Do market conditions affect your offer price?

A hot market is a "seller’s market." During a seller’s market, properties can sell within a few days of being listed and there are often multiple offers. Sometimes homes even sell above the asking price. Though most buyers want to get a "deal" on a home, reducing your offer by even a few thousand dollars could mean that someone else will get the home you desire.

A slow market is a "buyer’s market. During a buyer’s market properties may languish on the market for some time and offers may be few and far between. Prices may even decline temporarily. Such a market would allow you to be more flexible in offering a lower price for the home. Even if your offered price is too low, the seller is likely to make some sort of counter-offer and you can begin negotiations in earnest.

More often than not, the market is simply "steady," or in transition. When a market is steady, no real rules apply on whether you should make an offer on the high end of your range or the low end. You could find yourself in a situation with multiple offers on your desired house, or where no one has made an offer in weeks.

Transition markets are more difficult to define. If the economy slows unexpectedly, as it did in the early nineties, people who buy on the high end of a seller’s market (like the late eighties) could find their home loses value for several years. So far, no one has proven reliable in predicting when markets change or how good or bad the real estate market will become.

Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, for properties and homes in San Jose, especially in the communities of Almaden Valley and Willow Glen, do get in touch with realtor Dale Warfel.

Real estate agents

Real estate agents would say that the more you tell them, the better they can negotiate on your behalf. However, the degree of trust you have with an agent may depend upon their legal obligation.

Agents working for buyers have three possible choices: They can represent the buyer exclusively, called single agency, or represent the seller exclusively, called sub-agency, or represent both the buyer and seller in a dual-agency situation.

Some states require agents to disclose all possible agency relationships before they enter into a residential real estate transaction.

Here is a summary of the three basic types:
* In a traditional relationship, real estate agents and brokers have a fiduciary relationship to the seller. Be aware that the seller pays the commission of both brokers, not just the one who lists and shows the property, but also to the sub-broker, who brings the ready, willing and able buyer to the table.
* Dual agency exists if two agents working for the same broker represent the buyer and seller in a transaction. A potential conflict of interest is created if the listing agent has advance knowledge of another buyer's offer. Therefore, the law states that a dual agent shall not disclose to the buyer that the seller will accept less than the list price, or disclose to the seller that the buyer will pay more than the offer price, without express written permission.
* A buyer also can hire his or her own agent who will represent the buyer's interests exclusively. A buyer's agent usually must be paid out of the buyer's own pocket but the buyer can trust them with financial information, knowing it will not be transmitted to the other broker and ultimately to the seller.

Whether you’re a buyer or seller, for homes in San Jose get in touch with realtor Dale Warfel. He has years of real estate experience and specializes in homes in Almaden Valley and Willow Glen.

Living in Willow Glen

Willow Glen is a neighborhood in San Jose, California. It is located southwest of Downtown San Jose, south of the Midtown and Rose Garden neighborhoods, east of the West Valley neighborhoods, and north of the Cambrian Park neighborhood and the city of Campbell, California. Once an incorporated city in its own right, Willow Glen is today the only part of San Jose that feels like a small town with its own main street--Lincoln Avenue--surrounded by tree-lined neighborhoods of architecturally distinctive single family homes, many of them Spanish-style homes built in the 1920s and 1930s.

Willow Glen is a district roughly 3 miles southwest of downtown San Jose. The traditional boundaries of Willow Glen are the Guadalupe River, Los Gatos Creek, and Coe and Curtner Avenues, though many adjacent areas are usually included today. "Downtown Willow Glen" is on Lincoln Avenue, generally between Coe and Minnesota Avenues.

Gentrification transformed Willow Glen in the 1990s, though it remains a diverse community with Latino, Italian, Asian, Jewish and gay influences contributing to the rich tapestry of a quiet, enjoyable and very livable Silicon Valley community.

Willow Glen Real Estate offers some of the most charming neighborhoods, with older homes, many of which are on larger lots, and a small town feeling, particularly near Lincoln Avenue. If you’re looking to buy or sell properties in this community, feel free to get in touch with Dale Warfel.

Almaden Valley family dentist receives highest rating for dentistry in Bay Area

Here is a report from the Almaden Times online weekly:

Fred L. Egelston, DDS, a family dental practice in Almaden Valley, is celebrating receiving the highest ranking for dentistry in the San Francisco Bay Area by The Bay Area Consumer’s Checkbook Magazine, a nonprofit consumer information and service resource.

The consumer publication chose its highest ranked dentists from a list of 315 who had ranked tops in the Bay Area. Egelston is one of only six given this highest rating in all of the San Francisco Bay Area, and the only dentist in this category in the Almaden Valley. Dentists were rated by patients in several categories including superior dental care and service; minimal waiting time; gentleness; explaining and checking prevention methods; asking about symptoms or problems; explaining diagnosis, treatment options, and costs; and maintaining a pleasant, clean office and pleasant staff.

