Sacramento Real Estate Views

Archive for October, 2008

EXCLUSIVE NEW HOME OPPORTUNITY!

New Home Builder in Westpark, Roseville Makes Exclusive Offer for Buyers of SREV.com!

I got a call today from a new home builder in Westpark.  The context of the conversation was that “hey, we’ve got (“X” amount) homes to sell before December 1.  Make us an offer and we’ll consider it.”  It was music to my ears!

This is one of the most well respected builders in the Westpark, Roseville community and the nation.  They have authorized me with all of the information I need to get you the best possible price on a new home this year.  I’ve been asked to withhold the name of the builder and the prices to share them only with serious buyers.

Some of these homes are move in ready or on a 30,45 or 60 day close schedule.

How Buying a New Home Benefits You

New Home Warranties vs. Existing Home Warranties

There is just no comparison. Buying a new home and buying an existing home are two different animals altogether. I know, I’ve sold both.  As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, new homes come with customer service and warranties that an existing home will not.  The best you will do with an existing home is a 1 year home warranty that will have to be renewed every year, if you wish to, with a price tag of about $500.  Then, if you have an issue, you’ll get the run around with the warranty company while they try to ascertain if the condition existed before you purchased the home.

In new homes, you call, they come and they fix it. Period. Unless the damage was caused by you either accidentally or intentionally, it’s covered.  Something fails, it’s no cash out of pocket and they are there for you.  The home warranty company in existing homes, well, let’s just safely say that the service isn’t even comparable.

Builders, if you know the right one to chose, stand by their homes.  It guarantees future business, referrals and a high JD Power ranking.

The Most Up to Date Building Codes and Energy Features

Building codes change every year especially in California.  Existing homes, all of them, are exempt from updating unless a major modification is made to the structure.  Otherwise, existing homes just sit there and get old and outdated.  New homes are built with the most up to date changes in construction standards.

While it’s true that what is new today is old tomorrow, certain features of new homes today won’t go out of style for some time.  The builder who has made the EXCLUSIVE OFFER to Sacramento Real Estate Views buyers equips every home with low maintenance solar energy cells in the roof panels.  Combine that with living in Roseville, who has their own electric company, and your electric bills will be almost non existent. Watching the electric meter running in reverse is an awesome sight!

Also, the windows of these homes are very special, Low “E” windows that reflects heat that hits them back outdoors in the summer and back indoors in the winter.  They are the most energy efficient component of your new home.  Dual pane windows alone don’t compare.

In addition to all of these highly sought after features, these homes also include a radiant barrier that is laminated onto the reverse side of the roof sheathing.  This keeps the attic temperature roughly 30% cooler in the summer and the interior of your home warmer in the winter further reducing your “carbon footprint”.

The Best Prices of the Year on a New Home

All this stuff is nice but the bottom line is what matters most lately.

If you could get all the benefits of buying new at the price of an existing home, would you move forward?

With all of the fallout on Wall Street, everyone is a bit on edge.  I have a list of homes, the base prices and the discount they’ll tell me about.  They will go lower and I have a strategy for that.

If you’re interested in buying a new home in Roseville, please give me a call.  We can get together, look over what I’ve got and if it looks good to you, we’ll form an attack strategy and get moving.

It’s the 4th quarter of the year and the builders have inventory they want to move before the end of the year.

Check out “It’s Bargain Time in New Homes!”

(images are from random brochures obtained and are not meant to be representative of any specific builder)

Tags: centex homes, lennar homes, new homes in roseville ca, new homes roseville, new homes roseville ca, new homes sacramento, pulte homes, real estate agents sacramento, rocklin real estate agent, roseville real estate agent, sacramento real estate agent, solar homes, westpark roseville

September Rocklin Home Sales Statistics

Rocklin Home Sales Up 145% Over 2007

Home sales increased in Rocklin 145% in September of 08 vs. September of 07. This is a welcome sign and a reminder that the affordability of the region has returned.

