The House and Senate just passed the 300 Billion Dollar Assistance Bill that will help current homeowners facing foreclosure if they meet certain criteria. Did this Assistance bill come in to little to late? What about Victims of foreclosure already that would have been able to meet the criteria but lost their homes already? Who is to take responsibility for this Foreclosure Mess? They're rewarding bad decisions and punishing the people who did NOT contribute to the demise of the real estate market by taking away the Down Payment Assistance programs. And, who's going to pay for it? WE ARE -the TAX PAYERS! So, not only am I making my mortgage payment on a house I overpaid for and I'm losing the value of my property, but now I have to pay to bail out my neighbor? At the risk of sounding like Denise Richard's potty mouth, ARE YOU %@!*%$@! KIDDING ME???!!! So, you're saying that this is the American Dream? Julie Smith bought a house at $600,000 and is making her payments on time every month and can afford her home because she put 20% cash down. Julie's next door neighbor squeaked into their home with no money down and now they can't afford their monthly payments...along with 3 other neighbors. So, the four neighbors get bailed out and the values of the homes in the neighborhood have gone down. Meanwhile, the one homeowner who got into her home legitimately (Ms Smith) is still making payments on a $480,000 loan when her neighbors who live in the same floorplan are making payments on a $250,000 or so loan ? What happened to the principle we’re taught to raise our children with: Reward good behavior, don’t bribe the kid with candy for not repeating bad behavior? Isn’t that what we’re doing? There are consequences for our actions. If certain people are given a “get out of jail free” card, then ALL of us who purchased a home in 2005 should get that same card. What they should be doing is keeping the DPA programs. They’re punishing the WRONG people! The ones who are keeping our economy going are now being swiped of the opportunity if they don’t have $10,000, $20,000 or more sitting in a bank account. The question SHOULD be: Why are they taking away a program that allows people who are well qualified with lengthy job history, good credit scores, and good income-to-debt ratios but don’t have a huge chunk of cash sitting in their bank- from buying the surplus of homes that are sitting on the market for sale? There is a big market of first time home buyers, people who are recovering from life changes such as divorce, and multi-cultural US citizens who are buying the inventory. A large percentage of this group does not have enough cash to cover the entire down payment and closing costs. The question SHOULD be: Why weren’t the appropriate lending guidelines in place to qualify these buyers who are defaulting? If these guidelines are now in place, then why not let the people who do qualify get down payment assistance from the seller who is willing and able to offer it? We should be focused on that point, not bailing out the people who caused this mess. I was raised with the principle that there are consequences for our actions, whether good or bad. Instead, go to GetDownPayment.com and click TAKE ACTION NOW to submit a plea to your congressperson to keep the DPA and the American Dream alive. Otherwise, who will buy the homes on the market? Investors and people with $20,000 sitting in a bank account? If you're a seller, that certainly LIMITS your buyer pool! Not to mention...the investor will severely low ball the offer price as much as $100,000 below asking price (after all, that's what makes it an INVESTMENT, right?!). If you're thinking of buying real estate, you better start saving...for the next 2-5 yrs or so! And, then, you'll most likely have missed the BEST buying opportunity in real estate in YOUR lifetime. They’re adding to the decline of the economy and real estate market by PROHIBITING buyers who are ready, willing and able to purchase a home from doing so if they don't have $10,000-30,000 or more sitting in a bank account. I, personally, am helping several buyers who are well-qualified to get into a home, using this program because they simply don't have the cash sitting in a bank account for the full down payment. Don't get me wrong -it takes a huge amount of effort on my part to find the right home that will appraise at the purchase price and has a seller willing to contribute up to 6% (or more) of the sales price to the buyer's down payment and closing costs, BUT I'm doing it and it's selling homes. I'm willing to earn my paycheck ....and see the happiness of someone who's getting the keys to their very first home...and it’s not at an inflated purchase price! ”…I’m just saying…” Kelli Grant, Residential Realtor TRYING to help dreams come true The response you posted regarding "Will the 300 Billion Dollar Assistance Bill Passed by the House and the Senate Help the Current Real Estate Market?" was very insightful.- Alexander Bermudez, www.Classic-Apartments.com

