Winter is in the air

December 16, 2008 · Florie Vasquez · 5 Comments

Winter is in the air. Last night was particularly cold and my daughter was in a troubled state so I asked her what was wrong. She told me that she was worried about the homeless man who camps out by the park where she plays ball in the summer… Wow, that put things in perspective.

This year has had ups and downs for all of us as every year does. Try to remember one thing, no matter how good or how bad it gets, it will pass. Yes sometimes it may feel like you are stuck in molasses believe it or not, it will all work itself out even though it may not seem that way, it does. When it gets hard like that try taking a deep breath and embrace the change because invited or not, it is coming. Read more

Negotiation Skills – The Most Important Reason to Hire a Professional Realtor

December 13, 2008 · Kathy Wall · 5 Comments

Today has been a nerve wracking day. I have a home listed here in Brisbane that has been on the market for a couple of months. During that time, there have been 2 people who have consistently expressed serious interest. Earlier this week, one of them finally stepped up to the plate and brought us an offer. We went back and forth with counter offers and then yesterday, when my Sellers were all set to sign the most recent counter, the phone rang. Of course, it was the agent for the other interested party! He finally had his ducks in a row and was ready to bring an offer. Would we wait until today at noon before accepting the other offer? Alrighty, then. After conferring with my clients and weighing our options, we decided to wait.

It is now almost 4:30 and, needless to say, the noon deadline has long since passed. I know that the agent met with his client at 1:00 p.m., but I still don’t have an offer in hand and his calls are going straight to voice mail. Aaaaaaah! Read more

SSF Real Estate… things are looking up

December 11, 2008 · Nicole Machado · 5 Comments

As 2008 wraps up and we all grasp onto our crystal balls to determine the fate of 2009… I wanted to end the year on a positive note with some statistics from the San Mateo County Multiple Listing Service that may help to give us all a positive outlook on the Real Estate market for 2009. South San Francisco was one of the Peninsula’s hardest hit cities with short sales and foreclosures, but by the looks of it, SSF seems to be bouncing back just fine. Read more

A day without internet!

December 11, 2008 · Shokoofeh Nowbakht · 5 Comments

What would you do a whole day without internet? Scary! But, in fact, I got a lot done without internet yesterday. I went back to simple paper & pen and client list and called & contacted them. I admit, It wasn’t easy not to be able to check emails, or not even tweet . It’s amazing how much our lives depend on technology. How would you run your business one day without electricity? Can you imagine a day without multiple listing service?

Bay Area Real Estate’s – Perfect Storm

December 10, 2008 · Lee Ginsburg · 6 Comments

Perfect Storm = Low Interest Rates, Low Prices, and Lower Inventory.

We have all the ingredients.

If you have been waiting for prices to stabilize you are on the cusp of being late.

Homes in Daly City, San Bruno, San Mateo, San Francisco and South San Francisco are selling. To keep up with the demand Bank of America is falling behind on appraisals and is hiring outside appraisers. I spoke to a termite inspector yesterday. He had 5 inspections scheduled for the day. Need I say we did not speak long. There is a buzz in my office. Conference rooms are filled with buyer’s consultations. Banks dealing with short sales are moving faster and be more aggressively. If you are a first time home buyer or a seasoned investor; jump in, the buying is great. It is a PERFECT STORM for you. Low Prices, Low Interest Rates and Lower Inventory. Getting a Loan in not impossible
http://www.pruvoices.com/2008/12/gettin-a-loan-is-not-impossible/

If you are busy with the holidays maybe meet with me (877-Lee Sells) or your favorite realtor just to get updated on the market so you are ready to take advantage of the Best Buyer’s Market in 30 Years come January.

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

A look back to January 2008, A look forward to January 2009

December 6, 2008 · Brian Boisson · 5 Comments

Just a thought to ponder, and maybe a subject everyone could comment on. In January 2008 Real Estate was the blame for our poor economy, flash forward to January 2009, might stable real estate values be the key to a recovering economy? It seems the Goverment is thinking that way. How about you?

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

Do you feel like you are in a media induced recession?

December 2, 2008 · Karin Cunningham · 4 Comments

If it were not for all of the news I watch on TV or the newspapers and internet news, I wouldn’t think I was in a recession! I don’t live in a bubble, in fact, I live in the Bay Are and I am a Realtor. My phone rings everday with people who want to buy real estate at the new opportune prices and I receive emails each day as well. The malls, Serramonte and The Shops at Tanforan, where we have our real estate kiosks see 1,000s of holiday shoppers all day long and meet PLENTY of people interested in buying buying buying and gas prices have gone down to boot!

I am only one person making my own observation. I have had some hardships as well and DO realize that the economy has slipped but my point is, if we did not have the media would we be so overwhelmed with a recession? My husband is a stay at home dad and our family and friends in San Bruno and the Bay Area are doing ok and I AM GRATEFUL FOR THAT! I just wonder how other people in the Bay Area are doing? Please comment!