Valorie Stover, SFR Realtor, for Mission Viejo, Lake Forest and Vicinity

How to sell houses and be the person that sellers or buyers want to call, BE POSITIVE have a positive attitude! This will help you in any market situation whether it is a bad economy or not. No one wants to buy a house from someone that is negative. You will have days that you have to work at being positive. Chances are you can find the best thing that is happening that day and build on it. The saying "every cloud has a silver lining" is true, it just takes an effort to find it.

One of the ways to remove yourself from negative influences is do not watch, listen or read the news. The news is there to feed your fears! The worst it is the more we pay attention to it. Think back on bad things that have happened and how you were glued to the TV and read everything you could get your hands on. The media is a business and the more we read newspapers or watch TV the more they make. Think about, and in the future pay attention, to the words they use: might be, possible, maybe, could. They feed our fears. When you do listen to the news, make sure to deal with the FACTS as they are right now, not the might, could, or maybes!

Surround yourself with positive people. It is amazing how many times in a day someone will tell you how bad the market is but you know better. Houses are selling, people are getting help and buyers are feeling lucky to be able to purchase a home so it isn't all bad.

I once years ago, took a class on how to prevent others negativity from influencing me. First thing we had to do was use only positive words and it was hard to do. You become aware of how you use words and how to change them around to say the same thing in a positive way. The second lesson was to pay attention to the words others said to you. Every time someone said a negative statement to you, you said to yourself "cancel". This practice was to make you aware of how much others feed you negative thoughts.

So for just one day try this and become aware of your how many negative words you use and how many times you have to say "cancel".

We have within an hours drive of the city, mountain snow skiing, the Pacific Ocean, Mexico and Disneyland. Wheather that is the best in the country!

1) Lake Mission Viejo looking east towards Saddleback Mountain range. 2) Valleys east of us.

3) Rental boats on Lake Mission Viejo. 4) Casta del Sol Golf course Mission Viejo

Want to see more pictures go to http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=MISSION+VIEJO&m=text

There are picture of events that the city puts on for all to enjoy!

I don't like some of the tactics I see from agents. First one is the fee for a "negotiator" that is passed on to the buyer to pay. The buyer didn't hire this specialist, the listing agent did. I would defer my client from this listing unless that was the house they really wanted. There are enough costs being added on the both the seller and buyer that we as agents don't need to add to them. Agents are using negotiators because they don't have the time to work the process that it takes to close the deal. Then pay for it yourself and up your commission to cover it.

I feel strong enough on this point that I would pay for it myself, instead of passing it on to my buyers.

Now for my pet peeve about banks passing costs on to buyers. I am seeing more listings lately that have Association back payments that the buyer is being asked to pay. Clean this up before you put it on the market and up the listing price to where it should be. A low listing price to get multiple offers and expect the buyer to pay the cost that the bank should of taken care of is a shame. The other one is that the buyers are being asked to pay off the second or third loans so the seller can walk away from THEIR loan.

I would advice my buyers to stay clear of this type of listing. The price would have to be extremely low to consider the listing.

Give me some feed back on other points of view!

HVCC - Effective May 1, 2009

Promotes the accuracy of the appraisers from undue influence, and ensuring that borrowers have sufficient notice of appraisel content by requiring that the borrowers receive a copy of their appraisel reports no less than 3 days prior to the closing of their loan absent a borrower waiver of the requirement.

HERA - Effective July 30, 2009

Amends the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), implemented through Regulation Z. Has a number of provisions including the Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act, which changes the Truth in Lending Act requirements surrounding early and final disclosure to homebuyers and addresses the timing of when fees can be charged.

These regulations were written to provide a more transparent, level and fair regulation of the real estate industry; to add additional steps to help prevent deceptive lending practices; and to protect comsumers.

Want to reintroduce you to the community of Stoneridge in Mission Viejo, CA. It sits on a high crest with views for miles around. To the west it looks over the valley, with some distance ocean views. To the east, you see the Saddleback Mountains with a lush valley and preserved wilderness parks in between. These were the last homes to be built within the city limits and the most beautiful views.

It has a 24 hr guard gated entrance, walking and hiking trails that can take you 10 miles from home. Most streets within the community are single load streets and all the slopes are maintained by the association. Houses range in size from 2,400 sqft. to over 4,000 sq. ft. and are 2 to 3 levels. The third floor is a bonus area in most though some have been made into a 6^th bedroom with bath. All have at least 2 car garages and some have 3.

One of the amenities that comes with living there is the privilege of belonging to Mission Viejo Lake Association which has swimming, fishing, boating, 2 sandy beaches, picnic area under large trees, BBQs, Club house, boat parking lot, free concerts in the summer and all within walking distance of your home.

As for the pricing of this area, it has dropped just like everything else. In 2006 almost every house sold for over $1,000,000 and some as high as $1,300,000. There are 5 now selling for below $1,000,000 and 3for over that price. Available right now is a 2,800 sq. ft. 2 story for $675,900, with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths.

Driving time to the Pacific Ocean is 40 minutes and to the mountains with snow for skiing is 1 hr.

One of the views west from Stoneridge!