We are in a “Buyers market” – low prices, low interest rates and a lot of properties on the market.  There are good bargains, but not all area properties fall into this category.
It is difficult to generalize about market conditions as they vary dramatically from state to state and locality to locality.  Many areas of the valley are more heavily influenced by retiring people and second home buyers than is generally true of California and the rest of the nation.  Generally prices are down approximately 40% from three years ago in the Coachella valley, but in a few areas, prices are down much more.   Currently, over the last year, prices seem to be relatively flat with the large declines having passed and sales improving - varying by neighborhood.   Additionally, the influence of short sales, foreclosures and other factors have an important effect on prices. 
Our agents will be happy to show you what is happening in a particular area to find the right property for you.

If you have not owned a home before, you may be surprised at the long term benefits of owning a home Some examples are:

• Tax advantages: The interest on your mortgage and the property taxes on your home are tax deductible which can result in a sizeable savings at tax time.
• Appreciation: Most homes increase in value over time. While market changes may create ups and downs in the short term, the long term value of a home is almost always increasing.
• Inflation hedge: While the price of most things increases over time, the cost of your home will always be the same.  If you obtain a fixed rate mortgage, your mortgage payment will never go up and if you need to move, the increased value of your home may offset the increased price of the home you want to buy.
• Making it your own

Choosing the right realtor is very important.  Trust, confidence, and good service are vital.  Knowledge of neighborhoods, price ranges, market trends by area and available local services are all important and best understood by a local realtor.  Most realtors representing buyers charge nothing!  We welcome you to contact us or schedule an appointment to interview any of our licensed real estate agents.  

• What will my payment be? Simple mortgage calculator
• What will my closing costs be? This is a very complex question and depends a lot on your financing.   Call us at 760-346-1154 (or toll free at 877-346-1154) to discuss some information with you to give you a reasonable estimate.
• What will my initial deposit be? When you make an offer on a home, it must be accompanied by a deposit to be valid.  You can make an offer with any deposit, but the seller may require more to accept the offer.  It’s always wise to put down as much as you can; it makes your offer “stronger” to the seller.
• How much down payment do I need? The amount of down payment you need before closing is highly variable.  This question is best answered by a mortgage specialist.

We like to remain independent and avoid “affiliations” in our business dealings. You should feel free to contact any mortgage lender that you have confidence will do a good job for you. Below is  someone  we have worked with that we would recommend if asked
    
Robert Trowbridge (Wholesale Capital Corporation) 1-800-683-4481

If you are considering the purchase of a manufactured home, please be aware that not all mortgage lenders will make loans on them.   Contact us and we will be happy to give you information on several lenders for manufactured homes.

If your credit is less than perfect, we have several lenders available that can assist.  Do not assume that you cannot buy; we have many resources/agencies that can help you improve your credit score in preparation for buying or refinancing a home.  Call us at (760) 346-1154 or (877) 346-1154 to find out more information.
 

California real estate is different than the rest of the US.  Did you know that you do not need to be present at closing in California?   Terms and processes are different and the agents of Sandpiper are here to assist, explain and handle all that is involved in the buying and selling of real estate in California.  We realize that you have many choices available to you; that is why we believe our personalized service will ensure you will be satisfied with Sandpiper no matter what your transaction.

If you would like to discuss any questions you may have, please call us at 760-346-1154 (or toll free at 877-346-1154).