Regina P. Brown's California Coast Real Estate Blog

Home Prices Compare to Rents

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:50:55 -0700

While markets vary wildly, prices are so reasonable and interest rates so low that buying is the better option in most of major U.S. cities, said Jed Kolko, Trulia's chief economist. Nationwide, home buyers who remain in their homes for three years will save an average of 19% over renting. If they hold onto their homes for 7 years, the savings advantage grows to 44%, http://tinyurl.com/cs4724e.

What is great about America? It is the American Dream, of course. It is the idea that we are in control of our own destiny, free from harsh government sanctions as in some other lands. It is the rights and the freedoms that so many other countries do not have. Sometimes we take our basic values for granted, including home ownership, which is a luxury not afforded to residents in some other countries.

Millions of people from all over the world flock to the United States because of the American Dream, and the basic tenet of that aspiration is home ownership. I strongly believe that every family should own their own home, and they can accomplish this dream if they have a guide to follow.

You may have some doubts about whether you can buy a home, or you may be uncertain about how the process works. You may be thinking, "The process is overwhelming. I don't even know where to begin. It's too complicated. Who's going to help me?"

I agree that home buying takes some time, energy, and effort. But the freedom of home ownership is so rewarding, your family will be thrilled and I promise it will be worth your effort. You can do it! All you need is a guide that you can follow, and a quality real estate professional to assist you.

That's why our book is outlined as a guide that you can easily understand. Just start with Step 1 and follow the 9 steps in this book. We will guide you each step of the way. We'll also show you how to hire a dedicated REALTOR® you can trust, so you will receive professional guidance and direction.

Let's get you the best home that your budget can afford. I know that you will follow these steps. So I dedicate this book to you! You have the courage to take action and make your dream of homeownership come true.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Clueless About Home Mortgages?

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:07:02 -0700

Among the survey's findings by real estate website Zillow:

31% of buyers don't think it's possible to get a mortgage for less than 5% down
34% don't know what the term "annual percentage rate" (APR) means and one in four believe you must close with the lender that pre-approves your mortgage.
One-third of respondents believe lenders are required by law to charge the same fees to all clients. That's wrong. Fees vary and can often be negotiated.
24% of buyers believe the best mortgage deals are available through the banks where they currently have their savings and checking accounts, but often competing lenders can undercut those banks by large margins.
Many house hunters go shopping with financing in place because it enables them to act more quickly if they see a home they want. But 26% of buyers believe that once they're pre-approved, they're obligated to close the deal with those loans, according to the survey. In reality, there's no obligation. If buyers see better terms available they should take them.
20% of homeowners surveyed didn't know that underwater mortgages -- those in which borrowers owe more than their homes are worth -- can be refinanced into lower rate loans.
Nearly a third of homeowners are unaware that if they go through a foreclosure or short sale, they may not have to wait the full seven years it takes for their credit score to recover and they can buy a home again.

Learn more, http://tinyurl.com/dy2wjx4.

What is great about America? It is the American Dream, of course. It is the idea that we are in control of our own destiny, free from harsh government sanctions as in some other lands. It is the rights and the freedoms that so many other countries do not have. Sometimes we take our basic values for granted, including home ownership, which is a luxury not afforded to residents in some other countries.

Millions of people from all over the world flock to the United States because of the American Dream, and the basic tenet of that aspiration is home ownership. I strongly believe that every family should own their own home, and they can accomplish this dream if they have a guide to follow.

You may have some doubts about whether you can buy a home, or you may be uncertain about how the process works. You may be thinking, "The process is overwhelming. I don't even know where to begin. It's too complicated. Who's going to help me?"

I agree that home buying takes some time, energy, and effort. But the freedom of home ownership is so rewarding, your family will be thrilled and I promise it will be worth your effort. You can do it! All you need is a guide that you can follow, and a quality real estate professional to assist you.

That's why our book is outlined as a guide that you can easily understand. Just start with Step 1 and follow the 9 steps in this book. We will guide you each step of the way. We'll also show you how to hire a dedicated REALTOR® you can trust, so you will receive professional guidance and direction.

Let's get you the best home that your budget can afford. I know that you will follow these steps. So I dedicate this book to you! You have the courage to take action and make your dream of homeownership come true.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Rent versus Buy Calculation

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:09:54 -0700

There is an important calculation that you should do when deciding if you should continue renting or buy a house. That is called a Rent versus Buy calculation. Visit the Ginnie Mae website for some great online calculators at www.GinnieMae.gov/ypth including buy versus rent estimate, affordability calculator, and loan estimator calculator.

A blank form has been included in the Appendix of this book, http://tinyurl.com/cs4724e.

