Real Estate by Rebekah

Campbell home sales

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:29:00 +0000

Over 1600 homes sold in san jose in June - everything that's put on the market that's even close to priced right is selling! SanJose-RealEstate.com

Homes Just Listed and Just Sold homes in 95117 west San Jose

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 20:27:00 +0000

I The average listing price shown here doesn't matter AT ALL.

BUT look at the Median SALES price - up a whopping 13.7%

Which basically means that last year homes were selling for about $70K less than this year.

Most folks can't save that kind of dough in a year so it makes sense to channel their rent into a purchase and leverage their savings that is currently getting 1% interest and switch it into making closer to the 10%+ range.

That's putting your money to work!

Current Market Trends have high deman, low inventory and multiple offfers.

So, hire a broker that knows how to get the job done.

Average Listing Price

$579,080

+5.3%

w-o-w

Median Sales Price

$535,000

+13.7%

y-o-y

Average Price/sqft

$329

+4.1%

y-o-y

Number of Sales

+1.7%

y-o-y

West san jose home sales

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 22:45:00 +0000

Just love the look of this 'flower' on Monroe

West San Jose

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:49:00 +0000

Taking a moment to appreciate the moment this morning on my front step. I am enjoying the cool morning breeze while rocking in my whicker patio furniture rocking chair and thumbing through the new Sunflower Market Flyer - how did I get so granola?!
I think I'm gonna blame it on the socialist republic of San Jose - or just on choosing a low stress high quality life over the worlds stressful striving for stuff

We are so blessed to have whole foods, trader joe's, fresh and easy, sunflower and even .99 store - where I get my organic kale- all within just a few miles of my house - so I hope you live nearby, too

I tweeted the other day about the new sunflower market opening - make sure you follow my twitter feed if you like to know what's happening in west san jose or SanJose-RealEstate.com I think there's a link here somewhere for my twitter acct.

I like sunflower. I shopped there when I lived in Dallas and it was a nice break from all the BBQ and corn and potatoes.
I'll probably stop by later today or tomorrow because their flyer has a great pic of blueberries for .88 /oz x6 so, I think that means I can get 6 and my caveman can get 6 :-)

Home Stats in 95130, West San Jose, CA

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:06:00 +0000

Average days on market of 33 days, at $450/foot and average sale price of $648 - now if I could just find something that cheap in this area :-)

Status: Active (4)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$629,000	0	-	3	2	1958	1,207	6,000	$483
	Max	$775,800	12	-	4	2	1965	1,564	7,350	$521
	Avg	$695,950	5	-	3	2	1960	1,398	6,506	$499
	Sum	$2,783,800		-
Status: Pending w/ release (1)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$554,950	10	-	3	2	1962	1,217	6,090	$456
	Max	$554,950	10	-	3	2	1962	1,217	6,090	$456
	Avg	$554,950	10	-	3	2	1962	1,217	6,090	$456
	Sum	$554,950		-
Status: Pending w/o release (2)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$589,000	7	-	3	2	1958	1,276	5,814	$458
	Max	$678,000	34	-	3	2	1958	1,285	6,098	$531
	Avg	$633,500	21	-	3	2	1958	1,281	5,956	$495
	Sum	$1,267,000		-
Status: Pending, do not show (1)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$599,950	5	-	3	2	1960	1,371	6,180	$438
	Max	$599,950	5	-	3	2	1960	1,371	6,180	$438
	Avg	$599,950	5	-	3	2	1960	1,371	6,180	$438
	Sum	$599,950		-
Status: Sold (Closed Sale) (18)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$565,000	3	$525,000	2	2	1940	1,201	5,500	$330
	Max	$729,000	181	$830,000	5	3	1967	1,593	10,824	$560
	Avg	$648,251	33	$665,000	3	2	1959	1,378	6,825	$486
	Sum	$11,668,516		$11,970,000
Status: All (26)
		List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
	Min	$554,950	0	$525,000	2	2	1940	1,201	5,500	$330
	Max	$775,800	181	$830,000	5	3	1967	1,593	10,824	$560
	Avg	$649,008	26	$665,000	3	2	1960	1,367	6,656	$486
	Sum	$16,874,216		$11,970,000

Home stats in 95131 - San Jose California

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:25:00 +0000

Status: Pending w/ release (2)
List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
Min	$357,500	47	-	3	3	1975	1,647	3,120	$217
Max	$450,000	595	-	5	3	1985	1,744	6,000	$258
Avg	$403,750	321	-	4	3	1980	1,696	4,560	$238
Sum	$807,500	-
Status: Pending, do not show (1)
List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
Min	$365,000	16	-	4	3	1985	1,647	3,120	$222
Max	$365,000	16	-	4	3	1985	1,647	3,120	$222
Avg	$365,000	16	-	4	3	1985	1,647	3,120	$222
Sum	$365,000	-
Status: Sold (Closed Sale) (3)
List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
Min	$514,900	8	$520,000	3	2	1974	1,645	3,600	$304
Max	$564,998	82	$568,000	4	3	1987	1,843	6,000	$326
Avg	$538,299	40	$541,333	4	3	1981	1,732	4,427	$313
Sum	$1,614,898	$1,624,000
Status: All (6)
List Price	DOM	Sale Price	Beds	Baths	Yr Built	SqFt	Lot Size	Price/Sqft
Min	$357,500	8	$520,000	3	2	1974	1,645	3,120	$217
Max	$564,998	595	$568,000	5	3	1987	1,843	6,000	$326
Avg	$464,566	130	$541,333	4	3	1982	1,706	4,253	$273
Sum	$2,787,398	$1,624,000

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West san jose

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:01:00 +0000

Gorgeous day for a garage sale in my cute west san jose neighborhood! How did I get so lucky??!!

My office

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Mon, 28 May 2012 17:01:00 +0000

I coulda taken a pic of my iPhone but I've been sitting in one chair, feet in the other with laptop in my lap all morning

The market is HOT and so is the weather

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:03:00 +0000

We have multiple offers , only 2 months of inventory and gorgeous weather!

