Unison shares the down payment cost with you, lowering your upfront costs, reducing your overall mortgage loan, while also lowering your monthly payments. The money is given to homebuyers in the form of an investment, its NOT a loan! That’s right – that means you have no monthly obligations to Unison – interest free! Imagine walking into your dream home and having confidence that you can afford it. First Time Buyer help
The 2023 CA Housing Market Forecast: What You Need to Know
The California housing market is always changing, and it’s important to stay ahead of the trends if you want to be successful on your real estate journey. That’s why we were so excited to have Jordan Levine, Chief Economist at C.A.R., give a can’t-miss forecast of the housing market for 2023 at the ReImagine conference last week.
This valuable data will provide insight into today’s pressing housing issues that may impact your equity and your largest investment in the future. It’s essential information for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve in California real estate!
Forecast: Chance of Rain in seller’s paradise
Our economy is getting hit with a lot right now, so it’s important to keep an eye out for the clouds! We just finished years of sunny skies in terms of equity and appreciation, but the buyers running after starved inventory have been a bit burnt out.. and now loan rates have hit them with a huge gust of wind on top of it.
Low low interest rates the last 10 years had allowed buyers to continually increase purchase prices, and still have an affordable payment. It looks like that trend is now dissolving, which brings cloudy skies to our CA real estate market.
If you’re looking at the big picture, our 2022 Jan-June market was white hot, and 2021 had the highest volume of California home sales in an entire decade, over 450,000 homes were sold. 3 out of 4 homes sold over the asking price in 2021. The average days on the market was 7, when it’s historically 30-90 days. This type of supply & demand is not healthy, and it had to ‘simmer down’ eventually. Welp… here we are. We are catching our breath; including agents and lenders who have been pelted the last 2 years.
What Does This Mean for CA Buyers and Sellers?
If sellers are confused why buyers are now offering less than the asking price, the interest rate boost adds an additional $1600-1700 per month for the EXACT SAME HOME.
If buyers can’t qualify for the same amount as they could previously, that will affect our property prices. We are now at less than 20% of individuals in California who can afford a home. It’s not as bad as we have been, but it would still be nice if more people had homeownership as an option.
Warning: Rate pressure is building. Mortgage Rates might get worse.
Because rates may go even higher, its critical to price your homes right and maintain realistic expectations. Because every local market is different, what you see on national news is not necessary YOUR reality. And what you see in the newspapers… remember gloom & doom headlines sell, and the news needs subscriptions. Don’t get caught thinking Southern California prices are on a cliff, when we are just panting on the side of the road from exhaustion. Properly priced homes will always sell.
Fact: The sky is not falling
It’s not projected we are heading into a foreclosure market. Homeowners still have over 122K average in wealth, and renters are no better than they were 40 years ago, with a 6K average net worth. The total net worth of consumers is down right now, so we should expect some pushback. Now is NOT the market for Brother in law effect…’my BIL said xyz’. Now is the market to look to the true professionals and experts to guide you. The news outlets are also not experts. Active real estate agents and mortgage lenders are.
Forecast: What does the future for Orange County real estate look like?
Historically, our new rates are still low, and we should be looking at them as the new normal. According to multiple experts, we shouldn’t expect rates to go back down again in the near future. It’s still a great time to buy a home if you’re renting, and the renters were some of the most ignored in our previous market, so you will see them come back into the fray. Buyers who were at the cusp of affordability may unfortunately be priced out of the market, or they will be offering lower than asking price because they are literally chasing the property that was affordable with 6 month ago rates.
Sellers who listed 30-100K over the previous summer comps will likely have to reduce price or face their listing expiring. It’s a good idea to research sales in the community (comps) the last 90 days, and see what the median comp range is. Listing at the top of your comp range with the current market temperature could cause the home to sit frozen on the market. Not to worry though, properly priced homes in Southern California will always sell. Make sure you work with a seasoned professional and list at the right price from day 1, or you could suffer. Discount and ibuying brokerages don’t do well in this type of market – beware!
Many investors, seeing the writing on the wall with interest rates, are putting 1031 exchanges in motion, and adjusting portfolios accordingly. Some are tiring of strict Los Angeles rent control and housing regulations, and are opting to relocate investments to neighboring counties or even other states that don’t impress as many regulations or red tape.
If you’re curious about the range of your home’s worth, including short term and long term rental rate averages, click here: https://hmbt.co/TTNcDG – If you would like to receive monthly Orange County and Los Angeles real estate reports simply sign in to the link above for a free account – it’s that easy! Angie is only a call or text away if you would like a full broker price opinion on your home or investment property 949-338-7408.
Financing Vacation Rentals Made Easy
Are you ready to take your next step towards your goal of Financing Vacation Rentals, but don’t know how? If yes, and you’re looking for answers, then this blog is for you.
Short Term Rentals and Airbnb have become widespread and profitable businesses in recent years. One of the best ways to get your vacation rental business going is to surround yourself with the proper team. A vacation rental team gives you structure, direction, and freedom. A big part of your acquisition team will be the lender. Financing your vacation rentals, over just paying cash, allows you to leverage and frequently purchase more properties. But what happens when you have ‘too many mortgages’, and your loan application gets denied?
Have you been turned down by a traditional mortgage lender?
If so, Host Financial Services most of the US, and can help you qualify for a loan based on rental income.
Why should you consider Asset-Based (DSCR) Lending?
An asset-based loan also known as a DSCR loan (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) qualifies as a loan based on the property’s income rather than your own. Essentially, the property’s income should be equal to or greater than the cost of ownership (monthly principal, interest, taxes, and insurance payments).
Host Financial is an asset-based lender. Unlike a traditional lender, Host Financial makes use of the income of the asset. They also do not look at DTI, tax returns, job status, or W2s to underwrite the loan. Rather, they consider the property’s actual or projected short-term rental income, credit score, appraised value, and liquidity.
Here are some important points to know about Host Financial:
- Help rental owners make wiser decisions and do AirDNA reports right off the bat.
- They work mostly with Limited Liability Companies (LLC), so working with partners and multiple people on a deal is not an issue.
- Every asset-based loan through Host Financial requires a personal guarantor.
- One of the benefits of working with Host Financial is the ability to use the highest credit score when working with multiple borrowers or team investors.
- Turnaround time for pre-approval is the same day or next. That great deal that you find online today can be approved tomorrow.
- Underwriting approval has a typical turnaround of only 2 days.
- Still expect to do an appraisal on your asset based financing, appraisals cannot be waived.
- Contingencies can be removed within 21 days in most cases.
One thing to be aware of when writing your purchase contracts is that asset-based financing doesn’t close in 30 days. Although there is less paperwork, the typical turnaround time for this loan type is 30 to 45 days.
Qualifying for an Asset Based Loan
Our team is committed to help investors connect with the best short-term rental lenders in the business, and help make finding and financing your vacation rentals easy. The goal is to help you systemize property searches, acquisition financing, and your short term rental tasks once you acquire the investment. A strong network of nationwide lenders will make your transaction easy and efficient. Consider aligning with Host Financial and the AskAngie team to serve as your one-stop-shop for your vacation rental needs!
To see if you can qualify for that new vacation property today hop into Host Financial and click STR Revenue Calculator to confirm your ideal numbers before getting a quote to finance your next vacation rental.
Keep us posted if you’d like to write any offers in the state of California – we can help with a same-day turnaround. Just text Angie at 949-338-7408 and you’ll be on your way to owning your next investment property.
Creative, Affordable, Durable, Sustainable, & Adorable ADUs in California
Cal Earth inspirational workshops and hands-on classes offer a new way to build real estate
Today we took a field trip to the Cal Earth build & test site in Hesperia. This educational builder camp sits in Hesperia, CA because it has extreme heat, freezing cold temps, and is on a fault line. Additionally, Hesperia experiences flash flooding & washes, so it makes for a perfect test ground.
Superadobe buildings are Seismic & earthquake proof, fireproof, flood, & wind proof. They can handle snow loads and pressure. They don’t need rebar or concrete to build. They look super creative & flowy, but they are actually extremely structurally sound.
