Tag: buying real estate

Your guidance for your biggest and most important investment…

Are you considering buying or selling a home in San Francisco Bay Area or San Diego?

san francisco real estate investment
real estate investment

Whether you are looking to buy a home or sell a home, it will be one of the biggest investments in your life.

Therefore it is important to work with a real estate sales associate whose judgment you can trust. Moreover you should get familiar with the process of buying a home or selling a home when preparing your investment

Our Sales Team is:

  • Up-to-Date with Current Market
  • Knowledgeable about Market Trends
  • Highly Motivated and Striving for Perfection
  • Providing a High-Level of Commitment
  • Utilizing Multi-Channel Marketing
  • Dedication to Success
  • Honest and Reliable

Learn more about AMSI San Francisco Real Estate Sales Services

The Real Estate Report October/November – Price Surge in the Making? and Mortgage Rate Outlook

Local Market Trends San Francisco

The Real Estate Report October/November – Price Surge in the Making? and Mortgage Rate Outlook by AMSI’s CEO, CFO and Broker Robb Fleischer

Checklist for Buying Real Estate

Checklist for Buying Real Estate

Buying or even just looking for real estate has to be planed and really thought through. It’s a very big investment and a very good one, if you have done it right. Therefore no matter if you are a first time home buyer or not, before buying you should have a checklist. A checklist will help you to discover what you are really looking for and if you can afford it.

No matter how much preparation you have done in your mind, put down the criteria you are looking for. In addition get familiar with the financing and buying process beforehand. Overestimating your financial situation or finding yourself unhappy with a place can easily be avoided. Having a checklist will easy your search and making a decision, but moreover getting you closer to your dream home.

Here are some criteria you might find useful to include in your checklist when you start the search for a new home:

The place you want and your wishes

  • Do you have a neighborhood or maybe just a type of community in mind?
  • What’s the most important feature for you – size, location, property type or amenities, close to schools or work, family friendly?
  • Which home features and amenities are you exactly looking for – a garden, pool, garage, deck, fireplace or the view?
  • What is an absolute no-go for you?
  • Are you looking for a furnished place?
  • What’s nearby and what should be nearby?
  • How far is the home from work or schools?
  • Does it have good proximity to hospitals and family doctors?
  • How far is the nearest supermarket or drugstore?
  • Is it located in a community with a tight-knit feeling, or do you prefer privacy?

In addition, make a list of your “wants” and “needs”, things you must have vs. the things you would like to have but could do without. Whether it’s a safe neighborhood, low crime, good schools nearby, close to hospitals, transportation availability you must have or you could do without a garden, pool, fireplace, a den or anything else. Read our previous article on “Determine Your Wants and Needs Before Buying” and get our checklist to determine your wants and needs checklist.

Things about the financing and the process

  • Do you understand the process of buying a home?
  • Do you understand the mortgage guidelines?
  • Have you done the calculation – are you financially prepared?
  • Do you know a good and trustworthy mortgage lender and real estate agent?
  • How many years do you want to stay – can you commit to stay put for at least a few years?

Learn more about How to Qualify to Buy a Home – Mortgage Guidelines here.

What to Steps to Take when Buying a Home.

Pending Sales Up Sharply in October

Pending sales were up 10.4% in October compared to September, and up 9.2% year-over- year, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said improved contract activity is a hopeful sign. “Home sales have been plodding along at a sub-par level while interest rates are hovering at record lows and there is a pent-up demand from buyers who normally would have entered the market in recent years. We hope this is indicates more buyers are taking advantage of the excellent affordability conditions,” he said.

Click here to read more http://www.slideshare.net/AMSISanFrancisco/real-estate-report-decemberjanuary

Determine Your Wants and Needs Before Buying

Searching for your new home can be a time consuming process, especially if you have not determined in advance the parameters of your search. Take some time to develop your own list of needs and wants, and prioritize them.

Although you may have determined your search parameters in advance, buyers often find that their expectations may get further refined during the search determined by factors such as availability, supply and demand.

You must differentiate between your true needs and what you would like to have, your wants. Once you have a clearer view of what your house will need to have, the next step, actually looking for a home – will be easier for you and your AMSI agent.

Keep in mind, that your budget is a big factor and will impact, which needs, and moreover, which wants, you can actually realize.

Get our checklist on how to determine your wants and needs.

Fore more info about buying real estate visit http://www.amsires.com/buying_a_home.php

Local Market Trends San Francisco June/July

Real Estate Report June/July

Home Prices Down, Condo/Loft Prices Up Again

The median price for single-family re-sale homes fell 1.4% in May from April. Year-over-year, the median price was off for the ninth month in a row, falling 4.7%. The average price was up 1.4% indi- cating that more higher priced homes sold last month.

The median price for condos/lofts rose 5.5% from April and was up 7.5% compared to last May. The average price was up a whopping 16.6%.

Home sales rose 9.4% from April, but were off, year-over-year, by 11.4%. Year-to-date, home sales are down 4.1% compared to the first five months of 2010.

Read more: http://rereport.com/sdc/print/RobbFleischerSF.pdf

Home Search – Determine your Wants and Needs Checklist

Home Search – Determine your Wants and Needs Checklist

Searching for your new home can be a time consuming process, especially if you have not determined in advance the parameters of your search. Take some time to develop your own list of needs and wants, and prioritize them.

Although you may have determined your search parameters in advance, buyers often find that their expectations may get further refined during the search determined by factors such as availability, supply and demand.

You must differentiate between your true needs and what you would like to have, your wants. Once you have a clearer view of what your house will need to have, the next step, actually looking for a home – will be easier for you and your AMSI agent.

Keep in mind, that your budget is a big factor and will impact, which needs, and moreover, which wants, you can actually realize. Get our checklist on how to determine your wants and needs.

For more information about Buying a Home visit http://www.amsires.com/buying_a_home.php

Benefits of Buying a Home

Benefits of Buying a Home

Great investment

Home values fluctuate over the years, but show a steady increase over time. Statistically home prices have risen constantly in the US and real estate has been a proven investment to build wealth. Most likely home value keep up with the inflation or exceed it to one or two percent (or more depending on the region).

Stable and secure environment

Owning a home means that you and your family can settle in a stable and secure environment.

Independence

It will be your own home and you can remodel and renovate the place whenever you want (subject to zoning and building codes), and have the place you always wanted. As long as you abide with Condo and Building rules, you can make your home the place you always wanted to be.

Building equity

When you are paying rent, that money goes to someone else, without any benefit to you besides the right to live in a space. When you pay into a monthly mortgage for your own home or investment, instead of paying a monthly rent, you are investing into something you will be eventually be yours; you are acquiring an asset and investing in your future or retirement.

In the process of paying back your mortgage you more and more own the home and build equity.

Property taxes

IRS Publication 530 contains tax information home buyers. There are many deductions and benefits that first-time buyers or investors can take advantage of when it comes to property.

In 1978, the passage of Proposition 13 in California established the amount of assessed value after property changes hands and limited property tax increases to 2 % per year or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.

Mortgage interest deduction

A mortgage payment includes the items principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI). The largest component of your mortgage payment especially the first years after the purchase is the interests, which is deductible from your taxes.

Capital gain exclusion

If you lived in your house for two of the past five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for a married couple of profit from capital gains.

For more information about  buying a home read here.

Disclaimer: Please consult with a Tax attorney or specialist. Real estate agents cannot give tax advice.