The Mesquite Nevada Real Estate Blog: January 2009

Mesquite NV Real Estate Market - Good News For Renters and Owners of Homes That Get Foreclosed Upon That Are Freddie Related.... Freddie Mac Will Allow Renters to Stay in a Foreclosure

Mesquite NV Real Estate Market - Foreclosed Freddie Mac Homes - When a home is foreclosed upon with a tenant renting it - there are questions and worries.  What will happen to the tenant - is eviction from the foreclosure looming?  Should you pack up and move, or are there any options for the tenant?

Mesquite NV short sales and foreclosures - If you would like a MLS list of Mesquite NV short sale and foreclosure properties for sale emailed to you - fill out the short form to Search Mesquite NV MLS and check the foreclosure box.  You will receive a list with addresses and MLS numbers.  You will also get email updates sent to you as new foreclosures and short sales are listed in the Mesquite MLS - opt out any time and your information is never shared.  If you want just Mesquite foreclosure property listings, not short sales, just say so in the 'additional information' box.

Thanks to Rick Hauser for his interesting commentary and links to information about renting a foreclosed home:

Via Rick Hauser ABR GRI Managing Broker/Owner (Relocation Advisors Group Inc.):

Yahoo Finance Article

On stuff like this - it pays to read more than one article - as each article has extra info... So - I've provided the articles out there thus far...

Mortgage finance company Freddie Mac said it will allow some borrowers to rent out their homes after losing them to foreclosure.

*** Comment -- the foreclosed upon owner gets to keep the rent after they officially lost the house???

It goes on to say....

The goal of the new policy is to prevent properties from becoming vacant so they won't fall into disrepair.

***Comment - now - I really don't think that renters will be kicking in anything to repair the owners property.   But it would help in keeping the heat on during the winter vs. having to winterize it etc. and keeping the snow shoveled - and help prevent vandalism.  Since some renters can't count on a distressed owner fixing something critical such as a furnace - my bet is that a renter in that situation might just get the fix done to have the heat and then deduct it from their rent payment... (not always authorized of course - in their rental contract)    But per another article -  Freddy is going to allow owners to rent back after being foreclosed upon - at market rates.  Even then - it is debatible how much of a repair they would spring for.   So - Freddy is now getting into the landlord business....... Wonder how much in govt money and new hires that will cost to administer...

The article goes on to say....

Freddie Mac said it will allow renters to remain in their homes even if their landlord enters foreclosure.  Freddie currently has about 8,500 properties in the foreclosure process, but many of those are vacant.

"Keeping foreclosed properties occupied and in better repair will support local property values and promote a faster recovery in the housing market," said Freddie Mac Chief Executive David Moffett.

Fannie Mae said it has stopped about 20,000 foreclosure sales and halted 6,300 evictions of owners or renters this winter.

"Under Freddie Mac's new policy, tenants and former property owners need to demonstrate that they have enough income to pay the rental bill."

*** Comment -- former property owners??  They aren't paying the rental bill.  I think someone mis-worded this in the release....

It goes on to say....

Freddie Mac also said it would consider reinstating a mortgage for those borrowers who can qualify for a modified loan.

Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also said Friday they would extend a previously announced suspension of evictions through the end of February.

***Comment -- (Presumably - to keep people from having to move in the cold?  More likely - perhaps they just want the heat to remain on during that time....)

But a Marketwatch article - states that is is March - not Feb (like the Yahoo Finance article) - in the headline - but not in the body of the article.  Go figure!

Marketwatch Article

And that article states:

"It may be that a borrower can afford a market rent price but can't afford all the ancillary costs of maintenance," said Freddie Mac spokesman Brad German.  

*** Comment - Which is precisely my point.  Why would they kick in for maintenance?

It goes on to say..

"This would get them a smoother transition to find a new home or until Freddie Mac sells the home."

*** Comment -- Well - they sure won't be buying a new home after that!  Renting one?  Perhaps - if they have more than a few months deposit to put down.. since their credit will be trashed.  "Place to live" would have been better words to use (such as in a USA Today article)

"Fannie Mae will also provide financial assistance for a "transition" to individuals that decide to vacate the property."

