{ Katie B Realty – What I Really Do }

I am working on some real estate transactions today and updating my real estate profiles online. I want to thank all of my clients and friends for trusting me personally with their transactions and/or their referrals. This year has been one of the best years for us in real estate and we feel so blessed to be of service to so many including first time home buyers, investors and those trading up! Please know that I am never too busy to personally take care of you or your referrals. So please continue to send them my way. 

Hello Friends,

Earlier this month, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued guidance on how fair housing laws apply to those with criminal records. Specifically, the HUD stated that a landlord or property manager who imposes a blanket refusal to rent to any person with any criminal conviction record – no matter when the conviction occurred, what the underlying conduct entailed, or what the convicted person has done since then — may violate the Fair Housing Act. Thus, if you are a property manager or own rental property, it is urged that you to familiarize yourself with the guidelines.

It goes without saying that a landlord or property manager must treat everyone equally. Even if a screening policy involving criminal convictions is maintained, it can never be used as a pretext for unequal treatment. If a landlord or property manager refuses to rent to a person for certain convictions, then the landlord or property manager should not rent to anyone similarly convicted. View C.A.R.’s Realegal® on the HUD guidelines.

This was an announcement from Pat “Ziggy” Zicarelli who is the 2016 President of the California Association of Relators.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us at katiebrealty at gmail . com. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Katie Bayliss, Esq.
Real Estate Broker/Agent and Real Estate Attorney
Specializing in real estate buying and selling issues and wills and trusts

YES!!!

According to CNN, a number of factors are coming together, making next year a good time to buy:

1. Home prices will finally calm down

Real estate values have been on the rise for a while, but are likely to slow their pace next year. Prices are expected to rise 3.5%, according to Zillow’s Chief Economist Svenja Gudell. Buyers who’ve been stuck behind the wave of rising prices may finally get the chance to jump in. And that could lead to a flood of buyers, said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Realtor.com. “We have the potential for about six million home sales just through the months of April through September; that is basically impossible to do,” he said. But not everyone will be in a position to take advantage.

Despite the slowdown, Zillow still expects home values to outpace wage growth, which can make it tough to afford a home, especially for lower-income buyers.

Plus, prices in the country’s hottest markets — like San Francisco, Boston and New York City — aren’t expected to pull back as much next year.

2. More homes will hit the market

The slowdown in home prices will prompt more owners to list their homes, Smoke said, giving buyers more choice. “Because of the price appreciation they have experienced, you will have more sellers put homes on the market next year,” he said.

The new home market is also expected to grow in the coming year with builders focusing more on starter and middle-range homes, which will also boost inventory and make it easier for buyers. With more homes on the market, bidding wars will become less common and prices could ease even more.

3. Dirt cheap mortgages could disappear

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to begin increasing interest rates soon, which means the window for record low mortgage rates is closing. While rates are expected to go up gradually, higher rates push up borrowing costs and monthly mortgage payments. “You are likely to get the best rate you will possibly see, perhaps in your lifetimes through the majority of next year, but certainly, the earlier the better,” said Smoke.

4. Rents will still hurt

Rent prices are expected to continue to climb in the New Year, which means in most cities, buying will be cheaper than renting. Even though mortgages could get more expensive, buying might still be the better deal. Interest rates would need to rise to around 6.5% for the cost of buying to equal that of renting on a national level, according to Ralph McLaughlin, housing economist at Trulia.

Credit: cnn.com

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to own this dream home located in the College Park Community of Chino! This turnkey property will not last. Please contact us at katiebrealty@gmail.com for more information!

Property Description:

The property is 1,826 sq. feet with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. Every room is bright and airy with lots of natural sunlight.The kitchen and living area is a open floor plan with plenty of room for entertainig. Homeowners association includes maintenance of the community park/recreation center, club house, fitness center, pools, spa, front yard, ally landscape, homeowner’s structural insurance as well as roof maintenance reserve. It’s conveniently close to shopping centers, schools and freeways. This home is perfect for a large family or a couple looking for their dream home to grow in.

Propery Hightlights:
– 4 Bedrooms
– 3.5 Bathrooms
– 1,826 sq. feet
– Recessed Lighting
– In-door Laundry Room
– Open Floor Plan
– 2 Car Detached Garage
– Private Yard
– Expresso Colored Cabinets
– Granite Counter Tops
– Stainless Steel Appliances
– Large Backyard
– Spacious Master
– Walk-in Closet
– Spa Tub

This adorable curb appeal home won’t last long! The home is in a great neighborhood and has been remolded and upgraded. New flooring has been done throughout! Please contact us at katiebrealty@gmail.com for more information!

