Tips for Holiday Decorating on a Dime

The holidays are approaching. Today, we thought we'd do something a little different and share this festive video on holiday decorating tips from HGTV. Designer Angelo Surmelis shares several great ideas to spread holiday cheer throughout the home. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Pay attention to the mantle. If you don't have some already, buy some kind of garland to drape over the mantle. Next, use leftover ornaments and candles to add light and texture. When choosing ornaments and candles, ensure they are in the same color-palette. This helps make your mantle a great focal point!
2. Use smaller Christmas trees. Every house has their main Christmas tree. In addition, you can also purchase smaller, inexpensive, eco-friendly trees to place throughout the home. Decorate these trees with strips of fabric from a T-shirt in holiday colors to save money for the main tree.
3. Use what you have. Be resourceful. Adding a plate charge and place mat to your everyday dining set adds some jazz to your table. Fresh-cut flowers and candles will help finish the look. You don't need grand, expensive candles -- a little candlelight goes a long way!

As you can see, it doesn't take much to make your home feel more festive. If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

Happy Thanksgiving From Max Folkers Real Estate

The San Diego real estate market is diverse with both buyers and sellers alike seeking a variety of different properties. As a prospective seller, you can find out the market value of your property with a free home value report right here, or if you're looking to purchase in the San Diego area click here for full MLS access. Always feel free to reach out to us for any questions regarding the current market conditions, or the value of your property at 619.977.8364.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Max Folkers Real Estate team! We have a lot to be thankful this year, and we’d like to share with you those things today.

Max I am particularly grateful for my family this year. In particular, I'd like to wish my grandma a happy 95th birthday! I'm also extremely thankful for our new office in the heart of Bay Park in San Diego.

Maddie, the Max Folkers Team Leader, is thankful for her wild two-year-old and fat wiener dog.

Hannah is thankful for good friends and her family.

Luth, our Virtual Assistant, is thankful for Max and the team this year for the opportunity to work with them. With this job, I'm able to provide for my family's needs. Thank you from my entire family!

Natalie, or buyer’s agent, is thankful for her family’s support and the opportunity to live in sunny San Diego.

Lastly, we’d like to thank our friends and clients for helping us make 2015 a successful year. We couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you for your business and referrals. Happy Thanksgiving!

If you have any questions about real estate, be sure to give us a call or email this holiday season.

How Will TRID Affect Buyers and Sellers in the San Diego?

Looking to sell your San Diego home? Get a free home value report 
Looking to buy a San Diego home? Click here for full MLS access. 

The CFPB implemented TRID, or the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure, on October 3rd. TRID extends the period of time the buyer has to read the closing documents during a real estate transaction.

Agents will be required to write out a contract for at least 45 days. In total, there is a six-day period for the transaction to be completed. The seller has two days to send the documents over to the buyer, the buyer has three days to review, and then the last day is reserved for closing.

Your closing disclosure will change. The HUD settlement statement will still be present, but it will look different than before. The breakdown is going to be more finite, so it may cause some confusion when these changes are first implemented. We recommend that agents call the title company if you have any questions, rather than trying to answer them yourself.

The biggest thing that the buyer needs to be aware of is that transactions will take longer to close. They will be given more information that they need to look at before they can close the transaction, so it will take a little longer. The good news is the extended time frame gives you more time to ask questions and understand exactly what is going on.

If you have any questions about this major development, please don't hesitate to contact us. If you need to get out of your home quickly, some of our lenders do have loan programs available that aren't subject to TRID regulations.

We look forward to speaking with you!

Why Aren’t Millennials Buying Homes More Frequently?

Looking to sell your San Diego home? Get a free home value report 
Looking to buy a San Diego home? Click here for full MLS access. 

One thing we know for certain about the real estate market is that it is never going to stay the same for long. Today we want to talk about an interesting trend we’ve noticed in real estate: millennials are waiting longer to purchase their first homes than their parents did.

The typical first-time buyer now rents for an average of 6 years before buying a home, which is up from 2.6 years in the early 1970’s, according to Zillow.

We came across this great video from CNBC. I will give you my three biggest takeaways from the article.

1. Down payments are a huge factor

Renters in today’s market are struggling to save for down payments and qualify for mortgages. Most first-time buyers still depend on personal savings for at least some of their down payments, but rising rental prices have complicated the task of socking away money for a down payment.

