San Diego Homes For Sale

Real Estate Advisor asked:


COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Bonita is situated in the southern region of San Diego County within the state of California. There are approximately 18,396 residents in this Zip code (91902) and 5,986 households. The median age of residents is 40.45 years.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature in Bonita is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in July during which temperatures reach an average high of 70°F. The coldest time of year occurs in January with average temperatures falling to 57° F.

HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES

The housing options in Bonita include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:

·One bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the mid $200,000s.

·Two bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the low $300,000s.

·Three bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the low $400,000s.

·Two bedroom single-family homes start in the high $400,000s.

·Three bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $500,000s.

·Four bedroom single-family homes start in the low $600,000s.

REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS

As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).

The median price of single-family homes dropped from $849,990 in June 2005 to $782,500 in June 2006, which represents a 7.9% decline. However, more homes sold in June 2006 (20 homes) than in June 2005 (7 homes). The average time to sell a home increased slightly from 68 days in June 2005 to 69 days in June 2006. The ratio between the asking price to the sales price increased over the past 12 months. On average, sellers obtained 93.6% of their asking price in June 2005, and 94.5% of their asking price in June 2006.

Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.



Missoula Montana Commercial Real estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


The community of Coronado is located on the central coast of San Diego County. This 13.5 square mile peninsula is accessible via the famous Coronado Bay Bridge, by water ferry from Downtown San Diego, or through Imperial Beach via highway 75.

The real estate and homes for sale in Coronado are some of the most expensive properties in San Diego County. The number of homes sold in a particular year is relatively low. For example, during the period from January through July 2006, approximately 64 single-family homes sold. Approximately 79 homes sold for the same period in 2005. The price of homes in Coronado varies widely from moderately priced small cottages to multi-million dollar estates.

One method to analyze pricing trends for a particular community is to evaluate the median and average price of homes for a particular month, and compare that data against the same period last year. What follows is a comparison of the median price and average price of homes for the past seven months (January through July 2006), compared against the data for the corresponding time period in 2005.

The median price of homes represents the point at which half the homes are above a particular price point, and half the homes are below a particular price point. The average price of homes is calculated by adding up the sales price of all homes sold in a particular month, and dividing that value by the number of homes sold.

The median price of homes in July 2006 was $1,505,000, compared to $1,481,250 in July 2005, which represents a 1.6% increase. The average price of homes in July 2006 was $1,795,179, compared to $1,603,214 in July 2005, which represents an 11.5% drop. Approximately 7 homes sold in July 2006 and 14 in July 2005. In summary, the data was mixed for July 2006, with the median price posting a small increase and the average price dropping 11.5%.

The median price of homes in June 2006 was $1,775,000, compared to $1,570,000 in June 2005, which represents a 13.1% increase. The average price of homes in June 2006 was $1,998,860, compared to $1,778,214 in June 2005, which represents a 12.4% increase. Approximately 15 homes sold in June 2006 and 21 in June 2005. In summary, the data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in June 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in May 2006 was $1,200,000, compared to $1,390,000 in May 2005, which represents a 13.7% drop. The average price of homes in May 2006 was $1,576,429, compared to $1,615,692 in May 2005, which represents a 2.4% drop. Approximately 7 homes sold in May 2006 and 13 in May 2005. In summary, the data provides evidence that there was a downward price trend in May 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in April 2006 was $2,250,000, compared to $1,450,000 in April 2005, which represents a 55.2% increase. The average price of homes in April 2006 was $2,667,200, compared to $1,731,524 in April 2005, which represents a 54% increase. Approximately 10 homes sold in April 2006 and 7 in April 2005. In summary, the data provides evidence that there was a significant upward price trend in April 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in March 2006 was $1,650,000, compared to $1,780,000 in March 2005, which represents a 7.3% drop. The average price of homes in March 2006 was $2,219,667, compared to $1,774,667 in March 2005, which represents a 25.1% increase. Approximately 15 homes sold in March 2006 and 9 in March 2005. In summary, the data was mixed for March 2006, with a drop in median price and an increase in average price.

The median price of homes in February 2006 was $1,185,000, compared to $875,000 in February 2005, which represents a 35.4% increase. The average price of homes in February 2006 was $1,327,000, compared to $1,011,667 in February 2005, which represents a 31.2% increase. Approximately 5 homes sold in February 2006 and 3 in February 2005. In summary, the data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in February 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes was $1,700,000 in January 2006, compared to $1,531,500 in January 2005, which represents an 11% increase. The average price of homes in January 2006 was $1,599,000, compared to $1,717,750 in January 2005, which represents a 6.9% drop. Approximately 5 homes sold in January 2006 and 12 in January 2005. In summary, the data was mixed for January 2006, with a jump in median price and a decline in average price.

So what does the above data tell us? Overall, there was a 19% decline in the number of homes sold during this period from 2006 to 2005. Besides that, the Coronado real estate market is very hard to characterize because of the limited number of homes that sell every month, and the wide variation in home prices. The median and average prices fluctuated substantially depending on whether or not very expensive homes sold that month or not. Prospective home buyers should seek the advise of an experienced real estate agent to help them understand the micro pricing trends of homes in their price range.



Santa Monica homes for sale

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Second home sales have been increasing over the last few years with more people becoming second home owners. In 2005 alone, 40 percent of the homes sold were second homes. Demographics, all time low mortgage rates, and healthy rise in home prices have contributed to this development in the second home market. Besides these, a major factor that has helped augment the buying and selling of second homes is the real estate professional.

The National Association of Realtors conducted research on the profile of second-home owners in 2006. According to the NAR report entitled ‘2006 Profile of Second-Home Owners’, a majority of second home sales transactions are conducted using the services of real estate agents.

The statistics are remarkable; 64 % of vacation home buyers purchased their home using the services of a real estate agent by the end of 2005 – a marked increase from less than 50 % of vacation-home buyers in 2003. Also, 65 % of investment-home buyers purchased their home with the help of a real estate agent – an increase from 53 % of pre-2003. In comparison, only 14 % of vacation-home buyers and 7 % of investment-home buyers purchased directly from builders from 2003 to 2005.

The growing role of the real estate professional is evident from the following figures:

1. Of vacation home sales made, 71 % of them were second homes and 74 % of the sales were made using the services of a real estate agent.

2. Of the investment properties sold, 85 % of them were previously owned and 62 % of the sales were made using the services of a real estate agent.

The use of real estate agents in second home sales transactions varied according to the home’ location.

1. Buyers used a real estate agent more frequently while purchasing a vacation home located in a suburb/subdivision (56 %) or a rural area (57 %) than for homes in other locations.

2. About 66 % of buyers who purchased an investment property in an urban/central city area or in a suburb/subdivision, used the services of a real estate agent more frequently than those who purchased a home in other locations.

Real estate professionals continue to be the first source of information to second-home buyers (38 % of vacation-home buyers and 34 % of investment-home buyers). The real estate professional also plays a major role when second-home owners plan to buy additional properties. If you are thinking of buying a second home or vacation home, seek out the services of a real estate agent to guide you through your next home purchase.

1. The percentage of second home owners who are more likely to use a real estate agent in their next home purchase is quite high. Among vacation-home owners it is 79 % and investment-home owners 73 %.

2. Among second home owners, 65 % of vacation-home owners and 64% of investment-property owners are more likely to use a real estate agent in their next home sales.

Given these statistics, it is no wonder that the real estate agent plays a pivotal role in helping people buy and sell second homes. So whether you are a second-home buyer or seller, enlist the services of an agent for a smooth, hassle free real estate transaction.



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Real Estate Advisor asked:


Real estate investment is perhaps one of the most lucrative forms of investment today. But it is also equally risk bound especially when one is not well versed with the trends and nuances of the real estate market. So if you are contemplating on investing in real estate, it is best to avoid costly mistakes in real estate investment especially when you invest your hard earned money into it. Knowing the most common mistakes made by real estate investors helps one steer away from making such mistakes in the future and ensures good return on investment.

Here are the top ten mistakes made by real estate investors, according to bankrate.com. Bankrate has put together the top ten mistakes after speaking to established, full-time real estate investors and other professionals involved in real estate investment such as bankers. Read on to know them and avoid them.

1. Not planning up ahead. Lack of a proper plan is the biggest mistake made by novice investors. Finding a house after forming a proper investment strategy is the right way instead of looking for a house to fit the plan. Many make the mistake of buying a house because it seems to be a good deal and then trying to see how they can fit it into their plan. Instead of buying a house and thinking one can plan in due course, investors should rather concentrate on the numbers and try to make offers on multiple properties. This will ensure a good property that not only matches their investment model but also works out well with the numbers they had planned for.

2. To believe you can make money quickly. The second major mistake that real estate investors make is to think it is very easy to get rich in real estate. This is only a myth and the reality is that investing in real estate is a long term project.

3. Doing it single-handedly. For becoming a successful real estate investor one needs to build a team of professionals who would assist the investor in his deals. This would ideally include a real estate agent, an appraiser, a home inspector, a closing attorney and a lender.

4. Making excess payment. One another reason that investors in real estate goof up in their investment is by paying too much for the properties they buy. Paying too much and locking up all the funds in the erred property deal will leave you with no money to redeem yourself.

5. Leaving out the groundwork. Not doing your homework could be a costly mistake if you were a real estate investor. Every field of business needs sufficient amount of homework to be done, and real estate investment is no exception. Learn the fundamentals and then venture into investing in properties.

6. Throwing caution to the winds. Investors have to exercise a certain degree of caution and take earnest efforts while making a deal. New investors often fail in this regard and sign a deal without doing adequate research on the property.

7. Miscalculating money flow. Investors whose strategy is to buy, hold and rent out properties need to ensure sufficient cash flow for maintenance. Property managers could be expensive and the owner has to incur more expenses such as mortgage, taxes, insurance, advertising costs etc. Investors have to allocate their budget such that all these expenses are taken care of, or end up having their asset turn into a liability.

8. Lowering the volume. A larger volume of deals or transactions helps in increasing the profits by reducing the impacts of marginal deals.

9. Getting trapped in your own deal. Having more number of options at hand for the property you buy is a wise strategy. This helps one to be prepared for fluctuations in the real estate market. Plans to rent out the house could go awry when the rental market slumps. Having alternative plans helps you cut down losses and tackle unexpected situations.

10. Making incorrect estimates. People who plan to rehab their house need to check if they will still reap the benefits at double the time that they had estimated. This ensures they do not miscalculate and lose money on the deal.



Brigantine real estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Now seems to be the best time to invest in properties in college towns where housing demand is high due to a soaring rental market according to the New rules of real estate by Business 2.0 Magazine. With home prices still out of home buyer’s range, and homeowners selling their homes due to rising interest rates, rents are expected to increase nationwide. This makes buying investment property in rental markets such as college towns an attractive option, one that is already being pursued by investors. Rents are expected to rise by 5 % by the end of this year according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and investors are looking at college towns with increased interest.

There are two major reasons why it is prudent to buy investment property in college towns now. When compared with other rental markets, the rentals in apartment buildings in college towns are much stronger and hence more profitable. This has been augmented by the fact that apartment buildings in college towns are fewer in number. This demand for apartment buildings has also increased due to the rising admissions in colleges mostly from the Gen Y or the echo boomers, which has further increased the asking rates in the college town rental markets. These properties have a low vacancy rate, especially in buildings located near the campuses. Investors in commercial apartment buildings also get to increase their rent with the mounting demand making such investment a highly profitable venture.

So if you are a prospective landlord who has decided to encash this favorable situation, then you can start with choosing the college town that has the lowest ratio of university-owned beds to the student population. As Michael Zaransky, co-founder of Prime Property Investors in Chicago says, prospective investors would do well to pick the college towns that have the ratio of university-owned beds to students at 30 % or lower. One should also look into colleges that propose to expand their student ranks by 2 or 3 % every year.

