Entries categorized as ‘Real Estate’
Going Green is not only a way to help our planet, it’s a way of life.
There are 7 categories in being Green. Where do you fit in?
- Economizers: Those who are interested in saving on operating costs through resourse management.
- Investors: Those who are interested in life-cyle cost analysis and the value proposition of various green features.
- Health Conscious: Those who believe in the potential health benefits of green living.
- Idealists: Those who believe that conservation of resources for future generation is a social responsibility.
- Lifestyle-Focused: Those who think that living by overall sustainability principles contributes to a more meaningful and comfortable personal lifestyle.
- Eco-Chic: Those who are interested in the status and prestige of green living.
- Skeptical/Unaware: Those who are skeptical of the green hype or are unaware of the benefits of being green.
Which are you?
Now that you know which category you fit into, take it one step further and find out how big is your carbon footprint? WHAT’S YOUR EARTH IMPACT?
Jill Denton
Realtor, Lic #01804876
Categories: Green · Real Estate
Sooner or later, most homeowners will be in a position to sell their home. This report summarizes the top five mistakes that home sellers make, simply because the experience is new to them.
Mistake #1. Using a Real Estate Agent Instead Of a Realtor
When you’re looking for help buying or selling property, it’s important to remember that the terms “real estate agent” and “Realtor” are not synonymous.
To be a Realtor, you must be a member in good standing of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The equivalent organization in Canada is the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). Both are non-profit trade organizations that promote real estate information, education and professional standards.
NAR and CREA members adhere to a strict code of ethics founded on the principle of providing fair and honest service to all consumers. Realtor business practices are monitored at local levels. Arbitration and disciplinary systems are in place to address complaints from the public or board members. This local monitoring keeps Realtors directly accountable to the individual consumers they serve.
The National Association of Realtors also has earned a strong reputation for actively championing private property rights and working to make home ownership affordable and accessible.
Mistake #2. Failing to Maximize the “Curb Appeal” of Your Home
When you’re preparing your house for sale, remember the importance of first impressions. A buyer’s first impression can determine whether they’ll choose to look inside. It’s estimated that more than that 50% of shoppers decide to purchase a home even before they get out of their car. With that in mind, be sure to stand outside your home and take a realistic “fresh look.” Then ask yourself (and your Realtor) what you can do to enhance the “curb appeal.” It could make a significant difference in your final sales price as well as the speed of your sale.
Mistake #3. Not Appreciating the Buyer’s Point of View
Unreasonable though it may be, a prospective buyer would like to see a perfect home from top to bottom and inside and out. To improve the likelihood of an easy, fast and profitable home sale, we suggest that you attend to the following items:
On the outside
- Sweep the front walkway.
- Remove newspapers, bikes and toys.
- Park extra cars away from the property.
- Trim back the shrubs.
- Apply fresh, clean paint on your home, wooden fence, and outbuildings.
- Clean windows and window coverings.
- Maintain sprinkler systems.
- Maintain sealants around windows and doors.
- Make sure roof and gutters are clean and in good condition.
- Mow the lawn frequently and plant flowers.
- Keep pet areas clean.
- Take down out-of-season decorations.
On the inside
- The kitchen and bathroom should look and smell clean.
- Vacuum rugs and carpets (and have them professionally cleaned, if necessary).
- Place fresh flowers in the main rooms.
- Put away dishes, unless setting a formal display for decoration.
- Make all beds and put away clothing.
- Open drapes and turn on lights for a brighter feel.
- Straighten closets.
- Put away toys.
- Turn off televisions.
- Play soft music on the radio/stereo.
- Keep pets out of the way and pet areas clean and odor-free.
- Secure jewelry, cash, prescription medication and other valuables.
- Consider removing unnecessary furniture and appliances from counter tops to create a greater sense of space.
- Consider baking cookies or lighting scented candles to create a homey atmosphere.
Mistake #4. Thinking You Need To be In the Home to Provide Details to Prospective Buyers
Allow your Realtor to do his or her job without you on site. Most potential buyers feel more comfortable if they can speak freely to the real estate professional without the owner present. If people unaccompanied by an agent would like to see your property, refer them to your real estate professional for an appointment.
Mistake #5. Over-Pricing Your Home
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of selling a home is listing it at the correct price. It’s one of several areas where the assistance of a skilled real estate consultant can pay for itself versus trying to sell your home yourself.
If the listing price is too high, you’ll miss out on a percentage of buyers looking in the range where your home should be priced. Some people think that if they leave some “wiggle room” in the price, they’ll always have the opportunity to negotiate and accept a lower offer. However, chances are the offers won’t even come in, because the buyers who would be most interested in your home have been scared off by the price, and won’t even take the time to consider it. By the time you correct the price, you’ve already missed exposure to a group of potential buyers.
