OC Housing Connection

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.

How will El Nino affect OC Housing?

This week, Hamid and Fay Hammadanchy discuss the possible effects of a monster El Nino on OC Housing, along with their weekly analysis of the Fed's interest rate and even the long term reasons why owning a house is such a big investment in the long run.  All that and more on this week's installment of OC HOUSING CONNECTION, only on OC Talk Radio.

OC Housing Talks About First Time Home Buyers

OC HOUSING TALKS again about first time home buyers...who are they, what is the average loan amount, what are they looking for and why aren't they buying even with historic low interest rates.  And they also speculate on the Fed's possible rate increase and what should be expected out of their December meeting.

Latest Fed Update PLUS Close Look at Home Inspections

Join Hamid and Fay Hamadanchy as they update everyone on the latest Federal Reserve moves (or lack thereof) and their potential impact on interest rates and the housing market. Then they take a close look at the subject of HOME INSPECTIONS and why so many buyers fail to understand their true value. From uncovering past builder lawsuits and/or problems to be aware of in the area to specific issues like mold, water leaks and the like, nothing can replace a good home inspection (even if you have a good Home Warranty).  Learn what to look for and what gets overlooked in this deep dive into HOME INSPECTIONS.  Plus some tips on how to improve your "curbside appeal" and saleability to any home. All that and more in this week's OC HOUSING CONNECTION.