Dallas Real Estate Market Remains Strong with 4.7 months inventory

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:03:00 +0000

	Sales	Change from Last Year	Median Price	Change from Last Year	Months' Inventory
Austin	1,738	up 11%	$188,200	down 2%	4.2
Beaumont	151	up 2%	$114,000	down 14%	11.1
Brownsville	39	down 33%	$86,800	down 22%	12.4
Dallas	3,315	up 3%	$162,800	up 1%	4.7
El Paso	420	down 9%	$97,900	down 27%	7
Fort Worth	645	up 5%	$112,500	down 6%	5.2
Houston	5,048	up 7%	$160,400	up 2%	5.9
Midland	134	up 17%	$184,000	down 1%	3.3
San Antonio	1,393	up 3%	$148,400	down 6%	6.6
Sherman- Denison	84	up 22%	$96,700	up 3%	8.8
Temple- Belton	115	up 4%	$120,700	down 13%	7.9
Tyler	198	down 5%	$130,800	up 1%	11.4
Victoria	74	up 37%	$131,100	down 2%	3.8
Waco	153	up 2%	$116,200	down 1%	9
Wichita Falls	81	down 31%	$102,300	down 9%	7.6
Texas	16,505	up 4%	$150,700	no change	6

New Real Estate Laws for 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:27:00 +0000

