Monday, April 23, 2012

Spring Cleaning Time

April 23, 2012
The Parade Magazine that came with yesterday's Los Angeles Times had a really informative article on sorting through your "Stuff".Here are some of the suggestions for things to throw out now. Here are some of the items mentioned in the article.
1)Computer printouts
2) Paper copies of paid bills
3.VHS tapes, cassette tapes, or old video games - if you really treasure some of these digitize it.
4)Home gym equipment that you no longer use.
5)Old towels and linens that you haven't used or no longer want to use.
6)Old hair dryers, curling irons, rollers bobby pins, etc.
7)Out dated cell phones - give to a recycling charity
8.Extra coat hangers
9) Hobby material you no longer use
You get the idea. Throw out what is no longer pertinent to your lifestyle.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Celebrate Earth Day - Take the Redlands Garden Tour

April 20, 2012
Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day. This day was set aside to rememer the planet and to think "Green". EArth day is noy in its 42nd year and celebrated in 175 countries. This year, the Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society will present its 100th annual flower show. This event will feature floral arrangements on display at the ESRI Cafe at 380 New York Street. The event will open at 2 p.m. on Saturday and at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Tickets for the garden tour may be purchase there for $10 and will be good for both Saturday and Sunday,
The fresh flower arrangements and the incredible gardens on the tour are definitely a tribute to Mother Earth and the conservation of our resources.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Getting Your House Sold in 2012

April 19, 2012


Have you decided that 2012 is the year you are going to change your living environment? You have come to terms with the fact that you will not be selling your property for the price that your neighbor received in 2005-2006 or even 2007. But you also realize that you can purchase another property for less than you would have paid in those same years. Perhaps your lifestyle needs have changed. Now you want a larger home. Perhaps you want a newer home. Perhaps you want a home in a different location. What ever your motivation, you have decided to offer your home for sale in 2012.


Walk through your home and check it out. Are then minor repairs that need to be done? Do the cupboards need cleaning? Is there "stuff" that you no longer find useful? I found that a really eye-opening way to access my home was to take photos. It is amazing how different your decor will look in a photograph.


Check the exterior as well as the interior. Are your shrubs overgrown or do they need trimming. Are your palm trees weighted down with old brown fronds? Have the gophers taken over your lawn? If you plan to put your house on the market, it is time to put your landscaping in order. It will be one of the first things that a prospective buyer will use to judge your property.


Call real estate agent. Have the agent prepare a market analysis. Know what other similar properties have been priced, how quickly they were sold and how close to the asking price they were sold.


Listen to the real estate agent's suggestions about possible enhancements to your property.


And importantly, know what you plan to do when your property is sold.


It is beginning to feel as though 2012 is going to be the best opportunity in the past five years for sellers to sell their properties. The big challenge for sellers is to make sure that the pricing is comparable to the 2012 value. This is not a seller's market, but it is a market that offers sellers a good opportunity to sell.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Real Estate Agents Are Ready !

April 18, 2012


Income taxes are filed, spring vacation times are past and folks are thinking about their futures.


According to Fannie Mae's March 2012 consumer attitudinal National Housing Survey.


I quote from a recent C.A.R. Newsline: "Highlights of the survey include:"


33% of respondents expect home prices to increase over the next 12 months....


On average, Americans expect home prices to increase by 0.9% over the next 12 months....


39% of Americans say that mortgage rates will go up in the next 12 months....


On average, respondents expect home rental prices to increase by 4.1% over the next 12 months...


48% of respondents think that rental prices will go up...


66% of respondents say that they would buy their next house if they were going to move..."


If the home viewing activity of the past month is any indication, these respondents are out checking the inventory of homes for sale. They are aware that home prices are favorable and that interest rates are at historical lows. The environment for a home purchase is as welcoming as it has been in the past five years.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The $400,000+ Market

April 17, 2012


In the fourteen communities of Inland Southern California, I keep tracking the $400,000 and over real estate sales. While the volume of our sales has increased, this upper portion of our market remains relatively dormant. If you are a prospective buyer for a $400,000 plus property, now is certainly an excellent time to make a purchase. This segment of the market still has inventory, particularly in the Riverside and Redlands areas. As you will see by the numbers, $400,000 plus has not yet recovered.


