November 2018 National Housing Trends eNewsletter

Angela Yglesias

Levesque Realty 

Cell: 805-490-4944  
Phone: 805-490-4944 

Housing Trends November 2018 View archives

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What’s the median
home price in
your market?

What’s the value of
your home?

Use our tools
to find out

Neighborhood reports

Get a detailed report showing market trends in your neighborhood, including recent listings, sales prices and average time on market.

Get a report

Find a Mover

Find a Mover

Type of Move

                     Select Move Type                     Full Service (They Load - They Drive)                     Self Service (You Load - They Drive)                     Auto Transport (Vehicle Only)                 

Move date

Moving From Zip

Moving To Zip

Size of Move

                     Select a Weight                     Studio                     1 Bedroom                     2 Bedroom                     2-3 Bedroom                     3 Bedroom                     4 Bedroom                     5 Bedroom                 

Mortgage rates

Powered by thefinancials.com

Mortgage calculator

Get a detailed report showing market trends in your neighborhood, including recent listings, sales prices and average time on market.

Get a report

Rent vs buy

How big is an acre? What is an option?
Do I need hazard insurance?

Take a look at our real estate glossary to learn definitions of common words and phrases used in the industry.

Learn more

National market update

Existing-Home Sales Decline Across the Country in September

WASHINGTON (October 19, 2018) – Existing-home sales declined in September after a month of stagnation in August, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All four major regions saw no gain in sales activity last month.



Read more

Amazon's New Headquarters May Be a Prime Deal for Two Cities, but Where Will Workers Live?

For the past year, Amazon has artfully whipped cities all over the country into a frenzy as they vied for a prize: home to the online retailing giant's second corporate headquarters and up to 50,000 high-paying jobs. And now it appears there's not one, but two winners. Ooh, last-minute plot twists!



Read more

National housing indicators

Existing home sales (Sep)

5.15 millions units*

Existing home median price (Sep)

$258,100

Housing Starts (Sep)

1.201 millions units*

New home sales (Aug)

0.629 millions units*

*Seasonally adjusted annual rate. Source: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

National economic indicators

Home ownership

2nd Quarter 2018

64.3%

3rd Quarter 2018

64.4%

The homeownership rate of 64.4 percent was not statistically different from the rate in the third quarter 2017 (63.9 percent) nor from the rate in the second quarter 2018 (64.3 percent).

New home sales

August 2018

+3.5%

September 2018

-5.5%

Sales of new single-family houses in September 2018 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 553,000, according to estimates released jointly today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 5.5 percent (±12.1 percent)* below the revised August rate of 585,000 and is 13.2 percent (±13.6 percent)* below the September 2017 estimate of 637,000.

Source: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

How much is your home worth? Get a real-time report on the value of your home. Start now

Regional market updates

View market statistics for your region.

Click on the links below to view data from two different industry sources. Choose information on local prices & state sales from any of 178 metropolitan housing markets prepared by the National Association of REALTORS® or information on sales & price activity from local area markets in 25 states prepared by Clarus MarketMetrics.

Local Prices & State Sales

• CA - Anaheim-Santa Ana Region Real Estate Market
• CA - Los Angeles Region Real Estate Market
• CA - Riverside Region Real Estate Market
• CA - Sacramento Region Real Estate Market
• CA - San Diego Region Real Estate Market

See more

Local Sales & Price Activity

• CA - Northern Bay Region Real Estate Market
• CA - Inland Empire Real Estate Market
• CA - Los Angeles Real Estate Market
• CA - Pleasanton & Alameda County Real Estate Market
• CA - Riverside/Coachella Valley Real Estate Market

See more

Consumer tips & hot properties

The New Boomtowns: 10 Surprising U.S. Cities Where Home Prices Are Soaring

The real estate market may be softening nationwide, but prices are still shooting up in these 10 cities. And they’re not the ultrapricey usual urban suspects.



Read more

Housing Slowdown? Softening? Whatever You Call It, It’s Real and It’s Here

After years of soaring price hikes, bidding wars, and a dearth of homes for sale, is the housing market beginning to shift in favor of buyers?



Read more

Take Our Quiz: Are You Truly Ready to Buy a House?

Take this quiz to test your home-buying smarts, and see if you’re truly ready to tackle a mortgage, home closing, and more.



Read more

We’re Stuck in Our Starter Home—Will It Be Our Forever Home, Too?

