Raymus Homes, Inc

Raymus Homes, Inc is now a Woman-Centric Homebuilder

2009-11-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

Find out what makes us a Woman-Centric Homebuilder
http://www.raymushomes.com/whywomancentric.html

Take the 'Finally About Me' quiz here - find out what type of home fits your personality
http://fam.quantabasics.com/quiz.aspx?client=raymus

Raymus Homes can HELP!

2009-11-15T11:41:00.000-08:00

Click image to enlarge.....

GOOD NEWS HOME BUYERS! FEDERAL TAX CREDIT EXTENDED

2009-11-07T14:15:00.000-08:00

2009-2010 Home Buyer Federal Tax Credit Fact Sheet

Who is Eligible

•First-time home buyers, who are defined by the law as buyers who have not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase, may be eligible for up to an $8,000 tax credit.
•Existing home owners who have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight and are purchasing a home to be their principal residence (“repeat buyer”), may be eligible for up to a $6,500 tax credit.
•All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.
Income Limits

•Home buyers who file as single or head-of-household taxpayers can claim the full credit ($8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers) if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $125,000.
•For married couples filing a joint return, the combined income limit is $225,000.
•Single or head-of-household taxpayers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000, and married couples who earn between $225,000 and $245,000 are eligible to receive a partial credit.
•The credit is not available for single taxpayers whose MAGI is greater than $145,000 and married couples with a MAGI that exceeds $245,000.
Effective Dates

•The eligibility period for the tax credit is for homes purchased after Nov. 6, 2009, and before May 1, 2010. However, home purchases subject to a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010, will qualify for the tax credit provided closing occurs prior to July 1, 2010.
Types of Homes that Qualify

•All homes with a purchase price of less than $800,000 qualify, including newly-constructed or resale, and single-family detached, townhomes or condominiums, provided that the home will be used as their principal residence. Vacation home and rental property purchases do NOT qualify.
Tax Credit is Refundable

•A refundable credit means that if the amount of income taxes you owe is less than the credit amount you qualify for, the government will send you a check for the difference.
•For example:
◦A first-time buyer who qualifies for the full $8,000 credit who owes $5,000 in federal income taxes would pay nothing to the IRS and receive a $3,000 payment from the government. If you are due to receive a $1,000 refund, you would receive $9,000 ($1,000 plus the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit).
◦A repeat buyer who owes $5,000 would pay nothing to the IRS and receive $1,500 back from the government. If you are due to get a $1,000 refund, you would get $7,500 ($1,000 plus the $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit).
•All qualified home buyers can take the tax credit on their 2009 or 2010 income tax return.
Payback Provisions

•The tax credit is a true credit. It does not have to be repaid unless the home owner sells or stops using the home as their principal residence within three years after the purchase.
The www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com site is being updated. Please check the site next week for more detailed information on the new tax credit!

Raymus Homes has joined the HELP Program administered by the Rainy Day Foundation

2009-09-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Raymus Homes wants to provide a financially stable home life for all of our home buyers. To fulfill this mission, we have partnered with the Rainy Day Foundation to provide our homeowners with financial protection should they experience unforeseen financial difficulty in the first two years of home ownership. The HELP program, administered by the Rainy Day Foundation, offers educational and financial programs to properly assist homeowners when faced with the unexpected. Each time we sell a Raymus-built home, we will enroll the home buyer in the HELP program. Should our homeowners become involuntarily unemployed during the first 24 months of home ownership the program may pay their mortgage for up to six months (up to $1,800 per month). If the homeowner experiences any other type of financial difficulty, the program may be able to assist with that too. It’s our way to help improve the challenges that unfortunately many Americans face today. To find out more about the program, please contact Ryan Bray at (209) 887-2172.

