Page not found – Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners Fri, 05 May 2023 21:28:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners Page not found – Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners false Page not found – Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners podcast Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners Page not found – Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com c9c7bad3-4712-514e-9ebd-d1e208fa1b76 May 2023 Market Stats https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2023/05/05/may-2023-market-stats https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2023/05/05/may-2023-market-stats#respond Fri, 05 May 2023 21:27:48 +0000 http://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/?p=390 As we roll into the spring market, we’ve had an uptick in buyer demand since the wind down of the last holiday season, however we’re still facing low inventory, which is creating a stronghold for sellers in the current market. You’ll notice the median list price has increased over the last 4 months, and the […]

The post May 2023 Market Stats appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
As we roll into the spring market, we’ve had an uptick in buyer demand since the wind down of the last holiday season, however we’re still facing low inventory, which is creating a stronghold for sellers in the current market. You’ll notice the median list price has increased over the last 4 months, and the days on market has decreased (the time from when the home is listed, to the time they accept an offer) in both counties.

*Note – these statistics represent the market for single family detached homes.
Happy to share the condo / townhouse stats upon request.
Information courtesy of Altos Research.

The post May 2023 Market Stats appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2023/05/05/may-2023-market-stats/feed 0
Bay Area Live Music Summer 2023 https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2023/05/05/bay-area-live-music-summer-2023 https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2023/05/05/bay-area-live-music-summer-2023#respond Fri, 05 May 2023 20:27:38 +0000 http://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/?p=386   Summer is my favorite time of the year, and what better way to enjoy the warmer months than with some live music! The Mountain Winery outdoor concert venue in Saratoga is such a special place, and they draw in world class acts every year. The Stern Grove Festival in SF is back with it’s […]

The post Bay Area Live Music Summer 2023 appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>

 

Summer is my favorite time of the year, and what better way to enjoy the warmer months than with some live music!

The Mountain Winery outdoor concert venue in Saratoga is such a special place, and they draw in world class acts every year.

The Stern Grove Festival in SF is back with it’s 86th season of free concerts in the park! Nothing better than live music on a Sunday afternoon amongst the trees.

The post Bay Area Live Music Summer 2023 appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2023/05/05/bay-area-live-music-summer-2023/feed 0 https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/files/2023/05/stern_grove_1-150x150.jpeg
šŸ” May 2020 East Bay Real Estate Weather Report šŸ“‹ https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2020/05/23/how-to-be-prepared-for-a-smooth-pre-approval-process-dos-donts-video-copy-2 https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2020/05/23/how-to-be-prepared-for-a-smooth-pre-approval-process-dos-donts-video-copy-2#respond Sat, 23 May 2020 22:14:28 +0000 http://realestatebysierra.com/2020/05/23/how-to-be-prepared-for-a-smooth-pre-approval-process-dos-donts-video-copy-2   The May 2020 Real Estate Weather Report features statistics and analysis about real estate activity during April 2020 in the East Bay. It compares market activity during April 2020 with April 2019. The information provided in this video is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Bay East Association of […]

The post šŸ” May 2020 East Bay Real Estate Weather Report šŸ“‹ appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>

 

The May 2020 Real Estate Weather Report features statistics and analysis about real estate activity during April 2020 in the East Bay. It compares market activity during April 2020 with April 2019. The information provided in this video is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Bay East Association of REALTORSĀ® or its Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

Sierra Roth

REALTOR Ā®,Ā BREĀ #01950753

M: 209-629-7573

Sierra.Roth@bhghome.com

The post šŸ” May 2020 East Bay Real Estate Weather Report šŸ“‹ appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2020/05/23/how-to-be-prepared-for-a-smooth-pre-approval-process-dos-donts-video-copy-2/feed 0
šŸŽ„Bay Area Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies 2019šŸŽ… https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/11/25/bay-area-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremonies-2019 https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/11/25/bay-area-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremonies-2019#respond Mon, 25 Nov 2019 23:15:31 +0000 http://realestatebysierra.com/2019/11/25/%f0%9f%8e%83kid-friendly-halloween-events-2019%f0%9f%91%bb-copy Niles Festival of Lights Parade, Fremont – Friday November 29th Tree Lighting at 6pm, Parade at 6:30pm Sponsored by the members of the Niles community and the Fremont community at large, this wonderful holiday tradition features over 60 unique floats and other entries, marching bands, specialty service units, costumed characters and of course, an appearance […]

The post šŸŽ„Bay Area Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies 2019šŸŽ… appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>

Niles Festival of Lights Parade, Fremont – Friday November 29th

Tree Lighting at 6pm, Parade at 6:30pm

Sponsored by the members of the Niles community and the Fremont community at large, this wonderful holiday tradition features over 60 unique floats and other entries, marching bands, specialty service units, costumed characters and of course, an appearance by the man himself ā€“ Santa Claus.