Twelve years after buying a home with a five-year plan to sell, a couple is still there. Here’s how they decided to cope.



Read more

The Ugly (and Filthy) Truth About Wearing Shoes in the House

Shoes on or off? It’s a choice that inevitably leads to irritated houseguests or resentful homeowners. Who’s right?



Read more

Existing Home Statistics

View statistics based on national data, regional data and data gathered from 159 cities & metropolitan areas.

National Statistics

• Housing Affordability Index
• National Existing Home Sales
• National Sales Price of Existing Homes

Statistics by City or Metropolitan Area

• Single-family Home Prices
• Condo/Co-op Prices

Regional Statistics

• Existing Home Sales
• Sales Price of Existing Homes
• Existing Single Family Home Sales
• Sales Price of Existing Single-Family Homes
• Existing Condo/Co-op Sales
• Sales Price of Existing Condo/Co-op Homes

Source: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

©2013 Move, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

website administered by www.apps-home.com

Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, a real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, real estate radio, realtor.com® local community reports and local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by local MLSs and the National Association of REALTORS®.

Subscribe to the free Housing Trends eNewsletter to receive it each month. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Information contained in this eNewsletter is compiled from a variety of sources. The accuracy and authenticity has not been verified by Move, Inc., is subject to change, is provided "as is" and is not guaranteed. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Move, Inc. Move, Inc. makes no representations or warranties of any nature with regard to the privacy and/or business practices of the websites linked from or to this eNewsletter nor the accuracy and authenticity of any information contained in such websites, and is not responsible for any content contained in any linked site or for any action or lack of action by any linked site whatsoever, including their use of any information they may collect.

Representing residential and commercial buyers and sellers in Ventura and LA Counties.

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, statements and/or ideas expressed in this Message Section do not reflect the ideas, policy, position, views or opinion of Move,Inc.

What a crazy week we have had here in the Conejo Valley

Our community and just beyond has been hit so hard this week.  First the incredibly senseless act of violence at the Borderline Bar and Grill where so many lives were lost and families and friends will never be the same.  My heart truly bleeds for all who have been affected by that terrible tragedy.  Then so many families having to evacuate due to both the Hill and Woolsey fires.  Many have lost their homes due to the Woolsey fire.  The above pictures I took in my own neighborhood yesterday.  

This is an amazing community that is strong and resilient. Seeing such an incredible outpouring of support and love to both the shooting and fire victims further solidifies our decision to move here 16 years ago.  Feeling very blessed that we live where we do.  It's important to remember that mourning the loss of a friend and/or loved one is a very long process.  Those who were affected by the senseless shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill will continue to need support for many more months and even years to come.  I hope they continue to receive the same level of support and love during this incredibly difficult time, keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  The victims of the fires need the same, as losing your home, memories, etc. is an incredibly painful experience as well.  I wish I had the ability to make things all better for all, so incredibly heartbreaking.  Hopefully all of those who have lost their homes will be welcomed into someone else's with the upcoming holidays, to at least feel some sort of sense of normalcy.  The winds are calmer at the moment.  Wishing all residents of Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Oak Park, West Hills, Newbury Park, Camarillo, Calabasas, Topanga Canyon and Malibu a break from all of this.  And, a speedy recovery for those who have lost their homes.  I hope all come together to donate whatever you can to help these victims who may now be completely without food, water, clothing and other basic necessities.  Much love to all.

Piggybacking Your Way Into a Home

If you can’t afford a big down payment on a home and will have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) to qualify for a home loan, there’s one option that may work for you—a piggyback loan.

Also called a second mortgage, a piggyback loan closes concurrently with a first mortgage during a home-buying transaction. It can be used to extend financing terms, allow less money to be put down on a home, or break up a loan into two separate amounts to produce a better blended rate.

Getting to 80% Loan-to-Value
Having a loan-to-value (LTV) of 80 percent or lower on a first mortgage can help you get a lower interest rate. If your LTV is more than 80 percent—meaning you’re borrowing more than 80 percent of the purchase price—then you’ll have to pay private mortgage insurance.

After getting a first mortgage for 80 percent of the home’s cost, a borrower can get a piggyback loan for 10 percent or 20 percent, depending on their down payment.

For example, if a home’s purchase price is $100,000 and the borrower gets a first mortgage for $80,000, they can get a second mortgage for $10,000. They will then have to bring $10,000 in down payment money to the closing.

If they only had $10,000 for a down payment, then a $10,000 piggyback loan would help them avoid PMI. Otherwise, they’d have 90 percent LTV on the first mortgage, and would have to pay PMI.

A piggyback loan can also make up 20 percent of the home loan, meaning that with an 80 percent first mortgage, no down payment would be needed. In the above example of a $100,000 home, the $80,000 first mortgage would come with a $20,000 piggyback mortgage. No PMI would be needed.

Higher Interest Rates
Interest rates on second mortgages are usually higher than first mortgages, and can result in paying more interest and possibly extend the amount of time it takes to pay off the first mortgage.

While the monthly payment on a second mortgage will be fairly low compared to the first mortgage because of the smaller loan amount, the higher interest rate can make your loan payments higher over time. To avoid this, try paying off your second loan as soon as you can.

Second mortgages are offered in adjustable and fixed-rate options. Talk to your loan provider to determine which is best for you.

How to Clean Painted Walls

Did your toddler scribble on the walls? Or perhaps a year or two of wear and tear have your interior paints looking less than pristine. If your walls could use a little TLC, but you’re not quite ready for a fresh coat of paint, consider the following methods for freshening up.

Latex Paints
Whether you have dirt or dust clogging up your paint job, all you need to do is mix a few drops of dish soap into warm water, soak and wring a sponge, and go. Be sure to wring the sponge to avoid long drips making their way down your walls and right into your electrical socket.

If you don’t want to use dish soap, two tablespoons of white vinegar to one gallon of water will also do the trick.

Warning: Never use a scrubby sponge, brillo pad or harsh cleaning solution, or you could risk ruining your paint job.

Oil-Based Paints
If your interior paint is oil-based and soap or vinegar just aren’t cutting it, you can safely use a mild degreaser—especially helpful on greasy kitchen walls. Just be sure to follow the instructions on your package carefully to avoid ruining your paint.

Again, avoid harsh scrubbing pads or other cleaners, or you may find yourself repainting, pronto.

4 Things NOT to Do When Putting Your Home on the Market

Editor's Note: This post was originally published on December 29, 2016. Housecall continues to share this piece due to ongoing requests and reader interest.

So you've decided to put your home on the market. Congratulations! Hopefully, you've brought a rockin' REALTOR® on board to help you list your spot, and together you've done your due diligence on what to ask for. As you start checking things off your to-do list, it's also important to pay mind of what not to do. Below are a handful of things to get you started.

Don't over-improve.
As you ready your home for sale, you may realize you will get a great return on your investment if you make a couple of changes. Updating the appliances or replacing that cracked cabinet in the bathroom are all great ideas. However, it's important not to over-improve, or make improvements that are hyper-specific to your tastes. For example, not everyone wants a pimped out finished basement equipped with a wet bar and lifted stage for their rock and roll buds to jam out on. (Okay, everyone should want that.) What if your buyers are family oriented and want a basement space for their kids to play in? That rock-and-roll room may look to them like a huge project to un-do. Make any needed fixes to your space, but don't go above and beyond—you may lose money doing so.

Don't over-decorate.
Over-decorating is just as bad as over-improving. You may love the look of lace and lavender, but your potential buyer may enter your home and cringe. When prepping for sale, neutralize your decorating scheme so it's more universally palatable.

Don't hang around.
Your agent calls to let you know they will be bringing buyers by this afternoon. Great! You rally your whole family, Fluffy the dog included, to be waiting at the door with fresh baked cookies and big smiles. Right? Wrong. Buyers want to imagine themselves in your space, not be confronted by you in your space. Trust, it's awkward for them to go about judging your home while you stand in the corner smiling like a maniac. Get out of the house, take the kids with you, and if you can't leave for whatever reason, at least go sit in the backyard. (On the other hand, if you're buying a home and not selling, then making it personal is the way to go, especially when writing your offer letter. Pull those heart strings!)

Don't take things personally.
Real estate is a business, but buying and selling homes is very, very emotional. However, when selling your homes, try your very best not to take things personally. When a buyer lowballs you or says they will need to replace your prized 1970s vintage shag carpet with something “more modern,” try not to raise your hackles.

October 2018 National Housing Trends eNewsletter

Angela Yglesias

Levesque Realty 

Cell: 805-490-4944  
Phone: 805-490-4944 

Housing Trends October 2018 View archives

• Share

• Home
 
• Your Home Value
 
• Subscribe
 
• Contact

What’s the median
home price in
your market?

