• If your are looking for something under   200K then keep your mind open to condos and townhomes, and you will find lots of great buys!  Offers are  all cash only for the most part.   Investors are jumping out of the woodwork having discovered that it’s better to invest in Real estate (which is real and tangible) than waste their time on stocks!
• If you are looking for something over 200K you can still find a decent home   but it may not be  move in ready.  Be prepared to put your special touches on the home . You may have to change carpets, paint and remove wallpaper in some homes.
• Between 250 – 350K  you may  find a larger percentage of older SFR properties to choose from and some newer condos with amenities.
  
• If you are concerned about location, amenities, distance to  freeway and BART , good schools, then work with an experienced agent to narrow down your options.

Always remember that your real estate agent is going to be your best friend when it comes to giving you all the information you need about pricing and competition.  Your agent knows how to negotiate with  sellers agents, REO banks and short sale lenders.

If you are a motivated seller, then now mayt be the best time to get value for your dollar.

Homes are selling faster than before.  You many need to make plans to move sooner than your expected, which might be a good thing for you.  I consider it a great time  to sell as well as to buy.  Finally we may be approacing a meeting of the minds.   If you sell today, you   will have the luxury of deciding  between multiple offers.    Want to sell quickly and move on?  Now is the time.

If you are a motivated buyer,  then be ready to move quickly.

It is the best time to buy in today’s market.  Are you ready to move forward ? Have you been pre-approved for a loan?

Please check my blog again , for the latest updates in the market.  I look forward to meeting you and assisting you with your real estate needs.

Serena Russell
Realtor®
REALTY WORLD, VIKING & FINANCIAL
2698 Mowry Avenue, Fremont, CA 94538
PHONE:  510.303.2549  mobile
Fax 510.794.9843
email:  srussell at rwnetwork.com
Member National Association of Realtors (NAR)
Member California Association of Realtors (CAR)
Member Bay East Association of Realtors
DRE License #01824057

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and
is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its
ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is
that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a
run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit,
it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner
for life in a small jail with no top.

THE BAT:

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable  nimble creature in
the air, cannot take off from a level  place.  If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air.. Then,
at once, it takes off like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE:

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies,
unless
it is taken out.  It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists
in
trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom..  It will
seek a
way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE:

In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee.
We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing
that all we have to do is look up!  That’s the answer, the escape route and
the solution to any problem!  Just look up.

Tomorrow is different day!

Rates are still near historic lows:

You can take advantage of some of the lowest interest rates in 40 years. Our preferred lenders are now offering programs with low rates still available.

Over the long term home ownership has traditionally been a rewarding investment.

There are great benefits for buying now!

* Mortgage interest and real estate taxes are deductible***.
* Capital gains can be rolled into future homes and may even be tax-free***.
* Below-market financing is available.
* A wide range of loan programs is available.

In our local area, the economy is still strong, and you have more choices than ever before.
When you choose me as your agent,  you’re choosing my unsurpassed reputation and  deep commitment to your needs.  My goal is to  make the home of your dreams a reality!

“The typical vacation-home buyer is making a lifestyle choice, with nine out of 10 saying they intend to use the property for vacations or as a family retreat.  “Investment buyers primarily seek rental income, with six in 10 planning to rent to others, although one in five wants a family member, friend or relative to use the home.”says cheif economist Lawrence Yun of NAR.

Only one in four vacation-home buyers plan to rent their properties to others, while one in five investment buyers plan to use their homes for vacations or as a family retreat. However, 26% of vacation-home buyers and 8% of investment buyers intend to use the property as a primary residence in the future.

The median transaction price of a vacation home was $169,000 in 2009, compared with $150,000 in 2008.  “The higher vacation home price may reflect increased sales in higher-priced markets, particularly in areas of Florida and California where prices became highly attractive for buyers over the past year,” Yun said.

Half of vacation homes purchased last year were in the South, 21% in the West, 17% in the Midwest and 12% in the Northeast. Seven out of 10 were detached single-family homes.

Source: National Association of Realtors®

Share your thoughts and comments on this.

Serena Russell
Realtor®
REALTY WORLD, VIKING & FINANCIAL
Fremont, CA
DRE License #01824057

If you won the land that the house is on, you have a strong right to the property.  But if others have rights to it through liens, unpaid taxes, or mining rights, they are also part owners of the property.  Even if you know nothing about these risks, as the homeowner you are still vulnerable to such claims on your property.

Title insurance which protects against claims on your real estate by others, requires that certain risks be eliminated before the policy takes effect.  It then covers hidden risks thereafter.  If you have to go to court in regard to your property, the title insurance company will pay for your legal counsel.  If you lose your rights, you should be protected up to the amount of the policy.

