So-Cal Living

When it comes to home buying, many sellers offer a "Home Buyer Home Warranty" included in the negotiated purchase of a home. In the event it's not included, home warranties are also available for purchase from the buying side.

Home buyer home warranties are basically a one-year contract, regardless of who pays, (the buyer or the seller) for a period of time, typically written for one year from the close of escrow. Most of them are usually renewable at the end of the initial period of time at the option of home buyers.

Like any contract/policy, it's important to know what's covered...and what's not, because not all policies are the same. Most policies cover most of the working components of a home, for example:

Normally included:

• Built-in appliances
• Plumbing
• Heating
• Air Conditioning

Optional items include:

• Roof coverage
• Pool/spa
• Refrigerator
• Washer & Dryer
• Fixtures

The items listed above are just a few things to consider when deciding on a home warranty for your sale/purchase. Your REALTOR can also provide you with information from the different companies that are available. The "customer service" side can also make a difference.

It's also critical to know policies DO NOT cover pre-existing conditions! Meaning if an item is referenced in the property inspection report as being in-operable/defective, do not expect coverage from the policy contract. It's similar to applying for health insurance with a "pre-existing" health issue.

So when you're looking for competent and knowledgeable real estate help, contact me: Lynda@PreferredHomeBrokers.com or (714) 595-1494 Text or Direct. As the Broker & Owner of  Preferred Home Brokers, we've been successfully representing Southern California home buyers and sellers for 35+ years!

Check out our other 2-Minute Real Estate Videos and Subscribe!

• CA Real Estate Contract ~ Understanding the Contract
• Working With a CRS ~ A Certified Residential Specialist
• Short Sales ~ Do's & Don'ts of a Short Sale
• Probate & Estate Home Selling ~ When That Time Comes
• Offer Accepted? ~ What's Next?
• Home Selling 101 ~ 5 Things You Need to Know
• Home Buyer Disclosures & the Statewide Advisory
• Home Buying Know How in a Homeowner's Association

--CA Broker's Lic. Since 1976 ~ 00402040

Brea, CA Real Estate Sales Report in Orange County, CA comparing real estate data for the last three years for Brea real estate and home sale.

When it comes to home ownership in Orange County CA, specifically Brea, CA it's important to have the facts on Brea homes for sale.

Take a look at the year over year 4th quarter real estate report for SINGLE FAMILY HOMES  and CONDOS from 2009 to 2011 in the City of Brea, CA:

ASKING PRICES:

• 2011 number of 4th quarter single family closings was 59 ~ Average asking price $495,775
• 2010 number of 4th quarter single family closings was 64 ~ Average asking price $525,600
• 2009 number of 4th quarter single family closings was 66 ~ Average asking price $570,700

CLOSED PRICES:

• 2011 Average Sold Price was $484,950 ~ $242.20 Per Square Foot ~ 68 Days on Market
• 2010 Average Sold Price was $512,900 ~ $260.04 Per Square Foot ~ 99 Days on Market
• 2009 Average Sold Price was $558,000 ~ $276.72 Per Square Foot ~ 82 Days on Market

 CONDOS & TOWNHOME CLOSINGS COMPARISON:

• 30 Closings for 2011 with an average sales price $312,000 ~ $230 Per Square Foot ~ 94 Days on Market
• 17 Closings for 2010 with an average sales price $320.000 ~ $226 Per Square Foot ~ 80 Days on Market
• 27 Closings for 2009 with an average sales price $374.000 ~ $254 Per Square Foot ~ 90 Days on Market

BREA is located in Northern Orange County and is a City is well known for excellence in education. The schools have been definite attraction for our community. Many of us who live here say,"Brea enjoys some of the bigger city benefits, yet maintains a small town feeling". Most who live here feel we have the best of both worlds.

So if you're looking to buy or sell a a Brea home, you've come to the right place. Preferred Home Brokers is one of Orange County's longest established brokerages under the same ownership. We live and work in the Brea community ourselves and have for decades.