Currently, Raymus Homes, Inc is building a new neighborhood in Linden, aptly named Country Faire. Our sales office is located at 5545 Giovanni Court in Linden and is open Friday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To reach Country Faire from Stockton, take Highway 99 north to Highway 26 and head east. Then turn left on Duncan Road, follow the signs to Monte Vista Drive and turn right onto Giovanni Court. For more information, please phone (209) 887-2172 or visit www.raymushomes.com

Based in Manteca, Raymus Homes is a home builder focused on first-time and move-up homebuyers in San Joaquin County. The company offers more than 40 years of experience and utilizes top-quality craftsmen and materials. Raymus Homes chooses to build just 120 homes per year to allow families the opportunity to personalize their residences. Every home is built with uncompromising integrity and attention to detail, customized to the unique needs and lifestyles of each homeowner.

Mortgage Rates Drop to Three-Month Low

2009-08-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

According to a survey conducted by Freddy Mac, 30-year-fixed-rate mortgage rates were 5.12% during the week ending August 20th. Freddie Mac's previous survey had indicated that rates were 5.29% for the prior week.

Low rates, coupled with the tax credit for first-time homebuyers are making it a great time to purchase a new home. But you must HURRY! The tax credit is only available on homes purchased before December 1st.

If you are looking for a new home in a GREAT location, come see us in Linden!

http://www.raymushomes.com/countryfaire.html

Good News! New Home Sales Rise 11% in June!

2009-07-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

The AP is reporting that new home sales rose 11% in June, more than any month in the past eight years! Read the article below....

http://tinyurl.com/elevenpercent

New Service Request Page Online

2009-07-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

We at Raymus Homes have been busy making our website more useful and easier to navigate. Among other changes, we have recently updated our Service Request page. You can now download a service request form directly from our website. (http://raymushomes.com/serviceRequest.html)

In addition, we have laid out the service request process, included time frames when possible and provided multiple methods for contacting our customer service department.

Our goal is to make the process as simple as possible. If you feel that we've left something out, please contact us. We are always looking for ways to improve your home ownership experience.

Oh and by-the-way, keep those referrals coming! Through the years, your referrals have been a huge part of our success!
THANK YOU!

100% FINANCING EXISTS IN LINDEN

2009-05-02T15:51:00.000-07:00

LINDEN Qualifies For USDA Rural Housing Loan Program
(United States Department of Agriculture)

The USDA Rural Housing Loan Program is designed for buyers to finance properties located in rural areas. Rural is defined as any town of 25,000 or less that is not adjacent to a large city or that is not part of a continuous urban area

· Up to 102% Financing available requiring no down payment
· Program is not limited to First Time Home Buyers
· Owner Occupied Residences only of SFR’s, Condominiums, PUD’s, and 1/2 of a duplex
· No Principal Mortgage Insurance (P.M.I.)
· Conventional 30 year fixed program with no pre-payment penalty
· Mid FICO Scores below 620 require a manual underwrite with the lender
· No Bankruptcies within the last 36 months
· No more than 1 payment being 30 days late within the last 12 months
· Non traditional credit allowed
· Income and geographical limitations will apply
· No assets/reserves required
· Escrows/impounds are required
· Max Debt to Income Ratio is 29%/41% however exceptions can be made
· Home buyer education is required for First Time Home Buyers only
· Maximum of 6% seller contributions towards buyers RNRCC costs

Is it possible that waiting for prices to fall could price you out of a home?

2009-04-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

See this blog post by Ted C. Jones, PhD, Senior Vice President—Chief Economist, Stewart Title Guaranty Company.

http://blog.stewart.com/?p=68

Loan Rates - Where do you get your information?

2009-04-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

If you are in the market for a new home and waiting for interest rates to fall, you may want to read the article below. We all want to get the 'best' deal. That said, no one ever knows when the 'best' deal might come. Could we lose more than we gain by waiting? Perhaps. Read on.....

By The Time You Read About Low Mortgage Rates, It Was Already Too Late To Get Them
Thursday morning, homeowners in different parts of the country awoke to find similar-sounding newspaper headlines:

Rates on 30-year mortgages sink to 4.78%, a new low (LA Times)
Mortgage rates at record low for 2nd week (Miami Herald)
Mortgages hit another record low (San Francisco)

The underlying story was that Freddie Mac's weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed the lowest, average 30-year fixed rate mortgage in its 38-year, rate-tracking history.
Once again, however, the headlines came too late for homeowners.

