Blog - Stovall Team, Fountain Valley, CA, Real Estate

Congratulations Class of 2013: Local High School Schedules

By Micah Stovall | Published: June 5, 2013

Congratulations Class of 2013!!
Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Graduation Schedules
Edison High School June 13 at OCC
Fountain Valley High School June 12 at OCC
Huntington Beach High School June 12 at HBHS
La Quinta High School June 18 at BolsaGrandeHighSchool
Ocean View High School June 12 at OVHS

Posted in Community | Tagged Fountain Valley, fountain valley real estate, Home Value, Micah Stovall, Real Estate, realtors, Steve Stovall, Stovall Team | Comments closed

Hyperactive Buyer Activity Sparks the Market

By Micah Stovall | Published: June 4, 2013

Active listing inventory is down by half or more in Orange County. Sellers are enjoying equity returns that have been absent for almost a decade. In addition we are seeing an increase of all- cash buyers as well as multiple offers on most every listing on the market.

In fact, multiple offers are the new normal in this market which is best described as HYPERACTIVE with buyer activity. The market has swung from one extreme to the other with no hesitation in the middle. We have moved from having high inventory with few buyers to having an abundance of buyers and no inventory. Currently the Stovall Team is working with 5 + qualified buyers looking to live in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and surrounding cities. We have also recently sold seven of our listed properties for TOP of THE MARKET PRICES and even OVER APPRAISED PRICE in a couple of instances.

The demand is outpacing current supply of housing on the market. This combination has led to rising prices— continuous uptick in the market and a drop in short sales as homeowners regain positive equity. When priced right and prepared for the market we are selling our listings at list price or above appraised value with strong offers. Smart buyers come prepared to show evidence of good credit, strong qualification and proof of funds needed to buy now. Many have been searching for months only to be out bid or out smarted by better prepared buyers/agents.

One of our biggest obstacles is that sellers are afraid they won’t be able to find their next home with so few homes on the market. Stovall Team will help remedy this concern by ensuring the terms of the sale Escrow meet your housing needs as a seller in our current tight housing market. We will ensure your sale is Contingent on your purchase.

On the buyer’s side, the market is tight. Working with experienced, savvy Real Estate Agents like the Stovall Team is of utmost importance. Buyers trying to get FHA or VA offers accepted are feeling the pressure as their offers aren’t seen as strong as the competing all-cash offers. We have been successful in placing government loan buyers in escrow and to a successfully closing. We work with experienced lenders in structuring and presenting offers that get accepted. The Stovall Team has an excellent reputation for getting our Escrows Closed.

Working with the Stovall Team ensures clear communication. As full-time agents that always answer our phones, you will be kept abreast of local market insight, daily (often hourly) listing updates, and service and professionalism that only 50+ years of combined Real Estate sales experience can offer. The Stovall Team is experienced and stands ready to meet the challenges we face in this rapidly evolving market. Call the Stovall Team when you have questions about getting your home ready to sell. We are here to assist you whether you plan to put your home on the market within a week or a couple years from now. Contact us today!

We can design a plan to help you net more money for your home than our competition. Call Steve at 714.393.5377 or Micah at 714.343.929

Posted in Buyers, Sellers | Tagged Fountain Valley, fountain valley real estate, Micah Stovall, Real Estate, realtors, Steve Stovall, Stovall Team | Comments closed

Q1 2013 Negative Equity Report

By Micah Stovall | Published: June 3, 2013

13 Million U.S. Homeowners Still Underwater in Q1, But More Than 9 Million More May Lack Enough Equity to Move. Homeowners With “Effective” Negative Equity Likely Can’t Afford Down Payment on Next Home, Contributing to Inventory Shortages, According to First Quarter Zillow Negative Equity Report released May 23, 2013 . The national negative equity rate fell in the first quarter, to 25.4% of all homeowners with a mortgage, according to the first quarter Zillow® Negative Equity Report. But another 18.2 percent of homeowners with mortgages, while not technically underwater, likely do not have enough equity to afford to move.
Slightly more than 13 million homeowners with a mortgage were in negative equity, or underwater, at the end of the first quarter, owing more on their mortgage than their home is worth. But when including homeowners with less than 20 percent home equity, the “effective” negative equity rate at the end of the first quarter was 43.6 percent, or a total of 22.3 million homeowners. These homeowners likely cannot afford a down payment for a new home, tying them to their current homes and contributing to inventory shortages.

A homeowner technically reaches positive equity as soon as the market value of their home exceeds their outstanding loan balance. But listing a home for sale and buying a new one generally requires equity of 20 per-cent or more to comfortably meet related costs. Among the 30 largest metro areas covered by Zillow, those with the highest effective negative equity rate, including homeowners with 20 percent equity or less, include Las Vegas (71.5 percent); Atlanta (64.1 percent); and Riverside, Calif. (59.7 percent).

The first quarter Zillow Negative Equity Forecast[ii] predicts the negative equity rate among all homeowners with a mortgage will fall to 23.5 percent by the first quarter of 2014, lifting more than 1.4 million additional homeowners nation-wide into positive equity. Of the 30 largest metro areas, the majority of these newly freed homeowners are anticipated to come from: Los Angeles (94,642 homeowners); Riverside (74,693 homeowners); and Phoenix (51,580 homeowners).

