"PRICES ARE UP 19% FROM LAST YEAR" - SHOULD I CONSIDERING SELLING?

Maybe you're wondering if now is the time to put your home on the market and buy something new. Home prices in San Diego County reached a post-Great Recession high in March. The S&P/Case-Shiller Index showed Tuesday that prices rose 1.3 percent from February to March. In the previous Case-Shiller report, San Diego County led the nation’s appreciation at 1 percent.

Here are 9 things you need to ask yourself before selling your home

1) Can I afford to sell?

If you're interested in buying another home after you sell, consult with a mortgage specialist to make sure that you will be able to qualify for your next home, especially if you're eyeing a property that is more expensive.

2) Am I prepared to handle the stress?

People don't realize how stressful selling a home can be. For instance, some sellers may be offended if they receive a low offer or if the buyer sends them a list of repair requests after the home inspection is complete. The buyer may not appreciate your home as much as you do. Don't take it personally.

3) Do I understand my competition?

Your agent can prepare a market analysis of recent sales in your area to help you understand how your home compares to the competition. In the lingo of the industry, these are called "comps."

4) Can I improve this house?

Buyers today demand a very clean and updated home. Consider replacing outdated brass fixtures and adding new lighting fixtures to give your home an updated feel at a reasonable cost. 

• Focus on top renovation selling points, which include:
• Updated kitchen
• Curb appeal and landscaping
• Fresh exterior/interior paint

5) How can I get more money for my house?

Your home should be staged and show ready, all the time. Remove personal items and consider temporary storage if your home has too much clutter.

6) Am I realistic about how much my house is worth?

If you really want to know your home's value, get an appraisal before you put your house on the market and price it accordingly.

7) Should I offer an incentive?

You may want to consider paying some of the closing costs. Many buyers have money for the down payment, but they've forgotten about the other costs involved. Other incentives to ask your agent about include a painting allowance and a home warranty.

8) Why did I buy this home?

Think back to when you bought your home. What was it about this home that caught your eye? If it was important to you then, it will likely be important to your buyer!

9) When should I list?

Spring and fall are the best times to list a property, but a well-presented home will sell at any time of the year.

By Michael Timmermann

Is a Surveillance Camera Right for You?

Many people turn to surveillance cameras as a way to make their home and office more secure. There are so many different types of security measures on offer however that is can be hard to know whether this is the right type of equipment for your needs. This article explores the different security measures and tools available and what the advantages and disadvantages of each of them are. 

CCTV cameras can be attached to the outside of the building, can be placed over the door step, can be placed inside or can be entirely hidden from view. There are even dummy cameras available that provide a good deterrent aspect but don't actually incur any additional cost of filming. All cameras that can be seen work well as a deterrent. A burglar is far less likely to break into a home when there is the chance they will shown doing so on video surveillance footage. CCTV cameras don't necessarily sound an alarm however if security is breached in some way. In this respect they may be able to film a crime being committed but they won't necessarily be able to put a stop to it. Having the footage available however does mean there is more chance of getting your things back if they have been stolen. 

Burglar alarms are another way that people add security to their homes. These have a large number of problems however. First of all burglaries are usually very quick and the perpetrator can be long gone by the time the police or a security firm have arrived on the scene. Secondly the alarm can in some cases be stopped by simply locating the control panel and breaking it. Cats and other animals can also sometimes trip the alarm when they jump through an open window which can cause problems for everyone. 

The ideal solution is to have both surveillance monitoring of some kind as well as a motion sensor, this way you get the best of all worlds. If this stretches the budget too far however then it is better to simply go with some kind of camera equipment. This provides the best value for money in terms of security. In the past it was just the wealthiest members of society who were able to afford security equipment such as cameras, but these days the prices have come right down and now everyone can benefit. Nanny cameras and hidden indoor cameras are another very popular type of security surveillance. Camouflaged cameras can allow you to see things that you would otherwise not be privy to. Parents like to be able to check their nannies are caring for their children well, employers like to be able to check everything is just as it should be in the workplace. 

Another scenario in which hidden cameras are ideal is for the use of gathering evidence. If you are being targeted or victimized, having hard evidence to show the police can mean something can be done. Without the proof however the police may be hesitant to take any real action. There is no doubt that cameras are a valuable and versatile security tool. Surveillance can assist in a number of different ways to keep everyone safe and free from harm. If you are unsure of what type you need the first step is to define what exactly you want the security camera for and then decide how much you are willing to spend. 

