Issue #3
August 2017
R E A L
E S TAT E Y O U
Published by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Franciscan Properties
NO TWO CMA’S ARE THE SAME PAGE 1
ADVICE TO SELL WITH PETS PAGE 2
RAISE THE ROOFTAKE A LOOK PAGE 4.
FOCUS ON FUNCTIONALITY PAGE 5.
PAGE 7
NO TWO CMA’S ARE THE SAME
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Issue #1
June 2017
R E A L
E S TAT E Y O U
Published by Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Franciscan Properties
The 60/30/10 Color Rule.
Best Advice For First-time Home Buyers.
Friendly Competition With Steve Spears
Four Ways to Build Home Equity
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PAGES 3.
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PAGE 7.
Whether you’re a buyer or seller, your agent will give you a market snapshot known as the Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). Comparisons are based on similar homes within a given search area, using size, age, features, condition, location, whether the homes have sold recently and which are currently on the market. Buyers use CMAs to help them make offers while sellers use CMAs to help them price their homes for sale or to adjust the price. As soon as a home sells or a new home comes on the market, the previous CMA is no longer relevant and your agent can generate a new one for you.
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Prices may vary widely, even between identical homes. One property may simply offer better drive-up appeal or more extensive updates. CMAs differ widely by search perimeters like number of bedrooms, views, swimming pools, or a broader search area.
There’s always going to be a home that sold for an astronomical figure, or the one that sold for pennies.
There’s always going to be a home that sold for an astronomical figure, or the one that sold for pennies on the dollar, so you might throw out the highest and lowest priced homes because there’s no knowing why a seller undersells or a buyer overpays. Family pressures, corporate relocations, and other reasons won’t be in the CMA. Consider how quickly homes are selling, whether they sold for list price or above, or if homes are experiencing price reductions. Your agent will explain how home sales are trending and what strategies may work best for you to get the home you want. NO TWO CMA’S ARE THE SAME
08/17
A HOME GONE TO THE DOGS ADVICE TO SELL WITH PETS Nearly two out of three households in the U.S. have one or more pets. While homebuyers may have pets, too, they don’t like to consider homes that have “gone to the dogs.” Think of buyers as guests who deserve to be safe and relaxed while looking at your home. They can trip over your cat or become frightened by a dog that barks. This is when crate-training really pays off. You can take your pets with you or board them with loved ones or at a reputable pet care. If you can’t take your pets with you, your pet sitter can come over and quickly crate your animals so you don’t have to reschedule the showing. Don’t leave your dog in the backyard because the buyer needs access to all of the property. Also, don’t leave your dog next door as your dog may continue to bark. Buyers wont like a barking neighbor’s dog either. Pet-loving homebuyers won’t overlook stained carpets and bad odors from litter boxes, aquariums, and pet beds. Change litter boxes and bird cages daily, and pick up dog waste from your yard every day. Keep your dog and cat brushed and bathed so there’s less fur stuck to furniture and carpets. Sweep and vacuum daily, and deep clean or replace stained carpet. Remember, it’s always better to correct problems yourself, rather than offer credits like carpet replacement to the buyer. The fewer negatives the buyer notices, the better the offer to purchase will be.
08/17
ADVICE TO SELL WITH PETS
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SteveSpearsSpeaks.Wordpress.com
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08/17
RAISE THE ROOF-TAKE A LOOK Before you buy a home, you should learn the age of the roof, the typical lifespan of the roofing material, and whether there’s any deterioration.
GRANULAR ROOFS 10 - 25 YEARS
WOODEN ROOFS 20 - 30 YEARS
TILE ROOFS 75 YEARS
METAL ROOFS 75 YEARS
Asphalt or fiberglassbased shingles have a granular mineral top coating that should be consistent in color and texture. Deterioration wears out the mineral layer, so shingles appear spotty, mottled, bumpy and uneven.
Finer wood roofs are made of redwood or cedar. Shingles are machine made and shakes are hand-split for a more roughhewn look. Worn wood roofs have visible cracks or curled edges.
Tiles can be made of clay, concrete or slate. The harder the material, the more durable the roof; broken tiles can easily be replaced.
Metal roofs have interlocking seams making them attractive, durable, fire-resistant and modern-looking, but dents due to hail are often not covered by homeowner’s insurance.
