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Q4 2019 Sonoma and Napa Counties Real Estate Reports

Q4 2019 Sonoma And Napa Counties Real Estate Reports

Recent Sonoma and Napa Counties real estate statistics reveal a flattening of the market experienced last quarter:

Napa County

  • # of closed sales = 276 (1% decrease over prior year)
  • Average sales price:  $1.0 Million (9% decrease over prior year)

Sonoma County

  • # of closed sales = 1,022 (2% decrease over prior year)
  • Average sales price:  $788,000 (1% increase over prior year)

As of February 2020 Sonoma County Real Estate Market Results:

  • Median Price:  $660,000 (+4.8%)
  • Average Price:  $796,992 (4.6%)
  • No. Sold: 208 (-24.6%)
  • Pending Properties: 357 (+25.3%)
  • Active:  586 (-8.3%)
  • Sale/List Price Ratio:  98% (-0.3%)
  • Days on Market:  94 (+23.4%)
  • Days of Inventory:  84 (+2)

At present the market remains divided between listings that buyers find appealing and well-priced (which sell quickly) and listings that sit on the market for longer periods and require price reductions to sell.  The difference, most probably, is a lack of preparation on the part of the seller to show the property at its best or pricing buyers find unreasonable.

What can we expect going into 2020? According to economist Broker Rosen at UC Berkeley we are looking at the Bay Area median price to remain basically flat, that is, within a 2% range either way.  This means it would look very much like 2019. Nobody can accurately predict the future, but this report sounds much less sensational and more reasonable than others.

If you are looking for a fast loan or cannot qualify for a conventional loan, give Sun Pacific Mortgage a call at 707-523-2099.  We have helped thousands like you to achieve their dream of homeownership or to purchase investment properties as a path to wealth.

Recently Funded – Trusted for Over 3 Decades

Ft And Kw Feb2

Family Owned for 32+ Years!

“What I liked most about working with you was your SPEED. My borrowers/clients were happily satisfied. You are our go-to for Owner Occupied hard money, so I definitely refer you to anyone!”
– Bank Acct Manager, E.G. 

As you can see in the below Recently Funded scenarios, we are here to assist you or a client with a fast loan!  Sun Pacific Mortgage is your answer when other conventional institutions are unable to help due to property condition, difficult to prove income, etc.   

As we enter our 33rd year as a family owned & operated Alternative Financing company, we continue to help many Realtors, Mortgage Brokers & Lenders with their homebuyers and borrowers.

Call us at 707-523-2099 and we will let you know how we can help! 

Recently Funded

Location: San Rafael, Marin County
Finance Program: Temporary Refinance Primary Residence
Loan Size: $700,000 with 54% LTV
Days To Finish: 17
Why Needed Us: Credit circumstances making other lenders disapprove the loan.

Location:  Palm Springs, Riverside County
Finance Program: Investment Property Equity Cash-Out
Loan Size: $322,000 with 64% LTV
Days To Finish: 3
Why Needed Us: Needed very fast financing. 

Location: Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County
Finance Program: Primary Residence Business Purpose Refinance 
Loan Size: $390,000 with 60% LTV
Days To Finish: 9
Why Needed Us: Condition of property. Wanted financing to fix it up then sell it. 

Location:  Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County
Finance Program: Primary Residence Temporary Refinance 
Loan Size: $350,000 with 26% LTV
Days To Finish: 13
Why Needed Us: Self-employed with difficult to prove income. 

Location:  San Leandro, Alameda County
Finance Program: Investment Property Refinance
Loan Size: $682,000 with 63% LTV
Days To Finish: 15
Why Needed Us: Poor credit

The Year In Review

The Year In Review

While reviewing 2019, here at Sun Pacific Mortgage & Real Estate we were happily surprised by some of the significant accomplishments we achieved, resulting in many more homeowners and home-buyers getting the financing they were hoping for!

