Helen Albert Certified Farmers' Market

Date:10/25/2010 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Location:Plummer Park, North Parking Lot
1200 N. Vista Street
West Hollywood, California 90069Check it out if you're in the neighborhood. 

8 Alternatives to Pricey Retirement Locales

Even with their retirement nest eggs diminished by the tough economy, some baby-boomers aren’t giving up on their dreams of living in beautiful spots. Instead, they are searching for similar but cheaper alternatives.

SmartMoney calls these locales “doppelgangers” — more affordable twins with similar climate, culture, and amenities than their better-known other half.

Here are their suggested substitutes:

● Prescott, Ariz., as an alternative to Sedona, Ariz.
● St. Augustine, Fla., instead of Sarasota, Fla.
● Chattanooga, Tenn., instead of Ashville, N.C.
● Bloomington, Ind., instead of Madison, Wis.
● Caron City, Nev., instead of Boulder, Colo.
● Auburn, Ala., instead of Pinehurst, N.C.
● Bellingham, Wash., instead of Eugene, Ore.
● San Luis Obispo, Calif., instead of Santa Barbara, Calif.


Source: SmartMoney, Catey Hill (10/20/2010)

This Weeks Stats for Condos/Townhouses in 90046

The MAI measures the current rate of sales versus the amount of inventory. Index above 30 implies Seller's market and below 30, conditions favor the Buyer. Currently the index stands at 13.6!!

School Finder

This is a great little tool and very fast. Just type in the address of a house you like and this will display all the schools in the area. Elementary, Middle and High Schools.School Finder

More Good News

Late last month President Obama signed a congressional resolution to extend through Sept. 30, 2011, the conforming loan limit of $729,750 for high-cost areas, many of which are in California.  The same limits will also apply to loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).  This means with as little as 3.5% down, first time buyers (or anyone for that matter) can purchase a home without having to find a huge down-payment. Without the extension of the loan limits, which would have expired last month, many California borrowers would have a harder time refinancing homes and obtaining financing for new home purchases.


On an other note, if you're thinking of purchasing an REO, Fannie Mae recently announced it will offer qualified homebuyers who purchase a Fannie Mae-owned property listed on the company’s REO Web site, www.homepath.com  up to 3.5 percent of the final sales price, which can be used toward closing cost assistance, including a home warranty, if desired and available. To be eligible you must be the owner-occupants. Offers to be submitted on or after Sept. 23, 2010, and must close by Dec. 31, 2010.  The sale needs to be closed within 60 days of the offer being accepted.

Mortgages Hit Lowest Levels Since 1950s

The last time borrowers could get rates this low, every television was black and white and Americans liked Ike.
Thirty-year fixed mortgages slipped to 4.27 percent this week, the lowest on records dating back to 1971, from 4.32 percent last week. 

A drop in interest on 15-year loans to 3.72 percent from 3.75 percent, meanwhile, was the lowest on records dating back to 1991. Freddie Mac also reported that the five-year adjustable-rate mortgage fell to 3.47 percent from 3.52 percent last week, and the one-year ARM dropped to 3.40 percent this week from 3.48 percent.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times (10/08/10)