The Realty Report

federal oversight for Freddie and Fannie

2008-09-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

September 7, 2008The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight has announcedthis morning, it is placing mortgage giants under conservatorshipin an effort to stabalize their ability to perform under tightercredit restrictions and low economic growth.OFHEO cited the importance of these organizations and theirrole in residential real estate in their press release issuedSunday morning.http://

2008-06-21T21:41:00.001-07:00

Of the homes sold in May, 38.3 percent were foreclosure resales, up from a revised 37.6 percent in April and 5.4 percent in May a year ago.The median price paid for a home last month was $339,000, down 4.2 percent from $354,000 for the month before, and down 30.0 percent from $484,000 for May a year ago when the median was at its peak. Around half the drop in median is due to depreciation, the

Direct from the LA Times' Foreclosure series

2008-06-03T17:29:00.001-07:00

John Wall, Realtorforeclosure avoidance specialistCENTURY 21 RESULTSwww.TeamResults21.com

Housing Affordability in California

2008-05-22T07:46:00.000-07:00

The California Association of Realtors announced today, the resultsof the First-Time Buyer's Affordability Index for the first quarter of2008.The affordability index rose 11 points, at 44%. Translate that tojust under half of consumers in California can afford to purchase anentry level home. The report goes on to say that the minimum incomeneeded to qualify for a mortgage in California was 30%

Price Reduction vs. Seller Credit

2008-05-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

When buyers decide that they want to make an offer to purchase a property, often their fist instict is to offer less than asking price. This stems from a desire to save money, which we all want to do, and can perfectly understand. There is a problem with this approach though. In market where a property will see multiple offers (yes, even now, we are seeing many properties that are in a bidding

EVENT: Home Buyer's Fair (Los Angeles)

2008-03-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

For release:Friday, March 21, 2008C.A.R. and the “Los Angeles Times” team up to sponsor free Home Buyer’s Fair April 12 and 13LOS ANGELES (March 21) – The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) and the “Los Angeles Times” are sponsoring the Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair at the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 12 and 13 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.The event is free to the public and

Saving Money on Your Mortgage

2008-03-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

How to Get a Better Deal on a Home Loanfrom wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can EditIt is often said that for most people, the purchase of their home will be their single greatest expenditure. In truth, however, the purchase of a mortgage--the points and interest paid over the life of the loan--often equals or exceeds the sale price of the house. Thus, as everyone knows, it's essential to

So. Cal home sale dip...

2008-03-01T02:06:00.000-08:00

Southern California home sales dipped below 10,000 transactions for the first time in more than 20 years last month as most potential buyers and sellers appear to be waiting out market turbulence, a real estate information service reported. A total of 9,983 new and resale houses and condos were sold in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, San Bernardino and Orange counties in January. That

California real estate licenses suffer first drop since '99

2008-02-04T12:24:00.000-08:00

The housing downturn and revised license-exam requirements are possible factors in the decrease.By JEFF COLLINSCalifornia real estate licenses dropped last month from the year before for the first time since March 1999, ending a 7 ½ upswing in which licensees increased by 81 percent.The California Department of Real Estate reported that the state had 548,959 licensees last month. That's still the

Adjustable rate mortages frozen at their current rate

2007-12-06T11:17:00.000-08:00

Newsflash:December 6, 2007: In an effort to provide some stability to the mortgage market, while helping homeowner’s – as many as 2 million sub-prime ARM loans made at the start of 2005, through July 30, 2007, whose interest rates are scheduled to jump to higher rates between January 1, 2008 through July 31, 2010 will be locked in at their current rate.Being called a ‘teaser freezer’ – the rate

A fun new toy.

2007-06-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

I just found the coolest thing. The Meade My Sky Personal Video Planetarium! Its like have a personal astronomer. It can identify 30,000celestial objects with point-and-shoot ease. So easy and fun!Its got an easy menu, full color LCD screen and if you have a Meade Computerized telescope, it can even control that. Fun for the whole family, this thing is a must have for any hobbyist. I think I'll

relief for defaulting borrowers?

2007-05-15T14:05:00.001-07:00

There may be some relief coming for homeowner’s who face foreclosure action by their lender. Washington Mutual, Bank of America, Citigroup, Merrill Lynch, and Wells Fargo, received letters asking for a six month moratorium on Foreclosures and instead urging these major lenders in the California market to focus on finding ways to keep borrowers from loosing their homes.Many thousands of borrowers

Ready to receive updates?

