[Critter]

An escrow account is, by definition, a hands-off account. It can’t be your own bank account. What would prevent you from grabbing the money?

Nor can it be an account that the landlord could access. The money is safe until a legal entity decides who receives it. Perhaps OC Scam can let us know how his/her escrow account was set up.

As far as “throwing away your money” is the house is foreclosed on in three months… you are paying to have a roof over your head NOW, so this is not a valid issue. The service you are paying for is being provided, therefore, you need to pay the full amount in a timely fashion, and not with caveats on your part.

If it is that uncomfortable for you to be there start researching alternatives. But by all means – the rental agreement you signed is still your responsibility.

All this said, I think you are on the right track by putting your situation on a blog and getting answers from all directions. Your concern is your son – who will probably absorb some valuable life lessons by how this is handled.

[Critter]

An escrow account is, by definition, a hands-off account. It can’t be your own bank account. What would prevent you from grabbing the money?

Nor can it be an account that the landlord could access. The money is safe until a legal entity decides who receives it. Perhaps OC Scam can let us know how his/her escrow account was set up.

As far as “throwing away your money” is the house is foreclosed on in three months… you are paying to have a roof over your head NOW, so this is not a valid issue. The service you are paying for is being provided, therefore, you need to pay the full amount in a timely fashion, and not with caveats on your part.

If it is that uncomfortable for you to be there start researching alternatives. But by all means – the rental agreement you signed is still your responsibility.

All this said, I think you are on the right track by putting your situation on a blog and getting answers from all directions. Your concern is your son – who will probably absorb some valuable life lessons by how this is handled.

[Critter]

An escrow account is, by definition, a hands-off account. It can’t be your own bank account. What would prevent you from grabbing the money?

Nor can it be an account that the landlord could access. The money is safe until a legal entity decides who receives it. Perhaps OC Scam can let us know how his/her escrow account was set up.

As far as “throwing away your money” is the house is foreclosed on in three months… you are paying to have a roof over your head NOW, so this is not a valid issue. The service you are paying for is being provided, therefore, you need to pay the full amount in a timely fashion, and not with caveats on your part.

If it is that uncomfortable for you to be there start researching alternatives. But by all means – the rental agreement you signed is still your responsibility.

All this said, I think you are on the right track by putting your situation on a blog and getting answers from all directions. Your concern is your son – who will probably absorb some valuable life lessons by how this is handled.

[Critter]

Re: the transaction coordinator fee, I just got a reimbursement check for this very fee from a legal company that specializes in class action lawsuits.

The RE company was Coldwell Banker. Everyone who closed escrow with them during a certain time frame (I believe it was two years) got a $200 refund check, whether the fee was part of their escrow paperwork or not.

I agree with the OP that such fees should be part of the Realtor’s commission and not an add-on.

[Critter]

Re: the transaction coordinator fee, I just got a reimbursement check for this very fee from a legal company that specializes in class action lawsuits.

The RE company was Coldwell Banker. Everyone who closed escrow with them during a certain time frame (I believe it was two years) got a $200 refund check, whether the fee was part of their escrow paperwork or not.

I agree with the OP that such fees should be part of the Realtor’s commission and not an add-on.

[Critter]

I was walking past Crown Point Villas last week in PB – I counted nine lockboxes at the main entrance and many more among the individual villas in the back.

[Critter]

I was walking past Crown Point Villas last week in PB – I counted nine lockboxes at the main entrance and many more among the individual villas in the back.

[Critter]

Re: which golf course, I’m beginning to suspect some bizarre golf collusion on Google Maps. The little map underneath the main property page ID’s that course as Carmel Highland Golf and Tennis Club. When the map is enlarged, the name changes to the Doubletree.

I think the Doubletree might be the new name, if the hotel took over? I’m also sitting on a two-fer pass to the Doubletree Golf Course so I’d better find out where I am going.

Meanwhile, the Carmel Mountain Ranch course is just on the other side of the freeway, and the Bernardo Heights as well as the RB Country Club is just up the road.

[Critter]

Re: which golf course, I’m beginning to suspect some bizarre golf collusion on Google Maps. The little map underneath the main property page ID’s that course as Carmel Highland Golf and Tennis Club. When the map is enlarged, the name changes to the Doubletree.

I think the Doubletree might be the new name, if the hotel took over? I’m also sitting on a two-fer pass to the Doubletree Golf Course so I’d better find out where I am going.

Meanwhile, the Carmel Mountain Ranch course is just on the other side of the freeway, and the Bernardo Heights as well as the RB Country Club is just up the road.

[Critter]

Carmel Highland golf course. Haven’t played it though.

[Critter]

Carmel Highland golf course. Haven’t played it though.

[Critter]

Here’s what stuck in my craw about the article. Toothman says, “All I wanted to do was own a house.” Yet she never saved any money for the down payment nor did any of her own due diligence as far as what she could afford (the library has good FREE information as far as finances are concerned).

Back in the day (OK I am dating myself here) when you wanted to buy property you saved for many years for the down payment, which told the lender you had good fiscal habits. I’m glad that down payments are coming back in style, because then we won’t have read more treacle like this from the UT.

[Critter]

Here’s what stuck in my craw about the article. Toothman says, “All I wanted to do was own a house.” Yet she never saved any money for the down payment nor did any of her own due diligence as far as what she could afford (the library has good FREE information as far as finances are concerned).

Back in the day (OK I am dating myself here) when you wanted to buy property you saved for many years for the down payment, which told the lender you had good fiscal habits. I’m glad that down payments are coming back in style, because then we won’t have read more treacle like this from the UT.

[Critter]

Hey GN, I was thinking the same thing. VC, weren’t you the one that posted many times over several threads about buying a Temecula house from your landlord for $350K or so? Is this the house you are talking about here?

[Critter]

Hey GN, I was thinking the same thing. VC, weren’t you the one that posted many times over several threads about buying a Temecula house from your landlord for $350K or so? Is this the house you are talking about here?

[Author]

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