Investors should also need to take into consideration the disadvantages involved in owning commercial apartment buildings in college towns. The business could be trying sometimes, and involves risks with college policies liable to changes and the difficulty involved in predicting volatile student demand. However, considering the high rate of returns that the investment has to offer, the pros seem to far outnumber the cons making buying investment property in college towns a smart option.



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Escapeso Austin Real Estate asked:


There are some myths about real estate agents, many of which are not so flattering. But when it comes down to it, real estate agents are not too out there, and there is a logical explanation to each misconception. Let’s straighten out a couple myths and facts.

Myth #1: They have big hair.

Fact: Though occasionally real estate agents do have big hair, most are regular people who get up in the morning just like you do, and go to work just like you do. Many real estate agents, in fact, are going bald due to stress related hair loss. Same with the fancy dagger-shaped manicures; in actuality, many real estate agents have bitten their nails down to nubs.

Myth #2: Real Estate Agents drive luxury cars while talking on their cell phones.

Fact: Itâ??s true that real estate agents are often trying to do too many things at once, but they like to be careful about it. And though real estate agents would like to make a good impression on you, more often than not they drive Hondas and Toyotas and hope that their hard work will sell you, not their Lexus.

Myth #3: Real Estate Agents know your area.

Fact: Just like normal people, real estate agents canâ??t know everything. Though they do spend a lot of time driving around town, they canâ??t be in all places at once, and they themselves probably have preferences for one neighborhood versus another. Make it clear to your realtor what kind of area you want to live in, and they can help you look within that section of town.

Myth #4: Real Estate Agents live outside of time.

Fact: Real estate agents have lives too, and those lives happen to take place in the same physical realm as yours does. While it might seem like they spend a strangely disproportionate chunk of time speaking with you, they are actually trying to be as time-conscious as possible, so that you can move more quickly into your home and they can move more quickly to helping their next client.

Myth #5: Real Estate Agents just want your money.

Fact: What real estate agents actually want is an easy life. They want to help you find a home you love, and they want to make their (often small) bit of commission off of it (and thatâ??s off the sale, not out of your pocket). They do not want your soul or your firstborn, just some patience, consideration, and a positive home-buying experience for all.



Document Destruction

Real Estate Advisor asked:


In its 4th quarter report of 2006, the real estate information site estimates the home value trends for the U.S. and 75 metropolitan areas. According to the data from http://Zillow.com, home values are now declining slightly on a year-over-year basis for the first time in a decade after years of appreciation.

Zillow’s home value data goes back to 1997 and reveals the depreciation of home value rates at 0.48 % year-over-year at the national level. The depreciation in home value every quarter is at 4.77 %. Zillow’s appreciation rate is based on the value of all homes in an area, including those that were sold.

Although there is a fall in the over-all home price growth, areas such as Seattle and Portland are experiencing a surge in home values at good appreciation rates. Besides national home values, the report also presents comprehensive data on local market price growth and decline in 75 metropolitan areas. The Zillow report gives detailed data on home value changes for counties, cities, neighborhoods and ZIP codes in U.S.A.

The top 5 metro areas with the highest price growth, year-over-year, are:

1. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida, with an appreciation rate of 25.88 %

2. Yuma, Arizona, with an appreciation rate of 25.66 %

3. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with an appreciation rate of 21.24 %

4. Flagstaff, Arizona, with an appreciation rate of 19.02 %

5. Ocala, Florida with an appreciation rate of 17.56 %

The 5 metropolitan areas that have the most declining home values, year-over-year, are:

1. Panama City, Florida, with a depreciation rate of 11.84 %

2. San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, California, with a depreciation rate of 11.35 %

3. Punta Gorda, Florida, with a depreciation rate of 9.23 %

4. Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, with a depreciation rate of 8.99 %

5. Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, South Carolina, with a depreciation rate of 8.73 %

The Zillow national report also includes the top five most expensive and least expensive metro areas measured by the Zindex home value indicator.

The top 5 metro areas that are most expensive are:

1. San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, California at $684,459

2. Salinas, California at $654,503

3. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, California at $627,323

4. Honolulu, Hawaii at $626,452

5. Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, California at $545,409

The top 5 metro areas that are the least expensive are:

1. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL at $86,201

2. Peoria-Pekin, Illinois at $91,984

3. Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, South Carolina at $96,508

4. Tulsa, Oklahoma at $97,186

5. Dayton-Springfield, Ohio at $103,729

Even within these markets, there are hot and cold housing segments of the community. Be sure to seek out the services of a local real estate agent, who can advise you about local market conditions that impact the price of homes, condos and other types of real estate.



Orlando Florida Private Investigator

Real Estate Business asked:


Real Estate Investment in Whangarei New Zealand

Real estate business may be focused in so many aspects as an investment and as a method to earn money from. You can be a real estate agent and enjoy earning money while on the other hand, there are those who have the capital to earn being an investor in the buy and sell arena for a real estate business. In Whangarei New Zealand, however, there is a lot of available real estate business investment that you can get in to if you want to earn a significant amount of income from it.

Whangarei Real Estate Agent Marketing Tips

A Whangarei real estate agent in New Zealand may earn through real estate business by selling real estate property in so many ways and methods but so far, there are a few tips that I would like to give you to be able to earn good in this business. To be able to market a real estate property, you have to know where you can make such move or where to post your for sale property using the internet because we all know that the internet is the best medium there is if you are selling anything today. A few good ways to seek refuge for your product are forums and classifieds. Today there are a lot of free classifieds that you can post your for sale product. Forums can also be a good way to sell real estate. You can also try to market your real estate property using social media sites where you can post to multiple people who might just be interested to buy a real estate property in Whangarei. So far these are just a few ways and I know that there are a lot out there.

Different Real Estate Property Investment and Sale

In a real estate investment, there are a lot of different types that you can sell for interest of those who might be looking for the perfect type of property. Different people have different preferences for a real estate property that they wan to buy or rent or even lease for a period of time so to be able to allow your target clients to get a glimpse of what is there in the real estate industry in Whangarei Nez Zealand, you must have access to the different types of real estate properties being sold in the market today and make a list of them all. This is for the purpose of having each type under your profile just in case you have to present a client the different types of real estate property that you sell for choosing.

To get you an idea of what is in store if you are looking to sell real estate these are a few types. Coastal real estate, farmland real estate, northland real estate, beach real estate, resort real estate, ridge real estate and more. So far these are just a few but always feel free to make it more appealing and diverse for your clients. We all know that selling a real estate property either if it is for rent, lease or total sale depends on the choices that you can offer for your clients.



Brigantine Real Estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Often with financial help from parents, some college-age students choose to purchase homes or condos in communities where they attend college. This option allows students to live in a property that is usually more spacious and comfortable than typical dormitory-style rooms. For students who value attending a college with a large football program, affordable real estate may be an important criterion when selecting a college or university.

Coldwell Banker, a real estate firm, conducted a recent survey to identify the most affordable college football towns. The survey compared the average price of a single- family home with 2200 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 2

Missoula Montana Commercial Real estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


If you are looking for the best golf community living in San Diego County, check out these top ten golf communities that are the best in sunny Southern California, according to Golf Community Realty. These exclusive gated golfing communities offer the most suitable lifestyle for golf lovers and have been chosen based on the homes available and the amenities they offer. All ten communities enjoy the exquisite Californian weather year round and are the ultimate golf areas in San Diego County.

1. Pauma Valley C.C., Pauma Valley

This golf community offers a magnificent golf course, 24-hr gate-guarded entrance, clubhouse, tennis courts, a swimming pool and a long private airstrip. Resale condos begin from the low $400s while single family homes start from $575,000.

2. Aviara Golf Club, No. San Diego County

The golf community boasts of a very picturesque resort, the Arnold Palmer Signature golf course and proximity to the Pacific Ocean beaches. The resort’s master planned housing area consists of executive homes and custom homes. Also available are numerous villas that skirt the golf course.

3. Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Santa Fe

This golf community is known for its award-winning villas that are available on the resale market from time to time. Custom-appointed homes begin from the mid $2 millions. Custom estate homesites and estate-sized homes are also available.

4. The Crosby Estate, Rancho Santa Fe

The Crosby Estate is home to the Crosby National Golf Club and beautiful homes with breathtaking views that include semi-custom homes, golf villas, and custom homesites. Also available are a clubhouse, a swim and athletic club, tennis garden, etc.

5. Encinitas Ranch, Encinitas

The Encinitas Ranch Golf Course offers 18 championship holes amidst a stunning natural scenario. Elegant executive homes line the golf course and are available from $895,000.

6. Golf Club of California, Fallbrook

This private golf club offers an 18-hole championship golf course, a charming clubhouse, a business center and more. Homes start from $895,000 and most of them offer wonderful views.

7. Maderas C.C., Poway

This Poway golf community offers a magnificent location, a top ranking 18-hole golf course and several custom homes that are available from 1,175,000.

8. Pala Mesa Resort, Fallbrook

The resort community offers a beautiful 4-star rating golf course, tennis club, swimming pool and a host of other amenities. Condos around the golf course start at $279,000 and other homes in the area begin at $650,000.

9. Santaluz, No. San Diego County

This is a private club with a championship golf course. Homes include single story homes of the Santa Barbara styled casitas and large custom homes. There are plenty of custom homesites too.

10. Village of Rancho Santa Fe

“The Village” of Rancho Santa Fe offers several championship golf courses and other amenities such as tennis courts, a riding club, etc. Homes in this area consist of custom homes, luxurious ranches and large estate homes.



Huntsville homes for sale

Escapeso Austin Real Estate asked:


When people call me, typically one of the first requests they make is for a house in a “nice” neighborhood. And this makes sense to want a neighborhood that is safe and enjoyable. But there are some benefits to buying real estate in the rough part of town or on the wrong side of the tracks. This article highlights some of them.

- There is less worry of your neighborhood going downhill because it is already downhill. Good neighborhoods can get bad and bad neighborhoods can get better. Since the price usually reflects the current condition, buying in a neighborhood that has room for improvement might be a good idea.

- If you are buying a rental, you usually get better cash flow in rough neighborhoods. If you are renting your property, there are more renters and they are more long term. It’s difficult to rent in good neighborhoods because fewer people are looking to rent and those who do are generally there short term while they look for a house to buy.

- You can look better in comparison to other landlords. Landlords in rough areas frequently don’t maintain their properties as well as people in nice areas. Therefore, if you maintain your properties, you can blow away your competition, and charge more for it.

- If you are in a rough neighborhood, you can propose that your property change will improve the neighborhood and you have a better chance of getting a different zoning. Conversely, if you are in a good neighborhood, it’s hard to make the same argument.

- You can buy more property. If you want to spend 500k, you can either buy one house in an upscale neighborhood or six or seven houses in a rougher neighborhood.

- They’re more recession proof. When the economy goes south, real estate in rough neighborhoods is less affected.

In summary, I am not saying you have to buy in a bad neighborhood. But simply that if you are looking for long term investments sometimes its a good idea to wander over the tracks and look around a bit.



San Jose Costa Rica Private Investigator

Real Estate Advisor asked:


COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Alpine is a community situated in the eastern region of San Diego County within the state of California. There are approximately 19,227 residents in this Zip code (91901) and 6,597 households. The median age of residents is 38.92 years.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature in Alpine is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in August during which temperatures reach an average high of 76°F. The coldest time of year occurs in January with average temperatures falling to 54°F.

HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES

The housing options in Alpine include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:

·One bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the low $200,000s.

·Two bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the low $200,000s.

·Three bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the mid $300,000s.

·Two bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $300,000s.

·Three bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $400,000s.

