Where is the Real Estate market going in 2012? Here are three myths that you may consider in your decision making process in 2012:
1) There is a national Real Estate Market. While Fisery Case Shiller reports can comment on the 384 Metro Regions in the US, this leaves us a huge sector that embodies pockets and neighborhoods in the US that vary as much as fingerprints or snowflakes. Schools, proximity to jobs, quality of life and many others factor in an overall market value.
2) There is a deep “shadow inventory” of bank-owned homes. No one actually knows what the banks are holding or holding off regarding bank-owned homes. Though a good piece of news is: “Mortgage delinquency rates have been falling for more than a year. Foreclosure rates have started to decline. The flood of bank-owned sales, which has swamped many markets, will finally begin to recede this year as fewer houses enter the foreclosure pipeline. Meanwhile, housing affordability has nearly returned to pre-bubble levels. Relative to family income levels, the average U.S. home is now only 5 percent more expensive than it was in 2000.” - Fisery Case Shiller 2012 forecast report.
3) It’s impossible to obtain financing. Not true – yes banks are requiring more documentation and in many cases a higher down payment. There is still, however, a 3.5% downpayment option through FHA if you are willing to pay for mortgage insurance.

7 Arbor Way, Lafayette CA

1) Rates: Ridiculously low interest rates can help you put more towards the principle every month.
2) Values: Lower values increase your buying power while reducing you property taxes.
3) Leverage: Put down 20% on a $525,000 home ($105,000) – when the value goes up 10%, it increases on total ($525,000) not on your initial investment, net +$52,500.
4) Forced Savings: If you pay rent all you have to show for after years and years are cancelled checks.
5) Choices: You get to paint your rooms primary colors without permission from your landlord.

How do you save thousands of $$$ in wood repair bills on the exterior of you home? How often should I paint the outside of my home? Check around your home for peeling paint, cut away any vegetation up against your dwelling and keep all structures that extend beyond a covered roofline well covered in a good coat of paint. Pressure wash regularly to keep appearances up. Many times homes do not need paint but just some clean up. Make sure you use two coats for the southern exposed areas. Quality painters will use two coats primer and a strong finish coat. This will help seal the structure against the elements.

“It’s a good idea to paint wood every five years and stucco every seven. – Tom Romaneck of Romaneck Painting

When will my roof wear out? Be sure to check your home periodically for roof conditions. I always recommend a routine inspection by a roofing specialist to make sure things are going well up there. Don’t wait until your roof leaks to find out you need it to be replaced.

“A roof is only as good as the tar paper underneath it.” – J. Mortensen of Mortensen Roofing
You can make sure that your tar paper lasts by keeping your attic well ventilated, preventing the tar paper from baking underneath. Eybrow, gable, electric and turbine vents are all excellent ways to keep your attic cooler during summer months. Attic temperatures can get as high as 160 degrees in some areas! This will also cut your energy bills down as your interior dwelling will stay cooler as well.

Well folks, could this be the bottom? Low housing prices and attractive interest rates make this market, according to Yahoo Finance, “the Best Buyer’s Market in 40 years.” Despite continued bad press about housing, the engine keeps chugging along. Why?

For starters, Generation X outnumbers Baby Boomers by 6 million people. Housing continues to be in demand for young people in the workforce. Secondly, China has just banned purchasing investment property so from the international viewfinder, the US is an excellent place to put money into housing. Third, those homebuyers who suffered foreclosures in round one can now get back into the market, if they’ve played their cards right. Finally, homebuilding has ground to a halt so you can bet that we will see even more demand in years to come.

1002 Larkwood CT, Concord CA 

Don’t forget to clean your dryer vents periodically. Clogged plastic discharge hoses cause thousands of fires per year – even if you are diligent in keeping your lint screen clean. Always use solid sheet metal for lint discharge. If you move into a new home – check this out first. We moved into our home years back and only later found out that our discharge vent hose was some old HVAC ducting that emptied right into the crawl space!

Steps homeowners can take to prevent house fires as seen on MSNBC VIDEO: http://www.delintavent.com/14.html

Impeccably maintained town home in quiet North Pleasant Hill.