homes: Single, Lonely and Renting? How about in need of a short sale? - 02/22/12 07:22 AM
 
I read a few headlines this morning and threw together a quick breakdown of three interesting articles that are quite timely to February. They talk about homebuyers finding love, lenders giving a bit of loving and banks spreading the love. How fitting right? So if your single, looking for love and renting check out the first article. If you’re curious about what kind of a timeline short sales are looking at check out article number two. Lastly, if you think the banks are cold, heartless…. well anyways not all of them are, check out article three.
Enjoy!

 
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homes: Let it snow or no go? - 11/17/11 08:31 AM
As winter falls upon us here in San Luis Obispo there is the increasing realization that having a heater is a good thing. What many first-time homebuyers might not know, however, is that a functioning heat source is also REQUIRED for the purchase of a home. While there may not be an explicit call out for a heater in the standard real estate contracts, there is indeed a requirement for a permant and functioning heat source in the appraisal report. Without that appraiser's signature you stand a pretty bad chance of getting a loan to fund.
As a first-time homebuyer your purchase … (0 comments)

homes: If 203k Rehab opened to investors... I'm doubtful it will help - 11/09/11 06:34 AM
This morning, as I do every morning, I was digesting my RIS Media newsletter that feeds general real estate new to me. It had an article entitled Nar Policy Leaders Propose Five-Point Housing Solutions Plan to Fed, Congress, Obama and as I read through the article I hit a point that really made me stop and think about the further implications more so than the other points. (To see the article you can click here.) The sticking point for me was under their third point of opening private capital to return to the mortgage marketplace.
The first thing that the Policy Leaders of … (2 comments)

homes: Smaller homes in the future! - 11/03/11 04:16 AM
Today I want to point out a few things that are coming down the road in terms of new construction and what home builders across the country are expecting for trends. If you are a new home buyer or a First Time home buyer these are som things to start thinking about.
Smaller square footage homes: between 2,000 and 2,300 square feet on average (nationally)
Increased green features in homes: Low e windows, engineered hardwood products like beams, floors and structural members, tankless water heaters and technologically advanced thermostats like that of www.NEST.com.
Nest thermostats are based off of iPod technology … (2 comments)

homes: Are you a Do-It-Yourselfer? - 09/08/11 02:39 PM
Are you a home do-it type? When I meet with people to discuss what kind of home they are looking to buy I often times hear that they aren't afraid of a bit of a fixer upper and that they can do home repairs on their own. A lot of times they're right but sometimes, well let's just say that they aren't quite as prepared to tackle the home repairs needed for my idea of a "fixer upper." That being said, I am a do-it yourself type personality and have the tools to do many of the repairs that tend to … (4 comments)

homes: First-time homebuyer tips Lead and Asbestos - 09/02/11 08:17 AM
Hey guys, after a recent discussion about Asbestos and Lead in homes I realized I never put anything up on my site about the two common elements that can be toxic to humans, yet we live with them every day. So I have comprised a quick overview of the two elements and how Lead and Asbestos can be hazardous to first-time homebuyers, experienced home buyers and sellers alike if not properly addressed.
Firstly, let’s talk about Lead. Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal element that was commonly used in construction materials up until 1978. So if you live in a … (2 comments)

homes: Having some technical difficulties with video but that won't stop me from providing you good info - 08/17/11 12:39 PM
As your first-time homebuyer specialist I like to provide you all with great information that you can either read or watch on my youtube.com channel http://www.youtube.com/user/Dom4SLOhomes?feature=mhee but right now my screenflow software isn’t working so hot and I can’t get video up. That being said, I can still type and get you some great information on SLO and buying your first house. Today I want to first start out by opening the blog up to a question tonight. The question is: “If you could build a real estate app for your iPhone or Droid, what would it look like?”
Think about things … (0 comments)