The 2023 CA Housing Market Forecast: What You Need to Know

Posted on October 17, 2022. Filed under: Balanced Market, First Time Buyer help, Home Seller Tips, Homeownership, Informed Investor Alliance, Los Angeles property, Los Angeles Real Estate, Orange County Real Estate, Renting, Selling for top dollar, Selling your home fast | Tags: , , , , , , , |

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.

Rates significantly affect affordability and mortgage payments – here’s an image that shows just how much.

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. 

A graph of California median home prices from 1968 – 2022. Note that although there are always dips, the slope of the line (aka equity & appreciation) is always positive.

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?

Here’s a pic of Jordan’s best and worst case rate projections for the 2023 housing market in California.

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.

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Creative, Affordable, Durable, Sustainable, & Adorable ADUs in California

Posted on February 21, 2022. Filed under: Accessory Dwelling Units, ADUs, AirBnB, Building, Construction, First Time Buyer help, Homeownership, Informed Investor Alliance, Los Angeles property, Los Angeles Real Estate, Making Life Easier, Orange County Real Estate, Owning Despite Student Debt, Real Estate Stories, Renting, Summer fun | Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

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:

  1. When laying barbed wire, measure from the center of your bag, and add 2 extra feet.
  2. When measuring for bag, walk the perimeter of the circle, and add 3 feet before cutting.
  3. Fold long bags in half & mark the middle. ‘Cuff’ the ends so plastic doesn’t fly all over.
  4. Partially flip bags inside out from each side, this makes them easier to fill. Be mindful to ONLY fill one side at a time.
Superadobe’s can be open air or include windows. Here’s a sample of a Superadobe kitchen, built in 2007. This model uses standard windows, but you can also get creative with upcycled glass bottle or ceramic windows.

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:

“The Earth turns to gold, in the hands of the wise.” – Rumi
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California Introduces New Legislation: Senate Bill 9 – What Is It? 

Posted on October 25, 2021. Filed under: Los Angeles Real Estate, Orange County Real Estate | Tags: , , |

Senate Bill 9 is a new California state law that would allow homeowners to divide their property into 2 lots and place up to 4 homes in areas that were previously only allowed one home, regardless of local zoning. You could use SB9 to split your lot (and sell that part of your yard), add a 2nd home to your lot, or both.


                     
Taking effect on January 1, 2022, SB9 intends to address the statewide housing crisis California is experiencing. The goal is to expand housing production as the continued housing crisis grows. The hope is that this bill will expand housing options for people of all incomes and expand the opportunities available for homeowners and renters. Two homes could be placed in what is now considered a single-family lot. The new lots would be required to contain 40 to 60 percent of the original lot space. 

What does this mean for homeowners and the real estate market? Two important things: 1) You could keep your current home but earn additional revenue by selling a part of your property to a new neighbor and 2) this bill could potentially add as many as 800,000 new units to the California market.                

SB9 would require cities and counties to approve of the housing development proposals if they meet the specified size and design standards. Some of the requirements considered for the proposed housing development include but not limited to: the area does not require demolition, ordinance, is not located within a historic district, is not included on the State Historic Resources Inventory, or is not within a site that is legally designated as a city or county landmark, historic property or district. If the identified requirements are met, the application for a housing development could be approved without a hearing. The new four-plexes would still need to follow local zoning rules and regulations in regards to things such as height and yard requirements. 

To learn more about the new legislation, here are some helpful links that provide additional detail: 

1) National Law ReviewIncludes a summary of SB8, SB9 and SB10. Key takeaways are also included for quick reference. 
2) CA Legislative Information The details of Senate Bill No. 9 and the proposed bill 
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5 Reasons to Have a ‘For Sale’ Sign in Your Yard!

Posted on August 30, 2021. Filed under: Home Seller Tips, Selling for top dollar, Selling your home fast | Tags: , , , , , , |

1. A For Sale sign will give your home more exposure! Exposure that online posting just can’t offer! Here are a few things that having a For Sale sign can do for you and your sale process! 

2. A For Sale sign can broaden the neighborhood boundaries that potential buyers may have not have considered yet. When potential buyers are scrolling through Zillow to search for potential new homes, they might restrict their online searches and not view any homes in your neighborhood. Having the sign in your front yard can attract potential buyers as they pass through the neighborhood. 

3. Your neighbors will know you are selling your home! If your neighbors are not in the market for a new home, they may not see that your home has become available. Your neighbors may share the house link with their friends or family who are in the market for a new home. Everyone wants good neighbors! 

4. A For Sale sign can provide potential buyers with a direct contact (your Realtor). If potential buyers come across your for sale house and have questions, they know who to contact with their questions. 

