The PIN Magazine May 2016

May 2016 Vol. 03 | Issue 5

IN THIS ISSUE: • GENERAL ATTORNEY KAMALA HARRIS’S SUPPORT FOR SB 1150 • IS THE CALIFORNIA DROUGHT OVER?

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Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA President and CEO Office: (800) 401-8994 Ext. 703 Direct: (714) 361-2105 Eric.Frazier@ThePowerIsNow.com www.thepowerisnow.com www.blogtalkradio.com/thepowerisnow

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EDITORIAL TEAM Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA Editor in Chief (800) 401-8994 Ext. 703 Kristina Mari Managing Editor (800) 401-8994 ext. 723 kristina.mari@thepowerisnow.com Goldy Ponce Arratia Graphic Artist and Design Manager (800) 401-8994 ext. 711 goldy.ponce@thepowerisnow.com Andrej Jovanovic Graphic Designer (800) 401-8994 ext. 713 andrej.jovanovic@thepowerisnow.com Nicholas Clarkson Director of Technology (800) 401-8994 ext. 704 nicholas.clarkson@thepowerisnow.com Scocrates Ayala Online Radio & Media Manager (800) 401-8994 ext. 709 socrates.ayala@thepowerisnow.com

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CEO & Publisher Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA 3739 6th Street, Riverside, CA 921506 Ph: (800) 401-8994 ext. 703 EDITORIAL Editor in Chief: Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA Managing Editor: Kristina Mari ONLINE Web Designer: Nicholas Clarkson DESIGN Art Director & Design Manager: Goldy Ponce ADMINISTRATIVE Administrative Assistant: Kendra Gedeon

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GREEN 36 Ways to Make

Kamala D. Harris

YOU 14 How to Increase the Value of Your Home

TECHNOLOGY

LEGAL

18 How to Avoid Foreclosures

ECONOMICS

24 Attorney General

30 Building Personal Savings

20 California Drought

MORTGAGE

REAL ESTATE

Your Home EcoFriendly

OUR COVER

In This Issue...

40 Real Estate Apps that Help Home Buyers

34 VA Home Loans for Veterans

The Buyer’s Club Presents: Downpayment assistance programs Presented by: Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA CA BRE # 01143484 | NMLS # 461807 Website: www.thepowerisnow.com E-mail: eric.frazier@thepowerisnow.com O: 800-261-1634 x 703 F: 800-261-1634 Direct: 714-475-8629

NO REPAYMENT REQUIRED! Grant/Free Money/Gift - to buy a home Act Now - Your Power Is Now! Join Eric L Frazier MBA on every Tuesday of the month from 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM at http://thepowerisnow.com/buyer-sellers/ The Power Is Now Inc., is a Mortgage Brokerage Licensed by the State of California CALBRE License #1980407 and is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. Go to www2.dre.ca.gov for verification. The Power Is Now Inc., is also licensed by the NMLS License #1435243. Go to www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org for verification. The Power Is Now Inc., is an equal housing lender. Our corporate office is located at: 379 6th Street Riverside, CA 92501. Telephone and Fax: 800-401-8994. Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA is a California Licensed Loan Originator NMLS# 461807. This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Restrictions may apply. Information and/or data is subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to credit approval. Not all loans or products are available in all states.

From the

Editor...

Dear Readers, April has come and gone and I am blessed to be one year older. I turned 54 on the 25th and I feel like I am 24 thanks to Shaun T. and the Insanity workout program. This is absolutely an endorsement. I highly recommend the program if you want to get in shape for the summer and for life. The weather in California is improving although it is really silly to complain about the weather when so many states are experiencing floods, hail the size of golf balls and snow that is keeping kids out school and cars frozen in their driveways. So no complaining from me about 72 to 80-degree weather and sunshine with no rain. I am just going to deal with the low rain fail. Pray for us in California. We do need the rain and the summer is coming when all of California may catch on fire. California is trying to overcome the long, high and dry, drought which in this month’s issue we go deep into detail about. We are seeing some rain but it is not enough and the fire season awaits us. There I go complaining again so let’s move on.

April was filled with several exciting events, such as Earth Day on April 23rd. Millions of people across the world celebrated Earth Day’s 46th Birthday by doing simple deeds such as planting, recycling, and saving waste. Taking action as an adult, is setting a great example for our children that will inherit our problems. We all tend to take mother nature for granted. Everything is at risk. Our water and food supply, pollution in the air, sea and lakes. Did I say pollution in the air? I am getting an electric car in the 4th quarter. Our forests are in trouble, our glaciers are in trouble and the climate change is showing itself every day as something that is real and not going away. It is not fiction as some would have us to believe.

I am going to take more time out to appreciate this beautiful Earth that God created and that man is destroying. I hope you do the same.

