New Year, New Goals, New Home!

It is that time of year once again...we are winding down from the past 12 months and preparing lists of new accomplishments we would like to obtain in the new year. For many people that were rocked by the recession, and had to short sale or foreclose on a home, there is good news! Interest rates are still low - and I you thought you couldn't get back into the housing market - you can a lot sooner than you probably expected! Per Anne Gahshan at Movement Mortgage in Glendora, CA: After filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, you can obtain an FHA loan 2 years from the bankruptcy discharge date and a conventional loan in 4 years from the discharge date. For short sale and foreclosures, an FHA loan can be obtained 3 years from the date and a conventional 4 years from the date. Today's base rates are 4.375 for conventional loans (20% down, 30-year fixed, 740 FICO) and FHA is 4.25 3.5% down payment. There is low inventory, but there are also great buys. Serious sellers are in the market, and serious buyers are looking now! What are your 2016 real estate goals? I will gladly help you reach them! Give me a call or email and let's get started! Happy 2016! Stacy

Thankful!

It's Thanksgiving morning 2014 and I am writing to share how THANKFUL I am or YOU - my client, my potential client, my referral, my referral source....Real Estate is my livelihood, which allows me to contribute to my household and give back to the community. Thank you to all who have said nice and good things about me... "Professional, "hard-working", "honest and ethical", "knowledgeable" .... ETC.! I truly hope you have a wonderful day .... There is always something to be thankful for! ~ Stacy #Thankfulglendorarealtormom #dovergetsitdone #stacydoverrealestate #stacydoversoldit

Nothing Like a Good Word Being Said and Spread!

I like to say that if I wasn't in real estate, my absolute dream job would be as a fiction writer and poet. The reality is, I am a REALTOR . . . but, for as long as I can remember, the power of words has always impressed me! Recently, I received a phone call from a potential client who was referred to me from a previous client, and the woman said, in part: "I wanted to call you because....(this person)....said you were really knowledgable, a hard worker and you were the person to ask all of my questions". That was in and of itself, quite flattering. I also have a few reviews I would like to share from clients and industry professionals that took time to say something nice about me..... From Bob M. - Stacy is a personal professional. She is knowledgeable, friendly and communicates really well. Every real estate transaction becomes part of her. She has a real vested interested that everyone feels great about the transaction. She sells homes not houses. She takes the responsibility that her customers have a great experience. She works with her heart and her clients become her friends. From Susie B. - Stacy is hardworking and will go the extra mile for her clients. She is is honest and will tell you what she thinks. She knows the local market very well. I would highly recommend Stacy Dover. From Andrea S. - Andrea Schneider, MSW, LCSW Psychotherapist at andreaschneiderlcsw.com We contacted Stacy to discuss refinancing our home, and she put us in contact with a great referral source...Stacy is an authentic, knowledgable, genuine real estate agent who knows her area and also is very in tune with her customer's needs. I highly recommend Stacy for all of your real estate needs. From Mike Muras - M & K Electrical & Plumbing - Stacy Dover’s successful attitude is a major factor in how she works hard to make her client’s dreams come true. Stacy’s positive response to changes helps everybody “remain calm and carry on”. Stacy is a fantastic agent and consultant. Monique Marino - Stacy is a very active and involved resident of Glendora. Stacy is very informed with houses in the city and surrounding cities which helps narrow down the research process. She is very educated with the paperwork and helpful in getting things processed quickly. If you find yourself - or someone you know - looking for a professional REALTOR - Please contact me - or pass on my information! I am here to serve my clients with the highest quality of service possible! Happy Real Estat-ing! Stacy

