Orange County Real Estate Success

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    Addicted To HGTV?

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    angieweeks

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    I recently found myself bored while my husband was out watching sports so I tuned into HGTV to see if anything interesting was on.  Luckily for me “Design On A Dime” was being broadcast.  This is an awesome show that has really helped me as an Orange County Realtor.  Design On A Dime gives tips on how to sell your Orange County ca. home.  The home stagers on this show come up with some fantastic creations that save home owners thousands all the while making homes sparkle.

     

    I have begun using tips from this show (as well as other HGTV shows) to sell the homes I represent in Orange County.  I find myself constantly amazed by the creations that these home stagers come up with and just how much money they save.

     

    I’d now like to share with you some of my favorite tips from this show.

     

    1. De-clutter – Serious.  Nothing else matters without it.  Not your version of de-clutter, either.  A professional organizers seal of approval is what’s going to get you an offer in.
    2. Make it yourself.  In this economy, your elbow grease can pay off.  go ahead, Use that scrap wood to make a clutter container, a mantle, a masterpiece!
    3. Improvise.  If you want affordable design, you can’t be set in your ways.  I loved the way they sewed together 3 bathmats to make a rug.  There is always a cheaper solution if you are creative enough to improvise.  And that MDM wood is a great option too!
    4. Recycle.  I love the flea market dumpster diver approach!  One mans trash truly is another’s treasure, so don’t be afraid to take something, fix it up, and make it yours.  Plus it’s the green thing to do!  Also, if you’re doing demo remember to call habitat for humanity.

    Should you have any questions about these tips or if you’d like to share your tips with me, please contact me.

     

  • Looking for Government Loans? Wachovia has an answer!

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    Hey all you “on the fence” Orange County renters, Wachovia has Mortgage solutions designed to meet your individual needs!

    When you set out to find or build the perfect home, it’s important to have choices. The same is true when deciding on your mortgage. With a variety of fixed and adjustable rate government loans, competitive rates and exceptional service, Wachovia Mortgage can help you design a mortgage program to suit your needs.

    FHA Loan
    • Up to 97% financing available for 1-unit properties.
    • Fixed and Adjustable Rate loans available.
    • Easy qualification and flexible credit guidelines.
    • Seller can contribute to the transaction.
    • Non-permanent Resident Aliens eligible.
     
    VA Loan
    • Up to 100 percent financing on 1-unit properties.
    • Fixed andAdjustable Rateloans available.
    • Easy qualification and flexible credit guidelines.
    • Seller can contribute to the transaction.

    To find out more about Wachovia Government Mortgage Programs, please call:

    Mark Frazer
    Mortgage Consultant
    5830 Naples Plaza
    Long Beach, CA 90803
    Direct: (562) 930-1477
    Fax: (562) 856-8725
    Mark.Frazer@wachovia.com

  • Buy Low, Sell High – How to benefit from today’s Orange County real estate market

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    The Orange County real estate market is just like every other real estate market in the United States.  Some years it’s a buyers’ market and some years it’s a sellers’ market.  These ebbs and flows are all normal and natural and understanding how to use them to your benefit is what can land you a great house at a low price when you buy and a huge profit when you sell.  Buy low and sell high is the motto all real estate investors live by.

     

    For instance, right now is a buyers’ market.  When you buy a home in the Orange County real estate market now, you get it for a LOW, LOW price.  In 5 or 10 years, the home you buy today will probably be double what you paid for it.  That’s a huge profit.  So if you buy today at a low price and sell in a few years when the market is once again booming, you can really make a ton of money.

     

    Whether or not you’ve ever thought about buying a home, if you want financial security and are looking for a great investment, buying a home in the Orange County real estate market is your best bet right now.  No other investment is going to give you the kind of return that real estate can.  The best way to get started is to get pre-qualified for a home loan.  It takes a few minutes to get a pre-qualification and will give you a price range for the properties you can afford.  Even if its not much, any investment is better then none.

     

    Once you know what you can afford, you can start looking ASAP.  Check out available Orange County homes on my web site, or shoot me an email at Angie@AskAngie.com if you have questions.  And remember, NOT taking advantage of this slow market could cost you thousands and thousands of dollars.

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    Orange County CA Foreclosures Are a Great Investment

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    The Orange County real estate market is suffering.  Last month alone, there were over 2400 Orange County foreclosures on the market.  And while that spells bad news for sellers trying to make a huge profit on their homes, its great news for buyers looking to cash in on the falling home prices in the area.

