Jan 22, 2011

More Housing Predictions for 2011

More than 15 states are projected to experience housing inflation or appreciation during the year, according to Housing Predictor, which releases an annual report of its choices for best and worst housing markets.

The top five housing markets are:
1. Portland, Maine
2. Kansas City, Kan.
3. Tri-Cities, Wash.
4. Omaha, Neb.
5. Fargo, N.D.

However, not all markets will fare well in 2011, with the foreclosure crisis particularly still battering some areas as well as high unemployment and overbuilding during the boom era that has led to high home inventories.

The top 5 worst markets, according to Housing Predictor, are:
1. Bend, Ore.
2. Las Vegas
3. Atlantic City, N.J.
4. Miami, Fla.
5. Medford, Ore.

Jan 13, 2011

Probate Sales - Q & A

Are you involved in a Probate? Many of your questions may be answered in our Probate Q & A link on the right side of this page. We have experience with Probate sales, contact us if you have questions or if you need an introduction to a Probate Attorney, CPA or certified appraiser.

Jan 10, 2011

Vacation Homes Emerge as Hot Market

Vacation communities across the United States are showing big signs of a rebounding real estate market, reporting soaring sales at levels that have not been been seen since the days of the housing boom, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The increase has been driven by deep discounts and cash purchases, analysts say.
"We haven't felt energy like this in a long time. Buyers sense that they've been on the sidelines long enough," says Ned Monell, a real estate professional with Sotheby’s International Realty in Palm Beach, Fla. Palm Beach posted a nearly 40 percent annual increase and a 54 percent increase in homes under contract.
The following is a sampling of vacation-home communities that saw an increase last year (percentage is the increase in home sales from 2009 to 2010):
▪ Barnstable County, Cape Cod, Mass.: 9 percent
▪  Hilton Head, S.C.: 13.6 percent
▪ Mercer Island, Wash. (waterfront): 181.8 percent
▪ Palm Beach, Fla.: 39.3 percent
National Association of REALTORS® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun attributes the increase to gains in the stock market and an overall improving economy. He says prices in these areas have come down so much that there’s been high demand for these properties among buyers, particularly in areas with stable labor markets.

Dec 23, 2010

2011's Strongest and Weakest Markets

Home prices are expected to rise in 40 percent of major metropolitan areas, according to Veros Real Estate Solutions, a research firm that provides information to the mortgage industry.

The markets Veros expects to be strongest are:
1. San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos, Calif.
2. Kennewick/Richland/Pasco, Wash.
3. Pittsburgh
4. Fargo, N.D.
5. Washington, D.C. metro area

The five markets Veros expects to be weakest are:
1. Reno/Sparks, Nev.
2. Orlando/Kissimmee, Fla.
3. Boise City/Nampa, Idaho
4. Deltona/Daytona Beach/Ormond Beach, Fla.
5. Port St. Lucie/Fort Pierce, Fla.

Source: HousingWire.com, Kerry Curry (12/22/2010)

Dec 6, 2010

Free Home Value 2010 Market Update Report

Wondering what happened to your home value in 2010?
We can provide you with a Free Market Update report showing the Active Listings, Pending Sales and Closed Sales in your Neighborhood. Includes Days on Market, Photos, Description and Final Closed Sale Price.
Don't depend on website valuations that can be wrong by $100,000 or more.

Just Click on Free Market Update Report on the right and your report will be custom prepared and emailed to you. No obligation.

No Foreclosures Over the Holidays

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are freezing all foreclosure evictions on the mortgage loans they own or back from Dec. 20 through Jan. 3.
"If the property is occupied, our foreclosure attorneys will suspend the eviction to provide a greater measure of certainty to families during the holidays," says Anthony Renzi, executive vice president of single family portfolio management at Freddie Mac.
Most of the large banks, including Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Wells Fargo, already observe a moratorium through the New Year, unless the foreclosure involves an investor who chooses not to observe the holiday policy.
Source: CNNMoney, Les Christie (12/03/2010)

Nov 17, 2010

Fraud Alert: DRE warns of imposter landlords

The California DRE issued a consumer alert this week warning renters to be on the lookout for fraudulent landlords. The imposters often are able to convince potential renters to pay money, which may include a first and last month’s rent and a security deposit, as well as follow up rental payments, for a house that is not owned by the supposed landlord.

