Debbie Wong's Real Estate Blog | Foster City, CA | First Time Home Buyers, Foreclosures, Home Inspection, Short Sale

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Debbie Wong
Managing Broker

    CRS: Certified Residential Specialist
    CRP: Certified Relocation Professional
    e-PRO Certified
    RCS-D, SFR

Direct: (650) 619-2790



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Foreclosures

Have you heard of the second wave of foreclosures that are coming?

Thursday, April 7th, 2011

This “second wave” of foreclosures – combined with the fact that many
people’s 401(k)s have bounced back with the stock market, and most
economists agree that the bottom of the recession has hit – means that
competition for these foreclosed homes is going to be strong. There’s a
renewed, final dash to get in on what many people think are the best
real-estate deals they’ll get in awhile. This is evident of the multiple
offer situations that are occurring across our Peninsula Markets, including
Foster City. But how do you know which foreclosure is a good buy? I have
some ideals that can help you. (1)Work with a professional that knows market
values as you may have to offer over the list price to get the home; yes
multiple offers are back in several areas! (2) Get the property inspected if
possible before writing the offer; especially of you’re planning to get work
done to rent it out. That means travelling with your contractor to see the
properties to calculate fix-up costs right away. (3) Don’t go overboard.
Remember, Peninsula real estate values increase every ten years. Don’t start
the process thinking that you’ll pick up a foreclosure property for a song,
then flip it and make a killing. While there are several great deals out
there, real estate investment is still ‘long term’. It’s a great day in real
estate!

Best,

Debbie

Foster City, CA Housing Market: Now is the Time to Take Advantage of Special Financing Incentives!

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Attention Home Buyers, time is running out for you to take advantage of special incentives from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac! Contact your Realtor today!

Here’s an brief explanation about the program from the California Association of Realtors website:

“Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are offering financing incentives for buyers of foreclosed homes owned by Fannie and Freddie. Home buyers have until Oct. 30 to apply for Freddie Mac’s SmartBuy program, which started in July. This program offers up to 3.5 percent of a home’s sale price to help cover closing costs.

To qualify, the home must be the buyers principal residence and must be selected from Freddie Mac’s HomeSteps Web site: visit www.homesteps.com/homeshoppers.htm
for a list of its foreclosed properties. Loans must close by year’s end. The HomeSteps properties also include two-year warranties on major appliances and electrical, plumbing, and air-conditioning and heating systems.

Fannie Mae’s HomePath program www.homepath.comis an ongoing program and offers more incentives than Freddie Mac’s. Through participating lenders, Fannie will offer mortgages to buyers who make a down payment of 3 percent. The buyers do not have to secure private mortgage insurance, a common practice with nearly all lenders. Home buyers also can negotiate for Fannie Mae to offer closing-cost assistance. Unlike Freddie Mac’s program, Fannie’s assistance level is not capped. Under the HomePath program, the average participating homeowner has received payments equivalent to 3.75 percent of the loan’s value.”

Thousands of Realtors have lobbied for the government to extend these great incentives for Buyers!

Should You Sell Short?

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

SHOULD YOU SELL SHORT?

You purchased two, three years ago. You got one of those unbelievably low mortgages, very little down, low starting interest rate. It was a multiple offer situation, you were the winning bidder! The Seller loved your offer letter that had a cute picture of you and your young family. Of course the fact that your offer was the highest one at 100K over list price didn’t hurt.

YOU CAN’T BELIEVE YOUR LUCK!

A few months past…The payments adjust on your low mortgage. A few more months past…now the payments are nearly double than when you first started! You start to struggle to make the payments. You start to fall behind…Then, the unthinkable happens. You lose your job or and your company is moving to Alaska and wants you there by the first of the month. You want to sell your home so you call in a local Realtor for a consultation and learn the value of your home has dropped 20% the last 12 months! In fact the values have dropped lower than what you originally paid for the house!

YOU CAN’T BELIEVE YOUR LUCK!

What to do? Should you foreclose? You heard about those ‘short sales’, is that the way to go?

Believe it or not, the Short Sale is not a new concept. Back in the late nineties, many Bay Area home owners found themselves in similar situations and utilized the ‘Short Sale’ process to seek relief from their mortgage debt.

If you are in a situation wherein you can no longer afford your home payments, run don’t walk to a competent Realtor, one that is familiar with the process. Realtor will give you advice for free, there is no charge. Depending on your personal financial situation, a paid consultation with a competent tax attorney may be in order. The best advice this Realtor can give you, is don’t wait until the default notices pile up.

Help is a phone call away.

Did you know that a Short Sales is only one of 7 choice that you have as a homeowner?

Contact me today and find out what your choices are!

Market Recap

  • Avg. Sales Price: $1,000,000

  • Avg. Days on Market: 84

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