What is great about America? It is the American Dream, of course. It is the idea that we are in control of our own destiny, free from harsh government sanctions as in some other lands. It is the rights and the freedoms that so many other countries do not have. Sometimes we take our basic values for granted, including home ownership, which is a luxury not afforded to residents in some other countries.

Millions of people from all over the world flock to the United States because of the American Dream, and the basic tenet of that aspiration is home ownership. I strongly believe that every family should own their own home, and they can accomplish this dream if they have a guide to follow.

You may have some doubts about whether you can buy a home, or you may be uncertain about how the process works. You may be thinking, "The process is overwhelming. I don't even know where to begin. It's too complicated. Who's going to help me?"

I agree that home buying takes some time, energy, and effort. But the freedom of home ownership is so rewarding, your family will be thrilled and I promise it will be worth your effort. You can do it! All you need is a guide that you can follow, and a quality real estate professional to assist you.

That's why our book is outlined as a guide that you can easily understand. Just start with Step 1 and follow the 9 steps in this book. We will guide you each step of the way. We'll also show you how to hire a dedicated REALTOR® you can trust, so you will receive professional guidance and direction.

Let's get you the best home that your budget can afford. I know that you will follow these steps. So I dedicate this book to you! You have the courage to take action and make your dream of homeownership come true.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Rent Is Never Paid Off

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Wed, 08 May 2013 23:03:01 -0700

Even better, once you pay off your mortgage, you own your home “free and clear”. So whether you have a 15-year, 20-year, or 30-year loan, you will eventually pay it off and then you would not have any more loan payments at all! Whereas if you are a renter, your rent will never be paid off and you will continue being a renter the rest of your life, http://tinyurl.com/dy2wjx4.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

What's Holding you Back?

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:27:35 -0700

Are you hesitant to buy a home now? Are you worried that the prices will go down in the future? Don't worry about tomorrow's value going up or down. Studies show that real estate values appreciate by an average of 5% per year over a long period of time (10 or 15 years). If you purchase now, and start building equity and appreciation, you will be thankful that you got started, http://tinyurl.com/cs4724e.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Afraid to take that next step to home ownership?

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:24:19 -0700

Education and knowledge are great, but they are worthless if you do not take action. We are going to equip you with the tools and resources you need to succeed, and there is no excuse NOT to follow your dream of homeownership. Start by taking the first step today by reading this guide and taking notes, http://tinyurl.com/dy2wjx4.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Financing Options are Available

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:48:11 -0700

You need to know that there are many, many options available to you. There is financing available for down payment assistance, closing costs, the loan type, and interest rate. In fact, some first-time homebuyers qualify for a 100% loan and, in addition, there are grants available from many sources, down payment assistance; and, loans that include repairs and improvements, http://tinyurl.com/cs4724e.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

This is the best time to buy!

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:30:17 -0700

Lenders are eager to lend money and there are more options available to you today than ever before. Finding a good mortgage loan, qualifying, and financing your purchase are major parts of buying a home, http://tinyurl.com/dy2wjx4.

What is great about America? It is the American Dream, of course. It is the idea that we are in control of our own destiny, free from harsh government sanctions as in some other lands. It is the rights and the freedoms that so many other countries do not have. Sometimes we take our basic values for granted, including home ownership, which is a luxury not afforded to residents in some other countries.

Millions of people from all over the world flock to the United States because of the American Dream, and the basic tenet of that aspiration is home ownership. I strongly believe that every family should own their own home, and they can accomplish this dream if they have a guide to follow.

You may have some doubts about whether you can buy a home, or you may be uncertain about how the process works. You may be thinking, "The process is overwhelming. I don't even know where to begin. It's too complicated. Who's going to help me?"

I agree that home buying takes some time, energy, and effort. But the freedom of home ownership is so rewarding, your family will be thrilled and I promise it will be worth your effort. You can do it! All you need is a guide that you can follow, and a quality real estate professional to assist you.

That's why our book is outlined as a guide that you can easily understand. Just start with Step 1 and follow the 9 steps in this book. We will guide you each step of the way. We'll also show you how to hire a dedicated REALTOR® you can trust, so you will receive professional guidance and direction.

Let's get you the best home that your budget can afford. I know that you will follow these steps. So I dedicate this book to you! You have the courage to take action and make your dream of homeownership come true.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Backyard & Outdoor Structures: Learn the Lingo

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:42:51 -0700

Spring welcomes the start of non-stop sunny weather here in California, and we know our buyers are looking for key features to enjoy the indoor/outdoor lifestyle. What’s the difference between a pergola, palapa, and pavilion? Looking at a luxury home with a cabana and a crow’s nest? Don’t get tongue-tied… learn the lingo and be confident of your terms.

