Predictions are slippery things (just ask a weatherman!), but that doesn’t make us demand them any less. The Mayan long calendar has a lot of attention right now because it’s set to run out of days December 21, 2012. We’ve lived past plenty of supposed doomsdays thus far, so instead, let’s consider some real estate predictions for 2012 and beyond:

The Bottom is in Sight
Experts are calling for the stunning 38% decline in home values to bottom out mid-2012 after a final 2% slip. Rather than wishful thinking, these reports agree that the combination of record affordability, undervalued properties, foreclosure clearing efforts, and measurable (if minute) economic stabilization are already showing improvements in sales and inventory ratios, without the artificial bump of housing stimulus.

Spikes and Dips will be Localized
As some areas were hit harder by the bubble burst than others, some areas will show localized improvement sooner, while others continue to fall for longer. This is due to a combination of local economic conditions, speculation, valuation, desirability, and optimism (or lack thereof). Cities like the hardest-hit Detroit will be a long time in stabilizing, while barely-scathed areas like Syracuse and Pittsburg are already showing modest increases. Other areas, such as Fort Meyers have seen a bounce of 12% as investors snapped up undervalued, desirable properties.

Long-Term Recovery will be Slow
Now there’s a shock! Sarcasm aside, while the bubble burst seemed sudden, the bubble was not built in a day and genuine recovery will take time to grow. Low housing prices and low interest rates are helping to lure people back to home ownership, but continuing economic concerns from employment to financing are making this shift a gradual and cautious transition instead of a rush.

The Housing Market and Economy are Linked
The upward turn in home values won’t do much for the economy in 2012, but the following years will see market growth stabilizing at a 3%-4% rate of increase. As holdouts become homeowners and homeowners see their home values finally creep upward, the increased stability will lead consumers back to increased spending. Spending in turn fuels the US economy, which will result in the solid economic recovery we’ve all been waiting for… leading to more buyers and increased home values. Each gain in the housing market or the economy feeds the self-fueling cycle of mutual recovery.

The best predictions are based in current fasts and historical data to give the most accurate educated guess into the future. Considering the massive impact consumer confidence has on economic growth, the recovery on the housing market is a future we want to believe in.

Want to find out if you have what it takes to be a Real Estate Agent or Broker?

About The Author: David Goldstein is an owner and founding partner of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996 the companies under this banner have offered online real estate licensing and insurance licensing courses as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance exam prep.

While the housing market across the country is on the verge of its turnaround, there are extraordinary opportunities for professionals with a Virginia real estate license. Listing prices are up in many areas across the state from Virginia Beach to Norfolk. This is creating new opportunities for employment in Virginia. There will be an increased need for qualified individuals with a Virginia real estate license as the real estate market continues to improve. Earning a Virginia real estate license is not as complicated as you might think. In fact, you could be on your way to a career in Virginia real estate in under a month.

Qualifications are simple for the Virginia real estate license examination. The Virginia Real Estate Board requires 60 hours of real estate courses to complete the pre-licensing educational requirements. When you have completed the real estate training you can submit your application to take the Virginia real estate license exam. Once the application has been received and processed, you will be issued a test date and location of an approved third party testing facility. You must be at least age 18 and earn a passing grade on both the state and national examinations, and that’s it! It’s that easy to get your Virginia real estate license.

Maintaining your license takes a little more work. After you have received your Virginia real estate license, you must complete 30 hours of post-licensing education within the first year for your license to remain active. The state of Virginia requires that anyone issued a Virginia real estate license must choose a specific area of real estate to concentrate on. Newly licensed agents can choose one of three available tracks, residential real estate, commercial real estate, or property management. If you should change your mind about the path you choose, you can be change tracks by notifying the Education Administrator in writing with either a notarized or original track change request form.

Half of the post-licensing education hours must be in courses for the track that you have chosen, and the remaining hours can be in elective courses approved by the Virginia Real Estate Board. Post-licensing education is not the same as the continuing education needed between the two-year renewal cycles. After the initial post-licensing education, eight hours of continuing education per year will be required for a total of 16 hours biannually, to be submitted before the expiration of your Virginia real estate license every other year. The 16 hours of continuing education will not be necessary at the first renewal, the successful completion of the post-licensing classes will cover the requirement.

Now that the housing market has started its recovery, the need for individuals with a Virginia real estate license will grow. In just a few short weeks, you can be have a Virginia real estate license and be ready to take advantage of the opportunities that are available in the Virginia real estate market. You can give yourself and your family the gift of financial security this year by starting a career in Virginia real estate.

Want to find out if you have what it takes to be a Real Estate Agent or Broker?

About The Author: David Goldstein is an owner and founding partner of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996 the companies under this banner have offered online real estate licensing and insurance licensing courses as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance exam prep.

With all the great real estate news happening in California right now, there is even more on the horizon for those in the prestigious Orange County real estate market. The tax incentives for buyers have been extended while home prices and interest rates are at all time lows. The climate is right for people to make the move into home ownership and the latest figures are evidence that they are taking advantage of it. Home sales in the some areas of the county are up more than 40% and that is amazing news for home owners, and even better news for those people with their California real estate license.

