tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243063221059962652024-02-03T04:41:55.551-08:00 Making Clients For Life! Client Comments: Mary Volkov-"Pam is wonderful! I am a Mortgage Consultant with Wells Fargo, and have seen a lot of agents in my 19-year career, both good and bad. I think Pam is one the best, because she always puts her client's needs ahead of everything else. <br>Marion Denny.."I can't say enough good things-my experience with Pam was fantastic. I would recommend her unquestionably to anyone needing a Realtor." <br><br>
Pam's Cell 510-414-5423 <br>
Email PamsBayArea@yahoo.comPam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-19091024767453262942009-02-18T14:14:00.000-08:002009-02-18T16:08:27.277-08:00List vs Sold ...Ask me about your area!<div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVF9xfGvyRp1eteXGpoa08RGimYFBHr2OcBu11HGzsalr01fIgogrs1q8bH5Rhw4coVc2XDECqkAEfy_9M1fZ5ufj3gjU6nYAoYsAeW155gkSwpuwwSCmXwOtw4M4-bZkdYAkbwMtL1s/s1600-h/chart+test.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304268607855374290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVF9xfGvyRp1eteXGpoa08RGimYFBHr2OcBu11HGzsalr01fIgogrs1q8bH5Rhw4coVc2XDECqkAEfy_9M1fZ5ufj3gjU6nYAoYsAeW155gkSwpuwwSCmXwOtw4M4-bZkdYAkbwMtL1s/s400/chart+test.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em><span style="color:#000099;">The Average Price of Listed Properties VS the Average Price of Sold Properties</span></em></strong> </div><div align="left"><br />The graph above represtents the following criteria:</div><br /><ul><li><div align="left">Single Family homes</div></li><li><div align="left">Priced between $700,000 - 99,000,000</div></li><li><div align="left">In Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda and Walnut Creek</div></li><li><div align="left">Between January 1 2007 to January 31, 2009<br /></div></li></ul><p align="left"><strong>January 2007</strong><br />List Average Price $1,286,000<br />Sold Average Price $1,189,000 </p><p align="left"><strong>January 2008<br /></strong>List Average Price $1,354,000<br />Sold Average Price $1,142,000 </p><p align="left"><strong>January 2009<br /></strong>List Average Price $1,467,000<br />Sold Average Price $1,171,000 </p><p align="left"><strong>Send me an email or give me a call for up-to-date information about your city.</strong></p><p align="left"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Based on information from Bay East Association of Realtors and Contra Costa Association of Realtors for the period 01/01/2007 through 01/31/2009. Due to MLS reporting methods and allowable reporting policy, this data is only informational and may not be completely accurate. Therefore, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage does not guarantee the data accuracy. Data maintained by the MLS's may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.<br /></span><br /></p><strong></strong>Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-62136845665457594432009-02-14T11:30:00.000-08:002009-02-14T11:47:29.654-08:00American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZTIOvHtaQDUihdcFKU1gKlRVkZoNV3qqGB06JRb5ck3bFjXKULA9-VrcCcHS9AN4_vcIhOdj2MVY37hhySwHOaTd-mCPGEn86pBEJ7vWdLw9TSNrvEO3DzL9B5tyG9Vv1bxT75Z1b0o/s1600-h/recovery.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302737976465145938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZTIOvHtaQDUihdcFKU1gKlRVkZoNV3qqGB06JRb5ck3bFjXKULA9-VrcCcHS9AN4_vcIhOdj2MVY37hhySwHOaTd-mCPGEn86pBEJ7vWdLw9TSNrvEO3DzL9B5tyG9Vv1bxT75Z1b0o/s320/recovery.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Late this evening, the U.S. Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 by a 60 to 38 vote. </div><div></div><div>Earlier today, the stimulus package passed the U.S. House of Representatives in a 246 to 183 vote. Today’s votes followed several days of negotiations by the House, Senate, and White House, with the final tab for the stimulus bill coming in at $787.2 billion.</div><div></div><div>On the housing front, the <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">good news</span></strong> is that the legislation resets the conforming loan limit cap at <strong>$729,750</strong>, up from <strong>$625,500</strong>. </div><div></div><div>Numerous counties in California experienced a marked decrease in their conforming loan and FHA limits on Jan. 1, and the stimulus bill reinstates 2008 loan limits through Dec. 31, 2009.</div><div></div><div>The bill also<span style="color:#000099;"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>increases the first-time home buyer credit from $7,500 to $8,000</strong></span></span>, and removes the requirement that the credit be paid back if the buyer stays in the home for at least three years. It also extends the expiration date for the credit from July 1 to Dec. 1, 2009. Homebuyers must have purchased a home after Jan. 1, 2009, and before Dec. 1, 2009, to be eligible for the $8,000 credit.</div><div></div><div>The <a href="http://www.car.org/">California Association of Realtors</a> and the <a href="http://www.realtor.org/">National Associon of Realtors</a> have long advocated for higher conforming loan limits. The conforming loan limit provisions and other housing elements in the stimulus package are a step in the right direction for our industry and all Californians.