Real Estate Information

If the old adage holds true that says hemlines go up when the economy improves, then things are cautiously looking up for spring. At least that’s the fashion-omic forecast from a quirky yet historically accurate tool, the “hemline indicator.” Read more…

More help is on the way…President Obama recently announced an additional $1.5 billion in homeowner aid for the areas of the country hardest-hit by declining home values, Florida, Michigan, Arizona, California and Nevada are the five states that will receive funds. Read more…

Putting on your best…As a seller, you want your home to make a positive first impression. In order to do this, you repair, clean, and strategize marketing for your open houses, but home staging takes it one step further. Read more…  

The good news is, it’s a buyers’ market. The bad news is, it’s a buyers’ market. With competitive prices, low interest rates and a huge tax credit on their side, buyers are jumping off the fence. And if you’ve got a house to sell, there are things you can do to make sure they land on your side, Realtors say. Read more…

New home sales drop like a rock…Sales of newly built homes unexpectedly plummeted in January to their lowest level in nearly five decades, providing more evidence of the housing market's fragility.

Purchases of new single-family homes dropped 11.2 percent in January from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 309,000, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Sales fell in every region except the Midwest, and the raw number of new homes on the market rose for the first time in nearly three years.  Read more…

 Just for fun, its time to get dirty  http://gardenpuzzle.com/

Do you take a chance and wait or will you miss out? Will lobbyists convince Congress to extend the home buyer tax credit?  The National   Association of Realtors and other industry groups are beginning to make the rounds on Capitol Hill to press their case, which goes something like this: We know you’ve extended the tax credit two times already, but the housing market is still fragile, the tax credit is working, and don’t forget– you’re up for re-election soon. In other words, do you really want to own the next leg down in home prices? Read more…

Good night Pa, good night grandma, good night John boy…The new face of retirement, what will it look like? More and more households are starting to look like the Walton’s with three or four generations living under one roof. Aging parents and underemployed adult children with children of their own are squeezing boomer households.  Read more…

Check those credit card statements carefully…Credit card issuers are now going to have to play by a whole new set of rules that are considered consumer-friendly—but will also cut into some of their traditional sources of revenue.

Don’t expect those companies to take that lying down. Card issuers are expected to spend the next year experimenting with new products and fees—as well as higher interest rates—testing just how much consumers are willing to shell out.  Read more…

Question of the week

It is 70 degrees in Paradise today and you have the day off, where do you go? 

Steve Williams-Putts around the outside of the house fiddling with plants, trees and just enjoying the sunshine!

Sandee Williams-First choice go to the park with our grandsons Ty and Chase Second choice...goes for a long walk.

Sheri Palade-Work in the yard and enjoy the sunshine

Christy Voigt-Hit Bidwell Park in Chico, Oroville Lake, or quad ride, can't wait for it to be 70!                                                                                                                 

What would you do?

When purchasing a home, you will need to acquire homeowners insurance. In fact, all lenders will require a policy be in force prior to funding the loan. Make sure you have enough coverage, should anything happen. Policies refer to "replacement costs" that may not cover everything.

You should ask your insurance agent a lot of "what if" questions. The deductible amount also plays a big part in setting your premium. Higher deductibles lower the number of claims, and reduce your insurance costs.

Selling your home? These tips will help.  Improving curb appeal has shown to increase not only your property's value, but also the property values of your entire neighborhood.

Whether you are selling or staying put, here are five tips that can help you on your way to a beautiful home. Read more…

Struggling with your mortgage? On November 30, 2009, the Treasury Department released guidelines and forms for its new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA), which will help homeowners who are unable to retain their home under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). Under HAFA, a borrower (the current owner) may be able to avoid foreclosure by completing a short sale or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (DIL). Read more… or call Steve on his personal private line at 530-872-5411 or email me directly at steve@stevewilliamsteam.com

Question of the Week

What was your most memoriable vacation?

Sandee Williams - Hawaii in Oct 2009, relaxing, wonderful vacation with my hubby :)

David Lenarcic - In May/June of 2008 my wife and I went to Belize and Guatemala for two weeks.  It was a very adventurous vacation.  We went to several Mayan ruins, we went cave exploring, we were stranded on an island during a tropical storm.  It was very exciting and fun.

