by Jeff Pittman | Jun 27, 2016 | Real Estate News
Did You Know Millennials Make Up The Largest Share Of Homebuyers? According to the latest National Association of REALTORS® Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trendsreport for 2016, Generation Y, AKA Millennials (buyers 18 to 35), make up the largest share of homebuyers at 35% of all buyers. In fact, Millennials have made up the largest share of buyers according to the report for the past three years, consistently growing over the past four. Despite setbacks from the market crash of 2008 and recession, Millennials are becoming more traditional in their buying habits. This year’s report saw an increased share who purchased in suburban locations and who purchased detached single-family homes. Forty-five percent of Gen Y buyers now have children under the age of 18 in their home, 64% are married couples, and 12% are unmarried couples (the largest share of all generations). Millennials, along with every other generational group, prefer the suburbs. It’s easy to understand why Millennials love the suburbs when we take a look at the factors influencing neighborhood choice. The top three factors influencing choice of neighborhood for Millennials includes the quality of neighborhood (63%), convenient for job (60%) and overall affordability of homes (50%). SO WHAT? If you plan to sell your home in the near future, it’s important to get in the mindset of your audience – the homebuyer. Millennials make up most buyers and that’s one explanation for why 92% of buyers start the search for their next home online. That means your online home marketing strategy and digital presentation needs to be tighter than ever. Via First Team Real Estate. Thank...
by Jeff Pittman | Jun 25, 2016 | Holidays
The Fourth of July is quickly approaching which means you need to know where you can catch some local fireworks in Orange County this year, 2016. We have the list of city fireworks and events as well as all of the events going on this month in Orange County so you don’t miss a minute of summer fun. Most importantly, this month the OC Fair is coming to town! 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS IN ORANGE COUNTY All fireworks and events take place Monday, July 4th, 2016. HUNTINGTON BEACH hb4thofjuly.org Huntington Beach Pier 325 Pacific Coast Highway Fireworks @ 9PM The festivities are all day in Huntington Beach beginning with a Breakfast hosted by the Kiwanis of HB, a Surf City 5K, the 112th Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade and food and entertainment all afternoon at the Pier Festival. The Pier Festival runs all weekend long from Saturday, July 2 – Monday, July 4; 10AM-9PM daily. NEWPORT BEACH visitnewportbeach.com Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort 1131 Back Bay Dr Fireworks @ 9PM There’s a ton of Fourth of July fun going on in Newport Beach, as usual. The all day festivities on the Back Bay include live music from 4:30-9PM, a hosted bar, and food trucks. Gates open at 8Ma and it’s $50 per car. Also going on in Newport on the Peninsula is the Old Glory Boat Parade from 1PM-3PM with live music all afternoon long. DANA POINT http://visitdanapoint.org/ Dana Point Harbor Dana Point, CA 92629 Fireworks @ 9PM KSBR 88.5 provides the music simulcast for the fireworks show off the harbor, so make sure you tune it in to...
by Jeff Pittman | Jun 15, 2016 | So Cal Cities
Summer Orange County Beach Guide We all have our favorite beaches in Orange County, the go-to spots for the summer to sunbathe, surf, built a sandcastle or just hang out with the family. But if you’re looking to mix it up this summer, then check out our breakdown of beaches by the amenities and activities they offer. Whether you’re looking forward to roasting weenies over a bonfire or taking an impromptu hike with coastal views, here’s where you can find the perfect summer activity for your family. What are you in the mood for this summer? CAMPGROUNDS Check out the view of San Clemente State Beach from Calafia Park, in San Clemente. Camping on the beach is the best because the views are gorgeous, the location is convenient and the activities are varied from kayaking to hiking to sunbathing. Bolsa Chica State Beach Crystal Cove State Park Doheny State Beach Huntington City Beach Newport Dunes Resort San Clemente State Beach FIRE PITS Aliso Beach Bolsa Chica State Beach Capistrano State Beach Corona del Mar State Beach Doheny State Beach Huntington City Beach Huntington State Beach Newport Dunes Resort San Clemente City Beach San Clemente Municipal Pier BOATING FACILITIES Whether you’re renting a duffy boat here on Balboa Island or taking your own pride and joy out for a spin, you can’t go wrong with a boating adventure. Balboa Island Balboa Pavilion Dana Point Harbor Huntington Harbour Newport Dunes Resort Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve HIKING TRAILS The views from Crystal Cove State Park, the El Moro Canyon Loop, include beautiful beaches and of course some luxury real estate. For...
by Jeff Pittman | May 31, 2016 | Weekly Quote
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ~ Dalai Lama
by Jeff Pittman | May 31, 2016 | Sellers
Why Staging Helps Sell Your Home You’ve listed your home for sale, and you’re taking all the right steps to ensure you sell it quickly and for the price you want: You’ve chosen a trusted real estate agent, you’ve done your spring cleaning, and you’ve finally tackled that list of repairs in order to get your home ready for sale. But what about staging your home? Staging gets thrown around quite a bit but is it really necessary? Here’s the solid data that proves it is. These 3 facts are part of the reason why staging actually helps sell your home for more money. That’s what you want – right? INCREASE YOUR HOME’S VALUE BY AS MUCH AS 15% That’s right, according to the National Association of Realtors 2015 Profile of Home Staging, staging your home can increase the dollar value buyers are will to offer by 11-15%. Think about it—whether your property is best described as modest or opulent, this is a large amount of money you don’t want to leave on the table! To put the notion in better perspective, a recent staging investment at First Team, which cost $500, resulted in a $720,000 sale price for a home initially valued at $650,000. DETER LOW-BALL OFFERS When your home is staged, everything is in tip-top shape. Your home is looking its best – so you’re going to get the best offers. Almost 100% of real estate professionals—both buyers’ and sellers’ agents—agree that buyers are affected by home staging, whether they’re helped to visualize a home’s full potential or influenced to make a higher offer. CREATE AN EMOTIONAL...
