About Kern County, CA

To date there are presently 141 site built homes on the market, and 158 homes that have sold in the past six months. Statistic-wise, this calculates into a solid seller’s market with an overall ratio of 5.35 months of inventory of homes. The absorption of homes sold below $300K shifted from 4.80 months in December 2011 to 5.12 months in January 2012. Rewind back twelve months and Ridgecrest found many buyers sitting on the fence in a wait-and-see mode, hoping for better days. It was a solid buyers market back then.

The national news of a recovering economy, record low interest rates, and warm winter weather has seemed to thaw the freeze. Local buyer activity began to pick up just after Thanksgiving. The new wave of buyers since late November, as well as homes leaving the market at the end of the year through expired listings, has resulted in a reduced “for sale” inventory. Thus, the market activity pendulum has to swing into a seller’s market.

However, this does not instantly translate into “seller-receive-all” transactions. Buyers for the most part are still requesting closing costs be paid by the seller. For FHA or VA loans this usually amounts to about 4.2% of the purchase price. Sellers are typically going along with this request providing their full asking price is received. At present, the past 90 day average price mark- down stands at 4.23%. Only 25% of sold homes in January received their full asking price or more.

Also, in a seller’s market there are fewer available homes to choose from. A buyer may receive a very favorable pre-approval letter from a great lender. Yet, when it comes to finding that dream home, some buyers will experience mixed emotions. They may go from an elated search mode to days of disappointment when just the right home cannot be found. Waiting for just the right home to appear on the market can be a test of patience. If a buyer has the will power to wait, a very suitable home at a very reasonable price eventually will appear on the market.

Despite it being a seller’s market, some sellers are actually experiencing a painful awakening when they find themselves upside-down in the value of their homes. Unfortunately, if there is a need to sell, it will not result in favorable terms for the seller. Sellers must keep in mind that values in some local areas have dropped 35% from 2005. If a home was purchased from 2005 to 2008, the seller may have to consider a short sale in order to eventually sell their home.

For more info about the housing market in Ridgecrest, California give me a call, Clint Freeman at (760) 382-1082, and let's continue the conversation. Go to this link to search all homes for sale in Ridgecrest, California!

Homes on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) of Ridgecrest, California are very easy to find and navigate. The MLS will display all homes on the market with all real estate offices, and all realtors, who are MLS members of the Ridgecrest Area Association of Realtors (RAAR).

Click for RAAR MLS: http://ridgecrestcahomes.com/Search_20_for_20_Homes2.html

1. At Property Types select ‘Residential’, ‘Land & Acreage’, or ‘Commercial’.
2. Then select the desired Property Subtypes you wish to view.
3. Select a price range, and any other areas listed in order to narrow down your focus.
4. Click ‘Submit’ in the middle-right of the page.
5. Properties that are presently for sale will state 'Active' or 'Active-Contingent' in blue. Properties that already have a purchase offer placed on them will state ‘Pending’ or ‘Pending w/Backups’ in green.
6. At least three areas of search criteria must be filled in. Otherwise, you will receive an “Error Message Display”.

The local MLS will not display sold properties. In order to view sold properties click this link. In a few instances some local properties may not appear in the RAAR MLS. In these cases the seller has not given the listing agent the authority to place the property in the MLS, or the property may be listed with an out-of-town agent that is not a member of RAAR.

Call me, Clint Freeman at (760) 382-1082, and let’s talk further about homes for sale in Ridgecrest, California!

Affordable Housing in Twin Oaks, California

Six months ago I wrote a post about Affordable Fixer Uppers in a remote area of Kern County, California. Today I received a comment from an ActiveRain Member because of this photo:

It's a Miracle!

The miracle is that Sally Lawrence found this photo, since it didn't have a Title or a Description. It does now, but Sally's comment led me back to my original post and I recognized several other corrections that needed to be made.

It also served as an important reminder of how much stuff is floating around that was generated by the hundreds of posts that I've written on ActiveRain. Which is why I'm reviewing my older posts and pumping them up with better content and SEO. Knowing that ActiveRain is providing Google Juice doesn't mean that we shouldn't maximize the potential of every post and photo.

In terms of Social Networking, Sally's comment made on my post, prompted by our mutual membership with ActiveRain, may have led me to an important business connection. I've added Sally as an Associate and will personally consider her, if I decide to sell My 21 Acre Horseless Ranch in Kern County, CA. Notice how she has already tempted me with her semi-civilized community of Tehachapi. I like her style and have already checked her out on ActiveRain.

I Teach by Example and Share what I Learn.

Buyers are back and a wave of home seeking and purchasing activity has returned to Ridgecrest this winter. With interest rates at historic lows there are some very nice homes appearing on the market at very attractive prices. Snatching a great deal is now the goal of many buyers. However, some end up a bit confused after viewing what is available in their particular price range. They expect “the deal” to be out there in their very first round of viewings, but when it’s not disappointment and frustration can set in.

Some of the disappointment lies in the inability to objectively understand what type of home would be most suitable. For instance, is it really a single family home that I am looking for? Or will a condo with less yard work be more fitting? How many bedrooms do we actually need? Where does our particular family lifestyle have us spend the majority of our time? Gathered around a TV? Studying at a desk in a den? Privately conversing in a cozy family room? Relaxing out back on the open patio? Understanding how you spend time at home and which part of the house is going to receive a particular use is a very important first step in selecting the right home.

Also, buyers can sometimes get caught up in the emotional rush, or may even experience mild disgust, while viewing and honing in on a suitable home. They walk into a house and instantly comment on the bright orange wall, but fail to see the flow of the home. The window coverings may be outdated, but the home may be located in a terrific neighborhood. Remember, the layout and location will likely never change. However, individual interior decorating touches to a home can be greatly altered. Don’t underestimate the ability to create your own personal wow factor with a so-so home.

Finally, if one is having difficulty ranking the homes based on their amenities try this simple rating system. Decided what five items you just cannot live without in a home. Give those items five points each. With the other items you like assign just one point. When you go to view homes note which homes have the “I-just-cannot-live-without-it” feature. Note also other likeable items. Now add up the points to see which home receives the highest ranking. This simple method should allow you to select a home a bit more objectively.

Purchasing a home is a highly emotional experience. However, basing a home purchase entirely on emotions can often result in regrets six months down the road. Visualize yourself living in the home. Will this home truly fill my needs, not instantly, but for many years to come?

Need assistance with finding just the right home? Give me a call, Clint Freeman, at (760) 382-1082 and let's talk further about finding a home for you in Ridgecrest, or anywhere in California.

Dear Homeowner,

If you are behind on your house payment and upside down, the Short Sale Program that is offered by most banks and mortgage companies may help free you from an unsustainable mortgage.The Short Sale option allows you to list and sell your home for its current market value, and the bank forgives the unpaid balance of your mortgage. This allows you to walk away from your mortgage with minimal damage to your credit, and often saves the bank tens of thousands of dollars in foreclosure and property maintenance costs. It truly creates a win/win situation.Please feel free to visit my interactive web site at www.bakersfieldforeclosurehelp.com to learn more about the programs and options that are available to distressed homeowners. The site also includes a simple evaluation that will help you know how to proceed based on your particular situation. If you’re already more than 30 days late on your house payment, I recommend that you call me directly and set up a consultation as soon as possible so that we can look at your situation and decide your best course of action.

All services to homeowners are Free of Charge

*licensed real estate agent

CA License# 01736656

Miguel Garcia

888-673-0666 ext 1

www.bakersfieldforeclosurehelp.com