April 14, 2011, Redwood City, California

Last night at Sequoia High School, we had a community meeting to discuss the shooting of a mountain lion that wondered into our neighborhood a few weeks ago.

Zara McDonald, Executive Director of the FELIDAE Conservation Fund gave an excellent presentation on the status of the foundation's effort to keep track of these animals in their natural habitats and what we must be aware of when living in close proximity to open space and potential mountain lion county.  It was very informative and well presented. 

In addition to Ms. McDonald, Marc Kenyon from California Fish and Game spoke as well as Redwood City Chief of Police Mulholland and a representative from the San Mateo Sherriff's Department.  Everyone in this neighborhood was very upset about the incident and we rushed to judgment about the force that was used.  Zara's input was very helpful to me personally in understanding what is really involved in tranquilizing a big cat and how difficult it really is.  Proper training, equipment and funding is desperately needed to ensure that more big cats are not killed.

Below is a link to a video recap of the meeting that you may find useful.  I also collected information and handouts from the meeting.  If you would like me to mail you a copy, please email me at mlonghi@apr.com

http://redwoodcity.patch.com/articles/video-it-had-to-be-done-residence-owner-said-of-mountain-lion-shooting#video-5643679

Still have questions about the State Department of Fish & Game’s decisions regarding the shooting of the mountain lion on March 29?

Attend a mountain lion discussion on Wednesday, April 13 at Carrington Hall at Sequoia High School from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. to hear Felidae Conservation Fund co-founder and Executive Director Zara McDonald talk about the current research of mountain lions in the Bay Area.

Officials from the Redwood City Police Department the County Sheriff, a representative from Assemblyman Rich Gordon’s office, the Department of Fish & Game representative and conservationists will also be in attendance.

If you care about these beautiful animals and want to help them continue to survive in our open spaces, please be present at this important meeting!

Hey all you Michael Jackson fans. If you want to hear the music you love performed a great MJ tribute band check out the upcoming performance at Redwood City's Fox Theater.  And if you get your ticket's through the Juice in the City website - you pay only $ 11 bucks!!  

Always at your service,

Martha Longhi, Realtor
For all your real estate needs!

www.MarthaLonghi.com

Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter — and earn a little extra cash — before you sell your home. But make sure the timing is right. Garage sales can take on a life of their own, and it might not be the best use of your energy right before putting your home on the market. Follow these tips for a successful sale.

1. Don’t wait until the last minute. You don’t want to be scrambling to hold a garage sale the week before an open house. Depending on how long you’ve lived in the home and how much stuff you have to sell, planning a garage sale can demand a lot of time and energy.

2. Get a permit. Most municipalities will require you to obtain a special permit or license in order to hold a garage sale. The permits are often free or very inexpensive, but still require you to register with the city.

3. See if neighbors want to join in. You can turn your garage sale into a block-wide event and lure more shoppers if you team up with neighbors. However, a permit may be necessary for each home owner, even if it’s a group event.

4. Schedule the sale. Sales on Saturdays and Sundays will generate the most traffic, especially if the weather cooperates. Start the sale early, 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. is best, and be prepared for early birds.

5. Advertise. Place an ad in free classified papers and Web sites, and in your local newspapers. Include the dates, time, and address. Let the public know if certain types of items will be sold, such as baby clothes, furniture, or weightlifting equipment. On the day of the sale, balloons and signs with prominent arrows will help to grab the attention of passersby.

6. Price your goods. Lay out everything that you plan to sell, and attach prices with removable stickers. Remember, garage sales are supposed to be bargains, so try to be objective as you set prices. Assign simple prices to your goods: 50 cents, 3 for $1, $5, $10, etc.

7. If it’s really junk, don’t sell it. Decide what’s worth selling and what’s not. If it’s really garbage, then throw it away. Broken appliances, for example, should be tossed. (Know where a nearby electrical outlet is, in case a customer wants to make sure something works.)

8. Check for mistakes. Make sure that items you want to keep don’t accidentally end up in the garage sale pile.  

9. Create an organized display. Lay out your items by category, and display neatly so customers don’t have to dig through boxes.

10. Stock up on bags and newspapers. People who buy many small items will appreciate a bag to carry their goods. Newspapers are handy for wrapping fragile items.

11. Manage your money. Make a trip to the bank to get ample change for your cashbox. Throughout the sale, keep a close eye on your cash; never leave the cashbox unattended. It’s smart to have one person who manages the money throughout the day, keeping a tally of what was purchased and for how much. Keep a calculator nearby.

12. Prepare for your home sale. Donate the remaining stuff or sell it to a resale shop. Now that all of your clutter is cleared out, it’s time to focus on preparing your house for a successful sale!  Time to give me a call!

Always at your service,

Martha Longhi, Realtor
For all your real estate needs!

REALTOR.org/realtormag

This is a buyer's market! No ifs, ands or buts!  Many buyers have now vanished from the scene, as the tax credits on purchases have expired and job security is iffy.   We are 3+ years into the biggest housing bust in modern history and home prices have come down a long way– about 30%!  So why are you still sitting on the sidelines ..... Oh, you are waiting for the bottom - right!   Will prices continue to fall?  They may,  but you'll never catch the bottom and it doesn't really matter all that much in the big picture. 

What's important to consider is that you can get a 30-year loan in the 4.5% range.  What's not to like? These are the lowest rates on record!  As recently as 2008 interest rates where over 6%.  That drop slashes your monthly repayment by a fifth.  If inflation picks up, you won't see these mortgage rates again in your lifetime.  And if we get deflation, and rates fall further, and you can refinance!

