fullerton homes for sale: So Where Have All The Homes Gone? Fullerton Real Estate - A Serious Shortage! - 02/28/12 11:22 AM
Same ol' song and dance; where are all the Fullerton homes for sale?  I am so tiered of asking the question of where are all the homes? Just when I thought it couldn't get worse; it did, much worse. 
We have been averaging about 400 - 500 homes for sale in Fullerton, give or take. I really started looking at the stats recently and noticed something, we are losing on average about 1.5 homes a day. As of today, February 28, 2012, we hve 221 homes on the market. On Sunday, February 26, we had 239. At the beginning of the … (4 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: So You Want to Transfer to Another Fullerton School? This Might Be Your Chance - Jan. 3 to Jan. 20, 2012 - 01/05/12 02:30 AM
One thing (of many) that makes Fullerton a great place to live is the open enrollment option within the district.   However the window is short and it is open right now.  From January 3, 2012 through January 20, 2012 the Fullerton Joint Union High School District will accept your application and you will be notified at the end of February of your student’s acceptance.
For more information and the application, visit:  http://www.fjuhsd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=141381&type=d&pREC_ID=274910.
Fullerton has such nice people, a great downtown, vintage homes, wonderful neighborhoods and great schools. The open enrollment program is an added bonus for Fullerton homeowners and residents who want to … (0 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Please Be Gentle; It's My First Time! Fullerton Real Estate - 05/17/11 05:11 AM
First timers - I love them! They are excited and starry eyed....about buying their first home. I work with so many first time buyers and last week when I started receiving more email inquiries than usual, I figured it would be a good idea to put a little "Where to Start" article together.
The first place you should start is by talking to a lender (you thought I was going to say Realtor® didn't you?). You really need to find out what your buying power is. Most first timers are a little shocked when they look at all the numbers, the … (1 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Fullerton Real Estate - Dear Fullerton, I Owe You an Apology... - 03/21/11 04:20 PM
Dear Fullerton,
I owe you an apology. 
I should have warned you.  I should have been running around with my hair on fire.  I should have been shouting from the rooftops.  But I was afraid you would think I was just another real estate agent trying to make a sale. 
After all, it is my solemn obligation, my duty to you and to our community to sound the alarm when things happen that will affect your well being.  In this case, my neglect may have cost you dearly.  Let me explain...
If you would have bought a house in November with … (3 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Fullerton and Orange County Renters BEWARE - Fullerton Real Estate - 02/21/11 10:25 AM
AHHHH! So many scams; so little time. I feel as if this is all I write about any more! Geez, maybe I should start a column called - The Weekly Real Estate Scam! As if we don't have enough to worry about with the economy, default mortgages and multiple other scams; renting out a property by a fake owner is a growing trend.
I have seen it time and time again; some scoundrel finds a lease listing posted by a real estate agent and posts it as their own. They take the information, the pictures, everything from the agent and posts … (0 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Fullerton Real Estate - What if your Home Lost 75% of it's Value in Three Years? - 01/17/11 03:08 PM
Wow! Could you imagine if your home lost 75% of it's value in three years??!!  It happened in one California city but thankfully, I am not talking about Fullerton or even an Orange County city for that matter.
According to a Los Angeles Times article (and I tried to search their site to get it in it's entirety but no such luck); California was hit especially hard leading the nation in loss of home value.  Number One was Stockton with a 75% loss...wow! In the greater Orange County area, we have seen a decrease in home values of 36% in the past three years. 

This got me … (2 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: A Wild Rate Ride! When Rates Increase; Affordability Decreases Even if Prices Go Down! Fullerton Real Estate - 12/22/10 03:25 AM
"I think prices will fall so I am in no hurry to buy". Have you heard this before? Maybe you have even echoed this sentiment.  It's common these days and really, there is nothing wrong with this line of thinking.
But let's think for a moment about affordability vs. price. Home ownership has been at the highest level of affordability in decades.  Rates have been the lowest ever. So is it to better to buy when rates are low or when prices are? It depends but waiting can sometimes be costly. 
