Buying a Home October 10, 2022

First-Time Homebuyer Guide: Searching for Your First Home

Buying an Inland Empire home often brings with it some uncertainty, especially for first-timers. So, I thought I would put together a helpful first-time homebuyer guide. Last week, I talked about what to do before you start looking for a home to better prepare yourself for the process. Now, let’s go shopping!

First-Time Homebuyer Guide: Searching for Your First Home

Create a List of “Wants” vs “Needs”

It only helps you if you sit down and create a list of what you need in an Inland Empire home. For example, how many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need at a minimum? How many square feet? Do you want a single-family home or would you prefer a townhome or condo? Single-story or multiple-story? Turn-key or fixer-upper? This helps your agent weed out the properties that do not fit your needs so you do not waste your time.

Feel Free to Conduct Your Own Search, Too

Your REALTOR® can access properties that you may not have on the MLS. But feel free to conduct your own search as well. According to a joint study conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® and Google, 90% of home buyers used the internet at some point during the home buying process. If you see something you like, let your agent know so they can set up an in-person tour for you. Drive around the neighborhoods you like and look for any “for sale” signs. Keep an eye out for open houses.

Another great way to get an idea of what you like in finishes, amenities, and size is to visit model homes in new communities around the Riverside area. Sometimes, what you think you like may not actually translate well when you see it in real life. For example, perhaps you believe 1500 square feet is plenty of room for your family. But when you actually go into a property that size, you might find that you actually need more room. Many of us are visual and tactile creatures. So, seeing designs in person helps us get a better picture.

Even with new construction, real estate experts strongly suggest you still use your own agent. The salespeople you find at model homes represent the builder. They have the builder’s best interest in mind, not yours. Now, that does not mean that they are out to “get you”. However, you still need someone on your side when dealing with any real estate transaction, especially when you are a first-time homebuyer. So, before you start looking, contact me. I’m always happy to help.

Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty

 

Buying a Home October 5, 2022

First-Time Homebuyer Guide: Before You Start Looking

Tired of renting? Ready to buy? Anxious about it? Completely understandable, especially for the first-time homebuyer. Let me help you relieve some of that stress by offering a guide to what you need to do before you start looking for your first home.

First-Time Homebuyer Guide: Before You Start Looking

Save For Your Down Payment & Closing Costs

Your first step should obviously be to save up some money. If you want to qualify for the best interest rates and avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), you need to put at least 20% of the sale price down on your mortgage loan. However, many people don’t have that much saved up. Fortunately, many mortgage programs allow anywhere from 0% (for VA or USDA loans) to 10% down. Closing costs can add another 2% to 7% of the home’s sale price into the mix.

Check Your Credit Score

To qualify for the best interest rates (or qualify for a loan at all), you need to whip your credit into shape. First, check your credit score by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. A Federal Trade Commission study found that one in five people found an error on at least one of their credit reports. If you find an error, visit the appropriate credit agency’s site (TransUnion, Equifax, or Experian) to find out how to dispute erroneous information. Each agency requires its own process to do this. This takes some time. So, the sooner you start, the better.

Get Pre-Approved For a Mortgage Loan

After your credit is in the best shape possible, talk to a lender. In fact, talk to a few. Different lenders offer different programs. When you decide on one, start the pre-approval process. Do not mix this up with pre-qualification. That takes a few minutes and only lightly touches on your finances. Pre-approval requires you to provide bank statements, paycheck stubs, and any other pertinent financial information. You also need to list your debts. Basically, it’s the starting point of the loan process and takes a bit of time. But it is well worth the effort. Once the lender analyzes this information, they A) tell you if you would be approved for a loan and B) tell you how much you would be approved for. That helps you narrow your focus when you search for a property. Plus, sellers like to see a pre-approval letter included with your offer. Just remember that a pre-approval is not an actual approval.

Hire a Real Estate Agent

Some people think this should land higher on the list. While an important step, it helps to get started on the other steps first because they may take a bit of time. Finding the right real estate agent is important, especially for a first-time home buyer. Specifically, you need a buyer’s agent. They listen to the features you want in your Inland Empire home and then they search for homes fitting your requirements in their extensive database. Then, when you find the right property, they negotiate on your behalf to get you the best deal possible. As a bonus, their fees are actually paid by the seller at closing.

