Real Living Lifestyles Top Teams – 2012 3rd Quarter

Gary Harmon is proud to be part of the Hadley Home Team.  Our team is third in number of units sold and fifth in total sales volume in a franchise with over 400 San Diego real estate agents.

Gary Harmon is a proud Hadley Home Team member.

If you want to be part of a winning team when buying or selling San Diego North County, contact Gary Harmon your Hadley Home Team Realtor.  Content by .

Since 1989, Gary Harmon has built a phenomenally successful San Diego North County real estate business through building relationships. Gary joined the Hadley Home Team in January 2011, and the entire team move to Real Living Lifestyles in June 2011.  ”I feel Real Living Lifestyles offers a more intimate atmosphere condusive to providing greater customer service.”  This attitude of always putting customersfirst has made Gary Harmon a top North County Realtor that people trust.

Gary understands that people in todays world require immediate and responsive communication. Give him a test and calling or TEXTing 760-745-1220. You will get an immediate response. As a relocation specialist, Gary has been trained and certified in Marketing Assistance and Destination Services.   In addition, if you are buying or selling real estate somewhere else in the world, Gary can refer you to a top, experienced, relocation, real estate professional.

Carlsbad Christmas

Last year brought about alot of changes in my life, especially in the area of selling San Diego North County real estate.
Prudential California Realty closed its office in La Costa and most of us moved to the Prudential office in Carlsbad. I also made the move to join one of the top ranked real estate teams, the Hadley Home Team.  Turned out to be a great decision because work just became more fun. See my Christmas in Carlsbad photo below.

In June, the Hadley Home Team, joined the Fastest Growing Real Estate Brand,  Real Living Lifestyles real estate franchise. The people were not new, Stever Rodgers and many of the agents had come out of Prudential. Our new office was in the Carlsbad Village Faire shopping center, and only a block from the beach. What a cool center and great location to work. Our manager is Diane Hogencamp whom most of you probably know.

In December to all our surprise,  The Real Living  parent company, Brookfield Residential Property Services, purchased Prudential Real Estate and Prudential Relocation.  Brookfield now controls over 80,000 realtors.   That is why Real Living Lifestyles and Prudential California are now “Kissing Cousins.” 

If you would like more home info on San Diego North County homes or would like to see some homes in person, contact Gary Harmon.

See newer listings of Carlsbad homes for sale below:

[idx-listings city=”Carlsbad” propertytypes=”335″ orderby=”DateAdded” orderdir=”DESC” count=”10″ showlargerphotos=”true”]



Real Living – Brookfield – Prudential

On December 6, 2011, Brookfield Residential Property Services aquired Prudiential Real Estate and Relocation Services.    Brookfield has a diverse portfolio focasing on global relocation services, real estate franchising, tranaction data and analytics.   The parent company, Brookfield Asset Management, has over $150 billion in assets under management.   Brookfield is focased on the real estate and relocation business.  With the addition of Prudential Relocation,  Brookfield is the number two global relocation services provider with over 85,000 relocations per year across 125 countries.    Brookfield has a network of over 80,000 real estate professionals including agents in our company, Real Living Lifestyles,  and agents in my prior company, Prudential California Realty.   Brookfield is over more than 2800 real estate offices.  Real Living Lifestyles is proud to be a part of the ever growing, dedicated, Brookfield team.

Put the power of Real Living Real Estate and Brookdale to work for you, contact Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles Relocation Realtor.

For more see my blog: Kissing Cousins – Real Living Lifestyles and Prudential California Realty.  See “Carlsbad Christmas.”

Kissing Cousins – Real Living Lifestyles and Prudential California Realty

“What goes around comes around.”  

Twenty three years ago, I went to work for Prudential Anne Winton Realtors.    Anne Winton dropped the Prudential franchise and I left to work for Merrill Lynch.  A few months later, “Prudential” started selling franchises and Prudential Real Estate took over all the Merrill Lynch franchises.  The local brokerage under Steve Games, Prudential California Realty, took over my Merrill Lynch office in Rancho Bernardo.   Now I worked for Prudential Real Estate again.  After over 22 years at  California Realty, I joined Real Living Lifestyles, a franchise of Brookfield Residential Property Services.  A large percentage of Real Living agents were my friends and came from Prudential California Realty also.

Today came the big news, Brookfield Residential Property Services aquired Prudential Real Estate and Prudential Relocation Services.  See article below photo for more information on Kissing Cousins.

Today Brookfield Residential Property Services (“Brookfield”), a Brookfield Asset Management Inc. affiliate, announced that it has purchased Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services (“PRERS”), a recognized leader in employee relocation and real estate franchising from Prudential Financial, Inc. Prudential Relocation Services operates as Pricoa Relocation in Asia and Europe.  Brookfield also sells all the “Real Living” franchises which already has over 10,000 agents.

The addition of PRERS to Brookfield’s existing residential real estate franchising and employee relocation services businesses establishes Brookfield as the world’s second largest employee relocation services provider and the third largest residential real estate franchising business.

Under a licensing agreement, Prudential Real Estate brokerage affiliates will be able to continue to use the Prudential brand based on the terms of their franchise agreements until the expiration of their franchise agreements. 

“This transaction creates a global employee relocation services and real estate franchising leader,” explained Graham Badun, CEO, Brookfield Residential Property Services. “We have now increased the breadth and depth of our service offering, keeping pace with the evolving needs of our clients around the world.”

A North American & Global Leader

Through its various brands, Brookfield’s residential real estate franchisees are now present in all 50 U.S. states, 10 Canadian provinces, Mexico and Portugal, with a network of approximately 80,000 real estate agents, 2,800 real estate brokerage locations and more than $150 billion in annual residential real estate transactions.

U.S.-based Brookfield Global Relocation Services moves nearly 85,000 families in and out of over 125 countries around the world each year. With the acquisition, more than one-third of Fortune 100 companies are its clients. In addition, Brookfield is now the largest provider of relocation services to government, with long term relationships with the U.S. and Canadian governments.
The acquisition greatly strengthens Brookfield’s existing U.S. business and results in the expansion of its operations in nine countries, with a rapidly growing presence in China, Brazil and India.

“Today, Prudential’s real estate and relocation services businesses join a global company with a track record of over 100 years of success,” said Earl Lee, President of Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services. “We’re excited to become part of a company that is focused on and deeply immersed in the real estate sector and is in the business for the long-term.”

Earl Lee will continue to lead the U.S. real estate business, and Rick Schwartz, President, Brookfield Global Relocation Services, will assume responsibility for the combined global relocation services business.

Brookfield’s parent company, Brookfield Asset Management, is a global asset manager with approximately $150 billion in assets under management. Brookfield is co-listed on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the symbol BAM and on NYSE Euronext under the symbol BAMA.

That is how Real Living Lifestyles and Prudential California Realty became “kissing cousins.”  To get more real estate information or to see current real estate listings of San Diego North County homes, contact Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles Realtor.  See “Carlsbad Christmas.”

Waiting Period after Short Sale or Foreclosure

How Soon Can I Get a Loan

One of the questions clients often ask me is “How long do you have to wait after you go through a short sale or a foreclosure to qualify for a new loan.  Although I do not do loans, I know the answer is “it depends.”   I hope the following information furnished by Dan Dobbs of American Commerce Mortgage will help answer some of your questions.  In addition, you should always consult your own tax advisor and attorney before starting a short sale or foreclosure on your San Diego North County home.

There is much “mis” information regarding the length of time borrowers are required to wait between the final date of the foreclosure / short sale and the date the new escrow opening.

Wait periods can be as short as 2 years or as long as 7 years.

What contributes to the confusion….are the additional “overlays” (additional underwriting criteria) for each specific investor.

Criteria are different for “conventional” loans vs. FHA/VA loans.

For both types…..what determines the “wait time” is your buyer’s (i.e. former “short seller”) circumstances at the time of the sale?

Specifically….what were the “extenuating circumstances” that can be clearly documented. (The “burden of proof” will clearly be on the buyer and there is USUALLY more than just ONE circumstance)!
Examples of extenuating circumstances are:

1) Job loss job in a specialized field and what caused the extended period of time to find a new job.

2) Significant health issues for borrower or close family member.

3) Death /illness of close family member PARTICULARLY if the victim is a signatory on the loan. (must provide medical records and/ or death certificate).
Strategic Defaults

Strategic Defaults

Buyers are NOT eligible for a new FHA- INSURED MORTGAGE ….if they pursued a short sale agreement on their principal residence simply to:

1) Take advantage of declining market conditions

And

2) Purchased at a reduced price…a similar or superior property…within a reasonable commuting distance.

In other words if your buyer engaged in a “strategic default”…they can kiss off any FHA financing for the foreseeable future.

Buyers seeking “conventional financing” who previously “strategically defaulted” currently have up to a 7 year wait period before they are eligible for financing.

For information on San Diego North County homes, contact Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles Realtor.

Fasest Growing Real Estate Brand

Real Living Lifestyles is proud to be a part of the Real Living franchise. Real Living is the fastest-growing real estate brand in the United States in terms of net office growth. Real Living in San Diego North County is expanding, hiring top agents, like the Hadley Home Team, and providing advanced real estate support that is improving our business in a very real way.   Real Living has also put together a top Real Living Lifestyles management team.

Real Living Lifestyles is proud to be a part of the successful franchise system of Real Living Real Estate and parent company Brookfield Residential Property Services.  While many San Diego residential real estate brokerages have been closing offices and losing agents, the Real Living Lifestyles brand stands out as an extreme example of success and progress.

Since 2009 Real Living has opened 265 new offices. We now have 425 real estate offices and 10,000 agents through out the country. “It feels wonderful to be a part of this real estate movement,” said Real Living Lifestyles President Steve Rodgers. “We are making a big impact in the San Diego North County markets and as a global network. It’s about staying positive, staying focused and giving people more than they expect.”

Here in San Diego we have 8 offices and over 450 professionals. My office is located in the Carlsbad Village Faire. For North County real estate information, contact Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles Realtor.

