Conejo and San Fernando Valley Real Estate Podcast with Steven Aslanian

Cruise Vacation for 2!

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Tue, 8 Oct 2019 15:12:00 -0700

Cruise Vacation for 2!

We value your business. That's why we want to make this special offer to you. Mention this cruise offer when you buy or sell your home through us, and upon the close of escrow, as an expression of our appreciation, we'll include a Cruise Certificate for Two to Mexico, the Bahamas or the Western Caribbean. A $1,798 VALUE!

Should You Make an Offer on an Unlisted Home In SoCal?

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Wed, 11 May 2016 08:40:00 -0700

Want to sell your Southern California Home? Get a FREE home value report

Want to buy a Southern California Home? Search all homes for sale

Have you or anyone you know in Southern California ever been approached by an agent about your home when it wasn’t even listed? Would you know what to do?

I recently read an article relevant to buyers and sellers in our area, particularly offering advice on what to do in this situation. Why does this happen? Well, when inventory is low, buyers need to get creative with ways to shop. Sometimes aggressive buyers will approach unlisted homes and hope for the best.

Follow up with the buyer! Listen to their reasoning and ask them how long they’ve been looking for a home, what other offers they’ve been making, which neighborhoods they desire, and what about your home stood out to them. Understand their motivation and circumstances. By that point, if you’re seriously considering the offer, enlist a real estate agent. The best option is to consult an honest professionally before negotiating the offer.

Be aware, though, that off-market deals aren’t always successful. Often sellers aren’t motivated enough to let their properties go, and nearly every deal of this kind has a conflict over the last few thousand dollars. If you receive an offer on your unlisted property and you’re motivated to sell, this could be an opportunity for you!

Likewise, if you’re a buyer who is unhappy with the current inventory, consider an offer on an unlisted property. Recently I had a client who we showed five or six homes to, but they just could not find one to fall in love with. I noticed the neighbors of the last property I showed them were fixing up their home! I asked my client if they’d consider the home and they said yes.

I called homeowner and found out they had been fixing up the house with a high-quality remodel for a year so they could sell - in the next three to six months. I asked if they’d speed up the remodel if I had a buyer who was interested now, and they agreed! We put a deal together and closed in 45 days.

If you’re looking for a home but haven’t found “the one” just yet, let me know what you’re looking for. Contact me, I’d love to help you with your real estate needs!

May 2016 Real Estate Update

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Mon, 2 May 2016 10:37:00 -0700

May 2016 Real Estate Update

Homes for sale - 18811 Sylvan Street, Tarzana, CA 91335

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Wed, 6 Apr 2016 13:19:00 -0700

April 2016 Real Estate Update

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Wed, 6 Apr 2016 12:32:00 -0700

April 2016 Real Estate Update

Homes for sale - 351 Castilian Avenue, Newbury Park, CA 91320

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 07:32:00 -0700

Homes for sale - 20122 Pienza Lane, Northridge, CA 91326

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 07:31:00 -0700

When Is the Best Time to Sell Your Southern California Property?

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Fri, 4 Mar 2016 12:16:00 -0800

Want to sell your Southern California Home? Get a FREE home value report

Want to buy a Southern California Home? Search all homes for sale

When is the best month to sell your property? This time of year, many homeowners ask real estate agents if they should sell their home in the spring or summer. It takes a few months for the seller and the agent to plan, prepare, and list the property.

If you’re thinking of selling in the spring, January is a great time to start. Many of you might think that’s a crazy suggestion, but many sellers see success in January. Buyers are out there 24/7.

In the past, buyers waited for spring to start their shopping because that’s when most listings hit the market. Today’s buyer looks at listings all day, every day. They have apps on their phone, and listings get texted or emailed to them. They don’t care about the time of year; they are ready to buy any time. List your home in January and you will have a captive audience.

Another reason to list in January is people start to think about bonuses, inheritances, and tax implications. The end of the year often comes with financial discussions as people take stock of their incomes. They start thinking about work bonuses, or if they want to spend another year renting. People also start considering the tax implications of owning a home.

