Tuesday, July 3, 2018

International investors are the uptrend in US commercial real estate.

This information is brought to you by

Angela Yglesias

Levesque Realty

Commercial Drawing in Global Investors: NAR





Abroad and at home, the economy is firming up—and in the commercial market in the U.S., international investors are riding the uptrend, according to a National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) report.
In the last five years, 35 percent of commercial REALTORS® have had more commercial clients from outside the U.S., and, in 2017, 18 percent closed with a client from another country, and 19 percent completed a lease with a foreign homebuyer.
“Since 2016, world economies have regained their footing and have pressed toward higher ground,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR. “Global economic output increased in 2017, and commercial real estate continues to be a healthy investment for global investors.
In 2017, commercial clients were generally homebuyers—of commercial transactions, 46 percent were buyer-side transactions and 13 percent were seller-side transactions, according to NAR. The average buyer lived outside of the U.S., while the majority of sellers were living temporarily in the U.S., on visas. Of all commercial transactions, the median price was $625,000 (buyer sides, $975,000, and seller sides, $1 million). Across both, 70 percent were cash purchases.
Both buyers and sellers hailed from China and Mexico, mostly, but buyers also came from Canada and the UK, and sellers from Brazil and Israel, the report shows. The commercial markets that were the most popular? Florida and Texas.
“REALTORS®’ international clients found U.S. commercial real estate markets to be a good value in 2017,” Yun says. “About seven in 10 respondents reported that international clients view U.S. prices to be about the same or less expensive than prices in their home country.”
The average commercial REALTOR® serves a smaller market, with deals under $2.5 million, according to the report.
“The profile of smaller commercial markets is continuing to rise as many foreign investors are attracted to smaller-sized properties in secondary and tertiary markets, bringing REALTORS® confidence that increased sales and leasing activity will continue to occur in 2018,” says Yun.
In large markets, commercial sales sank 5 percent year-over-year, NAR reported in September. Activity climbed 4 percent in farther-flung markets.
For more information, please visit www.nar.realtor.
DeVita_Suzanne_60x60Suzanne De Vita is RISMedia’s online news editor. Email her your real estate news ideas at sdevita@rismedia.com. For the latest real estate news and trends, bookmark RISMedia.com.

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Has your family outgrown your current home?

This information is brought to you by

Angela Yglesias

Levesque Realty

How to Choose the Right House for Your Growing Family





Even in the best of circumstances, shopping for a house can be a daunting task. When you are unsure what the future holds, searching for a home is even harder. If you plan to have children, you need to consider many factors that might not seem important to you now, but will be vital in the future.
Size
If you plan to have children in the future, or if you already have kids and might want to expand your family later, you need to find a house that is the right size. It can be difficult to know how many bedrooms you need when you are unsure how many children you might have.
You need a home that is flexible enough to accommodate a growing family. Look for a house with an extra bedroom, just in case. If you do not have a child who occupies that room, you will at least have a guest room. Another option is to consider possible renovations. If you find a house that has a finished basement or porch that could be converted into a bedroom in the future, that will give you flexibility. You might also want to think about the possibility of building an addition. Look at the size of the yard and ask yourself if you could add another room or two.
Room to Play
Make sure your children will have plenty of space to play inside the house. If your kids like to run around and spread out their toys, an open floor plan can make it easier for them to entertain themselves and for you to keep an eye on them. Also make sure the yard is large enough for toys, games that involve running around, and pets.
Practicality
You need to consider practical day-to-day issues. For example, if your family eats meals together every day, look for a home with a large enough kitchen or dining room. Make sure the house has a laundry room or enough space for a washer and dryer. Look for a house with plenty of closet space for clothes, toys and sports equipment.
Safety
Look for any hazards in the house such as stairs, counters with sharp edges and wall outlets that could be dangerous to young children. Find out where the nearest hospital is located in case of an emergency. Visit the neighborhood on a typical day to look at things like traffic. Contact the police to learn about crime rates in the area.
Education
Your children will need to attend school. Research local schools and daycares and find out about programs offered and whether transportation is provided. Also look into extracurricular activities for kids.
Weigh Your Options
Finding the right house requires a lot of careful thought. If you are planning to expand your family in the future, you have to consider many possible scenarios and be flexible. Look for a house that offers things you need now, as well as the ability to adapt to your changing needs.

Friday, June 29, 2018

Your AC may be pumping on the inside of your home, but have you considered your exterior?

This information is brought to you by

Angela Yglesias

Levesque Realty

Protecting Your Home's Exterior from Sun Damage





While you likely know you should protect your skin from the intense heat of the sun, UV rays, humidity and heat can damage your home, too. Here are some ways to protect it:
Paint
To make sure you get the most out of your exterior paint, choose a top-quality brand that will better withstand fading over time. Depending on how much sun you want on your home, you can also plant a tree border to throw shade on your space during the sunniest parts of the day, therefore adding life to your paint job.
Roof
The roof often absorbs the brunt of the sun’s rays, and can be the first to show sun damage. While there is not much you can do to avoid this, you can stay on top of the damage by monitoring your roof closely each season, and replacing any shingles or patches that become cracked or discolored.
Decks
One of the top ways to protect your deck from summer heat, especially if your deck is made of wood, is by properly sealing it with a high quality, weatherproof, UV-resistant sealer. This can stave off fading and warping. You may also want to consider a retractable deck awning, which you can pull over your space during the sunniest, most damaging part of the midday heat.
Windows
Make sure your windows are properly caulked and sealed to prevent heat from slipping inside. You may also want to consider shade awnings to prevent heat from penetrating, which can also cut down on your cooling costs.