Many of the test structures at the Hesperia Cal Earth site are not maintained on purpose to see how they stand the test of time. This school has truly been built out by its students, and the first structure built in 1990’s is still standing today. It was such a fascinating experience!
Meet the Superadobe
If needed for refuge or quick builds, these structures can pop up camp in just a couple days. ‘Water village’, pictured here with Cal Earth volunteers Giovanni & Marco, is an on-site example of a cluster of single room homes, built to serve as a replica of what an actual refugee community might look like. Although designed to be temporary housing, this little village has been standing for the last 20 years.
Since superadobes are so durable, they can also stand the test of time for single family builds. Don’t feel like buying a ‘cookie cutter’ tract home? Cal Earth Institute offers preapproved plans – if you sign up for one of their workshops you’ll get a copy 😉 Of course, this is a part of the reason why we went. What’s a workshop without implementation?
We’d love to hear in the comments if you know anyone who has built a superadobe, or if you plan to build one yourself.
What Makes an Adobe Home a Superadobe?
Nader Khalili is the inventor & architect from Iran, who used to build skyscrapers for a living in Los Angeles, but he wasn’t fulfilled. He discovered Rumi, & changed his direction into sustainable building.
Not long after, Nader invented the ‘superabdobe’; which is a permanent Adobe structure. Rather than a traditional Adobe that cannot withstand a natural disaster, Superadobes are much more durable. Nader has since moved on from this realm, but his vision lives on through Cal Earth Institute.
Khalili loved biomimicry, mimicking designs and structures from nature. His designs include the ‘Seashell dome’; ‘Reptile walls’; and the ‘Koala pouch’. Not everything was biomimicry, however. The dome-obsessed architect also incorporated roofless domes for high heat; apses, and pottery domes.
Supply List to Build a Superadobe ADU
I loved how easy the supply list was. These were things that even I could carry, and didn’t need a huge truck to transport.
- 4 pt double pronged galvanized barbed wire; 12-14 gague thickness.
- 14 inch diameter bags to make 12 inch walls, just FYI you lose some width when you fill the bag with earth.
- Need coffee cans, or gallon buckets, depending on width of bags.
- Shovels,
- Tamper,
- Wheelbarrow,
- Scissors or knife
- A cement mixer or electric mixer makes things go way quicker.
- Level
- Wire cutters
- Water source
Want the FULL supply list? That’s still super short? Just TEXT “Cal Earth Supply List” to Angie at 949-338-7408.
Another thing that’s really neat is you don’t have to build a shelter at all with the earthbags from Cal Earth. You can build benches, stairs, planters, pools, fountains, fences…an Amphitheater for your Hipcamp…or whatever flowy and functional structure your mind conjures up 🙂
Pictured right is Daniel & our new Cal Earth workshop friends practicing with with the tamper. I can just see his wheels turning about what the next Flower Den Superadobe Retreat will look like – stay tuned, LOL!
Tips For Building a Superadobe Structure
A fun fact about superadobes is the heat transfer from outside is only at about one inch per hour. It won’t get too hot or too cold over the 12 hour daylight or nighttime hours. Not only do adobe’s prevent heat, they absorbs it, so that warmth slowly transfers inside to keep you comfortable at night.
Our first tips are about measuring and prepping properly for your fill:
- When laying barbed wire, measure from the center of your bag, and add 2 extra feet.
- When measuring for bag, walk the perimeter of the circle, and add 3 feet before cutting.
- Fold long bags in half & mark the middle. ‘Cuff’ the ends so plastic doesn’t fly all over.
- Partially flip bags inside out from each side, this makes them easier to fill. Be mindful to ONLY fill one side at a time.
More Pointers for a Proper Adobe Build
Since your main ingredient is earth from the land you’re standing on, you’ll want to ensure you’ve got the right mix. As you’ll be investing a lot of sweat equity, make sure to do a soil test before building to know how far you’ll need to go down in the earth to get past the living matter. It was stressed multiple times, make sure no living matter or roots are in your mix. Rocks bigger than your palm need to go too. If you can close your hand around it, then it’s fine, but larger than that should be tossed from the mix. Don’t worry though, it’s very forgiving to make the mix – there are adobe and superadobe structures across the world, & in all different types of terrain.
The tips kept flying fast at our one day workshop; I caught as many as possible. Figure they are best served here as bullet points:
- Keep everything dry & well ventilated if you are building in a wet area.
- Thickness of the wall depends on diameter of the build.
- Stabilize to resist erosion in flood zones, plan French drains & diversion. Your french drains can even be designed to water the landscape 😉
- Plan where the furniture will go before you start to build because a lot of it is built in; remember most furniture is square.. and there will be limited to zero squared angles in an adobe build.
- In case you’re only reading the bullets here, reminder to never use the top 1 ft of soil. Dig deeper to get to the inert materials like the sand, gravel, clay & silt.
- Orient windows south. Create & plan ‘Wind scoops’ facing the main direction of breeze in summer.
- PVC pipes, ceramic tubes, or even recycled bottles can be used for windows. Check out the custom ceramic windows pictured here.
- If doing radiant heat in floors, insulate under first!
- Utilize rocket stoves for simple heat sources.
- By the time you build up, its already compacted.
- Plaster right away, but don’t lay it in too thick, or else it may crack.
- Mesh or chicken wire is recommended to prevent cracking.
- Waterproof paint in wet areas.
- Note that limewash interior is anti fungal.
- If the bag needs to move, lift & pull. Don’t push.
Super Adobe Construction Made Simple
In essence, 4 main ingredients can build a pretty badass house. Sandbags, barbed wire, earth, & stabilizer. So easy. Sandbags can be made from polypropylene, hemp, or jute fiber. You can use long bags designed for adobes, or, just normal sandbags might work best if you’re doing the build with only a couple people. Stabilizer is added in the bag, like lime or plaster. From there, you’ll just cover the bags from UV rays and the elements while you build with a tarp, and you’ll be good. Note that jute might mold or rot, so it’s not recommended to build with it in winter. Supposedly jute is better for short term structures. The barbed wire acts as a velcro or glue between layers of bag and prevents the building from laterally sliding.
It seemed like the toughest part of the day was ‘completing the circle’ – which was the act of finishing each circular level on the stem wall. (That’s the straight vertical wall) It wasn’t difficult so to speak, just a process of folding both ends away from you, after propping the bag up with your feet (known laughingly as ‘bag wrangling’). Once the ends are properly sealed, you meet them up while keeping a tamp as a buttress at the seam. Then tamp the edge a bit so water goes out not in, with a slight angle to the outside. You can literally hear when the earthbags are tamped to correct compaction, the sound is louder and almost echos.
Additional important building techniques include a spring line for keeping the dome structure and trajectory of the dome even, and a compass to guide with proper perimeter and height. All these things were hand created with various tools and scraps we had on site!
Some Challenges Surrounding Superadobe Plans & Builds
No good thing comes without hurdles. In our current days of ‘buying a template ADU off Amazon’, the custom adobe build can face opposition.
Because the design elements with Superadobes are endless, it causes city officials to scratch their heads a bit. Designing these structures to easily follow the contour in the land and mold to the topography makes each one super cool, and super unique.
Let’s be honest….building officials are used to templates and squared angles. They don’t always understand domes, arches, and curves; and they aren’t extensively educated about them in the field. Confusion and inspectors don’t mix, so this means they can tend to deny the plans for your dream adobe without the proper education.
There was a point in time when Cal Earth had pre-permitted build plans, but alas, codes are everchanging… and they need to update permits. Feel free to donate time or funds to help Cal Earth get to the point of offering preapproved plans again.
Our Action Items to Support Superadobes
Locally here in CA, I’m going to see if we can get the City of Santa Ana to approve something. As Orange County’s epicenter, Santa Ana already has a ton of ADUs. Plus, many of the lots are flat with ample space for an additional small structure. And… my partner in life, Daniel, plans to talk to the building department in Sedona, AZ. We know Taos, NM is friendly to superadobes and green buildings; and would love it if you comment other adobe friendly build areas for the fellow nomads reading this blog 😉
In the meantime, one potential workaround with your city or HOA, depending on which one you’re in, is the umbrella of California’s statewide ADU law passed in 2020, SB 13.
