Thursday, July 29, 2010

Why should I short sale my home?

by CJ Brasiel

Anytime a home owner can no longer afford to make their house payments and the home’s value is less than what is owed, a short sale should be considered.  You do not have to be behind on your payments to request a lender to approve a short sale.   For a home owner to qualify for a short sale there are three basic burdens of proof the lender will require.

1.) The owner must have a negative debt to income balance.  Simply stated, the home owner’s income is  not enough to pay their monthly bills. There are many reasons why monthly incomes change.  Job loss, reduction in hours/salary, disability, and death.

2.) The owner must be insolvent.  Meaning the home owner does not have any assets that can be sold to supplement their income or pay off the debt.  This does not include retirement funds but there have been cases where the lender asked for the owner to pay some money at closing and this is the only place an owner can withdraw funds.

3.) There must be a documented hardship.  The owner must be able to demonstrate that something has changed  preventing them from being able to afford the home.  There are many reasons for hardship.  Common reasons are job loss, health issues, and divorce.  Adjusting interest rates which increase the mortgage payment suddenly can also be a reason for a short sale hardship.

Assuming the above qualifications are met, the home owner should consider the following potential ramifications for selling the home for less than what is owed.  In the state of California, there are recourse loans and non-recourse loans.  Loans that were given for the initial purchase of a primary residence are considered non-recourse loans.  This simply means any default amount or balance not paid, is forgiven without recourse.  With a non-recourse loan the lender can not come after the mortgage holder for any unpaid balance once the debt has been settled.

Refinancing creates a recourse loan.  If the borrower took on an additional loan, many times a home equity line of credit (HELOC), they have a recourse loan.  With a recourse loan any debt not settled can be pursued by a lender.  It is important to recognize that a loan modification can also change the note from a non-recourse loan to a recourse loan.   If a new note is prepared for the loan (mortgage), the debt now becomes a recourse loan.

Prior to the housing crash, even though the settled debt may have been non-recourse, there were tax ramifications to short selling the home.  Any forgiven debt was considered income and could be taxed accordingly.  Every short sale will trigger the generation of a 1099 by the lender to the borrower.  This will be the amount forgiven.  It will be up to the borrower and their tax professional to determine whether or not this forgiven debt is taxable income.

Since the housing crash, the federal government and recently the state of California created legislation that provided mortgage debt tax relief.  The federal legislation H.R. 1424, a part of the Bailout Legislation, extended relief through December 31, 2010.  California SB 401, provides tax relief for forgiven debt between the years of 2009 and 2012 for a principle residence.  It is very important to consult with a tax professional to understand how these tax laws are applied to your specific situation.

A short sale can reduce the amount of negative credit reporting on a borrower.  If the borrower is not behind on payments and the short sale approval wording states the debt is settled completely, it is possible no credit hit will be recognized by the borrower.  The credit hit comes from missing or late payments and settlement of debt with a statement of “less than balance owed” reported.  Generally speaking, the credit hit from a short sale is less than a credit hit from a foreclosure or bankruptcy. A foreclosure and/or bankruptcy can affect a borrower’s credit for up to 7 years.  However, even with a short sale, if a borrower has missed payments for a long time, the credit hit keeps adding up and eventually may be as bad as a foreclosure.  This is the reason why it is so important to address the problem as soon as possible.

Ultimately, if you are wondering whether or not a short sale is the right decision for your situation it comes down to these considerations:

1.) Do you have a legitimate hardship that will make you unable to make your monthly mortgage payment? If you borrowed truthfully, owe more than your house is worth and circumstances outside your control have created an inability to pay back the debt by the agreed upon terms, you should investigate whether or not you qualify for a short sale.

2.) Do you want to save your credit as much as possible so that you may purchase a home again in the near future? If you have any intention of being a home owner in the future, saving your credit is critical.  Anything you can do to reduce negative reporting will have an impact on your ability to borrow in the future.

