Jane Loveday - San Diego Real Estate Blog

2011-12-19T13:18:00.000-08:00

Top 3 things to consider when deciding to own or rent in California

Is your employment stable enough for the next 3 years?

Given the current economic state, knowing you have a job that is secure is very important, also prices are not going to rise much, if any over the next few years, so there is unlikely to be any equity gain in a home you purchase now.

If you are going to purchase a home with 10 – 20% or more down, and find you have to sell within a couple of years there should be no problem, however if you are going to use an FHA loan with just 3.5% down, then you may find yourself upside down if you have to sell.

Obviously if you are planning on staying in your home for many years, then current interest rates and prices make it extremely opportune.

Are you single, or already married with children?

A 1-bed condo doesn’t really fit a family, although it is perfect before you meet your significant other, so bear in mind that size really does matter. Can you afford to look at single family homes or larger condos, if so then do so, it will be a much better return on investment down the road.

Is it really cheaper to own than rent?

Depends on your neighborhood but with interest rates down around 4%, and you factor in taxes and mortgage insurance, you are looking at approximately $600 per $100,000 BORROWED. 2-bedroom condos are renting an average of $1500-$1800 around town right now, if not more, and you can easily find a 2-bedroom condo within the metro areas of San Diego priced UNDER $200,000, in fact over 100 are currently available, making your mortgage payment significantly LESS than a rent payment.

For more information about mortgages, contact Scott Schang, Broadview Mortgage Company - http://www.broadviewmortgagecorp.com/EmployeeDetail.aspx?groupid=430&EmployeeID=12444&

Food for thought, let me know if you need more information, I AM HERE, I CANHELP!

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com/
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
http://www.linkedin.com/in/janeloveday

Real Estate Market Update - San Diego

2011-10-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest real estate update for the city of San Diego as of October 5th, 2011.

Over the past two weeks we have had 326 single family homes and 225 condos/townhomes newly listed. The average price of the single family homes is $525,823 with $290 per square foot, the highest listing is priced at $2,495,000 and the lowest is just $95,000.

The highest priced home is not actually a home, but a lot in the Santaluz development of Fairbanks Ranch, with complete plans and permits to build a custom 6,850 sq ft home with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, the lot has panoramic views and is .7 acres. Now the lowest home is down in the Imperial Avenue area just west of City Heights, it's a contractor special so cash only please, has a new foundation but not much else!

We hae had 225 condos/townhomes newly listed also in the past two weeks, the average price is $358,994 with $296 per square foot, the highest listing is $5,500,000 and the lowest just $49,000.

The highest priced is a penthouse at the top of the Harbor Club downtown, 360 degree views, private elevator and entrance, 3 beds, 5 baths, 4,170 square feet, and your monthly HOA bill will be $2,117.00! At the other end of the scale we have a small 1 bed, 1 bath short sale fixer in City Heights, $250 HOA dues per month.

For your own personal market update just give me a call or email me, it is all completely free!

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
janealoveday@gmail.com
http://janeloveday.com/
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
http://www.twitter.com/sdrealestate
http://www.linkedin.com/in/janeloveday

Home Prices Dropping ... Why is that Good?!

2011-09-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

Economists are predicting a FURTHER 2.5% drop in home values for 2012 - they further predict that this will be followed by an anemic growth rate of only 1.1% through 2015...

So why do I bring you such dire news??? And why do I find it exciting???

Because for everyone that is 'waiting for the market to recover' before they list their home OR you are refusing to reduce their price because they say 'I don't have to sell' ... remember that if you do nothing, it will take you until 2016 just to get back to where values are TODAY!

Granted, each sub-market is different but even with the assumption that we Southern Californians are 'better-off', you have to consider that the rest of the nation will act as an anchor - slowing down our own recovery...

Remember also that all news can be interpreted two ways - I see this as creating an opportunity, whether thinking of buying or selling - you should also!

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com/
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
http://www.linkedin.com/in/janeloveday

How does 3% of your purchase price granted back to you sound?

2011-08-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

Attention First Time Homebuyers !!! Did you know there is a program specifically for you from the State of California that offers 3% of your purchase price which can be applied toward your downpayment or closing costs. It's like a 0% interest loan which does not need to be repayed until you sell or refinance your home down the road.

You could potentially purchase a home for a s little as 1% of the purchase price using this program, however there are restrictions (of course) ! You must live in your home for at least 3 years, and there are income restrictions depending on how many are in your family, the restrictions currently in San Diego are from $63,400 up to $119,600 currently.

However as an option in this economy, it's a great program, check with my buddies at http://www.homeownershipuniversity.com/ for more information and eligibility status. Here's to helping you obtain the American Dream of homeownership!

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com/
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
http://www.linkedin.com/in/janeloveday

http://www.twitter.com/sdrealestate

Buy a home up to $415,000 with 3% in FREE grant monies!

2011-08-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

CHF Platinum is a 3% home buyer grant that can be used to cover down payment or closing costs.

This program is, at this point, perpetually funded with no pre-determined limit to availability of the down payment or closing cost assistance.

The CHF Platinum program is being administered by the National Homebuyer Fund (NHF).

The top 3 things you need to know about the CHF Platinum Grant

1. You must use an approved lender (brokers not allowed) approved to offer a NHF first mortgage.

2. The first mortgage can be either a FHA, VA or USDA loan at the published interest rate. Lenders are not allowed to determine the interest rate for this program.

3. Home buyer must meet income requirements for CHF Platinum program. Income limits are limited to $89,880 in San Diego County. The maximum purchase price is $415,000.

This is an incredible opportunity for home buyers to take advantage of historically low interest rates as well as affordable home prices.

Just think, you are looking to buy a home for $300,000 for example, you could receive $9,000 in FREE money to help toward either your downpayment or closing costs.

Want more information, just let me know!

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com/
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
http://www.linkedin.com/in/janeloveday

If prices continue to fall, why should I buy now?

2011-07-08T10:55:00.000-07:00

While price is the major concern for anyone selling a home, cost should be your primary concern as a buyer.

That means you have to take into account what your monthly payment will be, considering not only the price of the home, but also the interest rate of your mortgage.

Waiting for prices to bottom out while rates are increasing can wind up costing more over the life of your mortgage. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the National Association of Realtors and the Mortgage Bankers Association are all projecting interest rates will increase over the next several quarters.

It's best that you meet with your mortgage professional to help you determine what an interest rate increase will cost you based on the expected size of your loan. Also the knowledge of your Realtor about the area(s) in which you are looking for a new home, what prices have done and are doing, whether the home you are looking at is a short sale or not, or foreclosure, will also help guide you as to what your best decision should be.

Interest rates are still under 5%, they are historically low, if prices drop even further, and the interest rate rises, your buying power can drop considerably.

America is based on home ownership, your landlord understands this, are you ready?

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com/
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
http://www.twitter.com/sdrealestate

A Quick Diary of a Short Sale!

2011-06-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

I took a property listing back in December 2010, the owners of the property had already received formal 'Notice of Intent to Foreclose' which means they were being advised by their bank that their payments were in default and the bank was looking to eventually sell it to recoup their costs.

I visited the property, it was in the worst possibly condition you could imagine, garbage, ceilings caving in, evidence of rodent infestation, carpets wet from the winter rains, overgrown vegetation outside and a very murky green pool! However a home just up the street had sold for a very nice price, so I listed it according - half the price!

WOW - was I to be surprised, 16 all cash offers poured in the first week, ALL CASH!! It was not only raining through the roof but raining investors wanting a great deal. I advised them all to obtain contractor bids before submitting their highest and best offer. We finally went into escrow with one investor.

Five months down the road, we finally obtained 1st and 2nd loan approval (same bank) and the investor backed out, two days before closing ..... what's a good Realtor to do? I went back to the original other 15, asked if they were still interested BUT their offer now had to be at the current pre-approval price (which was quite a bit igher than the original asking price). Sweetness happened, several came forward, the first, and quickest to respond, is now going to close on this property 4 days before the actual auction date, will gut it, rehab it and hopefully make his own investment dollars out of it.