How to Spread the Word about Superadobes and Get Involved
Of course, social media awareness always helps! You can follow & support Cal-Earth’s initiatives on Insta or Facebook. It also helps if you sign up for one of their affordable and educational hands on adobe building workshops.
If you’re inspired or thinking of building an ADU in Orange County, reach out, I’d love to come do a video tour whether you’re in progress, or have the finished adobe complete. Thought we could wrap this post up with one of Cal Earth’s favorite quotes from, you guessed, it, Rumi:
You’re Invited to Homeownership Day 2022 – Achieving Through Real Estate
January is always an ideal time to circle back to our roots, to review our long term goals, and realign with our True North. It’s a fresh new year, and anything is possible. Many people are taking a look at what needs to change, and if 2021 is any indication, we are still switching up the way we live and work in light of all that’s happened the last couple years.
As we saw people quit their jobs and aspire for extraordinary things in the year of ‘The Great Resignation‘, we also saw a huge shift in housing needs and requirements. People ‘quit’ apartments & condos, and opted for single family homes with yards. Families upgraded living space, as employment and schools had extended virtual runs. Change is still happening everywhere, and home is at the center of it all.
With so many people wanting a new environment at the same time, the demand for housing across the country reached record heights and the bidding wars began.
This is just one of the many reasons we offer Homeownership Day on a yearly basis; things always seem to be moving fast when it comes to housing, and it’s important to stay on top of the current trends to be most successful with your real estate.
Achieving Through Real Estate
The 2022 theme for Homeownership Day is ‘Achieving Through Real Estate’, and all are invited to this free virtual event on January 29th from 10am-1pm PST. Homeownership Day is designed to be inclusive for all humans – from renters curious if they can purchase property all the way through investors looking to sharpen skills and knowledge. Our program changes up each year so you aren’t hearing the same information, or outdated perspectives.
The program is brought to you in bite-sized 30 minute educational sessions, so you can get a variety of information on today’s important real estate topics. We know you’re busy, and this event is designed to bring about awareness and build relationships with the right community to accomplish your property goals.
Challenges in the recent market have been lack of inventory, bidding wars, discrimination, sharp price increases, loan / appraisal turnaround time, and more. Sessions for this year have been based around these challenges, and offer help to overcome today’s specific real estate market hurdles.
For this year’s specific sessions and offerings, click here:
https://homeownershipday.com/sessions/
If you’re looking to achieve great things with real estate, please join us and register:
Homeownership Day Online Event
January 29th, 2022
10am – 1pm PST
https://homeownershipday.com/sign-up/
Expect to be inspired with some innovative ideas and fresh perspectives. This is not your average real estate event.
In case you’re wondering, Homeownership Day will never try to pressure you into buying or selling real estate. The speakers have all agreed not to ‘pitch’; only to educate. This event is a public service that is put on through multiple outlets, so you’re never getting pigeon holed into the opinions of one particular corporation or company. Our speakers are industry experts, all hand selected with care, and our goal is YOUR success.
This year’s main sponsors are NAWRB & Vow2Save – both entities creatively serving the real estate ecosystem.
It’s my personal opinion that when we are all successful with real estate, we can focus on what is most important in life – the people and the places we love. If there’s a topic you would like to see covered at a future Homeownership Day event, please comment below so we can help you on your journey.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Buying Property for Airbnb
A great advantage to owning real estate is having the luxury to rent out your property. Whether it is a short term or long term rental, investment properties can provide you with consistent monthly income. You don’t have to be in real estate to take advantage of investment properties, you just need to own one or two properties.
Key Features to Look for When Searching for an Airbnb Investment Property
- Location, Location! Look for an area that is walking distance to tourist attractions (restaurants, bars, shopping, the beach, etc). You will attract more potential renters by highlighting that the property is close to the attractions they might be visiting. If it is not within a walkable distance, is there easy access to safe transportation? Airport, Uber, train stations? Also ensure location is in a safe community where short-term rentals are allowed and welcomed.
- Look for properties with three to four bedrooms. This will attract a few different types of renters: big families, couples traveling together, two families traveling together, friend groups, etc. It is in your advantage to attract various renters who might be traveling for different reasons. Some people travel for vacation, some travel out of necessity, having a multi-functional property will attract more people.
- Find a property with a unique perk or add one in! Whether it is a mini bar, a pool, hot tub, yard games, anything to help your property stand out will help attract renters. Having activities included with the property will give renters a reason to want to spend time there. This will also increase your odds of bringing those renters back to your property next time! If they have fun AT your property, that makes your property the unique aspect of their trip, rather than just the location.
- Once you have found a property with a few key features and would like to consider investing in the property, determine the profit potential. Airbnb.com has a tool available to estimate any property’s potential earnings. This can give you a good idea of how much you may be able to charge for the property and other fees to consider.
- Expenses – General Upkeep as the Owner. When determining profit potential, it is also important to consider what the property will cost you in maintenance. As we have highlighted before, being a homeowner comes with many expenses! Here are a few expenses we suggest considering before purchasing:
- What are the host fees?
- What are the taxes/insurance and mortgage costs related to the property? This varies by state.
- How involved will you be as the host? Determine the expense of hiring someone, if not you, to assist in the upkeep and maintenance of the house.
- Will you need to fix up the property? Paint? Replacing fixtures?
- Depending on where the property is located, what type of lawn care is required? Snow removal? Moving the grass? Are there HOAs?
According to Priceonomics, Airbnb hosts are earning an average of $924 a month. Click here to learn more about becoming a host and how much money you could earn.
If you have any questions about investment in properties for short term or long term rentals, please reach out to our team!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Blockchain and how it’s changing the future of Real Estate
Tuned in to an interesting webinar this week hosted by Dan Smith with Eric Bryant from First American Data & Analytics; they were talking about real estate on the blockchain. Personally I can’t wait for this to happen, I spend half my life ‘grown up babysitting’ to maintain timelines and accountability during the escrow process. I know the blockchain will eliminate quite a bit of that.
Fibree is one of the first adopters, and they are now in 70 regions. They are a real estate technology platform that works with blockchain – keep an eye on them. Rather than talking about too many companies…let’s talk concept first.
What is Blockchain, and how does it affect real estate?
Blockchain defined: Blockchain is a shared, immutable ledger that facilitates the process of recording transactions and tracking assets in a business network. An asset can be tangible (a house, car, cash, land) or intangible (intellectual property, patents, copyrights, branding). Virtually anything of value can be tracked and traded on a blockchain network, reducing risk and cutting costs for all involved.
https://www.ibm.com/topics/what-is-blockchain
Now that you understand what blockchain is, here are a few specific ways it can positively affect the real estate industry as a whole:
- Decreases time necessary to close property transactions (from 30-45 days down to possibly just minutes or hours)
- Offers security, trust, and transparency to the transaction
- Creates an unhackable public record
- Reduces potential for real estate fraud or data entry errors
- Streamlines the escrow process
- Upholds accountability
Question? Will real estate transactions on the blockchain eliminate escrow agents? Transaction coordinators?
Notice we say “how does blockchain”, not “how can blockchain” affect the space. Blockchain is already starting integrations with real estate transactions, and it is likely the future of our industry, similar to the way the Internet disrupted the status quo (in a good way) many moons ago.
Fractional Property ownerships and Tokenization using Blockchain
Tokenization is simply digital fractionalization – it allows you to own a piece of something. Ever wanted to own a piece of a property? Or maybe you already own a traditional timeshare. Bet that was fun to buy, LOL. But what about finding your next investment from the comfort of your own home? RealT based in Detroit is currently selling real estate on the blockchain, and there are many others in the space expected to follow.
Investor groups and investment firms are already successfully selling STO (Secure Token Offering) properties and this opens doors for thousands of new buyers to enter into investing. Want to see? Check out SolidBlock – it looks like any normal property search site…BUT… you can pay with wire, check, or crypto. Soon enough, property search platforms like this will be popping up all over the world.
