Best strategy for selling & moving up?

[usctrojancpa]

Non-contingency, quick closing, cash flushed buyers are the ones winning the bids today.

Outside of Irvine, though? Does the price range matter?

Thank you for your post, btw. I was looking forward to your input. Good to know about the elusive Jackelope!

Yup, even outside of Irvine.  I had 4 offers (out of eight) on that Aliso condo that I sold last Oct that were 50%+ down buyers. 

What about price range? Do you see the # of investors being phased out at all at upward levels or type of housing i.e. SFR vs. condo?

I think 3 out of the 4 buyers were owner occupy buyers.  The price range doesn't matter because there are real estate investors in different price levels, although you don't see many over the $1m amount.  I see a good bit of recent closing hitting the rental market after they close (mostly in Irvine, but I've seen it in other cities as well). 

 

[socal78]

Trojan, I thought of you this weekend. I went to visit some open houses. One of the owners was Harcourts (spelling?). The company invests in foreclosed homes bought at auction and is flipping them.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Visiting open houses? Is the SoCal family on the move again?

 

[socal78]

Visiting open houses? Is the SoCal family on the move again?

When I started this thread, I thought maybe... same area, different home. All your posting these last 5 years have brainwashed me into thinking I need a 3CWG. And I never even wanted one before I "met" you. So, guess what. You sold me. I looked at all 3CWGs over the weekend! Yeah! It's all your fault!

Saw some nice houses. But since looking this weekend, I think I will keep this house. I was reminded why I really like my house (3CWG aside) even though I was looking up one price range from it. I'm also becoming "so Iho" (<-- new phrase) now in that I don't see another house that is 100% or even 90% what I'd want and I'm too comfortable to move unless it's almost exactly what I want. I guess I'm not unhappy enough with my current place to get motivated... not even close. I love my house. A 3CWG and more square footage would be icing on the cake. However, a bigger house almost always comes with a smaller yard. Love my lot - privacy and size. Hard to beat. Also love spending less on housing vs. more. Why spend more when you can spend less. More dinero for other things. Also another house is just another set of problems. I get a migraine thinking about starting all over.

 

[socal78]

Hey, CZ!! I think I will change the subject of this thread to: Best strategy for getting your husband to buy you diamonds.

You speak my language so you will understand this...

Mr. SoCal was pretty bummed out with me dragging him around like a rag doll to look at homes this weekend. He asked me to find a new hobby. He suggested picking out a new diamond ring. (He knows my other hobby is diamonds - just like you, haha.) He said: "Landscaping, diamonds, car, whatever you want, it'll be cheaper than another house. Just please don't make me pack my suitcase again." CZ, that is a tough proposition to beat!

So, you see? Think of anything you want that sounds too pricey. Then, make him look at bigger houses. All of a sudden the other things are a great deal by comparison! He'll think he's getting off so EASY. 

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Does Mr. SoCal want a 3CWG too? If so... it's over.

But you are right... unless it's 90-100% what you want... don't settle.

Did you see this one?
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Foothill-Ranch/16-Avance-Ln-92610/home/4800138

Culdesac, view lot, balcony off the master, decent backyard... you'll never find anything like that for $749k in Irvine.

The Harcourts listing is nice too... huge corner lot... no one behind, around the corner from a culdesac:
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Foothill-Ranch/2-Marseille-Way-92610/home/4800324

All for $799k... sigh... that's a $1mil+ house in Irvine.

 

[cubiczirconia]

Hey, CZ!! I think I will change the subject of this thread to: Best strategy for getting your husband to buy you diamonds.

You speak my language so you will understand this...

Mr. SoCal was pretty bummed out with me dragging him around like a rag doll to look at homes this weekend. He asked me to find a new hobby. He suggested picking out a new diamond ring. (He knows my other hobby is diamonds - just like you, haha.) He said: "Landscaping, diamonds, car, whatever you want, it'll be cheaper than another house. Just please don't make me pack my suitcase again." CZ, that is a tough proposition to beat!

So, you see? Think of anything you want that sounds too pricey. Then, make him look at bigger houses. All of a sudden the other things are a great deal by comparison! He'll think he's getting off so EASY. 

Costco has $199,999 diamonds- build your own ring.. oh wait, tell him you want him to write a love letter (thousand words at least) and design the ring.. not just build one at Costco. Add in some romantic stuff that is impossible for him. He would rather buy a 3CWG

 

[socal78]

@ Iho: He says he does like the idea of a 3CWG but that it's not high on his list of priorities. I don't really know how to interpret that.

I attended both of those open houses!

Btw, the agent knows the Marseille house is very overpriced. She readily admitted it the second I walked in the door when I had print-outs of other listings with me. If anybody is interested in the house, I can share other details of the conversation with you. Iho, you have to buy the Marseille house so I can stalk you without even getting in the car... I could just use my binoculars.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

@ Iho: He says he does like the idea of a 3CWG but that it's not high on his list of priorities. I don't really know how to interpret that.

Take away his Man Card! (just kidding).

I attended both of those open houses!

You are channeling your inner IHO.

Btw, the agent knows the Marseille house is very overpriced. She readily admitted it the second I walked in the door when I had print-outs of other listings with me. If anybody is interested in the house, I can share other details of the conversation with you.

The pictures make sense now that I see it was a foreclosure bought for $551k in March. If she knows it's overpriced, why list it at $799k? Sounds like "Flip or Flop" strategy.

Iho, you have to buy the Marseille house so I can stalk you without even getting in the car... I could just use my binoculars.

Believe me, it's tempting. Is that laundry upstairs or down? Too bad they used laminate... that's the first thing I would change. Are the appliances new? Not sure why the flippers would choose black. At least it looks like they repainted (in and out).

It has the kind of location/orientation I really like, no one behind, on a corner but near a culdesac.

Maybe I should look for a job in Foothill Ranch... work at Oakley or something.

 

[socal78]

Yup, yup! The laundry is upstairs.

It looks like they also put new sod in. In the listing photo it's bare but at the open house it had long grass (and was flooded.)

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Heh... just did some lookups on previous 3CWG sales in FR... dang... really... $600k-700k closings? I remembered they were low but I forgot they were that low.

Some were even in the high $500ks. I hate Irvine.

 

[socal78]

Around mid-700's the last few months unless it's a short sale.