Group Marin's Blog

www.150seminarydrive.com

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:47:13 +0000

Enjoy picturesque views from this charming one bedroom one bath condominium in Seminary Cove. Sunny and bright end unit with two decks for bar-be-ques or relaxing in the peaceful surroundings. Features a fireplace, washer/dryer, one car covered parking, personal storage room, pool and spa. The convenient location is just a short distance to the Strawberry Shopping Center, restaurants, boutiques, transportation with easy freeway access, Bayside trails for running/walking

Are there benefits to owning a home

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:10:28 +0000

The benefits of being a homeowner are felt all year long, but at tax time, it gets even sweeter.

Technically speaking, tax day isn’t until April 15th. But for Americans who expect a refund—including many homeowners who want to cash in on real estate-related tax perks—filing early means quicker cash in hand. If you count yourself in that number, you’ll like our handy guide which outlines 9 ways to help reap every penny of the tax rewards you’re earned by virtue of owning a home. Just round up these pieces of paper as you prepare to file and see what your home can do for you.

Information provided by Trulia.com

Sherri Belluomini

415 497-2884

Will This Help Our Banking System Work???

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:50:29 +0000

The US Government (FHFA) has filed suit against the largest lenders in the world.

Time to celebrate? Not so fast.

NO GOOD will come from this suit. None.NO GOOD will come from this suit. None.
Why? We need to the US banks to be strong…we need them to lend again. There will NEVER be any sort of meaningful economic recovery until the US residential real estate markets return to full health

Editorial Note: Ask yourself this simple question…why did WE (US Tax Payers) blowTrillions of (OUR TAX) Dollars bailing out the Banks just to turn around and sue (Using..of course, US TAX DOLLARS to pay the legions of attorneys) them for $30Billion… and drop their stock price another Trillion?

What do you think will happen if there is another ‘run on the banks’ and/ or Bank of America’s stock continues to crumble?

You got it…another BAIL OUT OF USING OUR TAX DOLLARS.

Here is the list of banks being sued and a link to the FHFA site for more info:

FHFA Filings in PLS Cases, September 2, 2011:
Ally Financial Inc. f/k/a GMAC, LLC
Bank of America Corporation
Barclays Bank PLC
Citigroup, Inc.
Countrywide Financial Corporation
Credit Suisse Holdings (USA), Inc.
Information provided by Tim & Julie Harris

Sherri Belluomini 415 497-2884

MAY 1, 2011 Opening Day on the Bay

admin — Mon, 02 May 2011 00:41:59 +0000

Today May 1 ,2011 is opening day. This picture was taken in downtown Tiburon. The festivities continued all day.

SOLD

admin — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:34:56 +0000

Let’s be ’Strait’… about 1940 Straits View, you can’t buy a better view that includes a house with such incredible potential at any price. First time on the market in 40 plus years…this prestigious address offers one of the finest views available. Powerful and dynamic vistas from the East Bay to the Marin Headlands, including San Francisco’s Financial District, Angel Island and the breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge. Located towards the end of a cul-de-sac surrounded by fabulous estate properties and open space…this large one level home sits on a one half acre lot that provides an opportunity for architectural creativity in a rarely available setting.

You haven’t lived until you have seen the full moon over the San Francisco Bay from this living room.

Sherri Belluomini

DRE# 01185171

415 497-2884

Do You Really Need A home Inspection?

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:36:31 +0000

Your lender may require a pest inspection to make sure your new home is free of termites and other wood destroying insects. If the pest report mentions damage from an active or previous infestation the lender will ask you to hire someone to verify the structural integrity of the home. Neither of those inspections takes the place of a home inspection that examines the condition of the house and its components.

What Is a Home Inspection?

A home inspector evaluates the structure of the house, and gives feedback about other systems such as the roof, plumbing, electrical system, heating and air conditioning units, insulation, doors, windows and more.

Are Home Inspections Required?

Home inspections are an extra expense and usually optional, so do you really need one? Probably.

Money might be tight for closing, but try to imagine moving in and finding out that the air conditioning unit isn’t capable of cooling the house, or that portions of the electrical system are substandard, or that the chimney needs immediate repairs.

What if the Inspection Uncovers Problems?

First, your offer to purchase should have included a detailed statement regarding your rights to a home inspection. The standard contract used by real estate agents may give you the right to back out of a contract if a home inspection uncovers more problems than you are willing to deal with. If it does not, the wording should be added in the form of a contingency.

Don’t assume the seller will make every repair you ask for. They may refuse to make any repairs at all. Read your contract carefully before signing it so that you understand the rights and obligations of all parties. Never rely on a verbal agreement–agreements must be in writing to be valid.

