Has the American dream of homeownership been tainted by the economy? | AgentGenius

Has the American dream of homeownership been tainted by the economy? | AgentGenius

The article contains some interesting stats on what is happening around the country.

This article was provided to you by the Surf City Kahunas of Real Estate:

The Louison Team, Raymond and Stephanie Louison
714-925-5361 or 714-307-2934
http://www.soldonhb.com
Realty One Group - Huntington Beach Office - 01270836 & 01229689
All information deemed reliable, however not guaranteed!

Eight banks agree to reform and penalties for falsely foreclosing on homeowners | AgentGenius

Eight banks agree to reform and penalties for falsely foreclosing on homeowners | AgentGenius

This article was provided to you by the Surf City Kahunas of Real Estate:

The Louison Team, Raymond and Stephanie Louison
714-925-5361 or 714-307-2934
http://www.soldonhb.com
Realty One Group - Huntington Beach Office - 01270836 & 01229689
All information deemed reliable, however not guaranteed!


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Realtors® Applaud Bill to Speed Lender Response to Short Sales

Washington, April 13, 2011

A new bill to improve the process for approving short sales may soon bring relief to distressed home owners who are unable to keep their homes and hope to avoid foreclosure. The bill, introduced in the U.S. House yesterday and strongly supported by the National Association of Realtors®, would impose a deadline of 45 days on lenders to respond to short sale requests.

The legislation, the “Prompt Decision for Qualification for Short Sale Act of 2011,” was offered in Congress by U.S. Reps. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) and Robert Andrews (D-N.J.).

“The current short sale process can be time-consuming and inefficient, and many would-be buyers end up walking away from a sale that could have saved a home owner from foreclosure,” said NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I.

“Realtors® and consumers continue to raise issues about delays in the short sale process, because lenders are unable to decide whether to approve a short sale. After many months of delays, and with no response from lenders, potential buyers are losing patience and cancelling their contracts, often resulting in the property entering foreclosure. A short sale minimizes the negative impact on sellers and generally costs the lender less than a foreclosure,” said Phipps.

NAR has been actively pushing the lending industry to improve the process for approving short sales, which represent about 13 percent of recent home sales according to NAR data. Phipps praised Reps. Rooney and Andrews for their efforts on the bill and urged Congress to pass the bill quickly.

“As the leading advocate for home ownership and housing issues, Realtors® want to help more home owners avoid foreclosure by facilitating a short sale when a family is absolutely unable to keep their home; however, that can only happen if lenders and servicers approve short sale offers in a reasonable amount of time,” said Phipps. “Streamlining short sales transactions will reduce the amount of time it takes to sell the property, improve the likelihood that the transaction will close and reduce the overall number of foreclosures. This benefits sellers, lenders, buyers and the entire community.”

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

This article was provided to you by the Surf City Kahunas of Real Estate:

The Louison Team, Raymond and Stephanie Louison
714-925-5361 or 714-307-2934
http://www.soldonhb.com
Realty One Group - Huntington Beach Office - 01270836 & 01229689
All information deemed reliable, however not guaranteed!

An Update For The Active OC Listing Inventory

The Orange County listing inventory continued to drop, shedding another 1% in just two weeks. The active listing inventory continued its decent, dropping slightly over the last two weeks by 68 homes, now totaling 11,425. Last year at this time there were 3,676 fewer homes on the active inventory compared to today. It appears as if the active listing inventory will start 2011 with more homes than the beginning of this year, but still will end up being the second best start in five years.

This article was written by Steven Thomas, President of Altera Real Estate and provided to you by the Surf City Kahunas of Real Estate: The Louison Team.

Raymond and Stephanie Louison
714-925-5361 or 714-307-2934
http://www.soldonhb.com
Altera Real Estate - Huntington Beach Office
All information deemed reliable, however not guaranteed!

