Carmel Valley Real Estate

Carmel Valley Real Estate Inventory

2012-01-19T15:02:00.000-08:00

Over the last several months, we've seen a decline in inventory
for properties here in Carmel Valley. The number of Bank owned
homes has also dropped. Short sales continue to be a major part
of this market.

If you are currently looking for a great piece of Carmel Valley real estate,
don't expect good values to remain on market for long periods.

If you'd like to be notified of new listings, just use our Email Update
button on our home page. www.OnlyCarmelValleyHomes.com

The Real Estate Virtual Office and Going Green!

2012-01-06T18:34:00.000-08:00

Technology is bringing big changes to the real estate industry. The days of the fixed location office or "brick and mortar" are going the way of the dinosaur. Our clients expect us to provide the best service possible. Todays virtual office allows us to meet these demands, plus save time and money for everyone involved. A virtual office means we have the capability to conduct business almost anywhere.

The good news for you? Sitting in a conference room for various reasons, viewing property, printing and signing forms etc are over. The vast majority of buyers start their home search online and have already spoken with their agent or broker about which properties they'd like to view. We can go straight to the fun part which is looking at property. With a netbook and 3G access, we can instantly access any additional data about a property you may need. Once you've found the home or property that interests you, you're free to take off and go do something fun. All the paperwork will arrive to you online. You can even electronically sign all your documents.

The technology we have at your disposal means a faster, more productive and fun home search experience for you. The added bonus is our reduced consumption of natural resources. We can consume far less paper, gas and electricity.

Of course, if technology scares you a bit, we can still accomodate you the old fashioned way. OnlyCarmelValleyHomes is committed to providing great service to our clients and we look forward to helping you find a wonderful property.

Carmel Valley Real Estate 4th Quarter Sales Stats

2012-01-06T14:33:00.000-08:00

Carmel Valley Sales Statistics, 4th Quarter 2011' Single Family Homes
Carmel Valley Real Estate, Carmel Valley Village Real Estate

New listings 37
Current Inventory 82
Closed sales 34
Days on Market 135
Average sales price 819.765
Median sales price 640,000
Total sales volume 27,872

Carmel Valley Real Estate 3rd Quarter Statistics

2011-12-09T14:24:00.000-08:00

Carmel Valley Sales Statistics, 2nd Quarter 2011'
Single Family Homes
Carmel Valley Real Estate,
Carmel Valley Village Real Estate

New listings 46
Current Inventory 109
Closed sales 37
Days on Market 144
Average sales price 742,000
Median sales price 630,000
Total sales volume 27,464,450

Carmel Valley REO's and short sales

2011-12-07T12:44:00.000-08:00

Carmel Valley has a number of Bank owned properties for sale. We also have a significant amount of homes listed as "short sales." These properties can prove to be excellent values. If you'd like a list of available properties in the Carmel Valley market, just let us know. Carmel Valley Real Estate, Monterey County CA http://www.onlycarmelvalleyhomes.com/ Carmel Valley Real Estate... It's all we do!

Martin's Hot Property List!

2011-11-26T10:34:00.000-08:00

Need some help locating the best values? Do you have questions about different neighborhoods in Carmel Valley? We focus on one area, Carmel Valley. I can point you directly towards the best homes currently listed in Carmel Valley. I constantly preview homes and keep a list of the top values in every price range. Just call or email and let me know your criteria. There are some terrific homes at fantastic prices. As always, you can view every home and land listing in Carmel Valley directly at http://www.OnlyCarmelValleyHomes.com/ Carmel Valley Real Estate... It's all we do!

Carmel Valley, mouth of valley properties
Carmel Valley, Mid-Valley homes for sale
Carmel Valley, Carmel Valley Village
Carmel Valley, Cachagua real estate

Carmel Valley Sales Statistics, 2nd Quarter 2011'

2011-08-15T19:08:00.000-07:00

Carmel Valley Sales Statistics, 2nd Quarter 2011'
Carmel Valley Real Estate, Carmel Valley, Carmel Valley Village Real Estate

Single family homes

New listings 79
Current Inventory 139
Closed sales 26
Days on Market 131
Average sales price 1,129,250
Median sales price 802,500
Total sales volume 29,360,500

Carmel Valley Real Estate 4th Qtr Sales Statistics

2011-02-01T15:50:00.001-08:00

Carmel Valley Real Estate Sales Statistics, 4th Quarter 2010'
Single Family Homes

35 New listings
106 properties in inventory
32 closed sales
average 130 days on market
average sales price $769,554
percentage of list price received 92.68
24,625,750 total sales volume

Preparing Your Home For Sale

2011-01-02T15:25:00.000-08:00

Providing Reports, Inspections and Disclosures

Most people think home preparation is all about curb appeal, cleaning up the kitchen and baths and other areas buyers will view when they tour your property. That is important, but I'm talking about a different kind of preparation. Were going to talk about things the buyer can't see when he/she visits your home.

