Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Saratoga House with HUGE LOT SIZE and Self-Contained Extra Unit in Backyard


Saratoga House with HUGE LOT SIZE and Self-Contained Extra Unit in Backyard







https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/reb/d/18529-aspesi-drive/6619442055.html


Welcome to 18529 Aspesi Drive - This wonderful 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath Ranch Style Home has gleaming hardwood floors, Formal Living Room with Wood-Burning Fireplace, Beautifully Updated Kitchen with Viking Stove! Central Heating / Cooling, Family Room, and More. Additional 1 bedroom, 1 bath, attached dwelling unit with full kitchen and its own heating and cooling with separate entrance! . Great for guests, in-laws or adult children! Would make a great rental also! Spacious Backyard with pool and built in BBQ. Great for Outdoor Entertaining! Seller installed water filtration and purification system. Minutes From Downtown Los Gatos, and Saratoga. Close to Local YMCA. Easy Access to Highway 9, Lawrence Expressway, 85, 280. Great schools. Marshall Lane Elementary, Rolling Hills Middle, Westmont High.



Thursday, May 24, 2018

Santa Clara County Median Price for Condos Continues Rising 2018 April

For Santa Clara County, the median price for condos was up 28.9%, year-over-year, to $915,444. This is the second month in a row the median price for condos has set new highs. Notably, the median price for condos has been higher than the year before every month since July of 2011! The median price for single-family, re-sale homes stayed at the high it set in March. The median price for homes rose 22.1% over last April to $1,450,000. The median price for homes has been higher than the year before by double-digits ten months in a row. The average price was up by double-digits for the ninth consecutive month.

This is also the 74th month in a row the median price has been higher than the year before. The average price for homes was up 20.0%, year-over-year, to $1,722,370. The average price for condos was up 24.5% over last April. Multiple offers continue to be the norm. The sales price to list price ratio, or what buyers are paying over what sellers are asking remains at triple digits: 112.4% for homes and 114.8% for condos. The ratio has been over 100% for homes since March 2012 and for condos since April 2012.

Homes and condos are flying off the shelf. It is taking only fifteen days to sell a home, on average. Condos are taking nine days. All this is due to an incredible lack of inventory. Since January 2000, Santa Clara County has averaged 94 days of inventory. Last month it was twenty-three. Condos have averaged 87 days since 2000. Last month it was seventeen. As of May 7th, there were 753 homes and 229 condos for sale in Santa Clara County.


Friday, November 3, 2017

Tax plan from Republicans hurts homeowners

The Tax plan from Republicans hurts homeowners

Radical changes on deductions:
A core element of the GOP plan would be a major downsizing of the many deductions that have cluttered up the nation's tax code over the years. Many individual write-offs would disappear, though the charitable-donation deduction would be retained and homeowners would keep at least some of their key breaks.
Deductions that would be eliminated include those for state and local income taxes, casualty losses and medical expenses (though current law allows medical write-offs only above 10 percent of income). Also, the plan would scrap the personal exemption.
Also repealed: deductions for alimony payments and moving costs. In addition, the bill would scale down some higher-education benefits, including the interest deduction on student loans and a deduction for tuition expenses.
To compensate, the House Republican proposal would roughly double the standard deduction, which would benefit about 70 percent of Americans who utilize this tax break rather than itemizing deductions separately. The new standard deduction would jump to $12,000 from $6,350 for single taxpayers, with a rise to $24,000 from $12,700 for married couples filing jointly. It would be indexed for inflation, meaning the 2018 amount for married couples, for example, actually would be set at $24,400.
Housing:
The two key housing write-offs — those affecting mortgage interest and property taxes — would change for some people. Existing homeowners still would be able to deduct their mortgage interest, as is currently the case. But buyers of homes in the future would be limited to deducting interest on up to $500,000 in debt. That's down from a current cap of $1 million, Luscombe noted.
The mortgage-interest changes would apply to housing loans incurred after Nov. 2. This deduction would be limited to primary residences only (compared with one primary residence and one other home, under current law). So someone buying a property for $550,000 and making a $50,000 downpayment could still write off interest in full on the remaining $500,000 debt.
The property-tax deduction is another key item, especially in states like New Jersey and Illinois, where rates are high, and those like California where seven-figure home values are common. Under the proposal, homeowners would be able to deduct up to $10,000 a year in state and local property taxes.
The proposal also would curtail Americans’ ability to avoid taxes on housing capital gains.
Currently, people can skirt taxes on up to $250,000 of gains (singles) or $500,000 of  gains (married couples) if they both own and use a residence for at least two of the prior five years. The new plan would require homeowners to own and use a personal residence for five of the previous eight years. Also, this break would phase out for singles earning above $250,000 and couples making in excess of $500,000.