Banning/Beaumont.........Jan/1......Feb/0......Mar/1


Bloomington.....................Jan/0......Feb/0......Mar/0


Colton...............................Jan/0......Feb/0.......Mar/0


Fontana...........................Jan/1.......Feb/3.......Mar/1


Grand Terrace...............Jan/0.......Feb/0......Mar/0


Highland.........................Jan/1........Feb/1......Mar/0


Loma Linda....................Jan/1.......Feb/0......Mar/0


Mentone.........................Jan/0.......Feb/0......Mar/0


Moreno Valley...............Jan/0.......Feb/0......Mar/0


Redlands........................Jan/5.......Feb/10.....Mar/8


Rialto..............................Jan/0......Feb/0.......Mar/0


Riverside.......................Jan/18.....Feb/18.....Mar/20


San Bernardino............Jan/1........Feb/0......Mar/0


Yucaipa/Calimesa.......Jan/5........Feb/3.......Mar/2


Considering the the median price in 2006 in Riverside, Fontana, Redlands and Yucaipa was over $400,000 you know that we have a ways to go.

Monday, April 16, 2012

An Awakening Real Estate Market

April 16, 2012


There are signs of Spring everywhere. Daffodils are blooming, trees are leafing out, the smell of orange blossoms is in the air and folks are madly preparing their income taxes which are due tomorrow. In the world of real estate, there are also signs of an awakening. As I posted earlier this month, the number of properties in escrow exceeds the number of active listings. Prospective buyers are calling real estate agents and making appointments to look at property. Real estate agents are being inundated with advertisements for classes - something that was very much lacking the past four years.


The media has even changed its tune. One not does hear as much about the thousands of foreclosures that will be swamping the real estate market. Instead on hears that the available homes for sale are very scarce and that in Southern California, activity is becoming almost robust. We are not yet seeing the multiple offers that some areas of the country are experiencing, but we are seeing new listings have offers within the first week or two.


Buyers need to recognize that they may no longer have the upper hand. Sellers need to recognize that over the past several years buyers have become better informed and are more cautious. The prospective buyer may be ready to make an offer, but the prospective buyer will have done research on past sales in the area.


The good news for sellers who list competitively is that they will be able to sell their property - not at what it might have sold for in 2006, but for about thirty to fifty percent less. Making a decision to sell means understanding the values in today's awakening real estate market.

Friday, April 13, 2012

San Bernardino County Clean-up Day

April 13, 2012


San Bernardino County Depart of Public Works Solid Waste Management Division is sponsoring a community Clean-up and Recycling Day tomorrow, Saturday April 14, 2012. Participation in the is free event is limited to residents of unincorporated county areas and the cities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Near Lake, Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Hesperia, Highland, Loma Linda, Montclair, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, San Bernardino, Twenty-Nine Palms, Upland, Victorville, Yucca Valley and Yucaipa. Resident s from these communities can dispose and recycle regular household trash and debris at no charge at all County owned landfills and larger transfer stations that are normally open on Saturdays. Proof of residency will be required. Service will be limited to private vehicles up to standard pickups or trailers up to 20 feet long.


This Community Clean up Day will be the last of County sponsored clean-up days dude to present budget constraints.


For detailed information you can contact Rex Richardson, Solid Waste Programs Administrator at rexrichardson@dpw.sbcounty.gov or call 909-386-8975

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Median Prices - First Quarter 2012

April 12, 2012


The first quarter of 2012 is now history. These median prices seem to indicate that sales are primarily under $200,000 if these median prices are somewhat accurate. These median prices are derived by looking up the number of units reported as "sold" and dividing by two. The selling price of the property at that halfway point is the number that I use as the median.


