Jun 2013 Statistics for North County San Diego County Homes

• The median price for all North County home sales - attached and  detached - increased to $495,000 in June 2013 compared to $485,000 in May 2013.

• Detached homes in North County rose 1.71 percent in June 2013 to $565,000 compared to $555,500 in May 2013.  June 2013 was the highest reported SFD median prices in North County since January 2008.

• Year-over median SFD price in North San Diego County jumped 20.21 percent, compared to $470,000 reported in June 2012.                

• The countywide median SFD price increased 2.32 percent to $429,750 in June 2013 compared to $420,000 in May 2013.

• Year-over non-North County median price jumped 23.49 percent compared to $348,000 in June 2012, a 15-month trend of year-over median price increases.

• The number of North San Diego SFD listings (active and contingent) rose 5.97 percent in June 2013 compared to May 2013.

• The number of sold North San Diego County SFD units decreased 5.76 percent in June 2013 compared to May 2013. Year-over sold SFD units decreased 0.88 percent compared to June 2012.

• Median days-on-market for single-family detached homes sold in North County increased to 19 days in June 2013 compared to 18 days in May 2013.

The HomeDex affordability percentage for all homes in North San Diego County remained at 34 percent in June 2013

Barbara Whisenant DRE# 01357594
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May Real Estate Market information

California’s median home price up 21 percent in April from a year ago
California’s median home price—the point at which half of homes sold for more and half for less—rose 21 percent in April compared with a year earlier, but sales of existing, single-family homes declined 8.1 percent, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ (C.A.R.) April sales and price report

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

• The median price of an existing, single-family detached home in California during April 2010 was $306,230, a 21 percent increase from the revised $253,110 median for April 2009, C.A.R. reported. The April 2010 median price increased 1.5 percent compared with March’s $301,790 median price.

• Annualized home sales dipped below the 500,000-unit level for the first time in 19 months, which C.A.R. President Steve Goddard partially attributes to home buyers delaying the close of escrow to take advantage of both the federal and state home buyer tax credits.  “We should see the pace of closed sales edge up in May and June as these tax-incentivized transactions close,” he said.

• The number of homes available for sale also impacted total sales in April.  “The demand for attractive foreclosed properties well exceeds the number of properties on the market,” Goddard said.  “At the same time, mortgage interest rates continue to hover near their historic lows, and many buyers are out in force to take advantage of the combination of low interest rates and affordably priced homes. It’s an ideal time for many families to purchase their first home even though they may face stiff competition.”

To read the full story, please click here.

  CNN Money

Foreclosures plateau—finally.  Repossessions soar.
The foreclosure plague may have finally reached its peak in April 2010—but don’t expect delinquency statistics to plummet anytime soon.

To read the full story, please click here.

  CNN Money

Consumer confidence on the rise
A key measure of consumer confidence climbed for a third straight month in May, a research group said Tuesday, with the outlook for the next few months spiking to pre-recession levels.

To read the full story, please click here.

  The New York Times

For mortgage shoppers, less can be more
The Internet can help simplify many financial transactions, though not always when it comes to home mortgages.  Those who sign up for information at mortgage Web sites have found themselves receiving a flood of calls and e-mail messages from brokers and lenders soliciting business.

To read the full story, please click here.

  CNN Money

Nearly 75 percent of homes are affordable
It’s prime time for house hunters. Nearly anyone with a decent job and a good credit score can afford to buy in their home towns.

To read the full story, please click here.

  Los Angeles Times

What kind of homeowners choose to default?
People who walk away from their mortgages are not as calculating as you’d think, according to a University of Arizona law professor whose academic paper on strategic default last year drew sharp criticism from lenders and Wall Street.

To read the full story, please click here.

  CNN Money

Freddie and Fannie won’t pay down your mortgage
Pressure is mounting on loan servicers and investors to reduce troubled homeowners’ loan balances ? but the two largest owners of mortgages aren’t getting the message.

To read the full story, please click here.

Talking Points

• When purchasing a home, buyers are strongly advised to request a home inspection prior to closing.  However, consumers should note that the primary job of a home inspector is to conduct a visual examination of the physical condition of the house and certain systems within it.  Since the examination is visual, home inspectors are not required to remove carpets to ensure the floors aren’t warped, for example, and may not walk on the roof to check for defects.  Home buyers should interview home inspectors ahead of time to find out what they will and will not cover as part of the inspection.

