Stolen Goods and Identity Theft: You're next!

This morning, my wife found that her car was broken into last night and her iPod docking station was stolen and the glove boxes opened (it was a fast, smart, tech-gear oriented lift). SAPD noted several cars had been hit the same night. Now, sure, we live is "safe" San Anselmo, so the point here is to "Lock your car doors" and start locking your house. But it doesn't stop here: As the economy declines, more jobs lost and depression is in air, Desperate times call for Desperate Measures: In short, we see CRIME INCREASE. The point-in-case theft (above) in our community is NOTHING compared to the ever-expanding world of International IDENTITY THEFT. You really have NO IDEA how much of your information is at large. This evening I attended a San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce presentation featuring State Farm agent Kris Kelson plus Identity Theft expert John Taylor. I HIGHLY recommend that you reach out to John Taylor (click here to email him) and get informed. The threat is real, the solutions are available. Protect your ass...ets. You can also call John Taylor at Taylor and Associates at 415-454-3977 for a consultation. In the meantime, rest assured that California Mortgage Advisors has always had measures set in place to safeguard your personal information. Your loan and data is safe with me: Pat Townsley, Mortgage Broker. 415-485-1776. www.ptre.net

The Carrot or the Stick?

The Carrot or the Stick... sometimes known as The Carrot AND the Stick; Basics of human psychology and life: Pleasure or Pain. Sometimes the pain of FEAR (False Evidence that Appears Real) paralyzes people. This paralyzing (complacency) seems safe, therefore, no pain. Conversely, they also know if they don't take action, they'll face Pain of loss of not trying, not doing their best, not taking the chance or taking charge of their own actions towards exceptional opportunities. Who's going to come out of this Recession ahead? Those who sit in Fear, or those who step up here in 2009, make the bold moves, make the investments in markets, new businesses, in education; those who work harder and go the extra mile will receive the carrots. So, while you sit on the sidelines, straddle the fence, know that I'm working harder than ever to make 2009 the best year ever, securing my future, my family's future, and for the future of my clients and friends as Your Mortgage broker. Pat Townsley, moving up. www.ptre.net. Let me help make your 2009 the Best Year Ever.

Giving it away: Sleepy Hollow Home for Sale on Butterfield!

981 Butterfield Road, San Anslemo CA, MLS Listing # 20903596 with Listing Agent John Vantress with Bradley RE in San Anselmo. I know this house Intimately, and it's on the market for a song; Probably the best value in all of Marin County. I hate to see it on the market and hate that I'm personally not able to swoop in and pick it up right now. If you know anyone looking for the best school district, great house, pool and privacy; Here it is. Need to finance it? Contact me. Do you want to preview it? HURRY UP and take action! This beauty is priced to move! If you need a referral to represent you as a Buyer, please contact me as well. http://www.ptre.net/

Lessons from Legos; Keep moving forward

I've had some down-time with the family the past week, intertwined with emails and Facebook postings from friends and business clients where, perhaps it's "post-election blues" where there was all this expectation of immediate change and hope...and now that the hype is over, everyone is just; BLAH. A Blah added to winter, rain and econmic blues. So, Richard (my 7-year old) is building a house from Legos last night. He turns proudly and says "Mommy, Daddy, check out my...." and as he turns, the whole Lego house wall falls off and the foundation drops and the whole thing ends up on the floor in a pile. The result was frustration, tears, "I don't want to build another one," "this always happens." So, in my infinite wisdom, I sit down and simply re-start something else supercool. He slowly re-engaged in the building of the new project, and I calmly explained the old "pick yourself up by your bootstraps" and just keep going. Because, in the end, what else it there? Life is simply learning and relearning. So, pick up the pieces, get a plan, get busy, and Keep Moving! Motion creates Emotion. Wanna talk about it? Let's talk: Pat Townsley, mortgage and Lego therapist: www.ptre.net

Inflation Cometh, Oh Yes, Brace for impact

It's gonna hurt later than sooner: Ladies and gentlemen, please put your tray tables up and return your seatback cushions into thier upright and locked positions; We're NOT in for a soft-water landing. This goes back to the old statement "be careful what you ask for." Look, the massive infusion of funds into the US economy is only a bandaid. It is NOT the cure to the cause. Remember your Greek mythology: Cut the head off the Hydra, and two grow back in its place. Such is true in the short term stimulus package here. In two years, maybe up to five (but I'm taking the "under" in this bet)...we're screwed. Interest rates WILL BE back in the double digits; 12 to 16% rates on loans will not be a surprise. Remember when the Dow would change 400 points in a day and it would be in 6000 point font on the newspaper? Today we have 800 point swings in a day and it lands in the classifieds on page D-7. Unemployment; Half Million jobs lost; sweep that under page C-3 under the local murder story. Folks. Conspiracy theories abound, but it is COMING. Learn from your history. For over 24 months I've been blogging on the forecasts; and they've been dead on with the exception of ONE rate cut miscalculation. Infusion of cash will fix a few roads, repair some buildings, buy some government office furniture...but the so-called "pork" of what is coming is a slaughterhouse. This won't be a soft water landing in the waterways of NYC, this will be Flight 800. Lock in your rates now. http://www.ptre.net/ Pat Townsley, Agent to the stars. 415-485-1776.

