Who is HomeServices Lending?

Gary Harmon, with his 20 years of experience in the San Diego North County real estate market, has put together a top group of winning team members. Members are California Title Company, Pickford Escrow, HomeServices Lending, First American Home Warranty, Disclosure Source, and Prudential California Realty, all backed by the power of Warren Buffett.  See the video below on HomeServices.


Home Services Lending is an affiliate of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, a AAA-rated company.   As both a Wells Fargo affiliate and a mortgage broker, HomeServices Lending has a network of banks and financial institutions to ensure you get the program you want at  the interest rate you deserve.  I have choose to work with Curtis Fox.  Curtis’ experience combined with his consummate professionalism, make him your best choice for a mortgage consultant.

HomeServices Lending has access to many nationally recognized lenders and housing programs. With access to brokered-out and correspondent lending programs—as well as access to the Wells Fargo Home Mortgage product
portfolio—they can provide a wider array of innovative loan packages to help meet your individual needs.

Other members of Gary’s team that will help you have a smooth Carlsbad purchase are

  • Prudential California Realty
  • California Title Company
  • Pickford Escrow
  • Prudential Relocation

Contact Gary Harmon to see Carlsbad homes for sale and let him hook you up with his outstanding winning team.

Why Gary Harmon recommends HomeServices Lending

Customer service is my number one goal in any Carlsbad real estate transaction.  And studies have proved that consumers who use one-stop shopping consistently report higher satisfaction levels more frequently than those who use multiple sources.

Photo by Kyle CanonI can count on Home Services Lending to help you get the financing needed to complete your Carlsbad purchase.  Your success is their success!  No other lender is more committed to providing you with outstanding service. HomeServices Lending can provides the highest level of communication during our transaction. I can deliver a superior Carlsbad home buying experience more consistently when working with a cohesive in-house team.

Purchase transactions are the majority of Home Services’ business. With HomeServices Lending, you can expect depth of knowledge, and clear and honest communication throughout the entire Carlsbad purchase transaction.  They will help you make informed Carlsbad real estate decisions about the loan options available.

HomeServices Lending is a safe and reliable financial choice. As a joint venture between Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and HomeServices of America—a Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate—it is a well-capitalized company. Home Services will continue to provide a comprehensive selection of loan programs, competitive pricing, and high-quality services. They hold fast to long-standing responsible lending principles.

HomeServices Lending has access to many nationally recognized lenders and housing programs. With access to brokered-out and correspondent lending programs—as well as access to the Wells Fargo Home Mortgage product
portfolio—they can provide a wider array of innovative loan packages to help meet your individual needs.

Other members of Gary’s team that will help you have a smooth Carlsbad purchase are

  • Prudential California Realty
  • California Title Company
  • Pickford Escrow
  • Prudential Relocation

Contact Gary Harmon to see Carlsbad homes for sale and let him hook you up with his outstanding winning team.

Buying a San Diego North County Homes – Secret One

Get “Pre-Approved” – Not “Pre-Qualified!”

Do you want to get the best San Diego North County home you can for the least amount of money? Then make sure you are in the strongest negotiating position possible. Price is only one element in the negotiations, and not necessarily the most important one. Often other terms, such as the strength of the buyer or the length of escrow, are critical to a San Diego North County home seller.   See tips below photo.

I always recommended that my buyers get “pre-qualified” by a lender. The lender I recommend is Curtis W. Fox of HomeServices Lending.  Curtis works in my Carlsbad office and is extreemly easy to work with.  Gettin pre-qualified means that you spend a few minutes on the phone with Curtis who asks you a few questions. Based on the answers, Curtis pronounces you “pre-ualified” and issues a certificate that you can show to a seller.

Getting pre-qualified is only the first step.  To increase your negoiting position, I suggest you get pre-approved.  This is the way to make the strongest offer today.  This happens AFTER your HomeServices Lender verifies all the information you have provided.  You are actually APPROVED for the loan and the only loose end is the appraisal on the property. This process takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on your situation. It’s VERY POWERFUL and a weapon I recommend all my Prudential California Realty clients have in their negotiating arsenal. HomeServices Lending is hear to meet all your lending needs.

