Orange County Real Estate Success

  • , , , , ,

    5 Benefits You Need To Know About VA Loans

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    5 Benefits You Need To Know About VA Loans

    Screen Shot 2019-05-27 at 10.40.49 PM.png

    To All of Our Veterans – Thank You. Happy Memorial day! 

    The VA loan is a mortgage loan that is designed to help eligible veterans finance their home with no down payment – guaranteed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

    5 Benefits You Need To Know About VA Loans

    1. No down payment required!

    The VA loan is a $0 down payment mortgage – available to Veterans, Service Members and certain military spouses. Conventional loans typically require a down payment that can be as high as 20%. While there is no down payment required, there is a VA Funding Fee. The fee is a governmental fee that is applied to every VA loan. This fee can change based on different circumstances and factors.

    2. No Mortgage Insurance! 

    Private Mortgage Insurance is a type of mortgage insurance that is required for borrowers who finance more than 80% of their home’s value. This is a monthly cost (or one-time upfront premium) that is added to a traditional mortgage loan. Because the VA Loans are government backed, Private Mortgage Insurance is not required by the banks! This is a huge savings for homeowners.

    3. Easier to Qualify! 

    These loans are backed by the government so that means banks assume that there is less risk involved. These loans do not have as many qualification standards as traditional home loans. These loans are easier to obtain and allow for more credit and income flexibility.

    4. VA Loan Closing Costs Are Lower!

    Another cost saving perk – the VA limits the closing costs lenders can charge to VA loan applicants. The average closing cost of the loan is between 1% – 3% of the loan amount. The percentage can raise to 3% – 5% if the home is less expensive. Your real estate agent can request the seller to cover some closing costs for you – reducing more costs for you.

    5. The VA Loan Is Reusable! 

    These loans are not just a one-time benefit. If you have earned this benefit, you have it for life! There is no limit on the number of times you may use the loan. The VA loan has accessibility to different property types, you could re-use it to buy a house, condo, new-built home, manufactured home, duplex or other types of properties It can even be used to refinance your existing mortgage.

     

    Supporting our veterans with a lender who cares –

    Derek Beisner

    Have more questions about the VA loan process? Derek will be there to walk you through the process. He provides expert advice while walking you through every step of the process. You will be a client for life with Derek Beisner. 

    Derek is available to text on weekends: 1 (949) 637-9939

  • , , , , ,

    Is Seller Financing Right For You?

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Is Seller Financing Right For You?

    Owner-Financing.png

    Seller financing is an agreement in which the seller handles the mortgage process instead of a financial institution. Seller financing cuts out the middleman and some of the red tape that comes with real estate transactions. The seller is the lender in this type of transaction, this allows the buyer to make payments without the hassle of a loan.

    Seller financing is a better option in a buyers’ market however this benefits both the buyer and the seller of the home. Here is some quick facts about seller financing!

    Pros for the Buyer!

    • Faster Closing Process – skip the bank lines. You won’t have to wait on a loan officer, underwriter or legal department to review and approve the loan application
    • Saves Money – no bank fees or appraisal costs
    • Seller financing lets people who might not be able to secure a mortgage buy a home
    • The down payment is based on an agreement between you and the seller

    Pros for the Seller!

    • Sell quicker – you have the potential and ability to negotiate to sell the property “as is” without making costly repairs
    • Investment!  Earning money from the lending process
    • Retain the title: if the buyer defaults – the seller keeps the down payment and the house – rather than the bank

    Take Aways:

    • Working with a real estate agent in addition to a real estate attorney is necessary. They will write the sales contract and the promissory note
    • Sellers should (and can) run a credit check
    • Buyers should offer a 10% down payment
    • Don’t forget about your credit score – it is still important and considered in the transaction

    Learn more about the seller financing process here:

    https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/seller-financing-home-sales-30164.html

  • , , , , ,

    Spring Cleaning – Orange County Tree Trimming Services

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Spring Cleaning – Orange County Tree Trimming Services

    Screen Shot 2019-04-24 at 9.32.04 PM

    The birds are chirping and days are getting longer – spring has sprung! Whether you’re selling your home soon or just want to spruce it up – we wanted to share with you our favorite tree trimming service here in Orange County! Tree Trimming Team – TTT is fast, professional, and knowledgable.

    Lets Talk Trees

    Properly maintained trees will help you get top dollar for your home, and ‘tree hacking’ by beginners is a real struggle. You don’t want your car squished or someone falling out of the tree on your property. We wanted to provide you with a quick post supporting a small business that will help make your life easier!

    Tree Trimming Team can do regular pruning, trimming, unsightly stump removal, palm tree skimming, and more. Since these jobs are tough and frequently require a team, they can turn good buyers away! If you’re planning to sell for top dollar then it’s important to have top dollar curb-appeal.

    Meet The Experts (for free!)

    Bob is the teams Arborist with 49 years experience! Just priceless if you have a precious tree that you want brought back to life. They offer free consultations so that you can have a true expert come out! The team is bilingual with license, insurance, bonding and workers comp. You can find their raving reviews on Yelp, Instagram & Facebook. They do commercial too.

    Our contact is Amir Sharafi with Tree Trimming Team info@treetrimmingteam.com 949 874-7538 – please let him know that we referred you! You can learn about other spring cleaning professionals in our LeTip group: http://ocletip.com/

  • , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    What the hoo is an ADU?? Maximizing your Southern California Real Estate

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    What the hoo is an ADU?? Maximizing your Southern California Real Estate

    Have you heard of an ADU?

    Accessory Dwelling Units are additional legal units on your property, and they can help you earn BIG bucks. If you’d like to run a duplex or generate additional income without buying an entire new property, then adding an ADU to your lot is a GREAT option. ADU’s can cost anywhere from 20K-200K, which is waaaay cheaper than a ‘unit’ in today’s Southern California real estate market. That said, not everyone has an additional 20-200K laying around to seize this opportunity, so let’s learn how you can use other people’s money to make some of your own!

    Renovation loans are NOT construction loans, so if you have never heard of one… read on. There are multiple options for reno loans, so it’s about finding your best fit. Today we were at Eric C Miller’s Finance of America’s presentation and got some details & highlights for you. Finance of America highlighted how this process benefits you!

