Don't meltdown your AC!!

As the summer heats up and the AC is pumping, don't forget to check your filters and change them out every 60-90 days! We saw an unfortunate situation today where the filter was so dirty that it froze the AC and created a major meltdown, flooding the attic space and creating massive leakage from the ceiling to the floor. It was not a fun mess to clean up.

Filters are essential in the battle against germs, bacteria and dust, but they can also prevent air from flowing out if you don't change them out frequently. Once they are clogged, cold air will circulate inside the unit and freeze it like an ice cube. Once the AC shuts off, the ice will melt and create all sorts of problems. At least this is what happened today.

In our busy lives we forget the little things but changing your filters is definitely one to set up on your calendar as a repeat event. Filters super cheap at $4-5 bucks each. By 5 or 10 of them! Trust me! You will save yourself at least $300 and a lot of energy and time!!

Investors looking for a duplex

We are tracking duplex that recently came onto the market. A good investment for anyone looking to live in one unit and rent out the other. Priced at a palatable $839,000.

One 2 bedroom/2bath unit rented for $1400 and one 2 bedroom/1 bath unit renting for $1200 situated on a large 9,690sf lot. Located right off Almaden Road in Willow Glen. For more information please contact me. This may be the one you are looking for.

Short Sale Shananigans

Although you might be getting a good price when purchasing a short sale, don't think it doesn't come with a lot of waiting and headaches. As demand for short sales continues to increase, banks have also gotten smarter. In the past and even now, junior lien holders (ie. the bank that holds a 2nd loan, 3rd etc.) usually walk away from short sales with a nominal amount or just a complete loss on their books. Not the case anymore.

Yesterday, my first time homebuyer was getting his champagne bottle ready when we suddenly received a call that we could not record with the county as the bank holding the 2nd loan on the seller refused to release the lien asking for more money. WHAT!!! Unheard of!!! To top it off, my excited buyers parents are flying in from Chicago to help him move in over the 4th of July weekend only to find out that they may not get the keys!!

Were still not closed and the saga continues...The junior lienholder has just squeezed out an amazing $17,000 dollars out of the senior and now they are telling us that they need 3 days for an approval signature...WHAT!!

Buyers be prepared for anything!

Are you asking to much for rent? Enter...Rentometer

One of our clients just brought a great website to our attention! If you are trying to figure out what you should rent your home for, this is a great website to check out. http://www.rentometer.com/

A one function website that is easy and functional. Instead of spending hours sifting through craigslist rental listings, just type in a few easy details about your place and this site will give you a good ballpark of what else is renting around you. Check it out!

Great Saratoga Fixer!

We are tracking this Saratoga fixer opportunity in a transitional neighborhood on the border of Campbell and Saratoga. Newly on the market for $950,000, this 1536 square foot home with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths sits on a HUGE 10,000sf lot. Located in the wonderful Quito Park neighborhood this area offers mega opportunity as you have newly built homes selling in the $ 2 millions right next to tear downs under a million. Huge upside for those of you looking to build your masterpiece. Quick warning for those of you looking for Saratoga schools, this is not for you. Call us for more info.

Housing inventory down for the 2nd week in a row!

In Santa Clara County, housing inventory is finally dropping and sales are going up!! Here is some data:

Week of 5/20/2008
Total # of Homes on the market 5652
Total # Homes Pending 1572

Week of 5/27/2008
Total # of Homes on the market 5551
Total # of Homes Pending 1680

6/2/2008
Total # of Homes on the market 5468
Total # of Homes Pending 1712

If you are thinking of jumping in the market don't wait!! Call us for more inventory details!

Great Santa Clara Duplex Investment

In the midst of a slower residential market, the multi-unit investment properties are actually boding quite well. We are tracking a quaint, well-maintained Santa Clara Duplex that is currently occupied by the owners and priced at $828,000. This is the perfect owner occupied investment opportunity where you can live in one and rent the other, or just rent both. A great way to become a homeowner and an investor at the same time. Give us a call for more information on this property!