But wait.  Homes are more affordable than ever…Why is this happening?

Its really a combination of things, like:

• weak job market
• tougher loan qualifications
• would be buyers overridden with student loans
• consumer and buyer confidence
• political uncertainty

Did you know 2 million borrowers were turned down for home loans in 2011?  That’s quite a few renters forced to continue along the lease property path!  Although housing is sluggish, there are still opportunities everywhere, particularly for investors and those with good credit entering into the housing market.

What types of OC homes were the most popular?

1. Single Family Residences (SFR) topped the chart – 18k sales
2. Condos – 8k sales
3. New homes – 2k sales

Of these, 7200 were foreclosures…a smaller number than most expected.

Fun Real Estate Facts:

• 27% of buyers are traditionally looking for condos, while the main majority of homebuyers are looking for a detached SFR property.
• Orange County is still over 50% distressed property sales:  20% were short sales and 30% were foreclosures in 2011.
• Most equity sellers overprice by 7%.  Gary says ’Smart sellers accept. Idiots insist.’ Did you know 20% of properties for sale don’t close? At all. Properly pricing your home is crucial!!
• Properties in the under 400k range were up in sales price from 2010 by 6.1%.  (this is OC’s sweet spot!)
• Properties in the over 500k range were down in price from 2010 by 15%.

Attention first time home buyers:

Interest rates are the best thing this market has going for it right now. Today’s rates are sooo powerful.

For example, A 3k payment at 4.5% interest will get you a 600k house right now!!!!  2k payments will get you a 400k purchase price.  If interest goes up just 2 points, the same payment will get you a 100K LESS in property. If you’ve been on the fence about buying a home, its time to check your own personal scenario so you’re not ‘locked out’ if interest rates climb upwards.  And seriously…do they have anywhere to go but up?  We haven’t seen rates this low in over a G E N E R A T I O N.

2011 Real Estate Investor update:

Last year’s rental rates in the OC went up by about 5%, and Gary believes we’ll continue to see that trend.  Last year, 30% of home sales were purchased by investors.  Because they now cash flow, investors are picking up a lot of properties in Orange County.  This creates some challenges for new buyers, particularly ones who are looking for condos with FHA financing.

Then, leave it to a YPNer to ask the million dollar question:

Will home appreciation ever come back to Orange County???

YES, of course!! But…don’t bank on it until 5 years or more.. according to Gary’s gut. For more exact info, please see the presentation embedded below:

Ready to take advantage of today’s great rates and buyer’s market? Call 877-230-3211 or tweet @angieweeks for a homebuying consultation!

Had a great meeting last week with a young investor – he’s decided its time to buy his first investment property!  Investing in real estate doesn’t have to be difficult and complicated, especially in this market.  This 30-something noticed that he could get a home cheaper now than when he bought his first home 6 years ago, and he also noticed that he may be able to break even on it!  Hmmm…that got him thinking about investing in real estate…something his father was always talking about.

To confirm his suspicions, he had me pull the rental rates in Mission Viejo, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, and Laguna Niguel.  All cities averaged in the $2400-2800/mo range for 3 bed properties 1500-2000 square feet.   (Attention renters, that means you can BUY cheaper than leasing right now)

After that, we went back to his lender and confirmed that if he put down 3% on a Fannie Mae loan, his payment for a property around 400K would be approximately $2000-2200/mo.  Interest rates are THAT good right now   Exciting news – he can IMMEDIATELY cover the spread with a tenant, even with a gardener or a small HOA!

To put the plan in action, this week we’ll go looking at detached properties in the above cities under 400K.  There are actually a lot of properties for him to choose from right now, believe it or not.  54 if you’d like the exact number.  We’re really excited to get such a young investor going in such a sweet market.  I asked him if he’s read “The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner” by David Bach, but he hasn’t yet.  I let him know he’s already implementing the concepts within the book – what a smart cookie

Real Estate Investing Can be Easy

Investing doesn’t have to be really complicated or difficult – it just needs to be done with a long term plan and strategy.  This investor’s long term plan is to have someone ELSE pay off his 2nd property, and then when he and his fiancee decide to settle down and have children, use some of the ‘extra’ he is making to enjoy an upgrade of his own.