·Four bedroom single-family homes start in the high $500,000s.

REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS

As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).

The median price of single-family homes in June 2006 was $597,500, which represents a 10.2% decline from the previous year. The number of homes sold in June 2006 was 17, which was down 37% from the previous year.

Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.



Santa Monica homes

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Wealthy home buyers who buy multi-million dollar homes are typically self-made millionaires with new money, according to a recent online survey of 683 Coldwell Banker Previews International property specialists. The study revealed the top professions of these affluent customers. According to the respondents, 88 % of their customers are business or corporate executives, 37 % are physicians, 31 % are lawyers, 30 % are financial professional and 14 % are entertainers, entertainment executives or professional athletes.

Wealthy home buyers require their real estate agents to be equipped with special skills, according to the Coldwell Banker’s survey. Given the magnitude of the financial transactions involved in luxury home purchases, 78 % of sales associates said that the top most need their clients require from their real estate agents is privacy and confidentiality. The luxury customers also want their real estate agents to exercise discretion while dealing with their multi-million dollar transactions. Almost 70 % of respondents polled that their wealthy clients want their real estate professionals to offer customized services while 44 % said that the luxury home buyers want their agents to have good network and work relationship with executive assistants, CPAs and attorneys.

Wealthy home buyers also want their agents to know the inside scoop on the real estate market, according to 36 % of the respondents in the Coldwell Banker’s survey. Seventeen percent of the sales associates surveyed indicated that one of the necessary skills for real estate professionals working with affluent customers was the ability to provide emotional support to their clients. And according to 11 % of respondents, luxury customers want their real estate agents to establish personal rapport with their clients.

The study also included queries on the “must have” amenities that the affluent clientele want in their luxury homes. Wealthy home buyers want media rooms in their homes, according to 60 % of respondents and another 60 % polled that their affluent customers want “wired” homes. However, there are a few home design elements that are out among luxury home buyers. Gourmet kitchens, granite countertops and wet bars are no longer counted as luxuries by wealthy home buyers, according to the survey respondents.

The survey also found that the multi-million dollar home buyer pays a typical down payment of 20 % to 30 %, while a quarter of clients put down 30 % to 50 % of the sale price.



Baltimore real estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Based on several factors that include lifestyle, retirement, opportunities for fun and investment, International Living magazine has chosen the world’s seven hot spots for 2007. Still virtually unnoticed by the world’s tourists, these seven regions are the best international real estate markets in 2007. They are:

1. Montenegro: This spectacular European country on the Adriatic Sea that many have almost forgotten has topped the list of best international real estate markets. The aquamarine sea, enthralling mountain backdrop, captivating summer villas and quaint fishing villages are just a few features of this jaw-droppingly beautiful country. An ideal tourist spot, this country has been adjudged the ‘fastest growing travel and tourism economy’ by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

2. Cartagena, Colombia: This is an ancient walled city embellished by magnificent Spanish colonial architecture and flanked by white-sand beaches. The city offers a warm weather, affordable lifestyle, and world-class diving and snorkeling for tourists and locals alike.

3. Malaysia: Southeast Asia’s top retirement haven, country is a very affordable destination. Malaysia offers a western lifestyle and a host of attractions including modern infrastructure, cheap accommodation and innumerable cultural charms. Its beautiful white beaches and clear blue waters offer sailing, diving, snorkeling, etc.

4. Calabria, Italy: A sunniest corner of Europe, Calabria is a beautiful peninsula that is enveloped by clear silver-blue sea on three sides. Life happens in a very leisurely manner in this place that possesses all the charms of a medieval village. A promising real estate market, the region is well connected by the low-cost Euro-carrier RyanAir.

5. Ciudad Vieja, Uruguay: This is another of the world’s inexpensive cities that remains undiscovered yet. The city has seen a booming real estate market since 1995 and the upward trend is sure to continue through 2007 too. Also ranked as one of the top 10 cheapest cities in the world last year, Ciudad Vieja remains one of the best places to invest this year.

6. Honduras Cloud Forest: With acres of mountain forests of breathtaking beauty, this mountain paradise is just minutes from a charming beachside town and an international airport. One can access this town by air in less than 2 hours from many places in the U.S. With the area poised for a real estate boom in a few years down the line, now is the time to buy.

7. Mexico’s Flamingo Coast: An enticing stretch of coastline with dozens of quaint little beach towns, side-by-side, the Flamingo Coast offers great beachside living and a laid back lifestyle. Its warm weather, white sandy beaches, emerald-green waters and cheap rentals are some of the attractions the region offers.



Buffalo Grove homes

Real Estate Advisor asked:


The price of housing is a major challenge in the United States. Some estimates note that more than 50% of the population cannot afford a median priced home. According to National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), of the total number of new and existing homes sold nationwide during the third quarter, only 40.4 percent were affordable for families earning the median U.S. income of $59,600.

But it is good news that housing affordability on the national level has not changed much in the third quarter in spite of a rise in the mortgage interest rates during the last quarter. This was because many markets saw a slight decrease in their home prices, which helped offset the rise in mortgage rates.

Indianapolis (Indiana) is the most affordable city for homes in America, based on the 2006 third quarter report of the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). The city achieved this status for the fifth consecutive quarter.

Of the total number of housing units sold in Indianapolis during the third quarter, 86 percent of homes were priced at or below the U.S. median household income of $65,100. Homes in this metro area had a median sales price of $122,000, which is slightly higher from $120,000 of the previous quarter.

It is interesting to note that the most affordable U.S. cities for homes, condos and other real estate are largely from the northern industrial metro areas. The other larger cities that top the list for affordable homes in the third quarter after Indianapolis are Youngstown-Warren-Boardman (Ohio-Pennsylvania); Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn (Michigan); Buffalo-Niagara Falls (New York); and Grand Rapids and Wyoming (Michigan).

The report also lists the top seven smaller cities in America that have the most affordable housing markets. These are: Bay City in Michigan, Springfield in Ohio, Mansfield in Ohio, Lansing-East Lansing in Michigan, Lima in Ohio, Battle Creek in Michigan and Canton-Massillon in Ohio.

For both major metros and small metros, many of the least affordable cities are located in California. The least affordable major metro areas are Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, Modesto, Stockton, and San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, in that order. The least affordable smaller metros (less than 500,000 people) include: Salinas, Merced, Madera, Napa, and Santa Barbara-Santa Maria.

The good news for homebuyers is that there are many affordable cities in the United States. Moreover, even for cities that rated poorly for affordability, there may be some communities within the larger city that have affordable housing. For example, although the San Diego metro in California rated poorly overall for affordability, there are some communities in San Diego priced to meet the needs of lower-income home buyers. A good real estate agent can help you choose a community where you want to live based on your housing budget and needs.



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Joe Cline – Austin Real Estate Broker asked:


Decide to Sell

Deciding to sell your home is a big decision. The first step in this process should be to understand your motivations, expectations, financial considerations, goals and what you plan to do upon the sale of your home. Many people begin the sale process with unrealistic expectations or unclear goals. It then becomes difficult to meet their goals because these goals have never been clearly defined. You must begin to view your house, no longer as your home, but as an investment property that you want to market.

Setting the Price

Of course one of your most difficult questions is the listing price of your house. What price should you ask? This is an important part of the sales process. If you set the asking price too high, you may scare away buyers. Agents who feel that your house would not be a good investment may not even show the house. After the house sits on the market for a while, people begin to feel that there is something wrong with it because it hasn’t sold. Even if you could sell your house for an inflated price, many times a lender won’t approve a loan on a house that doesn’t appraise for that amount and the sale might fall through at the last minute. If you under price the home, you won’t realize the maximum potential of your investment.

Marketing Plan

Decide on incentives that to be offered to buyers, determine the best places to advertise, and determine how to show the home. Remember that that goal is to sell the home for the highest price, in the least time, with the fewest hassles.

Prepare the Home for Showing

There are two important ways that you can have an impact in making your house attractive to buyers: property condition and listing price. After deciding on a listing price, setup an appointment with a decorating company. They will give you some suggestions for making your house look its best. This process is called “staging.” The suggestions might be simple such as clearing cluttered counter tops. Or they might be more involved such as painting front doors or repairing obvious defects.

The staging company will look at your house from room to room and will offer advice on how to make each room show great. They will also look at the exterior street appeal, backyard and garage. They have a lot of tips that can make your house shine. After this meeting, you will have a list of what you should do to prepare your house for sale. Following these suggestions in a timely manner will ensure your home shows at its best.

Remember that “staging” addresses the appearance of the house and not necessarily other problems, which might become evident during an inspection. An inspection will uncover most defects that eventually may have to be repaired. In this way you can have the repairs done before a potential buyer’s inspection uncovers a defect that might cause a buyer to either change his mind or to want a substantial repair allowance deducted from the price. It is a signal to buyers that you are a responsible, reputable seller. It also allows you to have plenty of time to schedule any work that might need to be done.

Offer a residential service contract to buyers. This guarantees the major appliances in your home as well as other systems and structures. You can also include coverage for your house while it is on the market so you don’t have to pay for any unexpected repairs.

Marketing the Home

Now the fun begins. Here are some ideas that can be used to promote your home.

It is important for you to keep your house in perfect condition everyday because buyers or agents might come by at any time. Keep the kitchen clean, make your bed every morning and keep clutter out of sight. It is especially important to keep pets and pet odors under control. Some wonderful added touches are fresh flowers and potpourri or freshly baked cookies.

As agents and potential buyers begin visiting your home either virtually on the Internet or in person, try to obtain feedback from the buyers. Make changes to the showing state, condition, and price as feedback deems necessary.

The Offer and Negotiation

You have an offer, now what? Sometimes the buyer will offer you the asking price and have no special requests. In this case, you sign that you accept the offer. Sometimes, the buyer’s offer is a lower price and might have other requests. You should consider what is best for you and make a counter offer. Consider carefully your response because if you counter offer, there is no guarantee that the buyer will respond again. Also remember that, once agreed upon and signed by all parties, an offer becomes a legally binding contract. Never get involved in oral offers and negotiation. If you verbally accept an offer, a buyer has no legal obligation to buy the house and may want to continue to bargain with you to see how low a price you will accept.

No matter how well you have prepared your house and how fairly you have priced it, there is always the possibility of receiving a low offer. It could be a limit to the buyer’s ability to purchase. Don’t take it personally and react angrily. This is business, it’s not personal. You can either reject the offer or make a counter-offer. Try to find out as much as you can as to why the offer was low. Certainly if other offers come in very low or if your home is not being shown or not receiving any offers consider adjusting the pricing.

Once the buyer and seller agree on the terms, the buyer will have the home inspected. If there are any problems that are found during this time period then the buyer can withdraw from the contract. The buyer might request that you complete certain repairs before closing or that you contribute a certain sum of money at closing to cover these repairs. If this happens, try not to let contract fall through. After the limited time period is up, the buyer is legally bound to buy your house unless they are denied financing. In the event of cancellation, the buyer would lose any earnest money. One exception to this is in the case of the buyer not receiving funding from the lenders. In that case then the buyer is not held responsible. For this reason, always ask the buyer’s agent for a letter showing that the potential buyer has been prequalified for a loan and, once a contract is signed, ask the buyer’s agent to keep you informed of the buyer’s loan application progress.

Closing

The exciting day is finally here! Verify in advance that all of the paperwork is in order. Request a copy of the HUD1 statement sheet so that you can read over it before closing. Feel free to ask any questions either before the closing or during the closing itself. Typically this is when you relinquish possession of the house so take the keys to give to the new owner.