Topic	Description
Advertising	Regulating False Claims of Government Affiliation A nongovernmental entity generally cannot solicit funds or information by mail, email, or through a website using an emblem or content that reasonably could be interpreted or construed as implying any federal, state, or local government connection, approval, or endorsement. Exceptions apply if: (1) the nongovernmental entity has an expressed connection with or the approval of the government entity; or (2) the solicitation conspicuously discloses in a specified manner that its service or product is not approved or endorsed by any governmental agency. A violation of this law is a misdemeanor punishable by 6 months imprisonment, plus a $2,500 fine. Any person harmed by a violation can recover damages equal to three times the amount solicited, plus any other available remedies. Assembly Bill 75 (codified as Cal. B&P Code § 17533.6) (effective January 1, 2012).
Advertising	Regulating Filing Assessment Reduction Services Anyone who offers filing services for a reduction in the property tax assessment of a residential property is prohibited from using misleading business names, such as, among other things, the words “appeal” or “tax” with the words “board” or “commission.” The assessment reduction filing service must place at the top of every advertisement or promotional material, a specified disclosure notice in at least 2-point boldface font type larger than the next largest print on the page, and enclosed in a box formed by a heavy line. Assembly Bill 75 (codified as Cal. B&P Code § 17537.9) (effective January 1, 2012).
Contractors	Prohibiting Indemnification in Commercial Construction Contracts Starting January 1, 2013, indemnity language (including cost to defend) in a construction contract that protects general contractors, construction managers, or other subcontractors, against a subcontractor is unenforceable if the claims relate to the active negligence or willful misconduct of that contractor or manager as specified. This law does not apply to, among others, residential construction contracts which are covered under other laws, or contracts with the owner of private property. This law also requires the application of California law to these contracts regardless of any choice-of-law rules. Senate Bill 474 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 2782.05) (effective January 1, 2012).
Disclosures	TDS Disclosure of Water-Conserving Plumbing Fixtures The TDS form has been revised to include checkbox in Section IIA for a seller to disclose whether the property has water-conserving plumbing fixtures (low-flow toilets, shower heads, and faucets). The revised TDS also clarifies in Section IIB that, by January 1, 2017, a single family residence built on or before January 1, 1994 must generally be equipped with water-conserving plumbing fixtures. If, however, the single-family residence is altered or improved on or after January 1, 2014, the water-conserving plumbing fixtures must be a condition of final permit approval. Senate Bill 837 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 1102.6) (effective January 1, 2012).
Disclosures	NHD Disclosure of Mining Operations An NHD company must disclose whether a property is located within one mile of a mining operation, according to map coordinate data from the Office of Mine Reclamation. If a property is within a mining operation area, the NHD company must provide a specified notice that such mining operations may cause inconveniences. Senate Bill 110 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 1103.4) (effective January 1, 2012).
Discrimination	Prohibiting Discrimination Against Genetic Information Genetic information has been added to the list of characteristics protected against discrimination under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, the Fair Employment and Housing Act, and other laws. Genetic conditions and disorders may be associated with particular racial and ethnic groups and gender, as evident in the 1970s when governmental programs mandated genetic screening of all African Americans for sickle cell anemia. Discrimination based on genetic information also led to the sterilization in the 1900s of persons presumed to have genetic defects, such as mental retardation, mental disease, epilepsy, and other conditions. Senate Bill 559 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 51 and Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 12900 et seq.) (effective January 1, 2012).
Discrimination	Redefining Discrimination Against Gender The definition of gender is changed to include a person’s gender identity and gender-related appearance and behavior, such as transsexual and transgender. Neither employers nor those in housing, among others, can discriminate based on a person’s gender as redefined. Assembly Bill 887 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 51, and Cal. Gov’t Code §12920, §12926, §12955 and others) (effective January 1, 2012).
Elder Law	Protecting the Elderly in Residential Care Facilities A licensee of a residential care facility for the elderly must generally give a written notice within two business days to all residents, applicants, and their legal representatives, as well as the State Department of Social Services and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, of any of the following: (1) a notice of default or any other indication of foreclosure is issued on the property; (2) an unlawful detainer action is initiated against the licensee; (3) the licensee files bankruptcy; (4) the licensee receives a written notice of default of payment of rent; or (5) a utility company sends a notice of intent to terminate services on the property within 15 days or less. This law shall be known as the RCFE Residents Foreclosure Protection Act of 2011. Senate Bill 897 (codified as Cal. Health and Safety Code § 1569.686) (effective January 1, 2012).
Employment	Prohibiting Misclassification of Independent Contractors An employer is prohibited from willfully misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor. An employer is also prohibited from charging someone who has been willfully misclassified as an independent contractor a fee or make a deduction from compensation for materials, space rental, services, and other purposes, if such acts would have violated the law had the individual not been misclassified. A violation of this law is punishable by a civil penalty up to $25,000, plus other penalties as permitted by law. A violator shall also be ordered to prominently display a notice of the violation as specified on its website for one year. Senate Bill 459 (codified as Cal. Labor Code § 226.8) (effective January 1, 2012).
Employment	Requiring Written Commission Agreements By January 1, 2013, an employer’s contract to pay commission to an employee for services rendered in California must be in writing and must set forth the method for computing and paying the commission. The employer must also give a signed copy of the contract to the employee, and get a signed receipt for the contract from the employee. This law does not apply to bonuses and profit-sharing plans, unless the employer has offered to pay a fixed percentage of sales or profits as compensation for work to be performed. Assembly Bill 1396 (codified as Cal. Labor Code § 2751) (effective January 1, 2012).
Employment	Restricting Credit Reports for Employment Purposes An employer is not allowed to obtain a consumer credit report for employment purposes unless the position of the person for whom the report is sought is, among other things, a managerial position, a position that involves regular access to personal information, a position that involves access to confidential information, a position that involves access to cash of $10,000 or more, or a position where the person is authorized to transfer money or enter into contracts for the employer or is a named signatory on the employer’s bank or credit card account. Assembly Bill 22 (codified as Cal. Labor Code § 1024.5) (effective January 1, 2012).
Escrow	Reporting Escrow Activities to DRE A threshold broker-owned escrow must file with the DRE an annual report of escrow activity, including the number of escrows and dollar volume. A threshold broker-owned escrow is a broker who conducts escrow activities for 5 or more transactions in a calendar year under the broker exemption from the Escrow Law, or whose escrow activities are $1 million or more in a calendar year. The requisite annual report must be filed within 60 days after the end of a calendar year in which the threshold is met. Failure to submit the report will be penalized at $50 per day for the first 30 days, and $100 per day thereafter, up to $10,000. A broker who fails to pay the penalty may be subject to license suspension or revocation. All penalties collected will be deposited into the Consumer Recovery Account under the Real Estate Recovery Program. Senate Bill 53 (codified as Cal. B&P Code § 10141.6) (effective July 1, 2012).
Foreclosure	Disclosing Foreclosure Postponements A notice of trustee’s sale for a non-judicial foreclosure of one-to-four residential units must contain specified notices to the owner on how to seek postponement of the trustee’s sale, and to potential bidders on the risks involved in bidding at trustee auctions. A lender or authorized agent must make a good faith effort to provide up-to-date information about sales dates and postponements to persons who want this information. A lender must also provide updated information through the Internet, a telephone recording, or any other means that allows free access at any time. Senate Bill 4 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 2924f) (effective April 1, 2012).
