September 23rd, 2019 at 11:00 am

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The holidays are right around the corner, which can only mean one thing: it is officially time to set the tone for the season in your home. What better way to highlight fall than with rustic, traditional, and even vintage styles?

Begin in your dining room, the place where most memories are made in your home. Whether you’re planning on hosting a casual pumpkin carving party or having your entire family over for Thanksgiving, we are sure you’re going to find the perfect fit for all of your fall events.

From tablescapes to centerpieces, to wreaths and tons of greenery, here are a few ideas to help you get inspired.

escapes and centerpieces

There are a million and one different ways to go about decorating your dining room, but we think that a good table set-up is key. Create the most stunning tablescape by focusing primarily on a color theme and style.

Are you more modern, minimalist, or whimsy? You can definitely mix in some pieces, but to have a cohesive look, focus on one and stick to it throughout the decorating process.

Now, it’s time for gathering all of the materials for the table setting! Collect placemats, a pretty runner, napkins/napkin holders, candles, dried (or perhaps some fresh) herbs and flowers, greenery, any type of nuts, acorns, baskets, trays, and even some vases. Play around with everything, ranging from minimal to as eccentric as you want. Once you begin to arrange your items, you will start to get a feeling of what you like and how you want it to look!


Create an accent wall

Who says a wreath is only for the front door? Put a twist on the usual door décor by hanging an oversized wreath on a wall facing your table, if possible. This is a great styling tip if you’re more into a minimalistic vibe, or if your table is a little bit “loud,” but would still like to highlight a plain wall to balance it all out. From DIY pinecone wreaths to floral-themed ones, the possibilities are endless. Feeling extra festive? Try hanging a collection of wreaths that compliment each other and the room.

Picture-perfect sideboard

Don’t forget about your sideboard! It can easily be both functional and stunning, stacking some festive plates, dressy silverware, and even some candles, bouquet bunches, or imitation fruit. We think that the “messier” (aka, the more mix of materials), the better, especially if the color scheme of the sideboard helps tie in the rest of the dining room theme.

Looking for something a bit easier or simpler? Let the main dinner table take all the attention and have the sideboard be more of a neutral-colored palette instead.

Foliage arrangements

When it comes to putting together a floral arrangement, an expensive trip to the florist is definitely not needed. We suggest filling a large vessel (it doesn’t have to be a traditional vase!) with your favorite fall picks and complementing it with various smaller arrangements throughout the rest of the house. Use bold colors, berry branches, and nontraditional flowers in order to get even more attention.

Another chic idea is to simply pile on some pumpkins. This is ideal if you want to keep things a little more traditional, or have last-minute company coming over. Just group and stack different sizes and different colored pumpkins on a small side table, as a centerpiece, or even your porch and/or patio!

The use of unconventional materials

Before you start planning any sort of shopping spree, consider upcycling materials you may already have around your home. Use mason jars as vases, natural materials such as sticks, wood, or even rocks to spice things up. Spray paint older furniture that you can use inside or can also work outside and watch your home come to life without spending a fortune!

Wage gains offset shortfall in job creation Sep 2019

Home Sales Weak, Shutdown Continues to Delay Economic Data (Jan 2019)

Real Estate Market Index May-June 2018 S. Orange County

Tax Reform Law Chart: Prior Law vs. New Law

More Detail
December 14, 2015
 
 
November 2015

Falling gas prices can shorten the time it takes a house to sell and can increase the selling price, according to results from an ongoing longitudinal study by Florida Atlantic University and Longwood University faculty. Using data from central Virginia and spanning over 10 years of gas price changes and housing transactions, researchers found statistical evidence to indicate that for every $1 per gallon decrease in gasoline price, average time to sell a property decreases by 25 days. In addition, for every $1 per gallon decrease in gasoline prices the average selling price rises by 2.4 percent, which amounts to roughly $4,000 per sold property in the study. The good news from the seller's perspective does not end there. A $1 decrease is also shown to increase a seller's chances of selling and closing by roughly 20 percent. "In the event of a forced sale, these odds are very welcome news for a seller who might already own a second property and must close," explained Ken Johnson, Ph.D., a real estate economist and an associate dean of graduate programs and professor in FAU's College of Business. Based on these findings, the immediate future looks bright for home sellers. Gas prices are down nearly $1 from where they were a year ago, and prices this summer are expected to be the lowest they've been since 2009 "due to stabilizing crude oil costs and as refineries complete seasonal maintenance," according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). Source: PR Newswire

