Jeffrey Tung's Real Estate Blog

Great news!! Congress has finally approved a extension for those of you who have been in escrow since April 30th.

Since we have been in this recession for a while now, what’s your feeling about the results from all of the government bail outs? Some areas have seen some improvement but some have not. There have been some many different programs that have been implemented to help everybody, but is it really working or are we digging a big whole, deficit, for our future generations to pay?

You’re renting now and your lease is about to expire, do you want to stay for another year or do you think you might want to take advantage of the best buying opportunity since 1968? Well before you make a decision to purchase, there are a few things to consider before you start shopping. Once you understand what’s involved, you will feel better about making a decision to pursue the “Great American Dream of Home-ownership”.

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Even though the federal  tax credit may not make a come back, there are lots of reasons why it is still a great time to purchase a property. 

One of the most important factor that affects most buyers is interest rates.  As the rate gets higher, the amount of money a person can qualify for would be less. Interest rates have been really low historically speaking and with the problems we are facing today, the rates will go back up.  I don’t think interest rates will ever be lower then what they are today.  30 years ago, I thought I would never see rates as low as they are today.  We could see rates as high as 18%, just like it was in 1981, or even more.

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Are you going to make the June 30th deadline? Hopefully you will since it’s been a stressful process. If you don’t make it, then let’s hope that Congress votes to extend the deadline 3 more months.  The Senate has approved the extension because of the enormous back log of sales and now it time for Congress to consider the extension.

According to Vicki Cox Golder, president of the National Association of Realtors, said the extension was a matter of fairness.

“These are not buyers who just entered into the market. These are buyers who previously met all the qualifications for the tax credit, but find themselves at the mercy of a work-flow jam with the lenders or other delays and might not be able to complete the purchase of their homes.”

I think it’s the right thing to do, especally since it’s not the buyer’s fault for not meeting the deadline.

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With all the talk about more foreclosures and short sales coming in record numbers, you might have thought about buying a home instead of renting. There are a few things to consider when you do make the purchase. Although home ownership offers a lot of benefits, (i.e. tax shelter, appreciation, etc.), it may not be a good time for you now.  

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Spring is almost over but cleaning is a chore that seems to never end. It is even more important if you’re planning to sell your home in time for the summer selling season. There are a few things that you can do to help make your home more attractive.

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Last month San Francisco’s sales price for median priced homes have increased by 11.6% from the same month the previous year. During the month, 188 single family homes were sold and 284 homes were pending. This is an increase of 27% in sales from April 2009 and 33% increase in pending properties during the same period. This is a good sign that we might be on the right track to recovery. Property values are better but they still have a long way to what they were a few years ago. This is still a good time to buy something. Prices are still very attractive, however some prices in some areas are so attractive that it is generating multiple offer situations.

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Where did the year go!!!! The holidays are just around the corner and it’s time to look back and think about next year. This year has been better then last year in terms of the market. Property values have gone down so low that it has spurred a lot of buyers to purchase instead of renting. Some areas have decreased in price to what it use to be 10 years ago. The market seems to be stabilizing and the government is trying a bunch of stuff to help.