San Diego Real Estate Information Blog
Prudential Foreclosure Alternative Webinar
Prudential California Realty is holding a free foreclosure alternative and short sale webinar on April 26th, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. This free event is intended to provide you with the most up to date information on how to deal with being underwater or behind on your mortgage, and will provide a number of options to a damaging foreclosure. Top real estate professionals, attorneys and other distressed property experts will be comprise the panel of speakers.
A webinar is an internet seminar where you may participate from the comfort and privacy of your own home. No special software or cameras are needed. Virtually any computer with an internet connection will allow you to participate.
Because every situation is different, a variety of topics will be covered. Cash for keys, short sales, walking away, loan modifications and settlements, forbearance periods, and more will be discussed during the hour long event.
To be of the highest value, each participant will be able to, via phone or internet chat box, ask questions specific to your situation while remaining anonymous to others online. Prudential California Realty wants everyone to feel at ease and comfortable to openly examine their best resolution.
It should be noted this is not intended to be a sales event, and is geared toward providing a service to homeowners looking for real solutions their questions, and to explore the best options for your unique situation.
To learn more about the Prudential foreclosure alternative and short sale webinar, visit http://www.freesandiegosearch.com/foreclosures. When registering, use special code 108666 for free admission to the event.
Best Real Estate Listing Agent in Pacific Beach
What should you look for in the best listing agent for a Pacific Beach, CA home, condo, or apartment building? Mark Stuart with Prudential California Realty talks about the characteristics of what it takes to be the best local real estate professional to help with the sale of your Pacific Beach real estate.
Should I Rent or Sell My Home?
One question I've been running in to on a regular basis recently is coming from homeowners who can't decide if they should rent or sell their home or condo.
With prices seemingly having already hit bottom, sellers are wondering if they rent their home for a period of time if they will get back some of their lost value or gain the benefit of value appreciation during the rental period.
There are many factors to consider when considering whether to rent or sell, so I created this video to cover many of them, including using the concept of gross rent multiplier to create an apples to apples comparison of your possible rental home to other area rental properties.
Also important to discuss are the benefits and burdons of vacation or long term rentals, self or professional property management, and potential appreciation. Every community is different. Pacific Beach, La Jolla, North Park, Clairemont, Carmel Valley, or every other San Diego neighborhood has different advantages and disadvantages to renting vs. selling.
If you are considering the possibility of renting or selling, give me a call. I'll be able to provide you a free, no hassle consultation to help you decide what is the best decision for you.
Living for Less, One Watt at a Time
Living for Less,
One Watt at a Time
You've probably been hearing about going green a lot these days, but figure it's too expensive to worry about when you're on a tight budget. The fact is, though, going green will actually save you money through conservation. Below are some tips on how to save some green while living green.
Shorter Showers & Laundry Time
Hot water costs wattage, and therefore, will raise your bills – challenge yourself to get clean in five minutes as often as possible – you'll be clean, green, and save money.
Speaking of hot water, try washing your clothing in cold water instead. They'll get just as clean, and save you money. Additionally, you can save on power costs by waiting to do the laundry when you have enough for a full washer. Then, of course, there's the dryer – dryers are wattage hogs – use a clothesline whenever possible during those hot summer months.
Another way to cut down on your hot water expenses is to shut off your water heater when you leave for extended periods of time, such as vacations and business trips.
Sneaky Ways to Live for Less
If you have a lot of electrical goods, such as phone chargers, mp3 player chargers, and other appliances, unplug them when they're not being used. Because they stay on standby mode when they're not in use, unplugging them will save you some watts, meaning a lower energy bill each month.
Turn off lights when you leave the room – no one's using the room, anyway – shut them off and see the results when your utility bill comes.
Heating up your whole house can be a major drain to your wattage unless you have non-electric sources of heating – use your fireplace if you have one, or have extra blankets in your bedroom and living room for comfort. Investing in an electric blanket can help you save money on heating costs as well, as heating your bed with it costs less than heating the entire room (especially if you shut it off before falling asleep).
Finally, when you're going to buy new appliances, or other electric-sapping devices, look for the Energy Star label. Equipment that bears this label use a significantly lower amount of energy than their standard counterparts. Many appliances will actually list on the label how much you will save per year in energy costs by purchasing them.
The best way to save money is to conserve energy. If you use less, it will cost less. Going green doesn't mean spending a lot of money or giving up comfort – by doing simple things that don't interrupt your lifestyle, you can actually save money while saving the earth.
