Author: Cuselleration

How to Change Jobs and Get a Mortgage at the Same Time

Posted on | by Cuselleration

One of the most challenging tasks you may end up with at one or two points in your life is when you have to change jobs and aim to get a mortgage at the same time. It is a fact that whenever you change from one job to another, you are likely going to affect your loan approvals. Even if you are shifting from one job to another with an equal or possibly higher income, you will notice some minimal shift in your loan approval status. What lenders are most interested in, however, is whether or not you can pay back the loan. You need to ensure that you consider how that new job can affect your mortgage acquisition.

What to expect when you are changing jobs before you get a mortgage

Lenders will most likely not have any concern if you are shifting to another job that will probably earn you more income than your previous one. You may have gotten a promotion or moved to another better department; all of these are always looked at favorably.

Before you can earn a loan approval, however, you will have to work in your new job for at least 30 days, and also should be able to prove to the lenders the longevity of your stay in your new role before you can get loan approval.

How you can get a mortgage with your new job

You need to steer clear of any jobs that will not make any financial sense if you move to it. Why should you move from a full-time job to be a contractor? Or from a well-paying job to an equally lateral or even less paying job? There is simply no sense in that. When you are one person who has an employment history of moving from one job to another, you may harm your chances of getting a loan as lenders can view this as some red flag, that you may have problems maintaining a steady income.

You also need to cover long employment history gaps. You will have a better chance of acquiring a mortgage if your unemployment period is six months or less.

How do you get that home loan when you are relocating?

If that new job you are about to embark on requires you to relocate, then you need to make sure that you have made all the living arrangements before you move. You may even decide to stay in a rental for the first 30 days in your new job so you can provide the lenders with that first pay stub. That may be the solution you can use without having to stress yourself out too much. This way, you are also learning about the new area’s real estate market and what can be best for you when you are ready to make that move.

You can also decide to purchase a home in the new location before you choose to give notice to your current job. This can ensure you have a smooth move to your new location.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

21st Century Marketing: How The Kovacs Connection Sets Your Home Apart to Sell

Posted on | by Cuselleration

It can by mind-bending to think about how quickly technology is changing the way we live. When we pull out an iPhone, we may assume they have been around forever, but actually, Apple released ads touting the iPhone in June of 2007. That’s only been 10 ½ years!

And Facebook? It was launched 14 years ago by Mark Zuckerberg, along with his fellow Harvard College students and roommates. Now Facebook has 2.2 billion monthly active users and the company has assets of $84.5 billion US$.

Speaking of Facebook, it bought Instagram in 2012. Instagram, with its videos, direct messaging and advertising now has more than 400 million users.

Suffice it to say that technology has completely changed the way we interact with the world, and that includes how potential homebuyers want to interact with seeing properties on the market. At The Kovacs Connection, we love showing houses to potential buyers, but we back that up with a strong arsenal of new technology that can help you get your home noticed quickly. We market your home with the newest and most effective forms of digital marketing to reach buyers where they want to be reached: 24/7, with detailed information and images at their fingertips, in order to get you the sale you want!

First Things First: Set Your Home Apart From the Rest

The Kovacs Connection provides exceptional home staging, where we:

  • Restyle and organize
  • Provide interior design
  • Create a comfortable, livable space

Let’s Fly Away

We use drone videography to showcase your home in location to your neighborhood. This is particularly important for out-of-town buyers who want to see where they will be in relation to the rest of the neighborhood, and their new community. It gives a bigger picture to the potential homebuyer and we find it invaluable.

I’m Ready for My Closeup

We also work with fantastic photographers who specialize in real estate photography. They provide customer high quality photos of the different areas of your home, allowing potential homebuyers to visualize themselves in the space, and create interest about seeing the property in person.

The Third Dimension

At The Kovacs Connection, our team works to create 3D tours of your home, which is the latest in real estate marketing technology. Now, a potential buyer out of town, or who is too busy to spend days looking at properties can get a sense of your home by just utilizing a few clicks on the computer. We have found that can create an immediate emotional connection that can put your property on the top of their “Must See” list.

