Unless you’ve been living on a desert island for the past six months, you’ve probably already heard the positive news about the LA housing market. Prices are steadily rising, inventory is low, and bidding wars abound. The word is out – now is the time to buy! Unfortunately, the downside to this sudden market turnaround is that buyers are becoming more and more familiar with a pesky issue that has been plaguing the market all summer – the low appraisal. Continue reading
Buying an REO
Buying a home that has been foreclosed can sometimes be a great way to save some money and get into a neighborhood that you couldn’t otherwise afford. However, if you are interested in buying a bank owned property, there are a few things you should know first about the offer and escrow process. Continue reading
The Truth About Short Sales
Thinking of buying a short sale? Good luck! Here are some things you need to know ahead of time: Continue reading
Surviving Escrow: A Buyer’s Guide
Starting the home buying process is always exciting – you get to see lots of cool houses and imagine your life from a totally new viewpoint. But let’s face it: being in escrow is probably one of the most stressful 30 days periods of your life. Many buyers have no idea what they are responsible for doing during escrow and are not aware of the common issues that might arise. Continue reading
How to Win a Bidding War
On June 10th, the LA Times ran a story on the front page of paper that detailed the fierce competition that buyers are experiencing during the home buying process. It’s official – it’s not gossip, and it’s not speculation: this is happening, people! Bidding wars are back, so buyers need to understand the process and have some strategies in place. Continue reading
Buying in a Seller’s Market
If you are someone who doesn’t follow the housing stats or obsess over the local real estate market, then you may not have heard the latest news in the Los Angeles area– we are experiencing (gasp!) a seller’s market. How is this possible? It’s pretty simple: with the economy improving and interest rates staying low, buyers are finally feeling confident enough to get back into the market. Continue reading