“We are very excited that Dr. Egelston has been recognized as being the best dentist in Almaden Valley, San Jose as well as the entire Bay Area,” said Linda Fink, long-time office manager for the dental practice. “We did not even know about this recognition until our patients started calling us because they had heard it on the local news stations like KRON and Channel 36. The doctor received scores of 100 percent in nearly every category.”

“I truly enjoy my patients,” said Dr. Egelston. “I believe dentistry at its best involves working with people, and goes beyond treating teeth. The most important reason for being in practice is the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of those I touch. This would not be possible without an excellent, dedicated staff.”

A graduate of University of Pacific School of Dentistry, Dr. Fred Egelston began his career in 1983, in Almaden Valley where he had been raised and gone to Leland High. He is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and the Santa Clara Dental Society. Dr. Egelston practices family, preventive and cosmetic dentistry. He is the proud father of two children—Jennifer and Trey. He coaches basketball and soccer, and he is actively involved with his children and the Almaden community.

Wouldn’t you like to be part of this enterprising community? To buy or sell homes in Almaden valley, get in touch with realtor Dale Warfel, a San Jose realtor who specializes in properties in Almaden Valley.

Realtor Dale Warfel hosts Millionaire Real Estate Investor workshop

San Jose realtor Dale Warfel will be hosting the Millionaire Real Estate Investor workshop in April. The workshop and seminar will review property selection criteria, minimizing risk, creating your team, property "flipping", wealth building strategies with real estate, and much more.

Date: Saturday, April 21, 2007

Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Fee: $25. This includes a free copy of the book Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller, co-founder of Keller Williams Realty.

As a Silicon Valley native who has lived, worked, shown, listed, and sold homes in practically every corner of Santa Clara County, you can rest assured that Dale’s combination of area knowledge, technical background, and negotiation skills will benefit you, whether you are buying or selling your home. Dale specializes in homes in the communities of Almaden valley and Willow Glen.

His entire team will provide you the highest level of care you could hope for in your home purchase. They keep you informed every step of the way providing clear and understandable answers to your questions and by providing a detailed Market Analysis on each property, which interests you, prior to suggesting an offering price. They keep you well informed through out the listing and escrow period making the process stress-free.

Living in Willow Glen

Willow Glen is a neighborhood in San Jose, California. It is located southwest of Downtown San Jose, south of the Midtown and Rose Garden neighborhoods, east of the West Valley neighborhoods, and north of the Cambrian Park neighborhood and the city of Campbell, California. Once an incorporated city in its own right, Willow Glen is today the only part of San Jose that feels like a small town with its own main street--Lincoln Avenue--surrounded by tree-lined neighborhoods of architecturally distinctive single family homes, many of them Spanish-style homes built in the 1920s and 1930s.

Willow Glen is a district roughly 3 miles southwest of downtown San Jose. The traditional boundaries of Willow Glen are the Guadalupe River, Los Gatos Creek, and Coe and Curtner Avenues, though many adjacent areas are usually included today. "Downtown Willow Glen" is on Lincoln Avenue, generally between Coe and Minnesota Avenues.

Gentrification transformed Willow Glen in the 1990s, though it remains a diverse community with Latino, Italian, Asian, Jewish and gay influences contributing to the rich tapestry of a quiet, enjoyable and very livable Silicon Valley community.

Willow Glen Real Estate offers some of the most charming neighborhoods, with older homes, many of which are on larger lots, and a small town feeling, particularly near Lincoln Avenue. If you’re looking to buy or sell properties in this community, feel free to get in touch with Dale Warfel. Visit his websites: http://dalewarfel.com and http://www.willowglenhomesforsale.com for more information.

The best time to sell your house

Spring is the hottest season for real estate. The real estate market peaks in April and May and stays strong in June and July. It's a good season for families to move, between school terms and while the weather is warm. People have just received their tax refunds, which they can use to help finance a down payment. And the nice weather and beautiful flowers in spring and early summer make it a great time to show your home.

In fact, a full 60 percent of America's real estate activity takes place in the summer. But closing a home sale can take weeks, so it's a good idea to list your home early in the season.

August brings a lag in sales, as people go away on vacation and start to think about the new school year. Then real estate sales surge briefly in the fall before dropping in winter as buyers and sellers focus on the holidays. But by January, buyers are out again, and home sales steadily increase into spring.

However, if you miss the season, there is no need to panic. Homes can be sold in winter too. Typically homes are decorated during the holiday season and the competition is weak. Buyers may even want to take advantage of the tax deductions and may not get involved in long negotiating process. This would ensure a quick sale with little bargaining.

Due consideration should be given to local factors which may influence a particular market. Local economy is an important factor in deciding which season is the best one for a seller. A layoff in the local plant or factory may mean that spring is not necessarily the best time. Similarly, a start of a new industry may tilt the equations at the other end of the spectrum.

Factors such as mortgage rates and inflation in the economy will also decide a “good season” for real estate activity. These are beyond the seasonal variations and careful observation of local and national issues is necessary to track this.