The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest One Cool Thing about signs that it may be time to make the move:

The average homeowner stays in their home for 10 years. Here are some telltale signs it’s time to pack your bags and make the move.

1. It’s A Seller’s Market….And You Want In! A few signals may include: The price per square foot in your area is increasing, the amount of time properties stay on the market is decreasing, and you’ve noticed an uptick in brokerage activity in your neighborhood.
2. Your Neighbors Are Selling And Making The Big Bucks. Check with your REALTOR about listings and pay attention to the “recently sold” flyers in your mailbox to see what comparable homes in your area are going for.
3. You’re Sick Of Feeling Financially Stressed. You may have underestimated your ongoing housing costs and simply want to ease your financial burden.
4. You’ve Grown – But Your Home Hasn’t. The starter home you moved into when you were expecting your first child isn’t necessarily the house you need now that your family has grown.
5. You’re Over The Maintenance. Most homeowners shell out $2000 annually for maintenance services, such as landscaping, septic service, trash and recycling, and housecleaning. If you’re tired of these payments, you may want to consider a move to a low-maintenance condo or a home with an HOA that handles those things for you.

See how we “Capture the Irreplaceable Memories that Happen at Home” in the latest ad from Coldwell Banker Real Estate.

Watch the ad from Coldwell Banker below and share some of the favorite memories you have of your home with us on our blog!

https://youtu.be/Jf0MJ0LX90g

If you are looking for a condo or town home in the North San Diego area, continue reading to see what the latest scoop is for single family attached homes:

• The North San Diego County median-priced single-family attached (SFA) home decreased 0.59 percent, to $337,000 in January 2014 from $339,000 in December 2013.  Non-North San Diego County SFA home median price increased 1.06 percent, from $282,000 in December 2013 to $285,000 in January 2014.
• North San Diego County SFA median price increased 18.25 percent year-over, compared to $285,000 in January 2013 – the 25th month of a year-over price increases.  Non-North County SFA median year-over price increased 25.55 percent, from $227,000 in January 2013.
• San Diego County SFA home median price increased 1.67 percent, to $305,000 in January 2014 from $300,000 in December 2013.  Year-over county median price increased 24.49 percent compared to January 2013.
• The median number of days-on-market for North County SFA homes sold increased, to 36 days in January 2014 from 29 days in December 2013.  The average number of days-on-market increased to 54 in January 2014, from 49 days in December 2013.
• The number of sold SFA home units dropped 21.15 percent in January 2014 from December 2103; the number of sold SFA units in non-North County Zip Codes fell 12.98 percent in January 2014 from December 2013.
• Year-over SFA sales in North San Diego County increased 1.38 percent, compared to January 2013. Non-North County year-over sold units increased 2.75, compared to January 2013.
• SFA home listings (active and contingent) in North San Diego County increased 7.01 percent in January 2014 from December 2013, and decreased 7.22 percent yearover compared to January 2013.
• San Diego County SFA listings (active and  contingent) increased 4.54 percent in January 2014 from December 2013, and decreased 2.58 percent year-over compared to January 2013.

If you are renting and are on the fence about buying a home in 2014, continue reading!

If you are considering purchasing a home in North County San Diego, call The Lawhead Team if you want a professional and extremely knowledgeable team on your side!

Here are some benefits to owning rather than renting a home:

Forced Savings – When paying your mortgage, homeowners are putting money away into their house which they own, instead of paying for someone else’s mortgage if they were to rent.  If you sell your home and your home is worth more than when you bought it, there is a good chance you will walk away cash in your pocket from equity of the home.

Second Line Of Income – If you have a separate entrance, extra driveway space, etc, you can rent that area out.  In some areas, homeowners even rent out small patches of grass for people who want to grow vegetables.

Energy Efficiency – There are many ways you can make low cost improvements within your home to save on monthly utility bills when you buy.  You can add solar panels, install an energy efficient roof or upgrade your air conditioning unit to save overall in utility bills.

Customize Your Area – No need to get approval from your landlord to knock down a wall and make a larger master bedroom.  When owning your home, you have the freedom to do whatever you’d like to change and improve your home.

No Landlord – Sometimes when renting the landlord may be forced to evict you should he sell the home, rent to someone else or otherwise end the lease.  If you have a fixed income, in particular, homeownership is the way to go, especially if you plan to stick around for a while in that area.

