Bad Credit?  We Can Help!

Getting turned down for a mortgage can be a discouraging experience.  Before you give up, make sure that you've explored all your options!

Is bad credit keeping you from buying a new home?  Our team can  help.  You could be much closer than you think to your goal of home ownership!  Too much of the time, lenders are only focused on their next sale.  They can't be bothered with people who have imperfect credit- it's simpler for them to just move on to the next candidate. Our team isn't like that.  We'll take the time to understand your needs and explain your options.  Call Bruce today for details: (951) 310-0397

The Problem with Stuff

The Problem With "Stuff"

The late comedian George Carlin used to have a routine called, "A place for my stuff." He was referring to the idea that, besides being a place to sleep and eat, the purpose of a home is essentially to store all the stuff you accumulate over the years.

That may or may not be true. But, if you're like most homeowners, you probably have a lot of stuff in your home... stuff in closets, and stuff in the garage. That’s just what happens! The problem, however, comes when you try to sell your home. What may seem to you like a comfortable home office filled with supplies, office equipment, books and papers, may look to a buyer like an uncomfortable, small and cluttered space. That's the problem with "stuff". Too much of it, and it gets in the way of buyers seeing and appreciating the great features of your home. So, when you're selling your home, what do you do with all that extra stuff? One solution is to have a garage or yard sale. (If you call it a "moving sale" you'll attract more buyers.) This is a great way to get rid of the things you don't need anymore – and, perhaps, make a few dollars! Another solution is to give some of the items you don't need anymore to charity. There are many local organizations that can make good use of second hand clothing, furniture, and toys. Finally, for all of the things you want to hang on to, but are cluttering up your home, consider renting a locker at a self-storage company. One thing is for certain. The more spacious and comfortable each room of your home appears to potential buyers, the more likely it is that they'll see the true value of your property and become interested. Want more tips for selling your home quickly and for the best price? Call me today.

Make Your Home Worth Remembering!

What's Memorable About Your Home?

Chances are, there is a characteristic of your property that everyone remembers, appreciates, and maybe even envies. It could be a spacious kitchen with an island and upgraded appliances... or a stunning backyard with a wrap-around deck and beautiful landscaping... or rustic hardwood floors that contrast with elegant, high-end ceramics.

Whatever it is about your property that people tend to like and remember, will also appeal to potential buyers. So, when listing your home for sale, make sure to emphasize that characteristic. When buyers view homes, they tend to remember just one, or sometimes up to two or three features of each property. "Oh, that's the house with the large rec room and bar." Or, "That's the property with the gorgeous landscaping." These are characteristics that help sell a property. Make sure you highlight them. However, sometimes homeowners lose perspective of what is truly appealing about their property. Ask friends to tell you what features in your home make it appealing. You might be surprised by their answers. As your REALTOR® I can help too. Call me.

Ask Bruce:  Answers to Your Real Estate Questions

"Beach Bum" asks:  "I found a great apartment with a reasonable rent, but something's not right..." I filled out the application online and forwarded it to him/her. I was immediately "OK'd" and given a bank to forward the first and deposit. NO credit check,  only basic application questions. Owner out-of-state...no local contact.  I don't want to lose the money, but don't want to lose the rental. Am I being scammed?

You're wise to question this transaction.  Unfortunately, there are scores of con-artists out there waiting to prey upon the unwary.  I own a number of rental properties, and over the years I've had several prospective tenants inform me that they've seen my homes listed on platforms like Craigslist, with the "owner" asking for money up front in exchange for immediate approval.  Selecting the wrong tenant is an expensive proposition, so any competent landlord will go through all the appropriate paces before handing over the keys- and this will include a thorough credit history and background check. You should also be given the opportunity to view the apartment before sending in any funds. Don't worry about losing the rental- there's nothing to lose.  Keep your money, and wait for a legitimate offer.  Your local Realtor can help.

What Happens When You Make an Offer?