Let’s Be Social

Remember our discussion about social media? We utilize the latest social media marketing techniques to make sure we expose your property to a new audience. That way, we can target custom audiences who are most likely to buy your home!

We love assisting our clients and friends as they work to sell their properties in Orange County. Contact us and allow our team to serve you when you are ready to sell!

Springing Forward: What to Do in OC in March

Posted on | by Cuselleration

Spring is a wonderful time to be in Orange County. At The Kovacs Connection, we love where we live and love enjoying the events happening here. Here are a few things to consider in March:

The eyes of the world will turn toward Orange County on March 19th: specifically to San Juan Capistrano. Eyes will look to the skies to see the cliff swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano as reporters and tourists line the streets. You can hear mariachi music in the background, as well as the ringing of the church bells. You are in the midst of a colorful fiesta.

So What’s the Big Deal About the Swallows?

As legend tells it, Father St. John O’Sullivan, who was the pastor of Mission San Juan Capistrano from 1910-1933, was walking through town and noticed something that disturbed him. A shopkeeper was taking a broomstick and knocking down the mud swallow nests under the eaves of his shop. The birds were not happy, aggressively darting toward the shopkeeper and shrieking about the destruction of their homes.

“What in the world are you doing?” Father O’Sullivan asked.

“Why, these dirty birds are a nuisance and I am getting rid of them!” said the shopkeeper.

“But where can they go?”

“I don’t know and I don’t care, but they have no business here, destroying my property.”

“Come on swallows,” said Father O’Sullivan. “I’ll give you shelter. Come to the mission. There’s room enough there for all.”

The next morning, according to the legend, the swallows were busy building nests outside Father Junipero Serra’s Church.

Birds on a Mission

The mission’s padres observed that the cliff swallows returned every year on or about St. Joseph’s Day on the church calendar, which is March 19th. Thousands of orange-tailed migrants fly 6,000 miles from Argentina each spring to reclaim their former nests in the arches and walls of the mission. From the swallows’ perspective, it is ideal real estate in which to raise your young. Billions of insects, their primary food source were plentiful in the open fields and wetlands near the riverbeds. Mud was abundant, which was necessary to build their nests.

Times are Changing

With new construction near the mission, the swallows are making their homes farther from the center of town. Still, the cliff swallow is well loved and protected here by law as a bird sanctuary. Every year on October 23rd, the Day of San Juan, the cliff swallows of San Juan Capistrano will take off for their wintering grounds back in Argentina.

March 15: The Ploughboys: Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton

Just before St. Paddy’s Day, a lively sing-a-long awaits at the Muckenthaler Culture Center. Traditional Irish drinking songs and shanties will provide for a sing and stomp along evening of music, revelry, whisky, and beer. Stainte’!

March 24: OCSA Gala

Every year, the Orange County School of the Arts hosts a fundraising gala to provide a tuition-free, donation-based arts program. Each year the black-tie gala has a theme, and this year we are going to the Big Easy! New Orleans-style theme gala will be all the rage, with student performances, an auction and gourmet dinner. Find your mask and join in the fun! Tickets can be purchased at www.ocsarts.net.

At The Kovacs Connection, we love Orange County and love the variety of events and opportunities to enjoy it even more. If you are ready to buy or sell your Orange County home, talk with us! We would love the opportunity to assist you!

March Mortgage Tips

Posted on | by Cuselleration

In the market today, both new and old homeowners face many challenges.

Home buyers need to overcome a low housing inventory. This causes more competition against other home buyers and higher prices for the homes that are for sale.

However, since January of this year, there has been a steady increase in mortgage rates. They may increase with more months to come. There are also chances that the poisoning of the Federal Reserve will lead to it raising its benchmark fund rates to come March, and this will affect the rising of the mortgage rates as well.

But this should not scare you in case you are looking forward to getting a new home because, in this guide, we have your back. We will discuss some of the best tips that can benefit you in navigating the complexities of real estate and the housing market and even find your way to winning your way to the top of this competition.