The Tale of Three Markets:

That’s right; there are three distinctly different markets!
Earlier in the year, there were two distinct markets: homes priced below $1 million and homes priced above the same threshold. The lower ranges were red hot and the upper ranges were ice cold. With the housing market transitioning into the Holiday market, there are now three distinct markets: homes priced below $750,000, homes priced between $750,000 and $1.5 million, and homes priced above $1.5 million. We now have a hot, a lukewarm and an ice cold market. For homes priced below $750,000, the expected market time is 3.57 months. This range represents 73% of all active listings and 87% of demand. Buyers can expect increased competition, a higher chance of multiple offers, and sales prices close to their asking prices. Prices are stable within this range. For homes priced between $750,000 and $1.5 million, the expected market time is 6.37 months, a slight buyers market. This range represents 16% of the active inventory and 11% of demand. Buyers can expect little competition and a bit of flexibility on behalf of the sellers, but prices are pretty stable, especially below $1 million. For homes priced above $1.5 million, the expected market time is below freezing at 20.57 months. This range represents 12% of the active listing market, but only 2% of demand. Buyers can expect no competition and a lot of pressure on pricing. The problem with this range is that there is a battle between seller stubbornness and market reality. Most sellers at this level are nostalgic and ignore market fundamentals, unrealistically overpricing their homes. Many are substantially overpriced and still very unwilling to budge off of their prices. They forget that buyers no longer buy on a whim, especially with too much supply. Buyers are strategic and approach purchasing very carefully. There is tremendous pressure on pricing in the upper ranges because prices have been a lot stickier and have not fallen yet as much as the lower ranges. They were a bit late to the party. It is basic supply and demand. There are way too many sellers and very few buyers. Specifically, there are 1,337 homes above $1.5 million and only 65 homes placed in escrow over the past month. The probability of success is very low. Motivated sellers priced realistically and able to patiently wait for the right buyer should stick it out. Everybody else really should just pull their homes off of the market.

This article was written by Steven Thomas, President of Altera Real Estate and provided to you by the Surf City Kahunas of Real Estate: The Louison Team

Raymond and Stephanie Louison
714-925-5361 or 714-307-2934
http://www.soldonhb.com
Altera Real Estate - Huntington Beach Office
All information deemed reliable, however not guaranteed!

The Holiday Real Estate Market:

From Halloween through the first few weeks of the New Year, it is the perfect time to buy a home. On November 1st we quickly transition into the Holiday season as we are bombarded with festive jingles prompting us to purchase gifts for our loved ones. With all of the election hoopla just about over as well, people can’t help but divert their attention to the wonderful distractions of the holidays. Housing is no different. Many home-buyers sit on sidelines and enjoy the season, only to resume their home search just after they forget about their New Year’s resolutions. This is the time of year when housing demand drops, the expected market time climbs and competition wanes. Home-Sellers get it as well. Many homes have been on the market for months and many owners just don’t want to market their homes during the holidays. Others come to the realization that they may have been unrealistic in their expectations of the market and have inadvertently overpriced their homes. This is the perfect time to throw in the towel and pull those overpriced homes off of the market. Typically only the really motivated sellers who have to sell remain on the market. With less competition, low interest rates and highly motivated sellers, it is a great time to be a buyer. As 2011 rolls along, typically right after the Super Bowl, the market will transition into the Spring market, cyclically the best time of year for Orange County real estate marked with strong demand. If a buyer is looking to buy, ‘tis the season to purchase now!

This article was written by Steven Thomas, President of Altera Real Estate and was provided to you by the Surf City Kahunas of Real Estate: The Louison Team.

Raymond and Stephanie Louison
714-925-5361 or 714-307-2934
http://www.soldonhb.com
Altera Real Estate - Huntington Beach Office

All information deemed reliable, however not guaranteed!

NAR Hails Bill to Hasten Lender Response to Short Sale Requests

WASHINGTON (September 16, 2010) – Homeowners who are underwater with their mortgage may find that relief is on the way from a bill strongly supported by the National Association of Realtors® that would impose a deadline on lenders to respond to short-sale requests.

The legislation, H.R. 6133, “Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2010,” was offered yesterday in Congress by U.S. Reps. Robert Andrews (D-N.J.) and Tom Rooney (R-Fla.). The bill would require lenders to respond to consumer short sale requests within 45 days.

“The short sale, which requires lender approval, is an important instrument for homeowners who owe more than their home is worth,” said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz. “While the lending community has worked to improve the size and training of their short sales staffs, they still have a long way to go on improving response times.”