    Screen Shot 2019-04-21 at 10.33.00 PM

    Orange County Renovation loan process in a nutshell:

    Pre-qualification –> Offer Accepted –> Disclose –> Underwriting conditional commitment –> Assign Project manager –> Collect credit conditions –> Project Scope & bids –> Appraisal –> Clear to Close –> Sign Docs –> Close –> Begin Renovations

    Fannie Mae Homestyle Renovation Loan

    • Utilizes a construction project inspector sourced by lender
    • No minimum in repairs
    • Inspection prior to draw disbursements, up to 5 draws
    • All repairs and improvements must be attached to property, and supported by appraisal
    • Borrowers have 6 months to complete improvements
    • Repairs must begin within 30 days. (it’s ok if permits are the delay…you can pull permits on a property you don’t yet own)

    They can be FHA or conventional, and they are a fully amortized single close transaction. 98% of the time they appraise on resales, so don’t worry if you’re buying resale.

    FHA 203K – limited

    • nothing structural,
    • limit of 35K,
    • repairs must be completed in 4 months
    • limit of only two payments to each contractor

    Screen Shot 2019-04-21 at 10.27.40 PM

    FHA 203K – standard

    • can tear down the entire property but MUST use the entire foundation
    • utilizes a HUD consultant.
    • 6 months to complete improvements
    • can loan up to FHA limit for the county, high balance eligible
    • owner occupants only
    • Contract lingo: “The borrower has applied for Section 203k financing, and that the contract is contingent upon mortgage approval and the borrowers acceptance of additional required improvements”…this must be in there, but is not necessary in the purchase agreement.

    Things to know & next steps:

    • Choosing the right contractor and renovation team is critical! Always get multiple quotes. If you’re looking for a forward thinking Orange County ADU company, check out RC Smith Design & Build.
    • 30 day escrows won’t fly, renovation loans take 45-60 days.
    • Reno loans are TOUGH. You’ve got to coordinate bids, contractors, and make deadlines. If you’re looking for an ‘easy button’ into homeownership, this may not be it 😉 BUT then again…you could try buying one of these Amazon ADU’s and avoid MOST of the contractor back and forth 🙂
    • ADU regulations are different and ever-changing. Here’s an OC ADU resource to get started. Always check with the city to find out your guidelines before beginning work or submitting offers!

    Did you know most people spend 15K on their home the first year they buy it, and they statistically put it on credit cards? Ouch. Don’t be that guy, there’s a better way! Call or text Angie to start exploring your best ADU options at 949-338-7408 or email Angie@AskAngie.com

  • , , ,

    Congrats! You Made It To Escrow! Now What?

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Congrats! You Made It To Escrow! Now What?

    escrow_hero-11aa60

    Your offer has been accepted – congratulations! You’re ready to settle into your dream home and enjoy a glass of wine. The only thing standing between you and the keys to your new home is escrow, so now what? You’ve probably heard the term escrow (also referred to as closing) thrown around but didn’t quite understand what it meant. Escrow is something most people don’t fully understand until they experience it. In a nutshell, they are your neutral third party assisting to ensure the contract is executed correctly by all sides. 

    The Orange County Escrow Process Made Easy

     
    Escrow protects all parties involved in the real estate transaction (including you)! Escrow is a third party service that holds a valuable asset (in this case – your “earnest” money) until the transaction between the seller and the buyer is complete. Once your offer is accepted, an escrow company is hired to implement the transaction in accordance with the terms of the sales agreement.

    Does A Home Buyer or Seller Choose Escrow?

    Not all Escrow companies are created equal and we always prefer to work with companies we know and trust. That said, it’s our advice to negotiate price over services. If you are a buyer, you may get the seller to accept your offer or your price if you let them choose the escrow company. In most Orange County and SoCal cases, the seller selects the escrow and title companies used for closing.

    What Happens Next? How Do We Close Escrow?

    It’s a series of steps in a specific order of operations. Your escrow, title, and lender will know it all and help guide you through. As your Realtor, it’s our job to make sure they are all doing theirs. Sometimes it feels like a circus and sometimes it feels like a symphony. Rather than writing you a book, here’s a fun graphic thanks to Finance Of America Mortgage to guide you through the main hurdles, contingencies and objections to overcome!

    HomeMadeEasy

    5 Tips To Make Your Escrow Process Run Smoothly

    1. Let Your Lender Lead The Way!

    You’ll need to sign loan disclosures before an appraisal can be ordered, so do everything your lender requests and do it promptly. This is the BEST way to have a smooth escrow.

    2. Complete Documentation

    The purchase agreement must be completed with signatures from all parties. The Escrow officer will send a package of paperwork, make sure to be on the lookout for this paperwork and complete it promptly. Signing documents online will help you stay organized.

    3. Sign On Time

    The purchasing of a home will require a significant amount of paperwork and legal documents. It is important that all of this paperwork is signed and in a timely manner to ensure that the sale may proceed without any delays. The escrow officer will take possession of these documents to ensure that all necessary paperwork has been completed, signed, and filed on time.

    4. Communicate!

    Check your email regularly! Your escrow officer will be reaching out to all parties involved frequently! Your escrow officer might need a signature sent over in a timely manner.

    5. Halt Credit Utilization – You’re In A Financial Fishbowl

    During the closing process, your financial history is being reviewed carefully and frequently. A change in your financial circumstances could implode the escrow process. You have made it this far based on your current financial standing – if changes occur lenders have the right the always make drastic changes.

    Learn about what to avoid when closing on a mortgage here:
    3 Ways To Mess Up Closing

    If you are ready to get your escrow process stated, contact Angie Weeks at 949-338-7408!

  • Using Your Tax Return for Your Home’s Down Payment

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Using Your Tax Return for Your Home’s Down Payment

    tax return

    Tax Season Ending Soon

    It’s almost time for the last tax returns to be sent out and the final time to file if you haven’t already. Every year when this time rolls around people update their cars or go on family vacations, but did you ever think about using your tax return to buy your first home? It’s definitely doable and probably the wisest way to use your return – here’s how.

