San Carlos, CA, Man Decorates Two Homes With 748,238 Lights

The Most Extravagant Display on an Extravagant Street

By Elizabeth Danu

   

• Dave Newman
• One of Newman's decorated houses. …
• Newman's display
• Steve's tree on Eucalyptus Street. …
• The Mayor's house on Eucalyptus …

Dave Newman has an FAQ board in front of his beautiful holiday light display on Eucalyptus Street in San Carlos, California. His reputation is epic, both in the city and on this street of enthusiastic decorators. The sign states that it takes 17 guys 10 hours to install the 748,238 lights, and the electric bill is only $38 because he has solar panels. The decorations are, of course, stored at the North Pole. The lights span two properties, twinkling and flickering among the trees, across the garages, throughout both yards, and all the way up to the top of the buildings, with an angel flying on the roof. Rumor has it that some years, Newman imports snow on Christmas Eve.

For the most part, the neighbors don't mind the traffic. It has been part of the tradition on Eucalyptus since December of 1986, when another home, 1926 Eucalyptus, was identified as one of the best of the season by a local journalist. Rod Linear got his nickname "the Mayor" for starting it all. His wife Pat told me that the first display was red apples and white lights, and their home looked like a Mississippi riverboat. Janet McGovern of the Redwood City Tribune thought it looked like "a spectacular birthday cake." Visitors started touring the street, and a tradition was born.

Steve, another enthusiastic decorator on the street, has a tree that appears to be about 30 feet tall in his front yard. It is only a part of his magnificent display, which is complete with Santa and friends and a brilliant riot of lights. The tree was originally purchased in a pot as a holiday fundraiser. As the tree has grown, so has the reputation of Eucalyptus Street and the enthusiasm of residents. Most of the people on the street have fun with this tradition, although "not everyone is that into it," according to Steve. I counted two of the 23 houses bare. One was under construction, the other was at the very end of the block.

Walking Eucalyptus Street during the holidays is a magical journey. The twinkling lights, the decorations, the music, the sound of people enjoying the show in English and other languages -- it's festive enough to cheer up the most committed Scrooge. I overheard a little boy tell his dad, "This is blowing my mind!" with typical 6-year-old enthusiasm.

There is a small price to pay for all this magic. The residents concede that it can be a bit tricky to manage. The traffic is especially troublesome. The city of San Carlos blocks off the street, limiting it to slow one-way traffic. If residents leave for the evening, they might have to park their cars a couple of blocks away and retrieve them in the morning.

I finally managed to catch up with Newman, who was rather modest about his project and not interested in talking much. I asked him about the rumor of snow on Christmas Eve, and I got a grin. It looks like at least one street in San Carlos will have a white Christmas!

Beautiful Bay Farm Home for Sale!

Great location. A must see!
3437 Solomon Lane, Alameda, CA 94502

Please see the virtual tour below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO2mb3wwNiY

***SOLD***

Three properties I have recently sold:

1057 Tahiti Lane, Alameda, CA 94502

1149 Leeward Lane, Alameda, CA 94502

1147 Holly St, Alameda, CA 94502

Thank You!

Hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving! My holiday was spent with family which made it nice.
For those of you who did not receive my thank you in my newsletter, I would like to thank you all personally for your support and business. I have had an amazing year with helping people buy and sell homes. When it comes to buying and/or selling your home, it is a big decision and I am very grateful that you have chosen me as your agent. Thank you in advance for your referrals as well, which helps my business grow. It is greatly appreciated.
If you do not receive my newsletter, I will be happy to add you to my mailing list. Please let me know by calling or emailing me your information. My newsletter contains many useful tips, as well as a chance to win prizes. One lucky winner every time. You also get a free market analysis as well if you would like.

Houses Selling Fast!

Downpayments Fall to a Three Year Low

The median downpayment made by all homebuyers in 2012 was 9 percent, ranging from 4 percent for first-time buyers to 13 percent for repeat buyers.  The median down payment was the lowest since 2009 but still far above the levels during the housing boom, when nearly half of first-time buyers made no downpayment at all.

