Eva Bradley's Blog

   Real Estate Updates – Newsletter for January, 2010

Market conditions for 2009

Looking at the year end statistics for Tracy, including the surrounding country area, 2009 wasn’t a bad year for the local real estate market at all, considering the status of real estate market nationally.

Following are the statistics for the month of December, 2009:

•  Actively listed properties: 208 -  This slightly higher than it was in November (182)
•   Homes with “Pending” status for the last week of December:25  - This is just a bit lower than it was for the same period in November (27) and mostly do to the holidays.
•  Number of homes “Sold” in the month of December: 148  – This is a 25% increase compared to the previous month!!! (111) Huge increase! … . Maybe do to the $8,000 Home Buyers’ Tax credit extension? ….
•  The Average Days on the market of the Sold Properties: 62  - This is an increase from the previous month (34)…almost doubled!

 The charts below reflecting these numbers as well:

The statistical report for the year of 2009 is also showing some stabilization: it looks much better in comparison to the past few years. Inventory of available homes was much lower, barely enough to satisfy the huge demand. Sales prices are showing a slight improvement as well. An average, 59% of all homes sold in 2009, where actively marketed for less than 30 days.

•  In 2009 the number of homes sold: 1958
•  Average Sales price: $225,260
•  Average days on the market before selling: 48
•  Listing Price v. sales Price : 101% (homes were sold 1% higher than the asking price)

The average sales prices of Sold homes have increased slightly towards the end of 2009.

If you would like to have more detailed statistics or for other areas of the Central Valley real estate market, please feel free to call or email me – I would be glad to provide it for you.

A prosperous, happy, healthy New Year to you all!

Image via Wikipedia

Gated Communities

The popularity of living in gated, or private communities has been rising in recent years. It used to be that gated communities were thought of as being only for the rich. But today they are becoming more and more popular with middle and upper middle class families. Security is usually given as the biggest reason for choosing to live in a gated community. Among the other reasons people are attracted to living in these communities are protecting property values and lifestyle.Many gated communities are designed with amenities built around a particular lifestyle, with golf courses, tennis, swimming pools, or equestrian facilities.Gated communities are usually located on some of the most desirable land in the area. Prime land, combined with careful planning and HOA rules create an environment where home values hold up extremely well.

 Aside from the gates or walls, the second most defining characteristic of gated or private communities is the Homeowner’s Association (HOA).The HOA is made up of all the owners of the development. The HOA is responsible for collection of the Association fees and making and enforcing the “rules” of the community.It is often also responsible for maintaining the public aspects of the community, such as streets, security, parks, etc.

The rules set by the HOA can vary a great deal, depending on the individual development.Typically the HOA will have rules pertaining to upkeep and appearance of homes within the development, specifying the colors of paint on outside walls, types of fencing, guidelines for landscaping and storage of boats or recreational vehicles.

 Gated communities aren’t for everyone. But with strong protection of property values, increased security, less traffic and amenities for your specific lifestyle, they are appealing to more people each year.

See a list of available local condominiums here: http://bit.ly/5vnbHw

Most of us are affected by the downturn of the economy in more then one direction, but nobody feels it more than a small business owner. 

Small companies are the backbone of our economy and most of them are struggling; trying to safe money to pay the employees and bills when job orders are practically none existent, is staggering chore for a family operated business or small enterprise.  The last thing on their mind is to give out money  for advertisement.

 This gave me the idea of promoting a few of these local small businesses on my website, to give them a little bit of exposure, as sort of like my “good deed for this Holiday Season”:  It is my pleasure to introduce to you Allegiance Roofing, Inc,.

Allegiance Roofing is a family owned business:  Susan Tanupo and her husband Sako Tanupo own this company since 2000 and were, until recently, operating mainly in the San Jose area. 

A little over a year ago, Susan and Sako moved to Tracy and would like to serve the Tracy and surrounding areas as well.  So, please give them a call when you need a roof or gutter repairs next time and give them a chance to work a little closer to home.

You can reach Susan and Sako by calling 877-roof-344 or by emailing to allegianceroofing@comcast.net

Please visit their website www.allegianceroofing.net for more detailed information.

What is your “good deed of this Holiday Season”?  Please feel free to share it with me….

                                                                                                                   Eva Bradley

Save money during the holidays and buy that dream house in the New Year

The holidays can put a dent in your savings especially if you’re planning to buy a home. But there are several ways to cut costs so your finances aren’t in the red by New Year’s Day. Consider the following money saving tips:

• In lieu of buying presents for every family member, suggest a gift exchange and draw names out of a hat.
• Agree on a spending limit for gifts for friends and family and stick to it.
• Make your holiday meals a potluck and assign each guest an item to bring.
• To prevent the urge to overspend when shopping, use cash and leave your credit cards at home.
• Consider buying a joint gift rather than individual gifts for a family such as a zoo membership or movie tickets.
• Instead of holiday wrap, buy monochromatic wrap in holiday colors such as green, red, or gold that can be used all year.
• For young children, half the fun of holidays is often opening the gifts. Wrap small, inexpensive items separately – coloring books, crayons and picture books or novels, even stocking stuffers work well. Or recycle hand-me-down toys by wrapping them up and putting them under the tree.
• Instead of spending a lot of money on gifts from the mall, give homemade treats like fudge, truffles, cookies or jams and jellies.
• To cut down on postage and holiday card costs, send mail only to out-of-town friends and family you’re not likely to see throughout the year. Or send e-cards, which are usually free.
• To keep your electricity bill down, use a timer to turn outdoor lights on and off at designated hours.
• If you know you won’t be able to pay your credit card off right away, make sure you use a single low-interest card to make purchases – that way you can easily track them.
• When traveling during the holidays, try to fly on the day of the actual holiday (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day). It’s usually cheaper and there are plenty of seats.
• Subscribe to receive e-newsletters from your favorite online merchants. They will often e-mail coupons to use for savings on purchases and shipping costs. Or subscribers may receive private sale information.
• Sometimes buying an item online is cheaper than going to the store since many sites don’t charge sales tax and offer free shipping. Use the savings to have the gift mailed directly to the recipient instead of standing in line at the post office.
• Instead of buying an expensive gift, make a donation to a worthy cause in a friend or family member’s name.

Wishing you and your loved ones a peacefull, safe Holiday Season.

Realty World Corral Hollow Real Estate and Property Managment, with Sue Langdon and Jennifer West as owners, its agents and property management staff are working feverishly to “deck the halls” to be ready just in time for Santa’s visit this weekend. Preparations are well on the way: candles lit, presents all wrapped, and the Christmas tree has already been decorated and lighted; the holiday spirit is here. Welcome,and please join us.

It is my pleasure to announce our traditional “Pictures with Santa” event this holiday season. This year is marking our 15th anniversary of this popular event. Many of our customers are coming back year after year to have their children and grandchildren photographed with Santa, for free.
This year’s event is not going to be any different and although our office location has changed, we are expecting a huge turnout again.
Every family with children will have pictures taken with Santa Claus, plus a bag filled with goodies and will enter in a drawing for a bicycle, all this at no cost. Also, families can enter in a drawing to win a decorated Christmas tree as well.
Refreshments: cookies and soft drinks – and while waiting for a visit with Santa, movies for the kids are provided. Pictures will be ready for pickup the same day.

Date: December 12th, 2009 10:00am-2:00pm

Location: Realty World Corral Hollow Real Estate

Address: 104 West 10th Street, Tracy, Ca 95376

Please call 209-914-0683 or email me at eva@evabradley.com for more information.

Please click here for directions.

The Cost Of Your Mortgage Loan

The same care and consideration you give to finding the right house should be applied to your search for the right mortgage lender. For most home-buyers a major determining factor in selecting a lender is the cost of the mortgage loan.

But how do you determine the cost of a mortgage loan?

Shopping for a Mortgage Loan

While most buyers concentrate on interest rates, it is best to look at all the costs associated with a mortgage loan. Mortgage loans include the quoted interest rate, points and closing costs.

But how do you determine the cost of a mortgage loan?

Shopping for a Mortgage Loan

While most buyers concentrate on interest rates, it is best to look at all the costs associated with a mortgage loan. Mortgage loans include the quoted interest rate, points and closing costs.

More than Just Interest

A number of fees are associated with the mortgage loan, including:

• Appraisal - A carefully documented opinion of value by a licensed, professional appraiser.
• Credit Report – A detailed report of your credit, employment and residence history prepared by a credit bureau.
• Principal – The amount owed on a mortgage which does not include interest or other fees.
• Document Fees, Loan Fees and Processing Fees – Miscellaneous fees charged by the lender.
• Discount Points – Points paid in addition to the loan origination fee to get a lower interest rate. (1 point = 1 percent of loan amount)
• Origination Points – the total number of points paid by the borrower at closing. (1 point = 1 percent of loan amount)

Interest Rate – A percentage of a loan or mortgage value that is paid to the lender as compensation for loaning fund

Using the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) to Compare Mortgage Loans

The APR was designed to help borrowers understand the relative costs of a mortgage loan. The APR takes into account the various fees associated with the loan, which is why it is often higher than the interest rate. Understand that not all lenders calculate a loan’s APR in the same way. That is why this should be only one of the factors used in selecting the best mortgage for you.

Locking-in Interest Rates

Another factor to consider when selecting a lender is whether the lender will lock-in the mortgage’s interest rate and points. Click here to learn more about lock-in options.

Read here about “Mortgage Saving Tips“

This is what you will hear from realtors in the following weeks, all over the country:  The time to buy a house is now! 

Interest rates are at historical low levels, home prices are very affordable; it just doesn’t get any better than this.  If you were waiting for the bottom, this is it!

Please read the article below; NAR (National Association of Realtors) finally has some good news to report on the housing front: 

Big gain on existing homes sales

This time, I would like to tell you a bit about me; I was born and raised in Hungary.  Came to the US in 1987 as an immigrant,  without speaking a word of english.  Even Today, when I speak, I have a strong accent, which will stay with me for the rest of my life.  When you read my blogs, you will notice that sometimes my sentences are not put together the right way; please forgive me for that. 

Just like most of us who grew up in Europe, I have very strong family and community values and respect for the aged, which I continued to pass on to my kids as well. 

I learned to cook from my grandma and enjoy feeding who ever is willing to taste my food.  When I cook or bake something Hungarian, I always take a plate to my office  for everyone to taste.  When cooking or baking  hungarian food, I use a lot of onion, sour cream, garlic, red pepper (paprika) and many other spices.

I am a proud mother of three kids and grandma of four grand kids.

 I love helping people and I love being in the real estate business.  I am a simple person and like to talk in simple terms.  I like when people are straight with me, as I am with them. I take critisism very seriously and always looking  for ways to better my self. 

I thought that maybe there are some people out there who would like to see how the Hungarians are doing things, so here is a video clip about  “American Idol” – Hungarian style:  

Recycling – Hungarian Style  

 

 

Mello-Roos Taxes

Mello-Roos taxes are assessed to special tax districts, known as Mello-Roos Districts or Community Facilities Districts, for the purpose of financing public services and/or facilities including streets, police protection, fire protection, elementary schools, parks, libraries, museums, and cultural facilities.

California State Senator Henry Mello and Assemblyman Mike Roos spearheaded the successful passage of the Mello-Roos Community Facilities District Act in 1982. The Act passed in response to Proposition 13 (enacted in 1978), which limited the ability of local governments and developers to finance new projects.

Mello Roos District
The Mello-Roos act authorized any county, city, special district, school district or joint powers of authority to create a Mello Roos District with approval of a two-thirds margin of qualified voters in the district.

Property Owners
The Mello Roos District can issue bonds to pay for public improvements. The district’s property owners are responsible for payment of a “special tax” to repay these bonds. The act allows for considerable flexibility on how the special tax is calculated. The calculation often takes into account property characteristics such as square footage of the home and parcel size. Typically, the tax is included with your general property tax bill.

Time Limit
The special Mello-Roos tax stays in effect as long as needed to repay the principal and interest on the special bond along with any reasonable administrative costs. The Mello Roos tax may not stay in effect for a period longer than 40 years.

Property Sale
An increased value of the property does not affect the amount of the tax when property is sold.

Where in Tracy?   Homes built before 1982 are free of Mello Ross Taxes. In newer areas of Tracy a couple of home builders paid all Mello Ross taxes in advance, so homeowners don’t have to worry about it.  Please feel free to contact me if you would like to know which areas in Tracy are without Mello Ross taxes.                                                                     

Avoid Holiday Theft

Although we’d like to believe the holidays bring out peace on earth and good will towards men (as the Christmas carol goes), the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day tend to be a prime season for criminals. During this busy time of year, you can take some easy precautions to prevent becoming a victim of theft. Consider the following safety tips:

When holiday shopping:

• Don’t park in unlit areas at night.
• Put your shopping bags in your trunk. Don’t try to cover items on your seats with a blanket. Better yet, take your packages straight home after a shopping spree and then go back out.
• Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you, or else, keep it in your front pocket not in your purse or wallet.
• Be extra careful when carrying a purse – they are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas. If you must carry one, make sure it has a strap that can go over the shoulder and be held under the arm, making them more difficult for purse snatchers to grab.
• Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
• Beware of strangers approaching you. This is the time of year when thieves may try various methods to distract you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

At home:

• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
• Leave a light on when you leave your home at night or put your lights (including Christmas lights) on an automatic timer.
• Make sure your holiday gifts are not visible through the windows and doors of your home.
• Never say you are away from home on the outgoing message on you answering machine or voice mail. Simply say you are unable to get answer the phone at the time.

During the holidays, many people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. Protecting yourself and your home from potential crime is the easiest way to ensure a safe and happy holiday season.

Here are some more tips:

• Never ever sit in your car without looking in the backseat area.
• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Snap or zip up your hand bag.
• Do not ever roll down your car window for anyone.

Have fun shopping this Holyday Season, but remember: better be safe than sorry.