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Showing posts with label Orange County Real Estate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Orange County Real Estate. Show all posts

Are We Facing a Recession?


2008 was an outlier because real estate can do well during a recession.


 

Today I’m joined by Dave Marzinke from Movement Mortgage to talk about whether we will be facing a recession in the near future.


Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch are saying that there is a 35% chance that we’ll see a recession next year. There are some indicators, like inflation, in the market that support this theory. When the Federal Reserve starts raising interest rates to get a handle on inflation, that's often a precursor to a recession as well. 


Many people think of the 2008 housing market crash when they hear the word recession. However, that was an anomaly and isn’t what normally happens during a recession. Historically, real estate has either performed well or above expectations during recessions because interest rates come down during those times. That helps with affordability. The economics are completely different than in 2008.


If you have any questions, give us a call, text, or email. We look forward to speaking to you.

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Location: Orange County, CA, USA

How the Experts Are Handling Appraisal Gap Issues


Dave Marzinke from Movement Mortgage is back again to address another important topic.


 

Dave Marzinke is back with us again to talk a little bit about appraisal gaps, the issues buyers are running into, and how we’re working together to solve problems.

If an appraisal comes in low, the important thing to know is that you have options. For example, if you’re putting at least 10% down, we can readjust the loan-to-value based on the new appraisal and not have to bring additional cash to close. It does include PMI in some cases, but in others, it doesn’t. It’s a great strategy to help you overcome a renegotiation in this competitive market, but it’s not the only one. There are multiple different options to address an appraisal gap depending on your situation.

Dave is seeing very few low appraisals. According to him, under 20% of the total appraisals coming in are coming in low.


"There are multiple ways to address an appraisal gap based on your situation."


If you have any appraisal or mortgage-related questions for Dave, give him a call at (949) 449-2477.

If you have any other questions for me, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Setting Expectations With Buyers and Sellers


It’s critical to set the right expectations with both buyers and sellers.



 

Today I’m discussing how to set expectations with buyers and sellers both from the start and

throughout the process.


For buyers, despite how fast and crazy the real estate market has been lately, it’s still a good

idea to do a buyer’s consultation. We set up a 30- to 45-minute meeting, the family and I get together,

and we go over these four main things:


1. Ensure they have sound financial guidance. The first thing we do in our consultation is discuss their finances. Have they talked to a large bank, credit union, or broker? Find out what they’ve been told so far and possibly guide them to get another consultation with someone you’ve worked with who you know will be able to do what they need seamlessly. We need to get things done promptly and with a step-by-step process. We don’t want any delays or surprises amid escrow. 


2. Set reasonable expectations. Next, you want to nail down what they’re looking for. Make sure what they want to buy fits with their finances and the location they want. Sometimes school district lines change, so if they want to be in a specific district, ensure you’re looking in the right area. Do they want more bedrooms, fewer bedrooms, a home office? You want to know what their home life is like so you’re not sending them homes to look at that aren’t going to fit into what they need.


3. Ask about commuting. Do they need to live close to work, or are they willing to commute? Many properties in eastern California are much less expensive, but they’ll have to commute, which could mean 45 minutes to an hour in the car. Are they willing and able to do that, or would they prefer to buy a smaller home and have more family time?


4. Ensure closing dates align with other housing arrangements. Escrows are commonly 30 days, so you need to make sure the closing matches up with the end of their lease or moving day. Movers may be busy right now, so we need to coordinate the closing date properly. Also, schools are starting at different times, so moving plans also have to match up with when kids need to be there.



"We need to set these expectations for buyers and sellers from the beginning."


Here are three things to do in service to your sellers:


1. Set reasonable sale time expectations. They might have heard from a neighbor that they will sell their house in one day. Yes, you may sell the house in one day, but it could take much longer to sell if it hasn’t been properly cleaned or scheduled correctly for showings. Take an assessment of the home, and check if it needs any upgrades or staging. Use the available data to see how long the home will be on the market.


2. Reasonably price the house. That same neighbor could have told your client that they will sell for $200,000 over asking price. However, you need to price it at value or a bit below it. Overpricing a house in any market is detrimental because you’ll likely have to decrease the price (possibly more than once) and chase the market downward. Buyers that have already seen the house probably aren’t going to come back once the price falls.


