Lee Sells and Speaks More...

Lee Ginsburg is an award-winning Realtor with 30 years experience in Peninsula residential real estate. With the utmost attention to detail, Lee delivers expert marketing, negotiating, and management of all financial matters. With a strong commitment to honesty, fairness and hard work, Lee has successfully helped first time home buyers, move up buyers and investors.

Lee’s goal is to exceed your expectations. For the latest community information, please subscribe and see how Lee can help you.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Investing 101

Recently Prudential Cal Realty continued its speaker series with Investing 101 with guest speakers Ron Ricard of Investment Property Exchange Services (http://www.ipx1031.com/regions/western/rep.aspx?id=5&region=2&office=0), and Michael McNair of Ira Services Trust Company (https://www.iraservices.com/)(and a panel of Prudential Realtors (http://www.prucal.com/) completed the speakers.
We learned that the best way to acquire property is from inheritance. Much better than receiving it as a gift. When you inherit it, your cost basis is the current market value. If you receive the property as a gift you’re cost basis is the gift givers basis. Cost basis is used when calculating the capital gains tax due when you sell.
investing
Another good method to acquire real property is by exchanging one property for another. With that, capital gains tax is deferred. Although the language is “like property for like property” it is a very vague term. You can sell vacant land and buy a single family home; you can sell a 10 unit building and purchase several single family homes. You can sell a single family home and purchase several condominiums. You cannot live in any of the properties for at least year. Please keep in mind that capital gains tax is deferred but not waived. But there is no limit on how many times you can perform a 1031 Tax Free Exchange.
We were told that Capital Gains tax will be increasing effective January 2013. If you are considering selling and not doing an exchange do it this year and save yourself a 4%.
Remember it is not what you earn it is what you keep and that leads us to the next speaker.
Michael McNair explained to us we have alternatives to the stock market investments for our Retirement Plans. It is called a Self-Directed IRA. With a self-directed Ira one can invest in Real Property, precious metals, deeds of trust and more. Most people using a self-directed IRA to purchase real estate pay all cash. By holding real estate in your IRA, the positive cash flow and appreciation when realized is tax free. That is important today as we learned that for the first time in maybe 20 years one can invest in Bay Area Real Estate and expect a positive cash flow with a 25% down payment. Not only are home prices at incredibly low prices, rents are incredibly high. That combination along with record low interest rates has created “The Perfect Storm”. Great cash flow and great potential appreciation for your Retirement years.
Ira or Shoes
The Prudential agents told us some of the best returns to adding value is still curb appeal and that is to sell or rent. Entry doors, double paned windows and a deck addition added some of the best value. For other value added improvements please visit http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2010/costvsvalue/division/pacific/city/san-francisco--ca.aspx.
The Prudential team also said to limit your management time, screen your potential tenants well. Getting the right tenant can make you a lot of money and maintain your sanity.
Be Sure to attend our upcoming Speaker Series:
Thursday May 24: Estate Planning: How to Protect Your Real Estate Investments
Marc Weissman, ESQ., Weissman & WeissmansJoseph Galligan, CPA, Galligan, Thompson, & Flocas
Trust vs. Will s Transferring to Children
Move and Keep Your Property Tax Proposition 58, 60, & 90
Tax Consequences & Benefits
Thursday June 28: A Seller’s Market??? Home Selling 101: Preparing your Home Sale
Pricing to Achieve Maximum Values Costs Involved In Selling (What is my bottom line?)
Sell or Rents Moving Up? Moving Down? Cashing Out? How To Keep Your Tax Basis
Cost-Effective Upgrades (To Remodel or Not to Remodel)s Inspections and Appraisals
Marketing Your Property (Open House, Home Warranties, Internet, Staging)
Marketing Your Prop
For to register go to speakerseries@prucal.com

“It is Better To Own Real Estate and Wait than Wait To Own Real Estate”
www.LeeSellsMore.com
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Saturday, March 17, 2012

It is a Seller's Market on the North Peninsula of the San Francisco Bay Area

There is a lack of homes for sale on the market today. There are few foreclosures and not many short sales to bring down the value of your home. This might be the time you were waiting for. Prices are inching up ever so slightly and well-priced homes in clean, decent, condition are selling quickly with multiple offers above the list price. I think it might be time for you to talk with your Real Estate Consultant. Sunday Open Homes are over flowing with buyers. They want to buy now with the lowest interest rates ever. With the low interest rates they are approved for a higher priced home than previously. We are going into the prime spring and summer selling season. Please feel free to contact me to discuss the market, your home’s value, and your options. I also help homeowners owing more than the home is worth. I am a certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource.

Please look at these numbers. I don’t run these numbers often. I am in the market every day and I am amazed at these numbers and the major change from last year. A 60% decrease in the number of homes for sale. An average of 13 days for a home to sell! WOW!!!

