Pre-Approval Makes All the Difference When Buying a Home You may have been told that it’s important to get pre-approved at the beginning of the homebuying process, but what does that really mean, and why is it so important? Especially in today’s market, with rising home prices and high buyer competition, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your budget so you stand out to sellers as a serious homebuyer. Being intentional and competitive are musts when buying a home right now. Pre-approval from a lender is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you can borrow for your loan. Just as important, being able to present a pre-approval letter shows sellers you’re a qualified buyer, something that can really help you land your dream home in an ultra-competitive ma... 06/27/2021

06/27/2021

 EVERYTHING HAS IT'S TIME ... For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, a time to die: a time to plant , and a time to pluck up what is planted: a time to kill, and a time to heal: a time to break down, and a time to build up: a time to weep, and a time to laugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance: a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together: a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing: a time to seek, and a time to lose: a time to keep, and a time to throw away: a time to tear, and a time to sew: a time to keep silence, and a time to speak: a time to love, and a time to hate: a time for war and; and a time for peace ECCLESIATES 3: 2-8 🙏 04/03/2020

www.EncinaEstate.com 01/08/2020

 1618 Bunker HillSalinas, CA  93906$459,000  We are proud to offer this tidy Creekbridge home for sale. Lived in with love - the current owner is starting a new chapter and this is your opportunity to start yours. This sweet home your blank canvas, just waiting for your special touches. There are also 3 generous bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, well designed extra storage, hardwood flooring, a fenced backyard/patio, alley access for parking and lots of just the right amount of light pouring in and it is very clean too!                01/16/2019

In a recent article, National Housing Inventory Crisis Reaches Inflection Point, realtor.com reported that: New listings jumped 8% year-over-year nationally, the largest increase since 2013 Total listings in the 45 largest markets are now up 6% on average over last yearInteresting to see the numbers in Monterey County since 2015.  Looking at the chart below, we actually had more inventory last year at this time than we do right now.  This increase in housing inventory has sparked two different reactions. Some are saying this is the first sign of a potential collapse while others are saying it is a welcomed reprieve from the lack of inventory that has stalled the market recently. As Zelman & Associates reported in a recent ‘Z Report’: “With the rate of home price appreciation starting t... 10/18/2018

 In light of this the information below is crucial. You need to know what your buying power is. This way you will not be disappointed and have more success in your journey towards home ownership.In many markets across the country, the number of buyers searching for their dream homes outnumbers he number of homes for sale. This has led to a competitive marketplace where buyers often need to stand out. One way to show you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search.Even if you are in a market that is not as competitive, understanding your budget will give you the confidence of knowing if your dream home is within your reach.Freddie Mac lays out the advantages of pre-approval in the ‘My Home’ section of their w... 10/15/2018

Referred to as "Classic Car Week", this is the week that Carmel-by-the-Sea pretty much becomes all about some of the most fantastic cars in the world. For example, today Ocean Avenue, the main street of our story book town was closed for the annual Pebble Beach Tour d' Elegance. This is where practically all of  Sunday's entries in the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance at Pebble Beach will take a drive around the Monterey Peninsula and end up parking on Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea while its owners take in a lavish luncheon at Devendorf Park. This is the best bargain of this week's mostly VERY expensive festivities where one can see these incredible cars for FREE. And people flock to Carmel-by-the-Sea to do so.  And they can watch these million-dollar-and-more cars roar!And, of cou... 08/23/2018

08/17/2018

Some are attempting to compare the current housing market to the market leading up to the “boom and bust” that we experienced a decade ago. They look at price appreciation and conclude that we are on a similar trajectory, speeding toward another housing crisis.However, there is a major difference between the two markets. Last decade, while demand was being artificially created by extremely loose lending standards, a tremendous amount of inventory was coming to the market to satisfy that demand. Below is a graph of the inventory of homes available for sale leading up to the 2008 crash.A normal market should have approximately 6 months supply of housing inventory. As we can see, that number jumped to over 11 months supply leading up to the housing crisis. When questionable mortgage practi... 08/17/2018

You found the perfect home. It’s gorgeous, energy efficient, in a great neighborhood and well within your budget. You wonder to yourself, “why is this perfect home still on the market?” Then you read the disclosures. Your perfect pad has a serious radon problem.Radon and You: 7 Things to KnowRadon is a reasonably common problem in homes, so if you come across a house that you absolutely adore, you’re not even remotely out of luck. Instead, you may reap the benefits of someone else’s lack of information about the gas. Here are seven things to know if you’re considering a home with a radon problem: Radon is a radioactive gas. You can’t smell it, see it or taste it, but it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer anyway. Of course, it doesn’t go straight to cancer right away, but exposure... 08/17/2018

 Big Sur California is by far one of the most beautiful areas on the whole Pacific Coast.I have been traveling around the Big Sur area for approx 35 years and it's beauty never bores me.In this photo that I took around 2 months ago you can see that the hills are a little dry but look at this amazing aqua green and blue water.If you have never been to Big Sur south of Monterey I would suggest putting the visit in your bucket list. And if you have been to Big Sur don't you think it's time for another visit?  Blogging By Robert Vegas Bob Swetz: Pfeiffer State Park Big Sur ... videosbyvegasbob.blogspot.com/2018/04/pfeiffer-state-park-big-sur-california.html Pfeiffer State Park Big Sur California by Robert Swetz Here are several photographs of Big SurCalifornia that I have taken over the yea... 08/09/2018

