Tuesday, November 29, 2011

It's Not Too Early To Prepare For Tax Day!

The Orange County CA Assessor updated its published general information for new home owners at Orange County, California.

  • By law, California real estate is valued each year as of January 1 (lien date) for property tax purposes.

  • Property taxes are assessed to the owner of real estate on January 1 of each year.

  • Property tax bills are mailed in September to the owner of property on January 1.

  • New owners may receive a tax bill with the prior owner’s name (January 1 is the controlling date).

  • New owners are responsible for property tax payments as soon as they acquire the property.

  • Check for unpaid taxes on the Tax Collector’s website, http://tax.ocgov.com (Pay/Review Your Property Taxes).

  • Your name may not appear on the tax bill for up to 1 year.

  • Homeowners that occupy their home as their principal residence may qualify for an exemption that could reduce their taxable value by $7,000 and save them about $70 per year in property taxes.

  • New owners will receive a Notice of Supplemental Assessment and a Supplemental Tax Bill (this process can take up to 9 months from when you acquired the property).

  • Information on tax-saving programs administered by the Assessor Department is posted on its web site.


Robyn Seymour CLHMS SRES ABR CRS GRI
Prudential California Realty
949-793-5088
Robyn@RobynSeymour.com
For more info/details on this and other properties,
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tax Relief Expires 12/31/2012

On December 20, 2007 President Bush Signed H.R. 3648, The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007. The law applies to primary residences only and takes effect from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2012. It provides relief to home owners by shielding them from the additional burden of potential federal income tax on any amount written off or forgiven by their lender in case of foreclosure or short sale. Followed on the heels of the federal debt relief the state government also enacted legislation for the same purposes but please consult with an experienced tax professional to see how the law applies in your circumstance. It is strongly advised.

Robyn Seymour CLHMS SRES ABR CRS GRI
Prudential California Realty
949-793-5088
Robyn@RobynSeymour.com
For more info/details on this and other properties,
Visit Us on the web

Monday, November 14, 2011

Keeping Your Eye On Interest Rates

Buyers who wait for the market property values to decline run the very obvious risk of paying more annualized if rates increase. If rates go up a simple 1% buyers who were qualified for a $600,000 will now only qualify for a $550,000 home. Hoping values decrease by another 10 or 15 percent is a big chance to take. Historically rates are higher than today and many financial companies estimate the rates at 6.5 by year end. BUY NOW while there is a good inventory and the interest rates are at historic lows.



Interest Rates


4.50% 5.00% 5.50% 6.00% 6.50% 7.00%
$200,000 $1,013.00 $1,074.00 $1,136.00 $1,199.00 $1,264.00 $1,331.00
$300,000 $1,520.00 $1,610.00 $1,703.00 $1,799.00 $1,896.00 $1,996.00
$400,000 $2,027.00 $2,147.00 $2,271.00 $2,398.00 $2,528.00 $2,661.00
$500,000 $2,533.00 $2,684.00 $2,839.00 $2,998.00 $3,160.00 $3,247.00
$600,000 $3,040.00 $3,221.00 $3,407.00 $3,597.00 $3,792.00 $3,992.00
$700,000 $3,547.00 $3,758.00 $3,975.00 $4,197.00 $4,424.00 $4,657.00
$800,000 $4,053.00 $4,295.00 $4,542.00 $4,796.00 *$5,057.00 $5,322.00
$900,000 $4,560.00 $4,831.00 $5,110.00 $5,396.00 $5,689.00 $5,988.00
$1,000,000 *$5,067.00 $5,368.00 $5,678.00 $5,996.00 $6,321.00 $6,653.00

Robyn Seymour CLHMS SRES ABR CRS GRI
Prudential California Realty
949-793-5088
Robyn@RobynSeymour.com
For more info/details on this and other properties,
Visit Us on the web

Sunday, November 13, 2011

All Of Your Real Estate Sales/Purchase Needs In One Place


Where Robyn’s unique perspective makes the biggest impact is in her real estate career. As a leading agent serving the coastal communities of Orange County, she uses her tireless drive and vision to help her clients spot their own opportunities in life. Robyn’s engaging personality and genuine enthusiasm for her craft are also reflected in her fiery, energetic approach. She not only excels at putting her clients in the best position possible to succeed, but she makes the entire process fun along the way.



This is your all-inclusive stop for short sales listings, professional advice, market trends and everything else you may need when seeking your next real estate purchase or sale!

Robyn Seymour CLHMS SRES ABR CRS GRI
Prudential California Realty
949-793-5088
Robyn@RobynSeymour.com
For more info/details on this and other properties,
Visit Us on the web

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Short Sales and Foreclosures are Making Up More Than 50% of Sales!

An estimated 35,404 new and resale houses and condos were sold statewide last month. That was down 6.2 percent from 37,734 in August, and up 6.7 percent from 33,176 for September 2010. A decline from August to September is normal for the season. California sales for the month of September have varied from a low of 24,460 in 2007 to a high of 69,304 in 2003, while the average is 43,939. DataQuick's statistics go back to 1988.

The median price paid for a home last month was $249,000, the same as in August, and down 6.0 percent from $265,000 in September a year ago. The year-over-year decrease was the twelfth in a row after eleven months of increases. The bottom of the current cycle was $221,000 in April 2009, while the peak was at $484,000 in early 2007.

Distressed property sales – the combination of foreclosure resales and “short sales” – made up more than half of California’s resale market last month. With those kind of statistics, you owe it to yourself and your family to make the right choice as to whether or not a short sale is for you, and to seek out a short sale specialist.

Robyn Seymour CLHMS SRES ABR CRS GRI
Prudential California Realty
949-793-5088
Robyn@RobynSeymour.com
For more info/details on this and other properties,
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Friday, November 4, 2011

Beware of "Foreclosure Fixers"

Beware of any company claiming that they guarantee they can stop any foreclosure no matter what you owe. A short while ago, The Federal Trade Commission compiled a list of warning signs that a "foreclosure fixer" company may be a scam. Those warnings include any company that requires you to pay for services upfront, tells you to send mortgage payments to it directly, requires you to hand over the property deed, or tells you to refrain from contacting your lender directly.

Robyn Seymour CLHMS SRES ABR CRS GRI
Prudential California Realty
949-793-5088
Robyn@RobynSeymour.com
For more info/details on this and other properties,
Visit Us on the web