TracyRealEstateBlog- Exterior Remodeling Largest Return on Investment

If you're looking to do some home improvement projects this year, sprucing up the outside of your home is going to give you the biggest bang for your buck, according to the 2014 Remodeling Cost vs. Value report released this month.

The report, an annual collaboration between remodeling magazine and REALTOR Magazine, compares the average cost for 35 popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale in 101 U.S. cities.

8 of the top 10 most cost-efficient projects nationally, in terms of value recaptured, are exterior projects.

There are many factors to consider, such as cost and time. Also you must decide which remodeling projects to actually do are a difficult decision for all homeowners. REALTORS know what home features are important to buyers in their area, but a home's overall appeal is crucial since it is the first impression for any potential buyers. 

A steel entry door replacement is considered the biggest return on investment, estimating that 96.6% of the costs are recouped once the home is resold. This particular remodel project is consistently the least expensive in the annual Cost vs. Value Report, at around $1,100 on average. 

Have you already invested capital improvements in your home and want to know it's value? Visit our automated Home Value Website for a FREE, no-obligation home market analysis!

TracyRealEstateBlog-The #1 Reason You Should Sell Your Home Now

The price of any item (including residential real estate) is determined by ‘supply and demand’. If many people are looking to buy an item and the supply of that item is limited, the price of that item increases.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the supply of homes for sale dramatically increases every spring. Putting your home on the market now instead of waiting for the increased competition of the spring might make a lot of sense.

Buyers in the market during the winter months are truly motivated purchasers. They want to buy now. With limited inventory available in most markets currently, a seller will be in a great position to negotiate.

For information on selling in our local market, please contact our real estate agents for a free market analysis of our recent neighborhood activity. We are more than happy to answer any questions you might have!

The #1 Reason You Should Sell Your Home Now - Aguilera Real Estate Team | Tracy California Real Estate | Search Tracy CA Homes For Sale | Mountain House CA Real Estate

TracyRealEstateBlog-What To Know About Your Home and 2013 Taxes

Three important tax benefits used by millions of American homeowners expired on Dec. 31, 2013. If you're eligible, tax year 2013 is possibly the last time to claim the private mortgage insurance (PMI) deduction, the energy tax credit, and debt forgiveness benefit. If you have a home office, there’s a new, simpler option for calculating the home office deduction for which you may qualify on your 2013 taxes. Here's what you need to know about those expired benefits as you prepare your taxes:
PMI Deduction

This tax rule lets you deduct the cost of private mortgage insurance, which is what you pay your lender each month if you put down less than 20% on a home. PMI protects the lender if you default on the home loan. Your deduction could amount to a couple hundred dollars depending on your tax bracket and other factors.
Find out if you qualify for and how to take the PMI deduction.

Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

This sweet little tax credit lets you offset what you owe the IRS dollar-for-dollar for up to 10% of the amount you spent on certain home energy-efficiency upgrades, from insulation to water heaters. On the downside, the credit is capped at $500 (less in some cases). But on the bright side, the right improvement could lower your utility bills indefinitely.

Related: Take back your energy bills with these high-ROI energy-efficiency practices.

Debt Forgiveness

When you go through a short sale, foreclosure, or deed-in-lieu, your lender typically lets you off the hook for some or all of what you owe on your mortgage.

That forgiven mortgage debt is income, on which you’d typically have to pay income tax.

Suppose you’re in financial distress and your lender agrees to let you short-sell your home, say for $50,000 less than you owe on the mortgage, and forgive you for the balance. Without the protection of the Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Act, you’ll owe income tax on that $50,000.

It’s likely if you had the money to pay income tax on $50,000, you’d have used it to pay your mortgage in the first place.

New Simplified Option for the Home Office Deduction

This may be the last year for the benefits above, but a new one kicks in for the 2013 tax year. If you work from home, you may qualify to use a new, simplified option for claiming the home office deduction when you file your 2013 taxes.

