Lee Ginsburg

Foreclosure Baloney
October 21, 2010 · · 3 Comments

  foreclosed_homes_ohio

I don’t get this foreclosure moratorium stuff. I don’t understand why the press and politicians are putting so much into it. I can assure you the banks are not foreclosing on anyone current on their homes.  Many of these home they are foreclosing on are vacant and some inhabitable.  inhabital home

A sad fact I heard recently is many homeowners are losing their homes due to medical bills.  That should not be.

Making the banks review additional papers, re-file, and delay the inevitable is only getting revenge and that is not healthy.   No good comes out of that.

We should be putting pressure on the banks to modify the loans of  homeowners who are good, honest, hard working people.  Many of these people for whatever reason can’t make payments at the current payment but can and want to make modified payments.   I don’t understand the need for a bank to go to the expense and foreclose on a home with a $500,000 loan and a month later sell the home to someone else for $300,000.   The original owners would have been capable and extremely happy to make payments probably on $350,000.  The banks would have been $50,000 + expenses better, with less property on the market values would be up protecting their equity in all their portfolio. 

I have another idea to deal with this foreclosure cancer.  Equity Share.    Read more

Lee Ginsburg

Investing: Bay Area Real Estate Vs. The S&P
October 13, 2010 · · 3 Comments

I personally have been investing in Bay Area real estate since I moved out here from Brooklyn in 1977. I have 75% of my assets invested in Bay Area Real Estate. Most of my remaining assets are invested in the stock market. I was curious which investment has had the best return on my investment over the last 20 years. Bay Area Real Estate has proven to produce an 8% greater return than the S&P over the last 20 years. Quite honestly I was expecting that number to be greater, but I am grateful, that with all of the ups and downs, I have made the right decision.

Let me quickly explain my numbers. I took a $100,000 investment in the S & P in 1990 and compared that to a $500,000 home purchase using the same $100,000, or the standard 20% down payment also in 1990. I am not a statistician so my numbers are rounded off and are deemed reliable, but certainly not guaranteed. These numbers are based on not selling and leaving it invested in an S&P index fund.  Let me say if you paid cash for that same $500,000 home you would be substantially better off with investing in the S&P.     Read more

Lee Ginsburg

Bless San Bruno
September 12, 2010 · · 4 Comments

You know we have seen other natural disasters similar to the San Bruno Explosion. 

When we watch it on TV  and it happens hundreds or thousands of miles away it  a tragedy,  it is terrible.

When it happens around the corner from you and it is heartbreaking. 

When it happens to you, I doubt there are words to explain those your thoughts. 

When you see the outpouring of volunteers, donations, and support it is heartwarming. 
It makes me proud to say that I have lived and worked in San Bruno for 35 years ever since I moved from the East Coast.

Next time someone asks me where I work, I am going to say Loud and Clear;
Prudential California Realty in SAN BRUNO, “The City of Care and Compassion”!

Want to read more on the Care and Compassion of San Bruno  http://www.contracostatimes.com/bay-area-news/ci_16045332?nclick_check=1 

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Donations-rolling-in-to-San-Bruno-102643424.html

RecCenter 20100911_041003_scfirefighters1_300

Lets give credit where credit is due.  The Police Department, The Fire Department, Mayor Jim Ruane,  City Manager  Connie Jackson, City Council People, neighboring  Cities, Millbrae, Burlingame, South San Francisco, Daly City and others worked so hard and professionally.  Within hours an evacuation center was  set  up and within 12 hours many state and federal agencies, Red Cross, along with insurance companies had tables set up to help with the recovery.

Want to know where to Donate -http://http://www.contracostatimes.com/bay-area-news/ci_16045332?nclick_check=1

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/peninsula&id=7660232

Lee Ginsburg
www.leesellsmore.com

Lee Ginsburg

Prudential Ca. Realty Gives Locally
July 7, 2010 · · 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.

teacherMy 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

Lee Ginsburg

Baseball’s "Field of Dreams" for Sale
June 26, 2010 · · 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

Lee Ginsburg

Appraisal and Loan Contingency
May 17, 2010 · · 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/

Lee Ginsburg

Remodeling? Don’t do it to resell!
May 8, 2010 · · 2 Comments

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

repair man

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% clip_image002
$12,760 $11,328 88.8% Window Replacement (vinyl) $10,728 $8,217 76.6% clip_image002[1]
$13,804 $12,175 88.2% Window Replacement (wood) $11,700 $9,044 77.3% clip_image002[2]
$47,052 $32,057 68.1% Bathroom Addition $39,046 $23,233 59.5% clip_image002[3]
$18,864 $14,517 77.0% Bathroom Remodel $16,142 $11,454 71.0% clip_image002[4]
$16,956 $13,922 82.1% Deck Addition (composite) $15,373 $10,904 70.9% clip_image002[5]
$12,838 $11,744 91.5% Deck Addition (wood) $10,634 $8,573 80.6% clip_image002[6]
$3,835 $2,930 76.4% Entry Door Replacement (fiberglass) $3,490 $2,275 65.2% clip_image004[3]
$1,353 $1,732 128.0% Entry Door Replacement (steel) $1,172 $1,470 128.9% clip_image004[4]
$100,023 $73,551 73.5% Family Room Addition $82,756 $54,051 65.3% clip_image002[7]
$83,463 $45,245 54.2% Sunroom Addition $73,167 $37,118 50.7% clip_image002[8]
$184,839 $143,073 77.4% Two-Story Addition $156,309 $107,286 68.6% clip_image002[9]
$63,803 $53,923 84.5% Major Kitchen Remodel $57,215 $41,260 72.1% clip_image002[10]
$124,579 $90,616 72.7% Master Suite Addition $103,696 $67,578 65.2% clip_image002[11]
$23,210 $21,991 94.8% Minor Kitchen Remodel $21,411 $16,773 78.3% clip_image002[12]
$24,712 $18,829 76.2% Roofing Replacement $19,731 $13,133 66.6% clip_image005
Lee Ginsburg

Realtors Help Seniors
February 16, 2010 · · 1 Comment

RSVP is Coming

May 3-7

Get The Word Out!

Register now at http://www.samcar.org/userfiles/file/RSVP10_homeownerAPP.pdf

repair

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