Smart Home Gadgets to Increase Your Rental’s Appeal

November 13, 2019 Broker

Smart Home Gadgets To Increase Your Rental’s Appeal

If you are looking to upgrade your rental property without spending a fortune, here are some high-to-moderate tech improvements you can implement that can appeal to potential renters:

Smart Door Locks-$200: These allow the renter to remotely lock and unlock the doors with a mobile app allowing contractors to access the property without a key. It also records who enters the property when.
Smart Thermostats-$200: The most important benefit of this improvement is the potential to save energy when no one is home. They are also controllable by a smartphone. (example: Nest)
Smart Security System-$200: These systems allow you to monitor what’s going on at home from anywhere. You can also set up alerts to notify you if motion or sound is detected. (example: Canary)
Smart Smoke & CO Detectors-$100: False alarms can be silenced through your mobile app. This feature is especially appreciated when you burn dinner, and your smoke alarm shrilly announces it to the entire neighborhood. Low battery chirps can be controlled, too.

These suggestions can also be implemented in your own home to simplify your life and add a sense of security.

If you want more information on these gadgets see: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/2016-07-07-landlords-invest-smart-home-tech7-gadgets

What’s New in Home Design for 2019?

February 12, 2019 Broker

What’s New In Home Design For 2019

A recent article based on the remodeling and design platform, Houzz, forecast some trends to look for in the coming year. With HGTV shows continuing to capture our imaginations and wallets, we might want to know that we are in step with the design world.

Here are some examples of the forecasted changes:

Full-height backsplashes extending all the way to the ceiling behind open shelving and range hoods is one of the newer concepts being adopted in kitchen design.
Although Living Coral was chosen to be Pantone’s color of the year, the experts see moodier colors, like navy and forest green, as the shade of choice for homeowners. People are becoming more comfortable experimenting with rich or darker colors.
Open spa-like bathrooms are making up 80% of the remodels according to Houzz. Soaking tubs was the most popular option even if it meant stealing space from the closet or bedroom.
Moving from white to black kitchens is another popular choice for 2019. White kitchens have made it difficult to keep clean if you have children and/or dogs, so remodelers are opting for the “tuxedo” kitchen with contrasting black cabinets and white walls.
Free-standing padded dining benches have replaced the built-in, more expensive benches of the past. These new benches can provide flexible seating and hidden storage.
A four-wall accent color is replacing the bold-colored feature wall. It even includes the trim and molding. This trend seems to be happening in smaller rooms, like a bedroom, study or media room.

These six examples of home remodeling choices are some of the possible options you may want to experiment with in the new year. If you need funds to finance your DIY efforts, and if you do not qualify for a conventional loan, Sun Pacific Mortgage is here with a Hard Money loan to support your artistic endeavors.

Selling Your Home in Today’s Market

December 10, 2018 Broker

Selling Home In Todays Market

It is never a fun adventure to sell your home, especially while you’re still living in it. And in today’s market, where multiple offers are not the norm they once were, it is even more important to observe some basic rules.

Keep your home pristine! Not just “picked up”, but sparkly clean. It should look like a model home where no one lives. I know this is well-nigh impossible, especially with kids in the house, but it’s worth some effort.

Pay attention to your yard. There should be no leaves, no weeds, and no spider webs in the corner of the porch or patio. Spruce it up with some colorful plantings, even in the winter.

Leave when you have showings. That means pack up the kids and pets and just drive around, if that is what it takes to clear out of the house. There are legitimately people who are allergic to or fearful of dogs or cats and may not even enter the property if they are present, so it is important to take them with you. Otherwise, you may lose a potential buyer!

You may get a ridiculous offer. Don’t be tempted to give away the farm to clinch the deal. Remember you’re just selling your house. Be open to negotiating, but don’t allow desperation to cloud your judgement.

These ideas are meant to make selling your home an easier process, one as painless and as fast as possible while still getting the most money for your house.

If you are not working with a licensed Realtor, contact one from a local real estate company. And if you are considering buying another home in California, then contact a licensed and experienced Lender who can help you take advantage of any existing home equity to purchase another home prior to selling your current house. This could be beneficial to you and your family.

Good luck to you!

Refinancing and the Holiday Season

December 3, 2018 Owner

Refinancing And The Holiday Season2

With so much going on during the holidays, why would any sane person consider refinancing? Well, it might make more sense than it appears at first glance.

