Hey dad, are we there yet?  No, I’m not referring to the camping trip.  I’m talking about the ‘bottom’ of the real estate market.

Sometimes I think what I see and read from the so-called ‘experts’ is all smoke and mirrors.  Personally, I feel that we’re pretty much there, but for sure we’re a lot closer to the bottom than we are from the top.

Once again, Stockton, CA has made it on the national news, but at least the news is not as bad for Stockton as it is for some other cities.

Take a look at this article and short CNBC video that talks about the current state of real estate foreclosures and what we can look forward to.

Image via Wikipedia

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!

“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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