Happy Holidays!

To all our cherished friends, neighbors, family and clients – we are so proud to have been able to work with you and be a part of your lives! As we end this year and turn to the exciting time and events that 2013 holds, we just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all that you bring to our lives.

We have some really great plans in the coming year to bring more success to all your real estate endeavors. And with each transaction that makes it to the closing table in the coming months and years ahead – we know that there will continue to be new and exciting things to follow for all of us.

On behalf of the entire group – Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, Peace and Joy!

Busting the Myth of Selling in Winter Months

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Many sellers are unsure whether or not to wait until next spring before listing their home. The confusion comes with a combination of age-old schools of thought that predict the spring season as being almost the only season for homes to sell successfully. Not true.

A lot of homeowners are under the impression that homes are not selling at all, whereas in our own experience, time and again we continue to see complete opposite results. So much so, that we are defying the myths of never ending days on market statistics with many properties going under contract in approximately two weeks. Here’s why.

There are so many buyers in the marketplace right now that are eager to lock in the phenomenal interest rates and market conditions that continue to allow a very significant amount of buying power. The interesting thing is that while it is a strong buyers’ market in that sense, sellers are still enjoying an edge with the lower inventory that comes with it being this time of year.

Regardless of which side of the fence you are on, either way you look at it the market is strong. People are out there buying. If there are fewer homes available on the market, then that only means that there is less selling competition. This of course translates to top dollar and incredibly quick, hassle-free transactions in which everyone comes out a smiling winner.

So to answer one of the most frequently asked questions I am getting these days, it IS a great time to sell your home. Sure, you could wait till spring. But keep in mind that so will countless other sellers and by the time springtime blooms are back out, so will equally as many more “for sale” signs, competing with you.

By listing your home now, you can harness the power of the buyers that are striving to find that perfect property before the holidays kick in.

Contact us today if you’d like a custom, home valuation report detailing exactly what we expect your home will sell for in today’s marketplace. Our team looks forward to hearing from you and helping your real estate goals come to fruition.

Need a Real Estate Agent Referral? We Can Help!

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Referrals happen in the real estate field every day. Because of our extensive connections, we can introduce you, a friend or a family member to top agents throughout the country. We will work with these agents to develop the best home-buying strategy for you. This week we are in Florida for the Mike Ferry Superstar Retreat, connecting with the top agents in the world. There are agents from Canada, Australia, Italy and England meeting to discuss different marketing strategies and how we can better our selves and our service.

Our promise? To get our sellers’ homes sold for the most amount of money in the least amount of time.

Because the real estate market is always evolving, you need to work with real estate agents who are willing to continually educate themselves about the marketplace. That’s what we do, and we recommend only real estate agents who do the same.

So if you or someone you know has a real estate need anywhere in the country, call us at (626) 441-3449. Or, send me email at megmiddleman@gmail.com. We will be happy to work with you!

Four Expert Tips on Buying the Home You Want

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These days there are a lot more buyers in most markets than there are sellers and what that means is if you are out looking for your dream home, you will need to take some extra steps to make sure you can get the home you want.

That is why I have put together a few things you can do to make sure you get the home. Everyone knows that for most people finding the perfect home takes time. After many searches, numerous views and countless other things you need to find exactly what you are looking for – imagine losing the home to your buying competition! Here are four things you can do to make sure that does not happen to you.

Get a Preapproval From Your Lender

Buyers that walk into a home – see it, like it and know they want to buy it – will most likely do better if they are holding a letter from their lender stating that they can afford it. Especially in today’s market when more and more sellers are seeing multiple offer situations, you need an edge over other buyers and sometimes all it takes is having a preapproval from the bank. In fact, in many cases now sellers will not even consider a buyer without a preapproval. Note that a preapproval is not the same thing as a prequalification.

Find a Knowledgeable Real Estate Agent

Many people have no idea that having an experienced and qualified real estate agent can and does make all the difference in a successful negotiation. Not only do you need someone that knows the market very well, but also you will benefit from someone that can be aggressive with your terms and price.

Don’t Procrastinate – Make Your Offer Quickly

With today’s fast-paced marketplace a lot of buyers are stunned to find that they had waited too long to make an offer only to discover that the home sold to someone else. Waiting even one week can have a negative impact on your plans to buy a house so if you know you like it, have decided to make an offer on it, don’t wait!

Choose an Agent that is Well-Known Within the Profession

It is one thing to find an agent that is known among clients – but when you are working with someone that has a strong rapport with their peers it can have a very positive impact on your real estate endeavors. During negotiations and otherwise, well-respected agents garner far better results for their clients.

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If you would like assistance in finding your dream home – or with any other real estate related concerns, contact us today! We will be glad to help!

South Pasadena Inventory Dwindling Making Ideal Market Conditions for Sellers

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After several years of a buyer-centric marketplace it is finally time for sellers to enjoy the limelight. Right now, we are reporting inventory levels at unprecedented lows. In fact, today we have 35% fewer homes available on the market – and that means we have 35% fewer sellers out there competing against you.

Combine this change in our available properties on hand with the low prices and the record setting low interest rates and you have a winning combination! You have undoubtedly been hearing from me and other agents nationwide that it is a great time to buy – and it is. But now, with the change in our inventory make up, it is now also a great time to sell.

This is great news for homeowners that have been on the fence about either moving up into something bigger and better than their current home or those that are ready to downsize. Either way, since it is a dollar for dollar market, the trade is even.

But here is where the difference comes in: with the extremely low cost of borrowing today, you can walk away with a better home while paying the same monthly mortgage amount. Better yet, if you downsize, you can actually walk away with a significant amount of extra money in your pocket each month.

Either way, this is an ideal time to take some action on what you may have been thinking of doing for a long time now. Those people that have been waiting for the market to go back up will find that it will take years for them to recover pre-housing crash levels. When interest rates go back up again, that is what will make a huge difference.

To find out how we can make your real estate goals become a reality, contact me today! My number is 626 441 3449 and I can also be reached via email at megmiddleman@gmail.com.

Protesting the Amount of Taxes on Your Property

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This is the time of year when homeowners across America are receiving notices from their County Tax Assessor’s office informing them of their home’s value on which they will be taxed.  Sounds simple enough – until and unless you find that the value they are using seems too high.  Of course, higher assessed value translates to more out of pocket property taxes so the last thing you want to be doing is paying more when you do not need to.

How To Determine Whether You Are Overpaying Property Taxes

There are two ways to find out whether your property taxes are higher than they should be.  First, you can go the traditional route, which is to investigate sale prices of homes in the area that are similar to yours.  The sales you are looking for should be completed in the 2011 calendar year (since property values are assessed based on the previous year’s sales).

You can also contact your Realtor to get an idea of whether you should pursue a property tax appeal.  For a quick view and an instant reply you can visit this website, input your address and the site will come back instantly with a reply.  If there are unusual circumstances to the property (for instance if it was sold recently) then you may be asked for your email address to get a reply later.

The Tax Appeal Process

Depending on which county you reside in, the process will vary slightly but for the most part it is a matter of presenting supporting documentation to a board of review, demonstrating your values have gone down.  With the supporting data you can then request that your taxable value be reassessed prior to the next property tax payment due date.

Some counties provide only one window of opportunity for homeowners to appeal their property tax values while others offer two times during the year.  To confirm the policy in your area visit your county treasurer’s office or website for more information.  Similarly, the process of appealing your taxes will also vary from county to county.  There are companies and also attorneys that can assist you through the process but an important part of the process is to gather data supporting your claim for lower tax values.

Comparing Area Values

While you can investigate the sale prices of recently sold properties in your area a challenge might arise when it comes to finding near identical properties to yours or at least very similar ones.  In terms of amenities, square footage, style and structure – homes used to compare values must be like kind in order to be usable data. The best way to manage this aspect of your tax appeal process is to engage your Realtor and utilize their resources in finding good comparables.  No one knows the area and its homes better than your Realtor.  They will compile a list of several properties that have sold for less than your home’s current assessed value and through that documentation be able to prove the need to reduce your taxes.

Other Ways to Save on Property Taxes

Aside from lowering your tax dues on the home you may also be eligible for certain exemptions depending on your situation.  Contact your local county tax assessor’s office to learn of the exemptions offered in your state.  Some examples include exemptions for military personnel and veterans, owners of farm property or daycare facilities and non-profit student housing. 

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To find out if savings amounting to hundreds of dollars seems possible for you, find out now and beat the deadline!

10 Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask an Agent

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As you embark upon what will be one of the most important transactions of your life – whether buying or selling a home – you should be absolutely certain that you are happy with the real estate agent you have hired to help you manage it. 