Fifteen Republicans are fighting for their party's nomination for president in 2016. The Democratic seekers of the White House so far number five. All 20 of these possible presidential candidates have divergent policy positions, even within their own parties. But one area that all generally agree on is that the tax code is too complex. Another tax issue that also seems consistent across most major candidates is that a tax break for homeowners is safe. Even this election cycle's biggest booster of the so-called flat tax, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., says in his proposal that he would continue tax deductions for charitable donations and interest on home loans. The numbers make it clear why homeowners get such attention. Although Commerce Department data show that homeownership for the first quarter of this year was at its lowest level in 20 years, most of us still own the places where we live. Almost 64% of Americans own their homes. So while weakened, the American dream of a yard for the kiddies and a home loan that offers a tax break persists. Source: BankRate.com

A recent survey shows that consumers saving for a home are willing to forego modern conveniences in order to secure a down payment. That may even mean giving up phones, Internet, cable TV, or Starbucks, according to a newly released survey by the business advisory firm the Collingwood Group. Potential first-time home buyers are making such sacrifices because they want to be able to make a sizable down payment on their home purchase. Nearly two-thirds recently surveyed say they’d like to put 20 percent down or more on their home purchase. First-time home buyers are increasing their ranks lately, with their share in the housing market rising to 32 percent in May. That matches their highest share since September 2012, according to the National Association of Realtors®. A year ago, first-time buyers represented 27 percent of all buyers. The survey showed that around 62 of potential first-time buyers are making plans to purchase a home within the next two years. In addition, more than two-thirds of consumers – 68 percent – who say they’re looking to purchase their first home say they want a move-in ready home, while one-third said they’d buy a fixer-upper. Source: MReport

As always, if I can ever help you, your family or friends with any real estate needs, I’d be delighted.

https://www.ocluxuryproperty.com/home-evaluation.htmlnews1
‪#‎amirvahdat‬ ‪#‎Lagunabeachhomes‬ ‪#‎coastahomes‬

 
 
 
 
 
In an effort to keep you informed on the latest economic trends and developments and their potential effects on the real estate and mortgage industries, we’ve compiled the latest stories making headlines for the week of October 7, 2014.OCT6 -Weekly_Report_DP_001https://ocluxuryproperty.wordpress.com/2014/10/09/our-weekly-real-estate-update-for-south-orange-county-and-coastal-october-2014-by-amir-vahdat-949-682-9090/

September 2014 Real Estate Report for Orange County – California

Employment Report Analysis

Amir Vahdat – www.ocluxuryproperty.com

 
 
 

At first blush, it appeared that the jobs report was disappointing. The addition of 142,000 jobs in August was much less than the average of over two hundred thousand for the previous six months. Yet, the day of the report, the stock market reacted positively and interest rates did not fall as expected. What could have caused this “adverse” reaction? To us there are three possibilities. First, the same day as the jobs report, a cease fire was signed in Ukraine. As we have said previously, the world news is over-shadowing our domestic economic news this summer. If the truce holds, this is a positive indicator for the stock market but not necessarily positive for the continuation of lower interest rates.

Secondly, the markets may be betting that the lower number of jobs added might be a one-time occurrence. The jobs numbers are often revised in future months and the markets are not likely to get upset over one report. Now, if we get two or three reports below an average of 150,000 jobs each month, this could be worrisome to the markets. Looking at other indicators such as first time claims for unemployment and the ADP private payroll report, there was no indication that the job creation machine slowed down last month.Real Estate Report September

Finally, even if the production of jobs does slow down, the markets may not be too upset. Slower job growth might cause the Federal Reserve Board to keep short-term interest rates lower for a longer period of time and nothing would boost the stock market more than the prospect for a continuation of lower rates. This factor would apply if the production of new jobs does not slow any further from here. As we indicated last week, it is a good sign with regard to how far we have come in our recovery for the markets to now consider over 140,000 jobs created in a month a poor performance. Which of these factors is correct? There could be a bit of truth in each theory. You can bet on the fact that the Federal Reserve Board’s Federal Open Market Committee will be considering these possibilities as they meet this week.

