The key points for a seller, according to Zillow.com: A full price or higher offer A pre-approved buyer Smooth timing for a move Sellers may also want buyers to either waive an inspection or be responsible for any repairs. Before negotiations, the best idea for sellers is to carefully calculate what they need from a […]
The data tell the story: A real estate agent can sell your house faster and for a higher price than you would get by selling it on your own. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, properties sold by an agent sold for $41,000 more. Owner-sold properties sold for $174,900 in 2012 while agent-sold properties averaged $215,000. People are getting the message. […]
Here is what we hear from our fellow California Realtors: A slowdown in sign calls and listing appointments Multiple offers have declined. Some price reductions Market competition has eased. However, here in Pasadena, the news is different: We do not yet see a slowdown in calls to our office or listing appointments; Most prices are […]
The first thing to understand is what Zillow is not. Zillow is not in real estate. It is not a public service like a library. Zillow is a business website, established to lure eyeballs who want to gaze at homes and, in turn, to sell advertising to real estate professionals. Understanding Zillow’s Zestimate Zillow acquires […]
For renters who aspire to be home owners, transitioning from an apartment to a house requires a shift in their thinking that they may not be prepared to make. The financial changes that come with owning, the need to consider planting longer-term roots in a neighborhood, and new neighborhood rules are things renters may not […]
When it comes to real estate clichés, “Location, location, location” has all other contenders (including “Not a drive-by!”; “Cash is king!”; “Is that your checkbook or are you just glad to see me?”; and “Worst house, best street”) beat by a mile. Not only has it been in use since at least 1926 (according to […]
The Pasadena City Council recently approved the “General Plan Update Goals and Policies.” This action sets the course of development and growth in Pasadena for the next 20 years. Most debate centered around maintaining a strong city, but not harming the character of established neighborhoods. The Council adopted caps to support growth consistent with the pace […]
December real estate numbers — Important if you are thinking of buying or selling: An estimated 36,468 new and resale houses and condos were sold in California in December 2014. That was up month over month by 23.8 percent from 29,459 sales in November 2014, and up year over year by 4.3 percent from 34,949 […]
Renting is now twice as expensive as buying real estate in the USA. Rents all over the US continue to soar upwards, online real estate database Zillow has recently found out that renting a home is now twice as expensive as buying one. According to a Zillow affordability report, in the third quarter of 2014, […]