Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Experts & My Experience

Below is a copy of an article about what the experts think is going to happen in the housing market. They are definitely giving good advice, but mine is always better. Why you ask? Because I've got the local market knowledge, I've been at this for almost two decades. I've survived where others have failed when the market is turned upside down & sideways. Call me today, well, after you read the below article, about what's happening where you live and/or where you want to live. I'm happy to share my knowledge and experience with each and every one of you. My direct number you can text/call is (661) 313-5470. Wishing you all the best on this very last day of 2019!

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Expert Insights on the 2020 Housing Market

Expert Insights on the 2020 Housing Market | MyKCM

When closing out another year, it’s normal to wonder what’s ahead for the housing market. Though there will be future inventory issues, we expect interest rates to stay low and appreciation to continue.

Here’s what three experts are saying we’ll likely see in 2020:

“I think the biggest surprise from the forecast is how long the market is staying in this low inventory environment, especially as Millennials are in a major home-buying phase…sellers will contend with flattening price growth and slowing activity with existing home sales down 1.8%. Nationwide you can look to flat home prices with an increase of less than 1%.”
"Interest rates will, on average, remain lower…These lower rates will in turn support both purchase and refinance origination volume in 2020."
“If current trends hold, then slower means healthier and smaller means more affordable. Yes, we expect a slower market than we’ve become accustomed to the last few years…consumers will continue to absorb available inventory and the market will remain competitive in much of the country.”
As we can see, we’re still going to have a healthy market. It is forecasted to be a more moderate (or normal) market than the last few years, but strong enough for Americans to continue to believe in homeownership and to capitalize on the opportunities that come with low interest rates.

Bottom Line

If you’re wondering what’s happening in our local market, let’s get together today.

Friday, December 27, 2019

National Association Cracking Down on Pocket Listings

There's only been a few times where I've 'double-ended' a listing of mine. Meaning I've represented the Seller & the Buyer. I prefer not to do it. I have when the Sellers ask for it for a few different reasons.

With that said, there are quite a few Realtors that do like to represent both sides in a transaction. Some would say both of the clients are getting a great agent. Some would say they like the control. Some would say they like the money. All are very valid. Generally though, when representing both Seller & Buyer, the listing agent is giving a discount to the Seller.

At any rate, there are also many groups that release their upcoming, or pocket, listing information to their peers. Meaning that those members hear about those listings first, before all the other agents in our MLS and the general public get wind of a new home for sale.

National Association of Realtors has seen this as a problem and as of May 2020 will be pushing hard to enforce the rules on release of listings within 1 day of any type of marketing to anyone. No more of the 'coming soon', well, without the required documents. Zillow is going to be watched like a hawk! If a sign goes up in a yard, the agent better have the exclusion from MLS form completed......if it's not going in the MLS within 24 hours.



Why does it matter? Because, everyone deserves a chance at a home. Every buyer should be able to make an offer on a home that could be the right one for them. AND, because every Seller will likely make more money on their sale if more buyers can view it. Period.

Some times a Seller says, if I can make $XYZ & not have people traipsing through my home, I'll take it. Keep it off market, sell it via your network group, I'm okay with that. I just hope that the Realtors taking those listings are having a serious discussion, with stats, explaining to their client(s) why putting their home in the MLS is so important.

Questions about Real Estate? ~ Lauren@KeepYourWitz.com ~ (661) 313-5470

Friday, December 20, 2019

Sometimes It's About Keeping A Bathroom Clean!

Yup, Real Estate has many facets all right! I read a Houzz article about the best way to remodel a bathroom with how to keep it clean in mind when doing so.


I gotta tell you, they had great ideas. Very focused on not creating any mold in a bathroom. So important, we see all too much of that in baths. And, tiling the entire wall vs. painting to help avoid those...even if the dang fan is on the entire time your children are showering those super long showers......water/steam streaks you get on the painted walls.

Interesting enough to me to share was their suggestion about floating vanities...AND, toilets, so it's easier to clean the entire floor of the bathroom. Heck, I think of it as more cleaning to do. But, we would avoid that yucky grout look around the base of the toilets I see now & again if it was floating.

What cha think? 


I actually really liked this shower/bath set up.


A little too industrial for me, but I bet any maintenance peeps that have to clean here like the 'swabbing of the deck' this way much better than around sinks/toilets/vanities!