2007-05-09T20:11:00.000-07:00

everything you ever wanted to know about real estate but were afraid to ask: Reverse Mortgage

2007-04-13T12:47:00.000-07:00

A reverse mortgage is a way to borrow money against the equity in your home to provide you with tax-free income. You can receive funds in any number of ways including:Lump sumRegular monthly payments for as long as you live (or reside in your home)Monthly payments with a pre-determined cut off dateA line of credit to draw on when you need itor a Combination of theseA reverse mortgage can enable

drug and alcohol treatment

2007-04-02T13:12:00.000-07:00

Paid Post: Please read our disclosure.***“If you know someone addicted to alcohol and any other drug getting informed and involved maybe that persons only hope of a positive outcome of the addiction. Addiction usually ends in one of three ways treatment, jail, or death.” Stone Hawk WebsiteLocated in Battle Creek Michigan (just east of Chicago), Stone Hawk heals addicts through its education and

Real Estate & the Economy

2007-04-01T16:05:00.000-07:00

Business Week televised a couple of good items about the real estate industry as a whole yesterday. Their video can be seen here: http://feedroom.businessweek.com/index.jsp?fr_story=1164424c0c16afd06ab22f7edc11e1b8de2f5ab5 I've pulled information from other current videos as well.Some of the bullet points I thought were important are:Buyers still have an edge in real estate.Seller's are becoming

New Web Site Coming Soon.

2007-03-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon... www.TeamResults21.com

Home Loans and Homework

2007-03-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

When shopping for a home loan, it is important to choose reliable sources that offer reasonable rates, and that don't make claims that seem far fetched.I like Mortgage Lenders that allow you to research your options before signing up for anything. The internet is an excellent resource for doing just that. Sites that have posted current rates and terms upfront are best. By doing a little homework

Here's To Real Estate Blogs

2007-03-24T12:09:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Times today printed an interesting piece on real estate blogs. In it Brad Inman (Inman News) was quoted as saying, “some of the best reporting this year has been from the blogs.”I guess that’s kudos for all of us here. My favorite quote in the article was from a reader of the Housing Bubble Casualty Blog who said, “you were one of the influences that saved me from buying in Los

Plan your summer vacation the right way

2007-03-15T12:48:00.000-07:00

Planning your summer vacation? Try hotelreservations.com. This website is well planned and laid out. Navigating it is easy and the thing I liked best was you can search for rates and find deals without having to register. Something I find really annoying.The deals online are fantastic. I found car rental in Long Beach for as little at $15 per day. Of course that was for an economy sized car but

Have you thought about upgrading your lighting lately?

2007-03-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

It might be a good idea because it can affect the desirability of your home when trying to sell and create a comforting atmosphere while you are living in it. Lighting has many purposes, most of us use task lighting for reading in the den, cooking in the kitchen, and mood lighting for romantic moments in the bedroom.How your home is lit, definitely has an effect on our moods and perceptions of

The Five Factors of Credit Scoring

2007-03-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

There are five factors that impact consumer credit scores. They are listed here in order of importance:Payment History has a 35% impact. Paying debt on time and in full has a positive impact and late payments, judgements and charge-offs have a negative impact.Outstanding Credit Balances have a 30% impact. Debt ratio of outstanding balance to available credit is important. Keeping that below

You Credit Score

2007-03-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

A good credit score can mean the difference between a low mortgage rate with conventional financing and a restrictive, higher-rate loan. There are some simple but very important steps you can take to clean up your credit.1. Look for any past due balances on the credit report and bring them current.2. Reduce all outstanding debt to as close to a zero balance as possible. If unable to pay all debt

Its Tax Season Again

2007-03-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

Its Tax Season Again.This year Tuesday, April 17, is the deadline to file your federal tax returns. And this is a good time to remind our friends to double check your returns before sending them off whether electronically or the old fashioned paper method.The IRS has been touting via public relations officials with the agency, its increased audit efforts. On the radio this morning a spokesman for

6 simple rules for selecting a contractor.

2007-03-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

Home Improvement & RepairsHome improvements and repairs can cost thousands of dollars and are subject to frequent complaints. These suggestions may help limit unnecessary expense. Get recommendations and references. Talk to family, friends and others who have used the contractor for similar work. Get at least three written estimates. Insist that the contractor visit your home to

Week in review

2007-03-05T08:25:00.000-08:00

YOU KNOW WHO IS LOOKING FOR STOCKS? NOBODY! Last week's volatility in the stock market stabbed at the hearts of both the Stock and Bond markets, with home loan rates swinging higher and lower throughout the course of the week. Economic news releases took a backseat to the massive movements in Stocks. Amazingly, when all the smoke cleared, home loan rates were unchanged to slightly improved for

The Top 10 Reasons, you haven't called

2007-03-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

Why haven't you called?#10. You enjoy calling agent after agent playing the old "Let's Swap Names" game.#9. You think I'm going to bite.#8. You just came from one of those "Real Estate Financial Seminars" and the guru told you that you needed to listen to all his tapes before you called anybody.#7. You were going to but you forgot.#6. You own a gas

pricing your home

2007-03-03T16:16:00.000-08:00

Why is it that some homes sit on the market for a year while others sell like hot cakes? Frustrated sellers will blame a bad market, while a good real estate professional will tell you that many times, a slow sale is often attributed to the listing price. If a home is overpriced, buyers will stay away. But, if the price is competitive with similar homes in the area and “shows”

Easing into Homeownership

2007-03-02T17:13:00.000-08:00

There’s no question about it: Buying a first home is a big financial commitment. In most cases, a home is the largest single purchase an individual or family will make in a lifetime. However, because of the tax advantages afforded to homeowners, buying a home also can be one of the best financial decisions you’ll ever make. Problem is, many would-be homeowners remain renters simply

Tenants in Common Ownership

2007-03-02T14:01:00.000-08:00

Priced out of the real estate market? You’re not alone. Many hard working people just like you, can’t afford a median priced home by themselves either.Don’t fret, there may still be a way. If you haven’t already considered doing so, think about buying with a trusted friend, colleague, or family member.If you don’t, you may very well be resigning yourself to renting forever. Even though there is a

MOVING ON: POWERFUL TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME

2007-03-01T22:18:00.000-08:00

Maybe you're moving to a larger home to accommodate a growing family, relocating for a new career opportunity, or purchasing a townhouse for retirement. Whatever the reason for the move, you'll need to take the necessary steps to sell your home for the best possible price, within a reasonable amount of time. Where do you begin? If you're like most people, you'll start by seeking

Starting your search on the internet

2007-03-01T17:17:00.000-08:00

A lot has been said about home buyers searching the internet for their next house. In March 2005, we were talking about it. [see March, 2005 post here]More and more people are using the internet as a launchpad for their home search and we support that. Its important to note however that homes that are listed on the internet are frequently old listings. The status of each property is not always (

HOW TO SPOT A GOOD BUY

2007-03-01T13:10:00.002-08:00

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, particularly when it comes to buying a home. Features that attract one home-buyer may repel another. However, the one feature of interest to every home-buyer is price. Getting the most home for your money is paramount. The real problem is figuring out whether that fixer-upper on one street is a better buy than the home in next-to-new condition two

HOW TO SPOT A GOOD BUY

2007-03-01T13:10:00.001-08:00

Thinking of buying a foreclosure?

2007-02-25T14:05:00.000-08:00

What you should know about ForeclosuresBuying a Foreclosure property is not for the faint of heart and not recommended for first time home buyers. There are many drawbacks you need to be aware of.Often times, buyers at foreclosure auctions don’t get the opportunity to inspect the property that they are bidding on. You wont know the condition of the property or if there are major defects.The buyer

Realtor/Marriage Counselor (happens all the time)

2007-02-21T18:22:00.000-08:00

Funny Mortgage Commercial

2007-02-20T20:14:00.000-08:00

In no way, shape, or form, do we support or endorse this company, its affilates, subsidiaries, etc. We DO NOT recomend their products and services. This video is for entertainment purposes only and you should seek out your own experts & professionals to represent you in any transaction.

2007-02-20T15:06:00.001-08:00

My agent site is up

2007-02-17T16:19:00.000-08:00

We're trying a new agent site. Check it out here; http://johnwall3.point2agent.com/.

All about real estate commissions

2007-02-10T18:41:00.000-08:00

Every buyer and seller wants to save on commissions paid to a real estate broker. We've had discussions before about when to ask for discounts and negotiating the commission amount. So far we haven't talked about what the commission really is and how it works. That's what we're going to do today. {FYI: for the purpose of this discussion, BROKER and AGENT are used interchangeably}First off, the

Important Information for Seniors in LA County

2007-01-21T13:51:00.000-08:00

Senior Citizens in Los Angeles County have an important tax saving benefit available to them should the need to move arize. With Propositions 60 & 90 in Los Angeles and other participating Counties, Seniors can transfer their principal residence's tax base to a newly acquired home of equal or lesser value. In some cases, that "equal or lesser" value might be up to 110% of their principal

Median Sales Price LA County

2007-01-16T12:05:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles County – The median sales price for single family homes rose 6.5% since this time last year. Even with a 12.9% drop in sales, prices have remained strong and continued to climb. Homes may sit a little longer on the market, but, there is no longer a rush on housing.The market is correcting itself (as any free-market should) after a steady climb for the past couple of years. Although,

Wow! Here's a blast from the past.

2007-01-08T18:24:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

2006-12-21T07:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from TeamResults. As you celebrate this season, please remeber those who can't.

Housing Market at the Bottom

2006-12-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

The housing slump is over according to an article today by, Annette Haddad, staff writer for the Los Angeles Times. In today’s article, Patrick Lawler, chief economist of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight was quoted as saying “ the transition from sizzling markets to normal or weak markets has been orderly so far, and recent drops in interest rates lessen the likelihood that

Save money shopping online

2006-10-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

Check out www.secretprices.com, loaded with special coupons and discounts for many popular online stores, such as Amazon, Brookstone and Sharper Image. Ever buy at Office Depot, Gap or Circuit City? The website is loaded with savings for all these companies - most of which are discounts on any purchase you make, not just for one particular item they are trying to get rid of. It’s like having a

Buying Up

2006-09-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT FOR BUYING THEHIGHER PRICED HOME YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTEDHigher interest rates and home prices in the past have kept home owners from purchasing larger homes. The current real estate market conditions, however, are encouraging for many home owners who want to “buy up” to higher priced homes with more to offer.If you are considering trading up for a larger and more expensive home

Mortgage Market Update

2006-08-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.mmgweekly.com/w/index.html?SID=375c71349b295fbe2dcdca9206f20a06This is a great weekly newsletter distributed by my favorite lender.

Priced out of the real estate market?

2006-07-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

Condo Conversions Affect Median Price

2006-07-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

The political heat may soon be off of condo converters. In the City of Los Angeles, protests have followed would-be converters in an effort to stifle the putting-out of renters. Many of whom are paying rents well below the market averages for similar apartments.An out-of-work actor, Gary Watts told LA Times reporters, that he is being kicked out of his $950 a month, 2 bedroom apartment (which, if

Offer to Buy

2006-07-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

I recently read an online real estate item on the latimes.com website discussing purchase offers. Diane Hymer said “Some real estate agents think that a home buyer should make an offer on any property they like, no matter what the odds are that their offer will be accepted”.Its important for buyers to know that this is absolutely not true. I tell my buying clients that they should make offers on

Rossmoor House For Rent

2006-07-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/apa/176086061.htmlHouse For Rent3 Bedroom, 2 Bath house with yard & swimming pool. Its central location inside Rossmoor, puts it near shopping, entertainment, schools and parks.This is a Highly Desirable unincorporated community in Orange County. The award winning Los Alamitos School District serves the area schools inside Rossmoor.Property Details:1,600 sq.

Economic Outlook

2006-06-26T18:43:00.000-07:00

I receive many questions about the state of the Real Estate market in Southern California. Usually my answers are dead on accurate and quite to the point. There is always talk of housing bubbles and rising interest rates or worse, doomsday scenarios.For an accurate economic forecast which includes Southern California Real Estate, I want you to visit http://www.impactre.com. This site features

HOW TO SPOT A GOOD BUY

2006-06-18T18:24:00.000-07:00

HOW TO SPOT A GOOD BUYByJohn Wall, Residential & Investment Sales Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, particularly when it comes to buying a home. Features that attract one home-buyer may repel another. However, the one feature of interest to every home-buyer is price. Getting the most home for your money is paramount. The real problem is figuring out whether that fixer-upper on one

Low Down Options

2006-06-13T18:01:00.000-07:00

EASING YOUR WAY INTO HOMEOWNERSHIP: A GUIDE TO LOW DOWN PAYMENT MORTGAGE PROGRAMSByJohn Wall There’s no question about it: Buying a first home is a big financial commitment. In most cases, a home is the largest single purchase an individual or family will make in a lifetime. However, because of the tax advantages afforded to homeowners, buying a home also can be one of the best financial

Attention Washington Mutual Customers

2006-05-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

Attention(image placeholder)Customers:Would you like to have an extra $500 deposited directly into your Washington Mutual Checking or Savings Account?When you buy or sell a home with (image placeholder)Team Results, will deposit $500 into your account upon close of escrow.That’s free money you can use for anything!If you have any questions, Please ask us. But hurry, This offer ends August 1,

