Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Orange County homeowners watch out! I hate to shock any readers, but there are some unscrupulous attorneys out there. As in any profession or large employment setting, a few bad apples can ruin otherwise high professional standards. There have been an alarming number of loan modification and/or foreclosure prevention scams, and complaints … Continue Reading
Top Ten Reasons to be Optimistic About the Housing Market, From the California Association of REALTORS®
From the California Association of REALTORS®, Top Ten Reasons to be optimistic about the housing market. These factors are especially true in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. -Devin Lucas Author Devin R. Lucas is a Real Estate Attorney, Broker and REALTOR®, specializing in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County, serving individual, investor and small … Continue Reading
Interest Rates Creeping Back Up; Highest in One Year
Those record-low interest rates, which are partly driving the real estate recovery, especially in locations such as Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, may be heading for the rearview mirror as the economy “recovers” and rates are back on the incline. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.81 percent with an average 0.8 … Continue Reading
California Legislature Proposes More Real Estate Transfer Taxes
They’re at it again… the California State Legislature wants more of your money. This time, via a proposed additional $75.00 tax on any county real estate filing including refinancing, transferring into or out of a trust, liens, quit claim deeds, etc. It’s cleverly called “SB-391: California Homes and Jobs Act of 2013.” However, the same … Continue Reading
Orange County Real Estate data is in for April: Sold prices up 27.4% from April 2012, the 14th consecutive month of year-over-year gains.
Ugh, more mind-boggling figures from the number-crunchers at DataQuick. Orange County’s April home sales are up 27.4 percent from April 2012. Southern California’s average sales were up 23.4 percent from April 2012. And from just March 2013, the sales prices jumped 8 percent in Southern California. According to DataQuick, April was the 14th consecutive month … Continue Reading
Some Financial Perks of Homeownership
Here’s a neat graphic illustrating some of the financial perks of homeownership. Newport Beach and Costa Mesa real estate certainly bring even more perks to the table! Sources include the California Association of REALTORS®, the National Association of REALTORS®, the Federal Reserve and Energy Star. … -Devin Lucas Author Devin R. Lucas is a Real … Continue Reading
California Home Prices: Highest Since 2008; Up 13.7% in a Month; Up 28.2% From Last Year
California’s median home price for March hit its highest level since May 2008, according to the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), based on information collected from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide. The statewide median price of an existing, single-family detached home climbed 13.7 percent from February’s $333,380 median price to $378,960 … Continue Reading
Loan Terms – 15 v. 20 v. 30-year – Savings Add Up, But Payments Increase
As you might imagine, a shorter term loan can translate into thousands of dollars saved on interest payments throughout the term. Lower rates and shorter terms save money for those able to manage the slightly higher monthly payment. Here’s a graphic showing a $250,000.00 loan; use any loan calculator or consult with your lender to … Continue Reading
Orange County Housing: Prices Up 25.1% From Last Year
As reported by the California Association of REALTORS® in the below article, as is no surprise to many home shoppers, especially in such great locations as Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, prices are up, up, up. A full 25.1 percent February 2013 v. 2012 and a full 7.2 percent just from the previous month, according to the California … Continue Reading
Home Improvement: Best Bang For Your Buck
Thinking of a home remodel? There are many great ways to improve your home. Whether for your own enjoyment, or to increase value to your property to sell or rent, some remodels will really spruce up a property (not to mention the ‘wow’ factor and, in many cases, energy savings). Here, from the National Association of … Continue Reading
