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The Internet Can’t Replace Your Agent
Don’t fall for the trap of buying and selling SYSTEMS, a local professional is always the better way!
We live in the information age; the Internet offers advice on every topic and real estate is no exception. With more and more home buyers starting their home search online, they are bombarded with advice and information – it can be easy to think that you can learn everything you need to know just by reading articles online.
The truth is your real estate agent does much more than answer your questions and open doors with a special key. A professional real estate agent will be there every step of the way. They have the experience necessary to navigate the complicated home buying process and solve common hiccups that present themselves in every real estate transactions.
Your real estate agent is a local professional. They will start by presenting themselves to the buyer’s agent as someone who will work with them to see the transaction through to a successful conclusion. They have a network of professionals who will work as a team to help you through the process. These include such professionals as: lenders, title reps, escrow officers, transaction coordinators, home inspectors, contractors and handymen, among others.
Most importantly, your agent is your ally in the home buying process. They negotiate on your behalf – armed with experience and understanding of customary charges, costs and terms. They will ensure that the price you pay for the home is fair for the condition and neighborhood. They will negotiate repairs, if needed and make sure you are protected with the proper contingencies. The Internet offers lots of great information, but the most important step you can take when buying a new home, is hiring a local professional real estate agent. Their knowledge and expertise can’t be found by reading an article or two online.
I have been in the business since 2006 and I enjoy what I do! I love to educate you during this process so you UNDERSTAND the process and can be wise with your money.
Start your Los Angeles Area home search now! www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com
DOES HOME STAGING MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
It seems to be universally accepted that home staging will help your home sell faster or for the best price—it’s been the common practice in the real estate business for a long time, and on the surface it seems like a no-brainer. Of course potential buyers will be more interested if a home is properly decorated, right?
That’s not necessarily true, according to a recent academic study. The study surveyed 820 homebuyers by showing them one of six virtual tours of the same property. In some instances the home was decorated with traditional furniture and color schemes, while in others more eccentric furniture and colors were used. In other tours there was no furniture at all, just empty rooms.
The overall results of the study were that staging is unlikely to increase a home’s sale price, and that staging isn’t quite as important as everyone believes.
Of course, real estate trends vary greatly from market to market. If you have questions about staging, talk to your trusted real estate professional.
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https://calendly.com/realtygoddess/60min
Distressed Housing Market Shrinks Dramatically in Last 5 Years
Distressed housing market shrinks dramatically since housing downturn of Great Recession
LOS ANGELES (March 10) – Vastly improved home prices over the past five years have changed the landscape of California’s distressed housing market, which is now just a fraction of what it was during the Great Recession, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) said today.
In January 2009, 69.5 percent of all homes sold in California were distressed, which includes short sales and real estate-owned (REOs) properties. Five years later, that figure has shrunk to 15.6 percent. More specifically, REOs comprised 60 percent of all sales in January 2009, while short sales made up 9.1 percent of all sales but rose to as high as 25.6 percent in January 2012. Short sales currently make up 9.2 percent of all sales.
During the same time period, California’s median home price has soared more than 64 percent from $249,960 in January 2009 to $410,990 in January 2014.
“The dramatic drop in the share of distressed sales throughout the state reflects a market that is fully transitioning from the housing downturn,” said C.A.R. President Kevin Brown. “Significant home price appreciation over the past five years has lifted the market value of many underwater homes, and as a result, many homeowners have gained significant equity in their homes, resulting in fewer short sales and foreclosures.”
The statewide share of equity sales hit a high of 86.4 percent in November 2013 and has been above 80 percent for the past seven months.
In some of the hardest hit California counties, the distressed market in January 2009 was 93.6 percent in Stanislaus County, 93 percent in San Joaquin County, 89.5 percent in San Benito County, 86.1 percent in Kern County, 85.6 percent in Sacramento County, 84.2 percent in Fresno County, and 83.6 percent in Monterey County. The distressed market now has shrunk to 24.8 percent in Stanislaus, 25.1 percent in San Joaquin, 17.5 percent in San Benito, 18.4 percent in Kern, 19.9 percent in Sacramento, 26.3 percent in Fresno, and 16.9 percent in Monterey counties.
Of the reporting counties, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties held the lowest share of distressed sales in January 2014 at 10.2 percent, 9.5 percent, 7.7 percent, and 6.8 percent, respectively.
Leading the way...® in California real estate for more than 100 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States with 165,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.
Single-family Distressed Home Sales by Select Counties
| Distressed Sales by County | Jan. 2014 | Jan. 2009 |
| CA | 15.6% | 69.5% |
| El Dorado | 20.1% | 63.0% |
| Fresno | 26.3% | 84.2% |
| Kern | 18.4% | 86.1% |
| Los Angeles | 15.8% | 62.4% |
| Monterey | 16.9% | 83.6% |
| Orange | 9.5% | 60.3% |
| Placer | 15.1% | 68.1% |
| Riverside | 15.6% | 79.4% |
| Sacramento | 19.9% | 85.6% |
| San Benito | 17.5% | 89.5% |
| San Bernardino | 21.7% | 81.9% |
| San Joaquin | 25.1% | 93.0% |
| San Luis Obispo | 10.2% | 52.2% |
| San Mateo | 6.8% | 48.2% |
| Santa Clara | 7.7% | 68.0% |
| Santa Cruz | 11.6% | 56.6% |
| Stanislaus | 24.8% | 93.6% |
| Tulare | 20.0% | 45.8% |
| Yolo | 13.3% | 74.5% |
Need Real Estate Help?
To all my friends and family. I got a phone call from someone who wanted to know if I could help list their home even though I am in California and they were in KY. The answer is YES!!!! I actually have partners in many states that work with me to help take care of my loved ones. So if you are thinking of buyer, selling or just have questions, do not hesitate to call me because I can take care of YOU!
Laura Key 310.866.8422 Laura.A.Key@gmail.comShort Sale Approved! Ready to Close Escrow!
Short Sale Approved! Ready to Close Escrow! We will close this escrow by the end of January 2013! Are you facing foreclosure, not sure where to go? Don't know what a short-sale is and how it can benefit you? Give me a call, I can help you decide what is best for you! You have options!