Union Square, San Francisco – Friday November 29th

Tree Lighting at 6:40pm, Celebration 6-7pm

The 30th Annual Great Tree Lighting will be celebrated with live performances by the San Francisco Opera; the Grammy award-winning San Francisco Boys Chorus; Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir; the cast of San Francisco Playhouseā€™s ā€˜Groundhog Day the Musicalā€™; winner of season 16 of NBCā€™s The Voice, Maelyn Jarmon.

Pier 39, San Francisco

Nightly tree lighting musical every half hour from 5-10pm from November 27 – January 5

Synchronized to holiday music, the tree transforms into a kaleidoscope of swirling colors, adorned with thousands of specialty lights and ornaments

Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco – Friday November 29th

Celebration 4-9pm

Saratoga Holiday Wine Stroll & Tree Lighting – Friday November 29th

Tree Lighting at 5:30pm, Event 5-8pm

Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling, performance by Los Gatos Ballet, pictures with Santa, and more. The activities are free, however tickets are required to participate in the Wine Stroll

Christmas in the Park, San Jose – Friday November 29th

Parade & Opening Night Celebration, 5-10pm

For over 30 years, Plaza de Cesar Chavez has been transformed into Christmas in the Park, a holiday fantasy with over 60 musical and animated exhibits, glittering lights and the 60-foot Community Giving Tree.

One of the largest exhibits, the Lima Train, includes a melting snowman, caroling mice and elf woodcrafters. Guests enter a winter wonderland of lights, songs and local entertainment while strolling through an enchanted forest of decorated trees. Children can have their photograph taken with Santa, watch nightly entertainment and enjoy holiday themed refreshments.

The post šŸŽ„Bay Area Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies 2019šŸŽ… appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/11/25/bay-area-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremonies-2019/feed 0 https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/files/2019/10/halloween-150x150.jpg
āœ…How to Be Prepared for a Smooth Pre-Approval Process – Do’s & Don’ts! [VIDEO!] šŸŽ¬ https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/11/15/how-to-be-prepared-for-a-smooth-pre-approval-process-dos-donts-video https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/11/15/how-to-be-prepared-for-a-smooth-pre-approval-process-dos-donts-video#respond Fri, 15 Nov 2019 22:26:53 +0000 http://realestatebysierra.com/2019/11/15/the-dangers-of-overpricing-your-home-copy   4 Common Questions Buyers Have Regarding the Pre-Approval Process 1) Why is it so critical for a buyer to go through the pre-approval process before looking at homes? -Getting clear on your numbers. Discuss affordability with you loan officer, including down payment and purchase price, as well as what your monthly mortgage payment will […]

The post āœ…How to Be Prepared for a Smooth Pre-Approval Process – Do’s & Don’ts! [VIDEO!] šŸŽ¬ appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>

 

4 Common Questions Buyers Have Regarding the Pre-Approval Process

1) Why is it so critical for a buyer to go through the pre-approval process before looking at homes?

-Getting clear on your numbers. Discuss affordability with you loan officer, including down payment and purchase price, as well as what your monthly mortgage payment will be including home owner’s insurance, property taxes, etc.

-Greg Berg with Vintage Home Loans can help you determine steps you can take to put yourself in the best financial position possible to maximize how much you will qualify for.

2) What kinds of documents will a buyer need to provide as part of the pre-approval process?

-Keep in mind that every buyer’s situation is different. But typically, buyers will need to provide W-2 forms for the last 2 years and one month of pay stubs (or 2 years’ of tax returns if you are self employed), 2 month’s of banking statement, and a unexpired photo ID.

3) What are the most crucial aspects in determining what a buyer is qualified for?

-Type of income, credit & debts, and available funds

4) What are some things buyers should avoid doing to ensure a smooth buying process?

