Is it a Buyer's Market or a Seller's Market?  This questions was recently asked me via a "Twitter" My answer is YES! YES! YES! This is especially true in my local area of Tracy, Mountain House and the Central Valley of California. The buyer opportunities are amazing, interest rates are the lowest they have ever been in history.  Prices are at an 15 year low.  Why shouldn't buyers be buying? As to Sellers, there are so many opportunities for buyers that many buyers are buying.  This leads to fierce competition for well priced, maintained 'tier' one properties.  Sellers are seeing multiple offers on properties, over asking price is common, and most properties are selling within the first 30 days on the market. So the SIMPLE answer is YES! If you're not in the "game" why not?  What are y... 03/23/2009

First of all, I would just like to say that I am now affiliated with Connect Realty.  After a year with Prudential (which I'm going to miss some of the agents and my old broker), I am sad to say that I have found another brokerage where it is willing to offer a high split than what I am or was getting with Prudential.  I like it, when I'm doing most of the hard work and I'm getting most of my commission split.    03/23/2009

The easiest 'virtual tour' I've ever done. I had some photos, and I use Picasa to keep my photos organized. If you upload your photos to PicasaWeb, you have the option to "make a movie." You can add music to the movie, and then voila - you create the movies. Upload to YouTube (this is the first one I tried, it's photos of my son golfing) and you are DONE. All this in less than 10 minutes. 03/17/2009

When did this ball BOUNCE?  I can tell you --- it bounced when it hit bottom and started back up. There is an old saying, "buy low".  This is TRUE- however - no one has EVER said "Buy Bottom". Why not -- why not "Buy Bottom, Sell TOP?" Because we don't know know where Bottom is?  We don't know where TOP is either. So here is the best advise I can give..... AIM LOW! Weigh all the facts, the interest rate, the current price of homes and when you think it's LOW enough for you, get off the fence and BUY. I do know this --- there are going to be a lot of people in a few years who said "I wish I had bought that house in 2009, it was ONLY $XYZ. "  We've seen it before, we'll see it again. AIM LOW ----- BUY LOW-----   03/15/2009

Attention First Time Home Buyers!!!! I spoke to a client - and shame on me - for not telling y client myself -- his tax person had no idea about the tax credit available for First Time Home Buyers.  SO --- to redeem myself - Im going to tell everyone... If you purchased a home between April 9, 2008 through June 30, 2009 (yes it can be retroactive) and you have not owned a home for the past 3 years, you qualify. If you are single or married filing jointly the govenment will give you an interest free loan of $7500.  Your payments will be $500 over the next 15 years, and will be paid via your tax returns yearly.  THis credit is REFUNDABLE which mean even if you don't owe taxed you get the money. There are some income stipulation and if you should sell or refinance the loan would need to be... 02/05/2009

Home Buyers -- Investors --- it's 2009!!Everywhere you turn you hear about gloom and doom of the economy.  However, out of the Great Depression came more new Millionaires than every before.... and we are still so much better off than that era.  Every buyer wants to buy at the bottom, get the best deal, not pay a single cent more than necessary. No one can predict the futher, I can tell you that the prices today are at about 1990 levels and interest rates are lower than anyone has seen in 20 years.  I will know that we have hit bottom the second you are calling saying "Susan why didn't we buy a house last week, month, year?" Here is a quick chart of the real estate market. As I study this chart I picture a rock skipping along on a lake, bouncing along, up and down.  How low will the mark... 02/01/2009

YES I DID!  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Ironically I was diagnosed with breast cancer October of 2004. But first let me go back in time- I had participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event in Tracy in honor of some friends & family who survived cancer. Little did I know that in the following months I would be diagnosed with breast cancer, and be back the next year as a cancer survivor myself. The thing that bothered me the most was that my broker's wife (who I used to play softball with) had died of breast cancer the month before (Sept 2004) I was diagnosed in Oct of 2004. I was still getting over the grief of her death. She was only 42 yrs old. I never thought, "Why me? I thought, "Why now?" My husband and I were planning our retirement - there's so m... 01/15/2009

I've helped so many first time buyers buy thier first home this year.  I can not tell you how honored I am every time that these great people have chosen ME to help them with such a HUGE memorable experience. I wanted to compile a short list of things you as a BUYER need to know.... 1) Your Good Faith Deposit - Ernest Money - is not deposited until the offer is accepted by the seller.  This deposit is APPLIED to your downpayment. 2) In Tracy California which is in San Joaquin County, closing costs, all the extra fees, prepaid amounts etc usually runs 3 - 4%.  As of right now, December 22nd, many sellers, even Bank Sellers are willing to pay these fees.  What's included in this 3% --- Prepaid Taxes, Prepaid insurance, Points for your loan, Appraisal, Inspection Fees, Home Warranty and ma... 12/23/2008

Am I the only one who is infuriated with Home Owners, or should I say Mortgage Holders, or Landlords - the one who's RESPONSIBLE for paying the mortgage.... remember them..... I'm sure the RENTER who is renting their property, who's paid the rent on time every month for fear of eviction would call them something else. This situation just ticks me off.  I've gone to far too many homes, to do Cash For Keys, only to find a renter in the property, completely surprised that they have 3 weeks to find a new place.   They asked the landlord about the notice on the door "It was a mistake, We took care of that, etc" was what they heard. So WHAT CAN A RENTER DO? Is it illegal to take the rent money, first and last months rent, security deposit and not pay the mortgage.  One couple had only lived i... 12/23/2008

  Listen Carefully and I will tell you the story of "How the Market Fell". The home on the left was for sale you see sold 13 days only in 4/06 for $425,000 woah wee. Fast forward now to December 2008 to see what will be this homes fate. Will it sell for more, will it sell for less? I'll bet you won't have to think hard to have a correct guess. New CMA, New BPO, a new REO is how this will be sold. The price will be much less we're told than the price it was in 2006 if we're lucky it'll sell for $146K So as you can see our market's declined to a state where we wonder will it we ever survive. Houses can't go much lower "they" all say I hope not I think as I kneel down to pray. I pray for the people that thought they bought the American Dream is what they sought what they found was a night... 12/23/2008

I LOVE LOVE LOVE having unlimited minutes on my phone! Best thing I ever did. If you don't have unlimited minutes you should, I think all the carriers offer it now.   12/22/2008

I've helped so many first time buyers buy thier first home this year.  I can not tell you how honored I am every time that these great people have chosen ME to help them with such a HUGE memorable experience. I wanted to compile a short list of things you as a BUYER need to know.... 1) Your Good Faith Deposit - Ernest Money - is not deposited until the offer is accepted by the seller.  This deposit is APPLIED to your downpayment. 2) In Tracy California which is in San Joaquin County, closing costs, all the extra fees, prepaid amounts etc usually runs 3 - 4%.  As of right now, December 22nd, many sellers, even Bank Sellers are willing to pay these fees.  What's included in this 3% --- Prepaid Taxes, Prepaid insurance, Points for your loan, Appraisal, Inspection Fees, Home Warranty and ma... 12/21/2008

I decided to take my 11 year old daughter to see some Christmas lights --- WOW the options we have living in Northern CA.  CLick on any photo for more information about THAT House.  Have fun!   For a complete list of all Must See Displays in Northern CA Click HERE! to get to the Lights of the Valley Web Site.   One of the best and closest Holiday Display to Tracy, California is this house in Manteca, CA.  Manteca is about 15 miles east of Tracy.   Then there is the home below, which is right here in Tracy, complete with snow and music you listen to through your radio. Here is one more home with Christmas Lights in Tracy, CA   Enjoy! Susan Christmas is one of my favorite times of year, driving and looking at the lights is just fun, even if no one will go with me. 12/20/2008

Ok, you probably read my first blog about WAMU's negotiation process in short sale.  This is an update... I recently received a counter-offer from the negotiator and I think it is ridiculed.  According to the appraisal report, WAMU countered the buyer's offer $40,000 more without any credits to buyer.  Plus, the realtor's commission is only 4.5%.  I don't know what appraiser did WAMU used, but I know for sure that that house isn't worth $320,000.  I've sent another comparables to the negotiator and asking her if she could renegotiate.  Hopefully, it will not take another 30-days of waiting.  12/18/2008

  Tons of information- Active Properties, REO - Short Sale are separated out in listings...check it out let me know what you think,  Have we a turn in our Market?   Active Properties as of 12/7/08 – Non –Short Sale – either REO (Real Estate Owned – by Bank) or Equity Sellers 316  Pending: 0  Sold: 0  Other: 0  Total: 316      Bedrooms  Bathrooms  Square Feet  List Price  Selling Price  DOM/CDOM  Minimum  1   0.00   502   $64,900      1/1   Average  3   0.00   1,850   $251,057   $0   73/103   Median  3   3.00   1,729   $230,000   $0    47/56   Maximum  6   0.00   4,472   $1,102,939   $0   1,022/1,022   Total Dollar Value           $0      Short Sale Properties as of 12/7/08 – Short Sale  269  Pending: 0  Sold: 0  Other: 0  Total: 269      Bedrooms  Bathrooms  Square Feet  List Price  Sel... 12/08/2008

Do you have shiney penny syndrom (SPS), I do.   I start to read Active Rain, or almost anything on a social network and next thing I know - I'm bouncing around to 50 different places, thinking "Oh I need to add that to my profile, blog, web site, email, etc."   Where does it stop?  Where and what are the most effective tools IF you actually use them consistently? I know Active Rain works, I've got proof.  Do making badges and widgets really help?  Does twittering daily movements make a difference or am just watching for that Shiney Penny. Someone help-- I'm thinking therapy may be the answer.     12/05/2008

It's not a pretty story.... and it is so bizarre that it has captured National Attention, from Nancy Grace to the New York Times. Read the story here:  Child held captive, escapes runs into InShape Club for protection. The story gets weirder and weirder.... so what does that do for the reputation for this "normal" town that is already reeling from the Foreclosure market.  Will people think this is not a place to live and to raise kids. I hope not.  I've lived here for almost 15 years, and as bizarre as this story is, it does not make me feel less safe in this community. I'm sadden that such strange and bizarre people can live in a community neighborhood and were able to conceal this dark secret.  I'm sadden that some will worry more now about the safety of thier own children.  I'm sadde... 12/03/2008

The proverbial 2 x 4 smacked me right upside the head Thanksgiving Day. First, - Cousin is moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa-  this means selling home in Huntiington Beach, and buying a home in Cedar Rapid and in San Diego area. UH - Hello -- did anyone call me so I could refer them an agent -- NOPE.  Well for one part of the transaction they DO have to use a RElO - Company, but still. THEN - other cousins DAUGHTER is buying a home in Santa Rosa -- this is a bit far for me, but I could have found them a great agent to refer them to. At one point, someone said, "you've been selling Real Estate for how long?"  4 YEARS!  4 YEARS!  I do realize we only see each other once a year -- but -- SMACK!  2 x 4 - I've done a lousy job at explaining to others not only WHAT I do but HOW I get PAID! Lesson... 12/01/2008

Thanksgiving has been here and is gone--- so there is NOTHING STOPPING CHRISTMAS FROM ARRIVING NOW! I like to have a "Birthday Month", so I've decided to make December "Christmas MONTH".  Although every day should be about giving - not every day is. So for the month of December it's going to be all about OTHERS!  All about YOU!  (This is usually my goal, no excuses this month.) How about you -- if we all make December "Christmas month" it will be a habit of giving by January! Where to start........ 11/28/2008

Do you have a Wachovia Mortgage?  Are you upside down?  Do you want to keep your house?  Do you want to short sale your house?  Well, if your loan is with Wachovia you have a great opportunity to make any of the above options happen. I was speaking with a Wachovia rep the the other day, and this is one bank that is being very pro-active. Call today - they even have LOCAL FIELD REPS to handle the short sale or the loan modifications with minimal paper work. If you are in the Northern California - call me directly, I'd love to help you. Susan 11/28/2008