Finally, a home to get really excited about!  6 bedrooms, 5 baths, saltwater pool, 1.1 acres, 3562 square feet, all lovingly, meticulously maintained from the inside out. All you have to do is move in! And with new HVAC, 13 ceiling fans, retractable patio awnings, lush landscaping… you’ll stay refreshed and cool all summer long.

Got guests? Bring then ALL over– there’s plenty of room for entertaining, plus plenty of space for boats, cars, RVs, horses… plus, a 2 bedroom, 2 bath ADA compliant suite right off the family room.

Love to cook? The kitchen is a chef’s dream, with truly top of the line appliances. This is a unique, one-of-a-kind home, priced to sell at $695,000. With over $200,000 of upgrades, every room has a special treat, whether it’s hardwood floors, bay windows, walk-in closets with built ins, a tub for two… the list goes on and on— email me for  complete details.

633 Bradford Granite Hills

Post from: BarbFischer.com

Anyone who has ever read the Bible knows about the concept of a much needed 24 hour rest period, each and every week.

But how many people really do this? No matter what your profession, we all really need this break!  It’s all about rest and relaxation and thinking about anything except business as usual.

We’re all familiar with the word “recreation”.  Mr Webster should have inserted a hyphen, to make it more obvious to the workaholics that it’s really about re-creation– refreshing your mind, soul, spirit and body. Without doing this, at least once a week, you’re not as good a worker as you could be.

We owe it to ourselves to take a break, and to hold our fellow agents accountable to do the same.

I shut down shop Saturday afternoon, and start up again late Sunday in summer, to catch those necessary showings and other details. Because I work with a lot of out of town clients, many times I’ll need to take my “Sabbath” on Tuesday instead, but I’m getting really vigilante about doing this.

Why do you think professors take sabbaticals? Hmmm… they take months of at a time…and that  sounds really good right about now…

Barb Fischer

Post from: BarbFischer.com

We’ve all seen it– the quick flip with nothing more done than yard clean up, new paint, low grade carpet and a granite countertop, all this for $50K-$75K more than the investor purchased it for.

That’s great, if you go for skin deep looks, and the house is only 5-10 years old.

But what about most of the homes out there? The vast majority which are 30,40,50+ years old? Have they fixed the plumbing, or updated the electric? How many layers does the roof have? If you hand the average American $50,000 to update their home, most people will do the pretty things, and if the plumbing or electric or roof aren’t broken or aging, they won’t fix them.

So when you buy a home like this, and the big ticket items break, you’re looking at a painful repair price.

Most investor/flippers are focused on creating eye candy which will pull in lots of interest, plenty of offers and the most return for their dollar.  Won’t fault them that, but my job is to protect you the buyers, and help you think long term, and find a quality home that won’t cost you an arm and a leg in expensive repairs.

In this market, way too many buyers are so fixated on getting a deal that they’re not willing to pay just a little bit more for a top quality house where the owner has really worked hard over the years to update and upgrade from the inside out.

So be a big thinker and a smart buyer. You’re still getting an awesome deal, and fantastic interest rates, too!

Post from: BarbFischer.com

I’m blessed with such wonderful clients. One lady always sends me the most interesting real estate headline news, and it’s important to keep up with real estate in general. But the national news is such a huge lump, that it rarely accurately reflects what’s happening locally here in San Diego.

We were the first in this mess, and we’re the first ones out of it. Sales are increasing, prices are rising, and those who sat on the fence waiting waiting waiting for prices to go down are now faced with paying more monthly than they wanted to. The only thing that’s saving them now are the lower interest rates—  the lowest in half a century!

But don’t use rock bottom interest rates as an excuse for jumping back on the fence. For every 10% a price goes down, if the interest rates rise 1%, then you’re right back where you started from in terms of payments.

So when you’re doing your real estate research, look for 2 things: the specific neighborhood (every city has dozens of them), and price range. The whole mortgage and real estate meltdown was fueled by the fact that the entry level buyer dropped off the face of the earth. Either they were in financial distress,  had lost their job, were self employed, underemployed, or no longer had the credit scores to obtain a loan.

Without entry level buyers, the owners of more affordable homes can’t sell, therefore they can’t move up to the next price range/larger home. And so the sluggishness creeps up the food chain of real estate. Now we’re seeing an increase in foreclosures in the higher price ranges, either due to job loss, strategic defaults, or people abandoning their second/vacation homes.

We’re all connected here, and activity (or lack thereof) in any segment of real estate affects the entire industry. So please, pay the most attention to the local real estate news in the area you’d like to live. Call me, and I’ll get you updated right away!

Post from: BarbFischer.com

Quit trying to outguess the market, the seller or the bank.  Just put in your best offer!

You might not get a 2nd chance.

A lot of times I am peppered with questions:  when did they buy this home, how much do they owe, what will the bank take, when will they decide, how many other offers are in???