Property Details:
This beautiful remodeled home have been blessed with so many upgrades. New elegant flooring throughout. Exquisite chef’s kitchen have new elegant quartz countertop, solid wood modern cabinets, and state of the art stainless steel appliances. Separate dining area, and separate laundry area. Beautiful marble tile on fireplace in the cozy living room. Block wall fence and covered patio. New designer interior doors with venetian bronze hardware. New windows as well! The remodeled bathroom is absolutely amazing with classic tiles designs with beautiful elegant vanity. So much grace and beauty throughout the home.

Propery Highlights
– 3 Beds
– 1.5 Baths
– 1,203 Square Feet
– New Flooring
– Kitchen Complete with New Appliances
– Remolded Bathrooms
– Laundry Room
– 2 Car Garage
– Spacious Back Yard

Here are the top 5 housing markets that global investors should buy in, with the United States leading the way!

1. United States

The U.S. has been named the hottest market for global residential property in a survey of 14 countries by real estate advisors Savills.

The U.S. housing market has enjoyed three years of growth as the economic recovery gathers pace. Prices are up about 30% from their 2009 dip.

San Francisco offers the most impressive growth potential. Nearby Silicon Valley has spurred interest in the city and secured its place as one of the country’s best performing housing markets. Savills named it ahead of New York, Los Angeles and Miami. As for who’s buying, Canadians are the top foreign purchasers of U.S. property by sales, followed by buyers from Mexico, India and the U.K.

2. United Arab Emirates

Wealth creation and positive demographics underpin the scope for solid returns in Middle East property. The Gulf economy has clocked annual growth of at least 4% for the past three years. Dubai is the region’s major real estate hub, and Savills believe its long-term prospects are supported by the city’s role as a global business center.

3. Singapore

Measures to cool the overheated Asian market, coupled with a general slowing of the economy, has slugged sales and reduced prices in Singapore’s prime residential market.

4. United Kingdom

Two European countries round out the top 5 — Britain and Spain. The dynamics differ but both economies are strengthening and benefit from low interest rates.

Prices in London’s residential market are enjoying a massive boom — up 9% over the past year alone — but demand overall remains buoyant, and the supply of new homes tight. Look for opportunities around the burgeoning tech sector in the capital, Savills said.

5. Spain

Teetering on the brink of collapse in 2012, the Spanish economy has turned its fortunes around to become one of Europe’s standout performers this year. Real estate prices in the country are still more than 25% below their 2008 peaks, but the market has stabilized.

Property investors should consider Spain’s Balearic islands, such as Majorca and Ibiza, Savills said. Popular with European tourists, these residential markets have been more resilient than those on the mainland, thanks to a diverse demand base and limited new supply.

Credit to cnn.com

More Americans went shopping for homes in August.

New home sales for single families totaled 552,000 homes in August. That’s the best monthly figure since February 2008 and an encouraging sign of the housing market’s momentum!

That was also a nearly 6% increase from July. These figures although promising are a far cry from the historic average of 706,000 homes per month over the last 30 years.

“Today’s figure is encouraging but we’ve got a LONG way to go,” Peter Boockvar, chief market strategist at the Lindsey Group, wrote in a note to clients.

Some economists believe there could be an increase in home buying as prospective homeowners try to lock in a low mortgage rate before the Federal Reserve raises interest rates!

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage in August was 3.9%, very low on a historical basis. A decade ago the rate was about 5.8% and 20 years ago it was 7.8%. When the Fed raises rates, the expectation is that rates on mortgages will gradually move up too. The central bank is now expected to raise rates in either October or December.

So buy homes everyone before interest rates go up!

Where would you buy a new home?

Credit to cnn.com

Hi Everyone!

Here are some interesting facts about home staging for properties on the market. Taking extra steps to stage a home can be very impactful in how the buyer makes his or her final decision. It will usually get you top dollar for your property as well so staging your home is always a great decision! See below for home staging facts that determine the final buying decision!

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | MONDAY, MAY 11, 2015

Hello there friends! Check out our latest KBR flip project. We decorated a brick fireplace with Katie’s law school books along with some vintage knick knacks! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!