</div><div></div><div>The stimulus package also contains $308.3 billion in appropriations spending, including $120 billion on infrastructure and science and more than $30 billion on energy-related infrastructure projects. </div><div></div><div>It also allocated an additional $267 billion for direct spending, including increased unemployment benefits and food stamps; and provides $212 billion in tax breaks for individuals and businesses.</div><div></div><div>Now that the stimulus package is approved and is on its way to President Obama for signature, it is our hope that Congress will turn its attention toward helping homeowners remain in their homes and will take immediate steps directed specifically at stemming the ongoing foreclosure crisis.</div><div></div><div>Sincerely,</div><div>James Liptak</div><div>2009 PresidentCALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®</div>Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-13491572377067646382009-02-12T22:46:00.000-08:002009-02-12T23:10:41.822-08:00What is a Short Sale?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81_qPJRmVj5Wb0ZYG_h7oISEpdVFjv1OH9eguF-rDVVqDGsbzVEL6gFvIbWbSxmtA4XFemXnTgICyGGvDk7Er5oRdSLsWGj9KQaEx60E3QPmavwaqoNGoX-oU4bZoGOXg21w8s7p4VPM/s1600-h/SHORT-SALE.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302172767047643922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 171px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81_qPJRmVj5Wb0ZYG_h7oISEpdVFjv1OH9eguF-rDVVqDGsbzVEL6gFvIbWbSxmtA4XFemXnTgICyGGvDk7Er5oRdSLsWGj9KQaEx60E3QPmavwaqoNGoX-oU4bZoGOXg21w8s7p4VPM/s320/SHORT-SALE.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In real estate, a short sale is a sale of real estate in which the proceeds from the sale fall short of the balance owed on a loan secured by the property sold. In a short sale, the bank or mortgage lender agrees to discount a loan balance due to an economic or financial hardship on the part of the mortgagor. This negotiation is all done through communication with a bank's loss mitigation or workout department. The home owner/debtor sells the mortgaged property for less than the outstanding balance of the loan, and turns over the proceeds of the sale to the lender, sometimes (but not always) in full satisfaction of the debt. In such instances, the lender would have the right to approve or disapprove of a proposed sale. Many Short Sales leave a deficiency balance for which the Mortgagor / Borrower may liableExtenuating circumstances influence whether or not banks will discount a loan balance. These circumstances are usually related to the current real estate market and the borrower's financial situation.<br /><br />A short sale typically is executed to prevent a home foreclosure. Often a bank will allow a short sale if they believe that it will result in a smaller financial loss than foreclosing. For the home owner, advantages include avoidance of a foreclosure on their credit history and partial control of the monetary deficiency. A short sale is typically faster and less expensive than a foreclosure. In short, a short sale is nothing more than negotiating with lien holders a payoff for less than what they are owed, or rather a sale of a debt, generally on a piece of real estate, short of the full debt amount. It does not extinguish the remaining balance unless settlement is clearly indicated on the acceptance of offer.<br />Wikpedia<br />Give me a call for a list of short sales and foreclosures in your area.Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-22320884081294682102009-01-31T21:09:00.000-08:002009-01-31T21:43:30.930-08:00New Market Trend????<div><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_tOCf7iBdVk21T02UqfV2KnzmS1LiNgSa6bG9KNlVR7UhqJhD8bxFdDAumlHJUnhYEb8bIrKTADBhcld5BIS0fEkHYaMZm4I68n8g_9-_p7r54PPULF67RkOli751U45ezo5HZZ8VRU/s1600-h/proofinthepudding.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297699177115280754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 261px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_tOCf7iBdVk21T02UqfV2KnzmS1LiNgSa6bG9KNlVR7UhqJhD8bxFdDAumlHJUnhYEb8bIrKTADBhcld5BIS0fEkHYaMZm4I68n8g_9-_p7r54PPULF67RkOli751U45ezo5HZZ8VRU/s320/proofinthepudding.jpg" border="0" /></a> Weekly Market Report<br /><em>By Joe Brown, President Coldwell Banker</em><br /><br />Is It Too Early to Call It a Trend?<br /><br />Earlier this week, the National Association of Realtors reported that in December, existing home sales rose unexpectedly while inventory declined, led by a surge of sales in the West.<br /><br />The national real estate organization reported, “Existing home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – jumped 6.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.74 million units in December from a downwardly revised pace of 4.45 million units in November, but are 3.5 percent below the 4.91 million unit pace in December 2007.”<br /><br />In the West, existing home sales jumped 13.6 percent to an annual rate of 1.25 million in December and are 31.6 percent higher than a year ago. However, the median price was $213,100, down 31.5 percent from December 2007.