*** Comment - I wonder how the owner will know about this.  A mailing by Fannie to them?

However, he argues that program will have costs. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will likely need to hire property managers to collect rent. "Fannie Mae is not set up to be a landlord," he said.

*** Comment - exactly my point from above....

USA Today Article

Details of the program:

•Leases will be on a month-to-month basis.

•Tenants and homeowners will only have to pay market-value or existing lease rents, not the mortgage payments. Freddie Mac will hire a property management company to determine that amount.

•Tenants and homeowners must be able to show proof that they have enough income to pay the monthly rental amount.

•Freddie Mac will also explore loan-modification options that might be available for some borrowers.

In mid-December, Fannie Mae also rolled out a policy that allows renters in a property that is being foreclosed on to rent that home rather than be evicted. It does not include homeowners. Up to 10,000 families are expected to be helped by Fannie's rental policy; Freddie expects about a 30% acceptance rate.

The Federal Reserve this week announced a policy to help some distressed homeowners avoid foreclosure. The Fed said it would work with companies servicing mortgages now owned by the Fed to modify qualifying mortgages of homeowners that are 60 days or more delinquent on payments.

Fannie and Freddie combined own or guarantee about half of the $10.6 trillion in outstanding U.S. home loan debt.

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Virginia Hepp - REALTOR

Pet Friendly Mesquite NV
Homes - Townhomes - Condos for Sale

50 - 55 + Active Adult Communities

702 622-1177

Buyer Representative

Mesquite NV MLS

Mesquite NV Real Estate

                                       

Mesquite Nevada Canton Chinese Cuisine Restaurant - Buffet - Take out

If you are in Mesquite NV and get that undeniable craving for Chinese Food - the Canton Chinese Restaurant on Sandhill is a popular place for locals.  Whether you want to sit down and order one of your favorite Chinese dishes and enjoy being waited on by Cindy and her staff, or help yourself to the buffet, you are going to love it!

Canton Chinese Restaurant Mesquite NV 89027The Chinese buffet is always freshly cooked and full of different dishes from shrimp to pork with plenty of fresh vegetables - their hot and sour soup is my husband's favorite to begin his meal.

If I am working late or just too lazy to cook, I sometimes stop on my way home and get a couple of buffet dinners to go.

That is probably my husband's favorite home cooked meal.

Another plus with take out is that it is nice to be able to make a complete pig of myself in the privacy of my own home instead of embarassing myself in public!

My friend, Arlene and I like to stop for a quick lunch and a pot of hot tea.  It never seems to end up a quickLunch at the Canton Chinese Restaurant in Mesquite NV 89027 lunch, though - I just might hold the record for the most trips back to the buffet.

And we like to sit in a booth and enjoy our beverages and just chat.

The Canton Chinese Restaurant is Arlene's very favorite chinese place - last time we went to lunch there, she told me that she and her husband Windy had dinner there the night before.

You just can't get too much of a good thing, and as the old Chinese proverb says...

'Seven days without Chinese food makes one week.'

The Canton Chinese Restaurant is located at 430 Sandhill in Mesquite NV near the 1-15 freeway at the east end of Mesquite right behind the Burger King.  Open everyday except Sunday for lunch and dinner.  Call Cindy @702.345.5105 for information about banquets and large parties - otherwise, come in anytime - no reservation is necessary!

Virginia Hepp
ERA Brokers Consolidated
Mesquite NV Homes
Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Member
702 622-1177

      for information about Mesquite NV homes

Mesquite NV Canton Chinese Cuisine - Restaurant - Buffet - or Take Out

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Virginia Hepp - REALTOR

Pet Friendly Mesquite NV
Homes - Townhomes - Condos for Sale

50 - 55 + Active Adult Communities

702 622-1177

Buyer Representative

Mesquite NV MLS

Mesquite NV Real Estate

                                       

Mesquite NV Real Estate - Rivers Bend Subdivision Changes Name to Joshua Ridge

Rivers Bend subdivision of single family one and two story homes in Mesquite Nevada has changed the whole look of the entrance with a new rock sign, new landscaping and trees and it really looks good.