Steve Williams - Going to Alabama this week for a mini vacation to watch John graduate from Air Force officer school. Proud parents and sis get to watch the ceremony!

Christy Voigt - New York for Thanksgiving! It was amazing!!

If you’re considering purchasing a home don’t get left behind…Liv Mansfield is racing the clock, hoping to find and settle, or at least sign a purchase agreement, on a townhouse before the $6,500 tax credit for qualified repeat home buyers expires April 30, 2010. Read more…

California home buyers this is one you will not want to skip…For California homebuyers, tax time is now tax relief time too.  Thanks to two recent laws, a California homebuyer may qualify for $18,000 in tax credits for buying his or her piece of the American dream.  The two tax credits are a first-time homebuyer credit up to $8,000 under federal law, and a new home credit up to $10,000 under California law.  For more information on the tax credit laws, C.A.R.’s Legal Department has a legal article entitled Housing Stimulus Laws of 2009 which is available for members only.
To see a quick summary of the two tax credit laws, click here

Homeownership is a big step in one’s life, before you move forward let us help you make sure it’s the right move for you. The answer depends on your financial situation, your future plans, and what you hope to do for yourself and your family by buying and owning a home. Real more…

Did you hear? STAR POWER Club is relaunching!

It's official ... STAR POWER is being relaunched under new leadership! As a STAR POWER Star it's incredibly exciting to be involved in the continuation of STAR POWER into a new era of industry leadership.

Lots of changes have been made to the program, including creation of a new monthly magazine, new spotlight videos on DVD monthly, organization of historical content in the newly branded STARCHIVES, and the new STAR POWER website with highly interactive forums. To learn more, visit:    http://www.gostarpower.com/go?w=gostar&p=a486

I'm proud to be a part of this extraordinary organization helping thousands of agents across the country learn how to be more successful, both professionally and personally.

Agents interested in elevating their business should definitely look into joining STAR POWER Club. Again, the site is:  http://www.gostarpower.com/go?w=gostar&p=a486

STAR POWER is ... Success Shared™.

If you have been waiting to buy it might be time to get off the fence. California's inventory of unsold, previously owned homes shrank to a five-year low in December, in another sign that the state may be coming out of its worst housing slump in decades.

The supply of unsold single-family homes dropped to 3.8 months from 5.6 months a year ago and 16.6 months in January 2008, when inventories were at a peak, according to estimates released Friday by the California Association of Realtors. The inventory levels are now at their lowest level since 2005, resulting in frenzied sales with multiple offers in some cities. Read more…

• Some economists believe that California’s housing inventory is artificially low because many discretionary sellers—homeowners who do not have to sell their homes—are waiting on the sidelines until home prices rise.  Others believe there are more foreclosures to come, as unemployment in the state continues to rise.  However, C.A.R. predicts that foreclosures will remain flat in 2010 compared with 2009, as lenders are listing properties for sale at a more metered pace.
• California’s housing market has shown signs of stabilization since early last year.  Sales of existing, single-family homes bottomed out in August 2007, and the median home price reached its trough in February 2009. 
• In December, the median price of an existing, single-family home rose to $306,820, an 8.4 percent rise year-over-year, the second consecutive year-over-year increase, and the 10th straight month-over-month increase, according to C.A.R.’s December sales and price report.
• With affordability near-historic highs, low interest rates, and home buyer tax credits, many properties in California are receiving multiple offers and sparking bidding wars.  Home buyers who find themselves in bidding wars should work closely with their REALTOR® to ensure they are crafting realistic offers that are more likely to be accepted by the seller.

Mortgage rates in 2010 are expected to rise from 2009’s historically low levels.  Early last year, the Federal Reserve announced plans to purchase debt and mortgage-backed securities from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to lower interest rates for consumers and spur home buying.  As a result, rates on 30-year, fixed mortgages fell to historic lows.  However, the Fed’s asset purchase program is scheduled to expire at the end of the first quarter of 2010, and a lack of private demand for mortgage-backed securities could lead to a rise in rates.

Falling behind? There’s help available. Struggling to pay your FHA mortgage? Now you no longer have to be late with your payments to get help.

On Friday, the Federal Housing Administration announced that it will assist borrowers before they become delinquent. All you need do is prove your problems were caused by a reduction of income from a job loss, fewer paid hours, slashed wages or a decline in self-employed business earnings. Read more…

Question of the week 

What are Your Valentine’s Day plans?