    Low Down Payments

    loans

    With as little as 3% down the majority of your down payment could be your tax return which leaves you only a little to save throughout the year with the goal in mind of buying your first home around this time of the year. We believe this is an attainable goal for many of our clients and their friends. We know the idea of a down payment seems impossible and really steep when you think about in terms of income and other things needed throughout the year. However, if you plan to put your whole tax return towards it, that limits a lot of the stress and savings throughout the year.

    We work with some awesome mortgage guys that we know could steer you in the right direction of getting approved. Derek Beisner was a great resource for us when looking for current down payment rates in California, and he would be a great resource for you as well. We would love to sit down with you and help you plan out a realistic goal for yourself based on your tax return and the amount your wanting to spend on a home. Contact Angie at 949-338-7408 if this sounds like something you could do!

  • , ,

    How To Buy Property In Iceland

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    How To Buy Property In Iceland

     iceland

    Vacation Homes in Iceland

    As more and more Americans become internationally savvy investors, we love bringing you experts and tips on how to safely buy abroad. Iceland is a gorgeous country and it’s growing quite fast – which means opportunity knocks!

    Iceland’s capital is Reykjavík, so we scoped out a quality agent who has been selling there for more than 5 years – Pall Palsson. When you are considering a purchase as a newbie to a country, you do not want to work with a newbie agent! It’s a really good idea to ask your main Realtor if they are an International Specialist (CIPS) and if so, they can help pair you with a good fit in the country you plan to purchase.

    iceland2.jpg
    RESEARCH is key, and that’s best done with a team. Iceland currently has a stable government, currency, and job market. Iceland is one of the fastest growing real estate markets in the world. Iceland has an even market right now which makes it easier for both buyers and sellers to obtain their goals. It also means their are enough houses on the market if you’re looking for your next big move!

    Here’s an interview with Pall that goes more in depth about the current real estate market in Iceland:

    Other factors to consider are education, cost of living, and climate.

    As far as climate, Iceland tends to have very short summers that are still chilly and usually pretty cloudy. If you’re from California, it would be quite the opposite of the sunny beautiful weather we are used too! Their winters are very long and wet, but if the snow is something you love – it’d be perfect for you! The temperature in Iceland hardly ever drops below 17 degrees which if you’ve ever been to the Midwest where it drops down to a brutal -20 with wind chill often during the winter months then that might not seem so bad. You won’t usually see the temperature rise much higher than 62 degrees in Iceland. The absolute beautiful of this country may sway you to deal with the cold anyways – we’ve truly never seen such beauty.

    The cost of living in Iceland is close to comparable to Southern California right now – expensive. You can get a 2 bedroom 1 bath town home around $350,000 – $400,000. If you’re able to afford that and even spend half of your time in a place with such outstanding sights to see you’d be living your best life.

     

  • , , , ,

    Equity Shares – Buying a Home Despite Student Debt

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Equity Shares – Buying a Home Despite Student Debt

    student

    Student Debt Does Not Have to Prevent You From Owning a Home

    There’s a lot of us out here now that are facing the consequences of hefty student loan debt. Investing in our education can sometimes feel like a losing battle but it is still important to invest in your future. Part of investing in your future is thinking of buying a home so that you aren’t piling on money every month for rent when you could be owning something instead. Many graduates don’t think they can ever own a home while paying on their student debt, but that isnt the case. There are a lot of things that Realtors can help you figure out when you are ready. One of the easiest solutions is for your parents to cosign the loan with you.

    Equity Shares

    If you’re a responsible student or graduate that has a job and wants to buy a home but have a hard time getting approved for a loan due to overwhelming student debt, you can have your parents or someone in your family cosign with you so that you are able to take out the loan. This equity share is just saying they are equally sharing the responsibility with you for your loan. You would make the payments, but their name has to be on the loan insuring lenders that if for some reason you couldn’t pay, your family would have your back in making that payment for you. This helps both of you out because you are building positive debt instead of throwing away money renting something you could own for less. Parents are able to build positive debt for themselves while also helping their children out who are making the payments anyways.

    student 1

    Setting Our Kids Up For Success

    As parents we always want what is best for our children. We are always looking for ways to improve ourselves as parents so that our children grow up into the best versions of themselves. Many of us expect our kids to go off to college after high school and pursue a higher education for their future careers. However, we don’t always think about how much that is going to cost them not only financially, but also in time and future reliabilities. The average student loan debt for a four year degree in 2015 was $30,100 – that’s a lot of money! Knowing that information it makes it easier to understand why younger adults aren’t owning homes because they simply can’t get approved with that kind of debt racked up. This is where parents come in again, wanting what is best for our children and helping out wherever we can. Helping your kid with a down-payment on their first home is an amazing investment! If you aren’t able to help them with their down-payment to get them approved you can cosign a loan with them so that the lender feels more confident and lending them money to purchase their first home. They invested in their education, now it is our chance to invest in them and their future family’s home.

    If this is something you think would work for your family and you want to see what else you can do to get approved or help your child get approved for their home text Angie at 949-338-7408! She plans on getting you in with a down payment source and herself to answer any questions or concerns you may have!

  • , , , , , , , , , , ,

    Ringing in 2019 with Real Estate Goals

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Ringing in 2019 with Real Estate Goals

    Dream Big, Set Goals, Take Action Chalk Drawing

    What will your 2019 look like?

    We have some big goals for 2019 – one of them being helping our clients achieve their real estate new years resolutions! Whether it’s buying internationally or crowdfunding a down payment for an engaged couple, we can help you accomplish them all. Every year our whole team writes down their goals for the new year and we try to help each other accomplish them. This year, we want to do the same with all of our clients. Writing them down and being able to cross them off when they are accomplished really makes you feel good and it will make us feel good to be able to help you do that.

