My Trip up to Seattle
Happy Holidays to all of you! This last week I made a short trip up to Seattle with my wife Alix on last Saturday until Wednesday. It was the first time that I have been to Seattle to visit my sister since she has just bought her first house.
The house is really cool and is in a really convenient area of the city. Located just about 5 minutes from downtown, her home is in an area named, Bernal Hill. The homes in her specific neighborhood seem like they were built in the late 40's or early 50's and have really unique floor plans. It seems like she purchased the home for a really nice price of $329,000. It is a 3 bedroom 1 bath house on almost a 6000 square foot lot. When she bought the house, the interior was also nicely upgraded. But most of all it was just nice to visit and catch up with my sister since I have not seen her since the wedding. She is wonderful person.
Another reason I was up north was to attend a conference named BY REFERRAL ONLY. This seminar/conference has changed my life and business for the better. I learned a lot and met some pretty extraordinary agents who were all there for the same reason: Realizing the importance of referrals.
The power of referrals is so strong. My job as a real estate consultant is to not just TO SELL HOMES. My job is to build strong relationships with friends & family members, past clients, and peers and to not spend countless hours of self promotion and endless streams of marketing dollars to get my face on shopping carts. My job is to help people and wish upon people like you to extend the strongest compliment in any business...a referral.
I don't want to ramble on...but just know that we will be changing the way we do business and hope that you are pleased with our efficiency, attentiveness and commitment to all of our clients.
Again, may I wish on you an amazing holiday time that you will remember forever.
Your Lifetime Real Estate Consultant,
Nate
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
Greenspan Says the Worst is Over for Housing
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says that the worst of the housing adjustment is over and “sales figures have stabilized.”He predicted that inventory levels will come down at a "reasonably rapid pace.” He also foresees housing price declines that will have an impact on consumer expenditures. “We haven’t see it yet,” he says.Greenspan also announced he is preparing to publish an analysis of the effect of mortgage wealth on consumer spending. The paper will include data on gross equity extraction dating to 1968 and a more detailed analysis of data from 1991 to the present. The thesis, he says, is whether extracted equity is "acting as a proxy for all types of financing of goods that would've been bought anyway."Greenspan didn’t say when the analysis will be available.-- Associated Press, Vinnee Tong (11/28/2006)
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says that the worst of the housing adjustment is over and “sales figures have stabilized.”He predicted that inventory levels will come down at a "reasonably rapid pace.” He also foresees housing price declines that will have an impact on consumer expenditures. “We haven’t see it yet,” he says.Greenspan also announced he is preparing to publish an analysis of the effect of mortgage wealth on consumer spending. The paper will include data on gross equity extraction dating to 1968 and a more detailed analysis of data from 1991 to the present. The thesis, he says, is whether extracted equity is "acting as a proxy for all types of financing of goods that would've been bought anyway."Greenspan didn’t say when the analysis will be available.-- Associated Press, Vinnee Tong (11/28/2006)
Monday, November 27, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
A New Real Estate Term...
On Wednesday, the Half Moon Bay Review posted an article by a fellow agent of ours in Half Moon Bay, appropriately named "Holidays are the Perfect Time to Buy A Home". The both of us cannot agree more. But, what was of question, is the new real estate term that he used called "The White Death". This is not the case.
So we went and Google'd "The White Death". Here is what we came up with:
- Book by Julian Cribb about the Origin of the AIDS virus
- Book by McKay Jenkins about Tragedy and Heroism in an avalanche zone
- Book by Erno Rossi about a blizzard in 1977 that was the only blizzard formally declared a national disaster by the US and Canadian Government
- Article on how Global Warming is destoying coral at the bottom of the ocean
After seeing this and comparing the term to the above references we wanted to let you know that Realtors plan to continue calling this time, The Holidays, with no reference to death. He is right to say that this is a perfect time to buy and his statistics aptly back that up.
Click on the link above to read.
On Wednesday, the Half Moon Bay Review posted an article by a fellow agent of ours in Half Moon Bay, appropriately named "Holidays are the Perfect Time to Buy A Home". The both of us cannot agree more. But, what was of question, is the new real estate term that he used called "The White Death". This is not the case.
So we went and Google'd "The White Death". Here is what we came up with:
- Book by Julian Cribb about the Origin of the AIDS virus
- Book by McKay Jenkins about Tragedy and Heroism in an avalanche zone
- Book by Erno Rossi about a blizzard in 1977 that was the only blizzard formally declared a national disaster by the US and Canadian Government
- Article on how Global Warming is destoying coral at the bottom of the ocean
After seeing this and comparing the term to the above references we wanted to let you know that Realtors plan to continue calling this time, The Holidays, with no reference to death. He is right to say that this is a perfect time to buy and his statistics aptly back that up.
