Author: Dianne Gregoire

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Open Houses for December 13th and 14th

For the brave souls out there who are happy to venture forth in this weekend’s winter weather, there are several open houses for your holiday enjoyment.

On Saturday the 13th there is one open house:

3844 Botticelli, a townhouse with 1129 square feet, 2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths, priced at $237,500. It will be open from 1-3pm.

On Sunday the 14th, there are 6 open houses:

1265 Rockinghorse Lane, a home with 2402 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, priced at $444,000. It will be open from 2-4pm.

3030 Westview Ct, a home with 3415 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, priced at $959,000. It will be open from 12:30-2pm.

943 Atwater Rd, a home with 3874 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, priced at $1,225,000. It will be open from 12-2pm.

17512 Greenblulff Lot 1, a home with 3777 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, priced at $1,425,000. It will be open from 1-4pm.

16359 Chapin Way, a home with 4158 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths, priced at $1,439,000. It will be open from 1-4pm.

17554 Greenbluff Lot 2, a home with 5042 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths and 2 half baths, priced at $1,850,000. It will be open from 1-4pm.

With rain and the chance of snow in this weekend’s forecast, we will hold positive thoughts of clear streets and safe driving for anyone who ventures out. For the rest of us, it’s time for hot chocolate in front of a blazing fire. Enjoy.

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Market Activity for November 30th thru December 7th

Once again, thank you for your patience with our posting of the weekly activity report. We are still tweaking the set up for this posting. We know that there are quite a few people who look forward to seeing this and value your on-going patronage of the propertyblotter.

NEWLY LISTED (November 30 —December 7, 2008)

Address List Price # Bedrooms Total Baths Total SF Prop Type List Date
668 MCVEY AVE $144,000 1 1 627 CONDO 12/4/2008
3433 MCNARY PKWY $249,900 2 2.1 1,136 CONDO 12/4/2008
14431 SHERBROOK PL $349,950 4 3 2,605 DETACHD 12/2/2008
221 HIDALGO ST $399,000 3 2.1 2,628 DETACHD 12/3/2008
29 BECKET ST $399,950 3 2.1 2,288 DETACHD 12/4/2008
562 2ND ST $419,000 2 2.1 1,406 CONDO 12/7/2008
16913 Canal CIR $449,000 3 1.1 2,525 DETACHD 12/1/2008
1830 CLOVERLEAF RD $470,000 3 2 1,795 DETACHD 12/5/2008
101 3RD ST $474,900 3 2 1,447 CONDO 12/6/2008
11 BECKET ST $550,000 4 2.1 4,030 DETACHD 12/4/2008
7 CONDOLEA DR $599,900 3 3 2,388 CONDO 12/1/2008
13254 Twin Creek CT $689,000 4 2.1 3,470 DETACHD 12/1/2008
524 WEIDMAN CT $739,000 4 2.1 3,450 DETACHD 12/5/2008
426 7TH ST $778,950 4 2.1 2,902 DETACHD 12/5/2008
705 10TH ST $1,686,000 4 3.1 4,818 DETACHD 12/3/2008
13795 CAMEO CT $2,395,000 4 5.2 7,190 DETACHD 12/1/2008
13777 CAMEO CT $2,595,000 4 5.1 8,080 DETACHD 12/1/2008

PENDING SALES (November 30 —December 7, 2008)

ADDRESS LIST PRICE # BEDS # BATHS TOT. SQ FT PROP TYPE DOM
16250 PACIFIC HWY $228,850 2 2 1,324 CONDO 433
4211 WOODSIDE CIR $325,000 3 2 1,688 CONDO 439
1685 CLOVERLEAF RD $349,900 3 2.1 1,722 DETACHD 50
7050 CHILDS RD $398,000 2 2 1,693 DETACHD 552
5051 TUALATA LN $409,900 4 2 1,591 DETACHD 114
16750 PHANTOM BLUFF CT $485,000 3 3 2,267 DETACHD 288
13217 FOX RUN $550,000 4 3 2,706 DETACHD 160
1141 TROON RD $648,850 4 3 2,522 DETACHD 155
13581 GOODALL RD $650,000 3 2 1,220 DETACHD 455
3723 ELEANOR CT $724,950 4 2.1 2,736 DETACHD 145