As we embark on our 32nd year in the real estate & mortgage business, we are proud to be able to continue to help many other Realtors, Mortgage Brokers & Lenders and their Borrowers & Buyers with our alternative financing, also known as Hard Money/Private Money Loans. 

HOME BUYERS & BORROWERS

Over this past year we grew our family of borrowers to more than 10,000!  Some of our happy clients have been kind enough to send us “kudos”, like this one below: 

“To the Super Heroes in White Hats!  What can be said about the incredible family business that you have created.  Here are a few things to start with…

As FAST as ‘THE FLASH’, your efficiency and cohesiveness as a team is unmatched & always produces speed that rivals sound. True ‘CAPTAINS OF AMERICAN’ Lending, you guys are blazing the way through complications & compliances of old lending and are true pioneers of the future.  As HEROIC as ‘HE-MAN’, time and again you do the heavy lifting to ensure security for your trusting clients! For all that you do THANK YOU!   With much gratitude.”
M.F. Family

As the quote above depicts, we are known for our fast funding and quick closings.  While always finding a way to make a scenario work when others have given up, we are known for making the alternative financing process a smooth and pleasant experience:  https://www.sunpacificmortgage.com/hard-money-loans-us/  

REFERRING BROKERS & AGENTS

Many referring real estate agents and mortgage lenders & brokers have joined our family this past year entrusting their clients to us when they were unable to assist them in procuring a loan.  We expertly handled matching up private investors with close to 240 loans last year, with the respective borrower and their lender or realtor happy with the outcome: https://www.sunpacificmortgage.com/brokers-and-lenders-info/

Below is what just a few of our satisfied referring lenders and agents had to say: 

“What I liked most about working with you was your SPEED. My borrowers/clients were happily satisfied. You are our go-to for Owner Occupied hard money, so I definitely refer you to anyone!”
–  
Bank Acct Manager, E.G. 

“This is my 3rd file with you Broker, in less than 30 days, and each interaction with you has been pleasant, casual, professional and I’ve had nothing but praises for you and Sun Pacific.   I’m looking forward to much continued business with you and Sun Pac.”
D.M. – Broker

PRIVATE INVESTORS

This trust that our borrowers and referring Agents have in us extends to our faithful following of investors: https://www.sunpacificmortgage.com/invest-in-trust-deeds/

Our thorough vetting process of all the loans that come through our office, before presenting them to our investors, has gained us many loyal investors who feel comfortable funding our available deeds of trusts.  Again, last year we financed over $100million in Notes!  

From one of our Private Investors: These guys are very local and well trusted.  Broker has been around a while and stakes his family reputation on his business performance.  In the past year, my husband and I have used him for investment opportunities and appreciate working with him and his get-it-all-done Sister Processor.  I am very satisfied and appreciative of Sun Pacific.”
K.M.

To all our borrowers, lenders, real estate agents, and investors, we thank you for your part in making 2019 one of the best of our 32 years!  2020 has started off with a bang, and we are looking forward to serving you with the same integrity and professionalism you have experienced from us in the past.
https://www.sunpacificmortgage.com/about-us/

Real Estate Predictions for 2020

Real Estate Predictions For 2020

At the end of the year all eyes are on the new year.  Too bad we don’t have a crystal ball to predict the real estate market of the future.  We only have the current situation and historical trends to guide us.  

Real estate market trends are driven by several factors:  inventories, home prices, interest rates, days on the market, regional differences, population shifts, and global stability to name a few.  No wonder it is virtually impossible to predict the future.

Let’s look at a few the driving forces which have influenced real estate in the past:

INVENTORIES:  Housing inventories have fallen for the past 43 straight months, going back to 2016 according to the noted housing expert, Eman Hamed Mashvisor.  This shortage has driven up prices and increased competition, especially in the entry-level home market.

HOME PRICES: The rise of home prices has outpaced income by 31% since 2013.  2019 saw some moderation in pricing, but still leaves the appreciation rate for 2020 at 3.7%.

MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES: Rates continue to drop for the conventional lending community.  Those who fail to qualify for these loans can look for relief from alternative financing Hard Money lenders, such as Sun Pacific Mortgage, to help get them into a home or invest in rental properties.

MILLENNIALS:  Don’t discount the impact of the immense millennial market in 2020.  Their demand for entry-and-mid-level homes in urban areas could help keep us in a seller’s market given the lack of inventories.

 

What have we learned from history and from this examination of the present market?  Real estate is a complex entity. The only prediction that is guaranteed for 2020 is the world of real estate will remain interesting.  Get ready to enjoy the ride! 

Recently Funded – Growing In Popularity

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Ever-Growing Popularity For This Financing

Last year our family of borrowers grew to more than 10,000!  Many of these new clients were referrals from our trusted army of referring Realtors, Lenders and Mortgage Brokers who turned to us for assistance in getting their home buyers and borrowers the financing they needed.

“You have no idea how happy you made this client. Distressed situations are never easy, but you really did make it as quick and easy as possible. (And this was not an easy transaction so THANK YOU!)  More to come!” – Lender, Elise B.

We look forward to helping you or someone you know with our alternative financing, also known as Hard Money. Call Us at 707-523-2099 and we will get back to you quickly!

Recently Funded

Location: Concord, Contra Costa County
Finance Program: Business Purpose Primary Residence Cash-Out
Loan Size: $325,000 with 57% LTV
Days To Finish: 24
Why Needed Us: Had short sale and bankruptcy in past, stopping him from qualifying with other conventional lenders. 

Location:  Diamond Springs, Eldorado County
Finance Program: Investment Property Purchase
Loan Size: $1,050,000 with 40% LTV
Days To Finish: 21
Why Needed Us: Condition of property was making it difficult for other financing. 

Location:  Rancho Santa Margareta, Orange County
Finance Program: Primary Residence Temporary Financing
Loan Size: $460,000 with 63% LTV
Days To Finish: 14
Why Needed Us: Self employed with difficult to prove income. 

Location:  Napa, Napa County
Finance Program: Primary Residence Refinance with Cash-Out
Loan Size: $350,000 with 58% LTV
Days To Finish: 19
Why Needed Us: Needed fast cash for business purpose use. 

Location:  Santa Rosa, Sonoma County
Finance Program: Investment Property Refinance
Loan Size: $508,000 with 64% LTV
Days To Finish: 26
Why Needed Us: Poor credit

What a Difference a Decade Makes!

What A Difference A Decade Makes

Just ten years ago, many homeowners were desperately trying to hang on to their homes.  Trying to sell a home was considered a nightmare. Buyers were having a struggle to find a financial institution that would lend them the money to purchase or refinance a home.  Thank heavens that is all behind us!

The fundamental landscape of American real estate has changed in many ways.  This phenomenon is especially evident in California where more people are moving out of cities, and Millennials are replacing the Baby Boomers and Gen Xers as the dominant buying forces. One constant has been the lack of homes for sale making it difficult for buyers since 2015.  Even if home construction increases slightly, it still won’t be enough.  

Buyers are done with “overpaying”.  This has happened already in major cities like San Francisco where housing prices have skyrocketed and driven many to more affordable locations, even if it means increasing commute times.  

By the middle of 2020 the oldest Millennials will be turning 39, and it is predicted that they will account for more than 50% of the mortgages taken out in the country.   Millennials are going to be a big factor in the homebuying industry because it is at this age, that they begin to think of having a family and are more motivated to become first time home buyers.

Sellers of entry-level homes should be very happy in 2020, because these homes will continue to be the most in-demand properties.  Higher end sellers should be mindful of the competition and price their home competitively if they don’t want their properties to sit on the market for extended periods.

