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A stockbroker is someone who takes all your money and invests it until it's gone. Allen The past week is a reminder that interest rates go in two -Woody directions, not just down.

1 A stockbroker is someone who takes all your money and invests it until it's gone. Allen The past week is a reminder that interest rates go in two -Woody directions, not just down... The point is, markets are driven not only by government actions and stimulus, economic numbers, supply and demand, etc. but by the psychological reaction to those events and others. It doesn't matter what rates are "expected" to do because interest rates will react to "perceptions" as well as hard economic data. Nobody can predict, with any certainty, how investors will react to news and information. What seemingly would be great news for rates (lowest inflation since 1957) instead causes a large spike up in rates last week. The bottom line is, it's a great time to purchase or refinance a home. Rates are at historical lows and prices are as low as they've been in years. Don't try to time the market, rather recognize the opportunity of today. Wall Street is the only place people ride to in a Rolls Royce to get advice from people who take the subway. Buffett -Warren Best wishes for the New Year, Perry Peterson CEO & Founder Click to view this in a browser Seasons Greetings {FIRST_NAME Valued Customer}, In This Issue Fall May Bring Serious Buyers Raffle Time- Free Target Gift Card! FHA Home Rehabilitation Program

10 Tips for New Homebuyers Mortgage Questions Fall May Bring Serious Buyers by Phoebe Chongchua As the year winds down, many homeowners fear that now could be a bad time to sell their home.

2 10 Tips for New Homebuyers Mortgage Questions Fall May Bring Serious Buyers by Phoebe Chongchua As the year winds down, many homeowners fear that now could be a bad time to sell their home. While it s true that the holidays can deter some folks from house hunting and making a major purchase don t give up. If your house is on the market, step up the action plan to draw attention to it. Don t let the holiday blues make you feel like there s no hope. Homes are sold and bought this time of year. But the ones that get snatched up are the ones that are enticing to buyers. Because this is a very busy time of year with personal travel and holiday celebrations, many real estate experts note that if you have buyers dropping by your open house or making an appointment to view your home, there s a good chance they re serious buyers. There are some things you can do to make your home more showable. We often say in the real estate industry, the way you live in a home is not the way you stage a home. So, while this time of year often brings out all the holiday decor, there is such a thing as too much holiday cheer. No, I m not the Grinch. It s just that not all buyers celebrate the same holidays. A good rule of thumb, is to keep decor simple and subtle. If you celebrate Christmas, go ahead and put a tree up but don t put one up in every room. Remember that buyers will be looking at your home and imagining their own holiday celebrations there. So, be sure to leave them room to envision their lives in the home. This goes for the outside too. Holiday lights can be placed outside very tastefully but ditch the huge inflatable characters that make it look like your yard is an amusement park. Instead, opt for a nice holiday wreath and some subtle seasonal decor. Keep in mind that curb appeal is what gets buyers in the door. If your home isn t appealing from the outside, buyers won t bother to stop for a look inside. Stash the gifts. If you usually put them under the tree or around the house, save them for the day of your celebration. There are two reasons: presents take up precious floor space and they are a distraction. It s a good idea to keep as many personal belongings as possible in a safe, private place. Especially in cold weather areas, cinnamon pine cones or some other mild potpourris can be a pleasant welcome. But don t go overboard with different fragrances in every room. Another nice touch is to spruce up the mantle. However, if you usually hang stockings with your family s names on them, you might consider using less personal ones while showing your home. It s the same reason, stagers will put away your personal photos to create a space where buyers can imagine their photos and belongings in. Listing your home for sale during the holidays doesn t have to make you blue; in fact it can truly brighten your spirits by putting some green in your bank account. Just be sure to focus on making your home a buyer s dream this holiday season.