• While a new home may seem to be free of any defects, many real estate professionals still advise home buyers to hire a home inspector.  According to one home inspector, nearly 15 percent of new homes have serious structural problems.  Additionally, newly constructed homes can be more difficult to inspect than existing homes.  A new home doesn’t have any history.  For example, because the plumbing has not consistently been used in a new home, small drip leaks may not be easily detectable.  A home inspection can alert buyers to defects, if any are present.

Source: SmartMoney Magazine
http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/rip-offs/10-things-home-inspectors-wont-tell-you/

 

Contact me for any of your Real Estate needs.

 

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Barbara Whisenant

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P.S. It's my intention to build lifelong relationships one client at a time. If you know of a friend, co-worker or family member who has a real estate need, please contact me. Your personal referrals are the greatest compliment I can receive!

A Division of Richard Realty Groups, Inc 5411 Avenida Encinas, Suite 110, Carlsbad, CA. 92008 Cell: (760) 583-2107    eFax: (760) 496-1649   DRE# 01357594

Short Sale is Deceptive.

The term Short Sale is deceptive, because they actually take a really long time. But if you’re willing to be patient and trust the process, we can almost always close the transaction for you.

I’m going to give you a few critical pieces of information in this video to help you avoid pitfalls in the Short Sale process.

I’ll start with a few words of caution to Sellers.

First, not all lenders will accept a short sale, so this may not be an option for you. But I will be happy to speak with your lender to see if this is a possibility for you.

Second, just because you’re upside down does not mean you’ll qualify. You must have a hardship, like loss of job, illness, divorce, death, or job transfer.

Third, I highly recommend that you speak with a lawyer and a CPA before starting this process. Here’s one reason why. When you got your loan, your lender may have filled in misleading information about you that. For instance, if they stated that you were making more money than you were actually making, you could be charged with fraud.

Now, if you can clear all these hurdles, then here’s the good news:   We can usually close the deal for you, and if you have a property under four hundred and fifty thousand dollars in good condition, you will get multiple offers.

The other good news is that if you can complete a short sale, the impact on your credit will be much less than a foreclosure.

For buyers, there are less hurdles to clear. But patience is still the name of the game. If you need to be in a house in 30 days, short sales are not for you. The process of buying a short sale takes six months on average, compared to 30-60 days for a traditional sale. Buyers have submitted up to 10 offers before one is accepted. So buyers have to be flexible and not get your heart set on any one house. Tell yourself that you’ll take the first offer that’s approved by the lender.

Last year one third of all short sales didn’t go through. That’s because this process is unfamiliar to many realtors and they weren’t prepared for the follow-through that’s required on these transactions. I’ve found that my persistent follow through with lenders enables me to close 99% of all my short sale transactions.

So if you have the patience, give me a call, and well get started on your Short Sale today.

Barbara Whisenant

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Visit my Real Estate website: http://www.Homes4SaleSanDiego.com

Visit my Nu-Skin website: http://barbaraw.nsedreams.com

P.S. It's my intention to build lifelong relationships one client at a time. If you know of a friend, co-worker or family member who has a real estate need, please contact me. Your personal referrals are the greatest compliment I can receive!

A Division of Richard Realty Groups, Inc 5411 Avenida Encinas, Suite 110, Carlsbad, CA. 92008 Cell: (760) 583-2107    eFax: (760) 496-1649   DRE# 01357594

12 Reasons to List Your Home For Sale During the Holidays

If you need to sell you home, the holidays could be the best time to sell.

Below are several reasons why the holidays are a great time to list your home.

1. There is Less Competition for Buyers.

2. Winter Prospects are More Serious Buyers.

3. Your Home Looks Better During the Holidays.

4. One of the Highest Percentages of “Listings Sold” to “Listings Taken” Occurs During This Time of Year.

5. You May Receive More Money for Your Home Now—Because You Have Less Competition.

6. Throughout the Holiday Season, You May Restrict Showings During Your Personal Family Events

7. Buyers Have More Time to Look at Homes During Holidays, Especially During Vacations.

8. January is Traditionally the Biggest Transfer Month—and You Must be on the Market to Capture That.

9. By Selling Now, You Can Have a Delayed Closing or Extended Occupancy Until the Beginning of the Following Year if You Want.

