Ventura Prudential Agents Relay for Life Fundraiser

Helping out at the parking lot sale held April 16 to benefit American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in May are from left, seated, Maggie Hood, Peterson and Nora Paulson. Standing, from left are Hope Avery, Gayle Pierce, Stella Quintana, Chuck Mattorano, Marsha Spille, Lisa Schoeffler, Kelie Holland, Lyle Elliott, Kaye Ford and Sharon Archer.

Local Realtors at Prudential California Realty’s Ventura office held a giant parking lot sale on April 16 as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on May 14-15 at Buena High School.

It is the third year Realtors have spent weeks collecting the discarded goods, storing them in bins donated by PODS in Ventura, and then devoting an entire Saturday to the event. But it was well worth it, according to Prudential California’s Office Administrator Linda Peterson, who chaired the committee that organized the event. This year, the group netted more than $3,200 for the Cancer Society, the most it has made to date.

“We don’t price any of the donated items,” Peterson said. “We just let the buyers make whatever donation they want. It’s wonderful to see how generous people really are when it’s for a good cause.”

For more information, phone 477-4245.

via Prudential California Realty’s Ventura parking lot sale fundraiser proceeds highest to date » Ventura County Star.

Related articles

• Prudential California Realty – Relay for Life Team 2011 (garyandlisa.com)

Prudential California Realty’s Ventura parking lot sale to benefit American Cancer Society – A Huge Success! is a post from: GaryandLisa.com

Lisa Schoeffler, Laurie Ehrhardt, and Tim Blackwell, all Ventura business people, show their support of TenderLife Maternity Home with a donation.  They invite you to donate in honor of Mother’s Day!

Local Businesses Support TenderLife Maternity Home – Ventura is a post from: GaryandLisa.com

If you haven’t visited Grant Park lately, you may not be aware of all that is going on there.  It is known for the amazing views and is known as “the Cross” by locals.  Although it’s history dates back to before the mission was built in San Bueanaventura, it’s more recent activities are remarkable as well.

Serra Cross Ramparts

In January 2010, stoneworkers from around the world came to Ventura to work on a ramparts project at the Serra Cross Park.

Led by a family from Japan who has built castle ramparts and walls for eight generations, the project was constructed in 10 days using stone from a quarry in Ojai. The Stone Foundation brought expert “rock knockers” from several states to learn the Japanese method of dry stone walling, which uses no mortar and relies on gravity to hold the stones in place for centuries. Massive stones were shaped by hand, using ancient tools. Of special interest is the spherical stone which sits atop one of the ramparts.

via Serra Cross Park.

Grant Park, Ventura, CA -Amazing Views is a post from: GaryandLisa.com

Steve McQueen’s Santa Paula Ranch for Sale: Ventura County Real Estate is a post from: GaryandLisa.com

Have you heard the buzz about Chase Bank stopping Foreclosure?

Since we received more than one phone call yesterday asking what we had heard about Chase Bank stopping foreclosures, we are posting this information for your review.  We have pulled information from several sources.  It appears to be immediately affecting judicial foreclosures in process, however it will almost certainly have a trickle down effect as the pipeline is filling up behind the stoppage.  California is primarily a Non-Judicial foreclosure state,  however, California is one of four states calling for a suspension on all foreclosures initiated by Ally Financial . It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

What is the difference between Judicial Foreclosure and Non-Judicial Foreclosure?  California is primarily a non-judicial foreclosure state.

Each state in the U.S. handles it’s real estate foreclosures differently, it’s important to understand those differences and know your specific state’s procedures. The terms used and time frames vary greatly from state to state, but the following information provides a general overview of the different processes and considerations. If you haven’t done so yet, you can review our guide to each state’s procedures at foreclosure procedures.