First-time buyers who financed their purchase used a variety of resources for the downpayment:  76 percent tapped into savings; 24 percent received a gift from a friend or relative, typically from their parents; and 6 percent received a loan from a relative or friend.  Eleven percent tapped into a 401(k) fund, and 6 percent sold stocks or bonds.  Ninety-three percent of entry-level buyers chose a fixed-rate mortgage, reported the National Association of Realtors.

Now Is The Time To Sell!

There are a lot of qualified buyers and not enough inventory. So if you or anyone you know is thinking about selling, please contact me for a free market analysis.

Bay Area housing market rebounding

Bay Area home sales continued to rebound in August, with the best numbers for the month in six years, according to the real estate information service DataQuick.

During the month, 8,579 homes were sold in the region, a 14 percent increase over the same month last year.
The mean price also increased, moving up 11 percent to hit $410,000.

***SOLD***

19100 Crest  Ave #94, Castro Valley, CA 94546

Approximately 1224 square foot cooperative home with 2 bedrooms and 2.0 bathrooms

 

and

 

1149 Leeward Ln, Alameda, CA 94502

Approximately 1247 square foot condo home with 2 bedrooms and 2.0 bathrooms

Luxury Living in Beautiful Bay Farm.

 Coming Soon!

Imagine living in a place where the lawn is maintained for you, you have a beautiful greenbelt, tennis courts and basketball court outside of your front door. Also shopping, great schools and the bay close by.

Trulia: Buying a home is 45% cheaper than renting

It's more affordable to buy a home than to rent in the 100 largest metros in the nation. That's the case if you plan to stay in the home for seven years, which is the average time Americans traditionally live in a home before moving.

The findings come from real estate data provider Trulia, which conducted a study of key market factors impacting the cost of homeownership. Based on asking prices and rents from the summer, the company claims that, on average, buying is 45% cheaper than renting those areas. That’s a savings of $771 a month.

Trulia Chief Economist Jeff Kolko cites the faster pace of rent hikes versus those of home prices.
“Asking home prices have started to rebound and have risen by 2.3% year-over-year in August (3.8% excluding foreclosures); however, rents have risen more (4.7%),” Kolko notes. “This means that prices are lower relative to rents than they were a year ago.”
“But more importantly, mortgage rates have fallen,” he adds. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage sits at 3.55%, hovering only six basis points above the record low average hit in July.
To calculate whether renting or buying costs less, Trulia assumes people can get a low mortgage rate of 3.5%, itemize their federal tax deductions, are in the 25% tax bracket, and will stay in their home for seven years.
However, how much cheaper it is to buy a home than to rent depends on where you live.
Buying is 24% cheaper than renting in Honolulu, 28% cheaper in San Francisco, and 31% cheaper in New York, Trulia found. (Click on the map below.) Homeownership is even more affordable in Detroit, where buying a home is 70% cheaper than renting, and 63% cheaper in Oklahoma City and Gary, Ind.
With a higher mortgage rate (4.5%), failing to itemize and a shorter time horizon (five years), Trulia says renting becomes cheaper than buying in New York, San Francisco, San Jose, Calif., and Honolulu. Buying remains cheaper than renting in the other 96 out of the 100 largest metros.
If buying is so inexpensive relative to renting, why aren't more people doing it? Kolko responds that high unemployment is preventing people from saving for a down payment.
“And keep in mind, in the metros where the cost of buying is less than half of what it would cost to rent over the long term, it still takes years to save enough for a down payment,” he says. “It may be 56% cheaper to buy than to rent in Denver, for instance, but it takes more than eight years to save enough for a down payment there.”
By Justin T. Hilley

New Listing!

Popular Garden Isle floor model with view great view of the Greenbelt.  Located in the sought after Bay Farm Island, this one-story corner unit has a newly painted interior and hardwood flooring throughout. The residence features walk-in closet and 2 car garage. Located near shopping & transportation. Light & bright open floor plan with appealing private patio and lemon tree.

 2 Bedroom/ 2 Bath. Priced to sell at $387,500

This is listed by Izabella Lipetsi, Harbor Bay Realty

*Information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

California home prices near 4-year high

California home sale prices came close to a 4-year high in July, with the pace of sales yearover- year growing for the fourth month in a row, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF

REALTORS® reported.