Finally, sellers typically wait until spring to list. Visible grass and flowerbeds make houses more inviting to buyers. However, if you list in the spring, you will face more competition from similar homes in your area. You’re better off being on the market before these other homes get listed. The more homes that are on the market, the more buyers will spread out. Buyers shopping in January understand that the home won’t show as well in spring or summer months.

If you’re a flexible seller, consider listing in January or February. If someone falls in love with your home, you can negotiate the closing date, and they might not mind waiting until April to close escrow. Many buyers have been looking at homes for years, so come January, they’re tired of the real estate hunt. This is your target buyer.

If you have any questions, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

What Stops a Home from Selling in Southern California?

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Thu, 3 Mar 2016 07:47:00 -0800

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Want to buy a Southern California Home? Search all homes for sale

If you have recently attempted to sell your home in Southern California, but did not find a buyer, then I have two different suggestions for you.

Your home may be overpriced.
It’s not being marketed aggressively

You could also have a combination of these two items. The first 30 days are the most important to the sale of your home, so be sure to hire someone that has an aggressive marketing plan.

If people can see your home and it’s priced attractively, then you will probably have a lot of buyers knocking on your door. If your home fails to sell in the first 30 days, then you will probably not get top dollar for it.

Focus on these three things as a home seller in Southern California:

Price
Condition
Accessibility of the home for showing

If your home is in good condition, priced well, and accessible for showings, then you have a good chance to sell this spring. We expect a lot of buyers to come out and purchase because of rising interest rates.

If you need help selling your home this spring, then please don’t hesitate to contact me!

March 2016 Real Estate Update

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Wed, 2 Mar 2016 12:47:00 -0800

March 2016 Real Estate Update

How Is the National Market Changing?

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Wed, 2 Mar 2016 08:42:00 -0800

Want to sell your Southern California Home? Get a FREE home value report

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Today we just wanted to share some of the latest national housing market data. We’ve got the most recent report, which looked at the changes we saw year-over-year in the housing market. Here are some of the most notable changes we’ve seen in the past year:

Home sales are up 6.3%.
Median home prices are up 6.7%.
Average days on market is down 9 days, currently sits at an average of 71.
Number of home sales is down by 14.7%.

These are just a few of the great, encouraging numbers we’ve been seeing. If you have any questions, or want a more in-depth analysis of our local market, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Check out our latest listing!

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Thu, 4 Feb 2016 12:55:00 -0800

Want to sell your Southern California Home? Get a FREE home value report

Want to buy a Southern California Home? Search all homes for sale

Completely remodeled modern masterpiece on Broad Beach Road! Amazing quality throughout this ocean view showplace! Gated courtyard entrance leads to a naturally lit wide open floor plan spanning 3200 square feet. Views from every room! Beautiful center island kitchen with state of the art appliances opens to the family room which boasts disappearing pocket doors. Designed to perfection with bleached wood floors and fine quality finishes throughout!

Upstairs there are 4 bedrooms and an additional bonus room/office. The grounds are awesome! Set on a corner lot for optimum privacy, the yard boasts a covered patio, manicured lawn and expanded deck to take advantage of the panoramic views. There are also plans for a pool included in the purchase price. In addition you have deeded access rights to the beach! This is a rare, special offering for a turn key magnificent estate on Broad Beach!

Call Steven A at 818-599-3322 for more information or check out the MLS link

February 2016 Real Estate Update

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Wed, 3 Feb 2016 09:31:00 -0800

February 2016 Real Estate Update

The Market Today in Southern California

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 07:20:00 -0800

Want to sell your Southern California Home? Get a FREE home value report

Want to buy a Southern California Home? Search all homes for sale

When will the market peak this year? What does the market climate look like today? We’ve certainly experienced some changes in the housing market recently compared to the last twelve months. If you had asked me the best time to buy last year, I would’ve told you the spring when there’s low inventory. Likewise, I would’ve advised that the end of summer is the best time to buy when there’s significantly more inventory.

However, 2016 will be different. In December, the Fed increased interest rates by 0.25%. They will most likely continue to raise rates until the end of the year. By then, they might hit 5% and remain high into 2017. The Fed wants to maintain market recovery by raising short-term rates. We’ve seen this in 1984 and 1994.

