Showing posts with label the realtor beach of long beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the realtor beach of long beach. Show all posts
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
How To Buy In A Seller's Market
How To Buy In A Seller's Market
Written by Blanche Evans on Sunday, 10 November 2013 11:31 am
Prices are rising and perhaps there are fewer homes for sale where you want to live. What can you do to put the odds in your favor?
First, get preapproved by a lender. That means sharing your financial information, going online and playing with a mortgage calculator. Give the lender the documentation she needs, such as salary stubs, revolving credit obligations, and bank statements. You'll know for certain how much you can afford, how much you need to put down to qualify and what your interest rate will be.
Make your must-have and wish list realistic, beginning with price. Be prepared for compromises - a bigger home vs a longer commute, or a smaller home in a preferred school district.
In a seller's market, homes sell quickly, so the homes you find online or by driving the neighborhood may already be under contract or sold before you even get the chance to see them.
Homes in the best condition will sell for top dollar. Consider homes in need of cosmetic updates or repairs. The average home purchased in 2013 was about 20 years old, up from 11 years old at the height of the housing boom. You may be able to buy at a discount, make the updates you want, and bring your home to neighborhood standards - a quick route to building equity.
When you visit open houses or new builder homes, tell the listing agent or builder's representative that you are represented by your buyer's agent. If you decide to make an offer, your buyer's agent can be instrumental in helping you negotiate.
Don't get caught up in the buying frenzy. If you need to make a full price offer or get in a bidding war, stay within your budget. Don't let yourself become house-poor; your house payment including principal, interest, taxes and insurance should be no more than about 28% of your gross monthly income. That's the conforming loan standard and it's a good guideline for homebuyers to help them buy safely within their means.
Plan to stay in your new home at least five years. To buy and sell a home at break-even or with a profit, means you must be able to pay back typical closing costs, approximately 14 percent of the buy side and sell side transactions combined.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Home Sellers: Check your Home for Storm Damage
By Ruben Gonzalez Jr.
Prudential California Realty (DBA)
It’s been another
crazy year of weather with many big rain and wind storms damaging houses
throughout the country. With fall upon us and winter around the corner, home
sellers should take a close look at their property for storm damage and make
repairs.
If you experienced
a powerful storm, it’s a smart idea to check your roof for any damage and
ensure there are no missing shingles or cracks around any skylights the home
may have. Climb into your attic and look for discoloration of the decking or
plywood surfaces.
Also look for light
penetrating from around plumbing vents or the chimney, indicating that your
roof’s flashing needs repair.
Next, inspect your
rain gutters for damage and clear them of leaves and debris. Look for holes,
cracks or sags; all three can be easily fixed by a homeowner. (To fix a small
hole, first use an abrasive pad to clean the area, then cut a piece of gutter
material slightly larger than the hole. Using a stiff brush, spread gutter-repair
compound around the hole and place your patch over the top. Cover the patch
with another layer of compound to ensure a good seal. To repair minor sags,
simply add a new hanging bracket to the sagging area or replace the compromised
existing bracket.)
Pay particular
attention to areas of your home near trees and shrubs. Limbs can play havoc
with your roof, siding and stucco in heavy winds, and can come crashing down
under the weight of snow. Prune your trees and shrubs to ensure their health
and to safeguard your home.
Finally, be sure
to inspect your windows, fencing, decking, which also take a beating in storms.
Seal and repair any damage.
Sometimes storm
damage is unavoidable. But making quick repairs can help ensure your home is
safe, sound and ready for sale.
Ruben Gonzalez can be reached at (562) 507-0754 or Email me.
Prudential (dba) is an independently owned and operated broker
member of BRER Affiliates LLC. Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are
registered service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related
entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Used under license with
no other affiliation with Prudential. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Earnest Money Deposit
By Ruben Gonzalez Jr.