Why Buy a Condo? Anaheim Hills House $369,900!

Coming on the Market. Call to be the first to see. Anaheim Hills Single Story House. 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2 Car Attached Garage. May qualify for FHA with only $13,000 Down! - SOLD
Only $369,900

Nov 13, 2010

Yorba Linda - Spacious Single Story Pool Home!

4239 Camphor Ave, Yorba Linda 92886

Play VisualTour

Beautiful, Spacious Single Story Yorba Linda Pool Home. Everything you want - 4 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths, 3 Car Garage, over 2,300 sqft house on an over 10,000 sqft Lot, Plus a Great Location on a quiet cul-de-sac street! Kitchen with Granite Counters, Breakfast Bar, New Double Oven and Separate Breakfast Nook. Family Room with White Wood Shutters and Fireplace. Huge, Great Room style Living Room with 2nd Fireplace and Vaulted Ceiling, French Doors and Large Formal Dining area Overlooking Yard and Pool. Master Suite with French Doors, Walk-in Closet, Oval Jet Tub, Separate Shower and Dual Sink Vanity. Beautiful, Huge Yard with Front Porch, Wide Driveway and side gates for possible RV access. Sparkling Pool has New Pool Heater plus Solar Heater. Grass areas, garden and wide side yards. Newer Concrete Roof, Newer Furnace, New Air Conditioner. New Garage Doors and Openers. No Association Dues, Low Property Taxes and No Mello Roos Tax. Close to Shopping and New Yorba Linda High School.
only $649,900

Nov 12, 2010

East Hills Neighborhood Yard Sale is Saturday Nov. 13

We will be sponsoring a Neighborhood Yard Sale on Saturday, November 13, 7:00am to Noon for residents in the East Hills Association area of Anaheim Hills. Lots of homes will be selling lots of things so look for the signs directing to the homes near Weir Canyon and Santa Ana Canyon.

To sign up your home to participate email your name, address and phone number to jim@jimsalem.com or call our 24 hour hotline at (714)481-3009. Everyone is welcome to participate in this free event.

Nov 11, 2010

Nov 4, 2010

OC Close Bank Owned House only $310,000

Why buy a condo? This is a wonderful bank owned house. The property is in a guard gated community off Green River Rd, just a couple miles from Orange County, and is well maintained. The property offers 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths with a 2 car garage. Approx. 1,600 sqft. New Carpet and paint throughout the home. Large kitchen. Large master bedroom w/ master bath offering double sinks. Association includes Pools, Tennis, Racquetball, Tot Lot and much more.

Nov 3, 2010

BANK OWNED DEAL OF THE WEEK!

This newly listed Bank Owned Anaheim Hills Home has 4 Bedrooms 3 Baths and is over 2,250 sqft. Built in 1997. Call for Details or a Private Showing.

List Price: $601,800

Nov 1, 2010

8 Alternatives to Pricey Retirement Locales

Even with their retirement nest eggs diminished by the tough economy, some retirees aren’t giving up on their dreams of living in beautiful spots. Instead, they are searching for similar but cheaper alternatives.
SmartMoney calls these locales “doppelgangers” — more affordable twins with similar climate, culture, and amenities than their better-known other half.
Here are their suggested substitutes:
● Prescott, Ariz., as an alternative to Sedona, Ariz.
● St. Augustine, Fla., instead of Sarasota, Fla.
● Chattanooga, Tenn., instead of Ashville, N.C.
● Bloomington, Ind., instead of Madison, Wis.
● Caron City, Nev., instead of Boulder, Colo.
● Auburn, Ala., instead of Pinehurst, N.C.
● Bellingham, Wash., instead of Eugene, Ore.
● San Luis Obispo, Calif., instead of Santa Barbara, Calif.

