Want to buy a home in Almaden valley?

Everyone has dreams. For some it is a promotion, better pay, the perfect wedding. For many people it is owning their own home. People have done foolish things while trying to fulfill their dreams. It is great trying to fulfill your dream but be careful and be aware of the risks because very often it is not just you who get affected if things do not work out.To anyone paying a mortgage, the idea that you can own your own home free of debt sooner is almost irresistible. So how can you really pay off your mortgage faster? Should you refinance? Will extra features, such as a redraw facility, mortgage offset account or a line of credit help you? Or should you go for a basic 'no frills' loan instead, and make additional payments whenever you can?

The idea of paying off your home loan more quickly is very appealing and is used by some mortgage brokers as a method of attracting you to their loans. Essentially, there are only two ways to pay off your home loan much faster. Find a cheaper interest rate (which may not exist) or make larger or more regular repayments on your loan.In reality there is no magic trick or secret type of loan that will let you own your home sooner. Substantial savings are only achieved by consistently making additional payments on your mortgage. You therefore need to be very careful when brokers claim that you can own your home sooner and make substantial savings by using a line of credit mortgage facility.If you’re looking to purchase properties, contact realtor Dale Warfel of Keller Williams Realty, who specializes in properties in the San Jose area and can guide you very professionally and efficiently. Keller Williams Realty has a comprehensive online tool which offers direct access to the latest properties for sale in your area. Featuring extensive community information, consumer links, school information, free reports, answers to commonly asked real estate questions, and more, you will find everything about real estate within one easy source.

If you’re thinking of investing in a condo...

Condominiums are buildings in which individuals separately own the air space inside the interior walls, floors and ceilings of their unit, but they jointly own an interest in the common areas that they share such as the land, lobby, hallways, swimming pool, and parking lot. In addition to paying a mortgage, each owner is responsible for paying a monthly fee to the condo association, which is made up of the unit owners. The fee covers maintenance, repairs, and building insurance. Most housing condominiums are apartments, although there are mobile home condominiums as well. They are an appealing way to enter the housing market if the cost of a single-family home is out of your reach.
Condos are especially popular among single homebuyers, empty nesters, and first-time buyers in high-priced housing markets. Unlike a house, condos offer a lifestyle that is free of yard work and exterior maintenance and repairs. Many condominium communities also offer amenities such as exercise rooms, tennis courts, and swimming pools that you might otherwise be unable to afford if you purchased a single-family home. Seek ownership in a well-maintained building, and pay special attention to the financial health of the condo association. Lax maintenance may be a sign of financial trouble, which could result in higher maintenance fees and problems trying to resale the property later.
But before you jump in you have to check some things. Get a copy of the latest financial statement from the condo association. Ask the board of directors which is elected by the unit owners from among themselves if major repairs or improvements are imminent. If so, find out how much they will cost and whether there is enough money in the reserve to cover them Check the by-laws, rules and the covenants, codes and restrictions (CC&Rs). You may find, among other things, that they prohibit or restrict pets and the renting of units. Learn everything you can about the homeowners association, including legal disputes and conflicts. Owning your own condo is a great idea. If you live in or around San Jose and are thinking of purchasing a home contact realtor Dale Warfel of Keller Williams Realty, who specializes in properties in this community and can guide you very professionally and efficiently.

Halloween in Willow Glen

Halloween is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the world. Whilst some feel it should not be celebrated as it glorifies evil, in our increasingly secular society it is mostly seen as a harmless bit of fun for the kids. Here’s how Willow Glen celebrated this Halloween.
Lincoln Avenue had the usual big gathering of children in costume sponsored by the Willow Glen Business & Professional Association. Preschoolers had their trick-or-treating between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon in all the shops that were participating this year. For the older children the timings were between 3:00 and 5:00 pm. That was when they visited the merchants.
Happy Hollow hosted its annual festivities, with trick-or-treating, rides, and zoo animals. The park was open regular hours, but the party was between 1:00 - 4:00 pm on that Sunday.
Books for Treats in Willow Glen had a new concept for celebrating this Halloween.They were encouraging everyone to give age-appropriate reading material rather than candy for Halloween. They had a host of volunteers … once on Tuesday to sort and stuff bookmarks into each book, and again on Halloween along Lincoln Avenue.
The Church on the Hill, located above Willow Glen had their Fall Family Blast which was great fun for children and adults. The party was on Halloween night and was a great alternative to walking along dark streets.
For those children who live on the southern end of Lincoln, Elva’s Coffee Stop was decorated and was looking beautiful for Halloween. They were handing our treats to children in costume all day on Monday.
Willow Glen celebrates Halloween in style. The people are very friendly and it’s a great place to bring up your kids. If you are interested in scouting for a house in Willow Glen, you could contact Dale Warfel, realtor who is familiar with the real estate in San Jose and should be able to help you make a good real estate investment.

