Click the BUY button above to immediately search all homes for sale in Torrance, CA.

This weekend my family and I enjoyed a wonderful evening of food and music to benefit an upcoming student production of Les Miserables.

Equally exciting for me, the event was held at the Rolling Hills residence known as Waverly-by-the-Sea. The home is sprawling and grand and gorgeous. But best of all, it’s lived in and used and loved by a family of 9. Wow! SHAMELESS PLUG: I’m proud to have found them this incredible property at an unbelieveable price!…of course, it had been terribly neglected and they certainly brought the vision.

Mark your calendars now to catch the locally produced and acted production of Les Miserables. It runs from July 10 to July 12 at the Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro. You can even buy your tickets online here and save a few bucks at the box office.

I’ll see you there!

-Ryan “Rocky” Rockwood

Is My Property Being Reviewed for a Decline-in-Value?Various private companies are sending mailings to property owners offering their services to pursue a reduction in their property taxes. These companies may charge hundreds of dollars to file for a reduction in value on behalf of the property owner. Some companies are even imposing late fees if the application is received after an arbitrary deadline. Be aware that solicitations from private companies offering to pursue a reduction in property taxes must clearly indicate that they are NOT a government agency and that their services are NOT approved or endorsed by any government agency. Failure to provide such notice is a violation of California law. If you or someone you know receives an illegal solicitation, please contact the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs by phone at (800) 973-3370 or visit their website.

Property owners receiving legal solicitations from private companies that properly identify themselves as not being a governmental agency should be aware that their property may be included in a review the Assessor’s Office will be doing in 2009. Over 500,000 single family houses and condos that were purchased between July 2003 and June 2008 will be reviewed. In some areas, earlier purchases will be looked at. After April 1^st, owners will be able to check this website to see if their home is part of the review.

There is no reason to pay for a review that will be done for free.

All 500,000 owners whose homes are reviewed will receive a letter by the end of June notifying them of the results. Owners who disagree with the results of the review or were not included in the review, may file an application through December 31. The Decline-In-Value form is simple to complete and readily available online or at one of the Assessor’s District Offices. We will review the application and if a reduction is warranted, the taxable value will be reduced. Please note that there is no charge for a review. Owners are urged to wait until July to decide whether to file an application.

Please click here to see Public Service Announcement with Assessor Auerbach and County Supervisor Gloria Molina.

Please click here to see public service video, “Don’t Get Ripped Off.”

See related news stories on KNBC Channel 4, KABC Channel 7, KCAL Channel 9 and Fox Channel 11.

Please click here to read Assessor’s Op-Ed article in the Daily News.

Palos Verdes Pocket Listing: 

Hello All:

Just a quick note to let you know about this great pocket listing in the Del Cerro Park area ( MLS Area 172 - La Cresta).  The property is truly unique and has recently undergone major renovations.  The owners have spent just over $500K in upgrading the home and landscaping.  The home is probably worth just under $2mm.  

The property details are as follows:

*3bds/3baths

*Indoor pool

*2,523 sf living space

*Private Detached Guest House w/bath (apprx. 450 sf)

*21,984 sf lot (usable)

*Great Views of Pacific & Catalina

*Private Cul-De-Sac

*New Hardwood Floors

*New Kitchen & Baths

*New Roof

*Dual A/C

*New Landscaping/Paver Driveway

Not on the MLS at this point, so please let me know if you are  interested in seeing it. Thanks and have a great holiday weekend!

Technical difficulites kept our new site from being online most of today. It looks like things are working now. I’m posting this again. Please check it out!

Here is a quick announcement about an exciting new Website we have launched:  www.ChildrenOfForeclosure.org

The idea behind the Website is to raise awareness of how foreclosure and the U.S. housing crisis is toughest on our most vulnerable - and innocent - citizens. 

Today we launch with 14 original reports and stories from writers across the nation. Here is a quick list. Please bookmark these stories, spread the word, link to my new blog and redouble your committment to the poor. 