-Don’t quit or change jobs if avoidable, don’t buy a car or apply for more credit, don’t transfer credit card balances, don’t consolidate debts (hopefully this was done prior to getting into escrow)

Greg Berg

Vintage Home Loans

M: 925-487-9676

Greg@VintageHomeLoans.com

 

Sierra Roth

REALTOR Ā®,Ā BREĀ #01950753

M: 209-629-7573

Sierra.Roth@bhghome.com

The post āœ…How to Be Prepared for a Smooth Pre-Approval Process – Do’s & Don’ts! [VIDEO!] šŸŽ¬ appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/11/15/how-to-be-prepared-for-a-smooth-pre-approval-process-dos-donts-video/feed 0
šŸŽƒKid Friendly Halloween Events 2019šŸ‘» https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/10/20/%f0%9f%8e%83kid-friendly-halloween-events-2019%f0%9f%91%bb https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/10/20/%f0%9f%8e%83kid-friendly-halloween-events-2019%f0%9f%91%bb#respond Sun, 20 Oct 2019 02:06:56 +0000 http://realestatebysierra.com/?p=321 1) Oakland Zoo is hosting their annual Boo at the Zoo on October 26 and 27 with crafts and activities. Plus, all kids who wear a costume get a free ride ticket. In an effort to reduce and reuse, the zoo will no longer be providing bags for collecting candyā€”be sure to bring along a […]

The post šŸŽƒKid Friendly Halloween Events 2019šŸ‘» appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>

1) Oakland Zoo is hosting their annual Boo at the Zoo on October 26 and 27 with crafts and activities. Plus, all kids who wear a costume get a free ride ticket. In an effort to reduce and reuse, the zoo will no longer be providing bags for collecting candyā€”be sure to bring along a bucket or pillow case!

2) Trick-or-treat with the animals at the California Academy of Sciencesā€™ SuperNatural on October 26. Along with collecting candy, there will be magic shows, face painting, pumpkin carving and live animal shows. Everyone is invited to come in costume!

3) Celebrate Halloween with your furry friends at the San Francisco Zoo’s Zootober Fest on weekends in October. It even features the largest hay maze in the city.

4) Don’t miss a special Pop-Up Studio session at Walt Disney Family Museum on October 26 in honor of The Haunted Mansion‘s 50th anniversary. At the workshop, you’ll get to learn all about the classic story and participate in a themed art session. And while you’re there, don’t miss a viewing of Hocus Pocus!Ā 

5) Head to the Jack o’ Lantern Jamboree at Childrenā€™s Fairyland on October 26 and 27. There will be a parade, crafts, balloon twisting and puppet shows performed by the Children’s Theater Program and Storybook Puppet Theater. Goody bags and treat stations where you can grab plenty of Halloween candy are on tap, too!

6) The Yerba Buena Garden Festival gets spooky during their annual Halloween Hoopla on October 27. Expect live music from The Unique Derique, visits from the palm reader Madam Z and craft stations. The event ends with the popular Halloween Costume Parade, where everyone has the chance to show off their costumes.

7) Enjoy treats (don’t worry, no tricks) at Childrenā€™s Discovery Museum of San Joseā€™s Halloween Family Night on October 31! Kids can participate in art and science activities, collect treats and more!

The post šŸŽƒKid Friendly Halloween Events 2019šŸ‘» appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/10/20/%f0%9f%8e%83kid-friendly-halloween-events-2019%f0%9f%91%bb/feed 0 https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/files/2019/10/halloween-150x150.jpg
Fall Home Maintenance Tips https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/09/10/fall-home-maintenance-tips https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/09/10/fall-home-maintenance-tips#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2019 22:51:25 +0000 http://realestatebysierra.com/?p=261 Spring cleaning is a ritual for most of us, but what about sprucing up your home and taking care of some maintenance items as the cooler weather approaches? In preparation for spending more time indoors, keep your home in tip top shape by being sure to: 1. Make sure your gutters stay clean and clog […]

The post Fall Home Maintenance Tips appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
Spring cleaning is a ritual for most of us, but what about sprucing up your home and taking care of some maintenance items as the cooler weather approaches? In preparation for spending more time indoors, keep your home in tip top shape by being sure to:

1. Make sure your gutters stay clean and clog free. It’s best to do this before leaves get wet from rain or snow.

2. Check caulking and weather strips around doors and windows.

3. Trim back trees that are too close to your house or other building structures.

4. Check for peeling paint and scrub any mildewed areas you find on your siding.

5. Check for cracks in your foundation, brick or stucco.

6. Repair or clean your furnace filter.

7. Examine your chimney. Clean flue; repair any cracks in flue or any loose or crumbling mortar.

8. Get a roof inspection. Make any repairs as per the inspectors’ recommendation (contact me for a roof inspector referral in your area).

