What is the real estate market like in Lakewood California during the holidays? The answer is that properties are still going strong in the Lakewood California real estate market. This video has all the information for November 2014 for Lakewood!
Many people often think that during the holidays real estate sales slow down. Yes, it is true that less buyers are out looking but, the ones that are looking are very serious about buying this time of the year.
Sellers, also please remember that if you want to sell your home at this time of year that the best buyers come around during the holidays; plus many relocation companies have higher transfer percentages at the end of the year.
Also, as an added enticement, many of our listed homes smell great with holiday baking. Feel free to watch my market video update on Lakewood and call me if you have any questions about your selling or buying strategy.
Currently there are thirteen homes listed for sale in this area. The prices range from $440,000 for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath home with 962 sq feet to $610,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with 1148 sq feet.
I just listed a 2 bedroom, 1 bath home with 1164 sq feet on a 5581 sq ft lot.
This year is going by so fast ... I just realized that here we are already in the middle of October and I have not yet posted the September 2014 home prices for Lakewood California.
If you would like a better idea of what YOUR HOME may be worth just give me a call 562-882-1581 as I would love the opportunity to give you more detailed information about how the sales and listings in your particular neighborhood have resulted in changing the value of YOUR HOME.
How have the homes in Lakewood changed? Floor plans used to be similar in Lakewood, but over the years everything has changed. Some homes have gone through major renovations with add-ons and others have installed air conditioning and upgraded kitchens. All these make a major difference when it comes to determining the value of a home,
When Lakewood was first built is was the only city at the time to have Magic King Garbage Disposals installed. Very innovative! Over the years and during my 28 years as a Realtor listing and selling homes in Lakewood, I have seen a variety of changes to Lakewood homes.
Feel free anytime to reach out to me ... I would be happy to share my information and the benefit of my experiences with you! Allison@SuperBroker.com
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT FINDING THE BEST INTEREST RATE AVAILABLE?
Why are interest rates so different from one lender to the next? Well it depends on the cost of money for that day, just like stocks the price is always changing.
That plus what fees are you being charged for that PERFECT interest rate?
Below are two quotes from two different lenders that I received on Friday 9/19/2014 ... both of them are from reputable lenders yet the interest rates are very different.
When shopping for a rate, take a look at the APR and the difference in actual rate and the APR will show if there are a lot of points and fees built into the interest rate quote.
In the examples above, for a 30 year fixed rate loan, Lender A is quoting 4.125% with an APR of 4.45% while Lender B is quoting 4.50% with an APR of 4.59%.
Lender A is charging fees for a lower rate while Lender B is offering a higher rate with less fees? Which is better and what is the difference in payment to you?
THAT DEPENDS on your available funds to cover closing costs for a higher fee to get a lower interest rate ... and in this case, on a hypothetical sales price of $425,000 the difference in payment would be $93.00 a month.
Why is all this important when you are thinking about buying a home? Talking to a lender is the very first step but many potential buyers are confused as to what all the numbers actually mean when it comes time to make that first house payment.
If you would like some guidance on who to speak with to get the information you need for your situation, I would be happy to refer you to a lender that can get you started in the right direction ... there are also several home financing programs available that DO NOT require 20% down ... so many buyers still think that they can't qualify for a home loan ... call me and let's find out together what the facts are FOR YOU!
Last Sunday, 8/17/2014 ... I had the honor of participating in the 2014 Lakewood Car Show which also welcomed the traveling Vietnam Veteran's Wall!
The early morning sunrise was quite a sight ... making this a very moving event. I was there participating as a member of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and to promote my affiliation with the wonderful organization ...
This organization serves heroes from all walks of life
by offering them savings and rebates when they buy or sell real estate. I took a lot of pictures and wanted to share them with you so ... please visit www.LakewoodCarShow.com to see a compilation of all types of cars that were there ... I hope you also enjoy the music! If you have any questions about the Homes For Heroes program, or just want to let me know what you think of the video ... just drop me an email or give me a call ... Allison@SuperBroker.com /// 562-882-1581
Have you ever wondered what it is like to live in a beautifully appointed home with all the amenities that a California lifestyle has to offer?
This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with over 1600 square feet of living space is just what anyone would love to own.
Large living room with French doors leading to a side patio for summer time; family room with fireplace for fall and winter time coziness.
Open and spacious kitchen with breakfast bar that overlooks the family room … for all those gatherings for friends and family alike.
Plenty of parking with a car port plus a two car garage
THIS IS THE HOME YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!! For more information visit my YouTube Channel and look for the video 5203 Coralite ... for a private showing call me 562-882-1581
Recently when speaking with potential buyers they seem to have a misconception of what is required as a down payment to purchase a home.
I am always asked 'how much down payment do I need' so I just want to clear a few things up in case you are saving up for your first home purchase.
A person “can get a conforming, conventional mortgage with a down payment of as little as 5 percent (sometimes with as little as 3 percent coming out of their own pocket”.
Qualified borrowers can further reduce the down payment coming out of their own pocket to 3 percent by lining up gifts from family or grants or loans from non-profits or public agencies.
