Archive for January, 2010

Realogy Announces Campaign to Help Haiti Relief Efforts

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

I hope that this message finds you and yours in good health and safety. While the recent Southern California storms have been destructive in their own nature, Coldwell Banker and our associates have been focusing our attention to another region of the world in dire need.

On January 20th, Realogy Corporation, Coldwell Banker - NRT’s parent company, announced a campaign to raise funds through the Realogy Charitable Foundation to support the victims of the catastrophic earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12th. The Realogy Charitable Foundation will distribute all funds raised by employees, franchisees, sales associates, vendors, partners, friends of Realogy and the public directly to the American Red Cross International Response Fund.

The Realogy Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity supporting the philanthropic and volunteer activities of Realogy Corporation and its family of companies. The Foundation is incorporated in Delaware and its tax ID is 20-0755090.

To donate to the American Red Cross International Response Fund through the Realogy Charitable Foundation, please visit http://www.events.org/realogycares.

This portal is a secure online donation system that allows any individual to use a credit card/debit card or electronic check. All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law, and individuals should consult their tax professional to determine the amount they can claim as a tax-deductible contribution.

 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Charity | No Comments »

Top Architects and Builders Featured at “Designing Sales” Forum

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

At Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, we constantly provide our real estate professionals ongoing education throughout the year to better serve you, our clients. From our technology training to industry certifications, our REALTORS® have the edge over other local and nationwide brokerages.

 

This week, we introduced our REALTORS® to the first in a series of educational forums, “Designing Sales,” moderated by award-winning interior designer, Karen Butera. The forum will feature a different pair of architects and builders to offer the broadest exposure to unique design solutions and innovations in construction and design. We are committed to transforming the residential sales paradigm by pairing experts of design and building with our REALTORS®.

 

 

The forum, which was held at our newly remodeled and redesigned Newport Beach Conference Center, introduced architects Fleetwood Joiner and Tom Stewart along with builders Matt White and Kevin Kelly. The group shared their insights into creative design solutions, innovations through design and construction contributions that may help trouble-shoot common areas of buyer resistance, along with discussing creative solutions for solving design or construction issues.

 

Fleetwood Joiner and Tom Stewart are principals of Fleetwood Joiner/Avalon Architectural located in Newport Beach. They are nationally recognized for their specialized attention to detail and breadth architectural style in projects both locally and nationally. Matt White and Kevin Kelly of Matt White Custom Homes, formerly Warmington Custom Homes, of Newport Beach share a diverse portfolio of exceptional local custom homes. Of particular note is the collaboration between Matt White and Karen Butera on the multiple award-winning Chateau Samara, or Amber House at 10 Canyon Rim.

 

 

Please visit www.OCViewOnline.com to contact any one of our real estate professionals and find your next dream home.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »

Investors and Forecasters Provide a Positive Outlook for 2010 Real Estate

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Investors are regaining confidence in the market. According to a recent survey, 12.1 percent of homebuyers plan to purchase a home as an investment property; this doubles the number of investors from March 2009. The same survey cites the top two reasons motivating investors–the concern that prices are currently at their lowest and that interest rates will rise.1

 

Forecasters anticipate an increase in home values according to First American CoreLogic’s LoanPerformance Home Price Index, which states, “In August 2010, the index is projecting that 12-month appreciation for national home prices will be 4.6 percent and that home prices in two of the most depressed markets, California and Florida, will show gains in excess of 7 percent.”2

 

In addition to low prices and low interest rates, keen investors should note that forecasters have ranked three Orange County cities among several of the largest U.S. markets as those that will have the best expected performances in home prices over the next 12 months–Anaheim, Irvine and Santa Ana.3

 

Let Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage assist you in finding your next investment or home. Visit www.CaMoves.com and www.OCViewOnline.com to find an agent and browse our fine properties for sale.

1  “Affordable Prices Draw Investors to Real Estate.” Move.com. November 11, 2009.
http://news.move.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=192403&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1353929&highlight

 

2 “Home Value Loss Now but Increased Pricing Expected in 2010” Realtytimes.com. January 4, 2010.
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20100104_homevalue.htm

 

3 “Local Market Monitor Announces Release of Fourth Quarter Home Price Forecast for Largest US Markets” Local Market Monitor. December 10, 2009.
http://www.localmarketmonitor.com/index.cfm?event=pressRelease&id=16

 

 

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Market Analysis, News | No Comments »

Top 5 Reasons to Buy and Sell California Real Estate in 2010

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

While the wonderful celebrations of the holiday season have come to a close and the New Year has arrived, the excitement of the holiday season continues for us. Coldwell Banker is excited about the opportunities 2010 will offer and is looking forward to going beyond the successes we had in 2009. As the real estate market progresses towards stability, we present the top five reasons to buy and sell California real estate in 2010:

#5 – First-time Homebuyers Tax Credit Extension and Expansion The original tax credit helped drive California home sales up in November 2009 and with the credit’s extension and expansion, home sales should continue upward before the credit’s April 30, 2010 expiration2.

#4 – Increase in Statewide Median Home Price Existing single family home prices increased 5.8 percent in November to $304,520 compared with November 2008 at $287,8802. In Orange County, the cities of Laguna Beach and Newport Beach ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, out of ten cities statewide with the highest median home prices, while Lake Forest and Fountain Valley ranked fourth and tenth, respectively, with the greatest median home price increase since November 2008.

#3 – Shorter “On the Market” Time The C.A.R. unsold inventory index fell from 7.1 months to 4.5 months in November 20092.

#2 – Interest Rates Continue to be at All Time Lows Recent reports from Freddie Mac state that interest rates are still near record lows and are very affordable by historical standards3.

#1 – The California Lifestyle From our beaches, mountains and deserts to our urban, suburban and rural communities, California’s diverse landscape, culture and weather make investing in California an easy choice.

In the New Year’s market, buyers and sellers continue to utilize Coldwell Banker for our team of real estate professionals, our industry-leading advertising and our advantageous online marketing, including presence on the number one ranked real estate Web site, Realtor.com1. To start your search for you next home or to find an agent to help sell your home, visit www.OCViewOnline.com and browse our fine properties and meet one of our real estate professionals.

1 “Realtor.com Still No. 1.” Inman News. Friday, December 18, 2009.
http://www.inman.com/news/2009/12/18/realtorcom-still-no-1?page=0%2C0

2  “November Sales and Price Report.” California Association of Realtors.Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009 http://www.car.org/newsstand/newsreleases/novsalesandprice/

3 “2009 Ends with Mortgage Rates Just Over 5 Percent” Freddie Mac. Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/release.html

Tags: , ,
Posted in Commentary, News | No Comments »

.