It looks like rates are heading higher.  In the last week we have had a spike up in rates!  We have had a drop in mortgage apps (-9.8%), Refi's down (-11.7%), Purchase apps (-3%).  Also in Spain, the government dropped the tax benefits for home ownership and property prices have dropped 22%.  In Madrid down 30% and the Basque Country down 40%!  Makes you wonder how much home prices would drop here if mortgage interest and property taxes deduction went away?   Visit my web site at www.myslohomefinder.com for all your San Luis Obispo County property and real estate seach needs.           The Day Ahead:Existing Home Sales, Ben Bernanke, FOMC Minutes               Activity in the housing sector caught fire in April with Existing Home Sales up 0.6 percent to an annual rate of 4.97 million... 05/22/2013

I was listening to Ben Bernanke talk about the whole issue of too big to fail.  I believe in a capitalist economy that any business should fail no matter how big.  Just look back to the late 1800's when one of the U.S. richest men, Jay Gould, went bankrupt!  The government didn't bail him out, and the government doesn't bail the little guys out either. Visit my web site at www.myslohomefinder.com for all your San Luis Obispo real estate for sale  needs.  Also specialize in Arroyo Grande Real Estate, san luis obispo real estate, atascadero real estate, paso robles real estate, templeton real estate, morro bay real estate, pismo beach real estate, shell beach real estate.   The Day Ahead:Ben Bernanke, Treasuries Making The Market Nervous       Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke speech... 05/10/2013

Many families start with home ownership as the foundation of their wealth strategy.  As you build your financial portfolio, buying your first home can be a vital stepping-stone to wealth management.  As you pay down your mortgage loan balance, you gain equity, http://tinyurl.com/dy2wjx4.What is great about America? It is the American Dream, of course. It is the idea that we are in control of our own destiny, free from harsh government sanctions as in some other lands.  It is the rights and the freedoms that so many other countries do not have. Sometimes we take our basic values for granted, including home ownership, which is a luxury not afforded to residents in some other countries.Millions of people from all over the world flock to the United States because of the American Dream, and ... 04/11/2013

I hope all had a great weekend, and we have a week full of events.  It looks like the Euro Zone has more problems other nation states.  This time it's the Dutch!  It looks like the Nanny State is finally coming unglued!  When voters far out number workers, watch out!  We have similar problems here.  But the Euro Zone has this vast government bureaucracy with national governments and now this Euro government!  The problem is they both have the power to regulate and take taxes from the people.  Time to cut those bureaucrates salaries and send them back to the private sector! Go to my web site at www.myslohomefiner.com for all your real estate needs in San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, Avila Beach, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Templeton, and Santa Margarita California. ... 04/08/2013

"Delinquent and underwater mortgages guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could be modified in a no-doc fashion", according to FHFA Director Edward J. DeMarco.  FHFA is ready to streamline the process for hundreds of thousands of borrowers in the United States.  This initiative will allow delinquent borrowers to tap the benefits of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) without facing cumbersome red tape.It has become the priority of mortgage lenders and investors to speed up the pace of home loan modifications.  The reduced monthly mortgage payments has helped borrowers avoid foreclosure which contribute to the overall recovery of the housing market, as well as the U.S. economy.Borrowers must have fallen into a 90-day late status on their monthly mortgage payments to quali... 04/07/2013

    Don’t miss the Orchid Show on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, 2013 held at the South County Regional Center in Arroyo Grande, this weekend. South County Regional Center800 W. Branch StreetArroyo Grande, California                             Be enchanted by exotic blooms and colors.  Look out for displays by hobbyists, several local orchid societies and show vendors.  This is an opportunity to view a multitude of blooming orchids at their very best, and find out which will be the best from judging by the American Orchid Society.            General admission is $5.  In addition to door prizes, there will be demonstrations  and plant doctors to answer questions. A “Weekend Opportunity Drawing” is also being held to support the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, while be sure to get... 04/05/2013

Slowly but surely our mortgage interest rates are going up!  How high will they go!  It all depends on inflation.  But we still have some deflationary things going on, just look at Cyprus!  And then look at the Euro Zone! Vist my web site www.myslohomefinder.com for all your real estate needs. What's up this Friday:No Schedule Data   The US calendar is light but Cyprus is the focus in any case as it scrambles to win European support for a banking overhaul.   Dow is trading at 14,519+96.39 the 10 yr bond is at 1.93 from 1.93 Yesterday, . Currently mortgages are slightly better from Yesterday   Conv. - 3.625% Average - 3.62% FHA. -  3.25%       T.G.I.F.!!!       03/22/2013