One of the main reasons might be to pull out cash for end-of-year expenses, or to free up your cash-flow and get yourself on a better financial footing for the next year. In 2017 the average American household carried $15,675 in credit card debt.

With a fast Hard Money Refinance, you could pay off debt and use the remainder of the proceeds to pay cash for holiday expenditures rather than incur more debt. The interest rate on your refinance would surely be less than the interest rate on your credit cards!

Other benefits to consider when refinancing at the end of year:

Some of your closing costs would be deductible on this year’s taxes
Your next payment on the new mortgage won’t be until February, 2019. This lag time will give you even more of a cushion to help recover from holiday expenses.

Choosing a Hard Money Lender like Sun Pacific Mortgage, you could conceivable close your refinance within 15 days, and be on your way to a more relaxing end of the year. Santa’s helpers are awaiting your call at 707-523-2099. Happy Holidays!

Where Is The Real Estate Market Headed?

November 14, 2018 Broker

Where Is The Real Estate Market Headed

What’s one to believe about the real estate market today? There are so many conflicting headlines that even the savviest investor is confused. Let’s look at some hard statistics which may enable us to come to our own rational conclusions:

We know home prices have appreciated year-over-year for the past 76 straight months. Does this mean we are on the edge of another housing bubble? Not if the lack of homes for sale persists. Demand is strong as many renters have experienced when they start to look for their dream home. There hasn’t been the stabilizing 6-month backlog of housing inventory in over 5 years, which has kept prices up while inventory has been down.

What about pricing and appreciation? Certainly, home prices have appreciated over the last 76 months, driven mainly by supply and demand. This has affected the starter-home market more than any other because of the increased competition for these homes. Senior Economist, Aaron Terrazas wrote on Zillow that “home values are still expected to appreciate at double their historic rate over the next 12 months”. This wouldn’t appear to herald a real estate crash any time soon.

Those who have been in real estate for as long as we have can all agree on the fact that real estate ebbs & flows. Keeping abreast of the market in your area is what is important, so you can decide if the price is right to buy now or if you make an offer slightly under asking to still get an accepted offer. What about listing your home and for what price? These are questions to be posed to licensed and experienced Realtors who know the market and have your best interests in mind.

Here’s to making the real estate market work for you!

To read full article: https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2018/08/29/top-3-myths-about-todays-real-estate-market/

To Buy or Not To Buy?: That is the Question

November 1, 2018 Broker

To Buy Or Not To Buy?: That Is The Question

Although not as existential as Hamlet’s query, this is a life changing decision facing many Californians today. Ultimately, the answer depends on several real-life factors: your finances, your long-term plans and the real estate market in your area. Some of the questions you might want to ask include:

What can you afford?
How much do you have for a down payment?
How long do you plan to stay in the house?
Are you looking for stability or flexibility?
Do you want to be responsible for maintenance and repairs?
What are your financial, career and family goals?

Of course, the other choice you have is to continue renting. A wise next step in your decision-making will include a Pros & Cons List of renting vs. buying. It can look something like this:

Pro Buying:

Builds equity and credit
More stability (especially with schools)
Some tax benefits
Can “nest”, improving or upgrading to your tastes
Social benefits of a stable neighborhood

Con Buying:

Requires substantial money, paperwork upfront
Additional expenses beyond mortgage payment
Responsible for repairs and maintenance
Moving costs

Pro Renting:

Fewer upfront costs
Mobility
Not responsible for maintenance/repairs
No property tax bills

Con Renting:

Landlord can raise rent or sell the property
Choices may be limited
Might mean moving several times
Don’t build equity
No tax benefits

To summarize: Homes typically increase in value (approximately 7.2% in California in 2017) thereby increasing your retirement fund, whereas, every penny spent on rent is gone forever. Your homeowner costs are more predictable and stable than renters’ expenses, since a landlord can raise your rent in accordance with the rent control laws in your city every year. If you own a portion of your mortgage, interest and property tax is deductible. There may be a small renters’ deduction if you rent.

To help evaluate your choices regarding buying/renting there is a helpful calculator available on Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator/

When you reach the decision to buy, but find you do not qualify for a conventional loan, you need a fast loan or stronger offer over others, Sun Pacific Mortgage will be here to help you achieve your dream! We have unique alternative financing options through our Hard Money lending programs.

