In attending numerous real estate classes, I've had an opportunity to hear other Realtors® share what drew them to Real Estate as a career. The majority of them have one thing in common...they love to help people. Theologians call this having the gift of helps. For me it was just one of the reasons I chose real estate as a career, but in reflection, I can certainly see it's one of the biggest reasons for staying in this business.
Today, I had an opportunity to speak with a lovely lady who has a coop in Laguna Woods Village (formerly Leisure World) in Laguna Woods, California. She had found my name and credentials in the National Aging in Place Council's Seniors' Resource Guide. She called to say that she needed to sell her place in Laguna Woods and she doubts she'll ever move back as she has created a new life in the valley of Los Angeles. After getting married, she moved into her husband's home and her place has pretty much gone unused for the past couple of years.
What caught her eye about my services is that I offer a Real Estate Concierge Service. What does that mean? Well, for this lady who has accumulated many things that need to be given away, sold, discarded or passed on to family, finding someone who can choreograph it for her is a huge relief. She is currently living about 60 miles away and is close to giving up her driver's license.
We will be meeting to discuss the preparation for getting her coop on the market. When I meet with people who are in similar situations, it is so wonderful to see the relief in their faces when I'm able to give them direction and resources. Typically, when I work with a family or an individual who needs to clear out their homes, it takes anywhere from one to three months to get the home ready for sale. It is vey time-consuming, but the reward for me is that I know I've been able to help people move on to a different lifestyle. Once the all the belongings have been removed, we can begin cleaning and making any necessary repairs. The proceeds from an estate sale generally cover these costs. Then, I bring in some plants and decorator items to "warm" up the place and we put it on the market for prospective buyers to see. This way they're seeing the home at it's best advantage and have a better chance of visualizing themselves living there.
Assisting people and their families with lifestyle transitions is one of the parts of my real estate practice that I enjoy most. As a senior myself, I understand that as we age, we are no longer able to function physically the way we once did. And, we need to rely on others to provide the resources for things that in our younger years would have been a snap.
If you, or someone you know needs assistance in getting their home, condo or coop ready for sale, please let them know that there is an easy way to handle it. Just one phone call, and together we can begin to formulate a plan that will facilitate a gentle lifestyle transition.
Marlene Bridges, REALTOR®
800 777-1775 - Toll Free ~ or ~ Text Me 714 745-2592
Orange County Real Estate Website
Orange County Seniors Lifestyles Blog
SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
CRS-Certified Residential Specialist®
President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce 2007-2009
President Elect - Southern California Chapter Certified Residential Specialists® 2008 - 2009
Marlene is a highly experienced and respected South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo.
This is by far one of the most interesting times we've ever experienced in Orange County California real estate. It's like the wild, wild west! Lenders are inundated with short sales and foreclosures to process. Each lender has their own system or quasi-system for handling the deluge of paperwork.
When you make an offer on one of these short sale properties you actually have to get acceptance from two parties:
Step 2 above is where it gets tricky. The Lenders employ people called Loss Mitigators or Short Sale Negotiators who are trying to get the highest possible amount of money they can for their employers. It can take some time for them to even review your offer. It can take lots of time for them to review your offer. This is where you need to be patient. Your real estate agent should be in communication with the listing real estate agent. The listing agent is responsible for checking with the Lender and updating your agent and complying with any requests from the Lender.
If you find a property that is listed as a short sale and it you find out that it already has an offer on it, don't be afraid to submit a back-up offer. Many times, the offer that is in first position will drop out because they had offers on other properties and they may decide to go with first property that got bank approval for the short sale. I spoke with a local REALTOR® this morning who told me that one of his buyers just heard this week that his back-up offer that he submitted on February 10th was accepted---today is March 30th!
So hang in there, the bargains are out there. You need to be patient and you need to have a competent REALTOR® to guide you. You need an agent who works full time not part-time and is focusing all their efforts in real estate. This complex market is simply too time-consuming and filled with new twists and turns every day for anyone to be able to service their clients on a part-time basis.
If you are thinking you are ready to begin your home search and need a professional REALTOR® to guide you in searching for homes and making offers that will get accepted, I'm here to help. It's my pleasure to provide my clients with information to assist them in making informed decisions when contemplating buying and selling homes in Orange County, California. If you have questions and would like some honest answers or need more resources, please give me a call, text me or email me.