There are any number of inspections, reports and disclosures that accompany a home sale. Be proactive and display these completed items for possible buyers to review. This list could include Termite/pest, Preliminary title, Transfer Disclosure Statement, Natural & Environmental Hazards and permits for any additions/remodels. You may also have local issues like we have here in Carmel Valley. We would add Septic report and Water Conservation Certification. You may also want to consider having a Home Inspection of your own.

Every home sale includes a "due diligence" phase where all this documentation is provided for the buyer to review and approve. Don't let some unknown and costly problem arise and jeopardize the sale. By taking this easy step, you can "tighten up" the buyers time periods and removal of contingencies deadlines. Let's keep those buyers moving in the right direction, towards the close of escrow!

Place all this great information in nice folders and display on your kitchen counter. Now the buyers can focus on your fantastic home and not worry about what might be hiding!

Carmel Valley Real Estate 3rd Quarter statistics

2010-11-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

Carmel Valley Real Estate Statistics
3rd Quarter 2010

67 new listings
151 properties in inventory
32 closed sales
209 average days on market
$1,096,426 average sales price
89.65% of list price received
Median sales price $740,000

$35,085,650 total sales volume

Carmel Valley Neighborhoods, Find the Sun!

2010-11-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

For those of you not familiar with Carmel Valley, the weather changes as you head east into Carmel Valley. Carmel Valley Rd. is roughly 12 miles long from Hwy 1 to Carmel Valley Village. We can break this up into 3 mile sections so you can identify where to find the amount of sunshine you desire.

Hwy 1 to Quail Lodge, the first 3 mile section, is very close to the ocean. Here you will have weather similar to Carmel with a strong ocean influence and lots of fog. If you enjoy cool and like to avoid any high temps, this is the place.

Quail Lodge to Mid-Valley, second 3 mile section. This area will still have weather similar to Carmel, yet is far enough out so the fog can burn off.

Mid-Valley past Laureles Grade, third 3 mile section. Here you start to see alot of sunshine. Temps are still mild overall and the fog still rolls in. Generally the fog will burn off earlier and come back later in the afternoons. If you are looking for mostly sunny days, Mid-Valley and east are your ticket.

Carmel Valley Village, our last section. Lots of sun, higher temps, and little fog.

If you'd like other information about Carmel Valley real estate, or living in Carmel Valleyjust give us a call or email. We're happy to help.

How to select a listing agent

2010-11-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

Choosing a listing agent to sell your home is an important decision. By using just a few key criteria, you can prevent lost time, money and some big headaches!

Step one: Find an agent that works in your area. An agent that specializes in your neighborhood would be ideal. You need someone who really knows the inventory. This is not the time to hire a friend or relative just because they have a real estate license. OnlyCarmelValleyHomes

market knowledge is unparalleled.

Step two: The listing agreement you sign should be for a period of 90-180 days maximum. You also need the right to "fire" any agent you hire. I suggest this is written into any listing agreement you are about to sign. "Seller may cancel this listing at any time prior to acceptance of an offer"

Step three: You must have a high quality virtual tour, single property website and multiple photos. A good agent will provide these at their cost. Today 80% of buyers start their home search online. These tools will be the first impression prospective buyers have of your home.

Step four: Be wary of fantastic "marketing plans" with magazine ads, newspaper ads, flyers, open houses and post cards. These advertising mediums are all great... for the real estate office! You want an agent that is honest about the real benefits of advertising. The MLS ( multiple listing service), price, condition of the home and web exposure are what really sell property.

Interview two to three agents, or more if necessary, until you find someone that meets the above criteria. You'll be much happier with your transaction. OnlyCarmelValleyHomes provides our listing clients a written guarantee. You can read more about this on the "Seller's info page" at http://www.onlycarmelvalleyhomes.com/

REO's and Short Sale Homes

2010-11-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

I get quite a few calls and emails from prospective home buyers looking for REO and/or Short Sale listings. REO stands for "Real Estate Owned" and these are foreclosed properties which Banks have placed on the market for sale. In a Short Sale, an accepted offer is subject to the
lien holders approval of an amount less than what is owed.

Both can prove to be excellent values in this market but you'll find strong competition from
many buyers. Be prepared and have a written pre-approval from your lender prior to making any offers. If you have any questions about REO's or Short Sales in Carmel Valley, please feel free to call or email me.