Call us at 707-523-2099!

Housing Market Update For San Francisco

September 12, 2017 Owner

1 1 The Convergence Of Several Factors Has Brought The Real Estate Market In San Francisco To New Heights And New Lows. The Second Quarter Of 2017 Saw Unprecedented Buyer Activity, But A Drop In Inventory. The Results Were The Lowest Supply Of Homes In Two Years, But The Shortest Days On The Market – Good News For Both Sellers And Buyers.

The convergence of several factors has brought the real estate market in San Francisco to new heights and new lows. The second quarter of 2017 saw unprecedented buyer activity, but a drop in inventory. The results were the lowest supply of homes in two years, but the shortest days on the market – good news for both Sellers and Buyers.

According to a blogger for Pacific Union, we can look for a resurgence of business this Fall after a slow down during the third quarter. Some potential home buyers, who have been undecided, may be motivated to make a move because of the prediction of higher interest rates in the coming months.

If you find your perfect replacement home before you even list your own, consider a short-term bridge loan to make your offer more attractive. This loan program may allow you to capture the deal without the stressful back- and-forth of contract negotiations.

Sun Pacific Mortgage is confident that we can provide you with unparalleled service and assist you in getting into the home of your dreams regardless of your borrowing difficulties. Please give us a call at 707-523-2099 or email me.

Visit our San Francisco Hard Money website: www.sanfranciscohardmoneylenders.com

California Bay Area’s Home Sales Substantial Gains

December 28, 2016 Owner

Ss It Is Time To Get Onto The Band Wagon To Buy An Investment Property Or To Buy Your Home And Stop Throwing Away Money On Rent. Real Estate Prices Are Increasing, Why Wait For Them To Go Higher?

It is time to get onto the band wagon to buy an investment property or to buy your home and stop throwing away money on rent. Real Estate prices are increasing, why wait for them to go higher?

According to a recent blog post by Pacific Union, California and the Bay Area See Substantial Home Sales Gains in November, “home shoppers across major California regions — including the Bay Area — were quite active in November, boosting annual sales volumes by double-digit percentage points.”

“Across the nine-county Bay Area, home sales spiked by 18.7 percent on an annual basis. All local counties saw sales volumes pick up from the previous November, with gains ranging from 26.7 percent in Solano County to 0.7 percent in Marin County.”

“Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties remain the only Bay Area counties where the median sales price exceeds $1 million, but price growth in these most expensive of real estate markets is slowing. In Alameda and Sonoma counties, home prices grew at a faster clip than the regional or state average.”

“Eight of nine counties experienced inventory declines from last November, with only Contra Costa County recording a modest annual improvement. Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties have the fewest number of available homes in California, all with less than a two-month supply. In a statement accompanying the report, CAR Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young said that rising interest rates could push more buyers to compete for a limited number of homes on the market, which might drive more price growth and further reduce affordability.”

So, what does this tell us? Waiting to invest may not be the best strategy for 2017. The lack of inventory will continue to be problem for the near future. On the other hand, the appreciation that is possible, makes it worth the trouble to investigate the deals that are worth the effort.

See original article here: http://blog.pacificunion.com/california-and-the-bay-area-see-substantial-home-sales-gains-in-november/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+pacunionblog+%28Pacific+Union+Blog%29

Making Loan Wishes Come True This Holiday!

December 19, 2016 Owner

Broker Crystal Ball Temporary Purchase Loan In San Rafael – Wish Granted

Hard Money Loan of the Month
By Owner, Hard Money Broker

Temporary Purchase Loan in San Rafael – Wish Granted

These particular home buyers were referred to me after being turned down by their local bank. They were just about to sign the closing papers at Escrow for their new home but final loan approval fell through. They needed a fast bridge loan so they wouldn’t miss out on the new house they wanted!

They still lived in their house in San Anselmo but wanted to move to a new home in San Rafael and needed a $430,000 temporary home loan to make this happen. So, I made this loan happen.

In just over 2 weeks, I got their loan approved and funded so they could sign and close on their new home. Merry Christmas to them!

We specialize in financing loans that have been turned down elsewhere. Any credit issues, difficult to prove income, property condition, etc. – not a problem!

Call our office at 707-523-2099 if you need some alternative financing for any real estate purchase or refinance. We are happy to help!

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