California Financing Takes Another Hit; "ING BANK"

Yikes, as predicted, the ripples will continue in the world of Real Estate Financing. Today, ING Bank announce effective immediately that they will no longer consider 2nd homes, interest only loans or any incentives for "really good" loan to values. What does this mean to you? Simply adding fuel to the trend analysis that real estate financing is getting MUCH HARDER so you must ACT NOW if you want to refi or buy. So far, we've lost the big boys: WaMu, Chase, jumbo loans at Wells, and now ING showing signs of fears and doubt. The government package ISN'T going to save you and pump money into consumer's hands. Just because we have a new president doesn't mean the wheel of fortune will be lubricated and money is easy. Quite the opposite. Change takes time, and the perception of fear is a killer! So, Buckle-Up and Honker-down...but look at the facts, get the real data, make your own informed decision. Don't dream up shit that hasn't happened, but prepare yourself for it instead "I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened." Writer, Mark Twain. Let's talk. Pat Townsley, Broker. www.ptre.net 415-485-1776. Real rates, real service, real person for today's real estate.

Bailout Fundamental Math; S & L 101.

Savings and Loan 101: Banks attract customer deposits by offering a guaranteed rate of return on investment (usually a guaranteed rate and secure investment). So, the bank takes your money and says we'll give you....5% return on the money you're depositing for the next "X" months/years. The rate (percent) needs to be attractive for someone to put their money in the bank. That's the "savings" portion. Next is the "loan" portion, where a bank loans out the money you've invested to someone who agrees to pay the bank back, say, at 7% interest. So, the bank is basically "brokering" and earning the difference of the money invested at 5% and the money loaned at 7%, in this case, they're making 2% gross profit. Now, if there is no "carrot" for people to invest money, for example, an offering of a 2.5% return on a 6-month CD, then borrowers say; Screw it, I'm' better off with my money stuffed in my pillow; It feels safer there plus the rate of return isn't appealing at the bank. Next, the banks are loaning out money at something silly like 4.5%... so now the banks have no profit margin, plus loans are defaulting, and the whole thing turns to shit. The fundamentals of banking are being manipulated in a way that is us-sustainable as a business model and consumers have no confidence. It's deeper than this, but if you can get a loan in the 4%'s right now on 30-fixed, I'd recommend that you sack-up and do it. Do it now. It's the ONLY thing in your advantage in banking right now. www.ptre.net Pat Townsley Real Estate Network. 415-485-1776

Groundhog Day and Real Estate Financing

If Punxsutawney Phil says 6 more weeks of winter, are you going to continue to F-off and not pull the trigger on the best 30-year fixed rates we've seen in three generations? If he comes out and Spring is upon us, we're equally screwed, because we'll have NO WATER coming our way...which will be a slower death through higher water costs, conservation, and a diversion of the American mindset away from the fundamentals of fiscal reform to either We Need Water or Mars Needs Women. It reminds me of some futuristic movie with Bruce Dern where it's Mad-max-esqe and we have no water. Perhaps is the vicodin I've been on this past week post surgery. Either way, Groundhog Day 2009 also marks the 44th passing of my father's death via deceleration trauma at Hamilton Air Force Base in 1965 where his "widow maker" F-104 made didn't quite give him the time to announce the third "Eject." Too little too late. Don't wait for your wings to sheer off your jet and go from 600 mph to Zero before you protect your family estate with today's mortgage opportunities. Let's get down to business, with our without the shadow of Phil. Pat Townsley. Live online at www.PTRE.net

Getting a loan is like a Holmes' TD

Turn the Superbowl off for an hour mid-game and the Cardinals make a sweeping come back...only to be dashed by an amazing three man coverage TD catch by Holmes in the deep back pocket of the Steelers' end zone. Funding a loan today can be much like that. People are crossing their fingers hoping that their loan will get approved. You've got lots of defenders against the American consumer right now. You've got man-to-man coverage, zone-D and some sucker-punches off camera to mess ya up along the way. How do you get financing in today's world? Get in the game! You can't win if you don't play. Suit up, get something going, and as we say in BNI: I Refuse To Participate in the Recession. Call me to coach you though the defense with a good playbook and network. I'm that guy. Pat Townsley; Coach, mentor, Monday morning QB, advisor and in charge of the Sheep Dip. Cheers. New online: www.PTRE.net The Pat Townsley Real Estate Network. A network of the best of the best for your team. No overtime, no penalties: You win. Game Over.