3.) Are the legal and tax implications acceptable on a short sale for your specific situation? There are legal and tax implications to forgiving debt whether it is a short sale, foreclosure, and or bankruptcy.  The only way to know how they will impact your specific situation is to consult with an attorney and tax professional.

Once  you have answered these questions and a short sale proves to be the best option, consult with a trained short sale specialist.  Short sales require a unique set of skills for a real estate agent and the short sale approval can very much depend on how your agent negotiates with the lender and buyer.  As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, I have the training, resources, and experience necessary to serve as your short sale agent.  If you would like to discuss your options with no obligation, contact me.  Consulting with professionals will help you determine quickly whether or not a short sale is the right answer for you.


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Why buy a house?

by CJ Brasiel

Ahhh, the question that will be on everyone’s mind for at least the next decade.  I bought my first house in the late 1980’s.  I sold it about a year and a half later and had to pay at the closing table.  My interest rate was about 8% on that loan.  The first month I moved in, the AC condenser line clogged up and I came home after a 12 hour shift to find the carpet saturated down the hall.  But I loved the yard.   It was lush, had a huge deck, and I had countless parties with friends and the memories still make me smile.  My dog ran a raccoon up the tree in that yard.  The oak tree in the front yard destroyed my septic drain field and that cost me a couple of thousand dollars to fix.  I loved that house.  I remember inviting my parents over for dinner and they didn’t get lost.  This was the first time they didn’t have to try to find a “unit number” in a huge apartment complex.  They simply pulled up in my drive way.  I loved that house.

Then I moved to Texas in 1992.  Beautiful newly constructed home on about 5 acres.   I remember when my parents came for Christmas, my Dad told me “Hon, you’ve really made it.”  My parents believe owning a home is a sign of success in your life.  It was a responsibility that took hard work and many weekends of my time.  Can you imagine weed-whacking about a mile of ditch in Texas summer sun? Uh-huh.  Responsibility.  I loved that house.  My dogs could run all around until they wore out.  Chasing rabbits, squirrels, and other neighborhood dogs.

Why buy a house?When I went to sell that house, I found out that I had about $10,000 of subterranean termite damage.  I also learned that you can’t remove a basketball hoop once it has been cemented into the ground.  The buyer’s asked for it back, with concrete, upright.  I also realized that negotiating moving packages was part of every job interview from that point on.  With only 18 months in the home, I barely made enough to pay the movers.

I was thrilled to be in California and could not wait to find my “dream home” in the place I believed I would stay forever.  I spent two weeks and looked at about 40 homes.  This was 1994.  Interest rates were about 8.5%.  After coming from a “mansion” on 5 acres, I now looked at condos with less than 1000 square feet and pet restrictions for twice the amount I paid for my home in Texas.  I looked at foreclosures (because that is where the “deals” were. NOT.). I remember seeing a house that did not have any toilets (yep-just holes where they were meant to be) and smelled so bad I could not even decide what needed to be fixed.

Of course, I finally found a home.  A small, cheaply constructed, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, zero-lot line home to buy.  I couldn’t really afford it.  But somehow I did.   I loved that house.  It became my comfy spot after long hikes in the Santa Cruz mountains.  It became my base for long bike rides along McKean Road.  It had a great little patio. The dogs were happy and I painted the walls the color I had always wanted.

I later sold that house and moved into a bigger home in a better neighborhood.  I made twice as much as I paid for that little house.  That house allows me to live in the house I do today.  I love this house.  In Willow Glen, my all- time favorite little downtown and neighborhood.  Great yard. Great neighbors.  I owe more than the house is worth.  But I don’t plan on moving anytime soon. (Although, we are thinking about a ranch somewhere in Almaden Valley…)

For too long, houses have been treated as everything but what they are really meant to be for people.  For practicality, houses are meant to be shelter.  Emotionally, they are meant to be homes.  Whether you rent or buy the decision ultimately comes down to what do you want or need in a home.   That decision has little to do with market.  That decision has little to do with profit.  That decision has little to do with the bank, or the bail out, or the tax exemption, or potential, or value.  It has to do with you. It is time to stop treating real estate like a simple stock.  It is time to stop believing that owning a home is the American “dream”.  In fact, many can now document that “dream” can be a very real nightmare.