Judicial Foreclosures

Judicial foreclosures are processed through the courts, beginning with the lender filing a complaint and recording a notice of Lis Pendens. The complaint will state what the debt is, and why the default should allow the lender to foreclose and take the property given as security for the loan. The homeowner will be served notice of the complaint, either by mailing, direct service, or publication of the notice, and will have the opportunity to be heard before the court. If the court finds the debt valid, and in default, it will issue a judgment for the total amount owed, including the costs of the foreclosure process. After the judgment has been entered, a writ will be issued by the court authorizing a sheriff’s sale. The sheriff’s sale is an auction, open to anyone, and is held in a public place, which can range from in front of the courthouse steps, to in front of the property being auctioned. Sheriff’s sales will require either cash to be paid at the time of sale, or a substantial deposit, with the balance paid from later that same day up to 30 days after the sale. Check your local procedures carefully. At the end of the auction, the highest bidder will be the owner of the property, subject to the court’s confirmation of the sale. After the court has confirmed the sale, a sheriff’s deed will be prepared and delivered to the highest bidder, when that deed is recorded, the highest bidder is the owner of the property.

Non-Judicial Foreclosures

Non-judicial foreclosures are processed without court intervention, with the requirements for the foreclosure established by state statutes. When a loan default occurs, the homeowner will be mailed a default letter, and in many states, a Notice of Default will be recorded at approximately the same time. If the homeowner does not cure the default, a Notice of Sale will be mailed to the homeowner, posted in public places, recorded at the county recorder’s office, and published in area legal publications. After the legally required time period has expired, a public auction will be held, with the highest bidder becoming the owner of the property, subject to their receipt and recordation of the deed. Auctions of non-judicial foreclosures will generally require cash, or cash equivalent either at the sale, or very shortly thereafter.

It is important to note that each non-judicial foreclosure state has different procedures. Some do not require a Notice of Default, but start with a Notice of Sale. Others require only the publication of the Notice of Sale to announce the sale, with no direct owner notification required. You need to know the specific procedure for your state.

via The difference between judicial and non-judicial foreclosures.

Here Is What The News Reports Are Saying:

Wednesday, J.P. Morgan Chase, one of the nation’s leading banks, announced that it will hit pause on foreclosures in approximately half the country due of faulty paperwork. Wall Street analysts said that the move will pressure the rest of the industry to follow suit.

The bank’s verdict will affect 56,000 borrowers in 23 states where claims of forged documents and signatures and other similar problems are being used to try to overturn evictions. But the impact may be much broader, given J.P. Morgan’s standing in the industry. The foreclosure process in many parts of the country will grind to a halt if other banks adopt the same approach.

Officials at Fitch Ratings, a credit-rating, said the “defects” seen in foreclosure documents at J.P. Morgan are industry-wide. Highlighting that concern, Fitch said it is considering whether to lower the grades it gives to the mortgage servicing divisions of the nation’s largest lenders.

Fitch managing director, Diane Pendley, said

“Over the next few weeks, we expect to see more and more companies come out with similar announcements.”

The paperwork problems at J.P. Morgan reflect those exposed last week at another large mortgage lender, Ally Financial. But J.P. Morgan’s decision is likely to have a much more effect on the industry as it is held in high regard by its peers. In contrast, Ally, still unstable with a $17 billion federal aid package that it has been unable to pay back.

Both firms are looking into whether foreclosure files were inappropriately assembled, and if their employees failed to review the documents even as they signed off on them. A growing number of homeowners, even those who missed their mortgage payments, are now rushing to challenge the proceedings, weighing down an already overburdened court system.

J.P. Morgan had refused to address the matter until Wednesday but in a sworn statement, Beth Ann Cottrell, one of the bank’s workers, confessed that she and her team signed off on about 18,000 foreclosures per month without checking if they were justified.

Wednesday, J.P. Morgan spokesman, Tom Kelly, said that the firm

“does not expect to find any factual problems or that customer have been harmed, but if we do find any cases we will take appropriate action.”

Aside from the measures that private lenders have taken, four states California, Colorado, Connecticut and Illinois have called for a suspension on all foreclosures initiated by Ally, as attorneys general in seven other states have opened civil or criminal investigations related to faulty foreclosures.

The Treasury Department has declined to answer specific questions about the matter since it surfaced last week despite the extent of the problems has become more apparent.

