san jose agent: Explore Japantown San Jose, Downtown's hidden gem! - 09/19/22 09:06 AM
So many amazing things to explore here in the Japantown Sa Jose if you’ve never been. Local and authentic sushi, ramen, shave ice, crepes and neighborhood favorite #royscoffeestation . Just 5 minute stroll from my open house at 550N 7 th st , San Jose! Stop by!
For full video view https://local.google.com/place?id=448838643145496021&use=posts&lpsid=3602759752787983222
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san jose agent: Homes Week by week in Santa Clara County - 09/08/22 10:37 AM
It's all down to supply and demand. Seasonally, this is when the amount of homes for sale goes down but despite of increase in the interest rates and raising days on the market our inventory level just reached what we had in may of this year. These numbers are reflective of Santa Clara County. If you are considering selling remember to think 60 days ahead. If you want to sell before Holiday season this is the time. Preparation time + 30 days to market + 30 days for escrow! If you were listing your home today you may be closing closer … (1 comments)

san jose agent: Don't forget! - 01/29/22 11:16 PM
Don't forget!!! Second Installment of the 2021-2022 Property Taxes is Due February 1 and Becomes Delinquent after April 11. This date is not expected to change due to COVID-19, however, assistance is available to persons with disabilities. Residents can view and pay taxes online at www.sccdtac.org. Unpaid property taxes will become delinquent if not paid by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2022. What are the penalties? A 10% penalty and a $20 cost will be added to the unpaid balance. Checking Account Payments (eChecks) are free online. The payment process is easy to complete on mobile devices using the SCC … (1 comments)

san jose agent: Contribute to a 529 College Savings Plan With Gift Cards - 01/09/22 01:13 PM
Contribute to a 529 College Savings Plan With Gift Cards Parents contributing to a 529 college savings plan may find it difficult, if not a little time-consuming, to transfer cash and checks that their children receive on their birthdays, Christmas and other celebrations into the popular college savings fund.
Instead of not knowing if their cash gift is going to pay for college or for a night out on the town, grandparents and others can buy gift cards and have the money deposited in the student’s college savings plan.
The 529 gift cards are used at GiftofCollege.com, a registry for online … (3 comments)

san jose agent: Financial Priorities for Newlyweds - 01/07/22 10:55 AM
Financial Priorities for Newlyweds Deciding where to live, if you’re going to have children, and who takes out the garbage are some of the big and small decisions newlyweds have to make together after the wedding gifts are put away and they’re ready to start their lives together.
There are also financial decisions to make as a married couple, though they may not be as easy to discuss as who’s making dinner on Sunday nights.
Here are some financial priorities newlyweds should set — together:
Set a budget: A good way to start is by living within your means and setting a … (1 comments)

san jose agent: New Tricks for Old Throwaway Items - 01/06/22 11:04 AM
New Tricks for Old Throwaway Items For many of us, mom’s ‘use-it-up, make-it-last, wear-it-out’ mantra was our introduction to thriftiness—a traditional value that has largely been kicked to the curb due to a more materialistic lifestyle.
But the truth is, most of our common throwaway items have not yet reached their full potential. Here are a few smart re-uses that will help keep junk out of landfills and make our life a little easier:
Banana peel as silver polish. Run the peel through the blender with enough water to make a paste. This makes a great silver polish when applied with a … (3 comments)

san jose agent: Why Waiting To Sell Your House Could Cost You a Small Fortune - 01/05/22 11:02 AM
Many homeowners who plan to sell in 2022 may think the wise thing to do is to wait for the spring buying market since historically about 40 percent of home sales occur between April and July. However, this year’s expected to be much different than the norm. Here are five reasons to list your house now rather than waiting until the spring.
1. Buyers Are Looking Right Now, and They’re Ready To PurchaseThe ShowingTime Showing Index reports data from more than six million property showings scheduled across the country each month. In other words, it’s a gauge of how many buyers are out looking at homes … (1 comments)