SOLD (November 30—December 7, 2008)

Address O/Price Close Price # BR # Baths Total SF CDOM
68 WHEATHERSTONE CT $399,000 $312,500 4 3.1 2,465 299
1130 LAUREL ST $524,000 $420,000 4 2 2,800 86
4076 COLTSFOOT LN $680,000 $555,000 4 3.1 3,882 126
5384 Washington CT $769,900 $670,000 4 3.1 3,246 415
4378 ALBERT CIR $1,225,000 $805,000 3 3 3,735 263
104 3RD ST $1,050,000 $975,000 2 2 1,151 15
301 IRON MOUNTAIN BLVD $1,329,000 $1,150,000 4 3.2 3,004 136

Criteria: Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer.

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Selling or buying a home during the holidays

I am frequently asked if the winter, and specifically the holidays, are a good time to be selling or buying a home. My answer is yes. There are several advantages to selling or buying at this time of year.

First, a home that is warm and decorated for the holidays is extremely inviting. There is such a contrast from being outside and coming in. It really makes the home embrace the buyer. However, this means that you need to make that extra effort to create this experience. Keep the house heated properly. Homes where the heat is turned down, or even left off if the house is vacant, can actually be colder inside than out. When this happens both the buyer and the Realtor will be in a hurry to leave and get warmed up back in the car. Also, turn on every light in the house and open every curtain or blind. Buyers want a house that has lots of light. Because so many of our days are gray, it is important that you create the best light possible. I have recently shown several homes to clients that were great values and in great condition, but ruled out because they gave the impression of being too dark.

Be on top of the holiday decorations. They can enhance the look of the house, but don’t over do it and allow the house to look cluttered or small because it is filled with too much stuff. Also, take them down in a timely fashion.

There are several advantages to the quality of buyers who are out looking at this time of year. While there are fewer of them, those who are looking are serious. People are busy at the holidays so a person who is taking the time to look at houses is a person who really needs to move. In addition, many corporations have fiscal years that match the calendar year. This means that they are trying to move their transferring executives before December 31st. This is a great time of year to be marketing executive quality homes. (I’d would characterize those as being homes priced at $400,000 or greater).

What about buying at this time of year? I think there are four pretty strong advantages. 1) Interest rates are historically at their lowest in the winter. As the market picks up in the spring, interest rates trend up. 2) There aren’t many buyers looking so sellers will really jump through hoops for you. You may be the only game in town and they will work very hard to sell you their home. 3) If a house looks good in the winter, it is going to be spectacular in the summer. You can really get an idea of the actual house in terms of the light it has and the condition of the property. And 4) this is the time of year when a home inspector can most easily find water issues. If the basement leaks, you’ll more likely learn about it in the winter.

It is completely understandable if you feel like you want to get the holidays behind you before selling or buying a home. But if you do need to move, you have quite a few strong reasons why this time of year can work to your advantage.

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Lake Oswego Real Estate Activity – November 24-30, 2008

Market activity typically slows down during the holidays and last weeks stats certainly reflect this.  Having said this, it is good to see that the market does have some activity.  7 new listings, 4 pendings and 4 closed sales happened last week.  While the market is slower, it is still very much happening.

NEWLY LISTED (November 24 —November 30, 2008)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
# BEDS
# BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
 PROP TYPE
LIST DATE
3433 MCNARY PKWY
$214,900
2
2
1,008
 CONDO
11/27/08
3834 BOTTICELLI ST
$224,900
2
2
1,055
 ATTACHD
11/24/08
600 TIPPECANOE CT
$439,800
3
2
1,812
 DETACHD
11/24/08
1189 SUNNINGDALE CT
$724,000
3
2
2,056
 DETACHD
11/26/08
51 HILLSHIRE DR
$849,900
3
2.2
4,306
 DETACHD
11/25/08
1667 VILLAGE PARK LN
$899,900
6
3.1
4,743
 DETACHD
11/24/08
1055 COUNTRY CLUB RD
$1,000,000
3
2
2,804
 DETACHD
11/24/08

