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4 Things Most Buyers Forget During The Final Home Walk Through

Jan 23, 2014 | Buyers

When do you do a final walk though? A final walk though is one of the last steps in the closing process and can be completed hours before you sign the final paper work or a few days prior. The final walk through is not a formal inspection and it’s not a basis for negotiating, it’s just the last step to make sure everything is as it should be. You’re just giving the house one final look before you officially become a brand new homeowner. Most home buyers get carried away by the excitement of their new house and forget to really take their time with the walk though. It can feel like a formality that you can just breeze through in 5 minutes while you celebrate, but it is a vital (if small) step in the closing process. So stay focused and don’t forget these crucial things on your final checklist. 1. Garbage disposal and exhaust fans. During the final walk though you will want to try every light switch, outlet, sink, toilet and appliance to be sure it’s working correctly. But what most people forget to pay special attention to is the kitchen. Make sure you run the garbage disposal and any exhaust fans to make sure they run smoothly. The kitchen is possibly the most used room in your house so you don’t want any surprises the first time you go to cook dinner in your new home. 2. Inspect the garage. Don’t limit your home check up to the house; take a walk though the garage. Check garage door openers and any circuit breakers located in there.... read more

Before & After

Jan 23, 2014 | Homes

Here’s another before and after of the once divided family room and dining room at 3119 Corte Portofino in Newport Beach.... read more

Before & After

Jan 15, 2014 | Homes

What a difference a wall makes! Here’s the before and after of the open family room at 3119 Corte Portofino in Newport Beach.... read more

Is that home improvement worth it?

Jan 14, 2014 | Homeowners

Expecting to recoup most of the money you poured into home improvements when it comes time to sell? Think again. In fact, some projects can actually reduce the value of your home. Make such improvements for yourself or your family to enjoy. Above all, avoid the five following improvements, especially if you’re hoping to sell soon. They simply won’t add any value to your home, at least not enough to pay back the cost of the project itself. Swimming pools – Even if you live in a sweltering hot climate and can easily picture your friends and family lying by the pool on a hot summer day, potential homebuyers may not. Instead, they’re imagining hours of upkeep, expensive costs and dangerous liability. Upscale landscaping – There are two problems with fancy landscaping: taste and upkeep. Instead, keep it simple with native plants that require little water and maintenance. You’ll spend less overall for a picture-perfect yard. Wall-to-wall carpeting – Not long ago, wall-to-wall carpeting was the norm in many suburban homes. Today, that’s not the case. In fact, many home buyers prefer hardwood floors or a wood/carpet mix. High-end upgrades – Many people think high-end upgrades will increase the value of their home, but that’s not necessarily true. The amount of money you spend on top-of-the-line appliances in your kitchen, rare marble countertops or imported tiles for your bathroom may do little to increase a home’s price. Invisible improvements – Just because you spent a lot of money on new plumbing or a new HVAC unit doesn’t mean the potential buyer will pay you more for the property. It is always a good idea to invest in these projects for... read more

Before & After

Jan 14, 2014 | Homes

Here’s the before and after of the now beautiful kitchen at 3119 Corte Portofino in Newport Beach. read more

7 Tips For Making A Seamless Move With Your Kids

Jan 9, 2014 | Buyers

Moving into a new home is a complicated and certainly emotional process. Not only do you have to find the right home for you and your family, you also have to pack up and relocate your entire life when it’s time to move in. Going through this process is difficult enough and when you add kids into the equation – things get even tougher. Leaving friends behind, organizing schedules and remembering every single toy are just a few of the challenges that come along with moving to a new home with your kids. Here are some practical tips for you so you can be sure nothing falls through the cracks and the whole process goes off without a hitch – or at least close to it. 1. Make a to-do list. Make a to-do list and stick to it in order to help you stay organized and on schedule when things start to get hectic during your move. Whether you kick it old school and write it out by hand in a special notebook or make a list on your iPhone, putting everything down in writing will help you remember. Be sure to make one for yourself and one for the kids as well. In fact, have the kids make their own so they feel like a part of the moving process and in control of the situation. Be specific on your to-do list by adding dates when you need to have things done. 2. Let your kids help you pack. Don’t be afraid to let you kids help in the packing process, you don’t have to tackle it alone. Depending on their... read more

Love this view!

