David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Bill Gassett Let me guess: You are interested in buying a foreclosure property? When you want to buy a home, but the mortgage payments are difficult to afford,  buying a foreclosure  can look attractive. The unfortunate previous homeowner will have struggled with the costs of the mortgage, ending up with the home foreclosing to the lender.   The bank or other financial lender wants to sell these homes and get as much of their money back as they can. They are looking to get their money back quickly, and this can mean selling for less than the market value. This is where you can pick up a bargain that would otherwise cost more than you could afford.   Buying a foreclosed home is a little different from a standard sale, and there are some things you need to know. While you might be concerned about purchasing a foreclosure, if you are prepared to do more research and take slightly more risk, there could be significant...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Given how we have seen more unemployment claims than ever before over the past several weeks, fear is spreading widely. Some good news, however, shows that more than 4 million initial unemployment filers have likely already found a  new job , especially as industries such as health care, food and grocery stores, retail, delivery, and more increase their employment opportunities. Breaking down what unemployment means for homeownership, and understanding the significant equity Americans hold today, are important parts of seeing the picture clearly when sorting through this uncertainty. One of the biggest questions right now is whether this historic unemployment rate will initiate a new surge of foreclosures in the market. It’s a very real fear. Despite the staggering number of claims, there are actually  many reasons  why we won’t see a significant number of foreclosures like we did during the housing crash twelve years ago. ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@Deemteam.com With the release of the latest  Economic Pulse  Flash Survey  from the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR), results show that people selling their houses today are holding strong on  price . According to the most recent data, 74% of real estate agents noted that sellers are not dropping listing prices to attract more buyers. Lawrence Yun,  Chief Economist  at NAR, noted:   “The housing market faced an inventory shortage before the pandemic. Given that there are even fewer new listings during the pandemic, home sellers are taking a calm approach and appear unwilling to lower prices to attract buyers during the temporary disruptions to the economy.” This  inventory  shortage, which spread widely throughout the housing market going into today’s economic slowdown, created an environment where there were not enough homes for sale for those who wanted to buy them. With t...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Anita Ginsburg During any season when you need to use your furnace, the last thing you want is to have it malfunction. The thing is, even if you schedule regular maintenance and keep your unit clean, there are still some issues that can go from bad to worse quickly. Here are four common furnace issues that are more dangerous than you may think: Dirty Air Filters Although quite common, and easy enough to swap out, dirty air filters can do a lot of damage. Over time, your furnace will have to work harder and cycle more often. In addition to higher utility bills, this can lead to other parts in the furnace breaking down more quickly than they otherwise would. Clogged air filters can also make you sick. Over the course of several months, trapped dirt and debris from the filter can contaminate indoor air, dramatically reducing its quality. It's not uncommon for people to develop respiratory issues, sometimes severe ones. Always kee...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Children are often oblivious to the many dangers around them. Accidents in the home are a leading cause of injury and death among children. Here are a few ways to childproof your home and keep your little one safe. Potential Hazards Look at your home from a baby’s or toddler’s perspective. Ask yourself: What would catch my eye if I were low to the ground? Look for those things that your child would reach for, pull down, play with or put in their mouth. When babies are learning to walk, they grab furniture and bookcases for support. Many injuries and deaths occur each year when young children pull on furniture or televisions and the objects fall on top of them. Secure heavy objects to the walls to prevent this. Keep dressers and filing cabinets closed when you're not using them. Cover sharp corners on furniture to prevent injuries if your child falls. Use childproof gates to keep your baby or toddler out of hazardous areas, ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com The yard is something that you and your neighbors see every day. A well-maintained yard can add curb appeal to your home and can even increase your property's value. If you've been neglecting your yard, summer is an excellent time to tackle some projects you have been postponing. Many of them can be completed in a weekend, leaving you with a clean and vibrant-looking yard that is perfect for summer barbecues. Clean Up Overgrown grass and unruly shrubs can detract from the appearance of an otherwise beautiful property. Take some time to mow the lawn and collect the clippings. If your bushes need a trim, you can do that yourself, provided you have the right tools and skills. If you don’t, ask a neighbor to loan you tools and give you some pointers. If you have a garden, pull up any weeds you see. If you don't have a garden, you can plant some flowers to line the walkway to the house or place flowers in planters to cr...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Home improvement projects aren't limited to indoors. In fact, not only can upgrades to areas outside the house expand your livable space, they can also increase your home's value. Outdoor living projects account for almost one-third of renovation projects, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The findings echo trends reported by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, which found 43% of respondents said they designed outdoor kitchens in the past year and 41% expected an increase in outdoor projects in the coming year. "Our clients are asking for entertaining areas, which can be anything from a fully engineered cabana or a new paver patio with a pergola," said Dave Garcia, owner of DPG Pavers and Design. "We love being creative with materials in our designs and installations. One of my personal favorites is an outdoor kitchen we wrapped in hardwood wit...