Year-round sunshine draws buyers to the sunny California coast where home owners enjoy family barbeques and outdoor entertaining. Want to brush on the terms before your next seller listing appointment? Here’s our all-seasons guide to the industry jargon you’ll need to know when navigating your buyers through beautiful properties this selling season!

Arbor

A wooden or metal arched structure. The sides incorporate trellis-work lattice with green vines or climbing shrubs. For durability and lower cost, vinyl may be substituted for the wood construction.

Outdoor weddings often include beautifully decorated arbors, which the bride and groom walk through or stand under.

Balcony

A decorative platform which protrudes from an upper story of a building. Railing is often black wrought iron. Balconies range in size – they can be very tiny or large enough for outdoor patio furniture.

Decorative styles add character to the home and reflect the culture and architectural period. For example: Italian, Greek, Spanish.

A Juliet balcony, named after Romeo & Juliet fame, is a balcony that does not protrude from the building.

Cabana

An outdoor room with curtains or drapes, commonly used to lounge near a swimming pool or beach.

It may have a solid wall or may be a transportable structure. The drapes can be closed to provide shelter from the sun and wind.

A cabana may also be a tent-like structure; or in tropical climates, it may have a thatched roof.

Cabana Poolhouse

A cabana poolhouse is a freestanding enclosed room used as a bathhouse or for relaxing near the pool. It is a permanent structure and so it provides more protection from the wind and sun than a curtain or tent cabana.

With many windows and lots of sunlight, it’s similar to an enclosed porch.

Also known as a cabana room.

Crow’s Nest

A small deck on top of a roof that perches above the house for an aerial view. The deck is accessed via stairs from inside the house. Crows nests are often seen in luxury homes near vantage viewpoints; for example near the ocean or a lake.

Originally a crow’s nest referred to a lookout point on the main mast of a ship.

Also known as a rooftop deck or a lookout.

Courtyard

A patio on the interior of a home, which is enclosed by building walls. It is unroofed and open to the sky. This indoor/outdoor living space is for warm climates and is often planted with trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Courtyards are popular in Spanish style homes, tropical areas, housing complexes, castles, and large office buildings.

Also known as a court or an interior courtyard.

Deck

A platform structure with no roof which is attached to a house or other building. It may have a railing around it. The deck is typically located right outside the back door or the back stairs, but may also be on a rooftop in metro areas.

Decks are typically built with solid wood which eventually decays. Building materials include: solid wood (redwood, cedar, pine), composite decking made from recycled wood fibers, or synthetic decking made of artificial wood. Trex is a popular type of artificial lumber that lasts much longer than solid wood. It’s gaining in popularity because it doesn’t rot or mold, and it’s not a haven for termites.

Gazebo

A free-standing round or square wooden structure with a platform and a roof. It may have side railings, drapes, or lattice. The roof can be a cloth or vinyl canopy with mesh screen sides or open sides, such as a portable structure.

The platform is often slightly elevated to provide an attractive view of the beautiful surrounding gardens. Gazebos are popular garden and back yard structures and sometimes have a hot tub inside.

AKA summerhouse, sun canopy, open or latticework pavilion, pagoda (Asian style).

Lanai

An outdoor patio room attached to the house and used as living quarters in warm, tropical climates. The room has a roof and may be partially sided or have a railing. It may have screens or large picture windows, or may be open. It is furnished with rattan living and dining room furniture, since alfresco dining is the tradition in tropical areas.

Lanais are most common in topical locations such as Hawaii and Florida.

Palapa

An outdoor shade structure with a thatched roof and open sides. Since this is a tropical design, the roof is constructed from palm tree leaves.

Palapas started as small umbrella-like structures, but in luxury homes they often encompass an open building. For example, it may house a backyard barbeque pit and outdoor kitchen.

Also known as a tiki hut or grass hut. Sometimes a palapa also refers to a beach umbrella with a thatched leaf top.

Patio

A platform improvement in a back yard or garden, made with concrete, brick, or stone, rock, or flagstone. It is adjacent to the home, usually accessible from sliding glass doors inside the home.

A patio may be covered, but often is completely open. It’s known as a place where families can gather together for outdoor living and summertime fun together.

Pavilion

A small ornamental roofed building in a yard or a garden. The living space has no walls but is furnished for outdoor entertainment.

Large pavilions are often located in public place, but smaller pavilions are designed for back yards too. They are popular in southern and older style properties.

Pergola

A free-standing rectangular structure with pillars or support columns and wooden slats running across the top. Lattice often provides a partially shaded top so the pergola can be used as a walkway or sitting area.

The columns and slats are often intertwined with green vines and climbing plants, making a graceful garden feature.