Will Cyprus take down the Euro Zone?  Bank runs!  No FDIC like organization in Euro Land!  Will people just take their money out of the banks and put in under the mattress?  These are all questions that are going through my mind. Go to www.myslohomefinder.com for all your Central Coast of California needs! What's up today: Housing Starts and Permits, FOMC Countdown, Cyprus Bailout           Housing Starts made a partial comeback in February, but more importantly, Housing Permits made a sizeable gain. In February, housing starts rebounded 0.8 percent, following a drop of 7.3 percent the prior month. The February starts annualized level of 0.917 million units very marginally fell short of analysts' forecast for 0.919 million units and was up 27.7 percent on a year-ago basis.FOMC Meeting B... 03/19/2013

This is really creepy!  A Virginia real estate agent was caught on a hidden "lingerie" Cam. going through the home seller's wifes lingerie and underwear drawer.  His license was immediately suspended and he was charged with burglery.  Not only did he search through the panties, he also put one in his pocket! Please watch this attached video supplied to us by CNN.  Makes you really wonder about some of our fellow "professionals"! http://www.charter.net/tv/3/player/vendor/CNN/player/sf/asset/gnrc_19010490       03/07/2013

The Day Ahead: ISM non-manufacturing report         The bulk of the nation's economy is growing strongly and looks to continue to grow strongly. The ISM's non-manufacturing index rose nearly one point to a higher-than-expected level of 56.0 which indicates a stronger pace of overall growth relative to what was already a strong rate in January. The ISM non-manufacturing report offers the broadest look of any private survey on the U.S. economy in February.   Dow is trading at 14,259+133.09 the 10 yr bond is at 1.90 from 1.86 Yesterday, . Currently mortgages are  slightly worse from Yesterday   Conv. - 3.5% FHA. -  3.25%       Always be closing!     03/05/2013

Do any of you remember the Econ 101 classes in college.  Especially the chapter about supply vs demand, and when the supply of a commodity drops, the demand increases.  Well we are seeing this before our eyes in the U.S. housing market!  As a real estate agent looking for properties for clients, the supply of homes is dropping like a rock!  Are we going to build our way out of it?  No, since it is so hard to build due to regulations, fees, and lack of loans for builders.  Here is a good article by Reuters talking about the inventory at 13 year lows! U.S. home resales edged higher in January and left the supply of homes at its lowest level in 13 years, a sign that steam is gathering in the U.S. housing market. The National Association of Realtors said on Thursday that existing home sales... 02/23/2013

2012 Arroyo Grande CA Mid-Year Condo Real Estate Market Update Wow, there is quite a decrease in prices in the Arroyo Grande condo market in these figures.  Average sales price decreased 21.6% and average asking price decreased 21.5% compared to the same period in 2011.  Days on market almost doubled.  Short sales numbers are identical, but the number of foreclosures dropped by 50% in these beginning year figures.  Number of units sold also decreased by 22%.  It will be interesting to see if the decline in prices continues through the end of 2012. If you are considering selling your Arroyo Grande CA condo and you would like a comparative market analysis, feel free to contact my office at (805) 938-9950 and set up an appointment.  I specialize in short sales and distress sales.  If you a... 12/31/2012

2012 Arroyo Grande CA Mid-Year Real Estate Market Update Distress sales comprise about 30.5% of the Arroyo Grande real estate market in the first half of 2012; in the first half of 2011 that figure was 35%.  So, less distress sales with the 8% increase in overall sales during that period.  So, it may be that traditional sellers are sticking a toe into the Arroyo Grande real estate marketagain.  Average list price decreased by 7%, and average sales prices followed suit with a 6% decrease. If you are considering selling your Arroyo Grande CA home and you would like a comparative market analysis, feel free to contact my office at (805) 938-9950 and set up an appointment.  I specialize in short sales and distress sales.  If you are interested in buying a home in Arroyo Grande CA, I will be ... 08/25/2012