3. Don’t rush the closing process. Again, escrow usually takes 30 days, but some real estate agents are pushing that we close in 20 or 21 days. However, we have to ensure everyone is doing their part, there’s enough time for inspections, and everything is signed correctly. We don’t want an escrow to fall through because everyone’s trying to rush it. 


We need to set these expectations for buyers and sellers from the beginning to ensure things go

smoothly. If you can, it will save everyone from tons of frustration. If you have further questions

about setting expectations or any other real estate matter, feel free to comment below or reach out

via phone, text, or email. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

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Should You Get Into the Real Estate Market?


Two examples to help you decide if now is the time to enter the market.



 
Is now the time to buy a second home or investment property? Today I’m sharing recent examples of a client who bought a second home and one who bought an investment property to help you decide whether now’s the right time for you. 

" Average prices nationwide have increased by about 21%."


The pandemic made people need to stay home more, so many couldn’t wait to get away from home again when they could. A bunch of states had regulations, and plenty of hotels and airlines were closed for business. One of my clients looked into and recently closed on a second home about two and a half hours away in the desert. They have a pool, a different climate, a place to play tennis, ride motorbikes, and more. That’s what people are looking for—a place to drive away to and not have to rely on anyone or anything except transportation. 

Another client of mine just bought an investment property. When investing, you need to pay attention to the price point. Average prices nationwide have increased by about 21% to around $420,000. My clients purchased a duplex, which will have a positive return cash flow, and the amount of money they had to put into it was small. 

This is something to discuss with your financial planner and see how it may benefit you while the interest rates are still very low and there are multiple properties available for investors. There are currently more opportunities for investors because those who have been investing in real estate for a while are seeing such a rise in their equity that they’re taking advantage and selling, and you can benefit from that.

If you have any questions about buying a second home or investment property, feel free to reach out to us via phone, text, or email. We look forward to speaking with you. 

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What’s Causing People to Have More Money Lately?


Here’s how many Americans actually made money throughout the pandemic.
 
Some people have been making a lot of money this year, and there are a few reasons why.

Over the last year, the housing market has boomed. Multiple-offer situations are causing bidding wars and allowing sellers to (in my opinion) get more than their houses are actually worth. A big factor behind this has been the stock market, as most people have seen huge gains in their portfolios. A lot of people have jumped in, and many of them have made a ton of money.

People who have owned a home since the 2009 housing crash have also enjoyed equity growth in their home values. These individuals have a lot more money available to them right now; if they wanted, they could pull out their equity or refinance in order to buy an investment property.

For many Americans, the pandemic has actually increased cash flow, increased savings, and decreased debt.

 
Interest rates are also at historically low levels. We’ve seen them as low as 2.75%, though they’ve risen slightly. Still, even a 3% rate is fantastic and allows you to buy a bigger home for a lower price.

The pandemic has also played a role in a few ways. People have been saving money because they’re traveling less and avoiding restaurants, and stimulus checks have allowed many to build up their savings as well. Some people have even seen their income increase due to unemployment. A lot of people have also been given early retirement packages, and companies that have decided to relocate have given bonuses to employees that come with them. Some families are also receiving inheritance or life insurance because a loved one passed away due to COVID.

For many Americans, the pandemic has actually increased cash flow, increased savings, and decreased debt. This means that more people than ever are ready to find a home. If you are looking to buy or sell, have any questions, or would like more information, feel free to reach out to me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

The Difference Between a Sales Professional and Sales Consultant


Here is the key difference between sales professionals and consultants.
 
A real estate sales professional is someone who might be pitching or pushing their client into buying something for their own financial gain. A sales consultant, on the other hand, is going to ask a lot of questions, identify the client’s pain points, and help them make the right decision. A consultant is also going to inform and educate their clients, taking them step-by-step through the entire process so it’s not a stressful situation.

If you have any questions about this topic or how we help our home sellers reach their goals, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

How ADU Laws Have Changed in California


A few laws regarding ADUs (accessory dwelling units) have changed in California.
 
If you haven’t heard, the Senate in Sacramento has passed new bills that enact a couple of changes regarding ADUs.

The first bill, AB 881, has three key aspects to note:

The first aspect of the bill changes the language about setbacks, which are the amounts of space you can build up to the property line, making them smaller. Now that space is limited to four feet instead of the 10 or so feet you were allowed before (depending on your city or county).

The second part to note is that they’ve made the square footage of the ADU itself larger. For instance, if you have a 3,000-square-foot house on a 13,000-square-foot lot, you can go up to almost half the size of the house, to a maximum of 1,200 feet. If you have a smaller house, say 1,100 square feet, the maximum you can go up to is 800 square feet. This change adds a substantial amount of square footage to your house that you can use as in-law quarters, or even rent it out for income. 
 
The third aspect of Bill 881 is that it shortens the amount of time you can get approval from the city. Where it was once 120 days, it has now been reduced to 60 days. This makes it a lot faster for people to get their permits billed, which has been taking longer these days due to a land shortage.

SB 12 removes a hurdle that people typically have to jump when building an ADU.

 
The second bill passed was AB 670. If you live in a neighborhood that has CCNRs and HOAs, this bill will change a few things. Let’s say you have a 13,000-square-foot lot and an HOA has been added to your neighborhood. The new bill allows you to add an ADU to your home regardless of your CCNRs or HOA.

The third bill was Senate Bill 12. This bill eliminates the fees associated with getting permits for ADUs, and if they’re under 700 square feet, then those ADUs will have no additional fees levied on the property. This removes a hurdle that people typically have to jump when building an ADU.

If you have any questions or comments about today’s topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to speak with you.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

4 Tips to Help You Achieve Your Goals in 2021


These four tips will help you achieve your goals in 2021.
 
If you’re having trouble setting and achieving your goals for 2021, here are four tips I use that can help you too:

1. Have an accountability partner. An accountability partner means having someone to tell your goals to—this could mean a group of people, a mastermind, a friend or family member, or a coworker. Telling them the goal you’re reaching for and being able to check in with them on a weekly (or monthly) basis helps you keep your goals set. I use an accountability partner for my health and fitness goals. Having a class to go to or a trainer makes me be on time and pushes me to hit my goals.

2. Make SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely). For the Achievable criterion, make sure you have short-term, medium, and long-term goals that are obtainable. Having achievable goals gives you a nice pat on the back as you move through the year.

If you have a goal, write it down and figure out whether it’s a financial goal, sales goal, etc.

 
3. Get educated. We’re always evolving and changing, and education is very important. Whether this means attending a webinar, seminar, or taking a Zoom class, getting educated will keep you at the top of your game. Technology is always changing aspects of the real estate business (e.g., contracts), and keeping up to date with these changes is a great way to maintain a sharp business.

4. Have a plan. If you have a goal, write it down and figure out whether it’s a financial goal, sales goal, etc. Then calculate how many transactions you’ll need to close and how much money you’ll need to make on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis to reach that goal. After that, stick to your plan. If you have to tweak it throughout the year, that’s fine; just make sure you’re doing your due diligence and stick to the plan.

If you have questions about today’s topic or need any type of real estate assistance, don’t hesitate to call or email me. I’d love to help you.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

What Do You Know About Proposition 19?


Here’s everything you need to know about Proposition 19.

Back in November, the “ayes” barely eked out the “nays” as Proposition 19 passed with a margin of 51% to 49%. This directly impacts the tax basis of California homeowners who are in the 55+ age bracket.

One of the benefits of Prop. 19 is that it allows you, a senior homeowner, to transfer your tax basis (1%) to any county in California, not just the 14 counties that had been participating prior to the 2020 vote. The second benefit is that a tax basis can be transferred up to three times—a significant increase from the previous one-time cap. This gives you more flexibility if you know your next home won’t be your “forever” home.

Here’s a huge drawback, though: In order for children/grandchildren to inherit a property from their parents/grandparents and keep the same tax basis, the property must be used as a primary residence. So if, for example, a son is living in Florida and his California-based parents pass away, he’d have to move into their house permanently so he could keep their tax basis; if he plans to hold onto it as a second home or rental property, then the property must undergo a tax assessment for 1% of its current value.

Prop. 19 gives you more flexibility if you know your next home won’t be your “forever” home.
 
Depending on how long someone’s parents or grandparents have been living in a property, this change in the inheritance law could mean the difference between them paying $1,000 a year in taxes or $10,000 a year in taxes. Properties inherited as second homes will be reassessed at the current market value—no exceptions. These tax liabilities will be huge.