Long story short - NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR SHORT SALE !! It's an incredible amount of paperwork, phone calling, liaising with your sellers, but just simply being on top of it. Am patting myself on the back for sticking in there and learning a lot during the process. Remember, I am here, I can help!

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com/
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
http://www.linkedin.com/in/janeloveday
http://www.twitter.com/sdrealestate

How to Manage your Debt!

2011-03-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

Do you have a lot of debt? Are you worried about managing your debt? Here are several things you can do to maintain your debt and keep your credit in good rating:

KNOW WHAT YOU OWE!

Gather up all your statements and determine how much you owe in total. If you don't like the answer, this negative exercise can give you the oomph to get going.

HAVE A SPENDING PLAN!

Have a spending plan for your income is the best way to ensure that you are spending your hard-earned money in the way you want and most importantly, in the way that assures your financial success.

REVIEW YOUR TAXES!

Review your income tax withholding. If you are receiving a tax refund of more than $600, you are providing an interest-free loan to the IRS. A better idea is to adjust your withholding -- have less money taken out for income taxes -- and use those funds earning zero percent interest to help pay down your high interest consumer debt.

START A SAVINGS PLAN!

Start a savings plan. The simplest way to avoid unwanted debt is to have money set aside for those unexpected or large expenses that we all have. When you have money taken from your paycheck or checking account and automatically deposited into a savings account, you will hardly notice. But you will be building a very important financial tool -- liquid savings. Your savings goal should be six months to a year of living expenses.

COMMIT WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE YET!

Commit money you don't have yet to paying down your debt. Use at least 50 percent of any new raises, bonuses, tax refunds or other source of additional income to give yourself a boost in paying off expensive debt.

START AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS!

Set up automatic electronic banking payments. A late payment can trigger a hefty late fee, and may result in an increased interest rate on future credit card purchases. Electronic payments will help avoid a payment arriving late and increasing the cost of your debt.

REVIEW YOUR CREDIT REPORT!

Check it for any innacuracies, you can get a free copy at annualcreditreport.com If you find errors dispute them with the credit bureau that reported them.

If you still need help contact a free non-profit agency such as nfcc.org or aiccca.org.

Once you have got your debt and/or credit secure, and are ready to look for a new home, let me know, I am here, I can help!

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com/
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

Preparing for the purchase of a home

2011-02-18T13:08:00.000-08:00

When preparing for the purchase of a house, there are several items buyers must think about, such as their main priorities. Buyers should determine whether it’s more important to live in a particular type of home, such as a single family home with a garage, or in a particular neighborhood.
Some neighborhoods hold value more than others during a housing downturn. Buyers can work with a knowledgeable REALTOR® to find a neighborhood that meets their needs as well as one where home values are stabilizing or rising.
Once a buyer finds a home he want to make an offer on, he should be sure not to make a low-ball offer. Some sellers are willing to negotiate and others are not. Working with a REALTOR® can help ensure the buyer is dealt with fairly and guided through the process.

Click here to search the entire San Diego MLS for your next home!

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

What is a Pre-Approval for buying a home?

2011-01-28T11:42:00.000-08:00

When starting to look for a new home, the most important first step is to obtain a pre-approval from a Lender. They will check your credit score, your credit history, your past two years of tax returns, and verify your employment income.

The higher your credit score, the lower your downpayment and monthly payments. If your credit score is below 640 or 660 you may have higher fees to obtain your mortgage or will need a higher downpayment. You can improve your chances by pulling your credit report and ensuring you are not being unfairly penalized for old, paid or settled debts.

Also STOP applying for new credit of any sort, and don't charge anything large during the purchase process!

Contact your bank, credit union or private lender such as Broadview Mortgage Corp, and check their fees for obtaining your loan, also ask what amount you'll need for closing costs, and what points you maybe paying to obtain your mortgage.

Once you have your pre-approval you can start looking for a new home, when you find your new home, your pre-approval will need to be submitted with your offer to purchase. It is better to be prepared ahead and be armed with the knowledge of what you will need which will make your new home search much more exciting!

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com/
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
http://www.twitter.com/sdrealestate
http://www.linkedin.com/in/janeloveday

Facebook and Your Business?

2011-01-20T19:14:00.000-08:00

Are you using Facebook to market your business? This is a question I recently posed on LinkedIn. I got many different responses, but Facebook seems to be the natural way to market your business instead of the old fashioned way of distributing flyers, cold-calling, and doing the rounds of businesses that may help you.

As Facebook enters it's second set of 500+ million users world wide, Facebook is one of the best arenas to get yourself recognised, known and respected, with due diligence not to post too much personal content. That is also why I have a personal page and a business Facebook page.

However, Facebook is for some, a very personal environment, for me it is both. On my business Facebook page, I can interact with my clients, potential clients, while letting them see that I am indeed also human, but also have useful information that they may value once they think about potentially buying a new home. I can include links to homes for sale, pertinent market information, interest rate updates, what maybe happening in certain areas of my city, and Facebook, after all, is a free forum. If used correctly, I believe it is a great way to interract and generate interest in my business of real estate.

Here's to another 500 million users, all potential clients and friends, on Facebook!

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell

http://janeloveday.com

http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

http://www.twitter.com/sdrealestate

Are you LinkedIn?

2010-12-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

Are you LinkedIn? Do you know what LinkedIn is?

http://www.linkedIn.com LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 80 million members and growing rapidly. Founded in 2002, LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals. It is a wonderful way to establish yourself as a reputable professional and to exchange ideas, give assistance and receive referrals.

The most important thing for success in building network on LinkedIn is your profile. It is your resume, a billboard and more. Once your LinkedIn real estate profile is finished, it's time to work on your connections, expanding your network reach to more people who can bring you resources and future business.
Latest LinkedIn Facts

•LinkedIn has over 85 million members in over 200 countries.
•A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second, and about half of our members are outside the U.S.
•Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members

Check out my profile on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in.janeloveday - become a connection, and let me know what you think!

You can find more information about how to use LinkedIn here - http://learn.linkedin.com/what-is-linkedin/

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com/
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
http://www.linkedin.com/in/janeloveday

Special Announcement - Pacific Sotheby's International Realty!

2010-11-22T14:56:00.000-08:00

I am very pleased and proud to announce that my company is now Pacific Sotheby's International Realty. Sotheby's is a prestigious international company that is recognised world-wide and we now have an active presence inSan Diego! We are all very excited to be associated with Sotheby's and look forward to building new relationships both here and throughout the world.

San Diego Company joins Sotheby's International Realty network!

Start your search for your new home here - Pacific Sotheby's International Realty

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com/
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

Home Insurance - are you covered?

2010-11-21T12:17:00.000-08:00

Do you have home insurance? With nearly one in 10 Americans out of work, and others forced to make ends meet with less money, many people are looking for ways to cut costs. There are smart ways to save on home and auto insurance; however, there are also mistakes that can result in being dangerously underinsured, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.)

Following are four of the biggest home insurance mistakes that consumers should look out for:

1. Insuring a home for its real estate value rather than for the cost of rebuilding. When real estate prices go down, some homeowners may think they can reduce the amount of home insurance on their home. But insurance is designed to cover the cost of rebuilding, not the sales price of the home. You should make sure that you have enough coverage to completely rebuild your home and replace your belongings.
A better way to save: Raise your deductible. An increase from $500 to $1,000 could save up to 25 percent on your premium payments.

2. Selecting a home insurance company by price alone. It is important to choose a company with competitive prices, but also one that is financially sound and provides good customer service.
A better way to save: Check the financial health of a home insurance company with independent rating agencies and ask friends and family for recommendations. You should select a home insurance company that will respond to your needs and handle claims fairly and efficiently.

3. Dropping flood insurance. Damage from flooding is not covered under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. Coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), as well as from some private insurance companies. Many homeowners are unaware they are at risk for flooding, but in fact 25 percent of all flood losses occur in low risk areas.
A better way to save: Before purchasing a home, check with the NFIP to check whether it is in a flood zone; if so, consider a less risky area. If you are already living in a flood zone area, look at mitigation efforts that can reduce your risk of flood damage and consider purchasing flood insurance.

