Real estate agents who help Fremont home buyers look at homes spend a lot of time out in the field. Today, I was one of the agents doing just that--spending a lot of time out in the field showing Fremont homes. My home buyers and I looked at 11 homes today. It may not be considered a lot of homes by some, but we did it smoothly and effectively within 2 hours without being rushed. That was nice. The odd part of it all was that during the whole time, I felt like I was being stalked. Not by my clients but by other Fremont home buyers. More times than a few, we pulled up to the next house on our tour only to find that there was someone already waiting there in a car or van. They seemed motionless at first. Quietly, these car sitters waited for me to pull up, and then watched me get out my s... 01/30/2010

On Tuesday, Jan 11, the Fremont City Council voted to join the California FIRST financing program. As reported in last week's issue, California FIRST is a voluntary program that provide loans to homeowners to finance energy efficiency upgrades. The loans are repaid through a special property tax assessment. Recently the City of Hayward joined this program and Bay East staff testified in favor of the California FIRST program and urged Hayward to involve the REALTOR® community in designing and marketing the program. Bay East offered the same support and cooperation to the City of Fremont. Remember .... "Dream Green"  Considering Moving to the East Bay Area?    ~   Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?       Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?      Search East Bay Area Properties... 01/19/2010

Fremont interested in the Oakland A's...again... At a council meeting last week, Fremont City Manager Fred Diaz revived Fremont's chances at landing the team.  Supporters and opponents of the new stadium were equal in attendance.  Notably different than in January 2009 when hundreds of stadium opponents rallied outside of City Hall.  More than a dozen Chamber of Commerce members spoke to the council in favor of the new stadium plan.  Supporters of the stadium believe that bringing the baseball team to Fremont would boost business and create more jobs.  Opponents, however, say that research has shown that stadiums are not economic opponents. The new stadium plans would put a 36,000-seat ballpark on 120 acres of land owned by the NUMMI auto plant, which will be closing in April of this ye... 01/19/2010

I got frustrated with somethings in the real estate business recently. One thing in particular was the fact that buyers were asking me to show them properties I knew nothing about. I got calls that went something like..."Oh Jeff, here's one I want to see." or "Jeff, can we see these. I'll send you a list." These were listings I had never seen, they were growing in number, and they were coming from other MLSs like Santa Clara, San Mateo, etc. Santa Clara County MLS currently does not cooperate with Alameda County, so if this is new to you, it might be a little complicated. For example, let's say a Santa Clara broker gets a Fremont listing but does not have the Alameda County MLS subscription. It happens a lot. It will only show in their MLS not mine or maybe not yours. Well, frustrated, ... 01/18/2010

If you remember reading about Agnus from a recent post here, you might agree with us when we tell you that we collectively decided it was time to let her go from our 'current client list.' It is a rare thing to let a client go or even worse, fire a client, but there comes a time when you need to stay on target with the business and stop representing a client. In order to successfully represent a client, they should be ready, willing and able. "Ready" is usually environmental or possibly a work related aspect of making the move. "Willing" is the drive behind it; the motivation and reason. "Able" is the feasibility; usually the money and/or other resources. These are my subjective definitions, but they seem true enough to get the point across. Agnus showed all three, but later it was disc... 01/14/2010

If you have been on facebook, and had seen this ad you should buy a pack or two here http://www.amazon.com/. They are these clever little snaps that wrap around the end of an open bag, then you just snap the other on top. Now why didn't I think of that. Is it real estate related? No, but they sure are cool if you like to keep things fresh and neat. You get 12 for $10.00. I have a bunch. I love em. 01/13/2010

Some time ago, I was at City Beach for my coed bachelor and bachelorette party. Yes, my wife-to-be was there. It was a fun time, and I especially enjoyed the bocce courts they have there. Thanks to my brother and a resource or two, I learned that the floor of the bocce court is partially made up of crushed oyster shell. Fascinated by such a claim, I bent down for a closer look. Sure enough, there were little bits of oyster shell on the bocce court. It actually had a mother of pearl effect under the bocce court lights they use there. However, albeit beautiful to some, it can be a bit messy and quite evident to that fact immediately after players receive a pat for a good roll. A white, dusty hand print poofs its way onto almost any fabric. Well meaning gestures of, "way to go" and "good o... 01/12/2010

