Vintage Home Near Downtown Fullerton For Sale!
Stop by and see this great vintage home in an amazing Fullerton Neighbhorhood near downtown! I hope to see you there from 1:00 to 4:00!
Sell your home
First, we need to define what a “successful listing” means. To me it means a listing that is successfully sold and CLOSED for the highest price in the shortest time. I think this is what most seller’s are typically looking for, agreed? Now on to the Keys!
Location, Location, Location- I think this is pretty self explanatory so I will move on but it is definitely true what they say!
Condition – It is important to walk through with buyer’s eyes. I know you love your home and it feels good to you, but will it feel and look good to everyone? I am sorry, but I have to ask the tough questions and a good agent will do that (trust me, my home is currently NOT in marketable condition). It often takes a little tweaking.
Price- This is critical. Right now, the the house in the best condition, in the best location, that is priced to sell most certainly will! It is more than just what the “data” shows. I think that pricig is more an art than a science and you need to get it just right.
Marketing- It is important to bring your home the people and more importantly, get them to your home! Somewhere around 85% or more of buyers are online looking. Sure, most agents will get it on the Multiple Listing Service that will in turn post it on those real estate sites. There is still more to do! Is it everywhere that it can possibly be on line? What sort of print marketing is going on? Have the other local realtors been notified? Marketing is KEY! I have to save something for when we meet so I can’t give it all to you here, sorry! But trust me, it’s good!
Agent – This is huge. Whether you choose me or someone else, check them out. Once you find that person, trust them and listen to them! They are there to help YOU. Here are some good questions to ask a potential Realtor(r)
•What is their close ratio (How many of their listings have closed)?
•How many homes have they sold in the past year?
•Do they know how to qualify buyers? (Do they call their loan officer, ask about their debt ratio, how strong they are, etc..)
•Are they a FULL TIME Realtor?
•Are they with a reputable company?
•Do they have a good reputation?
•Do you know how to check this out?
Basically, it is about finding the person that can get your listing sold and CLOSED for the maxim dollar with the least amount of inconvenience and headache! There is much to consider and this is just a brief list.
Listing a home in this market can be a little scary. Often times a seller does not want to sell but is forced to due to a change in their loan, income or other financial tragedy. This delicate situation requires an agent that understands your situation and how to work with the banks.
For more information on how to research an agent or marketing or questions about listing your home in this market. I would love to answer your questions.
Remember, it’s a price war and a beauty contest; you can’t afford to lose either when it comes to selling your home!
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Cristal Drake – Fullerton Realtor(R) and Real Estate Resource for all your Fullerton area real estate needs. Prudential California Realty – 714-423-7525. DRE#: 01272061. All information in my blogs is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. Copyright 2009 all rights reserved.
When I took a listing on in the highly sought after Downtown Fullerton area, I knew I had my work cut out for me. This lovely home on Jacaranda showed wonderfully and though we listed it right at Christmas time when most buyers typically stop shopping. We were able to get it sold right away with multiple offers.
The work wasn’t so much in the listing, but in getting the Appraiser to see the value too! I mean I had just sold a home for the highest price in quite some time in the neighborhood and now I had to make sure the apprasier agreed!
The dreaded words….Appraisal! I have heard appraisers referred to as “deal killers” for brining the value in too low. Since the fall of the real estate market, it is tougher than ever for them!
This is not the appraiser!
Sure, we listed on the high side. I was confident we could get what we were asking for. At our open house, the residents of this lovely Downtown Fullerton neighborhood all came by and echoed the same sentiment, “We hope you can get the value, it will be so good for the neighborhood”. I must admit, I got nervous…for about a minute.
Lucky for me, I worked for a major lender years ago and had extensive appraisal training. I would work closely with what we called the Appraisal Review Department and learned exactly what they were looking for and how they wanted the value justified. Trust me, I did not forget.
When the appraiser called about appraising the home, I made sure I made it as easy as possible for him. Often times, Realtors just show up and unlock the door. I guess that is one way to do it but by making sure they understand the upgrades, the neighborhood, how you came to the value, the offers….etc….you would be surprised at how much they appreciate the help and in UNDERSTANDING WHY THE VALUE IS THERE!
