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About the Property The Cornerstone on Center was a standout opportunity tucked into one of Redlands’ most desirable historic neighborhoods. Situated on a high-visibility 8,400 sq ft corner lot along Center Street—directly across from Gerrards Market—this 3-bedroom, 2-bath single-family home offered both character and investment potential. But with visible deferred maintenance and a market trending toward price reductions, success would require more than location. It needed a strategic plan, bold positioning, and marketing that could cut through the noise. The Challenge: Selling in a Price-Cutting Market The market was shifting. Price reductions were the new norm. And this property had one more hurdle: deferred maintenance. We knew from the start that deferred maintenance would be a significant challenge for investors when crunching the numbers and determining if the property would be a worthwhile investment. At the time of listing: Over 41% of homes in the Redlands market year-to-date were undergoing price cuts Buyer confidence was shifting due to rising interest rates, increased inventory, and increased cost of renovations We needed a buyer with vision, resources, and a long-term investment mindset This wasn’t a turnkey sale—it was an opportunity that had to be clearly and compellingly communicated. Our Strategy: Marketing an Investment Property in Redlands At Premier Agent Perez Team, we don’t wait for the right buyer—we go out and find them. For this listing, we focused on: 🔹 Rolling Up Our Sleeves Before we could launch the property, we had to tackle deferred maintenance and accumulated belongings. Our team jumped in—all hands-on deck—to help clean out the home quickly and efficiently so we could stay on timeline. We’re not afraid to get our hands dirty when it means helping our clients move forward. Whether it’s coordinating cleanouts, connecting with contractors, or prepping a home for market, we do what needs to be done—fast and with care. 🔹 Clear, Targeted Messaging We positioned the home as a rare value-add opportunity ideal for cash buyers and investors. Messaging focused on: Long-term and short-term rental (STR) potential Detached garage + basement Zoning within Redlands Unified School District Proximity to historic homes in highly desirable neighborhood Walkability to Downtown Redlands, Packing House District, and Arrow Rail Line 🔹 Professional Marketing Materials We invested our time and resources wisely to ensure we had all the polished pieces ready to support our marketing campaign: Lifestyle-focused photography to highlight key spaces Custom listing copy that emphasized potential and investor appeal Strategic price point to drive competition and urgency 🔹 High-Visibility Campaign We honed our marketing and social media skills to develop a plan that reached the right audience: Instagram Reels, Stories, and carousels with branded designs Targeted social media ads and email marketing Open house promotion that brought serious buyers through the door early Activated our investor network to generate strong, serious offers from day one. The Results Despite the market headwinds, The Cornerstone on Center delivered incredible results: Listed and sold in 30 days Received 12+ offers Closed $21,000 over asking Zero price reductions required The property not only stood out—it outperformed surrounding listings by combining precise strategy with strong storytelling. What This Means for Future Sellers This case study is proof that even in a shifting market, the right approach matters. By leading with strategy, we helped our client net more in less time, without sacrificing value. At Premier Agent Perez Team, we don’t just list homes—we launch them. Every home is marketed with purpose, every detail is considered, and every client benefits from our hands-on, results-driven approach. Thinking About Selling Your Home? Whether you're listing a home with deferred maintenance, marketing to investors, or looking to stand out in today’s competitive market, we can help. Let’s create a custom plan that positions your home to sell with confidence. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

Lundy Lane Oasis–A Strategic Sale in a Competitive Market When our team listed Lundy Lane Oasis, we knew the market was shifting, and the competition was fierce. Located in Beaumont, California, this single-story gem was surrounded by over 216 active listings, many of which had been sitting for weeks or even months. But with a sharp strategy and seamless execution, we positioned this property to rise above the noise. The Challenge Market Saturation: 216+ homes actively for sale in Beaumont Average Days on Market (DOM): 45 Pricing Pressure: Price reductions were becoming the norm in the area Our Strategy We never rely on luck. We rely on a proven process that ensures each listing is positioned for maximum impact from day one. For Lundy Lane Oasis, we: Invested in Pre-Listing Preparation: Our team coordinated deep cleaning, light staging, professional photography, and curated design adjustments to create a fresh, lifestyle-focused look. Created a Unique Story for the Home: With custom listing copy, lifestyle marketing language, and a narrative that emphasized both luxury and livability, we helped buyers envision more than just a house. We helped them imagine their future. Leveraged High-Impact Marketing:Custom social media campaign with video and photos giving first-hand account of life at home in the Lundy Lane Oasis Professionally branded and interactive content driving traffic to our open house Targeted email blasts Exclusive MLS + syndication strategy across major real estate portals Tuned Pricing to Drive Demand: Our pricing strategy wasn’t about undercutting—it was about building competition. We priced smart, highlighted value, and generated urgency. The Results Sold in 31 Days (14 days faster than the Beaumont average of 45 DOM) Multiple Offers Received Buyers competed early thanks to pre-launch marketing buzz Closed for $625,000—Over Asking Price While nearby listings made price cuts, our client netted more What This Means for Future Sellers The success of Lundy Lane Oasis is more than a feel-good story. It’s a real-world example of what happens when strategy meets storytelling. At Premier Agent Perez Team, we don’t just list homes. We launch with purpose, polish, and precision. If you're thinking of selling, we’d love to show you how our hands-on, data-driven approach can help you exceed your goals—even in a challenging market.