About The Author: Kevin Hughes is a Boise Idaho real estate agent servicing buyers and sellers in Idaho. If you’re looking for a great home in Idaho, you can visit Kevin’s website where you can search great cities like Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Eagle.
What makes up the best real estate listing agent?
Mark and Karla Stuart of Prudential California Realty are the best listing agents for your personal residence or investment property. Why, because they become personally invested in the sale of your real estate. To learn more, watch this video or contact them at http://www.freesandiegosearch.com/about
What is Gross Rent Multiplier?
Gross rent multiplier explaned in a screencast video by Mark Stuart of http://www.freesandiegosearch.com and Prudential California Realty.
GRM is a vital statistic when considering what is the best deal in real estate in today's market as it has served as the support levels in recovering areas such as Pacific Beach, North Park, UTC, Carmel Valley, etc. La Jolla prices have yet to hit their area gross rent multipliers in many cases, but deals that have hit this number exist, giving informed investors a market advantage.
HOA Dues Can Save Homeowners Money and Are Not a Tax
I often receive questions about HOA dues and how they are too expensive. Other buyers talk about HOA dues as a "tax" on homeowners. Both are valid questions that should be explored further. In actuality, HOA dues can save homeowners money over owning and doing the maintenance on a single family home...in some cases. For more information or to contact Mark Stuart of Prudential California Realty, visit http://www.freesandiegosearch.com
How is My Credit Score Calculated?
How is my Credit Score
calculated?
Credit scores
are becoming increasingly important, with many employers even factoring this
into their hiring decisions. A credit score is based on a credit
report, which is a detailed account of one’s credit history, borrowings,
repayments, and credit inquiries. It indicates the financial
responsibility of an individual, including on-time monthly payments, types of
credit accrued, and complete credit history.
The three
prominent credit bureaus which maintain credit records are TransUnion, Equifax
and Experian. Any non-payment is immediately reported to these bureaus and
reflected in one’s credit report. A credit score is calculated by a special type
of software from Fair Issac Corporation Company, from which the FICO score name
stems.
There are
several different components, with individual weightings, that comprise your
credit score:
Payment
History - This accounts for 35% of a
credit score and indicates timely payment of monthly bills or
otherwise.
Extent of
Indebtedness - How much an individual
owes constitutes as high as 30% of the total credit score. Thus,
it is important to keep your borrowings low, preferably below 40% of maximum
credit limits.
Length of
Credit History - How long a person has
maintained credit carries a weighting of 15%. The longer the credit history, the
better this reflects on your score.
Types of
Credit - The composition and different
types of credit that a person has comprise 10% of the credit
score.
New Credit
- The size of new credit and inquiries
has a weighting of the remaining 10% on the credit
score.
A credit score
varies between 350 and 850. While a score of 850 indicates excellent credit, 350
very poorly on the individual’s financial responsibility. To
improve a score, should reduce credit card debt, pay bills in time, and be
careful in the types of credit you utilize.
308 Vista de la Playa Luxury Beachfront Estate Home in La Jolla
It is a true pleasure to be a part of the La Jolla office of Prudential California Realty, and when our brokerage may present a home for sale such as this it makes us even more proud.
http://www.freesandiegosearch.com/property/120000110/
Karla and I will be co-hosting Broker Caravan on Wednesday, January 11th at 308 Vista de la Playa, the highest priced home listed for sale in La Jolla. This property is as much artwork as it is a home, and one even the most discriminating buyer will appreciate.
When looking for a buyer agent for luxury beachfront or oceanfront living in La Jolla, look no further than Mark and Karla Stuart of Prudential California Realty for powerful and discreet representation.
North Park Real Estate Deal of the Month
condo, listed at $269,000 in the exceptionally strong rental
market of North Park is now priced to move. Plus, with the 2nd installment of
property taxes looming, the seller may be more willing to deal. Recently reduced
$20,000 in price, advantages of this townhome include interior laundry and
underground parking which will offer improved rental prospects.
a gross rent multiplier of 10.5. With 20% down, including all estimated
expenses, vacancy, and credit loss, this property produces a positive annual
cash flow with only 20% down!
homebuyers because of the exciting redevelopment over the last decade. The “30th
Street Corridor” is the newest hot spot for casual restaurants, pubs, and what
Mens Journal called “easily the nation’s best beer boulevard”.
than 2 blocks away. To further illustrate the popularity of this revitalized
community, vacancy rates rival and in many cases are lower than what is found in
Pacific Beach.
property ideas.
property online here.
in your neighborhood at www.freesandiegosearch.com, the most current and
complete resource for listed properties anywhere in San Diego County.