     

    When banks foreclose on a property, their goal is to recoup as much of their money as possible, and to do it quickly.  Sitting on a home for months does the bank no good – especially when they have thousands of Orange County CA foreclosures to deal with.  That’s why right now is a great time for buyers to get into the market.  Not only can you already find reduced home values in general, but if you choose an Orange County bank-owned home then you will most likely pay an even further reduced price.

     

    Since there are tons of Orange County foreclosures on the market right now, it’s really in your best interest to get the help of an Orange County realtor to help sort through which properties hold the best potential and value for your future.  You’ll want to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting – so CALL a REALTOR TODAY!

     

    You can also get a list of all Orange County foreclosures, Orange County CA REO homes (real-estate-owned), and Orange County CA auction homes to get you started.  Just shoot me an email at Angie@AskAngie.com with your contact info and I will be glad to get a list to you.

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    Vow2Save Orange County Home Registry offers Great Gift Alternatives for the New Bride and Groom

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    Planning a wedding can be quite stressful – believe me I know.  Now add to that trying to save for a new Orange County home.  You can imagine the pressure many brides feel when they are not only trying to plan the perfect wedding, but also find the perfect home to start their new life.  If you’re an Orange County bride, chances are you know exactly what I am talking about and would love any help you can get to make your dream of owning a home a reality.

     

    Well luckily there is a new, free service called Vow2Save that helps brides and grooms save for a new Orange County home.  Vow2Save is an online down payment registry service that allows you to “register” for a new home and invite guests to donate to the cause in lieu of other, more traditional gifts.  It really is a great way for Orange County brides and Grooms to quickly make their dreams of home ownership a reality – and after all, isn’t a new home better then a toaster oven or a crock pot.

     

    Check out Vow2Save today for all the cool details about setting up a registry.  And as always, if you have any questions, shoot me an email at Angie@AskAngie.com.

     

    Vow2Save Orange County Real Estate Registry

     

  • Pricing Your Orange County Home for Sale

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    Selling a home in today’s Orange County real estate market can be a bit tricky.  The market is not nearly as hot as it was a few years ago and selling a property can take quite some time, especially if you are still pricing your home based on old market standards.

    Sure, a few years ago you could ask some exorbitant price for your Orange County property and sell your home in no time with a huge profit to show for it.  Unfortunately, that’s just not the case anymore and an overpriced home will simply sit on the market for months and months without a singe offer. 

    So how do you price your home for sale?  Well the first thing you should do is find and experienced Orange County realtor to help you understand what homes in your neighborhood are worth.  Your realtor will provide you with a list of homes in your area that have sold in the last few weeks and what they have sold for.  This will help you determine a realistic asking price for your property.  Also, if you’re competing with homes in your area that are foreclosures or short sales, you may find that you have to dramatically lower your asking price to sell.

    Remember – your home’s value is not based on what you think your home is worth or on how much you owe on your loan – its worth what buyers are willing to pay.  If you want to sell your Orange Countyhome and you want to do it quickly, call a realtor you trust.  If you need help, feel free to shoot me an email at Angie@AskAngie.com.

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    Fantastic Framed Art for Less!!

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    If you’ve recently purchased your first home you probably have a long list of things you would like to do to decorate.  After all, it’s now your home and you want it to reflect your style, personality and what’s important to you. Unfortunately, you may not have the budget right now and we’ve got a GREAT way to pesonalize your home with a professional look without the professional price.

    Hanging artwork and photos in your new home really shows visitors insight into your life.  Custom framed artwork and photos is so expensive. We recently tried to frame a 20″ x 24″ portrait at a local frame store and the price we were quoted was $400. Buying posters and puting them in inexpensive frames can really save money. Ikea, TJ Max and Ross are some of our favorite places to buy posters, frames and framed art. Great looks and even better values.

    Our HOT TIP of the day for framing family photos and getting the “custom framed” look is this. Measure your photo you want to frame. Go to TJ Max and shop for an already framed piece of art with similar measurements. Example: your photo is 16″ x 20″. Plan on matting the photo with about 2″-4″ on each side. So, a 16″ x 20″ photo with need a frame aproximately 18″ x 22″ or 20″ x 24″ opening. Take your photo and your new fram to JoAnn’s or Michaels and get new matts cut to match your photo. Ask them to put the matts, photo and frame together for you so it’s all done right. You will get the custom look for a fraction of the price!

    It looks WONDERFUL and everyone will think you paid the BIG bucks. Our 20″ x 24″ portrait cost us $85 in our new frame and matts. Shhhhh! Don’t tell our guests.

