It is a very confusing time for John Q. Public. Half the economic forecasts say there will be a recession or inflation, while another segment is predicting that we will see neither but the economy will recover slowly. Half of the personal financial advisors are advising buyers to take advantage of the current real estate market, while the other half is advising that "a wait and see" approach is the wiser option. It is true that home values could depreciate even further, but that does not make purchasing a home today an unwise choice. It is a sure bet that rental costs will increase in the next 30 years. However, with a fixed rate mortgage loan, you will know exactly what your housing budget will be for the next 30 years. Owning a home offers certain tax advantages as well. As a long ter... 08/04/2008

Let me start by saying fixing is like the old adage "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Some buyers will not consider buying a home that requires minimal work such as paint and carpeting, while others are willing to take everything down to the bare walls and, in essence, start over to make the home reflect their personal style. Some buyers are willing to do work at a later date in order to purchase a home below market value. If you are willing to except a home that is not in turn-key condition, then please read further because I am going to tell you about a special financing program for homes that need anything from a "touch up" to homes that need revitalizing. This loan program allows buyers to do repairs; as simple as cosmetic repairs such as carpeting, paint or landscaping to maj... 07/28/2008

This is by far one of the best solutions to a flat screen TV to come down the pike ever! Click here to watch the screen in action. To make one of your own (not automatic) create a shadow box with a print or fabric on the front...and for home stagers; be sure there is a safe place to store the faux print when the TV is in use. Sweet! If you have created more fabulous solutions for the Ugly Eye syndrome, please share with us. Just the opposite can be acheived for vacant home staging by framing a photo of a flat screen TV to show placement instead of buying the faux version. A framed print is much classier. 07/23/2008

Who is IndyMac and what does that mean to you? IndyMac Bank was the largest lender to Alt-A borrowers. The mortgage giant has in effect gone out of business. The Bank will still be operating but under Federal supervision and will no longer be issuing mortgage loans. Unfortunately, this means a tighter credit crunch in the mortgage industry and possibly higher rates for Alt-A borrowers. What is an Alt-A borrower? It is the average American, the one who does not have perfect A1 credit. There will still be loans for Alt-A borrowers but they may be much harder to find and more expensive in regards to interest rates and loan fees. In the near future, other Alt-A lenders will either come to fill in the gap or they will follow IndyMac's lead and leave the business as well. July may be the best... 07/14/2008

Have You Been Waiting For The Bottom of The Market? Your wait may soon be over. Data Quick Information Systems (which monitors real estate activity nationwide) reports sales are up not only in California but throughout the country. The figures that are being published indicate that the bottom of the market seems to have been reached in many of the nation's areas. California, including the Central Valley, is still seeing a decline in homes prices but the rate of decrease per month does seem to be leveling off. Sellers know that they are facing stiff competition in pricing, due to the high rate of foreclosures on the market and the number of buyers in the market place. Sellers know that buyers are going to do what buyers have always done, shop the market for the best value. Existing homes... 07/07/2008

Fresno State Bulldogs won the NCAA baseball Championship on June 25th and I couldn't be prouder, if they were all my own sons! I am sure I am joined by many in that sentiment, as was proven in the turnout the team received when they came home. Over 6500 waited at Biden Field to cheer the team while another 5,000 welcomed home the team with a parade. Despite warnings about air-quality (due to devastating fires in the mountains) everyone that could turn out to cheer the Champions did. No one thought they could do it but these boys knew that they could do anything and wouldn't listen to commentators, statistics or doomsayers. And they proved themselves right on June 25th. Despite injuries to key players, the Bulldogs proved it is all about team work and commitment. Fresno State not only wo... 06/30/2008

Relocating? Come home to Fresno Fresno is located in the center of Central California in the lush surroundings of the San Joaquin Valley and is rich with agricultural traditions. Fresno is the midpoint between San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles. Fresno is the educational, commercial and financial center for Central California. 640,000 call Fresno home, many are "home-grown" and, like myself, couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Like any other city, we have residents from all over the nation and the world, but the largest group of people choosing to work and live in Fresno are from the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles Basin. With so many people choosing Fresno to be their home, our economical diversification is steadily growing. There are many reasons why someone chooses a par... 06/24/2008

Recently, I was interviewed by Fresno's news station KMPH (Fox 26) in regards to a piece they were doing on the slow housing market and first time buyers. I would like to emphasis that investing in real estate during a slow market is a smart move for everyone. Remember the old saying: "buy when everyone is selling and sell when everyone is buying". I believe in the validity of that statement and I believe in the value of homeownership. Historically, when a community has a majority of homeowners, it has a stronger community base and better schools. That is a wise investment in our children's future. Good market or slow market, none last forever. Already, we are beginning to hear the first positive reports that the real estate market is changing. Here, in the Central Valley, prices contin... 06/17/2008

1031 Exchange and TIC Investment Property Seminar in Fresno, California We are rolling out a 1031 exchange and TIC investment property seminar on Friday, June 13, 2008 in Fresno, California from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.  Speaker You can learn the basics of 1031 exchanges from Steve Monk, vice president and regional manager, EXETER 1031 Exchange Services, LLC.  There will also be a registered securities representative presenting 1031 TIC investment properties and more. Lunch Provided Lunch will be served.  Attendees must be accredited investors.  RSVPs are required.  Learn more about TICs.  Here is a recent interview conducted with a number of industry professionals regarding the state of the TIC investment property market:  http://www.exeter1031.com/pdfs/California_RE_Journal_TIC_roundtable... 06/07/2008

Vision Academy of the Arts is sponsoring Ballroom Dances on the fourth Sunday of each month.  Monthly dances, with live music, are held at the Oakhurst Community Center from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM.  The first half hour features Ballroom dance instruction in one of a variety of American and Latin style dances.  Then The "Mellowtones" dance band, from the Madera area, will play for our dancing and listening pleasure.  Vision Academy of the Arts grants Scholarships to graduating high school students to continue their education in the arts.   Admission is $10.00 per person.  Information:  Ed Bailey, 676-2424, or Jackie Byers, 683-7071 06/07/2008

1031 Exchange Workshop - NOT Just Another 1031 Exchange Seminar See all of our 1031 exchange seminar programs. Intermediate Level 1031 Exchange Seminar This is an intermediate level workshop on forward, reverse and improvement (build-to-suit or construction) 1031 exchange transactions pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 1.1031 of the Treasury Regulations. 1031 Exchange Workshop Content The 1031 exchange educational workshop will begin with an introduction to various tax-deferral and tax-exclusion strategies, including combining Section 1031 with Section 121.  The discussions will focus on the requirements, structures, processes, strategies, and compliance issues necessary to successfully complete a 1031 exchange transaction.  We will finish with an explanat... 06/06/2008

Staging a home is a key element in the sale of your house.  However, getting an Oscar-worthy performance out of your house doesn't take a star's budget.  There are simple things you can do to create appeal without going into your savings to get it done. 1. Roll out the red carpet.  Curb appeal is important.  Make sure that the landscaping is kept up.  The mailbox needs to be fixed properly in place and even painted, if necessary.  Remove any dead plants and debris that clutters up the place. 2. Curtain call.  People often neglect the entryway.  Invite people in with a clean entryway.  Beautiful potted plants, a mirror or a water feature can add a cozy touch to visitors.  A new light or door fixtures and a quick coat of paint can spiff up the front door.  Purchase an inexpensive welcome ... 06/03/2008

Welcome to gorgeous Fresno County!  There is so much greatness here, where do I begin?  Fresno has that beautiful sunny California weather everyone raves about over 300 days a year!  This allows for some magnificent outdoor activities.  However, if you want the white stuff, Fresno County includes the beautiful Sierra Mountains which are a great place to get your ski-groove on.  With over 90 different nationalities inhabiting the area, Fresno County can truly be called a "melting pot".  Parents and teachers have made the educational system here a priority.  In fact, over 40% of the schools in the Clovis Unified School District received a National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition and 50% of the schools in the district are part of the state's Distinguished Schools Program.  To understand ho... 05/22/2008

IRC section 1031 exchanges are used by owners of appreciated investment property to defer the capital gain tax (both state (if applicable) and federal 15% and depreciation recapture) by purchasing another investment property within 180 days. Previous blog posts go into all of the details and rules of the exchange process.The question is: "So, now that I've attended a 1031 Exchange Seminar, how am I going to use that information to build my business?"First, focus on educating your clients who own non-owner occupied property of the benefits of an exchange:"I noticed that you're selling non-owner occupied property, have you discussed with your tax advisor whether a 1031 tax deferred exchange is appropriate for this sale; you could potentially defer 100% of your capital gain tax due on the ... 03/26/2008

What a great event that the Fresno County EDC, Phil Souza and Bobby Fena organized last night. There were over 700 attendee.The seven 7 panelists discussed the Fresno's various commercial markets (retail, industrial, office, agricultural and apartments) looking back at 2007 as well as looking forward to what we can expect in 2008. In addition, John Shamshoian of Realty Concepts gave a great summary of the residential market and what we can expect in 2008 (continued stabilization creating a great market for first time home buyers, those looking to buy up and investors).There was just too much information to summarize it all but the EDC may have some additional programs with summaries of each presentation.Here's a linkhttp://www.fresnoedc.com/  03/21/2008

Visit my website at giseleharmouche.com and receive a free comparative market analysis for your property.If you are planning to put your home on the market in time for spring, now is the time to get it ready to show. Even if it is still a buyer's market, you can still catch the buyer's eyes to make an offer: add a fresh coat of paint and a new welcome mat. Get rid of clutters. Change your carpet, put on tile floors where needed. Granite counter tops are in demand. Plant flowers and upgrade your landscape, it helps form a great first impression of your home. Improving your home is the clue, fix all the problems, don't wait for buyer to get a home inspection and find out a reason to cancel the deal. Get yourself a preliminary inspection and do all the repairs. Your listing should be reaso... 03/08/2008

One of the hardest things for a family to deal with is living in a product. Here are some tips to help speed up the process.  Keeping the house 'up' while it is on the market; Often times tidy spaces are the most difficult to maintain. One of the best benefits in staging is ridding yourself and your family of the clutter that makes the messes. Mom, Dad, if it is left out and not supposed to be there...throw it in the box labeled misc. and be done with it. Eventually the messes will end :)Keeping the faith; Doubting that your house will sell can kill a sale. Fill yourself up every morning with words and phrases that set the positive wheels in motion. Surround yourself with positive thinking books and read an excerpt from each throughout the day. Get your families support including your r... 02/29/2008

Saturday last there was a parade in Fresno's Chinatown.  ITS THE YEAR OF THE RAT.  I'm thinking that this creature to the left is maybe supposed to be a rat - but I dont know.  You would think that if its the YEAR OF THE RAT that they would be parading a RAT, but this thing doesnt look anything like a rat to me.  More like a catapillar.  I would have asked someone who was chinese but the only chinaman I met that was willing to speak to me (last pic) couldnt speak English.  All he said to me was "too old. 89".  I tried to approach another asian gentleman but he seemed to deliberately avoid me. Maybe because I was carrying my camera - who knows?  Oddly, the event seemed to be dominated by Hispanics.  Even after the parade when I went to the food booths, I dont recall seeing any Chinese f... 02/12/2008

Historic Fresno Buildings [photos included] The Tallest building between San Francisco and Los Angeles is the Pacific Southwest Building located in the heart of downtown Fresno in the Fulton Mall. Between 1920 and 1930 this was the most expensive building erected in the entire state of California. You can read all about the history of this grand edifice which has been recently rename Fresno Pacific Towers here. Its a great subject for those who like to shoot landscape/architectural shots. You see that statue of the lady in 2 of the pictures. She is famous! She is “La Grand Laveuse (Washer Woman)“There were 6 original bronze statues of the Washer Woman by Pierre Auguste Renoir, the famous French Impressionist, and Fresno was fortunate enough to get the last one made.Looking to buy or sel... 02/07/2008

If you are an investor or a first time buyer. Right now is the time to buy here in california. 02/06/2008