Lesli's Blog

    Traditionally, spring is one of the busiest times of the year for real estate. However, the coronavirus outbreak—and subsequent stay-at-home orders—led many buyers and sellers to put their moving plans on hold. In April, new listings fell nearly 45%, and sales volume fell 15% compared to last year. 1   Fortunately, as restrictions have eased, we’ve seen an uptick in market activity.  Homebuyer demand is beginning to show signs of life. Overall, the  U.S. recorded its 6th consecutive increase in new purchase-money applications. That brings the number of mortgage applications back above the pre-crisis levels of late February. Importantly, this also erases the year-to-year deficit that peaked in mid-April as well with total applications 8% higher last week than they were during the same period of 2019.   California saw its 7th consecutive weekly gain in mortgage applications as well, though it also saw a bigger contraction in the immediate aftermath o...

Why Real Estate Investing Makes (Dollars and) Sense     INTRODUCTION   Turn on the television or scroll through Facebook, and chances are you’ll see at least one advertisement for a group or “guru” who promises to teach you how to “get rich quick” through real estate investing. The truth is, much of what they’re selling are high-risk tactics that aren’t a good fit for the average investor. However, there is a way to make steady, predictable, low-risk income through real estate investing. In this blog post, we’ll examine the tried-and-true tactics that can be used to increase your income, pay off debt … even fund your retirement!     WHY INVEST IN REAL ESTATE?   One of the basic principles of real estate investment lies in this fact: everyone needs a place to live. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent Consumer Expenditures Survey, housing is typically an American’s largest expense. 1   But there are other reasons why real estate...

The Home Buyer's Guide to Getting Mortgage Ready   Don’t wait until you’re ready to move to start preparing financially to buy a home.   If you’re like the vast majority of home buyers, you will choose to finance your purchase with a mortgage loan. By preparing in advance, you can avoid the common delays and roadblocks many buyers face when applying for a mortgage.   The requirements to secure a mortgage may seem overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. But I’ve outlined three simple steps to get you started on your path to homeownership.   Even if you’re a current homeowner, it’s a good idea to prepare in advance so you don’t encounter any surprises along the way. Lending requirements have become more rigorous recently, and changes to your credit history, debt levels, job type and other factors could impact your chances of approval.   It’s never too early to start preparing to buy a home. Follow these three steps to begin laying the foundation for your...