Source: SmartMoney, Catey Hill (10/20/2010)

Oct 27, 2010

Home Prices Stabilizing in Key Markets

This report shows that the spread between the sales-to-list price ratio lessened significantly in most markets, but high-end housing markets in many areas continued to offer great bargains for buyers.

The 10 hottest ZIP codes in the ZipRealty markets where the selling prices was greater than the asking price were:
1. Greater Grand Crossing – Chicago, Ill. (60619)
2. Oakland, Calif. (94603)
3. The Loop – Chicago, Ill. (60603)
4. Excelsior – San Francisco, Calif. (94112)
5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (33309)
6. San Bernardino, Calif. (92411)
7. Oakland, Calif. (94621)
8. Covington, Wash. (98042)
9. Berkeley, Calif. (94702)
10. North Las Vegas, Nev. (89030)

The coldest ZIPs, where selling prices were below asking, were:
1. Statesville, N.C. (28677)
2. Singer Island, Fla. (33404)
3. Philadelphia, Pa. (19140)
4. Boca Raton, Fla. (33434)
5. Jacksonville, Fla. (32206)
6. Chester, Pa. (19013)
7. Naples, Fla. (34102)
8. Palm Beach, Fla. (33480)
9. Reading, Pa. (19602)
10. Durham, N.C. (27703)
Source: ZipRealty (10/22/2010)

Oct 23, 2010

Foreclosure Freeze Shakes Up Security Clearances

The freeze on foreclosures is putting federal employees with security clearances in a jam.
The government monitors the finances of employees that it believes could be vulnerable to bribery or blackmail. The foreclosure freeze is preventing these workers from settling their debts, so under government guidelines they could lose their clearances.
There are more than 854,000 employees nationwide potentially affected by this, many of them in the Washington, D.C., area. John P. Mahoney, a lawyer at Tully Rinckey, who specializes in resolving security-clearance problems, says many of the affected workers have had security clearances for years.
"Now they are concerned that their clearance will be pulled, or they will be fired because their real estate investments have gone bad," Mahoney says. "It's a very emotionally charged issue."
Source: The Washington Post, Dina ElBoghdady and Dana Hedgpeth (10/20/2010)

Oct 21, 2010

Yorba Linda Bank Owned 2 Story only $489,900!

4 Bedroom, 3 Bath Over 1,800 sqft Yorba Linda Home. Bank Owned REO.
Only $489,900
Call for Details, to Arrange a Showing, or if you would like a
Custom list of Homes for Sale.

Oct 15, 2010

Mortgage Rates Continue to Fall to New Record Lows

30-Year Mortgage Rates Plumb New Depths

Freddie Mac reports that the average interest on 30-year fixed mortgages slipped to an all-time low, for the third consecutive week, to 4.19 percent.
At the same time, 15-year fixed-rate loans and the five-year adjustable-mortgage rate both also hit record lows. Rates on the former were 3.62 percent, while the latter averaged just 3.47 percent.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Nathan Becker (10/15/10)

You can call us for an introduction to local lenders with years of experience and great rates.

Property Taxes - Best and Worst States

In Orange County, the average property tax is about 1.25% of a property's value.
The national median for real estate taxes is 1.04 percent of a property’s value. Here’s the list of the top 10 states with the highest median real estate taxes as a percentage of median home value as well as the ranking of states with the lowest:

States with the highest taxes:
1. New Jersey (1.89 percent of property value)
2. New Hampshire (1.86 percent)
3. Texas (1.81 percent)
4. (tie) Wisconsin (1.76 percent)
4. (tie) Nebraska (1.76 percent)
6. Illinois (1.73 percent)
7. Connecticut (1.63 percent)
8. Michigan (1.62 percent)
9. Vermont (1.59 percent)
10. North Dakota (1.42 percent)