5. Many potential home buyers start their home search on Google, Zillow and other real estate search engines. Online searching is efficient and makes it easy to save your favorite homes. Having a For Sale sign in your yard will give potential buyers the opportunity to snap a photo of your home, the sign, and add it to their online searches later. 

Questions? Reach out to our team, we are here to help!

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Top 3 Stores in Orange County to Shop for Consignment Furniture 

Posted on August 18, 2021. Filed under: Home Improvement Ideas, Homeownership, OC Home Fair | Tags: , , |

Shopping for new home items can be so exciting! Filling a house with your unique furniture, decor and style is what makes a house feel like a home. Instead of filling your new home with items that all major furniture stores provide, consignment shopping allows you to design your home with unique, quality brand name pieces that are unique to your home. While you’re shopping for your home, you may even think of items you would like to consign! From furniture, to clothes, to just extra household items, you can consign your items before shopping for new! Check out our list of the top 3 stores in OC to shop for consignment furniture, based on personal reviews and experience. 

Home Consignment Center – Newport/Irvine

Located in Irvine, California – Home Consignment Center offers a variety of furniture: 

  • Accent tables
  • Home office furniture
  • Bedroom sets
  • Coffee tables
  • Patio furniture
  • Entertainment centers
  • Dining room furniture
  • Sofas
  • Armchairs

They accept all kinds of furniture, from expensive heirlooms to trendy homegoods. You can drop off your items or they can arrange for pick up. Find their website and more information here

Address: 18910 Teller Ave, Irvine, CA 92612

The Legacy Center Furniture 

Located in Costa Mesa, California – The Legacy Center Furniture store offers a variety of high end items. You can submit a quote of your items directly through their website here

Address: 2215 Harbor BlvdCosta Mesa, CA 92627United States

The Hunt Fine Consignment 

Located in Laguna Hills, California – The Hunt Fine Consignment offers a variety of design, architecture, age and intrigue. The Hunt loves stylish furnishings and items that are antique, new, vintage, unique or just decorative for homes. They take any kind of items. They also accept large volume consignments, abandoned containers, or business closings. 

For more information and to learn about the consignment items they have, view their website here

Address: 23461 Ridge Rte Dr suite a, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

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Congrats! You Made It To Escrow! Now What?

Posted on April 13, 2019. Filed under: escrow, First Time Buyer help, Making Life Easier, Orange County Real Estate | Tags: , , , |

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!

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How To Buy Property In Iceland

Posted on March 2, 2019. Filed under: Buying in Iceland, Homeownership, Orange County Real Estate | Tags: , , , , , |

 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.

 

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Equity Shares – Buying a Home Despite Student Debt

Posted on February 2, 2019. Filed under: Equity Shares, First Time Buyer help, Homeownership, Orange County Real Estate, Owning Despite Student Debt | Tags: , , , , |

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!

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Ringing in 2019 with Real Estate Goals

Posted on January 11, 2019. Filed under: AirBnB, Buying in Spain, Divorce, First Time Buyer help, Home Seller Tips, Homeownership, Making Life Easier, Orange County Real Estate, Renting, Selling for top dollar, Selling your home fast, Vow2Save Orange County Real Estate Registry | Tags: , , , , , |

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.

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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!

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Vow2Save – helping newlyweds afford a home!

Posted on December 1, 2018. Filed under: First Time Buyer help, Homeownership, Newlyweds, Orange County Real Estate, Real Estate Stories, Vow2Save Orange County Real Estate Registry | Tags: , , , , , , , |

Our First Vow2Save Bride!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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

Posted on November 3, 2018. Filed under: Accessory Dwelling Units, ADUs, First Time Buyer help, Homeownership, International Properties, Lenders & Loan info, OC Home Fair, OC Property Management, OC Property Profiles, Orange County Real Estate | Tags: , , , , |

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:

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

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Vow2Save featured in South County Magazine!

Posted on October 19, 2018. Filed under: First Time Buyer help, Homeownership, Orange County Real Estate, Vow2Save Orange County Real Estate Registry | Tags: , , , , , |

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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.

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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!

 

 

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ADUs making you profit in OC

Posted on September 22, 2018. Filed under: Accessory Dwelling Units, ADUs, Home Improvement Ideas, Homeownership, Making Life Easier, Orange County Home Improvement, Orange County Real Estate, Real Estate Stories | Tags: , , , |

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.

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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!
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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.

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Owning vs Renting in OC

Posted on September 15, 2018. Filed under: First Time Buyer help, Homeownership, Making Life Easier, Orange County Real Estate, Renting | Tags: , , , , , |

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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.