Jan 7, 2014 | Homes

Check out the view from our new listing overlooking Lake Mission Viejo. It’ll be on the market in just a few days!... read more

Sneak Peek

Dec 31, 2013 | Homes

Here’s a sneak peek at our new listing in Newport Beach. It’ll be on the market in just a few days!... read more

Orange County, CA Tops Healthiest Housing Markets

Dec 28, 2013 | Real Estate News

Good news for Orange County residents, the healthiest markets in the U.S. are located right here in our golden state! California Association of Realtors (CAR) identified the top 10 turnaround cities in California, and Orange County made the list at #2 and Los Angeles – Long Beach is recognized as #6. The towns on CAR’s top 10 list are seeing home values appreciate in the form of median list prices increasing and homes are selling at a healthy pace based on decreased days on market. So what does this all mean? It means that 2014 is a great time to buy and sell homes in Orange County, L.A. County and all across Southern California. With home values returning to where they should be, home owners are in a good position to sell their current property for a great turnover to put toward a new home. Whether you’re looking forward to a shorter commute to work, a better community for your children or a new place that’s closer to family and friends, now is the time to make your... read more

5 Southern California Real Estate Trends To Expect in 2014

Dec 19, 2013 | Real Estate News

2014 is just around the corner and so it’s time to tune into upcoming trends and local predictions for the New Year’s real estate market. Here are our predictions on the 5 housing trends to expect in the Southern California market for 2014: Mortgage rates will go up Home values and prices will increase Fewer investors buying up properties and more buyers looking for primary residences Seller’s market will continue but cool off Condo sales will increase Increasing mortgage rates Mortgage rates are predicted to rise, but not too far, up to 5% or 5.25% in 2014. The Federal Reserve will begin tapering soon and the greater the reduction in Federal government purchases, especially of Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS), the more rates are likely to grow. It’s a great time to buy now because mortgage rates are still below the historical average so if you’re thinking of making a move, 2014 is the perfect time to jump into the market and start looking! With low rates and increasing home values, now’s the time to buy in order to make a smart investment for your future. Speaking of mortgages, home buyers also need to be prepared for stricter qualifications on home loans. Come January 10th lenders will be required to prove borrowers’ ability to repay a loan according to new “qualified mortgage” standards. An important statistic to keep in mind is the maximum debt-to-income ratio of 43% that borrowers will need to qualify.  The Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has also announced plans to reduce the maximum loan limits for conventional conforming loans some time in 2014. Increasing home... read more

Mortgage Rates are Super Low!

Dec 3, 2013 | The Market

If you haven’t refinanced, my advice is please do! And if you are considering a real estate purchase – you will look back 3 years from now on a decision to do it today and you will know you were a brilliant investor. Related articles Reasons Why You Should Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage (ctebockhorst.wordpress.com) Mortgage Refinance Guide Helps Borrowers Make Informed Decisions (sacbee.com) Save Tens of Thousands on Your Mortgage Payments... read more

The Wealth Window is 2013-2017

Nov 27, 2013 | The Market

If you believe that home values are on the rise, then the big money in real estate will be made in the next 4 years. So act now – there may never be a better time to buy real estate. What is your next real estate move? Related articles Revealed: New York’s Top 20 Real Estate Titans... read more

Home Prices in the Next 12 Months

Nov 26, 2013 | The Market

Interestingly, the more wealth you have, the more you believe that home values in the next 12 months are on the rise.   Related articles Home Prices in 20 U.S. Cities Rise Most Since February 2006 – Bloomberg (bloomberg.com) Home prices in U.S. climb 13.3% year-over-year in September, biggest jump since 2006 (business.financialpost.com) Spotlight on economy; Rising home prices, less homebuilding (blogs.marketwatch.com)... read more

Buy Rental Property to Build Wealth

Nov 21, 2013 | Homeowners

Real Wealth is Built in Real Estate Ownership. Over 30x greater than renting.   Related articles Building Wealth with Rentals: Holding on to that property could provide a retirement windfall (metroweekly.com) Guide to Becoming a Student Landlord – The Benefits and Things to Consider (noobpreneur.com)... read more

Home Equity Equals Over 60% of all Wealth

Nov 20, 2013 | Homeowners

According to the Federal Reserve, most of America’s net worth is in Real Estate. What is your next real estate move?   Related articles Want To Build Wealth? Buy a Home (sibcyclinenews.com) Homeownership and Its Impact on Net Worth (specialagentbrandi.wordpress.com) Measuring Wealth by Assets, Not Income (ritholtz.com)... read more

Before & After

Nov 19, 2013 | Homes

It’s always pool weather in Newport Beach. Here’s the courtyard before and after at 108 Via Havre on Lido Isle.  ... read more