I thought you might want to see this awesome Huntington Beach home.  It has a backyard that offers complete privacy from all sides.  No one looking over while you and your family are laying out or swimming.  Enjoy lush tropical landscaping and an amazing pebble deck pool and spa.  This home has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths.  Check out the view from your spa:

With record low interest rates, low sales prices, and the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time buyers, and the $6,500 for repeat buyers, you’re going to have to make a good solid offer to get an acceptance. 

In todays market, although everyone is still looking for a steal, there is alot of competition out there.  First-time buyers and homeowners buying up, are competing against investors paying cash.  So if your realtor has done their homework, and you know the property is at a good asking price, then plan on making an offer that could stand up against an investors cash offer.  Remember that an all cash offer, doesn’t necessary always get the acceptance.  Someone with good credit, offering a little above asking, and an offer not asking for any out of pocket expense for the sellers, has a very good chance of winning over a cash offer below asking and demanding seller’s paying buyer’s fees. 

Now’s a perfect time to get a new home at a good price, good luck!

Well, Huntington Beach Real Estate this Summer really has been good.  Home sales are up, and prices are holding.  Towards the end of Summer, interest rates went up a little , and now are edging back down along with gas prices.  There are 19 single family residences for sale in Huntington Beach under $500,000.  Some of them need work, but there are about 5 really hot deals.  You can search for these on the home page.

Do you know why Huntington Beach Real Estate continues to be a sound investment? There is minimal land available, and growth expectancy will reach over 14% by 2020.  This information shows us that houses in Huntington Beach will always be in demand.  I hope new buyers can take advantage of the lower prices in and around Huntington Beach right now.  Speculation is that after the election prices will start rising again. 

Definately more new home buyers and investors are jumping on the homes that are selling for under $500,000.  Investors and Buyers are buying these properties under market, and turning around and renting them out.  Because of the high percentage of people losing their homes, rents are high and in demand right now.  You can rent out an average three bedroom home for about $2400 a month. Average four bedrooms are going for around $2700.  Larger homes over 2500 square feet rent for $3500 no problem.  There are only a few  of these properties available for purchase at this price at any given time.   It’s a great time to live in Huntington Beach.

There was a three bedroom two bath home with large family room in South Huntington Beach for $489,000.  This home was about $100,000 under comparables in the neighborhood.  It sold in two days.  People are out there looking for deals, and when the price is right the house sells quick.  When you’re looking, especially if I’ve set up a website search for you, please watch for price decreases, and look at comparables so you can have a good idea of what houses in the area are actually selling for, so you’ll know a good deal when you see it.  Call me if you’re not sure about a property, and I’ll be happy to help you.

Prices are lower than they’ve been in years, and there is so much to choose from.  Buyers are in the drivers seat, and sellers are really considering all offers.  First-time buyers programs, special loan programs for police officers and teachers, and low interest rates make it a win win for buyers right now.  Now’s the time to fix any credit issues you might have, talk to a good lender, and get out there and grab a piece of prime real estate while you still can.  Now really is a great time to buy.

This is an awesome article from TIME Magazine 2008:  For all my clients looking for Homes for Sale in Huntington Beach, Huntington Harbour Homes for Sale, and Huntington Beach Real Estate, and the surrounding coastal communities please read this:  Famed Money Manager Peter Lynch is perhaps best known for his timeless wisdom that you can beat the pros by focusing on stocks of companies where you either work or shop or have some other edge.  But a more relevant Lynchism today is this gem: IGNORE THE HEADLINES.  That’s no easy thing.  How do you tune out all the chatter and ink on recession, housing, subprime woes, the credit crunch, rogue traders, insolvent bond insurers, $100 oil and nukes in Iran?  It’s enough to make you sit on your thumbs and wait before making any big moves.  But what, exactly are you waiting for?  THERE HAS RARELY BEEN A MOMENT IN HISTORY WHEN YOU COULDN’T SCARE YOURSELF INTO DOING NOTHING.  And yet, as Lynch observed nearly 20 years ago, “in spite of all the great and minor calamities that have occurred…all the thousands of reasons that the world might be coming to an end - owning stocks has continued to be twice as rewarding as owning bonds.”  A top reason to not buy stocks, in Lynch’s view is if you don’t already own a home - in which case, that should be your first investment, since an owner-occupied home is nearly always profitable.  Through a spokesman, Lynch reaffirmed these views to me - housing debacle and all.  WHEN PRICES ARE FALLING, FEW PEOPLE HAVE THE DISCIPLINE TO BUY STOCKS, A HOUSE, GOLD, ART OR ANY OTHER ASSET.  BUT THOSE WHO DO PULL THE TRIGGER EXCEL IN THE LONG RUN.  AS JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER FAMOUSLY SAID, THE WAY TO MAKE MONEY IS TO BUY WHEN BLOOD IS RUNNING IN THE STREETS.”  And the streets are stained crimson.  Start with stocks.  They have been pummeled this year, CDP braked sharply last quarter, and there has been plenty of panic about a recession.  The Federal Reserve is slashing short-term interest rates at the fastest clip in decades.  But if you stick to your steady, diversified plan while everyone else is retreating, you will be happy years from now.  For one thing, Fed rate cuts always lift the economy eventually, and the stock market typically starts responding just as headlines get gloomiest.  Sure, the market could fall again before recovering.  But the recession may be half over already - or we may avoid one altogether.  You just never know.  As for housing, certainly some skepticism is in order.  Formerly sizzling markets in Florida, Nevada, Arizona, and California probably haven’t seen the worst headlines just yet, though they may well be close.  And “jumbo” mortgages, those more than $417,000 are likely to remain artificially high for a few more months while banks work through their credit issues.  But let’s say you are emotionally ready to be a homeowner.  You have good credit, plan to stay put for five years and have been waiting for the perfect entry point.  IT’S TIME TO GET SERIOUS - BEFORE AN INEVITABLE RISE IN INTEREST RATES WIPES OUT YOUR ADVANTAGE.  “THE THING THAT WILL MAKE HOME PRICES STOP FALLING IS THE VERY SAME THING THAT WILL PUSH MORTGAGE RATES HIGHER,” says Jim Svinth, chief economist at mortgage firm Lending Tree.  SO ANYTHING YOU GAIN BY A FURTHER DROP IN PRICES MIGHT BE OFFSET BY RISING FINANCING COSTS.  Consider a typical home that sells for $218,900.  You put down 20% and get a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at today’s rate of 5.5%.  Monthly principal and interest come fo $994.31.  Let’s say that 12 months from now the same house goes for 10% less, or $197,000.  But by then the recession is history and the Fed is jacking up rates to stem inflation.  If mortgage costs rise just half a point, to 6% your monthly payment would be $994.94 and you’d have saved nothing.  Meanwhile, home prices might steady and sellers might become less willing to negotiate.  And you have spent a year living someplace you’d rather not be.  It’s more complicated if you sell before you can buy.  But that logjam won’t persist forever - and if it appears you’ll be trapped for a few years, try to refinance at today’s lower rates.  Risks always seem most acute when the headlines give you ulcers.  But that’s exactly when you should think long term - and get off your thumbs.

Hey everyone, here’s a short and sweet 2008 forecast of the Huntington Beach Real Estate, Huntington Harbour Real Estate, and the surrounding Southern California market:

2008 will offer low interest rates, plenty of inventory at a discount, tighter credit standards, and lower home prices during the first quarter, and then stabilizing home prices. 

If you look at real estate the way you look at stocks, now is the time to buy because both prices and interest rates are low.  If you’ve ever considered investing in real estate, now is the time to buy for long term investments (at least two years).  It’s a good idea to get a pre-approval letter from your lender so you can be ready to put offers in on foreclosures, short sales, or other distressed properties.  Lending standards are tighter now, so look into your credit score as soon as possible. 

Call or email me if you need help finding a lender to get your pre approval letter started.  If you need help fixing your credit, your lender can help you with that too.  I work with agents and investors that are on top of the real estate market, and know where the best locations are to invest your money in Huntington Beach, Huntington Harbour, Newport Beach, and the surrounding coastal communities.  Remember buying in a city with “beach” in the name is always a good investment.

Don’t regret not taking advantage of this season to invest.  Happy Holidays Everyone! 

Welcome to Surf City Gossip! This blog will provide you with valuable information, tips, and general insight into the real estate market in Huntington Beach. Visit my website at www.surfcitybeachhouse.com.  Surf City Beach House has a wealth of information for Homes for Sale in Huntington Beach.  Now is an amazing time to buy your own piece of property in Surf City Huntington Beach.  Huntington Beach Real Estate is an excellent investment, and Surf City Beach House can help you find the perfect home your looking for in Huntington Harbour, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and the surrounding Beach communities.  Thank you for stopping by.