If you want to buy a new washing machine, you simply go into a retail store and pay the listed price. Pretty simple.

However, it doesn’t work quite that way when it comes to real estate. Although a home will usually have a “listed price”, you must make an “offer” for that property and then the seller must accept it. In fact, if there are other buyers interested in the property, you may not get the home even if you offer the listed price!

That’s why it’s so important to work with a good Realtor who can provide information and experience to help you determine the right offer to submit.

Once you make an offer, if the seller accepts it, the home is yours. If the seller rejects your offer, it could be because they’ve accepted another buyer’s offer, feel your offer is too low, or have rejected one of your conditions.

Sometimes, the seller will come back with a counteroffer. If you accept it, congratulations, you’ve bought the property. If you don’t like the counteroffer, you can make a counter-counteroffer!
This back and forth negotiation can get a bit tricky, which is another reason to have a good Realtor like me by your side. Call today.

Is Your Home Move-In Ready?

When buyers view your home, they ask themselves whether they like it. Assuming that the answer is "yes", they try to determine how much work would be required before they could move in. It’s not uncommon for a buyer to be interested in a property but be turned off by the perceived amount of work required. In fact, this can sometimes discourage a buyer from even making an offer.

That’s why ensuring your home is in as “move in” condition as possible is so advantageous. It will help sell your home faster and, often, for a better price. So what does “move in” condition mean? It means that there are no repairs or maintenance issues that need to be addressed immediately. Buyers can be discouraged by seemingly minor issues, such as a loose closet shelf or a lightly dripping shower head. So it’s important to get those little repairs done before showing your home. Buyers will also likely want to know the age of your furnace, water heater and other appliances, in order to anticipate when they will need to be repaired or replaced. If you have transferrable warranties for any of these items, be sure to let buyers know. A fresh coat of paint is one of the best investments you can make in preparing your home for sale. More than any other repair or renovation, a coat of paint can make just about any room look almost new and move-in ready. Buyers are sometimes worried about having to purchase new window coverings. If your window coverings will stay with the home, make that clear to buyers too. Generally, the more you can do to make your home seem ready to move in, the better. Want more tips on selling your home quickly and for the best price? Call today!

Free Secure Document Shredding!

If your'e like me, after tax day you have boxes of sensitive documents that need to be disposed of.  Let us help you take care of your unwanted papers. We'll shred them while  you watch!

May 20th from 10 AM to 1 PM, at our office at 315 Magnolia Ave. Corona, in the Von's shopping center.  See  you there!

Ask Bruce

Ask Bruce:  Answers to Your Real Estate Questions

Isaac S asks: "My loan officer told me that I’d need to sell the house I’m living in if I want to buy a new one.  My pre-qualification letter doesn’t say anything about selling my home.   Can I use my letter to put in a non-contingent offer?  The home I’m thinking of buying is my dream home, and I really don’t want to lose it."

Isaac, Your loan officer is concerned about your debt ratio and your ability to pay 2 mortgages simultaneously.  Even though your letter may not specifically mention the need for a contingent sale, pre-qualification letters are always premised upon the understanding that there can be no material change in an applicant’s creditworthiness.  Before your loan can be funded, your lender will conduct another review of your finances, and at that point your loan would almost certainly be denied. Follow your lender's instructions and save yourself from an untenable situation. In the end, it isn’t worth the risk.

New Drawing! Enter for Your Chance to Win!

Congratulations to Danny V. for being the winner of our GardenHOME tool drawing! I'm having so much fun giving things away that I've decided to sponsor another drawing!  This month's prize is the New Decorating Book, 10th Edition, from Better Homes and Gardens! Just click the text below to enter: New Decorating Book Drawing!

No purchase necessary.  Safe to share- drawing administered by Amazon.com. Addresses needed for delivery only and will not be shared or saved by the sponsor. Contest ends at 11:59 PM on May 7!