    AskAngie Team’s Goals

    Our team has a few things were really excited for this year! This year we plan to really grow our Vow2Save program. We are looking forward to helping a lot more engaged couples crowdfund a down payment so that they are able to buy a home after their wedding. This has been a goal of ours for a few years, and after a lot of work in 2018 we know it is really going to be taking off this year and we can’t wait to see the things it can do for people! We also plan to travel more this year in order to have the best information in helping our clients buy overseas. Last year we went to Spain and met with Realtors there, but we want to be able to do that in many more countries.

    2019.jpg

    So much more we can do for you!

    If you need help selling or buying a home after a divorce or identifying a good AirBnB investment we can help with that and everything in between. We have various services that we are experienced in. Another goal we know some of our clients have is to stop renting and own their first home and we are so excited to help many people achieve that this year especially with the current rent prices in OC. We can help you figure out what your home is worth and how you can sell it fast and for top dollar! We truly value our time with our clients and being able to help them grow their real estate profile and accomplish their goals. If you have any questions or want to share your goals with us so we are better able to  help you please fill out the form below or contact Angie at 949-338-7408!

    Go back

    Your message has been sent

  • Homeownership Day at Chapman University – have you registered?

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Homeownership Day at Chapman University – have you registered?

    Our annual is Homeownership Day is coming soon!

    This years OC Home Fair at Chapman University (1 University Drive in Orange) is on January 19th from 10 AM – 1 PM and we are so excited to see you there! This year will feature more classes than previous years and so much opportunity to further your knowledge in real estate and investing in your future. We have some amazing speakers planned for you this year!

    nawrb

    NAWRB’s OC Home Fair Class

    Desiree Patno the CEO and President of Women in the Housing and Real Estate EcoSystem (NAWRB)Women in the Housing and Real Estate EcoSystem (NAWRB) will be teaching a class at this years OC Home Fair about “Buying a home under your business umbrella.” Desiree’s knowledge and experience in the real estate business is incredible and being able to hear her speak in such a small setting is a true treat. NAWRB is dedicated to providing women with tools and opportunities for economic expansion and growth, while advocating and promoting women-owned business specializing in the housing economy. Joining NAWRB provides you with many benefits such as: Leadership opportunities, resource and business growth, marketing and exposure, access to executive resources, NAWRB’s business directory, and direct referrals from NAWRB. You can learn even more about the benefits of NAWRB and so much more if you attend this years Homeownership Day and sign up for Desiree’s class.

    neighbor.jpg

    Nonprofit Panel

    This years nonprofit panel consists of NeighborWorksOC and Affordable Housing OC! Together they are teaching class on finding funds to buy your home. They are focusing on making sure you know how to contact local non profits to help with your down payment in order to purchase your own home. This class is gong to be one of the most helpful and most needed of the ones we are offering. If you have been dreaming of purchasing your own home but aren’t sure how you will ever be able to afford the down payment then this class is perfect for you! These non profit organizations have the tools to help you find the right resource for you to use in order to make your dreams come true.

    If you are ready to join us but haven’t registered yet, click here and register! You can find more information on our classes for the 7th annual homeownership day on the website as well. If you have any additional questions Angie can answer them at 949-338-7408.

    We can’t wait to see you there!

  • , , , , , , , ,

    Orange County Area #2 in Global Relocations

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Orange County Area #2 in Global Relocations

    I’ve got to hand it to OCR’s Global Committee, they ALWAYS put on such relevant and informational events. We continually try to support them and keep our CIPS education up to date 🙂 Today was the Global Forum, packed with info on how we can better serve and attract foreign buyers to beautiful Southern California. International buyers are a huge market in SoCal – read on to learn more about taking advantage of this!

    Did you know the Orange County & Los Angeles area is the #2 area of interest for international buyers and global relocations? 

    IMG_6967So how can we help international buyers make the most of their money, so they can close easy and afford to pay more for our properties?! One way is MoneyCorp – a unique banking tool international buyers are using to get better exchange rates and guarantee funds. Contact Andrew Graziani to learn about their no-fee / no hassle transactions. They have very small minimums to exchange, and no caps. Furthermore, they have a deep understanding of how to work with every country’s currency, which is not easy. For example, consider Brazil, one currency that bounces around up to 30% in one month, and has a ton of regulations. If you want to protect your foreign transaction, make sure to work with experts like this! There are a ton of landmines when completing a foreign transaction, as noted from our previous Global Forum.

    National Economic Forecast by Lawrence Yun

    Lawrence Yun is one of the most respected in our industry – as National Association of Realtors’ Chief Economist for the last 10 years… when he speaks.. we listen 🙂 Let’s start with the local picture:

    Is Orange County in a Real Estate Bubble? 

    Of course, the first thing everyone wonders is ‘are we in a bubble?’ One recent thing to note is the housing market has not been increasing as the job market increases, which is a bit of a bummer. Regardless, Mr Yun doesn’t see any kind of extreme correction on the horizon. Home prices are 3.5x higher since 1995. Lawrence, like the other experts at the recent WCR Economic Throwdown, doesn’t believe there is a bubble. SO STOP WORRYING :))

    Seriously, don’t worry, but do always be on the lookout for risks or warning signs of a market shift

    • International trade wars
    • Rising rates and inverted yield curve
    • Shift to snowballing pessimism (perception is reality!)

    We have nothing to fear but fear itself – Franklin Roosevelt

    What about Interest Rates?

    We are on a permanent track to increase rates, so our advice to International buyers is buyer sooner than later, the rates will only rise.

    The Global Real Estate Market

    Exchange rate, political environment, and comparative price appreciation are all factors that affect our foreign buyers. At this point in time, the US currency conversion is high, so we saw less foreign buyers in 2018 than in 2017. That said, we still have PLENTY of international buyers, and that is not expected to change soon, only increase. Foreigners still love to buy in the United States, overall it’s considered it very safe and secure here.

    IMG_6962
    Global Committee chair Spencer Hoo introduces 2018 Global Forum speakers

    As financing, exchange rates, inventory, and immigration laws all improve, we can expect more and more foreign transactions. Currently, here’s the top 5 countries buying US homes:

    1. China
    2. Canada
    3. Mexico
    4. India
    5. United Kingdom

    19% go to Florida, and 14% come here to California!

