Real Estate Information

Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a foreign language.  Don’t search for the answers which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them.  And the point is to live everything.  Live the questions now.  Perhaps then, some day far in the future you will gradually, without even noticing it, live you way into the answer.

~ Rainer Maria Rilke

As a coach and business skills trainer, I have to agree with Rilke.  Questions are vital.  We are asking ourselves questions all the time anyway.  From early school days we are programmed to seek answers to questions.

Firstly, start paying attention to the questions you are asking yourself.  For instance, questions like “Why does this always happen to me?” may not be as helpful as questions like “How can I make this situation better?” or “What can I learn from this?”.

If you would like to further explore the power of questions, here’s an exercise from one of my Journaling Jems™:

Questions? 

Write a list of questions.  What ever comes to mind.  This exercise triggers your unconscious mind to search for answers.  Don’t stop to consider the answer, but you may be surprised how many pop into your head, as you write the questions, or over the next few days or weeks...

I would love to hear from you on how questions have affected your life.

Judy Peebles

The Journaling Jenius™

·     Simple vs. Elaborate:  While there certainly are settings or occasions that call for elaborate displays, many times the most beautiful arrangements are the most simple in design.  I recently designed this arrangement of lilacs and hydrangeas, and though it’s very simple, it’s still colorful and dramatic.  I also find that arrangements of all one color (yet different species) can be quite stunning, and you tend to notice the detail of each flower because you’re not distracted by the various colors.

·     Keep it Proportionate:  Consider the scale of the surrounding area when choosing an arrangement.  Large open areas can handle a larger arrangement, whereas too small of an arrangement would become lost in the space.  Also keep your arrangement proportionate to the container.  I usually use a rule of thirds, meaning the height of your arrangement should be twice as tall as your container (the container is 1/3 of the height, and the arrangement 2/3).

·     Keep them Fresh:  This depends on the species of flower, but generally you can really stretch the life of the blooms by changing the water every 2 days and giving the stems a fresh cut so they can continue to absorb water.  This is a good article on preserving your cut flowers, and offers valuable tips, as well as recipes for homemade flower foods .  http://www.plantea.com/cutflowers.htm

Check back every Friday for more decorating and home improvement tips!  If I can give you any assistance with your design and decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together! 

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Katherine Sturr

Inside-Out Designs

408-626-8272

1.   The max agency jumbo loan limit gets increased from $625,500 to $729,750 in high cost areas.  (FYI – Not all lenders will allow this)

2.   The refi plus program for loans over $417k get implemented allowing clients to refinance up to 105% LTV on their owner occupied homes (Must be FNMA or FREDDIE owned)

3.   The maximum allowed investment properties with loans will go from 4 to 10. (FYI – Not all lenders will allow this)

4.   Brokers and Lenders will not be able to order their own appraisals any longer.  All orders will need to go through a 3^rd party, called AMC’s (Appraisal Management Companies).  Issues we see with this new procedure include:

·         Loan delays on contingencies with purchases.

·         Rush orders will not be accepted.

·         Running comps to determine value range will not be allowed by appraisers.

For more info on the above, please contact me.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Rob McCarthy

Owner and Senior Mortgage Planner

The Honte Group

408-377-4123 Direct

408-558-1422 (Renee Steff) Sr. Loan Coordinator

When you have a project to do or an idea for a new product, service or book, the blank page can sometimes be very daunting.  I’ve found that before I start an outline, I feel like I have to have the whole thing organized in my head.  That seems so impossible, that it can be overwhelming and completely blocks the creative process.

Whereas, Storyboarding actually helps the creative process and provides an easy and fun way to organize your ideas.  It’s much less restrictive than making a list or an outline. 

It can help define your “Elephant Bites” of a project or book.

In the 1930’s the Walt Disney Studio developed a methodology referred to as storyboarding.

For more info go to Wikipedia

Unless you’re making a movie and need pictures, Post-it® notes work well for thoughts and ideas. 

Here are a few easy steps to get you started:-

1.         Find a place for your storyboard.  You can use a wall or a large piece of paper.  Sketch paper or flipchart paper works really well for this.  Take a Post-it® pad and jot down ideas – one per note and stick them on the wall.  At this point the organization doesn’t matter.  You can do this brainstorm in one sitting or over time.  I keep a storyboard going for my Journaling Jems™ and add to it as the ideas come to me.