Mesquite NV Subdivision - Rivers Bend - Joshua Ridge

Now called Joshua Ridge, this small subdivision in Mesquite NV is located close to parks, schools, shopping and both the Coyote Willows and Casablanca Golf Courses.

This Mesquite community of single family homes with 1 and 2 car garages, fenced yards and patios has a community pool for Rivers Bend - Joshua Ridge residents only.

The community pool is adjacent to the large park which has many trees for shading the picnic areas.

Homeowners Association Fees are only $65 per month and include front yard maintenance, lawn care and takes care of all upkeep on the pool and park areas.  There is also a private area for residents to park their RV or Boat - Parking is included in the HOA fee.

Rivers Bend Mesquite NV subdivision

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homes currently for sale in this Mesquite NV subdivision range from 850 square feet to 1581 square feet, with prices from $129,900 to $215,000.  This Mesquite NV home for sale at 880 Tucson St in Rivers Bend is offered at $150,000 and has lovely views of the mountain tops.

 

Virginia Hepp
ERA Brokers Consolidated
Mesquite NV Homes
Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Member
702 622-1177

      for information about Mesquite NV homes

Mesquite NV Real Estate  Rivers Bend changes name to Joshua Ridge

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Virginia Hepp - REALTOR

Pet Friendly Mesquite NV
Homes - Townhomes - Condos for Sale

50 - 55 + Active Adult Communities

702 622-1177

Buyer Representative

Mesquite NV MLS

Mesquite NV Real Estate

                                       

Happy New Year from Mesquite NV - My 2008 Ends Stuck in the Carwash

Looking forward to the New Year, I thought I would end the year by cleaning off my desk then going to the local car wash before my 1:30 appointment.  Think positive and be ready for some hard work in 2009.

It looked pretty busy so I used my carwash time formula ( 5 minutes X each car ahead of me + 5 minutes for the 3 already in the car wash tunnel ) and figured I would make my 1:30 appointment.

When I was finally at the head of the line, waiting for the car ahead of me to move into the car wash tunnel - it stopped.  With cars piled behind me, bumper to bumper, nothing to do but wait.  The attendants were all in there working on the thing that pulls the cars through - after 10 minutes or so, the car ahead of me moved and they signaled me in.

I rolled the window down and asked;

"Are you sure it is fixed?  I don't want to get stuck in there!"

    "Yes, ma'm, it was just hung up, all fixed, working fine!"

So I pulled in, turned the interior light on and started reading the paper.  All of that swooshing water and whirling brushes and mops were making me too dizzy to read - so I just sat there.

View of Mesquite for 40 minutes in the car washThis was taking a very long time.

I peered ahead through the mops and soapy water swirling on my car and saw no one.

I peeked out the back window through the mops and soapy water swirling on my car and saw no one.

The swooshing water, the whirling brushes, the mops and brushes going around and around, covering my car.

I had been in there for 20 minutes with my car in the same spot.  I started getting creeped out, thought about getting out of the car - can't see in there, brushes coming at me....

Nope!  Too Scary.

I didn't want to get washed to death and I was pretty clean already.

I tried to google the car wash on my cell phone to get their number - but I didn't know the name of the place.

So I called my daughter in Mississippi to look it up online, she called right back with the number.

After a few tries, someone answered the phone -

    "Yes ma'm, how can I help you?"

"Well, I seem to be stuck in your carwash for the last 30 minutes!"

Silence.  Then,

    "Umm...we are trying to fix the mechanism that pulls the cars through."

"Well, can you turn off the washer part?  It is taking the paint off my car and it is creepy in here!"

Silence.  Then,

    "Oh.  OK."

Long story short - Too Late! - They got me out of there, I missed my appointment by 1 hour, but they cheerfully refunded my 22 bucks, and I have a really clean car to start 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR - THANKS TO ALL FOR A GOOD 2008!

      for information about Mesquite NV homes

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Virginia Hepp - REALTOR

Pet Friendly Mesquite NV
Homes - Townhomes - Condos for Sale

50 - 55 + Active Adult Communities

702 622-1177

Buyer Representative

Mesquite NV MLS

Mesquite NV Real Estate