About Lee Ginsburg

Visit my Website: http://lginsburg.prucalbayarea.com/

I moved to the peninsula area of San Francisco immediately after graduating from Northeastern University in 1976 as Regional Sales Manager for Leonard Silver Mfg. a major gift importer and manufacturer. In 1980 I purchased Designers Center a gift and home accessories store located in the Tanforan Park Shopping Center. My son and his partner are now running it. I have 25 years experience of owning my own business. Every day I was marketing, negotiating, managing people and managing all financial matters. I offer these skills to my potential client, along with my strong commitment to honesty, fairness and hard work. I treat every transaction as if it is my own. Because of these skills I have helped very successfully the Home seller, first time home buyer, the move up buyer and the investor. The majority of buyers and sellers that I have represented were located in San Mateo, San Francisco, and Santa Clara Counties. When you hire me you will receive 100% Honesty, and 110% Effort. My friends often call me a work-a-holic. I call it living up to my obligations. And I enjoy every minute of it. I will give you all the facts; I will give you the pros and the cons. Being from New York I will give you my opinion but you will make the final decision. I specialize in helping all buyers and sellers looking for an honest real estate agent whom gives 110% effort. I treat each transaction as if it is my own. I do get special enjoyment helping first time buyers. I understand numbers. I personally have been investing in the Bay Area for over 30 years and own investment real estate properties. I have experience in single family homes, condominiums, and multi-unit building with up to 15 units.

lee@leesellsmore.com
Phone: (650) 358-3959
DRE#: 01391378

Here is a selection of recent posts by Lee Ginsburg:

To Some Low Interest Rates are Better than the iphone 4

July 21, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · 2 Comments

Low interest rates also have apps. 30 yr., 40 yr., 15 yr., conforming, adjustable, 1 yr, 5 yr jumbo and more. Oh they are getting the best reception in years.

You may not see the lines out the door but look at the stack of files on the loan agents’ desks. We are in record low territory. Rates have never been this low in the 50 years of record keeping. How low? Below 5% fixed for the next 30 years. 3.75 fixed for the next 15 years. That’s how low. If you are buying you must understand these are not normal times. Take advantage. Jump in. What other industry will fix their price for the next 30 years. Ask the gas station on the corner, if you would commit to buying your gas there for the next 30 years, will they hold today’s price.

Homeowners, no matter when you re-financed last review the situation again with your loan agent. If you do not have one I can recommend some I work with.

A note to both homeowners and home buyers: Read more

Prudential Ca. Realty Gives Locally

July 7, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · Comment here

Prudential California Realty is more than just Real Estate Company. We in the San Bruno office are a group of very giving and caring local people with lots of knowledge and experience in Real Estate. A portion of each transaction is donated to Shelter Network in San Mateo, each year we adopt a family from San Bruno, South San Francisco or Millbrae for Christmas, one of our agents feeds the homeless monthly, another agent is continuously baking cookies to raise money for Cancer, others walk miles for their causes and we all graciously chip in. It is an honor to work with people who care.

As the premiere real estate company in the area, Prudential Ca. Realty San Bruno realizes the importance of schools. Prudential California Realty recently awarded grants to local teachers from Brisbane, South San Francisco and Daly City. With school fiancés drastically cut this year these grants were greatly appreciated. The grants are awarded to teachers whom made an exceptional contribution to their students last year.

My wife is a teacher and I know that most teachers contribute to their students. Unfortunately we can’t reward all of them. I will say all teachers are appreciated.
This year the following teachers were awarded grants:
Brisbane        Lynn Howe                 Brisbane Elem.
Daly City       Jane Chang                Junipera Serra
SSF              Feleciana Stevenson   El Camino High
                   Ray Galela                 El Camino High
                   Meg Milana                SSF High
                   Joslyn Negherbon       Westborough Mid.
                   Cheri Howard            Westborough Mid.
Congratulations to the winners and Thank You to all teachers.

When thinking about Real Estate contact the Local company that gives back locally.

Click or copy and paste the link to read more. http://www.prurealty.com/ssc/company_information/press_releases/Ed%20Foundation%20Release%20-%20San%20Mateo%20County%20-%202010.pdf

Baseball’s "Field of Dreams" for Sale

June 26, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · 3 Comments

Yes! The baseball Diamond that Universal Studios built in
Dyersville, Iowa is for sale. Please let me know if you have interest. I would love to represent you in the negotiations. Maybe we can arrange to have it moved to San Bruno or South San Francisco.

Follow the link
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/7721998/Field-of-Dreams-for-sale.html

www.leesellsmore.com

Appraisal and Loan Contingency

May 17, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · 2 Comments

Thought this was very well explained for a confusing and very important matter.

“Q: I’m getting an FHA loan to finance my first home. I’m in contract right now. Our appraisal is done and the house appraised for the sale price but the loan process is not yet done, although I was preapproved. My agent says the lender has to review the appraisal.