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    FHA Limits Raised for Orange County Real Estate Market

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    As part of the new economic stimulus package that was recently passed, the Orange County real estate market will be seeing far more then rebate checks.  The new package doubles the limits on FHA mortgages and can really be a huge benefit for first-time buyers and low and medium-income buyers.  Here’s how.

     

    Basically, prior to the new stimulus package the max amount an FHA loan could be was just over $360,000.  Well, if you live in the Orange County area, you know how difficult it can be to find a home under that price.  But the new bill has more then doubled the limit for FHA loans and is now capping out at $729,750.  This is an awesome increase that will last throughout 2008 and can really be a huge incentive for people to get out and buy an Orange County home.

     

    Since FHA loans provide lower- to medium-income buyers and first-time buyers with more affordable mortgage options, this new higher limit could really be exactly what spurs people to invest in Orange County real estate.  You will be able to get great FHA loans on a home you really want.  And with interest rates and home values at all time lows, now really is a great time to get in the market.

     

    If you have any questions about the new FHA loan limits, shoot me an email at Angie@AskAngie.com.

     

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    Building Wealth in the Orange County Real Estate Market

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    Buying a home is a huge investment and most people find the process, especially when doing it for the first time, to be stressful.  While it’s true that home ownership is a huge responsibility, the fact of the matter is that owning real estate is one of the best moves you can make in terms of building wealth and security – just ask any financial expert. 

     

    The world’s wealthiest people own real estate – Donald Trump has built an empire from real estate, even after a bankruptcy.  And while not everyone is in the position to be able to buy a home in the Orange County real estate market, most people are and you could be one of them. 

     

    Think about it.  How much are you paying in rent each month?  Wouldn’t it make more sense to spend that money on a home instead of putting it into your landlord’s pocket?  And there has honestly been no better time to buy a home in the Orange County real estate market.  With low interest rates and rock-bottom home prices, now is the best time to buy – especially if your housing budget is tight. 

     

    Check out the New York Times Rent vs. Buy calculator to see if now is a good time for you to invest in an Orange County home.  If you have any questions or need help understanding how much home you can afford, shoot me an email at Angie@AskAngie.com.

  • Orange County REO Homes – Great Deals for Buyers

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    We all know that Orange County real estate isn’t what it was a few years ago.  Not that long ago, sellers that hired a great realtor could ask basically whatever they wanted for their home and could watch it sell with next to no effort in just a matter of days.  That’s just not the case anymore – home values are down and with the slowing economy and credit crunch out there, buyers aren’t nearly as plentiful as they used to be. Of course the bad news isn’t all bad.  I mean, sure if you’re a seller, it’s a tough a market right now, but if you’re a buyer – especially one with great credit – now really is one of the greatest times for you to invest in a new home.

     

    There are also more Orange County REO homes (which are bank-owned homes or foreclosures) available right now then you can imagine.  Lots of people have been unfortunately unable to pay their mortgage, which is leaving the banks with no option but to sell those homes at a heavily reduced rate in order to recoup some of their lost money.  And this, my friends, is really great for buyers!  REO homes are usually priced far below market value and with so many up for sale right now, the banks are taking pretty much any reasonable offer.  Of course there are definitely some things you should be careful of when buying an Orange County REO home, so I advise you to get the help of an Orange County realtor before you start your search.

     

    If you want a list of current REO homes in the Orange County real estate market, shoot me an email at Angie@AskAngie.com or give me a buzz at 877-230-3211.

  • Fighting Foreclosures in the Orange County Real Estate Market

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    We all know that the Orange County real estate market is suffering right now.  Home prices have dropped (which is great news for buyers) and home sales in general are sluggish.  All of this slow activity along with adjustable mortgages that are now renewing are leaving lots of Orange County homeowners facing foreclosure.

     

    If you are one of the thousands of people facing a foreclosure, don’t just give up.  Fight that foreclosure – there are plenty of things you can do right now to avoid losing your home to the bank.  You might be suprised to find out that you can negotiate with your bank.  Most banks will be more then happy to work with you in order to avoid foreclosure.  And if you really just can’t afford the mortgage at all anymore, you can always sell the home and at least recoup some of your investment instead of handing over your property to the bank.

     

    Check out this video of Donald Trump.  He has some great advice on how you can fight to keep your house.  As he points out, the bank really doesn’t want your home – it’s a hassle for them to sell it and recoup their money.  So do yourself a favor, and really try to find some middle ground so that you don’t have to loose the place you call home.

