OC Housing Connection

Does the Fed NEED to raise rates?

Does the Federal Reserve actually WANT to raise rates regardless of whether they NEED to right now? Is it more than just holding off inflation?  Or do they see some larger crisis looming over the horizon which they feel REQUIRES them to raise rates (regardless of its short term effects on the election or the economy) so they can cut them back again in response to some unforeseen stock market correction, China meltdown or Eurozone explosion? That's the question our hosts Hamid and Fay Hamadanchy debate today (along with yours truly, the "everyman" on the show).  For if (as some speculate) there is surely a stock market correction coming or some Euro/China storm just over the horizon, then what could the Fed do if rates are already at or near zero?  Go into negative territory as some banks in Europe have already done? And how would banks continue to make money if interest rates were BELOW zero? It's a fascinating look at "macro-economics" today on our OC HOUSING CONNECTION show as we argue over not just IF or WHEN the Feds will raise rates but do they feel COMPELLED to do so (regardless of the short term effect on the economy or election) to give them ammunition for some future economic crisis?  You'll want to hear this one!

The Economic Effects of Our Election

Don't miss this wide ranging discussion about the possible economic impacts of our upcoming national election. How will the stock markets react (or will they?)  What could massive deportation or immigration bans mean for our economy?  And why isn't Wall Street more nervous about the political revolt happening on Main Street America?

Our host, Hamid Hamadanchy touches on all those topics, along with several more like potential "negative interest rates".  What are they?  How do they work?  And will this uniquely European phenomenon ever find its way to our shore?  Or what about the steady influx of influential Chinese investments here in Orange County and the continual flood of Chinese money coming into our county.  How it helps prop up an already overheated housing market, with Chinese buyers buying anything and everything in sight for all cash.  And how long will it continue?

You won't want to miss this wide ranging view of the some macro economic trends and their impact on our own long term housing market.  Only on Orange County's only community radio station, www.OCTalkRadio.net.

The Fed and Higher Home Prices

For the first half of our program today, our hosts, Hamid and Fay Hamadanchy, explore the inner workings of the Federal Reserve (known to most of us as just "the Fed").  What comes out of this lively discussion is just how little most of really know about this mysterious entity despite it's crucial connection to our economy and housing markets.

Do you know how many Federal Reserve banks there are in this country?  Where they are located and who runs the one in your area?  Or how they control inflation and affect our housing prices?

From there we talk about the OC Housing market as it continues to head towards record heights and how this may be the norm for some time to come, regardless of what happens in other parts of the country.  Will we become one big "Leisure World" with a largely older population of graying seniors unable to move up (as higher end homes move further out of reach) and unwilling to move out to traditional retirement communities (as their parents did)?  And will this further exacerbate the already chronic shortage of inventory in this already tight housing market?

And what about the so-called "millennials"...the children of those same aging baby boomers who can't even afford to buy a home in the same communities in which they were raised.  Will they continue their exodus out of Orange County?  Or accept being renters for the rest of their lives, like their contemporaries in San Francisco and New York? Will they give up the American dream of owning your own home?  Or will they settle for small spaces in higher priced, high rise spaces?  

Stay tuned as the changing face of Orange County's housing continues to unfold on your OC HOUSING CONNECTION, here on Orange County's only community radio station, www.OCTalkRadio.net.

Tax Tips for Home Owners

It's tax season, which means figuring out how to use your home to its maximum tax advantage.  So our experts, Hamid and Fay Hamadanchy, spend this episode of the OC HOUSING CONNECTION discussing tax considerations to home ownership with some tangible tips on how to maximize your home deductions (or at least not overlook the obvious!)

What are the different rules for deducting closing costs or the different rules concerning home improvement loans or energy saving programs?  They even talk about different ways to structure your PMII (private mortgage insurance) so it may become deductible or exotic things like deducting your land lease costs (if there are any...something we typically only see in places like Irvine, Monarch Beach and Costa Mesa).  Think of this show as a "tax tuneup"with tips, ideas and information you'll want to review with your CPA or certified tax planner.  Only on Orange County's only community radio station, www.OCTalkRadio.net.