Prudential California Realty (DBA)
Most homebuyers today
understand they need a sizeable down payment and a strong credit score to
secure a conforming home loan. Buyers also must hold liquid funds for another financial
obligation – an earnest money deposit – to be paid when they make an offer on a
home.
In short, earnest
money is handed over to the seller’s agent or the title company when a purchase
contract is signed. This demonstrates that the buyer is serious about the transaction
and is backing it up with cash.
Without earnest
money, buyers could simply make offers on many homes, essentially taking them
off the market until they choose a favorite. Sellers rarely will accept offers
without such deposits.
There is no set
amount for an earnest money deposit so it can be up for negotiation. If the
home is popular with multiple bidders, the seller may ask for up to 3% of the
asking price as earnest money. Ideally, the amount is enough to impress the
sellers, particularly when they’re entertaining several offers.
Assuming the
transaction results in an accepted offer, earnest money goes toward the buyer’s
down payment and closing costs. If the transaction falls through, the buyer may
have to forfeit a nominal cancellation fee or more.
Be sure the purchase
agreement outlines the refund process. Remember, a buyer can lose earnest money
through default, which happens when he or she does not perform according to the
terms stipulated in a purchase and sale agreement.
Work carefully
with your Prudential Real Estate agent to ensure a clear understanding of all
terms and obligations.
Ruben Gonzalez can be reached at (562) 507-0754 or Email me.
Prudential (dba) is an
independently owned and operated broker member of BRER Affiliates LLC. Prudential, the
Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are registered service marks of Prudential
Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions
worldwide. Used under license with no other affiliation with Prudential. Equal
Housing Opportunity.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
A Souped-up Laundry Room Can Make a Difference for Home Sellers, Buyers
By Ruben Gonzalez Jr
Prudential California Realty (DBA)
One
of the most dreaded chores around the house is laundry. Maybe that’s why when
selling a house, the laundry room is one of the most forgotten areas to get in
shape. The machines are often dusty, with detergent dripping down the sides and
lint and old socks on the floor.
Yet
it’s an area that doesn’t take too much time to clean and can really make a
difference when showing your house to prospective buyers.
The
easiest way to make a statement with a laundry room is by adding more
energy-efficient washing machines and dryers. Recent statistics by the U.S.
Department of Energy show that installing machines with the ENERGY STAR label
will decrease water costs by up to 50 percent. There are also machines that
automatically adjust the water temperature and the amount of water used for
each load to prevent excess and waste.
Many
new models are available with designer colors, pedestals and sleek designs,
which can make a bold statement. When purchasing a new washer, you’re also
going to need to choose between a front- or top-loading machine. While a top-loading
machine requires enough water to cover all the clothes in its drum, a
front-loading washer needs only a third of that amount because its drum is set
horizontally in the machine. It requires less water and allows for larger
loads, and it looks great.
On
the downside, a front-loading washer is more expensive and can develop mold
because it doesn’t empty dirty water as efficiently as a top-loading machine.
When
it comes to dryers, new sensor technology is the rage. Dryers with moisture
sensors recognize when laundry is dry more quickly than traditional machines
and shut down sooner. This saves energy, cash and wear and tear on your
clothing.
The use of steam
washers and dryers for greater energy and water efficiency is also a growing
trend. Steam machines offer enhanced clothing-care options such as short,
steam-only cycles that help to reduce wrinkles and remove odors from clothing
without using water and detergent.
Laundry
rooms used to be relegated to the basement, but today, people are finding space
for washers and dryers in more convenient areas of the house like the kitchen
or upstairs, near bedrooms. Housing experts agree that installing a laundry
nook will raise the value of a home, and make it more convenient as hauling
baskets of clothing up and down flights of stairs become a thing of the past.
Ruben Gonzalez can be reached at (562) 507-0754 or
Prudential (dba) is an independently owned and operated broker
member of BRER Affiliates, Inc. Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock
symbol are registered service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its
related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Used under
license with no other affiliation with Prudential. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
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