Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Willow Glen Home Sales - Year in Review

Willow Glen Home Sales - Year in Review

by Michael G Barnaba


Willow Glen Real Estate (as defined bound by Willow, Meridian, Curtner and Guadalupe Parkway)experienced a year of energetic sales. Below are graphs of MLS statistics to illustrate some of the forces and reactions at work in this market.

Thanks to continued low interest rates, able buyers and a reasonable quantity of willing sellers the market in Willow Glen proliferated.
Chart 1 shows the volume of sales peaking in May slightly trailing April's low days on market and high sales to list price ratio on Chart 2. See how year-end discounted leftovers get snapped up quickly in January to make way for spring listings. The vigorous market heats up to white hot in April and in May list-to-sold price ratios get closer, tracking volume.

Chart 3 illustrates the interplay of new listings and closed sales as it fuels volume dynamics like two pistons in a money engine!

Charts 4 & 5 highlight the price arenas of most potential in Willow Glen. Setting list price requires good data, an expert CMA matched with marketing plan disciplined by an intelligent sellers goals. Keep it real!

Happy Holiday and if you enter the market in 2014 let me know your views and comments.



Sales Vol.
Chart 1 - No big surprise that volume peaked in May as availability of new listings and eager buyers collide.
Chart 2 - Year end discounted leftovers get snapped up quickly in January to make way for spring listings. The vigorous market heats up to white hot in April and in May list to sold price ratios get closer, tracking volume.


Chart 3 - This chart helps put the above chart into perspective.
Chart 4 - Of the 350+ homes sold in Willow Glen this year here is the distribution of TOTAL NEW LISTINGS across price ranges.


Chart 5 - Closed sales tracks with new listings as far as prices ranges go. Showing market driven pricing prevailing.



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Thursday, December 5, 2013

What to do with your pool before a hard freeze - ehow.com

Check Your Pool

  • Before you decide to close down for the winter, make sure your pool is in the same condition you would require if you were going to continue to swim in. Backyard City Pools, located in Collierville, Tennesse, advises that you should first check the chemical balance of your pool water, including the pH or acidity level, alkaline level, chlorine level and calcium harness level. If you expect your pool to be ready for swimmers after the winter freeze, you have to leave it that way before you stop using it in the fall.

Clean Your Pool

  • Remove all ladders, toys, railings and other pool accessories, and store them for the winter in your garage, shed or pool room. Give the walls and floor of the pool a good cleaning, removing any debris or dirt. Scrub down the walls and vacuum the floor. Dirt, leaves, sticks and other debris left in your pool during the winter months can leave stains that can be nearly impossible to remove.
    You should also clean the filter, skimmer and pump basket, and remove any excess chlorine to prevent water from becoming too chlorinated.
    After cleaning, lower the water in your in-ground pool below the level of the pumps that generally supply water. By lowering the water, you ensure that when the water freezes and expands it will not tear through your pool cover or damage the walls of the pool. Plug up the pumps and add antifreeze to the skimmer to prevent the pipes in the pump from freezing.


Read more: http://www.ehow.com/way_5720200_do-pool-during-hard-freeze_.html#ixzz2mZKmneuS


That's a good thing to know about lowering the water level below the pumps! It's logical, practical and easy.

Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Preparing for a sudden freeze the UK way (or East Coast Way)

Don't be caught by sudden harsh weather

Here a few tips courtesy of Aviva, a UK insurance company(they should know!)
Before the barometer dips below zero be sure to do a 'recon':
  • Make sure pipes are 'wrapped'
    All visible pipes, particularly exposed pipes in crawl spaces in the attic, should be 'wrapped'with pre-formed foam (the type that wraps around the pipes) available from plumbers’ merchants and DIY stores. Remember, the thicker the  'wrapping', the better: a minimum of 50mm in diameter but preferably 75mm. When insulating bends and tricky-to-reach pipes use gaffa tape to fix it securely.
  • Make sure your tank is insulated
    The best option is a preformed jacket that hugs the tank (a bit like the Puffa jackets from the 80s!) They’re filled with glass fibre matting and attach securely to the tank – this is important as you don’t want it to dislodge. With the exception of a header tank in the loft which should be completely enclosed, there should be no insulation beneath your tank as this will prevent warm air rising from below, increasing the likelihood of it freezing.
  • Repair dripping taps
    If you have any dripping taps replace the washers. If dripping taps freeze they’ll block your pipe and cause damage.
How to deal with a frozen pipe
You’ll know if you have a frozen pipe because one or more of your taps won’t work but before you start on your frozen pipe action plan it’s worth first checking with the neighbours that they have water – if they don’t it’s likely there’s a problem with local supply.
Assuming you do have frozen pipes you need to:
  • Turn off the water supply
    Turn off the water at the main faucet, usually under the kitchen sink. Now turn off the stopcock in your cold water tank, usually in your loft. Doing this will minimise the amount of water that escapes (and the damage to your home) if one of the pipes has burst.
  • Protect your possessions
    Next move or protect anything in your home that’s near to potentially eruptive pipework and cover your junction box.
  • Locate the freeze
    If you’re not a confident DIYer now’s the time to call in a reputable plumber. If however you have a good basic knowledge of plumbing you can now attempt to locate the freeze and thaw it. Do this by checking the flow of water from all appliances – taps, toilets etc – throughout your home. Once you’ve narrowed down the area you suspect to be frozen, look for further clues, eg an unlagged section of pipework or draughts next to a pipe, feeling with your hands for areas that are noticeably colder to the touch.
  • Let the thaw commence
    Now inspect the pipe and nearby fittings. If they are all intact you can gently thaw the affected area using a hair dryer or a hot water bottle. NEVER use a blowtorch or heat gun. If the pipe has split read below.

