Report from SFGate

Cheapest house in Hillsborough for sale right now is 1050 Merner Rd at $889900.

For those “Party of Five” show lovers….

First it was the house where “Junior”, the film in which our Governor demonstrated his “pregnant man” act, was shot — now another San Francisco home used as a key location, this time in a TV series, is slated to go on the block.

According to SocketSite, the elegant Victorian at 2311 Broadway was the “Party of Five” house and it will appearing on an MLS near you imminently.

The 1994 series, in which five siblings are left to fend their own way in the world when their parents are killed by a drunk driver, was a launch pad for several well-known actors, including Jennifer Love Hewitt, Matthew Fox and Neve Campbell.

The home last swapped hands in 1999 for $5,400,000. Details yet to be released on the price tag ten years on.

From sfgate.com

Should You Use a Discount Real Estate Broker?
Are you thinking about selling your house? Have you heard about discount real estate brokers and are you thinking about using one instead of a traditional real estate broker? Do you even know what a real estate broker can do for you?
http://www.associatedcontent.com

Are you thinking about selling your house? Have you heard about discount real estate brokers and are you thinking about going with one of them instead of the traditional real estate broker to save money? If you answered yes, then you should think about a few things before you hire anyone to help you sell your house.

First, how much do you really know about selling a house? Have you ever sold one in the past? Do you even know what a real estate broker is supposed to do for you?

Here is a briefing of what a traditional real estate broker could do for you.

1. They can help you decide on a fair asking price for your home. Why can they do this? They are well informed about price trends, your neighborhood conditions, taxes, insurances and all the zoning issues.

2. When selling your home, they will advertise your home and then take potential buyers on tours of your home. As they tour your home, they will point out selling points of your home, (for instance that extra big closet in the master bedroom.). He/she will also point out selling points such as the low crime rate in the area in which your home resides (if the rate is low) the proximity to local schools or shopping centers (if it is true).

3. The agent will make sure your home has all the required inspections done.

4. If necessary, the agent will host open houses at your home and handle all the details.

5. The agent will be the one who will handle all aspects of negotiations and when it comes to the signing he/she will make sure all the t’s and i’s are dotted and crossed.

Most traditional real estate brokers are paid about 5 to 7 percent of the sales price.

Since a traditional real estate broker does all of that work, why would anyone use a discount broker? Mainly discount brokers are used because they are less expensive.

Discount brokers are usually paid about 1 percent of the sales price of the home or a base price for services rendered as agreed upon by the seller and the broker.

What kinds of services do discount brokers offer a seller depends on what the seller hires the broker to do. You can hire them to handle all the home’s inspections for you or to host an open house for you. Then you are left with the rest of the work to do.

If you have the time and ability to handle most of the sell of your house on your own, then a discount broker may be the answer for you. But be sure you know exactly what services they are going to charge you for before any services are performed. Some discount brokers have been known to even charging for a fee per phone call.

But if you really don’t want all the hassle of selling your house, you should stick to using a traditional real estate broker.

Park Station condos is a great little community, perfect for the commuter as it is walking distance to the Bart station and Samtrans bus. I viewed the four plans they offer and they are all very stylish with contemporary features. The brand new community “offers spacious one- and two-bedroom condominium home designs, ranging from approximately 665 to 1,315 square feet. Home prices start from the high $200,000s”. This is a SummerHill Homes community.

Just viewed this 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath townhome in the Crown Colony complex yesterday. End unit near the entrance of the complex. It is a short sale. You should check it out as there are not too many 2 bedroom townhomes, especially end units, that come on the market usually.

Have you checked out the Crown Colony complex in Daly City? They are right off Hickey on 280. Easy access to freeways. Great park like complex. Units range from studios to to 3 bedrooms. There are even some townhouses in addition to the condominiums. 2 pools, fitness area…even a sauna in the clubhouse. Shopping, parks, and the library are all close by. The homeowners association is well run. Please contact us today for available properties or more information on Crown Colony.

I had the opportunity to view a few units in this beautiful condominium complex in San Jose. It had fabulous grounds and fitness center, underground parking, and a very nice pool area. The Sonora complex is only 4 years old! Contact Whillamina Realty if you would like a personal showing of the available units in this complex.

Here’s a listing of some Freddie Mac REOs available now for sale.  If you would like more information or to view any of these properties or any other property for sale, please contact us today!

Address: IMPERIAL WAY, DALY CITY, CA

Price: $274,900

Address: TERRA NOVA BOULEVARD, PACIFICA, CA

Price: $349,900

Address: TERRA NOVA BOULEVARD, PACIFICA, CA

Price: $389,900

Address: SHELTER CREEK LANE, SAN BRUNO, CA

Price: $222,500

Address: PICCADILLY PLACE, SAN BRUNO, CA

Price: $299,900

Address: SHELTER CREEK LANE, SAN BRUNO, CA

Price: $302,500

Note: Whillamina Realty is not the listing agent for any of the above properties.  Whillamina Realty is an authorized selling agent for Freddie Mac’s HomeSteps REO properties program.

As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed legislation that grants a tax credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers.

Here is more information about how the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit can help prospective home buyers become part of the American dream.

Breaking news: Tax Credit Can Be Used on Closing Costs.

Who Qualifies?

First-time home buyers who purchase homes between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.

To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

Which Properties Are Eligible?

The 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

How Much Will the Credit Be?

The maximum allowable credit for home buyers is $8,000. Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by two factors:

The price of the home—the credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $8,000.

The buyer’s income—single buyers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000—may receive the maximum tax credit.

If the Buyer(s)’ Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?

Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.

The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $75,000 and $95,000 for single buyers and between $150,000 and $170,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income—over $95,000 for singles and over $170,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?

No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during the three-year period, the credit will be recouped on the sale.

——–From realtor.org