Michael McFarlane - Full Service Realtor(R)
helping You bring Your Dreams to Life(R)
Michael McFarlane

Yuba Sutter Homes and Loans
P O Box 1771

(530) 315-2808
Fax: email preferred
michael@YubaSutterHomesAndLoans.com

DISCUSSIONS & NEWS

Yuba-Sutter Real Estate Activity Report
7/22/2010

Twenty-three homes were added to the MLS listing services in the Yuba-Sutter area today (click HERE).

Twenty-five homes that were previously listed had their asking price LOWERED.  To see them click HERE.

Twelve homes were sold today!  Prices ranged from $25,000 to $250,000 (249,900 actually).  View them HERE.

For more information on how this relates to you contact us today!  Phone 530 315-2808 or email us HERE.

FICO Score no longer King!
7/22/2010

That is correct.  According to recent reports, your credit score is no longer at the top of the list for indicators to your credit worthiness.

According to an article in the Los Angeles Times outside firms are being hired by the banks to dig deeper, MUCH DEEPER.

Things like: Where was your pizza delivered; Who pays the power bill; copies of financial records from the institutions themselves (not just the copy you provided); even your on-line shopping habits might come into play.

To read the complete article click HERE.

To read other recent real estate news items click on over to the Yuba-Sutter Grapevine.

Saving Energy means Saving Money
7/21/2010

A great new article was just posted on the Yuba-Sutter Grapevine on ways to build an energy saving home.

This is a good read if you want to save money from the start with your new home purchase also.  It has some great pointers on things to look for during your search for a new home.

Thinking about remodeling your current home?  Read this article to get ideas on how to save money now AND increase the selling price when that time comes.

Home Improvements include Painting?
7/15/2010

While there are many ways to spruce up your home, painting is one of the most do-it-yourself freindly tasks.  Is there a right and a wrong way? 

Well, I don't know about ONE right way, but there certainly are a few things you can do to make the job look better and last longer.

I will refer you to the experts via an article just published by RISMedia.  To read that article, click HERE.

To read about other home improvement ideas check our news blog at Yuba-Sutter Grapevine.

To view properties currently for sale check out Yuba Sutter Homes and Loans.

To receive a FREE home evaluation and market annalisys email your request to CMA@YubaSutterHomesAndLoans.com. Be sure to include your address and any pertinate information.  Including your phone number can speed up the process, especially if we have questions or need more information.

More than Price influences Home Buying Decisions
7/9/2010

In recent activity I have noticed that people are buying their new home with an eye toward things outside the home as well as the features of the home itself.  Price itself is no longer THE factor.

Schools are becoming an important issue again, as are neighborhoods, police and other emergency services, medical facilities, parks and entertainment, and other amenities that make a home out of a house.

The Wall Street Journal just published an article on this very observation.  To read their full article click HERE.

Avoid Scams when Dealing with Short Sales
5/13/2010

It's no secret that short sale and bank owned properties are a significant portion of the current real estate scene.  There are some great deals to be found for buyers and relief for distressed owners. 

Unfortunately, there are also the unscrupulous that take advantage of those in need.  Honest real estate professionals can even become unwitting accomplices through a lack of proper training.  Team members of Yuba Sutter Homes and Loan are trained to watch for these pitfalls, and in how to process your transactions to your best interest.  We also try to help with education through our web sites and our blogs.  Visit us today for more information at YubaSutterHomesAndLoans.com, or read and/or participate in our blog at YuabSutterGrapevine.com

 The Department of Real Estate's commissioner has recently produced an article to help this education.  You can find a summary and a link to the complete atricle on out blog (Yuba Sutter Grapevine.com).

How Much House Can I Buy?
4/24/2010

This is a very good question, and one of the best places to start if you are thinking about purchasing a home.

 There are many factors that must be figured in, and the final numbers can only be arrived at by working with your lender or RealtorŽ.  But there are some good rules-of-thumb.  For instance, if you currently pay $800 per month for rent, including the tax advantages that most home owners qualify for means you could make a home payment of $1100 without lowering your current spending allowances!  That means that by buying you will have $300 MORE each month.

If this idea intrigues you but you are not ready to talk yet, try our calculators at Yuba Sutter Homes and Loans: click HERE.  There is no registration required; you stay completely private.  When you are ready, contact us.  We will figure in the fine points, detail things to YOUR situation and work WITH you to find the best solution for YOU.

 Ready to contact us NOW?  Need more information?  Click HERE.

Want to see what homes are on the market NOW in Yuba City, Marysville, Sutter, Live Oak, Plumas Lake or the foothills.  Click HERE (no registration required and no tracking).

Would $18,000 help your purchase?  Head on over to our blog at the Yuba-Sutter Grapevine for more info!

FREE Credit Reports may not be
4/21/2010

Like so many things in life, these "free credit reports" may not be what they appear to be at first glance.  Of course, when dealing with your private information, you need to take measures to protect yourself.  But you have seen the ads on TV...they must be legitimate, right?  Not necessarily.

 In addition to the normal trickery used, new versions are coming out to circumvent the new laws meant to protect consumers.  And while some of those laws have already been put into place, the TV ads aren't required to change their disclosures until September.

A recent article was written by Kathleen Pender about this very issue.  To read her full article click HERE

When in doubt, consult your RealtorŽ.  If your RealtorŽ does not do loans (at Yuba Sutter Homes and Loans we do!), they should know the correct people to get the job done for you.

For more real estate related news be sure to check our blog at Yuba Sutter Grapevine.com (do not insert the spaces if you type in the address yourself...or you can just click the link).

To see homes for sale in the Yuba-Sutter area visit our site at Yuba Sutter Homes and Loans.com

It's Official!
4/20/2010

Do you know about our monthly newsletter, the Yuba Sutter Grapevine?  If you are not already receiving your FREE copy you may request your copy by clicking the "comment" button below. 

This great newsletter about all things Real Estate and Community now has a companion blog.  That's right, a place that's easy for you to muse about what we write.  While we have always accepted comments here, this new blog is just that, an interactive discussion board. 

Be sure to post your questions, your comments to things already written, or your own observations relating to real estate and our communities.

 Visit Yuba Sutter Grapevine today!  Or just click HERE.

And don't forget our sister Real Estate site Yuba Sutter Homes and Loans.com

Is Your Financial Paperwork in Order?
4/14/2010

According to recent surveys more than 16% of Americans have lost money due to lost or misplaced paperwork. 

While it may be too late to help this year's taxes, now is the perfect time to get a jump on next year.  Right now you have a head start.  Having finished your taxes for 2009 (you are finished aren't you?) has shown you exactly what you need to keep, and how best to organize it.

 

Remember to properly dispose of things that you don't want to keep.  Part of your identity theft prevention routine should be destroying items that have personal information such as account numbers, social security numbers, and others that could lead to your ruin.

 

In a recent article from RISMedia, only 40% of Americans polled thought they could quickly find a requested document.  And that number only jumps to 49% to find it with a little digging!  To read the complete article CLICK HERE.

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