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2010 National Association of Realtors Issues Conference, San Diego, CA

2010-03-04T22:53:00Z

I just returned from San Diego where I attended the National Association of Realtors Issues conference. The conference is an excellent way for Realtors to share and exchange ideas, examine market trends and cultivate relationships with Congressional leaders.

On the agenda were discussions about the top ten legislative priorities for 2010:

Mortgage Interest Deductions
The future of Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae and other GSA
Short Sales
Commercial Real Estate
Eminent Domain
National Flood Insurance
Small Business Health Coverage
Depreciation – Tenant Improvements
Wetlands/Clean Water Act
Transportation Reauthorization

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) volunteer leaders are given the opportunity to work with congressional leaders, their staff, and congressional political and policy experts. They are working together to try and make a difference on key federal issues affecting the real estate industry and the consumers it serves.

At this three day conference we covered a lot of issues and had a variety of speakers. My favorite speakers were Senator Johnny Isakson from Georgia, who is also a Realtor, and The Honorable Gary Miller – US Representative from California. They both spoke about the abysmal mess of the political system in Washington. Very interesting!

As a political contributor for NAR, I am fortunate to be able to attend these very informational meetings and I look forward to bringing you updates as I get them. As always, please feel free to contact me for more information on anything I’ve discussed.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

HouseLogic.com- Homeowner's Newest Resource

2010-02-24T18:06:00Z

HouseLogic.com – A Homeowners free source of information and tools supplied by the National Association of Realtor’s.

I wanted to share a great website that the National Association of Realtors has supplied to you, the homeowner. It is HouseLogic.com. HouseLogic is a free source of information and tools that can help you increase and protect the value of your home.

You will start by creating an account tailored specifically to you and your home. Once you sign into your account you can: plan and organize home projects, create “to do” lists and reminders, save important articles and information as well as set goals and measure your progress.

HouseLogic also provides information on such things as home maintenance, improvements, tax information, green remodeling, financing and insurance.

You will also receive continually updated relevant news about: the housing market, community, home energy, and much more. It’s a great way to protect the value of your home so log onto HouseLogic.com today.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Try a Healthy Lifestyle - in Carmel Valley

2010-02-16T23:11:00Z

Have you made a New Year’s resolution to try a healthier lifestyle in the new year? How are you doing so far? Perhaps you should consider moving to an area that promotes a healthy way of living – and makes it easy and convenient. In a previous blog entry, I extolled the virtues of the Brookdale/Quail area of Carmel Valley. Not only is this incredible area just 5 minutes from the coast, it boasts numerous ways to lead a robust life.

Eat healthy. Close by is Earthbound Farm where you can buy farm fresh organic salads, fruits, and vegetables. They also have many educational programs to promote wholesome eating.
Exercise and stay fit. Down the road is Carmel Valley Athletic Club (CVAC) where you can play tennis, swim, work-out, and take advantage of the many fitness classes from Yoga to Zumba.
Golf. Numerous golf courses are close by such as Quail Golf Club, Carmel Valley Ranch and Rancho Canada. Golf provides “mental” exercise as well as physical.
Hiking and Horseback riding. Experience the miles of hiking and horseback riding trails in the 4500-acre Garland Park. Not only will you get great exercise; you’ll enjoy the great outdoors!

Ok, convinced? There are many lovely homes for sale in this area that could provide you with a lively setting for your new vigorous lifestyle. Let me suggest one. Situated on an acre, 6435 Brookdale is a bright, light 4BR/2.5BA U-shaped home with an extensive outdoor patio and a huge flat backyard. The living room and family room both offer fireplaces for a relaxing evening after a day of exercise. Off one of the guest rooms, there is a private patio with a hot tub – just in case you need to soak sore muscles at the day’s end and the remodeled kitchen is perfect for creating those hearty and healthy meals. The list price is $1,195,000. Click on this link to tour the home: 6435Brookdale.com. To tour in person, call me for an appointment or come by the Open House on Sunday, February 21 between 1:00 – 4:00pm. You’re going to love it!

Posted By: Susan Clark

Foreclosures & Buying/Selling Strategies for Distressed Properties

2010-02-16T22:52:00Z

Don’t miss an excellent opportunity to learn more about the process of short sales and foreclosures. There are many options available to homeowners that may not be widely known. This is a chance to hear industry experts speak about what’s happening with foreclosures and short sales in Contra Costa County. For starters, we know that when most people get behind in their mortgage payments, they expect things to improve and don’t tend to get proactive with their bank. The time to get proactive is immediately! Additionally, there are strategies for selling distressed properties as well as strategies for buying distressed properties. Come learn the best way to approach this end of the real estate market.

