Fall Fun in Huntington Beach

Just Because it's Fall
Doesn't mean you have to stop having fun!

An eventful summer comes to a close.  The mortgage interest rate hike a third of the way into summer set a new plateau which reduced the buying power of potential home buyers, but didn't slow down the market until after Labor Day when overall buyer interest slowed significantly but not unexpectedly.  The height of the tourist season has come and gone in Huntington Beach. The Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure, for which I am still training to join the San Diego race in early November, is running the Orange County race this weekend in nearby Fashion Island, Newport Beach to kick off the fall.  But that doesn't mean the family fun has to come to an end!

Adventure Playground is ready to receive your young adventurers

The summer fun continues well into the school year at the amazing Adventure Playground http://www.ci.huntington-beach.ca.us/residents/parks_facilities/parks/huntington_central_park/adventure_playground.cfm, where kids can build, explore, create and generally get dirty in a relatively regulated environment.  Although it won't detract from the experience, expect a decent sized crowd especially on weekends, as Huntington Beach's Adventure Playground remains open while the Irvine counterpart is closed for remodeling.  The hours and hours of fun and exercise for your 7-12 year olds will be worth the heavy laundry you may have to do as a result of your visit.  Adventure Playground is located in the Huntington Beach Central Park near the Central Park Library at 7111 Talbert Avenue between Beach and Goldenwest and is open from 10 - 4.  Kids are $3 and adults are free.

The islands are calling you this Saturday

Right in the same vicinity,at the Huntington Beach Central Park Amphitheater, an island-flavored event is taking place which is certain to make you feel like summer hasn't really gone (as if the temperature doesn't do that already).  The 6th Annual Pacific Islander Festival http://www.huntingtonbeachevents.com/annual/pacific-islander-festival.html is this weekend, and promises a fantastic celebration of the music, dance, crafts and savory foods of the Pacific Islands.  The event begins at 9 am on Saturday and 10 am on Sunday and is sure to attract crowds longing to extend their summer vibe.

Huntington Beach may be known for it's historic and iconic summers, but Surf City homeowners have long found ways to hang on to summers well into the fall.  Enjoy your not-so-fall, still-kind-of-summer weekend in Huntington Beach!

Ann Stefanucci

562-244-8021

714-822-9453
annstefanucci@gmail.com

www.annopoly.com

Being Prepared Is Not Just For Boy Scouts

Common Sense Preparation
Some things every homeowner should have ready

I watched the summer unfold, resisting the urge to use my blog to remind beach goers and visitors to my beloved Huntington Beach (and it's many events) to come prepared for long days, lots of traffic and parking congestion, and ultimately not to forget to apply sun screen for their little ones.  This was no easy accomplishment, as I watched routinely many families walk longer and farther from the beach than they anticipated, stroller in hand, with no hint of sun screen application or additional water.  With the typical August into September heat-and-humidity wave in full effect, I have shown remarkable restraint, though if I were to be completely transparent I've simply been busy with my own corner of the most promising summer in residential real estate to come along in six years.


If you own a home, or want to, be prepared for emergencies


Another thing I noticed apart from the real estate market improving this summer; the apocalyptic summer blockbuster movie.  I feel at least somewhat vindicated that my underlying sense of preparedness is somewhat echoed in the subject matter of Hollywood's summer movie fare.  I may not know how to stave off hordes of marauding zombies (they've gotten into my television, too, I've noticed over the last four years), genetically altered super-mercenaries, planet-conquering aliens, or the like, but I can make some good suggestions for coping with more "real-life" potential disasters; suggestions which everyone who has or wants to own a home should take note.


