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!

How to Ease the Transition to Fall

As summer winds down, we find ourselves entering back-to-school season. While you may be excited to escape the dog days of summer and get your kids back into a routine, fall can be a hectic time for families. Here are a few ways to make things a little easier as we start to transition into fall.

Use a family calendar

If you have multiple kids, keeping track of everyone’s busy schedules can be a nightmare. Consider getting a large paper calendar for the kitchen and using a different color for each person’s activities. Or if your family is digitally savvy, make a shared family Google calendar or use an app like Cozi to stay on top of everyone’s schedule.

Make dinner a no-brainer

Avoid the last-minute “What’s for dinner?” stress during this time. Either do weekly meal planning and shopping during the weekend, or buy a meal kit service like Hello Fresh or Blue Apron that sends ingredients and recipes to your front door.

Start adjusting schedules

If your kids have been sleeping in all summer, switching back to a busy school schedule can feel jarring. At least a week before school begins, start gradually having your kids go to bed earlier and wake up earlier — even 10 minutes at a time can help them get back on track.

Talk to your kids

Your children may have some anxiety about going back to school, especially if they’re making a big change like going from elementary to middle school. Check in with them and ask if they have any specific worries you can help them with; it could be as minor as helping them get comfortable with how to use a combination lock for a locker.

Is buying a new home on your agenda for this fall? Please reach out; I’d love to help you find your family’s dream home.

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.