Interest rates have taken a jump in the past couple … (2 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Loan Mod's - They're Not for the Faint of Heart! Tips to getting your Loan Mod Applcation Reviewed. - 09/30/10 09:04 AM
I receive about a call a week from someone needing help with the loan mod process. It really is almost a no-man's land and though I can look through the financials and help decipher the bank language, often times the loan mod is not going to work for one reason or another. It is tough to explain that to someone who is really having a hard time making their mortgage and just needs help. I thought this article had helpful hints and was worth sharing. 
8 Tips to Getting Your Loan Modification Application Reviewed
RISMEDIA, September 25, 2010-Many homeowners seeking a loan modification … (3 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Fullerton Real Estate - An Open House Extravaganza! January 30 & 31, 2010 - 01/30/10 03:46 AM
And it's not just for Fullerton Real Estate!  Prudential California Realty is rolling out the red carpet and inviting you to an Open House Extravaganza!
Prudential sells more homes in North Orange County than any other firm.  This is just one example why, we go the extra mile to ensure that your home gets the attention it deserves!  So while you are out searching for that new Fullerton Home or one in any other part of Orange County, make sure to take this flier along so you know where to stop.  You probably won't really need it though, I think the streets will … (4 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Fullerton Real Estate - "Momma, is the Appraiser the Devil?" - 01/25/10 11:53 AM
If you have sold Fullerton real estate or real estate in Orange County recently for that matter; you might have asked yourself a similar question!
When inventory is low, and buyers are out in force, it is not un-common for a home to command multiple offers and quickly get bid up. As a seller, this is great though there are still so many things to consider when faced with muliple offers.
Is the buyer really qualifed? Can the buyer close escrow on time? WILL THE PROPERTY APPRAISE? Sure, it is a little tough for buyers to qualify for loans right now; … (12 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Fullerton Real Estate - FHA Waives the 90 Day Wait Policy on Flipping! - 01/19/10 02:03 AM
You might be one of those starry eyed first time buyers that has been worn out by the over abundance of buyers, multiple offers and cash investors that are scooping things up.  What's worse, is when you see a great new property that is in your price range and has completely remodeled and you can't wait to call your agent to see it.....Then your agent lowers the bomb shell, "It's a flip and does not qualify for an FHA loanfor 90 days". If this story is all too familiar to you, this could be HUGE NEWS!
I'm sure most of us have seen Flip that … (4 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Fullerton Real Estate - Reader's Choice - Keys to A Successful Listing - 11/11/09 02:51 PM
I haven't written a good blog in a while!   I will spare you the "I've been busy" speech but will tell you that I have had some serious writer's block! I decided to ask some of my readers what they would like to read.  Tonight's topic is courtesy of Jeff Vandermate who's suggestion it was to write about "The Keys to a Successful Listing"  Thanks for the suggestion Jeff!
First, we need to define a "successful listing" to me it means a listing that is successfully sold and CLOSED for the highest price in the shortest time.  I think this is what … (19 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Fullerton Real Estate - Home Values; Appraised, Market & What The House Was Once Worth... - 10/20/09 12:08 PM
Any buyer that has been looking for a starter home in Fullerton or in Orange County for the past few months knows exactly how fierce this market is! 
If you are lucky enough to win the offer war as a buyer, then your next hurdle is with the appraisal.With values coming in so low because of out of area appraisers, short sales sold extremely below market value and everything else. We often bite our nails off hoping to get the "all clear" on the appraisal.  I was having a conversation with another Realtor today and she had a perfect way to … (4 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Fullerton Real Estate - Adventures In Door Knocking.... - 09/07/09 09:11 AM
You have probably heard me talk about how tough it is for first time buyers to realize the dream of home ownership with a little piece of Fullerton Real Estate of their own.  I have lots of buyers and with up to 30 offers (or more) coming in on starter homes in Fullerton (and all North Orange County for that matter) it is getting increasing difficult. So, I decided that I needed to get more aggressive for my buyers!
