by cgilles | Mar 15, 2012 | a-South Bay, Blog
Today’s new home buyers may surprise all of us, because preferences regarding buying a home is changing. This comes directly from the International Builders Show held in Orlando in February, this year. We all though that home size were going to get smaller, but the experts say different.
New homes are being built with more amenities. More houses built in 2011 had four or more bedrooms, three or more bathrooms, three-car garages, finished basements, patios, and two stories. Maybe we are just getting a clearer picture of what the qualified buyers are looking for. Many people are out of the credit market for awhile due to the last few years of recession and depressed real estate market. So the answer now is: “Who is able to buy”?
In the much tightened lending environment of the last few years, buyers have had to be “superstar” qualifiers, with at least 20 percent down, a high credit score, well-documented income, and proof of established employment history.This type of credit situation has left many buyers, especially first time buyers out of the “Home Buying Equation”. The real estate pendulum swung to first time buyers with various tax credits, etc., now its swinging back to the established real estate buyers and they want it all, few downsizing. Builders build homes based on what the market demands. In the last few years many South Bay home buyers said that they may be downsizing, but look forward to either buying a much bigger home or building one soon.
by cgilles | Mar 12, 2012 | a-South Bay, Blog, Torrance
Just because the weather is still a little chilly at times here in the South Bay, it doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about getting your outdoors areas ready for summer and warm weather.
Plans can be made about what plants you are going to put and where. Need to order seeds? Check out those outdoor lights, fix any wiring problems and put in new bulbs if needed. What about the BBQ pit? Do you need to replace the burners or grill area? Also, does the patio floor need a refinish?My suggestion is to talk to a pro and get some advice and new ideas especially if you plan to put your home on the market. Many of us are caught up in the rut of just getting the yard ready every year that we aren’t aware of the new products and plants and decorating ideas out there.
Think about this: Once you have the planters finished, think about a fountain or water feature someplace in the patio, or yard. Everyone loves them and they look nice, and sound great in the hot summer evenings.
So whatever improvements you make to your Torrance home, your family will reap the benefits all summer long and after.
![Short Sales – The New Normal!]()
by cgilles | Mar 9, 2012 | a-El Segundo, a-Hermosa Beach, a-Long Beach, a-South Bay, b-Distress Sales, b-Foreclosure, b-Short Sales, b-Upside Down, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance
SHORT SALES: TOP 9 MYTHS DEBUNKED! I have been doing short sales for 3 years. All of my short sale listings have closed and the sellers have avoided foreclosure. But there is some confusion .. so here are some answers to clarify what you may or may not know about...
by cgilles | Mar 6, 2012 | a-South Bay, Blog, Torrance
According to several researchers from several universities, “Now is the perfect time to buy that real estate property that you have been wanting to buy. The study which was completed in February 2012, concluded that now is the time for renters to buy that real estate property and become a homeowner if they ever plan to. The study was aimed at those renters who feel that owning a real estate property can appreciate and build them wealth. This is a part of a series discussing the rent vs. buy decision that faces some of us.
So if you are one of our South Bay residents still renting, perhaps I could show you some properties you will love and the ways it is possible for you to purchase that Torrance home of your dreams.
by cgilles | Feb 15, 2012 | Uncategorized
If you listen carefully, people are still in conversation as to why they wish to get involved in the South Bay real estate market and eventually buy a home.
The #1 reason is still the fact they want to own the place they live in. And, they just want to be a homeowner. The tax considerations, growing equity over time and being able to renovate and remodel to their tastes or as they see fit, is part of being a homeowner. Even after the few bad years in the real estate market that we have all experienced, the vast majority of people want to invest in their own place to live.
The #2 reason is that many want to buy now and then move later. This is a partially market-based sentiment, of course, as the rationale for buying right now is that prices and interest rates are low.
The #3 reason is that they don’t want to have to move anymore. Many people bought homes at the top of the market and many ended up selling the home for less than they bought it for, and of course, many went underwater and lost the home to foreclosure. Loss of jobs, re-location and other reasons, including rising gasoline prices and prices of other items did not help the situation.
This all proves that owning real estate, especially the home you live in is still an American dream that lives on and on
