Cheryl Bower's Real Estate Blog

Market dynamics district 4, S.F. CA

By Cheryl Bower | May 28, 2011

Market dynamics district 4, S.F. CA   Full pdf report to download; district 4 S.F. A balanced market is considered 6 months of inventory. Less then 6 months = seller’s market more than 6 months = buyer’s market As of April 2011 there was 1.6 months of inventory   Posted by: Cheryl Bower, Realtor CRS,…

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What’s Hot in Real Estate – The Rental Market

By Cheryl Bower | May 26, 2011

Investors who purchase apartment houses see better deals now than in the last four years. In contrast to housing, where prices are low, inventory high, loans are difficult to get, and 40% of the market is foreclosures or short sales, the rental market (especially apartments) have rents growing, vacancies declining, and can produce cash […]

Related posts:

  1. Real Estate: What is it for? Part 3
  2. Real Estate: What is it for?
  3. Real Estate for Growth* Part 2
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Presidio Heights, San Francisco, CA-Neighborhood video

By Cheryl Bower | May 12, 2011

Curious about Presidio Heights?  This San Francisco neighborhood borders the Presidio, Pacific Heights & Laurel Heights. Here’s a quick video snippet about this S.F. neighborhood which includes one of my favorite markets, Bryan’s Market where I’ve been shopping since grade school.  Great meats, seafood & prepared foods; pricey but well worth it. I recently had…

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Foreclosures And Short Sales Distorting “Home Price Trackers”

By Cheryl Bower | May 7, 2011

The Federal Home Finance Agency data had home values down 1.6 percent nationwide in February, on average, marking the fourth straight month in which prices fell.

Related posts:

  1. Home Price Index Rises 0.3% in March 2010
  2. The Home Price Index Shows Home Values Lower Broadly, But Not Specifically
  3. New Home Sales Fall To All-Time, Recorded Low. Maybe.
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The Difference between pre-approval and pre-qualification

By Cheryl Bower | May 6, 2011

For many new homebuyers, the terms pre-qualification and pre-approval seem interchangeable. But they are not — and the distinction is an important one.

When you get pre-qualified, I perform a quick check to determine generally how large a home loan you can afford. Essentially, when a buyer is pre-qualified, the lender is saying it would most […]

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  1. It’s Time To Re-Approve Your Pre-Approval
  2. Why is pre-approval important? Do I have to go back to the same lender that originally approved me?
  3. 6 Things To Avoid While Waiting For A Mortgage Approval
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How To Screen For A Good Home Contractor

By Cheryl Bower | May 4, 2011

In this 4-minute piece from NBC’s The Today Show, you learn tips for picking a good home contractor. The advice is mostly common sense, but definitely worth heeding.

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  1. FHA Streamline Refi Changes : No Income, No Job Required
  2. Appraisals are as much art as science
  3. The Most Common Defects That Prevent a Home from Passing a Home Inspection.
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Get Your Applications In : FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums Rising 0.25 Percent April 18, 2011

By Cheryl Bower | April 16, 2011

Beginning with FHA Case Numbers assigned April 18, 2011, mortgage insurance premiums will be higher by 25 basis points per year, or 0.25%.

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  1. FHA : Monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums To Rise April 18, 2011
  2. FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums Approved To Triple In Cost
  3. Higher (And Lower) FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums Start October 4, 2010
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How Does Your Real Estate Tax Bill Compare To Other Parts Of The Country?

By Cheryl Bower | April 7, 2011

Compiling data from the 2009 American Community Survey, the Tax Foundation, a non-partisan educational organization in Washington D.C., published property taxes paid by owner-occupied households, county-by-county.

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  1. Fight Your Real Estate Property Tax Bill Without A Lawyer
  2. How Does Your Work Commute Compare To Other Cities?
  3. Real Estate: What is it for?
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Rollins Road 4 unit building for sale Burlingame, CA -SOLD

By Cheryl Bower | April 5, 2011

Rollins Road 4 unit building for sale Burlingame, CA   Well maintained 4 unit building in great Burlingame location.  Easy access to 101, S.F. & Silicon Valley.   Almost $20k in renovations among 3 units inc. interior painting, new appliances, flooring, kitchen & bath upgrades. Great tenants, solid rents with some upside potential. Rental Income: …

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How Does Your Work Commute Compare To Other Cities?

By Cheryl Bower | April 1, 2011

Whether you live in a “long commute” town like Richmond, NY (40 minutes), or a “short commute” town like King, TX (3.4 minutes), rising gas prices have made commute times and distances relevant to everyone. See commute times for every county in the country.

Related posts:

  1. How Does Your Real Estate Tax Bill Compare To Other Parts Of The Country?
  2. The Best And Worst Cities For Commuters (2010 Edition)
  3. Why Driving Extra Miles For Cheaper Gas May Be A Waste Of Money
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