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The Benefits of Buying a Condo in Southern California


Today we’ll cover a few pros and cons of purchasing a condo in Southern California.

If you’re considering buying a condo, you should be aware of the pros and cons of doing so before you make your final decision.

One of the greatest benefits of buying a condo in Southern California is that it affords buyers the chance to live in locations where a single-family home would be astronomically expensive. A condo is a great alternative to a single-family home if you want to live within walking distance to certain amenities.

Another benefit of condo living is the security it provides. Condos are usually gated and include a parking structure, meaning residents have a level of protection not always available to people who live in single-family homes.

And speaking of practical benefits, living in a condo also means that many maintenance tasks are taken care of for you. Condo residents don’t need to worry about mowing their lawn or cleaning the pool. These things, as well as certain utilities, are covered under the monthly condo fee that residents pay. These fees, which are split up between all the building’s units, also gives residents access to various amenities. The fact that fees are split up could be viewed as a drawback, but only if you’re living in a condo with a low number of residents.

Condos are a great alternative to a single-family home if you want to live within walking distance to certain amenities.

But what about financing? The lending process for condo purchases has historically been a point of concern for buyers, but, recently, condo financing has been made much easier than in the past.

There are currently three main loan options for condos: conventional, FHA, and VA. Conventional and FHA loans both offer lower down payment options, but FHA loans do carry a higher level of restrictions. Even so, many of these restrictions have been made more lenient in the recent past. The best way to know which loan type is best for you is to discuss your individual circumstances with your lender.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to purchase a condo will depend heavily on your lifestyle and goals.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

A Strategy to Help You Find the Right Home at the Right Price


If you’re a homebuyer, I have a strategy you can follow that will allow you to take advantage of our current market.

As a buyer, what kind of strategy should you use to find the right home at the right price in our shifting market? There are a few keys to keep in mind.

First, have a number in mind of what you want to spend on a monthly basis for your mortgage. Lending is opening up, and there are mortgage options available that will allow you to have the terms of your payment bought down. Although home prices have come down recently, they’re not going to drop, and since interest rates are rising, you’re better off buying now than waiting, say, six months. Even if you do wait and find a lower-priced property, you’ll still end up paying more for it because you’ll have a higher mortgage payment.

Next, make sure you know what you want in your future home. In this regard, it helps to sit down and write out a list of things you want versus things you need.

Since interest rates are rising, you’re better off buying now than waiting, say, six months.

Also, be sure to minimize the number of contingencies in your offer. The more you can minimize your contingencies, the more attractive your offer will be. The contingencies in your offer help to protect you, but they don’t offer the seller any protection, and they can prevent you from closing in a timely manner. In addition to minimizing your contingencies, you can also make your offer more attractive by doing things like getting pre-approved and putting down a high down payment.

Lastly, be ready to walk if the deal just doesn’t work. If the price is just too high or the location doesn’t work, don’t get emotional about it—know what you need and know when you should walk away.

If you’d like to start your home buying journey and you want to talk more about developing a strategy that will find you the right home at the right price, don’t hesitate to give me a call. I’d love to help you get started.

If you have any other real estate needs, feel free to reach out to me as well. I look forward to speaking to you.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

How Changes to Our Southern California Market Might Impact Your Goals


What is going on in our market right now? Let’s find out.

Now that we’ve entered the fourth quarter of the 2018 real estate market, it’s time to reflect on the changes we’ve seen recently and over the course of the year.

First off, contrary to past trends, we’ve seen an 11% increase in the number of new listings in the last 30 days. This kind of market activity is much more common in the busier months of July and August.  
 
That said, the market is still much slower than in the recent past. Sellers will need to be patient in waiting for their listings to find the right buyer, as homes are currently spending an average of 111 days on the market before they sell.

Sellers today will need to be patient in waiting for their listings to find the right buyer.

Working with a quality Realtor who can help you price your listing correctly from the start will be key to your success. Price plays a huge role in how any listing performs on our current market. Luxury homes, for example, have seen an even greater increase in inventory than what we previously mentioned—rising an impressive 38%.

Sellers and buyers alike must keep these conditions in mind while pursuing their real estate goals.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

You Get What You Pay for With Discount Brokerages


Discount brokerages are a cheaper alternative when selling a home, but in real estate, you get what you pay for. Here’s why.