            2.         Once you have all your ideas out, you can move the notes around and organize them.   When I have my fifty-two ideas for a set of Jems™, then I organize them into four suits.  If you are working on a big project, you could even use different colored notes for sections and sub-sections.  But if that’s too complicated for you, just stick to one color.

            3.  Now step back and figure out what action to take.  For instance, if you have used this process to outline chapters in a book, you could pick one chapter and create a storyboard just for that chapter.  Or if you are ready, just start writing that chapter, then the next, and so on. Before you know it….Voila!!....the entire book will be finished.

What if you don’t have a large piece of paper?  I have done storyboarding on closet doors in hotel rooms or on a page in my journal.  Actually, sticking the notes in my journal means I can carry it with me and work on it anywhere, anytime I have a new idea.

One more tip – be brief and write at the bottom of the note, then you can overlap them and they will take up less space.

Have fun!!!

Judy Peebles

The Journaling Jenius™

Long, but very telling~

The number of homes sold in the Bay Area rose for the seventh month in a row in March—the result of continued bargain hunting and foreclosure-discounted communities.

The past year's steep drop in the median price slowed significantly, indicating that the market might be near its price bottom, real estate information service MDA DataQuick reported.

Santa Clara County:
• 1,288 houses and condos were sold in March (almost 17 percent higher than the same period a year ago but the second-lowest amount in DataQuick records)
• Median price was $425,000, a 38 percent drop from the year-ago price. (A month
earlier the median price was $421,000).
• 45 percent of the homes sold in the county had been foreclosed during the year.

Nine-County Bay Area:
• March 2009 - 6,325 new and resale houses and condos closed escrow. (Up 25.7% from 5,032 in February and up 29.1% from 4,898 in March 2008--according to San Diego-based DataQuick).
• March 2008 was the slowest in DataQuick's statistics (dating back to 1988)
• March 2009 – 3rd-slowest March of all time, ahead of March 2008 and 6,210 sales in March 1995.
• March sales have averaged 9,025 and peaked in March 2004 at 12,645 sales.

Mortgage Overview:
"More than any other region, the Bay Area is waiting for so-called jumbo loans to come back on line. Even with prices off their peaks, most home purchases in the upper half of the market still require a mortgage for more than $417,000, which are far more difficult to come by. We think there's a good chance those larger loans will become more available during the second or third quarter," said John Walsh, MDA DataQuick President.

• Mortgages of more than $417,000 were used to finance 19% of the Bay Area's home sales last month, compared with more than 60% before the credit crunch hit in late summer 2007.
• FHA loans (government-insured) -- a common choice among first-time buyers -- represented a record 25.4% of all Bay Area purchase loans in March, up from 1.5 percent a year ago.
Median Home Price – Bay Area for the entire Bay Area:
• March 2009 (all new and resale houses and condos combined) - $290,000
• February 2009 - $295,000
• March 2008 - $536,000 (March 2009 is down 45.9% from a year ago)
• 56.4% below the peak median of $665,000 reached in June and July of 2007
• March 2009 - 51.2% of all Bay Area resale homes had been foreclosed on at some point in the prior 12 months, down from 52% in February and up from 23.2% a year ago.
• By county - ranged from 11.5% in San Francisco to 70% in Solano.

Average Mortgage Payment:
• March 2009 - $1,245 (typical monthly mortgage payment that Bay Area buyers committed themselves to paying)
• February 2009 - $1,286
• March 2008 - $2,553
• (assumes 20 percent down and a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage)
• The lowest since February 1997 ($1,236)
• Adjusted for inflation, current payments are at an all-time low--51.9% below typical payments in the spring of 1989 (the peak of the prior real estate cycle)
• 64.5% below the current cycle's peak in July 2007

The graph for the stats of Santa Clara County shows that the pending sales and the inventory lines are about to intersect which means we, in Silicon Valley, will be back to a shortage of inventory if this keeps up. Then, all of the buyers that have been sitting on the fence (not listening to their trusted Real Estate Advisor) will be sorry as multiple offers will be practically the norm and they won't have the "pick of the litter" any longer!

