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Diane Gross, DRE Lic. #01217299
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Orange County, CA’s Flagship Community Newport Beach Current Real Estate Market

Friday, September 14th, 2012

Given the Newport Beach area, including Corona del Mar and Newport Coast in Orange County, CA tend to cost over $1 Million, my initial thought based on what I’ve seen in other communities is that this community probably is not seeing that much of an uptick yet.  Upon further study of the MLS I found the following:

Realtors report lots of lookers at open houses and lots of transactions did stem from those buyers.  Brokers are saying days on market are down and inventory is down lending toward multiple offers on homes like in most areas of Orange County, CA.  I was particularly struck by homes between $2-3 Million.  There are only 102 currently Active homes.  Of those 35 have reduced their price, only 4 have raised them.  The good news is 43 homes are at their originally listed price.  Of the four homes that have raised their price, 3 are in Newport Coast and only 1 is a short-sale.

The largest amount of inventory in the Newport Beach, CA area is priced between $1 – 2 Million.  There are 166 available ‘Active’ homes.  So far, 62 of those have reduced their price, 7 have raised their price and 97 homes are holding steady at their listed price.

The lowest price point in Newport Beach, Corona del Mar and Newport Coast, California in Orange County, CA has only 104 available ‘Active’ properties.  In this price point, the area around the Bluff’s is the best performer.  At this price point, Corona del Mar has had 5 of 9 listings reduced, but in the higher price point, Corona del Mar performs well.

For homes exceeding $3 Million in Newport Beach, Corona del Mar and Newport Coast in Orange County, CA, there are 154 available ‘Active’ properties.  Surprisingly, I found of those 3 had raised their price and only 48 had lowered their price during the listing so far.  Also, there are only 3 distressed sales at this price point!  Not just that, but the days on market average only 159 days!  There are only a handful of homes that are kicking this number up significantly.  Without those, the number would be far less.

I have two observations that way in my decision as to whether the pricing is really going up in this area.  One, I typically look at the number of price increases while listed and I’m seeing very few of these at all price points and in almost all areas.   Two, I look for the number of those in ‘Back Up’ or ‘Pending’ to have fewer homes with reduced prices, and I’m not seeing that over the last 90 day period.  I typically look heavily at the past 30 days.  Since the last 30 days were mostly during August/September, I would expect not to see much difference because those months are typically the slowest months of the year due to kids going back to school and the end of summer vacations.

I have many more numbers to substantiate what I’ve reported here, so if you would like to discuss further, do not hesitate to contact me through this site, or my website by clicking here.

Feel free to sign up below to receive further Orange County, CA community Real Estate market analyses and more about the Newport Beach, Corona del Mar and Newport Coast, CA areas.

 

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Posted in Buy a House, Community, Condos, Estate, First Time Home Buyers, Foreclosures, Homes, Homes for Sale, Housing Market, Luxury Homes, MLS, Neighborhood, Property, Questions and Answers, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent, Relocation, Selling a Short Sale, The Right Time to Buy, The Right Time to Sell | No Comments »

Orange County, CA’s Golf Community Coto de Caza, CA Current Housing Market

Friday, September 14th, 2012

True to form, only 1/3rd of the 77 homes currently ‘Active’ on the Real Estate market in Coto de Caza, California are under $1 Million. This exclusive guard-gated, golf course community is one of the charms in Orange County, California.  Maybe the fact that the majority of Coto’s homes are over $1 Million indicates why the tract is slow to pick up steam in the current market where other communities are beginning to take off with prices under $1 Million.

