Sellers
Some Agents Inflate Estimate to Get Listing
Dian 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 … Continue reading
How Home Improvements Affect Your Taxes When You Sell
www.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 … Continue reading
Commonly Asked Questions about 1031 Exchanges
What 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 … Continue reading
Seller Tips
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 … Continue reading
Remodeling for Resale
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 … Continue reading
Escrow Do’s and Don’ts
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 … Continue reading
Glossary of Common Real Estate Terms
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM): A mortgage where the rate changes over time in line with movements in an index. ARMs are also referred to as AMLs (adjustable mortgage loans) or VRMs (variable rate mortgages). Adjustment Period: The length of time … Continue reading
Andrew’s Frequenty Asked Questions
Q: 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 … Continue reading
Virtual staging sparks sales of vacant homes
Judy 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 … Continue reading
Earthquake Insurance
Many people think that their homeowner’s policy protects them against earthquake damage, but most standard homeowners, mobile home owners, condominium, and renters insurance policies do not; instead, it must be purchased separately. By law, insurers must offer earthquake coverage to … Continue reading