The National Association of Home Builders’ assistant vice president in the forecasting and analysis field, Michael Neal, said that in the current housing and mortgage industry, it would require a lot of patience for a homebuyer to get a good month. It even takes one, several months or over three, to find a good home with a good deal.

The scarcity of houses and homes that are below $200,000 on the market today makes Neal’s saying true because an entry-level homebuyer will experience a lot of straining in regards to such deals.

Neal has also explained why homebuyers today should tie their shoelaces and be ready to lose a few bids that they put in this mortgage industry journey. Finding a home at the market entry level is already tiresome and challenging for anyone. There has been a continuous decline in home sales and thus puts any new-entry level buyer in a position of looking for a backup plan that he or she will land on, in case of failure of the original plan.

Locking in your mortgage rates is the best way to deal with lack of supply and rising rates. A borrower who is prequalified for a loan and secures the rate has the allowance of locking in today’s current rate. The duration can be up to 120 days for some of the closed rates.

This is of great benefit to people that are looking forward to a multiple offers submission and are avoiding to encounter a hike in mortgage rates while they are in the process. Make sure that before you lock a rate, you are aware of the approximated fee. You will be lucky to have it secured with no charge depending on the length of the lock and the lender.

It is essential to work hand in hand with a real estate agent that fully understands the local market you are interested in. Not all markets have the same requirements. It is vital to have one that will be of aid to you in navigating a specific area or location.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

How Much Does It Cost to Move?

Posted on | by Cuselleration

Not too long ago, millions were spent by different families in buying and wrapping many gifts, queuing on department stores and shopping for online clothes, toys or just anything that they wished to gift themselves or their beloved ones during the holiday season. However, some families were held up wrapping boxes full of utensils, electronic devices and clothes as they waited on real estate agents to close their deals and shopped online for new school for their children.

Coming this far has undoubtedly entailed a lot of effort and commitment. After celebrating, the question that should ring in your mind is if you are ready for a mortgage application. There are several mortgage industries out here with good deals, but you should choose the one that is best for you.

Another phase that is not as easy as it looks is the moving part. This is when you transfer your items from the previous home to your new home. This practice is costly and requires a lot of arrangement. Is there anything that you can do to prevent the worrying about the moving cost and instead have more time spent in enjoying the new home with your loved ones?

There are three essential factors that determine whether a person is ready to move at the moment or wait a little bit before moving.

Do you think you need professional movers? Packing your content and even moving by yourself is cost-effective. However, in the cases of owning large, priceless, bulky items that need to be relocated, it is best for you to have professional movers instead of your neighbors and friends. The mover’s truck not parking near the location of your home can cost you additional charges. The same applies to the presence of narrow roads or weak bridges. Hauling your home items through the window and having them hoisted down by the movers will also have you spend more money to pay the movers. Other instances where you might pay more is when the movers use elevators to move the items.

There are certain items that you wish to keep for a long time, especially things that cost a fortune. There are crucial factors that you need to consider during the relocation time. This will require a lot more than expected.

Moving companies charge more for their services during peak summer months. Timing your move around September through May will help you save more money. Not moving on holidays and weekends can also save you from spending extra money to move. Moving on a Tuesday or any business day of the week is better.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

2018 Housing and Mortgage Trends

Posted on | by Cuselleration

2018 so far has been a good year as far as housing and mortgages are concerned. Experts in this field have been very creative, and there are a lot of trends in housing and mortgage that we should expect. This guide simplifies some of the most expected patterns.

Decelerating of home prices

Are you smiling already? If you are a first time home buyer, this could be the best news for you this year. It is expected that there will be a cooldown of home prices that appreciated last year. The average forecast of eight housing and mortgage industries and lender groups is an increase of 4.1% in the existing house prices throughout the nation, as compared to 2016 where it was 6.5% and almost 6% increase in 2017.