Real estate workshops help buyers make an informed decision

There are a lot of things that you might not know about buying a property in general. Worse, there are things which you might not know about the locality in which you are buying the property, if you are a new entrant to that locality. You might not know the real estate norms of the area and might not have any clue regarding the property prices. You might have even more doubts about property ownership rights if you are a foreigner. Nowadays many real estate firms conduct workshops to set you right on the guidelines of property buying, selling and management. Here are a few benefits that you might get by attending the workshops and a few things that you might learn from them:

· First hand information

You would be getting first hand information about everything that you need to know on buying a property, from experts and people who have years and years of experience in this field.

· Get to know the area well

For those of you who do not know the area well, attending a workshop will give you some useful insights on the area and its customs and culture.

Get knowledge on the legal issues and procedures

The legal issues for every state vary and if you come from a different part of the world or the country, you can get a first hand knowledge on all the legal issues. The workshops also help in giving you an insight of the procedures and norms involved in buying a house in the locality.

· Know the current rates and prices

If you are a first time buyer in this place, there are chances of the seller taking you for a ride, by quoting a price above the current prices. Attending the workshops would also mean getting to know the current rates and prices.

If you are buying a house, or are planning to buy a property in San Jose, attending a workshop would be a good decision, especially if you are a foreigner or if you are new to San Jose. Many real estate agents conduct workshops as part of their services. If you are interested in attending a work shop, you could check with Realtor Dale Warfel.

How much does my real estate agent need to know

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.

Real Estate acronyms – Dale Warfel explains

“If you find yourself stumbling over weird acronyms in a real estate listing, don't be alarmed”, says San Jose realtor Dale Warfel.

There is method to the madness of this shorthand (which is mostly adopted by sellers to save money in advertising charges).

Here are some abbreviations and the meaning of each, taken from a recent newspaper classified section:

* assum. fin. -- assumable financing

* dk -- deck

* gar -- garage (garden is usually abbreviated "gard")

* expansion pot'l -- may be extra space on the lot, or possibly vertical potential for a top floor or room addition. Verify actual potential by checking local zoning restrictions prior to purchase.

* fab pentrm -- fabulous pentroom, a room on top, underneath the roof, that sometimes has views

* FDR -- formal dining room (not the former president)

* frplc, fplc, FP -- fireplace

* grmet kit -- gourmet kitchen

* HDW, HWF, Hdwd -- hardwood floors

* hi ceils -- high ceilings

* In-law potential -- potential for a separate apartment. Sometimes, local zoning codes restrict rentals of such units so be sure the conversion is legal first.

* large E-2 plan -- this is one of several floor plans available in a specific building

* lsd pkg. -- leased parking area, may come with an additional cost

* lo dues -- find out just how low these homeowner's dues are, and in comparison to what?

* nr bst schls -- near the best schools

* pvt -- private

* pwdr rm -- powder room, or half-bath

* upr- upper floor

* vw, vu, vws, vus -- view(s)

* Wow! -- better check this one out.

Resources:"Real Estate's Ambiguous Language You Oughtta Understand," Glennon H. Neubauer, Ethos Group Publishing, Diamond Bar, CA; 1993.

Spruce up your house before putting it up for sale

Whether you are moving on or moving up, letting go is always hard. Selling a house is heart wrenching, With it go lots of memories .This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. But you need to get started on the nitty gritty details before starting to show the house.

After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it.Clutter collects on shelves, counter tops, drawers, closets, garages, attics, and basements. You want as much open clear space as possible, so every extra little thing needs to be cleared away.Take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas of clutter, as long as you can accept their views without getting defensive.