PENDING SALES (November 24 —November 30, 2008)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
# BEDS
# BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
 PROP TYPE
DOM
668 McVey AVE
$144,850
0
1
485
 CONDO
740
455 10TH ST
$473,950
2
2
2,284
 DETACHD
180
17561 SHEPHERDS CT
$675,000
4
2.1
3,011
 DETACHD
287
13010 KNAUS RD
$1,249,500
4
3.1
4,312
 DETACHD
737

SOLD (November 17—November 23, 2008)

ADDRESS ORIG. PRICE SALE PRICE
# BEDS
# BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
 PROP TYPE
DOM
4644 LOWER DR
$136,900
$129,000
2
1.1
1,170
 CONDO
30
4000 CARMAN DR
$149,900
$135,000
2
2
869
 CONDO
22
2435 PARK RD
$749,990
$480,000
4
3
2,940
 DETACHD
302
16 NORTHVIEW CT
$599,900
$495,000
4
3.1
2,962
 ATTACHD
419

Criteria: Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer.

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Open Houses for Sunday November 23rd

For those of you who like to tour open houses, here is what the RMLS is listing as open this coming Sunday:

4206 Woodside Circle:

$284,900, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open 1-3

18959 Kristi Way:

$384,900, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open 1:30-4

3486 Ponderosa Loop:

$429,000, 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, open 12-4

1980 Alpine Dr:

$664,900, 6 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, open 1-3

21463 Rosepark Ct:

$690,000, 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, open 1-4

3030 Westview Ct:

$959,000, 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, open 2-3

3540 Red Cedar Way:

$989,000, 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, open 1-3

16359 Chapin Way:

$1,439,000, 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, open 1-4

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Market Action Report for November 20th

Data represents activity from November 10th to November 20th.

DOM (days on market) represents cumulative days and may represent more than one listing period.

Of particular note, to me, was finding the closed sale at 2870 Park Rd. This was a 1973 built home that was described as a cosmetic fixer. With 2380 square feet, it’s a nice size home and in a very nice neighborhood, Palisades. What is remarkable is that it sold in just 4 days and for $17,000 more than the asking price. It shows that when a property is priced right it will sell quickly, and perhaps for more than the list price. Our market still has a pulse.

New Listings

Address Type bed/bath Sq. Feet List Price

44 Eagle Crest Condo 1b/1b 798 $134,900
91 Galen St Condo 1b/1b 680 $135,000
47 Eagle Crest #12 Condo 2b/1b 932 $149,900
16790 Lake Forrest Detached 2b/1b 780 $199,900
12846 Boones Ferry Rd Condo 2b/2.1b 1136 $249,000
5063 Foothills Dr Condo 2b/2b 1031 $259,000
3433 McNary Parkway Condo 2b/2.1b 1156 $275,000
3797 Lanewood Detached 3b/1b 2560 $309,000
5235 Oakridge Detached 3b/2.1b 1576 $324,900
5354 Lower Dr Detached 3b/1b 1565 $339,000
4761 LaMont Detached 3b/2b 1816 $379,900
4051 Virginia Way Detached 3b/2.1b 1658 $389,500
7050 Childs Rd Detached 2b/2b 1693 $398,000
5051 Tualata Ln Detached 4b/2b 1591 $409,900
18978 Indian Spring Cir Detached 3b/2b 1900 $414,900
1265 Rockinghorse Ln Detached 4b/3b 2402 $444,000
6109 Summer Woods Detached 4b/2.1b 2331 $449,000
1307 Cedar St Detached 4b/3b 2054 $459,900
111 3rd St Condo 2b/2b 1206 $474,900
8 Hotspur Detached 3b/2.1b 1966 $475,000
785 5th St Detached 3b/2b 2208 $480,000
805 Country Club Rd Detached 5b/2b 2722 $489,900
1009 Cumberland Pl Detached 4b/3b 2294 $525,000
19664 River Run Detached 2b/2.1b 3051 $559,900
17784 Treetop Detached 4b/3b 3468 $599,900
4676 Winthrop Ct Detached 4b/2.1b 3112 $639,900
18212 indian Creek Dr Detached 4b/2.1b 2313 $649,000
17141 Wall St. Detached 4b/3b 3540 $699,500
615 Lake Bay Ct Detached 3b/3b 2542 $699,900
19285 Megly Ct Detached 4b/2.1b 2587 $699,900
19263 Megly Ct Detached 4b/2.1b 2743 $749,900
2545 Dellwood Detached 5b/3.1b 3843 $809,900
19266 Megly Ct Detached 4b/2.1b 3025 $789,900
19245 Megly Ct Detached 4b/2.1b 2884 $789,900
4349 Lakeview Blvd Detached 3b/3b 3678 $849,000
5435 Washington Ct Detached 4b/3.1b 3323 $849,900
772 8th St Detached 4b/2.1b 3161 $899,000
17649 Woodhurst Pl Detached 5b/4.1b 5793 $899,000
3030 Westview Ct Detached 4b/2.1b 3415 $959,000
18094 Pilkington Detached 4b/3/1b 3509 $999,000
17600 Upper Cherry Detached 4b/3.1b 3867 $1,299,000
18990 Barton Rd Detached 4b/3.2b 4592 $1,369,000
2809 Arrowhead Ct Detached 3b/3b 2624 $1,699,000
18735 Bryant Rd Detached 4b/3.1b 5597 $1,750,000
3114 Douglas Circle Detached 4b/4b 5465 $2,195,000
670 Iron Mntn Blvd Detached 4b/3.2b 5208 $2,250,000
333 Northshore Rd Detached 4b/4.1b 4998 $2,650,000
3530 Lakeview Blvd Detached 4b/3.1b 4200 $2,950,000