<br /><br />Here at home, the news only gets better. CAR reported this week that home sales increased 84.9 percent in December in California compared with the same period a year ago. No, that’s not a typo. 84.9 percent. On the flip side, the median price of an existing home fell 41.5 percent, a continued symbol of buyers taking advantage of the large number of distressed properties currently available.<br /><br />So why the sudden, so drastic surge in sales? There are a few reasons:<br /><br />· A lot of people who were previously priced out of the housing market can finally buy<br />· With interest rates under 5%, a buyer’s purchasing power is at its best in more than three decades<br />· After months of increasing or stable inventory, we are finally starting to see the numbers fall<br />· Increased consumer confidence (of late) based on the new administration<br />· We’re seeing a lot more investors coming into the market in addition to first time buyers. Consider the fact that this week alone, one Gilroy Agent represented 10 properties that went into contract. Almost all were investors and the properties were condos in the under $100,000 price range.<br /><br />So is it too early to call it a trend? Probably. In all honestly, we still have a lot of distressed properties to move through before we can begin to see prices stabilize. At least for the foreseeable future, buyers will probably have the edge but with an 84.9 percent increase in sales year over year and inventories on the decline, we’re finally moving in the right direction. The key to all of this: buyers are ready to buy when they perceive a good value. Until then, they wait. </div>Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-29513972130915814642008-08-22T15:15:00.001-07:002008-08-22T15:24:59.734-07:00570 Orindawoods~Exquisite!!!!<span style="color:#006600;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDES_ZtJaqwCPmP7FSrgffGuv_Uj7jTvPiTMQcw4-yu03sB9izTY9htuIKstLn5Qg2PLEvi7yqs4OrdWTMqVVUTEeDT1_MNDoc9wYh7NhqXXIomKOMxywH29nKVzepp-YZvZkONDu9Xg/s1600-h/Orindawoods+front+08+small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237469763193343922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDES_ZtJaqwCPmP7FSrgffGuv_Uj7jTvPiTMQcw4-yu03sB9izTY9htuIKstLn5Qg2PLEvi7yqs4OrdWTMqVVUTEeDT1_MNDoc9wYh7NhqXXIomKOMxywH29nKVzepp-YZvZkONDu9Xg/s400/Orindawoods+front+08+small.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#006600;">Gorgeous One Of A Kind Mediterranean Home</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#006600;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.570orindawoods.com/"><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#000000;"><strong>www.570orindawoods.com</strong></span></a></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#006600;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#006600;"><em>Competed in 2007, this one of a kind Mediterranean home has a superb floor plan, breathing views & convenient Orinda Woods location. This beautifully detailed home is over 4400 square feet with five large bedrooms, four and one half bathrooms. A few of this home’s showcase features include:</em><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Main Level…<br /></strong>Luxurious Entry…<br /><br />Expansive Great Room….<br />The chef’s kitchen has marble floors, soaring ceilings, extra-large granite island, fireplace and a spacious breakfast area. Step outside the Great room and enjoy your deck and flat grassy yard. <br /><br />Formal Rooms….<br />Entertaining is sure to be a delight in your formal dining and living room complete with fireplace which exits through French doors to stone balcony.<br /><br />Master Bedroom Suite…<br />Relax in your Master retreat while gazing out to the breathtaking Orinda hills. The master bath is complete with spa tub, two sinks, and expansive shower with two showerheads and large walk-in closet with closet organizer.<br /><br />Optional Room…<br />An elegant Library/Office/5th bedroom with adjacent full bath and laundry room complete the first level.<br /><br /><strong>Garden Level…</strong><br />The relaxed Garden level features a state of art Media/Play Room, Wet Bar, art niches, Guest Suite, Two Large Bedrooms & Full Bathroom. The additional flat grassy area awaits your pleasure outside the Play Room.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Additional Amenities…<br /></strong>Dual zone heating and air conditioning<br />Three car garage<br />Grounds that exceed 3 acres<br />HOA amenities include: tennis courts, pool, BART shuttle & rentable clubhouse </span></div><div align="center"><br /> </div>Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-26273624535773763912008-08-22T13:56:00.000-07:002008-08-22T14:16:52.623-07:00First Time Home Buyers--Heads Up!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFs4QacdeMCNoz1UnS3_yQKjAHeJxPiq8Ixr-Ci9ZaY2REfHX31MvMGhcAV9MDOkU46_Urh2jXQVwKTXIKkpoOdrk9LqDp4fN-YYTJuOt_WcqNbX1zR6rPKN1huhmX3cHIs45nPHd6IHA/s1600-h/Moneybuilding2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237452689156630146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFs4QacdeMCNoz1UnS3_yQKjAHeJxPiq8Ixr-Ci9ZaY2REfHX31MvMGhcAV9MDOkU46_Urh2jXQVwKTXIKkpoOdrk9LqDp4fN-YYTJuOt_WcqNbX1zR6rPKN1huhmX3cHIs45nPHd6IHA/s320/Moneybuilding2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>$7500 Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers------Good or Bad?????</strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>By Alan J. Heavens</div><br /><div>RISMEDIA, August 22, 2008-(MCT/RISMedia)-So I get a phone call from an angry reader who complains that the Housing and Economic Recovery Act’s $7,500 tax credit to first-time buyers is a sham.</div><br /><div>“It’s just a zero-interest loan!” the fellow shouts loudly into the receiver, as if I’m responsible for the actions of Congress. “The least they could have done was given us a gift!”</div><br /><div><br />“When it comes to the overall bill, part of it is very good and the other part of it is just a band aid. I’m always hesitant when the government gets involved,” says Charles A. McDonald, associate broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties in Charlottesville, Virginia. “But for a first-time home buyer, <strong>the tax credit is a good thing because it’s really not a tax credit; it’s really an interest-free loan.</strong> If you look at it from that perspective, it’s a nice incentive for the first-time home buyers or people that need some assistance in purchasing a home.”</div><br /><div><br />Yes, the tax credit technically is a zero-interest loan that you will repay to the government over 15 years, starting two years after the credit is claimed, at $500 a year.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This article goes on for awhile. Please give me a call or email and I will happily send it to you in its entirety.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Bottom Line....it is a <strong>GOOD</strong> thing!!</div><br /><div></div>Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-24050342196086266132008-02-04T14:32:00.000-08:002008-02-04T14:52:59.598-08:00Silver Lining!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCP1giHjzzczxAjVEqhGd72bWoWZYimYNkrBbeTRhfyWdeDMD4be32xL7QEQo5xWAFMgy10cwtHXU2OiSX3hVbRQzi8DZc8xmF4ElFzu0UpgevDvvNnd9tK8xOLaoWvY9P3epyChvSoMA/s1600-h/db_y_i__cloud_with_silver_lining_13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163261750650252242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCP1giHjzzczxAjVEqhGd72bWoWZYimYNkrBbeTRhfyWdeDMD4be32xL7QEQo5xWAFMgy10cwtHXU2OiSX3hVbRQzi8DZc8xmF4ElFzu0UpgevDvvNnd9tK8xOLaoWvY9P3epyChvSoMA/s320/db_y_i__cloud_with_silver_lining_13.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><br /><strong>How Savvy Consumers, Who Know the Facts, Are Making the Most Out of Today’s Real Estate Market</strong></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br />There are a lot of bright spots in Northern California’s<br />real estate market today. Attractive interest rates. Sizeable inventory. Historically strong housing market. Immigration’s affect on our market. And how about the fact that we live in one of the most desirable areas in the world?<br />So while some headlines say that the sky is falling, I am urging my clients to see the silver lining in today’s real estate market so they may make the most out of what may be one of the decade’s best opportunities to enter<br />the real estate market. </div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><strong>A Correction is Exactly What We Needed<br /></strong>To understand where the economy is heading, it helps to take a step back and discuss how we arrived at this point. In the early part of the 2000s, investors, who took advantage of attractive interest rates and favorable economic conditions, helped drive prices to new heights so they could flip purchases for profit. Some markets, including ours, saw price appreciation rates of as much as 30-50%, versus the average annual rate of about 10%.<br />While many of us enjoyed the benefits of the early part of the decade’s housing boom, what this did to our market was make housing extremely unaffordable. Prices are moving back to be more in line with household incomes and that sets the stage for a healthier market. Furthermore, last year we began to witness the result of the sub-prime crunch. Brendon Riordan, the Senior Vice President of Production for Mortgage Banker Princeton Capital, describes the background behind the crunch: “In<br />short, the underwriting guidelines for loans started to loosen up around 2002. As we progressed through 2005, the guidelines became even more liberal. It seemed as if the easier the guidelines became, the more loans were generated. The more risk these loans had, the higher the yields were to the investors who purchased these loans. At one point in time, a buyer with a low credit score could purchase a home without any down payment and not have to verify his/her income or assets. These lenient underwriting standards led to many people buying homes that they probably couldn’t really afford. </div><br /><div align="left"><br />“The mortgage industry has returned to the traditional way of lending. Where just a few years ago, 100% financing and non-stated income had become the norm, today those options are almost non-existent. Lending rules are more stringent with buyers, in most cases, now being required<br />to have higher credit scores, at least a 5% down payment, and buyers have to fully document their income and assets.” </div><br /><br /><div align="left"><strong>Economic Update<br /></strong>Despite challenges in the housing market over the last couple of years, some experts are predicting that we will escape an economic recession in 2008 with a projected market turnaround by 2009.