“As the leading advocate for homeownership issues, NAR believes that quicker attention to the short sales process is vital to help homeowners who are underwater and their communities, as well as the nation’s economy,” said Golder.

The number of potential short sale properties is rising across the country. According to NAR data, in the second quarter of 2010, Nevada, California, Florida and Arizona are states where significant shares of all properties on the market are potential short sales: 32 percent, 28 percent, 27 percent and 24 percent, respectively.

“Unfortunately, homeowners who need to execute a short sale are severely hampered because lenders (loan servicers) are unable to decide whether to approve a short sale within a reasonable amount of time. Potential homebuyers are walking away from purchasing short sale property because the lender has taken many months and still not responded to their request for an approval of a proposed short sale price. Many consumers have mentioned that the delay in short sale price approval exceeds 90 days, and in many cases never arrives,” Golder said.

She commended Reps. Andrews and Rooney for their efforts on the bill and urged Congress to pass the bill quickly.

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

This residential real estate update was provided to you by the Surf City Guru and the Surf City Kahuna of Real Estate: If you need asssistance with a short-sale in Orange County, please contact:

The Louison Team
Raymond and Stephanie Louison
714-925-5361 or 714-307-2934
http://www.soldonhb.com

Altera Real Estate - Huntington Beach Office

All information deemed reliable, however not guaranteed!

5 key changes in lead-paint removal rule

5 key changes in lead-paint removal rule
Some common past practices are outlawed By Mary Umberger

There's little, if any, argument that lead-based paints in homes can be toxic, particularly to young children, who are susceptible to brain damage or learning disabilities if they ingest it. And tons of it - literally - are out there: The Environmental Protection Agency estimates lead was used in paint in more than 38 million homes before it was banned for residential use in 1978. As of April, if you renovate a home that was built before 1978, potentially sending the paint's potent substance into the air, your contractor will have to prove that he's able to get the lead out. A new federal law requires that remodeling contractors and painters who work on such older homes complete an eight-hour course on containing and safely removing lead-contaminated materials such as drywall, plaster and wood trim and paneling.

Five things to know about the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule:

1. The lead-containment rule doesn't apply to all homes: Only those built prior to 1978 are affected. And it doesn't apply to comparatively small jobs, such as those that affect less than 6 square feet of painted surface per room or less than 20 square feet of painted surface of a home's exterior. Work crews must be supervised by a certified lead renovator who has passed the mandatory course; certified firms must register with the EPA. (Do-it-yourself homeowners aren't affected by the new rule.)

2. The EPA and a number of state health departments around the country are overseeing the training of tradesmen. According to Ada Duffey, president of the Milwaukee Lead/Asbestos Information Center in Wisconsin. She estimates her firm has trained 4,500 people in the construction trades on the rule since September. "There are particular work practices (that now must be followed), such as posting warning signs and keeping people out of the work area," she said. "They must use a HEPA vacuum (or high efficiency particle arrestor, to filter contaminants), and they're going to have to clean up really thoroughly at the end, packaging up their waste and removing it from the site." Some other requirements include testing for lead before beginning a job, and if lead is found, the workers must seal off the site with plastic and seal-off doors and air-conditioning vents. The workers also must use respirators and conduct a "cleaning verification" of the area at the completion of the project.

3. In addition to requiring certain steps, the new law also forbids some fairly common practices. Among them: open-flame burning or torching of paint; using a heat-gun above 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit; using paint strippers that contain methylene chloride; using machines that remove paint through abrasive blasting, sand painting, machine sanding, among others, unless the devices have approved filters; high-pressure water blasting, unless it's in a contained area or works with approved filtration.

4. The EPA estimated that steps taken to follow the new rule would add $8 to $167 to the cost of an interior job, though many in the construction industry say the steps, including taking the course, could add considerably more. Remodeling magazine, a trade journal, estimated it could add 5 to 11 percent in labor and materials costs to home-renovation projects.

