March 30, 2011
December 7, 2009
New US home sales rise 6.2% — latimes.com
New US home sales rise 6.2% — latimes.com
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November 24, 2009
Entry Level Housing Affordability Up
This article is from The California Association of Realtors
Entry-level housing affordability reaches 64 percent
The percentage of households that could afford to buy an entry-level home in California stood at 64 percent in the third quarter of 2009, compared with 55 percent for the same period a year ago, according to a report released last week by C.A.R. The Index is the most fundamental measure of housing well-being for first-time buyers in the state.
The minimum household income needed to purchase an entry-level home at $247,150 in California in the third quarter of 2009 was $43,500, based on an adjustable interest rate of 4.79 percent and assuming a 10 percent down payment. First-time buyers typically purchase a home equal to 85 percent of the prevailing median price. The monthly payment including taxes and insurance was $1,450 for the third quarter of 2009.
At 85 percent, the High Desert region was the most affordable area in the state. The San Luis Obispo County region was the least affordable in the state at 47 percent, followed by the San Francisco Bay region at 49 percent.
November 22, 2009
What Do You Do With The Left Over Christmas Pork? Make Cuban Sandwiches
There is no sandwich like a Cuban Sandwich. I do not have them often, but I have them every New Year’s Day, with black eyed pea soup to bring good luck to the year, and mariquitas, which are very thin slices of green plantains. My family loves this.
This is what I do. I make a ham for Christmas Eve Dinner. I freeze some slices. Next day I make the Christmas Pork (last week’s recipe). I freeze some slices. New Year’s I defrost them, make a sandwich and serve them with a black eyed pea soup, and mariquitas, serves 4.
1 loaf of Cuban bread or French bread cut into fourths
8 slices of ham
8 slices of Cuban Pork
8 slices of Swiss Cheese
Bread and Butter Pickles
Mayo
Mustard
You will need a sandwich press, (looks like a waffle iron but smooth) or if you do not have one, you can use a skillet, a plate and a can to press the bread down. Instructions to follow..
Slice bread in half and spread mayo and mustard on each side. Place a slice of ham, a slice of pork, a sliced of Swiss Cheese on each side. You will have two slices of each of the above. Pickles to cover. Put both sides of sandwich together.
Heat the sandwich press and brush some olive oil on top and bottom, place sandwich on press and close for 2 minutes until hot and cheese is half way melted. Wrap on foil and keep warm on 200 degree oven as you finish the rest.
If you do not have a sandwich press. Heat skillet, brush olive oil, place sandwich on skillet. Take a can of soup and a plate, place the plate on top of the sandwich and press with the can to make it flatter, until hot and cheese melts.
Mariquitas and black eyed soup recipe to follow….
Aprovecho
November 21, 2009
Things To Do Before You Sell Your Home
#1. Get your home inspected.
You are required to disclose any problems with your property to prospective
buyers. Failure to do so will lead to further complications, even if you weren’t
aware of the flaws ahead of time. Hire a professional inspector to identify and
document any problems with your property. Also, make sure your home has
a clean bill of health from termites.
#2. Make repairs ahead of time.
A long list of necessary repairs is a major put-off for most buyers, who may decide to move on rather than deal with
the headache of fixing up the home. Do as many repairs yourself as possible, then hire a handyman to complete
the rest. If you decide not to make major repairs beforehand, then hire a reputable professional to provide cost
estimates that you can show to any interested buyers to put their minds at ease.
#3. Showcase your home.
Curb appeal and first impressions are valuable assets when selling your home. Clear unnecessary items from your
yard and maintain the landscape to welcome visitors. Keep the interior of your home clutter-free to maximize your
home’s livable space.
#4. Price it right.
The original asking price of your home has a huge impact on the ultimate sales price. If you price it too high, buyers
will look for better values and your home will remain on the market longer. The longer your home is on the market,
the less desirable it becomes to buyers—even if you eventually lower your asking price—because most buyers will
avoid a home that others are avoiding. Conversely, pricing your home too low may result in a quicker transaction but
will yield you less money in the end.
#5. Hire a Realtor®.