In the news, Jacob Lew, the treasury secretary, announced on April 20th that the slaveholding leader of the Democratic Party is now to make room for Harriet Tubman, a woman born into slavery who escaped and became a leading abolitionist in the years leading up to the civil war. This is a big deal and the first big revamp of America’s currency since 1929. Jackson’s four decades owning hundreds of slaves who picked cotton on his Hermitage plantation

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FROM THE EDITOR

in Tennessee makes his replacement by a freed slave a potent symbol of America’s inclination to reckon with its racist past. If you have studied Jackson, you already know that he does not represent most Americans today who value the dignity and freedom and opportunity for African Americans, Native Americans and people of color to desire to live in harmony with everyone and to be free from oppression. Jackson was a slaveholder, exterminator of Indians and executioner of dissidents. His face should have never adorned any American currency but that was past and this is the present and future America we are talking about.

Harriet Tubman embodies the pride of people who refused to remain captive in slavery where black men are degraded to nothing more than the tools of labor to be beaten and used up to their last days and their women/ wives/mothers/children forced into objects for their immoral pleasure fathering illegitimate children and destroying the African American blood lines and breaking up families. Harriet

said enough is enough. Her incredible story of courage and commitment to equality is unbelievable when you think about what she faced during that time. She escaped from her owner in 1849 then undertook a series of 70-odd rescues, ushering slaves to freedom as a “conductor” of the Underground Railroad, a covert network of byways and safe houses running through 14 northern states. This was an incredible accomplishment that only fictional super heroes in the movies accomplish when faced with incredible odds. I am happy that secretary Lew had the courage to choose her for the twentydollar bill. It is time for Jackson to go.

My only concern now is that a new administration could change it all. I hope not but I will not be surprised given our country’s history that we are all trying to overcome.

California Attorney General, Kamala D. Harris is the featured leader on the cover.

She is a woman that can touch your heart and inspire you to work hard, do better, and empower others.

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FROM THE EDITOR

I had the pleasure to meet her twice.

Once at the California African American Museum where I served as a director for many years and most recently at a fund raising meet and greet in Riverside. She is very impressive and persuasive.

I am voting for her because of the great work she has done for California, the powerful endorsements she has from people I respect and for her impressive credentials and accomplishments as a leader and California Attorney General. She is ready for the Senate and I believe she can win. In addition, I see Kalama as a future President of the United States. I do not know if she aspires to be the President but she is doing the work and making the right move to achieve the highest office in the land one day. Do not be surprise when it happens in about 7 to 10 years.

Go to http://www.kamalaharris.org/ and check out her campaign. Kamala, has received numerous endorsements for her campaign from people and organizations we all know and trust. I believe she can win because she is real and passionate about helping people especially those who need it the most.

Kamala has said in interviews, “From my first job until now, whenever I’ve prosecuted a criminal, protected a child, or stood up for a Californian, my work has been about fighting for the vulnerable and voiceless, and making our state a safe, equitable place for all families to live and thrive.” Her

may 2016

support for SB 1150, Homeowner Survival Bill is an example of her commitment to the vulnerable and voiceless. The proposed bill would require companies that collect payments from borrowers—mortgage loan servicers— to communicate with the widowed spouses and survivors of homeowners to ensure that survivors receive accurate information about assuming responsibility for a mortgage and avoiding foreclosure.

This legislation builds on Attorney General Harris’ work in 2011, when she secured $20 billion in relief for California homeowners. Too many Californians in this position are face the possibility of being stripped of their home and they need help. The Power Is Now is all about the homeowner.

We want everyone to buy a home and to retain their home for the generations to come.

May is a special month. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there and to my incredible wife of 34 years who is a leader and great mother to our children. Ruby and I have four girls who are all very accomplished young ladies. Ruby is also a great example for women who have not given up family for a career but understands the value and importance that mothers have in raising children and making a home an environment conducive to raising outstanding

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FROM THE EDITOR

citizens for the world. Every great leader that I know has or had a mother that was a tremendous influence in their lives.

Ruby is an entrepreneur, Mother and leader. She can do it all. All mothers are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. They are vessel of life chosen by God and are blessed. My second oldest daughter Briana Frazier Cannon and my wonderful Son-in-law Virgil Cannon gave Ruby and I another grandbaby name Chloe in April.

Briana is the first of our kids to become a mother and she is an outstanding mother who is caring on our family legacy, full time motherhood! I am so proud of my Son-in-law, Virgil whose success in business in life management has made it possible for him and Briana to focus be on being the best parents they can be. My mother passed away this year, she will be missed. I am the oldest of 7 children. My mother was a great mom and I do not know how she raised seven kids but she did and we are all very blessed to have a mother like herself. May she rest from her labors and enjoy the fruit of her faith in heaven.

I believe you will enjoy the topics we have covered in our May issue of The PIN Magazine. Please check out the OC Realtist Magazine as well at www. ocrealtist.org. As always, thank you for reading the magazine, please share it with your friends and remember, The Power Is Now! We are at our best and we maximize our success when we act now.

Eric Lawrence Frazier M.B.A Editor-in-Chief

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ECONOMICS

How to

INCREASE the Value

of YOUR HOME One of the things that are clear about investments is that when people make one, they usually expect a larger return on the amount initially invested. Nobody wants to just sit on their money watching it accrue a miserable amount of interest when there are plenty of opportunities out there in the market to make that investment grow safely.