Pending Sales

Address Type bed/bath Sq. Ft. List Price DOM Original Price

4 Touchstone Condo 2b/2b 984 $115,000 42 $125,000
44 Eaglecrest #11 Condo 3b/2b 1085 $148,700 31 $154,900
5478 Tualata Detached 3b/2b 1200 $279,000 122 $330,000
16651 Lake Forest Detached 3b/1b $1,230 $207,000 59 $350,000
4 Othello Detached 4b/3b 2184 $434,900 9 $434,900
5453 Willow Ct Detached 3b/2.1b 2400 $449,000 146 $495,000
600 Maple St Detached 4b/2.1b 2422 $499,000 126 $529,000
2584 Park Rd Detached 4b/2b 2302 $524,900 229 $679,000
435 8th St. Detached 4b/3.1b 2505 $649,900 565 $929,000
104 3rd St Detached 2b/2b 1151 $1,050,000 15 $1,050,000

Closed Sales

Address Type bed/bath Sq. Ft. Sales Price DOM Original Price

4000 Carman #35 Condo 2b/2b 869 $135,000 22 $149,900
3680 Spring Ln 2B Condo 2b/2.1b 1152 $187,000 220 $219,000
595 6th St Detached 3b/1b 1520 $257,050 40 $314,800
22 Condolea Dr Condo 2b/2b 1454 $275,000 36 $339,900
2870 Park Rd Detached 4b/2.1b 2380 $396,000 4 $379,900
13340 Auburn Ct Attached 3b/2.1b 2451 $485,000 222 $559,900
1012 Andrews Rd Detached 3b/2b 2246 $495,000 133 $590,800
16 Northview Ct Attached 4b/3.1b 2962 $495,000 419 $599,900
3240 Upper Dr Detached 4b/2.1b 3410 $712,500 56 $749,950
114 3rd St Detached 2b/1b 1140 $730,000 19 $750,000
17760 Lake Haven Dr Detached 4b/2.1b 2051 $800,000 224 $1,169,000

Thank you for your patience while we work out a couple of software issues. We hope to have our Market Action Report back in fine form ASAP.

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Rainfall in Lake Oswego

I think it is fair to say that the rainy season has begun. A Russian immigrant, who has become a good friend of my family, once commented to me that Oregon only has two seasons: wet and dry. If you are following the blotter from out of the area, and perhaps even considering moving here, I think it is only fair to be completely honest with you about our weather.

