Latest Event Updates
When to Refinance
Refinancing your mortgage is something most homeowners consider at least once throughout the lifespan of their home loan. It allows you to pay off your previous loan by applying for a new one that has better financial advantages. While there are many good reasons to refinance, here are five common ones.
- Scoring a lower interest rate. The number one reason homeowners decide to refinance is to secure a lower interest rate on their mortgage. Not only does this save you money in the long run and decrease your monthly payment, but you can start building equity in your home sooner.
- Using an improved credit score. Even if interest rates have not dropped in the market, if you’ve improved your credit score over the last few years, you may be able to reduce your mortgage rate.
- Shortening the loan’s term. If interest rates are decreasing, there is a chance you may be able to get a shorter loan term with little to no change in your monthly payment, allowing you to pay off your loan sooner.
- Switching from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate. If you chose an adjustable-rate mortgage with great introductory rates when you initially financed your home, that rate may increase significantly over the years. By switching to a fixed rate while interest rates are low, you can protect yourself from future increases.
- Cashing out home equity. If there is a big purchase or payment on the horizon, such as funding a wedding or going back to school, your best option may be to use the equity you’ve built in your home to borrow money at a lower cost.
Staging Strategies for Homes
STAGING STRATEGIES FOR YOUR HOME
Staging your home is all about putting the best foot forward for potential buyers. By highlighting its most desirable features, you can draw more interest for your home and leave a lasting impression that is sure to help you sell it more quickly. Here’s what you should keep in mind as you prepare for your next open house or viewing!
- Help them visualize it as their own. Make it easier for buyers to imagine themselves making your house their home by removing personal memorabilia, knick-knacks, and photos. Instead replace them with simple décors, such as paintings, nature images, and plants.
- Think sleek instead of comfy. Modern-day buyers are leaning toward modern, crisp, clean interiors over comfy, homey looks. When staging your home, keep a minimalist mindset, and incorporate bright colors and metal accents.
- Deep clean the small spaces. It’s obvious to say you should clean your home before viewing, but don’t forget to cover your bases by deep cleaning the small spots. Take time to scrub porous areas like grout that may hold on to stains and baseboards where small pet hairs and dust love to cling.
- Spruce up your landscaping. The first impression your home gives to potential buyers is its exterior. Ensure you have a freshly mowed lawn, neat hedges and shrubbery, bright flowers, and a clean driveway.
- Set the mood. A home is so much more than just the way it looks, so you need to appeal to the other senses. Prior to having potential buyers over, set the mood by burning delicious smelling candles and selecting an upbeat, happy soundtrack to play in the background.
And the final step…talk to a professional to market and sell your masterpiece!
Gary and April Greer @ (951) 522-0518 OR april@teamgreer.com
Accessory Dwelling Units CA
The sweeping changes that California is hoping to bring to housing with the new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) legislation is big news and could alter the way we live in our homes and the aesthetics of our communities in a massive way.
Turning single family homes on tract lots into Triplexes? No more garage parking? Where will all the stuff go? I guess renting out the garage would surely cover storage and more.
Good or bad? I’m sure as with everything in California…it will depend on who you ask.
Turning Your Property into a Triplex
Making Sense of New ADU Legislation
For Sale By Owner Mistakes
Top 10 Mistakes Made by For Sale By Owners (FSBO’s)
• Accepting the buyer with the highest offer without regard to the other contractual terms.
• Not properly handling multiple offer situations with multiple buyers.
• Not properly handling back-up offers.
• Entering into an agreement with no earnest money deposit from the buyer, or a very small amount.
• Entering into an agreement before verifying the buyer’s financial ability to close escrow.
• Not disclosing known material facts affecting the value or desirability of the property.
• Not providing the buyer with legally required disclosures.
• Not obtaining the buyer’s written acknowledgement of disclosures.
• Not considering whether to require the buyer to remove contingencies.
• Not excluding items from the sale that the seller wants to keep.
Need the best way to sell for the highest price and the lowest stress level? Hire a professional team to guide you and do the heavy lifting! No obligation and No pressure consultation available. Call or text April at 951-522-0518 or email at april@teamgreer.com Cal DRE #01235358
Homebuilder Confidence Stabilizes
Homebuilder confidence stabilizes,
hinting at solid spring home buying season-
Despite affordability and labor concerns, homebuilder confidence held steady in March, according to the National Association of Home Builders. “In a healthy sign for the housing market, more builders are saying that lower price points are selling well, and increased inventory of affordably priced homes, will enable more entry-level buyers to enter the market,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz.
With that being said, the report also warns that affordability continues to remain a key concern for builders. “The skilled worker shortage, lack of buildable lots and stiff zoning restrictions in many major metro markets are among the challenges builders face as they strive to construct homes that can sell at affordable price points,” the report states. courtesy of housingwire.com
So Cal Rent Hikes 2019 Forecast
Helping Seniors Transfer Property Taxes
Portability Initiative is Designed to Help 55 and Over to Sell Their Homes and Buy Another
The California Association of Realtors (CAR) is attempting to qualify a ballot initiative, The Property Tax Fairness Initiative, that will restructure the way property taxes are calculated for buyers over the age of 55 (also the disabled and/or natural disaster victims).
CAR says, “A large part of the reason why (55 and overs are not moving) is that, even if they want to downsize or move closer to family, the prospect of a property tax increase of 100, 200, or even 300 percent, effectively locks our parents and our grandparents in their homes.” Thus, CAR maintains, “The Property Tax Initiative will help these homeowners to sell their current homes and move without being subjected to what is effectively a massive moving penalty”.
How will it help? Currently there are only limited conditions under which someone over 55 may transfer his or her old tax base to a newly purchased home. The Initiative would expand this.
“C.A.R.’s Property Tax Fairness Initiative would allow homeowners 55 years of age or older to transfer their Prop. 13 tax-base to a home of any price, located anywhere in the state, any number of times.” –taken from realtytimes.com 2-13-18
