May 2012
3 posts
Check out the rates!
Here’s a great article about mortgage rates! from CNN money.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Mortgage rates continued to plunge to new lows this week, with interest rates on the 15-year fixed rate mortgage dipping below 3% for the first time on record.
The 30-year fixed mortgage, the most popular mortgage product, fell by 0.03 percentage points to 3.75%,setting yet another record for the...
Multiple Offers are on coming!
Market is trending back to multiple offers
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Q: I have been told that the trend of multiple offers being placed on a home is happening again. Is this true, and how should I deal with it as a buyer or a seller?
A: Since the first of the year, buyer confidence has returned to the point that desirable properties are receiving multiple offers. The most important point is to have a...
Renters are becoming buyers!
Here is a great article regarding renters. If you are a renter it might be time to think of buying, the interest rates are still low. Get out there and find the area you like and give me a call!
Renters More Optimistic About Buying
A PulteGroup survey of renters says more expect to buy homes in the next two years.
By Teresa Burney
They may have watched the value of their parents’ homes soar...
April 2012
3 posts
Tuesday Tour
Off on Tuesday Tour. Going to find my clients some great houses! Interested in selling? It’s a great time!
The Market is blooming just like the flowers in...
As part of Coldwell Banker, I receive a weekly email from Rick Turley, The President of SF Bay Area Coldwell. The last article I received was very promising for home buyers!
Springtime housing market starting to bloom beyond the Bay
April 16, 2012 in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
Here in the Bay Area we’ve seen a recovery in the housing market for some time now. Things began to turn around...
Where are all the Sellers?
I read this article and wanted to share with everyone.
LOL: We’re having a wild house party- but too many sellers missing out on all the fun!
March 14, 2012 in Uncategorized
It seems like every day I see national headlines decrying the “struggling” housing market and questioning when things will finally turn around. And then I get to work and read the reports from our Bay Area offices showing...
March 2012
5 posts
Selling Your Home in Today's Market
Attention Sellers! Here is a great article sent to me by Coldwell Banker, regarding what sellers should do to get the highest dollar for their property.
As the Bay Area’s housing market continues to bounce back from the recession, more and more buyers have decided they can’t wait any longer – now is the time to get back into the market to find their next home.
While the real estate market still...
http://thenala.com/directory/nonnie-dinges-realtor-coldwell-banker
Warren Buffet: "I'd buy up a couple hundred...
I recently had this article emailed to me and thought it was so interesting. Here is a section from the article.
When billionaire Warren Buffett talks, people listen. And lately the Oracle of Omaha has been talking a lot about real estate and why now is the right time to be investing in housing. In fact, Buffett went so far in an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” as to say that he’d “buy up a...
3 Reasons to use a local agent
I’ve been in Real Estate for almost 30 years in the area I grew up in. That means I know market and most of the agents. Here is three reasons to use a local agent.
1. Local agents may have insider marketing knowledge. In certain neighborhoods in my town, for example, the standard practice is to:
List a home midweek.
Hold it open for brokers only on Thursday — and advertise those...
Good news for Home Buyers in 2012
When I saw this article I knew I had to share with all my clients.
Capital Economics expects the housing crisis to end this year, according to a report released Tuesday. One of the reasons: loosening credit.
The analytics firm notes the average credit score required to attain a mortgage loan is 700. While this is higher than scores required prior to the crisis, it is constant with...
February 2012
2 posts
Why hire a Seniors Real Estate Specialist?
Here is a great article on Seniors Real Estate Specialist from the SRES website.
Why ask a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® to assist you? An SRES® understands that the decision tosell can be difficult. Selling a home can be an emotional time,potentially involving other life decisions. An SRES® understands the issues facing older adults. By taking a no-pressure approach, they can help you navigate...
Save Engery!
Want to save some money on your energy bill? Check this great article out by Brian Ripp.
Here are some suggestions to ensure that your home is energy efficient and ready for the colder winter weather.
Test your homes energy efficiency. You can perform a simple audit of your home’s energy use by following the guidelines at EnergyStar.gov. You can also have PG&E or a home inspector...