It’s amazing, but true, that I just finally closed on a short-sale in Coto, though in a sub-tract that was not performing well, at a price of $661,000 that resembled a mini-estate!  They had a full-on view of the golf course from all rooms in the back and a pick-a-boo view in front of the mountains and another hold of the golf course.  It was a premium location at the end of a cul-de-sac with a pebble-tec pool and spa, a serene courtyard between the home and casita plus, an unbelievable nearly 3500 s.f.  The home finally closed after 10 months and I was successful in securing 3 different buyers.  In fact, it was barely on the market in between those buyers as offers were coming in so quickly.  Granted there were some other expenses that needed to be covered by the Buyer, but with approximately 18 good offers, it wasn’t difficult to find someone willing to pay those fees.  It seemed like almost half of those offers were all cash.  In fact, it made me wonder how non all cash buyers could successfully purchase a home these days in Coto de Caza, California.  (Note:  that subject was addressed in a previous Blog entry.)

A review of the MLS for Coto de Caza, CA indicates out of the 24 homes under $1 Million, 9 have had a price reduction while listed as ‘Active.’  Of the remaining 53 listings over $1 Million, a whopping 33 have had a price reduction.  A study of the MLS in most areas over $1 Million is similar.  This indicates that the market is not yet picking up for million dollar homes, but I have seen other areas of Orange County performing much better than Coto de Caza on homes under $1 Million.  My own experience had been that the market for homes selling under $700,000 are much improved, and I was pleasantly surprised to see in several communities that this improvement goes well into the $900,000 range; but sadly thus far, this is not happening in Coto.  On the recently closed list, though, there were two sales where prices had been increased, so it may not be much longer before Coto is right there with all other communities.

There is a bit of good news.  Of the 77 Active listings, 68 are Standard Sales, so only 9 distressed homes currently on the ‘Active’ Coto de Caza market.  I think I sign of a glimmer of home might be in the list of ‘Back Up’ and ‘Pending’ listings.  Out of a total of 68 only 24 were standard sales so this demonstrates a huge improvement.

In the last 3 months in Coto de Caza, CA there have been 85 closed sales but, 55 of those are under $1 Million.  Even if I go back to just one month ago, unfortunately the time on the market, even just for standard sales it’s still taking a long time to close transactions, averaging nearly 200 days and every single listing price had been reduced but one and that was raised.

Unfortunately, for homeowners it seems that Coto de Caza is still a ways away from turning their market around and it’s still an excellent place to buy!  Buyers will love the amenities!!  Plus, it offers low Mello Roos fees.

For more information about Coto de Caza or Orange County, California don’t hesitate to contact me through this site or visit my website by clicking here.

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As always, I’d love your feedback.

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Posted in Buy a House, Community, Estate, First Time Home Buyers, Homes, Homes for Sale, Housing Market, Luxury Homes, MLS, Neighborhood, Property, Property Investment, Questions and Answers, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent, Relocation, The Right Time to Buy, The Right Time to Sell | 2 Comments »

Orange County, CA Aliso Viejo Community Prices Moving Up!

Thursday, September 13th, 2012

Holly Cow!  There are only 60 listings available in Aliso Viejo, California, a smaller community of mostly newer homes in Orange County, California.

It seemed as though Aliso Viejo, CA’s housing market has been coming back faster and sooner than most other Orange County, CA communities.  But, right now, as far as ‘Active’ listings go, there are only 5 homes out of the 60 currently listed (both condos and single family residences at all price points) whose prices have increased while actively on the market. Is this because their homes have been going up for a while, so the listing prices were already increased?  A review of the the homes in ‘Back Up,’ ‘Pending’ and recent ‘Solds’ might tell the story…

Of the 139 properties in ‘Back up’ 17 had their prices increased; however, 14 of the 17 are short-sales.  Maybe a more tell-tale sign is there are only 14 distressed listings out of the 60 ‘Active’ Listings and 99 of the 139 ‘Back Up’ Listings are distressed sales.  Not only does this speak volumes, but so does the fact that of the 40 non-distressed listings in ‘Back Up’ half have been on the market under 30 days!

Of the 16 ‘Pending’ sales in Aliso Viejo, California, none have had a price increase or decrease but only 4 have been on the market longer than 34 days!