I know, no floating toilet in this pic....I just dug the floating sink! 

At any rate, if you're staying put in your home and thinking about remodeling your bathroom, definitely read the entire article from Houzz above, it's got other great suggestions too!

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Holiday Lights Abound in Santa Clarita!

I know, I always blog about something Real Estate related! 
BUT, this is home related so here ya go!

Holiday lights in Santa Clarita have always been pretty spectacular! We live across the street from one of the most popular ones. Which can be a total bummer due to trash left behind from people that park on our street and walk across a busy street to get to the prettiness of Wakefield Winter Wonderland! We scrooge-like grumble about it, but it is a beautiful site to behold....and, it's only once a year. The below picture is our home in the day time, meh. At night, it's super pretty though,
 & people love our HUGE Grinch Sleigh inflatable on the front lawn!


Thanks to the City of Santa Clarita for gathering all kinds of info on where to go to see the most spectacular (aka, BUSIEST) light shows in our sweet little valley, click on the link here: 2019 Holiday Lights in Santa Clarita  Be Sure To Scroll Down their page so you don't miss a thing! 

Maybe you'd like to take advantage of the Holiday Light Tour via the Wood Trolley or maybe one of those little Dail-A-Ride buses....so someone else can watch for little ones crossing big streets.....check out the information here on that: Trolley & Dial-A-Ride Holiday Light Tours!

AND, if you're looking for a compilation of Holiday events in our town, 
check out this site: Santa Clarita Holiday Celebrations

So, there ya go! Why go crazy looking everywhere for anything holiday related in SCV?


I went a few moments of crazy for ya!
Happiest of Holidays to you & yours!

Friday, December 13, 2019

Gift Giving At The Holidays!

Most of my pals know I've been working my tush off this week, on top of my Real Estate clients of course, to help with a local non-profit organization.

I'm a bit....well, honestly....exhausted! LOLOL But, onward & forward as they say! And, it's a seriously worthy cause that is definitely near & dear to my very own heart.

Gift giving comes in all kinds of different ways. In actual gifts, in money, in kindness too. 

Quite honestly, I haven't had the pleasure of achieving this one...but, yes, gifts can be houses as well! Keep reading to see my thoughts on this though!


The closest I have ever been was for a Seller. The buyers soon-to-be-ex-husband was buying his soon-to-be-ex-wife a house in Toluca Lake. Yep, I thought it was weird too, but that's what the deal was. All was going smoothly, all buyers contingencies were removed. Shortly before closing the buyers agent called me saying the buyer was cancelling our escrow. I said, "What? Does he know he'll lose his TWENTY-SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLAR deposit?" It may have been 25k-something-or-another, but 27k is what sticks in my head...it was quite some time ago. Needless to say, my Seller definitely kept the deposit and we put it back on the market.

That's the only time I've had any buyer, in over 17 years of selling homes, lose a deposit. And, it wasn't my buyer fortunately!

Back to gift giving of houses. Houses & Homes are a very personal item. It's not like buying a blouse you can return. It's not buying a fishing pole to find out it's not for ocean fishing. Certainly not like buying a box of candy....but, hey, almost anyone will keep a box of candy!

Buying a home, is a very wonderful, & somewhat stressful, experience. I highly recommend that any gifts of a home, not be wrapped up under the tree. Maybe the final closing statement of the home you bought together, but, definitely not the house/condo/townhouse itself. LOL

But oh, how cute would it be, to wrap a toy house in a box under the tree so the gift recipient knows you're ready to take that next leap together? And, definitely put one of my business cards in that box with the toy house.....you'll need that for sure!


Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Your Home Here & What A Difference A Year Makes!

