Movoto has done the math and puzzled out the top 20 real estate agents working in Los Angeles, based on the number of transactions they worked on, the average sold price of the houses they repped, and their total sales volume in 2012. Joyce Essex Harvey of Coldwell Banker did the most transactions (91) by far; but Kurt Rappaport of Westside Estate Agency definitively won the money game though, with an average sale price of $7 million and a total volume of $177 million (he was the only broker on the list to crack nine digits).

-Curbed LA, Click here for full article featured on Curbed LA

(Numbers are not 100% accurate and do not include buyer team sales and pocket listings.)

Congratulations, Sherri!

Bankruptcy is an uncomfortable subject for a variety of reasons. The most obvious is the potential havoc it can wreak on your finances. Running a close second is the negative stigma that is often attached to the process. This negativity is important to mention because strong emotions can sometimes lead to unsound financial decisions with devastating results.

Bankruptcy becomes a viable option for someone who is “upside down” in terms of cash flow. In other words, when a person has more money going out each month than coming in, bankruptcy should be considered if no reversal of this negative cash flow is within sight. The longer someone waits to explore the various options available, the more serious his or her situation may become.

One of the worst things people can do in this situation is to borrow more money to try and pay off their debts. On paper, this is clearly an unwise financial decision. In the real world, however, it is very common for individuals to pursue this strategy in an attempt to buy time and hold off on filing for bankruptcy. On the surface, this is certainly a noble notion; however it can often compound the problem and serves only to delay the inevitable.

For many homeowners who have upside down cash flow, speaking to a qualified mortgage professional as soon as the problem is recognized is a much better option. It is important to explore alternatives before incurring late payments which can impact the credit score and further limit alternatives.

If bankruptcy is the only option, seek out a reputable bankruptcy attorney and credit counselor. A qualified mortgage specialist can provide references for you as well, as he or she works with these professionals on a regular basis. Reliable references are essential in this case because experienced professionals greatly increase the odds of a successful bankruptcy experience. It’s that simple.

When filing for bankruptcy, be completely honest and accurate regarding every aspect of your financial situation. This includes any changes to your income which may occur throughout the process. Bankruptcy is a federal procedure, adjudicated by real judges, and scrutinized by representatives who coordinate with the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the IRS.

Here are some additional steps you can take to make the bankruptcy process as painless as possible:

• Save all paperwork regarding your bankruptcy, and keep it organized. This will prove beneficial after your bankruptcy as you now have all of the pertinent information in one place. Also, be sure to write down your discharge date. It’s surprising how many people forget to do this.
• Establish a household budget. This can be accomplished in many ways, but there are several inexpensive computer programs available which do an excellent job.
• Throughout the bankruptcy, do your best to not only live below your means, but to save as much cash as possible. You never know what you may need it for once the process is completed.
• Be prepared for a barrage of junk mail. There will be sharks on the loose who are hoping to capitalize on your need for credit.

Tips for Rebuilding Credit:

• If you must buy a car, focus on transportation as opposed to style. Buy an inexpensive, used car, and try to get a loan for it. It’s a good idea to figure out what your budget allows in terms of a dollar amount first. This means obtaining financing prior to looking for a car.
• Get a secured credit card. Secured credit cards allow for the cardholder to deposit a said amount of money into an account, thus establishing the spending limit of the card. Missed payments result in deductions from the account. Some of these cards will reward responsible borrowers by upping the limit without an additional deposit. Some will even convert the account into a traditional credit card. (Be wary of offers of “easy credit” or any card which asks you to call a 900 number. You will be charged for the call.)
• Meet with a credit repair specialist. Not only can they help you clean up the damage to your credit report, they can advise you on specific ways to rebuild the credit you lost as well.

While it does take time, there is definitely life (and credit) after bankruptcy. The waiting time will depend on the type of loan program (FHA or conventional), whether the bankruptcy is Chapter 2 or 13, the reason for the bankruptcy, and the particular investor’s guidelines.

Catch sneak peaks of Sherri Noel / The Noel Team on HGTV’s “Selling LA” from behind the scenes footage. We’re grateful our listings have been exposed like this! Big thank you to Jim, Director of “Selling LA” and HGTV!

When a marriage ends in divorce, the lives of those involved are changed forever. During this time of upheaval, one thing that shouldn’t have to change is the credit status you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Unfortunately, for many, the experience is the exact opposite. Unfulfilled promises to pay bills, the maxing out of credit cards, and a total breakdown in communication frequently lead to the annihilation of at least one spouse’s credit. Depending upon how finances are structured, it can sometimes have a negative impact on both parties.

The good news is it doesn’t have to be this way. By taking a proactive approach and creating a specific plan to maintain one’s credit status, anyone can ensure that “starting over” doesn’t have to mean rebuilding credit.