Realtors Give Back to San Diego North County

Real Living Lifestyles real estate had its first Community Service Day Fair on July 29th.  The Community Service day was held in the Westfield Mall parking lot in carlsbad: 2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92008.  Hundreds of Real Living Lifestyle Realtors volunteered their time including yours truly.

There were more than a dozen charities participating this year and there were also many different events. I chose packing food for the hungry for around the world and here in San Diego.  Amazingly, the food packaging volunteers packed over 50,000 meals.  Some of the other events are listed below:

  • Leez’s PJ’s for Kids
  • Red Cross Blood Bank
  • Rady Childrens Hospital
  • Bone Marrow registration
  • Child ID Services
  • E-World Recyclers
  • Helen Woodward Animal Center

It was great to see so many of my fellow Real Living Lifestyle realtors involved in such a great cause.  Real Living Lifestyles gives back to the San Diego North County community.  If you are interested in learning more about Real Living Lifestyles real estate, or want to buy or sell a San Diego North County home, contact Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyle Realtor.  Gary’s office is in the Carlsbad Village Faire shopping center, suite 223.

June 2011 San Diego North County Home Statistics

The July 2011 HomeDex™ Report provides June 2011 San Diego housing statistics.   Information in this report is used by permission from the North San Diego County Association of Realtors®  (NSDCAR).   Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles  Realtor, has been a member of NSDCAR for over 20 years.
 
• The median price for all San Diego North County home sales – attached and detached – increased from $380,000 in May 2011 to $386,225 in June 2011.
• San Diego detached homes in North County declined 2.17 percent from $460,000 in May 2011 to $450,000 in June 2011; monthly median prices have fluctuated up and down since January 2011. Year-over median SFD price in North San Diego County homes decreased 6.25 percent from $479,975 in June 2010. This was the largest price fall during a five month trend of year-over price declines.
• The San Diego County median SFD remained steady with a slight 0.53 percent decline, from $380,000 in May 2011 to $378,000 in June 2011, after a 1.3 percent increase last month. Year-over median price decreased about 6.67 percent from June 2010.
• The number of North San Diego homes listings (active and contingent) increased about one percent from May 2011 to June 2011; continuing a trend of monthly increases in listings since January 2011. Listings increased 5.47 percent year-over from June 2010.
• The number of sold North San Diego County SFD units increased 12.25 percent from May 2011 to June 2011, the fourth monthly increase this year.
• Median days-on-market for single-family detached homes in North County increased from 47 days in May 2011 to 49 days in June 2011.

Contact Gary Harmon, to see San Diego North County homes today.

See up to date market statistics provide by Altos Research for Carlsbad homes, Oceanside homes, Vista homes, San Marcos homes, Escondido homes and Encinitas homes.

Love the Hair

Recently a local surf artist,  Elise Nicole K, was looking at homes on my blog.   I followed up…..she gave me permission to share the following photos with you. I think you will agree that Elise Nicole K. captures the true “Carlsbad Living Lifestyles.   Her website is OceanGirlArt.com. 

If you are interested in capturing some of the local living lifestyles for yourself, contact Gary Harmon, Real Living Lifestyles, to see property in San Diego North County.

More about the artist:   Self taught artist Elise Nicole K. now calls the lush isles of Hawai’i home. As soon as she could leave the nest, she headed straight for the Pacific isles.  

Elise Nicole will be traveling between Hawai’i, California, Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico over the spring and early summer of 2011.. All Shows and Events will be listed both on her official blog and website.

 

May 2011 San Diego North County Home Statistics

The June 2011 HomeDex™ Report provides May 2011 San Diego housing statistics.   Information in this report is used by permission from the North San Diego County Association of Realtors®  (NSDCAR).   Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles  Realtor, has been a member of NSDCAR for over 20 years.

 The median price for all North County home sales – attached and detached – remained constant from last month at $380,000 in May 2011.

  •  Detached homes in North County rose slightly by 2.22 percent from $450,000 in April 2011 to $460,000 in May 2011.  Median price has moved up and down monthly this year, with no sustained positive or negative trend. However, year-over median SFD price of San Diego North County homes decreased 3.46 percent from $476,500 in May 2010, continuing a four month trend of year-over price declines (following an 18-month trend of increases in median price).
  •  The number of SFD listings (active and contingent) increased 3.40 percent in May 2011 from April 2011; listings have increased during each month of 2011. Listings were up 9.27 percent year-over from May 2010.
  •  The number of sold North San Diego County homes SFD units decreased 6.7 percent in May 2011 from April 2011, following three months of increases.
  • Median days-on-market for single-family detached homes in North County decreased to 47 days in May 2011 from 50 days in April 2011, the lowest level this year.

If you like San Diego North County home statistics, you can always be up to date with Gary’s Altos Research Reports by major North County communities.  Follow these links: Carlsbad homes, Oceanside homes, Encinitas homes, Vista homes, San Marcos homes, and Escondido homes.

To schedule a personal tour of homes in San Diego North County, contact Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles Realtor.  If you would like to search for properties on your own, just click on the community of interest listed under  “Current Listing”  in the column immediately to the right.