22. April 2011 by Michael McFarlane.

If you buy into what some reports are saying this would appear to be the case.  At first glance this might look to be the sensible thing to do.  After all the bad press the housing market has gotten of late, it is little wonder.  After all, isn’t the housing market crash the cause of the economic situation we are in right now?

NO!  We don’t think so.  In fact, we would like to propose another idea.  Could it not be said that the housing market is a victim of the crash?  And the crash was actually caused by the uncontrolled over-inflation of the boom?  Most (all?) investments carry risk.  The greater the reward, the greater the risk. It is the natural law.

Naturally, when one looses their income they loose the ability to make their mortgage payments.  Had everyone’s income increased at the rate housing costs did, the problem would not have happened!  And it seems that for the last few years the real estate industry has definitely been the “red-headed stepchild”.  We have surely had our time in the spotlight.

In reality, we do think that the economic troubles faced by all of us were caused by a number of contributing factors.  The run-away price increases in the housing market played a part.  But the original question was “Rent or BUY?”.  Even with the current turmoil, real estate is still ahead of other investments in GAINS.  That is correct, gains, increases, profits.

To get more on this (and from someone other than us) click the “read more” link below.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.  Happy reading.

$ read more: Bloomberg  ð

Questions about YOUR best action? Contact us today for your free, no obligation consultation.

For ALL your real estate related needs and/or questions call ((530 315-2808) or visit us8 on line at EncoreRES.com or any of the links below. Please note: all visits to our sites are secure AND confidential. We do NOT track your activity!

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Posted in Finance | 1 Comment »

19. April 2011 by Michael McFarlane.

We know that everyone reading this blog has already filed their taxes, right?  Not everyone?  The good news is that the government has given us an extra couple of days by taking a day of.  The bad news?  Only that today is IT!  Might as well just get them done.  They aren’t going to go away.  At the very least get that extension filed.

Don’t know where to find your forms?  Our experience has been that everything you want (and a lot more) can be found at IRS.gov.  A simple Google search is my preferred method of finding something in particular.

You still have questions about what is and is not deductible?  While it is getting pretty late for this kind of research, you can find a lot of answers on the IRS’s own site.  You might also refer back to many of the posts made right here.  While we are not CPAs, we try to keep abreast of the laws relevant to our industry.  Be sure to consult your tax advisor for specifics.

Too late to find a CPA?  Sorry about that, we can’t help you there.  We do know there are free programs available on line if your needs are relatively simple, and paid versions for those that don’t quite fit that category.  You can also download the needed forms, print them out for completion, and mail them.  While many options are available, they won’t do themselves.

And for those of you who have completed your returns: congratulations!  Doesn’t it feel good to know that you have done your part?  At least that you don’t have to worry about penalties and fines now?  And now, if you will excuse us, we need to get busy on our own…

Posted in Finance | No Comments »

13. April 2011 by Michael McFarlane.

This morning I posted this question on our facebook page.  There seems to still be a lot of controversy over that question.  Indeed, ARMs have been blamed for the current financial melt-down.  It seems that most of what we hear from the news is negative on this issue.  We would like your opinion.

Does the home buyer planning to live in their new home making payments for 30 years benefit from an ARM?  What about the investor who wants to remodel the home, then sell it, all within a very short time?  Or the home buyer that knows they will be moving on in 3-5 years?

Here is another reason you might consider an ARM.  To pay your new purchase off sooner and for less money!  Yes, faster and cheaper!  No, it’s not hype, nor am I trying to sell you an ARM (although we do handle them).  Rather that get into that much detail here I am going to refer you to Jack Guttentag’s recent explanation on how this works.

$ read more: Jack Guttentag/Inman News ð 

Questions about YOUR best action? Contact us today for your free, no obligation consultation.

For ALL your real estate related needs and/or questions call ((530 315-2808) or visit us8 on line at EncoreRES.com or any of the links below. Please note: all visits to our sites are secure AND confidential. We do NOT track your activity!

Subscribe to Listings Updates                      Free Home Warranty

Search the MLS                                   Over the Back Fence

Home Rescue Group                                 Free Home Market Analysis

Yuba-Sutter Real Estate Today

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10. April 2011 by Michael McFarlane.

Of late there has been a lot of criticism of the real estate industry.  Much of this has focused on the agents themselves.  It seems that our society has decided that to place blame is the solution to a problem.  The economy is bad, blame real estate.  Real estate is bad, blame the agents.

The problem is not going away just because someone pointed a finger at someone else!  Whether that blame is correctly placed or not (and we don’t think it is), nothing is accomplished unless something is actually done to correct the problem.

To correct any problem, you have to understand it!  What are the negative points?  What are the positive points?  Remember the old adage about not throwing out the baby with the bath water?  It applies to this situation as well.  Fix the broken, but keep the good!

What is the good in the real estate agent situation?  A lot actually (yes, I might be slightly biased, but it’s a fact).  We are not just a necessary evil either.  An honest and caring agent, especially a Realtor® can bring a lot to the transaction.  I recently read an article by Teresa Boardman on this subject.  She pointed out some interesting facts.  Rather than quote her, I am providing you her entire story.

$ read more: Teresa Boardman/Inman News  ð

Questions about YOUR best action? Contact us today for your free, no obligation consultation.

For ALL your real estate related needs and/or questions call ((530 315-2808) or visit us8 on line at EncoreRES.com or any of the links below. Please note: all visits to our sites are secure AND confidential. We do NOT track your activity!

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Posted in Real Estate Market | No Comments »

5. April 2011 by Michael McFarlane.

A majority of Americans, both owners and renters, still believe in the importance of home ownership. That’s according to a study conducted by Fallon Research & Communications Inc., which reveals that 91 percent of owners and 72 percent of renters believe owning a home is a good financial investment.

As people age, their beliefs in the value of home ownership seem to be reinforced, according to the survey’s results. The study found that 69 percent of people ages 18-29, 76 percent of people ages 30-44, 81 percent of people ages 45-59, and 86 percent of those over 60 believe home ownership is a good investment.

The study also revealed that 68 percent of renters agree that home owners experience a better quality of life due to more stable communities and greater pride in their neighborhoods.

Source: Realtor®.com

What is YOUR opinion?  Rent or Own?  Please give us your top two reasons for your answer.  The summarized findings will be published in an upcoming post (no personal or individual identifying information will be released).  How does our area compare to the national scene?  Let’s find out!

Questions about YOUR best action?  Contact us today for your free, no obligation consultation.

For ALL your real estate related needs and/or questions call ((530 315-2808) or visit us8 on line at EncoreRES.com or any of the links below.  Please note: all visits to our sites are secure AND confidential.  We do NOT track your activity!

Subscribe to Listings Updates           Free Home Warranty

                  Search the MLS                                     Over the Back Fence 

 Home Rescue Group               Free Home Market Analysis  

             Yuba-Sutter Real Estate Today

Posted in Real Estate Market | No Comments »

2. April 2011 by Michael McFarlane.

Over the last few weeks we have published articles on how to choose your Realtor® and why you would even want to.  Those articles focused mainly on the selling side of the transaction.

Buyers also need the expertise, skills, and connections of a Realtor® to accomplish their side of the transaction, and to increase the likely-hood of even completing the purchase.   Did you know that the number one cause of failed FSBO (For Sale By Owner) transactions is because the level of stress induced is so high that the two parties end up fighting instead of working together?

So, for one let’s get rid of the stress!  Hiring a competent Realtor® helps in multiple ways here. 

1. We know the legal issues involved, and how to avoid giving up your rights.
2.  We have the contracts available to make sure every important issue is in writing.
3. We know the sources to get answers that we don’t know ourselves.
4. We handle the negotiating for you, at your direction.

Realtors® are trained to understand the market, to know what is and what isn’t a reasonable offer.  We have the information that allows you to make an informed decision.  We are experienced, so when snags come up we know how to work through them. 

A buyer’s agent is paid for by the seller in many cases!  The cost is incorporated into the price of a home and negotiated at the time of the listing.  Whether you use what is paid for or not, that cost is going to be paid for by the current owners!

Questions about YOUR best action?  Contact us today for your free, no obligation consultation.

For ALL your real estate related needs and/or questions call ((530 315-2808) or visit us8 on line at EncoreRES.com or any of the links below.  Please note: all visits to our sites are secure AND confidential.  We do NOT track your activity!

Subscribe to Listings Updates           Free Home Warranty

                  Search the MLS                                     Over the Back Fence 

 Home Rescue Group               Free Home Market Analysis  

             Yuba-Sutter Real Estate Today

Posted in Buying a Home | No Comments »

1. April 2011 by Michael McFarlane.

There is currently a  proposal to do just that!  The reasoning is that it is more economical to complete a short sale than to allow the delinquency to progress to a foreclosure.  We have been arguing this fact for some time.  In our opinion, short sales are better for all concerned: the bank, the home owner, even the neighborhood.  And that translates into a better economy overall.

$ Read more: Los Angeles Times  ð

We would like your opinion.  While most would agree that government should not be overly involved in private business, neither should private business expect the government to bail them out without some controls.  What do you think? 

Why have the banks not followed through on short sales?  There are many answers and they vary depending on to whom you are talking.  The banks were not prepared for the volume they encountered.  Some of the basics we see are as follows:

1. Large businesses are slow to change.  Banks have gotten to be very large businesses, and they are scattered all across the globe.
2. One department does not know what another department is doing.  While loss mitigation might be working on a short sale, foreclosure department continues with the foreclosure.
3. A serious lack of knowledge (a lack of training) created by the rapid growth of the departments needed to handle this situation.
4. Lenders themselves were in denial.  You know, that “pretend it doesn’t exist and it will go away” attitude.

The list goes on… but the fact remains that we (after all, we, the people, ARE the government) are bailing out the banks.  Should we not have some control over how they use our money?  Is not the idea to help our economy, which in turn helps us all?

We want your opinion!  Please use the comment area below or email us directly to state your view on this subject.  Your input will be passed on to Sacramento!  Here at Encore Real Estate Services (EncoreRES.com) we are dedicated to building better communities.  We are active in the Realtor® Associations (local, state & federal), local and state government, and of course our communities.  Your input makes this possible.

Questions about YOUR best action?  Contact us today for your free analysis.

For ALL your real estate related needs and/or questions call ((530 315-2808) or visit us8 on line at EncoreRES.com or any of the links below.  Please note: all visits to our sites are secure AND confidential.  We do NOT track your activity!

Subscribe to Listings Updates           Free Home Warranty

                  Search the MLS                                     Over the Back Fence 

 Home Rescue Group               Free Home Market Analysis  

             Yuba-Sutter Real Estate Today

Posted in Finance, Selling Your Home | No Comments »