The growing popularity of discount brokerages is a relatively recent development in the real estate market. These brokerages, such as Purplebricks, Rex Real Estate, Zillow, and Redfin Now, typically charge a flat fee or a lower percentage when selling a home. What sort of impact do these cheaper alternatives have when it comes to getting your home sold?

Today, we’ll be comparing discount brokerages to the offerings of more traditional options:

You may have already heard of Purplebricks. Originally based in the U.K., this company has begun conducting business in America as well. There are a total of 60 agents throughout the United States, with only 18 of those agents working in California. With so few agents dealing with so many residents, it’s not hard to realize that you won’t be able to receive much personal attention or negotiation capability.

They charge a $3,600 flat fee to list your home and put it in the MLS, but even if it doesn’t sell, you still owe them for that fee. If they’re doing a poor job and you want to quickly terminate the contract, good luck.

These agents work by quantity, completing around 20 transactions per month. There is a lot of paperwork that goes into selling a house, following up with appraisals, inspections, etc., which means agents are bogged down with too much work to give you their undivided attention.

Are they the people who would give you top dollar on your home?

Another such company is Redfin’s new Redfin Now program. They’ll offer you a cash price and close on your home in about three days if they can find a buyer. However, the price your home will be sold for is typically really low. In one example here in Southern California, a listing agent was going to be doing the usual legwork for a sale and saw a Redfin Now offer for $30,000 less than average comps in the area. Though Redfin Now gets homes closed quickly with a cash deal, you need to make sure you’re not taking a huge hit financially. They have to make their money back somehow.

Rex Real Estate offers a 2% total commission percentage, which is 1% to the buyer’s agent and 1% to the listing agent. Though it’s a definite discount, you’re giving up some important things. They do not put your home in the MLS—95% or more of sales come from the MLS where almost all agents find their properties. Instead, they’re putting listings on social media platforms, such as Facebook or Instagram. They’ll do an open house for you, but who is going to come? This marketing isn’t going out to the public, and if people even do show up, are they the people who would give you top dollar on your home?

Discount brokerages are only looking to sell homes in mass quantities. They are not interested in getting you the highest price when you sell your property, nor are they interested in providing you a high level of customer service, negotiation, or marketing. If you have any questions or would like some further information, feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

How to Increase Your Chances of Qualifying for a Mortgage


Qualifying for a mortgage loan is a complicated process. Here are a few tips to make that process easier.

Today we’re joined by a special guest, Jay Rodriguez from New American Funding, to talk about a few ways that homebuyers can increase their chances of securing a home loan. Jay offered some great tips, which we’re going to share with you now.

According to Jay, the biggest factor in qualifying for a loan is your ability to repay. That means when you’re applying for your loan, make sure that the job you are getting your approval based on is going to be your job all throughout the process. If your income and employment are consistent, it’s a lot easier to get qualified.

Don’t move any large amounts of money around in your bank account.

As far as credit is concerned, your score and your debt need to be as clean as possible. Don't make those large purchases with credit during the loan approval process. They will check your credit multiple times through the process to make sure that you haven’t opened any new accounts or taken on any new debt. At the same time, you don’t want to close any credit cards during the approval process because if you do, it will be very detrimental to your score.

Finally, don’t move any large amounts of money around in your accounts. Any money that’s used in the transaction will be inspected and sourced. Your lender has to know where it’s coming from if it hasn’t been sitting there in your account for at least a few months.

If you follow these tips, your lender is much more likely to say “yes” and much less likely to say “no.” If you have any questions for Jay, feel free to reach out to him at (949) 214-2810. If you have any other questions for me in the meantime, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email at any time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

Why Do You Need a Real Estate Professional?


Today I want to share five reasons that you need a real estate professional at your side.

Today I want to talk about the five reasons that you need a professional at your side when entering the real estate market.
 
1. The paperwork. Selling a home involves a lot of paperwork. Therefore, you need to work with a professional who can help guide you through these documents. In my business, I use a transaction coordinator to make sure that all your paperwork is completed correctly.

2. All the steps. Between negotiations, appraisals, and inspections, there are a lot of things that need to be done when selling a home. You will definitely want a professional on your side to help you through these steps.

