, I've been there. I'm here to help. Pat Townsley, State Licensed Broker. Cal Mortgage Advisors, Inc. 415-485-1776. http://www.ptre.net/. "Just keep Swimming" Dory.

Flying Sharks

Mortgage Brokers, Realtors, used car salesmen... I often feel that we're all grouped together under this horrific stigma of being bottom feeders. Amongst the many things my mom told me and I didn't listen, being in Real Estate was on the top of her "don't do" career advices. Yes, there are and have been some real horrific scams and profit grubbing brokers. There are also a handful of professional mortgage advisors who help you navigate the waters of financial success. Like any industry, there are some bad seeds, bottom feeders, killer sharks and blowfish. Luckily, You have a choice. Only the strong, professional, seasoned veterans are still in the game. Let's get down to business: The business of securing your future from whatever beasts and demons coming our way. Pat Townsley, Broker. Real Estate Financing, Reeling in real estate loans for my clients for over a decade; Still here. 415-485-1776. http://www.excellenceinrealestatefinancing.com/

What's a Quarter?

A Quarter; One fourth, two eighths, 0.25%, half of a half, four bits, 25 basis points, one in Four, one of four, twenty five cents, more than a little and less than a lot. In the mortgage world, a quarter of a percent can be the difference in hundreds of dollars in interest, in cost, in savings, in broker compensation, in rate. It can be the straw that blows your "back-end ratio" out of the water and prohibits you from refinancing or qualifying for a new loan. It's also about the same number of homes that are expected to get closed upon in the United States between now and 2009. That's a lot. Too many. Even if your little piggy built his house of straw, it's time to take action to secure your loan before rates skyrocket and you're left without a home and wish you had a quarter in your pocket. Pat Townsley, Mortgage Advisor. California Mortgage Advisors, Inc. 415-485-1776. www.LoansForMarin.com. Your referrals are appreciated!

Federal Reserve Board "The Fed" leaves rates alone

Today's decision by the Fed to leave interest rates alone sends a mixed message. Regardless of if they had lowered or raised rates, Mortgage Rates would have gone up...that's just the way that the banks have been playing. With the Fed's job is to stop inflation. We're facing Inflation, big-time, so you basically have a brief reprieve before the Fed finally takes the foot off of the brake and on to the gas. It's a total double-edged sword. With such volatility in the economy and the world, the message from the Fed may be "Come On America, let's rally." This is your last stand to take advantage of today's mortgage rates, because when the Fed does address the inflation, it will be aggressive, head-spinningly fast. Don't delay. Take action. Pat Townsley, Mortgage Broker. 415-485-1776. http://www.ptre.net/

What Do You Have to Lose? Hedge your Home Now!

Folks, I've said it once, I've said it a million times: Now is the time to secure your loan. That's the long-term security game. If you do it now, you'll get a decent rate versus what will be at least two points higher in a year from now. Can you risk that? Depending on the size of your loan and the program, it can equate to $25 dollars a day in savings to $225 per day in cash flow savings; It can save your home...period. I can't even sleep at night anymore: Concerned over my clients, my own real estate holdings and the entire planet. I'm micro an macro thinking here. Let me help you save your ship so that YOU can Rest easy: I've got the loans. For long term security to short term adjustables for fast real estate plays, I'm on it. Pat Townsley, Mortgage Broker to the Stars. 415-485-1776. http://www.ptre.net/

The End of Days

Fire, drought, floods, famine, prices through the roof, an increase in information, a decline of the Western Civilization; And the oceans turned to blood and the sun turned to black satin. It is the best of times, it is the worst of times. What's the Answer? I guess we'd better start with: What's the Question? Many believe that the answer is "42." I believe the question should come from a place of power and positive frame-set: How do we set ourselves up for prosperity, security, survive the difficult days ahead...and enjoy the process? That's probably the best question. We've all got to make it through what's coming ahead. Brace for impact, prepare for the worst, but plan for the best...in fact, our greatest days are still ahead of us, our biggest incomes are still ahead of us, the best inventions have yet to be invented, and your security is just a phone call away. Let's make sure your real estate is poised for security to weather the battles ahead. Pat Townsley, evangelical mortgage prophet and advisor. 415-485-1776. http://www.ptre.net/. Time to take action.