Click on the link above to read.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
INTRODUCING...HomePages.com
We are pleased to announce our affiliation with HomePages.com. This high-tech search engine for homes is by far one of the best and most fun additions to a real estate search. Embedded into its code is the ever so popular Google Earth technology, where you can see the neighborhood you are in or planning on moving to.
Highlights include:
- School zones, churches, parks, and shopping
- Featured Homes and National Advertising Campaigns, including MSNBC.com, MSN.com, and other major cable networks
- Prices of Recently Sold Homes
- and much more...
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN REAL ESTATE
Click here for a great link from SFGate.com regarding the role of Market Critics and how they can affect the overall consciousness of consumers. A very interesting read!
We remain in an area that is very different from the rest of the United States. Keep in mind that what we are experiencing is "normal" real estate market and homes do continue to sell. So who knows how the LOCAL market is doing? Answer - your local Realtor.
Click here for a great link from SFGate.com regarding the role of Market Critics and how they can affect the overall consciousness of consumers. A very interesting read!
We remain in an area that is very different from the rest of the United States. Keep in mind that what we are experiencing is "normal" real estate market and homes do continue to sell. So who knows how the LOCAL market is doing? Answer - your local Realtor.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
SHOULD I RENT OR SHOULD I BUY?
Owning a home of your own offers many advantages, including the opportunity to create an environment that is a reflection of your taste and personality, not someone else's. You can also move when you choose to move, not just when you’re forced to escape rising rents or noisy neighbors.
On the downside for some people are the expense and trouble of maintenance and upkeep. But high-quality remodeling and home improvements are a good investment in the long-term value of your home if you decide to sell it.
One of the most important benefits of home ownership is appreciation, the overall increase in the value of your home as the years go by. Owning a home not only provides you with an appreciable asset, but it also locks in the cost of shelter.
Here's how this works: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, renters have experienced a 3% annual increase in rents. That means that a $750 per month rental in 2003 will cost $978 in 2013. In the meantime, annual appreciation for housing has been approximately 4% per year, making a home worth $110,000 in 2003 possibly worth $163,470 or more in 2013. These figures differ region to region, but they give you an idea of the benefit of long-term appreciation.
Owning a home of your own offers many advantages, including the opportunity to create an environment that is a reflection of your taste and personality, not someone else's. You can also move when you choose to move, not just when you’re forced to escape rising rents or noisy neighbors.
On the downside for some people are the expense and trouble of maintenance and upkeep. But high-quality remodeling and home improvements are a good investment in the long-term value of your home if you decide to sell it.
One of the most important benefits of home ownership is appreciation, the overall increase in the value of your home as the years go by. Owning a home not only provides you with an appreciable asset, but it also locks in the cost of shelter.
Here's how this works: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, renters have experienced a 3% annual increase in rents. That means that a $750 per month rental in 2003 will cost $978 in 2013. In the meantime, annual appreciation for housing has been approximately 4% per year, making a home worth $110,000 in 2003 possibly worth $163,470 or more in 2013. These figures differ region to region, but they give you an idea of the benefit of long-term appreciation.
DETERMINING YOUR HOMES VALUE
Household incomes, mortgage rates, the job market, and affordability are all factors that help determine a home’s value. Yet another factor is a home’s amenities.
Of course buyers look at the number of bedrooms and baths and whether they have been updated or remodeled. They also look for an updated or remodeled kitchen, a family room or “great room,” two- or three-car garages, and an outdoor living area, such as a patio or deck.
With many people working longer hours, another factor that affects value is the condition of the property. Most people want a home that they can move into easily. Keeping your home in good repair is important to obtaining top dollar when it is time to sell, as well as for your own enjoyment in the meantime.
Maintaining your home consistently is the most efficient way to keep it in good repair. Seasonal chores such as checking the gutters and downspouts in the fall and checking the roof for weather damage in the spring can maximize their effectiveness and minimize the time it takes to keep them maintained.
Household incomes, mortgage rates, the job market, and affordability are all factors that help determine a home’s value. Yet another factor is a home’s amenities.
Of course buyers look at the number of bedrooms and baths and whether they have been updated or remodeled. They also look for an updated or remodeled kitchen, a family room or “great room,” two- or three-car garages, and an outdoor living area, such as a patio or deck.
With many people working longer hours, another factor that affects value is the condition of the property. Most people want a home that they can move into easily. Keeping your home in good repair is important to obtaining top dollar when it is time to sell, as well as for your own enjoyment in the meantime.
Maintaining your home consistently is the most efficient way to keep it in good repair. Seasonal chores such as checking the gutters and downspouts in the fall and checking the roof for weather damage in the spring can maximize their effectiveness and minimize the time it takes to keep them maintained.
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