It may be tempting to list your home on your own to avoid paying a sales
commission, but selling your own home is a full-time job in itself. A real estate
professional represents the best opportunity to earn the maximum amount from
your home’s sale. An experienced agent will recommend the best listing price,
market your home effectively and show your home to buyers while recognizing
what they are looking for in a new home.
Putting your home on the market isn’t
as simple as placing a FOR SALE sign
in your yard.
things to do
before you sell your home
There are several steps to take prior to listing your home
that will make the transaction smoother and quicker.
• Install a new mailbox
• Upgrade outdoor lighting
• Replace old doormats
• Plant annual flowers
• Buy new pillows for sofas
• Display gentle potpourri or scented candles
• Replace torn window screens
• Polish or replace your old address plaque
• Fix or replace leaky or outdated faucets
• Buy organizational systems to reduce clutter
• Re-caulk sinks and bathtubs
• Place centerpieces on your large counters
and tables
Other low-cost ways to update your home:
Make Your Home
Attractive
to Buyers.
Once you have taken care of the
prep work to get your home on the
market, you’ll need to present your
home to potential buyers. Even
small cosmetic improvements will
have a major impact on the sale of
your home. The right touches can
get a buyer excited about your
home, but a few poor decisions
may lose their interest completely.
Clean. Clean. Clean.
A tidy home is a loved home. Wipe fingerprints and other smudges from
glass, mirrors and other shiny surfaces. Wax and polish your hardwood
and tile floors and vacuum your carpets often. Keep your oven, stove
and kitchen counters clean and clear of clutter.
Clear up the yard.
Make sure your landscape is well maintained to increase curb appeal.
A more conservative yard is often a better showcase for your home, so
be generous with your trimming and pruning. Pare down bushes and
trees that block windows. Pull weeds out of your flowerbeds, lawn and
sidewalk cracks. Repair minor asphalt and walkway cracks if necessary.
If your home has gutters on the roof, clean them out frequently.
Let there be light.
Natural light is the best light to cast your home in. Replace faded and
heavy curtains with sheer ones or install Venetian blinds. Opening the
shades when showing your house will also make your home seem larger.
Temporarily replace energy-efficient fluorescent lights with high-wattage
incandescent bulbs to give your home a warmer glow. Make sure darker
rooms are well lit.
Add a few little touches.
Replace worn or outdated doorknobs, cabinet handles and light
switches. Buy fresh new towels for the bathrooms, but don’t use them
(keep the towels you use out of sight in a cabinet). Place flowers in
windows that are walked by commonly. Display a seasonal decoration,
such as a wreath or wood ornament.
November 20, 2009
Rates Below 5%
Buzz up!The Associated Press
Published: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 – 8:57 am
McLEAN, Va. — Rates on 30-year mortgages stayed below 5 percent this week but remained above the record set earlier this year, Freddie Mac said Thursday.
The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 4.83 percent, down from 4.91 percent last week, the mortgage company said. Last year at this time, 30-year mortgages averaged 6.04 percent.
Rates hit a record low of 4.78 percent in the spring, and remain attractive for people looking to buy a home or refinance their existing mortgage. Still, credit standards remain tough, so the best rates usually are available only to borrowers with solid credit and a 20 percent down payment.
The Federal Reserve has pumped $1.25 trillion into mortgage-backed securities to try to lower rates on mortgages and loosen credit. Rates on 30-year mortgages traditionally track yields on long-term government debt.
Low fixed rates in the third quarter led to about $1.1 trillion in refinancing activity, saving borrowers about $10 billion in monthly payments over the first 12 months of their new loan, said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.
Freddie Mac collects mortgage rates on Monday through Wednesday of each week from lenders around the country. Rates often fluctuate significantly, even within a given day, frequently in line with long-term Treasury bonds.
The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.32 percent from 4.36 percent last week, according to Freddie Mac.
Rates on five-year, adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 4.25 percent, down from last week’s 4.29 percent. Rates on one-year, adjustable-rate mortgages declined to 4.35 percent from 4.46 percent.
The rates do not include add-on fees known as points. The nationwide fee for loans in Freddie Mac’s survey averaged 0.7 point for 30-year loans. The fee averaged 0.6 point for 15-year, five-year and one-year loans.
