Here’s a great infographic I wanted to share with you from Realtor.org. Being an agent in Southern California, I have had my fair share of eco-conscious Buyers that are looking for ways to Go Green. From methods as complex as solar panels to live “off the grid” or as commonplace as Energy Star appliances and fixtures, many more people are interested in reducing their carbon footprint as well as conserving water.
Today’s Buyer is Thinking Green
In this severe drought we are experiencing in California, a popular choice for landscaping is using drought-resistant … (1 comments)
As Agents, the latest technology is key to keeping up with the times and continuing a steady business flow. From Buyers searching for properties to Sellers marketing their home, an ad in the newspaper just doesn't cut it anymore. We are WAY beyond that now!
According to this infographic from CAR.org, an astounding 89% say they use online resources in the process of home buying. It doesn't end at searching for a property either. Researching an Agent, Lender, property values, neighborhoods, etc., is all part of the process. Having an Agent that is … (3 comments)
agents: Gen Y Is Ready to Buy
- 07/29/14 04:42 AM
Here's an interesting info-graphic from California Association of Realtors!
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agents: Pent Up Housing Demand Driven By Fear
- 07/03/14 04:10 AM
As housing markets slowed a bit year over year across major markets we ponder the causes. One I can definitely speak of in my own business is the new stricter lending guidelines that have been broadcasted to would-be home buyers leaving them fearful that they won't qualify. Even some people with the best of credit scores and decent savings are questioning their ability to purchase their first home, or jump back into the housing market again after walking away from their homes many moons ago. Pent Up Housing Demand Driven By Fear Let's face it. Applying for a mortgage is … (0 comments)
agents: Greedy Home Sellers + Cautious Home Buyers = Flat Market
- 05/19/14 08:23 AM
Greedy Home Sellers + Cautious Home Buyers = Flat Market More & more indicating factors are leading us to a cooling off of the crazy hot market we experienced in Southern Cal for all of 2013. Recent surveys show that over 40% of Home Sellers this spring are planning to price their homes ABOVE market value! This strategy is not wise folks! Buyers in today's market have very little tolerance for over-priced homes this year and will likely pass them up letting listing after listing sit on the market stagnant until the Seller is forced to take action by … (0 comments)
agents: Signs Point to Healthier Market for Spring Home Buyers
- 04/25/14 10:26 AM
Signs Point to Healthier Market for Spring Home Buyers A recent report by Realtor.com shows there has been year after year growth in inventory and days on market which means Spring home buying will be in a good place! National home sales in March 2014 are up 9.5% over March 2013. The median list price is up 5.3% as well! Signs Point to Healthier Market for Spring Home Buyers The market is more balanced now than it was last year and we are going into the "Real Estate Season" so it will be interesting to see how it plays out over … (0 comments)
agents: The 2014 Disappearing Distressed Market
- 03/14/14 08:24 AM
The 2014 Disappearing Distressed Market I'll never forget the weekly office meeting in 2007 when my first short sale emerged and all of the more experienced agents in the office who had dealt with short sales in past markets began to cringe and brace themselves for impact. All I could say was, "what is a short sale?" I was 5 years into my career at the time and I thought I had a lot of deals under my belt and considered myself experienced yet had never heard the term short sale. So from that day on up until recently, my business grew … (3 comments)
The Home Buying Process Is A Lot Like Dating... Have you ever fallen in love.....with a house? Many of my clients have and it has overpowered the fact that they may not have had that extra 200 square feet they were looking for, or that center island kitchen. When you're in love, you're in love. The Home Buying Process Is A Lot Like Dating... Realtor.com conducted a survey of 1,082 people and 69% of them reported having a "home crush" as the survey called it. Much like modern dating, almost 80% of home buyers find that one house that … (3 comments)
agents: Top Ten Turnaround Cities - Real Estate Recovery
- 12/03/13 04:35 AM
Top Ten Turnaround Cities - Real Estate Recovery Great news for my fellow Los Angeleans....Los Angeles made the list for the Top 10 Turnaround Towns in the housing recovery!! Our median price is UP 30% from this time last year! And our days on market have been reduced by 27%!! Although we cannot sustain this kind of growth, it's nice to see such positive reports, and let's hope that we slow down to a sustainable recovery rate in 2014!! With interest rates rising and the elusive QM taking effect in January, I think those factors will help to give our … (0 comments)
What Does a Red Front Door Mean? Over the past 13 years selling homes, I have always been very drawn to homes with red front doors, in fact so much so that we painted all the exterior doors on our home crimson red this year! For me it was a compelling warm positive energy the moment you arrive on my doorstep... What Does a Red Front Door Mean? For my listings, it offers a charming & inviting curb appeal; we've painted many front doors red in recent years & had great success in the sale & closing on the home! Coincidence? I … (1 comments)
agents: Discouraged Buyers - "We missed the boat!"
