Thursday, March 5, 2015

REAL ESTATE NEWS...National Home Prices Projected to Increase by 4.9 Percent Year Over Year by January 2016

March 03, 2015, Irvine, Calif. –

––National Home Prices Projected to Increase by 4.9 Percent Year Over Year by January 2016––

CoreLogic® (NYSE: CLGX), a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled services provider, today released its January 2015 CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI®) which shows that home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased 5.7 percent in January 2015 compared to January 2014. This change represents 35 months of consecutive year-over-year increases in home prices nationally. On a month-over-month basis, home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased by 1.1 percent in January 2015 compared to December 2014.*
Including distressed sales, 27 states and the District of Columbia are at or within 10 percent of their peak. Four states, New York (+5.6), Wyoming (+8.3 percent), Texas (+8.3 percent) and Colorado (+9.1 percent), reached new highs in the home price index since January 1976 when the index starts.
Excluding distressed sales, home prices increased 5.6 percent in January 2015 compared to January 2014 and increased 1.4 percent month over month compared to December 2014. Also excluding distressed sales, all states and the District of Columbia showed year-over-year home price appreciation in January. Distressed sales include short sales and real estate owned (REO) transactions.
The CoreLogic HPI Forecast indicates that home prices, including distressed sales, are projected to increase 0.4 percent month over month from January 2015 to February 2015 and, on a year-over-year basis, by 5.3 percent** from January 2015 to January 2016. Excluding distressed sales, home prices are expected to increase 0.3 percent month over month from January 2015 to February 2015 and by 4.9 percent** year over year from January 2015 to January 2016. The CoreLogic HPI Forecast is a monthly projection of home prices using the CoreLogic HPI and other economic variables. Values are derived from state-level forecasts by weighting indices according to the number of owner-occupied households for each state.
“House price appreciation has generally been stronger in the western half of the nation and weakest in the mid-Atlantic and northeast states,” said Dr. Frank Nothaft, chief economist at CoreLogic. “In part, these trends reflect the strength of regional economies. Colorado and Texas have had stronger job creation and have seen 8 to 9 percent price gains over the past 12 months in our combined indexes. In contrast, values were flat or down in Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland in our overall index, including distressed sales.”
“We continue to see a strong and progressive uptick in home prices as we enter 2015. We project home prices will continue to rise throughout the year and into 2016,” said Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “A dearth of supply in many parts of the country is a big factor driving up prices. Many homeowners have taken advantage of low rates to refinance their homes, and until we see sustained increases in income levels and employment they could be hunkered down so supplies may remain tight. Demand has picked up as low mortgage rates and the cut in the FHA annual insurance premium reduce monthly payments for prospective homebuyers.”
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Highlights as of January 2015:
  • Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were Colorado (+9.1 percent), Michigan (+9.0 percent), Texas (+8.3 percent), Wyoming (+8.3 percent) and Nevada (+7.6 percent).
  • Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were Colorado (+8.1 percent), Nevada (+7.9 percent), Texas (+7.8 percent), Massachusetts (+7.7 percent), and Oregon (+7.4 percent).
  • Including distressed transactions, the peak-to-current change in the national HPI (from April 2006 to January 2015) was -12.7 percent. Excluding distressed transactions, the peak-to-current change in the HPI for the same period was -8.6 percent.
  • Including distressed sales, only Maryland and Connecticut showed negative home price appreciation at -0.3 percent and -1.9 percent respectively. The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-35.3 percent), Florida (-32.6 percent), Rhode Island (-29.9 percent), Arizona (-28.6 percent) and Connecticut (-24.8 percent).
  • Including distressed sales, the U.S. has experienced 35 consecutive months of year-over-year increases; however, the national increase is no longer posting double-digits.
  • Ninety-four of the top 100 Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) measured by population showed year-over-year increases in January 2015. The six CBSAs that showed year-over-year declines were New Orleans-Metairie, LA; Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT; Rochester, NY; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD; Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ; and Hartford-West Hartford- East Hartford, CT.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

REAL ESTATE TRENDS...7 Hot Trends in Bathroom Design for 2015

By Katie Brown


Remember when kitchens were always hidden away in homes? Remember when laundry rooms were tucked into the basement or the garage? Remember when bathrooms were small and bleak? My, how times have changed! 
Now these rooms can add real value to homes. They are places that can reflect the style, charm and whimsy of the owners. That means it is more important than ever to keep these spaces feeling fresh and reflective of the homeowner’s personality. So let’s review what is hot and what is not in bathrooms for 2015.
1. Mediterranean-style tile has seen its day. Make way for geometric 3-D tile design.
 
7 Hot Trends in Bathroom Design for 2015
(Photo: Style with Tile)
Don’t: These Moroccan style tiles are yesterday’s news.
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(Photo: Apartment Therapy)
Do: Now it is all about geometric shapes. 