How much simpler is it? It lets you claim $5 per sq. ft. for up to 300 sq. ft. instead of having to compute the actual expenses of your home office using a 43-line form. To calculate the square footage of your office, just multiply the length of two walls. For example, an 8-by-10-foot room is 80 sq. ft. And at $5 per, that’s $400.

Although using the simplified option is obviously easier, the basic requirements for claiming the home office deduction haven’t changed. Your home office still must be used for business purposes:

• Exclusively, and

• On a regular basis.

Related: Which Home Office Set-Ups Qualify for a Deduction?

Why Might the Tax Benefits Not Be Renewed?

Although the expiring tax benefits were renewed retroactively in past years, that may not happen in 2014 because many in Congress would like to see comprehensive tax reform rather than scattershot renewals of individual provisions. This could delay a decision on the homeownership tax benefits until the big picture budget and tax issues are resolved.

So if you can, enjoy them now!

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/blog/tax-deductions/tax-deductions-credits-for-homeowners-2013/?cid=eo_sm_fb_mxm-social#.#ixzz2qJ73V3si

What You Should Know About Your Home and 2013 Taxes - Aguilera Real Estate Team | Tracy California Real Estate | Search Tracy CA Homes For Sale | Mountain House CA Real Estate

TracyRealEstate-Tracy & Mountain House's 10 Listings of the Week 1-16-2014

Tracy & Mountain House's 10 Listings of the Week

Below are some of this week's listings that just hit the market! Tracy and Mountain House has a total of 14 new listings since Monday, January 13th. Photos and descriptions courtesy of Metrolist. 

1. 330 Chukar Court, Tracy - $300,000

This beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house has a comfortable backyard and is near downtown. Excellent for first time home buyers!

2. 160 Club House Way, Tracy - $334,500

This home with a large lot is located in Tennis Village. It has new slab granite kitchen counters, double oven, fresh 2-tone paint, new carpet, brick fireplace in front room and a good sized backyard with patio and palm trees. 

3. 150 Portico Lane, Tracy - $448,000

This grand updated move-in ready home has vaulted ceilings in living and dining rooms. The kitchen also offers slab granite counters, center island, new stainless steel sink and appliances, and tile flooring. New hardwood flooring located in the family room and a cozy split-face slate fireplace with slab granite hearth. Large master bedroom with private including double-sinks, separate tub/shower, walk-in closet, and tile flooring. Downstairs bed/bath. Tandem 3-car garage. New paint inside and outside. It also has new carpet installed.

4. 1052 Tulloch Drive, Tracy - $454,900

This beauty is in a great neighborhood. Carpet has been cleaned and a fresh coat has been painted in the house. 

5. 844 Jesse Martinez Drive, Tracy - $483,376

This home will be ready for move-in by March! It features an open floor plan with an expanded great room and bedroom suite just off the beautiful kitchen of beech recessed cabinets in saddle stain, granite countertops, and stainless steel whirlpool energy-star appliances. 2nd floor master bedroom suite with oversized walk-in closet. Interior two-tone paint, fully landscaped front & rear yard with patio. A 1 year builder warranty complete with the package.

6. 8815 Janice Way, Tracy - $500,000

This is country living at it's best in a cozy court location. This property is close to the center of town, yet it is still in the country. The view from the back is the far east horizon with all green lawn watered by sprinklers. A remodeled bathroom, the home has new insulation as well as stamped concrete on the newly laid patio.

7. 27240 Hansen Road, Tracy - $525,000

Bring you live stock, dirt bikes and quads. Great opportunity for country living or to just get away from the crowds on more than 20 acres! Great views of the scenic valley. Shopping and freeway access within a few miles.

8. 381 Chase Street, Mountain House - $380,500

This wonderful home features custom entertainment unit, open floor plan and plenty of space. A must see!