Lastly, I heard a great analogy yesterday about interest rates--Rates are like holding a basket ball at the bottom of a swimming pool. They are being held down (artificially low) and once that ball is released will shoot straight up! If you or someone you know is considering upsizing, downsizing, or purchasing for the first time, let me know so that I can start educating them now. There is not much time left to be able to take advantage of this fabulous Buyer's Market!

Do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions. I am happy to help you and anyone you know!

This article was written with the help of Lou Plummer of Alain Pinel Realtors in Danville--another great CyberStar!

Dawn Thomas, Broker Associate
The Dawn Thomas Team of Intero Real Estate Services
Serving Los Altos to west San Jose
1-877-901-2121

Q.  What are the advantages of a living trust?

A.  A living trust is designed to take the place of a simple will.  Both the will and the trust get the money to the proper beneficiaries.  However, the trust has advantages:

• Avoid probate (maximize amount of estate to the beneficiaries);
• Plan for successor trustee to take over in the case of incapacity (avoid a Conservatorship and, therefore, maximize the amount of the estate to the beneficiaries).

Q. Why does a trust save the estate money? 

A. Both in the case of incapacity and in case of death with no trust there would be a court process. The expense in either case is greater than administering a trust.

Q.  My Mother has become paranoid over the years.  How do I convince her to at least explore the option of getting a living trust? 

A.  Tell her many attorneys offer an initial free consultation.  This is designed to let the client and attorney discuss the issues and decide if:

• The attorney can offer solutions;
• The parties are comfortable with each other

Often the attorney can estimate the cost of the services after the initial meeting.  You may download a certificate from my website.

For further information, visit Diane M. Brown, Attorney at Law 

Brown Law Offices

Diane M. Brown, Attorney at Law

14130 Winchester Blvd., Suite G

Los Gatos, CA  95032
law@dianebrown.com
408-376-2755

·     Landscaping ~  Are the lawn and plants trimmed and tidy?  Are the planting beds free of weeds and debris?  Are the sidewalks, driveway and curb areas swept clean?  None of these improvements cost anything!

·     Exterior Paint ~  Is the paint faded, peeling or chipping?  If you can’t afford to repaint the whole house, then touch up the areas that are looking tired, especially around the front porch.

·     Clutter ~ We all have it to one degree or another, so don’t try to rid yourself completely of items you may have stored around the exterior of your home.  That said, keep them in the garage or behind the gates, and away from the view of the street.  This also goes for unattractive autos that may be inoperative, and by all means, nothing with a tarp on it!

·     Front Porch ~ Have you considered that this will be the place your visitors will linger?  While they’re waiting for you to answer the door, they’re passing the time by looking around.  Are there cobwebs in the corners?  Are there tears in the screen door?  Is the paint and hardware on your door dirty from little one’s hands?  Are there flower pots with dead plants, or the remaining dirt from last year’s plant?  A few flower pots or decorative accessories are very attractive and welcoming, but keep the clutter to a minimum on the front porch, especially if you don’t have much room to begin with.

Check back every Friday for more decorating and home improvement tips!  If I can give you any assistance with your design and decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me.  Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together! 

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Katherine Sturr

Inside-Out Designs

408-626-8272

Temperatures in the Silicon Valley will hit the low 80’s this weekend and spring is definitely in there air!

The Real Estate market in our valley is also heating-up.  There certainly is a change taking place.  Homes in most prices ranges are not only being looked at more by buyers, but they are selling as well—some properties with multiple offers (if location is good, the property is priced appropriately, and is staged/market-ready). 

This certainly is a welcome change and it could signal a trend heading upwards with this market as we see buyer activity continue to improve.  I get asked all of the time, “Dawn, when will we hit “bottom?”  My answer is "you won't know we hit bottom in the local housing market until the market is already on its way back up.”   If you are thinking of buying a home or if you need more space, a better school district, a change of scenery or are downsizing, do not wait until your opportunity has surpassed you!  If you are going to take advantage of this market you need to do it NOW. With home prices at low levels and mortgage interest rates at historic (artificially) low levels it is time to make a move.

