Last Call: Champagne Tuesday, 2/9/10. is a post from: Mark's Remarks

Eight Home Buying Tips in 2010 is a post from: Mark's Remarks

Buying a home in any market can be daunting. No matter how left brain you are, most people buy emotionally, then justify logically. Here are ten tips to make your home buying adventure a little less “adventurous”…

1)      Pre- Qualify: Don’t forget to work closely with a qualified Loan Agent before you find the house of your dreams. Banks are currently demanding more documents such as tax returns, pay stubs and bank statements. Be sure to hold off on large purchases which may affect your credit. 

2)      Keep Closing Costs in Mind: Remember to set aside funds for closing costs. Loan points, escrow fees, appraisals, inspections and other fees will need to be addressed at the time of closing on your new home. 

3)      Make Use of Technology: Although nothing beats an actual walk through of the home of your dreams, great websites, email updates, voice activated IDX systems and virtual tours can save you time with your search. Even if you have a clear picture of what you want in a home, you may turn a corner and surprise yourself. 

4)       Look for Incurables: Deficiencies such as power lines, freeways, commercial areas and busy streets can all affect the marketability of a home, even in the best of times. Pay attention to the incurable aspects or most expensive items first (lot position, floor plan), then work your way to the least expensive (carpet, paint, touch up). 

5)      Work with an Experienced Agent: Nothing replaces experience. A good Real Estate agent, whom you preferably find by referral, will pay great dividends. The 3 questions to keep in mind are: (1) Can I trust you? (2) Are you good at what you do? (3) Do you care about me? 

6)      Don’t Major in the Minors: Every home has defects and deficiencies – even brand new ones. Once in escrow, do your best to focus on what the home has to offer in the long run (neighborhood, quality of life, utility), not on all the minutia that turns up on the home inspection. Avoid getting caught up in the “process” as it can be taxing, stressful and somewhat anticlimactic. Keep your eye on the prize and always retain a “business” mindset. Resist the temptation of making it a “personal” shootout with the Seller.

7)      Count on Repairs: Although most home sales have a home warranty negotiated, have a few dollars set aside after closing for unexpected repairs. 

8)      Look into the Future: Even though you haven’t even closed on the home yet, you will most likely sell it someday. When searching,  focus on location, neighborhood and the amenities that get you excited. Chances are your next buyer will feel the same way.

Champagne Tuesday, February 9th is a post from: Mark's Remarks

Fundraiser for "Moment by Moment" Tuesday, 2/9/10

The Real Estate Market: Where is it going? is a post from: Mark's Remarks

In a market that changes almost weekly, Real Estate in 2010, looks like a good bet to bounce back slightly as housing inventories remain relatively low. The big question remains: what about the banks’ shadow inventory? 

With over a million homes being held by banks throughout the country, will the banks release a foreclosure tsunami or will they dole out REOs more judiciously than the last time around? Only time will tell. Word on the street has it that we may be seeing a fresh batch of foreclosures as early as the first week of February and into March, April and May. What will this do to the existing market? Stay tuned…

Are Appraisals Getting Easier? is a post from: Mark's Remarks

In recent months, I have experienced a relaxing of appraisals on single family homes. Earlier this year, it was like pulling teeth to get an appraisal through and now with Obama getting touch with banks, we may see Real Estate transactions boosted. 

Condominiums and Townhomes can still present a challenge as there are new bank guidelines which scrutinize Homeowner Associations to the gnat’s eyelash.

The Red Violin is a post from: Mark's Remarks

Where can you get a story whose adventures lead from 1681 – present, is translated in four different languages, explores remote German monasteries, displays wandering virtuoso gypsies, echoes music in starched concert halls, reveals steamy romances, auctions priceless antique instruments, boasts an incredible score written by John Corigliano and is played masterfully by Joshua Bell and lastly, an unforgettable role by Samuel L. Jackson, all in a two hours?

The last violin of Niccolo Busotti is auctioned in a riveting account of the life of a violin that has realized itself through the centuries.

I don’t remember ever seeing a film with violinists that actually appear as if they are playing the violin. Most people would not notice this, however, a player can tell immediately.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the Red Violin DVD at you local video store and watch, listen and enjoy this pinnacle of filmmaking and storytelling. You’ll want to watch and listen again and again!

Where Have the White Picket Fences Gone? is a post from: Mark's Remarks

I was having lunch with Steve, a good friend and colleague, last week. He is a 10 year seasoned Real Estate veteran. We often get together and discuss the current market. In the middle of the main course, he turned to me and asked, “What happened to the white picket fence?” 

It’s hard to believe where we have come in the last decade. When I began my career almost 12 years ago, people would still call our office with an inquiry regarding a home they’d seen for sale in a black and white magazine. 