To get referred to Curtis, contact Gary Harmon, your top North County Realtor.

See why Gary Harmon teams up with Curtis Fox.

Renter to Owner

Moving from “Renter” to “Owner” may be easier than you think!

You may be able to find a San Diego North County home with a total monthly payment comparable to your current rent payment!

  • Example:
    Interest rate is provided for illustrative purposes only. Rates change daily. Contact HomeServices Lending for current rates.

Get Started Now

Take your first step by talking to one my winning team members,  HomeServices Lending.    Selecting a lender for your new San Diego North County home can be just as important as finding the right listing. That is why Gary Harmon has made HomeServices Lending, the second member of his winning team.  Home Services Lending is affiliated with Wells Fargo Bank.  Financing can often make the difference in getting the home of your dreams, or not. That’s why it’s important to talk to a mortgage loan professional before you start house-hunting.  Gary Harmon has selected Greg Gossard, Senior Mortgage Consultant, as mortgage professionals for his team.  Greg will take the time to explain the options available to you and recommend a Wells Fargo Bank loan program or other loan program designed to meet both your short term and long term objectives.  You can contact Greg directly at 858-720-7744 or email at Greg@TheGossardGroup.com.  Be sure an mention, Gary Harmon sent you.

Because of great rates, now is a “good time to buy. ”

San Diego North County Property

 

Gary specializes in San Diego North County homes including:  Carlsbad homes, Oceanside homes for sale, Encinitas homes, Vista, San Marcos, and Escondido real estate.  Gary Harmon also specializes in San Diego North County homes for over 55 seniors.  North County Homes for Over 55 (55+) covered on this blog include  Oceana homes, and Emerald Lake Village (all in Oceanside). Other homes included are Rancho Carlsbad homes (Carlsbad), Oaks North homes and Seven Oaks homes (both in Rancho Bernardo).Ocean Hills Country Club homes.

Good Time to Buy

There has never been a better time to invest in San Diego North County homes.   San Diego North County real estate investing has probably made more millionaires in San Diego than any other thing.  The current San Diego homes market is in turmoil to be sure.  However, this just may be the right time  to start building your real estate portfolio by investing in San Diego North County property.  Current interest rates are low and prices of San Diego North County homes are  the lowest in five years.  If you want to start building your North County real estate wealth, you may be at the right place at the right time.  San Diego North County homes have most  always been a good investment, but when you buy it for depressed prices your chances for gain are great.

Historical Low Interest Rates

Lowest home prices in over 5 years

The Right Lender

Want to take advantage of this great real estate market?   I’ll help you get pre-approved with HomeServices Lending so we can start looking for your new home today.

San Diego North County Property

Gary specializes in San Diego North County homes including:  Carlsbad homes, Oceanside homes for sale, Encinitas homes, Vista, San Marcos, and Escondido real estate.  Gary Harmon also specializes in San Diego North County homes for over 55 seniors.  North County Homes for Over 55 (55+) covered on this blog include  Oceana homes, and Emerald Lake Village (all in Oceanside). Other homes included are Rancho Carlsbad homes (Carlsbad), Oaks North homes and Seven Oaks homes (both in Rancho Bernardo).Ocean Hills Country Club homes.

Right Real Estate Team

Gary Harmon has sold San Diego North County for over 20 years.  During this time he has had a chance to work with most of the major escrow and title companies.  He has also worked with buyers that used many of the larger lenders.  From these years of experience of helping people buy and sell North County homes, Gary has been able to put together the best of related services.  Hire Gary Harmon and put his winning team to work for you.

If you are considering buying  San Diego North County real estate this winter, contact Gary Harmon, North County Realtor.