We’ll discuss all of these important topics at our initial buyer’s consultation, and talk about what’s going on in the market, what’s important and how to be strategic and win. But some folks feel just compelled to find out every last detail and try to second guess the future, and plan their move based on A) insufficient and unavailable information – about topics we can’t really know the full story on)  and B) information that is constantly changing.

Of course, there are some people who use “information gathering” as a way of delaying or avoiding making a big decision.

Questions certainly are understandable, and valuable– so please, keep on asking!! Part of people’s extensive queries today come from a market that has been continually evolving and very confusing. The media says one thing, and people quickly discover that market realities are totally different. Plus, everyone carries in their heart a picture of the perfect home—which rarely lines up with the price and condition reality of what’s out there.

There is no “perfect” home– but there is the home that’s right for you!

So here are the top 6 questions—and the best answers for all:

1. “When did they buy this home?”  It doesn’t matter! You’re the one buying it now, and you’re the one who will be paying today’s price. Lucky you!
2. “How much do they owe? “ Sorry, loans aren’t assumable. Did you want to pay the very high amount they probably owe?
3. “What will the bank take?”  Now that’s the $64billion question. Do you think if they knew that they would take so long to decide?
4. “When will they decide?”  Another excellent question. Despite all the new HAFA and HAMP rules, be prepared for a long wait.
5. “How many offers are in?”  Hmmm… right now there might be 0, or several people could be writing one as we speak. We have no control over what other buyers are doing, thinking or spending. So be true to yourself—if you like it, writer your best offer now. You might not get a second chance.
6. And if you’re waiting for prices to go down, just remember, if prices go down 10%, but the interest rate rises 1%, you’ll be at roughly the same price!

Post from: BarbFischer.com

Buyers, sellers, investors, agents… stop trying to be comfortable. Because so many times, “being comfortable” that means you’re trying to play it way too safe, and you simply won’t get to the next level this way.

You’ve probably heard (or said) one these things before:

Buyers-- “we want to feel comfortable with the monthly payment”.  You don’t have to go hog wild or get saddled with insurmountable debt, but if you’re looking for a home in a multiple-offer market, or you’re searching in a lower price range, you’re going to have to stretch a bit to win the home you want.

Sellers– “we don’t feel comfortable pricing it so low”. Translation: we have to at least try (to price it unrealistically high). STOP!  Put on the buyers’ shoes for a moment– why on earth would you purchase the highest priced anything when you can find a similar model for less? Bottom line, do you want to sell your home, or have people tromping through for the next 6 months while you keep chasing the market?

Investors– “we simply don’t feel comfortable paying that much– the market could still go down”. Please- do you want a deal or do you want a house???  Are you in this for the long haul or not?  For every 10% the market goes down, if the interest rate goes up 1%, you’re at the same price!

Agents– “I don’t feel comfortable making that call/knocking on that door/posting that video/asking for referrals/learning about foreclosures”… the list goes on and on. Maybe we’re the guiltiest group here.

So let’s set a great example for everyone else. The best way to overcome fear is to do the thing you’re most afraid of!!

Post from: BarbFischer.com

Distressed Homes—or Distressed People????  It’s really the people who matter, as always. When I first heard the term “distressed homes” it seemed so odd, as if a home can really have feelings.   But the people inside can, and they do, in a huge way.

Most people considering a short sale or on the brink of foreclosure experience a myriad of emotions, from the initial denial to bargaining to a final acceptance… and then relief, once they decide to stop making payments so they can start talking to the bank, and move forward in their life, into a sunnier future.

Good REALTORs® have always known that we are usually both agent and psychologist rolled into one.  Sellers need us more than ever now.  I’ve seen people start to sign short sale paperwork actually stop, and freeze in time for several minutes, pen still in hand,  as they churn inside.  A gentle, knowledgeable touch helps bring them back to reality.

With all the craziness of multiple offers and ridiculously long bank delays, buyers need us just as much.  And– because I do animal rescue I just have to add this— when a person loses their home, a pet does too. Here in San Diego we are making massive rescues from the shelters in Riverside County, who are euthanizing perfectly good pets. Homeowners faced with foreclosure are operating in stun mode, and aren’t making the rationale decisions they normally would concerning their pets. Many don’t even try to call animal rescue groups.  If you know anyone in this situation, please advise them on this topic too.  Each breed has at least one rescue group which generally advocates for the mixes, too. We’re out there to help!

Meet Harley!

Post from: BarbFischer.com

If you’re facing financial difficulties, and may start having to miss payments on your home, call your loan officer or go to www.myfico.com and order a copy of your FICO scores now, while they are still strong.

Here’s why:

1) It’s a good, positive reminder for you of all you’ve worked for AND that your current financial condition is temporary- a blip on the radar– and that soon you’ll be back to your normal state

2) Once things improve for you and you’re in the market for a loan again, you can use this documentation in a letter of explanation, and have clear proof that you’d been current on everything except your home loan.

