Real Estate Future is Optimistic in 2011!

It's been ten years since the millennium and we have seen the real estate world rise to inconceivable heights and sink to unbelievable lows in the last ten years. What can we expect for the New Year?

As the economy is getting healthier, the headlines are much more optimistic, and even the critics are starting to believe that the worst is behind us and the future is getting brighter. Talk of a "double dip recession" has disappeared and I believe that this will have a calming effect on the markets and allow everyone to take a fresh breath and begin to talk about what can happen instead of what has come to pass.

No one wants to see radical highs or overwhelming lows. What everyone is looking for is consistency. Consistency in all aspects of the market will bring trust and with this trust will come renewed activity.

The banks are still holding a large number of "toxic asset" properties and we still have to see this sector of the market stabilize before any real appreciation, can be seen. How long will it take is still not clear, but the institutions and banks are getting better at dealing with these properties and the assimilation of these assets into the market. We are fortunate that this is a small percentage of our local transactions and that improvement is predicted to continue throughout most of 2011.

I am honestly optimistic about the future and look forward to seeing what 2011 will bring. Interest rates are still at historic lows and inventories in all price ranges are still abundant. It is a good time to take advantage of these favorable factors, as interest rates will rise as the markets get stronger and inventories will shrink as prudent buyers also take advantage of these opportune times.

"It is good to have an end to journey toward: but it is the journey that matters, in the end." Ursula K. LeGuin.

It would be a pleasure to use my expertise and that of my team of professionals to help make your real estate journey as smooth as possible - whatever path it may take. I look forward to talking with each of you about your real estate needs, whether it is helping to reduce your current property taxes, locate a high quality lender, understanding the current value of your family's properties, or just finding a good handy man!

Call or contact me and let's get together and discuss what your needs are.

Buying Santa Barbara Property for Fine Retirement Living

Among California places to retire, Santa Barbara ranks at the top. Consider the benefits of purchasing Santa Barbara real estate for retirement years: Santa Barbara is a gem of a seaside city with an amazing climate, good temperatures year round, friendly communities, and stunning natural beauty.

Quality living in Santa Barbara is a privilege to be enjoyed. Retirement communities and retiree-friendly neighborhoods in Santa Barbara abound. For those interested, I'd be happy to show you a current Santa Barbara retirement property available in the Shadow Hills planned community, a gorgeous area with convenient and serene surroundings. This gated community oasis located on a hilltop with breathtaking vistas over the Pacific Ocean as well as the regal Santa Ynez mountains.


If you're ready to retire in style, I can give you 10 reasons why Santa Barbara real estate is a great investment today:

1. In this buyer's market Santa Barbara real estate is more affordable than ever!


2. Low city crime rates, good hospitals and medical facilities


3. Arts and culture everywhere! Festivals, symphonies, music academies, opera, ballet, theatres and broadway shows, world-class performers, and art galleries
   


4. The Santa Barbara Harbor, Stearn's Wharf, and miles and miles of beaches your family will love


5. Renowned chefs and fine restaurants, scenic cafes, and a Farmers Market available every day of the week in Santa Barbara and Montecito
   


6. A family-friendly attitude and more outdoor activities than you'll find time for


7. Private golf and tennis clubs, fine country clubs, and upscale athletic clubs


8. A density of non-profit organizations and charitable foundations to channel your inner volunteer or philanthropist


9. Our own Santa Barbara Airport hub that is currently expanding for easy travel anywhere


10. Did I mention over 300 days of sunshine annually and an average temperature of 65°F?
    

If you're looking to retire in Santa Barbara, or you're interested in Montecito or Santa Barbara real estate as a retirement investment, contact Santa Barbara Realtor John Sener today. In 24 years of listing and selling properties in Santa Barbara and Montecito, John Sener has built a superb team of marketing specialists, contractors, service people and consultants to help you in every aspect of your real estate needs. John Sener and his remarkable team will help you plan for successful retirement with Santa Barbara real estate or real estate investments. Contact John at (805) 331-7402 or visit JohnSener.com.

Santa Barbara Real Estate Trends: 3 Ways Buyers Have the Advantage

2010 will be known as the beginning of the recovering economy and new markets in real estate. During these uncertain times, we still wonder: have the economy and real estate market finally hit bottom?

One thing is for certain - new opportunities abound in buying Santa Barbara real estate and investment property. Santa Barbara real estate trends will inevitably dip to their lowest, but so will interest rates for home loans. This is the perfect time to get involved with the Santa Barbara real estate market.

Living through these times is challenging, but we will all have a story to tell about what it was like to live through a very difficult period and come out the other side. Your story about surviving the big recession could be as transformative as the new economy if you take the opportunity to invest in income property, find your new home, or refinance your mortgage.

Think of the bragging rights you’ll have years from now if you take advantage of the current Santa Barbara real estate market conditions:

1. Refinance your existing mortgage. Current interest rates are below historic lows.
   
2. Purchase real estate NOW! Elevated inventories and seller motivation are at all time highs.
   
3. Invest in income property. In 25 years of selling property in the area we have never seen the affordability this attractive. This is by far one of the best ways to provide passive income to your retirement portfolio.

You can listen to the talking heads and watch the news religiously; they all have their slant (or their major stock holders' slant) on what the future will bring. In the end, slow and steady confidence in the financial sector and diligent planning from the business leaders will bring the country and world back to profitable times.

By purchasing property now, you become the driving force behind the upward trend in your own Santa Barbara real estate investment.

Craft your success story of investing in Santa Barbara real estate and property today by contacting Santa Barbara Realtor John Sener. In 24 years of listing and selling properties in Santa Barbara and Montecito, John Sener has built a superb team of marketing specialists, contractors, service people and consultants to help you in every aspect of your real estate needs. John Sener and his remarkable team will help you plan your pathway to Santa Barbara real estate buying, selling, or investment. Contact John at (805) 331-7402 or visit JohnSener.com.

What's Driving Current Santa Barbara Real Estate Trends?

When the Association of Realtors held its economic forecast for 2010 in southern Santa Barbara county, Santa Barbara real estate trends post-recession were a hot topic. It’s a fact that property values have declined since pre-recession days, but Santa Barbara property sales are 25 percent better than the bottom of the market in January 2009. While our region reflects the same general real estate trends as the rest of the country, the Santa Barbara real estate market is coming out strong.

Billionaire Warren Buffett appeared on CNBC in March and had these comments about the national economy: "the worst is behind us"; "things are getting better but at a very slow rate,” and; " the jobs will come back but it won't be fast". The rest of the country is starting to feel the effects of the recovery. It’s not the same economy as before we started, but we are coming out of one of the biggest recessions in the history of the United States.

What effect does this have on local Santa Barbara real estate trends?

It’s a buyer’s market in Santa Barbara. The strong appeal of Montecito and Santa Barbara neighborhoods, from good school districts to exclusive private living in paradise, is translating to more real estate and investment property sales in Santa Barbara. We are hovering well above the rock bottom of last year - and climbing. Current MLS statistics show that we are averaging between 20 and 30 pending sales a week.

A closer look shows that a majority of the sales are in the conforming sales market. What does that mean? Conforming loan sales are purchases with loan amounts under $729,000. This translates into a majority of our transactions coming in under $900,000.

What is driving all the activity in this market? In pre-recession days, the medium house price on the South Coast was over $900,000. Today that number is $760,000. Home loan interest rates are at historic lows, and attractive government tax credits (soon to expire!) are strong incentive for first time home buyers (who make up 47% of buyers) and young families to take a foothold in the Santa Barbara real estate market.

Santa Barbara, Hope Ranch, and Montecito estates and high end home sales over $1,000,000 have also increased over the past six months. Just like the Beatles song says, they're “getting better all the time." This premier property market offers the most opportunity for buyers today - whether you’re looking for a new luxury Santa Barbara home or investment property. Inventories are high and sellers are competing for a limited number of buyers, making this by far a buyer’s best opportunity to buy Santa Barbara real estate that was priced 25-35% higher in value just two yeas ago.

This newly recovering market is your chance to buy Santa Barbara property that is both a great value and a once-in-a-generation investment opportunity.


It is vital to have a qualified team of professionals at your service to purchase and sell your home - and especially to navigate a major estate property transaction. In 24 years of listing and selling properties on the South Coast, John Sener has built a superb team of marketing specialists, contractors, service people and consultants to help you in every aspect of your real estate needs. Santa Barbara Realtor John Sener and his remarkable team will help you plan your pathway to Santa Barbara real estate or property investment. Contact John at (805) 331-7402 or visit JohnSener.com.