9. 681 W Esplanade Drive, Mountain House - $460,000

This Quest Village home is beautifully and thoughtfully appointed. From its designer colors, to stainless steel appliances, stained cabinets, all stunningly accented with cultured marble counters and hardwood floors creating a beautiful, warm and inviting environment that you will delight in a calling home. A few extras; a built in natural gas fireplace in the covered patio area to the forward thinking 220V outlet in a garage for an electric car, and a kids outdoor play set, adds to the sparkle. 

10. 45 West 9th Street, Tracy - $225,000

This single family home has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It has a 1,382 sqft interior, 6,769 sqft lot size, has RV parking space and has been well maintained. 

Please visit our website's home search today to find more listings in Tracy, San Joaquin county areas!

TracyRealEstateBlog-Five Things to Do Before Listing Your Home

If you are a homeowner who has made the decision to list your home for sale, there are things you could and should do prior to listing it for sale. Your house should be prepared carefully, paying attention to every detail. 

Here is a list of five things to do before listing your home for sale:

1. Spruce up the curb appeal.
Your home should attract buyers from the outside before they would even consider going inside. Make sure the yard is free of weeds, be sure the lawn is mowed on a regular basis, plant some colorful plants around the house, check to make sure walkway and driveway are free of cracks, and pay attention to your front door. If it needs to be painted, do so. Remove garbage cans, toys, and “stuff” your pets might have left outside without your knowledge. 

2. Hire a licensed home inspector.
Buyers will do so once you’re in contract, its best you repair all items that will eventually be on an inspection report. Well worth spending the money.

3. Clean and organize.
This includes the living area as well as the garage. It’s easy to accumulate “stuff” after just a few months of living in a house. Look at your house from the eyes of a potential buyer. Remove all personal items from sight, start packing away all the clutter. Go through your closets and start separating from clothes you haven’t worn in couple of years.Remember less is more. Once you’re done organizing, it’s time to clean. Clean the floors, carpets, windows, doors, walls, baseboards, light fixtures, and let your house sparkle.

4. Hire a home stager.
Let’s face it, not everyone has the great talent with colors and arranging furniture. Thankfully, we have home stagers to help. Home stager can do wonders with color scheme, arranging furniture, using the right items for decorating and much more. Well worth hiring a home stager.

5. Gather all the warranties, user manuals, guarantees.
Make a list of contractors you may use on a regular basis such as pest control, lawn care, and A/C maintenance. 

These are only five things to do before listing your home for sale but there could be more. Having a team of professionals on your team will guide you through the entire transaction to ensure a pleasant home selling experience. 

Curious about the value of your home? Visit CAHomeValuesToday.com for a free, no obligation market analysis of your home directly to your inbox!

TracyRealEstateBlog-5 Resolutions for First-Time Home Buyers

5 Resolutions for First-Time Home Buyers

If you've promised yourself you would save those pennies to finally become a homeowner for the first time in 2014, we've got five, easy steps resolutions to help you achieve your goal.

1. Boost Your Credit Score

Your credit score will play a key role in your mortgage approval and rates. At the beginning of the year, order your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. It is a free service authorized by federal law. Go over each report, dispute any errors, and pay off any old debts. 

In the meantime, avoid big-ticket items such as cars or furniture and don't apply for new credit. A credit inquiry itself can cause a credit score to temporarily drop, acquiring more debt to buy, or the capacity to acquire more debt by opening a new credit account, can have drastic effects on your mortgage situation.

2. Save Up to Put Down

You will need a 20 to 30 percent down payment to qualify for the best mortgage rates. Try cutting optional expenses to save more. Such examples can include, cable bills, internet bills, movie-service subscriptions, etc. This can save you up to a $1000 a year. The more you save, the better rate you will be able to obtain and the chance avoid private mortgage insurance.

3. Find the Best Real Estate Agent

Finding a great Realtor takes time but will pay off in the end. Find a buyer's agent who will give you a few recent testimonials from happy buyer clients. Be sure to check those references to be certain they are legit. To read Lisa's testimonials, click here.

