Monthly Archives: June 2014

Silicon Valley Mortgage Rates June 13_2014

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Courtesy Tony Guaraldi, VP of Mortgage Lending Guaranteed Rate Mortgage

Are Interest Only loans coming back???  Well technically they never fully left the industry even after the mortgage market meltdown in 2008, but most people are unaware these programs still exist today.  However, there is only a small handful of lenders that offer the Interest Only programs today and they are nothing like “fog the mirror” test to qualify for them as it many people joked about prior to 2008.  In fact the Interest Only programs offered today are even more strict in terms of income, down payment, and credit requirements then their principal in interest counter parts.  Makes sense that underwriting would be more strict as the lender is taking more risk by not have principal reduced every month.

CLICK HERE for the current Friday Mortgage Rate Sheet effective June 13, 2014.  Continue reading →

Bay Area home sales great for sellers, tough on buyers

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“Bay Area Housing – Hopeful buyers face big hurdles – Low inventory drives up prices shutting out midlevel shoppers”

Courtesy Pete Carey – June 12, 2014

The Bay Area’s housing market stumbled in May — prime home-buying season — as high prices and low inventory held real estate sales well below normal levels, according to a report Thursday.

Sales of single-family houses were down from the same month last year in the East Bay, Peninsula and South Bay, while prices were up, according to real estate information service DataQuick, which released the report. Prices for all types of homes were at their highest since November 2007 in the nine-county Bay Area.

CLICK HERE for the full Mercury News article.

 

Intero founder Gino Blefari to take charge of Warren Buffett’s real estate franchise business

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Congratulations Gino Blefari – A great businessman, leader, inspirational mentor who I appreciate many great years having been a part of his team!

Courtesy Inman News, June 10, 2014

Earl Lee, the veteran Prudential Real Estate executive who helped launch Warren Buffett’s new real estate franchise brand, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, will step down as CEO of parent company HSF Affiliates Inc. on Jan. 1 and hand over the reins to Gino Blefari, the founder of Intero Real Estate Services.

Cupertino, Calif.-based Intero Real Estate Services was acquired last month by Buffett’s giant brokerage firm, HomeServices of America Inc., giving the company a foothold in Silicon Valley.

CLICK HERE for the full Inman News article.

Gorgeous Homes in Mountain View and Los Altos_Broker Tour June. 6

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By Jeni Pfeiffer, Associate Broker, Realtor

June 6, 2014 – It was a busy Mountain View and Los Altos Broker Tour today! Here are some highlights of homes that I visited. First, three favorites from the Mountain View Whisman Station:

  1. 125 HUNTINGTON CT Mountain View – Boasts 16 year new unit with 3 Bedrooms and 2 1/2 Baths, listed for $849,000. with $215 HOA fees – Serenity and pride of ownership, I found the painted soft beach colors very soothing.
  2. 121 FREDERICK CT Mountain View featuring 3 Bedrooms and 2 1/2 Baths – The stately column entryway is handsome! This nice end unit means more windows, natural light and lovely views of the greenbelt! Listed for $840,000 with $215 HOA fees.
  3. 248 WALKER DR #8 Mountain View featuring 2 Bedrooms and 2 Baths, 33 year new. The greenbelt view is inviting, and unit has been nicely updated. Listed for $698,000 with $440 HOA fee.

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