Prudential’s Pumpkin Patch – What a Great Day!
On Saturday, October 24th, a group of agents from our office held a community event that turned out absolutely perfectly. We held a combination Pumpkin Patch and Coats for Kids event. It was hugely successful.
We provided cookies and hot chocolate, as well as goodie bags for the kids and, of course, pumpkins. We, also, took photos of each and everyone that wanted one and made them a special photo card right on the spot. We even had face painting….All for free!
Many, many people brought coats for the kids, too, which was very exciting. (By the way, for those who weren’t able to attend, please know that we will be accepting coats through the end of October. If you bring a coat or sweater to our office, be sure to fill out a card so that you can enter the drawing we will be having to thank people for donating. Our office is located at 180 El Camino Real, San Bruno.)
For me, the very best part about it was that it was such a diverse event. People of just about every age and nationality attended. It was a great deal of fun for everyone, including those of us working at the event. Business is all fine and dandy, but doing things for others is really what makes life worthwhile. I am so happy that I work for a company that genuinely cares about the community.
Above, are photos of the terrific agents who participated in this wonderful event!
Kathy Wall – October 26, 2009
The Vote is In – The House is Listed
Wow! What great thoughts on my last blog http://www.pruvoices.com/2009/10/the-shoe-is-on-the-other-foot-now/. The voting overwhelmingly said hire the fist agent team I interviewed. That is whom I chose and am very happy. They have been very easy to work with and are very professional. Know anyone whom wants to buy. A 2 Bedroom 2 Bath single family home in a real nice adult community for less than a studio here in the San Bruno or South San Francisco. The bus stops in front of the complex and it is just an hour bus ride to midtown Manhattan. My wife asked me “are you sure you want to sell it?” Here is a link to the “Visual Tour” http://www.visualtour.com/applets/flashviewer2/viewer.asp?t=2029575&sk=30.
Some of the great feedback I received was: speak with the HOA president, speak with the management of the team that was not that experienced, interview CRS members in the area, and Google the agents. Read more
Say NO to Extension of the Federal Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers!!! (???)
The deadline for the federal tax credit of up to $8000 for first-time home buyers is fast approaching. In order to take advantage of this credit, escrow must be closed by November 30, 2009. If one were to count backwards from this, allowing for a 45 day close of escrow (not uncommon these days), this means that buyers will need to be in contract, at the very latest, by mid-October which means NOW. Read more
The Shoe is on the Other Foot Now
I am responsible for selling my mother’s home. Great I got an easy listing. Well not that quick. She lives in New Jersey. And they do things differently than we here in northern California and I am not licensed in New Jersey. They use lawyers instead of Escrow and Title companies. I pondered how a deal is ever going to close with two lawyers involved. The people I spoke with assured me they do. It seems radon gas is an issue in this part of New Jersey and the seller is responsible for mediating it. My mother lived in an adult community where Open Houses and For Sale signs are not permitted. No wonder as I drove the community I did not see any other homes for sale. I thought there was no inventory and I would receive multiple offers just like here in the San Bruno and South San Francisco. After doing additional research I come to find they have a year’s worth of inventory in the area adult communities. Read more
Up, Down, or Sideways?
We are speaking of mortgage rates, which continue to move down. Bankrate’s latest survey had them averaging their lowest levels in over four months last week, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 5.25% and the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 4.64%. Given the recent qualms over unemployment, rates would seem likely to move down further.
And they could, but they could also move up. Last week, Dallas Federal Reserve President Richard Fisher said that the winding down of the Fed’s stimulative monetary policies needed to start as soon as the economy shows signs of sustained improvement. “When it comes time to tighten monetary policy, my colleagues and I will move with an alacrity that, if needed, will be equal in speed and intensity to that with which we pursued monetary accommodation,” Fisher said in a speech to the Texas Christian University Business Network of Dallas. Read more
Bank or Mortgage Broker? Who to Use?
Where is the best place to get your home loan….a bank or a mortgage broker? Over the course of my many years in real estate, I have waffled back and forth over this question. Many times my decision on whom to refer would be based on the credit of my buyers. If they were self employed, had a small down payment or not-so-good credit, I would usually suggest that they talk to a mortgage broker. If they had excellent credit scores and a good down payment, I would usually suggest that they might be better off going directly to one of the major banks.
Now, after an incredibly negative experience with one of the largest banks operating here in California, I am leaning much more towards referring all clients to mortgage brokers, because I know that they will do the job and, most importantly, will actually care about my clients. Read more
Market Trends
I have done research and compared the market last year in September 2008 to this year in September 2009. These numbers are for single family homes. Here are some of the results:
Daly City:
Inventory down 49%
Properties under contract up 12%
Months supply of inventory down 79%
South San Francisco:
Inventory down 60%
Properties under contract up 90%
Months supply of inventory down 88%
San Bruno:
Inventory down 60%
Properties under contract up 9%
Months supply of inventory down 66%
Millbrae:
Inventory down 34%
Properties under contract up 67%
Months supply of inventory down 69%
In all four cities the inventory is down while properties in contract are up. Meaning supply is low and demand is high. Competition for homes in these cities is high, but it is still a great time to buy. This also means that home owners considering selling their home may want to contact a Realtor to see what their home is worth and think about weather it makes sense for them to sell or move at this time. The market has definitely changed for the better and this is a great sign for things to come not only for the housing market, but for our economy as a whole.
This Real Estate Blog is by Adam Chinn
Some People Would Sell Their Grandmother!
Either that, or try and sell something to them. This was the first thought that went through my head when a fellow agent handed me a flier an elderly friend received with an offer to sell them a copy of the deed of trust on their home. As with most things…one should always read the small print and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
In all fairness, this particular notification did print in very large letters that the program was not endorsed by the government. In addition, they went so far as to say that one doesn’t actually need what it is they are selling, a copy of your deed, to prove home ownership. While their “fine print” was actually legible and clear, many offers don’t always come with such warning. Read more
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