It’s no secret –  by the 2000’s, things began to change rapidly. Email took over as one of the cardinal communication modes. Websites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia and Cyberhomes popped up. Investors snapped up and traded properties like baseball cards. Buyers no longer needed to contact a Realtor until they had perused the internet for the perfect home. Sellers might dial up a website to update themselves on the value of their home. 

In addition, folks bought homes, not to live in, but to “fix and flip.” The white picket fence had become a commodity. Now, with rampant bank foreclosures, lending institutions are selling “tapes” or bundles of foreclosed properties to smaller institutions for cents on the dollar. These homes are then redistributed to end users, mainly investors, for profit. 

Of course there are still buyers opting for a place to call home and trust me, I am all for making a living and improving one’s lifestyle via prudent investments. But the face of Real Estate has changed forever and looking back, I sort of liked the value that Jimmy Stewart displayed in It’s a Wonderful life. Everyone has a right to the American Dream and sometimes it may even include a white picket fence.

Violin Master: Antonio Vivaldi “The Red Priest” meets Bob Fosse is a post from: Mark's Remarks

In the 1600-1700’s, a wit could safely jeer that Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi did not write 450 concertos but wrote one concerto 450 times. Today we know that this couldn’t be further from the truth. So nicknamed the “Red Priest” because of his seminary background and flaming red hair. No matter what great classical music I’ve discovered in my travels, Vivaldi’s concerti and choral works continue to capture my mind & heart.

The Four Seasons is probably Antonio Vivaldi’s most popular work in modern times. But I encourage the discriminating listener to dig even deeper and discover some hidden jewels that are lesser known pieces. 

I was first introduced to Vivaldi’s music via the 1980’s film, All That Jazz, starring Roy Scheider as Joe Gideon.  Based on an autobiographical account of the late Bob Fosse, famed Broadway director and choreographer, Scheider portrays Fosse’s alter ego in a wild ride of amphetamines, alcohol, womanizing and workaholisism which ultimately leads to Fosse’s demise. The classic scene played over and over throughout the film depicts Scheider in the bathroom, commencing each day with popping a handful of uppers, dropping a couple of Alka Seltzer in a glass of water, throwing a Vivaldi cassette tape into the player, looking into the mirror and saying,”It’s showtime, folks.” 

Not being able to get this concerto out of my mind, I went on an all out search into record stores (yes, vinyl) as the movie soundtrack was released after the film was well out of the theaters. As a result of this search, which ended up being the Alla Rustica concerto featured in the movie’s bathroom scene, I continued to hit and miss, only to stumble upon a virtual wealth of other music which Vivaldi had composed.

How to Buy a Home in Lamorinda: Part V – Research School Boundaries is a post from: Mark's Remarks

A great portion of the population moves to Lamorinda for its top ranked schools.  Pay attention to the elementary school boundaries when purchasing in Lafayette, Orinda or Moraga.  Even though a particular home is within a certain elementary school fringe, check with local school districts as to its impaction.  Many grade schools are overpopulated with incoming applicants and depending on how many families are moving into the area at a particular time, it is not uncommon for a child to attend an elementary school well outside its neighborhood.  I must say, however, that in my experience, the Orinda School District makes every attempt to accommodate and keep families together in one school. 

In our case, we have three children.  When relocating into the Orinda School District five years ago, we were faced the dilemma of having two children at Glorietta Elementary and one child at Wagner Ranch Elementary.  Fortunately, in the final hours, we received notice that all of our kids were admitted to Glorietta. 

In Middle School and High School, this should not be an issue.  But be prepared to produce a myriad of proof that you either own or rent within the district boundary lines.

The Stradivarius Violin “Hammer”: A Cool $3.54M is a post from: Mark's Remarks

Renowned “Golden Age” luthier Antonio Stradivari may never have dreamed that one of his violins would sell for more than the cost of 25 Steinway and Sons concert grand pianos.  Named after Christian Hammer, the 19^th Century collector who was its first recorded owner, this extraordinary violin was auctioned at Christie’s Auction house in May of 2006, to an anonymous bidder.  It is the highest price ever paid for an instrument at a public sale. 

So, what makes this violin so special?  Some say the wood, some say the varnish, others maintain that Stradivari made a deal with the devil.  But it’s likely, that even in the 1700’s, this fiddle was valued at more that a large home at the time.

Violin values are chiefly based on their antiquity and pedigree.  I have had the honor to play a Stradivarius once in a San Francisco dealership.  It was the eeriest feeling holding a violin of this value (list price $2M), but when I played it, I found no discernible difference to other fine instruments.  My opinion was validated when a San Francisco Symphony soloist played it after me in the next room.  When he finished an incredible cadenza I could hear him say from next door, “Nothing special.”