HELP - I'm Drowning In Social Media Apps

ONCE UPON A TIME all I had to do was check my FACEBOOK to stay connected.  Today, I have to monitor my TWITTER accounts, update my Google+, upload my PINTREST pics, keep up my BLOGS, update my BUSINESS WEBSITES, answer the requests on my LINKEDIN, post notices on my NEXTDOOR site, and new stuff is coming in EVERYDAY. 

In 1979 I moved to California from Denver, Colorado.  I picked up the Daily Breeze and found an ad for a rental and CALLED the agent on the telephone.  I didn't have email then so instead of spending hours of my morning answering hundreds of them, I usually took a lengthy walk on the beach.  I was living in Hermosa Beach then and it wasn't quite as built up and we still had the old railroad tracks running down the middle of Ardmore, but I digress.  It was just simpler then (and a lot cheaper.)

In 1980 I became a fully licensed California Realtor and began conducting my real estate business in the South Bay.  I didn't have a cell phone until years later.  It was attached to the floor of my car and cost $.90 per minute so it was more of a status symbol than a tool.   We actually called people back then (the do-not-call list hadn't been hatched) and met them for coffee at the quaint little coffee shops that have long since faded into the beach mist.  I used to walk to Pier Avenue for lunch and catch up with the locals on the business of running the Beach Cities.  I drove a huge Chevy 4 door, 8 cylinder, gas guzzler with no GPS.  I carried around a Thomas Guide everywhere I went.  I used to drive with one hand on the wheel and the other flipping through the pages.  My clients were happy when I sold their homes and gave ME gifts.  Interest rates were 16-17% for a long time.  I remember when we finally dipped below double digits and everyone was so happy we had a week long party!  It was harder to conduct business then but also easier.  All our business was "belly to belly" as we used to say.  You actually had to be in front of a customer to work with them.

Today, I receive emails and tweets and calls from people I don't know but they seem to know me.  I try to get together with people for coffee but they don't have time.  I've given up calling people because they only want me to email or TEXT - they are too busy for the telephone.  Oh, did I mention that in this period of time, even the FAX machine, which wasn't available for our use in 1979, has pretty much gone the way of the dinosaur in conducting business.

Yes, a lot of things have changed...some for the better, some not so much.  I got together with a few of my old time buddies a few years ago.  We're in the attached photos (if you can still pick us out) and we're all Grandmas now but still working!  Some of my clients call me their "second Mom."  I'm proud to have earned that badge.  I'm grateful I'm now working with the kids of a lot of the folks I sold homes to back then.  The relationships we've built over the years are the prizes for surviving this roller coaster business. 

So, after that ramble,  I guess you can now call me, email me, tweet me, fax me, IM me, send me a YOUTUBE, video conference, or wave at me when you see me rolling down your street in my non-gas guzzler car  (soon to be traded for something ELECTRIC?) 

p.s. Check out the prices in those ads - that was REAL. 

p.s.s. If you are in the market to buy or sell, call me, 

Your Real Estate Agent For Life!  

Charlie Hoffmann
Broker/Owner
Team South Bay Realty
310-534-3940

Perspective - Perspective - Perspective!

As a Realtor, I have to keep reminding myself not everyone views life as I do.  For example... interest rates today are so low they seem silly to me.  Maybe that's because I started selling homes in 1979 when interest rates were 16-17%.  We couldn't even get loans on most of the homes then and had to use "creative financing" to close those escrows.  Every sale closed with a major party for me and the buyer or seller!  And celebrate we did ... it seems amazing today as we remember how happy we were just to be able to put together a transaction in those times ... sometimes you don't know what you don't know and it doesn't matter.  We all visualize things differently and therefore we all see the outcomes from those perspectives.  I was walking my beautiful Great Pyrenees dog the other day and was stopped by a lady walking down the street toward us.  "What an amazing animal that it is" she remarked.  "It looks like a wolf walking down the street."  I laughed - you should look at her from behind I said, from this angle with her long legs and dewclaws she looks like a hooker in high heels.  We both laughed.  How different she looked from each perspective.  

I was working with a first time buyer showing homes this month.  He was so excited and worried as he looked at each home we were previewing from the perspective of what it would be like to live in that house, in that neighborhood and with that mortgage.  We looked at quite a few homes over a few weeks and finally we found one that seemed to appeal to him.  We parted ways for the weekend and regrouped on Monday.  I asked him which home he liked best out of three we saw the previous week.  I started with helping him remember how the houses appeared from the street, how big the garages were, how many bathrooms and then he stopped me.  "I know" he said "which one I really liked."  Which one? I asked - he hesitated for a moment and then explained  "I liked the one with the kittens the best - remember the kittens in the backyard?  I hope they are still there.  That was the house I liked the best."  I laughed because I remembered the kittens too, they really pulled at our heartstrings knowing someone had left them behind.  But the big surprise was how he was processing all the previews and what made him remember his favorite house.  He remembered the home quite well too but his trigger was the kittens.  

I try to remind myself to slow down and smell the roses from time to time but sometimes the greatest help is to stop and try to see the world through someone else's eyes for a change.  It can make such a difference.   

Blessings for a wonderful summer!  

Team South Bay Realty
24214 Hawthorne Blvd. Suite B
Torrance, CA 90505
310-378-4440

THE MARKET AWAKENS

Nothing stays the same forever, especially the real estate market.  Just like the stock market, what goes up eventually comes down and so goes

the circle of life. 

