David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Jameson Doris From job opportunities to—perhaps most importantly—home affordability, there are a number of reasons why millennials choose to relocate to a certain city in droves. A recent National Association of REALTORS®' report compiled a list of the most popular cities in the country based on the share of millennials moving there and how many of them make up the total population. To come up with the data, NAR looked at the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. and analyzed them for employment gains, population trends, income levels and housing conditions. "An overwhelming majority of younger and older millennial homebuyers responded that their strong desire to own a home was the primary reason that they purchased their home," says Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist. One of the more interesting stats culled from the report is that around three-quarters of all people moving to Madison, Wis., are millenni...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Ideally, you should be able to breathe deep in your space and not have any negative effects. In reality, indoor air can be some of the most polluted we come in contact with, even in our own homes. From natural aggravators like pollen and mold, to man-made chemicals and compounds, it's important to scrutinize your indoor air and take steps to freshen it. Read on for clean air insights from Tommy Webber, owner of T.Webber Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric. Tune up your HVAC system. Regular tune ups to your heating and cooling will keep your system clean, monthly energy costs low and lengthen the life of the HVAC system. Additionally, skipping annual maintenance can often void a manufacturer's warranty. "There are a lot of steps homeowners can take to improve their indoor air quality, but one of the biggest — and best — options is scheduling a tune-up to their heating and cooling system," says Webber. "A ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Do you hear things that go bump in the night? See lights that flicker on and off? If you’re worried that your home might be haunted, there’s probably a far less exciting explanation. Consumer Reports (CR) unravels the mysteries of unexplained “phenomenon” around the house. The unexplained draft. Feel a shiver up your back? If you have unusual cold spots or drafts in your home, they’re most likely caused by air leaks or inadequate insulation. Professional energy auditors can use infrared instruments to identify such cold spots, or CR recommends simply using an incense stick. If smoke from the stick blows sideways when you hold it up to windows, doors and walls, air is seeping in and out from those areas. Caulk and weatherstripping around doors can help eliminate drafts, or insulation for larger gaps should eliminate the cold spot. Appliances that turn on and off. Unfortunately, CR has documented many instances of appliances turn...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Family Features)--Remodeling your home can be one of the most exciting projects to undertake. Whether you're thinking about a bathroom update, kitchen overhaul or a new room addition, planning and setting realistic expectations are critical in ensuring your project goes as smoothly as possible. Consider these steps from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) before you get started: 1. Determine your goals and needs. Understand why you are undertaking the project, whether it's for resale value or so you can enjoy your home more. If looking to increase resale value, consider the neighborhood and potential upgrades that can have the highest impact when going to market. If remodeling can make for a more comfortable space, create a list of "must-haves" and "nice-to-haves" then evaluate what's feasible. Being realistic about needs and wants can help you create a budget. 2. Get inspir...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Katie Kuchta Homes with great curb appeal typically have a well-maintained yard. Taking the time and energy to create a beautiful garden is one of the best ways to bring the best offer. Draw potential buyers through the door by creating an enticing landscape. Consider these seven ways to make your landscape pop this spring: Plant a Tree It may seem silly to plant a young tree in your yard given the fact that it won't provide much immediate shade, but homebuyers will see the potential that new trees have. This can help create an idea of what the home will look like years after they purchase it. Trees are also beneficial because they grow deep root systems which help keep water from running off the soil. Add New Color An easy way to make your landscape pop is to plant new colors in your garden. Choose a bloom that will be in season while your home is on the market. Plant larger flowers, but also include some smaller b...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com • The active listing inventory increased by 57 homes in the past two weeks, up 1%, and now totals 6,933. Last year, there were 5,144 homes on the market, 1,789 fewer than today. There are 35% more homes than last year. • So far this year, 3% fewer homes came on the market below $500,000 compared to 2018, and there were 15% fewer closed sales. Fewer and fewer homes and condominiums are now priced below $500,000. This price range is continuing to vanish. • Demand, the number of pending sales over the prior month, increased by 279 pending sales in the past two-weeks, up 11%, and now totals 2,724, surpassing the prior year for the first time since July 2017. Last year, there were 2,340 pending sales, 3% fewer than today. • The Expected Market Time for all of Orange County decreased from 84 days two weeks ago to 76 days today, a slight Seller’s Market (between 60 to 90 days) and the highest level for this time of the year since 2011....