Going back only 3 months and only ‘standard sales,’ there have been 126 properties closed in Aliso Viejo, California. A phenomenal 51 homes out of the 126 sales sold above asking; and often Realtors will re-list the home for the higher price so not to show that it sold for over the asking price so there could well have been more!  On the other hand, 56 of those same 126 closed sales had reduced their price while listed.  When bringing back in all closed sales during this same three month period, there were a total of 268 closings, so a huge number of 142 distressed sales finally closed over this past three month period.  And, just an aside, out of the 142 distressed sales 47 raised their price while listed.  Unfortunately, though, that’s usually a sign of the listing agents under-pricing short-sales on purpose and the selling bank required a higher sales price.  On the other hand, it might also indicate that prices went up so quickly while they were listed that multiple offers kicked up the price.

And, just so you know, there are only 27 detached homes out of the 60 ‘Active’ listings in Aliso Viejo, California.

WOW!  All in all, Aliso Viejo is still a wonderful Orange County, California community to live in.  Most of the homes are newer and the schools are highly considered.  In fact, some areas of Aliso Viejo, California attend Laguna Beach schools.  There’s hardly anywhere else you can live and attend Laguna Beach schools at these prices!

Overall, there are still good deals to be had in Aliso Viejo with all those distressed sales still available; however, they’re becoming fewer and farther between and prices are definitely rising in Aliso Viejo, California.

For more questions about Aliso Viejo and Orange County, California be sure to contact me through this site or visit my website by clicking here.

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As always, I’d love to hear your comments!

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Posted in Being Foreclosed On, Builders, Buy a House, Community, Condos, First Time Home Buyers, Foreclosures, Home Builders, Homes, Homes for Sale, Housing Market, MLS, Neighborhood, Property, Property Investment, Questions and Answers, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent, Relocation, Selling a Short Sale, The Right Time to Buy, The Right Time to Sell | 1 Comment »

Irvine, CA, A Community of Orange County, CA Current Real Estate Market

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

Can you believe it?  Inventory is way down and so are distressed sales in Irvine, CA! Following is a breakdown by individual tracts/subdivisions.

I’ve been watching the MLS for a specific sign to tell when the market/pricing is really moving up.  For me, that is when the prices start going up while they are still listed as ‘Active’ and if they are going up, whether they are short-sales or not.  In a quick look at what is happening with Real Estate in Irvine, CA, there are only 266 “Active” properties up to $1 million!

The first thing evident was in the Airport Area with 22 ‘Active’ listings.  New Condos that were completed in 2011 have just been placed on the market 1-2 days ago priced in the upper $700-900,000 and the price of another new listing already ‘Active’ was raised.  There are 4 properties in the $300-500,000 range that all have dropped their price and only 1 of those is a short-sale.  There is one condo priced at $999,000 that is a standard sale and it was reduced.  That makes 15 homes with prices in this area that are holding steady.

Oh, another ‘Active’ just went into escrow.  Now there are only 265 ‘Active’ properties.

There are only 2 ‘Active’ listings in Columbus Grove,Irvine, CA.  Their prices are unchanged having only been on the market 7 and 9 days.  On a quick glance I cannot identify whether the prices are higher or lower than the previous sales of those models.

In the El Camino, Irvine, CA area, there are 11 ‘Active’ listings.  Two in the $300,000 range have raised their price and both are standard sales.  There are no price reductions so for 9 listings the listing price has held.

In Laguna Altera, Irvine, CA there are 5 listings.  The price on two have held and three have been raised.  This probably indicates the newest of the new homes, all built in 2012, are raising their prices!

Regarding Northpark and Northpark Square, Irvine, CA on the face of things, it does not appear to be performing as well as a whole.  When separating out Northpark from Northpark Square I found 8 properties in each area and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. In Northpark of the 8, three have reduced their price.  In Northpark Square, four are down and one is up. Only 3 are distressed sales.

One home was added and three just went into escrow! Now there are 263 ‘Active’ Listings.

Wow! There are 40 ‘Active’ listings in Northwood, Irvine, CA!  Three have gone up in price while listed and none of those are distressed. Fifteen have had price reductions, at least one that was listed almost 50% too high to begin with. Considering the great schools in Northwood, that’s a nasty reality. Is it the age of the homes?  Are they not updated enough?

