The September 6, 2010 Time Magazine article by Barbara Kiviat, at your newsstand or iPad asks, “Is buying a house all it’s cracked up to be?” Kiviat covers the history of home ownership from 1900 through today. Prior to the credit bubble burst a record 69.2% of families owned their home. It’s an interesting article that also acknowledges some of the advantages of home ownership.
Kiviat attacks some real estate home ownership sacred cows such as the mortgage interest deduction. She claims that the deduction cost the government $80 billion dollars in 2009. Kiviat article ignores the problems that created the bubble burst such as the sub prime mortgages created by the Banks that were offered to almost anyone, and the Derivative Traders on Wall Street who’s all consuming greed collapsed the economy in the fall of 2008. If those events had not occurred, this article would never have been written.
Also, if Congress had never repealed the Glass Steagall Act in 1999, these problems never could have happened. A week kneed legislature capitulated to the continual lobbying efforts of the large banks, led by Phil Gramm, that brought on the de-regulation that created this mess.
Available at the Tiburon Police Station is a 13 page pamphlet titled “How to Start (and maintain) a Healthy Neighborhood Watch Program.” In the August 4, 2010 issue of the Ark Newspaper Teri Roney reported: ” A neighborhood Watch can be any size, from neighbors on a small cul de sac to a watch that covers a few blocks or, as in the case of Belvedere, a whole City. Belvedere is an island connected by Beach Road on the south side, and San Rafael Avenue on the north. Belvedere Police Chief Steve Fracolli said, ” that all of Belvedere is one big neighborhood watch.”
Sergeant Mike Mourgos of the Tiburon Police explained that a Neighborhood Watch program involves much more than watching for criminals or criminal activity. It’s about anything that affects the peace and comfort of the community. Mourgos says that, ” the best thing about a Neighborhood Watch program is that you get to know your neighbors, and you start communicating.”
The Neighborhood Watch motto is, “We look out for each other.” That might mean checking on elderly residents, noticing that someone needs to trim vegatation away from their windows so it doesn’t screen burglars at work, or making sure that residential addresses are clearly visible from the street. If you need help from the Fire Department or the Police, and they can’t see your address, you might not get the help you want in time. If neighbors work together to take care of those small details they’ll be ready when something serious nature comes along.
Sergeant Mougos says that the process can be time consuming, and even suggests starting a neighborhood Facebook page.
Blackie the Horse by Paige Peterson Blackie resided in Blackie’s Pasture in Tiburon just off of Tiburon Boulevard / before Trestle Glen, where a statue of Blackie exists today. Blackie the Horse is also a wonderful book by Christopher Cerf and Paige Peterson. For more information on their book click on the link below
Some Safety Tips when Social Networking on the Internet
Think twice when using Social Networking sites. Never post information about trip details that could be viewed by possible nefarious types with bad intentions. Basic safety precautions should be considered whenever sharing information. All kinds of people could be peering at your information online. Take control of your information. Be careful.
Parents need to take extra care regarding their childrent, and their activities. All sorts of bad people including pedophiles, human traffickers, kidnappers, and stalkers are surfing the internet. To see how private your information may or may not be type your name in www.spokeo.com . Cyberstalking is the new prank call. www.Safecheckin.com is an online personal safety site where you plug in appointment information, and expected return time. If you don’t check back with the site, and indicated your safe return, it follows up with emergency contacts and, if necessary, law enforcement.
Retired police officer Jewell Crosby cringes when she hears Reators mention the idea of signaling their exact location via social networking, particularly when they’re at a vacant property, or a piece of remote land. Location based social networking sites such as Foursquare broadcasts your location. And it’s not just technology that offers fresh dangers, in our changed economy financially desperate, and other disgruntled individuals abound. If you notice anything amiss within your surroundings call the police. And, warns Moore, “Always err on the side of safety.” ( Some parts of this post were taken from the article Play it Safe in the August issue of Real Estate, the official magazine of the California Association of Realtors www.car.org
Good grades translates in higher home prices. Understandably many parents are willing to pay a premium to live in better school districts, which is one of the reasons that makes Marin County such a desirable location. Whether you’re a family with school aged children, or empty nesters, a real consideration when purchasing any home is it’s potential “Resale Value” down the line. Your school district, oftentimes, can make the difference. Especially, in a weak real estate “Buyers” market.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported in March of 2010 that Bay Area residents know the school districts most in demand “Communities like Piedmont, Tiburon-Belvedere, Orinda, Palo Alto, and Ross-Kentfield, attract their fair share of buyers most covetous of their schools. And, they’re glad to pay up. What exactly is the school district premium? Some real estate agents believe it’s 10 to 25 percent of a home’s value.
On August 17, 2010 the Marin Independent Journal reported that based on California’s Star Exam Results (Annual Standardized Testing and Reporting) that Marin students outpaced the State. Educators report gains overall in English and Math.