4. Get Pre-Approved

Knowing what can be afforded, what you qualify for, and what type of loan you want to help find the best deal when you're ready to apply for a mortgage. To start, research the differences between conventional and unconventional loans and find a mortgage calculator to get an idea what you will be spending on a mortgage per month. When you're ready to shop for mortgages you will be educated and informed before being presented with your options.

5. Find Your Home Dream Home

Potential home buyers should be reading and researching as much as they can and as soon as they can. Don't wait until you're ready to buy to start looking at homes. Start early by researching certain neighborhoods in the area you're interested in living in. Once you're ready to shop, you'll have a clear idea of what you want and what you can afford. 

Think you're ready to buy? Search our automated listing search at www.TracyListings.com

TracyRealEstateBlog - Americans Build Larger, More Costly Homes

Newly built single-family homes in the United States are getting bigger, costlier to build and more expensive, according to the National Association of Homebuilders. This news comes on the heels of news that home prices climbed 11.8% between November 2012 and November 2013.

In fact the only thing shrinking for new construction is the size of the lot they’re built upon, according to NAHB’s most recent construction cost survey of 3,019 builders. The survey was conducted in August and September of 2013.

The survey shows that this trend is happening across all levels of homebuilding. That is to say, the increase in the average price, cost and size is not a result of high-end homes gains pulling the average up or lower-cost and mid-level homes gains pushing upward.

"It’s an across the board gain," says Heather Taylor at the economics and housing policy department at NAHB. "In fact we factor out the high end market since it can skew the results."

The cost to build a single-family home was $246,453 in 2013, which is the highest cost since 1998. Newly constructed home prices jumped 25% to $399,532. That is below the peak of $454,906 in 2007.

While the cost of building a new single-family home in 2013 represented a 34% increase from the cost, profits jumped to 9.3% from their 2011 all-time low of 6.8%.

The average size of the home in the 2013 construction cost survey was 2,607 square feet, which is about 300 square feet more than the average size of the homes reported in the 2011 construction cost survey, but still about 100 square feet less than the peak reported in the 2009 survey.

The average home in the NAHB survey was built on a one-third acre lot, as opposed to a half-acre lot average found in the 2011 NAHB survey.

By type and percentage of construction costs, interior finishes accounted for 29.3% of construction cost, with the balance spread among framing (19.1%), exterior finishes (14.4%) and the combination of plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (13.4%).

The average share of the home’s sales price which goes to construction cost jumped from 59% in both 2009 and 2011 to 61.7% in 2013. Finished lot costs, accounting for the second largest share of the sales price, dropped from 22% in 2011 to 19% in 2013.

Although the cost of construction per square foot remained relatively stable in 2009 and 2011 ($82 per square foot, and $80 per square foot, respectively), it jumped to $95 per square foot in 2013.

These results, NAHB reiterate, are national averages; the survey sample is not large enough for a geographic breakdown. Building practices, the cost of labor, the cost of land, and to some extent the cost of the materials can vary from place to place and depend on the nature of the particular home being built.

-Courtesy of Housingwire.com

TracyRealEstateBlog - Questions Your Realtor Can't Answer

Questions Your Realtor Can't Answer

You may be a single woman searching for a home in a neighborhood where you can feel safe at night. Perhaps you are a family with children who would like a neighborhood predominately with kids that live nearby for playmates for your children. 

Maybe you're a senior citizen who likes his or her peace and quiet and wants to avoid living next to adults that aren't their age. What you do in this situation? Hire a local Real Estate Expert to help you find exactly what you're looking for. Doesn't matter which way you look at it, buying a home is the biggest purchase of your life. You should get everything you want. 

