Expired Listings - Why Some Agents Still List Them High, Knowing It Won't Sell. I have lsited and sold many expired homes. These are homes that were on the market, but did not sell. The most common reason why a house does not sell is usually because it is priced high. There are other factors why a house does not sell like condition and marketing etc.     I went on an expired listing last week. 15 minutes into the appointment, I knew I did not want to take the listing. The sellers had boght the home in April 2010 for at $300,000(not exact sale price). For job related reason, they have to sell, and so listed the house in Nov 2010 for $340,000!!.  Of course it did not sell. The market has gone down last year in Orange County, not up!  No remodeling was done either.  I recommended that they... 02/18/2011

02/13/2011

Disneyland Delights - Friday Fotos     We are so fortunate to have Disneyland nearby.  It results in so much delight for the family and so many special moments over the years.  How could you visit the Happiest Place on Earth, and not walk away with a pocketful of smiles and some great memories? 02/11/2011

First time homebuyers have a new option in financing that can help them purchase the home of their dreams. 99% Financing Available with CalHFA FHA & New CHDAP CalHFA FHA Program highlights include: First time homebuyer or qualified Veteran 620 minimum credit score Purchasing property in designated target area Seller concessions 3% Loan up to $417,000 Primary, single family residence Rate reductions available when CalHFA Condos and PUDs must be FHA approved Program is used with CHDAP Homebuyer Education & Counseling course required    Current sales price limits and income limits applyRiverside County & San Bernardino CountySales Price: $550,000 for target area and $450,000 for non-targeted areaOrange, Los Angeles & Ventura CountiesSales Price: $802,725 for target area and $656,775 for no... 02/11/2011

Real Estate Update -    Feb 8th  2011  Mike Patel The market is ever changing.  What you are hearing from the mainstream national media about Real Estate is only one small part of the story. Here is the link to my Video Newsletter: for the latest. http://www.patelsupdate.com My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Real Estate NewsInterest RatesMortgage AdviceQuestion & Answers Short Sales Foreclosures Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes weekly. Whether you are thinking about selling or buying, or you just want to keep abreast of the market, I hope you find this information useful and informative. 02/09/2011

FEBRUARY 4, 2011 ANGELS GAME LAST YEAR>>>  A HIT BY BOBBY ABREU WENT OUT TO THE STANDS... THIRD ROW.... I'M GUESSING THIS GUY WASN'T SMILING TOO MUCH AFTER THAT OR WHEN HE GOT HOME..... OUCH!!! HE SAID, HE DIDN'T MIND THAT I PUT HIM ON FACEBOOK. I GUESS BLOG IS OK TOO... BUT MY SON HAD A GLOVE AND WHEN IT BOUNCED OFF HIS HAND, MY SON CAUGHT IT..... ONE HAPPY 7 YR OLD>>>> SKYE SELINSKY. HE IS SUCH A SWEET KID.... HE OFFERED TO GIVE IT TO THE GUY.... AFTER HE CAUGHT IT AND HE SAID, "NO BUDDY, YOU KEEP IT". SUCH AN ANGEL ... DAD SAID, "HEY! YOU CAUGHT IT... DON'T GIVE IT AWAY... (BOYS WILL BE BOYS....) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LET'S GO TO A GAME AFTER WE BUY OR SELL YOUR HOME..... ... 02/03/2011

    Today's foreclosure report for Orange County, California. At today's Trustee Sale (Feb. 2, 2011) the following homes, condos and multi-unit properties were taken back by the bank and are officially foreclosures.   So over the next few months the banks will begin to place these properties on the market for sale as an active listing for sale with a broker.                     County Address City Property Type Beds Baths SqFt Lot Size   ORANGE 4 HOLLYLEAF ALISO VIEJO Single Family 0 0 0 0   ORANGE 1798 W GLENOAKS AVE ANAHEIM Single Family 2 1.5 1024 0   ORANGE 525 E CYPRESS ST ANAHEIM Single Family 0 0 0 0   ORANGE 614 N CLEMENTINE ST ANAHEIM Single Family 2 1 1241 7500   ORANGE 3565 W STONEPINE LN 204 ANAHEIM Condominium 2 2 1026 0   ORANGE 962 BUTTONWOOD DR BREA Single Family 2 1 104... 02/02/2011