A 365 Day Difference in Home Ownership


A 365 Day Difference in Homeownership | MyKCM


Over the past year, mortgage rates have fallen more than a full percentage point. This is a great driver for homeownership, as today’s low rates provide consumers with some significant benefits. Here’s a look at three of them:
  1. Refinance: If you already own a home, you may want to decide if you’re going to refinance. It’s one way to lock in a lower monthly payment and save substantially over time, but it also means paying upfront closing costs too. You have to answer the question: Should I refinance my home?
  2. Move-up or Downsize: Another option is to consider moving into a new home, putting the equity you’ve likely gained in your current house toward a down payment on a new one that better meets your needs – something that’s truly a perfect fit for your family.
  3. Become a First-Time Homebuyer: There are many financial and non-financial benefits to owning a home, and the most important thing is to first decide when the time is right for you. You have to determine that on your own, but know that now is a great time to buy if you’re considering it. Just take a look at the cost of renting vs. buying

Why 2019 Was a Great Year for Homeownership

Last year at this time, mortgage rates were 4.63% (substantially higher than they are today). If you’re one who waited for a better time to make a move, market conditions have improved significantly. Today’s low mortgage rates combined with increasing wages are making homes much more affordable than they were just one year ago, so it’s a great time to get more for your money and consider a new home.
The chart below shows how much you would save based on today’s rates, compared to what you would have paid if you purchased a house exactly one year ago, depending on how much you finance.A 365 Day Difference in Homeownership | MyKCM

Bottom Line

If you’ve been waiting since last year to make your move into home-ownership, or to find a house that better meets your needs, today’s low mortgage rates may be just what you need to get the process going. Let’s get together to discuss how you can benefit from the current rates and see "Your Home Here"!

Email me for more info @ Lauren@KeepYourWitz.com!
Call/Text me for more info @ (661) 313-5470!



Friday, December 6, 2019

Ready For A Larger Home? I'm Ready to Help!

Is A Bigger House Within Your Budget?

Is A Bigger House Within Your Budget? | MyKCM

At this time of year, many families come together to celebrate the season. It’s also the time when many realize their homes are just not quite big enough to host all of their guests and loved ones. Are you one of those homeowners dreaming for a larger space to call home?

You may have enough equity in your current home to move up.

According to the Q3 2019 U.S. Home Equity & Underwater Report by ATTOM Data Solutions,
“14.4 million residential properties in the United States were considered equity rich, meaning that the combined estimated amount of loans secured by those properties was 50 percent or less of their estimated market value.”
This means that one in four of the 54 million mortgaged homes in the U.S. have at least 50% equity. If these homeowners decide to sell, they can use their equity to put toward the purchase of a new home. Maybe you’ll be one of them.
NAR recently released their 2019 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers showing that,
“This year, home sellers cited that they sold their homes for a median of $60,000 more than they purchased it, up from $55,500 the year prior. This accounted for a 31 percent price gain, up from 29 percent the year before.”
Here’s the equity gain breakdown based on the number of years these sellers lived in their homesIs A Bigger House Within Your Budget? | MyKCM

Bottom Line

If you’re one of the many homeowners with big dreams of owning a larger home, let’s get together. Working with a trusted advisor to find out how much equity you have is a great first step in putting your move-up plan in motion.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Really? Yup, Really! National Roof Over Your Head Day!

It’s ‘National Roof Over Your Head’ Day!

It’s ‘National Roof Over Your Head’ Day! | MyKCM

Did you know that each year in the United States, we celebrate “National Roof Over Your Head Day” on December 3rd?
As noted on the National Calendar, it was “created as a day to be thankful for what you have, starting with the roof over your head. There are many things that we have that we take for granted and do not stop to appreciate how fortunate we are for having them.”
From bungalows to cottages, and farmhouses to treehouses, today we show our appreciation and gratitude for the places we call home. Owning the roof that shelters us is something many renters still aspire to, knowing there are so many financial and non-financial benefits to homeownership.
According to the 2019 State of the Nation’s Housing from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University,
“Cost-burdened renters now outnumber cost-burdened homeowners by more than 3.0 million. In addition, renters make up 10.8 million of the 18.2 million severely burdened households that pay more than half their incomes for housing.”
Homeownership drives many benefits, including providing families with a place to feel secure. It also helps promote confidence that they are investing proactively in themselves and their communities. That is why there are 77.7 million owner-occupied housing units in the United States.
Many, however, fear it is too expensive to own a home. In reality, however, it’s actually more expensive to rent. Here’s the breakdown as a percentage of income necessary for both – affording median rent and owning a home:It’s ‘National Roof Over Your Head’ Day! | MyKCM

Bottom Line

Today we pause to appreciate the places we call home, and all of the other reasons we have to be truly thankful. For those who don’t own yet and would like to, it’s a wonderful time to start identifying the steps to take toward homeownership. Let’s connect today to begin creating your plan.