Here are a Few Predictions

Many of you may have been browsing houses for a while and wishing for a break in this overheated market. Well, here’s some positive news.

​The latest real estate reports say the market has picked back up and it's going to be another really strong year in Real Estate.

In Orange County we still have an inventory shortage. We started 2020 with a low inventory more than 33% lower than we started in 2019.

Home price growth has been steady over the years and will continue to move slightly higher as we get closer to the election in November in 2020.

New house prices are starting to moderate after seven straight years of increases, according to Zillow. Most experts see another year of appreciation.

Mortgage rates trending down, not up.

​Just when you’ve heard ten times that mortgage rates are hovering near historic lows, guess what — they edged downward through much of 2019. What’s more, Fannie Mae predicts mortgage rates will fall to an average of 3.4 percent in 2020. That gives homebuyers plenty of chances to lock in extremely affordable mortgages.

Housing supply will balance out.

​The supply of homes for sale has been really tight in recent years, and that’s one reason we’ve seen a seller’s market. But that started to reverse in 2019, leading analysts to believe that housing inventory could stabilize in 2020 - especially at the upper end of the market. That means more choices for buyers and not as much competitive pressure.

The big economic picture.

Will the long U.S. economic expansion come to an end in 2020? Some believe a recession is in the offing, but nobody really knows how long that could take to happen. In any case, there’s no guarantee that home prices would drop in your preferred neighborhoods.

The best way to get a handle on local price trends is to talk with an experienced real estate agent who has the knowledge to navigate all types of markets. Contact me or check out my website to start your buying process. I’m here to help!

Do You Have These 4 Home-Buying Habits?

What is your largest expense in your lifetime?

It's your housing costs. Yes, your housing costs are your largest expense you will have in your life.

How do you fix your housing costs? You need to own your own home.

Dave Ramsey one of the nation's largest talk show hosts teaches people to be debt free and to pay off their homes. I work with Dave Ramsey as his top Endorsed Local Provider (ELP) here in Orange County working with buyers, sellers and investors. I work with those that reach out to Dave Ramsey for the top Realtor's in Orange County.

We know that buying a home can come with its ups and downs. For buyers, sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. For those homebuyers who end up getting the home of their dreams, there are a few habits they all have in common.

I wanted to share four common habits successful homebuyers all have and that you should take on if you're going to become a homeowner.

#1 ​Indulge in Savings. 

Not Coffee!

Saving for a down payment is one of the most important habits or steps you can do when trying to buy a home. Get into the habit of skipping your daily coffee purchase or try cutting your cable to save.

#2 Create a "Home Savings Account"

Take that money you’re saving from cable, coffee, or lunch and put it directly into your home savings account. That’s right: open a savings account that’s just for your down payment.

#3 Test Drive Homeownership

Nothing will get your mind and bank account in shape like a trial run. Each week, set aside money for various homeownership bills. Separate funds for your mortgage payment, home maintenance, etc. This trial will help you get in the right mindset for homeownership.

#4 ​Don’t Miss Payments 

​(Know your Credit Score) 

One of the most important steps and really the only way you can buy a home is if your credit score is in good shape. Make sure you pay every bill on time and pay extra on credit cards if you can.

Buying a home is a huge step in life. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first home or your retirement home - it’s essential to get your mind and your bank account ready. I can help you every step of the way. Contact me today. Let’s talk about your future home.

Moving This Summer? Download This Helpful Cheat Sheet

Moving is never a fun process. Once you’ve bought your next home, the thought of getting settled in, decorating, and living in your new space is incredibly exciting. But the actual logistics of preparing for and executing your moving day...not so much.

For most of us, it’s a time filled with stress and anxiety. Packing might take longer than expected, movers could be running hours late, and you might forget to transfer utilities on time.

However, if you start preparing weeks in advance, the day itself can be much more manageable, even if there are some day-of hiccups. Follow the tips in our new moving day cheat sheet to help your big move go as smoothly as possible.

Click here to download

We are now into the SUMMER market here in Orange County. If you haven’t bought your new home yet, or if you're thinking of selling please reach out and I’d be happy to help you find the perfect one.

When is the best time to buy or sell? Hint: It's all in the MARKET

Seller’s Versus Buyer's Market – What's the Difference? 

If you could leverage the real estate market in your favor, would you? 

I'm sure you've heard the term "Seller's Market" here in Orange County and wondered not only what it is, but the impact it has on you as a potential homeowner or as you consider selling. 

Since 4th of July this year our market has SHIFTED from a "Seller's Market" to a "Balanced Market". Here are a few definitions and explanations to help you be educated on the industry terms as well as their effects on your pocketbook. 

In a buyer's market, as a seller, you will want a real estate professional who understands how to best market your home for it to sell. As a buyer, you will want to see only the properties that best meet your needs and work with a great negotiator.

The term "market" is used in several industries and is basically the idea of, like a grocery store, where buyers and sellers meet. Supply and demand (what sellers offer and what buyers want) often dictates price.