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Surviving a Relocation



Relocating to a new area can be an exciting proposition. It can also be a process that's full of stress. Here are some tips from relocation pros to help ease the strain and emphasize the positive when moving out of town:

1. Lighten your load. Getting rid of unnecessary paperwork, clothing, knickknacks and furniture is essential with any move, but even more so when you’re relocating out of town or out of state. Not only will this save on moving costs, it will save you unpacking time on the other end, allowing you to focus on that new job that brought you to the area and on getting to know your new community and neighbors—all of which is more important than stacking books you don’t need onto shelves.

2. Hire a pro. While you may have opted for DIY moves in the past, relocating out of the area warrants calling in the pros. If you’re being relocated by your employer, this is probably being covered, but even if you’re not, make room in the budget for moving professionals. Ask for referrals, get at least three quotes, and carefully go over all of their policies, including insurance for damages and loss.

3. Transition kids. Children add a whole new layer to the relocation equation, so make sure you make them top priority. Do your research to find the schools that will be the best fit and set appointments to meet with school counselors as you get to town (or even before you move, if possible). Find out where your kids can resume their favorite activities, whether it’s dance or hockey, and get some intel on whether similar-aged children live in the neighborhood. Keep the communication flowing and open, and address all of your children’s concerns head-on. At all costs, don’t minimize their concerns—validate them instead. 

4. Deal with all emotions. Your kids won’t be the only ones on an emotional rollercoaster. Be sure to process your own wide range of emotions along with those of your spouse or partner, in addition to those of family and friends you’ll be leaving behind. Don’t just talk about keeping in touch, but rather, make plans for doing so. And be sure to make use of technology to keep the connections real and frequent.

5. Make some plans. To make sure your arrival in your new location starts on a high note, plan some activities in advance, whether it’s dinner reservations at a local hot spot, a play or concert if you’re near a city center, or a hike at a nearby state park. The idea is to dive into the exciting activities your new location has to offer. This will help you begin to appreciate your new home, easing any sadness of leaving your old one behind.
 
If you’d like more homeowner information, please contact me. 

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

5 Things to Avoid when Selling Your Home

Selling a home is a tactful balancing act. As your local real estate professional, I'd like to share with you this useful info graphic on five things to avoid if you want to attract prospective buyers, rather than scare them away. It touches on everything from what to do with your pets to how to make sure you have the right paint job.

info-5thingsavoidselling

Monday, April 16, 2018

Bright and cheerful 4 bedroom 2 bath single story home in Newbury Park


$630,000
Newbury Park, CA
Pocket listing not yet in the MLS. Located on a cul-de-sac with views of boney mountain from both the front lawn and backyard, just steps from great hiking/biking trails. Near Hickory Park. Please contact me if you or someone you know would like to see this home. My cell is 805.490.4944 and email is yglesias75@gmail.com. Feel free to call, text and/or email me with any additional questions and/or to schedule a showing. 


Sunday, April 15, 2018

Cool Ideas for Dressing Up Your Kid's Room



Icons and superheroes go in and out of style, so decorating your kids’ rooms to reflect their current favorite may not be the best idea. Decorators suggest using timeless themes and practical ideas to make their spaces cheerful and organized:

  • Start with color – Choose a favorite, preferably a soothing one, to help your child ease into sleep. Consider painting one wall in chalkboard paint, ready for years of artistic expression.
  • Use cool family art – Choose a favorite family, vacation, or kid photo and blow it up to large standard frame size at an office supply store. Then cut it evenly into thirds or fourths vertically, frame each one, and hang them side by side as separate pieces separated by just an inch or two.
  • Make it a gallery – String wire from one wall to another, just high enough for you to reach, to hold a changing display of your child’s drawings. Or frame the drawings in standard acrylic frames that can be changed as new masterpieces emerge.
  • Try dresser magic – Perk up a drab white dresser inexpensively by tying a length of colorful ribbon into a bow around each of the knobs.
  • Create a reading nook – Make it an inviting place for shared reading with a bookcase full of books, soft lighting, and seating comfy enough for cuddling.
  • Add maxistorage – A rack of colorful, stacked bins from the local home store is better than a toy box for storing trucks, games, building blocks, and other large toys.
  • And mini-storage – A multi-pocketed shoe organizer hung from one wall is a great place to stash mini action figures, Hot Wheels cars, hair goodies, and other small treasures.
  • Stock cubbies or a shelf with art supplies – Keep it full of construction paper, markers, poster board, and other supplies your kid may need for school projects.
  • Create a play space – Kids love to play dress-up. Find an old trunk and fill it with vintage clothing and hats they can use to ‘put on a show.’

Realtor in Thousand Oaks, Conejo Valley

I help people selling their homes get them sold quickly and almost always at 100% asking, even over in some markets. I save my real estate b...