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Market value for a standard three bedroom, one bathroom "Freedom Home" with few to no upgrades jumped above $1,200,000 during 2025. I was honored to sell 2024 Continental for its 99 year old original owner! Preferring an off-market transaction, but not leaving money on the table, the seller's family asked if I could present them with a fair market value offer without the hassle of full preparation and open houses. I had a list of 5 buyers to call, and the first group pounced on the opportunity. Selling at $1.25m, with a small reduction to $1,225,000 due to discovered issues during inspections, this closed sale let me know where the entry level currently was in the…
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Preparation is key for sellers to have a successful outcome in today's Real Estate market. Sellers (and their listing agents) have been spoiled over the past few years with inventory levels that are so low that there are plenty buyers for every home, no matter its condition or location. As Orange County inventory creeps back (up 21% over last year, but still a whopping 41% below pre-pandemic "normal" levels), buyers have more choice. In last month's post, I talked about getting the initial list price spot on, and these days the home's condition is proving to be equally important. Sure, there's a buyer for every home's condition, and every sale is technically "as-is" by the terms of the contract, but when I meet with sellers, I point out ways they…
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Although the Fed doesn't directly control mortgage rates, many economic indicators helped to push mortgage rates down before Fed made their .25% cut this past week. As they did before, mortgage rates actually ticked up a little after the Fed lowered their rates, but with rates staying "lower for longer", as we've been waiting for, my clients are consistently seeing rates in the low 6s, and even dipping into the high 5s in recent days.
My conversations often revolve around timing. Sellers ask if they should wait until the new year to list when rates may have dipped further, while buyers toy with trying to time the rate movements and catch some magical 30 year rate they think they'll keep for the full 30 years. Most buyers, however, will refinance…
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In my business, I see firsthand the estate planning benefits of having a family Trust. Like many, I put this off for years, so I’m here to help make it simpler and more affordable! On September 10th, at my Huntington Beach office, I’m hosting a FREE Trust Seminar with a local Trust Attorney Sarah Rinelli, Esq., who’ll walk us through the benefits of having a Trust and the potential pitfalls of not having one.
Plus, participants will have to option to purchase a Family Trust at a 50% discount after the presentation (No obligation to purchase!).
See the QR code at the bottom of this post to RSVP, and call or text me anytime with any questions!
p.s. If you're reading this after this event has passed, look out for the next one! I plan to…
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Buyers have been spooked by broader market volatility this year, so over-priced homes are sitting on the market. Buyers aren’t blindly offering way over list price just to get their foot in the door, and I’m seeing fewer offers even on accurately-priced homes. I see this as a great buying opportunity while many buyers have stepped back or jumped back on the fence. Interest rates are hovering in the mid-6% range, and lower in certain situations.
For sellers, it’s more important than ever to price your home correctly. Homes priced “aspirationally” often sit and ultimately sell for less—or sometimes don’t sell at all. Many buyers and sellers are now considering off-market opportunities; three of my sales this year never hit the market, yet both parties…
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If you’re following along with the news today, you’ve likely heard about rising inflation. You’re also likely feeling the impact in your day-to-day life as prices go up for gas, groceries, and more. These rising consumer costs can put a pinch on your wallet and make you re-evaluate any big purchases you have planned to ensure they’re still worthwhile.
If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a home this year, you’re probably wondering if you should continue down that path or if it makes more sense to wait. While the answer depends on your situation, here’s how homeownership can help you combat the rising costs that come with inflation.
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The Orange County housing market in a nutshell: The housing market is still dictated by an acute supply vs. demand problem. As I write there are only 1,064 homes for sale in all of OC! That’s down 60% from this time last year, and inventory was already low then. My buyers are duking it out with 5-10 other buyers on every listing. Why so few listings? There are several reasons, but one is some more simple give and take math. I’ve previously mentioned the increased presence of first time buyers in the 25-40 age range (the millennial generation). While an older home buyer likely is moving up or downsizing, they are almost always selling a home while also buying one, creating a zero net gain on the inventory problem. An already tight supply…
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LOW SUPPLY is the #1 reason the market is NOT going to crash anytime soon.
Like many areas of the economy, home prices typically move in relation to the dynamic between supply vs. demand. As I write this in June 2021, home inventory is at record lows, but home sales are still closing in record numbers, leaving many buyers fighting for each home. The number of homes on the market now is at just 35% of the 5 year average, while demand is up almost 8%. (source: Reports on Housing). I'm witnessing buyers offering 5-15% above list price in some areas to try to secure their home, often waiving key buyer contingencies like inspection and appraisal. Market absorption is at record highs, with very few few homes left sitting on the market. Low interest…
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26% of Californians are seriously considering leaving the state (see link to Jonathan Lansner's excellent recent article in the OC Register). In the past 5 years, more than 50% of my home seller clients have at least left the county, and the bulk of them moved further afield and left the state. When I speak to neighbors and prospective sellers, I snese that many are unprepared for the move as they aren't considering all factors such as state tax, cost of living, weather patterns, and even local politics. You may be considering leaving California for any of these reasons, but I urge you to do your research on your destination. If you're retiring out of state, your deciding factors may differ from to those still working, for instance.
This…
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