From the category archives:

Home Buyers

Strange Strategies – Orange County Home Buyers Take Control

by Leslie EskildsenSeptember 2, 2010 Home Buyers

Strange times call for strange strategies
As not normal as the world economic situation is today, the Orange County Real Estate market is just as not normal. Strange times. Gone are the days when you shopped for a house, found one you liked, and haggled politely with the seller, then moved in. In today’s [...]

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Real Estate Melt-Downs: Falling Out of Escrow is Never Fun

by Leslie EskildsenAugust 30, 2010 Featured Posts

Top Three Deal Killers – Why Orange County Escrows Fall Apart
If you’re keeping an eye on the Orange County Real Estate market, you’ve heard some deals are falling apart before they close. Leaving hopeful home buyers and sellers stranded, stressed, and massively frustrated. While every failed escrow has a story all its own, there are a few common [...]

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Orange County Home Buyers and Sellers – Check the Comps!

by Leslie EskildsenAugust 28, 2010 Home Buyers

How’s the Mission Viejo Market? What’s My Coto de Caza Home Worth? Is That a Rancho Santa Margarita pool home a Good Deal?

What’s the Market Telling You About Homes Like Yours?
If you are a home buyer or a home seller in today’s Orange County Real Estate Market asking any of these questions, you have to know [...]

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Real Live Home Inspection Discussion 2 – What Buyers Should Look For

by Leslie EskildsenAugust 22, 2010 Expert Advice

Now that you have the right mindset to get a general impression of the condition of the Orange County home you’ve fallen in love with, here are some tips from Jack Clausen of JLC Inspections on what you should look for.

Knowledge is Power
These are simple things that you and your Realtor can check, before you [...]

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Real Live Home Inspection Introduction – What’s the Big Deal?

by Leslie EskildsenAugust 18, 2010 Home Buyers

Here’s the real deal on buying a used home in Orange County, CA. Some one has lived there before you. Maybe multiple someones. They’ve cooked, eaten, washed, cleaned (or not,) slept, bathed, gone potty, and parked in the garage. They’ve had kids, pets, friends and family. They’ve had TVs, DVDs, PCs, SUVs, coffeemakers, toaster ovens, space heaters, and [...]

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What Are the Scariest Words In Orange County Real Estate Today?

by Leslie EskildsenAugust 16, 2010 Featured Posts

If you ask me, the scariest words in Orange County Real Estate right now are “Short Sale Approved!”

I heard you gasp.
You thought that if it was an Approved Short Sale it would be like your mommy kissing your boo boo and making it all better. Ha. Snap out of it. That clever distraction didn’t work then and [...]

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Heads Up Home Buyers – 80/20 is the Rule!

by Leslie EskildsenAugust 10, 2010 Home Buyers

Yes, indeed, the old 80/20 rule applies to the Orange County home buying process.

You know this rule right? Attributed to that Italian guy, Pareto, adapted into modern jargon meaning ” the vital few and the trivial many.” In Pareto’s time, 20% of the people owned 80% of the real estate. Now, 20% of the tax payers pay [...]

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Realtors’ Motto – Always Be Prepared. Check Out My Bag.

by Leslie EskildsenAugust 5, 2010 Home Buyers

You think taking a day to look at Orange County homes that you might want to buy is a walk in the park? Think again. It is really hard work. Almost as brutal as Boot Camp. Or Basic Training. Or the Pre-School Playground. And just like a good Scout, a good Realtor is always prepared for a [...]

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Attention All Home Buyers and Sellers – Be Mature.

by Leslie EskildsenAugust 2, 2010 Featured Posts

Some Orange County home buyers and sellers need to be reminded to be mature during their Real Estate Transaction. I know you’re stressed. I know you’re maxed out trying to handle work, your family, and your escrow. But you will help yourself tremendously if you remember to be mature as the drama unfolds.
Be mature about [...]

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What Buyers Say vs What Agents Hear

by Leslie EskildsenJuly 28, 2010 Featured Posts

So, you’re a home buyer in today’s great Orange County Real Estate Market. You’re taking advantage of killer home prices and even better mortgage interest rates, right? Perfect. Congratulations!
Now that have your money all figured out, you’re pre-approved for a home loan, and gave a good idea of what you’re looking for - you’re ready to go shopping [...]

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