Nicole Machado

SSF Real Estate… things are looking up
December 11, 2008 · · 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

Nicole Machado

Mixing Business with Pleasure… does it actually mix?
November 19, 2008 · · 1 Comment

Have you ever felt obligated to use a family member when it came to a business deal? While most of us have, has it ever left you wondering if that was the best decision? In some cases, it is an ideal circumstance. While in others it may be an uncomfortable situation that you were strong armed into. Read more

Lee Ginsburg

DEAL or NO DEAL
September 23, 2008 · · 3 Comments

Deal or No Deal?

    Everyone’s definition of a “DEAL” is different.

Many of today’s buyers are in the mindset that a “Deal” is purchasing a home below current market value.  What is current market value?  It is the price a willing and capable buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept.   Below Market sales do not occur in today’s web 2.0 world.  Information is plentiful for both the buyer and the seller.  Properties priced below market value are not kept a secret for long.  Homes listed at below market prices wind up getting multiple offers and sell at the price determined by the bidders which is now the market price.  Many of these people looking for this type of “DEAL” have not purchased anything and may not because they continue to offer below the market price. They are not the only buyer out there.   I recently heard of aproperty with 89 offers. The demand is still very strong. Before the internet many properties were kept a “secret” because it took more time, effort and money to get the information out; so yes purchasing below market value was possible then but not now. Read more

Mark Hasha

Current Real Estate Trends Affecting Brokers and Agents
September 8, 2008 · · 1 Comment

I saw this really interesting list of current real estate trends on Wikipedia. The list is of the top 10 trends that are affecting the way real estate agents are doing business. I wanted to share it with you and over the next couple of weeks add my thoughts and comments on each trend.

The only annual report detailing real estate trends impacting the residential real estate brokerage business lists the following 10 trends as having the largest impact on residential real estate brokers and agents over the next 12 – 18 months.

Trend #1 – Growth of Social Media and Virtual Communities

Trend #2 – The Sub Prime Lending Collapse Driving Rise in Foreclosures

Trend #3 – The Importance of Information in Real Estate Business Read more