San Lorenzo Valley Home Sales, Prices and 2012 Market Trends - 02/28/12 03:22 PM
San Lorenzo Valley Home Sales, Prices and 2012 Market Trends
Here in the valley, the number of homes selling is on the rise compared to the same period last year.   But, the market continues to be dominated by short sales and REOs (sales of bank owned, foreclosed properties), which is dragging prices a little bit lower than last year.    It is exactly these low prices that are attracting investors, who are able to fix up and rent out these properties at positive cash flow.    That's why there are so many multiple offer situations on new listings.    This is … (0 comments)

How Silicon Valley Economy and Employment boosts Housing Demand - 02/27/12 08:58 AM
The Silicon Valley is experiencing economic growth, which spreads out into the Santa Cruz County housing market.    
Specifically, Pending Home sales this year (January 1 through February 28) are up to 294, compared to 267 last year at this time.    

Last week, Reuters reported that the national unemployment rate is improving…from over 9% last August, to 8.3% in January.    New claims for unemployment declined to a 4 year low, as payrolls grew more than 200,000 for the last two months.   

On February 21, Fannie Mae stated that in 2012 the housing market will make … (2 comments)

Bay Area Home Sales Best in Years + Santa Cruz Home Price Chart - 02/24/12 05:32 PM
Bay Area Home Sales are UP!
       At least 3 counties had their best January in 5 years or more.
For the Bay Area as a whole, sales rose 6.8%.       
 
The President of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS noted that “We have multiple offers on almost every sale in the lower part of the market," said Barbara Lymberis. "If people are thinking we haven't hit bottom, they're wrong."
 
A first time homebuyer in San Jose was quoted to say, "Every day something new comes on the market; we go to make an offer and there's … (3 comments)

National and Western Region Home Sales - 02/23/12 11:41 AM
Home Sales rose again nationally,  showing the 3rd gain in the last 4 months, while inventory shrinks
Inventory, or the number of homes sitting unsold on the market, shrank to just over 6 months.   This is a key indicator, since a market balanced between and equal number of buyers and sellers tends to hover around 6 months supply.       Inventory is down 20% from a year ago.
 
All cash sales have steadily accounted for 31% of sales.   There are a lot of investors moving their cash into real estate, picking up rental properties and vacation homes.     I am working … (2 comments)

Dos and Don'ts for Borrowers During the Loan Process - 02/18/12 09:03 AM
Here is a great article I  found on Active Rain, providing an excellent guide of
what to do
and what not to do
when you are getting ready to buy a home.
Lenders and underwriters are looking at potential borrowers through a magnifying glass these days, so you need to stay focused!
Via San Francisco Real Estate Professionals:
Dos and Do Nots provided by Marci PipesCompiled by: Amber Cook   
     You’re ready to buy a house; you’re pre-approved. Now what? Now it's time to avoid some of the do nots we’ve listed below, because like it or not they can severely affect the … (3 comments)

Banks settle Robo Signing Charges: $12 Billion for California mortgage principal reductions - 02/10/12 04:00 PM
Landmark settlement announced against banks for robo signing foreclosures: $12 Billion for California mortgage principal reductions

After months of negotiations, 5 major banks settled charges of fraudulently signing foreclosure documents by agreeing to pay $25 Billion dollars out to homeowners and people who lost their homes to foreclosure over the next 3 years.     Further lawsuits and actions from investors and the federal government still loom against many lenders.
 
Under this agreement, $12 Billion is guaranteed to go to California.      
 
Nationwide, $17 Billion is allocated towards homeowners who are currently behind on their payments in the form of loan modifications … (2 comments)

Unemployment Falling, Confidence Rising - 02/09/12 10:37 AM
Unemployment falls to 2008 level
As more people find jobs, consumer confidence will increase.    Employment, in my opinion, is one of the key factors that can lend strength to the housing market, so I’ve been watching this closely.   While I don’t see any point in talking about weekly numbers announced, the four week moving average looks good when the new claims for unemployment insurance fall to the lowest level seen since April 2008.
 