Have the property ready to market and sell with no lost days.

At least 2.5 million borrowers will face an average increase of $250 per month on their monthly mortgage payment due to the imminent reset in home equity lines of credit over the next three years, according to Black Knight Financial Services’ Mortgage Monitor Report. However, depending upon borrower behavior between now and the time of the reset, payment increases could change, Kostya Gradushy, Black Knight’s manager of research and analytics, said. Borrowers whose HELOCs will reset over the next three years are utilizing just under 60% of their available credit. If these borrowers utilize more of their credit, they could face even more payment shock as the monthly increase would rise above the $250. And the news is not much better for the borrowers whose payments are not likely to reset until 2019. These borrowers are exhibiting even lower utilization ratios — about 40% of their available credit. Once reset, they will likely face an average monthly increase of $200. “Should their drawing pattern match that of older vintages, we could be looking at a significantly higher risk of ‘payment shock’ for this segment,” Gradushy said. Source: HousingWire

Builder confidence in the market for new, single-family homes rose two points in August, bringing the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index to its highest score since the beginning of 2014. NAHB surveys builders across the country and asks them to rate their sales expectations for the next six months, their confidence in current single-family home sales, and their perceptions of prospective buyer traffic. “Each of the three components of the HMI registered consecutive gains for the past three months, which is a positive sign that builder confidence appears to be firming,” NAHB chief economist David Crowe said in a statement. Builder confidence in current sales conditions rose to a score of 58, while expectations for future sales rose to 65. The third index, which gauges expectations for prospective buyer traffic, hit 42. The overall increase in the HMI index can be attributed to factors including sustained job growth, historically low interest rates, and affordable home prices, Crowe said.Source: NAHB

Recently, the Federal Housing Administration announced that they are halting the policy of allowing lenders to collect interest to the end of the month when the homeowner’s FHA mortgage is paid off. Beginning in January of 2015, lenders will be able to collect interest until the day the loan is paid off. However, it should be noted that for the millions of homeowners who currently have home loans insured through FHA, there is no change in policy. The new policy affects only those who obtain new FHA loans in January of 2015. What does this mean for present homeowners? It is important to time refinances and sales of houses to allow time to get the payoff to the present lender before the end of the month. Otherwise, the homeowner could owe a full month of extra interest. The worst time to close on a real estate transaction is the last day of the month because all service providers are especially busy on that day — from the lender to the settlement company. This rule is more on target for those who have FHA loans because payoffs do not go to the lender the same day. On refinances, the homeowner should close their new loan 10 days before the end of the month because the present loan is not paid off until a three day “right of rescission” expires. On a purchase, allow at least one full week before the end of the month to make sure you don’t get stuck paying almost a full extra monthly payment on the present loan being paid off. Note: If you are considering moving up or refinancing your present home and are not sure whether you presently have an FHA loan, we would be happy to help you determine this as well as assisting you with your new transaction.

Choose your agent and their company wisely. My team of Experienced, Wealthy Clients, and Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffet Company)

I hope this report finds you well, and please feel free to contact me at any time.

Buying Real Estate Property 

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions - both financially and emotionally - you will make in your lifetime. If you're a first-time buyer, you're probably thrilled about making the jump from apartment renting t
av logoo owning your own house. While you're excited, however, you also may be a bit overwhelmed by the procedures involved. Relocating or move-up buyers have the advantage of past experience, but still might need a refresher course on the intricacies of the process.

The buying process involves several steps, from finding a REALTOR® to making an offer to closing the deal. Whether you're a first-time or experienced buyer, you'll find an array of information in this section that will assist you on your way to realizing your goal of homeownership.

