David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com From Tesla to LG, a growing number of companies are now manufacturing solar panels for the home—and the benefits are far-ranging. In the past, the options available were unsightly and often required a significant amount of space. These days, however, there are a variety of sleek, efficient panels to choose from that won’t compromise the exterior of your home. Specifically, monocrystalline cells, which are made from a single silicon crystal, are the go-to choice for a high-end panel that’s both efficient and aesthetically pleasing. If you’re still on the fence about whether or not to install solar panels, here are a few reasons why they’re a smart investment. Eco-Friendly First and foremost, harnessing solar energy is good for the planet because it lowers our reliance on fossil fuels that harm the environment, like coal and natural gas. So, if you want to decrease your carbon footprint, this is certainly a good place to start. While it’s t...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com It’s no secret that our living environment can directly impact how we feel each day. As we become increasingly aware of the connection between physical and mental wellbeing, many luxury homeowners are gravitating toward serene living spaces that offer a respite from their daily stress. If you want a home that will promote tranquility in your life, here are several characteristics to keep in mind. Soothing Colors Although it may seem simple, changing the color of a room can significantly transform the way that it feels. If you want to make an area more relaxing, try to introduce calming colors, like soft earth tones, to put you at ease. In addition to the wall paint, pay attention to the color of your décor and how it can affect the ambience. Ultra-Organized For many people, living in a cluttered home is stressful, even if it’s on a subconscious level. That’s why organization is key to creating a serene living space. It’s important to have...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com According to the latest report from  Black Knight, Inc. , a well-respected provider of data and analytics for mortgage companies, 6.48 million households have entered a forbearance plan as a result of financial concerns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s where these homeowners stand right now: 2,543,000 (39%) are current on their payments and have left the program 625,000 (9%) have paid off their mortgages 434,000 (7%) have negotiated a repayment plan and have left the program 2,254,000 (35%) have extended their original forbearance plan 512,000 (8%) are still in their original forbearance plan 116,000 (2%) have left the program and are still behind on payments This shows that of the almost 3.72 million homeowners who have left the program, only 116,000 (2%) exited while they were still behind on their payments. There are still 2.77 million borrowers in a forbearance program. No one knows for sure how many of those...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com If you’re planning to buy a home, an  appraisal  is an important  step  in the process. It’s a professional evaluation of the market value of the home you’d like to buy. In most cases, an appraisal is ordered by the lender to confirm or verify the value of the home prior to lending a buyer money for the purchase. It’s also a different step in the process from a  home inspection , which assesses the condition of the home before you finalize the transaction. Here’s the breakdown of each one and why they’re both important when buying a home. Home Appraisal The  National Association of Realtors  (NAR)  explains : “A home purchase is typically the largest investment someone will make. Protect yourself by getting your investment appraised!  An appraiser will observe the property, analyze the data, and report their findings to their client. For the typical home purchase transaction, the lender usually...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Some Highlights When you’re thinking about buying a home, there are a few key steps to take before you even start to look at houses. From saving for your down payment to getting pre-approved for a mortgage, you’ll want to make sure you keep your financial plan on track from the beginning. Let’s connect today to make sure you have an introduction to a trusted lender and the best possible real estate guidance as you begin your homebuying process. www.DeemTeam.com DRE#01266522

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com ·         The active listing inventory decreased by 6 homes in the past two-weeks, nearly unchanged, and now totals 2,627, its lowest January level since tracking began in 2004. COVID-19 is not suppressing the inventory despite the surge in cases. In December, there were 27% more homes that came on the market compared to the prior 5-year average. Last ye ar, there were 4,023 homes on the market, 1,396 additional homes, or 53% more. ·         Demand, the number of pending sales over the prior month, increased by 160 pending sales in the past two-weeks, up 8%, and now totals 2,055, its strongest January level since 2013. COVID-19 has no effect on demand. Record low rates are fueling today’s exceptional demand. Last year, there were 1,702 pending sales, 17% fewer than today. ·         The Expected Market Time, the number of months to sel...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Even when everything goes according to plan, moving is pretty much guaranteed to be a stressful process. If something gets lost or damaged, however, it’s only going to get worse. That’s why it’s important to make sure that certain luxury items are insured before they’re packed and transported to your new home. While homeowners insurance will usually cover you in the event of a break-in or natural disaster, such as a fire or hurricane, you could still be liable for anything that happens while moving. Moving companies, on the other hand, can be held liable to replace or fix a damaged item if you purchase full-value protection, though you’re not guaranteed to receive full compensation because you’re usually only covered up to a certain amount. For items of extraordinary value, which are defined as being worth more than $100 per pound, it can be a good idea to purchase separate insurance to cover you while moving. Here are a few items that lu...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com One of the easiest and least expensive things you can do to help make an impression on buyers when selling your home is to give it a fresh coat of paint. A new paint job not only helps your home appear fresh and clean, it can also help your home sell faster—and for more money—when the right colors are used. According to the home-design experts at marthastewart.com, painting your home’s interior in a neutral shade is integral to a good home-selling strategy. Neutral colors serve two important purposes: they make your home appear more expansive; and they allow buyers to envision their belongings in the space since most furniture will work well against a neutral background. Fortunately, choosing neutral paint colors doesn’t mean you have to forego style. There is a wide palette of effective neutrals to choose from. Consider the following suggestions. Warm grays.   Inviting shades of gray work well in any room, often providing an elegant...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com In 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired a powerful movement with his famous “ I Have a Dream ” speech. Through his passion and determination, he sparked interest, ambition, and courage in his audience. Today, reflecting on his message encourages many of us to think about our own dreams, goals, beliefs, and aspirations. For many Americans, one of those common goals is owning a home: a piece of land, a roof over our heads, and a place where we can grow and flourish. If you’re dreaming of buying a home this year, start by connecting with a local real estate  professional  to understand what goes into the process. With a trusted advisor at your side, you can then begin to answer the questions below to set yourself up for homebuying success. 1. How Can I Better Understand the Process, and How Much Can I Afford? The  process  of buying a home is not one to enter into lightly. You need to decide on key things like how long ...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Kathy Carr When it comes to home remodeling, there are very few design decisions you can make that are sure to stand the test of time. While it can be tempting to opt for trendy renovations (open shelving anyone?), there's no guarantee that the next buyer - or your future self - will share the same preference. We're all painfully aware that the future is tough to predict, but there are a handful of decisions you can make on home improvements that won't keep you up at night, regardless of market forces. Infrastructure When it comes to remodeling, there are fewer sure-fire bets than investing in a home's infrastructure. Investing in updated electrical and HVAC systems, siding, plumbing, insulation, and windows can yield tremendous ROI for homeowners whether they're dwelling or selling. These systems are often hidden behind walls and under floors, so they're easy ...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Some Highlights There are a few key things to make sure you avoid after applying for a mortgage to help make sure you still qualify for your loan at the closing table. Along the way, be sure to discuss any changes in income, assets, or credit with your lender, so you don’t unintentionally jeopardize your application. The best plan is to fully disclose your intentions with your lender before you do anything financial in nature. www.DeemTeam.com DRE#01266522

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com At the onset of the economic disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic, the government quickly put into place forbearance plans to allow homeowners to remain in their homes without making their monthly mortgage payments. Today, almost three million households are actively in a forbearance plan. Though  29.4%  of those in forbearance have continued to stay current on their payments, many have not. Yanling Mayer,  Principal Economist  at  CoreLogic , recently  revealed : “A distributional analysis of forborne loans’ payment status reveals that more than one third (39.1%) of all forborne loans are now 150+ days behind payment, while as many as 1-in-4 (25.5%) are 180+ days past due.” These homeowners have been given permission to not make their payments, but the question now is:  how many of them will be able to catch up after their forbearance program ends?  There’s speculation that a forthcoming wave o...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com According to the latest  CoreLogic  Home Price Insights Report , nationwide  home values increased by 8.2%  over the last twelve months. The dramatic rise was brought about as the inventory of homes for sale reached historic lows at the same time buyer demand was buoyed by record-low mortgage rates. As  CoreLogic   explained : “Home price growth remained consistently elevated throughout 2020. Home sales for the year are expected to register above 2019 levels. Meanwhile, the availability of for-sale homes has dwindled as demand increased and coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks continued across the country, which delayed some sellers from putting their homes on the market. While the pandemic left many in positions of financial insecurity, those who maintained employment and income stability are also incentivized to buy given the record-low mortgage rates available; this is increasing buyer demand while for-sale in...