How Do You Know When You Are Seriously Ready TO Sell Your Home?

Should I sell? Should I not sell? Will I get my money back?

 

           When people begin to think about their life and their future, they begin by asking themselves a series of questions. The answers to those questions are what ultimately helps the individual make any valuable decisions that might alter their life.  For many people a house is not just a home, it is a part of their life, a part of themselves. Most people have a bit of an emotional attachment to their house, they grew up there, they started their life together, kids were raised there, etc.  The decision to sell your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you might make. Before you sign that agreement and put that sign in your front yard I have put together a few things to consider when contemplating the sale of your home.

1. Why are you considering the sale of your home?- Are you downsizing? Upsizing? Are you having a difficult time making your mortgage payments? Are you tired of the area? Whatever the reason might be I cannot stress how important it is to ask yourself these or similar questions and fully understand your answers. Taking your time and answering these questions will help eliminate the rushing to a potential regrettable decision.
2. Are there alternatives to your selling your home? –If you are having a difficult time making your mortgage payments have you looked in to all your options? Would renting out your home be a better alternative? How about adding on to the home?
3. How much do you expect to get for your home? Your home is only worth as much as someone else is willing to pay for it. The determination of what that dollar may be is very hard to estimate unless you are in the market. However, somehow you should make this estimate before you can make an informed decision to sell.

  

 

Anna Rogers is a member of an award winning team at Exit Realty SCV, one of the areas fastest growing real estate firms in the Santa Clarita Valley. Working with both buyers and sellers in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley’s and surrounding areas, I will work tirelessly to ensure all your real estate needs are met. I look forward to talking with you and helping your home buying and selling be a smooth transaction.

Anna Rogers

818.688.1882
http://www.buyandsellscvhomes.com/
annarogersre@gmail.com

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5 Tips To Winning A Bidding War

5 Tips to Winning a Bidding War

This market is definitely not a buyer’s market, as we do not have enough inventory to meet the demand. But, with the lower prices and low interest rates now is the perfect time to buy. The problem many buyers are facing is with such a low inventory to choose from they often find themselves competing with a dozen other buyers for the same property and ultimately losing the so called “bidding war”. This bidding war has caused many potential buyers to become frustrated and discouraged in their home search process. To win a bidding war you obviously need to have your offer accepted, but how do you do that? Below you will find some tips on how you can better your chances at winning that home of your dreams.

1) Approved Financing- Before you start looking for a home work with a lender to get approved for financing, not just preapproved. A prequalification letter is not necessarily an approval. Ask your lender to give you a copy of your Fannie Mae underwriting approval as proof of your approval. Sellers want to know they will not run into financing issues so having an upfront approval will help ease the fear of lending issues one might run into.

2) Know your price range- If you have received your financing approval you should know your price range and don’t go beyond that range.

3) Understand the current market- I cannot stress enough how important it is to know the market. Today the listing price is not necessarily the selling price. When there are multiple offers on a single home the winning bidder is often the one with the highest offer. To help you understand the current market conditions ask your realtor to prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). A CMA will tell you what similar homes are selling for. Knowing this will help you make a competitive offer.

4) Minimal Contingencies- Contingencies are certain conditions that must be satisfied in order for the sale to go through. A home purchasing contract may include contingencies such as the sale of another home. Do not eliminate important contingencies such as large repairs that may need to be made. The less contingencies you have the better chances you have at winning a bid.

5) Add a personal touch- Often sellers are emotionally attached to their homes. They want to sell their home to someone who will take care of it, who will appreciate it as much as they have over the years. As you walk through the home take note of anything that can give you clues as to who the owners are something that you might have in common. Did you go to the same university? DO you like the same sports teams? Then write them a letter introducing yourself, your family and why you love their home. If you found a common interest share that in the letter. As cheesy as it may sound, sellers like to put a face and a story behind all the papers.

Bidding on a home in today’s market is extremely stressful. With patience and determination you will win the bidding war on your dream home. Work with an agent who understands the stresses brought on by today’s market and who will work tirelessly to ensure that your stress is minimized.

