Category

RE Investing

Jan 04
0

Are you taking advantage of this market in 2008?

By | Buyers, RE Investing, Sellers, Sonoma County info | No Comments

The article in yesterday’s Press Democrat titled “Slide to Continue” was ‘of-course’ about the ‘horrific’ Real Estate market was actually very interesting. Ashley Young -the example used in the article-  did take advantage of the current market and bought her home in Windsor for $470,000. About 2 years ago that house might have sold for $630,000. I am proud of Ashley, she is taking advantage of the cycle in Real Estate. About 15 years ago we had the same type of market and at a seminar I recently attended some people mentioned that they bought in that down market 15 years ago and were glad they did.

Real Estate is worth the investment however…. in the long run. If you bought your home about 6 years ago your chances are about 100% that you will sell it for more than you bought.

So what will you do? Sell you house and move up to a house that is also less in value (less property taxes too)? Take advantage and make the difficult move to own instead of rent? Or start building your investment portfolio and purchase a rental property? The rental market is great and the rents will go up the coming years.

And despite of what you might think: interest rates are at an historical low and there are a lot of great programs available.

Have a great day!

mirjamnew.jpg   Mirjam

Dec 18
0

The perceived value of your home…

By | RE Investing, Sellers | No Comments

What I find interesting is that a lot of people are worried about the decline of property values (see PD article -or not) for the wrong reason. I have heard some people mention that they are thinking about selling because property values have come down. As a matter of fact, sometimes I do give people advise not to sell their home because other options might be better. I do like to sell properties but only when sold for the right reasons -> which are many.

If you live in the home you like and you can afford your mortgage, why worry about what the market does? If you are not planning on selling, what’s the problem? The value of your property is ‘paper money’ unless you sell. Over the long run, property values go up so don’t worry about what is happening. Yes, you might not be able to refinance and take equity out of your home, but that is only smart depending on what you use it for. If you are taking equity out of your home to pay of credit cards, you might have a different problem that needs to be addressed.

My husband and I owned properties in declining markets and quite frankly we never ‘lost’ on any of our homes. Of all the decisions my husband I made over time, Real Estate has always been good.

If you have questions or would like to get some feedback on your situation, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Oh, don’t forget: if you bought when the market was still hot and you have reason to think that the market value of your property is less than what you paid, don’t forget to take advantage of Prop 8 -> have your assessed value adjusted so you pay less property tax. 

Mirjam de Rijk

 mirjamnew.jpg mirjam@c21alliance.com

Dec 16
0

Life is good in Sonoma County…

By | Buyers, RE Investing, Sonoma County info, Visit WineCountry, Wine Tasting | No Comments

Did you already get a chance to drop by WineSpectum in downtown Santa Rosa’s Rail Road Square? I did meet with a friend – the best chiroprator I know: Patrick Pisenti -> just opened his office in Santa Rosa- and it was a great experience. Roland Hankerson the manager is extremely knowledgeable about wine and the selections is unusual. WineSpectrum is a wine bar, the store next to the bar and you are able to buy the wine you enjoyed at the bar. Often they put wines on the list before they become famous. It’s worth going there and try some unknown wines.

We enjoyed a Cabernet Franc from Kenefick Ranch, it was Caitlin’s Select and it was delicious. You should try it before it’s sold out. It was a wine Roland recommended and it surely was a great pick.

Which brings me to my Real Estate thought for the day: the interest rates have come down over the last week, there are plenty of good deals around in Sonoma County, NOW is a great time to buy. We are already seeing multiple offer situations on the super deals : investors are jumping in. For anybody renting and thinking about buying: NOW is a good time to look at the numbers. You’d be surprised how ‘affordable’ Sonoma County has become for starters and how many interesting deals there are for investors.

Have a great day!

Mirjam de Rijk

(707) 486-2638

Dec 12
0

Commercial Historical Properties

By | Buyers, RE Investing, Sonoma County info | No Comments

Yesterday at our commercial broker meeting, I did come across the flyer of the Old Silk Mill in Petamula, a national historic landmark and a great investment opportunity and it’s for sale. The zoning is light industrial but if you take a look at the building and the location: wouldn’t it be a great place for a condo? It would be perfect: historical architecture, 3 blocks from the Theater District, 2 blocks from the new transit center.

A few months ago I mentioned that I was selling the oldest church building in Calistoga. Initially I did not think that it would be interesting as a residence. The property is currently in escrow and the buyers are planning to change the property into a private residence. I did see the plans… it is going to be spectacular! I did change my mind: the highest and best use in this case is residential.

A few of historical buildings in San Francisco have been converted to condos and a few churches have been converted into residences. Owning a converted historical property is not for every one but you will for sure own a unique property.

Also, no matter what the media will tell you, today is a great time to buy or sell real estate.

Have a great day!

mirjamnew.jpg Mirjam

Mirjam@c21alliance.com

Nov 30
0

Real Estate is a good investement!

By | Financial news, RE Investing, Sonoma County info | No Comments

No matter what the newspapers are telling: today is a good day to buy and sell real estate.

This morning’s paper had a small article about something what I have been trying to tell all my clients and anybody who wants to hear it: Strange but true: Real estate good investment now.

The article is about Real Estate Investments Trusts, more interesting for investors. However, with the home prices at the level where they are at right now and the rents tending to go up, it is a great time to either move up or stop renting and buy a home. Recently we did a rent versus own comparison and it did bring out an interesting fact for a lot of situations: If you keep on renting you will end up spending more per month.

And for the investors among you: if the rent versus own tips over in favor of the home owner, guess what that means if you are the landlord… that monthly rent check will bring cash flow!!!

And there are still some good loan programs out there, you’d be surprised!

Have a great day.

Mirjam – 707-486-2638