Sheri Palade-No plans yet…generally the weather dictates all our plans since my husband works for PG&E. So, if there is no significant storm that day then maybe we will go to dinner and a movie.

Brian Voigt-(christy,s Husband)

What, if I tell you what good is that. I would love to do something with my wife, she is the best!!!!!!!! Hope fully we can go to a movie and some dinner or possibly a quad date!!!!!

Steve Williams- I’ll sneak off a card in advance that Sandee will receive in the mail. It’ll include a picture of me and description of how much fun I am. ( Just kidding, except for the card part) The card will surprise her because of the mailing part!....She loves sweets so that should be easy.

Sandee Williams- Sending Valentine's to family and friends.   Having fun with my sweetheart Steve.

Christy Voigt-Hoping for some quad time just my hubby and I.

Starting off the day with more good news - Cheaper homes lure buyers who could spark Sacramento-area economy, Lower Price Draw Skilled Professionals.                                                                                                                                                  

With median home prices  to 2001 levels in many parts of the region, skilled outsiders and professionals have begun trickling back to Sacramento’s  housing market. From July 2008 to July 2009, the population of the four-county capital region comprising Yolo, Sacramento, El Dorado and Placer counties grew 1.1 percent – faster than the state as a whole, according to the California Department of Finance.   Read More…

I can’t stress this enough, if you are thinking of buying you need to act fast. 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. Read more…

Surprise, surprise, not anymore, this is a good thing…Buying a home should be a joyful experience, but all too often, the mortgage settlement process leaves consumers confused, angry and paying more than they anticipated.

When you apply for a loan, your lender will give you a good faith estimate of closing costs. It's important to understand which costs can change when you go to settlement:

Costs that can't change

Origination fees

Points (after you've locked in an interest rate)

Adjusted origination fees after you've locked in an interest rate

Transfer taxes

Charges that can increase

up to 10% in aggregate

Required services selected by the lender

Title services, lender's title insurance and owner's title insurance, if selected by the lender

Government recording charges

No limit on increases

Required services selected by the borrower.

Title services, lender's title insurance and owner's title insurance, if selected by the borrower

Daily interest charges

Homeowner's insurance

Initial deposit for escrow

Read more…

HUD to the rescue, HUD Takes Action To Speed Resale of Foreclosed Properties to New Owners.  In an effort to stabilize home values and improve conditions in communities where foreclosure activity is high, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced a temporary policy that will expand access to FHA mortgage insurance and allow for the quick resale of foreclosed properties. The announcement is part of the Obama administration commitment to addressing foreclosure. Just yesterday, Secretary Donovan announced $2 billion in Neighborhood Stabilization Program grants to local communities and nonprofit housing developers to combat the effects of vacant and abandoned homes.  Read more…

Help is on the way ! Homeowners with FHA-insured mortgage loans who are experiencing financial hardship are now eligible for loss mitigation assistance before they fall behind on their mortgage payments. Previously, these homeowners were not eligible for such assistance until after they had missed payments.

The Helping Families Save Their Home Act of 2009 signed into law by President Obama expanded FHA’s authority to use its loss mitigation tools to assist FHA borrowers avoid foreclosure to include those facing “imminent default” as defined by the Secretary. FHA recently issued guidance to FHA-approved loan servicers on how to assist these FHA borrowers. Read More…

Some good news to share, New December statistics paint 2009 as the year when Sacramento County home prices finally ended a dramatic four-year free fall. Median sales prices for new and existing homes combined rose 0.6 percent in 2009, property researcher MDA DataQuick reported Thursday. The percentage represents a welcome change for thousands of anxious Sacramento County homeowners who saw their values drop 20 percent in 2007 and plunge another 37 percent in 2008. Read more…

More good news from  The SacBee .  Foreclosure crisis slowing some as banks rethink strategies . La Jolla researcher MDA DataQuick released new Q4 2009 foreclosure numbers this morning, show that defaults are down to their lowest levels since early last year. But the capital region saw 5,081 more foreclosures in the last three months of 2009 - raising the tally since the mortgage crisis began in early 2007 to nearly 52,000.

Statewide, more than 650,000 homeowners have surrendered keys to banks since 1/1/07. Read More…