To help you with this all-important hiring process, here are ten important questions to ask an agent before you decide on whether or not to hire them:

Question #1

How Close Do You Get in Sale Price Related to Asking Price?

It is important to ask for this information as it relates to the past 60 days.  Given that many agents are not that active in the market, you would be best served to obtain the most recent information possible.  As a seller, your agent’s ability to come close to the asking price is a strong attribute and can mean a difference of thousands of dollars in your transaction.

Question #2

How Many Days on Average Does It Take You To Sell a Home?

What’s the average number of days on the market for properties listed by your prospective agent? Since this statistic can reach as high as six to nine months and in some cases and as much as a year, it is important to ask how your prospective agent ranks on the scale.

Question #3

What is the Rate of Homes Sold on a Monthly Basis?

Knowing the absorption rate of homes similar to yours that are on the market allows valuable insight as to how the market is performing for your particular needs.  Not only does it give sellers a glimpse into the system and how it would translate to their own sale but it also presents a broader view of the entire market in general.

Question #4

What Do You Do Differently To Get Homes Sold?

Especially with the current trying economic times, many agents have been faced with adversities trying to sell the homes on their list.  One of the best ways to learn whether your agent is a self-starter is to find out what they have done in the past when they were unable to successfully sell homes.  Ask why the agent feels the home(s) did not sell and then find out what they are doing differently to get them sold.

Question #5

What Percentage of Deals Do You Represent the Buyer Versus Seller? 

Some agents work primarily with sellers while others work mostly with buyers and still others are experienced with dual-agency deals.  Depending on your needs, you will benefit from an agent that specializes in one of the two.  It is important to ask which side of the fence your prospective agent tends to represent. 

Questions #6

How Many Homes Did You Sell Last Year?

Nothing speaks louder than numbers.  A very important statistic, ask what the total number of homes sold last year was and if possible try to get a more long-term picture of the agent’s performance in this regard. You can also ask for a month-to-month breakdown to see if there are certain stronger months.

Questions #7

Can You Provide a List of the Ten Most Current Clients You Have Worked With?

Rather than rely on the given list of referrals that many agents have handpicked, it’s a good idea to obtain a list of clients that are currently working with this Realtor.  It will provide a much-needed glimpse into the agent’s performance on various stages of real estate transactions.

Question #8

How Much of Your Work Day Do You Dedicate to the Real Estate Industry?

You want an agent that is 100% committed to their  job and if they are focusing more on a day job with real estate being a secondary thing, you run the risk of inaccessibility, lack of knowledge and experience plus lackluster motivation.  Find out how they feel about the real estate industry and whether they are passionate about their work.

Question #9

What is Your Style of Marketing – Proactive or Reactive?

What is your potential agent’s style of working?  Does he or she speak to a large number of people each day? Are they proactive or reactive in nature when it comes to marketing? See how this lines up with your real estate needs.  Are you in a hurry to buy or sell?  Does a laid back agent hinder your efforts? Or does slow and steady work better for you?

Question #10

What Does Your Daily Schedule Look Like?

The typical schedule of a real estate professional can be very telling.  By asking for a copy or general idea of how they conduct their day in terms of their work, you can get a good idea of how much time is devoted to the profession and what kind of business they are running.

5 Things You Should Do When You Move Into a New Home

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1. Change locks

Unfortunately, you can’t assume the keys you’re holding are the only keys to your home that could exist out there. Play it safe and have all the locks changed as soon as you can.

2. Re-program garage door opener

Again, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the security of your new home. Most garage door remotes have a reset button that you can hold down to reprogram the opener. If you want more concise instructions, note the make and model of the opener and contact the company to walk you through the steps.

3. Replace furnace filter

Most manufacturers recommend that a furnace filter be changed once a month during the heating season to ensure the most efficient performance. While there are higher-quality filters that may not require monthly replacement, it’s still a good idea to check the filter monthly and, of course, replace it when you move into a new place.

4. Install new batteries in smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector

You have no way of knowing when the batteries were last changed and if the home has been unoccupied, it’s probably been awhile. Test the alarm and detector and put new batteries in each. This investment of time and a few dollars is well worth it, given the stakes.

5. Replace toilet seat covers

We probably don’t need to go into specific details, but most people insist on swapping out toilet seats.