4. Neglecting to buy renters insurance. A renters policy covers your possessions and additional living expenses if you have to move out due to a disaster. Equally important, it provides liability protection in the event someone is injured in your home and decides to sue.
A better way to save: Look into multi-policy discounts. Buying several policies with the same insurer, such as renters, auto and life will generally provide savings.

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Pacific Sothebys International Realty
619-519-1615 Cell http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

Thinking of buying a home in San Diego? Your Realtor is FREE !!

2010-11-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

Thinking of buying a home in San Diego? Did you know that working with a Realtor is absolutely FREE! There are no charges out of your pocket to work with a professional Realtor who will help you find your new home in San Diego.

When you hire a professional Realtor to help you find your new home in San Diego, that Realtor will get paid when, and if, they are successful in helping you. And their payment comes from the seller of the home via commission. It is in the Realtor's best interest - and yours too - to work as hard as they come to find your home in San Diego.

Your professional Realtor will search the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), will network with fellow professional Realtors, will make appointments to view homes in San Diego, will be in constant contact with you to make sure you are looking at homes that suit you and your budget, and will guide you through the process and paperwork during escrow once you have found your new home in San Diego!

A professional Realtor in San Diego is licenced through the National Association of Realtors, the California Association of Realtors and the San Diego Association of Realtors, and follows strict standards to ensure that your search for your new home in San Diego is successful and secure!

Start your search for a home in San Diego here - http://www.janeloveday.com

Jane Loveday
Licence # 01439083
Windermere Pacific Coast Realty
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

Are You on Facebook?

2010-11-10T10:24:00.000-08:00

Here's some interesting statistics abut Facebook!

People on Facebook

• More than 500 million active users
• 50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day
• Average user has 130 friends
• People spend over 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook

Activity on Facebook

• There are over 900 million objects that people interact with (pages, groups, events and community pages)
• Average user is connected to 80 community pages, groups and events
• Average user creates 90 pieces of content each month
• More than 30 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photo albums, etc.) shared each month.

Global Reach

• More than 70 translations available on the site
• About 70% of Facebook users are outside the United States
• Over 300,000 users helped translate the site through the translations application

Platform

• More than one million developers and entrepreneurs from more than 180 countries
• Every month, more than 70% of Facebook users engage with Platform applications
• More than 550,000 active applications currently on Facebook Platform
• More than one million websites have integrated with Facebook Platform
• More than 150 million people engage with Facebook on external websites every month
• Two-thirds of comScore’s U.S. Top 100 websites and half of comScore’s Global Top 100 websites have integrated with Facebook

Mobile

• There are more than 200 million active users currently accessing Facebook through their mobile devices.
• People that use Facebook on their mobile devices are twice as active on Facebook than non-mobile users.
• There are more than 200 mobile operators in 60 countries working to deploy and promote Facebook mobile products

Next time you log on, look me up - http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

Jane Loveday
Windermere Pacific Coast Properties
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

What is a Short Sale?

2010-10-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

When a homeowner owes more on his mortgage than his house is worth, and he cannot afford his payments anymore (loss of a job, interest rate hike, for example) one of his options is called a "short sale."

When lenders agree to do a short sale in real estate, it means the lender is accepting less than the total amount due. Not everyone qualifies for a short sale however, and if you are considering a short sale on your home, there could be drawbacks. For your protection, I suggest that all borrowers:

•Obtain legal advice from a competent real estate lawyer about a short sale

•Call an accountant to discuss short sale tax ramifications on a short sale

Although all lenders have varying requirements for short sales and may require that a borrower submit a wide array of documentation, the following steps will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.

•Call your Lender

You will need to contact the short sale department and get the short sale supervisor's name - the name of the individual capable of making a decision.

•Submit Letter of Authorization for a short sale

The short sale request letter should include the following:

•Property Address
•Loan Reference Number
•Your Name
•The Date
•Your Realtors' name & Contact Information

and

•Hardship Letter

Make it honest, tell the lender why you are in such a financial hardship situation, it makes a plea to the lender to accept less than full payment. Lenders looking at a short sale understand, especially these days, how the economy can affect income and expenses.

Your Realtor will also provide your lender with paperwork to help with the short sale process, and it can take a while for the short sale to be approved.

You will need to find a buyer willing to wait through the approval process, sometimes there may be more than one buyer, the first offer will be submitted, while any and all others will be held by your Realtor as back-ups in case the first offer disappears during the process. This is quite common, and short sales are becoming the norm, we Realtors are very knowledgeable about the process, if you need help contact me and I will be able to help you.

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
Licence # 01439083
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego
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A day in the life of Real Estate!

2010-10-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

It’s not easy, but there are some funny times and funny stories – in Real Estate there’s always something unusual happening. How about a house with absolutely nothing in it – no flooring, light switches, bathrooms (including the toilets), nada – it happens even in the best neighborhoods.

There was a Realtor in England who showed a home, thinking the owner was asleep, showed the clients out only to go back and discover the owner had passed away on the sofa!

A colleague of mine was feeling ill at his open house, again, laid down on the sofa only to be woken up by visitors poking him, he’d fallen totally asleep, thank goodness is still around!

Another colleague shared that he went to one house thinking he had an appointment to show it, the owner wasn’t aware but said it was ok to show, only to find out he was at the wrong house on the same street – embarrassing just a little.

Or my favorite – showing condos downtown San Diego, thank goodness my client was in her own car and I was in mine – we came out of one particular building only for me to find my car had been towed – we continued looking in her car!

There are so many different stories, some funny, some sad, but always a day in the life in Real Estate is never boring!

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

Searching for a new home on the Internet!

2010-10-03T08:58:00.001-07:00

Are you starting your search for a new home on the Internet? Do you visit Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Zillow.com? Of these Realtor.com is the most accurate, here you will find all the updated listings. Trulia has a lot of innacurate information, homes that are now in escrow still show up as being active, and Zillow with it's Zestimates can be way off base!

However, to get the most accurate information when searching the internet you need to start your new home search via the internet with a Realtor, such as myself, who has access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) - you should be able to search through their website, and you can also have them set up a completely customized search based on your own criteria, anything from price, size of yard, location of laundry, how many garage/parking spaces, patio, balcony, pool, just about anything you can think of.

Customized internet home searches can be emailed directly to you as soon as a new home is listed, ir there is a price reduction on one already mailed to you or if one goes into escrow. Or you can have it notify you on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. And it's completely FREE! You can continue to search other sites, but a customized search through a Realtor, will give you up-to-the-minute accurate information without you having to do the hard work yourself!

Start your internet home search here - http://www.janeloveday.com - or contact me directly to set up a customized search for you today!

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

The Nordstrom Way for Real Estate!

2010-09-28T17:16:00.000-07:00

When looking for a new home, be it a condo or house, what are your top requirements? If you go into Nordstroms you have your personal shopper waiting, here you have your personal Realtor to help you!

As with Nordstroms, you have your wants and needs - Is having a washer and dryer in your condo a priority, parking spaces, a pool, rec room, ground floor with patio, upper floor with balcony, low HOA’s?

How about a house – how big of a yard, attached/detached garage, combo kitchen/family room, corner lot, quiet neighborhood or urban? Again the Nordstrom Way is replicated!

Apart from the number of bedrooms and baths in your new house or condo, all these things, and many more help you choose exactly what you are looking for. When we search the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) for you we can narrow down your criteria with much more detail than if you were to look on Zillow, Trulia, even Realtor.com.

Think of us as your personal Nordstrom assistance a la real estate! You call, stop by, email or text and we service your requirements! And most importantly for us to search for you is completely FREE, just like the Nordstrom way, if you don’t like what we show you, we’ll keep searching until we find that perfect house or condo that fits you perfectly!

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

2010-09-20T18:48:00.000-07:00

Home prices are rising in virtually every corner of the state. They've climbed for nine consecutive months, and in July posted a 10.4% gain year-over-year. That puts the state's median price at $315,000 -- nearly twice the national median of $183,000.
And the news is even better in coastal cities.

