April 4th, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Thinking about selling your home? Now’s the time! As a homeowner in Southern California you’re perfectly positioned to sell your home with ease. In this two part series we outline what makes selling right now such a good idea. Be sure to check back next week for more reasons to sell.
Right now the real estate industry is experiencing historically low inventory, making it the perfect market for homesellers. When inventory is low, homeowners are more likely to receive offers that closely match or are higher than the listing price. Additionally, homes move a lot quicker when inventory is low. It’s not uncommon for homes to sell within days or just a few short weeks after they are put on the market.
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February 10th, 2016 at 10:00 am
Our agents are committed to finding a home for their buyers that makes their heart skip a beat, a home that they immediately can picture themselves spending the rest of their lives in. We asked Marco Rufo, an agent with our Pacific Palisades office, for his input on what he thinks it takes for a home to make a buyer fall in love. (more…)
February 1st, 2016 at 10:00 am
The good news: Adjustables are low and it’s a seller’s market
The Federal Reserve Bank’s decision to raise its benchmark interest rate by .25 percent has been the talk of the financial and real estate world since it was announced last Dec. 16.
To gain some insight, we asked David M. Cabot, our President and CEO, for his take on the situation.
Q: Why did the Federal Reserve Bank raise the rate?
A: The Fed was waiting for the economy to be stronger, and they believe it is now. The rate determines what the banks pay to borrow money from the Fed. But the banks can set their own rates for consumers, and they do. This is the first rate increase in seven years.
It’s interesting that they made a decision to do it now because they’ve been wanting to for over a year. I’m not an economist, but 2 percent economic growth is very, very modest. If we were growing at 3 or 4 percent, an interest rate hike would be a welcome thing in the business world. But at 2 percent, we’re not really certain. If we don’t start at a point where we have some growth, we’re never going to get above zero. It’s probably a wise thing from a macroeconomic point of view.
January 5th, 2016 at 11:00 am
When President Barack Obama signed the $1.1 trillion spending measure Congress passed on Dec. 18, he wiped out a 35-year-old tax imposed on foreign investors in the U.S. The measure, which helped avoid a government shutdown, now treats foreign pension funds the same as their U.S. counterparts so far as real estate investments are concerned. While it’s hard to predict specifics, there could be broad consequences on residential as well as commercial property prices around the country. (more…)
December 22nd, 2015 at 11:00 am
Author: Rosamaria Acuna
Do you think putting your home on the market in winter and during the holiday season is a bad idea? You would be surprised. Buyers at year end are serious and motivated, and inventory may be limited as other sellers wait for the New Year. Your home may be a standout, particularly if you get it prepared by taking some simple steps.
Start packing – you are moving. We all have pictures and objects that we think are charming because they are part of our lifestyle. But the potential buyer is not charmed by them and sees nothing but distractions. You want buyers to picture themselves in the living spaces you are selling, and not sidetracked by your personal objects. .
Don’t be hesitant to repaint rooms that look “tired.” A few dollars spent does wonders for the appearance. Wash the windows inside and outside, and power-wash the exterior. Don’t forget curb appeal. Keep the yard free of debris and leaves. The effects of drought can be minimized with evergreen trees, or container plants and cold-weather flowers to make the premises inviting.
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