Active Active Sold in Days on market Current
Mar. 2012 Mar. 2011 2012 for listings in 2012 months’ supply

San Bruno 25 87 33 14 1.7

SSF 32 125 40 12 1.9

Daly City 51 204 79 11 1.5

Millbrae 17 41 15 13 2.75

Burlingame 38 55 19 11 4.75

San Mateo 73 165 83 17 2


Based on these numbers we are in a seller’s market. 3 months of supply is considered an equal market for buyers and sellers.
These numbers were gathered from the MLS and Sam Car on Mar. 11, 2012

"It is Better To Own Real Estate and Wait, Than Wait To Own Real Estate"



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Monday, February 20, 2012

Thinking of Refinancing?

With the lowest interest rates ever, have you been thinking of refinancing?

There is a lot more to it than just the rate.

How much of your current payment is going towards principal?

Want money for remodeling, college, investing?

Should you pay down your loan?

Should you go with a 30 year loan or the 15  year Fixed rate or the very tempting 5 year rate?

I invite you to join us at a Complimentary Mortgage Planning Workshop.

NO SELLING!

Just a discussion on Finding the Right Mortgage For Each Stage of Your Life.  

What is the right mortgage?

When should I refinance?

Should I consider a reverse mortgage?

Mortgage Planning Workshop

Thursday Feb. 23 at 6:30 PM

Millbrae Library, Meeting Room A, Civic Center Plaza Millbrae

Free Parking and Refreshments

For Reservations call 650-871-3200  or email speakerseries@prucal.com

HSHSite30FRM3yr 2012


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Thinking of Refinancing?

With the lowest interest rates ever, have you been thinking of refinancing?

There is a lot more to it than just the rate.

How much of your current payment is going towards principal?

Want money for remodeling, college, investing?

Should you pay down your loan?

Should you go with a 30 year loan or the 15  year Fixed rate or the very tempting 5 year rate?

I invite you to join us at a Complimentary Mortgage Planning Workshop.

NO SELLING!

Just a discussion on Finding the Right Mortgage For Each Stage of Your Life.  

What is the right mortgage?

When should I refinance?

Should I consider a reverse mortgage?

Mortgage Planning Workshop

Thursday Feb. 23 at 6:30 PM

Millbrae Library, Meeting Room A, Civic Center Plaza Millbrae

Free Parking and Refreshments

For Reservations call 650-871-3200  or email speakerseries@prucal.com

HSHSite30FRM3yr 2012


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Sunday, January 29, 2012

After Christmas Sale, – Bay Area Homes up to 60% off

That is a big statement. Macy’s, Target, Wal-Mart and all most other stores put their products on “After Christmas Sales”. Home Sellers in San Bruno, South San Francisco, and all over the San Francisco Bay Area have put their products on the “After Christmas Sale”

I have randomly selected two recently sold homes to use as an example.

3691 Exeter Dr., a 3BR/2Ba. San Bruno home just sold on Jan 18, 2012 for $452,000 it also sold on May 9 2003 for $600,000. That results into a 36% savings in monthly payments. Look at the numbers.

3875 Carter Drive, #106 a 2Br/2Ba. Condo in South San Francisco sold on Jan 4, 2012 doe $277,000 and in April 25, 2006 it sold for $550,000. A 59% savings. Look at the numbers.

As you look at the numbers please note the lower down payment required, and the lower property tax. Both due to the lower home price. You save all around. Numbers are deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

3691 Exeter Dr. San Bruno 3875, #106 Carter Dr SSF
2012 2003 Difference 2012 2006 Difference
Purchase Price $452,000 600,000 25% 277,000 550,000 50%
Down Payment 90,400 120,000 55,400 110,000
Loan 361,600 480,000 221,600 440,000
Interest Rate 4.25 5.75 4.25 6.5
Principal and Int. 1726. 2801 1090 2781
Property Tax @1.1% 415 550 254 504
Monthly Payment 2140 3351 1344 3285 59%

I selected these properties randomly. You might find savings greater or lesser. I want to point out to you by using real numbers the “Perfect Storm” has arrived; Low interest rates and low home prices. In the past if rates went down prices would go. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. If the I Pad was on sale like homes are on sale you would be on line at 4AM. For all of the potential buyers waiting for the right time, this is your wake up call. The time is right. Ken Rosen of the Fisher Center at UC Berkeley says “This is the best time to buy a home in 30 years”

Considering buying or want to learn more call your favorite Realtor or come to my Free Home Buying Seminar. Click here for more info and registration.

"It is Better To Own Real Estate and Wait, Than Wait To Own Real Estate"


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Sunday, January 15, 2012

San Bruno Eye Sore is about to Go

The Treetops apartments on Skyline and Sharp Park broke ground for renovation. (It’s about time)

I thought you would be interested.

7 years after being closed down, renovation will begin and is scheduled to be completed by summer of 2013.

for more information Click Here

http://www.mercurynews.com/san-mateo-county-times/ci_19731829

tree top

The San Bruno Ave. Caltrain Grade Separation Project is moving along. Can’t wait for completion.

Completion is scheduled for the end of this year. We'll see.

for more information Click Here

http://sanbruno.ca.gov/pw_proj_current.html#streets

I will be hosting a Home Buying Seminar. If you are in thinking about buying I think you will find it quite helpful.

for more information Click Here

http://leesellsmore.com/RealtorWebPage?custompage_id=1567686030


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