Forfeiture	Property Forfeiture for Cockfighting A prosecuting agency’s authority to seek forfeiture of property in connection with a criminal conviction for dogfighting has been expanded to include cockfighting as well. The penalty for the misdemeanor against an owner, lessee, or proprietor who admits a minor under 16 years of age to any cockfight as specified has been increased from $100 to $500 (plus a 25-day imprisonment). Senate Bill 425 (codified as Cal. Penal Code § 310 and § 598.1) (effective January 1, 2012).
Homeowners Associations	HOA Disclosures Cover Sheet Upon request for applicable transactions, an HOA must provide a specified cover sheet itemizing: (1) the HOA sales disclosures required by law; (2) the HOA disclosures provided by the HOA; and (3) the estimated fee for providing the required HOA disclosures distinguished from other fees, fines, or assessments. C.A.R.’s standard form Homeowner Association Information Request (revised 11/11) complies with this requirement. The fee for providing the required HOA disclosures must be reasonable based upon the HOA’s actual cost for procuring, preparing, reproducing, and delivering the HOA documents. If such fee is paid, the HOA cannot withhold the required HOA disclosures for any reason. If an HOA maintains the HOA documents electronically, they must be made electronically available to a requesting party at no additional fee. This law also requires an HOA to, upon a buyer’s request, provide 12 months of approved minutes of the association’s board of directors meetings (excluding executive sessions). Assembly Bill 771 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 1368 (b)) (effective January 1, 2012).
Homeowners Associations	Installing Electric Vehicle Charging Stations An HOA must allow the installation or use of electric vehicle charging stations, but may impose reasonable restrictions. An HOA cannot willfully avoid or delay an application to approve an electric vehicle charging station, which may be deemed approved if not denied within 60 days. If a unit owner seeks to install a charging station in a common area or exclusive use common area, that owner and each successive owner of the parking stall on or near the charging station will be responsible for certain costs and for disclosing to prospective buyers the existence of the electric vehicle charging station and related responsibilities. An HOA that willfully violates this law shall be liable for actual damages, plus a $1,000 civil penalty. Senate Bill 209 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 1353.9) (effective January 1, 2012).
Homeowners Associations	Owner's Right to Rent Condo A unit owner in a common interest development is exempt from any prohibition in a governing document against renting or leasing the unit, unless that prohibition was in effect before the owner acquired title to the unit. An owner’s right to rent under this law does not terminate for certain transfers of title, including probate, spousal, parent-to-child, adding a joint tenant, and other transfers exempt from property tax reassessments. For sales transactions, an HOA must disclose any prohibition in the governing documents against renting or lease (C.A.R.’s standard form Homeowner Association Information Request (revised 11/11)). For rental transactions, a unit owner must give the HOA verification of the owner’s acquisition date, and the name and contact information of the prospective tenant. This law does not apply to rental prohibitions in effect before 2012. Senate Bill 150 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 1360.2) (effective January 1, 2012).
Homeowners Associations	Restricting Actions by HOA Board Notice for an executive session meeting of an HOA board of directors (other than emergencies) must be given to unit owners at least 2 days before the meeting. The board of directors cannot take action on any item of business outside of a meeting, except for actions that have been validly delegated to managing agents, officers, or any other persons. A board meeting may be conducted be teleconference as specified, but the notice of a teleconference meeting must identify at least one physical location where members can attend, and at least one director must attend the meeting at that location. A board meeting cannot be conducted by email, except for an emergency in the manner specified. Agendas for executive session meetings are no longer excluded from the records that HOA must make available for inspection. Senate Bill 563 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 1363, et seq.) (effective January 1, 2012).
Landlord-Tenant	Tenant Eviction for Dogfighting or Cockfighting Any property used for willfully conducting criminal dogfighting or cockfighting is a public nuisance. A landlord can serve a three day notice to terminate a tenant for committing or permitting the public nuisance of dogfighting or cockfighting on the premises. Senate Bill 426 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 3482.8) (effective January 1, 2012).
Landlord-Tenant	Tenants Displaying Political Signs A residential landlord must generally allow a tenant to display political signs related to elections, legislative votes, initiatives, and other political matters as specified. The landlord can make reasonable restrictions as to location, size, and duration of display. In a single-family dwelling, a tenant’s political signs can be displayed from the yard, window, door, balcony, or outside wall of the leased premises. In a multi-family dwelling, a tenant’s political signs can be posted in the window or door of the leased premises. A landlord can restrict the size of a political sign to 6 square feet. A landlord can also prohibit a tenant from displaying political signs that violate local, state, or federal law, or a lawful provision in an HOA’s governing documents. A tenant must remove political signs in compliance with time limits set by local ordinance, or absent such time limits, the landlord can reasonably restrict the posting of a sign to 90 days before an election, and require removal within 15 days thereafter. Senate Bill 337 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 1940.4) (effective January 1, 2012).
Landlord-Tenant	Tenants Recycling Rights A multifamily residential dwelling of 5 or more units (or a multifamily residential dwelling or business that generates more than 4 cubic yards per week of commercial solid waste as defined) must arrange for recycling services in an effort to help reduce solid waste. The required recycling services must be consistent with state or local laws to the extent that these services are offered and reasonably available from a local service provider. A multifamily residential owner may require tenants to source separate their recyclable materials to aid in compliance with this law. Assembly Bill 341 (codified as Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 40004) (effective July 1, 2012).
Landlord-Tenant	Tenants Smoking Ban A residential landlord can prohibit the smoking of cigarettes and other tobacco products anywhere on the premises, including any interior or exterior area on the property. For new tenants in 2012, the areas where smoking is prohibited must be stated in the lease or rental agreement. For preexisting tenants before 2012, a new smoking ban is a change in the terms of tenancy that requires adequate written notice, depending on whether the tenancy is a month-to-month or fixed term agreement. Senate Bill 332 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 1947.5) (effective January 1, 2012).
Landlord-Tenant	Victims of Domestic Violence The law allowing a tenant who is the victim of domestic violence to terminate a tenancy as specified has been revised to require that the notice must generally be given within 180 days of a temporary restraining order, police report, or as provided. Assembly Bill 588 (codified as Cal. Civil Code § 1946.7) (effective January 1, 2012).
Licensing	Appointing Branch Managers An employing broker may appoint a licensee as a manager to supervise the licensed activities, clerical staff, and day-to-day operations of a branch office or division. Appointment of a manager does not limit the employing broker’s supervisory responsibilities, but an appointed manager who fails to properly supervise licensed activities will be subject to DRE discipline. Appointment of a manager must be in a written agreement in which the manager accepts the delegated responsibility, and the DRE must be notified when a manager is appointed or terminated. A licensee is ineligible to serve as an appointed manager if he or she has a restricted license, is or has been subject to a debarment order, or is a salesperson with less than 2 years of full-time real estate experience within the last 5 years. Senate Bill 510 (codified as Cal. B&P Code § 10164) (effective July 1, 2012).
Licensing	DRE Citations and Fines The DRE can issue a citation and $2,500 fine if, upon investigation, it has cause to believe that a licensee has violated the DRE rules, or an unlicensed person has engaged in licensed activities. A person cited can request a hearing within 30 days from receipt of a citation. The citation and fine will be in lieu of DRE discipline for the offense cited, and the citation will not be reported as discipline. However, failure to comply with a citation or pay a fine is subject to DRE discipline and non-renewal of license. The DRE may also apply for a superior court judgment in the amount of the fine and order compelling compliance with the citation. All administrative fines collected will be deposited into the Consumer Recovery Account under the Real Estate Recovery Program. Senate Bill 53 (codified as Cal. B&P Code § 10080.9) (effective January 1, 2012).
