What a fantastic day!Today Menifee featured a 76 degree and no cloud stunner! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did - umm sitting at my computer! Enough chit chat, here's the scoop - starting this month I will plan to update this blog montly with information regarding the Menifee real estate in the following format: ·The number of Menifee Homes currently listed on the market ·The previous month's number of Menifee homes sold ·The average days on market to sell the homes ·Both the current average list price and the average closing My overall goal is to provide consistent Menifee real estate update for Menifee owners, potential home buyers, and future Menifee citizens.This data will give you a solid trend pattern of the Menifee Real Estate market as the year unfolds. I will also include ... 05/15/2011

This post has nothing to do with Reverse Mortgages.  I'm just a proud aunt showing off my awesome family! My nephew, John Butler, a Realtor here in Southwest Riverside County has the most engaging personality you could imagine!   My Sister, Beth, another Realtor who specializes in Horse Property. My sister in law, Gina, a Realtor on John's team in Temecula. My sister Mitzi's mother in law Beverly, a Realtor and loan officer in Wildomar for the last 30 years. and of course myself, Reverse Mortgage originator, past escrow officer and Realtor....  (I probably forgot someone!) It just runs in the family!   Here's John's latest Video! 04/29/2011

102 Homes went on the Market in Menifee, CA Last Month April 21, 2011 102 Homes went on the market in Menifee, CA in the past 30 days. The minimum list price for these homes was $60,000. The maximum list price amongst these new listings was $799,000(A 9 bedroom, 6 bath!). The average list price of these homes was $229,467. 25 homes went pending in Menifee during this time period, The average list price of these homes was $185,746. There was one closed sale in Menifee in the past month. The list price was $219,000, and the sales price was $210,000. The seller(s) achieved nearly 96% of their asking price. If you have specific questions relating to your property in Menifee , give me a call at 951.704.6370 or email me at kristiharden1@gmail.com. For a complete listing of Menifee homes and t... 04/21/2011

My Professional Gardener Provides Excellent Menifee Lawn Care Service, Rain or Shine. Does your Menifee lawn and garden need help? Need lawns mowed, trees trimmed, or sprinkler systems installed? Call Jose Franco Menifee Lawn Maintenance Services (951-287-0704) for your lawncare needs. I think Jose is one of the best gardeners there is. Jose Franco has been my Murrieta gardener for years. He’s meticulous and reliable, showing up every week rain or shine. (Seriously! He’s shown up when it’s raining to trim trees, clip bushes, and weed planters!)  Jose cares for rose gardens, trims trees, clips hedges, and plants flowers. He weeds planters, mows and trims lawns, repairs yard sprinklers... and meets all of my landscaping maintenance needs. With Jose Franco, I don’t have to give my yard a s... 04/19/2011

Mortgage Relief Fraud: Will You Be the Next Victim? Help for Menifee Homeowners Not if I have anything to say about it! The FBI reported a jump of 71% in mortgage relief fraud investigations from 2008-2009, and expects this number to have grown in 2010. That’s why it’s my duty to educate homeowners in Menifee on the cautions they need to take, and what the government has recently done to protect you from unscrupulous individuals and companies who want to take advantage of their desperate situations. What you need to watch out for if you are looking for mortgage relief assistance:   Upfront fees—just don’t pay them! In fact, they are now illegal! A request to sign over your deed (this only spells trouble) Lots of paperwork without the opportunity for review The claim of government-affili... 04/06/2011

I have been working with a very nice couple as their buyer agent trying to locate and secure a property. In our market most homes are short sales, and getting your offer in first position can be a tricky task. My clients are VA Buyers and found a home they absolutely love here in Menifee, CA and through my expertise as a short sale specialist, we got our offer in front of the bank (and not just a back up offer) and we received an approval letter just 45 days later. The trick to getting an offer in front of the bank and getting it accepted is through a solid strategy of knowing the questions to ask and looking for the 'right' fit in terms of the property being short sold. We expect to be closing next week. I have had many frustrated buyer's come to me because of my expertise in this area... 04/04/2011

I don't know about you..... But, when I am looking at homes for sale online, I tend to click on by vacant homes that keep me guessing at what I am viewing in each room! Hello? Boring, awkward and downright confusing! Trust me....I could go on and on and on and on :) You get the PICTURE! Oh wait, NO, You don't get the picture! That's the problem!! Really, if you had a choice....and you really do.....which would you choose?                                         Your Place  :(                or                    Mine?  ;)          I sure hope you picked my place! :) My place is soooo much more comfortable and inviting!! Don't you agree? Relax, enjoy, pull up a pillow and stay awhile! I promise you won't be disappointed! You might even get lucky! ;)  Do I hear SOLD? Seriously, bring on t... 03/28/2011

Tools For Understanding Murrieta and Menifee Property Taxes Even though I have written quite a bit about Temecula property taxes (click to read on my site), I find that I get SO many questions on these topics.  So I wanted to do a quick recap and provide a link so people can get an idea between different communities. In Menifee real estate you will find high property taxes in the communities of Tierra Shores, The Lakes, and entire tracts off of Garboni.  Just about all homes built after 2001 are going to be close to the 1.9% tax rate.  Now people get confused because California tax law caps property taxes at around 1%.  However, that tax is a percentage and there are additional taxes or Menifee special assessments that are a fixed dollar amount. The same goes for Murrieta property taxes... 03/28/2011

I have been working with some clients since October of 2010. When we first started working together they were very unfamiliar with how the market was 'working.' For the first few weeks we were in the honeymoon stage of looking. All the while I try to prepare my clients on the market conditions, what to expect, and coming up with a strategy that works best for my clients....After a few weeks, we finally started writing up offers and I could clearly see my clients reality was starting to set in. We submitted about 10 offers~~~~I always try to advise my clients on which short sales to persue and those to stay away from~~~so by most standards 10 offers is not a whole lot~~~ We finally got our short sale offer accepted. We have a 45 day escrow. The appraisal and home inspection has been comp... 03/16/2011

Let’s Take a Stance Against Strategic Default in Menifee, CA Online report outlines the realities of “strategic default”—or walking away from a mortgage—and provides solutions for homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments in Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula, Sun City, Hemet, and Perris, CA. MENIFEE, CA – MARCH 7 – As a local CDPE-designated agent, I have developed a website report for homeowners in Menifee and beyond, providing information regarding the truth about a mortgage trend called “strategic default,” where homeowners walk away from their mortgages. There is a growing trend of distressed homeowners who have heard that a strategic default may be their best option. With this report, I’m showing Menifee homeowners that there are alternatives to foreclosure that can actually help t... 03/07/2011

Mortgage Help in Menifee March 2, 2011 Walking away or “strategically defaulting,” on your mortgage is not the answer. You will find there is nothing strategic about foreclosure, especially when there are solutions to avoid it.   STOP. DON'T WALK AWAY FROM YOUR MORTGAGE. A recent study estimates 36% of Americans think walking away is a viable option when they owe more on their home than what it's worth. Clearly, few know the financial consequences of these actions. Even fewer understand the options available to them. I can help Menifee homeowners better undertand thier mortgage options... If you or someone you know is at the crossroads of deciding whether or not to walk away or "strategically default," you'll find nothing strategic about foreclosure, especially when there are solutions ... 03/02/2011

Menifee real estate statistics: "Active Listing" and "Sold" data for single-family homes in Menifee CA. The following details came directly from the Riverside County MLS on February 19, 2011: There are 81 homes for sale within the Menifee Union School District. The average listing price for a Menifee home today is $248,784. The lowest priced Menifee home for sale is listed for only $129,000. The highest priced Menifee home for sale is listed at $2,295,000. The average days on market for all Active listings is 73 days. From January 1 2011 through Feb 19 2011 there have been 33 homes sold in Menifee. The average days on market for those 33 homes sold was 94 days. The average sales price for Menifee homes sold in that period was $202,764. The lowest priced Menifee home sale was for $84,000... 02/25/2011

33114 Gypsum St MENIFEE, CA Gorgeous Former Model Home 4BR/2+1BA Single Family House $209,900 Year Built 2003 Sq Footage 2,469 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 8,276 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DescriptionThis is a truly beautiful former model home. Upgrades everywhere. Granite Counters, Wainscoting, Custom Decor and more. Entry leads to large living room with laminate flooring leading to the gorgeous Kitchen with Granite Counters and Upgraded Cabinets. The family room benefits from custom built in cabinets and fireplace. Upstairs there is a large loft again with custom built in cabinets. The Master Suite is a joy with its en-suite bathroom with his and hers vanity, separate shower and tub and walk in closet. 3 further bedrooms, each beautif... 02/18/2011

Loan Modification Doesn't Stop The Foreclosure Clock February 18th, 2011 I especially enjoyed the beautiful weather last Saturday while out in my stomping grounds in Menifee, CA. Many of my past clients came out to say hello and were thankful that I was able to provide personalized support by taking the time to listen to their current Real Estate needs and concerns. But some of our conversations brought up issues that I think need addressing. I would like to place emphasis on the subject of Loan Modifications and how there seems to be an overall misconception that needs to be cleared up. It appears that the vast majority of homeowners are unaware of the fact that even though a homeowner has applied for a Loan Modification, it does not stop the Foreclosure Clock. The Homeowner needs to b... 02/18/2011

Menifee Short Sale Specialist February 17, 2011 If you are someone in Menifee, Temecula, Murrieta, or anywhere in the Temecula Valley, and are having trouble making your mortgage payments, the strain of figuring out what to do can be overwhelming. Why do it alone when you can have a dedicated, extensively trained Short Sale Specialist, a professional on your side, at no cost to you? Both lenders and the federal government are putting new systems in place to help you avoid foreclosure. For access to free, detailed information explaining these programs, simply download my free report. The financial implications of short sales are always less severe than the implications of foreclosure. Your credit score, credit history, employment applications, and future chances of acquiring a loan all b... 02/17/2011

Menifee Church Effects Community February 14, 2011 Menifee is wonderful community full of incredible individuals. I proudly call it my home. I have come to know this in so many ways over the years living here. I have had the privilege of encountering and assisting countless people in the Menifee community in my profession as a Realtor. I have also come to know many of the remarkable members of the community in Menifee as a volunteer with Revive Indonesia at Revival Christian Fellowship in Menifee, my chosen place of worship. The Revival Christian Fellowship in Menifee is an amazing church that truly effects the lives of members of the Menifee Community and beyond. Revive Indonesia’s goal is to help the people of Indonesia, one community at a time. Revive Indonesia is committed to buildi... 02/14/2011

Forclosure and Short Sale in Menifee February 10, 2011 The current housing market and financial crisis in Menifee have caused overwhelming stress and heartache for so many families in our community.  In fact, 1 in every 37 housing units in Menifee received a foreclosure filing in January 2011.  So if you are facing the prospect of foreclosure, understand that you are not alone. The statistics on Foreclosures in Menifee speak for themselves. Unfortunately, many homeowners in Menifee facing foreclosure proceed without the assistance or advice of a real estate professional who specializes in short sales and forclosure avoidance. Now more than ever, you need to find an advocate for you and your family's interests, an expert who is prepared to handle your specific needs. Solving Your Mortgag... 02/10/2011

Menifee bank owned homes are a great value right now.  Menifee is located next to Murrieta, California - on the Northern boundary.  Menifee has highly rated schools according to the Great Schools Website and therefore, the City of Menifee, is considered a "Family Friendly", community.  Investors are finding that Menifee Bank Owned Homes, are a great investment due to their low prices and their popularity to families who are needing rentals in affordable family oriented communities.   Currently Listed - Menifee Bank Owned Home - 4 Bedrrom, 2.5 Bath 2337 Sq. Ft. Single Family Home This Menifee Bank Owned Home is currently listed at $209,000,  which works out to be only $89.82 per square foot. Price Per Sqft:   $89.82  County:   Riverside  Property Type:   Single Family Residence/D  Bedroo... 01/21/2011

WWW.MenifeeShortSaleRealEstate.com As a Pre-foreclosure Specialist, I am providing a link to my new blog where I will be providing pertinent local and national news and information for the consumer to help educate them on the best choices rather than foreclosing on their property. Because I am constantly studying the market conditions, you will find daily updates of the most current news, trends and information on the housing market as it relates to loan modifications, foreclosures and pre-foreclosure options such as short sales. If you are a homeowner in Menifee and need to know your options, are working on a loan modification and have question or you are trying to avoid foreclosure, please log into my blog. There you can read up on the latest information and/or request further informa... 01/21/2011

Menifee First Time Home Buyers First time home buyers in Menifee Ca have to two choices when it comes to their housing needs, they can continue to rent and pay their landlord’s mortgage or they can take that giant step onto the path to homeownership. That  “giant step” should not be taken without careful research. You should investigate the neighborhoods, the schools, the city amenities, traffic bottlenecks etc. Once you’ve decided that owning your first home in Menifee, fits your lifestyle, it’s time to analyze the investment side of your decision. In a previous post I talked about the Rent Ratio tool I picked up from the New York Times. Read the complete article This tool is to help you compare the investment side of your decision by comparing the cost of renting with the cost of owni... 01/01/2011