Real Estate Update -    Feb 1st  2011  Mike Patel The market is still ever changing.  What you are hearing from the mainstream national media about Real Estate is only one small part of the story. Here is the link to my Video Newsletter: for the latest. http://www.patelsupdate.com My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Real Estate NewsInterest RatesMortgage AdviceQuestion & Answers Short Sales Foreclosures Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes weekly. Whether you are thinking about selling or buying, or you just want to keep abreast of the market, I hope you find this information useful and informative. 02/01/2011

     Today's foreclosure report for Orange County, California.   At today's Trustee Sale (Jan. 31, 2011) the following homes, condos and multi-unit properties were taken back by the bank and are officially foreclosures.   So over the next few months the banks will begin to place these properties on the market for sale as an active listing for sale with a broker.                       County Address City Property Type Beds Baths SqFt Lot Size     ORANGE 623 S RESEDA ST ANAHEIM Single Family 3 2 1317 0     ORANGE 2319 TUSTIN AVE COSTA MESA Single Family 3 3 1489 0     ORANGE 1624 IOWA ST D COSTA MESA Condominium 2 1 908 0     ORANGE 409 DIANA PL FULLERTON Single Family 3 1 900 6600     ORANGE 13552 JEMEL WAY IRVINE Single Family 3 3 2260 6500     ORANGE 4752 WINDSONG AVE LA PALMA Single F... 01/31/2011

Social Media Beyond Basics. I was invited to be a co-presenter at a LACE Toastmasters International Training Day for the members. We were to talk about our personal experience on social media. Here is a snap shot of our Topics that we presented: Why I am on Social Media: 1. I like the Internet and it is fast and vast interaction.( Easy to learn) 2. Exposure (You and/or your business or organization) 3. Branding. (Personal or Business) 4. Making New Online Friends. What I have gained from Being Active on Social Media: 1. Possibility of generating business(if that is one's focus, I recommend using Fan Pages for business or organizations) 2. Making good Offline friends from initial Online contacts. 3. Building your Reputation. Your friends are watching you, and trying to figure who you rea... 01/29/2011

Buy Vs Rent? Some of us agents were asked this question online, and we came up with this instant answer online: If you are thinking Long Term.. BUY. Here is why it is better to Buy vs Renting. You save on taxes!You build equity.You settle down.You become frugal.You become good Friends with Home Depot! When you retire, you have a paid off house and mortgage payments and no rent fees! And your home should have appreciated by leaps and bounds.... It is the American Dream To Own A House. When are you getting yours! 01/29/2011

  Today's foreclosure report for Orange County, California. At today's Trustee Sale (Jan. 28, 2011) the following homes, condos and multi-unit properties were taken back by the bank and are officially foreclosures.   So over the next few months the banks will begin to place these properties on the market for sale as an active listing for sale with a broker.                         County Address City Property Type Beds Baths SqFt Lot Size     ORANGE 1976 W BAYSHORE DR ANAHEIM Single Family 2 2 1621 0     ORANGE 10831 BERRY AVE ANAHEIM Single Family 2 1 883 11363     ORANGE 1807 W CRESTWOOD LN ANAHEIM Multi Family 2-4 0 0 2984 14843     ORANGE 4846 LARWIN AVE CYPRESS Single Family 3 1 989 0     ORANGE 11336 ORRS CT CYPRESS Single Family 3 2 1248 0     ORANGE 22506 CAMINITO PACIFICO 34 L... 01/28/2011

    Today's foreclosure report for Orange County, California.   At today's Trustee Sale (Jan. 27, 2011) the following homes, condos and multi-unit properties were taken back by the bank and are officially foreclosures.   So over the next few months the banks will begin to place these properties on the market for sale as an active listing for sale with a broker.                         County Address City Property Type Beds Baths SqFt Lot Size     ORANGE 214 S RASPBERRY LN ANAHEIM Single Family 3 2 1312 5000     ORANGE 1829 W GREENLEAF AVE ANAHEIM Fourplex 0 0 3827 5562     ORANGE 640 MAGNOLIA AVE BREA Single Family 2 1 848 7564     ORANGE 853 DARRELL ST COSTA MESA Single Family 3 2 1040 0     ORANGE 27341 GLENMEADOWS DR EL TORO Single Family 4 3 1646 4050     ORANGE 19431 RUE DE VALORE ... 01/27/2011

Closing The Deal - Video. Now that you may have found and you have shopped for your loan, are you ready to close. What does it take to close the transaction. Here are some of the things you may want to know. The following video has been unveiled by the Department Of Housing and Urban Development(HUD) and the National Association Of Realtors. It is a 3 part series video. The other 2 vidoes are on Shopping for a Home and SHopping For A Loan. Here is the 3rd Video: CLosing The Deal 01/25/2011

Shopping For Your Loan - Video. Now that you may have found your dream home, are you qualified and ready to get a loan. Have you done your homework on getting a loan, the best rates and financing possible. The following video has been unveiled by the Department Of Housing and Urban Development(HUD) and the National Association Of Realtors. It is a 3 part series video. The other 2 vidoes are on Shopping for a Home and Closing The Deal. Here is the 2nd Video: Shopping for a Loan. 01/25/2011

Shopping For Your Home - Video. Buying a home is most likely one of the biggest invesments we will make. This following video has been by unveiled by the Department Of Housing and Urban Development(HUD) and the National Association Of Realtors. It is a 3 part series video. The other 2 vidoes are on Shopping for a Loan and Closing The Deal. Here is the 1st Video: Shopping for a Home. 01/25/2011

Real Estate Update -    Jan 25th  2011  Mike Patel The market is still ever changing.  What you are hearing from the mainstream national media about Real Estate is only one small part of the story. Here is the link to my Video Newsletter: for the latest. http://www.patelsupdate.com My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Real Estate NewsInterest RatesMortgage AdviceQuestion & Answers Short Sales Foreclosures Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes weekly. Whether you are thinking about selling or buying, or you just want to keep abreast of the market, I hope you find this information useful and informative. 01/25/2011

SB 931 - New Deficiency Protection for Anaheim Short Sales   Great News For Anaheim Short Sales Thanks To Anti-Deficiency Law SB 931   California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed senate  bill SB 931 into law Oct. 1.  The new short sale law prohibits mortgage holders from pursuing deficiencies after a short sale has been accepted. The law covers all first mortgages, and applies whether or not the property has been refinanced. Before S.B. 931, many distressed homeowners who sold their homes for less than the owed amount were still in danger of owing the amount bank was shorted, or the deficiency; only loans for “purchase money” were safe.  Sometimes lenders were giving deficiency waivers, but now it is required by law.   Source: Sacramento Short Sale Center   Contact me for ANY questions... 01/24/2011

Must Have Features For Home Buyers: 1. Large Kitchen 2. Energy efficiency(including appliances, insulation and windows) 3. Home Office 4. Main-floor master suite 5. Outdoor living Room 6.Ceiling Fans  7. Master suite soaker tubs 8. Stone and Brick Exteriors 9. Community Landscaping(with walking paths and playgrounds) 10. Two or three car garage.   01/19/2011

    Orange County Home Foreclosures: Listed below are homes, condominiums and 2-4 unit properties which were taken back by the banks on Tuesday January 11, 2011 at the scheduled Trustee Sale, and are now officially "Bank Owned Foreclosures" also known as "REO Properties."   Over the next few months the banks will begin to place these properties on the market for sale as an active listing with a broker.                     Address City Property Type Beds Baths SqFt Lot Size     23412 PACIFIC PARK DR 2D ALISO VIEJO Condominium 0 0 0 0     1130 N BOATSWAIN CIR ANAHEIM Single Family 3 2.5 2240 135000     9792 HARVEST LN ANAHEIM Single Family 3 1.5 1506 7450     1327 S HAMPSTEAD ST ANAHEIM Single Family 3 2 1179 0     2837 E DUTCH AVE ANAHEIM Single Family 3 2.5 1603 4959     3525 W STONEPIN... 01/17/2011