If you have any questions about Orange County real estate investing, don’t hesitate to contact us.  Of course, we have the spreadsheets that will do the complicated numbers and math if you want them.  But sometimes, its just logical and easy.  How do you like to invest?  What formulas do you use?  Comment below or tweet @weeksteam or @angieweeks and share  your strategies!!

Mission Viejo lake from the MissionViejo.org official city blog

Mission Viejo Real Estate is aplenty right now   How many homes do you think are on the market and available?  Here’s the stats!!

Active: 262
Attached: 89
Detached: 171

Backup: 168
Pending: 66
Closed: 86 (in the past 30 days)

Lots of moving going on!  We compared this to the same timeframe one year ago, and there were 80 closed sales…meaning the market in Mission Viejo is steady if not a little up.

Since we’ll be doing a more reporting on Mission Viejo Real Estate this year, now is a great time to explain what these ‘status’ labels actually mean.

• Active - indicates the property is on the market and accepting buyer offers.
• Backup – means the home has technically accepted a buyer offer and is sold, but the buyer is still in his/her contingency period of due diligence investigations and full loan approval.  California buyers get 17 days after offer acceptance to complete all contingencies and inspections.
• Pending – implies all contingencies have been removed on this listing and its only a matter of time until close.
• Closed – entails the buyer’s loan has funded, and title has officially recorded in the new owner’s name.

There are a few other status’ you may see:

• Hold – property is on hold and not being shown to new buyers for various reasons. (there are 36 of those right now)
• Cancelled – means the property listing was cancelled by the owner before a sale took place.
• Expired – indicates the listing agreement on the home for sale expired before a sale occured.
• Withdrawn – similiar to cancelled status, this property has been withdrawn from the market.

Its interesting to note that comparing the last 30 days to the same period one year ago, the price per square foot has gone DOWN, but the average sales price and days on the market has gone UP:

Average sale price in Mission Viejo 1 year ago:  $435,042
Average sale price in MV over the last 30 days:  $467,640

Average price per square foot 1 year ago:  $262.50
Average price per square foot today:  $240.84

Average days on market 1 year ago:  93
Average days on market now:  108

According to the stats, it sounds like buyers are still getting more square feet for their money   That combined with super low interest rates makes buying a home in Mission Viejo or relocating anywhere in Orange County ideal!

For some additional perspectives on business, commerce, and fun in Mission Viejo here is the current State of the City:

Contact The Weeks Team today at 877-230-3211 for more information, or click to start searching right now for your new home in Mission Viejo!

1. Fear of getting rejected.

There are WAY too many renters missing out on today’s buyer’s market simply because they are afraid to get qualified. They’re afraid that one bill they forgot to pay 5 years ago or those charged off accounts from college will keep them from buying a home forever. This is NOT true!! Everyone has dings on their credit, it does not mean you’ll be excluded from buying a home.  At least talk to a lender and see what steps you need to take next to get qualified.  Interest rates are ROCK BOTTOM right now, you owe it to yourself to try :)

2. Fear of losing good faith deposit.

A typical California ‘Good faith’ deposit (GFD) is 3% of the purchase price. Buyers write a ‘Good faith’ check and submit it with their offer, and if their offer is selected, the check is cashed and the escrow process begins. We’ve seen lots of buyers hesitate to write this check because they believe once the check clears, they MUST buy that property. In California, this is FAR from the truth. Your GFD is simply funds you as the buyer put forward to show your commitment to the property as you do your due diligence. During this due diligence contingency period, you can decide against the property and have your deposit returned for any reason, so don’t lose a great property because you are in fear of making a deposit!