In a buyer's real estate market, it means there are more homes available than there are buyers. It allows more freedom to home buyers, giving them the opportunity to shop housing options. Sellers in this market will likely make concessions to attract a buyer, such a lowering their listing price.

A seller's market is when inventory is low, meaning there are more interested buyers than there are attractive homes available for sale. In this market, home prices tend to be higher, but multiple offers are still made on the same property - sometimes even above list price. Prospective home buyers need to be prepared, patient, and ready to act quickly. They may need to make concessions to secure an offer.

As a seller, it is important to work with a real estate professional who understands how to price and position your home properly for the best outcome. As a buyer, a real estate agent on your side will help draft clean and fair offers to help win the best home for you.

Orange County is now shifted to a balanced market. A balanced market is when the real estate market doesn't favor the buyer or the seller. Typically, homes take 3-6 months to sell, and there is a fairly equal amount of buyers and sellers. During this time, there is more time for buyers to shop around, and negotiating skills by real estate professionals are of high value as both buyers and sellers can ask for or make concessions to create the best outcomes.

​Buying or selling? Contact me today to get the results you desire.

Being Successful When Buying Real Estate Requires These 4 Steps

For multiple years now the Orange County housing market has experienced low inventory. It is easy for buyers to become frustrated during the process causing them to give up or become desperate. Instead of making choices that can lead to regret, I wanted to offer some tips to help you get the home of your dreams - even in a market with fewer homes for sale. By being prepared with the right expectations, you can navigate this hot real estate market effectively.

Have a Professional Buyer Consultation 

Most agents skip this process and will get you out looking for homes before you understand the entire buying process and everything involved in buying a home in today's market. It is critical to understand the entire process before you start. 

You need to know all of the costs involved, the purchase timelines, your contingencies, the inspections/paperwork needed, and how the current market conditions will affect you. You really must know what it will take for you to purchase a home in any market especially a market like ours with low inventory. 

Our consultations are COMPLIMENTARY and very informative helping you with the right decision when buying a home.

Get Pre-Approved with a Reputable Local Lender.

In a low inventory market, you must have your pre-approval done before you can submit an offer. You must come ready to make a solid offer with a full pre-approval or the seller will simply choose the offer that is most secure. 

We can offer you a list of our proven preferred lenders here in Orange County that have great rates and customer service. They will get you pre-approved, discuss your budget, breakdown your housing payment, and the tax advantages of home ownership so you are prepared before you go house-hunting.

Act Quickly.

Once you've positioned yourself with a great agent and lender it is important to act quickly on a home you love. With low inventory, an attractive, well-priced home will likely get several offers - and fast. This means you need to be willing to make quick decisions, including implementing strategies for making your offer stand out as the best. This may mean a note to the seller, higher earnest money, flexibility on closing, or more.

Hire a Great Agent that knows how to write winning offers!

Having a professional real estate agent with years of experience in a seller's market is invaluable! You need and agent that will FIGHT FOR YOU to win the deal! 

Having an experienced agent, with great negotiating skills, that is proactive and knows how to write winning offers is the key between getting your dream home or losing out on the home you love! 

With almost 30 years in the business I will direct you on how to submit the best offer, properly prepare the bid to be most attractive, and help you get the first showings on the house(s) that best suit you. ​We typically win 75% of all our multiple offers written for our buyers! 

I can help you be more successful in a tight housing market. 

Contact me today for the professionalism and experience you need!

Your Home Inspection Checklist

Unless it’s a glaring flaw or you’re a trained professional, you probably can’t tell if your home needs repairs. The home inspection is one of the most critical pieces of the buying and selling process. It’s good to know what to look for before any inspection. If you’re buying, you’ll have a better idea of what the inspector is looking for and if he or she misses anything. If you’re selling, you can have an idea of what to fix before your home goes on the market. It will take away the chance of surprises. 

Here are a few things to look for:

Are there visible cracks?

Are your appliances all working well?

Do you hear any unusual noises?

I’ve been through many, many home inspections in the area. I can help you understand this checklist and how to negotiate after the home inspection. Contact me for all of your real estate needs.

How Much Do You Need to Buy a Home?

Looking to buy or sell a home in Orange County? 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 us at 949-391-3141 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

Many people think they need a lot of money to buy a home. That’s not the case!

In fact, you can get into a home without a down payment in California! If you’re currently active in the military or you’re a veteran, there’s a great VA loan program with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. I’m also a certified military specialist who can walk you through this process.

"You can get into a home without a single down payment in California!"

Secondly, the government offers an FHA program. It requires 3.5% down. For instance, if you’re buying a $500,000 home, you’ll need less than $20,000 as a down payment.

Next, there are conventional loans. There’s a misconception out there that you need 20% down for them. However, you can obtain a conventional loan with as little as 5% down, depending on your loan limit.

Additionally, there’s the 80-10-10 program. I really admire this one. With this loan, you won’t have any mortgage insurance to pay.

With that being said, reach our office to discuss your options with a professional. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the surrounding area, give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to answer your questions about this topic and more!