DEVILS IN THE DETAILS! When it comes to Real Estate Offers!

When you receive an Offer To Purchase, you are likely to focus on the price.  You might be ecstatic over a full price offer, but you should be aware how "contingencies" could affect the likelihood of success.

Almost every offer has a mortgage contingency, stating that the buyer will secure financing at a certain rate and for a certain term.  Make sure these factors are realistic.  A buyer seeking a 30-year loan at 4% with no points may be hedging their bets if your agent advises that these loans are typically written at 7% with 1.5 points.  Unrealistic terms can allow the buyer to back out if they get cold feet or find another property they prefer.

Another sticky contingency more common these days is when a buyer states that they must sell their home before they can finalize the purchase of yours.  There has to be a realistic time limit, so the buyer doesn't tie up your listing.

It's wise to respond with a "kick-out" clause that allows you to keep your home on the market while the buyers promote theirs, offering them a 72-hour period to fulfill the contract if you should receive another offer in the interim.

These two examples are just the tip of the iceberg, so sit and discuss each line of the offer with your agent before making your decision.

Larry Weichman is President/ Broker for Costa Mesa based Weichman Realtors. His company has served Costa Mesa since 1976.  Larry has over 15 years of experience in Bank Repos and Short Sales and non foreclosed real estate, his clients include General Electric Mortgage, Home Savings, Associates Finance, Transamerica. Current clients include Bank of America, Ocwen Financial Corporation, Countrywide and Keystone Asset Management to name a few. He has sold real estate since 1976 and is a 3rd generation Real Estate Broker. Larry has closed escrow on over 1,100 properties; from townhomes to commercial buildings. Please be sure to visit us on the Internet at www.TeamWeichman.com, www.OCHomeTracker.com or www.OCRepoBroker.com or you can call him at 714-241

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Entry-level housing affordability reached 64 percent in the third quarter of 2009!

Here is some more positive news that was put out about a week and half ago!

Quick Facts:
· C.A.R. First-time Buyer Housing Affordability Index stood at 64 percent in the third quarter of 2009 compared with 55 percent (revised) in the third quarter of 2008
· The median price of an entry-level home in California was $247,150 in the third quarter of 2009
· The estimated monthly payment including taxes and insurance was $1,450 in the third quarter of 2009
· The minimum household income needed to purchase an entry-level home in California in the third quarter of 2009 was $43,500

C.A.R. reports entry-level housing affordability reached 64 percent in the third quarter of 2009

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 12) The percentage of households that could afford to buy an entry-level home in California stood at 64 percent in the third quarter of 2009, compared with 55 percent (revised) for the same period a year ago, according to a report released today by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.).

C.A.R.’s First-time Buyer Housing Affordability Index (FTB-HAI) measures the percentage of households that can afford to purchase an entry-level home in California. C.A.R. also reports first-time buyer indexes for regions and select counties within the state. The Index is the most fundamental measure of housing well-being for first-time buyers in the state.

The minimum household income needed to purchase an entry-level home at $247,150 in California in the third quarter of 2009 was $43,500, based on an adjustable interest rate of 4.79 percent and assuming a 10 percent down payment. First-time buyers typically purchase a home equal to 85 percent of the prevailing median price. The monthly payment including taxes and insurance was $1,450 for the third quarter of 2009.

At $43,500, the minimum qualifying income was 19 percent lower than a year earlier when households needed $53,700 to qualify for a loan on an entry-level home. Recent decreases in home prices and mortgage rates have brought affordability into better alignment with income levels of the typical California households, where the median household income is $61,030.

The First-time Buyer Housing Affordability Index declined 3 percentage points in the third quarter of this year compared with the second quarter of 2009, due to a 10.2 percent increase in the price of an entry-level home.

At 85 percent, the High Desert region was the most affordable area in the state. The San Luis Obispo County region was the least affordable in the state at 47 percent, followed by the San Francisco Bay region at 49 percent.

Source:  CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® 

 

 

Larry Weichman is President/ Broker for Costa Mesa based Weichman Realtors. His company has served Costa Mesa since 1976.  Larry has over 15 years of experience in Bank Repos and Short Sales and non foreclosed real estate, his clients include General Electric Mortgage, Home Savings, Associates Finance, Transamerica. Current clients include Bank of America, Ocwen Financial Corporation, Countrywide and Keystone Asset Management to name a few. He has sold real estate since 1976 and is a 3rd generation Real Estate Broker. Larry has closed escrow on over 1,100 properties; from townhomes to commercial buildings. Please be sure to visit us on the Internet at www.TeamWeichman.com  or www.OCRepoBroker.com he can be reached at 714-241-4532.

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When are things going to return to normal in real estate?

 

The question on everyone’s lips is, “When are things going to return to normal in real estate?”  Well, if the “normal” being referred to is the conditions and shady financial dealings that created the artificially inflated markets of five years ago, then we need to be thinking about redefining “normal.”