Now there are only 262 ‘Active’ Listings… they’re dropping like flies!!

Oak Creek, Irvine, CA has 8 ‘Active’ listings and only 1 has gone up in price. Four have reduced their prices and none are short-sales.

Orange Tree, Irvine, CA have only 5 listings and all are holding on their price.  These are priced $300-450 and their days on market are all under 19 days.  Three are 1 day on market!  That’s a hot commodity, and these prices are higher than previous sales though not raised while on the market.

There are 19 ‘Active’ listings in Portola Springs, Irvine, CA. Though a newer area, it’s proximity in Irvine sometimes hampers sales as is evident in the following numbers: 3 home listing prices have been raised and 10 have been lowered. This is probably the highest price lowering rate we’ve seen, especially among newer homes. Two of those with pricing up are brand new homes and the 3rd is a short-sale. Surprisingly, there are only 2 distressed sales.  Is this the end of short-sales… finally? One can only hope!

There are 6 properties in Quail Hill, Irvine, CA. One has lowered their price and all but one are standard sales.

There are 5 in San Joaquin, Irvine, CA and 3 have lowered their price. One is a short-sale.

Stonegate, Irvine, CA has only 1 home listed and the price was reduced to $849,900. This goes against the trend.

In Turtle Rock, Irvine, CA there are 21 homes available.  Would you believe it, 15 have had price reductions, only 1 increase and only 1 distressed sale. If you always wanted to live in Turtle Rock with excellent schools, now’s the time!

There are 5 Turtle Ridge, Irvine, CA homes, again newer homes for those of you who are unfamiliar with Irvine, CA.  Only one has reduced their price and there are no distressed sales.

In University Park, Irvine, CA there are 9 listed and 3 have been reduced (some near freeway) and one of those three is distressed.  Considering the age of the area, performing very well. Probably because of the high school and being a more affordable area.

Only 3 properties in University Town,Irvine, CA 2 have been reduced and none are distressed sales.

There are only 2 distressed sales in Woodbridge, Irvine, CA out of 29 ‘Active’ listings and while there are 4 homes that have had price increases, there are 12 that have been reduced.  This follows the trend of the similarly aged homes in Northwood and Turtle Rock, except for the fact that there are 4 listings whose prices have gone up. Let’s see if they sale at that increased price…

Shockingly, when considering the desirable age of these homes, Woodbury, Irvine, CA is still taking it’s sweet time catching up with the market.  Out of 13 ‘Active’ listings, 9 have dropped their prices.

West Irvine, Irvine, CA continues to shock me with a steady as she goes trend, even beating Oak Creek that has many of the same floor plans.  Of 9 total ‘Active’ listings, only 3 have been reduced and no distressed listings.

It’s a bit inexplicable but both Walnut and Westpark, Irvine, CA have 11 and 13 ‘Active’ listings respectively. Each have 1 with an increased price and 2 with decreased prices. Westpark has 2 distressed sales and Walnut has 0.

Overall, based on this study, it would appear that there are still deals to be had in Irvine, California due to all the price reductions and not many increases.

Should you have further questions about Irvine, CA, I’d love for you to contact me. Be sure to check out my other BLOG entries and my website by clicking here. Be sure to sign up below for emails announcing future entries of other Orange County, CA community studies below.

 

As always, I look forward to your comments and questions… just ask.

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Posted in Builders, Buy a House, Community, Condos, First Time Home Buyers, Foreclosures, Home Builders, Homes, Homes for Sale, Housing Market, Neighborhood, Property, Property Investment, Questions and Answers, Real Estate Agent, Relocation, Selling a Short Sale, The Right Time to Buy, The Right Time to Sell | 3 Comments »

Goal Setting when Buying a Home in Orange County, CA

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012

Have a plan!

If you watched the Olympic swimming races, you recognize even an 100th of a second can mean the difference between winning and losing (in this case, that home you’re hoping to buy or sale).  Just how long should one take to figure things out?

