Living in Contra Costa County

If you are paying Cash it will cost you more!

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:23:24 -0500

If you are paying Cash it will cost you more!

I have written a few post in the past about how cash does not get you as much of a discount as Cash Buyers might think. I have also posted on the fact that many properties that only want cash are often already discounted in price.

However, cash does have advantage in some cases, but it will not get you a discount, it might even cost you more.

In this market certain properties will get multiple offers. Often these properties will go for over asking price – sometimes well over asking price. When you have cash you have an advantage.

Cash can close quick. All things being equal the cash offer will get the property over the financed offer. However, most sellers will go with the highest offer, even if financed. There is one problem with High Financed offers; they often will not appraise and then the potential buyer is stuck having to ask for a price decrease or finding more cash to close the deal.

A Cash Buyer can pay what they have offered without having to worry about the appraisal. This does not mean you should not make a careful evaluation of what the property is worth to you, but you do not have to worry about low appraisals.

So as a Cash Buyer you have an advantage in getting the offer accepted, but it may cost you more!

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

Lic # 01492725

Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email

5 Budget Bathroom Transformations by a Morris County Stager

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:59:46 -0500

Selling a Home in Brentwood Ca

Selling a Home is a challenge. Here are some simple bathroom staging tips. They are not very expensive but are the sort of thing that can really help sell a home.

For more tips on Selling a Home in Brentwood or Beyond go to Home Point Real Estate.

Via Kristine Ginsberg Morris County, NJ Stager (Morris County, NJ: Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC):

5 Bathroom Budget Transformations by a Morris County Stager

This Morris County Stager shows you how small, inexpensive changes can and will transform your dated bathroom whether you are selling or looking to update to enjoy yourself.

A quality home stager/redesigner works with what you have making small, but powerful changes that look like you’ve redone your bathroom when in reality you’ve spent a fraction of the cost of hiring a decorator or contractor.

Below are 5 bathroom examples that Elite Staging and Redesign staged without any renovations or big purchases...

Bathroom #1 - the biggest problem with this bathroom was the wallpaper. It dated it even though the vanity was new. Elite Staging and Redesign removed the wallpaper and painted it in Benjamin Moore’s Bleeker Beige.

Bathroom #2 - this was so easy! All we did was let the light shine in, added white towels and a few accessories...

Bathroom #3 - painting this Yarmouth blue by Benjamin Moore really made the white molding pop and warmed up the space. We added a few accessories and the transformation was complete

Bathroom #4 - this builder grade wood vanity didn’t do anything for this otherwise pretty bathroom. We painted it white, added new hardware and found a carrara marble top at Home Depot for $120.00. Next we added some storage space with a bench and a small cabinet over the toilet – both from Home Depot.

Bathroom #5 - for this ½ bath, we painted it from stark white to Sherman Williams Kilim Beige, added some accessories and a small table with towel storage. Staging is about being creative and finding inexpensive solutions that add function and beauty...

Whether you’re selling your home or want to update a room while you still can enjoy it, call Elite Staging and Redesign of Morris County: 201-602-2562 or email me today!

Staged to Sell, Designed to Live!

If you enjoyed this post click: Thank You!

Elite Staging and Redesign - Kristine Ginsberg - 201 602 2562

Home Staging Morris County - Staged to Sell, Designed to Live!

You have 90 seconds to make a great first impression once your home goes on the market. Consult a Morris County professional home stager serving Union, Essex, Sussex Counties for that competitive edge so your home stands out from the competition, selling faster and for top dollar!

Elite Staging and Redesign offers home staging services to North Jersey homeowners, real estate agents, banks, builders, and investors in preparing homes to stand out in today’s real estate market. For a consultation on vacant staging, lived in homes or interior redesign projects call Elite Staging and Redesign at 201-602-2562.

Home Staging Website: Elite Staging and Redesign

Morris County Staging Before/After pictures: Portfolio

Email: Kris@elitestagingandredesign.com

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

Lic # 01492725

Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email

17 Ways To Make Sure Your Home WON'T SELL.

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:40:38 -0500

Just a little laugh for the weekend. Nothing like a little fun on ActiveRain once in a while. There is some exageration here, but I have seen most of these on some level or another.