<br />According to NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun’s December 27, 2007<br />report entitled “<strong>The Forecast</strong>,” “All in all, we will easily escape<br />recession – despite the anticipated screaming headlines of impending doom. The GDP reading for each of the successive quarters in 2008 will be positive: 2.2 percent in the first quarter, 2.6 percent in the second quarter, 3.0 percent in the third quarter, and 3.1 percent in the fourth. Job gains also will continue into 2008.” </div><br /><br /><div align="left">The Bay Area Council Economic Institute also noted in its Beacon Economics 2007 Bay Area Regional Forecast Conference Series held on September 13, 2007, “Overall growth for 2008 will be barely positive before the economy gets back on track in 2009.” </div><br /><br /><div align="left"><strong>So what does this mean for savvy consumers?</strong> </div><br /><br /><div align="left">With some experts predicting that 2009 will bring a market warming<br />trend, 2008 may become one of the best opportunities to enter the real estate market, giving consumers the potential opportunity of getting in on the ground floor and potentially reaping the benefits of one of the best buyer’s markets in more than a decade.</div><br /><br /><div align="left"><strong>Now May Be the Best Time</strong><br />In 2006 we entered a transitional market – one in which sellers were still looking at prices of old and the appreciation they had realized in the early part of the decade while buyers were beginning to be a bit more conscientious and were looking for a “deal.” What this meant for buyers and sellers was a bit of a “wait and see game” with both parties often holding out. Now, the stars are much more aligned for buyers and sellers.<br /><strong>Heres Why</strong>:<br /><strong>For Buyers</strong><br />• Sellers are motivated.<br />• In many areas there is a sizeable inventory of homes to choose from.<br />• And, according to Freddie Mac’s January 31, 2008 Primary<br />Mortgage Market Survey, mortgage rates are well below the historical average with 30-year fixed rate mortgages averaging 5.68% with 0.4 points.<br />What this means for buyers is they can afford more today<br />than they may be able to tomorrow, should interest rates<br />increase. Couple that with motivated sellers and sizeable<br />inventory, and buyers are in a favorable situation. </div><br /><div align="left"><br /><strong>For Sellers</strong><br />• Historically speaking, the housing market remains strong.<br />o According to Freddie Mac, national average home prices have yet to post a year-over-year decline in the 37 years the Federal Government has been tracking them.<br />o In fact, the last significant decline in average U.S. home prices occurred during the deflationary era of the Great Depression.<br />• The affect of immigration on our market is tremendous. According to the 2006 Census and World Wealth Report:<br />o From 1980 to 2000, over 6.2 million immigrant households joined the ranks of middle-income earners, and they are purchasing housing.<br />o Immigrant children who arrived with their parents in the 1980s and 1990s are now buying homes.<br />o As first time home buyers, these individuals represent 35% of the first time resale market.<br />o The falling dollar makes U.S. real estate an attractive buy for many foreigners.<br />o The Bay Area ranks in the top five U.S. areas for Asian immigrant growth and California as a whole is the nation’s leading state for immigrant real estate purchases.<br />• Even with the market corrections, there remains a great deal of pent-up demand. According to the State of California U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics:<br />o California is home to 36.5 million residents with the population growing over 800,000 last year; by 2050, our population is projected to explode (nearly doubling) to 60 million people.<br />• We live in a highly desirable area.<br />o The Bay Area is one of the wealthiest areas in the world; of California’s top 10 counties for household income, six of these counties are in the Bay Area, according to the California U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.<br />o Northern California is one of the few areas in the country, where home prices, in some pockets, are still rising slightly, according to the California Association of Realtors. </div><br /><div align="left"><br />So there you have it. A lot of interesting facts about today’s market. Facts that you don’t always get to see in the Sunday paper but truly paint a vivid picture of today’s market. There is a silver lining to today’s market and ultimately a great deal of opportunity. As your real estate professional, I would welcome the opportunity to counsel you on the opportunities<br />available in today’s market and help you take advantage of them<br />before it is too late.<br />Please call me today so we may get started.