What’s the value of
your home?

Use our tools
to find out

Neighborhood reports

Get a detailed report showing market trends in your neighborhood, including recent listings, sales prices and average time on market.

Get a report

Find a Mover

Find a Mover

Type of Move

                     Select Move Type                     Full Service (They Load - They Drive)                     Self Service (You Load - They Drive)                     Auto Transport (Vehicle Only)                 

Move date

Moving From Zip

Moving To Zip

Size of Move

                     Select a Weight                     Studio                     1 Bedroom                     2 Bedroom                     2-3 Bedroom                     3 Bedroom                     4 Bedroom                     5 Bedroom                 

Mortgage rates

Powered by thefinancials.com

Mortgage calculator

Get a detailed report showing market trends in your neighborhood, including recent listings, sales prices and average time on market.

Get a report

Rent vs buy

How big is an acre? What is an option?
Do I need hazard insurance?

Take a look at our real estate glossary to learn definitions of common words and phrases used in the industry.

Learn more

National market update

Existing-Home Sales Remain Flat Nationally, Mixed Results Regionally

WASHINGTON (September 20, 2018) – Existing-home sales remained steady in August after four straight months of decline, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Sales gains in the Northeast and Midwest canceled out downturns in the South and West.



Read more

6 Home Renovation Myths to Stop Believing Before You Botch Things Up

Where do home renovation myths start? Maybe in the aisles of your local hardware store or parking lot of the lumber yard. They get traded back and forth and whispered to people who may actually believe the tall tales—until they find themselves sitting under a pile of splintered wood and drywall dust.



Read more

National housing indicators

Existing home sales (August)

5.29 million units*

Existing home median price (August)

$267,200

Housing Starts (August)

1.282 million unit*

New home sales (July)

0.627 million unit*

*Seasonally adjusted annual rate. Source: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

National economic indicators

Home ownership

1st Quarter 2018

64.2%

2nd Quarter 2018

64.3%

The homeownership rate of 64.3 percent was not statistically different from the rate in the second quarter 2017 (63.7 percent) nor from the rate in the first quarter 2018 (64.2 percent).

New home sales

July 2018

-1.7%

August 2018

+3.5%

Sales of new single-family houses in August 2018 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 629,000, according to estimates released jointly today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 3.5 percent (±13.7 percent)* above the revised July rate of 608,000 and is 12.7 percent (±20.7 percent)* above the August 2017 estimate of 558,000

Source: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

How much is your home worth? Get a real-time report on the value of your home. Start now

Regional market updates

View market statistics for your region.

Click on the links below to view data from two different industry sources. Choose information on local prices & state sales from any of 178 metropolitan housing markets prepared by the National Association of REALTORS® or information on sales & price activity from local area markets in 25 states prepared by Clarus MarketMetrics.

Local Prices & State Sales

• CA - Anaheim-Santa Ana Region Real Estate Market
• CA - Los Angeles Region Real Estate Market
• CA - Riverside Region Real Estate Market
• CA - Sacramento Region Real Estate Market
• CA - San Diego Region Real Estate Market

See more

Local Sales & Price Activity

• CA - Northern Bay Region Real Estate Market
• CA - Inland Empire Real Estate Market
• CA - Los Angeles Real Estate Market
• CA - Pleasanton & Alameda County Real Estate Market
• CA - Riverside/Coachella Valley Real Estate Market

See more

Consumer tips & hot properties

Got Lousy Credit? 10 Places Where It Won't Stop You From Buying a Home

There are plenty of places where a poor credit score may not stand in the way of buyers seeking a mortgage for the home they’ve set their sights on.



Read more

6 Things You'll Overhear at an Open House That Might Persuade You to Buy Now—or Run

The seemingly innocuous chitchat you overhear can help you decide whether to follow through and make an offer—or conversely, get the heck out of there.



Read more

Want Instant Curb Appeal on the Cheap? These 6 Easy Tricks Will Cost You Under $200

Boosting your curb appeal—with quick and easy upgrades—doesn’t have to drain your savings account.



Read more

Put Away the Pumpkins and Pine Cones: These Fab Fall Decor Ideas Are in Season

This autumn, designers are all about going off book with cozy but timeless decor that can last well into winter and even next spring—nary a gourd or corn husk in sight.