Do not do major repairs before you sell such as remodeling. If possible, use savings to pay for any repairs and improvements – do not go charging up credit cards or obtaining new loans. Remember that part of selling a house is also preparing to buy your next home. You do not want to do anything that will affect your credit scores or hurt your ability to qualify for your next mortgage.

When looking at a house, prospective home buyers often do not really know what to do. So they play with things. They flick light switches. They open everything with a handle. They turn on all the faucets and flush all the toilets. Having nice shiny fixtures makes an impression.

All your sink fixtures should look shiny and new. If this cannot be accomplished by cleaning, buy new ones. If you don’t buy something fancy, this can be accomplished inexpensively. Make sure all the hot and cold water knobs are easy to turn and that the faucets do not leak. If they do, replace the washers.It sounds like hard work, but it's pretty easy -- even for the inexperienced.

Check to make sure you have good water pressure and that there are no stains on any of the porcelain. If you have a difficult stain to remove, one trick is to hire a cleaning crew to go through and clean your home on a one-time basis. They seem to be wonderful at making stains go away.

Once you have your house spruced up your ready to put it up for sale. A good realtor can help you get a really good price. If you live in or around San Jose, you could go with realtor Dale Warfel who is very familiar with the area and can guide you efficiently.

The decision to rent or buy a house

Home ownership means you no longer pay monthly rent for the roof over your head. You can do what you want with your house (within reason). When you leave, you can sell it to recoup the purchase price and - with any luck - earn a profit too. But don't kid yourself. Home ownership comes with a slew of disadvantages, responsibilities, and downright headaches. So before going any further, consider whether your lifestyle and finances make home buying a smart move.

Except in a roaring real estate market, it usually doesn't make sense to buy a home you'll own for less than three or four years. Reason: the high transaction cost of buying and selling property means you could lose money on the deal. If you do make money, you'll pay capital gains taxes if you're in the house for less than two years.

So ask yourself if you can really stay put for that long. Will you need to move because you are transferred by your current employer or a new one? Are you thinking of going back to school?

On the financial side, one key question is whether it costs more, on average, to rent or own in your area. The rule of thumb is that if you pay 35 percent less in rent than you would for owning - including the monthly mortgage, property taxes, and any homeowner's fees - then it's smarter to continue renting.

Only if all those answers still point towards owning should you proceed to the next step - getting a real estate agent. Most good real estate agents will actually walk you through the first step again. They will review your finances and see if you are ready to make the commitment. They will be able to help you make the best decision. Realtor Dale Warfel has been in the business for many years and he has helped many families make the best investment of their lives.

Charming Willow Glen

Willow Glen is a uniquely charming neighborhood of San Jose. Located three miles southwest of downtown San Jose, Willow Glen is bordered by the Guadalupe River, the Los Gatos Creek and Coe and Curtner Avenues.

The Willow Glen community is an ideal setting for new families where virtually every home is unique and beautiful. Willow Glen bars and clubs are fun any day of the week. Aqui's and Goosetown are some night spots of Willow Glen.

The Lincoln Avenue downtown business district, located between Coe and Minnesota, has sidewalk cafes, Italian delis, home design stores and clothing boutiques. Though there are many big names in Willow Glen like Starbucks and Peet most of the restaurants and shops are locally owned. Willow Glen offers a small town appeal and is a great place to settle down in. In fact, Willow Glen features two of the Silicon Valley area's only remaining independent bookstores.

Willow Glen has a very interesting history. Lincoln Avenue was originally called "El Abra," but by the mid-1860s, its name had been changed to Willow Glen Road. Shortly after the assassination of President Lincoln in 1865, residents agreed to call it Lincoln Avenue. A streetcar took turn-of-the-century Glenites down eucalyptus-lined Lincoln Avenue to downtown San Jose. On September 20th the people of Willow Glen celebrate their Founders day. Founders Day is a great time to eat endless bagels and drink numerous cups of coffee while getting to know the community. Since Willow Glen established its own school district in 1863, residents have identified themselves as distinct from San Jose.

