Should Home Sellers Take Contingent Offers?
Everyone who sells their home would love a clean, full price offer from a strong, well qualified buyer within the first couple of weeks after they list. If you don’t get any offers at all within the first three weeks, the property is probably over priced and it is usually…
Realtor Property Resource Launched in Silicon Valley
Earlier this year I participated in the beta testing of Realtor Property Resource (RPR), a powerful new tool which is now available exclusively to Realtor members of MLS Listings, Inc. and to date only six other MLS’s in the nation. RPR was quietly launched live to all SILVAR members in…
Closing Costs in Santa Clara County
Image via Wikipedia Each county in California has customs as to who pays for closing costs in a real estate sale transaction. In Santa Clara County it is customary for the seller to pay for escrow charges/fees, title fees (Owners Policy) and County transfer tax of $1.10 per thousand. Buyer…
Maintaining the Value of Living Tree Assets on Your Property
Trees are assets to most properties if they are properly maintained. Often, homeowners want to open up their property to more light and/or better views and hire unqualified tree trimming companies that either don’t know or don’t care about the long term health of the trees they are working on. …
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…
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…
Inviting Prospective Buyers Into Your Home For Sale
We love our pets and feel that they are a natural part of our home – they have rights too! When it comes to selling your home certain precautions need to be taken regarding animals. Â Some cats are restricted to inside only, for their own protection; Â it important that the…
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…
Will A Voluntary Strategic Walk-Away From Your Mortgage Make Your Problems Worse?
I am hearing more talk these days of homeowners who are “upside down” in their mortgage relative to current home value and they are considering voluntarily walking away from their mortgage and giving their home back to the bank. I heard it at a Christmas party; on the street; at…
Saratoga Trees Important to Home Values
Last week Jill Hunter, Vice Mayor of Saratoga, CA asked me if trees contribute to home values in Saratoga and I said yes. Acre+ estate properties frequently have heritage oaks that add to the beauty and distinctiveness of the neighborhoods. On the other hand, they also act as a constraint…
Moving Tip If You Are Selling Your Silicon Valley Home
Image by Emily Lewis via Flickr Moving is a good time to sort out extra furniture that does not quite fit in your new location. Perhaps you are scaling down in size from a larger home; selling a second home; or it’s “just the right time” to get rid of…
Are Shared Home Appreciation Arrangements Good for Retirees?
Home buyers looking for homes for sale in Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and other affluent neighborhoods of Silicon Valley are aware that prices in the upper end of the market are currently soft. Astute home buyers are hoping that home values will rebound in the best neighborhoods as the…
What Green Remodeling Is Smart For Home Sellers?
Image via Wikipedia Are you thinking about doing some remodeling? If so, for the best return on investment, go green. The new term is “eco-renovations†and some homebuyers are paying a premium for the added value of energy-efficient houses. Light Bulbs – Sounds too easy, but CFL florescent light bulbs…
Color Trends: Purple is The New “It” Color
Purple has long been associated with royalty, nobility and wisdom and was at one time only associated with the upper echelon. In today’s economic climate, this once exclusive color is not only attainable, but also marked as the hottest color for the months ahead according to Luxury Portfolio’s LuxeTrends. Alain…
Mortgage Interest Rates Favorable to Saratoga Home Buyers
There is currently a "rate rally" going on, which means that rates are very low and it is a great time to refinance and/or buy a home in Saratoga. Jumbo rates have come down as well and guidelines will be loosening especially with regard to down payment requirements. The…