When it comes to being a homeowner, we need to consider the fact that purchasing a home is perhaps the largest, most important purchase that we will make during our lifetime, and as you may already know, a home, a property and even a piece of land are investments that could increase their value depending on the amount of time and money that one is willing to spend on them. In fact, many people make a living by purchasing run-down homes and fixing them to sell them for a profit, and even if you are not interested in selling your home, there is no reason why you should not consider increasing its value.

The Small Details Matter

some small details that could easily be fixed while focusing on the larger picture. For example, painting your home can quickly offer visitors and possible buyers a new renovated look without spending a lot of money on labor or materials. In fact, if you know what you are doing, you can paint your own home in a weekend by recruiting the help of a few relatives or friends, but if you can afford to hire a professional, it is generally a good idea to do so.

Another thing that we tend to overlook in our homes that could quickly increase its value are moldings; Moldings are inexpensive (though their price depends a lot on the material), and if you are a bit of a handyman, you can easily replace them on your own. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also consider having your floors replaced. This of course will be quite more expensive than simply replacing the moldings, but this can be one of the most effective ways to considerably increase the value of your home almost instantly.

If you are thinking about renovating your Finally, if you enjoy landscaping you home in order to increase its value, it is can use your hobby to also increase the possible that you might have glossed over value of your home by doing a bit of low-

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ECONOMICS

maintenance landscaping. Consider trimming bushes and shrubs and adding colorful plants to your front yard as this is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to make your home more appealing to the eye as well as improving the first impression that people will get when inspecting your home. Other things that you can do to increase the value and the appeal of your home is to plant a tree and to make sure your grass is always trimmed and looking fresh.

Most potential home buyers, when looking for their dream home, look for a yard that is already complete or easy to take care of. While this is not always easy to do in places with extreme weather, you can always opt for artificial grass which looks almost as good as the real deal.

The Bigger Picture We realize that doing all these small fixes sounds much more appealing than investing thousands of dollars on something like doing your roof or perhaps installing new plumbing in your home. However, these are things that cannot be ignored and something that rings true for most homeowners is that there are a few expensive things that will need to be replaced as time passes by. Sometimes the best way to figure out what needs to be replaced or what to expect in the next few years is to hire an inspector; and while inspectors do charge hefty fees, their help can be an incredibly valuable asset in order to understand what needs to be replaced or repaired.

And then of course we have additions.

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ECONOMICS

Additions are perhaps the best way to increase the value of your home over time, but they can be costly and frustrating if you don’t hire the right contractor or if you decide to ignore the finer details. However, when done correctly additions are an extremely valuable asset that will do wonders for your home and its value.

There are some questions that you should ask yourself before deciding on whether or not an addition is right for your home; things like your budget, the right contractor and the regulations of your town or homeowners associations should always be taken into consideration. On the other hand, you should also be prepared to deal with the inevitable inconveniences that are typically associated with additions like noise, lack of access to the rest of your home, having people walking in and out of your house and cleanup can

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be extremely annoying for some people so you should definitely consider making arrangements to deal with these possible nuances.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways in which you can increase the value of your home depending on the amount of money that you are willing to spend and the amount of time you have available. And while it might be possible to fix or replace some things on your own, there are other things where the input of an expert can make a huge difference when it comes to the success of your project. In all cases, consider that the value of your home can quickly go up if you take a minute to evaluate the needs of your home and the endless possibilities when it comes to renovations and additions.

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LEGAL

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LEGAL

this point. It might not only save your credit rating This type of approach will let you pay back but your house as well. See HUD’s website to get the missed payments each month alongside started on your search for a free counselor today. the mortgage plan. Or, you can refinance. This approach will work out well for you if you have a good deal of equity in the home already, as that MAKE PLANS WITH YOUR LENDER equity can be used to pay off the old mortgage, and any other fees that might come with making You may not know this, but a lot of lenders will a new mortgage plan. work with homeowners who are having problems Now, these are just a few of the basic options most making payments. Often, they are willing to lenders offer. Depending on your lender, other help you out to avoid foreclosure, so don’t be options may also be provided for you. Make sure shy about asking them for help. Make sure you you ask about what you can do and consider all contact your lender and ask them about how to the decisions. avoid foreclosure. You can ask them about a few possible programs to assist.

One possible plan is forbearance, where a lender CONSIDER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS might simply allow you not to pay your mortgage payment for a short period. You will have to The government now has many options available repay eventually those payments later, but it is an for people having difficulty paying their option. It also works if you can prove you will mortgages. Making Homes Affordable allows have an increased amount of income shortly, and you the option of refinancing or modifying your thus be able to pay off those missed payments loan, using government services to prevent consumers from defaulting on their mortgages. more easily.

Loan modification is another alternative. This However, your lender must be a participating option will allow you to adjust the original loan lender in the Making Homes Affordable Program. You can get information at http://www. terms so that you can afford the mortgage.

Reinstatement is another approach to consider. It makinghomeaffordable.gov/ You should never would let you repay missed payments in a given give up on your home, nobody should. Always time frame, and often lenders utilize it alongside know there are always options available to avoid foreclosure. Nobody should be have to give up forbearance.