Having 20 percent down makes your payment less and you get rid of that private mortgage insurance. But if you are tired of paying your landlord, please give me a call today so we can discuss what is available and what your payment would be. There are so many programs available for you.
Know your options so you can plan ahead.
I have a great little home available at 5134 Gaviota in Long Beach CA 90807. Priced at $399,900 it offers beautiful floors, two bedrooms, bonus room, newer windows, covered patio, two car garage and a long driveway.
As I have
said many times before, when it comes to living in Long Beach California there are so many
things you can do that are inexpensive and fun for everyone … from Memorial Day to Labor Day ... the summer of
2013 is no different! Once again this year the Long Beach Parks Recreation and Marine Department
is offering hundreds of free and low cost recreational events under the name of
“100 Days of Summer.”
From the
Long Beach Sea Festival, the El Dorado
Nature Center, historic site events and various programs for hiking, biking,
golf, tennis, swimming and youth and teen programs there is so much do to that
I don’t know how we are all going to find the time to go to work … LOL! You
can find out all about these great activities at www.100DaysofSummer.org where you
will find a searchable calendar of free concerts and movies in addition to all
of the activities that I mentioned above. If you would like to get more information about living in Long Beach, I have been serving the Long Beach & Lakewood communities for over 25 years ... I would love to help you learn more about our area and how you too can enjoy 100 days of summer ... until next time ... Allison Van Wig.
JUST LISTED 10920 HAYFORD ... 3 BEDROOMS, 1,400 SQ FEET AND A GREAT BACKYARD FOR SUMMER ENTERTAINING.
This home is nicely remodeled with hardwood floors, a sunny living room and dining area. Kitchen has new wood cabinets and granite counter tops. Inside laundry, lots of storage and three bedrooms.
Family room has a fireplace and backyard includes a garden area and patio.
The way the consumer sees
the home prices is very interesting. In the last 25 years I have shown property
to a lot of buyers. The average buyer looks at 10—25 homes before choosing.
Most of the time these homes re in the city that the buyer wants to buy in and
within a specific school district.
Some weeks ago, I had the
opportunity to take a buyer around Lakewood in a specific school district. We
looked at six homes, three of them had the same floor plan and out of those
three, two were almost identical in upgrades. Both had central air and heat,
remodeled kitchens with the last five years and great back yards. The only
difference was that one was priced at $435,000 and the other was priced at
$475,000. This greatly confused the buyer. I stated that the $435,000 home was
a good price but not a steal. The buyer wanted to know why there was a forty
thousand dollar difference for the same home.
SO LET’S START WITH THE
LISTING INTERVIEW … The sellers decide to sell their home and they interview
two agents. One agent brings comparable sales and everyone can see that the
homes that have new kitchens in the area sell between $420,000 and $440,000. So
the agents looks at the location, upgrades, floor plan and emotional appeal of
the home and tells the sellers that they should price the home at $439,900.
The second agent brings
comparables to the interview but the conversation with the seller is not
focused on reality but on what the seller wants or what the other agent stated
the home was worth. When the sellers say
that the first agent said the home was worth $440,000, the second agent may say
… ‘well, I can get you $460,000’ … of
course there are no recent sales to substantiate that value. The second agent
just wants the listing …. You must understand that when the sellers get
confused and think well maybe … of course, who would not want $20,000 more?
A good agent will always
review the comparable sales in the neighborhood with the seller. Remember, we
need THREE recent sales within the last six months to use for comparables for
the appraiser.
A good agent will
recommend what price a home should be listed at, not ask the seller what amount
they want. Do not let an agent BUY your listing by telling you an
inflated price. You want to sell your home at the highest price possible and be
able to move on.
You do not want buyers
looking at your home wondering what was the listing agent thinking.
You do not want to be
locked into a six month listing contract with the agent telling you to reduce
the price and not doing anything about marketing the home.
A home that sells within
30 days is priced right, gets the seller the most amount of money and has very
few appraisal issues. Don’t let your
home sit on the market for more than 45 days, because if you reduce the price …
the buyers still do not offer the listed price as you have already been on the
market for 45 days.
It is wrong for an agent to
give you an inflated price just to sway you into listing with them. You count on
that money to make lifetime plans. Interview two agents and then list with
the one that shows you recent comparable sales and has pictures available of
those recent sales for you to actually see what the home looked like. Below is a quick video of Lakewood's market in March 2014.
List with the agent that
recommends a price that fits within your parameters and one that has a great
marketing plan and examples of what they have done in the past … not just
promises of what they WILL do in the future. Here is some current information on what is happening in our local Lakewood real estate market.
Over the last few years, home ownership has lost some of its appeal as a financial investment. As homeowners suffered through the housing bust, more and more began to question whether owning a home was truly a good way to build wealth. Astudyby the Federal Reserve formally answered this question.