Make sure you discuss a title insurance policy with your title company.

When you are ready to buy a home, call me.  As your real estate professional, I’ll be happy to help you through the process.

Whether you are buying and selling a home today, you should hire a Realtor who knows the market and is willing to spend the time to really understand your needs.

From the kitchen to the bedroom here is a how to for keeping your home neat and tidy.

Linda, the Queen of Clean, shares her secrets for a shipshape home.

FLOORS

The key with floors is to focus on high-traffic areas. If you keep those clean, your floors will stay fresh looking forever — well, almost.

Each week, attend to the most heavily traveled areas of your home. These include the hallways and entryways where your family walks all the time, and of course, the kitchen floor.

For wood floors: Vacuum with an appropriate vacuum or dust with a good microfiber dust mop to pick up dirt before you wash it. Then put hot water and up to six tea bags in a bucket. Make it strong. And wash the floor with that. The tannic acid in tea is really, really good for wood floors. It doesn’t stain; it’s inexpensive, natural and it’s safe for pets and kids. When you wring out your mop, wring it until it’s just damp; you don’t want to put a lot of water onto your floor.

For vinyl: Again, vacuum with an appropriate vacuum or dust with a good microfiber dust mop. Then put a gallon of plain water, or water with just a tablespoon of Borax, into a bucket. And wash your floor with that same microfiber mop.

For tile: As with all hard flooring, vacuum with an appropriate vacuum or dust with a good microfiber dust mop first.  Caution, that ceramic tile owner’s stay away from vinegar-based cleaning products, it’s an acid and can etch your grout, she notes. Instead, you can use an all-purpose cleaner or a tablespoon of Borax in water, and remember to wring out your mop well as you’re working.

For carpet: Use the beater on your vacuum, set it for the appropriate height of your carpet and vacuum in different directions, and . If you do this twice a week, move horizontally once, vertically next. If its once a week varies your stroke, she suggests. To save time, remember to keep the canister or bag cleaned out, since you lose suction when it’s filled up. Make it a habit to dump it after you vacuum, .

KITCHEN

You already do the dishes, but are you doing everything else you should to keep it clean and fresh? Find out!

For countertops: Wipe up after cooking with a good all-purpose cleaner. You can also disinfect cutting boards with your own homemade solution of a quart of water mixed with a tablespoon of liquid bleach, .

For stovetops: A little baking soda on a damp sponge cleans your stovetop naturally. Best of all, you can use it without rubber gloves, . (Obviously, if you haven’t been using your stove, there’s no need to clean the cook top.)

For appliances:  recommends that you keep a spray bottle filled with a homemade mixture of 50 percent rubbing alcohol and 50 percent water. This is great for chrome, glass and stainless-steel appliances. You can clean your other appliance faces with club soda, it can even be soda that’s gone flat.

For cabinet faces: Laminate cabinets clean up nicely with an all-purpose cleaner. For wood cabinets, buff them with lemon oil or Avon Original Bath Oil. Grease will roll right up and you don’t have to do any washing.

BATHROOMS

Sorry, folks. Nothing gets used more, so every week you need to do a thorough cleaning. Obviously guest bathrooms that don’t get much use are the exception to this rule. Give them a monthly pass.

For sink area: I wipe up mine daily with an all-purpose cleaner just to get the toothpaste and hairstyling residue off. Daily wiping up can spare you time and energy when you’re ready for your weekly blast.

For mirrors: Keep a spray bottle filled with a homemade mixture of 50 percent rubbing alcohol and 50 percent water. Never spray this directly onto your mirror, it can get behind the mirror and damage the finish. Instead, spray it onto your rag and wipe.

For glass shower doors: Take lemon oil, spread it on, go over it with a scrubbing sponge and then go over it with a soapy sponge, . Deposits and soap scum will come right off.

For your toilet: Here’s ’s craziest tip. Sprinkle the sides of your bowl with a few teaspoons of Tang (yes, the breakfast drink mix). Let it sit, then brush and flush. The acetic acid in Tang cleans it out beautifully. Even if you have a dog that drinks out of the toilet it won’t hurt him, and it really works, she adds.

For a vinyl shower curtain: Throw the shower curtain in the washing machine with a few towels, a cup of white vinegar and your detergent, then air dry. It should be squeaky clean.

BEDROOMS

The less clutter you have in your bedroom, the better it is. The problem: Clutter catches dust, and bedrooms are notoriously dusty, making them fertile ground for dust mites, a major allergen. Aside from laundering your sheets and comforters regularly, here’s what you can to do to keep a dust-free boudoir.

Vacuum under your bed at least every other week. (If you have allergies, keep carpet out of the bedroom altogether to minimize the problem.)

