San Francisco Real Estate - Janice Lee

So you’ve prepped your home cosmetically in every imaginable way and now you’re ready to hit the market! But before you proceed with putting the “For Sale” sign in the ground, there are several key pieces of information you should consider gathering that many of today’s savvy buyers are going to want to know. Survey – Do you have a copy of a current survey of your home? Buyers want to know about property lines, easements, conservation buffers, if there is room for a pool, if the property line extends to the water behind your home, etc. Having a survey will help eliminate potential concerns for prospective buyers  Floor plan or Appraisal Sketch – Buyers often want to know room dimensions as it helps with determining furniture placement in their new space. A floor plan sketch, or an appraisal with accurate square footage of the home, will be extremely helpful. Utility Bills – Buyers want to know what they can expect with their future heating and cooling bills. Review your bi...

Whether you’re able to make a big investment into cutting your energy costs or just looking for a few free and simple ways to save money, here are 10 helpful tips for keeping your energy bills down this winter.  No Cost Set your thermostat to 68 degrees. Your heating system will operate less and use less energy. By turning it down an additional five degrees at night, you could save up to $70 on energy costs each year. Set your water heater to 120 degrees. Your water heater won’t have to work as hard if it’s set to a lower temperature. In fact, each time you lower it 10 degrees, you’ll save 3-5% on water heating costs. Open window coverings on south-facing windows. This will help warm your house during the day. At night, cover all windows to help keep the heat in. Use cold water when washing clothes. Washing clothes in cold water could save you around $40 a year with an electric water heater and $30 with a gas water heater. Some Cost Repl...

It is common for homeowners to think that selling a home is an expensive endeavor. From repairs to staging, the process can seem overwhelming. However, with the advice of a knowledgeable real estate professional, sellers often find there are ways to keep costs low and come out on top during the selling process. WORK WITH A SEASONED PROFESSIONAL Those who are unfamiliar with the selling process may try to take on everything themselves,which can lead to errors regarding documents, home staging, repairs and inspections. While many individuals initially opt for the “go-it-alone” approach to save money, working with seasoned professionals can help avoid costly errors. A real estate agent can provide sound advice on current market trends, accepting offers and enhancing listings to attract more buyers. A home inspector is another seasoned professional you should take advantage of, and can also help to save money. Remember, buyers w...

Do not hesitate to contact me at (415) 832-9151 for any real estate purpose you may have. Janice Lee 415-832-9151 International President's Elite Top Producer, Realtor Investment Specialist janiceflee@gmail.com www.JaniceLeeHomes.com DRE #01720205 

Just Listed 168 Caine Avenue San Francisco, CA Presented by Janice Lee Virtual Tour Do not hesitate to contact me at (415) 832-9151 for any real estate purpose you may have. Janice Lee 415-832-9151 International President's Elite Top Producer, Realtor Investment Specialist janiceflee@gmail.com www.JaniceLeeHomes.com DRE #01720205 

La Jolla, CA.--Bay Area home prices continued to rise in May, the result of an improving economy, low mortgage rates, pent-up demand and continued investor interest. Sales remained below average, mainly because the supply of homes for sale remains unusually tight, a real estate information service reported. The median price paid for a home in the nine-county Bay Area last month was $519,000, up 1.8 percent from $510,000 in April, and up 29.8 percent from $400,000 in May 2012. That was the highest median since March 2008, when it was $536,000, according to San Diego-based DataQuick. The Bay Area median peaked at $665,000 in June and July 2007, then dropped as low as $290,000 in March 2009 – a decline of $375,000, or 56.4 percent. In May the median was still 22.0 percent below the peak but it had made up about 61 percent of its peak-to-trough loss. Much of the median's ups and downs can be attributed to shifts in the types of homes sold. When adjusting for these s...

Shortage of listings and strong buyer demand may create good opportunity for sellers The Bay Area’s housing market has seen a rise in sale prices as strong buyer demand, historically attractive interest rates, an improving economy and a shortage of listings are combining to create a robust seller’s market. The region’s median sale price of $531,000 is up 33% year-to-date compared with the same period last year, according to MLS data analyzed by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. In addition, the average sale price is up 25% over the past year to $680,000. One of the reasons for the surge in prices is that there just aren’t enough homes on the market to meet buyer demand. Inventory has fallen to its lowest level in many years with Bay Area active listings in May down more than 50% from a year ago, according to MLS data. The Bay Area isn’t alone. According to statistics compiled by the National Association of Realtors® the inventory of homes for sale nationwi...