Marlene Bridges, REALTOR®
800 777-1775 - Toll Free ~ or ~ Text Me 714 745-2592
Orange County Real Estate Website
Orange County Seniors Lifestyles Blog
SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
CRS-Certified Residential Specialist®
President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce 2007-2009
President Elect - Southern California Chapter Certified Residential Specialists® 2008 - 2009
Marlene is a highly experienced and respected South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo.
Chances are that if you've owned your Orange County, California home for ten to fifteen years or more and have never refinanced it, you have accumulated a considerable amount of equity. Equity is the difference between what you could sell your home for less the amount you owe in mortgage(s). I've had clients tell me that they really like to make a move, but just don't want to pay the taxes on the sale or have to pay higher property taxes when they move.
What's the answer? Well there's good news on both accounts. If you qualify, California Propositions 60 and 90 make allowances for senior (55 and over) who want or need to sell their homes and move into another one. You can actually keep your current tax basis if you qualify...Read all about it in my previous post.
For individuals and married couples who file joint tax returns The Taxpayer's Relief Act of 1997 offers up to a $250,000 exclusion for individuals and up to $500,000 for married couples who file jointly. One of the things that will help to offset gains over these amounts is keeping accurate records of all capital improvements that will increase your basis. Take a look at IRS Publication 523 Determining Basis. The IRS defines improvements as "things that add to the value of your home, prolong its useful life, or adapt it to new uses".
Some of the improvement expenditures you'll want to keep accurate records and receipts for are:
Plan to keep all the records associated with expenditures you make on your home. You'll need this information for your tax preparer for the year you sell your home; the cost basis of your home from your original purchase, the closing statement (also know as the HUD-1 - Your REALTOR® will be happy to furnish you a copy of this), and the records for all your improvement expenditures during the time you've used the property as your principle residence.
The foregoing information is provided to encourage you to begin keeping proper documentation for when you sell your principle residence and is not to be considered as legal or tax advice. Please consult your tax professional and www.IRS.gov for more detailed information.
It's my pleasure to provide my clients with information to assist them in making informed decisions when contemplating buying and selling homes in Orange County, California. If you have questions and would like some honest answers or need more resources, please give me a call, text me or email me.
Marlene Bridges, REALTOR®
800 777-1775 - Toll Free ~ or ~ Text Me 714 745-2592
Orange County Real Estate Website
Orange County Seniors Lifestyles Blog
SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
CRS-Certified Residential Specialist®
President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce 2007-2009
President Elect - Southern California Chapter Certified Residential Specialists® 2008 - 2009
Marlene is a highly experienced and respected South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo.
You can sure learn some great things when you take a walk through your own neighborhood. Recently, while out walking, I saw a neighbor making an interesting improvement. He was painting his garage floor. Not with just any paint. He was using a kit especially made for garage floors. Beautiful garages have become a "must-have" in higher end homes here in South Orange County, California. Since our homes typically don't have basements or attics, our garages become a primary place to store everything from toys to kitchen overflow. Until now, I always thought that garages with those organized garages with gleaming floors had to cost a bundle.
I couldn't help asking this neighbor my usual million questions about what he was doing, how much it cost in time and money and how difficult this job was. Fortunately, he ccheerfully shared his wisdom with me. He explained that he'd picked up a couple of kits at the hardware store for about $70 each. He told me it was actually easier than painting a room in your house. The kit came complete with a degreaser. He used a putty knife/scraper for the paint spots, then the degreaser in the kit and hosed it down and waited for the surface to dry before beginning to apply the coating.
When I saw him, he'd been busy at his project for a few hours and had already completed about 75% of his two car garage. The process was "paint" a bit, then sprinkle with the little jar of flakes included in the kit - he said the trick was to hold the sprinkles up high to let them "float" down onto the damp surface until you got the pattern and coverage that looks good to you. Then, he picked up his roller again and "painted" an area, then started sprinkling again! He said it was really a very easy job.
Wow! What a beautiful difference a few hours and about $150 can make. An upscale garage floor for a budget price!
A few tips:
Garage floor coating - About $70 for a single car garage (includes degreaser) available at your favorite hardware storeThe directions and a video will come with your garage floor resurfacing kit, but it might be nice for you to see how really easy this project is in advance. DIYNetwork.com has an interesting video and step-by-step directions.
