I am Gordon Allen, REALTOR® and welcome to my Web Site!   Since 1982, I have been a full-time Real estate agent & broker, showing buyers and sellers how to succeed all over the Bay Area! Allow me to properly represent you in all phases of searching, marketing, negotiating and closing your escrow. Call me today!   Buyers: Choose from approx 2,600 Bank-Owned listings (Contra Costa & Alameda Counties)! I can filter your search anyway you want!   Current Listings + Status 27651 Del Norte, Hayward, sold 36549 Bottle Brush Ct, Newark, $525,000 sold 919-921 Thornton St, San Leandro, $525,000 pending 182 Ironwood Way, Pacheco (Pleasant Hill schools) $559,000 for sale 356-360 Blossom Way, Hayward, $570,000 for sale 97 Villa Dr, San Pablo $210,000 4632 Fallow Wy, Antioch $330,000 (a short sale, have 1 accepted offer, acccepting any & all other offers) 5077 Wilmont Ct, Antioch, $450,000 (a short sale, have 2 accepted offers, acccepting any & all other offers)   Buyers: Sign me up now (short form) Since the mid 1990's, I have reviewed the hundreds of websites displaying SF Bay Area listings (homes for sale), and I haven't found any that properly display 100% of the actual "Active" MLS (multiple listing service) Listings. Here's why: the technology, called IDX [internet data exchange], is flawed, because many brokers "opt out" their listings. But my service shows you EVERYTHING, including the "opted out" listings, off-market listings, and complete MLS history.   "My way" is the only way to see 100% of the "ACTIVE" MLS listings. Through email reports & real-time email updates you'll receive new listings & price changes. So, fill out the form to get started with the initial list today! Most other websites just want your email address to sell it. Ridiculous!   I will also show you homes which did not sell. Click on map (at top left) to see a sample of this data. These listings will be updated for your specific search criteria when you start working with me. You won't see this data or receive this kind of service from any other broker!   My lists include bank-owned, REO's, Foreclosures, Short Sales, whatever you want. I cover them all. Do not spend any money subscribing to those phony lists! When laptop computers became available in the mid 1980's, I bought one to help me help my clients better! To this day, I keep hearing from new clients how their previous brokers did not take the time to show them the data that they were craving for.   A laptop with wireless internet & printer enables me to do my job anywhere.   Being always in the field makes me see reality like no one else.   Since 1987, I have uniquely outfitted my vehicles so I can completely work in the field with mobile/wireless technologies. More on this. This is how I am able to serve you, no matter where you want to buy or sell.   Mobile - Wireless Office MLS Access FAX Machine Internet Access Printer, Copier & Scanner Electronic Forms - All of the 84 California Association of REALTORS Standard Forms are on my laptop and most importantly, when you call my 800#, I am really going to answer the phone myself!   This technology and my willingness to "hit the road" makes me the most "available" REALTOR® in person, by phone & email simultaneously.   My two physical locations have very little to do with where I work. I don't regularly solicit any neighborhoods. Instead, I go where I am needed by buyers & selles the most; those who need help NOW. My two physical locations where I am registered by the California Department of Real Estate are: 578 Tahos Rd, Orinda, 94563 3316 Hillcrest Rd, El Sobrante, 94806 I am licensed to list and sell any real estate in the entire state! This is one reason I have an 800 Phone Service since the late 1980's. My direct number is 925-254-3003. Another reason I have an 800 # is that the area codes keep splitting in the bay area. It used to be 415, then 510, and now 925. 925 will split again soon. So, I have told people to always use my 800-837-3999 number.

Areas I Cover 415 510 650 707 925 Call me at 1-800-837-3999 from USA, Canada or Caribbean   I'm one of the few brokers who always works in the field in the 9 counties hugging the SF Bay. Call for APR & real-time quotes, special deals, etc. FHA & Conventional Loans Increased to $729,750 (Read this FNMA booklet)! Economic Stimulus Package. New Max Loans.pdf New Loan Limits as of 3-6-08. See nationwide list here. 4-3-08: "With home sales continuing to fall, policy-makers have shaved 3 percentage points off of bank borrowing costs, but the average fixed rate has dropped only half a point. Last week, the rate for a 30-year-fixed loan was 5.85. " In 2000, the last time home sales fell year over year, interest rate cuts helped revive the market. During 2001, the Federal Reserve acted 11 times to reduce rates by a whopping 4.75 percentage points. Fixed rates fell to a record low of 5.21 percent in June 2003. " Because they have been holding steady at just below 6 percent in recent years, interest rates would have to fall to 5.7 percent or less to stimulate a wave of home purchase or refinance activity, according to one mortgage broker. 3-19-08: From Yahoo News: "The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point Tuesday, but don't expect mortgage rates to go down too. In fact, home loans could be heading higher. Consider recent history: The Fed issued an emergency cut of short-term rates in early January, and then trimmed more just a few days later - but the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has responded by bouncing up from 5.6% to 6.4%. The Fed's main tool is control over the short-term fed funds rate, which determines what banks charge each other for overnight loans. Long-term mortgage rates are mostly tied to the 10-year Treasury yield, which is determined by bond traders worldwide." 3-7-08: 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.03 percent during the week ended March 6, from 6.24 percent the prior week. 3-7-08: 30-Year Rates to Hit 5.5 Percent? Freddie Mac expects the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate to slip to 5.5 percent this year from 6.3 percent in 2007, marking a 45-year low. But Global Insight Inc. economist Brian Bethune does not expect the drop in mortgage rates to spark a housing rebound. 3-6-08: The new loan limits for FHA and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now calculated at 125 percent of the HUD published median prices, with a floor of $271,050 and $417,000, respectively, not to exceed $729,750. They expect the impact of these loan limit increases on the housing market to be significant because of the infusion of capital into the mortgage market, which should result in lower interest rates across the board. In addition, there will be a direct impact on high-cost areas that previously required borrowers to take out costlier jumbo mortgages. 2-21-08: Fixed 30 yr rate is now 6.125% 2-20-08: Fixed 30 yr rate is now 6.25% 2-20-08: There seems to be a growing sense that 10-year Treasury yields - and therefore 30-year fixed mortgage rates -- will not fall much more from here. In fact, the more Mr. Bernanke and the Federal Reserve cut short term interest rates, the less appealing longer term rates are becoming to investors because of the prospects for increased inflation in future years. This is definitely the market tone this morning. Treasury yields and mortgage rates have edged up again. In other news, Mortgage volume is up! The MBA's refinancing index surged to 5,103 on Jan. 25, its highest level since June 2003 and up sharply from just last December. The rise in refinance applications may be skewed by borrowers submitting multiple applications for loans as bankers tighten lending standards. Watch for The Consumer Price Index (CPI) due out tomorrow. It is expected to be benign. The New Housing Starts number will also be released, and should show continued weakness. 2-15-08: The interest rate markets remain in a quagmire as Wall Street heads into the long 3-day weekend. The Bonds are still at the high-yield end of their recent trading range, with the 10-Year Note seemingly stuck at 3.78%. Consumer and Business Confidence indexes were reported down this morning, continuing to portend economic slowdown. This would normally cause downward pressure on rates but there is also persistent concern about inflation, which drives rates up. In this latter regard the Labor Department reported this morning that the index of Import Prices rose in January by 1.7% -- much more than analysts predictions of a 0.5% rise. 2-13-08: The President is now expected to sign the Stimulus Bill on Wednesday. However, there is a new wrinkle that could complicate immediate implementation. Implementation of increased mortgage limits in "high cost" areas for FHA and the GSEs could be delayed * In a speech in Florida on this past Saturday, James Lockhart, OFHEO Director (the regulator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) indicated that any increase in the GSE limits would require "new product approval process" to evaluate credit risk, concerns about geographic concentration in high risk markets and prepayment risk associated with jumbo purchases. o Mr. Lockhart noted that implementation could take up to 3 months w/ at least 1 month for partial enactment. He added no explanation. o He also said that operational issues including system changes could delay implementation. Since OFHEO is Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's regulator, Mr. Lockhart's comments must be taken seriously particularly in light of the fact that he was opposed to the mortgage limit increase. * We are trying to determine the impact of any GSE implementation issues on FHA o At a minimum, it should have no impact on the implementation of the higher "floor" ($271,050) since that increase is included in the law. o For high cost areas, it could possibly impact the methodology for calculating the maximum mortgage amount in