Licensing	DRE Disciplinary Authority The DRE’s disciplinary authority includes the following: Entering into a pre-prosecution settlement with a licensee or applicant, instead of pursuing an accusation or statement of issue, but the settlement will be considered discipline (Cal. B&P § 10100.4). Including payment of reasonable investigation and prosecution costs in a disciplinary order. A licensee’s failure to pay can result in non-renewal of license. (Cal. B&P § 10106.) Requiring that a restricted licensee pays the costs of monitoring the licensee and monetary restitution to any person who sustained damages caused by the licensee’s misconduct. Failure to pay can result in non-renewal of license. (Cal. B&P Code § 10186.) Automatically suspending the license of anyone incarcerated after a felony conviction (Cal. B&P Code § 10186.1(a)). Conclusively presuming without a hearing that a licensee’s conviction for murder, rape, lewd and lascivious acts, or a violation of dangerous drugs or controlled substances law, is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee (Cal. B&P Code § 10186.1(c)). Making public information confirming the fact of certain investigations or proceedings regarding a licensee (Cal. B&P Code § 10088). Applying for a court order to enforce a subpoena that a licensee has refused to obey (Cal. B&P Code § 10079). Senate Bills 53 and 706 (effective January 1, 2012).
Licensing	Licensee’s Duty to Report Discipline A licensee must report to the DRE within 30 days of any of the following actions taken against the licensee: Disciplinary action taken by any federal or state licensing entity, both California and other states (e.g. California contractor’s license or Nevada real estate license); Any felony indictment or information; or Felony or misdemeanor conviction, including a plea of guilty or no contest. A failure to comply with this reporting requirement will be cause for discipline. Senate Bill 706 (codified as Cal. B&P Code § 10186.2) (effective January 1, 2012).
Licensing	License Expiration Delayed Pending Discipline If the DRE delays the renewal of a license due to a pending disciplinary action, the existing license will not expire until the results of the disciplinary action are final or the license is voluntarily surrendered, whichever occurs first. Senate Bill 53 (codified as Cal. B&P Code § 10177) (effective January 1, 2012).
Licensing	License Suspension for Largest Tax Delinquents The State Board of Equalization and the Franchise Tax Board must each compile and periodically make public a list of the top 500 tax delinquents over $100,000. These lists must identify, among other things, each delinquent taxpayer’s occupational or professional license number. The DRE and other state governmental licensing entities (with certain exceptions) must suspend and refuse to issue or renew an occupational or professional license for anyone on a tax delinquency list. Assembly Bill 1424 (codified as Cal. B&P Code § 494.5) (effective January 1, 2012).
Licensing	Securities Exemption Disclosure for Investors A broker who files certain information with the DRE for exemption from securities qualification must submit a copy of that information to any investor who gives funds to the broker in connection with a transaction involving the sale of a series of notes (or undivided interests in a note) secured by real property under section 10237 of the California Business and Professions Code. Senate Bill 53 (codified as Cal. B&P Code § 10236.7) (effective January 1, 2012).
Local Governance	Allowing Solar-Use Easements Under the Williamson Act For 10-year contracts between landowners and the local government to devote the land to agricultural use under the Williamson Act, the parties can mutually agree to rescind the contract and simultaneously enter into a solar-use easement to use the land for solar photovoltaic facilities for a minimum of 20 years, except as specified. Senate Bill 618 (codified as Cal. Gov’t Code § 51190 et seq.) (effective January 1, 2012).
Local Governance	Financing Seismic Strengthening Fixtures Under the new Seismic Safety Finance Act, a local government can enter into voluntary contractual assessments with property owners to finance the installation of seismic strengthening fixtures. The legislative intent of this law is to make seismic safety improvements more affordable and to promote the installation of seismic strengthening improvements. Assembly Bill 184 (codified as Cal. Streets & Highways Code § 5899) (effective January 1, 2012).
Local Governance	Imposing Mello-Roos Tax for Energy Efficient Improvements The Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act has been expanded to allow a local government to impose a special tax for financing real property improvements for energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy. This law also establishes new community facility district procedures for, among other things, annexation proposals and bond indebtedness. Senate Bill 555 (codified as Cal. Gov’t Code § 53313.5(l)) (effective January 1, 2012).
Mortgage Loans	MLO Applicant’s Criminal Background A mortgage loan originator (MLO) license or license endorsement can be issued to an applicant with a previous felony conviction that has been expunged or pardoned. However, the DRE or Department of Corporations may consider the underlying facts and circumstances of the expunged or pardoned felony in determining whether to issue an MLO license or license endorsement. A person exempt from the MLO requirements under the California Finance Lenders Law may apply for an exempt company registration to sponsor MLO licensees. Senate Bill 217 (codified as Cal. B&P Code § 10166.05 and Cal. Fin. Code § 22065) (effective January 1, 2012).
Mortgage Loans	Reverse Mortgage Restrictions for Insurance Brokers An insurance broker is prohibited from participating in or associating with the origination of a reverse mortgage, unless the broker: (1) Maintains procedural safeguards to ensure that the broker has no direct financial incentive for referring the client to a reverse mortgage lender; and (2) Receives no direct incentive for providing non-casualty insurance connected to a reverse mortgage. Senate Bill 793 (codified as Cal. Ins. Code § 785.1) (effective January 1, 2012).
Mortgage Loans	VA Loans for Refinancing The Department of Veterans Affairs will assist veterans in refinancing their homes. The VA is authorized to acquire a veteran’s home for the purpose of refinancing an existing mortgage loan that is not a mortgage loan acquired under the Veteran’s Farm and Home Purchase Act of 1974. Assembly Bill 697 (codified as Cal. Military and Veterans Code § 987.85) (effective January 1, 2012).
Probate	Value Increase for Probate Exemptions The total value of a decedent’s estate that can be transferred using simplified petition procedures, rather than a formal probate administration, has been increased from $100,000 to $150,000. The total value of all real property in a decedent’s estate that can be transferred by an affidavit procedure, instead of a formal probate administration or the petition procedures, has been increased from $20,000 to $50,000. The amount of salary or other compensation that a surviving spouse can collect from an employer for the personal services of the deceased spouse has been increased from $5,000 to $15,000 net. Assembly Bill 1305 (codified as Cal. Probate Code §§ 7620, 13200, and 13600) (effective January 1, 2012).
Property Taxes	Change in Ownership Statement Procedures New procedures for filing a Change in Ownership statement with the local property tax assessor include, among others, as follows: (1) Deems statement is filed on the date it is postmarked or certified; (2) Increases penalty cap for nonwillful failure to file statement from $2,500 to $5,000 for properties eligible for the homeowners’ exemption, and $20,000 for properties ineligible for the homeowners’ exemption; (3) Extends time to file statement from 45 days to 90 days (including change in control or ownership of corporations, LLCs and other legal entities); and (4) Specifies where the assessor may mail a request for statement or notice of penalty for an identified property. Senate Bill 507 (codified as Cal. Rev. & Tax Code §§ 480 et seq.) (effective January 1, 2012).
Property Taxes	Deferral for Seniors and the Disabled Counties can elect to participate in a County Deferred Property Tax Program that allows senior and disabled citizens to defer payment of property taxes owed. If the claimant who applies is eligible, and the county’s Property Tax Deferral Fund has adequate funds, the county treasurer or tax collector may defer property taxes for a claimant’s residential dwelling for that fiscal year. The amount of deferred tax plus interest shall be secured by a judgment lien as specified. Assembly Bill 1090 (codified as Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 20800 et seq.) (effective January 1, 2012).