How to deal with a burst pipe

A burst pipe can cause serious damage to the structure and wiring of your home so take action immediately:
  • Turn off the water supply
    As above.
  • Drain the system
    Turn on all your cold taps and flush your toilets.
  • Turn off heating
    Switch off central heating, immersions and other heating installations. If your heating uses solid fuel let it die out. Once the water heating has shut down, turn on the hot taps to further drain the system.
  • Turn off the electrics
    If water from a burst pipe is leaking near any electrics, switch off the mains but if the mains switch is wet DON’T TOUCH IT! Call in a qualified electrician instead.
  • Collect the water
    If the leak is small you can mop it up using towels but you’ll need buckets if it’s coming through the ceiling. If the ceiling starts to bulge stand well out of the way and pierce the plaster with a long screwdriver or a broom handle.
  • Fix the leak
    If you’re unqualified or unconfident, now’s the time to call in the professionals and also your insurance company if there’s significant damage. If you’re a handy DIYer you can fix the damage with an infill connector, repair putty, a pipe clamp, fibreglass tape or a temporary patch.
Stay safe. Stay dry. Stay warm.

Monday, November 25, 2013

You Know I Love a Parade, But This Is Super Special Because The Robots Are Taking Over The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade!

Robots Come FIRST at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
LIVE from New York!GIANT BALLOONS, MARCHING BANDS, CHEERLEADERS, CLOWNS, AND... ROBOTS? YES!

Thursday, November 28, 2013
Beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET | Broadcast on NBC

Tune in to see FIRST® team members and their robots cut the ribbon and lead the 87th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®.

Representing FIRST teams everywhere, award-winning FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) teams leading the 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade are:
  • Team 1538 - The Holy Cows, from San Diego, California;
  • Team 1477 - Texas Torque, from The Woodlands, Texas;
  • Team 180 - S.P.A.M., from Stuart, Florida;
  • Team 16 - The Bomb Squad, from Mountain Home, Arkansas; and
  • Team 25 - Raider Robotix, from North Brunswick, New Jersey.
View the full FIRST press release. For general public information, fun activities, animated videos, and more, visit macys.com/parade today!
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS EARLY THIS YEAR AND GIVE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFT TO FIRST TODAY!
More than two decades ago, Dean Kamen recognized that ours is a culture where the disciplines of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) were not celebrated, and he took on the challenge of breaking that mold. That's when FIRSTbegan!

Today, because of supporters like you, FIRST leads by creating an open culture where participation and success in STEM is recognized and showcased. 
Through our innovative Progression of Programs, young people ages 6 to 18, of all talents and backgrounds, are welcomed into the inclusive FIRST family at any point in their development. Your generous donation to FIRST will help ensure thousands of youth have access to the unique after-school learning experience offered by FIRST.

4-star Charity NavigatorBy making your unrestricted gift to the Annual Fund, you give FIRSTthe flexibility to allocate funds where they are most needed, including to teams, regional events, and operational expenses. Make a credit card donation online by connecting to our secure donation site.

Thank you for inspiring young people to discover the excitement and rewards of being part of the FIRST community!
FIRST logoWWW.USFIRST.ORG
FIRST® small, the FIRST® small logo, FIRST® small Robotics Competition, and FRC® small are registered trademarks of the United States Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST). © 2013 FIRST. All rights reserved.

Friday, November 22, 2013

San Jose Real Estate Market Update

San Jose Market

 

The median sale price for homes in San Jose over the last 12 months is $428,000.

