After a blip of heightened mortgage rates and stock swings, pending home sales stumbled at year-end, according to the December National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), which is based on contract signings. Contracts were down 2.2 percent from November and 9.8 percent from the prior year, according to the PHSI. On an annual basis, contracts have been on the decline for 12 months straight. David Deem 714-997-3486 “The stock market correction hurt consumer confidence, record-high home prices cut into affordability and mortgage rates were higher in October and November for consumers signing contracts in December,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR. Although the effects of the recent shutdown are unclear—closing delays were an issue for some—a second shutdown could be detrimental to the market, according to Yun. “Seventy-five percent of REALTORS® reported that they haven’t yet felt the impact of the government closure,” Yun says. “Some ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Saving money at home is high on the priority list for many homeowners, and energy use is often the culprit of bloated bills. To help reduce energy bills, Dominion Energy offers several other ways to curb usage: "No customer should have to be cold this winter because they can't afford to pay their electric bill," says Corynne Arnett, vice president of Customer Service with Dominion Energy.  " Small adjustments can make a big difference in your energy bills. Help reduce energy waste and save money by: Lowering your thermostat to 68 degrees. Learn more about your thermostat settings and energy savings by visiting the U.S. Department of Energy website. Sealing air leaks . Seal all holes from pipes and wires that enter/exit the living space, including entrances, pull-downs and attic stair openings, light fixtures, pipes and wires. Sealing duct work . Make sure that all duct work is sealed at joints and intersections with duct seal...

David Deem 714-997-3486 The five golden rules are: De-personalize : While your family photos are beautiful and your kids’ drawings on the fridge are adorable, buyers want to be able to picture themselves in the house- and that means putting away your photos, clearing your closets from unnecessary clutter, and using matching hangers to give your closet more visual impact. Maximize : Declutter and maximize the area in your home. Stuffed closets make your closet space look insufficient, so consider storing excess belongings offsite. You can also quickly improve your bedroom’s aesthetic by using gender neutral colors when accessorizing so that the color scheme appeals to more people. A headboard, a cohesive color scheme, and a few decorative items also improve the look of a bedroom , while removing extra clutter (office furniture, power strips, televisions, etc) will make the room feel more relaxing. Sanitize : No one wants to move into a dirty home, so clean your home to make...