http://talktocj.com Make your next real estate move with someone who cares. Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:46:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 http://talktocj.com/why-buy-a-house/ http://talktocj.com/why-buy-a-house/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:08:59 +0000 CJ Brasiel http://talktocj.com/?p=927 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 [...]]]> http://talktocj.com/why-buy-a-house/feed/ 1 http://talktocj.com/moving-want-to-help-someone-with-extra-household-items/ http://talktocj.com/moving-want-to-help-someone-with-extra-household-items/#comments Mon, 10 May 2010 03:08:31 +0000 CJ Brasiel http://talktocj.com/?p=838 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, [...]]]> http://talktocj.com/moving-want-to-help-someone-with-extra-household-items/feed/ 5 http://talktocj.com/where-are-the-buyers-markets-in-san-jose-and-santa-clara-county/ http://talktocj.com/where-are-the-buyers-markets-in-san-jose-and-santa-clara-county/#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 17:09:26 +0000 CJ Brasiel http://talktocj.com/?p=818 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 [...]]]> http://talktocj.com/where-are-the-buyers-markets-in-san-jose-and-santa-clara-county/feed/ 0 http://talktocj.com/how-will-new-lead-regulations-impact-home-renovations/ http://talktocj.com/how-will-new-lead-regulations-impact-home-renovations/#comments Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:21:18 +0000 CJ Brasiel home renovationleadpaintregulation http://talktocj.com/?p=807 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 [...]]]> http://talktocj.com/how-will-new-lead-regulations-impact-home-renovations/feed/ 0 http://talktocj.com/does-a-pool-add-value-to-a-your-home/ http://talktocj.com/does-a-pool-add-value-to-a-your-home/#comments Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:15:12 +0000 CJ Brasiel buying a homehome sellingpoolssan jose real estatevalue of pool http://talktocj.com/?p=729 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 [...]]]> http://talktocj.com/does-a-pool-add-value-to-a-your-home/feed/ 4 http://talktocj.com/are-you-ready-to-buy-a-house-or-are-you-shopping/ http://talktocj.com/are-you-ready-to-buy-a-house-or-are-you-shopping/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:09:19 +0000 CJ Brasiel buying a housedisclosurehome purchaseinspectionsreal estate values http://talktocj.com/?p=659 I admit that I am not a window shopper.  I do not go to a store without a purpose to buy.  Generally, I have already  determined what I want, what brand I want, and where to get it the cheapest before I ever get into my car.  I have my wallet and the only challenge [...]]]> http://talktocj.com/are-you-ready-to-buy-a-house-or-are-you-shopping/feed/ 2 http://talktocj.com/why-rainy-days-are-best-days-when-looking-for-a-home-to-buy/ http://talktocj.com/why-rainy-days-are-best-days-when-looking-for-a-home-to-buy/#comments Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:43:51 +0000 CJ Brasiel http://talktocj.com/?p=627 In the past two weeks San Jose, California has been experiencing almost continuous rain.  I have been out almost everyday previewing or showing homes.  It would be nice to stay in the office and hang out on Twitter but the reality is, these are some of the best days to learn about houses and neighborhoods.  [...]]]> http://talktocj.com/why-rainy-days-are-best-days-when-looking-for-a-home-to-buy/feed/ 0 http://talktocj.com/waiver-on-90-day-flipping-rule-will-help-fha-buyers-find-a-home/ http://talktocj.com/waiver-on-90-day-flipping-rule-will-help-fha-buyers-find-a-home/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:33:57 +0000 CJ Brasiel 90 day flipdistressed homesFHAhome buyingwaiver http://talktocj.com/?p=616 It is not uncommon over the last two years to find a statement on the multiple listing service that reads “no FHA loans 90 day rule applies”. Which basically meant that an investor had purchased a home, most likely and REO (foreclosed home), completed repairs, new carpet, paint and then placed in back on [...]]]> http://talktocj.com/waiver-on-90-day-flipping-rule-will-help-fha-buyers-find-a-home/feed/ 0 http://talktocj.com/is-your-refrigerator-ruining-your-kitchen-floor-simple-protection-device/ http://talktocj.com/is-your-refrigerator-ruining-your-kitchen-floor-simple-protection-device/#comments Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:40:02 +0000 CJ Brasiel home maintenancehome repairwater damage http://talktocj.com/?p=608 In my daily travels, the most common problem I see in homes for sale is water damage.  One of the first things I do as an agent previewing a home is look underneath every sink for drippy pipes and water connections.  Even the smallest drip can cause incredible damage over time.  The water slowly penetrates [...]]]> http://talktocj.com/is-your-refrigerator-ruining-your-kitchen-floor-simple-protection-device/feed/ 0 http://talktocj.com/how-the-home-valuation-code-of-conduct-hvcc-affects-home-buyers/ http://talktocj.com/how-the-home-valuation-code-of-conduct-hvcc-affects-home-buyers/#comments Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:26:53 +0000 Brandon appraisalFHAfha loanhome buyer http://talktocj.com/?p=575 Scores of home sellers and other home-buying stakeholders are operating under a new set of rules when it comes to the appraisal process.  Since May 1, Freddie Mac has stopped purchasing mortgages from sellers that fail to adopt the Home Valuation Code of Conduct. A joint agreement between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the [...]]]> http://talktocj.com/how-the-home-valuation-code-of-conduct-hvcc-affects-home-buyers/feed/ 0