Who’s the best person for the job?

Evaluate your new home. Experienced inspectors have seen hundreds, or even thousands, of homes and have the routine down-pat. They know exactly what to look for, including all the little quick-fix tricks.

My brother can do it.

Some people truly do have a friend or family member who can perform an inspection. But even though your brother may have some building experience he may not have the equipment or expertise required to do a thorough evaluation of the home. What if he misses a major problem? Will it create hard feelings within the family?

I’m in love with this house, so it doesn’t matter.

So much in love that you’re ignoring problems? An inspector takes a clinical look at the house. You’ll get only the facts, and that’s what you need to make decisions about going forward with the purchase. If you don’t really care what problems you might run into, go ahead. You’re the only one who can determine how much time, energy and money you can devote to the house. But keep in mind that an inspection that uncovers safety issues can help you prioritize repairs.

It’s a brand new home. There won’t be any problems.

Maybe in a perfect world. New construction isn’t always problem-free.

Sherri Belluomini, Alain Pinel Realtors

415 497-2884

www.39GroveLane.com

Opening Day On The San Francisco Bay

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:26:44 +0000

Sherri Belluomini

415 497-2884

The American Dream

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:41:12 +0000

Final week to enter contract for federal tax credits
This is the final week for home buyers to enter a binding contract to take advantage of the federal tax credits for certain home buyers. Eligible purchasers must enter contract by April 30 and close escrow before July 1 to claim the tax credits on their federal tax returns. A one-year extension may be available for members of the military and other federal employees who served on official duty outside the U.S. for at least 90 days from January 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010.

First-time buyers may be eligible for up to $8,000, while existing homeowners may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $6,500. Neither credit requires repayment if buyers live in the residence for three or more years.

For complete details on the federal tax credits, qualifications, income levels, and income phase-outs, visit “Legal Q&As” at car.org.

Summary of activity for March 2010

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:41:31 +0000

The most popular active listing on your site was:
- 305 CORTE MADERA AVE, Corte Madera, CA 94925

These listings were active as of the day this report was sent. If they are no longer on the market – which can happen quickly with these “most popular” listings – detailed information on the listing is not available.

Market Conditions

There are 9140 listing(s) currently active on your MLS Board(s)
- This is HIGHER than it was previously

The average price of a Single Family Residential listing on your MLS Board(s) is $714,147

Lead Insights in your Area

The average site visitor conducted 3.3 search(es) and viewed 7.9 listing(s)

The average site visitor searched for 2.1 bedroom(s) and 0.5 bathroom(s)

Most site visitors searched in this price range:
- $202,232 – $15,079,159

Your Site Activity

You had 21 visitor(s) to your Site

8 of these visitor(s) are currently registered as Leads or Subscribers

This information was provided by www.groupmarin.com.

Sherri Belluomini

415 497.2884

California Home Buyers To Get $10,000 Tax Credit

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:31:37 +0000

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose last term in office will soon be terminating for good (we have limits, you know), has signed into law a measure that he hopes will pump some life into the state’s all but dead housing market. The new legislation, AB183, will provide a tax credit up to $10,000 to Californians who buy their first home or a newly constructed home. The tax credit goes into effect on May 1st.

Buyers who time it just right may also be able to qualify for the federal $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, for a total of $18,000 in write-offs. The federal tax credit is set to expire soon, though: contracts must be signed by April 30 and deals closed upon by June 30.

Says the Governor on his website, ” I have been up and down the state pushing this important housing bill that will get people off the fence and into homes, while creating jobs and stimulating our economy.”

Now, in a state facing a budget deficit the size of the average black hole at the center of the cosmos, a piece of legislation that totals about $200 million is no small feat. Of that amount, $100 million will go for buyers of new, unoccupied homes; the other $100 million will go to first time buyers of existing homes.

One of the co-authors of the legislation, Democratic California Assembly member Anna Caballero (the other author was Republican state Senator Roy Ashburn) says on her web site, “I am very happy that my fellow legislators came together in a bipartisan manner to approve AB183, which is an economic stimulus and job creation bill.”

You have to either live in this state or closely follow it to understand just how significant a statement this actually is: If you think politics in Washington is partisan, hop on a plane to Sacramento. These guys make DC look like Disneyland!Back to the legislation: the new credit will cover home purchases made from May 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, and will be available to home buyers on a first-come, first-served basis. According to the Governor’s website, the tax credit will be applied “in equal amounts over a period of three taxable years.”

Some caveats apply: the buyer cannot be a dependent and the home purchased can’t belong to a relative.

By Charles Feldman

Sherri@groupmarin.com 415 497-2884