</div>Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-66376889943274191012008-01-30T17:40:00.000-08:002008-01-30T18:38:02.364-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mOBVSHaypVZi4ZTyMSzlnPopme2l77fjgZyoyuSeaKluBOxv7fRcS466s5xGR8OdVd3aXiNp0PmQpPEWSDk5tBCXPUOAX8PCHopwbh8xi8eHG4oXo0edOV5WpGpMtUeo0QJBmFOaBDQ/s1600-h/Grocery+cart+jpeg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161454806369217458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mOBVSHaypVZi4ZTyMSzlnPopme2l77fjgZyoyuSeaKluBOxv7fRcS466s5xGR8OdVd3aXiNp0PmQpPEWSDk5tBCXPUOAX8PCHopwbh8xi8eHG4oXo0edOV5WpGpMtUeo0QJBmFOaBDQ/s200/Grocery+cart+jpeg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Now May Be the Time to Buy:</span> </span></strong></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;"><strong>What Are You Waiting For?</strong></span></div><div><br />The time for prospective home buyers<br />to enter the market may be right now;<br />here’s why:<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>• Attractive interest rates</strong></span> </div><div>Historically speaking, the mortgage interest rates<br />are relatively low.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>• Sizeable inventory</strong></span> </div><div>After approximately 24 months of a changing<br />market, there is a great deal of inventory. In fact, in Contra Costa County alone, there are ,700*<br />homes currently available for sale.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>• 2008 is an election year</strong></span> </div><div>Historically the economy and the housing market have been strong during election years. </div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>• Real estate is a strong, long term investment</strong></span> </div><div>According to the California Association of<br />Realtors, the average home purchased five years ago has appreciated 49%. Over the last 37 years, California real estate home prices have only dropped four times and yet prices have increased more than 2,100% during that period of time.</div><div><br />The bottom line is that reports of dramatic real estate market declines may be deceiving and some qualified consumers may benefit from purchasing a home now.</div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>Don’t let this window of opportunity pass you by.<br /></strong></span>To begin searching for your next home, </div><div>please contact me today!<br /></div>Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-66496886487609564092007-05-13T09:44:00.000-07:002007-05-13T11:06:08.098-07:00Anatomy Of A Credit Score<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVR_i9n5dMC2zJ5M-EkaXH2xMVabTyGeXrZ0ThBVPG5og4iQP87Q8WXKWR6cQKM0fxiu25lknI0CEYqU5yUIyY9GvtxViQDmEojDsHqRMbG8CK4x45FtYpYmFtiVJXEqJQ9TUdrTPgpdg/s1600-h/360px-Vitruvian.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064092345844932946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVR_i9n5dMC2zJ5M-EkaXH2xMVabTyGeXrZ0ThBVPG5og4iQP87Q8WXKWR6cQKM0fxiu25lknI0CEYqU5yUIyY9GvtxViQDmEojDsHqRMbG8CK4x45FtYpYmFtiVJXEqJQ9TUdrTPgpdg/s200/360px-Vitruvian.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Corey Wilson</strong>, with Princeton Capital, passes along this valuable information.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Contact Corey at:</strong><br />Tel. (925)253-6326<br />coreywilson@princetoncap.com<br />www.princetoncap.com/coreywilson<br /><br />Credit scores today are generated by a complex series of algorithms designed to assess the risk that a borrower will have a late payment within 24 months.<br />Though every borrower is assessed by the same parameters to generate a credit score, these parameters are weighted differently depending on the borrowers’ characteristics and how well the borrower fits one of ten profi les. Specific profiles are reserved for individuals with even just one 90-day late payment or bankruptcy in their credit history.<br />More mortgage lenders tie their rates directly to credit scores.<br /><br /><strong>Components Of The Score</strong><br />Though the model evaluates each data element with respect to “Recent-cy”, “Frequency” and “Severity”, the most important of these perspectives is recent-cy.<br /><strong>35% - Payment History</strong><br />The perspective weighted most heavily in assessing<br />payment history is recent-cy.<br /><ul><li>Age of last late payment less than 7 months - big hits<br /><li>Age of last late payment less than 7-24 months - less hit<br /><li>Age of last late payment less than 24months -significant relief<br /></li><br /><strong>30% - Balances</strong><br />This portion of the score assesses how wisely an individual utilizes thier credit. Ideally a borrower should have between 3-5 credit lines. If the ratio of cumulative available revolving credit to cumulative curent balance is high, the credit score will take a hit.<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>Ratio less than 50% - no hit<br /><li>Ratio more than 50% but less than 75% - less hit<br /><li>Ratio more than 75% = big hit</ul><br /><strong>15% - Credit History</strong><br /><p></p>This portion of the score assesses the number of new trade lines and their respective ages. If trade lines need to be closed, careful consideration<br />must be made to the effects of trade line age per creidt amount extended.<br />The most credit-scoring-wise decision would be based on the reason codes in the individual reprot making specifi c accomodation for individual circumstances.