Thank you, 

Ryan 

Families and children in foreclosure

Foreclosures impact on children and families

Foreclosures impact kids

2 million children affected by foreclosure

Children most affected by foreclosure

Economic crisis and children

Impact of foreclosure on children

Childhood cut short by foreclosure

Foreclosure affects poor and wealthy children

Foreclosure teaching children

Children forgotten foreclosure victims

Foreclosure affects children

Children, family and foreclosure

Families and children in foreclosure

Marco Angioni

Shenni bubb

Starla Ross

April 10, 2009

For Immediate Release

 

I have been talking a lot about foreclosure lately on this site. But the conversation tends to dwell mostly on the implications for real estate values. The truth is most of my experience with foreclosure is much more personal. I work with people, after all. And people have hopes, dreams, fears - and most importantly - they have families.

Often, the level of trust and emotional intimacy between the homeowner and myself is extraordinary. Truth is it’s pretty hard to put that into words. And I have been especially concerned lately about the most innocent victims of the housing meltdown - children. 

I have seen this firsthand. And last year I read a study estimating that an enormous number of children would be directly affected by foreclosure.     

So that is the background behind a new book I wrote called, Mia’s Home. It is an illustrated book for parents to read with their children. The book is designed to encourage families to discuss tough topics like foreclosure, short sales, distressed home sales and so on.

My plans for the book are simply to give it away to families facing foreclosure that I meet. I’m not an author and I have never done anything like this before. But no one else seemed to be doing it, so I got up the courage to give it a shot! After writing the book I got back in touch with a college friend who is an artist. I was extremely lucky to convince him to illustrate the book. 

The book will be self-published and available on Amazon (and to all retailers) in approximately one month. If you know someone who would benefit from this book please contact me right away. 

 An electronic copy of the book is below. Please leave your comments. I want to get a list of testimonials to add to the front of the book in it’s next update. 

Mia’s Home:

A read together book for parents and children during foreclosure or economic crisis

By Ryan Rockwood

Most of my clients never know that I don’t eat meat or dairy or any animal products. I also chose not to buy or wear products and clothing made from animal products. It’s a personal decision I made some years ago.

These days there are great alternative options for everything from protein to Jello. So it’s not usually a big deal. But today that is not the case. I’m in massive pain.

The reason for my agony? Vegetarian Shoes.  Take a second and try to get over your amazement that such a thing exists. Indeed! What did you think we did?

Anyway, no surprise they are terrible quality and incredibly rough on the feet. They look OK for a couple months. But leather continues to be a tough product to beat. Leather rules the garment industry.

So why this discussion of my footwear and why should you care? Because I spent the day walking around announcing a remarkable free seminar we are going to hold for the community on Monday, March 16. You are invited. But I’ll be wearing my leather-free sneakers and I apologize in advance for the fashion faux pas.  

What you need to know:

Heard of the Housing Bailout? Well, for most non-Bernard Madoff folks like you and me the bailout is only going to benefit you if you are approved for a Loan Modification. What is a Loan Modification, you ask? Geez, what rock are you living under? Did I sell you that rock?

Loan modification is a process whereby a home-owner’s mortgage is modified and both lender and homeowner are bound by the new terms. The most common modifications are lowering the interest rate, reducing the principal balance, ‘fixing’ adjustable interest rates, increasing the loan term, forgiveness of payment defaults & fees, or any combination of these.

————-That’s courtesy of Wikipedia. Learn more by clicking here.

Now you are probably wondering something along the lines of, ‘Gosh, could I get a loan modification?’ And I’ve got GREAT news for you: Maybe.

We have personally done a bunch of loan modifications (including 6 of our own personal mortgages). And we proceeded to write a book on How to Get a Loan Modification. (I wish I could say my expertise was on the topic of being super wealthy and not knowing what to do with all that cash lying around. *Sigh* Oh well, maybe someday)! Until then, when life hands you lemons…..well, you know the rest.