 

The post Fall Home Maintenance Tips appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/09/10/fall-home-maintenance-tips/feed 0 https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/files/2019/09/Fall-Home-Maintenance-Tips-150x150.png
šŸ’µThe Dangers of Overpricing Your Home [VIDEO!] šŸŽ¬ https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/09/10/the-dangers-of-overpricing-your-home https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/09/10/the-dangers-of-overpricing-your-home#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2019 22:08:03 +0000 http://realestatebysierra.com/2019/09/10/buyers-how-contingencies-can-make-or-break-your-offer-copy   Pricing your home right the first time around is the single most important thing we can do to assure that your home sells within, or faster than, the current average selling time frame for your market, and for the best price. Pricing your home right the first time around is the single most important […]

The post šŸ’µThe Dangers of Overpricing Your Home [VIDEO!] šŸŽ¬ appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>

 

Pricing your home right the first time around is the single most important thing we can do to assure that your home sells within, or faster than, the current average selling time frame for your market, and for the best price.

Pricing your home right the first time around is the single most important thing we can do to assure that your home sells within, or faster than, the current average selling time frame for your market, and for the best price.

A property that is priced close to the market value generates the greatest amount of interest from qualified buyers.

If your home is priced above the market value, then you won’t attract prospective buyers who would otherwise be prime candidates for your home.

So let’s get straight into A few risks of pricing your home too high:

1) Your home will be listed beyond the search criteria of potentially qualified buyers. When buyers are active on the market searching for a home, they most likely will have an automated listing alert set up, which will notify them via email when a new listing hits the market that fits the criteria they are looking in. If your home is priced higher than what it’s actually worth, many buyers who have set up a search with a price bracket within the range that your home’s value actually falls into,Ā  won’t even get notified that your home hit the market. So you are missing out on prime buyers who would be perfect candidates for your home

2) Other Comparable homes in the neighborhood that are priced accurately will appear more attractive to buyers, potentially actually helping to sell competitive properties. If there are other homes that are similar in size and similar in condition in your neighborhood that are priced accurately, whereas yours is priced too high, buyers will see more value in the other homes and will be more apt to submit offers on those homes, while your home sits on the market.

3) May send the message to buyers and their agents that you are not truly motivated to sell.

4) Fewer agents will actively promote your home as a value to their prospective buyers. Buyers look to their agents for advice as to what homes have more value or are better buys, and agents will direct their buyers to homes that are listed accurately over homes that are overpriced.

5) All in all, fewer buyers will consider your home, resulting in fewer offers.

6) Lastly, marketing time is prolonged, and initial marketing momentum is lost

Let’s talk about The Significance of TimingĀ .

When your property is first placed on the market, it attracts immediate interest from the real estate community and from potential buyers. The first few weeks of coming on the market is your homeā€™s prime selling time.

Here is what happens: As a property comes on the market, there is a backlog of existing buyers who have been actively out in the market searching for their perfect home. In the first few weeks that your house is on the market, interested buyers will be excited to see if your home is what theyā€™ve been searching for. If your home is priced right and shows well, you have the greatest opportunity to sell your home during these first few weeks.

Because during that time, virtually all existing active buyers will have viewed your property. After that time, interest in your property drops as you wait for new buyers to actively enter the market.

A few things to keep in mind about buyers:

ā€¢ Buyers understand value ā€“ buyers are well educated on the relative prices of properties, and will select a property that meets their sense of value.

ā€¢ As buyers research the market, they quickly gain an awareness of the value of different homes and the asking prices.

