Friday, January 27, 2012

Two important items this week: interest rates and sewer lateral inspections in Mill Valley.
The first item: interest rates is mixed, but overall very good this week. Mortgage rates still hovered near their all-time lows. Even though 30 year fixed rates increased to 3.98, they remain under 4%--a great opportunity for buyers and sellers alike (as frequently discussed here in the past). What bides well for continued low mortgage rates is the fact that the Federal Reserve, in the person of its chairman, Ben Bernanke, said the Fed plans to keep rates low at least through late 2014--another two years--in order to help the still fragile economy recover. This doesn't necessarily mean that mortgage rates will stay at or near historic lows, but it does meant that even any increases will likely be minimal!
The second item: sewer lateral inspections in Mill Valley. The sewer lateral is the pipe that goes from your home to the city's main sewer line out in the street to get waste from your home into the sewer system. Like anything else, these things age, and many of them being close to, or over 100 years old, they break or leak before breaking. The result is the same. It is unhealthy and damaging to the environment. Unfortunately, it's also fairly unhealthy to your wallet. That's because lateral replacements are at the expense of the homeowner, and depending on how long your lateral is, the more expensive the replacement. Yes, size really does matter! Lateral replacement can easily run into the thousands of dollars. However, there is good news available should you be unfortunate enough to have to replace one. In a new policy by the city, SASM, the sewer agency has two ways to drastically reduce your cost of replacing the lateral. One is a major cut in cost to you (if you meet the income requirements), while the other is a low interest rate loan that makes paying for the replacement comfortable, if not actual fun. Want more info: call the SASM's general manager, Steve Danehy at 388-2402 xt 16, or by email at: sdanehy@cityofmillvalley.org .

Enjoy!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Not much this week that you haven't heard from us before. Just to update, however, jobs again improved slightly and 30 year mortgage rates again dropped to a new record low from last week's then record low. All of this means just what exactly what I've said before--early and often--whether you're buying or selling, there's no time like NOW to move! Call us for advice--whether it's to help you find a home or to prepare your's for sale.
Peter: (415) 279-6466/Jane: (415) 531-4091.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Well, if you still need a push, the week's interest rate figures came out yesterday. Even though it hardly seems possible that rates can go any lower, they did. Setting a new record for lowest rate, the 30 year fixed now dropped to 3.89%, while the 15 year fixed followed suit and dropped to 3.16%! I can't predict where these will go, but the feeling in the market is that while rates are likely to begin a slow upward move later in the year, it is quite possible they may first shrink even further if the Fed continues its previously announced policy of buying Treasury paper.
What does this mean for you, the buyers and sellers of the world?
Well, as I've often mentioned here, if you're a buyer, it means, now more than ever before, that it is time to get out and get yourself pre-approved by your lender or mortgage broker and simultaneously call your Realtor and start looking at houses. I mean, in the words of Chubby Checker in Limbo Rock, "How low can you go?" If you need a referral to a lender or mortgage broker, we know the very best and would be happy to pass along a name to you. These are folks we've dealt with successfully for years!
If you're a Seller, these rates mean that more folks can afford your home than ever before. Lower rates allow them to borrow more and pay for more house than before--perhaps yours? Unsure about what your home is worth or how to start the process; should you stage; vacate while on the market; what, if any repairs to do; and so on, call us. We can handle it all. After a combined 45 years experience, who would be better suited to do so? Peter: (415) 279-6466/Jane: (415) 531-4091. You can also email us: pjrichmond@pacunion.com .

Friday, January 06, 2012

Well, events this week confirm my end of 2011/New Year message of last week. Unemployment continues to reduce itself. The unemployment rate just released this morning is down to 8.5% nationally. Now, I'm NOT suggesting that 8.5% is a good place to be. It's not! However, when compared to where things have been, it's definitely an encouraging thing. Additionally, 375,000 new jobs were created this past week. More jobs and less unemployment means more folks able to buy homes!
Couple that with the 30 year fixed rate mortgage rate dropping to a historically low record tying level of 3.91%, and you definitely have some encouraging news if you're thinking of selling your home. There are buyers out in force with cash in hand looking for properties. If you are thinking of selling, give us a call. We can help you with all aspects of getting your home sold for the highest price in the shortest possible time--everything from documentation to planning to staging to marketing to selling to closing.
If you're a buyer, the aforementioned low rates are, once again, an excellent reason to get out and start looking! These rates will not stay down forever, and once the economy really gets going, that's exactly what the rates will do--get going, probably never to be seen again. Don't miss the boat! Need help? Give us a call. We can find you exactly what you are looking for, and, as part of the process, get you full 24/7 access to the Multiple Listings.