So here are the details you’ll need to determine if our free seminar (that could change your life) is worth missing reruns of CSI Miami.

FREE - Mortgage Modification workshop  March 16th at 7 p.m.

Hosted by Loan Modification Expert Author Mike Rockwood

60-Minute Loan Modificationauthor, Mike Rockwood, will show South Bay homeowners how to apply for and negotiate a loan modification with less than 1 hour of work.

Mike says: “I’ve already modified 6 of my own mortgages, and my system makes it utterly painless to lower your interest rate, lower your monthly payment, and save your home.”

How it Works: You have two options (1) come and learn exactly how this works so you can do it on your own afterwards (2) bring your W2 forms from the past 2 years along with your last 2 pay stubs and you can do your application right there on the spot.

Time: 7:00  p.m.
Where: 500 Silver Spur, Suite 303, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.
Cost: $97 Free of charge!
For:Southbay Homeowners with Bad Mortgages.                  

Limited Space! You MUST reserve your place by calling 310.634.0362

Still not sold?

Well for goodness sake, read our flyer below this very minute: 

 

How Bad is Your Mortgage?

“Learn How I Modified my Mortgage down to 5.125%, Knocked $199,433 off my Total Loan Expense, and Lowered my Monthly Payment by $686 all with No Fees and Only 60 Minutes of Prep Work!”

To: Struggling South Bay Homeowners
From: Mike Rockwood (Torrance, CA)

Dear Homeowner,

Let me guess… you’re struggling to make your mortgage payments each month, your house is dropping in value by the day, and you’re not sure what to do?

 

Don’t worry—you’re NOT alone!I used to feel physically ill when the 1st of the month rolled around. I’m an honest, hard-working person like you, but I got caught up in the buying frenzy of 2004-2007. I borrowed too much, my lender lent me too much, and I nearly foreclosed on all 5 of my properties…… but I was lucky enough to attend a workshop where I learned about mortgage modification, and within weeks, everything changed!

Here’s the truth: President Barack Obama has made mortgage modification the easiest way to save your home, lower your monthly payments, and lift you out from under water.

 

Times are tough, for sure, but there’s finally hope for people like you and me. Enough talk… let me show you some of my own successes to date:

 

My Indy Mac Loan Modification:

     Before: 6.5% fixed (not bad… but not good enough)
     After: 5.125% fixed
     Monthly Savings: $638 (and $199K over life of loan)

     *primary residence

 

My Wells Fargo Loan Modification:

     Before: 6.5% fixed

     After: 4.5% fixed

     Monthly Savings: $262

 

My Litton Loan Services Loan Modification:

     Before: 7.35% fixed

     After: 7% fixed

     Monthly Savings: $140 ($27K over life of loan)

     *Rental property

 

My 2^nd Litton Loan Modification:

     Before: 12.5% fixed

     After: 7.0% fixed

     Monthly Savings: $95 ($12K total over life of loan)

     *Rental property

     *PLUS I reduced my principal by 20%

 

Why Are Banks Giving Away Money Like This?

With five million homeowners facing foreclosure right now, and each foreclosure costing lenders a minimum of $50K just in fees, banks are so desperate to keep you in your home that they’re literally handing out money to people who are organized and ask the right questions.

My FREE Mortgage Modification Workshop works like this:

7:00-7:30 P.M. – I’ll show you how to quickly (we’re talking minutes here) put together a well-presented loan modification application that is guaranteed to get reviewed by your lender

7:30-7:45 P.M. – Together, we’ll write your hardship letter communicating to your bank your situation very clearly (this part is super easy… like filling in the blanks).

7:45-08:00 P.M. – I’ll take questions and give answers to any and all loan modification questions. I am an authority on loan mods, so if I don’t know it, it’s probably not important—and if it is important, I’ll find an answer for you before the evening is over!

Why Are You Doing This For Free?

