We have put together a localized blog for North Orange County real estate.  The Foust Team Real Estate Blog is unique.  Our goal is to give both buyers and sellers a place to go (and hopefully return) to gather information that is pertinent to their area.  The concept is to give them easy access and constantly updated new information without being forced to subscribe or sign in.  Many clients want to search and study without being pressured by agents calling or emailing them. 01/22/2009

FELICITACIONES EN LA DECISIÓN  DE COMPRAR CASA! ES UN PROYECTO CON RETOS, Y EXISTEN MUCHAS DETALLES EN LAS QUE UN PREFESIONAL LES PUEDE AYUDAR. Aquí encontrara algunas de las maneras en que se puede veneficiar trabajando con un Realtor.(Es una  designación de un agente o broker quien es miembro de Nacional Associaton of Realtors)  No le cuesta ni un centavo!El Realtor que le ayuda es pagado por el dueño de la casa.  Muchas más casas para escoger.El Realtor tiene acceso a cientos de casas para escoger del servicio múltiple de listados(MLS), siendo mas fácil y rápido encontrar la casa de su gusto, es un hecho que la gran mayoría de casas de venta no están disponibles para compradores que no estén  trabajando con un  Realtor.  Un gran número de acuerdos de compra no se concretan.Desafortun... 01/21/2009

Although we can not argue about the fact that Disney is wonderful. and the happiest place on earth, we also have to give credit to Anaheim.  Guides about Anaheim real estate show that there is a whole lot to Anaheim.  Consider sports, entertainment, dining, unique living spaces, variety of cultures, and great educational opportunities.  Anaheim has it all -- and lots of each.  Property searches at www.foustonline.com will reveal all of the different options and guide the buyers to really popular destinations. Look for yourself, with no sign in required. 01/21/2009

I was searching for an investment property for a good friend and client this morning and found several variations of this phrase in the agent remarks "Don't call for availability as your call will not be returned." Yes, this is a direct copy/paste and more mild than many. While I appreciate the honesty of the comment (because they really don't call back), it is yet another example of why Realtors get a bad wrap. On our listings, we welcome calls for status, availability, etc. It gives us an opportunity to network with Realtors, share positive attributes about the property and encourage stronger offers, especially in multiple-offer situations. And the best part, it takes less than one minute to network, sell our listings and maximize the proceeds for our clients. Don't get me wrong - I'v... 01/18/2009

Good news for people over 70 1/2 years of age.  Normally they must make a withdrawal each year from their tax free accounts (IRA, 401K, 403B, etc.), based on life expectency tables (age).  But this year therehas been a suspension of this minimum withdrawal requirement.  It was done in order to relieve the pressure on seniors by preventing a forced sale of stocks within their accounts (in a highly depressed market).  This makes a lot of good sense in today's economic environment.  Congratulations to the government on a solid move for our seniors. 01/13/2009

It can be very exciting to pick up an all cash buyer - wow, look at the problems we avoid.  Not so fast there Charley -- Some things are too good to be true, so make sure they are true.  We have to insist on seeing the bank statements, and it is not so easy to get these.  International business is slow, and it seems impossible to push them from here.  My clients insist that they have more than enough money, but evidence evades me.  Now we here there is a trust involved in England, and we have to get trustee signatures.  Really sounding difficult -- so a warning to all -- get the proof prior to spend much time with the all cash clients (there is no lender to help you get the income and asset information), you have to do it yourself. 01/12/2009

The very significant price declines in condos have started to pull the buyers in.  Of course they have to be qualified and have some money (not all that common), but the phone is ringing about the lower priced condos.  Some of the interest is from first time buyers, but much of the interest is from potential landlords (they are seeing positive cash flow for the first time in years).  With 25% down many of the units are providing positive cash each month.  Investors are excited, and not sure how long this will last. 12/30/2008

What a surprise - AR staff is really on the ball (not that I ever thought differently).  I sent in a request about AR "as it is today" versus "as it was" a few weeks ago, and to my surprise I had uncovered a error in their program.  Admitting that they did have an error was more than I had expected (I thought the problem was me) -- but they also awarded me 1,000 points.  Wow - how nice and how unexpected.  Unexpected rewards really cement my very positive opinion of the AR staff - GOOD JOB GANG. 12/30/2008

We have been ignoring all of the "buzz" around the office about what the bank will and will not pay.  And it works.  You never get anything that you fail to ask for.  We have been asking for termite work and for home warranties, and the requests have been going through.  Maybe it is just oversights or maybe the banks are changing, but we are getting these requests to go through.  I guess the lesson is that we have to try things on our own, don't fall prey to office rumors from the "experts"  -- things do change. 12/29/2008

HOPE for Homeowners The HOPE for Homeowners (H4H) program was created by Congress to help those at risk of default and foreclosure refinance into more affordable, sustainable loans. H4H is an additional mortgage option designed to keep borrowers in their homes. The program is effective from October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2011. As many as 400,000 homeowners could avoid foreclosure through this program over the next three years. If you are having trouble making your mortgage payments, HOPE for Homeowners may be able to help you, by refinancing your loan into a new 30-year fixed-rate loan with lower payments. How the Program Works There are four ways that a distressed homeowner could pursue participation in the HOPE for Homeowners program: Homeowners may contact their existing lender and... 12/26/2008

