Economic Update - Last Week in the News - 01/30/12 01:19 PM
New home sales fell 2.2% in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 307,000 units from a revised rate of 314,000 units in November. Compared to a year ago, new home sales are down 7.3%. On a year over year basis, pending home sales are up 5.6% and pending home sales, a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts, fell 3.5% in December after a 7.3% increase in November. On a year-over-year basis, pending home sales are up 5.6%. 
The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted composite index of mortgage applications for the week ending January 20 fell 5%. Refinancing … (0 comments)

Investors push Southern California home sales higher - 01/17/12 05:35 PM
Dataquick stated that investors have pushed home sales in Southern California apx. 14% higher in December than November. The real estate research firm also reported that there were a total of 19,247 resale, new homes and condos sold in Southern California California area in December. 
Demand grew for homes priced under $300,000. The fact that more lower-cost homes were sold during the period pushed the median Southern California sales price down to $270,000, compared to $275,000 a month earlier.
The median home value in the area fell 46.5%, when compared to the medain price of $505,000 in mid-2007.
The number of … (0 comments)

Malibu & Topanga Sunday Open Houses - January 15th from 1-4p - 01/15/12 03:45 PM
Are you looking for Malibu or Topanga Real Estate?  View the list below for this Sunday's Malibu & Topanga open house list below. Open houses are Sundays from 1 - 4p. View all Malibu properties currently on the market at our Malibu Real Estate website. This site also lists the Malibu Short Sales and Malibu bank-owned properties currently on the market. 
… (0 comments)

Fannie Mae sees 2012 home sales up 3.5% to 4.74 million - 01/13/12 05:05 PM
According to Fannie Mae economists, the housing sector is expectd to take steps forward in 2012, though total originatons will fall on fewer refinances. 
They also say that the second half of the year should outpace the first 6 months, with relation to growth, and political uncertainty and fiscal policy in Washington is expected to drive consumer & business activity.  
Chief Economist Doug Duncan said positive consumer activity and challenges in housing and the global economy will equate to moderate growth for the year. He stated that we're moving into 2012 with decent employment on the employment side which is … (3 comments)

Malibu Notary Services - Mobile Notary Servies - Certified Signing Agent Services - 01/10/12 08:08 PM
… (0 comments)

For Lease - 3B/3B - West Hills Ranch Home Near West Hills Medical Center - 01/10/12 07:23 PM
For Lease - Available Now - Flexible lease terms
Not in the MLS
$2295/mth
7816 Woodlake Ave. West Hills, CA
Near West Hills Medical Center. See the pride-of-ownership and attention to deal in this ranch home that has never been rented before. Smell the roses as you enter this recently updated home. Fresh paint and new flooring are just some of the many upgrades throughout. Enter the light and bright living room, which opens to the kitchen and dining areas. The oversized master bedroom has a huge, customized walk-in closet. Dual sinks in the master bath.  Large, manicured grassy backyard with covered patio. Laundry … (0 comments)

New Listing - Big Rock Beachfront Duplex on apx 60' of frontage - $2,495,000 - 01/09/12 02:42 PM
MLS #12-574001
20152 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, Ca 90265
For Sale - $2,495,000
Awesome ocean front duplex on 60' of Big Rock Beach. Both units have been extensively remodeled and are in move-in condition. The upper unit is 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths with all major rooms on the water that open to a huge beach front terrace. Open kitchen to living room with stacked stone fireplace. The lower unit is a 2 bed 2 bath with all major rooms on the water. Big Master suite and sitting area. Large ocean front terrace. Open kitchen to living room with fireplace. Both … (2 comments)

FHA Waives Anti-Flipping Rule Through Year-End to Speed REO Sales - 01/09/12 01:13 PM
The temporary property anti-flipping rule waiver has been extended through the end of 2012, by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The FHA rules prohibited insuring a mortgage on a home that the seller owned for less than ninety days. However, in 2010, the FHA waived this regulation and has extended it through the end of this year.
Buyers will be able to continue to use FHA-insured financing to purchase bank-owned properties and HUD-owned with this extension. This waiver will help stabilize prices a revitalize communities with high foreclosure activity.
According to the FHA’s Acting Commissioner, the waiver has strict guidelines and … (0 comments)

Buying A Home? You Need A Home Inspection - 01/09/12 12:35 PM
You've heard it before.  Someone you know bought a house without a home inspection and got a big surprise.  Over 40 percent of the previously owned homes on the market have at least one serious defect. 
Don't take over someone's problem.  Most "used" homes need some type of attention.  Be sure you are aware of any major problems in a house you are considering purchasing, and what it will take to correct or repair the situation.
 
Here are some of the more serious defects to watch out for:
1.Insect infestation -- termites, ants, etc.
2.Chimney settling or separation
3.Foundation cracks
4.Major … (2 comments)

Malibu Sunday Open House List - Jan. 8 from 1-4p - 01/07/12 03:00 PM
… (0 comments)

New Malibu Realtors Board Installed - 01/06/12 06:06 PM
The Malibu Association of REALTORS hosted an evening at Duke's Malibu last month to install its 2012 Board of Directors and acknowledge the accomplishments of members over the past year. 2011 President Dan Ross was awarded "Realtor of the Year" for his dedication and accomplishments over the past year, then passed the gavel to incoming President Bobby Lehmkuhl. 
Lehmkuhl currently serves on the Board of Directors of the California Association of REALTORS and the Combined L.A. Westside Multiple Listing Service. In his acceptance speech, Lehmkuhl thanked his mentors, friends and supporters. He credited his drive and ambition to having spent his formative years as part of the Malibu community. Lehmkuhl's first … (0 comments)

Pending Home Sales Hit 19 Month High - 01/03/12 05:50 PM
The best reading on pending homes sales since a federal home buying tax credit expired appeared to encourage traders on Wall Street. In November, the number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes rose to the highest level in a year and a half. 

With the index of sales, a reading of 100 is considered to be healthy. The Realtors group said Thursday that its index of sales agreements jumped 7.3 percent last month to a reading of 100.1. The last time the index was that high was in April 2010, one month before the tax credit expired. 


There's generally … (0 comments)

10 Tips for Saving Energy in the Kitchen - 01/02/12 07:59 PM
Refrigerator/freezer
Energy-efficiency experts tell us to focus our efforts on the biggest energy hogs in the house, and that definitely includes the fridge. Because it cycles on and off all day, every day, the refrigerator consumes more electricity than nearly every appliance in the home save for the HVAC systems. The average refrigerator costs about $90 per year to operate, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The good news is that a few simple adjustments can trim roughly $38 to $45 off those utility bills.
1. Adjust the thermostat. By setting the thermostat colder than it needs to be, you might increase … (5 comments)

 

Find CA real estate agents and Malibu real estate on ActiveRain.