Prior to Thursday's market open, mortgage markets had already worsened from their record-setting levels. Slowly at first, and then with momentum. The shift pressured rates higher so that when lenders issued their Thursday morning rate sheets, most showed an 1/8 increase from Wednesday's close.

The negative momentum carried into the afternoon, too, forcing a second increase of an 1/8 percent.

The Freddie Mac survey may have been accurate when the sun came up Thursday, but by the time the sun went down, it wasn't even close. It's why you can't do your rate shopping by watching newspaper headlines. Mortgage markets are volatile and rates often change without notice.

Thursday, they did it twice.

Thanks to Daniel Sosa at PMZ Home Loans for the article
Daniel Sosa (209) 298-8017 dsosa@pmzhomeloans.com

Look What We've Been Up To!

2009-03-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

We just completed our newest model, The Villa. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is just the right size at 1372 square feet. This model sits on one of our average-sized home sites which is approximately 7500 square feet. This is country living!

I wanted to share some of the interior photos of this new Villa. I will post exterior photos in the days to come.

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week

2009-03-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine in the mortgage industry sends me updates to his blog, where he posts about daily mortgage rates and financial news.

Below is today's update, which I found quite interesting. I thought it was necessary to share with others!

Mortgage markets scored big gains last week, sparked by the Federal Reserves pledge to buy $750 billion more mortgage-backed bonds in 2009. Conforming mortgage rates fell on the week, overall. But Federal Reserve intervention wasn't the only good news for rate shoppers last week. New evidence showed -- for the time being, at least -- that the U.S. economy may be reversing direction:

Homebuilders are breaking ground on new homes again http://tinyurl.com/dd2bvw
First-time jobless claims are falling http://tinyurl.com/d2pnep
Inflation is present and, therefore, deflation is not http://tinyurl.com/dyo3nq

Should the economy continue trend stronger through the summer, it will likely fuel stock market gains, drawing cash away from mortgage bonds. This would lead mortgage rates higher -- perhaps for good. Today's levels are artificially low, after all, supported by government intervention more than economic fundamentals. After the Fed's Wednesday afternoon announcement, rates fell to all-time lows before recovering sharply into the weekend on economic optimism and fears of inflation. This week, the trend higher may continue….

You can read his full blog post at http://www.loanapproval411.com/info_01/page_1.rad
If you have any loan questions please call Daniel Sosa at PMZ Home Loans, (209) 298-8017

Information on the $8,000 Federal Tax Credit

2009-03-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

We're Buying Loan Rates Down To 4.00% on 30 Year Fixed Loans

2009-03-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

Promotion is valid on new contracts written between 3/1/09 and 3/31/09 on select homes. Promotion available to owner-occupants and is subject to availability, qualification using full documentation and a minimum FICO score of 620. Raymus Homes, Inc reserves the right to change or cancel promotion at anytime, without notice. Funds are limited and based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Promotion must be mentioned at the of contract. (4.601% APR)

2009-03-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

New Tax Credits Announced

2009-02-20T11:34:00.000-08:00

NEW FEDERAL TAX CREDIT
See below for exciting news from http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/:

"A tax credit of up to $8,000 is now available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Unlike the tax credit enacted in 2008, the new credit does not have to be repaid."

This is REAL money! Take advantage today

NEW STATE TAX CREDIT
In addition to the Federal Tax Credit, our state of California is also providing a tax break for those that purchase a NEWLY CONSTRUCTED, PREVIOUSLY UNOCCUPIED HOME

From the California Building Industry Association's website: http://tinyurl.com/bam3m8

"The Assembly passed SB 15XX by Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, which establishes a tax credit of $10,000 or 5 percent of the purchase price of a newly built home sold between March 1 of this year and March 2010, or when funding is exhausted, whichever comes first."