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(Photo: Apartment Diet)
Do: Have fun with the colors and the combinations of geometric shapes.
2. Rain showers are so last year. Instead, invest in a soaking tub. The bigger and deeper, the better. You want to invest in a big, bold tub that is freestanding and lush.

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(Photo: Better Homes and Garden)
Don’t: Rain showers are done.
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Do: Organic ovals are all the rage.
3. Precious and pretty are not happening in bathroom design now. Instead, sustainable style and natural elements are taking their place.
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(Photo: French Country Cottage)
Don’t: Although very pretty, it’s just not very modern.
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(Photo: Decoholic)
Do: Bathrooms that incorporate natural elements are so right now.

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(Photo: HGTV)
Do: Varying types of wood and stone bring the natural light into the bathroom.
4. Cold, silent, private baths are not happening. Instead, we’re seeing more and more bathrooms designed with media and music built into the layout.

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(Photo: HGTV)
Do: TV right at your feet.

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(Photo: Shelterness)
Do: TV right in your face.
5. Light it up. You will never see just one overhead light in a bath designed today. Now you will find several lighting sources. The lighting is no longer just a utilitarian feature but a mood-setting design choice.

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(Photo: The Kim Six Fix )
Don’t: Have just have overhead lighting source.

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(Photo: Elements of Style)
Do: Spread the light around. Have several different lighting sources. Put them high, low and in-between.
6. Stark, white, crisp bathrooms are cold and outdated. These days people are using more moody color grades to paint and add character to their baths.

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(Photo: Redfin)
Don’t: White White is OUT OUT.
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Do: Use subtle grey. 
7. Heat lamps are almost extinct. Instead, people are installing heated floors and towel racks, as well as fire features in their master baths.

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(Photo: Accent on Design)
Do: Put in heated towel racks.
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Don’t: Turn on the old heat lamp.
So what do you say? Are these trends a welcome way to update the bathroom? Or are you happy with what you’ve got now?

REAL ESTATE TOPICS...U.S. private sector adds jobs in February, but growth slows

People wait in line to enter the Nassau County Mega Job Fair at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York October 7, 2014.  REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
People wait in line to enter the Nassau County Mega Job Fair at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York October 7, 2014.
CREDIT: REUTERS/SHANNON STAPLETON
(Reuters) - U.S. private employers added fewer jobs than expected last month, declining as well from January's revised figure as employment growth slowed in some sectors, a payrolls processor report showed on Wednesday.
The ADP National Employment Report, jointly developed with Moody's Analytics, showed a gain of 212,000 private-sector jobs. Economists surveyed by Reuters had forecast the ADP to show a gain of 220,000 jobs.
January's private payrolls were also revised upward to 250,000 from the previously reported 213,000.
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The report showed moderating employment gains in sectors such as manufacturing, goods producing, and services. For instance, service-providing employment rose by 181,000 jobs in February, compared with growth of 206,000 in the sector in January.
"Job growth is strong, but slowing from the torrid pace of recent months," said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics. "Job gains remain broad-based, although the collapse in oil prices has begun to weigh on energy-related employment."
The ADP figures come ahead of the U.S. Labor Department's more comprehensive non-farm payrolls report on Friday, which includes both public and private-sector employment.
Economists polled by Reuters are looking for total U.S. employment to have grown by 240,000 jobs in February, down from 257,000 in January. The unemployment rate, on the other hand, is expected to have ticked lower to 5.6 percent from January's 5.7 percent.
Overall, analysts said that despite the slower jobs growth in February, the private-sector employment outlook remained bright and augured well for the non-farm payrolls report.
"The ADP report shows that payrolls continue to increase at a solid pace through February," said Daniel Silver, economist at JPMorgan in New York.
He added that the report also showed no significant adverse impact from winter weather, as growth in construction payrolls remained strong in February. The construction industry added 31,000 jobs, the same number as last month.

(Reporting by Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

REAL ESTATE TOPICS...Live Lecture R/E Schools

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REAL ESTATE TIPS...Shopping for the right neighborhood

Shopping for the Right Neighborhood
article 3 image

When most people shop for a new home, they think about the kind of house they want: three bedrooms, two bathrooms, trees in the backyard.
But it also makes sense to shop for the right neighborhood.
Think about it. In what type of area would you most like to live? What neighborhood features do you want most? For example, you may want your next neighborhood to have a good high school, a nearby recreation center, and close access to public transit.
Make a list of what you want and then go “shopping” by visiting neighborhoods that meet your criteria.
Your next home is more than just a property; it’s a dream home in a desirable location.