Buffalo Grove homes

real estate asked:


The photography which is done on Real Estate Development Company is known as real estate photography. The concept is very much popular in European and western countries/ companies. Because according to the real estate photography the market has to be established! Real estate photography is done in different ways such as in close-ups. The real which is to be marketed has to be identified first. The product is then suited by professional photographer from different angles from which the product is most likely to be a sellable hotcake. Since the real estate is govern by the products which are only shown in hypothetical manner, the real estate has to be marketed accordingly. Since, the real estate is depends upon the projected outcomes, is covered by the photography part. So, a photographer must be analyzer in nature!

The photographer must know what the product will be after its completion of project. So, the photograph and actual product should match. Real estate photography makes a difference that good photos can make in the process of house for sale.

Importance of real estate photography

Digital presentation of real estate photographs is the key to good seller in the property market. In the present property marketplace, real estate photography became the essential tool of property firms! Digital photos are becoming popular and can be readily available in the market. Digital photos make real estate photography more natural and practical. If you want to search real estate photography for your property business, then you can find many online real estate photography professional websites online. By just surfing the internet you can gather some real estate photography tips and hints. For a professional real estate agent, it is must to take well-composed and exposed real estate photographs. By trying true methods of real estate photography you can produce real estate photos without the need of buying expensive tools.

Good online companies offer stunning real estate photography for both interactive and print use as well as three hundred sixty degree Panoramic virtual tour images, video production, multimedia presentations and image management. It is an important for you those great photographic images for marketing your position. Blur photos of real estates are never acceptable. To take better images of your real estates you should choose real estate photography. Over the past few years there are dramatic changes happened with introduction of digital camera has brought to the Real Estate photography industry. With such latest technology, a real estate photography transfer images to a web page on the internet, and flyers printed all within minutes. Nowadays, listings are quickly available to other real estate firms and purchasers worldwide who have access to a computer.



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Real Estate Advisor asked:


Despite a recent slowdown, the U.S. real estate market continues to be a popular investment destination for foreign investors. Attracted by a desirable return on investment, many foreign nations continue to invest heavily in the U.S. residential and commercial real estate markets. In fact, in 2005, foreign investment in U.S. real estate reached 1.83 trillion.

To evaluate the impact of foreign investment on the U.S. real estate market, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) produced a 2006 report entitled ‘Foreign Investment in U.S. Real Estate: Current Trends and Historical Perspective.’ The report provides insights into the trends in foreign real estate investment, its impact on the U.S. economy, and the major countries that participate in U.S. real estate investment. Below are some highlights from the NAR report.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the top seven countries that had significant holdings in U.S. real estate as of 2005 were:

Germany – 13 %

Latin America – 13 %

Australia – 11 %

Japan -10 %

United Kingdom – 10 %

Canada – 6 %

Netherlands – 6 %

The U.S. economy is wide open to foreign investors. Both investors and Americans significantly benefit from all this foreign investment. The NAR study estimates that without foreign investments in the securities market, the long-term lending rates would be four percentage points higher than the current rate, which would adversely impact the U.S. real estate market.

Foreign direct investment into the U.S. not only creates more jobs but also contributes to the demand for U.S. real estate. In fact, foreign investment may be responsible for creating two million U.S. jobs by the end of 2006, which further bolsters the demand for U.S. real estate.

Permanent and temporary immigration of foreign-born workers into the U.S. further bolsters the demand for real estate. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, 1.2 million net immigrants are expected to arrive in the United States annually. This immigration pattern is expected to offset the decrease in housing demand by post baby-boomer generations.

In summary, the impact of foreign investment and immigration into the U.S. will continue to play a major role in the U.S. real estate market.



Simi Valley homes

Real Estate Advisor asked:


The community of Del Cerro is located in central San Diego County, California. The community is located off Interstate 8 at the College Ave exit.

The real estate and homes for sale in Del Cerro fall into the low to moderate income-categories. The number of homes sold in a particular year is relatively high. For example, during the period from January through July 2006, approximately 137 single-family homes sold. Approximately 142 homes sold for the same period in 2005.

One method to analyze pricing trends for a particular community is to evaluate the median and average price of homes for a particular month, and compare that data against the same period last year. What follows is a comparison of the median price and average price of homes for the past seven months (January through July 2006), compared against the data for the corresponding time period in 2005.

The median price of homes represents the point at which half the homes are above a particular price point, and half the homes are below a particular price point. The average price of homes is calculated by adding up the sales price of all homes sold in a particular month, and dividing that value by the number of homes sold.

The median price of homes in July 2006 was $632,000, compared to $590,000 in July 2005, which represents a 6.2 increase. The average price of homes in July 2006 was $680,557, compared to $620,571 in July 2005, which represents a 9.9% increase. Approximately 21 homes sold in July 2006 and 20 in July 2005. In summary, there was an upward price trend in July 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in June 2006 was $557,500, compared to $545,500 in June 2005, which represents a 2.1% increase. The average price of homes in June 2006 was $622,327, compared to $613,060 in June 2005, which represents a 0.80% increase. Approximately 13 homes sold in June 2006 and 30 in June 2005. In summary, there was an upward price trend in June 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in May 2006 was $620,000, compared to $615,000 in May 2005, which represents a 0.8% increase. The average price of homes in May 2006 was $652,730, compared to $604,844 in May 2005, which represents a 2.7% increase. Approximately 30 homes sold in May 2006 and 16 in May 2005. In summary, there was an upward price trend in May 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in April 2006 was $560,000, compared to $680,000 in April 2005, which represents a 17.6% decline. The average price of homes in April 2006 was $597,593, compared to $726,804 in April 2005, which represents a 17.8% drop. Approximately 27 homes sold in April 2006 and 23 in April 2005. In summary, there was a downward price trend in April 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in March 2006 was $557,000, compared to $635,000 in March 2005, which represents a 12.3% drop. The average price of homes in March 2006 was $639,667, compared to $655,836 in March 2005, which represents a 2.5% drop. Approximately 21 homes sold in March 2006 and 25 in March 2005. In summary, there was a downward price trend in March 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in February 2006 was $594,750, compared to $530,000 in February 2005, which represents a 12.2% increase. The average price of homes in February 2006 was $664,679, compared to $565,882 in February 2005, which represents an 18.5% increase. Approximately 14 homes sold in February 2006 and 18 in February 2005. In summary, there was an upward price trend in February 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes was $595,000 in January 2006, compared to $512,500 in January 2005, which represents a 16.1% increase. The average price of homes in January 2006 was $713,909, compared to $575,470 in January 2005, which represents a 24.1%. Approximately 11 homes sold in January 2006 and 10 in January 2005. In summary, there was an upward price trend in January 2006 compared to the same period last year.

So what does the data tell us? Well, the data above does not reveal a consistent pattern. Early in the year (January and February 2006), home prices were up year-over-year in the range of 12% to 24%. However, prices were down 2% to 17% during March and April 2006, compared to the same time last year. And then, for the last three months (May, June and July 2006), moderate price gains were observed ranging from 1% to 10%. Given the ups and down described above, a longer period of evaluation is needed to determine if a clear pattern emerges. Contact an experienced Realtor to obtain additional insights about the pricing trends in the Del Cerro real estate market.



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Real Estate Advisor asked:


COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Chula Vista is situated in the southern region of San Diego County within the state of California. There are approximately 194,939 residents in this community and 62,394 households. The median age of residents is 32.89 years.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature in Chula Vista is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in August during which temperatures reach an average high of 72°F. The coldest time of year occurs in December with average temperatures falling to 57°F.

HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES

The housing options in Chula Vista include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:

·One bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the high $100,000s.

·Two bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the high $200,000s.

·Three bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the mid $300,000s.

·Two bedroom single-family homes start in the high $300,000s.

·Three bedroom single-family homes start in the low $400,000s.

·Four bedroom single-family homes start in the high$400,000s.

REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS

As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).

The median price of single-family homes dropped from $610,000 in June 2005 to $595,000 in June 2006, which represents a 2.5% decline. Fewer more homes sold in June 2006 (127 homes) than in June 2005 (171 homes). The average time to sell a home increased from 47 days in June 2005 to 66 days in June 2006.

The median price of condominiums and townhomes decreased slightly from $382,250 in June 2005 to $382,000 in June 2006, which represents a .1% decline. Fewer units sold in June 2006 (46 units) than in June 2005 (80 units). The average time to sell a unit increased from 52 days in June 2005 to 85 days in June 2006.

Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.



Chicago Real Estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Owing a home is a big part of the American dream. But not everyone is fortunate enough to become a homeowner due to delimiting factors such as insufficient income, bankruptcy, bad or no credit, loss of employment, etc. For people with such troubles, owning a home is a distant dream and some of these people resign themselves to a lifetime of renting. But such people are not without options. Rent-to-own, which is also known as a lease-purchase option, can be an excellent alternative available to some people who are currently unable to buy a home.

A rent-to-own or lease-purchase option is an agreement between a prospective home buyer and a home seller. The agreement is basically a rental contract with a right to purchase the property after a period of time (usually 1 year). When a home seller offers a lease-purchase option, what they are really offering is the option to rent the house at some monthly rate, and to lock in the sales price of the home now, even though the prospective buyer would not actually purchase the house until a later time (if at all).

Here is a hypothetical example. Let’s say the monthly rent for a home is $1700. Under a lease-purchase option, a prospective buyer would rent the home for the $1700 a month, but would also pay an additional premium (e.g., $200-$300) every month for the option to buy the home after a period of time (usually 1 year). So in this example, the total monthly rent is actually $2000, but $200-$300 of the money will be applied toward buying the house at a later time. In other words, the home seller would apply the $200-$300 extra paid every month toward the prospective buyer’s down payment at the end of the year.

The good news for prospective home buyers is that it allows them to lock in the purchase price of the home now, even though they are not purchasing the home until a later time. The bad news is that if a buyer decides not to purchase the home at the end of lease term, the seller often keeps the premium amount paid over the year, although this is usually a point of negotiation.

Prospective home buyers should know that many of the terms described above are negotiable such as how much the monthly rent will be, how much extra has to be paid every month for the option fee (if any), the length of the lease term, etc. The other issue to consider is if it makes sense to lock in a home purchase price now in markets where real estate prices are still declining.

When compared to renting, a lease-purchase can be an attractive alternative because it gives prospective buyers an opportunity to own a home before they normally would be able to. There are some advantages to a lease-purchase option such as:

1) Low or No Initial Down Payment. Many lease-purchase options do not require an initial down payment.

2) Equity Advantage. At the end of the lease term, the value of a home may have appreciated over time, which benefits the purchaser.

3) Living Experience. Prospective home buyers have the opportunity to try out a home and neighborhood before purchasing the property.

4) Leverage Advantage. With just a small investment, a prospective buyer can control a property; yet still have the option of not buying the home if market conditions don’t warrant it.

Rent-to-own or lease-purchase option can be an effective strategy to home ownership. However, there are both positive and negative aspects to this type of approach (as described above). A good real estate agent can help you navigate the complex world of rent-to-own and lease-purchase option properties.



Commercial Real Estate San Diego

Real Estate Advisor asked:


The Golden Hill region is located near Downtown San Diego County, California. The community is located between Interstates 5 and 15, just south of the famous Balboa Park.

For the period observed (January through July 2006 compared against January through July 2005), the number of homes sold remained relatively consistent. Approximately 74 single-family homes sold in 2006 and 76 homes sold in 2005.

One method to analyze pricing trends for a particular community is to evaluate the median and average price of homes for a particular month, and compare that data against the same period last year. What follows is a comparison of the median price and average price of homes for the past seven months (January through July 2006), compared against the data for the corresponding time period in 2005.

The median price of homes represents the point at which half the homes are above a particular price point, and half the homes are below a particular price point. The average price of homes is calculated by adding up the sales price of all homes sold in a particular month, and dividing that value by the number of homes sold.