San Francisco posted the biggest gain of any U.S. metro over the past year, rising 14.3%. The median price there is now more than $607,000. Meanwhile, San Diego has climbed 11.2% (median price: $389,000) and Los Angeles jumped 9.2% (median price: $345,000).
Meanwhile, Florida, Arizona and Nevada -- California's erstwhile bubble-state partners -- continue to struggle. So where is the Golden State's strength coming from?

"I think it comes from the fact that prices went down so far and so quick," said Lesley Appleton-Young, California Association of Realtors' chief economist. "That left a lot of people here saying, 'Wow, affordable California housing.'"
However, a quick home price rebound was delayed by the crush of foreclosures that accompanied the subprime mortgage meltdown. California real estate had become so expensive that a basic single-family home required many buyers to overextend themselves with exotic loans.

That is no longer the case. Most of the subprime-related distressed properties have been flushed from the system. And when a foreclosure does hit the market, it's snapped up. The median days it took to sell a home in July was just 44 -- lightening fast.

"It's the dearth of supply for distressed properties that has put pressure on home prices," said Appleton-Young. "More than half the homes on the market last year drew multiple offers."

Plus, the California economy is picking up. Even in a recession, it has remained one of the world's 10 largest economies, mainly because it is driven by every major industry -- aerospace, tech, software, finance, agriculture, tourism. So as more of those industries recover and employment picks up, demand for housing will jump.

"California is a much larger, stronger and more diversified economy than the other [bubble] states," according to Stuart Gabriel, director of the Ziman Center for Real Estate at UCLA.

Courtesy of CNNMoney.

Jane LovedayWindermere
Real Estate Agent
Licence # 01439083
janeloveday@cox.net
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

San Diego Downtown Condos

2010-09-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

San Diego Downtown condos were a hot commodity a few years ago, buildings were going up left and right. As of right now there are 442 San Diego Downtown condos for sale with a huge difference in prices!

The least expensive San Diego Downtown Condo is listed at just $144,900, it's a studio with stainless appliances and a monthly HOA fee of $410.00. The most expensive San Diego Downtown condo is listed at a mere $8,695.00 (see photo above) for 3 bedrooms and 4 baths, and a monthly HOA fee of $1,396.00 - yes that's right - over $1,000 a month!

The average list price per square foot for the least expensive San Diego Downtown condo is just $203.45 with the penthouse at $1,951.75!

The average asking price for a San Diego Downtown condo is $721,000, which makes for a variety of properties to choose from.

If you are interested in buying a condo in Downtown San Diego, let me know, I amhere, I can help!

Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

First-Time Home Buyers - Attention Please!

2010-09-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

First-time home buyers are having a tough time - why? The tax credit has expired which encouraged all first-time home buyers to think about getting into their first home. Now prices are flattening out and first-time home buyers are thinking they are going to fall again.

When you hear talk of the median price of a home in the U.S. it is understandable, but that is like saying the median temperature in the U.S. is 60 degrees, when it could be 110 degrees in the deserts and 45 degrees in the Northern states. Prices are regional.

In San Diego, first-time home buyers have a great opportunity to get out and begin thinking again, we have a lot of homes for sale, our prices are stable, we aren't seeing any decreases in most areas, and the interest rate is at it's all time historic low, just over 4% for a 30 year fixed, and just over 3% for a 15 year fixed mortgage.

If you are thinking of buying, search the internet, search here for ALL the up-to-date property listings http://www.janeloveday.com or visit my First-Time Home Buyers page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiegoonline

I am here, I can help!

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

5 Ways to Protect Yourself from ID Theft!

2010-08-27T14:46:00.000-07:00

This may seem obvious, but sometimes it's not! Here are 5 short ways you can protect yourself from identity theft:

1. Don't carry your social security card - duh - obvious, memorize it and leave it in a safety deposit box along with your passport, or somewhere extremely safe at home!

2. Don't talk about personal financial stuff on your cell in public - you never know who is eavesdropping!

3. If you put your full name, date of birth and place of birth on anything online, Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, anywhere - someone could possibly use just that to get a duplicate birth certificate, social security card, passport, and become YOU!

4. If you ever fill out a resume online for a company position, OMIT your social security number if asked for it, it is not necessary and they can get this information in person from you, there are too many scams out there for that number to be anywhere public!

5. Finally - every had the temptation to apply for something and get something free in return - an application for a grocery store card? membership to somewhere? And get a T-shirt or like back for doing so? Don't put anything too personal - read above - you never know!

Not all doom and gloom but be aware of scammers, they are smart and for a good reason!

Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent

619-519-1615 Cell

http://janeloveday.com

http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

Interest rates and Mortgage Payments - boring? Read on ....

2010-08-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

As you may have heard interest rates for mortgages are at an all time LOW! We haven't seen them this low for at least 30 years if not longer. So how low are they?

4.25% right now, have been for a few weeks. Can they go back up - definitely - that's one reason to keep your eye on them if you are thinking of buying instead of renting and paying your Landlord's mortgage for him.

Back in the mid 90's interest rates actually went up to around 18%! Not anticipating that again though, just an FYI!

So if you are thinking of buying, and you are looking at a purchase price say, $250,000, your monthly payment would be around $1,230 a month, with approximate property taxes of $260 (you can include those in your mortgage or pay twice yearly to the City) and insurance is approximately $40 for a condo, $75 for a house.

If the interest rate starts to rise, and you are pre-qualified for $250,000, the amount you would then be pre-qualified for would go DOWN - that's because it would cost you more for your mortgage! If you have questions, let me know, I am here to help!

Love your Home, Love your Realtor!

Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent Lic # 01439083 619-519-1615 Cell http://janeloveday.com http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

Using Social Media to Sell Real Estate!

2010-07-07T15:22:00.000-07:00

There are plenty of social media sites today, more so than back when AOL first hit our screens. Then it was easy to keep track of friends, make new connections and promote your business. Now we have literally hundreds of websites that feed our content, but how does that impact buying or selling houses as a Realtor?

When MySpace first started, I maintained a business page (still have it)and in the first year sold 4 properties to 'friends', kept up with my blog there, useful tidbits and news. That was just one site. Now it's all about Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and more. These days we have to make videos, link our Twitter to Facebook, our blog (this one) to all of the above and many more sites. We have to create a constant presence in order for our name to be recognized and valued as a leader in the latest news, views and ideas in Real Estate. Not many people go door-to-door anymore leaving door hangers, or calendars on our doorsteps, it's all about online presence.

It's challenging, exciting, very educational too. Just posting a new property listing is interesting - sending it not only to Craigslist, or Backpage, but out to Trulia, Realtor.com, Zillow, Hotpads, Enormo, Front Door, Oodle, Vast, GoogleBase .... and so on.

You have to be savvy in order to satisfy your client's needs to market their properties, there's plenty of help to be found as to how to do it, and I wish everyone who is starting to market via the internet GOOD LUCK! It's fun, a lot of work, but worth it in the long term!

Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent619-519-1615 Cell http://janeloveday.com http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

GREEN TIPS FOR A GREENER LIFESTYLE!

2010-06-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

1. Use fluorescent light bulbs. Yes, they're more expensive than incandescent light bulbs ($2 vs. $.50), but switch out your incandescent bulb for compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) in your house, and you could save up to 30 percent on your energy bill.

2. Keep your car in excellent condition. Of course, it's best to walk, bicycle, carpool or use mass transit for your daily commuting, but for those who must use their own vehicles, improving even the most inefficient of cars' fuel mileage is as easy as keeping your tires properly inflated and changing your oil and air filters regularly. And follow those traffic laws — your car burns less fuel when you drive slowly and obey the speed limit on highways.

3. Make sure your dishwasher and clothes washer and dryer are full before using them. The aforementioned major appliances consume large amounts of energy, so reduce their use as much as possible by only running them with full loads.

4. Wash clothes in cold water and line dry. Using cold water rather than hot in the washer saves electricity and works just as well as hot with most clothes. Line drying not only is more environmentally friendly, but it also will keep clothes from shrinking and fading.