Dreading it or not, I figured I better start knocking on some doors and talk to the folks in the Downtown Fullerton … (8 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: NEW PRICE & Open House Aug. 8th, 1:00 to 4:00 Custom Single Level Fullerton Home for Sale! - 08/07/09 09:28 AM
NEW PRICE & Open House Sat. Aug. 8, 2009 - Custom Fullerton Ranch HomeLocation: Fullerton, CAOPEN HOUSE Saturday, August 8th, 2009 1:00 to 4:00! Located on close to a 3/4 acre corner lot in the heart of Sunny Hills, this property offers boundless possibilities. Adding to the appeal of the single level, ranch-style home with 3-car garage is a wide circular driveway surrounded by lovely trees, lawns, and mature landscaping. Throughout the home, generous windows 'bring the outside in.' Open and oversized, the formal living room, dining room, and step-down family room with attached 3/4 bath offer abundant space for entertaining … (1 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Is your Fullerton (Or North Orange County) Rental Sitting Vacant? - 05/25/09 04:00 PM
As the housing market heats up in Fullerton and other North Orange County cities; Fullerton area rentals are sitting vacant.
The majority of the home buyers that are out are the first time buyers.  As they eagerly run out and put offers on the few homes that are coming onto the market, they quickly find that it is not the buyer's market that they had hoped for.  A starter home in Fullerton or other North Orange County cities that is priced to sell, will quickly command multiple offers.
With so many people buying homes, the rental market is suffering.  A year and a … (1 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: There is No Shame in A Short Sale or Loan Modification - 05/07/09 10:05 AM
Homeowners, If you are underwater and your mortgage payment is more than you can handle, you are not alone.  Everyone knows someone that is in this situation and feeling overwhelmed by the thought of the "F" word - foreclosure.  You may be wondering what you should do and there are a couple of options.
Loan Modification - You may be able to work with your existing lender to negotiate a lower rate or principal balance of your existing mortgages.  The lender wants to be sure that you have the means to pay the loan back and has criteria that needs to be met. 
… (7 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Doors of Fullerton...What's Behind Door number Three? - 05/06/09 12:49 PM
Congratulations to Yanne of Anaheim! She correctly guessed what was behind Door Number two, it was Studio EMP!  Her name was chosen as the winner of a $25 gift certificate. Congratulations Nicole!  Now for Door Number two...
"Doors of Fullerton" Contest!
We all agree; Fullerton is a great place to live!  Our Downtown Area is the heart and the city is full of history, buildings with architectural detail featuring eclectic stores, restaurants, art and services. So, how well do YOU know Fullerton? 
I will be featuring a series of doors and clues from the business behind the door.  If you guess … (9 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Multiple Offers? How to Get Yours Accepted! - 04/30/09 02:17 PM
If you are a buyer or buyer's agent and have been looking for a starter home in the Fullerton area in the past few months, you have most likely felt the sting of rejection.  It may have happened multiple times.
You are not alone!  With fewer homes coming on the market than coming off, inventory is shrinking. It is not uncommon to see multiple offer in the first couple of days...one Orange County home had over 130 offers!
So, what do you do?  Well, unless you are a cash buyer, you are at a slight disadvantage but that doesn't mean you … (8 comments)

fullerton homes for sale: Orange County Listing Receives 130 Offers... - 04/30/09 10:50 AM
Any decent listing in Orange County is receiving multiple offers within days on the market...but 130 with only three days on the market?  That has got to be some kind of record!
A fellow Realtor in my office had a buyer for that property.  It was listed in the $380,000 range.   Sure, it was a little low for the neighborhood and the max offer her buyer made was mid $400,000.  Her buyer got beat out by a much stronger offer.  The following was the listing agent's response:
"The seller has accepted another, stronger offer. If that deal falls through, you may … (2 comments)