Week 2, December 2009

Just last night, I was asked by a San Francisco business owner whether I thought the housing market had turned the proverbial “corner” yet.  I replied with my usual cautious optimism and said yes.  I said it doesn’t feel like we’re in a “free fall” anymore, which is literally how it felt for well over a year after September of 2007.  I said that many of the changes put into effect such as changing the limits on loan amounts for Fannie and Freddie and FHA may have gotten off to some rough starts and had growing pains, but that they are well into effect now and are instrumental in the stabilization of the market we see now.  Approvals are coming from lenders in days (sometimes even in hours) rather than weeks, as they were in early 2008.  And the expectation to close in a reasonable 30 days or so is pretty common.  In general, it feels as though we have now a fairly good tool box to work on the project— to put it into home improvement type language— whereas before, the tool box was hardly suitable for a more than daunting task.  It will take time… probably measured in years to reach the point where homeowners will feel as though we’ve shed this period completely.  And for those still waiting on hold to speak to someone at a lender or servicing company about a modification, these words are probably cold comfort for them.  In my opinion, while the restoration of stability in banking is a battle that appears to have been won, in the battle for those who have been affected most severely on Main Street we still have a significant way to go.  Perhaps the result we’ll see is a change in our values that’s been long over due.  Please read the article in the link below.   

See here for a reminder of how Americans reacted to a day that lives in infamy.

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:

A Cathedral Christmas at Grace Cathedral:  “A San Francisco tradition! Celebrate the season with the Choir of Men and Boys with orchestra, featuring their signature performances of sacred masterpieces and yuletide classics. Continuing a tradition of over sixty years, join generations of families and friends who attend year after year, some traveling great distances to enjoy this very special event. Celebrate the holiday with glorious music in a glorious space!”

 Dave Koz A Smooth Jazz Christmas 2009 in San Francisco: This jazz concert is an event I have attended for, I think, the last six years in a row.  It’s now become a real tradition and one I recognize as a fun kickoff to the holiday season with some good friends.  While the line up of great jazz players changes each year, many come back year after year including the fantastic Jonathan Butler and of course the host Dave Koz.  Great music and a warm atmosphere of compassionate celebration is what you’ll find. 

Help Your Fellow Living Beings: 

Drawbridge.org in San Francisco: ”The mission of DrawBridge is to provide art programs for homeless and other vulnerable children in an environment that fosters their sense of joy, creativity and exuberance. Beyond that, we strive to promote the well-being and stability of family by creating a supportive community in which children help other children, establishing a lifetime of giving.”

Two Weekends from Now:

Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Rocks Extravaganza!:  From the SF Chronicle: “Jumping and jiving since the mid 90′s, the ambitious and enduring project smashed into the charts in 1998 with a blistering cover of Louis Prima’s “Jump, Jive, and Wail” and shows no sign of slowing down. He also was the lead guitarist in Robert Plant’s mid-80s project band The Honeydrippers, as well as portraying Eddie Cochran in the 1987 biopic “La Bamba,” chronicling the life of rock and roll pioneer Ritchie Valens.”

Pic of the Week… from my phone camera:

Mormon Temple in Oakland shows us how to light up for the holidays.