Global Finance released their list for the World’s Safest Banks 2008, and Wells Fargo was the only U.S. based bank to make the top ten list. Other banks were German, French, Dutch, Belgian, from the U.K., etc.
Our in house lenders at Private Mortgage Advisors - an affiliate of Well Fargo Bank- have some excellent Mortgage Loan packages available which may include huge rate savings on Jumbo loans if one has a “relationship” with Wells Fargo (ie a bank account essentially). Please contact us at 1-800-678-3570 for details or if you have further interest in our excellent Mortgage opportunities.
This article is something I really wanted to share with everyone. It addresses the current economic crisis we’re currently undergoing, and provides excellent historical comparisons which help keep this all in perspective a bit more.
The article is fairly lengthy so I will break it up into a few posts for ease of reading. Hope you all find it as useful, informative and cathartic as I did…
This article can also be read and dowloaded as a PDF Document so you can view Time Magazine Covers that aren’t included here at
by Joni Clark, CFA, CFP®, Chief Investment Strategist, Loring Ward
LWI Financial Inc. (“Loring Ward”). Securities offered through Loring Ward Securities Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. 08-179 (08/08)
As investors, we naturally and rightfully take an interest in the state of the economy and the current market environment. And the financial media is swift to oblige with an abundance of information reported on a real time basis through financial network television programs, financial websites, radio, newspapers, magazines, and the like.Read the rest of this entry »
This is the second part of this article covering the 1980’s forward.
The 1980s
The TIME cover story on April 21, 1980, “Capitalism: Is it Working? Of Course but…” portrayed an economy beset on all sides.
“In an age of economic anxiety, real and rising concerns about whether free enterprise can surmount the problems of inflation, energy and productivity. The relentless daily pounding of dismal news drives deeper the public’s conviction that the economy is in a profound and morose crisis.”
“Week after week, interest rates crack new records; home owners face 17% mortgages Energy, the oxygen of industrial life, has become so costly and politically controlled that the U.S. can no longer be certain of enough fuel to keep its factories running and homes heated.”
With these headlines, an investor probably would not have expected an annual return of 32.4% for the S&P 500 Index in 1980. Unstructured World
Although the market continued its march upward in the early 1980s, America’s “Interest Rate Anguish” continued.
The TIME cover story on March 8, 1982, “Paying More for Money” reported:
“Expensive and scarce money has begun driving homebuilders, auto dealers and businessmen from every walk of life out of business, and in such numbers that bankruptcies around the country are beginning to rival those of the Great Depression.”Read the rest of this entry »
This wonderful contemporary 4,100+/-sf home situated on 1.27+/- knoll top acres featuring fantastic views in the exclusive Villa Montalvo area of Saratoga. This home offers privacy and serenity and yet is just minutes away from the amenities of Saratoga Village and the Town of Los Gatos and is conveniently located in the Award winning Saratoga Union School District. This 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath, two level home has a lovely formal entry with hardwood floors that welcomes arrival and entry to the spacious open floor plan. The formal living room with cathedral ceilings and fireplace opens to the full formal dining room and gourmet kitchen. The expansive family room features a beamed ceiling, brick fireplace and 4-Seasons solarium with views to the outdoor greenery. Two levels of extensive decking provide access to the peacefulness of the outdoors. The mature landscaping, Coleman hot tub, stunning Oak trees and graceful gardens make entertainment and home life a true pleasure.
Situated in an excellent Monte Sereno family neighborhood, this 4bd/2.5ba home is 3311+/-sf is located on a quiet cul-de-sac. It features separate dining, living, and family rooms plus a large downstairs game room. The property offers beautiful vistas of the Loma Serena Open Space Preserve & Horse Facilities, offering a unique and open setting. The tranquil lot of almost half an acre features sprawling lawns both front and back, plus a thriving vegetable garden. The upstairs deck overlooks a stone patio, deck, swimming pool and spa. This home is located in the high ranking Los Gatos School district.
For a private sneak preview, call or email us for more details on this brand new exclusive listing! This one may sell before it ever hits the MLS!
If you’re in the market for an Estate Home in the exquisite neighborhood of S. Kennedy Road in Los Gatos California, then this home is well worth taking a preview via our virtual tour. Gorgeous and well manicured grounds, a custom pool and in home sauna are just a few of the delicious qualities that characterize this amazing Los Gatos Estate!
We posted the article below on our Silicon Valley Real Estate Update blog today which was written by our guest blogger ’s at Bring The Blog.
The article addresses the growing problem facing many home buyers who are now being required to pay Private Mortgage Insurance, whereas about a year ago they would have been able to avoid this dreaded extra monthly expense. Many buyers who are often forced to either come up with larger down payments than they would have just a year ago, or pay the dreaded PMI which can run into the hundreds of dollars a month, are sometimes forced out of the market as a result of the added monthly payment burden PMI can pose for them. This is not a pleasant reality for buyers who have less than 20% to put down. We used to encourage our clients to do what is called an “80/10/10” or “80/15/5” loan (with the 80% being their first mortgage, the 10% or 15% being their second mortgage-often a Home Equity Line of Credit {aka HELOC} and the last number representing their down payment contribution-either cash or equity from another property typically).
We're so glad you have decided to join us. We're Team Ardizzone & Howmiller of Alain Pinel Realtors in beautiful Los Gatos California. Rick Ardizzone, John Howmiller and Jeff McLaughlin want to keep you informed about the happenings here in Los Gatos, Saratoga and Monte Sereno California. Real Estate is what we are all about but our neighborhood is why you will stay around. Thanks for your visit and your participation in our real estate blog forum.
You can find great local Los Gatos, California real estate information on Localism.com Jeff McLaughlin is a proud member of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, a free online community to help real estate professionals grow their business.
