house: Unpermitted: California's Secret Little Property Tax Revolt Is a Ticking Time Bomb
- 01/04/10 06:45 AM
"Chad" (not his real name) THOUGHT he was one of the lucky ones. His house had sold, and the buyers were lender approved. Then the appraiser delivered the devastating news that caused the whole transaction to blow up: The appraisal on Chad's house could not include the entire 700 square foot downstairs area that had been converted into a cool media room, bathroom, and office. Why? The conversion of the basement had been UNPERMITTED (done without permits). Why UNPERMITTED? TO AVOID AN INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES.
This is a story that pits an underdog (overtaxed, over-mortgaged Californians living in "high cost" areas) against bureaucrats (cash … (12 comments)
house: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself about Your Home Electrical System
- 12/26/09 05:12 AM
As a REALTOR I have my own level of expertise and that is selling Hemet - San Jacinto, CA real estate. Perhaps the most important aspect of my job is to not be all things to all people. The key to my success in real estate is having professionals that I can call upon to do the things I do not claim to be an expert in.Case in point - you do not want to ask me advice on a homes electrical system...but if your are in the need to learn about your home electrical system, read this article and you will thank … (2 comments)
house: Should I Sell My Hemet - San Jacinto, CA Home First or Wait Until I Have Bought Another Home?
- 12/20/09 03:27 AM
This is a tough decision, but the answer will depend on your personal situation, as well as the condition of the local Hemet - San Jacinto CA housing market at that time. If you put your home on the real estate market first, you may have to scramble to find another one before settlement, which could cause you to buy a house that does not meet all your requirements. If you cannot find another home, you may need to move twice, temporarily staying with relatives or in a hotel. On the other hand, if you make an offer to buy first, … (3 comments)
house: Pre-Listing Video - 2521 Linden, Hemet, CA 92545
- 12/18/09 03:09 AM
Cash For Keys Home has been Surrendered at bank owned home (REO) located at 2521 Linden, Hemet, CA 92545 Why is it important that this was a cash for keys home, you ask? Good Question. You see when the homeowner stays in the property to the very end and the bank pays them to move, assuming the home is left in 'broom clean' condition with all of the appliances and fixtures it typically has a better chance of being in better care than when homeowners move out and abuse the homes before they leave...often stripping appliances, fixtures and even outlet covers … (4 comments)
house: Closing Cost - What Are They and Can I Save Money on Them?
- 12/12/09 03:05 AM
When a home for sale is bought and sold in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, CA the process will typically go through escrow to facilitate the transfer from the home seller to the homebuyer. The expenses of the transaction, other than the actual purchase price are generally lumped together and commonly referred to as ‘Closing Costs".Both the buyer of the real estate, and the seller of the home typically incur Closing Costs but it is often negotiable as to who will actually pay these expenses...depending on both local custom as well as what the buyer and the seller negotiate between … (6 comments)
house: The Most...and The Least Expensive Places to Live in the U.S.A.
- 12/09/09 05:17 PM
I just came across an interesting article on CNNMoney that breaks down the top and bottom 5 places to live in this country, based on affordability. Most Affordable Indianapolis - INMedian home price: $105,000Median income: $68,100Affordability score: 94.5% Youngstown, OHMedian home price: $72,000Median income: $54,300Affordability score: 93.9% Detroit, MIMedian home price: $84,000Median income: $57,100Affordability score: 92.2% Warren, MIMedian home price: $140,000Median income: $79,000Affordability score: 91.8% Grand Rapids, MIMedian home price: $103,000Median income: $63,100Affordability score: 91.4% - 5th best These are the top 5 MOST affordable places to buy a home, in the U.S.A. To look deeper into this data you will discover … (8 comments)
house: Is it Time to Sell…or Renovate?
- 10/21/09 01:22 PM
Is it Time to Sell...or Renovate?Many Hemet and San Jacinto, CA homeowners have been hit hard with the loss of equity, due to the collapse of our housing market and the decline in our general economic conditions.The down-side is many people thought they were buying a home as a stepping stone...thinking that their real estate investment in the Hemet - San Jacinto CA market would be a place to establish roots with a starter home and then they would be able to sell in a couple of years to another first time homebuyer - taking out the equity they planned on … (5 comments)
house: How to Buy a Short Sale House - Hemet, CA
- 10/11/09 05:32 PM
It is true that the Active Listings in the MLS are dominated by Short Sales listings these days and on the surface they appear to be some really great deals. However, just like your Highs School Prom Queen, looks can be deceiving (my apologies to all the H.S. Prom Queens who read this...and their Kings...and the rest of the Court, as well). Short Sale homes are typically are a better buying decision for an investor looking for investment property than for a first time homebuyer. It still continues to amaze me when a first time homebuyer that is in a rush … (11 comments)
house: 10 Steps to Buying Your First Investment Real Estate Home
- 09/15/09 07:37 PM
Successful investors always have a plan. They have a strategy for getting into a property and they will have multiple strategies for getting out of a investment property.I offer a blueprint to success in real estate investing...1) Know what is Important to you in your life. I'm not just talking money - life itself has value - what is it that makes you tick. Figure this out and if real estate investing is not for you, then it's not for you.2) Clean Up Your Act - If you have issues with credit, taxes, ex-spouses - anything that disrupts your life or … (0 comments)
house: What Do You Know About Water Purifiers?