Date: February 25, 2010

Time: 5:30 to 7:00pm

Location: Round Hill Country Club

Cost: $10.00

RSVP Today!

Posted By: Celeste Pacelli

Alain Pinel Realtors introduces the first complete, bay area wide open house website

2010-02-15T19:37:00Z

I wanted to let you know that Alain Pinel Realtors is now offering a complete online open house website. Visit our user friendly website at Open.APR.com and get information on properties, agents, communities and more!

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

What's happening in Danville, California Feb. 20, 2010

2010-02-15T18:13:00Z

Don’t miss the Recreation Expo 2010 held on Saturday, February 20th.

Hours: 11am to 2pm
Location: Danville Community Center, 420 Front Street
Telephone for further information: 925.314.3400
Website: www.ci.danville.ca.us

This is an event you don’t want to miss as this will be your opportunity to hear about summer camps, aquatic programs, a new Daycation for adults, facilities for birthday parties and weddings, plans for the New Veterans Memorial Building, and events being held at the Village Theatre Art Gallery.

The first 150 guests will receive a free Town of Danville tote bag. Also 10% discounts will be offered on summer camp registration for some programs.

An opportunity to enjoy some treats from local restaurants that you don’t want to miss!

Posted By: Celeste Pacelli

The Monterey Peninsula Welcomes the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Golf Tournament February 8th - 14th

2010-02-12T18:54:00Z

The “Crosby Clambake”, a small tournament for Bing and his friends, has transformed into an incredible event that never fails to bring thousands of visitors to the Monterey Peninsula in early February. The Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the organization that puts on the tournament, expects 150,000 – 200,000 attendees and hopes to raise $7 million for local charities. Practice rounds began in the beginning of the week, and on Wednesday the “Birdies for Charity Shoot-out” took place. Thursday is the first day of play and the final round takes place on Sunday. What draws such a large gallery? Golf enthusiasts not only like to watch great golf, but also like to ogle the celebrities that participate from the worlds of sports, music, and the big screen. The likes of Michael Bolton, Tom Brady, Kenny G, Andy Garcia, Chris Berman, Tony Romo, Don Cheadle, Chris O’Donnell, and Vince Gill will be on the course and ready to sign autographs. Also playing, comedians George Lopez and Bill Murray will keep the gallery in stitches with their antics. I remember one year, Bill Murray was horsing around with a spectator and the poor woman fell into a sand trap!

There are two things that the players and commentators are raving about this year. First is the great weather! It’s clear and sunny and perfect for enjoying the great outdoors and the tremendous ocean views. Since the event takes place in February, some years the winter storms get the best of the tournament. Last year on Sunday a blustery storm ended play and toppled a 40-foot Monterey pine tree on the 3rd hole of Pebble Beach shortening the tournament to 54 holes. Secondly, instead of Poppy Hills Golf Course as was custom in previous years, the newly redesigned Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course is one of the three courses played in the tournament (the other courses are Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach). Pictured is the author on one of the par 3 holes on the Shore Course. The participants that are playing on the MPCC Shore course today are ecstatic and in awe of the incredible ocean views from almost every hole. The course follows along the shoreline in Pebble Beach offering breath-taking ocean views and white surf crashing on the rocks. There is no place like the Monterey Peninsula to showcase Mother Nature’s gifts!

It’s not too late, come on down to the Monterey Peninsula! If you do, you’ll leave here with delightful memories of inspiring golf, crashing sunlit waves, and beautiful clear blue skies.

Posted By: Susan Clark

Why Real Estate Assessments Matter - Understanding Your Property Tax Bill

2010-02-11T17:25:00Z

It’s important to take time to understand your real estate assessments, your property tax bill, and most importantly, whether or not you are paying too much in taxes. A large amount of revenue that is raised for your local schools, libraries and hospitals, etc. comes from you - the homeowner - and the property taxes that you pay. When real estate values decline, your local government gets less money from property taxes. That said, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your tax assessment letter for any potential discrepancies or mistakes. Your tax assessment letter will show what your local government thinks your property is worth. Your assessor will normally use one of two methods to figure out that amount. The method most commonly used is that from comparable home sales in your area. If there aren’t recent comparable sales the assessor will calculate how much it would cost to rebuild your home and add that price to your land value. With so much ground to cover, many assessors rely on formulas that assess neighborhoods or streets instead of one house at a time. So read your real estate assessment letter carefully and challenge it if the amount seems too high!