S. Orange County & Coastal Home Sales (Real Estate Statistics) June 2014

Slowing rise in home prices is a good thing?

Analysts worried that housing prices were going up faster than income.
By NEIL IRWIN | New York Times News Service Washington -
Home prices in the United States are rising more slowly than they were just a few months ago, according to new data out Tuesday — and that may well be just what the housing market needs. The S&P/Case-Shiller index of home prices in 20 major cities rose 0.2 percent in April, down from 1.2 percent in March and well below the 0.8 percent that analysts forecast. During the last year, prices have risen 10.8 percent, compared with a 13.7 percent gain in the year ended in November, the recent peak. A second report on home prices out Tuesday, from the Federal Housing Finance Agency, showed the same pattern. Analysts have worried that the rapid rise of home prices — which have climbed much faster than incomes in most metropolitan areas — might lead to new excesses in the housing market. Jed Kolko, the chief economist of Trulia, estimates that national home prices are only 3 percent undervalued relative to long-term fundamentals, and that a handful of locations, particularly in Southern California, are now significantly overvalued. That being the case, moderation in the rate of home price gains could be good news, in the sense that buyers are less likely than they were a decade ago to stretch to buy a home at any price. "Although it may seem counterintuitive, this is actually welcome news, because it means that we’re not looking at a bubble," Patrick Newport and Stephanie Karol of IHS Global Insight, wrote in a report. "A smaller yearly increase over a higher base is a healthy sign for the housing market: Homeowners continue to build equity, but home purchases remain within the realm of possibility for buyers." Current home price levels are far from the clear bubble levels of 2006. Kolko, for example, finds that the frothiest market in the U.S. is Orange County, California, which by his measures is 17 percent overvalued relative to fundamentals like rents and incomes. In early 2006 it was 71 percent overvalued. That said, those moderate potential overvaluations could easily become major ones if double-digit price increases rise too much longer. In a world where inflation is low and wages are flat, continued steep home prices increases would rapidly move the housing market from broadly balanced to unaffordable and primed for a correction in just a few months. That is what makes this housing recovery seem healthier and more sustainable than the bubble of the early 2000s. Then, even as home prices soared beyond any traditional level relative to income, home buyers responded by taking on more risk and buying anyway, speculating on further home price gains. And they were encouraged to do so by profit-mad lenders who threw caution to the wind in the belief that housing prices could never collapse. This time, mortgage lenders are exercising much more restraint and home buyers seem to be looking at high valuations and not getting caught up in the excitement, instead drawing the line and paying no more than they can afford.
Home price numbers tend to move in steadier, more gradual waves than other economic data. They also come out with long delays; the April Case-Shiller numbers are actually based on transactions that closed from February through April - and those home sales generally went under contract a month or two before they closed. So the latest home price readings are very much a look in the rearview mirror, and it is a look that suggests a deceleration is underway. The question is where it will ultimately settle. If prices were rising 13 percent in the year ended in November and 11 percent in April, what will, or should, the level be later in 2014? The healthiest thing for the housing market would be home price rises that thread the needle: high enough that homeowners are building equity and homebuilders have incentive to start new construction, but low enough that they don’t significantly outpace wage growth and result in unaffordable housing and a painful correction. Gus Faucher, a senior economist at PNC Financial Services Group, forecasts exactly that, predicting low-to-mid single digit home price appreciation through the rest of 2014 and into next year. "This is roughly equal to income growth, and thus is sustainable over the longer run," he wrote in a report Tuesday. In April, the price rises were strongest in the West, with San Francisco home prices rising 18.2 percent over the past year, according to the Case-Shiller index, and Las Vegas prices up 18.8 percent. The weakest price rise among 20 major metro areas was in Cleveland, with only a 2.7 percent increase.
Amir Vahdat (Realtor – Broker) CalBRE#01819847
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
949-682-9090 30812
South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, California 92651
Orange County & Coastal Home Sales (Real Estate Statistics) May 2014
 Your new Real Estate Application please goto: https://app.bhhscalifornia.com/avahdat
or text   AMIR to 949-579-9500 to get the app. 

