About Lee Ginsburg

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.

Email Lee Ginsburg
Phone: (650) 358-3959
My Website
DRE#: 01391378

Here is a selection of recent posts by Lee Ginsburg:

HOA Dues: Junk Fees or Good Budgeting?

October 17, 2008 · Lee Ginsburg · 2 Comments

Many people are under the belief that paying the HOA Dues is like throwing money out the window. I am not sure so let’s review the costs of Home Ownership that is covered under the HOA Dues.

The following costs are approximate present day costs for a 1200 square foot home and a 2 Bedroom Bay Area Condo Read more

Election 2008

October 9, 2008 · Lee Ginsburg · 2 Comments

Election 2008

Election Day 2008 is just around the corner. Nationally this is a very important election. Locally it is also. Many Bay Area school districts have measures or the ballot for a Parcel Tax. A Parcel Tax is a flat fee for each real estate parcel in the district. Seniors could opt out not to pay. These Parcel taxes generally run $75.00 -$175.00 a year and are usually for a period of time of 5-10 years. Heck it is less than a tank of gas, less than a nice dinner for two, less than my wife spends at the beauty parlor, etc. The problem is these must be passed by 2/3 of the people. Approximately 45% of our property tax presently goes towards schools. As property values fall so does the school’s funding. Read more

DEAL or NO DEAL

September 23, 2008 · Lee Ginsburg · 3 Comments

Deal or No Deal?

Everyone’s definition of a “DEAL” is different.

Many of today’s buyers are in the mindset that a “Deal” is purchasing a home below current market value. What is current market value? It is the price a willing and capable buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept. Below Market sales do not occur in today’s web 2.0 world. Information is plentiful for both the buyer and the seller. Properties priced below market value are not kept a secret for long. Homes listed at below market prices wind up getting multiple offers and sell at the price determined by the bidders which is now the market price. Many of these people looking for this type of “DEAL” have not purchased anything and may not because they continue to offer below the market price. They are not the only buyer out there. I recently heard of aproperty with 89 offers. The demand is still very strong. Before the internet many properties were kept a “secret” because it took more time, effort and money to get the information out; so yes purchasing below market value was possible then but not now. Read more

Is the Bottom In Sight?

September 18, 2008 · Lee Ginsburg · Comment here

The window is open but could be closing soon. The window I am speaking about is “The Window of Opportunity”. In the Bay Area we might be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The bottom might be in sight. Why am I saying this? It is economics 101; Supply and Demand. On the Supply side in the Bay Area we are seeing the Supply stabilize or even decrease in certain areas. Read more

Million Dollar Home Owners Have Other Choices

September 8, 2008 · Lee Ginsburg · Comment here

Million Dollar Homeowners Have More Choices.

I was out to dinner the other night and both couples living in million dollar plus neighborhoods were speaking about homes in their area priced high but never sold. Instead the sellers rented them for big bucks.

Million Dollar homes have not been severely affected by depreciating values. Why?? You might ask. They do not have to sell. That is why!!! Quite a few people sell because they are relocating or are having trouble making the payments. Either way million dollar home owners often have the income or savings to maintain the payments even if they have to relocate. They are in desirable areas and could demand rent that will make their mortgage payments. They might have family members whom can help them. In 2007 these homes maintained and even increased in value. This year they are certainly slowing down. You know the Real Estate Mantra of Location, Location, Location. These million dollar plus homes are valued that way because they have location, location, location and are always in demand. Read more

The Housing Stimulus Package Continued

August 25, 2008 · Lee Ginsburg · Comment here

This is my third and probably final thought on the recent Housing Stimulus Package.

http://www.pruvoices.com/2008/08/housing-stimulus-package-i-dont-think-so/
http://www.pruvoices.com/2008/08/is-this-new-stimulous-package-going-to-help-the-bay-area/

The FHA foreclosure rescue is a great idea but I don’t think it is practical, at least not in the Bay Area Market that I am familiar with. The FHA will offer to qualified buyers a new fixed rate loan at 90% of today’s market price for the home they are living in and that they own and owe considerably more money. With this program the owner shares the future appreciation with the FHA. This adds to family stability and less homes on the market and gives the family to gain some equity. I think the original lender will lose more under this than with the foreclosure process but it might be easier, quicker, look better on their books and they also gain a new guaranteed loan. In my opinion too many ifs to make this work in large numbers but the thought is GREAT. Read more

Housing Stimulus Package! I don’t think so!!!

August 17, 2008 · Lee Ginsburg · 2 Comments

Credit/Loan Does it Stimulate the Housing Market? I don’t think so!!!

AS promised in my last blog I have continued my thoughts on the most recent Housing Stimulus Package. I will continue in next week’s blog.

Part of the recent Housing Stimulus package is a much publicized First Time Home Buyer Credit! It is not a credit. It is 15 year Interest FREE loan. Gotta take anything For Free. This applies to any home purchased between April 8, 2008 and July 1, 2009. How and why they picked those dates; Read more

Is This New Stimulus Package Going To Help The Bay Area???

August 4, 2008 · Lee Ginsburg · Comment here

YES! YES! YES! It may not be as immediate as we would like but it will. The two major provisions that I see as beneficial to specifically the Bay Area Are:

The increase in the conforming loan limit to $625,500 permanently and the ability of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to borrow if necessary from the U.S. Treasury.

The increase in conforming loan limits has no immediate effect since the emergency stimulus package temporarily increased the limit to $729,750. That terminates Dec. 31 of this year so the new permanent increase is a major long term bonus. Bay Area Realtors Read more