BrokerTwee BRE 01906492 Irvine resident realtor

04/17/2026

“I wonder whether the stars shine so that, one day, everyone can find their own.”

from The Little Prince.

05/06/2023

The big picture.

05/03/2023

Closing costs are fees paid to third parties to finalize a home purchase by both the buyer and the seller. Costs can vary widely depending on the type of loan the buyer has, the fees that the lender charges, local customs and any arrangement negotiated between the buyer and seller.

Closing costs are fees paid to third parties to finalize a home purchase, explains Fool.com, by both the buyer and the seller. Costs can vary widely depending on state requirements, the type of loan the buyer has, the fees that the lender charges, local customs and any arrangement negotiated between...

05/03/2023

When you apply for a mortgage loan, your lender has three business days to provide you with your loan estimate—a detailed summary of the loan terms, fees associated with taking out a mortgage, the loan amount, interest rate, and monthly payments—including estimates for property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and mortgage insurance, if applicable.

The reason it’s called a loan estimate is that between the time you applied for your loan and when you close escrow on your new home, the data the lender has can change as it goes through the underwriting process which may cause the closing disclosure to show higher costs or a higher interest rate than you may be expecting.

According to Rocketmortgage.com, you should receive your closing disclosure three days before the closing date. This is a final accounting of all your closing costs. Compare the numbers line by line with the loan estimate and if you find a discrepancy, contact your lender for the reason why.

Sometimes, the closing disclosure will be lower than the loan estimate when a lender overestimates some items, but typically, they’re more. Some costs aren’t allowed to change, including loan origination fees, fees paid to the lender’s third-party service providers, and transfer taxes, which are typically paid by the seller. Costs that can change include prepaid interest between closing and the end of the month. Last, there are costs that have limits on how much they can change, including mortgage recording fees and some third-party services.

When you apply for a mortgage loan, your lender has three business days to provide you with your loan estimate—a detailed summary of the loan terms, fees associated with taking out a mortgage, the loan amount, interest rate, and monthly payments—including estimates for property taxes, homeowner....

03/01/2023

Tips for managing contractors

To keep a project running smoothly and to reduce stress, consider these tips for working with a contractor:

* Communicate clearly and in detail. From the first walk-through to the final check, make sure you are clear in your expectations and goals. Put it all in writing, from the paint finish and number of coats to the projects a contractor needs to complete before getting that next check.

* Speaking of milestones -- never get ahead on the money. In other words, pay the contractor enough to cover materials and some of the early work, and then draw up milestones that serve as a carrot. This is fair to both sides: the contractor isn't working for free, and you aren't in a position to lose money should a worst-case scenario happen and the contractor stops showing up.

* Get referrals and visit construction sites. Any reputable contractor will gladly hand over referrals and welcome you to their job site. This gives you a look at finished projects as well as their style with in-progress work.

* Get multiple estimates. This may not be necessary with a small project -- you probably don't need three estimates for someone to install a toilet -- but you should always get estimates from multiple contractors for mid-sized to large projects. Not only do you get a better idea of the price, but you could be surprised at how differently contractors may visualize the same job.

02/28/2023

Latest Irvine market report.

Note that the median price was 8.1% higher than last year.
While Days on market was 47.

11/03/2022

Irvine market update for September.
Average days on market was 17 days.

08/09/2022

“It’s important to know when to call in a professional. Saving $200 to $300 for an electrician or plumber could end up costing you thousands in the end.”..Electrical, plumbing, roof/deck, landscape grading...

Home inspectors say they can spot the work of an amateur versus a pro.

08/01/2022

This year, late summer heat is no joke, and even the most heat-friendly garden crops like tomatoes and peppers can get cranky during a serious heat wave. But with some smart short and long-term solutions, your garden can survive the heat and stay green and productive.
*. Check the forecast. Some plants may droop a bit in the heat, but if the temperature will fall within a few days, your garden should bounce back with a little care and attention.
*. Water long and slow. You should do this all season, but especially during heat waves to help saturate the soil and keep plants hydrated and more drought-resistant.
*. Give your garden a deep, slow watering the evening or morning before the heat wave hits so the plants have ample time to drink up.
*. Don't over-water. If your plants still wilt during the hottest part of the day, wait until the next morning. If they're still limp, give them another long, slow drink.
*. Focus on the soil at the base of the plant when watering instead of leaves. Droplets of water on leaves or fruit can heat in the sun and sunburn or scorch the plant.
*. Try shade cloth for plants that are younger or especially heat-sensitive. You can also use sheets or umbrellas. Move potted plants to shadier locations.
*. Make sure to mulch at the beginning of every season. Re-distribute mulch before a heat wave to ensure all plants are well protected.

07/27/2022

MARKET UPDATE

*. Concerns about rising rates, unabated inflation and a potential near-term recession continue to manifest in more areas of the housing industry.
*. A market shift with softening demand for housing has become more evident this past week, as mortgage volume applications reached their lowest level in 22 years, housing starts plunged to a 2-year low, and home builders’ sentiment continued to deteriorate with the decline in buyer traffic.
*. The sharp rise in borrowing costs is leading home builders to scale back production plans, with single-family permits recently taking a downward trajectory.
*. A cooled-off job market is likely to take even more wind out of the housing market as job growth continues to shrink, while jobless claims remain on an upward trend since April.

SOURCE: C.A.R.

07/25/2022

Before getting into the "house hunting" mood, this is the most important step: Get your financials in check!

Whether this means checking your credit score, talking with a financial advisor, looking at your monthly expenditures, getting pre-approved for a mortgage, or most likely, all of the above, getting your financials in order is a necessary step in the home-buying process.

Read on:

Your homebuying experience—from start to finish.