If you have more questions about Prop. 19 or need some help with your buying, selling, or investing plans, reach out by phone or email anytime. I’m always here to help you make sense of the market, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Why Are So Many People Moving?


More and more homebuyers are moving across the country. Here’s why.

What’s behind the increased migration of homebuyers across the country?
 
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many companies have realized they don’t need all of their employees to physically come to work, which has convinced them to either close down their offices or move their offices to less expensive states. Similarly, many employees have realized that they don’t need to live in major metropolitan cities and are now moving to the suburbs or other less expensive areas.

According to a recent poll, roughly 67% of employees across American claim they don’t have to go into work as much as usual. Those who’ve been renting in the big cities can now afford to buy a home in the suburbs, a rural area, or even another state due to the low interest rates we’re seeing. National Van Lines, Inc. recently conducted a migration survey and found that these are the top five states from which people are moving:
  1. New Jersey
  2. Illinois
  3. Connecticut
  4. Kansas
  5. Ohio

Meanwhile, these are the top five states people are moving to:
  1. Vermont
  2. Oregon
  3. Idaho
  4. Nevada
  5. Arizona

There could be a variety of reasons behind these migration patterns. Here in California, for example, we have a high tax bracket and a high income tax, so many businesses and residents are leaving. Additionally, our average home price is about $500,000, which is twice as expensive as any other state in the union. The average yearly salary needed to live in San Francisco alone is roughly $350,000.

If you’d like to talk more about what’s driving people to relocate or whether or not it’s in your best interest to do so, feel free to call or email me anytime. I’d love to help.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Protecting Your Assets as an Investor


Here’s what you can do to protect yourself from a potential lawsuit.

If you’re an investor and own multiple properties, how do you protect yourself from a potential lawsuit? Here are four tips to limit your liability:

1. Be honorable and ethical. Treat your tenants honestly and make sure they’re taken care of. Being upfront with them goes a long way. Make sure your contracts are signed properly, the deposits are returned in a timely manner, and anything that needs to be fixed in your units is done so immediately. Simply knowing your tenants elevates your relationship with them to a richer level and can potentially protect you from being sued.

2. Set up an LLC (or multiple LLCs). I, for instance, have seven properties that are owned as part of LLCs. You can assign two properties per LLC, or assign them up to a certain value amount. This way, if you’re sued for one property, an established LLC will act as a legal veil that protects your assets.

There’s always the potential to lose your business assets, but your family needs to be taken care of first.

3. Set up a HELOC. A home equity line of credit ensures that you’ll have cash reserves if you need to hire legal counsel. If you don’t need them, then no harm, no foul—you’re not paying any interest on them.

4. Set up an umbrella policy with your insurance broker. This way, you can increase the insurance that will cover specific things related to the property. Your insurance company will cover you in case there’s an accident, and you can make sure your property is well-secured.

If you do get sued, it’s imperative that you protect your family. There’s always the potential to lose your business assets, but your family needs to be taken care of first. You can always buy real estate again, but it’s more important to have enough money set aside to take care of your family while the lawsuit proceeds, so have some money saved up or a mortgage that’s paid off for yourself.

If you were found guilty and needed to pay restitution, you’ll obviously want to pay what you can. During this process, though, you can set up a self-directed IRA or Roth IRA to put some money aside for the future that the tenant can’t touch.

If you have questions about protecting your assets or there’s anything else I can assist you with, feel free to call, text, or email me. I’d love to speak with you.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Q: What Do I Need to Know About Relocating?


Here are four tips for relocating to a new area or state.

Today I have four tips to share if you’re moving out of the area or state:

1. Talk to your agent. The real estate agent selling your house will have referrals in their database of agents in other areas, both in your state and outside of it. I have tons of referrals for Realtors I’ve worked with in other states.

2. Groups of real estate agents. This is another excellent resource to use. For example, I work with a VA representative (Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals). They have over 40 chapters all over the country, and I’ve met them at conferences, spoken to them on the phone, and know their history. I’ve also worked with the Women’s Council of Realtors. These are fantastic resources. There are different organizations that your agent is either a member of or knows, and they have people who could be amazing resources to help you find a new property.

Your real estate agent will have contacts in their database for great Realtors in other areas.

