Savvy sellers want to know what turns buyers off so they can get their homes sold as quickly as possible, for as much as possible. But buyers, take note: There are seller turnoffs to be aware of. Here are a few of the most common buyer-perpetrated seller turnoffs, with tips for sellers on how to keep an even keel when a buyer makes waves: 1. Trash-talking. Trash-talkers are the homebuyers who think they’re going to negotiate the list price down by slamming the house, telling the sellers how little it is really worth, how the house across the street sold for nothing, why the school on the …

OK, you have the prequalification and preapproval process behind you (whew!). Now is the time to start doing your homework and taking some field trips. The best advice I can give any buyer is do the research. If you are changing cities, start reading the local news and classified ads to get a feel for different neighborhoods. However, using the Internet to find a home, a Realtor, a neighborhood and community resources is probably the fastest and easiest way to research your new town. For local moves, you have the advantage of driving around neighborhoods that interest you and seeing which …

With summer just around the corner and temperatures heating up, this is a good time to think green.  There are lots of ways you can help the Earth, and making your home green is a good one. Here's how to get started: Reduce air-conditioning use. Air-conditioning, whether a central system or an in-window unit, uses lots of energy. Instead, use fans, keep windows and doors shut, and close shades during the day. Add energy-efficient windows.  They will not only reduce the heat inside your home during the warmer months, but will also help to keep the heat in during the cooler months. If you are …

Buying a home for the first time can be complex. Here's what you should know: 1: Just because it’s a buyer’s market doesn’t mean you should buy right now. Homebuyers should ask themselves if they have a good credit score, if their job is secure and if they can stay in the home for a few years. If the answer to these questions is “no,” it might make more sense to wait until life and finances are more stable. 2: The cost of owning a home is more than just the purchase price. On top of a mortgage payment, there are insurance, property taxes, utilities and maintenance. Think about scaling back …

Moving can be a stressful and difficult experience. And it can be a lot harder for kids, who may be leaving everything they know. Here are some tips to help your children deal with moving: Make a scrapbook of photographs of the old home, neighborhood, school, church, friends, family and going-away parties.  Have a goodbye party where their friends autograph a T-shirt and write their addresses on index cards. Have your children hand out goodbye notes with their new address. This shows them that you are just moving homes, and not lifestyles. Make sure you keep talking to them about what's going…

Stress. We deal with it daily. Finding a peaceful place or peaceful time for solitude is a challenge for most.  But have you ever thought of creating that peaceful place in or around your own home? We seem to always go places to find peace or solitude: the gym, yoga or Pilates classes, the beach, church, library, a hike, a coffee shop or quiet restaurant. Sometimes though, we just don’t want to leave our home. Create a Place to Relax Every home has enough space to create your own peaceful place. Whether it be inside or outside, with thoughtful planning and landscaping, an out-of-the-way area …

There are many great deals to be had in the current environment, and it is important to note that proper preparation is the key to successfully navigating the foreclosure market. Proper preparation will help consumers work through intricacies of this market. While lower asking prices draw potential buyers to these homes, each property has its own challenges that can come from abuse, neglect or deferred maintenance. Consumers must do their homework to help them know whether a property is truly a “good deal.” A home inspection by a qualified home inspector can provide buyers with a …

Is the market improving or at least stabilizing?  There was a sales increase for January over last year in the $500,000-and-above range.  The Laguna Niguel closed-sales report for January: Homes sold in the 0-$500,000 range: 2011   23 listings closed escrow              2010   27 listings closed escrow             Homes sold in the $500,000-$1 million range: 2011   28 listings closed escrow 2010   22 listings closed escrow Homes sold in the $1 million-and-above range: 2011   6 listings closed escrow                   2010   5 listings closed escrow

Construction costs have decreased, making home improvement projects more affordable. When the time comes to sell your home, first impressions matter. These smart upgrades will make a great impact on friends and family as well as potential buyers. The resale value on a project should be one of the main factors you take into account when deciding to remodel. If you are looking to do a little home improvement, read this first. In a report by Realtor Magazine and Remodeling magazine, the following five home improvement projects were named as bringing the greatest return on investment. The returns…