Acceleration of single-family homes

As compared to the previous years, 2016 and 2017, from the view of the economists, real estate professionals and housing and mortgage experts, it is expected to have a rise in the construction of single-family houses because of building permit and applications. An average approximation of single-family housing will rise to 8% this year. This is a rough estimate of 912,500 brand new houses.

Increase of homes to be sold

Late last year, it was a struggle for homebuyers to find houses and condos for sale. The reason for the shortage is often acute for the types of houses bought by first time home buyers. 2018 will come with hope. Most mortgage and housing industries have a prediction that the pinch from housing supply will ease in the last months of the year. There is a possibility of having a massive growth in inventory later this year.

Rise in home sales

The market is expected this year to modestly rise in re-selling existing homes. The median approximation rise of reselling existing homes is 3%. This is almost 5.6 million homes. New home sales are also expected to be on the rise to an average of 7%. This is mainly about 700,000 new single-family houses.

Rise in mortgage rates

In 2018, mortgage rates are expected to head up. Last year in November, the fixed-rate mortgage average of the 30-year was 4.07%. This shows that the interest rates are not easily predicted. The beginning of 2017 had a lot of people expecting a steady rise in the mortgage rates throughout the whole year. They only did for several weeks. The average rate of the 30-year rose in March of the year at 4.5% and then later declined slightly to below 4% during the summer, and finally, there was an increase in the fall.

Continuation of security headaches

There is a high chance that in 2018, there will be a continuation of theft instances and cases, where down payments from home buyers, especially new home buyers, is stolen by a compilation of email hacking to wire fraud. Most lenders, title companies, and escrow companies are aware of the dangers of cyber theft and do everything they can to secure these payments.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

Debt-Proof Your Credit Cards with These Tips

Posted on | by Cuselleration

The thought of credit cards oftentimes makes people get nervous. Getting credit card rewards or the sign-up offers and bonuses can be enticing. The worrying part is getting entangled in debt accumulations and the interests that come with the debt.

How about the thought of a solid debt-proofing strategy? If you wish to get credit beyond what you can comfortably afford, then this is what you need. To prepare to debt-proofing your credit, there are three necessary steps you should follow to protect yourself from having your credit card debt and sending the debtor’s interest spiraling. Read these steps below.

1. Starting an emergency/precautionary fund

You can face unexpected situations, either twists or turns. Examples include having medical debt, your car being repaired, losing your job or just any other emergency that begs you to get a loan. It is recommended to create an emergency fund to tap into rather than having to rely on the high-interest credit cards to make up for the expenses that are unexpected.

Most people are shaken and discouraged by the guidelines that require one to have at least three-six months of living expenses. From the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, even a little starter saving fund can be of benefit to you. For instance, having a saving fund of $450 is quite enough for coverage of common and fundamental emergencies like medical expenses or motor vehicle repair costs.

Emergency funds are always an ongoing gift, stress relieving and reassuring way because it gives you a feeling of not being dependent on somebody for the emergency bill payments. You should consider keeping your funds in a savings account, which will not require to pay monthly account maintenance fees.

2. Maintaining good credit to qualify for low-interest loans

It is rare to find all the expenses being covered by an emergency or precautionary fund. You should always have an option B just in case the first one does not go as expected. The plan B could involve you applying and use the 0% introductory credit card (APR). These cards can help you save some money on the interest charged for a reasonable duration of time. It will require you to have an excellent credit score that is 690 or even higher for you to qualify. Maintaining good credit will entail you being punctual and determined in making all the debt payment on time and only use up to 30% of their credit limits.

Having good credit gives a person a variety of options apart from having the time for a credit card application and waiting upon its arrival when you have an urgency to take care of.

3. When you notice your debt is growing, you need to act fast

It is wise for you to take action as soon as you come to know that the credit card interest is getting started in piling up. The quick steps that you can consider include cutting off extra expenses, having side jobs and getting another credit card (specifically the balance transfer card).
Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

When is the Best Time to Buy a Home?

Posted on | by Cuselleration

We all know that the best time to buy or sell their house would be spring. However, this is not necessarily true, it’s just that spring is real estate’s busiest time of the year. Real estate experts and home building technicians note that the emphasis on spring as the best buying season has its good reasons, nevertheless, there are some common enduring misconceptions that have been made about the real estate market.

Many buyers and sellers in real estate should then rethink about the seasons, and consider looking at the best season that will suit their house and area of location. Even though fall and winter are known to offer less inventory, most people who buy homes during this time are serious buyers (buying a house with a purpose). They have a very good reason to relocate. Unlike the spring buyers who might come in large numbers to check out your house, a larger percentage will just be looking. It’s better to deal with two serious buyers in winter who will come with their agents and close a deal within a few days, than to deal with more than 30 looking buyers with a very low chance of actually buying the house. Also, the other hidden advantage with winter is that the low inventory increases the amount of time spent shopping. Buying or selling a house in the spring can be challenging because the real estate spring season sometimes may not coincide with what the calendar is saying.

In the real estate market, January marks the beginning of spring. At this time, everyone seems to have a handful of activities to deal with after the holidays come to an end. The season ends around mid-May. At this time, many people tend to list and sell their homes and this trend continues throughout summer. As you move closer to the end of summer, the listings will begin to tail off. September will be a low month because the graph continues dropping for the subsequent months until you have the lowest listings in December. This doesn’t mean that in December, real estate will experience zero activities, it’s just that the inventory will be low.

Most buyers and sellers in the real estate market should not depend on your agent’s enthusiasm when experienced with a scenario of low inventory and high competition for the buyers. This will turn into a bidding war and only the smartest agent will win.

Having a moving timetable is very helpful. Obtain your own personal real estate schedule that dictates when you prefer to move in or out of the house. Start working backwards using the timetable. Calculate the average time needed from the contract negotiation to the closing a deal, depending on the region (most agents suggest the time span to be around 4 weeks). But to be on the safe side, it can take up to three months.

Look at what builders are offering you with regards to building a new home from scratch. This is very crucial for buyers who would like to move to a newly built house. The one-month time frame might be possible for a buyer who wants to purchase a spec home (quick move-in), a new house that is partially or fully built by the house builder. A longer period of time will be required for home buyers who are designing and constructing a new home from scratch and a have large volume builder. The bigger contractors offer more efficiency and shorter building time, unlike the custom/small builders who take a few more months. The custom house building process can even take many months as both the constructor and buyer look for the best model/design.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!

How to Negotiate the Best Price For Your New Orange County Home

Posted on | by Cuselleration

So here’s a question: when you want to buy something, do you:
Settle for the price with no questions asked?
Cave in when you ask for a deal and it is rejected?
Stubbornly hold on to every last cent so you can say you won?

If you see yourself in one of these categories, you might want to read some tips on how to negotiate a deal in the hot SoCal real estate market. Right now it is definitely a seller’s market, but you don’t have to be taken to the cleaners. You have to work smart, knowing when to start negotiating, and more importantly, when to stop.

Right now there is a shortage of inventory in the Orange County area, so that means you need to get your financial house in order, and know what you can and want to pay for a property in order to move quickly on it. For example, a home in Orange County that is under, say $750K may be off the market within a day or two.

So do you need a real estate agent? Think about this. Your home will likely be the most expensive purchase you will ever make. You only make that decision a few times in your life. Why would you think you should do it alone, rather than get the advice of a professional who works with buyers and sellers every day? At The Kovacs Connection, we have a team of experienced agents with an in-depth knowledge of the market, and we have negotiated many, many deals, and know what it takes to get you from “I want it!” to “Sold!”

Some home buying tips to consider with your agent:
Do the Math
Figure out how much house you can afford. That means getting your mortgage value pre-approved. A pre-approved buyer is a lot more attractive to a seller because they realize there should be no glitches once both sides agree to a price.
Don’t Be a Donkey
You know who you are…people who will get hung up on a few thousand dollars. Interest rates are low, so a $5000 difference in price over the life of a mortgage can be peanuts when you and your agent pull out the calculator. If you won’t budge, you can lose the house in this market. If your Significant Other has his/her heart set on the house….hmm…might want to be a bit more flexible with your offer.
Be Realistic
You need to put in an offer based on the value of the home. This is where an experienced real estate team is invaluable to you. They know the area, and the comparables, and what prices like-sized homes in that neighborhood are bringing. Say you see a home in a neighborhood you really like, and your realtor tells you it is below market value. Chances are high that the price won’t be going down.
Quick on the Draw
In a seller’s market, a low-ball offer can be rejected quickly. If you fall in love with a property, then give the seller a good, respectable offer. A good offer from a pre-qualified buyer can go a long way with a seller to give you the nod.

Ask Some Questions
Why is the seller moving? Maybe the seller has relocated with a new job out of state and wants to sell quickly at a decent price. Maybe the seller is going through a divorce and wants a quick sell to get legal matters tied up. Is the property in foreclosure? How long has it been on the market? Or maybe the seller doesn’t have another residence lined up, and is waiting for the right price for the property. Having this information from your realtor can assist you in tailoring your offer.
Let It Go, Let It Go
Nothing is perfect. You won’t find the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood at the perfect price at the perfect time. The wisdom is in knowing where you need to compromise. Is the house in a neighborhood you love, but is outdated? Ok, some sweat equity can fix outdated countertops, appliances and carpeting.
Bottom Line
This will likely be the most important purchase of your life, so join with the professionals at The Kovacs Connection to get the house of your dreams at the best price!

4 Easy Ways to Buy Your Orange County Home Fast

Posted on | by Cuselleration

The real estate market has become extra competitive. You can wait for years before a potential buyer comes your way. However, there are some skilled steps you can follow that will hasten the home buying process.

1. Have a team of real estate experts
Having a team of reliable experts who are well aware of the real estate environment you are house hunting should be the first thing to do. Your team should have experience and be very updated with the current real estate trends in the region.

Your team should consist of: a mortgage banker, real estate attorney, and a real estate broker. It will be best if your team had previously worked together on similar projects. The board of the team is you, the others are just your executives.

Your agent should have enough connections that will be useful to your house hunting process. He will be aware of all the properties that will soon be available for sale in the market before the properties are made public. If you build a very good relationship with your agent, he/she will always keep you updated on the best properties in your area of interest.

2. Make sure you have a home loan ready that is pre approved
We all know that buying a home will involve a lot of paperwork with the longest part being the mortgage approval. Some of the legal documents you will need are: 1099s, debt information statements, gift letters, W-2s, and bank statements. To save time and a last minute headache, start gathering all these papers early enough and have them checked and confirmed for pre approval. Make sure your loan officer gives you a pre approval letter way before you begin hunting for a new house. With your pre approval letter, you can show the seller that you are indeed a serious buyer and able to financially afford buying the house.

3. Make high inventory areas your first house hunting zones
Everyone has a wish list when it comes to moving to a new hometown. Some common factors include easy transportation and access to social amenities like shopping centers and move theaters. The other factor to consider is high-inventory regions.

Research shows that homes located in low-inventory areas tend to slow the whole home buying process. Look at the surrounding region in your preferred area that match the same criteria you are looking for. With an area that is less economically prosperous, you will get a stronger offer with a possible discount. Avoid looking at properties that don’t meet your criteria.

4. Sell your current before you purchase a new house
A contingency sale is one of the most common ways of slowing down a possible purchase. Most buyers who are in fast-moving real estate markets aren’t ready to handle any form of contingency sale.

If you want to have a faster successful house hunting process, it’s good to first unload your current home. Make sure the amount of your equity in the bank is ample enough and the closing date of your house is flexible. This means you will have to look for storage facilities where you can store up your stuff for a few weeks or months. Early packing will prove to be very useful at this point.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita or Coto de Caza? Click here to talk to the Ryan Grant Team today!