National Real Estate Market Primed for Expansion in 2016

Strengthening Economy

National Real Estate Market  Primed for ExpansionDespite existing-home sales dropping last November, the national real estate market is primed for expansion in 2016. Here’s why. Better weather in many parts of the country resulted in an increase in single-family and multifamily home construction. Also, the population of millennial homebuyers is expected to grow in 2016. This means increased demand to help the housing market see positive gains. With unemployment steadily decreasing, orders for new durable goods increasing 3 percent, inflation staying level, and income beginning to grow, the Fed decided to raise interest rates. The rate increase signals that our economy is getting stronger. So, don’t let the drop in existing-home sales in November fool you. With a stronger economy, home sellers can expect eager home buyers in 2016.

Continue reading National Real Estate Market Primed for Expansion in 2016

San Diego County Real Estate Report and Interest Rates January 2016

San Diego County Real Estate ReportDecember is usually a quiet month for real estate. In spite of this, North San Diego County and San Diego County as a whole saw a fairly active month with the total sales volume for the county increasing significantly compared to November.

Real Estate Report

2015 showed healthy numbers also. Year-over, North County saw a 4 percent increase in the median price for all property types, while countywide, that number was almost 9 percent for detached homes and over 10 percent for attached homes.

The Fed’s quarter-percentage point interest rate increase didn’t have a major impact on the San Diego County market, but experts expect continued, gradual rate increases over the next year. So if you are thinking of buying, now may be the time.

See below for today’s interest rates. Click on the links to read the full housing statistics reports.

Continue reading San Diego County Real Estate Report and Interest Rates January 2016

Are You Covered?

Are You Covered?Insurance and homeowners go together like peanut butter and jelly. Lenders require fire insurance at a minimum for homes with a mortgage, but many owners opt for more comprehensive coverage with a homeowner’s policy.

However, comprehensive doesn’t mean that everything is covered. Filing a claim is not the time to learn that you don’t have the right coverage. Are you covered? Here are some topics you should discuss with your insurance agent to get a better understanding of your policy and whether some adjustments might be in order.

Continue reading Are You Covered?

Real Estate’s Still Hot in California

It’s been hot, hot, hot in California! And it’s not just the weather. Our real estate markets have been hot too. California had over half of the twenty hottest U.S. markets according to the National Association of Realtors®.

San Diego is right in there, placing seventh on the list. If you look at October’s list, you’ll see we’ve moved up to sixth place.

Real Estate's Still Hot in California

How to Move But Not Increase Property Taxes

how to move but not increase property taxesAccording to a survey by the California Association of Realtors, one of the top reasons home owners have not considered selling is a concern that property taxes on another home would be too expensive.

For certain groups of people living in San Diego County and some other counties in California, there is a way to move but not increase property taxes.

California voters have passed several propositions, Propositions 60, 90 and 110, that allow eligible property owners to transfer the base year value of an existing principal residence to a replacement dwelling.

What do these propositions do? Who qualifies, and what are the benefits?

Continue reading How to Move But Not Increase Property Taxes

San Diego County Real Estate Report October 2015

HomeDex San Diego County Real Estate ReportThis month’s San Diego County real estate report shows September home prices dropping slightly in both San Diego County as a whole and in North San Diego County according to the North San Diego County Association of REALTORS® and the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS®.

Although this recent dip in prices slightly improves affordability in San Diego County, it follows strong price increases over the spring and summer months. Experts expect these increases to continue even with the interest rate hikes anticipated later this year. UCLA Anderson Forecast’s third quarter report predicts employment and income growth in California paired with a shortage of new construction through 2017. This, combined with our ongoing lack of resale inventory, will maintain pressure on housing prices in San Diego County.

To read the full housing statistics reports, click on the links below.

Continue reading San Diego County Real Estate Report October 2015

Why Homeowners Aren’t Selling

Why homeowners aren't sellingEvery month I tell you inventory is still low. This is not only the case for San Diego County and North County, but also for most of California. What’s keeping people from selling their homes? The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) recently surveyed Californians and found some interesting answers why homeowners aren’t selling.

Continue reading Why Homeowners Aren’t Selling

San Diego County Housing Market Report September 2015

HomeDex housing market reportAfter an exceptionally hot summer of home sales, the San Diego County housing market report for August cooled a little. North County prices for all property types dropped 1.4 percent compared to July, but still saw a sustainable 3.8 percent rise over the previous year.

But even with August’s cooling, the North San Diego County market remains pretty hot. In addition to the continued year-over price increases, there were increases in both closed and pending sales compared to the previous year. We also saw both a month-over and year-over decrease in the supply of available homes.

The format for the monthly HomeDex report has changed. If you click on the links below, you can see detailed North County monthly indicators along with local market updates for Metro San Diego County, East San Diego County and South San Diego County.

To read the full housing statistics reports, click on the links below.

Continue reading San Diego County Housing Market Report September 2015

Things That Can Kill Your Credit Score

Things That Can Kill Your Credit Score

Some people take their credit for granted and don’t start paying attention to it until they need it. Doing this could cause them to pay more interest or keep them from getting a loan altogether.

There are several things that can kill your credit score. Knowing what they are and dealing with them ahead of time will save you time, money and headaches.

Continue reading Things That Can Kill Your Credit Score

San Diego County Housing Market Report August 2015

HomeDex housing market reportThis month’s San Diego County Housing Market Report shows continued price gains and tight inventory in the North County and San Diego County real estate markets.

Those continued price gains and our shortage of homes for sale are making news. Zillow ranked San Diego as one of three markets with the biggest decrease in supply of for-sale homes in July, and our markets are making realtor.com’s “hot” lists nationwide.

Take a look at the North County and San Diego County summaries below, or click on the links for a detailed view of July’s statistics.

Continue reading San Diego County Housing Market Report August 2015