La Quinta, California

La Quinta, California
Desert Luxury

Desert Luxury Realty

Thank you for visiting my blog. When you choose Mary Williams, as your real estate agent, you are working with a team of seasoned professionals who cater to your every real estate need. Buying or Selling your home does not need to be full of hassels or needless pressure. Take it easy and enjoy the luxury of the desert. I look forward to assisting you with your search or sell of your home. Contact me today!

Monday, June 30, 2014

C.A.R. 2014 Survey of California Home Buyers findings

Released by the California Association of REALTORS® June 26, 2014

More home buyers turning to social media in home-buying process, REALTOR® survey finds

LOS ANGELES (June 26) – Reflecting the proliferating use of social media in today’s society, more home buyers are turning to social media in the home-buying process than ever, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ (C.A.R.) “2014 Survey of California Home Buyers.”

More than three-fourths of home buyers used social media in their home search, up from 52 percent who used it in 2011. Buyers said they primarily used social media to obtain buying tips and suggestions from friends (44 percent), neighborhood information (44 percent), and to view their agents’ Facebook pages (42 percent). 

Mobile technology and the Internet continued to be important tools in the home-buying process, with 91 percent saying they used a mobile device to access the Internet during the course of their home purchase.  Buyers used their mobile devices to look for comparable home prices (78 percent), search for homes (45 percent), and take photos of neighborhoods, homes, and amenities (43 percent).   Conversely, with the increased use of social media, fewer buyers “Googled” their agent (50 percent in 2014, down from 68 percent in 2013), turning to agents’ Facebook pages instead.
In another sign of recent market competitiveness, more than nine in 10 buyers (91 percent) made one or more other offer, with an average of 3.6 offers in 2014, up from three offers in 2013.  Additionally, buyers viewed a median of 20 homes in 2014, up from 10 last year.  Given the limited supply of homes available for sale, fewer buyers were satisfied with their home purchase than last year.  Only about half of the buyers were satisfied with their purchase in 2014, down from two-thirds (66 percent) in 2013.  Nearly half (46 percent) of buyers felt they “settled” on their home purchase in 2014, up from 34 percent.

Additional findings from C.A.R.’s “2014 Survey of California Home Buyers” include:

  •  Buyers cited price decreases (54 percent), receiving a promotion or raise (34 percent), low interest rates (29 percent), and favorable prices/financing (17 percent) as the top reasons for purchasing a home.
  •  Echoing a recovering housing market over recent years, buyer optimism of home prices also continued to improve, with the vast majority of buyers (81 percent) believing that home prices will rise in five years and 60 percent believing that prices will rise in one year.  This is an improvement since 2009, when only 35 percent of buyers believed that prices would rise in five years, and only 8 percent who believed prices would rise in one year.
  •  Higher down payments are still the norm in this market, with buyers putting an average of 28 percent down on their purchases.  The average down payment has been higher than the traditional 20 percent since 2009.
  •  More than nine in 10 buyers (92 percent) obtained a fixed-rate loan, a 23 percent increase from 2009, when only 69 percent obtained a fixed-rate loan, reflecting low rates and the desire for certainty as the market gets back to basics.
  •  Nearly all surveyed buyers (88 percent) used a real estate agent in 2014, down slightly from 91 percent in 2013. Reflecting a growing use of the Internet, nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of those who used an agent found their agent online, compared to only 38 percent who found their agent online in 2003.
The 2014 Survey of California Home Buyers was conducted by telephone to 1,400 people statewide to measure their perceptions of the home-buying process.  All eligible respondents closed escrow on their homes within the six months prior to February 2014.  Access the full report on the survey findings here: http://www.car.org/marketdata/surveys/buyer/ and view the webinar presentation here: http://www.car.org/marketdata/videos.
Leading the way...® in California real estate for more than 100 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States with 165,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.

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Wednesday, June 25, 2014

This is a GREAT Time to Consider a Jumbo Loan in the Desert!

palm trees[social]According to a recent article in the Realtor MagazineJumbo Loans have remained stable.
“The luxury housing market has been rebounding at a quicker pace than the lower-end market, and confidence is growing among high-income home buyers,” says Guy Cecala, publisher of Inside Mortgage Finance. “Higher-end borrowers have recovered faster and stronger than lower-income Americans from the recession,” Cecala told The Wall Street Journal.
Currently, rates are more affordable, competition to lend for Jumbo Loans is higher and flexible loan underwriting. This is a GREAT time to shop for Jumbo Loans in La Quinta & the Desert!
Since competition for Jumbo loans is so high, many lenders are relaxing the 20% down payment requirement. Some lenders are considering an 85% LTV in the upcoming months – and some even lower than that.
However, one thing that will never change with Jumbo Loans, are borrowers HAVE to have a great credit score, sufficient reserves and the income to support such a loan.
Whether you are looking for your first Luxury Home, vacation home or 2nd home in the Desert, enjoy the personal and professional service I provide. I listen carefully to all your needs, allowing me to quickly zero in on your preferences, saving you precious time. Buying will be fun, enjoyable, and easy!

