Are you thinking of putting your house on the market? While the market may not be quite as frenetic as the record-breaking "unicorn" years, current data suggests houses are still selling faster than usual. ...

Why a home's claims history matters Suppose you are buying an existing home, one that has had a previous owner or several owners. In that case, it's essential to research the history of insurance claims these previous owners made on the residence. Is this a home whose previous owners have filed many insurance claims? That could be a sign that the home you are considering has structural or other problems that could prove costly....

2 of the Factors That Impact Mortgage Rates If you’re looking to buy a home, you’ve probably been paying close attention to mortgage rates. Over the last couple of years, they hit record lows, rose dramatically, and are now dropping back down a bit. Ever wonder why? The answer is complicated because there’s a lot that can influence mortgage rates. Here are just a few of the most impactful factors at play....

If you’re getting ready to buy a home, it’s exciting to jump a few steps ahead and think about moving in and making it your own. But before you get too far down the emotional path, there are some key things to keep in mind after you apply for your mortgage and before you close. Here’s a list of things to remember when you apply for your home loan....

If your listing has expired and your house didn’t sell, it's completely normal to feel a mix of frustration and disappointment. Understandably, you're probably wondering what may have gone wrong. Here are three questions to think about as you figure out what to do next. ...

If you’re planning to buy a home, knowing what to budget for and how to save may sound intimidating – but it doesn’t have to be. One way to ease those concerns is to make sure you understand some of the costs you may encounter upfront. And to do that, always turn to trusted real estate professionals. They can help you set a plan and take a strategic look at your budget and your process before you even get started....

The most popular community in the San Fernando Valley is Studio City. It is a vibrant, diverse neighborhood with residential, commercial, and entertainment options. Studio City is known for its excellent schools, family-friendly atmosphere, and proximity to Hollywood. It is also home to many celebrities and entertainment industry professionals....

Oxnard, California, is an excellent place to live. It is a coastal city with a population of about 209,000 people. Oxnard is known for its mild climate, beautiful beaches, and diverse population. According to Zillow, the median home price in Oxnard, CA is $704,329 as of August 2023. This is a decrease of 1.4% from the previous year. ...

Why do we only work with buyers who are approved for a home loan? It's easy. We want our buyers to be at the best advantage possible. From searching for a home to closing the loan, we are with you all the way....

The most expensive home in the San Fernando Valley is a 22,000-square-foot mansion in Calabasas that sold for $30 million in 2021. The least expensive property currently listed Is situated in the community of Encino and is currently listed at $279,500. This 1 Bed 1 Bath Condominium features 712 square feet....

If you’re buying a home this spring, today’s housing market can feel like a challenge. With so few homes on the market right now, plus higher mortgage rates, it’s essential to have a firm grasp on your home-buying budget. You’ll also need a sense of determination to find the right house and act quickly when you go to put in an offer. One thing you can do to help you prepare is to get pre-approved....

The spring season appears to be warming up in housing as more and more buyers enter the market. And after rising mortgage rates sidelined so many buyers last year, that’s a good sign for sellers. Realtor.com has the latest:...

If you’re thinking about moving to Granada Hills, CA, we’d say go for it! Granada Hills is a quiet and friendly residential area in the northern part of the San Fernando Valley. It’s a great place to live, with terrific restaurants, excellent schools, and plenty to do....

Every neighborhood in Los Angeles has its unique personality, ranging in lifestyle, school systems, and access to the stunning outdoors of southern California. Set at the top of the desirable San Fernando Valley, living in North Hills balances all these things. With everything that Los Angeles County offers within an hour, relocating to North Hills provides a chance to create a life of balance whether you’re a single adult or a large family....

“Building equity through your monthly principal payments and appreciation is a critical part of homeownership that can help you create financial stability.”...

Headlines Focus on Short-Term Equity Numbers and Fail To Convey the Long-Term View One piece of news circulating focuses on the percentage of homes purchased in 2022 that are currently underwater. The term underwater refers to a scenario where the homeowner owes more on the loan than the house is worth. This was a huge issue when the housing market crashed in 2008, but it much less significant today....