The median mortgage debt is $459,035.
Additional Statistics for Single Family Homes and Condos in San Jose, CA
$595,870
Median Listing Price
35
Median Days on Market
1186
Active Listings
7.8%
Distressed Listings
(foreclosures and short sales)
San Jose, CA Price Trends - Sold vs. Listed
Chart Temporarily Unavailable
Understand the difference between "listing prices" (what sellers are asking for) and "sold prices" (what buyers are willing to pay).
By comparing these price trends, you'll have a good idea of where the market is heading. The median listing and sold property prices are calculated based on the market activity each month.
Some sales are not immediately available from public records. As they become available, the data are updated.
San Jose, CA Market Inventory Trends
Chart Temporarily Unavailable
The number of active listings in San Jose dropped by 12.2% from the previous month.
The median number of days active properties have been listed is 35. This is significantly shorter than the national average.
The number of sales in September dropped by 78.1%from the previous month.

San Jose, CA Property Ownership
Chart Temporarily Unavailable
The percent of unoccupied properties is very low in San Jose . It is -11.29% below the national average.
The percent of rental properties in San Jose is 22.65% above the national average which is typical for urban areas.
Neighborhood and valuation information provided by Onboard Informatics ©2012 Onboard informatics. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

HOW TO RAISE (and Preserve) YOUR PROPERTY VALUE WITHOUT SPENDING A DIME

By Michael G Barnaba
Google+
Your home’s value is composed of multiple layers. Consider that your home’s intrinsic value is like the yolk of an egg. The shell of that egg then will be the physical structure, its fence, security system, and your right to hold title. Then, your neighborhood is the “carton” that cradles your egg. The carton displays the brand, tells buyers the grade of your egg and, most importantly, protects your egg until purchased.
Logically, a damaged or unsightly carton will hurt the chances of your egg being selected from among the others on the shelf when a buyer comes along. Do you see how having the most attractive, strongest and best labeled neighborhood can contribute prominently to preserving and increasing your home value? How then do we make sure we have the best neighborhood in which to display, show value and protect our homes?
A great way to do this and subsequently raise your home’s value without spending a dime is to practice the five ‘V’s of VALUE.
Visit your neighbors. Visiting is a pleasant activity with no costs, very little travel and low impact on your schedule, so can be done easily and frequently. Statistics show that neighborhoods with a healthy social connectivity are more stable, have less crime and better overall satisfaction of life.
Visibility in your neighborhood is very important. Be visible at home, around the yard, on the sidewalks and at public area facilities such as parks, gathering places and businesses. This practice places you in the neighborhood’s “image” and promotes your presence as an indication of a community’s profile.
Vocalize your interests, concerns and satisfaction to gain support and momentum for your neighborhood’s prosperity. When goals, problems and achievements are clearly stated, then resources can be allocated properly to change, continue or halt activities and practices in your area. Your input helps to shape the direction of your community’s development.
Vote for and against laws, rulings and officials that affect your neighborhood’s safety, health and growth. Griping does not do it. Participation in the democratic system is a tool for applying governmental resources to matters that influence your neighborhood’s proliferation. Stay current on issues and political activities related to them. Continually query your public officials as to what is being done for you! They work for you. Make sure they are doing what you expect of them, just as any employer would of any employee.
Volunteer in your neighborhood and community on projects and endeavors that leverage your talents and skills. Be mindful that surrounding areas act as a buffer for your community. Spread the love beyond the boundaries of your home to push back negative factors. It’s like a fence line; you have to trim the grass on both sides for the fence to be most effective. The responsibility goes to the aware. If you know it needs to be done make an effort to see that it is…by the responsible party or by YOU. Consider the benefit of the action and act accordingly.
Get out into your community Visit, be Visible, Voice your concerns, share your interests and praise good work that is being done, Vote in or out according to your goals and Volunteer to help keep the good and change the rest. Active involvement will ensure your neighborhood is strong and being a part of that will be a net gain that can never depreciate.

Happy living!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Bay Area Home Sales Ease Back; Median Sale Price Edges Higher

November 13, 2013

Sales VolumeMedian Price
All homesOct-12Oct-13 % Chng  Oct-12Oct-13 % Chng  
Alameda              1,717     1,539   -10.4%    $384,000    $525,000     36.7%
Contra Costa         1,454     1,397    -3.9%    $302,500    $395,000     30.6%
Marin                  335       306    -8.7%    $660,000    $805,500     22.0%
Napa                   152       135   -11.2%    $365,000    $439,500     20.4%
Santa Clara          1,718     1,808     5.2%    $535,000    $650,000     21.5%
San Francisco          562       583     3.7%    $794,500    $845,000      6.4%
San Mateo              735       695    -5.4%    $626,500    $690,000     10.1%
Solano                 598       583    -2.5%    $216,000    $266,000     23.1%
Sonoma                 631       549   -13.0%    $350,000    $425,000     21.4%
Bay Area             7,902     7,595    -3.9%    $416,000    $539,750     29.7%