When you are ready to start your search for your very first Inland Empire home, contact me. And if you need advice on how to get started on any of the other steps to owning your first home, I’m always happy to help.

Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty

 

Selling Your Home September 19, 2022

Holiday Decorations for the Home Seller

As September comes to an end, many people begin preparing for the holidays. Halloween is just six weeks away. Thanksgiving takes place three and a half weeks after that. Then, Christmas Eve falls exactly four weeks (to the day) after Thanksgiving. And, finally, we welcome the new year one week later. Many people love to decorate their homes for the holidays. However, you probably heard that you need to stage your property using a simple, neutral palette in order to appeal to a broader buyer base when selling your Southern California home. Fortunately, there are ways to participate in holiday decorations for home sellers. You just need to tone it down a bit.

Holiday Decorations for the Home Seller

Keep It Simple, Silly (KISS)

No matter what holiday you decorate for, keep all adornments simple. Add a holiday hand towel to the kitchen and bathrooms. Perhaps, add a decorative light or two. A wreath on the door welcomes guests while saying “happy holidays”. Only use a few small-ish accent pieces in each room (meaning three to five…not ten to twenty). The big inflatable snowmen and 12-foot tall skeleton need to stay in storage until next year.

  • Nature Nurtures

When in doubt, go natural with your holiday decorations. Pumpkins easily turn from Halloween decor to a celebration of the fall harvest and Thanksgiving. Just leave off the jack-o-lantern carving. Instead, paint a silly face on the front and turn it around after Halloween. Summer squash, apples, speckled swan gourds, leaves, branches, and pinecones all work great for any end-of-year holidays. Plus, they easily transition from one holiday to the next with little to no effort. Cut branches and/or flowers from your garden. Add them to a decorative vase and place them with a few pretty fairy lights on the mantle, on an end table, or on the window sill.

Coordinate With Existing Color Scheme

Complement your current color scheme with holiday hues in a similar palette. Clashing colors make rooms look too busy, overdone, and unattractive. These turn buyers away rather than invite them in for a closer look.

Keep Decorations Size-Appropriate

Unless the room is super-sized with cathedral ceilings, you might want to take a “pass” on that huge evergreen Christmas tree this year. A smaller, more appropriately-sized tree ensures that buyers see the room as something they would like to live in.

Let the (Natural) Light In

Finally, lighting plays a huge part in many holiday decorations. However, you still want buyers to see how much natural light fills up a room. So do not place decorations in areas that block out that natural light. Keep windows decor-free and keep extra-dark decorations to a bare minimum.

Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty

 

Buying a HomeHomeowners September 12, 2022

What Homeowners Insurance Does Not Cover

As a homeowner, you need to know the difference between homeowners insurance and a home warranty. Both provide their own unique coverage of different areas of your Inland Empire property. Lenders require that everyone who borrows money for their home purchase must also take out insurance on their home. While it helps to know what this insurance covers, it is equally important to understand what it does not cover. That way, you may properly prepare yourself in case these issues arise in the future.

What Homeowners Insurance Does Not Cover

Mother Nature

A typical homeowners policy does not cover things like damage from earthquakes. In Southern California, that may pose a problem. However, many insurance companies here also offer separate policies for earthquake coverage. While a homeowners policy typically covers flooding due to a burst pipe inside your home, it will not cover it if Mother Nature created the flood. Unfortunately, private insurance companies usually cannot afford to cover the extensive damage flooding creates. But the government stepped in to provide this insurance for homeowners living in flood-prone areas. In fact, FEMA announced earlier this year that some Riverside County homeowners may be eligible for a 20% discount on flood insurance.

Some Mold Issues

If you find mold from a burst pipe or water damage due to firefighting efforts inside your Inland Empire home, your homeowners insurance policy usually covers the cost to remediate it. However, if Mother Nature or another force outside of your home caused the mold (humidity, a slow leak), most homeowners’ policies do not cover the damage.

Sewer and Drain Backup

This is another item not covered under a typical homeowners policy. If you live in an area that sees flooding around drainage areas during a heavy downpour, you might want to consider obtaining water backup coverage when you get your flood insurance. It is separate from flood insurance but might equally be worth checking out if this may be a potential problem during high rains.