You will find every Carmel Valley real estate listing on our website and you can also sign up
for email updates of new listings which include REO's and Short Sales. Take a look today at
http://www.onlycarmelvalleyhomes.com/

Marketing for Exposure

2010-09-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

Marketing for Exposure, the Real Truth!

When you wade through the process of selecting a listing agent or real estate office to sell your home, marketing is an important factor often overlooked by sellers. Let's give you a bit deeper understanding of real estate marketing and what really is a benefit to you.

The Good: There are many different mediums available to create exposure. Roughly 80% of buyers now start their home search online. Here are a few "must haves" which provide these online shoppers the instant information they demand!

1. Virtual tours allow buyers to watch a video presentation of your home and lot.

2. Multiple photos posted in the MLS (multiple listing service) for those buyers without high speed internet connections.

3. Single Property websites are a web based page devoted to information regarding your property. All kinds of wonderful information and reports can be posted here for buyers to review. This site will also have links to the Virtual Tour and numerous photos of your property.

The Bad: Print media such as newspaper and magazine ads will be of a much greater benefit to the real estate office than any help to you. I'll emphasize again, 80% of prospective buyers start their search online, and this number is growing! Magazine ads have a lead time of 30-45 days so you can be "on the market" for over a month before these even appear. Newspaper ads are designed to make the office phone ring. Their real purpose are as new lead generators for a real estate office.

The Ugly: Most real estate offices are now owned by large corporations. These offices may have 50-100 agents in a single office. Management must make the phone ring for "floor time." Floor time is simply an assigned time for an agent to sit at a desk and answer calls from ads. Problem is, there is a high likelyhood this agent has never even seen your property. Most agents and offices will sell anything anywhere, they cannot possibly get out and see all the inventory or be an area expert. Your listing agent should be handling every single call from a prospective buyer or real estate agent with interested clients.

Make sure the marketing and exposure being presented to you is being represented truthfully. Realize that what happens when a prospective buyer or buyer's agent calls, goes hand in hand with the actual marketing material. Exposure must have a positive outcome!

The solution? Agent specific advertising. Every bit of marketing material we create, including the sign in front of your home, has one phone number. Every single call goes directly to your listing agent who does have the intimate knowledge of your property to answer questions and get those buyers moving!

Let a Carmel Valley Expert Sell Your Carmel Valley Home.

OnlyCarmelValleyHomes.com

It's a Buyers Market!

2010-04-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

I found this article very compelling. I have posted a few excerpts which every prospective buyer should read.

Excerpted and abridged from Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times, by Gary Keller with Dave Jenks and Jay Papasan. Copyright 2009. The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.

A buyers' market should be just that—a buyers' market. It's not a fence-sitting, waiting, loitering, delaying, dawdling, postponing, vacillating, hesitating, wavering, faltering, pausing, foot-shuffling market. It's a buyers' market. By its very name it means buyers should be doing one thing and one thing only—buying. So where are the buyers, and why aren't they buying?

The great irony of a buyers' market is that even though the opportunity to buy is high, buyer urgency tends to hit an all-time low. The media becomes the excited purveyor of negative news and uninformed advice, and buyers buy it all. Actually, it feels like the only thing they're buying.

Their reluctance is ironic since not so long ago buyers were incredibly excited about buying—and it was a sellers' market. Prices were escalating and it was perhaps one of the most difficult times to buy value and yet people were buying like there was no tomorrow. Buyers were afraid of losing out by not buying, even though the advantage was all to the seller.

Now a shift has occurred. Fear is still in the driver's seat but the tables are turned—the fear of paying too much seems to stop most in their tracks and immobilizes them. When they should have been afraid of paying too much they weren't, and now that they shouldn't be afraid of paying too much they are.

It's one of the great paradoxical moments of any market and the herd instinct at its most pure. Reluctance in the face of great opportunity becomes an agonizingly defining characteristic of a shift.

The Myth That Fuels Reluctance

There are two types of buyers—those who believe they can time the market and those who are always in the market and believe timing will find them. History supports the latter—it says that if you're always actively paying attention, although you may never sell at the peak or buy at the bottom, you can buy right and always do well over time.

Logic says that you can't predictably time the market to be able to buy at the absolute bottom and sell at the absolute top.

This should be a moment of truth for them. Buyers cannot perfectly time a market—no one can. The smartest people know this. They play in the safe zone. The safe zone is where smart people plan to buy and sell. Anyone who buys at the top of a market is just unlucky and anyone who buys at the bottom of a market is just lucky.

People who buy in a buyers' market are the smart ones. They aren't looking for a killing because they know that's a matter of luck, not planning. They're looking for a sound decision with a predictable result and, therefore, ask the question: "Has the market dropped enough now to make a sensible purchase?" More often than not, when they're asking this question, they're already in the safe zone and the answer is yes.