Most loans today employ the use of calculated debt-to-income ratios. A debt ratio compares outstanding monthly payments with gross monthly income. If someone has $3,000 in monthly debt and the maximum limit is $10,000, the ratio is 30. This application will qualify if a mortgage program asks for a maximum of 33. Typically, there are two “ratios,” referred to as the ‘front’ and ‘back’ ratios. The front ratio is assigned to the mortgage payment....

If you’re trying to decide whether or not to sell your house, recent headlines about home prices may be top of mind. And if those stories have you wondering what that means for your home’s value, here’s what you really need to know. What’s Really Happening with Home Prices?...

Contrary to popular belief, November and December can be the best time to sell a home. Many home sellers will take their property off the market for the holidays. A considerable number will wait for Spring to list their home for sale. It's common knowledge that Spring is a busy time for real estate transactions, but it also means more houses on the market and more competition. An essential statistic people tend to overlook is the % of homes sold to the number of listings during various month...

“. . . don’t expect a housing bust like the mid-2000s, as lending standards in this housing cycle have been much tighter and homeowners have historically high levels of home equity, so there likely won’t be a surge in foreclosures.”...

Key Factors Affecting Home Affordability Today Whenever there’s a news segment about the housing market, we hear about the affordability challenges buyers face today. Those headlines are focused on how much mortgage rates have climbed this year. And while it's true rates have risen dramatically, it’s important to remember they aren’t the only factor in the affordability equation. ...

With all the headlines and talk in the media about the shift in the housing market, you might think this is a housing bubble. It’s only natural for those thoughts to creep in that make you think it could be a repeat of what took place in 2008. But the good news is that there’s concrete data to show why this is nothing like last time. ...

While the Federal Reserve is working hard to bring down inflation, the latest data shows the inflation rate is still high, remaining around 8%. This news impacted the stock market and added fuel to the fire for conversations about a recession. You’re likely feeling the impact in your day-to-day life as you watch the cost of goods and services climb. The pinch it’s creating on your wallet and the looming economic uncertainty may leave you wondering: “sho...

If you're planning to buy a home this year, there are incredible benefits waiting for you at the end of your journey, including the ability to customize your home, the sense of achievement homeownership brings, and a greater connection to your community. Let's connect to discuss everything homeownership has to offer. ...

Mortgage rates, home prices, and the supply of homes for sale are top of mind for buyers and sellers today. And if you want the latest information for our area, let’s connect today....

Rising interest rates have begun to slow an overheated housing market as monthly mortgage payments have increased dramatically since the beginning of the year. This leaves some people who want to purchase a home priced out of the market and others wondering if now is the time to buy one. But this rise in borrowing cost shows no signs of letting up soon....

Today's market is at a turning point, making it more essential than ever to work with a real estate professional. Not only will a trusted real estate advisor keep you updated and help you make the best decisions based on current market trends, but they're also experts in managing the many aspects of selling your house....

The real estate market is on just about everyone’s mind these days. That’s because the unsustainable market of the past two years is behind us, and the difference is being felt. The question now is, just how financially strong are homeowners throughout the country? Mortgage debt grew beyond 10 trillion dollars over the past year, and many called that a troubling sign when it happened for the first time in history....

In a market that’s shifting as fast as it is today, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be renovated before they sell their house. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in. They can help you think through today’s market conditions and how they impact what you should – and shouldn’t – do before selling your house....

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you likely have a lot of factors on your mind. You’re weighing your own needs against higher mortgage rates, today’s home prices, and more to try to decide if you want to jump into the market. While some buyers may wait things out, there’s a reason serious buyers are making moves right now, and that’s the growing number of homes for sale....

Are you wondering what a recession could do to home values? Historical data proves an economic slowdown doesn’t mean prices will fall. In four of the last six recessions, home prices actually appreciated. This goes to show that 2008 wasn’t the norm. However, of the 887 homes that sold in the San Fernando Valley in July 2020, 354 sold at a reduced price....

Market conditions are still favoring sellers even though the market is cooling. If you price your house right, you'll find success when you sell your house today. While buyer demand is softening due to higher mortgage rates, homes priced right are still selling fast. In June, home prices across the board in the San Fernando Valley showed price reductions. Wondering if it's still a good time to sell? Give us a call at 818-207-2013...