3. Fear of overpaying.

Even though today’s buyers know the market better than ever with access to the MLS via internet and home value apps everywhere, buyers are still afraid to make a move in fear they will have ‘overpaid’ for a property they fell in love with, and be stuck underwater for years and years. (Sound like any renters you know??) Nothing could be further from the truth. Unless you are paying CASH for a property, it’s impossible for you to overpay, because there are systems of checks and balances in place to ensure this does not happen. During your ‘due diligence’ period, your lender is also doing their due diligence to make sure this is a solid property to loan you money on. The lender will send out an appraiser, and the appraiser’s sole job is to confirm the property is worth the price you offered on it. So rest easy knowing the bank will never loan you more money than the property is worth, even if you wanted to overpay. Plus, having an experienced buyers agent as your Realtor will also help you avoid overpaying, so you’re double covered

4. Fear of choosing a lemon.

We’ve all seen “The Money Pit” with Tom Hanks….YIKES! There are a lot of people out there who believe sellers will lie, cheat and steal to get their property sold. (and sometimes they may try to!) Fortunately for today’s homebuyers, a property inspection is conducted to ensure the home you love is not a lemon. There are quality home inspectors all over Orange County and they will inspect your property while its in escrow to make sure all the electrical, plumbing, appliances and structure is in working order. After a buyer’s inspection is complete, it is also typical to submit a ‘request for repairs’ to the seller with a list of items you would like addressed before moving into the property. Every property will have its problems, but buyers will always go into the situation with eyes wide open as long as they get a a property inspection with a quality inspector.

5. Fear of overextending.

Another completely valid buyer fear is over extension. “What if I bite off more than I can chew”? “What if I get laid off”? “What if I need to move”? These are all GOOD things to consider, but, they are not reasons why you should rent in fear the rest of your life. Actually, if you rent until you retire, you’re going to have a lot of reasons to worry how you’ll keep the roof over your head. Ideally, you’ll purchase a property, pay down the mortgage, and live in your paid off property after retirement In order to safeguard your investment, its a really good idea to have 3-6 months worth of reserves in the bank in case you do lose your job or need to move and find a renter for your property.  Talk to your financial advisor about how much you should have in reserves so you don’t overextend and have to eat ramen noodles for the rest of your life.  Its bad for your health.

What makes you hesitate to buy a home? If you’ve already bought your first property, do you remember your biggest fear when you took the plunge the first time? Please share by commenting below or tweeting @weeksteam or @angieweeks – we’d love to hear your story!!

My name is Manny Moumdjian, the founder of EZ Choice Financial Corp. There are still Ethical and Integral Credit Repair Companies out there that can help you with your credit worthiness. Having over 15 Years of experience in Credit Repair and Rebuilding Credit. Our Credit Repair Service Guarantees improvement within a 6 month period or a 100% Refund with No questions asked! We are Experts in finding multiple errors on credit reports and getting them corrected, updated or deleted from the 3 Major Credit Bureaus permanently! We give consumers Hope on getting their credit back on track to qualify in the very near future for a home or vehicle and even certain credit cards and just having a stress free quality of life! W are Fully Bonded in the State of California and Registered with The Secretary Of State and Department Of Justice. Everyone receives a free consultation! All pricing is calculated by what is on the credit reports and we offer everyone an affordable payment plan. Call us for a Free Credit Evaluation today (888) 349-6690

The best thing I can do is clear away all the debris of misinformation.  So, in no particular order, here’s a list of GREAT loan modification candidates:

• Those yearning to save an average of $1,000 a month — our average improvement.
• Those with W2 income between $40k-$130k. Or the self employed, who usually don’t qualify for a refinance. We are 99% successful securing modifications for this group.
• Those who never “rob Peter to pay Paul” in order to cover the bills.
• Those who have perfect payment records but wonder how long they can afford to make their payments.
• Those in default and are 14 days from a foreclosure sale on their property.
• People worried sleepless because they fear losing their home and fear seeking help. This reluctance typically is the result of mass misinformation.
• Those who want to shoot their spouse (or realtor) for deciding to purchase the house back in the mid-2000s.
• Individuals seeking a long-term mortgage solution with a fixed rate.
• Those who realize that renting ultimately costs more, don’t want to pay for or expend the energy for a move, and don’t want to live in someone else’s rental property.
• Those who fail to qualify with their lender, or are given a token $30-$100 monthly savings modification as a consolation prize.

