Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Things to keep in mind before you decide to sell


There are many great Orange & LA County area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (714) 335-0844 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.


Welcome back to our video blog, your place for online real estate information, ideas, and how to get the most out of the market. Right now, the Orange County market is still a great market for home sellers, which is good news if you have been on the fence about selling. Limited inventory continues to drive home prices up. During the summer, the days are longer, giving more hours for buyers to look at your property.

Of course, the decision to sell your home isn't solely based on market conditions. You have to look at your personal situation to know when the right time to sell is. To help you do that, we have come up with a list of 4 things to keep in mind before planting that "For Sale" sign in your yard.

1. Be debt-free
  If you didn't have all of your financial ducks in a row the first time around the home buying block, you've probably learned a lot of good lessons the hard way. Put those lessons to good use and be a money-smart home buyer this time around. Check out your finances to make sure you have your savings in order before you purchase

2. Equity is on your side

 Just a few years ago, home values plummeted. A lot of us remember those times. It sent many mortgages underwater, but thankfully, the tide has turned. If you aren't sure what your home's equity is right now, we can get you a free Competitive Market Analysis to determine the approximate value of your home. If your home has recovered enough value to provide you with 20% or more equity on your next purchase, putting that amount down on a new home will keep private mortgage insurance companies at bay.

3. Does your home fit your lifestyle?

 Is your home currently meeting your everyday needs? Perhaps you could really use an extra room or two for your growing family. On the other hand, empty-nesters can really benefit from selling right now while rates are low in Orange County. You can sell your large home, move into a smaller one, then put the rest towards your retirement.

4. Can you afford the move?
 Don't get so excited about your next home that you forget the costs of leaving your current one. Hiring professional movers and being prepared for costs to improve your home for prime time showing should all play a factor. Painting your home is one of the best and cheapest improvements you can make to increase your home's worth.

Ultimately, there is no single formula for determining when to sell your home. Partner with a real estate professional you can trust to provide you with honest advice for you, your family, and your budget. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to give us a call. We would love to help you out with whatever you need!
 

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Orange & LA County Real Estate Market Update for June 2014


There are many great Orange & LA County area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (714) 335-0844 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

 It's been a little while since we last spoke with you, and some key things have shifted in the Orange & LA County real estate market. Hopefully you find this information useful if you're buying or selling.

  • Normal / Stable Market: We are entering a stable market due to an increasing inventory of homes. We currently have a 3-month supply of homes, compared to last June when we had a 30 day supply. 
    • This is an improvement over last year when people were fighting each other over available homes. This year, if you have an attractively priced home in a good location, you'll be able to sell it for a good price and possibly receive multiple offers. I would also expect a slight amount of appreciation stemming from these changes.
  • Less Demand: Another thing to note is that we do not have the backlog of buyers that we once had, and so even if your home is well-priced, in good condition and in a good location, you may sit on the market for a few weeks. This has nothing to do with your property being sub-par, we simply don't have the number of buyers we used to. 
  • Low Interest Rates: Mortgage interest rates continue to stay very low. Rates are currently sitting around 4.25%, but they are expected to rise by a whole percentage point by the first quarter of 2015. If you're thinking of buying, now would be a good time to do so because homes are very affordable right now. If you wait, you will only be paying more and more in your monthly mortgage payments, and that could cost you thousands of dollars over the course of a loan.  
  • Listing Price or Higher: Unfortunately for buyers, you will likely have to pay the listing price for a home, or maybe even a little extra. You may be able to negotiate, but for the most part my clients in Los Angeles and Orange County are paying the full listing price.  
  • Don't Mind the Media: There have been various reports that have been hounding the real estate industry, and you should disregard them. They are using old, dated information from almost 6 months ago. The same is true for real estate websites - you should be wary to trust their information including home listings and home pricing. You should always consult your local real estate agent if you want the most updated information about real estate in your area.

At the end of the day we have a very stable market with slight appreciation (depending on where you are). Below this text I have also included two figures that illustrate precise differences between the market of June 2013 vs. June 2014 (just click on them to enlarge).

If you have any questions about this information or about Orange & LA County real estate in general, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am always willing to sit down with you to discuss all of your individual needs.