Another place you can buy land, the entire plot of it, is Fabrica, which allows you to buy or sell your land completely digitally with blockchain technology.
Smart Contracts and Real Estate Transactions
Smart contracts are digital transactions being coordinated on the blockchain, and they will help maintain timelines and accountability. Smart contracts are very similar to paper contracts, working on ‘if –> then’ scenarios, but everything is done virtually instead of with paper. Smart contracts have a higher level of security and they always report and record progress honestly…which does NOT happen all the time with our current escrow process.
One thing I found interesting is our local board of Realtors has over 10,000 members, and there were less than 50 of us watching this webinar. As usual, it seems like the real estate industry tends to cling to their ways. As a techie, I embrace new technology and try to help my clients ride the wave.
Crypto loans – Something to keep an eye on
One thing that could completely change the mortgage space is cryptocurrency loans. Wallets like Celsius and others use actual data to digitally approve loans, much better than the ‘preapprovals’ that lenders offer today. I would personally love to see more of this, because it eliminates loan discrimination and assures the seller a buyer is qualified. Plus, a crypto loan will close much quicker than the traditional big banks. Less headaches will equal more people in the space, and more homeowners, which makes my heart smile to think about.
If you’re sitting on a pile of crypto from the bull run and would like to ‘take profits’, we can help with escrow companies who are familiar with cryptocurrency closings. If you’d like to cash out crypto to buy a home, OR just transfer crypto coins for a home purchase without cashing out first, we can help with the proper referrals or team. Feel free to reach out and text Angie at 949-338-7408 or comment here anytime you’d like to talk tech & real estate!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )First Time Seller? Prepare Your Home for Sale – Our Top 5 Suggestions!
Our Top 5 Suggestions for preparing your home to sell. First impressions make an impact! From the online presentation, to the first home tour, the goal is to have buyers clearly vision how they will decorate and live in the home. Here are a few of our suggestions to making your home ready for the market and attracting excited buyers!
- Consider Your Curb Appeal
Once your house hits the market, buyers will be eager to drive by your property to scope out the area. It is important that buyers feel welcomed in their potentially new neighborhood.
Here are a few things you can do to improve your curb appeal:
- Mow the lawn
- Place freshly potted flowers/plants on porch or around garage
- Hide trash cans, recycling bins, garden hoses, toys, and any yard clutter
- Remove vehicles from the driveway
- Sweep off the porch
- Add a cozy welcome mat to the porch
You want potential buyers to envision themselves in the property. Minimizing clutter and things in their way will help them see envision themselves in the new space.
2. Remove Personal Items
Personal items make a home feel like your home. Limit the amount of personal items and photos on display in your home so potential buyers feel like it could be their space, too.
Here are a few items to consider removing from your home:
- Framed family photos
- Collectables
- Dog beds / cages
- Artwork with busy patterns
- Children’s toys
- Magnets on fridge
3. Clean Up
Clean up the interior of your home and remember – less is more. You want potential buyers to imagine how they would decorate the house, where they would put their furniture, and see the potential.
We suggest removing the following items from the interior of your home:
- Laundry / Clothes Piles
- Dirty dishes
- Appliances on countertops (toaster/blender)
- Remove clutter from top of fridge
- Floor mats
- Wash rags
- Trash cans
- Tooth brushes and holders
- Unraveled hoses
4. Organize!
In an effort to declutter your home, organize your space. That includes closets, cupboards and garages. Potential buyers will want to see it all! Try to avoid shoving items into closets and cluttering the cupboards. Full closets might scare buyers that the home does not have enough storage.
Here are a few suggested areas to organize:
- Bathroom closets
- Bedroom closets, including guest bedrooms
- Linen closets
- Storage closets
- Kitchen cupboards
- Kitchen drawers
- Fridge (especially if the buyer will be keeping the fridge)
- Laundry Room
- Make all beds
- Desk / Office
- Clear off all surfaces, this helps the rooms feel bigger
5. Maintenance
Broken items around your home? We suggest fixing those items prior to listing your home.
Here are a few items we suggest checking and fixing if needed:
- Replace all burned out light bulbs
- Replace light bulbs with warm tone lights
- Replace any broken curtain rods or blinds
- Close toilet lids
- Close shower curtains/doors
Questions? Feel free to contact our team to prepare your home or grab a second set of eyes!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Women finding freedom through the sharing economy of AirBnB
Let’s be honest, a lot of females are juggling household schedules, making beds on the daily, and working full time jobs in customer service or hospitality type industries. A lot of these same females are also searching for a way to spend more time with loved ones, and to find a better work-life balance.
This brings the question: How can we live richer, more fuller lives while making a difference in the world? Keep close connections with our families & still sprinkle what we were meant to do into the ethosphere?
For those who have a passion to roam and to create, enter the opportunity of vacation rental management, AirBnB experiences, and niche property rental platforms.
If you have a unique property or space, big or small, this is an opportunity for you. People love to rent not only stick & brick type properties, but also RV’s, boats, cars, treehouses, yurts, water towers, and land.
We now live in a world where you can tow a trailer, link up to solar, put out a cell booster, charge devices, and work / connect from almost anywhere. As the clouds from Covid continue to lift, people are ready to explore this new world. Are you ready to connect with them?
I recently had the opportunity to interview some of these women who have opened their spaces in the home-sharing economy. Each has a unique story to tell, weaved in with their life passions and experiences.
Take for example entrepreneur Heather Carter, running Eureka Springs Coffee House with 2 AirBnB units above. Guests enjoy the main strip of historical Eureka, Arkansas; and also have discount offerings at the coffee shop below. Travelers include vacationers and business professionals alike. In a recent video interview with Heather, she said “We used to live above the coffee house ourselves, but we soon discovered we had a unique opportunity for rentals here”. Indeed she did!
Heather advised she prefers the niche with commercially zoned properties, so she can avoid any roadblocks with residential vacation rental limitations. If you aren’t sure about STR rules in your community or city, be sure to research accordingly to avoid pitfalls.
Another go-getter making the most of her skills is April Snow-Kass, a Realtor in LA specializing in harmonious homes for musicians. April recently branched out to nearby Joshua Tree as a vacation rental host. Now, not only can April sell property in a new area, she can speak to personal experience on the equity gains and the rental income her ‘Retro Ranch‘ in the JT desert is recently experiencing.
Let’s not forget supermom and High School Counselor Carolynn Cribley. Her and financé Matthew Herman in Grandville, Michigan, are putting an extra room in their home, coined ‘The Barnhouse,’ to STR use. They stated in a recent interview that it’s brought such great results, they not only bought another property, but looped parents in on the opportunity. They inspired and guided Matthew’s parents to a short term rental purchase as well. Not only has Carolynn & Matthew created additional monthly cash flow (partly used to build a fun new pool!), they’ve hopped the family on the path to generational wealth.
According to the NAWRB’s website and WHER report:
“…research found women seek homeownership for these primary reasons:
As a “Sanctuary”
https://www.nawrb.com/one-tough-mother-how-single-mothers-are-defining-the-homebuying-process/#more-18821
A sanctuary is defined as a place of refuge, an oasis or a retreat. Women value creating a unique space from which to retreat from the outside world—one in which they control the climate, the decor, the layout. One’s home is a psychology of space…”
Vacation rentals are a method to live this ‘sanctuary’ lifestyle, and create income. Win-win.
Another example is Corporate Executive ‘girlboss’ Vanessa Montanez, who explained to Homeownership Day attendees in January easy steps to enter into investing. Vanessa discovered the benefits of renting her Temecula wine country home on AirBnB recently, and as a lender herself, was kind enough to share strategies with other would-be investors at Homeownership Day.
Admittedly, all of these hosts know STR life is not as ‘passive’ as long term rentals; but it can be more profitable, plus it allows the ability to vacation in your own property, afford *more* units, & / or meet new friends. Yes, you may still be making beds, running multiple schedules, and rocking your 9-5. But it’s a way to squeeze the most out of almost any property.
