sam shueh realtor: Cities now using cats to solve a fundamental homeowner problem
- 05/03/16 12:32 AM
The warm winter in parts of the US created a new challenge to home owners. Many cities in mid-west are facing with early breeding of rats and rodents this year.
In Chicago, for example, the Mayor Emanuel has a task force address ways to resolve sources of rat food by cleaning up sewers, placing abatement programs and cleanup street dog droppings, and cap dumpster and trash cans better(Chicago Radio Show on rats).
Residents are trying a more active solution-adopt more feral cats. The proponents say it is a humane way and natural to control population of rats.
It also solves overcrowded animal shelters which … (3 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Live near discounted stores-home owners have an edge
- 05/02/16 02:15 AM
Sam Shueh
Live next to a Coach bag or jewelry stores may mean you live in a high income neighborhood. But how many times you can go there buy merchandise? Weekly, monthly or ?
Studies shows Americans want to live close to discounted stores. Stores like Target, Walmart or Costco suggest one saves a lot in the long run. People prefer to go there do their essential shopping on a routine basis than driving a lot fight for traffic … (2 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Self driving cars seen as aid dogs for disabled
- 05/01/16 03:26 AM
Sam Shueh
Self-driving cars have been the dream of ultimate driving since the introduction of automobiles. Detroit envisioned they would be radio controlled and self driving as shown in the following artistic sketch back from the late 1950s.
With better technology and firmware, it is getting closer and closer to the reality. Not long ago, I wrote an article in Active Rain about Google self driving car hit a … (1 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Cash buyers again have an edge over a mortgage
- 04/28/16 01:10 AM
After losing out on several high end homes purchases early this year. I realize that cash offers are popular again locally.
In San Francisco Bay area the very high end estates are often purchased in cash. At that high price the tax advantage has less significance. I even start turning away those claiming they want to pay cash and thus are entitled to have an edge getting a break. In here this ain't going to happen like other parts of the US.
My last five deals except one with high down, I have not dealt with lenders, appraisers for … (3 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Slice of opportunities
- 04/26/16 03:35 AM
As residential real estate prices in the US super hot sellers' market continue to set records, real estate agents say that fewer and fewer consumers are agreeing to traditional commission arrangements.
The 6 percent commission is out the window in most of California. In a sellers' market, consumers have a lot more to say about commissions whom they wish to list with. Savvy home sellers are using regional high home prices and strong demand for housing as litmus test how to reduce the commissions they want to pay. Often people are avoiding high flier agents and go to agents who are more negotiable and … (2 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Silicon Valley reduces apt rent increase to control living cost
- 04/22/16 08:23 AM
The San Jose City Council had a marathon hearing on stellar rent. The meeting start at 5 PM April 19 which went on til next wee hours at 2 AM.
At present, city has an existing rent control ordinance which allows owners of covered units to raise rents up to a maximum of 8 % per year. This applies to buildings of three or more rental units built before 1979.
After much protest of escalating rent which went out control. With 500 concerned renters and landlords showing their positions which went on for nine hours straight. The council's approval to reduce the allowable annual … (3 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: What are popular home features that sell well?
- 04/21/16 10:26 AM
Home searchers seem to be more positive about homes that have certain features. Often these homes sell better and faster.
They often reflect regional taste. Most of these styles are fairly modern. For new home features I have not been exposed to. I find a Url link to allow one look or appraise at different designs.
Kitchens with barn doors , shaker style kitchen-cabinets. farm-like sinks are popular in parts of the US and people are willing to pay more than those without. I believe they look dinstinguishly different and are considered scarce setting a new trend.
Kitchen with barn door Phoenix … (5 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Apple 2 campus getting close to exterior completion?
- 04/14/16 01:37 PM
Sam Shueh
I drove by backside of the Apple 2 Spaceship on Homestead Ave. I was not aware the spaceship is that close to both Homestead and Wolf Roads. Tantau Street- I believe it is closed for now.
The four-story building is shaped like a donut and clad in glass on both the inside and outside of the ring.
It is over a mile in circumference and, when complete, will … (8 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: House sizes outside of the US- part 2
- 04/10/16 09:28 AM
Sam Shueh
In part 1 Housing Sizes outside of US (Micro Housing ) we dwelled on how crowded some foreign cities are. What people in Hong Kong had to learn they live smaller than a car garage space in a 180 sf pigeon hole yet paid US $525,000.00.
In Japan, the people are doing no better. The capital Tokyo is also one of the most crowed cities in the world. Landlords have to be innovative to pack more for less with … (1 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: House sizes outside of the US -part 1
- 04/10/16 06:18 AM
Sam Shueh
With Hong Kong became part of south China, gone are the garment, plastic, toy, fire cracker factories and some international finance industries. These jobs are gone forever.
Unlike previous era when the threat of military conflict is gone you think people are going to move to cheaper and safe place like Quangdong Province to live. On the contrary, Hong Kong has more immigrants moving … (5 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Are Americans ready to live in a micro housing-part II ?