2. Rising rental rates are complicating things as well

Rental rates are causing 46% of renters aged 25-34, to spend more than 40% of their incomes on rent, up from 30% a decade earlier.

3. Job security is important to millennial buyers

The Money Source, a mortgage lender, examined applications from 5,404 millennial buyers and found that these buyers averaged nearly 4.5 years in their field of work and had held their current job for slightly more than three years. Those figures point to how critical career stability is to a younger generation.

What You Need to Know About Home Inspections

Looking to sell your San Diego home? Get a free home value report 
Looking to buy a San Diego home? Click here for full MLS access. 

Today, I'm going to talk to you about one of the most important parts of the real estate transaction: the home inspection.

In California, you have 17 days to complete all your buyer investigations unless you negotiate otherwise. In those first few days, we hire a home inspector. Home inspectors aren't licensed in California, but there are some certification agencies, and we have some great referral partners for you as well.

A home inspector is a generalist. They will crawl over every inch of the house and check the roof, the plumbing, the basement, and everything else. The home inspector looks for any indication that bigger problems might arise in the future. That way, you can prevent those problems, and you know whether you need to hire a specialist, like a plumber or electrician.

We recommend attending the home inspection for at least the last half hour in order to walk through the home with the inspector. Then, he can point out everything he's found, which can help you better understand the home inspector's report.

As a buyer, you have the right to request repairs from the sellers. The seller is not required to make these repairs, but there are a few health and safety ones that you can negotiate on.

Once you have the seller's response, you can decide whether or not to move forward with the transaction. Even if you don't get everything you ask for, the home inspection has at least opened your eyes to any issues you need to take care of in the future. It's best to know exactly what you're getting into when buying a new home.

If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

10 Tips for Throwing a Great Tailgate or Labor Day Party!

Looking to sell your San Diego home? Get a free home value report 
Looking to buy a San Diego home? Click here for full MLS access. 

Today, we're going to do something a little different. With football season just around the corner, we thought we'd share a video that I found on HGTV featuring 10 tips for throwing a great tailgate party!

1.    Be literal. If you or your friend has a truck, use a tailgate as the serving station.

2.    For lighting, use paper lanterns in team colors. It's easiest to hang them with zip ties. They are better than balloons, and they're reusable!

3.    Paint a plain cooler with your team colors. For best results, be sure to use spray paint designed for plastic.

4.    Use a silverware caddy. Use an easy-to-transport toolbox caddy for silverware and sauces.

5.    Make chip bag tacos. You want to have a simple menu, and walking tacos are delicious and easy to handle.

6.    Or, try chili and cornbread mason jars. These are a great alternative to the chip bag tacos!

7.    Don't forget the drinks! Bourbon-spiked hot chocolate is perfect for a cool fall day. Make sure you bring along unbreakable mugs.

8.    Serve a unique dessert. We recommend pennant cookies. Simply cut cookie bars into pennants.

9.    Create a hand washing station. Bring paper towels, soap, and water.

10.  Pre-game activities. Create a DIY ball toss using a drop cloth.

Even using just a few of these will make for a memorable tailgate party! We hope you found some of these ideas helpful. As always, if you have any questions about real estate, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Dreaming of a Vacation Home?

Looking to sell your San Diego home? Get a free home value report 
Looking to buy a San Diego home? Click here for full MLS access. 

Are you thinking of purchasing a vacation home, a second home, or do you need to relocate? If so, then I have some good news for you.

I was recently up in Big Bear, and I met Will Rahill, who is the top agent there. He said that a majority of the homes he sells there are second homes, and that most of the buyers are from San Diego.

If you're thinking of relocating or purchasing a second home anywhere in the entire country (or anywhere in the world), please come and speak with me. I have a large network of agents that can assist you. I would love to put you in touch with one of them.

As always, feel free to contact me about buying and selling real estate in San Diego!

The Most Important Part of Renovating Your San Diego Home

Plan Ahead When Renovating

Looking to sell your San Diego home? Get a free home value report 
Looking to buy a San Diego home? Click here for full MLS access. 

Today, I want to share a video from HGTV to discuss how you can plan ahead when it comes to home renovations. Renovating your home can be an exciting process, but it's important that you don't get ahead of yourself. You can't just go willy-nilly into a major project and expect it to go perfectly. Planning properly for these types of projects can assure a smooth project, and one that may even cost less!

HGTV's Amy Matthews recommend making a very detailed timeline of your project, including potential things that could go awry and making backup plans in order to prevent these things from happening. Putting your plan onto paper is a good way to start this process.