The first step for anyone going through a divorce is to obtain copies of your credit report from the 3 major agencies: Equifax, Experian®, and TransUnion®. It’s impossible to formulate a plan without having a complete understanding of the situation. (Once a year, you may obtain a free credit report by visiting www.AnnualCreditReport.com.)

Once you’ve gathered the facts, you can begin to address what’s most important. Create a spreadsheet, and list all of the accounts that are currently open. For each entry, fill in columns with the following information: creditor name, contact number, the account number, type of account (e.g. credit card, car loan, etc.), account status (e.g. current, past due), account balance, minimum monthly payment amount, and who is vested in the account (joint/individual/authorized signer).

Now that you have this information at your fingertips, it’s time to make a plan.

There are two types of credit accounts, and each is handled differently during a divorce. The first type is a secured account, meaning it’s attached to an asset. The most common secured accounts are car loans and home mortgages. The second type is an unsecured account. These accounts are typically credit cards and charge cards, and they have no assets attached.

When it comes to a secured account, your best option is to sell the asset. This way the loan is paid off and your name is no longer attached. The next best option is to refinance the loan. In other words, one spouse buys out the other. This only works, however, if the purchasing spouse can qualify for a loan by themselves and can assume payments on their own. Your last option is to keep your name on the loan. This is the most risky option because if you’re not the one making the payment, your credit is truly vulnerable. If you decide to keep your name on the loan, make sure your name is also kept on the title. The worst case scenario is being stuck paying for something that you do not legally own.

In the case of a mortgage, enlisting the aid of a qualified mortgage professional is extremely important. This individual will review your existing home loan along with the equity you’ve built up and help you to determine the best course of action.

When it comes to unsecured accounts, you will need to act quickly. It’s important to know which spouse (if not both) is vested. If you are merely a signer on the account, have your name removed immediately. If you are the vested party and your spouse is a signer, have their name removed. Any joint accounts (both parties vested) that do not carry a balance should be closed immediately.

If there are jointly vested accounts which carry a balance, your best option is to have them frozen. This will ensure that no future charges can be made to the accounts. When an account is frozen, however, it is frozen for both parties. If you do not have any credit cards in your name, it is recommended you obtain one before freezing all of your jointly vested accounts. By having a card in your own name, you now have the option of transferring any joint balances into your account, guaranteeing they’ll get paid.

Ensuring payment on a debt which carries your name is paramount when it comes to preserving credit. Keep in mind that one 30-day late payment can drop your credit score as much as 75 points. It is also important to know that a divorce decree does not override any agreement you have with a creditor. So, regardless of which spouse is ordered to pay by the judge, not doing so will affect the credit score of both parties. The message here is to not only eliminate all joint accounts, but to do it quickly.

Divorce is difficult for everyone involved. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your credit remains intact.

Home ownership is one of the most important financial decisions a person will make in his or her lifetime. There are many factors to consider when embarking on this adventure. Literally hundreds of loan programs are available, and it is important to find the one that best fits your personal short and long-term goals.

What should you expect from a mortgage consultant? Should you choose a mortgage consultant solely on the basis of rates that he/she quotes?

Prospective home buyers sometimes turn to Internet-based services just to see what current interest rates are. But a web site will not take the prospect’s future financial planning into consideration or guide the potential borrower through the many nuances of the loan process.

When shopping for a home loan, be wary of web-based services that offer programs to attract prospects with attractive rates that are based upon unrealistic time frames. If a lender is offering a terrific rate based on a 10-day lock-in period, it is unlikely that the potential home owner would actually be able to find their dream home, get through the negotiation process and win approval from a lender within such a short period of time. This is called short-pricing, and when it comes time to close the transaction, the rate that was originally offered is simply no longer available.

A mortgage consultant should assist you in choosing a loan that meets your short term and long term goals. It is important to  communicate these goals are as well as the concerns you may have as you consider what may be your most important financial decision.

Are you a two-income family but one of you hopes to stop work in the next year or two to raise a family? Do you anticipate significant additional income each year or will your income be stable or decline? Are you close to retirement age?

One of the most important factors to consider is the length of time of your loan. For example, if you know you will only be in the home for five years, it may not make sense to opt for a 30-year loan program. On the other hand, should keeping the home as a future rental be a possibility, you would want to lock in a loan fixed for thirty years at today’s low rates.

If you want to pay off your mortgage, prefer a lower interest rate and are comfortable with larger payments, a fifteen year loan may best meet your objectives.

Based on the information that you have provided, your mortgage consultant can provide you with a spread sheet showing the loan scenarios that may work well for you. He/she can also speak with your financial planner or tax consultant so you have the benefit of their thoughts about the type of loan that you may wish to choose.

