Here are the highlights of January transactions and market comments for Santa Clara County real estate and San Mateo County real estate. Your comments and questions are always welcome. If you see something in your neighborhood that you are curious about or have a question, please don't hesitate to share with us. If you have questions or a comment, please leave them here, or feel free to contact me through my website. > Market Overview -- The last several months has seen a continual decrease in the amount of sales in both counties, an indicator of slowing markets and something we see each year as we enter the holiday and winter season. Closings of single family residences (SFR) in Santa Clara County decreased from last month to 640 from 951 but was 7.9% higher than the same month a year ... 02/10/2011

Buying a Foreclosure  Question: The house next door to me has a notice of trustee sale on the door. Can I go to the auction and buy it?  Answer: That depends. If the owners of the house pay off what they owe before the trustee sale or if they declare bankruptcy there will not be a sale. However if they do not do anything then the home will go to public auction. In order to purchase at auction you would have to pay all cash, you do not get contingencies, and the title is not insured.  The first loan has to be paid off and if the house is worth less than the loan balance you would have to pay more for the home than it is worth.  If the home is being foreclosed by someone who has a junior lien, that is a second loan, or a lien against the home then the first lien holder needs to be paid of... 02/02/2011

Compass Place Arcadia Terrace Sunnyvale California Compass Place is a condo complex in northern Sunnyvale, California.  In this video, I point out key features of two different units that are for sale in the Sunnyvale Compass Place complex on Arcadia Terrace. Compass Place Arcadia Terrace Sunnyvale California This post is written as a submission to the ActiveRain Kodak Video Challenge contest. I have the chance to win the KODAK PLAYTOUCH Pocket Video Camera, great for realtors looking to create wide angle home tours and real estate marketing videos! 01/27/2011

Compass Place Arcadia Terrace Sunnyvale California Compass Place is a condo complex in northern Sunnyvale, California.  In this video, I point out key features of two different units that are for sale in the Sunnyvale Compass Place complex on Arcadia Terrace. Compass Place Arcadia Terrace Sunnyvale California This post is written as a submission to the ActiveRain Kodak Video Challenge contest. I have the chance to win the KODAK PLAYTOUCH Pocket Video Camera, great for realtors looking to create wide angle home tours and real estate marketing videos! 01/26/2011

During the Art of Home show this past weekend, I picked up some information on a company called "Plamar USA Inc." Plamar is stationed right here in Sunnyvale up on 1319 E. Moffet Park Drive.  Moffet Park Drive is just East of the Moffet Field Naval Air Station.  Plamar specialize in custom fabrication and installation of marble and granite for homes and businesses.  To get a better feel for them, you are encouraged to visit their showroom and slabyard.  According to them, the benefits of using Plamar USA are: AutoCad / State of the Art Fab Shop After-the-sale Customer Care technicians Large Showroom Experienced Installers They handle all of your Natural Stone needs, from Template to Installation.    01/26/2011

Saturday January 22 is the Grand Opening of Lotus, the new DR Horton Townhomes in Sunnyvale.  Located off Taylor Street between Fair Oaks and Wolfe, Lotus is conveniently located close to downtown shopping and dining.  Lotus Townhomes at Sunnyvale is a community of 36 new townhomes that range in size from 1,363 to 1,745 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 to 3.5 bathrooms.  The projected range in initial starting prices is from the high $400s to the low $700s. 01/21/2011

When you get to a certain age - and younger viewers may want to turn the sound down at this point - it is recommended that you go through a short, but rather ego-deflating procedure called a colonoscopy which involves what Dave Barry calls your "behindular zone." It struck me recently that getting or refinancing a mortgage nowadays is rather like a financial colonoscopy. Similarity #1. The preparation and anticipation is much worse than the actual procedure. Yes, and sometimes getting a mortgage will keep you up all night as well! As a consumer you're not too sure what's going on, but there seems to be a lot of paperwork involved... Similarity #2. When they wheel you into the operating room, everything is laid bare. Even that tatoo on your left cheek that says "Amber" (or maybe "Roger")... 01/13/2011