Ready to buy your new home?  Contact The Lawhead Team to get started!

The Lawhead Team would like to share a recent article from Realtor.com about choosing the right neighborhood for your new home.

Any good Realtor will share the mantra, “location, location, location” when talking to you about what attributes help a home hold onto its value and potentially appreciate. However, no one neighborhood is right every buyer. Determining which community meets your needs and your budget requires research and some soul searching about your priorities.

Establish your priorities – Before a Realtor can begin to help you look for a home, you (and your spouse or partner) should develop a list of needs and wants. For some buyers, the home itself is of paramount importance: they want a particular style or size or a big yard. For others, the neighborhood is more important. If you have an unlimited budget you may be able to find the perfect home in a desirable neighborhood, but since most buyers need to meet a budget, you may have to compromise on either the house or the community.

Next, think about what amenities you’d like to have nearby or whether you’d like to live in a rural area without neighbors. If you like to swim or golf or play soccer or your kids do, facilities for those sports should be on the list of things you look for in a neighborhood. On the other hand, you could be more focused on easy access to cultural amenities or nightlife. Think about whether you’d like to live in place where residents interact often or whether you prefer to have cordial but distant relationships with your neighbors.

Schools matter – even if you don’t have kids. If you have children or are planning to have a family in the future, buying a home in a community with good schools is already likely to be a priority. Even if you don’t have children to educate, though, you should be aware that homes located in a good school district typically hold onto their value better than those in less highly regarded districts. In fact, Redfin real estate company completed a nationwide study in 2013 that shows that Americans pay $50 per square foot more for homes served by a top-ranked school than for homes served by an average-ranked school.

The Fair Housing Act prevents Realtors from providing information directly to buyers about specific schools, but they can share links to websites that rate schools and to local school systems.

Transportation issues – A major consideration for most home buyers when it comes to choosing where to live is how they’ll get to the places they go regularly. In communities near or in a city, prime locations are typically close to public transit options. Many suburban communities are being designed around a “town center” concept so that residents can walk to restaurants, shops and entertainment and sometimes even to work.

When you’re looking for a home, you should consider how convenient it is for you and for future potential buyers when you’re ready to sell.

Homes that are located close to a subway station or to popular commuter routes are often more costly than those that require a longer commute to a city center, so ask your Realtor to show you areas that may have similar attributes but are less expensive. Alternatively, if living in a particular neighborhood is your number one priority, you may need to compromise in terms of the size home you buy or its condition.

How to compare communities – It’s important to visit a prospective neighborhood at various times of day and on both weekdays and weekends to get a feel for what it would be like to live there. Look at how the homes are maintained to see if they meet your standards. Try to talk to residents about what the community is like and test out your commute at the time of day you typically go to work.

Finding the right neighborhood takes some legwork, but it’s important to choose a place to live where you want to come home every night.

Article from Realtor.com – http://www.realtor.com/advice/how-to-choose-the-right-neighborhood/

The California Association of Realtors provides their One Cool Thing which shares valuable information pertinent buying a home.

Here are the Top Questions To Ask When Buying a Home:

1. Where is the seller’s disclosure? Even if you are in love with the home, be aware of all its flaws.
2. What is the home’s zoning guidelines? This is especially important if you want to make any structural changes to the house.
3. What home inspections are available? To avoid costly problems down the line, get as many types of inspections as you can.
4. Why is this house for sale? This simple question may provide useful insight when writing your offer.
5. Has the property been tested for radon? This is another question that can be a life saver, literally.
6. Are smoke detectors properly installed and located? Make sure you account for this crucial detail.
7. Has this home ever had a mold inspection? If so, looking at the inspection may provide important details about the home’s history.
8. What is the neighborhood’s crime rate? This can be easily looked up online, but getting a local’s take may be even better.
9. What is the neighborhood noise level? It is important to learn, before you buy, if you live next door to a nightmare drummer.
10. Are there many kids or dogs in the neighborhood? This will either be a positive or a negative, depending on your home buying desires.

