Prudential Ca. Realty Gives Locally

July 7, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · Comment here

Prudential California Realty is more than just Real Estate Company. We in the San Bruno office are a group of very giving and caring local people with lots of knowledge and experience in Real Estate. A portion of each transaction is donated to Shelter Network in San Mateo, each year we adopt a family from San Bruno, South San Francisco or Millbrae for Christmas, one of our agents feeds the homeless monthly, another agent is continuously baking cookies to raise money for Cancer, others walk miles for their causes and we all graciously chip in. It is an honor to work with people who care.

As the premiere real estate company in the area, Prudential Ca. Realty San Bruno realizes the importance of schools. Prudential California Realty recently awarded grants to local teachers from Brisbane, South San Francisco and Daly City. With school fiancés drastically cut this year these grants were greatly appreciated. The grants are awarded to teachers whom made an exceptional contribution to their students last year.

My wife is a teacher and I know that most teachers contribute to their students. Unfortunately we can’t reward all of them. I will say all teachers are appreciated.
This year the following teachers were awarded grants:
Brisbane        Lynn Howe                 Brisbane Elem.
Daly City       Jane Chang                Junipera Serra
SSF              Feleciana Stevenson   El Camino High
                   Ray Galela                 El Camino High
                   Meg Milana                SSF High
                   Joslyn Negherbon       Westborough Mid.
                   Cheri Howard            Westborough Mid.
Congratulations to the winners and Thank You to all teachers.

When thinking about Real Estate contact the Local company that gives back locally.

Click or copy and paste the link to read more. http://www.prurealty.com/ssc/company_information/press_releases/Ed%20Foundation%20Release%20-%20San%20Mateo%20County%20-%202010.pdf

Baseball’s "Field of Dreams" for Sale

June 26, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · 3 Comments

Yes! The baseball Diamond that Universal Studios built in
Dyersville, Iowa is for sale. Please let me know if you have interest. I would love to represent you in the negotiations. Maybe we can arrange to have it moved to San Bruno or South San Francisco.

Follow the link
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/7721998/Field-of-Dreams-for-sale.html

www.leesellsmore.com

Appraisal and Loan Contingency

May 17, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · 2 Comments

Thought this was very well explained for a confusing and very important matter.

“Q: I’m getting an FHA loan to finance my first home. I’m in contract right now. Our appraisal is done and the house appraised for the sale price but the loan process is not yet done, although I was preapproved. My agent says the lender has to review the appraisal.

I’m confused about the difference between the loan contingency and the appraisal contingency. My agent says I should remove the appraisal contingency, but I’m not sure about that.”

Check out Tara-Nicholle Nelsons answer:
http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/tara-nicholle-nelson/plan-a-contingencies-lessons-buyers

http://leesellsmore.com/

Remodeling? Don’t do it to resell!

May 8, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · 2 Comments

Midrange Remodeling Costs Vs. Payback from Remodeling Magazine
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue/division/pacific/city/san-francisco–ca.aspx

Job Cost	Resale Value	Cost Recouped	Project	Job Cost	Resale Value	Cost Recouped	Change vs.. 2008-09
$13,114	$10,674	81.4%	Siding Replacement (vinyl)	$10,607	$8,476	79.9%
$12,760	$11,328	88.8%	Window Replacement (vinyl)	$10,728	$8,217	76.6%
$13,804	$12,175	88.2%	Window Replacement (wood)	$11,700	$9,044	77.3%
$47,052	$32,057	68.1%	Bathroom Addition	$39,046	$23,233	59.5%
$18,864	$14,517	77.0%	Bathroom Remodel	$16,142	$11,454	71.0%
$16,956	$13,922	82.1%	Deck Addition (composite)	$15,373	$10,904	70.9%
$12,838	$11,744	91.5%	Deck Addition (wood)	$10,634	$8,573	80.6%
$3,835	$2,930	76.4%	Entry Door Replacement (fiberglass)	$3,490	$2,275	65.2%
$1,353	$1,732	128.0%	Entry Door Replacement (steel)	$1,172	$1,470	128.9%
$100,023	$73,551	73.5%	Family Room Addition	$82,756	$54,051	65.3%
$83,463	$45,245	54.2%	Sunroom Addition	$73,167	$37,118	50.7%
$184,839	$143,073	77.4%	Two-Story Addition	$156,309	$107,286	68.6%
$63,803	$53,923	84.5%	Major Kitchen Remodel	$57,215	$41,260	72.1%
$124,579	$90,616	72.7%	Master Suite Addition	$103,696	$67,578	65.2%
$23,210	$21,991	94.8%	Minor Kitchen Remodel	$21,411	$16,773	78.3%
$24,712	$18,829	76.2%	Roofing Replacement	$19,731	$13,133	66.6%

Realtors Help Seniors

February 16, 2010 · Lee Ginsburg · 1 Comment

RSVP is Coming

May 3-7

Get The Word Out!

WHAT IS RSVP?
RSVP is an annual week-long community outreach program that takes place in May 3-7 during “Adopt-A-Senior” Week. Realtors of San Mateo County provides free assistance to seniors who cannot otherwise perform certain household tasks due to physical or financial constraints.
FREE HOME SERVICES FOR SENIORS & THE HOMEBOUND
Washing windows, changing furnace filters, turning over mattresses, vacuuming, changing light bulbs, replacing smoke detector batteries and other similar household tasks are just a few chores that Realtors will perform.
The program is one way Realtors and Affiliates can give back to their communities.
Who is eligible? If you are a senior or homebound and live in San Bruno, South San Francisco, Daly City, Millbrae, San Mateo, Burlingame, Belmont, Foster City or anywhere in San Mateo County.
INTERESTED IN FREE HELP
Please call San Mateo County Association of Realtors at 650-696-8200 or
register now at http://www.samcar.org/userfiles/file/RSVP10_homeownerAPP.pdf

Lee@leesellsmore.com

It’s Working and Working Well!!!

December 27, 2009 · Lee Ginsburg · 1 Comment

You might ask, what is working and working well. I am speaking about the $8000 Home Buying Credit. A recent home buyer brought up the $8000 credit and told me that was the motivating factor for him and his wife purchasing a home. The termination date creates urgency and action. Low prices are motivating but not the cause of action. Many think they can time the market. Good Luck to them. People in the business think the lowest interest rates in 40 years should be creating urgency. It certainly makes people think but low rates is all many of these young first time buyers know. I purchased a home in 1982 at 14% interest and that was considered good. Today’s 5% and below interest rates are like the “After Christmas Sale”. But still does not create the urgency since many believe it will last forever.

The $8000 federal tax credit was extended and now sounds like it will really terminate April 30, 2010. Now that creates urgency! OK; the credit created a home sale and that helps stabilize pricing. Let’s not forget all the mouths a home sale feeds: the realtor, mortgage broker, title people, escrow company, termite inspector, home inspector, city tax coffers, and more. Now let me show you all the mouths my client fed by spending his credit on: landscaping, painting, double pane windows, window coverings, furniture and more. Others may remodel a kitchen or bath, carpet, appliances, roof, etc. My client purchased the home from a flipper who must have put $50,000 into the home. Add that up, and the $8000 quickly turns into over $100,000 of added income to local people. That feeds lots of mouths. Being employed in Real Estate and related fields, as Americans and Smart business people we should be ecstatic. I know I am. I am a believer. Read more

The Vote is In – The House is Listed

October 24, 2009 · Lee Ginsburg · 2 Comments

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

The Shoe is on the Other Foot Now

October 12, 2009 · Lee Ginsburg · 14 Comments

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