Winning Team Members – Quality One-Stop Services

Gary Harmon, with his 20 years of experience in the San Diego North County real estate market, has put together a top group of winning team members.   Members are California Title Company, Pickford Escrow, HomeServices Lending, First American Home Warranty, Disclosure Source, and Prudential California Realty, all backed by the power of Warren Buffett.

California Title Company

California Title Company is an industry leader serving counties throughout Southern California from regional offices in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles.  My local title rep is Jill Green.  Jill brings many years of dedicated hard work to closing the toughest North County real estate transactions in the San Diego marketplace.  Backed by a company who is underwritten by one of the largest in the business, Jill has all the right tools to make your title transaction goes smoothly.

Pickford Escrow

Pickford Escrow is one of the largest full service escrow companies in California.  Pickford Escrow has more than 30 offices in Southern California to serve all our clients.  Karyn Dillon is my escrow officer.  Since 1997, Karyn has been a valued escrow officer with Pickford.  Having worked for many North County Realtors, she achieves excellence in her knowledge of San Diego North County real estate.

HomeServices Lending

Home Services Lending  is an affiliate of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, a AAA-rated company.   As both a Wells Fargo affiliate and a mortgage broker, HomeServices Lending has a network of banks and financial institutions to ensure you get the program you want at  the interest rate you deserve.  I have choose to work with Greg Gossard.  Greg, as a former branch manager, attained an extensive background in underwriting, processing, funding and loan structuring.  Greg’s experience combined with his consummate professionalism, make him your best choice for a mortgage consultant.

First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty has provided over one million homeowners with high quality service since 1984.  Rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best.  I have worked with rep Lisa Wood for the last eight years.  Lisa brings compassion, knowledge, and the comprehensive First American resources to meet the needs of the multi-faceted San Diego real estate industry.  Whether you are a North County buyer or  a North County seller, Lisa Wood has a home protection plan to meet your needs.

Disclosure Source

Disclosure Source is the California real estate industry’s premier provider of natural hazzard (NHD), tax and environmental disclosure information.  Disclosure Source is a subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial.

Prudential California Realty

The most important member of Gary’s winning team is Prudential California Realty.    I have worked for Prudential for over 20 years.  To learn more about the top real estate company in San Diego County see these blog articles.

Team Up with the Best – Sell Your Ocean Hills Home

San Diego’s Best Real Estate Company

Top Online Exposure for Your North County Home.

To see great San Diego North County homes, including San Diego Ocean View homes, contact Gary Harmon, your North County Realtor.

Reverse Purchase Mortgage – Ocean Hills Homes

If you are ready to sell your current home and purchase a more suitable retirement home, a reverse mortgage may be able to help you.  The reverse purchase mortgage  program is available for San Diego North County buyers who are at least 62 or older.  With a reverse purchase mortgage you make no mortgage payments for the rest of your life.  There are no income or credit requirements with a reverse mortgage.  Let’s take a look at an example of how it works.

Example of Purchase Reverse Mortgage

Buyers plan to move to San Diego North County to retire and downsize.  They now want a single level home with lots of amenities  and Ocean Hills is the perfect place.  They want to use the sales proceeds from the home they just sold and want to buy a home and not have any more mortgage payments for the rest of their lives.

This will be tough to do as  I estimate the proceeds from their sale to only be around $200,000.  I contact Ken Keranen of HomeServices Lending to see what type of program is available.
 
My clients have found a home in Ocean Hills Country Club they really like for $450,000 (3 yrs ago $600k).  We all sit down and run the numbers on this home using a Reverse Mortgage Purchase.   Here is what we came up with:
Purchase Price                           $450,000
Reverse Mortgage Funds        $262,800                        
Cash Required to Close           $187,200
 
My clients takes $187,200 of the $200,000 from the sale of their old home combined with the $262,000 reverse mortgage proceeds from Wells Fargo to purchase the new home for $450,000 and will never have any monthly mortgage payments as long as they live in the home! 