The US has created more than 200,000 new jobs for the last 2 months in a row – and our unemployment rate in January fell to … (0 comments)

Fun things to do in Boulder Creek - 02/08/12 05:05 PM
Fun stuff to do in Boulder Creek
February 11th:     This weekend, the town merchants are “putting out.”  …  Putting their merchandise out on the streets that is, in the manner of a street fair.  There will be a raffle, crafts demonstrations, discounts, and Valentines’ gift ideas.  These street fairs occur on the 2nd Saturday of every month… 
 
February 14th - Valentines Day - this coming Tuesday
Take your loved one for a Valentines’ Dinner – 4pm to 10pm at Boulder Creek’s legendary Scopazzi’s Restaurant 338-6441
and consider coming back to help celebrate their  100th year in business … (4 comments)

Ben Lomond Home Sales, Prices and 2011 Market Update - 02/07/12 03:29 PM
Ben Lomond Home Sales, Prices and 2011 Market Update
 
2011 –year in review
Home sales rose by 50% in Ben Lomond during 2011 - 62 homes sold!   The average home sales price was $378,905, taking an average of 2 months on the market prior to going into escrow.    The discount between the list price and eventual sale price was 3.7% overall.    The average home price fell about 10% compared to 2010.   
The highest priced home sold for $821,000 – this was a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home on 25 acres – a traditional sale between people.
The lowest priced … (0 comments)

Current Mortgage Interest Rate Chart - 02/07/12 01:45 PM
Home Mortgage Rates … (0 comments)

How much will my mortgage be for this home? - 02/07/12 01:40 PM
This calculator can help you decide how much to offer for a home. Sometimes, there are multiple offers where there are Mormore buyers than there are homes listed for sale. Don't get too caught up by over bidding beyond what is a smart and affordable payment for your financial situation. Mortgage Calculator Your browser doesn't support frames. Visit Zillow Mortgage Calculators to see this content. Mortgage Loan Rates … (0 comments)

Current Mortgage Interest Rate Table - 02/07/12 01:12 PM
Current Mortgage Rates Call/text/e-mail me if you need a referral to a local lender. … (0 comments)

Felton Home Sales, Prices and 2011 Market Update - 02/03/12 01:31 PM
Felton Home Sales, Prices and 2011 Market Update
 
2011 –year in review
63 homes sold in Felton during 2011.   The average home price fell about 23% when compared to 2010.   The average home sales price was $328,643, taking an average of just over 3 months (101 days) on the market prior to going into escrow.    The discount between the list price and eventual sale price was 4% overall.
 
The highest priced home sold for $736,861 – this was a bank owned 5 bedroom, 3 bath home on 22+ acres.
The lowest priced home sold for $44,000 – it was … (0 comments)

Ten things to remove before listing... - 02/03/12 12:21 PM
Here's a very well written blog by fellow REALTOR Lindsey Hasford in MN.
You are going to move out anyway, so you might as well pack up as much as possible before you put the home on the market.
To Lindsey's list, I'd like to add:
Provacative Art
Magazines and Newspapers
Collectibles
Alcohol
Religious or Political items
Keys 
Dirty Dishes or Dirty Laundry
and finally,
IF A BUYER CAN SMELL IT - I CAN'T SELL IT!  - clean up all Animal and Human waste.  It seems obvious but I can't tell you how many homes I've shown where the carpets smelled … (0 comments)

Tax Season Blues? Owning a Home can LOWER YOUR Tax Bill - 02/02/12 04:28 PM
It is income tax season again – a big expense nearly all of us complain about.    Many of us just got our W-2s and 1099’s and are working on filing our tax returns.    If you are a renter, you can’t deduct any of your rent from your taxes.   But if you own a home, chances are very good that you can write off all of your mortgage interest and your property taxes.   
For example, a first time home buyer buying a Santa Cruz County home for $250,000 might be able to deduct $20,000 or more – and this deduction comes right off … (0 comments)

 
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M.C. Dwyer

Felton, CA

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Santa Cruz Mountains REALTOR Century 21 Showcase REALTORs

Address: 13210 Central Avenue, Boulder Creek, CA, 95006

Cell Phone: (831) 419-9759

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Find all the information you need about Santa Cruz Mountains real estate - from new listings to prices and statistics. I'll also post stories about the process of buying and selling homes, as well as timely tips about taxes, interest rates, and getting a loan. Check here for upcoming activities in the Santa Cruz mountains, too!


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