What is a Land Lease If you have been looking at Orange County homes online, you have probably come across some deals that just looked too good to be true. I get multiple calls a week from people who are eager to jump on what they think is a great deal until I explain to […]
Category Archives: Real Estate
What is COVID-19 Doing to Real Estate
In March I wrote an article about how the Coronavirus had hit the stock market, and how that might affect real estate. Well now we’re more than a week into April and we don’t have to ask what might happen, because it’s happening right now. As a Realtor, I have a bit of a different […]
How Will Coronavirus Affect The Housing Market in Orange County
The Coronavirus is here, and it has brought confusion and panic with it. Just go to any supermarket or Costco and try to find a package of toilet paper. The shelves are bare as people stock up in preparation for… THE PANDEMIC As a new father it is definitely concerning. On one hand I don’t […]
How to Correctly Calculate Return On Investment (ROI) in Real Estate
The biggest mistake people make when investing in Real Estate is focusing too much on one or two of the three factors that affect your ROI (return on investment), rather than all three together. The factors I’m talking about are Cost, Revenue, and Expenses. If you want to be a successful investor it is important […]
5 Lies You’ve Heard About Real Estate Agents
One thing I’ve learned from talking to a lot of people about real estate, is that there are some common misconceptions out there about working with Realtors. These misconceptions usually revolve around what it is we actually do, how the process works, and the nature of the Agency Relationship. In most real estate transactions there […]
The Home Selling Process Explained Step by Step
So what exactly is the process in Orange County for selling a home? Well, it’s pretty much the same as it is anywhere else in California. In fact, the overall process is pretty similar throughout the entire country, however the details do change from one region to the next. For example, in Orange County we […]
Small Down Payment vs. Large Down Payment
If you’ve talked to anyone about your plans to buy a home, than you’ve probably been told that you need to save up for a 20-percent down payment. That’s a scary thought considering the median home price in Orange County, California is well over $800K. Yikes! But thankfully, you you have options when it comes […]
The Seller’s Guide to Navigating the Home Inspection
Getting past the home inspection typically signals the end of negotiating the sale of your home. There’s not a whole lot happening on the seller’s side between here and the closing table. Passing the home inspection means the hard part of selling is over and you get to move on to your new home. The […]
How to Start a Bidding War for Your House in OC
Igniting a bidding war for your home is hands down, one of the most effective ways to make sure it sells for top dollar. Every part of your marketing plan should be focused on exposing your house to a lot of buyers, so that you can attract as many offers as possible in Orange […]
The Middle Class Gets Priced Out of OC
When I read articles about how the middle class is being priced out of Orange County, California it reminds me of an Economic Development course I took in college. It was fascinating to learn about the familiar patterns that undeveloped countries would follow as they advanced into developed countries. Typically, this transformation took place as […]
Buying vs Renting a House in Orange County, CA
Is it wiser to buy a home rather than rent one? Home ownership has typically been considered the foundation of the American Dream. Lately, however, I have been seeing a lot of headlines claiming that renting is actually a smarter choice than buying. Obviously, there are pros and cons to Buying vs Renting, but I […]
How and Why to do a Short Sale
A short sale in Orange County, California may bring its share of headaches, but make no mistake, it is a whole lot better than going through a foreclosure. I’ll cover everything you need to know about short sales. With a looming foreclosure, some people believe their best option is to stay in the home until […]
How Do I Know I Am Getting Value for Money in Orange County?
If you have decided to buy a home here in Orange County there are a few things to take into consideration. First you will need to find out about the home buying process which we have discussed previously. You will also need to know the difference between the market value and the appraised value. The […]
5 Steps for Preparing Your House for Sale
With prices as high as they are in Orange County, buyers want move-in ready homes. For example, two homes with almost identical floor plans recently sold in my neighborhood with a whopping $100,000+ difference between them. One of these homes, although in relatively decent condition, still had the original kitchen in it. I wouldn’t describe […]
How to Deal With a Lowball Offer
You finally received an offer from ready a willing buyer on your home. You feel relieved and excited until you realize this offer is LOW. It’s a frustrating feeling, especially when you haven’t had a whole lot of offers yet. What can you do? Before you outright refuse a offensively low offer, consider that with […]