Monday, October 30, 2017

Single Female First Time Home Buyers Increase to 2011 Levels

Single Female First Time Home Buyers Increase to 2011 Levels
The National Association of Realtors® has released its 2017 Profile of Home Buyers and sellers. Single women were the second-largest segment of the buyer market at 18%, behind married couples, who make up 65% of the market. The percentage of single women, the highest since 2011, is partially attributable to a more favorable job and income prospects.
The survey also found that 92% of all purchases and sales involved real estate agents, leaving just 8% of the transactions were for-sale-by-owner, an all-time low.
The average age of first-time buyers stayed the same, at 32 years, while that of repeat buyers increased slightly from the previous year to 54 from 52 years of age.
First-timers’ income was slightly higher than last year, $75,000 compared to $72,000, while the older repeat buyers reported household income roughly the same: $97,500 compared with $98,000 from the previous year.
Repeat buyers chose houses of the same size from last year, 2,000 square feet, but they paid more for them: $266,500 compared with last year’s average of $250,000.
Most buyers continue to prefer the suburbs; 85% bought in the outlying areas, compared with just 13% remaining in cities. Single-family detached homes retain their preferential position in the inventory, accounting for 87% of the sales for the third straight year. Inventory shortage continues to play a significant part in rising prices; 42% of the buyers paid asking price or higher for their homes compared to 40% last year, but in the western states, 51% paid the list price or higher.
Public perception of the market likely plays a part in these numbers. Although lending standards have remained essentially the same for several years, prospective buyers seem to be more confident in their ability to qualify for a mortgage. The minimum credit standards for conventional loans remains at 620, and 580 for FHA loans. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the investors who buy most mortgages in the U.S., have loosened their qualifying standards slightly, allowing higher debt-to-income ratios than before, allowing more buyers to qualify.

Sunday, August 6, 2017

OFF-Market, NEW-Looking 4BD 2.5BA ~2300sqft Home for just $850,000 in Morgan Hill



OFF-Market, NEW-Looking 4BD 2.5BA ~2300sqft Home for just $850,000 in  Morgan Hill.
Call Robert Lei (408) 893-2410 for details.





OFF-Market, NEW-Looking 4BD 2.5BA ~2300sqft Home for just $850,000 in  Morgan Hill.
Call Robert Lei (408) 893-2410 for details.






Robert Lei
REALTOR, e-PRO
Century 21 M&M and Associates
(408) 893-2410
BRE # 01716389

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Two real estate listings that are NOT on the MLS

Two real estate listings that are NOT on the MLS:

  • 2-bedroom condo in Sunnyvale.  Convenient location.  Easy commute to high-tech employment.  Great place to live. 
  • 4-bedroom single-family home in the North Valley / Berryessa part of San Jose.  Near Townsend Park and the Golf Course.  Good investment.

Call Robert Lei (408) 893-2410 if you know anyone who might be interested.


Friday, November 27, 2015

Sunnyvale Open House Sat/Sun 1pm-4pm

Sunnyvale Open House Sat/Sun 1pm-4pm



Beautiful permitted addition has final approval bringing total living area to 1,500 sqft.
Possible 4th bedroom or home office.
Beautiful updated kitchen.  Granite countertops.  Stainless steel appliances.  Gas range.
Finished garage. New roof. Dual-pane windows.
Recessed lights. Solatubes in bathrooms.
Copper plumbing.
New gas wall furnaces (3).
New drain clean out.
New vinyl fencing and
New sprinklers.
New concrete driveway and parking areas.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

3161 Cecil Avenue , Santa Clara 95050 (Open House 1pm-4pm)

3161 Cecil Avenue , Santa Clara 95050 (Open House 1pm-4pm)




Beds:4
Baths (F/P):4 (3/1)
Apprx.Sqft:3,367 SqFt (Tax)
Apprx Lot:9,583 SqFt (Other)
Apprx Acr.:0.23 Acre(Other)
Age/Yr B.:2/2013 (Tax)

This custom built home has a prime midtown location with luxury design; Solid Teak hardwood floor throughout; High ceilings with crown moldings and tray ceilings; Plantation shutters; Gourmet chef's dream kitchen w/granite countertops, Jenn-Air stainless appliances & large island; Spacious formal living, dining & family rooms; Huge master suite w/elegant spa bath + his & her closets; All bedrooms have its own bath; Fully landscaped yards; Walking distance to Santana Row shopping, dining & so much more!