States with the lowest taxes:
1. Louisiana (0.18 percent)
2. Hawaii (0.26 percent)
3. Alabama (0.33 percent)
4. Delaware (0.43 percent)
5. West Virginia (0.49 percent)
6. South Carolina (0.50 percent)
7. (tie) Arkansas (0.52 percent)
7. (tie) Mississippi (0.52 percent)
9. New Mexico (0.55 percent)
10. Wyoming (0.58 percent)
Source: 2009 U.S. Census Data and Tax Foundation calculations

Oct 8, 2010

Waiting Period to Buy a Home after a Short Sale or Foreclosure

Beginning Oct 1, 2010 FannieMae (FNMA) has changed their lending guidlines.
For homebuyers with a Foreclosure the waiting period is now 7 years.
For homebuyers with a Short Sale or Deed in Lieu the waiting period varies:
2 Years with 20% Down Payment
4 Years with 10% Down Payment
7 Years for other Loans

FHA Loans require a 4 Year waiting period after a Foreclosure
The FHA waiting period after a Short Sale is 3 Years

There are many other requirements and certain Extenuating Circumstances can shorten the waiting period.
Only deal with a knowledgable, experienced loan consultant - you can call or email us for a recommendation to lenders who will be able to provide you with details of the current loan requirements.

For those Homeowners trying to decide if they should bother with a Short Sale, one of the questions to ask is: Would you rather have the option to buy again in 2, 3 or 4 years versus waiting up to 7 years? Many people think home prices and interest rates may still be affordable in 2 or 3 years, but in 7 years - inflation, higher interest rates and higher home prices are a much greater possibility.

Oct 5, 2010

No Short Sale Deficiencies: Starting Jan 1, 2011

No Short Sale Deficiencies: Starting January 1, 2011, a seller's first trust deed lender cannot obtain a deficiency judgment against the seller after a short sale.  Providing written consent to a short sale shall obligate the first trust deed lender to accept the sales proceeds as full payment and discharge of the remaining amount owed on the loan.  This law applies to first trust deeds secured by one-to-four residential units, but does not limit the lender from seeking damages for fraud or waste by the borrower.

Oct 4, 2010

Department of Real Estate Warning: False and Misleading Designations and Claims of Special Expertise, Certifications and/or Credentials

By Wayne S. Bell
Chief Counsel --
California Department of Real Estate

The DRE has issued prior warnings and alerts to consumers and licensees alike about the flood of fraud in connection with pre-foreclosure and foreclosure-related rescue, forbearance and forgiveness services on behalf of financially distressed homeowners, including loan modifications, forensic loan audits, and short sales.

The DRE has noticed an increase in the use of questionable and possibly misleading terms such as "expert", "certified", and "specialist" in the marketing and advertising of assistance to anxious homeowners in connection with their home loans and foreclosure rescue services and short sales A growing number of individuals and companies, many of whom are unlicensed, purport to be "experts" in the area of short sales, "certified" forensic loan auditors, short sale "specialists", loan modification "specialists", loss mitigation “experts”, “fraud investigators”, and the like, and many of these designations and claims seem to be nothing more than marketing ploys by unscrupulous fraudsters to capitalize on the desperation and vulnerability of unsophisticated and/or financially strapped homeowners.

Sep 27, 2010

Billionaire John Paulson says Buy a Home

Forbes.com Sept 27, 2010
Billionaire John Paulson told a crowd at New York's University Club that double digit inflation is about to rear its ugly head by 2012.
"As this is the best time in 50 years to buy homes, issue 30 year mortgages to buy a home - your debt and interest payments get locked in at record lows, while the price of your home will rise."
"If you don't own a home buy one," Paulson recommended; "if you own one home, buy another one, and if you own two homes buy a third and lend your relatives the money to buy a home."

Sep 23, 2010

BANK OWNED DEAL OF THE WEEK!

Almost 3,000 sqft 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath Anaheim Hills Home
Built in 1991, Modern and Open Floor Plan, only $589,900
Click for more pictures ...

