At different stages in life, each of us is faced with a number of opportunities.
These opportunities (sometimes disguised as work!) might not always be as obvious to see!
I’m happy to be able to say that I have jumped on most of them: some turned out to be regrettable; however, none of them was as exciting as my move to become a real estate agent.
Dare I say it out loud: I love real estate!
Contrary to popular belief, becoming a real estate agent isn’t just another change of jobs or a last option job; it truly comes with a complete change in lifestyle. There’s no other job that can even come close to it.
A home on a golf property is the ultimate investment.
Teeing off anytime you feel like doing so, wandering around landscaped surroundings, and living on prime property, have perks you can never resist.
Of course, there’s no such thing as a perfect investment. Properties on golf courses have their own risks.
The good news is a discerning eye, some research, and lots of good judgement will make sure you’re putting your hard-earned money in the right place.
Consider the following when investing in a golf property:
Golf properties that are “destination courses” – located high up in the mountains and the like – have their own set of patrons.
But there’s certainly greater demand for those found near major transportation hubs and routes.
They enjoy what is called a heavier attendance, which translates into a steady source of income for the property. This, in turn, guarantees that the course won’t close down anytime soon, and keeps the value of the golf property up.
These play a big role in determining the value of your property overtime. As a rule of thumb, older golf properties are only good investments when properly maintained.
On the other hand, younger properties (those less than 5 years old) should be completely developed. Aim for a golf course that is at least 5 years old and has a reliable financial history you can track up to its third year of operations.
Have a go-see around the neighborhood where the golf property is located. Check for shops, stores, and other indicators of a good neighborhood.
Don’t expect free membership to the golf course the moment you buy property within the vicinity.
Make sure the price tag on the property includes membership and use of golf club services, if any.
Looking to sell your home in 2019? The real estate market is constantly changing, and while the last few years have been kind to sellers, the tide could be about to turn. With preparation, you can sell your home for a good price at any time.
But what do you need to know about selling your home in 2019? Who are the home-seekers perusing the market, what do they want and how can you deliver? Read on, and we’ll discuss these questions and more.
It’s a good idea to be aware of market forecasts for 2019, both those with a wide scope and the localized ones. In general, house prices are expected to show a slight increase of around 1.7% across the country on average, as the market slows down and stabilizes due to higher interest rates. This is likely to result in more people looking to sell to a shrinking pool of buyers, making the need to stand out more important than ever.
Thoroughly research your local market before pricing and listing your property to ensure your home is desirable. It’s good to be prepared to sell and to have everything in place to ensure the transaction can go ahead without delay, as buyers attempt to avoid higher interest rates over the next few months.
Get an early valuation and ensure you have all the necessary paperwork. Deeds and insurance documents can take weeks to release, so it’s a good idea to get the ball rolling as soon as you can.
Understanding your target market is essential, and in 2019 in excess of 45% of buyers are expected to be millennials. Of course, this may not be the case in your area, so be sure to do your research. Generally speaking, urban areas, in particular, are expected to see higher levels of millennial buyers than in previous years.
This will impact how and where you promote your listing, and what you do to your home in preparation for selling it. Most millennials rely on online listing portals when house hunting, and expect high-quality listings that show them everything they need to know before they even consider making contact.
When making improvements to your home prior to sale, bear in mind that younger buyers may be more open to bolder colour schemes, but will also be more likely to want to renovate and put their own stamp on the place. With this in mind, it might be best to forgo that kitchen renovation and just ensure everything is clean and clutter-free, allowing buyers to let their imaginations run wild.
If you want your listing to stand out in 2019, a virtual tour is almost essential. A younger market who have grown up using the Internet for anything from banking and working to gaming and socializing will inevitably turn to it when house hunting. A virtual tour will allow potential buyers to get a good look inside your home, and give them a better understanding of how the space works.
This allows them to be sure they’re interested in making an offer on your home before they come and see it in the flesh. As a bonus, a virtual tour can filter out those who wouldn’t know they didn’t like your home until they had spent 30 minutes walking around it, saving you time and stress by avoiding having to keep preparing the house for visits.
As proof of climate change mounts up, the call to become ever more energy efficient has never been more relevant. Paired with lower utility bills, this makes energy efficient homes increasingly popular. Get rated, and when making upgrades to appliances and utilities, seek out the most energy-efficient models.