    More expectations for the US market:

    • Short term uncertainty but long term solid pent-up demand
    • Next 3 years of home sales…..booooorrrrrrring. No real increases or decreases
    • Flat & even real estate market

    If you’d like a consultation to make sure your home is attractive to the foreign buyer pool as our market softens a bit, just give Angie a call, text 949-338-7408, or WeChat.

  • , , , , ,

    Vow2Save – helping newlyweds afford a home!

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Vow2Save – helping newlyweds afford a home!

    Our First Vow2Save Bride!

    angela1
    Our friend, Angela, was our first bride to use Vow2Save for her wedding website and to help her crowdfund a down payment for their future home. She helped us perfect our site and we are so proud to say she has now been preapproved to buy a home with her new husband! We truly believe in our Vow2Save program and know it will help many newlyweds afford their first home and be able to purchase sooner than they thought they would. We took sometime to interview Angela about her Vow2Save experience so we could share more with you all.

    Wedding Website

    When you use Vow2Save you are able to customize your website and make it your own. This allows it to double as your registry site and a wedding website with all the information on your wedding and reception. When asking Angela if making her Vow2Save site (happygrahamily) was easy, she told us there are so many options for customizations and edits, but it is clear you don’t have to use every feature. She says this made it easy and simple. Having a liaison that answers any and all questions she had and that helped her edit her site, was one of the best parts. Her site was up in less than a day but she could make changes as often as she wanted or needed. She plans to have the site up for awhile after the wedding for people to reminisce.

    Screenshot (7)
    Angela’s homepage on her Vow2Save site! Customized exactly to her wants and needs. It’s so easy to make it your own.

     

    Crowdfunding a down payment

    The main purpose behind Vow2Save is for newlyweds to be able to crowdfund their down payment instead of receive wedding gifts. Instead of the typical pizza oven or blender, brides and grooms are able to purchase a home with their wedding gifts. We use PayPal to transfer money from the Vow2Save site into your own bank account. We asked Angela how hard it was for her to get the money from the site to her bank account and she told us it was easier than tying shoes! The hardest part of the whole thing is setting up your PayPal account if you don’t already have one, which is super easy! Within 1-2 days of a donation being made you are able to transfer it from PayPal to your bank account! We also let everyone know of the transfer fee on the Vow2Save donation page so that people can choose to cover that fee on top of their donation so it doesn’t come out of their actual donation amount.

    angela

    PRE-APPROVED TO BUY A HOME!

    Angela and her groom Rick got married on October 13th and are already approved to buy their home thanks to Vow2Save and their family and friends donations! They were able to get preapproved because the bank saw the significant amount of money they had saved in their account for a down payment. Angela says thanks to Vow2Save and their donations they were able to get preapproved and (soon) will be able to purchase a home much quicker than they would have without it. Vow2Save helped her put a big chunk of cash into her bank account to help her with the preapproval process. Most newlyweds aren’t able to purchase a home right away and spend many years throwing away money in rent but because of Vow2Save more couples will be able to skip renting and purchase their home right away to begin their marriage just like Angela and Rick. We can’t wait to share with you when they choose the perfect home for them!

    vow-2-save

    If you are engaged or know someone who is and you want this to be their reality sign up on Vow2Save! You can also fill out the form below for more information or contact Angie at 949-338-7408.

    Go back

    Your message has been sent

  • Thankful for Homeownership

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Thankful for Homeownership

    What are you thankful for this holiday season?

    With Thanksgiving next week and Christmas now right around the corner many of us take time to reflect on the blessings we have in our life and all that we are thankful for. Thursday many of us will spend the day in a cozy home with the smell of pumpkin pie making our tummies growl before we gather around the table with all our loved ones. Being able to have family fill our homes with laughter and love is a huge reason to be thankful for homeownership. This year we are taking time to reflect on reasons we are thankful for homeownership. We took the time to interview some of our clients on the reasons they are thankful for homeownership. Our hope is that one day everyone gets to feel this pride and thankfulness for a home that they own and worked hard for.

    thanksgiving.jpg

    Our thankful clients

    We interviewed a few of our previous clients who purchased their homes with us and asked what homeownership meant to them and why they were thankful for it. For many it is a place to make family memories that will last forever. One client that we’ve helped build investment properties said to her it means being invested in her neighborhood, community, and city. It means caring for something that will in turn take care of her and her family for years to come. She has been able to turn the properties she owns into income for her family through renting and Airbnb. Homeownership can do so much more than provide you with a place to sleep at night. Another client is thankful for homeownership because she is able to build equity and stability for her growing family. We are thankful that we get to work with such amazing people that are enjoying their homes so much.

    Take some time this week to sit down and reflect on all you are thankful for and the blessings you have. We hope that you are surrounded by family and loved ones this holiday season in a home that is all yours is something on your list of blessings. If you know someone deserving of the happiness of homeownership let them know our annual OC Homeownership Day is coming up January 19th. Check out all the details here.

    If you’re interested in finding your forever home to host family gatherings yourself contact Angie at 949-338-7408 so she can make your dreams come true.

  • , , , , , , , , ,

    Crypto, ADU’s, & Homeownership Day 2019 – Register Here!

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Crypto, ADU’s, & Homeownership Day 2019 – Register Here!

    Want to learn more about Real Estate?

    ochomefairOur annual Homeownership Day & OC Home Fair is right around the corner! We are hosting at Chapman University for the 7th year in a row on January 19th, 2019 from 10 AM – 1 PM!

    Orange County Young Professionals Network, Chapman University, Orange County Realtors, and local nonprofits are putting this event together for YOU. Homeownership Day is completely FREE and taught by seasoned professionals who are passionate about helping others to change their lives through homeownership and work towards building their future.

    Biggity BONUS:::::::Each attendee will be entered to win $1000:::::::courtesy of Orange County Realtors.

    Homeownership Day is ‘choose your own adventure style’, where you attend only the sessions you’re interested in. This year offers twelve classes over three sessions – pick from four during each time slot! When you register online at OCHomeFair.com you are able to choose which class you want to be in during each time slot. Some of the highlighted classes this year include:

    • Buying Your First Home
    • Taking Advantage of ADU’s and Granny Flats
    • Preparing for a Market Turn – How to Protect Your Family
    • Investing to be an Automatic Millionaire
    • Buying with Cryptocurrency – What you Need to Know
    • Reverse Mortgages
    • ++++ so many other great learning opportunities that will help you get ahead.  

