This is a very interesting case I have been following on the ACLJ Radio Show, Another violation of our first amendment rights.It is amazing to me how our college students are asked to deny their religion and acknowledge that we have no free will in order to pass a college class and receive a grade or deny their free will and get a 0 grade. Yes, you heard me right, check out this new case by Jay Seccular. I was also shocked to hear the callers calling in to say that this also happened to them and that they had to deny God and religion to pass a class. I also heard callers saying how this is happening in Religion College Classes that were being taught by Atheist Professors..Yes, you read this right a College Professor that is atheist teaching... 04/16/2008

Now with the low Interest rates, Interest Only is not a bad thing or Taboo....When in fact it can save you money, get you out of renting and make you a homeowner.   You will qualify for a tax write off on your new mortgage as a homeowner, which will make buying cheaper than renting and start making you money (equity) You will save 20-40% off your gross taxes..Stop looking at your net income and see just what you are paying in Federal Taxes each month. Goes like this: Interest Mortgage Payment is $2500.00 You will get say if you are in 30% tax bracket a credit back for you to use monthly or as a refund at the end of the year. $2500.00 Mortgage Payment*                                  Rent per month-$2500.00                                x$562.50 per month Approx. Tax Credit         (30... 04/10/2008

Torrance Real Estate, Marlene Calderon, Torrance Realtor 310-923-4858Torrance, California, the city with a hometown feel, is the sixth largest city in Los Angeles County, competes globally through its myriad of assets: diverse residents, flourishing businesses and safe communities. Over the years, Torrance continues to live out its motto as a balanced city. Welcome to Torrance!Are you starting a new business, relocating or expanding to Torrance CA ? Here's what the City of Torrance CA has to offer your business. Call Marlene if you have any questions. She is available to connect you with Torrance CA resources.Torrance, CA is often referred to as the location of choice for business, Torrance CA is strongly diverse in the industrial, commercial and retail markets. Centrally located in the... 04/08/2008

          As per this article in the California Association of Realtors, we are now able to check for the new FHA Limits in our Los Angeles AreaThis is a fantastic opportunity for the first time homebuyer and any homeowner that wants to reduce their interest rate and refinance out of a jumbo loan to FHA.I would be happy to send you the loan limits for your area , we track it on the FHA website.   FHA Mortgage Limits By County in California Available Online* (Mar 10, 2008 - *Since the FHA mortgage limits by county have recently changed, the latest information is available by typing in the county name and then clicking on "Send" - The temporary FHA loan limits range from $271,050 to $729,750. Loan limits will be set at 125 percent of the median sales price for the area. However, these hi... 04/03/2008

I recently sold a home in the Victoria Knolls neighborhood of Torranceand was very surprise at just how few people even knew it existed.  Victoria Knolls is actually in the Walteria area of Torrance but has a very different feel due to the fact that it's so isolated and it's actually up on the hill (see Victoria Knolls Map).  The only way in and out is on a street named Crest, off of Crenshaw.  It's actually located east of PCH and up on the hill adjacent to Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates.   It's a fantastic area with a real neighborhood feel.  As it's up on the hill, many of the homes offer great views of the city and mountains and most homes are located on quiet, tree-lined streets.   While the lack of peoples awareness of the area make for a bit more difficult situation when ... 03/22/2008

    What are you drinking????            +              Pic. courtesy of msnnews.com This is an interesting study. I was just thinking last week, why did people instruct me to throw my old prescriptions down the comode?? Couldn't remember why, something about drugs becoming resistant if they were exposed thru trash and harming local wildlife?? I don't know but I do know deciding not to throw my old RX's down the toilet anymore because I had one thought, How do we get our drugs out of the water supply once we throw it in there. Surely, we do not have enough knowledge to clean the water that throughly.Well, I have my answer as soon as a week later, According to KCal 9 News in California and yahoo.com.WE are now finding drugs in our water supply public and some bottled. I think now we know... 03/11/2008

Seaside Ranchos is a highly desired neighborhood known for its very good elementary school, Seaside Elementary, as well as it's proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Homes currently range from roughly $700,000 to over a million, some with views of the Palos Verdes hills or Redondo Beach and the ocean. This neighborhood is located near the ocean and directly adjacent to Hollywood Riviera, where homes are generally more expensive. Seaside Ranchos is known for it's beautiful "Christmas Lights" district, a real treat around the holidays; visitors come from far and wide to view the elaborate lighting decorations. The neighborhood also has a small golf course and youth sports fields, making it a popular place with both parents and children.   03/08/2008