However, when you ask your realtor about the people that live in your neighborhood or building that you're interested in, you don't get a qualified response. Some common questions agents will have to turn away are: 

1. Is this area safe?

2. What kinds of people live in the neighborhood/building?

3. Is this place family-friendly?

4. Are the schools good?

5. What are the demographics of the buyer/seller (Race, sex, political preference)?

6. Are there kids in the neighborhood?

7. What are the best neighborhoods to live in?

Answering these questions could constitute a violation of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The act's main purpose is to protect certain classes from discrimination in the housing market. These include race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (whether someone has children or not), and handicap. Violating the act can cost a broker $16,000 for the first violation and $65,000 for a third violation within seven years. Imprisonment is possible and the terms range from one year to life in prison, depending on the damage or injury that's occurred. No matter how severe, brokers always run the risk of losing their license by breaking the law. 

While your Realtor may not be able to answer questions about demographics for you, consider it a small sacrifice for a great deal of service. Real estate agents know everything about buying and selling real estate so you don't have to. They'll not only tell you what similar homes have sold at, but also how long they were on the market and if any issues occurred during the transaction. Your agent can guide you on home prices according to market conditions, which they have to keep track of as part of their job and because you've emotionally invested in your home, Realtors can negotiate a better price on your behalf because they're removed from any attachment to the property.

As industry professionals, Real estate agents have easy access to reliable services that you'll need when buying or selling a home. For example, your agent will have worked with movers, general contractors, inspectors, attorneys, lenders that they can recommend. 

If you have any questions that were forgotten in the process of the closing process, you can count on your real estate agent to answer them. A Real Estate agent can make the many other tasks in finding the perfect home easier. You can also view this problem as a solution to help every American achieve the dream of owning a home without any unfair barriers.

TracyRealEstateBlog - This Month Real Estate US January 2014

This Month Real Estate US January 2014

According to a national survey of real estate transactions, over 90% of buyers start their search on the internet -- and then spend almost two months looking for homes before finally settling on the right one for them. That two month lag time means that houses that are on the market right now are in the best position to close in the early spring. So if you're looking to sell in the spring, you'll want to list the house now - and get a head-start on the competition.

YouTube Video:

This Month Real Estate US January 2014 - Aguilera Real Estate Team | Tracy California Real Estate | Search Tracy CA Homes For Sale | Mountain House CA Real Estate

TracyRealEstateBlog - Residential Construction Spending Hits 2008 Levels

Residential Construction Spending Hits 2008 Levels

Construction spending on private, residential projects reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $346 billion in November, up 17% over November 2012. That's the fastest pace since mid-2008.

Construction spending overall climbed 1% in November according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, and most of that was lead by private construction rather than public projects. The overall breakdown by segment was: residential construction spending climbed 1.7%, while commercial construction spending increased 0.6%.

Private construction spending of all types rose 2.2%, while public outlays for construction dropped 1.8%.

A full breakdown of the November construction spending report can be found here on the Construction spending section of the United States Census Bureau.

Are you curious about the value of your home? Demand and values are continuing to climb higher. Please visit our website for a FREE, non-obligation, Comparative Market Analysis!

TracyRealEstateBlog - Mortgage Rates Inch Downward

Mortgage Rates Inch Downward

Fixed-rate mortgages saw a slight decline this week. The downward move comes after rates saw a healthy increase over the past three weeks in response to positive economic reports, particularly in the growth of private-sector employment.

The drop in rates is seen as a response to a reduction in reports on economic indicators, as major markets brace for news from the Federal Open Market Committee meeting next week.
“Mortgage rates were little changed amid a light week of economic data releases,” Frank E. Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist, said in a statement.

“Of the few releases, total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 203,000 in November, and the unemployment rate declined to 7 percent. Also, single-family mortgage debt outstanding increased for the first time since 2008. This is a positive sign, as it reflects that the pick-up in new purchase-money originations has offset loan paydowns and led to a net increase in principal outstanding.”
The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped 0.04 percentage point, according to the latest mortgage survey by Freddie Mac. Previously at 4.46 percent, it is now at 4.42 percent. The 30-year fixed-rate average has increased by more than a full percentage point year-over-year; it was at 3.32 percent a year ago.

The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage edged downward to 3.43 percent, a change of 0.04 percentage point week-over-week. A year ago, the 15-year fixed rate averaged a modest 2.66 percent.

Hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages also saw a decrease. After nearing the 3 percent mark, the average on a five-year ARM eased to 2.94 percent. The one-year ARM dropped 0.08 percentage point this past week and is now at 2.51 percent.

While news from the Federal Open Market Committee meeting is expected to bring an uptick in mortgage rates, it may have a trickle-down effect through December and into the beginning of January. In the latest Mortgage Rate Trend Index by Bankrate.com, the majority of loan experts polled believe that rates will hold steady in the short-term.

“Mortgage rates to hold steady until we hear from the Fed regarding whether the tapering starts this month or not,” opined Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com.

Leitereg, Neal J. Victor, "Mortgage Rates Inch Downward," Web. 12 Dec 2013.
     < http://www.realtor.com/news/mortgage-rates-inch-downward/#.UrSrlPRDsic >

TracyRealEstateBlog - 7 Housing Trends for 2013

7 Housing Trends for 2013

As 2013 comes to a close and real estate experts forecast where the housing market is headed in 2014, here is a look back of the trends from 2013. 

1. Housing Prices Rose Faster Than Expected

According to Trends Vision by Metrolist, the median sold price for a home in Tracy was $278,000 in January 2013, and it has since climbed to $345,000 by November 2013. The pace of price appreciation accelerated significantly over the year. 

2. Mortgage Rates Rose Remained Low

We expected mortgage rates to rise in 2013, and they started to increase in the late spring, but they're still very affordable when you look at rates on a historical scale. They aren't the super-low rates we saw in the past few years. According to Freddie Mac, 30-year fixed-rate loans were as low as 3.45% in December 2012 and rose to 4.49% in September 2013. It is forecasted that 

mortgage rates are likely to stay low and perhaps even drop between now and mid-2014. 

3. Bidding Wars Returned

The combination of rising prices, low mortgage rates, and low inventory led to a sense of urgency among buyers and the return of bidding wars. According to Realtor.com, inventory in 2012 reached a high of 2,083,710 homes on the market, then declined to 1,583,497 homes in February 2013. By the end of the September 2013, 2,210,000 homes were for sale, approximately five months of inventory. 

4. Housing Affordability Remained High

 Housing affordability has slightly come down this year because of home value appreciation and the lack of income for the consumer to keep up. Even though affordability is at a five-year low, it's still the fifth-highest in the past 30 years. 

5. All-Cash Buyers Continued to Be a Strong Market Segment

Nearly a third of all home purchases were made with cash. This trend has been consistent for three years prior. Some cash buyers are from overseas and some are institutional investors, while others are your smaller market investors who have had trouble obtaining financing for such activities previously. Even owner-occupant buyers are cash buyers because of the tight underwriting standards as of late. Some people are getting help from relatives to buy, and they plan to take a home equity loan to repay them. 

6. Mobile Apps Accelerated Connections Between Buyers, Sellers and REALTORS

Nearly every Realtor and brokerage in the county introduced a mobile app this year to make it easier for buyers and sellers to access information from their smartphones and tablets, including the KW Smart Phone App. Everyone realizes that a desktop can sometimes be inconvenient when looking for up-to-date Tracy Real Estate information. According to the National Association of Realtors, 68% of homebuyers used a mobile app during their home search and 89% used a mobile search engine at the initiation of their home search.

7. Rising Rents and Pent-Up Demand Pulled More First-Time Buyers Into The Market

We are currently seeing a replenishment of renters who want to buy homes instead. In 2002, nearly 70% of people owned homes and 30% were renters. That has declined to 65% of people are home owners and 35% are renters. Rents are rising rapidly than home prices in some markets. There is an increasing demand from people who don't want to live with their parents and who want to buy a home.