Have you heard of HARP? 02-22-16

This week our hosts, Hamid and Fay Hamadanchy, discuss two powerful but perhaps not well understood Federal programs put in place after the "great recession" to help people either modify or refinance their home loans, even those "under water".  As with all programs, there are some qualifications...the main one being that Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac have to own your loan as of May 31, 2009. Loans not owned by them or loans acquired after that time do not qualify for the program. But it's simple to find out.  Just go to www.FannieMae.com, click on the Homeowners and Communities tab at the top and "see if Fanniie Mae owns your loan".  If it does, listen here to all the benefits of a Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) and how to apply.  Same for Freddie Mac.  Or check out the other Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).  You'll be surprised at all they offer. As heard here on Orange County' s only community radio station, www.OCTalkRadio.net.

All the ways you can hold title to your home here in Calfornia

Hear about all the different ways you can hold title to your home here in California and sample some of the ways in which this critical decision will affect things like inheritance and your ability to sell later.  Hear real life horror stories of people who got this wrong and the consequences they suffered.  And learn about the difference between things like "joint tenants" or "tenants in common" along with all the other ways you can be listed (or not listed) on the title to some property you or your spouse purchase.

OC's Deputy DA discusses Real Estate Fraud

As housing hovers around it's all time high here in Orange County, Real Estate Fraud is back in the news as crooks move in to capture these valuable assets.  So much so that the District Attorney's office has a special real estate unit (as part of its major fraud section).  Hear Deputy District Attorney Megan Wagner discuss her work in that unit including prosecuting some high profile "Ponzi schemes", refinancing fraud and the increasing occurrences of crooks forging false "quit claim deeds" and other documents which they use to claim your house from right under your nose and sell or rent it to someone else or even secure a new loan on your property....often targeting seniors with paid off houses or homes the lenders have taken back and are sitting empty.

Learn how to fight these crimes and report them quickly to the DA's office thru their online site.  Along with the work the Deputy DA and her husband, Assemblyman Don Wagner, have done to pass new laws that make it easier to get your title back.  All that and more on this week's installment of the OC HOUSING CONNECTION with Hamid and Fay Hamadanchy on Orange County's only community radio station, OC Talk Radio.net.

Online sales with AUCTION.COM

Explore the ever growing world of online sales with the folks from AUCTION.COM ("where real estate is moving") as our hosts, Hamid and Fay Hamadanchy unlock the secrets of this rapidly growing part of the market.  

AUCTION.com is the largest online real estate marketplace in the world, selling over $37 billion worth of commercial and residential properties, over 200,000 properties in all. They started off exclusively as a platform to sell distressed properties for the big financial institutions, but they've been moving away from that model with other traditional, high quality properties in their mix, including the largest online transaction ever (a $96 million dollar commercial office complex in Manhattan Beach), to the point where 60% of their offerings are no longer "distressed properties".. Which is why they are rebranding the site to become "10x" ("because they want everyone to have a 10 times better buying experience") and moving into all sorts of online residential and commercial sales.

So is this just a way for foreign buyers to bid and purchase US properties?  Does it make your property internationally available and expand the market accordingly? And will this become a model for all future sales?  Find out as our hosts speak with AUCTION.com's VP of Marketing, on Orange County's only community radio station, OC Talk Radio.net.

Facts and Fictions About Home Inspections 01-11-16

Learn about the many facts and fictions regarding HOME INSPECTIONS as our hosts Hamid and Fay Hamadanchy, interview Steve Garcia (from Inspections by Steve), past President of the California Real Estate Inspection Association. Hear about some of the biggest misconceptions about this critical party of any home purchase and the biggest issues to look for here in Southern California, from mold damage to other issues common in our communities.  Only on Orange County's only community radio station, OC Talk Radio.net.

Why Buy in December?

This week, Hamid and Fay Hammadanchy discuss the pros and cons of buying a home in December (traditionally, the slowest month of the year).  And how it can actually be a good idea to consider.

Plus, they also take a closer look at two powerful government programs that often get overlooked: FHA and VA home buying programs.  Find out why so many people overlook these options and why its foolish not to at least consider using one of these to buy your next home...particularly for first time home buyers or anyone struggling to come up with the traditional 20% down payment.