Fremont homes

If you are thinking about buying a new home, don’t miss an opportunity to save money. Everyone likes to compare the best value on products or services, and will take advantage of specials or discounts in order to save money. What about buying a new home from a builder?

How do you save money when buying a new home? Home builders may offer what is called a broker co-op, which is a sales commission offered to a real estate agent as an incentive to show clients their new homes. The sales commission may range from 3% to 4% of the sales price.

Many real estate agents are now offering to share their commission with their home buyer clients. Before making an offer to buy a new home, a buyer can make an agreement with an agent to represent them, in exchange for a share of the commission paid by the home builder.

The amount of money a buyer can save depends on the share of the commission, which is negotiable with the agent, and the sales price of the home. For example, buying a new home with a sales price of $300,000, with a 2% share, would save the buyer $6,000.

The buyer can receive a check at the close of escrow, or the money may be applied to the down payment or closing costs, providing there are no restrictions from the mortgage lender, or state laws that regulate real estate transactions.

 Most new home builders don?t usually advertise a broker co-op offering, so the buyer, or the buyer?s agent would have to ask. The home builder may have a requirement for the buyer’s agent to be with them when visiting the office, or signing paperwork for buying a new home, so be sure to clarify the rules. A little time spent could mean a lot saved.

For a list of Fremont Homes for sale, Real Estate listings, California Real Estate go to http://www.helpusellachievers.com or contact Meena Gujral at 510-279-9580.

Homes Sold by Meena in Fremont 

Homes sold by Meena in Castro Valley, California

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When considering to purchase homes for sale, we generally think first of single-family homes. There are many advantages, however, to condominiums that single-family homes for sale cannot give you.

According to the National Association of Realtors, condominiums are most popular for first-time homes for sale buyers, especially single women. Next, come retirees and empty nesters, who do not wish to have all the physical upkeep required by single-family homes for sale. Thus, condominiums make up an increasing share of the output of the top homebuilders across the nation, even with the decrease in homes for sale since the bubble deflated.

In addition to new condominiums being built, many apartment buildings, hotels office buildings, and even warehouses that have been vacant or partially filled are being converted into condominiums. These condominium homes for sale take less than a year to convert, with upgrades to the exterior and common areas. They add amenities to the interior; and in some, they add a pool, spa, gym and/or clubhouse to attract the upscale homes for sale buyers.

The best deals in condominium homes for sale are those in the process of being converted or built. You usually can purchase during construction/renovation at a 10-15 percent discount. Look carefully at the purchase contract, however, if the condominium is being converted from an apartment building. Ensure you will not be required to allow current renters to stay for a specified length of time.

A condominium homes for sale has many benefits. Like a single-family home, they appreciate in value and have the same tax advantages. Unlike a single-family homes for sale, your homeowner association and maintenance fees covers all major upkeep costs of common areas, landscaping and so on. Sometimes, several other amenities and benefits are covered, as well.

Converted Condominiums

Before buying a homes for sale in a converted building, find out how old the building is and what updates they made during the conversion. Older buildings generally have more frequent and higher cost repairs. Ask if the homeowners association has enough money in reserve to cover major costs, such as roof replacement. If not, will the owners have to meet the costs. How old are the appliances, especially the furnace, hot water heater, and air conditioning? If the appliances are not new, consider purchasing maintenance and repair contracts to save large expenses later.

Established Condominiums

Before buying a homes for sale in an established condominium complex, ask to see all available documents, including minutes of the association for the past few years. Ensure your potential homes for sale will not see a major increase in maintenance or association fees, taxes, and so on. Also, look for any noticeable disputes that residents have had with the association. You do not want to purchase a condo that will give you a lot of headaches. As with converted buildings, consider purchasing maintenance and repair contracts If the appliances are not new.

Buying Any Condominium

Always check the contract and association rules for the following:

? What is the consequence of late payment of association or maintenance fees? Possible actions are lien against your condominium, foreclosure, and court action.

? What are the restrictions? Do they restrict age of residents; pets; who and how many people may live in your homes for sale; no renting or subleasing; number of guests at one time in your unit, home business; and so on?

? Make sure you understand the definitions of the restrictions (such as, what constitutes excessive noise).

? What are the consequences of the different restrictions?

? How and when can you access the pool, spa, gym or clubhouse?

? Does the association have to approve all buyers? Do they conduct a criminal background check before approval? A condominium can offer you more safety than a single-family homes for sale in that the association can ensure its residents do not have criminal backgrounds.

Once you purchase your condominium homes for sale, insure the inside against liability and damage. Consider the extra cost for flood (if even a remote possibility exists ? think Hurricane Katrina) and wind insurance (especially for units above ground level).

One of the biggest reasons that homes for sale by the owner often do not sell very quickly is due to the vendor not knowing how to advertise the property effectively. FSBO does not have to be intimidating and the following tips will prevent you having to fork out costly real estate agent fees when selling your home yourself.
The key to selling your house quickly is by using effective advertising such as that offered by several real estate web sites in the U.S. Some sites allow FSBO home listings to be posted free, so check what is available in your area. When placing your ad, include several flattering pictures of your home and keep your advertising copy short and simple. Make sure that you stress attractive characteristics, employing words and phrases that are appealing to prospective purchasers. Terms like Newly Remodelled, Close to All Amenities or Priced below Market are good for starters.
Another important tool in your marketing arsenal are lawn signs. If you also attach some form of container with information sheets to the sign, any prospective purchasers will have instant access to your contact info.
Before you put your house on the market, it must be immaculate inside and out. Homebuyers are attracted to clean, spacious and appealing homes. Remove all clutter and clean your home thoroughly, including the carpeting and windows. Do not underestimate the power of curb appeal. Trim the trees, plant colorful flowers and make sure your lawn is neat. Another instant turn off for potential buyers is to be overpowered by a not so sweet smelling house odor as soon as they set foot inside your front door. If you have pets, you need to make sure that the air is not permeated with that all too familiar doggy smell. Although it is better to get rid of the smell at source instead of attempting to disguise it, some essential oils put in discrete locations around the house can make the world of difference. Since you probably do not notice the odor yourself, invite a friend or neighbor over to give you an honest second opinion.
The actual asking price is another key factor in the ability to sell your home rapidly. Over pricing when selling a house is the biggest reason why many homes for sale by the owner do not move. A good guide to being able to price your home properly is to check local realty listings to work out the average going rate for similar properties in your area. As a general guideline, if you pitch your selling price at about ten percent higher than the actual going rate, you will likely receive offers, and hopefully a sale, very close to the true market value of the house.
One service that you should not do without is that of an attorney who is knowledgeable in the intricacies of home dealing. A survey by a professional home inspector should also be carried out, to find any problems that you may not be aware of.
Selling a home yourself can be time consuming, but the financial rewards are tremendous. Presentation together with proper pricing and effective advertising should see your property being sold in no time at all. Educating yourself about the nuances of the real estate market in your area will make you as effective as any realtor but without the costly fees.

Exit the Traffic Jams – Buy a Condo

Condos are a great buy, holding their price in a downwards market – and sometimes even increasing their value!

Why would it be that in many distressed realty areas, condos are holding their price? Is it the glut of baby boomers moving into the easier ‘condo’ lifestyle? Is it because they can often be less expensive than houses for first time buyers? Could it be because single householders (who are more likely to choose condos) have now out-numbered married ones? Is it because condos are built slap in the middle of town?

Whatever the reason, condo prices have remained unchanged in nearly sixty key USA metros and they have even shown a price increase in thirty-three metros. A closer look at the figures for the nation could point to the answer.

For instance, Chicago is one of the metros where sales of townhouses and condos were mostly equal or higher than in the previous year. Chicago is a very condo-dense city which could indicate that many buyers probably wish to avoid all the traffic jams and live right where they work. The immediacy of condo life is very appealing to city lovers and the career-minded.

The south-western coast of USA boasts the highest priced condos in the nation. In the San Francisco, Oakland, Fremont area you could pay the median figure of $600,000 for a condo. This is fairly high when you consider that the median price for a condo in North Carolina is $116,000.

The second highest median condo price is in the Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Ana area and this is quoted as $363,000. This market is closely followed by the San Diego, Carlsbad, San Marcos area where the median price for a condo is $327,000.

These areas could all fall under the ‘West’ resort bracket, a sought after location, where all prices are high against the national average.

The rules for buying a condo are the same as ever: location, location, location. However, prospective condo buyers would be well advised to pay attention to the other type of rule pertinent to condo ownership – that of the HOA.

HOA stands for Home Owners Association and it is imperative to read through their rule book before you buy. You will have to live by these rules, so you will need to ensure that they fit your lifestyle. You will also need to ensure that any conditions that you particularly want when buying the condo will not be jeopardized by the HOA rules.

For instance, if you are planning to rent your suite out for half the year, or even half a week – make sure this is allowed. In order to keep the community feeling of the condo society, some HOA’s do not like transience.

Permanency builds neighborliness and it also means that the condo occupier is more likely to adhere to the rules. If you are just stopping there for one week, you may well crank up the stereo while you are sunning on the balcony. Rental options may be disallowed in order to better enhance the lifestyle of all the permanent residents.

Another point to watch is this: if you are a do-it-yourselfer, many condos have rules about only using certain contractors to carry out repair problems and/or decorate. Certain other rules are involved in condo living; for instance, night-time noise may be regulated after, say, 11pm.

If the rules of the HOA fit your wishes and your lifestyle, then it will seem as if the conditions are non-existent. However, if part of the deal of purchasing your condo involves augmenting your financial status by renting it, you will need to ensure that this is acceptable.