Porch / Enclosed porch

An outdoor deck attached to a house that aligns with the front entry to the house, shaded by the house roof.

An enclosed porch is closed in with windows or screens, letting in breezes and sunlight.

Stoop

A small block of cement on the ground as a step-out of a building. A stoop can be as small as 2’ x 2’.

To save money, new home developers often pour a small concrete stoop outside the back door, rather than a patio.

Sunroom

A sunny all-seasons porch on the side of a house, enclosed with large windows. A sunroom provides some shelter from the weather while catching maximum sunlight.

Also referred to as a patio room, solarium, conservatory, Florida room, or California room (depending on the region).

Terrace

Similar to a patio but larger and more developed, a terrace is a platform that extends from a home and is used as an outdoor living area. In luxury homes, a terrace may showcase formal gardens and upscale features such as statues.

In New York and metro areas, an apartment may have a terrace on an upper floor or even on the roof!

Veranda

A large roofed porch that wraps around the sides and front of a house. A veranda has railing and is most common in the warm South, where families would sit outside during the summer (before air conditioning was invented).

This type of outdoor structure is often found in colonial style, plantation style, and Victorian style homes. Sometimes larger farmhouse style homes may also boast a veranda.

A veranda may also refer to an enclosed porch or a sunroom.

AKA terms: portico, gallery, piazza.

Who knew that there are so many outdoor types of structures? When showing a property for sale, explain the difference between arbors and pergolas. Brush up on these garden terms and you’ll surely impress your sellers and buyers. You’ll shine as you prepare for spring selling season!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Thinking About Buying?

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 06:07:34 -0700

Buying a home can be a lengthy process! For renters who want to buy a home, this step-by-step guide can prepare you, http://tinyurl.com/dy2wjx4.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Age of First Home Buyers

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:42:22 -0700

It’s never too early, nor too late, to become a home owner! According to NAR's "Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers 2011", most first homebuyers were between the age of 25-34 years old, but some were as young as 18 and some were as old as 90, http://tinyurl.com/dy2wjx4.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

The Difference Between Renting and Owning

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 06:50:06 -0700

The main difference between renting and owning is that rent only goes up. In fact, have you ever heard of a landlord lowering your rent? NO, that never happens. The landlord’s goal is to raise the rent over a process of years. When you are a renter, your rent is only going to go up every year, but if you are a homeowner with a fixed-rate mortgage loan, your payment never goes up. It stays the same until the loan is paid. Rent only goes up; a fixed-rate mortgage loan never goes up, http://tinyurl.com/dy2wjx4.

What is great about America? It is the American Dream, of course. It is the idea that we are in control of our own destiny, free from harsh government sanctions as in some other lands. It is the rights and the freedoms that so many other countries do not have. Sometimes we take our basic values for granted, including home ownership, which is a luxury not afforded to residents in some other countries.

Millions of people from all over the world flock to the United States because of the American Dream, and the basic tenet of that aspiration is home ownership. I strongly believe that every family should own their own home, and they can accomplish this dream if they have a guide to follow.

You may have some doubts about whether you can buy a home, or you may be uncertain about how the process works. You may be thinking, "The process is overwhelming. I don't even know where to begin. It's too complicated. Who's going to help me?"

I agree that home buying takes some time, energy, and effort. But the freedom of home ownership is so rewarding, your family will be thrilled and I promise it will be worth your effort. You can do it! All you need is a guide that you can follow, and a quality real estate professional to assist you.

That's why our book is outlined as a guide that you can easily understand. Just start with Step 1 and follow the 9 steps in this book. We will guide you each step of the way. We'll also show you how to hire a dedicated REALTOR® you can trust, so you will receive professional guidance and direction.

Let's get you the best home that your budget can afford. I know that you will follow these steps. So I dedicate this book to you! You have the courage to take action and make your dream of homeownership come true.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Your home is your castle!

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:06:56 -0700

Many families start with home ownership as the foundation of their wealth strategy. As you build your financial portfolio, buying your first home can be a vital stepping-stone to wealth management. As you pay down your mortgage loan balance, you gain equity, http://tinyurl.com/dy2wjx4.

What is great about America? It is the American Dream, of course. It is the idea that we are in control of our own destiny, free from harsh government sanctions as in some other lands. It is the rights and the freedoms that so many other countries do not have. Sometimes we take our basic values for granted, including home ownership, which is a luxury not afforded to residents in some other countries.

Millions of people from all over the world flock to the United States because of the American Dream, and the basic tenet of that aspiration is home ownership. I strongly believe that every family should own their own home, and they can accomplish this dream if they have a guide to follow.

You may have some doubts about whether you can buy a home, or you may be uncertain about how the process works. You may be thinking, "The process is overwhelming. I don't even know where to begin. It's too complicated. Who's going to help me?"