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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!

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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!

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

Posted on September 1, 2018. Filed under: Balanced Market, Home Seller Tips, Homeownership, Normal Market, Orange County Real Estate | Tags: , , , |

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.

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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 😉
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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.

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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.

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Homeownership and Divorce: What To Do About Your House

Posted on July 27, 2018. Filed under: Divorce, Home Seller Tips, Homeownership, Homeownership during divorce, Orange County Real Estate, RCSD Designation | Tags: , , , , , |

The evil D word, nobody wants it, but it happens to 50% or more of us. Orange County sky rockets the national divorce average from 50% to 72%. Did you know that divorces spike in August and January? As summer winds down, we thought it would be a good idea to give you some pointers on this super touchy subject.

Listing your home during a divorce

MANY of our listings are divorce sales, and we strive to provide solutions to better protect our clients. It’s a HARD time, and we want to make it as easy as we can when it comes to the most important asset. For this reason, I just earned my RCS-D designation with Professor Kelly Murray, who has degrees from Stanford & Harvard Law. Watch this video to find out some important tips to a successful resolution of the house during a dissolution:

 

RCS-D-No-Background-AltReal Estate Collaborative Specialist – Divorce

Did you know that less than 50 Realtors in Orange County, CA have this prestigious designation? Did you know the standard in divorce when it comes to real estate is an appraisal and a mortgage statement?? That’s IT.

  • NO inspection reports
  • NO previous title search for liens or secret mortgages
  • NO insurance search to confirm the property can be refinanced
  • NO preapproval to make sure the home can *actually* be refinanced by one party or the other on their own

Property division is permanent, and not all divorce attorneys are stellar when it comes to real estate handlings. Things you sign in mediation are binding, and sometimes you feel rushed into these decisions. CONTACT US for a no obligation conversation on how you can protect yourself before you ever walk into court or mediation.

Hard Scenarios You MUST Consider During Divorce

Scenario 1: “Oh, just let them keep the house.”

Are you sure about that? One late payment can be 100 credit points! Do you care about your credit score? Ask yourself: Can you or your ex ACTUALLY qualify for the refinance?

  • For example: Can you use your alimony or support payments, and if so, how soon? Many banks have a 6/36 rule. They want to see 6 months consistent income, and receive evidence that 36 months of income will continue before they will lend.

Depositphotos_10853301_s-2015Scenario 2: “It’s ok, I’ll just go buy another house.”

ASK: If you allow your ex to keep the house, will YOU still qualify for with your name on the old mortgage? Can you start your next chapter?

  • For example: In the eyes of a lender, both parties don’t have 50/50 responsibility on a loan……you each have to pay 100% if the other defaults. Does this ruin your chances of qualifying for a second home in your name? Make it a point to find out before you make a promise you can’t keep.

Scenario 3: “I lost my job / health & I can’t pay.”

Consider what might happen in a worst case scenario. Would you be able to carry two homes to save your credit? Or possibly be willing to sell in a down market?

  • UNFORTUNATE FACT: Only 25-30% of individuals regain homeownership 7-10 years after foreclosure. Don’t let your divorce put you into this pool.

If you need help deciding what to do with your house during a divorce talk to the proper Divorce Professionals who can give you the protection, tools, and timeline to make your future a success. We have an entire team waiting to assist you, from moving out all clutter for free to pulling the necessary paperwork to know what you truly owe and own on your properties.

Please reach out to Angie via phone or text anytime at 949-338-7408. Always confidential, always caring, always at your service.

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Loan Advisor for your Southern California home

Posted on July 6, 2018. Filed under: Conventional Loan, FHA loans, First Time Buyer help, Homeownership, Lenders & Loan info, Loan Advisor, Making Life Easier, Orange County Real Estate | Tags: , , , , , , , |

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Need help with a loan for your home?

We value strong work relationships so much in our line of work. Successful home buying includes many different people and many different skills, and we couldn’t be as successful as we are without the help of our favorite referrals. When our clients are needing help with a loan to purchase their home or refinance on a loan they currently have, we frequently match them with Derek Beisner at RPM Mortgage.

Derek has an ‘advance approval’ program which basically makes buyers look as good as cash investors. This approval allows us to write out the loan contingency and close a loan in 21 days. In today’s tough market, this helps our buyer offers rise to the top of the pile!

