Los Angeles County Housing Slump? Homeowners Don't Believe It

Despite numerous reports showing home values in historic decline, more than three out of four homeowners believe their own home has not lost value in the past year, according to an online survey.

The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive for Zillow.com, a Web site that gives estimated home values.

The survey of 1,619 homeowners found 36% believe their home has increased in value, and another 41% believe their value has stayed the same. Only 23% believe their home has lost value.

Figures from the National Association of Realtors show that the median price of an existing home sold in 2007 fell 1.4% from 2006, the first decline in that key price measure the trade group has ever recorded.

We'd love to hear what you think.  If you're a homeowner, do you feel that your home has decreased, or increased, in value?  Leave us your comment at the "comment" link below.

Real Estate Foreclosure Scam Artist

Although this story centers around a scam artist in Southern California, be aware… scams like this are happening everywhere, not just in Southern California.

Los Angeles CBS reporter David Goldstein offers help in this video on convicted felon Raul Altamirano.  This video runs 4:28 but is well worth your time to see how you can prevent such scam artists from duping you, and just how low some scum bags will stoop to take advantage of people going through a tough time financially.

Tell us what you think about this report.  We'd love to hear your comment by using the "comment" link below.

A Great Blog for Travel Questions

Yes, we realize our blog here is supposed to, and is, 99.5% about real estate related matters, however, polls show that over 72% of the American publc does fly at some point in time, so we thought we'd pause momentarily from telling you about real estate to tell you about a great new blog the TSA has started to answer questions from us, the flying public, about why they do some of the things they do at screening checkpoints around the country.

Polls also show that the TSA is one of the least liked govenment agencies, but this agency is tasked with making sure our airports and skies are safe.  To combat the less-than-stellar image they maintain, the TSA has started a blog, answering common questions.  We found the blog very informative and some of their responses to reader questions very enlightening.  Some of the posts the TSA are putting up there might just change your attitude the next time you fly.

You can also post questions or comments there yourself.  Take a look at what others have written, it's a very informative read.  http://www.tsa.gov/blog

Rebates: What You Need to Know

Lawmakers have given their final seal of approval to a $170 billion plan intended to spark the slowing economy.  The centerpiece?  Tax Rebates.

Questions abound about how the program will work, and officials at the Treasury Department and IRS are scurrying to work out the details, but for the time being, here are some answers based on currently available government information and experts' analysis.

To be eligible for a full rebate, single tax filers must have 2007 adjusted gross income (AGI) below $75,000 and joint filers must have AGI below $150,000.

Single filers with AGI below $75,000 will get rebates of as much as $600. Couples with AGI below $150,000 will receive rebates of up to $1,200.

In addition, parents will also receive $300 rebates per dependent child; there is no cap on the number of children eligible.

Tax filers who don't owe income taxes because of various credits and deductions but have at least $3,000 in income - which can include Social Security and disability payments - will get $300 rebates per person or $600 per couple.

Your rebate is a one-time tax cut - an advance on a credit you'll receive on your 2008 return.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has said the IRS will start sending out checks in early May.  Previously, he said it should take about 10 weeks to crank out all the checks.  In all likelihood then, you'll see the money sometime between May and early July.

That assumes, of course, that you hit the IRS deadline and file by April 15.  If you're a laggard and have to file for an extension, you'll still get a check but it may not come until the end of the year - probably in time for Christmas shopping.

Counting on Higher Mortgage Limits? Be Patient

Homeowners are already calling their lenders about refinancing, and ads are pushing the idea that the congressional economic rescue plan offers the perfect time to get a loan.

But it could be weeks before consumers will be able to benefit from the mortgage provisions contained in the legislation approved by Congress.

The bill, known as the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, will temporarily increase the limits on loans backed by government-sponsored mortgage financing companies known as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and on Federal Housing Administration loans, to as much as $729,750. These loans typically carry lower interest rates.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has up to 30 days from the time the bill becomes law to decide what loan limits apply in various parts of the country.

Rates for "jumbo" or non-conforming loans, those of more than $417,000, are more than a percentage point higher now than rates for conforming loans - the biggest spread in the past decade.

The stimulus plan also will allow the FHA to guarantee loans of up to $729,750.  Before the boom in subprime lending, FHA loans were the first choice of borrowers with damaged credit and little down payment.