Via The Christiansen Team (RE/Max Home Connection Fort Wayne):

17. List it for 200% of it's true value.

16. List it as a four bedroom instead of a three. When the buyers get there... SURPRISE! Only three!

15. Paint the entire inside bright yellow with a Sponge Bob theme throughout.

14. Get three giant angry dogs and leave them loose during showings.

13. Require one full week's notice for showings.

12. Draw three outlines of bodies with police tape across them on the living room carpet.

11. Stay home for the showings and sing show tunes to the buyers and their agent the entire time they are there. Remember to sing loudly and out of tune.

10. Boil a few dozen eggs right before the showing so the entire house smells like farts.

9. Have a bunch of friends over before the showing. Have each of them hide in a closet and scream each time a buyer opens the closet door.

8. Put the wrong keys in the lock box.

7. Stay home for the showing and follow the buyers around and tell them all the reasons you hate living there.

6. Do #7 again, but make sure you just ate something really garlicky and talk very close to them.

5. Leave a note on the table that says to be careful in bedroom four, but don't leave a reason why.

4. If it's during the summer, lay out during the showing wearing only a purple speedo and a swim cap. Oh, make sure that you have your Def Leppard CD cranked up too.

3. Put up an old spooky picture on the fridge. On a post-it note below it write: RIP Aunt Mildred. You will be missed when we finally move. We hope you enjoy haunting the new owners for the next 150 years.

2. Leave a note for the buyers asking them to "please excuse the mess" in the attic. Go on to explain just how hard it is to remove all of the black mold, but you're almost there.

1. Stay for the showing, put on your helmet made out of tin foil, and sit on the couch and stare at the TV the entire time without moving or blinking. (The blinking part is very important!)

Okay, that's all I can think of today. Hope you laughed. Time to get back to work!

Whether you are buying, selling, downsizing, or relocating to Fort Wayne...

THE CHRISTIANSEN TEAM CAN HELP!

260.704.0843 or JaredChristiansen@remax.net

WeSellFortWayne.com

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

Lic # 01492725

Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email

Ten things to remove before listing...

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:33:03 -0500

Selling a Brentwood Home

Here is a great post on getting a Home Ready to Sell. Selling a Home involves a lot of things. These are some great tips both to get the home looking good and for the safety of your family.

For more information on Selling a Home in Brentwood or Beyond go to Home Point Real Estate.

Via Lindsey Hasford (Coldwell Banker Vision):

Everyone has heard rumors of de-cluttering when it's time to sell your home. But, what does that really mean? Before going hog wild and moving out... here's a few of the most important things to consider removing before you list your home for sale.

10. Personal photos. I don't always recommend removing photos of the 'family' but if you have hallways filled with photos or photos on every end table it is probably necessary. Buyers really DO get distracted by them. They will take them all in as they walk down the hall. Not only do they take away from the home, but it's really disturbing when a buyer is excited to 'know' the sellers. And, the buyers do look at them.

9. Bills and personal papers. I understand that you cannot remove these document from the home all together, but please take the time to organize them, box them up and put them out of sight. If you have bills laying out on the counter or kitchen table it's like an invitation for the buyers to 'peek' at them. Believe me - I discourage it - but it still happens. And as a seller you just don't want to leave the temptation behind.

8. Money. I would love to say that every buyer (and Realtor) going through every home is honest, but I really don't want to test those waters. If you have cash, cash boxes or coin jars sitting out in the open... put them away. It's just better for everyone if it's out of sight. As Realtors we do what we can to protect your home, but your help makes a difference!

7. Valuables. Jewelry, watches, valuable antiques.... anything that might be worth a bit of money that you wouldn't want to lose. Out of sight, out of mind. If buyers don't know they are there they won't think about it. I can't tell you how many homes I've been in where the jewelry is left on the dresser.... somehow it's uncomfortable. At least put it away.

6. Guns and ammo. I don't care if they are in a case or out laying around or under a bed. It's better if you just plain old remove them from the home prior to listing. For some reason they make buyers (in my experience) feel really insecure.

5. Shoes! If you have a pile of shoes at the door... ask yourself why. A pile of shoes gives a buyer two impressions. The first? That there isn't enough storage in your home. 2. That there are too many people living in the home. So, in order to avoid wondering on the part of the buyer... just put them away.

4. Medicine. Take it out. Don't store it on the counter. Don't store it in the cabinet. Don't store it in the bathroom. Remove it. There have been many complaints over the years of potential buyers 'stealing' the medicine out of the cabinets. I have never had it happen on my time clock, but to avoid any trouble it's best to simply remove it.

