Market Trends – Orange County Real Estate

Tracking November 2011 to January 2012

Real Estate markets are always changing and it is important to keep up on the latest trends and developments in the market you may want to buy into. Since November, the number of houses listed in Orange County, CA went down by 18.5% with over 14,000 homes in November to less than 12,000 this month in January. However, this comes as no surprise when we consider some of the recent real estate trends over the whole country. The National Association of Realtors track real estate trends, and in the last few years, January has been the month that has set record or near-record sales. The trend will probably continue to decline, as April through July tend to see the highest sales. This season is when kids finish out semesters, when the weather is nicer, and when it is generally most convenient for people to move. To see every home listing in Orange County, please visit the Orange County California Real Estate website and find your home!

Condos, new homes, foreclosures, and properties have gone down in number of listings. However, the number of short sale homes have increased. If you would like to see all the short sale listings in Orange County right now, visit Orange County Short Sales. Short sale homes all over the country are increasing in numbers due to the current economic conditions. RealtyTrac has found that short sales account for 12% of home sales nationwide. That has increased from the 10% in the same quarter of last year. This general trend in our country is no different than what has been happening in Orange County. Orange County is typically one of the more expensive markets, which may be why this trend has been especially true in this area. Orange County’s average home value is $530,400 which is quite a bit higher than the $384,200 that rest of California is at. The median income in Orange County is not much higher than the rest of California, with only a 15% increase.

Condominiums are the type of home that had the biggest decrease in number in the last few months. Condos are extremely popular in California, Orange County in particular. Starting in January, Condos begin to really step up in sales. Condo buyers want to get into their new homes and get ready for the beautiful California summers and beach fun. If you have been looking for a condo in Orange County, feel free to visit Orange County Condos for Sale

Looking for Real Estate in a specific area of Orange County? Why not look at Homes for Sale in Laguna, CA.

How To Lay Hardwood On Top of Tile

When you purchase a new home there may be a number of things you want to renovate. Among the top of the list these days, is adding a beautiful hardwood floor. This look offers beauty, value, and extra life. But there are several things to consider when installing hardwood.  Depending on the amount of time you have, you may want to try to get rid of the tile… but this isn’t always plausbile or possible, so here is the best way to lay hard wood over tile.

  • Remove Any Obstacles
  • Remove any obstacles such as baseboards so you can slide the hardwood underneath, and replace the base boards at the appropriate hidth. Much of the hardwood floorboards, such as clickwood or engineered are approximately 3/8″ high, and with an extra 1/8″ for the pad underneath, you’ll want to allow for about a 1/”2 gap between the bottom of the base boards and the top floor, prior to laying your hardwood surface.

  • Level the Surface (Remove The Tile if Possible)
  • Get ready for some back breaking grueling work. Before you begin this project, make sure you’ve got plenty of patience in store, otherwise you’ll end up walking out half way through or doing the project wrong.
    One tile next to the other is substantially higher, this will cause problems when laying hardwoodTo lay hardwood down, you will want your surface to be as smooth as possible. If you have any drops that are close to a 1/8″ drop in the surface of your floor, it may cuase damage to your hardwood, or at the least it will creak and crack as you walk over the finished hardwood surface. Consider this – if the plan is 3 inches wide and there is an uneven surface underneath, it will teeter-totter depending on which side of the board you step on. That teeter-totter motion cause motion which will create sounds and wear your hardwood down quickly.

    The effect of hitting tile with a sledge hammer on concrete

    Divots left by the sledge hammer in tile which lies on concrete.

    To level the surface the best idea is to get rid of the tile, depending on how easy that is. If the tile is installed on concrete, this may be more difficult. If it was laid in an area such as the upstairs over floorboards, this may prove easier. The reason being, you’re going to have to break the tile with a sledge hammer, and the surface underneath will need to be able to bend with the force of the sledge hammer so the tile can crack. Otherwise, you may just end up putting small divots into the tile and not actually break anything, as show with the picture on the right. The desired effect is to have long breaks up and down the tile which can be pried up. Place a spare towel over the tile as you hit it with the sledge hammer to avoid any flying tile shards

    Here are some great tips to make your home valuable with less work.

