Hula and Real Estate

Well as of 7/1/09 it's official, my broker has changed names we are now Weichert Realtors, Gold Coast. The Gold Coast is important because we are still an independently owned Agency but now with Weichert Realtors we have access to a variety of tools we did not have before. Also the fact that Weichert Realtors has been predominantly an East Coast Company and is now expanding to the West.

I'm looking forward to this change, I know it will enhance my already growing Real Estate business and one of the areas is there Lead Generation Network. We were told about it but didn't know how it worked. Well on 7/2/09 I received my first lead, which amazed me that Weichert wasted no time in filtering leads to there agents.

If your thinking of a change to a new Realtor, give me a call. We need more agents in our office to cover the expansion and to grow with us.

 Dee Fether   714 907-7207  deeff@hularealtordee.com

We are in a Short Sale War, buyers are making offers that are being sent to the prospective lenders who have to get approvals from investors and so on and so on....After many days, weeks, months and for some agents a year or more holding on with a thread and a hopeful buyer in tow are now finding out that these lenders are trying to work with these owner/sellers to modify.

(AAAAAAAAAAAAAh---eeaa---------AAAAAAA) This is me screaming.

Of course we want owners to work things out with their lenders, but not after all the hard work, time, disappointments, and money that it takes to get these homes sold. There has to be a better system in place to stop the madness. I'm sure this will help to make us better Realtors in the long term but in the short term there are going to be a lot of grumpy, upset, discouraged Realtors and buyers who think we have something to do with this craziness.

Pressing forward....knowing that "This too shall pass", can I get an AMEN.

Dee

A beautiful sunny day here in Huntington Beach, I wish you and your family the best Fathers Day. Enjoy the day relaxing not stressing about, I guarantee that the only things fathers love most doing is relaxing or the remote control would have never been created. Napping may be the next best thing to dad's heart and/or the S word, he always seems to be up for that. What can I say, I have to keep it clean.

And...on that note, what is the REAL, real Estate market up to?....Well just found out that Calif 1st time homebuyers credit on new construction is dwindling down to nothing. If you were going to use that 10K gift from the state than you better shop today, get into escrow today and be ready to close tomorrow or the money will be gone. The 8K tax credit is still going strong and some lenders have agreed to use it towards closing costs rather than waiting to take it off next years taxes. This is great news for 1st time homebuyers it can make a huge difference when you don't have that extra $ to close with. Also make sure you ask your lenders about homebuyers assistance programs, you may qualify.

Well, I'm off to pay my respects to my Father in Heaven this morning it just seems like the right thing to do especially on Father's Day.

Have a wonderful day.

Dee

Why is it everyday I have a list to do but somehow....the time gets away from me and the list keeps growing day by day?  In my yesteryear (seems like last week) I would get everything done plus extra...and now......hummm just not happening. But at the same time since I've mellowed a bit in my old age it doesn't matter as much to get it all done. So, I have more to do tomorrow and I'll get to it eventually.

Now when it comes to my clients it's quite a different story, I'm there for them 24/7 and I always have my part completed before anyone else, funny how that works. Makes me a great agent to work with and I know my clients appreciate the extra service I give to their transactions.

How is the market doing anyway???? Inventory is dwindling, interest rates are inching up and there are more buyers than sellers. So I'd say it's stabilizing a bit but it really is a calm before a storm. We all know that banks are holding foreclosures due to the moratorium, more are willing to do loan mod's and short sales are bigger than they've ever been so it isn't an easy market to work in. Buyers need to stay strong to get the desired property and sellers need to be ready to move now. Kind of fun but hectic at the same time.

Time....it's a magic word, we all have the same amount of it and choose to use it differently....best to think of it as there's no time like the present and enjoy the time you have.

Dee

If your one of the rare finds of an Equity Seller you are gold in the eyes of a Realtor. No lengthy short sale transaction, no lender to tell you what they won't do to sell the property. Just a nice clean sale with all parties happy to negotiate and walk away satisfied. Ahhhh, that's my smiling sigh.

Plus.....if your an equity seller your able to sell your home in many different ways for example: if your retired and still want to generate some cash flow from your home you can either carry the full balance with the new buyers paying you direct, through a lawyer or through a trust account with interest. or....you can carry back just a portion of the loan, like a second and remember if the buyers default you have your home back plus all the payments they have been making in between. If you still have a mortgage balance of your own left to pay on this home and it's assumable (FHA, or VA)that has a good interest rate a new buyer may want to assume that loan and still make payments to you on the difference of the sale. These are called land contracts and AITD (all inclusive trust deeds) and these are just a couple of ideas.

Everyone is struggling, but if your an Equity Seller trying to downsize/upsize and still generate income due to a change in your life, think outside of the box you have the treasure that many are after. There are many families that still can't afford that large down payment but are able to make the monthly payments just fine and want to be homeowners.

Working with buyers and sellers who know the possibilities are real.

Our company has become a franchise of the Weichert Family so our new name will be Weichert Realtors-Gold Coast.

