For more green real-estate-related tips and content, visit C.A.R.’s Green Web site (http://green.car.org/).

Generally, lenders order a low-cost electronic valuation—based on publicly available statistical data—to review the accuracy of the information submitted by the appraiser. If there is a discrepancy between the electronic valuation and the appraiser’s report, the lender’s underwriters may reduce the appraisal figure.

 ~ Barry Ripp

From:  Calif. Assoc. of Realtors & LA Times

A home protection plan, also called a home warranty, is an insurance policy that insures homeowners against defects in the major systems of their home. Most policies cover the heating, plumbing and electrical systems as well as built-in appliances like the stove, dishwasher and garbage disposal. Some companies will cover movable appliances like the refrigerator, washer and dryer for an extra charge. And some policies even include roof coverage-if you pay an additional fee.  The basic warranty plan costs about $300. per year.

Home protection plans are popular in the real estate industry because they provide a relatively inexpensive way to take care of home defects that develop soon after the home sale closes. For example, let’s say the water heater quits working the day after closing. That could be a fairly high expense for a new homeowner; however, if there is a home warranty in place, the hot water heater will probably be replaced for the nominal cost of a service charge…about $45 per call.

Some sellers offer to pay for a home protection plan to cover the home for the buyer for one year. If problems arise during that year, the buyers simply call the warranty company and pay the service charge. The warranty company pays for the repair or replacement.

Seller coverage is also available to cover the home during the listing and sale period. Seller coverage works the same as buyer coverage except that there are usually more limitations on the coverage. For example, the furnace is usually covered under both buyer and seller coverage. But, the amount of coverage offered under seller coverage is often less than the amount that’s available to the buyer if the furnace breaks down after closing.

One seller who had signed up for seller coverage was able to have some of the defects that were discovered during the buyer’s inspections fixed by the home protection plan company for the cost of a service charge. This was a great deal for the seller because it saved him money and he didn’t have to pay the policy premium until closing. Seller coverage is usually charged by the day.

If the seller of a home you’re buying does not offer to pay for a home protection plan, you can pay for one. Be sure to order it before the closing date.

 ~ Barry Ripp

Information was obtained in part by the CAR & Dian Hymer (who is a nationally syndicated real estate columnist.)

When the inspector checks the outside of the house, they will be looking for the following things: drainage conditions, roof, chimney, and more. Inside the house they will examine: doors, windows, plumbing, electrical, appliances, heating system and water heater. They will also crawl under the house and up in the attic as well.

The home inspector will provide a detailed report (about 30 pages) regarding the condition of the home. They might even recommend what steps to take to correct an issue.

A typical home inspection will cost approx $400. And it’s well worth the money, because it can save you thousands of dollars in possible problems.

 ~ Barry Ripp

In December, the median price of an existing, single-family home rose to $306,820, an 8.4% rise from Dec.’08, the second consecutive year-over-year increase, and the 10^th  straight month-over-month increase, according to C.A.R.’s December sales and price report.

 With affordability near-historic highs, low interest rates, and home buyer tax credits, many properties in California are receiving multiple offers and sparking bidding wars. Home buyers who find themselves in bidding wars should work closely with their REALTOR® to ensure they are crafting realistic offers that are more likely to be accepted by the seller.

Great new for the real estate market. November stats are in and they look impressive. The number of transactions are up almost everywhere you look. That’s partly due to low inventory and new tax credit incentives. 
To give you an idea about the housing inventory; in November 2008, Fremont had 367 active listings; compared to now, Nov.2009 there were 199…that’s 45% less.In the smaller city of Union City, there were 172 listings in 11/08 and now only 51 in 11/09, that’s a 70% reduction. It’s no wonder you’re hearing stories of 10 to 20 offers on the good deals…everyone is looking for one.

What about home sales? Well, Fremont had 67 in Nov.2008 and 92 in Nov.2009. That’s a 37% increase. Union City had only 28 in Nov. 2008 and 40 in Nov. 2009. That’s a 43% increase.