The national news does highlight different markets and how they are changing, but you will need to work with an agent who knows your specific market.

3. Negotiations. When it comes time to sell, you’ll want to have someone representing your best interests. Having an agent working on your behalf will ensure that you earn the best price and the best terms.

4. Valuing the home.  Pricing a home correctly can be difficult. Having someone who understands your local market and who isn’t emotionally connected to your property will help you determine a fair price. This will allow you to earn the best deal for your home.

5. The current market. The national news does highlight different markets and how they are changing, but you will need to work with an agent who knows your specific market. With a real estate professional like myself, it'll be easier for you to get that information and it'll help you sell your home in the shortest amount of time for the most money.

If you have any additional questions about this or if you're interested in learning more about buying or selling, please feel free to reach out to me. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

Pro Advice About Home Buying for First-Timers


Today, Jay Rodriguez from New American Funding is here to give new homebuyers a few tips for how to set themselves up for success when entering the market.

Today’s guest is Jay Rodriguez from New American Funding. This past weekend we were talking when I had millennial buyers come in that got me thinking: What are the steps and tips that new homebuyers should know when they’re looking to enter the market?

Jay’s first point is to actually examine where your money is going and start saving. We live in a cashless society nowadays, so be sure that you’re keeping track of your money. There are apps that you can download that will help manage and track your expenditures, which will come in handy if you want to keep an eye on your funds.

The more money you’re able to contribute to your home purchase, the less financing you’ll need, meaning that your monthly payments will be lower. You’ll be more likely to qualify for a loan and you’ll happier with your monthly payment situation.

Further to that, pay attention to your credit. There are programs that will accept a credit score as low as 580, but the higher your credit is, the better off you’ll be in terms of what financing you have access to.

You should be speaking with a credit specialist as soon as possible in the home buying process. You need to find out what, if any, issues your credit has so that you can repair it if necessary.

You should be speaking with a credit specialist as soon as possible in the home buying process.

Apps like Credit Karma and certain credit unions will send you your credit report, but many people don’t realize that there are many different versions of your score. In the mortgage game, we’re stuck with a model that hasn’t been updated since 2009. Also, if you have medical debts or similar collections, those will be viewable on a completely different report from the one that’s pulled by Credit Karma.

Jay’s first step to beginning the home buying process is to speak with an agent you trust and like. They need to be an expert in the market and know the area you’re looking to buy a home in.

He also recommends attending open houses, which are free. These allow you to see the neighborhood and imagine yourself living there.

Finally, get yourself a lender. New American Funding is licensed in all 48 states of the continental U.S. and would be happy to hear from you. Call (949) 214-2810 to set up a consultation.

If you have any questions about real estate in Southern California, please reach out to my team. We’d love to help you.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

What Are the Top 6 Things Kids Desire in a Home?


Are you curious what kids really want in a home? Here’s your answer.

The Harris Poll recently conducted a survey where they asked kids under the age of 18 whose parents were purchasing a property what they look for in a home. Here were the top six answers:

1. To have their own room. 57% of the children polled wanted their own room and to not have to share with a sibling.

2. A large backyard. 34% wanted a place where they could play and have friends over.

3. Proximity to a park. 25% wanted to live within walking distance to a park.

Most of all, kids wanted their own room.

4. Closeness to school. 24% wanted to be closer to a school so that they wouldn’t have to ride a bus—they’d rather get dropped off by their parents or ride a bike or skateboard to school.

5. Being closer to friends. 24% didn’t want to have to rely on their parents to drop them off at friends' homes.

6. A swimming pool. 21% wanted their home to have a swimming pool or at least have access to an HOA pool for when summertime hits.

If you have any questions about how these findings affect you as a buyer or seller or you have any other real estate needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

What Renovations Will Bring You the Greatest Return on Investment?


What are the best ways to boost your home’s value before selling? We’re looking at the top four today.

Today I wanted to share the top four home renovations that will maximize your return on investment when it comes time to sell. The list comes from HGTV and gives you a good idea of what is going to be worth your while:

1. Minor bathroom renovations. Putting in a new vanity, a new toilet, mirror, or repainting are all good ideas. Something like this won’t cost much, but could bring you a return of over 100%.

