Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Marin Real Estate is Bananas

I think I have seen it all.  The Market has gone crazy...bananas.  In just 6 months, I have seen prices fly up to near 2007 prices...20, 30 , 40% jumps....multiple offers with 15-20 offers 15% over asking price and no contingencies.  It really is wild out there after so many years of snail slow real estate with prices falling.

Why?

Inventory was just terribly slow last year....we have the lowest interest rates EVER...and finally the media has decided the market is recovering.

I am conflicted.  When I look in my crystal ball of Marin Real Estate future...it is cloudy....  Part of me feels like this is a mini bubble, prices will fall a bit, and the market will settle down once we get a flood of new listings or rates creep up....the other part of me thinks that this is the fastest most amazing recovery in history.

Whew!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Banker's Market

People ask me all the time, "Buyer's or Seller's Market Jason?"
Over the past couple years in Marin Real Estate we have not been in a Buyer's or a Seller's Market....we have been experiencing a Banker's Market.
There are basically three ways to buy houses in this Marin County Banker's Market.
1. Traditional sale (or no Banks involved!). These are old school sales where the Seller has equity in the property and negotiates a fair price with a Buyer. Negotiations tend to be a bit more emotional (for the Seller), but in the end after 30 days and a bottle of Champagne, I hand the Buyer Keys.
2. REO - or "Real Estate Owed"...Foreclosures are more and more common and a nice way to get a home at a good price. They tend to be competitive with multiple offers here in Marin...everyone seems to love a good foreclosure! Negotiating is never emotional..it is formula driven and straight forward. Asset Managers (the Seller's in the REO game) will negotiate within 3-5% of their purchase price. Sometimes more, but 3% is the general rule. The time frames during the transaction and through to close and champagne are the same as traditional sales....
3. Short Sales - Probably the most commonly confused transaction! Short Sales ironically take the longest to close. If you are guided through a short sale purchase with a short sale exert (like all of us here at Heath Real Estate) this is the niche in the market where Buyers can get the best deal. They can be painful and frustrating, but they can pay off in equity. Negotiations are erratic and low ball offers are often accepted....however, banks can counter the price during the process after they do their standard appraisal. I would love to walk you through the process (if I have not already). Too long for a blog! Just call my cell 7 days a week and I will break it down: (415) 686-0589
Happy Holidays!!
Jason

Friday, November 11, 2011

Heath Real Estate Grows

So...I have not been blogging for a while, but I am recommitted. Something is happening out there in Marin County Real Estate. Everyone seems to be Busy. I have having my best year ever...In fact, I have been too busy to Blog! It has been a fun Fall here in 2011. Heath Real Estate has grown with the addition of Marin County veteran Realtors: Matt Hughes and Arun Burrell. Our website is growing, our company is growing, our enthusiasm is palatable.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

www.Heath-realestate.com

When I started Heath Real Estate in Marin County a year and a half ago, I utilized the Internet with our wonderful search engine www.marinhomesearcher.com to bring the best technology to my clients searching for homes and marketing for our listings. We have a very strong Google presence...we are hard to miss. Now I am proud to announce, after a couple of web designers, we settled on David Tierney of Designs by Tierney to create: http://www.heath-realestate.com/

Our new website, http://www.heath-realestate.com/ is the perfect tool for home Buyers and Sellers. Please take a moment to look at our recent sales, listings and testimonials.

I look forward to working with you!

Monday, January 31, 2011

Spacious San Anselmo New Listing - Not on MLS

Please join me for a private tour of my new pocket listing on Thursday from 11AM to 2PM at 27 Humboldt Ave. in San Anselmo. Come see a great house and enjoy a Sushi lunch!

Spacious wonderfully appointed San Anselmo home in a dream location, walking distance to both San Anselmo and Fairfax; close proximity to parks and award winning schools. Features include: an open and airy great room with cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors throughout, and large bedrooms; landscaped front and back yards, with a level play area, and multiple decks. Main house is a contemporary 2700 sqft 3 bedroom and 21/2 baths. The detached office/granny unit is over 400sqft with a permitted full bath. Enjoy cooking in the modern updated chef’s kitchen complete with high-end stainless appliances and granite counters. Relax in the master bedroom suite with private deck and spa. Have dinners with a view on the oversized deck off of the dining room. This home is the essence of California indoor – outdoor living.

Take a look at the virtual tour:

http://www.obeo.com/u.aspx?ID=6452

Please call me with any questions or to arrange a private showing at 415.451.4999

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

New Penngrove Listing

I have a fantastic new listing in Penngrove coming up next week.

This custom built dream home was lovingly designed and constructed by the owner/ builder. A single story masterpiece with an open floor plan. The home features 4 bedrooms, 41/2 baths, over 4,000 sq ft of living space, and a 2/3 of a acre flat lot. Cooking is a dream in the Gourmet chef's kitchen with custom-made cherry cabinets, granite counters, and high end stainless appliances. Every bedroom is complete with a walk in closet and a full bath. The Master suite includes his & hers walk-in closets and a breath taking master bath with marble floors, granite vanities, Jacuzzi tub, steam shower and custom cabinets. Relax and dine all year around on the 915sq ft covered patio in the back yard; indoor/ outdoor California living at it's best.

Please take a moment to look at the pics:

http://www.Obeo.com/643104

Listed at 975K this property is a true value and priced to sell.

Please call me with any questions: (415) 686-0589


Sunday, November 21, 2010

Getting the home you want

Even in this "down" market, here in Marin and S. Sonoma, the best houses can have multiple offers. Twice this month I had clients make offers on homes (one in San Rafael and one in Mill Valley) only to find out there were multiple offers. Both client's were able to get the homes with a little creativity.

The San Rafael deal had a multiple counter offer (this is when the Seller counters more than one offer and then pics the favorite...usually the price is the same on all counters and they just take the strongest financially). We decided to up our bid by 2k instead of just taking the Seller's standard counter price. The Seller took our offer because all three Buyers came back at the same price and we decided to add that 2K! The other agent said that it was the 2k that did it. The Seller had been planning on asking every Buyer to resubmit a new offer to create a bidding war, but was impressed with our effort and changed his mind taking our bid. Whew!

The Mill Valley property was very hot. We saw it on a Weds (the day it came out) and the other agent told me she had 4 or so offers circling. We wrote our offer, got it in that night with a 24 hour expiration. I wrote a letter about my client explaining that he was well qualified and that he was not an investor...I made it personal and the Seller decided to take our offer without looking at the other offers (there were more than 5 offers that came in that Friday!). The other agent said it was the letter that made them take the offer. They really wanted a Buyer who would love the house. A letter with your offer is a MUST!

Sometimes you have to act fast and think outside the box in order to get the home you want. I sure do love Real Estate!