ā€¢ Through their agents, buyers will also have access to comps of sold homes in the neighborhood which helps them price out their offers

A property that is competitively priced:

ā€¢ Takes advantage of the prime marketing momentum that occurs when the property first comes on the market

ā€¢ Sends a message to buyers about your motivation

ā€¢ Generates an increased number of showings & an increased number of offers

 

Sierra Roth

REALTOR Ā®,Ā BREĀ #01950753

M: 209.629.7573

Sierra.Roth@bhghome.com

The post šŸ’µThe Dangers of Overpricing Your Home [VIDEO!] šŸŽ¬ appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/09/10/the-dangers-of-overpricing-your-home/feed 0
šŸ“‹Buyers! How Contingencies Can Make or Break Your Offer! [VIDEO!] šŸŽ¬ https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/09/10/buyers-how-contingencies-can-make-or-break-your-offer https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/09/10/buyers-how-contingencies-can-make-or-break-your-offer#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2019 20:47:36 +0000 http://realestatebysierra.com/2019/09/10/%f0%9f%92%a110-home-energy-efficiency-tips-video-%f0%9f%8e%ac-copy   Price is not the only factor you want to consider when writing an offer. What contingencies you keep or waive is just as important, and can help make or break your offer, especially in a competitive situation when you are up against other offers.   What are contingencies? Ā Contingencies are a critical part of […]

The post šŸ“‹Buyers! How Contingencies Can Make or Break Your Offer! [VIDEO!] šŸŽ¬ appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>

 

Price is not the only factor you want to consider when writing an offer. What contingencies you keep or waive is just as important, and can help make or break your offer, especially in a competitive situation when you are up against other offers.

 

What are contingencies?

Ā Contingencies are a critical part of an offer to purchase a home, and should be carefully considered. The three most crucial contingencies are

  • loan contingency
  • inspection/disclosure contingency
  • appraisal contingency

As a buyer, you can decide what contingencies to include in your offer, and for what period of time. And depending on the nature of the current market and how competitive you want to be as a buyer, you can decide if you want to waive any contingencies.

Contingencies are clauses in a Residential Purchase Agreement that are meant to protect buyers. They give you time to complete your due diligence as a buyer, such as obtaining a loan, completing an appraisal, and completing any inspections you see fit. If any issues arise during the process or the findings are not to your liking, you have the right as a buyer to either re-negotiate or cancel the contract under the provision that that particular contingency provides, within the time frame specified in the offer. So, it is important to understand what each contingency entails.

 

What are the 3 most important contingencies to be considered when writing an offer?

Loan Contingency ā€“ Hopefully as one of your first steps to your home buying journey, you met with a loan officer to obtain your pre-approval letter.Ā 

ā†’ Having this letter in hand conveys to home sellers and listing agents that you are a qualified buyer, and enables you to start offering on homes.Ā 

However, in most cases a pre-approval letter is just that, ā€œPREā€-approval. Unless your mortgage professional has already put your file through underwriting to obtain full approval, it is (in most cases) in your best interest to keep your loan contingency in place.Ā 

Once you have an offer accepted by a seller and you are in escrow, the loan officer will start to move forward with processing your loan. This includes verifying all income and assets, ordering an appraisal to be performed on the home, providing you with a complete breakdown of what your monthly payments will be, etc. Your file is then sent to the underwriting team, who verifies all the information is complete and accurate. Sometimes, they may request additional documents or information.Ā 

Once this process is completed, your loan is then formally approved, and you can ā€œliftā€ or ā€œremoveā€ your loan contingency. Most times it is best to protect yourself as a buyer with a loan contingency in case any hiccups happen along the way, and in the most unfortunate circumstance (you lose your job, for example), your loan is not approved, and you need to cancel the contract.

Appraisal Contingencyā€“ When you get an offer accepted, your lender will order up an appraisal to be performed on the home.Ā 

ā†’ The appraiser is a neutral, licensed professional who will perform an appraisal on the house and provide a written report. They will visit the home to investigate the physical condition, and will check comparable sold properties in the neighborhood. With all of this information combined, they will give the house an ā€œappraised value.ā€Ā 

The important thing to keep in mind is that your lender will only provide a loan up to the appraised value. If you have included an appraisal contingency with your offer, you have room for negotiation should the appraised value come in less than what your offer price is.Ā 

For example: if your offer price is $500,000, and the appraised value comes in at $495,000, there is a $5,000 difference. If your appraisal contingency is in place, you are able to negotiate with the seller to try to close the gap in the difference, so that you as the buyer donā€™t have to bring in the difference in cash at the closing table.Ā 

However, keep in mind that the seller is not obligated to agree to a change in the purchase price should there be any difference in appraisal. The point is that keeping the contingency in place gives you options as a buyer. The seller may agree to match the purchase price with the appraisal, they might meet you halfway, or you may decide to bring in the difference in cash to close the difference, or, if compromises are not made, you can decide to cancel the contract within your appraisal contingency period.Ā 

On the flipside, if the appraised value comes in higher than the contract price, the buyer is under no obligation to pay a higher price for the home.