As you have read in several recent posts, we have a glorious fall with the trees turning colors and sunshine that is bright. It is also in the fall that the transition happens from mostly sunny days to mostly rainy days. The rain will dominate the forecast until about April. Then the transition will happen back to mostly sunny days.

Our rainfall is unique in that it seems to fall in a steady mist. While we do have days that the rain falls heavily, for the most part it is a soft and steady drizzle. I have heard it compared to the rainfall in Ireland. Because it is usually a gentle rain, you might be surprised to learn that umbrellas are used infrequently. Oregonians generally just put on a good coat and go out in it. It is really quite lovely, once you get used to it and quit seeing it as an inconvenience. It is also really good for maintaining lovely skin.

The information below gives high and low temperatures, as well as average rainfall, for Lake Oswego. The information is courtesy of www.countrystudies.us. Temperatures are listed in Fahrenheit.

Lake Oswego Weather

US Geography / US Weather / Oregon Weather / Lake Oswego

January:

Average High 46, Average Low 32, Mean 38, Average Precipitation 6.0 inches

February:

Average High 51, Average Low 34, Mean 44, Average Precipitation 4.6 inches

March:

Average High 55, Average Low 36, Mean 46, Average Precipitation 4.1 inches

April:

Average High 58, Average Low 38, Mean 50, Average Precipitation 2.8 inches

May:

Average High 66, Average Low 44, Mean 55, Average Precipitation 2.3 inches

June:

Average High 74, Average Low 48, Mean 62, Average Precipitation 1.7 inches

July:

Average High 78, Average Low 52, Mean 66, Average Precipitation 0.7 inches

August:

Average High 80, Average Low 52, Mean 66, Average Precipitation 1.0 inches

September:

Average High 74, Average Low 48, Mean 62, Average Precipitation 1.8 inches

October:

Average High 64, Average Low 41, Mean 54, Average Precipitation 3.3 inches

November:

Average High 52, Average Low 37, Mean 45, Average Precipitation 6.3 inches

December:

Average High 46, Average Low 34, Mean 40, Average Precipitation 6.9 inches

So we get very little rainfall in the summer and quite a lot of rainfall in the winter. However, in my experience, there are always surprises. The summer after Mt. St. Helens erupted never happened. It was cold and gray with very little sunshine. And it also seems to me that February tends to have many sunny days. Perhaps that is because after November, December, and January, the decreasing rain is so noticeable. I will also tell you that when the sunny weather starts again in the spring, people really make the most of it. On that first nice day everyone spends the day outside: walking, gardening, going to the coast, and just generally taking advantage of the nice conditions.

I have learned to love the rain. The sound of it makes me sleep better at night and I credit it with giving us our lush landscaping. When I visit other states that don’t get this kind of rainfall, I can’t help but feel like they just don’t have the beauty that Oregon does. I’m a fifth generation Oregonian. I guess it is just in my blood.

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Lake Oswego Library Receives National Recognition

Kudos to the Lake Oswego Library which was ranked the best library in the state of Oregon by the American Library Association, and the 7th best library in the Nation amongst towns with populations of 25,000 to 49,999 people.

Considerations to receive this distinction included staffing, reference services, collections, and the number of items checked out by the public. Lake Oswego’s per capita circulation is 33.2: more than 4 times the national average.

Visit the LO Library website by clicking here.

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Worth the Drive

I want to make sure you know about a spectacular tree on the corner of 3rd and C Avenues.

It’s an ancient Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and at this time of year I always make sure that I drive over to look at it. It’s not quite at it’s peak. When it is in it’s greatest glory, in another week or two, it will be the most vibrant shade of orange that I have ever seen in a tree. It is also just huge. The trunk is gnarled and gorgeous.

It was designated a Heritage Tree by the City of Lake Oswego in 1998. Check it out. It is well worth the drive.

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Mortgage Options

While we may currently be in turbulent economic times, I want to make it known that solid and safe mortgage options still exist.

I must also state that the mortgage industry has changed. There are no longer no-income qualifying loans, and 100% financing is almost non-existent. What it reminds me of is the financial climate that existed when I first obtained my real estate license in 1987. Back then you pretty much had to have at least 3% down and you had to provide full documentation to show your ability to repay your loan. That is a good description of today’s mortgage market. But even in this tight climate, there are some interesting options.

