Owner's Not Taking Highest Offer

This house had 22 offers. Here’s why the owners didn’t take the highest...


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The Easterbrook Team understands the market today and what buyer's are up against to get their offers accepted.  We pride ourselves in linking our borrower's with qualified realtors that understand this as well.


If we can be of any assistance to you, give us a call.
 916.850.6050 EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com

Tips for Real Estate Success

New Condo Changes

Single family homes and PUD projects have always been a slam dunk with FHA.  Condominium projects have been so close and yet so far for many FHA buyers.  The challenge has always been that FHA would only allow financing on their approved condo projects…and none of them were approved!  How did that work?  Well, it didn’t – until now.  FHA/HUD just announced new guidelines allowing spot approvals on condos, making it easier for financing of those that would gravitate to their price range the most.  For all the details, check out HUD’s Mortgagee Letter 2015-27 or call the Easterbrook Team at Sierra Pacific Mortgage at (916) 850-6050.

 

Not Got a Clue? It May Get Harder to Get One   CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) CLUE is a claims-information report generated by LexisNexis®, a consumer-reporting agency. The report generally contains up to seven years of personal-auto and personal-property claims history.

Currently, as a real estate agent, if you recommend your clients order a C.L.U.E. report when they order their NHD report you have several choices of companies to turn to for this service.

Recently, it has come to our attention that LexisNexis has decided to terminate its distribution agreements with these companies, compelling the consumer to go directly to LexisNexis for their reports. Beginning December 1, 2015 NHD companies will no longer be able to provide the C.L.U.E. Report to customers.  You can read more about the change HERE.

Free Safety App

There are many opportunities for Realtors to step into harm’s way showing homes.  There is a new app that you can download on your smartphone that will alert your predetermined monitors if there is a problem while you are out and about. – CLICK HERE.  Here’s another great video on personal safety with some simple safety steps that could affect your personal safety – CLICK HERE.

 

Tips for Real Estate Success

Genny Williams, business coach offers some practical advice to make a 6 figure + income in real estate.  As you are creating your goals for 2016, maybe work in a few of these things or accentuate what you are already doing - CLICK HERE.

The Bank of Mom & Dad!

The Bank of Mom & Dad

For young adults looking to purchase a home for the first time, the Bank of Mom and Dad has grown increasingly more important, as many first time homebuyers look to their parents for down payment assistance. The share of first time buyers needing assistance from their parents has increased over the past few years due to the rise in home values, slow income growth and tight credit standards and the Survey of Household Economic and Decisionmaking (SHED) upholds this idea. The SHED asked homeowners to identify the sources of funds used for their down payment when they purchased a home and found that the use of loans and gifts from family and friends increased from 8 percent in 2007 to 21 percent in 2009, but has dropped to 13 percent in 2014.  With the demise of the CHDAP/FHA combo, we expect the use of family funds to rise significantly through 2016. 

More Rental Trends

A new Harvard study points out how the rent vs buy decision is becoming even more skewed towards buying as rental inflation continues to increase. The number of US households that spend at least half their income on rent could increase 25% to almost 15 million over the next decade. Note that the homebuilders are pretty much all venturing into multi-family housing as well as single family, which should alleviate this problem at least to some extent. We have had a production deficit for single and multi-family construction for several years, prices keep rising, and yet housing starts remain at about 75% of normal levels (ignoring the boom and bust years).

With the increase of renters converting to buyers, it is so important to know financing options early.  Refer your buyers to us for a pre-purchase evaluation.  We can get them on the right path so that when they are ready (i.e. - their tax return coming in), they will have planned and be ready financially and in the right frame of mind to purchase. 

Finishing & Starting Strong

Last week we talked about taking stock of your life.  Now it’s time to start making your launch pad  to rocket into 2016.  Here is an article of 5 effective ways to wrap up the year and use your momentum to launch into the New Year – CLICK HERE

To Be or Not To Be?-That is the question.

To Be Successful, Learn From the Best

Some of the most successful people in history share their lessons – CLICK HERE.

Holding an Open House? Don’t Make These 7 Huge Mistakes

If you’re selling your home for the first time, you might think of the open house as the point at which your Realtor® waits until you leave, turns into a magician and, with a flick of the wrist, completely transforms the place into something out of Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing.”
But here’s the truth of it: Your agent isn’t practicing wizardry on the side. And you’re not responsibility-free when it comes to the open house.
In fact, even though you’re not present for the open house (and you never, ever should be, if you want to sell the home), there are still quite a few ways that you can screw it up—and drive away potential buyers.
These seven things will, according to our experts, destroy your chances of a successful open house—and, potentially, the home sale. Are you guilty of them?

1. Leaving your pets behind

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To find a realtor we trust or discuss your home buying needs contact The Easterbrook Team Today!
916-850-6050 easterbrooktea@spmc.com
John Easterbrook 916-224-7653 or Patty Aguon 916-833-5063


We Make Your Loan Process Easy!

9 Ways to Stay Warm This Winter Without Turning Up the Heat

The chill will be here before you know it—or, depending on where you’re reading this, it’s already arrived with a scary vengeance. Now you have three options: Crank up the thermostat, up your layering game (and risk looking like the Michelin man), or search for other types of home heating products to keep you and the family toasty.
Here’s the good news: There’s a slew of products that can warm your home in an array of astonishing ways, from heated rugs to countertops to driveways (no more shoveling snow!). Here’s a sampling of the innovative options.

Heating panels

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The Easterbrook Team is here to Make Your Loan Process Easy!  Contact Us Today!
916-850-6050 or email us at easterbrookteam@spmc.com


John Easterbrook or Patty Aguon are always available!