It is hard lately to not feel depressed. After what happened in Japan last week, with tens of thousands presumed dead and many homeless, with the now confirmed statement that there is a threat of death from radiation exposure to citizens, to the violence in Libya, Yemen and Bahrain, and the ongoing problems in other parts of the middle east and our own economic problems here at home. There seems to be so much going on that it is hard to not feel sad. Many people question whether they should go on with their lives and have fun, do happy things, in the face of such sadness.

Moving forward and looking at things from different perspectives can help us all to recover. I know that my beautiful sister-in-law, my birth father, and many others who died too young would want me and my loved ones to carry on, to make a difference and help others. They are not here at all, and I am sure they would have given anything to live longer. In honoring their memory, and the many loved ones who have passed, I feel better and can move ahead.

I am talking with my children about all the problems that are occurring in this world right now, but I am also teaching them to go forward and live, to make each moment count. I teach them not to forget that others are suffering, and to give whatever they can to help those in need, to think of things they can do to ease the pain of others. It is a great discussion to have. We cannot be strong for others if we do not take care of ourselves. So find ways to give, to help, to make a difference. But don’t forget to live.

Mello-Roos taxes are common in many areas of California, so if you are buying a home that is newer you should know what they are. Many people do not understand the purpose behind them, or why they have to pay them; in fact, it is a question many buyers have asked me over the years. Here is what you need to know about mello-roos, in a nutshell.

Definition: Mello-Roos are fees paid by a homeowner that are assessed by the builder. They enable the formation of Community Facilities Districts (CFDs), which provide community funding for public improvements and maintenance. The CFDs decide where the collected money will go.

History: Mello-Roos (named after a Senator and Assemblyman who coauthored the Community Facility Act in 1982, which is now simply referred to as “Mello-Roos”) are assessed by the local CFD. If a new community or a school is planned in your CFD tax exempt municipal bonds are issued to finance the construction.

Benefits: Mello-Roos taxes are used to fund and maintain projects within your community, such as road improvements, traffic lighting, storm sewers, libraries, emergency services and schools. By passing the taxes on to the homeowners the builders can keep the cost of housing lower, and owners benefit from having well-maintained communities.

Payment termination: These bonds are paid off over a period of time, usually 25 years. Once they are paid off the taxes stop. If the home is sold before they are paid off the taxes transfer to the new buyer.

Tax Increase or Decrease: Mello-Roos can only increase at a maximum rate of 2% per year over a 25 year period. It is possible that the tax may also decrease over that time. If state or other funds become available the bond indebtedness can be reduced, which could lower residence tax payments. Although I do not see indebtedness being reduced in California any time soon, keep in mind that it could happen.

How to Pay: There are several ways to opt to pay your Mello-Roos tax bill. It can be added to annual property tax or paid upfront upon the purchase of a new home. The latter option may not make sense unless the owner knows he or she will be living in the home for a long time.

In conclusion, although people may complain about Mello-Roos taxes the benefit to you as a homeowner are plentiful. Think of them as insurance that your community will look it’s best and be a better place to live.

AP posted a story at about 1:30 PST today that Terry Jones has agreed to refrain from burning copies of the Koran, in exchange for a promise from the property owner of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in NY to refrain from building a much debated Muslim mosque there. One crisis averted.

The FHA has announced it is to make changes that will provide easier access to home ownership for borrowers and strengthen its reserves, allowing it to better manage risks. The changes are expected to go into effect this spring and early summer. They include:

1. Increase the mortgage insurance premium (MIP). The goal is to bring back private lending, which will offer more choices to borrowers. At first the upfront MIP will be raised to 2.25%, with a request to raise it to maximum levels allowed by the legislature. Upon authorization the MIP premiums will then shift to the annual MIP. The benefit to the consumer will be an increase in capital reserves, as the annual MIP will be paid over the life of the loan in lieu of being paid at closing time.

2. Update the FICO score and down payment requirement for new borrowers. To qualify for the FHA’s 3.5% down payment program a new borrower would have to have a minimum FICO score of 580. A lower score would require a down payment of at least 10%. To put it simply, the riskier the borrower the higher the interest rate and down payment needed to secure a loan. This change would take effect in early summer.

3. Seller concessions would be reduced from 6% to 3%. Doing so will prevent inflated appraisal issues.

4. Increase enforcement of FHA lenders. There are several measures included to keep lenders in compliance.

There will also be a moratorium on the 90 day anti-flipping rule. This rule stated that investors had to wait 90 days after purchase of a property before they could place it for sale on the market. The problem with this rule is that it ended up affecting average home buyers too, who did not have the opportunity to purchase homes bought by investors until the waiting period expired. Investors need to sell these properties quickly. There are some further details involved, so if you would like that information please let me know and I will get it for you.

Michael Mekler of Benchmark Mortgage, who is an FHA lending specialist, says that there is a silver lining in all these changes: “The increase in PMI will offset losses already incurred by HUD, and not decrease the volume of FHA borrowers. The lifting of the 90-day rule gives FHA borrowers a better chance of being able to buy a rehabbed home.” Mekler believes that even with the increases in MIP, FHA loans will still be a popular choice amongst borrowers. For more detailed information on the new rules you can contact Michael at mmekler@fhaexpert.net or call toll-free to 1-888-218-0094.

On Tuesday, January 12 the Carlsbad City Council was presented the Community Vision. This is a plan for the future of Carlsbad and focuses on growth, sustainability, preservation and future planning. It is a very positive step in the collaboration between City officials and residents, and is great news for Carlsbad.

