8 Tips For Finding Your New Home

A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you. 

When looking for your new house, make sure to take into consideration how long you plan to stay there.

House hunting is just like any other shopping expedition. If you identify exactly what you want and do some research, you’ll zoom in on the home you want at the best price. These eight tips will guide you through a smart homebuying process.

1. Know thyself

Understand the type of home that suits your personality. Do you prefer a new or existing home? A ranch or a multistory home? If you’re leaning toward a fixer-upper, are you truly handy, or will you need to budget for contractors?

2. Research before you look

List the features you most want in a home and identify which are necessities and which are extras. Identify three to four neighborhoods you’d like to live in based on commute time, schools, recreation, crime, and price. Then hop onto REALTOR.com to get a feel for the homes available in your price range in your favorite neighborhoods. Use the results to prioritize your wants and needs so you can add in and weed out properties from the inventory you’d like to view.

3. Get your finances in order

Generally, lenders say you can afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. Create a budget so you know how much you’re comfortable spending each month on housing. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to investigate financing. 

Gather your financial records and meet with a lender to get a prequalification letter spelling out how much you’re eligible to borrow. The lender won’t necessarily consider the extra fees you’ll pay when you purchase or your plans to begin a family or purchase a new car, so shop in a price range you’re comfortable with. Also, presenting an offer contingent on financing will make your bid less attractive to sellers.

4. Set a moving timeline

5. Think long term

Your future plans may dictate the type of home you’ll buy. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in the home for five to 10 years? With a starter, you may need to adjust your expectations. If you plan to nest, be sure your priority list helps you identify a home you’ll still love years from now.

6. Work with a REALTOR®

Ask people you trust for referrals to a real estate professional they trust. Interview agents to determine which have expertise in the neighborhoods and type of homes you’re interested in. Because homebuying triggers many emotions, consider whether an agent’s style meshes with your personality. 

Also ask if the agent specializes in buyer representation. Unlike listing agents, whose first duty is to the seller, buyers’ reps work only for you even though they’re typically paid by the seller. Finally, check whether agents are REALTORS®, which means they’re members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. NAR has been a champion of homeownership rights for more than a century.

7. Be realistic

It’s OK to be picky about the home and neighborhood you want, but don’t be close-minded, unrealistic, or blinded by minor imperfections. If you insist on living in a cul-de-sac, you may miss out on great homes on streets that are just as quiet and secluded. 

On the flip side, don’t be so swayed by a “wow” feature that you forget about other issues—like noise levels—that can have a big impact on your quality of life. Use your priority list to evaluate each property, remembering there’s no such thing as the perfect home.

8. Limit the opinions you solicit

It’s natural to seek reassurance when making a big financial decision. But you know that saying about too many cooks in the kitchen. If you need a second opinion, select one or two people. But remain true to your list of wants and needs so the final decision is based on criteria you’ve identified as important.

Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent

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New Listing: 36 Highpoint, Aliso Viejo

FORMER MODEL HOME IN PACIFIC RIDGE COMMUNITY FOR SALE. 

  ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO OWN THIS BEAUTIFUL, END OF CUL-DE-SAC LOCATED PROPERTY WITH OVERSIZED LOT AND EXPANSIVE VIEWS FROM BACKYARD AND BEDROOM.

  Timing is everything.

  You are the “King of the Hill” in this former model home  offered for sale.

 This spectacular property located at rare end of a cul-de-sac is being offered to fortunate buyer. Expansive views without any development on entire backyard of the property overlooking Saddleback valley with unobstructed views southeast of Saddleback valley. Enjoy the unobstructed moon- rise directly centered over the backyard. This property features:

1. End of cul-de-sac location located within 5 miles of downtown Laguna Beach and easy access to the toll road (approx. 1.5 miles to route 73);
2. Extra-long driveway and over-sized backyard rarely seen in this development and can accommodate a pool or spa;
3. Property located on the highest point of the development with unobstructed views of Saddleback valley;
4. Upper-level deck view build-out possible to enhance already spectacular valley views;
5. Naturally-flowing ocean breezes migrate from Laguna Canyon up the street to the property;
6. Beautiful moonrises and full moons directly centered over your unobstructed backyard;
7. Fireworks are viewable every July 4th from Laguna Beach to Dana Point to Coto de Caza from your backyard or upstairs bedroom;
8. Must see to appreciate.

  

Rarely on the market, this gorgeous piece of property is the perfect combination of a huge lot, unobstructed view of Saddleback Mountain and city lights, and a well maintained home at the end of a cul-de-sac. Largest model in the tract, this three bedroom home can easily be 

converted to a 4-bedroom, which was a builder option. Enjoy the oversized family room with oversized fireplace, family kitchen with lots of storage and a walk-in pantry, living room and dining room. Upstairs laundry room with utility sink for added convenience. Beautiful newer hardwood floors downstairs, crown molding, textured designer carpet upstairs, are a few of the many upgrades in this home. The master suite has a separate tub and shower, dual sinks, and a huge walk-in closet. Enjoy the 3-car garage with lots of storage and an extra long driveway for plenty of parking.

4 Reasons Consumers STILL Need an Agent

The Keller Home Selling Team wants to thank the Trulia Pro Blog for this great information!

4 Reasons Consumers STILL Need an Agent

Jovan Hackley

In a world where the Internet makes marketing miracles possible and home data seems to flow free, every once in a while you’ll hear of someone attempting to buy or sell without an agent.

While some stories speak of success, they also reveal the time, expertise, and energy that go into a sale and the indisputable benefits of having an agent.