    There were 2400 foreclosures last month in the Orange County real estate market.  None of us want to see this number rise any further.  So if you are facing foreclosure, get help now!  If you’re not sure what to do or where to start, shoot me an email at Angie@askangie.com.

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    Orange County CA Home Sellers, are you overpriced?

    Published by

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    The Orange County Real Estate market is moving.  What direction?  Many.  What are we seeing?  Good deals, strapped homeowners.  What are we hearing?  Happy stories, Sad stories.  There’s a positive and a negative in every environment, and we always encourage you to look at the glass as half full.

     BUT….if your house is on the market right now….are you chasing the market down?  What if your Realtor is doing it for you?  Are you AND your agent strong enough to take the truth?  I read this sad story on a popular Realtors “hub” online, its from a Realtor working out of Florida.   

    OC Sellers and potential sellers, you often choose to work with the agent who says your home is worth the most money.  I want to encourage you to question the pricing method, not just get “sold” on potential dollar signs.  Question the marketing strategies, your agent better have the money to do traditional marketing or they better be able to kick butt online.  ASK how many contacts they have in their database, how many listings they have had expire, how many buyers they have searching on their website.  If the agent at your listing appointment has a dog and pony show, and you buy into that without question, it could be a nightmare for everyone in the end.

    Also, expect to be QUESTIONED yourself.  A good agent is mostly questions, tayloring their strategies to your specific needs and situation.    A good agent will listen to and really hear what you have to say, but they will also be strong and smart enough to TELL you things you may not want to hear. 

  • Gotta love the OC

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    Mortgage Payment Relief – will the New Stimulus Package help?

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    Hi All!
    Manny Piceno, one of our OC preferred lenders, wrote an informational email about the new Stimulus bill that Congress has been working on.  Call him at 949-285-0216 if you would like more info….
    So where is the relief? As you know, President Bush signed the Economic Stimulus Bill into law Wednesday February 13th.
    HUD has 30 days to publish the median area home prices, Metropolitan Statistical Areas and mortgage principal obligation limits after this bill became law. 
    The New Proposed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans (what we know so far):
    ·         125% of the area median home price not to exceed $729,750.
    ·         Changes are set to expire on December 31, 2008
    ·         The new limits will apply to 30 year and 15 year fixed rate, fully amortizing (sorry no interest only) and OWNER OCCUPIED homes!
    ·         Adjustable rate mortgage are being considered but don’t count on it.
    This is a huge undertaking, and isn’t likely to happen fast. Today’s lending environment is difficult but for those prepared, great opportunities exist. Stay informed. I will keep you posted on any changes that may impact your investments. If you have questions, call or write.
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    What’s Your Orange County Real Estate Experience?

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    Buying or selling a home in the Orange County real estate market is a different experience for each and every person that undertakes it.  Some people have a great experience.  They find the home of their dreams at the price they want to pay and never experience any set backs or issues.  Other people aren’t so lucky.  They may not have such an easy time selling their home as their neighbors or may even have a deal fall through last minute.

    So what’s your real estate story?  Are you one of those lucky people that had a stress free buying or selling process?  Or did your Orange County home buying or selling experience leave you thinking you would never buy or sell again?  I would love to know and want you to add your Orange Countyreal estate story to our blog so that other buyers and sellers in the market can learn from your experience – good or bad!

    And remember, if you’ve had a great experience, there are still some rules you should follow when you buy or sell the next time around.  And if you’re still getting over your bad OC real estate experience, try to remember that it can be better – just follow these simple rules!

    1)      Choose an Orange County realtor that is honest and experienced.  Some realtors will simply tell you what you want to hear – and believe me, that will not make your experience a good one.  Your realtor should give you honest feedback, even if it’s tough to hear.

    2)      Make sure your buyer is pre-approved for a mortgage before you accept their bid.  Unfortunately there are times when buyers have not done their due diligence and make an offer on your home without first making sure they can afford it.  This will only frustrate all parties involved, so its better to insist that all buyers be pre-approved before you sign on the dotted line.

    3)      Have realistic expectations.  Sure, maybe a few years ago you could sell your Orange County home for a ridiculous amount of money and within days of listing it on the market, but that’s just not the case these days.  Ask your realtor for an honest forecast.  This way you won’t be disappointed if it takes a time to sell your home.

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    Dodging the Orange County Tax Collector, legally

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    For those of you upset your home prices have declined, we have a little good news for you.  If you purchased a home prior to 2006 during the “hot” OC market, here is your chance to save some extra money. 

