Week 1, October 2009
This week I’d like to highlight a story of a friend in the bay area whose saga with her home for the last couple of years has been an epic struggle, but that has become a success story you ought to hear. First, this is a home she and her husband purchased decades ago, where they raised their children and where this family anchors itself to this day. Unforeseen challenges after the passing of her husband led to some choices for refinancing the mortgage that she ultimately came to deeply regret. With an adjustable loan that reset to an unbearable monthly payment there was legitimate concern that this home would be lost in this perfect storm that so many have endured, but in which, sadly, so few can claim such a success story in the end. Attempts at refinancing in a conventional way were rejected in 2008, and after a long battle a temporary modification was granted with only a modest reduction in payment. Still it was a struggle, and still there was no long term solution until the lender modification program established in 2009 came along which provided the apparently suitable motivation for this lender to drop the payment for this homeowner of over twenty-five years to a payment below 40% of her verifiable monthly income— fully-amortized with a fixed interest rate. In other words, she is NOT losing her home that holds the cherished memories of her life. Not this time. This time a prayer was answered.
See here to learn more about some of the latest in loan modification news.
To contact me about financing your dream-home click here.
Weekend Wanderer’s Events
…finding the treasures in your town and beyond.
Two for This Weekend:
Octoberfest By The Bay: Touted as the largest event of its kind in California, this festival is celebrating its tenth year in the bay area. The best in German beer, food, music, and merriment will greet you at Pier 48 this Friday through Sunday. The Chico Bavarian Band and The Internationals will be bringing the tunes “non-stop”, they say. It’s a great tribute to the Munich festival celebrated in October, local-style. Check it out here.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival: This one is taking place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and IT’S FREE! Just copying a fraction of the acts that will appear: Red Wine, Malo, Moonalice, Mavis Staples, Barefoot Nellies, Rodney Crowell, The Del McCoury Band, Austin Lounge Lizards, Gillian Welch, Aimee Mann, ODC/Dance, Pamela Rose, Abalone Dots, The Duhks, Fireants, The Flatlanders featuring: Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore & Butch Hancock. Many, many more too. Check it out here.
Help Your Fellow Living Beings:
Hands On Bay Area: From their website: “HandsOn Bay Area (HOBA) creates opportunities for people to volunteer, learn and lead in their communities. We strive to provide volunteers with a high-quality experience that fuels further action, and we envision a day when everyone is inspired and equipped to be the change they wish to see in the world.” These folks are helping us to “be the change (we) want to see in the world.” Check them out here.
Two Weekends from Now:
Itzhak Perlman in San Francisco: On October 14th, the famed violinist known for his “sweet tone and melting vibrato” (according to the New York Times) will be playing Bach to an adoring San Francisco audience. A free talk will be open to ticket holders one hour before the show, and right now tickets are being advertised from $15-130. Could be one of those shows you’ll always remember. Check it out here.
Pic of the Week… from my phone camera.
From over 100 feet above the ocean at the Muir Beach Overlook off of Highway 1.