Lee Ginsburg

Good News Finally!!! – New Energy Rebates

August 7, 2011 · · 2 Comments

Most of us living in San Mateo County are living in homes forty or fifty years old. Older homes are always in need of some repairs or upgrading. I recently heard that San Mateo County is announcing on Monday that they will match some of PG&E’s energy rebates. You can get up to $8000 in rebates. Not sure if you have to rebuild the entire home to get $8000 but here is the info.

These will double the currently offered rebates. Some upgrades might even qualify for Federal tax Credits. I have read there is even low cost financing with income qualifications.

Attic insulation, furnace and water heater replacement, roof, solar energy and more may qualify. It is certainly worthwhile to look into if you are considering doing some work.

Follow the links for additional information.

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=164559&title=Homeowners%20eligible%20for%20big%20energy%20rebates

https://energyupgradeca.org/county/san_mateo/action_plans/property_type

http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/portal/site/cmo/menuitem.c62298d126a043af82439054d17332a0/?vgnextoid=3abf1ab5fe4fb210VgnVCM1000001937230aRCRD&vgnextfmt=DivisionsLanding

ATTEND AN UPCOMING WORKSHOP:

San Bruno – Tuesday, August 23 rd 7-8:30 p.m.

Burlingame – Wednesday, August 24th 7-8:30 p.m.

Half Moon Bay – Wednesday, September 14th 7-8:30 p.m.

San Carlos – Wednesday, September 28th 7-8:30 p.m.

Lee Ginsburg
www.leesellsmore.com

“It is Better to Own Real Estate Than Wait To Own Real Estate”

Jay Sondhi

Split MI: A great alternative to FHA mortgage insurance

August 2, 2011 · · 2 Comments

With the increasing costs of FHA mortgage insurance, it is nice to see that private mortgage insurance companies have been offering new alternatives. Split MI offers the option for lower mortgage insurance factors in exchange for an upfront fee much like FHA.  The program requires 720 credit scores, and 5% down for loans at or below $417k and 10% down for loan amounts to $729,750.

Split MI becomes even more attractive for borrowers with higher ficos and larger loan amounts.  It is possible to get monthly mortgage insurance factors down to 0.22%.  This is great news, because FHA “annual premiums” have increased from 0.55% to 1.15% in one year!

 Unlike FHA, you are not required to pay private mortgage insurance for 5 years. Every lender has its own rules, but most have processes that allow you to petition for mortgage insurance removal when home prices rebound.  This is not the case with FHA.  FHA mortgage insurance is required until the principal balance reaches 78% of the original purchase price.

I’ve put this table together to show you some different MI options with today’s rates.  You can see here that Split MI can save you a lot of cash.

  Monthly MI Split MI FHA
First Loan Amount $450,000 $450,000 $454,500
First Note Rate 4.5% 4.5% 4.25%
LTV 90% 90% 90%
MI Premium Rate 0.74% 0.43% 1.05%
Monthly MI Payment Year 1 $278 $161 $394
Monthly P&I Payment Year 1 (First Mortgage) $2,280 $2,280 $2,236
Total Monthly Payment Year 1 $2,558 $2,441 $2,630
Monthly Savings Or Loss $0 $116 ($72)
MI Cancellation Eligibility Month 45 45 60
Total Interest Paid During 10 Years $184,013 $184,013 $174,874
Total MI Paid During 10 Years $12,488 $11,756 $23,006
Principal Reduction $89,598 $89,598 $93,430

Jay Sondhi
Guarantee Mortgage
http://www.jaysondhi.com/

Karin Cunningham

San Bruno Music in the Park 2011

July 15, 2011 · · 2 Comments

 

It’s that time of year again! Hooray for San Bruno Music in the Park! This is a FREE event sponsored this year by Artichoke Joe’s, San Bruno Cable, San Bruno Rotary Club, the Shops at Tanforan, La Petite Baleen, Inc, and Lunardi’s Supermarket! The City of San Bruno Community Services Department is the one who put it together as well as some help from the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce. It should be a great experience this year with some new twists, I hear! Are there going to be food trucks?? I don’t know but it sounds like a great idea!

I enjoy this event every August with my family and friends! My kids usually walk around with a bucket of home made popcorn for sale! I’m trying to teach them to be entrepreneurs!

                                                                                                   Anyways, here is the 2011 schedule for Friday evenings 6:00 pm, Music in the Park!

July 29  Just For Kicks & West Bay Rhythm (Classic Rock & Soul)

August 5 Houserockers (Rock & Roll and R & B)

August 12 The Plastic Onion Band (Beatles Cover Band)

August 19 Tin Man (Classic Rock)

August 26 Groove Kings (Rock & Soul)

By the way, if you have been thinking of buying a house lately, you are on the right track! Two bedroom condos on the San Mateo peninsula are starting in the $200,000′s and single family homes are starting at $350,000! I am a full time real estate agent, if you didn’t know, and I would love to help you find a deal! It costs more to rent these days than to own your own place! We have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Call or email me! I’d love to help! Thanks!

Karin Cunningham 650-438-3504 karinc@prucal.com

Jean Joh

All You Need is … Patience!

