Q1 2013 Negative Equity Report

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/

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Stovall Team: Experience Matters

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 

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Summer BBQ

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

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Staging Outdoor Space Brings Value

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

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Fountain Valley SummerFest 2013- June 27-June 30

FOUNTAIN VALLEY SUMMERFEST
FOUNTAIN VALLEY CLASSIC CAR & TRUCK SHOW
“Fountain Valley Summerfest” to be held in June at the Fountain Valley Sports Park at Brookhurst and Heil. This 4-day celebration will include carnival rides, food and beverage booths, game booths, local entertainment, exhibitors, non-profit organizations, live music, beer/wine garden, Live Sports Tent, the Fountain Valley Classic Car & Truck Show, and the Dog Day Afternoon event.

Dates Times Special Events
Thursday, June 27 5:00pm – 10:00 pm *Preview Night
Friday, June 28 5:00pm – 11:00pm
Saturday, June 29 11:00am – 11:00pm Car Show 7:00am – 3:00pm
Sunday, June 30 12:00pm – 9:00pm Dog Day Afternoon 12:00pm – 6:00pm

http://fountainvalley.org/community/communityservices/Summerfest.php

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Stovall Team: Professionalism

PROFESSIONALISM + INTEGRITY + ACTION = GET OUR CLIENTS RESULTS

Last week I was asked by one of our clients if writing an introduction letter was standard with all offers that I write. I explained to them that making them look good on paper not only comes down to how well qualified they are financially, but it also has to do with who they are as a person. I started writing these cover letters a couple of years ago when half of the listing inventory were short sales. These are real people, not banks, that have to choose a future buyer for their home without really having any financial gain. The only thing in it for them is that they will get a chance to avoid a foreclosure, however some people wish to make sure that their home is going to be taken care of.

Stovall Team: PROFESSIONALISM + INTEGRITY + ACTION = GET OUR CLIENTS RESULTS

My letters are very effective  and I find them even more effective when it comes direct from the buyers’ perspective. As our market changes in Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, and the surrounding areas, and the inventory drops to record lows these extra efforts on our part make a big difference on your part. Our high level of integrity and action gets our clients results. The inventory of homes for sale has decreased and a cover letter from the buyers can go a long way. If there are multiple offers all over full price, sharing who you are as a person believe it or not could make a huge difference. Another reason to use one is to explain why you offered what you offered.

Call The Stovall Team today at 714.343.9294 or 714.378.3438. Let us help you!

By Micah Stovall

 

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