Home ownership is a rewarding vehicle for building wealth and a strong financial future. Your mortgage consultant should be there for you when your loan closes as well as later when you may need advice about managing your loan.

Buying a home vs. renting is a big decision that takes careful consideration, as most mortgage consultants will agree. But the rewards of home ownership are great. For many years, purchasing real estate has been considered an extremely profitable investment. It is an achievement that offers a sense of pride, financial stability and potential tax advantages.

Yes, there are certain responsibilities associated with owning a home. Landlords will often argue the benefits of renting, and for obvious reason. If you are renting, you’re helping them make their mortgage payment.

The numbers are staggering if you look at it this way. If you are paying $1,000 per month for an apartment, and you know your rent will increase 5% every year, then over the next five years you will pay your landlord $66,309. If you are currently renting a house, you may be paying much more than that each month. Either way, you gain no equity by shelling out this monthly housing expense and you certainly won’t benefit when the property value goes up!

However, if you were to purchase your own home or condominium, you would be on your way toward building equity. By choosing a fixed-rate loan program, you can have the comfort of knowing that your monthly mortgage payment will never go up. In fact, you would have the option of refinancing to a lower interest rate at some point in the future should interest rates drop lower than the rate you’d currently be locked in at. This would cause your monthly mortgage commitment to go down.

And not only would your own home give you added space, your own backyard and overall privacy—home ownership would also give you some tax advantages. Depending on your tax bracket, owning a home is often less expensive than renting after taxes. Interest payments on a mortgage below $1 million are tax-deductible. Your mortgage consultant should help you evaluate the tax advantages of various loan scenarios, and share this information with your tax consultant to glean feedback on your behalf.

To find the loan program that is right for you, your mortgage consultant will need to evaluate your monthly household income, current assets and savings, as well as any monthly obligations you may have for credit card payments, car payments, child support, etc. These prequalification factors, along with the report of your credit score, will determine how much house you can afford and what interest rate you will pay for financing. It is also important to let your mortgage consultant know what your future goals are, because this will help narrow down which loan option is the best fit for your long-term needs.

There are many different types of loan programs available, including “low” down payment mortgage programs. A loan frequently used by people buying their first home is the FHA loan, which only requires a 3.5% down payment. Many people also don’t know that FHA allows the lowest credit scores of any loan available today, only needing a 640 score in most cases.

Did you ever have a time where you felt like an opportunity passed you by? If only you had taken the opportunity that presented itself you might be in a different situation today. Well this is one of those times because home prices are low today. Interest rates are low. There is a buying opportunity right now. Please contact us so we can help. Getting your financial picture clear is the first step.

If you’ve been watching the economic news, you’ve probably noticed that market experts and traders have been keeping a close eye on the Commerce Department’s Personal Spending and Personal Income reports. Obviously, those reports provide insight into the health of our economy, but did you know they also influence home loan rates? Personal spending can actually influence the interest rates that are available when you purchase or refinance a home.

Here’s why. It has to do with something called the velocity of money. Even though the government keeps pumping money into the system, nothing happens until that money is spent or lent – and passes from one hand to another or one business to another. The speed at which this money passes between parties is called the velocity of money.

With the job market still very sluggish, consumers aren’t spending much money these days, and businesses are still reluctant to spend money to make investments in their business. With the present velocity at low levels, inflation remains subdued and that’s good for home loan rates. That’s because rates are tied to Mortgage Bonds and inflation is the archenemy of Bonds, so low inflation is good for Bonds and rates. However, once velocity increases, the excess money in the system will cause inflation – which is bad for rates, since even the slightest scent of inflation can cause home loan rates to worsen.

While we certainly want to see better economic recovery news in the near future, we have to remember that there’s an inverse relationship between good economic news and Bonds and home loan rates. Weak economic news normally causes money to flow out of Stocks and into Bonds, which helps Bonds and home loan rates improve. Strong economic news, on the other hand, normally has the opposite result.

Currently, home loan rates are at a historically low level, but that situation won’t last forever. That means now is an ideal time to purchase a home or refinance before the velocity of money – and rates – change.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Karen Natapoff is affiliated with Surety Financial, a Licensed Mortgage Banker and Broker, California Department of Real Estate.

“Who knows, you just might end up in the White House one day. The apartment is a two bedroom, one bath located on West 109 Street. Fully renovated with lots of charm – including exposed brick, high ceilings, a marble bath and hardwood floors. The apartment also features a galley kitchen, generous closet space, and best of all, its unbeatable dinner conversation!”

2 years ago, the apartment went for $1,900 per month. In today’s real estate market, it is $2,400 per month.