This month we've seen some great improvement in South Bay home prices.  We're slowly moving away from the Foreclosures and Short Sales (although we still may see more to come from the "shadow inventory" some of the banks are holding.)  Meantime, we're holding our breath - anticipating a interest rate hike - long overdue.  A lot of folks are still not convinced that now is the time to roll out their plans for moving into bigger homes or selling the family home which they've outgrown for something more manageable.  I suggest that NOW is the time to start moving forward.  We have a perfect blend - lowest interest rates in history accompanying comparatively modest home prices.  If you are trading up, the money you save on your "up leg" will more than make up for any lag in increased value for your present home.  It's all numbers. 

I'm sending out Market Update Profiles to all my clients over the next few months.  If you're not in my current database, call me and I'll do the same for you.  My job has always been to provide information so you can make an intelligent informed decision.  That starts with looking at the big picture and narrowing it down to how it will play into your life and family plans.  My husband teases me with my own mantra ... if you fail to plan you plan to fail!  We are now in a transitioning market.  Take advantage of the window and watch how these changes play into your goals and dreams. 
Of course, I can help you visualize and project whatever you have in mind.  Then when you're ready to move forward, I can help you make it all happen.  That's my job - your Real Estate Consultant For Life and all it brings...

Meantime, I have a little girl looking for a "forever" home.  She's a sweet 4 year old English Bulldog.  She plays with all my dogs (and cats) and has taken up a post as the best watchdog ever to earn her keep.  She needs someone who will walk her (she loves walks) and give her some attention (not that much but a little.)  She will return those favors ten fold.  Let me know if you or someone you know would like to adopt this wonderful companion pooch.  It's good Karma you know - doesn't hurt to pay it forward. 

Have a great month and please feel free to call me with any of your real estate questions. I'm here to help. 

Charlie :)
Team South Bay Realty
24214 Hawthorne Blvd. Suite B
Torrance, CA 90505
310-378-4440

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

and our Market Is On The Move!

4000Newton.com
 

Everyone is wondering what the 2013 real estate market will deliver.  So far, it looks like we have definitely bottomed out and are seeing significant increases in pricing in some areas already.  Some sellers are reluctant to put their homes on the market, worried they won't be able to get their price.  Of course that means fewer homes for sale and the competition can be fierce in the lower price ranges.  The sellers looking to move up in the market will benefit even if the pricing hasn't met their expected levels for their home sale.  The difference in purchase price on a higher value will make up for the lower sales price in most cases. 

Another important issue this year is interest rates.  So far we are still seeing the lowest rates in history for mortgage money.  That will change.  As the interest rates begin to rise, prices will be affected as the affordability for buyers will change.  Right now, we are even seeing 100% loans back in the market.  Unbelievable opportunity for financing right now if you have decent credit (FICO scores in the mid-600 range plus) and verifiable income.  Even those with distressed credit from previous short sales can benefit (must be longer than two years since recorded sale) as long as they have kept their spending to a minimum and paid all their accounts on time.  The financing is out there for everyone from first time buyers to jumbo refinances - take advantage while you can.

Some Fun Facts About the Market*

Who's Moving In The Next Two Years? 

48%  18-34 year olds

26%  35-49 year olds

16%  50-64 year olds

10%  65 and older

 

 

Team South Bay is looking for homes for our South Bay buyers!  If you are thinking about moving up or downsizing please give us a call.  We'll prepare a full market analysis for your home and neighborhood free of charge.  We also have a list of Income Property Buyers too.  Let us help you take advantage of this HOT real estate market. 

 

 

p.s. Dyna says the South Bay is

Heaven on Earth and we agree! 



*courtesy of the Demand Institute 





A Good Time To Buy?

A good time to buy?



Many housing economists have said that for borrowers with stable incomes, good credit history, and FICO scores of at least 620, now is an opportune time to purchase a home. Although inventory rates are below the long-run average, there still are plenty of options available for buyers of middle to high-end homes.


Consumers trying to time the market and purchase their home when prices are likely to rise again are advised to take a different approach. According to one real estate consultant, while home prices have stopped declining in most areas, and even have risen in some markets, mortgage rates may rise, offsetting any potential savings.


Early last year, the Federal Reserve began purchasing mortgage-backed securities, which helped maintain low interest rates for consumers. However, the Fed’s purchase program ended in March, and some analysts forecast interest rates to increase throughout the rest of the year. One financial publishing company predicts that rates likely will rise to 5.5 percent by mid-2010 and close the year at 5.75 percent to 6 percent. The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) projects rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages to average 5.6 percent this year.

Closely-watched indices, including the Standard & Poor’s/Case Shiller Index, indicate that the high end of the market didn’t experience the same dramatic price appreciation as the low end. Home prices in this segment have not declined as steeply as homes in the mid- to low-end of the market. Additionally, many discretionary sellers in the high end—those who do not have to sell their homes—are opting to wait until home prices rise before listing their homes for sale.



The high end of the market also is facing challenges with buyers qualifying for financing. During the height of the market, many high-end home purchases were fueled by exotic mortgage products. Now that those mortgages are no longer readily available, many lenders are requiring borrowers to provide proof of income, such as W-2s and recent paystubs, as well as demonstrate their ability to meet the monthly mortgage obligation.

This year is still providing many windows of opportunity.  If you've been waiting to move into a larger home or waiting to downsize for retirement, this is a good time to move forward.  As the market stabilizes, interest rates will rise.   Use this time to meet your goals and make the most of the current market.  Why wait 3-5 years to achieve the same result under different circumstances. 

Call me with questions about your home value or for a list of homes to preview in your area. You know I'm never too busy to be of service in my community and never too busy for your referrals!

The home pictured above is a wonderful 3 bedroom home in the Lomita Pines area.  Check out this home's personal website:
http://www.2077guyson.com/ for all the details or call me and I'll send a copy of the listing information directly to you. 

Enjoy the beautiful Spring weather!