I agree that home buying takes some time, energy, and effort. But the freedom of home ownership is so rewarding, your family will be thrilled and I promise it will be worth your effort. You can do it! All you need is a guide that you can follow, and a quality real estate professional to assist you.

That's why our book is outlined as a guide that you can easily understand. Just start with Step 1 and follow the 9 steps in this book. We will guide you each step of the way. We'll also show you how to hire a dedicated REALTOR® you can trust, so you will receive professional guidance and direction.

Let's get you the best home that your budget can afford. I know that you will follow these steps. So I dedicate this book to you! You have the courage to take action and make your dream of homeownership come true.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Fannie & Freddie to Allow Mortgage Modifications Without Documentation

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:21:01 -0700

"Delinquent and underwater mortgages guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could be modified in a no-doc fashion", according to FHFA Director Edward J. DeMarco. FHFA is ready to streamline the process for hundreds of thousands of borrowers in the United States. This initiative will allow delinquent borrowers to tap the benefits of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) without facing cumbersome red tape.
It has become the priority of mortgage lenders and investors to speed up the pace of home loan modifications. The reduced monthly mortgage payments has helped borrowers avoid foreclosure which contribute to the overall recovery of the housing market, as well as the U.S. economy.

Borrowers must have fallen into a 90-day late status on their monthly mortgage payments to qualify for a no-doc HAMP mortgage. The home loan must have seasoned for at least a year and the actual loan-to-value (LTV) ratio must be higher than 80 percent.

Read the full article from The Niche Report here: http://www.thenichereport.com/articles/fannie-and-freddie-to-allow-mortgage-modifications-without-documentation/?goback=.gde_134657_member_228152880

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Do you want to become wealthy?

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 01:49:15 -0700

The easiest way is to become a homeowner. “The average renter in the United States has less than $5,000 in wealth. The average homeowner has nearly $200,000, which is 40 times as much wealth as a renter… Most of their wealth is their home and they built up this wealth by owning a home instead of renting one. The easiest way to become wealthy is to become a homeowner. It really is as simple as that.” - Houseonomics: Why Owning a Home is Still a Great Investment by Smith, G. & M. Find out more, http://tinyurl.com/cs4724e.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Why buy a home?

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:34:33 -0700

In today’s real estate market, it is cheaper to own a home than to rent in 98 of the top 100 metro areas of the United States, according to a recent article published by The Huffington Post (Kavoussi, 2012). That is truly astounding! In most places in America, a mortgage housing payment often costs the same or less than rent. While home prices won’t stay this low forever, any time is a great time to buy if it makes financial sense for your family’s budget, http://tinyurl.com/dy2wjx4.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Thinking seriously about home ownership?

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:37:54 -0700

Major life events, such as graduating from college, getting married, or having a baby, cause you to seriously consider buying your first home. Are you intrigued because of the low prices and interest rates on home ownership today?

Here’s the answer: http://tinyurl.com/cs4724e

What is great about America? It is the American Dream, of course. It is the idea that we are in control of our own destiny, free from harsh government sanctions as in some other lands. It is the rights and the freedoms that so many other countries do not have.Sometimes we take our basic values for granted, including home ownership, which is a luxury not afforded to residents in some other countries.

Millions of people from all over the world flock to the United States because of the American Dream, and the basic tenet of that aspiration is home ownership. I strongly believe that every family should own their own home, and they can accomplish this dream if they have a guide to follow.

You may have some doubts about whether you can buy a home, or you may be uncertain about how the process works. You may be thinking, "The process is overwhelming. I don't even know where to begin. It's too complicated. Who's going to help me?"

I agree that home buying takes some time, energy, and effort. But the freedom of home ownership is so rewarding, your family will be thrilled and I promise it will be worth your effort. You can do it! All you need is a guide that you can follow, and a quality real estate professional to assist you.

That's why our book is outlined as a guide that you can easily understand. Just start with Step 1 and follow the 9 steps in this book.We will guide you each step of the way.We'll also show you how to hire a dedicated REALTOR® you can trust, so you will receive professional guidance and direction.

Let's get you the best home that your budget can afford. I know that you will follow these steps. So I dedicate this book to you! You have the courage to take action and make your dream of homeownership come true.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Renting vs. Home Ownership

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 05:41:11 -0700

If you are a renter, did you know that you are already paying a mortgage? It is just not YOUR mortgage. Find out how to break free from the Landlord Trap! http://tinyurl.com/dy2wjx4

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Your Image Photos are your “BRAND”

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 02:42:14 -0700

Why put your photo on marketing materials?