When It's Time To Say Goodbye

In my line of work, the reason for working is because someone is buying or selling real estate - and that usually means that someone is moving. Moving is HARD work for those involved. It is physically and emotionally taxing - even whem the move is for a wonderful reason. A house I have sold this week is a house that, for me, had some personal attachment. The family moving were our neighbors for 9 years. Through raising our kids from pre-school to Jr. high...The early years were when she brought her youngest baby home, and also when she carpooled my kids to school after my third child was born. We spent New Years eves together, family nights, sent kids up and down the street for play dates, traded hand me downs for the kids, cooked meals together, did Christmas shopping....A lot of living. And now, this precious family has moved. As their Realtor, I felt an extra dose of responsibility to my friends...for I knew how much this house was loved. There are times when the love in a home is palpable...and this is one of those times. In this wonderful sellers market, we were able to get their house sold quickly. As their Realtor, I was extremely happy they were able to sell, above asking price, and felt they found the right people to buy their home. As their friend, when I went by the day they loaded their moving truck, my husband working alongside his friends, I felt a sadness in my heart as the memories of such amazing neighbors hit me hard. Yes, I was glad I was chosen to sell their home, but in real estate, you realize, some sells are easier than others!

Why not to list as "For Sale by Owner"

In today's market, more and more home prices are selling for at or above asking price. In fact, California Association of Realtor's sent a report stating in 2013 around 50% of homes sold something over asking price. When we see a market increase so rapidly, we also see a trend in "For Sale by Owner" homes. Below is a list of just a few reasons it is a good idea to avoid listing your house as a house that is "For sale by owner": 1. For Sale By Owner listings sales prices, statistically show a sales price of 13% less than those represented by a qualified professional. 2. For Sale By Owner's do not have the same Error and Omissions insurance coverage that they would have if represented by a broker. Should something go wrong, you will be exactly where you started - on your own! 3. Advertising locally and on the web is easier with a licensed professional. The cost of one print ad for a single for sale by owner is far more than an agent who has a contract for advertisements on a regular basis. 4. Coordinating your own showings leaves you open to anyone, without pre-screening for qualifications or intentions. Realtors are trained in pre-screening, pre-qualifying and assessing the real buyers from the not so real. 5. Last, your REALTOR is your guide through a very difficult and often convoluted process. Would you go to a friend for medical advice if they were not a doctor? Probably not. Selling your house should be done by a licensed professional for the best results! As always, I am here to help or answer any questions you may have! ~ Stacy

Navigating an Ever-Changing Market

Whether or not you're in the market to buy or sell real estate, you may have noticed all of the news reports about an increase in property values in 20136, prompting sellers who may have been under-water just one-year ago, to sell. There has been a rash of properties receiving multiple offers, many going higher than the list price, as well. I have now seen another trend...houses coming on the market grossly over-priced! These homes may have been on the market as much as $100,000 less a year prior....And now, they are listed, and they are sitting.... This can lead to a lot of buyer and seller confusion. The buyers are wondering what happened to their ability to afford in the same neighborhood they are now priced out of....And sellers may wonder what happened to their sudden increase in perceived equity. How can we tell where a market is? Usually the sold comparable properties are a great indicator, as well as the percentage of inventory sold vs. listed, the number of days on the market and how many homes see a price reduction, or multiple offers. The indicators to me are usually what helps us see where a market is headed. There are no crystal balls available to us REALTOR's, there are projections from many directions...but, as I see it we are in for a slower price increase this year vs. last. In some areas, houses have one up over 25% in the last 18 months. The real proof of if those prices are accurate is if they will sell. In 2012 I saw the ramp up of activity with multiple offers on properties that were fairly priced, and suddenly people were ready to go over asking price. The trend continued to grow in 2013, and in the later months, it started to wane. The real estate market usually slows down during the November and December months, although it stayed steady in 2013, the price increases were not as rampant. Enter the new year, and the beginning of a new spring selling season. New listings are popping up and I am seeing a lot of homes priced more than $100,000 higher than they would have been a year ago. I have yet to see a good closed comparable in the market area, but as usual, time will tell. My advice for sellers right now? List your home based on actual sold comparable properties and condition of your home. Do not reach into the future and guess what you think your home may be worth in a few months. For buyers, don't be afraid to keep looking. The right house will show up, and as long as you are ready to make an offer when it does, you will have your home this year! The key is being prepared with your pre-approval, current proof of funds, and any possible contingencies handled. If you have any questions on what you think you may qualify for as a buyer -- or if you have questions about what your home may be worth as a seller, please contact me. I will take the time necessary to give you the best possible scenario! Happy House-Hunting - Or Home Selling!!! Stacy

