Tracy, CA

The easiest 'virtual tour' I've ever done.

I had some photos, and I use Picasa to keep my photos organized.

If you upload your photos to PicasaWeb, you have the option to "make a movie."

You can add music to the movie, and then voila - you create the movies.

Upload to YouTube (this is the first one I tried, it's photos of my son golfing) and you are DONE.

All this in less than 10 minutes.

When did this ball BOUNCE? 

I can tell you --- it bounced when it hit bottom and started back up.

There is an old saying, "buy low".  This is TRUE- however - no one has EVER said "Buy Bottom".

Why not -- why not "Buy Bottom, Sell TOP?"

Because we don't know know where Bottom is?  We don't know where TOP is either.

So here is the best advise I can give..... AIM LOW!

Weigh all the facts, the interest rate, the current price of homes and when you think it's LOW enough for you, get off the fence and BUY.

I do know this --- there are going to be a lot of people in a few years who said "I wish I had bought that house in 2009, it was ONLY $XYZ. "  We've seen it before, we'll see it again.

AIM LOW ----- BUY LOW-----

Attention First Time Home Buyers!!!!

I spoke to a client - and shame on me - for not telling y client myself -- his tax person had no idea about the tax credit available for First Time Home Buyers. SO --- to redeem myself - Im going to tell everyone...

If you purchased a home between April 9, 2008 through June 30, 2009 (yes it can be retroactive) and you have not owned a home for the past 3 years, you qualify.

If you are single or married filing jointly the govenment will give you an interest free loan of $7500. Your payments will be $500 over the next 15 years, and will be paid via your tax returns yearly. THis credit is REFUNDABLE which mean even if you don't owe taxed you get the money.

There are some income stipulation and if you should sell or refinance the loan would need to be paid back. Check with your Tax Advisor, ask them if they qualify.

Have fun!

Home Buyers -- Investors --- it's 2009!!

Everywhere you turn you hear about gloom and doom of the economy.  However, out of the Great Depression came more new Millionaires than every before.... and we are still so much better off than that era. 

Every buyer wants to buy at the bottom, get the best deal, not pay a single cent more than necessary. No one can predict the futher, I can tell you that the prices today are at about 1990 levels and interest rates are lower than anyone has seen in 20 years.  I will know that we have hit bottom the second you are calling saying "Susan why didn't we buy a house last week, month, year?"

Here is a quick chart of the real estate market.

As I study this chart I picture a rock skipping along on a lake, bouncing along, up and down.  How low will the market continue like this? If only I hadn't thrown my crystal ball out the window 10 years ago.  

Tracy Real Estate - Trulia

What's your opinion - what do you think will happen in the next 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, a year?

 
Tracy, CA Real Estate

I've helped so many first time buyers buy thier first home this year.  I can not tell you how honored I am every time that these great people have chosen ME to help them with such a HUGE memorable experience.

I wanted to compile a short list of things you as a BUYER need to know....

1) Your Good Faith Deposit - Ernest Money - is not deposited until the offer is accepted by the seller.  This deposit is APPLIED to your downpayment.

2) In Tracy California which is in San Joaquin County, closing costs, all the extra fees, prepaid amounts etc usually runs 3 - 4%.  As of right now, December 22nd, many sellers, even Bank Sellers are willing to pay these fees.  What's included in this 3% --- Prepaid Taxes, Prepaid insurance, Points for your loan, Appraisal, Inspection Fees, Home Warranty and many more.

3) Even if you have an impound account, an account where you taxes and insurance are taken out monthly, you still need to secure an insurance policy.  Check with who you have auto insurance through.  Your lender will require you have insurance prior to lending you ANY money.

4) You need to contact PG&E; Water, etc to get all those utilities turned on.  If you forget to do this, you may move into your home and it will be very dark with no water.

5) Get your home re-keyed.  This is especially important with all the foreclosures on the market.  Do this first thing, before you move anything into the house.

These are not listed in any order of importance, and there are many more.

If you have any questions call or email me.  I'm always available to answer your questions.