Coldwell Banker Joins Windermere in Santa Role, Along with Toys for Tots

For many years, Coldwell Banker of La Mesa has teamed up with the Marines to collect gifts for the Toys for Tots campaign. 

The agency again will have a big collection bin in the lobby of their office at 9332 Fuerte Dr. (next-door to the Brigantine Restaurant).

Stop by and leave a new unwrapped toy.  It will be a welcome treat for some child who doesn’t expect a happy Christmas and will make you happy that you have put a little sunshine in a little one’s life.

The agents and broker are also playing Santa to the family of one of their own agents who is quite ill.  Way to go, Steve Wilson and gang!

Windermere Realty (where I am associated and painted the donation bucket) is also playing Santa for a needy local family with several foster children. 

So come by the office and have your Village-purchased gifts wrapped by one of the agents and donate to this worthy cause. If you like the hand-painted collection bucket, you can put your name or card inside and enter the drawing for it.

How to Avoid Scamsters Capitalizing on New TARP Program

Just days since the new TARP (troubled asset relief program) modifications took effect, scam artist are already taking advantage of homeowners trying to work within the system to alleviate the pain of losing their homes or making payments on homes that are no longer worth what they paid for them. 

To that end, the Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network has created the national Loan Modification Scam Database. 

The purpose is to collect complaints from the public and forward them to the proper agency for redress. With homeowner permission, complaints will be forwarded to federal, state and local law enforcement organizations, legal aid groups and consumer protection agencies. 

The California Association of Realtors has reported on several scams and their resolution in November alone.  Although none of these reported incidents were in La Mesa, it doesn’t mean we are immune. 

If you are approached by anyone who promises to assist in saving your home from foreclosure or lower your mortgage debt or payments and it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.

The Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the U.S. Department of the Treasury have released a detailed list of tips for avoiding mortgage modification scams.

• You can apply to the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) on your own or with free help from a housing counselor approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Applying is always free.  Call 888-995-4673 or  visit  www.makinghomeaffordable.gov.
• Only your mortgage servicer has discretion to grant a loan modification.  No third party can guarantee or pre-approve your mortgage modification application.
• A charge in advance for a mortgage modification is illegal.
• Paying a third party to assist with your HAMP application does not improve the likelihood of receiving a mortgage modification.
• Beware of any individual or company claiming to be affiliated with HAMP if you did not contact them.
• Beware of anyone or company who offer money-back guarantees.
• Beware of individuals or companies that advise you as a homeowner to stop making your mortgage payments or to not contact your mortgage servicer.

For more information, call the SIGTARP hotline at 877-744-2009 or go to www.sigtarp.gov or www.consumerfinance.gov.

Sen. Joel Anderson’s Holiday Open House Nears

It is not too Late to take advantage of the Holiday Open House hosted by Republican state Sen. Joel Anderson 6-8 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center at 195 E. Douglas, El Cajon. 

Remember to call 619-596-3136 ASAP so there will be a head count for refreshments.

The market has not slowed for the holidays, and smart purchasers are taking advantage of the best prices and the best interest rates ever.

The Week in La Mesa Real Estate

Fourteen single-family homes and one condo came on the market this past week, and 16 single-family homes and four condos went into escrow and 12 single-family homes and four condos welcomed their new owners just in time for the holidays.  Congratulations!

My Pick of the Week is 5660 Urban Dr.  It’s a one-story, 1700-square-foot home with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths.  Listed for $389,900 by Caren Connolly of Coldwell Banker in La Mesa, it is a traditional sale.

Two homes on Jefferson Avenue in The Village also came on the market and should be worth looking at.  8845 Jefferson is a 3-bedroom, 2-bath listed by Mike White of Keller Williams for $360,000. And 8811 Jefferson is 3 bedrooms and 1 bath listed by Jocelyn Carvalho of Windermere Realty for $360,000.