Another major step is choosing a good team of contractors that you can communicate with. If they don't know what you want done, they can't do it.

Just remember, there is no such thing as too much planning! If you plan on renovating your San Diego home, please contact us. We know great contractors and could also give you advice on what projects will bring you the highest return on your investment.

San Diego Real Estate Market Update

Looking to sell your San Diego home? Get a free home value report 
Looking to buy a San Diego home? Click here for full MLS access. 

Today I just wanted to talk about where our market is halfway through 2015. We're seeing an appreciation rate of about 4-5%, which is a very healthy and sustainable rate of appreciation. 

Inventory is also starting to enlarge. There are 7,200 homes available in San Diego County, which is a historically low number, but the market is beginning to balance for buyers and sellers.

If you're thinking of buying, you'll be happy to hear that interest rates are still very low (right around 4%). You can save thousands of dollars in interest payments over the life of your loan. Renting is increasingly becoming more expensive, so if you can afford to buy, I would do so now.

The good news is that new construction is up nearly 70%, which should help alleviate the demand that we're seeing from buyers. 

The biggest expectation I have for this year is for inventory to continue rising. If you want to buy, you'll probably see a lot less competition right now than you will in the future. 

If you need any help buying or selling in San Diego, please don't hesitate to contact me!

We could use your help!

Looking to sell your San Diego home? Get a free home value report 
Looking to buy a San Diego home? Click here for full MLS access. 

View our New Location

We have good news for you today - we're opening another office in Bay Park. We're very fortunate to be so blessed with success - so thank you for all of your support!

We really like this new location, which is at 4112 Napier St, right next to Bay Park Coffee and Luce. 

However, the building is 2,750 sq. ft. and we just don't need all that space. We want to find a good business to house there, and we want your input on what we should do.

If you know anyone looking for space, please don't hesitate to contact us!

As always, come to us with all of your questions about San Diego real estate. We would be very happy to help you!

Where Is the San Diego Market Heading?

Looking to sell your San Diego home? Get a free home value report 
Looking to buy a San Diego home? Click here for full MLS access. 

The first quarter numbers are finally in for the San Diego real estate market, so today I want to take a look at some of the trends we've seen since this time last year! 

Right now, our market is being driven by low inventory. There are only 2-3 months of available inventory right now, which means buyer demand would eat up our existing inventory in only a few months if no homes were to come on the market. A normal market is when we have an inventory of 4-6 months, so we're clearly in a seller's market at the moment. 

The second force that's driving our market is low interest rates, which have increased buyer demand. Buyers are out and looking for homes, but the lack of available homes is really hampering their ability to find one. Because of these conditions, we've seen a 6% increase in median home price since March of 2014. 

If you're a seller, you are in a fantastic position to get top dollar for your home. If you have a great location and your home is priced right, you have a very good chance of receiving multiple offers. As a buyer, while the market is difficult for you right now, there are signs of hope. The Fed has said they aren't going to touch interest rates for a while, and we've seen a substantial amount of inventory added to the market in the past couple weeks. We're still seeing a rapid turnover, but inventory is slowly starting to increase! Hopefully, there will be a lot more options for buyers soon!

If you have any questions about market conditions in your area, or if you need real estate assistance of any kind, give us a call or shoot us a quick email. We would love to hear from you! 

The Key to a Successful San Diego Home Sale

Looking to sell your San Diego home? Get a free home value report 
Looking to buy a San Diego home? Click here for full MLS access. 

Today, I'm going to discuss how to get your home ready for the market and how you can boost your home's curb appeal.

Once buyers find homes they're interested in online, they will drive by to see what the home looks like in person. While there is nothing you can do about your neighbors, there are some things you can do to make your home stand out.

1. Landscaping: Your landscaping needs to be in great shape if you want to impress people from the street. This means the lawn needs to be trimmed, you need to have fresh mulch in the flower beds, and you need to ensure there are no dead plants or leaves cluttering up the yard. 
2. Clean and maintain: You want your home to come across as clean and well-maintained. You can power wash the exterior and touch up some of the paint as well. 
3. Paint your front door: This is one of the first things buyers will notice. It's where you can really give a great first impression, so it's important that it looks great.

It can be simple and easy to get your home looking nice - it's just a matter of putting in the necessary time. If you would like more tips on how you can get your home ready for the market, or if you need real estate assistance of any kind, give us a call or shoot us a quick email. We would love to hear from you! 

