Will Cook's Blog Posts

Have sellers missed their opportunity to get top dollar for their homes?Have housing prices peaked? I hear this question often when I speak to sellers about whether they should list their homes now

What is a bridge loan? As the name suggests, bridge loans offer a short-term loan or “bridge” that allows borrowers to purchase new real estate property by using the home they currently own

Our nation is in the midst of a serious housing crunch. Last year, a lack of inventory and soaring prices left many would-be homebuyers feeling pinched. But now, with interest rates climbing,

Your spring Palm Springs 2022 real estate market update.Today I’m bringing you our Palm Springs spring market update. Prices continue to surge as record-high sales and record-low inventory keep

The numbers: The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city price index posted a 19.1% year-over-year gain in January, up slightly from 18.6% the previous month. On a monthly basis, the index

In real estate transactions, you may hear the term "fee simple" used. Though it may sound anything but simple, it is actually not difficult to understand. Fee simple applies to the ownership of land

Here’s how the war in Ukraine and inflation are affecting our market.If you’ve watched the news recently, you know that everyone is talking about the war in Ukraine and inflation. How are these

The hot real estate market marches on. Property values are soaring, sales records are constantly being broken in various regions, and demand far outweighs the current housing inventory. As of

When applying for a mortgage, you might be thinking ahead to the 15 or 30 years you'll spend repaying it. You'll also want to pay attention to a much shorter time frame: the window you accrue per

How To Calculate Property Tax: What Homeowners Should Know About How to Estimate Property TaxesNeed to know how to estimate property taxes? You’ve come to the right place! Most people know that

Hedge Against Inflation With These 3 Real Estate Investment TypesThe annual inflation rate in the United States is currently around 7.5%—the highest it has been since 1982.1 It doesn’t matter

A home appraisal determines the value of a property, which isn't always the same as the sales price. Lenders often require appraisals for real estate transactions – whether you're buying or

Here’s why I tend to discourage sellers from listing homes as pocket listings.In our competitive market, buyers and investors are looking for pocket listings because they think they’ll get a

A wraparound mortgage is a lesser-known, unique financing option. It's far from a conventional loan, but can be an opportunity for both homebuyers struggling to obtain a mortgage and sellers in

It's fair to say the start of 2022 isn't the best time to purchase a home. Not only have mortgage rates climbed in recent weeks, but home prices are still sitting at record highs, making them

Here are three things that are giving our buyers a competitive advantage.Even though we’re in a strong seller’s market here in Palm Springs, there are still ways that you can win as a buyer.

As cryptocurrency has exploded into the mainstream, luxury real estate has felt the effects, with developers looking to grab headlines by listing properties for Bitcoin and other digital currencies,

There’s a lot to love about a media room. The epicenter of cozy, it’s a place where the whole family and their friends can curl up in the comfort of home. “These spaces should be as

The journey to homeownership is exciting, but there are many more buyers than homes for sale in today's market, so that journey can take longer than you expect. The real estate market across the

Need to know how to estimate property taxes? You’ve come to the right place! Most people know that homeownership requires coughing up copious amounts of money. There’s your mortgage, of

Are you scared to have your money in the stock market (like I am) but also tired of almost no return on investment with your money at the bank? Do you really like the idea of being invested in-

Closing on a house marks the beginning of a new chapter, but the final step before becoming a homeowner includes lots of documents, signatures and fees. Here's a closer look at the home closing

There's a reason 2021 was a challenging year for home buyers. Property values sat at inflated levels throughout the year, making it difficult for buyers on a budget to enter the market,

Mortgage rates are closing out 2021 nearly half a percentage point higher than where they were at the end of 2020. But don’t blame the omicron variant for their recent movements.The 30-year fixed

As you prepare to finalize a home purchase, there’s an important step to take before the closing: the final walkthrough. This personal inspection helps ensure that the home you committed to on

Before you start the hunt for your dream home, there are a few things to do to prepare. Doing these things in advance will put you in a better position to quickly make a stand-out offer once you

If you’re applying for a mortgage, you probably expect the lender to take a look at your income, debt, credit history, employment and assets. There’s another loan element the lender will