On Wednesday, Treasury spokesman Mark Paustenbach said that officials have been communicating with Ally and that they anticipate it to take “prompt action to correct any errors.” He added that the agency is “monitoring their progress.”

Treasury officials personally raised the issue with Michael Carpenter, Ally chief executive, during a recent meeting, said an administration official.

But the agency’s response has discouraged some consumer advocates. A few lawmakers have also called for investigations of whether homeowners are being improperly removed from their homes.

Wednesday, Sen. Al Franken said that the Treasury Department and other federal agencies must start their own inquiry.

He said, “With millions of families losing their homes, it’s inexcusable for companies like Ally to be this patently negligent…I want the federal government to hold Ally accountable and ensure that homeowners who wrongly received foreclosure get the compensation they deserve.”

via J.P. Morgan Chase to stop foreclosures | Ffog.net.

The AP buries the lede with new information about why large lenders have stopped dead: the rating agencies threatened action.

Fitch Ratings said that Wednesday it was asking mortgage companies about their internal processes for executing foreclosure affidavits. If it finds the processes lacking, Fitch will consider downgrading the company’s rating.

The agency also said if the issue is widespread, the resulting delays and extra costs to foreclose could increase losses related to residential mortgage-backed securities.

via 56,000 Foreclosures in Limbo as JPMorgan Chase Reviews Documents | FDL News Desk.

Related articles by Zemanta

• GMAC’s ‘Robo-Signers’ Draw Concerns About Faulty Process, Mistaken Foreclosures (propublica.org)
• J.P. Morgan Chase Freezes Foreclosures (realestateradiousa.com)
• California Foreclosure Law: Non-judicial and Judicial Foreclosure (mortgagesloans.suite101.com)

J.P. Morgan Chase to stop foreclosures is a post from: GaryandLisa.com

 Gary and Lisa Schoeffler along with their partner Lindy Matheney are excited to announce….Summer Vacation Postcard Contest Starts Now!!! 

Summer is here and we know you have exciting adventures ahead this summer!  We want to know where all of our friends and clients are going this summer!  Share your fun with interesting postcards from your summer vacation along with a brief description and the location and we will post them on our blog.  Together we can experience the travels of many and see where our excursions take us!

Categories and Prizes for 7 winners will be based on:

1.  People traveling the furthest/Mastro’s Steakhouse/ $100.00 value
2. Best description of an exotic meal/Trader Joe’s/$100.00 value
3. Funniest Postcard/Barnes and Noble/$40
4. Most Beautiful Postcard/Aloha Steakhouse/$40
5. Most Unique Postcard/Bandits BBQ /$40
6. Best “staycation” Postcard (from paradise where we already live)/Snapper Jacks/$25.00
7. Person sending the most postcards/US Postage Stamps/2 books of stamps $17.60

Postcards will be accepted until September 1, 2010.  Winners will be announced September 10, 2010.  Mail entries to Gary and Lisa Schoeffler, Prudential California Realty, 4574 Market Street, Ventura,  CA  93003.  Visit our blog at http://www.GaryandLisa.com/blog/

Ventura Real Estate: Gary and Lisa Schoeffler & Lindy Matheney Summer Vacation Postcard Contest is a post from: GaryandLisa.com

Gary Schoeffler taught an open house class to fellow Prudential Agents Wednesday, June 2, 2010.

One of the items he handed out was, Open House Preparation – Top 12 Tips for The Owner:

1. Yard neat, lawn mowed, shoveled if necessary.  Walkway, entrance, porch should be clean and uncluttered
2. Garage tidy
3. All the rooms should be neat and clean; remove excess knickknacks and furniture (remember if you put them into the garage or closets – keep it neat!)
4. Floors vacuumed or washed; beds made
5. Curtains and blinds open and all lights on
6. Cars removed or parked elsewhere
7. Minor repairs made
8. Pets and related items removed
9. Deodorize
10. Take out the trash
11. Clean windows
12. Owner and family members absent

Staging the house has become another important tool for presenting your  home in the “best light” at an open house.

“Staging on your Own

You can certainly stage your own home, with a little bit of effort. To do so, you need to employ the same kinds of tactics and tools a professional home stager would employ.

