New Marketing Information!

New Chargers Schedule

It is nearing that wonderful time of year - football season!!!

We are poised with a strong team roster with LaDainian in peak form. Chargers coaches and players have been raving about second-year LB Anthony Waters who was out for his rookie season due to an injury.

The big problem for the near-term is the Chargers are one of the league’s best franchises, but that alone might not be enough to keep them in San Diego past this season. It seems that the powers that be in this city are not interested in stepping up to the plate (to use a baseball metaphor) and fund the expansion project.

Check the latest news from Chargers camp as they get ready to launch a new season.

'Angies List' - Job Well Done

An important aspect of building a strong client base of advocates for Real Estate professionals is to be able to make a solid referral for services, especially when you may not know a specialist worth referring.

Recently, I hired a handyman from Angie's List (Cost for Angie's List = $6.95 per month), an online referral service that puts the evaluation of service providers at the mercy of their customers.

At the Angie's List website I was given a choice of hundreds of specialists and generalists, and selected one based on his top ranking.  After a short online sign up form, the selection process took only minutes since the Angie's List website is very user friendly. I made contact with the individual and scheduled work for later that week.

Ultimately the handyman performed about 25 hours of work over the course of 4 days. Although his hourly rate was higher then I normally would pay (that was my choice) his quality of work was fantastic and beyond my expectations.  He came to work on time, was polite and gracious, tidied up at the end of the day, and fully communicated to me at every step of the project so I knew what to expect. I am a believer.

The small monthly service cost is worth it. Imagine having access to an updated list of thousands of local  professionals across a vast spectrum of professions including Doctors, Dentists, brick layers, plumbers, etc. Angie's List allows you to easily and confidently refer the very best professional to your clients, thus positioning you as a solid and reliable resource.

New Foreclosure Law (SB 1137) Effective Immediately

Bulletin 08/09-9 - July 9, 2008

As a result of the subprime loan market collapse, numerous bills were introduced this year in the California Legislature, including the recently enacted SB 1137. Within this highly charged political environment, the California Land Title Association (CLTA), along with trustees, escrow companies, and lender groups who originally opposed this legislation, subsequently underwent a series of significant amendments before being signed by the Governor earlier this week. Click here for more on this important legislation.

New Market Condition Report – Accurately Price The Home To Sell

When home listings expire (rejected) in this market it is generally because they are priced ‘outside’ of the market. The home may be “on” the market, but nowhere “in” the price target area. 

So, how do you help a homeowner price their home accurately in this buyers market? A compelling way is to simply provide them the raw market data that empirically demonstrates what the price should be. No emotion. ‘Bulls-eye’ pricing. 

 When armed with this report data, you help the seller understand the TRUE market conditions, and you do this without being perceived as negative or lacking in marketing aggressiveness.

Where do you get this raw Market Conditions data? 

Call Shawn or Bev, Shawn at (760) 271-8584 or Bev at (619) 246-6715. 

The Market Conditions Report is available in all areas of San Diego County and broken down by specific community. The Report will help you to understand the macro economics in a simple to read format to help your seller make the right pricing decision.

Home Solar Power Calculator

Adding solar power to your home is generally a great investment. It not only lowers the cost of your electricity bills, but also reduces negative impact on the environment. It's a quiet, clean source of energy, is reliable requiring minimal maintenance, and lasts for decades.  As the cost of PV has fallen drastically since the early 1970s— as much as 90 percent— photovoltaics have become an increasingly attractive option for private homeowners.

But, does it make sense in today's marketplace for your seller to invest in solar panels prior to selling their home?

As with any pre-home sale upgrades considered such as a new roof, refurbishing the driveway, adding landscaping, or new granite counter tops and cabinets to the kitchen, the solar option is actually a compelling consideration.

(1) With high energy prices, the trend is toward integrating energy saving solutions into our lives. People know it is good for the environment, and being a good steward of the environment can have financial benefits as well.

(2) The curiosity factor about your solar power property will help to draw traffic to your open house events. You, of course, then position yourself as a 'home energy savings' expert.

(2) Marketing a home that has a $0.00 electricity bill makes for a compelling headline and reason to buy your property over a similar one without the financial incentive.