11/05/2015Area 8, 18-19Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS
2 years new custom built home on a large lot; walking distance to Santana Row.

Features

Accessibility:Lower Light Switch(es)
Bath Features:Double Sinks, Granite, Jack and Jill, Shower and Tub, Skylight(s), Stall Shower, Tub(s)
Communication:Cable TVKitchen:220 Volt Outlet, Cooktop - Gas, Countertop - Granite, Dishwasher (s), Exhaust Fan - Vented, Garbage Disposal (s), Hood Over Range, Island with Sink, Microwave (s), Oven - Double, Pantry Cabinet, Refrigerator (s)
Construct Type:
Cooling:Central Forced AirLaundry:Hookups Only
Dining Rm:Breakfast Bar, Dining Area in Family Room, Formal Room
Energy Sav:Double Pane Windows, Low Flow Toilet(s), Skylight(s)
Ext. Amenities:Back Yard, Fenced, Sprinkler(s) - LawnLot Desc:
Other Rooms:Formal Entry, Laundry Room
Family Room:Kitchen/Family Room ComboPool:No
Fence:Fenced BackPool Features:
Fireplace:#2 / Gas Starter
Prop Condition:
Roof:Tile
Flooring:Hardwood, Stone, TileSecurity:
Soil Condition:
Foundation:Concrete PerimeterStories:1
Heating:Central Forced Air - Gas, Fireplace(s), Heating - 2+ ZonesStyle:Mediterranean
Horse:NoView:
Interior:High Ceiling(s), Skylight(s), Walk-in Closet
Garage/ParkingStructure(s)
Garage:2Type:
Carport:
2nd Structure:
Open Parking:
2nd Strct. Desc:
Features:Attached, Gate/Door Opener, On Street

Sunday, August 9, 2015

POINT knows that in 10 years, home prices will be MUCH higher

POINT knows that in 10 years, home prices are likely to be even higher, significantly.  That's why they are so eager for you to give up a portion of your home ownership and gain from your home's price appreciation.






Page1:
"Point is automatically paid its share of the property's value when you choose to sell."  This is a great deal for Point because they know you'll only sell if your property INCREASES in value.

"If you don't sell, you buy back the fraction you sold us after 10 years."  Point chose 10 years because they know that its overwhelmingly likely that the cost of homes will be significantly higher after 10 years.  Past history has shown that even if homes initially drop, after 10 years the gain is likely to have overtaken that initial drop and result in a significant net rise in value.

Even more dangerous is your home could appreciate so much in those 10 years that you can't afford to buy back the portion that you gave away to Point.   You might be forced to sell your house just so you can pay back Point.

"Point is perfect for homeowners who want to access their home equity wealth..." by reducing their home equity percentage ownership.

"...without the burden of more debt and more monthly payments." because they gave up a portion of their ownership.
Page2:
"...without borrowing and incurring new monthly payments." Even worse than borrowing so you can continue to own, you give up a portion of ownership in your home.

"Point pays its homeowner a tax-deferred lump sum of up to $200,000." so instead of your getting a tax BENEFIT from your interest payments, you do the reverse and pay MORE tax.

"If the property is not sold, the homeowner can repurchase the fraction that Point owns after 10 years."  They mean the homeowner is FORCED to repurchase that fraction.  However, after 10 years, home will likely COST MUCH MORE, so you will pay MUCH MORE 10 years from now.

"...whether Point makes money is dependent on how much your property appreciates." which it likely will significantly after 10 years.

" ... limited to homeowners in specific California counties and communities." i.e. only California counties that APPRECIATE in value and cost, such as Silicon Valley!!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

6yrs New Home with Top Cupertino Schools in the Heart of Silicon Valley

Just 6 years old. Like model executive home. Top-Ranked CUPERTINO SCHOOLS. Close to NEW APPLE "SPACESHIP" CAMPUS, NEW KAISER HOSPITAL, HP, Ranch99. Santa Clara utilities. Two Master Suites. Santos Mahogany Hardwood Flooring. Plantation Shutters throughout. CAT-5 wiring. Tankless Hot Water Heater. 2-Car Attached Garage. Granite Counters in Kitchen and Master Bath. Extra Computer Area on 2nd floor. Large Bonus Room. Right in the Center of Silicon Valley. EZ Commute to All High-Tech Employers in the Valley.