So often, I see folks make improvements to spruce up their homes just before they put it on the market. Then, they wonder why they didn't make the improvement sooner so they could enjoy it themselves. This is a low budget improvement that you can enjoy for many years while you live in your home. And, it may not be the one thing causes your home to sell, but it will show pride of ownership and attention to detail that makes your home stand out to a prospective buyer.
If you are thinking this might be the right time to sell your Orange County home or condo or just need to talk with someone who can give you some straight answers ~ I'd be pleased to give you information without obligation. If you are not looking for information on the Orange County, California home market, I am able to assist you by introducing you to someone in your area who will provide excellent service through my national and international affiliation with Certified Residential Specialists®.
Marlene Bridges, REALTOR®
800 777-1775
Orange County Real Estate Website
Orange County Seniors Lifestyles Blog
SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
CRS-Certified Residential Specialist®
President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce 2007-2009
President Elect Southern California Chapter of Certified Residential Specialists® 2008-2009
Marlene is a highly experienced and respected South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo.
One of the best ways to communicate the concept of affordability is with a real-life example. About a year and a half ago, I began working with a couple who had just celebrated their first anniversary. He had a steady job as a firefighter. She had worked in her own business for about 7 years. They had saved some money and decided it was time to move from their one bedroom apartment.
They got pre-approved by a lender. Their lender recommended they call me to help them begin their home search. When we first began looking in their price range, we looked at lots of two bedroom condos some had garages, some had parking spaces. Some were in beautiful condition and many needed a lot of work. About the middle of last year, the properties that began to pop up on the radar in their price range were single family homes that were either short sales or bank owned. Some needed work, some were in surprisingly good condition.
Finally, after about a little over a year of searching, and looking at over a 100 houses and condos, we found the one. They are now the proud owners of a four bedroom, two bath, single story home with a large lot (fenced for the dog they hope to adopt), a two car garage and a spa.
That is what Affordability is all about. Simply put, the prices have come down to the point that homebuyers can get more home for the money now than they could a year or two ago. Buyers who were simply not even able to think about home ownership a couple of years ago, may find they can actually afford to purchase a condo. Buyers who have been able to save some money and have been thinking about buying a condo are now pleasantly surprised to find that their dollars will now buy them a home.
So why not wait another year and take advantage of even lower prices? Great question...And, if you know of someone with an accurately operating crystal ball, you can time the market and buy just before it begins to go back up again. In the meantime, we are seeing some signs that indicate the downward trend may be ending. We are beginning to see fewer new listings each month while the sales are increasing each month. It's a case of Economics 101 - simple supply and demand.
If you are considering if this is the right time to buy...96% of economists are forecasting that the economy will make a turn around in Fall of 2010. Home prices rise and fall. It's a well documented cycle. You may want to begin looking at homes now and purchase even while prices are continuing to fall slightly, so you will be positioned to enjoy the rise as prices begin to go up in the upward cycle.
It has been said that no one knows or can accurately predict the precise moment when the market actually hits the bottom. No one rings a bell. We won't actually know when it happens until after it happens. So, the question is what kind of shopper are you? Do you enjoy getting a bargain and buying things when they are plentiful and on sale or do you prefer to pay full retail price? In buying a home or condo would you rather buy that property now while it's on sale or would you rather wait till the market turns around and pay full market price?
If you are thinking this might be the right time to buy or just need to talk with someone who can give you some straight answers without obligation ~ I'd be pleased to give you information without obligation. If you are not looking for information on the Orange County, California home market, I am able to assist you by introducing you to someone in your area who will provide excellent service through my national and international affiliation with Certified Residential Specialists®.
Marlene Bridges, REALTOR®
800 777-1775
Orange County Real Estate Website
Orange County Seniors Lifestyles Blog
SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
CRS-Certified Residential Specialist®
President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce 2007-2009
Marlene is a highly experienced and respected South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo.
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Providing superior Real Estate service in the South Orange County California cities of Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Laguna Niguel.
The Real Estate Market is Constantly Changing...Buying a home or condo in South Orange County (Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods-formerly Leisure World, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ladera Ranch and Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, San Clemente) requires more than it did just a few years ago. It requires a REALTOR® who is experienced in identifying market values and trends, strong negotiation skills and a knowledge of the area. In an effort to keep in pace with the changing markets and provide superior service to her clients, Marlene has acquired a number of special designations including:
CRS® - Certified Residential Specialist is acquired by only about 5% of all agents. Yet CRS's account for over 80% of all transactions in the U.S. The training not only offers cutting edge information, it also provides a National Referral Network. So, when Marlene's clients need to make a move to another area, she is able to refer her clients to the best of the best throughout the U.S. and Canada.