The median price of homes in July 2006 was $572,000, compared to $425,000 in July 2005, which represents a 34.6% increase. The average price of homes in July 2006 was $551,875, compared to $466,636 in July 2005, which represents a 19.5% increase. Approximately 8 homes sold in July 2006 and 11 in July 2005. In summary, there was an upward price trend in July 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in June 2006 was $451,500, compared to $540,000 in June 2005, which represents a 16.4% drop. The average price of homes in June 2006 was $457,600, compared to $514,846 in June 2005, which represents an 11.1% decline. Approximately 10 homes sold in June 2006 and 13 in June 2005. In summary, there was a downward price trend in June 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in May 2006 was $500,000, compared to $430,000 in May 2005, which represents a 13.9% increase. The average price of homes in May 2006 was $545,067, compared to $465,727 in May 2005, which represents a 10.5% increase. Approximately 15 homes sold in May 2006 and 11 in May 2005. In summary, there was an upward price trend in May 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in April 2006 was $442,500, compared to $510,000 in April 2005, which represents an 8.3% drop. The average price of homes in April 2006 was $448,071, compared to $512,067 in April 2005, which represents a 10.9% decline. Approximately 14 homes sold in April 2006 and 15 in April 2005. In summary, there was a downward price trend in April 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in March 2006 was $415,250, compared to $437,500 in March 2005, which represents an 8.2% decrease. The average price of homes in March 2006 was $451,886, compared to $428,375 in March 2005, which represents a 5.5% increase. Approximately 14 homes sold in March 2006 and 12 in March 2005. The data was mixed for March 2006, as the median price dropped and the average price increased from the same time last year.

The median price of homes in February 2006 was $452,500, compared to $512,500 in February 2005, which represents a 6.7% drop. The average price of homes in February 2006 was $483,128, compared to $503,625 in February 2005, which represents a 1.7% decline. About 8 homes sold in February 2006 and 8 in February 2005. In summary, there was a downward price trend in February 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes was $455,000 in January 2006, compared to $500,000 in January 2005, which represents a 9% decline. The average price of homes in January 2006 was $446,280, compared to $467,483 in January 2005, which represents a 1.3% drop. Approximately 5 homes sold in January 2006 and 6 in January 2005. In summary, there was a downward price trend in January 2006 compared to the same period last year.

So what does the data tell us? Well, the data above does not reveal a consistent pattern. The home prices for May and July 2006 were up year-over-year in the range of 10% to 35% from the same period last year. However, prices were down 1% to 16% during January, February, April and June 2006, compared to the same time last year. The data for March 2006 was mixed, with the median price dropping 8.2%, and the average price increasing 5.5% for the same time last year. Given the ups and down described above, a longer period of evaluation is needed to determine if a clear pattern emerges. Contact an experienced Realtor to obtain additional insights about the pricing trends in the Golden Hill real estate market.



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Real Estate Advisor asked:


If you are considering purchasing or selling a home, condo or any other type of real estate, you will most likely need the services of a real estate appraiser. An appraiser performs an assessment of properties and other types of real estate to help establish its value. While there are several methods appraisers use to establish the value of real estate (e.g. cost method, income method, and comparison method), for residential properties, the comparison method (also known as market value) is the most common approach. The appraiser’s job is to provide an opinion about the value of a property based on its “highest and best use.” If you are financing the purchase of a property, your lender will normally require an appraisal to make sure that the property is really worth the amount loaned.

The real estate appraiser is tasked with carrying out a completely objective assessment of a property and will normally provide a written evaluation report. This is accomplished by a physical inspection of the property, as well as a comparison to other similar properties for which the value is already established. To make a determination about value, the appraiser gathers details such as the size of a property, size of the lot, location, condition, best use of the property, amenities, etc.

After this initial inspection, the appraiser may scout the neighborhood to compare the property with other similar properties in the neighborhood by age, size, price range, etc. The appraiser then gathers additional data from several sources such as the local Multiple Listing Services (MLS), which provides information on current and recent comparable sales. The appraiser also gathers information from his/her own past experience in the local market. All of these sources of information are taken into consideration while writing the appraisal report, which will provide an estimate about the value of a property.

There are many reasons to use the services of a qualified appraiser. When purchasing real estate, an appraisal provides you with a negotiating tool and helps ensure that the price you are paying is appropriate. If you are selling your property, the appraisal will help you determine an appropriate price range. Besides real estate and mortgage transactions, you may need to order an appraisal to lower the tax burden (assuming the value is really lower than the value established by taxing authorities), to establish the replacement cost of insurance, to settle an estate, etc. An appraiser only gives an estimate of the value of the property. A real estate appraiser is not to be confused with a home inspector.

If you are considering buying or selling a home, condo or any other type of real estate, you can use the services of a qualified real estate appraiser who will provide an estimate of the fair market value of your property.



Simi Valley homes

Joe Cline – Austin Real Estate Broker asked:


What do the letters behind a real estate agent’s name stand for? Real estate agents, like doctors, lawyers, and other professionals can ear designations, certifications, and other credentials. These are usually shown by putting a series of initials after the agent’s name. The most common designations and certifications are: Broker, REALTOR, e-Pro, CHMS, GRI, ABR, and CRS.

What does an agent have to do to obtain the designation or certification?

e-Pro requires an agent take a class on basic computer skills. It has no real estate content, but ensures your agent can use email and the web. It should really be a bare minimum bar for the technology aptitude of your agent.

REALTOR is the one of the easier credentials to obtain (but one of the hardest to live up to). A REALTOR is a real estate agent that belongs to the National Association of REALTORS and agrees to follow the Realtor Code of Ethics. You can read about the code here http://www.realtor.org/mempolweb.nsf/pages/Code?OpenDocument

Broker is a bit harder to obtain than REALTOR. In Texas, for example, a broker license is required to be able to operate your own real estate company. An agent must have their license for 2 years and complete over 600 hours of real estate education prior to applying for a broker’s license. The broker’s license is granted upon completion of an exam administered by the state. Brokers are basically real estate agents with advanced educations.

GRI stands for Graduate Realtor Institute. Less than 50% of agents have this designation. The GRI requires 12 days of continuing education with passing grades on three exams. There are no production or time requirements so an agent can literally earn this designation by sitting in class for 12 days and passing the tests. This designation is in no way a measure of real estate sales experience.

ABR stands for Accredited Buyer’s Representative. Less than 30% of agents have this designation. This designation combines 2 days of classroom work and an exam with the requirement that the agent show proof of at least five buyer sales. This designation shows that the agent has had both formal classroom time and in the field experience.

CRS stands for Certified Residential Specialist. Less than 4% of all agents have this designation. This is the most difficult designation to obtain and is a measure of a high degree of formal education and real world transactional experience. To obtain a CRS, the agent must attend three 2-day classes, pass three exams, and provide proof of 25 closed transactions within the last 24 months. While the transaction experience isn’t a huge amount, it does weed out the inexperienced agents and the classes weed out those agents who aren’t dedicated to continuing education.

Other designations are out there, but for the most part they are issued by inconsequential groups and have no real bearing on the agent’s abilities and are used more for marketing purposes than anything else.



Thermage

Joe Cline – Austin Real Estate Broker asked:


How do HomeGain, Realtor.com, Service Magic and other companies like this make money? These companies are called lead generation companies. They spend vast amounts of money advertising on TV, the Internet, radio, and in print so that you’ll go to their website to find information about real estate. When you click on a property and request information the company then either sells the lead at a fee ranging from $20-$50 for an unqualified lead or up to a 35% referral fee for leads that are more valuable.

What does the company do for the fee charged? The answer might be pretty surprising. They don’t do anything, but forward the lead to a service provider. Yep, that’s right. You can search the MLS on any number of free websites so the website they provide is little more than a mechanism to get your information. Some people think agents, contractors, or other service providers are overpaid for what they do. Take a look at these companies and ask yourself if forwarding an email is worth $1500 (That’s the commission split they would receive on the sale of a $150,000 home.).

Who pays the fees that these companies charge? For the most part, the Realtor, mortgage broker or other service provider pays for these leads. The laws of business provide that you can’t get something for nothing. This is very true. So by adding no value to the transaction and taking up to 35% of the payment for service, the middle-man is taking value from both the consumer and the service provider.

Why is this bad for consumers? In real estate like many other service industries, the best Realtors obtain their business through referrals. The weaker, newer, less experienced agents typically buy leads from sources such as these. The next time you visit a site like these lead generators, think twice about giving them your information and go directly to the source. You’ll cut out the middle-man and get a better agent for your hard earned dollar.



Mar Vista Homes

Real Estate Advisor asked:


COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Carlsbad is situated in the northern coastal part of San Diego County within the state of California. There are approximately 87,540 residents in this community and 34,052 households. The median age of residents is 38.89 years.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature in Carlsbad is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in July during which temperatures reach an average high of 69. The coldest time of year occurs in December with average temperatures falling to 55F.

HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES

The housing options in Carlsbad include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:

·One bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the mid $200,000s.

·Two bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the high $200,000s.

·Three bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the high $300,000s.

·Two bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $300,000s.

·Three bedroom single-family homes start in the high $300,000s.

·Four bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $500,000s.

REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS

As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).

The median price of single-family homes dropped from $783,900 in June 2005 to $749,900 in June 2006, which represents a 4.3% decline. Fewer more homes sold in June 2006 (49 homes) than in June 2005 (95 homes). The average time to sell a home increased from 39 days in June 2005 to 58 days in June 2006.

The median price of condominiums and townhomes decreased from $481,000 in June 2005 to $434,500 in June 2006, which represents a 9.7% decline. Fewer units sold in June 2006 (36 units) than in June 2005 (84 units). The average time to sell a unit increased from 43 days in June 2005 to 58 days in June 2006.

Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.



san francisco dental implant dentist

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Baby boomers, baby boomers, baby boomers; we all hear this term over and over again. So who are the baby boomers? Baby boomers are people in the United States who were born between 1946 and 1964. Approximately 78.2 million people fall into this category.

As a group, baby boomers comprise the largest population cohort in the history of the United States. The size of the group gives it vast influence over American politics, popular cultural, and of course, real estate. To evaluate the influence of the baby boomers on the future of real estate, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) conducted a study in 2006. The findings of the research were published in report entitled Baby Boomers and Real Estate: Today and Tomorrow. Below are some highlights from the NAR study.

AGE DISTRBUTION

According to the NAR report, baby boomers now range in age from 42 to 60 years old. The typical baby boomer is 50 years old, and the oldest of the baby boomers turned 60 in 2006. About 46% of baby boomers are in their 40s, and about 25% are at least 55 years old.

HOUSEHOLD INCOME

As a group, baby boomers are in their peak earning years. In 2005, baby boomers had a household income of $64,700, and about 25% them had a household income of at least $100,000 per year.

HOME OWNERSHIP

About 78% of baby boomers own a home, which is higher than the national ownership rate of 69%. About 96% of baby boomers believe that home ownership is a good financial investment.

FUTURE REAL ESTATE PURCHASES

About 10%, or 7.8 million of all baby boomers, said they were likely to purchase additional real estate in the next 12 months. Of these potential buyers, two-thirds were planning on buying a primary residence, 26% want to buy land, 19% want rental property, 15% want a vacation home or seasonal home, and 14% want a commercial property.

WHAT FEATURES ATTRACT BOOMERS

When baby boomers were asked about what features are most important to them, 38% wanted a lower cost of living, 38% wanted to be near family, 38% wanted easy access to quality health care, 37% wanted a better climate, and 36% wanted to be near a body of water.

PREFERRED COMMUNITY AMENITIES

When baby boomers were asked about the type of community amenities that interest them most, about 18% wanted to be near cultural offerings, 9% wanted to be closer to their family, 4% wanted to be on a golf course, and 3% wanted easy access to educational facilities.

