Talk to CJ

Defining “AS-IS” when Buying or Selling a Home

CJ Brasiel — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:00:43 +0000

The “AS-IS” title has a different meanings to different people. When I speak with buyers and sellers about selling or purchasing a home, they rarely have the same definition of what “AS-IS” means. If you speak with a seller they might believe that by having their real estate agent advertise the home “AS-IS” on the [...]

Choosing a Real Estate Agent. What Should You Expect?

CJ Brasiel — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:40:48 +0000

I am not necessarily a fan of the National Association of REALTORS®. I don’t agree with many of their political maneuvers. I only have one reason for being a member. I commit to the ethical standards the organization created. I believe making a promise to uphold high integrity, market knowledge, and consumer protection will make [...]

Understanding Zillow’s Zestimates and Home Values

CJ Brasiel — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:19:13 +0000

It is not uncommon for clients to approach me with a value for a home based on an “zestimate” given by Zillow. As a real estate professional, sometimes I have agreed with Zillow’s estimate and sometimes I have not. It can be challenging to explain to a client why the Zillow number is different than [...]

Want to Know More About Asbestos and Your Home?

CJ Brasiel — Sun, 24 May 2009 02:51:29 +0000

Asbestos is a material that many of us have heard about in the news. The inhalation of asbestos fibers has been linked to a cancer called mesothelioma. To know whether or not your home contains asbestos, it is first important to recognize where asbestos can be found in the home. The two most common places [...]

Tax Credits for First Time Home Buyers Explained

CJ Brasiel — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:12:27 +0000

This is a really great video that explains the tax credit for first time home buyers. Tags: Buyers' Tips

The Hurdles to Purchasing a Home in Today’s Market

CJ Brasiel — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:55:38 +0000

Today’s housing market is like none other we have seen in awhile. I hear agents talk about how bad the ’80s were but this market is different in many respects. In order to purchase a home in this market, it is best if the home buyer prepares for potential hurdles that can be placed in [...]

Alum Rock San Jose - Housing Market at the Bottom?

CJ Brasiel — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:49:16 +0000

In the last couple of weeks, I have heard more and more real estate agents and loan officers tell me that they believe we might be near the bottom of the housing market in San Jose. Their biggest support for this theory is kind of interesting. It goes like this: ” How much lower can [...]

Deed of Trust, Note, Mortgage: What are all these papers I’m signing?

CJ Brasiel — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:34:06 +0000

Buyer’s look forward to closing escrow (COE), because they have been told that after escrow closes they will receive the keys to their new home. Signing documents regarding the purchase of a home can be a little overwhelming for some and for others a white and black blur. For many clients simply signing their legal [...]

Top Downtown Housing Deals in San Jose

CJ Brasiel — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:34:55 +0000

The downtown area of San Jose is unknown to many. If you are not a student of San Jose State University, you may not even know there is a downtown San Jose. But for some of us, it is just the right size of downtown. For the most part, you can find [...]

House Values in San Jose Decline. Should Your Property Taxes?

CJ Brasiel — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:29:23 +0000

In 1978, the ballot initiative “People’s Initiative to Limit Property Taxation” was put in place by the voters of California. This initiative basically restricted the increase in property taxes per year to 1% of value. The result was a 57% cut in property taxes for California. This initiative also placed a high bar for change [...]