VIEW

Continued from page C30

Chairman Bernanke are acting in a positive direction, providing some hope of recovery from deflation.

This welcome change in direction is returning some lost equity to the long-term investor.

Great, but what does this mean

for real estate? Anytime the media and markets show signs of expansion, consumer confidence escalates. Once consumer confidence expands, and jobs begin to develop, real estate becomes a focus of investors. Note that 20% of the gross national product is real estate-related, meaning it is closely tied to job growth and economic expansion. This is

positive for 2011, and I sincerely hope it continues.

WORD ON THE O.C. STREET

In addition, Realtors on the streets of coastal Orange County have reported a substantial increase in weekend activity in open-house traffic, an increase in consumer interest and engaging questions along with a renewed focus of 2011 being better overall

than 2010. Then again, anything would be better than 2010! Keep your fingers crossed.

As always, my final recommendation for this week is to seek the representation of the local licensed professional who can direct you through the many unknowns and advise on important techniques to a successful transaction.

Next week I will compare the

2010 Orange County notice of default to foreclosure myths and examine buying a distressed property. Stay tuned.

*Calculators4mortgage.com was used in the payments calculations found in this column.

TOM IOVENITTI is the former president and chief operating officer of Coldwell Banker. He lives in Newport Beach.