It seems like every month there is a new website offering deals on everything from electronics to travel. In fact, the “coupon industry” is booming. This trend has conditioned people, more than ever before, to look for bargains and become determined to pay well below the market price for merchandise. There’s nothing wrong with that. We all want a deal! But when it comes to shopping for a home, bargain hunting can be a bad idea. First of all, the real estate market is competitive. The overwhelming majority of homes sell for a price that is at, or close, to their respective market values. Your chances of finding a property that is listed significantly below its market value is slim to none. Secondly, if you become fixated on finding a bargain, you may not notice all the great properties on the market that are within your price range and meet your criteria. In other words, you may inadvertently pass on what may, in fact, be your next dream home. So, when shopping for a new home, focus on finding the right property at the right price, and not on finding a bargain.

New Contest- and My Newsletter

Fields of Gold

Hikers enjoy a rare spring superbloom of poppies off I-15 in Temescal Canyon *Love flowers?   Love gardening?  Be sure to enter my drawing for a 4-piece garden tool set from GardenHOME!  Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for details.

Did you see it?  Poppies are native to all parts of California but seldom make a dramatic appearance in this neck of the woods.  Sightseers by the hundreds stopped to take in the rare sight this March, often slowing traffic along the highway to a crawl.  Botanists say that this year's unusually heavy rains gave rise to a "superbloom" of the type that may occur only once in a decade.  Our poppies have since departed, but If you missed it, try visiting the Antelope Valley Poppy reserve near Lancaster, where the blooms are expected to last into mid April.

Ask Bruce:  Answers to Your Real Estate Questions

Yolada C. Asks, "How is 'View' defined in real estate? "We had a great view of the mountains until our neighbor's unapproved trees grew tall enough to block it.  He is now stating that he has a right to the view of his trees and wants a definition of 'view'.  Thank  you for your help!"

As a non-attorney I can't offer legal advice, but I have experienced problems like yours on several occasions as a property owner and Realtor. It might surprise you to know that there isn't one hard and fast definition of 'view' that applies nationwide.  Rather, your view and your neighbor's trees would be covered under local statutes and the covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) for your neighborhood. As the term "view" can be somewhat subjective, CC&Rs usually address the problem more concretely by regulating trees, fences and other obstructions rather than the view itself. If the obstruction created by your neighbor is prohibited, your neighbor's claim to the 'view' of his trees would in all likelihood be considered invalid.  Additionally, if the trees were planted out of some sort of malicious intent (i.e. as a spite fence) you could also have a cause of action, though this might be more difficult to prove in court.  If you've exhausted all options with your neighbor and your HOA (if you have one), I wouldn't hesitate to consult with a real estate attorney.  It may cost a few hundred dollars, but could put a quick end to the dispute and your headaches.  Good luck to you!

How Much Is Your Home Worth?

If you are like most homeowners, you have probably often wondered what your home is currently worth. You may want to know the value of your home just because you’re curious, or because you need to know the financial value of this important investment, or even because you’re thinking of making a move in the near future.  These are all good reasons. So how do you find out?

Well, a lot of homeowners simply guess. You might have heard a friend or neighbor say, “We bought this property for such and such five years ago. So I bet we could get such and such if we sold it today!” Unfortunately, a guess is just a guess. It’s often wrong. Other homeowners might find out what the “house around the corner” sold for last month, and base their estimate on that. While that’s actually a more accurate predictor of what your home is worth, you can still be off by tens of thousands of dollars. The best way to find out what your home would sell for in today’s market is to calculate its Current Market Value. This is done by reviewing what similar homes in your area have sold for recently – usually within the last six months – and then, based on that data, and the unique characteristics of your home, determining the value of your property today. Looking for help on how to calculate what your home is currently worth? Call today.

Should You Host During A Viewing?

You take pride in your home. So, when you put it up for sale, you want to show potential buyers all the great features that make your property so appealing. But is playing host and guiding buyers through your home a good idea? Usually not.