Quite a list, with more than a few surprises, eh? So, are you ready to learn how a loan  modification can put $1,000 extra in your pocket every month? Just call Mike at 877.871.2400  x15.  You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to cast your financial worries to the wind.

And, of course, if you’d like to learn more about the variety of opportunities the Orange County real estate market offers, I’ll be delighted to help. Just call, tweet, or email me at 949.338.7408,   @AngieWeeks, @WeeksTeam, or  angie@askangie.com.  I’m ready to assist you in any way I can.

Here at the Ascent Network, a faith-based, non-profit organization, we offer a number of outstanding options for investors. Thanks to our experienced and knowledgeable team, we’ve helped thousands of clients since 2007.  And one of the major ways is by securing loan modifications for investors. Why should you pursue a loan mod if you’re an investor? Here are the five top reasons:

1.   Income qualification is based on Profit and Loss (P&L), which we help put together for you, not your tax return. A P&L is a great asset. That’s because, depending on your debt to income thresholds, deductions may or may not be applied to ensure the best fit for a client.

2.   Our average, the investor modification rate is 4.25-4.5%

3.   This is a fixed rate.

4.   The term typically is 30 years, with some going as long as 40 years. For the record, 30% of lenders consider a 40-year term.

5.   We negotiate successful outcomes with 80% of our clients.

Would you like to learn how modification can help you leverage the value of your investment property to put more cash in your pocket on a monthly basis? Call Mike at 877.871.2400 x15, and boost the cash flow from your investment property.

And, of course, if you’d like to learn more about the variety of opportunities the Orange County real estate market offers, I’ll be delighted to help. Just call, tweet, or email me at 949.338.7408,   @AngieWeeks, @WeeksTeam, or  angie@askangie.com.  I’m ready to assist you in any way I can.

Hey Orange County Veterans!  I read this great article about VA loans in OCAR mag this month, and was able to get permission for reprint here on our blog.  If you’re interested in a VA loan or getting a home with your veteran benefits please contact Paul or The Weeks Team!

VA Loans on the Rise

With deployment looming and more veterans entering the workforce soon, Realtors might want to brush up on the basics of VA financing.  A VA (Veterans Administration) guaranteed home loan is the preferred loan program for Active (and non-active), Reserve, National Guard, and retired military of the armed forces because there is no down payment needed, the interest rates are low, and no private monthly mortgage insurance is required.

An interesting fact — more than 27 million veterans and service personnel are eligible for VA financing.  This is a growing buyer segment for the real estate community.

Veteran Loans – Do I Qualify?

To be eligible for a VA loan, Wartime/Conflict Veterans must serve for at least 90 days and must receive an honorable discharge.  Here are the dates of active duty:

• World War II – September 16, 1940 to July 25, 1947
• Korean Conflict – June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
• Vietnam Era – August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975
• Persian Gulf War – Check with VA regional office for specific eligibility.
• Afghanistan and Iraq – Check the VA’s Web site for eligibility guidelines for current service in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Reserves and National Guard – Members who have completed six years of service and have been honorably discharged (or are still serving) may be eligible for a VA loan.

For peacetime service, an applicant must have at least 181 days of continuous active duty with no dishonorable discharge. If discharged earlier due to a service-connected disability, the applicant must contact the regional VA office to verify eligibility.

