Lodi / Stockton CA Homes For Sale & Real Estate Information

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If you are a current real estate investor or looking into how to get started, then I recommend that you look into a new group in Stockton that is already making a name for itself in the “Where do I go to learn and network” circles.

Here is a link (CLICK HERE) that will take you to the site for the Real Estate Investor Community of Central Valley.  The 1st meeting was a great success!

Real estate investing is a hot topic right now, and especially in the Stockton and Modesto areas of the central valley in California.  These two cities were listed recently in a list of the Top 10 undervalued markets.

Be sure and check out the Investors link above and I’ll see you at the next event.

I’ve written a few times lately and have also discussed a lot about whether NOW is a good time to buy real estate.

It seems less time is put into whether or not now is a good time to buy a new car or big screen tv.  Do those items ever go up in value?  Unless it’s made of gold, I don’t think so.

If you’re thinking of buying a home either as an investor, a first-time homebuyer, or moving up into a larger home, you can look into it now or wait for when home prices or interest rates increase, or both.

According to CNNMoney, Les Christie, there are 242 of the 299 largest U.S. housing markets that are selling for prices even bankers think are less than fair market value.

Of this Top 10 list of undervalued housing markets, two of them are right here in our beautiful central valley.  What does that mean to you?  What does that mean FOR you?

To me, it means that now IS a good time to buy.

Here is that Top 10 list:

1. Las Vegas, -41.4 percent
2. Vero Beach, Fla., -39.8 percent
3. Merced, Calif., -37.7 percent
4. Cape Coral, Fla., -36.8 percent
5. Houma, La., -34.6 percent
6. Port St. Lucie, Fla., -33.3 percent
7. Warren, Mich., -32.3 percent
8. Vallejo, Calif., -31.9 percent
9. Modesto, Calif. -31.8 percent
10. Stockton, Calif., -31.8 percent

Ultimately you have to be the judge when it’s a good time buy your 1st or your next home, but with the current tax credit of $8,000 for 1st-time buyer as well as the incentive now for existing homeowners to purchase real estate, I’m thinking now instead of later is good, if not better, timing.

At Realty World-Davis Homes & Properties, we are able to everyone with their real estate needs, but because of the low home prices we seem to be specializing in first-time buyers and investors.

You’ve heard the slogan…If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

Make it a great day!

Now is the time for home owners contemplating a spring sale to spruce up their properties in anticipation of what Mike Larson of Weiss Research calls a potentially vibrant home-selling season.

“If you have been beating your head against a wall, this is going to feel a lot better,” he says.

Here are 10 cheap ways to make a property more attractive to shoppers:

1. Improve first impressions. Touch up the paint on the front door and other areas that buyers see first.
2. Clean up the landscaping. Trim the hedges and trees and plant some annuals in the flowerbeds.
3. Paint the interior. A coat of light yellow or cream with contrasting white woodwork looks fresh and clean.
4. Refurbish the floors. Buff the hardwoods. Install new carpets – or at least get them professionally cleaned.
5. Take care of the big problems. If the house needs a roof or the front stoop is crumbling, get them fixed.
6. Buy warranties. Putting appliances under warranty gives homebuyers a secure feeling.
7. Improve energy efficiency. New windows or improved insulation tells a potential buyer the seller is on top of things plus they come with tax benefits.
8. Replace light fixtures. Updated fixtures, especially at the entrance way and in the foyer, create a good first impression.
9. Buy a stove. Home owners whose kitchen isn’t top of the line can jazz it up for a few hundred dollars by buying a new stove, which gives the room a fresh feel.
10. Tidy up the bathrooms. Get rid of mildew, replace caulking, and replace stained sinks.

Source: U.S. News & World Report, Luke Mullins

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• 10 Cheap Ways to Boost Your Home’s Sales Price by Spring  usnews.com)

Over the weekend, I watched a recent segment on the Today Show highlighting a new book titled “How to Make a Fortune” by Ron Insana. I believe the video of this segment might be helpful for you in your decision-making of whether to purchase real estate at this time.

