Archives

November 2006

Trust is More Than a Just a Word

Posted at 6:09 AM, Nov. 30, 2006

In a game show, trust isn't that important, and it only matters for about half an hour. But buying or selling a home is too important for games. You want a Realtor® you can trust, and someone who will be looking out for you all the way.

Where do you look for this person who will give you personal attention, who will answer your questions, and answer your phone calls?

You might look at a large real estate brokerage with dozens of agents. They certainly have impressive numbers that show they sell a lot of houses. They have standard procedures, forms, and policies that fit most needs. You may see their signs all over the area, and they do an acceptable job on average. They depend on volume to support a lot of advertising and overhead expense. The question you need to ask is, "Will a large company know me and my needs, or will I be just another 'deal' in their real estate machine?"

Now look at a smaller broker, one who places his name on the line with every transaction, and works with a small team of proven professionals. They know your name. They take the time to ask questions and really listen to your answers. They know the area they serve and all about the neighborhoods. They take your phone calls and return calls quickly. They look out for your interests, always, and unconditionally. And they depend on building lasting client relationships based on personalized service for their success. Individual attention and meeting the client's specific needs are their hallmarks. No games, just people you can trust.

Michael Trust and the Michael Trust Team – we work together to deliver what we promise.

·        Personalized service

·        Total client satisfaction

·        Trust

What's the Best Time of Year for Home Buyers?

Posted at 5:54 AM, Nov. 24, 2006

First, only serious sellers, who are strongly motivated to accept a reasonable offer, will be showing their homes during the holidays.  These weeks are traditionally the slowest of the year for real estate sales.  Most people are thinking about holiday travel and family feasts, so if they can wait to put their house on the market they will. Therefore, homeowners who are having showings are serious about making a sale.

Second, most potential buyers are also concentrating on celebrations and the season – they've put their house hunting on hold for a few weeks.  That means there is less competition from other buyers, and that's an advantage in what is becoming a buyer's market. 

And I've saved the best for last…money in your pocket courtesy of Uncle Sam. There's still time to buy a home and settle before the end of the year, and that could mean a substantial tax deduction from your 2006 income. Of course, you'll want to consult your tax preparer about your specific situation. But mortgage rates are still low, and I can recommend lenders, inspectors, and attorneys who can shepherd deals through to closing quickly. 

Then when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, you'll really have something to celebrate. Call me today and let's get started.

Searching for a Home in Los Angeles - as featured in my-local-real-estate.com

Posted at 9:58 AM, Nov. 20, 2006

Los Angeles is a highly diverse community - diverse in culture, languages, ethnicity, neighborhoods, and in architecture.  In many Los Angeles communities, one will hear 15-20 languages spoken and in some areas, English is not spoken at all.

The temperate climate and vast cultural and recreational opportunities make Los Angeles an idea place to live (well, except for the traffic!).  Within a two hour drive, one can surf at the beach in the morning and then head to a seasonal resort for an afternoon of skiing.  In between, one may stop at a Laker’s or a Clipper’s game, a USC or UCLA game, or a Dodger's or an Angel's game. From Los Angeles, one can also head south two hours to sunny San Diego or north eight hours to reach infamous San Francisco.

One of the first decisions for someone looking to purchase a home in the Los Angeles area is finding a Realtor who is knowledgeable about the local market and then finding the right neighborhood and the compatible/desirous amenities that one is seeking. Commute time to work or school is also a priority.  Mass transit exists in Los Angeles, but it is not always fluid or easy.  As a result, most people commute to work, school, events, etc., instead of using mass transit.

Within Los Angeles, there are a multitude of "areas" or "specific neighborhoods", each with their own unique characteristics.  Prices tend to rise the further from the downtown "core" and from the Westside one goes. South of Mulholland Highway is the "City" and north of Mulholland Highway is the "Valley". The Valley is the suburbs and the City side is more of the "traditional" city.  Prices in the Los Angeles market, have, for the most part, remained relatively stable even in a slowing market; Los Angeles is still a great draw and an exciting place to be.

Properties can be searched on www.MichaelTrustRealty.com under "Property Search" for a great selection of what is available on the market now. This search feature is updated daily and shows all currently available properties listed in the Multiple Listing Service.  In addition, there is a wealth of community information about Los Angeles and the surrounding areas available on this site. At Michael Trust Realty, we are committed to total client satisfaction and we treat each client as our only client. We would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Thanks for reading.

About the author: MICHAEL TRUST, REALTOR, AND BROKER/OWNER, Michael Trust Realty, MichaelTrust@MichaelTrustRealty.com or (818) 342-3470 or Toll Free (877) 755-7755 x709.

© my-local-real-estate.com copyright 2006. All rights reserved.

Five reasons why now is a good time to buy or sell a home

Posted at 12:04 PM, Nov. 15, 2006

You might have seen the full-page ads in newspapers lately from the National Association of Realtors saying that this is actually a great time to get into real estate. Sure, they are the industry association, but it's in their interest to tell you the truth. And I agree – this is a good time. Here's why:

1.      Great interest rates. Despite all the ups and downs of the various markets, 30-year fixed rate mortgage interest rates are near an all-time low. This means your payments will be as low as possible, making it a good time to buy and lock in favorable rates.

2.      Plenty of choices. There is a good selection of houses to choose from now. Housing inventories grew over the spring and summer so buyers have many more choices than they did at this time last year. This means that there are more homes looking for buyers, and sellers are starting to make some adjustments to encourage sales. Buying today gives new owners the opportunity to find their dream house at a favorable price.

3.      Good value pricing. Housing prices have slowed their dramatic climb. Some areas have experienced declines while others are still increasing, but the enormous increases of a year ago are no longer the rule. Buyers are finding good values today. And with the trend indicating continued increases through the rest of this year and into 2007, this may be the time of best prices.

4.      Positive outlook. The overall outlook for real estate is good. On October 26, 2006, Former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan said, "Most of the negatives in housing are probably behind us." (Reuters News) And real estate is still one of the best investments you can make to help build long-term wealth. There will always be fluctuations, but overall real estate is one of the best performing investments.

5.      Local knowledge and personal service. The Michael Trust Team will help you meet your real estate goals with personal, individualized service. We are a small, established company and we know our territory, so we provide the local market knowledge that will help you take advantage of the opportunities in the current market.

 Take advantage of this combination of interest rates, inventory, and pricing to find your dream home today.