2. Updating your landscaping. A big trend right now is synthetic grass. It’s a bit costly at the beginning, but it’s much more practical for buyers looking for lower water costs. It’s the first thing buyers will see when they visit your home in person and increasing your curb appeal here will also get you around a 100% return on your investment.

Synthetic grass can be costly, but it can also get you a 100% return on your investment.

3. Minor kitchen renovations. Putting in new cabinets, a new backsplash, and new tile are all great ideas. The cost is minimal, but the investment will get you around a 95% return.

4. Exterior home improvements. These include things like redone sidings, patching stucco, painting, and updating the front door or eaves. This will get you around an 87% return on your investment.

These improvements will not only keep your home in great condition and get you a great return, it will help your home sell faster and for a higher price. If you have any questions for me about any of these improvements or anything else relating to the real estate market, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email today. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

A Snapshot of Our Summer Southern California Market


There are indications that our market is starting to favor buyers more as we head into summer, and we have the numbers to prove it.

According to Frank Blakeley of Bay Equity Home Loans, we’ve been in a seller’s market for the past couple years, but we’re seeing indications that conditions are starting to favor buyers.

The latest numbers reflect this shift. 12% of all active listings have recently undergone price reductions. Compared to this time last year, there’s been a 3% increase in available homes on the market, but buyer demand has decreased by 8%.

If you’re a buyer, now might be a great opportunity to take advantage of current conditions.

This means if you’re a buyer and you’ve been frustrated by the lack of inventory and the high level of competition in our market, now might be a great opportunity to find a home you like and negotiate more of your terms with the seller.

That’s all for right now. If you have any financing needs, you can call Frank at (949) 433-0539. If you have any other questions about our market or you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, feel free to give me a call or send me an email anytime. I’d love to help you. 

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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

5 Speed Bumps That Can Slow Down a Home Sale


Many things can slow a real estate transaction. Today I have the top five things which can slow down a transaction for buyers and sellers.

Today I am sharing the five possible speed bumps that may slow down a home sale.

1. Last-minute damages. I once had a client who was about to close escrow and the wife backed her car into the garage, damaging the door and stucco. You must make sure that your insurance is paid through the close of escrow so that last minute damages can be fixed as soon as possible.

2. Ensure the home seller has all of their permits. Waiting until escrow to find out that you do not have the proper property profile through your title company and making sure that the city has permits could slow the process down.

If you are a seller, make sure that your home is in good condition before you list the house.

As a buyer, make sure that all the disclosures are given to you right away. And, as a seller, have your agent work with the title company and city to make sure that there is proper documentation for any additions that there may be.

3. Refrain from making any large, last-minute purchases. I have had past buyers purchase new appliances which they needed for their new house that was closing soon. However, it delayed the loan process. It also added balance to their credit cards to create a different debt-to-income ratio. While your lender is doing your final credit check, you need to make sure that there are no large expenditures on your statements.

4. Have all your documentation in line. You need to have all documentation accounted for before the lender does a final credit check. Money transfers from retirement accounts, parents, family, etc, need to be documented so there is a paper trail.  Do not wait until the last minute to do it because it can slow the closing process.

5. The home inspection. Make sure that the items you asked the seller to fix are completed and are in working order before you get the keys. If you are a seller, make sure that your home is in good condition before you list the house, if possible. This way you can avoid getting a request for repairs from the buyer which can delay the sale.

These are the top five speed bumps that could slow the sale of a home down. Making sure that all of these are done right prior to closing will make the sale go a lot smoother and everyone will be a lot happier.

If you have any additional questions or are interested in buying or selling, please feel free to contract me by phone or email. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

How to Stay Organized During Events

Staying organized is important to anyone with a busy lifestyle, and it is especially critical when planning an event. 


Because I’m involved with so many personal and professional activities, I’ve got to stay organized. And people often ask me how I do it, so I thought I would share my secrets.

One of the things I do to stay organized is something many people probably already do, which is to have your plans for the week, month, or year scheduled in advanced. 

Also, if you are planning on hosting an event, have people subscribe to your newsletter, blog, email, etc, so you can get them interested in things you are doing. I like to send consistent reminders to my clients in order to keep them up to date on my activities. 

