Posts Tagged Laguna Beach Real Estate

Changed Role for a Laguna Beach Realtor in 2010

Laguna Beach Real Estate has been in a deep buyers market for the past couple of years, thanks to the U.S. housing crash and the growing inventory of distressed homes. But while buyers have a definite advantage, it still helps to work with a Laguna Beach realtor. In fact, given such tight competition against other buyers, they have a more important role to play in the buying process. If you are planning to invest in property this year, read on to find out why a realtor is worth your time.

More homes on the market may mean more options, but it also means more listings to go through. Often, only one out of ten homes you see will even closely match your ideals. A Laguna Beach realtor will take your specifications and draw up a list of homes that fit the bill, so you do not have to leaf through them yourself. This saves you several hours of browsing and in a market where time is of the essence, it is a convenience you can not put a price on.

Planning your budget is often the first question that comes up between a buyer and a realtor. These days, realtors often do double duty as financial advisers, using their market savvy and local knowledge to help buyers plan their purchase. From setting a budget to picking out mortgage offers, Laguna Beach realtors can help you make important decisions that will serve you long after you have moved in.

Laguna Beach is a city always in transition. What may be a drab area today may become a thriving community in ten years, and vice versa. That is why it is important to think long-term when choosing a home. Most Laguna Beach realtors have lived in various parts of the city and can give you firsthand knowledge of what they are like, as well as what you can expect in the next few years.

There is always been a risk to home buying, but that risk is even greater in todays market. Distressed homes, short sales, and foreclosures make up a greater part of the inventory than in the past decade. Some of the risks involved are hidden fees, tax liens, and underwater second mortgages that affect the value of the actual home for sale. Whether or not you are considering a foreclosed home, a Laguna Beach realtor will be valuable in ensuring a hassle free purchase.

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Laguna Beach Home Buying Up Over Last Year

In what seems like its most promising quarter since the real estate crash, Laguna Beach real estate is seeing more buyer activity as 2010 nears the end of its first quarter. On March 15, real estate information provider DataQuick showed that home buying in the South Coast city went up 34% compared to this time last year, even with median prices going slightly higher as a result of fewer distressed homes. While full market recovery may still be some years away, these figures are definitely a step in the right direction.

The rest of coastal Orange County is also going strong, posting a year-over-year rise of 16% in home sales in the same period. This has led experts to believe that beach homes, although among the hardest hit by the housing crisis, are also the most likely to regain their pre-recession status in the next few years. With its beach views and family-friendly neighborhoods, real estate Laguna Beach is easily among the most coveted in Southern California, if not the entire state.

One thing that has contributed to Laguna Beach real estate buying is the percentage of distressed homes in the past few months, which have been historically high. Although it has since gone down, the low median prices over a third lower than fair market value have attracted buyers from both in and outside the state, many of them first-timers. For many, it offered a rare opportunity to invest in real estate Laguna Beach, or simply to get their hands on luxury beach homes for relatively cheap.

Government support has also played an important role in increasing buyer activity in the city, as well as the rest of Orange County. With tax credits being offered to both first-time and repeat home buyers, Laguna Beach real estate has become increasingly attractive across various markets. The credit has been extended up to midyear, leading many to believe that the positive streak will continue well into the next couple of quarters.

Ultimately, what will define the outlook on real estate Laguna Beach is whether or not the home buying surge can be sustained. Experts have given mixed opinions on the matter—some take it as a sign of good things to come, while others believe it is still too early to tell. One thing’s for sure, however: whether one decides to buy now or wait for smoother economic times, Laguna Beach real estate is always worth the investment.

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