How Much Home Can I Afford?... So Play House

How Much Home Can I Afford?... Play House

I am a very big fan of Money Queen Suze Orman. On one of her recent shows, she had a wonderful idea about figuring out how much home can a new buyer afford. Today I'm going to give you the tools to figure that out by "Playing House."

Step #1
* Choose how much home you want to buy.
* Only start this process if you have 20% down on this home of your choice.
* Go online and use a mortgage calculator and online resources to figure out the following monthly expenses:
       1. 30-year fixed rate monthly mortgage payment
       2. Monthly Property taxes
       3. Monthly Association Fees, (If it's a Condo, Mobile Home or PUD)
       4. Monthly Home Owners Insurance
       5. Monthly Home Maintenance (Yard, Periodic Painting, Termite Repairs, Roof, etc.)
*Total up all the costs for items 1-5, under step #1, and this will give you the total monthly cost of owning the home.

Step #2
* Use your total at the end of Step #1 and subtract it from the monthly rent you currently pay. This will give you the additional amount you currently would have to pay for a home of this price.

Step #3
* Start saving the additional amount you figured out at in Step #2 for 6 months.
* This will help you see what it feels like to own your own home.
* If this amount is too difficult, then you are purchasing too much house.
* If it's easy, you now have 6 months of saving to use towards your closing costs and down payment and you should call your favorite realtor, me, to begin your home search.

I hope this was helpful! This will also help you see if renting is comparable to the monthly cost of buying a home in this current market. Please comment below to give me feedback on this blog post.

"A Realtor that knows homes." Traci Ferguson 805-235-6396 traci@traciferguson.com http://www.traciferguson.com License #01875751, ecoBroker #16082

San Luis Obispo is the friendliest place to buy a home?

San Luis Obispo is the friendliest place to buy a home?

 

Thanks to a Nationwide vote for the Friendliest City in North America by Rand McNally... San Luis Obispo was voted as the Friendliest!

The San Luis Obispo Chamber greeted the team coming to our friendly town. My wonderful husband, Rich Ferguson, was one of the first people to greet them.

As most of you know, last September San Luis Obispo was voted The Happiest Place In America. Our city is growing in popularity since this award and we are continuing to be a thriving city.

Homes in SLO County are continuing to sell at quick rate and inventory of homes is the lowest it has been in years. Currently our inventory is 30% below last years average, making this Summer a sellers market for some areas in our County. Buyers continue to move here and buy investment property here. If you are in the market to buy or sell your home, now is a great time to give it a shot!

Congratulations San Luis Obispo!

"A Realtor that knows homes." Traci Ferguson 805-235-6396 traci@traciferguson.com http://www.traciferguson.com License #01875751, ecoBroker #16082

Move-Up Buyers In San Luis Obsipo

Move-Up Buyers In San Luis Obsipo

In San Luis Obispo we have wonderful diversity of home styles, amenities and locations. You have the luxury of living on top of a mountain, the vast beauty of a low lying valley over looking vineyards or the privilege of living at or by the ocean. Our county offers a vast array of home buying possibilities to new and Moving-On-Up buyers.

Are you a Move-up buyer?
If you started out owning a 2 bedroom condo and now have the ability to purchase a larger home, you have the potential of being a move-up buyer. The definition is someone who owns a house, but wants to move into a bigger and better property. The Move-up is about growing your home buying expectations and taking a step up in home ownership.

What are the benefits?
One of the biggest benefits is low San Luis home prices. With interest rates and home prices being depressed the opportunity to buy more home for your dollar is a reality. All of this is relative. The facts are the house you are selling is not worth what it was at the peak of the market, but neither is that house you want to move up into. With the depressed costs for homes, you have the opportunity to buy more house now and reap the benefits of growing equity and your property value going up with time. A win win situation!