When inviting people to events, I provide them with ample time so they can prepare. I use Facebook or Eventbrite to send out messages to the clients. For recreational events like golf tournaments, fashion shows, or casino nights, I will send out a calendar or “save the date” with more information. 

If I am doing an educational event, I want to make sure that the topic is clear. Especially if there are multiple speakers discussing multiple topics within one overarching theme, I try to make sure clients understand what to expect.

Sometimes, people think a free event may not be as valuable as one that they’d need to pay to attend.

To make sure you keep your own clients informed when you host an event, you can easily set up an event page on Facebook with all the necessary details. Then, you can share this page with your clients.

Eventbrite is another application you can use to do this, but it will cost a small fee. For our upcoming casino night, we are charging attendees between  $75 to $100. I do suggest you charge a nominal fee and then give out discount codes. Sometimes, people think a free event may not be as valuable as one that they’d need to pay to attend. 

Of course, being prepared on the day of the event is as important as preparing beforehand. For educational events, have an outline ready, provide handouts so attendees can follow along and add their own notes, or have a PowerPoint presentation handy so that you are not attempting to write everything.

At the very end of the event, allow time for questions and answers. This will help everyone in the audience.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me by phone or email. I would be happy to assist in any way that I can.  
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

How We Were the Right Fit for Marissa



"We heard about Kevin because he listed another home in our neighborhood. We were just blown away by how quick he could get in to see us the research he had and just his personality, his enthusiasm. We just knew he was the right fit. He knew the perfect way to tell us what he would recommend we did to prep for the open house to maximize the money. He helped us every step of the way above and beyond what most realtors would do. He came and brought us moving boxes. He asked if we needed help with anything. He kept in touch and let us know everything going on every step of the way." -Marissa P.
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How We Went Above and Beyond for Anthony



"He went above and beyond. The main thing that got us with him was the service after he sold the house. He didn't have to do all of these extra things after the house was sold. He came out he made sure that everything was taken care of. He went and got us a nice little doormat for our new place. We heard about Kevin because he listed a home in our neighborhood. Everything about what he's doing is what I would want every individual realtor to be like." -Anthony P.
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Is There a Bubble Coming in the Housing Market?


Is the current market heading toward another housing bubble? Today we will talk about the housing trends we’re seeing in Southern California.


Given current interest rates, pricing, and inventory, is a bubble on its way?

Before answering this, let’s define the term “bubble.” A housing bubble refers to a period of rapid, unsustainable growth in the market. What happens after this growth is an equally rapid decline, very much like a bursting bubble. When you feel a bubble burst, fragments go everywhere.

Certain housing corrections and cycles are normal, but bubbles are not. So it’s important to know the difference between them. Based on this, we aren’t likely seeing a bubble on the horizon.

Interest rates are going up, but does that mean that home prices are going to go down? Actually, there is no relation between interest rates and house prices. There have been four times in history when interest rates have gone up over a half percent. And each of these times, prices continued to rise. This is likely because when interest rates go up, there are usually higher wages and higher employment, meaning people are able to afford increased expenses.


With a mortgage, there are tax write-off benefits and equity being built up with each payment you make.

In Southern California, we have just about 1.5 months of inventory. So if you’re a buyer and you come across the right home, you need to make your move. You are either going to pay a landlord's mortgage, or you're going to pay your own. If you find the right house at the right cost, don't worry about timing out the market.

To demonstrate the benefits of homeownership, something our team likes to do is provide people with a rent-to-own analysis. We look at how they much pay for rent compared to what they could get for a monthly mortgage payment of around that same amount.

With a mortgage, there are tax write-off benefits and equity being built up with each payment you make. Sometimes, numbers talk.

If you have any additional questions regarding the current market, please contact us. We would be happy to assist in any way.
 
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

Are These Home Buying Myths Preventing You From Making a Move?


Today, I’d like to address two common misconceptions people tend to have about purchasing a home in our market.


Today I’m joined once again by Frank Blakely of Bay Equity Home Loans to talk about a question that arose while talking to some of my clients: “How am I going to get into the Southern California market?”

According to Frank, this concern actually arises as a result of two common misconceptions people have regarding the home purchase process.

The first misconception is that you need to put 20% down to secure a home. The truth is that you can put down as little as 3% to qualify for a conventional loan under $450,300. In high-cost areas of California, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allow people to secure conventional loans up to $679,650 for just 5% down. For that same price range, people in these same areas can obtain an FHA loan with as little as 3.5% down.