Dee Fether

Real Estate is so much fun.....some days extra fun, you have to smile everyday and wonder why this market has to be this crazy.

Transactions that use to take 30 days are now barely making the 90 day mark with emotions and stress for all involved yet the strong prevail every time. This market is not for the faint at heart it's for those that are focused on their goals and don't let the inconveniences sidetrack them.

Make your goal to complete your dream of home ownership and stand strong in the adversity because there is a light at the end of the tunnel and you will be happy you came through it and.. you'll have stories to tell your grand kids.

There is only one thing you can count on and thats the fact that everything that can go wrong, just might, but when your ready (emotionally) for that, it's just another drop in the bucket and one drop is not going to change your mind.

Now is the time, but the time takes time!

Dee

It's still good...no matter what you may think or what the media says.

Inventory is dwindling a bit with many buyers making offers on the same property, so if your a seller no need to worry. When your priced well, your property can be sold in a day. That's motivation if you've been considering selling. Why do people have a tendency to wait till the last minute? Well for me I think I'm wanting the lowest price but since we are there now there really isn't any excuse's.

For the buyers....be ready to compete for those homes, prices are already low and even if you have to pay more than the asking price your still getting a great deal. Again, there are no good excuses not to buy now. Everyone knows prices will begin to rise along with interest rates this may begin at the end of summer but it will happen.

Shop internet, use a great Realtor, and keep focused on the area that you want to invest in since properties are sold in a day. Don't give up and don't dwindle if your serious stay on course and you will find what your looking for.

See you in negotiation,

Dee

Just thinking....we have had the gloomiest mornings here in HB, I think June gloom came early this year. Thankfully it does burn off to give us an awesome afternoon, and gorgeous sunsets. And maybe June won't have that title this year?

I'm one of those people who actually enjoys the overcast weather it gives me energy to get things done, sun all the time gets boring and makes me sleepy. The only reason I'm even thinking of weather is because I have friends visiting from Oregon at the moment and of course they came to see the sun, LOL they will have to wait for the afternoon.

So...how's the Real Estate Market doing? Amazing, with Short Sales taking over it's not as fun as it could be but since I love what I do and I'm in it for the long term I'll deal.

Have a terrific DAY.

Dee

Time is moving fast.....at least faster than I can think of this year, I guess keeping up with all the Real Estate changes has got me busy.

First time shoppers have a lot of excitement and they should since this year holds great benefits for them. The discouraging part is the amount of time that it takes to buy this first home. Everyone now understands the meaning of Short Sale.....the longest most difficult time consuming process known to everyone working in the Real Estate industry today. Can it ever become less problematic for us? Well there trying but it is slow to come.

I have put into place a company (a law firm) that I send my Short Sale Sellers too, why???? because an attorney gets to the lender faster, produces real action and does create a Short Sale less cumbersome then those without this legal assistance. Note that I said, send the sellers. Don't take referral fees, don't require this process just give your sellers the option to retain a lawyer. Once your sellers and their lenders are in a go process, begin your listing transaction. Why start a process you don't know will happen until you have that approval, it just makes more sense both for your seller and yourself. These days we have to work smarter and use the tools available to us as well as do the best job possible for your seller. When this happens it's an awesome thing.

REO's still the best deal available both in price and time, but since your competition is so high with multiple offers on every property and cash is king attitude even this transaction has become difficult for new buyers. My advice is don't give up, make offers that are higher than asking price and be willing to fight for the property if you really want it. In the long run, these properties will grow in equity much faster and your investment will be worth every penny.

Strategy is always the same, keep your focus it is a great time to buy even if you have to go through all the hoops to get there.

One note...you will see that my broker has joined forces with an outstanding Real Estate Company and we are getting a new name. I haven't changed brokers I have just received a new name one that is very large in the east coast and we will be the 1st broker in Orange County to be part of their California Gold Coast team. Our new name is Weichert Realtors, Gold Coast.

I'm looking forward to servicing my clients with our new name soon, I just wanted to give you 1st notice, we will be on board July 1, 2009.

Dee Fether 

Tons of changes for the Real Estate Market and there coming every day.

Please verify all information on your own, this is what I've read just this week in the news.

Short Sale $ for the Lender approving the sale, $ for the owner having to relocate and $ for the 2nd Lien Holder as well. All incentives given to get the Short Sale moving faster with incentives. Can't complain about this one. Check it out with your Lender, they will have the details.

$8,000.00 tax credit on 2009 taxes.....not any more, if your that 1st time homebuyer and your FHA your now able to take advantage of this $8,000. going toward your downpayment. Upfront $ will be a big bonus, but check with your Lender for the details.

And lastly, a change for sellers regarding disclosures and the change of their current toilets will need to be changed to low-flow. Not sure sure when this change will begin, but I think it's soon. Not only will sellers need to disclose but if they can't afford to retrofit, then the cost will go to the buyers before they can purchase. Not happy about this one, since sellers are already stressed and buyers don't want to start a transaction having to pay upfront costs.

That's this weeks news....who knows what next week will bring.

Work with a qualified Realtor,

Dee