When you search online you will find a host of companies offering surveillance camera equipment and monitoring devices. Make sure you buy from a reputable company with a good website. There is more choice online than in high street shops so it is best to buy your equipment here. From a wildlife camera to tracking devices, go online to find out what is available and get the best prices.

by Kathryn Dawson

Owning a Home is a Smart Financial Investment

32% of people looking to buy a home in the next two years

Americans are becoming more optimistic about buying a home, with 67% of people saying they plan on purchasing a home, and of that amount, 32% are looking to buy within the next two years.

The PulteGroup (PHM) Home Index surveyed 1,004 adults on their sentiment about the U.S. economy and how current housing conditions are impacting future homebuyers.   

According to the survey results, 74% of adults feel the economy has remained steady or improved in the last year.

As a result, 57% of adults think now is a good or excellent time to purchase items they want or need, especially when it comes to entering the housing market.  

Millennials and move-up buyers are the most engaged consumer segments, with 85% and 71%, respectively, intending to purchase a home in the future. 

“For the first time in years, Americans have a growing sense of optimism that the housing market is improving, and that these positive changes may be sustainable,” said Margaret Gramann, senior vice president of sales for PulteGroup. 

“This favorable outlook is giving them the confidence to pursue more meaningful, big-picture life opportunities they may have otherwise put on hold,” Gramann added.

There are two main drivers to purchasing a home: the need for more space and the view that owning a home is a smart financial investment.

Currently 70% of home shoppers plan to spend as much or more money on their next home, along with 64% of people saying they prefer to spend on a home that’s move-in ready rather than spend less and renovate.

“Whether it’s a first-time or move-up buyer, or an active adult, purchasing a home is a major life decision and Americans are recognizing the importance of maximizing what they view as a long-term investment,” said Gramann.  “They’re aiming to create value in a home that meets their specific wants and needs from day one, and if that means spending more money, they’re willing to do so because of confidence in the market.” 

And as consumer demand for housing increases, so does the demand for more credit.

For borrowers who already have a home, the demand for home equity lines of credit is increasing.

Experian found a 41% increase in originations year over year, with 70% of HELOCs coming from super prime consumers. See the inforgraphic for more detail (click image for bigger picture). 

Time for boomers to sell and move on? The state of real estate

The state of real estate

The housing market appears to be on a steady recovery track since its crash in late 2006, and "homes prices are 5 percent off of the historical normal," according to Sean Aggarwal, chief financial officer of residential real estate website Trulia.

In 2013 the housing market was up big—11.3 percent—according to theCase-Shiller Home Price Indices, making it the best year since 2005. Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco had the largest boosts last year, up more than 20 percent. Though this year, projections are not expect to shoot through the roof like last year. The research firm Clear Capital, which serves the mortgage and lending industry, projects that in 2014 home prices will rise between 3 and 5 percent.

This spring's selling season looks to be an attractive one, according to Wells Fargo chief financial officer Tim Sloan, who recently said on CNBC's "Squawk Box" that home affordability continues to be "very attractive."

Given last years stellar rise and this years projected growth, which is more in line with historical norms, near-retirees might be considering exiting the market in the near future in case home prices reverse course. It's the age old dilemma of getting out now or staying in the game, as homes come with a level of risk, just like any other asset.

One reason home sales might not continue to climb as they did last year is rising interest rates—the main driver for this being the Fed's likely move to continue tapering.

Despite prices still being up year–over–year, this week's Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index showed a dip in January—the third month in a row. This was mainly due to a perfect storm of a brutal winter, low inventory and rising interest rates. Despite the fact that the index dropped just .01 percent for the last 3 months, Yale economics professor and co–founder of the index Robert Shiller did say on this week's "Squawk on the Street" that the market is "gradually slowing...according to the data we have".

Also, this week's U.S. Department of Commerce report showed that new home sales in February were down both 3.3 percent from January and 1.1 percent from a year ago .

PLAY VIDEO

Robert Shiller: Housing could weaken more

Robert Shiller, Case-Shiller Index co-founder and Yale University professor of economics, breaks down today's key housing data and explains how investors can dictate housing momentum.