Overall the California median house price rose 5.8% in November. And California home sales increased 4.7%. (compared to a year ago). The median home price in California has risen nine consecutive months in month-to-month comparisons, but November marked the first time California’s median home price has risen in year-to-year comparisons since August 2007.

If you are waiting for the real estate cycle to hit bottom, it’s here now. And, in my opinion, it will stay fairly flat for a year or so before it starts going up again. I’ve seen this market before…it will go up.

 So get ready and start looking to buy your next home…investment or personal use. Don’t get left behind.

 ~ Barry Ripp

www.barryripp.com

Helping buyers and sellers since 1985. I’d love to help you too.

Recent good news about the housing market has many home buyers wondering whether now is a good time to buy. For example, home sales activity increased 9.4 percent nationally in September, a 26 percent increase from a low point in January, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit has stimulated the market, and it has been extended. A credit of up to $6,500 is now available to repeat home buyers who qualify.

Many buyers are having difficulty finding a home to buy. The inventory of good listings on the market is low in many areas because prospective sellers who don’t have to sell now are waiting for a better market. To aggravate the situation, many sellers who need to sell now often take their home off the market after Thanksgiving and will bring it back on the market next year.

Buyers may find there’s very little on the market to choose from for the next several months. However, they may also find that some buyers will drop out of the market over the holiday season, leaving less competition for the listings that are on the market during this period.

 ~ Barry Ripp
Information provided by C.A.R and used with permission.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/06/REAI1ARGC5.DTL&type=realestate#ixzz0ZnrVz7Rf

A good score can mean a lot when it comes to your interest rate for car loans and home loans.

One key to keeping a good credit score is a combination of continuing to use your credit responsibly and paying down balances as soon as you can. I think it’s better to pay your credit cards off each month to avoid paying the high interest.  So don’t buy more than you can afford to pay off.

To make sure you don’t have any credit errors, check your own credit at least once a year. You can get a free report from each of the three credit reporting agencies.

For a free copy of your credit report from all three agencies, you can visit: www.annualcreditreport.com  They will ask several questions to insure security and also ask you to pay for an upgraded report, but a free report is available.

I hope you find this information helpful. I feel we all need to be more careful about using credit. But credit can be a useful tool when we need it.

 ~ Barry

When lenders do not receive payments, the first action taken by the lender is to report the missed payment to the credit bureaus by the first day of the next month.  Sometimes this can happen in as little as two weeks from the due date, depending on when the payment is due.  Generally, this action will leave a negative mark on a credit report and decrease the homeowner’s credit score by as much as 200 points.

Because of the negative mark on the homeowner’s credit report, within the next 30 days, homeowners can expect their other creditors to take note of the late payment and to take action.  Credit card issuers may raise interest rates, lower credit limits, or close credit card accounts.  The borrower’s auto insurance, student loans, and other forms of credit also may change, as these are tied to the borrower’s credit score as well. 

If the homeowner does not pay for 90 days, the lender likely will start calling, trying to persuade the homeowner to enter into a loan modification.  If a loan modification cannot be agreed upon between the homeowner and the lender, and the homeowner continue missing payments, the homeowner likely will be served with a foreclosure notice. 

Homeowners at risk of defaulting on their mortgages, or those who already are behind, should contact their lender immediately to work out a repayment plan and/or loan modification.  

Information obtained by Calif Asso of Realtors and the Modesto Bee.
To read the full story, please click here.

Great news coming regarding the home buyer tax credit. The Senate has now agreed to extend the tax credit. The bill must be voted on and then go through the House of Representatives next. But most of us are certain it will pass before the current deadline.
As you can imagine, many buyers are looking forward to that tax credit, and many are rushing to make their home purchase before the current deadline. It has definitely helped our real estate market. But I truly feel we are at the bottom of this real estate cycle right now. Home prices should stay flat for a while, 18 months to 2 years, before we see significant increases.
For more information, or your comments, please respond.
~ Barry Ripp
Selling real estate since 1985