addition to the timing of implementation. It would be very surprising if FHA implemented higher mortgage limits (particularly above $417,000) before Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac did. Mr. Lockhart's concerns about credit risk, geographic concentration and prepayment speeds would be applicable to FHA. Fortunately, there are minimal system issues for FHA since they have used the high cost process for years. Until more information is available, we believe it is appropriate to delay any actions with respect to implementing the high cost limits for both FHA and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Below are the key provisions of the stimulus bill with respect to the mortgage provisions. First, it is a temporary increase that expires on December 31, 2008. We will discuss the FHA and GSE changes separately below. FHA The mortgage limit provisions includes four temporary changes for the FHA program. (As a reminder, the FHA modernization bill includes higher mortgage limits. It is possible that legislation could make this provision permanent or limit the FHA maximum limit to $417,000 as the Senate bill does.) Raises the base loan limit ( 8) to 65% of the current GSE limit ($417,000) = $271,050 This provision is effective the day the President signs the bill. Raises the maximum FHA loan limit from $362,750 to $729,750 (175% of the GSE base limit - $417,000) o Secretary has the discretion to raise the maximum loan limit by $100,000 in an area at the $729,750 limit for any size residence (including 2-4 family units). Only cost areas in California and Hawaii (Honolulu) are likely to increase to the $729,750 maximum. Washington D.C., for example, will increase to about $600,000 based on our analysis of available data. See some markets below. While we developed these limits following the FHA mortgage limit methodology, they are subject to possible change. Increases the calculation factor from 95% to 125% of area median sales price for determining cost areas We updated the list of affected areas below. Unfortunately it is less than we originally thought for two reasons. First, FHA HOCs had raised limits in certain areas based on local data that is not supported by national data sources and second, house prices in some areas have dropped and FHA had kept the previous limit at the higher level. Like the section above states. Implements Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac ratios for calculating maximum loan amounts for two-, three- and four-family units in all of the above categories Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two-,three- and four family unit properties increase the same percentage that the single family limit increases. In 2006. the GSE single family limit increased 15.95% and the mortgage limits for multiple units increased 15.95%. This change should result in a significant increase in FHA limits for multi-unit properties. In the past, FHA used fixed percentages of the single family limit (i.e. 107% of single family for two family unit, 130% for three-family unit and 150% for four-family units). For example, under the new provision, if the single family limit increases slightly over 100% in a cost area 8 (from $362,790 to $729,750), we would assume the multiple unit amounts would increase the same percentage (slightly over 100%). Fannie Mae Freddie Mac The bill raises the GSE maximum loan limit to $729,750. The bill states that the GSE limits should follow the HUD mortgage limit calculation process and therefore the GSEs and FHA will have the same limits in areas that exceed $417,000. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's current limit will, in effect, become their floor ($417,000). There are likely only a few markets that will benefit from this change to the GSE mortgage limits. Since this is a new process for the GSEs, we would recommend waiting until the maximum limits are announced for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The GSE limit increase applies to all loans originated from July 2007 to December 31, 2008. We will keep you apprised. IRS Bulletin 2008-6 Published IRS Bulletin 2008-6 has been published with a date of February 11, 2008. There were no actions taken against downpayment assistance providers. FHA - GSE Mortgage Limits While we believe that these levels are accurate since we used HUD data sources, they are subject to possible change. 1. MSAs @ $729,750 State Area/MSA Proposed Limit CA San Francisco $729,750 CA San Jose 729,750 CA Los Angeles 729,750 CA Anaheim 729,750 CA San Diego 729,750 HI Honolulu 729,750 2. Major MSAs above $417,000 DC/VA/MD Washington DC Area $600,000 NY/NJ New York/New Jersey New York City Area/ Northern New Jersey 595,125 MA Boston 518,375 WA Seattle 493,375 CA San Bernadino/Riverside 487,500 MD Baltimore 462,500 CA Sacramento 443,750 FLA Miami-West Palm Beach 433,500 3. Major MSAs Between FHA "floor" and $417,000. GSE "floor" is $417,000. These are only applicable to FHA. NM Santa Fe $388,750 CT New Haven 387,500 NV Las Vegas 369,375 RI Providence 363,750 UT Salt Lake City 362,750 PA Philadelphia 362,500 IL Chicago 358,000 VA Richmond 347,500 OH/Ky Cincinnati 337,500 FLA Orlando 333,500 CO Denver 328,125 AZ Phoenix 319,125 MN Minneapolis - St. Paul 312,375 NC Charlotte 303,250 FLA Jacksonville 294,250 PA Pittsburgh 287,500 OH Cleveland 277,500 2-13-08: On the economic front this morning, Retail Sales were reported up .3% in January, perhaps reflecting the economy is not quite dead. The retail sales report is a measure of the total receipts of retail stores. The changes in retail sales are widely followed as the most timely indicator of broad consumer spending patterns. Retail sales have been slowing under the weight of high gas prices, falling home prices and weakening consumer confidence. The bond market had little reaction to this morning's report, trading at slightly lower yields today than yesterday. Mortgage pricing is somewhat improved for most products. As you all know, the President is expected to sign the new Economic Stimulus Package today, which includes new loan limits for Fannie, Freddie and FHA. I have attached an excellent Suntrust memo about the pending increase in mortgage limits. This memo is definitely worth reading, and explains some of the secondary market and pricing ramifications that will need to be dealt with. Importantly, it also includes a chart of the new maximum loan amounts for selected metropolitan areas, including several in California. Click on "New Max Loans" link above. 