When calculating the value of a property, an appraiser also factors in surrounding conditions. Neighborhood nuisances like an overgrown yard or a resistant odor could, in some cases, bring down the value of adjacent homes by 5 to 10 percent,… Continue Reading →

Realtor.com recently released its January data on the U.S. housing market showing that listing inventories decreased 16.47 percent year-over-year; median age of inventory was at 108 days, a 9.24 percent decrease year-over-year; and median list prices are slightly higher increasing… Continue Reading →

Governor Edmund G. Brown announced the appointment of Wayne Bell as the commissioner of the California Dept. of Real Estate. Bell, a long-time real estate broker, has been chief counsel and assistant commissioner for legal policy and recovery at the… Continue Reading →

Although the housing market is showing signs of recovery, demand for rental housing is expected to remain strong. Follow these tips from rental experts on becoming a landlord or investor in rental property. Understand what it means to be a… Continue Reading →

Buyers should be cautious when buying a house sight-unseen or foregoing a home inspection, as is often the case when purchasing a home at auction. Read the full story

The Federal Housing Administration, which is the largest insurer of low-down payment mortgages, announced last week that it will raise premiums A borrower opting for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage who puts down 5 percent or more will now pay an… Continue Reading →

The growing gap between a high-end home’s sale price and its appraised value can prompt potential buyers to walk away; those who decide to buy anyway may end up with an unwelcome mortgage surprise. Read the full story

Home prices in 20 major cities were up 5.5 percent in November compared with a year earlier, their biggest jump in more than six years. Read the full story

California home sales and prices both posted gains in December, with the median price posting strong double-digit gains for six straight months, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported. Sales in December were up 0.8 percent from a revised 518,460… Continue Reading →