Do you know how to choose a home-improvement contractor? Or a long distance telephone plan? Or what to do if you're stuck with a bad car or a leaky dishwasher?
The new Consumer Action Website can help. It tells how to be a smart consumer, plus where and how to complain if you hit trouble. You can find addresses for companies from AAMCO to Zenith.
Log on to http://www.consumeraction.gov on the web. Or write to Consumer Action Handbook, Federal Consumer Information Center, Dept. 29, Pueblo, Colorado, 81009 for a free written copy.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Real Estate Activity Way Up
For the first time in many months, one of my listings received 2 offers on the same day! This particular home was on the market for about 3 months with no offers during that period.
There seems to be a realization that property values are at a stable point and buyers are beginning to make their move. Two years ago, buyers in many cases had to settle with a home that perhaps did not have all the amenties they were looking for.... AND they had to pay top dollar for it. Today, there are some really nice homes available for sale. Home buyers are in a great position to pick out homes with the best views, the best upgrades, the best locations, at the best prices. Moreover, loan rates are still at historic lows. I'm working with several buyers now who had been waiting for months and feel now is finally the time.
Is it a good time to sell? What I've found in the local San Diego area is that homes that were bought over 2 years ago have generally had a net positive appreciation. The larger concern is that some homeowners have refinanced over the last 2 years up to 100% of the home's equity. Those homeowners are in a bind if they need to sell since they may not be able to cover the loans with what they can sell the house for. We are seeing many of these "shortsale" situations coming on the market.
Overall, it seems that we are entering a "normal" market where buyers and sellers are a lot more realistic.
There seems to be a realization that property values are at a stable point and buyers are beginning to make their move. Two years ago, buyers in many cases had to settle with a home that perhaps did not have all the amenties they were looking for.... AND they had to pay top dollar for it. Today, there are some really nice homes available for sale. Home buyers are in a great position to pick out homes with the best views, the best upgrades, the best locations, at the best prices. Moreover, loan rates are still at historic lows. I'm working with several buyers now who had been waiting for months and feel now is finally the time.
Is it a good time to sell? What I've found in the local San Diego area is that homes that were bought over 2 years ago have generally had a net positive appreciation. The larger concern is that some homeowners have refinanced over the last 2 years up to 100% of the home's equity. Those homeowners are in a bind if they need to sell since they may not be able to cover the loans with what they can sell the house for. We are seeing many of these "shortsale" situations coming on the market.
Overall, it seems that we are entering a "normal" market where buyers and sellers are a lot more realistic.
Monday, January 08, 2007
SOLD! 2 Bedroom detached in RB
This 2 bedroom home in the Rancho Bernardo community of Bernardo Heights sold for $420,000. I represented the sellers who have relocated out of state.
Click Photo to View Virtual Tour
Click Photo to View Virtual Tour
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