There has been a corresponding reduction in the average median home price however that has lead to the increase in sales.

Low interest rates has helped but the bailout might hurt the market for the short term. Time will tell on that one.

Rocklin Homes Median Sales Price Dips 15%

The increase in sales and the reduction in the median sales price mirror each other. The median sales price in September of 2007 was $400K while this year the price dropped down to $346,500.

While losing equity, on paper anyway, isn’t good, it won’t be long until the market begins to appreciate once again. With sales numbers like this, it’s easy to see that the demand for Rocklin homes is there. Once foreclosure inventory levels come down region wide, and depending on how easy mortgages are to obtain, the appreciation could begin to come back. No crystal balls, just youthful optimism.

Steady Increases in Sales Most of 2008

The Rocklin real estate market has had a great come back year this year with sales steadily climbing all year long. The last couple months have been a bit down from previous months but that’s normal for this time of year.

With all the negative press locally and nationwide, the indicators and stats all show that the market is rebounding nicely in sales and that the correction in pricing has helped area sales.

Foreclosures in Rocklin

The numbers of foreclosed homes for September aren’t out yet but in the month of August 138 homes were in some stage of foreclosure.  Rocklin was #3 in foreclosures from Placer County.  Roseville and Lincoln being #1 & #3.

Looking to buy or sell in Rocklin?  Give me a call.  I can help you in either direction.

Tags: homes in rocklin, rocklin homes, rocklin real estate

It’s the 4th Quarter in New Homes!

It’s Bargain Time at the New Home Builders!

The fourth quarter of the year is always the best time to buy a new home.  I was out in Westpark, the Roseville master planned community, today and one of the sales associates from Lennar, a friend I’ve known now for a couple of years says to me “it’s October, bring me some buyers, we’re making deals”.  That can be said for all the homebuilders in the Sacramento region right now.

I visited communities at Pulte, Centex and Lennar today and there are some good deals out there.  All of the associates always quote higher than they are supposed to, or authorized to, but I know from my experience in new homes that we can get a better deal.

Don’t Buy a New Home Without Me

I’ve got one year of experience working for one of the largest builders in the nation, Pulte Homes, Inc.  I love this company, they build a GREAT home.  Thing is, most of the builders in this area build a great home so then it comes down to one thing, PRICE!  What they tell you and what they tell me are two different things especially considering they KNOW I know what and who they are dealing with.  I can get you the best deal on a new home in the Sacramento region.

Not many agents, and I dare you to find another, have my experience in resale, the sale of existing homes, and in new homes.  They are out there but are hard to find.  Don’t let someone without experience in new homes cost you money.

Get the Best Deal on a New Home in Sacramento

Call me, let me know what you’re looking for and if it exists, I’ll find it.  Then I’ll get you the best deal.  

Why Buy New?

There is a big difference between buying new and buying resale.  Right now in resale, you can get a more awesome deal than you can in new homes.  If price were all that mattered between the two, then resale is the way to go.  But, there are other considerations when buying that you must take into account.

New Homes have Warranties, Most Existing Homes Do Not

New homes are warrantied out the wazoo.  1 year fit and finish and 10 year structural are common to all national builders.  By the way, I recommend all national builders.  Be very careful when buying from a local builder.  They may not be financially solvent that this could be risky to your long term peace of mind and security.  There are some national builders that aren’t solvent either.  Don’t know who is national and who is not?  CALL ME!

The important thing is DON’T BUY A NEW HOME WITHOUT ME!  No matter what your experience is in new homes, no matter how many you’ve purchased, you will pay more without me.  Nuf said!

Contact me for more info, I’d love to help you.

Tags: centex homes, lennar homes, new homes rocklin, new homes rosville, new homes sacramento, pulte homes

Deal of the Week in New Homes

Centex Meadowgate in Roseville

I visited the Meadowgate community in Roseville yesterday looking for a client and hoping to find a good deal on a solar home.  I think I found a good one.