3. All things on your kitchen counter. Everything? Really? Yup. The cleaner you can leave the counter, the more buyers dream of being in there. Have you ever been in a cluttered kitchen? Does it feel inviting? How about a cleaned up kitchen? Does it make you wanna spend time there? Also, if you store things on the counter it gives the appearance that you do not have enough storage space.

2. No more junk drawers. Seriously. Clean 'em out. There is nothing more tacky than a potential buyer opening the cupboards and drawers and having things sticking out everywhere. Box up all the notes, pens, tacks, and odds and ends and put them away. Chances are you don't dig in the drawer often anyways.

1. Nothing but magnets.... and maybe not even that. Take a photo of your fridge, take everything off, wash the front (and side), and take another photo. It is really refreshing to walk into a home that has a clean fridge. The kids pictures are beautiful (believe me... my fridge is covered in them) but buyer's can't imagine their own children's drawing on there if it is covered with yours. And, the magnets... If they aren't decorative (and even then) they are generally more of a distraction to the room than a help. Consider it.

There are many more ways to declutter a home for sale... but these are some important things to consider. For more information on selling your home in Minnesota... give me a call.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

                 In the meantime... if you are looking to move into the area... I'll wait for you to call!

Selling Real Estate in Minnesota!

If you are looking for professional real estate services I am only a ring away! I am looking forward to working with you. And, please feel free to share my name with anyone that you know who needs assistance buying or selling a home ~ I love referrals!

                                                   Lindsey Hasford, REALTOR
                                                        Coldwell Banker Vision
                                             231 Main Street - Elk River - MN 55330
                                          763-241-5488 (office) 763-218-1347 (cell)
                                         lindseyhasford@coldwellbankervision.com
                                                  http://www.hasfordhomes.com

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

Lic # 01492725

Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email

" AS IS' Home purchase . What buyers should know .

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:29:44 -0500

Buying a Brentwood Home "As Is".

When Buying a Home the phrase "As Is" is rather common these days. Here is a great post on what that really means.

For more information on Buying a Home in Brentwood or Beyond go to Home Point Real Estate.

Via GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI BUCKS County & Philadelphia, PA HOMES (RE/MAX Centre Realtors):

"AS IS" home purchase . What buyers should know before writing the purchase agreement.

This is not legal advice and buyers should seek legal advice when purchasing a home. Laws may be different in different States Ask your Real estate agent to guide you about disclosure laws in the state.

Before making an offer on a home please know that when sellers say they are selling the home ' as is ' it does not mean that you cannot have a home inspection. In fact you should always have a home inspected by a quailfied home inspector.

The purpose of the home inspection is to find out about material defects . If it is going to cost too much to repair / replace items mentioned by the home inspector, based on the contingency clause in your agreement of sale, you can decide whether you want to purchase the home or not. When the seller is selling 'as is,'  it means that the seller is not going to do repairs. This is quite common in bank owned homes .

It is important to get a home inspection even when you are buying a home 'AS IS'

The sellers may have a number of reasons for selling 'AS IS.'

1. They may not have enough money to pay for repairs.

2.They may not know any handymen or contractors to get the work done.

3. They may be scared to have strangers come to the house to repair the items.

4.They may not want to be bothered with repairs and may not mind selling for less money. They may have listed accordingly.

5.It may be an inconvenience to repair or replace items that need it for a number of reasons including health issues, relocation etc.

If your contract states that you have the option to back out of the contract if you are not satisfied with the inspection report you can do so. You can also try to get the seller to credit you at settlement for  items mentioned in the inspection report.

In some instances the seller may be willing to adjust the price or give you credit at settlement.

Another misconception buyers have about AS IS sales is they think that they will get all the furniture in the house when they buy the house. Furniture is not part of real estate . Fixtures that are permanently installed are included but the furniture is not included unless it is mentioned in the mls and you should then mention in the agreement of sale that it should be included. All inclusions and exclusions should be spelled out. It is common for washer, dryer and refrigerator to be negotiable items, because they are not permanently attached they are not fixtures.

Also make sure you have a clause that says the place should be broom clean, There have been sellers who have left all the junk in the basement saying it was sold AS IS . You may have to buy a home in this condition if it is a foreclosed hom.

It is important to work with a good buyer agent and a good attorney when buying a home.

Sellers should disclose known material defects even if they are selling AS IS. Check with your agent or attorney about discosure laws.