10. When You Sell During the Winter, You Have an Opportunity to Buy During the Spring, When Many Homes are on the Market.

11. You May Have Fewer Actual Showings, but More Qualified and Motivated Prospects.

12. Corporate Transferees, Who Need to Buy a Home Now, Can’t Wait Until Spring.

Call me today for more information.

Barbara Whisenant

Your Friend in the Business

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/barbarawhis

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Read my Blog: http://www.barbarawhis.com

Visit my Real Estate website: http://www.Homes4SaleSanDiego.com

Visit my Nu-Skin website: http://barbaraw.nsedreams.com

P.S. It's my intention to build lifelong relationships one client at a time. If you know of a friend, co-worker or family member who has a real estate need, please contact me. Your personal referrals are the greatest compliment I can receive!

A Division of Richard Realty Groups, Inc 5411 Avenida Encinas, Suite 110, Carlsbad, CA. 92008 Cell: (760) 583-2107    eFax: (760) 496-1649   DRE# 01357594

Short Sales – Should Only Be Listed By An Experienced Realtor®

Short Sales – Should Only Be Listed By Experienced Realtor®

1. Find out why most Real Estate agents do not have the skill set or team in place to get a short sale done.
2. In a well negotiated short sale the lender pays for the Realtor fees and the lender may absorb delinquent property taxes.  But, what about HOAs? 
3. If your Real Estate agent does not have someone in their office calling the lenders in a proactive manner your odds of success go down dramatically. Most realtors do not even have their own office. Short Sale negotiations are not for amateurs or part timers.  
4. Without experience negotiating short sales, how is your Realtor going to know when and how to counter an offer from a buyer, so that you are protected from the buyer and the lender?
5. Without experience, how is your Realtor going to know how to stack their short sale package so that it has the best shot at getting through the lenders screens?
6. Countrywide claims they get 100,000 faxes a day, Chase claims they get 1500 new short sale offers a day. Bank of America is getting overwhelmed. If your agent doesn’t  have the experience,  how do you know your offer will not sit on the bottom pile?  All the while the foreclosure countdown is ticking away.
7. We know how to get short sales done.
8. Find out why so many Realtors do not know how to price a short sale listing.
9. In short you need Realtor and an experienced short sale negotiator to make sure you have the proper legal Releases.
10. Does your Realtor have the experience to know when and how to push the lender for better short sale terms?  Did you know that many lenders are asking the sellers to contribute 10% or more of the deficiency to the closing? And some of the lenders releases do not release the seller from liability for the remaining loan balance?
11. Does your Realtor know how to sell homes in a down market?
12. Does your Realtor know what to do when the lender agrees to so a short sale on their terms, not yours?

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Barbara Whisenant

Your Friend in the Business

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/barbarawhis

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Read my Blog: http://www.barbarawhis.com

Visit my Real Estate website: http://www.Homes4SaleSanDiego.com

Visit my Nu-Skin website: http://barbaraw.nsedreams.com

P.S. It's my intention to build lifelong relationships one client at a time. If you know of a friend, co-worker or family member who has a real estate need, please contact me. Your personal referrals are the greatest compliment I can receive!

A Division of Richard Realty Groups, Inc 5411 Avenida Encinas, Suite 110, Carlsbad, CA. 92008 Cell: (760) 583-2107    eFax: (760) 496-1649   DRE# 01357594

Why Can’t a Woman Get Good Customer Service?

I went to buy a new Toyota this week.  What an ordeal…

I have already gone to the credit union and have my loan in place.

I’ve researched the prices, accessories and was ready, willing and able to purchase a vehicle now.

1. Went to dealer ship and walked the entire lot.

2 I opened doors and was sitting in several auto’s.

3. Looked at the Prius and the Camry Hybrid.

4. Waited and waited and waited for someone to come and offer to help me purchase an auto.

5. I finally walked into the showroom. Two guys laid back sitting at the desk shooting the breeze, “Can I help you?”  “Well, yes. I’m here to buy a car.”  “Oh, I’ll find someone to help you.”

6. Told him which one I wanted and the only extra I wanted was the Bluetooth capability.

7. He brings me over the full price invoice for me to sign….. “Woo, we haven’t talked price yet” I said. Shocked, he tells me that with the government rebate Cash for Clunkers, the dealers no longer have to make deals!

8. Well, I’ve researched the price on the internet and I’m willing to pay $24,000.

9. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. (I had already told him, I wasn’t going to play that game.)  We finally came to an agreement and shook hands on it.

10. Gathering all the booklets and keys to give to me. He comes back with, Oh, Barbara, that rebate is for the 2009 not the 2010. Let me see if I have a 2009. 

11.  He had a black one. I don’t want a black car!

12. I left the dealer ship and told him I might be back when they are willing to deal.

Where has customer service gone? I can't believe that a company would let a buyer who was perfectly ready and willing to buy walk out without a contract.

This same kind of thing happens to me when I go alone to electronic, computer, appliance stores & restaurants. When I take a male with me it is always different story. 

I would think that a store that caters to women would  be very welcome and would be a gold mine. I know I’m not alone in my frustration!!

Barbara Whisenant

Your Friend in the Business

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Read my Blog: www.barbarawhis.com

Visit my website: www.Homes4SaleSanDiego.com

P.S. It's my intention to build lifelong relationships one client at a time. If you know of a friend, co-worker or family member who has a real estate need, please contact me. Your personal referrals are the greatest compliment I can receive!

A Division of Richard Realty Groups, Inc 5411 Avenida Encinas, Suite 110, Carlsbad, CA. 92008 Cell: (760) 583-2107    eFax: (760) 496-1649   DRE# 01357594

Seems to be a new wrinkle in the Short Sale market here in San Diego

I'm an agent in the San Diego area. Our market place has become a very hard area to get some transactions done because at a certain sales value there are not very many available homes.  The REO's have kind of dried up and the short sales are getting multiple offers on them.

I've been very successful in getting short sale transactions done during the last 2 years. But, there seems to be a new wrinkle in the market place that I just don't understand.

This new strategy I just don't understand. Maybe you can enlighten me?

Suddenly in the listings we have here in the San Diego area, are seeing listing agents put in the confidential remarks or a link to a website link:

1. Seller will not sign residential purchase agreement until full lender approval. (Okay, I've never been able to submit an offer to the lender without a fully executed contract')
2. Buyer must contact (their lender) and submit the full lender approval with the offer. (What, my buyer needs to send w'2 and tax returns to the listing agents lender association, when we don't have a fully executed contract and don't even know if ours is the offer being sent to the lender?)
3. Buyer will not be contacted until full lender approval. (Again, What?)

Here is San Diego, our MLS boards have implemented a rule for short sales. When there is an offer accepted and submitted to the lender, 1. the status of the listing must go into Contingent status and 2. in mandatory remarks the option of Pending Lender Approval of Short Sale must be checked.

This rule was implemented to try and help buyer agents from spinning their wheels and time going to and showing properties that already have offers on them.

Agents are getting tired, buyers a getting frustrated and the relationships are being strained.

This can not be good for anyone's business.

Can anyone tell me what is going on?

Barbara Whisenant

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Read my Blog: www.barbarawhis.com

Visit my website: www.Homes4SaleSanDiego.com

P.S. It's my intention to build lifelong relationships one client at a time. If you know of a friend, co-worker or family member who has a real estate need, please contact me. Your personal referrals are the greatest compliment I can receive!

A Division of Richard Realty Groups, Inc 5411 Avenida Encinas, Suite 110, Carlsbad, CA. 92008 Cell: (760) 583-2107    eFax: (760) 496-1649   DRE# 01357594

Why Aren't Real Estate Agents Marketing Their Listings in a Favoriable Light?

When I'm searching the MLS I am so shocked by the pictures that agents are posting of their properties. Do they even look at them before posting?

There seems to be a new trend where the picture is so small, one can't even tell the details of the house. Is it stucco, wood or what?

I can't help but think that, surely the sellers have no idea how badly the agent they've hired is working on their behalf. Is the agent so uninterested in the property that they can't invest in software to make the homes appealing to potential buyers?

All seller's deserve our best efforts on their behalf.

Barbara Whisenant

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A Division of Richard Realty Groups, Inc 6986 El Camino Real, Ste. H, Carlsbad, CA. 92009 Cell: (760) 583-2107 eFax: (760) 496-1649