Friday, July 29, 2016

Baby Cams & Real Estate

At one of my most recent listings the seller had a baby cam set up. It was for child safety purposes. She did however hear a Realtor ask their client if they had done their morning biz or not as the client was grouchy. Much more descriptive than I've written, but you get the idea.

The client, her friend and I, got a helluva laugh over that one.

Yesterday I was reading an article from Realtor.org about that very same subject.

While they may not be intended to monitor people viewing a home for sale, we agents should be more aware of them. As listing agents, note it in the MLS. As buyers agent, remind your client that there could be one in the home.

Last night went to meet with prospective sellers. Loved them....and super cute house. Can't wait to get them on the market!

We talked about that very same type of thing. Surveillance set-up, for one room in particular. We decided that would be a good idea, and definitely to note it in the agent remarks that one was set up.

People need to know if they are not enjoying complete privacy while viewing a home. It's one of the reasons we ask sellers to leave when buyers are coming....so they can truly talk about the home without offending the current homeowner.

But, with all this modern technology......that we've honestly had for years..... it is, however, best to let people know if "I'm Watching You" is in effect!

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Santa Clarita 30 Day Sales Activity as of July 26, 2016

It's been a crazy few days with the #SandFire and it will continue to be crazy for a couple months out in our lovely Santa Clarita Valley.

Largest fire I can remember since I've lived here for over 23 years!

But, looking at the stats for the last 30 days, definitely time to share. I look at Acton to the East, Newhall to the South, Castaic to the North, and Stevenson Ranch to the West.

Active homes currently number ~ 660. Definitely moving up!

Homes in escrow ~ 679. Interesting, right? So close to the number of active.

Sold in the last 30 days ~ 365. That's a definite increase!

Our market is healthy....we were....and will be again once fire issues are settled.

Until that's all squared away, expect a crazy market, stressed out lenders, appraisers, buyers, sellers....and, oh, yes, stressed out agents to boot!


Friday, July 15, 2016

Good Realtors Are Aging Out of the Biz?

An older agent blogged that she felt like good Realtors were aging up and we'd have a serious decline in good agents helping people in buying or selling their home in the near future.

When the market is up we get more agents, when the market goes down, we lose agents.

Circle of life, right?



But some, like me, a 14 year veteran, keep working. I'm in my mid 50's, love what I do, so anticipate that I'll be still helping people in and out of homes for another 10-15 years.

Because.......I will live longer, as all of us generally are. And, a good Realtor, that loves what they do, will continue to help people even when some of the general public would consider retiring.

Planning is vital though. As I've been in the business longer, and am aware that I will at some point have to retire, I know that I want to have a younger person come in, teach them, and have them take over my clients in a manner that I want my clients to be cared for. The same way I treat them now, I want my successor to treat them as well.

So, if you're worrying that we older agents will 'age' out, fear not....the good ones will train more good ones to take care of you. To help you 'Keep Your WITZ About You When Buying or Selling Your Home'. That's my promise to you.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Simple Reasons to Pick Porcelain or Ceramic Tile

Happy to report I definitely picked porcelain tile for the right reasons! When we did our floors in the house we chose porcelain as it was stronger basically. Less likely to scratch or break.

But, the article from Houzz is worth sharing here with you (instead of copying and pasting!) :


This was ours during the install......took 8 days!


Anyways, take a gander at the link from Houzz, it's a great this vs. that synopsis and will save you dinero in the long run!



Friday, July 8, 2016

Mortgage Delinquencies Down....Student & Auto Loans Are Now Becoming Problematic

All the great news about mortgage delinquencies being reduced. Certainly because people have more equity, have re-fi'd, did loan mods.....so now the other common loans are showing signs of worsening....

Well, with low rates all over, more people were buying new cars. And, just like the mortgage industry mess almost a decade ago...some of those people probably shouldn't have bought them....

Student loan delinquency is up to over 11%. But, it's honestly not surprising. What with the cost of education, the lack of good paying jobs when they get out...it's a challenge to pay those student loans!

So, let's keep our older vehicles & let's get those graduates employed!



Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Mortgage Rates I See Today

Seem to be hovering around 3.7%. All depends on your credit scoring, what you're putting down, etc. 15 year fixed are just above 3%.

Ads all over the internet for less, but I don't know what kinds of costs are involved. Points, origination fees....again, with the etc.

Be wary of the ones that are ridiculously low....and remember, you get what you pay for.

Be sure to read alllllll the fine details on a mortgage offering.

But, happy to report such crazy low rates....I mean really, a 30 year fixed rated at 3.6 - 3.81?

It really is quite remarkable, right???