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REAL ESTATE TOPICS...Understanding market value

Understanding Market Value
article 1 image

If you were going to sell your car, what would you do? Well, you would probably check to find out how similar vehicles to yours are priced. Then you would set your advertised price within that range.
What you would be doing, perhaps without knowing it, is determining the “market value” of your car.
Market value is simply what buyers today are willing to pay for a particular product.
When you decide to put your house up for sale, one of the first things you and your REALTOR® will do is determine the market value of your property. That’s important to know because if you price your home too much above its market value, you probably won’t get any offers. Alternatively, if you price your property too low, it might get snapped up quickly but you’ll have left a lot of money on the table.
How does a REALTOR® help you determine your home’s current market value?
He or she will look at a variety of factors, such as the desirability of the neighborhood, the features of your home, how well it has been maintained, renovations and other improvements you’ve made, and of course, its location.
Your REALTOR® will also review what similar homes in your area have sold for recently – which is, perhaps, the strongest indicator of current market value.
Once you know the market value of your home, you can make an informed decision as to how to price it so that it will attract the right type of buyers and the best possible price.
Should you price your home high above its market value in the hopes that some unwary buyer will purchase it? Unfortunately, that rarely works.
The good news is, your property may be worth more than you think. One of the best ways to find out is to invite a good REALTOR® to your home to do an assessment.

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Monday, March 2, 2015

REAL ESTATE TIPS...Preparing Your Finances for Homeownership

by Courtney Soinski
vakilhousing.com
vakilhousing.com
Are you considering buying a new home this spring? With tax season in full swing, now is the perfect time to get organized. Buying a home is one of the largest investments you will make, so it’s important to be well prepared before taking the leap.
Follow these tips to prepare your finances for homeownership.
1. Get your credit in order.
Your credit is a large factor in determining whether or not you qualify for a mortgage, so it’s important that you determine your credit score at least three months before buying. The higher the score, the easier it will be to qualify for a mortgage.
To access your scores, either purchase them as you get your free reports from Annual Credit Report Request Service, or pay for them when you buy your reports from the credit bureaus:
Equifax  –  www.equifax.com / 800-685-1111
Experian  –  www.experian.com / 888-397-3742
TransUnion  –  www.transunion.com / 800-916-8800
2. Prepare for expenses before you buy.
Understand and plan for what you will need to spend before the actual purchase. According to a recent article, you’ll need enough cash for a down payment, closing costs, and a few months’ worth of mortgage payments. Figure out what you will need for extras like moving costs, furniture, and repairs.
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3. Know how much you can afford.
Before you jump into a contract, you need to make sure it’s something you can actually afford. List and total your monthly expenses, then subtract that from your monthly net income. Here’s a good rule to keep in mind: your total housing costs should be no more than 30% of your net pay. Also, remember that a larger down payment of about 20% or more can save you hundreds and even give you more buying power.
4. Have trade lines.
Did you know what most lenders prefer if you have three of more trade lines that have been open for at least a year? These can range from credit cards and students loans to a car loan. You should also avoid closing them because it can hurt your credit score.
5. Do your research.
Above all, it’s crucial that you do your research before buying your new home. In addition to the price of the home, you must always consider other factors such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, maintenance, and repairs.
6. Consult a real estate professional.
The right real estate professional can walk you through all the steps for preparing to buy a home.  Whether it’s your first home, your forever home, or a vacation retreat, the right real estate pro can not only help you get ready, but negotiate the best deal and help you navigate through financing, contingencies and closing.  The best investment in buying a new home is in choosing the right partner to help you through.
Top agents advertise in The Real Estate Book.  Check here to find the best in your area.
Source: BalancePro

REAL ESTATE TIPS...Small Kitchen Designs to Inspire You

By Courtney Soinski
When it comes to tiny kitchens, there is a common misconception that they’re near impossible to change. If you have a small kitchen, you may feel like you’re stuck in its current design and layout…but guess what? There is light at the end of the oven!
I recently read an article on Houzz that lists different creative homeowners and their solution for a small kitchen. Here are some of my favorite unique kitchen designs to inspire your next project.
Galley Kitchen in Salt Lake City
When the current homeowners moved into this apartment in Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, their galley kitchen was painted dark brown, which make it feel cramped. After painting the walls a lighter color, their kitchen is now very functional and booming with light and open space.
Keeping it modern in Manhattan
This compact kitchen is opened up with shiny white cabinets and a mirrored backsplash. Located in New York City’s East Village in Manhattan, the grayish blue color wall color brings the whole kitchen’s design together for a sleek and modern look.

Pretty Portland Remodel
The initial kitchen in this Portland, Oregon bungalow was awkward and difficult to live in. It was closed off from the rest of the living area, so the homeowners were pretty certain that a remodel was in order. They knocked down the wall between the kitchen and the living room. Once that was done, they reorganized the space as well as installed newer and slimmer appliances that are now embedded in the wall.