This impacts adjustable-rate mortgages. This will trickle into the higher mortgage rates towards the middle of this year. Nine to twelve months later, prices might start to slip. The California Association of Realtors predicts a 3% to 4% increase in home values in 2016. This will most likely happen between now and May. Inventory levels will have increased to a point where the market prices will stabilize. It’s difficult to determine when this will happen exactly.

If you’re thinking about downsizing or preparing for retirement, prepare to sell your home within the next three to four months. Give me a call or send me an email today! I can let you know what your property is worth. Take advantage of this opportunity.

January 2016 Real Estate Update

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Tue, 5 Jan 2016 07:43:00 -0800

January 2016 Real Estate Update

Prepare Your Home for the Holidays with these Decorating Tips!

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Mon, 7 Dec 2015 07:35:00 -0800

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Want to buy a Southern California Home? Search all homes for sale

The holidays are approaching. Today, we thought we'd do something a little different and share this festive video on holiday decorating tips from HGTV. Designer Angelo Surmelis shares several great ideas to spread holiday cheer throughout the home. Here are some of our favorites.

Pay attention to the mantle. If you don't have some already, buy some kind of garland to drape over the mantle. Next, use leftover ornaments and candles to add light and texture. When choosing ornaments and candles, ensure they are in the same color-palette. This helps make your mantle a great focal point!
Use smaller Christmas trees. Every house has their main Christmas tree. In addition, you can also purchase smaller, inexpensive, eco-friendly trees to place throughout the home. Decorate these trees with strips of fabric from a T-shirt in holiday colors to save money for the main tree.
Use what you have. Be resourceful. Adding a plate charge and place mat to your everyday dining set adds some jazz to your table. Fresh-cut flowers and candles will help finish the look. You don't need grand, expensive candles -- a little candlelight goes a long way!

As you can see, it doesn't take much to make your home feel more festive. If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

December 2015 Real Estate Update

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Wed, 2 Dec 2015 06:40:00 -0800

December 2015 Real Estate Update

How to Lower Your Property Taxes When You Move

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 09:28:00 -0800

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Want to buy a Southern California Home? Search all homes for sale

Nobody likes paying taxes, especially when you think that you're being over-taxed. Good news for you - I have some strategies that you can use to potentially lower your property taxes when you move.

Proposition 60 and Proposition 90 allow you to transfer your low tax bases on your current home to your next purchase. This is especially important because I've noticed that a lot of people are downsizing right now. People have been asking me how they can take their low property taxes with them into their newer and smaller properties.

Proposition 60 is your answer, which allows the transfer of your base year values within the same county. Proposition 90 allows transfers from one county to another in California that are reciprocating with one another. There are currently 10 counties allowing this: Alameda, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Clara, El Dorado, Orange County, San Bernadino, and San Mateo.

These are the five basic requirements for Prop 60 and Prop 90:

You must be 55 years old when your property sells.
Replacement property must be your primary residence.
Replacement property must be of equal or lesser value than the previous home.
Replacement property must be purchased within 2 years of your last sale.
This is a one-time only benefit, unless you become disabled.

If you're thinking about downsizing and you have more individual questions, please don't hesitate to contact me! These issues can become complex, and I'd be more than happy to explain it to you.

Common Home Seller Questions Answered

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 09:46:00 -0800

Want to sell your Southern California Home? Get a FREE home value report

Want to buy a Southern California Home? Search all homes for sale

Today, we're going to discuss the seven most common questions from homeowners who are thinking about selling their home.

What is the best time to sell my home? The best time to sell a home is when you need to move. I sell homes every month of the year. If time is not an issue, then the best time to sell is when there's very little inventory, which is usually in early spring during the months of February, March, and April.
How is the real estate market right now? The real estate market changes on a weekly basis depending on many factors. We've been in an upward market for the last four or five years, so it is a great time to sell. The market changes every four to six years, so we may see declining market after the election in 2016.
What steps should I take to prepare my home for sale? Well, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Declutter your home, paint the rooms, clean carpets, and add colorful flowers to the entryway. These are just a few of the things you can do to make your home more appealing in the eyes of buyers.
What should I disclose to potential buyers? Anything and everything you're aware of that could affect the buyer's decision should absolutely be disclosed.
How much is my home worth? It's only worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. We can determine that by looking at what similar homes have sold for and comparing them to your property.
How long will it take for my home to sell? That depends on how aggressive your home is priced and how extensively it is marketed. My homes have been selling in about 45 days. If you are motivated to sell and your home is priced correctly, your home will sell quick!
Should I price my home higher to leave room for negotiations? The answer is that well-priced homes will sell quickly and close to listing price.There is no need to leave room for negotiation. Nowadays, buyers are very well educated and know what a home is worth. If you price your home too high, you're more likely to sit on the market for awhile.