La Jolla, CA.--The Bay Area housing market continued its fits-and-starts march toward normalcy last month with ho-hum sales counts and continued price appreciation. Various below-the-surface technical indicators show a market still transitioning from a severely atypical state a few years ago to something more in line with long-term norms, a real estate information service reported.
A total of 7,595 new and resale houses and condos sold in the nine-county Bay Area in October. That was up 6.4 percent from 7,141 the month before, and down 3.9 percent from 7,902 for October a year ago, according to San Diego-based DataQuick.
Last month’s number was 11.2 percent below the October average of 8,553 since 1988, when DataQuick’s statistics begin. Bay Area sales haven’t been above average for any particular month in more than seven years. The most active October was in 2003 when 13,392 homes sold; the least active was in 2007 with 5,486 sales.
The median price paid for a home in the Bay Area last month was $539,750. That was up 1.8 percent from $530,000 in September, and up 29.7 percent from $416,000 in October 2012.
It appears that roughly three-fourths of last month’s 29.7 percent year-over-year rise is the result of an increase in home values. The rest reflects a change in market mix – more mid- to high-end sales and fewer low-cost inland distressed sales.
The peak Bay Area median so far this year was $562,000 in July – the highest for any month since the median was $587,500 in December 2007. The Bay Area’s all-time peak median was $665,000 in June and July 2007, after which it dropped to a low of $290,000 in March 2009.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Greater San Francisco Bay Area FHA Limits for Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties

Interested in selling your home to the broadest possible range of buyers? Are you in the market for a home and wish to  get a FHA backed loan to finance the purchase?

Then check to see if it meets the FHA limits on this widget. Click on the arrows to scroll through to the target county and see the figures appear. If you see what you need and would like to schedule a Free consultation to get specific about you sale or purchase CLICK HERE

Friday, September 13, 2013

Come to My Open House 1651 Lorient Terr, San Jose 95133 Saturday 9/14 1-4 PM



Look for the shiny foil streamers to guide you!


Connect with me on:
Keller Williams Silicon Valley | 2110 South Bascom Avenue #101 | Campbell | CA | 95008
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Saturday, August 24, 2013

Recent Home Sales Trending To Cash

Recent home sales

Report: Half of All Homes Are Being Purchased With Cash - Developments - WSJ

Report: Half of All Homes Are Being Purchased With Cash Article Comments (125) DEVELOPMENTS HOME PAGE » smaller Larger facebook twitter google plus linked in EmailPrint By Nick Timiraos Associated Press The Goldman Sachs analysis says that the all-cash share of sales has more than doubled over the past seven years. More than half of all homes sold last year and so far in 2013 have been financed without a mortgage, according to an analysis by economists at Goldman Sachs Group. The analysis estimates that around 20% of all homes sold before the housing crash were “all-cash” sales (or around 30% of sales by dollar volume). But over the past seven years, the all-cash share of sales has more than doubled, increasing by more than 30 percentage points, according to economists Hui Shan, Marty Young and Charlie Himmelberg. The Goldman study analyzed home sales figures from the Census Bureau and the National Association of Realtors and mortgage-origination data from the Mortgage Bankers Association and Lender Processing Services. The surprisingly large cash-share of purchases helps to explain why home sales have jumped over the past two years despite more muted increases in broad measures of new mortgage activity, such as the MBA’s mortgage application index. There’s no exact way to know who is responsible for all of these cash purchases, though they are likely to include some combination of investors, foreign buyers, and wealthy homeowners that don’t want to go through the hassle of getting a mortgage before closing on a sale. Mortgage lending standards have sharply tightened up since the housing bubble, with banks scrutinizing borrowers’ tax returns and bank statements to verify their incomes and the source of their down payment. The Goldman analysis also estimates that around 44 cents of every $1 of homes sold currently is being financed, compared to 67 cents before the crisis. Purchase-mortgage origination volumes have fallen from around $1.5 trillion in 2005, when the housing market peaked, to around $500 billion in each of the last two years. While declines in the volume of homes being sold accounts for some of the decline, the Goldman economists estimate that around 40% of the decline is due to the drop-off in the amount of financing per home. The Goldman analysis estimates that purchase-loan volumes will rise to around $750 billion next year and to $1.1 trillion by 2016.

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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Local Silicon Valley Neighborhoods Hold National Night Out Events

San Jose Police Department representatives and San Jose City Officers made appearances to show their support and commitment to the mission of National Night Out. As local Silicon Valley neighborhood organizations held events at parks, block parties and home driveways to foster neighbor relations and promote stronger, safer neighborhoods.


Pierluigi Oliverio stopped in to share inspiring words for the attendees at O'Connor Park at the Midtown Plaza, Crescent Parc and Parkview NNO Event




 SJPD representative also stopped to share safety tips and a commitment of support to make our neighborhoods safer.