- You can deduct the mortgage interest from your income taxes.
- You can deduct your real estate taxes.
- You'll get a tax break on capital gains–if any–when you sell.

 Rethink buying a home in 2010, it is a good time to buy.

Martha Longhi, Realtor
For all your real estate needs!

Data from: Wall Street Journal

REDWOOD CITY TO RECEIVE ABOUT $1.6 MILLION FROM FEDERAL JOBS BILL

Last week Acting California Governor Abel Maldanado signed into law SB 847 which will provide local school districts with federal funds to preserve education jobs in California. This law allows the state to distribute $1.2 billion in funds from the federal jobs measure that was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into law by President Obama last month.

Preliminary estimates indicate that the Redwood City School District will receive about $1.6 million.  No decisions have been made yet about how the funds will be spent. The district signed a contract with the Redwood City Teacher's Association last spring that states, "In the event that the District receives new State or Federal Stimulus funds, the parties agree to negotiate regarding the funds."  Accordingly, the district will be in discussions with the union about how the funds may be spent in the very near future.

The district's Financial Advisory Committee, which advises the superintendent on the district budget, will meet on September 22 to discuss their recommendations for this additional funding. 

Always at your service,

Martha Longhi, Realtor
For all your real estate needs!

Data from: Update from Redwood City School District, 9.13.10

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) last week provided details on its“FHA Short Refinance” program that will enable lenders to provide additional refinancing options to underwater homeowners.  Beginning Sept. 7, the FHA is offering eligible underwater non-FHA borrowers the opportunity to qualify for a new FHA-insured mortgage.

Participation in FHA's refinance program is voluntary and requires the consent of all lien holders. To be eligible for anew loan, the homeowner must owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth and be current on their existing mortgage.The homeowner must qualify for the new loan under standard FHA underwriting requirements and have a credit score greater than or equal to 500. The property must be the homeowner's primary residence and the borrower's existing first lien holder must agree to write off at least 10 percent of their unpaid principal balance, bringing that borrower's combined loan-to-value ratio to no greater than 115 percent.

Additionally, the existing loan to be refinanced must not bean FHA-insured loan, and the refinanced FHA-insured first mortgage must have a loan-to-value ratio of no more than 97.75percent. Interested homeowners should contact their lenders to determine if they are eligible and whether the lender agrees the write down a portion of the unpaid principal.  Get more information here

Always at your service,

Martha Longhi, Realtor
For all your real estate needs!

data from C.A.R. Newsletter, August 11, 2010

The Franchise Tax Board recently announced it will accept applications for the California first-time home buyer tax credit through midnight on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010.  The FTB believes it will have received more than enough applications to cover the $100 million allocated for eligible first-time home buyers.  It will continue to accept applications for the new-home portion of the state tax credit.

Due to the high volume of faxes the FTB is receiving, consumers may experience some delays and difficulties in connecting to the fax number during normal business hours.  It can take several minutes or possibly up to an hour to connect and transmit the fax.  Buyers who receive a busy signal are advised to try again later. The fax number is open 24 hours a day, so consumers may fax applications during non-business hours when the line is not as busy.

For more information about the California state tax credits for first-time buyers and buyers of new homes, including eligibility requirements, please visit http://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/new_home_credit.shtml.

Always at your service,

Martha Longhi, Realtor
For all your real estate needs!

The market continues to change, but not in an unrealistic manner.  It's actually quite logical in some ways.  Prices are stable in the cities with the best school systems such as Burlingame, San Mateo, San Carlos, Redwood Shores, and Menlo Park.  Homes in these areas are selling because they are properly-priced, well-maintained and are hitting the market when interest rates are at a 50 year low - A 50 year low people!   Multiple offers are still being seen, especially when the home is priced to sell, not under or over market, but at market.

There are still a good number of qualified buyers that are actively seeking a home.  Many of which are first-time buyers.  They are new to the real estate game and believe what they hear on the news.  They think they can get a "steal of a deal" - rock bottom prices!! right! WRONG. Not in San Mateo County!  There are some "good deals" out there, but not always in the best of areas and almost always they need work!  But even if you first-timers think you'll go for that fixer, you still may not get it,because investors are out there looking too and they usually beat out the first-timer by offering All Cash offers, Quick Closings and NO contingencies.

If you are a First-time buyer, focus on the well-maintained homes in good neighborhoods. Look at the neighborhood's sale history. Real Estate is always a matter of neighborhood and property for the best investment.

If you are looking in the over $1 million range, you have the upper hand, high-end properties are staying on the market for longer periods of time.  Many of these homeowners need to sell and are trying to avoid finding themselves in a short sale situation.  The high-end market is a market of opportunity - right now!  There are many great homes available in wonderful areas.   Search the San Francisco Peninsula right now!

Hey folks, just an FYI to anyone that is shopping for a new mortgage. Although mortgage rates look astoundingly low, the spread between what the banks receive and what they pay investors has actually increased, giving banks more room to negotiate.

Applicants with good credit scores should aggressively seek out the best rate they can by comparison shopping. Start with the bank you usually do business with, they want your business and may negotiate a better deal for you than you might think. 

It is still very important to get your loan pre-approval in place before you start shopping for a property.  When you find the right place, you'll need to move fast, submit a competitive offer accompanied by your loan pre-approval letter.  It makes your offer stronger and more likely to be considered by the seller.

Date from: The New York Times, Jennifer Saranow Schultz (07/17/2010)

Alain PinelRealtors
650.787.9980 Direct
www.MarthaLonghi.com