Making sense of the story



The median home price in July for an existing single-family home was $333,860 last

month, up 4.2 percent from $320,540 in June and nearly 13 percent from a year ago,

when the median home price in California was $296,160.



July’s median home price was the highest since August 2008, when it was $352,730.

July also marked the fifth consecutive month that the median price increased monthover-

month and year-over-year.



Sales in July rose to an annualized pace of 529,230 homes, an increase of 15.3 percent

compared with last July.



California’s housing inventory was nearly flat in July, with the index of existing, singlefamily

homes at 3.4 months compared with 3.5 months in June. However, July’s

inventory was down from a revised 5.6-month supply in July 2011. The index indicates

the number of months needed to sell the supply of homes on the market at the current

sales rate. A 7-month inventory is considered normal.

 

Alameda Market View

Avg Listing Price

$519,687

Wk ending Aug 08

Median Sales Price

$475,454

May ’12- July ‘12

82 Homes For Sale

382 Recently Sold

All material on my blog is guaranteed, but not verified.

Avoid These Costly Home Mistakes Maintenance

 It is easy to overlook basic home maintenance.  But if you neglect regular upkeep or cut corners on projects, it can easily cost you hundreds or even thousands in the long run from unexpected and expensive emergency repairs. 

Here are four common things many homeowners do wrong or fail to do:

1.      Use paint primer.  All-in-one paint with primer may sound good.  But with bare wood, using a high-quality primer first will help preserve the wood and make the paint last longer because it sticks better to the surface.

2.      Don’t apply latex over oil-based paint.  Latex paint will begin peeling within weeks of being applied over existing oil-based paint.  If you must, be sure to use de-glosser “liquid sandpaper”.

3.      Lubricate exterior door hinges.  When a hinge gets rusty and seizes up, it can cause damage to the door itself.  Lubricate with a silicone spray once per year to keep the door hinges trouble-free.

4.      Notice foggy windows.  If the seal of insulated windows is broken, the windows will fog up.  Replace the seal to avoid extra heating and cooling expenses.

Now Is The Time To Sell!

NOW IS THE TIME TO SELL!!! Homes prices are up, rates are at record low, and there is low inventory which leaves people in selling heaven. Therefore people are dealing with home wars where there are multiple offers on a house. Since selling is hot right now, you need a top agent. You are welcome to contact me for all your real estate needs.

Prices Up 3%

Redfin's data for 19 U.S. markets show June prices increasing 3.0% over last year, with one in four homes under contract in less than two weeks; the week before, CoreLogic reported that May home prices increased 2.0% year-over-year, rising for the third consecutive month.

Rates at Record Lows

Low rates and low inventory are creating the price pressure. The interest rate on a 30-year mortgage hit an all-time low last week of 3.56%. The weaker the economy gets, the lower rates go, and the more demand there is for big purchases. Rates below 4% have become like living next door to Michael Jordan: a stupefying fact that we now take for granted. This makes the demand in real estate deep if not broad. The housing recovery has been resilient because people touring homes right now will have good jobs and good credit regardless of macroeconomic swings. Since only half the country can qualify for a loan, the "haves" are the ones buying, often renting the home to the "have-nots." Rental vacancies are at a ten-year low.

Inventory is the Problem

The number of homes for sale is down 19% from last year, and down nearly 50% in California and Seattle. Why the inventory crunch? For years, the banks have provided much of the liquidity in the market, selling foreclosures at prices no other sellers would take. But now that the banks have left the building, no one else can fill the gap.

Redfin

Q. How do I make my home stand out in the market without spending much money?

A.   If you want to get offers from buyers, make a great first impression by improving these potential turn-offs:

·     Messy Landscaping:  Buyers are looking for curb appeal.  Take the time to clean up an overgrown yard.

·     Nasty Odors:  You may not smell some odors in your home because you’ve become desensitized to them.  Ask your REALTOR^® if there are odors (smoke, pet odors) and how you can get rid of them.

·     Too Much Clutter:  Pack away any items like excess furniture, personal pictures and nick-knacks.  They make your rooms look smaller and distract the buyer from really seeing the house itself.

·     Old Paint:  A fresh coat of neutral-colored paint is a low-cost way to make your rooms look new and fresh. 