 Ok!, lets do the math, easy math I promise:

So lets see if this is a good time to take advantage of the buying opportunities and if selling now and moving up might not be a bad idea to take advantage of.
As a first time  home buyer you bought "Home-A" at the peak of the market it would have cost you $300K. If you were a move-up buyer and bought "Home-B" at the peak of the market it would have cost you $500K. The gap between the two prices is $200K. But if you bought "Home-A" at the down turn of the market it would cost you $270K and the cost for "Home-B" at the down turn of the market would have cost you $450K. The gap between the prices is $180K, a savings of $20K between buying at the peak of the market vs. the current downturn of the San Luis Obispo market.

So in this scenario you are getting more home for less money. This is the basic premise to why if you can "Move On Up" and buy a bigger home, now is the perfect time to do it. When prices are still low and Interest rates are under 6%.

		"A Realtor that knows homes." Traci Ferguson 805-235-6396 traci@traciferguson.com http://www.traciferguson.com License #01875751, ecoBroker #16082

Great Investment Property in Grover Beach... $489K for a Tri-Plex

Great Investment Property in Grover Beach... $489K for a Tri-Plex

I have a listing in Grover Beach that is a great opportunity for any investor in San Luis Obispo.

Contemporary Grover Beach Tri-Plex! Units are 2-Bed, 1-Bath w/ 2car Garage. Each unit is separate from another, no adjoining walls. Units have high clear story windows with tons of natural light & generous living rooms. Live in one and rent out the other 2-units. Very strong rental area & below market rental rates. Coin-op laundry on-site. Seller also ownes the Tri-Plex next door and is also available for purchase. A current expense report is available on request. Seller intends on doing a 1031 exchange.

To see more photos click Tri-Plex. Or if you would like an expense report email Traci.

"A Realtor that knows homes." Traci Ferguson 805-235-6396 traci@traciferguson.com http://www.traciferguson.com License #01875751, ecoBroker #16082

A Great SLO County Loan Officer - Michael Hunstad!

A Great SLO County Loan Officer - Michael Hunstad! 

Today I would like to tell the world about Michael Hunstad. He's a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer in Santa Maria, CA for Guild Mortgage. I recently did a deal with Michael and his time and attention to finalizing our deal was amazing. His incredible staff returned calls and got answers to questions promptly.  He was a great asset to the closing of my deal. As a Realtor it's a privilege to work with professionals that never get in the way of a deal and Michael and his staff did just that.
Thank you Michael.:)

If you are looking for a loan or would like to talk to a reputable loan officer give Michael a call 805-448-0348 or email him directly.

Guild Mortgage
2236 S. Broadway Suite B,
Santa Maria, CA 93455
805-448-0348

If you ware looking to sell or buy a home in SLO County, give Traci a call.

"A Realtor that knows homes." Traci Ferguson 805-235-6396 traci@traciferguson.com http://www.traciferguson.com License #01875751, ecoBroker #16082

1031 Exchange in San Luis Obispo - What Investors know!

1031 Exchange in San Luis Obispo - What Investors Know!

When you own a home or business and you would like to sell your property and move into a larger home or buy investment property, there is a way you can save on taxes. That you should know.
Recently Jay Peet from  Investment Property Exchange Services spoke to us about how a 1031 Exchange, works and how investors can save on transferring funds from one property to another.

What is a 1031 Exchange?
It's the exchange of property to a like kind property where any capital gains taxes would be deferred. There are rules and guidelines to follow depending on the type of property.

Jay spoke about the four aspects of a 1031 Exchange, the L.T.V.V. :

L - Like Kind: The sale of your property must be of like kind to the replacement property, meaning that they are both being held for investment purposes. You can't go from a sale of an investment property to a purchase of a primary residence.

T - Time Frame: When your escrow closes on the sale of your property the clock starts and the exchanger has 45 days to identify a replacement property and 180 days to close escrow on the identified property.

V - Vesting: Whoever is on title of the sold property will be on the title of the purchased property. The relinquished property must be the buyer on the replacement property.

V - Value: The exchanger must purchase the replacement property(s) using all the cash money from the sale of their relinquished property to defer 100% of the gain. If any of the cash is pulled out from the sale of the sold property that money would then be taxed. The purchase property must be equal to the net sales price of what they sold.