Loan Advisor with RPM Mortgage

Derek Beisner has over 20 years of experience in the loan business. We have known each other through Orange County LeTip for almost fifteen years and he is the trusted mortgage lender in our group. He specializes in residential home purchases and refinance loans. His creative problem solving and forward thinking sets him apart from the rest. A key part of what he does for our clients and his own is a Custom Mortgage Analysis to determine the best loan option available that will suit their specific financial needs. This helps make sure each client has a loan that is going to work best with their lifestyle and financial situation. His expertise in the loan profession and his passion for serving clients, as well as, his determination to close on time will win you over (it sure did us)! Derek is one of our preferred Vow2Save lenders and he can loan in all states! Vow2Save is a very important program to us, allowing engaged couples to register for a down payment on their first home, so we only refer the best of the best to these couples.

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Mortgage Done Right

Derek’s Mission Statement shows just how reliable and easy he is to work with. It also shows you how seriously he takes his profession and the passion that allows him to do it so efficiently.

Mission Statement
My goal is to provide my clients with an unbelievable experience from start to finish with the loan process. By developing a vehicle for them to achieve the goal for their loan or refinance in a friendly and stress free environment.

It is my desire to conduct my business with the highest level of integrity and respect for my clients and co-workers.

And it is important to me to honor God in all that I do.

If you’re looking for help on a new or existing loan and you’re not sure who to contact the AskAngie team highly recommends Derek. Contact him at dbeisner@rpm-mtg.com or 949-637-9939 and if you’re looking for the perfect home to use that loan on contact Angie at 949-338-7408.

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How to sell your home fast and for top dollar

Posted on June 29, 2018. Filed under: Home Improvement Ideas, Home Seller Tips, Homeownership, Orange County Real Estate, Organizing, Selling for top dollar, Selling your home fast | Tags: , , , |

 

Thinking of selling your home?

Are you thinking of selling your home but the process seems too overwhelming and hard? Maybe you have already decided to sell your home but aren’t sure about the process and how to get started. The AskAngie team has all of the answers for you in either situation. We know deciding to sell your home is not an easy decision and can be a very stressful time in your life. Most people want to sell it quickly in order to purchase the next place and everyone wants to get the most money they possibly can out of their home. We have all the tips to help you do just that.

Declutter and bring in the light

One tip we always recommend to our clients is to declutter before listing your home for sale. Having a lot of clutter around your home or on counter tops can really take away from the big picture of what you’re selling. Most buyers want to be able to come into your home and picture it as their own in order to decide whether or not they want to make an offer, seeing your items everywhere might make it hard for them to picture themselves and their family living there. We also suggest removing any dark drapes or window coverings to really brighten up the space and make it more approachable to a buyer. Bright areas and natural light catch buyers attention every time.

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An example of a light and bright living room

Changing perspective

In order to get top dollar for your home you have to mix it up and change buyers perspective of what they are looking at. One way to do this is using drone photos for your online postings and MLS site. This allows possible buyers to see the area around your home including the neighborhood, parks, or schools nearby. It also provides a different look at the home itself. We also always suggest that our sellers invest in a stager for their home. Making it look its absolute best is a stagers job – and we have some really good ones! This will help you get top dollar because buyers are seeing it at its best.

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Without this drone image you wouldn’t be able to see the AMAZING surroundings this home has. What a change in perspective 🙂

Knowing the market

We believe educating yourself via your Realtor about the current market before listing your home is a good way to prepare yourself for what is to come. Being prepared and knowing what you’re up against is a good idea for selling your home quickly. It is currently a sellers market here in the OC, and we are always looking for people wanting to sell their homes. There’s a lot of buyers looking but never enough houses for them to buy. Knowing this information before posting your home for sale can be very motivating and encouraging as you begin your journey with your house on the market.

Bring the whole package from day one!

We always bring our sellers perfect package to the MLS day one of its listing. In order to do this you need a good Realtor, good photos, and be completely ready to sell. If people have online searches saved they are only sent properties via email the day it’s added and if the price drops, because of this you want to have your pictures and postings perfected before it is listed on the MLS. We also provide a property website for each listings that you are able to share on social media and with any buyer who is interested in your property.
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29 more home selling tips waiting for you!

These are just a few additional tips that we added on to share with you. but our team has created a report, 29 Essential Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast (And For Top Dollar). If this report is something you are interested in reading or you know someone who is thinking of selling their home and could use some tips just fill out the form below to have it emailed to you! If you need any additional advice or are looking for someone to help you sell your home quickly contact Angie at 949-338-7408!