Best of all, homeownership is open to many, regardless of education level or background. With low interest rate loans and programs like FHA allowing as little as 3.5% down, many females are opting into a property purchase. Additionally, SBA loans for Women Owned Businesses have opened even more doors to run a viable business from home. There are many options to sell creations of any kind from home, be it via online avenues or to guests traveling through your space.
Speaking of online avenues, the fast-track growth of property rental apps makes the marketing side become much easier. You don’t have to do your own Search Engine Optimization anymore – these apps are paying to get the word out on your behalf. Platforms to easily start your sharing economy hosting on are AirBnB, VRBO, Hipcamps, Harvest Hosts, Furnished Finder, Outdoorsy, Turo, and more.
For additional information or a guide into the vacation rental lifestyle, reach out to NAWRB Delegate Spokeswoman Angie Weeks, or watch her video interviews at http://www.YouTube.com/HomebuyingRegistry/
This article was written for Women in the Housing and Real Estate Ecosystem; NAWRB. If you would like an article for your publication simply comment below or reach out to Angie at 949-338-7408.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Find Your Next Home in Panama!
Your next home on the beach is waiting for you! Panama may be tiny in size but it is booming with features. From the culinary scene, incredible climate, biological diversity, rich culture and affordable cost of living, we are breaking down our top 5 reasons to move to Panama and find your perfect paradise!
1. Gorgeous Culinary Scene
What better way to enjoy an amazing meal than with an incredible ocean view? The cuisine in Panama is filled with rich fine-dining menus comprised of dishes that blend the immigrant culture and local ingredients.
2. Affordable Cost of Living & Great Connectivity
From the housing, to clothing, food and living expenses, Panama has an affordable cost of living compared to other comparable destinations. Direct flights to Panama from around the world make this destination accessible and easy to travel in and out of.
3. Pleasant Climate
For most of the year, you can enjoy waking up to an average temperature in the mid-70s and enjoy the afternoon with mid-80s and pleasant breezes. Have your house windows open all day long!
4. The Beauty!
Panama is full of beautiful sceneries. The geography encourages adventure and the beautiful beaches encourage relaxation. The lush forests, lakes, rivers, volcanoes, provide you with peace and paradise. We know location is key, and this location is at the top of our list.
5. Modern Infrastructure
Panama has invested significantly and heavily in the infrastructure that it can be very proud of. Due to its booming economy and the strategic location, this country has become the world’s second largest free-trade zone.
Panama also offers multiple reasons why a second residency makes sense for investors, digital nomads, retirees and frequent travelers:
– Low Cost of Living
– Foreign-Earned Income Exclusion
– Political Stability
– Modern & International Cities
– Advanced Medical Care
– Stable & Secure Banking
– Incredible Tourist Attractions
Register Here to join ECI Development as they dive into discovering paradise in Panama.
March 2nd, 2021 @ 5PM ET. Virtual Zoom Webinar.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )AirBnB Cancellations – What to Do?
As coronavirus continues to spread across the world, many vacation rental companies, such as Airbnb, continue to expand their policies to allow more leniency in cancelling. This change, welcomed by travels, has allowed many travelers to cancel their reservations penalty-free. We have noticed many renters cancelling their bookings and reservations and choosing to stay home during these uncertain times. While we understand the desire to cancel, this puts pressure on the owners and hosts of these rentals. The cancellations are resulting in an unexpected loss of income. There are many discussions happening on the Airhosts forums, a forum for Airbnb hosts, sharing their financial concerns about the abrupt loss of income and inability to refund that money.
We wanted to share 5 Tips on how you can find local renters that might be interested in renting your AirBnB.
- Separated families that need somewhere to stay
As recommended by the CDC, social distancing and quarantining is crucial in limiting the spread of the coronavirus. Unfortunately many families have faced this reality and have had to quarantine away from their family. This reality can cause a lot of stress and uncertainty, having a place to stay where renters feel safe is important. As mentioned in our previous blog post, linked here – we love & care about our family, clients, prospects, & fellow humans. We want to do whatever we can to make them feel safe and comforted. These families might prefer staying in an Airbnb for the comfort, cleanliness and more distanced from others than a hotel would be.
2. Traveling Nurses On the Front Lines
According to a recent poll, there are approximately 25,000 traveling nurses in the U.S. right now. The demand for travel nurses has continued to rise as healthcare needs increase due to COVID-19. As these nurses travel and remain on the front lines, they may be interested in renting an Airbnb to comfort them through these unprecedented times.
3. Other Essential Industries Are Traveling for COVID-19
The demand for typical grocery store items has significantly increased. As we saw with toilet paper, hand sanitizer and bottles of water….People are eager to stock up their homes to be prepared. With this increase in demand, the agriculture and food service industry has increased their travel to ensure stores are stocked around the world. This, among many other industries, have increased travel frequency during these times to ensure essential needs are met. As travel increases in this fields, people are searching for safe places to stay to ensure they stay healthy as they travel.
4. Have a Furnished Rental via the MLS
Attract local renters with a furnished rental on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). MLS is a search tool that helps find listings for sale or rent by Realtors and other realty professionals that are members of your local MLS. Once you have identified your ideal guests, understand the needs of your core audience and furnish your rental accordingly. Comfort is key so achieving a cozy ambiance is important. Check out more tips and tricks here for furnishing tips.
5. Add Your Airbnb to Industry Travel Sits
Here are some we recommend!
- Transplant Housing – linked here: https://www.transplanthousing.com/.
- Transplant Housing costs $89 dollars for a 365 day listing.
- Furnished Finder – linked here: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property.
- Furnished finder costs $99 for a 365 day listing.
For more information on COVID-19, check out our recent blog post here: 5 Things We are Focusing on During Covid-19
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )AirBnB Cancellations – What to Do?
As coronavirus continues to spread across the world, many vacation rental companies, such as Airbnb, continue to expand their policies to allow more leniency in cancelling. This change, welcomed by travels, has allowed many travelers to cancel their reservations penalty-free. We have noticed many renters cancelling their bookings and reservations and choosing to stay home during these uncertain times. While we understand the desire to cancel, this puts pressure on the owners and hosts of these rentals. The cancellations are resulting in an unexpected loss of income. There are many discussions happening on the Airhosts forums, a forum for Airbnb hosts, sharing their financial concerns about the abrupt loss of income and inability to refund that money.
We wanted to share 5 Tips on how you can find local renters that might be interested in renting your Airbnb.
- Separated families that need somewhere to stay
As recommended by the CDC, social distancing and quarantining is crucial in limiting the spread of the coronavirus. Unfortunately many families have faced this reality and have had to quarantine away from their family. This reality can cause a lot of stress and uncertainty, having a place to stay where renters feel safe is important. As mentioned in our previous blog post, linked here – we love & care about our family, clients, prospects, & fellow humans. We want to do whatever we can to make them feel safe and comforted. These families might prefer staying in an Airbnb for the comfort, cleanliness and more distanced from others than a hotel would be.
2. Traveling Nurses On the Front Lines
According to a recent poll, there are approximately 25,000 traveling nurses in the U.S. right now. The demand for travel nurses has continued to rise as healthcare needs increase due to COVID-19. As these nurses travel and remain on the front lines, they may be interested in renting an Airbnb to comfort them through these unprecedented times.
3. Other Essential Industries Are Traveling for COVID-19
The demand for typical grocery store items has significantly increased. As we saw with toilet paper, hand sanitizer and bottles of water….People are eager to stock up their homes to be prepared. With this increase in demand, the agriculture and food service industry has increased their travel to ensure stores are stocked around the world. This, among many other industries, have increased travel frequency during these times to ensure essential needs are met. As travel increases in this fields, people are searching for safe places to stay to ensure they stay healthy as they travel.
4. Have a Furnished Rental via the MLS
Attract local renters with a furnished rental on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). MLS is a search tool that helps find listings for sale or rent by Realtors and other realty professionals that are members of your local MLS. Once you have identified your ideal guests, understand the needs of your core audience and furnish your rental accordingly. Comfort is key so achieving a cozy ambiance is important. Check out more tips and tricks here for furnishing tips.
