California Top Real Estate Trends for 2015
Housing Recovery Gains Momentum The economy in 2015 continued to improve complete with existing home sales hitting nine-year highs due to job growth, rising consumer confidence, and low interest rates. Individual micro markets vary from zip code to zip code and consistent year over year gains are everywhere, but there may be flattening on the…
Read MoreReady to Renovate? See The 2015 Trends in Home Remodeling
I spend every year remodeling or remaking 12 to 25 bathrooms and 5 to 10 kitchens for my clients in preparation of getting their homes ready to sell. The process is incredibly rewarding for both me and my clients and each year brings new and creative ideas to our work. Not only is your home…
Read MorePalo Alto’s Real Estate, Businesses and Top-Rate Education Attract People Nationally and Internationally
Californians have known forever that Palo Alto is a world-class city. This status was cemented in 2015 when one renowned study named the city one of the top 100 best places to live on the planet. Palo Alto is the beating heart of the Silicon Valley with legendary companies like Facebook, Tesla, and HP launched…
Read MoreIs Spring the Best Time to Buy a Palo Alto Home?
The world of real estate is an exciting and confusing place filled with sage advice for home buyers and sellers. You may have heard plenty of recommendations on when to buy, when to sell, whether you should stage, and other helpful tips to get your home sold fast; however, it may be difficult to tell…
Read MoreIn My Opinion – Pocket Listings Don’t Help Home Sellers
Do You Want To Shoot Yourself In The Foot? Sell Your Home Off-Market Or Don’t Expose It To The Multiple Listing Service With An Open House – That Will Do The Trick Every Single Time – Guaranteed! No matter what you call it, “off-market, private, or pocket listings” are on the rise again as sellers…
Read MoreHow Many Offers Will I Get On My House?
I can’t remember a listing where my client didn’t ask me, “[H]ow many offers will I get on my house? It’s a crystal ball question, but usually the answer is – “we will probably get several if we price it correctly.” The juggernaut seller’s market continues to march forward like a rapid moving lava flow…
Read MoreAttention Downsizing Baby Boomers – Sell Your House, Protect All Your Equity, and Pay NO Capital Gains Taxes with this Simple Strategy Using Tools Congress Gave Us
Many of my parent’s friends who have fortunately accumulated significant equity in their homes over the last several decades are faced with a dilemma of downsizing into a smaller home because they can no longer conveniently or adequately take care of their properties. Importantly, many of them desire a simpler-smaller property, usually all single-level, accessible…
Read MoreCost Value Ratio 2015 – What Are The Best Improvements Sellers Can Make To Improve Return-On-Investment?
Last year I wrote an article on “Cost-Value Ratio” or more appropriately what improvements are the best return-on-investment for homeowners or sellers – see link right here – https://shellyrobersonrealtor.com/home-improvements-critical-now-more-than-ever/. Home improvements are critical for sellers and buyers alike, but are sellers getting the right advice? Consistently I see mistakes by sellers, usually at the advice…
Read MoreNew California Real Estate Laws for 2015
Here is a quick recap of the new 2015 real estate laws effecting owners, residents, real estate agents, and brokers. How these laws effect you, your business interests, your family, landlords, and tenants vary greatly depending on your individual circumstances, but please read and make yourself aware of the basics. For detailed analysis or any…
Read MoreMountain View Weighs Increased Developer Fees – What Else?
How Should Cities Deal With Developers And Affordable Housing Proponents? How do cities in tech-rich Silicon Valley curb skyrocketing housing costs while at the same time appease developers to build more affordable housing units? In the city where Google Inc. resides the conundrum of housing is a bubbling caldron between residents, developers, and city staff. …
Read MorePlanned-Community Zoning Is On Table In Palo Alto
The Palo Alto City Council will consider whether or not, and how, to change or adjust land-use designation process within city limits. The Council will begin Monday October 6 to look at modifying the city’s somewhat difficult planned-community zoning, which was paused due to a citizen referendum. The current zoning which has been in place…
Read MoreWest San Jose’s Country Lane Neighborhood Is No Longer A Hidden Treasure
Previously known as Gubserville1 during the 1880-90’s West San Jose’s Country Lane Neighborhood is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the West Valley for several varying reasons. First of all it is bordered with well-defined boundaries and has a centrally located amazing elementary school which kids and families can walk to (Saratoga…
Read MorePortola Valley Ranch – The Peninsula’s Hidden Gem
Amazingly Distinctive Custom Homes Are Still Undervalued Amidst Market Chaos Developed in the 1970s Portola Valley Ranch (PV Ranch), a planned community of approximately 205 homes located in Portola Valley off Alpine Road, is truly a hidden gem of a development which offers so much for so little on a comparative basis. Portola Valley Ranch…
Read MoreHow To Avoid The Big Housing Crunch Awaiting Many Baby Boomers
There Are Dire Predictions For Baby Boomers But It Can Be Overcome With Planning Those American Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964 are facing some pretty serious issues in the foreseeable future none of which are as daunting as the cost of housing in their retirement years. Notwithstanding the estimated costs of $220,000 a couple will…
Read MorePalo Alto’s Comprehensive Plan Delays Prompt Zoning Changes – The Value Of Your Real Estate At Stake
Citizens Should Get Involved To Help Mold The Future Of Palo Alto Growth The massive overhaul to Palo Alto’s Comprehensive Plan is not expected to be completed for a couple more years, but several city council members would like to implement zoning changes right away because of all the development that is currently occurring and…
Read MorePaying Off Your Mortgage Early Might Not Be the Investment You Think It Is
There are Better Investments Available Instead of Paying Down Your Mortgage Mortgage is Latin for “dead-deed.” Black’s Law Dictionary defines mortgage as an interest in land created by written instrument providing security for the performance of a duty or the payment of a debt. Mortgagees are the banks who lend money secured by real property…
Read MoreWhat Are Hard Money Loans And Why Aren’t They For Everyone?
Importantly, hard money loans are not for first time home buyers. Hard money loans are typically loans of “last resort” for borrowers who can’t find a conventional loan to accomplish the debt bridge between the down payment and the purchase price of real estate. Hard money loans have sharply higher interest rates and usually…
Read MoreYour Investment Properties And Your Personal Assets Are Exposed To Litigation If You Haven’t Properly Protected Them
Why Forming an Entity to Protect Your Private Wealth From Your Investment Property Liabilities is Critical in Today’s Litigious Real Estate Environment Do you believe that an investment or rental property insurance policy is enough protection for you and your personal wealth in the event of an accident or other catastrophe to your tenants? If…
Read MoreWhat Are Real Estate Investment Trusts All About – And Why They Might Be For You
Investing In A REIT Is Participating In The Commercial Real Estate Investment World Without Actually Buying Real Estate Investment Trusts or “REITs” are companies or corporations or other entities that owns, and most commonly operates a portfolio or income-producing real estate or real estate-related assets. REITs are designed for individual investors to earn portions or…
Read MoreHow To Grow Your Nest Egg By Thinking Outside The Box
In Your Retirement Quest Put Real Estate Investments In Your IRA And Watch It Grow Over the years I have had many clients ask me if it was possible to put real estate investments inside of their IRAs. The answer is “Yes” but the IRA has to be specific and has to not have certain…
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