Forgive me, but I can’t show you that house

Posted on February 7, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

As much as I would like to sell you that home, I don’t know you and I don’t trust you. If you are calling real estate agents to show you a house, don’t be surprised if they won’t meet you there without a lot of questions (at least I hope they won’t!).

I know you may not want to answer those questions, but they are necessary. Unfortunately, some crazy sickos occasionally target real estate agents (men and women alike). I personally know of multiple agents who have been stalked, attacked, and sexually assaulted. YEP. One of the “perks” of our profession. Continue reading →

Fed Drops Rates Again by 0.5%

Posted on January 31, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

The Fed dropped rates another half percent yesterday.  “Today’s policy action, combined with those taken earlier, should help to promote moderate growth over time and to mitigate the risks to economic activity,” the Federal Open Market Committee said in a statement Wednesday.

Does this mean home mortgage rates will drop?  NOPE!  As I have explained before, The fed rate cuts do not directly impact mortgage interest rates, but it does impact homeowners with equity lines of credit (HELOC), people who carry credit card balances and other short term loans.  Sometimes these rate drops actually cause home mortgage rates to increase slightly.

The Fed is hoping consumers will spend money on their credit cars, or use their HELOCs, which pumps money into our economy.

What’s next?  Waiting to see…

Show me the Home Depot!

Posted on January 27, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

If you have been a Marin homeowner for any length of time, you could probably drive to Home Depot in your sleep. Before I bought a home, I could never have imagined how much money I would spend at Home Depot, even if you aren’t a do-it-yourselfer. So, when we first moved to Marin and someone tried to describe how to actually get to Home Depot in San Rafael, I was horrified.

Highway 101. Exit Sir Francis Drake. Past San Quentin. Get on the 580. Immediately get off again. Go under the Freeway, down the frontage road.

YIKES! Over the mountain and through the woods- I may never return home! If it seems daunting, I promise you will one day be able to find all of the home improvement stores in your sleep. Until then, you can check out this map with details out the major home improvement spots in southern and central Marin County.


View Larger Marin Map of Marin County Home Improvement Stores

MEME- It shouldn’t be about ME, but today it is…

Posted on January 26, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

I got tagged to write a meme by AZ Mortgage Guru Shailesh Ghimire.  What is a meme?  Basically, in the blog world, a meme is a question that is asked on one blog and answered on another.  SO in this meme chain, Shailesh tagged me and asked me to (1) list 7 things about myself, (2) tag 7 people to do the meme on themselves including a link to their site. 

It is all in the name of good fun, and probably helps with "transparency" too.  So here are 7 random things, all about ME!

Continue reading →

Congress Stimulus Package Offers Financial Incentive to Marin Homeowners

Posted on by Ginger Wilcox

The economic stimulus package being discussed by Congress and the President may have a huge benefit to Marin home buyers and current Marin homeowners. In addition to tax rebates, another element of the package offers to increase the limit on Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans and loans that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can buy. The new FHA and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac loan limits would be increased to $729,750 under the current proposal.

Continue reading →

Mortgage Rate Ping Pong

Posted on January 24, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

Mortgage Rate Ping PongMortgage rates dropped on Tuesday, and went right back up, higher yesterday than when they started Tuesday morning. Some lenders had 3-4 interest rate changes yesterday – during the same day! Conforming rates were up 3/8 of a percent. Some lenders stopped locking in rates because of the fluctuations.

Expect to see more volatility with rates…

Fed Cuts Rates 0.75%, Mortgage Rates Going Down, Down??

Posted on January 23, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

Marin Real Estate- Magic 8 BallYesterday the Fed made a drastic move and cut the Federal fund rate by 0.75%. With this rate many people expected rates for home loans to drop substantially. Not the case… The fed rate cuts do not directly impact mortgage interest rates, but it does impact homeowners with equity lines of credit, people who carry credit card balances and other short term loans.

While not directly tied to the fed rate cut, mortgage rates did drop yesterday. Jumbo rates decreased 0.125% and conforming rates (loan amount under 417K) decreased 0.25%.

Continue reading →

Marin County a great investment

Posted on January 21, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

When evaluating real estate (or any investment for that matter), people often make the mistake of looking at it in a short term perspective. For most people who own Marin real estate, it often a long term investment. The chart below details the average Marin County home sales price in 2007, 1997, and 1987.

All I can say, is that I really wish I had purchased ten Marin County homes in 1987 or even just ten years ago in 1997.

Marin County real estate is a great investment at any time- just think long term!

City Average Marin Home Sales Price
2007		 Average Marin Home Sales Price
1997		 Average Marin Home Sales Price
1987
All Marin County $1,223,678 $443,135 $240,875
Belvedere $3,880,903 $1,248,804 $665,053
Corte Madera $1,214,431 $382,677 $219,925
Fairfax $841,837 $325,912 $160,930
Greenbrae $1,052,236 $398,074 $230,308
Kentfield $2,427,872 $855,384 $408,581
Larkspur $1,301,432 $500,874 $241,193
Mill Valley $1,400,526 $524,941 $283,479
Novato $757,815 $303,576 $188,771
Ross $3282,336 $1,003,212 $452,700
San Anselmo $1,056,271 $416,676 $232,160
San Rafael $905,599 $368,903 $225,358
Sausalito $1,309,383 $453,109 $230,151
Tiburon $2,207,819 $801,875 $451,038

Statistics from BAREIS Marin County MLS®.

Marin County Year End Home Sales

Posted on January 19, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

Here are some new sales charts comparing Marin County real estate in 2007 through 2004. The number of Marin County homes sold in 2007 has continued to decline each year since 2004. Despite the number of Marin homes sold going down, both the median and the average sales price of Marin County homes has increased since 2004.

Marin Home Sales Comparison 2007-2004

Marin Median Home Price Comparison 2007-2004

Marin Average Home Sales Price Comparison 2007-2004

Statistics from BAREIS MLS® January 10, 2008.

Budget Cuts for Marin and California Public Schools

Posted on January 14, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger proposed a budget on Thursday that would cut nearly 10 percent of the funding for public education. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the budget would cut nearly $4 billion dollars from public education and would suspend Proposition 98 which requires a minimum funding level for schools.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell said this: “Our state shouldn’t punish our children for its grown-ups’ mistakes.”

Yet another good reason to pass Measure A…