While we are all enjoying a healthier real estate market, compared to the one we suffered through a decade ago, we still have our issues:  lack of inventory, construction restrictions, and over-priced homes. But, as with all good (and bad) things, it too will pass.  

The real estate market has always been cyclical and the 2020 prediction is that real estate values will continue to increase, overall making it a good time to sell or buy!

Tips To Sell Your House in 2020?

Tips To Sell Your House In 2020

When you finally decide to sell your home, what mistakes should you consciously avoid in order to have the best outcome? Although you are excited to make new memories in new spaces, you still carry deep sentimental attachments to the house you are leaving behind.  This emotional dichotomy can result in some costly mistakes. So, how should you manage this tug-of-war and prepare for the process? Here are a few suggestions: 

  • Keep in mind that the bank will not lend more than the house’s appraisal, so be careful when pricing your home.  A real estate professional can give you the comparable pricing for homes in your neighborhood. This information will help you decide on a price that will hasten the sale of your home.  Too high a price can lead to many weeks on the market. In contrast, the recent market trend has shown that a lower price often results in a bidding war, which can lead to a much higher profit than you anticipated.  
  • Being too emotionally attached to your home can make it difficult to be objective when presented with an offer.  This can present problems when trying t to negotiate. Listen to your real estate professional. They have the market knowledge that you are paying them for.
  • Staging can make or break a deal.  While you might be proud of your décor, a buyer wants to see themselves living in your home, not you.  To help the prospective owner of your house see themselves living there, it is imperative to stage it. Declutter and take down personal images as much as possible. 
  • If you cannot afford a professional stager, your real estate agent will be a valued asset in helping to make your homen buyer ready.

Remember to breath.  This is just a process to take you to the next chapter of your life.  You have many professionals who are available to help you make this step easier and even enjoyable.  Good luck! 

Should You Sell or Stay When You Retire?

Should You Sell Or Stay When You Retire

One of the major decisions facing the newly retired is what to do with their home.  Some retirees want to downsize so they have fewer maintenance chores, while others can’t imagine living anywhere else.  Still others consider using the equity in their home to buy another smaller home and use their former primary home as a rental.  

Let’s examine some of the reasons for selling…and staying put: 

Influx of Funds:  Given the lack of savings many go into retirement with, selling can offer the funds to offset a lack of retirement savings.

Tax Break:  If you have lived in your home for the last two out of five years, you can exclude $250,000 of the capital gains from the sale of the house if you are single, and $500,00 if you are married.

Eliminating Maintenance Costs:  Do you really need all those rooms and square footage?  Are there stairs that could present a problem as you age?  Remodeling can be expensive.

Buy Your Ideal Home:  Location preferences change once your children are gone.  You may need to be nearer to doctors or want to be closer to your grandchildren.

Staying Put:  Staying in your home may be cheaper in the long run than renting.  Much depends on the amount of equity you have acquired. If the equity is low, you might be better off selling and renting, depending on the rental rates in your area.  On the other hand, if a home is appreciating in value, and you can afford the present mortgage, it might be worth holding on to it.  

Finally, there is the emotional attachment to a home where you raised your children and celebrated family milestones.  These non-financial reasons may be the strongest motivator for staying put.

When it comes to a home, retirement planning depends on your individual and unique financial picture.  The positive aspect of this time in your life is that you often have options you might not have had in your working life.  

Enjoy the freedom, whatever you decide.

Can’t Afford a Professional Stager for Your Home Sale?

