Blog

13 Ways to Reduce Household Expenses

Posted by Admin on Apr 17, 2012 in Blog, Homeowners | 0 comments

Pros of living in a temperate climate: lower gas and electric bills. Con of living in an arid region: high water bills. So even though there are pros and cons when it comes to cost of living in a place like San Diego, there are certainly ways to increase your knowledge of how to save some Green, AND BE green. Yahoo Finance and Imagine San Diego tell you how: • Fluorescent lightbulbs • Wash ALL laundry on COLD setting • Buy ONLY energy star appliances (which may also be a tax deduction) • Remove grass, and add drought resistant plants • Check to make sure there are no leaks in pipes • Get low flow toilets and shower heads • Check water pressure, and lower if...

Homeowners: What NOT to Redmodel

Posted by Admin on Apr 17, 2012 in Blog, Homeowners, Sellers | 0 comments

You love your home and you want it look even better. You also don’t plan on staying forever. So, what should you DO to continue enjoying your space, without breaking the bank? Yahoo Finance, via Bankrate.com, gives some handy tips for eager homeowners on how to make sure you don’t LOSE money when you decide to sell your personalized home. Here are 6 things NOT to do to get the best return on your investment: 1) Home office. While creating a functional, multi-purpose room can be highly desirable to prospective buyers, a overly personalized office space with too many built-ins and no room for guests can be a big downfall. With portable technology like laptops,...

Banks Looking Towards Mortgage Rebound

Posted by Admin on Apr 15, 2012 in Blog | 0 comments

Yesterday’s Housing Wire is echoing what the rest of the housing industry is: things are looking up. The nation’s two largest lenders, Chase and Wells Fargo, are reporting better than expected earnings during the first quarter, including an increase in mortgages. Along with the good news about mortgages, both banks are increasing their cash reserves, seeing lower foreclosure rates and lowering their repurchase losses. Wells Fargo CEO, John Stumpf put it clearly: “When you have the dynamics of higher rental rates and lower home values at great financing rates there’s a point in time where the market will start to clear…We’re getting...

Home Prices Set to Rise in 2013

Posted by Admin on Apr 12, 2012 in Blog | 0 comments

According to MSNBC, via a Reuters poll for S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index, economists are predicting a come back for housing, including increased home prices. Economists continue to be cautious in predicting the direction the housing market will take since the steep downturn (32% drop in prices since 2005 peak), but most indicators, including job growth, positive numbers for construction and growing consumer confidence, point towards recovery, albeit slow. It’s predicted that nearly 1.5 million foreclosures will enter the housing market this year, but economists also feel that the flood of foreclosures has either peaked, or is at it’s peak....

Lending Advice: How to Get the Best Mortgage Rate

Posted by Admin on Apr 11, 2012 in Blog, Lending | 0 comments

This past week, Reuters offered some timely advice for those looking to get the best mortgage rate; and who wouldn’t want it? Rates are still lingering near historic lows and for those who qualify, getting a low rate can save thousands and thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as walking into your local bank and getting a 3.85% interest rate on your 30 year fixed loan. To get the best rate, there a few key points to consider first: • Check your credit score. This is a no brainer, but it’s not just about learning your credit score the day you apply for a loan. To get the best mortgage rate, lenders will be looking for a score of 760...

San Diego Homebuyer Advice: What You SHOULD NOT Say to a Realtor

Posted by Admin on Apr 10, 2012 in Blog, Buyers | 0 comments

If you are buying a home, or even thinking about buying a home, chances are that you’re working with a realtor. It’s a good thing to find a knowledgable realtor who can guide you through the process of purchasing a home from helping you get the right loan, to handing over the keys. But it’s not just the realtors that need to please you. Buyers beware: you need to respect your realtor, too. Fox Business (via HSH.com) suggests being careful in the way you work with your agent(s) or run the risk of being dropped by he or she, or lose out on a great buy. Here’s a few simple tips to consider when looking for a real estate agent and a home: 1) Commit...