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Cheryl Bower, Realtor , GRI, ABR Cell 415.999.3450 DRE 01505551 Cheryl@cbower.com www.cbower.com |
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Cheryl Bower, Realtor , GRI, ABR Cell 415.999.3450 DRE 01505551 Cheryl@cbower.com www.cbower.com |
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ShareThere are what will seem like over 1,000 details between “I think it’s time to move” and “We’re finally unpacked!”
I’ll help you with more of them than any other Realtor.
What are you getting when …
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Eco-friendly products for your home & family
The latest scoop on market trends & mortgage updates
The latest queries from buyers & sellers
Current happenings in our S.F. and Peninsula communities
After a down month in May, the sales of newly-built homes appears back on track.
As published by the Census Bureau, June’s New Home Sales report showed:
There are now just 210,000 new homes for sale nationwide.
June’s data is a major improvement over May, but it’s possible that the true “new home market” may be softer than the statistics suggest. This is for several reasons.
First, we’re comparing June’s sales data to the worst month in New Home Sales history.
In May, sales of new homes totaled just 267,000 units nationwide. That’s one-quarter fewer sales than in the previous worst month in New Home Sales history. May’s sales levels were awful by any measure but June’s improvement to 330,000 units remains second-worst sales levels ever posted.
Second, although much improved, June’s new home supply of 7.6 months is elevated versus the historical norm near 6.0 months. The last year has averaged 7.7 months.
For buyers of new homes , this combination of low sales volume and higher-than-normal inventory may be a positive. It’s the main reason why homebuilder confidence is reeling and the downturn has opened some doors for big discounts and deals. Free upgrades and closing cost credits can make a well-priced home even more attractive.
Plus, with mortgage rates at all-time lows and expected to rise, home affordability is may never be better.
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ShareWest Portal, SF Market Trends as of July 23, 2010
If you have a West Portal home that you are thinking about selling now may be the perfect time. There is solid buyer demand, the …
Looking to go green, but unsure of where to take your first step? Try the greenest spot of your home: your yard. Green gardening is a great starting point for any journey toward a more earth-friendly lifestyle. It’s easy to get started, it’s fun, and changing how you garden in even small ways can [...]
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Today, living green isn’t just a lifestyle choice; it makes solid financial sense. As home energy costs increase, homeowners are seeking simple and smart ways to save energy and consequently save money, too. Trying to create a more environmentally sound household doesn’t have to start with taking out a massive loan in order to [...]
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It’s taken some time but the San Francisco Association of Realtors is updating the S.F. district map!
Now, it won’t be all inclusive of the approximate 100+ names the locals have given (officially & unofficially) but it’s a start!
At 7,333 words, the June Fed Minutes is the unabridged version of the more well-known, post-meeting press release. The corresponding press release was just 360 words. It turns out, the Fed’s words are doing wonders for mortgage rates.
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Great news! Recology will be the new service provider for garbage, recycling and compost pick up for San Mateo County residents. Under the current service, pick up of recyclables happens bi-monthly which means multiple bins fill up & sit at the side of our house. Residents also have to sort paper from metals/plastics and pick up of compostable food waste is not a provided service.
The Community Coalition on High Speed Rail (CC-HSR) will present an informational program on High Speed Rail and Eminent Domain. You’re invited! As many of you know, the California High Speed Rail Authority is proposing to build an elevated structure between San Jose and San Francisco along the present Caltrain corridor. If that proposal comes to pass (and it’s not a “done deal” yet, and CC-HSR and other groups are fighting it), the Authority will need to take property from private parties along portions of the corridor. Some takings will be permanent but others will be for construction purposes only. In either event, these takings will have a significant impact on Peninsula homes and businesses.
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ShareNew Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule in Effect April 22, 2010
If you own a pre-1978 home, here is new legislation which may impact your next renovation project.
As provided by SFAR:
The Federal Lead-Based Paint …
In May 2010, Retail Sales at non-store retailers — a category that includes Amazon and eBay — topped $29 billion, up 16 percent from May 2009. Clearly, Americans are doing an increasing amount of shopping online. But how well are we protecting our identities?
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ShareAction Alert – Condo Bypass for TIC owners in S.F.
Here’s the scoop for S.F. homeowners as provided by Plan C:
We have good news to report regarding the proposed one time “condo bypass” for TIC owners, …
In a near-unanimous vote, the House of Representatives gave the FHA power to raise the monthly mortgage insurance premiums it charges to its borrowers.
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What a great eco-friendly, affordable idea! ZippGo: Green, Plastic moving boxes
In my internet meandering this morning I came across this great eco-friendly, affordable moving resource: ZippGo
Here’s their scoop:
Moving is complicated and wasteful – we …
ShareI love, love, love my Mac!!! Check out my first video created via iMovie & pics uploaded from iPhoto. Super easy; still needs some tweaking. What do you think?
I sense a pet video is next …
April marks the third straight month that pending home sales are up and today’s buyers should take note. This is because, according to the National Association of Realtors®, 80% of homes under contract close within 60 days.
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As lenders tighten mortgage guidelines, minimum downpayment requirements are increasing. It’s leading to an increase in the number of buyers accepting cash gifts from family. There’s a right and wrong way to accept a gift.
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ShareAs provided by Leonard Spoto of Asset Exchange Company :
Many of our 1031 Exchange clients hold title to their investment property in a Trust. To understand why, it may make sense to review the basic …
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As provided by SFAR:
San Francisco homeowners have a new way of paying for solar panels, energy-efficient appliances and low-flow toilets.
A new city-run program, GreenFinanceSF, will give San Franciscans the money to pay for such projects …
ShareDetails as provided by SFAR:
Distressed homeowners no longer have to pay California state income tax on debt forgiven in a short sale, foreclosure, or loan modification.
Enacted into law on Monday (April 12, 2010), Senate Bill …
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WEEKLY HOT RATES for the week ending 5/18/2010 as provided by Guarantee Mortgage
30 Yr Fixed Conforming to $417K 4.625%
“1.000″ POINTS APR = 4.820%
30 Yr Fixed Jumbo to $729,750 4.750%
“1.000″ POINTS APR= 5.080%
30 Year …
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Why hiring a mortgage broker vs. working with a direct lender makes sense in today’s market!
As provided by the fine folks at Guarantee Mortgage (my comments are in red):
1. Mortgage Brokers are trained to …
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On March 25, 2010 California approved a new $10,000 First-Time Homebuyer tax credit for purchases that close escrow on or after May 1, 2010. (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 17059.1)
For full details …
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CAR-Sponsored Bill to Protect Borrowers from Lenders—Call Your State Senator Today
As shared by SFAR:
The California Association of REALTORS® (CAR) is sponsoring SB 1178 (Corbett) to extend anti-deficiency protection to homeowners who had refinanced from “purchase …
ShareMedian Sales Price Continues Its Upward Trend
In San Francisco’s Housing Market
Here’s the scoop as provided by SFAR:
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 17, 2010 – Healthy sales activity, driven by low mortgage rates, tax incentives, and attractive …
ShareWhen I’m working with buyers or sellers, I run market trend reports for both the city/community and the specific neighborhood (if there is enough data) in addition to checking comps. It’s important to keep in …
A mortgage approval is never final until it’s funded. A host of things can “go wrong” while your home loan is underway. Some are in your control, many more are not. And just being aware of some potential pitfalls could help save your loan down the road, and your peace of mind today.
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Insurance is a part of your home closing process. So, outside of being sure that you have an agent that cares about your purchase and protection, offers a reasonable rate and appropriate coverage, you want to make sure that there will be no hiccups in your closing process!
Some insurance companies have specific issues with [...]
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ShareI’ve been pulled out from my temporary blogging hiatus by a post which has been brought on by the incredibly poor communication and service that buyers who are in contract on a property are encountering …
The Federal Reserve says that financial markets “remain supportive of economic growth”. Residential mortgage guidelines, however, continue to tighten. If you’ve applied for a home loan recently, you probably felt it; extra scrutiny on income, assets and credit scores, among other things. The hard proof of the changes, however, can be found in the Federal Reserve’s quarterly survey of its member banks.
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Shopping for mortgage rates takes more than good research skills. It takes a little bit of luck, too.
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Not all home improvements are created equal. Especially if you’re looking for “resale value” back from your work. An article from the Wall Street Journal lays it out cleanly. Function beats flash these days so be wary of where you spend.
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More than 60 percent of U.S. homes are “over-assessed”, says an industry trade group. It causes homeowners to pay more in property taxes than they otherwise should have to. You might be one of them. Have you considered fighting it?
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