Real Estate in South Orange County California

The number of homes closing Escrow in November of 2010 in zip code 92688 is down 8% in relation to last year. Sounds like a scary trend, the type you read about in the newspaper. But looking at the raw data, it's pretty insignificant. 34 closed sales in 09 vs 31 closed sales in 2010.   Watch for ...

Have you worked with BofA using the Equator system? Equator is an online site used to streamline the Short Sale process. It actually helps a lot. Documents don't get "lost" and the entire process goes much more smoothly. Now, if I could get the negotiators to become a little more rational, I coul...

I stopped blogging earlier this year, to concentrate my efforts toward my wife. In the mean time, I didn't realize that Active Rain had made some changes, namely that those who joined Active Rain early on were "GrandFathered in" and allowed to post to the public without charge as long as they con...

I'm back, and glad to be here. Those who know me, know that I lost my wife a little over a week ago. She had been struggling with back pain and depression a long time. The details of her death are personal, but the fact remains that she is gone. Besides me, she leaves behind our two adult childre...

This came as a big surprise to me. For several months, even years, it seemed like everything on the market was a short sale. We get so accustomed to stating that the majority of homes listed ARE short sales, that we sometimes forget to check our stats. I've done the work for you, well, at least f...

I have been working a short sale with BofA holding the 1st. and GMAC holding the 2nd. I have been working it since April of 09 and feel I am no closer to closing it today then I was back in April. This post isn't going to be rant against either BofA or GMAC (though it certainly could be). I would...

Listings in Mission Viejo for Jan 2010 represent a 25% increase from Jan. 09 Below are the stats. Jan 09 - 139 listings taken in Mission Viejo Feb - 135 Mar 136 April 127 May 129 June 150 July 183 Aug 120 Sept 151 Oct 131 Nov 100 Dec 116 Jan 2010 - 174 listings taken in Mission Viejo - 25% increa...

The low end of the market is on fire with multiple offers and low inventory. The medium to higher priced homes are languishing, still falling in value. In past recoveries, sales started at the low end, and those sellers bought up. It seems logical that this will happen each and every time, BUT......

The low end of the market is on fire right now. There are a ton of first time buyers AND investors snapping up the lower priced inventory. The medium to high price homes are another story.  In past recoveries as the market recovered, sales at the bottom portion of the market led to sellers buying...

Ok, so it's time to paint the inside of our house. It's been the builders white since we bought it almost 15 years ago. It was nice, and easy to touch up. The paint still looks new, but we are ready for a new look. We are going with a light beige for most of the walls - We are considering either ...