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Relocating to Southern California? Writing a strong offer in today’s OC market

Posted on May 4, 2018. Filed under: First Time Buyer help, Homeownership, Making Life Easier, Orange County Real Estate | Tags: , , , , , |

 

Surf City Huntington Beach Pier

Sunset over Surf City Huntington Beach Pier

Southern California’s Current Housing Crisis

Are you thinking of buying in relocating to Orange County, CA? Today’s market can be frustrating and intimidating, but there are ways to make the buying process easier. The housing market in Orange County and LA has been on the rise and the inventory has been poorly stocked. This usually means there are multiple buyers interested in houses on the market. Bringing your offer to the table fully ready and easy to work with helps you have a rise above the other buyers interested in the home you want! We have some tips that we have experienced with our clients that has helped them get ahead of the game when it comes to receiving offer acceptance on the home they really want.

Rejected? Preparing an offer that gets accepted for your future Orange County home

Down-payment-gift

Having your offer and all of the extras prepared when deciding on the home you want will make the difference between acceptance and rejection. You’ll want to start with a fully underwritten loan that is ready to go! It makes your offer SUPER strong if you can write off your loan contingency, and just leave your appraisal contingency. Sellers LOVE this. This allows the seller to know your loan homework is done and you are ready to go NOW. It shows that you are almost as strong as a cash buyer for their home.

In addition, sellers in today’s market expect to see your Proof of Funds (POF) on day zero. Be prepared to show your reserves with every offer. As a good buyer’s agent, we hold all this info on file ready to fire off as soon as you are ready to submit an offer. Time is of the essence.

Are You Easy to Work With!?

Another thing that has helped our clients have an edge up on other buyers is having a non-contingent offer on a property sale. This gives you that edge up because you are stuck selling your existing home and praying for a fast buyer. If you’re open to handle repairs on your own dime, (aka signing an ‘as-is’ offer), than sellers are more likely to choose you because it gets them out of the headaches of dealing with contractors during escrow. Sometimes, this allows you to go in with a less than asking offer, knowing you will take care of repairs yourself later on.

Having a proper letter written to the sellers also makes you look professional and organized. We always recommend this to our clients so the sellers really know who you are, and why this house is perfect for you! We even include a photo of you & your family in the letter so they can place a face with the name. Trust us…this makes a HUGE difference when there are 5 or 10 offers on the table!!

If you’ve been struggling to get a bid accepted in this market, or don’t have proper representation, please contact us, we will make sure you’re taken care of! Even if you DO have all your ducks in a row, expect to write at least 3 offers in Orange County before you have one accepted. Statistically speaking there are at least 10 buyers for every home, so simply writing an offer is not enough. Let us help you win your bid! We’re at 949-338-7408 for a consult anytime. Just call or text!

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Avoiding Heartbreak During Orange County Spring Home Buying Season

Posted on March 9, 2018. Filed under: First Time Buyer help, Homeownership, Lenders & Loan info, Orange County Real Estate, Spring Buying Season | Tags: , , , , , |

Spring time has begun in Orange County, even though the weather has been chillier than normal! Spring means lots of exciting things like flowers blooming, maybe a little rain to make the grass more green, time spent at the beach, but for us in the real estate business and those of you looking to buy a home it means a busy and sometimes difficult season. We thought we’d share some of our favorite tips with potential buyers before we jump into this time of the year, full force.

Getting everything prepared to buy your home!

We recommend you always have a buyer’s agent to represent you! This makes communication so much easier with the sellers agent. Having a buyer’s agent that you really trust is so important in the home buying process. You need someone who really knows what they’re doing to be your voice when it comes to real estate matters. They will always have your best interest at heart and can properly represent you during the process.

To speed the process up, make sure you have your pre approval, proof of funds, and all of your paperwork in order. This will be most beneficial when there are other buyers interested in the same home as you, you want to make sure you are ready to go and can prove that to the sellers. There could be multiple people writing offers on the property you love and want to be your forever home, so it is important to make sure you have everything ready to be competitive for that home.

Advanced Tips for Homebuying Success

The seller’s agent is more than likely to want you to cross-qualify with the lender they have chosen to trust and use, so make sure you are able to qualify with anyone that runs your information. This will make the process much more smooth and will show the sellers and their agent that you are reliable. Also, make sure your agent has a cover letter for all of your offers. This just makes you look more organized and professional, and goes back to tip number one of having an agent you fully trust to be your voice throughout this nerve-wracking process.

Have an edge and be ready to go all in for the property you want!

Here’s a video of Angie and Loan Specialist Derek Beisner discussing loan contingency to help avoid heartbreak during spring buying season!

Call or text Angie at 949-338-7408 if you’d like to get moving in the right direction on your dream home this season.

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    Orange County, CA Real Estate for hip first-time buyers and investors. Plus, fun things to know and do in OC.

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