Just because you’ve got a 30-year loan doesn’t mean you have to spend 30 years paying it off. These tips can help you reach the finish line up to 10 years early.
4 Simple Strategies to Shave Years Off Your Mortgage
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
4 Simple Strategies to Shave Years Off Your Mortgage
Great article from Zillow.
Just because you’ve got a 30-year loan doesn’t mean you have to spend 30 years paying it off. These tips can help you reach the finish line up to 10 years early.
4 Simple Strategies to Shave Years Off Your Mortgage
Just because you’ve got a 30-year loan doesn’t mean you have to spend 30 years paying it off. These tips can help you reach the finish line up to 10 years early.
4 Simple Strategies to Shave Years Off Your Mortgage
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Selling Your Home? The Importance of Using an Agent
When a homeowner decides to sell their house, they obviously want the best possible price with the least amount of hassles. However, for the vast majority of sellers, the most important result is to actually get the home sold.
In order to accomplish all three goals, a seller should realize the importance of using a real estate professional. We realize that technology has changed the purchaser’s behavior during the home buying process. For the past two years, 92% of all buyers have used the internet in their home search according to the National Association of Realtors’ most recent Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers.
However, the report also revealed that for the second year in a row 96% percent of buyers that used the internet when searching for a home purchased their home through either a real estate agent/broker or from a builder or builder’s agent. Only 2% purchased their home directly from a seller whom the buyer didn’t know.
Buyers search for a home online but then depend on an agent to find the actual home they will buy (53%) or negotiate the terms of the sale & price (31%) or understand the process (63%).
Stephen Phillips, the Chief Operating Officer for HSF Affiliates LLC, put it best:
“Home buyers are more informed than ever with their Internet searches and ongoing research; however, there’s a critical need to transform that information into analysis and advice that helps consumers make the best home-buying and selling decisions.”
The plethora of information now available has resulted in an increase in the percentage of buyers that reach out to real estate professionals to “connect the dots”. This is obvious as the percentage of overall buyers who used an agent to buy their home has steadily increased from 69% in 2001.
Bottom Line
If you are thinking of selling your home, don’t underestimate the role a real estate professional can play in the process.
Source: Simplifying the Market | Jim Carpeneti
http://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2015/03/02/selling-your-home-the-importance-of-using-an-agent/?a=174979-286f777dfd2c975c125e258872c60f74
Monday, March 2, 2015
My new listing on 2355 Beach Blvd., Pacifica
My new listing!
Hello everybody. I got a great condo listing in Pacifica with a great view of the ocean and walking distance to beach. I will be hosting the open house this weekend 3/7 & 3/8 from 1:30 to 4:30pm. Please stop by if you have a chance.
10420 South DeAnza Blvd.
Cupertino, CA95014
408-725-4000
Real Estate Email Flyers by EmailFlyers.net
Hello everybody. I got a great condo listing in Pacifica with a great view of the ocean and walking distance to beach. I will be hosting the open house this weekend 3/7 & 3/8 from 1:30 to 4:30pm. Please stop by if you have a chance.
|
10420 South DeAnza Blvd.
Cupertino, CA95014
408-725-4000
Real Estate Email Flyers by EmailFlyers.net
Are House Prices Beginning to Accelerate Again?
In a recent post, we explained that the supply of homes for sale in December was at its lowest level in over a year. The January National Housing Trend Report from realtor.com now reveals that inventory in January has decreased another 6.7% month over month and 8.7% year over year. This is occurring at the same time that buyer activity (demand) remains strong.
This prompted realtor.com’s Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke to report:
“January’s inventory data suggest a continuation of the tightening trend we identified last month in the December data, and with a shortage of inventory typically comes increased home prices. Half of the 200 markets realtor.com tracks experienced year-over-year price increases of at least 6% in January.”
This after the National Association of Realtors (NAR) had already reported in their latest quarterly report:
“The majority of metropolitan areas experienced steady but slightly stronger price growth in the fourth quarter of 2014, behind a decline in housing supply and an uptick in demand fueled by lower interest rates and a stronger job market.”
Bottom Line
Whether you are a first time buyer or a move-up buyer, now may be time to purchase a home – before prices increase any further.