Source: Complete article at www.Zillow.com SEATTLE, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/

Posted in Real Estate News | Comments closed

Stovall Team: Experience Matters

By Micah Stovall | Published: May 22, 2013

The Stovall Team strives to stay on the cutting edge of marketing and technology. A top producing real estate team, Steve and Micah Stovall are consistent, top producing, agents ranking in Star Real Estate’s Top 1% Presidents Club year after year.

The Stovall Team has also ranked within the top agents in the Orange County Association of Realtors over three decades. In addition the Stovall team employs a Professional Interior Designer to insure Staging and Merchandising Excellence for each and every home seller they serve.

With over 1700 successfully closed transactions the Stovall team brings the negotiating and marketing skills needed to help you fulfill your real estate goals.

Always willing to go the extra mile for their clients, you can reach Micah Stovall at [email protected] or Steve Stovall at [email protected]

Call The Stovall Team today at 714.343.9294 or 714.378.3438 for your free pre-market evaluation.

www.stovallteam.com

Posted in Buyers, First-time Home Buyers, Foreclosures, Real Estate News, Sellers, Short Sales, Tips for Sellers | Tagged Fountain Valley, fountain valley real estate, Home Value, Micah Stovall, Real Estate, realtors, Steve Stovall, Stovall Team, Tips for Sellers | Comments closed

Summer BBQ

By Micah Stovall | Published: May 21, 2013

Daylight Savings time and spring So Cal weather, is the perfect combination for those fun backyard BBQs and gatherings! Here are some Quick tips!

Prepare! Marinate, chop & dice, & prepare sides well in advance, so you can relax with your guests. Consider BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ranch, chipotle, and buffalo sauce as options offering every taste bud a delight. Don’t forget chopped onions, relish, jalapeños, pickles etc.

Organize! Place beverages in a cooler in the backyard for easier access, minimizing foot traffic and maximizing the outdoor time. Make sure there is a trash can in view, to keep the space tidy. Keep adult beverages out of sight and grasp for children. A kid cooler will assure they are safe and independent at the same time.

Lighten Up! Fresh chopped veggies with hummus and light baked snacks such as pretzels, keep energy up the waistline down. This will also keep the main course satisfying and enjoyable.

Brighten! Add simple splashes of color to the tables… Fresh flowers, bright napkins, serving bowls, etc will lighten the mood and add an element of fun.

Safety 1st! Keep adult beverages out of children’s reach, don’t leave a BBQ unattended, and be sure to cook your meat to the proper temperature to avoid poisoning. For a chart visit this website: http://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/MeatTemperatureChart.htm

Be sure to smile and enjoy yourself, showing your guests how much you appreciate their joining you, and setting the mood for a good time.

By Jennifer L. Stanford,
1-866-608-6897 Ext 110
Home, Auto, Life Insurance
Business & Workers Compensation

http://www.stanford-insurance.com/index.html

Posted in Buyers, Community, Sellers | Comments closed

Staging Outdoor Space Brings Value

By Micah Stovall | Published: May 20, 2013

Time and time again prospective homebuyers are walking right through the house I’m holding open to look at the back yard. Think of your outdoor spaces as an extension of your home. Having extra usable square footage, regardless where it is located, can be very enticing to prospective buyers. We want prospective buyers engaged when viewing a home for sale right when they pull up to the curb throughout and to the backyard.
Home design style is expanding to the outdoor living area this year and, with warm weather approaching, it’s important to stage your home with those design trends in mind. According to 2013 surveys from the National Association of Home Builders, prospective home buyers want a home’s living space to extend outdoors. This is especially true in Orange County where we are able to enjoy year-round outdoor entertaining. Those who are shopping for a home expect to see outdoor spaces that offer the feeling and function of indoor rooms.

Dining alfresco (outdoors) is a regular occurrence for many. Buyers often attribute positive feelings when seeing outdoor home spaces that include cushion-covered seating and elements of indoor style – rugs, candles, and decorative elements – included on patios, decks and in courtyards.

People like being out in the open, but they crave privacy. Survey respondents indicate they want a potential home’s outside living and entertaining space to include privacy screens. They especially appreciate outdoor spaces screened from the neighbors by shades or curtains made with material that is designed to withstand the weather, free-standing screens, lattice, or large potted plants. The exterior and patio furnishings should be clean and colorful to add color and keep with the outdoorsy appeal.

Integrate what you enjoy into the design and function of your backyard space but consider the wider market place. Taste varies from home to home but many enjoy outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, outdoor pizza ovens, and bocce ball or horseshoe areas. Because outdoor living spaces are top-of-mind for people in the market for purchasing a home, we try to make sure those spaces are able to be viewed from inside the home. Pull back curtains or raise shades to give prospective buyers an intriguing view and invitation to step outside and spend more time envisioning themselves living there.

Call the Stovall Team when you have questions about getting your home ready to sell. We are here to assist you whether you plan to put your home on the market within a week or a couple years from now. Contact us. We can design a plan to help you net more money for your home than our competition. Call Steve at 714.393.5377 or Micah at 714.343.9294.

By Micah Stovall