Today’s sales meeting was about just that.  In fact, Nike and many others that propose the same thing had it right — ‘Just Do It!’  Follow your plan and let nothing hold you back.  It really doesn’t matter what your goal, having a plan and continuing to move toward that goal in measured, decisive and predetermined steps will best get you what you want.

I was reviewing my facebook site today after the meeting and a couple of postings hit home for me as regards this very subject:

On many occasions Buyers will say we have to pray on it, or discuss it tonight with my loved one or a million other reasons meant just to keep them from moving forward.  The best deal or your perfect home probably just went to someone else.  If you don’t think we’re right back in this mode of home shopping, think again.  Know exactly what you want, find a Realtor who can help you locate it; and choose quickly.

Another facebook entry:

No explanation is needed for this life lesson.  It ties into Real Estate because many are ‘afraid’ to make an offer when other offers are already on the table.  Do not let that hold you back.  In most cases you have the same chance as anyone else if you listen to your Realtor’s suggestions on how to go about making your offer.

Also often considered is whether this is the right time to buy a home.  I’ve said it before and now again: Now is Always the best time to buy; but, you can hardly beat what’s happening today:  the lowest interest rates and prices already beginning to go up.  In Orange County, CA when you purchase right you can again put money into your pockets.

Life Lessons

I treat everything I do as a life lesson and then I apply it to the business.  I think the most beneficial suggestion I heard today was to go to sleep every night saying “Do It Now” 50 times and to wake the next morning doing exactly the same.  Can you imagine a more explosive way to jump out of bed?  You won’t even give NO a thought.  You won’t have time to think it.  All you’ll be thinking is “Just Do It!”

Choose the Right Realtor!

Several years ago, I attended a Tony Robbins seminar where Tony suggested you choose a mentor who is successful at doing something and you do it just like they do it and you’ll be equally successful.  He chose someone from the audience who had absolutely no problem exercising every single morning.  What became obvious to me is this person heard the alarm and didn’t even stop to think that they might not go exercise today.  Their behavior was on auto-pilot.  The alarm started going off and they were already tying their shoes and going out the door before the alarm stopped.

When you are ready to buy a home, you first need to become qualified and next to select a Realtor who works on auto-pilot to help you locate the best home for what you have shared with them that you want.  You choose a good Realtor that you can trust and leave the rest to them.  Remember, in most cases Realtors do not get paid until you close on your home.  That’s a huge motivator.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not about just finding you any home.  Realtors also survive on referrals.  How many referrals would a Realtor get if they just put you into any home and were on to the next?  That’s the second biggest motivator.

Choose a Realtor who knows their job so well that they’ll be on Auto-Pilot.  They listen well and know how to make one of the toughest tasks you’ll face into one of the smoothest!  I’d sure like to do this for you!!

If you like what you’ve read, visit my website by clicking here; and be sure to sign up below for pre-notice of future blog entries. 

 

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Posted in Buy a House, First Time Home Buyers, Homes, Homes for Sale, Housing Market, Preparing the Home to Sell, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent, Realtors, Relocation, Selling a Short Sale, The Right Time to Buy, The Right Time to Sell | No Comments »

Hey Orange County, CA Buyer, You Just Met that Listing Agent!

Friday, August 17th, 2012
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Why would Buyers in Orange County, CA trust someone they just met — The Listing Agent – with their most important life purchase — their Home?

What’s with Home Buyers ‘thinking’ they can Buy with the Listing Agent as their representative?  I’ll tell you flat out – They’re wrong!!  And, don’t even think you can buy without representation either, though when you buy from the Listing Agent that’s essentially what you’re doing!  Well — you can, but you’ll wish you didn’t!  There are better ways to ‘win’ your next dream home.