Click here to calculate the cost and savings on your home to help determine the value enhancement/marketing benefit. Click here and here to learn about new legislation in California designed to require the public utilities to pay for excess energy produced by home solar panels, and here and here to learn about two solar panel manufacturers.

Purchasing a Hands-Free Device

Consumers who have never shopped for a hands-free device before can find the experience overwhelming. Depending on style and technology, the items range from $10 to $500.  So what exactly should you be looking for?  First and foremost, the experts recommend devices with good sound quality. If you end up getting a wireless device, also consider battery life.

"It's definitely fair to say you get what you pay for. The higher price you pay, the better the sound quality and battery life," said Andrew Steinmetz of Best Buy.  If you're looking for a cheap buy, at Best Buy, you can find them for as little as $10.49. The inexpensive devices are variations of hard-wired headsets, with one or two earplugs and a plastic microphone that rests near your chin.  The sound quality of these devices can be poor, with the mic often picking up background noise making it hard for the person on the other end to hear you.

The next step up is the Bluetooth. It's the industry standard for wireless technology. The most important thing to know about Bluetooth is your cell phone must be compatible.  Most newer phones are, but older cell phones might not work with it.  Bluetooth devices range in price from around $35 to the high-end Jawbone device that sells for $129. Both devices touts noise shields, which cancels out background noise.  If you don't like the idea of one of those pieces dangling off your ear, there are other options. Including a clip-on device that attaches to your visor. It costs between $35 and $119.  Many cars now come with speakerphones or you can have them installed for around $500.  The car system allows drivers to hear callers through the car's speakers.  Because of the law deadline fast approaching, stores are expecting a run-on hands free devices.

The Housing Crisis Is Over

Finally, a leading authority put their flag in the sand and proclaimed it so. According to The Wall Street Journal, 'The housing crisis is over'.

"Not so fast," says Jim Belfiore at Belfiore Real Estate Consulting. At least it is not the truth in certain parts of the South West that enjoyed stratospheric increases during the housing bubble only to fall equally dramatically after the 'pop.'

Perhaps the folks at Calculated Risk said it best with this brief analysis: Click here. Or, the Housing Bubble folks here.

But we San Diego optimists prefer to take a chapter out of 'A Nerd's Eye View of San Diego' with the strong local employment numbers, an economic fact that challenges even the most pessimistic view of the housing bubble, at least locally.

No matter how you slice it, we are nearing the point where negative trend statistics are flattening out, and the experts all say this is the best time to buy. And, when you do be sure to call us for your title and escrow services. Stewart Title is on a solid financial foundation and we bring to you a 'super-servant' mindset.
Call today:
Shawn at 760-271-8584
Bev at 619-246-6715

Construction & Design - Latest Hot Trends

There are a million Do's and Don'ts that help to guide future home sellers to get the most when selling their home. This list caught my eye since it had some very cleaver and useful ideas that are not too expensive to implement. Click here to view the list.  And, while you are there, check out the other marketing resource documents available to you.

Real Estate Video Basics - Inman TV Interview

This new video explains the power behind the video tour. We are proponents of this marketing strategy as a low-cost, high impact marketing tool. Many of your questions about video tours should be answered here, and to learn more don't hesitate to call Shawn at 760-271-8584 or Bev at 619-246-6715.

Overstock.com & Wal-Mart.com Now Selling Real Estate

Right when you thought the available marketing channels to sell your properties had maxed out, Overstock.com and Wal-Mart.com have entered the fray. Agents take note, you now have two more sites that are helping to sell your listings so be sure they are listed on these sites!

Overstock.com Inc., which sells excess inventory of consumer goods like clothing and furniture, has entered the real estate space with a dedicated listings channel that claims 2.9 million properties, including 2.6 million residential listings. Of those, 1.96 million are single-family homes, 246,000 are condos and townhouses, and another 73,720 are multi-unit properties. Click here to see the site and learn more.

Both Overstock.com and Wal-Mart.com are being sourced by Oodle, which means that you want to be sure your listing is posted there. Be sure to check the Wal-Mart.com real estate site for your listing as well.