    Kalispell MT Real Estate

    Kalispell Montana is one of the most beautiful places in the united states. Surrounded by lakes and forests it is a great place if you are looking for beauty. Real Estate in Kalispell is fairly inexpensive, there are very few homes priced at more than a million dollars. Here is some great info from a really good Kalispell website:

    KalispellMontanaRealEstate.com will allow you to search for homes for sale on the MLS in Kalispell MT, Whitefish, Evergreen, Columbia Falls, Hungry Horse, Coram, Somers, Big Fork, Lakeside, and Woods Bay. This website can show you regular Single Family homes and many other types of Real Estate in Kalispell. Foreclosures, Short Sales, Townhomes, Multi Family Homes, etc, are a few of the many different types of homes that you can find in Kalispell.

    via Kalispell Montana Real Estate | Your Kalispell Home Search

    What is a great Realtor?

    Should you want to sell your home quickly, getting a trusted real estate professional is definitely a smart choice. Listed below are the characteristics of a great real estate professional which you ought to find.

    • In control – A true real estate specialist knows what he’s doing and is ready for everything.
    • Dedicated to their job – whether it is night or day they would still take phone calls and look up properties
    • Unbiased they don’t make any prejudgment to what the buyer can or can not afford
    • Honest to what they offer. They don’t just sell to make cash but they market real estate for the benefit of both the home seller and the buyer
    • Hospitable – they know the ways to treat buyers gleefully
    • Organized – They keep meeting minutes, they keep records of essential details from their conversations with the leads to safeguard themselves against the inevitable.
    • Even-tempered – they do not complain even when it’s getting dark outside and their client wants to see, “the first home” they have shown, again.
    • Straightforward – Ask them with direct questions and you’ll get direct answers
    • Keen observer – They take time analyzing their clients’ needs, culture and buying habits
    • Good listener – They don’t just hear what their clients have to say but they feel them and do necessary actions to meet their clients’ necessitates.

    However, realtors also have some requirements from their clients…

    1. Truthfulness – Seeking the help of a realtor would really be very beneficial on the part of both seller and buyer.Having said that, should you desire to use a realtor more efficiently, then honesty is absolutely essential. Real estate professionals are expected to help clients in processing their contracts and lending. If you are a buyer and you truthfully know that you are not qualified for a home loan thus you can’t manage to pay the home, then stop! There is no point in trying to purchase a house, because pretension can’t grant you money. So just to remind all homesellers, you must know your prospects well before bringing them to the table.
    2. Cooperation and Punctuality – Clients ought to be punctual. Realtors don’t work for free and they’re not only working for you, there are also many very important clients that require their quality time during work days. Business means funds, so the more deals you close the more money you make – that makes every second absolutely important especially for realtors. Consequently be considerate to other people’s golden time and don’t delay any appointment with a real estate agent or make lie when you’re late – that will only lose realtors’ interest to help you out.

    A house with the right selling price is faster to sell. For sellers, do not overprice! For purchasers, stop asking for too much discount! Period. On top of that, buyers should be sticking to their budget, if all they can afford is up to $100K, then there’s where the search starts, refrain from insisting to realtors that you want to view homes starting at $300,000 “just to look”. There are lots of sites on the internet today that offer you to view MLS listing of properties for free with no hassle, so before you make a scheduled visit with a real estate professional, ensure that you really know what you’re looking for otherwise stop complaining to real estate professionals that they’re too inefficient to not help you well.

    Trying to find the best Coronado luxury houses? Find more houses once you click homes in San Diego.

    Charleston SC Homes For Sale

    This is your source for real estate in Charleston, South Carolina. Our site will provide you with the best information regarding real estate in Charleston, as well as the ability to search MLS listings of homes for sale. Find everything from starter homes and fixer uppers to luxury homes on the nearby islands. You can browse through short sales and foreclosures and find a great deal on your next Charleston home.

    via Charleston Homes For Sale | Homes in Charleston SC | Charleston Homes For Sale.

    Charleston looks nice. If you’re looking for a beach location, this is a place to check out.

    3 Typical Home Selling Errors

    Some home sellers sob for the fact that they have to sell their house that have been a part of their lives for a long time and that their home was not only a dwelling space to them but also a place where they have to build their hopes and dreams with and many happy memories. But apart from these sad facts lie one more reason why they weep, they can’t sell their house. You wouldn’t want to have your listing to just sit around the market. Therefore, carefully read and avoid the following mistakes that are commonly happening in the real estate market.

    • Overpricing your home

    • If you’re a home buyer especially if it’s your first time, the first thing you would do is to look for a home that is affordable, you won’t buy a home that is too expensive or a home with a price that may be a little high for its value. Therefore it would actually be a great mistake to hang a wrong selling price on a home. Though sellers want to get the best price for their property, potential buyers won’t be interested to even view it when it’s overpriced. Many homesellers have gone through this and a lot of them end up getting a cheaper price for their property.

    • The home is in Bad Shape

    • Most housebuyers want a “move in” ready home in good conditon. However, no one likes to inherit a property with messy floor coverings and overgrown landscaping. So organizing your home for selling is certainly recommended and it involves at least 10 staging up methods. Think about getting a specialist if you find it difficult to decorate your house. Having your home in a great shape will not only assist you to quickly market your propertymarket your home faster but it also gives more value to your house.

    • Home is Marketed Wrong

    • In today’s world, a lot more people rely on the internet. Shopping is accomplished with just a click and looking for homes is obviously a lot easier by roaming around the World Wide Web. Nearly 80% of all homebuyers start their research through the world wide web. Real estate advertising is like an art, you take the best images of your property and there’s attraction. Obviously, you do not sell the pictures but giving your online listing a great look and feel can get more buyers which enables you to increase chances of selling your home. Don’t forget that sensible online presentation of your house can be the only key for buyers to see your home. So try not to test the market by shooting bad photos.

    Think of the sincere things that any buyer will be easily drawn to. You don’t want a home which is too pricey. You don’t want a property that looks awful. You will not be attracted to something you do not see so when you make a listing on the net, guarantee that people would see it.

    Should you find it hard to market your property then getting a real estate specialist would be very beneficial

    Trying to find the best Condos in West Valley Utah? Or take a look at some less pricey homes in Utah once you click Utah real estate.

    Merry Christmas! All Time Low Mortgage Interest Rates for The Holidays

    Merry Christmas from interest rate Santa. It’s time to get the best Christmas Gift, a new House. And why should you buy a new house at Christmas time? Because the all time low interest rates make it a major sale on houses everywhere. That’s right, mortgage interest rates are less expensive than they have ever been before.

    Right now you could have a $150,000 home loan with a Principal and Interest monthly payment of just $711. In many areas of Utah, that will provide you with a pretty nice home.

    Here is the latest from the Freddie Mac residential mortgage survey:

    All Time Record Low Morgage Interest Rates

    30 Year interest rates averaged less than 4 percent at 3.94%. 15 year fixed rate mortgages were just 3.21%, and 5 year ARMS were just 2.93%. In simple terms this means…. Your monthly payment will be very, very low.

    If you really want to build wealth, go for a 15 year mortgage. With 15 year mortgages you pay a lot less interest and pay your home off in half the time. At the current average 15 year fixed interest rates that same $150,000 mortgage loan would have a P&I interest rate of just $1,051. In more normal times, this would be the payment you would have with a 30 year loan! Same monthly payment, but for half the term.

    What to buy? New or Old home?

    Buying a property is a choice that can be exhilarating and scary at the same time. Some housebuyers will get nothing less than a new home with an untouched bathtub. While others want a property with character in a well-known area. Hence it’s very crucial to learn the PROs and CONs with buying a newly built home or buying a resale.

    • PROs (For New Homes)

      1. Some find it very appealing to purchase new homes right from building developers, as they often include a good deal of bonuses. In the slow real estate market height, builder’s were throwing in major home appliances, upgrades, and ‘bonus’ money that could be used for settlement costs or put on additional enhancements.
      2. No chain involved, because you don’t undergo the consequences of getting caught up in an extensive property buying cycle, and completion can often be a bit faster.
      3. Compared to used properties, new-build houses are designed to thorough safety standards. Fire resistant materials are standard nowadays, for instance, and houses include fire safety doors and smoke sensors.
      4. Due to increased understanding of the environment, brand new properties are more likely to be more energy efficient, emit much less carbon dioxide and have less of an impact on the surroundings.
      5. Less maintenance. When you’re buying a brand new home, a big advantage is that you’re less likely to have to do much repair, particularly in the early years.
    • CONs (For New Homes)

      1. In a brand new home the warranties don’t usually cover wear and tear and incorrect use of home components.
      2. Given that the housing business starts to recuperate the bonuses for out of pocket expenses may not be as advantageous. In many cases, major appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers and washer/dryers still need to be purchased by the buyer.
      3. Regardless of the added builder bonuses, real estate specialists say new homes are generally higher in price than existing homes.
      4. As a consequence of having demand on space, a few new homes tend to have smaller rooms than older homes.
      5. Although you would expect to see new construction homes to look amazing, often they are not. One may bump into minimal issues with fixtures or fittings, along with the quality of the finishes. Once builders have moved on to their following job, it’s often tricky getting them back to finish things off thoroughly.
      6. The gardens often need a lot of work. The soil quality can be poor and, although it may appear as if there’s new turf laid, you can’t guarantee that it’s laid appropriately.
    • PROs (For Pre-Owned Homes)

      1. In pre-owned homes the seller and the buyer can discuss on getting an extended home warranty on some or all components of the home. From appliances, to swimming pools, to the air conditioning and heating systems, extended warranties give the buyer a peace of mind when purchasing a previously owned home.
      2. Almost all of the things that the previous owner set into the home, comes with the home. Cheaper to move into: window shades and blinds are in place, landscaping, patios and fences are complete. This can be a major bonus for home buyers that want everything laid before they move.
      3. Maturity of the town. Purchasers can take a historical perspective and check out how well the properties have held their value. Plus, homebuyers willing to purchase a fixer-upper can quickly increase the value of their property than someone with a new home.
      4. Buying in an established neighborhood permits homeowners to know more about the schools and neighbors before they buy.
      5. Cheaper in price compared to new homes with same size.
      6. Builder errors have been detected and fixed.
    • CONs (For Pre-Owned Homes)

      1. The drawback to buying a previously owned home concerning out of pocket costs is that some incentives that come with the home may not be in good condition. You may acquire appliances, and home systems that could cost you money in upgrading in order to have them working.
      2. Major appliances, plumbling and Heating and cooling systems will be needing some maintenance during the first year.
      3. Insufficient modern insulation materials means bigger gas and electricity bills to heat and cool.
      4. Bathing rooms and electrical outlets may not be good enough.
      5. Be cautious about fabulous old homes located in not-so-alluring neighborhoods: these can be almost difficult to market.

    Now that you learn about these things, the choice is yours to examine the pros and cons of purchasing a new versus previously-owned home. Choose between a maintenance-free new home or a pre-owned home in a mature neighborhood and also consider your budget. It’s not bad to become practical, because after all it is you who’s going to feel satisfied when you get your dream house!

    Relocate in CA and have a look at these available homes for sale in Lakeside or see amazing properties if you click homes in San Diego now.

    Reasons to Relocate To Utah

    Here’s a good article that goes over some good reasons why Utah is a great place to relocate to:

    Thinking of relocating, but you’re not sure where to go? Then you should think Utah. With great job opportunities, historically low interest rates, and plenty of properties priced to sell, there’s never been a better time to make the move to the “Beehive” state. And if you’re thinking Utah is mainly about all that awesome winter snow, it’s time to think again. After all, Utah has four distinct seasons, each with an abundance of reasons that make it a great place to live year-round.

    Winter: Okay, let’s get it over with. Utah license plates don’t boast the “Greatest Snow on Earth” for kicks. The fact of the matter is that, when it comes to winter, Utah truly is a wonderland. And it’s little wonder that the International Olympic Committee chose Park City, Utah, as the site of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. And now that the games are history, Utah residents and vacationers can enjoy Olympic venues “up close and personal” as public facilities open for year-round recreation. But all the winter action isn’t in Park City. The Rocky Mountains boast an array of world class resorts, many of which are just minutes from city centers and offer everything from Alpine and Cross-country skiing and snowboarding, to snowmobiling, ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing, and more. Avid fishermen can fish Utah waters any time of year, and even ice fish on near by frozen reservoirs. NBA fans can watch the Utah Jazz take on their opponents at Energy Solutions Arena. And with the winter Holidays come the amazing Ice Castles of Midway Utah, an other-worldly experience where visitors can negotiate a maze of 30 incredible ice towers jutting upward into the winter sky. And no Utah winter is complete without taking in the spectacular Christmas lights on Salt Lake City’s historic Temple Square, along with the many free concerts by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Then, in January, it’s back to Park City for the annual weeklong Sundance Film Festival. And for those who enjoy great eating and shopping, Utah offers a vast selection of stores and eateries that will not disappoint.

    Spring: There’s that snow again. As the spring sun thaws out the valleys, diehard skiers can take advantage of some of the best spring and night skiing conditions anywhere. In the lower elevations, weather permitting, it’s a great time for picnicking, hiking, and biking. And while you’re at it, you might as well break out the fishing poles, dust off the kayaks, the canoes, the quads, and last but not least, the golf clubs. Utah has a large number of golf courses, many of which are as beautiful as they are challenging. Car trips up the canyons or to such destinations as Timpanogos Cave, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon or a host of other natural wonders also make for great springtime activities. Naturally, with all that fresh mountain air working up your appetite, you’ll want to stop at one of those great eateries you’ve heard so much about (see Winter) on your way home.
    Read More At: Real Estate Resources » Blog Archive » Looking to Relocate? 

     

    Handling Your Foreclosure Rights

    Because of so many financial downsides, a lot more people aren’t able to pay their mortgage loans. Nobody wants to lose their house, therefore it is extremely essential to have a knowledge about how property foreclosure works and/or how you can refrain from dealing with it.

    I’m not scaring you off but we all need to face reality, hence it is wise to consider the facts that could really drown us further into debt. Understand the following facts before mortgaging your property:

    • Foreclosure is really one of the most scary stages of the real estate industry which people would try to ignore.
    • Foreclosure could really cause harm to your credit ranking over the next few years specifically if you also have other issues regarding financial obligations.
    • It’s hard to avoid dealing with foreclosure once it it gets started.
    • The basic intuition of many people today are to try to repair their debts as well as the damages done by foreclosure to them.

    FORECLOSURE HELP!

         Understand your foreclosure rights

    It is always a good idea to have a knowledge on something before we try to deal with it, especially when engaging with foreclosure. If you are struggling financially and start having difficulty paying your home loan then this is the time to start figuring out what your foreclosure rights are. Being aware of what your rights are will allow you to use them to your advantage as issues began to rise. Your rights will largely rely on the laws of your state so that you will need to consult a foreclosure expert in your state to find out exactly what they are. The state laws determine how a foreclosure process works and what you can do at each stage of a foreclosure.

    Making use of your foreclosure legal rights can protect you in many cases. I suggest you take advice from a lawyer to find out if your lender has done something illegal or has not followed the correct procedures. If ever the validity of the loan is in question then you can definitely use this issue to your great advantage. Your mortgage company will definitely have a lawyer so you need to have a reliable lawyer in order to effectively pursue your legal rights in these conditions.

         Know your lender well

    It is always a good idea to try to work together with your mortgage lender before trying to find out strategies to work against them. Your difficult financial issue may not be permanent and for all you know, the only thing you really need is just a little time for you to get your funds together and also to look for more ways to earn. If you start by challenging the validity of your loan or searching for flaws that a loan provider may have made then the lender will not want to work with you. The lender will indeed aggressively persists in the foreclosure procedure and they’ve all the right to do so. You might even find yourself in a more challenging situation and end up losing your property completely with no consideration whatsoever from the lender.

         Balance your foreclosure rights

    So how do you find a balance between defending your rights and working with your loan provider? If you feel that your lender has acted unlawfully, contact a legal professional but, if you’re able to, don’t have the lawyer speak to your lender until you are sure that your mortgage company behaved illegitimately. That way, you are not just securing your legal rights but also you aren’t making any issues with your lender before you have to.

    Your foreclosure legal rights are limited and you will then must deal with what you have. The simplest way to keep from having to use them would be to not enter into a foreclosure situation in the first place. Always prioritize your house payments. You may have to delay paying other bills or end up losing some services but you won’t have to experience a foreclosure process.

    Finding out how fast the foreclosure procedure works in your state is critical to recognizing your foreclosure legal rights. The later that you begin looking for a solution, the less choices you will get.

    Trying to find the best multi-family homes for sale in West Valley? Or take a look at this listing of less pricey Cottonwood Heights Utah foreclosures.