Buying a condo could be a good option if you want to own property of your own but you don't want to buy a single-family home. Condos can come with less maintenance work because you have an

Let’s say you’re selling your house. And before you even get a chance to snap listing photos and put it on the market, a buyer comes along. Perhaps the buyer makes you an offer you just can’t

Are you selling your home and reviewing several offers? Congratulations! You’re well on your way to getting as much as possible out of what is likely your largest asset.But when it comes to

Here’s what we already know: Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the real estate market has been on a wild ride of unprecedented highs and lows—record-high home prices on one side, record-low

Inflation is a red-hot topic right now, and for good reason: In October, the annual inflation rate rose to an alarming 6.2%. That’s the highest it’s hit since November 1990, over 30

Does it make more sense to buy now or wait?Are you a buyer who is frustrated by our current real estate market? We’re seeing three distinctive trends in today’s market:1. Sellers who are very

Is your Realtor asking for proof of funds? What is proof of funds in real estate anyway? A proof of funds letter is a document that proves that a home buyer has enough liquid cash to purchase a

Are you selling your home and reviewing several offers? Congratulations! You’re well on your way to getting as much as possible out of what is likely your largest asset.But when it comes to

Are you curious about the terms “quitclaim,” “grantor,” and “grantee”? These types of deeds and specific terms may come up if you’re transferring property between family members or

All real estate is local, and there's no better gauge of what's going on -- at least to most homeowners -- than to look around your own neighborhood.I know in my own subdivision in Columbia, South

(Getty Images)Global supply chain bottlenecks have lately made purchasing everything from chicken wings to cars seem like a very expensive, frustrating scavenger hunt. The crunch is threatening the

How much does it cost to build a house? The median price of constructing a single-family home is $296,652. That’s for an average-sized house of 2,594 square feet, which boils down to $115 per

It's always a good idea to establish a budget for your larger © Bill Oxford/Getty ImagesPermits are required for many projects, and not all building departments require permits for the same

© Getty ImagesECONOMIC REPORTThe numbers: Home prices maintain record levelsThe pace of home-price growth slowed slightly in August, though buying a home remained more expensive.The 

Has it been a year or more since you’ve given your heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system some attention? If so, now is the time for you to give it a tune-up. Seasonal maintenance, ideally

© one pony/Shutterstock A single-family home with attached garage and landscapingWhat is the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)?RESPA stands for the Real Estate Settlement

Here are your fall numbers for our Coachella Valley real estate market.Today we wanted to give you a fall update for our local Coachella Valley real estate market. Record-low inventory and record

(Maskot/Getty Images)Tax Assessed Value vs. Market Value: What’s the Home prices aren’t set in stone; instead, their value can change depending on a few key factors—that’s what makes

(AndreyPopov/iStock)If you’re looking to sell your home, you’ll want to hire an amazing listing real estate agent to help—and there are certain questions to ask so that you can

(maybefalse/iStock)Is There a Lien on My Property? How to Check“Is there a lien on my property?” If this is something you’re wondering about, then you’ll definitely want to find out, pronto.

If you're nearing the end of the initial term on your adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), you might be wondering if now is a good time to refinance, and whether you should switch to a fixed rate.©

What is a good offer on a house? This will depend on the market you’re in, the property’s list price, how long it’s been on the market, and many other factors that you should weigh before

© SerhiiKrot/Getty Images A contractor installs insulationWhat is an energy-efficient mortgage?How does an EEM work?Energy-efficient mortgage optionsEnergy-efficient mortgage

(gargantiopa/iStock)If you’re hoping to buy a house, the very first dollar figure you’ll want to know is the home’s price, of course. But a close second is its cost for each square

The frequency of bidding wars on homes has dropped to the lowest level this year — the latest sign that the housing market may be cooling and reverting back to its usual seasonal patterns.© Getty

Historically low-interest rates the last few years have sent homeowners to loan officers in droves to refinance their mortgages, and real estate investors have been right behind them, aiming to

Mortgage rates rose a bit this week but remain near record lows. The average rate on 30-year mortgages ticked up to 3.05 percent from 3.03 percent last week, according to Bankrate’s weekly

I’m going deep into whether or not our market is slowing down somewhat.Is our real estate market slowing down somewhat? I’ll be doing a deep dive into answering that question today. Many factors

Anyone new to real estate investing may hear some terms thrown around that they may not fully understand. One of these terms is the “1031 exchange,” which is a common tax strategy that can help

Hurricanes. Heat waves. Earthquakes. Tornadoes. Today’s headlines are awash in extreme weather, and whether you blame climate change or just plain bad luck, the simple truth is that the damage

The forecast for the coming months is lower temperatures—and a cooler real estate market, if only by a few degrees.The housing market is expected to shift to something closer to normal this fall,

What does it mean to be prequalified or preapproved for a mortgage? The two words are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same thing and don’t carry the same weight when a hopeful

The numbers: Sales of new homes in the U.S. rebounded in July after three consecutive months of declines.Video: U.S. home price growth climbs to a new record high in May (Yahoo! Finance)Video

It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has turned the real estate market into a wild domain. If you’re looking to buy or sell a home, you’re likely eager to know how long this will last.In

Purchasing a home isn’t the same thing as signing a lease. When you rent, you’re most likely committing for a year. When you buy, you have to commit for at least a few years if you don’t

Small-town living in many cases doesn’t come cheaper than living in a city. In fact, several smaller towns nationwide have home prices as high as, or higher than, those found in major metropolitan

We may be sensing signs of a shift in our current real estate market.As a housing analyst, Ivy Zellman is a trusted source of information regarding the housing market. She recently stated in her

Is the current market affordable, and is it a good time to buy?Is it a good time to buy a home in today’s housing market? The power lies in the hands of the sellers; rapid appreciation is

I’m here to give you the details and update you on our spring market.Today I’m going to give you an update on our spring real estate market. Record-low inventory and record-high sales are the

Here are three strategies to help you win as a buyer and seller right now.As you’re probably aware, we’ve been in a very strong seller’s market for the last 12 months in the Greater Palm

Here’s what to consider if you’re thinking of doing a pre-listing inspection.Is a pre-listing home inspection—which is an inspection done prior to listing a home on the market—beneficial to

If you’re a seller, here are three ways to rectify a low appraisal.We’re in a very strong seller’s market in the Greater Palm Springs area, and it’s not unusual for a home’s appraised

Here’s what’s been going on in our greater Palm Springs area real estate market.In the greater Palm Springs area, we continue to be in a very strong seller’s market. To illustrate that, we

The holiday season has officially arrived.Happy holidays to you!The holiday season has officially arrived. We hope you enjoy this wonderful time of year and make some fantastic memories.We wanted to

 In general, we have continued to be in a very strong seller’s market. In the video above, you can see a slide that shows the correlation between the days on market and the months of sales.

To find out what’s going on in a market, agents use these five indicators.How is the market? This is a question real estate professionals get asked on a daily basis. However, unlike the stock

Here’s a closer look at how the upcoming election will affect real estate.2020 will be remembered as one of the most challenging years of our lives. A global pandemic, a recession that causes

If you want to maximize your home sale in this seller’s market, here are the five tips you must remember:1. Create a buzz about your home. You want your home to hit the market with a bang and

What’s happening in the market? Well, homes are very affordable thanks to crazy low-interest rates. The only time the affordability index was higher was back when distressed properties dominated

What is the pulse of the Greater Palm Springs Area real estate market during the pandemic? I’m sharing some national news and local data to show how our market is doing amid the health

Yes, the news is grim, but the first step toward operating in a place of calm is to gather perspectives and facts. Today I’m offering both.I’ve been doing some research to better understand how

Although we’re continuing to help buyers and sellers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, we’re also helping people in our community outside of real estate. Here’s a quick update on what�

Overpricing is one of the worst mistakes you can make as a home seller. Here are three ways to tell that your price needs to come down.If you’re selling your home, you need to understand that

I have your latest real estate market update for January 2020, along with all the key statistics from the Desert Housing Report. What do the numbers tell us? Inventory is lower now than it was at

Today I’m going to share five tips for how to buy a home in a seller’s market. November 1 had the lowest number of homes for sale in the greater Palm Springs area in recent history. At 3.8�

For today’s market update, the first metric I’d like to discuss is our months-of-sales ratio, which gives us our absorption rate. On October 1, the months-of-sales ratio (the level of inventory

Before you decide your home is ready to be seen by potential buyers, it’s important to take four key steps before putting it up for sale on the market to ensure it sells for its maximum value:1.-

I often recommend that home buyers live in a house for awhile before they undertake large renovation or expansion projects. Now, I’m not talking about basic plumbing or electrical issues that are

When a buyer submits an offer on a home, one of the steps they must take is to fill out a purchase contract with the help of their agent. Within this contract, they will be able to stipulate

First, we’ll look at the months of sales ratio, which gives us our absorption rate. As you can see in the graph at the 0:26 mark in the video above, this ratio is very seasonal, but it’s

Home sellers are often told to make upgrades to their home before they sell, but when is the right time to get those projects underway if you want to maximize your return on investment? It’s

Here are the seven silly mistakes you need to avoid so that they don’t sabotage your home sale:1. Cords hanging from a wall-mounted TV. 2. An unkempt yard. Curb appeal is a real thing.

The greater Palm Springs area has been in a seller’s market in most price ranges for some time now, and it’s created frustration among buyers. The good news is, there are just three rules you

Our market has gotten off to an incredible start in 2019 here in the Palm Springs area, and the opportunity for home sellers to sell quickly and for top dollar hasn’t passed yet, but it may soon

Although we’re getting a lot of activity in the market lately, many properties going under contract are moving on to fall out of escrow.In the past few years, home sellers have had the luxury of

What’s the latest news from our Palm Springs market? There are a few metrics we have to look at.The first is our “months of sales” ratio, or our absorption rate. As of March 1 of this year,

Here are four clear signs that suggest it might be time for you to downsize into a smaller home:1. You are approaching retirement. Ever-increasing living expenses, coupled with the fact that�

Today we’ll be taking a quick look at what trends we saw in the Coachella Valley real estate market throughout 2018, and how it compared to the market performance of 2017.In 2017, there was an

 It’s hard to believe that 2018 is almost over! As the holidays are fast approaching, we want to take a moment to wish you and your family a warm and wonderful holiday season. Your trust and

The first statistic I’d like to share with you is our market’s absorption rate, also called months’ supply of inventory, which defines how many months it would take to sell every home that was

If you’re thinking of buying a home in the Palm Springs area, you need to be aware of these three nuances:Nuance #1: Location, location, locationPalm Springs is divided into three main areas:

Our fall market actually presents a number of amazing opportunities for Palm Spring sellers, and today we’ll be highlighting three reasons why putting your property on the market during these

Today I want to take a look at the top three myths about our current real estate market:1. We are headed toward another housing bubble. Home prices have appreciated year-over-year for the past

It is time for another market update. In general, we have continued to be in a strong seller’s market. The months of supply ratio is a figure that measures the balance between supply and demand in

I am coming at you from one of my new listings (a beautiful vacation rental with three bedrooms and two bathrooms) to ask, “How can you be successful with vacation rentals in the Palm Springs?�

As you saw in my last market update for Palm Springs, the real estate market remains red-hot. Palm Springs has actually surpassed its all-time high in the single-family market.In fact, Zillow

What’s going on in our local real estate market?In general, we’ve been in a strong seller’s market recently. This can be determined by looking at the “months of supply” ratio, which

There are a number of things that could prompt your insurance company to drop your coverage.  I’ll be going over four common reasons this can happen. Homeowners usually see their payments

Every seller wants to get as much money as possible for their home, but few know how to accomplish this. As it turns out, there are four steps you can take to prepare your home to sell for top.

When the market favors sellers, it can be tempting to test your luck with your listing. Today, I’d like to go over what you should do instead.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home

What are the latest trends of the Palm Springs area market? Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationAre you-

The New tax reform will impact the real estate market in four key ways. These changes indicate that now might be the time to start the process if you’re thinking about selling in 2018.I’ve

Right now, our Palm Springs market is seeing a lot of competition among buyers. Today, I’d like to offer some tips on how to win in bidding wars.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full

Today, I’d like to share seven tips you’ll need to keep in mind to buy a home in 2018. 1. Check your credit score. Your credit score is basically a numerical representation of your credit.

What's Going on in Our Market Today? Our absorption rate, or months of sales, is 4.4. This number is confirming that we are continuing our trend as a seller’s market. This is the.

What does it take to make a real estate contract legal and binding?All offers to purchase real estate should be in writing. An offer doesn’t have any teeth unless it’s in writing, and most

Listing  your home on the market can be a tricky process to navigate. There are six key points where sellers most often lose money during the transaction.1. Not preparing your home to.

With a 3.9-month absorption rate, our market is continuing its trend of favoring sellers. As time passes, the seller’s market we’ve been seeing becomes even stronger.This is the first time we�

You have more controlin pleasing buyers than you may think. Before putting your home on the market, make sure to remember the three things buyers most often look for.Today, I’d like to discuss

In addition to your monthly mortgage payment, you also need to consider some other taxes and assessments to get a true picture of what homeownership will look like for you. Each of these

Real estate Investing is an often overlooked, but potentially very attractive, means of diversifying and smoothing out a portfolio.Adding real estate to your investment portfolio is a great idea.

Should you put your home in a trust? This may seem like a question only pertinent to homeowners advancing in age, but estate planning is a topic all homeowners should seriously consider. Putting

When you're looking to buy a home, working with just one agent will be very beneficial to you.You want a single, trusted advisor who truly understands what you're looking for in a home. You'll come

Contingent offers are making a comeback. Contingent sale offers are on the rise in Palm Springs. Contingent sale offers occur when a buyer submits an offer on a property that is contingent on

Whether you’re a buyer hiring someone to inspect a home you want to buy or a seller needing an inspector to look at your home to see if there’s anything that needs to be fixed before you put it

Market Update January 2017What's been going on in the greater Palm Springs area real estate market?With 6.3 months of sales, our market is balanced. This is part of a positive trend,,

At the beginning of the summer, the U.K. voted to leave the European Union. This became known as "Brexit," and it has created a lot of uncertainty and worry for our neighbors across the Atlantic

The interest rate you pay on your home mortgage has a direct impact on your monthly payment; The higher the rate, the greater your payment will be. That is why it is important to look at where

Many buyers and sellers have been confused about the role that title companies play in real estate transactions. They have three main duties that are extremely important in protecting you as a

Staging a resort home for sale is incredibly important, especially within Palm Springs, and surrounding areas. If you don’t stage your home before you put it up for sale, you stand to lose

Sprawling through Southern California, just two hours outside of L.A. and San Diego, is the city that has been the main source of style inspiration for over fifty years. That style capital is Palm

Nestled within vast expanses of desert, Palm Springs is a city designed for escape. It blends together a fine mixture of old Hollywood with desert modernity.If you live in the area, you know that

What is a market absorption rate and how is it calculated? This is a topic many people in the Palm Springs area have asked me about, so today I want to demystify this helpful statistic. The market

The property values in various areas of Southern California may have continued to steadily increase over the years, but the homes in the Palm Springs area have continued to remain affordable.

There are three main factors that bring people to the market, and we're going to talk about them each today in detail. Here they are:1. LocationIf someone is relocating to the area and wants to buy

Although buying a home is a major decision, you might miss out on the opportunity to make an offer if you wait too long.It is best to put an offer in as quickly as possible! Make sure you have

I If you're planning to sell your home in the Palm Springs Area, I have a list of 90 things that you can’t afford to neglect in order to sell quickly and for top dollar. We have a full

There are a fewthings that you'll need to consider when purchasing a vacation rental property in the Palm Springs Area:1. Location: This is extremely important in real estate. It's crucial

