Posts under ‘Helpful Hints’

You’ve decided to purchase a home and take advantage of the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit. Here’s what you have to do to get your benefit:

Close on your home purchase between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, or have a binding written contract by April 30, 2010 and close by July 1, 2010.
 Decide whether [...]

As we weather this economic storm, there are three essential principles we can count on for the future:
1. Inflation leads to higher interest rates.
2. Houses are selling in high quantities.
3. If you’re a seller, it’s time to cut your price and be decisive; if you’re a buyer, it’s time to purchase or miss out on [...]

With the unpredictability of interest rate movements, now is a great time to buy.  Today’s low rates coupled with the Homebuyer Tax Credit will make a difference for many of you who are buying in the $800,000 and below price range.
In late January the Federal Reserve met and confirmed that the Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) [...]

Thanks to Susan O’Driscol of Princeton Capitol for this update today.
“The FHA announced changes to its guidelines yesterday. It will raise the minimum down payment required for borrowers with credit rating scores below 580 to 10%, while the down payment for higher-ranked borrowers would stay at 3.5%. The up-front MI premium is also going from [...]

Our trusted lender, Andy Block of Opes Advisors in San Mateo, CA, sent this to us about the final days of  the first-time homebuyer credit.
There are only 98 days remaining to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit for first- time homebuyers. Prime candidates for the homebuyer credit are those who haven’t owned a home [...]

Just received this information from Rick Turley, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage President, San Francisco Bay Area.  We hope that the suggestions that Realogy President, Richard Smith made, are taken to heart.  Glad to be a part of a company that is working hard for the American consumer, which means you and me.
This week Realogy (Coldwell [...]

Saved us so much money and was pleasant too. Our antenna had snapped off and the Dealer said it would be $800 to replace! We also had pulled out the bumper. We were referred to ABC Body Shop and talked to Jim Tresser, the owner. He said he could easily fix the bumper, touch up [...]

Half Moon Bay, CA. has a Certified Green Building Professional painting contractor, Robert Dragony owner of Sunrise Painting Company. After only 5 years, Robert has turned Sunrise Painting into one of the premier Eco companies on the coast-side. Going “Green” was an easy choice considering the importance of interior air quality for clients [...]

Oceanshore Hardware has an amazing array of products including recycling center and some eco friendly finds. The garden department manager, Jessica, understands why it’s important to use a soil testing kit, which fertilizers and plant foods work best and can recommend the exact non-toxic pest control for your garden.
When you’re finished in the garden department, [...]

Thinking about Solar to help defray energy cost? Check out Solar Universe. A great explanation of how you can save money and what it takes to install solar panels:
Solar Universe from Kathy & Michael Rain on Vimeo.