    Learn Property Down Payment Hacks from the Best

    OC Home Fair headerParticipating Nonprofits include NeighborWorksOC and Affordable Clearinghouse – offering a panel on grants, down-payment programs, and more called ‘Finding Funds to Buy Your Home’. If you are currently renting, these nonprofits are here to help YOU! Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP) will also be hosting a class for veterans to take advantage of their housing benefits. Furthermore, Women in the Housing & Real Estate Ecosystem (NAWRB), will be featuring chairwoman Desiree Patno as a speaker.

    Buying A Home with Bitcoin?

    Featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, & Inc Magazine, cryptocurrency transaction expert Piper Moretti will teach ‘Buying with Cryptocurrency – What You Need to Know’. As crypto becomes the mainstream, it’s important to know what to expect and how to protect yourself from cyber-fraud. 

    Travel much? As the world continues to shrink, Spencer Hoo is a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) active in Orange County Young Professionals Network (OCYPN) and Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA). This year Spencer is teaching our “Safely Buying and Selling International Real Estate” session.

    Tired of Renting?

    Orange County Realtors 2019 President Matt Clements will educate on Hassle Free Homebuying, and past Orange County Young Professionals Network chair Angie Weeks (yours truly!) will teach on David Bach’s book concepts to become “The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner”. This information is absolutely essential to anyone who wants to grow their real estate empire safely.

    OC Home Fair is for Everybody. Homeownership Matters.

    Investing to an Automatic Millionare!Whether you’re trying to buy your first home, or someone who owns multiple homes but is trying to grow your portfolio or buy internationally, our classes have real life applications to help everyone learn how to establish and grow a residual income stream. There is absolutely no pitching, anything to buy, or programs to subscribe to– just solid information presented by experienced industry leaders.

    To join the next generation of real estate, and to educate yourself on all there is to know about safely building wealth with property, and for a complete colloquium list, please register online at OCHomeFair.com or simply fill out the form below:

    Go back

    Your message has been sent

    We’ll see you at Chapman University on January 19th!

    In the meantime, Let’s be InstaFriends! Follow us at @AskAngieTeam & @OCHomeFair

    You can stay in touch with all of your connections you’ll inevitably make at Homeownership Day at these by following these tags on IG & Twitter.

    #OCHomeFair #HomeownershipDay

  • , , ,

    Vow2Save featured in South County Magazine!

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Vow2Save featured in South County Magazine!

    vow-2-save

    Our Vow2Save program launched

    We’ve been working on our Vow2Save program for years now – perfecting and enhancing its qualities. We are very excited that it is now fully functioning and helping newlyweds everywhere. On Vow2Save’s website you can set up your own wedding website with the ability to crowd fund a down payment for your first home together. We know nowadays many couples are living together before marriage or living separate in rented apartments or homes. This means most couples already have kitchen supplies and towels that most couples register for on their wedding registry. Now, instead of getting gifts that you don’t really need or already have you can register for your own home! What better way to start off your marriage than a down payment all ready for you to purchase your own home.

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

    Vow2Save in South County mag!

    We were recently mentioned in South County magazine talking about our program and what all it entails. This is really exciting for us because its one of our first public mentions with our new program! The article in South County Magazine talks about how much debt most Americans are in and how many newlyweds start their marriage off with overwhelming debt due to buying a home. Thanks to Vow2Save they can get into a home without the debt taking over. It mentions how easy it is to set up your own site with templates, infographics and how-to emails. We work with Realtors all over the country so it isn’t secluded to just Orange County! We are so excited to work with newlyweds nationwide.

    We are really excited to help brides to be start their wedding website and registry with Vow2Save – so if you or anyone you know is getting married soon and wanting to buy a home please send them over to us! Email info@vow2save.com or fill out the form below for more information!

    Go back

    Your message has been sent

     

     

  • What’s my Orange County home worth?

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    What’s my Orange County home worth?

    worth

    Ever wonder what your OC home would be worth if you were to sell?

    We can give you that answer! We offer amazingly accurate reports to tell you exactly that – for no charge or obligation! These reports will show you how much your home is currently worth and how much that is an increase from what you bought it for. It will show you more in depth numbers such as the equity you have inquired, your mortgage payment and balance, and changes to homes in your neighborhood.

    Screenshot (2)
    An example of our reports emailed right to you!

    Something most people love about these reports is the ability to see where your home is ranking among other homes in the neighborhood. Everyone loves a little healthy competition, and with these reports you can see if your home is above or below the average sale of homes in your neighborhood. The picture below is an example of this.
    Screenshot (4)

    Our goals

    We want you to inquire about these reports because we want everyone to be educated about their home and their options. It’s important to always be ‘in the know’, so you are ready for every market twist or turn. Our goal is to always inform clients and readers about real estate. Subscribing to our blog also includes regular information from reports on housing and real estate in Orange County.

    Go back

    Your message has been sent

  • , , ,

    Real Estate and your Divorce in OC – Protect Yourself!

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Real Estate and your Divorce in OC – Protect Yourself!

    torn piece of paper with divorce text and paper couple figures

    A Divorce team on YOUR side

    Going through a divorce is a stressful life event that unfortunately happens to about 72% of us here in Orange County, which is 22% over the national average. It is much more common than we think, and we are never prepared for it because we think we will be together forever. You probably know someone going through one right now. We hope it never happens to you or anyone else we know and love, but if it does we want you to know what you can do to make it easier. Divorce can also be one of the most lonely times for people, losing your best friend that you were going to spend the rest of your life with is far from easy. In order to make the process a little more easy, you need to find yourself a support system and a team that can help you through all of the legal parts that come with.

    Who should be on your team?