SRES® - Seniors Real Estate Specialist which affords her special knowledge in working with seniors and their families. Seniors have very specific and specialized needs with regard to real estate. Marlene has prepared to identify those needs and to care for the senior client's and their families during times of lifestyle transitions.
ePro® - Demonstrating computer knowledge and internet marketing excellence.
Marlene also serves in her community as the President of the Laguna Hills and Laguna Woods Chambers of Commerce and the South Orange County Regional Chambers of Commerce. Marlene is also actively involved with the Pacific West Board of REALTORS and currently serves on the Professional Standards Committee and formerly served Grievance Committee Chair in 2007 and on the Charity Foundation Board. On a broader level, Marlene is currently serving as President Elect for 2008 for the Southern California Chapter of Certified Residential Specialists She monitors and attends 4-5 CRS education classes each year. This gives her an opportunity not only to serve others, but also increases her knowledge of cutting edge technology and information that assists her in better serving her clients.
Cruising the net to find Orange County Real Estate, can be overwhelming. The process of buying or selling a home has become very complex with the ever-changing market as well as the many laws that govern the business of real estate. Marlene's goal is to guide you through the maze, keeping you informed every step along the way. Your home buying or home selling experience should be hassle-free. There are many tasks that are performed behind the scenes including detailed paperwork and negotiating. Marlene's strong negotiation skills and attention to detail have garnered the respect and gratitude of her clients. With over 81% of all her business being referred or repeat clients, it is very important to keep all her clients satisfied---satisfied beyond their expectations.
Many agents have also appreciated that it is Marlene's practice to work together to accomplish mutual goals for clients. Marlene has been referred by numerous agents to represent their families in selling and purchasing homes particularly working with senior in Laguna Hills and Laguna Woods a senior retirement community in South Orange County.
If you or someone you know is planning a move outside the area, Marlene is prepared to assist you as a member of a national network of top real estate professionals. Marlene will ascertain your needs, then interview top agents to assure that you receive the same level of excellent service from the agent on the other side of the move as you have come to expect from your work with Marlene.
Who do you know that you need to introduce to Marlene today?
She specializes in real estate in South Orange County California cities of Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods (a 55 and over senior community), Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Talega, Las Flores and Rancho Santa Margarita. Her business is assisting people with lifestyle transitions. Whether it's working with first-time buyers, people who need to move into a larger home, or people who find a need to scale down.
Marlene offers a unique concierge service to families who have experienced the loss of a loved one or have a parent who is no longer able to live alone. Marlene assists in getting family heirlooms packed, helping to hire estate sellers if necessary, orchestrating repairs, painting, recarpeting, etc. to get the home ready for prospective buyers. This service is provided without charge as part of her service in helping families to sell their homes. This seniors real estate service has been of particular assistance in the nearby senior community of Laguna Woods. Laguna Woods real estate and home sales in Laguna Woods requires specialized services. If you are looking for someone who has a track record in helping seniors and their families with senior real estate needs, Marlene is the person to call.
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Do you have any good testimonials that clients have provided you in the past? Be sure to add them here.
"We didn't think we were ready to buy a home. Thanks for all your help in getting us into our first home. We couldn't have done it without you!" E.K. & N. I. - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
"Thanks for all the great info at your class. And, thank you for helping us get the perfect home for our family."
"You went far beyond the call of duty in helping to get my home sold. Thanks you for referring and overseeing the work that needed to be done to get my home ready to sell. You're a miracle worker." M.B. - Laguna Hills, CA
"After Mom died, it was really hard to get down to selling her home. Thank you for your help in sorting out and packing all the family memories. The estate sellers you referred us to did a great job. We were able to use that money for the painting, carpet and handyman services you arranged for. It was such a blessing to know that we didn't need to come fly to California from our homes in Colorado to get all this accomplished. We knew we could count on you. When the house was ready to put on the market, you also did a great job explaining the offers we received and helped us to get the best price possible for Mom's home in Laguna Woods." M.S. & D.S. - Colorado
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