Source: http://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2015/02/25/are-house-prices-beginning-to-accelerate-again/?a=174979-286f777dfd2c975c125e258872c60f74
America’s Most Innovative Tech Hubs
Happy Monday folks!
It's no secret that one of the reasons why the Silicon Valley has such a hot real estate market is all the high tech companies that are here. These companies not only create jobs, but higher paying jobs. And generally speaking, where there are high paying job, there is a robust real estate market.
It's no secret that one of the reasons why the Silicon Valley has such a hot real estate market is all the high tech companies that are here. These companies not only create jobs, but higher paying jobs. And generally speaking, where there are high paying job, there is a robust real estate market.
America’s Most Innovative Tech Hubs
It’s no surprise when San Jose and San Francisco — the engines that power the tech industry in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area — dominate a list of innovative U.S. cities. But what about bucolic Corvallis, Oregon? Or quaint Burlington, Vermont, population 42,284?
These cities also made the cut for America’s Most Innovative Cities, NerdWallet’s guide for understanding where the impact of tech funding, innovation and startup activity is the strongest. Resident for resident and startup for startup, these cities have an outsize impact.
Key takeaways
Silicon Valley is by far the leader. With a high number of patents per capita and venture capital funding figures that no other place comes close to, the metro area that includes the cities of San Jose, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara leads all in tech innovation.
The West dominates. Only two East Coast places made our top 10 list — Burlington, Vermont, and Boston, Massachusetts.
Universities are key. Every area in our top 10 is located near a major university, suggesting that higher education and innovation are closely linked.
Factors we considered
Number of patents per 1,000 residents. We looked at the number of patents granted in the technology class by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in each metro area from 2009 to 2013 to find the areas with the most inventive residents.
Financial support for innovation. We examined the amount of venture capital funding an area received per capita in 2014 to understand if entrepreneurs have access to the capital they need.
Economies of agglomeration. Agglomeration — nearness of location — is used here to describe the benefits when companies, like startups, cluster together. The higher the density of startups, the more innovators can benefit from common labor pools and idea sharing.
Source: NerdWallet | Courtney Miller
8 Home Renovations That Will Pay You Back
Happy Monday Everyone! Great article for you homeowners out there thinking of what you should remodel in your home.
8 Home Renovations That Will Pay You Back
When you own a home, it seems like there is almost always something you would like to do to make it more comfortable, attractive, or eco-friendly. But, home remodeling experts tell us, if you plan to sell your home at some point, put your time and effort into one of more of these renovations proven to pay you back because they increase the value of the property:
New garage doors – Nothing says curb appeal like attractive garage doors – and you can’t beat the bang for the buck. A mid-range replacement will likely return more than 80 percent on your investment.
A wood deck – Here’s a renovation you are likely to enjoy – and a $10,000 investment will also return about 80 percent of what you spent.
Exterior siding – New siding will not only give your home a major facelift. It will return a strong 87 percent on project costs of about $14,000.
Attic conversions – Adding another bedroom or playroom upstairs give a home more usable living space without increasing its footprint. The remodel investment will likely return 84 percent of a $50,000 project cost.
Kitchen updates – No need to overhaul the entire kitchen, experts say. Upgrading the counters, and replacing cabinets and appliances will likely cost about $18,000 – and will return some 97 percent of cost. Oddly, a big-ticket total kitchen remodel costing over $100,000 may only return 63 percent of the investment.
New windows – New, energy–efficient windows throughout your home will save you money on heating and cooling bills – and you will probably get a return of 79 percent on a $10,000 investment.
Basement remodel – Another great way to add living space to a home is with a basement remodel. Adding insulation and flooring, and upgrading the walls and ceiling may cost as much as $60,000. But return on investment is estimated at 77 percent.
Back-up power generator – The unpredictable weather of the past few years has led to a surge in the popularity of this relatively inexpensive home addition. An average cost of $11,000 could net you a 67 percent return on your investment.
8 Home Renovations That Will Pay You Back
Source: RISMedia's House Call, Posted on Feb 5 2015 - 12:00pm by Barbara Pronin
8 Home Renovations That Will Pay You Back
When you own a home, it seems like there is almost always something you would like to do to make it more comfortable, attractive, or eco-friendly. But, home remodeling experts tell us, if you plan to sell your home at some point, put your time and effort into one of more of these renovations proven to pay you back because they increase the value of the property:
New garage doors – Nothing says curb appeal like attractive garage doors – and you can’t beat the bang for the buck. A mid-range replacement will likely return more than 80 percent on your investment.
A wood deck – Here’s a renovation you are likely to enjoy – and a $10,000 investment will also return about 80 percent of what you spent.
Exterior siding – New siding will not only give your home a major facelift. It will return a strong 87 percent on project costs of about $14,000.
Attic conversions – Adding another bedroom or playroom upstairs give a home more usable living space without increasing its footprint. The remodel investment will likely return 84 percent of a $50,000 project cost.
Kitchen updates – No need to overhaul the entire kitchen, experts say. Upgrading the counters, and replacing cabinets and appliances will likely cost about $18,000 – and will return some 97 percent of cost. Oddly, a big-ticket total kitchen remodel costing over $100,000 may only return 63 percent of the investment.
New windows – New, energy–efficient windows throughout your home will save you money on heating and cooling bills – and you will probably get a return of 79 percent on a $10,000 investment.
Basement remodel – Another great way to add living space to a home is with a basement remodel. Adding insulation and flooring, and upgrading the walls and ceiling may cost as much as $60,000. But return on investment is estimated at 77 percent.
Back-up power generator – The unpredictable weather of the past few years has led to a surge in the popularity of this relatively inexpensive home addition. An average cost of $11,000 could net you a 67 percent return on your investment.
8 Home Renovations That Will Pay You Back
Source: RISMedia's House Call, Posted on Feb 5 2015 - 12:00pm by Barbara Pronin
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Five Key Tips to a Smooth Bathroom Remodel
Five Key Tips to a Smooth Bathroom Remodel
Bathroom remodeling is an extensive process involving many parts. If you miss a piece, there’s a good chance your project is going to head south, requiring you to spend more money than you’d intended on parts and repairs. It’s important to consult with a bathroom remodeling contractor before you begin your project to make sure you’re covering all the bases and avoiding these common mistakes:
Budget
Budgeting for the cost of a bathroom remodel is imperative to a successfully finished product. If you budget for small improvements and then invest in expensive materials or major renovations, there’s a good chance you’ll go over budget and find yourself cutting corners mid-project to make up for the added expenses. It’s best to shop around for materials and ideas ahead of time. This allows you to save money for the materials you really want. It’s also smart to leave some cushion in your budget for any unforeseen complications.
Energy efficiency upgrades
Bathroom renovations provide a great opportunity to go green. While some green renovations are a bit more expensive on the front end -- dual-flush toilets, double-pane windows and bamboo flooring, for example -- they can also save you money over the long term. Some smaller-scale, less expensive improvements can also provide long-term financial and environmental benefits. Consider LED lighting, low-flow showerheads and automatic shut-off faucets.
Ventilation
Replacing the ceiling fan in your bathroom will help keep mold and mildew at bay. Airflow keeps moisture from building up humidity in small areas, which can rust metal and encourage mold growth on flooring and cabinets. You might need to hire an HVAC contractor to do the installation; they can recommend the best ceiling fan for your climate and bathroom size.
Fixture Choices
Bathroom fixtures aren’t something you’ll want to skimp on. It’s best to buy quality, durable materials to avoid short-term repairs and replacements. This applies to flooring, lighting and appliances. Speaking with a bathroom designer will ensure that you get the best product for your budget -- especially when it comes to your bathtub and shower. Cheap plumbing components can break down easily, causing leaks and other issues.
Storage
Strive to create enough space for the essentials without cluttering your bathroom with cabinets and shelves. You will probably need space for your linens -- towels, washrags, hand towels, etc., along with your toiletries and other essentials. You’ll also want to make space for cleaning products, so that it will be easy to keep your new bathroom looking its best. Shelving is ideal for toiletries and such; cabinets are optimal for everything else.
Five Key Tips to a Smooth Bathroom Remodel
Posted on Jan 26 2015 - 11:42am by Andrea Davis with RISMedia Housecall
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