Showing posts with label Bay Area Real Estate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bay Area Real Estate. Show all posts

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Sky Camp: Let Your Imagination Soar

by Tom Knight

Imagine, if you will, you are returning by air from the East Coast, preparing to land at the Oakland International Airport. As you cross the last row of hills on your descent, suddenly the vast open space of the Bay Area appears below… the bay, San Francisco in the distance, bridges, miles upon miles of houses, buildings, highways and byways stretching out far below you in all directions. Suppose it’s night: the twinkling lights sparkle like a vast illuminated electrical quilt and the dark space of the bay is like a black cat stretched out asleep in the center. Imagine you freeze frame that moment and live in a place with that sensational airplane view locked in, a place with that instant of recognition that you are home. There is a place like that: Sky Camp.

Imagine you live on the edge of the forest full of ferns and wildflowers. You hear the echo of owls hooting through the night woods, see red tailed hawks soaring on the afternoon updrafts below you, just as you remember seeing on your last visit to Big Sur. You have miles of hiking trails beginning in your backyard, the solitude of the wind in the trees punctuated by the chatter of the Steller's jays. Yet, you are not quite lost in the wilderness. You gaze out from your perch at the panorama of civilization a thousand feet below. There are no cars passing by. You live at the end of the road, the top of the hill. You live on the fringe of the urban jungle. There is a place like that: Sky Camp.

Imagine the warm winter sun on your outside deck, a quiet beginning of your day with your first cup of coffee and croissant. In your garden patio, sheltered and bright, your Adirondack chair puts you in the relaxed reclining mode for happy hour. Rhododendrons above, roses below, who needs Golden Gate Park? A fresh Acme seeded baguette from the Berkeley Bowl, some camembert from Marin County’s Rouge et Noir, a bottle of spicy Zinfandel from Amador County’s Renwood Winery, some fresh cherries from Frog Hollow. “Eat local” they say. “Slow food” they say. You’re there: Sky Camp.

The floors are wood, the walls are wood, the open beamed ceiling is wood. Is this a cabin in the pines of Tahoe? You throw another log in the wood stove and gaze awhile out the floor-to-ceiling windows. No. You’re on the urban fringe, living on the edge of the beautiful Bay Area. You are at the top of Panoramic Hill. You are where daydreams come easily. You are at Sky Camp.

Not just a house or a place. An experience for a life time. Sky Camp. Imagine it yours.

For images from Sky Camp: http://PanoramicSkyCamp.com

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Make your Home Buyer AND Lender Friendly!

The mortgage world has changed. Just as buyers have discovered new hoops to jump through, Sellers are also finding that their properties are under greater scrutiny. Making your property match lender expectations can help increase your pool of potential buyers and ultimately ensure that your home sells for the highest amount possible.

The following checklist is Courtesy of Monica C. Di Perna, Guarantee Mortgage, NMLS #116494/DRE #01244107

A. Ready the Property for an Appraisal (Eyes of the Lender)
  1. Chipped paint must be repaired
  2. Roof or other useful component/mechanical system (appliance etc.) must have 2 years useful life
  3. No Broken windows/No sign of mold (An appraiser can suspect it and state a suspicion on the appraisal)
  4. Health and Safety Hazards will be disclosed
  5. Large holes must be repaired
  6. Safety rails where needed
  7. Inoperable Plumbing must be repaired
  8. Structural/Foundation problems must be repaired (many 100 year old homes still have existing foundation-big red flag)
  9. Water Heaters
  10. Any sign of water damage/stains will be addressed
  11. If appraiser suspects termite infestation, lender can require Termite Inspection and Termite Clearance of Section 1 items.
B. Permit History:
  1. Any additions need permits or will not count as value
  2. List of recent improvements from owner so you can match up permits
  3. Pull the list of permits if client doesn’t have them to make sure they match improvements
  4. Special Agreements with Neighbor that may not show up
  5. Best place to go is City’s building & Planning Department. Permits and Property conditions can be viewed online for the City of Berkeley.
C. How does an appraiser determine Value for Lending Purposes? Price Vs. Lender Valuea.
  1. Sales within past 90 days
  2. No more than 20% difference in square footage/parcel size
  3. No more than 1 mile in urban area and 5 miles away in rural market

*****Always have ready to give to Appraiser: List of improvements, permits, special agreements, and Condo Packet (CCR’s, Budget, Bylaws, Articles, Master Insurance Policy, HOA Cert)