Gita Bantwal is a Realtor with RE/MAX Centre Realtors in Bucks County, a Northern suburb of Philadelphia. You can view 1000s of listings on her web site www.GitaBantwal.com

She can be reached at 215-343-8200x124 or direct 215-275-8491 or via email gita01@aol.com

Gita specializes in Active adult communities and is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. She holds the ABR designation (Accredited Buyers Representative) and specializes in selling to first time buyers as well as move up buyers.Gita also hold the CRS designation , Certified Residential Specialist and the CDPE designation as well. Information about real estate market is deemed to be correct but is subject to errors and omissions and should be verified independently.. Opinion expressed by me or others in my post and comments is not to be construed to be legal advice.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG         CLICK HERE

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

Lic # 01492725

Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email

Gene's NFL Thoughts

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:45:45 -0500

Gene's NFL Thoughts

Well the last several weeks I have been making NFL picks. Started out well and went down hill. I should have quit while I was hot. This week there is only one game to call. However, first I will outline what I would like to see in the NFL:

An 18 Game Season with only 2 pre-season games. Throw in an extra bye week for a 20 week season. There are lots of advantages to this as you will see below.
I like Thursday Night Football, but the players have a point that it is too hard on the teams that have that really short week, especially the traveling team. Well with two bye weeks, both Thursday teams should have the week before as a bye week. That takes care of that problem. Not only that but teams that play on Monday night should be at home the next week.
Teams complain too much about the long travel to the opposite coast and how it is hard to win on the road. Well the long road trips should be 2 to 3 games and the teams could just stay on the far coast. It worked for the Forty-niners.
The economy is not right for it now, but the NFL needs to expand to 40 teams. Five Divisions of 4 teams in each conference. With an 18 game season the teams should play each team in the Division twice, then two teams in each other division in the conference. Based on the prior season record the two top teams of each division play each other and the two bottom teams play each other. That is 14 games so far. Then 4 games against one of the Divisions in the other conference rotated every 5 years. That is an 18 game season. There are plenty of places for 8 New Teams, two in Los Angeles Basin, 1 in Sacramento, (With both bay area teams sharing a south bay sight Sacramento could handle one.) Portland, San Antonio, Orlando, Las Vegas, and Hawaii. Those last three might be short on population, but they are big tourist destinations. Having an NFL might draw tourist out. I could see entire junkets flying over from Japan to watch NFL Games. They do it for golf.
Once we are up to 40 teams it is time for 16 teams in the playoffs. Now with the longer season the playoffs could start the weekend after the BCS Game. Eight big games, 1 Friday night, 3 Saturday, 3 Sunday, and one on Monday night. I don't want more playoff games without expansion. I don't want to be like Hockey.
I liked having the Pro-Bowl in the Super Bowl Stadium the week before. Go back to this. Hawaii will have it's own team.
No more domed stadiums. Nothing like football outdoors. The Black and Blue Division has two domes. That is not right. Nothing like football in the freezing cold.
Congress has no business regulating how local government spends it's money. That being said, Congress should pass a law that says if the NFL has anymore publicly financed stadium deals they loose their Anti-Trust exemption.

Well that is the NFL that Gene would like to see. The Patriots are the Evil Empire of the NFL – Go Giants 31-28.

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

Lic # 01492725

Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email

Brentwood Ca Karate

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:09:46 -0500

Brentwood Ca Karate

Any of you that have read my post know that I like to keep my boys busy in sports. I have 6 boys and the oldest four all do different things. This does not mean they are good at it all the time but they have to participate in something.

The other rule I have is that I choose what you do, unless and until you have a real passion for something; then you can choose. I will let them try different things on a casual level too.

Well my 3^rd son Weston was born 6-7 weeks early and spent his first month in the premie nursery. He has a sensory processing disorder which sometimes makes him both socially and physically awkward. He has struggled with baseball and wrestling.

Well he kept saying he wanted to try Karate. My wife spotted a special of 6 weeks including the uniform for $69.00 at Brentwood's American Karate Academy. I honestly wondered if he would last 6 weeks before he got bored.

Karate has been the best thing for my son. The Karate instructors have been really good with him. He still struggles with things and his attention span is sometimes not where it should be, but he loves it. He had some trouble working through his basics at the White Belt and I thought he would want to give up. There were some tears and disappointments but he kept going. When he went to Karate and passed his Gold Belt test he was so proud. He really felt like he had achieved something.

The American Karate Academy Instructors are the best and have a good balance of discipline and yet understanding where the kids are at. My son is starting to talk to me about things he wants to achieve in Karate – this is always good as it shows me he is planning for the future and is beginning to set goals and objectives for himself.