It is a small community where people are very friendly. It is an ideal place to settle down and raise a family. There are beautiful houses located in picturesque locations. Willow Glen features outstanding schools, a vital community life It also is in close proximity to Downtown San Jose, retail shopping areas and Silicon Valley workplaces. If you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life Willow Glen is a great place to settle in. Realtor Dale Warfel who specializes in properties in this community can guide you very professionally and efficiently.

Founders Day in Willow Glen

The country's founding fathers officially stated that America was free of England's rule and signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. July 4 has since been celebrated as the American Independence Day.

Willow Glen residents celebrate September 20^th as their Independence Day. Their short period of independence is from the city of San Jose. And while most Glenites, as the people of Willow Glen call themselves, know that Founders Day celebrates the years when Willow Glen was its own city, not many seem to remember the exact details.

Willow Glen established its own school district in 1863 and residents identified themselves as distinct from San Jose. Incorporation seemed to be on the minds of Willow Glen residents, but nothing much happened until 1925, when the San Jose City Council ordered the Southern Pacific Railroad to get off Fourth Street and find a new route. The chosen route, went straight through Willow Glen. The choice Glenites had was to let that happen or incorporate. They chose the latter.

Nine years later, on Sept. 4, 1936, the substantially larger Willow Glen community voted 978-871 to be annexed back into San Jose.

Founders Day in Willow Glen celebrates these nine years of independence and the unique quality of what many residents still consider their own little town.

But nowadays, Founders Day is a time when everyone gets together; there are not very many communities that do that . It is a great opportunity to not only serve hundreds more bagels than usual and numerous cups of coffee but also a chance to get to know the community. There is a parade down Lincoln Avenue in which the children of the Willow Glen Elementary School and Willow Glen High School take part.

Willow Glen has a very diverse community and a strong small town appeal. Though it has many retail giants like Starbucks many businesses are locally owned and very cosy and intimate. Everyone is friendly. People know one another. There are little league games and intimate restaurants. Some people have lived here all their lives. Children go to the same schools that parents went to. But this does not mean that Willow Glen is a closed off community wary of newcomers. They are welcomed into the community and made comfortable.

Willow Glen is a great place to settle down and raise a family. Realtor Dale Warfel who is familiar with this little town, will be able to show you some great locations and help you find the ideal place to settle down in.

ALMADENS QUICKSILVER COUNTY PARK

The Almaden Valley neighborhood is south east of Los Gatos, west of Santa Teresa, and south of Coleman Ave. It is named after the New Almaden Mines, which were named after the mercury mine in (old) Almaden, Spain. Like its Spanish namesake, California's Almaden had a number of quicksilver mines. The mercury was used during gold extraction in the California Gold Rush.

The mines were closed in 1975 and have since been converted into Almaden Quicksilver County Park.You have to travel down Almaden Road to reach the park's main entrance. The New Almaden Historic District is located along Almaden Road before the park's Hacienda Entrance.

There are a number of historic houses and buildings which you will pass on the way down.The history of the town is intimately linked with the mining history of the park. Many of the people who managed or worked for the mines lived in New Almaden and many of their houses still remain. The Alamitos Creek cuts through the town. On the south side of Alamitos Creek is Bertram Road. Several historical sites lie along the road, including the Hacienda Hotel site, the New Almaden Community Club, and the Hacienda Cemetery.

The Hacienda Hotel was built in 1848 as a boarding house for miners. It was the first two-story hotel in California. In the 1930's, it was converted into the Cafe Del Rio, which was a popular restaurant. After 1979, it became the home of the La Foret French restaurant.

Down the road past the Community Club is the Hacienda Cemetery. It has graves dating back to the 1800's. Bertram Barrett's is one of the oddest graves there. Bertram Barrett was an Almaden Valley teenager who lost his arm in a hunting accident in 1898. His arm alone is buried here in this cemetery. The rest of him was buried in another cemetery in San Jose's Oak Hill Cemetery in 1959. The reason for this is a mystery. Its fascinating history and booming economy makes Almaden like many of its neighbouring valleys a sought after place to settle down in.

BLOSSOM VALLEY

Blossom Valley is situated in South San Jose, just northeast of the Los Capitancillos Ridge that separates it from Almaden Valley. Blossom Valley has very good schools and recreational amenities. The Mediterranean climate and convenient location make it an excellent neighborhood.