WHERE DO BOOMERS WANT TO RETIRE

When baby boomers were asked about where they want to retire, 33% of them want to retire in a rural area, 30% in a small town, 25% in a suburban area, and only 12% in an urban community.

BOOMERS AND THEIR REAL ESTATE AGENTS

Baby boomers consistently use the services of a real estate agent. Approximately 60% of homebuyers and 79% of home sellers used a real estate agent in their last transaction.

SUMMARY

The baby boomers have had and will continue to have a significant impact on the real estate market. As the boomers near retirement, they continue to value real estate and will continue to invest in properties and land. Real estate agents would be well served to understand what baby boomers want in terms of their real estate investments, and design strategies that target the needs of this enormous population cohort. For more information, read the NAR report entitled, Baby Boomers and Real Estate: Today and Tomorrow



Semi truck Collision repair

Real Estate Advisor asked:


COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Carmel Valley is a master-planned community located in northern San Diego County within the state of California. The community of Carmel Valley within San Diego is not to be confused with the Carmel Valley region in Northern California.

Carmel Valley lies within the 92130 Zip Code. There are approximately 34,471 residents in this Zip code and 12,387 households. The median age of the population is 35.16 years.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature in Carmel Valley is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in August during which temperatures reach an average high of 72°F. The coldest time of year occurs in December with average temperatures falling to 56° F.

HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES

The housing options in Carmel Valley include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:

·One bedroom townhouse / condo starts in the high $200,000s

·Two bedroom townhouse / condo starts in the high $300,000s.

·Three bedroom townhouse / condo starts in the low $500,000s

·Three bedroom single-family house starts in high $500,000s

·Four bedroom single-family home starts in low $700,000s

REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS

As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).

The median price of single-family homes reached $1,080,000 in June 2006, which was a 13.74% increase over June 2005. In contrast, the median price of condominiums and townhomes decreased to $580,000, which was a 7.2 decline from the year before.

Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.

SCHOOL INFORMATION

There are two School Districts that serve residents of Carmel Valley. The Solana Beach School District covers the elementary schools in the northern part of Carmel Valley, and the Del Mar Union School District covers the southern region.

Students in Carmel Valley schools undergo annual testing to evaluate their academic performance. The results of these tests are combined by the California Department of Education into a composite score known as the Academic Performance Index (API), which has a range of 200 to 1000. The statewide goal for schools is to achieve a score of 800 or above.

Based on the most recent data available as of July 31, 2006, the highest-ranking elementary school in the Carmel Valley area was Sage Canyon Elementary (API = 963), followed by Torrey Hills School (API=950), Carmel Creek Elementary

(API=946), Solana Pacific Elementary (API=945), Ashley Falls Elementary (API=943), and Carmel Del Mar Elementary (API=917). Carmel Valley Middle School earned an API of 931. For high schools, Canyon Crest Academy had an API=842, and Torrey Pine High had an API =821.



Baltimore real estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Modest median price gains in new and existing homes, a stable interest rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage, decreased housing starts and a stable unemployment rate are some of the features of the 2007 housing forecast provided by major trade group economists as reported by The Inman News.

NAR chief economist David Lereah expects new-home sales to fall from 1.07 million units sold in 2006 to 975,000 units in 2007, which is an 8.7% decline. He cites decreased new home construction as a large contributing factor to this change. The median new home price of $238,400 in 2006 is expected to increase by 1.3 percent to $241,400 in 2007.

NAR also predicts that existing home sales figures for 2006 to end around 6.47 million units, which is an 8.6% decline from 2005. The 2007 forecast for existing home sales is 6.43 million units. The median price of existing homes in 2006 was $223,700 and is expected to increase 1.7% to $227,500 in 2007.

Doug Duncan, chief economist for the Mortgage Bankers Association predicts the interest rates on 30-year fixed mortgages to stay around 6.5 percent, but mortgage originations to fall 14% to $2.1 trillion.

While Lereah predicts that the unemployment rate to stay at 4.7 percent, Duncan takes it higher and believes it may reach 5.2 percent by midyear 2007. However, he concurs with Lereah in predicting modest home price gains in new and existing homes for the coming year.

The housing forecast of The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is in line with NAR and the Mortgage Bankers Association. According to David Seiders, Chief Economist at NAHB, the year 2007 will see the housing market re-adjust itself once the housing demand stabilizes, leading to a healthy balance between supply and demand.

Looking at the state level, the California Association of Realtors (CAR) projects that the median price of California homes will end 2006 around $560,700, and will decline in 2007 to $550,000 — a 1.7% drop. The number of units sold in California will end 2006 around 481,200, and is projected to decrease 447,500 in 2007. CAR predicts that the unemployment rate will stay around 5.1 percent, although interest rates on the 30-year fixed mortgage may hover around 6.7 percent in 2007.

The overall housing forecast for 2007 made by these four major real estate trade groups is not at all bad. Home buyers and investors planning to go ahead with their real estate activities can fare better with the help of a good real estate agent.



Laurel MD Homes

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Women are working more, earning more and buying more than they ever did. Consequently, they have a significant influence on the American economy in general, and the real estate industry in particular.

The collective buying power of US women accounts for about 85 % of all consumer purchases. When it comes to purchasing patterns, women are estimated to make 94 % of home furnishings decisions, 91 % of new homes purchase decisions, and 89 % of travel decisions.

Women’s earnings have accelerated over the last few years and they have emerged as the Chief Purchasing Officers in their households. According to IRS data, women constitute 39 % of the top wealth holders in the country. This means about 2.5 million women possess a wealth of $4.2 trillion put together. Notably, the IRS estimates that by 2050, 42 % of these women will be single or widowed. The IRS further estimates that more wealth is bound to be accumulated among women.

Another growing trend that emerged in a December 2006 study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) was that about 22 % of homes purchased between July 2005 and June 2006 were by single women who were in the 25 to 34 age range. Women accounted for a record number of 1.76 million home purchases (1 in every 5 homes), a significant increase from 14 % a decade ago. Women’s growing success in their careers, higher education, financial independence and a desire to build an early nest on their own, are some of the reasons that have spearheaded this home buying trend.

Among the vast demographic spectrum in the real estate industry, women have become a force to reckon with. Real estate agents are increasingly taking note of their female clients and the power they wield in home buying decisions. By the influence that they bring into play in home buying decisions, women form a significant and growing market that simply cannot be ignored.

If you are considering buying a home, condo, or any other real estate, be sure to seek out the services of a local real estate agent to guide you through this complex process.



Brigantine real estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


In many parts of the country, home prices doubled during the period from 2000 to 2005. During this same time, creative financing programs (e.g. zero down payment, adjustable rate loans, interest only loans, option ARMs loans, negative amortization loans, etc.) gained popularity and helped some people buy homes who would not normally qualify based on their income, debt level and credit history.

Most real estate markets are now cooling, and some are even experiencing declining prices. In times of dropping real estate prices, the amount owed on a loan by some homeowners may actually exceed the value of a property. If homeowners cannot make their monthly mortgage payment, there is a potential for default on the loan and foreclosure of the property by the lender.

The term “short sales” is used to describe a situation in which a homeowner is at risk of defaulting on their loan, and the lender agrees to sell the property below the original appraisal price in order to avoid foreclosure. Most lenders do not readily agree to short sales, although exceptional circumstances such as a homeowner losing his/her job or the death of a wage-earning spouse may make some of them more open to doing so.

If a property is sold as a short sale, the lender recoups at least a portion of the original loan amount, the homeowner avoids the stress and stigma of foreclosure, and the new homebuyer gets a property below its original appraisal price. If a short sale doesn’t work, then the property usually goes into foreclosure.

Short sales may be an emerging trend as the rate of foreclosure is rising dramatically across the nation. According to Business 2.0 Magazine, the top 10 foreclosures markets are:

1. Greeley, CO

2. Detroit, MI

3. Miami, FL

4. Indianapolis, IN

5. Fort Lauderdale, FL

6. Denver, CO

7.Dayton, OH

8.Dallas, TX

9.Fort Worth, TX

10.Atlanta, GA

The credit of homeowners may be impacted after a short sale, but it all depends on how the lender reports the outcome. Some lenders report a partial loan repayment as full payment of the debt due, which does not adversely impact the credit of the borrowers. Other lenders report the sale as “settled,” which adversely and significantly impacts the borrower’s credit. The other problem is that the portion of the loan amount forgiven by the lender may actually count as taxable income by the IRS.

In summary, a successful short sale has some potential positive benefits (e.g., homeowners avoid foreclosure, lenders recoup at least a portion of the loan amount, new homebuyers gets a property at below the original appraisal price, etc), but there are also many negative consequences. Some of these potential negative consequences include: the negative impact on borrower’s credit, negative impact on the value of other similar homes in the neighborhood, and that the amount forgiven by the lender may be taxable event. Homeowners having difficulty making their monthly mortgage payment may benefit from talking to a real estate agent who is experienced in short sales.



Document Shredding

Escapeso Austin Real Estate asked:


What do you know about Feng Shui? If you’re like most people, you probably are not even sure if I spelled it right just now. Maybe you picture an old man doing the world’s slowest kung fu at dawn (that’s Tai Chi, totally different.) Feng shui is a sorta guidebook about the placement and architecture of a house to allow good flow of energy. And it’s not just placement of the bed and couch. The placement of the actual house and landscaping will affect the ch’i (energy) of the house in a big way. Let’s start with a few tips to bear in mind when looking examining the location for your dream home.

1. First and most important, research the history of a property. Find out what happened with the previous tenants, and the ones before them. And even the ones before them. Ask neighbors, or selling agent. If all the previous inhabitants have had money problems, family problems, etc., chances are there’s bad feng shui going on. Best to move on and look for another house.

2. Pay attention to the road placement. The road in front of your house should not be pointing directly into your home. If a house is sitting at a dead end, in a T-intersection, or in the center of cul-de-sac, then energy is constantly flowing straight down that road into the house, then building up and stagnating there. This is not good; the ch’i must continue to flow, like air. If it gets stuck in your home, it can go bad.

3. Pay attention to what’s around the house. Examine the terrain closely. Ideally, the property should have a dark turtle in the back (a mountain or hill, another house, a row of trees, a fence, etc.), a dragon (a house, a tree) to the left, a white tiger (a smaller house or tree) to the right, and a phoenix (open ground, a circular flowerbed, a meandering river or road) in front. All those exotic names are just a fun way to state the obvious —a house by itself is not ideal, since there is nothing to slow the flow of ch’i. Most houses will have all of these things around them already, but it doesn’t hurt to think about it your first time seeing a place. Other things to think about are “poison arrows,” like telephone poles, flagpoles, or the corner of a house pointing your way. They can hinder the energy flow to the house. Even a hospital can be a source of bad energy.

4. Something that probably doesn’t automatically spring to mind is the shape of the property; but that can be very important as well. Always go for something symmetrical, like a square or a rectangle. If your real estate is pretty close to square, use hedges to fill in the spots that make it irregular. Triangle-shaped properties can create disharmony. If you just love a place and absolutely have to have a it but it’s on a triangle-shaped lot, it’s better for the wide side to be in the back; the other way indicates an inability to save money.

When you visit a property, notice the shapes of the things around. I know it sounds strange, but kind of squint your eyes and see what you see, like you used to do as a kid, when you were looking at the clouds in the sky. If anything looks like something hostile, then be careful. That could be an indication of some anti-ch’i. You want enough stuff to slow the energy down to capture it but allow it to also flow.