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com (Family Features)--Remodeling your home can be one of the most exciting projects to undertake. Whether you're thinking about a bathroom update, kitchen overhaul or a new room addition, planning and setting realistic expectations are critical in ensuring your project goes as smoothly as possible. Consider these steps from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) before you get started: 1. Determine your goals and needs . Understand why you are undertaking the project, whether it's for resale value or so you can enjoy your home more. If looking to increase resale value, consider the neighborhood and potential upgrades that can have the highest impact when going to market. If remodeling can make for a more comfortable space, create a list of "must-haves" and "nice-to-haves" then evaluate what's feasible. Being realistic about needs and wants can help you create a budget. 2. Get inspi...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Suzanne De Vita The heart of the home is the kitchen—and buyers are eager to fork over for a showpiece. According to an analysis conducted recently by Zillow, adding commercial-grade features to the kitchen pays a premium. Evaluating 4.6 million home listings in the past year, Zillow discovered that the features garnered anywhere from 24-34 percent more at sale. Of the 10 biggest moneymakers, six are common in custom, entertainer's kitchens—and restaurants: Steam Oven – 34 percent premium Professional Appliance – 32 percent premium Wine Cellar – 31 percent premium Pot Filler – 27 percent premium Waterfall Countertop – 26 percent premium Prep Sink – 24 percent premium The boost comes with a caveat: longer timelines. Because these amenities appeal to specific tastes, and are common in higher-end homes—and homes in the luxury market move slower, typically—cashing in could take a while. Against comps, homes outfit...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Builder confidence remains solid, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. The April Index reading was 63; in March, it was 62. At 51 or higher, the general outlook is positive. "Builders report solid demand for new single-family homes but they are also grappling with affordability concerns stemming from a chronic shortage of construction workers and buildable lots," said Greg Ugalde, chairman of the NAHB, in a statement. "Ongoing job growth, favorable demographics and a low-interest rate environment will help to modestly spark sales growth in the near term," said Robert Dietz, chief economist of the NAHB. "However, supply-side headwinds that are putting upward pressure on housing costs will limit more robust growth in the housing market." Source: National Association of Home Builders www.DeemTeam.com DRE# 01266522

714-997-3486 David Deem Dave@DeemTeam.com By Suzanne De Vita Homebuyers are paying a premium for solar, on average 4.1 percent above asking price, according to findings recently released by Zillow. While The Golden and Sunshine States command costly mark-ups, New York City has the highest percentage premium, at 5.1 percent. New York, N.Y. – 5.1 percent ($23,989) Orlando, Fla. – 4.6 percent ($10,994) San Francisco, Calif. – 4.4 percent ($41,658) Los Angeles, Calif. – 3.6 percent ($23,295) Riverside, Calif. – 2.7 percent ($9,926) Recently, Zillow partnered with Sun Number, which estimates a home's potential to be powered by solar, and projected savings. More than 84 million listings have a Sun Number on Zillow. The Sun Number factors in the pitch of the roof, surrounding trees, weather, and more, to assign a listing a 0-100 score. The higher the number, the better the home's potential for solar. The median national Sun Number is 78, and the highest are in s...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com After August 14, 1992, California law requires that the smoke alarms be placed in each bedroom in addition to placing them outside each sleeping area.  Presently the California State Building Code requires that smoke alarms be located in: 1) the hallway outside the bedrooms 2) in each bedroom and 3) on every floor regardless of whether there is a bedroom on that floor. www.DeemTeam.com DRE# 01266522

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com (Family Features)--From dark and moody to vibrant and bold, colorful design is gaining favor among homeowners ditching safe, neutral palettes to create more daring, dramatic spaces. Decorating with deeply saturated colors can be intimidating. Explore these ideas to welcome more bold colors into your home and create inviting spaces for living and entertaining. Walls of color . Say goodbye to beige and embrace the bold color trend by enhancing walls with hues that make a statement. The trick is to avoid making colors so loud that the space loses its stylish appeal. Bold doesn't necessarily mean bright, so look for muted variations of the shades you prefer. Also remember that when it comes to design, there is such a thing as too much. If painting all the walls in a space will close it in or make it feel lost in the dark, try adding color in more subtle ways, such as an accent wall (or two), or painting the ceiling as your accent. ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has filed housing discrimination charges against Facebook. According to a recent statement, HUD alleged that Facebook's advertising platform is "violating the Fair Housing Act by encouraging, enabling and causing housing discrimination." "Facebook is discriminating against people based upon who they are and where they live," said HUD Secretary Ben Carson in the statement. "Using a computer to limit a person's housing choices can be just as discriminatory as slamming a door in someone's face." "Even as we confront new technologies, the fair housing laws enacted over half a century ago remain clear—discrimination in housing-related advertising is against the law," HUD General Counsel Paul Compton said. "Just because a process to deliver advertising is opaque and complex doesn't mean that it exempts Facebook and oth...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Pool owners live for the summer season, when they can lounge poolside with their family and friends. If you're planning a pool party in the coming season, consider the following pool party tips from pool-liner manufacturer LOOP-LOC: Perfect your pool accessories . Whether your guests are looking to relax in the sun or play a rousing water sport, be prepared. Make sure your guests have access to water accessories such as trendy pool floats (we're talking about you, flamingo float), noodles, a volleyball and net, a water basketball and hoop, or beach balls to name a few items. Pool toys can make the pool more fun and interactive, which can only increase your guests' enjoyment. Provide light bites . When hosting a party, food is expected. Think of serving healthier, energy-fueling snacks to your keep guests swimming. Vegetable and fruit platters, almonds, cashews and crowd favorites like chips and guacamole are sure to sa...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com (Family Features)--Weeds are opportunists that take advantage of bleak growing conditions to set root. If you've ever seen a weed growing out of a crack in your driveway or other paving, you know that weeds, by nature, can adapt to almost any spot. As you work to get your yard in shape for spring, keep an eye on the following areas that often offer ideal conditions for weeds to grow and reproduce. 1. Pathways . Paths made from loose materials, such as bark mulch, decomposed granite or stones, can act as seeding beds, offering a natural spot for weeds to grow. 2. Underneath shrubs . Areas under shrubs can be hard to reach, shady and moist - a perfect place for weeds. 3. Unpaved drives and parking areas . Whether grassy, muddy or filled with gravel, these areas often roll out the welcome mat for weeds. 4. Cracks and crevices . Cracks between paving stones, bricks or slabs of concrete provide natural entry points for weeds. ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By John Voket Almost 15 years ago, before everyone was talking about global warming, Mowgreen.us founder Dan Delventhal started a carbon-emission-free lawn care movement with a single push mower. Since then, he's supplementing his old-school push mower using the latest battery powered and 100-percent renewable energy solar charged landscaping equipment. Over the past couple of years, Delventhal says he and his MowGreen.US minions have seen huge improvements in gas-free lawn maintenance equipment. This is good news, because the average lawn maintained by gasoline machines creates 5 tons of carbon pollution per year - the equivalent of an extra car on the road per home. Christian Rogers at yardmasterz.com recently created a 'Buyers Guide' to help consumers plug-into the emission-free options in electric mowers - and recommends consumers consider these factors: Battery Voltage & Run Time. Cordless mower battery...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Planning to host a summer soiree this year? You better start prepping your yard now. "Spring preparation is the secret to effortless summer gatherings," says HGTV star Chip Wade. "Take steps to get your yard in shape now, so you're ready this summer whenever friends and family get together." Wade looks for practical "do it once and you're done" solutions for homeowners upgrading outdoor spaces. Chip's tips include: Low Voltage Lighting . At night, landscape lights can turn even nondescript yards into appealing spaces, while making walkways safer. Yet many don't realize how easy it is to wire safe, low voltage lighting. According to Wade, simply plug a transformer box into an outdoor outlet to convert household current to shock-free low voltage. Then wire your fixtures into the box. One Application Lawn Care. Most homeowners want a lush, green, weed-free lawn but don't want to ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By John Voket Devon Thorsby at USA Today recently reported that in 2019, consumers shouldn’t expect homebuyers to flood the market like they did last year and drive prices through the roof, but Thorsby says the coming year should not generate a lot of angst for home sellers, either. Nick Ron, CEO of House Buyers of America told Thorsby the combination of rising mortgage rates and home prices exceeding buyers' budgets are what has caused the slowing of homebuyer activity in recent months. But with available housing inventory remaining low, even with rising interest rates, buyers who are ready to make a purchase will still shop for homes. The biggest wave of new homebuyers will be among millennials, who are mostly first-time buyers. In a Harris Poll survey of 2,000 U.S. adults,Thorsby reports more than one-fifth of Americans between ages 18 and 34 said they plan to buy a home within the next 12 months. Amy Fontinelle at Inve...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Continuing on firm footing, mortgages rates steadied this week, according to Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). The average 30-year, fixed rate is 4.08 percent; the average 15-year, fixed rate is 3.56 percent; and the average five-year, Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable rate is 3.66 percent. "While the housing market has faced many headwinds the last few months, it sailed through the turbulence to calmer seas with demand buttressed by a strong labor market and low mortgage rates," says Sam Khater, chief economist at Freddie Mac. "The benefits of the decline in mortgage rates that we've seen this year will continue to unfold over the next few months due to the lag from changes in mortgage rates to market sentiment and ultimately home sales." 30-Year Fixed Averaging 4.08 percent, with an average 0.5 point Up from 4.06 percent the prior week, but down from 4.4 percent the ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Jennifer Pattison Tuohy House-hunting is exciting, but it can be an exhausting process. Choosing where to live should be driven by factors like location, neighborhood and curb appeal. The last thing you should worry about is cell phone reception. If your dream home turns out to be in a cell phone dead zone, you can either switch carriers or boost the performance of your existing service. The best solution in most cases is to switch to a carrier that has good coverage in your new home, as dealing with bad service will get frustrating. Here are four factors to consider when switching: Find the best coverage. Since service can sometimes be affected by factors like building materials and nearby landmarks, you can't always rely on coverage maps to know which cellular provider will work best in your new home. The easiest way is to ask around—the current homeowners can tell you which network they use, and you can ask your new n...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Adriann Murawski In response to a growing affordable housing crisis throughout the U.S., state and local governments are considering adopting various rent control measures. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) opposes rent control and rent stabilization laws on both residential and commercial properties, as these measures do nothing to address residential construction deterrents like misguided local zoning measures and high land costs. Instead, rent control policies create political battles between landlords and tenants without addressing the root of—and possible solutions to—America’s affordability problems. In 2017, following the consideration of various local-level rent control ballot initiatives in California, an NAR Working Group formed policy related to rent control regulations. Most of the ballot measures in 2016 originated in the San Francisco Bay Area, including: Alameda (Measure L1, passed; Measure M1, defeated)...