 A Little History... In 1876, the Pacific Railroad laid tracks between Los Angeles and Yuma, Arizona. The U.S. government deeded the Agua Caliente tribe 52,000 acres throughout the Coachella

What's Happening with Palm Springs Area Real Estate?  To learn more, go to ===> http://www.willcookgroup.blogspot.com;

The city of Palm Springs is among the top “30 Best Small Cities in America” for 2014 as compiled by Conde Nast Traveler.Palm Springs secured No. 28, with the website noting the city's "Hollywood

The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University recently released their 2015 State of the Nation’s Housing report. The report concentrated on the challenges renters in this country

Today, many real estate conversations center on housing prices and where they may be headed. That is why we like the Home Price Expectation Survey.Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a

CARLSBAD -- On sunny afternoons, this stretch of beach 35 miles north of San Diego offers a classic So uthern California backdrop: joggers, palm trees and surfers, flanked by waves rolling in and

Relax in this spacious, well-appointed home in the new gated community of The Gallery in Palm Desert. The largest model offered, this beautiful home features 4 Bedrooms and 3 Bathrooms with almost

Real estate industry experts say that solar lease payments are interfering with sales and closings of homes in the state of California due to complications stemming from solar lease payments, such

Very well maintained 4 plex in Bermuda Dunes, CA, consists of Three 3BR/2Bath  units and One 2BR/2Bath unit with single garages and a pool on well maintained grounds. Plenty of

Same Time Next Year?  President Obama makes annual visit to Palm Springs for a little golf and escape from the East Coast Winter weather.  This is the second year in a row that the

Modernism Week officially kicks off this week in Palm Springs!   From the Sunnylands Tour of the Annenberg Estate (in Rancho Mirage) to Donald Wexler's Twin Palm Springs Homes Tour, check out

$698,000 - 3 Windemere Court in Morningside in Rancho Mirage, Open House, Sunday Jan. 25 from 12-3pm -- Click on the Picture below for More Information. $765,000 - 6 Creekside

 To find out more, check out this article in the Coachella Valley Independent,  Modernism Week starts on Feb 12 and runs through Feb 22, 2015 In Palm Springs, CA CLICK HERE to Search

Recently Reduced!  1740 Firestone Plaza in The Fairways, Palm Springs.  NOW offered at $179,000.  Please stop by on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 1-3pm to see this amazing value in this;

Fixed mortgage rates inched down again for the fourth consecutive week, bringing them to new lows in early 2015.Averaging 3.63%, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is at its lowest level

Beautiful one of a kind St. Andrews floor plan was originally the Morningside developer's corporate retreat. Impeccably maintained, this 3034 sq. ft. 3 bedroom, 3 bath freestanding home sits back

Palm Springs kicks off Awards Season with the Annual Palm Springs Film Festival.  For more information, click here >>>  http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2015/01/04

Steady As She Goes.  Prices in Palm Springs are currently higher than in every other city in the Coachella Valley including Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells, which are historically the highest.

This 1455 sq. ft. 3BR/2BA condo represents the best of Resort Living in Palm Springs. Located in popular low density gated community of the Fairways which features 8 pools/spas, 4 tennis courts and

Great income producing 4 plex consists of 3-3BR/2BA units and 1-2BR/2BA unit. One unit was recently renovated with all tile flooring, granite counters and stainless appliances. All units have 1 car

Quaint California Bungalow 4 plex in desirable Warm Sands! 1-2BR/2BA owners unit with FP, granite and washer/dryer hook up; and 3-1BR/1BA units. Common coin operated laundry for 1BR units brings in

We are Very Grateful for our Relationships with Family, Friends, Colleagues and Clients and wish You and Your Family a Very Happy Thanksgiving!   “We can lift ourselves and others as

Stone and glass accent Western Mountain views in this very private 3BR/4BA Deepwell Estates home. The Great Room features a Soaring Vaulted ceiling, Walls of glass (w/automated blinds), FP, and

Beautifully maintained freestanding home in Morningside, this 3229 sq. ft. Turnberry model features 3 Bedrooms and 4 Baths (2 Master Baths). Spacious entry hall takes you to the large Living Room