The bad lending practices of the past are indeed making it more difficult now to secure financing, but try to understand that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  Those days of lower standards and easy money led us into this predicament in the first place.  It’s good for housing and for the economy when banks become interested in whether loans will be repaid.

In the “new” normal, home prices will stabilize, the number of sales will start gaining, and more people will again realize the benefits that homeownership offers, for both personal and financial security.  With historically low interest rates, affordable prices, government incentives, and motivated sellers, the housing market is already experiencing the initial signs of recovery.

All of these factors combine to get first-time buyers excited about a purchase.  As these consumers enter the market, they will trigger other purchases, and the chain of transactions grows.  Expect your real estate representative to reveal a wide range of affordable choices and guide you toward securing the financing you need to make your dream come true.

Larry Weichman is President/ Broker for Costa Mesa based Weichman Realtors. His company has served Costa Mesa since 1976.  Larry has over 15 years of experience in Bank Repos and Short Sales and non foreclosed real estate, his clients include General Electric Mortgage, Home Savings, Associates Finance, Transamerica. Current clients include Bank of America, Ocwen Financial Corporation, Countrywide and Keystone Asset Management to name a few. He has sold real estate since 1976 and is a 3rd generation Real Estate Broker. Larry has closed escrow on over 1,100 properties; from townhomes to commercial buildings. Please be sure to visit us on the Internet at www.TeamWeichman.com  or www.OCRepoBroker.com he can be reached at 714-241-4532.

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Annual Lighting Ceremony of the Live 90-foot Christmas Tree in Town Center Park

Annual Lighting Ceremony of the Live 90-foot Christmas Tree in Town Center Park next to the Westin South Coast Plaza at 6 p.m. This has become one of Orange County's best-loved holiday traditions: Santa's arrival, the lighting of the tree and students from Orange County High School of the Arts will perform. Santa's helpers will give attendees a special gift, and after some needed sleep, Santa will be ready for family photos at South Coast Plaza the following day. Free to the public! Join with Weichman Realtors as we bring in the Holiday Season! Hope to see you at the event!

Larry Weichman is President/ Broker for Costa Mesa based Weichman Realtors. His company has served Costa Mesa since 1976.  Larry has over 15 years of experience in Bank Repos and Short Sales and non foreclosed real estate, his clients include General Electric Mortgage, Home Savings, Associates Finance, Transamerica. Current clients include Bank of America, Ocwen Financial Corporation, Countrywide and Keystone Asset Management to name a few. He has sold real estate since 1976 and is a 3rd generation Real Estate Broker. Larry has closed escrow on over 1,100 properties; from townhomes to commercial buildings. Please be sure to visit us on the Internet at www.TeamWeichman.com, www.OCHomeTracker.com or www.OCRepoBroker.com or you can call him at 714-241-4532

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Just Placed Into Escrow in Mesa Verde! 6 Days on the market!

Our Marketing and advertising has paid off for another homeowner!  Check out just one of the many web sites we used to sell this home!

http://teamweichman.com/Listings/27sand.htm

Larry Weichman is President/ Broker for Costa Mesa based Weichman Realtors. His company has served Costa Mesa since 1976.  Larry has over 15 years of experience in Bank Repos and Short Sales and non foreclosed real estate, his clients include General Electric Mortgage, Home Savings, Associates Finance, Transamerica. Current clients include Bank of America, Ocwen Financial Corporation, Countrywide and Keystone Asset Management to name a few. He has sold real estate since 1976 and is a 3rd generation Real Estate Broker. Larry has closed escrow on over 1,100 properties; from townhomes to commercial buildings. Please be sure to visit us on the Internet at www.TeamWeichman.com, www.OCHomeTracker.com or www.OCRepoBroker.com or you can call him at 714-241-4532

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PROTECT YOUR HOME AND YOUR WALLET

 

If you own or plan to purchase a home, then you know that insurance is not just a luxury, it’s a requirement.  While you should not skimp on certain coverage items, there are some steps you can take to reduce your overall premium.

 

If you have a security system installed (and operating!), you might lower your premium by 5% or more.  You'll just need to provide your insurer with a copy of your contract or latest statement.  Also, while newer homes have smoke alarms already installed, hooking them up in an older home might also reduce your premium by as much as 10%.

 

Just like health or auto insurance, if you increase your deductible on homeowners insurance, you'll reduce your premium.  Just be sure you're prepared to pocket smaller repairs like broken windows or damages from leaks.

 

If your policy is held by a company that also offers auto or health insurance, look into discounts for multiple policies.  You could save a percentage on both your homeowners and auto policies, for example.

 

Another money (and time and stress) saver is to document everything in your home with a photographic inventory.  Store photos, cds or videos in a fireproof box or, preferably, a safe deposit box off site.  This will reduce the time and effort required to complete a claim, and guarantee an accurate replacement payment.

 

Larry Weichman is President/ Broker for Costa Mesa based Weichman Realtors. His company has served Costa Mesa since 1976.  Please direct your questions to Larry@TeamWeichman.com or call 714-241-4532. You may also visit www.TeamWeichman.com.

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