Regular Wear and Tear

Homeowners’ insurance is meant to cover most unavoidable emergencies. Unfortunately, the cost to repair holes in the walls due to you moving furniture around or carpet falling into disrepair due to regular wear and tear falls on your shoulders, not the insurance company. Therefore, it makes the most sense to stay on top of any regular maintenance and repairs as they arise. This helps identify bigger issues when they are more manageable (and more budget-friendly to repair).

Always ask your insurance agent about what your homeowners insurance does and does not cover when you sign up for it (or at any time you have a question). They know the policy best and are your best information source related to your insurance policy.

Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty

Selling Your Home September 6, 2022

How to Maximize Your Profit Without Spending a Dime

For the past couple of years, sellers really benefited from the real estate market. In many instances, simply announcing a sale brought on a feeding frenzy of buyers. Many of those buyers paid well above asking simply to secure the sale. Unfortunately, the days of bidding wars and low to no effort by the seller appear to be waning as the market begins to balance itself. Fortunately, while you must make some effort to snag a buyer, you do not need to break the bank to maximize your profit on a sale. Use these cost-friendly tips to make sure you receive the highest sale price possible for your Inland Empire property.

How to Maximize Your Profit Without Spending a Dime

Proper Pricing is Rule #1

If a home sits on the market for several weeks, most likely, the list price is to blame. Always, always talk to your REALTOR® about neighborhood comps. These show you what similar homes to yours sold for recently. That provides a picture of what you may realistically expect to receive for your Inland Empire home. Then, listen to your real estate agent’s opinion. They know the market and current trends. They also want to sell this home as much as you do. So, their educated advice is well worth considering when deciding on a list price.

Additionally, think strategically about pricing. Perhaps list it slightly below market. Or consider a sales trick as old as time…the power of “9’s”. For example, instead of listing for $605,000, price it at $599,999 instead. This sounds slightly better. Also, it helps you with the search parameters for buyers looking online. Let’s say they want to search for properties under $600,000. So, they set their search at homes between $500,000 and $599,999. If you price your property at $600,000, it will not show up. But, if you price it slightly less, it will.

Maximize Your Online Profile

Studies show that a majority of buyers utilize the internet at some point during their home search. In fact, in many cases, this may be the first time they see your property. Therefore, you need to ensure that they see it in its very best light. Professional photos and videos make all the difference in how buyers assess your property. Oftentimes, real estate agents include these with their services.

Also, make sure you let your REALTOR® know all of the positive aspects of your home that appeal to a buyer the most. For example, how close is it located to parks, entertainment, shopping, schools, and restaurants? Did you recently upgrade appliances, the HVAC system, or flooring? Is the backyard fenced-in (good for kids and pets)? Single-story properties appeal to older buyers and those with physical limitations. These should all be included in the description to offer as precise a picture for the buyer as possible.

Clear Out the Clutter

Finally, get rid of the “excess”. Pack up, donate, or dump items you do not use on a regular basis. This includes packing away all personal items such as family photos, children’s artwork, and personal collections of any sort. Take one-third to one-half of the clothing out of each closet. This makes the closets all appear much larger (something all buyers want to see). Pare down your kitchenware to just the basic necessities for this same reason. (Buyers open every cabinet, every drawer, and every door.) Store all of these as well as your bigger, bulkier furniture in a storage unit or at a friend’s/family member’s home if possible until you sign your final paperwork.

When you decide that you want to list your Inland Empire home on the market, contact me. I am always happy to help.

Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty

Buying a Home August 29, 2022

How to Avoid Buying an Overpriced Home

Many of today’s Inland Empire home buyers search online at some point during their home-buying process. While prices may still be up from last year, buyer demand has cooled off a bit. That moved the Inland Empire real estate market to a more balanced state. Unfortunately, some sellers refuse to adjust their prices accordingly. They still believe that buyers are willing to pay whatever the seller wants no matter how crazy that price may be. Avoid overpaying for your next property by knowing how to identify an overpriced home.

How to Avoid Buying an Overpriced Home

How Long Has It Been on the Market?

The more days a property sits on the market, the higher the probability that price plays a big part in that. Realtor.com reported that Riverside homes spent a median of 49 days on the market before going under contract in July. Some experts believe that sellers should consider a price reduction if they see no action within the first three weeks. If you see a property listing that says it has been on the market for longer than this, there is a good chance that it is due to being an overpriced home.