While it’s preferable to have a higher credit score when purchasing a home, it’s certainly possible to qualify with a lower one

People often think it’s better to wait and save up money, but by the time they have a higher down payment saved, home prices may have also risen.

The second misconception people often have is that you must have a perfect credit score to purchase a home. It’s true that a higher credit score will earn you a better rate, but there are absolutely options for people with lower scores. For example, you can still qualify for an FHA loan with a credit score as low as 580. For a conventional loan, your score can be as low as 620. So, while it’s preferable to have a higher score, it’s certainly possible to qualify with a lower one.

If you have any other lending questions for Frank, feel free to give him a call at (949) 433-0539. And, as always, if you have any other questions or would like more information about real estate, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

Keep an Eye on These New California Laws




There have been a number of legal changes in California that will impact real estate. Here are a few of the major ones to note.



Today, I wanted to update you on certain laws that have been changed in California which will impact real estate.

First, new disclosure requirements have been added. One of those is the bedbug disclosure; it is now a requirement to disclose whether or not there have been bedbug infestations in the past. Additionally, you must now disclose to new tenants if a property is located within a flood zone. You’re not required to disclose this to older tenants.

Another legal impact to consider in real estate is California’s laws about marijuana. If one is over the age of 21, they are legally allowed to use marijuana, and legally, you’re only allowed to own six plants per one adult person. You are, however, allowed to place restrictions on smoking and drug use within your property.

As a landlord, you are allowed to place restrictions on pets, however, with regards to comfort or therapy pets, the restriction must be reasonable. For example, even though one might have a pit bull as a comfort pet, if the city ordinance bans such dogs, you needn’t make an exception for them. Similarly, therapy animals like peacocks and other, exotic animals would be considered unreasonable.


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It is now a requirement to disclose whether or not there have been bedbug infestations in the past

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When it comes to swimming pools, if the pool was built before 1996, you were required to have one kind of alarm or gate with a spring lock on it to prevent children from falling in. Now, if the pool is being renovated or was built after 1996, you are required to have two of about six different security systems. You need to have some combination of a fence, a cover, a latch, and/or and alarm. Inspectors in California are now required to inspect all pools, where it was once an optional feature that would constitute an extra charge.

Finally, another interesting change is that you are now no longer able to ask a prospective or current employee’s wage history, where once you were able. You also are required to clearly inform an employee about what they will be making at your workplace. Further still, any background checks you do must take place after you’ve extended a job offer.

There have been a lot of changes, so be sure to stay updated on those to avoid any trouble in the future.

If you have any questions about any of these changes, feel free to reach out to me. I'd be happy to help.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

Strengthen Your Offer by Getting Pre-Approved


Today’s special guest has some important information to share about his approach to helping clients through the home buying process.


 Today I’m joined by a new special guest, Frank Blakeley with Bay Home Equity Loans, to talk about the home buying process. 

 First of all, Frank says that when he works with clients, he likes to treat their transactions as if they were his own. 

 So, the first step Frank takes with his clients is talking about their financing goals. Frank asks clients about how much they have for a down payment, what they can afford for a monthly budget, what type of home they are looking for, and more. 

 This conversation will determine whether the client’s goals are possible and, if so, what needs to happen for those goals to be met. 

 The next step is filling out an application, which can be done over the phone or through email. Frank has found that 70% of the people his team works with are able to become pre-qualified after filling out this application, and pre-qualification is half the battle.
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With proof of pre-approval in hand, buyers are able to make much stronger offers.

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Of course, pre-approval is what truly verifies a buyer’s ability to make a home purchase. This is why Kevin and his team use their underwriter to help buyers obtain a fully underwritten pre-approval. With proof of pre-approval in hand, buyers are able to make much stronger offers. 

 Sellers benefit from this pre-approval as well. It affords them peace of mind in knowing that their transaction will run smoothly and on time. 

 If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Why Should You Professionally Stage Your Home?


Emilie McVay, an interior designer from Luminous Staging, is here to discuss the many benefits of staging your home before it hits the market.



Today, Emilie McVay from Luminous Staging is here to discuss some of the benefits of using a professional designer to stage your home before you put it on the market.