5. Shut down and unplug idle electronics. Your computer might be asleep, but if there's a light on, it's still using energy. Turn off and unplug your computer, printer, television, radio — any electronic device that you're not using.

6. Skip the bottled water. Sure, water is good for you, but the process of harvesting the raw materials, processing and manufacturing the petroleum-based plastic water bottles and shipping them to market is extremely energy intensive. So filter your own water and fill up your own reusable bottles for water on-the-go.

7. Buy items with less packaging, and with packaging that your community recycles. It's convenient to buy snack crackers already divided into even, individual portions in plastic bags, but that creates much more waste packaging than just buying the full box.

8. Supply your own bags and leftover containers. If you're headed to a restaurant that you know serves king-sized portions, bring a small piece of Tupperware along to take home the leftovers, and keep one fewer Styrofoam container from the landfill pile. Going to the supermarket? Opt out of the paper/plastic debate and bring your own canvas tote bags.

9. Support local farmers. Food grown or produced halfway around the world didn't just appear in the supermarket — it was shipped by plane, boat, truck or rail, and no matter which method of transportation it took, greenhouse gases were emitted along the way. Pick the apple grown in your state instead of the banana grown in another country.

10. Plant a tree in your backyard, it seems simple, but just one tree can offset tons of carbon over its lifetime. If planted appropriately, it will also provide shade on a sunny day, perhaps reducing the use of energy for air-conditioning in buildings and homes. While reducing energy will cut our carbon emissions, it also is important to restore more natural 'sinks' that capture carbon, planting trees and perennials are an easy place to start.

11. Try used products first. Need a couch? Check newspaper classifieds or craigslist.com to see if you can find an acceptable used option before going to a showroom to buy a new one, which will have required both energy and materials to make and ship.

12. Ask about green power. Many utility companies offer renewable energy options, which is power generated by wind or solar energy. For those who are unable to install renewable energy equipment on their homes or businesses, many energy utilities offer programs that allow consumers to support the growth of the renewable energy markets in the United States by paying a small price premium. This is not an option for everyone, but it is one way to help spur the market for renewable energy technologies.

Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent619-519-1615 Cell http://janeloveday.com http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

10 Most Forgotten Items when Moving......!

2010-06-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

With plenty of Americans planning on moving this year, odds are even the most organised may not remember everything when moving - add these next 10 items to the top of your preparation list:

FOR THE RECORD Copies of any and all medical records,, including any veterinary records. Also your child's school records!

BURIED TREASURE If you've any hidden valuable around the house be sure to collect them before leaving, keep jewelry with you, not in the moving van.

OLD PHONE NUMBERS Pack phone books, you may think you'll remember you frequently call, more often we tend to forget!

TAKEN TO THE CLEANERS Remember to coolect all items that are being cleaned, stored or repaired, also remember to return any library books, movie rentals and anything else you may have checked out.

WHAT'S YOUR NEW ADDRESS? Be sure to let everyone know your new address, have your mail forwarded in time for your move!

SPIC AND SPAN Remember to leave our cleaning supplies for the final 'once over' before closing the door for good or make arrangements in advance for a service to clean for you.

THE OPENER Many people forget to take the electic garage door opener out of their cars before leaving, make sure it is left behind!

REMEMBER 'ROVER' ! In most cases moving companies cannot transport pets or plants, plan ahead and make arrangements for their safe transfer.

BANK ON IT It's wise to open a checking account in your new town about a month prior if you are moving to another city.

KEYS TO SUCCESS Remember the collection of spare house keys - whether retrieving from neighbors or from under the rock next to the front door, make sure to leave them all for the new owners!

For more information on moving, planning a move, thinking about moving, I am ere, I can help!

Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent619-519-1615 Cell http://janeloveday.com http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

How Low Can They Go?

2010-06-27T12:43:00.001-07:00

The 30 year fixed interest rate for a mortgage today sits at around 4.6% - that's the LOWEST since we started keeping records back in the 1960's. Why is this important?

With our current economy and many people out of work, it is very important that interest rates across the board remain low, and with our current housing crisis, short sales and foreclosures, the banks want to encourage people to get into homeownership, and keeping the interest rates down is one giant incentive.

The rates for larger loans are also at their lowest levels - sitting around 5.5% - so imagine if you want to borrow $1,000,000 you could do so at an unbelievable rate!

It's a great time to buy, and to think about buying, prices are nudging up slightly but the interest rates are keeping it amazingly affordable for all who qualify, for more information contact me!

Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent619-519-1615 Cell http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

7 GREAT Reasons to Own Your Home!

2010-06-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.

2. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through 2005, and increased 88.5 percent over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.

3. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.

4. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.

5. Predictability. Unlike rent, your fixed-mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will increase.

6. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.

7. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.

Online resources: To calculate whether buying is the best financial option for you, use the “Buy vs. Rent” calculator at www.GinnieMae.gov.

Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent619-519-1615 Cell http://janeloveday.com http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

A Living Trust - What is it and why do you need one?

2010-06-02T12:05:00.000-07:00

A Living Trust takes the place of a Will. If you currently have a Will prepared, you may want to consider changing that to a Living Trust. If you die, and you have a will, your estate - that's anything you own - goes through Probate. Probate is the legal process controlled by the courts to make sure debts are paid and assets are distributed according to your Will.

This is an extremely expensive, time consuming and public process. It can literally take away all your assets, it will cost you a lot of them at least.

A Living Trust however, is the recognized legal method that protects all your assets, and your heirs. It can dramatically reduce the estate taxes you'd pay, it simplifies your assets, and gives not only you but your family peace of mind.

For more information contact me, or visit http://www.NationalEA.com

Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent619-519-1615 Cell http://janeloveday.com http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

In Escrow? Stop Spending Immediately!

2010-05-17T12:36:00.001-07:00

Congratulations, you have found your dream home and are now in escrow. Your Loan Officer has run your credit, pre-approved you and is now working on getting your finances finalized.

You are packing up your belongings and excitedly planning where everything will go in your new home, and what extras you will need – carpet, paint, lawn mower, etc. BUT STOP RIGHT THERE!

Beginning June 1st, your Loan Officer will be required to run your credit for a SECOND time right before your mortgage is fully funded. The last minute credit report is designed to find out whether you’ve increased your current credit debt, obtained, or even applied for, new debt – a Home Depot credit card for example - between your initial loan application and closing. Anything you may have applied for – furnishings, line of credit, new car, landscaping, new credit card, or even purchased, anything – could potentially threaten the ability to finally obtain and close your mortgage. EVEN IF YOU HAVE JUST APPLIED BUT NOT YET SPENT.

Be patient, don’t even think of applying or spending on current cards until you have closed escrow, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Need more information, let me know, I am here, I can help!

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
Cell: 619-519-1615
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

What do I know about Real Estate? Not much apparently!

2010-05-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

I recently took a very brief quiz from the National Association of Realtors about understanding today's home buyers and sellers. I scored 4 out of 11! Why am I telling you this? Because the market is constantly changing and we are striving to keep up with the wants and needs of buyers and sellers.

One question was "What was the most common incentive that sellers offered in the sale of the home?" I thought it would be closing costs, but I was wrong, it was a home warranty policy!

Another was "How long does the typical buyer search before purchasing a home?" It used to be pretty quick, but now I thought 8 weeks. WRONG! It is actually 12 weeks.

However I was right on 4 remember, and I think most importantly, "What service do buyers most often say they want from a Realtor?" being right on this "Finding the right home to purchase". Also "What service do sellers most often want from their Realtor?" of course, is "Pricing their home competitively".

So as I and my fellow Realtors continue to educate ourselves as to your needs and wants, know that understanding you, your timeframes, preferences and emotions, helps to make us better serve you. I am here, I can help!

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

San Diego - Home Prices rose the highest BUT where are all the foreclosures?

2010-04-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

DataQuick analyst Andrew LePage said the flood of foreclosures is being sopped up by investors and first-time buyers eager to take advantage of low prices.

LePage said that demand should lessen worries about the shadow inventory — homes that lenders have foreclosed on but have not yet been listed for sale. Some analysts have feared that banks would try to sell too many properties at once, depressing prices and leading to more foreclosures.

