How to Get Rich (or at Least Wealthier) by Buying Your First Home If you’re looking for ways to get rich, or at least richer than you are now, signing a 30-year loan doesn’t exactly sound like the best idea, but buying a home can be a great way to start building wealth. In fact, way back in 2013 the net worth of a typical homeowner was $195,400 while a typical renter’s was $5400, that’s 189% difference. So, how does buying a home help you get rich? You Have to Live Somewhere Some argue that tying your money up in housing means you can’t invest that money somewhere else where you migh ..read more

TOP 8 TIPS TO KEEP THE RAIN FROM WREAKING HAVOC   Clear the gutters: Make sure your gutters are clear of debris so that they can properly divert rainwater away from your home. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage, and can even cause roof leaks. Trim trees and shrubs: Make sure to trim trees and shrubs away from your home. Fallen branches can cause significant damage to your roof or windows during a rain storm.  Check the roof: Check for any loose or missing shingles, and repair any damage that you find. This will help keep rainwater from seeping into your home. Check t ..read more

A public service announcement: Team Forss is here for you in a variety of ways.   A message to our community: During this difficult time, Team Forss has changed our message and how we’re delivering it. What hasn’t changed is our No. 1 priority, which is and always will be helping you feel at home. If you need assistance, we’re there for you, whether it’s picking up prescriptions or delivering groceries. Regardless of what’s going on beyond your front door, Team Forss is here for you 365 days a year.  We’re a company that does a wonderful job of helping buyers and sellers make their m ..read more

  During these unprecedented times, Team Forss has changed our message and the way we’re delivering it. But what hasn’t changed is our number one priority which has, and always will be, helping you feel at home. If you’re in need of assistance, we’re there. Whether it’s picking up a prescription or delivering groceries, we’ve got you covered. And regardless of what’s going on beyond your door, Team Forss is here for you 365 days a year.  Yes, we are a marketing company — that just happens to do a really great job of helping buyers and sellers make their money go the d ..read more

The social distancing rules are still in place – but now agents can use some creative strategies to get our clients into the homes they need to see while also keeping sellers, buyers, agents and everyone safe. By Kim Wilder – Buyer’s Specialist, Realtor®️ Our lives and daily habits have all changed recently as a result of the stay at home order, but the basic needs of food, water and shelter still remain critical to the majority of us… and housing is just as important now as it was before the pandemic was declared. Because of the statewide stay at home order, in-person house hunting had to b ..read more

Real estate hasn’t stopped, so it’s business as usual (with a twist). Here’s how we’ve been adjusting to the new norm. Recently, we were invited onto KFROG95.1 to provide some stats and share our experience of what’s happening in the real estate market right now. We’re learning on the fly how to do real estate in the middle of a pandemic—there’s no reference manual for these bizarre times. Surprisingly, our market is alive and thriving, so we’re still getting things done for our clients using more virtual processes. In March, there were 634 active listings in Temecula Valley, compared to 759 ..read more

“We are encouraging our homeowners to continue to pay their mortgage, if there is any way possible, and utilize this program only as a last resort, because it is not a perfect solution, even for those who really need it, and is likely to only cause problems for those who don’t really need it.” By Matt Tibbetts Many people have heard that mortgage companies are offering a “pause” on their mortgage payments for up to 6 months, for people who are impacted by an inability to earn an income due to the CoronaVirus pandemic. This is a great program for those in desperate times right now, who can’t g ..read more

Interview with Lisa Forss of Team Forss Realty APRIL 1, 2020 ORIGINALLY POSTED ON KFROG.RADIO.COM The coronavirus pandemic has caused industries to change the way they do business. Lisa Forss of Team Forss Realty explains how they’ve changed their approach to make it a safe experience for both the buyer and seller. The home you’re currently in may not be the home you want to be “Safe At Home” in and it’s evident with the numbers Lisa Forss shared about homes for sale in the Temecula Valley and Riverside County area. Luckily for buyers and sellers, Team Forss has adapted their approac ..read more

Lender Paid PMI: Redefining the View of Needing 20% to Put Down Home ownership is the ultimate goal for everyone but there are so many hurdles that need to be jumped. The economic crash of 2008 caused rules and regulations to be tightened, especially when the amount of down payment required is set at 20%. That is a hefty amount for some, such as new buyers. But, there is an alternative – a lower down payment with lender paid PMI – Private Mortgage Insurance.   Private Mortgage Insurance Explained Mortgage lenders can work with homeowners who can’t afford to put 20% down, provided a Private Mo ..read more

Maximizing a home down payment can make sense: The bigger the down payment, the lower the monthly mortgage bill and the better the chance of building equity more quickly. But putting too much down could leave you without enough cash for home maintenance — or anything else. Pinpointing the right amount involves balancing the advantages of boosting the down payment against the need to hold back money for urgent upgrades, life’s emergencies, and having some fun with your new home. “There’s really no one-size-fits-all solution,” says Jason Speciner, a certified financial planner in Fort Collins, C ..read more