For Buyers

Mar
25

HGTV’s “My First Place” is Looking for First Time Homebuyers in the Bay Area

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, General Real Estate News
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I was just contacted by HGTV’s “My First Place” to see if there are any first time homebuyers out there interested in a unique opportunity.  Here is the 411: BUYING YOUR FIRST PLACE? Then HGTV is looking for you! MY FIRST PLACE, HGTV’s hit series, is coming back for an eighth season and we’re looking for first-time homebuyers (and their [...]
Mar
02

So Much for the Move-Up Tax Credit

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures & Short Sales, General Real Estate News, Taxes
There is so much mixed feelings about the market right now.  In the Berkeley and surrounding areas, one street is seeing multiple offers and the next isn’t.  The number of foreclosures has gone down drastically, although most buyers think there are buckets of bank-owned homes ready to come on the market.  I don’t think this is the case. No wonder buyers and [...]
Feb
15

FHA-Backed 203(k) Rehab Loans Can Make All The Difference.

Posted In: For Buyers, Foreclosures & Short Sales, General Real Estate News, Home Improvement, Mortgage & Finance
FHA rehab what? You mean there are still loans available to help fix up a house? S-WEET!Here is the scoop: The FHA-backed 203(k) rehab loan is an increasingly popular option in today’s market because so many available properties, especially foreclosures, are in need of repair. And let me tell you, I have been in plenty of them. The bones may [...]
Nov
17

Weekly Interest Rate Overview

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage & Finance
Current Indices For Adjustable Rate Mortgages Updated November 13, 2009 Daily Value Monthly Value 6-month Treasury Security 0.16% 0.16% 1-year Treasury Security 0.32% 0.37% 3-year Treasury Security 1.36% 1.46% 5-year Treasury Security 2.28% 2.33% 10-year Treasury Security 3.45% 3.39% 12-month LIBOR 1.234% (Oct) 12-month MTA 0.544% (Oct) 11th District Cost of Funds 1.272% (Sept) Prime Rate 3.25% (Dec) Looking for [...]
Nov
05

First time homebuyer tax credit extended and expanded!

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Taxes
Home buyer tax credit extended, expandedSan Francisco Business Times – by Kent Hoover   The House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday that would extend and expand the tax credit for first-time home buyers. The provision was included in a bill that also extends unemployment benefits by an additional 14 to 20 weeks and lets all companies, not just small businesses, [...]
Nov
02

Home Prices in Southwest Berkeley Rise

Posted In: Berkeley, For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate News, Local Market Statistics
Well, Berkeley is pulling it off once again.  While the rest of the nation continues to see prices decline, and see houses not sell, our little mecca is holding its own. This article, posted today in the Daily Californian, explains this further.  Several of my colleagues are quoted- kuddos to them for their part in this article.  Daily Californian By Melody [...]
Oct
30

It’s a Scam

Posted In: For Buyers, General Real Estate News, Taxes, Uncategorized
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A client of mine recently closed on his first house.  As I do with all of my clients I forewarned him that he would receive a TON of junk mail and advised him on what to ignore and what not to ignore, and if he received anything that he was confused about to let me know. He contacted me regarding a [...]