<br /><strong>10% - Type of Credit</strong><br />This portion of the score reflects what the scoring engine determines a<br />“good” mix of credit types. What is “good” in one profile type may not<br />be as good if assessed according to another profile type. Across all pro-<br />fies, however, finance company credit lines are negatively assessed.<br /><strong>10% - Inquiries<br /></strong>Because the engine assumes that a person applying for multiple trade<br />lines within a short period of time may be indicative of financial trouble,<br />this portion of the scoring engine examines the number of inquiries over<br />time made to an individual’s credit report. The scoring engine treats certain economic sectors differently than credit line issue-ers. If an inquiry is made by a lender within the last 12 months, the mortgage financier gets a 30 day window during which time additional inquiries will not negatively affect the score.<br /></li></ul>Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-44183399170279561532007-02-24T20:16:00.000-08:002007-02-24T20:57:10.381-08:00Exquisite Orinda Mediterranean Home<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8iuccTSFsdUKcvCbeTg7KIhJUy3DVdgv05dvvFn-n3RH1eGteuDzivIqYzU4epqb35W7Bktrw9gmdK1GKPmZtTdsdCSxujA-jIJpuC9QqBNJieSv6eKFgcUe0vGZEyR1ztAdiCFnbxE/s1600-h/cooktop+and+sink.jpg"></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMF1G5SkS0QgUQaON-zCmu1BCDPWyHoZJMUqGLdiBYmaDMAUEApcHnYzK5gHuxeirHNELZYci5pYNNsSPDIzy4yI8sxQ0PA2ip7HpH-DOoM2Lku7TwA_PCgnKUkL_nbLDzIRdPNSGcEQ/s1600-h/Orindawoods+033.jpg"></a><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutGggfN4mIqI_qDIVM4cNFoajapsbPa7qewYgBq9tLXqZBFq5XMh0kX3Q0eLEDl2OdfdCeUV1KyBJ8kiu796L_X1DMSM2PdNUBrGjAxx0B58wDwIaURy0IZXGmwjMakAIslJ3lbpkKok/s1600-h/dining.jpg"></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSEgBmVRWoxEyALLAgQ28OmPOXoX5PNTzis_KrgGuDnqRzGf3nIcWlrUGWueH9aOxoyR8CtsowlgSo46LX8KOP91LtmJiUdNCi6EPgi7UDtFEbUMOAxMA0TOoc2tIn2COD2MgDxOrBMM/s1600-h/front.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035326344468441298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSEgBmVRWoxEyALLAgQ28OmPOXoX5PNTzis_KrgGuDnqRzGf3nIcWlrUGWueH9aOxoyR8CtsowlgSo46LX8KOP91LtmJiUdNCi6EPgi7UDtFEbUMOAxMA0TOoc2tIn2COD2MgDxOrBMM/s200/front.jpg" border="0" /><p align="left"></a><br />NEW LISTING!!!<br /><br />570 Orindawoods Drive<br /><br />WOW! What a beautiful home! This newly constructed home is approximately 4420 square feet on over 3 acres! Soaring ceilings, fabulous Master bedroom retreat with an additional 3 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, library that could be 5th bedroom, very large kitchen/family great room, large media room, 3 car garage and more!<br /><br />Builder is still finishing work so there is time to make some changes!!!!!<br /><br />Give me a call to see this magnificent home!<br /><br />Listed at $2,200,000<br /><br />Listed by<br />Pam Schwartz<br />Kay Pannu</p>Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-33503673605565094942007-02-16T15:05:00.000-08:002007-02-16T15:20:23.331-08:00Nervous About Selling???<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaiDCQk0XYMMNyN6rCiklXbls5bim2yoIfUM2ochWm6qsjKNRGQOBOzWa1nd5CWU0xGJJI_uBbzFohgaRZr3a6HUUyxxddY3y4L39yaKqHkS_HSnB12fPx0Ua7AfvRqfppGs0SXI_Ssg/s1600-h/nervous+3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaiDCQk0XYMMNyN6rCiklXbls5bim2yoIfUM2ochWm6qsjKNRGQOBOzWa1nd5CWU0xGJJI_uBbzFohgaRZr3a6HUUyxxddY3y4L39yaKqHkS_HSnB12fPx0Ua7AfvRqfppGs0SXI_Ssg/s200/nervous+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032275734082213954" /></a><br />Are you Nervous About Putting Your Home On The Market???<br /><br />Sheila Anderson of Ocala Residential, Inc., licensed real estate broker, offers 10 tips to simplify selling a house in a nervous market. Perhaps you are facing a transfer, considering downsizing, or moving to a different area. Or you want the family and kids settled in time for the 2007-2008 school year.<br /><br />Buyers and sellers may have the jitters from declining real estate sales and fluctuating prices.<br /><br />Whatever the case, housing prices remain near historical highs.<br /><br />"There's a lot more to selling your house than setting up a sign and waiting for buyers to come," Anderson says. "This is a business decision. Your goal is to make your experience as simple as possible-for you and the buyer."<br />The following 10 steps can get a seller started. <br /><strong>It starts with attitude.</strong><br />1. Detach emotionally from the property. <br />2. Lose the clutter.<br />3. Present the front. <br />4. Always be honest - with your buyer, and with the real estate broker. If there is a problem, tell them about it. <br />5. Make the house sparkle, especially the kitchen, bathrooms and your windows<br />6. Disappear when real estate agents show the property<br />7. Get ready to show the house any time. Once it is on the market, it is always a good time to show the house - if you really want to sell it. That accidental visitor could well be your buyer.<br />8. Prepare a list of items the buyer might want to use - the lawnmower, the grill, the patio and porch furniture, the draperies. Mark them "for the buyer." It's a little touch, but a separate bill of sale can provide tax advantages for the buyer at closing time.<br />9. Keep your cool. Buyers and sellers both tend to go a little crazy during a sale. Don't get emotional; keep your sense of humor. Some people will give you a low-ball offer. Don't get offended; give them a counter-offer you consider fair.