When a potential buyer sees your property – either during a viewing or an open house – the buyer wants to feel free to look around, ponder each room, look at things with a critical eye, and ask candid questions of the Realtor. If you’re there, the buyer may not feel comfortable doing any of that. In addition, buyers want to envision themselves living in the house, but if you host the tour they are constantly reminded that it is your home. Consequently, they might not develop an interest in buying your property! So playing host, no matter how good your intentions, will likely result in more lost selling opportunities than you will gain. If possible, always make sure you’re out of the house during a showing. You can run an errand or take your family to the park.

Consider The Possibilities

You’re shopping for a new home. You visit a property that looks great from the outside, but when you go inside to explore the rooms, you’re disappointed. The kitchen is cluttered and “feels” small. The living room seems too wide. The master bedroom doesn’t look comfortable at all.

Should you strike this home off your list of possibilities? Maybe. Maybe not. You see, there may be any number of reasons why a room doesn’t look appealing. Some of those reasons may have little to do with the size and configuration of the space. For example, a bedroom might look tight and uncomfortable because there are two over-sized dressers taking up most of the space, making the room feel cluttered. Without them the room could be ideal. The kitchen might seem small because the toaster, coffeemaker, spice rack and numerous other items are using up all the counter space. If you can imagine those gone, you might see how roomy the kitchen could feel. So the next time you’re viewing a home, consider the possibilities for each room, not just how the room actually looks now.

Early Bird Drawing!

In celebration of the 350th subscriber to my e-newsletter, I've decided to hold a new drawing!  Here's your chance to win a 4-piece ergonomic garden tool set from GardenHOME!  Just click on the following link to enter: Garden Tool Drawing! Drawing ends on April 7th, so don't delay!

Safe to share- there's no obligaton or purchase necessary. Contest will end promptly at 11:59 PM on April 7th, Pacific Time.  Drawing administered by Amazon.com

notable, quotable... quotes!   “Action is the real measure of intelligence.”  Napoleon Hill “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.”  Salvador Dali “We can’t plan life. All we can do is be available for it.”  Lauryn Hill

My Newsletter for March, 2017

Bruce Ueno Phone: 951-310-0397 Email: bruceueno@tarbell.com

Have you been wondering what your home would sell for in today’s market? Most homeowners ask themselves that question – especially if they’re thinking of making a move in the not-too-distant future. If you’re interested in knowing the potential selling price of your property, give me a call. As the REALTOR® who specializes in this market, I can give you the information you need to know.  Ask Bruce: R.K. writes:  "My house has been on the market for almost three months , with no even looking at it. It's priced right. It's also one of the nicer houses on the street. I had my realtor change the photo's and change the description but still no one has looked at the home. Two other homes sold within two  days of being on the market. The home also seems to be hard to find on Zillow and other sites. What can be done to help sell this house?"    Dear R.K., Consider the old marketing "4 P's mantra":  property, price, place, promotion.  Other homes on your street have sold, so you can rule out "place" as a reason. Next, take another look at your price.  Is your home priced competitively?  Even with tight inventory, pricing remains a buyer's  top criterion when considering a home.  As little as a few hundred dollars is all it can take to swing a buyer to another property.  Correct pricing also applies to the commission that you're offering- agents don't like to talk about it, but they do need to make a living. If you're offering a buyer's agent 1% while your neighbors are offering 3%, the cold hard fact is that some agents may be tempted to place your home at the bottom of their showing schedules.  After examining your pricing, you should then take second, critical look at the appearance of your property.  Is your home truly "move-in ready"?  These days, buyers are more particular than ever about the condition of their future home. They've seen too many house-hunting television shows where every home looks like a model, and they expect the same.  Ruling out the above three factors, only promotion remains.  It is concerning to me that your home isn't easily visible on Zillow and other real estate sites.   These days, a strong internet presence is absolutely essential, as this is where the vast majority of prospective buyers will begin their search. Real estate sites are usually very good about capturing listings, but if they've missed yours, your agent can add it. I hope this helps, good luck on your sale! February Quick Stats for the City of Corona Homes currently available for sale:  329 Sales closed in February: 129 Average days on market:  56 Median price:  $420,000 February Quick Stats for the City of Hemet: Homes currently available for sale:  304 Sales closed in February: 130 Average days on market:  44 Median price:  $220,250 Bruce Ueno Striving to be Your Personal Realtor... For Life! (951) 910-0397 www.bruceueno.com Lic #01947858