5. Add Your Airbnb to Industry Travel Sits
Here are some we recommend!
- Transplant Housing – linked here: https://www.transplanthousing.com/. Transplant Housing costs $89 dollars for a 365 day listing.
- Furnished Finder – linked here: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property. Furnished finder costs $99 for a 365 day listing.
For more information on COVID-19, check out our recent blog post here: 5 Things We are Focusing on During Covid-19
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Where is YOUR happy place? Homeownership Day 2021 is going virtual, nationwide, & global.
Hi friends!
Although 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, it has not been without some unexpected benefits. One of them is the new age of virtual employment, which has opened doors for so many to have an opportunity at homeownership. Individuals previously forced to rent in expensive urban areas are now free to move to a larger place, for less money, and have more options. We’re all about that – and Orange County Young Professionals Network is here to support your adventure!
Simple Solutions to Buying, Selling, & Investing in Real Estate
To that end, in 2021 YPN will do our annual Homeownership Day event virtually, and it won’t just be about investing in Southern California real estate. Instead, we’ll be offering local expert agent guidance in many popular cities across the United States, and actually the entire world.
If you haven’t looked at your home as an investment, or considered property as a path toward early retirement, we encourage you to attend the event on January 23, 2021 and look at your real estate in a new light. YES, it’s a place to thrive, to make memories, to customize your taste, to raise your family. But it can be so much more.
You can turn one property into a legacy, and that’s the session I teach & am passionate about. This year’s title is “Concepts to Become An Automatic Millionaire in Southern California & Beyond”; you can register for this 30 minute session by filling out the form below. I’ll educate you on a safe, secure, and timeless strategy for building up your real estate portfolio. These concepts don’t encourage you to stretch yourself too thin, take on a second job, or become a handyman; they are simple and easy to follow. And you can learn them in 30 minutes. I’ll tell you what – if you’ll just commit the time – I’m here to cheerlead you to the finish line.
Owning Property Can Change Your Future
As many of you know, I have been personally working on this strategy for over 15 years now! Because Real Estate is my full time job, we’ve taken it to the next level with vacation rentals, and the creation of Flower Den Retreats. I have found that owning property allows me to truly express myself, whether I’m creating art within, or dreaming up the next concept for a therapeutic space with the ones I love.
I want you to be able to flourish in your space too – are you? If you are, please comment what you love about your home below. Its fun to share our unique ideas 🙂 If you aren’t, fill out the form here and let’s get you on your way in 2021.
If you’re curious to hear what other previous attendees have to say, success stories, or info on the sessions we’ve held in the past, just subscribe to our YouTube Channel. We’ll be uploading new content on the regular. Here’s a video from a couple previous attendees who were able to buy a townhome with barely any money down, and now they are happily raising a family there.
Let Homeownership Day Lead You to Your Happy Place
Sometimes, change is good 🙂 To have a supportive tribe around you as you grow is so helpful, and that’s exactly what you’ll get out of Homeownership Day. Like minded people who want to learn and level up too. All the speakers are no-pressure, happy to answer questions, and excited to connect with you. The vibe of this event will be fresh, fun, educational, and there won’t be a single pitch. Promise. We’ll see you online Jan 23rd!
PS. If you know someone who should be presenting at this event, just connect us by emailing ochomefair@gmail.com & the committee will reach out to them – we love new angles of education and to connect with other professionals across the globe.
Homeownership Day 2021 Sign Up
2021 Real Estate Market Predictions for Orange County, CA
Today one of our favorite forecasters, Steven Thomas, gave his thoughts on closing out the crazy 2020 Covid real estate market and what we expect to see here in 2021. If you love stats, be sure to subscribe to our email list, as we send out Reports on Housing statistics monthly. These reports will keep you on top of exactly what is happening right now with property prices, average days on market, and demand.
We’ve had a really interesting year in real estate, almost flipped from our normal Orange County trends. We were slower in the spring, obviously due to quarantine and virus setbacks (coined ‘The Pandession’). Then we heated up in summer and are still going strong here in fall, when things usually cool.
The pandemic really made people think about what they wanted in a home. And now, they are going out to get it. Sometimes it’s a larger yard, other times a pool, being closer to loved ones, or relocating to a rural environment. Change is brewing in all levels of our housing market.
2020 has seen a SURGE in Luxury demand and sales, and we are seeing it in our team deals as well. Here’s a visual for a better picture:
Demand far outweighs supply, so almost every listing is selling with multiple offers at this point in time. Will it continue? Read on…
One of the factors that will affect our market significantly is Coronavirus numbers and which way they are swinging. If we end up in quarantine again, it WILL affect all markets, including housing, so keep that wild card in mind as we enter into 2021.
Foreclosure Predictions for 2021
Should you be worried about foreclosures? Waiting for that screaming deal on one??? Not really. Less than 6% of homeowners are on forbearance or late on their mortgage. That’s not enough to create a ‘foreclosure wave’…even if ALL of them get foreclosed on. This chart helps to tell part of the story. In 2006, owners didn’t have much equity. In 2020, owners have a LOT of equity.
Due to this equity, the forbearance options, and the rates driving buyers, Steven does NOT expect any wave of foreclosures in 2021.
What about the Rental Moratorium?
Approximately 20% of renters are late on their rent. At first that number seems like WOW…but…rewind to Oct 2019… and the tardy-on-rent number was ALSO…20%. So landlords aren’t hurt that bad, even though renters are on a break until Jan 31st 2021 with the rental moratorium here in the state of California.
Will Housing Demand Stay High in 2021?
Demand is strongest it’s been since Sept 2012 – eight years. If you think we’ve been busy hustling homes, this year is even busier. Demand is expected to slightly drop during the holiday season for November and December, but it will still be higher than the last 8 years. If you have a home to sell before Dec 31st – get in touch – it’s totally a possibility!
Inventory is the lowest it’s been since 2013 – pushing the average days on the market in OC to under 40. A hot seller’s market is under 60 average DOM….so we are in a hot HOT seller’s market, which not even the election division is extinguishing.
Should I buy a home in OC before 2021?
Short answer: Yes. Interest rates are LOW. Demand is high. Prices continue to go up. Lucky for our buyers, even with these prices.. the payment is more affordable than it would have been a few years ago. Check out this comparison:
Interest rates drive affordability. Right now your payment is SO affordable. If you can qualify to buy, it is a fabulous time to make a purchase. In Steven’s words…’You’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t’ LOL. We know, you don’t have the down payment saved. But let’s have a conversation with a parent or grandparent who has equity, or get you crowdfunding your down payment with Vow2Save.
2021 Forecast according to Reports on Housing
Uncertainty with Covid, vaccines, Washington DC, travel, and employment can all make things sticky. If we continue to experience the same demand, things can get sticky.
- Prediction: Real estate will enter 2021 strong and remain that way for at least half the year.
- Prediction: Appreciation 4-7%. Prices are NOT expected to go down at all in 2021
- Prediction: Upper ranges will continue to rise
- Prediction: Closed sales should double what they were in 2020. (from 4 to 8%)
Want to stay up to date on the Orange County real estate market? Simply fill out the form below and we’ll start sending you Steven’s Reports on Housing via email!
4 Ways to Decorate with Upcycled and Repurposed Items
Due to COVID-19, we have all been spending more time at home than ever before. Making your home feel cozy and inviting has never been so important.
We all have those random “it might come in handy some day” or “I might find a place for that…” items that we have been staring at for the last few months.. We just aren’t ready to let go of it yet. There’s no better way to revamp your home and your dated items than repurposing and upcycling!
To help you get started, we’ve picked four of our favorite (and…realistic) ideas for repurposing, resuing and upcycling your items.
- Bookcase to Coffee Bar
Transform your space and coffee game by upcycling an old book case or storage cabinet. Staying in more means bringing the coffee shop to you!
2. Repurpose Your Caddy for Craft Organization
Caddy’s have a unique look but don’t serve a clear purpose. Upgrade your craft room with this repurposed caddy for storing all of your utensils!