TracyRealEstateBlog - Top Eco-Friendly Features Home Buyers Want

According to a recent Keller Williams research study in 2013, the top eco-friendly features buyers want in their next home are:

• Double pane windows
• Energy efficient appliances
• Upgraded insulation
• Efficient heating and cooling systems
• Tankless water heaters

Updating your house with eco-friendly technology will not only make your home more appealing to buyers when you decide to put it on the market, but it can also help you save money on utilities until you decide to sell your home!

Top Eco-Friendly Features Home Buyers Want - Aguilera Real Estate Team Tracy California Real Estate

TracyRealEstateBlog - Housing Market Predictions for 2014

Housing Market Predictions for 2014

The road to recovery will continue through 2014. The chief economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR) predicts home prices to increase an additional 6% next year. As a result, many now realize that it is a great time to buy a home before prices spike and a great opportunity to sell before inventory drastically increases. The following are 5 reasons to place your home on the market early in 2014.

1. Demand is High
The most recent Existing Home Sales Reports by the NAR show a double digit increase in sales year-over-year; home sales have remained above last year's levels for over 25 months now. There are buyers out there now that are serious about purchasing.
2. Supply Is Beginning to Increase
Total housing inventory has been gradually rising locally in Tracy up to a 1.9 month supply compared to a 0.9 supply back in April. Nationally, many expect inventory to continue to rise as 3.2 million homeowners escaped the shackles of negative equity in the last 12 months and an additional 1.9 million are expected to enter positive equity in the next 12 months. Selling now while demand is high and before supply starts to increase may obtain you your best price for your home.
3. New Construction Is Coming Back
Over the last several years, most homeowners selling their home did not have to compete with new construction projects around the block. As the market continues to recover, more and more builders are jumping back in to the market. These "Brand New" homes will again become competition as they are an attractive alternative for many buyers. 
4. Interest Rates Will Again Rise
Although Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interst rates for a 30-year mortgage have softened recently, most experts predict that they will begin to rise later this year. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are all predicting that rates will be up almost a full percentage point by this time next year. Whether you are moving up or moving down, your housing expense a year from now when you purchase your next home. 
5. It's Time Move On with Your Life
Look at the reason you are thinking about selling and decide whether it's worth waiting. Is the possibility of a few extra dollars more important than being with family; more important than your health; more important than having the luxury and freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should? The answers to this are evident. You have the power to take back control of your situation by putting YOUR house on the market today. The time may be right for you and your family to start living the life you desire. That is what is most important. 

TracyRealEstateBlog - This Month In Real Estate(US) December 2013

Updating your house will not only make it more appealing to buyers when you decide to put it on the market, but it could also save you money on your utilities until you decide to sell.



This Month In Real Estate (US) December 2013 - Aguilera Real Estate Team Tracy California Real Estate

TracyRealEstateBlog-Thanksgiving Humor to Share

Happy Thanksgiving! A Little Thanksgiving Humor To Share... - Aguilera Real Estate Team Tracy California Real Estate

TracyRealEstateBlog-Free Market Trends Real Estate Newsletter

Market Trends

Existing-Home Sales Slow Existing-home sales slowed in September while limited inventory kept prices steady, according to a recent report by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). Existing-home sales, which include recently purchased single family, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops declined 1.9 percent and are currently on pace to reach 5.29 million units for t Continue Reading...  The Best Mortgage Shopping around for a home loan or mortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. A mortgage - whether it's a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equity loan - is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You'll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. Shopping, comparing, Continue Reading...  Get Your Home Ready For Sale When preparing your home for sale, a number of simple cosmetic changes often provide the biggest return on investment. Here are three tips to upgrade your house without breaking the bank: Bring in the light. The right light creates the right mood. Adding lights to dark rooms can make your home feel warm and inviting. Bring outdoor li Continue Reading...

Lisa Aguilera, Keller Williams Realty 2311-A North Tracy Blvd, Tracy CA 95376 Office: 209-597-8256 Visit http://www.tracyrealestatetoday.com

Monthly Market Trends Real Estate Newsletter November 2013 - Aguilera Real Estate Team Tracy California Real Estate