For the mattress: Vacuuming your mattress once a month helps discourage dust mites.  For the mattress pad: Wash in hot water every month.

ORGANIZED OFFICE

When it comes to a desk or home office area, containment is everything, Here’s how to keep those stacks from overflowing.

Sort mail at the recycling bin & throw out all the junk and only bring in the stuff you need to keep.   For the stuff you keep, make sure you have an in box and an out box to capture it all.

For papers: Every month, go through your papers and file them. Go through your files and toss anything that’s old or out-of-date. A shredder is essential. It helps protect your family and reduces the amount of trash that you have, .

KIDS’ ROOMS

The most important thing is giving kids a place to put their stuff.

Make it a ritual for kids to put their stuff away before bedtime. You may need to help the little ones, but as they grow older, they’ll learn how to do it and will do it themselves.

Kids can put away their own clothes if their dressers are anchored to the wall and their clothing rod is at the right height.

To keep the clutter down, only allow kids to have a certain amount of toys in circulation, advises take some away and store them in the garage or shed. The following month, your children can have a new selection to play with while the others go into storage.

So it’s time to get started.  Take one room at a time and see your result SHINE!

By Kirk Haverkamp, Published: November 09, 2009

Getting or refinancing a mortgage when you’re self-employed can be a real challenge these days. With the virtual disappearance of stated income loans, it’s become much more difficult for anyone who doesn’t get a regular paycheck to qualify for a home loan. But it still can be done.
Stated income/stated asset loans, also known as Alt-A mortgages, used to be one of the most common ways for the self-employed to obtain a mortgage. You simply told the bank what your income was and the bank took your word for it. When housing values were rising, it really wasn’t that big of a risk for the lender.

But Alt-A mortgages got a bad reputation as “liar loans” during the housing bubble, when they were abused to exaggerate incomes for borrowers who otherwise would never qualify for a loan. When the housing market and economy went sour, stated income/asset loans accounted for some of the highest rates of defaults and foreclosures, and most banks simply stopped offering them.
Proof of income is key

But for the self-employed, what that really means is that you’re going to have to be more thorough documenting your income when applying for a mortgage – the same rules apply to refinancing a mortgage as well. And if you’re in business for yourself, you’re probably already accustomed to filing tax reports and documenting expenses, so documenting your income for a mortgage application won’t be that much different.
Generally, you’re going to need to show detailed financial records for the past two years, as well as tax returns. You’ll probably need to file either IRS form 4506 or 8821; the former requests that a copy of your return be sent directly to the bank, for a fee; the latter allows the bank to inspect your return, for no charge. The bank may also want documentation on clients, investments, business financial records and perhaps a statement from your accountant, as well as a month or two of receipts to demonstrate current income.

One problem the self-employed sometimes have is that deductions for business expenses reduce their stated income on their tax returns. If you’re planning to buy a house next year or down the road, check with your accountant to see what can be done to avoid this effect while still getting the deductions you’re entitled to – you may want to defer some expenses to the following year, for example.

It also helps to be able to show that you have financial reserves or investments on hand as a cushion in the event of a business downturn. In addition, it’s a good idea to pay off any consumer debt or at least consolidate it into a single low-interest loan with a reduced monthly payment to improve your cash flow.
Broker may offer more options

When shopping for a mortgage, the self-employed can often benefit by working with a mortgage broker. A broker will be familiar with large numbers of lenders, including major banks and small local institutions, and can help you identify ones that are best suited to your circumstances.

As a self-employed person, you probably won’t be able to get the lowest interest rates that are available to those who draw a paycheck – banks often charge about a quarter of a percentage point more for mortgage loans to the self-employed. You’ll need to come up with a substantial down payment as well – at least 20 percent, preferably more.

And, of course, you’ll need excellent credit – preferably 720, 740 or more. You can still get a mortgage with lower scores, but you’ll find that interest rates go up fast as credit scores go down.

If your spouse has a job that provides a regular paycheck and a W-2, it sometimes helps to have them be the primary applicant on the mortgage, with the self-employed partner as a secondary applicant. Another option, particularly for young people with a relatively new business, is to get a parent or other relative to co-sign the loan for you; of course, this means they’re liable for the loan if you’re unable to keep up with the payments, so this needs to be approached with caution.

Getting a mortgage for anyone these days is considerably tougher than it was in the past. But with good credit and proper documentation, it can be done. Banks still need to lend and make money – they’re just being more cautious about how they do it these days.

Thanks for reading this post. If  you found it helpful, and would like additional information, you can contact Serena Russell at 510-303-2549 or by email

 srussell at rwnetwork.com

“making a difference one day at a time”