san jose agent: Is the Real Estate Market Finally Getting Back to Normal? - 12/30/21 11:11 PM
The housing market has been anything but normal for the last eleven years. In a normal real estate market, home prices appreciate 3.7% annually. Below, however, are the price swings since 2007 according to the latest Home Price Expectation Survey:
After the bubble burst in June 2007, values depreciated 6.1% annually until February 2012. From March 2012 to today, the market has been recovering with values appreciating 6.2% annually.
These wild swings in values were caused by abnormal ratios between the available supply of inventory and buyer demand in the market. In a normal market, there would be a 6-month supply of housing inventory.
When the market hit its … (4 comments)

san jose agent: How To Think Strategically as a Buyer in Today’s Market - 12/30/21 10:23 PM
The game of chess can provide incredible lessons to apply to all aspects of life, including the homebuying process. Chess requires you to plan and think about your strategy from the very beginning of the game.
The homebuying process, like chess, requires strategy and planning. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your plan is as strong as possible when you begin your home search.
Pre-Approval: the Best Opening Play To Make as a Homebuyer
It’s important to have a great opening play when you’re buying a home. And the best move you can make when you begin your home … (2 comments)

san jose agent: 4 Ways to Slash Utility Bills With a DIY Energy Audit - 12/30/21 02:20 PM
4 Ways to Slash Utility Bills With a DIY Energy Audit Fixing a few of your home’s most likely trouble spots can improve energy efficiency and save you a bundle on utility bills. Consumer editors at ThisOldHouse.com provide a starting point for your DIY energy audit:
Drafty Windows
On a windy day, close all windows and exterior doors, as well as the chimney flue damper. Light a stick of incense, move it around the perimeter of each window and watch for air that stirs the rise of smoke. If you find a culprit, scrape out any cracked or dried caulk on the outside where … (1 comments)

san jose agent: Hate Your New Couch or Paint Color? How To Avoid (or Cope With) Renovation Regret - 12/29/21 11:29 PM
Confession: All my life, I’ve wanted a chaise lounge. Chalk it up to Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda canoodling on one in “The Lady Eve.” A chaise always seemed like a highly comfortable perch for a grown-up. Plus, it has a chic French name.
I eventually bought a chaise … that took up way too much space in my living room and blocked an entry. After all, chaisemeans “long chair.” And yes, that chair was long indeed, as was the lasting sting of my buyer’s remorse.
Unfortunately, when you’re faced with a big design decision, this regret will rear its head … (3 comments)

san jose agent: From Ornaments to Yeast: The Biggest Household Dangers for Cats & Dogs - 12/29/21 11:22 PM
All pet parents want to keep their fur babies safe. So they may be shocked to learn their home can be a minefield of potential hazards that can cause severe harm or even death for their feline and canine family members.
“Cats and dogs are curious animals and tend to get into things, so nothing is foolproof,” says Tina Wismer, senior director of toxicology at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. “But there are some easy precautions that you can take to make it less likely that they will find something that they shouldn’t.”
Most people know to keep chocolate hidden away … (2 comments)

san jose agent: The Price Is Wrong: Many Underestimate These Home Improvement Costs - 12/29/21 11:04 PM
First-time homebuyers may assume that once they purchase their home—an expensive feat these days—they are done bleeding money. However, they may not be properly budgeting for common home improvement projects, which can be substantial.
Many Americans are underestimating the price of many popular home improvement and maintenance projects, such as installing new windows, doing the landscaping, and painting the interiors, according to a recent HomeAdvisor, powered by Angi, survey. And that’s likely becoming a bigger problem as labor shortages, global supply chain snafus, high inflation, and the rising costs of building materials are delaying projects and causing them to cost significantly … (1 comments)