3 Content Courtesy of Realty Times Raffle Time! Each month we hold a drawing exclusively for our Adobe Insight subscribers. The prize changes from month to month, so you must re-enter with each new issue you receive. This month we are giving away a $50 Target gift card. To enter, your full name, address, and telephone number to newsletter@adobefinancial.com with the subject "December Raffle Entry". The drawing will be held at the end of the month. Must enter by 12/31/10 to be eligible to win. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and family using the link in our 'Quick Links' section below, so everyone has the opportunity to win! Congratulations to November's Winner: Mark Pickerel FHA's Rehabilitation Program If you have your sights set on a home, but fear being able to get financing because it requires a little work, then have no fear. The FHA offers a program that could help you purchase the home and rehab the property. The Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) 203(k) rehabilitation program is "an important tool for community and neighborhood revitalization and for expanding homeownership opportunities." How does it work? With conventional financing, a lender won't close on a loan unless the condition of the property, and thus the value, ensure loan security. This means that a property requiring rehabilitation may be out of reach for many buyers. These properties generally require the buyer to find additional financing for the needed construction and repairs. These loans can involve short term loans with high interest rates. And in a housing market where many new homes are out of reach for buyers, rehab ready may be a good financial choice. The FHA's program should allow more buyers to enter the market, and to help to move a specific segment of inventory. As an alternative to conventional financing, the FHA is offering a chance for buyers to get just one mortgage loan, at a long-term fixed (or adjustable) rate, to acquire and rehab the property.

4 To be eligible, a property must be a one-to-four family dwelling that has been completed for at least one year. If a home has been demolished, part of the existing foundation must still be in place. This program has been in use since Many borrowers, however, think that only "far gone" properties are eligible. The house doesn t have to be falling apart; it could just be outdated, said Joseph Latini Sr., the president of Hartford Funding, a lender in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. It just has to appraise below market value and then at market value with the repairs. For more information and requirements, review them at hud.gov. Content Courtesy of Realty Times 10 Tips for New Homebuyers by Carla Hill It is a great time to buy for many would-be homeowners. The market offers historically low interest rates, as well as affordable home prices. Here are 10 steps that buyers can take to make home dreams a reality! 1. Savings. You may already know how much monthly payment you can support (experts recommend no more than 1/3 your monthly income), but the buying process will also include upfront costs, such as a downpayment and closing costs. 2. Downpayment options. Do you qualify for downpayment assistance programs? Will you be able to get an FHA loan and pay 3.5 percent down? Do you have a relative that would like to make a downpayment gift? Many financial experts recommend a downpayment of 20 percent, so be sure to explore your options! 3. Check Credit Report. Your credit report says a lot about you. Lenders use it to evaluate your risk potential and to inform themselves on how responsible of a borrower you are. They use this report and subsequent score to figure your interest rate. The more stellar your report, the better your score and thus lower your rate. Be sure to check your report for accuracy, and report any errors to the credit reporting agencies. 4. Get Prequalified. It's time to talk to a lender! Pre-qualification will give you a ballpark figure of how much the bank would be willing to lend you. Are you looking for a $100,000 house or a $300,000? 5. Get Preapproved. This is the official letter from the lender that says they will be willing to lend you money. Many sellers look for buyers who are preapproved. 6. Affordability. The bank may tell you that you can afford a home worth $300,000. This does not mean you want to borrow to your max. A more modest home may fit better in your financial plans. 7. Housing Criteria. You have a budget, now develop a list of what you need and want. This can include anything from "must have 3 bedrooms" to "hardwoods" or "granite". 8. Neighborhood choice. Location strongly affects prices. A 3,000 square foot home in rural

5 Kansas costs a fraction of one in New York City. Decide what neighborhoods and areas are the best fit for you. This will help narrow your home search. 9. Hire an agent. An agent can help you navigate the entire process from searching, putting in offers, to where to hire an inspector or general contractors. 10. Start the search! The MLS is a wonderful place to begin your search. Eighty-four percent of buyers now start their search online, so you'll be in good company. Content Courtesy of Realty Times Mortgage Questions What are discount points? Points are a fee paid by the borrower to buy down the interest rate of the new loan. One point equals 1% of the loan amount. What is the difference between the down payment, closing costs, and pre-paids? The down payment is the difference between the sale price and the principle amount of the new loan. Closing costs are the fees charged by the lender, title company, and other parties (appraisal, termite, home inspection) associated with the closing of the loan. Pre-paid items are interest, taxes, and insurance that must be paid at the time of closing. What is mortgage insurance and who has to pay it? Mortgage insurance is a fee paid by the borrower to prtect the lender in case of defalut. it is required when the first mortgage is more than 80% of the value of the home. The fee is generally paid to the lender as part of your monthly payment. Quick Links Forward this message to a friend Find us on Facebook Begin your loan application today- Apply Now Read More About Us Adobe Financial Corporation 1845 S. Dobson Rd. Suite 117 Mesa, Arizona MB

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First Time Home Buying Steps

First Time Home Buying Steps Buying a home is one of the biggest emotional and financial decisions you'll ever make in your life time. The differences between renting and buying a home are huge, and there are numbers of pros and cons