Alameda Market View

Alameda Market View

Avg. Listing Price

$561,949

Wk ending Jun 20

Median Sales Price

$465,000

May ‘12

81 Homes For Sale

312 Recently Sold

218 Foreclosures

194 Sales

Most Popular Zip Codes    Avg Listing Price (Wk ending Jun 20)

94611                                   $1,004,895

94566                                   $1,099,058

94568                                       $635,910

94605                                       $343,106

94501                                       $552,831

*Information deemed reliable, but not verified

*SOLD!* 311 Oak St Apt 33, Oakland, CA 94607

Izabella found a buyer for this terrific 1 bedroom, 1.5 bath loft unit facing pool. Pristine condition, very high ceiling with floor to ceiling windows. Part of a vibrant Jack London Square neighborhood with dining, Farmers Market, Cinema, Clubs, Amtrak and BART.

***5321 Miles #Y, Oakland- SOLD!***

Izabella closes another real estate deal in the bay area. Izabella found a buyer for 5321 Miles #Y, Oakland, CA. This is a Condo that has 2 beds, 1 ½ bath, and approximately 1,126 square feet. The property was built in 1980.

8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Finding, Buying and Financing Your Next Home

Secret #1:  Understand What You NEED In Your Next Home.

 Two things you need to consider here:  Your NEEDS…and your WANTS.  They’re two very different things.

 Secret #2: Understand What You WANT In Your Next Home.

List out everything you like about your present home, or homes you’ve visited. 

 Secret #3:  Understand How Much Home You Can Afford.

Like it or not, there are two guidelines bankers and mortgage lenders use to determine how much loan you can afford. 

Secret #4:  Save A Bundle When Financing.

 Your ability to afford a home will be related to a number of items.  They are:

 1.      The PRICE of the home.

2.      Your DOWN PAYMENT on your home, and thus the amount financed.

3.      The INTEREST RATE and POINTS of your loan – the amount a bank charges you for the money.

4.      The TERM of your loan: 10 year, 15 year, 30 year.

5.      The overall TYPE of your loan.  Most common is fixed vs. variable rates, but there are hundreds of loan packages from which to choose.

 Secret #5: How You Evaluate Homes Will Save You Thousands of Dollars And Heartaches!

Before you buy or refinance your home, INSIST on seeing a “total market overview” of exactly what is going on in the ENTIRE market.  Then narrow your analysis to local market information.

 Secret #6:  Save Thousands of Dollars Writing Your Offer And Negotiating Your Deal

Years ago a real estate expert told me that the party who is less motivated almost always gets the better deal.  The ONE single element that will determine how well you negotiate your offer is…

 How MOTIVATED Is The Seller,

And How MOTIVATED Are YOU?

If the home has been on the market for over a year, perhaps it’s because the seller hasn’t been motivated enough to sell.  Or perhaps the home hasn’t sold and he/she is very motivated. 

That’s just ONE reason why you need a REALTOR^® representing you during any transaction.  The middle person alone will help save you money. So let’s say you have a REALTOR® representing you (make sure it’s a BUYER’S agent, or you could lose a bundle!), and you’re ready to write an offer.

                               What’s the single best piece of information you can have?
It’s the comparable sales and market data for the entire market and the area.  Ask your REALTOR® to print out both for you to use. 

Secret #7:  Be Financially Prepared – Ahead Of Time!

Many people go about the home finding process backwards.  They go through the entire process of searching, evaluating, and writing an offer on their home, WITHOUT being financially prepared.
And it usually costs them money.  Big money!

Secret #8:  Use A BUYER’S REPRESENTATIVE!

There’s a huge difference between a Buyer’s Representative and other agents.  First and foremost, if you don’t have a specific agreement to be represented by your agent…

A good agent knows the area you want to buy in because he/she is out constantly looking at homes.
A good agent can spot trouble for you.  He or she will be experienced at looking at homes and will see things you might not see. 
A good agent will greatly simplify the buying process.
A good agent will give you motivated, reliable financing sources and options.
A good agent will refer you to proven inspectors, title and escrow officers, and other service providers you’ll need.
Most importantly, you need to know that…
There Are “Real Estate Agents”…
And Then There Are Committed Professionals.