- 08/30/09 04:06 AM
Many homebuyers of real estate in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley are concerned with the quality of the water. This is not a unique concern to the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley as consumers throughout all of South West Riverside County in the Inland Empire region of Southern California drink gallon after gallon of bottle water when in public...so it only makes sense that most home owners want nothing but the best water quality in their Hemet - San Jacinto Valley home. Like most good things in life there are options when shopping for a water purification system. There are … (3 comments)
house: Back to the Basics: REALTOR® Procedures - Safety First
- 09/03/07 08:02 AM
Back to the Basics: REALTOR® Procedures - Safety First by John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR Mission Grove Realty FOR MORE ARTICLES FROM THE "BACK TO THE BASICS" SERIES, CLICK HERE
The "Back to the Basics" series is my way of refreshing my own skill set. I, like almost everyone I know, gets lazy and takes short cuts that lead to other short cuts in an attempt to streamline our businesses. Re re-educating myself, I can now hold myself accountable...at least to myself.This article in particular is very important. It seems like at least once a year we hear some horrible story … (12 comments)
house: 7 Different Flipping Techniques
- 06/09/07 11:36 AM
7 Different Flipping Techniques by John Occhi, Hemet REALTOR Hemet CA Real Estate There are many ways investors make a profit in real estate. I learned along time ago that true wealth is built by owning real estate for the long term and that cash flow is generated by flipping real estate. Wikipedia defines "Flipping" as a term, used primarily in the United States, which refers to the practice of buying an asset and quickly reselling (flipping) it for profit. Though flipping can apply to any asset, the term is often applied to the practice of buying real estate at below market value, … (4 comments)
house: Ten Tips: How to Fix up a Home
- 06/09/07 09:23 AM
Ten Tips: How to Fix up a HomeBy John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR If you own residential property that you either want to rent or sell, you should be prepared to fix the place up a bit in order to attract the best renters or buyers for your Hemet CA Real Estate. Yes, we know that fresh paint and new carpet are almost always required to rehab any property and these two expenses often cost thousands of dollars. In order to maximize the return on this investment there are a number of other projects that should be considered - and the good news … (11 comments)
house: What Not to Overlook on a Final Walk Through
- 01/07/07 02:45 PM
What Not to Overlook on a Final Walk Throughby John Occhi, Hemet REALTORHemet CA Real Estate When you purchase Hemet CA Real Estate one of the very last things that will happen before you close escrow on your new home will be to schedule a final walk-through inspection. Ideally, you will be able to do this once the home is vacant but before escrow actually closes. Unfortunately, if the seller is to remain in possession for 1 to 3 days (or longer) after the close of escrow this cannot happen. In the event you cannot inspect the home vacant prior to the close of … (1 comments)
house: Market Analysis: Johnston Ave, Hemet California
- 01/06/07 03:12 PM
Market Analysis: Johnston Ave, Hemet Californiaby John Occhi, Hemet REALTORHemet CA Real Estate If you read my earlier post of today, you'll know I was out with a client shopping for a home - looking for Hemet CA Real Estate. I shared with you what I thought was one of the great values on the real estate market today, in Hemet California. Now I want to share my thoughts on a listing belonging to an out of town agent, for about the same price as the Thornton Ave property. I promised there is a rant stored up in me ready to come out about … (0 comments)
house: Market Analysis: Thornton Ave, Hemet California
- 01/06/07 02:59 PM
Market Analysis: Thornton Ave, Hemet Californiaby John Occhi, Hemet REALTORHemet CA Real Estate Today I went out with a buyer looking to find a home for her two daughters to live in. One has a 2 year old and the other is due with her first child in a few months and my client decided that there just was not enough room in her 1700 square foot, 3 bedroom home for everyone. Not only is she my client, but she has worked with a local mortgage broker, who will be helping her out with her loan for this property. So I … (0 comments)
house: The Loan Process - From Your Realtors Prospective
- 12/28/06 05:29 AM
The Loan Processby John Occhi, HEMET REALTOR Originally Published 12/12/06 on my first blog As a Hemet, CA Realtor, I thought I would write today about a topic that I am not an expert in nor do I ever want to be referred to as an expert. It is the real estate loan process. The reason I am spending some time on this topic is because it is so critical to buying real estate, and what I am an expert in is helping buyers buy Hemet real estate.So, let's take a look at the process, from the eyes of a Realtor.First, let … (4 comments)
"Chad" (not his real name) THOUGHT he was one of the lucky ones. His house had sold, and the buyers were lender approved.
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