The steep upward climb in mortgage rates still isn't showing any signs of stopping. The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 4.72% as of the week ending April 7, Freddie Mac reported Thursday, up from 4.67% a week earlier. The last time the interest rates on home loans were this high was in the fall of 2018....

SOLD IN 10 DAYS $250,000 OVER ASKING!...

Right now, real estate prices continue to be pervasively high, and so is demand, while inventory is low. The market is making many people reconsider whether or not it’s the right time to buy a new home, and instead, they’re opting to make changes to their current house. The kitchen is one of the prime places to take on a remodeling project because it’s where most people spend the vast majority of their time....

Often minor changes can enhance a home's "showability" when offered to the public for inspection. Sellers don't seem to realize when "too much of their home" is showing. Staging your home for its most pleasing presentation requires a room-by-room critique to offer the best first impressions....

If you’re buying a home, an inspection can help you avoid the potential disaster of purchasing a home and then realizing it has structural issues that aren’t fixable or would be extremely expensive to repair. You should have a home inspection before closing on a loan. If there are issues and you’re the buyer, you can contact the seller if any major problems are discovered....

These are the top garden ideas and garden trends for 2022 to steer you in the right direction, from the best small garden ideas and sustainable gardens to garden color schemes and garden decorating ideas....

Last month, President Biden announced that Americans could start receiving N95 masks at no charge from retailers and health centers starting Jan. 23, but most retailers at that time were still waiting for shipments of these free masks to arrive.  Since then, however, more of the 400 million N95 masks have been distributed to pharmacies and retailers and are now available to consumers. Where to find N95 masks at no charge...

Many people want to invest in real estate, but they’re not ready to flip properties or be a landlord. There are other ways to invest in real estate without having the responsibility of holding physical property. One way is a Real Estate Investment Trust or REIT....

Insurers Must Now Cover COVID-19 Tests...

Say goodbye to renting!...

Say goodbye to renting!...

Doing your own repairs, or finding the right person to do repairs, takes time and patience. Having a home warranty can help....

Keep your credit consistent during the closing....

It makes sense that all of us – including our children – are experiencing COVID-19 mental fatigue. It’s affecting not only our physical health but our mental health....

Top 10 Housing Market “Hidden Gems” in 2022. Alternatives to living in California....

Should you buy a home now or wait for prices to come down?...

While I don't always agree with Real Estate Economists, I think Mr. Young is right in his real estate market forecast. In 1974 I purchased this home in Porter Ranch for $49,000.00. I used my VA loan, which had an interest rate of 9.5%. Today the property is valued at more than $1M. It's important to understand the market fluctuations when deciding whether to buy or sell a home. Unfortunately, it is tough to time the market. ...

Hundreds of consumers across the country are up in arms. They said their credit is being ruined all because lenders are mistakenly putting black marks on their accounts. This is an urgent warning for all consumers who deferred making credit card, car loan, or mortgage payments amid the pandemic. Lenders are not supposed to penalize you for COVID-related relief, but unfortunately, in many cases, that is exactly what they are doing....

It’s a confusing time, but lenders are putting remedies, like forbearance, in place to help homeowners. Read more...

How to have fun with your family online....

End of Year Newsletter...

How to win a bidding war on a property you really want....

Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson incites violence...

Is the holiday season a good time to sell your home? Winter months boast the highest sales to listings percentages of the year....

The IRS has published a Revenue Procedure and a Revenue Ruling to try to clarify certain complex and controversial details in PPP loan forgiveness. Click through for a summary of the new IRS guidance....

#AloneTogether...

Is staging worth it?...

How Does the New Mortgage Interest Deductions Affect You? ...

RARE 5 Bedroom, 3 Bath Beautiful home nestled in the rolling hills of the Mint Canyon Development with NO MELLO ROOS! Experience Majestic hillside views from the upstairs bedrooms and the expansive custom balcony. Situated on a cul-de-sac, this lovely home features an open and bright floorplan with no rear neighbors. There are numerous features and upgrades throughout. The downstairs boasts a formal living room; family room with a fireplace, built-in media center and fireplace to enjoy gather...