So you really want to sell your home - quickly?

Here are 5 tips that will definitely push your home to the top of a Buyers' list:

I love the song "Accentuate The Positive", and that's exactly what you must do when selling. Think back to when you bought your house--what was the one big WOW factor that pushed you to buy that particular one? Perhaps it was the view. If that's the case then make sure your windows are clean as can be so the Buyer will fall in love with your view. The lyrics of the song also say to "eliminate the negative". Put on your Buyers hat and take a critical look at your house--is there something that jumps out at you that needs to be fixed, painted, cleaned or replaced? Do it before Buyers see your home.

We experience our world through our 5 senses and Buyers do the same when touring your home, especially in the areas of sight, smell, and hearing. It is nearly impossible for a Seller to know what their home smells like to an outsider. So ask your agent, or someone you trust to let you know. The worst thing you can do is go out and buy heavy air fresheners--Buyers will think you are covering up something unpleasant or you may trigger an allergic reaction...either way you've turned off the Buyer. I recommend a light vanilla scent if you decide you need an air freshener. Cooking smells linger so if you've had fish for dinner and there is a showing the next day, open the windows and air out your house. If traffic noise is a problem, buy a water fountain..the sound of water is always preferable to the sound of cars and, as an added benefit, it has an harmonizing effect on a home.

Let the light shine in. Light sells, which is why when you walk into a model home all of the lights are on and the blinds are open. People feel better in a light environment than in a dark one. I can't tell you how many times I have had Buyers tell me that they like a house because it is filled with light. I know it is tempting on a hot Arizona day to want to close the blinds to make the house cooler...don't do it if there is a chance it is going to be shown. Plus, many agents won't take the time to open blinds and turn on lights when showing a house, especially if it isn't their listing. So keep this in mind when your house is on the market--it should always be ready to be shown at a moment's notice and you want it to be shown in the best possible light conditions.
Clutter eats equity and space sells. This should be your mantra when putting your house on the market. Do yourself a favor and start packing--it will help you to begin to release your house emotionally and will allow Buyers to feel themselves in your space. Box up all those extras that are on the mantel, tables and counters. If necessary, remove excess furniture and take out all those pictures of your children and grandchildren. When selling, you must make your house a blank slate that is ready for a Buyer to make it their own.

Make your house as clean as can be. Nothing shows better than a sparkling and clean smelling house. Do a deep cleaning...this means drawers, cabinets, closets, windows--every square inch of your home. Use this opportunity to get rid of things you haven't used in the past year, box up items that you don't need currently, and clear out enough space for Buyers to be able to imagine their own belongings in your house. Taking the time to go through every part of your house will pay dividends especially if you repair, touch-up, and/or paint the areas that need attention. Don't forget about the outside of your home. Did you know that most Buyers will first do a "drive-by" when deciding whether to take a look at the inside of your home? That's why curb appeal is so important when your house is on the market.

Short Sales - NOT everything is black or white - short sales are totally in the gray zone.

Question: What Does An Approved Short Sale Mean?

A customer asks: "When I look at homes on Realtor.com, I see homes being advertised as an 'approved short sale.' Can you tell me why some of them say that and others don't? Plus, when I call the agents to get more information, they tell me to offer more than the asking price, and I don't know why. If it's an approved short sale, why would the seller want more money?"
Answer: Short sales are a complicated process, so I can totally understand your confusion. The wait for short sale approval can be very long, and sometimes buyers lose patience.
Another little quirk about short sales is the fact they are often priced under the comparable sales. Some agents list them low purposely to attract multiple offers. Therefore, the offer a bank accepts might be much higher than the list price because sellers often pick the highest priced offer.
Here is a quick overview of the short sale process:
What is an Approved Short Sale?
Banks generally do not approve a short sale until the bank receives an offer from a buyer. So, the usual way a short sale can be approved is for a buyer to submit an offer and get that offer approved. This is how a typical short sale goes:
Agent lists the short sale.
Seller delivers lender's required documents to the agent.
Buyer submits an offer subject to lender approval.
Seller signs the buyer's offer.
Listing agent sends the seller's package, the accepted offer and a HUD to the short sale bank.
Buyer waits anxiously, maybe for months.
Short sale approval letter is finally received by agent.
Agent calls the buyer's agent to deliver the news.
Buyer's agent informs listing agent that the buyer bought something else.
Buyer cancels the transaction.
Listing agent chokes the buyer's agent and puts the home back on the market as an approved short sale.And that is typically how you get short sale approval.
After the Short Sale is Approved and the Buyer Cancels
The buyers don't always cancel the transaction upon receipt of the short sale approval letter. Often the buyer is still interested in buying the home but cancels for other reasons. Many real estate contracts bestow upon buyers certain rights of inspection and contract contingencies, which give the buyer the right to walk away. Here are other reasons a buyer may cancel an approved short sale:
Home needs too many repairs and the bank won't pay for repairs.
The appraisal came in low, perhaps due to HVCC, and the bank may refuse to approve a lower sales price.
The buyer does not qualify for the loan and is unable to satisfy the lender's funding conditions.
Whether a New Buyer Can Close on the Approved Short Sale
Generally, a new buyer's offer would have to match exactly to the terms of the short sale approval letter, but that typically works only if the approval letter does not name a specific buyer.
If the approval letter is specific to a buyer, then the short sale listing agent may need to request a new short sale approval letter. Depending on the bank, requesting a new short sale approval letter could very well start the entire short sale process over from scratch.
To close on the existing approval letter, the following would need to take place:
Terms of the new offer must match the offer that was approved and be submitted at the same approved sales price.
The buyer must close by the date specified in the short sale approval letter, an extension may be required or you may be required to pay a "per diem penalty".

