Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!?  We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction…

The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for DECEMBER:

The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range:

2011   46 listings closed escrow             

2010   38 listings closed escrow            

The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range:

2011   29 listings closed escrow

2010   33 listings closed escrow

The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range:

2011  8 listings closed escrow                  

2010  3 listings closed escrow                   

Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and the value of your home?  Is it time to sell?  Is it time to add a property to your investment portfolio? Is the market changing, and in which direction?

Recently while browsing the latest California Real Estate Magazine, I came to learn that California is among the top five states with the lowest homeownership rates nationwide, according to the “Housing Characteristics: 2010” report by the U.S. Census Bureau.

With homeownership rate of 55.9%, California ranked second in the nation, falling behind New York’s rate of 53.5%.

Of California’s 37.3 million residents, 22.2 million live in the Los Angeles, San Diego, & San Francisco metropolitan regions. Because of this concentration in large urban areas, more than 30% of Californian families live in multi-home residences (which include apartments & condominiums), compared with a national average of 25.9%. California also has the second-highest median home value in the country, which some claim provides an incentive to rent rather than buy.

Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!?  We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction…

The San Juan Capistrano Closed Sales Report for DECEMBER:

The SJC Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range:

2011   20 listings closed escrow             

2010   20 listings closed escrow            

The SJC Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range:

2011   10 listings closed escrow               

2010   12 listings closed escrow

The SJC Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range:

2011   4 listings closed escrow                  

2010   2listings closed escrow                   

*Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and the value of your home?  Is it time to sell?  Is it time to add a property to your investment portfolio? Is the market changing, and in which direction?

Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!?  We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction…

The Irvine Closed Sales Report for DECEMBER:

The Irvine Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range:

2011   69 listings closed escrow             

2010   64 listings closed escrow            

The Irvine Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range:

2011   67 listings closed escrow            

2010   79 listings closed escrow

The Irvine Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range:

2011   12 listings closed escrow            

2010   15 listings closed escrow                   

*Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and the value of your home?  Is it time to sell?  Is it time to add a property to your investment portfolio? Is the market changing, and in which direction?

Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!?  We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction…

The Dana Point Closed Sales Report for DECEMBER:

The Dana Point Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range:

2011   22 listings closed escrow             

2010   12 listings closed escrow            

The Dana Point Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range:

2011   13 listings closed escrow             

2010   12 listings closed escrow

The Dana Point Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range:

2011   2 listings closed escrow                  

2010   7 listings closed escrow                   

*Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and the value of your home?  Is it time to sell?  Is it time to add a property to your investment portfolio? Is the market changing, and in which direction? 

 

Millions of Americans oppose SOPA and PIPA because these bills would censor the Internet and slow economic growth in the U.S. Two bills before Congress, known as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House, would censor the Web and impose harmful regulations on American business.

Millions of Internet users and entrepreneurs already oppose SOPA and PIPA.

PIPA would give the government new powers to block Americans’ access websites that corporations don’t like. The bill allows corporations and the US government to censor entire websites and cut sites off from advertising, payments and donations.

This legislation will stifle free speech and innovation, and even threaten popular web services like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

Fighting online piracy is important. The most effective way to shut down pirate websites is through targeted legislation that cuts off their funding. There’s no need to make American social networks, blogs and search engines censor the Internet or undermine the existing laws that have enabled the Web to thrive, creating millions of U.S. jobs.

The Senate will begin voting on January 24th. Please let them know how you feel. Sign this petition urging Congress to vote NO on PIPA and SOPA before it is too late.

Tell Congress: Don’t censor the Web..click the link to sign the petition!

https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

Mistake Number 1:

Wanting Something Too Much - If you give the impression that your life depends on getting that job, or car, or house, or business deal, you are in trouble. Once your counterpart gets a hint of your desperation, you’re dead. Remember, the person who cares least about the outcome always gets the best deal.

Mistake Number 2:

Believing Your Counterpart Has All The Power - This is rarely, if ever, true. Remember, all parties want something, or they wouldn’t be at the bargaining table. Ask yourself, “Why are they negotiating with me?’

Mistake Number 3:

Failing To Recognize Your Own Strengths - Always try to determine your negotiating strength before you sit down at the bargaining table. The key to assessing your strengths and weaknesses is to know where you stand. Information of this kind is the true power in any negotiation.

Mistake Number 4:

Getting Hung Up On One Issue - This is called fixed-mind negotiating. When our counterpart uses this approach it’s usually the old red-herring. When we fall into this pattern it is usually a pet-peeve. In any event, virtually no negotiation involves one and only one issue. If you think yours does, you’re making a big mistake.

Mistake Number 5:

Failing to See More Than One Option – Rarely do negotiations break down only one option. There are almost always several choices of action. Creativity is the key to avoiding the one-option mistake.

Mistake Number 6:

Adapting A Win-Lose Mentality - Mutual benefit is the name of the game when the pros negotiate. If both parties are not happy, then performance becomes the problem. Anyone can shake hands on a deal. Performance only follows if benefit is derived. Otherwise, one-sided renegotiation is the result. Not good!

Mistake Number 7:

Too Much Grinding - Negotiation is a skill and an art. Understanding and using tactics is relatively simple. The real distinction between the pro and the amateur is the judgment call to end the give-and-take and proceed to performance. That is the art.

Mistake Number 8:

Short Term Thinking - Some negotiators go for immediate pay offs, rather than seeking a long-term relationship. Long-term doesn’t necessarily mean over a lifetime. It can show up later in the same negotiation session. Be careful about grinding someone down on one point. They will get you back on another issue.

Mistake Number 9:

Accepting Opinions, Feelings and Statements as Facts – “Our client would never agree to a proposal such as this.” “We don’t feel we can pay more than $1000 for your product.” “Our budget doesn’t provide for an additional installation fee.” An opinion, a feeling, and a statement: none are facts. Don’t be fooled.

Mistake Number 10:

Accepting Firm Positions - This is our final offer. Everyone who has any level of experience has said this and then made another offer. Don’t buy it!

Home shopping and selling can be an intense and difficult task. With a lot info obtainable online, many people think they’ll be able to tackle the task on their own. With homes for sale increasing, the real estate market can be complicated if you do not have the skills and experience in real estate. The advantages of utilizing the service of a real estate agent are invaluable when selling or buying a house or property.

The advantages of hiring a real estate agent are numerous. Buying a home is more than simply submitting an offer. A real estate agent will have such knowledge about homes for sale such as the neighborhoods, outline community area, locations of hospitals, police station, roads, shopping, grocery stores, etc. They’ll also assist you in locating a home that you will be able to afford as well as offer some tips on where to seek a mortgage. They’re knowledgeable about all that’s involved when buying or selling a house, such as the documentation required and the steps that must be completed to close a deal. Real estate agents minimize the stress involved in buying and selling a home.

If you’re selling a home, a real estate agent can take over the duties of arranging for a showing of the house and property; take the calls for people interested in a home, and listing the home with the right description that attracts potential buyers. Agents will know if a home that is listed on the market is worth the asking price. They’ll take a look at such aspects as demand, current market conditions, location and type of house, and note the main features of the house such as the number of bedrooms to make sure the asking price is acceptable. They can additionally negotiate the asking price of a home which might save you thousands of dollars.

A real estate agent is able to recommend such professionals as a home inspector, mortgage firm, a very good lawyer, home appraiser …etc. They have great contacts with those in the real estate market. They know the reputations and can offer a variety of choices to help you select wisely. As well, the quantity of paperwork concerned with selling and buying a house can appear complicated and overwhelming to a newbie in the real estate market. Also, the purchase papers can be extensive and confusing. There are other important papers such as federal and state forms. A real estate agent has the knowledge about homes for sale and all of the documentation needed in order to ensure that everything will be written up correctly and legally.

Due to the complicated nature of the real estate industry, you never know what questions you will have however one thing for certain is that you will have all your questions answered by a real estate agent. Real estate agents play a crucial rule within the home sale/purchase process. By hiring a real property agent, you will save time and expense. For anyone involved in a home selling or buying undertaking, a qualified real estate agent is important to a successful deal.