The listing price becomes even trickier to set when prices are quickly rising or falling. It’s critical to be aware of where and how fast the market is moving – both when setting the price and when negotiating an offer. An experienced, well-trained real estate consultant is always in touch with market trends – often even to a greater extent than appraisers, who typically focus on what a property is worth if sold as is, right now.
This report courtesy of
Jill Denton
925.998.7747
Categories: Real Estate
January 31, 2009 · 1 Comment
Attend a Free First-Time Home Buyers Seminar and learn what you need to know BEFORE you buy your first home.
The class will save you time, money and worry – even if you’ve owned a home before. We’ll discuss and answer your questions regarding: Mortgage, Title, Insurance and Real Estate. Here are a few of the topics:
· Help answering the question, “Am I ready to buy a home?”
· How to get pre-approved to buy a home that you can afford.
· Information on how to buy a home with a low down payment.
· What does the Title Company do for me?
· Do I qualify for the First-Time Homebuyer $7,500 tax credit?
· Why do I have to have home owner’s insurance?
· What to expect with the process of buying a home.
You’ll leave this free seminar with a clearer vision of how the process comes together; as well as, with a free Home Buyers’ Information kit for easy reference.
Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2009
Location: Hometown GMAC Real Estate, 4725 First St, Suite 150, Pleasanton
Time: 10:00am-11:00am
Please register ASAP! Seating is limited!
· Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early to grab a good seat.
· If you need to cancel once you’ve registered, please notify me immediately so we can free up the seat for someone else.
· There is no pressure or obligation. Just come and learn.
To sign up contact Jill Denton:
Email Jill or Call 925-998-7747 for more information.
Please forward this information to your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers who might benefit from learning the process of buying their first home.
Categories: Real Estate
Tagged: bay area, east bay, first time home buyers seminar, first time home buyers workshop, home buyers class
$200,000 PRICE REDUCTION!
Now listed at $1,400,000
If you’re in the south bay, you’re probably familiar with Almaden Valley, but are you familiar with New Almaden? New Almaden is really Old Almaden. Founded in 1852, New Almaden offers the peace and tranquility of the country within minutes of downtown San Jose and Silicon Valley.
The New Almaden Quicksilver Mine in Santa Clara County, California is the oldest and most productive quicksilver (eg: mercury) mine in the United States[4]. The site was known to the Ohlone Indians for its cinnabar long before a Mexican settler discovered the ores in 1820. By the time they were identified as mercury, the mine was perfectly timed to supply the California Gold Rush.[5] The mine ran intermittently after 1927 and eventually closed. It was purchased by the county and is now part of Almaden Quicksilver County Park.
For more history visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Almaden
To learn more about the mines visit: http://www.kammneves.co.uk/abroad/New%20Almaden/almaden.htm
New Almaden is a historic area that has a strong sense of community and a 4,000 acre park in the backyard. Many New Almaden homes back up to the Quicksilver park and residents love the easy access to miles of trails. Take a drive down Almaden Road to the main entrance to the park and you’ll most likely see people on bikes, joggers and horse back riders making they way to the beautiful park.
Some people fall quickly in love with this area and choose to make this magical place home. If you like being close to the hustle and bustle of San Jose, but prefer to have more privacy and space this is a great place to buy a home.
Currently for sale in New Almaden is this Magical home sitting on a one acre lot. Recently reduced $200,000! New Price $1,400,000.
20891 Almaden Road, San Jose
Breath Taking Oak Tree in the Backyard
Four stall barn was designed to be converted into a 4 car garage
One acre lot, 2888 sq ft updated home, 4 bedrooms (2 master suites), 3 full bathrooms – One of a kind home!
Click on any of the photos to get more information about home and see more photos, view the flyer or contact Jill Denton for more information (925) 998-7747.
Check out the Almaden Flyer – one sheet $1,400,000 on this property!
Almaden Flyer – one sheet $1,400,000
Categories: Real Estate
Tagged: 1 acre, almaden quicksilver park, almaden valley, alpaca, backs to open space, backs to park, backs to trails, barn, bay area, california, charming, country setting, for sale, front porch, historic, homes for sale, homes with land, homes with large outdoor space, homes with privacy, horse property, horses, la foret, land, near the city, new almaden, northern california, pasture, restored, riding trails, san jose, silicon valley, south bay, space, stalls, trails, unique home
Learn what you need to know BEFORE you buy your first home. Attend a Free First-Time Home Buyers Seminar in Pleasanton every 6 weeks.