“My hunch is most foreclosures, if they’re priced right, go really fast,” LePage said. “We snapped up in California, on average, 17,000 to 18,000 foreclosure homes a month in 2009. It was an impressive clip, and that’s what kept the inventory of foreclosed homes from ballooning way out of control.”

In San Diego, he said 83.8 percent of foreclosures had been sold as of last fall and some that hadn’t changed hands are being rented.

Compared with a year ago, many doubts about the real estate market have dissipated, said Ross Starr, an economist at the University of California San Diego.
“A year ago, the world was falling apart,” Starr said. “We were hanging on for it to stop — and it stopped.”

Starr said the market is now in a “rocky period” of adjustment and it is unlikely prices will climb quickly.

So are we going to see a wave of foreclosures that everyone is talking about? Time will tell but .....

As for potential home buyers, UCSD’s Starr said now may be the time to strike, given historically low interest rates and reduced prices.
“For a well-financed buyer who stayed on the sidelines in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and who said prices were ridiculous, his foresight has been fulfilled and this is a great time,” Starr said.

San Diego home prices last month rose 15.8 percent from a year ago to a median $285,000, MDA DataQuick reported Tuesday, further evidence that the region’s real estate market is stabilizing and the HIGHEST rise of all Southern California's counties. We were the first to hit bottom, now the first to start rising, if only slowly and THAT'S NORMAL!

Sales were up for the 21st consecutive month, as transactions involving higher-priced, move-up homes kicked in to broaden the market beyond low-cost starter homes.

With sales rising, inventories lower, interest rates attractive and buyer interest growing, the latest report suggests that the market reached bottom last year and a recovery, if not under way, will come soon.

“Home values have stopped falling and there are signs that they’re edging up from the bottom,” said University of San Diego economist Alan Gin.

Jane LovedayWindermere Real Estate Agent619-519-1615 Cell http://janeloveday.com/http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

TAX RECORDS YOU SHOULD KEEP OR DISCARD ...

2010-04-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

Now that April 15th is over, and you've survived - or not - paying your taxes, did you have all the paperwork necessary, did you miss anything, lose anything, keep too much information that wasn't necessary?

If so you are not alone! Here is what you should hold onto:

For paperwork concerning your income - KEEP W-2's, 1099 form, bank statements, form K1 (if you are in a partnership).

For paperwork concerning your expenses - keep sales slips, invoices, receipts, canceled checks or other proof of payment.

For paperwork concerning your home - keep any closing statements, purchase and sales invoices, proof of mortgage payments, insurance records.

For your investments - keep any brokerage statements, mutual fund statements, 1099 and 2439 forms (for long-term Capital Gains if any).

You should keep records for at least 3 years, and more information can be found in IRS Publication 552, Recordkeeping for Individuals.

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

HOW TO BUY A HOME 101 !

2010-04-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

Choose your Realtor - Make sure you find someone who not only understands your needs, the area you are searching but is also someone who you get along with and can trust. visit www.janeloveday.com to search San Diego!

Obtain Pre-Approval from a lender – It is imperative that you meet with a lender to determine how much house you can afford, how much you will need for your deposit and closing costs. A first step would be contacting Broadview Mortgage Corp, they also have homebuying seminars and can be reached at 866.667.6724 or email inquiry@broadviewmortgagecorp.com

Find your Perfect Home – once you have given us your criteria, and the more detailed the better, I will be able to create a custom search to totally suit your needs, I'll show you all the property available and make your search a success!

Making an Offer – I'll prepare your paperwork, explain and advise the contingencies you will be under, and help you make the best offer based on current market conditions – this is currently a strange market, prices are low but not necessarily dropping, and it is not unusual to encounter multiple offers on properties. We will help negotiate on your behalf to ensure a successful response from the seller.

Open an Escrow! - Congratulations, once you have acceptance you will need to place your initial deposit into escrow which is held until your loan is funded and final documents are signed.

Your Contingency Period – This is a time frame during the beginning of the escrow period that protects you, it is written into the purchase contract and is usually 17 days from the opening of escrow. This applies to obtaining an appraisal, conducting a property inspection, reviewing the pest inspection, reviewing seller disclosures and getting your loan in place.

Home Insurance etc - After the contingency period, and before close of escrow, you will need to obtain home insurance for your future home, file a change of address with the Post Office, submit a change of address to the Registrar of Voters, make arrangements for your move, cancel and order any services such as gas and electric, cable, water.

Close of Escrow – Prior to close, you will need any balance of deposit to be placed into your escrow account, your lender will have all your paperwork to sign ready, you’ll have any balance of closing costs also deposited with escrow, a Notary will meet with you to sign all and last paperwork, and a day or so later, the County Recorder will record your new trust deed and you will take ownership of your new home. CONGRATULATIONS !!!

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.JaneLoveday.com

A Crazy Day in the Life of this Realtor!

2010-04-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

One house I visited recently had nothing, no cabinets, no bathtubs, no toilets, nothing! But some days are just golden, take my latest clients, we went out looking on their first day, they found a cute little house, backing up onto a park, in what seemed a quiet residential neighborhood. We submitted an offer which was accepted 3 days later and we then went and had our property inspection done. All seemed very good and right in the world. Until…

Right after the property inspection we were taking some measurements when we were visited by three very large members of the local Police Gang Control Unit, asking if they could enter the property to search for a weapon that had been used in a drive-by homicide the night before. It was a first for me, and definitely a first for my first-time homebuyers who were devastated to hear this news. The crime had taken place in the park behind and although no evidence of any weapon showed up, my buyers knew immediately they did not want to proceed with their purchase.

We are still looking, all is good now, but you just never know, we really do earn our money out there in this crazy world, our days are never, ever the same, we learn to expect the unexpected, to go with the flow, and to keep our thoughts and chins up.

Crazy is usual sometimes, as is frustrating, exciting, amazing, satisfying and much more! Our days are always an adventure, we have properties to preview, sellers to contact, buyers to organize, ads to place, appointments with sellers to make, schedules to arrange, and always, properties to navigate.

You can always keep up with me at http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego and http://www.twitter/com/sdrealestate

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://janeloveday.com

Multiple Offers - what to do ....

2010-03-09T10:46:00.000-08:00

What is a Multiple Offer?

Multiple would-be buyers submit bids for the same house and end up competing for it, creating a bidding war in some cases, and only one successful bidder in all cases.

With combined record low interest rates and sales prices, short sales everywhere, how can you prepare?

Find a competent and knowledgeable Realtor – http://www.janeloveday.com

You may be competing with investors delivering contingency-free, all-cash offers, be prepared to deliver your best offer, also get prequalified for loans, have all paperwork in order and know precisely how high you can afford to bid.

Don’t low-ball - Despite market challenges, don’t automatically make offers dramatically below asking prices. If you’ve been eyeing a property that has seen multiple price reductions and you’re ready to jump, others likely have been doing the same.

Buy less - just one reason to look at property below your means is that you’ll have money in reserve to bid up if you need to.

Short sales – they can be lengthy and tedious, acceptance dates can run two weeks to six months or more.

Bank-owned property – you may be working against investors again, consider making your best offer, have a larger down payment, don’t ask for closing costs and request a shorter escrow.

I am here, I can help!

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.JaneLoveday.com

Foreclosure Bargains are Harder to Find!

2010-03-05T17:09:00.000-08:00

Homebuyers hoping to snag a really good deal on a foreclosed home are finding it increasingly difficult because supply is shrinking. Foreclosures are now down over a year ago, There are mixed signals for 2010: It's unclear how much of the drop in mortgage defaults is due to shifting market conditions, and how much is the result of changing foreclosure policies among lenders and loan servicers.