Appraisers have a tough job right now. They have much stricter guidelines now and are held accountable for every little thing. Their job is stressful to say the least! This was just reiterated by an appraiser that called me (because the home on Jacaranda has now closed and is showing as a comparable sale). She was trying to justify the price on something else in the neighborhood and she was floored when she saw how much my home sold for. We talked a long time about how hard it is for them right now. Since I know every single home in the neighborhood, and what they all sold for, I was able to help her and explain how we were able to justify the sold price on our Jacaranda home.
Appraisers are not trying to be bad guys or deal killers. Sometimes they just need a little help in justifying the value. The least we can do is try to help! It is good for them…..and our sellers!
If you are interested in hearing more about values and appraisals or anything else relating to Fullerton real estate or real estate in North Orange County, please contact me.
The Open enrollment option for the Fullerton Joint Union High School District allows students the opportunity to apply for attendance at a high school in the distract other than the school that he or she would attend based on where they live.
Open enrollment applications for the up coming 2010/2011 school year can be obtained at the school of residence between January 4th and January 22nd, 2010. The completed application MUST be returned to the school of residence by NO LATER than January 22nd, 2010 at 3:00 pm.
For more information or to obtain a copy of the enrollment booklet, go to: http://www.fjuhsd.k12.ca.us/fjuhsd/site/default.asp or contact Sunny Garcia by phone: 714-870-2846 or email: sdgarcia@fjuhsd.net
Open House, Saturday December 13th from 1:00 to 4:00
This Fullerton Home is very special! This single story home near the Muckenthaler and Downtown Fullerton has so many great details; it’s your chance to own your little piece of Fullerton Real Estate!
There is so much more, stop by and see this wonderful Fullerton home for yourself! If you would like a private showing of this home before the open house, please contact me! I would be happy to give you the tour!
Cristal Drake – Prudential California Realty -dre: 01272061
Anyone that has been actively searching for a home in Fullerton (especially their first one) knows exactly what I am talking about. Inventory is still VERY low in Orange County. Fullerton Real Estate seems to be in especially high demand, see for yourself!
Fullerton Home Sales October 2009
The Fullerton homes that are in the highest demand are the ones that are less than $500,000. These homes can command dozens of offers! Trust me, I know, I had to really jump through some hoops to get an offer accepted for a buyer on a great craftsman home in Downtown Fullerton. There were 48 offers! Yes, 48! Check out the stats on Fullerton homes that are less than $500,000.
October 2009 Fullerton Home Sales under $500,000
I know you can read but this graph shows the activity for Fullerton Homes that were priced below $500,000 in October 2009:
Look at October 2008! There were three times the listings and about half the sales of October 2009!
I am guessing that most of the ones that did not go into escrow were most likely short sales that received multiple offers but the agent just never changed the status of the listing to reflect this.What does this mean? It means that buyers are having a tough time right now. If you are thinking of moving up, this is a great time! There is a lot more inventory for the move up buyers. You may now even qualify for the extended tax credit.
If you have questions about Fullerton Real Estate, the Tax Credit or anything at all, I would love the opportunity to answer your questions. It is a crazy market right now and you need to be sure to ask someone who knows!
Homeowners, If you are underwater and your mortgage payment is more than you can handle, you are not alone. Everyone knows someone that is in this situation and feeling overwhelmed by the thought of the “F” word – foreclosure. You may be wondering what you should do and there are a couple of options.
Loan Modification – You may be able to work with your existing lender to negotiate a lower rate or principal balance of your existing mortgages. The lender wants to be sure that you have the means to pay the loan back and has criteria that needs to be met.
HUD The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has launched “Keep Your Home. Know Your Loan”,. campaign to help home owners in crisis. Call the Hud Toll Free Counseling Hot-line at 877-HUD-1515 to arrange face to face meeting with a counselor near you regarding the loan modification process. I can also refer you to a local non-profit agency.
Short Sale - With this option, you can choose to list and sell your home for less than the amount than you currently owe on your mortgage. There is some red tape here and it could take some time but if you work with a Realtor(r) that understands the process, you have a good chance coming out of this less bruised then you would a foreclosure.