3. The agent contacts the client. The out-of-area Realtor will contact the buyer moving to their area and have a long conversation about where they’re going to work, the school districts, different areas and cities nearby, and more. Then they’ll help the client make decisions based on their needs. These needs could include traffic concerns, activities they’re involved in, price, etc.

4. Find a national lender. If you’re selling your home from somewhere else, you’ll need a national lender, someone who is licensed in the state you’ve come from to the state you’re moving to. This will make the transaction a lot smoother than having to go through two different lenders.

These are just a few tips if you’re moving to a different area or state, but there are many more. Contact us if you’re interested in hearing more about this topic.

If you have any further questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to call or text us. We look forward to helping you.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

How Self-Employed Borrowers Get Financing


David Marzinke of Movement Mortgage is here to explain a great program for self-employed borrowers.

Self-employed borrowers take a lot of deductions on tax returns to reduce their exposure come tax time, which is right around the corner.

So, instead of using their tax returns to come up with their qualifying income, David Marzinke and the Movement Mortgage team uses their net income to determine how much home self-employed borrowers can buy. They can look at either the borrower’s business or personal bank statements, depending on how they structure things, to come up with qualifying income based on those deposits.

Self-employed borrowers can increase their purchasing power.

This increases the self-employed borrower’s purchasing power, as they’ll be able to show their full deposits and present more income. There are some limitations, however: The self-employed borrower has to have been in business for at least two years, and they need to own at least 50% of that business.

As always, call, text, or email if you have questions about this or any other real estate or lending question. We’re here to help and would love to hear from you.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

An Important VA Loan Change


In 2020, you can use 100% financing for a VA loan even if the house you’re buying is over the loan limit.

An important change has been applied to the VA loan in 2020, and today I’m joined by Dave Marzinke of Movement Mortgage to discuss this change and why it benefits you. Previously, you had to come up with a down payment if you were buying a house whose purchase price was over the county loan limit. The down payment was 25% of the difference between the purchase price and the loan limit. Now, you can use 100% financing even if the house you’re buying is over the loan limit.

If you have any questions about this topic or need help buying your next property with no money down, call or email me anytime. I’d love to help.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Making Sense of 2019 & Looking Ahead


Today I’m giving you the scoop on how the market performed last year and what we can expect as this new year progresses.

In 2019, we saw a very strong U.S. economy. Trade wars with China, Brexit, and the Trump impeachment dominated headlines.

Unemployment reached a 50-year low, and the GDP delivered on high expectations. The interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage ranged anywhere from 4.5% to 3.5% and finished at 3.75%.

Here in our Orange County market, the active inventory is at about 3,700 homes. That number may sound high, but it’s actually anemic for our market. As the year heats up, we’re anticipating inventory to rise; by summer, we can expect about 7,000 homes on the market.

For those selling homes right now, you have no competition, so take advantage of it. On the buyers’ side, there aren't a lot of homes to choose from. Still, if you find something to your liking, be sure to put in a competitive offer—I’m sure the seller will take it.

Overall, 2020 will look a lot like 2019, just a tad hotter.

We’ll likely see a 3% to 4% growth in demand around the spring and summer. The housing cycle for 2020 will mirror 2019: We’ll start slow in the first quarter, heat up in spring, top out in summer, and cool off come fall.

If you’re in the market for a luxury property, now is a fantastic time. Days on market for that bracket is currently between 175 and 275 days, so conditions are prime for striking a good deal.

I foresee interest rates remaining about the same in 2020. If our economy continues trending upward, we may even see a slight increase. However, if developments regarding trade wars or Brexit rock the boat, we could see a small decrease to about 3.5% to 3.75%. To any potential buyers on the fence: Lock those rates in, get the house now.

Overall, 2020 will look a lot like 2019, just a tad hotter. Buyers need to be patient, as multiple-offer situations will become more common. If you have any questions about what the year ahead holds or if you’re thinking of buying or selling now, please reach out to me. I’m always happy to help.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

These 7 Tips Will Help You Save Money on Utility Bills This Winter


Here are a few choice tips you can use to make your home more energy-efficient this winter.