First is FHA. FHA is a mortgage option that is backed by the Federal Government. It is intended to help people become homeowners, but it is not limited to first-time buyers. The necessary down payment is just 3%, although this is increasing to 3.5% in January. The purchase price can be as high as $362,790 in Clackamas, Multnomah or Washington Counties. There are no pre-payment penalties. It is fully assumable. The mortgage insurance premiums are typically lower than those available on conventional mortgages, and the interest rate offered is typically very competitive. As of 10/18/08, there are 34 houses for sale in Lake Oswego that are priced within the FHA loan limit.

If you are a veteran, you will enjoy your veteran’s benefits when you buy a home because you are one of the few borrows who can still get 100% financing. For a purchase of up to $417,000 you can finance 100% of the purchase price. If the purchase price is over $417,000, you can go as high as $1,500,000 if you have a 25% down payment for the amount that exceeds $417,000. There is no mortgage insurance and the interest rates are always on the low end of what is offered. As of 10/18/08, there are 69 houses for sale in Lake Oswego that are within the VA loan limit for 100% financing.

My resource for the information about FHA and VA loans is Robin Cusma, a senior loan officer at Northwest Mortgage Group. I think of Robin as my miracle worker. If you are looking for a good loan officer, I highly recommend her services. She can be reached at rcusma@nwmortgagegroup.com.

So what if you don’t have 3% down and you are not a veteran? Can you still get 100% financing? Yes, you have two options that I know of. First is the Guaranteed Rural Housing Program. This is a government sponsored loan to assist rural communities. The catch is that the town that the house exists in has to have a population of less than 25,000 people, so it won’t work in Lake Oswego. The other program is offered exclusively at Key Bank. It is the Key Community Mortgage Program and it’s pretty amazing. Not only is it 100% financing, but it has no mortgage insurance. In order to obtain this loan, one of two criteria must be met. The property must be located in a targeted area (and Lake Oswego is not in a targeted area, to see the targeted areas click here) or the household income of the borrower must be 80% or less of the medium income for the county. In Lake Oswego/Clackamas County, the medium income is $65,000 and 80% of that is $52,000. So could you buy a house in Lake Oswego using this program? Probably not. House prices in Lake Oswego remain substantially higher than the $162,000 sales prices that would be the top-end purchase price with the income restriction. However, I think it is a good program to be aware of and it may be something that a borrow would want to consider using in other parts of the metro area. My source for information about the Key Community Mortgage is Lori Randall, a mortgage advisor at KeyBank. For Lori’s website, click here. Or you can contact her at lori_e_randall@keybank.com .

Finally, not focusing on low-down payment options, there remains traditional conventional financing. With 5% or more down, conventional loans remain available to qualified buyers with good credit. Because of the high value of houses in Lake Oswego, a jumbo mortgage may be needed. Are those available? Yes.

A jumbo mortgage is a mortgage that is greater than $417,000. It typically has a slightly higher interest rate than a “conventional” mortgage (that is a mortgage amount of $417,000 or less). When the mortgage crisis first began a year ago, jumbo loans were the most drastically affected. There were a couple of weeks when they simply were unavailable. The jumbo market has since stabilized. A jumbo loan can now be obtained with as little as 10% down if the borrower has a credit score of at least 700 and for loan amounts up to $650,000. Remember that with less than 20% down, there will be mortgage insurance. The old habit, to avoid having to pay mortgage insurance, was to get a combined loan that was an 80% first mortgage and a 10% second mortgage. The borrower ended up with 90% financing, but didn’t have the additional monthly cost of mortgage insurance. There are rumors that these sort of combined loans may be coming back. We will have to wait and see.

The source of my information for jumbo loans is Naida Paris at Valley Mortgage. I have known and worked with Naida for over 20 years. There is no lender with greater integrity than Naida. I highly recommend her services. Naida can be reached at naidaparis@yahoo.com .

While the economic times may be troubling, the mortgage industry has not come to a total standstill. If you find yourself at a point in your life where you need to buy or to sell a home, there are good mortgage options available.