Fannie Mae Short Sale Webinar

January 13, 2009 · David Wang · 7 Comments

Do you know what a short sale is?

Doing a routine search for properties today I came across a very good 20 minute video on what is a short sales put on by Fannie Mae. We have been working with short sales for over a year and have had the explanations given and have had the explanation received many many times already but this is short and good. The slides are good and to the point the Audio is clear and crisp it is short enough for clients to get through without losing focus.

As a client I would believe this more than an agent i just met because we all recognize the name Fannie Mae and with all the government oversight they are receiving they have to watch their P’s and Q’s. Read more

Loan, Gift or Partner to Help Children Buy A Home?

January 9, 2009 · Lee Ginsburg · 6 Comments

As parents we all love our children and only want to help them. In the Bay Area parents almost have to help with a down payment. Do you give your children a gift or a loan? Is it better to be a co-borrower with them? Maybe be partners. If you help one child, you have to help the others. California is a community property state and that creates other issues. It is difficult to bring it up but more than half the marriages wind up in divorce and gifting child money to purchase a home is possibly giving your child’s ex-spouse a very generous gift. Asking a child to sign a promissory note is not always comfortable. In many families Money is a “taboo” subject. I helped my son purchase a home with the idea he was to pay it back when he could. My wife and I always had a good relationship with my son so we did not see any need to have a signed document. Hope that does not come back to bite us. He got engaged a year later and married a short time later. Read more

An agent can make a difference

January 5, 2009 · David Wang · 9 Comments

as long as we communicate

I have been working with a young couple looking for their first house for 8 month. They have good jobs and great credit. Why haven’t they been able to get a house? We have seen over 70 properties, and I have previewed over 250, their price range and area has a lot of short sales. Over this 8 month time span we have attempted to write 6 offers and finally one looks like it will close.

What I observed in the last few outings when we were looking at properties puzzled me, these two people would drive up to a house and without leaving the car tells me to go straight to the next property. I tell them that it is nice and we should see it but they refuse.

Are Home Auctions a Good Deal for Buyers.

December 19, 2008 · David Wang · 3 Comments

Any type of real estate investment can be profitable. Like the stock market real estate is about timing. Auctions have become more prevalent in recent months and many buyers have asked if auctions are better deals than properties listed on MLS.

This very excellent question simplifies three bigger topics. First are you interested in just the purchase price, without concern of repair or remodeling costs? Next, have you done all the research you need to do with regards to the property, traditional sales have a contingency removal period. Finally will you be satisfied in focusing on the least desirable properties on the market. Read more

Getting a Loan is Not Impossible

December 3, 2008 · Lee Ginsburg · 10 Comments

www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/30/RE8014CT0J.DTL .

I had some good friends over for Thanksgiving. Pretty early in the evening the question came up; “Lee how is the Real Estate Market?” “People can’t get loans? Huh”, he stated. This occurs often. Everyday it is mentioned the “Credit Crunch” we have to loosen up credit. I hope everyone reads “You Can Qualify For a Mortgage, It’s Just Tougher” by Marni Leff Kottle of the S.F. Chronicle, Read more

Award Winning Real Estate Company!

November 27, 2008 · Mark Hasha · Comment here

Prudential California Realty, San Bruno Is part of the Prudential Real Estate family which J.D. Power and Associates has ranked as Highest in Satisfaction for Home Sellers among National Full Service Real Estate Firms, in its 2008 survey. We are proud!

Ratified or Terrified?

October 25, 2008 · Shokoofeh Nowbakht · 1 Comment

My first time home buyers became terrified when their offer ratified! They had submitted few offers on other properties and were overbid every time. Is it the market we’re in today? Is it not expected for the first offer to get accepted?
What has been your experience?

Remodel or Remodeled?

October 22, 2008 · Shokoofeh Nowbakht · 3 Comments

Would you buy cheaper and remodel or buy remodeled? Does it make sense for the first time home buyers to try to save money by buying a property that needs some TLC and remodel it themselves? How much TLC is reasonable? Just some thoughts and concerns! Do you have to be a good handyman to buy a fixer upper? Why do we realtors use “Contractors’ Special” comment on MLS? Should a non-contractor buy a fixer upper? Ok, what are your thoughts?