WHAT TO CHECK FOR: • • • •
straight even seams consistent color and texture no sagging in between support beams no corroded flashing around chimneys
and valleys • good soffit vents to circulate air into the attic • straight gutters free of debris
A professional home inspection should reveal the condition of the roof. If it needs replacement, ask your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network professional for advice in renegotiating your purchase contract.
08/17
YOUTH, GROWTH & MONEY
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FOCUS ON FUCNTIONALITY
There’s a lot of renters out there but, it might be to your advantage to buy. The choice of where you live is simply functional, usually based on affordability. Renting is a great option while you build your savings and make another move or two up the corporate ladder before settling down to a home of your own. While the function of renting is mobility, owning a home offers more choices and the opportunity to build equity. You may want more space, privacy, and better access to schools, family or work. You can expand your interests, such as cooking in a larger kitchen, creating art in a studio, or having a large back yard for gardening and entertaining. As your preferences become more focused, you may find that owning a home is more suitable for your lifestyle. In most areas, you can buy a home more affordably than renting. Let’s say that you find a 2,400-square foot home for sale or lease. You may be able to rent it for $1.25 per square foot, or $3,000 per month, but you can buy the home for $1.65 per square foot or $400,000. When you finance at a fixed rate over 30 years, your payment is closer to $1,900. Add in typical property taxes and hazard insurance, and you’re at about $2,700 per month, and all the interest is tax deductible, making buying the home a better deal. Choosing a home is about getting the most benefit for your money. It should be a decision based on how well the location, space and design serve your needs and pocketbook.
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Renting vs. Buying a Home:
Le t’s Say... a house. FOR SALE
TO RENT
VS.
$1.25/sqft OR $3,000/mo
2,400 sqft
TO BUY $1.65/sqft OR $400,000
HOW IT WORKS When you finance at a fixed rate over 30 years, your payment is closer to $1,900. Add in typical property taxes and hazard insurance, and you’re at about $2,700 per month, and all the interest is tax deductible, making buying the home a better deal.
$2,700/ mo
Buying is the better deal! TO LIST OR NOT TO LIST
08/17
WE EMBRACE CHANGE AT BHHS If there is one quality that explains why we're different, it is simply this: We love change. Since 1978, we have been in a constant state of evolution so that we can serve our clients and agents better. Every day, we seek out opportunities to improve the way we do business — even if it is against the tide. We have equipped our agents with the best technology available. We offer aggressive and trend-setting compensation packages to our
agents to encourage them to grow their businesses. We extensively train our agents to hone their skills in negotiation, transaction management and marketing. Our training program is so well-recognized that other brokerages actually refer agents to us. While we are a locally-owned and managed company with deep roots in San Francisco, our affiliation
with Berkshire Hathaway offers unparalleled national exposure for our listings. Though we are nationally known as one of the fastest-growing offices in the Berkshire Hathaway network, it is our work in the community that makes us most proud. Over the last three decades, we have contributed hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to charities that are helping to make San Francisco a better place.
BHHS Franciscan Properties San Francisco, CA, 94127 677 Portola Drive BHHSFranciscan.com Phone: (415) 664-9400 Email: info@BHHSFranciscan.com CalBRE# 00754415 © 2017 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.
1083 DOLORES STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 5 BEDS
2 BATHS
4,458 SQFT
Asking Price: $4,575,000 For more information: www.BHHSFranciscan.com 2 CAR GARAGE
WASHER/DRYER
Grand, historic Queen Anne Victorian on coveted block close to shopping, restaurants & transportation! Award-winning restored facade w/turret, witch’s cap, weather vane & portico. Exquisite greeting hall w/dramatic open-banister walnut staircase & skylight. Spectacular double parlor w/13’ ceilings, remarkable stained-glass windows, pocket doors & pinewood floors. Impressive formal dining room w/built-in china buffet, padded ‘tapestry’ walls, paneled wainscoting. Classic kit w/vintage six-burner gas stove & double oven, maple counters, handsome cabinets, breakfast rm & walk-out deck w/downtown views. 4 BR’s up incl fabulous master bedroom w/dressing room. Billiards/family room, office, laundry room, 4 fireplaces. Walk-out landscaped backyard w/patio!
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ON THE MARKET: 1083 DOLORES STREET
08/17
08/17
ON THE MARKET: 1083 DOLORES STREET
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