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With home loan interest rates still low, it's leaving many buyers with little inventory to choose from. The news has been calling this situation a "housing crisis," which I assure you it's not as extreme as the media portrays it. Yes, there is a shortage of houses being sold, but there are a lot of new homes being built everywhere.

Riverside has some beautiful new homes, just north of Box Springs Mountains and East of the 215 freeway. So close to UCR as well as Loma Linda, it's set back in a quiet, nice, friendly community. The builders have 4-5 different floor plans, which can be customized upon purchase. If you're interested, just let me know and I'll show you all the floor plans and options. 

Not only will you have the scenic view of the Riverside foothills, but you'll be able to enjoy a community basketball court, volleyball court, and picnic areas. And when you're ready to catch some fresh air and beautiful views, you'll have access to 6 miles of pedestrian trails.

If you're interested and would like to learn more, contact me at malakai@socalhousingguide.com

We also have them listed on our website www.socalhousingguide.com, just register and you'll have access to all of the current houses for sale in So Cal. 

I get asked all the time, what are the best home improvements to make that get the best return on their money? The answer will vary from home to home, but these improvements I'm about to share can be low cost, which will make the returns that much better.

1. The Bathroom - This is the one thing on every buyers list. A nice bathroom. You don't have to do a full remodel, but change the small things that make a huge impact. Paint or stain the vanity. Update the lighting fixture. Resurface the shower and sink. One of the smaller things are the knobs on the vanity and the towel holders. Get some new modern pieces which are inexpensive, but create a huge visual impact.

2. Neutral Paint - Throw a fresh coat of paint on the walls, just make sure they're neutral and appeal to the masses. This will give your house a bright new look and will work well with number 3!

3. New lighting - Update the lighting fixtures and while you're at it, buy nice bright light bulbs. When people walk into a bright room, it gives the feeling of more space. Makes the room feel bigger. An inexpensive fix I always suggest are to install recessed lighting. Every buyer I have worked with this year always pointed those out. 

4. Curb Appeal - This is huge! One thing that we learn about presenting yourself is to make a good first impression. Well, same goes with your home. Make a good first impression! Update your landscaping. You don't have to do a full gut and redesign. All it takes is a clean up, new plants, and some new mulch. VUALA! 

If you're interested in the value of your home click here or if you'd like to start shopping for a new home click here. 

I hope you found this useful, and if you did please share it with your friends, family, and social media. Thank you!

Since now is such a great time to buy with interest rates still low, there are many people asking, can I buy even though I don't have that much saved? The short answer is YES! There are a few programs out there that you can qualify for, but the cost to get a loan is still there.

The lenders will always get their money when it comes to letting people borrow money, but what most people don't realize is that the lender fees are paying for the appraisal of the home, loan origination, title search, and the title insurance premiums. Those are things we can not avoid, but how we pay for them we have control over. 

Lender can offer two ways to pay for their fees at closing of buying a home. The first is to pay the closing cost out of pocket and receive a lower interest rate on your home loan. The second, is to take a higher interest rate on your home loan. 

Therefore, make sure to do the math. Figure out when you'll hit your break-even point. Ask yourself, how long are we going to stay in this home? May I need to move in a few years? Is this big enough for our growing family? Then calculate the cost of the lender fees versus the cost of the higher interest rate for the years you'll be in the home. 

Most people don't think these things through, and this is the biggest financial decision of your life. Make sure to choose the right Realtor and lender who have experience and understand the "savings" side of buying your new home. 

Contact us today! we'll be able to guide you through the process that best suits you.

Although lending practices have been more stringent, here are a few tips I give all my clients to get the best deal on a mortgage. 

1. Shop around.  Interview a minimum of 3 to 4 lenders. Try a big national bank, such as Bank of America. Interview a local lender or credit union, and lastly try the internet. These 3 offer different advantages and disadvantages, it's up to you what kind of service you're looking for.

2. Inquire about all your options. There are many choices when hunting for a home loan. 30 year fixed rate, 15 year fixed rate, and adjustable rate mortgages. This last option seems to get a negative review after the housing crisis, but it's a viable option if it fits what your future plans are. The interest rate are usually significantly lower, although they will increase over time. If you have questions about this contact me here.

3. Request locking in your rate. This week we did see a dip in the mortgage rates, but the trend is showing that rates are still on the rise. You might want to consider locking in the rate that you were quoted to insure you get that rate instead of a higher percentage. 

4. Educate yourself about the different types of loans. There are many out there, so figure out which ones you will qualify for. FHA, VA, Down payment assistance, ect. These all have requirements to qualify, but make sure you find the one that best suits you. 

5. Start NOW! If you truly are planning to buy a house within a year, start the process now! Contact me! You need to know where you stand and what you need to do in order to make your application the best it can be. So gather your tax returns for the past 2 years, your bank statements, and your paycheck stubs and let's get started!

A big part of our economy, which can't be denied, is our housing market. Housing is a necessity for everyone. If you watch the show Naked and Afraid, you'll know that one of the first things the survivalist try to accomplish is to build a shelter, then find water. This shows exactly how important shelter is. 

Over 100 years ago, the United States Congress created and passed a tax incentive for homeownership. They knew at the time that being a nation of homeowners would create unique situations for people and their families through wealth, stability, and economic growth. Here is how:

1. 2.5 million private-sector jobs are created annually through home sales. Buying houses creates a positive shock to the economy with more sustainable jobs. It was stated by Jared Martin, President-elect for the California Association of Realtors, that for every 2 homes sold, one job will be created. 