3. Repurpose Your Ladder for Blanket Storage
Ladders add height and texture to your room. To make the ladder functional, add your extra blankets for a cozy inviting look!
4. Repurpose Woven Baskets
Have baskets laying around that really don’t serve a purpose anymore? Spice up your wall decor by adding those baskets to the wall. The baskets add a unique look to your space and make a statement. Just simply place a nail in the center of the basket and create your own gallery design!
History and Current Rules of Fair Housing
It’s important to remember and understand where we have been, to have the best future possible. Today I had the pleasure of attending Young Professionals’ Network webinar on The History of Fair Housing.
Equality is an important topic of discussion in our country right now. One of the best ways we can honor our Constitution stating ‘all men are created equal’ is through housing.
For the purpose of learning and growing, let’s start with a summary of
Where we went wrong with discrimination in housing:
- ‘Men’ in the quote above meant white men who owned property; not women, nor men of color
- Real Estate boards prohibited women or blacks in the early 1900’s
- Redline (racially segregated) areas where residents could not get a mortgage were established
- Racially restrictive CC&R’s
- Federal Fair Housing Act was not passed until 1968
- Realtor Code did not prohibit discrimination until 1974 (that’s under 50 years ago…)
- Protected class of marital status only recognized since 2005 in California
- Gender identity was not protected until 2012 in CA
- AFFA Rule is rescinded in 2020 by POTUS. This took the teeth out of Fair Housing enforcement.
Yes, we went horribly wrong, but there are many ongoing efforts to bring about equal housing in the last few decades and today. This includes lobbying efforts from the National Association of Realtors, and California Association of Realtors to bring back the important elements in AFFA.
Did you know that nationwide there are 7 Fair Housing protected classes? In CA, there are 24 Fair Employment & Housing protected classes. When it comes to Fair Housing, the greater of regulations apply, not the lesser. So… if you are a landlord in California, you have 24 classes to remember to truly make unbiased decisions with your tenants. To help you, there is a new Fair Housing disclosure that is now included in each California purchase or lease agreement.
Sometimes discrimination can be subtle, or without malice. Here are just a few examples of Discrimination in Housing…some may come as a surprise to you.
What Discrimination in Housing Looks Like:
- Treating anyone unequally
- Failing to show a home or lease
- Offering unequal terms
- Advertising specific terms or preference
- Inquiring about a protected status
- Refusing to accomodate a disability (aka emotional support animals)
- Denying a family with children’s offer because you don’t think your pool or busy street is safe for them
- Refusing to rent an upper unit to an elderly tenant because you feel stairs are too dangerous
- Showing preference for one protected group above another (i.e. preferring a family with children over a gay couple)
- Not renting the home to a family with multiple kids because ‘the children will destroy the home’.
- Not treating everyone with the same professional courtesy (greetings, returning calls, tonality, response time)
- Buyer or agent ‘love letters’; especially those with photos
Up until this year, I was an agent sending & receiving love letters. I had no idea they were an indirect method of discrimination; and our stories previously helped my clients get the deal. 2020 brings about many changes, and I am happy to adjust course to assist in offering a better opportunity for all. Please, encourage other professionals in the industry and owners to practice making selling and leasing decisions based on criteria that does not exclude. I will recommend future sellers do not read letters during the decision making process. We can all improve from here and be better at this.
Here’s an interesting infographic with the most common Fair Housing complaints from 2018:
If you know someone who has been party to discrimination in housing, it’s important to educate, and to speak up. Here’s a link to submit a violation:
The only way we change the cycle and truly offer equal housing to all humans is through a system of ethics, awareness of implicit bias, and accountability measures. Feel free to comment your thoughts or experiences below – let’s bring about some positive acknowledgment to build better, stronger, more diverse communities together.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )New Property Trends: Modular Net Zero Homes
Hi friends! Have you been looking for a cheaper, better, faster way to build a home? Read on for some new trends in modular housing that might suit exactly what you’re looking for!
What is a modular home?
S2A Modular Model #GreenLuxHome 22
Modular is NOT manufactured. They are not your rectangle box mobile homes that might come to mind. They are created 90% in the factory, and about 10% on site, and they look and feel like any normal home. Modular homes aren’t different than a traditional stick built home, other than they are built indoors in a controlled factory environment, instead of outdoors.
Brian Kuzdas, CEO of S2A Modular, presented an interesting webinar today and told us about ways that modular homes are more sustainable for the Earth, take less time to create, have a 35% potential ROI for investors.
A couple of the main benefits of modular homes are they save you from shady contractors, and there is no compromise when it comes to design.
Other advantages of modular homes:
- Time (traditional home build time: 1 year; modular home build time: 3 months)
- Price (15-20% cheaper to build in factory)
- Strength (modular homes have to survive a literal transport, traditional homes don’t)
- Neighbors (much less stress on the neighborhood)
- Contractors (get to work inside instead of out in the elements)
- State inspections (less time waiting for inspectors)
One of the downsides to modular is financing. There aren’t a ton of lenders familiar with modular housing loans, but US Bank is one of them. Just reach out if you’d like a contact!
Want to build a modular home of your own?
S2A Modular Model #GreenLuxHome 13
Modular homes can be built ‘tiny’ as ADU’s, and size all the way up to 10,000+ sq ft mansions. There are 7 steps if you’re interested in building a custom modular home from start to finish:
- Feasibility study (cost $3500, and helps you determine how big you can build)
- Design (a modular architect is recommended, it will be less expensive in most cases)
- Construction agreement (firming up your choices)
- Engineering
- Permitting
- Site construction / setting modules
- Onsite completion (this is the last 10% of building that assembles the pieces & happens on site. These last materials also dictate the style and make your home exactly as you want it)
Check out https://www.s2amodular.com/ for various design styles & ideas to build a modular home of your own. Endless customization – so neat!!
Sustainability & Modular Homes
The modular homes that S2A builds are ‘Net Zero’ & ‘Net Positive’ when it comes to net metering. They also use high performing, affordable, solar panels and solar roof tiles with Graphene technology. You won’t have any utility bills.
Smart windows, doors, heating, cooling, insulation, & lighting are all used in these custom modular homes. Furthermore, organic building materials are used, and they are all resistant to termite, dry-rot, and mildew free….which saves money down the road. Li-Fi technology is used instead of Wi-Fi, and there is a singular app that controls these homes, which makes the systems un-hackable.
If you’re interested in planning your modular home build, just reach to Angie via text at 949-338-7408, or fill out the form below. We’ll help you plan for your perfect pad, & get you all connected to the right contacts to create your custom home 🙂
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
Need to Improve Your FICO Score? Women’s Credit Connection Can Help!
No Better Time to Buy
Mortgage rates fell to an all-time low last month and borrowers are rushing to buy. As the housing market enters the spring selling season, falling interest rates are encouraging people to purchase homes. There has never been a better time to buy!
As you start the home buying process, it’s important to have good credit score health before submitting a mortgage application. Your credit score will play a significant role in the rates you qualify for. As mortgage lenders review your credit score, they use borrowers’ FICO scores along with credit reports to determine the risk and likeliness that you might default on your mortgage loan. The better your FICO score is, the less risk from a mortgage lenders perspective.
Generally, a FICO Score of 670 or above is considered a good credit score, while a score of 800 or above is considered great. If you need help improving your FICO score before submitting your mortgage application, Women’s Credit Connection can help.
Women Educating Women
Women Educating Women offers multiple core services through platforms such as automative assistance, credit assistance, mechanical assistance and real estate referral services. Their credit service, Women’s Credit Connection, works to maximize your credit score as much as possible so that you can achieve your financial goals.