Why the Inland Empire is One of the Hottest Housing Hubs in the Country Buying a new home is about priorities. What matters most to you as a buyer? Location? Affordability? Square footage? Move-in ready condition? Amenities? There is a lot to consider when making an offer. Sometimes a buyer sacrifices a “want” for a “must-have” in finding your dream home. For home buyers flocking to the Inland Empire (IE), they are finding that buying a home in the region doesn’t come with as many sacrifices as living in Los Angeles or Orange County. As a SoCal native and Inland Empire resident, not only do I specialize in the region’s real estate market, but I know firsthand what a diverse and awesome place the IE is to live—because it’s my backyard! Are you considering a move to the area? I’ve got you covered on the many reasons why you’ll love calling this place home. By the Numbers More for your money—that’s one of the reasons the Inland Empire (including Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ontario, California) ranked no. 10 on Realtor.com’s list of Top Housing Markets for 2021. Other factors included sales and price growth, with Riverside coming in at a combined growth of 17.9% year-over-year. That means current area homeowners are gaining good equity in their homes—a huge plus when you’re weighing where to invest your money. Now if you’re considering a move to the IE, then one of your top questions is probably can you afford the home you want? Let’s compare the current median home price in Riverside and Redlands with the City of Los Angeles and Orange: Are you seeing what I’m seeing? The median home prices in San Bernardino and Riverside counties are half of the OC’s median price and well under LA County’s. The fact is a home in Los Angeles or Orange County could just be out of your budget—and the home in your budget is the size of a shoebox. Moving to the IE where you can afford a home comes with perks that buyers are taking advantage of. Not to mention you get more square footage and living options—from single family homes, to multigenerational new-builds, to town homes and retirement communities. Location, Location, Location You’ve heard the phrase countless times. Living around the corner from your workplace or the beach is ideal, but not always feasible. But as an Inland Empire homeowner, I’m going to let you in on a secret: we’re within driving distance to the beach, mountains, wine country, and countless SoCal attractions. If you work in LA or OC and commuting to and from the city doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, the Inland Empire has several public transportation options so you can ditch your drive.  The Metrolink Riverside and San Bernardino Lines run directly to Los Angeles while the IEOC Line runs from San Bernardino to Oceanside. And public transportation is continuing to expand in both counties to make it easier for residents to travel through the region. The Redlands Passenger Rail Project, for example, will connect San Bernardino to Redlands and also offer a roundtrip service from Redlands to Los Angeles each morning and a return trip each evening. Diverse Communities Whether you want a home with character and history or you want to build a new home from the ground up, the Inland Empire boasts many options. Let’s take a quick look at three diverse Inland Empire communities. Riverside: As the largest city in the Inland Empire, Riverside offers the perfect blend of cultural richness, educational opportunity, and suburban comfort. Home to the historic Mission Inn and the prestigious University of California, Riverside, the city combines architectural beauty with academic influence. Riverside’s revitalized downtown features a lively arts and dining scene, while its tree-lined neighborhoods showcase everything from charming early 20th-century homes to modern new builds. With an abundance of parks, trails, and family-friendly amenities, Riverside continues to attract buyers looking for value without compromising lifestyle. Beaumont: The City of Beaumont is strategically located at the intersection of Inte rstate 10, Highway 60, and Highway 79 with a population of 120,000+. The growing community is a great place for growing families and it’s also become a fantastic place to live for retirees. Master planned communities like Four Seasons offer resort-style living at a fraction of the cost of other cities. Loma Linda: Loma Linda made national headlines in 2019 for being an epicenter of health and wellness. According to CNN, the city is one of five regions in the world where people live longest and healthiest, with people in the community living eight to 10 years longer than the average American.   Redlands: Take a stroll along the tree-lined streets of Redlands and you’ll see a plethora of historic buildings, small businesses and restaurants, and cozy Craftsman style homes. The city has a small-town and was once the navel orange growing capital of the world. Much of that with that history plays a part in the city’s many community events. Something for Everyone The region as a whole is massive—and from what you’ve read I hope you’ve gathered that the Inland Empire offers affordable living for all lifestyles. Whether you’re looking for a home for your growing family or you’re ready to sell your lifelong home and move to a retirement community, I can help you. Have questions about the area or want to start your home search? I’m always an email, call, or text away!   Melissa Perez 951-741-8441 [email protected]