Click Here to view this info in your browser. Source: California Association Of Realtors.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to make your house appealing to buyers. In order to sell your home quickly and for the amount you are asking, follow these helpful tips to preparing your home to sell:

1. Enhance your home’s curb appeal. Spruce up the look of the yard by performing regular yard maintenance. Mow the yard, edge the lawn and add some colorful flowers and plants.
2. De-clutter your home so a potential buyer can picture themselves living there. We recommend removing personal items like toys, papers, magazines, makeup products, family photos and any knick-knacks.
3. Repaint if you have colorful walls. Make everything look cleaner and fresher with whites and light tans. Lighter colors also make a room look better and brighter.
4. Make sure your home‘s floors are clean. If you have carpet, you will want to get them professionally cleaned. For tile and hardwood, use a floor shiner. If your flooring shows a lot of wear and tear, you might want to consider new flooring for your home in order to make it more appealing to buyers.
5. Turn on every light in the home to brighten it up. Open your blinds or curtains to let light in. If you are showing the home at night, make sure to turn on all lights outside so the home is easy to find and the paths are well lit.

The Lawhead Team came across a great article from Credit.com and we would like to share this with you. If you have been waiting to buy a home, now is the time. Call us to start your search!

What Will Waiting to Buy a Home Cost You?

By Shelby Breme – Credit.com – Sun, Jul 7, 2013 8:00 AM EDT

At the end of June, mortgage rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage jumped to 4.5 percent, up from 3.9 percent on June 1 — and a notable jump from the historically low 3.35 percent monthly average rate toward the end of 2012. However, while higher rates do mean an increase in monthly mortgage payments, experts are urging potential home buyers not to resign themselves to renting for the next few years just yet — it’s still a good time to buy a home.

These moderate increases in payments may still be manageable, particularly if buyers look at less expensive properties, or negotiate a lower price.

For example, the difference in monthly payments for a $200,000 home at 3.9 percent and one at 4.5 percent is just $70.03. If budgeted correctly, this could be a manageable expense.

Rick Allen, chief operating officer of Mortgage Marvel, is one expert who says now is still the time to buy a house. His platform records online mortgage loan applications, about a million transactions a year, which serves as a barometer for how well the housing market is doing. He says that refinances are down, as to be expected with a rate increase, but that “shouldn’t scare people off.”

“Relatively speaking, rates are still at or near historic lows,” says Allen. “A 4.5 percent mortgage is still an incredibly attractive rate at which to finance a home. From a real estate perspective, we’re not far off from recent lows, and we’re heading to improve real estate values. The combination of those two factors make this still a good time to buy.”

As the unemployment rate continues to decline, Allen says we’ll see more potential homeowners enter the market as well. Though Allen says “theoretically, rates could go through the roof or back down to the floor” but he personally believes we’ll see rates around 5 percent through the end of the year.

This is the early stage of the recovery of the housing market, and the rising interest rates encourage potential home buyers to be more decisive, and act quickly. As more homes are bought, supply decreases, so prices may rise even further. So if you’ve been thinking about buying a home, don’t lose your confidence, but it may be prudent to act quickly as rates continue to rise.

Article from Credit.com: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/waiting-buy-home-cost-120050545.html

The Lawhead Team would like to share some helpful tips for homeowners to make their home worth more. Keep these in mind if you are selling your home.

1. Improve the entrance of your home. Whether you landscape the outside yourself or hire someone to do it for you, good landscaping will give you the highest return on your money and will transform the exterior look and feel of your home.
2. Brighten up your front door. This is the centerpiece of your home’s curb appeal. Paint it in a striking and tasteful color or you can sand it down and stain it for an antique weathered look. Finish the look with updated lights, potted plants and new door hardware.
3. Make your front walkway pop. Install pavers or accentuate the look by lining it with lights and/or flowering plants.
4. Clear, clean and update your foyer. This is the first impression people will get when they walk into your home. Remove bulky furniture, paint it with a neutral color and upgrade the lighting.
5. Use rich colors to spice up rooms, avoiding the white or beige look. Adding color to furniture with throw pillows or painting the walls in a rich color will help to showcase your home.
6. Avoid a major kitchen or bathroom overhaul if you are ready to sell. Instead you can install new mirrors, faucets, nozzles and cabinet doors. You will be surprised how much of a difference simple changes like that will make.
7. Repaint your kitchen cabinets to refresh your kitchen’s look. You’ll be surprised at how a coat of paint will transform your kitchen or bathroom’s entire look.
8. If your home is in need, new flooring can provide a huge boost in a home’s value without having to spend that much on it. Replace stained carpet with tasteful tile or wood laminate.
9. Create an inviting backyard which encourages entertainment. Make sure your backyard looks like it is ready to entertain family and friends so your potential buyers can picture themselves there.