Property Taxes	Other Revisions to Property Tax Provisions Seniors and Disabled: Extends from 30 days to 6 months the time an owner has to notify the assessor of the completion of new construction, for purposes of seniors and the severely and permanently disabled transferring their base year value to a newly constructed replacement dwelling of equal or lesser value (SB 947) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 69.5). Seniors and Disabled: Provides that a property is substantially damaged or destroyed by misfortune or calamity if either the land or the improvements are physically damaged by more than 50% of their full cash value, for purposes of seniors and the severely disabled transferring their base year value to a replacement dwelling within the same county (starting with the 2012-13 fiscal year) (SB 947) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 69.3). Disaster Relief: Provides that a property is substantially damaged or destroyed by a disaster if either the land or the improvements are physically damaged by more than 50% of their full cash value, for purposes of transferring the base year value to a comparable property within the same county (starting with the 2012-13 fiscal year) (SB 947) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 69). Parent-Child Exclusion: Adds an interest in a unit or lot in a cooperative housing corporation to the parent-child principal residence exclusion from reassessment (SB 947) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 63.1). Social Purpose: Terminates the tax exemptions for property used for college, cemetery, church, religious, exhibition, veterans’ organization, tribal housing, or welfare purposes upon transfer to a third party who is not eligible for that exemption (SB 947) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 271.5). Disabled Veterans: Specifies that a property is an unmarried surviving spouse’s principal residence even if that spouse is confined in a hospital or other care facility for purposes of the tax exemption for the principal residence of a disabled veteran, veteran’s spouse, and unmarried surviving spouse if the veteran died while on active military duty as a result of a service-connected disease or injury (starting with the 2012-13 fiscal year) (AB 188) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 205.5). Disabled Veterans: Requires the assessor to, before the lien date every year, notify all claimants (including spouses) who received the disabled veterans’ tax exemption the preceding year (SB 947) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 278). Disabled Veterans: Allows refund or cancellation of property taxes for a disabled veteran’s property if a proper application for an exemption is filed within 90 days the property became eligible or the next lien date, whichever is later (SB 947) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 276.2). Paying Under Protest: Modifies the procedure for paying taxes under protest (SB 948) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 620). Small Amounts: Authorizes a tax collector to discharge its responsibility for collecting amounts too small to justify collection in accordance with specified procedures (SB 948) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 2611.1). Refund for Mistaken Payment: Requires the tax collector to refund within 60 days of verifying that a taxpayer mistakenly paid property taxes on property that he or she does not own or subject the credit or refund to interest as specified (SB 948) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 4911). Refund for Overpayment: Requires the tax collector to refund any property taxes paid on an assessment that exceeds the property value as determined by the county assessment appeals board, and authorizes refunds over $10 (SB 948) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 5096 and 5097.2). Administrative Hearings: Defines an “owner-occupied single-family dwelling” as the owner’s principal place of residence that qualifies for a homeowners’ property tax exemption for purposes of the rebuttable presumption in favor of the homeowner who has supplied information in an administrative hearing involving assessment of an owner-occupied single-family dwelling (AB 711) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 167). Certificate of Payment: Requires the assessor, tax collector, or auditor to charge and collect, instead of $1, a fee to cover the actual and reasonable costs incurred for preparing a certificate of payment showing taxes paid (AB 820) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 162.1). Senate Bill 947, Senate Bill 948, Assembly Bill 188, Assembly Bill 711, and Assembly Bill 820 (effective January 1, 2012).
Property Valuation	Proper Valuation of Property A licensee cannot knowingly or intentionally misrepresent the value of real property. Furthermore, a licensee who offers or provides an opinion of value for residential property that is used as the basis for originating a mortgage loan cannot have any direct or indirect interest in the property or transaction as defined under Regulation Z (at 12 C.F.R. § 226.42(d)). A licensee or other interested party is prohibited from using coercion, extortion, bribery, intimidation, compensation, or instruction to improperly influence a person preparing an appraisal or valuation for a real estate transaction. Senate Bill 6 (codified as Cal. B&P Code § 10177.3) (effective January 1, 2012).
Schools	Parent’s Workplace Establishes Residency for School Attendance A school district may deem that a pupil has complied with the residency requirements for school attendance in the district if at least one parent or the legal guardian of the pupil is physically employed within the boundaries of that district at least 10 hours per school week. This provision, which was originally scheduled to expire on July 1, 2012, has been extended to July 1, 2017. Senate Bill 381 (codified as Cal. Ed Code § 48204) (effective January 1, 2012).
Security Breach	Notification of Security Breach of Personal Information The law requiring a person, business, or agency to notify customers of a security breach of unencrypted, computerized personal information (such as social security number and driver’s license number) has been broadened to include additional requirements. The security breach notification must, among other things, be written in plain language and include: (1) the name and contact information of the reporting person or business; (2) a list of the type of personal information that were breached; (3) a general description of the incident; and (4) whether a law enforcement investigation delayed notification. Any notification of a single security breach issued to over 500 California residents must also be electronically submitted to the Attorney General. Senate Bill 24 (codified as Cal. Civil Code §§ 1798.29 and 1798.82) (effective January 1, 2012).
Small Claims	Small Claims Increased to $10,000 The small claims court jurisdiction is generally increased from $7,500 to $10,000 for an action brought by a natural person. The increase to $10,000 for a claim of bodily injury from a car accident will not occur until 2015. The dollar limit in small claims court for an action brought by a corporation or other entity remains at $5,000. Senate Bill 221 (codified as Cal. Code of Civil Procedure § 116.221) (effective January 1, 2012).
Tax Sales	Preserving Prescriptive Easements After Tax Sale For the sale of a tax-defaulted property by a county tax collector, title transfers free of encumbrances with certain exceptions. One new exception is for easements of any kind, including prescriptive easements. Furthermore, any person seeking to rescind a tax sale by the tax collector due to alleged invalidity or irregularity must petition the board of supervisors before commencing court proceedings. The petition to the board of supervisors must be commenced within one year of the date of the tax collector’s deed. Any subsequent court proceeding must be commenced within one year from the board of supervisors’ determination that the tax sale should not be rescinded. Assembly Bill 261 (codified as Cal. Rev. & Tax Code §§ 3712 and 3725) (effective January 1, 2012).
Tax Sales	Revisions to Tax Sale Provisions Providing Information: Requires a property tax assessor to provide information to the tax collector for preparing and enforcing tax sales for a reasonable cost that is to be added to the owner’s delinquent taxes and other costs as specified (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 408). Excess Proceeds: Requires any person who acts on behalf of a party of interest in filing a claim for excess proceeds after a sale of tax-defaulted property to submit proof that the party of interest has been advised about the source of the excess proceeds and the right to file a claim for the excess proceeds on his or her own behalf (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 4675). Excess Proceeds Publication: Eliminates the requirement to publish a notice in a newspaper of the right to claim the excess proceeds from the sale of a tax-defaulted property if the cost to publish is equal to or more than the excess proceeds from the sale (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 4676). Excess Proceeds Republication: Authorizes the publication of, among other things, notices of tax default and intended sale of tax-defaulted property to be republished within 60 days if an error or defect is discovered after the time required for the original publication (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 4842). Tax Default Costs: Authorizes the board of supervisors to establish the actual and reasonable costs incurred by the tax collector for attempting to contact the owner-occupant of a tax-defaulted property to be sold, mailing specified notices to parties of interest, and publishing a notice of agreement in a newspaper. These costs shall be added to the required amount for an owner to redeem the property (AB 902) (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code §§ 3704.7 and 4112). Senate Bill 948 and Assembly Bill 902 (effective January 1, 2012).

The lights are out in force

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:27:00 +0000

See the full gallery on Posterous

Willow glen homes get a lot of attention this time of year - cause you can see them from outer space! ;-)

San jose dog

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:32:00 +0000

I have a hyper little dog that goes goes goes.

I like to think of her as "high energy" just like her mom :-)

The other day I was talking to someone about her dog being diagnosed as "wha wha wha wha " which basically says her dog likes to jump.

I just think my dog likes to jump - it's not a "problem" but a personality.

Probably why I don't have a dog behavior show on TV!

3 bed 2 bath mountain view home for sale

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:13:00 +0000

See the full gallery on Posterous

I like the wide plank hardwood floors, cozy sun porch and huge family room. Just reduced to 1.150M

The caveman doesn't like natural peanut butter

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:52:00 +0000

My Instagram Page - Not Real Estate Related but fun :-)

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:59:00 +0000

I love to play with the instagram app for my iphone. It turns my iphone into a fun photo editing tool!

Silicon Valley Market Update

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:47:00 +0000

MLSListings® reports median single-family home price down -6.1% in Jul-11 over Jun-11, sales fall to 1,881.

Click here to view additional Market Reports

Jul-11 Quick Facts:

The median price of existing single-family homes decreased to $540,000 down -6.1% vs Jun-11.
Existing single-family home sales decreased -19.9% from Jun-11 for a Jul-11 total of 1,881 sold units.
Condos increased in price to $310,000 up 3.4% vs Jun-11.
Existing condo sales decreased -19.9% in Jul-11 over Jun-11 for a total of 548 sold units.

Single Family Median Home Price
Jul-10 vs Jul-11

Clarus MarketMetrics®

8/10/2011

The Number of Sold Properties by Month
Jul-10 vs Jul-11

Clarus MarketMetrics®

8/10/2011

Jul-11 MLSListings® Regional Sales and Price Activity

MLSListings®	Median Price	Percent Change in Price from Prior Month	Percent Change in Price from Prior Year	Total # Units	Percent Change in Sales from Prior Month	Percent Change in Sales from Prior Year
	Jul-11	Jun-11	Jul-10	Jul-11	Jun-11	Jul-10
MLS Wide
MLSListings (Single Family)	$540,000	-6.1%	-3.6%	1,881	-19.9%	-11.1%
MLSListings (Condo)	$310,000	3.4%	-10.1%	548	-19.9%	9.6%

MLSLSTNGS Region Counties
Alameda	$460,000	-18.6%	-16.7%	65	-31.6%	-16.7%
Contra Costa	$296,500	41.2%	30.0%	8	-38.5%	-52.9%
Monterey	$250,000	-12.3%	-6.5%	261	-9.4%	-10.6%
San Benito	$242,500	-2.6%	-8.5%	51	8.5%	-3.8%
San Joaquin	$197,000	3.7%	1.0%	21	0.0%	-4.5%
San Mateo	$745,000	-0.7%	-7.5%	417	-16.6%	2.5%
Santa Clara	$613,500	-1.8%	-1.8%	904	-23.1%	-14.4%
Santa Cruz	$460,000	-14.4%	-8.9%	123	-27.6%	-19.1%

MLSLSTNGS Region Cities
Single Family Only
Belmont	$950,000	12.3%	7.3%	15	0.0%	-21.1%
Burlingame	$1,292,750	1.0%	7.7%	24	-27.3%	-4.0%
Campbell	$731,000	9.1%	7.3%	23	-8.0%	-23.3%
Carmel	$1,312,500	-27.1%	14.1%	16	-23.8%	-5.9%
Cupertino	$1,160,000	-1.3%	3.6%	30	-30.2%	-23.1%
Daly City	$465,500	-4.3%	-10.0%	44	-12.0%	22.2%
East Palo Alto	$251,950	5.0%	-24.8%	20	33.3%	66.7%
Foster City	$872,444	-2.0%	-11.0%	10	-23.1%	-16.7%
Fremont	$620,000	-1.6%	1.1%	31	-29.5%	-18.4%
Gilroy	$422,255	5.8%	-1.9%	39	-33.9%	-39.1%
Gonzales	$173,000	-19.5%	0.3%	4	33.3%	-33.3%
Greenfield	$157,500	25.0%	3.2%	10	-44.4%	-37.5%
Hayward	$310,000	14.8%	9.0%	7	-53.3%	16.7%
Hollister	$242,500	-3.0%	-5.8%	41	-8.9%	-14.6%
King City	$121,450	-4.3%	-19.0%	10	66.7%	11.1%
Los Altos	$1,622,500	-2.3%	8.9%	26	-40.9%	-35.0%
Los Gatos	$1,292,500	-0.2%	8.2%	22	-46.3%	-40.5%
Marina	$335,500	19.6%	5.7%	10	25.0%	0.0%
Menlo Park	$1,170,173	-7.3%	-7.7%	44	0.0%	4.8%
Millbrae	$969,500	16.8%	8.7%	10	-44.4%	-16.7%
Milpitas	$450,000	-14.1%	-18.6%	35	12.9%	34.6%
Monterey	$430,000	-16.4%	-14.9%	9	-59.1%	-10.0%
Morgan Hill	$637,750	14.3%	3.7%	42	-6.7%	-6.7%
Mountain View	$955,000	-8.3%	3.2%	39	25.8%	95.0%
North Monterey County	$300,000	-7.7%	-11.8%	19	-5.0%	11.8%
Pacific Grove	$520,000	-7.4%	-19.1%	13	-18.8%	30.0%
Pacifica	$465,000	-7.0%	-7.5%	22	0.0%	-8.3%
Palo Alto	$1,410,000	-13.2%	-7.4%	38	-22.4%	-13.6%
Redwood City	$715,000	-7.4%	-22.7%	61	-3.2%	32.6%
Salinas	$232,500	-3.5%	-7.0%	50	-18.0%	-15.3%
Salinas - East	$199,000	8.7%	10.6%	27	28.6%	-41.3%
Salinas - North	$221,000	5.2%	-18.1%	12	71.4%	9.1%
Salinas Monterey Highway	$465,000	-16.7%	-26.8%	17	-19.0%	88.9%
San Bruno	$492,500	-9.6%	-2.6%	16	-15.8%	-11.1%
San Carlos	$902,000	3.1%	-8.9%	29	-21.6%	7.4%
San Francisco	$570,000	16.3%	-2.5%	11	-47.6%	37.5%
San Jose	$520,500	2.1%	-1.1%	473	-24.6%	-15.2%
San Lorenzo Valley	$365,000	42.9%	23.7%	17	6.3%	-22.7%
San Mateo	$800,000	14.9%	6.7%	51	-20.3%	-8.9%
Santa Clara	$561,000	-5.3%	2.0%	41	-29.3%	-4.7%
Santa Cruz	$540,000	-13.9%	-13.6%	30	-46.4%	-33.3%
Saratoga	$1,652,500	11.7%	0.2%	28	-28.2%	12.0%
Seaside	$208,500	-7.3%	-22.8%	18	-5.3%	-14.3%
Soledad	$160,000	3.2%	-5.3%	18	-5.3%	-18.2%
South San Francisco	$461,000	-6.4%	-2.7%	16	-52.9%	-33.3%
South Santa Cruz County	$390,000	-38.5%	37.8%	11	10.0%	-8.3%
Stockton	$142,500	1.8%	-17.2%	10	66.7%	42.9%
Sunnyvale	$808,000	-7.4%	1.4%	53	-22.1%	-24.3%
Tracy	$250,000	24.1%	-12.1%	5	-37.5%	-16.7%
Watsonville	$285,000	-1.7%	-1.7%	14	7.7%	-12.5%

Single Family = Single Family = Detached Single, Attached Single, Res Other
Condo = Condo = Condo, Townhouse, Common Interest Other
Reports generated from Clarus MarketMetrics®

Contact your REALTOR® for additional local market trends in your neighborhood. Reports were generated from ClarusMarketMetrics®. Clarus MarketMetrics® is available on a monthly or annual subscription basis to MLSListings® members. To register for an account, visit www.clarusresource.com/mm It is also provided as a member benefit to those REALTORS® who belong to Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley, San Mateo, Monterey, San Benito and Watsonville associations of REALTORS®. Visit your local association site for registration information.

Launched in 2007, MLSListings® is designed to more effectively meet the current and future MLS needs of the region’s real estate professionals. Representing nearly 20,000 MLS subscribers, MLSListings® is governed by the brokerage community, and owned by Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley, San Mateo, Monterey, Watsonville, San Benito and Central Valley associations of REALTORS®.

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Campbell homes for sale

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:24:00 +0000

There are 9 homes on tour and about 2/3 the homes available when compared with August 2010

Why I run in the morning

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:14:00 +0000

So there is no one to snicker when I fall!

Commercial Warehouse - Sold in 12 Days!

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:36:00 +0000

There is a lot of cash in the market - which normally comes from investors. So, if investors are in the market why aren't you?

This investor spent $550K to get a $35K/year income. Most people only need 1 or two of those to be able to retire and pursue other interests. Have you done it yet? Are you ready to start? What's stopping you?

Are Foreclosure Outcomes Better or Worse Than Last Year?

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:00:00 +0000

CA - Foreclosure Filings

CA - Foreclosure Outcomes

My loan modifier says that when I pay up front, they'll get it done!

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:03:00 +0000

Really?

Up front fees have always been a problem. Once you pay the fee, how do you get ANYONE to do what they have promised?

When I work with contractors, they are legally bound to take 10% of the contract price for the job or $1,000, whichever is less. If a contractor asks for anything more, I run to the hills.

As a Realtor, I can charge a per hour consulting fee but if I become a partner with the Seller and take the risk of the house not selling, I charge a percentage of the sale and I only get paid if and when the property sells.

This week I got a call from a client. He had been contacted by a loan modification company that promised him a loan modification at a super low rate. In order to get him the loan modification, that would save him almost $100,000 over the life of the loan all he needed to do was to send them $3,500.

Did you know that up front fees for loan modification is ILLEGAL in California?

When people are desperate they do crazy things.

Did you know that there was a survey of people that play the lottery and that a fair percentage of them are folks that are at the end of their rope and throwing money at the lottery hoping for a miracle.

Throwing money at a loan modification company is just like throwing money at the lottery. Your odds of winning are super low and most people lose their investment and possibly the house.

There are ways of getting a loan modification that doesn't require an up front fee. And, at the same time, the odds of getting a loan modification are extremely low.

I know things are tough, I know you are desperate but please, throwing money at the problem won't fix it and will probably make things worse.

60 San Jose Avenue - Warehouse for Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:23:00 +0000

Rebekah Owen, Broker | Intero Silicon Valley | (650) 492-5958

60 San Jose Avenue, San Jose, CA

5,000 sf warehouse on 16,800 sf fenced yard. 3 rollups, approx 18' clear height, split into two units with small office areas and separate bathrooms.

Industrial

offered at $574,450

Year Built	1972
Sq Footage	5,000
Floors	1
Parking	Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	16,796 sqft
Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

One owner for last 20 years. Possible lot split with waiver. San Jose Avenue is an easily accessed location with good frontage and onsite parking.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- 2 complete units each with an office and bathrooms

- GSI of $33,000/year

LOCATION FEATURES

- Central to all freeways

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Gated yard on oversized 16000+ sf lot

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3

Contact info:

Rebekah Owen, Broker

Intero Silicon Valley

CA 00994952

(650) 492-5958

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jun 15, 2011, 10:49am PDT

Willow Glen Home Sales Statistics

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:47:00 +0000

18 Homes in Willow Glen went pending last week - one of those was REO.

The highest price was $1,549,950 and the lowest was $250,000 with average Days on Market of 34 days.

The cheapest property has been on the market since Aug 20, 2010, is on it's third Realtor, and they are just now submitting it for approval? Of course, it's with Bank of America - my nemesis. Those short sales are always a gamble. I hope it closes this time!

It's a HOT market!

Loan Mod, catch up on past payments and other mortgage assistance is available

noreply@blogger.com (Ramblings by Rebekah) — Fri, 20 May 2011 23:24:00 +0000

Keep Your Home California

I love this site because it has all the information that you need to understand the options available to those that are at risk of losing their home. It explains the loan modification, principle reduction and other options.

It's a well written and clear site full of information and resources to help my clients.

What I like most about this site is the "eligibility" tab. This helps you drill down quickly to what you can and can not do. Period.

I hope you like it as much as I do. I hope it helps you stay in your home.