2. Predictability! On average rental rates go up every 2-3 years, which can catch some people off guard and may not be able to afford that living situation any longer. When purchasing home, using a trusted lender, you see an average of 15 or 30 years of a fixed price. As a homeowner, you'll know what you'll be paying for many years to come. 

3. It can't be denied that owning a home creates a sense of pride and security. It also strengthens the community, boost participation in civil pride and participation, and can boost a child's performance in school. Homeownership also creates stability in a neighborhood. Homeowners tend to move less often versus renters, which creates a better sense of community where you live. 

4. You want to build long-term wealth? Homeownership is a great way to do that. According to the Federal Reserve, in 2013 the median net worth of homeowner families was $195,400, while the median net worth of a renter was $5,400  

Too many benefits not to buy a home. Start the process and call a FULL-TIME REALTOR today! 

Some people think they may not be able to afford a home, but on the contrary, with programs and great interest rates, you maybe able to qualify. It doesn't hurt to ask!

Email me any questions you may have, I'm here to help!

Contact me

The current Real Estate market we're in across the country is on fire! Make sure when you're ready to pull the trigger on your purchase, avoid these detrimental mistakes.

1. Timing: In today's market, you must act fast. Great houses on the market rarely last more than a week, especially if the seller is really motivated. I understand it's a huge decision, but when you know, you'll just know. 

2. Lowball offers: Again, with the market so hot, don't waste your time, your agents time, nor the sellers time. They usually won't even consider giving you a counter offer. Just make sure you give them your best offer at this pint in time. Unless your agent does some deep research and finds comparable properties that you can justify that price. Then it's your agents job to sell that.

3. Pre-approved: If you're working with a smart agent, they already had you get a pre-approval letter from a lender. This shows the sellers you are ready, willing, and able. Although this is great, be careful for making offers that hit your max budget. Although you may be approved for that, things can change. Say the interest rates go up and now you can't afford to add that little extra because you're already maxed out. Leave yourself with some wiggle room. Get with your real estate agent and lender to figure out the best course of action for your situation.

4. Don't buy anything: I'm talking about large purchases. Don't buy furniture for the house you haven't got yet, don't get a new car, or make any large purchases. This can affect your loan and in the end may be the reason you will no longer be approved for the amount you're asking for. Hold off on all large purchases until the house is yours.

There are a few other things to consider. Please consult a professional before making any decisions. If you want to get ready to buy, Contact me and I'll get you set up on a solid game plan.   

Start your search by using our website. I pay for this information so you don't have to =)

WWW.SoCalHousingGuide.com

How to Mulch

Article From HouseLogic.com

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

Published: April 23, 2012

Anyone can learn how to mulch and prolong the life of their landscaping. Here's how.

Mulching your garden is like flossing your teeth -- preventative, tedious, and vital to health. Luckily, you don't have to mulch after every meal.

Mulching your garden is like flossing your teeth -- preventative, tedious, and vital to health. Luckily, you don't have to mulch after every meal.

 But you should blanket your garden beds at least twice a year -- in early spring and late fall -- to retain moisture and keep down weeds. That's why it's so important to learn how to mulch correctly.

 How Much Is Enough?

 If you're a numbers geek, try this method:

To determine how much mulch you'll need, multiply the length and width of your garden space (in feet) by the mulch height (about 3 inches, or a quarter of a foot) to get total cubic feet. Bagged mulch is sold by the cubic foot. To figure the number of bags, divide total cubic feet by the number of cubic feet in each bag. Bulk mulch is sold by the yard. To figure the number of yards, divide the total cubic feet by

27 (there are 27 cubic feet to 1 cubic yard). If all that makes you want to pull out your hair, just use one of these easy mulch calculators: Mulch Calculator helps you determine how many bags of mulch you need for your project. Colorbiotics Mulch Tool (iPhone, iPad: free): Not only calculates how many cubic yards or bags of mulch you need, it also helps you pick the mulch color that looks best around your house. Material Calculator (Droid: $1.99): Calculates how much mulch -- and sand, gravel, stone dust, topsoil -- you need, and converts from English to metric units.

 Bags or Bulk?

 It depends on what's more valuable to you -- time or money. If you want to save money, then bulk is the way to go. In Virginia, for instance, shredded hardwood mulch in bags costs about $50 per cubic yard; bulk is $30 per cubic yard -- about a 40% savings. Also, delivering bulk mulch, where trucks just dump and run, is about 25% less expensive than delivering bags, which someone has to drag and stack. If you want to save time, mulch by the bag is for you. •Bags are easy to carry to and spread on garden beds. Just rip and dump.

•Extra bags are easily stacked and stored.

•You don't have to sweep up after a bag delivery; you will after a bulk delivery.

Spreading the Wealth

 Spreading mulch isn't a NASA launch: Precision is not required, says Kevin Warhurst of Merrifield Garden Center in Virginia. But you must follow a few guidelines. 1. Pile on 2 to 4 inches of mulch. If you mulch regularly, and several inches have built up, add only 1 inch as top dressing, or remove all mulch, and start fresh. Too much mulch can trap moisture and cause rot, or prevent water from reaching roots. 2. Never pile mulch next to a tree or shrub trunk, which can cause wood rot and foster insect and fungus problems. 3. Get rid of weeds. Put down a pre-emergent herbicide, newspaper, or landscaping paper before mulching. 4. Spread mulch by hand, which gives beds a neat and finished look. If you must use a tool, use a pitchfork, good for moving mulch into and out of the wheelbarrow. Move the tool side to side to even out mulch. Or, use the back of a steel rake to smooth out the mulch. (Tip: Use a snow shovel to move bulk mulch from pile to wheelbarrow.) 5. Never leave mulch on lower branches and leaves, a telltale sign of careless work.