Lodi / Stockton CA Homes For Sale & Real Estate Information

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

What expectations do you have for the New Year?  What do you see happening to the economy nationwide, or better yet, in your own neighborhood?

Here is an interesting article I found that talks about some of the things that we can expect to see happening…

This is the time of year when columnists either write about the major events of the past year or make predictions about the coming year. If you don’t know, I’ll let someone else tell you about 2009.

I’m far more interested in getting a jump on next year’s opportunities and discoveries. And, just as important, I want everyone to embrace 2010 feeling upbeat, confident and charged with energy. Things have been down so long that they just naturally have to be heading up. Absolutely!

So, I set out to make a list of all of those things that will be heading up next year. I was hoping to predict a rebound in both the economy and the real estate industry.

Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-12-28/9-things-that-are-looking-up-for-2010/#ixzz0b4Ojz0Ka

Leave a comment and let me know what you think about the upcoming New Year and where you see things going for real estate, interest rates, gas prices, etc. in the Lodi / Stockton areas.

Make it a great day!

There are many. Among the most appealing: you own it, which gives you, instead of a landlord, control of your living space, and the ability to do what you want with it.  Other benefits include potential tax savings and the build up of equity as your property likely appreciates in price over time once again.  Equity can be used to help put children through college, purchase a second home, or make home improvements.

The mortgage interest paid on a home loan is tax deductible, as is the local property tax. If you get a fixed-rate home mortgage loan, you also can invest more wisely knowing your monthly mortgage payment, unlike rent, will not change substantially.

With mortgage loan interest rates as low as they are now, and expected to go higher in 2010, it might be a better idea to invest in Lodi real estate and Stockton real estate now more than ever.  Having a low interest assumable mortgage loan may become very attractive in the future.

Make it a great day!

This will conclude my four part series on what you should know before buying a home in the Lodi, Stockton and surrounding CA areas.  I hope you were able to pick up a good tip or two and put them to go use.  Now for Tip Number 4…

4. Stop Calling Ads!

A word of caution – agents create ads solely to make the phone ring!  Many of the homes may have some drawbacks not mentioned in the ad, such as traffic noise, power lines or litigation in the community.  What’s not mentioned in the ad is usually more important than what is.

For this reason, be very careful when reading ads.  Remember, the person writing the ad is representing the seller, not you!   The most important thing you can do is have someone on your side looking out for your best interests.  Your own Buyer’s Agent will critique the property with an eye toward how well it meets your needs and will point out any drawbacks you should know about.

So, whether you decide to work with us or not, pick an agent you feel comfortable with and enlist the services of that agent as a Buyer’s Agent.  Then you become a client with all the rights, benefits and privileges created by this agency relationship, and you’re no longer just a shopper.  Did you know many homes are sold WITHOUT A SIGN ever going up or an AD EVER BEING PUT IN THE PAPER?  These “great deals” go to those people who are committed to working with one agent.  When an agent hears of a great buy, who do you think they’re going to call?  Their client, for whom they have a legal obligation to work hard, or someone who just called and said “keep your eyes open for me”?  To get the best buy on a property, we always recommend you hire your own agent and stick with him or her.  As always, we do this at NO CHARGE to you, the client.

Well there you have it…my Most Important 4 Things Every Renter (Home Buyer) Should Know Before Purchasing Any Home.

Make it a GREAT DAY and HAPPY HOUSE HUNTING!

Randy

Well, so far we’ve touched on the importance of getting pre-approved as well as how to ’score’ the homes once you start house hunting in the Lodi, Stockton, and surround CA areas.  Let’s see what the tip is today…

3. Don’t Be Pushed Into Just Any House

Your agent should show you everything available that meets your requirements.  Don’t make a decision on a house until you feel you’ve seen enough to pick the best one.  Go to the Multiple Listing Web site with your agent to make sure you are getting a COMPLETE list of homes for sale and not just the home that the agent wants to show you.  YOU be the ultimate judge.

In the late 1980’s, and as recently as 4-5 years ago, homes were selling quickly, usually a few days after listing.  In that kind of market, agents advised their clients to make an offer ON THE SPOT if they liked the house.  That was good advice at the time.  Today, there usually isn’t this urgency unless a home is drastically under priced, and you’ll know if it is.  But keep in mind, if you wait too long, there is always a chance of the house selling before your offer is submitted to the seller.  If you really like a house, get an offer written and make sure your agent includes the appropriate clauses to get you out of the offer, should the need arise.

Don’t forget to check the SCHOOL DISTRICTS of the area you’re considering if this is important to you.  Information is available on every school: class sizes, % of students that go on to college, SAT scores, etc.  You can get this information from your agent or directly from the school.

Ok, three tips down and one to go.  Stay tuned for Tip Number 4.  This one might surprise you…

Yesterday’s topic was about getting pre-approved and not just pre-qualified to purchase a home in the Lodi, Stockton, and surrounding CA areas.  Today I’d like to mention what I feel would be helpful once you have been pre-approved and you start looking at homes with your own Buyer’s Realtor®.

2. Play the Game of Nines

Before house hunting, make a list of nine things you want in the new place.   Then make a list of the nine things you don’t want. I call this “NINE OF THIS AND NONE OF THAT”.  You can use this list as a scorecard to rate each property you see.  The one with the biggest score wins!  This helps avoid confusion and keeps things in perspective when you’re comparing dozens of homes.

When house hunting, keep in mind the difference between “SKIN AND BONES”.   The BONES are things that cannot be changed such as the location, view, size of lot, noise in the area, school district and floor plan.  The SKIN represents easily changed surface finishes like carpet, wallpaper, color and window coverings.  Buy the house with good BONES, because the SKIN can always be changed to match your tastes.  Consider each house on its underlying merits, not the seller’s decorating skills.  That is, if it’s occupied.

I hope you are finding this information helpful.  Stay tuned for Tip Number 3…

Make it a great day!