I know the term "millennial" isn't always used in a flattering way, but I have to give credit where credit is due. They are buying their first homes in record numbers right now. They are powering the housing market. In fact, largely thanks to millennials, the homeownership rate just rose for the first time in 13 years!  A millennial wants to buy your house I know the term "millennial" isn't always used in a flattering way, but I have to give credit where credit is due. They are buying their first homes in record numbers right now. They are powering the housing market. In fact, largely thanks to millennials, the homeownership rate just rose for the first time in 13 years! I am working with a few right now who are already                                         Fully qualified and 🏡 ready... 07/02/2018

So, What Is The Big Deal About A Home Warranty Anyway? A home warranty is not the same as homeowners insurance.  Homeowner’s insurance is not a home warranty. Insurance is pretty much something everyone has. If you have a mortgage… you are required to carry homeowners insurance. Even if you don’t have a mortgage, most people have an insurance policy. Insurance covers the major catastrophe type of stuff — like fires and theft. Warranties are not something everyone has. These cover things like appliances, furnaces, plumbing, and air conditioning, if they need repair or to be replaced. Are home warranties worthwhile? I’m not going to say they aren’t good and worthwhile, but they aren’t a “fix-all”. Literally or figuratively. They have their place. They do people some good. They can litera... 07/02/2018

How to Avoid Common Moving Day MishapsMoving can be fraught with difficulty, filling the days before and after the big move with stress and exhaustion. Sometimes, given the enormity of what we're facing, we can overlook a few things. Here are some things to consider so you can avoid common moving day mishaps.What Do I Take?Packing can be a grueling undertaking in the best of times, but if you've accumulated a lot of possessions, it can be a logistical nightmare. We can find our homes contain a plethora of stuff, from old clothes to long-forgotten magazines. So, before you even start packing your boxes, spend a few days sorting through your belongings. Weigh their value to you and what use they have or could have in the future. Whatever doesn't make the cut can be donated or sold. It can... 07/02/2018

8 Ways A Great Real Estate Agent Can Change Your Life     A real estate transaction can be an exciting thing to experience, but it can also be nerve-wracking and stressful. Your experience will largely depend on the circumstances surrounding your transaction and, perhaps more importantly, the agent you’re working with. A great agent will not only get you over the finish line to the best of their ability, but they can also change your life for the better. Here are eight ways: 1. They’ll show you they care In today’s fast-paced world, it seems like everyone’s attention is in short supply. A great real estate agent will show you that’s not always the case, by listening and caring about you and your needs. Not only will being a good listener help an agent do their job, but it’ll also show y... 07/02/2018

Recently, Freddie Mac published an Insight Report titled Nowhere to go but up? How increasing mortgage rates could affect housing. The report focused on the impact the projected rise in mortgage rates might have on the housing market this year. Many believe that an increase in mortgage rates will cause a slowdown in purchases which would, in turn, lead to a fall in house values. Ultimately, however, prices are determined by supply and demand and while rising mortgage rates may slow demand, they also affect supply. From the report:    “For current homeowners, the decision to buy a new home is typically linked to their decision to sell their current home… Because of this link, the financing costs of the existing mortgage are part of the homeowner’s decision of whether and when to move. O... 07/02/2018

Has The Supply Crisis Began To Wan?Since the housing market began to turn around in earnest in the 2013 time frame, the market has been characterized by a low level of inventory. In fact, the dearth of supply underlies much of the challenges in California's current housing environment. The supply shortage has caused home prices to rise much faster than incomes, which has led to a deterioration in affordability and an erosion of homeownership. Economy Is HealthyAt the same time, California’s economy continues to pump out good jobs across the spectrum of wage and skill categories and indeed, across every geographic area in the state. This growth in demand has come into direct conflict with the shortage of homes.  So much competition for the homes that do sell end up selling quickly, for a... 07/02/2018

After providing a Feng Shui Consultation near the Monterey, CA, my fiance and I took a day trip to explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was pretty cool!! Some of the top highlights: jellies, wave crush tunnel, sea otters, pacific octopus, tentacles, and kelp forest. Also, just walking along the outside of the aquarium provides some pretty beautiful sights.  The only reason I took the photos you see was to post them on the blog. After that, the phone was put away and I STRONGLY recommend you do the same. The benefits you'll receive from just being present with this experience is wonderful.    06/05/2018

Pfeiffer State Park Big Sur California by Robert SwetzHere are several photographs of Big Sur California that I have taken over the years with a new fresh video of Pfeiffer State Park with the water fall and beach.For anyone that has never been to Big Sur California all I can tell you is get you butt out to the Pacific Coast and take a look for yourself.Big Sur is breath taking and there is so much to see that it might take you a full week just to view the special places like the water falls along the beach at Pfeiffer State Park in the video (below) ;o) 04/03/2018