The Real Estate Market No Longer Rising at an Unsustainable Pace

2006-04-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

The median home price in Los Angeles rose above the half-million mark last month up 3% since February, to $506,000. New homes rose 8.6% in the area and market growth is being credited to the region’s diverse economy and continued job growth.So, market watchers are sill optimistic about future real estate trends in Southern California.All factors considered, the market is stable and rising slowly

moving on

2006-04-11T14:50:00.000-07:00

MOVING ON: POWERFUL TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOMEJohn Wall Maybe you're moving to a larger home to accommodate a growing family, relocating for a new career opportunity, or purchasing a townhouse for retirement. Whatever the reason for the move, you'll need to take the necessary steps to sell your home for the best possible price, within a reasonable amount of time. Where do you begin? If

Open House

2006-03-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

Its raining today throughout Southern California. I’ve cancelled my open house today though, Dixie will be hosting for private showings. I don’t do open houses when it rains (anymore) and I thought I’d share why.When hosting open house for a client, the agent is for all intents and purposes “Head of the Household” during the time its open. As an agent we have a responsibility to maintain the

Have you zillowed?

2006-03-05T16:26:00.000-08:00

Zillow.com took another beating in the press today. Our readers of course, know all about zillow.com from out article of February 10, 2006 (What’s wrong with zillow.com). In that brilliantly biased review of zillow, we analyzed its inner workings and tested it against properties we have strong information on. See that article here.In today’s Los Angeles Times article (Real Estate Section) it

Avoid a bad investment

2006-03-01T19:29:00.000-08:00

AVOIDING A BAD INVESTMENT IS EASIER THAN YOU MIGHT THINKByJohn WallSouthern California Residential & Investment Sales Human nature being what it is, none of us can get serious about the idea of buying a house without experiencing at least a few small twinges of worry. What we fear, of course, is making a mistake. And the mistake we tend to fear most is buying a “lemon” – a house that doesn’

$1,000,000 or More

2006-02-23T15:00:00.000-08:00

There’s an interesting article in the Long Beach Press Telegram today about high-end housing. Mostly homes over the $1 million mark. In Long Beach and Signal Hill, there are many ‘over a million’ homes. More so today than there was 5 years ago.In 2001 there were 19 homes sold for 1,000,000 or more. Last year there were 189. The high-end market has continued to see double digit percentage price

Mortgage Tax Deduction Safe!?!?!

2006-02-19T17:54:00.000-08:00

While talking about President Bush’s tax plans at a Q&A in Florida, the President indicated that there was no reason to worry about the possible elimination of the residential mortgage tax deduction currently allowed by the IRS.We’ve talked about this topic in previous articles in The Realty Report here.The President is quoted as saying, “I don’t think you have to worry about the mortgage

Whats wrong with zillow.com?

2006-02-10T10:53:00.000-08:00

Zillow.com the latest site to offer real estate information to the masses. Want to know what your house is worth? Zillow.com Want to know how much to pay for your neighbors house? Zillow.com What a great idea, free real estate information at your fingertips. I'm so glad that the expedia founder decided that this was a market worth pursuing because, it means two things to me. 1.) clients who use

Low Down Mortgage Programs

2006-02-06T12:40:00.000-08:00

EASING YOUR WAY INTO HOMEOWNERSHIP: A GUIDE TO LOW DOWN PAYMENT MORTGAGE PROGRAMS There’s no question about it: Buying a first home is a big financial commitment. In most cases, a home is the largest single purchase an individual or family will make in a lifetime. However, because of the tax advantages afforded to homeowners, buying a home also can be one of the best financial decisions

Seller Sell, Buyer Buy, Renter Cry

2006-01-20T14:50:00.000-08:00

In the Southern California Real Estate Markets, sales prices are leveling (not dropping), rents are higher then ever before, and, new construction is way down. All this is a recipe for an outstanding 2006. On the sales side, fewer new homes means, existing home sales prices will hold if not increase slightly. Supply and demand kicks in here.Higher rents; Renting is the alternative to ownership

2006 State of the Market Address

2006-01-12T08:12:00.000-08:00

California Association of Realtor’s chief economist, Leslie Appleton-Young, delivered her predictions for 2006’s Real Estate Market at Trump National Golf Course (Yes it’s “The Donald”).Referring to the current state of things as, “the goldilocks economy” meaning, not-to-hot, not-to-cold, she asserted there is no Real Estate Bubble adding, “The median price of a US home has never declined.”Those

Interest Rates Take a Dip

2006-01-07T07:22:00.000-08:00

Just when you thought it was over! We all thought the trend of low mortgage rates had come to an end (well, not me of course – just see our archives), Freddie surprised us all with a slight decrease as reported by the Associated Press.The 30 fixed rate dropped this week to 6.21 from 6.22%. That’s a savings of $1170 for the term of a $500,000 loan.The King of re-finance, the 15 year fixed rate

A New Year's Resolution.