Yes, I’m well aware of all the reasons you’re choosing to go through the Listing Agent… you ‘think‘ you’ll get picked when otherwise you might not.  This is just simply not true.  Typically, the Sellers choose the Buyer, granted the Listing Agent might lead them in one direction or another, but with my listing in Coto de Caza I had six different Buyers each ‘thinking’ they could go through me and win the home… Come on guys, we can only pick ONE Buyer and it wasn’t one I represented either!!

I’ll tell you what… I always thought I could represent both sides should the opportunity present itself, and I believe I have in the past.  This year, that’s become more difficult, for example:  a Buyers’ Agent might have been more persuasive on negotiable items like price or repairs if they don’t know how the Seller felt about those items.

In Orange County, CA it’s not always the price or who’s representing you.  Whether you’re chosen more often than not rests with your terms and only a very good Realtor can help you set your terms properly to be acceptable to the Seller.  If you’re getting a loan, how well qualified are you, how much are you putting down, or, are you willing to open escrow without the bank’s full approval on a short sale?  It used to be that no one would even think about doing this.  Now, to get chosen at all, almost everyone must be willing to do this!

If you’re the Buyer on a Short Sale in Orange County, CA and the first or second or even third buyer has gone away and you already know your purchase price and all the terms, a Listing Agent is going to go with the Buyer that is willing to match the Bank’s desires and CLOSE the fastest.  Which Buyer offers the least risk of running to another home should something else come available sooner is the most important factor?

And, I bet many Buyers in Orange County still ‘think’ they can save money by working with the Listing Agent.  At least in Orange County, this also is simply not true.  In a Short Sale, the Bank has already agreed to the Commission amount and their bottom line.  The Listing Agent will just make double or it will go to the negotiator.  The Buyer isn’t going to save money.  In a standard sale, the Seller gets the difference, not the Buyer.  Not just that folks, but you’re in the process of purchasing your most expensive item in your life.  Do you really want to risk your investment that way?  In most cases you just met this person.

As a Buyer’s Agent in Orange County, CA I can tell you whomever gets chosen is mostly about the terms and the price you offer and it’s been like that for years!  You might counter with the fact that the Listing Agent knows the situation better.  But, as a Buyers’ Agent, I know you better!  And, I know your market better than anyone else.

Today, when I contact most Listing Agents, they share a good deal of information, not everything, but enough.  I can tell from that first conversation if you have a chance to win the home or not and what you’ll have to do to get it.  It’s not the Buyer Agent’s fault if you don’t get it and you wouldn’t have otherwise been able to get it should you have gone directly to the Listing Agent.  There can only be one Buyer at a time.

As always, I’d love to hear your opinion!  Visit my website by clicking here, or sign up below to receive email notices of my future blogs.

 

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Posted in Buy a House, Condos, First Time Home Buyers, Foreclosures, Homes, Homes for Sale, Housing Market, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent, Realtors, Relocation, The Right Time to Buy, Townhomes, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Non “All Cash Buyers” in Orange County, CA Look Out!

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

Depending on your price point in, it’s getting harder and harder for non cash buyers to be successful in their efforts to purchase a home for Orange County, California home Buyers.  With fewer and fewer homes available in their price point and investors still in the market hot and heavy, many good home buyers are stepping aside in this current market unnecessarily.  What’s going to be the difference in you feeling like you must step aside for the cash buyers when buying a home?  The right Realtor!  Any Realtor who came into the business over the past six years may not be prepared for what must be done to assist you in “winning” the home of your dreams!

When Buying a home, we all know it’s about Location, Location, Location.  When choosing your Realtor, it’s about Experience, Experience, Experience.  Make certain you’re choosing wisely.  Interview your Realtor and choose someone that not only will get the job done for you, but will be there when you are ready to sale that home and buy your next.  In Orange County, CA it’s important you choose your Realtor like you would your doctor, lawyer or accountant, and treat them with the same respect.  Your goal is to find the home of your dreams and your Realtor’s job is to help you get it.

Your Realtor must be able to work hand in hand with the Listing Agent.  If they’ve been in the business a long time, your Buyer’s Agent will know good Listing Agents to work with to close your transaction.  Be willing to sign a Buyer Broker Agreement.  This puts your Realtor to work for you and you don’t even have to pay them to do so.  The Listing Agent pays for you to represent the Buyer.  Where’s the loss in that?

