Dear Friends,

The bubble has arrived, or has it?   In some areas yes and in other areas no.  Very strange.  The Real Estate  words; LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATIONare is once again proving what many investors have known for years.  A very general statement is that homes over $1,000,000 homes are selling well and starter homes struggling.  Many of the starter home owners stretched themselves to purchase the American Dream.  They are the people that received teaser starting interest rates or sub-prime loans.  They are the people whom today are being forced to sell their home at any price.  The potential buyer for their home is very scared.  Many do not have a down payment.  Due to the credit crunch it is now more important.  Many have not experienced the Bay Area Real Estate Market and do not realize this down market is only temporary.  Many do not see this as the "Window of Opportunity"   We in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties are not really seeing many foreclosures.  In the starting price points we are seeing "Short Sales"  That is when a home owner owes more than the home is worth and the lender is willing to accept less.  If you are a buyer or a seller in today's market negotiations and marketing are necessary. I just saw a person over pay by almost 10%because they were not represented by an experienced Realtorâ.  Did you realize that one out of every 52 adults has a Real Estate license.  It is more important than ever before to have a knowledgeable and skilled Real Estate Professional on your side.  "There is a lot of activity out there, but it seems harder these days to get a deal to close and it is clear the more experienced agents are doing are excelling these days"  Gov Hutchinson, C.A.R.   Interest rates have hovered around 6-7% and I see that continuing.  I do think more people will realize the end is not coming and buyers will buyers will realize the opportunity.  Prices I see repeating 2007.  Desirable locations will remain strong because many of those people are not forced to sell at any price as the starter homes owners are. If you are selling your home it is more important than ever that your agent has a strong marketing plan and together you need to prepare your home for sale;  Fresh Paint, Clean carpet, curb appeal, staging, upgrade landscaping, and etc.  I could help you with it all. 

Sincerely,  

 Your Real Estate Consultant For Life, 

 Have a Great  Holiday!                       

 Lee

Finally Good Health

Habits You Will Like!

Eating Candy: A Harvard Study has discovered that sweet-eaters live about a year longer than those whom never touch the stuff.  It is assumed the Antioxidants in Dark Chocolate is the culprit.

Having a drink or two: Those whom drink one or two servings of alcohol per day have a 30% lower heart attack risk than non-drinkers says Dr. Arthur Klatsky, chief of cardiology at the Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Oakland.

Staying Up Late: If you head to bed within three hours of eating dinner, you're more than 7 times more likely to get heartburn than those whom wait 4 hours or more. 

Sleeping In: A Columbia University study says people whom sleep only 6 hours a night are 23% more likely to be obese than those who sleep 7-9 hours.

Being a busybody: According to Dr Robin Dunbar, a British psychologist gossiping strengthens social bonds and social connectedness is a more important predictor of longevity than blood pressure or cholesterol.

Did You Realize????

Social Security was created in 1935 and the average life expectancy was 63.  Now the life expectancy is 80 and the age for receiving full Social Security benefits has risen from 65 to 67 for those born after 1960.  If a 25 year old invested $200 each month for just 10 years they will have $402,797 in the retirement kitty at age 65 assuming an average of 8% return.  If a person does not start the $200 each month until they are 35 years old they will end up with just a little more than $300,000.  Start The New Year off  right. Begin Saving!!!!!