Spring Cleaning for Senior Citizens

Over the years, I have been blessed to represent many senior citizens selling their home. I consider it a blessing, because so many of them have really awesome stories, and I love a good story! Talking to them, you actually get a sense of what they would have been like as young adults, and parents. I have marveled at the photograph of Mars taken from the first rover hanging over one special clients fireplace. She was a Computess - before computers, massive and complicated mathematical computations for space exploration were done by hand. And here she was, a woman, working in a scientific and male dominated industry back when most were washing clothes by hand and hanging them to dry (and no, there is nothing wrong with that, just a comparison to show her unique situation). She was responsible for computing distance and longitude and latitude, and who knows what else, so this amazing feat of science could land on another planet! Hearing her stories of motherhood, marriage and Cal Tech were very inspiring. Recently, with the loss of my father-in-law, I have seen many phases a senior citizen goes through as their health transitions into new stages and their loved ones caringly support them. There have been many moments I have thought my mother-in-law was in a perpetual state of spring cleaning. If you find yourself supporting a loved one who is a senior citizen and either living at home or in assisted living, below are some great tips to help them "spring clean". Seniors for Living Blog has posted this detailed list of what Spring Cleaning for senior citizens looks like: 1.Make a checklist. Write down everything you and your senior loved one would like to get done. Tasks may include washing windows and curtains, wiping out the refrigerator, scrubbing the floor, etc. Be sure to include the following tasks to reduce senior safety hazards: 1.Clean out the medicine cabinet and dispose of expired medications or those no longer prescribed 2.Throw away any expired food 3.Replace batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors 4.Remove clutter from walkways 5.Replace light bulbs if necessary and ensure rooms and hallways are adequately lit 6.Get rid of throw-rugs to eliminate tripping hazards 7.Consider installing grab bars in the bathroom 2.Schedule it. Just like a doctor’s appointment or other important commitment, block off time in your schedule that you can devote to spring cleaning. You may want to knock everything out in one weekend, or you may want to take it one chore at a time over several weeks, fitting it in when you have time. Either way, consider it time well spent with your loved one. 3.Enlist help. Make it a family affair. The more the merrier. If you can’t convince family members to lend a hand, consider hiring help. A professional caregiver can assist with laundry, dusting, vacuuming and other light housekeeping tasks. 4.Involve your senior loved one. It’s important to keep your loved one engaged and feeling useful, no matter what his or her limitations. If it’s not easy for Mom to get around, hand her the silver polish and silverware. Or give Dad a stack of papers to go through while you take care of the rest of the home. 5.De-clutter, then clean. Seniors who have accumulated a lifetime of belongings often have so much stuff that it clutters the house and makes it difficult to clean, much less live safely in. Don’t just clean around the piles—tackle them first. But, be careful not to get trash-happy. Learn the 10 reasons seniors hang on to stuff and how to handle the clutter in a diplomatic manner. Finally, be sure to address any problems you uncover while cleaning. You don’t want to see the fruits of your labor reverse back into a pig sty in less than six months. If you discover your loved one has piles of unpaid bills, expired food in the pantry or hasn’t been cleaning up after the pets, perhaps it’s time for some extra help around the house. A little housekeeping help from a caregiver for just a few hours a week can help keep the home clean while offering your loved one companionship and support on a regular basis. As always, if you are looking for an honest, ethical and hard working realtor to support your needs, let me know. I am here to help! -Stacy