Another one bites the dust
Remember Billy Squier? I was dating a car stereo installer in the 80s. My 1973 Datsun 240z had a stereo so loud that if I left it up full blast for too long, my ears would ring. The 6×9 speakers were mounted in the back and if my baby sister wanted to ride with me [...]
The Land of Fruits and Nuts
California has a certain – um – reputation. While my Texas buddies are loving their chicken fried chicken with gravy and mashed potatoes and cornbread we just made it illegal. California bans restaurants from using trans fats – Yahoo! News My family is from the south – where fried chicken was invented. I grew up [...]
Any Bank That Would Lend Money To Me Is Not Conservative Enough
Federal regulators close 2 more banks – CNN.com 1st National Bank of Arizona – gone. Quite a different story than IndyMac in that bank margins are relatively narrow and a downturn in the economy was blamed for 1st National’s demise vs questionable lending practices with IndyMac. Still, it reminds me that we the consumer are [...]
Inflation is up but oil is down
Inflation numbers are historical vs current oil prices are just that – current. Oil drops again as US pump prices slip to near $4: Financial News – Yahoo! Finance Have we seen the peak? Americans are trading in their SUVs for priuses – what’s the plural for prius – thank god, I hate SUVs. Stocks [...]
Are We Rebounding?
I think the main engine for our economy is jobs but, consumer perception is a close second. Perception normally lags reality by about 90 days and the Campbell real estate market has seemed to be rebounding for the last 90 days. Consumer confidence rebounds from 28-year low: Financial News – Yahoo! Finance When I say [...]
Are Your Property Taxes Too High?
With the drastic change in property values this last year, you may be paying too much in property taxes – and you know how I hate to pay taxes! Here’s the form for you to challenge your assessment: DeclineInValueRequest and email me if you need supporting comps! Just lookin’ out for ya!
Say Bye Bye to Mortgage Loans
WASHINGTON (Associated Press) – The Federal Reserve has adopted a new plan intended to curb shady lending practices that sent home foreclosure rates to record highs. The plan will:*prevent loans made without documentation of borrower’s income; *require lenders to escrow money to pay taxes and insurance for risky borrowers; *limit — and, in some cases, [...]
How I got blood streaked all down the side of my car before 9AM
No, I didn’t murder one of my clients It was a normal day for me. Went for a walk with my dog, Rebel. By 7 I was working from my home office – negotiating loan workouts with Litton Loan Service. Rebel was laying in the hall right outside my door – he likes to keep [...]