Our Attitude of Gratitude

The new year is just days away. As we get ready for 2014 we couldn't help but reflect upon 2013. A year ago, we partnered up with a common goal of creating a one-of-a-kind real estate experience for you.

Because of you, we have made incredible leaps. Your support, your business and your referrals have taken The Monica Diaz Team to a whole new level. We can't begin to tell you how grateful we are for you. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!

We also wanted to wish you a wonderful and safe holiday season. We hope you take this time to be grateful for everyone and everything in your life.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to give us a call. We want to be your real estate resource! Get ready for 2014; it's going to be another great year because remember, MONICA MAKES IT HAPPEN!

Why Do You Need Title Insurance?

Why Do You Need Title Insurance?

Welcome back! Today we have with us Kelly Davidian from Lawyer's Title. Buying and selling a home has a lot of steps. It's important to me that you understand and are comfortable with every step in the process. That's why I asked Kelly to join us. She is going  to explain what a title is and why you need it. 

What is a title? 

Title insurance is required on every single real estate transaction. What it does is protect both the buyer and the lender. Title insurance is also used in refinance cases. It protects you from different issues that may arise such as leans, easements, etc. We work closely with the escrow company to make sure everything is taken care of. 

Why do you need a title?

Imagine if there wasn't any title insurance on a home. If the previous owner didn't pay his taxes or perhaps didn't pay child support from a divorce, without any title insurance, you are responsible for those items. So as you can see, it's very important. 

Why Lawyer's Title?

Lawyer's Title is one of the largest and most reputable title insurance companies. Every member of our staff has years of experience and we always make sure to put you as our #1 priority. We know how important buying that new is to you.

We hope you found this information helpful! We can't thank Kathy enough for coming in today! She is one of the best we've worked with and is always there whenever we or one of our clients has a question.

So if you are anyone you know is thinking about buying or selling real estate, give the Monica Dias Team a Call because remember MONICA MAKES IT HAPPEN!

Should I Sell Now or Wait Until Next Year?

Should I Sell Now or Wait Until Next Year?

Thanks for joining us today. Year after year we get asked whether it’s better to sell during the holiday season or wait until after the first of the year.  

The truth is it really depends on your situation. That’s why we wanted to talk about the pros and cons of both selling now and waiting.

Most people assume that the real estate market is dead during the holidays; who is looking for homes?

While there may be fewer buyers on the market, those that are looking are serious.  Think about it; who wants to take time out of their holiday plans to look at homes and deal with the loan process? Those buyers need to buy whether it’s for tax purposes, relocation, etc.

Do you know what else is great about selling during the holidays? There’s less competition. Tons of people decide to wait until spring to sell their home.  With more homes on the market, there is less demand for yours.

Let’s think about supply and demand. If you put your home on the market now, when there is low inventory, there is a high demand for your property. That means more money for you! If you list during the spring, when there are a lot of others homes, yours isn’t nearly in as much demand. That means less money for you.

Homes also look great during the holidays. With lights, decorations and the smell of cooking, buyers become emotional. It makes it so much easier for a buyer to fall in love with your home.

You may be worried about the seasonality. What if there aren’t enough buyers out now? In reality, because we have so many international buyers now playing a role in our market, the time of the year doesn’t have a huge effect.

These are just a few reasons why selling now could be a great way for you to get the most money on your home. We want you to give us a call, though. We can talk about your situation; create market analysis to find out whether selling now or waiting is the best option for you.

Remember if you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell real estate, give the Monica Diaz Team a call because remember MONICA MAKES IT HAPPEN!

I Want to Wish You a Happy Thanksgiving!

I Want to Wish You a Happy Thanksgiving!

The season of giving is upon us and I wanted to give thanks to you and everyone else that has touched our lives this year. I hope you also take this time to offer thanks to the people who have helped you through this past year. I wish you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving and you can watch my latest video to hear my holiday message!

If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell, keep Team Diaz in mind because remember MONICA MAKES IT HAPPEN!

How to Maximize Your Home’s Appraisal Value

How to Maximize Your Home’s Appraisal Value

One of the most important elements of pricing your home to sell is your appraisal value. Both buyers and their lenders want to know your home is worth the price tag. So how can you maximize your home’s appraisal value? There are eight simple, yet effective ways to getting a higher value.

Step 1:Make sure your home is clean and offers great curbside appeal.
First impressions are important. Make sure to maintain your landscaping. Remove your cars from the driveway to reduce the appearance of clutter.

Step 2: Keep and Maintain an itemized list of all updates and upgrades you’ve done to your home.
Be prepared to show the money you’ve invested to increase your home value.

Step 3: Do your homework.
Keep comps on hand of homes similar to yours to show the appraiser. Every bit of information helps increase your appraisal value.

Step 4: Pay attention to the improvements that will increase your home’s value.
There are certain upgrades you can do that increase your value and yield better returns on investment: hardwood floors, lighting, plumbing fixtures, kitchen and bathrooms.

Step 5: Always apply the $500 rule.
Any repairs that cost more than $500 actually account against your home’s value. Fix what needs to be fixed, such as broken windows or any structural damage.

