Blog
Buying or selling a home? We've got home search tips, staging advice, tips on where to put your renovation dollars and more information and advice.
Need to get another mortgage and still don't understand the process? Always wanted to understand escrow? Mortgage broker/real estate broker Chuck Tebbetts makes it all understandable.
Always wanted to be a real estate investor? Jean Tebbetts will show you how to keep your property rented for top dollar while controlling expenses.
San Diego Market Trends RENTS RISING. Rents in San Diego county in general are rising, according to Zillow in their February report, released last week. San Diego Metro rents in February increased 0.4% from January and 4.3% from last February. Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, and El Cajon rose similarly. Highest annual increases were Encinitas (5.3%, Ramona (5.1%), Lemon Grove (5.1%), National City (4.7%), and Valley Center (4.6%). Lowest were Coronado (-1.8%), Del Mar (0), Solana Beach (0.2% Bonsall (0.6%) and...
Read More
Even though the U.S. economy was robust, unemployment was low, and wages grew, home sales across the nation began to drop late last year. Reasons given were high prices and a number of interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Higher rates made houses less affordable, so the Fed took a “patient approach” to further rate changes, and not increase rates during January 2019. This from the San Diego Association of Realtors for January: “Closed Sales decreased 13.3 percent for...
Read More
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have its first effect on tax returns this tax season with the 2018 returns. Of large concern to many is whether homeowners can write off their mortgage interest under the new tax law. For people considering buying a home, there have been numerous articles saying that the mortgage interest deduction is effectively gone. Is that true? It’s true that, for the majority of states in the USA, the new standard deduction will be...
Read More
We all have some level of attachment to our things. However, many of us feel as though we’re drowning in stuff. Fortunately, there’s been a growing movement toward minimalism, and there are numerous methods that can help. Below are three decluttering philosophies to help you clear out and clean up your home and life. Feng Shui — The driving principle behind this Eastern philosophy is to create harmony and balance between an individual and his or her environment. Good feng...
Read More
Does the term “amortization” leave you perplexed? Are you unsure how preapproval differs from prequalification? If so, you’re not alone. Here are some mortgage basics to help you become more familiar with the process. What’s the difference between prequalification and preapproval? Getting prequalified is often the first step when searching for a home. You supply basic financial information, such as your income, assets and debts, and the lender then provides a preliminary estimate of the amount for which you may...
Read More
Emergency situations such as fire, extreme weather and power outages can happen without warning. By taking the time to prepare for a possible disaster now, you and your family will be equipped to handle a crisis if one ever occurs. Fire Escape Route and Meeting Spot It can take a mere five minutes for a fire to engulf your entire home. This is one reason having an escape plan is so important. Include at least two exit routes in your...
Read More
Cities all over the United States are experiencing unprecedented population swells. Fueled by a general migration to urban areas, these boomtowns are supported by steady job growth and thriving home markets. Here are four standouts whose numbers are on the rise. Seattle-Tacoma A healthy tech industry seems to be tempering the rain in the Pacific Northwest. The promise of employment in the Seattle-Tacoma area is strong and home price growth is even more robust, and together they help make this soggy city...
Read More
October isn’t just about pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween celebrations; it’s also Energy Awareness Month. Find out how you can reduce your household’s energy consumption this fall while preparing for the seasons ahead. Reducing Home Energy Use The average U.S. household consumes tens of thousands of kilowatt hours of electricity each year, and much of it is completely unnecessary. Making changes as simple as adding a few energy-efficient appliances and turning off gadgets when you’re not using them can save you a...
Read More
Designing your own home can be exciting, but it’s a lot more work than buying an existing house. With so many moving pieces involved, knowing what works and what doesn’t is key. Protect your home’s long-term value by sidestepping these five avoidable pitfalls of building a new home. 1. Forgetting About Storage Space From seasonal items to extra bedding, everything requires a temporary home when not in use. For that, you’ll need plenty of storage space. Some simple solutions might include...
Read More