If you go to my site, http://www.tricityhome.com, you will see an iPhone app down near the bottom of the page that you can download. The application allows users to search for homes on the iPhone in Fremont and many other cities, but even better, a user can create a search criteria, save it and when a home comes up for sale that matches the criteria, it alerts the iPhone user to view their homes on the iPhone. Pictures, data and map are all there. Great, Now that it was in, I was ready to go give it a try on my phone. One small problem. I have a Blackberry. My developer passed me up and went straight to search for homes on the iPhone. He said that there are much more apps written for the iPhone. But, they are working on the application for the Blackberry as I write, supposedly. So, I ca... 01/10/2010

In a Q & A I took part in, a homebuyer needed to know if his agent was a "great" agent or just there, like a lemon. My answer was abit roundabout because it can be subjective, but only up to a point. There is merit to the question. Representing a seller for example, any licensee can list a home, but having real estate contract knowledge and thinking outside of the box when an offer comes though the fax or scan is one of several characteristics that mark a great agent. I tutor my agents in regards to the purchase agreement for a total almost 8 hours of lecture—line for line in a Quicktime presentation. Not that I have arrived by any means, but I want my new agents to know what I know about the contract. Knowing the buyer’s 3 day right of rescission for lead, natural hazard disclosures a... 01/08/2010

I am starting off the 2010 year by putting together my Women's Network for Home Buyers here in Fremont, CA.  Single women continue to be a  very strong  member of the home ownership here in our local market.  tha NAR states that twenty percent of home buyers were single females, and 10 percent were single males.  With the $8000 Tax Credit, the numbers could only increase here in our Fremont Housing Market.   Part of our goals of the Fremont Women's Home Buyers group is to help educate the buyers with the new rules and regulations of the lending industry.  We want to help women make strong educated decisions on the key aspects of purchasing a first time home or an invesment. We hear it is satisfying to purchase a bank owned home. Mmaybe maybe not.  Connecting with our Women's Fremont Hom... 01/04/2010

If you do not know already, there is a great Social Media tool sort of like YouTube. It's called Slideshare. http://www.slideshare.net As an agent and a broker, teaching is part of the profession. Home buyers, home sellers, licensees and myself included all benefit from being educated about real estate and how it applies to us all. Slideshare allows you to create streaming audio/visual presentations using PowerPoint (other programs too), but PowerPoint being perhaps the most convenient. Once finished, like in my example below, viewers must click on the green play button rather than the prompt that moves, so I'm sure that could be a bit confusing. But all in all, Social media packs a punch. For example, without even trying, the slide share presentation below has been viewed almost one th... 12/27/2009

A while back, I had a home for sale in Union City, and I had just finished up on a few things after an open house. I decided to drive home by way of a different street. All the while, in the back of my mind, I wondered where a poor Prudential agent's real estate sign ended up, and there it was. The sign was posted on a home for sale in Union City on Almaden Ct off of Alvarado during my listing period on another Union City home nearby. My seller and I always got a kick out of the bare post with no sign. The missing sign started as a dangler. You know, the one hook dangle? Then, it just dropped on the lawn. The agent never bothered to check on the home. I even called. After a while, someone finally decided to dump it. Stop, I know what you're thinking--It wasn't me. I'm not trying to sla... 12/23/2009

I have a wonderful home in Parkmont for sale here at http://www.homes-in-fremont-unioncity-newark.com/ I put it at this point2home site because I want to have the home in parkmont be posted (syndicated) to 30+ websites. Well, it worked. It's out there, and we are marketing the home in Parkmont aggressively. In fact, we procured a ready, willing and very able buyer today. I cannot discuss particulars, but even though the buyer is ready willing and able to purchase this home, we have obstacles. One problem is overcome already, the HUD requirements for FHA and condos regarding spot approvals for condos I mentioned in an earlier blog here http://tricityhome.blogspot.com/2009/12/fha-loans-for-condos-in-fremont.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/TCREB+(Home... 12/17/2009