In recent years, economic conditions and limited open space have resulted in lower levels of new construction in the Philadelphia area compared to other areas of the country. Rather than moving further from the city, many local residents who commute to Center City from the immediate suburbs prefer to remodel their existing homes because they like their neighborhood, their school district, and their proximity to the highways or regional rail lines. Home remodeling serves a dual purpose; it adds to the personal enjoyment of one’s home and increases salability. The challenge is deciding where to start and which projects will produce the highest resale benefit. Many homeowners work under the assumption that kitchens and bathrooms are the best investments, but, according to the Remodeling 2012 – 2013 Cost vs. Value Report, adding an attic bedroom adds the most value (over $40,000) in the Philadelphia region. Adding attic bedrooms and remodelling basements are always good i...

  Remember the saying “know your audience?” That advice couldn’t be more relevant when it comes to selling your home. From the moment the for-sale sign is posted in your front yard, dozens, possibly even hundreds, of potential buyers will visit for a tour. So what do you need to do to prepare? Just a few simple tasks can help you set the stage for the new owners. • Stage rooms with one purpose. Extra rooms that have a mishmash of uses can confuse and even deter buyers, so staging rooms with one purpose is vital. Present rooms as areas equipped to meet the needs of the greatest number of people. For example, playrooms and storage dens could be more attractive as a home office or guest bedroom. • Tackle the easy “do-it-yourself” projects. Keep in mind that some buyers, especially first-timers, consider move-in conditions to be very important. Ensure your home is in tip-top shape by replacing outdated kitchen and bathroom fixtures, apply a fresh coat...

We all knew it was only a matter of time before record-low mortgage interest rates began to rise once again. And it looks like that time is here. Over the past month, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has hinted that the Fed’s aggressive bond-buying program, which has kept rates artificially low, could end sooner rather than later. This week he left no doubt when he announced that the Fed will begin “tapering” its bond purchases later this year and end them completely next year.  Will QE-3 be the final chapter of the Fed’s bond purchasing efforts known as Quantitative Easing? Just the mention of “tapering” sent the stock market to its worst two-day decline of the year and pushed 10-year treasuries to their highest level in nearly two years. Since 10-year Treasury bonds bottomed at 1.4 percent last summer, rates have risen more than 60 percent to 2.4 percent. Long-term bond rates help drive mortgage rates, so it’s not surprising that mortgage costs have ticked higher in...

  While there are plenty of honest remodeling contractors out there, the field has its share of bad apples. We asked our Facebook fans to tell us the craziest thing their contractors told them. "Well, all windows leak a little," a poster wrote. "Don't worry about water coming through the electrical fixture," another wrote. Our favorite: "It would save time just to send you a court transcript." This checklist will help you avoid similar experiences with your kitchen remodel: Don't chase lowball bids. Tough competition is inducing some pros to lower their profit margins with low bids and then make up the difference with shoddy work. Gauge the going rate for your project by getting at least three estimates, rather than jumping at the lowest estimate. Check references. Reputable contractors are glad to provide names and contact information for satisfied customers. Try to check past jobs in person to talk with customers and see ...

  Do not hesitate to contact me at (415) 832-9151 for any real estate purpose you may have. Janice Lee 415-832-9151 International President's Elite Top Producer, Realtor Investment Specialist janiceflee@gmail.com www.JaniceLeeHomes.com DRE #01720205 

When Spring arrives, green thumbs beget itchy fingers, and before you know it, you’re kneeling in the yard planting perennials. This year, new trends invite a mix of beauty, whimsy and practicality, creating gardens that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the other senses. 1. Grow Your Own This year, expect to see more home food gardens, with everything from fruits and vegetables to herbs showing up in traditional gardens and planted in pots. More homeowners have the desire to grow their own vegetables and cook with fresh herbs straight from the garden, says Better Homes and Gardens. “As long as people get enough sun to grow them, windowsill garden planters—full of rosemary, basil, and parsley—are popping up all over the country.” Seconds garden blog GardenRant: “Herbs are the next hot edibles.” 2. Water…More and Less “The need to reduce water consumption is driving the demand for drought-tolerant plants, including succulents, ornamental grasses and n...

