How did 2011 compare to 2010 in Real Estate?

People often ask me how things are in Real Estate.  When I tell them that things are great, they look at me doubtfully.  It is so interesting to me, to find out how people get their Real Estate info.  It seems to me that everyone has a friend who is a realtor or that someone they know has not been able to sell their house. (tell them to call me!)  Why do people prefer to only listen to the bad out there?  Frankly, last year was a

My A-Ha moment and how to keep some Goodwill in your bank account

Recently a friend of mine had the opportunity to meet Oprah Winfrey in person (twice in one week!) and she told me how she shared with Oprah, her "A-Ha" moment.
Suddenly, I realized that I had just had my own "A-Ha" moment. This is something that I have been practicing for a long time now, but only until earlier this year, did I find a way to articulate my philosophy. 

I was in escrow with a first time home buyer.  My client was very very nervous about the large purchase that he was about to make.   His last contingency was

Following my passion and selling Real Estate, one and the same?

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.”    Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement address June 12, 2005.

That is how I feel about Real Estate. It is truly a culmination of the best

My week in Real Estate... September 10, 2011

People seem to be so curious about the Real Estate market and what is really going on out there. I thought I would share my thoughts on the market and give you an idea as to what has been going on in the past couple of weeks.

Interest rates are so low now that I like to say that “money is on sale”. Rates like these do not happen often, and if you are waiting for prices to go down, know that there is never a perfect time to buy. You need to think about your personal situation and where you plan to live for the next 5-7 years. The average homeowner moves every

Is it absolutely necessary to get preapproved for a loan before making an offer?

No, it is not absolutely necessary, but I don't recommend it either. The only time an offer should be submitted without a pre-approval letter is when you are making an ALL CASH offer.

A pre-approval letter shows the seller that you are a serious buyer and that you have the wherewithal to actually buy their property. Without the letter, they can't really consider your offer.
Additionally, there may be other offers that the seller is reviewing. Chances are that the other offers include pre-approval letters, and therefore, the sellers will likely move forward with them first. In my opinion, every good

Dear Seller, Disclosures are your best friend....

Selling your home can be scary. Sellers often ask themselves "What should I disclose to the buyer? Should I tell them that my Aunt Bea died in the house? What about that toilet that backs up twice a year? Or what about the mangy dog next door that is always barking?"