Friday, January 29, 2016

It's A Constant Negotiation

Real Estate that is. I love it. I love continuously working out details.

You'd think an offer is written, a seller accepts, done deal, right? Well, maybe just work out a Request for Repairs. You'd think.

I love one of the agents I'm working with right now. We've worked together before and trust each other so it makes for a more fluid transaction.

Our clients are asking us, we're asking each other, we're working through the details.

Give a little, take a little, some time here, some money there.

Some agents have too much of themselves in the transaction and they want to make it a Tug-of-War more than anything.


Not this one. She's just all about making it as smooth as possible for her clients. That's what we're paid to do, make it as smooth as possible. 

And.....I completely appreciate that!

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Let The Professional Handle It !

Quite honestly, the California Association of Realtors forms are fairly simple. I can usually do escrows with them almost blindfolded. AND, for the layman/non-Realtor, they are generally pretty easy to understand. 



Now, get yourself in contract with a seller that uses non C.A.R. forms? PLEASE, let a professional Realtor handle the transaction for you!

I am working with a couple that is considering a new construction home. Built by a smaller developer, a boutique group of under a dozen homes, well that's what one of the people that bought it last year call it!

The documents they use are not the normal forms........so, I just printed out 72 pages (yeah, I know, I cut down a little tree doing that) to read in detail. I started last night but got to a section that was a bit alarming and I was getting tired.

If I was getting tired, imagine how someone trying to understand it....for the very first time....would be doing?!?!?

So, with 3 different color highlighters in hand, I am reading those 72 pages. I've been doing this for 14 years....sold plenty of new construction and re-sale....this is the first one with this many pages!

Protect my clients, it's our fiduciary responsibility. Mostly, it's just that I don't want them to get screwed over!

Friday, January 22, 2016

Santa Clarita Sales/Housing Activity as of January 22, 2016

Hello Readers!!! Just a quickie post about what's happening in the housing sales in lovely Santa Clarita Valley and our surrounding communities!

As always, I include Acton to the East, Newhall to the South, Stevenson Ranch to the West, and Castaic to the North.

Currently we have 521 Active listings. That does include condos, townhouses, free standing homes.

In escrow, we have 457. Sold in the last 30 days, seasonally down, at 255.

We are getting new listings every day and we are selling them pretty quickly. If your home isn't selling quickly.....the majority of the time it's pricing. Sometimes it's a niche market, like my Belcaro Adult community listing, but generally it's the pricing.


That, my friends, is what's happening in sales as of today!

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Is This Seller Realistic?

Find a property, check the comps, write an offer. Home has been on the market for 40 days. Seller stated they had an offer that they outright rejected. Well, it was pretty low-ball.

So, we submit our written offer and ask for a response by a certain time. I warn my clients that the sellers may not be reachable in that time frame but we ask for it anyways.

The agent says she is presenting our offer right at the expiration date/time. Then she tells me they need to sleep on it.

Nothing heard for over 24 hours. I check with agent and she says her clients have gone MIA.

Finally we get a counter offer on the 3rd day.........with it basically right back up at list price.

Now, if your property is soooo popular that you are in a position to ask for your list price, have at it. But, if you are not in that position, are you a realistic seller?

They bought it for more than it's worth right now. Sorry. They have to find a replacement home. I am sorry for that too.

But, when you've been on the market for 40+ days and you've had 2 offers fairly far below your current list price? That tells you what your home is worth....to the buyers out there house hunting.


Only what a Buyer is willing to pay for it!

Friday, January 15, 2016

Auction Dot Com becomes Ten-X

Whatever.....they say it's because they will be Ten Times Better. Auction.com was started in 2007 and worked many distressed properties through its system. I had several clients attempt it but left feeling misled by the pricing and disappointed in the program as they were not fruitful in gaining any properties. But, that may have just been the handful that I know tried. Not sure.....but I have my opinions.

They are re-branding because they say they will be moving into greater technology and able to help buyers, sellers, and 'Real Estate Professionals'. But, surely the impetus is that we are pretty much done with distressed properties so they need to try and grab another market?

I'm not so sure. I always think a Re-Branding is because they had a bad rep with the 'other' brand. Isn't that generally why someone or a company would 're-brand'? They weren't successful with the current and needed to try something new?

At any rate, be wary my readers. They will still be using the Auction Dot com for some, but much will be changed to the Ten-X logo. Don't know if the service will be any different. Only the test of time will tell.



As for greater technology? Um, everyone I know has moved along with the greater technology we all have access to!

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Santa Clarita Has Changed Since My Kids Grew Up Here!

They are 26 & 30 now. Well, dang almost 27 & 31 this year! But, they were here for 15 years of their childhood and their big complaint was 'There's Nothing To Do Here'. That was after they moved away. While they lived here we kept them very busy in sports!

But now, Santa Clarita Valley is always trying to make sure there are things to do to keep us happy and...of course....keep us in our own town.

I have an e-mail drip set up to send me upcoming events. I miss many, but these ones looked good enough to share!

Wednesday, January 20th, there is a 'Meet the Artists' at our City Hall! 7pm. 

For the budding artist? On the 27th, same time, same location....'Taxes & the Artist'.
Check this one out here ~ Taxes and the Artist

Oh, and don't forget...The Cowboy Poetry Festival is coming!
April 20th - 24th, selling tickets already!
Their check it out site is ~ Cowboy Poetry Festival
(I have to admit, after all these years living here....I've never been to this!)


There's ALWAYS Something To Do!


Friday, January 8, 2016

Looks Like Private Company Job Growth To Continue!

ADP, you know that company that does payroll for many business'? They, and Moody Analytics, showed private sector jobs gains of over 250k from November to December! That's fantastic.

And, it shows no signs of slowing down. Even better. Apparently the energy industry is the only one cutting jobs.

This report feels that the economy will be back, by Summer, to full employment! Last time we had full employment? Guess when, go on, guess.....yep, almost a decade ago. Duh.



At any rate, I'm happy to share their news. But, I'm guessing you are too!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

My Thoughts On The Fed Rate Hike in December

Spoiler, it's just my opinion....and you may not like it.


A really fast post would just let you know I think it was about time. But, to continue with my thought process it was imperative. 

We have had amazing rates for several years while the housing market worked at getting on it's feet again. I appreciated that many people were able to buy homes. However, with the values continuing to climb and the economy looking healthier, raising rates is a necessary evil.

Necessary to maintain affordability in the cost of a home. It keeps the market from staying a sellers market. It gets wanna-be's off their tush and into a purchase contract. 

The interest rates are likely going to continue a slow climb, per the information we are all reading. Whether the home price climbs or the interest rate climbs, the home is going to cost the same for a buyer. I do NOT want another inflated home pricing situation like we had a decade ago, do you? 

So, IMHO, I am happy to put a little ceiling on increased pricing on homes with a little interest rate hike. And this is from a person that has a property she is upside down on.

Feel free to post your opinions too!