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Latest from Debora

Some Points About Our California Housing Crisis

Reasons why we don't build enough housing in California Community resistance Water restrictions and lack of water to support additional population Commercial development brings in more tax revenue than residential Project reviews and CEQA delays discourage developers What are the obstacles to housing in California? Supply and demand create inflated prices and income doesn't have the chance to catch up Mortgage rates are low but buyers can't afford to pay the inflated housing

Woman vs Man - Home Purchase Preferences

One in five consumers buying a home today is a single woman. Meyers Research in Costa Mesa, Calif., conducted a survey analyzing the buying preferences of 33,000 home shoppers, including both men and women with a variety of locations and price points. They found that the influence of the female buyer segment goes further than expected. Not only are women involved in buying their own homes, but they also help guide many single men who seek advice during a home search. Here are

Do You Know Your Credit Score?

Your credit score matters so it's important to know where you stand. Federal law allows you one free credit report per 12 month period. Get a copy so you can make sure you don't have any debt that doesn't belong to you or that went to collections. It takes time to clear credit issues and it affects the interest rates that lenders will charge. Stay on top of your score! #realestatemarket #homes #realtor #housingcrisis #creditscore #financing #mortgage #qualifiying

California's 39 Million Heirs!

I was talking to a young woman the other day and I found it so sad to see how worried, even scared she was about the future of our planet. It's frightening to see how quickly things are changing on earth. Ice melts, sea level rising, unpredictable weather and the extinction of certain species. How SAD! There is a great commercial that you can find on Youtube called California's 39 million Heirs It's a reminder to all of us about our responsibility to our state, our world and

Putting Corporate Money to Work in California!

We have a housing crisis in California and as we know, the Bay Area and Monterey Peninsula are no exceptions. It's a difficult challenge for fire fighters, nurses, teachers, hotel workers and many others to find affordable housing and they often have to commute long distances to get to their jobs. With average home prices ranging from $660,000 to $1,200,000 most people can not afford to buy or sometimes even rent. The good news is that there have been some efforts by local an

What is the Department of Real Estate's Role?

In the Real Estate world, we use a lot of acronyms. You may have seen this one....DRE. It stands for the Department of Real Estate. They oversee California real estate transactions and are tasked with protecting the consumer from fraud, misconduct and financial abuse. This year marks their 100th anniversary and they continue to service and protect the public. Here are some of their duties: Audits to ensure that trust funds are handled correctly during a real estate transactio

Survey Says.......Is it the Right Time to Buy or Sell?

Here is a survey that was published in my Realtor magazine this week. As always, opinions differ depending on your circumstance. #sell #homebuying #homeselling #economy #survey #realestatemarket

Cost of Remodeling On The Rise as Tariffs Take Effect!

The newly imposed tariffs on Chinese imports are at the top of the news this week and it is clear that our local market will certainly feel the impact. Hundreds of items could be affected in the remodel and building sector and increased prices are on the horizon. Some examples include countertops like granite, marble, and quartz, tile for bathrooms and back splashes, light fixtures, cabinets, heating and cooling equipment, and flooring The list goes on.... Cost to build and

Multi-generational Living Is On The Rise!

Up to 41% of Americans in the market to buy a home say they’re considering accommodating an elderly parent or an adult child, according to a new survey from John Burns Real Estate Consulting, The problem is that most single family properties are not designed to fit multiple generational living. So what makes a multi-generational home? Usually separate entrances and garages with their own kitchen and living spaces. This set up can provide support when you need it but privacy a

Online Design Alternatives

Did you know you can now use an online design company to help furnish and design your interior? Fees seem reasonable, furnishings are well priced and it sounds like projects can be completed in a shorter time frame. The process: Homeowners begin by filling out an online questionnaire to match them with the right professional. The survey covers personal preferences based on clients choosing their favorite product and design photos. Homeowners also enter their room sizes and a

Inventory Is Up, Bidding Wars Are Down!

Well this is good news!......Due to an increase in inventory, competition is less fierce and it appears that California buyers are much more likely to get an acceptance on the first offer they submit. This is a drastic change from the last few years and is a welcome relief to those trying to find a home in the Bay Area. Previously, buyers would submit offers over asking price with no contingencies and very quick closes. Cash transactions usually won out over offers that neede

Federal Housing Administration will be tightening underwriting process!

The Federal Housing Administration has announced tighter lending standards and loans will go now through a rigorous manual underwriting process. In 2016, the FHA loosened up its underwriting standards and there are now concerns that they've gone too far. About 40,000 to 50,000 loans a year will likely be affected by the tighter underwriting standards,according to The Wall Street Journal. In the previous fiscal year, the average credit score for borrowers of FHA-insured mortga

Interest Rates are Lower Than Last Year at this Time!

Good news for those who have been concerned about interest rate hikes. I pull rates every week for my newsletter and lately, rates have been lower than they were at this time last year. On March 20th, the Fed met to discuss future rate hikes and it appears that they may be putting off any increases in 2019. A 1/4 point can make all the difference to a buyer and as we know, every penny counts! With more inventory, less bidding wars and lower rates, this might be a great time

Remodeling Projects Are on the Rise!

According to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, our housing inventory is aging and remodeling projects are up. In addition, restrictions on tax benefits, cost of retirement/nursing homes and escalating home prices, are pushing retirees to add accessibility modifications to allow them to age in place. Here are a few notes about the market: Nearly 80% of the nation’s housing stock is at least 20 years old. 40% of the country’s 127 million homes are at least

House Painting Tips

Here is some information about interior house painting and....a few comments from me! Dark paint colors make a room look small - Lots of design magazines do show dark wall paint and sometimes they look really great but make sure to choose your colors well and maybe consider an accent wall first. Once on the wall, things can look very different! Using primer means you don't have to clean the walls - Wiping down the walls would not be something I'd skip and the experts say the

Top 20 Hottest Housing Markets in the U.S.

Out of the 20 hottest housing markets in January, eight of them were located in California. According to Realtor Magazine, homes in the nation’s hottest markets in January tended to sell anywhere between 14 to 55 days faster than the rest of the market. Historically, California markets used to dominate realtor.com®’s list but things are becoming a little more balanced across the country and smaller and more affordable markets are seeing strong gains. Here's a list from realto

5 Upcoming Design Trends for the Home

Interesting news on the home design front......We're moving away from neutrals and grays and opting for bolder colors throughout the home! Here's a look at 5 projected trends for the next couple of years: 1. Bolder colors for cabinets, walks and even sinks. Terra Cotta, purple, blues and black to name a few 2. Brass and bronze accents continue to remain popular with hardware, lighting and faucets. 3. Geometric shapes such as squares, triangles and diamonds provide interest in

5 Projects with Strong A Strong Return on Investment!

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What's Trending in Home Theaters?

Not all of us are lucky enough to have extra space for a theater or media room but don't worry....we're now trending away from basement setting and placing the tv and theater on the main level, in the heart of the home! With great rooms still an essential part of our modern lifestyle, homeowners are looking to create comfortable lounge and entertainment spaces close to the kitchen and convenient for communal interaction. The Wall Street Journal just featured an article about

Will it be a Buyer's Market this year?

Due to home prices slowing, interest rates holding and more inventory on the market, we may be heading into a "Buyer's Market" this spring. Traditionally, the week of the ATT Pro Am marks the beginning or our local "selling season". Sellers like to take advantage of the influx of visitors and they feel that it's a good time to expose homes to the market. The reality seems to be that it generates a lot of looking but not necessarily a lot of buying. New listings are coming to

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Latest from Debora

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