All Blog Entries by Harold Penner 
Harold Penner
With a talent for recalling numbers and locations with alarming accuracy, real estate may have seemed like a natural career path for Harold Penner. In actuality, he chose English as a major in college out of a desire to improve his weakest subject and better prepare himself for a path as a minister. He graduated with a Master's of Arts in Divinity in 1976 and served as the pastor of several churches in his native country of Canada as well as Fresno, California. In 1989, Harold made the decision to pursue his other passion of finance and real estate. An entrepreneurial spirit, a passion for the financial well-being of clients, as well as a commitment to honest and professional transactions were key contributors to Harold's steady climb of success.
Today, Harold Penner produces over $25 million in sales annually, and he guides his team of agents and assistants to provide the highest level of expertise and client care possible. Clients working with Harold should expect straight answers, clear financial outlines and a deep understanding of Fresno and Clovis neighborhoods.
Recent Awards and Specialties include:
- "2009 Top Sales Satellite Offices" - Guarantee Real Estate
- 2009 - $27.8 Million in Real Estate Sales
- 2008 - $17.4 Million in Real Estate Sales
- "Best in Customer Satisfaction" - 2008 FIVE STAR Awards
- "2007 Top Sales Agent" - Guarantee Real Estate
There are currently 28 blog entries published by Harold Penner.
Fresno Investors Grabbing Real Estate Bargains
Friday, March 18th, 2011 at 9:10am. 2069 Views, 0 Comments.
Fresno Investors Grabbing Real Estate Bargains
Fresno County’s Under-Priced Market:Fresno’s real estate market is currently priced 30% (approximately $50,000) lower than it should be. That assessment is according to real estate economist Mark Boud, principal of Irvine-based Real Estate Economics, who shared his research findings recently at CSU Fresno.
Boud’s assessment of Fresno county’s real estate market is that the prices bottomed out this past year and the next five years will be a slow road to recovery. Mortgage interest rates will continue to tick up, the inventory of foreclosed homes will continue to shrink and pricing will slowly rise again. Boud noted that Fresno’s job market experienced growth in 2010 and that affordable…
The New "Normal" of Fresno Real Estate
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 at 2:15pm. 1021 Views, 0 Comments.
The latter half of 2010, in regards to Fresno County real estate, can be summarized in one word – Steady. A new “normal” has descended upon the Central Valley in terms of home sales. After the gulp-inducing rollercoaster ride of highs and lows in home buying during the past five years, this new reality of reliable and predictable pricing offers a certain appeal.
So, what is this new normal for Fresno and Clovis, CA? Selling prices have barely budged in the past six months with a high of $95 per sq. ft. and a low of $93. The average property selling today in Fresno County is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home of approximately 1,700 sq. ft. selling for about $172,000. That is true whether you bought the house today or six months ago.
ForeclosureGate - Legit or a Blip?
Sunday, October 17th, 2010 at 4:04pm. 904 Views, 0 Comments.
Flooding the news this week are announcements of new and existing foreclosures being suspended due to national attention regarding the legality of lender’s review of paperwork and transfer of title. Attorney Generals in all 50 states have launched investigations regarding lender’s foreclosure proceedings.
Every state processes foreclosures differently. Unlike California, many states require judicial review of foreclosure proceedings. Allegations have surfaced in 23 states stemming from the involvement of the court system and the associated documentation and transfer of title.
So what are the allegations?
Lack of Review of Foreclosure Documentation and Possible Forgery
Law firms in these 23 states review foreclosure documentation in…
HAFA Short Sales - Will They Work?
Friday, August 13th, 2010 at 3:18pm. 894 Views, 0 Comments.
Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA)
You may have received a letter from your lender notifying you of a new government programs for homeowner mortgage assistance called “Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA)." This program appears to hold some promise for streamlining the lengthy short sale process and also offers incentives for homeowners and lenders to participate. Here's some of the basics for those currently upside down on their home:
What is a Short Sale?
A homeowner works with a local realtor to sell their property for a current market rate and the mortgage lender agrees to accept the net proceeds of the sale even if the proceeds are less than the total amount due on the mortgage.
What is HAFA?…
Fresno Condos: A Good Buy?
Monday, July 19th, 2010 at 1:32pm. 562 Views, 0 Comments.