November 2011
4 posts
3 tags
Remodeling Your Kitchen? Check Out These Costs.
I am consistently asked about “kitchen remodels” by homeowners thinking of selling in the near future.
It is not uncommon for 70 percent of kitchen remodeling costs to be recouped upon resale. Take a look at this informative article.
http://www.fixr.com/costs/kitchen-remodeling
4 tags
Home Staging Costs
Read this helpful article discussing “home staging when trying to sell a home” from fixr.com.
Interesting point made by the Mortgage Daily News - that most homes that are professionally staged will end up bringing in roughly 3% more than the anticipated price!
http://www.fixr.com/costs/home-staging
3 tags
California Interactive Market Stats
Check out this interactive map from the California Association of Realtors. Simply click on the link below, then select the area you want information for.
http://www.car.org/marketdata/map
3 tags
NAHB Study Examines Fire Sprinkler Analysis Tool
I get questions from home owners about installing Fire Sprinkers- from those considering a major addition to those who are ready to build a new home.
Follow the link in this National Association of Home Builders report to see a tool that can help in your decision making process. Let me know if you have any questions.
...
October 2011
8 posts
4 tags
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5 Expensive (And Unexpected) Things That Can...
Please check out this list of 5 things by Financial Edge to be aware of and most importantly, how to prevent these expensive items from popping up in your home.
Foundation Issues
Mold
Water Damage
Bed Bugs
Sewer Line Problems
Read...
3 tags
13,780 Homes Sold Yesterday....
And you should know that 13,780 homes will sell today and 13,780 homes will sell tomorrow. What are these numbers?
Well, according to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) most recent housing report, this number represents the average number of homes that are being sold EVERY DAY. Pretty powerful if you look at the numbers.
...
4 tags
5 Tips for Buying a Home with a Family
I always make certain that my clients, especially those with children, are comfortable with the following 5 items posted in this article based on a Coldwell Banker report on consumer trends:
Proximity to family
Existing floor plan
Surrounding neighborhood
Future lifestyle needs
Budget
Take a look at the full article below.
...
3 tags
California School API Scores for 2011
I wanted to provide this great tool for checking how the California school API scores ranked for 2011. You can search for all of the test scores for the State of California by County, District and School.
http://www.mercurynews.com/education/ci_18796223
Here is another resource from the California Department of Education.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ap/apireports.asp
3 tags
7 Out of 10 Renters Say Owning a Home is a Top...
Even with the difficulties many Americans are facing in today’s economy, I find it interesting that the desire for home ownership has increased.
72% of renters surveyed said owning a home is a “top priority for their future”- up about 9% compared to 2010. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you view home ownership!
Have your views changed over the past 2-3 years?
...
3 tags
Remodeling? Don’t Forget the Permit
A question I am frequently asked by both buyers and sellers centers around the issue of permits.
It may be an owner who is trying to sell their home and work has been completed without permits, or a potential buyer who is faced with a home they really like but it lacks some permits.
In an ideal world, all major improvements would have permits. Realistically, it will come down to a personal...
3 tags
8 Factors That Devalue a Good Home
The 8 factors identified in this article must be considered when looking at a home purchase, selling your home or if you are considering a remodel. I am always willing to check out these variables “ahead of time” to help you make an informed decision “before” you invest or to help you make the most of your current home.
...
September 2011
3 posts
3 tags
Demographic Trends 2000-2020 for California
Make sure you select “California” when you open this link. Check out your county to see where growth will occur and by how much. The projection by this report is that the U.S. population will increase to 337.1 million by 2020, an increase of 27.7 million from 2010 to 2020 (8.9 percent).
Ask me for my opinion of what these scenarios may mean to you as a buyer or seller of real...
4 tags
Downpayment Sources For Recent Home Buyers,...
Ever wonder how the “typical buyer” comes up with their down payment and how this has changed over the past 5 years?
One interesting finding in this “Profile of Home Buyers” survey by the National Association of Realtors, is that there was a 16% increase in the use of their “savings” as the source of downpayment.
It will be interesting to see how 2011 compares...
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