We recommend that you take 2 types of professional photos that you can use to help create your image, your own personal brand. The first photo is a simple headshot on a blank background. For this photo, you will need to wear a wear a suit and a shirt with a collar. The second photo is a lifestyle photo. It’s you in a casual setting, so people can get a glimpse of the “real” you and connect with you.

Headshot Photo

Your headshot photo creates brand recognition: people will recognize you from your business card, just like a logo. People associate your image with your service.

Your photo also brings out name and face recognition. When someone meets you in person – a prospect, a potential seller or a buyer - they get your business card with your photo. Later on when they look back at that business card, they remember meeting you. It gives them instant memory recall. They remember your name because of your face.

We don’t always have the opportunity to meet people in person. Your photo creates an emotional connection with people. When we’re doing business on the internet, on the phone, via email and text messages, and it helps to bridge that gap a little bit and when people “see” who they are talking to.

Lifestyle Photo

Why should you take a lifestyle casual photo? So a lifestyle photo helps make you feel that you’re reachable, you’re connected to people. It’s also great to use it on Facebook and things like that.

Examples are photos of you doing your favorite hobby, at the beach enjoying life, or with your family, or your pet, or riding your horse, or standing in front of your collector car.

A lifestyle photo helps to impart your personality. It’s you in a casual setting that people can relate to. People want to connect with us. It really needs that personal touch, that connection to know that you’re a real person. That there’s a real person with ups and downs, failures and successes behind that web page, or that voice on the phone.

Where to use your photo?

Some ideas of where you can use each type of photo are:

Head Shot

Business card
Web page
Email banner

Lifestyle photo

Web page
Flyer
Pamphlet

You want to stay top of mind. Use your professional headshot photo and your lifestyle photo on all of your marketing materials to create that emotional connection with people so they can remember you and remember your brand when they’re ready to buy their house or sell their house, if they have questions, or if they want to refer somebody to you.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

How Do We Capture All of Our House’s Square Footage?

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:01:22 -0700

Question from Pondering Owners: The tax record shows that our house is 1,800 square feet, but when we bought it there was an upstairs addition with a bonus room that was not included in the square footage. We estimate that it’s 2,400 total square feet. We want to list our house for sale soon, and we want to include the total square feet. How do we go about doing this?

Dear Pondering Owners: Most likely a previous owner built an addition without getting building permits from the correct government agency. That is a very common situation, especially in California where homes are smaller.

Sellers (and real estate agents) may or may not be aware of the permit status. We often see these houses listed on the MLS with disclaimers such as:

“1,800 square feet + 600 additional unpermitted square footage.”
“Permit status of enclosed patio is unknown.”

You can find out the actual permitted square feet by checking your property’s building record at your local County Tax Assessor office. Your trusted real estate agent also has access to review this information through their proprietary sources. Then you would measure your house and compare it against the county records to see if there is more square footage than listed, which indicates a possible addition built without permits.

I would encourage home owners to get permits for any un-permitted additions whenever possible. Start by going to the city/county and ask if the addition was permitted. I do not recommend doing this on the phone because

You may never get to talk to a real person on the phone (!)
Once you start finding out info, you will have more questions and the clerk may have to do research.

Before you go down in person to the county Building department, visit their web site and find out if you have to make an appointment first. Remember that with budget cuts, their in-person counter hours are often very limited. For example, they may be open only 4 hours per day or closed on Fridays.

If you find out that your addition is NOT permitted, you will want to apply for a building permit. The city/county would come out and inspect the premises to make sure it’s up to current codes, and that the current usage is allowed with the zoning and other restrictions. If not, you will need to make the addition conform to the codes, or else tear it down. In rare cases, the government will allow the addition to be “grandfathered in” even if doesn’t meet current codes or zoning usage.

This entire process can be lengthy and costly, there will be paperwork to fill out, and it can involve multiple government agencies. But you won’t know the process until you go to the Building Permits office and inquire.

Homeowners should know that when they inquire about the status of their property, it may trigger a “red flag” and the government may send a building inspector to examine the structure, even if they do not apply for a permit. Upon inspection, any structures out of compliance may be “red tagged” or they may receive a citation ticket. They may be required to correct the structure or to tear it down. If you are worried about getting a citation, you can begin by calling the building department and inquiring “anonymously” to get some basic info (if you can get through to a real person).

You need to be aware that if your additional square footage is approved by the city/county, your property taxes will increase after your permits are completed. That is due to the added value of the additional square footage.

The main advantages of getting a proper permit:

It allows you to add more square footage legally, and the property value will be higher. Therefore you should be able to sell their house for a higher asking price.
You will be able to disclose to the buyers that the addition is permitted. Remember that you must disclose all known material facts to the buyer, including knowledge of an unpermitted addition.
You will have peace of mind knowing that you are living in, and selling, your property in the best condition possible.

To help you in the permit process, I strongly recommend hiring a licensed building contractor who has a track record of successfully converting unpermitted additions to legal buildings. Your local real estate agent may have a connection to a reputable contractor whom they can recommend.

On a side note: When purchasing a property with an unpermitted addition, I recommend that buyers do their own “due diligence” by going to the building department in person. The building permit status is public information so anyone can inquire, not just the home owner. Do not rely on your real estate agent to do this for you, remember it is YOUR new home and you must do your own research.

By the way, here's great info from Kachina at Corinthian Title. http://landinfo.sdcounty.ca.gov for permit history of properties in San Diego county.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

House Seller Booklet

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 01:39:09 -0800

Why Write a House Seller Booklet or eBook?

A Seller Booklet is a “hook” to get leads, grab those leads, turn them into prospects, and then turn prospects into clients for you. And it also helps set expectations for your clients because once people understand the procedures for selling their home, their expectations are realistic. They’re less likely to get upset or frazzled when negotiations come to a stand-still. By being prepared, they know what to expect in the process.

So besides setting the expectations, it’s also a value-added tool for your prospects. Everyone loves FREE information, and since you’re an expert real estate agent, you have extended knowledge that most people do not have.

A lot of people feel they are not good at writing. Don’t worry, you do NOT have to be an English major or have perfect writing. Just think about WHAT you know and HOW you would say it to your friends!

Instead of thinking of a seller booklet as a book, which can be overwhelming, think of it like a giant business card. It’s valuable information that you can give out to people and it’s free advertising for you. And you can create it yourself without cost. What could be better than that? You can pay a company thousands of dollars to do it for you, or you can do it yourself for free.

What is a House Seller Booklet? The reason I used the word “House” is because a “Home” conveys a lot of emotion. With the seller, you want to detach them from their building, and remove that emotion. You’re helping them to emotionally distance themselves from their house so they can make a good financial decision. It’s hard to make a good financial decision if you’re stuck on your cute little house that you and your family just love because you remodeled every room by hand!

Make a short booklet, just 2-10 pages. It’s a very simple reference manual on “how to” guide and something that shows you as the expert.

Here are some of the topics that home sellers need to know about:

Prepare your House for Sale
Valuation / Appraisal
Set & Adjust the Asking Price
Paperwork & Disclosures
Commission and Fees
Marketing
Showing your House to Buyers
Evaluate & Respond to Offers
Negotiate Purchase Contract
Inspections and Repair Requests
Escrow Procedures
Closing
Short sales
Probate sales
1031 exchanges

You can see that your topic is going to be a “piece” of the house selling process. Don’t get overwhelmed thinking that you need to tackle every topic.

Here are some tips to think about when making your sellers booklet:

Emphasize hiring a great REALTOR® with all the advantages that you have. Remind sellers that there’s a difference between a plain “real estate agent” and a REALTOR® member of the National Association of Realtors®.
Never give legal or tax advice. You might even want to have a disclaimer in the beginning that says your intention is not to give legal or tax advice. The reader should seek an attorney or a qualified tax preparer or CPA for those kinds of questions.
Collaborate with others & get input. Why not talk to some other agents in your office and work with them to put something together? With everyone giving input, you’ll have lots of great info to begin.

Think about what you know. You actually know more than you think you do once you start brainstorming and thinking about it and writing it down.

Imagine yourself sitting with your seller at the dining room table and doing a listing presentation, what questions would they ask you? What advice would you give them? How would you answer them to answer their questions? Think about that scenario and you’ll have lots of material to write about what you already know!

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

How Effective Is Your Home Office?

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 06:43:45 -0800

Home office setup is really important for all of us that work from home. We’re going to be more effective if we set up our home office correctly from the beginning. We spend less time and energy finding stuff that we need. And we can earn more money because we’re organized.

Where is an ideal place to have your office? I suggest that you have it in a room in your house with the door that locks and closes for privacy, for confidentiality, and security of your documents. Get a lockable filing cabinet, especially if you have children or guests in the home.

Another great reason to have a separate office space is when you’re working in your office, you can have visitors in your office. By having a separate entrance, they won’t have to go through your house and see your messy laundry or your dishes that aren’t washed. Also, you don’t have to look at your laundry and dishes, so you can mentally block out those personal tasks and focus on your business.

I recommend having a separate home office landline phone that rings only in the office so that way you can have a life: When you close your door to your office and you go out of your office, you’re not at work anymore. Otherwise, if your office space is in the common room, you’re always at work. You’re always being reminded of your work. You’re always looking and thinking that there’s something to do. With no separation between personal life and business life, it can get overwhelming.

