Be sure you find a loan that fits your needs with these comprehensive questions.

1. What are the most popular mortgage loans you offer?

2. Which type of mortgage plan do you think would be best for us? Why?

3. Are your rates, terms, fees, and closing costs negotiable?

4. Will I have to buy private mortgage insurance? If so how much will it cost and how long will it be required? NOTE: Private mortgage insurance usually is required if you make less than a 20 percent downpayment, but most lenders will let you discontinue the policy when you’ve acquired a certain amount of equity by paying down the loan.

5. Who will service the loan? Your bank or another company?

6. What escrow requirements do you have?

7. How long is your loan lock-in period (the time that the quoted interest rate will be honored)? Will I be able to obtain a lower rate if they drop during this period?

8. How long will the loan approval process take?

9. How long will it take to close the loan?

10. Are there any charges or penalties for prepaying the loan?

Reprinted from Daily Breeze 5/22/2008

2^nd column from a scale 200 to 1000

3^rd column how campus ranks

4^th column compares other schools with same demographics

5^th Schools growth as set by state

Most home improvements don’t increase the value of your house as much as they cost. If you are getting ready to move and want to make home improvements that actually increase the value of your house. Top 10 home improvements that will give you the most return on your investment from agents of the National Association of Realtors.

1. Clean / de-clutter - 973% Average Return on Investment: Remove clutter by storing items in basement, attic or friend’s home. Rent a storage space or sell excess items, if needed. Keep every room very clean during open homes. Do pre-open house cleanliness inspections.

2. Lighten and brighten - 865% Average Return on Investment: Replace any burnt-out bulbs and use higher wattage bulbs, if possible. Have defective electrical components repaired or replaced. Make sure skylights are clear and keep drapes open during the day

3. Yard - 426% Average Return on Investment: Store away personal effects from front yard. Hire gardener or landscaper to trim back the overgrowth and maintain yard. Make sure that your lawn has a healthy green appearance

4. Plumbing and electrical - 260% Average Return on Investment: Consider repairing or replacing any defective plumbing or electrical items in your home. Make sure you have the right person for the job by getting several estimates.

5. Staging - 251% Average Return on Investment: Buy some fresh flowers, live plants and other decorations to liven up the home. Dispose of old furniture or other large items. Consider renting furniture or hiring a staging consultant

6. Update kitchen and bath - 168% Average Return on Investment: Update kitchen and baths by resurfacing cabinets or painting with neutral color. Replace toilet seats, dated fixtures and drawer/cabinet handles. Freshly caulk and redo grout in counter tops, sinks, tubs and showers

7. Paint interior - 148% Average Return on Investment: Repair any damaged interior walls by patching all chips, holes and cracks; then touch up or repaint interior walls with neutral color.

8. Carpeting = 104% Average Return on Investment: If carpets are only lightly soiled, shampooing and/or spot removal should suffice. If there are rips, fading, heavy wear, smells or deep stains, replace with neutral color.

9. Flooring - 101% Average Return on Investment: Repair and refinish damaged floors, or cover with neutral-colored wall to wall carpet and note damage in your disclosure.

10. Paint exterior - 76% Average Return on Investment: Repaint or resurface the outside walls of house, as needed. Patch and repair any damaged areas

Before you buy, contact the association’s board with the following questions. In the process, you’ll learn how responsive—and organized—its members are.

1. What percentage of homes are owner-occupied? What percentage is tenant-occupied? Generally, the higher the percentage of owner-occupied homes, the more marketable the units will be at resale.

2. What covenants, bylaws, and restrictions govern the property? What grandfather clauses are in place? You may find, for instance, that those who buy a property after a certain date can’t rent out their homes, but buyers who bought earlier can. Ask for a copy of the bylaws to determine if you can live within them. And have an attorney review property docs, including the master deed, for you.

3. How much does the association keep in reserve? How is that money being invested?

4. Are association assessments keeping pace with the annual rate of inflation? Smart boards raise assessments a certain percentage each year to build reserves to fund future repairs. To determine if the assessment is reasonable, compare the rate to others in the area.

5. What does and doesn’t the assessment cover—common area maintenance, recreational facilities, trash collection, etc?

6. What special assessments have been mandated in the past five years? How much was each owner responsible for? Some special assessments are unavoidable. But repeated, expensive assessments could be a red flag about the condition of the building or the board’s fiscal policy.

7. What restrictions are there in regards to pets?

8. Is the project in litigation? If the builders or homeowners are involved in a lawsuit, reserves can be depleted quickly.

9. Is the developer reputable? Find out what other projects the developer has built and visit one if you can. Ask residents about their perceptions. Request an engineer’s report for developments that have been reconverted from other uses to determine what shape the building is in. If the roof, windows, and bricks aren’t in good repair, they become your problem once you buy.

10. Are multiple associations involved in the property? In very large developments, umbrella associations, as well as the smaller association into which you’re buying, may require separate assessments.

3421 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, Ca.

Originally built in 1934 & owned by Errol Flynn, this exquisite home exemplifies how a historic piece can be modernized into a tasteful recreation of elegance while brilliantly maintaining the elemental setting of the beach. At 4,200 sq. ft., this spectacular home has three levels: the ground floor accommodates the living & dining rooms, kitchen & wine area; the mid-level features a billiard room, two bedrooms, and a playroom; & the third level which was a custom built addition, hosts the master suite with a large entertainment deck area with fireplace & unobstructed ocean views. To maintain the original appeal & integrity of this home, a team of true experts collaborated their talent & worked to modernize this home while keeping its history together. In an effort to preserve the allure of the 1930’s & the Deco era, materials such as glass & stainless steel were used liberally to magnify the appeal & charm that time period had to offer. From extensive natural light to the magically soft color schemes, not a single detail was neglected in the creation of this magnificent rejuvenation which epitomizes the charisma of the era in which its style was born.

Currently Available $6,500,000, Call Wili Baronet, (310) 801-0633 to view this property

Compliments of GERARD BISIGNANO, SOUTH BAY BROKERS

Reprinted from Daily Breeze 5/22/2008

2^nd column from a scale 200 to 1000

3^rd column how campus ranks

4^th column compares other schools with same demographics

5^th Schools growth as set by state