Anna Rogers is a member of an award winning team at Exit Realty SCV, one of the areas fastest growing real estate firms in the Santa Clarita Valley. Working with both buyers and sellers in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley’s and surrounding areas, Anna will work tirelessly to ensure all your real estate needs are met. She looks forward to talking with you and helping your home buying and selling be a smooth transaction.

Anna Rogers

818.688.1882
http://www.buyandsellscvhomes.com/
annarogersre@gmail.com

Amish Friendship Bread Recipe

OK so this post is not Real Estate Related but I still wanted to share it as it is a great way to connect with friends, neighbors and family.  I remember as a kid my mom would always have some of this bread fermenting on the counter. My brothers, sister and I would enjoy squishing the bag it was in or stirring the bowl and would wait in eager anticipation until that day 10 when she could bake it. This bread starts out as some yucky, goo that you might want to throw away when you first see it, but if you follow the instructions, exercise some patients as well as TLC you will end up with some of the greatest, mouth watering bread you have ever tasted. This bread is not really an Amish bread and I have not a clue how it received the name "Amish Friendship Bread", maybe it stems from the way it can bring a neighborhood together and the thought of sharing a little from your kitchen with friends. Who knows? It is a must for everyone to try at least once!!!!!!

Amish Friendship Bread- The Bread to Pass Around and Share

Starter

1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F)

1.      Dissolve yeast in small bowl.

2.      In a 2 quart glass or plastic container (do not use metal), combine 1 cup sifted flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or the flour will get lumpy when you add the milk.

3.       Slowly stir in warm milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Loosely cover the mixture with a lid or plastic wrap. The mixture will get bubbly. Consider this Day 1 of the cycle, or the day you receive the starter.

Instructions

Day 1 - receive the starter

Day 2 - stir

Day 3 - stir

Day 4 - stir

Day 5 - Add 1 cup each flour, sugar and milk.

Day 6 - stir

Day 7 - stir

Day 8 – stir

Day 9 - stir

Day 10 -  Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Divide into 4 containers (plastic or glass, zip-lock bags work nicely), with 1 cup each for three of your friends and 1 cup for your own loaves. Give friends the instructions for Day 1 through Day 10 and the following recipe for baking the bread.

After removing the 3 cups of batter, combine the remaining cup of Amish Friendship Bread starter with the following ingredients in a large bowl:

2/3 cup oil
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 to 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Using a fork beat by hand until well blended. You can add 1 cup raisins and 1 cup nuts (optional).

Grease two loaf pans with butter, sprinkle with sugar instead of flour.

Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes to 1 hour (individual oven temperatures vary). Cool 10 minutes, remove from pans. Makes two loaves of Amish Friendship Bread.

Anna Rogers is a member of an award winning team at Exit Realty SCV, one of the areas fastest growing real estate firms in the Santa Clarita Valley. Working with both buyers and sellers in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley’s and surrounding areas, I will work tirelessly to ensure all your real estate needs are met. I look forward to talking with you and helping your home buying and selling be a smooth transaction.
Anna Rogers
818.688.1882http://www.buyandsellscvhomes.com/
annarogersre@gmail.com

Is The Housing Bust Over?

Have you heard, the housing bust is over? If not take a look at this artiicle frm the Wall Street Journal Housing Passes a Milesstone . What do you think? Share your thoughts and opinions!



Anna Rogers is a member of an award winning team at Exit Realty SCV, one of the areas fastest growing real estate firms in the Santa Clarita Valley. Working with both buyers and sellers in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley’s and surrounding areas, I will work tirelessly to ensure all your real estate needs are met. I look forward to talking with you and helping your home buying and selling be a smooth transaction.
Anna Rogers
818.688.1882http://www.buyandsellscvhomes.com/
annarogersre@gmail.com

Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 Will Be Ending Soon!