Thursday, November 14, 2013

929 East El Camino Real Condo Investment Property Rental Earnings

929 East El Camino Real Condo Investment Property Rental Earnings


929 East El Camino Real Condo Investment Property Rental Earnings:

The condos on 929 East El Camino Real in Sunnyvale are conveniently located on East El Camino Real just east of Wolfe Road, near where Fremont Avenue merges onto East El Camino Real, just south of Sunken Gardens Golf Course.

Unlike most multi-story condos and townhomes, these units walk DOWN to the bedroom level.  The advantage of this arrangement is when it is time for you family to go to bed, the only people who will be above you are your own family.  If someone makes noise in the kitchen, living room, or dining room, it is your own family and/or housemate, so you can walk upstairs to tell your family member or housemate to be walk more quietly.

If the bedrooms were on the upper level of your unit, then above you would be people who live in the unit above you, not people from your own household.  You would have to go outside and knock on their door to get them to walk more quietly at bedtime.

Of course, the biggest consideration if you are considering these condos for investment is the amount of rent you can expect to earn each month from these condos.

The 3 bed 2.5 bath 1,832 sqft models right now earn approximately $3,400/month in rent.
The 3 bed 2 bath 1,440 sqft models right now earn approximately $3,000/month in rent.

To calculate the yearly income, multiply these rents x 12 months.  This is also known as the gross scheduled income.

From that, take into account the vacancy rate.  This location is very convenient -- convenient to commute to work and convenient to grocery stores, restaurants, etc -- so the vacancy rate should be under 5%. 

Multiply the Gross Scheduled Income x Vacancy Rate to arrive at Dollars Lost.
Gross Scheduled Income LESS Dollas Lost gives you Annual Rental Income.

If you gain any other income from the property, then add it to arrive at Gross Operating Income.
Subtract total annual operating expenses to get Net Operating Income.
Subtract Annual Debt Service to get Before-Tax Cash Flow.

The Before-Tax Cash Flow does not take into account your tax savings.
To arrive at your After-Tax Cash Flow, take into account the following:
--The annual interest deduction on your loan
--The annual depreciation on the improvements
--Your combined federal and state tax bracket (e.g. 38%)
   (Ask your tax professional whether all your tax losses may be claimed in the current year)

If your Before-Tax Cash Flow is negative, combine that with your depreciation to get Allowable Loss.
Multiply this Allowable Loss by your combined federal + state tax bracket to calculate Taxes Saved.
If the Taxes Saved is greater than the Before-Tax Cash Flow, then your final resulting After-Tax Cash Flow will be positive!


To calculate the Rate of Return, you'll need to first calculate the Cash Investment.
You can buy the larger unit for approximately $600,000 right now.
You can buy the smaller unit for approximately $550,000 right now.

If you get an 80% loan, then your down payment will be 20% ($120,000 for the larger unit. $110,000 for the smaller unit)  Add the expected buyer's closing costs to arrive at the Total Cash Investment.

The After-Tax Cash Flow divided by the Total Cash Investment = the After-Tax Rate of Return

As rental rates increase over the years, your rate of return will increase.
Perhaps an even bigger gain is the likely large appreciation of the property. 

The condos at 929 East El Camino Real are a viable choice as investment property.  Of course, you could also buy them to live in yourselves, so  you will be the one to enjoy its convenient location.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Procedure if you are interested in the new Sunnyvale homes 37 Degree North

Procedure if you are interested in the new Sunnyvale homes 37 Degree North


Posted under: Home Buying in Sunnyvale, Home Selling in Sunnyvale, Property Q&A in Sunnyvale
June 17, 2012 8:25 AM

1. Read my other blogs to learn more about 37 Degrees North. Are they in your price range? Will you want upgrades? Is your preferred floor plan in your price range? (Note: I can help you get something to help you out.)



2. If interested, let me know. As stated, if you walk in and register all alone and the SELLER'S agent gets you to sign, you will lose your right to have a BUYER'S agent like me on YOUR side. (I ccan help protect your interests and get some incentive.)



3. We pick a time when we can go in together. We have to do it BEFORE the Reservation Drawing & Priority Registration event this upcoming Saturday, June 23, 2012.



Robert Lei (408) 893-2410

.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Prepare your kids for the STAR test to boost your school's API

If you want to boost your home value, boost your school's API.  To boost your school's API, you should start preparing your kids for the California STAR tests.  Actually, the 2011-2012 school year testing has already been completed in Cupertino Union School District, so it may already be too late for this academic year.  You can always prepare your kids for next year.