5. The EPA maintains a list of renovators, by ZIP code or by city and state, who have completed the federally run training program at www.epa.gov/lead. Wisconsin, Iowa, North Carolina, Mississippi, Kansas, Rhode Island and Utah are administering their own programs, and the EPA suggests homeowners in those states who are seeking trained renovators contact the National Lead Information Center, 800-424-LEAD (5323).
Taken from article Published in the Inman News

This Surf City Lifestyles Tidbit was provided to you by the Surf City Guru and the Surf City Kahunas of Real Estate:

The Louison Team
Raymond and Stephanie Louison
714-925-5361 or 714-307-2934
http://www.soldonhb.com

Altera Real Estate - Huntington Beach Office

All information deemed reliable, however not guaranteed!

Some Good News For First-Time Homebuyers!

Gary Thomas, Senior VP of the National Association of Realtors told us in a meeting yesterday what he learned at the NAR Summit Meeting. One of the announcements at the NAR summit was the monetization of the $8,000 tax credit. Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said that the Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow homeowners to use the $8,000 tax credit for purchasing a home as a down payment. This means that first time homeowners who qualify for this tax credit can now use it towards their down payment on the purchase of a home. There are some other restrictions, so please give us a call for more details. Note: This tax credit is due to expire on November 30, 2009 and you must have closed escrow prior to the expiration date. NAR has requested an extension, however we will not hear their response until later in the year.

This Surf City Lifestyles Tidbit was provided to you by the Surf City Guru and the Surf City Kahunas of Real Estate:

The Louison Team
Raymond and Stephanie Louison
714-925-5361 or 714-307-2934
http://www.soldonhb.com

Altera Real Estate - Huntington Beach Office

All information deemed reliable, however not guaranteed!

Surf City Condo For Sale - Huntington Beach, CA

Large 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo, In A Centrally Located, Gated Huntington Beach Condo Community, With Only 28 Units. Nicely Updated Kitchen and Bathrooms. Pergo Style Wood Laminate Flooring, Inside Laundry, Storage Cabinet Inside Gate Subterranean Garage W/Assigned Spaces. Seller Is Motivated And Can Close Quickly!

Fountain Valley Townhouse For Sale

Wonderful Tiburon South Townhouse With Extra-Large Private Patio Between Xtra-Large 2 Car Garage. Nicely Remodeled With Designer Colors And Hardwood Plank Flooring. Custom Walk-In Closet In The Large Master Suite. Currently Asking $423,000

15961 Redlands Ave., Westminster, CA 92683

This spectacular 5 bedroom pool home is located just outside the city limits of Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach. This home features an incredible gourmet kitchen that any chef would love to have. Plus one bedroom is located downstairs. Excellent room for a either a home office or visiting in-laws!

Asking the just $649,900 for this home. Not a short-sale!

Sellers are very motivated and do not have any contingencies. The owners can either move fast or take as long as you need.

Huntington Beach Home Security Vacation Checking Service

The Huntington Beach Police Department provides House Vacation Checks courtesy of the HBPD Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
Our trained RSVP’s will conduct an exterior security check of your home. If something appears suspicious, the RSVP’s shall call for the assistance of a police officer. The RSVP’s will also pick up any of the throw away newspapers/flyers (that tells criminals no one is home) that often gather when you’re away a couple of days or forget to check your front door area. Shortly after your return date they will mail you a print out of the dates and times of there visits and what they observed. Exterior areas of your home that are not accessible will not be checked.
There’s absolutely NO fee for this service and it’s easy to sign up; you may call the HBPD RSVP office at 714-374-1507 to complete the form over the phone or you can check out the web page at:
• www.surfcity-hb.org/government/departments/pd
• Scroll to “eServices” then scroll down to Vacation House Check (click)
• Complete the form then, click on Submit Data to RSVP Vacation Check Office

Please try to provide us with at least a 1 week notice (due to scheduling).
We do understand that in an emergency that may not always be possible.
If you have any questions or need more information about the HBPD RSVP Program please call the RSVP office at 714-374-1507, or Nilda Patiño de Berndt, HBPD Community Relations Specialist at 714-536-5933.

This Surf City Lifestyles Tidbit was provided to you by the Surf City Guru and the Surf City Kahunas of Real Estate:

The Louison Team
Raymond and Stephanie Louison
714-925-5361 or 714-307-2934
http://www.soldonhb.com

Altera Real Estate - Huntington Beach Office

All information deemed reliable, however not guaranteed!