Sep 22, 2010

Spacious Buena Park Single Story

6178 Macarthur Way, Buena Park 90620
4 Bedroom, 2 Bath, over 1,900 sqft, RV Parking
only $370,000
Play VisualTour

Sep 19, 2010

Anaheim Hills Bank Owned Home!

7987 E. Altair Ln, Anaheim Hills 92808
BANK OWNED/REO. Spacious, Light & Open Anaheim Hills Home! 3 Bedrooms & Loft / Den that makes a great office or play area! Panoramic city lights & hills views from Master Suite and Loft. Pool sized private back yard! Double door front entry with decorative leaded glass. Beautiful Hardwood floors in Living Room & Dining Room! Dramatic spiral staircase and Brick Fireplace! Newer Designer Paint! Modern, smooth textured ceilings! Plush Newer Carpeting! Newer Decorator Lighting! Light & Bright Kitchen with Garden Window, Newer Oven, Newer Built-in Microwave and Chef's style sink with pull-out faucet! Kitchen overlooks family room and spacious yard. Master suite with double door entry, walk-in closet, oval tub and separate shower! Tile roof. Automatic sprinklers. Central Air. only $497,100
Play VisualTour

Sep 18, 2010

Cheaper than Renting!

2550 San Gabriel Way # 202, Corona 92882.
Beautiful Modern Condo in the Green River area of Corona. 2 Master Suites with 2 Full Baths all on one level on the second floor. Very close to the O.C. at an affordable price! Completely remodeled in 2005 with New Paint & Carpet. New Kitchen with Beautiful Cabinets, Granite Counters and Breakfast Bar, Stainless Oven, Dishwasher and Built-in Microwave. Highly Upgraded Baths with Granite. Spacious Private Balcony. Indoor Laundry. Association features a Pool, Spa, Fitness Center, Basketball Courts & Clubhouse.  only $154,900.



Play VisualTour

Affordable Southern California Retirement

1850 Fairway Drive # 25, Chino Hills 91709 - SOLD
Retire to the Hills, Chino Hills! Resident owned, senior (55+) Western Hills Estates Nestled in the Hills next to Western Hills Country Club. You own a share of the park!(1/101th).NO SPACE RENT! Pay only association dues of approx $300./month for water, trash, sewer, park maintenance and New Clubhouse Nearby. Great Corner, End Lot with a Relaxing View of the Hills. Spacious 2 Bedroom 2 Bath with 2 Car Covered Carport. Large Living Room with Vaulted Ceiling, Eat-in Kitchen with New Appliances and Formal Dining Room. Master Suite with Mirrored Closet and Spacious Master Bath with Dual Sink Vanity, Large, Sunken Oval Tub & Separate Shower! Inviting Front Porch with Panoramic Hills Views! Indoor Laundry Room. Newer Paint inside & out and Newer Carpeting! Newer Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans! Newer Fenced-in Yard with Newer Landscaping and Auto Sprinklers! Newer Heater & A/C blower! Newer Window Coverings and 2 New Sheds!
only $132,000

Play VisualTour

Aug 27, 2010

Mortgage Rates Continue to Fall

Average interest on long-term mortgages slid to a record low for the eighth time in nine weeks and could dip more. Freddie Mac reports that 30-year fixed loans averaged 4.36 percent this week, down from 4.42 percent a week ago; the 15-year fixed rate fell to a new low of 3.86 percent from 3.90 percent; and adjustable-rate mortgages were also below 4 percent.



The Mortgage Bankers Association's Michael Fratantoni said the group expects that rates "will begin to rise as the economic situation improves along with jobs."

Aug 10, 2010

BANK OWNED DEAL OF THE WEEK!