Any Press is Good Press

While I'm always looking for the opportunity for speaking engagements regarding the mortgage business, buying property, investing, it's always good to be quoted in respected papers. I was recently quoted again as an industry expert in the Investor's Business Daily. Click here or the image to read the article. It's not too much coverage or cheery news about the state of the nation, but I'll take reputable national coverage whenever I can. In short, the article tells what I've been saying all along: Tough times ahead and challenging underwriting plus constantly changing programs make it your call to action to do something sooner than later on your real estate finanancing. Don't wait for the rate 'cause it's gonna be too late. Call Pat Townsley, Mortgage Broker. 415-485-1776. www.ptre.net

Make hay while the sun shines: A positive "Spin."

When I hear "hay" and am talking home loans, I think of the story of Rumpelstiltskin. This magical dwarf could spin gold out of hay. Not a bad idea. Now, here we are with "the perfect storm" of financial and housing markets. As in the story, protect your first born with a new mortgage, and the time to make that gold is now. Sure, you want to laze about on your water-chair with an umbrella in your drink, but the reality is that you really only have 3 months to get in under this Federal Stimulation Package where "Agency" loans with nice rates can go up to $729,500. This is not Fools Gold: This is your financial future. Wait to act and you're gonna break your back when rate rocket north and you're stuck in an increasingly adjusting loan. The only one makin' the hay and the gold will be the lender. Line your own pocket NOW. Even a single coin makes a Jingle if it is made of gold. Banks are taking forever to get things done. Don't wait 'till it's too late. Call Pat Townsley, your knight armed with 2.0 enabled best of breed loan sourcing aggregator to get you the best rate right now. Let's roll. Pat Townsley. 415-485-1776. http://www.ptre.net/

Stocks lag, Crude Up, Lehman Lags...

Interesting times my friends. Time to double your efforts that make you the most money. If it's work harder on those key elements that will generate business now, delete/delay senseless projects, re-evaluate your portfolio, cancel that vacation: Time to tighten up. We all want Balance; be it in life, in our accounts, in our future. One thing you can do right now is to secure your home or real estate mortgage. It's a critical time right now. When the Fed addresses Inflation, the rates will take off.
May I offer my phone to you: Please call to see if there is an opportunity for you. Chances are, I can either offer you a better and/or secure rate or give you the assurance that what you have now IS the best deal and don't do anything. I'll cut through the B.S.

I'm the broker on your side, but you've got to take action. Call Pat Townsley, 415-485-1776. http://www.ptre.net/.

Let's get down to business. Don't become a statistic.

Oil, Inflation, Economic and Physical Lubrication

Texas tea, Black gold, Our nemesis: Crude Oil. We'll be up to a $150 a barrel by mid July, as irony, it will probably hit that right around Independence Day. We'll have to rename it "Dependence Day." The higher the cost of oil, the higher the cost of fuels. If it's personal vehicle, you'll be cutting back on your trips for the summer and trips to the store. If you're in the transportation business, you're going to pass it on right to the end user: The consumer. Groceries, materials, and even transporting fuel...all getting more expensive. Disposable income: Gone. Less mobility in physical movement.
Next, we have Inflation beating down on our door. The Fed WILL have to step on the accelerator and raise rates to slow inflation. Higher rates on everything: Gone. Less liquidity equals less mobility in the financial markets. Higher Credit Card payments, higher mortgage rates; In fact, skyrocketing interest rates ahead. Less ability to buy homes, further stalling the economy. WHERE IS THE SILVER LINING? It's right here, right now. This is the time to lock it in! Get the best interest rate now! You're preparing to Duck-and-Cover the inevitable really hard times ahead in the US. Take on a second job, pad yourself, get some cash flow save up. For the best mortgage rate and service: Get it now with Pat Townsley, Your Mortgage Broker. 415-485-1776. http://www.ptre.net/