As of Feb. 3, there were about 143 short-sale, REO (bank-owned) or foreclosure listings in Laguna Niguel, ranging from $159,000 to $3,895,000. Looking to buy a foreclosure or short-sale property? Read this list first. Have the proof of funds. If you don’t have the money to close escrow, it may be best not to make the offer at all. Get a "proof of funds" letter from your bank showing you have sufficient funds, or get a pre-qualification letter from your lender. Cash offers are preferred by banks in these types of sales. Make your best offer. Typically, only the highest and best offer will be …

Sellers offering incentives has become common nowadays due to the economy, but does it really work? And if so, which idea works the best?  Right now, buyers are looking for an absolute steal, or they are looking for a fairly priced home that has all of the nice finishing touches.  The most common incentive is to offer to pay closing costs.  Other popular incentives are things like paint, carpet, landscaping or appliance allowances.  However, do incentives that are unique grab buyers' attention and make them want to find out more?  For example, maybe the seller has a time share in Vegas or …

With low interest rates and foreclosure and short-sale properties on the market, many first-time home buyers have made the decision to enter the market. If home ownership is finally within your reach, be sure to keep these five tips in mind before beginning the process. 1. Do Your Homework: Use the Internet or a Realtor to find out about the area you are looking to purchase in. Study the average closing prices of comparable homes. Be clear about what exactly your needs are and differentiate between “must-haves” and “wants.” Your must-haves are your necessities. Your wants are things that …

Statistics from the National Association of Realtors' latest survey of home buyers and sellers show that there is still equity to be found in the housing market. A home is a slow, steady and fairly low-risk way to build equity, but you must be patient. The bubble was due in part to those few people wanted a quick return. NAR found that the typical seller who bought a home eight years ago saw a 24 percent increase in equity (a median gain of $33,000). Those who were in their homes for 11 to 15 years saw a median gain of 40 percent! Laguna Niguel home values saw significant gains over the last …

The big question: Will the housing market improve in 2011? There are a number of variables that will determine this year’s housing markets but positive news is coming from institutions, such as University of California Los Angeles, that indicate prices will go up this year and the number of sold homes in our area has increased. According to The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 for 2008, 2009 and 2010: For home sales up to $1 million, Laguna Niguel has experienced a very well paced surge in number of sales in the past two years since 2008.    Home sales of $1 million and…

Taking a look back at the past decade, did housing help fuel your personal wealth? Did it help you in a good way or a bad way? The California Association of Realtors reported California's median home price was $248,250 in 2000 and was $304,220 in October 2010. Sure, the median home price peaked mid-decade at $567,000, but we must look at the long-term overview which tells us positive things. For more than 10 years, there was a steady, upward incline with a few spikes and dips -- normal in any housing market. This means there has been an overall increase in wealth. LM Still a Strong Market …

Do the holidays hamper home sales?  You need not be wary of listing your home during the holidays; it is actually a great time to find that perfect buyer. Serious Buyers You will see less activity, but buyers looking for homes during the holiday season are bound to be serious, motivated buyers. This will nearly eliminate "looky loos" and save you time. Buyers tend to have more time off around the holidays, meaning extra time to look at houses. Due to the time of year, most understand that you may have family in town or need to hold off showings for a couple days during the actual holiday. …

Laguna Niguel is a boutique community that offers a unique lifestyle and, in my opinion, is a great place to call home. As someone who has been in real estate for almost 30 years, I not only know Laguna Niguel, but I live in the community, too. I am excited to bring local residents a view of what is happening in their own backyards. To start off,  I want to share what I learned in a recent real estate seminar. An Insightful Meeting Leslie Appleton Young, vice president and chief economist of the California Association of Realtors, brought to members of the O.C. Association of Realtors her …