Fremont Real Estate Blog

Nice to see the Alma Mater doing so well. -sunil London Business School MBA ranked No1 in the world for third consecutive year by Financial Times cid:black$line$477px$qoekusjaih Dear Sunil, For those who haven't read today's Financial Times, I'm delighted to be able to share some great news with you. In this year's rankings, our full-time MBA programme has again been ranked number one in the world, joint with Wharton as in 2009. We have now been ranked number one for the last three years, and have been in the top ten since the ranking was launched. This result encourages us to do even more to maintain our standards and reputation. With your help and that of others in the School community, I know we will. Best wishes, Andrew Likierman Dean, London Business School For full details of the rankings, please visit the < http://communications.london.edu/go.asp?/bLBS001/mXZ64K5F/qF86VK5F/u1IQHH/x 2NYDK5F/cutf%2D8 > Financial Times website.

Attend this Free Webinar on Financial and Estate Planning http://media.cpa2biz.com/Publication/Branding_AICPA_NewTemplates/images/News Update/spacer.gif Join a panel of experts as they lead financial planning practitioners and their clients through the multitude of issues to consider given passing of The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 and the uncertainty we will be faced with once again in 2013. The webinar, Financial and Estate Planning in 2011, 2012 and Beyond: A Game Plan for Practitioners and Their Clients < http://email.aicpa.org/cgi-bin15/DM/t/hhZm0OONRw0HTj0hqf0EW > , will be held February 3, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern. Register now < http://email.aicpa.org/cgi-bin15/DM/t/hhZm0OONRw0HTj0hqf0EW > . The webinar is available for free to all without CPE. -sunil SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE Sunil Sethi / Broker, President, REALTOR, MBA / SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE 38750 Paseo Padre Pkwy Suite B3 / Fremont, CA 94536 < h

There's only one way to avoid a financial - be conservative in your practices. Even today I see hallmarks of stupidity on the part of appraisers & lenders. Last year I fought with BofA over an appraisal that was overstating the value of an REO property, but the bank stood by their appraiser. If made no sense as to why they would want to overlend again on a property. The banks' executive officers needs to be held accountable - if you can't put them in jail, at least fire them, and prevent from holding a position in a company who's assets are insured by US Dollars. The folks at the top (CEO, COO, Chairman need to be held responsible). -ss < http://dsnews.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=59816bad6939d5a7dd87e45a5&i d=5fcc9697f4&e=ebe71b748c > Federal Inquiry Concludes "Crisis Was Avoidable" In May 2009, Congress established the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to investigate the causes of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depre

Check out this article on Owning vs. Renting < http://www.dsnews.com/articles/truila-survey-shows-buying-still-more-afford able-than-renting-in-most-cities-2011-01-25 > . The math isn't hard you look at Rental cost vs. [ (mortgage interest +property taxes + HOA + insurance + upkeep) less any tax benefits ] There are plenty of rent vs. buy tools online, you can find some on my website as well < http://www.sunilsethi.com/Calculators.htm > . -sunil SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE Sunil Sethi / Broker, President, REALTOR, MBA / SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE 38750 Paseo Padre Pkwy Suite B3 / Fremont, CA 94536 < http://www.sunilsethi.com/ > www.sunilsethi.com CA DRE#: 01173766

I've got a 50% chance of being right, but it feels like home pricing will stabile soon. I say this because I see rents on the rise, fewer delinquency notices, fewer REOs on the market, and increase in sales transactions. What this means is if you've been vacillating about when to get into the market, now's the time, to start running the numbers and looking at rent vs. buy, and if you're an investor, looking at Cash on Cash yield or break-even points. -sunil SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE Sunil Sethi / Broker, President, REALTOR, MBA / SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE 38750 Paseo Padre Pkwy Suite B3 / Fremont, CA 94536 < http://www.sunilsethi.com/ > www.sunilsethi.com CA DRE#: 01173766

< http://dsnews.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=59816bad6939d5a7dd87e45a5&i d=a0c693e0cf&e=ebe71b748c > Existing-Home Sales Soar to 7-Month High Sales of previously owned homes surged 7 percent in December, the National Association of Realtors reports. Existing-home sales have increased five of the last six months and have now hit a seven-month high. Distressed homes accounted for 36 percent of the sales volume in December, up from 33 percent in November. -sunil SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE Sunil Sethi / Broker, President, REALTOR, MBA / SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE 38750 Paseo Padre Pkwy Suite B3 / Fremont, CA 94536 < http://www.sunilsethi.com/ > www.sunilsethi.com CA DRE#: 01173766

California is having fewer foreclosure starts. Rents are also increasing. Both are good signs for a future recovery. -sunil The following is from www.Foreclosureradar.com : The first half of 2010 saw relatively good news for most participants in the foreclosure market. Foreclosure cancellations rose as homeowners saw more short sales and loan modifications approved. Investors quickly flipped their foreclosure purchases for solid profits as buyers hurried to take advantage of tax credits. As the tax credits expired, however, the market began to slow. Foreclosure cancellations also began to drop as the government push for loan modifications waned and short sales slowed with the rest of the housing market. Finally, in the beginning of the third quarter, the robo-signing scandal led to dramatically lower foreclosure sales, including a complete halt by Bank of America for nearly two months. Foreclosure Starts 2007-2010 For the first time since the foreclosure crisis began, Arizo