Recently, realtors and industry experts gathered to showcase neighborhoods in central and east Phoenix. It appears that home buying and selling is strong in specific neighborhoods, such as the area between 35th and 40th streets, from Oak St. to McDowell. Homes have consistently been selling for about 97 percent of value. With gas prices soaring to an all-time high, people are focused on living closer to work. The foreclosure and mortgage crisis dominate the news. Andrew Waite, author of 'Where to live in Phoenix', confirms that 94.6 percent of all mortgages are current. And, with certain neighborhoods still doing well, it's really not accurate to blanket the entire valley with the same negative stats. Phoenix, the 'Valley of the Sun', has always been very neighborhood-centric. The recent housing market highlights how individual communities within one city have their own lifestyle and characteristics. In the last Neighborhood Advisory Council meeting in Sonoran Foothills, the Community Manager pointed out how we can be proactive in taking control of our neighborhood. Developers and home builders market new communities using enormous marketing budgets. Once the community is turned over to the homeowners, we can still make an impact. I guarantee each neighborhood has several resident realtors and mortgage brokers. I, for one, am looking forward to marketing my neighborhood as an attractive place to live with all of our surrounding beauty and amenities! I don’t think it’ll happen right away due to simple geography, but as more businesses are built nearby –the better it will get. For accurate neighborhood housing stats, contact your neighborhood Realtor, Kelli Grant.

2 Bdrm/2 Bath Condo for Sale at 52nd St/Thomas 810 Sq Ft $115,000 - PRICED TO SELL! Centrally located to all areas of the valley. First Time Home Buyers or Great Investment Property. 2 bedroom -2 bath condo has tenants in place until 6/30/2008. The carpet was replaced in 2006 along with a fresh coat of paint. This unit has updated appliances. The two bedrooms are very large and spacious. Conveniently located next to Scottsdale on 52nd Street between McDowell and Thomas....easy access to entire valley! Call Kelli Grant to see this excellent property for sale! 602-799-5420

4 Bdrm/3 Bath House for Sale in Rio Verde 2,883 Sq Ft * Built in 2004 $579,000 - PRICED TO SELL! Rio Verde Dr. (Dynamite)/144th Visit Property Web Site Gorgeous mountain views and preserve. Swimming Pool/Spa is a 'Spool'. Outdoor firepit. Granite counters, travertine, view deck. This beautiful home is surrounded by the stunning natural landscape of the desert that Arizona is known for. Call Kelli Grant to see this excellent property for sale! 602-799-5420

2 Bdrm/2 Bath House for Sale off I-10 in Phoenix at Cypress Landing! 1206 Sq Ft * 2002 $115,000 - UNDER MARKET and PRICED TO SELL! 6646 W Nez Perce St. Phoenix, AZ --- I-10/67th Ave Large backyard with side yard and RV Gate. Great starter home or investment property. Within minutes of the I-10 freeway. Call Kelli Grant to see this excellent property for sale! 602-799-5420

2 Bdrm/2 Bath Condo for Sale in Salida Del Sol! 1298 Sq Ft * 2002 $239,000 - UNDER MARKET and PRICED TO SELL! 16801 N 94th St. #2044 --- 101/Bell Rd Spectacular mountain views from living room, bedroom and balcony! Desirable Scottsdale Area convenient to shopping, dining, entertainment, night life. Within 5 minutes of the 101 freeway. 2 bedroom split floorplan is perrfect for office or roommate. Call Kelli Grant to see this excellent property for sale! 602-799-5420

2 Bdrm/1 Bath House For Sale Way Under Market Value! $135,000 1015 E Brown St Phoenix Arizona 85020 MLS #2982912 Huge Sized Lot (.19 acre) with RV Gate on quiet street near mountain preserve.

