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

Knock Knock is anyone Home? (I hope not)

September 10, 2008 · Sophia Lin · Comment here

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

Fannie, Freddie bailout: What it means for you.

September 9, 2008 · Dean Rizzi · 1 Comment

On Sunday morning the US government took over the ailing mortgage giants. Below are what I believe are the Pros and Cons to this historic event.

Pros:

Interest rates immediately took a positive outlook to the news. The benefit to consumers is clear. Cheaper money makes homes more affordable and refinancing into a 30 year fixed a better option for those who qualify. Read more

Current Real Estate Trends Affecting Brokers and Agents

September 8, 2008 · Mark Hasha · 1 Comment

I saw this really interesting list of current real estate trends on Wikipedia. The list is of the top 10 trends that are affecting the way real estate agents are doing business. I wanted to share it with you and over the next couple of weeks add my thoughts and comments on each trend.

The only annual report detailing real estate trends impacting the residential real estate brokerage business lists the following 10 trends as having the largest impact on residential real estate brokers and agents over the next 12 – 18 months.

Trend #1 – Growth of Social Media and Virtual Communities

Trend #2 – The Sub Prime Lending Collapse Driving Rise in Foreclosures

Trend #3 – The Importance of Information in Real Estate Business Read more

Bay Area real estate “shake up”!

August 30, 2008 · Karin Cunningham · Comment here

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

What do you get when you cross an FHA Loan with a Short Sale?

August 30, 2008 · Jean Joh · 8 Comments

In my case, a roller coaster ride of emotions ending with a happy client in his new home. Last week, the escrow was closed successfully on my client’s short sale purchase of a home with an FHA loan. When the process started, I knew that it might not be easy. Read more

10 Reasons you should NOT buy a house in 2008!

August 25, 2008 · Karin Cunningham · Comment here

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

“Bouncing Along the Bottom”

August 20, 2008 · Karin Cunningham · Comment here

Last month I attended the Inman Real Estate Conference at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. It was so cool because I got to listen to different panels of experts talk about the state of the real estate market, new and improved real estate technology, and a lot about blogging and websites. Read more