Marin Luxury Home Sales Jump to Highest Level in Two Years
July 2010
Million dollar home sales in Marin County last month surged to their highest level in two years as the region’s luxury housing market continued to improve, according to Coldwell Banker’s Residential Brokerage, the Bay Area’s leading provider of luxury real estate services.
A total of 78 homes sold for more than $1 million in June, up 25 percent from the previous month and June of 2009 when 62 properties sold. It was the highest level for high end sales since 96 properties changed hands in July of 2008.
While sales continued to jump, the median sales price of million dollar homes fell last month to $1.43 million, down 17.9 percent from May’s median of $1.74 million and off 2 percent from June 2009’s median of $1.46 million. But home sellers are getting a higher percentage of their asking price – 96 percent on average last month compared to 92 percent a year ago.
These figures were derived from the Marin Multiple Listing Service data of all homes sold in Marin County for more than $1 million last month.
“Contrary to media reports that the housing market is struggling, home sales are still quite healthy, at least here in Marin County,” said Rick Turley, President of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in the Bay Area. “With interest rates at historic lows, and sellers pricing their homes at attractive levels, buyers are responding.”
Some curious findings:
* The most expensive sale in Marin County in June was a four bedroom, five bath 4,280 square foot home in Belvedere that Sold for $4.58 million:
* Mill Valley boasted the most million dollar sales with 13, followed by San Anselmo with 10, Tiburon and Kentield 8, and Larkspur and San Rafael with 7 apiece;
* It took an average of 91 days to sell a million dollar home in Marin County, up 89 days the previous month, and 90 days a year ago at this time;
* Last year Coldwell Banker handled more that 16% of all home sales in the Bay Area, more than double it’s nearest competitor. Through it’s Internationally renowned Previews Program, Coldwell Banker leads the Luxury Home Market, selling more than 27% of properties that sold for more than $3 million and more than 33% of homes priced over $5 million dollars.
If you have the time, you might want to visit Sausalito and view the spectacular
390 foot Yacht belonging to Russian Billionaire Andrey Melnichenko. Named A,
after Andreys and his wife Aleksandra’s first initials.
The view of A from Bridgeway in Sausalito. The $300 million dollar plus yacht
sports a 2500 square foot master suite, three swimming pools, and doors that
are only accessible by a fingerprint security system. It’s 62 feet wide at its beam;
has an owner’s suite and six cabins, a crew of 37, a staff of 5, and can hit 24 knots.
The all white 2,583 square foot master suite is wrapped in bomb proof 44
millimeter glass. For the complete story that appeared in Thursday’s
Marin Independent Journal click on the link below.
Why Twitter? What is the appeal of virtual stalking unless you’re a celebrity or politician desperate for attention? Other than Hunter S. Thompson, I’m not sure who’d I want to follow? My problem is Hunter S. Thompson is dead.
As professional realtors we’re inundated with invitations from social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Ning, Twitter, Merchant’s Circle, and that’s just the tip of the iceburg. When is enough, enough?
To participate on any of these sites takes time. But, is it time well spent? These sites have been around for a couple of years. Have these sites lived up to their promises or, as Wired Magazine reported in their June issue this year in an article called “Chaos Theory” Nicholas Carr argues that the riot of information from the Internet shatters our focus and rewires our brain. Carr suggests that,”the Internet is an interruption systerm. It seizes our attention only to scramble it, that media multitaskers are suckers for irrelevancy, and that we’re training our brains to pay attention to the crap.” Carr’s book The Shallow;What the Internet is doing to our Brains will be available later this year.
For more information about myself, and the real estate services I provide visit me at Facebook (email: MDLomas@gmail.com) or you can follow me on Twitter at Twitter (MarkLomas). Ironic hunh?
Take a trip through Marty Balin’s, lead singer with Grace Slick for the Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starshp, former Mill Valley residence. Note the “Pyramid” bedroom, and Collage that runs throughout the kitchen. At the end of the video is commentary by Steve Cabella who is an American Design Historian.
From Recession to Recovery: Analyzing America’s Return to Growth by the Milken Institute
The Milken Institure believes that’s what’s fueling the recovery is economic growth in developing countries, a trend that supports U.S. exports, business investments in equipment and software, previously deferred consumer purchases of durable goods, record long term interest rates, and a benign inflationary enviroment that will allow the Fed to keep short term interest rates at zero until late 2010 or even into 2011.
Real state and local government purchases are projected to decline 0.8 percent in 2010. By 2011, a modest gain of 0.7 percent is expected. Real state and local purchases are projected to rise over 1.0 percent on average from 2012 to 2015.
Federal spending cuts, tax increases and a cyclical improvement in tax receipts will bring the deficit down from $1.3 trillon in 2010 to $553 billion in 2013. The deficit begins to grow again in 2014, and by 2015, it’s back to $681 billion. By 2015, the budget deficit represents 3.5% of nominal GDP.