The Envision Carlsbad Program, sponsored by the City of Carlsbad, played a major role in obtaining input from over 7,000 residents via surveys, interviews, workshops and citizens’ committees. The process really focused upon the needs and wants of Carlsbad citizens, and on and continuing to make Carlsbad a wonderful place to live, work and visit.

Topics of interest included maintaining a beach town feel, education, the arts, culture, nature preservation and trails, recreation, transportation, neighborhood revitalization, connectivity, local economy, tourism, livability and sustainability.

The next step in the process will be for the City to compare the residents’ vision to the plans, regulations and policies of the City of Carlsbad. The City will then be able to determine how to effectively incorporate the vision into it’s General Plan. The acceptance is a wonderful indication that the City wants to work with residents and help drive Carlsbad into the future with purpose and fresh ideas. To learn more please visit http://www.envisioncarlsbad.org.

Many cities have opened recycling centers for trees, and Carlsbad is no exception. To find out where you can get your tree environmentally recycled, or whether and how to recycle at the curb through January 18, 2010, go to:

http://www.carlsbadca.gov/about/news/Pages/christmas-tree-recycling.aspx

Home sales in North San Diego in October seem to be improving, despite problems with the lending industry. Sales of both attached and detached homes in North County decreased 1.33% in October from September. Here are the October statistics, according to HomeDex:

Detached North County Homes:

Median price $430,000

Average Price:$539,127

Total units sold: 772

Median market time: 35 days

Attached North County Homes:

Median price: $239,250

Average price: $289,869

Total units sold: 314

Median market time: 38 days

An article in the paper this morning predicted that the market prices will rise in 2010 and that there are more buyers purchasing homes now than there have been in a long time. This is predicated upon two main factors–housing prices being lower and the federal tax credit to first time homebuyers. Now that the tax credit has been extended AND expanded to include ALL buyers (who meet the criteria), many Realtors feel this will continue to boost sales.

Summer is just beginning and that means it’s time for sunscreen. But do you know that chances are the one you favorite brands may not only offer inadequate protection against the rays, but may also be unsafe?

Research has indicated that almost 85% of sunscreens available to consumers do not adequately protect us from the sun. Even if your favorite brand says it has an SPF of 30 or 45+ this may not be the case.

Another major concern with sunscreens is the list of ingredients that are added. One of the most harmful is Oxybenzone, which has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, cell damage and low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers were exposed to the chemical. The FDA implemented new guidelines for sunscreens back in 2007 but they have not been enforced as of yet.

It may surprise you to know that almost 600 brands of sunscreen sold in the U.S. contain Oxybenzone! It is also found in facial moisturizers, lip balm and some lipsticks.

Don’t fret‚Ķthere is a solution. There is a great website you can visit to see how your favorite sunscreen rates and whether it contains chemical ingredients. Go to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. You have a few choices once you get there. You can simply go to Enter Your Name Brand and look your brand up, or you can click on the National Brand Buying Guide to get a list of those that are safe to use. There is also information on other products that contain Oxybenzone and other harmful ingredients.

This site is full of information and will definitely keep you protected throughout the sunny summer…without the worry!

You may have thought they were a thing of the past but there are some people who may qualify for the new stated income loans, and they are available now. Lenders who provide this type of loan are not plentiful and you will need to do some research to find a mortgage house that has a relationship with them. They are very strict with the requirements and you must have very good credit and a sufficient down payment, but for those of you who meet the requirements this is a great way to get a loan if you are self-employed or an independent contractor with a variable income.

Here are the requirements:

1. 30% minimum down payment,

2. 700+ FICO score,

3. You must be self-employed (but CANNOT be in the real estate industry in any way),

4. Have cash reserves of 6-12 months of PITI

Note that only adjustable rate mortgages are available…there are NO 30-year fixed mortgages under this program. Still, if you qualify it may be the difference between getting a loan or not in this difficult market, where the overwhelming majority of lenders simply WILL NOT issue loans to those who cannot document steady income. Please remember that these types of loans are only available through certain private lenders, not mainstream lenders. If you need a reference to a mortgage broker who has a relationship with these types of lenders and can answer your specific questions, please feel free to contact me.

Good news for first time homebuyers! If you purchase a home in 2009 you will be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $8,000. For those of you who have been waiting to buy a home this news, combined with low interest rates and some nice sales prices, makes it a great time to start shopping. Here are the requirements:

1. You must be a first time homebuyer, meaning that you have not owned a principal residence in the last three years. Current or previous ownership of vacation or rental homes does not count and will not disquallify you.

2. Income limits: $75,000 for each unmarried borrower and $150,000 for married couples.

3. If you own and occupy the home for at least three years there is no requirement to pay back the credit (unlike the previous $7500 credit, which was required to be repaid).

4. The tax credit may be claimed on your 2008 returns…yes, that’s right.

There is one more great piece of news if you live in California: California has allocated $100,000,000 in tax credits to first time home buyers who purchase NEW CONSTRUCTION homes. The homes can be single family detached or attached but must never have been occupied. If you purchase one of these properties and you are one of the first 10,000 buyers to do so, you will receive a $10,000 tax credit from the state. Here are the requirements:

1. Property must be new construction (never occupied)

2. Buyer must live in the home for two years

3. The credit is allocated over a period of three years and cannot exceed $10,000 total

4. This program works on a first-come, first-served basis…if 10,000 people buy before you, you are out of luck.

One more So, happy house hunting! There are a lot of great deals out there.