Inspection & Disclosure Contingency ā€“ This is probably the most misunderstood contingency. Many people think that this simply means physical inspections. Below is a list of many considerations that fall under the umbrella of inspections and disclosures. If during your inspection contingency time frame, you discover matters about the home that are not to your liking, you can renegotiate or cancel the contract within the allotted time for the inspection contingency. Here are some factors to consider:

  • Ā  Physical inspections: As a buyer you have the right to hire a professional inspector to do physical inspections such as a property/home inspection, termite inspection, roof inspection, pool inspection, chimney inspection, etc. depending on the particular home. (Please watch my ā€œInspectionsā€ video for more details)
  • Ā  Ā  Disclosures: There are quite a few disclosures that are required for any California real estate transaction that both seller and buyer need to review and sign. While many of these disclosures are purely informational, such as the Lead Based Paint Disclosure and Water Heater Statement of Compliance, there are a few disclosures that sellers are required to fill out, disclosing important information about the subject home, such as any updates to the home, easements on the property, rodent or pest issues, noise from neighborhood nuisances or airplanes, any deaths on the property within the last 3 years, and other pertinent information that buyers should be aware of before deciding if they want to purchase that home.Ā 
  • Ā  Ā  HOA Documents: This contingency also covers HOA documents, if applicable to your home.
  • Ā  Ā  Square footage verification: if your property of interest has had any additions, it is recommended to check with the city to make sure that the additions have been done with any necessary permits. Only additions done with permits can be counted into the overall square footage of the house, adding to the value, especially if/when you decide to sell.
  • Ā  Ā  NHD: Natural Hazard Disclosure report. This report discloses whether the subject property falls within an earthquake fault zone, flood zone, dam inundation area, right to farm area, etc.
  • Ā  Ā  Investment property considerations: if you are buying as an investment property, there are a few additional precautions you want to take. For example, if the home is a townhouse or condo, the HOA will sometimes restrict what percentage of the units in that complex can be rented out. You want to make sure that there is room in the percentage for you to use that property as a rental.
  • Ā  Ā  Neighborhood: do you get good cell service in the house? Is there any noise from airports, trains or schools? Is there a high crime rate in the area? All of these considerations fall within the Buyer Inspection contingency. Buyers have the right to thoroughly investigate all matters affecting the property.
  • Ā  Ā  Insurability of a home: are you in a flood or fire hazard area?
  • Ā  Ā  All other matters on the Buyerā€™s Inspection Advisory (attached for reference)

Ā 

What happens if I try to cancel the contract after contingencies are lifted?

Contingencies are meant to protect you as a buyer, and give you the time necessary to allow you to do your due diligence and investigate all matters of the home so you feel comfortable with moving forward with the purchase. However, once you waive your contingencies, you are giving up your right to cancel that contract and get your deposit back.Ā  A deposit (usually 3% of the purchase price), is held in escrow as your ā€œEarnest Money Deposit,ā€ which lets the seller know you are entering into the contact in good faith and that you intend to purchase the property, should everything go smoothly during your due diligence period. If you decide that you want to cancel the contract and you no longer want to purchase the home after you have waived your contingencies, the seller has a right to your deposit to recoup the time lost while in escrow with you. On the other hand, if you want to cancel the contract based on a concerning finding in the home inspection report, or if there is a huge gap in appraisal value vs. your offer price, for examples, you can cancel the contract and receive your deposit back rightly-so, as long as you cancel within the particular contingency period that you allotted for yourself in your offer.

 

What are the benefits of waiving contingencies?