Some of the findings revealed in their report:
The average American family has a net worth of $77,300
Of that net worth, 61.4% ($47,500) of it is in home equity
A homeowner’s net worth is over thirty times greater than that of a renter
The average homeowner has a net worth of $174,500 while the average net worth of a renter is $5,100
Bottom Line
The Fed study found that home ownership is still a great way for a family to build wealth in America. When I visit families in Lakewood or Long Beach that are thinking about selling and retiring, the homeowners that have been paying off their home for the last 30 years have a substantial amount of wealth. We can take a third of this and purchase a home in an over 55 community for all cash and still have the other two thirds left for them to have a great nest egg. Older people that have no home are usually spending their social security on the rent. Very little is left for them to enjoy. Don't wait until it is to late to make a difference in your life wealth. Call me today to get ahead!. If you are curious what is on the market in Long Beach and Lakewood go to my website at www.SuperBroker.com. Lakewood was just voted as one of the top ten boring cities in California (probably because we do not have enough bars!) If you would like more information about how wonderful living in a boring city like Lakewood ... let me know, I have the inside scoop.
I love walking into a home just like 11527 Elvins in Lakewood CA and visualizing being able to move right in. This home feels so comfortable.
I visualize the living room with a good book and an afternoon breeze.
The kitchen has fresh cookies on the counter.
I am excited about this home as I think it is perfect for that first time home buyer.
Great backyard with three fruit trees.
Home has been updated with copper plumbing, newer dual pane windows, newer carpet and flooring, and fresh paint.
Just started using a company that incorporates floor plans and really feel that this helps my buyers. If you are thinking about selling your home give me a call today at 562-882-1581.
Just wondering what your Lakewood home would sell for? Go to LakewoodPrices.com
When you think about it ... why would anyone want to pay over $2,000 dollars a month for rent when they could buy their own home and pay the same amount of money? Brand New Listing just coming on the market ... 2 Bedrooms, Large Sunny Living Room, Remodeled Kitchen, Large Back Yard perfect for Entertaining ... Watch this video and then call for a private showing!
If you have any questions or want to search for more homes
Throughout the ages, Valentine’s Day has evolved to
what we are now familiar with today, its history is varied & there are
legends dating back to 270 A.D.
There are folk traditions and its connection to
romantic love.
The Medieval period and the English Renaissance
also have contributed to this day’s history which all brings us to how we now
observe this holiday in modern times.
Each country in the world celebrates this day
in its own special way … to learn more about these traditions … search for
Valentine’s Day on Wikipedia.com!
For Valentines Day 2014, I encourage you to show your
love to someone every day and make Valentine’s Day last ALL YEAR!!
I just listed this stunning duplex one block from the beach! It is perfect for an owner occupant. Each unit is approximately 1350 with three bedrooms and two full baths. The bottom unit has lots of light. Nice size living room, dining area, remodeled kitchen and inside laundry. The master bedroom has a walk in closet and vaulted ceilings. Go up a set of stairs to a small deck and open the door to the upstairs unit. Beautiful wood laminate floors lead to a large living room with open beam ceilings and fireplace. Dining area, open and remodeled kitchen, inside laundry, master bedroom with beam ceilings and a large deck. The units come with a two car garage and two small spaces on each side for parking. Very special and unique units for beach living. See some pictures at Click Here for Pictures
This is an opportunity to have a home at the beach and a rental unit to help cover the cost of your house payment. Call Allison Van Wig today and find out how affordable your beach life could be.
562-882-1581
Excuse any typos as I am sitting at the Wilmore in Long Beach with my glass of wine and Ipad and blogging. It's January and I have been out showing property in 85 degree weather. Normally it would be about 65 degrees, but we are having a warm spell. I currently have a customer who wants to purchase a loft to live in. Long Beach is converting more of the older buildings to lofts and it's great to see the inside of these homes. Sometimes they feel a little stark to me, maybe a little unfinished. I am not sure if I like one large unfinished space. Tonights showing was exciting, it made me realize what could be done! I have seen a lot of lofts and none have been finished this nicely. This unit located in the Kress Lofts was extra special. The owners had taken some of the cement floors and polished them to a high gloss. They had taken old barn wood and laid a floor in the living room with it. Beautiful contrast of materials. It made the open space feel warm and cozy. The ceilings were 14 feet high and they had elevated a section to make an office space. This made the office feel private and gave you storage underneath. It also divided the bedroom from the living room. I was ready to move in. I loved this place. I actually told my client that it felt like a glass of great wine!
After, I decided to go to the Wilmore in Bixby Knolls and get myself a great glass of wine. I also love the Wilmore. Great atmosphere and great people.
If you are looking for a loft in Long Beach give me a call at 562-882-1581. We can go look at a few then, I will treat you to wine at the Wilmore!
Dog bed under stairs-looks so comfy!
Love the large windows
Huge cement beams
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Happy New Year!
Every year I take off between Christmas and the New Year and rejuvenate. This year I was up in Big Bear. We are so lucky to live in Long Beach and be only two and a half hours away from skiing and other mountain sports. I bike rode, snow boarded, and went to look for some old mines. On New Years Day I drove down and cleaned the office and got organized. I love that fresh start feeling that comes with the New Year. While I was in Big Bear I took a picture of this tree. This tree was moving to me as I wondered how many years it had endured and it was still beautiful, full of color. May your New Year be filled with many blessings. Love from Allison Van Wig in Long Beach California.
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