Let me hear from you!  Feel free to comment here and visit my website to see how I work and look for your next dream home or investment property by clicking here.  Also, sign up below for the next blog entry that continues with this topic and why Buyers Do Not Want To Use the Listing Agent!

 

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Posted in Buy a House, Condos, First Time Home Buyers, Foreclosures, Homes, Homes for Sale, Housing Market, Mortgages, Property, Property Investment, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent, Realtors, Relocation, The Right Time to Buy, Townhomes | 1 Comment »

Orange County CA Market Changing! ?

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
Finally a recognizable and ongoing change in the Orange County, CA housing market!
I hate to feel like, when I give you information about the market that it feels like I’m pushing you into making a decision to buy a home sooner than you’re ready, but I also feel I should keep you informed on what I’m seeing and hearing about the Orange County, CA housing market.  Ultimately, it’s your choice when you’re ready to buy.
 
I’m hearing that because the stock market appears to be performing better that interest rates might go up.  Historically, as long as I’ve been watching (about 20 years), rates tend to be higher around June 8 and Dec 8, and lower closer to April 8 and October 8.  My concern, given how low they’ve been for so long, is that they’ll go up, and maybe not come back down as low as they are right now.  Though, given it’s an election year, I can’t imagine any political party wanting higher interest rates; but, then again, it might show strength in the economy and give the Democrats a boost.  Obviously, I have no crystal ball, but it does concern me.
 
I recognize that many buyers are still hoping to purchase a short-sale enabling a purchase at a more affordable price in any one particular area of choice.  Just so you are aware, there are fewer and fewer short-sales, and since the standard sales are beginning to push prices up, short-sale prices will follow the upward trend.  I saw numerous short-sales that closed only a few months ago priced at $579k that are currently selling for as much as $100,000 higher and there are 6 families waiting at the door to see the home.  SOUND FAMILIAR?
 
When I moved here in ’95 and got my license in CA in ’96 there were no short-sales left.  Coming from Kansas, I didn’t even know what a short-sale was…  And, that downturn started in ’91.  This one has already been 6 years old.  I’m not claiming to know what will happen, just historical facts that it might be helpful for you to be aware of. You might wonder if this is another politically motivated false start; however, unlike previously, the Government has not put out any particular incentives to get the Orange County, CA market moving again.
 
A month or two ago, Aliso Viejo was lagging behind other OC communities.  This past weekend showed me that it is definitely catching up!  No longer are there 50% gains to be had off of the highest priced sales from ’06.  When sending information yesterday to one of my buyers, I was seeing less than a gain of $200k on homes currently priced in the $600k range.  Even still, should a buyer make $200,000 it’s no slouch!!  Buyers — better in your pocket than the sellers!!  Sellers — your time is coming!!
So, if you’ve been waiting on the fence for a sign… this may well be it!  If you’d like to discuss this further or to begin your home search, call me at 949-929-6343.  You can also visit my website by clicking here.
As always, I’d love your comments, and be sure to sign up below to begin to receive notices of future Blog entries.

 

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Posted in Buy a House, Community, First Time Home Buyers, Foreclosures, Homes, Homes for Sale, Housing Market, MLS, Mortgages, Neighborhood, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent, The Right Time to Buy, The Right Time to Sell | 2 Comments »

How I Love (thee)… Keller Williams

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Let me count the ways…

Every time I turn around I’m telling my Assistant, Samina:  “That’s why I came to Keller Williams.”  When I first made the decision to come here, I thought it was a handful of very important items.  Now I recognize just how often I say it.  So, … “How Do I Love Thee, Let me count the ways”:

1 the location
2 the building
3 the cleanliness
4 the structure
5 the Team Leader
6 the Realtors
7 the family (Team)
8 the teaching
9 the support
10 the meetings
11 the classes
12 the sharing
13 the team building
14 the profit sharing
15 the technology – e-Edge
16 the passive, willable income

17 kw cares (Be sure to ask me what this is!)