At the end of his interview, Ron mentions that besides the first-time buyer tax credit of $8,000 there is also a $6,500 tax for purchasing additional properties.  Please know that to receive either of these credits it will need to be on your primary residence.

To learn more facts about this and ALL of your real estate investing options you are welcome to join us at our real estate office this Thurs 1/21/09 at 7:00pm for a FREE seminar.  Seating is limited.  Call to reserve yours now at (209) 339-9000.

You be the judge…

Today, more than ever, I still get asked…”Is now a good time to buy real estate, or should I wait a little longer?”

There is always going to be that ever-so-popular 64 thousand dollar question.  Sometimes there’s no easy or simple answer.  But right now, I think there is one.  And that answer is “YES”.  It most definitely IS a good time to buy real estate, especially here in the Lodi, CA, Stockton, CA, and pretty all the surrounding areas in the San Joaquin and Stanislaus County areas.

Home prices are lower than they’ve been in years.  Incentives like the $8,000 tax credit are plentiful.  But here’s the real kicker, interest rates are said to be on the rise.  Oh, they’re still lower than ever right now, but from what I hear and read, that’s not for long.

All indicators point to rising interest rates in the coming months.  I don’t believe there’ll be a spike that makes your eyes pop out, but it’ll be enough that you’ll surely notice it in higher monthly mortgage payments if you wait to purchase.  At Realty World – Davis Homes & Properties we work with lots of investors and especially first-time home buyers to help them get the best deals on some really good homes.  Either way you slice it, right now it’s a buyer’s market and you could be in the driver’s seat.

I came across a short video on YouTube that talks a little about these topics and more.  I think you’ll find it informative.  CLICK HERE to view.

I’d love to hear what your thoughts are about what you see in the video.  Please take a moment and click on ‘Comments’ and let me know.

Thanks and make it a great day!

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• Interest Rates of 5% May Never Be Seen Again! Here’s Why.  stroupecondoblog.com)

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What if the government decided today that, instead of bailing out Wall Street, it was going to give every American $8,000? What would you do with the money?

For most Americans, paying off credit card debt would be a great way to use the free money. According to a Nilson Report released in April 2009, the average credit card debt per household in the US was $8,329 at the end of 2008. That money from the government would almost wipe out your debt completely. Imagine being completely debt free.

Healthcare is a big topic these days. According to the most current Census Bureau statistics, some 45.7 million Americans do not have health insurance. So, many Americans might choose to use their $8,000 to enroll their family in a healthcare program through their employer. The federal government tracks the average spending on health insurance for people with job-based coverage, and the most recent figures (from 2005!) indicate that the average individual’s premiums were $3,991, while families spent an average of $10,728. Your $8,000 would go a long way in insuring your family.

Some Americans might choose to start a small business. Experts estimate that start-up costs for many new business ventures are between $10,000 – $15,000. With $8,000, a large portion of your initial investment would be covered.

If you really think about it, there are so many things you could do with $8,000. You could open a 529 college savings plan. You could take your family on an amazing once-in-a-lifetime vacation. You could open an IRA and save for retirement…

But what’s the point in dreaming. The government’s not giving away $8,000, right?

Wrong.

Right now, through April 1st of this year only, the government is giving qualifying first-time home buyers up to $8,000 for purchasing a home. This is free money that you do not have to pay back.

There are, of course, limitations and other qualifying factors, but they are all pretty reasonable and easy to explain, and we, at Realty World-Davis Homes & Properties, will be glad to discuss these with you or anyone you know who is looking to buy a home in the Lodi, CA / Stockton, CA areas. With today’s combination of lower home prices and lower interest rates, this temporary incentive from the government is really a great option for many Americans who act now to finally fulfill their dreams of owning a home.

Make it a great day!

I hope you have and still are enjoying this wonderful holiday season as much as I am. This is a time to reflect back not on what you’ve done for yourself, but what you have done for others.

From my family to yours, and from Realty World – Davis Homes & Properties…

Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays