Orange County Home Buying Increased in 17 Zip Codes

According to recent DataQuick home selling statistics, a span of 22 business days from mid August through September 15 revealed a 25.7% increase (above one year ago) in Orange County home buying. In fact, home sales doubled or more in 17 Orange County zip codes. Here's a look at the zip codes and the year-over-year increases:

1. Santa Ana (92703) - 450%
2. Santa Ana (92706) - 300%
3. Santa Ana (92707) - 300%
4. Anaheim (92806) - 266.7%
5. Anaheim (92805) - 221.1%
6. Anaheim (92807) - 200%
7. Garden Grove (92844) - 200%
8. Santa Ana (92704) - 171.4%
9. Garden Grove (92843) - 170%
10. Tustin (92780) - 161.1%
11. Anaheim (92804) - 144.4%
12. Fountain Valley (92708) - 142.9%
13. Santa Ana (92701) - 130.8%
14. Anaheim (92801) - 128.6%
15. Westminster (92683) - 128%
16. Newport Beach (92662) - 100%
17. Santa Ana (92705) - 100%

With good deals on the market and programs like the government's $7,500 tax credit for first time home buyers, Orange County home buyers are getting off the sidelines and into the game. Real estate is cyclical, so while some housing markets face challenges, other housing markets flourish. These 17 zip codes are a prime example.

Why not take advantage of this opportunity and others? Get your California real estate license online in your free time and tap into this market. Turn the home ownership dreams of qualified buyers into reality and be prepared to take on the next market upswing.

It's time to think big. Choose to work within the confines of a cubicle, or become your own boss, see potential beyond media hype and pursue the rewarding real estate career challenges you know you can handle.


By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,http://www.realestatelicense.com/

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USPAP and Your Appraisal Career

How does USPAP affect your career as an appraiser? As a licensed or certified appraiser, you must comply and perform your appraisals according to these standards. By following these guidelines, you ensure that you are qualified to offer fair and accurate appraisal services.

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, known as USPAP (pronounced YOOS-PAP), include the accepted standards for professional appraisal practice in North America. It defines the guidelines for all types of appraisal services. There are specific standards that apply to real estate appraisals. Their purpose is to promote and maintain a high-level of service in the real estate field.

History of USPAP

Prior to 1987, there was no universal set of standards when it came to real estate appraisal. To promote fair business practices and prevent fraudulent activities, eight U.S.-based organizations and one Canadian company formed a committee and created USPAP. Developed in 1986 by the Ad Hoc Committee on Uniform Standards and copyrighted in 1987 by The Appraisal Foundation, USPAP forms the guidelines that are followed by every real estate appraiser in the United States. Its purpose is to create a minimum set of criteria that professional appraisers conform to, as well as develop uniform standards that are recognized in the marketplace.

As a real estate appraiser, you need to stay current with your USPAP training. If you are getting your Appraisal Trainee License or want to become a Licensed Residential Appraiser, you need to complete the 15-hour National USPAP course. If you are a Licensed or Certified Appraiser and need to satisfy your two-year USPAP requirement, you need to enroll in the 7-hour National USPAP Update Course.

It is easy to fulfill the USPAP requirements through distance education. The self-paced, user-friendly courses can provide you with the training you need to keep your appraisal license current and up to date.

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Temporary Price Slash - CA Real Estate License Course

Prepare for California's real estate market upswing! Approximately 39,507 California homes sold in July. That's a 12.2% increase from 35,202 in June and 12.3% increase from 35,185 for July 2007*. Take action now and get your California real estate license with this limited-time offer! Through September 10, Allied's offering their Fast Track Premium Course for only $248 (textbooks included). That's a $100 savings! Don't miss out - call 888-751-2286 and learn more today!

*Source: MDA DataQuick

By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.realestatelicense.com

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How to Get Your Georgia Real Estate License

Ready for a new career challenge? Consider getting your Georgia real estate license online. As a real estate salesperson, you're the boss, you make your own schedule and there are no barriers to your income earning potential. Sound good? Here are the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) requirements you must satisfy before getting started:

1. Age Requirement.
You must be at least 18 years of age.

2. General Education.
You must be a high school graduate or have a certificate of equivalency.

3. Real Estate Education.
Complete the required 75 Hour Principles course. Choose a GREC approved online school that includes exam prep materials and student support with your course.

4. State Exam.
Pass the Georgia real estate licensing exam administered by AMP and approved by GREC. The exam fee is $91. You must apply for your salesperson license within 12 months of taking the exam. After 12 months have passed, you must retake the examination.

5. Background Check.
In order to apply for a Georgia salesperson's license, a copy of your criminal history or a Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) Report must be brought to the AMP testing center prior to receiving your license.

6. Licensing Fee
If you're applying for your license within three months of taking the state exam, the licensing fee will be $170. If you apply for your license after three months, but less than 12 months, the licensing fee will be $340.

With a real estate career, you 'll enjoy a flexible schedule where no-two-days are alike. Plus, you'll be by your clients' sides as they experience one of the most important moments of their lives - the purchase of a home. So why wait? Choose an online real estate school and work towards your real estate career at your own pace. Before you know it, you could be listing historical homes in Savannah or become the go-to loft expert for young, professionals in Atlanta. As a Georgia real estate salesperson, you're in charge of your career!