I’m confused about the difference between the loan contingency and the appraisal contingency. My agent says I should remove the appraisal contingency, but I’m not sure about that.”

Check out Tara-Nicholle Nelsons answer:
http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/tara-nicholle-nelson/plan-a-contingencies-lessons-buyers

http://leesellsmore.com/

Remodeling? Don’t do it to resell!

May 8, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · 2 Comments

Midrange Remodeling Costs Vs. Payback from Remodeling Magazine
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue/division/pacific/city/san-francisco–ca.aspx

Job Cost	Resale Value	Cost Recouped	Project	Job Cost	Resale Value	Cost Recouped	Change vs.. 2008-09
$13,114	$10,674	81.4%	Siding Replacement (vinyl)	$10,607	$8,476	79.9%
$12,760	$11,328	88.8%	Window Replacement (vinyl)	$10,728	$8,217	76.6%
$13,804	$12,175	88.2%	Window Replacement (wood)	$11,700	$9,044	77.3%
$47,052	$32,057	68.1%	Bathroom Addition	$39,046	$23,233	59.5%
$18,864	$14,517	77.0%	Bathroom Remodel	$16,142	$11,454	71.0%
$16,956	$13,922	82.1%	Deck Addition (composite)	$15,373	$10,904	70.9%
$12,838	$11,744	91.5%	Deck Addition (wood)	$10,634	$8,573	80.6%
$3,835	$2,930	76.4%	Entry Door Replacement (fiberglass)	$3,490	$2,275	65.2%
$1,353	$1,732	128.0%	Entry Door Replacement (steel)	$1,172	$1,470	128.9%
$100,023	$73,551	73.5%	Family Room Addition	$82,756	$54,051	65.3%
$83,463	$45,245	54.2%	Sunroom Addition	$73,167	$37,118	50.7%
$184,839	$143,073	77.4%	Two-Story Addition	$156,309	$107,286	68.6%
$63,803	$53,923	84.5%	Major Kitchen Remodel	$57,215	$41,260	72.1%
$124,579	$90,616	72.7%	Master Suite Addition	$103,696	$67,578	65.2%
$23,210	$21,991	94.8%	Minor Kitchen Remodel	$21,411	$16,773	78.3%
$24,712	$18,829	76.2%	Roofing Replacement	$19,731	$13,133	66.6%

Bay Area Prices up 20%????

April 7, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · 1 Comment

The headline reads Prices Up 20%.

What do these numbers mean? I am sorry to tell you, your home did not increase 20%. Buyers don’t get scared off and sellers don’t put your home on the market for 20% more than you paid last year.

These numbers are totally misleading. Prices are increasing in some areas and in some price points but not by 20%. Possibly 3-5%.

You can make numbers do whatever you want. First you need to know if the numbers are for Single Family homes or Condominiums or both. Then are they comparing it to the same month in a previous year or just the previous month. Are they talking about median price or average price. The Median price is the price that is in the middle; there are an equal number of transactions above and below. These numbers are very general. It is interesting and might give a slight indication as to the market in the country, in your state, in your city but Real Estate is very localized down to the neighborhood in the city. If you want to know the value of your home call your Real Estate consultant. Read more

Good News! Good Bay Area Real Estate News!!!

March 31, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · 4 Comments

A lot of positive bills, thoughts and activities have been happening on the Bay Area Real Estate Front. I have been trying to write this for a while. Each time I sit down to write there is more I have to add to it. That is a good problem. So exciting! Enjoy the Good News.

Home Buyer’s Delight
You can still get the federal Home Buyer Credit of $8000 for the first time buyer or $6500 for the move up buyer. You must be in contract by the end of April and close by the end of June.
For additional information: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html

Because California Home Buyers are special Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law a State credit for home buyers. I personally think this program is great. It helps many people purchase their first home and it puts people to work. A Win-Win!!!
Under the provisions, the bill: Read more

Realtors Help Seniors

February 16, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · 1 Comment

RSVP is Coming

May 3-7

Get The Word Out!

WHAT IS RSVP?
RSVP is an annual week-long community outreach program that takes place in May 3-7 during “Adopt-A-Senior” Week. Realtors of San Mateo County provides free assistance to seniors who cannot otherwise perform certain household tasks due to physical or financial constraints.
FREE HOME SERVICES FOR SENIORS & THE HOMEBOUND
Washing windows, changing furnace filters, turning over mattresses, vacuuming, changing light bulbs, replacing smoke detector batteries and other similar household tasks are just a few chores that Realtors will perform.
The program is one way Realtors and Affiliates can give back to their communities.
Who is eligible? If you are a senior or homebound and live in San Bruno, South San Francisco, Daly City, Millbrae, San Mateo, Burlingame, Belmont, Foster City or anywhere in San Mateo County.
INTERESTED IN FREE HELP
Please call San Mateo County Association of Realtors at 650-696-8200 or
register now at http://www.samcar.org/userfiles/file/RSVP10_homeownerAPP.pdf

Lee@leesellsmore.com