The Market in Orange County is chaotic right now.  Activity is huge, especially Foreclosed properties.  The Banks are pricing properties to sell which is causing multiple offers.  I previewed a Foreclosed property with a Client who loved it and wanted to put in an offer.  Called the Listing agent and was informed that there were multiple offers on it.  How many? I asked,  "60 he says" The property wasn't on the market a day and it had 60 offers on it.  Of course I asked what the highest price was knowing theres no way he will give me the exact $$$ amount.  Well over the asking "he replies". Properties are being priced so well,  by the end of the day the banks are getting pretty much what they are looking for.     " Sellers,  Note to self I Should Price My Home to SELL "   You never know... 05/24/2008

•        Asegurarse que el agente trabaje de tiempo completo, que tenga licencia de agente inmobiliario del estado de California, que sea profesional, que lo trate con respeto, dispuesto a contestar todas y cada una de las preguntas y dudas  que tenga, que le explique el contrato y todos los documentos pertinentes a la compra, y que trabaje para el beneficio del consumidor.  •        Que tenga conocimiento de las condiciones del mercado y los tipos de financiamientos disponibles para primeros compradores y agencias que ofrecen ayuda.(De preferencia que el agente de prestamos sea diferente al agente de bienes y raíces)  •        Que el  agente este afiliado en una agencia o compañía  repútable y establecida, con fuerte presencia local, y respaldado por una fuerte campana de publicidad.  ... 05/23/2008

First Time buyers can qualify for programs that will cover some of the cost in a pricey market.  Agencies that provide programs for first time buyers:  Affordable clearinghouse. www.affordable-hoosing.org Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County. www.nhsoc.org City of Anaheim (Community Development Department, Housing Services Agency)                                                     1.      Help Program                                                    2.      American Dream Down payment Initiative.  Buyers are required to have 3% down payment of purchase price, plus closing costs at least $5,000.00.  Must be First-Time Homebuyer (not have owned residential property in past 3 years)  Must remain owner- occupied  Compatible with FHA, Calhfa and conventional financing  Property ... 05/21/2008

Anaheim Market update zip code 92801   177 Active properties 102 are short sales;this represents 57.63%. 36 conventional, may have unrealistic price; this represents 20.34%. 39 are REO witch represents 22.03%. 38 Back up, pending Status 10 are short sales; this represents 26.32%. 4 regular, this  represents 10.53%. 24 REO, this represents 63.16%. 56 Sold properties since January 1, 2008. •·        4 short sales, represents only 7.14% •·        9 regular, represents 16.07% •·        43 REO, represents 76.79% Information was obtain from MLS 05/21/2008

The Home Ownership Roundtable present the 2nd Annual Real Estate Investors Expo!Join us for this full day of Educational Speakers, Exhibitors with Out of State Investment Opportunities, a LIVE 97.1 FREE FM Broadcast with The Home Ownership Roundtable and various Real Estate Services and Tools.Whether you are a seasoned investor or just starting out, whether you are looking to understand how to be an investor in real estate, wanting cash flow, foreclosures, rehabs, residential and commercial properties, and more, this is the event for you.REGISTER NOW and do not miss this great opportunity! Time and Place Date: Saturday, May 31, 2008 Time: 8:00am - 5:30pm Location: Hyatt Regency - Orange County (Near Disneyland) Street: 11999 Harbour Blvd. City/Town: Garden Grove, CA   View Map Contact ... 05/16/2008

Anaheim Bank Repo - Cheap Foreclosure - Below Market Value!Location: Anaheim, CA Back in the market!!! Subject to cancelation of escrow. Pool property located in a desirable neighborhood with plenty of interior upgrades. Crown moldings, redone floors, appealing fireplace and light oak cabinets in spacious kitchen. Back yard/pool needs some TLC. Property has adequate parking space in garage and potential RV parking space. Directions From Katella turn North on Mac, first street is Regal turn right, property on the right side of the street. InformationContact InformationAdam BrettPricingAsking Price: $409,900Flexibility: NegotiableProperty Location8812 Regal Ave.Anaheim, CA 92804FeaturesBedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 2Parking: 2Year Built: 1955Lot Size: 7676Garage Size: 2School District: Anaheim Un... 05/06/2008

Anaheim Bank Repo - Cheap Foreclosure - Below Market Value!Location: Anaheim, CA BACK ON THE MARKET. Price, Beauty and Location, all bundled in this large Home. Quiet street close to Anaheim Plaza shopping centers and freeways. Covered patio, fruit trees, and 2 extra rooms in the garage. AS IS condition. Directions 5 freeway south take Euclid exit. turn left on Euclid. Across street of Anaheim Plaza Shopping Center. InformationContact InformationAdam BrettPricingAsking Price: $360,000Flexibility: NegotiableProperty Location517 N. Fairhaven St.Anaheim, CA 92801FeaturesBedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 2Parking: 2Year Built: 1954Lot Size: 5868Garage Size: 2School District: Anaheim UnionSquare Footage: 1173Agent Name: Burt OmarBroker: Remax NOCMLS #: P601473AttributesAppliancesRange/OvenExterior Ameni... 05/06/2008

If you're thinking about buying a bank owned foreclosure (REO) in North Orange County, don't wait any longer. There are numerous opportunities to purchase 3 bedroom houses (especially in Anaheim area) for under $400,000. Many first time home buyers are getting the chance of a lifetime considering that just a year and a half has passed and prices have gone from the mid $500's to the mid $300's. Buyers really need to have an experienced realtor that knows how to locate the properties on the day an REO hits the market and then negotiate an acceptable deal. I've learned from recent experience how competitive the foreclosures really are now. The market is heating up in North Orange County!For more info: www.homerealtymanual.com  05/02/2008

$142,500What would you suppose that money would get you in Orange County today?........If you guessed nothing, you're in good company, but you're wrong.  Trust me, I'm as floored as you.Would you guess a 2-bedroom condo a mile from Disneyland?  I was conducting a search for a first-time buyer client of mine, hoping to find her a unit in the "under-$200k" range, and was shocked at the results.  Even after eliminating all the short pays there were still 17 2-bedroom (or more!) units available in Anaheim.This is particularly exciting in Anaheim as they have some excellent first-time buyer programs for people who work or already live in the area.  Buying can be quite literally cheaper than renting right now. 05/01/2008

Now is the time to move on North Orange County houses (especially bank owned foreclosures).I've been working with a lot of first time buyers recently who suddenly feel that now may be a good time to buy their first house. The surprising thing is how aggressive we have had to be when making an offer. There are some short sale listings that are priced below market value but I've noticed that the listing agent hasn't even contacted the lender yet to see if that would be an acceptable price. These properties are probably not worth pursuing.The standard sales and the bank owned foreclosure REO's are selling like hotcakes. Now is not the time to wait for prices to go down. My clients have all noticed the difference in just the last few weeks. If you are not prepared to make an offer at above ... 04/07/2008

In Orange County many people say, "No, things are going to get worse!" or "Realtors are always overly optimistic". When we see the numerous foreclosures and short sales, it does seem that the downturn is not over and prices will continue to fall. I say prices have fallen enough (40% to 50%) in Anaheim and Santa Ana that it's now time for buyers to jump in before it's too late. After all, when is the last time you could buy a two bedroom condo at $840 a month? With $10,000 down and a low 6% interest rate on a 30 year fixed mortgage, that price is realty. I was just showing a 2 bedroom condo the other day that was a minimum of $300,000 last summer and is now listed in the $160,000 to $150,000 range. That's a 50% drop in less than a year. 3 bedroom houses that were selling at $525,00 less ... 03/25/2008

In Orange County the new FHA limits were raised from $417,000 to $729,750. This is good news for first time home buyers in Orange County because the FHA loans have special programs for first time home buyers. If you have any questions about down payment assistance programs contact me or visit www.homerealtymanual.comAnother important thing to know about FHA loans is the method of determining your eligibility is factored at a higher debt to income ratio than non conforming loans.Feel free to contact me about homes for sale on the market right now in Orange County that will qualify for a first time home buyers program.Aaron Kelly - REMAX of North Orange Countywww.homerealtymanual.com  03/13/2008

I recently had a client send me an email with the question below:Hi Aaron,Can you tell me what is the difference between a bank owned foreclosure and a short sale?That is a great question. The number of Bank Owned Foreclosures and Short Sales are increasing in Orange County, especially in Anaheim. A bank owned foreclosure is sold in "as is" condition, but the process of the sale is very similar to a traditional sale by a seller who owns the property. You are allowed to negotiate a price and terms of the sale just like a traditional sale. The nice thing about purchasing the property with an agent is the fact that after the offer is made; I will speak with the bank and come to an agreement by phone before they put the counter offer on paper. If we agree to the terms, we will then have a c... 03/12/2008

Anaheim foreclosures and short sales are causing Brookhurst Village Condominiums in Anaheim to plummet (Address 1250 S. Brookhurst St., Anaheim, CA 92804). I remember showing the 2 and 3 bedroom condos for sale in the complex last summer and there were many properties for sale between $275,000 to $360,000.Now, just 6 months later, there are 31 condos available, most of which are priced around $165,000 to $240,000!!!! That's a 40% drop in 6 months!!!! Right now is the time to buy! With interest rates very low and sellers' willingness to pay for closing costs, you could break even compared to renting in less than one year. Contact me, Aaron Kelly of REMAX of North Orange County, to see some of these great opportunities throughout North Orange County.  Check out the breakdown below courtes... 02/22/2008

For the best Blueberry muffins in Anaheim check out DK's donuts on Euclid just south of La Palma (Address is 821 N. Euclid Anaheim, CA 92801. Ask them to warm it up. It's very sweet on the top and very soft in the middle. Maybe a little too sweet for many because the top is somewhat glazed. 02/21/2008

My wife Mindy and I live in the Anaheim Colony and enjoy living in one of the few parts of Southern California that has some sort of history.  We live in a home built in 1942 and many of our neighbors are still original owners.  This past week we lost one of if not the most recognisable neighbor we have... CARL KARCHER PASSES ON. Carl Karcher was an Orange County mogul who founded one of the biggest fast food franchises in America,  Carl's Jr.  He passed away on the 11th from pneumonia. He was 90, and had suffered from Parkinson's Disease.  Though I never had the oppertunity to talk at any length with Mr. Karcher we often said hello with a smile in passing. Every time I saw Mr Karcher I felt as excited as a child. There was just something neat about knowing that such an amazing entrepre... 01/16/2008

1. Remember to start paying for Christmas a year in advance with deductions to a Christmas account instead of waiting until December to charge it all. 2. Remember credit cards represent debt, not money. Each time you use one it is like taking out a loan at the bank! 3. Remember that access to buy and ability to afford are not the same. Credit gives us access, money gives us ability. 4. Remember not to give in order to get.  5. Remember not to confuse giving with buying. The most appreciated gifts are ones involving an investment of time and talent, not just our treasure. 6. Remember that it is not necessary to match the value of every gift you give with every gift you receive.  7. Remember to pay off Christmas charges quickly. Paying off Christmas debt with minimum payments will prompt ... 12/24/2007

I spent the last day before my birthday (I'm NOT telling which one, except it was another Jack Benny birthday) at Disneyland in Anaheim, near Los Angeles. It was a deja vu experience, having been there with our two daughters about 20 years ago (and returning with the older one and her boyfriend). The really cool thing is that we had FREE tickets plus got to eat at Club 33 (the private dining room with there is a waiting list for membership of almost 14 years - many members are corporations, and they often give out tickets to deserving employees). Disneyland is really an amazing place, and a true testiment to the dreams of a man who many feel was the most visionary in the film industry. Somehow I feel a fondness for Disneyland, as it was the original (and never having been to Disney Worl... 11/10/2007

The New England Patriots came from behind today to beat the previously unbeaten Indianapolis Colts.  For those of you that don't know, The Patriots and Colts have developed a rivalry that is unparalleled in professional sports.  Both teams have great players, great coaches, and great team leaders.  In this blog, I'm choosing to highlight what makes the Patriots the most feared team year in and year out.3 Reasons Why the Pats are so successful 1. LeadershipTom Brady is the greatest leader in sports, today.  His team responds to him like no other team responds to their leader.  They would literally break their necks, before letting something happen to him.  Why Tom is such a great leader Poise- Tom Brady is ALWAYS composed.  No matter if his team is up 14 or down 40, he has the same focus... 11/04/2007

I'm currently in charge of developing a commercial marketing plan for the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise that I manage in Anaheim, CA.  I actually have set aside time right now to draft my outline.  But blogging seems much more fun.  So, I thought I'd make myself feel better, and try to get some ideas for marketing for realtors.  And who better to ask then realtors?1-800-GOT-JUNK? works with realtors on a daily basis.  Real Estate Agents use us at all different phases of the transaction process.  Realtors love us because we are reliable, on-time, employ friendly, customer focused employees, and most importantly, we do ALL the labor and cleanup.  Most realtors that use us are not even on the job site when we complete our work.  We are sensitive to your busy schedule, and we even provide same ... 10/31/2007