8 Things Realtor’s & Vets Should Know about VA Loans:

1. 100% financing – No down, Zero Down.   Unlike an FHA loan (3.5% down) or a conventional loan (3-5% down), a VA loan requires no down payment.
2. No monthly private mortgage insurance is required.  Unlike a low down FHA or a no down Conventional loan (which require PMI), a VA loan has no PMI.
3. 4% seller credit is okay — There is a limitation on buyers closing costs.  FHA and Conventional loans allow for a 6% seller credit, but VA loans cap this credit at 4%.
4. VA is not a lender — VA does not actually lend the money to you directly. Instead, the VA offers a guaranty to lenders, like me, that if the loan goes into default, they will pay the lender a percentage of the loan balance. The word GUARANTY does not actually guaranty the veteran will qualify for a VA home loan.  Instead, it’s a “guaranty” that the lender will not incur losses in case the VA borrower hits hard times and a foreclosure ever develops.
5. Interest rates are low – The interest rates are similar to FHA rates.
6. You don’t need perfect credit – Most lenders require at least a 620 FICO score, but some lenders will go as low as 580, if certain conditions are met.
7. The VA defines allowable fees and charges that the veteran borrower can pay or closing costs that may be charged to the borrower. These costs are determined as reasonable and customary by each local VA office. All other costs in the transaction are considered non-allowable and generally paid by the seller when purchasing a new home or by the lender when refinancing your current VA mortgage. Allowable fees are appraisal, inspections, recording fees, credit report, prepaid items, hazard insurance, flood check, survey, title insurance, and VA funding fee.
8. The VA also specifies what is NOT allowable.  Additional fees may be charged to the veteran only if specifically authorized by VA. The lender may request VA to approve such a fee if it is, (a) normally paid by the borrower in a particular jurisdiction, and, (b) considered reasonable and customary in the jurisdiction.  The following list provides examples of items that CANNOT be charged to the veteran as “itemized fees and charges.” Instead, the lender must cover any cost of these items out of its flat 1% fee.   Non-allowable fees include:  Loan closing or settlement fees, underwriting, processing, escrow fees, notary, document preparation fees, preparing loan papers or conveyance fees, attorneys services other than for title work, photographs, interest rate lock-in fees,  escrow fees, broker fees by third party mortgage brokers and tax service fees.

PAUL E. SCHEPER, MBA, CSA, SRES is a devoted member of OCAR.  He is a graduate from Harvard University and USC.  He is a licensed mortgage banker and OC VA loan specialist since 1984.  Paul can be reached at 949.242.4422, www.PaulScheper.com, or tweet him @paulscheper!

6029 Moraga, Riverside, Ca

30542 Paradise Palm, Homeland, Ca 92548
 

Senior living mobile home with golf course
2 bed 2 bath
2040 sq ft
Listing Price: $65,000

7223 Comstock #C, Whittier, Ca

Condo

2 bed/2 bath

1291 sq ft

assoc pool/spa

HOA $225

good condition

model match in escrow for $225K

List price is $213,000

7722 Friends Ave, Whittier, Ca

SFR needing a lot of work

1234 Sq Ft

3 bed/ 1 bath

NO HOA

detached garage

28549 Cilla Ct, Romoland, Ca

Coming to market

SFR

4 bed/2 bath

1460 sq ft

tenant occupied

No pictures

Call Angie Weeks (949.338.7408) directly if you’re interested in any of these properties

*ratios 39.9/49.9

*1 month cash reserves after closing

*AUS accept only

*Single Family Residence or approved Condos/PUD NO UNITS

*Purchase Only

*Borrowers must complete 8 hour home education program

*Must have 90 day income and expense analysis with no payment shock

*Buyer is allowed to move without needing to refi or sell the property

Seems easy enough with a promise of living in the house of your dreams!  Contact Kara at (714) 935-2581 ext. 294, or on her cell:  (714) 469-2629, or e-mail her directly at kcollacott@essexmortgage.com if you have any questions or want more information!

Remember, Homepath is available only for Fannie Mae properties and to first time buyers. If you and your chosen property qualify, the program offers you a fantastic way to get some amazing benefits. Possibilities include getting your closing costs paid or changing a prohibitively costly condo into an affordable dream home.

If you’re interested in Homepath, here are some of the conditions you should be aware of.