    Divorce Attorney
    lawyer_elisabeth_donovan_4498208_1522963796The last thing you want to think about our deal with during a divorce is what legal matters need to be settled. Having a good divorce attorney in your corner is key to helping it be an easy transition. If you don’t feel like doing research on divorce attorney’s don’t worry, we know the best one. Elisabeth Donovan is a member of our LeTip group that we see every week and we think she would be a great asset to your team. She is a certified divorce financial analyst and divorce attorney so she is at a higher level than other attorneys. She is experienced in separation and divorce, child custody and child support. She is passionate and aggressive, we’d want her on our team if we were in the same situation.

    Lender
    derekWhen going through a divorce homeownership and our credit can take a hit. You want a good lender on your side who will make sure you are able to purchase a home again.  Derek Beisner is always one of your favorite lenders who also has his divorce designation. When one spouse says; ‘I’ll just keep the house,’ Derek makes sure not only they can afford it, but the spouse leaving can also afford to go off on their own and obtain financing. This is a critical step most divorcing couples forget to handle in mediation, and it usually ends up in one party being forced to sell or foreclose within 6 months to 1 year. We won’t let this happen to you.

    Title
    teamlanggleSometimes debt gets so high in a separated household that second loans and Home Equity Lines of credit get taken out. Are you aware of everything that owed on your home, and every debt that’s connected to each of you? We have Mike with Team Langgle at your service to do a deep title search on all your assets, AND each party’s social security number, so nothing pesky pops up later. It’s important to know these things when you are dividing your assets equally!

    Realtor
    Angie Weeks Newport Beach Real EstateYou know us and we weren’t going to leave your real estate agent off of your team. Having your trusted agent in your pocket during this time is so important. Whether you need to work with them to help you both sell your current home or you just need help finding your new home for your new chapter – having a real estate agent you trust and enjoy working with is key. We at the AskAngie team have the heart to help people going through a divorce. We’re not just trying to just sell your home we’re going to research and protect you to ensure you have a right size residence. Yes, sometimes that means sales, but frequently we just help put your ducks in order FOR FREE with no obligations. We work in conjunction with attorneys like Elisabeth to make sure every property concern is covered.

    Insurance
    Did you know insurance usually goes up on a property after a divorce? Or even worse, some properties are uninsurable due to new guidelines? Charley Hulsey with Pacific Partners Ins Agency can check your home(s) to make sure prices aren’t going up and you don’t get stuck in a pickle later with any insurance issues. If you’ve had too many claims recently, you could be in this boat. Be careful and let us confirm every single one of your bases is covered.

    Credit Repair
    Divorce can ruin one or both parties credit, and you’re going to NEED good credit to start your next chapter right! Sean Bruce with Executive Fix has flexible 3-18 month programs to help you boost your score back up and bounce back better than ever. Little things can make a big difference with your credit, and you have lots of big things to focus on. Sean cleans up your credit while you’re putting the other pieces back together.

    Tax Advice
    You may be moving to a new tax bracket or selling your home and paying Capital Gains. Irene Mack, CPA knows everything about the new tax laws and can help you understand what your new tax obligations will be. If you have back taxes owed, she can also assist to set you up with a payment plan. Having any outstanding tax obligations during the years that you were married can fall upon you both for years to come, and Irene can help you resolve that so you don’t have lingering issues.

    Trust Advice
    Are you breaking up or changing a trust? Rebecca Rainwater of Rainwater Family Mediation, LLC, is an experienced mediator and attorney who can assist you in preparing a trust to protect your assets and properties. She offers a personalized approach to each case and will work with you to create a plan that meets your unique needs.

    Financial Advice
    Need to change up your investments? Update your beneficiaries? Have fresh eyes take a look to make sure you are making the most out of what you’ve saved? Barbara Loos has been with Prudential for years and will take a look at your current investments with no obligations and let you know if she thinks you’re in a good place or she sees opportunity for bigger gains. Don’t lose sight of your long term plans during this difficult time.

    Mobile Notary
    With all the documents flying you’re probably going to need a notary, a few times. Nicki Walsh is so kind, caring, and compassionate, you’ll want her to help you with all your paperwork signings. She can come to you or meet you at the place of your choice.

    Fix up crew
    If you’re selling, renting, or even keeping your home but find out repairs are needed, we’ve got everyone you need to help you from Ken with Beacon Carpet & grout cleaning, to John with Reddel Draperies. Or maybe you don’t need anything ‘fixed’, but you can’t stand looking at the exact same house. Gina Lauren can come help you transform your space with her interior design expertise.

    Clutter crew
    Oh, and we also have the fasttrack number to Salvation Army. Most people call and it’s 2 weeks out and a 4 hour window…not us. We call and set an appointment TIME where they come and pick up EVERYTHING regardless of condition. It’s all part of our RCS-D designation relationships to bring you one less worry.

    Emotional support
    Obviously this is such a hard time with so much change. We’ve got you covered on that end too, with referrals for many therapists, help groups, churches, & holistic help practitioners to keep you operating at your best mentally. The more people you can have on your team to share the heavy load during this time will make your life easier and less stressful. Go ahead, lean on us!

    Next Steps

    Together with your team you will be able to mastermind the next steps of your life and where the new chapter will begin. Your divorce attorney will make sure you get everything you want and need throughout the divorce process. Then your lender and the rest of the team will make sure your credit, savings, and mindset stays strong so that you are able to buy again sooner than later. Lastly, your Realtor will help you find the perfect new pad for your next chapter, and you’ll be well on your way to your best life!

    If you need more recommendations/advice or are currently going through a divorce and need our team to be your support system contact Angie at 949-338-7408.