Even high ranking officials at some of our largest banks have conceded that 2008-2012 will be the years of foreclosures and short sales, and that perhaps everyone who has only housing woes on their credit reports should be given a mulligan.  Now that’s an excellent idea!

Post from: BarbFischer.com

When I’m representing you as a buyer, I will write you several emails describing the current  market and best strategies to get the home you want.

I realize that this is an enormous amount of information, spread out over much time and many conversations. So that you won’t have to go through and review all these notes, now’s a great time to recap all this info on one page:

Here’s what you DON’T/CAN’T CONTROL:
*When they review offers/when they accept offers
*If you get a second chance to bid higher. no seller is required to give you a counteroffer
*How much other people are willing to offer and when
*How quickly you have to write an offer to stay competitive
*How much it will appraise for
*How much the bank will accept on short sales and REOs (foreclosures)
*When/if they will reduce the price
*When they will change their mind on price
*If the list price is an accurate reflection of market values or a bait and switch to bring in mass offers
*When and how long they are in negotiations with other offers and when they change status on MLS
*Their office hours, when they work, if they return calls or emails, if they will give any information and if that info is even accurate

Here’s what you CAN CONTROL:
* The neighborhood you choose
* What your criteria is, and whether your criteria and price are realistic for the neighborhood you want
*The amount you offer
*How quickly you decide to write an offer
*How up to date you keep your financials
* Understanding that most people are all looking for the same thing: the nicest home in the best neighborhood for the lowest price
* Acknowledging that the lower your price range, the heavier the competition
* Recognizing that the lowball days are gone, and that even cash offers can be beat by a higher conventional offer
*Knowing that ALL houses will need some sort of repair or enhancement

Here’s what is NOT IMPORTANT (so ignore it):
*How many days the home has been on the market
*If there are other offers (because one can come in at any moment)
*How much other offers are for (they are NOT allowed to tell and if they do, then once you submit your offer and the next guy calls in, they will reveal your $ to them and you’ll get outbid)

Here’s what’s VERY IMPORTANT:

* How much YOU like the home
* Being willing to write your highest/best offer quickly
* Being realistic about price, neighborhood, amenities and expectations
* Being patient. You WILL end up with the right house, and the best house!

I will always:
*Send you homes according to your current criteria
*When you identify a home you want to see, I will always call/write (more than once) to attempt to obtain any possible helpful information
* Continue to network with large database of agents to find other/upcoming homes for you
*Write offers quickly and submit quickly
*Follow-up to ensure receipt
*Follow-up to see if other offers have fallen out of escrow.
If you’re watching late night TV or reading articles about knocking  30%,40%,50% off list price, turn off the TV. The sale already happened and prices are the lowest in years and now they are RISING in San Diego.  More great news: the interest rate has lowered… the lowest in generations now. Hop aboard… it’s  a great time to buy for long-term, big thinkers.

Hope this helps,
Barb

Post from: BarbFischer.com

The perfect man, the perfect woman, the perfect wedding, the perfect kids, the perfect house, the perfect car, the perfect school… sound familiar?  Searching for perfection is as old as man, but as Miss Manners so wisely puts it in her new book: “Perfection does not exist this side of heaven, especially when it involves complicated arrangements and all kinds of other people, and you’ll drive yourself and others crazy if you think you can achieve it.”

So buyers, quit looking for the perfect house! If you tell me you’re not doing this, then I will ask you: what is wrong—specifically– with all the homes you’ve seen so far?  Do you really know what you’re looking for? If you are not the only decision maker, then have you had a frank talk with all the other decision makers and ranked your individual preferences? Is everyone willing to be a bit flexible, and give a little? When you take a serious look at your wish list, is what you’re looking for realistic?

The concept of perfection is usually rooted in expectations, so ask yourself, what is your ideal for a house? Is it rooted in a misty picture of the home you grew up in? Or is it an updated version of your fantasy family life, or something dreamy you saw on a TV remodeling show?

99.9% of all buyers are limited by price so always start there. Look at the actives and the solds in the neighborhood(s) you want for the past 3 months. Don’t start pretending you’re the one who will win the lottery and find a seller or bank who will miraculously knock off $50K just for you.  Stick with reality, and you won’t get frustrated.

Once you’ve identified a realistic neighborhood that you really like, you shouldn’t need to see more than 5-10 homes to find the right home for you. Not the perfect home, but the best home and the right home.  With all the internet resources available to home buyers today, you can easily go through and eliminate the homes which aren’t right upfront.

If you physically see 5-10 homes and you have not found the right one, then there is some other issue going on, and  you can either: 1) readjust your criteria, 2) start looking in a more affordable neighborhood, 3) go back to the drawing board and renegotiate with your other decision makers, or 4) a combination thereof.  There’s simply no need for aggravation or frustration.

Make your house hunting a success!

If you are looking to buy in La Mesa or San Diego, call Barb Fischer at 619.339.1396.

Post from: BarbFischer.com