Essentials everyone should have whether you rent or own your home


I read a fantastic article published by Smart and Final some months back, which indicates what no home, apartment, or dwelling of any description should be without, set aside for the real world crisis Hollywood's metaphorical monsters only represent on screen:

• A week's supply of water, given one gallon per person per day.  
• A complete first aid kit including a first aid book and an extra supply of any essential medication
• Non-perishable food (Military "Meals Ready to Eat" MRE's come to mind), with can opener and preferably plastic utensils and disposable plates
• Extra set of baby food and supplies including formula, bottle, appropriate soap, wipes and diapers
• Camping supplies such as tent, blankets, sleeping bags, portable stove/grill, cutting knives, tools, radio, batteries and flashlights can double as disaster preparedness items
• Food, water and restraints/leash/carrier for pets 
• Fire Extinguisher types A, B, C or combination thereof
• Extra clothes for all, including sturdy shoes and heavy gloves
• Toilet paper, not to be understated, along with all relevant hygiene supplies
• Duct tape

Your home is supposed to be a safe place for you and your family (as well as the primary asset in the 'bank of you'), but it can't protect you from everything.  Otherwise, you wouldn't be required by lenders to purchase homeowner's insurance!  Being prepared is not just a boy scout trait; in a world of life-claiming tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, landslides and man made catastrophe, preparedness is a responsibility.

Ann Stefanucci

562-244-8021

714-822-9453
annstefanucci@gmail.com

www.annopoly.com

Mortgage Application Absolutes

Applying for a Mortgage is Serious Business


The rules are important and not to be taken lightly when applying for a mortgage

Yes, there are already all kinds of equally crucial rules to follow concerning home buying which have to do with the home itself, neighborhood and the impact on your current life such as proximity to work.   But mortgage lending, especially in an environment where interest rates are "ratcheting" slowly upward (three steps up, two steps down, two steps up, one step down, etc), has a very important set of rules which must be followed to make sure you are really able to step into the home which you are likely to be pursuing with competition at your heels.  The rules are the same for refinance mortgage loans; even without the time urgency of a low inventory market like the one we will still have until at least summer 2014, the urgency is there for rate locks and the threat of still-overcompensating skepticism from mortgage underwriting.  I can tell you from first hand experience the anguish of all parties when a problem which could have been avoided ends up derailing a transaction.  Here are the fundamentals one should remember when applying for a mortgage loan, heed them well.

Employment

Have you ever felt like up and quitting your job because you are so fed up for whatever justifiable, rational, perfectly understandable reason?  Great.  Do it after you close your loan; until then, do what you have to in order to make it to the closing, however intolerable your working conditions.  Similarly, nothing can be more flattering and exciting than having a more favorable job opportunity fall on your lap.  Wait to jump ship until after your loan closes, even if the income or other aspects of the job change will make you look more favorable for underwriting.  Just avoid rocking the employment/income boat if at all possible from the time of taking an application to the time your loan funds.

Credit Activity

Don't buy anything new, or originate any new "trade lines" as they are called on your credit report.  I mean any line of credit including debt secured by furniture (especially for a home you do not yet have); a car, truck, van, plane, boat, tractor, jet ski or recreational vehicle of any kind.  If this rule is followed correctly, the following rule should be followed by extension: no credit inquiries of any kind either.  A minor exception: regarding (what is currently thought to be) a 30 day window for multiple mortgage inquiries, considered by the credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and Trans Union) as one inquiry. This takes time to "reset" and bear in mind any inquiries outside the 30 day time frame will at least require a letter of explanation and an unnecessary opportunity for an underwriter to find fault.  A final and seemingly obvious but often forgotten piece of credit wisdom; during your loan application process, don't "co-sign" for any financing for anyone.

Income Trail

Yes, it's a shame I have to mention these, but there are often all-too-overlooked rules regarding your income and savings which must be adhered to in the mortgage loan process as well.  Some of you may be surprised how often these rules in particular are ignored, and how quickly a transaction falls out because of not following income trail rules.  Do not make any large deposits into your bank accounts (at least not the ones you are using to qualify you for the loan).  Similarly, don't change the bank account or accounts you are using to qualify for the loan.  Lastly, don't spend the money you have saved for the down payment.  When the mortgage lender goes to verify your funds to close the loan and nothing is there, you can be certain things will go wrong.

Following these rules won't guarantee your loan closing, but not following them will most certainly guarantee your loan will not close.  Contact me if you have any specific questions and want to make sure you are prepared to keep and maintain your credit and income profile through the entire loan process.

Ann Stefanucci562-244-8021

714-822-9453
annstefanucci@gmail.com

www.annopoly.com