Banning/Beaumont...........Jan/156,000......Feb/145,000......Mar/158,000


Bloomington.......................Jan/110,000......Feb/132/140......Mar/175,000


Colton..................................Jan/125,000......Feb/121,500......Mar/114,000


Fontana..............................Jan/210,200......Feb/210,000......Mar/197,000


Grand Terrace..................Jan/179,000......Feb/145,000......Mar/199,000


Highland............................Jan/160,000......Feb/145,000......Mar/184,000


Loma Linda......................Jan/230,000......Feb/185,000......Mar/195,000


Mentone...........................Jan/115/130.......Feb/140,000......Mar/129/155


Moreno Valley.................Jan/147,000.......Feb/144,000......Mar/153,000


Redlands..........................Jan/178,000.......Feb/186,000.......Mar/220,000


Rialto................................Jan/163,000.......Feb/165,000......Mar/165,000


Riverside.........................Jan/195,000.......Feb/180,000......Mar/190,000


San Bernardino..............Jan/110,000.......Feb/100,000......Mar/105,000


Yucaipa/Calimesa..........Jan/189,000......Feb/160,000......Mar/170,000


There you have the numbers. They seem to be bouncing along - not rising significantly but not falling significantly.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

First Quarter 2012 - Closed Homes

April 11, 2012


These numbers seem to indicate that buyers have been making buying decisions and escrows have been closing. In most of the fourteen communities that I track the March number of units sold had improved over the January and February reports. As always, you can check the numbers for yourselves.


Banning/Beaumont..............Jan/96.......Feb/105......Mar/120


Bloomington..........................Jan/15.......Feb/25.........Mar/24


Colton....................................Jan/29.......Feb/42.........Mar/46


Fontana.................................Jan/188.....Feb/190......Mar/224


Grand Terrace.....................Jan/13.......Feb/8...........Mar/11


Highland...............................Jan/45.......Feb/46.........Mar/46


Loma Linda..........................Jan/16.......Feb/12.........Mar/21


Mentone...............................Jan/7.........Feb/16.........Mar/13


Moreno Valley.....................Jan/195.....Feb/174......Mar/244


Redlands..............................Jan/49.......Feb/55........Mar/80


Rialto....................................Jan/97.......Feb/85........Mar/118


Riverside.............................Jan/323.....Feb/364......Mar/405


San Bernardino...................Jan/189.....Feb/133......Mar/210


Yucaipa/Calimesa..............Jan/55.......Feb/57.........Mar/78


Let's hope that this trend can continue. Much of the continuation of an increase in the volume of sold properties will depend on there being an increase in the number of properties being offered for sale. If you happened to read yesterdays post that traced the history of the sales volume you might have noticed that it didn't significantly increase even at the peak of the market. Volume is clearly tied to the number of properties that are listed for sale.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Closed Transactions - March 2012-2003

April 11, 2012


AS is my custom, I post the numbers of the properties reported as sold though the CRMLS for each month. Here is the posting of these numbers for the years 2012 back through 2003. 2003. You can judge for yourselves as to where we might be in this real estate cycle.


Banning/ Beaumont..........2012/120......2011/147.......2010/112......2009/137......2008/89


.............................................2007/62........2006/98........2005/99.......2004/89........2003/72


Bloomington.......................2012/24........2011/20.........2010/20.......2009/25........2008/6


.............................................2007/7..........2006/24........2005/23.......2004/23.........2003/21


Colton.................................2012/46........2011/38.........2010/38........2009/66........2008/20


............................................2007/23........2006/67.........2005/52.......2004/48........2003/36


Fontana.............................2012/224......2011/265........2010/284.....2009/357......2008/97


...........................................2007/142.....2006/270.......2005/301......2004/238.....2003/229


Grand Terrace.................2012/11........2011/11..........2010/5...........2009/7..........2008/6


...........................................2007/2..........2006/7...........2005/13.........2004/10.......2003/10


Highland...........................2012/46........2011/58.........2010/67..........2009/87.......2008/27


...........................................2007/39.......2006/67.........2005/75.........2004/69.......2003/67


Loma Linda......................2012/21.......2011/15..........2010/15.........2009/13........2008/9


...........................................2007/15.......2006/17.........2005/7...........2004/11........2003/16


Mentone...........................2012/13.......2011/12..........2010/5...........2009/9..........2008/8


