This is the 11th of 17 entries I've written for the "Mortgage Creative Writing Challenge".  The traditional Japanese Haiku format follows the syllable pattern of 5 - 7 - 5.  The writer might bring in a word or concept (kiga) that evokes memories of a particular season.  The last line is usually in sharp contrast (caesura) to the body of the poem. I chose to backdrop each poem with a traditional Japanese watercolor or photograph.  Some in contrast, others not. To the Haiku purist the following might not be proper in the strict sense.  Your latitude is appreciated. Mortgage Haiku # 11   Why 17?  It is the total number of syllables in a Haiku, no other reason.Why separate them?  Each one should be read and engaged individually.  You can find my whole series here:  Mortgage Haiku   03/24/2008

 I just finish reading an article on Inman news talking about a "huge decline" in home sales. There was a lot of other bad news that you could have fallen into and started a pity party with. However I am one to always see the glass half full. While I am optimistic I am not foolish. There is still a lot that needs to happen before I jump up and scream "Hallelujah! The Market has recovered!" The first is that the foreclosure market has to stop hemorrhaging. The increase in the FHA guidelines has done little to prevent this from happening. Nor have I experienced any help in the recovery from FHA adding new buyers. I am not well versed and may seem a little naïve however it appears to me that they (Congress & Senate) failed to realize is that it takes investors to buy the loans. Regardless ... 03/19/2008

Beyond the benefits of security and equity that most people associate with owning a home I would like you to consider some other financial benefits that many people do not really consider. While many people think about the debt and mortgage payment that comes with owning a home there are underlying tax benefits that we hope to make clear for you in this article. For example:If you rent a house for $1,000 a month payment it would cost you $12,000 a year to rent that property. $12,000 that you never would see again, plus you don't get credit from the IRS.If you bought that same property for $100,000 and it cost you $1,200 a month to rent. On the surface it looks like it would cost you $200 extra a month which turns out to be $2,400 extra per year.Let's look at the reality of this situatio... 01/23/2008

Get up to $40,000 to help you buy your first home in Antioch, Contra Costa County, California. In this issue of Golden Nuggets we will take a look at Down Payment Assistance in the City of Antioch, California. Summary:   The City of Antiochoffers First Time Home Buyer's Down Payment Assistance up to a maximum of $40,000.  The assistance is a 0% interest loan bound with an equity share clause.  To be eligible for the assistance the home must be in the incorporated areas of Antioch and you must meet the income guideline restrictions, based on the number of persons living in the home. Contra Costa County offers the American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI) to assist eligible buyers with up to 6% in down payment assistance. The State of California offers up to an additional 6% in assist... 01/05/2008

As of today there are 1216 residential homes/condos on the market in Antioch, California. Of this nunber, 1096 are single family detached homes. It is important to note the ratio of homes sold and homes on the market; 27 homes sold and 1216 homes on the market. In addition to this note also the average price of homes sold is $356,792. This indicates that homes buyers are looking for more and wanting to pay less now adays. Not a good time to list your home but one heck of a time to buy! Unfortunately many home sellers sat on the fence waiting for that perfect time to sell and watched it go by.... now they are wishing they listed their home two years ago.  Right now is the excellent time to buy. Unfortunately I am seeing many home buyers sitting on the fence still. When interest rates sta... 10/25/2007

What is a good strategy for increasing listings while having increasing church responsibilities?I am very active in my church from Sunday school teacher, choir leader, intercessory prayer, and nursery worker.  I haven't taken a lot of listings because of my minimal availablity for open houses on Sundays.  I have two Sundays a month where I am not doing a church work outside of being a saint and I can have an open house in the afternoon.  First service lets out at 11 am.I want more listings but I also want to be fair to my seller.  I have been working with buyers mostly. It is a better advantage to have listings because the Realtor is in control of any market.Any advice? 07/30/2007

Antioch, California  Housing Market As of July 23rd 2007 There are presently 1194 SFR Properties on the Antioch Market.   Of these 1075 are detached Single family homes. As of this date for the month of July the median price of sold detached homes is $416,000. The average price is $415,663. Both these numbers have gone down since June 24th 2007t. Since July 1st there have been 23 sold homes or which 22 were detached single family residences and 36 properties have gone pending of which 31 were detached single family residences (entered into contract but not yet closed). In the previous month of June 2007 there were 42 homes sold in Antioch. As we enter into the last week of July the numbers have continued to decline from May. It continues to be an excellent home buying market. For home b... 07/23/2007

As of June 24th 2007 There are presently 1180 SFR Properties on the Antioch Market.    Of these 1059 are detached Single family homes. As of this date for the month of June the median price of sold detached homes is $436,000. The average price is $457,892. Both these numbers have gone down since June 1st. Since June 1st there have been 42 sold homes or which 32 were detached single family residences and 61 properties have gone pending of which 56 were detached single family residences (entered into contract but not yet closed). In the previous month of May 2007 there were 64 homes sold in Antioch. As we enter into the last week of June there still is the possibility of passing last month numbers.VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT http://www.morenoworkgroup.com/  StatusClassTypePrice RangeNo. of Listi... 06/24/2007

As of June 9th 2007 There are presently 1139 SFR Properties On the Antioch Market. Of these 1020 are detached Single family Residences. For the month of June the median price of detached homes is $485,000. The average price is $505,494. Since June 1st there have been 14 sold homes and 16 homes have gone pending (entered into contract but not yet closed). In the previous month of May 2007 there were 64 homes sold in Antioch. Price RangeNo. of ListingsDollar VolumeAverage PriceMedian PriceAverage DOM$235,000 - $239,9991$235,000$235,000$235,0005$275,000 - $279,9991$275,000$275,000$275,00033$290,000 - $294,9991$290,000$290,000$290,000133$325,000 - $329,9992$650,000$325,000$325,0005$345,000 - $349,9991$349,000$349,000$349,00067$350,000 - $354,9991$350,000$350,000$350,00066$355,000 - $359,999... 06/08/2007

Bring your family to the 2007 Delta Blues Festival,   in Antioch, Ca.   The event is Free to attend, with some of the best Blues performers and music in the world!  The festival is scheduled for Saturday September 15, 2007.  The location of the festival is in the "Rivertown" district of Antioch, Ca.    For more information, directions, list of vendors, sponsors, and scheduled performers,  please visit the following link:   http://www.deltabluesfestival.netIf you would like more information about the community of Antioch, East Contra Costa communities, relocating to the Delta area of Northern California,  or any questions regarding Real Estate and Mortgage Financing,  please call Karl Kruger at  925-895-6467  or send an email to   karl@northstatefinancial.com 04/19/2007

You will be the envy of the block if you purchase this home. With 4 bedrooms configured to not be a box, and 2.5 baths, you will enjoy sitting in your beautifully landscaped backyard watching the sun set or the sun rise. You really have to see this home.Linda Walling-StoneRealtor Coldwell Banker Coon & McCreary925-969-0616www.LindaWallingStone.com   04/13/2007