Category Archives: Real Estate News

Buying a Home, Investing in Real Estate, Real Estate News

Single Female Buyers are a Strong Force

Per the NAR end of year 2018 Buyers and Seller Profile Report, single female buyers continue to be a strong force in the market.

For the second year in a row, single female buyers accounted for 18% of all buyers. The group was the second most common household buyer type behind married couples (63%). Single male buyers came in third and accounted for half the number of buyers as their female counterparts (9%). However, single males tended to purchase more expensive homes, with a median price of $215,000, compared to single females with a median price of $189,000 (the lowest of all household buyer types). read more

Buying a Home, Home Trends, Investing in Real Estate, Real Estate News

Buyers Continue to Rely on Agents

Per the NAR end of year Buyer & Seller Profile Report, B and the internet to find the right home

For the third year in a row, 95% of buyers used the internet at some point during their home search process, and 50% said that they found the home they eventually purchased online. Eighty-six percent of buyers used a real estate agent in their home search, and repeat buyers were more likely to use an agent than first-timers (87%  to 86). Overall, 87% of buyers ended up purchasing their home through a real estate agent (the same as 2017), as finding the right home and negotiating terms of sale were the top factors buyers desired from their agent. Ninety percent of respondents said they would definitely or probably use their agent again or recommend them to someone else. read more

Announcements, Home Improvement, Real Estate News

Putting in a New Pool?

Per the California Association of Realtors, there is some confusion in the field about home inspections and pool safety requirements under new Senate Bill 442.

SB 442 provides that when constructing a new pool or spa or remodeling an existing pool or spa at a private single-family home, the pool or spa shall now be equipped with two of the seven following drowning prevention safety features rather than just one as required by prior law: read more

Buying a Home, Real Estate News, Selling a Home

Property Tax Portability Initiative

Just recently the Board of Directors of the California Association of REALTORS® took a bold step.  They authorized a multi-million dollar effort to sponsor a ballot initiative that will allow all homeowners over 55 to transfer their property tax base anywhere in the State each time they move without a requirement to purchase a lower priced home.  (Higher priced homes will have a blended rate based on how much new value was added.) read more