It started with another flaky room-mate moving out. As she began the search again for a cool group of like-minded individuals it occured to her that maybe, with rates as low a anyone under 80 can remember, that perhaps she should buy. She called me. I set the stage for her pre-approval, her criteria for searching, a referral to an agent in her city. Within a week she had found the home of her dreams! New construction. Most important feature? A private deck. When you live in San Francisco this is to die for.
Read all of My Step Daughter is Buying a Condo
President Obama this week offered some details on his proposed program aimed at getting homeowners to make energy-efficiency improvements to their houses. The Homestar program would increase demand for energy-efficient home products and installation services as well as help homeowners save between $200 and $500 a year in energy costs, according to a news release from the White House. Below are a few of the details of the proposal:
Read all of Homestar Energy Savings Rules
The end of the year brought the greatest highs and lows for me and my buyers involved in the short sale saga.
Read all of Closing the book on the short sale drama
Well there I was (check previous posts) lamenting the short sale process or lack of same. Months in pergatory, not knowing which way the bank will decide your fate and the fate of your earnest clients. Everyone involved BUT the bank in it for the right reasons. So that's one deal. My other active escrow is a Townhouse. It sold in multiple offers, $15,000 over asking. Though the project was not FHA approved the lender for the most qualified buyer said that his was an FHA Certified Operation and with the documentation all in had from this well run HOA there would be no problem.
I'm still a pushover for the printed word. I love the newspaper. I think it's wonderful to get your fingers dirty while drinking coffee and ingesting information. I call THAT the 'Breakfast of Champions'! I know I'm being a little silly, but the truth is I trust a word on a page perhaps because someone sat and thought about a subject and was willing to commit that subject to a scrutiny that was more lasting than a disposable sound-bite. Sure you can just read the headlines but I think you're more likely to read the article. To take a moment, breath and travel through the subject from beginning to end. It's satisfying. Like a meal instead of fast food.
Read all of Do you believe everything you read?
More than anything else, I think both potential Buyers and Sellers don't know what to believe or who to trust within the Real Estate Community. It would be foolish of me, as an agent of 22 years, not to admit that there has often been a divide between us. As with any profession, and yes it is a serious profession, there are serious consequences attached for all unacceptable behavior, either intended or unintended. Agents pay a large premium every year for Errors and Ommissions Insurance, just as Doctors and Lawyers do.
Read all of Trusting Information-A somber beginning.