How To Sell Your Home Super Fast

If you put your home on the market, chances are you want it to sell quickly. However, there are certain circumstances in which sellers don’t just want their home to sell quickly, they actually need it to sell super fast. This may be due to a sudden relocation, the purchase of a new home with a tight closing date, or any number of other reasons. Obviously, this can be a stressful situation. However, there are some practical things you can do to help your home sell super fast: Find out the current market value of your property. This will guide you in your decision on the listing price. Be reasonable about the listing price. You can sell quickly and still get a good price for your home. But, realistically, you won’t be able to hold out in the hopes of getting an “above market value” offer. Be as flexible and accommodating as possible when it comes to scheduling viewings and open houses. If you’re going to restrict buyers to seeing your home on Saturdays from 3 to 5, then you’re going to reduce your chances of a quick sale. Clean and declutter your home. This is the fastest way to dramatically improve how it shows. Tend to the outside of your property. Cut the grass. Trim the hedges. Fix the creaking back gate. Do everything you can to increase your property’s curb appeal. Apply fresh paint wherever possible. Painting is the quickest and least expensive “renovation” you can do. It can significantly improve the look of any area of your home. Spread the news that your home is on the market and that you’re looking for a quick sale. Tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers.

What to View When Viewing a Home

Shopping for a home is a little like shopping for a car. Unless you know what to look for, you risk being swayed by first impressions and buying something that does not truly meet your needs. For example, you might fall in love with the recreation room — complete with a bar and a dartboard — and unconsciously overlook the fact that the home doesn’t have enough bedrooms to accommodate your growing family. So when you’re viewing a potential new home, or checking out a property during a weekend “open house”, make sure the home meets your needs. Here are some questions to ask yourself: Is there enough room for my family, now and in the future? Remember, as kids grow so does the space they require! Are there enough bedrooms, bathrooms, closets and storage space? Is the yard big enough? Will my furniture fit the space? Do I like the neighborhood? Always take a walk around and explore the area. Does anything need to be repaired or replaced? If the seller won’t be taking care of such issues, repairs or replacements could add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the true cost of buying the property. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions when viewing a home. After all, it’s a major purchase. You want to get it right! Need help finding homes to view that meet your requirements? Call today.

Buyers Will Love Your Storage Areas If...

A potential buyer comes to view your home. She explores each room with interest. Then she opens the closet door in the master bedroom. Will she be impressed with the space and imagine her clothes adorning the racks and shelves? That likely depends on how you use and manage that storage space. Of course, her first reaction will be based on size. Short of doing a major renovation, there’s not much you can do about that. However, there is plenty you can do to make the space seem bright and roomy. Your first step is to remove as much of the clutter as possible. If the closet doubles as storage for boxes and other items, for example, move those items elsewhere. (It might make sense for you to temporarily rent space at a local self-storage.) Next, make sure the space isn’t over-filled. You don’t have to remove all your clothes, but consider removing enough to fully accentuate the roominess of the space and make it look neat and organized. Finally, don’t forget about lighting. It also plays a key role. A dimly lit closet will make the space look unappealing. Use enough wattage to create a pleasant glow throughout the area. Don’t forget to do the same things for all your other storage spaces too.

notable, quotable... quotes! “If I look confused, it’s because I’m thinking.” Samuel Goldwyn “Everyone is a genius at least once a year.” G. C. Lichtenberg “I not only use all the brains I have, I use all the brains I can borrow.” Calvin Coolidge

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. ©IXACT Contact Solutions Inc.