The Lawhead Team would like to share a recent article from CBS News for home buying in 2013 by Jill Schlesinger.

(MoneyWatch) Although housing prices started to rebound last year and are expected to continue rising in 2013, it’s still a buyer’s market. Prices remain 30 percent below their peak before the housing crash and mortgage rates hovering at all-time lows. If you are ready to jump in to the real estate market, here are 13 home-hunting tips for 2013.

1. Run the numbers. Put together a financial plan to determine whether you can really afford to buy. After all, just because it’s a good time to purchase a home doesn’t mean it’s a good time for YOU to buy. It’s important to understand how much home you can afford and whether home ownership might preclude you from addressing other important financial issues in your life.

2. Save 20 percent for a down payment. I’m not a huge fan of putting down less than that amount (although the Federal Housing Administration allows it). Keep your down payment fund in cash or cash equivalent accounts, so that market movements don’t thwart your plans.

3. Use this great “rent vs. buy” calculator from the New York Times. Renting might still be the better deal in your area.

4. Be an informed buyer. You’re not going to buy a house simply because there’s a pretty photo posted online, but you can conduct a lot of price research. That said, there’s nothing better than talking to people in the neighborhood for “on the ground” intelligence.

5. Obtain a copy of your credit report. If you haven’t done so in a while, go to AnnualCreditReport.com and request your free copy. It’s important that you correct any errors on the report before you start the mortgage process.

6. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Pre-approval is a good gut check on your price range for a home. Gone are the days that banks will fork over cash to anyone with a heartbeat. The best way to start is to ask friends for referrals from mortgage brokers and to shop around with banks and credit unions. Make sure to compare apples to apples and to ask the broker about your total costs to you at closing. You should also know that once you actually find a home, the mortgage process is on the same pain level as a root canal, only it requires more patience and there’s no Novocain. You’ll need to dig up tons of paperwork and fair warning — there will be multiple requests for even more documents as you move toward closing. Eventually, you will need “commitment letter,” which details the terms of your loan approval.

7. Find an agent. As much as everyone complains about realtors, I still think that it’s tough to go through the home buying process alone. In some markets, buyers’ brokers are available, but the most important qualities in brokers are honesty, experience, good connections with other agents, and good referrals from buyers like you. Remember that most agents represent the seller, not the buyer.

8. Hire a real estate attorney. This is a major transaction in your life, so don’t try to save money when it comes to legal fees. Even if your mortgage company provides a lawyer, hire your own to help draft all documents and to ensure that your interests are being represented at every step of the process.

9. Get an appraisal. An appraisal will determine the market value of the property and ultimately will be used by your lender to determine the amount of your loan. You have a legal right to get a copy of this and will want a copy for your records.

10. Schedule a home inspection. Think you’ve found your dream home? Maybe, but unless you have an engineer walk through the premises with you, you might be buying a new roof in a couple of years. Don’t get freaked out if a problem arises during the inspection; it can often be addressed with a simple adjustment in price. It’s imperative to protect yourself, so don’t blow off this important step.

11. Start with a fair offer. The offer should be based on similar houses sold in the neighborhood in the past six months. Your agent will help you with the process, but the offer should include the price you’re willing to pay for the house, your financing terms and contingencies such as specifying what will happen if any problems come up during the inspection.

12. Purchase homeowners insurance. If you are a life-long renter, this can be an eye-opener in terms of cost. Make sure that you understand the difference between insuring the structure and insuring the contents. And if you are buying property that is close to water, make sure that you have an agent who can help you enroll in the national flood insurance program.

13. Review your HUD statement BEFORE closing. The government document provides basic details about the involved parties and a lot of numbers. Mistakes do occur, which is why it is vital that you review the statement and confirm that everything is correct.

 This article on purchasing a home in 2013 is from CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_162-57564301/13-home-buying-tips-for-2013/