san jose agent: One Man’s Very Dark Vision: $250K All-Black Home in Illinois - 12/29/21 07:57 PM
distinctive home in central Illinois began its journey into darkness with a black roof.
“Once the roof was done, I could envision how the house would be with black siding. Once that went on, it all made sense in my mind. I knew everything was going to be black, top to bottom, inside and out,” says the owner and listing agent, Seth Goodman. “It works really well. When you see the house in person, it’s a totally different feel than the pictures really show.”
What the pictures show is an all-black, two-bedroom residence in Lincoln, IL, that looks like a Goth … (2 comments)

san jose agent: Pending Home Sales Slide- Buyers Grow More Cautious About High Prices - 12/29/21 07:53 PM
The number of home buyers who signed a contract to purchase a home in November declined, as high home prices give buyers pause.
Pending home sales decreased 2.2% in November compared with October, the National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday. Economists polled by MarketWatch had projected a 0.8% increase for pending home sales in November.
The pending home-sales index gauges real-estate transactions where a contract was signed for a previously-owned home, but the sale has yet to close, and it is benchmarked to contract-signing activity in 2001. The index provides insight into the direction of existing-home sales data will take in the months … (2 comments)

san jose agent: When a House Becomes a Home - 12/29/21 06:36 PM
It’s clear that owning a home makes financial sense. But lately, the emotional side of what drives homeownership is becoming increasingly important.
No matter the living space, the feeling of a home means different things to different people. Whether it’s a familiar scent or a favorite chair, the feel-good connections to our own homes can be more important to us than the financial ones. Here are some of the reasons why.
1. Owning your home is an accomplishment worth celebratingYou’ve put in a lot of work to achieve the dream of homeownership, and whether it’s your first home or your fifth, congratulations are in order for this … (0 comments)

san jose agent: Key Things To Avoid After Applying for a Mortgage - 12/29/21 06:28 PM
Once you’ve found your dream home and applied for a mortgage, there are some key things to keep in mind before you close. It’s exciting to start thinking about moving in and decorating your new place, but before you make any large purchases, move your money around, or make any major life changes, be sure to consult your lender – someone who’s qualified to explain how your financial decisions may impact your home loan.
Here’s a list of things you shouldn’t do after applying for a mortgage. They’re all important to know – or simply just good reminders – for the process.
1. … (1 comments)

san jose agent: 5 Tips for Making Your Best Offer on a Home - 12/29/21 06:25 PM
As a buyer in a sellers’ market, sometimes it can feel like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. When you’re ready to make an offer on a home, remember these five easy tips to help you rise above the competition.
1. Know Your BudgetKnowing your budget and what you can afford is critical to your success as a homebuyer. The best way to understand your numbers is to work with a lender so you can get pre-approved for a loan. As Freddie Mac puts it:
“This pre-approval allows you to look for a home with greater confidence and demonstrates to the seller that you are a … (1 comments)

san jose agent: Expert Insights on the 2022 Housing Market - 12/29/21 06:21 PM
As we move into 2022, both buyers and sellers are wondering, what’s next? Will there be more homes available to buy? Will prices keep climbing? How high will mortgage rates go? For the answer to those questions and more, we turn to the experts. Here’s a look at what they say we can expect in 2022.
Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist, First American:“Consensus forecasts put rates at about 3.7% by the end of next year. So, that’s still historically low, but certainly higher than they are today.”
Danielle Hale, Chief Economist, realtor.com:“Affordability will increasingly be a challenge as interest rates and prices rise, but remote work may expand search areas and … (0 comments)

san jose agent: Homebuyers: Be Ready To Act This Winter - 12/23/21 12:05 AM
To succeed as a buyer in today’s market, it’s important to understand which market trends will have the greatest impact on your home search. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, says there are two factors every buyer should keep their eyes on:
“Going forward, the conditions buyers face are primarily dependent on two things: mortgage rates and housing supply.”
Here’s a look at each one.
Mortgage Rates Projected To Rise in 2022As a buyer, your interest rate directly impacts how much you’ll pay on your monthly mortgage when you purchase a home. Rates are beginning to rise, and experts forecast they’ll continue going up in 2022.
 
As the graph shows, mortgage rates … (0 comments)