Monthly Archives: December 2012

Are San Diego foreclosures really declining or is it all more statistical tricks, in an attempt to make the market look healthy? The latest round of figures from DataQuick and UT San Diego show a steep and steady decline in the local foreclosure rate. The figures show a 15% drop in notices of default being filed between October and November, to half of what we were seeing this time last year. This puts San Diego County at a measly 819 foreclosure notices last month, the lowest rate since August 2006.

The world’s richest billionaire just got into real estate investing in an even bigger way, setting a trend many more high net worth individuals are sure to follow… Everyone has heard about the massive real estate investing maneuvers Warren Buffett has been making recently and how many of the world’s richest rely on real estate investments for a large share of their income but this new move by Forbes’ #1 richest billionaire Carlos Slim takes it to a new level.

More real estate investors have been asking about the pros versus cons of multi-family real estate investing. Is it far more headache than it’s worth or could it actually be more profitable than trying to convert REOs to rentals? So what are the real pros and cons of multi-family property real estate investing and how do they compare with single family homes?

The great Instagram debacle has been hogging the media for the last week, and even for the non-geek real estate investors this holds some critical business strategy lessons which shouldn’t be ignored. The Instagram disaster over its new privacy policy has been likened to both the downfall of Facebook and Netflix. All three have made fatal mistakes which rubbed customers the wrong way with crushing consequences.

There are no excuses for real estate investors and agents not to get away before the end of the year. Taking a break is a must, not a nice to have. If you don’t take time out to recharge, get inspired and map out your game plan for the New Year you’ll be starting off at a major disadvantage to your competition.

News of HUD selling off masses of FHA loans to investors may not make California real estate agents happy, but the real question is what it means for homeowners and buyers? As a part of the Federal Housing Administration’s attempt to restore solvency after reporting a huge budgeting short fall it has announced plans to shed 40,000 seriously delinquent loans to real estate investors.

What does home buying look like in 2013 for those who have been sitting on the sidelines? Some have called the real estate recovery ‘uneven’, while others point out the housing market in many cities has already found bottom and has been improving for well over 18 months. So what should those contemplating buying a home next year expect to see happening?

The U.S. is predicted to be the top real estate investment destination on the planet next year, a sign of even better things to come as the housing market continues to recover. A recent report by Overseas Property Professional magazine and a survey of the world’s most active real estate investors by Colliers International shows America as the most popular choice for investing for 2013.

San Diego real estate has remained in the limelight as one of the leaders of the housing recovery but has the market already topped out or will San Diego homes get any more expensive? With statistics from DataQuick showing that San Diego real estate prices have risen 13.7% from November 2011 to November 2012 and now sitting 28% higher than at the bottom of the market in January 2009 its clear the local market is on fire.

How is the business landscape shaping up for 2013 and what does it mean for the real estate market and real estate business owners? The business and economic environment has a major effect on housing. Not just in how much transaction volume goes on in the industry but also which property types are most in demand and which companies are top or flop.