Comments for Silicon Valley Real Estate

Comment on The Alta Vista Neighborhood, Where San Jose’s Cambrian Park and Los Gatos Weave Together Along The Base of the Hills by tower 200

tower 200 — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:09:35 +0000

Can I get the same results as the dentist would give me?

Comment on How Often Should You Get A Termite Inspection? by Mary Pope-Handy

Mary Pope-Handy — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:40:48 +0000

You can search for a licensed pest control operator in California by visiting the POC website (http://www.pcoc.org/hire/find/index.cfm) and inputting the first three digits of your zip code. You’ll get a complete list of licensed termite & pest companies.

Comment on How Often Should You Get A Termite Inspection? by Hemant

Hemant — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:43:49 +0000

Will appreciate a list of San Jose area termite companies. This was very knowledgeable and helpful.

Comment on Short Sales Sell But Often Don’t Close: Why? by Mary Pope-Handy

Mary Pope-Handy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:14:18 +0000

Kate - thanks! No I haven’t heard of that book or program but it sounds like a good system. I’ll look out for it.

Bella - thank you, and best of luck to you! I’m not sure where you are purchasing your home, but in CA if the Short Sale Addendum was used, the seller has the right to not take the bank’s terms. That’s because sometimes the bank asks for the seller to pay a promissory note or cash to close, and in some cases the seller is truly better off going through foreclosure (since in CA the bank cannot come after a deficiency in many cases if it goes to foreclosure). I’m guessing that this is what’s happening with your sale, although it could be other things too, of course. In any event, best of luck to you!!

Comment on Why Do Agents Suggest That Sellers Price Their Home “At The Market”? by Mary Pope-Handy

Mary Pope-Handy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:09:11 +0000

Great point, Paula. The cost of holding the property is often high. Thanks for weighing in!

Comment on Short Sales Sell But Often Don’t Close: Why? by Bella

Bella — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:30:31 +0000

Great Article. I am a buyer on a short sale. Loan documents are signed and closing is suppose to be this coming Friday, however, now the seller has said she is not selling and refuses to sign a cancellation of contract! Trustee sale date is in 2 weeks…what a nightmare!

Comment on Why Do Agents Suggest That Sellers Price Their Home “At The Market”? by Paula Bean

Paula Bean — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:04:08 +0000

Not to mention that most of their mtg pmt goes to interest right in the banks pocket. Real estate taxes, HOA’s, homeowners insurance, ALL lost money. If someone has a $2K pmt, just for an example, their paydown vs interest, HOA, taxes, hazard, etc puts them in the hole about 1.9K every month they are on the market depending on how long they have owned the home. If you want a higher price you cant get, and you are going to lose almost $2K/mo, then listing for 6 months with no sale due to high price loses you what??? $12 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

So either be serious or just wait out the market, or rent it, but if you are serious about selling in addition to all of Mary Pope Handy’s comments above, factor this one in as well. YOU LOSE by not pricing to market.

Comment on Short Sales Sell But Often Don’t Close: Why? by Kate

Kate — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:13:04 +0000

Mary, I am so glad I landed on your site. I am looking forward to the day I own my first home and while some friends have mentioned looking for a short sale, I didn’t understand it so I shied away from it. With your tips, I now feel like I could go that route, knowing it may not fly. I’ve just run across the Real Smart Investor program and N. Xavier Arnold’s new book about Real Estate Investing; he says the same thing as you about patience and the long term. Have you heard of the book? It’s a blueprint for successful investing. Kate

Comment on Short Sales Sell But Often Don’t Close: Why? by Mary Pope-Handy

Mary Pope-Handy — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:55:05 +0000

Thanks Kristal! You’re right, most of the time buyers don’t understand what they are getting into. (And sometimes their agents don’t, either!)

Comment on Short Sales Sell But Often Don’t Close: Why? by Kristal Kraft

Kristal Kraft — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 05:39:16 +0000

This is an excellent resource for those considering both being and purchasing a short sale. So many buyers get involved without understanding the almost infinite issues that can change and often do.