2006-01-06T16:35:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for 2006?We’re in the new year now and Its time to start the process of buying a home. All those sweaters and ties from Aunt Bessie were just great but now its time for a gift to yourself. That gift is the American Dream, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving. Every single financial planner you’ll ever talk to, will say that the road to a successful financial future begins with

Heres to a Happy New

2006-01-01T15:09:00.000-08:00

Here’s to a Happy New Year.Nobody knows what the market will bring this year, but we can make the best of whatever happens. Whether buying or selling, Team Results is ready to take on the task of satisfying clients and partners again in this 2006.Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you in your California Real Estate Endeavors this year!-Regards,John WallDixie Escobedo&

Sales Volume Despite Forecast

2005-12-16T07:28:00.000-08:00

Despite normal sales slumps this time of year, 104,950 new and re-sale homes were sold over the last 2 months. It just goes to show that not matter what “experts” tell you, buyers are smart enough to add house hunting to their holiday shopping chores, are getting into homeownership and in my experience, often paying less than those who wait the season out.If you’re ready to go house hunting in

Post Index

2005-12-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

The Realty Report Post Index:These are posts that have valuable information for buyers or sellers. We’ve posted this index to give you a quick way to access these important posts from the past.Year End Buying and SellingDetermine the price of your homeHousing affordabilityThe Holiday SlowdownTenants in Common OwnershipRent vs. BuyMortgage Tax Deductions at riskHow to get a better deal on a

Fed holds Interest rates

2005-11-23T07:12:00.000-08:00

Rumor has it that the Federal Reserve is going to slow the pace of its continuing credit tightening plan. Which means interest rates may not be raised for a while. I think this is good news but, again, it is just rumor based on reports derived from the Fed’s last meeting on November 1st. Initially this is good news because it means more potential homeowners have an extended opportunity to

Year end buying & selling.

2005-11-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

Regular readers are well aware of the holiday slowdown. And anybody who has tried to buy or sell during this time, knows it well.This can be a great time to buy or sell though. If you are selling a home, consider – Decorations, images of family, joy, and, love are excellent marketing tools. The emotions these things invoke are impossible to duplicate with even the best salesmanship. Part of

Determining the Price of Your Home

2005-11-17T15:18:00.000-08:00

HOW TO DETERMINE THE PRICE OF YOUR HOMEByJohn WallTeamResults@Century21.com*** Why is it that some homes sit on the market for a year while others sell like hot cakes? Frustrated sellers will blame a bad market, while a good real estate professional will tell you that many times, a slow sale is often attributed to the listing price. If a home is overpriced, buyers will stay away. But,

Housing affordability

2005-11-11T16:54:00.000-08:00

So, we already know that we’re slipping toward a buyer market, because we’ve all read my previous post. What we didn’t know was that there are now some numbers and reports that prove that I’m right.Housing prices generally flatten out at the end of the year and the California Association of Realtors say that affordability will remain where it is for the 4th quarter. According to reports,

Buyer's Market in Long Beach

2005-11-10T15:06:00.000-08:00

Long Beach is slipping into a buyer’s market. I’m not 100% certain if that is a seasonal transition or if we’re in for another buyer frenzy, but either way its good to buy when you can.I’ve been looking through some mortgage pre-qualification to see what rate my client’s are getting (these are not advertised rates, just the average of what actual borrowers are being quoted). So far the 30 year

Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction at Risk!

2005-11-05T14:53:00.000-08:00

President Bush’s Tax Advisory Board wants to take away your mortgage interest deduction. Charged with the task of developing more simple and fairer tax laws, the board decided that the mortgage interest tax deduction does more for rich folks than for people struggling to buy a home.Let me ask you a question. Would you have bought your house if the interest deduction were not available to you?If

The holiday slowdown

2005-11-03T15:40:00.000-08:00

The holiday slow-down is upon us. Agents everywhere are gearing up to disappear, until spring at least. Even though, there are plenty of properties for sale. Some, looking for a fast sale before the Xmas lights come out.So sellers want to sell but where are the buyers? Mortgage rates are up and continue to rise, prices are holding steady, but sales are beginning to slow. Partly because of the

Halloween is over, wanna buy a house?

2005-11-02T15:29:00.000-08:00

Two days after Halloween and, I’m sick to my stomach. Too much candy! Anybody want to stop by the office and pick up some leftover candy, be my guest.And now for the Realty Report:According to data just released, most Californian’s are falling short on income required to qualify for a loan on a median priced home. The shortfall, $73,810 is based on qualifying income of $127,950 required to

Happy Halloween

2005-10-31T18:57:00.000-08:00

Please, have a safe and happy halloween!!!

Bad Deals on Mortgages

2005-10-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of talk about the boom in Real Estate. I think there is a bigger “boom” and I was proved right in a Los Angeles Times article.Real Estate lending is at an all time high! A serious problem has arisen that is very deserving of address. Borrowers with good and above average credit are getting stuck with loans usually reserved for sub-prime borrowers.Freddie Mac (That’s my friend

Tenants in Common Ownership

2005-10-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

People desperate to own real estate in this growing market are looking toward Tenants in Common ownership where a group of people, friends or strangers share a mortgage on a multi-unit apartment building.The Bank of Marin near San Francisco has been offering a “fractionalized mortgage” aimed at buyers of TIC properties. Even first time buyers (a relatively new market).According to the LA Times,

Sunday October 23, 2005. Condos & Real Estate investing

2005-10-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

So what do we have to discuss today? How about the fact that I’ve noticed condos selling faster in Long Beach but, at discounted sales prices. It seems the price of condos are coming down which, could be good for first time buyers who can’t quite qualify for a single family residence.Although, in my opinion at least, condos don’t generally appreciate as rapidly as SFRs and as far as the

Rent VS. Buy

2005-10-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

Freddie Mac has a great online calculator that I found. It helps determine whether you are better off renting vs. buying. Interesting little tool – I recommend you check it out.http://partners.leadfusion.com/.../freddiemac/home10/tool.fcsorFind it in the resources section of their homepage at;http://www.freddiemac.com/...While playing with it, I assumed a 2,100 /per month rental vs buying a house

Rates are still rising. % for today.

2005-10-21T13:01:00.000-07:00

Rates are continuing to rise as expected. My friend Freddie says the nationwide average on a 30 year fixed climbed to 6.10%. 15 year fixed rates are up .02 and adjustable rates are 5.59What a great time to buy!

The market today...

2005-10-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

A fed study showed moderate growth in September through early weeks in October even among growing energy costs and the economic fear that creates. More to the point though, in real estate it appears that some sellers of high-end homes are finding out that it takes more time to sell homes that only celebrities and friends of Bill Gates could afford. Although, sales continue to rise agents like

More market reporting

2005-10-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

September brought a continued rise in home prices even though interest rates are continuing to increase (but still historically low).The median price for a Southern California home is $475,000 except in Orange County, where the median is an astronomical $610,000. A popular real estate market website reports today’s market favoring buyers while prices are holding steady.

Mortgage Rates on The Rise

2005-10-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

For the first time since March, the average rate on a 30 year fixed mortgage passed the 6% mark. Rates are continuing to rise which will affect homebuyer’s bottom lines.The rate on a 30 year fixed averaged 6.03 this week up from 5.98% last week. In the adjustable rate market, the average was 4.77% a week ago – today holding at 4.85.Everyone blames the FED. Treasury yields are being pushed up by

Mortgage Deductions Threatened

2005-10-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

President Bush’s Tax Reform Commission agreed to limit the amount of mortgage interest a homeowner may deduct from their taxes.The cap and how it would be determined has not yet been decided. One possibility is basing it on FHA’s current mortgage cap, which, is now at $312,895. I don’t know how they’ll use that but the details will be finalized in a meeting scheduled for October 18, 2005.

Long Beach Property Tour

2005-10-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

Dixie and I are going on a Property Hunt today. We've got 20 or so houses to look at in Long Beach. If you'd like to come along, call my cell phone, 562-449-8421 or e-mail Mobile E-mail

Refi Refi Refi

2005-10-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

In the Los Angeles Times’ Business Section today, there is an item about the apparent mortgage refinance boom. Essentially, we’re talking about Adjustable Rate Loans and Interest Only Loans that have created a potentially dangerous situation for borrowers who may see their payments skyrocket over the coming months or years.As interest rates increase so too will monthly payments. On interest only

Sunday morning talking points

2005-10-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning… Good day for touring clients around available properties. I’m actually waiting for an appointment and while enjoying my coffee and funny papers, I had a few thoughts I’d like to share.First on my list of talking points is, all this chatter about real estate bubbles and declining markets. Well, most of you know my views on these sour matters but I noticed a piece in the paper about

How to get a better deal on a home loan

2005-10-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

We just did a great article detailing steps you can take that will help you get a better deal on your home loan.You can check it out on WikiHow using this link, http://wiki.ehow.com/Get-a-Better-Deal-on-a-Home-Loan.The folks of TeamResults, really enjoy this site. There is so much to learn and the step by step processes make it easy to understand a concept or idea without having to read pages and

You can't afford to buy

2005-10-07T17:06:00.000-07:00

It is reported today that fewer households are able to afford homes inCalifornia.Using a benchmark set in 1989, housing affordability sunk to 12%.Affordability was at an all time low since 1989, the last major housingboom.A quoted source for the LongBeach Press-Telegram said, "affordability is hitting a record lowduring a year when we expect to post a record high for homesales and arecord high

Getting to Market

2005-10-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

Most people begin the task of readying their home for sale about the same time they start thinking seriously about moving. It can take weeks or even months to find that perfect fit and during that time you can work to bring your current house to showcase condition.But what if you weren't planning to move? Instead you happened to come across that ideal house at the right price in the perfect

anyone know where I can find a car door?

2005-10-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a little project, anyone know where I can find a front Driver's side door for a 2004 Toyota Corolla LE sedan?Silver/Silver w/ black trim on the windowE-mail me results.john@verizon.net thanks folks!!!John W.

Freddie Mac says rates are going up.

2005-10-04T20:51:00.000-07:00

According to Freddie Mac, interest rates on a 30 year fixed home mortgage on friday were 5.91.Anylists are saying yields on bonds are being pushed up by the Federal Reserve in response to "worsening inflation" from continued high energy prices.Folks, we've said it before and we'll repeat it again - Interest rates will RISE.If you don't want to relegate yourself to renting for the rest of your

Wiki eHow

2005-09-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

New Wiki eHow ArticleHow to buy a home in Southern California

Open House this weekend Long Beach, CA

2005-09-29T20:10:00.000-07:00

Open House This WeekendSaturday and Sunday October 1st &2nd.359 E Adair St.Long Beach, Ca 90805 Call562-896-5319 for DirectionsTeamResults@Century21.com2 Bedroom1 Bath2 Car GarageSpacious Patio with Private Spa6,289 Sq. Ft. LotDesireable and Affordable LongBeach NeighborhoodAvailable for $440,000 Stop by to see it for yourself.If you have anyquestions or would like to schedule

The Realty Report

federal oversight for Freddie and Fannie

Direct from the LA Times' Foreclosure series

Housing Affordability in California

Price Reduction vs. Seller Credit

EVENT: Home Buyer's Fair (Los Angeles)

Saving Money on Your Mortgage

So. Cal home sale dip...

California real estate licenses suffer first drop since '99

Adjustable rate mortages frozen at their current rate

A fun new toy.

relief for defaulting borrowers?

Ready to receive updates?

everything you ever wanted to know about real estate but were afraid to ask: Reverse Mortgage

drug and alcohol treatment

Real Estate & the Economy

New Web Site Coming Soon.

Home Loans and Homework

Here's To Real Estate Blogs

Plan your summer vacation the right way

Have you thought about upgrading your lighting lately?

The Five Factors of Credit Scoring

You Credit Score

Its Tax Season Again

6 simple rules for selecting a contractor.

Week in review

The Top 10 Reasons, you haven't called

pricing your home

Easing into Homeownership

Tenants in Common Ownership

MOVING ON: POWERFUL TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME

Starting your search on the internet

HOW TO SPOT A GOOD BUY

HOW TO SPOT A GOOD BUY

Thinking of buying a foreclosure?

Realtor/Marriage Counselor (happens all the time)

Funny Mortgage Commercial

Linkedin

My agent site is up

All about real estate commissions

Important Information for Seniors in LA County

Median Sales Price LA County

Wow! Here's a blast from the past.

Merry Christmas

Housing Market at the Bottom

Save money shopping online

Buying Up

Mortgage Market Update

Priced out of the real estate market?

Condo Conversions Affect Median Price

Offer to Buy

Rossmoor House For Rent

Economic Outlook

HOW TO SPOT A GOOD BUY

Low Down Options

Attention Washington Mutual Customers

The Real Estate Market No Longer Rising at an Unsustainable Pace

moving on

Open House

Have you zillowed?

Avoid a bad investment

$1,000,000 or More

Mortgage Tax Deduction Safe!?!?!

Whats wrong with zillow.com?

Low Down Mortgage Programs

Seller Sell, Buyer Buy, Renter Cry

2006 State of the Market Address

Interest Rates Take a Dip

A New Year's Resolution.

Heres to a Happy New

Sales Volume Despite Forecast

Post Index

Fed holds Interest rates

Year end buying & selling.

Determining the Price of Your Home

Housing affordability

Buyer's Market in Long Beach

Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction at Risk!

The holiday slowdown

Halloween is over, wanna buy a house?