I’m very proud of my new book, the 60-Minute Loan Modification, and I’m doing this as a means of publicity and promotion. As great as my book is, I realize that in about 12 months, loan modifications are not going to be offered anymore (banks aren’t THAT crazy), so I have to spread the word as fast as possible.

PLEASE NOTE: you do NOT have to buy my book, and this is not a sales presentation. This is a rare opportunity to get 100% free help from me. I’m an expert on mortgage modification, and I can help you.  

Reservations Required:  Call 310.634.0362 or email help@60MinuteLoanModification.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we are especially excited as we’ve just returned from mailing out a TON of Loan Modification kits to many of the most important and influential people in Real Estate today. We can’t wait to get their feedback and hopefully some great testimonials we can use to promote the book.

In Mortgage Modification news, we had our great Loan Modification success ever yesterday. Our client’s monthly payment was reduced by IndyMac over $4,000/mo. This just 1-week after they applied. This level of success is completely unheard of and we hope it signals a new era of Loan Mod success.

Are you a newsmaker, reporter, blogger or book reviewer? Please complete the form below to receive a review copy of our Loan Modification kit.

Our esteemed list (so far) includes:

Ben Robert NorthWest Arkansas Real Estate

Daniel Bates McCellanville Real Estate

Cyndee & Jack Haydon Clearwater Real Estate

Gena Reide Sacramento Real Estate

Roberta Murphy San Diego Real Estate

Michael & Virginia Bergin Alexandria VA Real Estate

Randall Marquis The Mortgage Lender Implode-o-Meter

Aaron Krowne Mortgage & Real Estate Expert

Greg Swann one of America’s Most Influential Real Estate Agents

Kriss Berg San Diego Real Estate Expert

February 25th, 2009

For Immediate Release: New Children’s book on foreclosure

Today we want to announce the upcoming release of the first ever children’s book on the difficult topic of foreclosure.

Real Estate and Foreclosure expert Ryan Rockwood identified the need for a children’s book on the topic after helping hundreds of families navigate the foreclosure process in his Southern California Real Estate practise.

The book is currently being illustrated at The Make Studio in Santa Barbara, CA. The Make Studio is owned by the incredibly talented husband and wife team of Casson and Anna Demmon.  Casson Demmon himself will be the head illustrator and create as many as 25-original illustrations. The illustrations alone will be a significant artistic accomplishment. Paired with an original story written by Real Estate Foreclosure Expert Ryan Rockwood the publication will help the millions of families cope with our current housing meltdown.

http://www.60minuteloanmod.com LOAN MODIFICATION Hardship letter - IS IT RIGHT FOR ME? Free 60 Minute Loan Modification info CD

Q: What information will I need when I talk to my lender?

You’ll need information about the monthly gross income of your household including recent pay; stubs if you receive them or documentation of income you receive from other sources; your most recent income tax return; information about any second mortgage on the house; payments on each of your credit cards if you are carrying balances from month to month; and payments on other loans such as student loans and car loans.

Loan Modification expert Mike Rockwood reacts to Pres. Obama’s news

Loan Mod expert Mike Rockwood explains the President’s announcement in plain english and let’s you know how YOU can benefit!

http://www.60minuteloanmod.com LOAN MODIFICATION Hardship letter - IS IT RIGHT FOR ME? Free 60 Minute Loan Modification info CD

Q: Which mortgage borrowers qualify?

The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is limited to loans held or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which as of January 1, 2009 have been capped at $417,000 for most areas of the United States and $625,500 for what are called “high cost” areas. There are higher limits for Alaska, Guam, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mortgages that are linked to Fannie and Freddie are known as “conforming” loans.

Obama: Loan Modifications to help save U.S. Housing Market

Huge news this week as President Obama announced $75 billion to bolster the ailing housing market. Pres. Obama touts Loan Modifications as a way to help as many as 9 million distressed homeowners. 

We have been saying that over a year now. But it’s great to get such a high profile endorsement!