You could also consider a repayment plan if you their own home. are already behind on your mortgage payments.

REAL ESTATE

CALIFORNIA DROUGHT For the last four years, California has been gripped within the clutches of drought. The dry heat spins a tale of doom and gloom as the whole California population are forced to witness the lakes and rivers turn to dust before their eyes.

Crops wilt, then wither, then die. Snow caps melt. El Nino brought hope and sprinkled relief, but the drought drags on as water shortages reign throughout the state. Us, Californians, are no strangers to a waterless way of life.

Droughts are common enough and they seem to be getting worse as the years progress. There have been three recorded droughts in California since the formation of the U.S. Drought Monitor – a website created jointly by the National

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Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United State Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Notice that in the following graph the dry-spells have increased dramatically since they have began tracking this information. Could we be seeing the beginnings of something much larger in scope?

To get a better perspective on California’s current condition, the Drought Monitor provides us with area maps that can be used to compare drought effects over time. The first image is of California just before the current drought hit. The second depicts the situation as of February, 2016. The

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REAL ESTATE

difference is astounding. Water just went away.

The effects of this drastic change have brought about a state of emergency in California.

Denizens of the Golden State watched helplessly as water reservoirs went dry. The California Department of Water resources reports that, even after El Nino swept in during March of 2016, all but three of the state’s major reservoirs still sit at less than half capacity. There are images all over the web depicting the staggering effects the drought has had on California’s waterways. The internet allows the world to see the boat docks that hover over a beds of cracked mud, or the bridges that span over vast valleys of dirt and clay where water once flowed in torrents. The land has gone dry. There are many who wonder if this drought will ever end.

Farmers are likely the most concerned. Many of California’s agricultural products require huge amounts of water to produce them. Almonds, for instance, represent a $21.5 billion industry that supplies the state with over 140,000 jobs.

It takes a little more than 2,000 gallons of water to produce just one pound of almonds!

That is also a lot of water, and that’s just an example. In April of 2015, The Washington

Post reported that Agriculture accounts for 80% of California’s total water usage. Golden State farmers absolutely need those reservoirs when the rains stops falling. Bad things happen when they dry up. Agriculture is a $45 billion industry in California. It is set to take around $3 billion in losses due to the severity and longevity of this monster drought. Around 20,000 jobs have been lost due to an 11% drop in planted acreage.

Moreover than that, it has been estimated that 500,000 acres of land went unused in 2014. Water allocations are a premium as many farmers are vying for relief that just doesn’t seem to exist.

The situation is uncertain, but many experts are expecting things to get worse before they get better. In urban areas, water is rationed. Fines are levied to those who waste water on such things as lawns or pools. We have been asked to reduce our water usage by 36%. California, as a whole, has set a goal of 25% water usage reduction.

To help in this effort, San Francisco’s Public Utilities Commission launched a campaign promoting, “Brown is the New Green” to get the urban population to stop watering their lawns and to let them turn brown for the conservation effort. Even local governments are pulling back on lawn care for parks and public gardens.

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REAL ESTATE

So, just how long is all this going to last? Well, there are reports that paint a picture of long-term continuation. Many were expecting El Nino to stomp in like “Godzilla” and save the day. It did not. El Nino proved to be nothing more than an average rainy season. That is good; average means snow on the Sierra and rising water level in some parts of the state. Northern California saw most of the improvement. The image to the right is post-El Nino California. When compared to the images above ,we can see the positive changes. The problem is far from over, however, as the south did not fare so well.

As El Niño calms and quiets, the West Coast is left wondering – what happens next? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may have an answer, but you will like it. They are expecting a 70% chance that La Nina – El Nino’s little sister – will follow this year and further hamper the situation. La Nina, should she pay a visit, would mean that we can expect a dry winter and a drought that continues unabated.

The snow is back, but California is not out of the woods just yet.

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If history is any kind of guide, we would do well to hunker down, just in case. A Mercury News article from 2014 says that researchers studying tree rings, sediments, and other geological constructs have made an unsettling discovery.

The state has had a very long history of droughts. In fact they have documented several droughts in California that lasted as long as a decade, sometimes two, within the last 1,000 years. Some droughts carried on for more than a century. They found evidence of one named as a “megadrought”, lasted 240 years! Scientists have said that the current drought could very well end up being much, much longer than anyone wants. Perhaps it is simple paranoia.

However, science has highlighted the possibility.

In all reality, there is really nothing much that humanity can do to stifle the beast. Humanity is, and has always been, at the mercy of Mother Nature. What we can do is prepare, hope, and wait. Will it stretch on into yet another year, or will it cease this nonsense and get back to business as usual? At this point it can go either way. Perhaps the rest of the country should take pause and pay attention. People usually take for granted those things they seem to have in plenty.

How many gallons of water go wasted in homes all across the world? Why is it so commonplace to treat our water supply as though it were a trivial thing – to be wasted for the sake of the fleeting pleasures? How long will it take for our water supply to deplete entirely with such frivolous behavior? You would think us living in California would know the answer to these questions, but unfortunately we do not.