Oh, and by the way, Buyers and Sellers, a happy Realtor is a Happy Realtor — you’ll enjoy working with us!

Agents – If you ultimately choose to work with Keller Williams Realty anywhere inside the country, or internationally, because of my BLOG, please list me as your Sponsor when you sign the paperwork.  The email address to use for this is:  diane.gross2@gmail.com.  Thank you!

Do you want to know more?  Don’t hesitate to email me:  di@homesforsaleOC.com, click here to visit my website; or, call me today at 949-929-6343.  Oh, by the way, I apologize ahead of time because you’ll need to leave a message as I’ll either be in my Team Meeting or listening to a $20 Million producer give us a class on how he works…

As always, sign up below to be notified of future blog entries; and, I’d love your feedback.

 

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Posted in Buy a House, First Time Home Buyers, Home Builders, Homes, Homes for Sale, Housing Market, MLS, Questions and Answers, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent, Realtors, Relocation | 1 Comment »

I Looked Forward to Coming to Work at KW Today!

Monday, January 9th, 2012

Can you say that?

Sunday, I recognized that I haven’t been this excited about going to ‘work‘ on Monday, ever, … at least that I can remember; but, I was yesterday!! I couldn’t wait to start picking up the phone again to call my clients that I haven’t been in touch with by phone for some time; and, I must apologize to them.  I had become so accustomed to communicating by emails and texts, because it’s faster, and because it ‘seemed‘ that that was their preferred method of communication, and of course, I hate to interrupt people for a business call.  It’s really difficult for me to make it a ‘business‘ call because I consider my clients as friends and I’d rather just see how they’re doing, and it seems inappropriate to mix business and pleasure.

Getting in touch with my 5000 plus client base is all thanks to the recently begun 90 day challenge here in Newport Beach at my new Keller William’s office.  When I first got my license in ’92, I learned the business with the Sweathogs, Floyd Wickman program.  Nothing like ‘going back to basics!’ (Note to my clients:  It may take me a while to get through my list and I may not have your current phone number, so if you should happen to call me first, that’s okay!!)

Of course, this 90 day challenge has it’s own twists 20 years later, but what’s absolutely amazing is our group is growing rather than having Realtors drop off.  The leader of the group is absolutely amazing and a testament to the talent that this office has.

I’ve been giving it lots of thought about why I’m so happy at this office.  Besides getting in touch with my long-time clients, what’s equally as exciting is I’ve already had other Realtors contact me to determine if Keller Williams is right for them.

I have to say, one of the most important reasons to choose Keller Williams is that they believe in building a future for us as Realtors through their profit sharing plan. I’m certain, if you’re a Realtor reading this, that you can admit that you know many Realtors upon retiring that have nothing to show for their work. The Keller Williams program enables Realtors to have a future beyond selling Real Estate.

If you know me, you know that I have a loud voice.  I didn’t hesitate to tell Brock, my new Team Leader this fact, as I was concerned about the others around me.  My old office was more like a library and I didn’t want to get started on the wrong foot.  To my surprise, he said that was not a problem here.  Now that I’m here I can see why!  Everyone is sharing in each other’s success and we’re all pushing forward.

Agents – If you ultimately choose to work with Keller Williams Realty anywhere inside the country, or internationally, because of my BLOG, my kids and I would appreciate it if you would list me, Diane Gross, as your Sponsor when you sign the paperwork.  The email address to use for this is:  diane.gross2@gmail.com.  Thank you!

Feel free to contact me to find out how this works at 949-929-6343.  Don’t hesitate to visit my website by clicking here to see more about the KW products and services.  I need to get back to calling more of my ‘friends!’

If you would like to sign up to receive notices of future postings, sign up below.

 

And, remember, I’m always interested in your comments or suggestions.

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Posted in Questions and Answers, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent, Realtors, Relocation | 2 Comments »

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