Here is a selection of recent posts by Lee Ginsburg:
Buyer’s Market?
Buyer’s Market? You bet it is. I will be speaking about the low end of each market area. On the Peninsula and San Francisco we talk about Single Family homes priced under $700,000. In the East Bay it is below $400,000. Buyer’s Market yes but not in the traditional way. Today’s buyer cannot expect to purchase a home for 20% off the list price, but they can expect to purchase a home 30-60% off of 2004 prices. Today’s buyer cannot expect the seller to take care of all necessary repairs, but the buyer can expect to receive an $8000 Federal Tax Credit and an extra $10,000 State Tax Credit if they are purchasing a brand new home. Today’s first time buyer cannot expect to be the only offer, but they can expect to receive the lowest interest rates in 40 years. I think it is just in a different way.
The Real Estate Market in San Bruno, South San Francisco, Daly City, San Mateo is hot just like the weather. Prices are based on supply and demand. Demand is strong as all smart people want to take advantage of the buyers market. By the way the $8000 Federal Tax Credit terminates Nov. 30 of this year. Read more
What shall it be; Loan Modification? Short Sale? Foreclosure?
You are among the millions underwater and over stressed. What shall you do.
Your credit will be most negatively affected with a Foreclosure, then a short sale. As long as you stay current on your loan, loan modification should not affect your credit. Your credit score weather it is right or wrong is used by potential employers before hiring, landlords before renting, insurance companies before granting insurance and etc. Depending on your individual situation maybe credit is not important.
My client’s father nearing retirement age could live in his son’s rental unit and will not be looking for another job said he might pass away before his home in Las Vegas is worth as much as as his loan. He opted for foreclosure. Read more
Memorial Day 2009
Agents from Prudential California Realty in San Bruno showered the South San Francisco and San Bruno areas with American Flags on the Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed in May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. The Prudential agents say besides remembering those that gave their lives for us putting out the flags beautifies the neighborhood. After walking up one side and down the other side of the street putting flags in the front yards of all the homes we turn around and see the flags waving in the wind. “What a great sight”, they all exclaim. The wonderful fulfilling feeling surely outweighs the sore backs from bending down and the sore legs from walking up and down the hills. Over 5000 flags were distributed over this past Memorial Day Weekend. This is the second consecutive year the San Bruno office of Prudential has done this for their neighbors. Next year they are aiming for 10,000 homes.
Old School Pricing Is Out and Price It Right Is In
Many sellers are determined to set their listing price higher than they are willing to accept so they have room to negotiate. With the New Millennium buyers they unfortunately will not get any offers. Today’s buyers are more educated than any others. The internet gives the buyers the opportunity to research all public records. They know the price of all the homes in the area that sold recently and are on the market. They know the trends, the cost per square foot; they know what the seller paid for the home and how much they owe and sometimes the improvements the owner has completed. If a home is over-priced the “New” buyer is almost offended that someone would expect them to purchase it at the “Over Valued List Price” so they don’t even make an offer. Many don’t even waste their time to view the home. That is the old school pricing method. My parents would have done that. Back then information was not so accessible. Read more
One Buyer’s Loss is another Buyer’s Second Chance
30% of Real Estate Deals Don’t Go Thru. Maybe it is more, maybe it is less, but that is a pretty good estimate. So what does that mean to buyers and their agents? It means the property you lost out to in multiple offers or just because someone was faster than you does not mean it is gone forever. Read more
“You’re The Best”
That is a comment I received recently. Can you guess from whom? After 30 years of marriage my wife does not tell me that anymore. My mom; maybe; but she didn’t. This comment came from an agent I was in contract with. I removed contingencies on time. Wow!! I lived up to my legal obligation and she took the time to comment “You’re The Best”. It should not be that way. We as Real Estate professionals should live up to our legal obligations and we should treat each other and our clients with more respect. We should all live up to our legal obligations or request an extension in a timely manner. This should be the norm not an oddity. Read more
Positives of This Economy!!!
JEvery Negative Has a PositiveJ
Positives of This Economy
1. Bay Area Housing Affordability has gone from 16% to 38%
2. Debt of Americans is Decreasing.
3. A Large Increase in People Volunteering.
4. A Large increase in Military Enrollment.
5. First Time Home Buyers can get an $8000 Tax Credit.
6. Buyers of California New Homes can get a $10,000 State Tax Credit.
7. People are able to modify or refinance their loans to an affordable payment.
8. Businesses have the opportunity to clean up their books and start fresh.
9. Great Opportunity to Purchase a new car or any other major purchase.
10. Tax on Debt Forgiveness is waived.
And one of my favorites; you can Buy any Foot Long Sub for only $5.00
Please add to this list of Positives
www.leesellsmore.com
Top 10 Reasons to Purchase Bay Area Real Estate in Today’s Market
Top 10 Reasons to Purchase Bay Area Real Estate in Today’s Market
1. Interest Rates are near 40 year lows. You can lock in your housing costs for the next 30 years if you buy not if you rent.
2. Property Values are at 5 year lows. Some areas have declined in value as much as 60%. Bay Area Real Estate has a long history of recovering and appreciating.
3. There is a large inventory of homes to choose from with Motivated Sellers. Individual owners and banks selling today must sell.
4. Getting a loan today is not difficult. It is easy. Just show you can make the payments.
5. Conforming Loan Limits have been increased to $729,750 allowing for low interest rates on these loans. Works well in San Bruno, South San Francisco, Daly City, San Mateo, Millbrae and other cities.
6. FHA has loan programs with a minimum of only 3.5% down. Veterans can take advantage of VA loans with no money down.
7. First time Home Owners will receive an $8000 Federal Tax Credit. (First time is considered not owning a home in the previous 3 years.) Income restrictions apply.
8. Any buyer regardless of income or ownership type will receive a $10,000 California State Tax Credit when purchasing a new home or condo. It is suggested to use a Real Estate Agent to assist you in negotiating even more with new home builders. First time New Home Buyers can combine both Federal and State credits for a total of $18,000.
9. Investors can obtain a positive cash flow in some areas with 25% -30% down.
10. You will be respected as a good and smart American doing your part to help our economy. You will receive a personalized Thank You note from Pres. Obama, Gov. Schwarzenegger, your Realtor and Lender. Oh! In 5 years you will take me for dinner thanking me for helping you make so much money. It is a Window of Opportunity. This is the Bay Area Real Estate’s “Perfect Storm”. It will not last forever!!! Don’t let it pass you by!!!
“It Is Better To Own Real Estate and Wait, Than Wait to Own Real Estate”
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