July 5, 2011 · · 4 Comments

I recently celebrated the close of an escrow for my clients’ purchase of a beautiful home in South San Francisco.  This transaction was one of the more meaningful ones for me due to the nature of my relationship with these clients.  We actually met back in July 2008 at my company’s kiosk at the Serramonte Mall in Daly City.  At the time, this couple was just looking into the possibility of purchasing their first home, and weren’t quite sure if they were ready to purchase a home just yet.  Still, we kept in touch occasionally over the years, going out to see homes of interest and even submitting a couple offers that didn’t go through.

Read more

Lee Ginsburg

Monte Verde Student Wins Doodle for Google

June 28, 2011 · · 4 Comments

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Our very own Monte Verde School wins big. Monte Verde is in San Bruno but is part of the South San Francisco School District. It serves Monte Verde area of San Bruno and a portion of Westborough area of South San Francisco. What did they win? Monte Verde Elementary School won a $25,000 technology grant and 7 years old, second grade student, Mateo Lopez won $15,000 college Scholarship. This is the results of “Doodle for Google” contest. 107,000 entrants ranging from Kindergarten to twelfth grade and a second grader from our back yard won. San Bruno and South San Francisco residents should be proud of the Monte Verde School and home grown Mateo Lopez. Hurray!!! Congratulations!!!

For additional information please click on the link: http://digitallife.today.com/_news/2011/05/20/6676677-doodle-4-google-winner-matteo-lopez-7

Lee Ginsburg
www.leesellsmore.com
“It is Better To Own Real Estate and Wait Than Wait To Own Real Estate”

Karin Cunningham

San Bruno Park Swimming Pool 2011

June 22, 2011 · · 3 Comments

“The San Bruno City Park Pool is located at Crystal Springs and Oak Avenues in San Bruno City Park, adjacent to the Veterans Memorial Building. The pool is a seasonal pool open from June-September. The pool is an “L” shape, 25×20 yards, 3 to 10 feet deep, and heated to approximately 83 degrees. The facility also has a toddler pool approximately 1 foot deep. Only coastguard approved flotation jackets are allowed. Parent must be in the water with the child if they are wearing a lifejacket. Before June 1st the contact number is (650) 616-7184, after June 1st the pool office number is (650) 616-7191. ”

http://sanbruno.ca.gov/parks_sbpool.html

Rec Swim is Mon-Fri 1-3:30 and Sat. and Sun. 1-4:00 It’s only  three bucks! You can’t beat that!

I love bringing my kids to the pool because they always run into other kids from school.  It’s also right in the park so we can hang around afterwards and picnic. The staff is also very nice and friendly!

Being a Realtor in San bruno is a pleasure when you get to talk about all of the city’s ammeneties, the pool being in the top 10!

www.KarinCunningham.com

www.Facebook.com/SanBrunoLife

 
 
 

 

Lupita Terlau

Como Refinanciar Su Propiedad Cundo Poca o Nada de Plusvalía

June 21, 2011 · · 1 Comment

Recientemente, yo tome una aplicación de una veterana que quería refinanciar a sus dos préstamos en la casa que compraba hace dos años.  Ella se ahorraría $700 por mes con su nuevo préstamo fijo a 30 años con una  tasa de interés del  4.75%.

Esto me recordó que todavía hay mucha gente que no han aprovechado  las bajas tasas de interés  disponibles  porque  piensan que no tienen suficiente equidad/plusvalía  en su propiedad para refinanciar.

Simplemente, quiero compartir tres opciones a considerar si esta es su situación:

1.      Opción de Fannie Mae o Freddie Mac – Depende si Fannie o Freddie posee su hipoteca actualmente, se puede refinanciar aunque  se deba más del valor actual de su propiedad  

¿Has visto si Fannie o Freddie posee a su préstamo?  Si no, visite los siguientes enlaces:

  • Hace clic aquí para confirmer si Fannie Mae posee a su hipoteca
  • Hace clic aquí para confirmer si Freddie Mac posee a su hipoteca

 2.       FHA

FHA asegurará hipotecas hasta 97.75% del valor de la casa.  El monto máximo del préstamo es $729,750 en los condados de San Mateo y San Francisco.  Este límite del préstamo va a bajar al fin de 2011.

 3.       VA

 Si Ud. o su cónyuge es un veterano, se puede prestar hasta 100% al valor de su casa.  Esta es una muy buena opción para veteranos porque los préstamos de VA no requieren seguro de hipoteca.  El límite de préstamo actual en los condados de San Francisco y San Mateo es $1,000,000.
Jay Sondhi
http://www.jaysondhi.com/ 

 Translation:
Lupita Fernandez-Terlau
http://www.lterlau.prucal.com/
Greg Herman
http://www.gmwest.com

Karin Cunningham

San Bruno Posy Parade 2011 Celebrates a “City with a Heart”

June 10, 2011 · · 2 Comments

 

 

“This annual “Festival of Flowers” was started in 1941 as a dedication to children. It was patterned after the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, choosing the “posy” as the signature flower. The parade, traditionally for youngsters 14 years old and under, has achieved both state and national fame for San Bruno. Each year the Community gathers to celebrate and support our children at the Posy Parade. The San Bruno Lions would like to thank ALL who continue to cherish this San Bruno tradition.” 

Every year, I find my spot on Crystal Springs and Cypress and sit with my family, take pictures, catch flying candy, and go to the baseball games in San Bruno Park following the parade. This year was so much fun and it’s cool that the San Bruno Patch made a video for all to see!
What a great way to kick off the summer in San Bruno! Don’t forget about the San Bruno Library summer reading program!