Call 925-998-7747 for more information.
Categories: Real Estate
Tagged: bay area, california, castro valley, danville, dublin, east bay, first time home buyers workshop, fremont, home buyers workshop, how to buy a home, livermore, pleasanton, san ramon, the ins and outs of buying a first home, what you need to know to buy a home
IN
- A reduced carbon footprint: How your home and you impact the earth matters to more buyers who want a home that lets them save energy and lessen their contribution to global warming.
- Outdoor living: Massive fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, and under-patio heating to extend the season are not just for the Sun Belt anymore.
- Fully concealed appliances: That wood-printed cover for the fridge is not enough any longer; now appliances are hidden behind hinged doors.
- Floating homes: Not your father’s houseboat, these nonmobile homes are basically ranch houses sitting on stationary barges in a lake or river.
- Home elevators: Even builders of mid-priced homes are adding this essential for boomers wanting to age in place.
- Pet showers: Clean pets mean clean homes, and who wants to mess up the bathtub when this feature can be a part of the garage or mudroom?
- Freestanding bathtubs: These oversized soaker tubs, or “bath thrones,” have supplanted whirlpool baths as the must-have bathroom centerpiece.
- Bathroom suites: Whether it’s multiple flat-screen TVs or a mini fridge and cappuccino maker, you’ll soon have a whole home inside this one room.
-
Ceiling Beams: Beams were in, then they were out - and everyone painted their beams white. Well, they’re back in, so paint them a warm shade of brown or cover them with a wood veneer.
OUT
- Living rooms: The incredible shrinking parlor has ceased to exist in some homes.
- Voluminous ceiling heights: The absurd look and wasted space of 20-foot ceilings in 12- by 10-foot rooms is finally dawning on buyers. Tiny balconies Room for only one chair is worthless; balconies must now function for entertaining too.
- McMansions: Could it be that “small is beautiful” finally is gaining traction?
Source: Realtor Magazine
Categories: Decorating · Interior Design · Real Estate
Tagged: california, danville, design, dublin, livermore, pleasanton, Real Estate, san ramon
|
County
|
Median price |
FHA limit |
Conforming loan limit |
| Alameda County |
$995,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| Alpine County |
$438,000 |
$547,500 |
$547,500 |
| Amador County |
$355,000 |
$443,750 |
$443,750 |
| Butte County |
$320,000 |
$400,000 |
$417,000 |
| Calaveras County |
$370,000 |
$462,500 |
$462,500 |
| Colusa County |
$318,000 |
$397,500 |
$417,000 |
| Contra Costa County |
$995,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| Del Norte County |
$249,000 |
$311,250 |
$417,000 |
| El Dorado County |
$464,000 |
$580,000 |
$580,000 |
| Fresno County |
$305,000 |
$381,250 |
$417,000 |
| Glenn County |
$230,000 |
$287,500 |
$417,000 |
| Humboldt County |
$315,000 |
$393,750 |
$417,000 |
| Imperial County |
$260,000 |
$325,000 |
$417,000 |
| Inyo County |
$350,000 |
$437,500 |
$437,500 |
| Kern County |
$295,000 |
$368,750 |
$417,000 |
| Kings County |
$260,000 |
$325,000 |
$417,000 |
| Lake County |
$321,000 |
$401,250 |
$417,000 |
| Lassen County |
$200,000 |
$271,050 |
$417,000 |
| Los Angeles County |
$710,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| Madera County |
$340,000 |
$425,000 |
$425,000 |
| Marin County |
$995,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| Mariposa County |
$330,000 |
$412,500 |
$417,000 |
| Mendocino County |
$410,000 |
$512,500 |
$512,500 |
| Merced County |
$378,000 |
$472,500 |
$472,500 |
| Modoc County |
$125,000 |
$271,050 |
$417,000 |
| Mono County |
$370,000 |
$462,500 |
$462,500 |
| Monterey County |
$599,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| Napa County |
$615,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| Nevada County |
$450,000 |
$562,500 |
$562,500 |
| Orange County |
$710,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| Placer County |
$464,000 |
$580,000 |
$580,000 |
| Plumas County |
$328,000 |
$410,000 |
$417,000 |
| Riverside County |
$400,000 |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
| Sacramento County |
$464,000 |
$580,000 |
$580,000 |
| San Benito County |
$790,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| San Bernardino County |
$400,000 |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
| San Diego County |
$558,000 |
$697,500 |
$697,500 |
| San Francisco County |
$995,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| San Joaquin County |
$391,000 |
$488,750 |
$488,750 |
| San Luis Obispo County |
$550,000 |
$687,500 |
$687,500 |
| San Mateo County |