"Clearly, many lenders and servicers have concluded that the traditional foreclosure process isn't necessarily the best way to process market distress, and that losses may be mitigated with so-called short sales or when loan terms are renegotiated with homeowners," said John Walsh, DataQuick president. (http://www.dqnews.com/Articles/2010/News/California/CA-Foreclosures/RRFor100127.aspx)

Not only have attractive homes in popular neighborhoods already been snapped up, but also government help for distressed buyers is delaying more foreclosures. See http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/refinance_eligibility.html

Demand is driving up prices. Investors say typical prices have climbed from 75 percent of appraised value to 85 percent or higher when there are bidding wars on foreclosures. While California ranks 3rd among the States with the highest rates of foreclosure, (Arizona and Nevada are 2nd and 1st respectively) the amount of foreclosed properties currently available has dropped significantly, with the majority newly listed are short sales.

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.janeloveday.com
http://www.twitter.com/sdrealestate
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

Refinancing your Home affordably!

2010-03-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

The government is giving homeowners another year to refinance their loans under a little-used program designed to help borrowers whose homes have plummeted in value.
The Obama administration effort, known as Home Affordable Refinance Program, had been scheduled to end on June 10 but will now run out on June 30, 2011, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said Monday.

The program allows borrowers who owe up to 25 percent more than their homes are worth to refinance to lower interest rates.

It was originally projected to help 4 million to 5 million homeowners with loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. So far, it has helped around 220,000, according to the Treasury Department.

Click here for more information: http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/refinance_eligibility.html

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.JaneLoveday.com
http://www.twitter.com/sdrealestate
http://www.facebook.com/realestatesandiego

Mortgage Protection Program for Californians Only is Extended!

2010-02-22T17:25:00.000-08:00

If you were a first-time homeowner last year (2009) your agent should have registered you with the Mortgage Protection Program through the California Association of Realtors (CAR) - certain restrictions apply - you cannot be self-employed or owned a home within the past 3 years for example. The Mortgage Protection Program offers you benefits if you lose your job during the first year of your home purchase. It is only available to California home buyers.

This benefit offers you up to $1,500 per month for up to six months if you lose your job due to layoffs, and qualified co-buyers can receive monthly benefits of $750 per month for up to 6 months, and it is free to you! The Mortgage Protection Program was due to end December 31st, 2009 but has now been extended through to the end of this year.

Buying a home is one, if not THE, most stressful thing you can do, this program helps alleviate some of that giving you an added layer of security. The California Association of Realtors Housing Affordability Fund (CARHAF) is a non-profit organization which receives donations primarily from Realtor members and associations, committed to addressing housing challenges in California. For more on the Mortgage Protection Program visit http://www.car.org/members/hafmainpage/carhafmortgageprotection/ and don't forget to call/email me with any questions - I am here - I can help!

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.janeloveday.com/
http://www.facebook/realestatesandiego
http://www.twitter.com/sdrealestate

Advice on Your Possible Short Sale

2010-02-19T16:11:00.000-08:00

A short sale occurs when your lender agrees to accept a lower price on your home than the current mortgage balance, provided you meet the lender's requirements and have a qualified buyer.

To prove your case, you'll need to spend some time on a cover letter explaining your hardship and provide full financial disclosure; the original purchase contract; a balance sheet of your income and expenses; asset statements, proof of income; bank statements; two years of tax returns; and a professional who knows the ropes.

Simply stating, 'My house is worth less than the loan and I don’t want to pay any more,' will not be acceptable. Lenders would rather foreclose than develop a reputation as an easy target.

Along with the required documentation, you stand the best chance of getting through the two- to seven-month short sale ordeal if the home is marketable; the second mortgage holder (if there is one) gets a cut or otherwise goes along with the deal; the same lender holds all mortgages; and there is enough time before foreclosure (at least about 4 months).

Don't count on a short sale if you can't prove hardship; you are current on your mortgage; are in bankruptcy; have recently completed a cash-out refinance or have a lien with a third party.

Because a short sale forgives a portion of the debt owed, that portion could be considered as taxable income and you should seek the advice of a tax attorney, certified public accountant, enrolled agent or other person fully schooled in the tax ramifications of a short sale.

According to FICO, the leading credit scoring system provider, there also may be some credit score implications.

You may also need legal and tax counsel. A solid professional team is best for determining the viability of the short sale, assembling the package and pricing and listing the property to find a buyer.

It’s a tough decision, but I am here if you need help!

Jane Loveday
Windermere Pacific Coast Properties
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.JaneLoveday.com

Property Searching via the Internet and your Realtor

2010-02-03T13:07:00.000-08:00

Today almost everyone will begin to search for their new home on the internet. There are many different sites to visit - Trulia, Redfin, Homes.com, and the very comprehensive Realtor.com, which is the most up-to-date and accurate site other than using a Realtor's own website which is usually linked directly to the local Multiple Listing Service.

Whichever site, or sites you use, you will always need an actual Realtor to show you homes that he/she have found along with the ones you have found. Despite advertising claims to the contrary, the internet alone is not an experienced Real Estate Professional. It cannot consult, counsel, advise, have knowledge of local laws and market conditions. Nor can it make judgements, 'own' the results, negotiate or most importantly understand your goals and needs and care about you as a client!

To obtain an accurate interpretation of any information you're receiving online, please contact your Realtor, or better than that, contact me!

Follow me on twitter - @sdrealestate and facebook.com/realestatesandiego

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.JaneLoveday.com

Homebuying 101 - 2010 style!

2010-01-15T21:04:00.000-08:00

Thinking of buying? Wanting the $8,000 Tax Credit to work for you? There are a lot of good reasons to buy a home right now, interest rates are at their lowest in years, prices are beginning to rise (in San Diego specifically) but not by a significant amount, you will get a fixed-rate mortgage which you really have qualified for! And it's a great long-term investment.

So what are the downsides?

First you must realise that you are not alone, many people are now seriously looking to buy their first home. We also have a substantial lack of inventory - that is homes for sale, and the majority are either bank-owned, investor-owned or short sales.

With a bank-owned home, there is usually no negotiating on price, repairs, termite clearance or closing costs. That can mean you maybe out additional dollars fixing up a house, and you may have to weigh that into how much you want to spend out of pocket, and if you can afford any extras. A bank-owned home is usually priced below the rest of the competition making it even more competitive with first-time buyers and investors who are looking for a good deal to 'flip'.

With an investor-owned home, it may have, and more times than not, have been 're-habbed' with new carpet, appliances, landscaping, even a termite clearance and if lucky a new roof. These homes may have originally been bought on the Courthouse steps with the sole purpose to resell and make a profit. These homes are also very competitive with first-time buyers as you seldom need to make or request repairs, it's already been done. You may also be able to request help with closing costs!

A short sale home is where the current owner is behind with their mortgage payments, and are negotiating with their lender to sell their home for it's current value, have the lender take a loss on the mortgage amount and the seller walk away. This process can take up to 4 - 6 months depending on the listing agent and their background experience in negotiating the short sale process. There may be a refusal for any repairs, closing costs, termite, etc as you are not dealing with the actual seller but their mortgage company or bank, who is already losing a lot of money by letting the home sell for less that what it was purchased at.

In all these cases, there is competition, and as a first-time homebuyer you must expect a lot of patience as you probably will be among several buyers submitting offers all hoping to be chosen.

To submit more than one offer on a property is totally usual in today's market, if you get lucky you may get an acceptance the first time, the 3rd, 5th, 10th or more. It all depends on several things:

If you have sufficient savings to cover your closing costs on top of your initial deposit and any additional funds for possibly repairs/termite clearance.

If you have a lender who can guarantee to close escrow within 30 days (everyone likes that a lot!)

If you can possibly qualify for a conventional loan (at least 10% or more down) versus an FHA loan (3.5% down)

If you are not signed up for a rental lease that still has over 2 months to expire - do you want to pay rent and a mortgage for a month while they overlap?

And if you have an agent who knows the market area in which you are buying, can communicate on a regular basis with other agents who may be holding your offers, and does not encourage you to over-bid even if you are competing with other buyers - you don't want to pay for an appraisal only to find out the home will not qualify for your offer amount.

There's an awful lot of variables, but if you know what you can expect, it will make it a little easier to understand that if your offer is rejected, it's not personal, you just keep trying.

