Bay Area Home Sales Slide in April — Except for Luxury Homes

From the Pacific Union blog:
Bay Area home sales dipped from March to April, which is not consistent with typical seasonal patterns.  Pacific Union Chief Economist Selma Hepp examines the latest numbers and trends in a new Straight Talk column. http://bit.ly/2qC5PZs 

Spring is Here! How to Prep to Buy or Sell a Home

Spring has sprung, which means the housing market is in full bloom.  Each year, roughly 40 percent of real estate transactions occur between the months of May and August.  If you're feeling inspired to buy or sell a home soon, make sure you're prepared.
When You're Ready to Buy a Home:
* Calculate what you can afford.  Use a home affordability calculator to make sure you're ready for the mortgage payments.
*  Check your credit score and fix any in accuracies you discover ASAP.
*  Save up for a down payment.  Most lenders require 5 to 20 percent.
*  Be ready for additional closing costs. Plan to have approx 4 percent of the home's purchase price     on hand to cover taxes and fees.
*  Re-evaluate your insurance coverage and update all your policies.
When It's Time to Sell:
*  Declutter and clean your home ready to show.
*  Take inventory of what needs to be fixed, such as roof work, paint and landscaping.
*  Decide on a selling price---pull the comps in your area. For more info and help with all your real     estate needs, call FRITZ.

Real Estate Roundup: Spring Homebuying Season Starts Early This Year

From the Pacific Union blog:
Spring has officially arrived, but U.S. real estate activity was already heating up in February.  Also, your credit score might soon get a boost, as the major reporting agencies are relaxing a standard.  Get a quick rundown of the latest headlines in Pacific Union's Real estate roundup.  It's on line at http://pacunion.us/2mYGBCo .  For more on this and all your real estate needs, call FRITZ.