Act Now! Only 6 months left to take advantage to the 2007 Mortgage Debt Relief Act!
Traditionally when you owe a debt to someone else and they cancel that debt, such as a credit card where you settle for less than the amount owed, the difference between the settled amount and what was originally due is considered taxable income. The 2007 Mortgage Debt Relief Act has allowed individuals to exclude this income for taxable purposes when the debt forgiven was in connection with mortgage restructuring or in connection with a foreclosure.
The Debt Release Act was implemented in 2007 and is scheduled to end in December 2012. What does this mean for you? Simply, if you have been avoiding modifying your high mortgage or applying for a short sale instead of a foreclosure, now is the time to do so.
How does this work? Well, lets sat that you owe $350,000 on your mortgage. You get approved for a short sale amount of $200,000. Under the 2007 Mortgage Debt Relief Act the bank and the IRS write off the difference of $150,000, it is forgiven. But, come 2013 that $150,000 is now considered taxable income and it will need to be claimed on your yearly taxes. Add $150,000 to your yearly income and you will be in a much higher tax bracket, thus causing the amount you owe to sky rocket. It is like a double edge sword. The debt was forgiven because of a financial hardship and now that hardship will include an income that one never really had in their hands, making the hardship even harder.
If you find yourself in this situation or know someone who is give us a call! Myself as well as all members of Exit SCV are always there to help!

Anna Rogers is a member of an award winning team at Exit Realty SCV, one of the areas fastest growing real estate firms in the Santa Clarita Valley. Working with both buyers and sellers in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley’s and surrounding areas, I will work tirelessly to ensure all your real estate needs are met. I look forward to talking with you and helping your home buying and selling be a smooth transaction.
Anna Rogers
818.688.1882http://www.buyandsellscvhomes.com/
annarogersre@gmail.com

Top 5 Reasons to Move to Santa Clarita, California

The Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) is located just North of beautiful Downtown Los Angeles. The SCV offers a small town feel with city living.

Here are the Top Five Reasons To Move To Santa Clarita!



1) Santa Clarita Schools and Learning Institutions – The Santa Clarita Valley is filled with some award winning learning institutions from the preschool to college level . The SCV has some of the best elementary and high schools schools in California, ranking in the top 10% , Many of their elementary schools have earned the Distinguished school Award as well. -Source

Moving to a new home and want to see the school boundaries click here “Attendance Boundaries”

2) Crime –Santa Clarita consistently remains one of the safest cities in California as well as in the nation. Source

2) Parks, Paseos and Trail Systems – The Santa Clarita Valley is filled with parks! Parks, parks, and more parks! There are 34 to be exact, between the parks maintained by the City of Santa Clarita, and those maintained by Los Angeles County. When driving through Santa Clarita, stop by one of the many! Located throughout Santa Clarita, there are paseo paths and trails that span over 60 miles. In Valencia, one could almost travel from the south of Valencia, to the North of Valencia without ever having crossed one single street. Instead they could use the paseo to ride their bike or walk, and navigate through the many picturesque communities Valencia has to offer, and cross the streets by going over them, via the paseo bridges. Beyond Valencia are the many trails, that run from the west of the Santa Clarita Valley, to the East. This is something anyone with an active lifestyle, thinking of moving to Santa Clarita, should consider.

3) Local Recreation – From the roller coaster fame of Valencia's own Six Flags Magic Mountain, to Castaic Lake, Lake Piru and Lake Pyramid, The Santa Clarita Sports Complex and Aquatic Center, William S. Hart Park, Placerita nature center, there is always something local to do.

4) Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood! The SCV is just a short 30-45 minute drive to downtown Los Angeles where you can visit Olivera Street, The Staples Center. Not only is Downtown just a short drive but Hollywood is an even shorter drive. There you can visit Universal Studios Hollywood, visit Hollywood Blvd and much much more.

5) Mountains and Beaches! – We're surrounded by beautiful mountains, The San Gabriel Mountains on the East and the Santa Susana Mountains on the West! The beautiful mountains serve as a perfect backdrop to the daily life in the SCV, lush and green in the Spring and beautifully white in the winter. Not only are the mountains a short distance but the beautiful Beaches of Southern California are just as close. Just a quick drive up the 126 and you can sun bathe and dine in beautiful Ventura or if you would rather hop on the 405 and the 101 and sun bathe and dine in beautiful Santa Monica or Malibu! One could even travel to the Mountains for a fun filled day of hiking or snow play in the winter then end up at the beach for a quiet relaxing dinner all in one day!

Anna Rogers is a member of an award winning team at Exit Realty SCV, one of the areas fastest growing real estate firms in the Santa Clarita Valley. Working with both buyers and sellers in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley’s and surrounding areas, I will work tirelessly to ensure all your real estate needs are met. I look forward to talking with you and helping your home buying and selling be a smooth transaction.