There's a whole lot of first-time buyers who are closing their transactions, who are looking forward to their $8,000 tax rebate, and who represent the recent statistics that home sales are increasing monthly. It's always good to be educated on what to expect up front rather than get frustrated and upset if no-one had told you at the beginning.

GOOD LUCK! Here's to owning your very first home!

Jane Loveday

Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.JaneLoveday.com

30 Offers and a Red Front Door - San Diego Real Estate

2009-12-30T16:12:00.000-08:00

I have had the pleasure of working with ALL my buyers over the past several years but 2009 has posed a completely different set of 'rules'. With the amount of foreclosures and short sales that we are seeing it is not unusual for me to counsel that it will probably take several offers before one is accepted. That saying several usually means anywhere between 4 and maybe 8 offers, due to the competitiveness of the market and the amount of cash investors knowing a good thing when they see one.

However I recently spent a few months writing up to 30 offers for one buyer, he stayed with me as offer after offer was rejected, he was a VA buyer which means he did not put very much down, VA usually requires a 100% loan, and we were asking for closing costs to be paid by the seller, plus all termite inspection and clearance fees, and a home warranty to cover appliances.

Our 30th offer was on a property which was being 'flipped' - bought at auction, was rehabbed with new appliances, carpet, windows etc and with a red front door! Why would that matter - well a red front door some say is lucky and we were! 30 Offers and a Red Front Door!

After 30 offers we received an acceptance, we closed escrow within 30 days thanks to a wonderful lender who I work with, and my buyer is over the moon with the fact that not only is he a new homeowner, he also gets his $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit on his 2009 taxes!

Was it worth it, YES, YES, YES, your dream of homeownership is my dream for you too no matter what it takes. This market is challenging, but we Realtors are fighters and we stay the course because it's our business and we know in the future it will get easier, but for now we are in the ring and it's round 2, or 6, or 10 but we will win your title to your next home!

Jane Loveday
REALTOR Lic. # 01439083
Windermere Pacific Coast Properties
cell:619.519.1615
fax:619.269.3766
http://www.janeloveday.com/

Trouble (as in housing not beer!) brewing in San Diego....

2009-09-15T20:00:00.000-07:00
Yes we do have good local beers here in San Diego but there is not a problem with our beers, our problem is with housing prices at the lower end of the scale. Want a cheap beer - no problem, want a cheap home - big problem. It's not good news...

I have written about this in indirect ways before but we are definitely seeing a big issue with first time homebuyers who are desperately trying to get into their first house before the $8,000 tax credit ends November 30th. The issue is the shortage of homes available in the right price range.

For example, looking for a single family home under $200,000 that will qualify for an FHA loan - 3.5% down and all the regulations that go with the loan, it is nearly, actually almost impossible in San Diego. Wanting to do a VA loan with zero down and closing costs paid by the seller, not really an option when you are competing with offers that do not ask for any costs back to the buyer or a cash investor (and there are plenty out there).

Wanting a house that qualifies for any other State or government loan, the same - almost too difficult to achieve.

WHY?

There are too many buyers, too little inventory (homes for sale) and too much competition with multiple offers for all lower priced properties.

Even in the condo market we are seeing the same situation, if it's a deal, a steal, then be prepared to compete with everyone else thinking the same. Even cash offers are often beaten by investors with higher cash offers and nothing, absolutely nothing, priced under $350,000 goes for asking or lower than asking price today.

What are we to do? I'm not sure, the bottom hit a few months ago, it's a seller's market and even with foreclosures about to be released after a moratorium, their low prices increases the bidding wars and invariably they sell for 20 - 30% over list price.

It's not fair, it's frustrating, ask any Realtor who works with first-time homebuyers and ask how many offers they are submitting for each client - I can guarantee it's more than at least 4 or 5, more like 10 - 12 or more.

So the answer, there is none, try and find a seller willing to accept your offer, or keep saving and keep fingers crossed for that one home that you can qualify for.

Back to a good cheap beer, relax, take a deep breath and know your Realtor is really, really trying their best to help YOU!

For the latest on the housing market check this article published this week:

San Diego Daily Transcript

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.JaneLoveday.com

The State of San Diego's Real Estate Market July 2009

2009-07-21T14:54:00.000-07:00
There's a new marketplace here in San Diego, the phenomenon known as a Seller's Market! Where last year, and even to the beginning of this year, we kept seeing prices fall, a glut of homes available and no buyers in sight.

Now, we have multiple buyers, fewer sellers, prices rising and multiple offers being submitted. Thanks to the Government Tax Credit of $8,000 to qualified first time homebuyers, which ends December 1st, the thought of owning and getting $$ back has created it's own wave, almost tidal!

Once upon a time, last year, you could find multiple single family homes available in the College, Clairemont, Mira Mesa areas priced at or under $250,000. Now there's a grand total of 2! Mira Mesa and Clairemont have become the new hotbeds of desirable areas with homes receiving many multiple offers - one in Mira Mesa actually received 63! 8 or more is not unusual, and that is increasing the prices and buyer frustration as they continue to search for that elusive property - one they can afford!

There are areas with a few single family homes in this price bracket - minimum 2 bed, 2 bath, at or under $250,000 - Chula Vista has 17, Lemon Grove/La Mesa have 16, El Cajon/Spring Valley have 42, and North Park/Normal Heights have 11.

As a buyer's agent, it means a lot more work, and a whole lot more satisfaction when you do get an accepted offer - you can search for all homes available in San Diego County at www.HomesSanDiegoOnline.com

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.JaneLoveday.com

Where Has The Buyers' Market In San Diego Real Estate Gone?

2009-05-20T12:06:00.000-07:00
When the housing inventory (for sale homes) drops below the 6-month mark here in San Diego it becomes a “sellers” market. We now have under a 5 month supply.

What that means is, if all homes currently for sale are sold, we will have none left after 4 ½ months. Even if banks decide to unload more foreclosed homes, it will not affect this by much at all.

With new regulations on listing a home on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) here in San Diego coming into affect at the end of May, we will only have a 2 month supply.

For homes priced under $500,000, there is the situation of multiple offers (my client just won out from 11 other offers) which means property is moving quickly, even with short sales. And talking of which, the new regulations mentioned above now require that short sales are placed into a ‘contingent’ status, between for sale and pending, as many of the short sales already have offers submitted to the lenders, with back-up offers being accepted only.

Is the bottom of the market here? What do you think …. If you are waiting for prices to drop further, look no more, they will be dictated by the sellers now, it’s a cycle, and we enjoyed the buyers market up until earlier this year, the wheels have turned.

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.JaneLoveday.com

San Diego Property Virgins

2009-05-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

Here in San Diego we are experiencing (what is not usually known either in our local press or the national press) a very, very busy buyers’ market with investors who usually peruse the stock market, now buying real estate. So what does that have to do with Property Virgins to coin a phrase from HGTV?!
Well, pretty much everything. With investors not taking stock in the stock market, they are taking leaps and bounds into our real estate market and buying with cash the best buys they can find. It is not unusual to find a property, call on offers in advance (we are a multiple offer market here now) and find you are gazumped (does anyone remember that phrase) by an all cash buyer.

It is inherent in this economy to look for the best investment for your dollar. First time homebuyers are beginning to get on the bandwagon, only to find in a lot of cases that investors are beating them to the post.

I frequently call ahead to ascertain if there are any offers on the table, at or above asking – no actually figures quoted – only to be asked if I am representing an investor (all cash) or a home-buyer.

What is going on????

I now tell my buyers NOT to listen to the media, read the press, listen to the news, because in reality we are in the middle of a crazy, frenzied situation. Tonight I showed 6 properties, of those 3 we had to wait for the key to be returned as it was already being shown and this is within a 1 hour window in the middle of the week – goodness knows what is happening with the rest of the hours in the day. One property was already in escrow – YIKES!

So my take… my point … we need to educate buyers as to what to expect in REAL LIFE, not in the media, and to be on top of all offers they think they need to make, give their highest and best, and have realistic expectations that the bargain is no longer there. Tomorrow may be too late, yesterday was right and today was a competition…..

Jane Loveday
Windermere Real Estate Agent
619-519-1615 Cell
http://www.JaneLoveday.com