Blossom Valley offer views of Mt. Umunhum to the west. If you go a little higher you will be able top see the lights of the Santa Clara Valley at night. Along the ridge of Sierra Azuls, part of the Santa Cruz Mountains of the Coastal Range, is Almaden Quicksilver County Park, one of Santa Clara County Parks. Almaden Lake Park, the city's only park has a sand beach.The beach offers boating, fishing, swimming and windsurfing for the sport enthusiast.

Blossom Valley is a short drive from downtown San Jose's cultural resources and Silicon Valley's high technology work centers .The valley is very scenic with many golf courses and vineyards. There are clubs and theatres, art galleries and museums.

Blossom Valley has many shopping centres at convenient locations , from home improvement to neighborhood shopping and services. The newly renovated Oakridge regional shopping center is anchored by Macy's and Sears and has more than 100 specialty stores.

Blossom valley has a very friendly community with soccer moms and little league matches . The real estate is booming as it is a very sought after area for settling down. The best part is that is in spite of its fantastic location its still quite affordable.A good real estate agent should be able to help you find exactly what your looking for.

The community is connected to all parts of the valley through an excellent highway system and light rail service So this makes it easy to get away on holiday to Northern California's ski slopes in the east , the beaches to the west or San Francisco to the north.

Almaden valley real estate

Located in the rolling foothills in the southernmost valley of the San Jose metro area, Almaden Valley is an upscale, executive community featuring numerous parks, open space and a rural atmosphere. It is a family-oriented community with excellent schools, plenty of recreational opportunities and magnificent views. The Almaden Valley community is located southwest of Blossom Valley, separated by the Los Capitancillos Ridge. Running along the ridge is Almaden Quicksilver County Park, one of the jewels of the Santa Clara County Park system. In terms of size, historical significance, and natural beauty, it rivals any state park. At the base of the ridge is Almaden Lake Park, San Jose's only park featuring a sand beach and swim area for fishing, boating, hiking, wind surfing, picnicking and playing volleyball or horseshoes. The park is also the site of the annual San Jose International Triathlon. Connected to the park is the Los Alamitos Creek Trail, a 3.9-mile trail featuring a fitness course. To the southeast is the historic mining town of New Almaden. To the southwest is the soaring forested wall of the Sierra Azuls, topped by Mt. Umunhum. The upscale community of some 40,000 residents is also home to Almaden Country Club, a private golf club that has hosted numerous tournaments. The Almaden real estate market features a mix of contemporary homes and executive properties.

Almaden Valley (often just called Almaden) is a neighborhood of about 37,000 in the south of San Jose, California, USA. The neighborhood is south east of Los Gatos, west of Santa Teresa, and south of Coleman Ave. It is named after the New Almaden Mines, which are themselves named after the mercury mine in Almadén, Spain. The major streets in the area are Almaden Expressway, Blossom Hill Road to the north, Meridian Avenue, Camden Avenue, and Highway 85 to the north (Running from 101 in Mountain View to 101 in SE San Jose). The Almaden valley is located between a small series of hills and the Santa Cruz Mountains, with Mount Umunhum dominating the local geography.

Willow Glen - Restaurants

One of the most charming neighborhoods in San Jose, California is Willow Glen. It is a quiet place to live in and it has all the necessary civic amenities and facilities required for anyone who is considering to move in here.

The main street here is the Lincoln Avenue and all of its streets are lined with trees. You can see family homes built in the Victorian and Spanish-style here.

Some of the finest restaurants have opened their doors in Willow Glen. Here’s a look at some of them:

Café Adriatic – This fine Italian restaurant brings you some of the top dishes served in Eastern and Western Europe. So, if you are in a mood for food such as pastas, seafood and meat, this is the best place to go.

Cafe Primavera – This is yet another Italian restaurant that serves seafood and pasta.

Fratello's – This restaurant serves some exquisite Italian wine and cuisine and the prices here are quite reasonable.

Siena Mediterranean Bistro – This Mediterranean style restaurant offers food that is quite simple, yet very appealing. You can have your fill of grilled meats, risottos, seafood, and bright and light appetizers. Its desserts are simply a treat.