It happens every year at this time. You stand in front of your closet searching for something green to wear to get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day (or, more likely, to ensure you don’t get pinched). You might have an easier time finding something fashionable in the stores this year, because emerald has been named the Pantone 2013 Color of the Year. The color that Pantone describes is “lively, radiant, lush…a color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony,” and can even make your home come to life. Whether you’re willing to boldly paint your walls with the regal color or tastefully mix it into your decor with rich-hued accessories, here are three easy ways to introduce emerald into your interiors this year. 1. Jump Right In Want to really make a statement? Paint your walls in emerald green. Although emerald is a vibrant, energetic hue, the color green overall is ...

NEW LISTING 289 Bay Ridge Dr Daly City, CA MLS # 409721   For more information about 289 Bay Ridge Dr. please give me a call today at 415-832-9151. Janice Lee 415-832-9151 International President's Elite Top Producer, Realtor Investment Specialist JaniceFLee@gmail.com www.JaniceLeeHomes.com janiceleehomes.blogspot.com DRE #01720205

243 Romain, SF: $995K     With April’s close, the city was left with a new benchmark for San Francisco median home prices: single-family homes, according to the  Business Journal , hit a median of $1 million dollars, a price not seen since the glory days of 2007 and a 32% jump from 2012. Further,  Redfin data show  that in mid-May, the median sold price was $1,030,000. That’s the sold price, readers; the list price median was a comparatively modest $799K, a fact that speaks to the power of too many buyers vying for too few properties. The   2 bedroom, 1 bath home on Romain  in SF’s Twin Peaks area (shown in the gallery above)  lists for $995K, pretty close to the $1M mark. The square footage is not listed but two interesting facts about its history are: in 2008 it sold for $899K. In 1998, it sold at auction for just $106.5K. High demand for homes goes unmet   The main culprit: low inventory. In April, inventor...

In celebration of the recent Earth Day, we decided to take a look at solar power for the home.  At one time, the idea of adding solar panels to a house was something only “other people” did. In other words, green people. Green people who had money to burn. High initial costs and unsightly designs were enough to turn people away. Not even the promise of greatly reduced electric bills could sway the unswayable. But yesterday’s novelty is becoming a norm. Solar panels can be found from coast to coast in America—and throughout the world for that matter. Growth in 2012 in the U.S. solar market measured a 76 percent increase from 2011, according to the  U.S. Solar Market Insight  report from the Solar Energy Industries Association. Is 2013 your year to go solar? Here are three recent developments to consider before making a decision: 1. Why Buy When You Can Rent  A 27 percent decrease in installation prices in 2012 undoubtedly pushed growth along. ...

The latest and greatest real estate trend is without a doubt—”green” homes. Thanks to the growing environmental movement, buyers are more knowledgeable than ever about how a green home benefits not only the health of the environment but also their own bank accounts. For those who are in the market for a new home and are specifically looking for green features, they might seek homes with third-party certifications such as  LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), GreenPoint Rated , or  Built Green —or at the very least, look for homes  constructed using sustainable building methods, recycled materials, solar/wind power, water harvesting, and other eco-conscious tactics. With some of the most respected architects in the business onboard with the shift to green, architectural design has not suffered for the sake of saving the Earth’s precious resources. On the contrary, some of the most stunning homes on the market have the green gene. ...

Once considered San Francisco’s ugly stepsister, Oakland is now the Cinderella of the East Bay. Last year, The New York Times shocked many by ranking the city no. 5 on its list of “The 45 Places to Go in 2012” (in between heavyweights London and Tokyo), beating out traditional California hotspots San Diego (no. 14) and Lake Tahoe (no. 30).  “New restaurants and bars beckon amid the grit,” touted the article, which was invariably followed up with a San Francisco Bay Guardian cover asking, “Is Oakland cooler than San Francisco?” and The Globe and Mail article calling it “the Brooklyn of the West.” “Oakland has everything that San Francisco has—diversity, art and history, music, folksy neighborhoods, new and happening restaurants, night life, sports teams and venues, outstanding architecture, outdoor recreation and park lands, a world class science center just to name a few—but with better weather, at a fraction of the cost, lower density and a central location for ...