by Jeff Pittman | Nov 13, 2015 | Weekly Quote
“In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can.” ~ Nikos Kazantzakis
by Jeff Pittman | Nov 12, 2015 | Homeowners
5 Things You Need To Know If You Go The Rent-To-Own Route The real estate market has been up and down over the past decade, and there has been a resurgence in people who have decided to go the rent-to-own route. Most people don’t realize that you can sign a lease and rent-to-own in certain instances. However, this is an option for those who often don’t have enough money for a traditional down payment or who may have some credit issues. There are five things you should know before diving into a rent-to-own lease. EXPECT TO PAY MORE If you are renting to own, you should expect to pay more money each moth than if you were renting alone. This is because, in the rent-to-own scenario, typically part of your monthly payment goes toward the down payment. Banks often want to see where every dollar is going, so it is a good idea to write two checks each month, one for rent and one for the down payment. This is also useful if the payment amount is called into question. PURCHASE PRICE IS SET UPFRONT Finding a place that is willing to rent-to-own is the first step, but setting a fair and reasonable price is also something that must be factored into the equation. The purchase price is determined upfront, so it is important that the buyer research the comps in the area. Additionally, getting an inspection and an appraisal is still necessary to be sure that the sales price is fair, especially if the buyer will be getting outside financing. This is also the time to negotiate. LOOK...
by Jeff Pittman | Nov 5, 2015 | Sellers
6 Tried and True Ways To Sell Your Home Fast Nobody wants their home to sit on the market and get stale. As a seller you want a quick turn over and return so you can move on with your life. Selling a home fast is feasible if you follow time-tested guidelines. When you consider the highly charged emotional circumstances surrounding a home sale, there is no substitute for following a plan. So let’s get down to the details! PRICE IT RIGHT Deciding on a fair price may be one of the most important decisions a seller has to make. Analyzing comparable homes recently sold in your immediate neighborhood is the best way to decide on the price. That’s why First Team agents run a CMA or Comparative Market Analysis for each home that will be put on the market. Pricing your home on the low end will typically help it sell faster and overpricing will have your home sitting on the market like a lame duck. STAGE YOUR HOME There is a reason builders use stagers. Pretty homes sell faster. In fact the National Association of REALTORS did a study and found that 46% of buyers are more willing to walk through a home they viewed online if it’s staged. Getting more buyers in the door will speed up your selling process and get you the best price for your home. Since buying a home is an emotional purchase, it is imperative that the home is inviting and stylish. 28% of buyers revealed they were more willing to overlook other property faults if a home is staged and 16%...
by Jeff Pittman | Oct 28, 2015 | Events
Events In Orange County November 2015 Once Halloween has passed, there’s still plenty of things to do in Orange County. We’ve got the what and where on the events in Orange County this November 2015. Get ready for more Fall events including turkey trots, the Season of the Force at Disneyland and holiday fun popping up all over town. VIVA LA VIDA SANTA ANA Sunday, November 1st 11AM-9PM Viva La Vida is a free, family friendly Dia De Los Muertos Festival. Participants in past events have dedicated altars to parents, siblings, and friends as well as present causes such as soldiers who have died in war, women who have made an impact in history, and people who have died of illnesses such as AIDS, cancer, or diabetes. In addition to the beautiful altars is live entertainment and a variety of vendors. Event website: vivalavidasantaana.com SOCAL VEGFEST Sunday, November 1st 10AM-4PM Shake off the Halloween candy wrappers and commit yourself to some healthier choices at the SoCal Vegfest. Admission is free to this event geared toward inspiring health conscious living in people of all ages. The event will include plant-based food samples, live music, guest speakers, cooking demos, raffles, interactive booths and more. The event is run by volunteers as a project of Animal Protection and Rescue League (APRL), a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization. And did we mention there’s a Vegan Cupcake Competition? We think this is a must try! Event website: socalvegfest.org DINOSAUR DASH Sunday, November 1st 6:30AM-11AM The Dino Dash is the biggest fundraiser of the year and it’s having its 25th anniversary this year. The Dinosaur Dash Run for...
by Jeff Pittman | Oct 26, 2015 | Sellers
How To Attract Fall Home Buyers Historically, summer is the hottest season for real estate. Homebuyers with children search in spring and early summer to have a house sale secured before the school year starts in September. Once the holiday season hits at the end of the year subsequently, the market has cooled. However, there are two types of buyers that are out and about during fall that don’t fall into this category. Families aren’t the only homebuyers on the market, there are also young millennials and older couples looking to downsize who you are more likely to encounter this time of year. If you’re putting your home on the market this season, then here’s some tips on how to attract the shoppers you’re likely to encounter. MILLENNIALS Millennials refers to homebuyers roughly between the ages of 18 to early 30s born from 1980 to 2000. These young house hunters are tech savvy, fast paced and a whole new breed of buyers. BE READY 24/7 Smartphone in hand, millennials are always on the market. That means they will search listings and consider buyer at any time – so be ready for them. Keep your home in tip-top shape and show-ready because a young buyer can be searching after work, text their agent and be ready to view your home in 5 minutes. You don’t want to turn them down because you we’re ready yourself. GREAT PHOTOS ONLINE Millennials are visual and starting their home search online. That’s why you’ve got to have great photos to show off your property and capture their interest right out the gate. If you...