Why buy a house?  Because, you want to.  Because, you can afford to.  Because, you like weird paint colors.  Because, you________( fill in the blank). With every decision in life, it is personal and it doesn’t work for everyone.  No big cha.  Probably the only saying that is true about houses has nothing to do with whether or not your rent or own.  Home is where the heart is.


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Where does the San Jose Housing Market go from here?

by CJ Brasiel

Last week I heard the saying that 80% of the statistics quoted are made up on the spot.  Certainly, most have heard the saying that “statistics can be made to say anything you want”. The exact reason why most marketing experts look at trends more than a single number stat. With that said, I took time to revisit some of the “stats” that I ran last year to compare to where we are now.

The bulk of the foreclosures occurred in late 2008 than in 2009. By 2009, the banks were quite tired of seeing their brands splattered all over the evening news with interview after interview with homeless sellers talking about their recent foreclosure with You-Know-Who-Bank. Not to mention, the tax payers came to the rescue and actually provided incentives to banks who did not foreclose.

In that same time period we began to see more and more short sales come to the market and home owners were given some chance to save their credit while re-grouping for where they would live next. Short sales quickly became a third of the San Jose housing market. Equally, less than 1/3 of the short sale deals would actually close. Buyers were not patient to wait for 6-12 month approvals and with lots of houses on the market, they moved on quite quickly to the next house. (Graph 1  March 2009)

“Affordability” played a role as well. In 2005 the median home price in San Jose was $685,000. In 2009, the median home price had dropped to $450,000. Many buyer’s who simply had been priced out of the market and wisely rejected exotic home loans found themselves with a real chance to own a home in the Bay Area. Throw in some tax incentives and a revised conventional loan limit from $417,000 to $729,000 and a demand was created. It worked. In late 2008 San Jose held nearly 8 months of housing inventory. In late 2009, there was less than 4 months of inventory on hand. [click to continue…]


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Are you sure I can’t keep my pigs?

by Karen Negrete

Disclaimer: What you’re about read is true. Only the inanes have changed to protect other stagers from pointing and laughing at my clients.

When I’m called in to stage a house, the Realtor and I will chat about anything I should know before I go in so I won’t be shocked…like the homeowner usually answers the door naked. I’m telling you right here and now that unless it’s Robert Downey Jr. answering the door, the Eeeeeuuuwww Factor will be set to Code Orange.

So my Realtor lets me know that her seller’s house is decorated in a style that can only be described as “Late Green Acres-Early Hee Haw”. In other words….“country”.  Additionally, Mrs. Home Seller is really into pigs.  So I go to meet with them and Mr. Home Seller answers the door with clothes on and I walk in.  From my vantage point, I see pigs (note that’s pigs…plural); we’re talking pig pictures, 25 or so stuffed pigs in various parts of the house, pig wall hangers for oven mitts…that themselves look like pigs, pig wall stencils, blankets, fireplace screen, lamps shades, etc. Oh, just kill me now. The sellers seemed like very nice people that understood the need for their house to be staged and were prepared to follow my every instruction.

I wrote up my VERY specific list of things they needed to remove from the house and as always, I went over my list with them and explained the reasoning behind asking them to remove things like certain pieces of furniture, heavy drapery and…all things porcine because the pigs may be the only thing that buyers will remember about the house. Studies have shown that buyers can get distracted by looking at personal photos, extensive collections, a motorcycle in the living room, etc. and will forget about the actual features of the house which is why stagers are always whining about needing a house to be as visually neutral as possible. (Plus we don’t want Realtors to be referring to their house as the “pig house” to other Realtors. Call me persnickety (I won’t answer) but it sends the wrong message.)  The sellers understood everything I had asked them to do and I left them to do the right thing.