Here is a video of him testing for his 3^rd strip on the Gold Belt. He fails the first time, but notice how the instructor encourages him and gets him through the test the 2^nd time around.

He is still an awkward little boy on some levels, but Karate at the American Karate Academy is helping. The next night he advanced to his Orange Belt.

If you are looking for a Karate School in Brentwood Ca 94513 I highly recommend American Karate Academy. They offer Karate for Kids and Adults. They are located at 2440 Sand Creek Road, Suite E-10 or basically the Raley's Shopping Center. There phone number is 925-240-8384 or go to www.AmericanKarate1.com.

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

Lic # 01492725

Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email

You Get Paid What? For Doing What?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:15 -0500

You Get Paid What? For Doing What?

A big part of my morning ritual is to watch the Video Blog: Think Big Work Small with Frank and Brian. Now this Blog is mainly designed for the lender community, but they have a lot of cool stuff for real estate agents and even the general public.

Yesterday there is a great bit of information on the new Citizens Financial Protection Bureau CFPB. These outfit is supposed to protect consumers. But they are now hiring and they cover some of the positions and salaries. Unbelievable what these people will be paid.

It is enough to make me wonder what the requirements are to work here. Except all my life I have tried to do honest work. I also suspect I may not be politically connected enough to get one of these jobs. This smacks of cronyism and government empire building rather than something we need.

Here is the Link to the TBWS Daily. Listen to it.

What do you think?

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

Lic # 01492725

Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email

Brentwood Ca Home Prices: Who the heck Priced that House? There is trouble brewing...

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:57:30 -0500

Brentwood Ca Home Prices

This is a great Post on what people need to understand about Home Prices. I could go on multi page rants about each little paragraph. But it is summed up nicely here.

If you have any other questions about Real Estate go to Home Point Real Estate.

Via Scott Godzyk, One of Manchester NH's Leading Brokers (Godzyk Real Estate Services):

There is a war raging and some of you may not even have noticed...yet... Others may be right in the heart of it. As the amount of homes Listed on the market declines sharply and the amount of sales continues to increase we have seen market stabilization in a lot of areas including here in the Manchester NH area. Prices have actually began to rise in segments of our market.

There are 4 distinct sides in this "War of values". Which side will you be taking?

1. SELLERS: One of the most important things that can help you sell your home is pricing it right. Using a Full time, Full service, Local and well experienced Listing Agent can give you the advantages you need when selling your home. List prices need to be priced at or near market value. The simple truth is over priced listings are one of the only segments of the market that are not selling.

2. BUYERS: With the amount of homes on the market sharply decreasing and sales continuing to rise there is more competition for homes among buyers. The days of 'Low Ball" offers is near over for owner occupants. Most buyers are learning the hard way losing their dream home by making a low offer. It is important to have an experienced buyer agent who can inform you of local trends and values.

3. LISTING AGENTS: With the decrease in Listings, there is pressure on Listing Agents to provide more service. For agents who have been providing a strong service to the banks throughout the last 4-5 years they are being rewarded as some banks consolodate their agent lists.

4. SHORT SALES: When listing short sales the practice of listing the home "way under market value" to attract more offers is leading to an increase in short sale rejections. This practice should be avoided as it is not helping out sellers who are losing their homes to foreclosure becuase of it.

5. BUYER AGENTS: One of the most important things is for Buyer Agents to inform and educate their buyers about current market conditions. Buyers need to be making better first offers. The offers need to follow any guideleines the seller puts forth in bank owned Sales. Offers should be accompanied with pre-quailification letters and forget the low ball offer if there is a lot of interest in a home.

IN CONCLUSION: The moral of the story is whether you are an agent, buyer or seller it is time to wake up, do not get caught snoozing and do not miss the boat. There are still some incredible deals out there. Interest rates are still ultra low "for now". Sellers need to be realistic, buyers need to be more realistic and agents need to be on top of their market to be able to provide the service your clients want and need.

It does not take magic to turn your "For Sale" sign into a "Sold" sign. it takes a full time Local Agent who specializes in Listing homes like yours.

If you need to sell your home and you owe more than your house is worth, i may be able to help. I specialize in working with home owners to get your home sold. There are many options such as a short sale whcih may be able to help you.

Please try and avoid out of state or out of town agents and companies that make "out of this world promises". We are local agents with experience who never charge any up front fees. WE GET RESULTS!!!
If you need to sell a home in New Hampshire I can be that agent for you. I strive to provide the best personal and professional service through each step of the selling process.