New home construction won’t aid economic growth in 2010, but residential fixed investment should jump 26.0% in 2011, and 25.7% in 2012.
If these projections come true, then we’re bouncing off the bottom. Now might be a good time to decide whether to buy or sale? Only time will tell …
We seem to be getting thef lazy summer real estate market without the lazy summer weather. Last Wednesday, according to one account, the weather in San Francisco was the coldest for that day since records have been kept, beginning in the late 1800’s. And, reportedly, we are having the coolest summer weather in over 40 years. Nonetheless, people are still going on vacation, and many have placed their real estate searches or plans on temporary “hold” while they are away. For Marin Real Estate this is fairly normal behavior. The Marin market usually comes back to life in September when everyone returns to work, or school, and stays fairly active until the holidays.
The first four months of 2010 was incredibly hot, with buyers racing to beat the April 30 deadline for federal tax credits, and total units sold were far ahead of 2009. As of July, year to date housing sales were substantially ahead of the same date in 2009, with Condo sales up 10.2% (270 vs. 245), and Single Family Homes up 34.2% (1024 vs. 763).
Recently the President of La Jolla based Data Quick, John Walsh stated, “The next few months should be very interesting. We’re about to see how well the housing market can fly on it’s own. The tax credits no doubt stole some demand from the rest of the year, and soon we’ll have a better sense of just how much.”
Right now the Bay Area is getting a boast from super low mortgage rates and a slightly friendlier lending environment. But, barring new governent stimulus, the housing market may be relying on improvements in the economy… time will tell.
One Cliff Road in Belvedere, California Offered at: $28,850,000
Source: Bay Area Real Estate Information Services For more information on this property click on the Search Property link above.
The Anlyan Report is written by Fred Anlyan who is a real estate Broker with Coldwell Banker in Greenbrae
It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in. Here are 8 tips for Realtors to consider so they can protect themselves. We work in a very unusual work environment, where occassionally we are meeting strangers. A while back, in a Mill Valley, California Real Estate office, a well dressed couple walked in, and robbed the floor agent. Not too long ago a couple with a similar profile had been robbing houses throughout the Bay Area. If you feel this information is helpful, please pass it on to someone you know.
1. (Tip from Tae Kwon Do) The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If your close enough to use it, do!
2. From a tourist guide in New Orleans. If a robber asks for your wallet or purse, Do Not Hand It To Him! Toss it away from you…chances are he’s more interested in your wallet or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet or purse. Run like mad in the other direction!
3. If you are ever thrown in the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won’t see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, ect. and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, ect. Don’t Do This! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. As soon as you get into your car, lock the doors and leave!
If someone is in the car with a gun to your head…Do Not Drive Off, repeat Do Not Drive Off! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your air bag will save you! If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out, and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
A. Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.
B. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their
victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C. Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicled, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting
alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard
or policeman to walk you back out
It is always better to be safe than sorry (and better paranoid then dead)
6. Always take the elevator instead of the stairs (stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect
crime spot. This is especially true at night.
7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, Always Run! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times: and even then, it most likely will not be a vital organ. Run, preferably, in a zig zag pattern!
8. Women try to be sympathetic: STOP. It may get you raped or killed. Ted Bundy the serial killer, was a good looking, well educated man, who always played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane or a limp, and often asked for help into his vehicle or with his vehicle which is when he abducted his victims.
Not too long ago I was leaving a Broker’s Open House with a friend who’d used his lockbox for us to gain access to the property. As we were leaving, a very good looking young couple pulled up in a brand new BMW and pretended they were agents also out on the Wednesday’s Broker’s tour for Southern Marin County. They said they were agents, and could we leave the door open so that they wouldn’t have to use their lock box key. My friend trusted them and let them in, and the next day he was called by the listing agent (Marin County lock boxes code who was in the house, and at what time) to find out they had robbed the house. Fellow realtors, please be careful, and all the best.
According to the National Association of Realtors, the U.S. is currently in position to sell 4.68 million homes this year. That would put the U.S. within the top 5% of homes sold in U.S. history. The market is indicating that we may have hit the bottom.
The above comments are from the N.A.R. The operative words in the last sentence are “we may have.” Time will tell, and as you already know, it’s anybody’s guess.
On June 27, 2010 Princeton Professor of Economics, Nobel Prize Winner, and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman penned an article titled “The Third Depression” in which he speculated that we are currently entering an extended economic trough. For the whole article go to: The Third Depression
On July 10, Nelson Schwartz, another New York Times Columnist wrote a column for the paper title “Wall Street Hiring in Anticipation of an Economic Recovery.” For that story go to: Wall Street Anticipates Economic Recovery
Last week Wall Street had a pretty good week. The Dow Jones Industrial had its best week since July of 2009, climbing about 5%. Still a long way from it’s former peak, but slowly heading in the right direction though still volatile and changing directions regularly. Mortgage rates are still at historical lows, but buyers need to be well-qualified with good income, assets, and credit scores.
