San Francisco Real Estate - Janice Lee

For homeowners who are considering selling their homes, it is not too early to start preparing for the spring selling season, which is traditionally the real estate industry’s busiest season. Whether you’re thinking of putting your home on the market or planning to buy a home, right now may be the ideal time to meet with a real estate professional who understands the market to discuss your options.

Sales of previously owned homes climbed in September to the highest level in a year, pointing to growing confidence in the U.S. economy as employment firms. Purchases advanced 2.4 percent to a 5.17 million annual rate, the National Association of Realtors reported today in Washington . Demand was up 1.9 percent compared with the same month last year before adjusting for seasonal patterns. Americans are returning to the real-estate market as employers have added 2 million workers to payrolls so far this year. Sales stand to get an additional boost in the final months of 2014 as the drop in mortgage rates caused by slowing growth in Europe and emerging nations makes properties more affordable for first-time buyers. The decline in borrowing costs “is encouraging for the housing market recovery,” said Brittany Baumann, an economist at Credit Agricole CIB in New York, who projected sales would rise last month. “We see upward trajectory over the next few months, but it’s go...

The current federal and state tax laws favor and generously reward home ownership. There are numerous ways a condominium, co-op or townhouse owner will save on taxes while building equity in their property. All of the interest paid toward a home mortgage is fully tax deductible. For example: If the total mortgage payment is $3,000 per month (where in the early stages of your mortgage most of the payment is interest), let’s assume the interest is $36,000 per year ($3,000 x 12). If you are in the 28% tax bracket, a $36,000 deduction means a federal tax saving of over $10,000. Meanwhile, the property continues to appreciate in value as your home grows in value.

JUST LISTED! 546 24th Avenue, San Francisco Presented by Janice Lee 415-832-9151 JaniceFLee@gmail.com www.JaniceLeeHomes.com BRE #01720205

Your parents did it. Your friends are doing it. But how do you know if you’re ready to buy a home? The decision to become a homeowner is a personal one that must be based on your life situation and finances. Ask yourself these six questions to determine if you’re real estate-ready. 1. Can I afford it? Homeownership brings with it many new expenses. Beyond your mortgage, you’ll be paying for insurance, utilities and taxes, not to mention maintenance costs and perhaps homeowner’s association fees. If you don’t already have a budget, start one. It will help you manage your money, your spending and help you understand how much you can afford for a home.  

Thank you all for your great support and referrals. I LOVE REFERRALS! Janice Lee 415-832-9151 JaniceFLee@gmail.com www.JaniceLeeHomes.com BRE #01720205

  Do not hesitate to contact Janice Lee at 415-832-9151 for any real estate purpose you may have.

  Do not hesitate to contact Janice Lee at 415-832-9151 for any real estate purpose you may have.

  Do not hesitate to contact Janice Lee at 415-832-9151 for any real estate purpose you may have.

Just Listed! 1601 39th Avenue, San Francisco Exclusively Presented by: Janice Lee 415-832-9151 janiceflee@gmail.com www.JaniceLeeHomes.com BRE #01720205 Updated two bedroom one bath Sunset corner home. Bright and spacious living room with wood burning fireplace that opens to the dining area and kitchen. Newly refinished hardwood floors, newer tile floors in kitchen and bath and fresh interior paint. Designer exterior paint colors and landscaped garden with a variety of mature plants. New Toto toilet, vanity and resurfaced tub. Ocean VIEWS from bedrooms, skylight in kitchen, lovely light fixtures and double pane windows throughout. Bonus room features newly refinished hardwood floors and fresh paint perfect for relaxing and reading a book. A bonus quarter bath, separate laundry area, storage room and garage complete the lower floor. Walk to restaurants, shops, Noriega bus, N Judah, Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach. * Two Bedrooms One Bath *...

  The Bay Area’s luxury housing market is showing no signs of slowing down as we move through the spring home buying season. From Marin to San Francisco to Silicon Valley and across to the East Bay, Previews level properties are selling in greater numbers and at higher prices than they did a year ago at this time. We just released Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s luxury market reports this week, and here’s a quick recap: Luxury sales over $2 million in San Francisco jumped 27 percent in the first quarter versus first quarter 2013, with 107 such transactions. The median price was up 5.7 percent to $2.9 million. The upper end of the luxury market was particularly strong in the most recent quarter with 51 sales of homes over $3 million in The City, up from 34 transactions a year ago, and 23 sales over $4 million versus 17 in first quarter 2013. Silicon Valley luxury sales over $1.5 million soared 28 percent last month compared to a year ago. In the upper end of the mar...

  Do not hesitate to contact Janice Lee at 415-832-9151 for any real estate purpose you may have.

Foreclosures are on the decline in lockstep with an improving economy and real estate market. Foreclosure filings hit a seven-year low in February according to RealtyTrac’s monthly foreclosure report, as reported by Housingwire. “There were 112,498 foreclosure filings in February, a 10 percent decrease from January and a 27 percent drop from the same time in 2013.” These numbers mark the lowest monthly totals for foreclosures since December 2006. Current rates for foreclosures in California according to RealtyTrac are one in every 1,047 homes. Nationally that number is one in every 1,170 homes. That may sound like a needle in a haystack, but there are still deals to be had. “Buying a foreclosure can be a great way to get a home for less, whether you’re planning to live in the property or rent it out,” said MSN. If you’re in the market for a foreclosure, here are a few tips to put you in the know before you buy. 1. Beware the property that has been “lingering in the foreclosur...

  Do not hesitate to contact Janice Lee at 415-832-9151 for any real estate purpose you may have.

Selling Your Home? Here’s some quick-tips! The traditionally busy spring home buying season is rapidly approaching. Over the past year, we’ve enjoyed a strong housing market – one that featured more buyers than sellers in some communities. In fact, there just aren’t enough good listings to go around and this could be an excellent time to consider selling your property. But even in a “seller’s market” like this, some properties sell faster than others. Have you ever wondered why one home sells almost immediately and another one down the road sits on the market for months? There are several key reasons why some homes languish on the market, including price, condition, and other variables. My hope is that this list will help you put your best foot forward when it comes time to sell your home: The price is too high. Setting the appropriate price for a home is always more difficult for a homeowner, who has personal feelings for the property, than for an experienced, objective agen...

  Do not hesitate to contact Janice Lee at 415-832-9151 for any real estate purpose you may have.

Bay Area homebuyers continue to scour the landscape for homes on the market, crowding open houses, fighting each other in multiple-offer situations, but often coming away empty handed due to the severe shortage of listings. Lack of inventory continues to have a significant impact on the housing market, slowing sales and driving up prices of what few properties are for sale. DataQuick, the La Jolla-based information services firm, reported this week that lack of inventory contributed heavily to a six-year low in home sales last month. A total of 4,963 new and resale houses and condos sold in the nine-county Bay Area last month, the lowest for any February since 2008. But what’s been bad news for buyers has been good news for those savvy homeowners who do decide to list their home right now. Lack of inventory (and competition from other sellers) has been driving up sale prices rapidly. In some cases, prices are near or above their all-time highs once again. The median price paid ...

  Do not hesitate to contact Janice Lee at 415-832-9151 for any real estate purpose you may have.