• Buyers and/or selling agents (the agent representing the buyer) must request the incentive upon submission of initial offer.
• Initial offer must be submitted on or after June 14, 2011 and close by October 31, 2011. Initial offers made prior to June 14 are not eligible for the June 14 – October 31 incentive.
• Sale must close on or before October 31, 2011. No exceptions will be made to this deadline. (Note: Initial offers submitted after September 15, 2011 may not close by the incentive deadline of October 31, 2011.)

If you’d like to learn more about Homepath, I’ll be delighted to help. Just call, tweet, or email me at 949.338.7408,   @AngieWeeks, @WeeksTeam, or  angie@askangie.com.  I’m ready to assist you in any way I can.

1. Decide how much you want to spend.
2. Determine your intention. Do you want a portfolio piece or a buy & flip?
3. Know how to recognize a good deal.  After determining market value and identifying the desired neighborhood, an investor who gets a property at 10 percent below market value definitely is getting a  DEAL.
4. Factor in the REAL numbers. How much are expenses, upgrades, commissions, rents, etc.?

I gained a few additional insights from John, a full time courthouse steps investor. According to him, if you make 10-15% on a foreclosure, you’ve done mighty good for yourself. Remember, the key to making a profit is how fast you can move the property or turn your money.  

John added that many investors seek unfinancable condos. That’s because the more difficult it is to buy a home, the more its value drops. Many investors buy condos to hold for 5-10 yrs, hoping the hoa recovers and the property significantly appreciates. He pointed out that condos in college towns are in fairly high demand because of their proximity to the local campus.

If you’re scouring the marketplace for investment possibilities and want to do some number crunching, I can provide you with a very useful spreadsheet. Just call, tweet, or email me at 949.338.7408,   @AngieWeeks, @WeeksTeam, or  angie@askangie.com.  I’m ready to assist you in any way I can.

Spitalnick stated any reasonable HOA already knows they are in a 2nd or 3rd lienholder position, and they already know its very likely they  get absolutely nothing if the short sale goes into foreclosure

…but…sometimes Homeowner’s Associations are still stubborn about back dues owed.  This can cause good escrows to fall apart, and properties to go into foreclosure   Ryan gave YPN 5 negotiation tips that he uses to get discounts on HOA demands.

What to say to the HOA??

Tip 1:  “The law is not in your favor” 

Some HOA’s forget there is a pecking order in which property liens are paid.  The main mortgage always gets paid first, and then a 2nd mortgage and taxes, then HELOC’s, HOA’s, and other liens. 

Tip 2:  “The short sale lender is offering money now that will not be there if the property goes into foreclosure”

If a foreclosure occurs, all secondary liens mentioned above are NOT the responsibility of the new homeowner (bank or investor) to absorb.  The secondary liens are then forced to go after the foreclosed homeowner personally if they want to recoup the unpaid debt.  Now is a window of opportunity for the HOA to get something instead of possibly nothing at all.

Tip 3:  “The HOA will end up spending good money chasing bad”

Even though HOA’s have the right to go after the foreclosed homeowner for back dues, what is the likeliness that person has the ability to pay?  In addition to attorney fees, collection costs, and time spent, the HOA faces never getting their money after spending plenty of funds trying.

Tip 4:  “Remember the bank or an REO sale is not responsible for paying back dues”

Many HOA’s will say “I’m entitled” to the full amount.l  Technically, they are.  But in a short sale everyone involved is losing money, and the HOA should not expect to be any different.  Many times the HOA’s own CC&R’s state reminders they are not the primary lienholder in multiple places, so make sure you have a copy handy to point it out!  Short sales are designed for debtors to recoup as many costs as possible and cut losses.  Junior lienholders always get hit the worst  Discuss this with your HOA contact and request a revised and discounted demand.

Tip 5:  “Do you really want to force a vacancy for minimum 6-12 months on the slim chance you will get a payment?”

If the HOA does not revise their demand and the property is foreclosed, it will be vacant and there will be nobody paying monthly dues for the unit.  On the other hand, if they accept less on the current amount owed, they will have a new homeowner within 60 days paying dues on the unit again.  Knowing there is a slim chance the old owner will pay anyway, why not cut losses now and save vacancy and possible vandalism fees?

If you’re still having trouble, keep in mind that HOA’s typically have an attorney advising their board or property management company.   The person you are talking to on the phone is probably NOT the decision maker.  If you have to, work your way to the attorney or decision maker directly so you can be most effective in negotiations. 

If you’d like more info on CA condo law, download the free Davis Stirling app or consult with a Real Estate Attorney like Ryan  

Also, if you’re an Orange County Realtor interested in joining YPN, membership is FREE and you’ll get tons of valuable real estate tips just like this to help you close more deals and better serve your clients.  Like us on Facebook and check the group out!

LOW COST

• Use CFC or LED light bulbs – Far more energy efficient than conventional bulbs
• Insulate hot water heater – Can reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45%
• Install motion sensors in offices and other common use area conference rooms to turn off lights when not in use
• Install water efficient restroom fixtures – Reduces water use and saves you big bucks
• Provide recycle bins

MEDIUM COST

• Tune up HVAC – Improves both efficiency and comfort
• Replace hardwood flooring with bamboo or cork floors – Will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
• Insulate attic and other areas
• Buy recycled office products and equipment
• Provide on-site bike room to encourage environmentally friendly commuting

HIGH COST

• Buy ENERGY STAR appliances – Lower utility bills, better performance, and greater durability.
• Replace roof with reusable/recyclable materials
• Replace cabinets with sustainably harvested wood and low-VOC finishes – This type of wood comes from a certified wood harvesting site, not an unsustainably logged region, which can have a negative impact on the environment. Low VOC substances have less odor and impact on air quality.
• Implement super energy efficient transformers – Reduces energy use and CO2 emissions.
• Implement on-site water reclamation system – Save water and money on water bills.

Those are just a few of the GREENgrading options you can take advantage of. Hopefully you have some of your own eco-friendly tips. We’d love to hear about them. Just fire off your ideas below. Or tweet @weeksteam with #green.

And be sure to reach out to us if you have any questions. You can connect with our green team at 949.338.7408 or  angie@askangie.com,  @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

Barry E. Zanck
Americap Direct Funding
DRE Brk #01082108  NMLS #243592
(949)910-4445

“As Orange County realtors with specialization in Laguna properties, the Weeks team has been successful at helping folks just like yourself actualize your dreams and own a piece of Laguna Hills real estate.   It is always recommended that you consult a financial advisor when it comes to a large purchase, but don’t be surprised if you find out that you may qualify as a candidate to own Laguna Hills real estate!”  –  “Laguna Hills Real Estate –  Creative and Savvy Ways to Own”, OC METRO.

Though many people don’t see themselves as potential homeowners, most people with somewhat decent credit just need to think outside the box a little to get into a home. Whether its sharing payments with roommates, using another property as leverge, or having a family member co-sign, it may take creativity to get that Laguna Hills real estate you’ve always wanted.  Find out what some creaive homeowners did to afford their Laguna Hills real estate!

Click here to read the full article, entitled, “Laguna Hills Real Estate –  Creative and Savvy Ways to Own”.

How Green is Your Roof?

One good way to score high points in these areas is by growing native fruits and veggies on your property. Indigenous plants already fit perfectly into the ecosystem. Since this type of foliage naturally belongs in the region, it requires less irrigation and less pest control than your average outsider. To save even more precious H2O, group together all plants with similar irrigation needs.  Plants that drink together, save water together.

You’ll also want to retain the maximum amount of natural landscaping. Keeping an abundance of native plant life in place does wonders to minimize runoff.

On the fertilizing front, composting is an effective, eco-friendly way to liven up your soil.  Check out Home Depot. They offer an excellent selection of easy composting solutions that will jump start your future of fertilizing.

OK. That’s it from this end of the planet. Does anyone else out there have some eco-friendly landscaping suggestions? We’d love to hear about them. Just fire off your ideas below. Or tweet @weeksteam with #green.

And be sure to reach out to us if you have any questions. You can connect with our green team at 949.338.7408 or  angie@askangie.com,  @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.