Step 6: Play up your location.
If there have been any recent changes to the neighborhood such as a new school, retail store or if your home is near a landmark, make sure to mention it to the appraiser.

Step 7: Make the appraiser feel at home.
This is one of the most important steps. Make sure the home is at a comfortable temperature. If you have a pet, board it for the day.

Step 8: Ask questions after the appraiser has appraised your home.
I know you may get excited or anxious to talk to the appraiser while they are inspecting your home, but wait. Don’t follow the appraiser around your home. They are there to do their job; let them do it. Once they have completed the appraisal, you can ask your questions.

If you’re thinking about making improvements to your home, make sure you don’t ‘over-improve.’ Call me and we can discuss what repairs your home actually needs. Your home should match your neighborhood’s environment.

If you have any questions about how to maximize your home’s appraisal value or if you need referrals for some great appraisers, call me. I’m here to be your real estate resource.

If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell, keep Team Diaz in mind because remember MONICA MAKES IT HAPPEN!

Will a Foreclosure or Short Sale Stop You From Purchasing a Home?

Will a Foreclosure or Short Sale Stop You From Purchasing a Home?

We are fully aware of the trend from years past of foreclosures and short sales, but what does it mean for you and your credit? Today, I wanted to talk to you about how you can improve your credit score if those blemishes are present and also what your options may be. To help with this, I have Adrian Enriquez and Lauren Lazalde of American Financial Network here to educate you on how to move forward in the event of foreclosure, short sale and even medical collections you haven’t been made aware of.

“Our goal when getting you prequalified is to point you in the right direction and tell you the exact steps you need to take in order to close escrow and to be put in the position to purchase a home,” Lauren stated. When we look at your credit, our main objective is to improve it so you are able to obtain a better interest rate and be in the best position possible to purchase your next home.

“We to make sure we address all issues before you open escrow so we do not drag you through a ten day process and you find out that you have these collections on your credit report that are randomly popping up,” Adrian added. “With FHA and conventional, there are a couple different ways you can go about it and they are each going to have their own seasoning,” Lauren continued. She also explained that if you were current on your payments with your short sale, you can immediately move towards an FHA purchase.

It is also phenomenal that with a 20% down payment on a conventional loan and a foreclosure from the past year, you are still able to move forward. In regards to an FHA purchase, the underwriters will compare purchasing scenarios in order to prevent people from taking advantage of the market. Do keep in mind that FHA requires three years from your most recent short sale or foreclosure and Adrian outlined that you have to be current with your trade lines, reestablish your credit and have a minimum FICO score of 620 to move forward. We will be there for you beforehand to address any of these issues.

For example, if a first-time buyer was to enter the market with a credit score of 630, there is a limit of investors we can sell the loan to as their credit score needs to be above 640. If the buyer is in the 620-639 range, there is a FICO hit because it is considered “risk-based pricing.” Adrian explained that as direct lenders, they will work to raise your credit score and ultimately achieve the customer a lower interest rate. This may be in the form of paying down debt and addressing any derogatory comments on your credit report by identifying whether they are valid or not.

“Even more specifically, we are going to look at your trade lines where you have a high credit limit and the balance is very close to that high credit limit, those are the triggers that those are the accounts when paid down, they will yield the most points to your credit score,” Lauren added. The lenders are able to run scenarios and obtain the specific number of FICO points that will raise your credit score to be done in preparation to ensure you are able to make offers right away. This process can be completed within 3 business days, the points will show on your credit score.

If you have questions pertaining to your FICO score, I strongly suggest contacting Adrian Enriquez or Lauren Lazalde. Discover how you can proceed in purchasing your next home and live in a way you never deemed possible. And Remember, when looking to buy or sell a home, Monica makes it happen!

Why is American Financial Network our Preferred Lender?

This week, we have a very special treat for you. As you know, we partner with the very best in the industry and part of that is some of the lenders we refer our clients to. With thousands of lenders available, why do we choose to work with American Financial Network?

“As you know, Monica Diaz is known for being very aggressive, effective in getting you into escrow and delivering the greatest customer service that is available, and we are an extension of that,” Lauren Lazalde of American Financial Network . “We are excited to get you into that home as much as you are to get those keys. We want to tell you exactly how you are going to get there,” she continued. American Financial Network will aggressively represent you in getting you into escrow, following up with the listing agent and if need be, adding a per diem to ensure you have a firm offer on the table. Another reason I choose American Financial Network is because they work 24/7; your hours are their hours.

“We as a direct lender have access to guidelines, Wells Fargo, Chase, and Bank of America,” Arian said. This means if one bank denies your application, American Financial Network can prequalify you and utilize the access of all other banks to assist you in your phone purchase and “putting you in a program that best suits your needs,” Adrian added.

Also, Adrian explained that their specific branch has four underwriters on staff to aid volume. American Financial Network is local and their underwriters are just a walk down the hall to provide immediate answers to our client’s questions.

If you have any questions for Adrian or Lauren, please give them a call. I am putting my reputation and my name at stake because they are truly amazing. Remember, Monica makes it happen!