2-7-08: In the economic news of the day, the National Association of Realtors reported that its seasonally adjusted index of pending home sales fell in December by 1.5% following a 3.0% decline in November (originally reported as a drop of 2.6%). On a year-over-year basis, the index was down by 23.9%. Bond traders are looking ahead to today's Treasury's auction of $9 billion in 30-Year Notes. Once the week's auctions are out of the way, bond traders may feel some sense of relief that could translate into a lift for the market. In the meantime, our pricing is slightly worse than yesterday 2-5-08: The Institute for Supply Management's non-manufacturing index, which reflects almost 90 percent of the economy, fell to 41.9 in January, from 54.4 the prior month. This is triggering a nice rally in the bond market, which loves pain and suffering in the economy. The 10-Year Treasury Note yield was at 3.64% yesterday, and this morning is down to 3.52%. Mortgage pricing has improved accordingly. "This is a stunning fall,'' Michael Moran, chief economist at Daiwa Securities America, said of the ISM Report. ``If accurate, it is dire news on the economy.'' The Stock Market is worse as a result, with the Dow down over 200 points. Bottom line: More Fed rate cuts are probably on the horizon. 2-1-08: Our mortgage pricing is moderately better following this morning's announcement of January employment numbers. The U.S. unexpectedly lost jobs for the first time in more than four years, increasing the odds the economy will fall into a recession and making it likely the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates another half point next month. Payrolls fell by 17,000 in January. This is ugly news insofar as the last two recessions were coincident with back to back declines in payroll jobs. The more pain and suffering in the economy, the less pressure on inflation . . . and the more the bond market smiles. 1-29: Fed rate was reduced again, but these have nothing to do with fixed rate mortgages. Keep your eyes on the 10 yr T Notes. The Bush/Congress Stimulus Package is now hung up with an obstinate Senate, so it remains to be seen what the final form will be. Our markets obviously hope the FHA and Fannie-Freddie loan limits will be raised, but that is not yet a sure thing. In the meantime, there is still vi Article: Could Mortgage Rates Drop to 5 Percent? "The press" is most always lagging behind what's really happening in the real estate market. Call me today to get the latest scoop on your area of interest. Sellers List with me when you're serious about selling. Figuring out the "right price" is 90% of the success of selling a home. When values are declining, it's extra important that you spend time with me to review the market analysis data.   If we don't find out the current market value that the market will bear, your property will not sell!   All websites claiming to help you determine market values automatically are not accurate! They just want your email address to sell it or get a referral fee. Ridiculous! You need to have me look further than just a map like this.   Property Types I work with Single Family, Condos, Town Homes, 2-4 Units, 5-15 Units, 16+ Units, Hotels/Motels, Vacant Land/Lots, Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural, Ranches   As a "road warrior" with over 1 million miles criss-crossing the Bay Area, I am the opposite of most other full-time brokers - I don't specialize in just one small area(s), advertise, send out junk mail/e-mail, nor do I have any agents - It's just me! I can focus all my attention on you, solving problems, and not managing agents and their problems!   I have redundant mobile office systems to quickly act in the field for my customers (buyers) and clients (sellers). When you call, email and fax, I'll get it immediately on my Blackberry Smartphone as well as Outlook email! I send and receive texting (SMS), EFAXes, WinForms ZFX files, Scanned PDFs, QuickTime Movies, Panoramas Videos, Virtual Tours, Plat Map TIF files, Google Earth KMD files, etc. Platforms include MAC, Windows, Mozilla, Cell Phones, PDAs & Smartphones.   About the Future of Real Estate The very best people in this business will always be needed to properly represent people in the highly complex process of buying & selling real estate.   Negotiating price and terms begins with accurately estimating current values - and since values keep changing, this is one area that cannot be left to computers or people behind a desk to determine. Being always in the field makes me see reality like no one else.   By the way, I refuse to become a certified appraiser, because they must abide by certain California State standards which do not consider the reality of the marketplace in many instances.   And neither can a computer program accurately determine the value of real estate!   I know the details of the MLS & County Tax Assessor databases. I drive by and see the comps. I make phone calls to verify sales data. I know what to look for that may tell us that something unusual is happening that could save you many thousands of dollars and/or from making mistakes.   I pound the pavement, drive by the comparable active listings, pending sales and closed sales. This is rarely done by other REALTORS,® yet so necessary to your success!   About Real Estate   Favorite Quotes

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