$995,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| Santa Barbara County |
$615,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| Santa Clara County |
$790,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| Santa Cruz County |
$719,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| Shasta County |
$339,000 |
$423,750 |
$423,750 |
| Sierra County |
$228,000 |
$285,000 |
$417,000 |
| Siskiyou County |
$235,000 |
$293,750 |
$417,000 |
| Solano County |
$446,000 |
$557,500 |
$557,500 |
| Sonoma County |
$530,000 |
$662,500 |
$662,500 |
| Stanislaus County |
$339,000 |
$423,750 |
$423,750 |
| Sutter County |
$340,000 |
$425,000 |
$425,000 |
| Tehama County |
$250,000 |
$312,500 |
$417,000 |
| Trinity County |
$200,000 |
$271,050 |
$417,000 |
| Tulare County |
$260,000 |
$325,000 |
$417,000 |
| Tuolumne County |
$350,000 |
$437,500 |
$437,500 |
| Ventura County |
$599,000 |
$729,750 |
$729,750 |
| Yolo County |
$464,000 |
$580,000 |
$580,000 |
| Yuba County |
$340,000 |
$425,000 |
$425,000 |
Source: Department of Housing and Urban Development
Categories: Real Estate
Tagged: bay area, california loan limits, castro valley, danville, dublin, east bay, fremont, livermore, new loan limits, pleasanton, san ramon, tri-valley
Nowadays we hear, “It is not a good time to buy real estate” … then we hear “It IS a good time to buy real estate!” So which is it? You could ask 100 different people and you’d get 100 different answers. The real quesstion is … “Is it a good time for YOU to buy a home?
Before you decide to shop for a new home ask yourself a few questions. For example: Why are you buying a home? Are you a first time home buyer? Looking to upgrade? How long do you plan to live there? What interest rate do you qualify for? Is it a fixed or variable rate? How much are you planning to put down? How much income do you earn? Are you living alone or sharing expenses? What are the many tax benefits? These are just a few questions you should ask yourself. Do your homework. Buying a home is probably the biggest and most important decision you’ll ever make, so make sure that all of your answers are in your favor.
Buying a home in the San Francisco Bay Area can cost a lot more money than in other parts of the county, but typically the return on investment is also a lot more.
Depending on your circimstance, now may be a great time to buy! Why? Because …
Reason #1: Home prices lower than they’re been in long time!
Reason #2: Mortgage rates lower than they’ve been in years!
Reason #3: This is a Buyer’s Market!
Reason #4: Because it’s a Buyers Market, usually you can take a little more time to make a decision.
Reason #5: Plus you typically do not have to worry about bidding wars in a Buyers Market.
Reason #6: Prices are more likely to be negotiable in a Buyers Market.
Reason #7: With a home as a right-off, you’ll most likely pay less in taxes.
Reason #8: If you’re currently renting, you’ll be able to decorate or renovate YOUR home any way you like.
Reason #9: Appreciation! Although real estate moves in cycles, sometimes up and sometimes down, over the years real estate and consistently appreciated.
Reason #10: I’m available to assit you in finding and purchasing the place you’re looking to call home.
Jill Denton, Realtor
Hometown GMAC Real Estate
925-998-7747
Categories: Real Estate
Tagged: bay area, buyer's market, castro valley, danville, dublin, east bay, fremont, livermore, pleasanton, Real Estate, real estate market, san ramon, should I buy a home now
On Thursday (2/7) thanks in part to the lobbying by C.A.R. and NAR members; the Senate passed their version of an economic stimulus package that includes the same increases to the conforming loan limits for both GSE and FHA. According to C.A.R. sources, the President is expected to sign the legislation before February 15th. This legislation will increase the FHA limits to as much as $729,750 in high-cost areas.
Source: Bay East
Categories: Real Estate
Tagged: econonmic stimulus, FHA limits, increase loan limits
California highest median home price by C.A.R. region December 07: Santa Barbara So. Coast $925,000 (Source: C.A.R.)
California lowest median home price by C.A.R. region December 07: High Desert $244,330 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. First-time Buyer Affordability Index – Third Quarter 07: 24 percent (Source: C.A.R.)
Mortgage rates – week ending 01/24: 30-yr. fixed: 5.48%; Fees/points: 0.4% 15-yr. fixed: 4.95%; Fees/points: 0.4% 1-yr. adjustable: 4.99%; Fees/points: 0.6% (Source: Freddie Mac)
Categories: Real Estate
Tagged: alameda, alameda county, california, castro valley, dubliin, fremont, hayward, livermore, newark, pleasanton, real estate stats, san leandro, san lorenzo and union city.
