Thursday, April 14, 2011

BENEFITS ON BOTH SIDES FOR SHORT SALES IN ORANGE COUNTY REAL ESTATE!

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BENEFITS ON BOTH SIDES FOR SHORT SALES IN ORANGE COUNTY REAL ESTATE! 

There are new rules regarding short sales meant to improve the experience for both sellers and buyers, but the legalities and legwork can overwhelm even the most savvy.  Of course, that's where the real estate agent shines, handling the paperwork and the phone calls, leaving you to focus on your move.

Keep in mind that if you're expecting to buy a home on short sale, you can get a great deal, but don't expect miracles from a bank that has agreed to accept a price lower than what the sellers owe on their mortgage.  These short sales often generate multiple offers, and if a home has been approved to sell for $200,000, don't expect to waltz in and offer $125,000.

The real advantage of a short sale deal is that the home will likely be in much better physical condition than its foreclosure counterpart.  Often, a foreclosed home will have been abandoned for months, and perhaps trashed before being vacated.  A short sale property in better condition is in and of itself a benefit with real value that offsets any lower price you could offer on a foreclosure.

And for sellers, a short sale preserves your dignity, reduces some of the stress, and won't damage your credit history as much as a foreclosure.  Whether selling or buying, consult an agent for the best results.

Ask about our programs:

 Low as 10% down! Owner will pre-pay your mortgae insurance! Save at least $100 per month!

Down payment assistance available up to $12,510 or 3% of loan amount in the form of a grant, does not have to be repaid.

 Larry Weichman is President and Broker of Costa Mesa-based real estate powerhouse Weichman Realtors,"the most trusted name in Costa Mesa Real Estate". Larry and his highly-trained team of professionals have proudly served Costa Mesa since 1976. For questions about an upcoming sale or purchase, call him directly at 714-241-4532 or email your questions to Larry@TeamWeichman.com. Be sure to visit Larry Weichman in Costa Mesa CA for the latest news and information on the Costa Mesa real estate market.  Lic #00573423 

Weichman Realtors 

      

(714) 241-4532

1525 Mesa Verde Drive East

Costa Mesa, CA   92626-5221

Posted via email from Larry Weichman's Blog (714) 241-4532

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

March Home Sales Report For Orange County California Real Estate and A Income Tax Update!

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March Home Sales Report For Orange County California Real Estate and A Income Tax Update!

 

March Sales

  

According to the MLS there were a total of 2312 Close Sales in the month of March. That is up from the February total of 1696, but down from the March 2010 total of closed sales of 2845. Remember that these are the closed sales reported in the MLS and may not include all home sales.

  

Of the closed sales in March 2011 24.4% were Short Sales and 19.6% were REO sales. In February, 29.5% of the closed sales were Short Sales and 20% were REOs. In March of 2010, 23% of the closed sales were Short Sales and 12.65% were REOs.

  

Current Inventory

 

The current inventory of active listings in Orange County is almost 11,000. Of those, a bit more than 29% are Short Sales and only 6% REOs.

 

Pending Sales

 

Of the pending sales in the MLS for Orange County, which includes listings reported as pending or taking backup offers, 55% are Short Sales and 10.5% are REOs. Compare the percentage of Short Sales pending versus the percentage of Short Sales closed. Is that difference because only half of Short Sales close, or because they just take so darned long to close? Probably both.

 

Income Taxes Not Due Until April 18th

 

Due to a legal holiday in the District of Columbia, Emancipation Day, on Friday, April 15th, the deadline to file Federal Income taxes is delayed until Monday April 18th. Apparently, if there is a legal holiday in DC, the Federal Government is required by law to treat it as if it were a Federal holiday.

 

California has conformed to the Federal deadline, meaning California tax returns are also due by the 18th instead of the 15th this year.

 

Ask about our programs:

 

Low as 10% down! Owner will pre-pay your mortgae insurance! Save at least $100 per month!

Down payment assistance available up to $12,510 or 3% of loan amount in the form of a grant, does not have to be repaid.

 Larry Weichman is President and Broker of Costa Mesa-based real estate powerhouse Weichman Realtors,"the most trusted name in Costa Mesa Real Estate". Larry and his highly-trained team of professionals have proudly served Costa Mesa since 1976. For questions about an upcoming sale or purchase, call him directly at 714-241-4532 or email your questions to Larry@TeamWeichman.com. Be sure to visit Larry Weichman in Costa Mesa CA for the latest news and information on the Costa Mesa real estate market.  Lic #00573423 

Weichman Realtors 

      

(714) 241-4532

1525 Mesa Verde Drive East

Costa Mesa, CA   92626-5221

 
 

Posted via email from Larry Weichman's Blog (714) 241-4532

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Weichman Realtors To Paint Local Home In Costa Mesa California

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Weichman Realtors To Paint Local Home In Costa Mesa California

Each year a group of agents from Weichman Realtors give back to the community they sell homes in.  This year marks the 5th year that agents will paint a home.  This year's home is located at 1614 Baker Street in Mesa Verde, stop by sometime today to watch the home transform, work should be completed by noon.  This home is part of the Neighbors for Neighbors program that the city of Costa Mesa puts together.