SPACIOUS BANK OWNED HOME! ONLY $662,000 FOR 2,800 SQFT IN GREAT ANAHEIM HILLS AREA! BUILT IN 1997, 4 BEDROOMS + BONUS ROOM, 3-FULL BATHS. 1 BEDROOM + BONUS ROOM DOWNSTAIRS! PERGO FLOORING IN KITCHEN AND FAMILY ROOM. BUILT-IN REFRIGATOR, ISLAND IN KITCHEN. GRANITE ENTRY & HALL, FIREPLACE IN FAMILY ROOM, PLANTATION SHUTTERS IN LIVING & BONUS ROOM. ROMAN TUB IN MASTER BEDROOM. LOTS OF POTENTIAL!! MASTER BEDROOM HAS PEAK-A-BOO VIEW OF CITY LIGHTS.

Aug 6, 2010

Huge East Hills Community Yard Sale August 7

We will be sponsoring a Community Yard Sale in Anaheim Hills. Over 70 Families will be selling lots of stuff on Saturday August 7 from 7:00am to Noon. Look for the Signs along Santa Ana Canyon & Weir Canyon

Jul 30, 2010

Record Lows Continue for Mortgage Rates

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to a new low of 4.54 percent this week from 4.56 percent last week and an average of 5.25 percent a year ago.

The 15-year fixed loan rate also hit a record low of 4 percent, down from 4.03 percent a week ago and 4.69 percent last year. The five-year adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 3.76 percent, compared to 3.79 percent last week and 4.75 percent a year earlier; and one-year ARMs averaged 3.64 percent, down from 3.7 percent and 4.80 percent, respectively.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Nathan Becker (07/30/10)

Jul 24, 2010

Property Tax Value Notices Have Been Sent Out

If you do not agree with the value of your home listed on your property tax value notice you have until September 15, 2010 to file an Application for Changed Assessment. Go to the link on the right - Reduce Your Property Tax.

Jul 15, 2010

5-day loan mod event starts Friday July 16

Chase is having a 5-day event in Costa Mesa to help struggling homeowners who have Chase, EMC or WaMu-serviced mortgages.

The bank says loan advisors will offer counseling for homeowners applying for modifications, and for customers who are current on their mortgages but having a hard time keeping them up. There also will be help with short sales for customers who cannot afford their home or don’t want to stay in it. And those applying for trial modifications will be able to drop off the necessary documents.
More than 50 of Chase’s home loan counselors will be available, according to the news release.
The event, at the Hilton Orange County at 3050 Bristol St., begins Friday and runs through Tuesday, July 20. The hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m

Jun 25, 2010

Rates on Mortgages fall to the lowest level on record

Rates on 30 Year Fixed Mortgages fall to 4.69%, the lowest level on record, Freddie Mac says.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Mortgage rates fell this week to the lowest level on record, giving consumer's added incentive to lock in low payments for home purchases and refinanced loans.
The average rate for 30 Year Fixed loan sank to 4.69%, from 4.75% last week, Mortgage Company Freddie Mac said Thursday. That's the lowest point since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971. The previous record of 4.71% was set in December 2009.
15 Year Fixed Rate mortgages fell to an average of 4.13%. That was the lowest on record dating back to September 1991. It was down from 4.20% a week earlier

May 20, 2010

Beautiful & Affordable New Listing

Anaheim Hills Single Story View Home only $369,900 - SOLD
See a Visual Tour at: www.137Larkwood.com
Come by the Open House this Sunday and Bring a Friend


May 14, 2010

Distressed Home Owner Free Public Seminar

First Team Real Estate will be Sponsoring a Free Seminar for Home Owners that are having problems making their payments and want to know their options. Tell anyone you know who may need this help.
Saturday May 15 from 10:00am to Noon at the Anaheim Hills Community Center - Santa Ana Canyon Rd just west of Weir Canyon Rd

Some of the topics discussed:
Loan Modification Programs
Foreclosure Prevention
Balancing Personal Finances
Short Sale vs Foreclosure
Understanding Credit Reports and Scores

A Private Consultation is also available for those who prefer - just call us to schedule.

FORECLOSURE FRIDAY

These are the Bank Owned Homes in North East Orange County.
Email us for a Customized List.
Click on the Chart to Enlarge.