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
Is the Bay Area Home Buyer Obsessed with School Scores
Many homebuyers in San Mateo, San Bruno, Burlingame, Millbrae and up and down the peninsula purchase their homes based on school scores. I am not sure if API, Academic Performance Index, (http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ap/ ) scores is an accurate evaluation method to determine a young person’s education. I find the API scores of a school to determine the college you child goes to as reliable as a City’s Median home prices is in determining the value of your home. Homes in a city are varied and encompass a large diversified area just like a school’s diversified student enrollment and have high and low performing students.
Many of our public schools have a large population of intelligent non- English speaking immigrants. Teachers are trained and cater to that specific group and they also teach to the more advanced student by offering enrichment classes, honor classes, etc. Both of my son’s went to a public High School in San Mateo that possibly has the lowest scores amongst the San Mateo High Schools. They both graduated and went to very good schools. In their graduating class several students were accepted into Harvard, Stanford, MIT and more of the top schools. Some of their friends went to a private high school, were not happy, did not perform well and transferred out. A peninsula high school with a rating of 10 has had an epidemic of suicides. Top scores is not the final answer. Read more
Pumpkin Patch, Cabbage Patch…Millbrae Patch?
photo credit: Patrick Hoesly
photo credit: Patrick Hoesly
Just a couple examples of what you’ll find on the Patch for Millbrae, where I live:
- A list of events in the area to celebrate the Lunar New Year throughout the month of February: http://millbrae.patch.com/articles/chinese-new-year-events
- A list of the ten best restaurants opened in 2010: http://millbrae.patch.com/articles/10-best-millbrae-restaurants-opened-in-2010
Or how about in San Bruno, where my office is located?
- Mastick Avenue Residents Vow to Keep Neighborhood Safe After Shooting: http://sanbruno.patch.com/articles/mastick-avenue-residents-vow-to-keep-neighborhood-safe-after-shooting
- San Bruno Real Estate Enjoys Growth for Third Month in a Row: http://sanbruno.patch.com/articles/san-bruno-real-estate-enjoys-growth-for-third-month-in-a-row
There’s a patch.com site for almost every city in the Peninsula: South San Francisco, Burlingame, Pacifica, Belmont, Foster City, San Carlos. What a great way to keep on top of what’s happening in your area or if you’re thinking about moving, to get another taste of the city you’re considering.
Jean Joh: Visit my website at www.jeanjoh.com or follow me on twitter as jeanjoh.
-
Join us on Facebook
-
Join us on Twitter
-
Recent Posts
- Top 5 Reasons to Buy a House in the Bay Area in 2012
- After Christmas Sale, – Bay Area Homes up to 60% off
- San Bruno Eye Sore is about to Go
- What If My Offer Is Rejected?
- It’s a Buyers’ Market for Real Estate Investors, too
- How to choose the “Best” real estate home loan.
- Is it a Good Time to Buy a House in San Mateo County? Part 1
- What’s the difference between inspections and the”final walk-through”?
-
Categories
-
Archives