- 10/09/13 08:13 AM
Discouraged Buyers - "We missed the boat!" I've been hearing repeatedly from my Buyer clients and new prospective Buyers I meet at my listings lately that they are frustrated with current market conditions. Understandably so! There are 5-10 if not more, qualified buyers in my area competing for every well priced listing in desirable locations. Discouraged Buyers - "We missed the boat!" But look on the bright side my friends, this number is down significantly from recent months during the 2013 Spring & Summer buying frenzy that we saw this year where I had no joke 30+ offers on several … (0 comments)
agents: All The Single Ladies......Are Buying Houses!
- 08/28/13 04:34 AM
All The Single Ladies......Are Buying Houses! According to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors, single women made up 16% of homebuyers nationwide, while single men made up 9%. The percentage of single women homebuyers has averaged at 20% in recent years past. This has been a growing trend since the 90s, women purchasing more than men. It stands to reason as more women have become the primary earners in their households. All The Single Ladies......Are Buying Houses! Women are the breadwinners in 40% of American families with children and two-thirds of them are single! One out of every five homes sold … (1 comments)
agents: Foreclosures Lowest Since 2006
- 08/09/13 09:32 AM
Foreclosures Lowest Since 2006 Another not-so subtle sign of economic recovery. The national numbers on foreclosures are very promising. Total foreclosure filings, including notices of default, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions, dropped to 127,790 in June, down 35% over the past 12 months, according to RealtyTrac. Filings have hit their lowest monthly level since December 2006. Foreclosures Lowest Since 2006 The nation number of foreclosures has dropped 14% since May 2013! Foreclosures are no longer an issue on the national scale. There are still a few states with higher than average results, but the country as a whole is witnessing this … (1 comments)
agents: Rising Rates, Not Always A Bad Thing
- 07/01/13 09:16 AM
Rising Rates, Not Always A Bad Thing The Real Estate market is certainly booming. Depending on where you're at in the Real Estate picture, higher mortgage rates can be a good thing. While rates were low, so was inventory, it still is, but I've seen a slight increase recently as more sellers realize the price they can get for their home. People who normally wouldn't be able to finance a home could and are still able to do so as it stands now. However, rising rates, means an increase in sales. Which is certainly a good thing! Luckily the rise in … (0 comments)
agents: Issues With Neighbors Can Lead to Decreased Property Value
- 06/26/13 08:15 AM
Issues With Neighbors Can Lead to Decreased Property Value Scary barking dogs, what seems like a used car lot, yard used as storage, no landscaping maintence.....all of these things can lead to bringing the value of your home down. Guilty by association (or by proximity, really). So what does one do if they want to sell their house and the value is less than similar comparables in the area as a result of a neighbors lack of care? Issues With Neighbors Can Lead to Decreased Property Value An article in CNN's Money Magazine from July 2013 addresses this issue. We've … (4 comments)
agents: Buying Within Your Means: Be Prepared!!
- 05/06/13 03:17 AM
Buying Within Your Means: Be Prepared!! I recently read a column online that gave some great advice for home buyers; first timers and repeat buyers alike. I will link it below. The most important point that it illustrated is the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval. Especially when you get to the offer submitting stage, a pre-qual letter from a lender is usually included but it pretty much doesn't mean anything without pre-approval to back it up. In other words, before you ever START house hunting, get PRE-APPROVED. It will only help you with your search by really telling you the highest you … (0 comments)
agents: Top Ten Turn-Around Housing Markets of 2012
- 01/23/13 05:33 AM
Top Ten Turn-Around Housing Markets of 2012 According to the latest home price report from Trulia.com, the housing market in general has made quite the positive turn in the last year. It seems it'll only get better at this point. I thought it would be interesting to share the top ten markets with the most improvement. This is referencing increases in median home prices from December 2011 to December 2012. A few here in California, but some other surprising locations as well. Top Ten Turn-Around Housing Markets of 2012 In my opinion, it's a little scary to see 27% increases … (3 comments)
Keller Williams Calabasas released this blog today and I wanted to share the highlights of it with you. Here is a link to the full blog entry: http://www.kwcalabasas.com/residential/fdic-reports-housing-market-improvement-in-sand-states/
The Sand States being California, Nevada, Arizona & Florida....oddly enough, the four states with the highest unemployment rates are showing an increase in Real Estate activity as reported by the FDIC. Housing Market Improving in "Sand States" According to the FDIC report and above mentioned blog, California home prices have dropped 1.3% from a year ago, but is an improvement from the 2.2% fall in … (3 comments)
Today’s Buyer is Thinking Green
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