Reverse Mortgage Example for a $309,000 Purchase, Different Age Buyers

purchase reverse mortgage

For more information about purchase reverse mortgages and how you can use them to buy your Ocean Hills Country Club retirement home, contact Gary Harmon, your Ocean Hills Realtor.  Other reverse mortgage articles available on this blog:  Purchase Reverse Mortgage Examples – Oceanside Homes for SaleReverse Mortgages – Frequently Ask Questions, and Reverse mortgages for San Diego home purchases.

Current Mortgage Rates May Go Up – HomeServices Lending

Mortgage Bankers Association Releases Statement

When buying San Diego North County homes, expect fixed mortgage rates to go up over the next few years.  So, now is the time to buy that Carlsbad home for sale, Oceanside home, Vista CA home, San Marcos CA home, Escondido real estate, or Encinitas home.  I work with HomeServices Lending and would be glad to put you intouch with a great mortgage broker.  Find out what size of San Diego North County home you can afford now. 

Dont’t Miss the Boat

Now is the time to get into action, don’t miss the boat.  Now is the time to get off the fence and to buy that San Diego North County home.   According to the Mortgage Bankers Association statement released on October 26, 2010, fixed mortgage rates are expected to average about 4.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010, increase to 5.1 percent by the end of 2011, and head towards 5.7 percent in 2012. A 1% increase in mortgage rates will make a significant change in the average monthly San Diego house payment.

Rate Increases and Monthy Mortgage Payments

We will look at the effects of a rate increase on your month payment assuming you purchased a $500,000 home, put down 20%, and took out a home mortgage of $400,000.

  1. Using the 4.4% rate for a $400,000 mortgage your North County home mortgage payment would be $2003.04.  These examples just include principal and interest, they do not include taxes and insurance.
  2. At 5.1% for the same $400,000 mortgage, your payment for principal and interest would be $2170.80 for your 30 year loan.
  3. At 5.7 for the same mortgage amount of $400,000, your payment will be $2321.60.

Many San Diego North County buyers that can qualify for a loan at 4.4% can no longer afford the same North County house at a mortgage of 5.7%.   They would have to buy something much cheaper.   Get actual numbers on what you can afford.  Contact Gary Harmon and let him introduce you to a great mortgage broker at Home Services Lending.  Start looking for your San Diego North County dream home today.

Other Key Points

• Real GDP growth will be 2.2 percent in 2010, although most of that was seen in the first quarter and growth is estimated to have slowed to around 1.5 percent in the third quarter and 1.9 percent in the fourth quarter. Growth is expected to be about 2.1 percent in 2011 and 3.0 percent in 2012.
• The unemployment rate will increase from the current level of 9.6 percent to 9.9 percent by the first quarter of 2011, end 2011 at 9.5 percent, then fall to 8.7 percent by the end of 2012. Mortgage delinquency and foreclosure rates should track this downward trend in the unemployment rate.
• Fixed mortgage rates are expected to average about 4.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010, increase to 5.1 percent by the end of 2011, and head towards 5.7 percent in 2012.
• Total existing home sales for 2010 will be around 8 percent lower than in 2009, despite a boost to sales in the first half from the homebuyer tax credit program. Existing home sales are projected to increase modestly in 2011, increasing by a little less than 2 percent, before increasing by about 16 percent in 2012.
• New home sales for 2010 will be down by about 13 percent relative to 2009. We estimate that new home sales bottomed in the third quarter of 2010 and will begin a slow recovery in 2011, increasing around 20 percent from a low base, and then increasing 40 percent in 2012 as markets recover.

Win Some – Loose Some, Buying Carlsbad Homes

Tips for Buying Carlsbad Homes

Ten, twenty, 30,40, fifty or more….No, this in not the chorus of “The ‘Bloody’ Red Barron.”  Well, yes it is, but on this website it refers to the # of offers being made when good listings of Carlsbad homes hit the market.   With many offers, it is clear that competition among North County buyers is hot in this Carlsbad real estate market.  Why, because San Diego inventory of available Carlsbad homes for sale is down from what was available this same time last year.  
  

 See video,  “How to be successful when buying Carlsbad Homes.”
 