Missoula real estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


On any given day, people can easily find articles and news stories describing an impending bust of the so-called real estate bubble. Despite this gloomy prediction, many experts believe that the recent slowdown in housing will be a gradual and modest readjustment rather than sharp bust or decline. These experts believe that factors that lead to a sharp decline in the real estate market are just not present in the current economic outlook. In fact, a recent study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University noted that “despite the current cool-down, the long-term outlook for housing is bright.”

The rise and fall of the real estate market is subject to the forces of supply and demand, and these factors point to stable and positive growth in the real estate segment.

SUPPLY FACTORS

Limited supply of real estate makes it scarce and usually pushes home prices up. In contrast, an oversupply of real estate tends to put downward pressure on home prices. Despite the current slow down in the real estate market, factors that impact limited supply favor continued growth in the real estate market. Some of these factors include:

1. Builders have readjusted growth plans in regions that have an oversupply of new housing. Over time, any excess inventory is likely to be depleted and equilibrium achieved between supply and demand.

2. The availability of land in certain regions, as well land use regulations and associated compliance costs will continue to restrict the supply of new homes.

DEMAND FACTORS:

Housing located in regions with high demand tend to be more expensive than homes in regions with low demand. Factors that impact the demand for housing suggests a favorable long-term housing outlook. Some of these factors include:

1. No current evidence of significant and across-the-board job losses; forecasts of relatively low unemployment rates.

2. Long-term increased demand for second homes, vacation homes and senior housing by baby boomers.

3. Long-term increased demand for entry-level homes by the children of baby boomers.

4. Long-term increased demand for entry-level homes by immigrants.

5. Long-term increased demand for entry-level homes by second-generation Americans.

6. Forecasts that the outflows and inflows of the U.S. population in and out different regions will not significantly impact the overall U.S. real estate housing market.

7. Relative stability in interest rates.

8. Continued stability in long-term home appreciation rates.

9. Overall, rising rate of wealth across all age groups.

SUMMARY

In summary, strong household growth, overall rising incomes and wealth, and a stable economy all bode well for continued long-term growth in the real estate market. While the overall housing outlook is favorable, affordability will continue to be a challenge, as wages, especially in the lower income levels, have not kept up with housing costs.



Brigantine real estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Top 10 Luxury Home Markets To Watch for Price Increases or Reductions

The Unique Homes Magazine has listed 25 luxury home markets to watch in 2007 in its January issue. According to the Unique Homes report the 25 luxury markets will indicate where the luxury real estate market is heading to. These markets along with features that make them stand out from the rest are worth watching out for.

The following is a brief report on the top 10 luxury home markets to watch for price increases or reductions in 2007.

1. Annapolis, Maryland. The waterfront city located on Chesapeake Bay offers excellent boating and affordable prices compared to Washington’s luxury enclaves. With Washington and Baltimore within reasonable commute, this city is highly desirable.

2. Asheville, North Carolina. An eclectic ambiance and low-key lifestyle attracts people to Asheville which continues to remain one of the hottest places for luxury home buyers.

3. Aspen, Colorado. From a ski enclave this luxury market has grown into a platinum location. With its four-season appeal and restrictive zoning policies, Aspen is still a highly-sought after destination.

4. Atlanta, Georgia. The city offers several new upscale communities, numerous lifestyle amenities, retreats and much sought after waterfront luxury homes.

5. Austin, Texas. A strong real estate market that saw record gains in 2006, the reputable University of Texas, the scenic lakes and the great music attracts buyers to this hill country.

6. Bellevue/Medina, Washington. With prices going up at 28 percent, the market has still not peaked and several upscale neighborhoods are available at a lower price range when compared to other markets.

7. Beverly Hills, California. One of the top ranked luxury markets that is perpetually in demand, Beverly Hills continues to be untarnished and idolized as the Mecca for luxury. Hollywood Hills is currently a hot market for buyers.

8. Idaho. The growing resort markets in the state garner attention for the state that is making its presence felt in the luxury home market.

9. Jupiter, Florida. The boom has arrived here after Tiger Woods’ purchase of a 10-acre estate for $38 m. The market continues to surge on this exclusive island.

10. Manhattan Uptown, downtown, midtown. The luxury market is upbeat with record sales of more than $5 m in 2006 accelerated by Wall Streeters. Co-ops and town houses are favorites among buyers here.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home, condo or any other type of real estate in any of these markets, be sure to seek out the services of a real estate agent to advise you about current local market conditions.



San Francisco cosmetic dentist

Real Estate Advisor asked:


The College Grove region (also know as the College Area) is located in central San Diego County, California. The community is located off Interstate 8 just east of Interstate 15. San Diego State University is located within the borders of the College Grove area.

The real estate and homes for sale in College Grove fall into the low to mid-income categories. The number of homes sold in a particular year is relatively high. For example, during the period from January through July 2006, approximately 211 single-family homes sold. Approximately 268 homes sold for the same period in 2005.

One method to analyze pricing trends for a particular community is to evaluate the median and average price of homes for a particular month, and compare that data against the same period last year. What follows is a comparison of the median price and average price of homes for the past seven months (January through July 2006), compared against the data for the corresponding time period in 2005.

The median price of homes represents the point at which half the homes are above a particular price point, and half the homes are below a particular price point. The average price of homes is calculated by adding up the sales price of all homes sold in a particular month, and dividing that value by the number of homes sold.

The median price of homes in July 2006 was $545,000, compared to $497,000 in July 2005, which represents a 9.2% increase. The average price of homes in July 2006 was $583,476, compared to $528,602 in July 2005, which represents a 10% increase. Approximately 25 homes sold in July 2006 and 38 in July 2005. The data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in July 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in June 2006 was $475,000, compared to $506,500 in June 2005, which represents a 5.9% drop. The average price of homes in June 2006 was $492,427, compared to $516,078 in June 2005, which represents a 4.1% drop. Approximately 38 homes sold in June 2006 and 40 in June 2005. The data provides evidence that there was a downward price trend in June 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in May 2006 was $522,000, compared to $518,500 in May 2005, which represents a 0.7% increase. The average price of homes in May 2006 was $544,812, compared to $537,085 in May 2005, which represents a 1.4% increase. Approximately 30 homes sold in May 2006 and 46 in May 2005. The data provides evidence that there was slight upward price trend in May 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in April 2006 was $520,000, compared to $495,000 in April 2005, which represents a 5.1% increase. The average price of homes in April 2006 was $523,421, compared to $524,306 in April 2005, which represents a 0.2% drop. Approximately 41 homes sold in April 2006 and 47 in April 2005. The data for April 2006 was mixed, as the median price showed a moderate increase from last year, while the average price had a slight drop.

The median price of homes in March 2006 was $515,000, compared to $489,000 in March 2005, which represents a 5.3% increase. The average price of homes in March 2006 was $564,690, compared to $499,856 in March 2005, which represents a 13.4% increase. Approximately 41 homes sold in March 2006 and 44 in March 2005. The data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in March 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in February 2006 was $472,500, compared to $465,000 in February 2005, which represents a 0.50% increase. The average price of homes in February 2006 was $502,600, compared to $476,932 in February 2005, which represents a 4.6% increase. Approximately 20 homes sold in February 2006 and 25 in February 2005. The data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in February 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes was $530,950 in January 2006, compared to $483,000 in January 2005, which represents a 9.9% increase. The average price of homes in January 2006 was $528,416, compared to $551,904 in January 2005, which represents a 3.20% drop. Approximately 16 homes sold in January 2006 and 28 in January 2005. The data for January 2006 was mixed, as the median price showed a moderate increase from last year, while average prices dropped.

So what does the above data tell us? Overall, there was a 21.3% decline in the number of homes sold during this period from 2006 to 2005. Four months out of seven (February, March, May and July) demonstrated increases in both median and average prices from the same period last year. The magnitude of the increase ranged from half a percent to 10%. The months of April and January had mixed findings, with average prices decreasing slightly (less than 3.2%), and median prices increasing 5% to 10%. In contrast, the June data showed a downward trend in both median and average prices with a range of 4% to 6%.

The data above suggests that although there are monthly variations, on balance, homes in the College Grove area continue to demonstrate price gains. Continued monitoring of sale data in subsequent months is needed to identify enduring market trends.

Be sure to consult your Realtor on other factors that influence home pricing before buying or selling real estate in College Grove.



Marathon Key rentals

Escapeso Austin Real Estate asked:


Some people choose to use a real estate agent and some people choose to go it alone. One thing I have noticed over the years is that a number of seasoned investors looking in a new city will seek out a good agent while novice investors will frequently go it alone. I have even had a number of successful real estate agents seek out my help when they are moving to our city. Why do some of these seasoned investors choose to work with an agent? Below is a list of 7 benefits of using an agent.

1. Understand potential restrictions of the property. I recently heard a story from a friend at the city development office in Austin Texas. A couple had saved up for their retirement. They wanted to retire and live out in the hill country. They went to the foreclosure auctions. At the auction they purchased a lot for 500,000. It had great views and they were going to build their dream house on it. They had researched the lot before the auction and found it was zoned SFR which means a single family residence can be built on it. After purchasing the lot they started plans to build their retirement house. At this time they discovered the lot was in the 25 year floodplain. My friend at the city development office explained that the lot could not be built on and was basically worthless.

2. Know about new developments that might affect a properties value. A good realtor will know of proposed new developments that might affect different properties in which a buyer is interested. Whether these developments are positive or negative can be valuable information when weighing different housing options.

3. Find potential problems with a property. It is always a good idea to have a home inspector look at a potential house. However, a Realtor is a good first line of defense to see if a house has inherent problems. A Realtor that can know about common problems, such as foundation or electrical, that affect a particular neighborhood.

4. Understand contracts specifics. Whenever you buy or sell a house you are entering into a large personal transaction. It helps to have someone on your side that deals with these types of transactions on a daily basis. A Realtor can help you understand contracts and can explain what is typical for your area. The most common pitfall into which I see unrepresented buyers fall is to become involved in an atypical contract that is not to their benefit. For instance a seller will sign an offer that has an option period that is 4 times longer than what is typical. A buyer might put in offers on multiple properties with long option periods. The buyer will wait and see if the market appreciates. If the market has appreciated the buyer buys the house at now and undervalued price. If the market has gone down the buyer walks away.

5. Misperception of a benefit of going it alone. Buyers frequently think that by not using a buyers agent they will get a better deal from the seller. In most situation the listing agent asks for 6 percent from the seller. If a buyer comes with an agent the listing agent splits the 6 percent with the buyers agent. If an unrepresented buyer comes the listing agent keeps the whole 6 percent. On the selling side, For Sale By Owners (FSBO) often think they are saving alot of money by avoiding a listing agent. Nationally, FSBO homes sell for 14 percent less than agent listed homes in the same neighborhoods. In addition alot of FSBO’s still end up having a buyers agents involved. There is also money spent on advertising. Since an agent has experience marketing homes the agent often can spend money more effectively on advertising. Agents often know which advertising sources produce the most potential buyers.

6. Save time when looking for listings. Looking for listings without an agent can take up large chunks of time. When looking with an agent you can see several homes in a few hours. When going it alone you have to call the listing agent for each house and wait at the house for the agent to arrive and open up the house. In addition agents often know houses which are not listed or may have already identified potential problems with a particular house of interest.

7. Insure Security. When a home is listed with a broker, agents coming to the house have to usually log in. This allows the listing agent to keep a record of every party coming into the house. Since their business is on the line, agents are more likely to protect the house from damage or theft. For a variety of reasons, it is generally not a good idea to have random people you do not know come into your house. Often sellers simply have a phone number, but that phone could be their house, a friend’s house, a pay phone, or even a stolen phone.

Searching for a home can be stressful and difficult but it can also be fun. Whether you choose to look for a home on your own or with a Realtor its a good idea to be a extremely careful when you seek out your dream home.