But do not rely totally on a listing’s “days on market”. Most online listings include a history of when a listing has been on the market and for how much, including when price changes went into effect. Sometimes, a seller may withdraw their listing for a few weeks and relist it again so that it shows up as a brand new listing. If you see several listing dates within the past few months, this may indicate that the seller is asking too much for it.

What Are the Comps in the Area?

Ask your REALTOR® for a list of comps nearby. If they fall well below the list price of the Inland Empire home you are interested in even though they are similar in size, amenities, and location, it is probably overpriced. Confer with your REALTOR® about a realistic price to offer that falls more in line with other homes in the area.

Have Homes Around Them Sold Quickly?

If other homes in the neighborhood sold quickly but the one you are interested in has not, it could either mean that the asking price is too high or other buyers saw flaws that would be insurmountable (or too expensive) to overcome at the price the seller wants. Check out the days other listings in the neighborhood spent on the market and how much they sold for recently to determine whether or not overpricing may be the case here.

How Many “For Sale” Signs Do You See in the Neighborhood?

Finally, take a look around the neighborhood. How many “for sale” signs do you see? Hardly any or none at all typically means that homeowners are happy there. Dozens of “for sale” signs should throw up a huge red flag for you about how the homeowners feel about living there. It may also mean that sellers used an overpriced neighbor’s home to justify overpricing their own home. Let your REALTOR® do some digging to find out the truth.

Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty

HomeownersSelling Your Home August 22, 2022

How to Get Rid of Stinky Odors Before Listing Your Home

When you decide to sell your Inland Empire home, you need to tackle a few chores first. Staging. Repairing. Cleaning. But one thing we sometimes overlook is how our house smells. Even if you are fastidious about cleaning your home, it may include some odors that you just grew used to while living there. Unfortunately, buyers may take a whiff and decide that they do not want to make your home their home. Avoid this negative reaction. Get rid of stinky odors before you even list your property and buyers will never know the funky smells existed in the first place.

How to Get Rid of Stinky Odors in Your Inland Empire Home

Pet and Cigarette Odors

Two of the strongest smells (and some of the toughest ones to eliminate) are cat urine and cigarette smoke. For pets, deep clean the carpets and use a pet enzyme removal product. Then, empty out the litter box daily and before every showing. For cigarette smoke, you need to deep clean all soft surfaces (such as upholstered furniture carpet, drapes, etc.). But you also need to scrub the walls, baseboards, ceilings, and windows to remove any residual tobacco smell. Even if a smoker goes outside, they bring those smells inside with them on their clothes, in their hair, and on their fingers.

Smelly Carpets

Speaking of carpets, these tend to soak up stench from everyday wear and tear. You can get rid of stinky odors by first thoroughly steam cleaning the carpets. This lifts dirt and grime from way down deep under the carpet. Many grocery stores and home improvement stores rent out steam cleaners. But if the carpet is well beyond a good steam cleaning, you may have to rip it up and either replace it with a new carpet or hardwood. If your Inland Empire home includes carpet in the bathroom, replace it with tile right away. No buyer wants to see (or smell) that.

Moldy Smell in the AC

Sometimes, water droplets (aka, condensation) collect inside your air conditioning unit. This may lead to a moldy/mildewy smell. First, tackle the funk with a good scrubbing. Clean off the coils, as well. Then, replace the filter. Sometimes the smells get trapped in there, too.

Burning Smell From the Furnace

Like the AC unit, your furnace may accumulate dirt and dust that settles in the floor ducts. That is why you may detect a slight burning smell when the furnace first gets turned on after the weather begins to cool off. A thorough cleaning of your air ducts should remedy this situation right away.

Mustiness

Typically, mustiness results from a water leak. But do not be scared off by that. All leaks should be identified and remediated right away. For smaller leaks, white vinegar and a dry cloth help eliminate the musty smell. Larger leaks may require more intense efforts.

Stale Air

Lastly, if you find that the air in your Inland Empire home simply smells “stale”, open your windows for a few hours once a week to let the fresh air in. Before a showing, make sure you open all of your windows as well. The circulating air helps move stale air out and allows fresh air inside.

Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty

 

Buying a HomeHomeowners August 15, 2022

Tax Benefits of Owning a Home

One of the benefits of owning a Southern California home is that you pay your own mortgage rather than paying someone else’s. Another benefit is that you build up equity for yourself. Also, there are several tax benefits to owning a home. These reduce your adjusted gross income. In turn, that lowers the amount of taxes you pay Uncle Sam. The following are a few of the benefits you may want to keep in mind if you plan on buying a home anytime soon.

Tax Benefits of Owning a Home

You Can Deduct Your Mortgage Interest

One of the positive things you can say about paying higher interest rates is that you can deduct your mortgage interest at tax time. However, there is a limit to the mortgage debt you can claim the deduction on. For married couples filing jointly, the limit falls in line with the interest paid on the first $750,000 in mortgage debt. For individuals or married couples filing separately, that limit cuts off at the first $375,000. However, if you purchased your home before December 16th, 2017, the limit is $1,000,000/$500,000. Make sure you check your closing documents or 1098 you received from your lender to determine how much you paid in interest. This may be included in your mortgage interest deduction at tax time as well.

You Can Deduct Any Mortgage Points Paid

Sometimes, buyers pay “points” when they buy a home. These points help lower their interest rate. So, one of the other tax benefits of owning a home is that you may deduct these points from your taxes for the year you purchased or refinanced your home. This will also be shown on your 1098.

Your Private Mortgage Insurance May Be Deductible

If you put less than 20% down on your Inland Empire mortgage loan, your lender charges you Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). The amount varies depending on the percentage you put down. According to Freddie Mac, expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $70 a month per $100,000 for PMI. There are limits to what you can deduct based on your household income. If your adjusted gross income falls below $100,000 (for married couples) or $50,000 (individuals or married filing separately), you can deduct the entire PMI paid. Household incomes above $109,000/$54,500 adjusted income cannot deduct any PMI. If your adjusted household income falls between these two amounts, you may deduct a percentage of your PMI.

A Portion (or All) of Your State and Local Taxes May Be Deductible

Another one of the tax benefits homeowners may see is from state and local taxes (SALT) paid throughout the year. The only caveat is that you must itemize your deductions to do so. They cap out at $10,000 for both state and local taxes combined for the year for both married couples who file jointly and individuals. That cap goes down to $5,000 if you are married but filing separately.

You Can Claim a Capital Gains Tax Exclusion

You sold your Inland Empire home at a profit. Congratulations! They call that profit “capital gains”. This is considered income. As such, it may be subject to income tax. Fortunately, you may exclude the first $500,000 in profit (for married couples) or $250,000 (for individuals or married, filing separately). So, if you and your spouse paid $150,000 for your home originally and sold it for $500,000, you would receive that $350,000 in profit tax-free. But, if you as an individual paid $150,000 and sold it for $500,000, you would still have to pay taxes on $100,000 of profit ($350,000 total profit minus the $250,000 capital gains exclusion). However, to claim a capital gains tax exclusion, you must have used your home as your primary residence for two of the last five years in order to qualify for this full exclusion. If you lived in it for less time, you may be able to claim a partial exclusion based on the time you lived there.

Other Tax Credits Available

In Riverside County, a homeowner who occupies the property they purchase as their primary residence may claim a Homeowners’ Exemption. This translates to up to $7000 off your property’s assessed value at tax time. That saves you roughly $70 per year. (Every bit helps, right?)

I am not a tax expert. Nor do I claim to be. Always, always talk to your tax preparer about these deductions before you sign your tax documents and send them in.

Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty

Buying a Home August 8, 2022

What to Expect During Your Final Walk-Through

You saved up for your downpayment and closing costs. After searching and searching, you found an Inland Empire home you absolutely loved. The sellers accepted your offer and you entered escrow. You might have waived a contingency or two to make the deal happen. But one thing you should never waive is a final walk-through. Why? It provides the last opportunity before the house is yours to make sure it looks exactly how you expected it to look when you signed the sales contract.