Can’t Afford A Professional Stager For Your Home Sale

While we have all witnessed the dramatic transformations on HGTV when a home is put on the market, we are pretty sure the price is more than most of us can afford.  So, what can we do to make our listings as attractive as possible without breaking the bank? Here are a couple of tips that might help and save you money, too: 

  • Fluffy white towels:  Bathrooms are the second most important room and selling feature of your home (right after kitchens).  You can freshen up a tired bathroom with a six-pack of premium soft white hand towels for under $15.00 from Walmart (a good place to find staging props).  Roll them up and place them in an attractive basket or simply pile them up on the counter. In the master bath you might want to fold them by the tub to give a spa like feel.
  • Round Accent Mirror:  Mirrors always make a room look larger and they go with any style or age of the home.  Use them above an entryway or hallway table. They make a good filler for an empty wall.
  • Fake plants:  A simple plant, such as a fern, especially one that looks strikingly realistic, can draw a buyer’s attention to a certain area or piece that would otherwise go unnoticed.  Faux plants have come a long way these days. 
  • Flameless candles:  LED flameless pillar candles add a warm glow for less than $20 at Walmart.  Place them on a tray and use them on a coffee table or dining table.
  • Print arts:  A large art print creates a focal point.  Consider packing away all your personal photos a replacing them with a reasonably priced art print (again from Walmart or Pier 1).  If it is the right size for the space, it can add a sleek, modern feel to the room.
  • Colorful pillows:  Every room needs a splash of color and there is no more economical way to provide that touch than a pillow.  These can add a pop of color for under $15.

You can make your listing look like a professional staging job with just a little effort and minimal expense.  Take some tips from the many home shows on HGTV, become your own DIY decorator and very likely capture a higher sales price for your house!

 

Looking to Improve Your Home’s Value?

Looking To Improve Your Home’s Value

Are your toying with the idea of selling or staying in your home?  Whatever you decide, increasing the value of your home is a win-win.  Some improvements you can make will add to the beauty of your home, while others will make it more efficient or more comfortable.  Whether you want to build equity in your home or sell it for top dollar, there are plenty of home improvement projects that are worth considering.

  • CLEAN AND DECLUTTER:  Deep cleaning and decluttering can add as much as $4000 to your resale value according to a 2019 survey from HomeLight.  Even if you are not moving, this exercise will help decrease stress in your life by providing more organization and simplifying your life.
  • MAKE YOUR HOME MORE EFFICIENT:  An inexpensive way to improve efficiency and save money is to install a smart thermostat.  If you are tech-savvy, you can even control your home’s temperature from your phone while you are away.
  • FRESH PAINT AND FLOORING:  An inexpensive way to update and freshen up your interior and exterior is with a coat of paint.  Everyone loves newer carpeting and fresh paint. Most home buyers are looking for a turnkey home so they can just unpack their boxes and settle in without the hassle of renovating.  And if you are staying in your home, these simple upgrades will make you love your home even more!
  • UPGRADE DOORS:  Replacing your front door will do wonders to the overall curb appeal of your home.  Replacing interior doors or just painting and replacing the hinges and doorknobs can add freshness to your home.  Since the front of your home is the first thing a prospective buyer will notice, a new garage door is a great idea.  Garage doors take up the most amount of space on the front of your home, so installing an interesting take of the usual garage door could bring in more buyers and please your neighbors, too.
  • ADDING USUABLE SQUARE FOOTAGE:  This makes a lot of financial sense since the value of your home is based on livable square feet.  Adding a bathroom, a great room or an additional bedroom can greatly increase both the function and value.   A “Granny Unit” is another valuable addition that can become a possible income source as well as add value.

Your next question may be “How will I finance these home improvements?” 

One of the financing options available to homeowners who want a fast cash, have less than stellar credit or difficulty proving income, is a Hard Money loan – also known as Private Money and Alternative Financing.

Sun Pacific Mortgage has been coming to the aid of this demographic for over 3 decades.  We have helped thousands of clients who would otherwise have been left without the means to make improvements or to invest in real estate.  If you are interested in pursuing a loan from us, please give us a call at 707-523-2099 or check us out on our website at www.Sunpacificmortgage.com

See entire article:  https://www.bankrate.com/loans/home-improvement/cheap-fixes-to-boost-the-value-of-your-home/?utm_source=Pushly

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