It's November - isn't it a time to WAIT and RELIST after the holidays?

So, the title of this post is a long question... I know....To get straight to the point, I understand that the consumers are wondering, "why bother selling now and looking to move when it's almost Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then New Year..." aka "the holidays"? I have 67 good reasons why...That is, there are 49 active listings in Glendora, zip code 91741 only, and there are 67 listings under contract (they have accepted an offer and are in various stages of escrow). There are more homes under contract then available! It is a sellers market! It has been a long time since that has happened. In fact, I closed three properties in the past month, and I definitely saw a shift in market trends from a buyers market to a sellers market. Reasons people are buying? Low interest rates, good loan programs and for many people, a more stable job in the past couple of years. This means, the ability to qualify for a loan is higher than a couple of years ago, and prices are lower! More sellers can now sell their starter home and move up -- and the market for both starter homes and move up is huge -- but the inventory is not. Thus, a sellers market. Although the economy is still struggling, we are rebounding in some areas - and housing is one of them. If you have been thinking of selling and don't know where to start - contact me! I can help! And if you are thinking of buying, please call me! I will always work my hardest to get you the best deal with the utmost integrity and professionalism! Happy house hunting! ~ Stacy

Home is...where you go when vacation is over!

It is a midsummer evening and the crickets are playing their tune with sheer, creeping consistency; The warm afternoon temperatures have given way to a cool, slightly breezy atmosphere. Eyes are tired - yet there is no real rush to sleep. This is summer. This is summer, after vacation, before a real school schedule, with the pace of something between dreams and reality. Summer is the "hot" selling season, too. Real estate continues to be a wonderful investment and buyers all around are taking note. This time of year, things seem more possible - like homeownership. Choosing between that amazing vacation and a down payment becomes a little bit easier. For, as we all know, all good things come to an end. After a very busy year, my family finally took a vacation a couple of weeks ago. We stayed in a couple of cities and one in particular had a very nice hotel room with a bay view - heaven on earth! Even so - we all knew it was temporary. It was vacation, after all! We admired the furnishings, the view and the lobby (seriously), and I promised myself I wouldn't forget some of the specific decorations I really liked, you know, so I could repeat at home.... (already forgotten). When we left, however, and finally arrived home, it was just as wonderful. And as I thought about this, I reminded myself that home is where you go when vacation is over! The best thing you can do as a potential buyer is to dream...visualize your home, what you like, how it makes you feel...and then call me! I will help you make that dream a reality. As a seller, look at your home with a buyers critical eye....and then after you have de-cluttered and cleaned, call me! I will help with more ideas (if needed) to stage your home, and I will provide you with statistical information to help get your house sold (yes, the market is good for selling right now)! As always if you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell -- and you need someone that will work hard, be honest and not stop until the job is done - call me! Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer!

There has been a lot in the news about the California Homeowner Bill of Rights which was signed into law this week. A few facts about this law, which was created to help struggling homeowners in the state of California: 1. This law prevents a lender from dual tracking a home mortgage - which means a lender cannot simultaneously have a home in the foreclosure process while at the same time working on a loan modification. 2. Homeowners must be provided with a single point of contact when negotiating a loan modicfication. 3. The bill expands notice requirements that must be provided to a borrower before taking action on a loan modification application or pursuing foreclosure. Additional information on this new law can be found at www.dsnews.com The new law is effective January 1, 2013. If you or anyone you know if not eligible for a loan modification, but want to prevent the negative credit effects of foreclosure, a short sale may be the best choice. Contact me today of you are interested in learning more about the process. Best - Stacy

It is a Sunday night in June and I have had the sincere pleasure of enjoying dinner outside on our back patio, then watching our three kids play nicely... which included them configuring a jump-rope fashioned as a safety belt for each rider on our backyard tree swing. Whilst attached to said swing via jump-rope seat-belt, the rider was spun completely into one direction until the swing could no longer turn. Then, a swift back turn released the child into a quickly unwinding spin. The backyard (and probably several backyards) were then filled with the deep laughter of our 11 1/2 year old, the squealing excitement of our 5 year old, and the alternating giggle-squeal from our 8 year old. Good old fashioned backyard hi-jinks. Afterwards, I was watering the garden and realized the moon was full. So, I peeled the kids from their ice cream bowls, pulled on flip flops and we walked. The outside air was pinched slightly with the scent of jasmine. The distant sounds of restless peacock echoed ala fantasy island and the kids - especially the two boys, wheeled ahead of mom and pop with youthful exuberance and sibling symmetry. When we rounded the corner, my oldest son tricked me into thinking there was a dead lizard on the sidewalk. A quick step and scream, and an unseen slap on his behind got us moving again. As we came home, the kids put away their scooters and bike, went in the side gate & hopped up the back steps. Bath time -- there was still school tomorrow...Bed-time....this pleasure has to end, I suppose. And now, as I quickly jot this down before my memory fades, the $40 water fountain I got on deep discount churns water through with the consistency of rain drops. My daughter has a book to read while I write and I am more than thankful as I reflect on this evening. As a Realtor, I make memories like this possible...as I help people find their home. As a mom, I make memories like this building blocks, as my kids experience and grow. Today, I not only had a wonderful evening but I also met with some clients who are a family of their own. We are selling their house, they are also buying a new house, and I am hopeful for them and the memories they will make in their new home. I have to say, I think that is what I like BEST about my job!

Volunteerism + Community = Home

It is the official "busy" selling season. Every year, as the tax deadline looms and the sun starts to shine more, people start thinking about buying, selling or both. It is inevitable that once the new year hits, then super-bowl passes, people really start turning their wheels about this whole "house thing"!

Also this time of year, the school year is more than half over, kids start getting spring fever and the teachers prepare in a wild dash for open houses, science fairs, field trips, report cards, testing.....It is also when baseball and softball are in full-swing. I am sure I am missing something, but, I think you get my point....it is just plain busy!

This school year marks my first of two serving in a volunteer position at a local elementary school as PTA President. I have spent every year of my children's school careers volunteering in various capacities of PTA. I thoroughly enjoy having a hand in the programs my children experience with the funds I have helped to raise and budget. I also enjoy watching a team of volunteer parents, many of which work "outside of the home" as well. When I think about the major feats we conquer - just as one small schools' PTA, I am almost overwhelmed at how much of a difference each person truly makes.

One of the things which attracts potential buyers to a new place to live is the sense of "community" they feel. If there are buzzwords for buyers with young families they are "community", "Good schools", "home-town feeling". And when I work with a buyer like that - I know exactly what they are looking for. Because no matter where you are -- California, Nevada, Oregon, Hawaii, if you are looking for a place that feels like "home", it is usually a place that offers a sense of community. Community - when used as a verb means the volunteer parents working the fields preparing for each game, shopping the big box store to stock the snack bar, crunching the numbers to maximize the last fundraiser, having a yard sale to support their scout troop, helping the lost child, housing the lost and tag-less dog (thanks to my neighbors, the Mikesells), etc.

Besides your family, friends and pets, what makes a home to you? If you don't already, I encourage you to get involved in your community and volunteer even a small portion of your time. Helping build something brings people together! And, in reality, it will help your property values as you maintain your community spirit!

New, new, new!

This is the month we, as consumers are hit with weight loss plans, planning calendars, organization systems, etc. all in the name of starting new -- starting fresh -- new beginnings! So here we are, January 2012! What have you decided to do "new" this year? What are you looking to renew?

As a goal oriented person, I always make "new" goals this time of year. My husband and I have professional and personal goals -- short and long term. When we bought our first house, it was the realization of a long-term goal -- and it felt wonderful. Sometimes, in a world that changes constantly, and is about new beginings on a cyclical basis, it is nice to have some constants.

For many people, the constant is their home. I love real estate because it is the realization of someone's long term goal when they buy a home. Even selling a home is usually part of a new plan with some good goals attached.

I am a fourth generation Glendoran, and as such I can still walk past the first house my great-grandfather built here in town (On Leadora Ave). My kids, fifth generation Glendoran's, do not yet realize how lucky they are to have so many constants around them. Even though we are surrounded by family history, my grandfather eventually moved up to Redding to retire (not before he built some more there).

Moving is synonymous with change, and change can be wonderful. If you plan to move this year, and need someone who will work for your best interest -- and who is a full-time realtor with roots in town (and extended roots to Temple City) -- give me a call. I can and will work hard to make your dreams a reality.