FEDERAL STIMULUS WILL HELP HOMEOWNERS

Despite all the controversy around the economic stimulus package, the intention of any stimulus is be a catalyst-influencing something else to happen. Creating movement in these ever changing economic times is essential and will present excellent opportunities for homeowners.

One available option right now, and well worth the time and expense, is to re-finance your current First Trust Deed. With conforming loans increasing to $729,000, now is the best time in years to lock in a fixed rate on your home. These new 30 year loans come with fixed rates in the low 5 percent range. Looking at your current mortgage, is it over 6 percent? Are you currently in an adjustable rate mortgage? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, it is time to think about re-financing your home. Even if you have done so in the last few years, the savings on the interest rate will cover the costs of the new loan in a matter of a few months. If you have any questions about your current mortgage, or want to know more about the new conforming loans, call me! I can help you get all the right information that will save you thousands of dollars a year.

Current market conditions allow homeowners to reduce their property taxes!

Lately, the news for homeowners has been all about lost values. Here is a way to take advantage of this situation and put cash back into your household. With property values declining, you as a home owner are allowed to take advantage of this decrease in value by re-assessing your property at today's values, thereby reducing your property tax liability.

If you purchased your home in the last 5 years, chances are the current value may be less than what you paid for the property. In many cases, the new assessed value could now be thousands less than the original purchase price. With my help, the process is easy. Many of my friends and clients have received letters in the mail and others have downloaded information from independent companies that charge up to $500 to process these documents but together we can get this done for little or no cost to you. Stop paying higher property taxes today. I'm here to answer any questions you may have about this legal and easy way to reduce your current property tax bill.
Together, we can put you back in control, and remember, be the change you wish to see.

Always at your service, with the guiding hand of optimism,


John

It's a new year....live in the Moment!

2009 will be a year of change and contrast. As we start the New Year, everyone I speak to asks the same question,

"What will the 2009 real estate market be like?

My answer to this question is always consistent. "Buy NOW and take advantage of the increased inventory, historically low interest rates, and heighten seller motivation."

These conditions will not linger nor will they last. In 23 years of selling homes and land in Southern Santa Barbara County, never have I witnessed all three of these conditions come together in unison.
The other part of my message is if you are not in the position to buy or need to sell, take full advantage of the low interest rates being offered and re-finance your home. Again these incredible rates will not be a steadfast benchmark. As inflation pressures increase and the economy begins to re-bound, the rates will rise and opportunity will be missed. Be one of the leaders "living in the moment" and don't waste this chance to place your homes mortgage in a safe and sound future.

Need information on lenders and current mortgage rates? Just pick up the phone and call or drop me an email.

Best Always,

John

Manifest Success - The Ultimate Guide to Creating the Life of Your Dreams

For Immediate Release
Santa Barbara, California
December 1, 2008

“JOHN AND LINDA SENER CO-AUTHOR NEW ANTHOLOGY”

Imagine you have just received an exclusive invitation to attend a closed door "mastermind" meeting of highly successful, powerful, loving individuals. At this meeting, you will be given the wisdom of personal experience, courageous actions will be shared and priceless business tips and personal insights, revealed. All you need to do is simply decide that you want more out of your business, your relationships and your life and open the invitation and say ‘yes”!

As co-authors, John and Linda Sener of Santa Barbara, California are proud and excited to announce the launch of a new book,


MANIFEST SUCCESS- The Ultimate Guide to Creating the Life of your Dreams. John and his wife Linda, together wrote a chapter on their relationship and personal journey through life's joys and challenges.

The book will be released Jan 13th, but you can purchase your signed copy now for $19.95 (plus shipping) while supplies last.

New Years Special - buy 5 books and recieve the 6th book FREE! We'll even personalize your copies for each of your gift recipients. Just send us a separate email to linda@lindasener.com once you have purchased your copies. Order before December 15 to assure it will arrive by the holidays! (expires 3/31/09)

To find out more about Manifesting Success and Peace Everyday, by visit the Manifest Success Day Blog.


Forever Has No Ending…But It Has a Beginning.
~ John and Linda Sener