Carlsbad Home Buyers – Be Informed and Be Ready

By constantly being informed, you can avoid being surprised.  Be persistant and don’t give up and leave the market.  You will get that Carlsbad property if you stay focused.  Also, you must be prepared.  Buyers that are not working with a Realtor, will not be ready when that perfect Carlsbad home hits the San Diego mls.  You need to have a Realtor, like Gary Harmon, looking full time for you and you also need to be looking for yourself.  Get a free Listingbook account!  SEARCH LIKE AN AGENT! 
 . 
When you find the Carlsbad home listing you like you must make an offer right then, not tomorrow.  The old saying “tomorrow may be to late” is very appropriate in this San Diego market. If you want to be successful, put the following thought out of your head, “I want to offer a little less and get a good deal.”  In this market where the prices of Carlsbad homes have been falling for the last few years, almost every deal is a good deal. 

Make Your Highest and Best Offer First 

You must be willing to write your offer at the higest price you would comfortably be able to pay if you plan to have any success in this market.  That price is usually at full listing price, but in most cases, actually above full price.  

With the intense competition, “putting your best foot forward, so to speak, will be the only way to secure that Carlsbad home.  If you do your best and  don’t get that North County home, at least you can feel good that you gave it your best try. 

Have all your finances in order 

If you plan to buy a Carlsbad home for sale listing you must also have all your finances in order.  Before you get in the car with any Realtor, you need to have talked to your lender and have a prequalification letter.  Gary will have to submit that prequal letter with your purchase offer.  Bankd owned homes, REO’s, and short sale seller always require a prequal or preapproval letter. If you need help finding a lender see HomeServices Lending one of Gary Harmon’s winning team.  Even if you have a prequal letter from your lender of choice, you may be required to be prequalified with the sellers lender of choice before you can submit an offer.  Remember, you can always use your own lender to actually get your loan. 
One last thing, to improve your chances of buying that Carlsbad home in this market,  is to make offers on several different Carlsbad homes.

Summary – How to be Successful Buying Carlsbad Homes 

Pick your Prudential California Carlsbad Realtor – Gary Harmon, be qualified by a lender like HomeServices Lending, search for homes diligently, and be  prepared to  immediately write a very strong offer.  Make offers on several Carlsbad homes, and most importantly, don’t give up.  Buying a Carlsbad property in this difficult market is  a “process” more than it is an “event.”  You will Win Some – Loose Some, but in the long run, only the one you win counts.  For more information on how you can purchase your Carlsbad dream home in this market, contact Gary Harmon.  Gary also specializes in Carlsbad Ocean View Homes.

 

 

 
 

 

San Diego County Homes – Market Update

If you’re a bargain hunter, you naturally want North County housing prices to go lower. So it may seem like a good strategy to ride the San Diego housing recession all the way to the bottom before you jump in and buy.  The problem is … no one knows where the bottom is in the market for San Diego North County homes.   Just when it seems Oceanside homes, Carlsbad homes for sale, Encinitas homes, and Escondido real estate prices won’t go any lower, buyers jump in, and interest rates rise.  You may get the San Diego North County home for less, but you pay a little more in interest. Or sale volume improves and you end up competing with other San Diego North County buyers and paying a little more to get the house.  It’s much smarter to weigh the advantages of a current market with generous inventory, low interest rates, and low prices. If you plan to stay in your North County home a long time, buy within your means, and buy the best house you can afford, you should make out very well.  Advice for North County Buyers: Don’t try to time the market.  It’s rare that high inventories, low interest rates and low prices align any better than they do right now. In August, 2010, mortgage interest rates reached the lowest levels since the housing recession of the 1990s, hitting 4.43%. The previous year, interest rates averaged 5.19%, according to FreddieMac.com, so you’re still way ahead of the game. 

Let me introduce you to one of the members of my winning team, HomeServices Lending.  They can help you get todays best rate.  To get more information about buying a San Diego North County home, including San Diego Ocean View Homes, contact Gary Harmon, your top North County Realtor.