It seems every time I meet new customers (buyers) the quality of schools comes up.  Now I understand the concern and desire to be in a good school system.  But really -- does every grade school child "need" to go to a "blue ribbon" grade school?  Have we as a society really overdone the school rankings criteria?  How important is it that the grade schools kids have hours and hours of extra work?  Don't the kids need the socialism of "play" with the neighborhood kids.  I know this is a very personal subject, near and dear to the harts of many (really most) of the parents with school age children.  I am also that there are a variety of opinion out there.  Possibly we could use this post as a kickoff to some current opinions and outlooks on this matter.  What do you see as agents?  How do ... 12/21/2008

In this market we are getting loads of calls from supposed buyers who are self-proclaimed investors.  We hate to generalize, bit quite a few of them will be real time wasters.  If they are real potential investors, then they should be willing to come to your office to discuss the strategies and goals.  That is our first suggestion to the callers.  Many different options can be explored in a face to face meeting (not at a property) in the real estate office, where online data is available for initial property screening.  If the buyer just wants to go see the property -- then, that is probably correct -- they just want to see properties.  We prefer to do preliminary educating and screening at the office where more informative exchanges can occur.  It is really hard to get true understandi... 12/14/2008

I am a little confused.  What in the world is a Re-Blog and why would I use it.  Sorry to ask what may seem to be a straight forward function, but I see the button and am not sure what it will do.  Any enlightenment that I can get will be greatly appreciated.  Maybe we need to have a help line function for us beginners to avoid using posts this way.  If that exists already them let me know where it is at. Thanks again to AR for all of their help and understanding. 12/11/2008

With the market prices very low, it is the right time to look for "fixers".  Why so I say that?  In addition to the low price , the loan rates are low (and going lower - we think), and the really slow economy has made skilled trade helpers easy to find (and very negotiable on their prices).  One of our clients just renovated a three bedroom house. Everything was redone: kitchen, baths, floors, walls, outside landscape, etc.  the total investment in "fixing" was 30-40% of what it was a year ago.  Everything seems to be on sale. 12/09/2008

Blatant abuse of power -- and for personal gain -- have our politician become even more emblazoned?  I really find this unnerving and want the bums to go to jail for good.  We have to set an example to the others that are having dishonest thoughts - lessons need to be learned, can a public official really think he can sell the vacant senate seat to the highest bidder?  I guess he did.  Well guess what you crook, we do have laws and we will enforce them.  Hats of the the FBI - keep up the good work and Justice - keep prosecuting the corrupt politicians -- it is the only way to stop it. 12/09/2008

If the rumor mill is correct (and I think it is) there may be help on the way for real estate sales.  It is rumored that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be offering 4.5% home loans in the very near future.  Wow - if that doesn't get the buyers to get off the fence, I am not sure they are real buyers at all.  Very low homes loan rates could really jump start the recovery of the current real estate market.  In fact I am starting to believe that is the only solution -- and why not, could we consider this as a "real estate bailout"?  We all know that something drastic is needed to change the market. 12/08/2008

It seemsincredible, but banks are not the best at being careful.  We sure do seem to find the bad ones.  In the last four REO deals we have done, each one has a common characteristic -- they lose paperwork.  I now keep copies of everything close at hand, knowing there is a good chance that I will have to send the same material to the bank - again. Three times for the same paperwork is my record - but today I may even break that record.  Needless to say my sympathies do not lay with the "poor banks".  So be warned - be ready to send paperwork more than once.  So Sad. 12/08/2008

I have decided to drop in a link to a post that I did this summer.  The concepts are just as valid today.  I hope that some of you find it interesting reading.  In my practice I see way too much emphasis on the value people attribute to their home.  We love real estate as an investment vehicle, but keep the focus on "investment", not on home equity or home values.  We encourage true investing.  We do it for ourselves and share our experience with our clients. 12/05/2008

Hello to all.  I want let you all know that I have another "Blog" that will introduce you to me and my variety of thoughts.  It will take me a little timeto get up to speed on the AR blog, but I will get there.  My posts will be mostly about real estate and very little about just "chatter" - so please forgive me if I am a little brief.  I believe post need to be to the point and not consume a lot of reader time.  We have more than enough to read each day -- talk later, Todd 12/05/2008

Home Buyer Service from Patrick CanavanBelow are teo links to information about a service I provide my home buyers. Please review it and register for a free account. If you have any questions, I can assist you in setting up the account and refining your criteria.If you decide to work with me as your agent, I can upgrade the account so you'll receive additional information like area sales, price histories, tax values, and other information not available to the general public. Search on your own personal web site just like I do! Make an informed decision using the most efficient, effective, and satisfying home buyer search available Easily access interactive maps, loan data, school info, photos, virtual tours, and property details for any property in the market. Rate properties, whether f... 11/30/2008