We stand by you through every step in selling your home.

PLEASE SEE SOME OF MY MOST POPULAR BLOGS

TOP 5 TIPS For Buying a Bank Owned Home

TIPS AND ADVICE For buying a Short Sale

Should a Buyer Use more than 1 Agent to help then buy a home?

Can I Purchase a home that is in FORECLOSURE?

Are Buyers waging WAR on SELLERS?

Do you owe more than your house is worth?

Can a Listing Agent submit an offer to a Seller that is "TOO LOW?'

THE TOP 5 MYTHS about Todays; REAL ESTATE MARKET

THE TOP 5 WAYS to know if "NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY A HOME."

THE "SECRETS" to getting a SHORT SALE approved

ONE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S LEADING AGENTS FOR SHORT SALES AND BANK OWNED HOMES...

If you are Looking for a Real Estate Agent you have come to the right place. Scott Godzyk is a Full Time and Local agent ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs through each step of the buying or selling process. We are proud to be locally owned and operated.

If you owe more than your house is worth, If you are behind in your payments, I may be able to help. Call me to find out how you may be able to sell your home at no additional cost to you.

Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of The Godzyk Real Estate Services located in Manchester NH. With 25 years of Real Estate experience Scott specializes in Listing and Selling Bank Owned Homes, Short Ssles, Residential Properties, Condominiums, New Construction and Investment Properties. Scott services the counties of Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham and Belknap. To contact Scott Godzyk please call 603-661-2121 or email sctprop@aol.com. his website is www.ScottSellsNH.com.

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Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

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New California Laws Impacting People Living Where There are Homeowner Associations

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:12:17 -0500

Here is a great update on laws effecting home owner associations in California. This is particularly important if you wanted to move out of your condo and purchase another home while renting the condo out.

Via Harrison K. Long, business, REALTOR®, GRI, Broker (Explore Group, Coldwell Banker Previews, Irvine, South OC):

About one in three people in California now live in communities where there are HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS, and new California laws impact those people.

CA Senate Bill 150 - new CA law for 2012 - Owner's right to rent out units at homeowner association community - prohibits associations from restricting owners' abilities to rent their properties unless a rental restriction was in place before the owner purchased the property. This section of the new law applies to a governing document provision that becomes effective on or after January 1, 2012, and requires owner/sellers to provide a statement describing any applicable rental restriction to potential buyers.

CA Senate Bill 209 - new CA law for 2012 - governing electric vehicle charging stations - restricts homeowners associations from prohibiting or restricting the installation of an electric vehicle charging station, although associations still have jurisdiction over the approval process for such stations. Owners will be responsible for the maintenance costs associated with charging stations and for any commonly metered electricity. Owners will also be required to obtain an umbrella liability insurance policy that names the association as an additional insured.

Senate Bill 563 - new CA law for 2012 - new requirements regarding the actions of homeowner association boards between meetings.

HOAs must notify members at least two days prior to a meeting of the board's executive session.

Allows for meeting notifications to be sent electronically to homeowners and permits board meetings to be conducted by teleconference as long as they are conducted in a manner that protects the rights of members.

Notices of teleconference meetings must identify a physical location so members can attend and requires that at least one member of the board be present at the location.

Board of HOA is prohibited from conducting a meeting via a series of electronic transmissions, such as email, except to conduct an emergency meeting.

These news laws are part of the California Civil Code starting at section 1350 re condominium, cooperative and planned unit development communities.

__________________________________________________________

Harrison K. Long – REALTOR® and broker associate, GRI – Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage – 949-854-7747 (phone) – ExploreProperties@gmail.com (email) – CA DRE 01410855 – SFR short sale and foreclosure resource certified by the National Association of REALTORs® – now serving as an appointed director at California Association of REALTORs® – attorney member of the California State Bar Association #69137

Please contact us about listing and sale of ORANGE COUNTY CA homes and real estate. ~ Professional REALTOR® agent representation and help for property owners, private trust estate representatives, estate administrators, executors and heirs, probate and trust attorneys, estate planners, income tax professionals, public guardians, fiduciaries, investor group managers, bankers, and individuals, with listing and sale of properties at Orange County, CA.

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

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Walnut Creek Travel Ball Tryouts 2 -4-12

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:13:50 -0500

Walnut Creek Travel Ball Tryouts 2 -4-12

There will be Tryouts Saturday February 4 2012 at 11 AM for a 13 and Under Walnut Creek Travel Ball Team. Ball Players from all local communities are eligible. There are open roster spots and plenty of room for talented Baseball Players.

Tryouts are at the Ygancio Valley High Baseball Fields, starting at 11:00 AM.

Travel Baseball is an excellent opportunity for a young player coming out of Little League of other seasonally organized youth baseball to expand their skills and take things to the next level.

To register for the tryouts or if you have questions about Travel Ball call Eric Samuels at 925-671-7758 or e-mail emanlaw99@HotMail.com

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

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Would you petition to extend Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Act?

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:59:09 -0500

Here is a little Petition we ought to all pass around. In this economy and housing market it is a no brainer.

I would suggest you go to the original and reblog it too.

Via Pacita Dimacali - ePRO, SRES, CDPE, MBA Alain Pinel in Alameda County CA (Alain Pinel):

Petition to extend Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Act

As many of us may already know, the Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Act of 2007 is expiring December 31 2012. However, we also know that we expect more property owners will explore going through a short sale. But will they have enough time? Will the lenders act quicker to approve/reject/counter short sale applications?

According to the IRS, "The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, qualifies for the relief."

Will it help to sign a petition to extend?

If you’re one of those in favor of an extension, consider signing this petition

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

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Do You Have a Dream for the Future? Let Me Tell You a Story........

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:12:58 -0500

Shar is a great Home Stager - but more important than that she is a great person with a heart for ministry and helping people.

She is taking her gifts for business and using them to ministry to women coming off the streets. I think when people are coming out of hard situations like this providing them with a nice environment helps them to feel valued and to recover.

If you need a Home Stager in Minn. call Shar.

Via Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, MN - Shar Sitter (Rooms With Style):

Do you have a dream for the future? Let me tell you a story.....

My story starts last October when I was asked to "write down 50 things you would do if nothing could stop you" as part of a Home Stager Trainer's Class. So that night I gave it serious thought.....

If nothing could stop me, if I had no barriers what would I do??? Hhmmmmmm...

#1 On My List: To start a Non-Profit that would decorate homes or spaces for women who were coming off the streets and out of abusive situations.

As Nate Berkus says "Your home should rise up to meet you".

I believer that is for everyone...no matter what your situation or where your "home" is. Home could be a women's shelter where you feel safe for the first time in years, a subsidized housing project that is all your own, or one room in an apartment shared by others in your situation. So, I wrote it down.

"I want to start a Non-Profit to bless women coming into perhaps their first safe living space ever."

I had visions of what I would do with it when I retired. Receive donations, refurbish a worn out table by painting it a fun color, bringing new life to an old chair with fun fabric, have a list of volunteers to assist me. I could visualize it in the future.

So....guess what I did Thursday??

I decorated a three bedroom apartment for three women coming off of the streets from sex trafficking and prostitution.

Did you hear that?? Thursday. And I haven't retire yet!

I won't go into the details but this happened quickly. Someone at my local church knew what I did for a living, called me and asked if I would be willing to get involved. I called the charity and was told the women were moving in Friday and they needed help "pulling it together".

I went down there Wednesday morning and a large local furniture store was just pulling away from donating BRAND NEW FURNITURE!!!!

But, there were no 'girly things'. I went to my warehouse, picked out lamps, artwork, and girly things that I could donate.

Oh....I forgot the best part. When I told my sister what I was doing she came back to me a bit later with this:

"For these women the bed has never been a safe place. They need to know it is now safe and they need to be blessed with some nice new linens, not used.". I must mention my sister is a psychologist and volunteers with women who have been sexually abused or part of sex trafficking.

So...off to Target I went to buy new bedding that she was going to donate. New sheets, new comforters, a fuzzy blankets for cuddling. All coordinated with their room's paint color of course. Any good designer would have the paint deck samples with her. LOL.

I realized I needed help and needed to rearrange my schedule to meet the time commitment. With a one day notice I was back decorating the space with a wonderful woman named Sandy.

We worked for six hours cleaning, arranging furniture, making beds, hanging artwork. Boy were were exhausted but oh so blessed.

We left each woman with a brand new towel and wash cloth along with a box of chocolates and fresh flowers.

I think these women will have their home "rise up to meet them" when they walk in.

What do you think?

Bedroom 1: The taupe room

Bedroom 2: The lavendar room

Bedroom 3: The blue room

The common area:

The Hallway Garden:

So....do you have a dream for the future? God may have something in mind sooner.

I don't have my own Non-Profit yet to help numerous organizations assisting woman but hey....this is a start and it happened quicker than I thought.

What's your dream?

Originally Posted at Rooms With Style Blog

Premier Home Staging and Redesign Firm Serving the Entire Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN Area


Shar Sitter

Website: http://roomswithstyle.com/

Portfolio:  Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis, MN

Email: Shar@roomswithstyle.com

Although each house is unique there is one common goal...using our expertise to get your home sold as quickly as possible.

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

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Burlington Stager says Staging gives you those aah moments.

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:58:29 -0500

Here is a great post on home staging. There are great photos that show what quality home staging brings to the equation when trying to sell a home.

Via Janice Ankrett Burlington Ontario Accredited Staging Professional (Janice Ankrett Home Staging):

The thing I like the most about my job is those aah moments. It's a feeling of relief I get when a room looks just right.

I know that the room will have greater appeal to buyers. The room feels more open and comfortable. It has room in it for the Buyer's dreams.

It doesn't matter what the size or age of your Burlington home is, the rules are the same. Your goal is to show the Buyer your home fulfills their dream.

Buyers want a comfortable home full of light.

Buyers want a home with room to grow.

Buyers want plenty of storage.

Buyers want value for their money where they can just move in and enjoy their lifestyle.

Buyers want to be able to downsize without giving up their lifestyle.

Make sure your home is full of rooms with aah moments.

Serving Burlington,Oakville, Milton, Hamilton & surrounding areas. 905-467-5353

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

Lic # 01492725

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When Appliances Don't Sound Right

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:54:35 -0500

Here is a great post that shows 3 things:

Always use a Home Inspector.
Trust your gut and get answers to your questions.
Even new home construction needs to be inspected by an independent home inspector.

Via Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):

During a new construction inspection, what should I do when appliances don't sound right?

One of the goals on a new construction inspection is to test things. Unless the builder makes it clear some appliance is not completely installed and should not be tested, I test them all. That's why we're there!

Turning on what is billed as "Gourmet Kitchen - Upgraded Exhaust Hood," it just didn't sound right.

I did the old take-a-piece-of-paper-from-my-pocket test and the paper stuck very well.

That's a sign the fan is actually working!

It's always good when the fan is working...

But still, it didn't sound right.

What does "sound right" sound like?

I don't know. It should just sound smooth and not like a high wind inside the house.

Yes, this was a "gourmet" vent fan. It should be powerful. It should sound strong. And it did.

But still, it sounded weird and not right - like a high wind and an exposed motor.

Opening the cabinet door this is what I found.

I have found this before! Remember, this is a new construction inspection. I find all kinds of things on new construction inspections!

Understandably, we are there to see that things are ready for the final walk through, which, in this case, was to happen in a couple of hours.

The key word in "final walk through" is the word FINAL.

That inspection is with the builder. It is the REVEAL. It is when they get to SHOW OFF their ware!

Turning the fan on and opening the cabinet door, I felt a lot of air! THAT was the sound!

Air was not directed outside via a connector tube. It was just blowing into the cabinet!

I was, in fact, listening to a high wind and exposed motor!

Darn good thing they plugged it in!

My recommendation: I advise clients all the time, when purchasing a newer or an older house, to be involved in taking care of their house. Listen to the sounds things make. When they are operating well, or correctly, they will make a certain sound. If and when that changes, you will know there is a change and can take action proactively. It's nice when they give you a warning like that!

It is no different than driving your car!

P.s. The dishwasher didn't get rid of the water in the bottom of the unit at the end of the cycle. I ran it twice to make sure. What should I do when appliances don't work right...? ;>P Yes, that's me, sticking my tongue out.

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com

Home Point Real Estate works with Home Buyers, Home Sellers, and Investors in East Contra Costa County and Beyond.

East Contra Costa County includes Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron.

Home Point Real Estate Works with Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Investors.

Right now is one of the Best Times to Invest in Real Estate – Click here for the Free Book of Real Estate Investing.

Find out the 19 Things You Need to Know to Short Sale Your Home or What do you need to Know to Buy a Short Sale Home.

Get all the information you need on Bank Owned Homes.

Free On-Line Home Evaluations!

Search Homes on Line Now! Let us know what you want in a home and we will send you the information you need and a List of Homes by E-mail

Lic # 01492725

Subscribe to Gene Riemenschneider's East Contra Costa Home Blog by Email