Emilie has been an interior designer for residential properties for 23 years, and she has been staging for one year. Emilie has helped some of my new clients who have a house coming up on the market, and she has a few tips to share with you.

First of all, millennials are the biggest population looking for homes. Since millennials are very tech savvy, they are interested in smart home technology, like Alexa or Google Home. They want systems they can operate through their iPhone while they’re away so that they can control things like lighting, security, and appliances. Adding some smart home systems will add value to your home, as will doing some home improvement projects before your home hits the market.

As a seller, you do typically have to pay for the staging consultation. However, if you’re not sure about getting your home staged and your Realtor really thinks it’s a good idea, or if you don’t have enough money out of pocket to pay for staging up front, Emilie does offer getting paid out of escrow. That way, you also get to see how staging adds value to your home and helps your home sell quicker.

Staging can increase the value of your home by 15% to 30% on average. Emilie also says that a staged home sells 87% faster than a non-staged home. Remember, 97% of people look at properties online before they walk into a home. Staging helps your professional photos catch a buyer’s eye when they are looking at homes online.

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    Staged homes sell 87% faster than non-staged homes.

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Properly staging your home is more than having the right furniture; it’s about creating the right space flow. When someone walks into the home, it’s important that they feel like the flow of the home and the space planning matches their lifestyle. Staging also makes your home look bigger, which will be very appealing.

Emilie also pays special attention to the design of your home. If your home was built in 1935, for example, she’s not going to use contemporary, modern furniture. Your home should have a cohesive look inside and outside so that when a buyer walks in, they’ll say, “Wow, this home looks well put-together.”

Emilie can stage a home in under a week. However, if your home needs a few repairs or decluttering, the entire process takes closer to four or five weeks.

I would like to thank Emilie for talking with us today. If you have any questions for her, you can give her a call at (949) 235-0466 or email her at Emilie@LuminousStaging.com. As always, if you have any real estate questions, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!


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Location: Los Altos, CA, USA

5 Reasons You Should List Early in 2018


If you’ve been putting off your home sale, what are you waiting for? The time to list is right now, and there are five reasons why.


 I know many people think they should wait until spring to list their home, but I’ve got five reasons today as to why you should list right now.
  1. Prices have gone up.  Depending on your location, prices have risen between 3.5% and 5.5% percent. Here in Southern California, they’ve increased significantly. 
  2. Inventory is low. In the last several years we’ve had 6,000 homes on the market in Orange County, but right now we have just around 3,900. The market is in desperate need of more listings.
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    The market is in desperate need of more listings.

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  3. Interest rates are at historic lows. We’re still seeing interest rates ranging around 4%. This means buyers have increased buying power and will be willing to bid for your property against other buyers. 
  4. Consumer confidence is high. The economy right now is doing phenomenally and unemployment is currently below 4%. With more money in their pockets due to tax reform, many people are ready to make their next home purchase.
  5. Millennials are entering the market. According to a recent study by Bank of America, 64% of millennials have saved $15,000 toward a home and 50% have saved over $100,000. If you price your home correctly, now is a great opportunity to take advantage of this demographic’s entrance into the market. 
If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

Millennials Are Making a Big Impact


I’d like to offer my congratulations to millennials out there. Here’s why.


I’d like to start today by congratulating all the millennials out there. It seems like you’re finally growing up. I recently read a survey that said that 60% of millennials are saving money nowadays, which is 50% more than there were in 2015. 47% of those people have at least $15,000 saved, which is fantastic.

Our typical stereotype of the “lazy millennial” is changing. They’re saving at a nearly identical rate to Generation X, while still trailing baby boomers (75%).

With the economy changing, new jobs and a low unemployment rate has resulted in people being more positive in general. Some stocks have doubled in price and we’ve seen some incredible highs on the Dow as well.

If you have enough saved to buy a home, I’d love to help out.

To all the millennials out there: keep doing what you’re doing and keep saving. If you have enough saved to buy a home, I’d love to help you out. Even if you don’t have the typical 6% to 10% for a down payment, there are programs out there to get you into a home for less.

If you have any questions for me in the meantime or if there is anything I can help you with, give me a call or send me an email. I would love to hear from you.
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Location: Orange County, CA, USA
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