A week or so later, I got a call from the Realtor with the report that Mrs. Home Seller was in agreement with everything I told them to do….but…..she wanted to know if she  really had to get rid of her pigs?  She thought they made the house look “homey”.  If you’re very quiet, you’ll be able to hear a collective groaning from stagers from around the world.

Good people, read me now and hear me later. Here is just one example of why you MUST make your house visually neutral:   Young Mr. Silicon Valley Guy is ready to buy his first home. He’s pre-qualified, has a big down payment and wants a 30 day close of escrow …or less if he can get it.  He pulls up in his shiny black BMW in front of the “pig house”.   He’ll take one, maybe two steps inside and then will be a blur as he’s making it for his car. And you’ve just lost your perfect buyer.

If a seller insists on keeping their pig collection or a Smurf alter or wallpaper depicting risqué behavior, they’ve effectively sliced their pool of buyers down to what I call “a needle in a haystack buyer”.  So…..if you want to sell your house quickly, step away from the pigs and do what the nice stager asks you to do. And whatever you do, make sure you have clothes on when you answer the door. But I’ll bend the rules for you, Mr. Downey.

This has been another message from Karen Negrete IRIS™, your friendly stager.
Interior Redesign Industry Specialist™



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Moving? Want to help someone with extra household items?

by CJ Brasiel

Whenever the moving process begins, inevitably there are items you don’t really want to move with you but are in good condition and could be valuable to someone else.  You can try to organize a yard sale to help reduce the belongings but many times only the ultimately organized  can make time for sorting, pricing, and answering ads on Craigs List during their own moving process.  It is not uncommon to find yourself a week before the open house or a week before the moving van comes with a multitude of items that you wish could simply, “find another home for”.    A home for items that could be appreciated and not simply wasted by being dumped into the over crowded landfill.  A home for items with useful life that could help someone else start or re-start their lives.

With that in mind, I wanted to provide a list of resources of where you can consider donating items.  This also takes time but will provide you with a good feeling when it is all done.  This list is not complete and I hope that readers will comment below on other places they have used in the San Jose, Santa Clara County area for donations.  Special thanks to Cyndie and Mario Le Chuga for sharing their homework and their friendship with me.

Organization Items they take? Address/Phone Web Site
Good Will Accepts your new or gently used items — like clothing, appliances and furniture. 1080 North Seventh Street, San Jose, CA 95112

(408) 869-9198

 http://www.goodwillsv.org/
Salvation Army clothing, appliances and furniture 359 North 4th Street, San Jose, CA 95112-5254

(408) 283-3864

 http://bit.ly/cGbRv3
Sacred Heart food, blankets, clothing, baby diapers (sizes 4, 5, 6) 1381 South First St.

San Jose, CA 95110

Todd Madigan – (408) 278-2180

toddm@sacredheartcs.org

 http://www.shcstheheart.org/
Second Harvest Meals in a can (stew, chili, soup) Tuna and canned meat Peanut butter Canned foods with pop-top lids Low-sugar cereals100% fruit juices in single serving boxes Canned fruit packed in juice Canned vegetables (low salt) 750 Curtner Avenue,

San Jose CA 95125

(408) 266-8866

 http://www.shfb.org/
Domestic Violence Council Children’s clothing (for 9-12 year olds) Diapers Size 4, 5 and 6 Socks/Underwear Comforters and blanketsPillows (standard) TowelsFull and twin sheet sets2×3 throw rugs to place next to the beds http://www.sjfamilyshelter.org/
Victory Outreach Clothes, Furniture, Appliances, Tools 590 Shawnee Lane

San Jose, CA 95123

408-578-0800

 http://www.victoryoutreach.org/
InnVision Jackets, shoes, towels, toiletries, clothes, small appliances 974 Willow Street

San Jose, CA 95125

Phone: 408-292-4286

 http://www.innvision.org/donate_newlikenew.php
Santa Clara County Animal Shelter cat toys(mousies, feather wands) dog toys and treats newspaper and bedding (towels, blankets, pet beds). 2750 Monterey Rd

San Jose, CA 95111 or

12370 Murphy Ave., San Martin, CA 95046

 http://www.southcountypets.com/

http://www.sanjoseanimals.com/

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Where are the buyers’ markets in San Jose and Santa Clara County?

by CJ Brasiel

The median price for single-family, re-sale homes reached its highest level since August 2008: up 34.6% year-over-year to $632,450. The sales price to list price ratio, a good indicator of demand, for single-family, re-sale homes in Santa Clara County was 101% in April.  This is the tenth month in a row the indicator has been over 100%. Home sales were up 4.1% from March, but down 1.4% year-over-year.  Pending sales reached record levels in March with 2,519 homes under contract. This bodes well for sales in the next few months. Inventory also increased in April from March: up 8.2%, and it was up 0.2% compared to April 2009. This is the first time inventory has been higher than the year before since January 2009. Seems like home owners are beginning to feel more confident in the market. Of the 1,022 homes put on the market in April, only 85 were bank-owned.

So where are the buyers’ markets? The buyer markets are no longer on the East Side of San Jose (Berryessa, Alum Rock, Milpitas, Evergreen).  Most of the deals under $500K have been scooped up in the last two years.  Except, central San Jose.  Downtown, areas around

Burbank (San Carlos Avenue) have some homes under $500K for sale.  This may also be due to the many new condo complexes struggling to fill their units with residents. The deals are in the $700K-$1M range now.  Areas where the average sales price tips about $700K show a buyer’s market.  Affordability at play again.  The ability to obtain a jumbo loan at play again.  To meet the “conventional” loan which is secured on the secondary market, 20% is required.   Better rates if you do not exceed the $729,000 limit on your loan.  We are now looking at a buying pool that has over $100,000 to place as a down payment and more often, $200,000 is needed to secure a decent interest rate.

Note the graphs below to see the trends.  RED is a seller’s market. Below the line GREY, is a buyer’s market.  If you want more specific information about where the opportunities are for home purchases, contact me .

Downtown San Jose housing market trends:

[click to continue…]


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How Will New Lead Regulations Impact Home Renovations?

by CJ Brasiel

Lead poisoning is a serious issue.  According to researchers, “Lead poisoning can lead to learning disabilities, behavioral problems and, at high levels, seizures, comas and death”.   Children under the age of six are at a higher risk due to their natural tendency to place things in their mouths.

This new regulation requires professional renovators and home owners alike be educated on the proper method for disturbing areas that may be contaminated with lead.  This is normally related to homes built prior to 1978 when lead was used in plumbing materials and paint.  Due to the durability of lead paint, there may deep layers on window sills, trim, and door casements.    If these areas are going to be sanded, prepped with a pressure washer, or removed, adequate precautions must be taken.   This includes but is not limited to proper dust control, particle containment and proper disposal of all materials.

If you are planning on painting or renovating your home and it was built prior to 1978, your contractor should be trained in lead removal and have one certified worker on the job to supervise the process.  The training for contractors is anywhere from $75-$250 and the estimated cost for the process requirements per job range from 5-10% additional for each job.  Your contractor should provide you with a pamphlet informing you of the health issues related to lead.

This new regulation, going into effect April 22nd, 2010, has many in an uproar.  Including my father who has been a painter for nearly 60 years and describes the hand mixing of lead and linseed oil with his bare hands to create the right color.  My father is 84 and shows no signs of lead poisoning.  He believes this issue will place additional cost on the contractor because of training and the fact that each job must be supervised by a certified worker.  Therefore, all of his job supervisors must be trained.  With the economy so poor he believes this will only hurt small contractors like himself.  For the first time, he is considering retirement. (So, I am thinking this regulation might be a good thing if for no other reason than this.)

This new regulation is not much different than the regulation regarding the removal and disposal of heating ducts and “popcorn” (acoustic) ceilings that may contain asbestos.  These materials must be handled carefully, and over the years proper safety precautions for workers have become routine.

The bottom line, the additional cost will be a big issue to some.  The potential for a safe home environment will be worth the money to many.


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Does a Pool Add Value to a Your Home?

by CJ Brasiel

This is one of those questions like the chicken and egg type debates.  It depends.   It depends on  where you live, what type of pool it is, the condition, and a couple of more small details.  Understanding more details about pools will help evaluate what value it brings to your home.  Whether you are looking at purchasing or selling a home with a pool, it is good to ponder this question and see best how to manage the answer.

Where you live makes a big difference in the value added of a pool to a home.  Obviously, the longer “swimming” season you have, the more value a pool can have.  A pool as a part of a home in Florida is much more valuable than a home with a pool in Minnesota.  Some areas like Arizona seem to almost require a home to have a pool.  The climate can also affect the cost of a pool.  The warmer the climate the less energy used to heat the pool.  Also sunnier climates can utilize solar panels to heat the pool.

The type of pool construction affects the longevity and upkeep costs related to the pool as well.  Vinyl covered pools typically last about 10 years.  A gunite pool can last 20 years if well maintained.  Concrete pools can take a great deal of upkeep in areas with seismic activity as cracks must be kept up with on a continuous business.  Fiberglass pools can also be a good choice for longevity but may not be available in a custom shape.  Hence the reason why many home owners choose gunite so that a pool can be made to fit the landscaping shape of the yard.

The condition of the pool and the pool pump should be evaluated any time a buyer is looking to purchase a home with a pool.  A pool inspector can evaluate the overall condition of the pool  and pump.  The pool inspection is somewhat limited as the inspector can not look under the ground at the pipes.  A pool inspection is normally $100-$200 dollars and worth the peace of mind it can offer.  When you are purchasing a home with a pool, find out who the current owner have been using as a pool service and ask to see maintenance records.  This will tell you a lot about how well the pool has been maintained.

Other factors can play a role in determining the value added by a pool.  If the pool takes up the entire back yard, there is less value added by the pool. If you are thinking about building a pool in your back yard, consider the property tax increase for the reassessment.  Some California counties consider the value of a pool to be between from $10,000 to $20,000 additional value.  As we all know,  the county tax assessor value of a home is not always what a buyer is willing to pay.

If you are looking for a home in San Jose, recognize about 10% of the active listings in San Jose have a pool.  What if you don’t want a pool but love the house?  Then you can look at removing the pool.  The cost of removing a pool depends a great deal on the construction of the pool.  If it is a concrete pool then the ability of a bobcat digger to get in and out of the yard will save money.  If the workers have to take concrete out in a wheel  barrow, the labor cost can be high.

For most of the Bay Area, we normally consider a pool neither a value added or value reduced.  Ultimately, the value of a pool comes down to the owner of the home.  The value it adds may not be measurable in dollars.  It may be the pure enjoyment of watching your family splash and laugh.  If you have a pool, maintain it well.  It you are thinking about adding a pool, make sure you check out the State of California’s web site for information about pool contractors and questions to ask.


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Bright Spots in South Santa Clara County – San Martin, Morgan Hill, Gilroy

by CJ Brasiel

The municipalities of Silicon Valley attract a lot of attention and have certainly become the central focus of many home buyers. But more and more, the south end of Santa Clara County is being recognized for its opportunities in housing and general lifestyle.   Morgan Hill, San Martin, and Gilroy make up the south county and these are towns that can keep us grounded in this fast pace set by Silicon Valley. I wanted to share you with you a few of my favorite parts of south county.

First and foremost, there is no missing the beautiful hills on both the East and West sides of highway 101. On the East you have Lake Anderson, Coyote Reservoir, and Henry Coe Park. Perfect for family outings whether you are hiking, biking, or boating. The Coyote Creek trail is a walking/biking trail that goes from south San Jose to Gilroy.  Holiday Estates is one of the most popular neighborhoods near Lake Anderson and the sunsets from the vantage point of these peak homes is amazing. It only takes a few minutes of sitting at one of the picnic tables near Lake Anderson to inspire decompression for even the most high strung techie.

On the West side, the foot hills move up into the Santa Cruz Mountain Range. Redwoods tower above Hecker Pass and provide shade for the many hiking trails in Mt. Madonna State Park. The lower foot hills provide breath taking back drops to many homes and to one of my favorite places to hang on Friday afternoons with my son; Bright Ranch. Bright Ranch, a family ranch seamlessly run by Dennis, Kristin and the very Bright daughters, provides an oasis for souls both four legged and two legged alike. Dennis, a master horseman, provides lessons for all levels of horse riders through the horsemanship academy. Dennis brings a serene direction to the horses and students of Bright Ranch and no one goes back to their “stall” without feeling some level of accomplishment.

After a long day in the saddle, it is great to take advantage of the luxury Rosewood Spa at CordeValle (“Heart of the Valley”) resort. The next day, have breakfast at Just Breakfast in downtown Morgan Hill. Real breakfast options for those not afraid of calories and tired of “mixed greens”. Then head down to the Gilroy outlets for an afternoon of shopping to walk off those calories.  Of course, don’t miss Gilroy’s Garlic Festival in July and grab your scoop of garlic ice cream.

The housing market has touched Morgan Hill, San Martin, and Gilroy like the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area. Many new developments in late 2005 set the stage perfectly for the horrific housing bust in 2007. But slowly, the market is stabilizing and there are many beautiful homes, with nice lots, and great views available. Recently, I sold a home in Country Estates in Gilroy. Views from every room of the valley and foothills. This home was only 10 minutes from the Cal Train station to the point that many Silicon Valley commuters could imagine themselves right there at home.

If you are looking for a place to call home and feel a two bedroom, 1000 square feet home for $650,000 simply does not seem right, consider these great communities as options for your home search. More house, more views, more options for your dollars. Cal Train provides and option for the commute but in my opinion towns like Morgan Hill, San Martin, and Gilroy will be the reason why telecommuting becomes a reality for much of our Silicon Valley work force. For your personal home tour of these areas, contact me. I offer a no-hassle, no-obligation orientation to all  South Santa Clara County has to offer.


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Home for Sale – Incredible Value in Santa Teresa San Jose

by CJ Brasiel

Santa Teresa Charmer!
Overview
Maps
Photos
Features
Description
Neighborhood
Market Stats
IDX Search
$525,000
Single Family Home
For Sale
Main Features
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Interior: 1278 sqft
Lot: 6,000 sqft
Location
5926 Fishburne Ave
San Jose, CA 95125
CJ Brasiel Broker Associate, SRES, GREEN CJ Brasiel Broker Associate, SRES, GREEN

Fireside Reatly
(408) 406-6035
CJ@CJBRealEstate.com
http://www.CJBRealEstate.com

Listed by: CJ Brasiel, Fireside Realty
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San Jose Housing Market Report – An Ever Changing Game

The Fed plans to stop buying mortgage-backed securities the end of March.  The general consensus among mortgage brokers is rates will have to rise to attract new buyers of MBS if the Fed does stop buying. After reaching a low last November, the rate for 30-year fixed mortgages has already risen .25%-.375% in anticipation. The [...]

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Top 10 Tips for Selling Your Home in this Housing Market.

Whether or not you have ever sold a home, there exist challenges to selling a home never seen before.  It takes a “cool hand” to make the deal work.  Maybe I should say, it takes a lot of cool hands to make it work.  There are lot of different ways to sell a house but [...]

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