For example, you need to be able to arrange the furniture in an appealing way. You need to be able to showcase soft fabrics. You need to known which kinds of knickknacks to pack away and which ones to highlight. You need to pay attention to lighting in every room, and make sure that the room will “pop” even on an overcast day.

Staging isn’t cheap or easy, but it will pay off. Staged homes tend to sell quicker and for more money than comparable homes that aren’t staged”

via Selling a House? Consider Staging! | HomeownersInsurance.org.

“The best way to try to envision the way your house should look when you are trying to sell it is to have it like a model home. This includes having smaller scaled furniture and probably not as much furniture as well. Usually, double sized beds are used in master bedrooms to gie the illusion of a bigger space than if you had your king sized bed in the room. It is about creating the idea of more space to the buyer and having them believe that they are getting more for their money. If you hire a home stager, you most likely will have to rent a storage space to put the extra items in.”

via How to Get Your Property Ready To Be Sold in a Hard Real Estate Market and How a Home Stager May Assist You | Earn Extra Money Blogging!.

It is important to choose an experienced Realtor who can prepare your home, market the open house successfully and maximize the potential buyers to sell your home.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Selling a House? Consider Staging! (homeownersinsurance.org)
• How to Get Your Property Ready To Be Sold in a Hard Real Estate Market and How a Home Stager May Assist You (wealthyways4you.com)
• Why Your House Won’t Sell (homeloans.org)

Open House Class Taught By Gary Schoeffler, 6/2/10 is a post from: GaryandLisa.com

Congratulations to PODS on their 5th anniversary!  In celebration, they opened their Ventura County facility and hosted a fund raising event that benefited 5 local charities: ASPIRAnet, Boys and Girls Club, Casa Pacifica, Food Share and Turning Point Foundation.  Ventura, Oxnard and Camarillo Chambers of Commerce were all co-hosts of the fund raising mixer.  

The event was well attended.  Several local businesses were on hand giving out free samples of their products.  Bo Jaxon of B95.1 Radio was the MC and Elvis was in the house!  It was a great time and benefitted some  great causes.  Prudential California Realty showed up in large numbers to support PODS who generously supported our recent parking lot sale for the American Cancer – Relay for Life.  PODS donated the POD so that we could store the items being donated for the sale.  They even showed up with lunch on the day of the sale. 

PODS is a great asset to our business community.  Congratulations on 5 successful years and best wishes for many more!

Congratulations to PODS! is a post from: GaryandLisa.com

“Nestled between the rugged Los Padres National Forest and the sparkling Pacific Ocean and located at the southern tip of California’s Central Coast, Ventura is a classic beach town with much more to it than sand and surf.” -Ventura Premier Visitor Guide 2008-2009.

Top 10 Things to do:

1.  Head for the harbor!  Poke around teh shops and galleries in Ventura Harbor Village, rent a pedal craft and watch the boats head out to sea.  Stop by the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center to learn about the pristine wonderland that lies just offshore.

2.  Hop aboard Island Packers and cruise out to the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.  Spot whales, dolphins and sea lions, hike or kayak at Channel Islands National Park, and discover one of the nation’s most spectacular land-and-sea preserves.

click here to view entire article

Top 10 Things to Do in Ventura is a post from: GaryandLisa.com

Technology titan Google Inc. plans to build an ultrafast broadband network in select communities, and Ventura plans to press its case to be one of those test cities.

Google announced this month that it will build and test experimental networks that will be at least 100 times faster than what is available for many users today.

More than two dozen people filled Ventura City Hall on Monday to voice support for a city application.

Residents and local school officials said they would appreciate faster connections, while computer savvy programmers and entrepreneurs like Ross Hale said such speeds could help lure top talent, new investment and help “cement Ventura’s status as a cutting-edge, high-tech city.”

“It’s so exciting,” said Chuck Kasper, a lifelong resident who lamented that, at times, the slow broadband offerings in Ventura make the city like a “third world country when it comes to technology.”   Read the entire VC Star article

Ventura vying to be Google test city is a post from: GaryandLisa.com