Is the Bottom In Sight?
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
What is TDS?
“What is TDS?” my client asked. It is a 3 page Transfer Disclosure Statement which the seller is required by law to fill out. The main purpose is for the sellers to disclose to the buyers anything they know about the condition of the house. 
Read more
How To Be A Great Real Estate Client
“How can I be a great client to my real estate agent?” Okay, this is probably not on the top ten list of Frequently Asked Questions…probably not even the top one hundred…I’ll admit it – I have NEVER in my real estate career been asked this question by a client. I have invested countless hours into preparing to be the best agent I can be – reading books and articles, attending classes and seminars, keeping on top of the inventory in the area – but I have yet to see a book called, “Being a Great Real Estate Client for Dummies” or the like. And so, I thought it would be an interesting exercise to turn the tables and talk a little about what it takes to be the type of client that a real estate agent would love to work with. Read more
Knock Knock is anyone Home? (I hope not)
Should a Seller be present when a Buyer is previewing their home? As an experienced Buyer’s and Seller’s agent, I understand both sides. I believe it is in the best interest of both the Buyer and Seller for the Seller not to be present at a showing (unless in some understandable circumstances) I like to use the simple analogy of when one goes to the store to buy a pair of pants. We look around for what we like, we see if we could afford it, and then we try it on (the most important part, if it doesn’t fit, we don’t want it). Now when shopping for a house the part where we try it on is when we are previewing the home (the most important part) When Buyer’s are Read more
Bay Area real estate “shake up”!
Can you shake it up anymore in the East Bay right now? What I mean is, I have been showing property to different sets of clients in Pittsburg, Antioch and Hayward and all the homes have 10-20 offers on them! What the heck is going on?? I thought this was a buyer’s market!
Well, what we have observed is the real estate market in those areas have reached rock bottom! Read more
Are you ready to buy an REO or Short Sale?
The answer to that question is another question you have to ask yourself…How patient am I? In this difficult market many buyers look for or find themselves involved in a short sale or an REO with the idea that it’s a good deal. It can be but what you are not paying in price you will make up in time, energy, effort and potential frustration. Read more
The Housing Stimulus Package Continued
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
10 Reasons you should NOT buy a house in 2008!
1. You don’t feel like taking advantage of GREAT opportunities while prices have stabilized.
2. You enjoy renting over owning your own home.
3. You believe in buying HIGH and selling LOW rather than what experts suggest which is buy low and sell high. Duh!
4. Your accountant told you that you have enough tax write offs.
5. You don’t believe you can build equity if you buy at the bottom of the market. Read more
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