Title: San Jose Real Estate Blog

Real Estate Appraisals Now Lagging in Many San Jose Neighborhoods

Published on Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:49:52

Investors are back in the market, and they’re paying all-cash, mostly for property under $500,000. The effect of this is to freeze out first-time home-buyers who have to get a loan. Banks are still chary about providing loans. About the only loans left for first-time buyers are FHA loans.  So, while the first-time buyer is read more..

Oooh…oooh that smell……Can’t ya smell that smell?

Published on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:38:39

Ever walk into somebody’s house and immediately wish that one of those oxygen masks would fall from the ceiling like they have in airplanes so you wouldn’t have to inhale the wall of odors that smacked you in the proboscis?  (For those unfamiliar with W.C. Fields, that means “nose”) Now image that you’re looking to buy read more..

Why Rainy Days are Best Days when looking for a Home to Buy

Published on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:43:51

In the past two weeks San Jose, California has been experiencing almost continuous rain.  I have been out almost everyday previewing or showing homes.  It would be nice to stay in the office and hang out on Twitter but the reality is, these are some of the best days to learn about houses and neighborhoods.  read more..

Beautiful Cambrian Park Home for Sale San Jose, California

Published on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:36:28

Cambrian Park Home For Sale Overview Maps Photos Description Neighborhood IDX Search $899,000 Single Family Home For Sale Main Features 6 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1 Partial Bathroom Interior: 2274 sqft Lot: 9,625 sqft Location 14906 Conway Avenue San Jose, CA CJ Brasiel Broker Associate, SRES, GREEN Fireside Reatly (408) 406-6035 CJ@CJBRealEstate.com http://www.CJBRealEstate.com Listed by: CJ Brasi read more..

Waiver on 90-day flipping rule will help FHA buyers find a home.

Published on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:33:57

It is not uncommon over the last two years to find a statement on the multiple listing service that reads “no FHA loans 90 day rule applies”. Which basically meant that an investor had purchased a home, most likely and REO (foreclosed home), completed repairs, new carpet, paint and then placed in back on read more..

Is your refrigerator ruining your kitchen floor? Simple protection device.

Published on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:40:02

In my daily travels, the most common problem I see in homes for sale is water damage.  One of the first things I do as an agent previewing a home is look underneath every sink for drippy pipes and water connections.  Even the smallest drip can cause incredible damage over time.  The water slowly penetrates read more..

Home Sales Bounce Back, Ending the Year on an Up Note

Published on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:04:44

Sales of single-family, re-sale homes rose 27.9% in December compared to December 2008.  With the extension, and expansion, of the tax credit for buyers, we expect sales to be strong through Spring because of the first-time home buyers tax credit of $8,000 for buying a principal residence. First-time buyer is a buyer who has not read more..

How the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) Affects Home Buyers.

Published on Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:26:53

Scores of home sellers and other home-buying stakeholders are operating under a new set of rules when it comes to the appraisal process.  Since May 1, Freddie Mac has stopped purchasing mortgages from sellers that fail to adopt the Home Valuation Code of Conduct. A joint agreement between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the read more..

FHA Updates Policy. Not Good News for First Time Buyers.

Published on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:52:15

FHA loans have been a large part of Silicon Valley housing recovery in the last two years.  Previous to 2007, the loan limit for an FHA loan was $417,000 and there simply were not that many homes in the Bay Area that were priced low enough to utilize FHA.  In 2007 the government increased the read more..

How does non-permitted work impact the buying or selling of a home?

Published on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:24:01

Before we can discuss the impact  non-permitted work has on a home, it is important to talk about what a permit is and why it is required for work completed on a home.  Permits are typically issued in accordance with a city or county ordinance.  Therefore, not obtaining permits for required items is unlawful.  Permits read more..