Friday, June 29, 2018

Operation Keyboard Warrior

Thank you, Department of Justice, for chasing these criminals down!!

Anyone involved in Real Estate right now knows there has been a newer disclosure about Wire Fraud. We've had it for a few years already.

We Realtors also know that our clients don't always read everything we send them to review so it's our job to make sure they know what's going on.

That includes Wire Fraud. I can't imagine any of my clients actually clicking on a link in an e-mail and sending money. BUT, it has happened to others apparently.

DOJ just arrested 8 more people in a 15M scam. Not only Real Estate related....all kinds of other computer/wire/money fraud items.


Their task force is called Operation Keyboard Warrior. It's horrible that we have to have this task force, but glad we do.

Purpose of this blog post is a REMINDER to never, ever click on a link and send money. Sheesh, don't click on any damn links unless you know for sure it's a valid one!! 

Better safe than sorry!

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Chasing The Market ~ Never Good For A Seller

Anyone regularly reading my blog posts knows I'm OCD about checking the MLS activity several times a day. I've got to know what's going on to keep my Sellers & Buyers informed.

I focus on the Santa Clarita Valley since 90% of my business is within these rolling hills.

I have my program set to tell me new listings, price changes, back on markets, under contract, pending, sold, withdrawn, cancelled, expired, and on hold properties....all set to indicate 'within the last 24 hours'.

This morning, after a horrible nights sleep, I did my usual thing....and noted that there were 23 price changes on listings in sweet Santa Clarita in the last 24 hours.

For the last few years, we've been seeing price changes go up. Today only 2 went up.....21 were price reductions.

I met with an appraiser at one of my listings yesterday and we talked about this very same thing. He, myself, the buyers agent...all chatting about where the market was and our crystal ball predictions of where it was going. The topic we all agreed on was about Sellers listing too high and then having to do price reductions.



Obvious signs of that very thing happening. 

I can only educate and present, Sellers have the choice of what they list it at. Some I think are a tad high, some right on, some just an unusual property that needs the right buyer.

But, worst thing....is chasing that damn market down. That's so hard for people to reduce prices, and then, of course, the vultures sit in waiting. Waiting to pounce. Always waiting to pounce on a tired of being on market Seller.


Friday, June 22, 2018

So Many Of Them ~ What To Do With Those Alcoves On The Side of Your Fireplace?

Ah, yes, those spaces in the walls builders have been putting in for years next to the fireplace? A lot put a media built-in...or a lot did. So many are hanging TV's over the fireplace these days since it is the center of the room!

If you didn't have a media unit built-in, you've got that space, that indented space either on one side, or both, of your fireplace, right?

So, a Houzz article this morning had some great suggestions for what to do with those areas if you don't want to do a custom built-in.

We have a nice short cabinet in ours with decor on the back wall and some media crap on top of it along with some other decorative items as well. Yes, our TV is above the fireplace!

These are the ones I liked in the article. I'm an asymmetrical kind of gal.....so here ya go!


Yep, a sweet little reading area!


I love this one! Small homework station?


A little fancy-schmancy for me, but lovely anyways!

Friday, June 15, 2018

Fast, Slow, Hurry, Wait....And, Repeat.

Real Estate....Being a Realtor...is not for the weak. Not for the weak-minded, weak in body, nor weak anywhere.

It's a very stressful thing for someone to buy or sell. Let alone buy and sell at the same time. Or, wait for a seller to move out. Or wait for a buyer to make an offer. Or, hey, wait for a number of things to happen.

Then of course there is the hurry up stuff. Hurry up and do this, get that done, prepare these documents.


But, I love what I do. Love helping my people achieve their dreams.

This week was one of those weeks. Could we do this on that property? No, yes, maybe. But, what about that department over there? Do we have clearance, space, water?

If anyone ever thinks we just show property, write contracts, and let the paychecks roll in? You Are Wrong! 

I will never push a client to do something without helping them to do their due diligence. That's part of what I do. Make sure that what they are buying is the right thing for them. No, ifs, ands, or butts about it!

For now, we are moving!!!



Friday, June 8, 2018

Current Sales Activity for Santa Clarita - June 8, 2018

Well, inventory is definitely up. Checking Acton, Agua Dulce, Canyon Country, Saugus, Valencia, Newhall, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, & Val Verde.

We are showing active listings at 606 this morning. FYI, beginning of May was 509. I'll take 606!


Under contract in those same neighborhoods is 547.  Was 522 at my last blog posting about it.

Wonderful closed sales in the last 30 days was 368!!! Again, beginning of may we had closed 310 in prior 30 days.

Housing is robust in Awesometown and surrounding communities. I'm seeing a huge increase in the number of listings go active for end of week timing. Quite a few reductions in prices too though.

Still a sellers market, if priced right and presenting well.

Questions? Just holler!