PRICES ARE LOW, AND INVENTORY IN Vacation Destinations is up. Vacation home buying makes a comeback Sales of vacation and second homes are making a comeback in many areas, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors(r) (NAR) this past spring1. In fact, last year, vacation home sales outpaced primary residences and investment property sales. The profile of the typical second-home buyer, according to the survey, may be surprising: 46 years old, married with a median household income of $87,500. But this profile supports historical demographics regarding vacation home purchasing. According to NAR, people typically become interested in purchasing a vacation home in their mid-40s. Today, 44 million people are in this demographic, and 40 million more are between 30 and 39 years old, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. This could indicate a favorable long-term demand for second homes. < http://mortgagenews.bankofamerica.com/MortgageNews.aspx?articleid=real01

I've had great success selling listings during the last 18 months, primarily because my competition (REOs and Short sales), don't follow one of more of the basic tenants for a quick sale. 1. Show the property in the best possible way (i.e., make cost efficient improvements prior to putting it on the market, stage if required). 2. Price according to recent sales. This is not rocket science, it requires paying attention to details of the home, understanding what's sold and available in the neighborhood, and managing the coming out party for the house. This last year with the exception two properties, I sold everything in 7 to 10 days. I would love to teach the these REO asset managers how to sell, so they'd stop reducing the value of neighborhoods. The bank are too frugal when it comes to repairs and they have no idea of color or material choices. I remember previewing a property in Weibel they listed for $1M. They painted the interior white (h

< http://dsnews.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=59816bad6939d5a7dd87e45a5&i d=7d38d3751d&e=ebe71b748c > Mortgage Interest Rates Ease Further This Week Mortgage rates retreated this week, marking the second week in a row they've headed lower. Interest rates began a sharp ascension in early November, and experts have warned that the trend is likely to continue. The recent change of pace was attributed to last Friday's jobs report, which was weaker than market forecasts. Freddie Mac says 30-year rates this week dropped to 4.71 percent while 15-year rates fell to 4.08 percent. Bankrate says the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate edged down to 5.57 percent. < http://dsnews.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=59816bad6939d5a7dd87e45a5&i d=a4d0c38224&e=ebe71b748c > > Read More -sunil SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE Sunil Sethi / Broker, President, REALTOR, MBA / SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE 38750 Paseo Padre Pkwy Suite B3 / Fremont, CA 94536 < http://www.sunilseth

From foreclosure radar: California < http://www.foreclosureradar.com/california-foreclosures > Notice of Default filings fell 16.7 percent month-over-month in California, while Notice of Trustee filings rose 1.5 percent from November. Foreclosure sales dropped slightly, with 0.7 percent fewer sales back to the bank and 8.2 perfect fewer purchased by third parties, typically investors. The time it took investors to resell properties they purchased at auction rose 6.1 percent from November and is up 51.0 percent from a year earlier to 157 days on average. View all California stats by state, county, city or ZIP < http://www.foreclosureradar.com/california-foreclosures > -sunil SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE Sunil Sethi / Broker, President, REALTOR, MBA / SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE 38750 Paseo Padre Pkwy Suite B3 / Fremont, CA 94536 < http://www.sunilsethi.com/ > www.sunilsethi.com CA DRE#: 01173766

Lender will likely demand higher yields or may even choose to stop lending in Massachusetts if they can't get back their security interest when a borrower stops paying. From DS News < http://dsnews.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=59816bad6939d5a7dd87e45a5&i d=02317ba758&e=ebe71b748c > Industry Responds to Massachusetts Foreclosure Ruling The Friday ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Court that invalidated two foreclosures by U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo has prompted an outpouring of responses from the industry, and many are wondering if the ruling will have far reaching effects on other foreclosure sales. The Supreme Court ruled the banks did not have the legal right to foreclose on homes in the state because they did not have proper documentation to prove they owned the mortgages at the time of foreclosure. -sunil SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE Sunil Sethi / Broker, President, REALTOR, MBA / SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE 38750 Paseo Padre Pkwy Suite B3 / Fremont, CA 94536 &

from DS news: < http://dsnews.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=59816bad6939d5a7dd87e45a5&i d=b9a6ddcd66&e=ebe71b748c > Property Appreciation Expected in 40% of Major Metro Areas in 2011 According to the latest forecast from Veros Real Estate Solutions, select markets in the United States can expect 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent appreciation in home values over the next 12 months. Although only mild appreciation is anticipated, approximately 40 percent of all major metro areas are forecast to see property values go up in 2011. Veros places San Diego, California, at the top of the list in terms of strong price gains. Homes in Reno, Nevada, on the other hand, are projected to lose the greatest share of equity. < http://dsnews.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=59816bad6939d5a7dd87e45a5&i d=d494b24c9e&e=ebe71b748c > > Read More -sunil SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE Sunil Sethi / Broker, President, REALTOR, MBA / SUNIL SETHI REAL ESTATE 38750 Paseo Padre Pkwy Suite