A fellow Realtor and I recently hosted a gorgeous $4.5M home open in Los Altos (okay, just a tick under $4.5M at $4.498M), and we had over 22 groups of people through.  Not all visitors were in that price range, but most were looking in the $1.8M - $3.5M range.  For what you can now purchase at $1.8M in Los Altos was $2.5M 18-24 months ago.  I am seeing buyers in all price ranges coming out of the wood work to take advantage of this market as it won’t last forever.  Look for your Silicon Valley dream home today: Silicon Valley real estate market

What are you doing on Friday, May 1^st from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.?  How about an evening of food, drinks, and live entertainment at the Los Altos Spring Stroll?  I will see you there!

Spring also means the start of the Los Altos Farmer’s Market on May 7!  From May 7^th through September 24^th, select from a cornucopia of fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers every Thursday evening from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.  For more information, visit the Los Altos Village Association. 

The Dawn Thomas Team
Intero Real Estate Services
496 First Street, Suite 200
Los Altos, CA  94022
http://www.TheDawnThomasTeam.com
1-877-901-2121

This is an old time management adage.   If the elephant is a project you need to complete, you have to complete it one bite or action at a time.

Sometimes that feels easier said than done.  So let’s break it down further.

1.         Define the Elephant – First you need to define your project.  Be specific.  Make sure you know the scope of what you plan to accomplish.  A good question to ask is – How will I know I’ve completed this project?  For instance, when I’m creating my Journaling Jems™, I feel that I’ve finished when the file is sent to the printers.  Then I just have to wait for them to be delivered.

2.         Set a Deadline – If your project doesn’t have a deadline, you’ll feel less compelled to complete it.  Make it a realistic deadline, but something that is a stretch for you.  For instance, a lot of people say they will write a book one day.  One day isn’t a deadline.  But in 3 years is too long and 30 days may be too short for most.  Sometimes an external deadline can be helpful.  For example, on my first set of Journaling Jems™, my sister, Diannna  who does all the design work, was going on vacation.  I needed to get them to her before her vacation so she could finish them and get them to the printers.

3.         What are the bites – Break the project down into edible chunks.  You can create a list or a mindmap for this.  Or brainstorm with post-it notes and create a storyboard.  Once these are organized, give each step a deadline.  Be sure to include steps that you can delegate and make sure you get commitment on the deadline when you delegate them.

4.         Right now – Being in motion is powerful.  Look at your steps and pick one that you can complete right now!  If not now, then at least within the next 24 hours.

5.         Accountability – Set up an accountability system.  This may be as simple as telling a friend, I’m going to get this done by Tuesday and have them call you on Tuesday to check in.  Having a coach is a great accountability system.  I give my clients homework and because they know I will ask them about their homework on our next call, they tell me that they are more compelled to complete everything before our call.

Good luck with your elephants!!!

Next time – Storyboarding with post-it notes.

Judy Peebles

The Journaling Jenius™

www.TheJournalingJenius.com

"Riches do not consist in the possession of treasures,
but in the use made of them." - Napoleon

SEPARATE TRASH FROM TREASURE!

Written by Dr. Fred Craddock, the following story was passed along to me:

One of my schoolmates spent many years ministering in China. He was under house arrest and the soldiers came one day and told him that he could return to America. The family was celebrating. The soldiers said, 'You can take 200 pounds with you.'

They had been there for years! Two hundred pounds. They got the scales and they started the family arguments - two children, wife, and husband. Must have this vase . . . Well, this is a new typewriter . . . What about my books? . . . What about our toys? They weighed everything and took it off, until at last they had it right on the dot: two hundred pounds.

The soldiers asked if they were ready to go and they said, "Yes!" "Did you weigh everything?" They said, "Yes!" "Did you weigh the kids?" "No, we did not." "You will have to weigh the kids." In the blink of an eye, the typewriter, vase, books, all became trash. Trash. It happens.

***************************************************

Talk about a paradigm shift. How often have we all weighed our goods without considering our "kids"? Think of the times we placed value on our "stuff," only to be swiftly reminded of the value of a loved one.

This concept is confirmed with the story of a man who showed up at the pearly gates with a wheelbarrow full of gold bars. St. Peter explained that he could not "take it with him." Nevertheless, St. Peter consulted with God about the man being allowed to bring the gold bars. God answered with a simple question: "Why does he want to bring in paving materials?"