reside real estate

  i discuss the importance of looking at the price per square foot in your neighborhood to get a good idea of market value, especially when your considering buying or selling a home.

 I discuss some overall numbers for the Westside Market as well as discuss what has happened in the last week.

Here are some great overall numbers for the Westside Market as well as what has happened in the last week. 

there’s some good news coming from inmannews.com & foreclosureradar.com that indicates the foreclosure cancellations in california have increased 174% over the past year meaning banks are starting to work more with homeowners to avoid foreclosure.

i discuss a news piece that aired on 60 minutes last night about a new trend of homeowners walking away from their mortgages even though they can afford their home payments because their mortgage is “underwater”.

i discuss an article i just recieved from the California Association of Realtors and the findings of a group called first american core logic. the results may surprise you.

i discuss an article released in the wall street journal last week titled “the new rules of remodelling”.

i discuss an article in the san francisco gate about the federal home buyer tax credit expiring today.

in this episode, i discuss a recent AP article that shows the small cost differential between renting vs. owning a home. you can read the artcle here.

i discuss an article about the skinny on those “free” credit report companies. i also give you the website to order your truly free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com.

in this episode, i discuss a recent article at cnnmoney.com titled “getting a loan will be pricier”.

the following was sent to me this afternoon from the California Association of Realtors’ “Realegal newsletter”. it essentially states the funds for the first-time homebuyer tax credit won’t be around for long. if you’re sitting on the fence about buying a home, you need to read this;

The $100 million allocated for California’s first-time homebuyer tax credits may be depleted in about 10 to 20 days or sooner, according to C.A.R.’s Economics team.  California’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB) plans to begin accepting applications on May 1, 2010 for tax credits up to $10,000 for first-time homebuyers and for homes that have never been previously occupied.  However, the total tax credit allocation for all taxpayers is $100 million for first-time homebuyers and $100 million for new homes, both on a first-come, first-served basis.

C.A.R.’s forecast of 10 to 20 days to deplete the $100 million allocation for first-time home buyers is based on estimated May sales figures and other parameters.  It does not take into account the possibility that buyers scheduled to close escrow in April may delay closing until May to take advantage of the tax credit.  If a shift in closings from April to May occurs, the first-time homebuyer tax credits may be depleted even more quickly than indicated above.

Applications for the California tax credit must be faxed to the FTB after escrow closes.  The FTB will update its website when the 2010 application form and other information become available.

in this episode, i discuss an article i just recieved from california association of realtors’ “realegal” newsletter. they are predicting the monies for the first-time homebuyer tax credit will be gone within 10-20 days and possibly sooner. if you’re sitting on the fence about buying a home, you need to watch this now.

in this episode i discuss several factors that may be contributing to the inevitable rise in interest rates that industry experts are expecting to take place over the next 8-9 months.

in this episode, i discuss a news article recently released by cnnmoney.com, titled “with caution, americans still want a house”. you can read the full article at cnnmoney.com.