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Frazier Group Realty, Inc. As you venture into the World of Real Estate, we can help you put the pieces together and Naviagate you into Home Ownership

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Briana M. Frazier Broker License # 01751473

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Frazier Group Realty is the right place. Our Navigators are available to give you personalized service and answer any questions you may have. You can call, email or visit us and we will be there ready to help you every step of the way. Wether you are a first time home buyer or an experienced real estate investor, here at Frazier Group Realty you gain useful information about how to choose the “right” property, and everything involved in making an informed decision in today’s real estate market.

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3739 6th Street, Riverside, CA 92501 Office: (951) 686-5261 Fax: (951) 686-5264 www.fraziergrouprealty.com

Our Cover

OUR COVER

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris

and Her Support for SB 1150 What is the Homeowner Survival Bill?

Harris managed to obtain a twenty-billiondollar aid package for suffering California homeowners

Recently, you may have heard a lot of hype about The Homeowner Survival Bill of Rights, also known as California Senate Bill 1150, the brainchild of Senators Mark Leno and Cathleen Stockton. This bill is rattling individuals to rally because it recently won another important supporter: Attorney General Kamala D. Harris. But what is the bill? What does it signify, and what did the attorney general have to say about throwing herself behind the legislation?

Why Californians Need This Bill

An important potential concept for some of the most vulnerable members of our society, the bill enforces security of home ownership for widows and survivors. The idea behind the possible legislation is to force mortgage lenders to interact with those less than fortunate individuals to educate them correctly about how they can take over paying a mortgage on their own, with a focus on attempting to avoid foreclosure. The bill hopes to prevent any further punishment or suffering on already struggling individuals, who through the loss of a spouse, may now be on the verge of losing their homes. To protect these individuals from enduring even greater loss after they have already suffered a tragedy, the legislation is, in part, a concept the Attorney General herself escalated in 2011. During that year, Kathleen

“Following the devastating loss of a loved one, too many Californians also face the possibility of being stripped of their home.

This proposed legislation requires mortgage servicers to communicate with spouses and children of deceased homeowners and gives them a fighting chance to stay in their homes,” said Attorney General Harris. “I thank Senators Leno and Galgiani for their efforts to extend critical financial and legal services to Californians facing unnecessary foreclosures.” One thing the bill attempts to do is provide survivors or heirs to receive, at the same time, loan assumption and loan modification. The goal of the program is to force one point of contact with the lender to make the entire process simpler for the person suffering such a tragic loss. These steps include an attempt to relieve stress and try to promise the individual that options about retaining the home do exist. Working with the lender, the mortgage company should provide both education and support to the survivor, discussing and laying out basic plans and approaches so that the survivor can make a decision and utilize necessary resources.

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OUR COVER

servicer[s] must have policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that, upon notification of the death of a borrower, the servicer promptly identifies and facilitates communication with a successor in interest of the deceased borrower with respect to the property that secures the deceased borrower’s mortgage loan.

“Instead of getting basic information on how to proceed with a home loan following the death of a loved one, surviving spouses and children face a labyrinth of paperwork and conflicting directions and requests, which only prolongs their grief,” said Senator Leno. “Many family members unnecessarily lose their homes without ever knowing they had the right to Taking Action assume the loan or seek foreclosure remedies.

Before more families give up, we must step in.” In 2012 the attempts to help homeowners that fell on hard times continued. That year, Attorney “As California’s senior population increases so General Harris completed her famous twentydoes this problem. Through its common-sense billion-dollar aid plan to provide relief for protections, SB 1150 would prevent additional, California homeowners in need. The settlement, unnecessary, ‘red-tape foreclosures’ on widows, at the time, seemed like a saving grace for many widowers, and other heirs,” said Kevin Stein, failing homeowners. And yet, these actions Associate Director at California Reinvestment were still not enough to regulate the problems homeowners faced with mortgage lenders when Coalition. at their lowest points of manipulation. The Finding some resolution program to assist California Homeowner Bill of Rights (HBOR), survivors existed in the works of the government partly spurred on by Attorney General Harris, system since 2011. During that year, a Mortgage introduced several new laws to both protect from Fraud Strike Force initiated itself into the and prevent foreclosures inflicted upon California California Department of Justice to examine homeowners. The laws, in effect since January and also press criminal proceedings against any 1, 2013, do several things. First, they ensure misconduct at any point of the mortgage process. that homeowners who are having difficulties The Mortgagee Strike Force’s existence came will be able to get contact with their lender. The into play to hold accountable any mortgage legislation also does not allow much room for lenders who were engaging in illegal activity, dual-track foreclosures while also making sure or potentially taking advantage of vulnerable that charges are brought against those engaging in fraud when practicing mortgage lending. borrowers.

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Back in 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau commented that “servicer[s] must have policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that, upon notification of the death of a borrower, the servicer promptly identifies and facilitates communication with a successor in interest of the deceased borrower with respect to the property that secures the deceased borrower’s mortgage loan.� Although this comment was put forth, and strongly justified by its supporters, many noted to the California Department of Justice that many mortgage lenders simply did not attempt to do much when dealing with either widows and orphans of homeowners that had passed on. There was no strict law, plan, or bill set in place, so mortgage lenders still had wiggle room to avoid doing what most people would call the ethical thing, and wiggle around they did.