November 19, 2009
The Good News in Today’s Housing Market
You hear the bad news everywhere you turn. It’s on the television, the Internet, the radio and in print headlines. What you don’t hear is the good news about the real estate market.
Bad news sells newspapers and gets high television ratings; therefore, the media has no reason to report the upside of today’s real estate market to the average American. This is where I come in. For example, did you know that approximately 30 percent of homeowners own their home free and clear?
The current market also affords some great opportunities for those looking to purchase a home. First-time homeowners, move-up buyers and investors can all benefit from low home prices, large selection and historically low interest rates.
In addition, the government recently approved a First Time Buyer Tax Credit, up to $8000, that does not require repayment if the borrower resides in and maintains ownership of the property for at least three years. Regulations do apply and can be reviewed at www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com, or just give me a call and I will be happy to discuss
it with you.
Call me to hear more about the good news in today’s housing market. I can’t wait to share it with you.
November 17, 2009
November 11, 2009
Replacing Wood Fences With Vinyl
If you’re exploring the different options for new or replacement fencing, one material to be sure to have on your list of possibilities is vinyl. Vinyl fencing manufacturers have made great strides in recent years, offering a tremendous array of sizes, styles and options to choose from. The overall quality is up; the prices have come down; and competition among the growing number of manufacturers makes it a good time to consider vinyl for your next fence project.
Vinyl fencing is manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), blended with other chemical additives that add strength and protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Unlike wood, vinyl fencing is completely weather-resistant and virtually impervious to rot, insects, or other environmental damage. Another advantage to vinyl is that the color of the fence is created by the color of the vinyl itself — it is completely through the vinyl, as opposed to a surface layer like paint that can chip, peel or wear off.
Vinyl fencing still is more expensive than wood, but the lower maintenance expense typically makes the lifecycle cost considerably lower. Vinyl also compares very favorably to aluminum — vinyl has similar durability properties with a lower initial cost — and is typically considerably cheaper than wrought iron. However, you have to want the look of a painted fence, since vinyl fencing materials are currently available only in white, tan and gray.
When shopping for vinyl fencing materials, remember that not all fences are created equal, and you typically get what you pay for. Carefully compare the manufacturer’s specifications for the thickness of the vinyl, and look at how the components are constructed and structurally reinforced. Also, compare the length of the manufacturer’s warranties, as well as how complete they are and what they cover.
November 10, 2009
Arroz con Pollo
Arroz Con Pollo
4 lbs. of boneless chicken breasts cut in chunks
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp freshly ground white pepper
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
Sofrito and broth (sauce)
2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small red bell pepper, cored, seeded and finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced\1 small tomato, seeded and diced
1 cup dry white wine
1-1.5 cups beer
1.2 tsp Annatto seeds, or 1./4 tsp saffron threads, I use Annatto cheaper than saffron
1 can tomato sauce
1/4 cup Spanish olives
1/4 cup raisins
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 lb. Valencia or Arborio rice
Sliced red pimientos for garnish
1 can green peas (Petit Pois) for garnish
Wash chicken and blot dry with paper towels. Mix the oregano, cumin, white pepper and vinegar in large bowl. Add chicken, turning the pieces to cover with the mixture. Let marinate at least 15-30 minutes.
Heat oil in large casserole brown the chicken pieces all over about 2 minutes per side. Transfer chick to platter and pour out all fat but 2 tablespoon.
To Make Sofrito: Add onion, bell pepper, and the garlic to the oil in a casserole and cook over medium heat until soft for about 1-2 minutes, do not brown. Add tomato and cook for one more minute. Fold chicken into the sofrito in the casserole and cook for 2 more minutes.
Add wine, and beer, saffron or annetto seeds, tomato sauce, and salt and pepper. Add raisins and sliced olives and simmer for 30 minutes covered. Bring to a boil and add the Arborio or Valencia rice bring to a boil and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender. Before it is done add 1/2 of the petit pois and pimientos, garnish with the rest.
Serve with a green salad French bread and a Sauvignon Blanc.
Aprovecho