If you have any additional questions or would like help with a 1031 exchange, Contact Jay Peet 805-636-4944 jay.peet@ipx1031.com


If you would like to sell your San Luis Obispo investment property through a 1031 exchange, contact Traci for your buying and selling needs. I'd be happy to help.

"A Realtor that knows homes." Traci Ferguson 805-235-6396 traci@traciferguson.com http://www.traciferguson.com License #01875751, ecoBroker #16082

Restaurant Month - Countywide in San Luis Obsipo

Restaurant Month - Countywide in San Luis Obsipo

 
For 30 days in the month of January enjoy 3 Courses for just $30 a person. Enjoy incredible meals at a resonable price. Over 30 destination restaurants throughout SLO County offer a great deal to taste our county cuisine. Each participating local restaurant offers one fixed price three course meal for just thirty dollars per person. Many participating restaurants also offer special paired local wine choices, for an additional charge. SLO County has a large variety of premium restaurants, due to the growing local wine industry, and a vast array of locally grown fresh food. Visit the Restaurant Month Website for a complete list of participating restaurants & sample menus.
Participate in supporting our local businesses and restaurants today!

Date(s): Jan. 2nd – 31st, 2011 Recurring daily
Times: Dinner
Location: County Wide
Event City: County-Wide
Phone: 805.541.8000
Website: http://www.sanluisobispocounty.com/restaurantmonth

When you are ready to buy or sell your home in San Luis Obispo, contact Traci, your local expert.

"A Realtor that knows homes." Traci Ferguson 805-235-6396 traci@traciferguson.com http://www.traciferguson.com License #01875751, ecoBroker #16082

Thai Talay - Local San Luis Obispo Business Spotlight!

Thai Talay - Local San Luis Obispo Business Spotlight!

I have the pleasure to tell you all about an amazing local Thai Restaurant located in Pismo Beach CA., Thai Talay. I have been a big fan and a frequent patron for over five years. They have consistently been a delicious place to enjoy a great meal with friends or clients.

Thai Talay has recently added cooking classes, held once a month, at Thai Talay to give any budding chef the skills and points to being a great Thai cook at home.  I had the pleasure of attending their first Cooking Class this past November. Head chef Jay, taught us how to make Panang Curry and Fresh Spring Rolls. Chef Jay was patient with her 20+ students and her sweet Thai accent was delightful and her humor made the event a true fun success. I highly recommend attending any or all of the classes.  I look forward to the Thai Vegetable Carving class that will be special treat to watch and learn.

Their Thai Cooking Class Schedule is available on their website.

If you don't feel like doing the cooking, Thai Talay offers online delivery orders and catering for your special event all on their website. Now do your taste buds a favor and go enjoy an amazing meal at Thai Talay!

Thai Talay Restaurant
601 Price Street
Pismo Beach, CA 93449

P: 805.773.6162
F: 805.773.6750
E: info@thaitalay.com

Sunday - Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday - Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

If you are looking to sell or buy property in Pismo Beach :) Contact Traci today!

"A Realtor that knows homes." Traci Ferguson 805-235-6396 traci@traciferguson.com http://www.traciferguson.com License #01875751, ecoBroker #16082

Ian Parkinson our New San Luis Obispo Sheriff

Ian Parkinson's official swearing-in ceremony - will be on Monday, January 3^rd at high noon at the County Government Center which is located at 1055 Monterey Street in San Luis Obispo.  Join him for the ceremony and for light refreshments afterwards.

Ian has been the San Luis Police Captain and has stepped down to be the new city Sheriff.  In recognition of his outstanding service, he was twice awarded the department's “Distinguished Service Award.” In 2004, Parkinson was awarded the City of San Luis Obispo Employee of the Year Award for his outstanding service to the City.

Click here for more information on our new Sheriff.

Click here if you are looking to buy or sell a home in San Luis County.

Traci Ferguson
805-235-6396
traci@traciferguson.com
http://www.traciferguson.com