Is There a Secret to Submitting a Winning Offer?

Looking to sell your San Diego home? Get a free home value report 
Looking to buy a San Diego home? click here for full MLS access. 

As the spring real estate market continues to heat up, there is no better time to share some tips on how you can remain competitive in a multiple offer situation. Today, I share five things that will help you get your offer accepted. With inventory as tight as it is, you need to make your offer stand out if you don't want to miss out on the home of your dreams! 

1. Have a strong financial package: Don't wait until you find the perfect home before getting a pre-approval. You need to work with a quality lender, who is willing to go to bat for you and place a call to the listing agent explaining how great you are. You also want to have your proof of funds for your down payment ready. 
2. Present an irresistible offer: You're going to know what you want in terms of close of escrow, purchase prices, etc. - but you really need to take the seller's needs into account. That's where a great agent comes in to play. They will help determine the most feasible course of action for both the buyer and seller.
3. Make it personal: If the seller is receiving many offers, you need to do something to distinguish yourself. If you have the opportunity to meet the sellers or the neighbors, we highly recommend it. We recommend putting together a small bio that explains what it is about the house that you love and why it's the perfect fit for you.
4. Don't have any regrets: You want to get your offer in as quickly as possible and make as strong of an offer as you're comfortable making. If you don't get the property, know that you went as high as you were willing to go for it.
5. Find a great agent: Not only will a great agent advise you on many different details, they will be proactive in reaching out to the listing agent and building that relationship.

As you can see, being prepared is one of the most important things you can do when submitting an offer. If you have any questions about getting yours accepted in a multiple offer situation, or if you need real estate assistance of any kind, give us a call or shoot us a quick email. We would love to help you find success in real estate this spring!

Is a Real Estate Bubble Forming in San Diego?

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Looking to buy a San Diego home? click here for full MLS access. 

We have a booming real estate market here in San Diego, and appreciation has been increasing a lot in the past few years. There has been some talk about a real estate bubble forming, and I want to address this issue today.

To put it plainly, I do not think a bubble is forming here in San Diego. I say this because there has been a dramatic change in the way people are getting loans. They were handing out loans like candy back when the market crashed. People with no jobs and no income could qualify for loans, and that would never, ever happen today. There were lots of zero-down loans, and lots of other reckless lending practices that contributed to the bubble forming and the market crashing. 

This recent run-up in the market is different. Buyers are now having to qualify for a 30-year fixed loan with all of their payments included. In most cases, a significant down payment is also required. When people have equity in their homes, it provides a cushion against a potential bubble or downturn in the economy.

I hope this answers your questions about a real estate bubble forming. I don't think we have a lot to worry about, because lenders have improved their standards and people now have more equity in their homes.

As always, if you need assistance with San Diego real estate, please don't hesitate to contact me!

Is Now the Time to Buy in San Diego?

The San Diego real estate market is diverse with both buyers and sellers alike seeking a variety of different properties. As a prospective seller, you can find out the market value of your property with a free home value report right here, or if you're looking to purchase in the San Diego area click here for full MLS access. Always feel free to reach out to us for any questions regarding the current market conditions, or the value of your property at 619.977.8364.

Are you on the fence about buying a new home? Today, we want to give you a few tips to help you determine the best time to make your move.

If you're thinking about buying this year, it makes more sense to buy now than in the spring, especially if you're ready. Experts are predicting that prices will continue to appreciate - over the next five years, estimates range from 15% to 32%. 

Mortgage rates are expected to rise as well, which will lower the affordability of homes in the San Diego area. While rates softened at the end of 2014 and the beginning of this year, the consensus is that interest rates will rise throughout the year, possibly by as much as one percent. 

If you're still weighing whether you should rent or buy, remember that regardless of which you choose, you are always paying a mortgage. The question is: Do you want to pay your own mortgage and build your own equity, or pay the landlord's mortgage and build their equity? If you pay your own mortgage, you have the benefit of tax deductions. 

Owning a home is like having a forced saving account. Both the price of the home and the cost of the mortgage are crucial things to consider when buying a home, and currently, both appear to be on the rise. If you have a growing family, want to make renovations, put personal touches on your home, or simply want to stop paying off your landlord's mortgage, it might make sense to make your move sooner than later. 

If you have any questions, or need real estate assistance of any kind, please don't hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email. We would love to help you!