June 2010 --
One of the questions often asked by clients is, "Are condominiums a good investment in the Fresno County area?”
Current Price:
Certainly, the price is compelling. Investors, first time home buyers and retirees are currently picking up Fresno County condos for an average of $106,354 (approx. $74 per square foot). That means mortgage payments hover around $800 for a 1,200 square foot condo. For many buyers, condos provide an extremely affordable and attractive option.
So price isn’t the question right now. But, should you buy is the question. The Central Valley is traditionally a single family home environment. Is there enough demand for condos in Fresno? With volatile real estate swings how does the value of…
Craigslist Real Estate Scams
Sunday, July 18th, 2010 at 2:48pm. 735 Views, 0 Comments.
May 2010 --
As with any form of free online advertising, Craigslist.org provides a perfect vehicle for scammers to prey upon people searching for real estate. These scams are now taking on a disturbing level of sophistication. Scammers are now copying descriptions and pictures of active homes for sale from public real estate sites such as realtor.com, trulia.com, and others. Those homes are then re-posted as rental properties on Craigslist for low monthly rent. The actual name of the seller is used (most likely obtained by public tax assessor records) but with a false email address.
Recently, a client was shocked to learn that his home had been posted for rent on Craigslist when he discovered prospective renters exploring his…
2010 Short Sale Tips!
Sunday, July 18th, 2010 at 2:15pm. 281 Views, 0 Comments.
April 2010 --
As many of you know, one of my specialties is short sales. For those who have explored all other options and are faced with the unfortunate reality of being unable to continue to own their home, a short sale is much more advantageous than a foreclosure.
Current Short Sale Statistics
The number of sold short sales (pre-foreclosed homes) in Fresno and Madera county has increased over 30% from last year. 302 homes were sold in 2010's first quarter in comparison to only 206 homes in the first 3 months of 2009.
The irony of referring to these transactions as “short” still remains however. Average days on market was 154 days (over 5 months!) in 2009 and a slight drop to 140 days in 2010. The main reasons short sales…
2010 Hot Real Estate Deals!
Sunday, July 18th, 2010 at 1:54pm. 242 Views, 0 Comments.
Originally Published March 2010 --
A lot of my buyers interested in newer homes are being lured by the prices of Fresno homes along the Highway 99 corridor. New communities sprang up along the 99 during the housing boom of 2005 and 2006 and now with so many homeowners defaulting on their loans, there are some excellent buys in the area.
Clovis vs. West Fresno Foreclosures:
This past month there were 22 homes sold in 93722 and 93723 that were built in 2000 or sooner. 21 of those 22 homes were foreclosures or short sales with the only remaining house being brand new.
A similar number of homes were sold in the newer areas of Clovis (93619, 93730) yet the ratios and prices are quite different. Out of 20 homes sold, 9 were foreclosures or short…
2010 Clovis Property Trends!
Saturday, July 17th, 2010 at 9:31pm. 289 Views, 0 Comments.
Originally Published - January 2010
I have had an increasing number of buyers seeking suburban (over an acre) residential property on the outskirts of Clovis. They are primarily move-up buyers eager for space and privacy, but still desiring a closer proximity to the Clovis resources. Since there are fewer typically for sale (less than 100 sold per year) these types of property historically retain value longer than traditional properties. Judging from recent trends this may be one of the best times in recent history to buy suburban residential land in Clovis.
Pricing Changes?
2006 was the height of the market for suburban properties with a median price of $684,450. 87 homes were sold that year and it was rare to find anything below $400,000 in…
Mission of the Heart!
Saturday, July 17th, 2010 at 9:02pm. 257 Views, 0 Comments.
Originally Published December 2009 --
This Christmas season I am reminded of all good that can come from people. I had the privilege of working with a buyer and seller on a unique sale this fall. An investor bought a foreclosed home in the south Fig Garden area of 
Fresno. Previously, the location for one of the largest drug busts in Fresno’s history and later partially renovated and then vandalized, the home needed to be stripped to the studs and rebuilt.
Click to View Fresno Bee Article
Instead of a traditional renovation and sale, this home construction project became a mission of the heart. The investor (who wishes to remain anonymous) organized the effort for donations of services and materials from local contractors and companies to…