Here are the highlights of December transactions and market comments for Santa Clara County real estate and San Mateo County real estate. Your comments and questions are always welcome. If you see something in your neighborhood that you are curious about or have a question, please don't hesitate to share with us. If you have questions or a comment, please leave them here, or feel free to contact me through my website.> Market Overview -- The last several months has seen a continual decrease in the amount of sales in both counties, an indicator of slowing markets and something we see each year as we enter the fall and holiday season. Closings of single family residences (SFR) in Santa Clara County jumped a bit from last month to 904 but was 3.6% lower than the same month a year ago. For ... 01/12/2011

The above home is located at Aster Court in Sunnyvale. My offer was one of 12 offers seller received in one week on the market. Of course, my offer is not the highest priced offer either all cash offer. The seller picked our offer and worked with us. I don't know exactly how but I was there EVERY single times with my client either showing, inspection, closing. The offer presentation is in details presented well so the seller knew this offer will close to the end. The offer was approved on 21 days from the acceptance of Oct 16. The 1st and 2nd loans are all Bank of American which is cool. The bank wanted more then our original offer we managed to negotiate down a bit then we reach an agreement. The appraisal was a few days late due to the Thanksgiving.  We do received the extension to b... 01/12/2011

Preparing Your Home for Sale - Home Staging   1. Clean up the Outside and Inside a. Exterior: The home must look nice outside so that potential buyers will want to walk inside.  Just as with a rental house, you need to create curb appeal.  Clean up and trim up to have a neat and tidy fron and back yard.  Open up a clear view of the front of the home.  Trim extra tree and shrub growth.  Clear up the path to the doorway. b. Interior: Hire a professional house cleaner, carpet steam cleaner.  c. Exterior: Power wash the driveway and patio areas. d. Interior: Pack up and de-clutter.  Pack away unneeded household items.  Contain needed items in covered baskets and bins (e.g. bathroom toiletries). e. Interior: Remove unnecessary furniture to open up the house and have rooms feel more roomy.   ... 01/10/2011

Here are the highlights of November transactions and market comments for Santa Clara County real estate and San Mateo County real estate. Your comments and questions are always welcome. If you see something in your neighborhood that you are curious about or have a question, please don't hesitate to share with us. If you have questions or a comment, please leave them here, or feel free to contact me through my website.> Market Overview-- The last several months has seen a continual decrease in the amount of sales in both counties, an indicator of slowing markets and something we see each year as we enter the fall and holiday season. Closings of single family residences (SFR) in Santa Clara County jumped a bit from last month to 820 but was 8.8% lower than the same month a year ago. For S... 12/08/2010

As you may know, I serve on the board of directors for Sunnyvale Community Services (SCS), a nonprofit organization since 1970 that works to prevent hunger and homelessness for thousands of local community members. Matter of fact, I was just named its Treasurer and volunteer my time and talents. Unfortunately, the number of struggling families and individuals in Sunnyvale has grown as the recession continues as people lost their jobs or have had their hours cut back. In fact, last year we served three times as many people as we did in 2005.I'm contacting you today to invite you to: · Sunnyvale Community Services Annual Christmas Holiday Auction · 5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 2nd · 725 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 · Please bring an unwrapped toy or gift for a child, teen or househo... 11/26/2010

Holiday Season--People Still Looking for Homes in Sunnyvale CA Not long ago I helped our last tenants find a home to buy. They moved out of this nice two-bedroom townhouse in Sunnyvale California last month, and we were concerned that with the holidays upon us the rental market might be slow. However, just days before Thanksgiving a couple who are renting an apartment not far away came to take a look, and knew it would be a great place for them to call home. And we're happy because we think they'll be wonderful tenants, which our background check substantiates. They'll be moving in December 10, and will have a great place in which to enjoy the holidays and welcome in the new year. So, if you're hesitating to put your property on the market at this time of year, remember that housing nee... 11/26/2010