By working directly with credit bureaus and creditors to challenge negative items on your credit report, Women’s Credit Connection will maximize your scores as much as possible. With over 25 years of experience in evaluating credit, Women’s Credit Connection offers:
- 100% Money Back Guarantee
- Experienced Tools for Consumer Credit
- Intimately Involved in Your Credit Repair Experience
- Active Support Throughout the Entire Process
- Affordable Prices and No Long-Term Contracts
- Easy access to your account 24/7
- Live status updates regarding improvements on your credit report and score
Here is how it works:
To request a free consultation and credit analysis, click here. For more information on Women Educating Women, visit their website or contact them by phone at: 949-475-6883.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
Global Real Estate – Hot Spots & Tips to Buy in them
Global & International Real Estate is GROWING
Did you know 1 in 10 US residents are considering owning international real estate? But how can you protect yourself from making a lemon investment? Thanks to OCR’s Global committee, we have some pointers for you! Michael Cobb CEO of ECI development started off our International Real Estate Forum today reminding Realtors that we bring value to international transactions by helping our clients know to ask the right questions. In foreign countries, hot water, running water, and other conveniences (like plumbing) we take for granted in America are not alway included in the price tag. It’s critical to be careful and make sure you align with multiple professionals to ask ALL the right questions when you buy internationally. One way to do this is to work with a CIPS Realtor to help you find the most reliable real estate contacts in your preferred country. CIPS agents are Certified International Property Specialists, and have special training to help you avoid international buying nightmares.
Nicaragua – an International investment gem
Nicaragua has been a growing spot to get deep discounts in real estate, and Michael personally lived there for 14 years, while raising 2 young daughters. It usually takes about 6-9 months after you visit Nicaragua and sign documents to receive your title, and buying is friendly to foreigners. The country has beautiful scenery, and also offers the following benefits:
- Safe
- Inexpensive real estate
- Low cost of living
- Low cost medical care
- Fishing, diving, snorkeling, surfing
- Social projects & involvement
- You CAN own the land and get freehold title
- Property tax is only 1%
- Easy residency programs
Foreign Property Investments in Belize
Belize is a tiny country that wasn’t on the radar at all until recently, and now it’s exploding. The title process is 3-6 months, but you can complete a property transaction in just an hour if you’re there in person. English is the official language, so it’s easy to read contracts. Prices are reasonable right now, and the hotspot to check out is Ambergris Caye. Belize was also voted the “most wished for place to visit” on AirBnB, so an excellent consideration for your vacation rental. If you’re thinking of AirBnB, you will have to pay hotel tax, so be sure to factor that in. Speaking of air…air travel has doubled over the last 3 years to Belize, and there is still plenty of room for growth. Baymen Gardens by Best Western currently offer options under 100K for a residence if you’re looking for an affordable vacation rental. Some benefits of owning property in Belize include:
- Political stability
- Short easy flights
- 17% tourism growth the last 3 years
- Property is still affordable
US Citizens are now buying property in Costa Rica easily
Beautiful Ocho Bungalows in Costa Rica – Sean the owner used to live in US, and now calls Tamarindo his home. He built these gorgeous bungalows there.
Costa Rica is an absolutely stunning country, with 27% park-protected land. Costa Rica has a “Pura Vida” (Pure life) mindset, so this is the place to go if you like a healthy lifestyle. Hunting is banned, no zoos, and animals cannot be pets. No tornados or hurricanes there, however, they do have earthquakes. Ocean temp is about 80 degrees all year long, so it’s perfect for a vacation home or rental. Weather is typically nice, but they do have rainy season. You can stay for 90 days with a US passport, so plenty of time to research areas, builders, and pick your perfect property! Costa Rica is also a solid consideration for a second home because:
- Democracy for 196 years, stable society, tradition of peace
- Mostly Bilingual
- Foreign property rights
- Blue zone for longevity, excellent health care
- Quality national public health system, as well as private healthcare
- Wildlife tours, river rafting, hikes to waterfalls, hot springs, zip lines
- US Babies born there get dual citizenship
- Property tax only .25%-.40% (niiiice)
- Food has no hormones or weed killers
An update to our previous video about buying real estate in Costa Rica —> there’s now NEW foreign mortgage opportunities for US citizens in Costa Rica!! Previously you had to buy with all cash, so this is really cool! It’s for residential only, no business or land. Interest rates in Costa Rica for locals run high, around 12%. This program comes from a lender in TX, and currently has a 7.5% rate for loans over 100K. No coastline foreign investments closer than 200 meters, though. 720 credit is required, and 30% down is required. If you’d like more info just contact us at 949-338-7408 and we’ll help you on your way to a Pura Vida lifestyle 🙂
Mexico beaches drive global condo buyers
Real Estate expert Alvaro Quirante presented about Riviera Maya and the consistent growth of traffic into the Cancun airport, which creates opportunity. Travel is consistent all year long, so there is no on or off season. Currently they are creating a huge marina, and a theme park, which will create 5000 new jobs in the area. Tulum has been one of the cities that gets the best capital gains each year. A few reasons:
- Eco-friendly
- Mayan ruins, top TripAdvisor destination
- Tulum famous beaches
- Stable economy with multiple sources of income
- Properties start around 75K
- Availability to have major companies back your investment guaranteeing 8-13% yearly ROI, with Lux properties for example.
- You can buy property with a self-directed IRA
What does the buying process in Mexico look like? We tried to explain it in this video about buying real estate in Cabo…but here’s an easy slide from today’s presentation that guides you through the process:
As you can see, each country is really different when it comes to process, ability to get a mortgage / title, and the various property options you have. We LOVE international real estate and would love to help you explore your next global property investment. Simply fill out the form below or text 949-338-7408 and we’ll send you some international property buying tips!
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Down Payments Holding You Back? Home Buying Hack: Silent Investors!
Ready to Own a Home?
Owning a home is the American Dream yet this dream has become more and more challenging to achieve. With the increasing burden of student loan debt, high interest rates, rising rent costs, and a competitive housing market – it seems impossible to purchase your first home on your own.
The costs of owning a home go beyond what you can afford in a monthly payment. Monthly mortgage payments and interest rates depend on how much you can afford for the down payment. But how can you afford a down payment when the cost of living continues to rise? The upfront costs associated with purchasing a home often intimidate people from owning a home. The ease of transferring rental deposits from rental company to rental company seem easier when comparing upfront costs. So, how do you secure your dream home that could be a great investment for your future, without cashing out all of your assets or taking out MORE loans?
Insert Unison!
Unison shares the down payment cost with you, lowering your upfront costs, reducing your overall mortgage loan, while also lowering your monthly payments. The money is given to homebuyers in the form of an investment, its NOT a loan! That’s right – that means you have no monthly obligations to Unison – interest free! Imagine walking into your dream home and having confidence that you can afford it. How It Works: Unison Invests in Your Home
- Unison helps you purchase a home by giving you money to put towards your down payment (contributions ranging from 5-20% of the homes value).
- You don’t owe Unison any money until you decide to sell your home. Yup, no monthly obligations, no interest, no extra loans!
- Once you decide to sell your home, you send Unison a single payment equal to the initial investment offer. If your house has increased in value (appreciated) or decreased value (depreciated), Unison will add or subtract the difference.
- If your home appreciates, you’ll make a payment to Unison equal to the original amountUnison provided for the down payment + (or -) the appreciation value.
View Unison’s approved lenders here.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Looking to Buy or Sell a Home? See You January 18th!
8th Annual OC Home Fair
Looking to buy or sell a home? Investment property? Just curious about becoming a homeowner? Renting and want to own? WE have an event for you!
The Southern California Home Fair is a *FREE* community event designed to provide home owners, home buyers, renters, and seasoned investors with free, personalized and comprehensive information from some leading experts in real estate! Attendees can choose from a variety of relevant topics including: hassle-free home buying, investing to be an automatic millionaire, buying a home under your business umbrella, and much more. Below are 5 OC Home Fair highlights.
The Southern California Home Fair is next Saturday! Join us next week, January 18th at the 8th Annual OC Home Fair and experience Homeownership Day.
5 OC Home Fair Class Highlights
#1 Easy Tips to Improve Credit
#2 Finding up to 90K to Buy Your Home – Down Payment Programs
#3 Real People – Real Estate Success Stories
#4 How Student Loan Debt Can Fit Into your Home Buying Picture
#5 Home Buying 101 – Pre-Purchase Counseling
View the full class schedule list here.
Click here to register, just enter your information and select the class you want to attend!
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