Atlantic City homes for sale

Escapeso Austin Real Estate asked:


First off, watch some late night infomercials on TV. And possibly order some real estate tapes from Carlton Sheets. This will provide you with a positive upbeat attitude and a sense of false confidence that is essential in order to go bankrupt. Believe that after listening to some tapes, you can compete with people that have done this 7 days a week for years.

Second. For your first investment, buy in a city you know little to nothing about and avoid using a buyers agent who does know the city. Go directly to the sellers agent. The best way to make a truly horrible decision is to avoid any outside advice. The best part of this is that avoiding a buyers agent usually doesn’t save you any money since the selling agent simply makes more when you deal with them directly.

Look for a discount or a distressed property over a good long term investment. Late night infomercials and Carlton Sheets talk a lot about this. Getting equity at the point of sale. One thing about distressed properties with desperate sellers is that they frequently are in crappy areas with low appreciation rates. Buying a property at under market rate in an area with low appreciation potential versus a property in a good area is the kind of short sighted thinking that will really help you reach the goal of bankruptcy and foreclosure.

When you talk to people including your realtor, try to spend time talking about all the crap you learned from your book or light night infomercial. The more you listen to other people, the more you might get different perspectives and the higher chance you might learn new things. This could really hurt your chances of going bankrupt so avoid listening to anyone. Remember you know everything even if you only got interested in real estate last week.

Be positive to the point of stupidity. Alot of investors I know always think about how their situation would be affected by a 10 or 20 percent drop in the market before making a purchase. You should avoid this kind of thinking. You need to be blinded by greed. You should only fantasize about how you are going to double your money.

When calculating your monthly cashflow, assume that you will have 100% occupancy all the time and no maintenance cost. While you are at assume that its going to rain money tomorrow.

Also, be stubborn when renting your properties. Decide upon a number say $900 a month and refuse to budge. Come up with some bizarre logic about how the property deserves $900 a month. Lose months of rent having the property sit vacant instead of going down $50 on the rent. Instead of responding to the market make statements like “Well the markets wrong then”.

As you move closer to foreclosure, don’t alter your spending habits. Don’t move into a smaller house or cut spending. Act like nothing is wrong.

Overextend, overextend, overextend. Are you approved to buy one house. Why not buy 5, heck why not 20. Instead of building up a portfolio of properties over time, gaining experience along the way, just buy alot of properties next Tuesday.

Alot of people are getting into the foreclosure game. Their is no reason you should be left behind. Throwing caution to the wind and filling your eyes with greed and you should find yourself walking down the golden path to foreclosure.

This is not a definitive guide to foreclosure. Alot of people end up in foreclosure due to many things unforeseen events like unpreventable family illness, divorce or job loss. This is simply a guide to what I call elective foreclosure.



Sacramento Commercial Real Estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


The community of Clairemont (sometimes called Clairemont Mesa) is located in central San Diego County, California. The community is located off Interstate 5 at Balboa Ave and is within the 92117 Zip code.

The real estate and homes for sale in Clairemont fall into the moderate-income category for San Diego County. The number of homes sold in a particular year is relatively high. For example, during the period from January through July 2006, approximately 183 single-family homes sold. Approximately 226 homes sold for the same period in 2005.

One method to analyze pricing trends for a particular community is to evaluate the median and average price of homes for a particular month, and compare that data against the same period last year. What follows is a comparison of the median price and average price of homes for the past seven months (January through July 2006), compared against the data for the corresponding time period in 2005.

The median price of homes represents the point at which half the homes are above a particular price point, and half the homes are below a particular price point. The average price of homes is calculated by adding up the sales price of all homes sold in a particular month, and dividing that value by the number of homes sold.

The median price of homes in July 2006 was $560,000, compared to $562,500 in July 2005, which represents a 0.9% drop. The average price of homes in July 2006 was $575,114, compared to $585,602 in July 2005, which represents a 2.4% drop. Approximately 21 homes sold in July 2006 and 26 in July 2005. The data provides evidence that there was a downward price trend in July 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in June 2006 was $555,000, compared to $570,000 in June 2005, which represents a 2.6% drop. The average price of homes in June 2006 was $586,758, compared to $584,415 in June 2005, which represents a 0.4% increase. Approximately 30 homes sold in June 2006 and 34 in June 2005. The data for June 2006 was mixed, as median prices declined and average prices rose slightly from the same period last year.

The median price of homes in May 2006 was $550,000, compared to $562,000 in May 2005, which represents a 2.3% drop. The average price of homes in May 2006 was $584,012, compared to $582,000 in May 2005, which represents a 0.3% increase. Approximately 33 homes sold in May 2006 and 37 in May 2005. The data was mixed in June 2006, as median prices declined and average prices rose slightly from the same period last year.

The median price of homes in April 2006 was $564,000, compared to $565,000 in April 2005, which represents a 0.20% drop. The average price of homes in April 2006 was $584,722, compared to $612,897 in April 2005, which represents a 4.6% drop. Approximately 32 homes sold in April 2006 and 36 in April 2005. The data provides evidence that there was a downward price trend in April 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in March 2006 was $558,000, compared to $545,000 in March 2005, which represents a 1.5% increase. The average price of homes in March 2006 was $589,161, compared to $576,227 in March 2005, which represents a 3.60% increase. Approximately 29 homes sold in March 2006 and 39 in March 2005. The data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in March 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in February 2006 was $560,000, compared to $525,000 in February 2005, which represents a 7.4% increase. The average price of homes in February 2006 was $582,435, compared to $571,708 in February 2005, which represents a 2.50% increase. Approximately 17 home sold in February 2006 and 29 in February 2005. The data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in February 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes was $585,000 in January 2006, compared to $525,000 in January 2005, which represents a 10% increase. The average price of homes in January 2006 was $634,524, compared to $542,708 in January 2005, which represents a 16.9% increase. Approximately 21 homes sold in January 2006 and 25 in January 2005. The data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in January 2006 compared to the same period last year.

So what does the above data tell us? Overall, there was a 19% decline in the number of homes sold during this period from 2006 to 2005. The pricing trends early in the year (January, February and March) were in the upward direction for both median and average prices, which showed increases year-over-year ranging from 1.5% to 16.9%. However, since then, the pricing trend has been downward or mixed depending on the month. For example, April and July demonstrated downward median and average prices ranging from around half a percent up to 5%. For May and June, the median price was down around 2% from the previous year, and the average price was slightly up around half a percent. These findings suggest that at best, prices have leveled off, and at worst, are starting to decline. Continued monitoring of sale data in subsequent months is needed to identify enduring market trends.

Be sure to consult your Realtor on other factors that influence home pricing before buying or selling real estate in Clairemont.



Document Destruction

Real Estate Pros asked:


Real Estate business has seen tremendous growth and so has been the need of Real Estate agent. Today more and more people are getting interested to become home owner and as the demand for real estate need increases the role of Real Estate Agent becomes more important. In the past one agent use to provide services to both seller and buyer but as the real estate market changed people started to realize that specialized service is more logical and beneficial. In Real Estate industry now buyer/seller are looking for specialized agents who can provide specialized related expertise, information and services required to complete the process. When a real estate agent represents both buyer and seller it really restricts agents to provide impartial service to either party.

Let’s look at the both (Seller/Buyer) scenario separately. A real estate agents who is a listing agent of seller has a fiduciary, ethically and moral duty to represent seller only.

By getting Exclusive Right to Sell Listing, the real estate agent is promising seller that he will live no stone unturned to market the home and find the best buyer at maximum possible market value for the home.

As a Buyer’s real estate agent he need to find the right home for buyer along with should all information of the community. When a buyer is exploring to buy a real estate property in new community, he is very much interested to find out several information related to that particular community such as population, crime, climate, schools, traffic, living standards etc. Buyer’s real estate agent should be well informed with all these information so that he can provide that information to buyer. It will be easier for buyer to make the decision based on these information. Once the buyer is ready to buy real estate property in the community then other part of the real estate agent’s duty starts. As buyer’s agent it is his responsibility to find a real estate property, as per buyers requirement. It is also buyer’s real estate agents duty to negotiate the best market price with seller.

So if seller and buyer are represented by their own specialized agent then both agents can play a partial and specialized role for their client..

So it is quite clear that one real estate agent representing both seller and buyer can not justify providing specialized service to both party. Both buyer and seller are in different need of services. That’s why specialized real estate service has become more in demand where buyer/seller can get impartiality specialized service during the process.

Never before has the role of specialists in the world of real estate been more important. With buyers and sellers requiring more services, the industry has seen an explosion of agents who specialize in either the representation of sellers or buyers. These specialist agents can provide a wealth of services and maintain a complete impartiality during the sales process as there is only one client to concern them.

Historically the sales transaction and the concerns of the buyer were the purview of a single realtor. However, as the industry has progressed so have the needs of each party and so the specialist arose. Buyers have some very particular needs, and specifically the need to feel that their best interests are seen to. Listing agents are representatives of the home’s owner and in that role they have a primary responsibility to that owner. How could they properly look after the needs of an interested buyer as well?

So what is it that a buyer’s agent does? Primarily the buyer’s agent will begin with the location of suitable properties for their clients. This is usually based upon a list of requirements and desires that the client has communicated to the agent. They will then arrange viewings and recap their findings with their clients and assist in deciding upon a good candidate for an offer. This will be based on the wealth of community information that a buyer’s agent commands. As specialists, they are experts on their given area which is critical in the education of clients on the areas that they are considering. Once a property is decided upon, the buyer’s agent changes significantly, evolving into an overseer-negotiator role. They will typically coordinate the inspections and conduct the negotiations with the listing agent. This includes the execution of the buyers subjects and the closing of the actual contract.

There is an art to representing a buyer. It is a role that has become ever more crucial in an industry where customer service is the single most important thing that an agent can offer. If you are in the market for a home then the buyer’s agent is the friend that you need to make sure that you are given the service that you deserve.



Vancouver WA Real Estate

real estate asked:


Real estate photography is a new, exclusive initiative to promote international property business to inspire by the theme Development, Nature and Architecture. Real estate photography leads to increased competition in the photographic market. Most of time people would likely visit their property for sale because of the attractive images.

Tips of good real estate photography

- A good source of light.

- Wide angle lenses make real estate photos appear spacious, inspirational and motivational

- Digital formats cut down on printing and developing expenditures and makes photos available immediately.

- Same images should be available in different sizes so that according to the specifications you can provide it.

- take a shot of every part of house for sale including living room, kitchen, dining room, and other parts of the house.

- highlight the best features of your house.

- clean the entire house before taking its photos.

- hire a professional real estate photographer.

Real estate photography is of following kinds:

- Standard real estate photography,

- Elevated pole real estate photography,

- Exterior twilight real estate photography,

- Interior real estate photography services,

- Real estate photography for builders and architects.

Real estate firms have totally booming nowadays. If you are a property agent, you have probably faced a lot of competitions. Over few older years, when all you require is a well written advertisement to sell a real estate. Currently in order to fully publish your listings, you need to attach a good real estate photographs. With the emergence of digital cameras, the realestate that you are selling can be photographed and placed online. Potential purchasers from different parts of the world can actually see your listings with the images in it. Don’t underestimate the value of these photographs because a purchaser can definitely decide to check out the real estate based on the pictures that you have.

Real estate photography makes the property images impressive. If you have a house which looks unattractive and you want to sell that but because of appearance no good investor wants to buy it. Through the technique of real estate photography you can make your house to appear better and most of the investors search online for real estate images to buy it. Based on recent estimations, the number of individual searching home for sale online has increased. Almost half of these property seekers found their dream property instantly online through the help of real estate photography. An image is worth a thousand words. Especially when your words may be limited by the Multiple Listing Service use real estate photography techniques to express your quality difference in properties.



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