It is not easy to close a transaction, and an REO is no exception.  In my area we do not have a lot of bank owned properties for sale. Even in 2009, when San Jose had a good number, the northern part of Santa Clara County had very few foreclosed homes as a percentage of listings, and newer, nice homes were even harder to find. In 2010 the REO inventory has been few and far between, so when a 4 year old home in the western part of Sunnyvale came on the market I had a buyer who jumped on it right away, and managed to get his offer accepted in a multiple offer situation. The home was foreclosed by Chase, and they wanted a pre-approval from Chase, so the listing agent told everyone to go through Long Nguyen, a very nice and competent loan officer from Willow Glen.  My client was very impres... 11/20/2010

Did you know that Steve Jobs graduated from Homestead High School in Cupertino? It's here that he learned electronics, and then he co-founded of Apple Computer. No wonder Homestead received one of the Silver Award high schools of 2010 by US News Magazine.           The  Homestead High School is the home of Mustangs just like the principal, Graham Clark, said " The rich academic program challenges  EVERY student to set and reach ambitious, intellectual and personal goals. Homestead's extensive extracurricular activities provide physical and social avenues to match a wide range of student interests. The staff and students of Homestead are looking forward to ALL students having a rewarding high school experience" . My friend's daughter loves this school because she's made great friends and... 11/08/2010

The Sunnyvale Pet Parade was a blast.  Not only were the pets dressed in their halloween's best, but so were the owners!  Great fun was had by all, there were everything from the "ugliest dog" to a zebra stripped horse.  Audience participation was needed as contestants were competiting for:  the most talented pooch, the best dressed pooch & owner, best float etc.  In addition there was a farmers market going on and a section of pet stands offering everything from pet supplies to pet care. 11/07/2010

Today a Sunnyvale Short sale counter is received. Yes!! it only takes BOA 21 days after submitting to counter offer received for this Sunnyvale CA short sale. The Bank of America used to take the longest time to approve the Santa Clara county short sale.  What makes this Sunnnyvale Short Sale different is the fact  file in equator.com ? October 12 accepted offer submitted to equator.com - The negotiator was assigned in 10 days and BPO was done quickly also - Today November 2 2010 we received a counter offer from the bank. From October 12 to November 2 which is only 21 days!!! Here is a few interesting facts:Bank of America beefed up their Short Sale department over the past 6 months from 100 employees to 1,400. And now instead of over 300 Short Sale files their "negotiators" are averagi... 11/02/2010

Howl'oween Pet Parade & Faire - October 30, 2010 Now, this event is one that you do not want to miss!  If you have a loved one (pet) that you want to show off, dress up, parade on down the road, then this event is the one for you! While you are there, take a moment to stop and have lunch or an early dinner in downtown Sunnyvale. It starts at 11am, and goes down Murphy Avenye, in Historic Downtown Sunnyvale.  This event is presented by the Sunnyvale Downtown Association and the City Of Sunnyvale. The parade starts at 11am to 12:30.  The Pet Faire is from 11:30 - 4:30pm.  If you need to contact the faire's orginizers, you can reach them at 408-516-7217 Parade and Faire Highlights:* Best Pet Costume* Best Human Costume* Best Combo Costume* Best Group Costumes* Best Float* Pet Talent Show*... 10/21/2010

Please join us at this special annual event sponsored by Sunnyvale Community Services (SCS). Many items including ornaments, quilts, baked goods, jams, knit and crocheted items, jewelry and more will be available. 100% of the proceeds benefit SCS. We thank the SCS Auxiliary for donating their time, energy and creativity to make this happen each year!WHERE: Sunnyvale Community Services, 725 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94086WHEN: Saturday, October 23rd from 9:30am to 3:30pmSunnyvale Community Services is a non-profit organization who's mission is to prevent homelessness and hunger in Sunnyvale. I am a proud member of the Board of Directors of SCS. 10/19/2010

Here's something you don't see every day. " Free towing" of your unwanted vehicle!  If you are a Sunnyvale resident and have an unwanted vehicle taking up space then simply call the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety in the month of October to request an appointment for a tow away. Towing will take place in the month of November.  Vehicle owners must sign over ownership and turn in the vehicle's pink slip.  Vehicles must be towable with four inflated tires and have all debris and garbage removed.  Vehicles removed during the cleanup do not qualify as an IRS tax donation! 10/13/2010