The home is called the “2190″.  This corresponds to the square footage of the home.  According to the sales associate, this home just fell out of escrow.  The person apparently lost quite a bit in the stock market crash and could no longer afford to pay cash for the home.  Their loss, this is a nice home at a decent price.  Let’s just say it’s a good place to start.

You Want What for This Home?

The sales associate took me out to see it.  The front, as you can see, is pretty nice.  3 car garage with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 or 3 baths.  Nicely appointed inside.  Granite counters inside with stainless steel appliances, all standard in most new homes today.  Backyard was a nice size, big enough for kids to play in comfortably but not too big to take care of.

The associate I spoke with said that they had reduced the home 8% off a base price of $379,900 and then added the upgrades to make it a “deal” at $361K and change.   Not quite deal enough I’m afraid.  Trust me when I tell you that $361K is not the best deal.

When we were done with our tour of the home, I asked him “so what’s the real deal, what price can you get me on this home?”  He said that he could probably get another $5K off but that was all he could muster.  All he could muster but what about the General Sales Manager?  What could he/she do?

My bet is that I could get at least another $5K off of the additional $5K he offered maybe even more.  I would ask for more.  My price would be much lower than $361K.

This home is costing the builder money everyday it sits unsold as improved lots are taxed at a different rate than unimproved lots.  Winter is coming.  They want to sell this home.

Need Someone to Help You Get the Best Deal?

Give me a call and let’s go look at this completed home ready for a 30 day close.  Consider using the builders’ lender, that’s where the incentives get really good.  Read this article about the importance of being represented when purchasing a new home in the Sacramento region.

Tags: centex homes, new home roseville, new homes sacramento, real estate agents roseville, real estate agents sacramento

Renters! Rent = House Payment?

It’s a Perfect Time to Buy a Home in Sacramento

With the decline in prices for Sacramento homes and low interest rates, the time now to quit paying into your landlords wealth and begin creating your own.  With all of the recent foreclosures, home prices haven’t been this low in years.  For what you’re paying in rent you may be able to own. This is the perfect environment to purchase a home!

Foreclosures and Renters

Recently, because there are so many foreclosed/bank owned homes, we’ve noticed that some tenants are being relocated and forced to move several times over.  Investors who got into the market in 2005 and 2006 , possibly the worst time to buy an investment property, or refinanced into junk mortgages are losing their investments and often times don’t notify the renter that they will be losing their home until someone from one of the REO/Bank Owned real estate teams knocks on their door and tell them they have to move.  Sometimes, there is no notice at all.  The stress of all this isn’t good for anyone.

Add Security to Your Future

The above scenario is happening all over the Sacramento real estate market.  The way around this is to purchase your own home so that you know where you’ll be and noone can just walk up to tell you that the home you’re living in is now owned by the bank and you have to move.  Here is what you need to do:

Step #1

You have to get qualified by a lender.  Although getting a mortgage isn’t easy these days, it’s still possible and with as little as 3% down.  The days of 100% financing are virtually gone and it won’t be long until the least amount you can come down with is 10%.

In real estate today, your offer will not be considered without a pre approval letter.  In fact, your agent is doing you a HUGE disservice if he/she writes your offer and submits it without a pre approval.  If you’re paying all cash, (I know but I thought I’d mention it) you need verification of funds to close that must accompany your offer.

Step #2

Find an agent you can trust.  Interview a few if you need to.  We have experience in this market, referrals for lenders and the knowledge to help you get into a home as quickly as possible.  This will be required if your landlord loses his investment and you lose your home.  This is a very real possibility in every area of the Sacramento region.

It is possible for you to buy a home.  We can help you to get that done.  Please contact me. We’ll be happy to meet with you and help you to figure it out.

Don’t let the bank force you to move, take your destiny and the destiny of your family under control and provide security in a time when it’s the most important.

Tags: homes in sacramento, rentals in sacramento, sacramento real estate, sacramento real estate agents