housing market recovery: Calm Down, Take a Deep Breath and Step Away From the Transaction
- 02/03/10 02:21 AM
Frustration can be a expensive thing. The simmering cauldron of frustrations and delays involved in a real estate transaction can erupt into words and actions not in the best interest of closing the transaction. It is better to win the war and lose a battle or two than win the battle but lose the war house.
The real estate market of the past few years pushed many homeowners to the edge. It tested the mettle of real estate professionals, lenders incurred the wrath of the masses and millions of consumers watched as unrealized home and stock equity disappeared. No wonder the … (10 comments)
housing market recovery: Unwind the World
- 12/02/09 01:19 AM
I turned the TV off last night after a day of media torpedoes bombarded my sensibilities and senses. It was my way of controlling an out of control barrage: 30,000 more young men and women marching into harm's way--60,000+ more families dealing with the daily uncertainty of having a family member at war. Cop Killer killed, Sports Role Model crashes and falls off the idol pedestal, More foreclosures on the way... and on and on the broadcast continued until click, darkness fell upon the screen.
Actually, I was rescued by my iPhone. It rang and I answered it. Hallelujah, it was … (15 comments)
housing market recovery: New Homes Become Landscaping Mulch
- 05/06/09 10:25 AM
The wrecking ball was in full swing in the Southern California city of Victorville and 16 new and partially built houses were demolished by Guaranty Bank of Austin, Texas. Victorville city officials said the bank told them the cost of finishing the homes would exceed what they could sell them for. Homes prices in the area have fallen approximately 60% from the high values of 2006. On a more positive note, some of the wood will be shipped to Mexico for construction there and much of the remaining wood will be ground up and used as landscaping mulch. At least the … (11 comments)
housing market recovery: 1st Q Down, 3 To Go - Norma Toering REMAX Palos Verdes
- 03/31/09 05:21 PM
The 1st quarter of 2009 ends in a couple of hours. As I look back over my shoulder I'm wearing a big grin of fulfillment. Oh sure, I did not make as much money as I would like, and yes, I worked harder and longer than I thought I would at this time of my life, but I also had a wonderful three months. For the first time in my life, I took my vacation first. That's right I slipped out the country the beginning of January and traveled to Spain and then on to Egypt. I landed back in Los Angeles in … (4 comments)
housing market recovery: The Lion is Leaving With a Roar
- 03/29/09 03:23 AM
It is spring and the signs are everywhere; especially in the real estate market. The second half of March was alive with new activity--my Goggle calendar greeted me each morning with a fresh list of proof the market is gathering momentum. This morning my cell phone rang a few minutes before 8:00 a.m--a buyer was out for a walk and saw the lawn sign at my new listing. In this age of instant gratification she called me while standing in front of the house. I am expecting an active April. Yesterday I showed buyers who plan to have their child in the Palos Verdes School system by September. Another prospective buyer … (13 comments)
housing market recovery: Housing is to the Economy as Sparkplug is to an Automobile - Norma Toering REMAX Palos Verdes
- 03/26/09 04:52 AM
When everyone is cutting back, putting off and holding back it seems a bit unrealistic to expect the economy to magically begin to expand. Something has to ignite the hum of movement. From my perspective I'm seeing energy and confidence building on my little peninsula of the world. Sparks are beginning to fly from the housing sector.
The national housing numbers are up, and based on my month of March I believe the numbers for this month will show a definite increase in sales. I've encounter multiple offers several times this month, and have more than one first time buyer … (2 comments)
housing market recovery: That was Delicious News, May I have Another Serving Please? - Norma Toering REMAX Palos Verdes
- 03/24/09 02:20 AM
Yesterday's news was worthy of a second helping. I made it home from work in time to hear the national news lead off with some good news about the stock market--up over 500 points. What a refreshing change to start with something positive. Yes, there was more than enough gloom and doom sandwiched in between, but Katie closed on a housing high note too! Sales were up in February. It's been a long time since there was good news on both fronts. Hallelujah! I must admit I raised my carrot juice to toast the news!
The housing market is beginning … (9 comments)
housing market recovery: As the Sun Rises on Another Day in Real Estate
- 03/23/09 03:04 AM
There are a few glimmers of sunshine breaking through the clouds hovering over the housing market. On the national front the interest rates are crazy low and prices are more affordable. However, my focus is local and this is what I have to report from a weekend in the field, or perhaps I should say a weekend on the coast: A developer contacted me regarding my $7.7M raw land listing on the Colorado River. Yes that's right, a developer, and a good sign the sleeping giant of construction is rousing from months of hibernation and looking for potential projects. I had 35 groups (over … (5 comments)
housing market recovery: Collateral Damage of the Economic War - Norma Toering REMAX Palos Verdes
- 03/21/09 05:46 AM
Add another chalk mark to the tally of homeowners that cried, "I surrender," in the economic war. They hoisted their surrender flag in the form of a For Sale sign in the front lawn. They are not happy it is there, but the payments are too much to handle. The burden more than they can bear. Another couple becomes collateral damage in the economic battle zone running rampant in the streets of our cities and towns.
There is nothing special about this couple. Like many Americans they have worked all their life, raised a family, suffered a setback or two, then … (6 comments)
housing market recovery: Bernard Bernanke, You're Right, It's Time to Start Spreading the Good News (and there is some) - Norma Toering REMAX Palos Verdes
- 03/16/09 02:37 AM
In case you missed 60 Minutes last night Bernard Bernanke's interview was on point--he's neither a politician nor a Wall Street suit, he grew up on Main Street in small town America. His view is not one of doomsday (although he admitted we came close) nor is he a Pollyanna with a Marie Antoinette attitude of let them eat cake. He is so determined to find solutions to the financial crisis we are in the midst of, he often sleeps on the sofa in his office. He certainly inspired me to do my part to help restore confidence in the economy of the USA. … (13 comments)
housing market recovery: Spreading Compassion Throughout the Land - Norma Toering REMAX Palos Verdes
- 03/14/09 05:43 AM
If Warren Buffet is correct in his proclamation of the "...the economy has fallen off a cliff..." I think the one thing the jobless and foreclosed upon members of humanity need is compassion. They need others to feel their pain, and realize misfortune and hard times do not always happen to the other guy. Yesterday, as I showed foreclosures and short sales, I could not help but notice the sadness in the owner's eyes as they opened the door to allow strangers in a home they do not want to leave. Signs of departure were easy to detect--boxes filled with a … (15 comments)
housing market recovery: Bailout Rejected, Dow Tumbles and I'm Waiting for Loan Approval
- 09/29/08 12:11 PM
This is shaping up to be a dicey day to be waiting for a client's loan to be approved by one of the last banks still standing. At least we chose one of the few remaining stable financial institutions. I'm looking for reasons to be optimistic on a downer of a day and here's what I'm finding: The middle school kids are laughing and giggling as they walk past my office on their way home from school. Life goes on. I have an offer out on a foreclosure and I'm a wee bit more optimistic the offer will be accepted without … (56 comments)
housing market recovery: A Shift in Headline News
- 06/15/08 10:03 AM
True, it was not front page news in the Wall Street Journal but nevertheless it was positive news found in Section C page 4. "Billionaire hedge-fund manager Edward S. Lampert is placing new bets on the U.S. housing recovery, buying stakes in beaten-up home builders, mortgage lender and a home-improvement retailer." Yippee! High five, fist bumps and air kisses to all! Managers of hedge funds pride themselves in seeing the opportunies early and months ahead of the general public. They are the risk takers, but some analysts think the housing market's decline may be nearing an end. Buying housing related stocks is a … (6 comments)
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Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
I am a California real estate Broker-owner. Tune in for Best Buys in Palos Verdes; Market Updates; Buy & Sell Signals; Advice to Buyers & Sellers and other real estate related topics of interest. Updates will be posted on all four cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, PV School District and other happenings on The Hill.
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
Frustration can be a expensive thing. The simmering cauldron of frustrations and delays involved in a real estate transaction can erupt into words and actions not in the best interest of closing the transaction. It is better to win the war and lose a battle or two than win the battle but lose the war house.
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