Taqueria Tlaquepaque – This Mexican restaurant has some of the best Mexican food and each dish is made out to be something special.

Giorgio's Italian Food and Pizzeria – This pizza outlet serves simple Italian pizza at very affordable prices. The portions served are very generous too.

Kazoo Sushi Boat – If you are in a mood for some authentic Japanese food, the Sushi Boat is the place to go. It offers mouth watering Japanese dishes.

In Willow Glen, you can find restaurants serving different type of cuisines from different parts of the world and this reflects the international flavor and taste that people in this area seem to like and enjoy.

Branham High School in Willow Glen is home to global educators

Branham has a diverse staff and faculty from a variety of backgrounds, with rich experiences to share with students and the Branham community. Several teachers have lived and worked overseas, hailing from Honduras, India, South Africa, Spain and the Ukraine.

This year several staff members were involved in international exchanges to gain personal insight into educational systems in other countries and to further enrich the educational environment at Branham. U.S. history teacher Matt Zehner spent three weeks in South Korea as a participant in the 2007 Summer Fellowship in Korean Studies. Principal Tom Utic visited and worked with educators in several schools in Mendoza, Argentina this summer as a part of the Fulbright Administrator Exchange program.

English teachers Rachelle Burnside of Branham and Claire Harris of Cardinal Wiseman High School near London, England switch places for the current school year as participants in the Fulbright U.S./U.K. Teacher Exchange program. Each of these educators was selected as a participant in an exchange program for his or her strong professional background and eagerness to share their expertise and learn from others. Their experiences will help enrich schools in both their home and host countries.

The Fulbright Teacher Exchange was established in 1924 to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen relations between the United States and the wider world.

There are great benefits for both schools and teachers involved. The teachers will be exposed to different teaching methodologies and approaches and have the opportunity to enrich their own teaching while living in a new environment. There is enormous potential for broadening pupils' perspectives on the wider world by developing links at class or whole school level.

Educational exchanges have proven to be enriching experiences for the participants and the organizations they work with. Branham High School is fortunate to have staff members bringing their insights from three different continents with vastly different cultures here to San Jose. Each of these educators are eager to share their personal experiences with students and community members and make play their small part in creating links between countries.

Courtesy: http://www.willowglentimes.com/

Some tips to sell a home fast

A few basic elements can make the difference between a quick home sale and a frustrating ordeal. Be smart to do some work up front to make sure your house sells fast. That's particularly important these days as some of the hottest real-estate markets show signs of cooling and homes start to linger on the market longer than their sellers expected.

Here are some tips:
Finish the "honey do" list.
Just about every homeowner has a string of little repairs that never quite get done. Now's the time. Fix the screens, oil that squeak, patch the cracks, paint the trim.

Get inspected.
A pre-sale inspection can help in two ways. Professional inspections can identify problems that could thwart a sale in time to fix them. And if there are no major problems, he said, an inspection can publicize that fact to skittish buyers.
Pack up the clutter.

Too much stuff makes rooms look smaller and focuses buyers' attention on your possessions rather than the home you're trying to sell. That's why many professional stagers recommend removing as much as a third of your things to better show off rooms and closets. Since you're going to have to pack it up anyway, do it now. Buyers "can't imagine themselves living there if they can't see the space."
Depersonalize and neutralize.

The first items that should go in those packing boxes: family photos, collections and just about anything else that says "you”. Buyers have a hard enough time envisioning how their stuff will look on your walls. By neutralizing your decor, you can help give them the blank canvas they need to imagine your house as theirs.

Clean like a fiend. Clean your faucets and fixtures, scour fingerprints from all the switch plates, shine windows until they're spotless and vacuum up every last dog hair from the baseboards. Stage the rooms. Stand in the doorway to find each room's focal point, and use furniture placement to highlight that. The back of your sofa shouldn't block the view of the fireplace, for example, and the dining room table shouldn't be sharing space with a stair climber.
Kick up the curb appeal. Most people will start their search for a home on the Internet. If your house's Internet photo doesn't 'wow!' them, they might never call for a showing. That's why your front landscaping needs to be in perfect condition. Clean up the leaves, plant some fall flowers, trim the bushes and trees, and really manicure your lawn.