Torrance Gardens is a small neighborhood in Torrance, CA located between Madrona and Crenshaw Boulevards and between Carson and Torrance Boulevards. This neighborhood boasts many smaller homes, although there are also large remodels in the area. The Torrance Civic Center, Police Station, Library, and Courthouse are located on the western edge. Wilson Park is just to the east and boasts a Farmer's Market, Fourth of July fireworks, beautiful walking paths, and duck ponds. Homes in the area are slightly more affordable than homes to the West (nearer to the ocean), but it is still considered a good neighborhood. An added, bonus: walk to parades along Torrance Blvd. and visit the huge and recently updated Del Amo Mall.   03/08/2008

Hickory Park is a family-friendly neighborhood centrally located in Torrance, CA. Loosely bounded by Crenshaw and Sepulveda Blvds. and Maple/235th, this area is adjacent to Marble Estates as well. Both areas are within walking distance to an award-winning elementary school, Hickory Elementary. The school abuts a beautiful park (Hickory Park) with a playground, tennis courts, and walking and riding paths. The neighborhood is quiet and well-kept with homes generally selling between $700,000 and $1,000,000, depending on size and condition. An abundance of shops are nearby with Del Amo Mall and the Torrance Crossroads sporting everything from Starbucks to Home Depot. There are three bowling alleys, an ice-skating rink, and another (larger) park, Wilson Park, very near. At Wilson Park, you c... 03/08/2008

One thing in real estate that I always get a kick out of is the ever evolving trends in real estate.  I'm currently selling a home at 21714 Evalyn in the Southwood neighborhood of Torrance and in discussing with the owner how best to prepare the home to be sold, I realized what a difference a generation makes.  In todays real estate world almost everyone is searching for the same thing.....granite kitchen counters, stainless appliances, hardwood floors (the "in" color and wood to be determined weekly).  The owner of Evalyn has been in the home since the early 70's and kept the place in fantastic condition.  It's a bit dated, but in great shape.  In our discussion of how to best attract today's buyers, I had mentioned that we may want to pull up the wall to wall carpeting to reveal the b... 03/03/2008

Now in California, it is a law that we have to make our clients aware of Private Real Estate Transfer Fees. What , never heard of them, either did I till last week, and I have been in residential for 28 years.What are they?A fee that is paid to the private party everytime the house is sold...Who would do that? Well it seems that some contractors use this as a way to pay their lost lawsuits.Where do you find them: On the Preliminary Title Search and who pays them? The Seller of the property depending on the Transfer Fee.Is your Seller aware of it, probably not but we now have to track them and disclose the private transfer fee to the Buyer and complete the new CAR form for 2008.Guess what the Party of the Private Transfer fee has to 2009 to record the disclosure but the realtors liabilit... 02/26/2008

Hollywood Riviera is perhaps the most prestigious area of Torrance. Homes are more expensive, but if you can afford it, this is the place to be. The main reasons are as follows: Close proximity to Riviera Village, a smallish area where you can walk to a diverse assortment of shops, including restaurants, coffee shops, salons, galleries, and more. Very hip. Best schools in Torrance. While all Torrance schools score well, this area is at the top of the list. Partly located on a hill, many of the homes have spectacular views of either the ocean or the city below. Beautiful! If you'd like to view properties in Hollywood Riviera, please call me at (310) 508-8507 for prompt and professional service. I can set you up to receive automated property listings sent directly to your email!   01/26/2008

Alert. If you do not have a FICO Score 680 or higher and cannot put down a sizable down payment you're being squeezed in the mortgage market.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are charging fees much higher than before to borrowers with lower scores and down payments of less than 30%. Unfortunately these are borrowers that were once considered "prime" credit applicants.  Mortgage insurers like MGIC and PMI Group are raising premiums on consumers who have low down payments and scores mid-to upper 600s.  Both penalties total thousands of dollars, payable either at settlement or in higher interest rates.  Example if you qualify for a loan for 300,000.00 and your credit score is 675 and your LTV (Loan To Value) is 75% with a 25% down payment the additional cost will be 2,250.00 per loan.  In today... 12/17/2007