California City

California City is a nice place to live, work, play and raise our families. I lived here since 1985 and at that time there was only 3,400 people and one elementary school, we now have over 14,000 people 2 elementary schools, a middle school and a new high school. Cerro Coso Community College recently closed escrow on 22 acres to build a new Communtity Collge, so something is happenning here. Every weekend thousands of dirt bikers, Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) owners come here with their families in their big rigs and toy haulers to enjoy our little community, so we are not the Ghost Town that a lot of you describe. For more information go to www.ilovecaliforniacity.com or www.californiacity.com and see for yourselves. Thanks and have a nice day.

Buyers Tax Credit

Expanded Tax Credit Repeat Buyers Need To Act Fast

Repeat Buyers Need to Act Fast to Capitalize on Expanded Tax Credit

By now it is well documented that today's affordable housing prices, historically low interest rates and federal home buyer tax credit have combined to create one of the most attractive first-time buyer markets in recent memory. What many Americans might not realize is that a recent expansion of the buyer tax credit has created an equally desirable opportunity for existing homeowners.
This past November, Congress elected to expand the home buyer tax credit to repeat buyers after seeing the success the temporary financial incentive had on the housing market and overall economy. As a result, current homeowners who will have lived in their home for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 may now be eligible to receive a $6,500 tax credit.
The expanded tax credit offers a great financial opportunity for existing homeowners, particularly those looking to trade up, Not only can you receive a large sum of money from the government, youll also likely purchase your next home for less money and at a lower interest rate than you could have in years past or years to come.
To qualify for the tax credit, the repeat buyer must have signed a binding contract by April 30, 2010 and close on the home by June 30, 2010. Tax credit eligibility is subject to income limits, $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples. In addition, the sale price of the home being purchased can not exceed $800,000.
There is no requirement that existing homeowners must have sold their home to be eligible for the $6,500 tax credit. existing homeowners who want to benefit from this incentive to move quickly, particularly those who prefer to first sell their current home before purchasing a new one.
Typically, it takes three months or longer to sell a home. Thats why it is critical repeat buyers put their home on the market right away. Otherwise they might not leave themselves enough time to both secure a buyer for their current house and find a new home by the April 30 deadline.Rismedia Article.I doubt that the home buyer tax credit will have much effect on the La Jolla market as a whole but the repeat buyers tax credit may be more attractive. To get information on selling your home or buying a new homes go to www.ilovecaliforniacity.com.

Short Sale Properties- There is typically nothing "Short" about a Short Sale home transaction

A "short sale" by definition is where the payoff amount agreed to by the lender in the transaction is less than the mortgage balance owed on the property. Short sales can be beneficial to the seller but extremely wearisome to a buyer that is looking to purchase a home right away. The settlement is usually negotiated by a Realtor or Attorney who handles most of the paperwork for the seller in an effort to come to an agreement that is beneficial for all parties. California City Real Estate has several experienced short sale negotiators available to speak with the seller before we list the home for sale to make sure the sale will qualify as a short sale with the banks. The seller will usually receive a form 1099 after the short sale for the amount of debt forgiven. The banks are agreeing not to pursue you for the money they lost by filing a deficiency judgment in the future. These types of transactions have become more common in this economy as the number of foreclosures rise and homeowners in trouble are left looking for a way out that doesn't involve the devastating impact on their credit that foreclosures and bankruptcy can cause. In most cases, a realtor experienced in these types of transactions can help both the worried homeowner and the lenders who may be flooded with hundreds of foreclosures come to a mutually agreeable solution. While they are time consuming to prepare as a sale and they take even longer for a buyer, there are benefits to the involved parties that compensate for any negative aspects.

California City Hotel

Good news the hotel at Ellison Plaza closed escrow on 1/13/2010, rumor has it that it will be open for business in 6 months.