Pick the right publicist. If you're working with an agent, you'll want one who can really sell. That means somebody who knows your neighborhood intimately and who's enthusiastic about your home.
If you're going to try to sell your home yourself, make sure you're up for the job. Hawking a home, especially in a slowing market, can be hard work.
Set the right price. In frenzied markets, sellers who put outrageous price tags on their homes sometimes are rewarded. As markets cool, however, a too-high asking price can lead to a home being shunned by agents and buyers. Your goal should be a fair price -- something that's reasonable given the price of other homes in your area.
"Buyers who are actively searching for a fairly-priced home, will pounce on what they perceive is fair value."

Adatped from: http://waldo.villagesoup.com/

Ways of Real Estate marketing

The days of an advertising campaign driven by print media are over. Print media as one component of an effective marketing campaign is a better strategy. Why? For the home buyer, printed media presents a flat, one-dimensional experience: an ad with abbreviated terms and maybe one property photo. For the real estate professional, the newspaper is a one-shot deal. You pay once and get a one-time exposure. Conversely, the Internet provides a far richer experience for home seekers. They receive virtually unlimited property information, many photos, and maybe even a virtual tour — which is like an open house right from their desktop. For the real estate professional, the Internet provides a blank canvas on which to market the property for the life of the listing at a very affordable price. Internet listings are viewed nationally. They're not limited by regional boundaries, as print typically is. So, it boils down to exposure, depth of information, and value. That's why print media effectiveness is waning and being steamrolled by the Internet. However, it is best to follow a mixed approach rather than putting all of your advertising eggs in one basket.

You must first define your goals: Listing exposure? Lead generation? Company branding? Agent promotion? And then assess the return delivered by your various options. Also look at TV and radio. Then, pick a plan that fits your budget. Not all online media provide the same results. Do your research to find the best fit for you.

Courtesy: http://www.realtor.org

Buyers and Sellers Demand More Services

Real estate brokerages say title insurance, home warranties, mortgages, and appraisals no longer fall into the category of ancillary services, as consumers' desire for one-stop shopping have prompted them to offer these as core services. "Fifteen years ago, the consumer's expectation was, 'Hey, sell my house.' Now the expectation is: 'Sell my house, get me a good loan, figure out how to get it closed with the title company, get it all done for me — I'm busy,'" says David Sobel, a Home Warranty of America sales executive. With the mortgage industry slammed by the subprime meltdown, real estate brokers increasingly are turning to concierge services — which involve contractor referrals and assistance in turning on utilities, among other tasks — to make money. Howard Hanna III, chairman and CEO of Pittsburgh-based Howard Hanna Real Estate, says his firm has bundled a variety of services for four decades, making the home sale and purchase processes more efficient, helping clients achieve cost savings, and bolstering the firm's reputation. While Hanna operates all core services internally, some companies opt to forge strategic partnerships with other firms for this purpose. In any respect, brokers must ensure that they comply with the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act; and seminars and brochures regarding adherence to the law are now offered by the National Association of Realtors' Real Estate Services Program.

Courtesy: http://www.realtor.org

Home Prices Expected to Fall Further

Fannie Mae’s Chief Risk Officer Enrico Dallavecchia predicted that housing prices will decline by 2 percent on average this year and 4 percent next year.The declines are the result of continuing mortgage delinquencies, tighter borrowing standards, and the record levels of inventories of unsold homes.Adding to the trouble, Dallavecchia said, is that many borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages are facing rising monthly payments, which could drive them into foreclosure. "This could have a cascading effect in the market," he said.

Courtesy: http://www.realtor.org

Mortgage-Rate Drop Is Good News for Home Buyers

Freddie Mac reports a modest decline in mortgage rates during the week ended Aug. 2, with the 30-year fixed rate falling to a one-month low of 6.68 percent from 6.69 percent. Interest on 15-year fixed loans, meanwhile, dropped to 6.32 percent from 6.37 percent. The five-year adjustable mortgage rate slipped to 6.29 percent from 6.30 percent, and the one-year ARM slid to 5.59 percent from 5.69 percent. Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft attributes the decrease in borrowing costs to an increase in investors snapping up Treasury securities as they move away from mortgage-backed bonds.

Courtesy: http://www.realtor.org