Seven Reasons to Own Your Home

Published in October 28th, 2008

Posted by Gretchen Merrick in Real estate, home, wealth, buying a home, tax benefits, homeownership

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1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.
2. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 […]

Len Tillem talk show, Monday 10/20/08

Published in October 20th, 2008

Posted by Miri Bialik in buy, buyer, seller, Sellers, Price, Real estate, agents, home, Neighborhoods, property, Home owner, bought a house, disclosure, investing, Len Tillem, neighbors, new home, new property

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A new home owner called Len Tillem on his Radio talk show today. He bought a house close to a freeway. There was no disclosure about traffic noise and he assumed that it was quiet. He claimed that he only saw the place during the weekend and it was quiet. Now that he moved in […]

South County Sales Week of August 27 - September 2, 2008

Published in September 3rd, 2008

Posted by Gretchen Merrick in Real estate Market, Price, Real estate, home, Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy, pending sales, housing market, list price, housing inventory

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This was a much more active week in the South County than last week. Twelve more homes went to pending status than last week for a total of 43 sales! Of these sales, three were condo/townhouses and the remainder were single family residences.
Of these 43 sales, the lsit price ranges were as follows:
$200,000 - $500,000 […]

10 Cities Where Jobs, Home Prices Are Growing, is it worth investing there?

Published in August 29th, 2008

Posted by Miri Bialik in mortgage, Real estate, taxes, home, Prperty manager, appreciation, rent, tenants, Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, investment, lbuquerque, Minneapolis, N.C. San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Portland, Salt Lake City, Texas, Utah

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To determine where home prices are expected to rise most in the next couple of years, Forbes.com looked at projections for housing starts from the National Association of Home Builders and job-growth projections from Moody’s Economy.com.
Forbes identified cities that are likely to be vibrant markets because jobs are increasing and the […]

Should We Sell or Buy First?

Published in July 22nd, 2008

Posted by Gretchen Merrick in multiple offers, home, buyer's market, housing market, seller's market

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I often have clients ask, “Should we find the house we want to buy prior to listing our house on the market?” And the answer depends on what the real estate market is doing. For example, we currently have a buyer’s market with a large number of homes listed. So, instead of jumping into […]

Real estate profession gets harder and more complicated

Published in July 16th, 2008

Posted by Miri Bialik in Real estate Market, Broker, mortgage, sell, seller, Buyers, lender, Sellers, Price, house, Real estate, homes, schools, home, markets, California, Santa Clara County, contract, homes sale, purchase agreement, disclosures, down payment, flower arrangements, funds, inspections, loan, negotiate, property

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In California the Real Estate Broker is responsible for pre qualifying the buyers, finding a suitable house/property that will fit the needs and budget of the buyer, negotiate the best price and terms, write the contract which is the purchase agreement, coordinate with the lender to get the best loan, inspect […]

Let’s talk statistics

Published in May 14th, 2008

Posted by Gretchen Merrick in Price, Real estate, home, Morgan Hill, South Santa Clara County, San Martin, Gilroy, MLS, median price, statistics, contract

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Here in the south Santa Clara County area consisting of Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Martin, pending sales have risen as Spring progesses. In January of 2008, we had 56 single family residences (sfr) go under contract. In February, 2008, 68 went under contract. In March, 2008, 80 went under contract and in April, 2008, […]

Iphones and Terabitz… quickly finding you a Home!

Published in May 2nd, 2008

Posted by Tracey McNeely in Uncategorized, Inventory, prices, Real estate Market, buy, buyer, sell, seller, Buyers, Sellers, Price, asking price, bath, bedroom, dollars, house, money, neighborhood, silicon valley, Real estate, homes, agents, for sale, schools, home, Neighborhoods, CA, elementary schools, school district, iphone

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Intero Real Estate Services is the first real estate brokerage to use iphone technology designed by Terabitz. What this application does is allow an iphone user to type in a street address, or MLS# and find a home that is for sale. I have been trying it out on my iphone. […]

The real estate market is alive again

Published in April 7th, 2008

Posted by Miri Bialik in Inventory, Sunnyvale, Ortega park, buy, sell, Buyers, asking price, house, neighborhood, silicon valley, Real estate, homes, agents, for sale, multiple offers, rentals, schools, sold, bid, good schools, home, moving, open house, paymoney, raise

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We are back in full action. Inventory is growing as fast as expected in the spring. The “for Sale” signs are springing up like mushrooms after the rain. If you drive through the neighborhood during the afternoon time you’ll see ‘open house’ signs pointing in all directions. Homes are being sold fairly fast, […]

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