A Quick Take on the NAR Settlement Many of us have Apple News notifications dinging on our phones and watches whenever a big headline drops. It can be challenging to sift through the articles and headlines to find the bullet points. Most recently, on March 15, the National Association of REALTOR (NAR) "announced an agreement that would end litigation of claims brought on behalf of home sellers related to broker commissions." The amount of the settlement -- $418 million -- would be paid over approximately 4 years. Two parts of this settlement agreement that are generating buzz are broker compensation and written agreement with buyers. While NAR has proposed the settlement, this still has to be approved by the court.  1 - In regards to Broker Compensation: "NAR has agreed to put in place a new MLS rule prohibiting offers of broker compensation on the MLS. This would mean that offers of broker compensation could not be communicated via the MLS, but they could continue to be an option consumers can pursue off-MLS through negotiation and consultation with real estate professionals"*. 2 - In regards to written agreements with Home Buyers: "NAR has agreed to enact a new rule that would require MLS participants working with buyers to enter into written agreements with their buyers...These changes will go into effect in mid-July 2024."* NAR is an enormous trade association, with over 1.5 million members in the real estate industry. As a California REALTOR, I am also a part of the California Association of REALTORs (CAR) and my local association Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS. Here are 3 things that may come from the NAR Settlement: 1 - Short Term Uncertainty or Confusion - While the settlement is getting worked out, there may be some confusion in the industry about what is effective immediately and in the future. Home Sellers and Home Buyers might have questions for their agents about how this affects their bottom line or how the real estate transaction will work. 2 - True Professionals Will Thrive - Every time an industry faces changes, the cream will rise to the top. Our brokerage KALEO Real Estate Company is at the forefront of tracking and managing changes to forms, contracts, laws, and best practices so that our clients reap the benefits of a competent and educated real estate agent. 3 - Real Estate Agents Are Not Going Away, but New Models May Spring Up - The purchase or sale of real estate is not the same as buying or selling a car, a computer, or even expensive jewelry. Real Estate is a complicated transaction. After the settlement is finalized, new brokerage business models may spring up and some agents may get out of the business, but the role of a real estate agent will still be necessary and needed. If you have questions about the NAR Settlement headlines, then send me an email, give me a call, or text. Whatever changes happen, I will continue to serve my clients with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to advocate for their needs. Take care, —Melissa Perez DRE# 01803254 951-741-8441 [email protected] Source: *https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/nar-reaches-agreement-to-resolve-nationwide-claims-brought-by-home-sellers

Five Things to Consider with Your Next Home's Location Location, Location, Location. We've all heard the famous real estate saying. It conveys that where your house is located may be more important than almost every other attribute. It is the reason why a small, dilapidated beach cottage that is barely 1,000 square feet will easily sell for over $1 million (sometimes more depending on what beach). Here are 5 things to consider with LOCATION that you might not think about: 🔥Fire Zones - Is the property close to a high fire zone? The home could come with some defensible space requirements, and the cost of homeowners insurance could be high or unavailable in certain areas. 💦Flooding - With the recent heavy rain storms, many properties experienced flooding near or on their property. Are you on the south side or below street level or is the home on a hill? 🚗Private Road - Several neighborhoods in SoCal have private roads. Although the privacy of that type of street is desirable, you may have maintenance responsibilities or different parking restrictions. 🚦 Busy Thoroughfares - You can't move the house once you buy it. If you are writing up an offer on a busy street, I encourage buyers to visit at different times of day to see how difficult it would be to get in or out of the driveway and to get a better understanding of how much traffic there will be. 🏘 Future Developments - Is the home near the Gold Line? A new housing development? Is the neighborhood being built into mixed-use buildings with storefronts? Investigate what is happening close to the property to see what it will be like to live there long term. Whether you are considering purchasing a home and want more information on the California Dream for All Program, or you are about to offload an investment property or inherited home, call me today! —Melissa Perez

While interest rates aren’t taking the cut like borrowers hoped for by now, the Federal Housing Finance Agency just announced what could be a game changer for your path to homeownership. New maximum loan limits for conforming loans go into effect on January 1st. So what are conforming loan limits? And how can they help you qualify to buy a home in 2024? A conforming loan limit is the maximum amount of money you can borrow under a conforming loan through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. With an increase in the amount you can borrow, this can open new doors for finding your dream home in 2024. Conforming loan limits vary by county. Here’s a snapshot of limits for Southern California: Los Angeles County: $1,149,825 Orange County: $1,149, 825 San Bernardino County: $644,000 Riverside County: $644,000 San Diego County: $1,006,250 Conforming loans require borrowers have good credit and strong finances with some incredible benefits as a tradeoff, such as no private mortgage insurance, a better interest rate, and lower overall monthly payment. Ready to find out how much you qualify for in the New Year? I’m working with my trusted lenders to help put you in the driver seat to make the move that you’ve been waiting for. Contact me today to get started!