New home prices have been cut nearly in half, interest rates are at their lowest levels in years, and the government has stepped up with REAL tax credits!

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY

And the winner is.....

2008-12-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

We would like to first give a special thank you to all four competitors in this year's Christmas tree decorating contest at Country Faire. Each entry deserved to be winners in their own right. However, when the votes were tallied there was one clear winner.

The results....

1st Place: Linden High School Associated Student Body $500

2nd Place: Linden Community Garden Club $300

3rd Place: SJ County Sheriff's S.T.A.R.S Volunteers $200

4th Place: Linden-Peters Fire Department Family Auxiliary $100

Happy Holidays From Raymus Homes

2008-12-22T11:21:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from all of us at Raymus Homes

Recent NY Times Article

2008-12-18T14:17:00.000-08:00

As some of you may know, mortgage interest rates are near all time lows. Conventional, 30 year fixed loans can be found between 4.875% and 5.05% depending on credit scores and the loan-to-value ratio.

This article from the NY Times provides some compelling information on why TODAY is the right time make your new home purchase. See the article at the link below:

http://tinyurl.com/3j5att

2008 CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATING CONTEST

2008-12-13T14:38:00.000-08:00

The second annual Christmas tree decorating contest is underway at Country Faire. Four local community groups have decorated their trees in hopes of winning the top prize of $500.

If you are in the area, stop by and vote for your favorite tree.

Holiday Safety Tips

2008-12-05T10:49:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is upon us once again. I recently received a list of safety tips from the County Information Security Officer of San Joaquin County, courtesy of the Department of Homeland Security. While shopping, we tend to forget elementary safety precautions. This list will serve as a refresher! Have a happy holiday and BE SAFE!

Be alert and aware of your surroundings
Carry only the amount of cash or number of credit cards necessary to make your purchases. Using debit or credit cards is much safer than carrying a lot of cash. However, if you must carry a large sum of money, divide the cash between your purse, pockets, and wallet.
When using a credit card, be certain that you get yours back, as well as any and all copies of the receipt.
Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a personal check.
Carry your purse close to your body with the flap turned into your body. Never wrap the strap around your body.
Keep your wallet in the breast pocket of your jacket or in your side pants pocket. The rear pants pocket is the easiest to pick.
Never leave presents on display in your car. Lock them in the trunk.
Don’t leave belongings unattended. Do not hang your purse over the back of your chair in a restaurant; keep it on your lap.

CANNED FOOD DRIVE

2008-11-17T11:10:00.000-08:00

SECOND HARVEST

CANNED FOOD DRIVE

COUNTRY FAIRE

Your canned food items are greatly needed this year.

You can donate canned food items at our Country Faire office

Thursday - Monday

10:00 - 5:00

5455 Giovanni Ct, Linden, CA

You can find out more about Second Harvest Food Bank online at

http://localfoodbank.org/

The Home Building Process...post #4

2008-11-15T11:54:00.000-08:00

As you can see, the windows have been installed, along with the sliding glass door. Next up will be HVAC duct work, plumbing top-out (running water lines through the home), electrical top-out and door installation.
Stay tuned for the next update!

The Home Building Process...post #3

2008-11-08T12:52:00.001-08:00

It's that time again! We've been hard at work building this home (The Cottage) and two others. The roof panels have been installed, along with the LP TechShield radiant barrier. We've had county inspections cmopleted for the roof and sheer wall, as well as an inspection for the electric panel that will house all of the circuit breakers. Here are some photos...

Upcoming Activities at Country Faire in Linden

2008-11-06T11:51:00.000-08:00

November
· 1st: Canned food drive begins
· 24th: Children’s craft faire from 2p.m.—4p.m.
· 27th: Toys for Tots – donation center

December
· 5th & 6th: Tree Decorating Contest begins
· 13th: Children's ornament decorating 2p.m.—4p.m.
· 13th & 14th: Christmas tree voting
· 20th & 21st: Christmas tree voting