Superstition or Reality?
Can the address of your home really affect how much your home will sell for? Yes, it can!
According to a scientific study by the University of British Columbia, it has found that real estate prices can fluctuates based on Chinese number preferences in neighborhoods with large numbers of ethnic Chinese communities. The study based on the economics of number beliefs explores the impact of “lucky” and “unlucky” Chinese numbers on more than 115,000 residential real estate sales in the Vancouver region over 5 years from 2000-2005.
One aspect of feng shui, an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics, is the positive and negative number associations and how it is pronounced. The number “4” has the similar pronunciation to the word “death”; the number “8” has similar pronunciation to the word for “prosperity or wealth”. Read more
San Mateo Flood Zone Update
Calling all San Mateo residents currently living in the “flood zone” areas. This information was just released and I thought I would share it with the residents and future residents of the affected neighborhoods. This information was taken from the City of San Mateo’s website. I have attached the link below.
Project Status Update
In January the City Council awarded a contract to Maggiora and Ghilotti Inc., for construction of the Bayfront Levee Improvements South of San Mateo Creek Project. The notice to proceed with construction was issued on Febarury 16, 2011, and the contractor is currently preparing submittals. There are many required submitals which must be received and approved by the City prior to beginning the physical work. For example, a stormwater pollution prevention plan must be submitted, and this is a critical item which requires considerable lead time to prepare and review. It is anticipated that mobilization to the Detroit Drive parking lot (the staging and storage area) will begin this month, with construction to commence shortly thereafter. Construction will last approximately 12-16 months. Once construction has been completed, FEMA will issue a revised flood map and approximately 4,000 homes (north of Highway 92) will be removed and 2,000 homes (south of 92) will be precluded from the Special Flood Hazard Area. City officials will be working diligently with FEMA to have the levee work certified upon completion and to see the the revised flood map is issued as soon as possible upon completion of the project.
Read more
SSF Elks Club fundraiser for Japan’s Earthquake & Tsunami Relief
The South San Francisco Elk’s Club & it’s community have joined forces in hosting a fundraiser to generate some much needed funds for the victims of this devasting disaster. In hopes of getting the word out, I decided to post this short informative blog for people who may not have a facebook account, but may still want to assist in some way. The details are as follows:
$10 pp includes:
Eggs, Pancakes, Bacon, Sausage, Potatoes, Fresh Fruit, Coffee/Juice
Thank you for your help getting the word out. See you on the 26th.
More info contact:
Elks2091SSF@gmail.com
Info forwarded from…Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/ELKS-2091-South-San-Francisco-Lodge/164317930259139?ref=ts
Daly City Turns 100 Years Old!
The city of Daly City will be celebrating its 100 year anniversary on Tuesday March 22nd at City Hall, 333 90th Sreet. Daly City was born out of a small town known as Vista Grande 100 years ago. A color guard from the Daly City Police Department will make its debut, posting the flags of the United States, California, and Daly City to launch the celebration. Complimentary birthday cake will be served to honor Daly City on its milestone anniversary.
Click here for more information
Blog was provided to you by: Adam Chinn
Prudential California Realty your Home for Sale leader!
To Fumigate or Not to Fumigate…
Within the past few months, I had two separate situations where we’ve gotten vastly differing estimates from a termite inspection. For one home, we actually ended up getting three reports – one reported beetles with an estimate of over $10,000 to fix all Section 1 items including a recommendation to fumigate, another reported termites with estimate of $5000 with local treatment only, and the third didn’t even mention beetles or termites but had an estimate of almost $6000 for dryrot repairs. In the second situation, termites were noted with a recommendation for fumigation with an estimate of almost $8000, while the second recommended local treatment, which would cost a fifth of the cost. What to do?
Since I’m a real estate agent and not a licensed contractor or certified inspector, I don’t have the qualifications to determine which report my clients should believe. Added to that, it’s interesting to note that general home inspectors aren’t allowed to give bids on the work that needs to be done (due to possible conflict of interest), termite inspectors are not subject to the same restriction and almost always include bids in their reports. So, is there a slight possibility of some conflict of interest? Read more
Buying After a Short Sale
Buying after a short sale, including a pre-foreclosure event, requires the following:
Short sale due to financial mismanagement:
1. Minimum of 4 years, and up to 7 years, must have elapsed since the completion of the short sale.
2. The borrower may purchase a primary residence, second home or investment property with the greater of 10% minimum down payment or the minimum down payment required for the transaction.
3. Borrower must have re-established an acceptable credit history.
4. Minimum 680 credit score required.
Short sale due to documented extenuating circumstances:
1. A minimum of 2 years must have elapsed since the completion of the short sale.
2. The borrower may purchase a primary residence, second home or investment
3. property with the greater of 10% minimum down payment or the minimum down payment required for the transaction.
“Highest and Best” – Words to Live By or Words to Dread?
Growing up, we’ve often been encouraged to give our very best in whatever we do, be it our studies, athletics, our jobs, etc. But there are times in real estate when I’ve come to almost resent the words “highest and best.” If you’ve tried to purchase real estate or represented potential home buyers, you’ll know what I mean. You too may have come across these words as an unofficial counter from a seller, especially when dealing with bank-owned properties in a multiple offer situation: “Give us your highest and best offer.” In a traditional sale with negotiations between a buyer and seller, the seller will usually counter the buyer’s offer with a certain price or terms. Read more
“Thriving” Neighborhoods – How do they Happen?
This is the first of a series of articles that will highlight various neighborhoods in San Francisco and on the Peninsula. In this article, I will talk about a couple of San Francisco neighborhoods….West Portal and Bernal Heights. Both are thriving areas and that has caused me to wonder:
Why are some neighborhoods so popular?
West Portal, as an example, is busy every day and every night. It has tons of restaurants….everything from Mediterranean (Bursa Kabob) to Peruvian (Fresca) and even a Polish restaurant (Old Krakow). They have a lovely, old fashioned neighborhood movie theater that seems to do quite well and the most popular “boutique” Goodwill store around, as well as other more high end shops. And, of course, there’s your requisite “Starbucks”. People come to the neighborhood from all over for it’s charm and warmth. Read more
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