A look at the resale market in Central Oregon for January 2013.
Life and Running
Life and running seem to be so parallel. Each moment in life has a different speed, and a different level of resistance.
There are days like today, when I jump on the treadmill and 3 miles files by in record time. My resistance level is low, my pace is strong and the momentum of the treadmill only pushes me to complete my goal of 3 miles. Running like this remind me so much of the days when life seems simple and goals are easily accomplished.
However, there are other days when running seems nearly impossible. Getting on the treadmill, let alone getting up early enough to go to the gym seems like a giant hurtle. Even when I get to the gym on those days, the treadmill seems to push me beyond my pace, the resistance seems infinite and the momentum feels far to fast. This reminds me of the struggles in life and how difficult life can be when nothing seems to be in tuned.
Every day is different, just like every run is different. So many things affect a runner from their shoes, to stretching, muscle aches and timing. These factors can cause a workout to be difficult instead of smooth. Much like life factors play into our days like the gas light coming on when you are half way to work, misplacing your keys when you are running late or spilling coffee on your new sweater. However, like a work out, I feel accomplished when I push through and defeat these factors.
For anyone else who is training or simply just living life, I hope that today is one of those days were the pace and momentum is simply perfect.
Why Are New Years Resolutions So Hard?
It seems that our human nature is to shy away from transitions in life that may be beneficial for us. As a student of the human behavior I have always been fascinated with how people really do not like change even though ironically change seems to be the only constant in life.
My own personal resolution can be seen through my desire to become a healthier person. In doing so this year I vowed to spend the next two and a half months training for the Healthy Beginnings and Strategic Realty is one of the Papa Bear sponsors (along with Deschutes Brewery). Today, was my first day back at the gym in over 2 months and it amazed me how much of an effort it took to begin my training. For the last two weeks I have pushed off going to the gym and beginning this blog due to by inability to accept change. What is more amazing is how much more beneficial my life would be if I simply exercised more frequently. The revision of my habits would equal more energy, feeling better about myself and improving my overall physical health. However, my reluctance towards this life transition has caused hesitation.
While running on the treadmill, my thoughts wandered to how human beings in general avoid changes that are beneficial for them. One transition that always seems to be avoided is moving. As a child I remember hating the process of moving, even if the new home meant a bigger room, larger backyard and overall more spacious living. This hesitation even translated into my adult life. As a California native I was extremely hesitant to purchase my first home. Even though purchasing my home meant financial security and a long term investment. Luckily, like most aspects of life, I learned to push through the uncomfortable feeling of change and embrace the benefits that a new adventure had to offer. Looking back it purchasing my home has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.
This makes me wonder how many of us avoid beneficial life changes such as exercising, eating well, moving, purchasing a new home, switching jobs or asking for that promotion because we are simply afraid of being uncomfortable. If a change is awaiting any of you I hope that you have the courage to take the challenge and see what adventure awaits you.
Market Update for 2013
Mortgage Debt Relief 2013
For many homeowners who are in the middle of, or contemplating, a short-sale, there are some important pieces of the Fiscal Cliff crisis that has gripped the national media over the past weeks. Having a home that’s worth much less than you owe is sadly not uncommon in almost any part of the US. Over the past several years, some borrowers have gone to the banks who hold their mortgages and asked for the opportunity to sell their property for what the market may provide and be released from the balance of the debt obligation. In many circumstances, the banks have seen this as an advantage over foreclosure, which is costly, drawn out, and fraught with risk and bad press.
When these “short sales” first began happening in larger and larger numbers, borrowers quickly realized they had another problem. The IRS. Forgiven debt is often treated as taxable income, and many of these people left an unmanageable mortgage while walking straight into a huge tax bill. At the end of 2007, Congress passed the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007. This provided many qualifying homeowners with an exemption on the income taxes they would owe from going through foreclosure or negotiating a short sale. This Act expired on Monday.
The problem with the expiration of this exemption is the possibility that it could cause many homeowners to abandon plans for short sales, deed-in-lieu’s, and other processes that were working to help re-stabilize the real estate market in favor of bankruptcy, foreclosures, and other more drastic means of trying to avoid the tax implications.
The good news is, based on what we’ve seen from the latest legislation coming from Capitol Hill, the extension of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief seems to be part of the package. Check out American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, and particularly the bottom of page 25. Good news for all.
Robo-signing…How I wish this were true with short sales
Back in the Saddle
After nearly 2 days off and spending considerable and overdue time with my family, I climbed back on the horse on a Monday, quasi-holiday. Wanting and almost hoping for banks to be closed, I reluctantly called my good friends at Fells Wargo with the slight chance they might actually be open. As you may know by now, they are not my good friends, but more like an ingrown toenail. But, they were open. And as usual, with broken systems and poor customer service, they might as well have been closed. In fact, I’m going to convince myself that they were closed and me calling was just a figment of my imagination; a dream perhaps. A bad dream.
So I inquired about the progress of my latest short sale and asked if they had a record of receiving the last batch of documents I sent to them. They didn’t, big shock, I didn’t expect anything different, the toenail hurts, at least it’s Monday, and why I continue to believe tomorrow will be different with them, it won’t (for kids at home reading this, the last sentence was totally a run-on sentence and should be avoided throughout your educational careers). In an effort to stave off total depression, I asked if the last person I spoke to updated the notes as I requested on 3 days prior. The woman I was speaking to said “no”. “Nothing? Not one note on Friday from me?” I asked. “No sir, not from you.” Unbelievable! I was lied to again! (And I’m surprised? What is wrong with me? Back to the story.) “Well,” I continued, “are there any notes on the account from Friday?” She said, “Yes”. “From who?” I asked in my most patient and tongue biting politeness. “From an authorized 3rd party.” Holy $*#* ! And people wonder why short sales suck and take so long? The people on the opposite end of the horse are incompetent and lazy. The result? Some mysterious “3rd” party” angel decided to call in and reference the short sale offer, documents, etc., directly corresponding to the negotiator’s last comment, at the exact date and time as myself. What are the chances? But, it wasn’t me. Well what do ya’ know…even the soldiers of almighty deities can’t help with short sales. End of Rant.
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