Thus, it came to light that more action needed to occur to reign in the mortgage lenders. The problem persisted and as such, many in the legislature began discussions on how to author legislation to solve the problem and force mortgage lenders to do the right thing when dealing with the deaths of homeowners. This experience is how SB 1150 developed into a plan to make sure mortgage lenders took the time to successfully communicate with suffering families facing a potential foreclosure after a personal tragedy. The inability to provide leniency after the death of a loved one ensued shocked many in the legislature and calling for a method of action to control the actions of mortgage lenders became a growing focus in legislation.

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YOU

Building Personal

SAVINGS

Saving money is one of the most important ways to prepare for your future but one of the most neglected. In the Pew Charitable Trust’s recent study on saving habits of American households, they found that over half of the families studied had less than one month’s expenses available in the event of an emergency. Financial advisors recommend keeping at least 3 to 6 months worth of liquid funds available in case of an accident or unexpected layoff. Are you prepared for the worst? Planning for emergencies can be scary, but simple steps like cutting back on extra spending, setting reasonable goals, and finding the right place to store your money will make the task manageable.

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CUTTING SPENDING

The first step in saving is to find out where your money is going. For a few weeks, really focus on the money that you use on purchases that really are not necessary. A simple pen and paper will do the job, but you can also use a spreadsheet or a financial tool like Google or Excel, which can interface with your bank accounts to automatically track your expenditures by check, debit, and credit card. After a while, you will be able to see the big picture of what you can save.

A latte in the morning or a beer at the bar after a long day at work might not seem like a big expense, but small purchases can quickly add

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YOU

up.Brainstorm ways to reduce those expenses without sacrificing your quality of life. Make your own coffee, cook at home a few nights a week, and invite your friends over to drink a six-pack and watch the game at your place - no dealing with snarky bartenders and baristas!

SETTING GOALS

end up spending more money than if they hadn’t set a goal at all! On the other hand, setting a goal that is too easy may give you underwhelming results, leading you to wonder “Is really much of a point to saving?” Psychologist Edwin Locke, who developed his theory on goal-setting in the late 1960s, said that “goals that are both specific and difficult lead to the highest performance… many studies have compared the effect of specific, hard goals with goals such as ‘do your best.’ People do not actually do their best when trying to do their best because, as a vague goal, it is compatible with many different outcomes, including those lower than one’s best.”

The upshot here is that you should set a goal that is challenging, yet achievable. Luckily, more and more banks are offering ways to help us by allowing us to use online banking to move money from checking to savings from the comfort of our own home, or even set up automatic transfers.

Modern technology has greatly improved for convenience and security.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ACCOUNT

Now that you have cut back your spending, setting aside money for savings will be a bit less painful. It might be easy to promise yourself that you will put away what you can spare each month, but realistically, setting a goal and sticking to it will give you better results. Being realistic is incredibly important as well, an unobtainable goal could backfire. According to the Journal of Consumer Research, when saving goals are set too high, failing to meet that goal can be so de-motivating that “would-be savers”

Learning to store your money is equally as important. While some people choose to leave their extra money in their primary checking account, dedicated savings accounts offer much

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better interest rates and reduce temptation to spend. When you open a savings account, it might be intuitive to go with a bank that handles your checking, and there are some advantages to that arrangement. Namely, banks often offer free and convenient transfers between two accounts at the same institution. Some will even let you link your accounts so that if you happen to overdraft your checking, your savings will be tapped as an overdraft buffer, avoiding returned checks and the associated fees. However, this easy access can be as much of a curse as a blessing. If you find that your nest egg tempts you to crack it open, some financial advisors recommend placing your savings with a separate bank from your checking, and even forgoing a debit card for the account. Creating these slight obstacles will make you think a little more about whether you really need the cash right now.

The terms for savings accounts vary from bank

may 2016

to bank; they have different minimum deposits, and a range of fees for violating that minimum.

Many restrict the number of withdrawals you can make in a given period without incurring a fee.

Interest rates tend to follow the market average, but some credit unions have been known to offer slightly better dividends. Accounts with a high minimum deposit may also offer a higher interest rate in order to court new clients. Shop around to see what is available in your area.

Saving enough money to be prepared for the future can be intimidating, but if you take it one step at a time, you will be surprised at how quickly you make progress. Just remember to watch your unnecessary spending, set tough but reasonable goals, and choose the right savings account for your habits. When you have a nice nest egg set aside, the peace of mind you will find will make it all worth it!

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JUMBO LOANS WITH 10% DOWN

NEW!

FREE mortgage app for your cell phone!

Click Here

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GREAT RATES! CLOSE FAST!

Loan Amounts up to $3 Million! * No monthly PMI Fixed-rate and ARM options are available Eligible for primary, secondary and investment properties

Name: Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA CA BRE # 01143484 | NMLS # 461807 Website: www.thepowerisnow.com Call me for details: Website: www.thepowerisnow.com Email: eric.frazier@thepowerisnow.com E-mail: eric.frazier@thepowerisnow.com Video Chat: https://zoom.us/j/5443077305 ERIC LAWRENCE FRAZIER MBA Mobile: 714-361-2105 CA BRE: 01143484 | NMLS 461807 Direct: 714-475-8629 Office: 800-401-8994 ext. 703 The Power Is Now Inc.O: 800-261-1634 x 703 Fax: 800-401-8994 CA BRE: 1980407 | NMLS 1435243 F: 800-261-1634

* Restrictions may apply.

The Power Is Now Inc., is a Mortgage Brokerage Licensed by the State of California CALBRE License #1980407 and is not affiliatedwith any state or federal agency.

Go toiswww2.dre.ca.gov verification.

The Power NowofInc., is also01143484 licensed by Licensewith #1435243. www.

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by NMLS# 1273606 www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

Frazier, Eric, an 379 equal6th housing Riverside, 92501. office Telephone and Fax: 800-401-8994.

Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA is aand California Licensed Loan lender. OurCA corporate is located at: 3739 6th Street Riverside, CA 92501.

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may 2016

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GREEN

may 2016

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TECHNOLOGY

Real Estate Apps That Help Home Buyers

Have you ever wondered if applications exist that can make being a broker or realtor easier? Are there any apps out there for phones that can keep you more organized as you go about your busy home-selling days? Are there tools out there for agents, or brokers, too?

their long and busy work days.

Tools for your phone do exist to help make your life, and your career, easier, keeping you both on schedule and on target.

After all, it can get very hectic at times when you are in real estate. Why make things any more difficult than they have to be? Why not just make things Fantastically, many apps exist simpler? that can help both real estate agents and brokers stay both Keeping it simple and using organized and sane through some of the following apps

listed below here should not only make you more organized but much more time efficient.

As they say, time is money, and that saying could not be any truer than in the world of reality. Read on and learn more about some apps that can assist your day in and day out. And once you start using them, you will probably wonder how you ever lived without them.

Well, now you can. Zillow is the one stop shop for a handy property search full of helpful search filters to help you pull up listings in a hurry, or simply look up comparative information as needed. Another nice thing about the website is ZILLOW Need to look up property in a hurry? Wouldn’t it that it offers some extra features as well, like be nice just to whip out your phone and do so? property estimates and mortgage calculators, BEFORE THE PURCHASE

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both of which can help you more easily answer specific client questions as they come. Perhaps even better, you also get a nice overview of the real estate market nearby as well as other available properties when searching for property info on the website. Another nice feature is that the app also utilizes MLS numbers, helping you with your searching goals.

budget. Mortgage Calculator is a great tool for this. Not only does it give accurate results, but it also lets you factor in other items into the budget planning for your clients. For instance, you can check out bi-weekly mortgages or monthly payments on it, and help guide your clients with their final decision. So the next time one of your potential home buyers asks you about a housing mortgage, all you will have to do is take GOOGLE MAPS out your phone, enter in a few numbers, and you will have an immediate and well prepared on the Have you ever had one of those spot answer. days when you are driving around to a new listing, and you get lost and lose track SITEGEIST of where you are? Has it ever happened to you while talking to a client? It can be embarrassing So, what do you do if a client to look like you do not know the area of houses asks you what type of people you are selling, especially when you have a live in a neighborhood? Chances are, if no client with you. When of the best apps you can prospective homebuyer asked you that question get to help you is Google Maps. You will always yet, you would get asked it at some point. look like you know where you are going with Before purchasing a home and moving into a this app, and you will never be officially lost neighborhood, many individual buyers wonder again. Just enter the next address of your next if they will fit in with their possible neighbors. listing, and let the app guide you easily to your People like having things in common with their destination. neighborhood. So, what do you do? That’s where Sitegeist comes in. Whatever neighborhood you MORTGAGE CALCULATOR find yourself in, you’ll be able to pull up a bunch of interesting information about the people that Whether you like math and live there immediately. Facts you can quickly numbers or not, as a realtor, clients uncover for your client include things like the are going to ask you about more than just housing average temperature of the locality, the typical prices. Many of them will want to know about age of people in the neighborhood, what traffic mortgages, monthly payments, and mortgage is like, and the best local hangouts. Some of payback plans in general. They have to know these questions clients may ask you when they if the house is affordable to them monthly and consider whether or not to purchase a particular if they can make the payments to fit it in their home, so be prepared.

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TECHNOLOGY

If you can both quickly and honestly research SIGNEASY things for them and answer their questions, not only does it help you to establish trust with your client, but it also demonstrates how prepared and organized you are while at the same time aiding them with their home buying decision Now that you have a scanner and a place to save MAKING THE PURCHASE your documents on the go, what you also need is the ability to sign documents easily. SignEasy When your client finally decides on what home lets you do this, allowing you to sign any he or she wants to buy, a few other apps can help documents from your mobile device, anytime, you get the final paperwork done much more anywhere. easily should you decide to do it electronically.

Now, with all of these helpful apps on your CAM SCANNER phone, you will be more organized and efficient with your time. Not only will you better be able When you need to scan or make a to answer your client’s questions about houses copy of a document, utilize cam and neighborhoods, but you’ll also have your scanner. You can now make copies and scan little mobile office on your phone with you things using just your phone or tablet. What is everywhere you go. incredible is that the scanner looks exactly as if you had just run it through a regular scanning machine. You no longer have to rush around to make copies of paperwork; you can simply take pictures and scan them in a few seconds with Cam Scanner.

DROPBOX So now that you have documents that you scanned, you need to save them somewhere. Why not do it so you can access them from anywhere, like the cloud drive Dropbox? Dropbox works on almost all mobile devices as well as computers, and you can create folders for each one of your clients to keep yourself organized. Another great feature is the fact you can share your files with whomever you need to share the files with, and access the information anywhere, anytime, with just a mobile device or a computer, and an Internet connection.

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THE POWER IS NOW MORTGAGE SERVICES

A Division of The Power Is Now Inc.

ERIC LAWRENCE FRAZIER, MBA MORTGAGE SERVICES

APPLY ONLINE AT WWW.APPLYTOBUYNOW.COM OR CALL 800-261-1634 EXT. 703

Why Work with Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA?

Programs:

• 34 years of experience in helping buyers finance their home • BS in Business Administration and Management and a MBA in Finance • Real Estate Broker CALBRE # 1980407 • Experienced Business Consultant and Life Coach • Eric Frazier will counsel and guide you through the process. He will help you to make difficult decisions and support you until the loan is closed.

• • • • • • • • • •

• Obtain Preapproval online in 48 hours at www.applytobuynow.com • Join the Power Is Now Buyers Club for free at www.neverrentagain.com ERIC LAWRENCE FRAZIER MBA CA BRE: 01143484 | NMLS 461807 The Power Is Now Inc. CA BRE: 1980407 | NMLS 1435243 Website: www.thepowerisnow.com

Grant Funds for Down Payment Assistance 100% FHA Financing Programs Conventional Loans Government Loans Jumbo Loans None Prime Loans Commerical Loans Private Equity Loans Land Loans Note Loans Buy a Home 12 Months After Bankruptcy, Foreclosure and or Short-sale.

Email: eric.frazier@thepowerisnow.com Video Chat: https://zoom.us/j/5443077305 Mobile: 714-361-2105 Office: 800-401-8994 ext. 703 Fax: 800-401-8994

The Power Is Now Inc., is a Mortgage Brokerage Licensed by the State of California CALBRE License #1980407 and is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. Go to www2.dre.ca.gov for verification. The Power Is Now Inc., is also licensed by the NMLS License #1435243. Go to www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org for verification. The Power Is Now Inc., is an equal housing lender. Our corporate office is located at: 379 6th Street Riverside, CA 92501. Telephone and Fax: 800-401-8994. Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA is a California Licensed Loan Originator NMLS# 461807. This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Restrictions may apply. Information and/or data is subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to credit approval. Not all loans or products are available in all states.

NHF Sapphire is a grant

T

housands of people each year dream of becoming homeowners. The NHF Sapphire Program may help that dream become reality.

This homebuyer assistance program currently provides low-to-moderate income families and individuals with a choice of a 3% or 5% Grant* that does not have to be repaid. The grant can be used towards down payment or closing costs.

Many times this allows homebuyers to purchase a home much sooner than they thought possible.

The NHF Sapphire Program is available for the purchase of an owner-occupied singlefamily residence, approved condominium, or planned unit development located in the state of California. The program is available for purchases of both new and existing homes and is NOT limited to first-time homebuyers.

Program Features at a Glance • • • • • •

Down payment assistance (Currently in the form of a 3% or 5% Grant)* For the purchase of primary residences in California New or existing properties are eligible Program is NOT limited to first-time homebuyers Income limits up to 115% of HUD Area Median Income

*Differing rates apply to 3% and 5% Grants respectively

Call me for details: ERIC LAWRENCE FRAZIER MBA CA BRE: 01143484 | NMLS 461807 The Power Is Now Inc. CA BRE: 1980407 | NMLS 1435243 Website: www.thepowerisnow.com Email: eric.frazier@thepowerisnow.com Video Chat: https://zoom.us/j/5443077305 Mobile: 714-361-2105 Office: 800-401-8994 ext. 703 Fax: 800-401-8994 The Power Is Now Inc., is a Mortgage Brokerage Licensed by the State of California CALBRE License #1980407 and is not affiliatedwith any state or federal agency. Go to www2.dre.ca.gov for verification. The Power Is Now Inc., is also licensed by the NMLS License #1435243. Go to www. nmlsconsumeraccess.org for verification. The Power Is Now Inc., is an equal housing lender. Our corporate office is located at: 379 6th Street Riverside, CA 92501. Telephone and Fax: 800-401-8994. Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA is a California Licensed Loan Originator NMLS# 461807.

This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Restrictions may apply. Information and/or data is subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to credit approval. Not all loans or products are available in all states.