There are many legitimate organizations that help consumers fix their credit, but others are just waiting to take advantage of those needing help. In today’s world of easy credit, bad credit and heavy debts are not uncommon. For many people, debt and credit problems become unmanageable. If you are looking for help, beware of several common credit-fix scams. First, understand that if there are errors on your credit report, such as debts that aren’t yours, you can fix these errors yourself for free. But, if your report is correct and simply contains information that you wish wasn’t yours, there isn’t much you can do. Creditors can keep debts on your credit report for seven years, and there is no magic trick that will make them go away. Keeping that in mind, watch out for the following, as presented by Bankrate.com: 1. We speak the credit bureaus’ language or know some secret regulation that can make unappealing items on your credit report vanish. Remember that there is no such thing as a secret formula that corrects unappealing citations on your report to make them go away. Some companies offering these services will just take your money and disappear. Others will bombard credit bureaus with frivolous disputes, and while these items are under investigation, they may temporarily be omitted from your report, after which they will return. The company, however, will show you your miraculously “clean” report and collect its fee. Also, keep in mind that the Credit Repair Organizations Act forbids any company from accepting money until after it does what it has promised, says Susan Grant, director of the National Fraud Information Center. Remember that scams will usually ask for money upfront. 2. We’ll convince the creditor that you don’t really owe the debt. This works similarly to the first scam. Companies will concoct a scheme for you to challenge the debt or will claim that they will issue a deluge of procedural requests that will persuade the creditor to drop the claim.“Federal agencies have described these schemes as bogus,” says Deanne Loonin, staff attorney with the National Consumer Law Center. If you believe that you may actually have a defense with regard to a debt, you should consult a lawyer. 3. We will get you a brand-new, clean credit file. Remember that this is always illegal. Companies may try to persuade you to apply for a new taxpayer identification number or employer identification number for the purposes of building a new credit history. This is a felony. Be especially vigilant of this one, because you may not realize what you are being asked to do because part of the con is not to explain the entire scheme. Besides being illegal, the “new” credit report would still list your name and address, which would still be connected to your old debts. 4. Call our 900 number for details on our credit-fix strategies. This can be combined with any scam, and more than likely, the con artists will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible, extending huge per-minute charges. 5. We’ll clean your credit fast and use our contacts to get you a credit card, mortgage or loan. This is a newer scam, and one of the most costly. Consumers who really need money or loans are especially susceptible to this, and can be persuaded to pay huge amounts to the scam. Some companies mimic credit-counseling agencies or mortgage companies, and will hit you up again and again, until you have nothing left. Since there are legitimate non-profit groups that help educate consumers with regard to their credit, it is best to keep a tight hold on your wallet and be wary of any quick-fixes or big promises. A little reference-checking on the Internet should quickly reveal the legitimacy of any companies. Generally, be wary of companies that initiate contact, outrageous promises or huge fees. You should also be careful of two common mistakes that are not scams, but are costly. Refinancing your home to pay off credit cards is a bad idea since your home is now on the line. Also, since you are entitled to free copies of each of your credit reports annually, be careful of companies that ask you to pay for them. Andorra Credit Repair Corporation is one reputable agency that you can contact with additional questions. Your annual free credit report can be obtained at AnnualCreditReport.com. This site is sponsored by the three major credit reporting agencies, TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. You set up a log in and password, and it tracks the date and will remind you to pull your report again on the anniversary the following year.

Your Primary Home is First. Buying your own home gives you a place to live and teaches you the cost of home ownership, financing and market conditions. You receive tax benefits and an asset that you can sell, many times for a profit. You will also learn about property maintenance and build your own network of professionals who can prove to be invaluable when investing. Finally, your first home could later turn into your first investment property! When you decide to upgrade or get a bigger house, you might be able to keep your first home as a rental property. Consult your real estate advisor to find out if your house would make a good rental property. Knowledge is Key. Being a savvy investor takes more than just buying up properties. Having a good knowledge base goes a lot further than a “sixth sense” for good deals. Use the Internet, read books by reliable authors, and attend investment groups and college courses. These are all good resources to learning the best investment practices. You should also tap into other successful real estate investors and real estate agents for information. Professional Help Is Essential. Although you may not think you need help, a trustworthy and honest professional may be the partner you need. When it comes to spending tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, I'm sure you want to invest it wisely. You go to a dentist for your teeth, a CPA to prepare your taxes, a doctor when you feel sick....so why would you think a realtor is any less necessary as an important professional to include on your family team? Real estate is usually what people spend the most money on in their lives and yet they'll take short cuts and risk losing thousands of dollars trying to be an expert on their own. Realtors manage real estate transactions every day, whereas you may only handle one every few years. Management companies take the pain out of property management. For instance, managing a rental property takes a lot of time, and you will need to be prepared to make repairs, resolve issues and advertise for renters if you are taking on the task yourself. In the long run, a management company may be just what you need. Use the referrals of friends, family and associates to find reliable, honest professionals to help you. Know the Market. Before you invest, research the local market thoroughly. There is no universal real estate “bubble.” Each market is different, and has different fluctuations and trends. One market may be good for rental income but not appreciation, while another market may be excellent for appreciation but not for rental income. There are endless variables, and it is important for you to know exactly what you’re getting into. Remember that one area is never the same as another area. Even within your local market, different neighborhoods may have their own fluctuations and pros and cons. Turn to your realtor for advice about your intention and what neighborhoods and areas will best reach your goal. With these basic tips under your belt, you are ready to venture out into the investment arena. Happy investing!