The South Coast of Orange County, California is an exclusive beach front area that consists of the cities of Dana Point, Laguna Beach and San Clemente. This part of the county had a total of 161 home sales for the time period beginning on November 4, 2009 and ending on December 4 2009. This 22 business day interval represents a sales increase of 44% from this same time period last year. This is convincing proof that the prominent South Coast real estate market has begun to make its long awaited turnaround.

Getting your California real estate license is about to become easier than ever before. The state has begun to roll out an electronic testing system that will allow those people wishing to get a real estate license to take their licensing exam via computer. The results will be available immediately upon completion of the test and if a passing score is received, an interim license can be printed on the spot.  And of course all of the state-approved online California real estate license courses you’ll need are available here at RealEstateExpress!

Of the five zip codes that make up the South Coast region, the average home price is around $720,000.00. Consider that the average commission on a sale when you have a real estate license is conservatively 2%. That brings the sales commission for the average home in the South Coast area to over $14,000.00 per home. With 161 sales in 22 business days, the income potential is beyond anything that you could possibly imagine.

California State offers some of the best programs for first time home buyers in the country. The federal tax incentives that brought about the wave of first time home buyers fueling the real estate market turnaround have now not only been extended through the first quarter of 2010, but expanded to include a credit for existing home owners who want to change their primary residence. The continued incentives promise to maintain the rate of buyers flooding the market, making it a fantastic time to have a California real estate license. As any successful real estate agent can tell you, more buyers in the market creates greater opportunity for income potential.

The increasing number of home sales is translating into price stabilization in the housing market. Now that the home prices have begun to stabilize, their value will once again begin to increase supporting higher sales prices. Higher home prices equal larger commissions for those with a valid California real estate license. More customers and higher commission mean that at a time where many people are struggling to make ends meet with a job, if you have a California real estate license you are poised to make a great deal of money in the coming year.

Want to find out if you have what it takes to be a Real Estate Agent or Broker?

About The Author: Tom Davidson is the acting Director of Sales & Operations for Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996 the companies under this banner have offered online real estate licensing and insurance licensing courses as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance exam prep.

Home buyers… receive the gift!  Right now we’re looking at historically low interest rates, the most affordable home prices in years, what looks fast approaching bottom of the real estate market in general, improved buyer confidence, an $8000 first time buyer tax credit, and now buyers can even get “Layoff Insurance”. These incentives are stacking up like gifts under a christmas tree!

Last week was filled with news reporting that the market bottom seems to have arrived in some areas of the country and forecasting that all parts of the country will have bottomed by the 1st quarter of 2010.  It seems that the free-fall is ending and that’s good news!

We’re still hearing negative news as well.  The most troubling is our country’s high unemployment numbers.  Nearly 8.5% of Americans are currently unemployed. Over 20% are classified as “underemployed”.  We’ve been told for some time that during a recession we can expect unemployment to skyrocket.  We’ve also been told that an improvement in employment numbers will signal the end of the recession so we’d like to see that happen as soon as possible.  Forecasts by the “experts” estimate that we’ll see the signs we’re looking for later this year.

In the mean time, it’s a MEAN time for workers.  People are concerned about losing their jobs and it’s a fear that keeps many from taking advantage of purchasing a home today.  So… how do you convince someone who’s sitting on the fence because of employment concerns to make a decision to buy?  Eliminate that concern by offering them “Layoff Insurance”!

That’s just what several home builders including Lennar Corp., Pulte Homes Inc., The Ryland Group Inc. and Toll Brothers Inc. are doing.  For between $450 and $900 a buyer can be insured against loss of employment within 2 years of the purchase.  The insurance will cover payments (including taxes, interest and insurance) up to $2500 per month for 6 months.

It seems to me that just about every day there’s another reason to jump in and make a real estate purchase.  I believe that those who take advantage of these unprecedented opportunities will be happy they did.  Those who don’t pull the trigger may have some major regrets a few years from now.

Buyers certainly don’t have to buy “today” but in my opinion they should be looking and they should be getting things in order so they are well positioned to obtain a mortgage.  Prices aren’t going to skyrocket this year and neither are interest rates.  There’s no big rush, but this looks like the year to buy in most parts of the country, especially for 1st time buyers.

Of course the increase in market activity is great news for real estate agents and brokers! I’ve been monitoring hundreds of them via Twitter and it’s amazing to hear reports of “multiple offers” and even “bidding wars”.  Mostly though, these people are simply reporting that they have suddenly become very busy after a long period of quiet.

Many readers of this blog are considering a career in real estate and are waiting for the perfect time to jump in.  I’m not sure that the timing could  get much better than it is right now.  I read a couple articles last week about what the real estate market recovery will look like.  In the past we’ve seen fast steep recoveries (sometimes referred to as “V” shaped) after market downturns,  but experts today are thinking this recovery will be more gradual (referring to it as a “U” shaped recovery).  So for someone who’s looking for a career that has excellent near and long term potential, real estate fits the bill.  Here’s where to learn how to get your real estate license!

Hopefully we get some more good news this week – I expect we will!

Want to find out if you have what it takes to be a Real Estate Agent or Broker?

About The Author: David Goldstein is an owner and founding partner of Express Schools, LLC. Since 1996 the companies under this banner have offered online real estate licensing and insurance licensing courses as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance exam prep.