Call me today!!

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

June 2014 Newsletter

June 2014 Newsletter
For more information click HERE.


Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Should you hire a Buyer’s Agent to purchase a home in the Desert?

What IS a buyer’s agent?

In short …. A buyer’s agent is a real estate professional, who may also be a member of the REALTOR® Association, who represents ONLY the buyer and not both the seller and buyer.
According to the REALTOR® Association, “A buyer's agent serves as your representative during the home search and purchase process. The tasks that they perform can include helping you find a home that meets your needs, liaising with building contractors, providing you with an analysis of the prices of similar properties in the area and any property value trends and identifying any problems that might be associated with the property. They can also help you to negotiate the best price for the property as well as furnishing you with information on the seller and the reasons for the sale.”
Listing sellers represent the sellers and their fiduciary duty is to the seller. However, if you also use the listing agent, it creates a dual agency – which HAS to be disclosed – and the agent represents both sides of the transaction. Both agents’ commissions are paid through the selling side of the transaction.

However, can one agent work for both the seller and buyer? They can and it’s done a lot in this area, but it has to be done in such a way it doesn't create a conflict of interest.

To insure you are represented by a Buyer’s Agent, a “Buyer’s Agreement” is signed by the Buyers and their agent. As a homebuyer, this is to your advantage as it confirms the agent's duties to you as their client under statutory law or as common-law fiduciary duties.

These duties include:

  • Undivided loyalty - the agent must act in your best interests at all times
  • Obedience - the agent must follow all of your lawful instructions
  • Reasonable care and diligence - the agent is required to protect you from foreseeable risks of harm
  • Confidentiality
  • Full disclosure - the agent must disclose all information concerning the property and its purchase that might affect the decisions you make
  • Accounting - the agent must safeguard money or property held on your behalf
The agreement should indicate whether the agent will act for you exclusively, the parties to the agreement, the end date, a description and location of the desired home, the agent's duties and buyer's responsibilities and the agent's commission. (It is preferable that the agent receive a commission even if you purchase a property which is "For Sale by Owner".)
Before you start looking at homes and talking with agents, be sure you find a buyer specialist who will only represent you – and sign a buyer’s agreement.
If you sign an Exclusive Buyer agency with one agent, you will only be able to work with that one agent. Which is ultimately what you want to do in a real estate transaction, you do want to work with an agent exclusively when you are looking to purchase that perfect property.
However, you also want the freedom to choose which agent to work with. If you feel pressured into signing an Exclusive Buyer Agency prematurely, you have every right to step back and evaluate the situation. There is NO law that states you have to sign an exclusive buyer agency agreement before an agent begins working for you.
If your relationship with an agent begins with that agreement being signed, you have every right to turn around and walk the other way. And you should.

You can use my services for FREE!

Buying a home in the Desert, the commission is paid (split) through the sellers’ Brokerage. Sellers here have agreed to pay commission to the listing company and they have agreed to share the split to any real estate company representing the buyer.
Contact me today to start the search for your new home in La Quinta and surrounding area!
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Wednesday, June 4, 2014

You Could Win a $10,000 Furniture Makeover

1,000 makeoverAs part of the 2014 consumer advertising campaign, C.A.R. is offering a $10,000 furniture makeover sweepstakes.

Courtesy of NBC, one random winner will receive a $10,000 check to purchase new furniture and other home furnishings.

TO ENTER: To enter the Sweepstakes, during each Sweepstakes Period access the California Association of Realtors website at http://championsofhomesweeps.com click on the “The Champions of Home™ $10,000 Furniture Makeover Sweepstakes” icon or text link to be directed to the entry page. Then follow the onscreen instructions to complete and thereafter submit the entry form (the “Entry”). Information required on the entry form consists of your first and last name, complete address (including zip code), daytime telephone number (including area code), date of birth, and email address (collectively, “Entry Information”). All Entries become the property of Sponsors and will not be acknowledged. HURRY! The sweepstakes opened on Friday, April 25, 2014, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 2014. Official rules for the sweepstakes also can be found at http://championsofhomesweeps.com. Whether you win or not, I certainly can help you pick out the best furniture for your home!
Thinking about a remodel? This would be a perfect time!
Full house redesign or a room - I will handle everything while you’re away and you won’t live through the stress and mess!!