What to Expect During Your Final Walk-Through

Who Goes to the Walk-Through

Basically, it’s just you (the buyer) and your REALTOR® in attendance. The seller and their agent do not attend the final walk-through. This allows you to look over everything inside and out at your own pace. You want to make sure that all of the fixtures and appliances that were supposed to be included in the sale are still there. Plus, you want to double-check that the seller made any repairs required in the sales contract.

When Does It Take Place?

Typically, your final walk-through takes place 24 hours before closing. Your agent contacts the seller’s agent to schedule a time to access the Inland Empire home for your walk-through. Take as much time as you need to complete a thorough visual inspection of the property. There is no time limit.

What to Look For

Your agent should bring along the seller’s disclosure form, your inspection report, and any amendments made to the sales contract regarding repairs or replacement. Your agent may even ask for receipts from the seller for any repairs made after your home inspection (performed at the beginning of escrow). Use these to guide your walk-through. You need to confirm that all repairs have been completed.

What to Do If You Find a Problem

First, notate the problem(s). Talk to your REALTOR® about each one. Is it a big problem or a small issue? With smaller issues, you might want to overlook them. Are they worth waiting a few more days for the seller to fix or can you handle them on your own after closing? But with larger issues (roof replacement, missing appliances or fixtures, property damage done after your initial inspection), you might want to either wait for the seller to fix them or have your agent negotiate a credit at closing. However, a credit means that the burden of repairs falls on your shoulders later. Even so, it gets the sale completed on time.

When Should You Walk Away?

Legally, you may walk away from the sale if any part of your sales agreement has not been met by the seller. However, you should stay flexible if you truly love the house. Again, overlook the smaller things that you can take care of later. And try to negotiate any big issues before deciding whether to cancel the sale or not.

Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty

Selling Your Home August 1, 2022

First-Time Home Seller Tips

It is inevitable. At some point, most first-time home buyers eventually become first-time home sellers. The Inland Empire real estate market (much like the rest of the country) experienced one heck of a ride over the past few years, While we are still considered a seller’s market at this point, things are beginning to move towards a more balanced market. That may actually help deals happen rather than hinder them. But before you list your property for sale, make sure that you follow these first-time home seller tips and avoid common mistakes first-timers often make.

First-Time Home Seller Tips

Price Your Property Appropriately

Professionals cite pricing as the #1 reason most properties stay on the market for an extended period of time. In this fast-paced real estate climate, you need to price your Inland Empire home according to the most current trends. In fact, sometimes pricing it just below market may not only nab you a buyer quickly but could, in fact, garner enough interest to receive multiple offers. Oftentimes, this drives your final sale price up as well. But talk it over with your REALTOR® first because you run the risk of only receiving one offer at the below market list price. They can help you determine whether this is a good course of action or not.

Home Staging

Staging can mean the difference between a home sold in a matter of days and one that stays on the market for a while. Also, studies show that staged homes sell for more money than unstaged ones. Professional stagers cost money. But they also know how to make each area of your property look its absolute best. If this is not in your budget, ask your REALTOR® for staging tips that you can do on your own.

Make Your Home Available for Showings at Any Time

Selling a home is not always convenient when it comes to time management. But you should never limit your availability for viewings. This may mean taking Fido for a long walk or running errands with the kids while a buyer takes a tour of your home. (Yes. You DO need to be out of the house when this happens.) But if that is what it takes to get a sale done, that’s what you need to do.

Consider Offers Carefully

Finally, you do not always need to accept the first offer you receive. Money is great. But it is not the only reason to accept an offer. Other things to look for include strong financing (as well as the type of financing), the amount of time requested in escrow, and contingencies. More contingencies provide more of an opportunity for something to go wrong. At the same time, an incredibly high dollar amount offered for a property “sight unseen” may be too good to be true. Let your REALTOR® do their homework to see whether or not an offer is as good as it looks before accepting or countering.

As a first-time home seller, you may think that sky-high prices are the norm. They’re not. Please remember that our hot, hot seller’s market appears to be cooling off a bit. Now, that does not mean that prices or sales will plunge into oblivion anytime soon. But as interest rates rise and financing becomes more expensive, buyer interest may wane. If you receive a good, solid offer, take it now. If you wait for prices to “reach their peak”, you may miss out on a good deal. We cannot predict when that may happen. Work in the market that is happening right now, not what you “think” may happen in the future. And contact me when you are ready to sell your Inland Empire home.

Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty