Being a Licensed Mortgage Broker in Florida or more specific the Palm Beach area I take my license very seriously. In addition, many of my readers also know I have a 5 year old son who I love and adore. Which leads me to my point of this post: PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME TO LIE for you. When you ask me to lie or smudge something on the file what you are asking me to do is commit Mortgage Fraud. I will not go to jail for you.                                                   With the downfall of the sub-prime market yes the underwriting has changed and gotten tighter. However, we still as an industry have fantastic programs available for most every buyer. These programs are in place for you they where not meant to be pushed aside.Now don't get ... 06/09/2007

                                                               South Florida and PT Barnum where meant for each other. Mortgage people must believe "There's sucker is born every minute" with quoting amazing low payments and rates. Guess what? You have to pay me either now or later but you will pay. When shopping for a home loan don't get caught by slick advertising quoting a 1% rate. Yes this program does exists but that is not interest rate of the loan. The 1% is the payment rate. Confused?? That is what the slick advertising is for, to make sure you are confused.The 1% loan is a home loan meant for someone with a lot of equity not for a 100% financing. (The lenders that did that are out of business now) In Addition, this loan is meant to manage your cash flow of either a self-employed... 06/07/2007

I am still shaking my head in amazement, but after a short visit with my insurance agent, my homeowners insurance bill is going down significantly and it was not even painful.This is great news for homeowners and home shoppers in Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Jupiter and throughout Palm Beach County.I wrote the other day about the 58% increase in my homeowners insurance this year without ever putting in a claim or increasing coverage.A visit to the State Farm Insurance agent revealed that my insurance bill could be reduced if I had an inspector come out to the house to certify the construction of the building.  I am remembering now that some of the discussion about insurance reform related to providing incentives to homeowners whose residences were c... 06/06/2007

Evergrene was built in partnership with Audobon Internation.  The goal was to create a community which would be rich in environmental awareness and kind to our native Florida "critters."A critter crossing was built to direct the animals and reptiles through a receptacle located under the Evergrene Parkway road.  Fencing was placed along the vegetation area next to the road so the critters would be forced to use the crossing.  Unless someone  is aware of crossing, its existence is merely part of the natural surroundings.  I am happy to say that I have never seen a dead animal or reptile in the road in Evergrene. For more information about Evergrene, call: Virginia Gallopo (561) 346-8423 06/06/2007

 Evergrene is a 350-acre gated communited in Palm Beach Gardens located less than three-miles from beach..  Evergrene contains over 80-acres of Preserves and open spaces and over 55 total acres of lakes community wide.  The largest lake, a 36.5 acres recreational lake with canoeing, kayaking and a fishing pier, is located behind the 12,300 clubhouse.  There is a wide variety of residences ranging in size from approximately 1,100 square feet to 3,978 square feet living area.  The Single Family Homes offer an array of elevation choices.  These include the Italianate, the French Country, the Tuscan, the Mission and the Spanish.  There are a total of 964 residences (townhouses and single family homes) in the Evergrene community.Centrally located, Evergrene is close to shopping, places of wo... 06/04/2007

Palm Beach Community College , Eissey Campus Theatre Lobby Gallery, is located at 11051 Campus Drive, off PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens. The lobby gallery is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and one hour before all performances.  Other viewing times are available on request.                                                   Contact for the theater office: 561 207 5905.   Judy Flescher a wonderfully talented artist will be presenting some of her many works of art at Eissey Campus Starting: Tuesday June 5, 2007 opening night from 5-7 p.m. The exhibit will be on display until August 30, 2007. Treat your eyes to the bursts of color, texture, and exotic subject matter that fills Judys canvas'    Judy may be contacted at her web site. wwwJudy Flescher.com           For more informat... 06/04/2007

Like many other Palm Beach Gardens residents, I've been anxiously awaiting my homeowners insurance bill this month to find out how much my rates went down after reading that the State Legislature reduced my insurance bill this year.So you can imagine how I felt when the State Farm envelope arrived and I found my homeowners insurance costs actually increased a whopping 58% over last year's bill.  We had no hurricanes last year and, I have never filed a claim on my homeowners insurance.  The costs called "hurricane premium" are actually more than my entire bill last year.  And, of course, I am paying a chunk to help Citizens Insurance cover its deficit and some to help build back the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund.So, my friends, where was the insurance reform?  Can we honestly call i... 06/04/2007

When I got up this morning the first thing that I noticed was that the weather was great - a big improvement over the last few wet days compliments of the latest tropical depression! But we really DID need the rain....... Anyway - with the clear blue sky, the first thought was that this was a great time for pictures!  But, of course, I'd left my camera in the office - duh. Lake Catherine is just around the corner from my Palm Beach Gardens office - a beautiful, calm park - a great place to go for a walk / jog when the weather is as nice as is was today. As I was driving past, something caught my eye-             I hadn't seen this in a long time - R/C Sailboats!                           Here's one I was able to zoom in on.  The size of the mini-sloops seemed to vary a bit but I don't t... 06/03/2007

Mortgage interest rates are inching higher for home buyers in Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Juno Beach, North Palm Beach and throughout Palm Beach County.  It may be time to bite the bullet and buy that home you've been wanting.While interest rates are still a bit lower than they were a year ago, a 30-year fixed mortgage will cost of average of 6.42 percent, compared to 6.67 percent a year ago.  But interest rates have increased for the third straight week, raising concerns among home buyers.In Palm Beach County interest rates are in the low to mid 6 percent range, going from about 6 percent up to 6.825 for a 30-year fixed mortgage.Interest rates for 15-year fixed rates are slightly lower than the 30-year rates.  And adjustable rates can be in the high 5 percent range.Wi... 06/02/2007

Did you put your house on the market in Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Juno Beach, North Palm Beach or almost anywhere throughout Palm Beach County in the past couple of months, but it hasn't sold yet?Did you buy your house in 2004 or 2005 at inflated prices and think you could make as much on your sale as did the person from whom you bought the property?The news for you is not good.Home price appreciation ground to a halt about a year ago and is headed down.  Where there used to be only one of your model house on the market in your community, today there are likely five or ten. And there are many similar communities with loads of homes for sale. There are more choices for buyers to consider and those intending to buy are taking their time.Many interested buyers are renti... 05/31/2007

Whether you are looking for a Florida vacation home or a year 'round residence, Ibis Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens/West Palm Beach should be considered.Nestled adjacent to the Loxahatchee Nature Preserve, there are more than 1000 homes in about 20 separate Ibis neighborhoods.  All are built with careful attention to the preserves, marshes, lakes and wildlife replete throughout the community. It is located about seven miles west of I-95 on Northlake Boulevard and is truly one of the most beautiful areas in Palm Beach Gardens/West Palm Beach.Ibis Country Club is legend throughout the area.  It boast three beautiful Jack Nicklaus golf courses, a very active tennis program, fitness center, swimming pool and a myriad of social events.  The clubhouse and dining room are splendid -- the f... 05/30/2007

Living in Palm Beach Gardens I feel like sometimes living in a protected bubble.  Where nothing can happen to you.  The people and shops are fantastic,  the Golf you can't beat.  However, everyone once in a while you get to come back to reality and see how the real world is.  I have been trying to work with this Realtor in Palm Beach Gardens with a very good reputation for a while now.  When last week my phone rang and a gentleman on the other end said that So-S0 recommended me for the financing of his new home.  Well, I was taking back did all my hard work pay off?To give you the Readers Digest version I took the application and ran the credit.  I won't go into specific numbers but I will go over the applicationFICO:  <500Employment History:  3 Weeks in same line of work (weeks this is... 05/29/2007

Vacation home sales across the country remain strong despite an overall slowdown in the real estate market.Vacation home sales increased to 1.07 million units in 2006 from 1.02 million units in 2005, a respectable 4.7 percent jump, according to the National Association of Realtors.The average second home buyer is 44 years old with a median household income of just above $100,000 a year.  The property purchased was within a four hour drive from their primary residence, but about a third bought property more than 500 miles away.Nearly 40 percent of the vacation homes purchased were in the south.If you are thinking about buying a vacation home in Florida, check out the wonderful lifestyle in Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Jupiter and throughout Palm Beac... 05/28/2007

 Appraiser Warning.  Make sure you read the Appraisal in South FloridaLiving in beautiful South Florida is truly a paradise, unfortunately it also brings out the land sharks as well.  After reading and speaking with Neal Bloom for the past few weeks on his vents on the lending industry (some are correct) it is my turn to vent on the appraisal industry.                                                               First off I believe that the Title Company, Appraisal Company and the Lender should all be independent.  This will help in to prevent collusion.  (many lenders now will not except the loan if the broker has a financial interest in either the title company or the appraisal company)When I first got in the business many years ago one of my first loans was what everyone would think... 05/27/2007

Located in Palm Beach Gardens, Old Palm is in the world's most exclusive golf enclaves, Minutes from the Palm Beach International Airport, Palm Beach, The Breakers, Worth Avenue,Fine Restaurants, City Place, Polo community and The international equestrian in Wellington,Downtown at the Gardens. The endless Beaches.Old Palm Is a Private Golf Club. A 33 acre practice facility. The Golf Studio which features its own practice range, Three dedicated practice holes are modeled after actual hole on the course, a par 3, par 4, par 5.Golfers are escorted by the best rained caddies in the counrty and at no tee time policy assures members that they will always have a game when they are ready to play.  The legendary "by hole" or " 19th hole " allow golfers to settle friendly wagers.A 43,000 square-f... 05/27/2007

Granada Model: Two StoryTotal Living  4,022 sq.ft. First Story, Master Bedroom with His and Hers WIC, Master Bathroom with His and Her Sinks, Walk-in Shower, Tub, Kitchen with granite countertopns and upgraded appliances. Second Story: with Bedrooms and Bathrooms, WIC and a Loft.  Membership is required upon purchase of home.Go to Mirasol Golf Homes Website. Kathy Lewellen                                                 Specialist in Mirasol Country Club                      kathy@Ocean30.com1-561-676-6333www.mirasolgolfhomes.com    05/27/2007

Casto Homes:   Luxurious custom-built homes have been in South Florida since 1967. Courchene Development:  Building and developing luxury residences is a Courchene family legacy spanning over 40 years Frankel Estate Homes: Over twenty years of fine craftmanship have made Frankel Estate Homes one of the most sought-after custom hombuilders in Florida. G. Mustapick Companies: With successful 40 years in the homebuilding industry. G.Mustapick Companies has established a stellar reputation unmatched in residential real estate. Kenco Communities:  Kenco Communities has earned acclaim and respect as one of Palm Beach County's leading builders. Pinetree Homes: Established in 1980 Pintree Homes is one of South Florida's oldest a most respected homebuilders, having won numerous prestigious award... 05/26/2007

Home sales and prices in Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Jupiter and throughout Palm Beach County continue to decline through April creating a strong buyers' real estate market.The number of homes sold in Palm Beach County declined 17 percent, going from 804 sales in April 2006 down to 665 homes sold in April 2007.  At the same time, the median price of homes sold in Palm Beach County declined 3 percent, from $386,500 down to $376,300, for the comparable period.This condition creates incredible opportunities for buyers as sellers needing to unload their homes are willing to significantly lower prices.  Unfortunately, too many sellers in the Palm Beach Gardens and Palm Beach County area are sticking to their inflated prices.  Their homes are sitting on ... 05/26/2007

I am a very fortunate person.  First off I live in the Golf Capital of the World (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida) and I specialize in Jumbo Home Loans and Super Jumbo Home Loans.                                                         The following is my top reason why I find myself addicted to Acitve Rain:The Majority of the people who use Active Rain treat their jobs like a Career not a pit stopReading Blogs from not only Professional Realtors but Mortgage Brokers (like myself) and seeing another point of viewWhich leads to this step, yelling at the computer screen after reading some of the blogs. (nothing like getting your blood pressure up)Great Networking site.  ( I have earned business from within the Active Rain Community)I am on the first page of Google for Palm Beach Gardens and d... 05/25/2007

Prices of homes in Ironhorse Country Club are coming down.  If you ever thought about moving into this sought after community, This could be your time!During the first five months of 2006 five homes sold in Ironhorse, with the average price being $630,928.During the first five months of 2007 just two homes sold in the community with the average price being $552,500.It is a reduction in average home price of 12 percent.Today there are 30 homes on the market in Ironhorse.  The Weiss-Clawson Team represents the sellers of many of these fine homes. We will take you to see any home in Ironhorse that meets your needs.  The homes range in size from two bedrooms and a den with about 1700 square feet to four bedrooms and a den on a half acre estate lot with more than 4000 square feet.  Prices to... 05/25/2007