California Real Estate

     Welcome Home As your last point of contact with buyers and sellers in a transaction, closing gifts are more than just an unexpected courtesy; they serve as a sincere show of appreciation for business. People want to feel as though they are thought of as more than just a client, more than sim...

Citigroup's mortgage servicing branch CitiMortgage is offering an average of $12,000 to borrowers who complete a short sale this year. By comparison, the mortgage servicer was offering $1,500 payments on average in 2009, and $3,000-$5,000 payments in 2010. "Incentives will be offered to customers...

A group claiming to belong to the Moorish Science Temple of America is filing paperwork in Charlotte, N.C., area courthouses claiming the right to seize foreclosed property, investigators report. The Mecklenburg Times reported that at least 200 deeds and other documents have been filed in Mecklen...

     The federal government is readying its first retreat from the mortgage market, with the size of loans eligible for government backing set to decline in October. As an emergency measure three years ago, Congress raised to as high as $729,750 the maximum loan amount that Fannie Mae, Freddie Ma...

     Working to get your home’s in tip-top shape for showings will increase its value, shorten your sales time, and ensure an offer. Many buyers today want move-in-ready homes and will quickly eliminate an otherwise great home by focusing on a few visible flaws. Unless your home’s shine, you may ...

    With interest rates low, biweekly mortgage payment plans are looking less attractive than ever. If you have recently taken a mortgage, you are likely to receive solicitations pushing these plans, from your own lender or a third party. The pitch is that for a few hundred dollars up front, you ...

     Have you ever wondered why sellers and buyers constantly grind on you about your commission? If you want to stop the grind, today's column looks at three proven strategies to protect yourself from commission depression. When it comes to defending your commission, a key point to remember is t...

1. Think of yourself as a success -That almost sounds to simple to be true, but its not, simple that is. Many people naturally find things that they dislike about themselves or their situation and they spend their lives focusing on those. They are in essence creating a bubble of negativity around...

     Email is a wonderful tool in a real estate agent's arsenal. It allows you to stay in touch with clients throughout the entire homebuying process, without taking up too much time on either end. You can email them the newest listings or the latest market conditions. It's quick and it's free. E...

      One chronic criticism of my short sale blog posts is that they primarily address the perils of the short sale listing agent: troubles with mortgage lenders, issues on the preliminary title report, etc. But, truth be told, short sales can be a real headache for buyer’s agents as well. Actual...