    It’s tax time, and your property tax bill is one of many.  Because the market went down, your taxes can go down, too.  To see if you are eligible, do a few simple things: 

    1.  Contact the Orange County tax assessors office at 714.834.5400. 

    2.  Let them know you purchased before 2006, and you are requesting to have your bill reviewed, for this year. REMEMBER, if you want THIS year’s bill reduced you MUST CALL BEFORE APRIL 1st. http://www.oc.ca.gov/assessor/pdf/RequestForInformalAssessmentReview%203-08.pdf

    3.  The assessor will initiate a re-assesment of your property, and hopefully lower your taxes – saving you potentially thousands of dollars!  

    There are some circumstances in which this can not be done, however if you think your taxes on your property are too high, then you are probably right.  Its worth giving it a try – you can comment on how it works out! 

    By going to the following link and filling out the form, you can start working on reducing next year’s bill right now.

  • Orange County Real Estate Tax Benefits

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    Its tax season and that means that if you’re like most people, your getting ready to figure out exactly how much you owe the government or, better yet, how much of a refund you will be getting.  Of course, the more deductions you have, the less taxes you pay.  And the one of the biggest deductions is owning real estate.  Check out this Washington Post article if you don’t believe me.

     

    You always need to check with your tax professional before taking any deductions, but in general, homeowners enjoy the benefit of being able to deduct many home-related costs on their taxes.  For instance, if you own an Orange County home, did you know that all the mortgage interest you pay is deductible?  And for most people who own a home in the Orange County real estate market that equals tens of thousands of dollars each year.  You can also deduct mortgage insurance costs (you know PMI), and property taxes – which in the Orange County real estate market can be thousands of dollars.

     

    All of these deductions together can really cut the amount you pay in taxes each year.  Unfortunately, renters don’t get these privileges and often times don’t benefit form nearly as many tax breaks as homeowners.  So if you don’t own a home, now is a great time to start searching for one.  Check out the Orange County MLS and see what homes are available or shoot me an email at Angie@AskAngie.com.

  • Orange County Real Estate Owned (REO) Homes

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    We all know that the Orange County real estate has seen some troubled days in this past year.  But while the prices of homes have dropped and there are a record number of foreclosures, there actually is a silver lining under all these clouds.  While most Orange County real estate experts talk about the negative affects of this market, few are really highlighting the good points.  In all reality, now is a great time to buy a home – especially if you don’t have one to sell.

     

    And while it’s unfortunate that the number of REO homes or Real Estate Owned properties (foreclosures) is up, those Orange County REO homes are really a great investment.  No matter if you’re a first-time buyer or a real estate investor, foreclosures offer a great chance for you to get the home of your dreams at an unbeatable price.  REO homes are always a good deal because they are owned by the bank, and it’s the bank’s main priority to get rid of this burden.  This means a good or great deal for buyers. 

     

    And especially right now, when banks are having their own financial problems, most are willing to accept any reasonable offer.  So if you’re thinking about buying, you’ll definitely want to look into foreclosures.  You really can get more for your money! If you want to learn more about buying an Orange County REO home, give me call at 949-235-7810 or email me at Angie@AskAngie.com.

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    Orange County Real Estate Market update by Gary Watts

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    Hello Friends!! For all of you who are looking for information regarding the Orange County housing market (like who isn’t?)…here is the Economic Forecast from Gary Watts. Gary is one of the most respected Real Estate forecasters in the nation. His conferences fill up where ever he speaks and his insightful information is beneficial for all types of investors.

    Please enjoy the report.

    Gary Watts 2008 Report

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    Lower Interest Rates Help Orange County Home Buyers and Sellers

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    Anyone buying or selling a home in the Orange County real estate market is probably already aware that the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates – not once, but twice!  This is huge news and is really a great thing for the Southern California real estate market. 

     

    So what does this really mean for you?  Well thankfully it’s news for you.  If you’re a buyer, these new interest rate cuts can help you afford the Orange County home you’ve been dreaming of.  Since lower interest rates translate to lower monthly mortgage payments, you can actually afford more home then you could have just a few weeks ago.

     

    If you’re a seller, the Federal Reserve’s cutting of the interest rate has come at a great time for you.  The spring is normally a busy season for Orange County real estate (even though the market is slow right now, the spring is still busier then other times of the year).  These interest rate cuts will help draw even more buyers into the market – meaning your home will hopefully sell quicker and for more money.

     

    If you’re still on the fence about whether or not now is the best time to buy or sell, talk to your Orange County Realtor and get their expert opinion.  Or shoot me an email at Angie@AskAngie.com.

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