..........................................2007/4.........2006/9............2005/6..........2004/10........2003/2


Moreno Valley................2012/244.....2011/273........2010/308......2009/505.....2008/175


..........................................2007/120.....2006/333.......2005/340.....2004/279......2003/229


Redlands.........................2012/80........2011/55..........2010/57........2009/55........2008/48


.........................................2007/63........2006/76.........2005/100......2004/85........2003/75


Rialto...............................2012/118......2011/132........2010/122......2009/132.......2008/48


.........................................2007/53........2006/118.......2005/127......2004/102.......2003/89


Riverside........................2012/405......2011/368.......2010/417.......2009/530......2008/207


.........................................2007/259......2006/487......2005/427.......2004/371.......2003/359


San Bernardino.............2012/210.......2011/213.......2010/261.......2009/338......2008/96


........................................2007/139.......2006/255......2005/241.......2004/241......2003/224


Yucaipa/Calimesa........2012/78..........2011/66.........2010/65.........2009/62........2008/40


........................................2007/54.........2006/67........2005/79..........2004/81........2003/60

Monday, April 09, 2012

If It's April, It"s Tax Paying Time

April 9, 2012


If you are a last minute type person, April is the month when you will have to pay both property and income taxes. Of course, if you are one who pays promptly when your property tax bill arrives above the end of October and you pay the taxes for the entire 2011-2012 tax year, you will only have to be concerned with your income taxes this month. You could also have filed them any time the first quarter of this year and you will be free of last minute stress.


It is now the eleventh hour for your property taxes. The last day to pay the second half of the 2011-2012 property taxes is tomorrow, April 10, 2012. In case you are sometimes confused about property taxes, the property tax year is not a calendar year. It runs from July 1 to June 30. The second half payment now due covers January 1 2012 to June 30, 2012. Hopefully you paid the first installment by December 10, 2011.


If you need to check the status of your property taxes, you can google San Bernardino County Tax Collector. On this site you can find your current bill plus the history of payments.


If you purchased real estate in 2011 or this Spring, you might want to check on the Taxes paid. They may or may not have been paid through the escrow process.

Friday, April 06, 2012

Annual CENTURY 21 Lois Lauer Realty Egg Hunt



April 6, 2012



Tomorrow morning, Saturday, April 7, CENTURY 21 Lois Lauer Realty will be hosting the annual egg hunt at East Highlands Ranch. The agents spent last Wednesday morning stuffing 2000 plastic eggs with candy. It took us all morning to do the stuffing. If the hunt is as usual, the eggs will all be found in less than ten minutes from the word "GO".



The hunt is held at Ranch Meadows Park on East Highland Ranch. It is for the residents of the ranch and the families will arrive early enough to be ready for the 10 a.m. sharp hunt.



This is just one of the many community outreach events that CENTURY 21 Lois Lauer Realty sponsors.

Thursday, April 05, 2012

Spring Has Come - And So Have Those Gophers

April 5, 2012




Gophers are one of the garden pests that seem to always be with us. It seems as though everyone has a favorite method for controlling them. I was surprised to read that gophers are loners and that only one gopher inhabits a run. Of course, no one can really determine how long that one gophers run might be. Mounds of dirt pop up all over the lawn and garden making it hard to believe that this is the work of one gopher.




According to garden experts, the best way to control gophers is to use traps. If you prod around one of those newly formed volcano shaped piles of dirt, you should be able to find the hollowed out tunnel. Then you can insert two wire or box traps in the tunnel. You use two because you want them to face both directions since you don't know where the gopher might be in relation to the spot you have opened. Cover the hole with a board and cover the board with dirt to block out the light. Check daily. Sadly an existing run can be occupied by a new gopher.




There are other methods that folks claim are also effective. There are the vibrating stakes that are supposed to keep that gophers away from the area that carries the vibrating sound. This does not kill the gophers it only sends them somewhere else. One of the more interesting solutions that I've heard is to put the chlorine pellets that are used in pools into the gopher tunnel and then hose it down. The chlorine gas that is released will inundate the tunnel and the gopher will never reappear. I haven't tried it so I don't know how effective it might be.




