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"

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

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

Thinking of Refinancing?

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

Thinking of Refinancing?

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"

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

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

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

San Bruno Eye Sore is about to Go

Lee Ginsburg on choosing a home loan

Lee Ginsburg on choosing a home loan

Do I Need An Agent?

I was at a recent home buying workshop and someone asked if she needs an agent.

In the Bay Area the buyer does not pay for the agent to help them find a home, help them negotiate; walk them through the process, etc. The buyer also does not pay the agent for helping them digest the comparable properties, or get inside information concerning the home or the comparables, educate them on the neighborhood, and more. The buyer never pays the agent anything. The seller’s agent pays the buyer’s agent for assisting them in selling the home, but the agent has a fiduciary duty and obligation to their client, the buyer.

So why wouldn’t you want someone to do all the dirty work, to bounce ideas off of, and to pick their brains with no cost to you.
Every transaction is different. The buyer’s agent does all of the above and more depending on each individual situation.

The most important task the buyer’s agent performs but hardly mentioned, is helping the buyer maintain their emotions. I have seen buyer’s get so excited about a home that they would pay anything for it. Well maybe not anything but more than necessary. A good agent will protect the buyer by making them see reality. On the other hand they might be offended by the seller’s response and might react by cancelling the transaction or respond negatively and blow the deal. An agent is the buffer.

An agent will help the buyer see through the seller’s messy home to see the bones and layout of the home. An agent will keep the buyer focused on the purpose of buying a home, facing reality and prevent them from getting sidetracked. I remember helping a newly married couple with a baby purchase their first home. They liked the well decorated home in a not so good area. They were not familiar with the area. They were prepared to write an offer and I did not want to discourage their enthusiasm. I suggested on the way home we drive by again. We did and they calmed their emotions and changed their thoughts on their own.

Even in this age of the web, Real Estate is still a relationship business. An experienced agent has contacts and often can find out about the seller’s bottom line, other offers, and the true selling price of the comparable homes (not necessarily the sold price in public records). An offer from an experienced agent with a good reputation will be reviewed more seriously than a part time agent or an out of area agent. An experienced agent in the area is familiar with the customs of the area. They are familiar with the area. I know of an instance that a buyer got very excited about a home with an empty lot next door. The buyer was excited until their experienced agent told them previous to the empty lot a home very similar to the one they are looking at sat there. An experienced agent with a good reputation among other agents and familiar with the area and has a lot more to offer than the internet or a part time realtor friend. Hope you don’t mind another quick story of a buyer working their part time realtor friend. The agent not understanding the loan the buyers were getting requested a $15,000 credit from the seller. Due to the way the contract was worded the buyer’s lender would only allow a $5000 credit and the seller received the $10,000 difference.

I ask the buyer or seller for that matter thinking of representing themselves or using a friend: Would you ask a first year med student to operate on you. You know what they say about attorneys: It is a fool whom represents themselves.

Please remember a good experienced professional agent is on your side, can save you a lot of money and will only “survive” by selling you a home. They will make a good living by selling you, your friends and family a home. They are here not for a one time deal but to transform you the buyer into a raving fan whom will recommend them to others.

To learn more about me and the home buying or selling process please go to: www.leesellsmore.com

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Do I Need An Agent?