Shopping for a newly constructed home can be an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming if you don't know what to look for. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping for a newly constructed home: Research the builder: Before buying a newly constructed home, it's important to research the builder. Look for reviews from previous customers, check their reputation with the Better Business Bureau, and see if they have any legal issues or complaints against them. Inspect the home: Even though the home is new, it's still important to inspect it thoroughly. Look for any defects or issues with the home's construction, such as cracks in the walls or ceilings, uneven floors, or plumbing problems. Consider energy efficiency: New homes can be more energy-efficient than older homes, which can save you money on your monthly utility bills. Look for homes with energy-efficient features, such as high-quality insulation, double-paned windows, and Energy Star-rated appliances. Understand the warranty: Most newly constructed homes come with a warranty, but it's important to understand what is covered and for how long. Make sure you read the warranty thoroughly. Understand special assessments: You should know before buying a home, especially a newly constructed home, that Mello-Roos and property taxes can differ from one community to another even within the same city. Consulting with an experienced Realtor like myself during the home buying process is important to understand the costs. As your Realtor, I can help you navigate all these areas of concern, field your questions with builders, and negotiate to get you the most for your money. Ready to tour some model homes? Let's plan a day! Contact me any time.  —Melissa

Housing Affordability: Weighing the Cost of Your Zip Code "Location, location, location" is the cornerstone of real estate. Where you choose to live determines so much—including how much you're going to pay for a home. The median home price in California reached $838,260 in June. With a 20% down payment, that would bring your payment to $4,332, according to the OC Register. If that number comes with sticker shock, you're not alone. This is an all-time high! But let's go back to that crucial piece of the real estate pie—location. The median home price is just a statistic. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of much more affordable options in Southern California. Take the Inland Empire, for example, where your money can go a lot further.  The median home price in San Bernardino County was $448,000 in May and $620,000 in Riverside County. There are a plethora of new and growing communities for families and retirees with exciting amenities such as pools, walking trails. playgrounds, and much more.  Curious what the IE has to offer you? Contact me any time to weigh your home search options!  —Melissa

Struggling with Giving Up Your Low Interest Rate? Consider This Move up buyers have historically been a large part of home buyers. Who are move up buyers? They are homeowners transitioning from their starter home to their forever home, maybe a smaller condo to a large property with the backyard and extra bedrooms. These move up buyers transition into a home that is better suited to their current needs. For some would-be move up buyers, they are struggling with the mental block of giving up their lower mortgage rate. Why sell and lose your 3.75% mortgage interest rate to buy a home at a 6% mortgage interest rate? Here is the secret of buyers that successfully sold their first home and purchased a move-up property have learned:you live in your home, not your interest rate. Your home is an investment. Do you want your money invested in a smaller property that has a smaller margin of growth? Or do you want your money reinvested into a larger property that has more potential for property appreciation? Especially for homeowners living in condos and HOAs, you might be increasing your mortgage percentage rate, but if your replacement property is now a single family residence, you won't have association monthly fees to pay! Finances first: if you are going to sell your home, when I meet with you I will show you a possibility of sale prices and can provide a Seller Net Sheet to show you how much your Seller Proceeds would be. Those seller proceeds can be the downpayment on your move-up property. So ask yourself: on a scale of 1-10, how motivated are you to sell your house and move? What is holding you back? What is motivating you? Let's talk about the process of listing your home and I can share how I can make your life easier.  —Melissa

The True Cost of Buying a Home One of the most common questions people have when preparing a home is how much cash do you need? A down payment is obvious but what about the other costs that may surprise you? Here are some of the expenses I inform my clients about before they start the buying process to ensure they're ready. Did any of these surprise you? The great news is some sellers are offering concessions to buyers, such as covering part of the closing costs or including assets with the property that can save you money. Everything is negotiable! Understanding the true cost of purchasing and maintaining a home is critical to setting up my clients for success in their journey to homeownership. These steps can keep you from joining the 27.4% of American homeowners are considered "house poor": Budget wisely before buying a home. Consider all the associated costs of owning a home, such as property taxes, maintenance, and repairs. Save up for a down payment to reduce monthly mortgage payments. Look for homes that are within your budget and avoid overspending. Get pre-approved for a mortgage to know exactly how much you can afford. Explore different mortgage options to find the best fit for your financial situation. Have questions about navigating the current real estate market?  Contact me any time. —Melissa