Saratoga, CA Lifestyle Search
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC conducted a survey in April 2011 and found out that at least 1 in 5 homeowners say that their community does not fit their lifestyle. This suggests that homebuyers would place more weight on lifestyle criteria in future home searches next time around,…
Escrow in California
Escrow is a neutral, impartial third party that acts on the instructions of the principals in a real estate transaction. Most California real estate Purchase Agreements (CAR or PRDS contracts) are also escrow instructions, that give authority to the escrow company to transfer title when all terms of the Purchase…
Trustee Foreclosure Sales
I am not a foreclosure expert, but I have received training from Alain Pinel Realtors that empowers me to represent buyers of distressed properties. As I have previously noted on this blog, Saratoga, Monte Sereno and Los Gatos are now experiencing some distressed property sales, but they are generally random…
Distressed Property Educated Buyers Agent
Short sales, (sales of homes for less than the amount of their outstanding mortgage debt) have tripled since 2008, particularly in California, according to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times. The number of transactions rose to more than 160,000 in 2009 from roughly 96,000 in 2008, with more…
Los Gatos and Monte Sereno Foreclosures
Los Gatos and Monte Sereno, CA (zip codes 95030 and 95032) have a relatively small percentage of homes in foreclosure, compared with other parts of Santa Clara County, but are not completely immune from the ravages of the economic downturn. There are currently (Mid August, 2010) only 11 Los Gatos…
Los Gatos, CA Interactive GIS Maps
I love interactive maps and potential homebuyers can get lots of important information online at the official Los Gatos City website about property they are considering purchasing. Â You can search by street address or assessors parcel number and get maps showing topography, zoning, general plan designation, buildings, lot size and…
If It Sounds Too Good To Be True, It Probably Is!
Renters: beware that if you do a search on Craig’s list and find a listing for a rental property that sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Today I was contacted by a young woman who did a Google search for 7129 Cerro Crest and found my Saratoga…
How Old Are Most Saratoga Homes?
During the decade when I was born in Saratoga, CA there were only 470 homes built. Most of the surrounding land was in orchards. During the 1950′s the boom started, reaching its peak during the 1960′s. The 1970′s were also active home building years, but it tapered off dramatically after…
What Does a Real Estate Agent Really Do?
When making conversation with someone new to us we often ask “So what do you do?” Here’s my response: “Well, you know when people are buying or selling a home how nervous and stressed out they can get? I take care of all the details and paper work; I support…
Revocable Living Trusts and Real Estate
As a real estate agent I am often asked for advice from home buyers on how title in real estate should be taken and “What are the implications of setting up a Revocable Living Trust?” Â Here I must defer to your CPA and/or attorney, as I am not licensed to…
Alain Pinel Realtors Open.APR.com Website Has Automatic Search Function
You may be aware that 80% of home buyers search the internet first to find their next home and that top real estate brokerages such as Alain Pinel are shifting their media advertising from print to online marketing functionality. However, you may not be aware that you can get good…
Santa Clara County Property Taxes Due Tomorrow
Property Taxes are paid in arrears. The second installment of your 2009-2010 property taxes are due April 10, 2010. This means you must have your mailed in payment stamped by the post office by 4/10/10 or you can pay through the internet (although there is a 2.5% fee for using your credit…
May Home Buyers Write Simultaneous Offers On Multiple Homes For Sale?
The short answer to the question is no, unless they intend to buy both! Two situations are prompting homebuyers to want to make simultaneous offers on multiple properties: 1) a hot market with multiple offers, and 2) a short sale where it may take a bank a long time to…
Saratoga Ground Movement Potential Maps
California statutes require home seller’s disclosure of environmental hazards through reports generated by companies such as JCP/LGS Disclosures, Property ID and First American Natural Hazard Disclosures. They search public records relative to specific assessors parcel and disclose if a property is in an earthquake zone, flood zone or other hazard. In…
Saratoga Real Estate Heats Up With The Super Bowl
The Silicon Valley real estate market regularly starts to pick up about the time of the Super Bowl (wasn’t that a great game)! Inventory of homes for sale in Saratoga, CA 95070 is climbing, but is still a low 86 detached and 11 attached homes. Last week 21 detached homes…