Winter is coming! If you want to save money on your heating bill when the cold season strikes in full, here are seven tips to help:

1. Hire a professional to do an energy audit. For between $200 and $600, an energy auditor will come to your home to assess the energy-efficiency of your home and provide a checklist of items you may want to fix before the winter starts in full. I’d be happy to refer you to one we know and trust; otherwise, you can find them on www.Homeadvisor.com.
 
2. Seal your walls. Your local hardware store should have a variety of caulks you can use to seal off any cracks in your walls that allow warm air to escape and cold air to seep inside.

3. Seal your light fixtures. Those who have recessed lighting might be surprised to learn about how much air can leak in through those fixtures. You can close off any gaps around your light fixtures simply by using electrical tape.
 
4. Fill in any insulation gaps. Check your attic for gaps in the insulation, as well as around your water faucets; both are prime places for heat to escape if they’re not properly insulated.

Those who have recessed lighting might be surprised to learn about how much air can leak in through those fixtures.

5. Check your heating system. Make sure your pilot light is lighting efficiently, change out your filters, and ensure that airflow through the system isn’t being blocked.
 
6. Insulate your windows. Purchasing double-paned windows will help with the cost and efficiency of heating your home.
 
7. Purchase a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats help set your home’s temperature when you’re sleeping or when you’re out of the house so that you’re not using too much energy when you don’t need it. Many brands have smartphone applications you can use to automate your thermostat. Nest and Smart Learning Nest are some of the more popular brands.

If you have any questions or would like more tips for making your home energy-efficient this winter, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Holding Title in a Trust


As a buyer, you’re allowed to hold title in a trust, but you’ll need to provide your lender with certain documents.

A client of mine is in the middle of a home purchase and he wants to put the property in a trust. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, can you hold title in a trust? Today I’m joined by Dave Marzinke of Movement Mortgage to answer this question. You definitely can, but there are a few documents you’ll need to provide to your lender. The first is a copy of the revocable trust. The second is a trust certification of attorney opinion letter. The latter is an outside document that certifies how the trust is set up, who’s a part of it, and how it’s recorded. Also, the certification has to be notarized. You can provide these documents after the offer is accepted if need be.

If you have any more questions about this or any other real estate topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Reverse Mortgages Can Be Used in More Ways Than You Think


What can reverse mortgages be used for? Finance expert and reverse mortgage specialist Kevin Kaltenbach joined us recently to explain.

Today I’ve brought on finance expert Kevin Kaltenbach to discuss an important topic: reverse mortgages. As it happens, Kevin is a reverse mortgage specialist, so you’ll definitely want to hear his thoughts.

Cited below for your convenience are timestamps that will direct you to various points in the video. Feel free to watch the full message or use these timestamps to browse specific topics at your leisure:

0:05 - Introducing today’s topic: reverse mortgage options

0:52 - Kevin shares his advice for a client of mine who is considering a reverse mortgage

1:56 - How to refinance a home using a reverse mortgage

2:24 - Kevin dispels a few common misconceptions about reverse mortgages

4:19 - How to purchase a home using a reverse mortgage

6:44 - A few closing words

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

Should You Trust the Real Estate Numbers You Find Online?


In the information age, accuracy has become increasingly important. Here’s where you can find the most accurate information about your home’s value.

Homebuyers and home sellers can become very frustrated with some of the numbers that they see online. I get people asking me all the time about homes that actually aren’t available for sale. Some prospective buyers think that a property is available because of what they see online, but that information isn’t always accurate. Sites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com don’t get updated every day, or even every week in some cases.

On the other hand, my website pulls from the direct MLS feed every 15 minutes. By utilizing this kind of search site, you will get the most updated information available on the properties you’re looking at.

Double check any information you get with a professional.

Another thing you want to look out for as a seller is the estimates that these sites give you. Studies show that Zestimates from Zillow can be anywhere from 10% to 20% off. That’s a huge margin of error, especially in our market. Double check any information you get from a site like this with a professional like myself. I can come out to assess the true value of your home and determine a pricing strategy where we can get it sold in the shortest amount of time.

Finally, make sure that you’re pre-approved or pre-qualified for the properties that you're looking at online. Talk with a lender first. If you need a recommendation for a good local lender, I’d be glad to help out.

These are a few of the biggest pieces of information that you’ll likely want to get from a professional instead of from an online algorithm. If you have any questions for me in the meantime about buying a home, selling a home, or about real estate in general, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email.
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA
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