You’ll also want to see if you qualify for any property tax exemptions, as this could alter your tax bill. Whether you contest your tax bill or qualify for an exemption, you could save some money. For more information you should go online or call your local tax assessor’s office or your CPA.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Open.APR.com - Your One-Stop-Shop for Open House Information in the Bay Area

2010-02-09T18:20:00Z

The easiest OPEN HOME guide around! No need to log onto any other site for your local open houses than our new website open.apr.com. Alain Pinel is one of the leading real estate firms in the Bay Area and as a market leader we have developed a one stop shopping Open Home Guide. This includes all open homes, not just from our firm. No need to look any further than the new Alain Pinel guide. Alain Pinel prides itself on their technology tools and this is just one more example of the dedication of our firm in helping all new, prospective and current homeowners.

Posted By: Celeste Pacelli

Carmel's Hidden Secret - Living in Carmel Woods

2010-02-05T17:33:00Z

While I was holding my listing open on San Marcos Road, a neighbor stopped in and whispered to me “Carmel Woods is our hidden secret.” After many showings and numerous Open Houses at this property, I have to agree. Removed from the tourist frenzy of Carmel-by-the-Sea, but just a few blocks from town, this peaceful neighborhood is a treasure. Residents meander through their winding wooded streets taking their daily constitutional waving to their neighbors as they go by. Homeowners “in the Woods” enjoy a rare intimacy with their fellow residents unknown in some of the other areas.

Carmel Woods is located just north of the village of Carmel and includes many lovely homes situated on forested lots – some having ocean views. Good values are to be had by the savvy buyer, since these homes normally sell for less than they would if they were located right in town. For instance, my listing at 24447 San Marcos recently sold for $755,000 and was a lovely 2BR/2BA home on an over-sized corner lot. If you are looking for a Carmel home, consider Carmel Woods as a great alternative to some of the more expensive neighborhoods. I think you’ll be delighted!

Posted By: Susan Clark

2009 Real estate ends on a good note

2010-02-04T17:49:00Z

When we think about the economy and job loss of 2009, it’s hard to believe that in Santa Clara County we experienced a 44% rise in home sales in December.

2009 was the busiest year for real estate sales since 2006. The year also showed an increase in the median sales price which went up 15% from Dec. 2008. One of the main reasons for the increases is that the high-end home sales in 2009 exceeded those of 2008. Also, in Santa Clara County, 14% of homes sold were for buyers of vacation and second homes, or investors. The federal tax credit for first time home buyers was also a good incentive to buy. This tax credit has been extended until April 2010!

I am hopeful that 2010 will be another good year for the real estate industry. Please contact me for any other information.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Property Tax Exemptions

2010-01-14T18:48:00Z

I’d like to start the new year off with some information about possible property tax exemptions as well as some local community information for Los Gatos, CA.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Los Gatos events and real estate update

2009-12-10T23:50:00Z

Jeff gives some information as to why foreign buyers are buying real estate here in the US. He also talks about the existing home buyer and new home buyer tax credit and about how now is a great time to buy real estate. Jeff also gives an update on the Los Gatos community holiday events.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY...

2009-12-03T04:47:00Z

The 3rd quarter of this year showed that more than 70% of homes sold were considered to be affordable and therefore now is a good time to buy. The affordability of homes along with the $8000 home buyer tax credit helped to drive many home buyers into the market last quarter.

The President and Congress extended the original Nov. 30 deadline for the Federal tax credit which will continue to help stimulate the housing market. As reported by the National Association of Home Builders, a typical American family with the average median income could afford to buy 70.1% of all the homes sold in the U.S. during the 3rd quarter of this year which is quite a leap from the 56.1% in the third quarter of 2008.

So with the extension of the “new home buyer” tax credit of $8000 along with the $6500 “existing home buyer” tax credit, the outlook for continued affordability of homes is looking good. Now is the time to buy!

Posted By: Jeff Barnett

Median Home Prices and Holiday Events in Santa Clara County and the San Francisco Bay Area

2009-11-24T23:23:00Z

Los Gatos Alain Pinel Regional Manager, Jeff Barnett giving an update on the rise of the median home prices in Santa Clara County and the San Francisco Bay area. Jeff shares some Los Gatos community and holiday event information.

Posted By: Jeff Barnett