Here are four ways a recent story of an Australian owner taking charge of his property marketing showed that marketing and managing a home is a time-consuming undertaking and why now, more than ever, smart consumers need to use a real estate agent. The story was that, thanks to social media, a homeowner sold his Californian bungalow for $A1.05 million, $135,000 above the asking price.

1) Online marketing takes time and expertise

According to various Down Under news sites, the owner set up a website, blog, Twitter feed, YouTube videos, and a Picasa photo page for the home.

This story illustrates two things – both that online marketing works, and that it takes hours of effort. This home sold above its asking price as a result of the interest generated by a professional’s online marketing efforts — Opray is a professional online marketer who spent many hours every day promoting his home through these multiple channels. Most sellers don’t have this level of expertise or the time to spend on the effort.

Agent tip: Show sellers a detailed marketing plan for their home and keep them up to date on what’s happening with their property. Tools like Trulia’s Client Listing Reports can be a big help.

2) A home’s information alone is not enough – every home lives in a market

Opray was quoted in the National Business Review, “I know my house better than any agent. Who better to sell the house than me?”

This comment is typical of someone who doesn’t realize that knowing about a home is just the first step. The real key to moving a listing is knowing how that home fits into the market – and only a professional brings that kind of focus and real experience.

Agent tip: Show prospective clients a local market overview that demonstrates the deep expertise and knowledge you bring to the table. Trulia’s Local Pages can help you show data clearly.

3) Showings and connections sell homes

From TheMoveChannel.Com: “Opray aimed to bring as many buyers to the home’s blog as possible, giving them a personal insight into the house.””

To sell his property, Opray had to develop a following and create connections online. This is easy for agents, who are already tapped into a network of people buying and selling.

Agent tip: Your connections in your local and agent community matter to sellers. Your knowledge of local listings and buyers will remind them that they’ll benefit by working with you.

4) Even the smartest use an agent for expertise

Even with all of Opray’s social media efforts to help sell his home on his own, in the end he hired an agent.

Agent tip: Despite all the online resources available to home sellers today, they still need agents. Use these points in your listing presentations to demonstrate that the selling process, and the results, are more effective with an agent.

NEW LISTING IN TALEGA!

11 Calle Anacapa, San Clemente

      From the moment to walk in the inviting front entry way you are greeted with simple elegance and serenity. Never before on the market, this home was hand picked for its large lot and numerous upgrades. The unique gallery entry welcomes you into the dramatic 2-story living room and dining room with the focal point being a gorgeous fireplace with custom mantle. Two bookcases flank the fireplace making it quite a statement. The open concept kitchen and family room make this home an entertainer's dream. The kitchen has soaring two-story ceilings and is a cook's paradise with two separate ovens, a 5-burner stovetop, built-in refrigerator and microwave, and an oversized center island. The family room is home to another fireplace, custom faced with chunky stacked stone. The custom designed entertainment center is perfect for housing your electronics and can be customized to fit any flat screen. The private backyard is a sanctuary with beautifully landscaped grounds complete with garden beds, rose bushes, mature trees, huge grassy area, and outdoor living space with built-in fire king BBQ and surrounding bar. With three bedrooms downstairs, including the master suite, and one large bedroom and bath up, and a large loft, everyone can have their own space.

Selling a House? Don’t Overprice It

by THE KCM CREW on JULY 15, 2013

There is no doubt that the housing market is coming back nicely. What, if anything, could slow down the current momentum? We believe it may be sellers’ over exuberance when it comes to pricing. There is little doubt that house prices have appreciated over the last twelve months in most regions of the country. However, with both the inventory of homes for sale and interest rates increasing, we have to be careful to not over judge what the market can bare.

Trulia just reported that asking prices have jumped dramatically and the increase is accelerating:  

• Year-Over-Year prices jumped 10.7%
• Quarter-Over-Quarter prices jumped 4.1% (16.4% annualized)
• Month-Over-Month prices jumped 1.5% (18% annualized)

No expert is expecting home prices to shoot up 18% in the next twelve months. If anything, price appreciation may slow as rates and inventories increase. Investors will begin to slow their purchases and the first-time buyers expected to take their place will be working within a pre-set budget in many cases.

Buyers’ Purchasing Power

Let’s look at an example: A young couple is looking for a home and have predetermined that their budget will only allow them to spend $1,000 a month on a mortgage. At today’s mortgage rate of 4.5%, they could afford a $200,000 mortgage ($1,013 principal & interest). However, if rates jump to 5%, they would have to lower their mortgage amount to $190,000 in order to keep their monthly payment where they need it ($1,020). At 5.5%, the mortgage would need to be no more than $180,000 ($1,022).

The Impact on Prices

This decrease in buyers’ purchasing power will have an impact on home values going forward. We do not believe it will cause a decrease in prices. However, we do believe it will likely cause current rates of appreciation to slow.

If you are thinking about selling your home, don’t get carried away with current headlines about home price increases that have taken place over the last twelve months. Instead, call a local real estate professional. They will be best prepared to explain where prices are headed over the next six months. 

NEW LISTING in Laguna Beach!!!

This charming beach cottage styled residence captures the essence of Laguna Beach’s casual lifestyle. A special home which can be used as a two bedroom, or split level with separate entrance & income generating capabilities. The property redefines "charming" and offers panoramic ocean and Catalina views with a decked out kitchen, stainless DCS appliances and comfortable living area, with true cottage decor: beamed ceilings, beadboard, hardwood floors, neutral colors, granite and tumbled stone & wrap around trex like decking overlooking a majestic ocean. Conveniently located close in walking distance to beaches, restaurants and night life.