By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.realestatelicense.com

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Florida Homes Sales Increased in July

According to the Florida Association of Realtors, sales of existing single family residences rose for the first time in over two years. Although the rise in home sales is a modest number (under 10 homes), it's a positive move towards greater market stability. Here's more good news from the Florida Association of Realtors:

- 11,498 existing homes sold throughout Florida in July of 2008 compared to 11,492
sold in July 2007

- Over half of Florida's metropolitan statistical areas showed sales increases for
existing homes in July

- Seven of Florida's metropolitan statistical areas showed gains in condo sales

- Realtors throughout the state reported higher levels of activity, including more
phone calls, home showings and pending sales

- The West Palm - Boca Raton metropolitan statistical area experienced an 8%
increase in homes sold in July 2008 compared to July of 2007

As more buyers enter the market, the demand for real estate professionals will increase. And with the housing bill's $7,500 home buyer tax credit encouraging new buyers to enter the market, now's the perfect time to get your Florida real estate license. Enroll in an online real estate school and play an important role in turning homeownership dreams into reality.

By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools, www.realestatelicense.com

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So Cal's Housing Market on the Rise Signaling Good News for Real Estate Appraisers

There is good news for real estate appraisers.

Southern California's home sales increased over year-ago levels for the first time since September 2005, climbing above 20,000 transactions for the first time in 13 months. After having gone without a sales increase for a record 33 months and sales down every month but February 2007, things are starting to look up.

DataQuick reported that home buyers are taking advantage of discounted prices and buying foreclosure properties in more affordable areas. Although this has led to a decrease in the median price, it has driven up sales numbers. Foreclosures accounted for 44% of all resales.

With every house sale requiring a home appraisal, this opens the door to opportunities in real estate appraisal. The increased activity will eventually lead to an upswing in the real estate market -- leading to more opportunities for the licensed appraiser.

It's the perfect time to start an appraisal career and be prepared for opportunities on the horizon!

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Six Ways to Enhance Your Next Open House

Holding an open house this weekend or some time soon? Start planning now. With the proper preparation, you just might find the right buyer or some potential hot leads to keep your momentum going. Here's your open house checklist:

1. Advertise. Get the word out online and offline. Send an email to your list of prospects. Submit press releases to the media, include a spectacular photo and praise the home’s most alluring attributes. Leave flyers on neighbor's doors. This is just a start - the advertising possibilities are endless.

2. Open House Signs Galore. One or two open house signs won't cut it. Make sure you have at least six directional signs and that they start on the busiest street closest to your listing. Then follow the signs to ensure your route will allow potential visitors to easily find your listing.

3. Refreshments. Give your open house visitors a reason to linger a little longer. Keep an assortment of drinks on ice and a tray of tasty treats. You can even package the treats in little bags, top it with a ribbon and neatly attach a business card and/or property flyer.

4. Information Table. This table should be right next to the refreshments. Include additional information on your listing, like a pre-home inspection report. Also include sales and listing data for homes in the surrounding area. Your open house visitors may not buy the home they just looked at, but more than likely, they're considering the community. This is your time to shine and impress them with your local expertise.

5. Parting Gifts. Don't allow your open house visitors to leave empty handed. Give them something that will benefit their home search. A list of foreclosures in the area? A report discussing all the benefits of the local community? You decide. And of course, include your contact information.

6. Incentives. On the collateral materials you hand out, include a reason to visit your website. Free school performance reports, real estate market news or a contest to win dinner for two may keep you on the minds of your open house visitors after they leave.

By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.realestatelicense.com

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Federal Housing Bill Leads to a Higher Standard of Real Estate Appraisals

President George Bush recently signed a comprehensive bill into law in an effort to halt the rising number of home foreclosures. In addition to several large housing-related initiatives, the bill contains provisions that reinforce the importance of competent real estate appraisals to the mortgage lending process.

The part of the bill that pertains to appraisers is the Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act, H.R. 3221. The act amends the FHA Appraiser Roster requirements by requiring certification by a state or "a nationally-recognized professional appraisal organization" as well as "demonstrate verifiable education in FHA appraisal requirements."

H.R. 3221 is welcomed by the Appraisal Institute, as it promotes the use of highly- qualified real estate appraisers to address today's valuation issues. Bill Garber, Director of Government and External Affairs for the Appraisal Institute, says that, "Our organization believes that quality valuations performed by competent and ethical appraisers are an essential part of government guaranteed loans and we're delighted that Congress has taken steps to ensure the government's lending policies are safeguarded."

Most importantly, the bill prevents other people interested in real estate transactions -- from lenders to bankers -- from trying to influence appraisers. This provision protects appraisers working under the Hope for Homeowners Program and the FHA Appraiser Roster.

The Hope for Homeowners Act came to fruition under H.R. 3221. It is a voluntary program that allows homeowners facing foreclosure to refinance into a more affordable, secure FHA-backed mortgage. It requires that all appraisals done under this program be conducted in accordance to Title XI of FIRREA and performed by an appraiser who meets the competency requirements of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

"This is the first step in working to make appraisal standards uniform across the nation," Senator Mel Martinez, R-Fla, said. "This provision strengthens standards for FHA appraisals and ensures the integrity of the new FHA program that offers foreclosure assistance."

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