In a very competitive market, many buyers decide to waive contingencies upfront in hopes of creating a more appealing offer for the seller. The reason waiving contingencies makes your offer ā€œstrongerā€ in the eyes of a seller, is because you are conveying to the seller that you are very serious about the property and you donā€™t intend to back out of the contract. Of course, waiving contingencies upfront should not be taken lightly, and as a buyer you should discuss this with your RealtorĀ® and your loan officer to decide if you are safe to do so. For example, if a seller has already performed all of the important physical inspections recently and you have reviewed the reports and are ok with the condition of the home, you may consider waiving the physical inspection contingency portion. Or, if you have thoroughly reviewed the comparables in the neighborhood with your RealtorĀ® and you are confident that the price you are offering is in-line with the other recent sale prices of similar homes, you may feel comfortable waiving your appraisal contingency because you donā€™t anticipate a huge gap in the appraisal value vs. your offer price. Again, each contingency can be carefully considered, and your agent can advise which contingencies are safe to waive, if any.

 

Any more contingency questions?

When preparing an offer to purchase a home, it is best to consult with your RealtorĀ® to decide what contingencies to keep in place, and for how long, or to discuss the option of waiving any contingencies up front. My job as a professional RealtorĀ® is to educate you and give you all the information to help you make not only an informed decision, but a decision you are comfortable and happy with. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions!

 

Sierra Roth

REALTOR Ā®,Ā BREĀ #01950753

M: 209.629.7573

Sierra.Roth@bhghome.com

The post šŸ“‹Buyers! How Contingencies Can Make or Break Your Offer! [VIDEO!] šŸŽ¬ appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/09/10/buyers-how-contingencies-can-make-or-break-your-offer/feed 0
Ingredients for Green Cleaning https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/09/10/ingredients-for-green-cleaning https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/09/10/ingredients-for-green-cleaning#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2019 06:16:50 +0000 http://realestatebysierra.com/?p=265   Protecting and preserving the environment starts right in your own home. Here are some items that will not only save you money but are also safer for you, those you care about, and for the environment. Pure Soap Soap biodegrades safely and completely, and is non-toxic. Make sure that you use soap without synthetic […]

The post Ingredients for Green Cleaning appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
 

Protecting and preserving the environment starts right in your own home. Here are some items that will not only save you money but are also safer for you, those you care about, and for the environment.

Pure Soap
Soap biodegrades safely and completely, and is non-toxic. Make sure that you use soap without synthetic scents, colors, or other additives. Even phosphate-free laundry detergent contributes to water pollution.

Vinegar (Five percent Acetic Acid)
Vinegar is a mild disinfectant which cuts grease, cleans glass, and deodorizes. It can also remove calcium deposits, stains, and wax build-up. The most commonly used vinegar in cleaning isĀ is distilled white vinegar.

Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a good disinfectant and deodorizer. It gets rid of some stains like ink and grease, kills and repels some insects, and even attacks rust.

Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate)
A key ingredient for washing clothes, washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, disinfects, and softens water. Washing soda should not be used on aluminum.

Baking Soda (Bicarbonate of soda)
Baking soda works as well as an abrasive in alternate recipes. Baking soda polishes, removes stains, and softens fabrics. Baking soda is also great as a deodorizer. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. In fact, put it anywhere you need deodorizing action: trash cans, laundry, and even smelly sneakers.

Lemon
Lemon, like vinegar, is a terrific cleaning agent. The acid in lemons is antibacterial and antiseptic, and it acts as a natural bleach. The citrus smell of a lemon is refreshing and invigorating. Oils in the rinds can also help to clean and shine.

  • Drains:Ā Lemon rinds can be ground in the garbage disposal to freshen the drain. Hot water with a little lemon poured down a drain will also freshen the drain.
  • Bleaching:Ā Lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent. Put lemon juice onto white linens and clothing and allow them to dry in the sun. Stains will be bleached away.
  • Degreasing:Ā The acid in lemon juice cuts through grease and does a good job removing grease from theĀ stove and countertops.
  • Add the mixture to vinegar:Ā Vinegar can be a great cleaning ingredient,Ā but many people dislike the vinegar smell. Adding lemon juice to vinegar when cleaning can help neutralize the vinegar smell.

The post Ingredients for Green Cleaning appeared first on Sierra Roth.

]]>
https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/2019/09/10/ingredients-for-green-cleaning/feed 0 https://sierraroth.rpeastbay.com/files/2019/09/Copy-of-Fall-Home-Maintenance-Tips-150x150.png