A couple of important considerations in your office space: one is the view which I consider to be very, very important and also lighting especially if you can have natural lighting.

To have an effective home office set up, we also need to organize our files. Put them on shelves and use labels for them. Label the binders. Label the shelves. Put grouped things that are similar and use labels so you can find them quickly and easily. You can even use color coded labels or you can just take a highlighter and color your labels so that you can group similar things together.

Select a private but productive place for your office. Get the tools you need. Implement SYSTEM to free up your time. SYSTEM stands for Save Your Self Time Energy and Money. Clean out and organize regularly. Run your business as a business, even if it’s at home.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Is your Office GREEN?

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 06:08:07 -0800

A green office is a business that is energy efficient and environmentally conscious. It has healthier air circulation and less toxins in the environment that we’re breathing.

Why have a green office?

We want to have a green office because we consider the future. We’re going to be here for quite a few more years and after us, the future is for our children, our grandchildren, their children and grandchildren to inherit.

We want to be energy efficient because we want to not only be green and do the right thing; we also want to save money on energy costs.

We want to be earth friendly as well because we care about the earth that God gave us here and we want to take good care of it.

You can be admired by all of your peers & clients as being one of those forward thinking people with always one-step ahead in business. It’s our personal responsibility and it reflects our values and philosophy.

There are certifications, recognitions and awards for having a green office. Our office at California Coast & Country Homes is “Green Office Certified”. The Go Green California Awards are awarded to businesses who are progressively saving energy and the environment.

If you’ve gone green, encourage others to do the same. And remember little actions, done regularly over time, equals BIG ACTIONS. It doesn’t seem like a lot but every little thing we do helps and if we’re thinking about working it every day we’ll all together make an impact for our future, the future of the earth and our environment, our neighborhood and communities, our children and our grandchildren.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Need to Hire a Videographer?

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 07:03:53 -0800

Video production (or videography) is the art and service of videotaping, editing and distributing finished video product. We need videographers to help us produce professionally produced videos or content to add value to our brand. We’re going to look more professional and impress our clients and prospects. We’ll receive more online “hits” which gets us to the top of the search engines

To hire a videographer, following are the skills that we need to look for:

1. Video Production – videography, editing, interviews (for documentaries), lighting, and sound

2. Audio Production – recording, mixing and editing

3. Processing for Internet – processing and delivering audio and video for streamed internet use or multimedia applications

4. Other:

Software experience
Equipped with hardware
Knowledge of online posting sites
Educated about real estate topics, if possible

Where to find somebody like that? We always start at our local Realtor® association. Ask for referrals from others, or look up professional video associations to locate local members near you.

When interviewing and selecting a videographer, here are some things that we should consider:

Cost

Timeframe or Turn-around for projects

Access to professional studio for filming segments / interviews

Will listen & understand your needs

Will recommend solutions based on their knowledge but will always follow your requests

Recommendations from past clients

Watch several demo videos they have completed.

And the most important thing is that you make sure you hire a business professional who complements your team; somebody who shares your vision and your goals that will make your business come alive!

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Senior Citizens can be your Best Clients!

Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor® (California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:43:09 -0800

Selling senior community homes is a great market because so many baby boomers are retiring or thinking about downsizing. Should you learn this niche of selling homes to senior citizens? It’s great if you enjoy helping older folks and have a lot of patience. Seniors are also a great source of referrals.

Senior citizens are people who believe in established business relationships and loyalty and dedication. They will definitely send you some referrals if you do a great job of serving them. Working with seniors will help you to establish a book of business, both with these folks and with their referrals (friends and family members).

Many people in the traditionalist generation (people who were born before 1945) are loyal, dedicated, and financially responsible. They have old fashioned values so they’re very easy to work with — they’re going to be loyal to you once they decide to work with you as an agent. And also many of them are very financially responsible and they care about their financial investments. They are often debt-free. Many seniors own their homes free and clear or have very low mortgage balances, which make them ideal clients.

Do you think you can help seniors sell their existing home and then buy a new home in a senior community? If so, you can earn double the commission!

Tips for working with seniors:

Practice the law of reciprocity. Give something of value without expecting something in return.
Understand senior citizens and their most common challenges.
Communicate with the senior community and work with them as a team.
When listing a house, show your senior home sellers WHY it’s important to set the pricing effectively instead of emotionally.
Always affirm and support the client for making a tough decision. Give them the pro’s and con’s of each solution. Empower them to do what they believe is in their best interest.

Working with seniors is great! You’ll get that satisfaction of a “job well done” because you’ll be very much appreciated when you sell a home to older folks.

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
California DRE # 00983670
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice