Tom Billings, Coldwell Banker Realtor

05/22/2023

It is no wonder that this home fetched top-dollar as the seller, who is not only an amazing, kind and gracious person, did everything right in preparing the home for sale. We worked together to create maximum showability by de-cluttering, staging, landscaping and professionally photographing the home. Thank you Sandy for making my job a true pleasure! It was also nice to work and cooperate with Tina Lynne of RE/MAX on this transaction and I am sure her client and family will love their new home and neighborhood. Kudos also to Pauline and her team at West Coast Escrow for keeping everything on track.

04/09/2023

Location, location, location!! Beautiful, well-maintained three bedroom, two and one-half bathroom detached home surrounded by beautiful greenbelts at end of a cul-de-sac in University Park.

Tranquil outdoor setting with lush landscaping for lots of privacy; spacious side and backyard with bricked fire pit overlooking greenbelt; private front courtyard.

Connected to walking trails and just minutes from the wonderful Village Park amenities which include three pools, spa, tennis and children’s play areas. Close to two shopping centers and three Irvine schools. Low HOA dues and no mello roos. This rare gem won’t last long. DM me for details.

03/28/2023

Throughout Women’s History Month, we reflect on the impact women have in our lives, and that includes impact on the housing market. In fact, since at least 1981, single women have bought more homes than single men each year, and they make up 17% of all households.

Why Is Homeownership So Important to Women?

The rise in women pursuing homeownership hasn’t just made an impact on the housing market. It’s also been an asset for those buyers and their households. That’s because homeownership has many benefits, both financial and personal.

On the financial side, housing proves to be the key to building wealth for single women. Ksenia Potapov, Economist at First American, says:

“For single women, housing has always made up a large share of total assets. Over the last 30 years, the average single woman’s wealth has increased 88% on an inflation-adjusted basis, from just over $142,000 in 1989 to $267,000 in 2019, and housing has remained the single largest component of their wealth.”

The financial security and independence homeownership provides can be life changing, too. And when you factor in the personal motivations behind buying a home, that impact becomes even clearer.

Homeownership can be life changing no matter who you are. DM me today to talk about your goals in the housing market.


.com

03/27/2023

If you’re on the fence about selling your house, it’s worth considering all the reasons why moving could make sense for you. If you find your home no longer meets your needs, it may be time to sell. You have a lot to consider when deciding if you should move. DM me today to go over the benefits of selling your house.

03/20/2023

Over the past year, home prices have been a widely debated topic. Some have said we’ll see a massive drop in prices and that this could be a repeat of 2008 – which hasn’t happened. Others have forecasted a real estate market that could see slight appreciation or depreciation depending on the area of the county.

Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, says:

“While 2023 kicked off on a more optimistic note for the U.S. housing market, recent mortgage rate volatility highlights how much uncertainty remains. Nevertheless, the continued shortage of for-sale homes is likely to keep price declines modest, which are projected to top out at 3% peak to trough.”

So, given this information and what experts are saying about home prices, the question you might be asking is: should I buy a home this spring? Here are three reasons you should consider making a move:

1. Buying a home helps you escape the cycle of rising rents. Over the past several decades, the median price of rent has risen consistently. The bottom line is, rent is going up.

2. Homeownership is a hedge against inflation. A key advantage of homeownership is that it’s one of the best hedges against inflation. When you buy a home with a fixed-rate mortgage, you secure your housing payment, so it won’t go up like it would if you rent.

3. Homeownership is a powerful wealth-building tool. The average net worth of a homeowner is $255,000 compared to $6,300 for a renter.

The decision to purchase a home is best made when you do it knowing all the facts and have an expert on your side. DM me so you can make the most informed decision about your next move.

Over the past year, home prices have been a widely debated topic. 

03/15/2023

Though there are more homes for sale now than there were at this time last year, there’s still an undersupply with fewer houses available than in more normal, pre-pandemic years.

The current housing shortage has an impact on how you search for a home this spring. With limited options on the market, buyers who consider what’s a necessity versus what’s a nice-to-have will be more successful in their home search.

The first step? Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Pre-approval helps you better understand what you can borrow for your home loan, and that plays an important role in how you’ll put your list together. After all, you don’t want to fall in love with a home that’s out of reach. Once you have a good grasp on your budget, the best way to prioritize all the features you want and need in a home is to put together a list.

Here’s a great way to think about them before you begin:

• Must-Haves – If a house doesn’t have these features, it won’t work for you and your lifestyle.

• Nice-To-Haves – These are features you’d love to have but can live without. Nice-to-haves aren’t dealbreakers, but if you find a home that hits all the must-haves and some of the these, it’s a contender.

• Dream State – This is where you can really think big. Again, these aren’t features you’ll need, but if you find a home in your budget that has all the must-haves, most of the nice-to-haves, and any of these, it’s a clear winner.

Finally, once you’ve created your list and categorized it in a way that works for you, let's discuss. I'll help you refine the list further, coach you through the best ways to stick to it and find the ideal home in your area that checks all the boxes.

Though there are more homes for sale now than there were at this time last year, there’s still an undersupply with fewer houses available than in more normal, pre-pandemic years.

03/13/2023

A lot has changed over the past year, and you might be wondering what’s in store for the spring housing market. If you’re planning to sell your house this season, here’s what real estate experts are saying you should keep in mind.

>> 1. Houses That Are Priced Right Are Still Selling
Houses that are updated and priced at their current market value are still selling. Jeff Tucker, Senior Economist at Zillow, says:
“. . . sellers who price and market their home competitively shouldn’t have a problem finding a buyer.”
The need to price your house right is so important today because the market has changed so much over the past year. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, explains:
“With a smaller pool of buyers today and more competition from other homes on the market, homesellers will likely need to adjust their price expectations in the market this spring.”

>> 2. Buyers Are Still Out There
As mortgage rates have risen and remain volatile, some buyers have pressed pause on their plans. But there are still plenty of reasons people are buying homes today. Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, spells out the mindset of today’s buyers:
“For some buyers, higher mortgage rates simply means buying a home is out of the question unless home prices fall. For others, higher mortgage rates will be a hurdle but ultimately will not keep them from getting back into the market after sitting on the sidelines for months.”

There are still clear opportunities for sellers this spring. If you’re wondering if it’s the right time to make a move, DM me today.

02/18/2023

09/11/2011

Video and photos of my JMT experience.