My wife and I are inviting friends over from their new home in Niles this weekend; now that school will be out for two weeks Sunday works out okay. They recently bought a home in Niles Fremont off of Easterday. We live in a Parkmont home in Fremont, so it's never too far to go for a quick visit, and instead of us going over there for their open home in Niles, we decided to have them come this way. I will be making brick-fired pizza from a home made brick/Weber BBQ fueled by an industrial propane burner. It's a guy thing and another story all together. Pizza may not really say Christmas, so we needed something a bit more seasonal. Ah ha! Persimmon pudding for desert. For those of you who may not know about bread puddings, they happen to be one of the very best concoctions known in the cu... 12/16/2009

Most home buyers for condos in Fremont are unaware of the new changes in FHA requirements. When I say requirements, I am not referring to the buyer's requirements. They seem to have remained the same, but the real change has come from somewhere else. FHA loans for condos in Fremont and everywhere else have placed HOA risk assessments into the picture. FHA is a program not necessarily a loan by itself, and lenders need to comply with the program that is set forth by HUD (Housing and Urban Development). The new catch is that the subdivision/HOA has to have been approved by HUD for FHA loans in Fremont to occur. Here's an example. If a condo subdivision, say like Mowry Gardens in Fremont (Redwood Terrace), has condo for sale which it does by yours truly here http://www.homes-in-fremont-uni... 12/10/2009

$199,000.00 - 2-bedroom condo in Fremont Villas is a good dealLocation: Fremont VillasGood value, good location, good amenities, good condition.This condo is located in Fremont Villas, a park-like complex with beautifully landscaped grounds, mature trees, and lots of mini-green belts. Wonderfully located near city amenities and BART, with easy access to major citY amenities.The residents enjoy a nice pool and clubhouse, and have reserved covered parking. While guests will have little trouble finding off-street parking.The unit is on the upper floor, and as such benefits from lofty ceilings and ample natural light. The balcony is large enough to accommodate a barbecue. The kitchen is well equipped with newer appliances. For even more convenience, the unit has laundry hookups including a ... 12/10/2009

Sunday was our day to tour a few Fremont Christmas tree lots for our favorite Charlie Brown tree.  Well, it didn't really turn out to be Charlie Brown at all.  We went to a new spot first.  We know the trees are costly this year due to the lack of rain!  Of course, we know our trees don't come from California anyway, esecially they aren't local here in Fremont.  The problem was, no trees were great, but they were very expensive.  Of course, we ended up at regular stop.  Regan's Nusery in Fremont. CA.   Usually we have our three children with us when we start the Christmas tree hunt.  We gear up with Hot Chocolate and warm clothes.  This Sunday was especially cold due to the Canada winter srorm watch.  It was almost to the point of thinking snow was going to start blowing as we tretched ... 12/07/2009

I tweeted using Openbeak for the blackberry earlier today while I was in the Niles area of Fremont . I was on my way to meet with Pat Montellano, a purveyor of fine collectibles such as plates, cups and all things art deco like syrup dispensers over at A Time For Tea in the Niles area of Fremont, of which I happened to have a recent affinity for. I talked to Pat a few months ago asking her if she had plans to pick up any dispensers. She said she would and for me to write my name on a list, so I did. Last week I got a call from Pat claiming that she found a few of the 50's art deco syrup dispensers for me while she left the Niles area of Fremont and went on her road trip into the Midwest. When she returned, she asked me what colors I had in mind. I wanted to know if she found any with sa... 12/07/2009

Last week I brought a client into a new subdivision in Fremont called Gramercy at Park Lane West in the Irvington area. After locating the sales office, and after filling out my broker form, I escorted my Fremont home buyer into the Gramercy at Park Lane West's Lanesborough Loft and then the Devonshire model home in what is called the Westerley at Park Lane West. Those were as large as they were stunning. But most of this is written about the Gramercy. It has been a while since I have walked into a new home subdivision, but I must say, I was quite impressed. First, the staging furniture was excellent as well as the accents. Sure there was the cardboard computer on a desk, but that is to be expected. Who's going to put either an outdated 40lb monitor on the table? or risk placing a Power... 12/04/2009

Subscribe In the last year with the help of the tax credit, there has been a rise in first time home buyers. The National Association of Realtors says the percentage of first time buyer is up to 47% in 2009 compared to 41% in 2008 and 36% in 2006. The unemployment rate is close to peaking and is projected to ease to 9.5% by the end of next year. Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-11-17/housing-a... 11/30/2009