On the Block, an SFGate.com blog As with all the best blogs, some of the most incisive commentary on On The Block is provided by its readers. A post yesterday about homes that seem incapable of finding buyers prompted many responses. Almost everyone agreed that pricing was key and that, in the cases cited in the post, the home owners needed to revise their thinking on their asking prices. As one commenter pointed out, “A property is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.” Reader “leftcurveball” went further and offered a concise but eminently sensible six-point guide to selling a… read more.
A six-point guide to selling your home
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009Price Security for Home Sellers
Sunday, October 18th, 2009New York Times By BOB TEDESCHI Would you be willing to give away 1 percent of your home’s value if it meant not having to worry about losing more? That is the essence of a product introduced this month by Working Equity Inc., a San Francisco company recently started by former financial services executives. Industry analysts and financial consultants suggest that the product could be useful to homeowners but should be approached with caution. With the product, Equity Protection, a homeowner is charged a one-time fee of 1 percent to 2.5 percent of a home’s value, which is determined by the company. (The fee can… read more.
Some Agents Inflate Estimate to Get Listing
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009Dian Hymer sfgate.com How would you like to find yourself in this situation? You need to sell your home, so you make appointments with three real estate agents. Each prepares a marketing proposal, including a recommended list price for your home. You list with the agent who recommends the highest price. Before you get your home on… read more.
How Home Improvements Affect Your Taxes When You Sell
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009www.TurboTax.com As a homeowner, you may be asking, “Can I ever get a tax benefit out of all the money I’ve spent fixing up my house?” The answer may be yes. You generally can’t deduct the cost of a new roof (or any other home improvement) in the year when you spend the money. But if you keep track … read more.
Commonly Asked Questions about 1031 Exchanges
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009What does the term 1031 refer to? 1031 is the number assigned to the Internal Revenue Code Section that provides for the tax deferred exchange of real and personal property. What does the term Starker refer to? It refers to the landmark 1979 federal case entitled, Starker v. U.S. 602 F2d 1341 (9 th Cir 1979) wherein the court substantiated the validity of the delayed exchange process. Prior to the… read more.
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
Moneysworth Magazine The San Francisco real estate market is very competitive, and in spite of a downturn in the local economy, selling property in San Francisco can still be a hair-raising experience. Besides finding a real estate agent whom you like, there is the obvious matter of getting your property into tip-top shape. You will be competing with many other homes for sale. Don’t allow their property values to nudge you below your desired sales price. Make the real estate market work for you, not the other way around. Listen to your real estate agent. Let him or her advise… read more.
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
by Broderick Perkins www.homestore.com A three bedroom home in a neighborhood of fours isn’t going to sell as well, or for the best price. However, remodeled kitchens and home-office additions don’t come with guarantees that they’ll boost your home’s value – even in a hot seller’s market. Nor should you expect home improvements to shore up your equity… read more.
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
A handy guide for buyers and sellers By Cathy Madrid-Garibaldi AVP/Commercial and Residental Escrow Officer Buyers: DO remember to arrange for fire/hazard insurance for your new property. Different insurers may quote premiums that vary by hundreds of dollars for the same property! It’s a great idea to get at least three quotes, and start that process early; each agent will have many questions for you, and some will want to do at least a drive-by inspection of the property before giving you a quote. Once you’ve settled on the agent you want to use, give his or her contact… read more.
Andrew’s Frequenty Asked Questions
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009Q: Why does it seem like I can generally get more for my money with a TIC in a 3-unit building than in a 2-unit building? With the market in San Francisco remaining quite healthy with relatively low inventory and large price tags, entry-level buyers continue to consider partial interest purchases in buildings (as Tenants in Common – TICs) at the same time they seek out more traditional condominium purchases. Most TIC listings are 2-4 unit buildings that are offered for sale as a whole, although we are beginning to see larger building sales offered and structured as TICs as well. The… read more.
Virtual staging sparks sales of vacant homes
Sunday, July 19th, 2009Judy Richter The Chronicle Realtors already use the Web to showcase their listings online, where buyers peruse them before hitting the home tours. Now comes virtual staging. Here’s how it works: A real estate agent e-mails photos of a vacant home to a stager, who digitally adds tables, chairs, lamps, art work and other items to make the space look more inviting. The… read more.
Constraints on commercial real estate lending eased during the first half of 2010, a trend that should continue as more lenders re-enter the securitization market and life insurance companies pursue a broader range of deals. Unlike a year ago, financing… 