Garden experts still believe that steel traps are the only real solution.

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Interested in Interior and/or Exterior Design?

April 4, 2012


There was an article this morning in Wall Street Journal's Personal Journal Section that caught my eye. It was entitled: Professional Decorating Ideas in the Houzz.


"Houzz" refers to a web site that encompasses home decorating, both interior and exterior. IT s loaded with photos of rooms and gardens. IT includes a list of professionals in the profession of interior design and landscape architecture. It also includes information on products that are seen in the photos - where to find them and in some instances costs.


I found it a fun site to browse, particularly if you are looking for ideas.


http://www.houzz.com/

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

Thinking of Selling YOur Home?

April 3, 2012


Are you thinking of selling your home? If the answer is "Yes" it is time to look at your home through a prospective buyer's eyes. Start with de cluttering it. If you have limited closet or storage space, think about closet organizers or adding storage closets in the garage. If your kitchen was built or remodeled prior to the 21st century, think of replacing cupboard hardware with more up-to-date handles. For some reason the preferred look is brushed chrome or steel for cupboard handles. The same finish is also true for plumbing faucets. Changing a faucet can give an updated look to a kitchen.


Always fresh paint can improve the look of a home. Check both the exterior and interior for chipped paint. For sure scrape away the chips.


Check the shrubbery around your home. If it has become overgrown, it is time to get out the trimmers and trim the shrubs. If you have palm trees, it would be good to remove all the hanging brown fronds - if the breezy days have not already caused them to fall.


There are really many things that a homeowner can do to improve the appeal of a property without massive expenditures of money.


It can often be useful to take pictures of your home, both interior and exterior. I did it to my home and was amazed to see items that would have to be changed before I ever put my house on the market. I love my navy blue bedspread with the cabbage roses, the matching draperies and upholstered chair, but OMG, in a photo, they screamed "Tone me down."


If you Google "Home Improvements" you will find some sites that offer some really good tips.


Of course, if you call a professional real estate agent, they can also offer tips that will help to sell your home.

Monday, April 02, 2012

Listings, Pendings, Back-ups, April 1, 2012

April 2, 2012


Just check these numbers! When I pulled the numbers for active listings, pendings, back-ups yesterday, I was totally surprised. In all put the Mentone area, pendings and back-ups were greater than the number of active listings. First time this has happened since I began posting the numbers.


Banning/Beaumont.........List/358......Pend/209.......Back-up/159......Ratio/1..06/so11/.492


Bloomington.....................List/38........Pend/50.........Back-up/22.........Ratio/1.90/2011/1.058


Colton...............................List/61.........Pend/100.......Back-up/53.........Ratio/2.51/2011/.883


Fontana............................List/421......Pend/488........Back-up/249......Ratio/1.75/2011/.902


Grand Terrace................List/30........Pend/27..........Back-up/12.........Ratio/1.30/2011/1.00


Highland..........................List/137.......Pend/122........Back-up/65........Ratio/1.37/2011/.740


Loma Linda.....................List/19........Pend/40..........Back-up/21.........Ratio/3.21/2011/.614


Mentone..........................List/20........Pend/12..........Back-up/6...........Ratio/.900/2011/.438


Moreno Valley................List/457......Pend/460........Back-up/279......Ratio/1.62/2011/.746


Redlands.........................List/179.......Pend/110........Back-up/91........Ratio/1.12/2011/.481


Rialto...............................List/194.......Pend/224.......Back-up/103......Ratio/1.69/2011/.877


Riverside........................List/794.......Pend/814........Back-up/430......Ratio/1.57/2011/.768


San Bernardino.............List/475........Pend/391.......Back-up/164.......Ratio/1.17/2011/.702


Yucaipa/Calimesa.........List/145.......Pend/106.......Back-up/93.........Ratio/1.37/2011/.682


It was good to see that the numbers indicate that buyers are making decision to buy. Now we need to encourage potential sellers to put their homes on the market. I will be doing the median price numbers and we will continue to track them so that we will know when the price of homes selling is improving. At the moment, it seems to be just the volume of units being sold is experiencing improvement.