With the mortgage industry struggling mightily here are 5 creative ways to fixing the mortgage market.  Shared Appreciation a few banks offered this mortgage in the 1970s, but the Internal Revenue Service never clarified whether the payments to outside investors could be view as tax-deductibles interest, which left homebuyers nervous.  The way it works a homeowner agrees to share the profit on the home if he sales at a profit.  This idea is popular in Australia.  Hedge with a short sale the homeowner would short a regional index of home prices.  The bank would hold the futures position in escrow; it could reduce its risk of losing money.  If the homeowner had to sell, he'd make enough on the short sale to cover the decline in value of his home.  Offer Puts the homeowner would buy insura... 12/12/2007

Buying your next home at an auction can save you a huge amount of cash in your wallets.  First and foremost you set your OWN price when bidding on a home.  You are not at the mercy of a seller unrealistic "asking price".  Other benefits include:  No long negotiation period with offers going back and forth, huge selection of homes at rock-bottom auction prices.  The lenders at these auctions are very motivated to sell these homes as soon as possible; lenders are in the lending business not home ownership.  And to say the least these events are free, registration, pre-qualification, and admission are all included.  Go to http://www.ushomeauction.com/ for more details.  When you check in you must have a 5,000 cashier check (made payable to yourself) or (cash equivalent) and checkbook.  Kee... 12/10/2007

Buying or selling a home (or other piece of real property) usually involves the transfer of large sums of money.  It is Important that the transfer of these funds and related documents from one party to another be handled in a neutral, secure and knowledgeable manner. For the protection of buyer, seller and lender, the escrow process was developed.  As a buyer or seller, you want to be certain all conditions of sale have been met before property and money change hands.  In part escrow functions work like well oiled machine.  One party engages in the sale, transfer or lease of real or personal property with another person delivers a written instrument, money or other items of value to a neutral third person, called an escrow agent or escrow holder.  The third party (the escrow officer) w... 12/05/2007

Homebuyers beware. Please do not throw your debt ratio out of whack before the close of escrow.  Many deals fall through simply because of inopportune spending.  A mortgage that you were previously approved of by a lender before closing can drastically change due to excessive debt.  Lenders are pulling credit history and credit scores within a week of a buyer's schedule closing date just to make sure nothing major has change.  What the lender doesn't want to see is a huge run-up of credit-card debt or other loans.  Some lenders may require for you to sign a statement affirming that there has been no change in your finances and employment that will affect your ability to repay the loan back.  Accumulating debt before closing can cause your credit score to change and the lender may longer... 12/03/2007

Make an extra mortgage payment. The extra interest you pay will be added to this year's mortgage interest by your lender, boosting your itemized deductions.  Donate to charity. It pays to be charitable, especially at the end of the year. Donating cash is always a good idea. You can also donate household goods, clothing, and other items.  Boost your business expenses. Business owners and independent contractors can buy office supplies, invest in new equipment, or pay bonuses to their employees.  Pay doctor bills, insurance premiums, buy eyeglasses, or stock up on prescription medications. You can take a deduction for medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.  Organize your financial records. Good record keeping can really pay off at tax time. Not only will it make yo... 11/29/2007

Are you one of those who constantly think of ways to conserve energy and save more in the process? Here are a few options you can use to save more on your power bills. Heat or cool your home less. Drive or fly fewer miles. Run electrical equipment less and run less water since pumping water takes lots of electricity. Buy more locally grown food and goods that are manufactured nearby; they’re typically made with cleaner U.S. manufacturing processes, and companies use less fuel to transport them. For appliances buy the most energy-efficient devices you can afford. Look for appliances with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Label. Since 1992 the EPA says that is has help save Americans an estimated 14 Billion dollars on energy bills. The EPA has over four dozen types of prod... 11/19/2007

From CNN Money, Wall Street Journal to Forbes Magazine they all are reporting the fall in value of the U.S dollar.  Interest rates have been slashed in order to boost our struggling economy.  The sub-prime fallout from earlier this year is in full effect.  When you purchase a home so many entities feed off a sole purchase that churns our economy.   Example, when a homebuyer completes escrow and receive the keys to their new home, they often purchase items from dept stores for their home.  Landscaping, cable or satellite, pest control, home insurance you name it are all affected by foreclosure.  When you hear about these foreclosures that are taking place through out the U.S. so many people feel the crunch as well.  Moreover, lending has been extremely tightened which deepens the problem... 11/14/2007