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Orange County Home Sales (Real Estate Statistics) March - April 2014

 

The sales of vacation homes skyrocketed last year. A recent study also revealed that 25% of those surveyed said they’d likely buy a second home, such as a vacation or beach house in places like South Orange County, California and Laguna Beach properties, to use during retirement. For many Baby Boomers, the idea of finally purchasing that vacation home (that they may eventually use in retirement) makes more and more sense as the economy improves and the housing market recovers.
https://www.ocluxuryproperty.com/buying-a-home.html

If your family is thinking about purchasing that second home, now may be the perfect time. Prices are still great. If you decide to lease the property until you’re ready to occupy it full time, the rental market in most areas is very strong. And you can still get a great mortgage interest rate.

 
Rates are still very low as:

Today's Mortgage Rates

ProductsInterest Rate



30yr Fixed FHA 4.250%
30yr Fixed Conform High Bal 4.500%
30yr Fixed Jumbo 4.125%

 As always, if I can ever help you, your family or friends with any real estate needs, I’d be delighted.

 
Amir Vahdat (Realtor – Broker) CalBRE#01819847                  949-682-9090

 

Prices of Real Estate are already rising>>> 1st week of April>>>

• The Dow stock index reached a new record high
• The labor force participation rate rose to a six-month high
• The Treasury will auction $64 billion in securities next week
• The European Central Bank (ECB) made no change in rates
Amir Vahdat
(Realtor -Broker) 949-682-9090
Your local coastal real estate expert & broker

 

 

 
Orange County Real Estate Report February 2014
 
Orange County Real Estate – Are You Ready For Some Real Estate?

Now that the Super Bowl is over (congratulations to the Seahawks) the real estate market is ready to take off.

Active Inventory -remain on the lower side

https://www.ocluxuryproperty.com/

Already this number is starting to tick up day after day, however this is VERY city specific so while some cities may be seeing a dramatic rise in inventory others are still very low. Overall we expect this number to just climb upwards from this point through the summer.

ORANGE COUNTY REAL ESTATE ACTIVE LISTINGS

The chart below represents single family homes, town homes & condos for all of Orange County.

Sales Prices - continues to hold firm

Prices seem very committed to holding their gains over the past year and we only expect Orange County Real Estate prices to trend upwards going forwards.

ORANGE COUNTY REAL ESTATE MEDIAN SALES PRICE

The chart below represents all single family, town homes, and condos in all of Orange County.

Months of Inventory - rose a bit as expected

This rise is really a seasonal factor, expect to see if start to fall over the next few weeks

ORANGE COUNTY REAL ESTATE MONTHS OF INVENTORY

The chart below represents all single family, town homes, and condos in all of Orange County.

Volume - feel sharply

Let’s chalk this one up to post holiday hangover and pre Super Bowl preparations. This number ought to climb steadily and impressively over the next few weeks.

ORANGE COUNTY REAL ESTATE VOLUME

https://www.ocluxuryproperty.com/

The chart below represents all single family, town homes, and condos in all of Orange County.

Days to Sell - rises on us yet again

Another seasonal factor, expect to see this number starting to trend down as the weeks go by.

ORANGE COUNTY REAL ESTATE DAYS TO SELL

The chart below represents all single family, town homes, and condos in all of Orange County.

What all this Means to:

Sellers – The slow days are most likely over for Orange County Real Estate sellers. Traditionally our market really starts to take off after the Super Bowl so expect to see rising volume as more and more people house hunt heading into summer. If you’re curious how much your home is worth in this market simply fill out this home valuation request and Win a Tablet, and I will gladly email you your free home value report.

Buyers - Buyers really had a great couple of months but tradition and statistics say that window is closing. If volume rises as expected buyers negotiating strength will erode quickly and price appreciation may price you out of the home of your dreams. So if you have been considering buying it might be best to do it now rather than wait. If you’re thinking about buying feel free to contact me and we can go over what’s going on and what your options are.

Published by: 949hometeam

Amir Vahdat (Realtor – Broker)
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
949-682-9090
30812 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, California 92651