Realty World - Innovative Realty Service » Buying

Housing Values At The Bottom Yet?

Michael Walters — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:30:00 +0000

Remember when we were on a road trip with the kids in the car? What was the question they always got around to? “Are we there yet?”
Nearly every day people ask me the same question relative to home values: “Are housing values at the bottom yet?” The answer varies depending the area you are asking about.
In this article Forbes provides mixed answers: homeowners in the San Francisco Bay Area may “be there”. Other places in CA and around the country, however, may have a ways to go yet before their house-value-slide ends.
San Jose was specifically listed as one of the few metro area where values seem to have leveled. This continues to be good news for Morgan Hill, Gilroy and Hollister home values. With the majority of South County residents commuting up into the Bay Area, home values in these three cities will continue to follow San Jose’s lead.
So, Johnny, we’re there – but we won’t be returning to increased values for some time to come.

Nice 4 bd., 2 bth., 16,500+ sq. ft. lot.

Michael Walters — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:18:00 +0000

1291 Bonnie View Drive, Hollister: A completely remodeled, 4 bed. & 2 bath home on a 16,500 sq. ft. lot!

Watch the VIDEO Tour of this nice home. You’ll note that nearly everything, even the plumbing, has been redone. Have you heard the term: “turn key“? This home is it. Just put in the key and move right in. There is virtually nothing left to do.
The wide side yard access to the huge back yard provides endless possibilities: A large garage/workshop, toy barn, pool etc. could easily fit into this back yard. In the VIDEO you can see what the neighbor did with his same sized lot.
From this home you are less than a quarter mile from Hwy 25’s extension for an easy drive to Gilroy’s Premium Outlet Center and CalTrain for a convenient commute. Schools, shopping and medical facilities are within walking distance. Veteran’s Memorial Park with its 5 baseball diamonds, skate park and picnic area is also just a short walk.
As close as this home is to everything, Bonnie View Rd. is not a through street so there is little traffic. It is a quiet neighborhood.
This is NOT a short sale or bank owned sale. You will deal with the actual seller and can expect to close in a matter of weeks.
For your own personal tour of 1291 Bonnie View Rd. just call/text or e-mail me and I will arrange it for you.

4 Bdrm. Home, San Juan Bautista

Michael Walters — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:53:00 +0000

For Sale: 411 6th St. It is a 9 year ‘young‘ home in “The City of History”, San Juan Bautista.
This 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2,005 sq. ft. home is just a few blocks from all of the boutique shops and restaurants in San Juan’s village. Everything here; the Mission itself, the grocery store, the school – are all within walking distance.
Since this home is only 3 miles from Hwy. 101 you can be on the beach in 20 minutes, Gilroy’s Outlet Center and, CalTrain in 15 minutes, and in downtown San Jose in 45 minutes. Hollister is just 10 minutes away. It’s an easy commute from here to Monterey or San Jose.
Take a couple of minutes and watch this VIDEO Tour then, let me know what you think.

School Registration and Regular Sales

Michael Walters — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:52:00 +0000

Amazingly there is only 7 or 8 weeks before school starts again. I know, all the parents are screaming: “WHAT?!! It can’t be!!” Still it is true.
If you are planning to move and will need to get the kids registered in the new school, take heart – you still have time.
While “REO” (foreclosed homes) take 6 to 8 weeks to close, “Short Sales” could take 2 to 4 months to close! However, a ‘Regular’ sale: where the owner themselves are selling the property, could close within 4-6 weeks. In fact, when your lender approves your loan you could start the enrolling process with confidence. You will even have an address within the school boundaries. Loan approval is often issued 2 to 3 weeks into the escrow.
When looking on-line therefore, you may want to include on you ‘dream list’ of features the absence of: “Short Sale”, “Bank Owned”, or “REO” in the description of the home. Chances are, the homes without one of those discriptions will be a ‘regular’ sale.
As an added reason to be alert to such a home – they are more often in better condition than those homes sitting vacant.
Feel free to shop in the actual MLS through the “Client Portfolio” button above this post. There, you can access the actual MLS, in real time. Or, you can e-mail me and I will do the search for you.
Happy Summer!

Needed Repairs vs. Short Sale

Michael Walters — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:24:00 +0000

Our Veteran buyer had an approved short sale contract on a Hollister home. The bank’s approval limited the amount they had to net from the sale. There was NOT enough to cover all of the repairs from the termite company’s report.
The seller had no money. Our buyer could not pay for any of the repairs. The listing agent and I had already agreed to put up a portion of our commissions toward the cost. Yet there remained a list of repairs to do. At the close of escrow no more options were available. We were at a stalemate.
The seller offered to help to fix a couple of repairs with materials he already had. I took the remaining list of items and figured out a plan to get them done. I bought the necessary supplies, rounded up 3 others and on the Saturday before it was to close we spent 7 hours doing those repairs.
With Western Exterminator’s pre-set re inspection on Monday morning and e-mailed clearance to the lender that same day we funded on the very last day possible. IT CLOSED! The seller was freed up. My buyer bought a great home at a great price. The listing agent and I got a little bit for our 4 months of work. Everybody came out okay.
Winston Churchill’s famous, 5 word speech comes to mind: “Never, never, never give up”.