If you have any questions about today's video or about real estate in general, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

November 2015 Real Estate Update

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Tue, 3 Nov 2015 07:48:00 -0800

November 2015 Real Estate Update

October 2015 Real Estate Update

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Wed, 7 Oct 2015 10:56:00 -0700

October 2015 Real Estate Update

The Dangers of Overpricing Your Southern California Home

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 13:14:00 -0700

Want to sell your Southern California Home? Get a FREE home value report

Want to buy a Southern California Home? Search all homes for sale

Today I'd like to discuss the dangers of overpricing your home. It really is a great way to ruin your selling process before it's even started. I've been noticing a lot of overpriced homes lately, and so I wanted to speak about how you can avoid overpricing your property.

Usually in September we have the largest amount of inventory in the entire year. This is a trend that I've seen for a long time. But what does this mean for you? It means that with all of this competition, you have to price your home well if you want to sell.

If your home gets no showings or very few showings, your home is probably overpriced by 10%. If your home gets a lot of showings (2-3 per week) but no offers, then your home is probably overpriced by about 5%. If your home gets an offer within the first 30 days, then your home was priced correctly from the beginning.

Your top priority is not to sit on the market for longer than 90 days. If you sit for that long, people will believe that something is wrong with your property and they will not offer top dollar on your home.

Sometimes agents will be desperate for a listing and they will promise you an unrealistic sale price. As a real estate professional, this is highly frowned upon and it is a major disservice to the consumer. I would rather pass on a listing than promise a client something that I know I cannot give them.

If you're looking for an honest answer about what your home might sell for on the market, please don't hesitate to contact me. I would be very happy to help you!

Five Reasons Why Real Estate Investments Will Change Your Life

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Wed, 9 Sep 2015 10:00:00 -0700

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Today we're going to be talking about the stock market versus the real estate market. The stock market just crashed by 1,000 points recently, and fortunately it rebounded. Today I have five reasons why you should invest in real estate instead of the stock market.

1. Cash-flow: You have a constant stream of cash when you invest in a property. This is the biggest benefit to investing in real estate.

2. Tax advantages: Real estate is unique in this aspect. You get a lot of tax benefits when you own property.

3. Hedge against inflation: Inflation makes it harder to purchase certain stocks, but real estate isn't affected by inflation. Prices will go up and down, but they won't inflate.

4. Leverage: When you purchase a property, you have the ability to do so with leverage. It's possible to buy a $750K property for 20% down or less. Stocks require that you put down all the money up front.

5. Equity: If you're borrowing money to complete a real estate transaction, you'll be required to pay it back with interest, but each payment brings you closer to paying down your principal. You gain wealth each month that you pay off your mortgage.

I know a young man that owns five properties in California and Las Vegas right now, and he plans on owning 20 properties by 2020. He estimates that this will generate him $20,000 per month in passive income. That's not too bad, is it?

Call me today if you'd like to start the journey. Real estate is a wonderful investment!

September 2015 Real Estate Update

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Tue, 1 Sep 2015 09:58:00 -0700

September 2015 Real Estate Update

How we helped Lucretia purchase her home by going the extra mile

info@aslanian-team.com (Steven Aslanian) — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:16:00 -0700

“What makes Steven stick out to me is that he listens to the client. I needed to make an offer on my new place and someone to draw it up, and he drew it up because I didn’t have an agent. He came to the office on his day off, and he drew up something he was not going to get paid for. I didn’t know at the time that I was his very first client. He had goals set for himself, and he has achieved every one of them. He wanted to be in the million dollar market--and he is!”