What kind of questions are in the STAR test?  The questions in the STAR test are actually very good questions to test kids' intuition and underlying understanding of the subject matter.  A student with a deeper understanding of the underlying concept will score better than a student who relies on rote memory.  For example, for 2nd graders, a sample question is:

3 + 2 + 4 = 3 + 4 + [  ]

A student who relies on rote memory and doesn't understand the underlying concept might spend the time to add up the numbers on the left hand side then subtract the numbers on the right hand side.  However, a student who understand the concept better will see right away that the numbers are the same, except for the order, and will quickly know the correct answer.

The reading comprehension section might ask the child to read two separate stories and ask questions that test whether the child really understands the similarities and differences between the two stories.

Overall, the questions seem to have been chosen wisely by the state to test childrens' mental sharpness.  On a humorous note, some of the questions are obviously old because they are outdated.  For example:

If you want to find out where New York is, you should look in
a) a dictionary
b) a thesaurus
c) an atlas
d) a storybook

The correct answer is missing.  Even little 2nd graders know these days that the correct answer should be:
e) Go to Google or Yahoo maps and type in "New York"

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Monday, July 18, 2011

San Jose Rio Vista Avenue Home Price Trend (Price / SqFt vs. Sale Date)

I've put together a Table and Chart showing the San Jose Rio Vista Avenue Home Price Trend (Price/SqFt vs. Sale Date). At first glance you see the price plunged on the last sale, but if you look closely you see a couple things:
1. That sale was back on 11/14/09 when prices were lower.
2. That sale was one of the larger homes (1630 sq ft). Larger homes tend to sell at lower price per square feet because when you add square footage to a home, you don't increase value at a linear rate.


Robert Lei
REALTOR®, e-PRO®
Century 21 M&M and Associates
761 E. El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Direct: (408) 350-4726
Cell: (408) 893-2410
I'm never too busy for your Silicon Valley real estate referrals
DRE # 01716389
http://www.siliconvalleyhouses.blogspot.com/



http://siliconvalleyhouses.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/riovista.pdf

Friday, May 27, 2011

Fremont condo complex has issue of low water pressure. Very little money to fix it.

Fremont condo complex has issue of low water pressure. Very little money to fix it.

Posted Under: Home Buying in Fremont, Remodel & Renovate in Fremont, In My Neighborhood in Fremont | May 3, 2011 4:07 PM | 71 views | No comments
Fremont condo complex has issue of low water pressure. Very little money to fix it.

Fixing all the units will take more than a year. The complex has only enough money budgeted to fix approximately 10 units at a time. Which units they do next depends on how bad they leak and how bad the water pressure is. You can say "Come look at my unit. My water pressure is the worst in this complex." However, you still aren't guaranteed to get your unit fixed next. The property manager does not have a set schedule to fix all the units. As they have enough funds, they are going throughout the complex and repiping batches of 10 or so units. Without the budget to correct the galvanized steel piping, repiping all the units could take years. The low water pressure will be an ongoing problem. To come up with the funds in one shot, the HOA could charge each unit a special assessment. However, they do not want to charge a SPECIAL assessment because many owners already have enough trouble paying the REGULAR assessment as it is.

High Tech Realtor: Trulia Layar Real Estate App makes Zillow look like the Stone Ages

High Tech Realtor: Trulia Layar Real Estate App makes Zillow look like the Stone Ages
Posted Under: Home Buying in California, Home Selling in California, Tech Tips in California | May 4, 2011 12:45 AM | 122 views | 1 comment

A new Real Estate App has been created by Trulia in conjunction with a company called "Layar", one of the pioneers in "augmented reality". The App uses GeoLocation, Computer Vision, and Context Aware coding on an open API to augment real live objects on your camera phone with relevant data.

With regular Trulia, you look at a map, then figure out which house in the real world corresponds to the house on the map.

With the Trulia Layar Real Estate App, you take your camera phone, aim it at a bunch of houses ...or slowly turn around in a circle while pointing your camera phone at the row of houses, and as your camera passes over each house, data bubbles with listing/sales informationpop over the image of each house.

Layar has an open API. It is free to develop and/or use Apps on Layar. (This is a familiar model for developing web service apps for the web.)

Robert Lei
REALTOR®, e-PRO®
Century 21
Direct: (408) 350-4726
Cell: (408) 893-2410
I'm never too busy for your Silicon Valley real estate referrals