  • , , , , , , ,

    ADUs making you profit in OC

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    ADUs making you profit in OC

    Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

    Anyone else notice how California keeps getting more crowded and more expensive? It is just too beautiful to leave so ADUs are great ways for adding much needed space here. They can be known as in-law suites, secondary units, guest house and more. These are more affordable for California residents because they don’t require purchasing more land or structured parking. Adding a living space above your garage, a basement apartment, or a tiny home in the backyard are great ways to add extra living space to your home. They also have the opportunity for homeowners to make a profit by adding space. Legally adding these spaces onto your home makes it the same property as the main house. They can not be bought or sold separately. The placement of the ADU may be based on criteria such as adequacy of water and sewer services and the impact of traffic flow and public safety. Some of the restrictions that may come up are parking, height, setback, lot coverage, landscape, and maximum size of that unit. Also if any of the homes are listed in the California Register of Historic Places that can change what you are allowed to do when it comes to adding and ADU.

    adu

    How to make a profit with your ADU

    Did you know the average rent in Orange County is currently $2,500 a month? What would having that amount of money extra in your pocket do for your budget? New law changes as of January 1st, 2018 allowed for home owners to turn their single family residence into a duplex or multi family home in order to rent out one half to make a profit and provide more housing for California residents. The unit can only be rented, and not sold. This is such a great way for homeowners to make some money. Adding on to your home or remodeling to make a separate living space may sound like a hefty project with time and money, but with the rent prices increasing in OC all the time, we think it would be very worth it.

    Real Life Scenarios

    We spoke to a San Juan Capistrano retiree who decided to do just this in order to make some extra money while being retired. She bought a pre-fabbed ADU for around $60,000 and is renting it for around $2,500 a month. By doing this it will be paid off in around 3 years so she will be pocketing all of that rent money every month. What a perfect way for a retired person to make some extra vacation money or start saving for grandkids to go to college!
    accessory-dwelling-unit-garage

    If you want more information on how you can add an ADU to your property and what you could rent it for, fill out the form below.

    Go back

    Your message has been sent

  • , , , ,

    Owning vs Renting in OC

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Owning vs Renting in OC

    Buy-versus-rent-a-home-keyimage.jpg

    Are you struggling with the increase in rent here in OC?

    Most people are having a hard time staying in one place with the increase in rent for current residents every year. The Orange County Register posted that Orange County rent is up $73 a month or 3.8 percent year over year in May of 2018. There is no rent control to help current residents stay closer to their going rate after living there year after year. We have been renters before and understand the struggle of paying so much every month for something that isn’t actually yours. In reality you could be paying around the same amount every month to own a home. Believe us, it feels a lot better to make that payment every month knowing that you own your home. It doesn’t look like the price of rent is going to decrease anytime here in Orange County so now is the time to get yourself your own home.

    Benefits of Homeownership

    There are so many more benefits to homeownership other than just having something of your own. Most people don’t realize how affordable owning a home really is, down payment options are as low as 3.5% currently. We often think about how expensive it is to own our home, but do we ever consider how expensive it is not too? Throwing all that money away on rent every month adds up to such a high price on something you don’t even get to keep. While owning a home you are building equity which helps you have a better plan for your future. You also save on your taxes if you’re a homeowner so really, owning a home makes you some money every year in equity and tax savings. You are no longer tied to a landlord who can raise your rent or change things on you at the end of any lease and your family has a stable home to live and grow in. However, we think the best part of homeownership is the pride you feel knowing you worked hard for something that is all your own.

    owner

    Rent vs Own Analysis

    To help you more visualize why owning is more beneficial than renting we created a rent vs owning analysis based on a rent of $2500 a month or buying our current home on the market 16555 Sell Circle . Let’s say you had a down payment of around $10,000 and got a loan for $515,000 for the rest of the payment, with a 4.875 interest rate. You pay HOA fees of $360 a month, but you also get a tax benefit from owning a home. This is the amount you’d be SAVING to own instead of renting! Many people think they can’t afford their own home, but they definitely can! We would love to help you put together one of these for your own situation to help you see the difference in your life if you were to buy a home!

    image001
    If you are interested in seeing your rent vs own analysis or if you’re ready to find your home contact Angie at 949-338-7408!

  • , , , ,

    Tis’ the Season – it’s now an even Market in Orange County

    Published by

    angieweeks

    on

    Tis’ the Season – it’s now an even Market in Orange County

    Finally a NORMAL market in OC

    If you are have been considering buying, but were reluctant due to the market – the times have changed! For the first time in 7+ years, our market in Orange County is even. This makes it a great time to consider buying, especially because we never know how long it will last. For quite a while it has been a sellers market due to low inventory of houses. This left buyers frustrated due to not being able to find the home they had been dreaming of. Many people were putting multiple offers in on whatever homes were available even if it wasn’t their dream place, just to be turned down because of all the competition in the market. This Spring it quickly started to become a more balanced market where both sellers and buyers had the opportunity to be successful. The active inventory has more than double this year, which is the fastest the market has changed since 2008. This does not necessarily mean it is favoring buyers more than sellers now, but is much more favorable towards buyers than it had previously been which is a huge plus for Orange County and clients who have been wanting to buy for awhile.

    fullsizeoutput_10a7
    Until this Spring, houses were flying off the market at higher than normal prices due to demand, now this is what is sitting on the market due to the change in demand.

    Luxury homes are still in demand

    Even though it is a much more balanced market at the moment, luxury homes are still being sought out for and there isn’t enough inventory for those luxury buyers. Anything over $1.25 million is needed in the market. Every year luxury demand goes down a little more. So all our luxury owners who are reading this – its your time to make the most money for your home, and possibly upgrade to something even more luxurious 😉
    fullsizeoutput_109d

    Importance of listening to your Realtor

    You all know that we are always advising to find a good real estate agent and sticking with them and their advice, this has not changed. We think it is so important for both buyers and sellers to be properly represented in order to give them the most smooth home purchasing or selling experience. In a balanced market it is almost more important to really listen to your Realtor. We have become so accustomed to the market we have been stuck in that people have a hard to adjusting back to a normal market. In a more balanced market there is no room for error, which is when a Realtor really comes in handy. In a sellers market it is easier to stretch the price because buyers are desperate, but in an even market overpricing leads to failure. It is important to have a Realtor help you decide on upgrades and pricing. Careful and well thought pricing is crucial for the remainder of the year now that it is no longer a sellers market.

    middle

    If you would like to subscribe to regular market reports, email us at successinweeks@gmail.com. If you are interested in selling or buying a home in the new balanced market, contact Angie at 949-338-7408 so she can help you with all your real estate needs.

Let’s connect

Join the fun!

Stay updated with our latest blogs by joining our newsletter.

Recent posts