Category Archives: Buying a Home

Mid-town Handyman Special

This is the back area of a home currently listed in mid-town Ventura. The house itself is a lovely handyman special craftsman with a high ceiling basement, and original touches throughout. What makes this home so unique is the property behind the home on which you can build another house. It’s a must see! read more

California January Housing Trends

Calif. median home price: January 2012: $268,280 (Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. highest median home price by region/county January 2012: Marin, $694,440 (Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. lowest median home price by region/county January 2012: Tehama, $110,000 (Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. Pending Home Sales Index: January 2012: 102.4, an increase from the revised 93.1 recorded in January 2011 Calif. Traditional Housing Affordability Index: Fourth quarter 2011: 55 percent (Source: C.A.R.) read more

10 Markets to Watch in 2012

Real estate markets in the Midwest and the South dominate the list of the Top 10 Markets to Watch in 2012, according to a report compiled by Inman News. Only two Northeastern markets, both in New York, made the list, but no markets from the West were included. The 10 markets are: Raleigh-Cary, N.C.; Wichita, Kan.; Rochester, N.Y.; Des Moines, Iowa; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Peoria, Ill.; Amarillo, Texas; Binghampton, N.Y.; Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Bloomington-Normal, Ill. These markets are showing signs of improvement in several key metrics, including above-average price appreciation, a flourishing job market, a high rate of sales in proportion to population, higher home affordability, low foreclosure activity, a below-average share of distressed sales, and low vacancy rates. read more

Where is America Moving?

Where did people move in 2011? According to the Atlas Van Lines 2011 Migration Patterns Study, Southwestern and Mid-Atlantic coastal states were the most popular destinations. The study provides a snapshot of relocation trends over the course of the year. States that lost more residents than they gained are classified as outbound states, while those that gained more residents than they lost are classified as inbound states. read more