What’s happening in Marin County Real Estate? The average sold price year to date for single family homes (houses) is at $1,054,594 versus $972,521 for this time last year. The average days of the market for homes is 93 days versus 108 days for this time last year. 935 houses has sold as of July 6, 2010. 34% more than the 697 homes sold as of the same date in 2009.
The Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon. Founded in 1886, named ”Corinthian” after the Corinthian games in ancient Greece that celebrated amateur athletes. That club burned down and was replaced by the present structure that dominates the waterfront with its Colonial Revival facade and Corinthian Columns. The original charter ” No liquor, cigars, or refreshments shall ever be sold on the premises” did not last.
Fred Anlyan is a Real Estate Broker with Coldwell Banker in Greenbrae
Some More thoughts on the current Real Estate Market:
Paul Krugman, who’s referenced above, recently stated on ABC’s This Week’s television show that “more stimulus, not less” by the Federal Government could actually expedite our Country’s economic recovery. As long as Republicans in the House and Senate pander to groups like the Tea Party, and continue to be the party of NO, any kind of economic recovery will be a long time coming. Not only will real estate markets throughout the United States continue to suffer, any chance of creating jobs in this economy will continue to be threatened. Republicans believe that the weaker the economy is this November, the greater chance for them to get back seats in the House and the Senate they’d lost. What’s good for our Country right now is not what’s good for the Republican Party, and hence the choke hold on any kind of real recovery for our economy in the near future.
Not too long ago this web site ran a post/article titled: Open Houses, Looky Lou’s, and Stinky Poo that addressed safety and security at Open Houses and showings, and how sellers should take the utmost care in removing or securing valuables whenever the house was open or being shown. (Scroll Down Here For the Article)
On June 16, 2010 I received an email from the Marin Association of Realtors that stated:
One of our REALTORS colleagues reports that $40,000 in cash, jewels, and other valuables was stolen during a recent open house that was held in the Ross/Kentfield/San Anselmo area.
The owner, at the agent’s request, had hidden the items from view (?). The agent noted afterwords that they “never heard anything going on. Somehow they zoned right in on where it was, and took it all.” A police report has been filed.
While the agent did not see anyone in particular who appeared to be suspicious, the agent recalls seeing a woman in her mid-50s or a disheveled overweight male in his mid-40s or so (?).
The unfortunate incident is another reminder about the safety related challenges faced by home sellers and their REALTORS.
(Please be careful out there, these are interesting times to say the least….Mark)
Redfin, the upstart discount real estate brokerage, recently listed the White House for sale on their web site. It’s not for sale, even though many of our Politicians appear to be. Redfin listed the White House for $10,000,000. Publicity stunt or innocent mistake? Redfin claimed their sites software erroneously pulled some information about a property the President rented while in college off of Craigslist, and their site mistakenly listed the White House for sale.
Discount real estate brokerage Redfin first appeared on the real estate scene a few years back, and was featured on 60 Minutes. At that time the real estate bubble had not burst, and real estate sales were en fuego. Move forward a couple of years, and many discount brokerages are struggling to stay afloat. Redfin’s presence in the Bay Area, and in particular in Marin County, is minimal as sellers of homes have begun leaning towards more notable full service real estate companies. When the market shifts to more of a buyer’s market, historically in Marin and the Bay Area, the discount real estate brokerages begin to disapear.
Real Estate commissions for the sale of homes are negotiable. In Marin County the word on the street is that Pacific Union, which is a recent marriage of Morgan Lane and the previous incarnation of Pacific Union, will only be listing homes for 6%. Homes in Marin typically have been listed for anywhere from 5 to 6 percent. Occassionally you’ll find a reduced commission below 5 per cent on a very expensive property ,or one listed by a discount brokerage. Some say, “you get what you pay for.” Let’s see what happens…
Originally listed at $1,699,000 – then recently reduced to $1,500,000 – Now: $1,295,000!
Remodeled Victorian with views of San Francisco situated in “Old Town” Sausalito just a short walk to downtown. Four bedrooms and three baths. For more information about this property contact Kirsten Wolfe at 415-328-5431 or email Kirsten at: MarinRealEstate@gmail.com
Shortly after posting the price reduction here this home has gone “Under Contract.”
174 Avenida Miraflores in Tiburon is an elegant 4 bedroom 3 and one half bath home with stunning views. This property is offered at: $2,950,000. This incredible property offers a beautiful kitchen, two family rooms, and a gorgeous swimming pool with spa. For more information, or to set up a private showing, contact Mark Danforth Lomas at: MDLomas@gmail.com or 415-385-7404 cell
