Thursday, December 17, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
How to Make Rooms in Your Home Look Larger with Lighting
A bright and well-lit home can dramatically change the mood of your home and help you feel relaxed and comfortable all year long. Here are some tips to lighten up your home and make the rooms look big and inviting:
• Choose different types of lighting to avoid the expense of installing windows or skylights. Lamps or other accent lighting can make a dull room appear elegant or small rooms seem larger.
• If you have a room with a dark wall or a narrow, dark hallway, hang a group of pictures and light them with adjustable halogen track lighting to create the effect of a photo gallery.
• Paint ceilings a light color to avoid making them seem lower than they are and give the room a cramped feel.
• Use color to add cheer to a room. Pink and green tones have a calming effect while darker colors, such as red, tend to cause agitation. Neutral wall tones create a harmonious environment. Bright colors should be used as accents in pillows, artwork or flowers.
• When selecting paint, tape large color chips together on a wall to get a better idea of the shades you like. When you’ve narrowed your choices down, buy a quart of 2 or 3 colors and paint 1 or 2 foot squares next to each other on both shaded and brightly lit walls. Choose the color that looks best in both kinds of light.
• Choose different types of lighting to avoid the expense of installing windows or skylights. Lamps or other accent lighting can make a dull room appear elegant or small rooms seem larger.
• If you have a room with a dark wall or a narrow, dark hallway, hang a group of pictures and light them with adjustable halogen track lighting to create the effect of a photo gallery.
• Paint ceilings a light color to avoid making them seem lower than they are and give the room a cramped feel.
• Use color to add cheer to a room. Pink and green tones have a calming effect while darker colors, such as red, tend to cause agitation. Neutral wall tones create a harmonious environment. Bright colors should be used as accents in pillows, artwork or flowers.
• When selecting paint, tape large color chips together on a wall to get a better idea of the shades you like. When you’ve narrowed your choices down, buy a quart of 2 or 3 colors and paint 1 or 2 foot squares next to each other on both shaded and brightly lit walls. Choose the color that looks best in both kinds of light.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Whats Happening in Fairfield Ranch, Chino Hills
The following is a summary of real estate activity in Fairfield Ranch in Chino Hills for the month of July.
Active Listings
5528 Barclay Ct_______3bd / 3ba_______1999sf______$419,000
16265 Avalon Ct_______3bd / 3ba_______1834sf______$429,000
5747 Waverly Dr______3bd / 3ba_______2100sf______$440,000
5723 Milgrove Way____3bd / 3ba_______2198sf______$445,000
5636 Danville Ct______4bd / 3ba_______2375sf______$455,000
In Escrow
5715 Parkhurst Ct____3bd / 2.5ba_______1834sf______$350,000
5678 Knollside Way___4bd / 3ba________2603sf______$465,000
5451 Wildsage Pl_____4bd / 3ba________2258sf______$469,000
5756 Stanfield Ct_____3bd / 3ba________2208sf______$475,000
16069 Tamarind Te___4bd / 3ba________2200sf______$395,000
5457 Gateway Dr_____4bd / 3ba________2258sf______$474,900
Sold
15598 Timberidge Ln__3bd / 3ba________1442sf______$352,000
mls data 8/4/09
Active Listings
5528 Barclay Ct_______3bd / 3ba_______1999sf______$419,000
16265 Avalon Ct_______3bd / 3ba_______1834sf______$429,000
5747 Waverly Dr______3bd / 3ba_______2100sf______$440,000
5723 Milgrove Way____3bd / 3ba_______2198sf______$445,000
5636 Danville Ct______4bd / 3ba_______2375sf______$455,000
In Escrow
5715 Parkhurst Ct____3bd / 2.5ba_______1834sf______$350,000
5678 Knollside Way___4bd / 3ba________2603sf______$465,000
5451 Wildsage Pl_____4bd / 3ba________2258sf______$469,000
5756 Stanfield Ct_____3bd / 3ba________2208sf______$475,000
16069 Tamarind Te___4bd / 3ba________2200sf______$395,000
5457 Gateway Dr_____4bd / 3ba________2258sf______$474,900
Sold
15598 Timberidge Ln__3bd / 3ba________1442sf______$352,000
mls data 8/4/09
Thursday, July 30, 2009
3 year drop in home prices appears to be at end.
According to recent reports and forecasts by housing analysts, the three-year descent in home prices
appears to be at an end. Eight cities, including San Francisco, showed price increases in May, up from four
in April, and one in March, according to Standard and Poor’s/Case-Shiller Index. For the first time since
early 2007, the index of 20 major cities was virtually flat, rather than down.
KEEP THIS IN MIND
• Earlier reports show that sales of existing homes nationwide rose last month for the third
consecutive month, while sales of new homes increased in June by the largest percentage in eight
years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) and the U.S.
Commerce Dept., respectively.
• Although some skeptics believe the market is pausing before home prices decline further, the
median price in California’s housing market appears to be stabilizing. June marked the fourth
consecutive month of rising home prices and the second largest gain on record for the month of
June, based on statistics dating back to 1979. The year-to-year decline in June also was the
smallest in the past 16 months.
• The S&P/Case-Shiller price index for 20 cities showed a half-percent gain when May was
compared with April. It was the first month-over-month increase in the index in 34 months. “It is
very possible that years from now we will say that April 2009 was the trough in home prices,” said
Maureen Maitland, vice president for index services at Standard & Poor’s.
• One explanation for the increase in median prices is the rise in demand from buyers, especially first
timers taking advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit, which expires in December. The
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) is lobbying for the tax credit to be extended
and to be replaced with a $15,000 credit for all buyers.