Read more

Early Bird Specials! America’s 10 Most—and Least—Expensive Retirement Towns

As tens of millions of baby boomers plan their retirement, they’re obsessing over where to live out their golden years—without giving up an active, social lifestyle.



Read more

Existing Home Statistics

View statistics based on national data, regional data and data gathered from 159 cities & metropolitan areas.

National Statistics

• Housing Affordability Index
• National Existing Home Sales
• National Sales Price of Existing Homes

Statistics by City or Metropolitan Area

• Single-family Home Prices
• Condo/Co-op Prices

Regional Statistics

• Existing Home Sales
• Sales Price of Existing Homes
• Existing Single Family Home Sales
• Sales Price of Existing Single-Family Homes
• Existing Condo/Co-op Sales
• Sales Price of Existing Condo/Co-op Homes

Source: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, a real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, real estate radio, realtor.com® local community reports and local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by local MLSs and the National Association of REALTORS®.

Subscribe to the free Housing Trends eNewsletter to receive it each month. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Information contained in this eNewsletter is compiled from a variety of sources. The accuracy and authenticity has not been verified by Move, Inc., is subject to change, is provided "as is" and is not guaranteed. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Move, Inc. Move, Inc. makes no representations or warranties of any nature with regard to the privacy and/or business practices of the websites linked from or to this eNewsletter nor the accuracy and authenticity of any information contained in such websites, and is not responsible for any content contained in any linked site or for any action or lack of action by any linked site whatsoever, including their use of any information they may collect.

©2013 Move, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

website administered by www.apps-home.com

Understanding Investment Properties: What You Should Know

Unlike a second home, where a homeowner lives for a portion of the year, an investment property is property that the homeowner uses to generate income, and in most cases, is not occupied by the homeowner at any time. Trying to figure out if your next home falls under second home or investment home status? Ask yourself: are you using it to make a profit? If the answer is yes, it’s an investment property.

A few examples of investment property include:

• A condo at the beach that you rent out to vacationers
• A house that you rent to long-term tenants
• A home you purchased to “flip” (buy and resell in a short period of time)

Financing

If you need to finance your investment home, expect higher interest rates and a larger down payment. Most lenders find investment properties riskier, and your rates will reflect that.

Multi-Unit Homes

A popular investment home model is a split-family home or an apartment building; this allows the owner to live on the property and make a profit from renting out additional units. These properties are often eligible for traditional financing and do not necessarily require an investment property loan.

So long as you use one of the units in the home for year-round living, you should be able to finance the property through a conventional loan, receiving lower rates and a lower down payment.

The Art of Feng Shui and Home Selling

What does the ancient philosophy of Feng Shui have to do with real estate? Many believe that the Chinese art of correct placement can help sell their home faster.

Feng Shui translates to “the wind and the water” and has long been believed to align life with nature. The goal of Feng Shui is to arrange a house with sufficient Qi (pronounced chee)—the living energy of all beings. Sellers use this philosophy as a way of staging their homes to sell faster.

When there’s not enough Qi, advocates believe that the whole land energy is low or depressed and that it can come out in a home sale. For instance, if a seller feels tired and uninspired, this energetic impression is thought to influence visitors and potential buyers.

Followers understand that Feng Shui is all about drawing harmony and good health into one’s life. This can be done by simply rearranging furniture, such as changing where a bed sits in the bedroom or what direction the kitchen chairs are facing.

In Feng Shui ideology, it’s important to use horizontal space in the placement of your furniture and décor. You want to draw the eye to the corner of each room that is diagonal to the door. This makes the room feel larger and creates a “good luck” area.

A bedroom is thought to be a sanctuary for privacy, peace and intimacy. Objects must be placed in pairs throughout the room to increase marital harmony and balance. You also want to place the bed in the position that has the most commanding view of the doorway, which is considered the mouth of the Qi.

The kitchen is even more important because a chef’s energy is imparted into the food. You should never have your back to the door when cooking. If there’s no way to change this, Feng Shui experts believe you should place a mirror behind the stove so you have a clear view of who is entering the kitchen.

Another principal of Feng Shui is that earthy scents are the most appealing to the widest range of people. Add cinnamon and pine scents to your home before homebuyers come inside.

A last tidbit to consider is the location of any “For Sale” signs in the yard. With Feng Shui, it’s believed that signs are much more effective when placed on the right side of the front door, since it is considered the yang, or energetic, side of the home.