<br />10. Consider getting out of the way at closing time<br />The more professional and calm the deal stays, the better a shot you will have with the fewest surprises.Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-68656843330006955972007-02-09T15:18:00.000-08:002007-02-09T15:33:50.475-08:00Coldwell Bankers New Presidents Says "Surprising Up-tick In Activity!"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZvft1JHiHyydPgRYxC5ao33KvwDCQQsl46jZCMi1lnojtZc-syOCPmfZTfzKjByE4IFoYZPzwEK-O_Eaxf2jO3f1Cb8tX3_9MQhy93YsYAOyOzHtNTrwHdghnUOY4Q8FaSH3x0jAQdc/s1600-h/excited.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZvft1JHiHyydPgRYxC5ao33KvwDCQQsl46jZCMi1lnojtZc-syOCPmfZTfzKjByE4IFoYZPzwEK-O_Eaxf2jO3f1Cb8tX3_9MQhy93YsYAOyOzHtNTrwHdghnUOY4Q8FaSH3x0jAQdc/s320/excited.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5029681913137846322" /></a><br />Coldwell Banker Welcomes New President!<br />Larry Klapow recently became our new President. He brings great insight to our market and I would like to share a few of his thoughts. <br /><br /><strong>Bay Area Housing Market Enjoying Surprising Up-tick in Activity </strong><br /><br />Despite all the talk in the news media about a housing slowdown, the Bay Area has started 2007 with an up-tick in activity. The problem in many cities is that there are not enough homes for sale. I know this sounds crazy based on what you’ve seen on TV or read in the newspapers lately, but good homes that are fairly priced are selling almost as fast as they come on the market. <br /><br />No one knows for sure whether the strong January market will continue on into the spring and summer. Will the market return to the red-hot price appreciation we saw in 2002-2005? It’s highly unlikely, and that’s probably for the best. That kind of market could not be sustained over the long run and really isn’t healthy for anyone –buyers or sellers. <br /><br />Instead, CAR economists believe we can expect normal, balanced market through the year with sales fairly level and single-digit price appreciation. And given all the other benefits of owning your own home, that sounds pretty good to me.Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-60100398066069512482007-02-01T10:52:00.000-08:002007-02-01T12:33:01.261-08:00CONSUMERS BEWARE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCAOE_mZ8fBe4F8vmL3doGsIPrR-Iw-xnWiAG_EusaKB5r2jv_tXSpiLXNDu1f0SFbpXz8BknilMNWy2eGJ0lpA-vi2qBdNSMa5hu1YyDWPy6FblrcVrU34u3VTuarx-RbwCtbvoc14M/s1600-h/watch+dog.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCAOE_mZ8fBe4F8vmL3doGsIPrR-Iw-xnWiAG_EusaKB5r2jv_tXSpiLXNDu1f0SFbpXz8BknilMNWy2eGJ0lpA-vi2qBdNSMa5hu1YyDWPy6FblrcVrU34u3VTuarx-RbwCtbvoc14M/s320/watch+dog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026666304222361058" /></a><br />Did you know......Your name, address, credit score and even 7-digits of your social security number are being sold by credit bureaus to any business willing to pay for it????<br /><br />The only way to avoid the sale of this personal information is to officially OPT-OUT of the program by visiting<br /><br /><a href="https://www.optoutprescreen.com/">https://www.optoutprescreen.com</a><br /><br />and following the instructions to do so. When you get to the website, you will choose to do one of three things:<br />(1) opt-in to the program (if you previously opted out, you can opt-in)<br />(2) opt-out for a period of 5 years<br />(3) opt-out permanently<br /><br />The website is maintained by the credit bureaus and has a "sales pitch" giving you all the reasons why you shouldn't opt-out, but you can and should if you do not wish to have your information sold.<br /><br /><strong>Oh, by the way</strong>...If you were buying or selling a home, or had a friend or family member who was, do you have a Realtor you would refer them to? I would like to apply for that job! Just give me a call or email, thanks!Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24306322105996265.post-35602474768645528342007-01-30T18:02:00.000-08:002007-01-30T18:15:45.247-08:00January 30, 2007<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uRcSICs8DcOPO_rNqt42sTcxj0rZTKz53JKFtyqnBl0L_kyKtQx_iLRRoAv87SR3jcxbOb9veFgmIp7yNV28AZ46DoZioerM5Nbtd_YGLkROS9Eb6xDNjG63xeWOaMicB78AE3CM4kQ/s1600-h/small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026009526413391282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uRcSICs8DcOPO_rNqt42sTcxj0rZTKz53JKFtyqnBl0L_kyKtQx_iLRRoAv87SR3jcxbOb9veFgmIp7yNV28AZ46DoZioerM5Nbtd_YGLkROS9Eb6xDNjG63xeWOaMicB78AE3CM4kQ/s320/small.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Rez..ahh, my first blog, what better image to begin this new adventure? The Lafayette Reservoir is almost perfect. Every season is remarkable, the grasses, shrubs, trees, wildlife, water, nature's fragrences..walking, running, rowing, playing, fishing, watching, listening. I used to be able to jog around it with Catherine in a stroller. LOL, that was a long time ago. That's ok. Soon I'll walk the Rez with Baby Jack and we'll explore the wonders that are just waiting to be discovered.<br /><div></div>Pam Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982780979034607571noreply@blogger.com0