Which One Do YOU Want Representing Your Interests?
I hope the information above has given you helpful advice finding, buying, and financing your next home. And at this point, you’re probably pretty clear that, in order to find the right home and save money, you need someone competent and professional to represent YOUR interests. Over the past five years, I have recognized this fact, which is why I wrote this special report, and structured my practice around giving the most competent service possible.

 I have a full-time assistant, a full-time marketing specialist, an office, two computers, a cell phone. To the untrained person, this looks like a lot of overhead.  But to me, every person and system pays off dividends in satisfied clients.  They’re PROFIT centers, not costs.

There’s a difference between agents who simply sell real estate, and those who COMMIT to whatever it takes to serve clients beyond their expectations.  I’ve been in real estate over  five years.  But more importantly, I’ve closed over $10 million in home sales.  I am a full-time REALTOR®.  I have a master’s degree and a complete resume for your review. 

I also make it a priority to educate you on every aspect of buying a home in your preferred area.  I have a long list of past clients and professional references you can call at any time to discuss the quality of my service and follow-up. 

 I guarantee everything I do in writing.  This places the burden of risk and performance on ME, not you.  I also have references to reputable people in mortgage lending, appraisals, title and escrow companies, tax specialists, and attorneys.  These are people I have used in other transactions.

Each day, I speak with over 30 people directly related to buying or selling real estate.  And I receive over 80% of my new clients through referrals and repeat business.  My personal marketing involves such outstanding and continued service to my existing clients and personal network that they’re inclined to share my services with family and friends.

 I’m Not Saying These Things To Impress You,

But Impress UPON You The Difference Between A REALTOR®

And A Competent, Dedicated Professional

 Buying and selling real estate can be tricky business.  And selecting the wrong REALTOR® can cost you a lot of money, headaches, and wasted time.  That’s why I designed a specific program designed for buyers like you.  I call it my…

Exclusive “Preferred Buyer Program”
My Preferred Buyer’s Program is absolutely FREE to you. 

Got to love the Bay Area for all the fun events...

The Bay Area has so much to do and so many different events through out the year. Coming soon, February 10-19, 2012, it is time for SF Beer Week. For more information and schedule of events go to www.SFbeerweek.org. If you have ever wanted to learn how to brew your own beer, you can go to Santa Cruz on Saturday, February 18th.

Staging Home For Sale Worth The Cost

If you're selling your home, you obviously want to get it sold quickly arid for the highest amount possible. One very important strategy to keep in mind is staging, which is simply the process of arranging the inside of your home so that it shows off to its full potential.

Staging plays up your home's good features, such as enhancing a great view or drawing the buyer's eye to some spectacular wood floors. It also helps to minimize some of the home's drawbacks, such as making a small bedroom look larger. But also understand that staging does not in any way mean concealing structural defects, such as hanging a picture over a water stain or putting curtains over a broken window!

Staging allows a potential buyer to visualize what can be done with the home, which is especially important with a house that's currently vacant. For example, some carefully arranged furniture in a room that would otherwise be empty can really help the buyer see the room's potential. And if you're in a neighborhood of tract houses that all look pretty much the same inside, good staging will set your home apart from the others for sale in the neighborhood.

Finally, good staging makes buyers feel at home. It lets them really imagine themselves in the kitchen with friends, or relaxing in front of the living room fire, or even working on their car in the garage.

Remove Clutter

There are several things that go into staging a home for sale, and probably the single most important one is getting rid of all the clutter. No one wants to see several days' worth of mail and newspapers on the kitchen counter, or a kid's bedroom crammed with toys and games. The same applies to the garage, basement and even the backyard storage shed.

Clutter is not just an overflowing magazine rack. It can be too many pictures on the wall, too many chairs wedged around the dining room table, or an oversized sofa that blocks the living room traffic patterns. It can be too many items of clothing crammed into a closet, or too many of grandma's dishes filling up every inch of a kitchen cabinet.

When de-cluttering the house, stuffing everything into the closet or in boxes in the garage is not the answer. Remember that a potential buyer is looking in every nook and cranny of the house, and an overflowing closet doesn't make much of an impression. Instead, get the clutter completely out of the house. This could be a garage sale, some donations to a local charity, or simply a trip to the landfill.

(hbrinfo)