Think about how you can improve your energy efficiency with renovations. For example, replacing the insulation in the attic can drastically reduce heat loss, while switching to energy-saving sensor-driven light bulbs can slash electricity bills. This adds value to your home, as buyers see the long-term benefits of your upgrades.
Smartphone usage is spreading to almost all industries, and real estate is no different. More and more buyers use their phones to browse real estate listings throughout the day, so it’s important to ensure your listing looks amazing on a mobile.
Seek out real estate agents that can ensure good mobile access and visibility. In this way, your listing can reach a much wider, and possibly more relevant audience.
Selling your home in 2019 might seem more challenging than in previous years, but new technology and a changing market can also make it easier to reach more potential buyers. Keep ahead of the game, and use the tools at your disposal to ensure your sale runs smoothly.
Most home sellers contact agents who are experienced, knowledgeable, and have sold multiple homes in their neighborhood. However…
Through my 40 year journey as a realtor and hundreds of pre-listing appointments, I understand that for a homeowner to determine exactly which questions to ask is no easy task. To that end, I offer you the following questions as a guide to assist you in finding a top-performing, service-focused real estate agent, as well as how I answer these questions when asked:
1. Who will I be interacting with on a regular basis, and who will respond to inquiries about my property?
I answer ALL my calls myself. Clients, buyer agents and independent buyers speak directly to me for all matters, the only exception is appointment scheduling for inspections. My trusty assistant handles organizational tasks to maximize the time I am available for clients and to respond to listing inquiries. You will not be bounced around between a “team of agents”. You will interact with me throughout the entire sales process.
2. What kind of response time can I expect to calls, emails and texts? Not just messages from me as the home seller, but also inquiries from perspective buyers?
Real estate is not a 9 to 5 job, and good realtors know they must be “on call” nearly all the time. I am available from early in the morning until late at night, 7 days a week via phone, email and text. It is my primary goal to respond to most inquiries within minutes, and all within one hour unless I am in an appointment. If you copy my assistant, and I happen to be with a client, she will either answer your question or let you know when I will be free to respond.
3. How does the agent deal with unexpected and/or difficult situations and negotiations?
Past clients often joke that nothing rattles me. The truth is, after 22 years in real estate, there is rarely a situation that I haven't encountered before. I've seen it all and I know how to calmly address any possible crisis. Often, I will be able to give you a few options on how we could proceed.
4. How will the agent respond to buyer agents when they call with questions after seeing my home? Do most buyer agents think the agent initially prices a home too high, too low or just right? What is the agent’s negotiating style when an offer is presented?
I have worked very hard over my career to network with other agents and maintain an excellent reputation within my industry. When buyer agents see my name on a listing, they know the property will be in optimal condition and will be priced fairly. Agents look forward to showing my listings – I make it easy for them to access me, and I negotiate fairly and respectfully. In addition, I provide highly detailed listing materials that provide all the data needed to craft a strong offer for their client.
FHA home loans are mortgage loans that are insured against default by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). FHA loans are available for single family and multifamily homes. These home loans allow banks to continuously issue loans without much risk or capital requirements. The FHA doesn't issue loans or set interest rates, it just guarantees against default.
FHA loans allow individuals who may not qualify for a conventional mortgage obtain a loan, especially first time home buyers. These loans offer low minimum down payments, reasonable credit expectations, and flexible income requirements.
Orange County is a popular destination for those looking for premier Senior Community Homes ( communities with a resort-like active lifestyle to those age 55 and above). There is an abundance of activities for retirees in The OC. With some of the most beautiful beaches near by, there are several beautiful retirement communities with something for everyone in South Orange County California. Examples are: Casta del Sol and Palmia, in Mission Viejo,San Clemente has 'The Gallery' in Talega, Corona del Mar has the Terraces and of course, there's Laguna Woods and the multiple options there..
Search all Orange County Senior 55+ Community Homes currently available for sale, listed in the MLS including short sales and foreclosures. For more information about any of the homes, call us at (949) 625-4533
Are you looking for a starter home? Are you looking in a Senior Community? Are you looking in a luxury Community?
Take a quick look here for a condo of your choice.
I work with first time buyers, experienced buyers, and investors. Call me now at 949-625-4533.
