David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com If you’ve given even a casual thought to selling your house in the near future, this is the time to really think seriously about making a move. Here’s why this season is the ultimate  sellers’ market  and the optimal time to make sure your house is available for buyers who are looking for homes to purchase. The latest Existing Home Sales Report from  The National Association of Realtors  (NAR) shows the inventory of houses for sale is still astonishingly low, sitting at just a  2-month supply  at the current sales pace. Historically, a 6-month supply is necessary for a ‘normal’ or ‘neutral’ market in which there are enough homes available for active buyers  (See graph below) : When the supply of houses for sale is as low as it is right now, it’s much harder for buyers to find homes to purchase. As a result, competition among purchasers rises and more bidding wars take place, making...

David Deem 74-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Some Highlights There are a lot of misconceptions about buying or selling a home today, making it challenging to know exactly how to navigate the current real estate landscape. Here’s a little clarity when it comes to 5 common myths about the 2021 housing market. Let’s connect to discuss your needs and so you can decipher facts from fiction in our local market. www.DeemTeam.com DRE#01266522  

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Anita Ginsburg Your roof is what protects your family from the elements and other dangers outside your home. However, your roof is susceptible to damage, especially from different critters. Here are some of the animals and other pests that can quickly ruin your roof: Birds It can be nice to hear birds singing out in your yard, but you don't want to hear them singing on your roof. Though birds aren't very heavy, they do have some talons that can tear up the roof, and some will peck at the roof looking for insects to eat. Their droppings are also acidic, which can cause corrosion. The issues can get even worse if the birds decide to build a nest on your roof. Most likely, the nest will be in your gutters. These nests, however, can block the gutters and create pools of water that can leak through the roof or into your home's foundation. Rodents Mice and rats like to live in the walls of homes for warmth, and they'll often reac...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com For many American families, the past year has meant more time at home, more challenge in balancing work, school and play, and more time spent mastering new skills in the kitchen, in the garden and online. The result, as light appears at the end of the shut-in tunnel, is a houseful of disorganized ‘stuff’ and pandemic-weary people who don’t want to think about sorting it. So, as we enter the traditional spring-cleaning season, here are seven tips from professional home organizers to help you turn your disorganized mess into a pleasing, more efficient space: Take It Slow -  Clutter can feel overwhelming, so approach it one room or one pile at a time, rewarding yourself with short rest breaks.  Stay Focused -  It’s not unusual to start cleaning your desk, take something from it into your bedroom and get distracted enough to start cleaning the mess in there. Steel yourself to stick with the task you started. Sort Strategically ...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com As luxury homeowners increasingly seek out amenity-filled residences, interest in personal yoga studios is on the rise. After all, if you can’t make it to your favorite yoga class, there’s nothing better than having your own space to practice right at home. For those who want to relax the mind while getting in some exercise, here are several tips for designing a yoga studio right under your roof. Pick the Right Space Perhaps the biggest challenge is finding where to create your studio. Ideally, it will be somewhere that’s free from any distractions or background noises. A separate cottage or guest house can be great for this, but if that’s not possible, a quiet part of the home will do just fine. Additionally, large windows that allow natural light and frame a peaceful view can help take your studio to the next level. Focus on Design Often, a yoga studio has a minimalist feel, so you’ll want to focus on keeping it organized and decluttere...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Spring cleaning isn’t just about purging dirt and grime. It’s also the perfect opportunity to take inventory of items around your home. As you tackle this season’s cleaning, look for ways to improve your overall living space, from getting rid of things you no longer need to adding items that can work harder for you. Consider these five ways to tackle your home inside and out this spring. Make organizing easier.  As you clean each space, look for easy ways to reduce unsightly messes and improve organization. If your entryway always becomes a jumbled pile of shoes and coats, consider adding a storage bench and hooks to bring some order to the area. If the kids’ toys always accumulate in the living room, add a storage chest or large baskets to store them when not in use. If tools and equipment make the garage unusable, install shelving units to keep everything in place. Eliminate the excess.  Spring cleaning is also an opportunity ...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Making home improvements can allow you to have a house that better suits your family’s needs and lifestyle. It can also be an opportunity to make your house more energy efficient and to reduce your energy consumption and utility bills. The specific steps you take will depend on the nature and scope of your renovation plans. Here are some ideas to discuss with your contractor. Reduce Air Transfer If you’re planning to install new windows in your home, look for ones that are energy efficient and constructed with two or three panes of glass to prevent air leakage. Low-e windows have a protective layer that can block out UV rays and reduce the amount of sunlight that enters a house, which can keep it cooler in the summer. Choose windows with well-built frames and have them professionally installed.  Cracks and gaps around windows, doors, skylights, pipes and electrical wires can lead to air leakage and drafts. That can allow cold air to ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com February experienced a decline in existing-home sales after two months of gains, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Year-over-year, existing-home sales increased 9.1%; however, since last month, total existing-home sales decreased 6.6% to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 6.22 million.   Single-family homes also decreased, by 6.6% since January, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.52 million. This is up, however, by 8% YoY. For condos and co-ops, existing-home sales decreased 6.7% from January and increased 18.6% YoY.     By Region: Midwest Existing-Home Sales: 1.31 million (+2.3% YoY) Median Price: $231,800 (+14.2% YoY)   Northeast Existing-Home Sales: 770,000 (+13.2% YoY) Median Price: $356,000 (+20.5% YoY)   South Existing-Home Sales: 2.77 million (+9.9% YoY) Median Price: $271,200 (+13.6% YoY)   West Existing-Home Sales: 1.37 million (+12.3% YoY) Median Price: $493,300 (+20.6%YoY)...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com The active listing inventory decreased by 17 homes in the past two-weeks, down 1%, and now totals 2,349, its lowest level since tracking began in 2004. In February, there were 6% fewer homes that came on the market compared to the prior 5-year average, 209 less. Last ye ar, there were 4,159 homes on the market, 1,810 additional homes, or 77% more. Demand, the number of pending sales over the prior month, increased by 152 pending sales in the past two-weeks, up 5%, and now totals 3,110, its strongest mid-March level since 2012. The ultra-low mortgage rate environment is continuing to fuel today’s exceptional demand. Last year, there were 2,398 pending sales, 23% fewer than today. Keep in mind, it was the start of the pandemic too, which negatively affected demand. The Expected Market Time, the number of days to sell all Orange County listings at the current buying pace, decreased from 24 days to 23, an extremely Hot Seller’s Market (...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage? According to data from the most recent  Origination Insight Report  by  Ellie Mae , the average FICO® score on closed loans reached 753 in February. As lending standards have  tightened  recently, many are concerned over whether or not their credit score is strong enough to qualify for a mortgage. While stricter lending standards could be a challenge for some, many buyers may be surprised by the options that are still available for borrowers with lower credit scores. The fact that the average American has seen their credit score go up in recent years is a great sign of financial health. As someone’s score rises, they’re building toward a stronger financial future. As more Americans with strong credit enter the housing market, we see a natural increase in the FICO® score distribution of closed loans, as shown in the graph below: If your credit score is below 750, it’...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Some Highlights Today’s home price appreciation is driving  equity  higher throughout the country. If your needs are changing and you’re ready for a new home, your equity may be a great asset to power your next move. Now is a great time to put your equity toward a down payment on the home of your dreams. www.DeemTeam.com DRE#01266522  

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com When thinking about selling, homeowners often feel they need to get their house ready with some remodeling to make it more appealing to buyers. However, with so many  buyers  competing for available homes right now, renovations may not be as vital as they would be in a more normal market. Here are two things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of selling this season. 1. There aren’t enough homes for sale right now. A normal market has a 6-month supply of houses for sale, but today’s housing inventory sits far below that benchmark. According to the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR), there’s only a 1.9-month supply of homes available today. As a result, buyer competition is high and homes are only on the market for about 21 days, during which time many receive multiple offers from hopeful buyers. In a competitive market that’s moving so quickly, it makes sense to sell your house when buyers are scooping hom...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Last year started off with a bang. Unemployment was under  4% , forecasters were giddy with their projections for the economy, and the residential housing market had the strongest January and February activity in over a decade. Then came the announcement on March 11, 2020, from the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a worldwide  pandemic . Two days later, the White House declared it a national emergency. Businesses and schools were forced to close, shelter-in-place mandates were enacted, and the economy came to a screeching halt. As a result, unemployment in this country skyrocketed to  14.9% . A year later, the economy is recovering, and the U.S. has regained more than half of the  jobs  that were originally lost. However, some businesses are still closed, and many schools are still struggling to reopen. Despite the past and current challenges, there is one industry that’s proven to be a tailwind helping to co...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com There are many financial and non-financial benefits of homeownership, and the greatest financial one is  wealth creation . Homeownership has always been the first rung on the ladder that leads to forming household wealth. As  Freddie Mac   explains : “Homeownership has cemented its role as part of the American Dream, providing families with a place that is their own and an avenue for building wealth over time. This ‘wealth’ is built, in large part, through the creation of equity…Building equity through your monthly principal payments and appreciation is a critical part of homeownership that can help you create financial stability.” Odeta Kushi,  Deputy Chief Economist  at  First American , also  notes : "The wealth-building power of homeownership shows that home is not only where your heart is, but also where your wealth is…For the majority of households that transition into homeownership, the most recent data ...