Month: October 2017

Fun Holiday Planning Kit!

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Most people that know me even a little, know that I operate out of my planner.  It’s how I stay organized and happy.  I time block everything, including time to relax and unwind.

I have tried many planners, and the one I am using right now comes from a company called Day Designer.

Today they sent me a free holiday planning printable kit.  Since it’s free and fun–and also, since the holidays are crazy if you make the mistake of not planning for them–I thought I would share this nifty planning kit here for you!

Here’s a short description: Get organized this holiday season with the enclosed collection of holiday planning printables. You’ll find the tools you need to create a realistic plan for the holidays that ultimately prioritizes the people and activities that matter most.

Download a copy of your holiday planning kit here (click link): Holiday_Printable_Kit_-_Day_Designer

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San Diego Market Update – October 2017

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market update

Good afternoon, fellow San Diegans!

Here is a short market update from you.  The following information is just a concise bullet list of market updates.  If you would like to see the full report (from Clarus MarketMetrics®), please let me know and I will email it to you!

Based on the last 12 months:

  • The median sold home price is up 10%. This means that if you list your house now, you’ll be able to get top dollar for it. We can’t know for sure what the market will do in the short or long term future–but we do believe at some point home prices will stabilize and take a dip.
  • The average days on market is down 11%. Translation? Properties are selling fast.
  • The average month’s supply of inventory is down 23%.

A lot of people believe in the myth that during the holidays, nothing sells.  However, if you’re waiting for Spring to list your house–don’t.  The notion that real estate sales stop cold during the holidays is a total myth.

The truth is that real estate is ALWAYS being bought and sold, year around, worldwide.  Owning real estate is one of the highest dreams one can hope to realize, and it doesn’t matter what time of year it is.  In fact, sometimes the fall and winter months are the best times to buy or sell real estate. This is because sales can move more quickly because serious buyers and sellers go into the market during these months.

From “I Do” to Sold

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Newlyweds are saying “I do” to each other, and equate to over half of first time home buyers that are also saying “I do” to their dream homes. It makes sense! When you put two hearts together, the time comes to find a home to nourish that love. A home that brings two of your places together, and makes it one. If you and your spouse are ready to fall in love with the perfect house together, here are five tips to make sure the process goes smoothly, and you come prepared.

1. YOUR WEDDING BUDGET: Your wedding is a one-time event that shouldn’t be less than what you’d imagine. It’s a beautiful time to put all of your dream pieces together. However, it’s best to sit down and find out ways you can shift the budget to help with your down payment for a home, if you plan to purchase. The average couple spends a little over $20,000 on their wedding. Even a savings of $5000 from your wedding budget can help with owning the perfect home. 

2. WEDDING GIFTS: Wedding bliss comes with wedding gifts. Let’s admit, one of our favorite times during the wedding season is all of the gifts that come pouring in! Have any friends or family pitching in cash? Save that to put towards your down payment. And depending on the generosity of your gifts, you can even open an account dedicated to your down payment, that friends and family can gift to. 

3. GET PRE-APPROVED: One of the least brought up conversations in relationships is the credit and financial history of your soon-to-be spouse. Get together with a lender to go over both of your histories to know what needs to be done to put you guys in a position to own together. In some cases, only one person can get approved, while the other can’t. If you want to put both of your incomes toward the cost of the house you want, talking to a lender early on can ensure you are prepared to make the right moves.

4. THE RIGHT AGENT: That’s where I come in! For starters, I can connect you with a lender to ensure you guys are being watched over from the best recommendations. And it’s an absolute joy to take the stress out of buying a home for my newly wed couples. We all know how stressful, although joyous, a wedding can be. To then jump into buying a house shortly after, well, it’s certainly a lot to get through. But I can guide you through all of the steps to make sure you end up with a house you love. Just think of me as a wedding planner, but for homes.

5. NOW THERE’S TWO: Although some spouses are a match made in heaven, loving and adoring the same exact things, often times that’s not the case with most couples. You still are your own persons, and have your own tastes. This is where the first step to comprise really begins. Spending a good bit of money on a place you both will love and call home. A happy marriage starts with a happy home, so be sure you both are considerate of each other’s wants and needs in style and location, so you both are happy with the home you end up getting. 

3 Questions To Ask Before Buying Your 1st Home

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The real estate market is constantly changing, so of course DO YOUR RESEARCH! DO NOT jump the gun on this one! Unbiased advice from family and peers may be kind, but you are the only one who knows what your needs are when it comes to buying a home.

WHAT MADE YOU CONSIDER OWNING A HOME?

Forget finances for a minute and focus on what made you consider even buying a home in the first place!

· Is your family expanding?

· Does your family feel safe?

· Is there a STELLAR school system in the area so your children can get the education they deserve?

· How about that unbearable landlord?

WHICH WAY IS THE REAL ESTATE MARKET GOING?

DON’T SLEEP ON YOUR DECISION TOO LONG! Home prices are on the rise! Not only are they on their way back up, but these increases are happening monthly.

Don’t believe us? According to Existing Homes Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average price of homes in May 2017 went up 5.8% from last year.

If you wait until next year to buy, you might be scrapping for change in the cushions to say the least! Not only will it cost you more to buy, but you will also need to increase your down payment to account for the higher price of the home. 

WHAT IS THE MORTGAGE FORECAST?

The initial process of purchasing your home may seem easy and quick, but THERE IS MORE TOO IT! The ‘long term cost’ of buying a home WILL haunt you if you buy at the wrong time! Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and NAR have projected that mortgage interest rates will DEFINITLEY increase over the next twelve months. The smallest increase in mortgage rates can have a huge impact on a home owner.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you and your family feel it is the right time to buy a home then GO FOR IT! Consider these points when making the final decision.

Don’t forget, this move is FOR YOU!