About the Market - Happy New Year!

I want to start out by saying a “Big Thank You” to Jim Hanson for running the Real Estate Finance Forum for the past two years. Jim has created great momentum for the forum and I am thankful.

For those who don’t know me, I am Scott Short with First Priority Financial. I have been a mortgage broker for 20 years now. I am married (wife Sandra) and have a son (Cesar – nine years old) and my daughter (Jazmin – four years old). I started in the mortgage industry in early 1990, fresh out of graduate school. (Masters degree in Finance)

My goal for the Real Estate Finance Forum is to continue the momentum that Jim Hanson has created over the past two years. (And the prior Chairpersons’ efforts, too.)

As we all know, our industry is under constant challenge/scrutiny from politicians, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, the media and consumers in general. One thing we can all agree on is to learn from our past to prepare for our future. The Real Estate Finance Forum is one place that helps you be prepared for any changes that could affect your business.

One reason the Real Estate Finance Forum is so successful is: Synergy. This is a word and a business practice we all embrace. Together we can weather the storm; individually we could be picked off. This is another reason for the forum and your attendance.

The Real Estate Finance Forum is a place for:

• Education
• Legislative updates
• Loan program updates – financing options
• Discussion and remedies to current lending issues: (loans, appraisal, title, escrow)
• Networking

A forum by definition is (Webster’s New World Dictionary, Second College Edition) an assembly for the discussion of public matters or current questions and an opportunity for open discussion.

This is why we encourage professionals from all aspects of the Real Estate industry to attend and contribute to the meeting.

We need your help to make this forum a continuing success. If you have a topic or a speaker that you believe would enhance the knowledge of the members, please inform me.

PS: January is the month for the new Good Faith Estimate 2010; more pages and less information. Left out were the space for the PITI and the space for the down and closing costs.

Also, FHA starts their version of HVCC (Home Value Code of Conduct). Each lender will have their own version so be prepared.

If you have any question or comments; you can reach me at: Scott Short, First Priority Financial; 916-421-8559 office or email: scott.short@comcast.net.