Ask about our programs:

Low as 10% down! Owner will pre-pay your mortgae insurance! Save at least $100 per month!

Down payment assistance available up to $12,510 or 3% of loan amount in the form of a grant, does not have to be repaid.

 Larry Weichman is President and Broker of Costa Mesa-based real estate powerhouse Weichman Realtors,"the most trusted name in Costa Mesa Real Estate". Larry and his highly-trained team of professionals have proudly served Costa Mesa since 1976. For questions about an upcoming sale or purchase, call him directly at 714-241-4532 or email your questions to Larry@TeamWeichman.com. Be sure to visit Larry Weichman in Costa Mesa CA for the latest news and information on the Costa Mesa real estate market.  Lic #00573423 

Weichman Realtors 

      

(714) 241-4532

1525 Mesa Verde Drive East

Costa Mesa, CA   92626-5221

Posted via email from Larry Weichman's Blog (714) 241-4532

Friday, April 8, 2011

TeamWeichman.com Open House List for 4/9 and 4/10 in Costa Mesa California

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WTeam Weichman Open House List for 4/9 and 4/10

 Saturday- April 9th, 2011

51 Bamboo, Irvine

1 P.M. – 4 P.M.

955 Junipero, Costa Mesa

1 P.M.- 4 P.M.

1168 Atlanta Way, Costa Mesa

1 P.M. – 4 P.M.

Sunday- April 10th, 2011

955 Junipero, Costa Mesa

1 P.M. – 4 P.M.

3197 College Ave, Costa Mesa

11 A.M.-2 P.M.

We have 3 more homes coming to market in Costa Mesa!

Fixer 4 bedroom in the low $400,000's!

Mesa Verde Estate Sale 2,000 sq.ft. single story for only $575,000! Prime location!

New Listing in College Park- under $500,000

Ask about our programs:

Low as 10% down! Owner will pre-pay your mortgae insurance! Save at least $100 per month!

Down payment assistance available up to $12,510 or 3% of loan amount in the form of a grant, does not have to be repaid.

 Larry Weichman is President and Broker of Costa Mesa-based real estate powerhouse Weichman Realtors,"the most trusted name in Costa Mesa Real Estate". Larry and his highly-trained team of professionals have proudly served Costa Mesa since 1976. For questions about an upcoming sale or purchase, call him directly at 714-241-4532 or email your questions to Larry@TeamWeichman.com. Be sure to visit Larry Weichman in Costa Mesa CA for the latest news and information on the Costa Mesa real estate market.  Lic #00573423 

Weichman Realtors 

      

(714) 241-4532

1525 Mesa Verde Drive East

Costa Mesa, CA   92626-5221

Posted via email from Larry Weichman's Blog (714) 241-4532

Property Taxes Due for Orange County Residents!

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Property Taxes Due for Orange County Residents

 

2nd Half Property Taxes are generally due by April 10th. However, because the tenth is on Sunday this year, taxes must be paid by Monday, April 11th to avoid delinquency charges and penalties. The payment must be postmarked by the 11th; or if paid by some other method, must be received by the Tax Collector by the close of business on the 11th.

  

If You Have a Property in EscrowCoordinate with your escrow officer for the payment of taxes. If the seller sends a check to the county, it may take several weeks before the taxes show as paid. Also, because of the danger of stopped payment or returned checks, the title company may require proof of payment in the form of a cancelled check. Without that proof of payment, the title company may choose to withhold funds until payments can be verified or to pay the taxes again. In the later case, it may take several months for the seller to get a refund on the double-paid taxes. 

 

Income Tax Deadline

 

As if property taxes weren't enough, remember that Federal and State Income Taxes are due on April 15th - that's next Friday. Don't you just love this time of year.

 

 

Ask about our programs:

Low as 10% down! Owner will pre-pay your mortgae insurance! Save at least $100 per month!

Down payment assistance available up to $12,510 or 3% of loan amount in the form of a grant, does not have to be repaid.

