by Jeff Pittman | Mar 10, 2015 | Buyers
When you enter the real estate game, it’s important to have a plan. If you want to find the right home, at the right price and avoid the pitfalls of real estate newbies, then take a look at these tactics and strategies to keep your mind focused during your search.So get your game face on and let’s start planning! Here are 10 tactics for winning a home buyer game plan: 1. Learn about loans Mortgage loans are one of the most complicated pieces of the home buying puzzle – and they have the biggest effect on how much you pay for your home. However, according to recent data from the California Association of Realtors, 54% of first-time buyers didn’t fully understand the different loan options available and 43% said they did not completely understand the process. Take your time and immerse yourself in the world of Mortgage loans. 2. Tour houses in real life – not just online Nearly every homebuyer starts their search online but once you get serious, get out there and start viewing homes. Open houses are your friend. You can read square footage counts but until you see it for yourself you won’t know if it’ll work for you. Check out open houses in Southern California this weekend and take action on your homebuyer game plan. 3. Never forget to negotiate The real estate market is about to heat up for spring and summer, which means more competition. The best way to combat that competition is with a great strategy. That being said, it’s important to put an offer on a home that is competitive with other...
by Jeff Pittman | Mar 9, 2015 | Sellers
When getting ready to sell your home this year, don’t discount the importance of improving the curb appeal. The right first impression will go a long way in drawing in people who are willing to meet your price. Increasing curb appeal is just one of the ways in which a real estate agent will market your home to get you more bang for your buck.Timing is also a huge factor in selling your home and right now is a great time for sellers to hop on the market. The Southern California real estate market will be heating up soon, so put a spring in your step and some in your home as well to prepare for your big sale. These 6 tips will increase the chances for a quick sale this spring by freshening the look and feel of your home’s exterior. 1. Get Rid of the Clutter Anything that is detracting from the permanent elements of the home’s exterior needs to go. That includes garden gnomes, toys, and that bench you’ve been meaning to repair. Since all those things will move with you anyway, put them in storage and let the other elements of the exterior capture the eye. 2. Dress the Front Door Your goal is to make the main entrance to the home as appealing as possible. Flank the front door with potted plants, and invest in a new welcome mat. While you are at it, a simple wreath that calls attention to the door design is worth considering. Don’t overlook the value of applying a fresh coat of paint if the door is beginning to look...
by Jeff Pittman | Mar 5, 2015 | Weekly Quote
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~ Walt Disney
by Jeff Pittman | Mar 4, 2015 | Events
Orange County has an action packed month this March,2015 with tons of events and things to do. There are 3 different beer festivals going on this month, OC Restaurant Week, and tons of themed local festivals. Check out the list of Orange County events so you don’t miss all the fun this month. Here are the Events In Orange County March 2015! Orange County Restaurant Week Sunday, March 1st – Saturday, March 7th This week is the 7th annual Orange County Restaurant Week. There are over 130 eateries participating with delicious menus for every taste pallet and budget. So start browsing restaurants and menus – it’s going to be a mouthwatering week! Event website: ocrestaurantweek.com Downtown Fullerton Art Walk 5-Year Anniversary Event Friday, March 5th 6PM-10PM Art venues, artists and the community come together in one place on one night to celebrate one thing: The Arts in Fullerton. The Downtown Fullerton Art Walk will commemorate its landmark 5th Anniversary with a monumental art event at the Fullerton Museum Plaza in Fullerton. It’s all ages, free to the public and attracts over 2,000 art enthusiasts to the city for the celebration. Event website: facebook.com/events Dana Point Festival of Whales March 7th-8th & 14th-15th Held at the Dana Point Harbor Brought to you by OC Parks, the 44th annual Festival of Whales is all about celebrating the beauty of Dana Point’s local treasure – the whale. Both weekends include dozens of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy including art in the park with a giant origami whale sculpture being created over both weekends, historical society walking tour, classic cars and vintage...
by Jeff Pittman | Mar 4, 2015 | Homeowners
Taxes change drastically when you become a homeowner. Most importantly, there are a plethora of tax deductions that open up to you. In most cases, you need to itemize your taxes in order to take advantage of all the homeowner tax breaks. This can seem overwhelming but once you get the hang of it – and your sizable tax return – it will all be worth it. If you bought a home this year or just want to learn more about what real estate costs you can deduct from your taxes, then take a look at where you can get some money back this year. Here’s some tips on getting a grip on tax deductions. House Payment If you took out a mortgage to finance your home, you make monthly payments. You can’t deduct all of your costs, however there are several components of your house payment that you can deduct. Property Taxes – Taxes paid to the taxing authority are deductible. Usually these are paid monthly as a part of your mortgage payments so you can find the info you need on the annual statement from your lender. Although they may not be deductible by the state, these real estate taxes can be deducted on federal returns. Home mortgage interest – This is the biggest and most common deduction that homeowners claim on their taxes. Most homeowners can deduct all of their home mortgage interest. How much you can deduct depends on when you took out your mortgage, the amount and how you use mortgage proceeds. Mortgage insurance premiums – The ability to deduct private mortgage insurance (PMI) for...
