December 2010 
There are 8 blog entries for December 2010.
Veronica's 2011 Market Outlook as Reported to the OC Register
Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 at 3:45pm. 109 Views, 0 Comments.
In my recent contribution to the OC Register's 2011 Market report, I am predicting 2011 will be a modest gain for all but the high rise market ..
Orange County condo expert Veronica Hicks, owner of Condos Etc.
Us: What’s your Orange County condo outlook for 2011 …
Veronica: The overall condo resale market in Orange County for 2010 performed slightly better than 2009. Almost all measurements improved from 2009 to 2010. The number of condos sold in 2010 was down 1%, while average sale prices and price per square foot were up around 2.5% — a number that is closer to normal appreciation. The drivers behind the improvement in 2010 were the tax credit, lower interest rates and some loosening of the loan guidelines.
The high-rise market…
Selling Your Condo or Townhome? How Does it Look?
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 at 4:47pm. 81 Views, 0 Comments.
If you are selling your condo or townhome you should pay careful attention to how it appears to the naked eye. While you certainly shouldn’t judge a book by its cover it is terribly hard not to when it comes to real estate, and a potential buyer’s first impression is everything. It is important to remember that the first impression begins with the exterior of your condo. The curb appeal of your condo or townhome should not be overlooked.
While painting a condo should hardly be a deal-breaker, peeling paint is not going to lure a buyer in to wanting to look at the interior of your condo. Peeling paint on the outside makes one wonder what has been neglected on the inside. As a seller it is important to know that exterior work, from replacing siding…
Popular Remodel Items
Monday, December 20th, 2010 at 12:45pm. 95 Views, 0 Comments.
There are many popular remodel item’s which turn into trends for the condo market, and a recent list has been compiled of the most popular remodel items for 2011. The list includes many past favorites like bathrooms and decks, recent hits like going green, and of course, popular color trends of today. Added to the list is how remodel items are paid for, pointing out the trend to pay in cash as opposed to taking out a loan to have improvements made to a condo.
It is always interesting to read about what is “in” as far as condo design goes, but the bottom line when remodeling is to make your condo match your needs. If you are thinking about remodeling your condo and are planning to live in it for quite some time, then the changes that…
Is Inspection Still Necessary on a New Construction?
Friday, December 17th, 2010 at 12:22pm. 90 Views, 0 Comments.
An inspection is still necessary before closing on new construction. It is easy to understand why a buyer could presume that a new home has no issues, but regardless of its squeaky clean appearance it will behoove any buyer to conduct both an inspection and a final walk-through. An inspection will ascertain that everything is in working order and that all items that are meant to be included are completed and in place.
Construction projects usually end with punch-list items that are yet to be finished, an inspection will point out what punch-list items have been completed and what items still need to be attended to. Once the condo has closed the chance of repairs being made become less likely as the builder considers the project…
The Water System in Your Condo
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 at 12:38pm. 81 Views, 0 Comments.
Are you overlooking the water system in your Condo? It is easy to take for granted water . which flows easily through the pipes in your condo and out of any number of faucets. Whether you are showering in hardened water and in need of a softening system or drinking water that could use a filtration system, taking care of the water in your condo could add value to your real estate.
Clean water is a rare and precious commodity in much of the world and it is easy to see why we trust the quality of the water in our homes, after all it is something that most of us have always had access to in the United States. Water is managed by local governments, private agencies and water districts, depending on what part of the country you live in, but not…
Smart Decisions for Living Greener During the Holidays
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 at 1:48pm. 91 Views, 0 Comments.
There are a number of smart decisions condo owners can make to live greener during the holidays, choices that will not only make people lessen their impact on the environment but also add a little zip to your holiday spirit. The holidays breed good will toward men and the spirit of giving, and there is no need to ignore the environment in the process.
Wrapping paper. Wrapping paper no doubt creates the most garbage during the holiday season and choosing recycled or reusable materials is easier on the landfills. Fabric makes a great wrapping and can be used again for further wrapping or to make something out of.
Christmas trees. Christmas tree farms grow trees strictly for Christmas time, lessening the effects that could come from chopping…
Condo Ownership Benefits
Monday, December 13th, 2010 at 1:54pm. 96 Views, 0 Comments.
Many people grow up assuming that they will own a condo one day, and while the days of taking everything for granted may appear as days gone by, condo ownership is a viable dream that has its benefits. Recent reports show that those who own a condo are often more financially stable than those who have stuck to renting.
If you have been considering condo ownership here are some of the benefits you could expect from your endeavor:
Affordability. Right now condo ownership is at the highest affordability level seen in years. The historically low interest rates, high inventories and low condo values have created an ideal buyers market.
Community. Owning a condo helps create roots in a community. Neighborhood involvement, dedication to…
Important Things to Know Before Locking in a Mortgage
Monday, December 6th, 2010 at 3:01pm. 107 Views, 0 Comments.
There are some important things to know before locking in a mortgage, the most important being shopping around. Shopping around for your mortgage is instrumental before settling in on one that you want, as well as a very important part of the condo buying process.
Just as you spend time finding a Realtor that you want to work with, you should invest time finding the right lender. A good relationship is key to any successful transaction and finding a lender that you can trust and believe in can make all the difference. Part of this process is finding the best deal possible in a loan. What is the best deal?
Lowest rate. A fraction of a point can make all the difference in a loan, saving thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a…