Anna Rogers

818.688.1882http://www.buyandsellscvhomes.com/
annarogersre@gmail.com

Summer Fun in the Santa Clarita Valley!

Looking for something to help you cool off during this heat wave? Tired of going to the mall or out to eat? Do the kids need to get outside and burn some of that built up energy? If you answered yes to any of these questions you need to take a trip to the Santa Clarita Aquatics Center. Inexpensive, only $4.00 for 18+, $3 for 3-17, 55+, and free for the 2 an under crowd, the Aquatics center has something for everyone. There is a zero depth entry pool with lots of fun water slides and toys for the little ones, a two story water slide, dive pool with two 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards, as well as a 50 meter x 25 yard Competition pool.


No outside food/ drinks (except bottled water) or ice chest are permitted but there is a great little snack bar with resonable prices. Make sure there are no metal rivets on swim wear as you will not be allowe dto ride the great waterslide!

Also, On Friday's July 20th and August 10th put on your swim suits and enjoy a movie on the big screen while you float in the pool or lounge on the deck in the "balcony section." The concessionaire will be open and no outside food or drink is allowed. Almost like the old days at the drive In movies!

The return home with your little angels ready for bed and relax yourself!

Anna Rogers is a member of an award winning team at Exit Realty SCV, one of the areas fastest growing real estate firms in the Santa Clarita Valley. Working with both buyers and sellers in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley’s and surrounding areas, I will work tirelessly to ensure all your real estate needs are met. I look forward to talking with you and helping your home buying and selling be a smooth transaction.

Anna Rogers

818.688.1882
http://www.buyandsellscvhomes.com/
annarogersre@gmail.com

Former IndyMac Heads to Pay Shareholders $6.5M Settlement

Daily Real Estate News | Monday, July 09, 2012

The leaders of IndyMac Bancorp have agreed to pay $6.5 million to settle a shareholder class-action lawsuit connected to the collapse of the mortgage lender in July 2008.
IndyMac was one of the largest mortgage originators in the United States, and its collapse marked one of the biggest bank failures in U.S. history. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took over the Pasadena, Calif.-based company after its collapse.
The shareholders’ motion for preliminary approval, filed July 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, calls the proposed settlement “a reasonable resolution” to the case, as it eliminates the chance that shareholders would recover nothing.
In the lawsuit, shareholders accused IndyMac officials of making statements that concealed the true extent of the company’s deteriorating financial situation, as well as its growing exposure to regulatory action. The settlement amount is to be paid in exchange for the dismissal of such claims.
Source: "IndyMac Leaders Agree to Settle Shareholder Class-Action Litigation for $6.5 Million," Washington Post (June 8, 2012).

Anna Rogers is a member of an award winning team at Exit Realty SCV, one of the areas fastest growing real estate firms in the Santa Clarita Valley. Working with both buyers and sellers in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley’s and surrounding areas, I will work tirelessly to ensure all your real estate needs are met. I look forward to talking with you and helping your home buying and selling be a smooth transaction.
Anna Rogers
818.688.1882
www.buyandsellscvhomes.com
annarogersre@gmail.com

Concerts in the Park

Another reason to love the Santa Clarita valley! Concerts in the park! Yes it is summer and just about time to sit under the stars and enjoy the cool night air while listening to some great live music! This event is perfect for all ages! My teen aged nephews love going to hang out with friends, my parents love to go and hear some "real" music and relax, the little ones love going because they get to "stay out with the moon" and me, I just love the camaraderie!
     The concerts begin tonight, Saturday July 7th 2012 and run through August 25th, 2012.
Before you go check out their website for some important rules and information! http://user.govoutreach.com/santaclarita/faq.php?cid=14956

Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I know I will!

Anna Rogers is a member of an award winning team at Exit Realty SCV, one of the areas fastest growing real estate firms in the Santa Clarita Valley. Working with both buyers and sellers in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley’s and surrounding areas, I will work tirelessly to ensure all your real estate needs are met. I look forward to talking with you and helping your home buying and selling be a smooth transaction.
Anna Rogers
818.688.1882
www.buyandsellscvhomes.com
annarogersre@gmail.com