home selling: Latest Market Information, Helpful Videos, More... - 10/12/11 04:35 AM
September sales statistics; the latest local, state and national market information; home finance, home improvement and general home ownership information; the latest installment of REAL ESTATE TODAY Radio; videos and more...Visit www.jsrealproperty.com and click on "1 Minute Housing Market Report."
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home selling: Real Estate Jargon: What is a "Market"? - 03/21/11 10:41 AM
Buyers, sellers, investors, welcome back to another installment of Real Estate Jargon, aka, simple explanations of real estate terms normally not found in nature.
A common question put to real estate people as they run into acquaintances at the local Starbuck's is - "how's the market?"  Not wanting to appear ignorant or pessimistic, the common reply is "great!"  Unless the two people in this conversation are reading each other's minds, no useful information has been exchanged.  Is the question about the national housing market?  Local market conditions?  Whether or not the agent will have to send his daughter to Happy Valley … (0 comments)

home selling: Real Estate Jargon: "Seller Financing" - 03/11/11 02:38 AM
Buyers, sellers, investors, welcome back to another installment of Real Estate Jargon, aka, simple explanations of real estate terms normally not found in nature.
In the world of real estate, sellers are often categorized in terms of whether they A) won't sell, B) may sell or C) must sell.  In today's market, many of the "must sell" sellers are offering significant incentives to get their property sold.  Many are including lots of personal property in the sale, such as lawn and garden tools, pool equipment, high-end barbeque grills, and premium quality household appliances such as refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers, and … (1 comments)

home selling: Real Estate Jargon: "Tear Down" - 01/23/11 02:24 AM
Buyers, sellers, investors, welcome back to another installment of Real Estate Jargon, aka, simple explanations of real estate terms normally not found in nature.
Ever drive through a neighborhood you really like and see a house that is worn out beyond repair?  Bingo!  You've just landed at the end of the rainbow and found the pot of gold!  Home hunters and investors with a few bucks to spend often look for just this type of property.  Load-bearing walls that sag, front porch with half the floor boards missing, huge holes in the roof, ancient wiring and plumbing that leaks like a … (1 comments)

home selling: Bay Area Market ... The Last REO and Short Sale Homes in Palo Alto, California - 12/29/10 01:47 AM
Palo Alto is a community with a lot going for it.  Best of all, home values have remained stable over the past few years in most neighborhoods and prices have even gone up in a few.  During a routine property search for a relocation client this morning, I stumbled across an interesting fact:  In Palo Alto, there is only one bank owned property and one short sale property listed on the MLS (single family homes only).
The lone single family home currently listed as bank-owned:
Is this a sign of economic conditions improving?  Of the housing market rebounding?  I'm not sure, … (0 comments)

home selling: Real Estate Jargon: "Interim Occupancy" - 11/24/10 08:43 AM

Buyers, sellers, investors, welcome back to another installment of Real Estate Jargon, aka, simple explanations of real estate terms not normally found in nature.
Have you ever needed to be out of your present home before you close escrow on a new one?  If so, you may have two options:
  1.  Move in with your mother-in-law temporarily
  2.  Ask the seller of the home you're buying if you can move in early and pay rent until escrow closes
For most men, Option 1 is total humiliation and makes prison look good.
If the home you're buying is vacant … (1 comments)

home selling: Real Estate Jargon: Keysafe/Lockbox - Something That Is More Than It Appears - 11/15/10 07:42 AM
Buyers, sellers, investors - welcome back to another installment of Real Estate Jargon, aka, simple explanations of real estate terms not normally found in nature.
Ever walk up to the front door of a property and see a blue box hanging from the doorknob, a nearby pipe, or other part of the building?  If it looks like the item in the picture - it's a Keysafe Supra iBox lockbox and it represents the latest in real estate entry technology.
If you're selling a property in California, Section 12 of the standard California Association of REALTORS® listing agreement (CAR Form RLA) can be used … (2 comments)

home selling: Real Estate Jargon: "Days After" and "Days Prior" What's the real date? - 06/21/10 06:04 PM
Buyers, sellers, and investors - welcome to another installment of Real Estate Jargon, aka, simple explanations of real estate terms not normally found in nature.
In the Lethal Weapon movie series, Danny Glover and Mel Gibson did a recurring bit based upon the confusion created by a common predicament: "Do we go on 3, or count to 3 and then go?"
In real estate, buyers and sellers are often faced by a similar situation.  When a listing agreement or purchase contract says "X days prior..." or "X days after...", what is the specific date that everyone can agree is the right … (3 comments)

home selling: Buying A Home With Plans To Sell - 05/15/10 03:18 AM
Statistics say the average California homeowner moves to a new home about every five years.  Much like marriage and gym membership, most of us go into the homeowner commitment believing it will be forever.  But somewhere along the way, something happens to validate that five year prediction.  The list of reasons is long.  What, then, should a home buyer consider when they know there is a possibility they will be selling in the not-so-distant future?
Here are some tips for home buyers that will give you the best chance of selling when you need to and at the best price possible.
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