Foreclosure - This is the worst possible scenario. When a bank forecloses on your home, it can be devastating to your credit and family for years to come. Just some of the effects that people often don’t realize are associated with foreclosure are:
This is a tough time for so many. There is no shame in having a hardship, a loan adjustment or a major life occurrence that is keeping you from making that mortgage payment and all your other obligations. In fact, most Americans are living month to month and have less than one month’s worth of reserves. A lay off or injury, even for a short time could have devastating effects.
If you would like to hear more about your options and just want someone to talk to about it, I am here to help in anyway I can. These are the times that Realtors are here to help home owners by educating them on the tough decisions. There is no cost for this and of course, it is completely confidential.
Cristal Drake – 714-423-7525 – cristaldrake@gmail.com
Congratulations to Nicole Bell of Anaheim! She correctly guessed what was behind Door Number One, it was The Carpe Diem Experience! Her name was chosen as the winner of a $25 gift certificate. Congratulations Nicole! Now for Door Number two…
“Doors of Fullerton” Contest!We all agree; Fullerton is a great place to live! Our Downtown Area is the heart and the city is full of history, buildings with architectural detail featuring eclectic stores, restaurants, art and services. So, how well do YOU know Fullerton?
I will be featuring a series of doors and clues from the business behind the door. If you guess the correct business, you will be entered for a chance to win a prize from the business behind the door! Make sense? Now for the contest! So, what’s behind door number two? Here are your clues…
Clue 1: This is a fairly new location in the SOCO District but has been a well established business in Fullerton for over ten years
Clue 2: They shoot people for money.
Clue 3: Walk through these doors to capture some of the most important moments of your life. Wedding, School or family, once they help document your milestones, they will most likely be lifelong friends!
Clue 4: They are currently ranked number two in their category on the MyFoxLA OC Hotlist! After you guess who they are, go ahead and cast your vote for them there!
Extra hint: You can find them somewhere in my blog!
ENTER TO WIN! Send an email to: cristaldrake@gmail.com with your guess and contact info or reply in the comments section of my blog at cristaldrake.com. The comments are public so others may piggyback off you and please don’t forget your contact info! The winner will be notified by email and will receive a $25.00 gift certificate from the business behind the door.
Contest Rules: You can enter as many times as you wish, but on one affiliated with the place behind the door may enter to win. The winner will be chosen at random from all correct answers. Contest ends March 29, 2009 and answers must be submitted by then to qualify
Now Casting! Door Number Three! Do you have or know of a cool business in Fullerton that would like to be featured in “Doors of Fullerton”? Just let me know!
What's Behind Door Number Two?
Fullerton
Did You Know?….A Few Tidbits about the Fullerton Real Estate Market.
Did You Know?
In February, 2009 there was a total of 316 closed sales in Anaheim, Brea, Fullerton, Placentia and Yorba Linda?
February 2008 only had 160 closed sales in the same area?
Fullerton had 67 closed sales in February 2009 – Avg. Sales price $411,862?
Fullerton had 48 closed sales in February 2008 – Avg. Sales price $579,268?
Fullerton currently has 404 homes for sale – 156 Short Sales and 51 Bank Owned?
Fullerton had 10 Short Sale Listings close in February 2009?
Fullerton had 33 bank owned listings close in February 2009?
First time home buyers can qualify for an $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit?
Majority of info provided by the So Cal Multiple listing Service
Though prices in Fullerton are down, starter homes are selling! We are seeing muliple offers so you need to be quick, creative and tenacious to be in the running for your first home…especially if you are dealing with a bank!
On the national average, sales of existing homes declined in January. Inventories fell to a two-year low. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyers are waiting to see how details of the economic stimulus package will affect them. NAR’s Chief economist Lawrence Yun reports, “The drop in total inventory is an encouraging sign because the number of homes on the market has declined steadily since peaking in July 2008, and inventory is at the lowest level in two years.”
As you and I talk about buying or selling, it is important to understand that location has never been more pertinent to pricing. There are buyers ready to move and popular locations (like Fullerton) ar at the top of their list! If you have questions or concerns, know that I am here to serve your needs.