You can contact any of the Preferred REALTORS or contact me directly at (714) 595-1494, or Lynda@PreferredHomeBrokers.com

On Facebook? Check out and sign up for I Love Brea! for a visit to our community. Thinking of selling a home, view HomeSelling101.com for home selling know how.

--CA Broker License # 00402040

The beauty and magic of the pride of Pasadena...of course the Tournament of Roses aka the Rose Parade a little over a week ago may (or may not at times) have much of an impact on home prices in Southern CA.

However with years like this one on January 2nd, 2012 and 85 degree temps + warm temps since then, makes me think of the impact it could have of our local real estate.

The “weather” dividend as it’s also known has come and in someways gone (imho) over the years along with the inflated home prices for our (mostly) postage stamp size lots right along with our traffic clogging freeways. Yet seeing the sunny skies of Southern Cal has got to be appealing to those in the frozen tundra of the east this time of year. I can only imagine what it must be like to shovel your way out of the house driveway vs. saying “please pass me the sunscreen Martha…”

Those of us who’ve lived here all our lives at times take our “winter weather” for granted I'm sure much like those of us in  Miami and beautiful HI. Yep when it gets down below the 60′s during the day we think we’re freezing, yet that’s almost balmy in Chicago for January right?  And believe me I know that after visiting the Windy City in early January a couple of years back locals were boasting about sunshine and their 37 degree temps!

Now for me personally, even though selling So Cal real estate for living has been my livelihood for decades, I think we have more than enough people here right now...however if you are making the trek out west to live, contact me! My name is Lynda Eisenmann and my company is Preferred Home Brokers . We’ve been representing home buyers and sellers in So Cal communities now for decades in Southern California, the land of sunshine...among other things.

You can reach me at Lynda@PreferredHomeBrokers or (714) 595-1494 Direct or Text! You can also check out my YouTube Channel on Souther CA Real Estate.

So I guess only time will tell if the 2012 real estate market will be much different from 2010 and 2011 which had relatively similar numbers according to the data from the So Cal Multiple Listing Service (one of the largest real estate data bases in the country). Until then…enjoy the weather wherever you are!

CA Broker's License #00402040

When it comes to short sales in Southern California or elsewhere at times short sales can be anything but short! If you're a home buyer buying a short sale, or if you're a short sale seller I think you will find this information helpful.

Short Sale ~ Do's

• Be sure you understand your commitments and expenses contained within your contract.
• Are you required to submit your initital deposit to the escrow or title company even if your offer hasn't been accepted by the seller's lender(s)?
• Are you required (by contract) to proceed with the appraisal at this point?
• Will you be required to complete the property physical inspection?

Short Sale Don'ts

• Don't open any new credit or make any large purchases during the home buying process.
• Don't change jobs while buying a home.
• Don't make any unusual or large deposits while in escrow.
• Don't co-sign for anyone else.
• Don't pay of any debts/close accounts during the home buying process

These are just a few do's and don'ts while in escrow! Bottom line DON'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT FIRST SPEAKING WITH YOUR LOAN PROFESSIONAL, your loan originator or lender, because what may seem like a good idea to you could make the difference between a failure vs. a successful closing.

So when you're looking for competent and knowledgeable real estate help, contact me: Lynda@PreferredHomeBrokers.com or (714) 595-1494 Text or Direct. I'm the Broker & Owner of Preferred Home Brokers and we've been successfully representing Southern California home buyers and sellers for 35 years!

Check out our other 2-Minute Real Estate Videos and Subscribe!

CA Real Estate Contract ~ Understanding the Contract

Working With a CRS ~ A Certified Residential Specialist  

Home Selling 101 ~ 5 Tips to Successful Home Selling

Probate & Estate Home Selling ~ When That Time Comes

Offer Accepted? ~ What's Next?

Home Buying With a Home Warranty Policy

Home Buyer Disclosures & the Statewide Advisory

Home Buying Know How in a Homeowner's Association

--CA Broker's Lic. Since 1976 ~ 00402040