- 04/08/16 08:23 AM
Sam Shueh
Silicon Valley, CA
Around Google, Facebook offices near Mountain View, younger professionals cuddled together to lease a room for $1,500 a month sharing a bath? The room is not much bigger than 120 square feet in many … (8 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Are Americans ready to move into these housing- I?
- 04/07/16 01:32 AM
Sam Shueh
Silicon Valley, CA
Americans are addicted to excess consumption. They want huge monster cars, soar ceiling 30 some feet tall homes. The young ones all want it now to obtain instant gratification.
Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild the global commercial air fleet every … (8 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Realtor-Sam Shueh's 2016 100 day check up
- 04/06/16 01:30 PM
My 100 day check-up is looking quite good!
Sam Shueh
Early this year I had my health checkup at Kaiser Permanente. All negative! Thanks to good genes. Now, I will followup all these projects and real estate activities. I need to get busy.
New drought tolerant garden … (9 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: 2016 q1 San Jose, CA - Evergreen neighborhood houses update
- 04/03/16 12:31 PM
Sam Shueh
It encompasses an area with zip codes of 95121,95135, 95138, and 95148. The areas consists of a pricier newer homes centered around Evergreen High School and older smaller homes centered around other Eastside Union Schools.
The gross living area is bracketed from 1300 to 1999 sf with a minimum 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2 full bath.
We only look for trends like YTY price increase, gla/sf. Each neighborhood home prices are slightly different. Data consists of 3,245 closed sales.
… (8 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Give back to San Jose, CA community-Sam Shueh
- 03/31/16 01:02 PM
Sam Shueh
We realtors like to give back to the community where we service people. Over the years I have updated the Cupertino Senior Center, worked at Sunnyvale City Park (3X), and cooked for seniors who are unable to take care of themselves at the Lodge in Morgan Hill, CA.
This is my first time working at Second Food Harvest Bank on First Street near the proposed Spaceship II in San Jose, CA. The Cypress Semiconductors is now closed with a building for … (5 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: SF Bay area high priced neighborhoods produce poor rental return
- 03/31/16 03:15 AM
If you purchase a home to rent out for income. Think twice where you purchase. In pricey areas like San Francisco Bay area the rents are high but home prices are even higher.
Rents are rising faster than median home prices in nearly more than half of the US cities. On national level the average annual cap rate is 9.4% (rent/home prices). Assuming there is a 5% appreciation rate the cumulative investment return would be 14.4%. This is probably better than buying REITs which has been attaining 6.5% return with a service fee and restrictions on when to sell .
The area … (2 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Gilroy, Ca has the highest home appreciation rate -2016 Q1
- 03/31/16 03:08 AM
Sam Shueh
It encompasses an area with zip code of 95020. The gross living area is bracketed from 1300 to 1999 sf with a minimum 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2 full bath. I also tabulate average home prices as there are many large acreage homes.
We only look for trends like YTY price increase, gla/sf. Each neighborhood home prices are slightly different. Data consists of 4,984 closed sales.
Gilroy historical home prices (2002-today) … (6 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Listing presentation video-ARU open content contest-Sam Shueh
- 03/28/16 12:59 PM
Sam Shueh
Bob Stewart has asked us helping AR University to develop some useful training materials.
This is a short sale presentation developed and directed by me. It is applicable to allow those in distress situation considering a short sale on homes.
I have actually used the scripts and text content and able to convince those wanting to do a short sale with me.
This video is from the seller's perspective to see what options they have when home owners are behind with mortgage payments. Should they go sell their … (3 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: What to do with left over Easter real eggs?
- 03/27/16 04:27 AM
If you use real eggs for coloring, what are you going to do with left over eggs?
Eat them as hard boiled eggs for the next three weeks? Of course not!
We are going to do deviled eggs today after egg treasure hunt. Rather than putting candy inside we thought it is healthy and fun to make deviled eggs together as a group.
The filling for Southern-style basic deviled eggs is nothing more than egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard and sweet pickle relish mixed together. One can eat them as snacks or part of the meal.
I researched through recipe and found one with commentaries such one can … (15 comments)
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sam shueh realtor: Milpitas, CA home prices -2016 quarter 1 -Sam Shueh
- 03/15/16 12:43 PM
Silicon Valley North Housing Market- 2016 1st quarter
Sam Shueh
No one is hinting of a housing slow down because there is a tremondous of funds and jobs in the area. We began see this year a diminsihing return in home appreciation since 2012 Q1 from 20+% YTY appreciation.
A couple of chapters were centered around west Silicon Valley(Los Altos Hills, Los Altos, Palo Alto) followed by Cupertino schoo district. The next chapter dwelled on Central Part of San Jose. Latest was on North San Jose, CA.
Rather lump Milpitas, CA with North San Jose, CA together. I decided to study this city just … (1 comments)
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The warm winter in parts of the US created a new challenge to home owners. Many cities in mid-west are facing with early breeding of rats and rodents this year. 
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