 Larry Weichman is President and Broker of Costa Mesa-based real estate powerhouse Weichman Realtors,"the most trusted name in Costa Mesa Real Estate". Larry and his highly-trained team of professionals have proudly served Costa Mesa since 1976. For questions about an upcoming sale or purchase, call him directly at 714-241-4532 or email your questions to Larry@TeamWeichman.com. Be sure to visit Larry Weichman in Costa Mesa CA for the latest news and information on the Costa Mesa real estate market.  Lic #00573423 

Weichman Realtors 

      

(714) 241-4532

1525 Mesa Verde Drive East

Costa Mesa, CA   92626-5221

Posted via email from Larry Weichman's Blog (714) 241-4532

Thursday, April 7, 2011

R.O.I.: RETURN ON IMPROVEMENT IN COSTA MESA CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE

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R.O.I.: RETURN ON IMPROVEMENT IN COSTA MESA CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE

If you plan to remodel or update before selling your home, you have to find the balance between what's appropriate and what qualifies as over-improvement.  If you're in a mid-range neighborhood and install granite countertops, you're unlikely to recoup your costs.  But if you're in a higher-end community, laminate may be too little, too late, resulting in a lower sales price.

So what will always work?  Painting, inside or out, is one of the most affordable ways to increase your resale value.  If you've got wood floors underneath carpeting, show them off.  Old light fixtures in the kitchen, bath and hallways should be updated to popular styles with stainless steel or brushed nickel finishes.  And be sure to make a good first impression outdoors with a maintained yard and perhaps a new mailbox, doorknobs and house numbers.

Before you plan your updates, visit some open houses or new home communities where you can see the latest styles, and update your home's features accordingly.  Just remember to keep your improvements clean, neutral and timeless.

Try not to be the last one on your block to remodel or update, because buyers will pass your listing over for one up the road that's already been updated.  Improve your chances for a quicker sale at a higher price by discussing with your agent which improvements provide the greatest return.

Ask about our programs:

Low as 10% down! Owner will pre-pay your mortgae insurance! Save at least $100 per month!

Down payment assistance available up to $12,510 or 3% of loan amount in the form of a grant, does not have to be repaid.

 Larry Weichman is President and Broker of Costa Mesa-based real estate powerhouse Weichman Realtors,"the most trusted name in Costa Mesa Real Estate". Larry and his highly-trained team of professionals have proudly served Costa Mesa since 1976. For questions about an upcoming sale or purchase, call him directly at 714-241-4532 or email your questions to Larry@TeamWeichman.com. Be sure to visit Larry Weichman in Costa Mesa CA for the latest news and information on the Costa Mesa real estate market.  Lic #00573423 

Weichman Realtors 

      

(714) 241-4532

1525 Mesa Verde Drive East

Costa Mesa, CA   92626-5221

Posted via email from Larry Weichman's Blog (714) 241-4532

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Homeownership has many advantages in Orange County California!

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Homeownership has many advantages - both financial and personal. But buying a home is an important decision. Look at the benefits and the differences between homeownership and renting to better understand if owning a home is right for you. Some of the benefits:

  • Tax savings - You may earn significant tax savings because you can deduct mortgage interest and property taxes from your federal income tax and many states' income tax if you itemize your deductions.
  • A stable monthly housing expense - Your monthly housing loan or mortgage expense can remain the same for the life of your mortgage, depending on the type of loan you choose.
  • Equity - You may build equity in your home over the life of your loan, which allows you to plan for future goals like your child's education or your retirement.
  • Personal Satisfaction - Your home can be a great source of pride and satisfaction, knowing that you have a solid foundation on which to build your future.

There are too many advantages to owning your own home to list here, but we hope that these few are helpful. Thanks again for your interest. Please feel free to contact us anytime. 

 

 Ask about our programs:

Low as 10% down! Owner will pre-pay your mortgae insurance! Save at least $100 per month!

Down payment assistance available up to $12,510 or 3% of loan amount in the form of a grant, does not have to be repaid.

 

Larry Weichman is President and Broker of Costa Mesa-based real estate powerhouse Weichman Realtors,"the most trusted name in Costa Mesa Real Estate". Larry and his highly-trained team of professionals have proudly served Costa Mesa since 1976. For questions about an upcoming sale or purchase, call him directly at 714-241-4532 or email your questions to Larry@TeamWeichman.com. Be sure to visit Larry Weichman in Costa Mesa CA for the latest news and information on the Costa Mesa real estate market.  Lic #00573423 

Weichman Realtors 

      

(714) 241-4532

1525 Mesa Verde Drive East

Costa Mesa, CA   92626-5221

Posted via email from Larry Weichman's Blog (714) 241-4532