Good morning to all!  With the melt down going on in the Euro Zone, we are seeing the U.S. 10 year bond dropping!  We may see more lows in the mortgage rate coming up!  Visit my web site at www.myslohomefinder.com for more about San Luis Obispo real estate and to help you with your search. We cover Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Nipomo, Shell Beach, Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Paso Robles, Templeton, Santa Margarita, Cayucos, Morro Bay, Cambria, and Los Osos California real estate and homes. So here is Bob Franklin at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Pismo Beach with the updates!  Updates are brought to you by Prudential California Realty Fine Homes! The Week Ahead: Relatively Docile Economic Calendar Leaves Europe In Focus         10yr yields moved to new all-time lows overnight... 07/23/2012

It’s about building business friendship... How would somebody you've never met before react, when you ask him, “Hey!  Do you wanna get married?”.  Of course, he’s gonna say “I don’t even know you!”. It's similar to asking somebody you don't know and say, "Oh hi!  Do you wanna buy a house with me?".  Most likely, they'll say "I don't even know you!". In networking, we need to build business relationship first.  Meet somebody, get to know them, and then develop a good business relationship.  Once you like each other, you know each other's stories, you’re full comfortable working with each other, and then you proceed with your next step which is sales agreement or working together or referring business to each other. People prefer to do business with people they know, people they like and ... 06/05/2012

We’re going to review some of the common mistakes that first-time buyers make, and we’re going to show you how they can ruin your opportunity to buy your first home. How to avoid those types of blunders? You'll find out in our HousePro Academy online course, Home Buying 101. MISTAKE #7:  Trying too hard to get a bargain The seventh mistake some buyers make, is trying too hard to get a bargain.  You want a bargain, don’t you?  So do I!  Who doesn’t want a bargain?  We all like bargains!  But we don’t want to try too hard by offering the seller an extremely low offer price.  That can spoil the deal for you.  Sellers often are particular about their house, and when they get a low offer, the seller is offended and ignores the offer.  They won’t even reply back to your offer and because they... 03/27/2012

       From March 31st to April 1st, orchid enthusiasts will gather at the next  Annual Central Coast Orchid Show & Sale, in Arroyo Grande, to celebrate the exotic beauties.   This year's show, themed " Stepping Back in Time", will be held from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 31st, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 1st, at the South County Regional Center, 800 Branch Street, in Arroyo Grande:- Orchid lovers will be able to feast on the exciting range of blooming orchids at their best by hobbyists, local orchid societies and show vendors.  These displays will be judged by the American Orchid Society. Door prizes, demonstrations, plant doctors and plant tours will also be featured.  General admission tickets are $5 per person, and free to children aged 12 and under... 03/20/2012

  In the quaint family city of Arroyo Grande, you could wet your palate and learn how to make ice cream.   Every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m., the audience is treated to a 30-minute skit about ice cream, and how to make it.  Participants will also have a chance to help and invent a new flavor.   To partake in ice-making, visit Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab located at 114 W. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, CA. Be sure to visit Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream's website to obtain a free admission ticket, and have a fun evening for the entire family! *********************       Info provided as a courtesy by Sherry Sim, Broker/Owner of Sims & Company, offering real estate services in Cayucos, Cambria, Los Osos, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo & rest of beautiful Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County.... 03/17/2012

  Review of Home Sales & Median Sales Prices in Arroyo Grande : 2009-2011     2009 2010 2011 Sales 218 242 292 Median Sales Prices $497,450 $507,000 $465,595 Avg. Days on Market 100 96 113   The above chart shows that sales of stick-built single-family homes in Arroyo Grande have been increasing steadily from 218 homes in 2009 to 242 homes in 2010 (about +11%), and again to 292 homes in 2011 (about +21%).   On the other hand, the median sales prices fluctuated from $497,450 in 2009 to $507,000, an almost 2% increase in 2010 when compared to the year before, which was followed by about 8% drop to $465,595 in 2011.   The longest average number of days needed to sell a stick-built single-family home in Pismo Beach was 113 days last year, or 17 more days when compared to 2010.   Overall, it... 03/01/2012

You're a real estate salesperson, so your job is marketing, right?  Of course you attend networking events every week.  You come back from an event with a handful of business cards, pull them out of your pocket and place them on your desk.  And after a while, those cards start to pile up, and overtake your workspace.  Then, when you need to find a phone number or an email address, you have to search through your stacks of business cards. You haven't typed them into your contact database because it's so time-consumer... isn't there an easier way? Yes, why not simply scan your business cards into a system that uploads them to your contact database -- the ultimate use of technology to REALLY save you time & energy! Well, what do you use for scanning your business cards?  And how do you syn... 02/01/2012