• Another factor in the market’s resurgence is the prevalence of foreclosures, which make up about a
third of all existing home sales. “Although another surge of foreclosures is expected later this year,
demand remains strong, so the market may be able to absorb more distressed properties without
significantly impacting the median price,” said C.A.R.’s Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young.
To read the full story, please click here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/business/economy/29housing.html?_r=1&ref=business
appears to be at an end. Eight cities, including San Francisco, showed price increases in May, up from four
in April, and one in March, according to Standard and Poor’s/Case-Shiller Index. For the first time since
early 2007, the index of 20 major cities was virtually flat, rather than down.
KEEP THIS IN MIND
• Earlier reports show that sales of existing homes nationwide rose last month for the third
consecutive month, while sales of new homes increased in June by the largest percentage in eight
years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) and the U.S.
Commerce Dept., respectively.
• Although some skeptics believe the market is pausing before home prices decline further, the
median price in California’s housing market appears to be stabilizing. June marked the fourth
consecutive month of rising home prices and the second largest gain on record for the month of
June, based on statistics dating back to 1979. The year-to-year decline in June also was the
smallest in the past 16 months.
• The S&P/Case-Shiller price index for 20 cities showed a half-percent gain when May was
compared with April. It was the first month-over-month increase in the index in 34 months. “It is
very possible that years from now we will say that April 2009 was the trough in home prices,” said
Maureen Maitland, vice president for index services at Standard & Poor’s.
• One explanation for the increase in median prices is the rise in demand from buyers, especially first
timers taking advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit, which expires in December. The
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) is lobbying for the tax credit to be extended
and to be replaced with a $15,000 credit for all buyers.
• Another factor in the market’s resurgence is the prevalence of foreclosures, which make up about a
third of all existing home sales. “Although another surge of foreclosures is expected later this year,
demand remains strong, so the market may be able to absorb more distressed properties without
significantly impacting the median price,” said C.A.R.’s Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young.
To read the full story, please click here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/business/economy/29housing.html?_r=1&ref=business
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Loan Modifiaction Warning
DRE issues fraud warning about loan modification programs. The DRE recently issued a fraud warning alerting consumers about loan modification scams and informing consumers of what they can do to protect themselves. Last July, the DRE had fewer than 10 complaints involving loan modification companies; today the department has 750 pending investigations. In addition, since last October, the DRE has filed more than 200 desist and refrain orders. A list of the companies and persons the DRE has filed an action against can be viewed at http://www.dre.ca.gov/cons_drs.asp.
It is worth noting that not all firms who collect advance fees for loan modification services do so illegally, the DRE said. In general, only licensed real estate brokers and attorneys operating within the scope of their license may collect advance fees. Real estate brokers must have their advance fee agreement reviewed by the DRE prior to its use to ensure it is compliant with real estate law.
source: California Association of Realtors
It is worth noting that not all firms who collect advance fees for loan modification services do so illegally, the DRE said. In general, only licensed real estate brokers and attorneys operating within the scope of their license may collect advance fees. Real estate brokers must have their advance fee agreement reviewed by the DRE prior to its use to ensure it is compliant with real estate law.
source: California Association of Realtors
Sunday, July 12, 2009
What Sold in Fairfield Ranch in June
The following Fairfield Ranch homes were sold in June
address____________bd/ ba____ _sf _____ list price ____sold price
15667 Outrigger______ 4 / 3 _____1922___$389,900 ___$380,000
5578 Gableview______ 4 / 3 _____1999___ $385,000___ $385,000
16148 Prestwicke _____4 / 3 _____1999___ $398,500 ___$400,000
16189 Chadwick ______3 / 3 _____1878___ $439,000___ $420,000
5577 Stafford ________5 / 3 _____2524 ___$414,900___ $424,000
5694 Canfield ________4 / 3_____ 2157 ___$399,800___ $430,000
5718 Canfield________ 3 / 3 _____2098 ___$449,000___ $440,000
5701 Knollside_______ 4 / 3 _____2353 ___$478,000___ $450,000
mls data 7/12/09
address____________bd/ ba____ _sf _____ list price ____sold price
15667 Outrigger______ 4 / 3 _____1922___$389,900 ___$380,000
5578 Gableview______ 4 / 3 _____1999___ $385,000___ $385,000
16148 Prestwicke _____4 / 3 _____1999___ $398,500 ___$400,000
16189 Chadwick ______3 / 3 _____1878___ $439,000___ $420,000
5577 Stafford ________5 / 3 _____2524 ___$414,900___ $424,000
5694 Canfield ________4 / 3_____ 2157 ___$399,800___ $430,000
5718 Canfield________ 3 / 3 _____2098 ___$449,000___ $440,000
5701 Knollside_______ 4 / 3 _____2353 ___$478,000___ $450,000
mls data 7/12/09
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Is now the time to buy?
With interest rates at all time lows, home prices falling and inventories flush with bank owned homes, the buyers are starting to come off the sideline and are snapping up well priced properties. We have even started to see multiple offers on properties that are driving the purchase price above the list price in some situations. While we are still a far cry from the frenzied pace of the real estate market in 2005 and 2006, we are seeing an increase in sales activity from what we experienced in late 2008. The downside to the recent sales activities is that most properties being sold are the REO (bank owned) properties and as a result the median home price in the city continues to fall.
While this is not good news for us homeowners living in the city watching our home values slide, it is great news for homebuyers looking to take advantage of the current market conditions to buy their first home. In addition it might be a great time to pick up an investment property and take advantage of buyer incentives offered by financial institiutions trying to sell their foreclosed properties.
While this is not good news for us homeowners living in the city watching our home values slide, it is great news for homebuyers looking to take advantage of the current market conditions to buy their first home. In addition it might be a great time to pick up an investment property and take advantage of buyer incentives offered by financial institiutions trying to sell their foreclosed properties.
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